Chapter 234 The Wingless Eagle Conquered by the Royal Driver
When General Cao Pi hit Chen Qun, Chen Qun was so frightened that he knelt on the ground.
The king was so angry that he shed blood and floated in the oars.
Facing Cao Pi who was already in a rage, even Chen Qun, who was Cao Pi's good friend in the past, had a look of fear on his face.
Although Chen Qun was very frightened by Cao Pi's roar and anger, when faced with Cao Pi's question, Chen Qun, who was kneeling on the ground, did not know how to answer.
He is very good at political strategy, but how does he know about military strategy?
His body began to shake because of fear.
Seeing that Chen Qun, whom he had always regarded as a confidant in the past, could only tremble when faced with his questioning, Cao Pi became more and more angry.
Cao Pi bent over and approached Chen Qun. When Cao Pi and Chen Qun looked at each other, Chen Qun was so frightened that he broke out in a cold sweat.
After Cao Pi got closer to Chen Qun, his eyes had become very cold. He asked Chen Qun coldly again:
"The Chancellor is in charge of the important affairs of the world. You have been trusted by me to be in charge of the Secretariat. Is this how you repay me?"
"Answer me."
There was no trace of emotion in Cao Pi's words. Facing Cao Pi's aggressive questions, the cold sweat on Chen Qun's head became more and more intense.
Chen Qun and Cao Pi have been together for decades. In Chen Qun's impression, Cao Pi's reaction today is the first time in decades.
It can be seen from this that the contents of the military newspaper dealt a huge blow to Cao Pi.
According to Cao Pi's reaction, Chen Qun knew that if he couldn't answer again, his fate might be to lie dead on the spot.
But just when Chen Qun was hesitating and thinking about answering Cao Pi's question, a pure and honest voice suddenly reached the ears of everyone in the hall.
"The reason why Mi Yang's troops and horses doubled is that he obtained the command of the Hanzhong army."
When this determined voice sounded, it gave everyone a sense of hit and miss, and at the same time, everyone in the hall focused their attention on this person.
Cao Pi looked at the person who spoke with eyes filled with resentment.
After he saw the yellow beard under the man's lips, his cold tone eased slightly:
"Ren Chenghou?"
The man who came forward to rescue Chen Qun and analyzed the military strategy for Cao Pi was none other than Cao Pi's brother, Cao Zhang, the Marquis of Rencheng.
Cao Zhang, courtesy name Ziwen, was the second son born to Cao Cao and the Bian family.
Cao Zhang was good at archery and driving since he was a child. He had extraordinary arm strength and could fight with wild beasts with his bare hands. He was very brave.
Cao Zhang had followed Cao Cao on many expeditions and was ambitious and generous.
Cao Cao once criticized Cao Zhang and said: "You don't want to study and admire the holy way, but you are interested in riding a horse and fencing. What is the use of this man?"
Cao Cao asked Cao Zhang to study "Poetry" and "Book" carefully.
After being criticized by Cao Cao, Cao Zhang said to the people around him: "My husband once served as a guard, Huo, and rode a hundred thousand people through the desert, drove away the soldiers and soldiers, and made great achievements. How can he be a doctor?"
Cao Cao once asked the disciples what they liked and asked them to express their aspirations. Different from the other brothers' answers that were obviously to please Cao Cao, Cao Zhang's answer was:
"A good general".
Cao Cao was curious about Cao Zhang because of his unique answer and asked him: "What can I do?"
When asked by Cao Cao, Cao Zhang decisively replied: "Be strong and sharp, ignore the difficulties, and put the soldiers first; rewards must be fulfilled, and punishments must be faithful."
After hearing Cao Zhang's answer, Cao Cao burst out laughing.
After Cao Zhang expressed his judgment in his seat, he resolutely stood up from his seat and bowed in front of Cao Pi, regardless of the hints in the eyes of the pale Cao Xiong beside him:
"Your Majesty, can the general report to my brother for a visit?"
Facing Cao Zhang's request, Cao Pi, who was in a rage, handed over the military report to Cao Zhang without thinking too much.
Cao Zhang took the military report and started reading it immediately. The more he read, the more his brows became furrowed.
It's just that Cao Zhang's face has a solemn look, but he is not like Chen Qun, who is careless, or Cao Pi, who can only roar.
Almost in an instant, Cao Zhang had a deeper judgment on the situation in Nanyang County.
After reading the military report, Cao Zhang said to Cao Pi:
"Your Majesty, in my opinion, since the thieves are able to surround Wudang City with troops, it means that they have no worries. Therefore, something must have happened to the tens of thousands of chariot and cavalry generals."
Cao Zhang liked to be among the military since he was a child, so the way he answered Cao Pi was very direct according to his past habits in the military.
But after Cao Pi heard Cao Zhang's inference, his expression did not ease as he got the answer.
On the contrary, after hearing Cao Zhang's inference, he transferred all his anger to Cao Zhang.
Cao Pi looked at Cao Zhang angrily and yelled at him: "Ziwen, what are you talking nonsense!"
“The chariot and cavalry generals are unrivaled generals, and the tens of thousands of troops are all our country’s fierce warriors.
Even if Mi Yang's military strength increases several times, he may not be the opponent of the chariot and cavalry general."
"Besides, there is Meng Da. Meng Da is our army's internal support. Our army will not be defeated!"
"There must be some mistake in the military report."
Cao Pi showed great resistance to Cao Zhang's inference.
His face was full of disbelief.
But even though Cao Pi was the emperor of the Wei Dynasty, what was the use of his resistance and disbelief when faced with the ironclad facts?
Seeing Cao Pi's behavior, ordinary ministers would probably follow Cao Pi's words.
Sometimes the truth is not important. The most important thing is not to make Cao Pi unhappy.
But Cao Zhang has an upright temperament. He doesn't understand the twists and turns in the officialdom. He only knows that the most important thing now is the foundation of the Wei Dynasty.
The military report in Cao Zhang's hand was written by Man Chong himself and sent to Luoyang.
In this military report, because Mi Yang's army came too quickly at that time, even Man Chong was not sure how Cao Ren was defeated.
In the military report sent to Luoyang, Man Chong only emphasized two facts: Cao Ren's whereabouts were unknown and Mi Yang's troops besieged Wudang.
It's just that anyone with military strategy can infer many things from these two facts.
After Cao Zhang saluted Cao Pi, he said to Cao Pi again:
"Your Majesty! Meng Da's conclusion is that the ambition is false, and the empty military strength in Xicheng is false. All of these are Mi Yang's tactics to lure the enemy!"
"From the moment Meng Da cut off his hair, our army has fallen into Mi Yang's trap."
When Cao Zhang made this conclusion, everyone in the hall raised their heads and looked at Cao Zhang in surprise.
Marquis Ren Cheng is too courageous!
His inference was tantamount to slapping Cao Pi in the face.
Don’t forget how happy Cao Pi was when he found out about Meng Da’s determination to die.
Although his two edicts have not yet been published to the world, everyone who should know about them already knows about them.
Meng Da's decision to establish his will was endorsed by Cao Pi, the emperor.
Even after Chen Qun heard Cao Zhang's inference, the fear on his face became more intense.
Not only was he not grateful to Cao Zhang for rescuing him, but he was also blaming him.
In fact, at this moment, most of the smart people in the palace have guessed some of the truth, but only Cao Zhang would tell the truth directly in front of Cao Pi.
Sure enough, after Cao Pi listened to Cao Zhang's words, his face was instantly covered with shame and anger.
He pointed his finger at Cao Zhang and wanted to say another word to scold Cao Zhang.
But in the end, his hand pointing at Cao Zhang slowly and feebly dropped.
Cao Pi was not a fool.
Even though his military strategy was not as good as Cao Zhang's, under Cao Zhang's reminder, if he could not roughly understand the ins and outs of the matter, it would be an insult to Cao Cao's vision.
After roughly understanding all the truth, Cao Pi, who had been furious just now, was like a rubber ball that had all the energy drained out of him in an instant, and the energy on his face was rapidly draining away.
His face began to turn gray.
During Cao Cao's lifetime, Cao Pi had spent too much energy in the brutal battle for the throne.
Although Cao Pi is only in his early thirties this year, his physical condition is no longer very good due to the exhaustion of his past efforts.
Now he suddenly received such a big blow, causing his body to become unstable for a moment.
Just when Cao Pi was about to collapse, Zhen wanted to get up quickly and help Cao Pi.
But she was still a step slower.
Cao Pi's beloved concubine Guo rushed to behind Cao Pi and used her petite body to support the unstable Cao Pi.
After Cao Pi became aware of this scene, a little warmth flowed in his heart.
With Guo's support, Cao Pi looked around at the people in the main hall with dim and absent-minded eyes.
These are his family members. If he falls, what will they do?
Thinking of this, Cao Pi forced himself to regain his composure.
Cao Pi looked at Cao Zhang. He knew that his younger brother had extraordinary military skills, so Cao Pi asked Cao Zhang:
"In the face of such great changes, what suggestions does Marquis Ren Cheng have?"
Cao Pi's tone was a little weak.
Facing Cao Pi's inquiry, Cao Zhang replied decisively:
"Sieging a city is never easy. Although Wudang is not a fortified city, Man Yangwu is a general who knows military strategies.
It is expected that although Mi Yang's army besieged the city, it would not be difficult for Wudang to hold on for a while."
"What I am worried about now is that once the news of the defeat of General Chariot and Cavalry spreads, it will inevitably cause shock in Nanyang."
"Therefore, the top priority is to stabilize the people of Nanyang County. I believe that your Majesty should send another clan member as a general to lead the Chinese army to support Nanyang County with great fanfare, in order to stabilize the people of Nanyang County."
After saying these words, Cao Zhang bowed deeply to Cao Pi and said, "I am willing to volunteer to help your majesty solve this serious problem."
Regarding Cao Zhang's self-recommendation, Cao Pi had a thoughtful look on his face.
Cao Pi knew that what Cao Zhang said was right.
Among the clan members in Luoyang, Cao Zhang is the only one who has the prestige to stabilize people's hearts and the ability to command an army.
Even if Cao Zhen, Xia Houshang, Cao Xiu, Xia Houba, Cao Tai and other clansmen were all in Luoyang, in terms of military exploits and prestige, Cao Zhang was above them at this time.
Because Cao Zhang is the only one among these clansmen who has made great achievements in defeating foreigners.
But Cao Pi did not want to give Cao Zhang military power.
After Cao Pi succeeded to the throne, someone tipped him off and Cao Cao wrote a letter to Cao Zhang before he died.
Cao Zhang, as his younger brother and his minister, has never disclosed this matter to him until now.
So Cao Pi was afraid of Cao Zhang.
After Cao Zhang asked for a battle, the hall fell into an eerie silence because of Cao Pi's silence.
After a long time, Cao Pi suddenly made a decision.
"I want to lead the expedition myself."
As soon as Cao Pi said these words, no matter what the reactions of others in the palace were, Chen Qun, who was kneeling on the ground, was the first to express his objection.
Chen Qun knelt forward and cried to Cao Pi: "Your Majesty, the holy chariot must not leave lightly!"
But Cao Pi had made up his mind. Facing Chen Qun's cry and remonstrance, Cao Pi said with his mind made up:
"I am the son of Emperor Wu, so how can I be someone who fears the enemy?"
At this moment, Cao Pi showed his decisiveness as the son of Cao Cao.
After saying this, Cao Pi turned around and waved his sleeves, asking everyone in the hall to retreat.
From the beginning to the end, Cao Pi seemed to have forgotten Cao Zhang, who had just asked him to fight, and did not respond to his self-recommendation.
Cao Zhang looked at Cao Pi, who had his back turned to him, and bitterness began to appear on his face.
As he said just now, the most important thing now is to stabilize the hearts of the people in Nanyang County.
Compared to sending a clan general, Cao Pi could do this more personally.
But was it really just for this reason that Cao Pi went to war?
Under Cao Pi's order, everyone in the hall was retreating one after another.
Even Chen Qun, who looked reluctant, could only sigh and get up and leave.
Only Cao Zhang stared at Cao Pi's back for a long time, with confusion in his eyes.
Why don't you believe me? I'm your biological brother!
Soon after, only Cao Pi, Cao Zhang, and Guo were left in the entire hall.
But Cao Zhang still maintained the look of bowing down asking for orders.
But even so, his brother still turned his back to him. Even though his brother knew that he had not left yet, he still ignored his thoughts.
Perhaps in the end, Cao Zhang knew that he had no hope, so the confusion in his eyes turned into disappointment.
Cao Zhang stood up straight and slowly left the Xuanming Hall.
The moment Cao Zhang stepped out of the palace gate, the strong sunlight outside the palace shone into his eyes, making him feel very dazzling.
But this strong sunshine reminded Cao Zhang of the scene when he played with Cao Pi when he was a child and when Cao Pi defended him when he was punished by Cao Cao.
How good his relationship with Cao Pi was at that time.
It's a pity that I can't go back.
Then Cao Zhang looked at the scorching sun in the sky, and Cao Zhang thought of his father, Cao Cao.
Because Cao Zhang’s beard was yellow, Cao Cao often grabbed Cao Zhang’s beard and laughed:
"Huang Xu'er, from now on you will soar like an eagle in the sky and fulfill your father's long-cherished wish as a general to conquer the West!"
The voice and smile are still there, but the ancestors have passed away.
Thinking of this, Cao Zhang, who was standing outside the palace gate, couldn't help but laugh bitterly.
The bitter laughter continued for a long time outside the empty palace gate. By the end of the laugh, Cao Zhang had tears in his eyes.
Cao Zhang's face at this time was already full of sorrow.
Cao Zhang turned around and glanced at the deep Xuanming Palace, and then he began to unconsciously stroke the yellow beard under his lips.
Father, you are gone and the eagle's wings are broken.
The last lonely figure slowly disappeared into the shadows outside the palace door.
Cao Pi, who was in the hall, heard the bursts of bitter laughter coming from outside the hall. When the bitter laughter gradually disappeared, Cao Pi stood up straight and could no longer hold himself tight. He began to cover his mouth with his sleeves and cough violently.
Cao Pi's sudden cough frightened Mrs. Guo at the side. Mrs. Guo hurriedly helped Cao Pi to sit on the throne.
After Cao Pi sat down on the throne, he felt that his palms were already a little sticky, and he silently put his hands back into his robe sleeves.
The cruel truth hit him hard.
The country suffered such a huge defeat in the first battle after its establishment, and Mi Yang still stepped on his face to win this huge victory.
I'm afraid that after the news of the battle in Xicheng spreads, everyone in the world will laugh at him for being fooled by Mi Yang.
Before, he thought he was destined by destiny, and before that, he still laughed at Liu Bei and Sun Quan's inaction in his heart.
But now there is an elk in the world, but it uses sharp antlers to tear his fantasy into pieces.
Cao Pi stretched out his other hand and stroked Guo's temple. He looked at Guo's eyes full of concern, and tenderness began to appear in his eyes.
Guo's appearance is actually not as beautiful as Zhen's.
But one of the reasons why Cao Pi doted on her so much was that the Guo family gave him a lot of help in the original battle for the inheritance.
Another reason is that in the entire palace, Guo is the only one who is dedicated to him.
In the end, Cao Pi hugged Guo tightly, just like he was seeking comfort when he lost the battle for the right to inherit the throne.
He suddenly felt a little cold.
Did he do something wrong?
(End of chapter)
This chapter has been completed!