Compared with half a year ago, Mr. Cao looks much older.
This year, Mr. Cao Peng is forty-four years old, but looking at his gray hair, one would think that he has passed his fifties. The light in the flower hall is a little dim, which makes Cao Peng not very auspicious. But he is still
You can feel the exhaustion on Cao ***'s body.
"My humble Cao Peng, I have met Sikong."
Mr. Cao waved his hand, "Youxue, sit down."
"Here!"
Mr. Cao leaned on the couch and did not speak immediately.
After a long while, he said in a deep voice: "At the end of the year, your father will go to Qiao County to submit the genealogy, and then he can return to the clan and recognize his ancestors."
"ah?"
"Your branch has been on self-conquest and two years of wandering. It has been nearly three hundred years now. It has indeed suffered a lot... Now, it is time to go home."
What Mr. Cao said was very emotional.
Cao Peng hurriedly knelt on the ground and said, "If it weren't for Sikong, how could my father return to the clan?"
"Okay, get up.
I checked the genealogy and found that your father is the same generation as me. You should call me my father. Fu, I will tell you that I often feel powerless recently, but I can't explain it to outsiders. Although you are young,
You are indeed a sensible child. You have done very well in Luoyang, even beyond my expectations... It's just that this matter is not over, or even just the beginning... I really don't know how to say it. You
I am very happy that the case has been solved, but in my heart, I don’t want you to solve the case."
"Where do you begin with these words from the Master?"
Mr. Cao's eyes flashed and he said softly: "Do you know that after you solved this case, I had to walk to the opposite side of the Han family."
Cao Peng, took a deep breath.
Yes, once the Luoyang case is solved, it is inevitable that a group of people will be implicated.
This is very likely to involve the Han Dynasty, which is not a good thing for Cao Cao. Cao Peng does not know how Cao Cao used to solve the issue of the clothing and belt edict in history.
mentality. But it was precisely because of this that Cao Cao got the name of the Communist Party and completely turned against the Han family. Although the two parties were at peace with each other since then, they seemed to be inseparable, and the overt and covert fights between them never stopped...
The aristocratic family was vacillating, which gave Mr. Cao a headache.
So in the end, Cao Cao had no choice but to issue a meritocracy order, saying that he did not care about his origins or virtues, but only about his talents...
Its purpose was to eliminate the influence of the opposition to the Han Dynasty.
The aristocratic family's lack of cooperation, or rather the aristocratic family's hesitation, led Mr. Cao to embark on the road of ruling from a humble family.
However, this also caused conflicts between Mr. Cao and the aristocratic family. There was nothing wrong with the merit-based order, but it was a pity that the time it was implemented was too short.
In the 15th year of Jian'an, the first meritocracy edict was promulgated, and in the 22nd year of Jian'an, the third meritocracy edict was issued. It would only take a few years for the poor family to enter the political arena. If Cao Cao had enough
With enough time, the contradictions and conflicts between the poor family and the noble family might be able to be resolved. However, three years after the promulgation of the third meritocracy, Cao Pi died of illness. After Cao Pi ascended the throne, he compromised with the noble family in order to usurp the Han Dynasty.
As a result, Chen Qun ascended to the ninth level of the Zhongzheng system, and thus began the centuries-long era of aristocratic clans...
In later generations, there was a saying that Sima's usurpation of the Wei Dynasty was a counterattack by the noble family against the poor family. If you think about it carefully, it makes some sense.
An idea suddenly came to Cao Peng's mind: What if Cao Cao could be made to issue a meritocracy order in advance?
But this thought was only fleeting.
The consequences of this incident were too serious...so serious that Cao Peng couldn't bear it.
Once he makes this suggestion to Mr. Cao, it will inevitably put him on the opposite side of the family. The family may not be able to do anything to Mr. Cao, but there are countless ways to deal with him. At this time, he is inevitably a little weak.
...Since his rebirth, the friendship he has worked so hard to establish with the family is likely to be shattered. This is also a result that Cao Peng does not want to see! However, with this thought, Cao Peng can no longer stop. The family clan has existed since ancient times.
It is impossible to completely die out. Even in the era when Cao Peng lived in the previous life, aristocratic clans still existed! It's just that they existed in another form, or they could be called 'interest groups'.
As dynasties change, so do the families.
Established families die and new families rise. This is an unchangeable law.
Meritocracy is an order and must be implemented!
But the person who proposed this idea must not be Cao Peng...
He could be Cao Pi, he could be Cao Zhang, he could be Cao Zhi, he could even be Guo Jia, he could be Cheng Yu, but it can never be him!
"Afu?"
"Ah, my nephew is here."
Cao *** smiled and said, "What are you thinking about?"
"My nephew, think about how you can relieve your father's worries."
Mr. Cao couldn't help but laugh and said softly: "I'm very relieved that you have such a heart.
However, I do have a matter that requires you to come forward for me... Ah Fu, do you dare to kill someone?"
Cao Peng was startled, and Li Ru's words immediately echoed in his mind: No matter what request Mr. Cao makes, you must agree without hesitation.
"dare!"
"If this person is very famous and may even bring you into disrepute, would you dare to do it?"
"dare!"
But inside, I couldn't help but murmur.
Did Lao Cao want me to kill Emperor Xian of Han...
"Hahaha……"
Mr. Cao couldn't help but laugh, and seemed to feel much relieved all of a sudden.
"You kid, you are so happy. Don't you ask, who do I want you to kill?"
"Anyone who is an enemy of World Father can be killed."
Cao Peng raised his head and answered loudly.
Mr. Cao laughed again, "There are countless enemies of me. Do you think I want you to kill Yuan Shao? Do you want to go too?"
"this……"
Li Wencheng, you fucking framed me!
Cao Peng was furious.
Could it be that Lao Cao wants me to lead his troops and fight against Yuan Shao?
"Hehehe, Youxue, I am very pleased that you have the heart to protect the family. However, you still have to think twice when answering in the future.
Don’t worry, I won’t let you kill Yuan Benchu. With your current ability, I’m afraid you are no match for Yuan Shao.”
Cao Peng felt relieved and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Then who does my father want me to kill?"
"Well, you don't need to ask... I will let someone tell you when it's time to take action. But before that, I have an important entrustment."
"What's the matter?"
"You go back first, I will send someone over later."
Cao Peng was still confused and couldn't figure out what Mr. Cao was thinking.
However, now that Mr. Cao has spoken, he can only obey.
After chatting with Mr. Cao for a while, feeling that Mr. Cao's spirit seemed to be lifted a lot, Cao Peng said goodbye.
Mr. Cao took Cao Peng's hand and sent him out of the flower hall.
This seemingly ordinary behavior made the retainers and servants in the mansion very surprised.
Who is Cao ***?
At that time, Sikong was ranked among the three princes. Not just anyone could let him hold hands and send him off. Even Xia Houyuan and Cheng Yu just now did not have such an honor. And Cao Peng, the Northern Wei of Luoyang with an official salary of only three hundred stones,
, it was actually Mr. Cao who held hands to send him off...
It can be seen that Mr. Cao valued Cao Peng very much.
Previously, Xun Yu received this honor; Guo Jia received this honor; now, Cao Peng also received this honor!
————————————————————————
Located next to Yuxiu Gate in the imperial city, there is a majestic mansion that is extremely eye-catching in the night.
Liu Guang stood in the garden, coughed twice, and turned to look at his family behind him: "You mean, Cao Sikong held hands to send him off?"
"The news from Sikong Mansion is exactly like this."
"anything else?"
"Cao Sikong was very busy today. It is said that he met many people.
Among them were Liu Yan, the new governor of Dongjun, Xia Houyuan, the governor of Chenliu, and Yin Chengyu of Henan... After that, he and Cao Peng talked in the flower hall for almost half an hour."
"They talked for half an hour?"
"Here!"
Liu Guang turned around and stood with his hands behind his back.
Looking up at the stars, a strange smile appeared on his face.
Being able to talk to Mr. Cao for half an hour further shows that Mr. Cao trusts and values Cao Peng.
Liu Guang closed his eyes and pondered for a long time, then said softly: "Prepare the car immediately, I want to enter the palace."
"at this time?"
"kindness!"
By this time, it was getting late and the palace gate had long been closed.
But for Liu Guang, time is not an issue.
He was a member of the Han clan and had followed the Han emperor for many years, so it was quite convenient for him to enter and leave the palace.
The retainer hurriedly went down to prepare the car. Liu Guang sighed, and after a while he said to himself: "Maybe it's time to learn from Cao You."
————————————————————————————
Cao Peng did not expect that Cao Peng holding his hand would actually become a matter of concern to many people.
Returning to Cao Mansion, Cao Peng saw Wang Meng sitting in the middle of the flower hall, talking to Xu Yidianman and Deng Fan. Kan Ze sat aside, and Gan Ning also listened quietly. Seeing Cao Peng return, everyone stood up, Wang Meng
Geng walked out of the hall with a smile and patted Cao Peng hard on the shoulder.
"Father, please be gentle."
"Hehe, the little boy in the past has now grown into a strong man...
How come you can't even withstand this little strength? I heard from Xing Ba that your skills are not bad now, you have already surpassed Uncle Wei."
"Father, don't listen to Brother Gan's nonsense."
Gan Ning said from the side, "I didn't say anything nonsense, or else let the young master take action and take a look?"
"Come on, my bones are almost falling apart from this bumpy ride.
By the way, have you eaten yet?"
"My mother and Xiaoluan are making arrangements in the kitchen, I think it's almost done."
Deng Fan opened his mouth to answer.
He still lives in the Cao Mansion, and even though he has become a Yueqi Sima, he refuses to move out. Madam Hong and Deng Juye are now in charge of all matters in the Cao Mansion. Ever since Cao Peng diluted his shares in the gambling house in Luoyang
, so he intended to order Deng Juye to withdraw.
Deng Juye didn't care. After returning to Xudu, he felt more relaxed.
Cao Peng stepped forward, hugged Deng Fan vigorously, and then asked people to sit down.
Only this time, Cao Peng took the main seat.
Wang Meng was the elder, so he sat at the top, while the others sat at the bottom of Cao Peng.
"Afu, why did you bring a layman back? Do you want to be a disciple of the Buddha?"
"Yeah, that guy looks very weird... he's sinister and doesn't like to talk. As soon as he came back, he dominated a whole courtyard."
Cao Peng and Kan Ze Gan Ning looked at each other and smiled, "Don't ask about lay people's affairs.
I am away from home all year round, and my mother-in-law is a little worried, so she invites lay people to pray at home. Sixth Brother, please go back and tell Uncle Juye that the courtyard is for lay people to practice. Don’t let others disturb you...don’t be petty. I looked down upon him, but his moral character is not low."
Noriman and others seemed indifferent and started chatting.
After a while, Buluan came over and said that the food was ready. So Cao Peng and others went to the wine table together, changing glasses and changing glasses, which was very lively.
"Why didn't eldest brother come?"
"He feels comfortable... He went with the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry for training.
I estimate that when I come back this time, I will definitely get a promotion...I guess it won't be a problem for Tiger and Leopard to ride Sima, and it may even be better."
Tiger and leopard cavalry training?
Cao Peng keenly caught a clue.
That's right, after the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry was trained, they would often leave Xudu for training.
The bandits near Xudu were almost wiped out by the Hubao Cavalry, and they did not dare to stay nearby. However, letting the Hubao Cavalry leave Xudu at this time... Cao Peng seemed to have some understanding in his heart.
It seems that Lao Cao is really making big moves!
Yuan Shao...should be unlikely. Then the most likely one is Liu Bei.
This time, Cao Cao even dispatched the tiger and leopard cavalry, which shows that he intends to kill Liu Bei. He has made up his mind!
However, it is impossible for him to ask about these things at the wine table. Looking at Dianman and Xu Yi, he may not know Cao Cao's true intention.
Simply put your mind down and start drinking.
Calculating all day is too hard.
Cao Peng himself is not a person who likes to make calculations. If he can have a moment of leisure, why bother to make calculations?
This meal of wine lasted until the time of Xu. Dianman Xu Yi had military duties to attend, so he stopped, said goodbye to Cao Peng, and left.
Wang Meng felt a little tired, and with the help of Deng Fan, he went back to his room to rest.
Cao Peng was also a little confused. After the banquet ended, he did not go back to his room. Instead, he went to the backyard and came to Li Ru's residence...
Li Ru looked very leisurely, sitting on the couch with his legs crossed and reading a book.
"Li Wencheng, you almost killed me today."
As soon as Cao Peng entered the door, he said angrily.
"oh?"
Li Ru smiled and said, "Why did I hurt you?"
"you……"
The words came to Cao Peng's lips, but he didn't know what to say.
Yes, why did Li Ru harm him?
Yes, Li Ru wanted him to agree to Cao Cao's request. But Cao Cao's words asking him to kill Yuan Shao were obviously just a joke.
Cao Peng sat down aside, picked up the water bowl on the table, and drank it all in one gulp.
"Mr. Cao came to me today and said some incomprehensible things."
Li Ru still looked calm and calm, but his face somewhat ruined the atmosphere. He put down his book, sat up, looked at Cao Peng and said, "What did Cao Mengde say today?"
He would not call Mr. Cao "Lord" because in his eyes, Mr. Cao did not have that qualification.
Perhaps, for Li Ru, there was only one lord, and that was his father-in-law Dong Zhuo. Thinking back to when he followed Dong Zhuo to Luoyang, Cao Cao was just an unworthy Dianjun captain among the eight schools in Xiyuan.
That's all. But at that time, Li Ru had already become a Zhonglang General.
Today, Dong Zhuo is dead.
It is difficult for Li Ru to surrender to anyone.
Even for Cao Peng, it is more of a transaction.
If Li Ru really admired Cao Peng, Cao Peng really didn't have the qualifications.
Cao Peng didn't mind Li Ru's rudeness, let alone Li Ru calling Cao *** by his first name.
He calmed down and repeated what he said when he met Mr. Cao today. Li Ru listened carefully and asked a few questions from time to time.
After a moment, he suddenly smiled.
"In that case, I would like to congratulate you, Master."
“Where does joy come from?”
"If my guess is correct, Cao Mengde is probably planning to attack people in Xu Du."
"oh?"
"Now Yuan Shao is entrenched in the four states of Hebei and has strong strength. A battle between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao is inevitable. He has made so many arrangements to prepare to clear the obstacles around him so that he can fight with Yuan Shao with all his strength.
War. Based on the current situation, Cao Cao has two personal enemies. One is Liu Xuande of Runan; the other is those who secretly oppose him in Xudu City.
Liu Xuande... I don't know much about him.
But with Cao Mengde's current strength, Liu Xuande has nothing to worry about.
What Cao Cao is afraid of are the opponents in Xudu City. These people may hold high positions, hold military power, have extraordinary backgrounds, or have great reputations. If he touches these people, he will definitely offend many people. At the beginning, he was in charge of Heaven.
Zi Yiling's reputation as a prince may be affected by this; but if he doesn't take action, he won't be able to deal with Yuan Shao with all his strength, so he will definitely choose some unworthy people to take action."
It’s been seven or eight years!
When Li Ru was talking, he seemed to have returned to the feeling of being by Dong Zhuo's side, making suggestions and strategizing.
Although he hasn't taken action for many years, his vision is still there.
Li Ru thought for a moment and said, "If my guess is correct, Cao Mengde will most likely appoint you as the Lieutenant Commander of the Northern Army."
"ah?"
Cao Peng couldn't help being surprised when he heard this.
Zhonghou of the Northern Army, under the jurisdiction of Zhijinwu, in charge of the fifth battalion of the Northern Army.
His rank is six hundred stones, and he has the responsibility of supervising the captain of the fifth battalion. In the Eastern Han Dynasty, it was extremely normal to supply officials with low ranks and inspect officials with high ranks. The fifth battalion includes Tunqi, Yueqi, infantry, and Changshui
He Shesheng. The captain of the Fifth Battalion, Zhi Zhen, has two thousand stones. He is responsible for the garrison of Gyeonggi and has great power. However, when the Northern Army Lieutenant is supervising, the captain of the Fifth Battalion must obey the supervision, otherwise he will be regarded as conspiring to rebel.
The position is not high, but the responsibility is great and the authority is very heavy.
"How can I see it?"
Li Ru sneered: "Let me ask you, who is the Tunqi Sima?"
"My second brother."
"Who is Yueqi Sima?"
"My sixth brother."
"Who is the infantry commander?"
"My third brother..."
Li Ru said: "If my guess is correct, the Sima from Changshui and Shesheng camps will be familiar to you."
"oh?"
"When the Lieutenant Colonel of the Northern Army supervises the captain of the fifth battalion, his military power is temporarily controlled by the Sima of the camp. In this way, when you enter the camp to supervise, the fifth battalion is under your control. You can rely on the power of the Lieutenant Colonel of the Northern Army
, apprehend the captain of the fifth battalion, and capture it without any use of force or blood."
"You mean..."
Li Ru smiled and said: "So I want to congratulate you, Sir. Cao Mengde is giving you credit."
At this point, Cao Peng is a fool if he still doesn't understand who Mr. Cao wants him to deal with. First, he left out the captain of the fifth battalion, and then Cao Peng came forward to take charge of supervision. This big case in Luoyang, Changshui captain Zhongji was involved... and Zhongji was one of the masterminds of the Yidaizhao. Cao Cao attacked Liu Bei to divert the attention of everyone on the Yidaizhao, and instead used the power of thunder...
Cao Peng looked at Li Ru, his thoughts somewhat complicated.
If the seed collection falls into his hands, he will inevitably become known as an accomplice of Cao Cao.
If *** Cao is an old thief, then he is a young thief... *** Cao really thinks highly of himself. No wonder Li Ru said he must agree...
This, I’m afraid, is the so-called ‘voting certificate’!
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Thanks to book friends: It’s Raining, There Are Crows, Leaning on the Railing and Looking at the Sea, Guess Which, Sofee, The Story of the Starry Sky, The Unruly Submarine, and The Gluttonous Demon for generous rewards.
