"Your Majesty, the night dew is heavy, why don't you return the boat?"
Cao Pi, who was listening to the nursery rhyme attentively and lost his mind, was interrupted by a familiar voice.
At some point, the originally strong and steady voice that he was familiar with had become so vicissitudes of life, and Cao Pi couldn't help but feel shocked and sad.
He turned around and faced the man, but he didn't know how to comfort him.
"Zhongda..."
Cao Pi just opened his mouth, but he didn't know what to say.
Sure enough, Sima Yi's eyes had lost a trace of the enthusiasm of the past. At this moment, his eyes only showed a bit of sadness, a bit of vicissitudes of life, a bit of indifference, and some colors that Cao Pi couldn't quite see through or understand.
Sima Yi made a big salute and asked the emperor softly:
"Your Majesty, do you have something to tell me?"
The emperor looked at the uncertain purple sky in the sky and sighed. This sigh seemed to be wrapped in thousands of years of sorrow. He looked up at the starry sky and said slowly:
"Zhongda, you know, Xi Bo [Wang Xiang] said a lot to me before he died. However, most of what he said happened many years ago. I remember that in the past, when I was the crown prince of Wei , casually made a wish, saying that he would collect all the classics and classics in the world into one volume. According to the words of Hong's ancestors, he, without saying anything, called Huan Fan, Huan Yuanze, Liu Shao, Liu Kongcai, Wei Danwei. General Zhong, Miao Xibo and Miao Xibo, working day and night, waiting for the day to come, actually fulfilled my wish. A total of forty parts, eight million words, were completed in less than ten years, which can be said to be magnificent!"
Looking at the emotional emperor, Sima Yi was as calm as an ancient well.
Cao Pi looked at the stars in the sky and continued:
"You know, before he died, he kept talking about his past with Yang Jun..." Cao Pi said no more words at this point. After a long time, the emperor regained his composure and said word by word:
"You know, I, I really regret it..."
The emperor's words were as if they were thrown into a bottomless tree hole, and there was no response.
————
"Brother, you are finally here. You have already finished your errands, but you have to go north again, which makes me, Fengdi, and Huandi have to wait."
Xia Houxian, who had been waiting at Changting Station for three days, began to complain nonstop when he saw his cousin return.
"Isn't this something I want to say to Mr. Qianfu? Originally, according to the schedule, I could have arrived two days ago, but Governor Wu heard that I was leaving and had to hold a banquet in honor of me, so I stayed for two days."
Xia Houxuan patted his cousin on the shoulder and said with a smile:
"Didn't I ask you to wait for me in Shangdang City with Brother Feng and Tiger Tiger? Why did you wait here in the outer city for three days?"
Xia Houxian stuck out his tongue and said with a naughty smile:
"We're not brothers yet. I'm worried about your safety, brother. Hu and Han people live together in the northern border, and chaos is rampant. You are alone, and you may encounter some trouble. Therefore, I have discussed it with Fengdi and Tiger Tiger. Come here early and wait. If you don't come today, the three of us will travel northward day and night to meet you. Fortunately, my brother is here today, so we don't have to worry about it anymore."
Hearing this, Xia Houxuan smiled warmly, took out a small bag from the baggage, and threw it to Xia Houxian:
"If you still have some conscience, here's what I promised you before, Bingzhou-style dried beef breast!"
"Wow!"
Xia Houxian became excited when he heard this. He changed his image as a young adult in the past. He jumped up and down holding the bag of beef breasts, and thanked him profusely. You know, in the past, when Weng Weng or his father went to war and march, and there was hardship and lack of food, Weng Weng and his father had to share the joys and sorrows with the soldiers, so this beef breast became the favorite childhood memory of a son of a general like me.
As for the beef jerky produced in Bingzhou, it is the most famous in the world.
You know, Bingzhou beef jerky has always been well-deserved.
Bingzhou is mountainous, and the cultivated land is not as vast as that of the Central Plains, so there are more dead and sick cattle that can be slaughtered. Furthermore, Bingzhou is located in the north, where many people herd cattle, and the forage is dry, so the meat is much more delicious than the beef from the Central Plains. Not only that, Bingzhou is rich in delicious tempeh and wine vinegar, and the condiments are the most delicious. That’s why Bingzhou’s beef breast is famous in the Central Plains. Even Jiangnan, Jiangzuo, and Shuzhong Guanzhong are very fond of dried Bingzhou beef breast.
Looking at his cousin who was extremely excited and moving his index finger, Xia Houxuan couldn't help laughing and smiled teasingly:
"For the sake of you waiting for me, I allow you to eat some now, but don't finish it. Remember to leave some for Feng and Tiger."
"got it……"
Before Xia Houxuan finished speaking, Xia Houxian's cheeks bulged.
————
Cui Lin, the governor of Youzhou, who had just taken office just a few months ago, began to organize the etiquette and arrangements for returning to Beijing.
Because they had made great contributions by surrendering Suli and others from East Xianbei, as well as tens of thousands of Xianbei knights, a commendation edict came from the imperial court.
Not only that, His Royal Highness King Pingyuan, who was overseeing the country, specifically asked the emperor for instructions and promoted himself to Da Honglu, in charge of foreign affairs.
"Cui Shijun...oh no, now it's time to change my name to Da Honglu."
After Youzhou Biejia helped Cui Lin pack up the ceremony, ceremonial guards, and guards for returning to the capital from the south, he came to invite Cui Lin to the practice banquet:
"Da Honglu, I have prepared a banquet to celebrate Dahonglu's practice. I also ask Dahonglu to move his jade toes a little and go to the Changting Pavilion in the southern suburbs."
Cui Lin himself didn't know what he was feeling when he saw Biejia, who had been helping him diligently for several months and now looked so flattering on his face.
"Okay, I understand."
Cui Lin straightened his clothes, slung the sword around his waist, and stood up. He helped Biejia, who was bowing like a crossbow:
"You have worked hard these days. Remember, during these days in office, I have carefully observed all the officials in Youzhou and the governors from all over the country. Only Wang Xiong and Wang Hun, his father and son, will be the pillars of the future. After I leave, , if there are matters in the state that you cannot solve, you can go and ask Wang Xiong for advice. If you save this man, you will definitely be rewarded in the future."
After listening to Cui Lin's heartfelt words, tears filled his eyes, and he knelt down at Cui Lin's feet with a thud:
"Your great kindness will be unforgettable in my lifetime!"
Cui Lin nodded, put on the sachet on his waist, adjusted the Jinxian crown on his head, and then stepped out of the hall.
————
Luoyang. The inner hall of the East Palace.
After sending away Pingyuan King Fu Gaotanglong who had just come to the banquet, Pingyuan King Cao Rui immediately summoned Cao Shuang, Cao Zhao, Li Feng, Li Anguo, Li Anguo, Li Feng, and Li Anguo, who were all newly attached to him. Gao Xun and others began to discuss what happened in recent days.
Cao Rui sat in the hall, frowning slightly, and said in a deep voice:
"Everyone, please make arrangements for the Emperor's return to the capital. I have arranged for the Chancellor to handle this matter. I summon you here today because I want to discuss a private matter with you."
Cao Shuang stood up and replied:
"Why do you say this, my lord? As the saying goes, a king is selfless. Your Highness is responsible for the great responsibilities of the world. Your Highness' affairs are world affairs. If there is any trouble, your Highness just say it directly. I will go through fire and water without hesitation!"
Hearing this, Cao Rui nodded, his frown slightly relaxed:
"Everyone knows that two days ago, when Gu's cousin, Sanqi Changshi and Bian Xiaowei, returned to the capital, they issued an edict to grant Feng Gu's brother, Ajian, the title of King of Dongwuyang. Originally , Ajian has reached the age of fifteen this year, so there is nothing wrong with being granted the title of king, but His Majesty specifically mentioned in the edict that Ajian should not be granted the title of vassal for the time being."
After Wei Lie heard this, he stood up, saluted and said:
"Your Highness, are you worried that His Highness King Dongwuyang will threaten your status?"
Cao Rui shook his head gently, sighed and said:
"I'm worried, Cao Lin."
When Gao Xun heard this, he felt a little confused. He stood up and said:
"His Royal Highness the King of Hedong, he has violated a taboo a few days ago and has become jealous of His Majesty. He is depressed day by day and is hiding in his house. He has changed from his previous arrogance. In my opinion, he has lost his fighting spirit and is no longer a worry. Your Highness Why are you worried about Cao Lin?"
Cao Zhao also asked in confusion:
"What Brother Xun said makes sense. His Highness the King of Hedong has lost power, and His Highness the King of Dongwuyang has no foundation. I wonder what your Highness is worried about?"
Cao Rui shook his head again, frowned and said:
"You all don't know, Cao Lin is Gu's brother, and Gu naturally knows him quite well. Gu, this younger brother, has always been very conceited and has a cruel personality. Now he has made mistakes and lost the emperor's expectations. Naturally, it will be difficult for him to communicate with me directly. To contend. However, what Gu is worried about is precisely because King Dongwuyang has no foundation."
When He Zeng, Cao Zhao, and Li Feng heard this, they were shocked and suddenly realized.
Li Feng stood up and said:
"Your Highness is worried that His Highness King Hedong will harm His Highness King Dongwuyang?"
Cao Rui's long eyebrows twitched slightly and nodded.
"In this case, before His Majesty returns to the capital these days, I will ask my younger brother Cao Zuan to pay more attention to this matter to ensure the safety of His Majesty King Dongwuyang."
Cao Rui shook his head and said:
"It would be extremely inappropriate to hand this matter over to my direct connections in the East Palace. What if my East Palace secretly protects A Jian? What if Cao Lin gets his hands on the secret? Then he bites back again. How can we make it clear? ?”
Cao Zhao nodded and said:
"The minister made an oversight, and what His Highness said is absolutely true. However, in this case, Cao Zuan, the Governor of Wei, and we are unable to come forward. What should we do?"
When Cao Rui frowned and was thinking, Li Feng suddenly left the table and stood up, bowing to the audience again:
"Your Highness, I and my brother Li Yi used to serve in the Luoyang army. Their friends include Cui Zan, Xu Yun and others. These two people have never had anything to do with the East Palace, so they can be used."
Cao Rui was overjoyed when he heard this. He went down to the hall and helped Li Feng up in person:
"Anguo, in this way, you can relieve the great trouble of being alone!"
Li Feng stood up and bowed again, smiling slightly and saying:
"Since I serve His Highness, I should not avoid danger and fire, and I should do my best!"
Cao Rui smiled and nodded, then arranged:
"Gao Xun, during these days, you should visit the King of Hedong frequently on the pretext of asking about the case. Be sure to keep a close eye on him. If there is any abnormality, remember to report to me as soon as possible."
"only!"
Gao Xun stood up from the table, bowed in front of the hall and said:
"I am determined to live up to His Highness's great trust!"
Cao Rui's brows finally relaxed at this moment:
"In this way, I can rely on all the ministers."
