Wei Ni

Chapter 64
Da Sima Cao is really terminally ill, and the reason is the same as Cao Xiu's, because he is ashamed and angry.

I feel that my defeat has failed the last emperor's will and the trust of the current emperor, and it has damaged and humiliated Wei.

In other words, the disastrous defeat in the Battle of Shiting followed the Battle of Chibi in the past, and Cao Zhen's attack on Shu, except for the loss of thousands of soldiers and horses by the later generals Fei Yao and Guo Huai, was nothing more than the loss of some supplies, food and fodder and the increase of Li Shu. That's all for Laughing, since Wei's war background is not inexhaustible, and there is no criticism from the emperor down to the officials, why should he be ashamed?
However, things cannot just be seen on the surface.

From the point of view of Wei Guosheji, the negative impact of his failure to defeat Shu is much more serious than Cao Xiu's defeat of Shiting.

The reason is that he is the only surviving clan general of Wei State!
He is also the person who defends the clan and the face of Qiao Pei Yuanxun. He needs to take on the important task of nurturing the clan's descendants, so that the unfavorable situation of the Wei clan's generals having no successors can be successfully overcome.

But he insisted on going his own way, so that everything was irreparable.

Yes, it's irreversible.

Soldiers can be recruited again if they are lost, food and supplies can be accumulated again if they are lost, and even lost counties can be regained one day, but it is difficult to recover the prestige of the clan after it has fallen!

It is very difficult to turn back the longing that grows on people's hearts.

In the future, when the emperor Cao Rui appoints the clan generals again, he will inevitably be questioned and dissuaded by the officials and officials.

Similarly, the indulgence that grows in the human heart, once it takes root and sprouts, it is difficult to remove it.

In the current situation where Shu and Wu are not ministers, the Gongsun family in Liaodong is domineering, and the northern Xinjiang Xianbei Kebi can sit big, there will be no shortage of wars in the future, and new military exploits will continue to be born.

These new nobles have prestige in the army, and seeing that the clan's generals are not succeeding, it is inevitable that they will be reborn.

In particular, how Wei Guo inherited the Mandate of Heaven on behalf of the Han, isn't it obvious to all the world?
Therefore, Cao Zhen couldn't forgive himself.

Infected by the wind and cold in the rain, and depressed in the chest, day after day, I finally made myself suffer until the oil was exhausted and the lights were dry.

However, when the emperor Cao Rui came to visit the mansion in person, at the last moment of his life, he suddenly let go of it for some reason.

Not only did he welcome death calmly, but he also did not forget to softly comfort Cao Rui, who was full of sadness, and encouraged him to remember the words of Emperor Wu Cao Cao, "I am based on you and the third generation", and to work hard to be a wise king and inherit the foundation of the Wei Kingdom. go down.

After hearing such words, the emperor Cao Rui became even more sad.

His feelings for Cao Zhen are very sincere.

The reason is that when he first succeeded to the throne, it was Cao Zhen who was in charge inside and outside the capital, allowing the old and new years to pass through in peace; over him.This also made Cao Rui not only regard Cao Zhen as a loyal minister, but also as a real uncle who can be relied on.

Of course, sentimentality is sentimental, he is also a king after all, and he knows that Cao Zhen doesn't have much time.

So after a while, he put away his sorrowful expression, waved away his attendants and Cao Shuang and others, and asked, "If Da Sima can't afford it, what will happen next?"

"Hehe. Cough! Cough!"

Upon hearing this, Cao Zhen, who was lying on the sickbed, suddenly laughed, but it also caused a cough for a while.

After swallowing the phlegm in his throat with difficulty, he said intermittently, "Your Majesty's question, the old minister knows what it means. Many of my sons and nephews are like people, but they are obedient. If you guard the capital and guard the palace or guard the The land of Shengping is also competent, but if the leader of the party competes with Shu and Wu for hegemony, it will be really hard to do! The rest of the clan's children or heroes are also hard to come by, they are just equal to each other. Hmm."

At this point, he made an end note for his thoughts before continuing.

"If your majesty decides to promote a successor, the old minister secretly thinks that the two can decide. One is Qin Yuanming. Although he is not bold, he is better than being cautious and silent. If he is the supervisor in the future, although it will be difficult. I hope to have great achievements in defeating the enemy, but I can ensure that there are no major mistakes. The other is Xiahou Zhiquan. Although Zhiquan is still young, he can already consider the overall situation and plan major military affairs. It is really rare His majesty must be different in his talent, and he will not hesitate to promote him in the future, and the old minister and Zhiquan have met very little and know little about it, so the assertion about him is like in Tianyuanchi in the past, so I won't repeat it now."

Sure enough, only Asu and Zhiquan are available~
After listening to Cao Zhen's words, the emperor Cao Rui, who was vaguely expecting, sighed quietly, feeling even more worried.

He is really helpless.

During the period of Emperor Wu Cao Cao, the princes of Xia and Cao could both supervise the town, and during the period of Emperor Wen Cao Pi also had the "three sons town side", and after a few years after he succeeded to the throne, there was no one available!

Especially when Cao Zhen just talked about his most important Xia Houhui, he still insisted on his previous views, just thinking that Xia Houhui might grow into a talent of the governor, not conclusively speaking.

"Zhenquan has the ability to plan military battles, and he does not hesitate to protect his reputation for the benefit of the country. Why can Da Simafu assert evil?"

After thinking about it, Cao Rui still couldn't hold back and asked out his doubts.

When Cao Zhen heard this, he returned concisely without thinking, "Returning to Your Majesty is because of this son's strong nature."

Uh, that's it.

Cao Rui showed a dazed expression, nodded his head again and again, then groaned with his beard.

After Cao Zhen said this, he suddenly discovered that Xia Houhui's temperament was very similar to that of his father Xia Houyuan.

Xia Houyuan has a lot of generals, but he is fierce and fierce, and he is brave and fearless when supervising soldiers in battle. He often drives hundreds of miles to fight for profits. "The words warned.

Indeed, Xia Houyuan's merits in his life outweighed his demerits.

But the loss of Hanzhong County in the final battle left Wei Guoyongliang with no peace ever since.

Because Hanzhong County is a place of victory, it is a turning point in the war between Wei and Shu. If there is no Hanzhong County in Shu, there will never be a day to leave Bashu;

And Cao Zhen dare not say what will happen to Xia Houhui now, it is based on this.

He was worried that Xia Houhui would follow in the footsteps of his father Xia Houyuan in the future, and would lose his life on the battlefield and lose Hanzhong County.

And judging from the strategic defensive layout of the Wei State today, only Xiangfan Second City, Shouchun City, and Tianshui County can be compared with similar "followers", which is also an unbearable burden for the Wei State!

Ugh.
There are only two available people, but both have disadvantages.

If Qin Lang is used as the governor in the future, there will be no mistakes, but it will be useless, only calm; and if Xiahou Huihaosheng is cultivated and promoted as the governor, he will definitely have the power to suppress Shu and Wu, but it may also bring benefits to Sheji. Greater than.

It's hard to have both.

With such thoughts in mind, Cao Rui suddenly felt that the smell of medicine in the room was a bit pungent.

After getting up and going to the copper incense burner to light the Longyan Incense, so that the faint fragrance permeated the room, he returned to the bed and sat down to continue asking, "What does Da Sima think of Xiahou Junlin?"

Xiahou Junlin is Xiahou Ru, Xiahou Shang's younger brother, and now he is also serving in Yongliang, living in the Shu army.

After hearing this question, Cao Zhen was silent for a long time, and then replied with regret, "Your Majesty, Junlin is no longer as vigorous as he was in his early years, and he is very old-fashioned. It is better than Qin Yuanming not to seek meritorious deeds but to seek no faults."

It also made Cao Rui silent again.

Because when Xia Houru first joined the army in his early years, he was high-spirited and daring.

But because he was placed in Cao Zhang's army by Emperor Wu Cao Cao, and influenced by Wei Duoyi, he was also idled by Emperor Wen Cao Pi for a while, and he didn't join the army again until Cao Zhang's sudden death.

Having had such an experience, he was always terrified and wished for nothing to go wrong.

And the reason why Cao Zhen didn't mention him was that he didn't want to bring up the old things again, so as to make an excuse that Emperor Wen Cao Pi was not.

After all, even Xia Houmao, who had never supervised troops in battle, was able to guard Chang'an. How could Xiahou Ru, who followed Cao Zhang in Daijun in his early years, be unknown!

Even if his talent is not as good as Xia Houshang, he is still a person who is slightly competent!

It's just that the emperor Cao Rui plans to reuse him now.

Needless to say, the reason is that no one can use him now.

The other is one emperor and one courtier.

The things of the previous generation should pass away with the passing of the previous generation.

In his generation, the name cannot be changed long ago, and Xia Houru's reuse will not cause any turmoil.

"If I take Xiahou Junlin as the superintendent, Gao Di will be honored and respected."

After pondering for a long time, Cao Rui asked softly, "So, does Da Sima think that he can regain his former spirit and become the mainstay of the society?"

"Not in Yongliang."

Cao Zhen's answer was still concise and concise, "The rest may improve."

Just getting better?
Instead of working hard to win the name of life and death for the country?

Frowning slightly, Cao Rui showed a slight displeasure on his face.

"Frozen three feet is not a day's cold."

With eyes half drooping, Cao Zhen, who was trying to keep his spirit up, seemed to be aware of it, and added intermittently, "Your Majesty, Xiahou Junlin has been unsuccessful for nearly 20 years."

Ugh.
Involuntarily, Cao Rui let out another long sigh.

It should be that he didn't need to maintain the majesty of the monarch when playing the duet with Cao Zhen, and he sighed a lot today.

But soon, he cheered up again.

When he returned to Luoyang from Xuchang Palace last year, he also ordered General Sima Yi to open ditches and promote water conservancy and farming.

Therefore, if Xia Houru is transferred to Jingxiang as the governor, he should be competent.

At least he can survive the few years when the clan's generals are inactive, so that the backward ones have time to grow up.

"It's not a day's cold, Da Sima has great insight."

Gently nodding his head, Cao Rui, the decisive emperor, praised him, and asked again, "Shu Changxing's soldiers invaded the country, and Da Sima fell ill. How can Yongliang deal with it?"

"The folk customs in Yongliang are tough, and the soldiers are rebellious."

It must have been thoughtful, Cao Rui's question came to an end, and Cao Zhen answered immediately, "Zhang Junyi can be a mighty army, Sima Zhongda can calm the people. However, Your Majesty, Sima Zhongda is not my clan in the Wei Kingdom, but Zhang Junyi is The mainstay of the society, the two work together, and the result may be unknown."

The answer seemed to be vague, but it also clearly explained the pros and cons.

That is, Zhang He has been in the army for a long time, and he is one of the few people who has been praised as a good general since the time of Emperor Wu. He has great prestige in the army and can restrain the proud soldiers of Yongliang's various tribes.

But Cao Zhen did not recommend him to succeed Yongliang governor.

Because guarding Yongliang, where Qiang and Hu live together, the duty of the governor is not just about military warfare.

And Sima Yi was old enough to seek the country and was able to handle the conflicts between the counties and the Qiang and Hu tribes. However, he did not have much military exploits in his early years, and he did not have the status of a clan or Qiaopei hero, so it was difficult to suppress the generals of the Yongliang tribes.

However, his status as Minister of Gu Ming is enough to leave the town of Yongliang.

But when he gets along with Zhang Yun and other generals, whether he can get along harmoniously and work together as one is unknown.

In this regard, Cao Zhen dare not and cannot assert.

The emperor Cao Rui couldn't force it.

For some things, everyone just takes one step at a time, and there is no ability to predict.

Therefore, when he saw that Cao Zhen's face was already pale and it was difficult for him to continue talking, he had the heart to go back.

It's time to go back.

Now that I have seen Cao Zhen, I have asked all the things I want to ask. No matter how unwilling he is, he has to accept the reality after all. It is time to go back and wait for the obituary to come, and to plan ahead
"The Great Sima rests in peace of mind, I am not virtuous, and I hope that the Great Sima can return to govern Yongliang."

After hesitating for a moment, he said the words of leaving, but Cao Zhen interrupted him before he finished speaking.

I saw Cao Zhen lying on the sickbed half-closed, struggling to sit up, and said in a somewhat urgent voice, "Your Majesty, I still have nothing to say."

Cao Rui, who had just gotten up, hurriedly strode forward to push him to continue lying on the couch, with a serious tone, "Mo Da Sima got up, I'm not in a hurry to go back, I have something to say slowly."

"only."

Cao Zhen, who was unable to salute as he wished, could only bow his head in greeting, and said softly, "Your Majesty, since the defeat of Shu, I have been depressed. Although your Majesty and the ministers of the temple all said that the defeat was due to the timing, but the old minister knows that this is the reason. I can't let go of my sin of going my own way. There are not many days now, and when I am about to go to Jiuyou, I am even more frightened. I have no face to see Emperor Wu and Emperor Wen. Cough! Cough cough"

Having said this, he became a little emotional and coughed repeatedly.

It also moved Cao Rui again, and with a miserable face, he patted the back of Cao Zhen's hand lightly, and said in a slow voice, "Da Sima doesn't need to blame himself, this is because I didn't understand my decision, and it's not Da Sima's fault; Emperor Wen's spirit in heaven also thinks so."

"Cough cough."

Cao Zhen, who finally stopped coughing, shook his head first, and then smiled, "It's over, Your Majesty doesn't need to comfort the old minister, and the old minister is relieved now. I have nothing to do on the sick bed recently, and I often think about how the country will be safe in the future." Gu, there is something by chance. It is because His Majesty picked up the evils accumulated in the farmland and intends to promote the reform of the scholars, and the defeat of the veterans may become an opportunity."

opportunity?

What is the opportunity?
This time Cao Rui was at a loss.

He was completely unable to penetrate Cao Zhen's wit.

Besides, when a person is about to die, his words are also good. He just thought that Cao Zhen's words to stay behind him were just to plead guilty with his own mouth. How could he expect that he would also mention the affairs of the country?

"Your Majesty, the so-called mid-sun is bad, and the full moon is bad."

And Cao Zhen continued without waiting for him to ask a question, "The defeat of the old minister and the decline of the clan's prestige may not be a bad thing for Sheji."

(End of this chapter)