Chapter 737: Twists and turns
By the way, when Cao Zhang saw what Cao De said, he was frothing at the mouth, and he knew in his heart that Cao Pi wanted to make the matter so big that it would never end, at least he, Cao Zhang, would never be able to end it. Whether it is Che Zhou, Xue Ti or Zang Ba, they are all tyrannical military attaches that Cao Zhang cannot handle.
If Cao Cao were standing here now, I'm afraid things would be different. However, although Cao Zhang acted on Cao Cao's orders, he could not bear the responsibility if it provoked a local rebellion.
Cold sweat flowed down the back of Cao Zhang's neck and into his back. Facing the gradually turbulent public sentiment in the Cao family, Cao Zhang regretted for the first time his emphasis on martial arts and neglect of literature. There is no shortage of military force around him that can serve him to death, but he always lacks truly intelligent staff who can establish a reputation for being both civil and military and who can make plans for him at critical moments.
Sima Yi's tight lips showed a sneer at this moment, but he did not raise his head to look at Cao Zhang's embarrassment. As the de facto boss of the Cao brothers, it would be extremely smooth for Cao Pi to take advantage at this moment. Cao Zhang is not Cao Pi's real opponent, Cao Zhi is, and behind him is the hateful Yang Dezu.
Cao Zhang saw that the families of the hostages were gradually making trouble again, and he couldn't help but sit down on the Taishi chair next to him, and said bitterly: "Second brother! Since everyone wants to continue to pursue the responsibility, I have to report this matter to my father and the king." ! When my 30,000 troops arrive and the defense of Qiao County is adjusted, I will immediately ask my father for instructions and ask him to come back and arrest the three generals for questioning!"
Cao Pi sneered and said: "If my father could be separated and attend such a big event as my grandfather's funeral on the front line, would he still fight on the front line?"
Cao Zhang waved his hand irritably and said, "Second brother, what do you think we should do? Since the second brother brought it up, I think I'll leave this matter to the second brother, right?"
Seeing Cao Zhang retreating, Cao Pi felt slightly proud. He glanced at the longing look in Xia Houjuan's eyes, and his mind became hot. Suddenly Sima Yi coughed lightly beside him. Cao Pi calmed down again and said, "Third brother, since you said so , the second brother reluctantly took the trouble to relieve your worries, the third brother."
After that, regardless of Cao Zhang's gloomy expression, he stood up and faced everyone and said: "Father! Everyone present is Cao's relatives, and there are not two characters of Cao in one stroke. It is known to the whole world that in Qiao County, the Xiahou family and the Cao family are the same. The whole family, Xiahou said, is a descendant of the Xiahou family, how is it different from the descendants of my Cao family? Why do we have to kill them all?"
There was a buzz of discussion below immediately. Cao Yu signaled everyone to be quiet and listened to what Cao Pi said. Cao Pi continued: "However, my grandfather died and so many relatives of the Cao family were kidnapped and killed. Xiahou said it was really hard to blame him. Together with the subordinate generals Xue Ti, Che Zhou, and Zang Ba were all guilty of serious crimes of negligence. The punishment of the general with a foreign surname will come from his father to uphold justice, but today at home, Xia Hou said whether he should be executed or not, he still hopes that all the family members in the clan ,reconsider."
After saying that, Da Ma Jin Dao sat down on Cao Zhang's head and looked at everyone without saying anything. Cao Yu nodded slightly, stroking his beard and looking at everyone. Due to Cao Pi's intervention, the tendency of this matter has completely changed. As for who will take the lead in breaking the deadlock, it depends on the courage of everyone.
At the end of the Han Dynasty, the imperial court had long lost its majesty, and Cao Cao became the largest separatist prince in the Central Plains. It could be said that he was the local emperor, and that was why the Cao family in Qiao County had unlimited glory. Everyone knew this. Cao Cao has unlimited power of life and death, and the same applies to his relatives within the Cao family. Even within the family, it can be said that Cao Cao will kill whoever he wants and show mercy to whomever he wants, and will never let him die.
The crux of the problem can be seen by anyone with a discerning eye. Nowadays, people with even a little bit of wisdom will put their future and destiny on the Cao family, and they are betting on whether Cao Cao's true heir is Cao Pi or Cao Zhang. If someone insisted on executing Xia Houcheng's death sentence, it would be equivalent to tying the good man's head to Cao Zhang's waistband.
Therefore, the discussion in the hall gradually became quieter, and in the end it was completely silent. In the end, only a few gray-haired old ladies were left, unable to bear the pain of losing their children, still sobbing softly. Seeing that no one objected, Cao Pi nodded with satisfaction and ordered: "Come here and bring Xia Houchen here."
Xia Houjuan and Xia Houheng were both overjoyed. They stood up together and rushed towards the place where Xia Houcheng was imprisoned. The disheveled Xia Houcheng was escorted over and knelt in front of Cao Song's spirit. He also knew that he had made a big mistake this time, but he kowtowed several times to Cao Song's spirit, with tears in his eyes.
Xiahou said that he had finished kneeling, so he knelt in front of the soul to listen to the trial. He glared at Cao Zhang fiercely for several times. He knew that Cao Zhang wanted to use him as a demonstration, but he did not allow him to go to the battlefield to perform his crime and meritorious service. He felt even more hatred in his heart. Now that the second brother has arrived, he can finally clean up the mess and save his own life.
Sure enough, Cao Pi said: "Uncle Quan, can you admit your guilt?"
Xia Hou said he answered honestly: "Second brother! My subordinates committed a heinous crime, which caused thieves to commit crimes in the village. The father of the clan died because of this. The crime deserves death, and he deserves to be executed. I am convinced by the three sentences. But I hope The second brother can understand that I am young and ignorant, so he allows me to go into battle to kill the enemy and perform meritorious service, and return with my body wrapped in horse leather, which will not disgrace the Xiahou family!" After saying this, he nodded again.
Cao Zhang couldn't help but snorted, but Cao Pi nodded slightly and said: "Ziwen feels sorry for the loss of his grandfather and hates the destruction of the clan. I sentenced you to death according to the clan rules. I acted impartially and was blameless. But there are clouds in the sky. The virtue of good health, now that the world is in chaos, is the time to employ people, and my martial arts skills are not inferior to those of Xiahou Miaocai, if it ends here, it will be painful for relatives and happy for enemies."
After saying that, he glared at Xia Hou and praised: "Death crimes can be avoided, but living crimes cannot be forgiven. Otherwise, I, Cao Zihuan, will not be able to convince the public. I will punish you with a hundred military sticks and make you observe mourning in front of your grandfather's spirit for three years. You can only live in a hut and eat without food." Go home and live. In three years, you will be expelled from the clan and sent to the northern front line, starting from the lowest level of pawn. Are you willing?"
This punishment is not heavy. Being expelled from the clan is not much better than death. Xia Houcheng's heart can't help but sink. The expressions of Xia Houheng and Xia Houjuan also gradually turned gloomy from the joy just now, but Xia Houcheng can get To survive, the two naturally did not dare to say anything.
Cao Pi also felt that the air was stagnant, and nodded slightly: "Good men are everywhere. If you can achieve unparalleled military success, I will personally take you back to the clan." Sima Yi suddenly said from the side: "Uncle Quan, Haven't you ever thanked the Second Young Master for not killing him?"
Xia Houcheng suddenly woke up, turned his head, and kowtowed to Cao Pi to thank him. At this moment, a loud voice suddenly shouted from outside the house: "Wait a minute!"
If you want to know what happens next, listen to the explanation next time.
