Chapter 209: Zhuge Dan was promoted to the second-rank general, and Uncle Cao Zhao was awarded the leader
"Weng Weng..." An eleven or twelve-year-old girl ran into the study, timidly tugged at the corner of the old man's clothes and said coquettishly: "Weng Weng, the cakes we bought last time are gone..., Yi Rong still wants...
"
The old man stroked his granddaughter's hair and gave a rare kind smile: "Weng Weng and your father are very busy right now. Yi Rong is good, go find your second uncle and ask him to take you to the market to buy."
"Hmm..." The little girl nodded, then ran out to find her second uncle Sima Zhao.
The old man looked at the child's back and sighed slightly.
Since the death of his daughter-in-law Xia Houhui more than ten years ago, his eldest son has not given birth to a son or a half. It seems that he has to cultivate Zhao'er well in order to have a successor.
After Master Sima came back from being the governor of the palace and leading the imperial army, he went back to his study. When the maid saw that the young master had returned to the house, she immediately went to prepare hot water towels for Master Sima to wash himself.
Zi Jin was originally Xia Hou Hui's personal maid. After Xia Hou Hui's death, she continued to stay in the house and take care of her uncle Sima Shi.
As soon as Master Sima entered the house, he saw his second brother and his youngest daughter Yi Rong. The uncle and nephew were holding large and small bags in their hands, talking and laughing.
"Brother, you are back!" Sima Zhao was very happy to see his eldest brother, but when the little girl saw her father, she was like a mouse seeing a cat, and immediately hid behind his second uncle.
"Yes." Master Sima saw Yi Rong hiding behind his second brother and knew that she must have pestered his second uncle to buy sweet cakes again. He walked slowly to his daughter and said, "Bring it here."
The little girl tried to get away with it, pretending to be stupid and said: "What?"
Master Sima smiled and took a large bag of sweet cakes directly from the little girl's hand.
"It's useless to eat too many sweet cakes. Daddy will keep them for you first. You can only eat three of them every day. Second brother, don't take her secretly to buy them again."
"Yes." Sima Zhao lowered his head and stuck out his tongue helplessly towards his frustrated little niece.
Not long after, Master Sima came to his father's study. Master Sima, who was in charge of the news for his father, heard about Niu Jin's death early in the morning. Judging from Niu Jin's symptoms before his death, it was obvious that his father was responsible for this incident.
Do it yourself.
Niu Jin was a rough man, he had never had any good intentions, and he had repeatedly made outstanding achievements for the Sima family. Now he had just become a general and entered the ranks of high-ranking generals in the Wei Dynasty, but he was dismissed by his father like this. Master Sima was really confused.
, so he asked:
"Father, there is one thing that I don't understand. Niu Jin is a famous general. Now my father and Cao Shuang are fighting for the border states. Niu Jin is of great use. Why should we get rid of him?"
In fact, Sima Yi had some regrets in his heart at this time. He had always been calm and composed, but now he became suspicious. However, there was no turning back when he fired his bow. Now he just hoped that the decision he made was the right one. He pondered for a while.
After that, Sima Yi replied:
"Master, have you forgotten that what is said in "Xuanshi Tu" is that behind the horse there is an ox?"
After Master Sima heard this, a trace of sadness suddenly surged in his heart. The death of Yuanrong back then was just as sad and deplorable as the death of Niu Jin today. Master Sima didn't want his father to see his sad look, so he
Left the study room.
Sima Yi was now faced with a new problem, that is: Jiang Ji was elevated to the rank of Taiwei; Niu Jin was removed by himself, leaving the vacant post of "Central Leader" as the commander-in-chief of the Forbidden Army, as well as the position of general in all directions.
Who should take over the post of General-in-Chief?
——————
In the General's Mansion, Cao Shuang was extremely happy today.
Because Jiang Ji was promoted to Taiwei and was ousted by himself, the position of the Central Leader in charge of the 50,000 Chinese and foreign imperial troops was finally vacated. In addition, Niu Jin, a die-hard loyalist of the Sima family, died, and the post of General was also vacated. In this way, Come, Cao Shuang can naturally operate again and consolidate the military power of the Cao family.
Seeing that the opportunity was rare, Cao Shuang summoned his brothers Cao Xi, Cao Xun, Cao Yan, and Cao Ze before dawn, and arranged a tea banquet for thirty or forty people in the Wagtail Pavilion in the backyard of the mansion.
Since today's meeting involves important positions such as the central leader and the rear general, Cao Shuang specially arranged for Sun Qian, the head of the general's palace, and his seventh-grade account supervisor who is in charge of the three thousand soldiers of the general's palace. Yan Shi's two cronies went to the offices of important ministers and staff to invite people.
In less than half an hour, confidants such as He Yan, Ding Mi, and Deng Yang, as well as Wang Ji, Wang Chen, Wang Ye, Wang Hun, Wang Bi, Pei Xiu and other staff arrived at the General's Mansion in twos and threes.
In addition to these people today, Xia Houxuan, who happened to be taking a bath, Li Feng, who often took leave and was idle, Xu Yun, Cui Zan, and a few others also arrived.
When Cao Shuang saw that everyone had arrived, he was in a good mood. He immediately ordered his subordinates to pour the hot wine prepared in advance to all the brothers, confidants and staff present.
"Everyone, I have called you here today to discuss two important matters. The weather has become increasingly cold recently, and you have all hurriedly traveled all the way. Thank you for your hard work. Before we get down to business, let's drink a glass of hot wine together to warm up. Bar!"
After everyone drank a few glasses of hot wine with Cao Shuang, their hands and feet, which had been a little cold, now felt warm.
Cao Shuang looked at the crowd of distinguished guests and said with a smile:
"Everyone, the official positions of high-ranking officials in the imperial court have changed recently. You must have guessed the purpose of calling you here today."
Ding Mi touched his goatee, rolled his eyes a few times, and already understood:
"Is the General a candidate for the position of leading the army?"
Cao Shuang laughed, raised his palms and said:
"Exactly! I wonder if you guys here have any suitable candidates?"
Everyone is a smart person, and at this moment, they naturally understand like Ming Jing: The general has already chosen a candidate, and the purpose of asking now is just to test whether everyone is of the same mind as him.
After all, today's general is extremely powerful, and among those who follow him, there are naturally many people who pursue fame and wealth.
Since Cao Shuang was entrusted with the important task of being entrusted by the late emperor Cao Rui, he has not forgotten Cao Rui's entrustment to him day and night, which is to protect the current majesty and the Cao family.
The late emperor did not have time to work with Gao Tanglong to carry out the great policy of promoting the clan and suppressing the clan, and ended with hatred. Naturally, Cao Shuang did not forget it.
Although Cao Shuang now does not want to let other clans divide his power, he has been working tirelessly for the past three years to suppress the clan.
Now, under his command, in addition to the followers of the Cao family, Xiahou family, and many Han celebrities, many clan members have also joined him, which naturally made Cao Shuang, who was already famous for his "cautiousness", wary.
After everyone was silent for a while, He Yan took the lead and said:
"The position of leader is responsible for controlling several battalions of 50,000 forbidden troops inside and outside the capital. It has extremely heavy powers and responsibilities. Although ministers with foreign surnames often fill this position in this dynasty, Yan believes that now it is appropriate to let the clan members control this important position!"
After hearing this, Cao Shuang felt very touched. He nodded and said:
"Among the clan, apart from the local vassal kings, there are only a few brothers in the court. Among them, I don't know who can take on this responsibility?"
Everyone understood at this moment that Cao Shuang was asking a question sincerely this time. After all, the general's brothers have their own talents, and even the general himself might not be able to make a choice.
Deng Yang thought about it for a moment and wanted to make suggestions, but then he thought, if he spoke rashly, wouldn't he offend several other young masters of the Cao family who were unsuccessful?
So when the words came to his lips, he swallowed them again.
Cao Shuang saw everyone burying their heads in silence and roughly guessed what they were thinking, so he laughed and said:
"Everyone, Guzhong has roughly chosen someone. The fifth brother, Cao Yan, needs to accompany His Majesty from time to time to make plans. The sixth brother, Cao Ze, is still young and has no experience in commanding an army. Only the third brother, Cao Xi, and the fourth brother, Cao Xun, can take on this role.
The important task is just..."
Cao Xun has always had a very good relationship with his third brother Cao Xi. At this moment, seeing his elder brother in trouble, he spoke:
"Brother, I believe that this position must be taken by the third brother. My brothers and I are all convinced!"
Everyone felt relieved when they saw that the Cao brothers were in harmony and there was no need for them to offend anyone.
Cao Shuang nodded. He looked at his third brother Cao Xi, who was a little hesitant and panicked, but with radiant eyes, and said:
"Okay, in that case, I will hand over the important position of leader to my third brother!"
Xia Houxuan looked at his cousin Cao Xi with firm eyes at this moment and nodded solemnly to him.
Seeing this, Cao Xi felt more confident and confident. After listening to his elder brother's words, he stood up and saluted:
"Xiding will not disappoint my brother's expectations, and will definitely do his best to manage the five major camps inside and outside for the court, your Majesty and my brother!"
Cao Shuang looked at his third younger brother Cao Xi, who was standing tall and handsome in his thirties, and nodded with satisfaction.
At this time, Wang Bo, a famous scholar who worked as a lieutenant in the general's palace, opened his mouth and said:
"General, the post of general is also vacant now. If this post is temporarily vacant, the Sima family may take it away again!"
Cao Shuang nodded and said:
"I wonder if any of you can recommend a suitable candidate?"
He Kui, who was the commander of the fifth battalion of the Forbidden Army, heard Wang Ji's words and instantly remembered that he had discussed Guanqiu Jian and Zhuge Dan with his uncle Xia Houxuan a few days ago.
These two men guarded Youzhou and Yangzhou, one in the north and the other in the south. Although they were powerful, their third-grade generals of Du Liao and fifth-grade generals of Zhaowu were only miscellaneous generals, and there were always some constraints in the deployment of troops and horses.
Nowadays, the second-rank "Rear General", second only to the first-rank "Da, Piao, Che, Wei" generals and the second-rank "Four Expeditions, Four Towns" generals, is available, which happens to be an excellent opportunity.
He Kui looked towards Xia Houxuan's seat at this moment. Xia Houxuan just happened to be thinking about this, so Xia Houxuan nodded towards He Kui.
He Kui immediately understood, so he spoke to Cao Shuang and said:
"General, I would like to report that Zhuge Gongxiu, the governor of Yangzhou, and Guanqiu Zhonggong, the governor of Youzhou, seem to have insufficient positions in the army, which makes them inconvenient in their places. Why don't you consider these two people first?"
After hearing this, Cao Shuang suddenly understood and began to think:
Although Guanqiu Jian was also a general with a mixed title, General Du Liao was still a third-rank military officer. He guarded one side. He was not as good as his superiors, but he was much more than his inferiors.
However, Zhuge Dan's military post as General Zhaowu was only a fifth-grade miscellaneous title. If he wanted to suppress all the officers, big and small, in a state, he would be a little over-motivated but unable to do so. What's more, Zhuge Dan had given him the title of General Zhaowu some time ago.
I wrote a letter myself, saying that the school affairs officer under my command was not very effective, and now he should be given more authority.
Cao Shuang had made up his mind and said:
"The governor's words make sense. I think that I will let Duke Zhuge retire from the post of general. Do you have any objections?"
Seeing that Cao Shuang had made a reasonable decision, everyone naturally had no other opinions.
