Due to the cold weather and freezing ground, the soldiers could not bear it. After a few days, the soldiers often suffered from acclimatization.
These troubles completely eliminated the last thought of crossing the river in Cao Pi's mind.
Therefore, less than half a month after the army arrived at Guangling County and the north bank of the river, it slowly began to return to the court.
The dragon boat had just gone south and was about to turn around and go north again. It seemed that the emperor had made a joke with the trackers on both sides of the river, or maybe the emperor just wanted to see the winter scenery of the river. In any case, those trackers who died of freezing and exhaustion will not be resurrected.
The frustrated Cao Pi personally led his land and water armies to the Jianghuai and Shouchun areas again.
Chenliu County.
He remembered that Bao Xun, who had been demoted not long ago, was responsible for building the fortress here.
After Cao Pi watched the camp for a long time, his face suddenly darkened.
When Bian Lan hurriedly looked at the camp, he immediately understood what had happened. I saw that the passage at the camp had not yet been opened, but the side road beside the camp was full of ruts and footprints walked by the county soldiers.
According to the laws of the Wei Dynasty, when an army travels in an army, it is a violation of military law to not follow the main road of the camp. Just because the military was traveling, in order to prevent enemy spies from sneaking in, checkpoints were arranged at various camps to check the military codes before passing.
But now the county soldiers are no longer walking in the camp, but walking freely outside the main road. It is no wonder that the emperor is unhappy.
Cao Pi said in a deep voice:
"Quickly inform Sun Yong, the prefect, Bao Xun, the bookkeeper and law enforcer, and Liu Yao, the commander of the military camp, to come here to see me!"
"only."
Bian Lan knew something was going on, so he remained calm and immediately sent an envoy to urge the three of them.
Not long after, Sun Yong, Bao Xun, and Liu Yao arrived on the dragon boat.
"Tell me, what's going on?"
Cao Pi didn't wait for the three of them to greet each other, and went straight to the point and asked directly.
When the emperor investigated these three people, he did not blame them wrongly.
One is the governor in charge of the government affairs of a county, one is specifically responsible for building the camp here, and the other is the military camp order history in charge of military orders. It is perfect for them to explain this matter.
Bao Xun still took the lead, and he answered the emperor sternly:
"Your Majesty, the Emperor, the construction period for the fort here is still early, so it has not been completed. As a result, we can only march on a side road."
What Bao Xun said is true. But after all, Bao Xun was not good at military matters, so there were still some mistakes in this matter. No matter what, he should still set up a temporary military post on the side road to check for secret codes.
There was a sneer on Cao Pi's lips. Bao Xun finally showed his flaw, and he couldn't blame himself.
"Bao Xun, who governs and enforces law, misbehaves and is fined three years' salary to serve as a warning to others!"
After being fined for three years, only Sun Yong, who was a good friend, understood how big a blow this was to Bao Xun, who came from a poor family and had never been greedy.
"My lord, thank the emperor for not killing me!"
Something crystal seemed to be shining in Bao Xun's eyes, and his eyes had turned red.
The dragon boat continues to return north.
On the occasion of the first lunar month of spring, Emperor Longjia finally arrived in Xuchang, and Cao Pi decided to stay temporarily in Xuchang.
But just as he was about to enter Xuchang City, the south gate of the city collapsed for no reason. This made the emperor feel upset and no longer planned to enter the city.
Pingyuan King Cao Rui, who was once again in charge of the country, became more mature and steady than before.
He handles everything in Jiao Ying beautifully.
The emperor's exhausted body and mind also felt a little relieved.
Not long after returning to Luoyang, Cao Pi received another secret note from Bao Xun, the law enforcer of the Zhi Shu Law Enforcement Bureau.
After reading it, Cao Pi only sneered several times:
"What a good Uncle Bao. Even though he is a law enforcer, he still doesn't forget to impeach others!"
It turns out that the things mentioned in the secret report were illegal things committed by Shi Liu Yao, the military camp commander of Chenliu County.
Due to Cao Pi's prejudice against Bao Xun, this matter did not attract his attention. Perhaps due to fatigue, he simply did not want to care about these trivial matters in his eyes.
At this moment, the school officer Liu Ci happened to send a secret report immediately.
This secret report happened to be sent by Shi Liu Yao, the military camp commander of Chenliu County, and he even asked the school officials to send it to him.
After Cao Pi read the secret memorial, the veins on his forehead popped out again.
"What a good Bao Xun! He usually teaches me a lot of things, but here he is shielding and conniving me!"
It turns out that Liu Yaoxin said: The military tracks on the side road of the camp that day were the soldiers of the prefect Sun Yong.
That day, after inspecting the project, Sun Yong wanted to visit Bao Xun. However, the camp was not completed and only the camp sign was erected. Therefore, Sun Yong took a side road and happened to be seen by the military camp commander Shi Liu Yao.
Liu Yao wanted to report Sun Yong for violating military orders, but Bao Xun believed that the trench camp had not been built yet, so he intervened so that Liu Yao did not report the matter.
Cao Pi already harbored resentment towards Bao Xun, but now that he learned that he had deceived his subordinates, Long Yan was naturally furious. As for Sun Yong, he just went astray by mistake, and since he was a famous scholar and minister, Cao Pi had a good impression of him, so Sun Yong did not make Cao Pi angry.
What the emperor didn't know was that Liu Yao happened to have violated the law recently and was caught by Bao Xun. Bao Xun wanted to report him and depose him, so Liu Yao secretly went to court to let the emperor know about Bao Xun. Xun Xun released Sun Yong privately.
Cao Pi was really furious at this moment. You must know that when he was still in the East Palace, Empress Guo's brother was reported to the late king by Bao Xun for stealing official cloth and was executed. No matter how he requested, Bao Xun would not show mercy. . But now, Bao Xun himself has learned to bend the law for personal gain!
Cao Pi smashed the secret memorial written by Bao Xun into pieces and roared:
"Bao Xun calls a deer a horse and delivers it to Tingwei immediately!"
Bian Lan, the regular attendant of Sanqi who was accompanying him, did not dare to neglect and immediately conveyed the order.
Tingwei Gaorou felt very embarrassed at this moment. He understood Bao Xun's character and would not really do anything for personal gain and bend the law.
As for Sun Yong's deviation, it was because the camp was not completed, and it did not violate the laws of the Wei Dynasty. Liu Yao's report was just a venting of anger in order to retaliate against Bao Xun.
But the problem is, His Majesty's intention is also very clear. He clearly wants to use this matter to get rid of Bao Xun, a loyal minister who disgusts him.
"Uncle, in my nephew's opinion, this matter should be handled impartially."
Gao Xun saw that his uncle Gao Rou was in trouble, so he took the initiative to offer advice.
Gao Rou frowned, and after a long while, she nodded and said:
"Xun'er's words make sense."
So Gao Rou issued the imperial order in accordance with the law:
"Bao Xun's crime shall be punished by shaving his hair, wearing shackles, and doing hard labor for five years."
However, after some court discussions, the three officials of Tingwei Division believed that the punishment was too severe, rejected Tingwei Gaorou's sentence, and believed that Bao Xun was guilty of:
"According to the law, you will be fined two catties."
The emperor held the verdict submitted by Tingwei's Mansion with an extremely ugly face. Although he tried his best to suppress his emotions, it was still to no avail.
All the things that happened in this year: the sudden death of his beloved son, the death of his best friend, and the defeat in the war against Wu, all made the emperor who was originally a powerful man become nervous. Cao Pi finally broke out, and he tore up the court order. Shattered, and then roared:
"Does Bao Xun still have the right to live!? But how dare I, the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty, to indulge him in this way! Well, since you all want to bend the law for personal gain, then you can all be thrown into prison!
It is my decree to arrest officials below the third official level and hand them over to the traitorous officials. This is called ten rats sharing the same den, and we will catch them all in one fell swoop! "
Bian Lan had never seen the emperor so out of control. At this moment, he was trembling and kneeling on the ground. After making sure to remember the emperor's words, he arranged for the palace attendants to invite the imperial doctor and took good care of the emperor before leaving the palace to deliver the edict. went.
All the auxiliary officers under him were taken into custody. Gao Rou was completely at his wits end now. He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and finally made a decision, that is, to go find all the important officials of Jun Heng to discuss countermeasures together.
Finally, under the leadership of Taiwei Zhong Yao and Situ Huaxin, the generals of the town army Chen Qun, Shi Zhong Xin Pi, Shangshu Wei Zhen, Ting Wei Gao Rou and others jointly gave a memorial to the emperor:
"Bao Xin, the father of Bao Xun, has made great contributions during his time as Taizu. Please read this and forgive Bao Xun's death."
The content of the memorial is concise and clear, because Bao Xin, the father of Bao Xun, once sacrificed his life to save the life of Emperor Taizu Wu. The ministers wanted to influence the emperor with their love for the late emperor, and at least spare Bao Xun's life.
But Cao Pi, who was extremely angry, had lost the reason he should have had at this moment.
Three days later, Bao Xun was beheaded in Dongshi.
After the school official Liu Ci went to ransack Bao Xun's house on the emperor's order, he did not find even one extra five-baht coin from Bao Xun's house.
After Cao Pi killed Bao Xun, he felt regret in his heart. After learning about this, he felt even more depressed. It was as if God was deliberately trying to deal a blow to the Wei emperor who had been hit hard again and again. Three days later, Zhu Shuo and Zhu Yancai, the always weak leader of the army, died unexpectedly!
When Cao Pi learned about this, he couldn't accept it for a moment and completely fainted.
"Pass on the Imperial Physician!"
When Bian Lan, Wang Xiang and others saw this, they shouted crazily:
"Send it to the doctor quickly!"
This is the third time this month that the emperor has fainted.
In the fifth month of summer, Bingchen day.
At night, the palaces in Luoyang are ablaze with lights.
Cao Pi, who was seriously ill again, looked eclipsed while standing on the pavilion with carved railings and painted buildings.
"Your Majesty, I'm not in a good mood. If you feel unwell, it's better to rest early."
Queen Guo gently put a dragon-patterned cloak on Cao Pi's shoulders.
Cao Pi looked dull and thoughtful:
"I remember that Boren passed away at this time last year... During this period of time, I often dreamed of him..."
"Your Majesty, the 'Mourning Marquis of Changling Township' has been gone for a year. He has passed away, so why should we remember him..."
"You do not understand……"
Cao Pi couldn't stop coughing. After hearing the queen say the words "Marquis of Changling Township", he felt sad again. Even until his death, Boren was not able to get the title of marquis from him. He suppressed the sadness in his heart. , continued:
"He and I grew up together, and they are my brothers. Boren has been with me since he was young, and he has been sincere and loyal to me. Although we are people of different surnames, our feelings are as close as ours, and he is our heart. He acted as a minion... Boren... had a profound intellect, a keen mind, and an extraordinary plan. Unfortunately, he died early, and his fate was so hopeless!"
Immediately afterwards, Cao Pi called a chamberlain on duty and ordered:
"Hurry to the Chancellor's Desk and tell Liu Fang and Sun Zi that you will immediately issue an edict to posthumously reward Xia Houshang, the late Marquis of Changling Township, with the rank of General of the Conquest of the South, and the seal and ribbon of the Marquis of Changling." [Note 1]
After receiving the order, the chamberlain immediately went to Lantai to deliver the order.
[Note 1: The edict contained in the book of Wei states: "Shang has been a servant since he was a child, and he has been sincere and honest. Although he has a different surname, he is still the same flesh and blood. He treats the people as his heart and the people as his minions. He has a profound intelligence and extraordinary plans. Unfortunately, he died early. There is nothing I can do about my life! I will give you the seal ribbon of General Zhengnan and the Marquis of Changling."]
Cao Pi was so sad that he coughed out a mouthful of blood!
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty! Hurry... quickly call the imperial doctor!"
―――
Emperor Cao Pi suddenly became seriously ill again. Perhaps this time he felt that he was about to die, so he urgently summoned four generals, Cao Zhen, General of the Chinese Army, Cao Xiu, General of the Zhengdong Army, Chen Qun, General of the Town Army, and Sima Yi, General of the Fu Army, to Beijing. To provide instructions for future affairs.
In the Jiafu Hall, there was a deathly silence at this time, which made people feel depressed for no reason.
"Your Majesty..." The waiter looked at the old but twilight king on the couch and said softly: "The four adults have arrived outside the palace, waiting for your Majesty's summons."
"Xuan... Zidan, Wen Lie, come in first..." The emperor's weak voice was almost difficult to hear clearly.
The waiter understood and shouted loudly:
"Xuan...Cao Zhen, the general of the Chinese army, and Cao Xiu, the general of the Eastern Expedition, came to see..."
"Your Majesty, Cao Zhen and Cao Xiu, please pay homage to your Majesty."
Seeing Cao Pi, who was already in his twilight years, the two men, who were still older than the emperor, felt a pang of sadness.
"Zidan... Wen Lie... you are finally here..." Cao Pi showed a happy smile. At this moment, he just felt so tired that he didn't even have the strength to say a word: "I'm afraid, I can't do it anymore..."
"His Majesty……"
Cao Pi waved to the waiter beside him. The waiter understood and exited the hall with the maids and eunuchs in the hall.
"You two are both my brothers. There are some things I can only say to you..."
Cao Pi grabbed their hands and said with all his strength:
"Although Sima Yi is an old friend of ours in the East Palace, over the years, I feel that he has become more and more unfamiliar... You two must remember that if we, the Wei Dynasty, want to rise, we must use this person, but... If one day, he has other ideas... you must not... be merciful!"
"My ministers, please remember that you will live up to your majesty's trust!"
"Xuan...Sima Yi, the general of Fujun, and Chen Qun, the general of Zhenjun, came to see..."
"I will bow to your Majesty." Chen Qun and Sima Yi knelt down in front of the couch.
"Listen up, gentlemen... Cao Rui, King of Pingyuan... is eager to learn and is quite talented... He is now appointed as... Crown Prince. Your Majesty, you should do your best to assist the Crown Prince. In this way, I can rest in peace even under the Nine Springs. …”
"I will do my best to assist the prince!"
Cao Pi tried his best to see Sima Yi's expression clearly, but the man kneeling in front of the couch did not raise his head. He was seen prostrate on the ground humbly, as calm as before.
"Father..." The young prince Cao Rui lay beside Cao Pi's bed, crying and speechless.
"Rui'er... what I regret most in my life... is the death of your mother...
I know that it is impossible for you not to have any resentment towards me... I just hope that you can support this country. "
Cao Pi wanted to stroke the top of Cao Rui's hair, but suddenly touched the cold jade crown, and his hand couldn't help but tremble slightly:
"Rui'er... you must understand that the reason why I gave Lin'er the hope of inheriting the throne is not because I really want him to replace you...
I am afraid that he is ignorant and incompetent, so I give him hope so that he can become a somewhat useful person...
Rui'er, please promise your father that after you succeed to the throne... you won't embarrass him..."
"My son... I will obey my father's will..."
"After my death...all my concubines and concubines, who have no heirs, will be returned to the people...Shouling Mausoleum is built on a mountain, there is no reed charcoal, no gold, silver, copper or iron, so I must have a light burial and not be extravagant..."
The king's hands finally became completely cold, and the crying in his ears gradually became blurry.
