Han family achievements

Chapter 228 Lu Zhi and Cao Cao

When Empress Dowager He saw Liu Bian coming in, she looked even worse, and said, "Come in and see what they have done!"

Ma Zheng knelt on the ground, trembling with fright, and lost the momentum to confront Cao Cao in the He Mansion.

Liu Bian walked over expressionlessly and stood beside the three of them.

"Cao Cao, tell me." Liu Bian said calmly, his gaze fell on Cao Cao.

Cao Cao was tied with his hands back, and bowed when he heard the words, his tone was calm, neither humble nor overbearing, and said: "Returning to your majesty, I just saw that Ma Zheng was molesting the Yin family, and stepped forward to stop him. I was framed by him. I have no personal relationship with the Yin family."

Ma Zheng immediately shouted: "Fart! Last night, I saw you meeting privately in the kitchen!"

Yin Shi trembled all over, and said repeatedly: "No, I'm just hungry, I went to find food, and I happened to meet General Cao, we are innocent..."

How could Ma Zheng agree, and said with a sneer, "Are you looking for something to eat? You have so many maidservants, and you ran so far alone to find something to eat? Keep your nonsense as a lie!"

Cao Cao's face was livid, his eyes were fixed on the ground, and he said: "Your Majesty, what I said is true, if there are false words, I would like to die by the sword!"

Empress Dowager He opened her eyes angrily, slapped the small table, and cursed: "A bastard who seduces a widow, a bastard who has an affair with a brother and a woman, a lowly maid who has an adulterous husband..."

"My lady, I don't have it, I don't..." Yin-shi broke down in tears and kept crying.

Ma Zheng also panicked, knocked his head heavily on the ground, and said anxiously: "The Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowager, the villain knows that I am wrong, the villain knows that I am wrong, please forgive the villain this time..."

Cao Cao knelt there, without begging for mercy, his face was iron, and his eyes were all fixed.

He didn't expect that he would encounter such a thing, and he was also terrified in his heart.

Liu Bian stood by 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 and this Ma Zheng and Liu Bian naturally don't care, the key is this Cao Cao.

In history, the Yin family was indeed accepted by Cao Cao as a concubine, He Yan also became Cao Cao's adopted son, and He Yan later married Cao Cao's daughter.

Liu Bian didn't care whether Cao Cao had an affair with the Yin family or not.

Cao Cao is not what he used to be, it is related to the stability of Qingzhou, so we must be careful in handling him.

"Your Majesty, tell me, how should we deal with them?" Empress Dowager He said coldly without giving Liu Bian time to think.

Liu Bian didn't think about it, turned sideways, and said: "My son listens to my mother."

Seeing this, Empress Dowager He looked indifferent, and said: "Come here, pull Yin Shi, Ma Zheng, and Cao Cao out, and kill them with sticks."

"My lady, my lady, I don't, I don't..." Yin cried loudly.

Ma Zheng continued to kowtow, and said anxiously: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, the villain knows that I made a mistake, please look at my grandfather, please spare my life..."

Cao Cao gritted his teeth and said nothing.

A servant came in quickly with a big stick in his hand, trying to drag the three of them away.

Liu Bian stood still and gave Pan Yin a look.

Pan Yin understood, stepped forward quickly, and said: "Your Majesty, no."

Empress Dowager He glared over and said, "What's wrong? It's unnecessary to kill them!"

Pan Yin's heart turned sharply, and he said: "Ma'am, this, He Xian just died, and He Yan was only one year old. Two, two, this Ma Zheng is the successor of Ma Taiwei, so he can't be killed directly. Three, Madam, this He Xian, no matter what you say Relatives of the royal family, this kind of matter is related to the face of the royal family, and it needs to be handled in a low-key manner."

The other Empress Dowagers don't care at all, but when it comes to 'royal face', he, the Empress Dowager, can't do whatever he wants.

Can't help frowning, said: "Then what do you say?"

Pan Yin glanced at Liu Bian quietly, and said cautiously: "The Queen Mother, according to the villain, it is better for this Yin family to stay in Yongle Palace in the future and be dealt with by the Queen Mother. Ma Zheng, send someone to escort him back to Ma's house, Ma Zheng Can the family be spared lightly? As for Cao Cao, he is a courtier after all, so he will be dealt with by His Majesty, Madam, what do you think?"

Empress Dowager He's expression moved, knowing that Liu Bian meant it, she waved her hand impatiently, and said, "Okay, take it away."

"Thank you, ma'am." Pan Yin responded, and with a wave of his hand, the two Zhonghuangmen came over and dragged Ma Zheng and Cao Cao away.

Liu Bian glanced at Yin Shi, and said to Empress Dowager He, "Your servant will leave."

Empress Dowager He ignored it, and just stared coldly at the trembling Yin family not far in front of her.

Liu Bian left Yongle Palace, sent Ma Zheng away, and brought Cao Cao back to Chongde Hall.

Chongde Hall, apse.

Cao Cao had already removed the binding rope, and knelt on the ground with his forehead on the ground, silent.

Liu Bian was sitting on the soft couch, reviewing the memorial, without saying a word.

Cao Cao didn't speak because he couldn't guess what Liu Bian was thinking.

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 soldiers and horses, he has territory, and he has momentum!

Therefore, Cao Cao was afraid.

Liu Bian was reviewing the memorial, and gradually immersed himself in it, as if he had forgotten Cao Cao. When he got busy, he forgot the time.

Until it was dark, Pan Yin came in with a plate of rice, glanced at Cao Cao who was still kneeling on the ground, walked quietly to Liu Bian, and said softly, "Your Majesty, it's time to eat."

Liu Bian glanced out of the window from the corner of his eye, and then said: "I have dismissed your general, and replaced him with a general of Huben Zhonglang, serving in the Da Sima Mansion."

The corners of Cao Cao's face were straightened, his eyes were iron-like, and his tone was as calm as usual, he said: "I accept the decree, thank you."

"Go." Liu Bian didn't look at him either.

Cao Cao started again, and said, "I will take my leave."

Then, he got up slowly, even though his legs and hands were numb, there was still no trace of panic, and he calmly exited the apse.

Liu Bian picked up the soup bowl, took a bite, and couldn't help looking towards the door. It was pitch black, and Cao Cao had disappeared.

Thinking constantly on the face, Liu Bian said: "Pan Yin, do you think Cao Cao is a loyal minister?"

Pan Yin's expression tightened, and he said, "Your Majesty, a loyal minister is still a treacherous minister, a villain can't tell."

Liu Bian laughed and said, "I can't see it either."

The emperor had been sitting for a long time, and Liu Bian discovered that "suspiciousness" is not a disease, but the instinct of the superiors. There are almost no people who can make him completely trust and have no doubts.

On the other side, Cao Cao came out of the palace with a livid face, a beard, and narrow, cold eyes.

The guards around didn't dare to speak at all, it was the first time they saw their general with such an expression.

Cao Cao was speechless all the way, returned to the mansion, drove everyone away, and went straight to Guo Jia's small courtyard.

Guo Jia didn't sleep, didn't even drink, and waited for Cao Cao.

Cao Cao glanced at him, walked into the house, took off his coat, and set it on fire. When he saw the jug, he picked it up and poured it into his mouth.

Guo Jia sat opposite, with a slightly pale face showing no emotion.

After Cao Cao finished drinking, he gasped, wiped the wine off his beard with his sleeve, stared at Guo Jia with red eyes, and said: "Your Majesty asked me to enter the Da Sima Mansion as Huben Zhonglang, and he probably won't let me out of Beijing again. .”

Guo Jia was not surprised, nodded and said: "Your Majesty, this is also protecting the general."

Cao Cao looked stern and angry, turned his head to look outside the darkened door, and said in a hateful voice: "I, Cao Cao, why is my life so ill-fated!"

In the past, Cao Cao caused countless troubles because of his unrestrained life. If it wasn't for his extraordinary family background, he would have died countless times.Later, when Liu Bian succeeded to the throne, he got too many opportunities, but only last year, he had made some achievements in pacifying the Yellow Turban Army in Qingzhou.

Before he could be excited for a long time, he encountered such a disaster in Luoyang!

Seeing Cao Cao's gloomy face, Guo Jia seemed to give up on himself, picked up the flagon, took a sip, and said, "I heard that Lu Gong is not feeling well, and he may not survive this year."

Although Cao Cao was full of resentment, resentment and decadence, he did not lose his mind. He was startled when he heard the words, looked at Guo Jia, and said, "Bong Xiao means that Your Majesty intends to keep me to take Lu Gong's place?"

Guo Jia leaned back, leaning on his elbows, and said to Cao Cao, "What's the big deal about an affair between a man and a woman? The Empress Dowager may be very angry, but Your Majesty may not be. Your Majesty has a cold relationship with He Xian, and the General knows that. Your Majesty treats the General like this. Firstly, it is to appease the voice of impeachment from the government and the opposition, and secondly, I am afraid that it is to prepare for a rainy day, and Duke Huangfu's health is not very good."

If Cao Cao came to his senses, he sat up straight with a thoughtful expression.

Seeing Cao Cao recover, Guo Jia smiled and said, "Your Majesty's respect 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, with a serious face and piercing eyes, and said, "Please teach me from Fengxiao."

Seeing Cao Cao like this, Guo Jia couldn't be lazy anymore. He sat up straight and said, "General, one thing is that there must be no chaos in Qingzhou, especially the two counties of Beihai and Donglai. The other thing is to hand over all the military power. Don't stay at all. The third is to make some political achievements in the Da Sima Mansion. I'm sure that within a year at most, the imperial court will definitely send generals to fight again."

Cao Cao frowned, looking hesitant.

He managed to recruit so many troops. In Beihai and Donglai County, he could recruit hundreds of thousands of troops with one order. With so many troops handed over, which leader would be willing?

"Okay." After a while, Cao Cao nodded.

Guo Jia smiled even more, and said, "General, you don't know what to face?"

Cao Cao calmed down, poured himself a glass of wine, and said, "I have stayed in Da Sima's residence for a while, and I know the affairs of Da Sima's residence. Although it is difficult, it will not make Cao Cao afraid!"

Guo Jia was relieved now, and looked outside the door again, thinking in his heart, this time, there must be a chance to meet that majesty, right?
……

Early the next morning.

The Da Sima Mansion issued an order to abolish almost all of Cao Cao's official positions, leaving only Huben Zhonglang, who was transferred to the Da Sima Mansion.

Whether it is General Zhengbei or General Wuwei, they are all generals who hold soldiers and horses in their hands, which makes courtiers jealous, but General Huben Zhonglang is different, and he called the Da Sima Mansion. Cao Cao was basically beaten to the end.

The government and the public couldn't be more satisfied with the handling of Da Sima Mansion, and many people wrote letters praising Huangfusong's 'fairness'.

With the end of the court break, Jiuqing, Liucao, Shangshutai and others slowly recovered, and Luoyang City slowly became lively again.

In the second year of Yonghan, the first day of February.

Cao Cao has served in the Grand Sima Mansion for some time, but the more he understands the government affairs of the Grand Sima Mansion, the more shocked he is.

The current main tasks of the Grand Sima Mansion are 'reform of the military system' and 'separation of the military from government'.

The reform of the military system is mainly to further clarify the current military system, especially in terms of command power, to gather upward.

The direct purpose of the 'separation of the military and the government' is to remove the military power of the chief officials of the prefectures, counties, and counties, strengthen the imperial court's control over the localities, and curb the emergence of de facto princes.

Cao Cao didn't know the difficulty of these two matters, so he could only take the opportunity to act. Once it was announced, not to mention the state shepherd, it would be those prefects and county magistrates who would openly rebel!

Seeing the details of a series of plans, Cao Cao felt terrified. Holding a document, he came to Lu Zhi's seat with a solemn expression, and said, "Mr. Lu, this document..."

Lu Zhi looked up, coughed a few times, and said, "It is His Majesty's intention to accept soldiers and horses from all over the world as the imperial army, and to station them in various states in rotation."

Doubt and uneasiness flashed across Cao Cao's eyes, and he said in a deep voice, "Mr. Lu, if you do this, it will definitely cause chaos!"

Now the soldiers and horses of the Han Dynasty are basically recruited and supported by the chief officials of the prefectures, counties and counties. Even if the soldiers and horses of Cao Cao, Zhang Liao, and Zhao Yun come from the Da Sima Mansion, most of the money and food supply are "self-raised". It's recruiting and surrendering, and the soldiers and horses are expanding rapidly.

These soldiers and horses only recognize the chief officials and generals, and they don't recognize the court at all.

If the imperial court wants to take back these soldiers, not only the leaders will not agree, but also the led 'soldiers' will not agree!

Lu Zhi was seriously ill, but he couldn't let go of these things. He coughed and said, "It's urgent, but don't rush. Take it step by step."

Cao Cao was secretly startled. He never expected that the Da Sima Mansion was planning so many terrible plans.

Lu Zhi's eyes were sunken and his face was haggard. He looked at Cao Cao and said, "Your Majesty loves you very much. You should be well aware of the arrangement for you to enter the Grand Sima's Mansion. Don't let Your Majesty down."

Cao Cao's heart was shocked, he quickly raised his hand, and said, "I don't dare!"

Lu Zhi didn't say much, coughed, took a document, handed it to Cao Cao, and said: "Forbidden Army camp, you can go there some time. Before you go, go to Hucao and ask for more money and food, otherwise you can't Based on prestige."

When Cao Cao saw that Lu Zhi was about to 'confess his funeral', his expression changed immediately, and he said, "Mr. Lu, you are prestigious all over the world, and everyone in the world admires you. Please take care, Mr. Lu."

Lu Zhi took a sip of tea, suppressed the itching in his throat, and said, "Let's talk about flattery after I die. Get familiar with government affairs first, and I'll take you to meet some people later."

Cao Cao looked at Lu Zhi's appearance, his heart was hardened, and he felt a little uncomfortable at the moment, and said, "Yes."

Lu Zhi didn't speak any more, and continued to flip through the official documents in front of him.

He just coughed from time to time, and then a small official brought a medicine bowl, and the small duty room was filled with the pungent smell of medicine.

Cao Cao was very grateful and worked more seriously.

When he arrived at the close value, Lu Zhi took him to meet the big and small officials of the Da Sima Mansion, and then went to meet Dian Wei, Zhang Yang and others.

In the evening, I held a banquet in person, and formally introduced some officials of Liucao and Jiuqing for Cao Cao in the mansion. The meaning of paving the way for Cao Cao was obvious.

(End of this chapter)