Han family achievements

Chapter 500 Jigsaw Puzzle
"Cao Qing's family defeated Wuhuan in one battle!"

Liu Bian's voice echoed in Jiade Hall, attracting everyone's attention again.

He looked at Cao Cao with fondness on his face, and his smile was even more friendly, and he said: "Everyone, please tell me, how should I reward him highly?"

Many of the courtiers had dark expressions and held their breath.

Regarding Xiahou Dun, Xia Houyuan and other Cao Cao's generals, the rewards have been decided, but Cao Cao has been arguing.

Xun You straightened up fiercely, raised his hand and said: "Your Majesty, I think that General Fenwu pacified Wuhuan in one battle and restored Youzhou to Ning. I have done a great job. Please make me a marquis!"

When the officials present saw what Xun You said, they had no objection.

'Thousands of miles in search of a title' is indeed what a military general longs for in his life, and it was once the belief of countless Han people.

But at Cao Cao's level, being granted a title is no longer important.

'Marquis' seems to be noble, but for ordinary people, it is as difficult as climbing to the sky, but for Cao Cao, it is easy.

The courtiers didn't care about Cao Cao's appointment as a prince, it was just an honor. What really worried them was what official Cao Cao would grant!

Seeing that no one else was speaking, Liu Bian couldn't help but smile and said, "Is it only the Xunqing family that speaks? What do the other Qing families think?"

The ministers just bowed and said nothing.

In their view, Cao Cao could never hold power again. But they couldn't say this.

Liu Bian waited for a while, but when he saw that no one said anything, he narrowed his eyes slightly and said in a pretentious tone: "In that case, the Cao family has committed a serious crime before. The merits and demerits are equal to each other, and the Cao family is pardoned. The Cao Qing family will neither grant nor reward. ,how?"

"Your Majesty, your Majesty!" The courtiers bowed down in unison.

They agreed with Liu Bian's words. As long as Cao Cao was not rewarded, he would be pardoned by the Cao family. Anyway, the family had been confiscated.

But Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Le Jin, Cao Ang, and even Lu Bu and Sun Ce all had strange expressions on their faces, unable to hide their unwillingness and anger.

Destroying Wuhuan and pacifying Youzhou, such a great contribution, why don't you say you won't reward it?

"His Majesty!"

Cao Hong couldn't bear it anymore. After the courtiers "His Majesty the Holy Ming" left, he stood up and walked out of the queue. He said solemnly to Liu Bian: "Your Majesty, I do not obey!"

This sudden action surprised everyone, including Cao Cao.

Liu Bian snorted, raised his head, looked at Cao Hong, and said, "Are you Cao Hong? Why don't you accept it?"

"shut up!"

Cao Cao shouted low, stood up and knelt in front of Cao Hong, kowtowed to the ground, and said: "Your Majesty, Cao Hong has been in the army for a long time. He is an illiterate warrior who does not understand the rules of the court. He bumped into your Majesty. Please remember him." Ignorance, forgive him.”

Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan and others all lowered their heads and looked at Cao Cao and Cao Hong from the corner of their eyes.

None of them expected that Cao Hong would suddenly jump out to complain for Cao Cao.

Liu Bian's expression remained unchanged, his smile was as usual, and he said: "Don't the Qing family understand my temper? Cao Hong, if you have any grievances, just say it directly."

Cao Hong was impulsive and regretted it very much, but he also knew that regret was useless. He bit the bullet and said loudly: "Your Majesty, General Cao has made countless achievements in the north and south. He is unparalleled in today's Han Dynasty. Why does he even have a title of marquis?" No? I also heard that the imperial court wants to send General Cao back to his hometown and will no longer use him! The imperial court treats a meritorious official like this, which makes people feel cold. If this continues, who in the world will dare to serve the imperial court? "

Liu Bian was startled and couldn't answer Cao Hong for a while.

What Cao Hong said sounded nice, but if it had been anyone else, it would have been the court's "mean and unkind" and "killing the donkey".

The fundamental reason for Cao Cao's ups and downs was that he acted wantonly and did not follow the rules.

But it can't be said in public. After all, Cao Cao's achievements are second to none among today's Han Dynasty, and he was basically the one who put down the chaos. Such a figure really shouldn't be so "humble".

The courtiers were also whispering to each other.

What Cao Hong said makes sense.

But what they discussed was not this 'principle', but how to deal with the aftermath and how to arrange Cao Cao's affairs.

If we really want to drive Cao Cao back, then what Cao Hong said is that the court is "mean and unkind" and "killing the donkey".

Xun You stood up again, raised his hands, and said loudly: "Your Majesty, regarding the reward for General Cao, the Shangshutai has already made a preliminary decision, that is, the official will be restored to his original position, sit in the Grand Sima Mansion, and continue to perform normal duties."

Liu Bian looked at Xun You, thinking about his words.

Xun You's meaning is very simple. Cao Cao will be reinstated and continue to implement the "separation of military and political affairs", but he can only sit in the Grand Sima Mansion and not leave Luoyang.

In essence, Cao Cao still needs to be kept idle.

The other courtiers stopped talking, and their peripheral vision quietly fell on Liu Bian. In their opinion, this is a good idea.

Liu Bian had a panoramic view of everyone's expressions and looked as normal as he said, "Cao Hong, do you think you are satisfied with this arrangement?"

Cao Hong knocked his head on the ground, his big face condensed like iron, as red as green. He hesitated for a while and said: "I am satisfied." Cao Cao knelt in front of him, looking at the ground with his narrow eyes, extremely calm, or in other words, extremely calm. .

He didn't panic at all. Whether Cao Hong suddenly jumped out to cry out for him or Xun You repeatedly spoke, it was not his arrangement.

He doesn't need to arrange it.

The courtiers nodded to each other and recognized this 'reward' for Cao Cao.

Cao Cao was so capable that during the southern and northern campaigns, he had many powerful generals under his command, and the amount of troops he controlled at the local level was unfathomable.

Put him under "house arrest" in Luoyang and hang out, everyone will feel at ease.

"I'm not satisfied."

Amid the acquiescence, Liu Bian's voice sounded faintly and he said: "Cao Qing's family has made great contributions to the court many times, so we can no longer be aggrieved. We will be granted the title of Marquis of Qiao and promoted to the rank of Grand Sima. They will be in charge of the affairs of the Grand Sima's government and have a thousand households in the city."

After the words fell, the whole hall fell silent.

Xun You sat up straight and raised his hand, wanting to object, but he didn't know how to say it when the words came to his lips.

Xun Yu, Zhong Yao, even Chen Lin, Chen Gong, Huangfu Jianshou and others all hesitated to speak.

This reward is too heavy. Given time, Cao Cao will definitely be able to threaten Guo Zuo!
Cao Cao glanced out of the corner of his eye and blocked some people who wanted to speak back.

For example, Kong Rong, facing Liu Bian's gaze, suddenly stiffened halfway up and sat back down slowly.

"Cao Cao, you still don't want to thank me?" Pan Yin stood on Danbi, looking down at Cao Cao, with a sharp voice with a hint of displeasure.

Cao Cao had expected it a long time ago. When he set out for Youzhou, he guessed it in Yanzhou. He laughed about it and confused everyone.

But when things really happened, he couldn't help but get excited. His face twitched repeatedly, he kowtowed heavily, and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, Cao Cao, accept the decree and thank you!"

"Be flat."

Liu Bian said with a smile: "This matter has been decided like this. As for the rewards for other generals, the Shangshutai has already decided. The Cao Qing family will take over the new posts. After reviewing them, they will be issued by decree."

"I'll thank you, Your Majesty." Cao Cao once again led a group of generals to kneel down to express their gratitude.

Liu Bian stood up with a smile, pulled Liu Shao over, and said, "That's it for today. We'll postpone other matters for now. The Prime Minister and Grand Sima are coming with me."

"I am waiting for you to receive the decree." The courtiers saluted in unison.

Liu Bian pulled Liu Shao out of the side door and waited for a while before Xun Yu and Cao Cao followed.

Waving his hand, Liu Bian motioned for him not to be polite, and slowly walked towards Chongde Hall. He smiled and said to Cao Cao, "Cao Qing's family, are you satisfied with this reward?"

Cao Cao was neither happy nor sad in his heart, but he was very grateful on his face. He said respectfully: "I... am flattered. The emperor's kindness is so great. Cao Cao will remember it for five years."

Liu Bian smiled and said: "Then let's stop talking. You are really majestic in this battle. The Sanqiang people are a little scared. They keep sending people to the capital with heavy gifts and giving them to the court ministers one by one. What do you think about this?" What do you think?"

Cao Cao thought for a moment and said: "Your Majesty, I believe that Sanqiang and Wuhuan are very different. It will not be easy to fight them. We must find another good opportunity."

Liu Bian looked back at him with a smile and said, "You are in agreement with the Prime Minister. This is what I meant. However, it is better to knock Xiahou Dun and Lu Bu to Hanzhong."

Cao Cao paused and immediately said: "I understand."

"There is also the matter of 'separation of military and political affairs',"

Liu Bian stopped, looked in the direction of Xuzhou, and said: "The party in charge also holds military power. Those who still know how to serve the people are in trouble; those who are ambitious are magnificent. We must check and balance them and remove military power. That's the key."

In the past, Liu Bian was afraid of those state pastors, county guards, and even county magistrates who held military power. But today, Liu Bian is no longer afraid, and is more concerned about the long-term stability of the "New Deal".

"I understand." Cao Cao responded. He is already the new Chief Sima, the third Chief Sima since Huangfu Song, Liu Yu, and Liu Bian succeeded to the throne.

Liu Bian pulled Liu Shao up the steps of Chongde Hall, turned around and said to Cao Cao: "To deal with the banditry everywhere, Yuan Shao, Jiaozhi, Jingzhou, Yizhou, Sanqiang, etc., we must come up with general strategies. Let's take it step by step. , solve it step by step, don’t be hasty, and don’t be too indulgent. We should not leave it to future generations.”

"I understand." Cao Cao said solemnly.

Liu Bian hummed, came to the eaves, turned around, and Xun Yu, Cao Cao smiled and said: "Prime Minister, the chief ministers are all in place. It's time to push hard for those things that have been ups and downs."

Cao Cao didn't move or squint.

Xun Yu knew that these words were meant for him, so he pondered for a moment, raised his hand and said, "I accept the order!"

From the corner of his eye, Liu Bian glanced at Liu Shao, who was sweating on his head and seemed to be drowsy. He pulled him to his legs and said: "There will be a big exam in five days. This is a big event. You must be careful and don't make any mistakes." . The appointment of a queen is scheduled for mid-October. There is still some time. The court must deal with those people who are coming from all over the country. Take the opportunity to have a good talk. If you can, keep them. If you can't, let them go decisively. Let’s go, don’t delay things…”

"I accept the decree." Xun Yu had a solemn look in his eyes.

Cao Cao is qualified to serve as the Grand Sima, and he can "establish a queen and a prince". The last two pieces of the puzzle of the imperial court have been completed. In other words, the imperial court has accumulated enough strength.

A bright, sharp arrow has been fully drawn and is about to be launched!

(End of this chapter)