Chapter 322: The power of Tongquetai Fu, the emperor loves the eldest son
Pan Shu asked curiously: "Your Majesty, wasn't the heir apparent created by Cao Wei during the Jian'an period always Cao Pi?"
Sun Quan smiled bitterly and replied: "Logically speaking, it should be Cao Pi, but Cao Mengde also loves my other sons as much as I do, especially the talented Cao Zhi. Of course, if Cao Chong is not dead, it is not true that he loves Cao Chong."
Before Cao Zhi wrote "Tongquetai Ode", Cao Cao's designated successor was Cao Pi.
But when "Tongquetai Fu" came out, Cao Cao was shocked. Every word was so accurate, every meaning belonged to him, and his son understood his feelings!
Since the Ming Dynasty, I have been wandering around and climbing to the stage for entertainment.
See the vast openness of the Taifu, and observe the camp of Shengde.
The high gate is built in a steep place, and the two floating towers are almost too clear.
Standing in the middle of the sky, you can see the beauty of the sky, and even the flying pavilion reaches the west city...
The rules of the sky and the earth are the same, and the brilliance of the sun and the moon are the same.
Eternally noble and infinite, I will live as long as the Eastern King.
From then on, Cao Zhi's fate changed. The power of this poem was too great. Cao Pi could write poems but did not have such literary talent.
This year was the fifteenth year of Jian'an. Soon, Cao Zhi was moved to the title of Marquis of Linzi. This time, Cao Zhi was the only one among the descendants of the Cao family.
At the same time, Cao Cao also adjusted the official positions of Cao Zhi's subordinates Xu Qian, Liu Zhen and others, and appointed Handan Chun, who was in his eighties, as the Marquis of Linzi.
In the 19th year of Jian'an, Cao Cao went out to conquer Sun Quan and asked Cao Zhi to guard Yedu for the first time. In the past, this important task was shouldered by Cao Pi...
There are various signs that Cao Zhi is the candidate for the crown prince.
If there is a quota, there will be competition between two candidates.
On Cao Zhi's side were Ding Yi, brother Ding Yi, Yang Xiu and others.
Who is Ding Yi? He had a chance to be the son-in-law of the Cao family, but Cao Pi said to his father: "Ding Yi is blind in one eye. My sister will not be happy marrying him."
Later, Cao Cao summoned Ding Yi, and after a conversation, he admired him very much and said: "Even if both eyes are blind for such a talent, you should marry your daughter to him."
But at this time, Cao Cao's three daughters were all sent to the Han Palace. Ding Yi turned to Cao Zhi's side out of resentment towards Cao Pi.
Yang Xiu is the one we are more familiar with. He relied on his talents and was wary of Cao Cao because he repeatedly guessed his thoughts. In the end, he was killed by Cao Cao because he was useless.
On Cao Pi's side, there was encouragement from his concubine Guo, and Sima Yi often gave him advice. His best friend Wu Zhi was serving in Chao Ge, which was a bit far away from him.
Cao Pi wanted to transfer Wu Zhi to his side, but failed, so he tried to find a way to let Wu Zhi hide in the bamboo basket of the logistics department truck and enter the palace, so that the two could meet and talk secretly.
Yang Xiu found out about this and quickly reported it to Cao Cao. Cao Cao was furious and threatened to arrest him.
Cao Pi had many eyes and ears, so he received the information immediately and sent his confidants out of the palace to ask Wu Zhi for advice.
When Cao Cao's guards searched the truck, Cao Pi, who was prepared, naturally found nothing, and Yang Xiu's false accusation was confirmed.
One day, Cao Cao asked his two sons to leave the city quickly the next morning to handle an important matter.
Cao Pi rode his horse straight to the city gate early in the morning, but was stopped by the guards, who said that Wei Gong had an order that no one was allowed to leave the city, and anyone who violated it would be killed.
Cao Pi remembered the lesson he learned from the last time he broke into Tongque Terrace, so he had no choice but to walk back angrily.
Cao Zhi received the same order and quickly asked Yang Xiu for advice. Yang Xiu gave him one word: "Behead!"
Cao Zhi obeyed, killed a guard, ran out of the city gate, and completed the matter.
Cao Cao was satisfied with Cao Zhi's performance, but he also wondered why the gentle-looking Zijian could be so ruthless, while Zihuan seemed kind. It was hard to say whether this was good or bad for Cao Zhi.
Cao Cao also tested Cao Zhi's thoughts: What do you think of Gaozu and Emperor Guangwu?
Cao Zhi was eloquent, expressing his admiration for Emperor Guangwu of the Han Dynasty, but his general evaluation of the Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty.
Cao Pi was flustered by his father's alienation, but he did not give up.
While telling himself to hold on, he made friends with all the people he could win over and worked hard to make arrangements, just to make Cao Cao change his mind.
However, the Ding brothers were gaining power and kept saying good things about Cao Zhi, encouraging Cao Cao to make Cao Zhi his heir. Just before Cao Cao was encouraged to issue an order, Cao Pi acted urgently.
Through various relationships, many people were asked to persuade Cao Cao to think twice and listen to more people's opinions. As expected, Cao Cao delayed the issue of establishing an heir.
Cao Pi began to humbly consult the old ministers again to win their favor, and Jia Xu's words - telling him to treat him with a normal heart and do what he should do, the so-called "self-strengthening technique", benefited Cao Pi a lot.
At this time, Mao Jie, Wei Zhen and others who opposed the Ding Yi brothers also became Cao Pi's faction.
Some of them said good things about Cao Pi in front of Cao Cao, while others were very smart and stopped talking.
What was even more dramatic later was when Cao Cao went on an Eastern Expedition. He called Cao Zhi to his side and repeatedly warned him, and even asked Cao Zhi to read out the "Eastern Expedition Ode" he had just conceived. The people who saw him off all praised Cao Zhi's talent, and Cao Cao was very happy.
Cao Pi stood aside, feeling very uncomfortable. Just when he was at a loss, Wu Zhi, who had come to Yedu to report on his work, whispered to him quietly.
Just when Cao Cao jumped on his horse and was about to set off, Cao Pi suddenly rushed forward, knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face, and broke down in sobs.
All the people who saw him off were shocked, and some were even moved to tears, saying that the Marquis of Linzi was flashy and unrealistic, but how could he be as sincere as Wu Guan (Cao Pi was then the commander-in-chief of Wu Guan).
Regarding the matter of establishing a prince, Cao Cao originally considered it in private and sent secret letters to ask questions. His sensible subordinates also responded privately, but Cui Yan jumped out.
Cui Yan was the minister at the time and was the uncle of Cao Zhi's wife Cui. He actually wrote a letter publicly saying that the eldest son should be the eldest son. It is very convincing to say this from his mouth. After all, the candidate he recommended was different.
Not his son-in-law,
At this time, the conflict between the Cao brothers became public, and Cao Cao was embarrassed.
After causing such a big scandal, it was only a matter of time before Cui Yan was executed. Mao Jie, who also supported Cao Pi, complained and was also thrown into prison.
Things seem to be favorable to Cao Zhi, but who is Cui Yan? He is Cao Pi's master and the uncle of Cao Zhi's wife Cui, a double-edged sword.
When her uncle was executed, Cui was greatly stimulated and had a strong opinion of Cao Zhi.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! Cao Zhi said angrily: "Uncle Cui will defend Zi Huan to the death, and he is Zi Huan's master. Just ask Zi Huan to save him!" Cui was wronged and had no choice.
Give him a look.
In order to avoid quarrels, Cao Zhi often stayed away from home and drank with his guards during his inspections.
The Cui family began to compete with the Cao family. Cao Cao advocated frugality, but the Cui family went in the opposite direction, showing off everywhere in beautiful clothes all day long. At this time, the scandal between Cao Zhi and Zhen Mi spread, and the Cui family made a fuss.
Cao Cao didn't particularly mind the relationship between Cao Zhi and Zhen Mi. Everyone loved the beauty. But Cui's words and deeds made him furious, and he was sentenced to death for "violating the rules."
Before Cao Zhi could plead for mercy, Cui had already hanged himself. What about Cao Zhi? He felt that everything was caused by his fight for the prince. He felt guilty and painful, and drank to drown his sorrows all day long. But every time he wanted to give up, Yang Xiu could cheer him up.
.
Cao Cao was so confused that he went to ask Jia Xu again. The other party did not express his position directly, but asked Cao Cao to consider the consequences of the fight between Yuan Shao's two sons and Liu Biao's two sons.
The implication is that there is a reason to establish a direct descendant. Even so, Cao Cao, who never plays cards according to common sense, still can't let go of Cao Zhi. As a result, something bigger happened on Cao Zhi's side.
Maybe Mrs. Cui is dead, maybe Prince Zheng has lost two daughters in the past few years, maybe he already feels guilty towards Prince Zheng... Cao Zhi was greatly stimulated.
One day, Cao Zhi and Yang Xiu drank too much, and on their way home, they became interested in racing. Regardless of the palace prohibition that they had to get out of the car and walk when they reached the outer gate, they insisted on asking the driver to run around the outside of the palace gate.
After Cao Cao received the news, he immediately executed the person in charge of the palace gate, clearly expressing his disappointment in Cao Zhi. He further expressed his distrust of all the princes.
Later, I heard that they had slandered Cao Zhang while "racing". Cao Cao's slightly subdued anger was ignited again, and he blamed Yang Xiu.
It gradually became clear to Cao Cao: from the "Praise to Painting" written by Cao Zhi before, from his different judgments on Emperor Gaozu and Emperor Guangwu... Zijian was laissez-faire and misbehaved on the surface, but in his heart he was an orthodox thinker.
The foundation of the Cao family is not solid. If he is allowed to take over, I really don’t know if he will give up the foundation he has finally built. All his actions are the style of a scholar and will not become a trend.
For some time, Cao Zhi has been negative, but the number of people speaking to Cao Pi is more than Cao Cao expected.
Cao Cao was old and in poor health, and had no time to think about it. So Cao Cao gave up his original plan and made Cao Pi the crown prince.
Sun Quan continued: "The world says that the emperor should love the eldest son, and the people should love the Yao'er, but it is different now. First Cao Mengde and then I love Yao'er, and they are almost the same as the people."