Chapter 398 The Queen was scolded and Cao Zhen cried and remonstrated
Author: Soy Sauce Mixed History
Chapter 398 The Queen was scolded and Cao Zhen cried and remonstrated
Due to Cao Cao's gu-raising battle for the heir, Cao Pi's body suffered from some root causes of disease.
Cao Pi was in his prime, and if it was just some root causes of illness, it wouldn't be a big deal if he took good care of him given his status.
It's just that people with underlying illnesses are most afraid of emotional ups and downs.
Since Cao Pi succeeded to the throne, the Wei army has suffered heavy losses one after another, which has caused Cao Pi's emotions to fluctuate severely.
Especially after the Wei army was defeated in the Battle of Xiangfan, Cao Pi's physical condition became even worse.
In this case, for the sake of his country and himself, Cao Pi had no choice but to start taking Wu Shi San.
Although there are disadvantages to taking Wu Shi San, the reason why Wu Shi San has gradually become popular among the nobles in Luoyang is that its efficacy is not low.
At least after Cao Pi took Five Stone Powder, he felt that the pain in his body was suppressed a lot, and his spirit was also greatly boosted.
Because Wushi Powder had this effect on Cao Pi's body, whenever Cao Pi felt unwell after returning to Luoyang, he would subconsciously take Wushi Powder.
After taking it regularly, Cao Pi had become dependent on Wushi Powder.
Even though Cao Pi has not been feeling unwell recently, he still takes Wu Shi Powder from time to time.
It cannot be said that Cao Zhen's arrival was unlucky. It can only be said that when Cao Pi became dependent on Wu Shi Powder, no matter when Cao Zhen came to see Cao Pi, he might not be able to see Cao Pi.
Because Wushi Powder has a very obvious characteristic after taking it, that is, Wushi Powder will make people feel very hot.
In order to allow the heat in the body to dissipate, Cao Pi must perform the "Xing San" step when taking Wushi Powder.
Cao Pi was often confused when walking away, and sometimes he even didn't wear clothes.
Cao Pi was the emperor of the Wei Dynasty. Even if the emperor was slightly disheveled, he might be criticized by his ministers, let alone exposing his breasts directly?
If Cao Pi's behavior was seen by foreign ministers, once word spread, it would definitely deal a blow to Cao Pi's majesty.
The more the majesty is hit, then the awe in the heart will naturally disappear.
Precisely because of this concern, Queen Guo did not immediately ask Cao Zhen, the general of Xiaohuang Gate, to come in.
It's just that Cao Zhen is the most important minister of Cao Wei today, not to mention that his sudden request for an audience must be important, so Queen Guo will not rashly let Xiao Huangmen drive Cao Zhen away.
After thinking about it, Queen Guo quickly came up with a compromise.
She asked Xiao Huangmen to go out and took Cao Zhen to the side hall to wait for a while on the grounds that Cao Pi was taking a nap.
Although Cao Pi had just taken the Five Stone Powder, it usually didn't take too long to take the powder.
It would be the safest thing to wait until Cao Pi has finished his trip to see Cao Zhen again.
After Xiao Huangmen received Queen Guo's order, he quickly came outside the main hall and relayed to Cao Zhen what Queen Guo had just told him.
After Cao Zhen heard that Cao Pi was taking a nap, he didn't have any suspicion in his heart.
After all, although he wanted to see Cao Pi as soon as possible, just taking a short break wouldn't waste much time, as long as he could see Cao Pi today.
Moreover, it is also disrespectful for ministers to interrupt the monarch's rest rashly.
So under the leadership of Xiao Huangmen, Cao Zhen went to the side hall to wait.
When Cao Zhen was taken to the side hall by the small yellow gate, Queen Guo also walked into the inner hall with a worried face, gently opened the door and looked at Cao Pi's current situation in the hall.
Through the gap in the palace door, Queen Guo saw Cao Pi, topless, dancing unconsciously with a look of intoxication on his face.
It is obvious that Wu Shi San brought great happiness to Cao Pi.
But looking at Cao Pi's intoxicated expression, Queen Guo's face showed worry.
Is Cao Pi now the same Zihuan who had great ambitions in front of her?
And is Wushi Powder really a miracle elixir?
All kinds of questions unconsciously emerged in Queen Guo's mind, making her feel a little cold in her heart.
Time passes very quickly.
Queen Guo, who had been guarding the door, became more and more anxious as time passed quickly.
If her calculations were correct, Cao Zhen would have been waiting in the side hall for nearly three hours!
This has greatly exceeded Queen Guo's expectations.
Logically speaking, Cao Pi's usual travel time would only take an hour at most.
It's just that the amount he took today may have been a bit large, which caused Cao Pi to fall asleep deeply again after taking a rest.
Perhaps Queen Guo could report Cao Zhen's request for an audience immediately after Cao Pi's trip.
It's just that Queen Guo is Cao Pi's favorite woman, but her relationship with Cao Pi is not as described in later TV series, involving a life-and-death level of love.
No matter how favored Queen Guo is, she is essentially just a plaything of Cao Pi.
In addition, Cao Pi was often moody after leaving, so when Cao Pi showed sleepiness after leaving, Queen Guo did not have the courage to stop Cao Pi.
She was able to gain Cao Pi's favor, apart from the fact that she was smart and could often offer advice to Cao Pi, the bigger reason was that she was very obedient to Cao Pi.
If she ever disobeys Cao Pi, it is foreseeable that she will fall out of favor given Cao Pi's character of being accommodating to others and jealous to others at home.
But Queen Guo didn't expect that Cao Pi hadn't gotten up after falling asleep for nearly two hours.
She temporarily invited Cao Zhen to the side hall on the grounds that Cao Pi was taking a nap, but how could anyone take a nap for three hours?
Cao Zhen is not a fool, he must be suspicious now.
Given Cao Zhen's status, his suspicion was more than Queen Guo could bear.
As time passed little by little, Queen Guo paced back and forth anxiously outside the inner hall door.
But just when Queen Guo was thinking about whether to risk waking up Cao Pi, a shout from the inner hall made Queen Guo reveal a smile of surprise on her face.
"Queen."
This shout was a little weak, but Queen Guo knew who the owner of this shout was.
After hearing this call, Queen Guo immediately opened the palace door and walked all the way to Cao Pi's bed.
Cao Pi, who had just woken up, did not have the rosy color on his face that should have appeared after adequate rest. Instead, his face looked quite pale.
When Queen Guo approached Cao Pi's bed, Cao Pi looked at his concubine in front of him and subconsciously wanted to raise his hand to touch Queen Guo's face.
It's just that maybe Cao Pi's current actions are a bit weak because he spent too much energy on his journey.
Queen Guo was very sensible. She quickly grabbed Cao Pi's shaky hand and put it on her face. Then she looked at Cao Pi and finally said those words:
"Your Majesty, the general wants to see you."
Upon hearing Queen Guo's words, Cao Pi was stunned for a moment.
On the one hand, he behaved like this because he had just woken up from his sleep, and on the other hand, he was shocked by the news that Cao Zhen suddenly asked for a meeting.
Isn't Cao Zhen in Guanzhong?
Why did he suddenly appear outside his bedroom?
When these two questions emerged in his mind, Cao Pi's reason returned at an extremely fast speed.
After realizing that Cao Zhen must have something important to report when he came back this time, Cao Pi immediately asked Queen Guo: "How long has it been since the general came?"
Under Cao Pi's gaze, Queen Guo replied with a guilty conscience: "Nearly three hours."
After hearing Queen Guo's answer, Cao Pi's face instantly showed anger.
"How can a great general and an important minister of the country be allowed to wait for so long?
Why didn't you wake me up earlier? You are doing wrong to the country!"
Faced with Cao Pi's harsh rebuke, Queen Guo was so frightened that she knelt down in front of the couch, with tears already appearing on her face.
It's just that although the current Queen Guo looks pitiful, how can Cao Pi still care about her?
Cao Pi quickly called his servants to change his clothes.
At Cao Pi's urging, the chamberlain quickly dressed Cao Pi in regular clothes.
After putting on his regular clothes, Cao Pi was about to go out to summon Cao Zhen, but he saw himself pale in the bronze mirror.
After seeing this scene, Cao Pi had some shock in his eyes.
Is this still the high-spirited and smug person he was back then?
But Cao Pi, who was anxious, quickly suppressed this shock deep in his heart for a while.
He ordered someone to get a basin of hot water, and then he used the hot water in the basin to apply it to his face several times.
Under the stimulation of hot water, Cao Pi's face finally regained some rosiness.
Seeing this, Cao Pi finally hurried out of the inner hall and ordered Xiaohuangmen to summon Cao Zhen as soon as possible.
At the call of Xiaohuangmen, Cao Zhen, with a livid look on his face, soon came to Cao Pi.
He came outside the hall at noon, but now the sky outside the hall has darkened, which shows how long he has been waiting in the side hall.
The fruitless waiting is the most annoying thing, especially for Cao Zhen who is in a high position.
After the long wait, Cao Zhen was in a bad mood now.
Of course, in his irritable mood, Cao Zhen was still full of doubts just now.
Imagine that the emperor's beloved concubine told the minister that the emperor would receive him after taking a short rest.
But almost three hours have passed, and the emperor still hasn't appeared. So what will the minister think?
Do you think the emperor is a lazy pig, or do you think the concubine is deliberately blocking the monarch and his ministers from seeing each other?
In particular, Queen Guo's reputation among the government and the public is basically the same as that of a concubine who charms the monarch.
It can be said that if Cao Pi got up later, Cao Zhen would probably have to force his way in.
But the annoyance and doubts in his heart disappeared in Cao Zhen's heart the moment he saw Cao Pi.
Cao Zhen and Cao Pi were both monarchs and ministers who trusted each other, and they were also brothers who grew up together.
When Cao Pi saw Cao Zhen, whom he hadn't seen for a long time, he also showed a bit of a smile.
Cao Pi was not a ruthless person by nature, and he was afraid of his brothers who might threaten his throne as emperor.
But Cao Pi also had true feelings for his brothers who had always been loyal to him.
When Cao Zhen was about to bow down to Cao Pi, Cao Pi stood up from his throne and came to Cao Zhen. He grabbed Cao Zhen's hand and stopped Cao Zhen's bowing.
Then Cao Pi pulled Cao Zhen all the way to the seat closest to his throne and sat down. When Cao Zhen sat down, Cao Pi returned to the throne.
Cao Pi's behavior fully demonstrated his deep love for Cao Zhen.
Cao Pi knew that Cao Zhen's return without an edict must have something important to report, so he immediately asked Cao Zhen after sitting down:
"Zidan is back this time, but what's the important thing?"
Facing Cao Pi's inquiry, Cao Zhen, who was anxious to report on his military strategy, was silent for a moment.
It's not that he didn't hear Cao Pi's inquiry, it's just that at this time, he became very upset because he discovered something.
Just when Cao Pi had close contact with him, Cao Zhen smelled the smell of Wu Shi Powder from Cao Pi's body.
Before entering the palace, Cao Zhen had close contact with Wu Shi San because he taught Cao Shuang a lesson.
The smell of Wushi Powder is unique, and Cao Zhen may forget it after a long time, but in just one day, Cao Zhen is sure that he will not smell it wrong.
Cao Zhen thought back to the fact that Cao Pi had not summoned him just now, and an inference appeared in his mind.
After realizing this, Cao Zhen looked at Cao Pi with complicated eyes.
What happened to Zihuan?
He used to despise this kind of alchemist thing the most!
But Cao Zhen would not rashly expose this in front of Cao Pi.
After quickly calming down his inner emotions, Cao Zhen pretended that nothing was wrong, held his hands in front of Cao Pi and told Cao Pi his strategy for the southern expedition.
Originally, Cao Pi still had a smile on his face, but after hearing that Cao Zhen had returned this time and asked him to allow him to march south, the smile on Cao Pi's face disappeared instantly.
The southern expedition meant fighting Mi Yang. When Cao Pi heard these two words, he felt panicked in his heart.
So Cao Pi subconsciously said: "The Southern Expedition is a big matter and needs long-term planning."
Although Cao Pi did not directly veto Cao Zhen's proposal, it was obvious from his tone that he did not want Cao Zhen to rush south.
Cao Zhen had already expected Cao Pi's attitude.
Otherwise, he would not have planned to return to Luoyang in person to persuade Cao Pi.
After Cao Pi declined Cao Zhen's suggestion, Cao Zhen was not discouraged. He stood up from his seat, came to Cao Pi and bowed to him solemnly:
"The enemy is in civil strife, which is a great opportunity for the Wei Dynasty.
The terrain of Hanzhong is steep. If we don't take advantage of the enemy's internal strife to capture it, then once Liu Bei quells the civil strife, with Mi Yang's ingenuity, Hanzhong will no longer be an option.
Now that the Mid-Autumn Festival harvest has been completed and our troops are well-prepared, it is the time for our army to show its might. I hope Your Majesty will not give up this God-given opportunity."
From what Cao Zhen just told, Cao Pi already knew all of Cao Zhen's specific strategies.
Although Cao Pi was not good at military strategy, he still had basic judgments.
Judging from the strategy described by Cao Zhen, his strategy is indeed likely to be successful.
But what Cao Zhen wanted to attack was not Zhang Fei or Liu Bei, but Mi Yang.
In the past, every time before the Wei army attacked Mi Yang, which strategy did it sound bad, but what was the result?
As the saying goes, one learns from one's mistakes. The reason why the people in the Cao Wei Dynasty and the public at present have an attitude of "fearing people as much as the wind" is because it was not brought about by Cao Pi, the monarch.
Therefore, out of fear of Mi Yang in his heart, Cao Pi once again rejected Cao Zhen's proposal.
"The thieves are good at fighting and should not be underestimated."
Compared with the first polite refusal, Cao Pi's refusal this time seemed more straightforward.
After vetoing Cao Zhen's proposal again, Cao Pi said to Cao Zhen earnestly:
"Replacing attack with defense is the best strategy for the Wei Dynasty to deal with Liu's thieves."
Hearing what Cao Pi said, Cao Zhen raised his head slightly and said to Cao Pi:
"Since your Majesty succeeded to the throne, he has been extremely kind to his ministers. He moved three times a year and became a general. Such favors are rare in ancient times and modern times.
I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's kindness in my heart.
But if the monarch has troubles and the ministers cannot solve them for the monarch, then the ministers should die to apologize.
The reason why I want to conquer the south is not because I want to make achievements for myself, but because I want to do something for the Wei Dynasty and to relieve His Majesty's worries!"
"I don't want to, I don't want your Majesty"
When he said these words, Cao Zhen's voice was already filled with sobs.
He looked at Cao Pi with tearful eyes, hoping that he would understand what he meant.
After seeing Cao Zhen's eyes, Cao Pi's eyes began to dodge.
Some things cannot be explained clearly, but they can be explained in a subtle way.
When Cao Zhen said the word "worry", he emphasized his tone in order to hint to Cao Pi.
Since Wu Shi San was spread in Luoyang, a slogan about Wu Shi San was also circulated in the streets and alleys of Luoyang.
"The only solution to worry is five stones."
Cao Pi naturally knew this slogan, so he understood the metaphor in Cao Zhen's words.
Cao Zhen hoped that he could remove Cao Pi's worries, so that Cao Pi would no longer have to take Wu Shi Powder, a medicine with unknown blessings and blessings.
This was the most sincere appeal in Cao Zhen's heart, and it was this extremely sincere appeal that hit the softest place in Cao Pi's heart.
(End of chapter)
This chapter has been completed!