Wei Ni

Facing the emperor's private summons, Chen Jiao, the servant, was not surprised at all.

He originally felt that it was very strange that he had just participated in the discussion of Chonghua's apse.

Because whether it was due to military strategic considerations or the decision-making of selecting candidates, the emperor should not have sought him out in the first place!
Moreover, the emperor also knew that although there were many veterans of Wei who were older than him, he was the weaker one. In this snowy winter and spring season, with the emperor's kindness to his old ministers, he would not be bothered by him for nothing.

However, the attack on Liaodong has been decided, and there seems to be nothing going on in the temple recently?

If you summon me here privately, what will happen?

With doubts, Chen Jiao followed the attendant slowly.

After turning around the back hall of Chonghua, I saw Emperor Cao Rui waiting in the corridor from a distance, so I quickly walked over and saluted, "Old minister, I pay my respects to Your Majesty."

"Chen Qing, there is no need to bow."

He stretched out his hand to support her, and Emperor Cao Rui did not hide it, but said with a smile, "Chen Qing, I want to keep you here because I want you to patrol Youzhou with integrity after the spring warms up, so as to build up your momentum for Wu Qiu Zhonggong."

To build momentum for Guanqiu Jian?

Chen Jiao understood it as soon as he heard it.

The emperor was worried that Guanqiu Jian would not be able to suppress the arrogant and powerful generals in Youzhou and delay the expedition to Liaodong.

After all, Guanqiu Jian had little military experience.

Moreover, even when Sima Yi was supervising the battle against Yongliang, he had "fear Shu like a tiger" and "please fight from thousands of miles away".

Although the Youzhou soldiers are not as arrogant as the Yongliang tribes, Guanqiu Jian does not have the aura of the late emperor's minister who cares about his life like Sima Yi~
But if I pass
Chen Jiao raised his head in surprise and asked softly, "Your Majesty, if I go to Youzhou, wouldn't it ruin your Majesty's plan?"

Ruined my plan?
Do I have any plans for Youzhou?

Hearing this, Cao Rui was slightly startled and responded in silence for a moment.

But after a while, he realized what Chen Jiao was referring to - Chen Jiao thought that he asked Guanqiu Jian, who had little military experience, and Xia Houhui, who was very young, to attack Liaodong in order to make Su Lai The unruly Gongsun Yuan was arrogant and had the heart to underestimate the enemy.

After all, resume and merit are the most important thing in the military.

It would be difficult for Guanqiu Jian, who had no achievements, to defeat the generals of Youzhou. As for Xia Houhui, who had very little qualifications and had never supervised tens of thousands of people, people would think that he was a favorite who only relied on his status to gain the throne.

Didn’t you see, in the past, Cao Xiu had been an official and a military officer for decades, but during the Battle of Shiting, he was still despised by Wu general Zhu Huan for saying, "Xiu is appointed as a relative, so he is not a wise and brave general"?

In this way, it is not surprising that Chen Jiao mistakenly thought that he was carrying out a "proud military strategy" against Liaodong.

It is precisely because of this that if Chen Jiaozhi went to Youzhou to inspect and helped Guanqiu Jian suppress the group of arrogant soldiers and everyone was convinced, this plan would have been largely ruined.

However, Cao Rui really didn't expect this level.

It's not that he is unwise, but that he doesn't bother to use arrogant tactics against Liaodong Gongsun.

In his eyes, Liaodong is nothing more than a remote place.

The reason why it has been able to survive until now is that the Wei State has no time to take care of both, and feels that whether it is destroyed or not is irrelevant to the overall situation.

"Um"

Cao Rui responded with a slight nasal sound, and nodded, "What Chen Qing said is absolutely true."

After exposing this plan in his mind, he suddenly asked, "Your eldest son has been an official for many years. His reputation is very good and he has the reputation of being able to make his subordinates fulfill their responsibilities. Do you think he can advise Xiahou Zhiquan?"

Well.
This time it was Chen Jiao's turn to remain silent.

He understood what Cao Rui meant, but he really didn't want his eldest son to be involved in the power struggle between the Xia lords Cao~
But he also knew that this was a reflection of the emperor's regard for him.

Especially after the flashy case, Emperor Cao Rui had some disdain for all the ministers, ministers and heirs.

"Your Majesty, the dog has a dull temperament and advocates inaction. He may be embarrassed by your Majesty's entrustment."

After being silent for a long time, Chen Jiao finally confessed, "Furthermore, Your Majesty, Quan Zi has always been on good terms with Xiahou Taichu, regardless of whether Xiahou Taichu was deposed or imprisoned."

Yes!

Suddenly, Cao Rui was enlightened.

He suddenly remembered an interesting conversation that had happened in the bustling Luoyang market.

It is said that Xia Houxuan has always had a bad impression of Chen Qian and felt that he was scheming and not very cheerful. Once, when Xia Houxuan was a guest at Chen's house and had a banquet with Chen Ben, Chen Qian suddenly returned, and he actually left him He left the table and went back directly with the words "can be the same, but cannot be mixed".

Xia Houxuan was close to Cao Shuang, but Chen Ben was friendly with him, so he was a bit unsuitable to work with Xia Houhui.

However, Chen Ben couldn't do it, but Chen Qian, who is now Shangshu Lang, should be able to do it, right?
Thinking of this, Cao Rui nodded with a smile, "Well, let's give it up. I won't embarrass Chen Qing."

It also made Chen Jiao feel relieved.

Just as he was about to express his gratitude, he received another question from Emperor Cao Rui, "By the way, I seem to remember that your second son was a guest at Zhiquan's wedding. Is this true?"

Chen Jiao opened his mouth. Although he was reluctant in his heart, he finally nodded resignedly. "Your Majesty, this is indeed the case."

"Very good. There's nothing to do here. It's cold. Chen Qing, please go home."

"only."

Ganoderma lucidum pond, pavilion road fishing platform.

Emperor Cao Rui strode over, waving all his attendants to stay outside, and shook off the snowflakes on his body before stepping in.

Guanqiu Jian, who had been waiting for him for a long time, quickly stood up and came to greet him.

Just as he was about to salute, Cao Rui stretched out his hand to stop him, "There is no one else here, Zhong Gong doesn't need to be restrained." After sitting down, Cao Rui said as usual, "I just chatted with Chen Shizhong for a while, so I came a little late, Zhong Gong." Are you anxious about waiting?"

"How dare I have such thoughts?"

Guanqiu Jian came over and sat sideways with a smile on his face. He consciously took the wine spoon and scooped the warm wine for Cao Rui. "Your Majesty is busy with many things, but you still take the time to sit with me. Your kindness and honor are nothing to add."

"Haha~"

With a chuckle, Cao Rui picked up the wine cup and sipped the drink slowly. After his body had warmed up a bit, he said leisurely, "I think back on those days when I was still living in the East Palace. Whenever it was snowy and cold, Zhong Gong would do the same with me. Sitting, cooking wine and talking, I think it’s fun. There are so many things going on in the country today, and Zhong Gong is out, so it’s hard to find leisure time.”

It was just a sigh, and he continued without waiting for Guanqiu Jian's reply, "I was talking to Chen Qing just now. I wanted him to go to Youzhou with Zhong Gong to build up momentum for Zhong Gong. But then I thought about it, This move may damage Zhong Gong's prestige, and since Zhong Gong is not lacking in talent, he will definitely be able to handle it properly, so we let it go."

He also asked Guanqiu Jian to quickly sit up straight and kneel down, and bowed to the ground, "Your Majesty loves and protects Zhilong. I can't express it in words, but..."

"OK OK."

But before he finished speaking, he was pulled up by Cao Rui, "You and I have known each other for many years, so there is no need to be so different. Zhong Gong, the former governor of Youzhou, although he was greedy for power and had some conspiracy to ignite the transfer of the land, he could still control the state and the county. Jing'an, the late emperor also praised the "heroes with courage, intelligence, skills, civil and military postures". After Zhong Gong went to Youzhou, he should not make major changes to the old system and cause trouble to the place. "

At this point, Cao Rui paused and added, "Well, I also need to take Bi Zhaoxian as a warning and don't let me get trapped!"

"only."

Guanqiu Jian nodded solemnly and said generously, "Your Majesty, please be at ease. I will no longer hope for you."

"Zhong Gong has always been diligent and powerful, so I have no worries."

Lifting up his wine cup and drinking with Guanqiu Jian, Cao Rui continued to remind him, "Zhong Gong, a scholar, became an official. Although he held many positions at home and abroad, he rarely served in the army and was rarely in the army, so he was suspected by the officials in the temple. , But don’t underestimate yourself. When I appointed Zhong Gong to take charge of Youzhou to attack Liaodong Gongsun, I didn’t stop at respecting old friends, but I knew that Zhong Gong was qualified for the job!”

"Wei. I keep this in mind and don't dare to take it lightly."

"After Zhong Gong goes to Youzhou, if there is anything difficult to resolve, please let me know and I will resolve it for you."

"Wei. I thank your Majesty for your love and care."

A conversation between the monarch and his ministers revealed a deep and profound love between the two parties.

When it was getting dark and it was almost time for Guan Qiu Jian to say goodbye, Cao Rui drooped his eyelids, sipped his drink slowly for a long time, and finally gave another warning.

"If the war against Gongsun's traitors goes smoothly, Zhong Gong will have meritorious service, and the ministers in the court will no longer take him lightly. In the future, I will return Zhong Gong to Jingzhou, or transfer him to Yongzhou and Yangzhou to supervise the military affairs. It will be a matter of course. I will return to the old palace in the east palace. Only Zhonggong is the most virtuous, and I regard you as my heart, and you should encourage me! Don’t let me lose my expectations by arguing about the length of time.”

"only!"

This time, Guanqiu Jian paid homage again and made a promise: "I, the governor of Youzhou, Shi Jian, will remember your majesty's instructions! I will go to Youzhou and assemble the army to fight against the traitors of Buchen Gongsun and Sun Quan. I will definitely not compete with Xia Hou Zhiquan for power." I will definitely live up to your majesty’s promotion!”

"Yes. It's getting late, so Zhong Gong should go back."

"Wei. I'm resigning."

To the west of Luoyang City, there is the Bochangtinghou Mansion.

Xia Houhui, who was covered in fine snow, returned to the mansion. He waved his hand to decline Zhang Li's offer to pat him in the snow, and walked slowly to the study.

There is already a lot more life in the mansion now.

Uncle Sun selected more than ten hard-working men and women from the households of the tenant farmers in Yangquwu Fort to serve as servants and do chores. More than thirty young men from Qiaojun also arrived, plus more than ten Lu family members. Tufu, the nursing staff led by Zhang Li, and the maidservants serving Wang Yuanji, totaled nearly 80 people scattered here and there, which allowed the Tinghou Mansion to initially reach the scale it should have.

Everyone's responsibilities have also been roughly divided.

Sun Lou is still in charge of the family and is in charge of all expenses; Zhang Li's responsibility of guarding the mansion remains unchanged.

Lu Fan became his military governor and led forty selected people to practice martial arts day and night; Wei Shu studied hard at various schools of thought and helped Ding Mi with some paperwork in his spare time.

Originally, he wanted Wei Shu and Lu Fan to have the same responsibilities.

But after spending time together, he discovered that Lu Fan was fond of martial arts and could not tolerate writing documents, and Wei Shubo was not expert. Doubting himself as to whether he was "pleasing the seedlings to encourage growth", he allowed Lu and Wei to go as they pleased.

"Zhiquan is back, come sit down."

When Xia Houhui walked into the study, Ding Mi, who had been there for a long time, greeted him like a host, "I went out for a banquet today, and I met Wu Ying along the way. He seemed to be waiting for me specially to let me spread the word with Zhiquan." (End of chapter)