Yecheng, the imperial palace.

Cao Pi opened his eyes tiredly. He now understood the unwillingness when his father passed away. He had obviously had many things to do, but the passing of life came to an end, and the feeling of helplessness and unwillingness was very strong, especially since Cao Pi was still very young. He was only forty years old this year, and he was the age of a man with the most energetic energy. But he wanted to leave this world forever. How could Cao Pi be willing to do this?

His unwillingness may be stronger than Cao Cao. After all, Cao Cao experienced everything in his life and laid the foundation of Cao Wei today. Although he failed to complete the great cause of unification, he was still dead without regrets.

But Cao Pi was not good. Although he sent troops to attack Wu twice, he failed to achieve success due to Guan Yu's intervention, and instead consumed his national strength. After more than six years of reign, the national strength of Wei State did improve. However, Cao Pi knew very well that this was not enough. The Wu army received support from the Han army and operated Hefei in recent years, and became more and more mature in land warfare, especially in terms of military armor. Now he has surpassed Cao Wei.

As for the Han Dynasty established by Liu Bei, even if Cao Wei did not recognize it, the influence of the Han Dynasty has not been completely eliminated. At present, the people's recognition of Liu Bei is actually not lower than that of Cao Wei. In terms of destructiveness, Liu Bei's existence threat is much greater than that of Eastern Wu.

Cao Pi had not thought about joining Wu to attack the Han Dynasty, but the Eastern Wu relied on the military support given by the Han Dynasty over the years and was dependent on the Han Dynasty. Although he did not refuse, Sun Quan was obviously waiting for the opportunity. Before this opportunity appeared, Sun Quan would not rashly rebel against Liu Bei.

Although Cao Wei is the most powerful in the three-legged alliance, the Wu-Han alliance is not broken, so it is naturally impossible to break the current deadlock.

This is the truth that Cao Pi realized over the years. Cao Wei is powerful, but he cannot suppress the two families at the same time. Now that the country is still uncertain, he will die. Once he dies, I am afraid that Liu Bei's Han Dynasty and Eastern Wu will immediately send troops to attack. Eastern Wu may not be able to fight really, but Liu Bei will definitely attack.

How great would it be if Liu Bei died at this time?

Cao Pi resented God's injustice. Liu Bei was thirty years older than him and was still alive now. Why did he die young?

"Your Majesty~" The servant trotted to the bed, knelt in front of Cao Pi, and bowed: "Pingyuan King Cao Rui, General Chen Qun of the Army, General Cao Zhen of the Central Army, General Cao Xiu of the East, and General Sima Yi of the Peace Army are waiting outside the hall for His Majesty to summon him."

Cao Pi raised his hand weakly. He no longer wanted to waste his energy talking.

The servant understood and ran out. After a while, Cao Rui and four ministers came in front of Cao Pi under the leadership of the servant.

"Sons, please see the father!"

"See Your Majesty!"

"No gift!" Cao Pi waved his hand and looked at Cao Rui, but saw Cao Rui's eyes drooping. Although he was respectful, he felt a sense of indifference that was thousands of miles away from him.

Although Cao Rui was not old, he had experienced ups and downs. When he was young, he was very knowledgeable and could not forget everything he saw. He was very fond of Cao Cao and even designated him as the successor of the third generation of Cao Wei. At that time, Cao Rui was young at that time, received endless favors and praises.

Later, Cao Pi ascended the throne, Zhen was named the queen, and she was also very loving with Cao Pi. Cao Rui's childhood was undoubtedly happy, but the good times did not last long. Zhen, who was old and deteriorated, was gradually neglected. In addition, his unclear understanding of Cao Zhi in his early years made Cao Pi feel quite grudges. He was still pampered when he was fascinated by the whole country. However, after he was old and deteriorated, the old things gradually became a thorn in Cao Pi's heart, and were finally stabbed to death because of a few complaints.

Cao Rui's happy and fulfilling childhood life suddenly changed drastically. He loved the house and hated him in fact. After killing Zhen, Cao Pi looked at his son as like his fourth brother, and he became more and more disliked Cao Rui. Later, he threw it directly to the plain, and was invisible.

For a period of time, Cao Pi intentionally deposed Cao Rui's eldest son and changed Cao Li, the son of his favorite concubine Xu Ji, as his heir. However, he was stopped by the ministers of the court. Cao Rui did not make any mistakes and could not depose him! Seeing that the civil and military officials in the court opposed it, Cao Pi could only calm down.

Now, the 18-year-old Cao Rui has become a handsome boy, but he does not have the aura and vitality that a young man should have. He has lived carefully over the years and has worn away the ostentatious spirit that he should have at this age. In a vague way, Cao Pi suddenly saw the shadow of his youth in Cao Rui.

Thinking of the past few years, I couldn't help but feel a little regretful.

"I will soon be in the world..." After suppressing the turbulent thoughts in my heart, Cao Pi sighed, and did not speak directly to his son, but looked at the four ministers and said.

"Why did Your Majesty say this?" Chen Qun and the other two hurriedly knelt down on the ground and kowtowed to Cao Pi.

"Hyphorful!" Cao Pi glanced at them and cursed faintly, without any emotion in it. Now he no longer wants to deal with these useless politeness: "I say, you can just listen!"

"Here!" The four of them bowed quickly.

Cao Pi took a deep breath: "The late emperor was having a difficult time starting a business. When I ascended the throne, I originally thought that this so-called three-legged tripod would soon be pacified by our Great Wei, unify the world, and establish a foundation for all generations. However, I took charge of the six priests of the world, but both attacked the Eastern Wu, but returned in vain. Liu Bei's national strength is now thriving, and I die with one stone. Liu Bei will definitely attack the whole country. You should assist the prince well and not cause chaos in the Great Wei at this time."

Chen Qun and the other four hurriedly bowed and said, "Don't worry, Your Majesty, I will assist the prince and pacify the world!"

"Put the world?" Cao Pi shook his head a little lost: "The law of the ninth rank official made our Great Wei nationality become more and more prosperous, but the late emperor said that craftsmanship could also prosper the country. Liu Bei used this to revive the Han Dynasty. You are all nobles. You should understand this principle. The new Han Dynasty is constantly growing by craftsmanship. All of you should not regard it as a cheap karma by using the old law!"

When Chen Qun and others heard this, they felt complicated and unpleasant.

This is probably the advantage of troubled times. If in a prosperous era, workers want to grow and gain a higher social status, the resistance that blocks them will be so great that it makes people desperate.

But now, in times of trouble, although people still control a large number of resources, they have been divided into various countries and strongly supported Cao Wei, which means that the power of scholars in the New Han side will be weakened. However, they are unwilling to admit that the country is strong with their labour, but they can only accept the fact that labor can be strong. Even if they are unwilling to do so, in order not to be suppressed by the Han Dynasty, they can only continue to strengthen themselves by improving the status of craftsmen. However, in this way, they must cede their own interests. No one will be willing to do this. When Cao Cao was alive, he was able to disagree and vigorously advocate the development of work and agriculture. But now Cao Cao is no longer there. Cao Pi's politics is a compromise and exchange politics. Although it makes the country rich and the people strong, Cao Pi's right to speak has been sacrificed.

At least, Cao Pi could not act as arbitrary as Cao Cao. As long as the ministers opposed it, Cao Pi did not dare to really go against the will of the public. However, Cao Cao dared, even now, Cao Pi was about to die, and he was just using a tone of discussion and reasoning, so that they could understand the importance of attaching importance to the development of craftsmen.

"I understand!" Chen Qun and others could only bow to Cao Pi.

"Yuan Zhong!" Cao Pi nodded and said no more. He believed that both Chen Qun and Sima Yi were wise men in the world and would understand the truth, but instead looked at Cao Rui.

"My son is here!" Cao Rui took a step forward silently, with no fluctuations in his expression or tone. He was as calm as a pool of stagnant water. This feeling was even more scary.

"These four people are my loyal ministers of the Great Wei! After I go, you will be in charge of national affairs. You should rely on these four people. There is no doubt about it!" Cao Pi looked at his son and pointed at the four people and said, "This is also considered a entrusting one's own will. Two generals of the Cao family and two important officials in the court, Cao Pi also took some pains to avoid Cao Rui being undermined.

"My son understand!" Cao Rui nodded and bowed to the four of them again: "You are young and ignorant. If you have any mistakes in the future, the four Aquarius will speak out without hesitation!"

"Crown Prince is so arrogant, we will do our best!" The four of them dared not accept the courtesy and quickly moved away from each other and bowed to the ground.

"Okay." Cao Pi waved his hand weakly and said, "Yuan Zhong stays, please retreat first!"

"Look, I'm leaving!" The four of them hurriedly bowed and kept bowing and bowing, retreating silently, retreating outside the hall before getting up, and each gave a bow and dispersed.

The palace returned to silence, and the servants retreated one after another, leaving only the father and son, who were speechless.

Cao Rui didn't speak, just waited quietly. He was used to loneliness. If there was no need, he could not say a word for three days.

Seeing Cao Rui's appearance, Cao Pi sighed: "Do you hate me?"

"Hate!" Cao Rui said calmly.

Cao Pi was choked by Cao Rui's frankness. He was about to die and thought his son would at least do it. Only now did he realize that he was thinking too much.

"Being a father will not last long, but you say so, regardless of your feelings for your father?" Cao Pi asked.

"When the father killed his mother and queen, did he ever think about his mother and his son's feelings?" Cao Rui asked back.

"The king, the king, the minister, the father and the son are the same, my son is like this..."

"So, my son hates Confucianism!" Cao Rui said at the end, with a cold look in his eyes. Even though Cao Rui's character that he had trained in the world, he couldn't help but shivered.

"You said so, aren't you afraid that I will destroy you!" Cao Pi smiled bitterly and shook his head.

"The world belongs to you. Who do you want to pass it to? It is up to the father to decide. But if I cannot succeed to the throne, Cao Wei will perish!" Cao Rui said coldly. In his words, he had the courage to be indifferent to life and death and do it if he didn't accept it.

"I was not worried before, but now, I am a little worried." Cao Pi shook his head. Among all his sons, no one can compare with Cao Rui, regardless of their talent or courage.

"I know that I have many shames to you, mother and son, and I don't want to say too much. I just hope that my son can treat those brothers well!" Cao Pi said with a wry smile.

"Don't worry, how did the father treat those uncles back then, how would the sons treat their brothers!" Cao Rui said indifferently.

"You..." Cao Pi felt his chest blocked and glared at Cao Rui: "They are all your brothers!"

"The royal family has no affection, this is what you taught!" Cao Rui stood up silently and bowed to Cao Pi: "If there is nothing else, my son will take his leave!"

After saying that, he walked out of the palace without any nostalgia. Cao Pi looked at Cao Rui's back with a little dazed consciousness, and suddenly felt endless regret in his heart. He thought of Cao Zhi, Cao Zhang and many other brothers. Finally, he turned into a bitter smile and lay back on the bed silently. After a long time, he tried hard to raise his voice to the curtain above his head: "Come, I want to draw an edict!"
Chapter completed!