Queen Mother He looked even worse when she saw Liu Bian coming in, and said, "Come in and see what good things they have done!"
Ma Zheng knelt on the ground, trembling with fear. He no longer had the momentum to compete with Cao Cao in He Mansion.
Liu Bian walked over expressionlessly and stood beside the three of them.
"Cao Cao, tell me." Liu Bian's eyes fell on Cao Cao and he said calmly.
Cao Cao's hands were tied behind his back, and he bowed when he heard the words. His tone was calm, neither humble nor arrogant, and said: "Returning to your majesty, I just saw Ma Zheng teasing the Yin family, so I stepped forward to stop him, and was framed by him. I have no personal relationship with the Yin family."
Ma Zheng immediately shouted: "Fart! Last night, I saw you guys having a private meeting in the kitchen!"
Mrs. Yin trembled all over and said repeatedly: "No, no, I was just hungry. I went to find someone to eat. I happened to meet General Cao. We are innocent..."
How could Ma Zheng agree? He sneered and said, "You are looking for food? You have so many maids, and you travel so far to find food by yourself? Keep your lies to deceive others!"
Cao Cao's face was livid, his eyes were staring at the ground, and he said: "Your Majesty, everything I said is true. If there are lies, I am willing to die by the sword!"
Queen Mother He's eyes widened in anger, she slapped the small table and cursed: "A bastard who seduced widows, a bitch who had an affair with his brother's woman, a lowly maid who committed adultery while her husband was still dead..."
"Mother, I don't have it, I don't have it..." Mrs. Yin burst into tears and kept crying.
Ma Zheng was also panicked. He knocked his head heavily on the ground and said urgently: "The Queen Mother, the Queen Mother, I know I am wrong. I know I am wrong. Please spare me this time..."
Cao Cao knelt there, not begging for mercy, his face was as stone, and his eyes were filled with concentration.
He didn't expect that he would encounter such a thing, and he was also terrified in his heart.
Liu Bian stood on the side and listened. He probably knew what was going on. His face was expressionless, and he was thinking about how to deal with this matter.
The Yin family, Ma Zheng, and Liu Bian naturally don't matter. The key is Cao Cao.
Historically, the Yin family was indeed adopted as a concubine by Cao Cao, and He Yan became Cao Cao's adopted son. He Yan later married Cao Cao's daughter.
Liu Bian didn't care whether Cao Cao had an affair with Yin.
Cao Cao is not what he used to be. It is related to the stability of Qingzhou. We must be careful in how we deal with him.
"Your Majesty, what do you think we should do with them?" Queen Mother He said coldly without giving Liu Bian time to think about it.
Liu Bian didn't think about it. He turned sideways and said, "Sir, please listen to your mother."
Seeing this, Queen Mother He looked indifferent and said: "Come here, pull Yin, Ma Zheng, and Cao Cao out and kill them with sticks."
"Empress, empress, I don't have it, I don't have it..." Mrs. Yin cried loudly.
Ma Zheng kept kowtowing and said urgently: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I know I have made a mistake. Please spare my life for the sake of my grandfather..."
Cao Cao gritted his teeth and said nothing.
A servant came in quickly, holding a big stick, and wanted to drag these three people away.
Liu Bian stood still and gave Pan Yin a look.
Pan Yin understood and hurriedly stepped forward and said, "My dear, no."
Queen Mother He glared over and said, "What's wrong? Beating them to death is unnecessary!"
Pan Yin's heart was racing and he said: "My dear, He Xian has just died, and He Yan is only one year old. Two, two, this Ma Zheng is after Ma Taiwei, so he cannot be killed directly. Third, my dear, this He Xian, no matter what, it's okay." As a relative of the royal family, this kind of matter concerns the royal family’s face and needs to be handled in a low-key manner.”
Queen Mother He didn't care about the others at all, but when it came to 'royal face', he, the Queen Mother, couldn't act recklessly.
He couldn't help but frown and said, "Then what do you think we should do?"
Pan Yin quietly glanced at Liu Bian and said cautiously: "The Queen Mother, in my humble opinion, it is better for this Yin family to stay in Yongle Palace and be handled by the Queen Mother. Ma Zheng, send someone to escort him back to Ma's house, Ma Zheng Can the family be spared? As for Cao Cao, he is a courtier after all, so I will leave it to your Majesty to deal with it. Madam, what do you think?"
Empress Dowager He's expression moved, knowing that this was Liu Bian's intention. She waved her hand impatiently and said, "Okay, you can take me away."
"Thank you, empress." Pan Yin responded, waved his hand, and the two Zhonghuangmen came over and dragged Ma Zheng and Cao Cao away.
Liu Bian glanced at Mrs. Yin and said to Empress Dowager He: "My son, please retire."
Queen Mother He ignored it and just stared coldly at the shivering Yin not far away in front of her.
Liu Bian left Yongle Palace, sent Ma Zheng away, and brought Cao Cao back to Chongde Palace.
Chongde Hall, back hall.
Cao Cao had already removed the binding rope and knelt on the ground with his head on the ground, silently.
Liu Bian sat on the soft couch, reviewing the memorial, without saying a word.
Cao Cao didn't speak because he couldn't guess Liu Bian's thoughts.
In the past, no matter how big a mistake he made, even if he led the Huns to besiege Shangdang County, Cao Cao was not very afraid, because at that time, he still had nothing.
It's different now, he has troops, territory, and momentum!
Therefore, Cao Cao was afraid.
Liu Bian was reviewing the memorial and gradually became immersed in it. He seemed to have forgotten Cao Cao. When he got busy, he lost track of time.
It was not until dark that Pan Yin came in with a plate of rice. He glanced at Cao Cao who was still kneeling on the ground, quietly came to Liu Bian and said softly: "Your Majesty, it's time to eat."
Liu Bian glanced out of the window, and then said: "I have dismissed your general and appointed him as the general of the rank of Tiger and Lieutenant General to serve in the Grand Sima Mansion."
Cao Cao's face was straightened, his eyes were like iron, and his tone was calm as usual, and he said: "I accept the order, thank you."
"Go." Liu Bian didn't look at him.
Cao Cao started again and said: "I retire."
Then, he stood up slowly. Even though his legs and hands were numb, he still showed no trace of panic and exited the back hall calmly.
Liu Bian picked up the soup bowl and took a bite. He couldn't help but look towards the door. It was pitch black and Cao Cao was gone.
With constant thoughts on his face, Liu argued: "Pan Yin, do you think Cao Cao is a loyal minister?"
Pan Yin's expression tightened and he said: "Your Majesty, a loyal minister or a traitorous minister, a villain can't tell."
Liu Bian laughed and said, "I can't tell either."
After the emperor had been sitting for a long time, Liu Bian discovered that "suspiciousness" was not a disease, but the instinct of the superior. There were almost no people he could trust completely without any doubts.
On the other side, Cao Cao came out of the palace with a livid face, a big beard all over his face, and his eyes were narrow and cold.
The guards around him didn't dare to speak at all. This was the first time they saw their general's expression.
Cao Cao was speechless all the way back to his mansion, drove everyone away, and went straight to Guo Jia's courtyard.
Guo Jia didn't sleep or even drink, and kept waiting for Cao Cao.
Cao Cao glanced at him, walked into the house, took off his coat, and lit a fire. When he saw the wine jug, he picked it up and poured it into his mouth.
Guo Jia sat across from him, his slightly pale face showing no emotion.
After Cao Cao finished drinking, he gasped for air, wiped the wine on his beard with his sleeve, stared at Guo Jia with red eyes, and said: "Your Majesty asked me to enter the Grand Sima Mansion as a tiger-fighting lieutenant. He probably won't let me out of the capital again." .”
Guo Jia was not surprised, nodded and said: "Your Majesty, this is also to protect the general."
Cao Cao looked cold and angry. He turned to look at the dark door and said bitterly: "I, Cao Cao, have such a bad fate!"
In the past, Cao Cao got into countless troubles because of his unruly behavior. If he hadn't come from an extraordinary family, he would have died countless times. Later, when Liu Bian succeeded to the throne, he got too many opportunities, but it was only last year that he achieved some success by pacifying the Qingzhou Yellow Turban Army.
Before he could be excited for long, he encountered such a disaster in Luoyang!
Guo Jia saw that Cao Cao's face was dejected and he seemed to be abandoning himself. He picked up the wine bottle, took a sip and said, "I heard that Mr. Lu is unwell and may not survive this year."
Although Cao Cao was full of resentment and decadence, he did not lose his mind. He was startled when he heard this, and looked at Guo Jia and said, "Fengxiao means that your Majesty intends to keep me to take over Gong Lu's position?"
Guo Jia leaned back, propped up his body on his elbows, and said to Cao Cao: "What big deal is an affair between a man and a woman? The Queen Mother may be angry, but Her Majesty may not be. Your Majesty has a cold relationship with He Xian, and the general knows it. Your Majesty treats the general like this, Firstly, it is the impeachment call to appease the ruling and opposition parties, and secondly, I am afraid that as a precautionary measure, Duke Huangfu’s health is not in good condition.”
If Cao Cao came to his senses, he sat up straight and looked thoughtful.
Guo Jia watched Cao Cao recover and said with a smile: "Your Majesty's regard for the general will not be shattered just because of this personal relationship. Next, the general will do something."
Cao Cao put his hands on his knees, his face was serious, his eyes were bright, and he said: "Please teach me as a filial piety."
Seeing Cao Cao like this, Guo Jia couldn't be lazy anymore. He sat up straight and said: "General, for one thing, there must be no chaos in Qingzhou, especially Beihai and Donglai counties. Secondly, hand over all military power. Don’t stay at all. The third is to make some political achievements in Da Sima’s Mansion. I’m sure that within a year at most, the imperial court will definitely send generals out again.”
Cao Cao frowned and looked hesitant.
He finally managed to recruit so many troops. In Beihai and Donglai counties, he could recruit hundreds of thousands of troops with just one order. Which general would be willing to hand over all these troops?
"Okay." After a moment, Cao Cao nodded.
Guo Jia smiled even more and said, "General, you don't know what you are going to face yet, do you?"
Cao Cao took his time, poured himself a glass of wine, and said, "I have stayed in Da Sima's Mansion for a while, and I know that although things in Da Sima's Mansion are difficult, they will not make Cao Cao afraid!"
Guo Jia felt relieved and looked out the door again, thinking to himself, this time, there should be a chance to meet His Majesty, right?
…
Early the next morning.
The Grand Sima Mansion issued an order to remove almost all of Cao Cao's official positions, except for the general Huben Zhonglang, who was transferred to the Grand Sima Mansion.
Whether it was General Zhengbei or General Wuwei, they were both generals with troops and horses in their hands, making them feared by the courtiers. However, General Huben and Lieutenant General were different. They also summoned Da Sima Mansion, and Cao Cao was basically beaten to the end.
The government and the public could not be more satisfied with the handling of Da Sima Mansion. Many people wrote letters praising Huangfu Song as "fair".
With the end of the court break, Jiuqing, Liucao, Shangshutai, etc. slowly recovered, and Luoyang City slowly became lively again.
The second year of Yonghan, the first day of February.
Cao Cao had been in charge of the Grand Sima Mansion for some time, but the more he learned about the government affairs of the Grand Sima Mansion, the more shocked he became.
The current main tasks of the Grand Sima Mansion are "reform of the military system" and "separation of military and political affairs."
The reform of the military system is mainly to further clarify the current military system, especially in terms of command authority, and to tighten it upward.
The direct purpose of "separating military and political affairs" is to remove the military power of state, county and county chief officials, strengthen the court's control over local areas, and curb the emergence of de facto princes.
Cao Cao didn't understand the difficulty of these two things, so he could only take advantage of the opportunity. Once the announcement was made, not only the prefects and county magistrates, but also the prefects and county magistrates would openly rebel!
Cao Cao looked at the details of a series of plans and felt frightened. He took a document and came to Lu Zhi's seat. He looked solemn and said: "Mr. Lu, this document..."
Lu Zhi raised his head, coughed a few times, and said, "It is His Majesty's wish to accept soldiers and horses from all over the world as the Forbidden Army and station them in each state in turn."
Cao Cao's eyes flashed with doubts and uneasiness, and he said in a deep voice: "Gong Lu, if you do this, it will definitely cause chaos!"
Nowadays, the soldiers and horses of the Han Dynasty are basically recruited and supported by the chief officials of the various states and counties. Even the soldiers and horses of Cao Cao, Zhang Liao, Zhao Yun, etc. come from the Da Sima Mansion, but the money and food supply are mostly "self-raised", plus all the way It was recruitment and surrender, etc., and the troops and horses expanded very quickly.
These soldiers and horses only recognized the chief officials and generals, but did not recognize the imperial court at all.
The imperial court wanted to take back these soldiers and horses, but not only the leaders would not agree, but the led 'soldiers' would not agree either!
Lu Zhi was very ill, but he couldn't let go of these things. He coughed and said, "The matter is serious and urgent, but don't rush. Take it step by step."
Cao Cao was secretly shocked. He never expected that Da Sima's Mansion was actually brewing so many terrible plans.
Lu Zhi's eyes were sunken and he looked haggard. He looked at Cao Cao and said, "His Majesty loves you very much and arranges for you to enter the Grand Sima Mansion. You should know it well and don't let him down."
Cao Cao was shocked, and he quickly raised his hand and said, "I don't dare to do this!"
Lu Zhi didn't say much, coughed, took a document, handed it to Cao Cao, and said: "Forbidden Army Camp, please take the time to go there. Before you go, visit Hucao and ask for some more money and food to bring with you, otherwise you can't Build on prestige.”
When Cao Cao saw Lu Zhi's "arrangement of future affairs", his expression changed immediately and he said: "Gong Lu, your prestige is throughout the country, and everyone in the world admires him. Please take care of yourself, Gong Lu."
Lu Zhi took a sip of tea, suppressed the itch in his throat, and said, "I'll leave the flattery until after I die. You should familiarize yourself with government affairs first, and I'll take you to meet some people later."
Cao Cao looked at Lu Zhi's hard-hearted look and felt a little uncomfortable at the moment, and said: "Yes."
Lu Zhi said nothing and continued to read the official documents in front of him.
I just coughed from time to time, and then a clerk brought me a medicine bowl. The small duty room was filled with the pungent smell of medicine.
Cao Cao was very grateful and worked more seriously.
When it was time to leave, Lu Zhi took him to meet with the officials of Da Sima Mansion, and then went to meet Dian Wei, Zhang Yang and others.
In the evening, he held a banquet in person and formally introduced some officials from Liucao and Jiuqing to Cao Cao. His intention to pave the way for Cao Cao was obvious.
(End of chapter)
