Yuan Shao, the father of Fanghua in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1398 Shock
After hearing what Zhong Yao said, Chen Qun was shocked and said quickly, "Master, this is not a joke."

"Be careful not to be overheard. If someone reports this to His Majesty, you'll be in big trouble."

Zhong Yao laughed, "Then you might as well write a long article to report me, so that the wealth will not flow to outsiders."

Chen Qun's face flushed red. "It's already this time, and the Grand Master is still joking. If the State of Wei can't be saved, our fate will be even more worrying."

Zhong Yao restrained his expression and said, "Chang Wen also knows that we and Wei will suffer together and prosper together."

"But it seems like some people only want glory but not loss."

Chen Qun's heart skipped a beat, and he forced a smile, "How could that be? Xionghu is a man who bears grudges. We have all offended him before, so how could we expect him to show mercy?"

Zhong Yao did not comment and said: "No matter what, now even Zhongda has been defeated. It is obvious that Wei can no longer defeat Jin."

"I heard that Xiong Hu is leading the army in person again this time. He likes to go into battle even more than the last emperor. I don't know what's so interesting about war scenes."

"I understand what you mean. Your Majesty will certainly ask for advice from the ministers later, and Changwen, as a role model for all officials, will certainly be asked. But this time, I'm afraid Your Majesty did not inform Changwen in advance, right?"

After hearing this, Chen Qun laughed awkwardly. His guilty conscience was still seen through by the old fox Zhong Yao. Usually, Chen Qun was the spokesperson chosen by Cao Pi to represent all officials in the court. Therefore, whenever there was something important to discuss, Cao Pi would definitely summon Chen Qun in advance to coordinate his words.

However, Chen Qun was not informed in advance of Cao Pi's court meeting this time, which made him feel uneasy. What should he say if Cao Pi asked him?
What if my ideas go against Cao Pi's and he uses me to establish his authority to vent his anger?
Chen Qun thought that Zhong Yao was really an old fox. He obviously saw through his mind. He gritted his teeth and said, "Please give me some advice, Master."

Zhong Yao listened and said slowly: "If you believe what I say, then you should recommend yourself."

"Zhongda was defeated this time, and the best outcome is to be dismissed. Then there will naturally be someone else to lead the troops. Changwen naturally doesn't want to go into battle, right?"

Chen Qun was startled and laughed awkwardly: "Grandmaster, you are joking. I am a general just to make up the numbers. Don't take it seriously."

Zhong Yao said leisurely: "Except for General Xiahou, the positions of the four of you generals are not fake."

Chen Qun's face fell. He had never thought that Cao Pi would appoint him as a general. You know, the other generals were all experienced in leading troops into battle.

To the extent that there was a time when Chen Qun always felt that in the eyes of the generals in the court, he was not only a thorn in the eyes, but also a joke. He also privately resigned from his post to Cao Pi, but Cao Pi just laughed it off and never said anything about it again.

That's why Chen Qun was so panicked today. Sima Yi was defeated, and Xiahou Shang retreated all the way to Tongguan. Now, except for Xiahou Dun, a symbolic general, the only one left who can lead the troops is Cao Zhen, who has a broken arm.

Thinking of this, Chen Qun said to Zhong Yao with a bitter face: "Please, Master, save me."

Zhong Yao laughed, "Don't worry, Changwen. Your Majesty still has the situation in mind at this time."

"Just speak normally. I'm afraid His Majesty has already made up his mind."

Sure enough, in the court, after Cao Pi said that two of the three routes of the Wei army were broken and the remaining route, led by Xiahou Shang, was also in danger, the Cao Wei officials in the court suddenly became chaotic, and everyone had a look of fear on their faces.

Cao Pi sat high up, taking in the expressions of the people below. He sneered and said, "You are free to speak freely about the future of Wei."

"Whether it's to defend Chang'an and stop the Jin army, or there are other ways, you can say it."

"Besides, Zhongda apologized for his defeat, and I have already taken his position."

"The Jin army will arrive in Chang'an soon. Who in the city can lead the army now?"

After hearing this, everyone fell silent for a moment, with mixed expressions, because Sima Yi was already the most capable fighter in the Wei State, and if even he was defeated, wouldn't the others be even more miserable?
Everyone started talking at once, and from time to time someone stood up to offer suggestions, but Cao Pi seemed dissatisfied with none of them. He just shook his head indifferently, and those people had to retreat in embarrassment.

As the atmosphere in the court became increasingly tense, Chen Qun saw that many people were looking at him. He knew that he could not escape, so he stepped out and said, "The situation is urgent now. I recommend Shaoling Hou."

Shao Linghou was Cao Zhen. Someone immediately said, "Although Shao Linghou is a great general, his arms are disabled. How can he fight the enemy?"

Chen Qun said, "Although I am willing to go into battle, I have no ability to lead troops. I would like to be the military advisor of Shaoling Marquis, and I need the assistance of two military commanders."

After hearing this, everyone was speechless. Cao Pi said, "Who do you think is suitable to be the general?"

Chen Qun said: "I recommend General Li Dian, who will defeat the enemy."

Cao Pi nodded slightly, "What about the other person?"

Chen Qun gritted his teeth and said, "General Anyuan Yu Jin."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone started talking. After Yu Jin was captured, he was finally returned to Chang'an last year through an exchange with Madam Liu. However, because of his previous crimes, he was promoted from General Zuo to General Anyuan, but he did not lead any troops and stayed at home.

Everyone knows that Cao Pi hates Yu Jin, but now Chen Qun openly recommends Yu Jin. Isn't he afraid that Cao Pi will be angry?

What's more, Yu Jin had been imprisoned in the State of Jin for such a long time. Who knows whether he had secretly defected to the State of Jin?
Cao Pi tapped his finger gently and said, "Even if Shaoling Hou can lead the troops, he can only block one route." "Now we need someone who can stabilize the situation on the other route."

"Who do you think is more suitable, Marquis Chen or Marquis Lecheng?"

The Marquis of Chen is Cao Ren, and the Marquis of Lecheng is Cao Hong. When everyone heard this, they all started to think in their hearts. Let’s not talk about Cao Ren, hasn’t Cao Hong always been losing battles?

And this time it is quite strange. Not to mention Xiahou Shang in Tongguan, the newly elected Cao Zhen, and the current Cao Ren and Cao Hong, aren't they all descendants of the Cao clan? Doesn't this mean that the generals with other surnames in the army have completely lost their power?

Thinking of this, everyone began to miss Sima Yi. He was the only general from other families who could fight against the Cao clan. Unfortunately, he was defeated and it would be difficult for him to get up in a short time.

As everyone was thinking, they heard Cao Pi say, "Marquis of Shaoling."

After hearing this, Cao Zhen stepped out and said, "I am here!"

He thought Cao Pi wanted him to lead the army, but he didn't expect Cao Pi to change the subject directly, "I remember that Shaoling Hou got married very early. How many sons do you have now?"

Cao Zhen did not understand what he meant, so he said, "Your Majesty, I have four sons, Shuang, Yan, Xi and Xun."

Cao Pi asked, "The youngest, Cao Xun, is only two years old now, right?"

Cao Zhen quickly said, "Yes."

Cao Pi nodded, "In the past few years, I have been concerned about state affairs, and the harem has no children. Now that Wei is in turmoil, I have to consider what will happen after my death."

"I want to adopt Cao Xun as my son. What do you think?"

Cao Zhen was stunned, and all the ministers were stunned and speechless for a while.

Cao Pi adopted Cao Xun with a very clear intention, that is, if he could not give birth to a child, the adopted son would be the future crown prince!

This is an extremely sensitive matter, and it was brought up at this time. Moreover, Cao Zhen's identity is even more complicated. Although his surname is Cao, he is Cao Cao's adopted son. His original surname was Qin, and he was given the surname Cao only after he was adopted by Cao Cao!

In other words, Cao Zhen was not actually a true member of the Cao and Xiahou clans, but Cao Pi chose his son as his adopted son. Why?
Before everyone could react, Zhong Yao stood up and said, "Congratulations, Your Majesty, and congratulations to Marquis Shaoling."

Chen Qun also reacted and was about to speak when Dong Zhao, Hua Xin and others followed suit and said, "Congratulations, Your Majesty. Congratulations, Marquis Shaoling!"

All the officials came to their senses one after another and bowed their heads to congratulate. Chen Qun mixed in the crowd, thinking that his reactions had been getting slower and slower recently.

But Chen Qun was also in great shock, because he thought he was the closest person to Cao Pi, but Cao Pi had never told him a word about this matter!

But Chen Qun's doubts grew more and more. Why did Cao Pi bring up the adoption at this time instead of mentioning it earlier or later?
Shouldn't it be safer to try our best to stop the Jin army and then raise the issue after the situation stabilizes?

The current situation is turbulent. Your Majesty, aren't you afraid that the State of Wei will be in turmoil by bringing up such a sensitive matter at this time?

That night, Sima Yi, who was drinking with Zhang Chunhua at home, learned what had happened in the court.

He threw the silk book with the words on it into the brazier beside him and burned it. He held the wine bowl in one hand and smiled at Zhang Chunhua who was pouring the wine: "Your Majesty is really interesting."

Zhang Chunhua carefully filled the wine bowl with hot wine, returned to her seat, and said, "My husband is really generous. He is so calm even though he was demoted to a commoner."

Sima Yi smiled and said, "Being able to come back alive is better than anything else."

"What Cao Zhen is going to do next is not an easy job. This is almost a losing battle. He is being pushed out to take the blame."

"And if he had bad luck, he might not even survive. Your Majesty only took the opportunity to adopt a son in order to make him feel at ease. This is an extraordinary move."

"In this case, Cao Zhen will not only not dare to refuse, but will probably have to stand at the forefront with all his might."

"Besides, this matter is like roasting him on the fire. I'm afraid that the people of the Cao and Xiahou clans hate him to death now."

"But the more this happens, the more Cao Zhen will have to cling to Your Majesty. He is the adopted son of the previous emperor, and his status is extremely special. Now his family can only rely on Your Majesty wholeheartedly."

"No one can predict what will happen in the future. If Your Majesty has a successor, then the matter of adopting a son will naturally be over."

"But Cao Zhen's branch can no longer be separated from Your Majesty. Before this, Cao Zhen's branch had sold their lives to Your Majesty."

"At first, I was thinking that His Majesty didn't like the Cao clan, so how would he deal with the issue of offspring? It was also a very troublesome matter, but I didn't expect that His Majesty would find an opportunity to make the Cao clan suffer a setback, and they couldn't say anything."

"Your Majesty, this move was truly beautiful and ruthless."

(End of this chapter)