Wei Ni

Along with Zheng Guixing's successful report that he had fulfilled his mission, Xiahou Ba's request for battle was also transmitted to Luoyang.

As Zhuge Dan proposed, he asked to be the general and lead the troops from various counties in Liaodong to attack Han and Ye, on the grounds that Han and Ye were barbarians who had never submitted to the king's rule and that their state should be invaded to demonstrate the majesty of the superior country.

Among them, Goguryeo was tacitly not mentioned.

This was considered to be a clear statement that he would not compete with Guanqiu Jian for credit.

Some are happy about this while others are sad.

Naturally, many people were delighted to see that Liaodong had added another front for making meritorious contributions.

The one who was worried was General Cao Shuang.

Although Emperor Cao Rui had not yet made up his mind, he already knew the candidate for Guanqiu Jian's deputy general, and he could not compete with Cao Zhao.

The reason was the analysis of my cousin Xiahou Xuan.

As early as when Deng Yang and Li Sheng instigated him to ask Emperor Cao Rui to go out on his own initiative, Xiahou Xuan had privately dissuaded him.

It was clearly stated that the chances of the emperor choosing him were slim.

The reason was that he had served as a military supervisor in his early years, accompanying Qin Lang in the crusade against the Xianbei, while Cao Zhao had never been out. The legitimate sons of the two deceased Grand Marshals of the Wei Kingdom were competing for merit, so how could the Emperor Cao Rui favor one over the other?

Besides, Xiahou Ba is working in Liaodong!
Cao Shuang has criticized Xiahou Hui a lot in recent years. How could his brother Xiahou Ba not have any grudges?

Don’t forget that Xiahou Ba was old and grew up during the reign of Cao Cao, the Emperor of Wei, and his character was the most “authentic” young man from Qiaopei.

What is authentic
Let's put it this way. In the previous Battle of Shiting, Jia Kui saved Cao Xiu without any grudges, but Cao Xiu humiliated him with a staff. If Xiahou Ba was in Cao Xiu's position at that time, he would definitely do such a thing. This can be seen from the fact that when he was serving in Yongliang, he often took out his anger and slandered Guo Huai because of the death of Xiahou Yuan and Xiahou Rong in Hanzhong.

In this case, how could Emperor Cao Rui allow Cao Shuang to go to Liaodong?
Was it to allow him to have trouble with Xiahou Ba every day, so that Guanqiu Jian, who was in charge of the military affairs of Youzhou, would be in a dilemma and face more constraints?

So, Xiahou Xuan made the assertion at that time.

Unless Lelang and Daifang counties were both captured and Xiahou Ba, who was in charge of the four counties in Liaodong, was held accountable and transferred to another place, Cao Shuang would not have any chance at all.

Cao Shuang didn't listen at that time.

He felt that Cao Zhao had recently done many things that displeased the emperor, and that Lelang and Daifang counties were difficult to save.

And now the battle report has come back, making him feel that he is in a difficult situation.

Because when Xiahou Xuan dissuaded him, he said earnestly, half comforting and half warning, "Xunzi said, 'Ritual is to cut off the long and continue the short, to reduce the surplus and increase the deficiency.' People have their own strengths and weaknesses, which cannot be forced. Zhaobo is humble by nature. Since he entered the government, he has been diligent in his duties, loyal to the emperor and the country, and respectful to old ministers. He has been praised by the court and the public. Now that you know that it is impossible to do it, why do you show off and fight for it? Aren't you afraid that Your Majesty will think that Zhaobo is no longer the same as before? The honor and disgrace of us, the sons of the royal family and Qiaopei, all depends on Your Majesty's decision. Zhaobo must know that I was demoted to the supervisor of the imperial guards in the past!"

Yes, what really worried Cao Shuang was that he was worried that Emperor Cao Rui would change his mind about him.

After all, just because he lost to Cao Zhao in the Liaodong War doesn't mean he won't be able to win in other matters in the future. But if he loses the emperor's favor, it means there will be no future for him.

If not
Before Your Majesty makes a decision, should I withdraw my request?
Even if it seems like he's going back on his word, it's better than the emperor thinking that he's being tactless!

With such thoughts in mind, he led the guards outside the East Hall, and from time to time he would steal a glance at Cao Rui who was handling miscellaneous affairs in the hall.

The officials of the Shangshutai left.
After reporting all the affairs, the Minister of the Central Secretariat Sun Zi resigned.
The memorial submitted by the Minister of Rites and the Minister of Justice concerning this year's autumn hunting was rejected.
Seeing that there were fewer and fewer courtiers in the East Hall, Cao Shuang, who was still hesitant, became more and more anxious. When there was no one left in the hall and Emperor Cao Rui seemed to get up and move to the West Hall to rest, he gritted his teeth and stamped his feet, walked straight into the hall, and bowed to the ground, "Your Majesty, I have something to report."

"Oh, what's the matter?"

Cao Rui looked a little surprised, and said in a very kind tone, "Zhao Bo, there is no need to be restrained. Get up first."

But Cao Shuang did not stand up, but knelt on the ground and said, "Your Majesty, I dare to ask Your Majesty to forgive me. I no longer have the thought of asking to join the expedition against the traitorous country Goguryeo."

Huh?
Who gave you private advice?
This time, Cao Rui was really surprised.

In his impression, praises such as resourceful and able to see the big picture from the small details were not associated with Cao Shuang. Now he suddenly resigned, which made people suspicious. But when he thought about it, the Liaodong battle report arrived yesterday, and Cao Shuang had been on duty in the palace without going out, so he was relieved and asked questions with interest.

"Zhao Bo, please tell me why you changed your mind?"

"only!"

Cao Shuang responded loudly, "I, Shuang, have always been at odds with Xiahou Zhiquan. Yesterday, I received a report from the Liaodong war, saying that Lelang and Daifang are safe. So I, Shuang..." At this point, he raised his head and forced a smile from his embarrassed face, "I, Shuang, have no achievements, but I have held an important position thanks to my father's merits. I am a stupid person. It is difficult for me to share your majesty's worries, so I should think about not making things difficult for your majesty. Therefore, I do not want to go to Liaodong and add to the constraints of General Jian of Du Liao."

Hearing this, Cao Rui was moved. He didn't need to wait for the battle report from Liaodong to arrive. He had already made up his mind a few days ago and planned to let Cao Zhao go.

The reason why he hadn't told Cao Shuang yet was that he hadn't considered a good reason yet and there was no urgency in the discussion of attacking Goguryeo and Han Ye.

Now that Cao Shuang took the initiative to decline, he was very pleased.

"I always thought that Zhao Bo was just being modest, but I didn't expect that he was so pure and kind!"

He stood up and helped Cao Shuang up, and encouraged him, "No one is perfect. Many noble sons, such as Yuanming Jianyan, Zhiquan Xinggang, Yunjin Duoyu, and Changsi Jingui, all have shortcomings. Zhao Bo should not belittle himself, and should not doubt himself because he has not yet accomplished his achievements."

"only."

Cao Shuang, knowing that his worries had been resolved, was extremely grateful and said, "Your Majesty, I will remember your words."

Maybe it's because I'm in a good mood.

Cao Rui, who originally planned to go to the West Hall to rest, called the attendants to bring wine and food, pulled Cao Shuang to sit, and continued to exhort, "Zhao Bo, don't say anything critical of Zhi Quan in the future. You must know that when your father, the former Grand Marshal, was alive, he was not annoyed by Zhi Quan's rebuttal to the attack on Shu. On the contrary, he was full of praise."

After that, he first roughly told the story of Cao Zhen meeting Xiahou Hui at Tianyuan Pond in his early years, and then continued, "Besides, Zhiquan never had any grudges against Zhaobo. The children of Qiaopei are like royal family members. You share weal and woe. You should not offend each other and only add to the laughing stock of others. Well, Tian Yu previously submitted a petition to return home, and Zhiquan advised that the royal family children could be sent out to guard the town to train their talents, and two people could go. Qin Yuanming is one of them. Zhaobo knows, who is the other one?"

"Minchen Shuang"

Cao Shuang was stunned and at a loss for words.

He wasn't so stupid that he couldn't guess such an obvious answer, but he couldn't believe it.

Judge others by yourself.

If they were in a different place, he would definitely not recommend Xiahou Hui.

After a long time, he finally calmed down and sincerely apologized, "Your Majesty, I was reckless before, and now I know I am wrong."

"It is the greatest virtue to correct one's mistakes when one knows them!"

Cao Rui's smile became brighter and brighter. He clapped his hands in praise, and took Cao Shuang to talk a lot of personal matters and drank a lot of wine.

When his face was flushed and he was drunk, he went to the West Hall to rest. Before leaving, he did not forget to remind Cao Shuang, "The Grand Marshal once said that Xiahou Zhiquan may be the pillar of the Wei Dynasty in the future. If Zhaobo can let go of his past diligence and use Zhiquan's strategy, he will surely be among the capable ministers in the future, which will also be a blessing for the Wei Dynasty! Try your best!"

It was this reminder that made Cao Shuang look gloomy as he walked out of the East Hall, and his original intention to resolve his past grievances with Xiahou Hui was completely gone.

My father thought that Xiahou Zhiquan could become a pillar of the country in the future?!
And he also claimed that I was on his right and assisted him wholeheartedly, so I could be listed among the capable ministers? !

Hey~
I never expected that my years of hard work and diligence would be worthless in the eyes of Your Majesty, and I could only be ranked lower than others!
I never thought that Your Majesty would treat me so poorly!
Cao Shuang felt a surge of sadness in his heart. He leaned against the white marble railing of the Taiji Hall, looking at the bleak scenery of late autumn, feeling even more desolate.

In fact, Cao Shuang knew about the meeting between my father and Xiahou Hui at Tianyuan Pool.

At that time, after Cao Zhen returned home from the palace confinement, he encouraged his disciples to study hard and practice diligently by citing Xiahou Hui's extraordinary strategy despite his young age.

Cao Shuang was dissatisfied, so he asked Cao Zhen what he thought of Xiahou Hui. Cao Zhen pondered for a long time before commenting: "Zhiquan is a man who has the style of his father. Although he has a lot of strategies and ideas, he is very stubborn and difficult to tolerate. If he doesn't change his nature when he grows older and is given power, it will be a blessing or a curse for the Wei family and the country."

This evaluation is the fundamental reason why Cao Shuang blamed Xiahou Hui for his father's defeat and death.

In his opinion, Xiahou Hui had never been on the battlefield and was not like his father, so what qualifications did he have to evaluate his father? Moreover, if he had not squeezed his father with the words "no victory means defeat", which made his father feel ashamed of the country and lost the prestige of Qiao Peidu after returning without success, how could he have fallen ill and not been able to get up!
And now he can understand even more how poorly Emperor Cao Rui treated him.

His father felt that Xiahou Hui might not be a blessing to the country!
It is not what Emperor Cao Rui said just now, he may be the pillar of the Wei Dynasty!

My brother is sealed with the Paulownia leaf, so please don’t joke.

As the Son of Heaven, how can you arbitrarily distort the facts in front of your loyal subjects? You can't misinterpret my father's words just because Xiahou Hui has been very popular with you in recent years~
What's even more hateful is that he even warned him to be willing and follow Xiahou Hui's lead in the future.
How can this be possible!

Reconciliation is the most important thing for the country.
Haha~
Filled with indignation, Cao Shuang shook his head vigorously, trying to sober himself up, and threw out all the words that had just been spoken between the emperor and his ministers in the hall.

"The emperor gave me wine, and I got drunk."

For this reason, he asked one of his generals to temporarily take over the duties of the imperial guard, and he went back to the office to write a letter to Cao Zhao.

He claimed that he had resigned from the emperor's request to accompany Goguryeo, and wished him all the best in his journey to Liaodong and that his achievements would be established. (End of this chapter)