Ji Han Grand Commander

Chapter 495 489. Cao Zhi Returns to the Capital
"The martyrs are still ambitious in their old age."

The poem in Cao Cao's "Turtle's Longevity" can also be used to describe Cao Zhi. As we all know, Cao Zhi was defeated in the competition with Cao Pi because of his own reasons and was almost killed. Fortunately, Empress Dowager Bian pleaded for him, and Cao Pi gave Cao Zhi a chance to compose a poem in seven steps, allowing Cao Zhi to escape.

However, in the original timeline, after Cao Pi died of illness and Cao Rui ascended the throne, Cao Zhi saw that his elder brother, whom he had suspected, had died and his eldest nephew had succeeded to the throne. He wrote several letters to Cao Rui, telling him about his passion and patriotism, hoping that Cao Rui would re-employ him and let him participate in political affairs again.

Of course, it is not known whether Cao Rui was also afraid of Cao Zhi, or whether Cao Pi said something to Cao Rui before his death. Cao Rui simply appeased Cao Zhi with kind words and gave him rewards, but did not mention a word about returning to politics.

Finally, Cao Zhi was moved to Dong'e and renamed King of Chen. This is the origin of Li Bai's poem "In the past, King Chen held a banquet in Pingle, and he drank ten thousand cups of wine and enjoyed himself."

As his eldest nephew also kept a close watch on him, Cao Zhi could only study classics and eventually died in depression.

However, the situation is different now. Cao Pi died suddenly, and there was no regent, so no one can control anyone. In addition, Cao Rui, Cao Li and other sons of the Cao family are hostile to each other, so it seems that no one can stand up to take charge of the situation, at least the current people are not qualified.

At present, the only ones who can command the support of the people in terms of seniority or qualifications are Empress Dowager Bian, who has been living in seclusion and is old and frail, and Cao Zhi, his only living uncle.

Moreover, Cao Li had the confidence to propose that Cao Zhi be invited to discuss the matter. He knew that Cao Rui's ideas were similar to Cao Pi's, and he had always been wary of his uncle. Therefore, the relationship between the two could not be said to be close, but could be considered strangers.

But Cao Li was different. He had sent someone to contact Cao Zhi secretly before. Cao Zhi’s request was very simple. He didn’t care about the throne at all, but he also didn’t want to destroy the empire that his father had fought so hard to conquer.

Of course, he knew that Cao Pi was wary of him, so he only hoped that after Cao Pi's death, no matter who succeeded to the throne, he would be able to return to the court.

Cao Li had no objection to this. Cao Zhi's former confidants had long been cleared out by Cao Pi, and Cao Zhi himself was a bohemian man. It was a great bargain to exchange an official position for Cao Zhi's support.

As Cao Li expected, Cao Zhi was overjoyed when he heard the news of Cao Pi's sudden death, the endless debate in Luoyang about the new emperor, and the request to return. He was happy but also a little sad when he heard the news of Cao Pi's death. Although Cao Pi wanted to kill him at that time, he was now his only brother still alive, and it was impossible for Cao Zhi not to feel uncomfortable when he left.

However, thinking that he would no longer be bound by any constraints and could return to Luoyang, Cao Zhi felt much better.

"Someone, come! Prepare the car, pack your things! Go to Luoyang!"

A few days later, Cao Zhen, Cao Zhi, and Chen Qun were standing in the palace in Luoyang. Cao Pi had already been buried and laid to rest. However, in order to stabilize the situation, Cao Pi's funeral was held in secret and not announced to the public. Therefore, apart from these Cao Wei high-ranking officials, no one knew about Cao Pi's death, and no one knew that there was a luxurious tomb in the imperial mausoleum.

"Fourth uncle, it's great that you're here. My father died suddenly of illness and left no instructions before his death, so the succession has not been settled yet. I invited you all here today because you are all capable ministers and warriors of my Great Wei, and I'm here to discuss this matter."

Cao Li waited until everyone was almost there, and he spoke to Cao Zhen, Chen Qun, and Cao Zhi in a humble manner, but this attitude already made him think of himself as the crown prince. Cao Zhen looked at Cao Rui, who was looking grim and silent, and was a little puzzled, and kept looking between the two.

Cao Zhen led troops outside all year round, first to Nanyang and then to Guanzhong. He knew very little about the affairs of the court regarding the dethronement and enthronement of the crown prince. As far as he could remember, it was Cao Rui who was about to win, so how come it had become Cao Li now?

Cao Zhi suddenly realized after seeing the performance of his nephews. No wonder Cao Li dared to make a promise to him. Now it seems that Cao Li is obviously the one with the upper hand, but he is entangled with Cao Rui and cannot break the deadlock. He can only seek external forces like himself to break this delicate deadlock.

Since Cao Li made a promise to me, and Cao Rui not only failed to make friends with me but didn't even say hello to me, then there was no need to think too much about how to choose Cao Zhi.

"Well, although I live in Yongqiu, I have heard of the name of Yuancheng Hou. I heard that he is kind to others and strict with himself. Today I see that it is true. Now the pseudo-Han of the Southern Dynasty is eyeing us covetously. The country cannot be without a leader for a day. Since my brother intended to train Yuancheng Wang vigorously during his lifetime, he should inherit the throne."

Cao Zhi was indeed a scholar, and his words raised Cao Li's character and legitimacy. Originally, Cao Zhen and Chen Qun, one of them knew nothing, and the other did not want to take sides rashly. Now that Cao Zhi had spoken out, the two simply kept silent and stopped talking.

"How can this matter be treated as a joke? How can the throne of the Great Wei be decided by someone who was expelled from Luoyang by my father? I remember my father said that Prince Yongqiu was forbidden to enter Luoyang again and was not allowed to leave his fiefdom. Now that Prince Yongqiu is here, isn't this a blatant disobedience to his will?"

When Cao Rui saw that everyone wanted to acquiesce in Cao Li's succession to the throne, he immediately became anxious and quickly questioned the legitimacy of Cao Zhi.

But as the old saying goes, when a person leaves, the tea gets cold. Although Cao Pi said that at the time, he is no longer around. And Cao Li, who is most likely to succeed the throne, was obviously flirting with Cao Zhi. Who dared to offend him? Everyone just pretended not to see it, and only Cao Zhi, a fool, jumped out to point it out.

"Haha, brother, do you mean that our fourth uncle is an outsider? Or the General of the Central Army is an outsider? Or the Minister of the Chancellery is an outsider? Our Great Wei was founded on filial piety, benevolence and righteousness. In the past, my great-grandfather was killed in Xuzhou, and my grandfather, Emperor Wu, personally led the army to avenge his father. Even if it means giving up our foundation, we must seek justice.

Now, with just one word from my brother, I want to prevent my fourth uncle from coming to attend my father's funeral and be criticized by thousands of people. I wonder what my brother's reason is?"

With just two sentences, Cao Li accused Cao Rui of many serious crimes, which made Cao Rui so angry that he stood there in a daze. He could only point at Cao Zhi and then look at Cao Li, not knowing how to answer.

"Brother, I know you value the throne too much. I didn't intend to compete with you, but you made too many mistakes. Shangshu Ling, Zhongjun General, Fourth Uncle, who is not a person who has worked diligently for our Great Wei? How come you think that this is not as important as the throne? You can do this now, what will happen if you succeed to the throne?"

What Cao Li said was really heart-piercing, and the current environment made it particularly useful, making other people look at Cao Rui in an unnatural way.

(End of this chapter)