It is said that after Cao Shuang thought carefully for a moment, he finally chose to follow the bold idea in his heart. He knelt down in front of the imperial couch and replied loudly to Cao Rui:
"I am willing to sacrifice my life to serve the country and protect the country with my blood. I promise your majesty that as long as I am here, the Cao family's country will be impregnable!"
Perhaps the emperor had lost his sanity at this moment, or perhaps it was Cao Shuang's firm words that gave Cao Rui confidence in him. At this moment, Cao Rui actually verbally agreed to the suggestions of Liu Fang and Sun Zi:
"Okay... With Uncle Zhao's words, I feel relieved... Please step aside first. I will take a short rest and then revise the edict..."
"No!" Liu Fang, Sun Zi, and Cao Shuang responded and exited the hall.
After a while, Cao Rui, who was a little more awake, tried his best to collect his mind again, intending to reconsider the matter of entrusting him to assist the government.
Can Uncle Zhao really suppress Sima Yi alone?
No! Absolutely not!
The emperor, who thought hard for a while, shook his head. He knew the young man Cao Shuang well, and he understood that although Cao Shuang had always behaved cautiously and calmly, Cao Rui knew that he was an extremely proud person at heart. Moreover, although Cao Shuang's talent was superior to that of his peers, it was far inferior to his father, the late Sima Cao Zhen. What's more, Sima Yi's methods were based on superior strategies and were even better than Cao Zidan's.
Can a young man who has endured for many years, is proud and has a high self-esteem, and has no political experience, really be able to fight against a veteran of three dynasties who has endured for many years and a famous general and minister of the current dynasty?
The answer is naturally no.
At this moment, the emperor suddenly remembered the Shouchun peasant woman he had treated favorably before, who was said to be a fairy who came into the world and could turn into healing talisman water. The emperor thought to himself that he was already seriously ill at this moment, so he might as well try to treat a dead horse as a living horse doctor. The peasant woman’s divine water is not a bad idea either. Half an hour later, the peasant woman was ordered to come to Jiafu Hall.
Cao Rui saw that the peasant woman had arrived, so he said:
"You...have always...cough cough cough. It is said that you can turn into divine talismans and divine water to save lives and heal the wounded. It has been tried and true. Now that I am seriously ill, you can turn me into a cup of divine water. If it works, Heavy...there will be a reward..."
When the peasant woman heard this, she felt extremely uneasy. She was previously a female disciple of a witch doctor in Shouchun. She was first recruited by the Duke of Dongwu City, who was the Prime Minister of Lu, and Sima Kui, the fourth brother of the Taiwei. Sima Jin, and the recommendation of Han Yong, the chief chamberlain, came to serve in the palace. In fact, she was relatively proficient in poisoning. As for curing diseases and saving people, she was pretty good at treating general diseases, but when she encountered a person like Cao Rui, she was very good at it. She was actually helpless to do anything about it, but at this moment the emperor thought of her. It seemed that she had no choice but to give it a try.
After hearing the emperor's words, the peasant woman could only nod her head in agreement. After a while, the chamberlain carefully inspected the "sacred water" prepared by the peasant woman and gave it to Cao Rui.
When Cao Rui drank it, he immediately noticed that the water seemed to be no different from ordinary water, and he was already suspicious. After an hour passed, he found that not only did he show no signs of improvement, but his discomfort worsened. , and his heart suddenly became angry. Originally, Sima Yi slaughtered Liaodong without authorization, and he was holding back his anger. Now that he encountered this incident, Cao Rui could no longer control his emotions:
"Come here, drag this swindling temptress and Han Yong, the eunuch who recommended the temptress, to the East Market and behead them in public!"
Guo, who was waiting on the side and was newly named queen, heard the emperor's words and immediately passed the order to the chamberlain outside the palace for fear of violating the emperor's will. Not long after, Han Yong and Han Yong, who had not had time to react, complained repeatedly. The witch was dragged to the East Market execution ground by four imperial guards.
Seeing that Han Yong, the chamberlain who had been in contact with them, was beheaded, Liu Fang and Sun Zi were frightened and made a decisive decision. They immediately contacted Cao Shuang, as well as Sima Yi's younger brother Zhonglang Cheng Yangting Hou Sima Jin, as well as Sima Tong and Sima Min. A few people quietly replaced all the emperor's cronies outside the hall.
Not long after, Queen Guo saw that the emperor had fallen asleep, so she left the hall and planned to return to the palace to change clothes.
Liu Fang, the Zhongshu supervisor who was still uneasy about his and Sun Zi's plan, saw that there was no one in the hall and entered the Jiafu Hall again. At this moment, Liu Fang already had a bold idea in his mind.
"Excuse me, Your Majesty, the matter of the Assistant Minister is of great importance and cannot be delayed. Can Your Majesty revise the edict now?"
Cao Rui was a little sober now. He thought in his heart that the edict must not be changed at will. However, he was exhausted and confused and could not find a suitable reason to reject Liu Fang, who held power. So he could only deal with Liu Fang with difficulty and said:
"I... am extremely tired, and I can't prepare an edict now..."
Liu Fang was shocked when he heard this.
He understood that the matter had come to this point and there was no way out. Liu Fang plucked up the courage and walked to the imperial couch. He took Cao Rui's hand and took out the pen and ink and edict that he had prepared long ago, and said resolutely:
"In this case, let Wei Chen help your majesty draft the edict!"
Cao Rui was shocked when he heard this. He was so angry that he wanted to yell at Liu Fang and shake off his hand, but he was extremely ill, weak and breathless, and could only be at his mercy.
At this moment, Liu Fang, Sun Zi, and Cao Shuang, who had been temporarily roped into a warship, had already joined forces with Sima Yi's younger brother Zhonglang Cheng Yangtinghou Sima Jin, as well as Sima Tong and Sima Min to replace the emperor in the main hall. Even if Cao Rui shouts out to the confidants inside and outside, it will be of no use at this moment, not to mention that the emperor has no strength to shout at this moment.
Out of anger and shock, Cao Rui's condition worsened. At this time, he couldn't even speak, but just shed tears.
―――
Outside Jiafu Palace, Cao Zhaozheng was carrying the secret letter and planned to enter the palace to explain everything to Cao Rui. He understood that as long as he handed over this letter to His Majesty that the Sima family and Donghai King Cao Lin conspired to assassinate the emperor, Sima Yi would not be able to change the situation at this moment no matter what.
Just when Cao Zhao came to the corridor outside Jiafu Hall, he saw Cao Shuang, who was fully armed and had a stern look on his face.
"Uncle Zhao? You are here too. Come with me to see your Majesty. I have found out the case that your Majesty entrusted to me and me. Now I need to report it to your Majesty immediately!"
Cao Shuang was not as ecstatic as Cao Zhao imagined. On the contrary, Cao Shuang acted a little calm at the moment. He said loudly with a cold face:
"According to His Majesty's decree, King Yan Cao Yu, leading general Xia Houxian, Tun Cavalry School Lieutenant Cao Zhao, Xiao Cavalry General Qin Lang and others are no longer allowed to enter Jiafu Hall without permission!"
"Uncle Zhao, what did you say?!"
At this moment, Cao Zhao felt as if he heard a thunderbolt from the blue, and he couldn't recover. His face was full of shock, and he didn't understand what happened.
―――
Inside Jiafu Hall.
Liu Fang pretended to be brave, grabbed the emperor's hand, and reluctantly wrote a new edict. Then he took it out of the palace and read aloud: "According to your majesty's edict, Cao Zhao took charge of the imperial army. He didn't want to repay the emperor's favor. Instead, he took it when his majesty was seriously ill." , had fornication with the palace people, and Yan Wang Yu, Xia Hou Xian, Qin Lang and others knew about it but did not report it, and they were also guilty. Now Yan Wang Cao Yu, Xia Hou Xian, Cao Zhao, Qin Lang and others are removed from their official positions, and the four of them are not allowed to stay in the palace any longer. , come here, capture the criminal Cao Zhao!"
"Uncle Zhao! What's going on? Answer me quickly!" Cao Zhao's face was full of shock and anger at this moment. Before he could figure out what was going on, he was immediately escorted by two soldiers from the military guard camp.
At the same time, Xia Houxian and Qin Lang, who were in their respective mansions, were also captured by the soldiers of the Wuwei Army who suddenly appeared. They were imprisoned in the sky prison on charges fabricated by Liu Fang and others.
Cao Yu, King of Yan, who was also confused, was ordered to return to the feudal country immediately and was not allowed to enter the capital again from now on.
Outside the palace, the swan geese returning south emitted a cry, which sounded like a whimpering sigh and cry when combined with the whistling north wind.
Seeing that the overall situation had been decided, Cao Shuang immediately went to the Jiafu Hall to wait for the emperor in case he changed.
In the Jiafu Hall, the dying Emperor Cao Rui was bursting with tears and filled with regret.
At this point, there is nothing he can do against Liu Fang and Sun Zi.
If I want to punish the two of them, I'm afraid that even the decree will not be able to leave this Jiafu Hall. For this plan, I have become a snake without fog and a dragon without claws.
Fortunately, there is still Uncle Zhao...
While Cao Rui was comforting himself in this way, he remembered something. He turned around and called Cao Shuang beside him: "Uncle Zhao..."
"Your Majesty, I am here."
When Cao Shuang heard Cao Rui's call, he immediately leaned over and came to the imperial couch.
Cao Rui turned around and looked at the attendant standing beside him. He had just urgently ordered Sun Li, the Minister of War, to enter the palace.
This Sun Li was originally from Zhuo County. Not only had he served as a local governor for many years, his political achievements were outstanding, but he was also quite brave. When he was hunting in Dashi Mountain, a tiger suddenly rushed towards the emperor's chariot. Sun Li threw his whip and dismounted, intending to Kill the tiger with a sword.
When Cao Rui was dying, he increasingly felt that Cao Shuang alone could not suppress Sima Yi, so he suddenly remembered Sun Li, a person he had not had time to reuse, and wanted him to be by Cao Shuang's side to help Cao Shuang.
"Uncle Zhao, you are now...as a general...you should have a good assistant...Sun Li is a man of both civil and military skills. I now appoint him as the general and commander-in-chief to assist you..."
"Thank you for your kindness!" Although Cao Shuang bowed his head and thanked him, he did not feel that Sun Li, who was somewhat reckless and at odds with him, had any qualifications to assist him.
Your Majesty may be sick and confused.
Just as Cao Shuang was thinking this, Cao Rui ordered Sun Li to leave the hall, called Cao Shuang to his side, braced himself, and whispered to Cao Shuang in a low voice:
"Uncle Zhao, in the future... you must remember not to neglect people like Zhong Gong, Zhuge Dan, Xia Houxuan, Li Feng, Xu Yun..., Chang Si, Xia Houxian, Qin Lang, etc." , although it is no longer possible to continue to assist the government, but..., whenever you have the opportunity, you must let them help you one or two... In addition, Liu Fang and Sun Zi are in vain I have kept them for so many years, cough cough cough... Uncle Zhao must guard against them in the future, and must not let them get involved in government affairs if necessary..."
When Cao Shuang heard what he said, he only listened to half of it in his heart. Guanqiu Jian, Zhuge Dan, Xia Houxuan, Li Feng and others all had some friendship with him, and they were all talented people. Liu Fang and Sun Zi were very scheming. , they only had a temporary alliance with him, and it was natural that he would deal with them in the future. As for the former auxiliary ministers Cao Zhao and Xia Houxian who might affect his status, he did not want to reuse them again. Although he was thinking this in his mind, he still knelt down respectfully on the ground and promised the emperor:
"I have taken note of it. Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I will definitely live up to Your Majesty's entrustment!"
―――
Taiwei Sima Yi rode an assault vehicle, traveled thousands of miles day and night, and finally arrived in Hanoi County on Dinghai Day in the first month of spring.
At this moment, he was finally only a stone's throw away from Luoyang.
After Sima Yi let out a long breath, he did not stop to rest, but chose to continue hurriedly south, driving wildly towards Luoyang Palace City.
That night, Sima Yi, who had driven all the way, finally arrived at the imperial capital.
He didn't even bother to wipe his sweat, and without even taking off his armor, he immediately rushed towards the Jiafu Hall. Finally, he saw the dying Cao Rui.
"Lieutenant, you are finally... here..."
"I am here, Your Majesty."
Cao Rui looked at Sima Yi, who was tired but still energetic, and Cao Shuang, who was standing aside and looked very arrogant. He pointed tremblingly at his eight-year-old emperor, the crown prince Cao Fang, and said softly:
"Grand Lieutenant...I am about to leave. I will entrust my funeral affairs...to you. From now on, you will be with me and Shuang...to assist this young son...and this country will be entrusted to you..."
Sima Yi didn't say another word, he just paused and shed tears at this moment.
The first month of spring in the third year of Jingchu.
Emperor Cao Rui died in Jiafu Hall at the age of thirty-five. He was given the posthumous title of "Emperor Ming". On Guichou day, under the auspices of King Cao Fang of Qi, Cao Rui's coffin was buried in Gaoping Mausoleum.
The emperor's last edict was to appoint General Shaoling Hou Cao Shuang, the general of the military guard, as the general, the first assistant minister, and the governor of all domestic and foreign military affairs.
[Note 1: Lu Shangshu Shi is the highest authority title in the Taige, which is equivalent to the power of the prime minister and the power to take charge of government affairs. 】
The eight-year-old King Cao Fang of Qi, after presiding over his father's funeral, immediately accepted congratulations from hundreds of officials in the Taiji Hall and succeeded to the throne as the new king.
―――
In the heavenly prison, Cao Zhao and Cao Changsi, who had been stripped of their official titles, heard the news of the emperor's death. They knelt down in the direction of the imperial city and burst into tears.
A few years later, the talented son of the military god Cao Xiu died in prison in a depressed state.
Qin Lang, who was also dismissed from his post, died of depression soon after; Xia Houxian, the leading general who was dismissed from his post, went to Yongliang and joined the command of his father Xiahou Ba after he was released from prison.
————
At this moment, the governor of Youzhou, Anyi Hou Guanqiujian, heard the news of the death of his close friend and emperor Cao Rui. After crying bitterly, he faced south and knelt down, swearing in his heart:
"Your Majesty, don't worry. As long as I am here, I will definitely make the Wei Dynasty impregnable!"
―――
Inside and outside Luoyang City, the cold wind is biting.
The whimpering sound of the wind was like roars and cries.
As the army slowly moved south, Xia Houxuan and Cao Xi, who had recovered from their injuries, did not know how they felt at this moment.
Xia Houxuan looked at the green Mang Mountain south of the river and the prosperous and splendid imperial capital Luoyang, and couldn't help but think to himself:
This prosperous country of Wei Dynasty will be in turmoil in the next moment.
The sun was setting in the west, and the imperial palace city at this moment seemed to be turned into a bright red color by the blood-like setting sun.
