During the next day's discussion, several princes were also asked to attend and listen, and Song Xin and Zhou Wenzhi were also allowed to enter the meeting hall.
Today, this hall contains almost all the important officials of the imperial court. Judging from the arrangement of their seats, on the left are the Yingchuan nobles who Cao Cao relies on most. Present are Xun Yu, Xun You, Chen Qun, Zhong Yao, Sima Yi and others. On the right are the gentry from the Qiaopei area, Xiahoudun, Xiahouyuan and the Cao clan. Then came the Yanzhou and Dongjun gentry. Sitting in the front row were Gao Rou, Wang Can, Yu Jin, Wei Xuan, Dong Zhao, etc.
Jia Xu, Cao Cao's most trusted advisor, sat behind Xun Yu. While the other gentlemen were whispering to each other, he remained silent and lowered his head, wondering what he was thinking.
Song Xin felt that today's seating arrangement was a bit different.
"I usually sit according to my official position. What happened today?" He thought and looked at Cao Cao. He was explaining something to Secretary Wang next to him with his head lowered.
In the middle of the meeting hall, a huge sand table has been placed, which is exactly the terrain of the northern part of the Jingzhou River. This sand table is very exquisitely made. The northern part of Jingzhou is surrounded by mountains on three sides and faces the river on one side. The countless chess pieces on it represent the situation of the enemy and ourselves. Song Xin raised his head slightly and looked carefully for a while. Dangyang and Hanjinkou, which originally belonged to Cao's army, had also been captured by the enemy. The prosperous area in northern Jingzhou from the Yangtze River to Xiangshui has been divided into several pieces. This situation is already a defeat.
Song Xin and Zhou Wenzhi were sitting behind Cao Chong, facing the senior gentlemen below.
Wei Xuan saw Song Xin and glared at him fiercely. Song Xin was naturally not polite and glared back, reciprocating the courtesy.
When Wei Xuan saw that Song Xin dared to stare at him, he was so angry that his beard was blowing, but for a moment there was nothing he could do about him.
Cao Cao stretched out his hand, made a restraining gesture, and said: "Today I invite you to discuss matters to formulate a strategy for conquering Jingzhou. You can speak freely. Zihuan, Zijian, Ziwen, and Chong'er, how many of you do you think?" People should listen carefully and if they have ideas, they can put them forward.”
"Yes, father." Cao Cao's sons responded in unison.
At this time, the hall had quieted down, the atmosphere was solemn, and everyone was waiting for the first person to speak.
In the end, it was Zhong Yao who took the lead to break the silence and said: "Prime Minister, if Jingzhou is rotting meat now, it is better to abandon it as soon as possible."
As soon as this statement came out, many generals of the Cao clan were not very happy. "Are you just giving up the land you worked so hard to acquire?"
Zhong Yao lifted up his robe sleeves, pointed at the sand table and said: "Look, everyone, the enemy has now invaded the hinterland of Jingzhou. It is a flat area and there is no dangerous place to defend. Although our army has occupied important strongholds, there are still many connections in the middle. But it was cut off by the enemy. Still here, it is just a waste of military strength. Isn't the failure of the Runan Army an example?"
As he spoke, he pointed to the center of the sand table, a low-lying, flat area surrounded by mountains. Flags of various colors are planted secretly here, like a chess game. The enemy has the upper hand, and Cao's army is shrinking into several cities.
At this time, Xun You said: "It is true. Our army is not facing just Jingzhou. It is reported that Ma Teng and Han Sui from Xiliang also intend to invade Chang'an, and Hefei in the east is not stable. If Our army consumes all its manpower here, and if there is even one mistake on the east and west sides, it will be a disaster."
Cao Cao frowned and asked, "Gongda, what do you think we should do?"
Xun You said: "Abandon Jiangling and occupy Xiang and Fan in the north. Use the Xiang River as a barrier to wait for the opportunity."
Suddenly someone slapped the table and said angrily: "Isn't this just spitting out the meat that you have eaten? You still have to guard like a shrunken turtle. This battle is so frustrating." Song Xin took a look and said, It was Cao Chun who spoke, and several generals from the Cao clan behind him also looked displeased and started shouting.
"Yes, didn't our comrades who died in the battle die in vain?"
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"Don't make any noise, Zihe. Listen to what you have to say." A majestic voice came. Song Xin looked up and saw that the man was wearing an eyepatch and it was Xiahou Dun. He knelt and sat beside Cao Cao, his body straight. When Cao Chun and others saw that it was him who spoke, they did not dare to shout any more.
Xun You said: "I naturally know what the generals are thinking. Why don't I feel pity for you? But in the current situation, we can only spit out the meat and let Sun and Liu fight. The more fierce they fight, the more they will treat us. The more advantageous it is.”
"I agree with Sir's plan. This land looks rich, but it is also the site of four wars and cannot be defended. Moreover, successive wars have caused huge losses in population, money and food. Even if the enemy takes over, it will not be able to recover within a few years. It just so happens that our army can free up its hands to attack Hanzhong from the west, which is also rich and can control the main roads in and out of Yizhou." Everyone turned to look, and it turned out to be Xiahou Yuan sitting behind Xiahou Dun.
Xia Houyuan's words left Cao Chun and others speechless. Although they were reluctant to give up, they had to give up.
Xun Yu cleared his throat and said loudly: "By seizing Xiang and Fan in the north, we can block the enemy's road northward into Yingchuan. Judging from the current situation, the stalemate is good for our army and bad for the enemy. The food of Yingchuan and Runan It can completely support our army to defend. However, Sun and Liu's army will either need to transport from the south of the Yangtze River, or it will take several years to restore Jingzhou's grain production and population. Our army needs to rest and recuperate, and the enemy's army must rest and recuperate. Our army can take this opportunity to strengthen the northwest and Hefei front lines. Defend. When the three fronts are stable, we can send out a large army again and sweep across the world. Restore the foundation of the Han Dynasty."
When Cao Cao heard the last sentence of "restoring the foundation of the Han Dynasty", he frowned slightly, then nodded and said: "What you guys said is quite in line with my opinion, what's next?"
"Prime Minister, I suggest that our army should strengthen the city defense in Chang'an and stock up on food, grass and weapons. I heard that Ma Teng and Han Sui have reached a truce and reconciled, and the Xiliang army is brave again. I am worried that something will happen to the west next," Xun Yu said.
Song Xin raised his head and glanced at Jia Xu behind Xun Yu. He still looked calm and composed, with no intention of speaking at all.
Cao Cao also noticed Jia Xu and asked, "Wen He, you come from a martial arts background and are familiar with Xiliang's military. What are your plans?"
Jia Xu bowed slightly and said: "Prime Minister, I agree with Mr. Wen Ruo's plan. Ma Teng can be recruited into Xudu. Han Sui is already old and his bravery is not what he used to be. Without Ma Teng, he is alone." It won’t accomplish anything.”
Cao Cao nodded, "Well, let's follow this plan and declare Ma Teng as the Marquis of Huaili, and declare him to be a guard in the dynasty."
While drafting the memorial, Cao Cao glanced at Wei Xuan.
The old man had been staring at Cao Cao. When he saw him looking over, he seemed to understand. He stood up and said, "Prime Minister, Wei Xuan has something to do."
"Xuan Gong has something to say, but it doesn't matter."
Wei Xuan cleared his throat and said: "The Prime Minister has worked hard for the country for so many years and has made outstanding achievements, but now the position of Sikong and Prime Minister is not worthy of the Prime Minister's merits. I would like to suggest that we should report to the Emperor and grant the Prime Minister the title of Wei Gong."
Sure enough, as soon as this statement came out, everyone started talking. After being granted the title of Duke, a county must be given as territory, which has not happened since Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. Regardless of the tacit understanding of the court or the regulations, this is a taboo.
Cao Cao's eyes swept over these people's faces one by one. Song Xin looked at him and seemed to understand something. This Wei Xuan suddenly jumped out to talk about this matter. However, he had been promoted even though he had not made any achievements before. I am afraid it was just for today...
"Xuan Gong, if you make the prime minister a duke, you will have to take over a county. Emperor Wu's order prohibits princes from holding more than one county. You want the prime minister to violate our prohibition and trap him in disloyalty. What's your name?" Song Xin took a look and saw that the person speaking was Xun Yu.
"Oops, this is probably the beginning of the break between Xun Yu and Cao Cao..." Song Xin thought to himself. He couldn't help but look at Cao Cao's expression. Although he didn't say a word, there was still a trace of disappointment in his eyes. Flash past.
Wei Xuan argued: "Xun Lingjun's words are wrong.
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Although the order was issued by the late emperor, how could it not be changed as time has passed? I think the Prime Minister's achievements are unprecedented in this dynasty. "
"Wei Xuan! You villain, do you want to cause the Prime Minister to be reviled by everyone in the world!?" He shouted, and it turned out to be Wei Tong. Song Xin secretly sweated for him.
"Wei Ziming! The Prime Minister thinks highly of you. You should support the Prime Minister's advancement. How can you oppose this!?" Wei Xuan retorted.
Wei Tong showed no sign of weakness, "The Prime Minister returned to the DPRK in the service of the Emperor, and brought peace and stability to all directions. His achievements are shining brightly. But the Prime Minister is also a minister of the Han Dynasty. How can you let him do such an unsubordinate thing? I think you have selfish motives."
"You! Wei Ziming..." Wei Xuan was speechless for a moment. Dong Zhao and Gao Rou beside him gently tugged on his sleeves. They saw Cao Cao's face, which seemed not to be good.
Cao Cao looked at everyone quietly and found that except for the clan brothers from Dongjun and Qiaopei, almost no one responded to Wei Xuan's proposal. Especially those adults who were born in Yingchuan, very few responded to this.
Cao Chong saw that there seemed to be many nobles who were opposed to this issue, so he advised: "Father, Duke Xuan also has good intentions in advising to advance, but Xun Lingjun and others are opposed because they want to protect my father's reputation. I think it is better to put this matter aside for now. Now The war is urgent, so we should arrange more important things first."
When Cao Cao heard his son's suggestion, he sighed secretly and felt that the time was not yet ripe. He lowered his head and picked up a bamboo slip, wrote a few words, handed it to Cao Chong, and then said: "Wei Xuan, please retreat first. "
Wei Xuan saw that Cao Cao's face was not very good, and he quickly leaned down and said: "Wei Xuan is confused, Wei Xuan will accept the punishment."
He was about to sit back when Cao Cao suddenly asked: "Xuan Gong, are you sixty-five this year?"
Wei Xuan was startled and said in confusion: "Prime Minister, I'm sixty-one."
All this was seen by Jia Xu and Sima Yi. The two men glanced at each other inadvertently, but did not show any emotion. They understand one thing, Wei Xuan's political life will not last long, and today is the last time he will play a role.
Song Xin guessed well, Wei Xuan was used by Cao Cao to test everyone, to see if anyone would stop him if he went further. Judging from the current situation, it is too early to tell.
After the meeting ended, Zhou Wenzhi asked Cao Chong: "Sir, why did you oppose the prime minister's promotion to the nobility just now?" He was a little confused as to why Cao Cao's son opposed his father.
"Now is not a good time. Don't you see the attitude of the gentlemen below?"
Zhou Wenzhi was stunned, and then he recalled that this incident did not trigger a heated discussion, and even his uncle Liu Xian did not speak. He didn't even notice such an obvious signal.
"Brother Song, have you noticed anything since you haven't spoken a word?" Zhou Wenzhi asked.
"Brother Zhou, you and I are the young master's attendants, so we naturally obey the young master." Song Xin replied noncommittally. But he secretly thought: "You spend all day drinking and indulging in women. You don't even care about practicing. It's strange that you don't change and are slow."
Cao Chong smiled slightly, seemingly satisfied with Song Xin's answer.
"Sir, what is the bamboo slip that the Prime Minister gave you?"
"I was just going to tell you about this." Cao Chong smiled and took out a bamboo slip. Song Xin took it and looked at it, and his eyes widened immediately. It read, "Xin reprimands Xuan". Song Xin said in surprise: "You want me to reprimand Wei Xuan on behalf of the Prime Minister?"
Cao Chong said: "I know that you and Wei Xuan are not on good terms. You should also understand what this so-called 'rebuke' means. Brother Song, if you want to achieve great things, you must be able to talk to him even if you are facing the person who killed your father." We sat there smiling. Without this kind of mind, we would not be able to survive a day in this court. Now, do you know what father wants?"
Song Xin thought for a moment and said, "I understand..."
Zhou Wen has been listening to the sidelines, unable to say a word...
(End of chapter)
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