dtnovels Chapter 225 Cao Cao Returns to Beijing
Chapter 225 Cao Cao Returns to Beijing
Chapter 225 Cao Cao Returns to Beijing
"Shi Xie?"
Liu Bian thought for a moment and said, "I'll think about it again."
The power of the aristocratic families in Jiaozhi is too great. If Shi Xie is given the position of governor, the entire Jiangdong may fall into the hands of the aristocratic families.
Seeing that Liu Bian did not agree, Huangfu Song did not continue to persuade him.
Since the middle of the year, the imperial court had been spreading the rumor that it would change Jiaozhi to Jiaozhou and appoint Shi Xie as the governor of Jiaozhou, but in fact, the imperial court had never formally discussed the matter.
Pan Yin quietly walked in from outside the door, handed over a memorial, and said, "Your Majesty, the trial in the Court of Justice has ended. This is the memorial from the Court of Justice Zhong."
Liu Bian took it, glanced at it, and put it aside, saying to Huangfu Song: "I went to Hanoi and found that the disaster situation seems to have worsened. I am afraid that the people will have a hard time next year. I intend to further reduce taxes."
Huangfu Song bowed but did not answer.
Further tax cuts would mean that the already troubled treasury would be further burdened, which would undoubtedly not be a good thing for the imperial court.
Liu Bian turned to Pan Yin and said, "Before the end of the year, I want to have another talk with the Prime Minister and the six ministers. Please arrange a time."
"I obey your order." Pan Yin said.
Since Wang Yun was convicted, the policy of "reducing redundant officials" that he had originally presided over would naturally fall to the hands of the Six Ministries.
Liu Bian thought to himself that in this way, the Six Caos would be able to truly grasp the real power.
……
In the first year of Yonghan, on the second to last day of the year, Wang Yun was publicly punished.
Among the three Yi tribes, more than fifty people were implicated.
Countless people applauded and scolded him as a "traitor who brought disaster to the country".
There are also many people who speak up for Wang Yun and think that he is "loyal to the country" when talking about his life.
Some great scholars in the opposition commented that he was "a talent that can assist the king, but he is arrogant because of his talent, and he is virtuous when he is in a low position, but humble when he is in a high position."
No matter what the court and the public discussed, the punishment of Wang Yun did calm the restless court and the public, and government affairs became smoother and more efficient than ever before.
The first year of the Yonghan period passed in peace and tranquility.
The third day of the first lunar month in the second year of the Yonghan period (191).
The court was still resting, and Liu Bian was relatively free. He would take his children out for a walk in the palace when he had nothing to do.
"Father..."
On the soft couch, three little children were crawling, surrounding Liu Bian and shouting incoherently.
Liu Bian held some snacks in his hand and fed them one by one.
Liu Shao sat there, waiting for Liu Bian to feed him.
The second son, Liu Yu, stretched out his hand and tried to snatch it from Liu Bian.
The eldest daughter, Liu Jing, stared at her two brothers, then turned to Liu Bian, pouting her lips from time to time, as if she could cry at any time.
“All of them, all of them…”
Liu Bian smiled and divided the money equally among his three children.
Liu Yu finished eating quickly and reached out to grab his sister, but his sister pushed him away.
Liu Yu was stunned for a moment, then crawled towards his brother and snatched the food directly from Liu Shao's mouth.
Liu Shao's face was calm, neither ashamed nor angry, and he handed the thing in his hand to him.
Liu Yu took it, sat on the couch and ate with big mouthfuls.
"Come, drink some water, don't choke." Seeing his second son eating voraciously, Liu Bian hurriedly poured him some water.
The little guy sat still, stretched his head, bit the teacup, and drank it up.
puff~
Suddenly, a long sound came from under Liu Yu.
Liu Bian tilted his head to look at it, then laughed angrily and said, "You are all connected..."
There was no other choice but to say to the maid beside him, "Pack up and take them back."
The palace maids from Yongning Palace and Yong'an Palace came over quickly, changed diapers, cleaned the babies, and took the three little ones away.
"Father..." Liu Jing said in a baby voice and stretched out his little hand towards Liu Bian.
Liu Bian stretched out his hand and pinched her little face, saying: "Father will play with you again tonight..."
I don’t know if the little girl understood or not, she was still holding on to my hands.
Liu Shao opened his eyes wide and blinked occasionally.
Liu Yu lay on the palace maid's shoulder, drowsy.
After the three little guys left, Liu Bian stretched and sat on the chair.
Pan Yin came in from outside at the right time and said, "Your Majesty, Cao Cao has arrived in the capital."
Liu Bian reached out and picked up the teacup, his eyes moved slightly, and said: "Let him go back to celebrate the New Year, and we'll talk about it after the New Year."
"Yes." Pan Yin said calmly.
At this moment, Cao Cao was standing outside the Suzaku Gate.
He was much more robust than last year, with a thick beard and bright eyes, and was waiting for the call.
Click click
There was a rumbling sound of a carriage, and Yang Biao's carriage stopped behind Cao Cao.
Cao Cao turned around and saw eighty imperial guards escorting him, with banners lined up and gongs and drums leading the way. It was a very majestic and impressive sight. In the middle was just an ordinary carriage.
A strange look flashed across Cao Cao's narrow eyes, and he raised his hand calmly, ready to greet.
Seeing Yang Biao, who was pregnant with a big belly and had a dignified look on his face, lifting the curtain and coming down, Cao Cao was suddenly shocked: Is this the prime minister?
"Cao Cao greets the Prime Minister." Cao Cao raised his hand and bowed.
Yang Biao didn't even look at him. With the help of the guards, he got off the carriage with difficulty, straightened his clothes, and walked into the palace.
Seeing that Yang Biao ignored him, Cao Cao remained expressionless and watched Yang Biao enter the Suzaku Gate out of the corner of his eye.
When Yang Biao had completely walked in, Cao Cao put down his hand, stood up, and looked at the guards of honor outside the palace. He could not help but feel envious and said to himself: "One day, I, Cao Cao, will have a more majestic guard of honor!"
A Zhonghuangmen came hurriedly and said to Cao Cao, "General Cao, His Majesty is busy, and the Grand Chamberlain has told you to come back after the New Year."
Cao Cao remained calm and raised his hand, saying, "Your Majesty, do you know I am here?"
The Zhong Huangmen looked hesitant and said, "General Cao is making things difficult for me. I can only pass on the message and cannot reach Chongde Hall."
Cao Cao felt a little uneasy, nodded slightly, and said, "Then Cao Cao will come again after the New Year."
Zhong Huangmen responded, turned around and left quickly.
Cao Cao mounted his horse and started to return home. After he took a few steps, his calm expression suddenly became solemn.
Not seeing him in the palace might be because she is really busy, but it is also possible that she is dissatisfied with him!
Cao Cao subconsciously whipped his horse hard and galloped through the streets of Luoyang and straight into the mansion.
Without getting intimate with his wives and concubines, Cao Cao went straight to Guo Jia's courtyard.
Guo Jia was watching the servants packing up and drinking leisurely when he saw Cao Cao coming in hurriedly with a stern look on his face. He waved his hand and drove all the servants away.
Cao Cao took off his cloak, looked at Guo Jia with a gloomy expression, and said, "Feng Xiao, your majesty has never seen him."
Guo Jia sat opposite Cao Cao, took a sip of wine, and said with a smile: "If I am right, the general's chance has come."
Cao Cao was startled, and quickly raised his hand and said, "Please teach me, Fengxiao."
Guo Jia put down the wine pot, his face became more serious, and said: "Your Majesty's emphasis on the general is known to everyone. Now that Dong Zhuo and Yuan Shu are growing stronger, the court needs people. Logically speaking, Qingzhou cannot do without the general, but His Majesty still ordered the general to return to the capital, which means he will be of great use. Now that I am gone, I am more certain of this."
Cao Cao was also a smart man. He understood it immediately and his uneasiness was gone. He laughed and said, "If Feng Xiao hadn't been there, what would I do?"
Guo Jia did not laugh, but asked: "General, what are you going to do about Miaocai?"
Xiahou Yuan was escorted back from Qingzhou and Jinan by the Grand Marshal's Office. Not only was he severely punished, he was also sentenced to "three years" by the Grand Marshal's Office and locked up in the Tianlao.
Cao Cao's smile suddenly disappeared, and he said in a deep voice: "Miao Cai has been imprisoned for me before. This time, he is also suffering for me. I can't just sit back and watch! Tomorrow, I plan to visit the Grand Marshal and argue with him."
"What if the Grand Marshal won't let him go?" Guo Jia said.
Cao Cao said with a determined look, "Then I will be willing to be demoted to pay for the ransom, even if it means losing everything I own."
The so-called "demotion in exchange for redemption" can be simply understood as paying a ransom to atone for one's sins.
Guo Jia's face became more serious, and he said, "The Miaocai incident seems to be too blatant, but in fact, it is also the dissatisfaction of the court and the public with the general's arrogance. If the general insists on rescuing Miaocai, not only the Grand Marshal's Mansion and the Shangshutai will be dissatisfied with the general, but Zhu Shijun of Qingzhou will also not agree. General, this will offend the court and the public."
Cao Cao never expected that a small person like Xiahou Yuan actually had so many problems behind him, and he couldn't help but frown.
Guo Jia looked directly at Cao Cao and said, "It doesn't matter if we offend the Grand Marshal's Mansion, the Shangshutai, or even Qingzhou, as long as the general is in the emperor's heart."
Cao Cao's narrow eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he asked hurriedly: "Feng Xiao means that I should ask His Majesty to ask for help?"
Guo Jia said: "It's not a plea. It's an admission of guilt. The general wants to take the blame for Miaocai's crime on himself, and confess everything he did in Qingzhou. I ask Your Majesty to relieve the general of his post as Zhengbei General to atone for his guilt."
Cao Cao's eyes suddenly widened and he looked at Guo Jia in surprise.
Tell it all? The General of the Northern Expedition is no longer wanted?
Guo Jia picked up the wine pot, took another sip, half-lay down, and said, "After a bumpy ride, I need to have a good sleep."
Cao Cao suppressed his shock and said with a smile: "Fengxiao, please take a rest first. I will hold a banquet tomorrow and invite you to drink to your heart's content."
Guo Jia smiled and waded down.
Cao Cao left Guo Jia's courtyard with a calm expression on his face, but his heart was in turmoil.
He spent half his life and risked his life to get the title of General Zheng Bei, so how could he give it up so easily?
But Xiahou Yuan grew up with him, blocked swords for him, and saved his life. He could not just sit there and watch. Otherwise, who would be willing to follow him, Cao Cao?
"Husband,"
At this time, Madam Bian came hurriedly and said, "I have been looking for you for a long time."
Cao Cao frowned and said solemnly, "What could have happened in such a big mansion? If you can't manage it, I'll let someone else do it!"
Mrs. Bian was stunned by Cao Cao's sudden scolding.
But he immediately chased after him and said, "It's not the mansion, it's He Xian who is going to die."
Cao Cao paused, turned his head sharply, and said, "He was fine last year, how come he is dying all of a sudden?"
Madam Bian said, "I don't know. I heard that the illness is very serious. I'm afraid he won't survive these few days."
Cao Cao thought for a moment and said, "Prepare some things for me to take over for a visit."
Mrs. Bian agreed and accompanied Cao Cao to the backyard.
Cao Cao entered the study and calmed down for a long time, thinking about what Guo Jia said. The corners of his face twitched again and again, and his narrow eyes were as cold as lightning. He picked up the pen and began to write the memorial.
After writing it quickly and reviewing it again and again, Cao Cao was still hesitant.
If this memorial of apology is submitted, his position as General of the Northern Expedition will most likely be lost.
"Husband, be ready." Mrs. Bian's voice came from outside the door.
‘That’s all. ’
Cao Cao felt ruthless and took the memorial. He left the study and handed it to the guard beside him, saying, "Send it to the Grand Marshal's Mansion. Ask Zixiao to come with me to He Xian's Mansion."
Everyone responded, packed up the gifts, and Cao Cao went out and headed straight for He Xian's residence.
He Xian, as the son of He Jin, was also a very embarrassing presence in the court and the country.
He is not loved by his grandmother, nor by his uncle, and is feared by the government and the public.
After being taught a lesson by Liu Bian twice, he stayed in his mansion.
When Cao Cao arrived at the door, he saw it was deserted and there were almost no visitors.
'snort! ’
Cao Cao was also used to seeing people become cold towards him when they left, so he snorted in his heart and went straight into the mansion.
Led by his servants, Cao Cao went straight to He Xian's ward.
A strong and pungent smell of medicine stimulated Cao Cao so much that he almost fell into it.
But he remained calm, walked in and came to the bed.
He Xian's face was pale and his eyes were dry, and it was obvious that he was about to die.
"You, how did you become like this?" Cao Cao was startled and quickly sat down next to him.
He Xian smiled with difficulty and said, "I thought I would never see you again."
Yin stood up and wiped her tears, saying, "General, please sit down for a moment. I will go and make some tea."
Cao Cao turned his head to look at her. He saw that she was wearing plain clothes, with a slender body and a face as white as water. She looked extremely charming despite her sadness.
Cao Cao's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly looked away, frowning and saying to He Xian: "You were so seriously ill, why didn't you write to me earlier?"
He Xian held Cao Cao's hand with his dry hands and said, "The doctors in the palace are in the mansion. They can't cure it. What's the point of telling you? Meng De, you are my only friend. I have something to ask of you."
Cao Cao held He Xian's hand tightly and said in a deep voice: "Don't worry, I will take care of your wife and children."
He Xian shook his head slightly and said, "My aunt and His Majesty like He Yan very much, so I am not worried. I just hope that one day, you can move me and my father to be buried in your hometown."
Cao Cao didn't expect this to be the case. He was silent for a moment and said, "Okay. I agree."
He Xian smiled and said, "Thank you very much. Meng De can take whatever is in my house."
Yin came over with a teacup, handed it to Cao Cao, and said softly, "General, please have some tea."
Cao Cao stood up, took the teacup, and said, "Thank you for your hard work, sister-in-law."
Yin forced a smile and said, "You guys chat."
Cao Cao watched Yin's sad back and felt great pity for her.
When Cao Cao turned around, he saw He Xian slowly closing his eyes and no longer making any sound.
Cao Cao opened his eyes slightly, stretched out his hand, and felt He Xian's breath.
Cao Cao suddenly retracted his hand, and his heart suddenly felt extremely complicated and heavy.
He put down the teacup and came to the door. He saw Yin squatting at the door and boiling medicine. He sighed and said, "No need to boil it."
The spoon in Yin's hand fell to the ground with a thud.
Everyone in the He family was suddenly filled with grief and cried out loudly.
The first person to receive the news in the palace was Empress Dowager He. After listening to the palace maid's report, she suddenly collapsed to the ground, looking silent, and then she couldn't help crying.
The relationship between the He brothers and sisters was still very good. Empress Dowager He always took good care of He Xian. After he fell ill, Empress Dowager He visited him several times in person. They never thought that a man in his early twenties would die just like that.
"Help me, help me over." Empress Dowager He struggled to stand up and said anxiously.
The palace maids hurriedly supported Empress Dowager He and hurried out of the palace.
On the other side, the Grand Marshal's Mansion had just received Cao Cao's apology, but Huangfu Song was on annual leave and Lu Zhi was still on sick leave, so they had to rush it into the Chongde Hall.