Jia Kui defended Jia Shi in time, and Man Chong followed closely behind him, bringing food to the army that fled to Jia Shi. Only then did Cao Xiu have the opportunity to regroup the defeated army.
The Wu army chased the enemy north, killing and capturing more than 10,000 people, 10,000 oxen, horses, mules and donkeys, and countless military equipment. It was considered a rare victory.
When Lu Xun learned that Jiashi had been occupied by the Wei army and that Cao Wei's reinforcements had arrived, he immediately retreated as soon as he saw the situation was good and slowly retreated.
After Cao Xiu led his troops back to Shouchun, he made two statements: one to apologize and the other to impeach Jia Kui.
Not to be outdone, Jia Kui also impeached Cao Xiu for underestimating the enemy and daring to advance, which led to the defeat of Youshiting.
When Cao Rui learned that Shi Ting was defeated in the first battle, he became extremely irritable. Now that he received the memorial from the two men, he wanted to throw the memorial to the ground on the spot.
Originally, I thought that the three-pronged attack on Wu this time, with Wu's internal support, would bring frequent successes.
Unexpectedly, Da Sima on the east road was ambushed. Jia Kui and Man Chong on the middle road attacked Jiangxia first, and then had to change their route to rescue Da Sima.
Only Sima Yi on the west route was more cautious. After learning that Da Sima was defeated, he quickly stopped his march and held a stalemate with Wu Lu at the border between the two countries.
After receiving an order to retreat, he led the entire army back to Xiangyang.
Cao Rui was sitting in his seat, his face suddenly gloomy and clear, and the hand holding the memorial was trembling slightly.
Within a year, after a disastrous defeat and a major defeat, he could already imagine what kind of situation he was about to face.
The only good thing is that this time he doesn't have to bear the responsibility for the defeat.
But he had to find someone who would take responsibility for this incident to silence the officials.
Obviously, this person can only choose between Cao Xiu and Jia Kui.
At this moment, the chamberlain announced, "Your Majesty, the Captain of Changshui has an audience."
Cao Rui woke up from his deep thoughts and said, "Let him come in."
The chamberlain then preached, "In front of Captain Changshui."
Changshui Captain Duan Mo, who was waiting outside, quickly responded, "Wei."
Then he took off his shoes and stepped forward, saluted and said, "I, Duan Mo, am here to see Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live long and be happy forever."
Cao Rui nodded, "Get up."
Then he said, "Give me a seat."
After Duan Mo thanked him, he knelt down carefully.
"Captain Duan, how is the case you were asked to investigate a few days ago going?"
Cao Rui asked.
Duan Mo quickly replied, "Your Majesty, I have already found out. The matter of Xia Houmao's complaint and slander was actually framed."
Cao Rui looked calm, "Who framed Xia Houmao?"
Xiahou Mao's loss of grain and grass in Kongguan once made Cao Rui furious and wanted to kill him on the spot.
However, the war situation was tense at that time, and his father Xiahou Dun had served Emperor Wu in his early years and had contributed to bringing peace to the world, so Cao Rui temporarily imprisoned him.
Later, when Longyou fell, Cao Rui returned to Luoyang and also escorted Xiahou Mao back to Luoyang.
It's just that at this time, Cao Rui's desire to kill Xia Houmao was not as strong as it was in Guanzhong.
The reason is very simple. Taking advantage of the defeat of Longyou, the aristocratic family began to take action.
Cao Rui is in urgent need of support.
The Xiahou family is related by marriage to the Cao family, and is still considered the Cao family's strongest supporter.
Unexpectedly, something went wrong again at this time.
Cao Rui's aunt and Xiahou Mao's wife, Princess Qingshui, reported to the emperor that Xiahou Mao had complained and slandered the emperor before. Xiahou Mao's brothers can testify to this.
Cao Rui was furious when he heard this.
Xia Houxuan's previous incident against the queen had already caused him to have certain doubts about the Xiahou Shang lineage of the Xiahou family. Now that he heard Xiahou Mao actually making disrespectful remarks, he was furious.
It is common for powerful people to violate discipline. Xia Houmao's misappropriation of grain stored in Guanzhong was just a coincidence and was not considered as intentional aid to the enemy.
But if you dare to slander the emperor, it is a crime of disrespect.
Is it possible that Xiahou Dun's branch also wants to separate from me?
Fortunately, at the last moment, Duan Mo, the captain of Changshui School, spoke up and said: "Princess Qingshui and Xia Houmao are not at odds. I'm afraid there is something hidden in this. Why don't Your Majesty find out the facts first before making a decision?"
Only then did Cao Rui realize that he still needed the support of the Xiahou family. If he killed Xiahou Mao, the representative of the Xiahou family in a fit of rage, something would be wrong.
So Cao Rui ordered Duan Mo to investigate the matter.
Duan Mo came here this time to talk about the results of the investigation.
"Xiahou Mao kept many concubines, and Princess Qinghe was at odds with him. And Xiahou Mao's brothers did not follow the etiquette. Xiahou Mao had reprimanded them many times, so his brothers felt resentful."
"This matter is a conspiracy between Princess Qinghe and Xiahou Mao's younger brothers to falsely accuse Xiahou Mao'er."
Cao Rui had already read the dossier, and when he heard Duan Mo talking about it, he felt a little more irritated.
There are three most important branches of the Xiahou family.
Needless to say, Xia Houxuan of Xia Houshang's branch took the lead in opposing his appointment of Mao as the queen and looked down upon the queen's younger brother.
When he returned to Luoyang from Guanzhong, he was among the people who took the lead in criticizing Longyou's loss.
When Cao Rui thought of this, he gnashed his teeth.
Xia Houyuan's branch had many descendants, seven in total, and many of them were outstanding.
But the two most talented people both died young.
The third son, Xiahou, was said to have military talents. He shot a tiger when he was sixteen, but he died at the age of eighteen.
The fifth son, Xia Hou Rong, was young but talented. He could write essays, read scriptures, and have a photographic memory at the age of seven. When he was 13 years old, he went to Hanzhong with his father. When Xia Hou Yuan was defeated, Xia Hou Rong fought with his sword and died together with his father.
It is really sad that these two sons died prematurely.
The second son Xiahou Ba is now a partial general, the fourth son Xiahou Wei, the sixth son Xiahou Hui, and the seventh son Xiahou He are all talented and famous.
It's just that the qualifications of these four people are too junior and they are not yet able to take on big responsibilities.
However, Xia Houheng, the eldest son who inherited the title, was not even as famous as his younger brothers, let alone their talents.
How can you take on the role of the leader of the Xiahou family?
As for the Xiahou Dun branch, because of his good relationship with the late emperor, Xiahou Mao married Princess Qinghe, served as General of Anxi, was granted the title of Marquis, and upholds integrity. Compared with his brother Xiahou Chong, who only inherited the title, his status is much higher.
Looking at his two younger brothers, they are even capable of framing their elder brothers. They are simply worse than animals. What else can they be expected to do?
So the only hope is really Xia Houmao.
When Cao Rui thought of this, he suddenly felt very tired.
"Since Xiahou Mao is not guilty of disrespect, let him go."
Cao Rui waved his hand.
In the past few months, Xia Houmao had been in fear every day. He had no sleep or food, and was afraid that a servant would suddenly come and bring him a piece of white silk or a glass of wine.
Until one day, a chamberlain actually came, but he was empty-handed and said he wanted to take him to see His Majesty.
When Xia Houmao was brought to the east hall of Tai Chi Hall, he didn't even have the courage to raise his head. He just knocked his head heavily on the back of his folded hands.
"Get up."
Cao Rui's voice above was a little distant, and he seemed a little tired.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Xia Houmao stood up tremblingly, lowered his head, and stood there timidly, not even daring to look around.
"I have found out that the crime of disrespect was caused by someone who framed you, so you don't need to bear this charge. It's just that the framed person's reason for blaming you is too absurd."
Cao Rui sneered, his face full of sarcasm, "The Xiahou family is the most noble family in the Wei Dynasty. I didn't expect that something like this happened. We should straighten out the family tradition."
Xia Houmao listened quietly without making a sound.
"However, for the sake of General Xiahou, I will spare you the death penalty for the matter of storing grain in Guanzhong. However, it is unavoidable to commit a living crime. All your family property will be confiscated and used to purchase military rations and compensate for the grain stored in Guanzhong. You can
have opinions?"
When Xia Houmao heard this, he quickly bowed and said, "For me to be lucky enough to be spared my life is already a great kindness from Your Majesty. How can I dare to be greedy again?"
Cao Rui nodded, "Okay, since you know how to advance and retreat, I will give you another chance. Let me ask you, do you often have money and food contacts with that Guandong family?"
When Xia Houmao heard this, his legs softened.
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty, that, that was all because I wanted to replenish the food reserves in Guanzhong, so I followed them, they..."
His teeth were chattering, and he couldn't speak clearly. "They... agreed to buy a batch of grain. It's not your intention to make friends, Your Majesty!"
Xia Houmao was sweating profusely when he remembered that he had taken Longyou's woolen cloth, doubled it and sold it to the Guandong family. I heard that Longyou's woolen cloth was produced in Hanzhong?
"Then you mean that you can get food from the Guandong family?"
Cao Rui frowned when he saw Xiahou Dun's appearance. After all, Xiahou Dun was Emperor Wu's most capable right-hand man during his lifetime. How could he have such a son?
Xia Houmao felt that this was a matter of choice.
"I can... I can't... I can give it a try, I don't know if I can..."
"Can it or not?"
Cao Rui couldn't bear it anymore and asked impatiently.
Xia Houmao gritted his teeth and said, "I did trade grain with them before, and we even agreed to buy a batch of grain from them this year."
As long as you are serious about your transactions with the Guandong family, you will definitely be able to find out.
So we can't hide it, so we might as well admit it directly.
In fact, the relationship between Xia Houmao and the Guandong family is much closer than Cao Rui imagined. After all, things like woolen sweaters are not in high demand among the Guandong family.
There is no cotton these days, and it happens to be the Little Ice Age. Even the Huaihe River is covered with snow and ice, let alone the areas north of the Huaihe River?
Therefore, as long as Xiahou Mao can get woolen sweaters, the Guandong family can bring him food at any time.
"Are they willing to sell grain to you?"
Cao Rui stood up and asked again.
"yes."
Xia Houmao felt that his underwear had become wet. He knew that this time he made the right bet.
"Okay! Let me ask you again, if I ask you to go to Governor Xu Qing's Second Prefecture, will you be willing?"
The emperor suddenly asked a question that shocked Xiahou Mao.
He raised his head in disbelief.
Governor Xu Qing Erzhou?
Isn’t that more powerful than the governor of Guanzhong?
Cao Rui did not go to see Xiahou Mao, but walked back and forth, minding his own business and said, "The Xiahou family and the Cao family are related by marriage. The great Wei Dynasty can establish a country, and your Xiahou family has made great contributions."
"It is not an exaggeration to say that the two families are related by blood. As long as the Wei Dynasty is alive, your Xiahou family will still be the most important pillar of the country."
"Now is the time when the country needs the help of the Xiahou family." Cao Rui stopped and looked at Xiahou Mao, "You have a relationship with the Guandong family, so I want to send you to governor Xu Qing and the second state. Do you understand what I mean?
?”
Xia Houmao was so moved that he lay down on the ground and kowtowed again, "Your Majesty is so generous, how dare I fail to die? I will definitely persuade the Guandong family to put the overall situation first, and do nothing that will cause pain to those who are close to you and pleasure to those who are enemies."
"
Cao Rui nodded with satisfaction.
If Xia Houmao really appeases Xu Qing's aristocratic family in the second state, then he would be worthy of sparing his life.
Thinking of this, Cao Rui took a file from the case and handed it to Xia Houmao, "This is the case file to examine your disrespect, and I will hand it over to you now."
"As for Princess Qinghe's disrespectful remarks against you, I will ask the chamberlain to give her instructions so that she will not easily believe in the words of villains in the future."
"I thank your Majesty!"
Xia Houmao shouted with tears in his eyes.
The emperor's approach was obviously to beat Princess Qinghe to make her calm down.
At the same time, it also shows that Princess Qinghe can no longer control herself.
Thinking of this, Xia Houmao, who had tears on his face, suddenly had a thought. Doesn't that mean that if he keeps a concubine again, Princess Qinghe will just watch?
No one expected that Xiahou Mao, who was escorted back to Luoyang from Guanzhong, not only died in the end, but was moved from General Anxi to General Zhendong, and was appointed governor of Xu Qingzhou.
The emperor's decision was beyond everyone's expectations.
When Xiahou Mao returned to the house, he immediately ordered his two younger brothers to be tied up. He also invited Princess Qinghe, and in front of her, Xiahou Zizang and Xiahou Zijiang were beaten until their skins were torn apart and their flesh was dripping with blood.
Next breath.
Then it was announced that the two of them would be banned for a year, and whoever dared to take a step outside the door would have his legs broken.
Although Xia Houmao had no military strategy, he could manage his family's industry to a prosperous future, so how could he be useless?
Now seeing that all the property he had accumulated over the years had been confiscated, he really wanted to strangle this vicious woman who wanted to trap her husband to death.
Seeing Princess Qinghe's extremely pale face and frightened eyes, Xia Houmao felt happy in his heart.
"If anyone breaks etiquette again in the future, don't blame me for being cruel!"
After Xia Houmao said a harsh word, he immediately asked people to pack his luggage. The time was very tight and he had to set off within three days.
After Cao Rui appointed Xia Houmao as the governor of Xu and Qing Prefectures, he also made the Yu family, who had just returned to Luoyang from Yecheng, a noble concubine, the first person under the queen.
At the same time, an edict was issued to commend Zhu Ling and Wang Ling, praising them for their bravery and strategizing in the battle of Shiting, and for planning to encircle Wu Lu. If Wu Lu had not sent reinforcements, Quan Cong, the general of Wu Lu, would have returned without his life.
Regarding the mutual impeachment between Jia Kui and Cao Xiu, Cao Rui judged that neither of them was at fault.
They even sent Yang Ji, the captain of the Cavalry School, to Yangzhou to enumerate Cao Xiu's past achievements, comfort him, and reward him with more solemn honors.
When Jia Kui heard about this, he couldn't help but feel angry: Although the emperor said that neither of them was at fault, but later sent someone to reward Cao Xiu, wasn't he really saying that he was at fault?
In this way, even if he did not receive any punishment, he was actually responsible for the defeat of Shiting?
Jia Kui already had a strong temperament, and Yuzhou was on the border of Yangzhou. Over the years, Cao Xiu often used his power to provoke him.
Now that something like this happened again, Jia Kui couldn't swallow it and fell ill all of a sudden.
He lay on the couch and said to his son Jia Chong, "If this happened to Emperor Wu, Emperor Wu would only punish Cao Xiu."
"If it had happened in Huang Chu's time, Emperor Wen would have only admitted that it was his mistake."
"When His Majesty came to power, Cao Xiu was praised. Alas, after three generations, the decline of the Cao family has already been seen!"
When Jia Chong heard what his father said, he was silent and didn't know what to say.