Ji Han Da Sima

Chapter 369 Heir Dispute

AD 215, Xia, Yecheng.

In the palace, Cao Cao spread his arms and let his maid put on the royal uniform for him. He looked at himself with half-white hair in the bronze mirror, sighed slightly, and thought to himself: "The great cause has not been completed, and the lonely general is old. However, in China, Who can inherit the inheritance, Zihuan or Zijian?"

"Your Majesty!"

The two maids arranged Cao Cao's clothes and stepped back from the left and right.

Cao Cao looked at himself in the mirror and nodded with satisfaction.

However, when Cao Cao saw this new and exquisite brocade dress, he curiously asked: "Is this dress newly made recently?"

"Your Highness!"

The maid respectfully replied: "It is made by the master craftsman from Shu brocade. If it doesn't fit your highness, you can ask the master craftsman to change the clothes."

"Sichuan Brocade?"

Cao Cao held on to his belt, looked at himself in the mirror, frowned and asked, "I remember that I used Xiangyi to weave and cut articles, so how can I use Shu brocade to make clothes now?"

"Back to Your Highness, the weaving skills are not as good as those of Shu brocade, nor are they as exquisite. Nowadays, princes and officials often use Shu brocade to make clothes. I see that His Highness's clothes are old, so I will use Shu brocade to make clothes this summer. If His Highness is not happy, I will take old clothes and change them for His Highness." ." The maid said in fear.

"No need!"

Cao Cao was very pleased with the Shu brocade, nodded and said: "The color and style of the weaving are a bit old, but the color of the Shu brocade is beautiful. There is no need to change it. I will wear this clothes today. But next time I want to get Shu brocade to make clothes, I should report to Gu."

"promise!"

"Your Majesty, the three young masters are waiting in the main hall!" the attendant said.

"good!"

Cao Cao put his sword on his waist and walked out of the palace.

In the hall, three sons, Cao Pi, Cao Zhi and Cao Zhang, stood in the hall.

Seeing Cao Cao enter the palace, Cao Pi took the lead in bowing and said, "I have met my father, and I wish my father good fortune and good health."

Cao Cao entered the bed with his sword in hand and saw that each of the three sons had their own style, such as Cao Pi who was solemn and majestic, Cao Zhi who was free and casual, and Cao Zhang who was tall and powerful, and he suddenly felt proud in his heart.

"Sit down, gentlemen!"

"Thank you, father!"

While the three sons were taking their seats, Cao Cao called Yang Xiu and said, "I have recently heard that the custom of cutting Shu brocade for clothing has become increasingly popular among the people. The Shu brocade comes from Bashu and is used to make profits for the southern thieves' official camps. We should encourage the people to buy more Chinese silk and satin." , Silk and linen are used as clothing, and one cannot support southern thieves.”

"No!" Yang Xiu bowed his hands and stepped back.

The three sons sat down and waited. Cao Cao looked around the three of them and said, "I'm calling you three into the palace today. Do you know what's going on?"

"But my father wants to inquire about current affairs and military affairs?" Cao Pi asked.

"Exactly!"

Cao Cao stroked his beard and said with a smile: "Today's fate is uncertain. As an orphan heir, you should have great ambitions and make contributions to the world."

After speaking, Cao Cao pointed to Cao Zhang and said with a smile: "Poems, lyrics and songs are the strengths of Zihuan and Zijian; riding, shooting and fighting tigers are the strengths of Ziwen. Therefore, I am now alone to examine current affairs and military affairs. I hope the three of you will not let them pass." So disappointed!"

"promise!"

"Xianbei in the north of the Great Wall is gradually rising. Ke Bineng, Fu Luohan, and Bu Dugen are entrenched outside the Great Wall. The various barbarians are gradually becoming dissatisfied. What do you think?" Cao Cao asked.

"Father!"

Cao Zhi wanted to answer first, but when he saw that Cao Pi wanted to answer, he raised his hand humbly and said, "Brother, please go first!"

Cao Pi intended to answer first, but seeing that Cao Cao was on top, he humbly said: "Zijian is the first to speak, so I should be the younger brother to answer first!"

"Zijian will answer first!" Cao Cao saw his brother's humility and called him by name.

"promise!"

"Report to my father,"

Cao Zhi glanced at Cao Pi, cupped his hands and said, "Xianbei has fallen apart since the death of Tanshihuai, and has become a problem for China. However, although Tanshihuai died, the power of the Xianbei tribes still exists. Now that my father wants to secure the outside of the fortress, he should divide and rule them. "

"That is to say, we must not allow the outsiders to be unified and rule by the leaders of multiple departments, inducing them to attack each other to weaken their strength. If there is any disobedience, raise an army to fight against them and use force to control them. Under martial arts, use gentleness and gentleness to allow them to trade. Educate the people. With civil and military support, there will be peace outside the fortress!"

After saying that, Cao Zhi was quite pleased with himself. He glanced at Cao Pi with a slight smile on his lips.

"Ok!"

Although Cao Cao's expression remained unchanged, his heart quite recognized Cao Zhi's words.

"Where's Zihuan?"

Cao Pi glanced at Cao Zhi a few times and couldn't help but be shocked. What else could Cao Zhi say in response to this, most of which were witty remarks.

After thinking about it for a while, Cao Pi bit the bullet and said: "Let me tell you, my father, the Hu people are afraid of power and not virtuous. They should be sent to the expedition and seize their good horses to weaken their strength. My father chooses the Wuhuan Jingqi to join the expedition, so we can let them go." Xianbei brings out good horses and joins the army. Strengthening China's strength is the fundamental way."

"What do you think Ziwen thinks?"

Cao Cao did not comment, but looked at Cao Zhang and asked.

Cao Zhang thought hard for a long time, straightened his back and replied seriously: "Father, my son is willing to follow the example of Huo Qubing and Wei Qing, go out to the north of the Great Wall, sweep across the barbarians, seal the wolf as a surrogate, capture Ke Bineng, Bu Dugen and other barbarians at the foot of the stairs, and fight for Father sings and dances!”

"Ha ha!"

Hearing this, Cao Cao laughed while stroking his beard and said: "The lonely Huang Xu'er really has great ambitions."

After smiling a little, Cao Cao looked at his third son on the seat and said, "As the saying goes, no one knows more about his son than his father. It is difficult for an orphan to know all the talents a son has built!"

Then, Cao Cao changed the topic and said: "Current affairs and military affairs are what I am good at. Today, I am not as good as Zijian. I should pay more attention in the future to avoid being overtaken by others."

"No!" Cao Pi lowered his head and cupped his hands and said, "I have been neglecting my duties recently. I must work hard in the future to live up to my father's expectations."

"good!"

"From now on when we use force outside the Great Wall, I will definitely use Ziwen as my commander!" Cao Cao said with a smile.

Cao Zhang's face was filled with joy and he said, "Thank you so much, father!"

"Everyone, please step back and have a rest!"

Cao Cao waved his hand and signaled the third son to retreat.

The three Cao Cao walked out of the palace, and Cao Pi was chatting and laughing happily without any grudges in his heart.

"As a respected brother, please go first!" Cao Zhi raised his hand and said.

"Third brother please!"

"Brother please!"

Cao Pi took the hands of Cao Zhi and Cao Zhang and said with a smile: "Since we are brothers, why should we be so arrogant? We should treat them as peers."

"Ha ha!"

Looking at the back of the third son, Cao Cao showed a satisfied smile and thought: "Zihuan has a broad mind, and all the others are not as good as him!"

While thinking about it, Cao Cao took the bamboo slips on the desk and read them.

Yang Xiu took the opportunity to present the document and said: "Your Majesty, I have already drafted an order to advise the people not to buy Shu Brocade. There are three detailed rules in the revised document. Please have your Majesty's review!"

"Oh!"

Cao Cao took the cloth, browsed it a few times, and asked in surprise: "How could Dezu write so quickly?"

"Please give your approval, Your Majesty!" Yang Xiu handed over the brush and said respectfully.

"what!"

Cao Cao held the pen and read the text. He didn't know how to make changes. He was surprised and asked: "Is it possible that Dezu had prepared a manuscript in advance, with nearly a thousand words on silk, but he didn't know where to start?"

Yang Xiu was neither humble nor arrogant. He raised his hands and said, "Your Majesty, the Shu Brocade is becoming more and more popular, and many of my ministers are worried. The day before yesterday, Xiu met Mr. Zijian and talked about it. The third son sighed greatly and said that Zhuge is good at running the country. If If we don’t curb the trend of Shu brocade, in a short time, there will be many Shu brocades in the court.”

"The southern thieves' officials camped in Shu brocade and made huge profits from it to use it as military supplies and enrich the treasury. When the thieves went to the north, I was wearing Shu brocade and the enemy was wearing armor. This should be said to be an asset to the enemy. I didn't dare to specialize in meritorious service. The above thoughts are too many. I have the views of the Third Young Master."

Cao Cao stroked his beard and said with emotion: "I didn't expect Zijian to be so talented!"

"You really underestimate Zi Jian!"

Seeing Cao Cao's words, Yang Xiu decided to strike while the iron was hot, cupped his hands and said: "If a servant is as talented as a son, he is nothing more than a bird to a roc."

"Ok?"

Cao Cao was holding the water glass with a thoughtful look on his face.

Seeing Cao Cao like this, the ministers on the left and right had different expressions. Sima Yi and Chen Qun looked at each other, slightly nervous. Jia Xu lowered his eyes, his expression unchanged.

"Smart and wise, with excellent articles, great ambitions, and thinking for the country. All the talented gentlemen in the world today are willing to follow him and die. Master Zijian is the reason God has sent blessings to the Wei Dynasty!"

Yang Xiu bowed and spoke, saying: "Forgive me for being bold. Your Majesty established the country without a prince. This is inconsistent with etiquette. I hope your Majesty will think about the matter of the prince."

"Ha ha!"

Cao Cao stood up from the couch and said with a smile: "Gu Yi loves Zijian deeply!"

"The king's words will benefit the country and the country!"

Looking for an opportunity, Ding Yi stepped out of the queue, knelt down and worshiped, saying: "Master Zijian is a courteous and virtuous man, and he can win people's hearts. If the king makes Master Jian his heir, the court will be very lucky, and the people of the world will be very lucky!"

Ding Yi, whose courtesy name is Zhengli, was born in Pei State. His father, Ding Chong, had made great contributions to Cao Cao, and Cao Cao was always grateful to Ding Chong.

After Ding Chong's death, Cao Cao wanted to marry his daughter Princess Qinghe to Ding Yi, so he discussed it with Cao Pi. Cao Pi disliked Ding Yi's poor eyesight and advised Cao Cao to marry Princess Qinghe to Xiahou Mao. After that, Ding Yi hated Cao Pi deeply, so he became friendly with Cao Zhi.

After Princess Qinghe married Xiahou Mao, Cao Cao talked with Ding Yi and Xiahou Mao respectively, and sighed greatly. He bluntly said that even if Ding Yi was blind in both eyes, he would still marry his daughter to Ding Yi, not to mention that Ding Yi only had small eyes.

From then on, Cao Cao also had different views on Cao Pi, thinking that Cao Pi's ability to recognize people was not good enough.

Cao Cao looked at Chen Qun, Sima Yi and others and asked, "What do you think?"

Chen Qun did not dare to hesitate. He raised his hands and said, "This is a family matter for the king, and I dare not speak nonsense. However, the matter of establishing an heir is related to the safety of the world. I hope the king will not make a hasty decision."

"Today, the north and the south are divided. Liu Bei has great talents, Zhuge is good at running the country, and Huo Jun is good at military strategy. The three southern thieves are the enemies of the king. Liu Bei is close to the king, and looking at his successors, he will entrust Zhuge and Huo Jun with big things. . If our dynasty abolishes the elders and establishes younger ones, causing turmoil in the government, this will be taken advantage of by the southern thieves."

"Besides, Mr. Huan is kind and filial by nature, knowledgeable in literature and martial arts, and has won the hearts of the people. He has done nothing wrong since he assisted the prime minister. If the king wants to change the name of Mr. Jian to his heir, I am afraid that all the ministers will have objections!"

"I second the proposal!" Sima Yi said.

Cao Cao stroking his beard and pacing, thinking about establishing an heir. He was already in his early sixties, and he had to consider his successor.

He had previously considered making Cao Pi his heir, but Cao Pi's military and political abilities gradually dissatisfied him. In the process, Cao Zhi, who was extremely talented, made Cao Cao quite fond of him, and his personality also appealed to Cao Cao.

From an emotional perspective, Cao Cao would make Cao Zhi his heir; but from a rational perspective, Cao Cao would choose Cao Pi, who was in politics, as his heir.

The entanglement between emotion and reason made it difficult for Cao Cao to make up his mind.

After pacing for a while, Cao Cao glanced at Jia Xu, who did not express any opinions, waved his hand and said, "Please step back and let me think deeply."

"promise!"

(End of this chapter)