"General, the Hanoi Yu family has become quite close to the Sima family over the years. Do you know why?"
When General Cao heard this, he looked a little embarrassed on his face.
Why?
Isn’t it because he put Empress Dowager Yu under house arrest in another palace?
It's just...well, there's nothing I can do about it.
After all, the late emperor visited Xuchang eastward, and everyone said that he was forced to do so by bandits from the West.
But how could General Cao, who was ordered before the late emperor's deathbed, not know that Sima Yi led the Guanzhong army back to Luoyang without an edict, which was also an important reason?
After the late emperor left, Sima Yi was stationed in Luoyang, watching with eager eyes, ready to attack Xuchang at any time.
Xuchang is in shock every day, and people's hearts are fluctuating. If the situation cannot be stabilized as soon as possible, the Cao family will be in danger.
It happened because the emperor was young and ignorant, and the queen mother was a woman. If she listened to the villain's slander, it would lead to many problems in the government. This would not be a blessing to the Wei Dynasty!
As an auxiliary minister who was favored by the late emperor, I naturally want to try my best to avoid this situation from happening, so I can only do extraordinary things at extraordinary times, right?
He Yan didn't seem to notice General Cao's uncertain expression, and just said with a little emotion:
"Speaking of which, the Queen Mother's journey since she became the Princess of Pingyuan has been quite bumpy."
"Emperor Wen proposed to marry the Yu family of Hanoi for the late emperor. Who would have expected that the late emperor did not love his wife and preferred concubines. After he ascended the throne, he did not make the main concubine Yu family his queen, but instead made the partial concubine Mao family."
It's nice to say partial concubine, but if it's not nice, it's called concubine.
After all, when the Yu family learned that she had not been appointed, she couldn't help but say to the then Queen Mother, "Cao is a bitch who likes to establish a throne."
It was precisely because of this incident that the Yu family, as a majestic concubine, was deposed by the emperor and sent to Yecheng, and could no longer stay in Luoyang.
Unexpectedly, after the Battle of Guanzhong, the situation suddenly changed.
The late emperor was critically ill and the prince was young.
Mao was from a humble background and could not provide much help to the prince.
So the late emperor invited the Yu family back, issued an edict to kill Mao family, and then made the Yu family his queen.
To put it bluntly, don’t you just want to use the power of the Yu family in Hanoi to support the emperor?
At the same time, a wedge can be placed in Hanoi so that Sima cannot concentrate on running Hanoi.
It's just that the late emperor was still unable to control Sima Yi during his lifetime.
If not, why did the late emperor not stay in Luoyang and wait for Sima Yi to return, but why he had to go east to Xuchang despite being sick?
So how can we ask the general to take care of the young emperor, take care of the widow, control the commander-in-chief, and support the great Wei?
"General, as the saying goes, the bustle in the world is all for profit; the turmoil in the world is all for profit. The first emperor deposed the Mao family and established the Yu family, which was for profit; the Yu family wanted to support the emperor, and later became friendly with the Sima family, so
It’s for profit.”
He Yan did not shy away from this.
That's right, I and others are so dedicated to planning for the general. If it's not for profit, how can it be righteousness?
How much is justice worth?
Can you transform into a beautiful concubine?
Or can you become powerful and wealthy?
"If the benefits that the general can give to the Yu family can exceed what Sima Yi can give, let alone asking the Queen Mother to issue an edict, even if the Yu family can rejoin the general, it is not impossible."
"Benefits?" General Cao frowned, "The Yu family already has a daughter as the Queen Mother, what other benefits can I give them?"
He Yan smiled confidently:
"General, Sima Yi braved the disapproval of the world and crossed the state boundaries to seize territory without any edict. Why are there still people in Hebei supporting him?"
"Isn't it because he has been deliberately trying to win over people in Hebei over the past few years?"
Speaking of this, He Yan emphasized his tone:
"What did he buy it with?"
He Yan got closer:
"Although the Western Thieves say they are treasonous and unethical, I have to say that they are indeed unique in terms of construction. They have many good things and are highly praised by the Kanto clan."
"Don't talk about anything else, just talk about the white paper. When it was smuggled to Luoyang, how many literati were obsessed with it? People at the time said: Luoyang paper is expensive."
"The paper is just like this, let alone other good things. Most of these good things first entered Luoyang and then spread throughout Guandong."
"Sima Yi has been in Luoyang for so many years. If the major families in Guandong and Hebei want to get some good things, they naturally have to deal with him more."
"Not to mention if you want to borrow something from a Western thief or trade goods for profit, then you have to please him even more."
Of course, Sima Yi's ability to bribe the wealthy families in Hebei was definitely not just based on these goods.
But I have to admit that these goods and the Luoyang trade route played a big role.
It's okay that He Yan didn't mention this matter. When he mentioned it, General Cao just snorted.
Is the stuff from West Thieves any good?
That is naturally good.
What Shu brocade, brown sugar, wool, candles, fine wine...
All of them are high-quality goods that are not available in the Wei Dynasty.
Are you saying that those big families won’t be allowed to use it?
I think back then, Emperor Wen even issued an edict and tried his best to belittle Shu brocade in order to prevent it from entering the Central Plains.
But is it useful?
The Shu brocade is not being snatched by others.
Even General Cao, no matter how much he hates the Western Thieves, has to admit that the Western Thieves' things are really useful.
In this life, how can we avoid "food, clothing, housing and transportation"?
No matter whether they have wealth or power, how many people are still willing to live in rough clothing?
Why can't we enjoy "eating, drinking and having fun"?
If not, what would I do with all that wealth and power?
only……
Thinking that in order to get the good things from the Western Thieves, he actually had to find a way to transfer them from Luoyang, General Cao couldn't help but grit his teeth and cursed:
"Sima Yi secretly communicated with the Western thieves for personal gain. He deserves to die!"
I don’t know how much money the old thief Sima Yi has made from doing this over the years.
Otherwise, how could Sima Yi have been able to do so for so many years despite deliberately controlling Luoyang's food supply?
The wealthy families in Hebei Province secretly supported Sima Yi with grain and grass because of this.
He Yan coughed and then said:
"General, Sima Yi secretly communicated with the Western thieves, so he deserves to die, but the good things from the Western thieves are indeed in the favor of the major families in Guandong and Hebei!"
"If the property of the Western thieves fell into Sima Yi's hands, it would naturally be for personal gain. But if it could be in the hands of the general, it would be possible to turn the thieves' property into the hands of the country."
When General Cao heard this, he couldn't help but sigh:
"What Uncle Ping said is not unreasonable, but Sima Yi is in Luoyang and briefly said, what can be done?"
"Now is your chance, General!" He Yan came closer, his voice low and full of excitement, "Xia Houmao, who fled to the Western Bandits, just sent someone to Xuchang to find out the news."
"In addition to wanting to know news about his tribe, this person also sent a message to Yan," He Yan swallowed before continuing, "He met Xiahou Ba, who has lived in Han for a long time, in Chang'an."
"Xiahou Ba's sister is the mother of the queen of the Han Kingdom, so Xia Houmao got to know many powerful people in the Han Kingdom through the two brothers and sisters."
"In addition, he himself was knighted by the Han Dynasty and was highly valued, so he found a way to persuade Feng Thief to strictly inspect Tongguan, Hangu Pass, Maojindu and other passes to prevent the goods from being returned.
Head to Luoyang."
When General Cao heard this, he was immediately surprised: "Is this happening?"
To be honest, it is impossible for General Cao to say that he does not mind at all that some of the Xiahou family fled to the Western Bandits.
He was able to treat the Xiahou family who came to Xuchang well mostly because of Xiahou Xuan's face.
Not only because Xia Houxuan was his cousin, but also because Xia Houxuan sacrificed his life for justice and risked his life to expose Sima's true nature.
But when he heard He Yan's words, he suddenly felt:
It has to be the Xiahou family. Sure enough, they are the closest in-laws and relatives of the Cao family in the Great Wei Dynasty!
"Yan An dares to deceive the general?" He Yan raised his hand, "Besides, Yan also wants to congratulate the general."
"Oh? Where does joy come from?"
"That Xiahou Mao not only persuaded Feng to block the trade route to Luoyang, but also persuaded Feng to open another trade route directly to Xuchang."
"Ah?" General Cao felt that today was really auspicious and full of happy events, "Direct line to Xuchang? From where..."
He was about to ask where the direct route to Xuchang was, but then he immediately realized: "Wuguan?"
"The general is wise, exactly."
Although he felt that he had been overwhelmed by the happy event coming from heaven, his vigilance against the Western thieves still allowed General Cao to maintain his last trace of sobriety:
"That Thief Feng is a man of great foresight and cunning. How could he be easily persuaded? Is it possible that he is deceitful?"
He Yan burst out laughing when he heard this:
"The general is overly worried. From Wuguan to Xuchang, there is Caoqiao Pass and Nanyang County. There are many dangerous and important towns along the way. No matter how treacherous Feng is, how can he still fly over?"
"The reason why Thief Feng agreed is actually because it is more advantageous to go to Xuchang via Wuguan Pass than to go to Luoyang via Tongguan Pass and Hangu Pass, so he agreed!"
General Cao was a little confused now:
"Is there any other explanation? Uncle Ping, please help me clear up my doubts."
He Yan chuckled, with a calm and confident expression on his face, and began to point out:
"General, over the years, most of the goods heading to Luoyang have been controlled by that Xinghan Society. Do you really know that Thief Feng doesn't know? He is just pretending not to know."
"General, don't forget that sentence: The bustling world is all for profit; the bustling world is for profit!"
Just as he and others relied on the general for profit, Feng Mingwen also instigated the Xinghan Society to smuggle goods for profit.
Although the means are different, the purpose is the same.
"Since these goods are all destined for the east, it is natural to sell them to whomever it is profitable to sell them to."
"Selling it to Sima Yi will certainly make a profit, but it will also increase Sima Yi's money and food. If you are not careful, you will be counterattacked by Sima Yi."
This goes without saying. How long has it been since the battle with the Party?
"But selling it to us is different. Not only can we make a profit, but there is also no harm, because we are only connected to the Western Bandits by the Wuguan Road."
Take the Wuguan Road to attack Wuguan?
I have never thought about Xuchang.
It is also very difficult for the Western bandit army to go to Nanjun via Wuguan Road.
After all, the last time Feng rebelled against Caoqiao Pass for more than two months, he didn't even try to cross the water in the end, so he had to retreat in a hurry.
This made General Cao, He Yan and others full of confidence in Caoqiao Pass.
"Since there is no great stake, then selling it to us is naturally much better than selling it to Sima Yi."
He Yanzhizhu said with confidence:
"Without the Luoyang trade route, Sima Yi lost a huge source of wealth, which is bound to be reduced. But when the general gains a source of wealth, his potential is bound to rise. This can be said to be what happens when one rises and the other falls."
"When the time comes, Sima Yi faces the Western bandits and he is unable to catch them, while the general is sneaking behind him. Not to mention that he dares to be disrespectful to the general again. Even if he is ordered to fight the Western bandits with all his strength, he must obey orders."
"Wonderful! Wonderful!" After hearing this, General Cao high-fived him repeatedly and said to He Yan, "Uncle Ping, you are really my son-in-law!"
Hearing Cao Shuang's words, He Yan smiled slightly, his pink and handsome face looking somewhat reserved and contented.
Over the years, to be precise, since Cao Shuang came to power, the only battle between Xuchang and Feng Thief was the battle at Caoqiao Pass.
Moreover, that battle ended with Feng Thief's defeat.
At least in the eyes of Cao Shuang and others in Xuchang, the Feng thief was repulsed.
This gave Cao Shuang and Taichung Sangou, these dudes who had never led troops into battle, even had an illusion:
The so-called Feng, who is famous all over the world, has nothing but foresight and foresight.
As the saying goes, it is difficult to live up to its reputation.
But He Yan smiled and said to General Cao:
"General, the Yu family attached themselves to the Sima family because of profit. May I ask if they will attach themselves to the general because of profit?"
After He Yan reminded him, General Cao finally remembered the business and burst into laughter.
The Yu family was originally a chess piece arranged by the late emperor to contain the Sima family.
It's just that the world is unpredictable, so he and the Sima family stand on the same side.
If the person who can benefit them changes from the Sima family to himself, then it would be reasonable for the Yu family to rely on him.
What's more, now that my position is firmly established, if the Yu family really becomes a political ally with me, then there is no need to worry even if the Queen Mother Yu is released.
"Uncle Ping, when can Xiahou Mao deliver the goods?"
For General Cao, for such a good thing, the sooner the better.
Moreover, the matter of establishing a queen is already imminent. If you want to win over the Yu family, then it is best to implement this matter as quickly as possible.
"Why is the general so anxious? Between Wuguan and Xuchang, there is Nanyang County."
He Yan coughed and looked at General Cao meaningfully, "It will take some time to clear up..."
General Cao clicked his tongue, a little unconcerned:
"What's the harm? In the name of the general, I will ask Nanyang County not to embarrass the caravan."
Seeing this, He Yan had to speak more clearly:
"General, this matter is of great importance. It is best to send another trusted aide to supervise it in person, so that people can feel at ease!"
On the Wuguan Commercial Road, Wancheng is the only way to go.
And Wancheng happened to be the place where Nanyang County was heavily garrisoned.
Most of the soldiers in the army have never seen the world.
Suddenly I saw so many rare things coming from the west. If a few of them had their own ideas, it would really ruin things.
Wasn't this how the Emperor Taihuang (i.e. Cao Song, the father of Cao Cao) was killed in Xuzhou?
Of course, He Yan also had another meaning:
Why should you take advantage of others when you have worked so hard to accomplish something?
You must let yourself go through a layer of oil and water first before talking!
Over the years, what He Yan has done has become more and more excessive.
Even his wife, Princess Jinxiang, Cao Cao's daughter, felt a little scared and secretly ran to her mother and said:
"Yan is very evil, how can he protect himself?"
It means that He Yan's evil deeds are getting worse day by day, and he will definitely get into trouble. What will he do to protect his wealth and life in the future?
So he is the only one who takes advantage of others, so how can he let others take advantage of himself?
Although General Cao didn't know what He Yan was thinking, after hearing his explanation, he knew that he had gone too far.
"If this is the case, how can I win the trust of the Yu family?"
You can’t just talk in vain, right?
"General, why should we worry?"
He Yan smiled slightly:
"The Zhen family can't be a queen, and the Yu family can't be a queen without saying anything!"
The Queen Mother and the Empress both come from families that support the general. Aren't they much better than the Zhen family?
The Zhen family was too deeply bound to the royal family, and now Hebei was under Sima Yi's control again.
Not to mention that this time, Wang Su, as Sima Yi's in-law, deliberately brought up the matter of establishing a queen, which made people doubt that Sima Yi was behind this matter.
As the saying goes, it is better to believe that something exists than to believe something does not exist.
And if this matter is true, then it will be too difficult to win over the Zhen family again, and the risk will be too high.
But the Yu family is different.
Although Hanoi is also under the control of the Sima family, but again, the Yu family is a chess piece arranged by the late emperor to contain the Sima family.
Even if the Yu family has second thoughts about the general in the future, it would be better to deal with one Yu family than to deal with the two Yu Zhen families (the Queen Mother and the Empress) at the same time.
It is better to go against the enemy's will than to follow his will.
"Without further delay, let's do what Uncle Ping wants."
Getting married is not a simple matter. Not only is the process cumbersome, but the days also need to be carefully selected.
Just when a superior reported that April was the only suitable time for summer, the Queen Mother, who had just moved back to the palace, suddenly issued an edict:
The daughter of the Zhen family had poor moral character and was not suitable to be the empress of the Wei Dynasty, so the general was ordered to choose another daughter with Shude.
Of course, Queen Mother Yu also had her own reasons for agreeing to Cao Shuang so easily:
I remember clearly how you, late Emperor, humiliated me in front of the whole world.
Besides, this is your Cao family's own business. I just support General Cao's side.
Not to mention, isn't General Cao the auxiliary minister chosen by the late emperor yourself?
Not only can you regain your freedom, but you can also help your family, and you can also let out a bad breath, so why not do it?
When Taichang Wang Su learned the news, he was so angry that he cursed Huan Fan, the think tank of General Cao:
"The three dogs in Taichung, namely Hong Gong and Shi Xian, are called Suo Xie!"
Hong Gong and Shi Xian were eunuchs of the former Han Dynasty who once controlled the central government.
While in power, he formed cliques for personal gain, attacked dissidents, disrupted government affairs, persecuted ministers, and even forced important ministers to commit suicide.
It's notorious.
Wang Su spoke so openly about the Three Dogs of Taichung, which naturally made the three of them very angry.
It's just that I haven't been able to catch Wang Su for a while, so I can't do anything about him for the time being.
