At this moment, Jiang Ji looked at Sima Yi, whose expression changed drastically and his eyes were sharp. For some reason, an ominous premonition suddenly flashed through his heart.
Although he couldn't stand Cao Shuang's reforms, he had once been highly regarded by Emperor Wen and Emperor Ming. Now it was very inappropriate to help Sima Yi seize Cao Shuang's military power. If Sima Yi cruelly killed Cao Shuang, then he would still be there after his death. How can I have the face to meet the late emperor who is under the Nine Springs?
Thinking of this, Jiang Ji couldn't help but shudder. After hesitating for a moment, he still said what was in his heart to Sima Yi:
"Zhongda... Taifu, Ji has something to say, and I hope Taifu can accept it."
Sima Yi turned back to Jiang Ji and smiled:
"If Zitong has anything to say, let's hear it."
Jiang Ji said:
"Grand Tutor, although Cao Shuang is authoritative and good at governing, he made no mistakes when assisting the government. Moreover, he was also an important minister appointed by the late emperor himself and the chief minister of the clan. Today, after Grand Tutor seizes his military power, you must not harm his life! "
Hearing this, Sima Yi laughed, patted Jiang Ji on the shoulder, and then looked at Luo Shui, who was talking endlessly in front of him. He assured Jiang Ji:
"Zitong, you don't have to say anything about this. As long as Cao Shuang hands over military power, I will never harm him. If Zitong doesn't believe it, I will swear to Luo Shui!"
Since the pre-Qin, Han and Wei dynasties, people have respected mountains and rivers as gods. If they swear to mountains, rivers and rivers, they are directly swearing to the gods and ancestors. It is not a small matter. After hearing this, Jiang Ji felt moved in his heart. He did not give Sima Yi the face of Poxia Donkey. Instead, he mustered up the courage and looked at Sima Yi with burning eyes. He said to Sima Yi word by word:
"Tai Tuo, if you want to kill Cao Zhaobo after all, I, the Taiwei, still have some weight in the court. Then I will no longer support Tai Fu, and I will not help you persuade Cao Shuang to enter the city today!"
Sima Yi felt chilled in his heart when he saw that Jiang Ji had said such harsh words. The fierceness hidden in his eyes flashed away, and he immediately looked at Jiang Ji with a warm look. He said with a smile:
"Zitong, you and I have been colleagues all our lives, can't you still see that I am pure and sincere? Since you said so, I, Sima Yi, will swear to this Luoshui today: If Cao Shuang disarms and enters the city, I, Sima Yi, will definitely not act recklessly. Self-inflicted harm, this is a lesson learned by both humans and gods, if we violate this oath, our Sima family will be condemned by the gods of heaven and earth!"
After hearing this, Jiang Ji finally breathed a sigh of relief. After wiping the sweat from his forehead, he finally agreed to help Sima Yi write a personal letter urging Cao Shuang to enter the city.
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Yin Damu was originally from the family army of Cao Shuang's family. Later, Cao Shuang assisted the East Palace and helped the late emperor ascend the throne. The late emperor saw that Yin Damu was proficient in martial arts and cautious, so he had already planned to use him. Later, he betrayed the Sima family and became a school official. When there was a vacancy, when Xia Houxuan recommended Xun Xu, he also recommended Yin Damu. Only then was Yin Damu able to enter the Forbidden Army Camp and become a lieutenant in charge of the doctor.
Over the years, Yin Damu has been Cao Shuang's eyes and ears to detect news about the palace ban, and he has gained Cao Shuang's trust. Sima Yi summoned this person at this time, obviously wanting to take advantage of Cao Shuang's trust in him.
When Yin Damu heard about the military turmoil in the city, he immediately wanted to lead his palace troops out of the city to help Cao Shuang, but he was blocked by the elite troops of the guard generals Zhen De and Guo Jian.
As the captain of the Tun Cavalry School, the eighteen-year-old seventh son of the Sima family, Sima Jun, Pingyang Tinghou, was arranged by Sima Yi when he was eight years old to be a regular attendant of Sanqi accompanying the Holy Emperor and dealing with advisors. Over the years, his relationship with Emperor Cao Fang has developed. It was very good, and he had a general feeling, so he did not intercept Yin Damou's palace soldiers, but kept the soldiers aside to maintain normal public order in the palace.
When Yin Damu was at a loss, a messenger sent by Sima Yi came to the garrison square outside Tai Chi Hall.
"You mean, the Grand Tutor summoned me to go to the south of the city to discuss matters?"
Yin Damu was confused at this moment, but he understood that he had no choice at this moment. Meeting Sima Yi in person might be beneficial to the general. Yin Damu thought of this and no longer hesitated. After entrusting the arrangement of the palace soldiers to Sima Jun, the captain of the Tunqi School, he immediately followed the envoy to the south of the city.
When Yin Damu came to Sima Yi's camp, Sima Yi was constantly giving different military orders to the scouts coming and going.
After Sima Yi finished his work for a while, he immediately stepped forward and patted Yin Damu's shoulder in a pretentious manner. Sima Yi did not shrink back because the armor was cold, because today his blood was boiling more than ever before.
"Colonel Yin, I know that you have a close friendship with Cao Shuang. I have something to tell you. I wonder if Colonel Yin will listen?"
Yin Damu didn't have any ideas at the moment and could only nod numbly. Sima Yi smiled with satisfaction and then said:
"The general's arbitrary restructuring has already caused disunity and boiling public resentment. Now that I have seized the camp of the general, the central leader and others, the general can no longer assist the government. With my ability I mean, if the general gives up his military power now, he will not lose the Marquis's generous salary, and his family will be saved. If the general kidnaps the emperor and resists, not only will his own sin be unforgivable, but the whole family of his family will also be difficult to save. I wonder if the general thinks what I said is reasonable!"
Although Yin Damu was loyal to Cao Shuang, he lacked strategy. After listening to Sima Yi's words, he felt really worried for Cao Shuang. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and asked Sima Yi in a low voice:
"I am in a relationship with General Cao. Naturally, I cannot bear to see his defeat and harm to his wife and children. I hope you will give me advice on what to do!"
An almost imperceptible smile flashed across Sima Yi's lips. Seeing that his goal was achieved, he nodded, took out an autographed letter written by Jiang Ji, handed it to Yin Damu and said:
"Captain Yin has always been on good terms with the general. I can go to see him with this letter written by Captain Jiang, and tell him that I swore a serious oath to Luoshui in front of Jiang Zitong. We are facing each other today only because of military power. No harm intended!"
After Yin Damu received the letter, he struggled repeatedly in his heart, and finally made up his mind to go out of the city to persuade.
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Ninety miles south of Luoyang City is the Mausoleum of Ming Emperor Gaoping.
Emperor Cao Fang was kneeling devoutly at the tablet of the late emperor Cao Rui, burning incense and praying in his heart:
"Father, I hope that your spirit in heaven will protect our great Wei Kingdom for a long time, bless our children and generals to succeed in reforming the system, and strengthen our great Wei Dynasty!"
Cao Fang did not notice that while he was kneeling down to pray, the face of Cao Rui's lifelike god, carved from sandalwood and painted with blue and green paintings, was wet with dewdrops from somewhere, and it looked like his eyes were filled with tears at this moment.
At this moment, the chief official Zhang Dang came to Cao Fang:
"Your Majesty, it's too late, it's time to return to the city."
Cao Fang did not answer, but looked at her father's god hidden in the smoke and was in a daze for a while.
After a long while, he said:
"Tell the general to take command of the honor guard, and I will return to the city with him."
Not long after, General Cao Shuang, led by a thousand imperial guards of honor, escorted the Emperor's chariot and slowly drove towards Luoyang City.
At this moment, several Forbidden Army light cavalry suddenly ran from the north of the avenue. Judging from their clothes, they seemed to be soldiers from the guard camp under Sima Division of the Central Guard Army.
After Cao Shuang saw these soldiers guarding the army camp, he felt an ominous premonition in his heart.
After a while, several cavalry soldiers from the guard camp came on horseback supporting a Huangmen man. Not long after, they arrived in front of Cao Shuang's horse. Before Cao Shuang could ask questions, the man took out the Queen Mother's Yi Zhi from his arms:
"There has been a change in the city. The Taifu has ordered the entire city to be under martial law, and he has sent a memorial to the Emperor. The general quickly received the edict and sent the Taifu's memorial to the Emperor for review!"
After hearing this, Cao Shuang was shocked. There was a buzzing sound in his head, followed by a ringing in his ears that made him extremely uncomfortable. His heart was shaking uncontrollably. For a moment, he couldn't believe it. He was in this moment. I couldn't help but ask over and over again: How is this possible? Isn't Sima Yi seriously ill and dying?
After a long while, Cao Shuang finally realized it. He became so angry that he hit the big stone on the roadside with a riding crop made of cowhide. There was a crisp crack of the whip. He trembled and roared:
"How dare you, old thief Sima, bully me!"
Seeing that Cao Shuang's mood was out of control and he had no time to accept the order, the Huangmen official could only dismount, and then he knelt down in front of Cao Fang's chariot with Queen Mother Guo's decree and Sima Yi's memorial in his hands:
"Your Majesty, the Queen Mother has an edict and the Grand Tutor has an edict. I hope your Majesty will read it."
Cao Fang was also confused at this moment. He did not ask anyone to pick up the memorial table, but ordered Zhang Dang to remind Cao Shuang and let him read the memorial first.
"General, now that the matter is over, you should read Sima Yi's memorial first!"
After hearing this, Cao Shuang concentrated his mind for a moment, suddenly jumped off the Jingfanli, came to Huangmen's side, and snatched the memorial watch from Huangmen's hand. He opened the memorial watch and sealed it. Holding the memorial table sealed with the title "Seal of the Grand Tutor", I looked up and saw Sima Yi writing in the memorial table:
"The Taifu Wuyang Houchen Sima Yi was frightened and he paused to express his sincere words:
On the day when the late emperor passed away, he ordered His Majesty, the King of Qin, the general and his ministers to rise to the imperial bed, hold his ministers' arms and say, "I will keep the future in mind." Today, the general has betrayed his orders, ruined the country's laws, tyrannized internal affairs, and asserted his authority abroad. All the officials who were interested in their official positions were married to their relatives. The old people who stayed in the guard were all dismissed when they saw it. According to the coiled teeth, the day is getting worse. Zhang Dang of Huangmen was also appointed as the capital supervisor, specializing in handling customs and serving the artifacts. The world is turbulent and people are afraid. Your Majesty is just sitting here, how can you live in peace for a long time? This is not the original intention of the late Emperor's edict that His Majesty and his ministers should be promoted to the imperial bed. Although I am old, I dare not forget the preface. In the past, Zhao Gao had great intentions, so Qin was destroyed; Lu Huo died early, and Han Zuo continued forever. This is your majesty's advice and the autumn of your order. Taiwei Chenji, Shangshu Lingchenfu and other ministers and ministers all thought that Shuang had no intention of being a king, and it was not suitable for brothers to serve as soldiers and guards. They reported to the Empress Dowager, and the Empress Dowager's orders were implemented as memorials. The ministers often ordered the master and Huangmen to stop Shuang and Xi, and to train the officials and soldiers, each with his own official rank, and if the chariots and chariots were retained, they were engaged in military law. The minister quickly sent his troops to Luoshui pontoon bridge and was on the lookout. "
After reading the memorial, Cao Shuang was shocked and angry. He lost control of his emotions again and threw the memorial to the ground, and then said angrily:
"Hmph! It seems that Mr. Sima has a plan in advance! If anyone comes, hurry up and report to Your Majesty that there are changes in the city. The driver will temporarily stay twenty miles south of Luoshui River!"
Cao Xi was equally distraught at the moment, but he still tried to collect his thoughts and reported as requested by Cao Shuang.
After Cao Fang agreed, Cao Shuang immediately ordered his thousands of Forbidden troops from the Leading Army Camp and Wuwei Camp to cut down trees on the spot and make simple antler roadblocks and simple camps. Then he summoned three militiamen from the Forbidden Army camp in the southern suburbs of Luoyang that were responsible for farming. Nine hundred and forty people were temporarily stationed on the south bank of Luoshui.
Although everything has been arranged, the panicked brothers Cao Shuang, Cao Xi, Cao Xun, Cao Ze, and Cao Yan felt at a loss at this moment. The world is so big that there seems to be no room for them at this moment. At!
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The tens of thousands of forbidden troops in the city are all under the control of Sima Yi at this moment. In addition to a thousand elite forbidden troops in Cao Shuang's camp, there are only nearly 4,000 under-equipped and unarmored field militiamen. At this moment, all family members are in the city. The accompanying imperial troops were filled with frustration. If the emperor and the general were not there, they would have mutinied and entered the city long ago!
While Cao Shuang was guarding the south of the city and hesitating, the sound of rapid horse hooves came again from the Luoshui Bridge in the distance.
Brothers Cao Xun and Cao Ze, who each commanded 500 light crossbows and 500 infantry troops, thought it was Sima Yi who was in the city sending people to attack. While preparing for the attack, they immediately sent people to report to Cao Shuang.
After hearing the report of the imperial army, Cao Shuang couldn't help but feel nervous. He immediately ordered the archers from all battalions to rush to the front line and draw their bows to prepare for the enemy. Cao Shuang himself immediately raised his armor and held a sword, and came to the front line.
The sound of horse hooves in the distance was getting closer and closer. Cao Shuang looked up and felt that the uniforms of the soldiers to the north were very familiar. When he looked again, he saw clearly that the people who came were actually soldiers from his own house.
Cao Shuang couldn't help but feel overjoyed, and he immediately ordered the archers to withdraw their arrows and loosen their bows to avoid accidentally injuring friendly troops.
Not long after, Xin Chang, Sima Luzhi, and Chief Secretary Yang Zong led more than 20 cavalrymen from the General's Palace to Cao Shuang's camp. The remaining 400 infantrymen also arrived in Cao Shuang's camp within half an hour. One after another came to the camp.
"What's the situation in the city now?"
As soon as they met, Cao Shuang eagerly asked about the situation in the city.
Lu Zhi immediately replied:
"To inform the general, the city has been guarded like an iron barrel by Sima Yi. Sima Yi is now personally leading troops to garrison the Luoshui pontoon. In the opinion of his humble duty, the general cannot return to the city. It is better to make plans early!"
"Although this plan is good, the family members of the imperial soldiers accompanying the army are all in the city, and the army has no fighting spirit. If a mutiny occurs, the consequences will be disastrous!"
Cao Shuang also had his own considerations, so the few people could not agree on it for a while.
While the three of them were talking, Da Sinong Huanfan, who came out of Pingchang Gate, also came suddenly from the city. He was far away on his horse and he couldn't wait to call out:
"General, the Grand Tutor has changed. Now, the General should quickly invite the Emperor Nanxing to the capital, and then mobilize foreign troops from various counties to gather soldiers and horses from all over the world to defeat Sima Yi. Such a big thing can be settled!"
After hearing Huan Fan's words, Cao Shuang frowned and shook his head. When Huan Fan dismounted and came to him, he retorted:
"Not to mention that all the soldiers and family members accompanying him are in the city, and the army has no fighting spirit. Gu and his brothers, family, wives and children are also trapped in the city. How can I abandon him and seek help elsewhere?"
After hearing this, Huan Fan shook his head and urged Cao Shuang:
"Every man is in danger and still wants to survive! Now the general is accompanying the emperor and giving orders to the world. Who dares to refuse? How can he enter the city and throw himself to death?"
After hearing this, Cao Shuang started fighting in his heart again. He still couldn't make a decision, so he just frowned, shook his head and sighed.
On weekdays, with the help of He Yan, Ding Mi, Deng Yang, Huan Fan and others, he occasionally made decisions, but today he was in a state of confusion and his family members were all trapped in the city, so he became particularly hesitant. .
Huan Fan was extremely anxious at this moment, and he continued to persuade:
"General, we are going to Xudu in Yuzhou to meet up with General Guanqiu, the Marquis of Anyi. It is only a few hundred miles away. Even if the soldiers complain a little, there will be no mutiny with the emperor and you in charge. In addition, there is the Marquis of Anxiang. The soldiers and horses of the other camps are close to Que Nan, and they will be here when called. I have also carried the seal of the Great Sinong with me, so the army will have no worries about food and grass. The general can set off quickly, and if it is late, stop!"
Cao Shuang was so confused at the moment that he couldn't think calmly. He closed his eyes and shook his head:
"Don't be so impatient, please think about it carefully."
While everyone was quarreling and undecided, two servants, Xu Yun and Shangshu Chen Tai, sent by Sima Yi, also arrived at the camp.
Cao Shuang only thought that the two people who were close friends with Xia Houxuan, like Lu Zhi, Huan Fan and others, came to report the news with good intentions. He did not expect that they were lobbyists sent by Sima Yi.
Of course, Xu Yun and Chen Tai's original intention was not to kill Cao Shuang. At this time, they also believed that Sima Yi had a good reputation and would not kill the clan ministers rashly.
"The Tutor is just afraid that the General will have too much power. He just wants to reduce the General's military power. He has no other intention!"
"What Uncle Xuan said is true. In view of Yun, the general can return to the city early, and must not disturb the world and allow Wu and Shu to take advantage of it!"
Cao Shuang, who had originally intended to adopt Huan Fan's advice, was disturbed again after listening to their advice, and he didn't know what to do.
At this time, I saw a strong man with broad arms and round waist, a full beard and heavy armor coming from a distance. This man was the Lieutenant Colonel Yin Damu, whom Cao Shuang had always been optimistic about. However, Cao Shuang did not know that the always loyal Yin Damu At this moment, I was also convinced by Sima Yi's pretended kindness.
Yin Damu dismounted and came to Cao Shuang, wiping the sweat on his forehead from the galloping horse.
Cao Shuang thought to himself that Yin Damu had always been honest and loyal, so his words might be more credible.
Cao Shuang patted Yin Damu on the shoulder and asked Yin Damu:
"Captain Yin, I don't know what Taifu wants, but I hope you will tell the truth."
Yin Damu wiped the sweat from his forehead again, and then answered Cao Shuang:
"The Taifu was on the north bank and swore a poisonous oath pointing at Luoshui. I guess he had no other intention. In addition, I also brought here a personal letter from Taiwei Jiang. In my opinion, the general can hand over the military power as soon as possible. When he returns to the palace, he can still be regarded as a prince of ten thousand households. Above, he can ensure the peace of the country, and below, he can protect his wife, children and family members."
Cao Shuang was convinced after hearing what Yin Damou said.
He thought that since Sima Yi had sworn a poisonous oath on Luo Shui, he probably wouldn't have lied about it.
He hurriedly opened Jiang Ji's handwritten letter, and only after confirming that it was indeed Jiang Ji's handwriting did he read it. What was said in the letter was indeed roughly the same as what Yin Damu said. He also thought that Jiang Ji always kept his promises, was valued by Emperor Wen and Emperor Ming, and had a close relationship with the Cao family. The assurance he gave in his letter now showed that his words were true.
However, if he just handed over his military power, wouldn't all his previous efforts to seize power and reorganize the army be in vain?
Huan Fan saw that Cao Shuang seemed to be wavering again, so he hurriedly advised:
"General, the situation is critical now, don't listen to outsiders and die!"
Cao Shuang closed his eyes, then shook his head, sighed and said:
"This matter is of great importance. Rong Gu should think about it carefully..."
Cao Shuang couldn't decide, so he drew his sword in his hand and came to the south bank of Luoshui alone. He looked at the flowing Luoshui in the distance and couldn't stop sighing and thinking.
In a daze, he recalled the scene when his father Cao Zhen taught his brothers the art of war and martial arts; and when he was a boy, he and the late emperor, Cao Zhao, Cao Changsi, Yan Wangyu and others traveled to the suburbs of Beijing and talked about literature and war. days; he also thought of his experience with Cao Zhao, He Zeng, Bi Gui, Li Feng, Xia Houxuan and others in the East Palace to protect the late emperor's throne; what he could not forget the most was the late emperor's high expectations for him when he died. With earnest entrustment.
Decades of life have passed by in such a hurry. In the past, I was once the chief assistant among thousands of people, but I didn't expect that I would be facing such a predicament today.
Really, life is like a game of chess, irreversible.
Cao Shuang stood by the river from dusk, feeling sad and weeping. Until dusk, he was still uncertain and didn't know how to make a decision.
At this moment, a warm and soft voice awakened Cao Shuang's fantasy.
