Wei Ni

A deathly silence fell over the tent for a long time.

Even the cold wind blowing through the gaps in the tent curtains seemed bored and quietly left.

Having received no reply, Cao Zhao gave up hope completely. He raised his head and drank the wine in his small wine bag in one gulp, then rose to take his leave, saying, "This matter was my rashness, and I have troubled Brother Zhonggong. It is late, and I must continue my journey tomorrow, so I will not disturb you any longer."

"Think carefully and don't misunderstand."

Before he could finish speaking, Guanqiu Jian interrupted him, "It's just a matter of saying a few words for him. How could I refuse? The reason I didn't speak up is simply because I felt it would be difficult to convince the General of Changsi's sincerity.

"Brother Zhonggong, are you saying that the General doesn't want to believe me?"

Upon hearing the unexpected reply, Cao Zhao was overjoyed, but quickly recovered and asked with surprise, "My brother Desi got along very well with him in Huainan, and I never offended the General in my early years. Now I voluntarily leave the capital Luoyang, only wanting to serve the country and defend the border to repay the late emperor's kindness and protect our Wei dynasty. Why does the General still not tolerate me?"

"Alas! Changsi, you don't understand the Great General."

Sighing and shaking his head, Guanqiu Jian, looking exhausted, said softly, "When the late emperor was still alive, I often sat down with the Grand General to discuss current affairs, and we even fought together against the traitor Gongsun. The Grand General's character was so strong that even the late emperor had difficulty in dissuading him, let alone me? Moreover, Changsi is a member of the imperial clan and was highly valued by the late emperor. He has been away fighting the rebels for over a year, and upon his return, he immediately requested to be transferred to a local post. Has Changsi ever considered how the court and the public will view the Grand General?"

uh~
Cao Zhao opened his mouth, as if to say something, but then closed it again.

On the way here, he was so preoccupied with his own situation that he forgot to put himself in Xiahou Hui's shoes and failed to consider the impact of his request for a posting on the outside world.

"There is still a little."

Seeing his silence, Guanqiu Jian first handed him the wine pouch, then stared into his eyes and slowly asked, "Has Changsi seriously considered whether he truly desires to be transferred to a local post?"

Even you doubt that I'm faking it?
I've already told you about Cao Shuang's letter; isn't that a sign of sincerity?
In a short while, Cao Zhao was filled with resentment.

Just as she was about to retort, she met Guanqiu Jian's meaningful eyes and suddenly realized what was happening. The shame and anger in her heart instantly melted away.

He understood in an instant.

He was already caught in the middle of it all and had no way to avoid it—he himself wanted to be transferred away from the power struggle in the capital Luoyang, but those who were on good terms with him could not turn a blind eye.

Because these people who have already been labeled as his are not members of the royal family of Wei.

After leaving the capital, I may never have the chance to return.

For example, Bi Gui and He Zeng.

Bi Gui is in a better position. He has now reconnected with his old acquaintances, such as Deng Yang, and may have a chance to be accepted by Cao Shuang.

But He Zeng was different.

Previously, when Xiahou Hui was in charge of investigating the families of officials in the Ministry of Agriculture in Luoyang, He Zeng conspired with him and secretly instructed his father's former subordinate to obstruct the investigation. This subordinate was the Prefect of Hongnong who had "died of illness" under the favor of the late Emperor Cao Rui.

Moreover, ever since he became suspicious of Xiahou Xian and Qin Lang, he began to befriend scholars and aristocratic families, half of whom were gathered by He Zeng through his efforts.

It can be said that He Zeng had almost placed all his hopes for the future on him.

Now he just packs his bags and says he's leaving the capital, Luoyang, with no intention of doing anything.

Such behavior is tantamount to discarding He Zeng like a worn-out shoe, and will inevitably bring He Zeng and most of his followers a frenzied revenge, relentlessly slandering and defaming him in the court.

Being a member of the imperial family naturally provides a form of protection.

However, when the emperor was still young, the fact that the brothers of the imperial clan all held military power outside the capital was a potential threat, especially given the power of rumors and the influence of public opinion.

In particular, the current emperor Cao Fang had no impression of him, let alone any trust in him.

If He Zeng and others, in their anger, were to defect to either Cao Shuang or Xiahou Hui, and inform Xiahou Hui of the previous matter of the Prefect of Hongnong, or claim that they disliked Cao Shuang and thus ignored his goodwill in requesting a transfer, even if they were successfully transferred to a remote location, they would not be able to avoid the power struggle, and would also be indirectly losing their henchmen and waiting to die!

"Heh, hehe, hahaha~"

Cao Zhao, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly burst into laughter, which grew louder and louder until even the guards on duty outside the tent heard it.

Unaware of the situation, they thought their general was having a pleasant conversation with Guanqiu Jian and was overjoyed to be returning to the capital Luoyang to receive rewards for his historic achievement of destroying a country.

Seeing his almost manic behavior, Guanqiu Jian got up and pressed down on his shoulder, saying sincerely, "Changsi, no matter what, I will convey Changsi's sincerity to the General."

"Ah, thank you, Brother Zhonggong." Cao Zhao, having stopped laughing, let out a long sigh of relief, took a big gulp from the wine flask, and handed it to Guanqiu Jian. "But let's just drop this matter. It's late, and I won't disturb you any longer. I'll go home now."

Having said that, without waiting for Guanqiu Jian's reaction, he turned and strode out of the tent.

When Guanqiu Jian got up and came out, he had already leaped onto his warhorse and led his personal guards away.

Standing still and silently watching the figures of the riders disappear into the night, Guanqiu Jian's weary face gradually turned into one of worry.

Although he was thousands of miles away supervising troops to suppress the rebels, his eldest son, Guanqiu Dian, who was a court official in the capital, would send him a letter every two months, giving him a general understanding of what was happening in Luoyang.

As Emperor Ming of Wei's most trusted advisor during his time as a prince, he knew that the late emperor had always been worried about the lack of capable successors among the imperial clansmen and the governors of Qiao and Pei. He had also gone to great lengths to ensure that the new generation of imperial clansmen from Qiao and Pei could live in harmony and work together to safeguard the stability of the Wei dynasty. However, only a short time had passed since the late emperor's death, and these two regents entrusted with the care of the young emperor were already fighting amongst themselves.

During the more than half a year of military service, he often grieved for the late emperor's misfortune day and night, and hated Xiahou Hui and Cao Shuang for not prioritizing the country, disregarding the safety of the Wei dynasty, and failing the late emperor's trust in the affairs of the state!

Yes, he also had many complaints about Xiahou Hui.

Even though Guanqiu Dian, the eldest son, claimed in his letter that Cao Shuang's wanton planting of his own faction in the court angered Xiahou Hui, leading to a complete falling out between the two, in his view, given the state of affairs in the court—with even Grand Tutor Sima Yi relinquishing his power and Cao Zhao, a member of the imperial clan, considering leaving the capital to avoid disaster—General Xiahou Hui, as the head of the regents, certainly could not escape responsibility.

Those in positions of authority should fulfill their responsibilities.

How could Xiahou Hui be innocent?
In particular, a recent family letter included private gossip from officials and commoners, who claimed that Xiahou Hui's "neglect of state affairs" and his efforts to reform the bureaucracy were all aimed at seizing power and changing the national talent selection system.

This made Guanqiu Jian even more dissatisfied with Xiahou Hui's "reckless and arbitrary actions" that disregarded the interests of the state.

It's utterly reckless and arbitrary!

Whether it was reforming the bureaucracy or changing the national talent selection system, he knew it would benefit the Wei dynasty.

But it also depends on the circumstances and whether it is appropriate to implement it.

At this time, with the enemy, Shu and Wu, being rebellious and disloyal, and with the emperor being young, the state suspicious, and the people uneasy, how could Xiahou Hui exacerbate the anxiety of the court officials at such a time?
Have they already forgotten the late Emperor Cao Rui's admonition that "governing a large country is like cooking a small fish"?
Could it be that you don't remember that the late emperor also had the desire to reform the long-standing problems in the court, but he still had to be cautious and proceed slowly, and that everything had to be compromised on the premise of bringing Wei to the world?

Beset by external and internal troubles, instead of focusing on stabilizing the nation, they have created further turmoil, which is extremely unwise!
On many sleepless nights, he wondered more than once if Xiahou Xian hadn't interfered and if Prince Cao Yu of Yan had been the regent, the current situation in the imperial court would not be what it is today.

After all, Prince Cao Yu of Yan is convincing in terms of his understanding of the bigger picture.

Of course, he quickly dismissed this unrealistic idea and turned his attention to whether he could do something to change the current turbulent situation after returning to the capital, Luoyang.

To be precise, he was pondering how to persuade Xiahou Hui to prioritize state affairs.

He had been pondering this for months, but he still had no answer.

Just as he had said to Cao Zhao, he knew Xiahou Hui's character well and was well aware that it would be difficult for him to persuade Xiahou Hui.

But he did not get discouraged or give up.

It wasn't that I firmly believed there would always be a way, but rather that I understood that some things, regardless of success or failure, I should do them, and do them to the best of my ability. Even if I ultimately failed, I could still hold my head high in the world, worthy of Emperor Cao Rui's high regard and generous promotion.

Whenever he strengthened his resolve, he couldn't help but feel deep contempt for Grand Tutor Sima Yi.

There is no other reason than this.

This Grand Tutor Sima Yi, who was once praised by Emperor Ming Cao Rui as a minister of the state, also disregarded the safety of the state and failed the heavy responsibility entrusted to him by the late emperor!
The three emperors of the Wei dynasty lavished favors upon the Sima family of Hanoi. They bestowed upon them almost every honor, position, and trust they could offer their ministers. But how did Grand Tutor Sima Yi repay them?
He actually voluntarily relinquished his power and chose to live a life of self-preservation.

Given his prestige as a regent for two reigns and a veteran minister of three reigns, if he were to stand up and declare that the nation's interests were paramount and righteously dissuade Xiahou Hui and Cao Shuang from vying for power, surely loyal and righteous men throughout the land would flock to him? No matter how unwilling Xiahou Hui and Cao Shuang might be, they would have to restrain their actions for fear of public opinion.

However.
This old scoundrel only knows how to scheme against his own family!
Where morality dictates, one will do it even if it seems impossible; a loyal and upright minister will bravely go forward and dedicate himself to the country, even if it means turning himself into dust!

How can one abandon the nation for one's own private interests?
Alas, vast and boundless heavens, to whom shall I turn?

As the sound of Cao Zhao's entourage's hooves faded into the distance, Guanqiu Jian, who was still standing in front of the tent, also withdrew his gaze and turned to look into the distance at the land of Wei, which had been built from the ruins of the Han Dynasty and had not yet completed its unification to prove its divine mandate.

As he looked at it, his eyelids slowly drooped down in sadness.

Because tonight, the planets and the moon have all taken a break, leaving everything in complete darkness.

It also made it impossible for him to see the direction ahead. (End of Chapter)