Since Sun Li was dealt with, the power of General Cao Shuang's faction in local states and counties has greatly increased. At this moment, Cao Shuang naturally turned his attention to the temple.
Sima Yi was wrong this time. He originally thought that Cao Shuang would not be so direct, but he really did not expect that Cao Shuang would directly use his power to suppress Sun Li.
However, Sun Li has always been known as a talented person, and he was also an aide entrusted to Cao Shuang by the late emperor. He had made great military exploits and was quite famous in the court. Although Cao Shuang had a momentary advantage in Jizhou, this time It is difficult to say whether this is a blessing or a curse for the General Party.
This period of time is the time of crisp autumn, and this is already the third year of His Majesty's accession to the throne - the third year since the beginning.
Three autumns have passed, but it still seems like one day. Xia Houxuan, who was wearing a plain uniform, sighed in his heart as he carried the items used for the memorial ceremony and walked along Xuanyangmen Street towards the Taiwei Mansion.
Just a few days ago, Taiwei Taiwei and Changyi Marquis Manchong passed away. Xia Houxuan was going to the Taiwei Mansion to pay his respects at this time.
Near the Taiwei Mansion, Xia Houxuan met Master Sima without any warning. The two glanced at each other briefly, and before exchanging greetings, Master Sima seemed to be fleeing and took a step ahead in a hurry.
Whenever Master Sima saw those eyes that were still clear and bright but also contained sadness, he would feel a feeling in his heart that he dared not face. The feeling was as if he had seen Yuanrong again. The death of this person has become a lifelong pain that he can never face and face.
In Master Sima's heart, the remaining childhood friendship between him and Xia Houxuan seemed to have been wiped out by the repeated encounters with guilt and embarrassment.
At this moment, Xia Houxuan looked at the flying plain colored soul-calling flags of the Taiwei Mansion and the back of Master Sima who looked both embarrassed and lost. He also thought of his sister Xia Houhui, who had been dead for many years.
Over the years, the hatred in Xia Houxuan's heart has no longer been so strong. Now the obsession in his heart is to protect his family, relatives and friends, as well as the Wei Dynasty founded by his father Xia Houxuan and Emperor Wen.
The moment he stepped into the Taiwei's Mansion, Xia Houxuan felt dazed in his heart. Over the past few years in Luoyang, he had grown from a carefree child to an indispensable minister of the empire today. These two Over the past ten years, I have experienced countless farewells from relatives and friends, as well as how many honors and humiliations I have experienced. Now, although he is only a thirty-year-old young man, his inner strength may have exceeded his imagination. . But even so, when he saw Taiwei Manchong's coffin with his own eyes, his tears seemed to be uncontrollable and fell from his eyes without any hindrance.
At this moment, he thought of his master Yu Gui, his father Xia Houshang, and Emperor Wen Cao Pi who had high hopes for him. But today, another pillar of the Wei Dynasty was destroyed. Thinking of this, the uncontrollable loneliness and sorrow hidden in Xia Houxuan's heart burst out like a bursting river. After he finished offering incense, he fell down in front of Boning's coffin and cried. It's like mourning an heir. At this moment, the grief of everyone in the Taiwei Mansion was drawn away by Xia Houxuan.
The swan geese flying in the sky glanced at the suffering human world and let out a cry. This whine is like a sigh, more like a call.
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The General's Mansion.
After Cao Shuang heard the news of the death of Taiwei Manchong, instead of feeling too much sadness, he felt uncontrollable joy in his heart.
He had long wanted to deal with some of the Sima party members who had occupied important positions in the court. Now that Man Chong died, the idle post of Taiwei was now vacant. He could just use the method of rising up and down covertly to remove the important ministers of Sima whom he disliked. It was set up high.
Thinking of this, Cao Shuang raised a proud smile on his lips.
Soon after, Jiang Ji, the leading general in charge of the 50,000-strong Forbidden Army at home and abroad, succeeded him as Taiwei. From then on, he completely stayed away from the Forbidden Army camp and became one of the three nobles with high status but no power.
On this day, after the morning court, Taichang, Lanling Marquis Wang Su, Taiwei Jiang Ji, and Da Sinong Huanfan met by chance on their way out of the palace and returned home, so they started chatting together.
The three discussed current affairs. Jiang Ji, who had just assumed the post of Taiwei, mentioned the current situation in the court. Wang Su, a relative of Sima Yi, immediately became angry and said sternly:
"Everyone in the government and the public today is a scoundrel! What's even more abominable are He Yan and Deng Yang. From my point of view, these people are all scoundrels like Hong Gong and Shi Xian in the previous dynasty!" [Note 1 : Shi Xian, courtesy name Junfang, was a eunuch during the reign of Emperor Xuan of the Han Dynasty. When Emperor Xuan of the Han Dynasty did not like Confucianism, Shi Xian, who was well versed in law, was appointed Zhongshu Pushe. Shi Xian formed a best friend with another eunuch, Zhongshu Ling Honggong (the Han Dynasty generally used eunuchs in Taige, while the Wei state mostly used scholars). 】
When the great Sinong Huanfan heard this, his heart trembled. He excused himself to have something to do at home and took the first step. In fact, after bypassing Jiuzifang, he walked towards the General's Mansion.
Soon, Cao Shuang heard the news through Huan Fan.
While Cao Shuang wanted to get rid of Wang Su, he also wanted to take advantage of this incident to hit his right-hand men. After thinking about it, he immediately summoned He Yan, Ding Mi and Deng Yang.
As soon as the three of them arrived at the general's house, Cao Shuang did not ask for advice first, but kept an uncharacteristically straight face.
He Yan and the other three people observed Cao Shuang's words and knew that Cao Shuang had something to say, so they immediately bowed and asked:
"I wonder what important matters the general has to say when he summons these men of humble rank?"
Cao Shuang saw the three people looking cautious, snorted coldly and then said:
"Humble position? Just look at it, the three of them are quite noble. They are also named concubines, and they occupy fertile land. How can they be even remotely humble?"
When He Yan and others heard this, they were shocked and hurriedly knelt down on the ground to apologize:
"General, those who hold low-level positions will definitely restrain their behavior and not give Sima's followers any chance to criticize the general!"
Seeing that the three of them quickly realized their mistakes, Cao Shuang was no longer angry. He sighed, helped the three of them up one by one, and then comforted:
"Uncle Ping, Xuan Mao, and Yan Jing, it's not Gu who blames you harshly, it's really those Sima gangsters who are too hateful. You gentlemen should also restrain your behavior a little. The ministers have compared you to the evil people in the previous life!"
He Yan, Deng Yang, and Ding Mi heard this, wiped the cold sweat from their foreheads with their sleeves, nodded and said:
"Don't worry, General. I will restrain myself from those who are lowly and will not cause trouble to the General!"
Seeing that there was no problem with the three people's attitudes, Cao Shuang nodded and reminded He Yan and others again:
"Wang Su should be treated with caution! Is there any way you can drive him out of the temple?"
As the official Cao Shangshu, He Yan, who had the right to elect, rolled his eyes after hearing this, and already had a calculation in his heart. He whispered in Cao Shuang's ear:
"General, in Yan's opinion, he is so..."
After hearing He Yan's plan, Cao Shuang nodded heavily with a proud smile on his face.
Soon after, the Sili captain impeached Wang Su. Wang Su was dismissed from office by the emperor for embezzling money and food for the ancestral temple. As a result, Taichang Wang Su, who was originally in vain, became a man in white. Later, Wang Su He was promoted to Guang Luxun by Sima Yi, but in the end he was no longer qualified to discuss current affairs.
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"Ding!" "Ding!" "Dang!"
In the backyard of the Changling Marquis Mansion, the sounds of metal swords clashing could be heard from time to time. A child of three or four years old was holding a long sword at the moment. Although his swordsmanship was remarkable, under the attack of two strong young swordsmen, he could only hold on to avoid defeat.
The two swordsmen each held a wooden sword, and they were Xia Houxuan and Cao Xi. That child was none other than Xia Houyang, Xiahou Mingyue, the legitimate son of the head of the family, Xia Houxuan.
It turned out that the young master Xiahou Mingyue was tired of writing, so under the guidance of his father Xiahou Xuan and his cousin Cao Xi, he began to practice the basics of "Xiahou Cao's Sword Art".
Although Ming Yue is only three years old, she has already memorized the poems of Emperor Wu, Emperor Wen, Emperor Ming, King Chen Si, etc., which are the family traditions of swordsmanship. Not only that, but his swordsmanship is also very proficient. It was actually quite remarkable, which also made Xia Houxuan feel relieved that he had a successor.
The big dog Amo, who has entered his twilight years, is lazily basking in the sun under the corridor. He is wagging his tail gently and looking at the three-year-old child in the courtyard who is struggling to wield a long sword and looks like his former owner. I'm remembering something.
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In Taifu Wuyanghou's mansion, the head of the family, Sima Yi, felt a little angry at the moment. He beat his teacher to death with random punches. He didn't expect that Cao Shuang's random punches would disrupt many of his plans. Not only did he lose Sun Li, a general, but he also got involved with his old relative Wang Su. How could he not be angry?
At this moment, the second son Sima Zhao came to the study. After seeing his son, Sima Yi's thoughts gradually calmed down.
"Zhao'er, what's the matter?"
Sima Zhao frowned at this moment. After calming down his mind, he said:
"Father, I have heard some rumors among the people. They seem to be prophecies that are unfavorable to our Sima family!"
When Sima Yi heard this, he raised his eyebrows, then frowned and asked:
"What kind of prophecy is it?"
After Sima Zhao heard this, he took out a piece of silk from his arms and handed it to Sima Yi. Sima Yi looked around and saw a shocking line of words written on the silk:
“Horses fight for their slots, and ox after horse!”
After reading this astonishing statement that was said to be from "Xuanshi Tu", Sima Yi's face gradually turned gloomy.
After Niu succeeded Ma, could it be that people with Niu's surname would hinder the descendants of the Sima family? At this moment, his mind began to search for ministers named Niu in the DPRK.
Finally, a name appeared in Sima Yi's mind, and the killing intent in his eyes became stronger and stronger at this moment.
