Chapter 2439 Appropriate strategy
In the festival hall of the General''s Mansion, the candlelight flickered slightly, like ripples.
In the courtyard in front of the festival hall, in that corner, some insects were chirping, rustling up and down in the night wind.
The setting sun had been setting for a while, but Cao Cao still had no intention of eating, and even drove away the servants who came forward to ask.
The sky gradually dimmed, and the stars were looming among the clouds.
Cao Cao looked at the distant sky, frowning, wondering what he was thinking.
In the festival hall, no matter the arrangement of tables and cases, the tiger stripes on the screen, the vermilion pillars, and the dark blue utensils, it seems that everything is trying to present the majesty of the general.
Majesty?
The majesty of the general?
Cao Cao sneered, and the light laughter melted into the night wind before reaching the festival hall.
The night wind blows Cao Cao''s gray hair at the temples under the Jinxian crown, and gently strokes Cao Cao''s red and black court robe.
Ever since Xun Yu and the others left, Cao Cao didn''t go out, nor did he change his clothes.
Such a complete set of formal clothes will not make people feel comfortable like a toga with large sleeves, but more restraint. Although the Jinxian crown is calm and majestic, it will also make the scalp a little tight. Although the red and black court clothes are solemn, it will also make the shoulders tired. The wide multicolored ribbon looks mighty, and it will also make the waist a little tight...
So, is this the price to pay?
The sound of fine footsteps came from the corridor, and a moment later, two smaller figures appeared in front of the gate of the festival hall.
『Father...』 Cao Pi took Cao Zhi and prostrated himself in front of the festival hall.
Cao Cao raised his head suddenly, only to realize that the sky had completely darkened, and it was nightfall.
"come in. 』
Cao Cao beckoned, and suddenly felt that the arm that was supporting his body just now was a little numb, and he couldn''t lift it up. He couldn''t help but jump in his heart.
Cao Pi walked in with Cao Zhi, and bowed to Cao Cao.
『Father, I heard that Father hasn’t eaten yet,』 Cao Zhi said solemnly, 『Please take care of yourself, Father...』
『Haha...』 Cao Cao smiled and said, 『Understood, I will eat it for my father in a while...』
Cao Cao relaxed a little, and ordered his attendants to add two candles to make the festival hall brighter.
Candlelight also costs money. When I was young, I was angry with horses in fresh clothes, running dogs and flying eagles, playing with expensive things, but I didn’t expect that when I was old, I would save even a candle. If Cao Pi and Cao Zhi hadn’t come, Cao Cao felt that he only needed to light one , is enough.
The money I spent when I was young was not earned by myself, so I don’t feel distressed. When I was young, I didn''t think too much, because someone helped me to think, so I didn''t feel tired. When I was young, no matter how reckless I ran forward, because someone was protecting me, I didn''t feel sad.
And now...
Cao Cao looked at Cao Pi and Cao Zhi, and suddenly thought of Cao Hong and his son Cao Zhen.
To be honest, doesn’t Cao Cao know what Cao Hong and his son did?
But what can I do?
A few Xiahou brothers only want to make contributions on the battlefield, only Xiahou Dun can help a little, but Xiahou Dun can''t be allowed to sell goods and subsidize military expenses?
If Cao Hong hadn’t picked up this burden, Cao Cao would have to weigh the armor and weapons for rewarding generals...
I heard that even the generals stationed outside the customs can receive armor and shirts according to the time, one set in winter and one set in summer. If it is broken in the battle on the battlefield, it can be repaired for free!
Money...
When I was a teenager, money was a bastard, but now, money is a family, brothers and clansmen, political power, soldiers’ salaries, etc., which are the basis of these things...
But I am very short of money.
I also understand why I am short of money, but the problem is that whenever I am about to do something, I always encounter something else!
Like the moment!
The darkness around the festival hall seems to be boundless, and the candlelight around Cao Cao can only set aside a piece of space in front of him, and the farther-reaching place is unable to illuminate, so that Cao Cao can''t tell clearly. Under the chaos of the night, is it a human or a ghost lurking?
As I get older, even my courage seems to be gradually weakening. With more and more physical problems, especially my waist is not as good as before, I feel tired more and more easily, and I feel that I have more energy than energy.
Back when Cao Cao faced Dong Zhuo and faced hardships, the courage he showed, although not enough to make the world admire him, at least affected Xun Yu and Guo Jia, but now...
Do you still have the courage to face the seemingly endless thorns?
In Xun Yu''s previous discussion, there was also a hidden meaning, that is, he hoped that Cao Cao could understand the current point, just like when Cao Cao faced Dong Zhuo when he was in Suanzao, the main threat was Dong Zhuo''s side. It’s not like Tao Qian, Liu Dai, or even Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu at that time. They could run the world as long as the brothers joined hands, but they just didn’t do it, and became short-sighted people who only stared at the surroundings for small profits. generation.
This is what Xun Yu meant.
This may also be the idea of ??the Yingchuan gentry.
Don''t mess with me, we are brothers, look, there, in Guanzhong, is Cao Cao''s enemy!
At the time of Suanzao, all the princes had their own thoughts, Tao Qian wanted to get Zhang Chao, Liu Dai wanted to kill Qiao Mao, Yuan Shao wanted to murder Han Fu, Yuan Shu just stared at Yuan Shao...
Did all these people end badly? These princes talk about the righteousness of the country, but in fact they are thinking about their own small thoughts. What happened in the end?
At that time, only Cao Cao stood in the position of the big man, pointing to the biggest contradiction of the big man at that time, suggesting to temporarily put aside internal contradictions and work together to deal with foreign enemies. It was also in this way that Cao Cao showed outstanding talents beyond other princes at that time, which attracted Xun Yu and others to take refuge in him.
But this time, Xun Yu may also want to express the same meaning. He still hopes that Cao Cao can understand, stand up, point in the right direction, and turn the internal contradictions to the outside, which is the direction of Yu Feiqian. .
And this, is it correct?
Cao Cao turned his head to look at Cao Pi and Cao Zhi, and asked, "Are you slack in your homework these few days?" 』
『The child did not dare to relax. ’ said Cao Pi.
"me too! I can work hard! ’Cao Zhi replied with his small face up.
Cao Cao showed some smiles, nodded and said, "Then I''m going to test you..."
Cao Pi''s eyes twitched subtly, but his voice was still calm, "Father, please ask the question. 』
『Father, please write a question! ”Cao Zhi smiled, and added, “You can’t say something that I haven’t memorized!” 』
『Hahaha...』 Cao Cao smiled and said to Cao Zhi, 『What have you memorized? Do you have the Analects? What about Zuo Chuan? also have? Hmm... Do you know the "Baigong Rebellion"? 』
Cao Pi''s pupils trembled violently... Bah, it''s just that the pupils constricted a little. If the pupils trembled violently at every turn, he might be a patient with epileptic cerebral palsy.
Cao Zhi, who was on the sidelines, was obviously more relaxed. He thought of the relevant characters first, and asked, "Bai Gongsheng?" 』
Cao Cao nodded slightly, "But you can recite it? 』
Cao Zhi began to recite aloud without saying a word: "Well... Prince Chu Jianzhi encountered slander, and he went to Song from the city father; he also prevented the chaos of Huashi from Zheng." Zheng people are very kind. It was also suitable for the Jin Dynasty, and conspired with the Jin people to attack Zheng, but to seek recovery. The people of Zheng returned to their original state. The Jin people sent spies to Zimu, please do it and expect it. Zimu was tyrannical in his private town, and the townspeople complained about it. Zheng Ren saved him, got the Jin spy Yan, and killed Zimu. His son said Sheng, in Wu..."
"it is good! ”Cao Cao nodded, interrupted Cao Zhi, then pointed to Cao Pi, “Go on. 』
"Well...this..." Cao Pi cleared his throat, and delayed a little, "Well, his son is Sheng, in Wu, Zixi wanted to call him, Ye Gong said: "I heard that Sheng also believed and was brave, and I didn''t do it for him. Disadvantageous. Abandon all frontiers and make Wei Fan Yan." Ye Gong said: "Zhou Ren''s words are faith, and righteousness is called courage. I heard that victory is easy to say again, but is it selfish to ask for the dead? It’s not faith; it’s not courage to die. You will regret it!” Fu Cong summoned him to envoy Wu Jing to be Bai Gong…”
『Well,』 Cao Cao nodded and said, 『Very good, all good. So... is it good or bad that Duke Bai wins? What did you do, and how? 』
"I know! Cao Zhi raised his head and said, "Bai Gongsheng is a bad guy!" He doesn''t remember gratitude! 』
Cao Cao nodded, "Continue." 』
『Zheng Guo took his father in and treated his father very well, but his father conspired against Zheng Guo. This is unrighteous. ”Cao Zhi talked eloquently, “The same is true for himself. The state of Chu called him back and entrusted him with a heavy responsibility. As a result, he insisted on attacking Zheng and finally rebelled…”
『Hmm…』 Cao Cao nodded, then turned to look at Cao Pi, 『What about you? Do you think so too? 』
Cao Pi couldn''t help but want to slap Cao Zhi. After telling him everything, he had nothing else to say, but he had to say it. After pondering for a while, he said: "Although it seems like this on the surface, we still have to think carefully about the other things." The reasons behind it, for example, why did Prince Jian leave Chu, and why did Prince Jian''s son go to Wu? Why does Zheng Guo treat Prince Jian well, but Prince Jian still doesn''t care about it, etc...』
『Haha, it’s interesting...』 Cao Cao nodded, with a look of approval on his face, "If you can think of this, you have already advanced a level. Come on, continue, continue to talk about it..."
Cao Pi was just talking. How could he straighten out the complex and perverted relationships between so many monarchs and ministers during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods? Zhen Yingu''s behavioral logic is only superficially general, so when Cao Cao asked him to say something specific, he inevitably got stuck.
"This...Prince Jian is because his father took Qin''s daughter...so..." Cao Pi stuttered and couldn''t express his words. ...''
Cao Cao lowered his eyes slightly, and immediately smiled: "It''s not bad!" 』
Cao Cao was silent for a while, raised his head, and looked into the distance, "King Chu Ping violated his promise to marry Qin daughter... After death, he was humiliated by flogging the corpse, but he took it upon himself... But because of this, he also had Qin''s reinforcements... One peck and one drink , That''s the case, if King Ping of Chu knew this, what would he do? 』
"Prince Jian lives in Zheng... Zheng Guo treats him well..." Cao Cao continued, "Zheng Guo is located between Jin and Chu. Attacking Chu also...seeking Zheng, just incidentally...』
"As for Bai Gong''s victory..." Cao Cao said with some emotion, "If you say you are brave, you can fight in battle, defeat Wu Yushen, and be chaotic in Ying... If you say you are trustworthy, guard the border, speak out your wishes, and do what you say... Haha... that''s it , It can be said to be brave and trustworthy? 』
Cao Cao sighed for a long time and didn''t speak for a while. After a while, he turned his head to look at Cao Pi and Cao Zhi, and said, "Okay, go back, you should rest early." 』
Cao Pi breathed a sigh of relief, nodded quickly, and led Cao Zhi to bow his head in salute, ready to leave. Just when Cao Pi was about to leave the festival hall, he suddenly heard Cao Cao say again: "By the way, I heard that you, Pi Er, have unfinished ideas. Why don''t you discuss this matter carefully in the past two days and write a policy discussion... 』
『…』Cao Pi swallowed his saliva, 「Baby…take orders…」
The footsteps of Cao Pi and Cao Zhi gradually receded in the corridor.
Cao Cao was silent, and sighed softly again for a while.
Before Cao Cao used the "Baigong Rebellion" to assess Cao Pi and Cao Zhi, because Cao Cao really felt that the current situation was like a repeat of history.
Were there few court rebellions during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods?
And in these times of rebellion, who benefits?
Nobody benefits.
There is a saying that when the gods fight, the people suffer, and in the end the gods themselves suffer as well. If you feel a little bit dissatisfied, you will go to war and kill as you please, and then what? No sooner had the victor put down his bloodied knife, he turned and sat down on the throne, and soon the next Avenger came.
Who can represent justice?
No one.
Only good people can have benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom and faith?
Careerists and conspirators can also have such virtues.
For example, Shi Qi, who would rather die than reveal the whereabouts of his master''s body, can be considered honest and brave, right? But he was one of the chief culprits of the Baigong Rebellion.
Similarly, Bai Gongsheng can also be regarded as frank and sincere, and he is outspoken about what he wants to do. Isn''t it true that his words are consistent with his deeds?
Loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, integrity, bravery, etc., what are these qualities that are often praised by people?
Having these qualities is one thing, and doing something with them is quite another.
So, standing on the outside is like looking at the scenery. These power and interest struggles are like dramas, staged and closed, pointing, criticizing, and arguing, but they are actually irrelevant.
But if you are in the game...
Just like the present.
Xun Yu is reluctant to part with the children of Yingchuan gentry, just like King Chu Ping is reluctant to part with Qin daughter, like Prince Jian can''t let go of humiliation, just like Bai Gongsheng can''t forget revenge.
Conversely, Cao Cao is the same.
It was great when I was young, because there were so few burdens on my body at that time.
As the years get older, the burden becomes heavier and the courage becomes less and less.
No one will let go easily. It is easy to say it verbally, but it is difficult to do it. If King Ping of Chu can measure Prince Jian, if Prince Jian can measure Zheng Guo, if Bai Gongsheng can measure Yin Zixi, but when things come to an end, who will measure whom?
It''s just like…
When Cao Cao was young, when he watched Zuo Zhuan, he saw the heroes in it, love and hate, and wished to replace them with his own body. After experiencing some setbacks, when I read Zuozhuan, I saw intrigues, insidious schemes, and suddenly realized that, I read the book carefully and pondered it carefully, hoping to learn more cunning and cunning from it, and plan strategies.
Now, Cao Cao looked back and thought about Zuo Chuan, and seemed to have a new insight, but this insight made him feel distressed, tired, and heartbroken.
『Report to the General…』
A guard reported softly in the hall, "The military master is here to offer wine... dare to ask the general..."
Cao Cao came back to his senses, pondered for a moment, "Call! 』
A moment later, Guo Jia arrived under the festival hall, and saw Cao Cao still wearing his daytime court clothes at a glance, instead of changing into casual clothes, his heart sank.
『Hahahaha...』 Cao Cao laughed, stepped forward, held Guo Jia’s hand, and walked into the festival hall together, calling Guo Jia to sit down, “If you know that you are coming, prepare some food and wine! It''s just that it''s getting late now, so it''s inconvenient, let''s save it for another day! Come on! And serve some hot drinks to drive away the cold with Feng Xiao! 』
Boss Cao seemed to have no worries at all, and smiled, "I was reading some idle books in the hall. If Feng Xiao didn''t come here, I wouldn''t know it was already night!" 』
Guo Jia bowed his head, cupped his hands and said: "I am stupid, I am ashamed of not being able to share my worries for my lord." Occasionally, I came up with a plan, but I forgot that the time was already late, so I rushed to see you, disturbing the lord''s elegant mood, really...』
『Hahaha, what a pleasure, it’s just a leisurely pastime...』 Cao Cao waved his hand, "I don’t know how to serve filial piety... Well, drink this cup first, before it’s too late... Come, please!" 』
Wait until the minions back down.
Cao Cao waited for a while, and then asked Guo Jia''s intention again as if he didn''t care.
Guo Jia lowered his voice a little, and said, "My lord, I heard that...it was Lv Bulu Fengxian who took the lead in recovering the Western Regions, and fought in the Thirty-Six Kingdoms..."
Cao Cao hummed, and moved his eyebrows slightly.
『I have also heard that the Western Qiang Rebellion was brought about by Zhang Liao, Zhang Wenyuan, and Tai Shi Ci and Tai Shi Ziyi who joined forces to fight it off... 』 Guo Jia continued, 『I don’t know if it’s true or not...』
Cao Cao took a breath, looked at Guo Jia and said, "The meaning of filial piety is..."
Guo Jia cupped his hands and said: "If you have meritorious service, you should be rewarded... Hussars certainly have merit, but Lu Feng first conquered thousands of miles and reopened the Western Regions, and he should also be enfeoffed!" Can be named General Chariots and Riders, Sansi Division of Yitong, Chijie, open government offices and set up government offices to town the Western Regions... Zhang Wenyuan, Taishi Ziyi made meritorious deeds in the Western Qiang, can be named General Zhengxi, General Pingxi, both false festivals, choose the land on the right side of Longzhou Why..."
(end of this chapter)