Ji Han Da Sima

Chapter 354: How dare a shoemaker and shoemaker become king?

AD 213, the eighteenth year of Jian'an, November th. Liu Bei proclaimed himself king and spread the news throughout the world. Half a month later, it reached Chang'an.

In the hall, Cao Cao read the battle report, with a happy look on his face, and said with a smile: "Wen Lie and Zi Dan, beheaded generals and defeated the enemy, spread their grace to the west of the Hexi River, and have the style of riding horses to open up borders. They are indeed my Cao family's thousand-mile horses!"

With that said, Cao Cao put down the battle report and said with emotion: "I have a successor to the Cao family!"

After Cao Cao adopted Sun Quan's suggestion and led his army into Guanzhong, he ordered Zhang He, Cao Xiu, Yan Xing and other generals to send troops out of the northwest and collect the four counties in Hexi; he ordered Xu Huang, Cao Zhen, Hao Zhao and other generals to move out of Shuofang and level the three counties of Shuofang. .

Yan Xing and Su Ze led their troops into Xiping, defeated Qu Yan who occupied Xiping, and pacified Xiping County.

The three counties of Wuwei Yanjun, Zhangye Heluan, and Jiuquan Huanghua appointed themselves generals and attacked each other, leaving the people in dire straits. Yan Jun was defeated and asked Cao Cao for help. He sent an envoy to Chang'an with his mother and son as hostages.

Cao Cao ordered Zhang He to be the commander and Cao Xiu to be the vanguard to lead the attack. Cao Xiu led his cavalry to attack, first defeated Heluan, then joined forces with Zhang He to kill Yan Jun, and defeated Wuwei and Zhangye counties.

He Luan was defeated and went to Hexi, and gathered tens of thousands of Han and Hu rebels from Lu Shuihu, Fengshang and other tribes to defeat Zhang He and Cao Xiu.

Zhang He's tent had few soldiers, but he judged that although the enemy soldiers were numerous, their hearts were not unified. Zhang He and Cao Xiu each led their cavalry into battle and defeated the Hu Luan forces. They beheaded more than 10,000 people and captured more than 50,000 people, more than 500,000 sheep, and 30,000 cattle. They achieved a complete victory.

The three counties of Xiping, Wuwei, and Zhangye were at peace, and Cao Cao appointed officials to govern them. At that time, Zhang He and Cao Xiu cleared the road between Guanzhong and the Western Regions. Cao Cao ordered them to garrison troops in Zhangye and set out in the next spring to capture Jiuquan and Dunhuang counties.

As for Shuofang, due to the invasion of the Xianbei people during the Eastern Han Dynasty and the inward migration of the Southern Huns, many counties such as Shangjun, Xihe, Shuofang, and Wuyuan were plundered. There were few Han people living there and most of them were Qiang and Di barbarians.

Xu Huang, Cao Zhen, and Hao Zhao advanced to attack. Cao Zhen beheaded the Qiang heads at Sibian and pacified Xihe County. Cao Cao moved the left half of the five Xiongnu tribes to Xihe County for the purpose of enriching the border control. He also ordered people to take in the old people from Shuofang counties and resettle them in Xinxing County.

After this, Cao Cao restored Xihe County and added Xinxing County.

Sun Quan smashed the brazier in the hall and said with a smile: "Congratulations to Duke Wei for restoring the five counties of Han Dynasty. It is estimated that the people of the five counties are at least more than 100,000. At that time, the number of Han and Qiang people who moved to Longnan was more than 200,000. So. Your merits will be worthy of Duke Wei’s trip to Guandong."

After a pause, Sun Quan put down the iron tongs and said, "Wen Lie and Zi Dan are brave and resourceful. With practice, they will surely be able to sit on one side, command the armies, and share the worries of Wei Gong!"

Cao Cao stroked his beard and said with a smile: "How easy is it to sit in charge of one side? Since the death of Zihe, the Hubao Cavalry has been led by Gu. Now when the two sons win and return, the Hubao Cavalry can choose one person to lead it. This will solve Gu's worries. .”

"To open up the old land, drive out the barbarians, promote the power of our army, and subsidize the people, this is what I want in this life!"

When Cao Cao saw Sun Quan serving tea to him, he pretended to be displeased and said, "This is a matter for my attendants. Why would Zhong Mou do it himself?"

Sun Quan served the tea and said with a smile: "Wei Gong's affairs are neither internal nor external, nor high or low."

Cao Cao was holding hot tea and sighed: "If Zhongmou hadn't persuaded me to move to the west of Pinghe River and north of Anshuo, I'm afraid there would be a lot of criticism in the court now, talking about right and wrong."

Sun Quan sat on the side table and followed Cao Cao's words and said: "Most of the ministers in the court can understand Wei Gong's painstaking efforts, but only a few villains ridicule him in private."

"Zhongmou is deeply lonely!"

Cao Cao sipped the hot tea, warmed his body, and said with a smile: "Zhongmou has a good plan. If you want to reward me, you can tell me."

Now Cao Cao lets Sun Quan decide on his own what rewards he wants, which shows how favored he is.

Sun Quan bowed his hands and said in a deep voice: "Quan has nothing to ask for. I only hope that Duke Wei will be in good health and that he will get his wish as soon as possible."

"What you wish for?"

Cao Cao raised the corners of his lips and asked, "Does Zhongmou know what I want?"

"I know it, but I dare not say it!" Sun Quan lowered his head and said.

"But it doesn't matter!" Cao Cao laughed.

Sun Quan kowtowed to Cao Cao and said: "Now that the Han Dynasty is declining, it is difficult to rule the world. Wei Gong has two-thirds of the world. I hope that the Duke of Wei will prosper and follow the old deeds of Yao and Shun, restore peace to the world, and make the people of the country feel at ease."

"No nonsense!"

Cao Cao's face changed dramatically and he scolded him: "How can I do such an unsubordinate thing when I support the Han Dynasty? From now on, Zhongmou should be careful about what he says and not speak to outsiders."

"promise!"

Sun Quan had a lot of disdain for Cao Cao in his heart. Xun Yu, the stone blocking the road, was dead. He wanted to go through the process as soon as possible. It was really boring to play Wang Mang's tricks. Nowadays, the division of the world into two is a certainty. Why don't you follow Wang Mang's example and become a public servant first, then become a king, and then become an emperor?

That's what he thought, but Sun Quan's expression was mostly one of respect, and he apologized and said, "Quan should keep this in mind."

After a while, Cao Pi walked quickly into the hall, holding information about Jingchu in his hand.

"Father, it's not good!"

Cao Pi looked nervous, took off his shoes and entered, saying: "Liu Bei surrendered Bashu and withdrew his troops back to Chu. In November, he proclaimed himself king in Wuhan and named his country Hanchang."

"asshole!"

Hearing this, Cao Cao became furious, threw the tea cup in his hand to the ground, and said: "Liu Bei, a man who weaves mats and sells shoes, dare to establish himself as the King of Hanchang?"

"Father!"

Cao Cao stood up and walked around the hall with an angry look on his face, saying: "Liu Bei is shameless and issued a proclamation, saying that he is alone and deceives the emperor, and he wants to be punished by heaven. Now he has established himself as a king and has no emperor. This is a generation without a king." "

Cao Cao was angry not that Liu Bei became king, but that Liu Bei became king earlier than him. In fact, after Cao Cao withdrew his troops from Hanzhong, he suspected that Liu Bei would go one step further and imitate him to declare himself duke first. However, Cao Cao really didn't expect that Liu Bei would be so bold, skipping the step of becoming a duke and directly proclaiming himself king.

"Father, now that Liu Bei is king, what should we do?" Cao Pi asked.

Cao Cao glared at Cao Pi and said angrily: "Liu Bei has already proclaimed himself king, what else can he do? Could you ask Liu Bei to withdraw his title as king?" "This~"

Seeing that Cao Pi was speechless, Cao Cao waved his hand and signaled Cao Pi to go out.

Cao Cao exhaled and said, "Zhongmou, what do you think?"

Sun Quan pondered for a while and then said: "I am reporting to Duke Wei that Quan believes that only by joining the throne of Wei can he confront Liu Bei. The unruly people in Xuchang City must be eliminated, otherwise there will be trouble in the future."

Cao Cao narrowed his eyes, revealing murderous intent, and said calmly: "Dong Zhao has a letter written by Empress Fu and her father Fu Wan. In the letter, Fu Wan's Yin knot Fu Wan wanted to take advantage of Gu Jinkou's defeat to launch an attack on Xuchang. Rebellion. The letter was captured by Gu Gu and is now in the hands of Dong Zhao."

At that time, Cao Cao forced Fu Wan to die, but did not take action against Queen Fu. Instead, he kept the letter for the appropriate opportunity. Now that several years have passed, that letter can come in handy.

Sun Quan understood this and kowtowed and said, "Please rest assured, King Wei. Quan will rush to Xuchang immediately to resolve this matter with Duke Dong."

"good!"

Cao Cao stroked his beard and said: "I will return to Xuchang next spring. Don't make any mistakes in Xuchang."

"promise!"

Sun Quan stood up and retreated, saying: "Quan will retreat first and will rush to Xuchang in the afternoon."

"It's cold today and there's lots of snow on the road. Zhongmou should be careful," Cao Cao said.

"Thank you, King Wei, for your concern!" Sun Quan replied movedly.

Sun Quan was too convenient for Cao Cao. Today, Cao Cao entrusts Sun Quan to handle all internal issues in Xuchang, as well as the matter of becoming king. Tomorrow spring, Cao Cao will return to Xuchang to proclaim himself king. This is the deadline for Sun Quan to complete his task.

Sun Quan left the inner hall and closed the door behind him.

Unexpectedly, Cao Pi did not leave and was waiting for Sun Quan not far away. Sun Quan understood this and went to see Cao Pi.

Cao Cao transferred to Chang'an, and Cao Pi set out from Yecheng in winter to visit Cao Cao and report to Cao Cao on the domestic situation.

"Young Master!" Sun Quan greeted him with his hands in hand.

"Zhongmou!"

Cao Pi took Sun Quan's arm and said, "It's cold, please get in the car with me to avoid the cold!"

"Thank you sir!"

Sun Quan and Cao Pi got into the car, and the car moved slowly.

Cao Pi sighed and asked, "Father, do you have any instructions?"

Sun Quan rubbed his palms together and said: "Now that Liu Bei has become king, Wei Gong will also become king of Wei in the near future. Now I order Quan to rush to Xuchang to deal with the matter with Dong Gong."

"good!"

Cao Pi lowered his voice and asked: "Since Wei Gong is going to become the king of Wei, does he have any suggestions for a candidate for the crown prince? I wonder what Wei Gong's attitude towards Cao Zhi is?"

Sun Quan smiled a few times and said: "The prince respects Duke Wei at home and is a minister in diplomacy. The position of prince must be occupied by the prince."

Cao Pi's eyes lit up and he asked: "I dare not forget to be filial to Duke Wei. But when it comes to befriending the minister, who should I befriend?"

Sun Quan thought for a long time and said: "Jia Gong is friendly and resourceful, and has won the trust of Wei Gong. If the young master can make friends with Jia Gong, his position as prince will be safe."

Cao Pi frowned slightly and said: "Jia Wenhe keeps to himself, has no personal relationships, marries men and women, and does not have high-ranking families. How should we make friends now?"

"It's easy!"

Sun Quan stroked his beard and said with a smile: "Jia Xu kept to himself behind closed doors. Most of the time he was not an old minister of Wei Gong, and he was afraid of being suspected by others. The young master came to visit and asked for advice, and Jia Xu did not dare to miss him. And although Jia Xu did not interact with outsiders, Make friends with him, but his children may be lured with money and wealth."

Most people in the world have weaknesses, and Jia Xu is no exception. If Jia Xu can't make friends, he can still achieve his goal by starting with his son and daughter. Once Jia Xu relents and makes suggestions for Cao Pi, with his character, he will do his best to help.

Sun Quangai may not have good military ability, but his methods, politics, and emotional intelligence are all at a very high level. It is really not difficult to guide Cao Pi in his fight for the crown prince position.

After many years of observation by Sun Quan, it can be said that he knows a thing or two about Jia Xu's character. Although the strategy is poisonous, it is enough as long as the person is trustworthy to the king.

Cao Pi held Sun Quan's hand and thanked him: "Thank you Zhongmou for your advice!"

"I don't dare, it's just a matter of power!" Sun Quan said modestly.

Cao Pi thought of something and said, "The Duke of Wei wanted to kill Yang Xiu, why did Zhong Mou offer to help him? Didn't he know that he was friendly to Cao Zhi?"

Sun Quan showed a mysterious smile and said: "Yang Xiu can die, but not in Hanzhong. If he dies in Hanzhong, he will be helpless to seize the crown prince's position."

"Could it be?"

Cao Pi was thoughtful and said, "Zhongmou wants Yang Xiu to die because of Cao Zhi?"

"Young Master is wise!" Sun Quan said with a smile.

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(End of this chapter)