Ji Han Da Sima

Chapter 586 Do I wish you success?

November, Qiao County.

Cao Pi, who returned to his hometown from the Huaibei camp, led the civil and military forces around him to offer sacrifices to the ancestors of the Cao family starting from Cao Shen, and then solemnly offered sacrifices to Emperor Cao Teng of Wei Gao, Emperor Cao Song of Wei Tai, and Emperor Cao Cao of Wei Wu.

Emperor Cao Teng of Wei Gao was a eunuch during the period of Emperor Shun of the Han Dynasty. He then served as Emperor Huan of the Han Dynasty and was granted the title of Tinghou, and then ascended the throne in Changqiu.

After Cao Cao and Cao Pi became emperors, although they felt ashamed because their ancestor Cao Teng was a eunuch, due to etiquette and law, they eventually named Cao Teng the Gao Emperor.

After offering sacrifices to his ancestors, Cao Pi followed the example of Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty and returned to his hometown. He met with the villagers of Qiao County and the elders of Daxi Township and set up an altar in their former home. Then let the messenger drive to the surrounding areas to help the poor people suffering from the disaster.

After traveling around Qiao County for several times, Cao Pi realized that his hometown Qiao County was sparsely populated and had no imperial scenery, so he discussed with his ministers whether to move the people to Qiao County.

Cao Pi sat on the couch, and his ministers, led by Chen Qun, Bao Xun, and Xin Pi, sat on the left and right sides of the Cao family's ancestral house.

"Now that we have entered Qiao County, the people are withered and the hometown of Zi is empty. I want to move the people of Hebei to Qiao County. What do you think?" Cao Pi asked.

"Your Majesty, Qiao County has few good fields and many bad waters. The reason why the former emperor did not move the people to Qiao County is because of this!" Chen Qun said: "Now the people do not want to live there, so don't force it. If your Majesty moves it, Then the people will flee more."

Although Qiao County is located in the Central Plains, it is not a fertile county. Except for a few areas within its jurisdiction that are suitable for farming, most of the areas are barren and prone to drought and waterlogging, making them unsuitable for farming by the common people.

When Cao Cao started farming in the past, the reason why he chose to farm in Yingchuan and Chenliu counties instead of in his hometown Qiao County was because the land in Qiao County was not fertile enough.

Due to the poor land in Qiao County, Cao Cao could hardly rely on his hometown Qiao County when he started his career. Instead, he had to surrender to Yuan Shao and serve as the governor of Dongjun in the south of Hebei.

Even during Yuan and Cao's struggle for hegemony, Pei County needed to rely on celebrities to appease Cao Cao. Rather than like Runan County, because Yuan Shao's hometown was there, many wealthy families rebelled and waved flags and cheers for Yuan Shao.

Hearing Chen Qun say that his hometown was not good, Cao Pi's face darkened and he was a little unhappy. He asked again: "I wonder what you guys think?"

"His Majesty!"

Xinpi cupped his hands and said: "The people of Hebei are happy with their work and moved to Qiao County, but they are resented. If the people's livelihood is in chaos, they may turn to the south for water thieves, and the people will only let the water thieves benefit. And now there is a big battle with the thieves, and the winner is still undecided. , It’s too early to relocate the people!”

Cao Pi's face didn't look very good, but he could barely understand what Xin and Chen meant, and asked: "How is the war at Zhongli today?"

"The military report has not arrived yet~" Chen Qun said.

Before Chen Qun finished speaking, the attendant hurriedly entered the hall and said, "Your Majesty, there are changes in Jianghuai. Cao Zhendong came here in vain and is asking to see you outside the hall now!"

"Cao Zhendong is in vain?"

Cao Pi was stunned and asked in disbelief: "But Da Sima passed away?"

"I don't know!"

After learning that Cao Tai was innocent, the Wei ministers present had no idea what was going on. They whispered to each other and asked about the situation. However, no one had any special information channels, so how could they know what happened under Zhongli City.

"Please invite Cao Zhendong into the hall quickly!" Cao Pi greeted hurriedly.

"promise!"

After a while, Cao Tai came into the hall wearing linen and white clothes. His eyes were red and his face looked sad. Seeing Cao Pi, Cao Tai threw himself on the ground, knelt on the ground, and burst into tears.

"Zian, what if something happens to Grand Sima?" Cao Pi asked nervously.

"Your Majesty!"

Cao Tai shed tears and cried: "Two days ago, my father's army was attacking the city. Unfortunately, he was hit by a crossbow. The arrow hit his lower abdomen. He was seriously injured and bled excessively. He died that night. Now his body is parked in the camp. The generals have blocked the news."

The crossbow arrow, as thick as a spear, penetrated Cao Ren's lower abdomen, as if someone had stabbed his abdomen with a spear. In modern society, there is still hope of survival with timely treatment. Today, in the late Han Dynasty, military doctors have no cure.

The crossbow bolt penetrated the body and was difficult to pull out. And even if it is pulled out, it will probably cause severe bleeding and death due to excessive bleeding. Cao Ren was in pain for a long time and wailed for a long time.

When he was carried back to the camp, Cao Ren was close to coma due to his serious injuries. Then he met his son Cao Tai, and Cao Ren died on the spot.

Compared with Xia Houyuan being stabbed happily by Huang Zhong, Cao Ren's death was the most painful!
"why is it like this?"

Cao Pi couldn't believe it and said: "Da Sima was commanding the sergeants in the battle, how could he be injured by the bed crossbow? The bed crossbow only took three or four hundred steps, and most of them were exhausted and could not hurt anyone. How could it hurt Da Sima?"

Cao Tai wiped his tears and said, "Your Majesty, the water thieves have a large crossbow, and its arrow is like a spear, which can shoot more than 800 steps. In order to encourage the troops to break the city, Da Sima moved the big banner to 800 steps away. Unfortunately, he was injured by a thief!”

After hearing what happened, Cao Pi sighed sadly: "The great Sima died a heroic death, which breaks my heart!"

As he spoke, Cao Pi called his left and right, and said sadly: "This will be like Guangwu's attack on Ziyang (Gongsun Shu), and general Cen Peng was assassinated and went to disaster!"

Pulling Cao Tai up, Cao Pi comforted him and said, "Zi'an, you should take care of yourself and not grieve too much. Stay in your hometown and let the soldiers bring the Grand Marshal's body here for a proper burial."

"promise!"

Cao Pi and Cao Tai expressed their sorrow to each other for a long time, and then asked his attendants to help Cao Tai down.

Cao Pi wiped his tears with his sleeves, feeling a little at a loss and said, "Now that Grand Sima has died of a serious injury, I don't know what you think we should do now?"

"This~"

Everyone looked at each other, but didn't know what to say.

Bao Xun hesitated a little, then raised his hands and said: "Your Majesty led the king's army to march south. He spent several months attacking far away, but Zhongli failed to defeat him. He spent thousands of gold every day, and China was wasted. Now we have lost another general, which is not a good omen. I am the minister. In view of this, Your Majesty might as well cease his troops and return home."

"Cease the troops and return home?"

Cao Pi was very angry and said: "Instead of avenging Da Sima, I stopped my troops and returned to the army. If the people in the world know about it, they will laugh at me, the Wei Dynasty!"

"Your Majesty, how can we raise troops out of anger? Huo Jun has not yet arrived at Huai, and the troops Lu Xun has commanded are enough to defend me. I am afraid there is a treacherous plot in it. I hope your Majesty will think twice!" Bao Xun advised. "Back off!"

Cao Pi slammed the table and stood up, angrily saying: "Bao Shuye, I respect you as the descendant of Bao Jibei. Your father has made great contributions to the late emperor. Now I will forgive you this time!"

After Bao Xun became the Prime Minister of Jibei and Bao Xin, Cao Cao fought with Qingzhou in the past, and Bao Xin tried to cover Cao Cao's breakout and died on the spot, and his body could not be found.

Cao Cao remembered Bao Xin's contribution. After Cao Pi became the crown prince of Wei, Bao Xun was appointed as the crown prince's concubine to assist Cao Pi. Later, when Bao Xun was promoted and became the western captain of Wei County, Queen Guo's brother was arrested by Bao Xun for stealing official cloth. Regardless of Cao Pi's face, he reported it to Cao Cao.

After that, Bao Xun was hated by Cao Pi. Later, Cao Pi used his power to demote Bao Xun. Because the Cao family founded the country, Bao Xun was an old member of the Wei State and was gradually promoted.

At the recommendation of Chen Qun and Sima Yi, Cao Pi had no choice but to appoint Bao Xun as Yushi Zhongcheng, responsible for supervising all officials.

Although many years have passed, Cao Pi retaliated against Bao Xun during this period. Logically speaking, he should let go, but Cao Pi found it difficult to let go. Cao Pi still hated and hated Bao Xun.

Even if Xin Pi can persuade Cao Pi, in fact, Cao Pi employs many people to act according to his preferences. If people who are close to him persuade him, Cao Pi will not kill him even if he is angry. Those who have a bad relationship with Cao Pi are very easy to be targeted by Cao Pi. Go ahead and find an excuse to kill him.

Seeing that Cao Pi was so angry, Bao Xun did not dare to say anything more and could only retreat to the table.

"Cough cough~"

Chen Qun coughed a few times and calmed down the atmosphere and said: "Your Majesty, Bao Zhongcheng's remarks today are mostly due to the death of the commander-in-chief and the army has no leader. In my opinion, your Majesty, it is better to go south, summon the generals to discuss matters, and then issue an edict. Compensate Da Sima."

"Can!"

Cao Pi said in a deep voice: "Go south tomorrow and tell the generals to come to Yicheng to discuss matters!"

"promise!"
-
The next day, Cao Pi was not in the mood to stroll around his hometown, but went south with his cronies.

On the way south, Cao Pi hated Bao Xun, found a fault, and demoted Bao Xun to govern the book and enforce the law. Although the ministers gave advice, Cao Pi did not listen to others and insisted on his own ideas.

After three or four days of traveling, when Cao Pi arrived at Yicheng, all the generals arrived with orders.

In the big tent, Cao Pi sat on the couch, looked at the generals in the tent on the left and right, and said angrily: "I have only been away for a few days, and I have not only destroyed the city, but also damaged the generals. What's going on now?"

With that said, Cao Pi looked at Cao Xiu and Xia Houru and asked, "Wen Lie, Jun Lin, can you tell me why?"

"The moat outside Zhongli City has been filled in. Our army is besieging Zhongli City from all sides. It is gradually effective. Unexpectedly, the great commander was injured by a strong crossbow." Cao Xiu lowered his head in shame and said.

Cao Pi leaned slightly on the bench, looked at the generals, and asked: "What do you think of the current situation?"

Man Chong hesitated for a while and said: "Your Majesty, in November this year, there are still two or three months before the spring water regenerates. If the city cannot be breached by the first month, it is better to discuss the return of the army. In order to avoid the dampness of the spring rain, our Central Plains will be devastated. Soldiers are sick."

After a pause, Manchong said: "Based on the current situation, Shaoyangzhou is the top priority. The floating bridge on it connects the north and the south. There must be no loss."

"Um!"

Cao Pi nodded with satisfaction and asked: "During the winter in the Jianghuai River, will the river freeze?"

"Your Majesty, the Huaihe River is so strong that it is difficult to freeze. However, if it is the Hangou, when the weather is very cold, the Hangou will freeze, making it difficult for boats and boats to move!" Liu Ye said.

"good!"

Cao Pi nodded slightly and asked: "Wen Lie, Grand Sima unfortunately died of an arrow shot. I want to hand over the military affairs of Huainan to you. I wonder if I am willing to avenge my shame?"

Cao Xiu stood up from his chair and said with high fighting spirit: "I have long wanted to avenge the enemy's humiliation. Now Your Majesty is willing to relinquish the important task. How dare I not refuse to do my best?"

"it is good!"

Cao Pi saw that Cao Xiu was so energetic and said with satisfaction: "This time I am recruiting troops in the south. I want to defeat Zhongli. Then I will take advantage of the ice in Hangou to defeat the Huaiyin water thieves, sweep across the Yangtze River and Huaihe River, drink the Yangtze River and return to Luoyang. The most important thing is The key lies in whether you can capture Zhongli as expected."

With that said, Cao Pi picked up the cup of honey water on the table and asked, "Can I wish you success?"

Xia Houru straightened his back and said in a deep voice: "Zhongli only holds Xu Sheng's three or four thousand men. Our army has tens of thousands, more than ten times that of the enemy. How can we not break it?"

Cao Xiu replied loudly and said: "Your Majesty, now that the moat has been filled in, there is no natural moat. I have ordered a mountain fortress to be built under Zhongli City to be level with Zhongli City. When the mountain is completed, Xiu will order the soldiers to climb the mountain and fight. This time it will be necessary If I can conquer Zhongli, I will cut off Xu Sheng’s head and present it to His Majesty.”

"If Zhongli City is not destroyed and your Majesty is not punished, you will die of shame!"

"it is good!"

Cao Pi looked at Jia Kui, the governor of Yuzhou, Wang Ling, the governor of Yanzhou, and Zang Ba, the governor of Jin, and said: "Today Zhongli has three helpers to help in the war. In addition to sending troops to assist in the siege, we will see if we can find an opportunity to defeat Lu Xun."

"The last general takes command!" the three said.

"The military in Huaibei is now under the command of General Hussar, and the military in Huainan is under the charge of Cao Zhengnan. All ministers must go all out to break Zhongli City quickly." Cao Pi emphasized.

"promise!"

Speaking of what happened next, Cao Pi looked at Liu Fang and asked, "Boren is besieging Xiapi today. Is there any news?"

"Your Majesty, General Xiahou diverted the Si River to pour water into Pi, and the defenders abandoned the outer city and retreated to the inner city. Today, General Xiahou is ordering Hu Zhi, Sun Li and other generals to besiege the inner city to see if they can break the city as soon as possible." Sun Fang replied. .

"it is good!"

Cao Pi smiled and said: "I will write a letter to tell Boren that I want to join forces with him at Sikou and sweep across the Jianghuai River!"

"promise!"

(End of this chapter)