Chapter 40 6. Sima Yi was manipulated by Cao Cao

"Thump, thump, thump..." A burst of crisp footsteps pierced the silence in Baiyu Hall. Dong Zhao and Sima Yi carefully stepped on the mirror-like floor, walking along a long and narrow corridor formed by layers of yellow curtains. Standing bowed on the left side of the black jade table in front of Cao Cao. Cao Cao watched them approaching from a distance quietly, his face sinking like water.He slowly stood up from the red sandalwood couch, walked around the black jade table, walked slowly in front of Dong Zhao and Sima Yi, stopped suddenly, and said solemnly: "Dr. The real prime minister, the Duke of Jin, added a gift, so how can the real prime minister be worthy of it?"

Dong Zhao knew that Cao Cao was pretending to be humble at this moment to show his integrity, so he hurriedly played solemnly: "The prime minister has great merits, but he always retreats modestly and defends himself, and he will not accept his resignation, which makes the court bear the name of 'treating meritorious officials lightly'. For the sake of the world, the ministers and others jointly recommended Dai to present you as a gift to Duke Jin, in order to highlight the great achievements of the Prime Minister, and inspire the people of the world to admire and follow! Also, the Prime Minister, please obey the sky and do your part."

"Alas..." Cao Cao looked very reluctant, frowned, raised his robe sleeves, stretched out his hand and waved it, then shook his head and said, "No matter how much Dr. Dong and your lords respect the truth, The truth will always be rejected. However, the sincerity of Dr. Dong and your lords is appreciated by the truth. The truth has already drawn up the memorandum in person, and I ask the court to make you Marquis of Qianqiu Pavilion. " "Thank you, Prime Minister! Thank you, Prime Minister!" Dong Zhao was overjoyed at first when he heard it, but after thinking about it in his heart, he had to calm down and said slowly, "Dong thinks that your memorandum is not appropriate at this time. Played to the imperial court. As long as the prime minister can think of Dong's loyalty, Dong will be very satisfied. Dong has nothing else to think about in this life, but to repay the prime minister with all his heart, and wholeheartedly help the prime minister to build the world Albert!"

After hearing this, Cao Cao smiled lightly, and said leisurely: "Dr. Dong said that to avoid suspicion! It's also the truth out of sincerity. I wanted to make you Marquis of Qianqiu Ting, but I was afraid that someone in the court would say something nonsense." The state’s public treasures are given and received privately’. But don’t worry—the title of Marquis of Qianqiuting, if the truth is given to you, it will definitely be given to you. You can take office in about a month or so!” Dong Zhao hurriedly prostrated himself on the ground, thanking him very much. Sima Yi was listening, and saw that Cao Cao's way of rewarding Dong Zhao was really immediate and impressive.When he was bowing his head and thinking secretly, when he raised his eyes, he realized that Cao Cao had already stood in front of him.

"Sima Zhongda, you are worthy of being the 'holy official' of the truth! Observe the wind and inspect the inspections, agitate the turbid and promote the clean; force and kill the cruel officials, stabilize Nanyang; write a letter, be loyal to the country... the truth also really appreciates you .Just yesterday, your immediate boss, Dong Caoxuan Cui Yan wrote a letter praising you as 'smart and wise, just broke Yingte', recommending you to take over his position." Cao Cao stared quietly at him with an inexplicable smile. Staring at him, the expression on his face was extremely complicated, "However, it was also yesterday that I received several memorials on the desk of the truth, telling you that you are on the way to watch the wind and inspect the various states and counties. With the prefects and governors of various counties, 'connected privately, concealed secrets, and the traces seem to be wrong'... After the truth is verified, you will be severely punished!"

His words were like a series of thunderbolts exploding on Sima Yi's head!Even if Sima Yi was so courageous, his heart couldn't help but jump up violently!He bowed his head slightly, his face turned blue and white, becoming really ugly. However, although he was flustered in his heart, the thinking in his head was running nervously without delay.It seems that I gave them thousands of instructions in various states and counties, telling them to keep their mouths tight and not to reveal their secrets lightly, but after all, I still couldn't completely cover them up.It was never expected that some of them would turn their backs on both sides, and let out the fact that they were in cahoots to push Prime Minister Cao.Once this matter is exposed, I'm afraid that I will inevitably be accused of "secretly communicating with states and counties, contradicting public affairs and private interests".Then, as long as there are people in the Han Dynasty who insist on clinging to it and want to make a big fuss about it, it is even more difficult for me to escape being tracked down.Maybe Prime Minister Cao would immediately turn his face and push himself out as a scapegoat in order to disentangle the relationship between this matter, or to prove that he had nothing to do with this matter.

These thoughts flashed across Sima Yi's heart like lightning bolts.He secretly sighed, at that time he was still in a hurry to get things done, so he took the risk to make every county prefect and governor face-to-face to push Prime Minister Cao.In this way, there are so many people talking, how can we prevent each of them from keeping their mouths shut?After all, I am still not rigorous enough!Thinking of this, Sima Yi's mind was firm, he stabilized his mood, and his reason gradually became clear.This time, I privately linked up with Taizong and governors of various counties to jointly promote Prime Minister Cao. How can the Duke of Jin allow people in the Han family to make irresponsible remarks on this matter?I'm afraid that he can't avoid it at this moment, and he can only resolve this crisis for himself.If so, then you can be safe and sound.It seems that I was a little too worried just now.

Cao Cao looked at him coldly, seeing that he panicked for a while, but then became calm again in a short while, so he couldn't help admiring secretly, but then asked him calmly: "Sima Zhongda, what else do you have to say at this moment?" But seeing Sima Yi raised his eyebrows and looked up at him, without any fear in his eyes, he said quietly: "Master Prime Minister, my subordinates are on the way to observe the wind and inspection in various states and counties." "Looking wrong" is absolutely nothing! These words are purely false accusations. The only thing this subordinate did was to bring back some memorials to the court for them. Now that this subordinate has been framed by others, it is difficult to explain it for a while. I also hope that the prime minister will uphold justice. The subordinates only know that the Sima family has been greatly favored by the prime minister, and they can only repay it by smashing their bodies into pieces. Life is a prime minister, and death is a prime minister. Genuine, lonely and loyal, you can learn from the sun and the moon!"

Dong Zhao heard Sima Yi speak so earnestly, and was worried that the city gate would catch fire and the fish in the pond would be affected. In case he checked him too harshly, he would not be able to get rid of the responsibility, so he couldn't help saying: "Mr. Prime Minister... Sima Jun is Mr. Prime Minister's Qianqiu Weiye can be said to have worked hard and spared no effort. If such a loyal and loyal subordinate like him is still inevitably framed by villains, I am afraid that all the loyal servants in the prime minister's mansion who are loyal to you will be a little bit chilled when they see it..."

Hearing that Dong Zhao also stood up to intercede for Sima Yi, Cao Cao calmed down a little, and said to Sima Yi in a deep voice: "Actually, what did you do in private when you went to Sifang prefectures and counties to inspect the wind this time? You know it well. This matter was caused by your greed for merit, and has nothing to do with the truth, and the truth has no responsibility for you to defend it. If you dare to do it, you should dare to do it! This will not let you People have underestimated you! You also know that any lord will not tolerate the behavior of his subordinates who "connect with each other privately, conceal people's secrets, and appear to be inappropriate". If your subordinates in Sima's mansion also do this behind your back He came back after a shocking incident, no matter what intentions he has, I'm afraid you won't "listen to it indifferently"! He is so proud of his talent that he has taken care of everything about his lord It’s over. If things go on like this, it’s okay? So, according to their report, you should be severely punished—”

When Sima Yi heard this, his heart jumped in his throat, hanging so high that he almost blurted out.His palms were wet with cold sweat. "However, after you returned to the capital after the inspection, you handed in another form on the construction of military settlements to raise troops and stabilize the country. The foresight and sagacity in it made me appreciate it!" Cao Cao paused, his face full of sternness His spirit was completely restrained, "So, your 'connecting privately, concealing people's secrets, and seeming to be wrong' is a fault, and you should be punished; and your 'reviewing elegant words, picking up the wind and choosing the best, and being old enough to seek the country' is a merit. , You should be rewarded again. The merits and demerits are balanced, and the rewards and punishments are equal. The truth will not let others catch you and check you. You can rest assured!" When Sima Yi heard this, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief, hurriedly kowtowed his head loudly, and thanked repeatedly: "My subordinate is very grateful for the kindness of not punishing the prime minister." Dong Zhao praised deeply from the side: "The prime minister's action is righteous and benevolent, and we are really convinced, and there is no objection." Cao Cao raised his eyebrows, his face turned cold, and he said solemnly to Sima Yi: "However, you can no longer be a member of Dongcao. Right now, the imperial court has adopted your suggestion of building a military station to raise troops and stabilize the country. Jizhou and other places where the camps are stationed should open up more than 200,000 hectares of military farmland as soon as possible. It is time to use your strengths. The prime minister appoints you as Duzhi Zhonglang General, and the rank is also two thousand stones. Assist the five senses Zhonglang General Cao Pi Do a good job with the military settlement. What do you think?" "The prime minister loves and supports his subordinates so much. I am grateful." Sima Yi knelt down on the cold white jade floor and replied humbly.When he raised his eyes just now, he saw the inexplicable smile on the brow of Cao Cao.In an instant, his heart seemed to be slashed by an invisible sharp knife, and a trace of indescribable pain came up silently.Cao Cao was not fully accepted by Cao Cao for his dedication and loyalty, regardless of gains and losses, and daring to venture into dangerous paths for the sake of Cao Cao's Duke of Jin.When he was bluffing, suppressing, and bluffing just now, he had already implicitly played with himself in the palm of his hand, trying to make himself awed and surrendered to him.This feeling of being deeply fooled made Sima Yi very uncomfortable.But no matter how dissatisfied and unhappy he was at the moment, he had no choice but to swallow it silently, as if nothing had happened, and still worshiped Cao Cao and obeyed his orders. When Cao Cao saw this, he nodded in satisfaction, but ignored him, and said to Dong Zhao: "Dr. Dong and all the lords have joined forces to present the ceremony to present the prime minister, Duke Jin, as a gift. It seems that the timing of the choice is a bit unlucky. ! Truth is about to lead his army to conquer Sun Quan in the next month. In this month, I am afraid that this matter will be difficult for a while, so should we wait for Truth to return from the Eastern Conquest?" "This... When the prime minister thinks it is appropriate to perform a joint performance, the old man and other adults can jointly perform a joint performance!" Dong Zhaoben is an old cunning man who has no idea, and when he heard Cao Cao's question, he bowed down and humbly Shun replied incomparably, "The old man obeys the command of the Prime Minister in all his actions." When Cao Cao heard this, he frowned and couldn't help thinking deeply. Sima Yi didn't want to say any more, but held back for a long time, finally couldn't bear it anymore, secretly gritted his teeth, bowed his body and said: "Master Prime Minister, I have something to say!" "Tell me!" Cao Cao's eyes flashed, he stared at him deeply, stroked his beard, and nodded solemnly. "Prime Minister, in the opinion of my subordinates, it is the best time to ask Dr. Dong and other lords to jointly promote you as the Duke of Jin as a gift!" Sima Yi said emotionally, "In this way, we can let the court All the traitors at home and abroad who have double-mindedness towards the Prime Minister showed their feet in advance and took the opportunity to take precautions. Anyway, this storm will come sooner or later, and it is better to come sooner than later! This matter cannot be delayed any longer!" When Sima Yi said this, it seemed that he had a deep understanding of Cao Cao's current situation.Cao Cao thought for a moment, and couldn't help but nodded slightly, but seeing Dong Zhao opened his mouth to speak, he asked him, "Does Doctor Dong have any objections?" "What Mr. Sima said is true, and the old man has no objection." Dong Zhao said anxiously, "It's just that Mr. Xun Ling is still unwilling to take the lead and support Mr. Prime Minister at this time...Mr. It will do a lot of work! If Xun Lingjun leads and presides over this joint promotion, it will be perfect!" "On this point, Dr. Dong is over-concerned. The truth has already sent Zhi'er and Zhang'er to persuade him to accept the reward of the Marquis of Ten Thousand Households and the position of Sikong. He also decided to betroth his daughter Cao Rong to Xun Yun of his family to live with him. The Xun family became good friends of Qin and Jin." Cao Cao said with a slight smile on his face, "Besides, when the Prime Minister is going to challenge Sun Quan in the East, he will take Xun Yun and Xun You, the nephew of Xun Lingjun, to the expedition together with the heroes of the Xun family. Fight side by side, eradicate the Jiangdong bandits, and build an incomparable miracle together!" "The Prime Minister is so gracious to the Xunmen, so Xunlingjun will naturally understand 'reciprocity'." After Dong Zhao heard this, Xinxin smiled, "Since this is the case, I will contact Xunlingjun later to lead the performance." When Sima Yi heard Cao Cao's words, his heart moved secretly.The prime minister actually wants to take Xun Yun and Xun You to fight against Sun Quan?Where is he in the Youli Xun clan?This is obviously to keep Xun Yu's relatives by his side as hostages, making Xun Yu be cautious and not dare to act rashly in Xudu.Cao Cao is really scheming and deceitful, making it hard to guard against.When I was working under him, I had to be careful all the time and everywhere... Sima Yi sighed deeply, bowed down, and didn't want to say anything more.