Wei Ni

Liu Fang would never get an answer as to whether Sun Zi knew about Emperor Cao Rui's arrangements in advance.

Because he couldn't ask.

After all, once this kind of question is asked, Sun Zi's answer is no longer important.

After working together for nearly twenty years, he didn't want to become suspicious of Sun Zi and part ways because of this trivial matter.

Therefore, when he had no choice but to swallow his anger, he suddenly became more and more respectful of the Grand Marshal Sima Yi's broad-mindedness and foresight in handling affairs.

Earlier, when the Liaodong war broke out, he invited Sima Yi to come over and have a chat.

However, at that time, Sun Zi did not join him, so he was alone and weak and could not urge Sima Yi to urge Guo Huai, the governor of Yongzhou, to start a war against Shu.

Later, when Guanqiu Jian's request for war arrived, he realized that there was great potential for development on the Liaodong battlefield, and he once again looked for an opportunity to chat with Sima Yi.

The words were not ambiguous at all.

It was just mentioned that Sima Shi was over thirty years old, had already started a family and a career, and now had nothing to do in the capital Luoyang. Why didn't Sima Yi send him to Hebei and Youzhou to travel?
Who is Sima Yi? How could I not understand what he meant?
"My son has been ill lately and can't walk well, so I gave up. I am old now, my eyesight is failing, my teeth are loose, I have minor illnesses all the time, and I am afraid a serious illness will come soon. So I kept my son by my side to prepare for any unexpected event."

He directly and implicitly rejected Liu Fang's plan to have Sima Shi and his son Liu Xi go to Liaodong together; he also very straightforwardly persuaded Liu Fang that his eldest son Sima Shi could directly inherit the title in the future, and there was no need to worry about his descendants so as not to be ridiculed by others - given Liu Fang's status in the heart of Emperor Cao Rui, there was no need to worry about the future of his son Liu Xi a hundred years later.

Although he was still unwilling, Liu Fang still listened to it.

Or in other words, he could only listen to advice.

Who made him not believe Xiahou Hui's prediction as much as Sun Zi did?
And now he can transfer Liu Xi, who is already under Guo Huai's command, to Youzhou, and Guanqiu Jian will not refuse him, but he still has to have some dignity! He can't afford to lose this person!

But Sun Zi doesn't need to wait a hundred years, alas~
After returning to the office, while busy with chores as usual, Liu Fang would occasionally steal a glance at his servant Sun Zi, who was in high spirits over the happy event. He couldn't help feeling a little envious and even a little jealous.

Cao Shuang, who had sued Mu Xiu as he wished, sent his entourage to invite Xiahou Xuan to his house as soon as he was out of the palace.

Although he did not have his father's achievements, he was as big as his father. He returned home by carriage, and inevitably gave way to the carriages of officials several times along the way.

This caused his anger, which had calmed down a little, to become turbulent again.

When was it that the carriages and horses of Shaoling Marquis' Mansion needed to give way to others in the capital?

Alas, I am such a bad person!
Feeling that his power was no longer there, Cao Shuang glanced at the bustling crowd along the way, and couldn't help but reflect on his experiences over the years.

At thirty, one is independent; at forty, one is free from doubts.

As he was approaching his forties, he suddenly realized that there was nothing remarkable about the first half of his life.

Act cautiously and modestly?
The person who is given this honor must have accomplished nothing and the only thing to be praised is his character and conduct, right?

Huh~
He sneered at himself, got off the carriage, stood for a long time looking at the deserted street in front of the mansion, and then walked back home.

Xiahou Xuan, who had long lost interest in socializing, arrived quite quickly.

He was able to enter and leave Shaoling Marquis's Mansion freely, and entered the study almost at the same time as Cao Shuang.

No need for politeness, he asked directly as soon as he sat down, "Zhao Bo is looking for me urgently, is there anything urgent?"

"Yes, but it's nothing serious."

After a slight hesitation, Cao Shuang, who looked normal now, smiled and roughly told him what happened in the Taiji Main Hall today. Then he took out Cao Zhao's reply letter from his sleeve and handed it over. "After I declined your Majesty's request to join the expedition, I also wrote a letter to inform Cao Changsi. This is his reply letter."

Xiahou Xuan didn't take it.

Instead, he slightly tilted his head and looked at Cao Shuang with great interest, as if he had never known him before.

"Taichu?"

Cao Shuang, who was somewhat puzzled by the stare, rubbed his face and beard back and forth with his hands several times to make sure that there was nothing stained on it, then he spoke in confusion.

"Changsi will not refuse Zhaobo's kindness, so it's better not to read the letter."

With a grin, Xiahou Xuan said slowly, "Zhao Bo is surprising to me. He seems different from what I saw before."

"Ok?"

Cao Shuang became even more confused and raised his eyebrows and snorted.

"I am not surprised by praise or criticism, and I am more prudent than before."

Xiahou Xuan nodded and explained softly, "And I dare to say that if He Pingshu, Deng Xuanmao and others came to make plans today, Zhao Bo would no longer be as obedient as before."

What the hell is this kind of indifference to fame and disgrace, what bullshit is this kind of prudence!

I clearly feel that there is nothing more sad than a dead heart.
Cao Shuang, who was somewhat broken, felt a sudden pain in his heart, and could no longer control his emotions. "In front of Yu Taichu, I can't be false anymore. To be honest, I... I... Alas, I am so upset!"

After saying this, he poured out all the grievances and resentments in his heart.

Xiahou Xuan looked calm and listened quietly.

He waited until Cao Shuang had finished venting his anger before he said leisurely, "What I think is the opposite of Zhaobo. I think that not having the chance to destroy a country or state this time may not be a bad thing for Zhaobo." Uh, could there be a chance of a turnaround?

Cao Shuang, whose chest and abdomen were still rising and falling violently and who was breathing heavily, was stunned. He stared at Xiahou Xuan blankly for a while before he urged, "Taichu, tell me in detail."

"Xiahou Yunjin is now the governor of Henan, Qin Yuanming has been sent to govern Hetao, Cao Changsi will go to Liaodong, and my uncle is temporarily in charge of the Central Army as the Central Guard. Among all the princes of Qiaopei, the only one your majesty is close to is Zhaobo, who is still in his old position."

After Xiahou Xuan listed the others one by one, he asked, "May I ask, has Zhao Bo ever disobeyed Your Majesty? Or does Your Majesty intend to leave Zhao Bo alone?"

There is nothing!

After saying this in his heart, Cao Shuang's brows relaxed, and the deep hatred in his heart melted away in an instant.

"If you don't make a sound for three years, you will be astonished when you make one."

Seeing Zhuang, Xiahou Xuan again advised earnestly, "Zhao Bo does not need to be anxious. He has no chance to make achievements now, so he can wait for the day when he can be used. Moreover, the former Grand Marshal is a minister of government, and Your Majesty has always respected him. If Zhao Bo is sincere and can carry on the legacy of his father, it is also Your Majesty's hope!"

"If I were not Taichu, I would have almost made a mistake."

Cao Shuang nodded and smiled, "Taichu, please be at ease. I will not be anxious or self-pitying in the future."

Hearing this, Xiahou Xuan stared at him with a smile on his face.

This time, Cao Shuang did not ask any questions, but instead remained silent and pondered.

After a while, he waved his hand with a long sigh, "Oh, forget it! Taichu, don't doubt me. From today on, I will do as your majesty wishes and stop slandering Zhiquan."

"Good! Well, I forgot to inform Zhao Bo. I have a good relationship with Guanqiu Zhonggong. As the war is about to start and we need people, if I can recommend one or two aides to help the army, he will definitely be happy to accept them."

"Great! Without Taichu, I would be like a fish without water!"

Just as the capital Luoyang was becoming bustling with activity due to the upcoming wars against Goguryeo and Han Ye, Xiahou Hui continued to report for duty at the two government offices on time as before, doing nothing all day.

The difference is that he decided that from today on, he would never go to Chongwen Temple again.

Because Ding Mi, who had just returned from a banquet yesterday, informed him that Wang Jun, who had never been recruited by the government or appreciated by the powerful, had already left the capital Luoyang.

This made Xiahou Hui quite discouraged.

So all the time I had spent suppressing my temper and enduring the devilish noises that filled my ears for more than a month was in vain?
Furthermore, the position of the Central Guard General, which was of low rank but great power, was like that of a Shang Qing, and he himself was also the Secretary of the Central Secretariat. But in Wang Jun's mind, was he not among the dignitaries who could help him?

"Is it possible that Zhiquan's reputation for being upright was so great that Wang Jun did not dare to ask for help?"

When he couldn't help complaining and claiming that Wang Jun had no vision at all, Ding Mi's sharp words made him feel guilty and he felt that it was not good to disturb his uncle frequently.

If I have this free time, I might as well go home early to play books and drink tea with my wife and concubines, or spend time with my children.
Well, at the beginning of this spring he had a daughter, born to his concubine who came with the dowry. She was chubby and pink-faced and very cute. Even the naughty little Quji was vying to hold her.

However, just as he finished reviewing the general affairs of the Central Guard Office and before he had time to say goodbye to Yu Song, a palace eunuch came hurriedly.

I wonder what Your Majesty has ordered me to do?

The plan to lead troops to attack Goguryeo and Han Ye has been decided. It is too early to make preparations for the Haidong Protectorate. The rebel Wu who rebelled against Shu has not made any unusual moves. What else do you want to ask me for?
With doubts, Xiahou Hui followed the eunuch all the way to the Ganoderma Lucidum Pond.

"Your Majesty, I, the Imperial Guard, pay my respects to you."

Walking along the pavilion path to the fishing platform, Xiahou Hui bowed to Emperor Cao Rui who was fishing.

"Come on, make yourself at home."

Cao Rui didn't even turn his head, but just pointed to the place beside him.

A Huchuang and fishing gear had already been placed there, as well as Cao Rui's catch, three fish as big as a palm, which must have been there for quite some time.

"only."

After answering, Xiahou Hui walked over and sat down.

A little further away on the other side of the fishing platform, there was a young man about fourteen or fifteen years old, also fishing with a rod. His clothes were quite gorgeous, but judging from the way he sat upright and held his breath, he was not a royal family member.

Are you calling me here because of this young man?

Secretly speculating in his mind, Xiahou Hui put the bait on and cast the fishing rod, waiting for the next step.

But Cao Rui did not mention the young man. Instead, he tilted his head and squinted his eyes, and said directly in a joking manner, "Recently, people in the market are gossiping that Zhiquan wants to study classics and become a doctor?"

"Your Majesty, this is nonsense."

Xiahou Hui chuckled a few times, and then explained, "Your Majesty often told me that I should be cautious and think twice before doing anything. I thought it was difficult to be calm, so I wanted to emulate the virtuous. Recently, I often go to Chongwen Temple to listen to the scholars' debates and interpretations of the classics, in order to learn from them."

"Oh?"

The unexpected answer immediately aroused Cao Rui's interest. "Zhi Quan has been attending the lecture for more than a month, right? What have you learned? Tell me about it." (End of this chapter)