A thousand-year-old family begins with one fighting against ten thousand.

A person stood in front of Cao Pi.

It was none other than Tiger General Xu Chu.

Xu Chu kicked Cao Pi away and stood guard in front of Cao Ling.

This is Cao Cao's youngest grandson. He failed to protect Cao Cao's eldest son, nor did he protect the emperor Cao Cao entrusted with his care. He will never allow Cao Cao's youngest grandson to be harmed in front of him again.

The short sword in Cao Pi's hand also fell to the ground.

Cheng Yu stepped forward, picked up the short sword, examined it, and recognized it as a famous short sword.

Fish Intestine Sword.

Legend has it that the Yu Chang Sword was forged by Ou Yezi, the greatest swordsmith of the Spring and Autumn Period, using tin from Mount Chijin and copper from the Ruoye River. It was originally presented to the King of Yue.

However, after seeing the sword, the sword appraiser Xue Zhu gave a terrible prophecy: this sword is "against reason and logic," and is a murder weapon created for "subjects to kill their rulers and sons to kill their fathers."

This prophecy accompanied the sword like a curse, and it was ultimately fulfilled during the palace coup in the Wu Kingdom.

This refers to the famous assassination of King Liao by Zhuan Zhu in later generations.

From then on, this sword was known as the sword of lord slaying and the sword of assassinating the emperor, and was feared by emperors of all dynasties.

"Cao Pi, you have lost."

"Assassinating His Majesty is a grave crime. Even if your bloodline as the founding emperor spares your entire family, you will certainly die!"

Cheng Yu stood on the high platform and shouted to Cao Pi below the steps.

"Hahahaha, the victor is king, the loser is villain—that's just how it is!"

"I'd rather die than live a life of subservience before Cao Chong!"

"I, Cao Pi, will either reach the pinnacle or be utterly destroyed!"

Cao Pi suddenly revealed a few sinister smiles on his face, which, combined with the blood flowing from his head, made him look as ferocious and terrifying as a demon.

"Even if it means death, I will make sure you, Chengyu, and the young emperor leave behind the infamy of forcing the prince and your uncle to their deaths!"

Hahahaha!

Cao Pi laughed and was about to smash his head against a pillar to his death, but someone anticipated this and blocked his way.

Xu Chu quickly ordered his men to hold him down firmly. Cao Pi, seemingly insane, cursed Sima Yi who was blocking his way.

"Sima Zhongda, you actually betrayed me."

"You think they'll trust you now? After I die, you'll be their next target. I'll be waiting for you in hell! Hahahahahaha!"

Sima Yi didn't even blink at Cao Pi's provocation.

Cao Zhen and Cao Xiu are not worthy to fight him. Cheng Yu, Wei Xue, and Xun Yu are all old. As long as he outlives them, he will still have a way to seize the highest power in the world.

This was Sima Yi's path: as long as he outlived all his contemporaries, he would be the strongest.

"Push him down, don't let him die."

"Order Man Chong to be executed immediately in a public ceremony, and then carry out the execution!"

Cheng Yu said anxiously.

Under the instructions of the highest level, all procedures were expedited, and Cao Pi's crimes were approved by the three judicial departments on the same day. In the afternoon, he was executed in the Ming Dynasty.

Wei Xue gave him a list of only a few key figures; he didn't intend to get involved with the rest.

Cheng Yu, along with Cao Zhen and Cao Xiu, launched a massive purge of the court, first killing Cao Ang, then Cao Chong, and now preparing to target Cao Ling. Everyone was terrified, wondering if Cao Pi had left any contingency plans or if they were specifically aimed at them.

The best way is to eliminate all of Cao Pi's supporters so that they can be safe.

In the process of purging Cao Pi's influence in the court, it was inevitable that the forces under Cheng Yu, Cao Zhen, and Cao Xiu would take the opportunity to gradually encroach upon Cao Pi's power, thus greatly increasing their own strength.

This also fueled the ambitions of Cao Zhen and Cao Xiu. Cheng Yu was the emperor's tutor and was quite old, so he didn't have much ambition. However, Cao Zhen and Cao Xiu were the second generation of the Cao clan and were in their prime. As their status and power increased, their ambitions naturally rose as well.

Even if they don't want to, the people behind them will push them forward.

Considering that both of them were members of the Cao clan, Cheng Yu and the others turned a blind eye to this.

In the fifth year of Emperor Qianwen's reign, Xun Yu died of illness and was posthumously honored as Marquis Jing.

In the sixth year of Emperor Qianwen's reign, Xu Chu died of illness and was posthumously honored as Marquis Zhuang.

In the eighth year of Emperor Qianwen's reign, Wei Xueshou died and was posthumously honored as Marquis Wenzhong.

In the same year, Cheng Yu died of illness and was posthumously honored as Marquis Su.

In the past few years, the civil and military officials of Cao Cao's era have all passed away one after another, and that glorious era has officially come to an end.

As Cao Cao's veteran ministers gradually passed away, Cao Zhen and Cao Xiu, relying on their positions as regents, began to seize more power, even placing their prestige above that of the emperor.

As the emperor grew older, he naturally sought ways to reclaim the rights that belonged to him.

Zhou Buyi was the most suitable candidate, but Zhou Buyi alone was not enough, so Sima Yi also came into his sights.

The Duke of Zhou feared rumors, and Wang Mang was humble before his usurpation.

In this life, Sima Yi has not yet reached the final step, nor even had the chance to seize power.

Therefore, in the eyes of the young emperor, Sima Yi was a capable and loyal minister who had no ties to Cao Zhen or Cao Xiu.

"Master, sir, how can I reclaim my power?"

Cao Ling asked the two for their advice.

"Cao Zhen and Cao Xiu's greatest strength lies in their military power. Your Majesty, you must promote young generals."

"As long as military power is secured, Cao Zhen and Cao Xiu are nothing."

Zhou Buyi hit the nail on the head, pointing out the most crucial issue: Cao Zhen and Cao Xiu held military power.

"Currently, military power is divided among the Wei family, with some border troops in the hands of Cao Zhen and Cao Xiu, and others among other clan generals and noble generals."

"Xiahou Ba and Xiahou Shang, who were suppressed; the Zhang, Xu, and Huang families, who were among the meritorious generals; and the newly emerging generals Deng Ai, Jiang Wei, and Zhong Hui."

Cao Ling quickly identified the right direction. Xiahou Ba and Xiahou Shang were both clan generals who controlled a certain amount of troops. Moreover, they were both from the same clan and did not have the surname Cao. They could quickly take over the troops of Cao Zhen and Cao Xiu without posing a significant threat.

The Zhang, Xu, and Huang families refer to the families of Zhang Liao, Xu Huang, and Huang Zhong.

Back then, these three families all stood behind Cao Ang, but after Cao Ang died from poisoning, these three families faded into obscurity and are now only considered second-rate in the court, though their influence in the army remains.

Many of the key generals in the army were their fathers' former subordinates. As the emperor, he extended an olive branch to these three families, and they would certainly not refuse.

Deng Ai, Jiang Wei, and Zhong Hui are three young generals who have recently risen to prominence in the political arena. Zhong Hui, in particular, is a descendant of Zhong Yao, a founding hero, and enjoys great prestige in the army.

Sima Yi: "..."

This generation of emperors is just as formidable; no matter how long he can endure, he can't possibly outlive this young emperor.

Is Heaven really so unkind to Sima Yi?