Zhuge Liang and Lu Xun returned to Beifu. Both of them had completed their placement and were waiting for the results. Cao Wu sent word to the north about Sima's plan to guard against Yin and raise dead soldiers.
Regarding this strategic duel, who was better at killing with a borrowed knife? Both of them were actually very concerned about it. Lu Xun borrowed the hands of Ma Teng and Ma Chao to force Sima Fang to rebel, and Zhuge Liang borrowed the hands of Cao Chongsheng’s wife to detain Sima Yi. They were both minor. There are achievements, but the results have not yet come out, and it is difficult to judge who wins or loses.
The next day, Cao Wu saw that the two of them were preoccupied and said with a smile: "Actually, the Sima family is just a small test for two of us. Since you two care so much, you might as well see what I do."
As soon as these words came out, both of them were very curious. Then, Cao Wu told them that they were going to meet someone. Diao Chan was also in the car with Beifu Baimeizhong. Diao Chan knew the most about political affairs and Ah Liu knew the best about military affairs. This time they It was Diao Chan accompanying me.
The four of them rode in the same car, and Zhuge Liang and the two had long been accustomed to having this beautiful veiled woman accompanying Cao Wu. They arrived all the way to Xudu and went straight to the edge of the imperial city. Lu Xun asked in surprise: "Are you going to see the emperor?"
Cao Wu smiled and did not answer.
Diao Chan glanced at Cao Wu, and seeing Cao Wu nodding, she said without hesitation: "You two need to know that since Dong Zhuo moved west to the emperor, the emperor has been like a puppet. Four years ago, the prime minister conquered Jizhou and rarely returned to Xudu. The world All major political affairs are being transferred to Yecheng. Therefore, if you enjoy the wind, flowers, snow and moon, you can be useful to the emperor, and if you discuss state affairs..."
Diao Chan smiled and said: "To put it bluntly, it is better to ask to see the emperor than to see the general of the Beifu."
This was the first time someone from Beifu spoke to Zhuge Liang and Lu Xun so openly and honestly. The two looked at each other with complicated emotions in their eyes.
They were both from orthodox noble families, and the idea of a monarch and a minister was almost engraved in their bones. The emperor lost power like this, and the two of them couldn't help but pity them.
On the other hand, both of them have truly felt the coercion of the troubled times, and they know that the root of the troubled times is also the Ling Emperor. The party's chaos has disrupted the world, and the causes planted in the past have produced such results.
Another meaning is that Beifu is finally willing to show their true strength to them. It is better to ask to see General Beifu. Both of them know that what they said is true, and they have a new understanding of Beifu's strength.
Although there were only four people in the car, as soon as such arrogant words came out, it meant that Cao Wu and Diao Chan had regarded Zhuge Liang and Lu Xun as people they could confide in.
Cao Wudao: "You two don't have to regret it. The person you met today is the most handsome person in the world. He is the Xiao He of the world."
At this time, the carriage came to a huge mansion. On the edge of the imperial city, there was someone with such a huge mansion. Zhuge Liang and Lu Xun immediately glanced at it and said the same name in unison: "Xun Lingjun!"
"That's right, in the first year of Jian'an, the emperor moved east from Luoyang, and Xu County became the accompanying capital. The minister ordered Xun Wenruo to supervise the construction of the capital. My brother appreciated your hard work and ordered you to live on the side of the imperial city, only one corridor away from the minister's platform. .”
Cao Wu pointed at the tunnel in front of him and said: "For the past thirteen years, Xun Lingjun has been immovable, going back and forth between the Shangshutai and the mansion every day, until the end of the Battle of Chibi. My brother whipped Yu Nei, and all the money and food came from your order. I said your Lingjun is the best person in the world. Xiao He, but times have changed, and Prime Minister Xiao can't do better than Xun Lingjun."
After the introduction, both Zhuge Liang and Lu Xun were in awe. In terms of age, Xun Yu was nearly fifty years old, while the two of them were less than thirty. Xun Yu was a generation older, and his reputation was unparalleled in the world, and he could be called the best counselor in the world.
When Liu Bang, the emperor of Gao Dynasty, commented on the heroes, Xiao He ranked first, surpassing Han Xin and Zhang Liang. In fact, it was the same with Cao Cao. Even if four of Cao Cao's masterminds, Xun You, the poisonous scholar Jia Xu, the wine-sacrifice Guo Jia, and the counselor Cheng Yu, came together, they would still be overshadowed in front of Xun Yu.
Lu Xun said: "But didn't Miss Ajiu say that Xun Lingjun said he was ill?"
Diao Chan smiled and said: "That's because my general didn't come in person."
While he was talking, the carriage had arrived at Xun Yu's mansion.
To their surprise, there were several carriages piled here. It seemed that Cao Wu was not the only one who wanted to visit Xun Yu.
At this time, the political situation was not stable. There were already rumors of Sima Fang's rebellion, and there was also the proverb that the three horses had eaten Cao Cao. There were various reports. Some people also said that Cao Cao's concubine Cao Chong also intended to compete for the crown prince, which made the political situation even more confusing. It's complicated and confusing. Before Cao Cao came back, various rumors were rampant.
Sitting in three carriages were Zhong Yao, the captain of the Sili school, Wang Si, the shepherd of Yuzhou, and Xi Liu, the imperial censor. They were waiting at Xun Yu's door with their own thoughts and ideas.
However, no matter what the servants of the three families said, the servant at Xun Yu's door said that your king was ill and could not see the guests.
Xi Lu was anxious. He was circling beside his carriage when he suddenly heard someone calling him. He looked up and saw a carriage standing next to him. Xi Lu saw that it was pulled by four horses and the top of the carriage was soap-colored. He couldn't help but look down upon it, but when When he saw the face of the person who stuck his head out and called to him clearly from the car window, he was shocked.
Xi Lu forced out a smile and said, "Where is General Beifu going?"
"Of course it's in your palace, and also in Xantai?"
"Yes, but Lingjun is ill and has not been out for many days."
Cao Wu nodded. In the carriage, Diao Chan had already introduced Xi Lu to Zhuge Liang and the others.
Xiantai is Yushitai, and the name Xiantai is another name for Yushitai, the chief of Yushitai. In the former Han Dynasty, the position of imperial censor was ranked among the Three Officials. Later, it was changed to Da Sikong and Sikong. Finally, a new three-gong system was formed. The Taiwei was in charge of the army, the Situ was in charge of the people, and the Sikong was in charge of supervision. Each government was opened separately, but the actual power was slow. Slowly turn to the Chancellor's desk.
In the first year of Jian'an, Cao Cao moved the emperor to Xudu, where he took the post of Sili Xiaowei and recorded the affairs of Shangshu. After that, he served as Sikong for more than ten years. Although Xun Yu was the minister, Cao Cao, who recorded the affairs of the minister, still had nominal jurisdiction over the minister's desk. He just trusted Xun Yu and did not interfere.
At the beginning of the 13th year of Jian'an, Cao Cao abolished the three princes and replaced him with the prime minister, who took over all the power. He also reinstalled the imperial censor, but it was a false position. He only commanded the censorship in name. The nobles were nobles, but they had little actual power.
Situ Zhao Wen was forced to die because of Cao Pi's affair. Xi Liu, who was then Guang Luxun, played a big role in it, so he was promoted to the position of the pseudo-sangong. This was originally a good thing, but because of his participation in the frame-up of Kong Rong, the Taizhong doctor , was blamed by the Prime Minister. It is said that the Prime Minister has secretly instructed Xun You to deal with him when he comes back.
Xi Lu came from the Xi family in Gaoping. His family was neither big nor small, and his influence in the court was also small. This is why Cao Cao chose him as the imperial censor. The only one who could save him now was Shangshu Ling Xunyu. However, he asked for an appointment for several days but did not see him. Seeing that the prime minister was about to return to the court, he could not sleep day and night, so he simply waited in front of Xunyu's house from early in the morning.
As a result, Xun Yu didn't see him and saw Cao Wu first. Xi Lu was very anxious.
Cao Wu said jokingly: "Let's not talk about your Majesty's affairs for now. I see that the Yintang of Xiantai is black. I guess there must be a bloody disaster?"
Xi Lu was not in the mood to joke with him, and said sarcastically: "Everyone knows about a certain family's affairs, so why should General Beifu joke about it?"
Cao Wu restrained his smile: "It's because everyone knows it, so it's not a joke. Can Xiantai listen to me?"
Xi Liu really didn't want to pay attention to him, but he was different from others. He could reach his current position by figuring out Cao Cao's thoughts. Cao Wu was Cao Cao's younger brother. He definitely didn't dare to offend him openly, so he bit the bullet and said: " General Beifu, please speak."
"My brother's thoughts are like God's will. No one in the world can guess. But - I can."
As soon as Cao Wu opened his mouth, Xi Lu pricked up his ears. Kong Rong relied on his status as a great scholar and aristocratic family to offend Cao Cao many times. He also opposed a good order like the prohibition on alcohol. It could be said that he opposed for the sake of opposing and angered Cao Cao. Cao Cao. Xi Lu took the initiative to frame Kong Rong because he guessed Cao Cao's intentions. Unexpectedly, Kong Rong died in the south and his plan failed. Instead, he was blamed by Cao Cao. This was caused by his failure to guess Cao Cao's thoughts.
If Cao Wu can really guess what Cao Cao is thinking, then maybe Cao Wu can save himself?
Xi Lu quickly put on a serious look and said, "Hongyu is all ears."
"The reason for the incident is secret. Xiantai is the third noble. His position has not been moved, but there are rumors among the government and the public. This kind of thing has always been disliked by my brother."
Cao Wu's words made Xi Ru feel like he was struck by lightning. He had never thought of defending himself from this angle and was stunned on the spot.
Cao Wu smiled. He was familiar with a story, that is, when Cao Cao was marching west to Hanzhong, Yang Xiu guessed the meaning of chicken ribs. He guessed that because he was smart, he told the story that it was the cause of his death.
Cao Cao wanted to move Xi Liu, but Xun You would not tell him, but someone else who later learned about it spread the news. This was the situation that Cao Cao disliked the most.
Cao Wudao: "Since you can't do it head-on, why not do the opposite? My brother knows that this matter has made a big fuss, but he won't touch you. I will say a few words when the time comes, and the matter will be solved."
Xi Xi thought about it for a while and felt that based on his understanding of Cao Cao, Cao Wu's statement was completely feasible. He was overjoyed and his whole body was relieved of his gloom.
He gave a big salute to Cao Wu and said excitedly: "General Beifu's great kindness in saving lives, Hongyu will be rewarded generously! If the general has any mission..."
In the carriage, Zhuge Liang and Lu Xun were already stunned. This was the first time they had seen such a high-ranking official. However, Cao Wu made a joke, said a few words, found another way, and with just a few words, he actually let the other person go. Big gift.
The two of them felt that they had returned to the situation they had when they first entered Beifu, and were shocked by the strength of General Beifu.
Sangong saluted General No. 1 in the street, which was a violation of etiquette. However, Xi Su did it without hesitation, and he did it very sincerely.
The Yushi doctor has no real power, but he is the nominal leader of the Yushitai. He is currently the only three princes besides Cao Cao. With this strong support, Beifu will receive a big boost. Both of them are very excited and think about how to use this resource.
However, Cao Wucai would not think about using it in the future. He waved his hand directly: "Xantai has worried too much. Why bother to retaliate in the future? You can repay it now."
"Forehead?"
Xi Liu was a little confused. Political exchanges have always been secretive and private. He saluted Cao Wu out of sincerity, but he didn't expect that Cao Wu suddenly didn't follow the routine. He had to pay back. This was completely out of the routine. Cards.
Then, Cao Wudao said: "Chen Qun, the official secretary of the imperial censor, is nominally your official. Today, dozens of impeachment letters will be sent to the censor's desk. Please don't let Chen Qun cause trouble in the censor's desk."
"Dozens of letters?"
Xi Lu was shocked.
