Wei Ni

Xiahou Xuan and Cao Shuang were cousins, and Xiahou Hui was also a cousin of Xiahou Xuan.

However, ever since Cao Shuang had a falling out with Xiahou Hui, he had never suspected Xiahou Xuan.

Even if his most beloved concubine, after their lovemaking, whispered in his ear that Xiahou Xuan might side with Xiahou Hui, his first and only reaction was to have this gossiping concubine dragged away and beaten to death.

A scholar is not swayed by profit, nor does he change his ways because of trouble.

Xiahou Xuan absolutely deserves this title.

Therefore, his current worry was not out of selfishness or a desire not to devise a plan for Cao Shuang to counter Xiahou Hui; rather, it was because he suddenly realized that Cao Shuang had become somewhat unfamiliar, and it was difficult to find the original humble and kind-hearted figure in him.

It turns out that a person's character is so vulnerable in the face of power.

Seeing the resentment on Cao Shuang's face and the burning desire in He Yan's eyes, Xiahou Xuan ultimately chose to remain silent, unable to voice his thoughts.

It's not just Cao Shuang who won't listen.

She knew that once she expressed her thoughts, the two of them would likely develop a grudge, drift apart, and eventually stop exchanging letters.

Because he wanted to persuade Cao Shuang not to do anything.

Yes, it means to accept things calmly and not to engage in open or covert struggles with Xiahou Hui.

There are three reasons.

Firstly, Xiahou Hui was originally a Grand General, ranking above Cao Shuang.

May I ask, what qualifications, reasons, and justification did Cao Shuang, as the second-in-command, have to fight for this position?
Was Xiahou Hui immoral, acting against the grain and disrupting the government, or was he arrogant and domineering, bullying the emperor and his officials?

And why bother fighting for it!
One was a scion of Qiao and Pei, the other a member of the imperial clan; both were ministers entrusted by Emperor Ming of Wei, Cao Rui, with the safety of the realm at stake. Shouldn't they have been of one mind and devoted to serving the Wei dynasty? At this critical juncture, with a young emperor and a precarious state, prioritizing the greater good and showing mutual forbearance for the sake of the country should have been their way of getting along.
Most importantly, can Cao Shuang win this battle?
In terms of prestige, achievements, strength, and henchmen, Cao Shuang had no advantage whatsoever.

The second reason is that they believe Cao Shuang's current attempt to seize power will backfire.

Xiahou Hui recommended many official positions, but none of them were his relatives or cronies; now Cao Shuang is going to recommend his own confidants. What will the court and the public think of this?
Wouldn't the officials and nobles think that Cao Shuang was too power-hungry and unfit to be entrusted with the care of Emperor Ming?
Once such thoughts arise, will they compare Cao Shuang and Xiahou Hui, find that the two are inferior, find that Xiahou Hui is more trustworthy, and thus lean more towards Xiahou Hui's side?

Finally, Xiahou Xuan felt that Cao Shuang shouldn't have harbored resentment.

Because Xiahou Hui has already shown great goodwill.

Indeed, Xiahou Hui's recommendation of Cao Shuang's three younger brothers for official positions did not significantly increase Cao Shuang's power, and the imperial guards he commanded were merely the three thousand guards that originally belonged to Cao Shuang; however, Xiahou Hui also requested the reduction of his direct subordinate troops and their reorganization into the central army in Luoyang.
Xiahou Hui was granted the authority to command all military affairs, both inside and outside the capital, while Cao Shuang and Sima Yi were granted the authority to command all military forces.

The difference lies in the fact that Xiahou Hui had the power to control the entire nation's military force, while Grand Commandant Sima Yi focused on controlling the entire nation's military and the local troops, and Cao Shuang focused on the central army in Luoyang and the troops stationed at key passes and strategic locations around the capital.

Now that Xiahou Hui has dispersed more than 6,000 infantry and cavalry into the central army, isn't that indirectly increasing Cao Shuang's real power?
Or rather, without the Grand General's seal and signature, Cao Shuang could not mobilize the central army in Luoyang and the troops stationed at the passes, and Xiahou Hui's move was merely for show.

But this is restricted by the system of government administration!
Xiahou Hui has already shown the greatest goodwill within the bounds of the system, so what more does Cao Shuang want?

Do you want Xiahou Hui to resign and hand over the position of Grand General to Cao Shuang?
These are the reasons why Xiahou Xuan suddenly felt that Cao Shuang had changed—he seemed to have lost his mind, forgotten his own rank, and was only resentful of others having what he had and bitter about what he didn't.

To be fair, Xiahou Xuan did not actually oppose Cao Shuang's power struggle.

After all, who doesn't want to make a difference?
However, he believed that no matter how much one fought for power and profit, one should adhere to the mentality of "being invincible and waiting for the enemy to become vulnerable," first ensuring one's own foundation, and then waiting for the opportunity to arise before fighting for it.

If you're going to fight for something, you have to wait until you can get it, and make sure you hit the bullseye every time.

Instead of being swayed by emotions, focusing only on immediate gains and losses, and blindly striving for success.

"Taichu, why do you not speak?"

Seeing that Xiahou Xuan had not spoken for a long time, Cao Shuang couldn't help but ask, "I think Ping Shu's words are feasible. I wonder what Tai Chu thinks?"

Upon hearing the question, Xiahou Xuan considered it briefly and did not answer directly. Instead, he brought up other matters, saying, "Zhaobo, there are rumors circulating in the market recently. It is said that when the General, Zhaobo, the Grand Commandant, and others returned from the funeral at Gaoping Mausoleum and went to the Nine Dragons Hall to pay homage to the Emperor, the General even removed his sword and shoes and hurriedly bowed and praised the Emperor. I wonder if this is true?"

This is not a rumor.

It is a fact that is widely discussed by the gentry and commoners of the capital and Luoyang, and you cannot possibly be unaware of it.

Cao Shuang glanced at Xiahou Xuan, his expression somewhat unpleasant, but he ultimately nodded, already guessing what Xiahou Xuan was going to say.

Because that's how things went that day.

After returning from the funeral procession at Gaoping Mausoleum, Xiahou Hui entered the Nine Dragons Hall that day, removed his shoes, took off his sword, and handed it to the palace guards.

In response, the chief official in charge of court etiquette specifically reminded Xiahou Hui that he already had the privilege of being allowed to enter the palace with a sword and shoes, but he ignored the advice and threw his sword to the armored soldiers before entering the palace to pay homage to Emperor Cao Fang.

After the palace discussion, the officials also mentioned this matter to the emperor, impeaching Xiahou Hui for disregarding etiquette and regulations.

Emperor Cao Fang then posed this question.

Xiahou Hui's reply was as follows: "Your Majesty, I am only thirty years old and have made some minor contributions. I have been honored by my father's merits and the late Emperor's high regard, and was thus appointed Grand General to assist in governing. I have always been filled with trepidation. After Your Majesty ascended the throne, Your Majesty bestowed upon me the special honors of wearing a sword and shoes in the palace, not having to bow in court, and not having to mention my name when being praised. This makes me even more apprehensive. I believe that Your Majesty has not yet come of age and assumes full power, which means that my duty as an assistant to the emperor has not yet been fulfilled, and I dare not say that I have not failed the late Emperor's trust. Therefore, I am truly ashamed and dare not accept such honors." This attitude won praise from many senior officials and became a popular anecdote.

Many people used this to ridicule Liu Fang.

He said, “When Emperor Ming entrusted his son to him, he said that the General was quite reckless and unconventional in his youth. Now the General has declined this honor, which shows that he has become a petty person and a laughing stock for the world! The praise of humility is not exclusive to the General of Chariots and Cavalry!”

It was this statement that greatly spurred Cao Shuang, making him become increasingly ambitious and feel that if he didn't fight for power now, he would never have another chance.

Therefore, he understood that Xiahou Xuan's mention of this matter was actually a veiled advice to him not to compete, and a reminder that he couldn't win.

After all, even in terms of humility, Xiahou Hui can now rival him. How can he possibly compete? How many of the high-ranking officials are willing to stand by his side and support him?

as predicted.

After seeing him nod, Xiahou Xuan continued, “Zhaobo, I believe that although He Pingshu’s strategy is good, the time is not yet right. Now the General has already won the praise of the court and the public. If we are eager to seek power in the court, it may attract criticism from the court and the public, which will not be conducive to Zhaobo’s future assistance in governing and wielding power.

Cao Shuang remained silent.

He wasn't stupid, so he knew that Xiahou Xuan's advice wasn't without merit.

But he was also very unwilling to give up.

He was already prejudiced, and if he just sat idly by and watched Xiahou Hui's reputation rise and his power become more and more consolidated without doing anything, it would be a real torment, and even more so a crisis of "hesitation leading to disaster".

However, he soon stopped worrying about it.

He Yan, sitting to his left, saw the hesitation on his face and said earnestly, “Tai Chu is right. I was too eager and forgot to consider the feelings of Grand Commandant Sima Gong. I almost ruined Zhao Bo’s life.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Cao Shuang's eyes cleared up.

He also realized his oversight.

By recommending Sima Shi for an official position, Sima Yi aimed to place his cronies in the imperial court. How would Grand Commandant Sima Yi feel about this? For Sima Yi, his power struggle with Xiahou Hui was one thing, but to be dragged into this for no reason, and to have his eldest son used as a pretext, was intolerable!
It is common knowledge in both the court and among the people that Grand Commandant Sima Yi has never had any ambition to seize power.

But that doesn't mean he doesn't have a temper!
If, in his shame and anger, the Grand Commandant were to side with Xiahou Hui, that would be an unbearable burden for Cao Shuang!

Xiahou Hui alone was enough to increase his sense of crisis and make him feel suffocated; if the Grand Commandant, who was also assisting him, were added to the mix...
Got it!

There's no need to argue anymore; just see yourself as meat on the butcher's block.

"Ok!"

Nodding emphatically, Cao Shuang forcibly suppressed his resentment. "What Taichu said is very good, and Pingshu also has foresight. Let's put this matter aside for now." After saying this, he paused, then realized that his words and demeanor showed signs of being impetuous and blinded by greed, so he added, "Taichu and Pingshu are far more talented than I am. In the future, if I have any oversights, please do not hesitate to point them out to me without hesitation."

"only."

“Zhao Bo is being modest.”

The two of them quickly and modestly agreed.

Xiahou Xuan secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

He felt that the Cao Shuang in front of him was the same Cao Shuang who could listen to advice as before.

However, his relief came a little too soon.

The following day, Jiang Ji, who had been silent for a long time, submitted a memorial to Emperor Cao Fang, claiming that Grand Commandant Sima Yi was upright and loyal to three generations, and should be honored as Grand Tutor according to ancient regulations.

In response, Emperor Cao Fang issued an edict to have all the officials discuss the matter, and most of the senior and important ministers in the court agreed.

General Xiahou Hui and General Cao Shuang remained silent.

There is nothing we can do about it.

As fellow regents entrusted with the care of the young emperor, they had no choice but to remain silent.

The Grand Tutor is a high-ranking and prestigious position.

If they object, they will be criticized by the court and the public for not wanting to see the Grand Commandant and for turning a blind eye to Sima Gong's achievements and loyalty to the emperor.

However, if Sima Yi were to be honored as Grand Tutor, he would inevitably have to relinquish his authority to oversee the affairs of the Secretariat, in accordance with established regulations.

How could they possibly agree to this? Weren't they worried about being criticized by others? Did they harbor any ambition to seize power from Sima Yi?

So they had no choice but to remain silent.

But this incident also further provoked Cao Shuang—in his view, even Grand Commandant Sima Yi had to avoid Xiahou Hui's sharp edge, so what future did he himself have? (End of Chapter)