Cao Yi said in a stiff tone: "This joke is not funny at all."
"You can pretend I didn't say..."
Kou Ji said casually.
Cao Yi said bitterly: "I remember every word of what you said. How could I pretend that you didn't say it..."
Kou Ji stood up and patted Cao Yi on the shoulder, "Okay, don't dwell on this matter. Go back to your fourth uncle quickly, convey my words to him truthfully, and ask him to give the person in his hand to Zhao Yuanyan as soon as possible.
If someone else discovers Zhao Yuanyan's plot and takes the first step to give people to Zhao Yuanyan, then it will not be easy for your Cao family to give people to Zhao Yuanyan."
Cao Yan cupped his hands and said, "I will tell my fourth uncle exactly what you said."
Cao Yi left the Kou mansion.
Returned to Cao Mansion.
Cao Wei and Cao Qi were sitting in the main hall of Cao Mansion, making tea. Their eyes were always wandering at the door, intentionally or unintentionally.
Obviously.
The two brothers were here specially to wait for Cao Yi.
After Cao Yi appeared in the main hall, the two brothers put down their tea cups together.
Cao Qi hurriedly asked, "What on earth is that boy Kou Ji going to do?"
Cao Yi stood alone in the middle of the main hall, staring at Cao Wei and Cao Qi without saying a word.
Cao Wei and Cao Qi looked at each other.
Cao Wei ordered the stewards around him: "You guys go down first..."
The servants serving in the main hall left the main hall under the guidance of the steward.
Cao Qi stared at Cao Yi and said, "Can we talk now?"
Cao Ji pondered for a long time and said in a serious tone: "The Eighth Prince Zhao Yuanyan wants to usurp the throne!"
Cao Yi thought that if he told such a big secret, Cao Wei and Cao Qi would be shocked and speechless.
But I didn't expect it.
Cao Wei, Cao Qi was just stunned for a moment, and then seemed to have heard something very ordinary, not surprised at all.
Cao Yi stared in shock, "Fourth Uncle...Dad...you have known about this for a long time?"
Cao Qi looked at Cao Wei, who nodded slightly.
Cao Qi glanced at Cao Yi and said calmly: "Jian'er, although our generals have been suppressed by the civil servants in the court, it does not mean that the civil servants are better than us in everything.
Take the incident of Eighth Prince Zhao Yuanyan usurping the throne.
From the moment the Eighth Prince Zhao Yuanyan had the idea of usurping the throne, we knew that he wanted to usurp the throne.
And those civil servants are still kept in the dark."
Cao Yi said in astonishment: "Why is this happening?"
Cao Qi looked at Cao Yi as if he were an idiot, and asked: "What are we? We are generals. Have you ever seen a usurper who does not need the support of a general?"
Cao Yi froze on the spot stupidly.
He heard too much shocking news today, too much for him to digest.
He originally thought that only a few people knew that Zhao Yuanyan wanted to usurp the throne.
Now that he heard Cao Qi's words, he realized that there were many people who knew that Zhao Yuanyan wanted to usurp the throne.
Cao Qi saw that Cao Qi was stunned, and knew that he was not at peace in his heart. Cao Qi glanced at his son pityingly, and continued with a gentler tone: "So, no matter who wants to usurp the throne, he must be the first to win over.
I will be the gatekeeper.
Likewise, I was the first to get the news."
Speaking of which.
Cao Qi looked at Cao Wei.
Cao Wei had a straight face and said in a deep voice: "It has been more than sixty years since the founding of the Song Dynasty. Although my military power has been reduced, my general's power is still huge.
After more than sixty years of experience, my tentacles in the military have been extended to a level that is unimaginable to ordinary people.
When Zhao Yuanyan had the idea of usurping the throne and secretly recruited and sold soldiers, someone had already passed the news to us.
Now we know exactly how many soldiers and horses Zhao Yuanyan has, who controls them, and where the settlements are."
Cao Yi opened his mouth in shock, but couldn't say a word.
Cao Wei continued: "The Queen Mother secretly sent people to contact Pengri and the supervisors of the Tianwu and Tianwu armies. You should know what happened and you don't need me to say more.
Zhu Neng changed the troops and horses in the imperial city. Why, I don’t need to say more.
As for Kou Ji, who secretly mobilized the Tiger-Character Army to Beijing, I don’t need to say more.
As long as it is related to soldiers and horses, there is no news that I, the general, do not know."
actually.
Cao Wei's words are a bit exaggerated.
Leaving aside the other soldiers and horses, as far as the Tiger Army is concerned, Cao Wei cannot control all their movements.
When the Huzi Army was stationed in Baozhou, the general could not find out any news.
Only when they left Baozhou and were marching outside, could the generals infer their movements through the traces of their march.
after all.
The Tiger Army has more than 10,000 troops, along with a series of equipment such as horses and ordnance. The target is very huge. Whether it is marching or changing places, it will always leave traces.
As long as you show traces, you may be caught.
Of course, when the Tiger-Character Army is marching, it is impossible to be stupid enough to leave traces for people to catch.
During the march of the Tiger Character Army, there were dedicated personnel responsible for cleaning up the traces of their march.
The reason why Cao Wei was able to discover that the Tiger Character Army had appeared outside Bianjing City was because he was checking the documents of the Ministry of War.
When Cao Wei was taking inventory of the empty camps outside the city, he discovered several abandoned barracks, which were borrowed by Zhu Neng.
Cao Wei sent someone to check, but as soon as he entered three miles outside the camp, he was blocked by someone.
The people sent by Cao Wei did not force their way in.
After returning to the Ministry of War, he told Cao Wei the news.
Cao Wei combined Zhao Yuanyan's usurpation of the throne and the occupation of the empty camp outside the city to make some inferences, and it was easy to deduce the truth.
Cao Wei did not tell anyone about this matter.
He even helped hide a few things.
Cao Yan said with a very complicated expression: "Since Fourth Uncle knew about this earlier, why didn't he tell the officials?"
Cao Wei said calmly: "The Queen Mother also knows, Kou Ji also knows, but they also didn't tell the officials."
Cao Yi said in a deep voice: "The Queen Mother and Kou Ji both have plans. Could it be that the fourth uncle also has plans?"
Cao Wei remained silent.
Cao Yi was stunned.
Cao Qi said quietly from the side: "We rarely interfere in the royal family affairs..."
Cao Yi hurriedly said: "Don't you want to intervene now?"
Cao Wei shook his head and said: "Of course I have to intervene now."
Cao Ji hurriedly asked: "Why?"
Cao Qi rolled her eyes and said angrily: "Because your sister is the queen!"
Cao Wei let out a long sigh and said: "The titles of our Cao family have been mixed up. One sect and two lords have already stood at the head of many generals. There is no need to think about things like kings and lords, one sect and three lords."
Because no matter who sits on the queen's throne, they will not be able to tolerate the kings and nobles of our Cao family, nor will they be able to tolerate the three sons of my Cao family.
In the past, when Mr. Fu was still alive, he was awarded the title of King. What an honor it was.
But what happens?
The entire Fu family was beheaded."
Cao Yi curled his lips and said, "That's because the Fu family is seeking death and causing trouble..."
When this matter was mentioned, Cao Wei's face turned grim.
Cao Wei glanced at Cao Yi with cold eyes.
Cao Yi quickly shut his mouth.
Cao Wei said coldly: "Do you think the Fu family really wants to cause trouble? They are forced to do nothing. If you don't cause trouble, the whole family will die; if you make trouble, the whole family will die, so why not make trouble?"
Just like the current Eight Kings Zhao Yuanyan.
Do you think you can still control whether he wants to cause trouble or not?"
Cao Yi said in astonishment: "Taizong..."
Cao Wei snorted coldly, interrupted Cao Yi, and said: "Taizong is the emperor that my Cao family has served after all. He has the title of emperor and minister, and cannot be discussed arbitrarily."
Cao Yan decisively shut his mouth.
Cao Wei stared at Cao Yi and said, "Did Kou Ji tell you that the Eighth King Zhao Yuanyan was going to cause trouble?"
Cao Yi hesitated for a moment and nodded.
Cao Wei continued to ask: "Is what Kou Ji said about showing loyalty also related to this matter?"
Cao Yi nodded again.
Cao Wei pondered: "What does Kou Ji plan to do?"
Cao Yi quickly told Cao Wei exactly what Kou Ji had said.
After hearing what Cao Wei said, Cao Wei stared at Cao Wei and sighed: "Kou Xiaozi treats you sincerely, otherwise he wouldn't take care of you like this."
Cao Yi stared at Cao Wei with a blank expression.
However, Cao Wei was not in a hurry to explain, but sighed: "I thought that if my Cao Mansion accepted the certificate of surrender and cooperated with the imperial court to disband the Xiang army in the hinterland of the Central Plains, the imperial court would not take action against the forbidden army in our hands.
But I didn't expect it.
The imperial court is still concerned about the Imperial Army after all."
Cao Qi, Cao Yan and his son looked stunned.
Cao Qi asked doubtfully: "Didn't Mr. Kou say he was joking?"
Cao Wei snorted coldly: "Are you kidding? You have seen that important minister in the court, would you joke about such a thing?"
Cao Qi, Cao Yi and his son looked at each other in confusion.
Cao Wei lamented, "Kou Xiaozi is trying to beat us, telling us not to worry about Yizijiaozipu, because except for the official family, he will not hand over Yizijiaozipu to anyone."
"Then what's the point of letting Ji'er take charge of Yizijiaozipu?"
"..."
Cao Wei was silent for a moment, then suddenly raised the corner of his mouth and laughed self-deprecatingly, "He is setting a price for our Cao family!"
Cao Qi, Cao Yan and his son both frowned, not knowing why.
Cao Wei explained in detail: "Kou Xiaozi wants to give our Cao family a position as the manager of Yizijiaozi Shop, a member of the forging iron workshop, and let me, the Cao family, hand over the imperial army in our hands."
Cao Qi stared, "How is this possible? The Forbidden Army is the foundation of our Cao family, and also the foundation of several other families. If the imperial court really takes action to eradicate all our power in the Forbidden Army, then we will not sit still and wait for death."
When it comes to the last sentence.
Cao Qi gritted his teeth.
Cao Wei gave a bitter smile and said: "Fifth brother, there is no need to be angry. Kou Xiaozi is just throwing these out as a test."
Cao Qi said coldly: "Testing is not enough... The Forbidden Army is the foundation of our Cao family. Without the Forbidden Army, our Cao family will only be slaughtered by others."
Cao Wei was silent for a moment and said in a low voice: "That won't happen... Kou Xiaozi gave the management rights of Yizijiaozi Shop to my Cao family, which is to give me the Cao family's amulet.
If Ji'er can successfully become the manager of Yizijiaozipu, then some people from my Cao family can be placed in Yizijiaozipu.
If the imperial court wants to move my Cao family, it must think carefully about it.
As for the blacksmithing workshop, that is the income that Mr. Kou uses to make up for the loss of the source of military pay for my Cao family."
Cao Qi just wanted to speak.
Cao Wei continued: "As early as when the imperial court took action against the Xiang Army, I had already guessed that after the imperial court had disbanded the Xiang Army, it would definitely take action against the Forbidden Army.
That's why I approached Kou Ji early, hoping that by supporting the imperial court in dismantling the Xiang army in the hinterland of the Central Plains, my Cao family would be able to retain control of the imperial army.
But they don’t seem to agree..."
Cao Qi gritted his teeth and said, "What do they gain by going against all our generals?"
Cao Wei said quietly: "After decades of living a comfortable life.
Some of the Imperial Guards have been corrupted to the point of being unbearable.
When Taizong was in court, we could still see the country and the mountains in the north.
After the late emperor ascended the throne.
I, the Song Dynasty, can only buy peace by paying tribute to others.
No more enterprising spirit.
Some people have been eroded by the glory and wealth in Bianjing City and turned into incompetent people who are greedy for pleasure.
But there are still some unwilling people who are preparing for our great Song Dynasty to look northward.
Kou Zhun, Li Di, Wang Zeng, Kou Ji and others are all included in this list."
Cao Qi opened his mouth, but couldn't speak.
He wanted to criticize what Kou Zhun and others had done, but he found that he was not qualified.
But he also didn't agree with what Kou Zhun and others did.
Because what Kou Zhun and others did touched upon the fundamental interests of the Cao family.
After Cao Wei finished speaking, the main hall fell into silence.
After a long time.
Cao Qi stared at Cao Wei and said, "Fourth brother, are we going to be slaughtered by others?"
Cao Wei said with a strange face: "How can my Cao family be slaughtered by others? Kou Xiaozi has given my Cao family enough benefits. Even if my Cao family no longer has control over the Forbidden Army, we can still borrow a word
Jiaozipu can protect yourself, and you can also use the forging iron workshop to stay rich.
Compared to my Cao family, the other families are truly at the mercy of others."
Cao Qi's eyes widened slightly, "Fourth brother, you won't agree to that kid, will you?"
Cao Wei glanced at Cao Qi and said amusedly: "Fifth brother, you are thinking too much. Now that the imperial court has abolished the Xiang army in the hinterland of the Central Plains, it has caused dissatisfaction among various families. I heard that some people can't help but start to secretly
Make small moves here.
It also happened that Zhao Yuanyan was about to usurp the throne.
If two things collide, it will be enough for the court to drink a pot.
The imperial court abolished the Xiang army, which caused such a huge backlash.
If the imperial court abolishes the imperial army, it will only cause greater backlash.
It is still open to question whether the civil servants in the court have the guts to continue."
Cao Qi let out a long breath, nodded and said: "That's good...the Imperial Army is the foundation of my Cao family, and we must not give in."
Cao Qi's words were resounding.
But he didn't know.
Cao Wei and Cao Yi sighed at the same time.
There are some things that Cao Wei did not tell Cao Qi,
The general door is not monolithic.
When dealing with civil servants, the generals are one body and share the same hatred.
But privately, internal fighting is also very frequent.
If the imperial court seizes this point and defeats them one by one.
It is easy to wrest the power of the Imperial Guard from the general.
This shortcoming is not only known to Cao Wei.
Li Zhaoliang, Gao Chugong and other heads of the general family all know this.
But they couldn't solve the problem.
Because they don’t obey anyone.
No one wants to be anyone's vassal.
The only one who is qualified to make them all bow down is the official Zhao Zhen.
But it’s impossible for Zhao Zhen, an official, to lead them to do things against him, right?