The Duke of Shu Han began guarding Jingzhou in place of Guan Yu.

Chapter 320 Clever Advice
Cao Zijian's literary talent is renowned throughout the world.

Cao Rui's suggestion was immediately approved by everyone present.

This included Cao Hong and Jia Kui.

Cao Zhi was already used to this kind of scene, so he was not intimidated at all and immediately ground ink and began to write.

In less than 45 minutes, he had written a thousand-character essay.

Indeed, it is magnificent in scale and beautiful in style.

Various exclamations of praise rose and fell.

Cao Rui said he would cherish this article so as not to betray the deep affection his uncle had for him.

In the future, we must emulate our ancestor, Emperor Wu, and with the help of Hebei, pacify Guanzhong in the west and restore the great Wei dynasty.

However, it would have been better if he hadn't said that.

When the topic turned to the legacy of his ancestors, Cao Zhi immediately became animated:

"This place is called Baimajin, and I once wrote a five-character poem that was also named after Baima!"

"The imagery in the latter half of the poem resonates quite with today."

"Please allow me to recite for Your Majesty."

Without waiting for Cao Rui's approval, he paced back and forth in front of the ferry.

He recited the poem as he walked:
"The border town is in constant danger, and the enemy cavalry has been moving around frequently."

"The urgent message came from the north, and the horses galloped up the high embankment."

"They marched straight into the Xiongnu, and looked left to look down on the Xianbei."

"If one abandons oneself to the edge of the blade, how can one cherish one's life?"

Cao Zhi recited a couplet with each step he took.

We've taken exactly four steps.

Although Cao Rui disliked his unauthorized actions, these few lines of poetry were barely appropriate for the occasion and possessed a generous and heroic spirit.

As a young and ambitious emperor, Cao Rui was naturally able to appreciate it.

So no action was taken to stop it.

The equally young officials around him, such as Guanqiu Jian, who had just been promoted to the position of Shangshu Lang, as well as Zhuge Dan and Deng Yang, who were also Shangshu Lang, immediately struck their swords to keep the rhythm for Cao Zhi.

Seeing this, Cao Zhi became even more unrestrained.

He simply took three steps and recited the last three lines in one breath:
"If you don't even care about your parents, how can you talk about your children and wife?"

"The list of heroes must be compiled, and personal considerations must not be taken into account."

"To sacrifice oneself for the country in times of crisis, to regard death as returning home."

As soon as the word "return" was uttered, tears welled up in Cao Zhi's eyes.

He seemed to be moved by the imagery in the poem.

It could also be that familiar verses evoked memories of one's youthful ambitions.

Then he began to lament his unbearable situation in middle age.

To be honest, as a poet of great talent and temperament, Cao Zhi's loss of composure was not entirely unreasonable.

Even the most ruthless politician wouldn't criticize him for such a trivial matter.

In the end, wasn't he just a prince who had long since lost power?

But Cao Zhi made a huge mistake.

It was inappropriate to mention the phrase "Why talk about sons and wives" in front of Cao Rui.

How did Zhen Mi die?

How was Cao Rui stripped of his title at one point?
Isn't this exactly what it means for someone to be heartless, "disregarding even their parents, let alone their children and wife"?

Cao Rui's face immediately darkened.

Several of his young, trusted advisors dared not stir up trouble any longer and bowed their heads in submission.

Some people also wanted to remind Cao Zhi.

Unfortunately, Cao Zijian's mouth was as eloquent as his literary talent; once his poetic inspiration struck, it was unstoppable.

So after uttering the last line, "To sacrifice oneself for the country in times of crisis, to regard death as returning home," Cao Rui finally became furious.

He snorted coldly:
"The Imperial Uncle had previously proposed the idea that 'a monarch should die for his country.'"

"Today, you have used this poem to cleverly advise me; you truly have good intentions!"

Cao Zhi was secretly enjoying himself when he heard Cao Rui's unfriendly tone and was caught off guard.

A skillful remonstrance?

What kind of skillful advice?
Am I not reciting a poem to commemorate His Majesty's departure?

Just because Cao Zhi didn't react doesn't mean that others didn't.

A man in his thirties, a Gentleman Attendant at the Palace Gate, stepped forward proudly and said:

"His Majesty has been kind to the Prince of Yongqiu. Is this how you repay His Majesty's great kindness?"

"Today, in front of all the officials in the group chat, you recited a poem satirizing the emperor. What are your true intentions?"

Cao Zhi then realized that he had made a mistake.

He was about to refute it, but quickly recognized the Gentleman Attendant at the Palace Gate as Wang Su, the son of Minister Wang Lang. So he immediately backed down.

He is not the cowardly Wang Lang and his son.

Based on his understanding of the current political situation, Wang Lang should be considered a staunch supporter of Cao Rui, right?
Could this be Cao Rui's own idea?
So he simply didn't bother to explain and directly admitted his mistake.

At this point, another person came out to criticize Cao Zhi.

However, it was General Cao Hong:

"King Yongqiu has always been an unruly man."

"In the past, when Emperor Wu was campaigning against Guan Yu in the south, he wanted to send him to rescue Zhonghou (Cao Ren's posthumous title). Before he left, he called him to give him a lecture, but he ended up getting drunk. So Emperor Wu knew that he was not fit to be a general and dismissed him from his post."

"When he gets angry, he doesn't know what he should or shouldn't say."

"Your Majesty, please do not be angry. Strip him of his title so that he may know the difference between superiors and inferiors!"

Cao Rui naturally understood that Cao Hong's apparent accusation was actually an attempt to protect Cao Zhi.

But in his heart, Cao Zhi was just that despicable.

So, while he was angry, he didn't really intend to do anything to Cao Zhi.

Following Cao Hong's suggestion, they immediately announced the abolition of Cao Zhi's title of King of Yongqiu, demoted him to a marquis, and relocated him to another place.

However, he hesitated when choosing a specific fief.

Logically speaking, after I went to Hebei, I should naturally bring this uncle with me.

Asking him to compose a poem today was intended as an opportunity to bestow an honorary title upon a certain place in Hebei, thereby demonstrating the harmony of the imperial family.

Who would have thought that the other party would be so oblivious and disgust you so much?

So after thinking about it, he simply said to Cao Hong:

"General, where do you think the Imperial Uncle should be enfeoffed?"

Cao Hong immediately appeared fearful, indicating that this matter should be decided by His Majesty himself, and he dared not speak presumptuously.

Cao Rui smiled slightly, then looked at Jia Kui beside him:
"I wonder if there is a place under Lord Jia's jurisdiction to settle this good-for-nothing imperial uncle?"

Jia Kui stepped forward sternly and said:

"I am incompetent. Yuzhou is being harassed by the Shu bandits and is not a place to live in peace."

"If Your Majesty values ​​family ties, you should send the criminal Cao Zijian far away!"

Upon hearing this, Cao Rui stroked his chin.

We can't take it to Hebei, but we can't leave it in Henan either.

Where should Cao Zhi be enfeoffed?

Bingzhou?

The area was frequently raided by the nomadic tribes, which corresponds to the line Cao Zhi had just recited: "The border city is often in danger, and the nomadic cavalry frequently migrates."

But one might end up with a reputation for being mean and ungrateful.

The same applies to Youzhou, which is even more bitterly cold.

Cao Zhi was already quite old and couldn't withstand the hardships of such a long journey.

So where should we seal it off?
At that moment, Cao Rui suddenly remembered the suggestion made by Zhu Ling, Wang Ling and others to move the capital to Shouchun.

Although Cao Zhi didn't consider Huainan at all and rejected it on the spot.

However, this did not prevent him from suddenly realizing through this discussion that the two generals and governors had stayed in Huainan for too long and were becoming somewhat too powerful to control.

Thinking that he would be going to Hebei in the future, and that Huainan would be even more out of reach, he couldn't help but feel some understandable concerns.

After thinking for a moment, he had an idea and said to Cao Zhi:
"I've heard that Huainan has become increasingly prosperous in recent years, and it's far from the Heluo region, making it a safe place. Uncle, why don't you go and live in Xia Cai?"

Cao Zhi was still feeling lingering fear and had no time to think about anything else; he could only kowtow and express his gratitude.

Cao Rui naturally did not expect this imperial uncle to keep an eye on the border generals for him.

It was merely a pretext to place his trusted confidants in Huainan.

His gaze first swept over Guanqiu Jian, but he quickly shook his head inwardly.

He's too young; his reputation isn't enough to rival Generals Zhu and Wang.

He then scanned Zhuge Dan, Deng Yang, and others in turn.

He is still young, but has more seniority than Guanqiu Jian.

Unfortunately, I don't quite trust him yet.

After thinking for a moment, his gaze finally settled on Wang Su, the Gentleman Attendant at the Palace Gate:
"Ziyong comes from a family with a long tradition of learning and also studied under the great Confucian scholar Song Zhongzi. He is a learned man."

"I intend to appoint you as tutor to the Marquis of Xia Cai, so that you may properly guide him for me. What do you think?"

Wang Su, of course, understood Cao Rui's implication and immediately obeyed.

Thus, the minor incident was largely resolved.

The reason I say "basically" is because just when Cao Rui demoted Cao Zhi to the title of Marquis of Xia Cai, someone suddenly came out to offer advice.

It was none other than Liu Ye, the Chamberlain.

However, before he could step forward, he was blocked by another person.

It was Xu Shu, the Commandant of the Capital Region.

(End of this chapter)