Although the winter in Luoyang City is as snowy and cold as the northern border of Bingzhou, this is the imperial capital of the Central Plains. No matter how severe the cold wind coming from the north is, it will be blocked by the northern mountain barriers such as the Taihang Mountains. It's not that cold anymore when we get here.
In Luoyang Imperial City, above the pavilions and pavilions, there was a scene of joy, singing and dancing.
Above the tower, inside and outside the city wall, soldiers wearing iron scales and holding halberds are silently guarding the prosperity of Luoyang amidst the white snow.
Beside the waterside pavilion, in the palace, singing girls wearing colorful silk ribbons and holding dancing fans were happily celebrating the victory of the Northern Territory in the slowly fragrant mist.
In the past two months, Emperor Cao Rui had received good news from the northern battlefield one after another, and he was in a good mood. Therefore, during this month, he often held banquets and banquets in the palace to celebrate.
"Hahaha, this time General Qiaoqi led the Chinese army to attack Xianbei, which not only enabled Kebi to defeat Mobei, but also made General Xie Guini of Xianbei lead his troops to surrender. It is really gratifying and congratulatory!"
"That's right, that's right. In addition, in October, the generals of the Budugen tribe, Daihu Alangni and others, also led their troops to surrender in Jinyang, Bingzhou. General Qin can be said to have made an indispensable contribution."
The ministers who were feasting at the banquet raised their glasses to praise this great victory, and everyone was also full of praise for Qin Lang.
"Um."
Emperor Cao Rui was in a good mood at the moment. He nodded with satisfaction, raised his wine and said with a smile:
"General Qin has indeed lived up to my high expectations. Come and pass on my instructions. General Qin Lang and the soldiers of the Xiaoqi camp have made indispensable contributions to suppressing the rebellion. The army is about to return to Beijing. It is winter. The journey here is long and the border is bitterly cold. , I specially give you thousands of cotton-padded jackets, a thousand jars of fine wine, a thousand legs of lamb, and five thousand catties of firewood and charcoal, so as to celebrate the victory of the soldiers in keeping the cold away!"
"No." Upon hearing this, Han Yong, the chamberlain beside Cao Rui, immediately went to Shangshu Lantai to announce the arrangements.
"Your Majesty, Wei Chen has also read the report of this battle. This battle can be accomplished in one fell swoop. Yulin Supervisor, Changling Marquis Xiahou Taichu, and Five Hundred Yulin Lang are also indispensable. Therefore, Wei Chen believes that your Majesty's reward is , we should not forget Changlinghou and Yulinying."
When Cao Xi, the deputy general of the Wuwei camp, saw that all the ministers were flattering Qin Lang in front of His Majesty, and completely ignored Xia Houxuan, he was already unhappy. In addition, he had rarely exchanged letters with Xia Houxuan in the past few months, and he missed him very much. Now Xiahou Xuan has made great achievements but has no reward, so he dares to speak out in front of Cao Rui at this moment.
"Third brother, it is His Majesty's duty to reward the three armies. It is up to you and me to intervene at any time. Why don't you go back to your seat!"
Beside Cao Xi, General Wuwei and Shaoling Marquis Cao Shuang was very dissatisfied when he saw Cao Xi being so reckless. He was afraid that the emperor would be angry, so he hurriedly reprimanded Cao Xi in a low voice and kept winking at Cao Xi, but Cao Xi remained unmoved.
"Your Majesty, I think that what Mr. Zhaoshu just said is quite reasonable."
At this moment, a civil servant stood up and left the table, and said this to the emperor in a loud voice.
When everyone raised their eyes to look, they found that the person speaking turned out to be Sanqi Changshi and Guannei Marquis.
This Gao Tanglong was from Pingyang, Mount Tai, Qingzhou, and was famous for his good fortune in predicting celestial phenomena. During the reign of Emperor Wu, he served as Taishan Shou and Postal Supervisor. Emperor Wen Huang Chuzhong was promoted to the county magistrate of Tangyang. Later, under the promotion of Emperor Wen, he served as Cao Rui, King of Pingyuan, who is now His Majesty's Wang Fu.
Later, when His Majesty came to the throne, he began to show his talents as the emperor's advisor. First, he was appointed as the prefect of Chenliu to govern one side. Due to his outstanding political achievements and often outstanding suggestions to the court, he gained the emperor's trust. He was granted the rank of Sanqi Changshi, and was conferred the title of Marquis of Guannei by your majesty. He became an important figure around his majesty and was able to serve Cao Rui from time to time. Give advice and plan military plans.
When Cao Rui saw that it was his teacher Gao Tanglong, he had deep respect in his heart. Therefore, he did not interrupt Gao Tanglong's words, but continued to listen patiently.
Gao Tanglong stroked his long beard and continued:
"I have carefully read the battle report on the northern frontline a few days ago. I heard that although the Yulin camp had a very small number of people, it volunteered in front of the battle and braved the wind and sand to go deep into the enemy's rear. This turned the battle situation around. Therefore, I agree with Zhao. My uncle’s proposal just now is to reward the Yulin Camp together to show His Majesty’s sage.”
Hearing this, Cao Rui thought thoughtfully and finally nodded.
"I don't agree with what Lord Gaotang just said."
As soon as Gao Tanglong finished speaking, someone retorted slowly.
"oh?"
When Gao Tanglong looked back, he found that it was his Majesty's favorite minister, Liu Fang, the regular servant of Sanqi and the supervisor of Zhongshu. Gao Tanglong was not angry, but asked calmly:
"If you have any opinion, Mr. Zhongshu Supervisor, you might as well speak up."
"I secretly thought that although Xiahou Taichu was born as a general and was quite talented, he was ultimately nothing more than a weakling. He had neither the talent to lead an army nor any actual combat experience. Now he suddenly used military equipment to weaken the Five Hundred Yulin, and Changwu In the northern border, I am very suspicious. This credit is just a result of General Qin who deliberately made friends with the Xiahou family and deliberately made false claims for him. I hope your majesty will understand clearly."
As soon as Liu Fang said these words, everyone at the table immediately started talking.
Originally, everyone was discussing whether the Yulin camp should be rewarded, but Liu Fang changed the topic. Even Qin Lang, who had made outstanding contributions, was said to be a clique, falsely reporting achievements, and wooing courtiers. Everyone was silent for a moment. Don't dare to talk nonsense, for fear of accidentally getting hot and getting into trouble.
Although Luoyang looks elegant and peaceful, how many turbulent undercurrents and intricate conflicts of interests are there?
Many people don't know, and they don't want to or dare to know.
Cao Xi, who was at the table, and Cao Zhao, the Marquis of Changping, who was beside the emperor, couldn't help but become angry after hearing Liu Fang's words. Even Shaoling Marquis Cao Shuang, who had been cautious and silent, could not help but frown at this moment.
Although few people noticed it, Cao Zhao and Cao Shuang, who had been in palace confinement for a long time, and Cao Xi, who had served under his eldest brother Cao Shuang for several years, had long been aware that Liu Fang and Sun Zi were openly Ershang only focused on solving problems for His Majesty and making suggestions, but in fact, he had already communicated with some ministers in the court and had some kind of ambiguous relationship.
As for the ministers who were in the same boat with them, they might be Sima Yi, the general of Wuyanghou, and they seemed to be Jiang Ji and others of the Central Guard Army.
Although there is no clear evidence for this, what Cao Shuang, Cao Zhao and others can be sure of is that Liu Fang and Sun Zi, for the sake of political interests, have long since brought Cao Zhao, Qin Lang and other members of the clan whom His Majesty trusted, as well as His relatives and ministers regarded him as his enemy.
What Liu Fang said just now is to kill three birds with one stone. Not only did he want to wipe out the contributions of Qin Lang, Xia Houxuan and others to Beiping Xianbei, but he also unknowingly gave Gao Tanglong, Cao Xi, Xia Houxuan and Qin Lang three People have labeled them as cliques with each other. These few of them are either in charge of the imperial guards in the palace, or they are the eyes and ears of the emperor. Once they form a clique, they will naturally be a big threat to His Majesty, so Liu Fang This move, I have to say, is indeed both destructive and effective.
"Your Majesty."
Cao Zhao understood that although Cao Shuang had a close friendship with His Majesty, he had always been cautious and wise in protecting himself. He would never stand up for Qin Lang and Xia Houxuan at this moment. However, although Cao Xi was frank and fearless, he After all, he was too naive and could easily fall into the trap of Liu Fang and others. Therefore, at this time, the only way for His Majesty to eliminate his suspicions about Qin Lang and others was by speaking out. He continued:
"I believe that the credit of Yulin Camp is absolutely true, and the credit of General Xiaoqi and Xiaoqi Camp are even more true."
Seeing that the emperor did not show any dissatisfaction, Cao Zhao continued:
"Your Majesty, do you still remember that a few months ago, you and your ministers went to inspect the affairs of the Yulin Camp? I believe your Majesty can see that although the Yulin Camp was once demoralized and depleted in military equipment, after Changling Marquis' After training, the Yulin Camp has become brand new and is ready for a battle. Therefore, what Master Liu Da said just now, "The Yulin Camp lacks combat strength and has no talent to lead troops at the beginning" is purely conjecture and heart-breaking. Word!"
Cao Rui also felt that what Cao Zhao said was quite reasonable and couldn't help but nodded. The vague suspicion that had arisen in his heart immediately dissipated.
"Also, Your Majesty should also know that although General Qin Lang likes to make friends, he has never wanted to form a party for personal gain. Besides, the position of Marquis Changling is only a small fifth-grade Yulin Supervisor. It is hard to win him over to Qin Lang. What good can a general do? Furthermore, Your Majesty also knows Xiahou Taichu’s temper. He has always been aloof and arrogant, and even refused to beg for mercy from Your Majesty again and again. How could he accept this false military merit? Therefore. , Weichen believes that the contributions of Yulin Camp and Xiaoqi Camp are all real and not even half false, I hope your Majesty will make a clear decision."
Cao Zhao's words were resounding, and everyone at the table was convinced. Liu Fang, the Central Secretary and Supervisor, looked at Cao Zhao with a hint of coldness that was not easy to detect.
Cao Rui pondered for a moment, nodded and smiled:
"Everyone has contributed a lot to the soldiers who went to the northern border this time. If anyone comes, pass on my instructions and give them more than a thousand cotton-padded jackets, as well as more than 200 each of fine wine and lamb legs, as a reward. .”
"Your Majesty, your Majesty!" All the ministers at the table knelt on the ground. Cao Xi also breathed a long sigh of relief and looked at Cao Zhao with grateful eyes.
"Report——"
At this moment, an envoy came to Cao Rui holding a brocade box in his hand.
"Your Majesty, this is the memorial sent by Qin Lang, the general of the Cavalry, from the north."
When Cao Rui heard this, his heart tightened and he thought: Could there be another change in the military in the north?
Thinking about this, he immediately ordered someone to take the brocade box and took out the memorial.
