Section 3: Foreign relatives

At the beginning of late spring, the north of Yecheng.

Tender green buds were sprouted from the trees on both sides of the official road, and the long branches were swaying comfortably in the cold spring breeze, wiping the blood-red helmet tassels of a heroic soldier standing upright on the official road. Ten thousand elite soldiers were ready to go on the official road, and thousands of large trucks were loaded with weapons and food, followed quietly and extended to the city gate. The war horses sniffed gently, and used their hooves to dig the loess under their feet from time to time, hoping to find some accidents. Unfortunately, the loess on the official road were rammed very strongly and they could not find anything.

Cao Zhang was wearing a helmet and armor, with the long sword that Cao Chong gave him on his waist, and hugged Cao Chong's shoulder with a smile, and walked slowly.

"Cang Shu, I really lost money this time. My father gave me a year of money and food at once. I don't have to worry about money and food while fighting." Cao Zhang said with emotion: "You gave my father so much money and food, otherwise, I'm afraid he wouldn't be able to bring out so much."

Cao Chong smacked his lips, feeling helpless. Old Cao was too dark. He just said beautiful words last time, but Old Cao really asked him for 10 million stones of grain and almost drained all the surplus grains from Jingyi and the two states of Jingyi were even worse. What was even darker was that he actually gave Cao Pi only three million stones and intercepted seven million stones. Cao Pi was fighting in Guanzhong, and dividing the expenses of buying the rebels, and he could only fight for another half a year. If there was no progress in half a year, it would probably be mysterious. What made Cao Chong even more depressed was that Old Cao didn't tell Cao Pi that it was Cao Chong's support, which made Cao Pi unhappy when he saw Cao Chong now. He felt that Cao Chong was carrying a big purse on his back, but he looked at him hungry.

Cao Chong dared not guess what Lao Cao thought. He always felt that Lao Cao, who was smiling all day long, was definitely not a good master.

Seeing Cao Chong smiled bitterly, Cao Zhang lowered his voice and said, "Cang Shu, don't silly empty your pockets. I know that you are in Jingzhou. Yizhou's new policy is good, but it is not something that fell from the sky. If you take out so much money and food, how can you live in the future? If you encounter a natural disaster or something, wouldn't you be blind?"

Cao Chong smiled and pushed Cao Zhang's hand away and said, "Okay, don't think so much. The soldiers are waiting for you. Go quickly and be careful. My father has already said that you are a father and son at home, and a king and a minister at work, and you cannot play tricks. Tian Guorang (Tian Yu) has been in the north for a long time and is familiar with the situation there. You should ask him more advice and don't rely on his courage to advance."

"I know, why are you nagging like your father?" Cao Zhang laughed twice and patted Cao Chong on the shoulder: "Let me wait for my good news."

Cao Chong didn't want to say anything unlucky when he was about to leave, so he smiled and bowed farewell. Cao Zhangfei flew on his horse and took the army away. Cao Chong stood by the roadside and gave a gift to Tian Yu who came over. Tian Yu understood it and immediately bowed and slowly left.

"General, General Xiaoqi has enough food and grass, and Governor Xun is the support. I think it's okay." Pang Tong smiled relaxedly and said, "Let's go to Xu County as soon as possible. The general's mission is not lighter than that of General Xiaoqi."

Cao Chong turned around and looked at Pang Tong: "What's the difficulty for me to have a wise man like Shi Yuan?"

Pang Tong was rare to brag. He shook his hand and said, "General, don't say that. I'm not sure yet. I can only take one step and wait until I reach Xu County."

Zhang Song laughed rattle. He was in a very good mood these days. After Cao Chong took over the task of going to Xu County, he honestly asked Cao Cao for some benefits. The most obvious of them was that Zhang Song got permission and saw a large amount of documents left by Guo Jia when he was in charge of the spy team. Guo Jia's son Guo Yi and Guo Boyi explained on the side. Zhang Song's level of conspiracy has reached a higher level. In his own words, he is about to enter the level of doing whatever he wants. What surprised Zhang Song the most was that Guo Yi was the young man who had caused him a headache for more than ten days in Xiangyang City. When the two met, Zhang Song was stunned at first, and then relieved. The stone that had been blocked for several months in his heart finally fell.

…………

"What are Cang Shu doing? Force the emperor to issue an order to be the king?" Xun Yu's face was very bad, his body was thin, his hair was dry, and there was no luster at all. He started coughing after saying a few words loudly, so he had to stop talking, clenched his fists and blocked it to his mouth. A heart-wrenching cough made Xun Wenqian feel distressed, and he hurriedly came forward to massage his back.

"Don't worry!" Xun Yu brushed away Xun Wenqian's hand with some childishness and glared at her fiercely.

"Father, please calm down. Are you here to discuss with you?" Xun Wenqian couldn't bear it and came over again. He saw a few bloodstains on Xun Yu's fist. He couldn't help but feel shocked. He grabbed Xun Yu's hand and exclaimed: "Father, didn't he just feel the cold? Why did he cough up blood?"

"It's okay to die." Xun Yu raised his head and sighed with infinite sadness: "All deaths will prevent you from watching the country of my great man overturn, but you can do nothing."

"Father!" Xun Wenqian was both distressed and angry, and took out a silk squid to wipe the blood from the corner of Xun Yu's mouth: "The Prime Minister asked Cang Shu to come, can Cang Shu not come? If Cang Shu doesn't come, others will come, so this matter will be easy to deal with? You have been smart all your life, why are you confused at this time?"

"I'm confused, I'm confused. I thought that marrying you to Cang Shu would lead Cang Shu with your intelligence, be the minister of the country of my great Han, and reappearing the prosperous era of my great Han, but I didn't expect that he would help the evil and help this unfaithful thief for nothing." Xun Yu became more and more angry as he spoke: "The emperor valued him so much, and he had never been weak, so he chose to disagree with the public and appointed him as General Zhennan. He wanted to implement the new policy, even if it violated the laws of our great Han, he would be approved, just hope to cultivate him. Only by strength can you suppress the ambition of the Prime Minister. Unexpectedly, he trained a pawn for the Prime Minister. Now he has come to Xu County to invite the Prime Minister to be named the Prime Minister. Do you know how sad and disappointed the Emperor is? Wen Qian, I misread you. Your uncle is also confused by you. He has not seen Cang Shu's ambition for so long. He even wrote a memorial to explain to Cang Shu, saying that the great man is still virtuous and has the help of generals. I see that he is like me, and he is also confused..."

Xun Yu was heartbroken, his eyes drooped, and his two skinny hands were so angry that they trembled with anger. Xun Wenqian was really anxious. She kept stroking Xun Yu's back, and the silk handkerchief in her hand was dyed red, which was shocking.

"Father, can you listen to me?" Xun Wenqian shouted in an anxious voice.

"You said." Xun Yu gasped, leaning his back against the desk, looking up at the roof.

"The Prime Minister is in charge of military and political power. Although Cang Shu is in charge of Jiangnan, Yizhou Xinde, Liu Bei is still in Jiaozhou, and Sun Quan still occupies Yangzhou. Cang Shu has only more than 30,000 troops, including Zhang Pingdi, 4,000 people with 4,000 people with 4,000 people with 4,000 people with 4,000 people with 4,000 people with 3,000 people with 4,000 people with 4,000 people with 3,000 people with 4,000 people with 4,000 people with 4,000 people with 3,000 people with 4,000 people with 4,000 people with 4,000 people with 3,000 people with 4,000 people with 4,000 people with 4,000 people with 4,000 people with 4,000 people with 4,000 people with 3,000 people with 4,000 people with 4,000 people with 4,000 people with 4,000 people with 4,000 people with 4,000 people with 4,000 people with 4,000 people with 4,000 people with 4,000 people with 4,000 people with 4,000 people with 4,000 people with 4,000 people with 4,000 people with 4,000 people with 4,000 people with 4,000 people with 4,000 people with 4,000 people with 4,000 people with 4,000 people with 4,000 people with 4, and all these three people are close to half of the total force. They are all the trusted of the Prime Minister. Cang Shu is so as to make the Prime Minister confused. To eliminate the suspicion of the Prime Minister, he would emptiate the money and grain reserves of Yizhou and Jingzhou. Why? Isn’t it just because the Prime Minister is suspicious? Why should I be afraid that the Prime Minister is suspicious? Isn’t it just because Cang Shu has been expressing his support for the Han Dynasty? Do you think he just wants to use the emperor’s prestige? Yes, the emperor personally conferred Cang Shu as General Zhennan, and ordered Cang Shu’s new policy. But in comparison, the Prime Minister’s prestige is much more powerful than the emperor’s prestige. Even if the emperor disagrees, can he still object to the prime minister’s prestige?"

Xun Yu was speechless by Xun Wenqian's words, and he also felt that it was a bit too hasty to ask Cao Chong to resist Cao Cao now.

Xun Wenqian glanced at Xun Yu who had calmed down, sighed, and said: "Father, although the new policy has been implemented for two years, it has been fighting in the past two years. There is not much remuneration, and Cang Shu's strength is very limited. Besides, after all, they are still father and son, how could they turn against each other? The emperor just breathed a sigh of relief and asked for 500 million yuan of property from Xiangyang at once, and said that they would repair Xu County, which is the Xu County.

What is the best way to cultivate? Before the world is stable, he just wants to enjoy it. What will Cang Shu think? If the Prime Minister really wants to hand over the power, will the emperor let him go? Will Cang Shu let him go and the Cao family because of Cang Shu's loyalty? Even if he can let Cang Shu go, will Cang Shu have a tragic relationship? You should also think about Cang Shu, he is a minister of the Han Dynasty, but he is also the son of the Prime Minister. The Han Dynasty governs the world with filial piety. Do you let him be a rebellious son?"

"If you don't be a rioter, do you want to be a rioter?" Xun Yu snorted and said disdainfully.

"Aren't you here to discuss with you?" Xun Wenqian saw that Xun Yu was a little calmer, and also smiled slightly and said.

"Do you mean that Cang Shu was forced?" Xun Yu thought for a while and said slowly.

"The Prime Minister sent Zihuan to Guanzhong, and asked Cang Shu to stop the war in Jiangnan and support Ziwen to Dai County. Can't you see his intention?" Xun Wenqian helped Xun Yu up with heartache, changed into a clean silk handkerchief, and wiped the corners of his mouth: "If Cang Shu listens to him, then Ziwen will be his help in the future to help him deal with Zihuan. If Cang Shu doesn't listen to him, he will ask Ziwen to help Zihuan deal with Cang Shu. This is the last move arranged by the Prime Minister, otherwise he would propose to be the king at this time?"

Xun Yu sighed and was speechless for a while.

"What does Cang Shu mean by himself?" Xun Yu lowered his head and thought for a while, raised his eyes and looked at Xun Wenqian and said.

"Why don't your father ask him? He has been talking with his sister-in-law for a long time. Haven't you seen him at first?"

Xun Yu was silent for a while, waved his hand to Xun Xiaoqing at the door and said, "Go, please come."

Cao Chong, who was chatting with his sister Cao Qiu, came soon. When he saw Xun Yu's face, he was shocked and did not care about salute. He rushed over and asked with concern: "My father-in-law, why are your face so bad?"

Xun Yu smiled faintly and pushed Cao Chong's hand away: "It's okay, Cang Shu, you sit down. If you haven't seen each other for two years, you've become a real man."

Cao Chong smiled and sat in a proper manner opposite Xun Yu. The two sat quietly and looked at each other. Xun Yu's face was melancholy, but Cao Chong smiled as if nothing had happened. Seeing that both of them were not talking, Xun Wenqian couldn't help but say angrily: "Don't let you see your father, you talk every day. When you see your father, you are stupid and only know how to laugh. If you have any ideas, don't you tell your father."

Cao Chong glanced at Xun Wenqian and grinned: "Don't you know all my thoughts? Is there anything else to say?"

Xun Yu raised his hand and shook it, preventing Xun Wenqian from interrupting. He stared at Cao Chong's eyes and said, "Are you worried that the master will be shocked by the great achievements?"

"Yes." Cao Chong nodded straightforwardly: "The contributions of his father are obvious to all. Now that Liu Bei is dying, Sun Quan is frightened. Ma Chao and Han Sui in Guanzhong are already a dog of a family, and the world is already determined. His father's achievements are not stingy with Guangwu's revival. At this time, if you don't worry about His Majesty playing with the trick of killing donkeys, it is purely self-deception."

"I don't have to be granted a king because I am worried. This is a foolish move, a complete foolish move. The king's title makes people feel that he is unjust, and Han Xin from the Emperor's reign is an example." Xun Yu said slowly: "The great Han Dynasty's fire virtue has not yet been extinguished. At this time, he wants to be granted a king. What is the difference between the path Wang Mang takes?"

"If you don't become a king, how can you calm your father's heart?" Cao Chong said hesitantly.

"Why don't you be a relative of the foreign country? There is no precedent for me to be in charge of military affairs alone." Xun Yu glanced at Cao Chong and said.

Cao Chong thought about it and shook his head again: "Being a relative of the foreign country is an example of emergency relief. At least it can relieve the crisis for ten or twenty years. However, Queen Fu is still very young. Even if my daughter of Cao's family enters the palace, she cannot become a queen. How can she be in power with integrity and not let the emperor be suspicious?

"Don't be anxious about this. Tell me first. Will the Prime Minister accept this method and give up asking for the title of king?" Xun Yu said slowly, looking confident.

Cao Chong shook his head: "It may not be enough to be a relative of the outside world. Although my father doubted that he would be opposed to the title of king, judging from the current situation, the resistance is obviously not enough, and it is not enough to make his father take back his life."

Xun Yu stared at Cao Chong: "Don't ask anything else, first tell me what you think."

"What can I think?" Cao Chong smiled awkwardly, raised his hand and pinched his nose: "I, General Zhennan, want to listen to the emperor and father, what can I do? My father-in-law must also know that a small half of my subordinates are my father's old subordinates, and Jiangnan has not yet been pacified. At this time, I don't listen to my father, and it's a dead end. Even if I have any ideas, it will be useless."

Xun Yu was silent. He lowered his head and thought: "Cang Shu, the reaction of the king's king is too great, it is easy to cause misunderstandings from others. It is better to delay this matter. You stay in Xu County for a while and see the emperor again. Then we will think of a solution. What do you think?"

Cao Chong nodded and said nothing.

…………

"General Zhennan really thinks so, he doesn't agree with the title of king?" The emperor turned around and looked at Xun Yu with some uncertainty. Xun Yu nodded: "Not only General Zhennan does not agree, but Cao Zhang and Cao Zhi do not agree. The Prime Minister is also worried that people are worried about the Han Dynasty and may not be determined. It is just that the Cao family is afraid that the great achievements will shock the Lord. It is understandable that he wants to ask His Majesty for a promise."

"Promise?" the emperor said to himself, with a sharp look flashing in his eyes. Promise is a ghost, I wish I could kill him now and be a true emperor who ruled the world. Is it possible? The time is not yet ripe.

"What promise does he want? Is he going to be the king?" The emperor turned back to the tribute table in Xiangyang and sat down. His blushing face slowly calmed down: "If you are the king, will he be relieved?"

"The matter of being named a king is not feasible for the time being." Xun Yu shook his head and said, "The Emperor Gaozu's white horse oath is very clear. Unless Liu's family is not allowed to be appointed as a king. But now it is not appropriate to reject the Prime Minister in one go. For today's plan, you might as well use a delay and let it go for now."

"The trick to drag the word?" The emperor didn't understand what Xun Yu meant, and frowned and looked at Xun Yu inquiring.

"Your Majesty, since the Prime Minister was appointed as the Marquis of Wuping in the first year of Jian'an, the title has not increased. Moreover, if our dynasty is not Liu, the county marquis has already been the highest title and cannot be promoted. However, the Prime Minister has made great contributions and has to be rewarded. Otherwise, it will be difficult to convince the public. It also makes it possible for the Prime Minister to be highly rewarded, so he has to ask for the title of King. Why not take this opportunity to increase his household and town to repay his merits? In this way, although the Prime Minister cannot get the title of King, he will still gain something and will definitely not insist on being named King. Your Majesty can also reward Cao Pi and Cao Chong at the same time, so that he can also give the Prime Minister a step, so as not to lose face."

The emperor turned his head and thought about it, thinking that this was a solution. Cao Cao had real benefits, but he did not break the rules, and both sides had face, so he could still compromise. The question is, will Cao Cao agree? The emperor was still a little confused about this plan.

"What the Prime Minister fears is nothing more than being a great contribution to the Lord, for fear that his life will not be guaranteed after handing over the power. However, if he does not hand over the power, he will be inconsistent with reason. If he advances, he will be a rebellious minister, and if he retreats, he will be a wronged soul. This is also a dilemma for the Prime Minister. Moreover, although the world is rough, it is too early to reappear in the prosperous era of our Han Dynasty. At that time, Xu Zi praised him as a "capable minister in governing the world, a treacherous hero in troubled times". Why don't Your Majesty let him be a capable minister in governing the world?" Xun Yu raised his head, glanced at the contemplative emperor, and stopped talking.

"A capable minister who governs the world?" The emperor murmured to himself and sighed helplessly. It is appropriate to say that Xu Zijiang's comment was just like Xu Zijiang's comments. Cao Cao was indeed a capable minister. If he could be loyal, he would be a loyal minister comparable to Huo Guang. But could he be loyal? Because it was inconvenient to monopolize the power of Sikong, he forced me to restore the ancient prime minister system, but he was not afraid of military power and was reluctant to establish a Taiwei. Now he feels that his life is not guaranteed and he wants to be the king to be at ease. Can he be at ease by being a king? I am afraid he should test my thoughts and prepare for the next step.

"Your dear, how can you make him feel at ease to be a capable minister?" After thinking about it, the emperor could not think of any good idea, so he had to ask Xun Yu for advice.

Xun Yu did not answer him immediately, but thought for a long time before saying word by word: "Why don't your Majesty give the Prime Minister a position that is legitimate and has precedents to follow, so that the Prime Minister can feel at ease to work hard for Your Majesty."

"What kind of position can achieve such an effect?" the emperor couldn't help but ask curiously.

"Our dynasty has always been in power with the great generals of foreign relatives..." Xun Yu said halfway and stopped talking. The emperor suddenly understood. He suddenly realized and nodded. Yes, there are not only one or two foreign relatives of this dynasty. They are the only one and two, and they are the emperor's superiors of foreign relatives. Although it makes the emperor uncomfortable, it is still easier to accept than if someone usurped the throne. Moreover, none of these generals have a good ending. As long as they relax, they can uproot them. Judging from the current situation, it seems that only this path can resolve the conflict between me and the prime minister.

But what should the queen do? Will the Cao family’s daughter be a concubine or noble person with peace of mind?

The emperor's face changed and hesitated. Since entering the palace, Queen Fu Shou has been dependent on him and supported each other. Now I have to keep the throne and please the Cao family and make her abdicate. But what if I can't bear it? Could it be that I just watched the country be suppressed step by step? Alas, I can only sacrifice her. I believe she can understand my painstaking efforts. Cao's thief is already in his twilight years, and at most ten or eight years, I can regain power. When I take back the power, it will not be too late to post it to her.

"Your dear, do you think the Prime Minister can accept this method?" The emperor said for a long time, his voice full of sorrow.

"No." Xun Yu shook his head firmly.

The emperor was annoyed, can't? Why can't you say it? He frowned and sat upright, stared at Xun Yu with some anger. Xun Yu smiled slightly, took a step forward, and said softly: "Your Majesty, the Prime Minister asked Cao Chong to come and ask for a title. If Your Majesty gave in, how could he know Your Majesty's painstaking efforts? This is just the final compromise. Is it feasible? You must first let the Prime Minister know the difficulty of being the king."

"How do you let him know the difficulty of being a king?" the emperor said hatefully.

"Your Majesty, I have a plan here." Xun Yu lowered his voice and said softly: "I guarantee that the Prime Minister will retreat when he knows the difficulties. Then Your Majesty will add his town and grant his son a title. Everyone will be happy."
Chapter completed!