Three Kingdoms: I am not Liu Bian

Chapter 125: Rotten oranges are rotten oranges!

Cao Song's demeanor and behavior as a minister of remonstration today really changed many people's previous impression of him. There was a hint of a different look in everyone's eyes when they looked at him.

"What the Grand Minister of Agriculture said is very true. I, the Minister of the Court, Zhong Fu, agree with it!" Zhong Fu spoke passionately and stood up behind Cao Song.

Zhong Fu was a man of upright character. His father was the former Minister of the Interior, Zhong Hao. When he was the Governor of Yizhou, he seized bribes given to Cao Teng by the governor of Shu County in Xiegu, and wrote to Emperor Xiaohuan to punish Cao Teng.

Emperor Xiaohuan knew that the bribe was just the wishful thinking of the governor of Shu County, and did not blame Cao Teng. Cao Teng did not care about Zhong Hong's impeachment. Instead, he praised him and made him famous. He also recommended him to the emperor to be the prime minister. Even Zhong Hong publicly admitted that he was appointed as the prime minister because of Cao Teng's kindness.

Of course, even if there was no such relationship, given his personality, he would still agree with Cao Song.

"Your Highness Zhang Wen seconded the motion!"

Zhang Wen also glanced at Cao Song with a complicated expression on his face, as if he was surprised by Cao Song's change.

He had also been recommended by Cao Teng, but he had looked down on Cao Song in the past, thinking that he was just a corrupt and unjust minister.

Now it seems that he is just like his father, with minor flaws but no major flaws.

"Your Highness, Zhao Dian, the Minister of Changle, second this motion!"

"I, the Grand Master of Imperial Households Ding Gong, second this motion!"

"I, the Grand Secretary Qiao Xuan, second the motion!"

"Xunshuang, my minister in charge of gold, seconded the proposal!"

"I, the Chief Architect Cai Yong, second the proposal!"

As one court official after another stepped forward, some stood behind Cao Song, while others stood shoulder to shoulder with him. However, Cao Song keenly noticed that everyone looked at him with a bit of friendliness and respect.

That was a feeling he had never experienced before!
In order to cooperate with the prince's plan to impeach Zhao Rao, he was worried that many court officials would dissuade him on the grounds of "unfilial piety", so he contacted many court officials in advance to cooperate with him.

Although Cao Teng was a eunuch, Cao Song and Cao Cao had previously tried every means to get rid of the stigma of being a eunuch and join the big family of the gentry, but the political legacy Cao Teng left to Cao Song and Cao Cao was abundant.

As a wise eunuch, he recommended many scholars, and many of these scholars held high-ranking officials with a rank of more than 2,000 stones. The network of contacts he left for Cao Song was very deep. The first group of people who stood up to support the proposal included Qiao Xuan, Xun Shuang, Cai Yong and other famous scholars at home and abroad who had also received favors from Cao Teng, some of which were for recommendations, and some for saving their lives.

As this group of court officials collectively supported Cao Song, those who had previously been indignant about Zhao Rao's affairs and other wavering people also chose to join in, and most of the court officials supported Cao Song.

Cao Song could feel that the invisible barrier outside the circle of the aristocratic class seemed to be gradually melting away for him.

The goal he had longed for for many years seemed to be right in front of him.

But at this moment, he suddenly smiled as if relieved.

Cao Song raised his head and chuckled, his laughter was a bit self-deprecating, and his shoulders trembled slightly.

Everyone says that Cao Song, who was ready to face death, laughed because he felt the righteous spirit of "I am not alone in my way", but they didn't know that he was laughing at himself who had given up his dignity in order to get an invitation to join the circle of aristocrats.

The thing he had once longed for suddenly appeared quietly on his way forward, and it was so easily available without him having to ask anyone for it. How could Cao Song not find this ridiculous?

But unfortunately, he didn't care about it anymore. What about the nobles? What about the descendants of eunuchs?

With the trust of the prince as the main factor and Cao Teng's political legacy as the supplement, he and Cao Cao can make the Cao family of Qiao County rise in two generations. As long as the third generation descendants are not stupid and do not need to please these gentry, the Cao family of Qiao County can follow the path of the Yuan family of Runan in the past and change their class status. Why do they need the pity of the gentry?
"The Minister of Agriculture is loyal and dedicated to the country, and he has devoted himself to the country and has not shirked his responsibility to impeach treacherous officials. I am very pleased with him."

Liu Bian also cooperated with Cao Song's performance. Although Cao Song added a lot of roles for himself in the performance to make himself famous, he was also willing to "cooperate" with Cao Song for Zhao Rao's wealth of 5 billion coins.

"I have always been pleased to hear advice. In the past, King Wei of Qi rewarded those who gave me honest advice. Now I should follow the example of the wise kings of the past and make the Minister of Agriculture of Jin the Marquis of Pingle Township, with an additional fief of 500 households, bringing the total fief to 1,000 households!"

After saying this, a strange smile appeared on Liu Bian's lips.

"Your Highness, I am Cao Song. Thank you for your gift!" Cao Song was excited and bowed down quickly.

The title of Marquis of Pingle Township, with a fief of one thousand households, is finally in my hands!
Although the prince had previously made political promises, for politicians, real gains can only be made when the political promises are fulfilled.

However, Cao Song always felt that something was wrong, but he couldn't put his finger on it. He had to suppress his confusion, took the "Marquis of Pingle Seal" handed to him by the eunuch Ding Su, and thanked the prince again.

Little did he know that when Xun Shuang, Qiao Xuan, Cai Yong, Zhang Wen and others looked at him, there was something strange in their eyes, even mixed with disappointment and contempt.

The prince knew that the fiefdom Cao Song inherited from Cao Teng was 500 households without asking the officials, which could be explained.

But since it was a sudden promotion, the seal and ribbon and other items were naturally made on the spur of the moment. The prince had just decided to promote Cao Song, but he gave him the seal and ribbon of Pingle Xianghou without checking the map and the list of marquises. Is this reasonable?
Before conferring a title of nobility, he must have consulted the map, thought about where Cao Song should be conferred the title, and looked through the list of marquises to avoid conferring the title on a wrong place that already had an owner.

Everyone present was not stupid, so they naturally saw the flaw.

It turns out that you, Cao Jugao, are not ready to die, but you and the prince have already planned it out, and you are putting on a show here for them to see!

For a moment, it seemed as if Cao Song was some dirty thing. Everyone unconsciously took a few steps back and took back the things that Cao Song thought were within his reach.

"Bah!" The elderly Qiao Xuan glanced at Cao Song and spat with disdain, his eyes full of contempt. Although he didn't speak loudly, the words were clearly heard by Cao Song, "A rotten orange is a rotten orange!"

"How could I be so foolish as to look upon Cao Jugao in such a different light!"

Although Qiao Xuan was a giant of the ancient literature school, he had served as a military general for a long time. He had a strong character and did not like to beat around the bush. He criticized it mercilessly in public.

He believed that Cao Cao was a great talent of the time who could support the Han Dynasty, but this did not mean that he would have a good face towards Cao Song, especially after realizing that he was being used by Cao Song as a tool for profit.

Cao Song smiled bitterly and shook his head helplessly, but there was nothing he could do.

But Yang Ci couldn't help but smile, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly, and he smiled silently, looking at the prince who was still sitting upright, as if he saw a naughty grandson teasing the ministers. Although there was a bit of helplessness in his eyes, it was full of pride and pampering.

The prince's method of checking and balancing the court officials was becoming more and more sophisticated. He pretended to reveal a flaw inadvertently, thus cutting off Cao Song's chance of being accepted by the upright scholars, and seriously damaged the political legacy left by Cao Teng to the Cao family of Qiao County.

Liu Bian also responded with a sly smile.

In his eyes, the Cao family of Qiao County could become a noble family, but they could not become a noble family in this way.

Otherwise, if you, Cao Jugao, are rallying everyone's support today, you are planning to impeach Zhao Rao with him. Then, will my decrees tomorrow also be opposed because of your objections?
Hey, do you really think that it is so easy to earn the title of Marquis of Pingle Township, whose fief is in the imperial capital?
(End of this chapter)