Wei Ni

Qin Lang had already returned to the capital, Luoyang.

Moreover, he arrived on the very day Emperor Ming, Cao Rui, passed away, but he was still almost an hour late. By the time he arrived at the palace, the Taiji Hall had already completed the process of the old and the new emperors changing hands.

This result is quite disheartening, and one can't help but lament the cruel twist of fate.

It's important to understand that if he were to see Emperor Ming one last time, even after Prince Yan, Cao Yu, was dismissed from his position as Grand General, he would undoubtedly be among those entrusted with the care of the young emperor. Furthermore, Cao Rui might not have heeded Liu Fang's advice to include Grand Commandant Sima Yi in the regent list. After all, if he were to return, Cao Rui could instruct him to support Cao Shuang, thus eliminating any concerns about Xiahou Hui's character.

Ugh!
That's just fate.
With the sealing of the records of Emperor Cao Rui's daily life, the events that took place in the Jiafu Palace gradually became known to the officials and nobles, and people couldn't help but feel a lot of emotion about Qin Lang's fate.

Naturally, Liu Fang and Sun Zi, who caused all of this, also faced criticism.

Sun Zi, the Grand Secretary, fared somewhat better.

He only advised Emperor Cao Rui to change the choice of Grand General; he did not directly participate in the selection of the regent.

However, he and Liu Fang had been through thick and thin together for many years and were like one entity in the court. When people mentioned Liu Fang, they would inevitably include him in their conversations.

Liu Fang, the Director of the Imperial Secretariat, fared much worse.

Thanks to Emperor Cao Rui's dying curse of "old thief," he is now deserted by all and avoided by officials.

Those who flattered him in the past need not be mentioned; once they knew his downfall was inevitable, they dispersed when their gains were exhausted. Those who maintained a gentlemanly relationship with him were simply protecting themselves and did not want to be implicated.

Even Sun Zi treated him like a stranger.

To be precise, when Liu Fang decided to betray their friendship, they were destined to break up.

Amidst widespread condemnation and fear of impending purge, Liu Fang, consumed by anger and dread, quickly fell ill.

Moreover, the condition deteriorated exceptionally rapidly.

At first, he only lost his appetite and gradually became thinner. After a few days, he could no longer eat or drink, his clothes became loose, and he even had difficulty getting out of bed. On the day of the funeral of Emperor Ming at Gaoping Mausoleum, some people whispered that it seemed he would soon die.

Or perhaps this speculation reflects the current expectations of both the government and the public!
Everyone was hoping he would die soon!

Only when he dies can many things be resolved.

Not to mention the high-ranking officials who had long been wielding power against him, even Emperor Cao Fang, after being enlightened by Empress Dowager Guo, harbored this expectation in his heart.

As a son, Cao Fang had to give an explanation for Emperor Ming Cao Rui's calling him an "old thief" and for his dying with his eyes wide open.
But having just ascended the throne, he couldn't very well commit the act of killing three generations of loyal ministers; moreover, punishing Liu Fang was also a way of criticizing Emperor Ming's governance.
So if Liu Fang were to be sensible and "die" from his own illness, that would be the true way to show loyalty to the new emperor!
Xiahou Hui and Sima Yi also hoped that Liu Fang would die soon.

After learning the whole story, Xiahou Hui had this idea.

Because throughout the entire Wei Kingdom, he never cared about Yan King Cao Yu or the other sons of Xiahou Cao; the only people he truly feared were Sima Yi and his eldest son.

Emperor Ming Cao Rui's entrustment of his son to him was already the best outcome for him—Prince Yan Cao Yu was reasonable, and in Xiahou Hui's eyes, Qin Lang, Cao Shuang, and Cao Zhao combined could not stop him from doing what he wanted.

Unexpectedly, Liu Fang brought Sima Yi into the mix.

This adds an element of uncertainty for the future!
It would be strange if Xiahou Hui wasn't furious.

Sima Yi's thoughts, naturally, were filled with resentment towards Liu Fang for meddling.

Especially that "old thief," who knows, it might fall on his head someday!

This is not just him being overly pessimistic.

In recent days, the most talked-about topic among people in Luoyang, the capital, has been what Emperor Cao Rui of the Ming Dynasty meant by his unfinished phrase, "Old thief, you've made a mistake."

Some say it's "the old thief who misled me," while others say it's "the old thief who ruined the country."

They mean the same thing.

After all, since Emperor Guangwu of the previous dynasty, the emperor could also be referred to as "the state".

As for Emperor Ming's rebuke of Liu Fang for "misleading me and the country," no one dared to discuss it further. But the absence of an answer is itself an answer.

Further discussion will inevitably involve "who," and everyone knows who "who" is.
Gaoping Mausoleum.

After the funeral arrangements for Emperor Ming were completed, the relevant officials, including the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, returned to the palace to report and led Emperor Cao Fang to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to offer sacrifices at the temple of Emperor Ming. The ministers, led by Xiahou Hui, were to keep watch in front of the mausoleum for one night.

This was the last time they would accompany Emperor Ming.

Some officials sat with their heads down, worried about their future.

Some officials were overcome with emotion and prostrated themselves before the mausoleum, weeping uncontrollably and remaining there for a long time.

Some officials sat silently in their felt mats, staring blankly at the gray night sky, their faces filled with worry and confusion about the future of the Wei dynasty.

Qin Lang was the one who prostrated and wept, while King Cao Yu of Yan was the latter.

Therefore, Xiahou Hui first came to Qin Lang's side.

He must have sensed something, for Qin Lang, still weeping, looked up and saw Xiahou Hui. He hastily wiped his face with his hand, snorted hard, and then greeted him, "General."

"Yuanming, would you like to take a walk with me?"

Xiahou Hui asked softly, extending his hand. "Yes."

A hint of hesitation flashed across Qin Lang's face. He wiped his hands on his clothes before daring to help himself up.

He knew that Xiahou Hui wouldn't come looking for him for no reason, and he also knew that there was a huge difference in their status and that his fate was already in the other's hands. So, as he followed closely behind, he quietly waited for Xiahou Hui to speak.

But Xiahou Hui remained silent.

They led him all the way to Prince Cao Yu of Yan.

"Prince Yan, may I interrupt for a moment?"

The Prince of Yan, who had already noticed their arrival, looked somewhat surprised. He quickly stood up to greet them and gestured for them to sit down, saying, "General, Yuanming, please."

The three sat down, one as the host and the other as the guest.

After the attendant Han Long subtly led the other people away, Xiahou Hui finally spoke up and asked, "Do Prince Yan and Yuanming still remember the old eunuch who often served His Majesty?"

Unconsciously, the King of Yan and Qin Lang exchanged a glance before nodding slightly.

"I've been looking for him these past few days. That day in the Jiafu Hall..."

Xiahou Hui went straight to the point, recounting the entire process from Liu Fang and Sun Zi entering Jiafu Palace to the death of Emperor Ming, Cao Rui, without omitting a single detail or concealing anything.

After speaking, Xiahou Hui turned his head away and silently looked at Gaoping Mausoleum, which was swallowed by the night.

Having finally grasped the full picture, both Prince Yan and Qin Lang were overcome with emotion and silently wept, their heads bowed. They were likely grieving over Emperor Ming Cao Rui's unfulfilled potential in his final moments, and also lamenting their own fates.

Especially now that the matter has been settled and there is no room for change.

After a long silence.

The two men had largely regained their composure, and Prince Cao Yu of Yan then spoke up to express his gratitude, saying, "Thank you for informing me, General."

"That doesn't have to be the case."

Shaking his head slightly, Xiahou Hui knew that his thanks were also an inquiry into why he had told them about this matter. So he nodded to Qin Lang first, then looked at the Prince of Yan with a sincere face, cupped his hands and said earnestly, "The late emperor originally intended for the Prince of Yan, but unfortunately, treacherous officials interfered. Alas! Things have come to this, and I can do nothing to change it. I can only do my best. Prince of Yan, after returning to the palace the next day, I intend to submit a memorial to His Majesty, requesting that the Prince of Yan be appointed as a Chamberlain and Commander of the Central Army to supervise the three thousand palace guards under my command, so as to fulfill the late emperor's wish. I hope that the Prince of Yan will not refuse."

Upon hearing this, two more tears streamed down the face of Prince Yan, Cao Yu.

Perhaps he never expected that Xiahou Hui would be so generous in sharing power with him.

After a long silence, he shook his head and said, “I am deeply grateful for the General’s trust and high regard. But as the General just said, the matter is beyond redemption, and please forgive me for not being able to accept it.”

"The Prince of Yan."

Xiahou Hui wanted to persuade him further, but before he could speak, he was interrupted by King Cao Yu of Yan.

"Zhiquan, listen to me first."

He addressed Xiahou Hui by his courtesy name to make him understand that what he said came from the bottom of his heart: "Emperor Wen has issued an edict pardoning 'vassal kings from assisting in government.' Now that the emperor has just ascended the throne, Zhi Quan, as the Grand General, should be cautious in all matters and act in accordance with the rules, so as not to give others cause for criticism and increase the disturbance in the court."

He paused briefly, then added, “I was summoned back to my residence that day. Whatever the twists and turns may have occurred, they have nothing to do with Zhiquan, nor are they within Zhiquan’s control. Therefore, I ask Zhiquan to face the situation calmly and not feel ashamed of me.”

Ugh.
Xiahou Hui couldn't help but sigh.

Since Prince Cao Yu of Yan had already said so much, he couldn't insist any further.

After all, with Emperor Wen of Han, Cao Pi, stating that "feudal princes are not allowed to assist in government," even if Prince Yan, Cao Yu, accepted his good intentions, he would eventually be dismissed by this statement.

He has already suffered once.

Why should Xiahou Hui force him to suffer again?

“Zhiquan, I served by the side of the late emperor when he was ill, and he also gave me some instructions.”

Seeing Xiahou Hui's expression, Prince Cao Yu of Yan knew that he had already declined, so he brought up the previous matter again, "The late emperor told me on his deathbed that among the sons of Xiahou and Cao, only Zhiquan and Yuanming were suitable to be appointed as commanders; among the generals of other surnames, Guanqiu Jian, the general who crossed the Liao River, was also suitable."

After saying this, he stood up, cupped his hands in greeting, and left, saying, "Well, I'm going to change my clothes now. Excuse me."

This was meant to allow Xiahou Hui and Qin Lang to be alone and have a private conversation.

Think about it.

Xiahou Hui had brought Qin Lang with him and was even willing to entrust him with the command of three thousand palace guards, so it was natural that he was going to entrust Qin Lang with an important task.

So he was very understanding and found an excuse to leave.

This also shows that he lacked political skills due to his previous lack of official experience, and was truly unsuitable for a high position in the government.

If Xiahou Hui had been present and had offered a few words of support, Qin Lang might have accepted Xiahou Hui's subsequent invitation and goodwill. But since he first declined and then excused himself from the table, Qin Lang would inevitably follow suit.

If a vassal king like him has limitations and concerns, does Qin Lang, as the adopted son of Cao Cao, not have any? (End of Chapter)