"General, the Hanoi Yu family has become quite close to the Sima family over the years. Do you know why this is?"
When General Cao heard this, he looked a little embarrassed.
Why?
Isn't it because he put Empress Dowager Yu under house arrest in another palace?
It's just...well, there's nothing I can do about it.
After all, the late emperor visited Xuchang eastward, and everyone said that he was forced by the Western bandits.
But how could General Cao, who was ordered before the late emperor's deathbed, not know that Sima Yi led the Guanzhong army back to Luoyang without an edict, which was also an important reason?
After the late emperor left, Sima Yi was stationed in Luoyang, watching with eager eyes, ready to attack Xuchang at any time.
Xuchang is in shock every day, and people's hearts are fluctuating. If the situation cannot be stabilized as soon as possible, the Cao family will be in danger.
It happened because the emperor was young and ignorant, and the queen mother was a woman. If she listened to the villain's slander, it would lead to many problems in the court affairs. This would not be a blessing for the great Wei Dynasty!
As the late emperor's personal assistant minister, I naturally want to try my best to avoid this situation from happening, so I can only do extraordinary things at extraordinary times, right?
He Yan didn't seem to notice General Cao's uncertain expression, and just said with a little emotion:
"Speaking of which, the Queen Mother's journey since she became the Princess of Pingyuan has been quite bumpy."
"Emperor Wen proposed to marry the Yu family of Hanoi for the late emperor. Who would have expected that the late emperor did not love his wife and preferred concubines. After he ascended the throne, he did not make the main concubine Yu family his queen, but instead appointed the partial concubine Mao family."
It's nice to say partial concubine, but if it's not nice, it's called concubine.
After all, when the Yu family learned that she had not been appointed, she couldn't help but said to the then Queen Mother, "Cao is a bitch who likes to establish."
It was precisely because of this incident that the Yu family, as a majestic concubine, was deposed by the emperor and sent to Yecheng, and could no longer stay in Luoyang.
Unexpectedly, after the Battle of Guanzhong, the situation suddenly changed.
The late emperor was critically ill and the prince was young.
Mao was from a humble background and could not provide much help to the prince at all.
So the late emperor invited the Yu family back, issued an edict to kill Mao family, and then made the Yu family his queen.
To put it bluntly, don’t you just want to use the power of the Yu family in Hanoi to support the emperor?
At the same time, a wedge can be placed in Hanoi so that Sima cannot concentrate on running Hanoi.
It's just that the late emperor still couldn't control Sima Yi during his lifetime.
If not, why did the late emperor not stay in Luoyang and wait for Sima Yi to return, but why he had to go east to Xuchang despite being sick?
So how can we ask the general to take care of the young emperor, take care of the widow, control the commander-in-chief, and support the great Wei?
"General, as the saying goes, the bustle in the world is all for profit; the turmoil in the world is all for profit. The first emperor abolished the Mao family and established the Yu family for profit; the Yu family wanted to support the emperor, and later became friendly with the Sima family, so It’s for profit.”
He Yan did not shy away from this.
That's right, I and others are so dedicated to planning for the general. If it's not for profit, is it righteousness?
How much is justice worth?
Can you transform into a beautiful concubine?
Or can you become powerful and wealthy?
"If the benefits that the general can give to the Yu family can exceed what Sima Yi can give, let alone asking the Queen Mother to issue an edict, even if the Yu family can rejoin the general, it is not impossible."
"Benefits?" General Cao frowned, "The Yu family already has a daughter as the Queen Mother, what other benefits can I give them?"
He Yan smiled confidently:
"General, Sima Yi braved the disapproval of the world, crossed state borders and occupied territory without an edict. Why are there still people in Hebei supporting him?"
"Isn't it because he has been deliberately trying to win over people in Hebei over the years?"
Speaking of this, He Yan emphasized his tone:
"What did he buy it with?"
He Yan got closer:
"Although the Western Thief is said to be treasonous and unethical, I have to say that he is indeed unique in terms of construction. He has many good things and is highly praised by the Kanto clan."
"Don't talk about anything else, just talk about the white paper. When it was smuggled to Luoyang, how many literati were obsessed with it? People at the time said: Luoyang paper is expensive."
"The paper is just like this, let alone other good things. Most of these good things first entered Luoyang and then spread throughout Guandong."
"Sima Yi has been in Luoyang for so many years. If the major families in Guandong and Hebei want to get some good things, they naturally have to deal with him more."
"Not to mention if you want to borrow something from a Western thief or trade goods for profit, then you have to please him even more."
Of course, Sima Yi's ability to bribe the wealthy families in Hebei certainly did not rely solely on these goods.
But I have to admit that these goods and the Luoyang trade route played a big role.
It's okay that He Yan didn't mention this matter. When he mentioned it, General Cao just snorted.
Are the things from West Thieves good?
That is naturally good.
What Shu brocade, brown sugar, wool, candles, fine wine...
They are all high-quality goods that are not available in the Wei Dynasty.
Are you going to say not to let those big families use it?
I think back then, Emperor Wen even issued an edict and tried his best to belittle Shu brocade in order to prevent it from entering the Central Plains.
But is it useful?
It’s not like people are vying for Shu brocade.
Even General Cao, no matter how much he hates the Western Thieves, has to admit that the Western Thieves' things are really useful.
In this life, how can we avoid "food, clothing, housing and transportation"?
No matter whether they have wealth or power, how many people are still willing to live in rough clothing?
Why can't we enjoy "eating, drinking and being merry"?
If not, what would I do with all that wealth and power?
only……
Thinking that in order to get the good things from the Western Thieves, he actually had to find a way to transfer them from Luoyang, General Cao couldn't help but grit his teeth and cursed:
"Sima Yi secretly communicated with the Western thieves for personal gain. He deserves to die!"
I don’t know how much money the old thief Sima Yi has made from doing this over the years.
Otherwise, how could Sima Yi have been able to do so for so many years despite deliberately controlling Luoyang's food supply?
The wealthy families in Hebei Province secretly supported Sima Yi with food and grass because of this.
He Yan coughed and then said:
"General, Sima Yi deserves to die for secretly communicating with the Western Thieves, but the Western Thieves' good things are indeed sold to the major families in Guandong and Hebei!"
"If the property of the Western thieves fell into Sima Yi's hands, it would naturally be for personal gain. But if it could be in the hands of the general, it would be possible to turn the thieves' property into the hands of the country."
When General Cao heard this, he couldn't help but sigh:
"What Uncle Ping said is not unreasonable, but Sima Yi is in Luoyang and briefly said, what can be done?"
"The opportunity has come now, General!" He Yan came closer, with uncontrollable excitement in his low voice, "Xia Houmao, who fled to the Western Bandits, just sent someone to Xuchang to inquire about the news."
"In addition to wanting to know news about his tribe, this person also sent a message to Yan," He Yan swallowed before continuing, "He met Xiahou Ba, who has lived in Han for a long time, in Chang'an."
"Xiahou Ba's sister is the mother of the queen of Han, so Xia Houmao got to know many powerful people in Han through the two brothers and sisters."
"In addition, he himself was knighted by the Han Dynasty and was highly valued, so he found a way to persuade Feng Thief to strictly inspect Tongguan, Hangu Pass, Maojindu and other passes to prevent the goods from being allowed to return to the country. Head to Luoyang."
When General Cao heard this, he was immediately surprised: "Is this happening?"
To be honest, it is impossible for General Cao to say that he does not mind at all that some of the Xiahou family fled to the Western Bandits.
He was able to treat the Xiahou family who came to Xuchang well mostly because of Xiahou Xuan's face.
Not only because Xia Houxuan was his cousin, but also because Xia Houxuan sacrificed his life for justice and risked his life to expose Sima's true nature.
But when he heard He Yan's words, he suddenly felt:
It has to be the Xiahou family. Sure enough, they are the closest in-laws and relatives of the Cao family in the Great Wei Dynasty!
"Yan An dares to deceive the general?" He Yan raised his hand, "Besides, Yan also wants to congratulate the general."
"Oh? Where does joy come from?"
"Xia Houmao not only persuaded Feng to block the trade route to Luoyang, but he also persuaded Feng to open another trade route directly to Xuchang."
"Ah?" General Cao felt that today was truly auspicious and full of happy events, "Directly to Xuchang? From where..."
He was about to ask where the direct route to Xuchang was, but then he immediately realized: "Wuguan?"
"The general is wise, that's right."
Although he felt that he was overwhelmed by the happy event from heaven, his vigilance against the Western thieves still allowed General Cao to maintain his last trace of sobriety:
"That Thief Feng is a man of great foresight and cunning. How could he be easily persuaded? Is it possible that he is deceitful?"
He Yan burst out laughing when he heard this:
"The general is overly worried. From Wuguan to Xuchang, there is Caoqiao Pass and Nanyang County. There are many dangerous and important towns along the way. No matter how treacherous Feng is, how can he still fly here?"
"The reason why Thief Feng agreed is actually because it is more advantageous to go to Xuchang via Wuguan Pass than to go to Luoyang via Tongguan Pass and Hangu Pass, so he agreed!"
General Cao was a little confused now:
"Is there still this explanation? Uncle Ping, please help me clarify my doubts."
He Yan chuckled, with a calm and confident expression on his face, and began to point out:
"General, over the years, most of the goods heading to Luoyang have been controlled by that Xinghan Society. Do you really think Feng Thief doesn't know? He's just pretending not to know."
"General, don't forget that sentence: The bustling world is all for profit; the bustling world is for profit!"
Just as he and others relied on the general for profit, Feng Mingwen also instigated the Xinghan Society to smuggle goods for profit.
Although the means are different, the purpose is the same.
"Since these goods are all going to the east, it is natural to sell them to whomever is profitable."
"Selling it to Sima Yi will be profitable, but it will also increase Sima Yi's money and food. If you are not careful, you will be counterattacked by Sima Yi."
This goes without saying. How long has it been since the first battle with the Party?
"But selling it to us is different. Not only can we make a profit, but there is also no harm, because we and the Western Bandits are only connected by Wuguan Road."
Take the Wuguan Road to attack Wuguan?
As for Xuchang, I have never thought about it.
It is also very difficult for the army of Western thieves to go to Nanjun through Wuguandao.
After all, the last time Feng Thief fought at Caoqiao Pass for more than two months, he didn't even try to cross the water in the end, so he had to retreat in a hurry.
This made General Cao, He Yan and others full of confidence in Caoqiao Pass.
"Since there is no great stake, then selling it to us is naturally much better than selling it to Sima Yi."
He Yanzhizhu said with confidence:
"Without the Luoyang trade route, Sima Yi lost a huge source of wealth, and his fortune was bound to decline. But when the general gained a source of wealth, his fortune was bound to rise. This can be said to mean that one rises and another falls."
"When the time comes, Sima Yi faces the Western bandits, but he is unable to catch them, and the general is sneaking behind him. Not to mention that he dares to be disrespectful to the general again. Even if he is ordered to fight the Western bandits with all his strength, he must obey orders."
"Wonderful! Wonderful!" After hearing this, General Cao high-fived him repeatedly and said to He Yan, "Uncle Ping, you are really my son-in-law!"
Hearing Cao Shuang's words, He Yan smiled slightly, his handsome face looking somewhat reserved and contented.
Over the years, to be precise, since Cao Shuang came to power, the battle between Xuchang and Feng Thief was only the battle at Caoqiao Pass.
And that battle ended with Feng Thief's defeat.
At least in the eyes of Cao Shuang and others in Xuchang, Feng Thief was repulsed.
This gave Cao Shuang and Taichung Sangou, these dandy boys who had never led troops into battle, even an illusion:
The so-called Feng, who is famous all over the world, has nothing but foresight and foresight.
As the saying goes, it is difficult to live up to the reputation.
But He Yan smiled and said to General Cao:
"General, the Yu family attached themselves to the Sima family because of profit. May I ask if they will attach themselves to the general because of profit?"
After He Yan reminded him, General Cao finally remembered the business and burst into laughter.
The Yu family was originally a chess piece arranged by the late emperor to contain the Sima family.
It's just that the world is unpredictable, so he and the Sima family stand together.
If the person who can benefit them changes from the Sima family to himself, then it is reasonable for the Yu family to rely on him.
What's more, now that his position is firmly established, if the Yu family really becomes a political ally with him, then there is no need to worry even if the Queen Mother Yu is released.
"Uncle Ping, when can Xiahou Mao deliver the goods?"
For General Cao, the sooner this good thing happens, the better.
Moreover, the matter of establishing a queen is already imminent. If you want to win over the Yu family, then it is best to implement this matter as quickly as possible.
"Why is the general so anxious? Between Wuguan and Xuchang, there is Nanyang County."
He Yan coughed and looked at General Cao meaningfully, "It will take some time to clear up..."
General Cao clicked his tongue, a little unconcerned:
"What's the harm in this? Then in the name of the general, I will ask Nanyang County not to embarrass the caravan."
Seeing this, He Yan had to speak more clearly:
"General, this matter is of great importance. It is best to send another trusted aide to supervise it in person, so that people can feel at ease!"
On the Wuguan Business Road, Wancheng is the only way.
And Wancheng happened to be where Nanyang County was heavily garrisoned.
Most of the soldiers in the army have never seen the world.
Suddenly I saw so many rare things coming from the west. If a few of them had their own ideas, it would really ruin things.
Wasn't this how the Emperor Taihui (that is, Cao Cao's father Cao Song) was killed in Xuzhou?
Of course, He Yan also had another meaning:
Why should you take advantage of others when you have worked so hard to accomplish something?
You must let yourself go through a layer of oil and water first!
Over the years, what He Yan has done has become more and more excessive.
Even his wife, Princess Jinxiang, Cao Cao's daughter, felt a little scared and secretly ran to her mother and said:
"Yan is very evil, how can he protect himself?"
It means that He Yan's evil deeds are getting worse day by day, and he will definitely get into trouble. What will he do to protect his wealth and life in the future?
So he is the only one who takes advantage of others. How can he let others take advantage of himself?
Although General Cao didn't know what He Yan was thinking, after hearing his explanation, he knew that he had gone too far.
"If this is the case, how can I win the trust of the Yu family?"
You can't just talk in vain, right?
"General, why should we worry?"
He Yan smiled slightly:
"The Zhen family can't be a queen, and the Yu family can't be a queen without saying anything!"
The Queen Mother and the Empress both come from families that support the general. Aren't they much better than the Zhen family?
The Zhen family was too deeply bound to the royal family, and now Hebei was under Sima Yi's control again.
Not to mention that this time, Wang Su, as Sima Yi's in-law, deliberately brought up the issue of establishing a queen, which made people have to suspect that Sima Yi was behind this matter.
As the saying goes, it is better to believe that something exists than to believe something does not exist.
And if this matter is true, then it will be too difficult to win over Zhen again, and the risk will be too high.
But the Yu family is different.
Although Hanoi is also under the control of the Sima family, but again, the Yu family is a chess piece arranged by the late emperor to contain the Sima family.
Even if the Yu family has second thoughts about the general in the future, it would be better to deal with one Yu family than to deal with the two Yu Zhen families (the Queen Mother and the Empress) at the same time.
It is better to go against the enemy's will than to follow his will.
"Without further delay, let's do what Uncle Ping wants."
Getting married is not a simple matter. Not only is the process cumbersome, but the days also need to be carefully selected.
Just when a superior reported that April was the only suitable time for summer, the Queen Mother, who had just moved back to the palace, suddenly issued an edict:
The daughter of the Zhen family had poor moral character and was not suitable to be the queen of the Wei Dynasty, so the general was ordered to choose another daughter with Shukude.
Of course, Queen Mother Yu also had her own reasons for agreeing to Cao Shuang so easily:
I remember clearly how you, late Emperor, humiliated me in front of the whole world.
Besides, this is your Cao family's own business. I just support General Cao's side.
Not to mention, isn't General Cao the auxiliary minister chosen by the late emperor yourself?
Not only can you regain your freedom, but you can also help your family, and you can also let out a bad breath, so why not do it?
When Taichang Wang Su learned the news, he was so angry that he cursed Huan Fan, the think tank of General Cao:
"The Three Dogs of Taichung, namely Hong Gong and Shi Xian, are called evil again!"
Hong Gong and Shi Xian were eunuchs of the former Han Dynasty who once controlled the central government.
While in power, he formed cliques for personal gain, attacked dissidents, disrupted government affairs, persecuted ministers, and even forced important ministers to commit suicide.
It's notorious.
Wang Su spoke so openly about the Three Dogs of Taichung, which naturally made the three of them very angry.
It's just that I haven't been able to catch Wang Su for a while, so I can't do anything about him for the time being.
But Ding Mi quickly came up with a plan.
(End of chapter)
