The elite did not migrate south

Chapter 11: Birds of a feather

"Actually, the relationship between my family and the Sima family is not bad."

"My cousin, Pingyuan Houde, married Sima Shi's daughter and became the captain of the Archery and the head of the imperial guards."

"My cousin Zhi serves as a Palace Attendant, a Changshui Commandant, and is in charge of the provincial guards."

"My cousin, Marquis Jian of Linjin, is the General of the Garrison, in charge of the Imperial Guard."

Guo Ze slowly talked about his family situation. Guo Ze was born in the Xiping Guo family and was a relative of the current Empress Dowager Guo.

A few years ago, the Xiping Guo family was involved in a rebellion, so the entire family was arrested and became government slaves.

Later, Cao Rui fell in love with Guo, made her his wife, and forgave her clansmen.

After experiencing such a change, the Xiping Guo family's population declined and was no longer as large as before.

It is precisely because of this that they have become more united. Even a distant clan member like Guo Ze can be promoted and often communicate with those clan members at the core through letters.

Cao Mao glanced at him and said, "I was told. The Queen Mother and I have never met before, but she chose me. She even told Sima Shi that she knew me very well and insisted on handing the seal to me personally. It turns out it was all because of you!"

Guo Ze was a little embarrassed and hurriedly explained, "I just praised you a few words when I was telling you about my situation."

"It's not just a few words, is it?"

"Just telling the truth."

"Well, go on."

Guo Ze continued, "My family and the Sima family used to get along well. Several of my brothers obeyed Sima Shi. I think it's probably because they didn't see Sima Shi's true face!"

Cao Mao did not interrupt him, but he understood what he meant.

Guo Ze's clansmen saw it clearly, but they just didn't care. If they could eat meat by following the Sima family, why should they make things difficult for them?

"It's just that my aunt doesn't like the Sima family very much, and she doesn't get any support."

Guo Ze narrates their relationship from his own perspective.

But for Cao Mao, the situation was different.

It seems that the Guo family had already formed an alliance through marriage with the Sima family, and the two sides cooperated to devour Cao Wei together. The Queen Mother was not against the Sima family. She was happy to share power with the Sima family. However, the Guo family also had its own bottom line.

The bottom line of their family is the position of Queen Mother.

The current prominence of the Guo family comes entirely from the position of the Queen Mother.

Looking at the positions of their clansmen, they are all in charge of the affairs within the palace because of their relationship with the Empress Dowager.

This is why when Sima Shi wanted to make the older Cao Ju the emperor, Empress Dowager Guo refused to back down and insisted on making herself the emperor.

You know, even when the Sima family dismissed the emperor, she was not so excited. Even when Cao Mao was assassinated, she did not react at all, and even helped the Sima family to severely accuse Cao Mao.

But the matter of enthronement is different. If Cao Ju becomes emperor, the Guo family will lose the position of empress dowager. This is their fundamental interest and cannot be compromised.

Cao Mao couldn't help but squint his eyes and thought of a lot of things.

And Guo Ze continued: "But now it's different!"

"Now that the Lord has ascended the throne, the Queen Mother will no longer be alone!"

"The revival of the Great Wei is just around the corner!"

Guo Ze was very excited and happy.

Cao Mao was not surprised at this at all. Guo Ze was a person suitable for getting things done, but not someone who could give advice.

Of course, Cao Mao did not expect him to plan any earth-shattering schemes for him. He just wanted to understand the situation of the Guo family more clearly.

That’s all Guo Ze could say.

Then, he looked at Cao Mao impatiently, "Do you want me to prepare to go to Luoyang?"

"Not urgent."

Cao Mao fell into deep thought.

Since you have decided to succeed to the throne, you have to make some preparations. This is already the second round, so you have to get a more perfect start than the first round.

After understanding Guo's position, he seemed to have some clues.

"Mr. Guo, I would like you to write a letter now and send it to the Queen Mother."

"Well, what does my lord want me to write?"

"Write that Prince Cao Fang of Qi is immoral and has implicated many. Today, the Queen Mother wants to make Duke Gaogui the emperor, even going so far as to confront the General. Duke Gaogui is deeply uneasy, fearing that this will cause discord between the Queen Mother and the General. Therefore, he asks the Queen Mother not to prioritize him so much and to follow the General's orders and make Prince Pengcheng the emperor."

"what?!"

Guo Ze almost jumped up.

"My lord, didn't we agree to help the world together? Why are you going back on your word?"

"Zi Shou, I'm not going back on my word. Didn't you just say it? Only when the Queen Mother and I are united can we confront Sima Shi. This letter is to express my respect for the Queen Mother."

"Besides, the throne cannot be inherited so easily. I still have something to do."

"This will be dangerous, but I have to do it."

"Your brothers and uncles are all virtuous and wise men. If they read this letter, they will surely be moved and may even come to help me."

Of course, this kind of words should be used to fool a gentleman like Guo Ze.

Guo Ze thought about it and felt that his lord's words made some sense. Although he didn't know what his lord Cao was going to do, he agreed. Cao Mao took his hand and said seriously, "You must be the wise minister who will help me revive the Wei Dynasty and pacify the world! Such a great feat begins with this letter!"

Guo Ze was so provoked by Cao Mao that his face turned red and his expression was excited. He did not ask any other questions and accepted the order on the spot.

The emperor and his minister were very excited.

But when he walked out of Guo Ze's study, the excitement on Cao Mao's face disappeared.

Treat different people in different ways.

"road!"

Cao Mao shouted loudly.

Liu Lu, who was wrestling with his companion, suddenly pressed his opponent under him, then stood up in a panic and looked in the direction of Cao Mao.

Cao Mao gestured to his study, and Liu Lu quickly put on his clothes and walked into the study with him.

Cao Mao's study was very simple, with books of many kinds placed on both sides. Cao Mao found paper and pen, and began to write.

Liu Lu was sitting in front of Cao Mao. He was illiterate and watched Cao Mao concentrating on writing. He did not dare to speak for fear of disturbing him.

Cao Mao finished writing and quickly put down his pen.

Looking at the black and white words in front of him, Cao Mao took a deep breath, his hands still trembling slightly, not knowing whether it was because of nervousness or fear.

"Lu, I have something very important to entrust to you."

Liu Lu was stunned, and then his expression became extremely solemn.

"Please give your orders, my lord. I am willing to die for you!"

"Lu, among all the rangers who follow me, you are the one I trust the most, and I am willing to entrust my life and property to you."

"I want you to deliver this letter to the Imperial Censor Guanqiu Dian in the capital. It must be delivered to him personally."

Liu Lu put the letter away and said, "I will definitely fulfill my mission!"

"Lu, you must be very careful. Now that Wang Su has arrived in Yuancheng, I'm probably being followed when I travel. However, they always look down on people like you. This is a good opportunity for us."

"In two hours, I will lead everyone to the restaurant for a drink. This is your chance to leave. You must leave quietly and not be discovered by them."

"You must be careful along the way. This letter must not fall into the hands of the Sima family. Otherwise, I will surely die."

Liu Lu grinned and said, "Don't worry, my lord. I can't do other things, but I am very good at escaping."

"Back then, the nobles of my hometown went hunting in the mountains and took pleasure in killing the mountain folk. In my rage, I killed them in return and escaped capture for years."

"However, to complete this task, I need to borrow something from the Lord."

Cao Mao laughed and said, "As long as it's not my head, I'll lend you anything."

"Please give me money, sir!"

"it is good!"

Liu Lu was about to explain when he was stunned. Then he said: "You don't know, most of the officials along the way are corrupt and unjust. They are just like their masters. As long as you give them a bribe, they will not..."

Cao Mao interrupted him, "No need to explain! I believe you!"

Cao Mao stood up and opened the wooden box beside the bed in front of Liu Lu. He took out something wrapped in cloth, returned to Liu Lu and handed the thing to him.

"This is all I have, all the money I've saved up this year. Take it and use it."

Liu Lu's hands began to tremble, "My Lord, I..."

"Then I entrust this matter to you. Please take care of yourself!"

Liu Lu suddenly stood up and bowed to Cao Mao, "I will never let you down, my lord!!!"

On that day, Cao Mao once again led many heroes out of the mansion in a grand procession. Passersby were used to it and were still as enthusiastic as ever.

They went to the restaurant they often visited.

The knights drank wine with big gulps and chatted with the diners at will. There were also a few people who mingled among the diners, not saying a word, but concentrating on eating, their eyes always fixed on Cao Mao.

When the rangers came to them for a drink, they always looked a little nervous.

At this moment, Cao Mao was pulling several merchants in Yuancheng and talking loudly about business matters, and those people could not understand what they were saying.

"These are the simplest ones. I have many more ways to make money!"

"Over the years, you've earned a lot of money thanks to my guidance. You can't just use it for pleasure. You should do more good deeds!"

Cao Mao seemed drunk. He said, "I will not help such a selfish villain. From now on, whenever you travel to different places, you must help the poor along the way, do more good deeds, and build a good reputation."

"I don't have much ability to help the people of the world. I can only help you by persuading you!"

The merchants were so smart that they looked at each other and suddenly realized what was going on.

"Of course! We have been deeply touched by your teachings. We will definitely practice more kindness and righteousness in the future and will never let you down!"

Cao Mao staggered out of here and led his hangers-on towards his home.

Those who were following him did not notice that one of Cao Mao's twenty-two followers was missing.

ps: Thank you very much to the leader Yan Guida. The new book has performed well, hahaha, it is number one on the new book list. Thank you very much for your support. I also hope that you can leave more chapter reviews. Well, it is mainly to get your suggestions, and I definitely don’t want to copy book reviews.

(End of this chapter)