After Sima Yi defeated the Yan army, pacified Liaodong, and brutally massacred the city, he immediately sent a fast-horse envoy to bring Gongsun Yuan's head and the battle schedule to the capital Luoyang.
As early as two months ago, Cao Rui's condition had improved slightly after hearing about the great victory in Liaodong. However, after he read the battle list handed over by Sima Yi and learned that Sima Yi had massacred nearly 10,000 soldiers and civilians in Liaodong without authorization, he instantly became angry.
Even so, Cao Rui, who was in critical condition, issued an edict to commend Sima Yi, Hu Zun, Niu Jin, Xianbei leader Mo Huba and others for their contributions for the sake of the stability of Liaodong. He first worshiped Mo Huba as the leader of the righteous king. , allowing him to lead his tribes to settle in the western part of Liaoning and establish the kingdom outside the Liaodong Pass north of Jicheng City. The reason why Cao Rui did this was naturally to contain the high-ranking palace of King Dongchuan of Koguryo who was no longer afraid after this battle. .
In addition, Cao Rui also sent a fast horse envoy north to Jixian and rewarded the three armies when they arrived here on their way back. Not only that, no matter how powerful Sima Yi was this time, he still made great achievements. If he didn't reward him, he would probably let him The nobles in the court took this opportunity to make a big fuss, so Cao Rui specially added Kunyang County as Sima Yi's food town. Together with Sima Yi's original food town Wuyang County, the Sima family now had food towns in two counties.
In addition, Guan Qiu Jian also avenged his previous humiliation and made great contributions. Naturally, Cao Rui did not hesitate to reward his close friend Zhong Chen. He directly promoted Guan Qiu Jian's title of Marquis of Gaoyang Township to an exceptional level. In order to be a county marquis, Guan Qiujian's seat was Anyi County, the rich county of Hedong County, and Guan Qiujian's title became Anyi Marquis.
Since then, Guanqiu Jian has become the only one among many famous celebrities of later generations to receive the title of county marquis due to military merit. The remaining descendants, such as Dingling Marquis Zhong Yu, Lanling Marquis Wang Su, Yingyin Marquis Chen Tai, Shaoling Marquis Cao Shuang, and Changping Marquis Cao Zhao, all inherited their county marquis titles from their fathers.
Although Xia Houxuan also made many military exploits, his title of Marquis of Changling was inherited from his father Xia Houshang, and in the past he only occasionally served as a general in military expeditions. This time his achievements have been wiped out, so his title cannot be regarded as a Marquis of Military Merits. .
Hu Zun was promoted to General of the Left by Cao Rui, while Niu Jin was promoted to General of the Rear.
As for the contributions of Xia Houxuan and Cao Xi, they had long been erased by Sima Yi. However, Sima Shi, Sima Zhao, and Cao Rui were too lazy to reward them. After all, the Sima family was already extremely powerful. If they were interested in supporting the descendants of the Sima family, they would not be of any use to the Wei Dynasty. What good.
After handling the reward matters, Cao Rui supported his illness and carefully studied the terrain and folk customs of Liaodong together with Liu Fang, Sun Zi, He Zeng, Cao Zhao and others, and established Gaoguli County and Gaoxian County in the original Xuantu County of Liaodong Province. Four new counties were established: County, Liaoyang County, and Wangping County. These four counties were all divided into Youzhou and came under the jurisdiction of Youzhou Governor Guanqiu Jian in order to stabilize Liaodong.
Regardless of whether the consequences are good or bad this time, the hidden danger in Liaodong that has been lingering in our throats for decades has finally been completely resolved.
After handling these matters, Cao Rui's original and aggravated condition became even more serious. A few days ago, Cao Rui remembered Gao Tanglong's last words and immediately summoned Cao Yu, the king of Yan who was far away in the feudal country, to come to the capital.
After Cao Yu came to the capital, he immediately received the emperor's order to summon him. In addition to those who received such a decree, in addition to being senior, young, stable and dignified without ambition, and being good friends with the emperor, the emperor's uncle Yan Wang Cao Yu, there were also the captain of the Tunqi School, Pinghou Cao Zhao, and the general of the military guard, Shaolinghou Cao Shuang. Two distant clans, as well as Emperor Wu's adopted son Xiaoqi General Qin Lang, and leading general Xia Houxian, two important officials who were related to the royal family by marriage.
Not long after, the five people arrived at the Jiafu Hall where the emperor was resting.
Cao Rui slowly opened his eyes, and at a glance he saw King Yan Cao Yu, who was still in good spirits although he was older than him, but with a slightly worried look on his face.
He looked at Cao Yu, the uncle of King Yan, who was only a few years older than him. He has had a good relationship with this uncle since he was a child. He never called Cao Yu Wang Shu, but always called him by his first name and treated him like a biological brother.
At this moment, the emperor was in a daze, remembering Gao Tanglong's last words asking him to reuse the clan.
"Yuan Zhong..." Cao Yu, who had always been gentle and affectionate, couldn't help but burst into tears when he saw his dying childhood friend in front of him. He held the emperor's cold and thin hands and called him Emperor without emotion. The expression.
"Peng Zu... do you know..." Cao Rui's pale face was full of smiles at this moment: "These days, I always dream about you... Uncle Zhao and Chang Si..., dreaming about us when we were young It's a pity that I can't go on this long road with you..."
After hearing this, Cao Shuang and Cao Zhao fell to the ground and cried bitterly, while Qin Lang and Xia Houxian also left a few lines of tears.
"Your Majesty..." Cao Yu burst into tears and said to the emperor while crying: "You will get better. This world still needs your protection..."
Cao Rui shook his head gently, and suddenly felt a tightness in his chest and lungs. He began to cough violently, so he immediately summoned the servants around him urgently: "Come here, cough cough cough... announce the decree quickly... cough cough cough." …”
The trusted attendant standing by immediately took out the edict written by Cao Rui in advance and read it aloud: "The edict says: King Cao Yu of Yan has both talent and virtue, and a gentle and gentle nature. He is now appointed as a general, together with the leading generals Xiahou Xian and General Wuwei. Cao Shuang, Tunqi Colonel Cao Zhao, and Qiaoqi General Qin Lang are all assisting the government, and all state affairs will be decided by the five of them together. I appreciate this!"
Although since the creation of the empire, there has never been a precedent for a direct clan king to assist the government, Cao Rui has always remembered Gao Tanglong's last words.
Cao Yu, King of Yan, was a relative of the royal family, and Cao Shuang and Cao Zhao were distant branches of the clan. These three people had always been brothers with him; Xia Houxian, the son of Xia Houba, and Qin Lang, the adopted son of Emperor Wu, were all his confidants, capable of Extraordinary, and having been in charge of the Imperial Army for many years, he is absolutely trustworthy.
Originally, among the descendants of the clan and in-laws, Xia Houxuan was considered the most outstanding one, and Xia Houxuan was also considered the master of his own prince, Cao Fang. However, Xia Houxuan had always been at odds with his temperament, and had been serving as the Yulin Supervisor these years. , it is inconvenient to be promoted out of thin air, and at this moment, Benshi is still on his way back to the court, and he cannot come to meet him.
But fortunately, among the people he selected, Cao Zhao and Qin Lang were good friends of Xia Houxuan. Cao Shuang was also Xia Houxuan's cousin, and Xia Houxian was also Xia Houxuan's cousin. Therefore, it would be unreasonable to reuse Xia Houxuan in the future. Also very convenient.
The critically ill emperor finally decided to give it a try and let the Cao clan suppress those ministers with the surname Ying Yang to see if this struggle between the alliance of the poor royal family and the clan would finally win.
The originally glorious and magnificent Luoyang Palace City now looks even more lonely and desolate in the afterglow of the setting sun.
―――
After Zhongshu Superintendent Liu Fang and Zhongshu Ling Sun Zi visited Emperor Cao Rui from Jiafu Palace, they happened to see the leading general Xia Houxian and the garrison captain Cao Zhao in the corner outside the palace who had just left the palace. Liu Fang and Sun Zi did not rush out to say hello, but hid in the dark and observed.
Next to the big tree outside the hall, there happened to be a golden pheasant flying up with its wings and ascending to the treetop.
Xia Houxian and Cao Zhao looked at the chicken on the top of the branch, and for no reason they thought of Liu Fang and Sun Zi, who now held high positions in the empire and were secretly communicating with foreign ministers.
Xia Houxian was very angry. Since the city was not deep, he immediately pointed his halberd at the golden pheasant on the tree and said, "Marquis Changping, look at this golden pheasant, does it look like the two insects that are arrogant around your majesty?"
Cao Zhao didn't notice anyone around him at this moment. At this moment, he looked up to the sky with great ambition and replied to Xia Houxian: "If virtue is not worthy of the position, there must be more seedlings. Let's see how many days they can be proud!"
When Liu Fang and Sun Zi witnessed this scene, they were shocked and looked at each other.
The two of them thought in unison at this moment: These people must not be allowed to continue to become auxiliary ministers!
————
Changpinghou Mansion.
The head of the family, Cao Zhao, the captain of the cavalry school, was looking at a letter in his hand. This was a carrier pigeon and a secret message that he had borrowed from He Zeng and found in the post in the south of Luoyang City by two school officials. At this moment, Cao Zhao was filled with thoughts. Horrified, but immediately filled with joy and excitement.
What was horrifying was that he did not expect that someone would actually be so bold and dare to murder your Majesty's prince!
What is gratifying is that the mysterious case of the emperor's heir that His Majesty entrusted to me back then has finally been revealed today.
"Somebody come!"
"exist!"
"Hurry up and follow me to the Prince's Guesthouse on the banks of the Luoshui River to capture the thief Mo!"
"No!" Several soldiers of the Forbidden Army under Cao Zhao's command shouted loudly, and then followed Cao Zhao out of the house and strode towards the Luoshui River.
―――
South of Luoshui, in the embroidery room.
The wrinkled and stooped old woman calmly released all the carrier pigeons in the discovered secret dovecote and burned all the letters.
Finally, she sprinkled the dovecote with lamp oil, spread it with dry firewood, and then lit the firewood.
Finally, she looked to the east, towards the direction of Donghai County, and knelt down to worship.
"Your Highness, I failed to help protect the young Prince Qi, so that he accidentally contracted the disease during the eldest son selection test and missed the opportunity to be the emperor's heir. Now, I should apologize to you..."
Not long after, a raging fire broke out in a small wooden house by the Luoshui River. Fortunately, the people around him discovered it in time and did not damage other houses. However, the fire in that small wooden house was too strong. No matter how many people tried to save it, the fire would not be destroyed. It is also difficult to extinguish.
Cao Zhao looked at the raging fire in front of him, feeling a little annoyed, but after thinking about it carefully, the situation was not that bad. As long as he presented the only letter in his hand to His Majesty, all the truth would naturally come to light.
―――
Sima Yi, who was leading the army from Liaodong to Luoyang, received a letter from the capital.
This is exactly the letter written by Liu Fang, the Supervisor of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.
The letter stated that His Majesty has appointed King Cao Yu of Yan as the general and the chief auxiliary minister. In addition, he has also appointed four auxiliary ministers, Cao Zhao, Cao Shuang, Qin Lang, and Xia Houxian, to assist the general Cao Yu. Together, he assists the government and serves as a minister who cares about life.
After Sima Yi read the letter, he suddenly broke into a cold sweat. If His Majesty had really made up his mind, then his future path would never be easy again.
Fortunately, Liu Fang said in the letter that he and Sun Zi would try their best to mediate for themselves in front of His Majesty.
Sima Yi thought for a while and made a choice. He decided to leave the large army behind him and rush back to Luoyang first in order to control the situation.
"Come here, pass the assault vehicle!"
"promise."
Sima Yi handed over the large force to the command of his deputy generals Niu Jin and Hu Zun, and he boarded the assault vehicle with two of his cronies and headed towards Luoyang in a hurry.
Xia Houxuan was unable to move forward quickly due to the injury caused by his military staff, so he could only slowly move south under the care of Cao Xi.
―――
In Jiafu Hall, Liu Fang and Sun Zi looked at the terminally ill emperor, who was gradually losing his mind. They had a lot of thoughts in their hearts and were ready to act.
In the palace, in addition to Liu Fang and Sun Zi, there was also Cao Shuang, the general of the military guard who had just changed defenses and came to visit the emperor.
"Your Majesty, I think that Your Majesty, Prince Yan, is too meek and gentle to take on such a big responsibility. He knows that he cannot bear the heavy responsibility, so I have repeatedly asked Your Majesty to withdraw his appointment and choose a high-ranking person instead!"
At this time, Cao Rui only felt a buzzing in his head, feeling very irritated and painful. Facing the nonsense made by Liu Fang and Sun Zi, Cao Rui had no ability to think and notice. At this moment, the emperor suppressed Naoren's excitement. Feeling the pain and discomfort in his chest, he asked:
"If that's the case, who do you think can shoulder the important responsibilities of this country?"
When Liu Fang and Sun Zi saw that Cao Shuang was in the palace, they knew that they should not have a dispute with Cao Shuang at this moment, so they recommended Cao Shuang. They said:
"I believe that the Taifu should be recalled immediately at this moment to assist the government together with the two generals of the armed guards, Shao Linghou!"
At this moment, Cao Rui was in a coma due to serious illness and was not very clear-headed. He endured the spinning pain and summoned Cao Shuang beside him:
"Uncle Zhao..."
"Your Majesty, I'm here!" Seeing His Majesty calling him, Cao Shuang hurriedly leaned over the bed and held Cao Rui's hands.
"Uncle Zhao... do you think that after my death... you will be able to suppress Sima Yi with your own strength..."
After hearing this, Cao Shuang fell silent as if he thought of something that made him hesitate.
He remembered the bargaining chips Liu Fang and Sun Zi discussed with him.
If he had followed Cao Rui's previous edict, he would have made Yan King Cao Yu the chief minister, and he would have been ranked third. However, if he followed the suggestions of Liu Fang and Sun Zi and persuaded His Majesty to revise the edict, he could become the chief minister of the empire. However, Sima Yi was already old and in the prime of life. Is he still afraid that he would not be able to defeat a year? An old man in his sixties?
Cao Shuang made his final determination, and the selfish desires in his heart finally suppressed the last trace of clarity and worry remaining in his mind.
