Therefore, the General's Residence and the Wu'an Marquis Mansion, this luxurious mansion built since the time of the previous owner Cao Zhen and Cao Zidan, has stood on the Tongtuo Street in Luoyang City for nearly thirty years.
In the past thirty years, it has hosted countless princes, generals and ministers, and hosted countless delicious banquets.
Countless pink beauties have sang, had fun and danced here; countless talented men have written poems and poems here.
As the saying goes, "Thirty years to the east of the river, thirty years to the west of the river", no prince would believe that he would be the protagonist in this proverb.
Cao Shuang would never have thought that Wu'an Mansion, which was as solid as a mountain, would collapse in his hands.
The glory and splendor of the past thirty years, the generosity and might of the past thirty years, were reduced to ashes overnight!
What he didn't know was that the ashes of the huge Cao family business, which had been burned down by the Sima family's arrogance, were about to be blown away by the strong wind, leaving no trace behind.
There are high-rise buildings, high-rise banquets, and no high-rise buildings. Everything seems to be just a ridiculous and sad long dream.
This dream is really long. It has grown so long that even carefree children and teenagers have gray hair.
This dream was really short, as if everything just happened yesterday and disappeared in a blink of an eye...
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Cao Xi and Wei Yuan were holding a paper kite in the courtyard hand in hand.
After so many years, the two of them had such leisure time just now.
The scene from many years ago seemed to appear before their eyes at this moment.
At that time, he had not yet become a marquis or general, and was just an ordinary soldier in the military guard camp.
And she is still just a girl waiting to be married.
That year at the city gate of Luoyang, she playfully teased him who was standing at the city gate looking at Luoshui in a daze, and she often helped him pull strings, just to see his frown relax.
And that sentimental, gentle and elegant young soldier who had been guarding the city all day long finally opened his heart on a sunny afternoon and began to stare with a smile at the lively and cute man who pulled silk threads and herded colorful animals in front of him. The little girl Yuan, this picture is naturally very eye-catching, so that other soldiers standing on the top of the city in the distance were fascinated by it.
At this moment, Cao Xi was in a trance, and seemed to see the little Wei Yuan from back then trotting into the wind, looking back and smiling at him. Cao Xi remembered that her every smile was filled with inner happiness and joy.
Time flies by like a white horse passing by.
The world is changing like a dog in the white clouds.
Today, the two of them are no longer young, but their sincere feelings for each other have never changed.
Cao Xi, who had good martial arts skills and an excellent ear, had long noticed the noise of armors and weapons clashing half a mile away, but he did not show the slightest panic.
At this moment, he just wanted to accompany his first wife, even if it was just to spend a little more time with her.
Outside the mansion, a group of Sima party members with sonorous steps and fierce looks were marching toward them, armed with swords and armor.
With a sound of "Bang!", the door of the house was kicked open, but Cao Xi and Wei Yuan were surprisingly calm at this moment.
"Marquis Anxiang, General Cao Shuang has been bound to the imperial court, and it's time for you to get on your way!"
Cao Xi looked at the group of soldiers, with a cold and disdainful bitter smile on his lips. This sneer with the arrogance and pity of the royal family actually made several soldiers feel uncomfortable.
Wei Yuan burst into tears when she saw the soldier coming to fetch her husband. She held her husband's hand tightly and shook her head desperately, unwilling to let him leave her.
Cao Xi knew that nothing could be changed. After closing his eyes and sighing, with tears streaming down his face, he held his wife's hand and said word by word:
"It is said that fate determines the fate of three lives. I, Cao Xi, swear here today that I will stay with my beloved wife Wei Yuan in the next life and never be separated!"
"Marquis Anxiang, let's go! The time has come!"
Two soldiers stepped forward, tore open the tightly held hands of Cao Xi and Wei Yuan, and roughly escorted Cao Xi.
"Husband!"
Wei Yuan watched her husband being taken away like this, tears streaming down her face, and she collapsed on the cold bluestone floor.
With a bang, just like when Liangchen left, the door closed tightly again, isolating Wei Yuan and Cao Xi. In the huge Xiyuan of the old general's mansion, only Wei Yuan was left crying bitterly in the cold and frosty courtyard. Wei Yuan is one person.
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Inside the sky prison, it was still as eerie and terrifying as ever.
Heaven, earth, Xuan, Huang, Yu, Zhou, Hong and Huang.
This heavenly prison is divided into four levels and eight sections. From heaven to hell, the more serious the crime and the higher the authority, the further back the people will be arranged. However, the first two floors generally hold more prisoners, and among the first two floors, the Heaven and Earth Departments located on the first floor hold the most prisoners.
As for the rearmost one, Huangzihao, located on the fourth floor, Cao Xi had never thought about or thought of anyone who was qualified to be imprisoned here, either then or now.
What he didn't even expect was that the person being imprisoned in this deepest and coldest "hell" at this moment was a "repeat criminal" of the Cao family like him.
Sima Shi, who was awarded the title of Marquis of Changping Township for his work in catching the "rebels" and was granted the title of a thousand households in the city. He was also granted the title of General of Guards with a second rank of gold seal and purple ribbon. At this moment, he was looking down at him, wearing a prison uniform, with scars on his body. The old friend Cao Xi was tired and became a prisoner and was tied to the rack.
"Master Sima!"
At this moment, Cao Xi looked angrily at the well-dressed Wei Wei General and Changping Township Marquis in front of him, as if his eyes were about to burst out with devouring flames:
"If I had known you had such wild ambitions, I should have killed you with one sword when we were at Yuan Rong's tomb!"
Master Sima couldn't help but be startled when he thought of his late wife. He reached out and touched the often painful and hideous scar under his left eye, and looked at Cao Xi with a sinister look again. He said coldly:
"If you hadn't insisted on going against our Sima family, Yuanrong would not have died back then. It was all because of you!"
Master Sima's eyes instantly became extremely cold, and he trembled and roared:
"Cao Xi, it's all because of you!"
"Master Sima, shut up!"
Cao Xi looked at the ferocious-looking Sima Master in front of him with blazing eyes, and he said word by word:
"How Yuanrong died, you know best in your heart!
In order to eliminate dissidents, your father not only designed and killed Cao Zihe, the then commander of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, but also forged a false letter, leading to the death of General Wen Ze! "
"Shut up!"
Master Sima retorted tremblingly:
"Cao Zi and the commander-in-chief clearly died of acute illness back then!"
Cao Xi did not stop, but continued to sneer:
"Also, in order to cover up the truth about the horse theft case, your father also sent people to kill Wang Li, the governor of Hanoi County, who was in the prison!"
"Shut up!"
The angry and guilty Sima Master's eyes were red at the moment, and he was a little out of control.
Cao Xi continued to examine Master Sima with cold lightning eyes, and he said sonorously:
"So what if your Sima family really controls the whole world?
What you do will eventually be laughed at by future generations!
Maybe you can tamper with the annals of history and smear my Cao family, but justice rests in the hearts of the people, and there is God above all else. What you do today is destined to not escape God's condemnation! "
"What your Emperor Wu of the Cao family can do, why can't I, the Sima family, do it?"
Sima Shi refused to admit defeat and tried his best to retort:
"What your Cao family can do for the people, our Sima family can do the same!"
"Hahaha... Emperor Wu!"
As if he suddenly heard something extremely ridiculous, Cao Xi looked up to the sky and laughed without any scruples:
"You alone are worthy of being compared with my great ancestor, Emperor Wu?
Emperor Wu's world and my Cao family's empire were built inch by inch in troubled times with the blood of our Cao family!
And your father, he is just a rebellious minister who pretends to be crazy and deceives the emperor! "
"you……"
Sima Shi, who was always known for his Shen Yi, didn't know whether it was because he missed his deceased wife too much or was too guilty because of what Cao Xi said. At this moment, his eyes were red but speechless. He turned around and waited until his emotions calmed down. Turn around and face Cao Xi again.
“The one who succeeds becomes a king, the one who loses becomes a bandit, the one who steals the hook is punished, and the one who steals the country is a prince!
This is a principle that has not changed through the ages. Don’t forget that at this moment, today, it is me, Master Sima, who is looking down on you, Cao Xi!
It is my Sima family, the emperors and generals of the Cao family who are looking down at you! "
When Cao Xi heard this, he just sneered and had no words.
Master Sima turned around and was about to leave, but then he seemed to remember something. He turned around and said to Cao Xi quietly:
"Don't worry, after you die, I will let your family meet you under the Nine Springs!"
In the sky prison, only the sound of trembling iron chains and the angry and helpless shouts were left.
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In the mansion of Marquis Wu'an.
The Huangmen servant sent by Sima Yi read out the edict in a high-pitched and cold voice:
"Therefore, the general Wu'an Hou Shuang, arrogant and monopolistic, took the late emperor's talent from Zhang Dang of Huangmen and kidnapped Your Majesty. The five brothers wanted to plot rebellion. They were treasonous and outrageous. They should be punished for their crimes and invaded the three tribes of the barbarians. , as a warning to others!"
"Ma'am, it's time to hit the road!"
The chamberlain brought the wooden tray containing poisonous wine to the family members in the mansion.
This was the last dignity that Emperor Cao Fang fought hard for for Cao Shuang's family.
Wei Yuan smiled sadly. She picked up the plate of poisoned wine and drank it all without any hesitation!
"Husband... Yuan'er is waiting for you below..."
The golden cup fell to the ground, and she slowly closed her eyes. The space between heaven and earth gradually became dark.
The Nuo Da Hou Mansion finally became empty and gloomy.
It was night, everything was finally hidden in the night and could no longer be seen.
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While Sima Shi was meeting Cao Xi alone in the Huangzihao dungeon, Sima Yi was interrogating He Yan alone in the Hongzihao cell.
Sima Yi's almost snow-white beard and hair turned a little reddish-yellow at this moment under the weak candlelight in the dungeon, making him look like a legendary ghost from hell.
He Yan, who was beaten all over with bruises, slowly woke up from his coma. As soon as he opened his eyes, he saw Sima Yi with a mysterious smile. Of course, he was startled, and his instinctive fear made him shrink back involuntarily. Go, so that the cold shackles rubbed the rotten flesh of his wrists hard!
Seeing He Yan grimacing in pain, Sima Yi said something unexpected to He Yan:
"Consort He, I have a chance for you to live here. Do you want it?"
After hearing these words, He Yan's originally dim and fearful eyes suddenly radiated a burst of excitement.
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In Tingwei Mansion, Tingwei Lu Yu and Tingwei Supervisor Gao Xun were looking at the new Tingwei Ping He Yan with a smile on his body.
He Yan didn't understand at this moment why the eyes of the two people looking at him were full of teasing.
He was originally very smart, but after suffering in prison these days, he seems to have become much slower.
At this moment, he was working hard to carefully check the clan members of Cao Shuang, Deng Yang, Ding Mi, Bi Gui, Li Sheng, Huan Fan, and Zhang Dang, trying to gain a chance to survive by investigating the prison.
After seeing He Yan's astonishing efficiency in handling the case, Gao Xun, who was assisting on the side, couldn't help but admired in his heart: This He Yan is indeed a child prodigy who is known as 'Minghui as a God' at the age of seven!
He Yan, who was not known for judging punishments and prisons, was doing errands in order to survive at this moment, which actually made Gao Xun, who always prided himself on legal punishments and punishments, feel inferior to himself!
Cao Shuang, Ding, Deng, Bi, Li, Huan, and Zhang were all dignitaries of the day. It would have been an extremely complicated task to find out the family names of these three clans, but He Yan, who was bent on survival, resorted to After using all his strength, it took only five days to check the files that Lu Yu and Gao Xun could not finish in half a month!
"Ouch, tsk tsk tsk!"
Gao Xun casually flipped through the catalog of files that He Yan had checked, clasped his hands and praised with a smile:
"He Consort He is indeed one of the most famous people in the dynasty. If these files you checked were handed over to me, Gao Xun, I am afraid that it would not be possible to find out the outline even for half a month. However, in less than five days, He Consort He will complete all the files." After sorting it out, I am afraid that no one in the current dynasty can match this ability!"
He Yan, who had been working all night and looked even paler, held a cup of hot tea with trembling hands and took a sip. He was naturally very grateful for Gao Xun's praise, but he didn't notice that there was something hidden in Gao Xun's smile. Unstoppable teasing and murderous intent.
In the first month of spring, it is the time when every household sets off firecrackers. He Yan, who is still in prison and is looking forward to the arrival of the amnesty order, is listening to the shadowy and faint laughter on the ground. He suddenly thinks of his wife Jin Xiang. Princess and several children, if he was not involved in this dispute, he would probably take the whole family to the market at this moment.
He Yan thought in his heart: If he escapes this time, he must spend the rest of his life with his family and never seek a high position or go out to live happily.
He even planned to quit Five Stone Powder because he found that happiness was within reach before his eyes, so why should he pursue that momentary happiness in illusion?
Thinking about all this, He Yan felt a lot more relaxed in his chest. At this moment, the cell door opened with a creak. He Yan's eyes were stung by the sudden light. He looked up. When I went there, I suddenly saw Sima Yi, who was full of spring and energetic.
"Teacher, Duke Sima, Marquis Wuyang, you are finally here!"
He Yan was so excited that he called the other person's position and title indiscriminately, but Sima Yi did not help him up as enthusiastically as He Yan imagined, but asked him in an extremely cold tone. He Yan’s frightening question:
"Consort He, you handled this case beautifully..."
After He Yan heard this, the hope in his heart rose again, but before he could express his position, he heard Sima Yi say again:
"It's just that Consort He seems to have missed one family of traitors!"
After He Yan heard this, he was suddenly panicked. Although it was dark and cold in the dungeon, big beads of sweat were shed on He Yan's forehead.
He raised his eyes tremblingly, looking at Sima Yi's old face with a kind smile, and seemed to understand something. He mustered up great courage, and finally asked the question he wanted to ask:
"When Taifu said that the traitors have not been investigated, does he mean I, He Yan?!"
"Of course!"
He Yan didn't hear clearly what Sima Yi said at this moment. He only saw Sima Yi's lips that were dry due to old age opening and closing. He was disturbed by a burst of intense tinnitus and had a splitting headache. He Yan's stomach and intestines were filled with intense fear. Sima Yi had a spasm and vomited in a panic. Sima Yi lifted the corner of his robe with a look of disgust and took several steps back.
At this moment, He Yan's heart was filled with regret for trusting Sima and guilt for Cao Shuang, Ding Mi and others. He kept rolling on the ground, wailing, vomiting, and trembling, just like a hunter who tortured him beyond measure. Struggling elk!
On the first month of the year, Wuxu Day, under the instruction of Sima Yi, the Tingwei Mansion executed Cao Shuang, He Yan, Ding Mi, Deng Yang, Bi Gui, Li Sheng, Huan Fan, Zhang Dang and others for the serious crime of treason.
The East Market, also a horse market, is located on the outskirts of the outer city outside Jianchun Gate to the east of the East Palace.
The people watching on the sidelines did not care who was being beheaded at this moment. As long as the person being beheaded was a dignitary, they would feel an inexplicable pleasure in their hearts.
Even in their subconscious, as long as it is a high-ranking official who is taken to the execution ground, it must be a corrupt official.
After the onlookers were tired of scolding and throwing things away, Huangmen opened the "imperial edict" in his hand and read it out in front of all the officials and people:
"Therefore, the general Wu'an Hou Shuang, arrogant and monopolistic, took the late emperor's talent from Zhang Dang of Huangmen and kidnapped Your Majesty. The five brothers wanted to plot rebellion. They were treasonous and outrageous. They should be punished for their crimes and invaded the three tribes of the barbarians. , as a warning to others! Ministers He Yan, Deng Yang, Ding Mi, Grand Secretary Nong Huanfan, Jingzhou Governor Li Sheng, Sili Xiaowei Bi Gui, and Grand Internal Official Zhang Dang were all related to him and conspired with him, and their crimes are difficult to forgive. , the imperial edict was issued to all three tribes of barbarians in order to express gratitude to the world!"
Seeing that Huangmen had finished reading out the imperial edict, Sima Shi, who was the supervisor and beheading officer, glanced at the sun and threw the arrow out casually.
The executioner sprayed a sip of strong alcohol on the frosty blade in his hand. After emboldening the knife, he waved the butcher knife in his hand without hesitation. Perhaps in his eyes, there was no distinction between old, young, women and children, so he was so fierce. There was no expression of pity on his face.
Probably the red sun in the sky couldn't bear to watch this cruel massacre anymore, so it arranged for the stratus clouds to cover itself up.
Under the dim sky, the blood flowing like a stream in the East Market did not look very red.
The people who were watching and applauding at this moment did not know that this massacre directly wiped out half of the famous people in the world.
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Above the court, the emperor, who was still young and should have been full of energy, seemed to have lost his soul at this moment, sitting blankly on his throne without saying a word.
The chamberlain, on the other hand, took the edict written long ago by Sima Zhao, the regular attendant of Sanqi and Xinchengxiang Hou, and read it loudly in the main hall:
"The edict says: The Taifu has been loyal and honest, and has eliminated the chaos in the country. Now he will be granted the title of prime minister, and he will be granted the title of Fanchang, Yanling, Xinji, and Fucheng of Yingchuan, and the first eight counties. He will be granted a special grant of 20,000 households. It’s shameless to go to the palace to report something!”
Sima Yi put on an excellent posture and resolutely declined the position of prime minister. After all, what he wants is not the name of such a prime minister. What he wants is to bring the whole world to its center.
Taiwei Jiang Ji was not as relaxed and happy as the other veterans, but had a sad face and seemed to have tears on his face.
At this moment, his heart was filled with regret that made him scratch his lungs and scratch his liver.
He regretted that he had not seen Sima Yi's true thoughts earlier, but naively thought that he just wanted to suppress Cao Shuang.
He regretted that he should not have written the letter of guarantee to Cao Shuang for Sima Yi, thus allowing Cao Shuang and his men to enter the city and be killed.
After all, he still loves Da Wei, but now, Da Wei's future is completely ruined in his own hands.
For no reason, he remembered what Emperor Wen and Emperor Ming had said about him during their lifetimes.
"You have both civil and military talents and a generous spirit. ..."
"A minister with strong bones is the one whom the master fights for. He is both talented and civilized, and he is diligent and dedicated. Every major military and state matter is always discussed, and he is loyal and hard-working. I am very strong. . . ."
Jiang Ji couldn't help sweating when he thought of this. He understood that he would never be able to face the kings of Wei again in this life!
A few days ago, before Cao Shuang and others were executed, he thought of a way to make amends, so he said this in the court:
"Cao Zhen's honor cannot be ignored."
He wanted to work hard to preserve even one direct descendant of Cao Zhen.
But what he didn't expect was that the entire court was silent at that time, the emperor looked sad and helpless, and the ministers bowed their heads in silence and looked at Sima Yi immediately!
At this moment, Jiang Ji, feeling sad and self-reproaching, wanted to refuse Sima Yi's reward of becoming a marquis, but he did not even have this freedom.
On this day, as soon as Jiang Jijian, who was in despair after going to court, returned to the house, his servants informed him that Duke Wei Zhen was asking for an audience.
As soon as Jiang Ji saw Wei Zhen, a burst of uncontrollable sadness surged into his heart. The two old men looked at each other speechlessly, and at this moment they started to cry like helpless children.
A few days later, the two old men passed away with endless regret and pain.
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Spring in Luoyang City is still as vibrant as any spring day in the past.
Wuyang Hou Mansion has become much more lively than before in recent days. Sima Yi is currently drinking and chatting with his old friends Liu Fang, Sun Zi, Wang Guan, Gao Rou, Wang Su, Lu Yu, and Sun Li.
"Sima Gong, I heard that Sima Luzhi and Chief Secretary Yang Zong under Cao Shuang also killed people and went out to help Cao Shuang. Why didn't Sima Gong punish them as well?"
"God has the virtue of good life, and Yi Zhuan also has the principle of opening up the net, so why should we kill them all?"
"Hahaha, Mr. Sima is so benevolent and righteous!"
After hearing this, Sima Yi just smiled faintly. He thought to himself, now that the overall situation has been decided, it doesn't matter if these little guys are not killed, it is better to fight for a good reputation for themselves.
After three rounds of drinking, when both the guests and the host were intoxicated, Master Sima, who was entertaining the guests outside the hall, suddenly hurried to the inner hall and whispered to Sima Yi with a solemn expression:
"Father, there is an urgent report from Guo Boji that something may have happened to the Marquis of Xia in the northwest!"
