Chapter 33 3. Satisfy what Cao Cao wants

The moon and stars are sparse, and the breeze is blowing.Over the courtyard, one or two "squeaking" bats passed by from time to time, revealing an inexplicable mystery and gloom in the silence. The back hall of the Sima Mansion was brightly lit with candles, and a phoenix inlaid with gold and jade inlaid with colorful colors was engraved on the majestic screen.It stretches its neck to the sky, spreads its wings and soars high, attracting all the birds around to dance together, which is too beautiful to behold. On the wooden couch under the screen, Dong Zhao, the admonisher, and Sima Lang, the head of the prime minister's residence, sat facing each other.Standing on both sides of the wooden couch was a handsome book boy, holding a long-handled round fan, gently fanning Sima Lang and the two of them on the couch.

Last year, Sima Lang's cousin Xu Duling Sima Zhi married Dong Zhao's niece Dong Shan.Since then, the relationship between the Sima family and the Dong family has become even closer.Therefore, when Dong Zhao came to Sima's residence as a guest, he came in and out just like in his own house, without restraint, everything was very close.Very familiar and natural. "I have heard for a long time that the green tea in Sima's mansion is timeless and tranquil, and the taste is the best in Xudu. It is really a blessing to have a good taste today." After Dong Zhao took a sip of the green tea in the jade cup in his hand, he stretched out his hand while sipping the sweet and refreshing tea taste Twirling the gray beard under his chin, he shook his head and praised endlessly, "The tea ceremony of the Sima family is truly wonderful."

Sima Lang chuckled, lifted a green jade pot in the shape of a standing crane from the table, lightly filled Dong Zhao's mutton fat jade cup with bright yellow tea, saluted, and respectfully said: "Dong Zhao Since the doctor likes the green tea in Sima's mansion, please open your heart and drink it to your heart's content! Later, I will let the brothers in the mansion show their family skills and brew a few more pots for you." "That's enough! That's enough! This pot of tea has left me with endless aftertaste." Dong Zhao hastily stopped Sima Lang, his face became serious, and he said deeply, "It's time to talk about serious business between you and me. .”

Hearing this, Sima Lang straightened his face and restored a solemn and calm demeanor.He raised his robe sleeve and flicked it out lightly. The two bookboys standing on both sides of the wooden couch understood, put down their round fans together, stepped back silently, and closed the two hall doors. In an instant, there was silence in the back hall.Dong Zhao and Sima Lang looked at each other, each with worried expressions. "Alas!... The important matter of helping Prime Minister Cao to become a noble and gift is a bit difficult right now!" Dong Zhao put the jade cup to his lips, just about to sip, frowned, and put it back on the table in a dull manner On top of that, a bit of distress appeared on his face, "In the past few days, the old man went to visit Yang Taiwei and Wang Situ, but I didn't expect that although they received the title of 'Three Dukes', they didn't seem to appreciate it very much. Prime Minister Cao’s sympathy does not even understand the rules of “return the favor.” Especially that Yang Biao, when he heard that the old man came to promote Prime Minister Cao’s promotion to the nobility, he became furious and threw the old man out of the house. come to the government."

"Oh! Taiwei Yang and Wang Situ really don't appreciate Prime Minister Cao's favor?" Sima Lang showed a look of astonishment, put the fingers of his left hand on the table and tapped lightly a few times, thought for a moment, and asked again , "Then, has Dr. Dong ever gone to Xun Lingjun's mansion to ask about this?" "Oh! My lord!" Dong Zhao patted his knee with his left palm, stroked his beard with his right hand, and shook his head like a rattle. The position of "Three Dukes" recommended by Prime Minister Cao, even if he is unwilling to take the lead in honoring Prime Minister Cao, let alone Xun Lingjun has never accepted half of the benefits from Prime Minister Cao? I dare not even go to Xun Lingjun's place Kow——if he taunts me again, how will this old man gain a foothold in the imperial court in the future?"

After hearing this, Sima Lang pondered for a long time, but there was nothing he could do.He sighed, and said with some helplessness: "Among the dynasty, the most senior and most prestigious sages and officials who came forward to lead the petition to your Majesty to be promoted to the title of Prime Minister Cao are Xun Lingjun, Yang Taiwei, and Wang Situ. My lord. If you and I can't persuade the three of them to come forward to lead the concert, even if we insist on pushing this matter forward, I'm afraid we won't win the response and support of enough celebrities, scholars, and bureaucrats. Sigh... Could it be The matter of helping Prime Minister Cao to become a noble and a gift, is it 'grounded' like this? I really don't want to be reconciled!"

"Mr. Sima, you don't need to be too anxious. Now in Xudu City, the disciples and old officials of Xun Yu, Yang Biao, and Wang Lang are scattered all over the important places, and they are united as one, 'everything moves, everything is quiet', where Can it be easily shaken within one or two years?" Seeing Sima Lang's worried expression, Dong Zhao comforted him, "The matter of promoting Prime Minister Cao's promotion to the rank and ceremony must be discussed in the long run, and there is no need to rush it. At this moment, how about this, the old man will go to check the tone of Jia Xu, Hua Xin and other famous people from outside, and see how their attitude is?"

"Now, I can only ask Dr. Dong to go and work hard." Sima Lang hurriedly picked up the jade cup and offered Dong Zhao a cup of green tea. Dong Zhao didn't refuse, took the jade cup, threw it away, and hurried away. Watching Dong Zhao's figure quickly disappear into the night outside the hall gate, Sima Lang stood quietly for a long while, and slowly let out a long breath, as if facing the void in front of him, he slowly said: "Unexpectedly, Prime Minister Cao This time I was promoted to the rank and ceremony, but I will encounter such resistance, what can I do? What can I do?"

As soon as he finished speaking, his second younger brother, Sima Yi, slowly walked out from behind the majestic screen, and stood on the side of the wooden couch, with his sleeves hanging down behind him. After the eldest brother's mood gradually calmed down, Sima Yi said bluntly: "Brother, Prime Minister Cao's promotion to the rank and gift is a critical moment for the survival of the Han Dynasty. All famous scholars and officials loyal to the Han Dynasty will try their best to obstruct this matter. How can the resistance we encounter not be great? All of this should have been within our expectations!"

"Sigh... Brother, why don't you know that there will be many obstacles and difficulties in advancing this matter?" Sima Lang frowned, shook his head, and sighed, "However, it is so difficult. Unexpected for my brother..." "That's right. This morning, my younger brother went to the Xun Mansion in person to speak to Xun Lingjun on behalf of elder brother and Dr. Dong..." Sima Yi's face was calm, "My younger brother has also done his best with Xun Lingjun! However, this fact It is the key to the survival of the Han Dynasty, even if Zhang Yi and Su Qin were reborn, it would be difficult to persuade Xun Lingjun and Yang Taiwei to lead the support of Prime Minister Cao and the Duke of Jin to add gifts."

Sima Lang suddenly turned his head back, with deep anger in his eyes: "Since that's the case, why do you insist on instigating your brother to present this 'reset Sangong, win over people's hearts, use your strength to be promoted, and go up to the next level'" A strategy? Aren’t you pushing Brother Wei and Prime Minister Cao rashly to confront the iron wall?” "Brother, there is nothing wrong with the strategy of 'resetting the three princes, winning over people's hearts, taking advantage of the power to advance to the next level'. The people of all parties know that in Xudu City today, it is the Central Plains that supports the foundation of the Han Dynasty. Four aristocratic families: one is Guanzhong Hongnong Yang family headed by Yang Taiwei; the other is Yingchuan Xun family headed by Xun Lingjun; the third is Shandong Wang family headed by Wang Situ; the fourth is Hanoi Sima headed by my brother Sima Facing Sima Lang's reproachful eyes, Sima Yi said eloquently, "Now Prime Minister Cao listened to my younger brother's plan and did not hesitate to divide his own power. He suggested on the spot to reset the 'Three Dukes' officials and use the position of Taiwei to win over the Yang family. He used the position of Sikong to win over the Xun family, the position of Situ to win over the Wang family, and then used the position of the prime minister's mansion, Dong Cao's family and other cronies to win over our Sima family, in exchange for our four great families. The prince of the state, the gift of the nine tins, is famous in the world with extraordinary rewards... If you look at it closely, you want to win people's hearts and take it for your own use, but if you look at it from a distance - it is actually eating away at the pillars of the Han Dynasty! Waiting for a plan, why not clever?" "Gao Miao is naturally Gao Miao—but it doesn't seem to be very effective!" Sima Lang turned his head, looked at the dark night outside the window with a sad face, and sighed deeply, "Second brother, you have also seen it, even if it has been thrown As a generous gift, Yang Taiwei and Wang Situ still expressed their unwillingness to support Prime Minister Cao, and Mr. Xun Ling had no room for accommodation... The rest of us, the Sima clan and Mr. Dong, are really helpless .” "Brother, don't worry, don't worry. In fact, we can 'plan ahead of the world's trends, seize the world's opportunities' and present this wonderful plan to Prime Minister Cao before other ministers and officials. It has been harvested." Sima Yi said calmly, and slowly took out three smooth white jade chess pieces from his chest, put them on the palm of his right hand, and stretched them out to Sima Lang's eyes, "Do you remember the summer of the thirteenth year of Jian'an?" Is it the chess game my father set up for us with these three white stones in the secret room, which symbolizes the general trend of the Cao family in Peijun? In the past three years, Cao Cao has defeated Ma Chao and Han Sui in Xiliang, and settled down The two prefectures of Guanzhong, Yongliang and Liangzhou have already reached the second step of his Cao family chess game in a solid manner. Possessing unworldly feats and holding the power of shaking the master, he followed the example of Wang Mang back then, ascended to the position of Duke Zhou, and then cut off all An alien, monopolizing the power of the world, laying a solid foundation for Cao Daihan in the future. His power has already expanded so much, if my Sima family doesn't see the opportunity to come forward to offer advice and persuade others, there will be others who will take the lead—at that time, it will be against me The great cause of the Sima family is at a disadvantage..." Sima Lang lowered his face, looked at the three white chess pieces in Sima Yi's hands quietly, and after a long silence, he said leisurely: "Second brother is right. Since Cao Cao has already taken this second step, our Sima family has indeed He could only follow his father's careful planning during his lifetime, adapt to the current situation in a timely manner, and try his best to help Cao Cao to be a gift to the Duke of Jin, so as to rise in step with him, and contribute to the founding of the Cao family in Peijun County, thus overwhelming the others and standing out from the crowd. So that we can better display the general strategy of 'emerge suddenly, strike late, and turn the world around'!" Sima Yi nodded slightly when he heard that, picked up the three white jade chess pieces with his fingers, and played with them casually, making them make a pleasant sound of tinkling and clinking, and said slowly: "Brother, you just need to understand this." "We can't just think about how to profit from Cao Cao." Sima Lang seemed to have realized something, and reminded him, "Cao Pi is also a key player in our Sima family's plan to 'emerge suddenly and turn the world around', second brother, you Don't let him relax." "Brother, don't worry. Cao Pi is now a confidant to my younger brother. It can be said that he is obedient. My younger brother is confident that he can control him freely!" "Now he is in adversity, and he wants to rely on us to help him seize the throne. Of course, he obeys our words, as if listening to Lun's voice; when he gets his wish and stands up for himself one day, he may not trust us. Added." Sima Lang let out a snort, and said angrily, "Look at the relationship between Cao Cao and Xun Lingjun..." "Brother—your analogy is a bit wrong." "Wrong? Where is it wrong?" "Cao Pi will never become Cao Cao, he will never stand up for himself on his own strength, and my Sima family will never be like Xun Lingjun, who only restrains others with kindness and morality and disdains Constrain the Cao family with deep plans." "How can you say that Xun Yu doesn't bother to use secret schemes to restrain the Cao family in Peijun? In fact, the loyalists of the Han family, headed by Yang Taiwei, Xun Lingjun, and Wang Situ, have long been fighting with the Cao family in Peijun! "Sima Lang glanced at Sima Yi, "Second brother, do you know that Prime Minister Cao has suggested that His Majesty appoint Xiahou Dun as the Great Inner Guard? And did you know that at the same time, Yang Taiwei and Xun Lingjun jointly presented and recommended Xun Lingjun's Master Jin Yi, the favorite student, served as Jing Zhaoyin of Xu Capital City? In this season, why did Xia Houdun become the Great Inner Guard? Why did Jin Yi become Jing Zhaoyin? Second brother, do you understand?" After hearing this, Sima Yi kept his mouth shut, with no expression on his face: Brother!How could I not know these two things you mentioned?Cao Cao appointed Xiahou Dun, his cousin of the same clan, as the Wei Wei, because he wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to eradicate the former Wei Wei Ma Teng to firmly control the palace, and monitor and coerce the emperor Liu Xie at the closest distance.But at the same time, Yang Biao and Xun Yu recommended their trusted disciple Jin Yi as Jing Zhaoyin, who is in charge of the military and political affairs of Xudu Gyeonggi, clearly defending and fighting against the Cao's army stationed in the palace from the front line. !Brother, you are right—Han and Cao have indeed launched life-and-death contests that cannot see the smoke of gunpowder in the invisible and silent!But what makes Sima Yi like it is that Xun Lingjun's actions are always well-organized, reasonable and upright, and he is upright-you Cao Mengde used Xiahou Dun to control Da Nei, and I, Xun Wenruo, should use Jin Yi to support the capital. You have the inside, I have the outside, it is to warn and check and balance you not to push you too far. "Hey! In my brother's opinion, sooner or later this big man will belong to the Cao family. Who can stop it at this time?" "Prime Minister Cao has strategy in mind and holds military power in his hands. I am afraid that Confucian civil servants such as Yang Taiwei and Xun Lingjun cannot compete." Sima Lang pondered for a long time before he murmured, "Ah! The Yang family in Guanzhong, the Xun family in Yingchuan After all, they are also family friends of the Sima family in Hanoi! Brother, I really can't bear to see anything happen to them..." "However, didn't Dong Zhuo, who was invincible in the past, also had a strategy in mind and held military power? In the end, he was still killed in the hands of a group of Confucian officials headed by Situ Wangyun." Sima Yi quietly looked at his elder brother, and said bluntly . "Prime Minister Cao is so talented and general, how can Dong Zhuo compare with it?" "Xun Lingjun's resourcefulness and resourcefulness are not comparable to that of the former Situ Wang Yun." "This……" "In my opinion, when the Han and Cao fight each other, it will be difficult to distinguish the superior for a while. And I, Sima, are the foreign aid that both sides must fight for. If I, Sima, secretly help the Han Dynasty, the Han Dynasty will win; if I, Sima If you secretly help the Cao family, the Cao family will win. At this moment, our Sima family is in a very delicate position." "Subtle? What's so subtle about it nowadays? Our Sima family has been so deeply involved in helping Prime Minister Cao to give gifts to Duke Jin, we have already decided to bet the future of our Sima family on the Cao family." The superior of the clan, advance and retreat with them, attack and defend together!" Sima Lang frowned, and said with some dejection, "Look, today's situation is really a dilemma! My brother wants to advance now, There are already many thorns ahead; if I want to retreat, I am afraid that I will bear the great trust of Prime Minister Cao. What's more, with the power of our Sima clan, we are forced to help Prime Minister Cao to give gifts to the Duke of Jin. For my brother, I feel powerless. There is no second brother. Brother, you are so talented... I knew this matter was so difficult, I really shouldn't have rashly offered advice to persuade you to come in this muddy water, and learn from Jia Xu, Zhong Yao, these "old tricks" and watch from the sidelines. it is good!" Sima Yi stood there, quietly watching the worry and regret on his elder brother's face, and didn't say a word, but the corners of his lips curled slightly, and a trace of disdain flashed in his eyes.After the eldest brother finished nagging, he said again, "Yes, today's situation is indeed a dilemma. But, I'm afraid our Sima family has no other way but to grit their teeth and move forward bravely. What do you think big brother?" "This... this..." Sima Lang froze for a moment. "Brother, please be more frank, younger brother Rong. Today's situation is not only a dilemma, but also riding a tiger!" Sima Yi said solemnly, "Although Dr. Dong is the only person who is jumping up and down outside and contacting all parties, we Sima It seems that the Sima family is still staying out of the matter, and has not been discovered by others for the time being. But paper cannot contain fire, and one day the government and the public will know that my Sima family is also the same party who promoted Prime Minister Cao and the Duke of Jin. At that time, we are There is really no turning back." "Oh, second brother—I'm also worried about this for my brother!" Sima Lang couldn't help hesitating and said after hearing this, "Actually, according to my brother's opinion, you can help Prime Minister Cao get promoted to a higher level by virtue of your strength." "Since the plan has been put forward to cater to Prime Minister Cao's wishes, the effect can be said to have been achieved. In the future, it is better to make progress when it is appropriate. For the time being, let's think slowly and take it easy, and act cautiously...if you can not get along with Yang and Xun If the three great clans, the Wang clan and the Shi family, are going to confront each other head-on, they must not confront each other head-on. Otherwise, the three big clans will vent all their pressure on my Sima family, and that will be troublesome. After intentionally framing Dr. Kong Rong, wouldn't you be attacked by the three great families? What's more, the relationship between our Sima family and the three great families is deeply intertwined. If we really want to confront each other head-on, we will lose both sides. Endgame!" "Brother is overthinking. Younger brother will naturally take care of all these things. However, since we can't confront them head-on, let's change to 'fight across the mountain'." Sima Yi said with a faint smile on his face, "Little brother still Adhering to such a view, it is precisely under such a precarious and difficult situation that our Sima family should seize this opportunity, sail against the current, face up to difficulties, create a unique prosperity, create unique achievements, and win Prime Minister Cao's greatest achievements in one fell swoop. satisfaction and trust!" "Second...Second brother!" Sima Lang thought he had misheard, and looked at Sima Yi in surprise. Going to Tiger Mountain! You still want to use the technique of 'Yang gives yin to take, first give and then take' to fuck Cao Mengde? He is not Cao Pi!" "Brother, sometimes we have to know that there are tigers in the mountains, and we prefer to go to the mountains! As the saying goes: 'If you break through dangers, you can be a master." In the world, the greater the danger, the greater the opportunity; the greater the difficulty If our Sima family can break through the difficulties and win the title of duke and the gift of nine tins for Prime Minister Cao, then Prime Minister Cao will definitely repay you.” The more Sima Yi said, the more excited he became, and at the end he was dancing , with a bright face, "As long as Cao Cao regards my younger brother as the second 'Guo Jia', I will have the opportunity to use my skills to secretly manipulate him! ——At that time, our Sima family will be the leader in this capital city! At the same time , It is also one step closer to the full realization of our Sima family's plan of 'emerge suddenly, strike late, and turn the world around'!" "Second Brother...Second Brother..." Sima Lang gave him a displeased look, "You have always been dignified and self-restraining, and you never overstepped the bounds, but today you are uttering wild words again and again, you are too conceited!" Hearing Sima Lang's words, Sima Yi's expression darkened immediately, and the arrogance and wildness on his face disappeared in an instant, and his whole person was as cold and calm as a bronze statue in an instant. He bowed deeply to Sima Lang, and slowly said: "Brother taught you the right thing. The younger brother lost his composure for a while, which really violated the sage's doctrine of the mean, and made the elder brother laugh—but, about promoting Prime Minister Cao to be a gift to Duke Jin Regarding the matter, I already have a strategy in my mind, I am afraid that it is a little shallow, and it will inevitably make people laugh when I say it." "Second brother, you can't show emotions, anger, sorrow, and joy, and your words and demeanor are calm and moderate, which makes it impossible to see. This is the cultivation of the great sages. I believe that with the patience and perseverance of the second brother, future achievements in this area will be greatly improved. His accomplishments must be extraordinary." Seeing Sima Yi's ability to control his expression and state of mind in an instant, Sima Lang was also secretly amazed in his heart, and said in a deep voice, "What's your plan? Let me tell you about it. " "Originally, Dr. Dong and the others wanted to unite with the famous scholars and officials in Xu Capital City to promote Prime Minister Cao as a gift to the Duke of Jin. In order to maintain the balance of the court, Yang Taiwei, Xun Lingjun, and Wang Situ will do everything possible to obstruct it, so that Dr. Dong and others cannot succeed. Therefore, this best strategy has become a theory on paper. It's useless any more." "We have all seen this." Sima Lang shook his head slightly and sighed softly, "It is because of this that we have come to such a difficult situation!" "Actually, we can get out of the small circle of Xu Capital City, and think about how to push Prime Minister Cao to be a gift to the Duke of Jin. In my opinion, we don't have to focus all our attention on the group of famous scholars and officials in Xu Capital City. body." Sima Yi said calmly, "Brother, you can imagine that in the Central Plains, there are a total of 48 states and counties in total, governing 1.3 million households. What an astonishing situation it will be if all the scholars and civilians in the country join together to present Prime Minister Cao as a gift to Duke Jin?" "Hmm... let the prefects and governors of the forty-eight prefectures and counties of the Central Plains, on behalf of the scholars and people under their rule, first join forces to promote Prime Minister Cao?" Sima Lang was stunned for a moment when he heard that, and then he showed ecstasy and clenched his hands tightly. Waving his fists again and again, he murmured, "Yes! Yes! Yes! First, let's start with Sifang Prefecture's highlighting the ceremony of Prime Minister Cao's gift to the Duke of Jin, and then we will contact a group of famous scholars and officials in Xudu to echo each other. In one fell swoop, the lifeless situation in the court was broken...Second brother, your plan is really clever and brilliant!" Seeing that Sima Lang lost his composure with excitement for a moment, Sima Yi just stood quietly, his face remained calm, and his eyes were as deep as the sea. While Sima Lang was praising him, his thoughts suddenly moved, he couldn't help frowning slightly, and asked Sima Yi: "By the way, the prefects and governors of the Sifang Prefectures seem to have complicated backgrounds. Who can persuade them to join hands in unison?" What about Shangzuo pushing Prime Minister Cao?" "Brother, please don't worry about this. The younger brother has been working as a member of Dongcao for some time, and he has gradually seen some clues." Sima Yi replied calmly, "Cao Cheng is the center of the imperial court in Xu's capital city. It is indeed difficult to control the famous scholars and officials of the Han Dynasty in the country, and it is even more difficult to parry the power of clearing up against them, but he has always held the right to appoint the governors of Sifang Prefectures and counties, and has never failed. Forty-eight states in the Central Plains Among the county governors and prefects, in all likelihood, Prime Minister Cao carefully selected his trusted relatives, retainers, and family generals and released them. Therefore, we must persuade them to represent the people under his rule. Shang Zou recommended Prime Minister Cao, as the younger brother of the Eastern Cao family, I still have a certain degree of self-confidence." "Oh... Are these prefects and governors really most of Prime Minister Cao's cronies and buddies? Are they really reliable at this critical juncture of the Han-Cao struggle?" Sima Lang pondered for a while, but still couldn't help but The doubts in my heart were thrown out, "If Xun Lingjun uses his prestige and virtue as a model of Confucianism and hundreds of officials to influence them, they will not guarantee that they will not stay silent! Xun Lingjun is really too difficult to deal with..." "Brother is very worried. If Mr. Xun Ling came to Sifang Prefecture to lobby them in person, we would be helpless." Sima Yi nodded with a serious expression, "However, if Mr. Xun Ling can't come forward in person and just use a letter to lobby them, The younger brother is confident that he can still compete with him with his eloquence. However, don’t worry, elder brother. At this moment, Mr. Xun Ling is helpless, so he can only sit in Xudu as the most important thing, and he is beyond the reach of Sifang Prefectures and counties. As long as the younger brother personally Go out, don't be afraid that those eunuchs and governors will obediently submit their watches." "Well... Listen to what you said, are you determined to go out and lobby these prefects and governors in person?" Sima Lang was stunned, "Second brother, since Mr. Xun Ling is incapable of doing so, he can't come forward to lobby the prefects and governors of various states and counties. It doesn’t matter whoever we send to persuade them. For such a matter, let me send Dr. Dong to do it!” "Impossible! Brother! Lobbying the prefects of Sifang prefectures and the governors to jointly promote and replace Prime Minister Cao is really an extraordinary feat. How can you do it by others?" Sima Yi hurriedly waved his hands to persuade Sima Lang, "I am Sima As long as you can accomplish things by yourself, you don’t need to rely too much on the strength of others. Remember, remember, you can only enjoy the great achievements if you can plan and accomplish things!"