Three Kingdoms New Emperor

Chapter 184 Cao Cao's Ambivalence towards the Han Dynasty
It can be said that Cao Cao's feelings for the Han Dynasty are undoubtedly very complicated and contradictory.

He didn't like Confucian classics since he was a child, and the books he could read, apart from the art of war, were classics for the survival of Legalists' reforms.Cao Cao's actions and character determine that he is a politician who tends to Legalism.Therefore, although he has a deep affection for the Han Dynasty court, what he hopes is for the Han Dynasty to survive the reform and return to the prosperous and magnificent Han Dynasty era during Emperor Wu.

After all, Cao Cao was just a politician living in the late Han Dynasty. Facing all kinds of chaos in the late Han Dynasty, the only way he could find was the method of reforming the writings of the previous legalists.In this regard, he is indeed not as good as Liu Xie. He cannot jump out of the historical rut, and cannot look at this era from the perspective of looking at history.

And this is actually the root cause of Cao Cao's deep love for the Han Dynasty.After all, no matter how you say it, his ideals and ambitions can only be pinned on the repentance of the Han Dynasty.

But with Cao Cao's previous disappointment with the Han Dynasty and his gradual growth now, his mind began to slowly change.Especially when he sat down in the position of Yanzhou Mu, seeing that he can use his own efforts to display his ambitions on the land of Yanzhou.He had an inexplicable and unclear resistance to the sudden change of the Han court.

Xun You and Huangfu Jianshou's visit this time is a reversal of the previous Han Dynasty's ostentatious and flashy style.When the two of them began to suppress him in the name of politics with methodical and simple means, the shaking in his heart became more and more violent... and, mixed with a trace of unspeakable fear.

Yes, Cao Cao couldn't express this fear at all.However, the Chang'an court never knew about Bao Xin, and even used an aspirational poem to turn his chasing down oath meeting into a mobilization meeting to be loyal to the Han Dynasty.The fear in Cao Cao's heart began to germinate-when did the imperial court have such a clear view of the situation in the Kanto area, and it was clear and controlled step by step?
However, generally speaking, although the actions of the Han Dynasty this time were very unexpected to Cao Cao.However, Cao Cao, who has never been inconsistent in doing things, does not think that this small test can easily knock him down.

Today, it is Cao Cao who controls the most elite combat power in Yanzhou.In this troubled world, Cao Cao has long seen clearly that military power is the guarantee of the right to speak.Even though Xun You announced the edict at this moment, Cao Cao can still obey the law and disobey it.It is even a small matter of flipping hands to get rid of the Yanzhou pastor who came to succeed him quietly.

That's right, the reason why Cao Cao's eyes showed murderous intent at this time was because of Yanzhou Mu's incident.

Guandong is no better than Guanzhong. Those closed scholar-bureaucrats in Guanzhong seldom take the initiative to inquire about the movement of Guandong.However, these heroes in the Kanto region are always keeping an eye on the dynamics and situation in the Guanzhong region through their ties to each other.The news Cao Cao got from Guanzhong was that Wang Yun had already made a decision on Yanzhou.

He appointed a man named Jin Shang to succeed Yanzhou Mu.

This Jin Shang, Jin Yuanxiu, and Cao Cao knew about it. Jin Shang is a man of lofty ideals in Jingzhao, and he is known as a virtuous man.Together with Wei Fuxiu and Wu Wenxiu, they are called Jingzhao Sanxiu, and their calligraphy is unique.

Of course, in Cao Cao's eyes, this kind of person is just a traditional scholar who is destined to be eliminated in troubled times.Even if he came from Xijing with the emperor's edict, it would be reasonable if Cao Cao let him accidentally die on the battlefield against the Yellow Turban.After all, swords and guns have no eyes, didn't the last Liu Dai die like this?

But just when Cao Cao had made all his plans and the murderous intent in his eyes gradually receded and buried.He suddenly turned his head and saw Xun You who was smiling and silent. Although Xun You's expression was calm and even friendly, Cao Cao suddenly saw a hint of banter from the corner of Xun You's sharp eyes.

Cao Cao didn't think he was dazzled, although the playfulness in the corner of Xun You's eyes also disappeared in a flash, almost disappearing together with the murderous intent in his eyes.But Cao Cao concluded that Xun You saw his own thoughts—of course, he also saw Xun You's disdain.

Perhaps, the heroes of each other are mostly in such a tacit understanding.

However, Cao Cao was suddenly a little discouraged.Because he was sure that Xun You knew what he was thinking, but he didn't see why Xun You laughed at him.

However, Cao Cao soon understood.

"The world is in turmoil, and the people are struggling to live. Cao Cao, the captain of the Dianjun, has made great contributions in fighting against rebellion, and has a strict character. I especially worship Cao Cao as the shepherd of Yanzhou. I will protect the people and do my best to assist the Han Dynasty. "

Just a simple sentence, when Xun You finished reading this edict, Cao Cao couldn't believe his ears at all.These words are not so much a canonized edict, but a request from a young emperor to a loyal minister of the Han Dynasty, which is more appropriate.The fervent request filled with it seemed like a ball of fire for a moment, and immediately burned Cao Cao's face red.

After the edict was read out, Cao Cao understood why Xun You felt a little ashamed of himself.Even Cao Cao himself felt that he was too small.

It wasn't until Xun You finished reading the edict that Cao Cao recalled the Hanchen's visit, and found that the Han Dynasty really loved Cao Cao deeply. My subject, working hard together with the Han Dynasty...

Is this still the previous imperial court that could only comfort with falsehood, or the Han Dynasty that was fatuous and incompetent?

Cao Cao intuitively felt that he had suffered a major blow, and for a moment he was stunned on the spot, forgetting to accept the order to thank him.

It was Xun Yu who saw this scene and gently tugged Cao Cao's robe. Cao Cao woke up like a dream. Facing the edict, he stretched his arms forward and bowed deeply: "Thank you, my minister Cao Cao!" Emperor En, in this life, I must strictly abide by the way of a courtier, and do my best to serve the Han Dynasty!"

Until then, the official etiquette came to an end.When Xun You saw Cao Cao kneeling deeply on the ground, he still had a smile on his face.It wasn't until Cao Cao leaned over for a while that Xun You walked up to Cao Cao and talked about his personal friendship: "General Cao, he used to be a guest of the shogunate, but you thought that Mr. Cao was not someone in the pool. Unexpectedly, since Luoyang After the farewell, I will see you again, you are already a state herdsman of two thousand shi."

"Ashamed, ashamed..." Cao Cao hadn't gotten out of the shame at this time, and no one knew whether his two words of shame were self-effacing or an apology to Xun You.

However, Xun You had successfully completed his task at this time, and he was in the mood to gossip with Cao Cao, but Cao Cao had forgotten that he was in the mourning hall and was very interested in Guanzhong, so he asked Xun You impatiently: "Gongda, I am not afraid of your jokes." , I heard you say the word Yanzhou Shepherd earlier, and I was very worried. I heard that Master Situ has ordered Jin Yuanxiu to be the Yanzhou Shepherd. Why is this order?..."

Cao Cao took the initiative to say that he knew about the appointment of Jin Shang in Situ Wangyun's document, and said it in front of everyone present, showing that he would not treat him as an outsider.Such a move won the favor of Xun You and Huangfu Jianshou.Without waiting for Xun You to reply, Huangfu Jianshou interrupted again:

"General Cao, no, it's time to be called Cao Shijun... What you said is old. Situ Wang Yun has more than enough strength but not enough softness. Now he has submitted his official post. This imperial edict was revised by His Majesty himself. Your Majesty has spoken highly of Cao Shijun."

Cao Cao also saw at this time that the emperor sent Xun You and Huangfu Jianshou as the main deputy envoys, and it was also intentional.Xun You was embarrassed to say some things, but Huangfu Jianshou was different, his father Huangfu Song and Wang Yun could hardly urinate in the same pot, so there were some things that Huangfu Jianshou could say without any scruples.

Therefore, Cao Cao also found a breakthrough, and turned to Huangfu Jianshou, saying: "I think there must be some good words from the old general Huangfu?"

Hearing Cao Cao mentioning Huangfu Song, Huangfu Jianshou's face darkened suddenly: "My father worked hard in the battle of Chang'an, and he was recuperating from illness. Your Majesty praised Cao Shijun, but my father was powerless and did not mention how many Cao envoys to His Majesty. Your contribution to conquering the Yellow Turbans."

When Huangfu Jianshou said this, Cao Cao suddenly remembered that the news he had received earlier was that Li Jue and Guo Si's rebels failed to attack Chang'an.This news surprised Cao Cao at first.In his opinion, the only veteran generals in Chang'an are Huangfu Song, Zhu Jun, and Lu Zhi. The opponent of Wan Tieqi.

Now, with Xun You and Huangfu Jianshou present, Cao Cao happened to find the person involved, and couldn't help but want to find out what happened.

Fortunately, Cao Cao's advisers have long known Cao Cao's virtues.After Xi Zhicai heard the edict, he also had a good impression of Xun You and Huangfu Jianshou, so he stepped forward and grabbed Cao Cao and said, "Your Majesty, this is Lord Bao's mourning hall. It's very inconvenient. Why don't you send the two envoys together?" It is justified to bring it into the Fuchu, entertain and reminisce about the old days."

Hearing this, Cao Cao took another silent look at Bao Xinling's seat, bowed deeply, and left with Xun You and Huangfu Jianshou.

(End of this chapter)