"Weng Weng..." An eleven or twelve-year-old girl ran into the study, timidly tugged at the corner of the old man's clothes and said coquettishly: "Weng Weng, the cakes we bought last time are gone..., Yirong still wants... "
The old man stroked his granddaughter's hair and gave a rare kind smile: "Weng Weng and your father are very busy right now. Yi Rong is good, go find your second uncle and ask him to take you to the market to buy."
"Hmm..." The little girl nodded and ran out to find her second uncle Sima Zhao.
The old man looked at the child's back and sighed slightly.
Since the death of his daughter-in-law Xia Houhui more than ten years ago, his eldest son has not given birth to a son or a half. It seems that he has to cultivate Zhao'er well before he can be considered a successor.
After Master Sima came back from being the governor of the palace and leading the imperial army, he returned to his home and went to his study. When the maid Jin saw that the young master had returned home, she immediately went to prepare hot water towels for Master Sima to wash himself.
Zi Jin was originally Xia Hou Hui's personal maid. After Xia Hou Hui's death, she continued to stay in the house and take care of her uncle Sima Shi.
As soon as Master Sima entered the house, he saw his second brother and his youngest daughter Yi Rong. The uncle and nephew were holding large and small bags in their hands, talking and laughing.
"Brother, you are back!" Sima Zhao was very happy to see his eldest brother, but when the little girl saw her father, she was like a mouse seeing a cat, and immediately hid behind his second uncle.
"Yes." Master Sima saw Yi Rong hiding behind his second brother and knew that she must have pestered his second uncle to buy sweet cakes again. He walked slowly to his daughter and said, "Bring it here."
The little girl tried to get away with it and pretended to be stupid: "What?"
Master Sima smiled and took a large bag of sweet cakes directly from the little girl's hand.
"It's useless to eat too many sweet cakes. Daddy will keep them for you first. You can only eat three of them every day. Second brother, don't take her secretly to buy them again."
"Yes." Sima Zhao lowered his head and stuck out his tongue helplessly towards his frustrated little niece.
Not long after, Master Sima came to his father's study. Master Sima, who was in charge of the news for his father, heard about Niu Jin's death early in the morning. Judging from Niu Jin's symptoms before his death, it was obvious that his father was responsible for the incident. Do it yourself.
Niu Jin was a rough man, he had never been very thoughtful, and he had repeatedly made outstanding achievements for the Sima family. Now he had just become a general and entered the ranks of high-ranking generals in the Wei Dynasty, but he was removed by his father like this. Master Sima was really confused. , so he asked:
"Father, there is something I don't understand. Niu Jin is a famous general. Now my father and Cao Shuang are fighting for the border states. Niu Jin is of great use. Why should he be eliminated?"
In fact, Sima Yi also had some regrets in his heart at this time. He had always been calm and composed, but now he became suspicious. However, there was no turning back when he fired his bow. Now he just hopes that the decision he made is correct. After thinking for a while, Sima Yi replied:
"Master, have you forgotten that what "Xuanshi Tu" said is that behind the horse there is an ox?"
After hearing this, Master Sima felt a trace of sadness in his heart. Yuanrong's death back then was just as sad and deplorable as Niu Jin's death today. Master Sima didn't want his father to see his sad look, so he left the study.
Sima Yi was faced with a new problem at this moment, that is: Jiang Ji was elevated to the position of Taiwei; Niu Jin was removed by himself, and the vacant post of "Central Leader", the commander-in-chief of the Forbidden Army, and the high-ranking general of the four directions were created. Who should be allowed to take over the post of General-in-Chief?
——————
In the General's Mansion, Cao Shuang was particularly happy today.
After Jiang Ji was promoted to Taiwei and was ousted by himself, the position of the Central Leader in charge of the 50,000 Chinese and foreign imperial troops was finally vacated. In addition, Niu Jin, a die-hard loyalist of the Sima family, died, and the post of General was also vacated. In this way, Come, Cao Shuang can naturally operate again and consolidate the military power of the Cao family.
Seeing that the opportunity was rare, Cao Shuang summoned his brothers Cao Xi, Cao Xun, Cao Yan, and Cao Ze before dawn, and arranged a tea banquet for thirty or forty people in the Wagtail Pavilion in the backyard of the mansion.
Since today's meeting involves the arrangement of important positions such as the central leader and the rear general, Cao Shuang specially arranged for Sun Qian, the head of the general's palace, and his seventh-grade account supervisor who is in charge of the three thousand soldiers of the general's palace. Yan Shi's two cronies went to the offices of important ministers and staff to invite people.
In less than half an hour, confidants such as He Yan, Ding Mi, and Deng Yang, as well as Wang Ji, Wang Chen, Wang Ye, Wang Hun, Wang Bi, Pei Xiu and other staff arrived at the general's residence in twos and threes.
In addition to these people today, Xia Houxuan, who happened to be taking a bath, Li Feng, who often took leave and was idle, Xu Yun, Cui Zan, and several others also arrived.
When Cao Shuang saw that everyone had arrived, he was in a good mood. He immediately ordered his servants to pour the hot wine prepared in advance to all the brothers, confidants, and staff present.
"Everyone, I have called you here today to discuss two important matters. The weather has become increasingly cold recently, and you have all hurriedly traveled all the way. Thank you for your hard work. Before we get down to business, let's drink a glass of hot wine together to warm up. Bar!"
After everyone drank a few glasses of hot wine with Cao Shuang, their hands and feet, which had been a little cold, now felt warm.
Cao Shuang looked at the crowd of guests and said with a smile:
"Everyone, the official positions of high-ranking officials in the imperial court have changed recently. I believe everyone has guessed the purpose of calling you here today."
Ding Mi touched his goatee, rolled his eyes a few times, and already understood:
"Is the General a candidate for the position of leading the army?"
Cao Shuang laughed, raised his palms and said:
"Exactly! I wonder if any of you here have any suitable candidates?"
Everyone is a smart person. At this moment, they naturally understand as well as Ming Jing: the general has already chosen a candidate, and the purpose of asking now is just to test whether everyone is of the same mind as him.
After all, today's general is extremely powerful, and among those who follow him, there are naturally those who pursue fame and fortune.
Since Cao Shuang was entrusted with the important task of being entrusted by the late emperor Cao Rui, he has not forgotten Cao Rui's entrustment to him day and night, which is to protect the current majesty and the Cao family.
When the late emperor did not have time to work with Gao Tanglong to promote the clan and suppress the clan, he ended up with hatred, and Cao Shuang naturally did not forget it.
Although Cao Shuang now does not want to let other clans divide his power, he has been working tirelessly on the policy of suppressing the clan for the past three years.
Now, in addition to the followers of the Cao family, the Xiahou family, and many Han celebrities, many clan members have also joined him, which naturally made Cao Shuang, who was already famous for his "cautiousness", wary.
After everyone was silent for a while, He Yan took the lead and said:
"The position of leader is to control several battalions of 50,000 forbidden troops inside and outside the capital. It has extremely heavy powers and responsibilities. Although ministers with foreign surnames in this dynasty often fill this position, Yan believes that it is right for the clan members to be in charge of this important matter now!"
After hearing this, Cao Shuang felt very touched. He nodded and said:
"Among the clan, apart from the local vassal kings, there are only a few brothers in the court. Among them, I don't know who can take up this responsibility?"
Everyone understood at this moment that Cao Shuang was asking sincerely this time. After all, the general's brothers have their own talents, and even the general himself might not be able to make a choice.
Deng Yang thought about it for a moment and wanted to make suggestions, but then he thought, if he spoke rashly, wouldn't he offend the other young masters of the Cao family who were unsuccessful?
So when the words came to his lips, he swallowed them again.
When Cao Shuang saw everyone burying their heads in silence, he roughly guessed what they were thinking, so he laughed and said:
"Everyone, Guzhong has roughly chosen someone. The fifth brother, Cao Yan, needs to accompany His Majesty from time to time to make plans. The sixth brother, Cao Ze, is still young and has no experience in commanding an army. Only the third brother, Cao Xi, and the fourth brother, Cao Xun, can take on this role. The important task is just..."
Cao Xun had always had a very good relationship with his third brother Cao Xi. At this moment, when he saw his eldest brother in trouble, he spoke:
"Brother, I believe that this position must be taken by the third brother. My brothers and I are all convinced!"
Everyone felt relieved when they saw that the Cao brothers were in harmony and there was no need for them to offend anyone.
Cao Shuang nodded. He looked at his third brother Cao Xi, who was a little hesitant and panicked, but with radiant eyes. He patted the table and said:
"Okay, in that case, I will hand over the important position of leader to my third brother!"
Xia Houxuan looked at his cousin Cao Xi with firm eyes at this moment and nodded solemnly to him.
Seeing this, Cao Xi felt more confident and confident. After listening to his elder brother's words, he stood up and saluted:
"Xiding will not let down my brother's expectations and will do his best to manage the five major camps inside and outside for the court, your Majesty and my brother!"
Cao Shuang looked at the handsome and tall third brother Cao Xi, who was thirty years old, and nodded with satisfaction.
At this time, Uncle Wang Ji, a famous scholar who worked as a lieutenant in the general's palace, opened his mouth and said:
"General, the post of general is now vacant. If this post is temporarily vacant, the Sima family may take it away again!"
Cao Shuang nodded and said:
"I wonder if any of you can recommend a suitable candidate?"
He Kui, who was the commander of the fifth battalion of the Forbidden Army, heard Wang Ji's words and instantly remembered that he had discussed Guan Qiu Jian and Zhuge Dan with his uncle Xia Houxuan a few days ago.
These two men guard Youzhou and Yangzhou, one in the north and the other in the south. Although they are powerful, their ranks of third-rank Du Liao general and fifth-rank Zhaowu general are just generals with various titles, and there are always some constraints in the deployment of troops.
Nowadays, the second-rank "Rear General", second only to the first-rank "Da, Piao, Che, Wei" generals and the second-rank "Four Expeditions, Four Towns" generals, is available, which happens to be an excellent opportunity.
He Kui looked towards Xia Houxuan's seat at this moment. Xia Houxuan just happened to be thinking about this, so Xia Houxuan nodded towards He Kui.
He Kui immediately understood, so he spoke to Cao Shuang and said:
"General, it seems that Zhuge Gongxiu, the governor of Yangzhou, and Guanqiu Zhonggong, the governor of Youzhou, have insufficient positions in the army, which makes them inconvenient in their places. Why don't you consider these two people first?"
After hearing this, Cao Shuang suddenly understood and began to think:
Although Guanqiu Jian was also a general with a mixed title, General Du Liao was still a third-rank military officer. He guarded one side, which was not enough compared to his superiors, but much more than his inferiors.
However, Zhuge Dan's military position as General Zhaowu was only a fifth-grade miscellaneous title. If he wanted to suppress all the officers, big and small, in a state, he would probably have more than enough ambition but not enough power. What's more, Zhuge Dan sent him a letter not long ago, saying that the school officials under his command were not very effective, and now he should be given more authority.
Cao Shuang had made up his mind and said:
"What the governor said makes sense. I think that I will let Duke Zhuge retire from the post of general. Do you have any objections?"
Seeing that Cao Shuang had made a reasonable decision, everyone naturally had no other opinions.
