Sima Yi's Three Kingdoms Collection Collection

Chapter 186 The Controversy of Prince Wei (1)
Sima Yi's layout
In the 18th year of Jian'an (213 A.D.), Cao Cao was enfeoffed as the Duke of Wei, and at the same time received the imperial edict to enjoy the gift of nine tins, and owned ten counties in Jizhou.

Although the current Central Plains is still in a state of separatist regimes, and the orders of the emperor of the Han Dynasty have long been difficult to get out of the capital, but the news about Prime Minister Cao Jingong's ceremony quickly spread throughout the north and south of the river, inside and outside the Great Wall.However, whether it was Sun Quan, who supported Jiangdong to dominate one side, or Liu Bei, who was dormant in Western Shu and watched covetously, they all unexpectedly expressed unanimous silence on this incident.In fact, apart from keeping silent, what can they do with Cao Cao?Cao Cao's unscrupulous promotion of fame and power, it is expected that the two of them will be powerless to oppose it.Moreover, his edict of appointment was issued by the Han Emperor Liu Xie, who at least formally represented the respect of the emperor and the hope of all people. Regarding this, Sun Quan and Liu Bei dared to say nothing besides scoffing in their hearts. ?They wouldn't be so stupid as to jump out and openly confront the court's will.

Since even Sun Quan and Liu Bei, the "giants" of the two local forces, have no objections, then Cao Cao's promotion will naturally not cause much disturbance in various states and counties, and everything will slowly disappear in silence.However, in the power center of the Han court where Cao Cao himself was located, a silent "earthquake" has affected every prince, general, civil and military bureaucrat.The officials of the Han Dynasty knew very well that according to the laws and etiquette of the Han Dynasty, no matter how outstanding their meritorious service, officials with different surnames could only be conferred marquises. The founding minister of Deng Yu who made great contributions to the world in this dynasty is nothing more than a marquis with only four counties.In the nearly 400-year history of the Han Dynasty, only one minister with a different surname was made a duke, and he was the "An Han Gong" Wang Mang who usurped the throne of the emperor.And Cao Cao was the second powerful minister to be named Duke after Wang Mang.The meaning of this is naturally obvious.He is laying a solid foundation for himself to change the dynasty and usurp the Han Dynasty.

Now, Cao Cao's ambitions have been revealed to the world, and the first question facing the officials of the Han Dynasty is how to choose their future whereabouts. Should they continue to stay and serve the Emperor Han in this precarious little court?Or turn around and turn to the prime minister's mansion to serve Cao Cao?On the surface, the various mansions are calm and silent, but in the dark, people's hearts are floating and buzzing.

Sima Yi, the head of the prime minister's mansion, was a little different, he didn't hesitate on this issue.He didn't need to linger on this question at all.The fate of the Sima family in Hanoi has long been closely linked with the fate of the Cao family in Peijun.In the summer of Jian'an 13th, when Cao Cao abolished the "Three Dukes" and monopolized the prime minister, Sima Yi's father, Sima Fang, took the lead among the major families in the Central Plains to express congratulations and obedience to Cao Cao; Li Jiuxi cannot do without the full support of brothers Sima Lang and Sima Yi behind the scenes.The Sima family and the Cao family have already formed a community of interests in which "I am in you, and you are in me, all prosper, and all suffer".

Therefore, while others were still considering whether or not they should take refuge in Cao Cao, Sima Yi had already set his sights on the deeper and farther future.What he is most concerned about at the moment is nothing else, but that the moment has come to the critical moment when Cao Pi, the eldest son of the Cao family, should be promoted to the position of son of the world to determine his name.As long as Cao Pi is established as the son of Wei, then our Sima family's plan to "emerge from a sudden force, catch up from behind, and turn the world around" can be regarded as half the success.After all, the Han Dynasty has long existed in name only, and Cao's power is also invincible in the world. It is only a matter of time before the dynasty changes.And the son of Wei State is the future monarch of this world.Whoever controls the eldest son of Wei State will control the entire world in the future.Regarding this point, Sima Yi had seen it clearly many years ago, and he was undoubtedly wrong.

Outside the window, the night is as dark as a curtain; inside, a candle is like a bean.Sima Yi was in this study, propping his head on the table and meditating for a long, long time.

More than half a year ago, that is, in the 17th year of Jian'an last year, the Sima family's plan to "emerge suddenly, attack later, and turn things around" suffered several setbacks.One is that in October last year, Sima Hui, Sima Yi's uncle, suddenly fell ill and died in Qingyun Temple on the outskirts of the city; On the way to conquer Sun Quan with the generals, they were infected with the epidemic and died of the disease.

The successive deaths of Sima Hui and Sima Lang greatly stimulated Sima Yi.In the winter of the 13th year of Jian'an, the "Blood Yin Gu" epidemic released by Sima Yi on the eve of the Battle of Chibi to weaken the combat power of Cao Jun's navy is now "heavenly repayment", and the descendants of Sima's family have finally suffered retribution.From then on, Sima Yi made up his mind to quit using this vicious means of anger and hatred to win any victory, even if it had miraculous effects.

Now, the Sima family's great cause almost completely fell on his shoulders alone.But Sima Yi gradually felt a deep crisis.Cao Cao's attitude towards his appointment is still so lukewarm, neither far nor near, neither serious nor important. It seems that in his hands, he will not give himself much room for development.Then, I can only bury my head and concentrate on pushing Cao Pi, who has a close relationship with my Sima family, to the position of son of the world.This is my Sima family's slanted move to survive the desperate situation and set the tide again.Therefore, I have to constantly plan and make careful trade-offs.

Thinking of this, Sima Yi let out a long sigh, and cast his eyes on the chess game on the table.On it, Bai Zi and Hei Zi are fighting each other - the side of Hei Zi represents the eldest son Cao Pi, and the side of Bai Zi represents the third son Cao Zhi.In fact, the battle for succession in Duke Wei's mansion now is, to put it bluntly, between the two of them.In comparison, Cao Pi, as the eldest son, is naturally superior according to the patriarchal principle of "establishing the elders but not the young" since ancient times.However, Cao Cao has always admired Cao Zhi very much, and he was full of praise for his literary talent. He once said that Cao Zhi "is the most able to decide big things together among all the children".From this point of view, Cao Cao's love for Cao Zhi is slightly better, and he is more inclined to make Cao Zhi his heir in terms of personal feelings.Therefore, the possibility of Cao Zhi's success in establishing an heir is no less than that of Cao Pi.Moreover, within the Cao family, not only Cao Hong, Cao Ren and other uncles were optimistic about Cao Zhi, but Cao Zhang, Cao Biao and other peers also had a closer relationship with Cao Zhi-as Cao Pi, the eldest son of the prime minister, seemed a little isolated.Therefore, Cao Pi is obviously at a disadvantage in this battle for establishing an heir.

"Husband...you have been contemplating behind closed doors for an afternoon here..." Zhang Chunhua's clear and gentle voice was like a cool breeze blowing in a midsummer night, "Come on, drink some lotus seed porridge first, and take a rest! "

Sima Yi slowly moved his eyes away from the black and white chess game: "Alas...the external affairs are so worrying, and the husband is really anxious..."

"Is it still about setting up an heir for the Wei Palace?" Zhang Chunhua glanced at the chess game and asked softly.

Sima Yi didn't respond, but nodded heavily.

"Husband, do you remember that we already had an 'inside line' with Prime Minister Cao's concubine, Mrs. Wang? I'm afraid it's time to use her relationship."

After hearing this, the light in Sima Yi's eyes flickered, and it was fleeting: "Well...it's natural to use her relationship. But just by her seduction from the sidelines, she wants to really influence the generation of the hero Cao Mengde. I'm afraid it's a bit difficult to make a decision..."

"Of course she can't really influence Prime Minister Cao's mind. However, she can give us a tip-off, so that we can know ourselves and the enemy in time in this battle for succession, and be prepared." Zhang Chunhua picked up a slender silver spoon and tapped it in the porridge bowl Gently stirring, the steaming white air clouded her bright eyes, "Actually, what I am most worried about is that we haven't been able to put any really useful eyeliner by the side of the third son Cao Zhi for the time being..."

"As long as you work hard, you won't be afraid of failure." Sima Yi bent his right middle two fingers with a serious face, and tapped a few times on the thick and shiny red sandalwood chessboard, "" Take your time, find the right opportunity, and you can always get in."

"Okay. Start big things, no matter what your future is, husband, you are always so confident--I really admire this point." Zhang Chunhua smiled and nodded slightly, his eyes flickered for a moment, as if thinking of something , After pondering for a while, he began to speak carefully, "Husband, let me say something to refresh your mind. Recently, I heard some anecdotes from some slaves bought in Jizhou, which are very interesting... "

"An anecdote?" Knowing that Zhang Chunhua never talked nonsense, Sima Yi asked her with a smile, "Which anecdote is it?"

"My concubine has a servant from Yecheng, Jizhou, who used to be the personal maid of the late General Yuan Shao's wife Liu Shi. She told my concubine some anecdotes about the Yuan family in Runan." Zhang Chunhua slowly adjusted Finished the lotus seed porridge in the red lacquered wooden bowl, scooped up a spoonful and put it into Sima Yi's mouth, with a sweet smile, "One of them is about how the Yuan family in Runan tried every means to manage their "four generations and three princes" family. In its heyday..."

"Oh? How did the century-old family of the Yuan family in Runan manage their business? Let me tell you about it."

"Speaking of it in detail, the management methods of the Yuan family in Runan are really not on the table. You also know, my husband. Originally, in the last years of Emperor Huan, the Confucian Qingliu faction and the eunuchs and eunuchs were in conflict with each other. Compatibility, then the Yuan family in Runan can be regarded as a distinguished family with a long history. You didn't expect that such a high-sounding Qingliu family, driven by the selfish desire to secure power and run a family, Yuan Shao's uncles, Yuan Feng and Yuan Kai, would not hesitate to compete with each other in order to curry favor with Yuan She, the then powerful eunuch and Zhongchang servant. Clan him with the same surname..."

"People are greedy for profit, so why not do it?" Sima Yi smiled and shook his head, "I expected them to act like this back then."

Zhang Chunhua put down the silver spoon suddenly, and his tone suddenly increased: "You never imagined that they have such a 'unique trick'. Yuan Feng, who was Sikong at the time, was always victorious and undefeated in order to obtain the right and left in the battle between the court and the court. , actually sent a concubine born to his concubine to the palace, worshiped Yuan She as his adoptive father, and became the little Huangmen who spied on the deep palace for them! Husband, the Yuan family in Runan This is how Shisangong's century-old family was managed!"

(End of this chapter)