Shuhan

Chapter 403 Wei’s internal affairs and competition for favor! (Monthly tickets add more updates!)

"It's just that Sun Zhong's plan cannot be trusted at both ends, and Hefei is in his hands. After taking Xuzhou, the next step is to take down Hefei and even Ruxukou."

The loss of Hefei was a political stain on Cao Pi.

After all, when he succeeded to the throne, in the world that Cao Cao left to him, Hefei was under the rule of Wei.

On the contrary, after he led his troops to the south, Hefei was lost.

To him, this was a great shame.

And if he can capture Hefei and then Ruxukou, Cao Pi's reputation in Wei will be even higher.

I have achieved something that even my father could not achieve back then, and he wants to see who dares to say that he is not as good as the late king!

"I can't believe it, but I can make use of it. I heard that Wu State set up an assassination camp and used Er Qiao as a beauty trick to assassinate Liu Gongsi, the crown prince of Han State. If the assassination failed, Han State has already asked Wu State for the crime. Maybe You can sow discord between Han and Wu. If they attack each other, we, the Wei Dynasty, will surely reap the benefits."

The idea was good, but even Cao Pi had no idea whether the two would fight.

"Nowadays, the clan's talents are withering. I hope that my filial uncle will select more talented children in the clan to gain experience and prepare for future needs."

Cao Pi looked at the old man sitting on the general's side.

This man's beard and hair are white. Although he is strong and strong, he is full of twilight. He is also at the end of his life. He is Cao Ren.

"There are several people in the Cao family and the Xiahou family who are talented and learned, and I am about to recommend them to Your Majesty!"

Where there are people, there are rivers and lakes.

The factions within Cao Wei are hierarchical.

Wei Wu was the master of entrepreneurship and faced many difficulties. The status of his subordinates depends entirely on their merits; in other words, the status of his subordinates is completely subordinate to the "functional" perspective.

This is what Wei Wu called "valuing virtuous people over fame".

There are different reasons for the formation of factions within Cao Wei.

There are Cao family members formed through "blood relationship".

There are also Xiahou clans formed through "marriage relationships".

There are also strong clans in various places formed based on "regional relations" and "local clan power", such as the Qiaopei clan, the Ruying clan, the Hebei clan, etc.

In a nutshell, during the Wei Wu era, the status of the factions in the Cao Wei camp was roughly as follows:

Cao family ≈ Xiahou family > Qiaopei family > Yingchuan family > Yanzhou family > Hebei family > others.

As Cao Pi's successor, he naturally wanted Xiao Gui and Cao Pi to follow him, and the general direction was to follow Cao Cao's footsteps during his lifetime.

Currently, among the Cao family members, there are only a few influential people still alive:

In the Wei Dynasty, Cao Ren rose to the rank of Chariot and Cavalry General, and in the Wei Wen Dynasty, he rose to the rank of General and Sima.

In the Wei Wu Dynasty, Cao Hong rose to the rank of Protector General, and in the Wei Wen Dynasty, he rose to the rank of General of Hussars.

Cao Zhen was the successor of the "Tiger and Leopard Cavalry" after Cao Chun's death. Officials lead the army.

Cao Xiu also went to the center to lead the army. Dianzhongjun.

The Xiahou and Cao families have been married for a long time, and they are close to each other in their hearts, which is more valuable than time.

The Xiahou family is an in-law of the Cao family, and their status within the Cao Wei camp is second only to the Cao family.

Moreover, due to intermarriage, most of the second and third generations of Xiahou and the Cao family were middle cousins. Their blood was thicker than water, and they were mutually exclusive. In the Wen and Ming dynasties, the Xiahou family almost gained the same political status as the clan Cao family.

But with the passing of Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan one after another, the influence of the remaining second generation of Xiahou family was not as good as before.

Those who can take advantage of it are the leader Xiahou Mao, the general who conquered the south, Dudu Jing, and the Henan military commander Xiahou Shang.

Compared with the Xiahou family of the previous generation, it was already much worse.

Qiao Pei is an old man and a fellow villager of Cao Cao. The third echelon in Cao Wei's camp.

There is a saying that "when a fellow villager meets a fellow villager, his eyes well up with tears."

Under agricultural civilization, productivity is low and the ability to withstand disasters is poor. If local clans do not want to be starved to death by natural disasters or killed by bandits, they can only stay together to stay warm. The clan forces formed by blood relations and the township party forces formed by geographical divisions lasted from the Three Kingdoms era to the late Qing Dynasty.

Even in the 21st century, the power of this rural party can still be reflected.

Qiao Pei is a fellow villager and is the group that Cao Cao relies on most among his clan and relatives.

Not only Cao Cao, but also the warlords of the Han and Ji Dynasties in the Three Kingdoms were like this.

Yuan Shao made important use of celebrities from Hebei (especially those from the Han Fu family, who were all from Hebei); Sun Quan made important use of Jiangdong's wealthy families (Zhu, Zhang, Gu, Lu, and Yu); Liu Xianzhu promoted celebrities from Jingchu and Chu, and Liu Hou promoted talents from Sichuan and Shu. All like this.

The Yingchuan Clique is the headquarters of Cao Cao's think tank. It is the fourth echelon in Cao Cao's camp.

The Cao clan and Qiao Pei clan of the Xia lords were in charge of military affairs; the Yingchuan clan was in charge of diplomacy, money and food.

There is no need to elaborate on the talents who came out during this period.

Xun Yu, Xun You, Zhong Yao, Zhong Hui, etc.

Too much is too much.

As for the Yanzhou system and the Hebei system.

Cui Yan and Xu Yi were virtuous for a time, and both showed their loyalty to the Wei Dynasty; during Ding Yi's reign, Xu Yi lost his throne and Cui Yan was executed.

Yanzhou and Hebei families are descendants of stepmothers.

Originally there were also local warlord factions.

For example, Zang Ba, Wenpin, etc.

However, Zang Ba rebelled against Wei and separatized Xuzhou. Wenpin was defeated by Liu Chan. Now he and Yu Jin guard Jiangxia, and this force has disappeared.

This was the pattern of the Wei and Wu dynasties, but when it came to Cao Pi, it was different again.

With the implementation of the Nine-Rank Officials Law, the Yingchuan clan has gradually gained ground, while the Cao family and the Xiahou family have too few capable people in their second generation, so they are gradually being overtaken.

The Yanzhou clique and the Hebei clique used to fawn over Cao Pi. After Cao Pi came to power, they finally got rid of the stepmother situation, but they were still inferior to the Yingchuan clique in the court.

The implementation of the Nine-Rank Officials Law gave rise to aristocratic families. Cao Pi, who was originally alienated from close relatives and the Cao family clan due to Cao Zhang's rebellion, had to continue to rely on his clan and vigorously promote talented scholars in the clan, hoping that the clan and the A balance of power is achieved between the aristocratic families.

just

I don’t know how long this fragile balance can be maintained.

After all, there are only two families, the Cao family and the Xiahou family, and they are pampered and have more and more people playing chicken and fighting dogs. On the contrary, the talents of those aristocratic families are endless.

This balance will naturally be broken soon.

Now Cao Pi is also thinking about how to restrain the power of the gentry.

After all, this world belongs to his Cao family, not the aristocratic family.

While Cao Pi was thinking about it, an internal official came forward to report the matter outside the palace.

"Your Majesty, I am asking for an audience with the Chief Minister Ma Zhongda."

Sima Yi?

Cao Pi was stunned for a moment. On the side, the smile on Wu Zhi's face gradually disappeared.

This Sima Yi is actually alive and is back at this juncture?

"Let him in."

When Sima Yi invited himself to Badi, he originally wanted to perform meritorious service, but now it seems that the meritorious service has been lost.

Cao Pi was counting the time. Could it be that this Badi was conquered by Liu Gongsi so quickly?

I'm afraid it's not that easy to deal with aliens, right?

The originally enjoyable banquet seemed a bit dull because of Sima Yi's arrival.

Cao Pi waved his hand and dismissed the actresses and beauties.

Not long after, Sima Yi, with a dusty look on his face, arrived in the palace.

"Your majesty pays homage to your majesty. Long live your majesty."

Sima Yi's current appearance is indeed not good.

His face was pale and thin, and his deep-set eyes revealed the bitterness of months of hard work. Her hair has grown to her waist and hips, and is scattered on the back of her head, and her trembling hands are brushing through the hair. The clothes on his body were already in tatters, and there seemed to be traces of coal dust and soil in the folds.

Only those eyes were bright and piercing.

Wu Zhi curled his lips slightly when he saw Sima Yi's appearance. They all went to the palace to have an audience. They were dressed so shabbily. Who were they showing off to?

hypocritical!

Cao Pi was slightly shocked when he saw Sima Yi in such a desolate state.

"I love your life."

Seeing Sima Yi stand up tremblingly, Cao Pi was even more touched.

At that time, when it was learned that the Han Crown Prince Liu Gongsi was planning to use troops against Badi, although there were people in the court who offered suggestions to prevent the Han Crown Prince Liu Gongsi from succeeding, no one was willing to take risks.

At the critical moment, Zhongda invited himself to Badi regardless of his personal safety.

Now it seems that this was really a waste of time and energy during the few months in Badi.

Not only did I lose dozens of kilograms, but even my description started to look haggard.

This is my loyal minister of Wei!

Cao Pi sighed in his heart.

"My beloved went to Badi. I wonder what the situation is like in Badi?"

How is the situation in Badi?

Sima Yi looked ashamed and said: "Prince Liu Gongsi of the Han Dynasty entered Badi with great momentum. In two months, he pacified the people of Badi. In half a year, he completely controlled Badi. Badi was transformed from its original state. The place of restraint has become a place familiar to the Han people!"

To pacify the Badi people in two months, and to control the entire Badi in half a year?

You know, Badi is thousands of miles wide, with many mountains and rivers and lush forests.

No matter how strong your Han army is, if someone hides in the mountains and forests, what can you do to them?

But in this case, the Tao people can be defeated and subdued in two months, and Badi can be controlled in half a year.

Then is Liu Gongsi really a god?

Cao Pi boasted that if he went to Badi, even if he could pacify Badi, he would not be able to pacify Badi so quickly.

This is not the prince of the Han Dynasty, Gongsi Liu. This is clearly the superman of the Han Dynasty, Gongsi Liu.

Cao Pi's face changed drastically, and after a moment, he asked: "I wonder how the Han army was damaged?"

Taking control of Badi in half a year was achieved through many battles, right?

The losses must be extremely heavy!

Cao Pi thought to himself.

"The losses of the Han army are probably only a few hundred people."

Hundreds of people?

Cao Pi had a look of shock on his face.

"This is impossible!"

How could it be possible to capture such a huge Badi and only lose hundreds of people?

Could it be that Mr. Liu can't do magic?

Even Wu Zhi couldn't help but sneer at the side: "Is it possible that Zhongda has never been to Badi? He just made it up at will and made Mr. Liu look like a god to intimidate His Majesty?"

Sima Yili ignored Wu Zhi and continued to say to Cao Pi: "Everything I said is true. That Liu Gongsi used the barbarians to attack the barbarians, compiled three books, brainwashed the people, and became the guards of the people. The Han people charged into battle, and the Han army did not need to bleed at all."

Sima Yi told Cao Pi everything Liu Chan had done in Badi, with three books in his hand.

"These are the three books, namely "The Prince's Words and Deeds", "The Hanba Family", and "Down with the Opposition of the People". Your Majesty, please accept it!"

The internal official sent the three letters to Cao Pi on the slips in front of him, and the latter couldn't help but record the prince's words and deeds.

Not long after looking at it, his brows furrowed.

Then I opened Hanba Family. After reading the preface, I couldn't help but sigh, and finally picked up "Down with the Opposition".

The doubtful look on his face before was all gone.

"Gongsi Liu is good at stirring up people's hearts. The military commanders under his command can make people's hearts flutter with just a few words in the Wei Kingdom. I don't know how many people have been killed, but I haven't stopped this trend of thought. The Naba people are just barbarians. , how can he be Liu Gongsi's opponent? It seems that this is the secret of his control of Badi for half a year."

It's a pity that Liu Gongsi is dealing with Ba people.

And what he has to deal with is Zang Ba, otherwise Liu Gongsi's method can be used as a reference.

There’s no shame in learning from your opponent’s strengths.

but

This trick of dividing people's hearts can indeed be used in Xuzhou.

After all, although Zang Ba was famous in Xuzhou, his Wei State was also influential in Xuzhou.

If we can capture Xuzhou without sending troops, that would be the best.

Then Liu Gongsi used barbarians to kill barbarians, can I, Cao Zihuan, use Xu people to kill Xu people?

It doesn't seem impossible.

Cao Pi was thinking about how to use Liu Chan's method to take back Xuzhou. At this time, Sima Yi's voice came over.

"Your Majesty, the State of Wu sent Er Qiao to assassinate Liu Gongsi. Perhaps this matter can be used to sow discord between the State of Wu and the State of Han."

Assassination?

Wu Zhi said immediately: "I have already discussed this matter with Your Majesty just now."

"What do you think, Your Majesty?"

"It can be used, but neither country is a fool. An assassination will hardly make the two countries really go to war."

Sima Yi immediately handed over his hand and said to Cao Pi: "The Han Dynasty is powerful not in terms of national power, but in terms of legitimacy. Now most people in the world believe that Liu Gonghe has destiny and is a wise king of the three-pronged Han Dynasty. With such momentum, Sun Zhongmou must be stuck in his throat.

I am willing to be an envoy to Soochow. If the Wu Kingdom and the Han Kingdom can meet each other with swords, that would be the best. The worst, I can also use the Wu Kingdom to assassinate the Han Kingdom to sow discord between the two countries. By the way, Form an alliance with Soochow, use Guangling County as bait, let Wu State and Wei State invade from two directions, and capture Xuzhou! "

Good idea.

Now Cao Pi has the ambition to take over Xuzhou.

But seeing Sima Yi's thin appearance, he felt a little worried.

"Zhongda's traveling around Badi has already depleted his energy. If you go on a mission to the Kingdom of Wu again, I will be very worried about your health due to the fatigue of traveling and traveling."

Sima Yi immediately said: "I will work for your majesty and serve the state of Wei. I will never give up even if I die!"

That voice, that tone, he really is the most loyal minister of Wei!

"Good good!"

With such ministers, why worry about our Wei Dynasty failing to achieve hegemony?

just

He looked at Sima Yi and said: "After all, it's spring, and there are still a few months left before we start the military campaign. I will go home to celebrate the New Year, spend a few days with my family, and rest for a few days before going on an envoy." "

"This"

Sima Yi was about to refuse, but Cao Pi had already waved his hand and said, "You don't have to say anything. This time you have made great achievements in entering Ba. You have been promoted to two levels. You will enter the palace specially to accompany me. You will be rewarded with thousands of pieces of brocade." Ten ladies-in-waiting as a token of commendation.”

Specially enter the palace.

Thousands of pieces of brocade.

Ten maids.

Wu Zhi's face turned purple with envy.

Your Majesty, I am your most favored minister.

Where did this Sima Yi come from? Your Majesty, don’t let your heart be lost to him!

Wu Zhi roared in his heart, and the expression on his face seemed to say:

It was obviously me who came first, why is he favored by His Highness?

I am the real loyal minister of the Wei Dynasty. Sima Yi looks down upon the wolf and is rebellious from birth. Why can't you see clearly, Your Majesty?

……

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Shingles, excruciating pain.

If you find yourself feeling unwell, do not deny the disease or avoid medical treatment, and find out the cause of the disease in time.

–_–

(End of this chapter)