novel-bin Chapter 308: Kick Cao Cao
Chapter 308: Kick Cao Cao
Chapter 308: Kick Cao Cao
Liu Xie raised his hand to signal, and then walked straight out of the palace.
After Liu Xie left, Sima Jun coughed a few times, leaned on his crutches, and said, "Prime Minister, no matter how the war in the south goes, the north cannot be in chaos. Your Majesty has worked hard for many years, and you cannot destroy it in one day."
Xun You suspected Sima Jun had been communicating with Liu Bian in private in Chongde Hall. He looked at him suspiciously and asked, "Sima Gong, have you reported this matter to His Majesty before?"
Sima Jun shook his head calmly and said, "I have never made any secret memorials. All my memorials have been sent to and from the Shangshutai."
Xun You didn't believe it, his eyes were cold, and he said, "The situation in the south has changed drastically. Cao Cao's 30,000 remaining soldiers are trapped in Yingchuan. If the court does not draw troops from various states, how can it quell the rebellion? Sima Gong, don't forget that there are still Liu Yan, Shi Xie, Liu Biao, Yuan Shao, Gongsun Zan, Lu Bu and others in the south. Sima Gong is counting on Cao Cao's 30,000 remaining soldiers to quell them?"
Zhong Yao noticed that Xun You was in a bad mood, and hurriedly stepped forward to block him. He smiled and said to Sima Jun, "Sima Gong, Gongda's meaning is that given the situation in the north, it would not be a big deal to withdraw some troops. Right now, it is most important to pacify Dong Zhuo."
Sima Jun was silent for a moment, and just as he was about to speak, a historian suddenly ran over and said, "Prime Minister, news just came from the Grand Sima Mansion that Lü Bu defeated Liu Bei in Langya County, and Liu Bei retreated to Qingzhou. Sun Jian was ambushed in Guangling County, was seriously injured, and retreated to Wu County."
Xun You's expression suddenly changed, and he asked, "Are you saying that Xuzhou has completely fallen into the hands of Lu Bu?"
The historian said: "Yes. According to the news from Wujun, Sun Jian was seriously injured and may not survive."
Xun Yu, Zhong Yao, and Xun You looked at each other, while Sima Jun's expression was more solemn than ever before.
If Sun Jian died, Yangzhou might fall completely into Yuan Shao's hands. The only obstacle would be Gongsun Zan, who had not yet established a firm foothold in Jiujiang County.
And Jiaozhi fell completely into the hands of the scholars.
The situation in the south seemed to become clear in an instant.
The various princes spontaneously divided up the southern states, dividing the world into two with the Han court!
Xun Yu hesitated for a moment and asked, "Where did your Majesty go?"
The official historian said: "I saw that Your Majesty seemed to have left the palace."
Xun Yu frowned and said, "Please ask the Grand Marshal's Mansion to block the news. We will wait here for His Majesty to return to the palace."
The historian responded and turned around and left quickly.
Zhong Yao's eyes fell on Sima Jun again and he said, "Lord Sima, at this moment, please speak frankly. Do you have any instructions from His Majesty?"
Seeing that the three members of the Yingchuan Party were still suspicious of him, Sima Jun coughed repeatedly and said, "I am half dead and have no intention of making things difficult for you three. Your Majesty did not instruct me on this matter. The northern states are the foundation of our Han Dynasty and cannot be lost. Prime Minister, the two ministers, unless it is absolutely necessary, you cannot withdraw troops from the northern states, and you cannot increase taxes!"
Xun You stared at Sima Jun and was still mostly skeptical of what he said.
Xun Yu nodded gently and said sincerely, "I understand what Sima Gong meant. The southern states have already formed their own situation. Does Sima Gong have any countermeasures?"
Sima Jun and Xun Yu looked at each other, and after a moment, they nodded and said, "Although the southern princes have disloyal intentions, they have not revealed them. On the contrary, ambushing Cao Cao is no different from treason. You can issue an order to order them to send troops to attack Cao Cao."
"Driving wolves to devour tigers?"
Xun You looked unhappy and said, "Sima Gong, aren't you afraid that if you tolerate evil, you will raise an unprecedented vicious tiger?"
Sima Jun remained calm and said, "It all depends on your methods."
Zhong Yao's expression relaxed slightly and he looked at Xun Yu.
Xun Yu also understood the meaning of Sima Jun's words and said, "Sima Gong, please wait for His Majesty with us."
Sima Jun was over eighty years old and had been in poor health recently. Hearing this, he still leaned on a crutch and nodded silently.
Xun You did not like Sima Jun. Although he came from a noble family in Yingchuan, he was not on the same page with them. Moreover, Xun You suspected that the Sima family had other intentions.
But Xun You did not speak.
The real reason was that, in a series of "New Deal" plans, he had conflicts with Xun Yu and Zhong Yao. This conflict was half hidden and half revealed, and both of them knew it, but no one was willing to point it out.
Four people stood in front of the Jiade Hall, looking towards the Suzaku Gate with deep thoughts in their minds.
Liu Bian left the palace and went straight to the armory.
As he entered the gate, he saw Cao Cao kneeling on the ground.
Liu Bian came up to him, his anger could no longer be contained, he kicked him and cursed: "Since I ascended the throne, how have I treated you? How many times have I protected you? How many chances have I given you? Is this how you repay me?"
Cao Cao was kicked to the ground unexpectedly, and quickly got up, but was kicked down again by Liu Bian.
He did not resist or make any excuses during this process.
He kept a sullen face and said nothing.
Liu Bian was holding it in his pocket when one of his shoes flew out.
But he was still not satisfied, so he kicked it a few more times before he stopped panting.
Cao Cao's defeat completely disrupted Liu Bian's plan and pushed him and the Han court into an extremely dangerous situation.
Cao Cao knelt on the ground again and said calmly, "I am incompetent and ashamed of your majesty's great grace."
Zuo Li trotted over, picked up the shoes, and knelt on the ground to put them on Liu Bian.
Liu Bian stared at the footprints on Cao Cao's body, took a deep breath, suppressed his anger, and said, "Tell me, what else do you have in mind?"
Cao Cao knocked his head to the ground, his narrow eyes flickering with cold light, and said: "I would like to go to Yingchuan again. If Dong Zhuo is not defeated, I will commit suicide to thank God for his grace!"
Liu Bian kicked him again and cursed: "The court officials confess their crimes to me all day long, and you also come to apologize. What else can you do besides apologize?"
Cao Cao was kicked to the side, then he got up and knelt down without saying a word.
Following behind Liu Bian were Pan Yin, Zuo Li, and a sixteen-year-old Sima Yi.
When the few people saw this, they kept silent, lowered their heads and dared not say anything more.
Cao Cao's defeat exposed the dangerous situation in the entire south. It can be said that Cao Cao once again triggered changes in the south, putting the court in a dilemma.
Sima Yi was much taller than Liu Bian, with a fair and handsome complexion. At this moment, he bowed respectfully with a thoughtful look in his eyes.
Liu Bian vented his anger, sat down on the chair brought by Zuo Li, stared at Cao Cao coldly, and said, "Speak!"
Cao Cao's face was as hard as iron, his eyes became cold, he stared at the hot ground in front of him, and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, I request that I be promoted to General of the Southern Expedition."
Liu Bian raised his eyebrows, thinking he had heard wrongly.
Even Pan Yin, Zuo Li and others were stunned, looking at Cao Cao lying on the ground in surprise.
"Say it again?" Liu Bian asked in a cold tone, anger surging in his heart again.
Cao Cao's narrow eyes flashed with determination, and he said, "I guarantee with my life that I will not spend a single soldier or grain from the imperial court. Within two years, Dong Zhuo will not dare to invade the north. Within five years, I will destroy Dong Zhuo. Within ten years, I will pacify the world for Your Majesty!"
"What a loud tone!"
Liu Bian laughed angrily and said, "You can pacify the world within ten years, Cao Cao, where do you get the confidence from!?"
Cao Cao knocked his head to the ground, his eyes were bloodshot, he stared at the ground, and the corners of his face kept twitching.
Pan Yin and Zuo Li looked at each other, and then quietly looked at Liu Bian.
Cao Cao's crime was more serious than the heaven, and the extermination of his entire clan was not too severe. However, instead of asking for forgiveness, Cao Cao demanded to be promoted to the General of the Southern Expedition?
Isn't this ridiculous? !
But they all remained silent. Although Cao Cao's words were funny, the emperor in front of them was not a man who played by the rules!
Cao Cao leaned back in his chair, reached out to take the teacup handed to him by the eunuch, his expression gradually calmed down from anger, and he began to seriously think about Cao Cao's words.
What Cao Cao said was obviously bragging, and Cao Cao in history did not do it.
He does have the ability, but he also underestimated everyone in the world!
Liu Bian took a sip of tea and thought about the current situation again.
Dong Zhuo's defeat of Cao Cao not only enabled him to occupy Yuzhou, but also dealt a psychological blow to the Han court and also inspired the princes in the south who had different ideas.
Throughout the Han Dynasty, there were many capable ministers and generals, but in the eyes of outsiders, with the gradual decline of the "Three Heroes", the Han Dynasty had become a place where talented people were mediocre.
The Shangshutai was headed by a young man like Xun Yu, who was in his early thirties and had no qualifications or achievements. The prime minister and the left and right ministers were also "unknown".
As for Liu Yu of the Grand Marshal's Mansion, he only had a reputation but no outstanding ability, and was far inferior to the "Three Heroes".
Similarly, there seem to be many generals who can be called out to fight, but after comparing them, it seems that only Cao Cao is left!
Liu Bian drank his tea and pondered quietly in his mind.
The current situation is very bad for him and has interrupted his steady recovery.
Liu Bian didn't say anything, and the others fell silent as well.
The huge armory was so quiet that it seemed as if no one was there.
Cao Cao waited for a long time but heard nothing. He felt as if a huge stone had fallen from his heart. He slowly raised his head, his expression calm, his eyes as deep as the depths of the sea, and looked at Liu Bian, saying, "Your Majesty, Liu Biao, Gongsun Zan and others are still loyal to the court; Yuan Shao, Shi Xie and others dare not rebel openly. Therefore, as long as I have the righteousness, I will summon them, form an alliance, and fight against Dong Zhuo together."
Liu Bian, who was thinking, suddenly changed his expression and sat up straight.
"You just said...alliance?" Liu Bian looked at Cao Cao. The word 'alliance' sounded so familiar to him.
If you think about the current situation carefully, it is very similar to the "Eighteen Princes Fighting against Dong Zhuo" in history!
Cao Cao couldn't help wondering why Liu Bian was so surprised, and said, "Yes. I am sure of it, and it will not cost the court money or food, and will not shake the foundation of the north. Please understand, Your Majesty!"
Cao Cao knocked his head to the ground again, feeling extremely nervous and anxious.
This kind of "tension and uneasiness" is more serious than waiting for Liu Bian here, or being scolded and kicked by Liu Bian.
This is a big gamble!
If he wins the bet, he will still have a chance, and it will be an unprecedented big chance!
If he loses the bet, it will be the lives of several generations of his Cao family!
Liu Bian gently swung the teacup, his face looking normal, but his heart filled with emotion.
He had countless thoughts in his mind: History is always remarkably similar, history always repeats itself, history is a cycle...
Pan Yin and Zuo Li sensed the inexplicable atmosphere and dared not say a word.
Sima Yi looked at the back of Liu Bian's head and a little bit of his profile. For some reason, he suddenly felt certain that the emperor in front of him would agree to Cao Cao!
He clenched his hands quietly in his sleeves and his breathing became unconsciously rapid.
After a moment, he suppressed his nervousness and anxiety, raised his hand and said, "Your Majesty, I think we should give General Cao a chance."
Liu Bian was a little surprised when he heard Sima Yi's voice. He turned around and looked at him. Seeing that he was calm and polite, he narrowed his eyes and said, "Tell me your reasons."
Sima Yi was so nervous that he didn't know how nervous he was. This was the first time he made such a big gamble!
Sima Yi raised his hand, his face unchanged, and said: "Your Majesty, General Cao's defeat is due to Dong Zhuo's treachery, not General Cao's incompetence. Moreover, the loss of the army is only over 10,000. After a little reorganization, General Cao can command another 40,000 or 50,000 troops, which will be a huge deterrent to Dong Zhuo. With General Cao in Yingchuan, Dong Zhuo will certainly not dare to act rashly. In particular, I agree with General Cao's words that no princes in the south dare to openly rebel. After all, Yuan Shu's defeat is not far away."
Liu Bian looked at Sima Yi, and even though he hid it well, his micro-expression still betrayed his fear.
Liu Bian smiled, glanced at Cao Cao on the ground, and said, "The 'New Deal' is difficult to implement, and the officials are passing the buck to each other. What do you think?"
Cao Cao felt relieved, but his tone remained unchanged as he said, "I think that in troubled times, severe punishments are used. Your Majesty's tolerance will make some people feel safe and secure."
Pan Yin and Zuo Li almost lost their balance when they heard these words.
Aren't you just talking about yourself?
Cao Cao was unaware of anything and the tension in his heart slowly subsided.
In his opinion, Liu Bian's change of subject just now was a tacit agreement!
General Zhengnan!
Cao Cao's narrow eyes flashed with a fierce light. This time, he would make Dong Zhuo pay a thousand times the price!
Liu Bian did not comment on Cao Cao's words. He thought quietly for a while, picked up the teacup, took a sip, then stood up, looked down at Cao Cao, and said lightly: "The government and the people are now eager to peel off your skin and bones and make you the general of the southern expedition. I can't do it. The most I can do is to protect you once more."
Cao Cao, whose ambition had already been ignited, was instantly brought to the bottom of the valley, and the corners of his dark face turned into unwillingness and resentment.
Liu Bian didn't say anything more and left.
When Sima Yi saw that Liu Bian did not agree, his heart turned cold and he stared at Liu Bian's back in a daze.
He had been following Liu Bian for some time and claimed to understand the emperor, so he went with the flow, hoping to win Liu Bian's favor and do a favor for Cao Cao.
But he never thought that he would shoot himself in the foot!
"What should I do?" Sima Yi, still a young man, was flustered.
"Sima Yi?" After Liu Bian walked out the door, the last eunuch turned around and saw Sima Yi still standing there in a daze, and shouted unhappily.
Sima Yi let out an "ah", suddenly came to his senses, and hurriedly chased after him.
After Cao Cao and others had left, he got up from the ground.
His leg injury has not healed yet. It is bleeding and painful.
After kneeling for so long and being kicked by Liu Bian, he felt pain all over his body.
But these are far less than the chill in my heart.
Cao Cao had a blank expression on his face, his eyes were dull, and his face was filled with loneliness, dejection, and despair.
He made a wrong bet.
He originally thought that based on his understanding of Liu Bian, Liu Bian would agree to him.
But unexpectedly, Liu Bian refused without much thought.
If Cao Cao cannot climb up now, there will be countless hands pulling him down and dragging him into an irretrievable situation!
Liu Bian left the armory and went straight back to the palace.
Dian Wei rode his horse and followed beside him, saying, "Your Majesty, the palace said that the Prime Minister and others are still waiting in the Jiade Hall."
Liu Bian nodded, having already thought of a countermeasure. He didn't care much about the affairs in the south and focused his attention on the "New Policy" again.
"It seems that we have to use tough measures."
Liu Bian muttered to himself, his low voice full of murderous intent.