Chapter 45 1. Sima Yi's layout

In the eighteenth year of Jian'an (213 A.D.), Cao Cao was enfeoffed as the Duke of Wei, and at the same time received the imperial edict to enjoy the gift of nine tins, and owned ten counties in Jizhou. Although the current Central Plains is still in a state of separatist regimes, and the orders of the emperor of the Han Dynasty have long been difficult to get out of the capital, but the news about Prime Minister Cao Jingong's ceremony quickly spread throughout the north and south of the river, inside and outside the Great Wall.However, whether it was Sun Quan, who supported Jiangdong to dominate one side, or Liu Bei, who was dormant in Western Shu and watched covetously, they all unexpectedly expressed unanimous silence on this incident.In fact, apart from keeping silent, what can they do with Cao Cao?Cao Cao's unscrupulous promotion of fame and power, it is expected that the two of them will be powerless to oppose it.Moreover, his edict of appointment was issued by the Han Emperor Liu Xie, who at least formally represented the respect of the emperor and the hope of all people. Regarding this, Sun Quan and Liu Bei dared to say nothing besides scoffing in their hearts. ?They wouldn't be so stupid as to jump out and openly confront the court's will.

Since even Sun Quan and Liu Bei, the "giants" of the two local forces, have no objections, then Cao Cao's promotion will naturally not cause much disturbance in various states and counties, and everything will slowly disappear in silence.However, in the power center of the Han court where Cao Cao himself was located, a silent "earthquake" has affected every prince, general, civil and military bureaucrat.The officials of the Han Dynasty knew very well that according to the laws and etiquette of the Han Dynasty, no matter how outstanding their meritorious service, officials with different surnames could only be conferred marquises. The founding minister of Deng Yu who made great contributions to the world in this dynasty is nothing more than a marquis with only four counties.In the nearly 400-year history of the Han Dynasty, only one minister with a different surname was made a duke, and he was Wang Mang, the "Duke An Han" who usurped the throne of the emperor.And Cao Cao was the second powerful minister to be named Duke after Wang Mang.The meaning of this is naturally obvious.He is laying a solid foundation for himself to change the dynasty and usurp the Han Dynasty.

Now, Cao Cao's ambitions have been revealed to the world, and the first question facing the officials of the Han Dynasty is how to choose their future whereabouts. Should they continue to stay and serve the Emperor Han in this precarious little court?Or turn around and turn to the prime minister's mansion to serve Cao Cao?On the surface, the various mansions are calm and silent, but in the dark, people's hearts are floating and buzzing. Sima Yi, the head of the prime minister's mansion, was a little different, he didn't hesitate on this issue.He didn't need to linger on this question at all.The fate of the Sima family in Hanoi has long been closely linked with the fate of the Cao family in Peijun.In the summer of the thirteenth year of Jian'an, when Cao Cao abolished the "Three Dukes" and monopolized the prime minister, Sima Yi's father, Sima Fang, took the lead among the major families in the Central Plains to express congratulations and obedience to Cao Cao; Enjoying the gift of Jiuxi, the behind-the-scenes cannot do without the full support of Sima Lang and Sima Yi brothers.The Sima family and the Cao family have already formed a community of interests in which "I am in you, and you are in me, all prosper, and all suffer".

Therefore, while others were still considering whether or not they should take refuge in Cao Cao, Sima Yi had already set his sights on the deeper and farther future.What he is most concerned about at the moment is nothing else, but that the moment has come to the critical moment when Cao Pi, the eldest son of the Cao family, should be promoted to the position of son of the world to determine his name.As long as Cao Pi is established as the son of Wei, then our Sima family's plan to "emerge from a sudden force, catch up from behind, and turn the world around" can be regarded as half the success.After all, the Han Dynasty has long existed in name only, and Cao's power is also invincible in the world. It is only a matter of time before the dynasty changes.And the son of Wei State is the future monarch of this world.Whoever controls the eldest son of Wei State will control the entire world in the future.Regarding this point, Sima Yi had seen it clearly many years ago, and he was undoubtedly wrong.

Outside the window, the night is as dark as a curtain; inside, a candle is like a bean.Sima Yi was in this study, propping his head on the table and meditating for a long, long time. More than half a year ago, that is, in the seventeenth year of Jian'an last year, the Sima family's plan to "emerge suddenly, attack later, and turn the world around" suffered several setbacks.One is that in October last year, Sima Hui, Sima Yi's uncle, suddenly fell ill and died in Qingyun Temple on the outskirts of the city; On the way to conquer Sun Quan with the generals, they were infected with the epidemic and died of the disease.

The successive deaths of Sima Hui and Sima Lang greatly stimulated Sima Yi.In the winter of the thirteenth year of Jian'an, the "Blood Yin Gu" epidemic released by Sima Yi on the eve of the Battle of Chibi to weaken the combat power of Cao Jun's navy is now "heavenly repayment", and the descendants of Sima's family have finally suffered retribution.From then on, Sima Yi made up his mind to quit using this vicious means of anger and hatred to win any victory, even if it had miraculous effects. Now, the Sima family's great cause almost completely fell on his shoulders alone.But Sima Yi gradually felt a deep crisis.Cao Cao's attitude towards his appointment is still so lukewarm, neither far nor near, neither serious nor important. It seems that in his hands, he will not give himself much room for development.Then, I can only bury my head and concentrate on pushing Cao Pi, who has a close relationship with my Sima family, to the position of son of the world.This is my Sima family's slanted move to survive the desperate situation and set the tide again.Therefore, I have to constantly plan and make careful trade-offs.

Thinking of this, Sima Yi let out a long sigh, and cast his eyes on the chess game on the table.On it, Bai Zi and Hei Zi are fighting each other - the side of Hei Zi represents the eldest son Cao Pi, and the side of Bai Zi represents the third son Cao Zhi.In fact, the battle for succession in Duke Wei's mansion now is, to put it bluntly, between the two of them.In comparison, Cao Pi, as the eldest son, is naturally superior according to the patriarchal principle of "establishing the elders but not the young" since ancient times.However, Cao Cao has always admired Cao Zhi very much, and he was full of praise for his literary talent. He once said that Cao Zhi "is the most able to decide big things together among all the children".From this point of view, Cao Cao's love for Cao Zhi is slightly better, and he is more inclined to make Cao Zhi his heir in terms of personal feelings.Therefore, the possibility of Cao Zhi's success in establishing an heir is no less than that of Cao Pi.Moreover, within the Cao family, not only Cao Hong, Cao Ren and other uncles were optimistic about Cao Zhi, but Cao Zhang, Cao Biao and other peers also had a closer relationship with Cao Zhi-as Cao Pi, the eldest son of the prime minister, seemed a little isolated.Therefore, Cao Pi is obviously at a disadvantage in this battle for establishing an heir.

"Husband...you have been contemplating behind closed doors for an afternoon here..." Zhang Chunhua's clear and gentle voice was like a cool breeze blowing in a midsummer night, "Come on, drink some lotus seed porridge first, and take a rest! " Sima Yi slowly moved his eyes away from the black and white chess game: "Alas...the external affairs are so worrying, and the husband is really anxious..." "Is it still about setting up an heir for the Wei Palace?" Zhang Chunhua glanced at the chess game and asked softly. Sima Yi didn't respond, but nodded heavily.

"Husband, do you remember that we have already had an 'inside line' with Prime Minister Cao's concubine Mrs. Wang? I am afraid it is time to use her relationship." After hearing this, the light in Sima Yi's eyes flickered, and it was fleeting: "Well...it's natural to use her relationship. But just by her seduction from the sidelines, she wants to really influence the generation of the hero Cao Mengde. I'm afraid it's a bit difficult to make a decision..." "Of course she can't really influence Prime Minister Cao's mind. However, she can give us a tip-off, so that we can know ourselves and the enemy in time in this battle for succession, and be prepared." Zhang Chunhua picked up a slender silver spoon and tapped it in the porridge bowl Gently stirring, the steaming white air clouded her bright eyes, "Actually, what I am most worried about is that we haven't been able to put any really useful eyeliner by the side of the third son Cao Zhi for the time being..."

"As long as you work hard, you won't be afraid of failure." Sima Yi bent his right middle two fingers with a serious face, and tapped a few times on the thick and shiny red sandalwood chessboard, "" Take your time, find the right opportunity, and you can always get in." "Okay. Start big things, no matter what your future is, husband, you are always so confident--I really admire this point." Zhang Chunhua smiled and nodded slightly, his eyes flickered for a moment, as if thinking of something , After pondering for a while, he began to speak carefully, "Husband, let me say something to refresh your mind. Recently, I heard some anecdotes from some slaves bought in Jizhou, which are very interesting... "

"An anecdote?" Knowing that Zhang Chunhua never talked nonsense, Sima Yi asked her with a smile, "Which anecdote is it?" "My concubine has a servant from Yecheng, Jizhou, who used to be the personal maid of the late General Yuan Shao's wife Liu Shi. She told my concubine some anecdotes about the Yuan family in Runan." Zhang Chunhua slowly adjusted Finished the lotus seed porridge in the red lacquered wooden bowl, scooped up a spoonful and put it into Sima Yi's mouth, with a sweet smile, "One of them is about how the Yuan family in Runan tried every means to manage their "four generations and three princes" family. In its heyday..." "Oh? How did the century-old family of the Yuan family in Runan manage their business? Let me tell you about it." "Speaking of it in detail, the management methods of the Yuan family in Runan are really not on the table. You also know, my husband. Originally, in the last years of Emperor Huan, the Confucian Qingliu faction and the eunuchs and eunuchs were in conflict with each other. Compatibility, then the Yuan family in Runan can be regarded as a distinguished family with a long history. You didn't expect that such a high-sounding Qingliu family, driven by the selfish desire to secure power and run a family, Yuan Shao's uncles, Yuan Feng and Yuan Kai, would not hesitate to compete with each other in order to curry favor with Yuan She, the then powerful eunuch and Zhongchang servant. Clan him with the same surname..." "People are greedy for profit, so why not do it?" Sima Yi smiled and shook his head, "I expected them to act like this back then." Zhang Chunhua put down the silver spoon suddenly, and his tone suddenly increased: "You never imagined that they have such a 'unique trick'. Yuan Feng, who was Sikong at the time, was always victorious and undefeated in order to obtain the right and left in the battle between the court and the court. , actually sent a concubine born to his concubine to the palace, worshiped Yuan She as his adoptive father, and became the little Huangmen who spied on the deep palace for them! Husband, the Yuan family in Runan This is how Shisangong's century-old family was managed!" Before she finished speaking, Sima Yi's face was already stiff and stern.In fact, he also heard from his father in the early years: Cao Cao's father, Cao Song, also worshiped Cao Teng, the great eunuch of the same county and clan, as his foster father, and then he became a Taiwei.But the Cao family is so flattering and eunuch, but I have never heard that Cao Song put any of Cao Cao's brothers into the palace as "insiders"-it seems that the Yuan family in Runan is better than the Cao family in Peijun shameless thing. There was a sudden silence in the study room, so quiet that only the soft rustle of Sima Yi's clothes trembling due to his agitated mood could be heard! After a long time, he calmed down, regained his composure, raised his head and looked at Zhang Chunhua squarely: "Chunhua, you tell these anecdotes, it seems that there is something in your words! Sacrifice one of the parents and children to protect the family's integrity. Prosperous and prosperous, although the methods of the Yuan family in Runan are disgusting, they are very effective. However, in the current battle of the Wei Palace, it seems that my Sima family does not need to take that step like them. Bar?" Zhang Chunhua didn't avoid the sharp gaze he was looking straight at him, and said quietly, "husband, do you know what Shu Da (Sima Fu's name Shu Da) is up to lately? As far as I know, Shu Da is now It seems that he is already a regular visitor of the third son Cao Zhi's house. In the past month, Cao Zhi has had more meetings and gatherings with him than you, the second brother." "Shu Da? You mean to use Shu Da to be my Sima family's spy on Cao Zhi?" Sima Yi realized it immediately, but shook his head immediately, "No! No! The third brother's character is not clear about his husband? He is so Candid and frank, where is the material for deep plots and intrigues? When my father was alive, we didn't let the third brother participate in this grand plan of "emerging suddenly, attacking later, turning the world around". Now we rashly pull I'm afraid it's not right for him to come in..." "Husband—it is the safest and most prudent way for him to be intimate with Cao Zhi from the very beginning! It's okay to keep our Sima family's big plan from him for the time being!" Zhang Chunhua said, "As long as he has a relationship with Cao Zhi Always keep it by Cao Zhi's side, and if there is a suitable opportunity in the future, it will definitely come in handy." "But... But if your husband wants to use Shu Da in the future, how can he say those things that make him cheat?" Sima Yi looked at Zhang Chunhua, the "brain trust" of the female middle school, with a hesitant expression.In fact, he has always been caring and caring towards his own younger brother - he also doesn't want to destroy his image of an upright older brother in front of Sima Fu. "This is easy." Zhang Chunhua said while contemplating, "Although Shu Da is straightforward, he has always had a strong sense of family and family. At that time, husband, you can use it to protect the long-term interests of our century-old Sima family. Reasons to convince him, impress him..." After hearing this, Sima Yi lowered his head and thought for a long while without saying a word. Seeing this, Zhang Chunhua didn't say much anymore, he tidied up the porridge bowls and silver spoons, and got up and retreated like a civet cat. As soon as she walked to the door frame, Sima Yi spoke behind her back: "The maidservant who told you the anecdote about the Yuan family in Runan cannot be retained—a slaveservant who talks nonsense about her lord's rights and wrongs in front of others must not be retained! " "Okay. The concubine will send her out of the house tomorrow." Zhang Chunhua didn't look back, and walked away after answering. After she went out, Sima Yi sighed deeply, looked up at the high roof of the study, gritted his teeth secretly, coughed lightly, called Sima Yin, the personal servant who was guarding the door, and said, "Go Call the third master and say that I have something important to discuss." Not long after, his third younger brother Sima Fu was summoned.Sima Yin sent him into the study, then retreated very consciously, closing the door behind him.Indoors, only his two brothers were left. Sima Yi raised his head from the desk, looked at the third brother quietly, without saying a word.Sima Fu was recently promoted to the Xicao subordinate of the prime minister's mansion, in charge of the financial expenditure affairs of the prime minister's mansion, and he can be regarded as one of the real power figures in the mansion.However, he never showed a hint of arrogance and complacency on his face. He still maintained a modest and gentlemanly demeanor in the public, and he would discuss and solve problems with his colleagues without any self-professional behavior.This series of performances made Sima Yi very satisfied with his third brother.Dealing in the officialdom is to learn to self-regulate the emotions in your heart.Don't be happy with things, don't be sad with yourself, don't lose color when angry, and don't change your face when you are happy, this is the cultivation that a famous person in a family should have. Seeing his second brother's serious face, Sima Fu didn't dare to say anything, but just stood there in awe, waiting silently for him to speak.After a long time, Sima Yi stood up, walked slowly to the door, and said to Sima Yin who was guarding outside through the door: "You go to the front door and guard, and no one comes in to disturb you without my order." Sima Yin agreed. With a sound, only the sound of footsteps can be heard, and he rushed to the front door. Sima Yi heard the sound of his footsteps walking away, so he turned around, pacing with his hands behind his back, and walked slowly to Sima Fu's side, but he still didn't speak, just let out a long and long sigh.Sima Fu heard the second brother's sigh, which seemed to be infinitely desolate. For some reason, his heart felt sore, and he couldn't help asking: "Second brother is fine on weekdays, why is he sighing tonight? Could there be something in his heart? Unpleasant matter? Tell me about it for the younger brother to listen to, so that I can resolve it for the second brother." Sima Yi sat back in front of the book case, remained silent, and after a long while, said slowly: "Third brother, do you think our Sima family has been in trouble recently? How is the situation? Don't be restrained, and speak your mind." Sima Fu didn't know why his second brother asked such a question, and for a moment he didn't know how to answer it.The Sima family has been passed down for thirteen generations since its distant ancestor made great contributions in the time of King Xuan of Zhou in the Eastern Zhou Dynasty and was named a powerful family.Sima Fu's great-grandfather, Sima Jun, served as the general of Han Zhengxi.In the eyes of outsiders, the Sima family really produced a large number of talented people and flourished from generation to generation, which is amazing and enviable.But Sima Fu also knows that in this world of war and strife, the heroes of the world are springing up like mushrooms after a spring rain, and the phenomenon of "becoming a farmer in the morning and going to the Tianzitang in the evening" is also emerging endlessly. .The glory of the Sima family will inevitably be challenged by these poor elites, and the prospects are not very optimistic.At present, fortunately, the second brother and I are strongly supporting them. Although the interests of the family will not decline, it is inevitable that they will feel powerless if they want to realize the Sima family's "improvement".When he thought about it carefully, he felt heavy and hesitated to answer. Sima Yi saw that his words aroused the family's sense of urgency that had been dormant in the third brother's heart for a long time, so he said: "In the eyes of outsiders, my Sima family has a great reputation, and you are in the position of the Xi Cao family in the prime minister's mansion. The position of the head of the prime minister's mansion seems to have become a big celebrity around the prime minister. If you want the wind, you can get the rain. But you and I both know that since the death of the elder brother, except for Xun You, Cui Yan, and Mao Jie in the court Besides taking care of us all the time, it is not an exaggeration to describe our Sima family with the words 'the world is hot and cold, and the door is empty'...Third brother, no matter how you say it, you can't let the century-old Sima family in Hanoi be with you and me You've lost your hands!" Before he could finish speaking, Sima Yi couldn't help tears welling up in his eyes, his voice was choked up, and he could hardly continue.The eldest brother Sima Yi mentioned was Sima Lang, who was the head of Cao Cao's prime minister's mansion and the governor of Yanzhou before his death.After he died of a sudden plague, Prime Minister Cao was deeply saddened as if he had lost his arm.At that time, when Prime Minister Cao welcomed the emperor to Xudu, he relied entirely on Sima Lang, his capable general, to take care of the government and the opposition, coordinate all aspects of the relationship, and at the same time rectify the rules and regulations, clear up the officials, and serve Cao Cao in the Han Dynasty. Authority has been established among civil and military officials.It was Sima Lang's uprightness, determination, loyalty, diligence and wisdom that won him the honor of being almost as famous as Shang Shuling Xun Yu, which is admirable.The prosperity and revitalization of the Sima family in recent years is also closely related to his painstaking management.All the friends he made during his lifetime were in high positions and extremely prominent.Xun You is currently the Right Army Adviser of the Cao Mansion. Cao Cao trusts him very much and relies on him as his confidant; Cui Yan is currently the Minister of Duzhi, in charge of the power of wealth and endowment in the country; right.Sima Yi has always regarded them as elder brothers and has a very close relationship with them.And these people were also very grateful for the friendship with Sima Lang back then, so they still took good care of the Sima family, which basically maintained the prosperity of the Sima family as before. At this moment, when Sima Fu saw his second brother crying emotionally, he felt sour for some reason.He resisted the urge to cry, slowly raised his head, and stared at the second brother in front of him seriously.The complexity and hardships of the world made Sima Yi, who has always been heroic and vigorous, look a little haggard.He knew that the second elder brother managed everything so painstakingly to promote the prosperity of the Sima family today and continue forever.Thinking of this, he felt even more sad, and sighed helplessly: "Second Brother! What can I...what can I do for you? Tell me, as long as I can do what I can, I will go through fire and water." It was his words that Sima Yi was waiting for.He wiped away the tears on his face with his sleeve, and after a moment of silence, he finally said slowly, "Prime Minister Cao has now been promoted to the Duke of Wei, so the matter of establishing an heir behind him will soon surface...you understand Is it?" Sima Fu was a little puzzled by these words, but looked at his second brother with half understanding but didn't answer.Sima Yi also felt that what he said was a bit abrupt, but it was inconvenient to point it out for a while, so he said: "Although the third brother is currently serving as the Xi Cao subordinate of the prime minister's mansion, from my brother's point of view, the third brother still lacks some experience. In order to make the third brother Your talents and learning have been honed in an all-round way, and I want to recommend you to Mao Jie Pushe to be his concubine next to Pingyuan Hou Cao Zhi. You are of the same age and both like writing and fu, and you will definitely benefit each other. And, brother I heard Marquis Pingyuan has always had a close relationship with his third younger brother, so he will not be unhappy if you become his bastard, right?" When Sima Fu heard this, he was a little surprised. The concubine in the Marquis Pingyuan's mansion was just equivalent to the assistant prime minister around Cao Zhi.He descended from the Xicao family in the prime minister's mansion to a middle-class bastard in the Marquis of Pingyuan's mansion, which is several levels lower!But Sima Fu and Cao Zhi had always had a good personal relationship, and they got along very well with him, and it was a joy to work by his side.So, Sima Fu didn't have time to think about it, so he agreed: "Okay, I'll let my second brother arrange this matter." Sima Yi saw that the third younger brother didn't care about the rank of the official, whether or not he was going to stay in power, and he was unrestrained and indifferent. Second brother admires it." At the same time, he smiled in his heart, knowing that he made the right move again.Yeah, you can't put all your eggs in one basket, what if they all break?If our Sima family wants to take root in this dangerous officialdom, we must learn to "be both ways and respond to each other", otherwise it will be easy to fail.Chunhua was right. Putting the third younger brother next to Cao Zhi might be useful at some point in the future.Sima Yi looked at his third younger brother's clear eyes, and his heart moved secretly.The third brother is too loyal and honest, if not for the success or failure of the entire Sima family's great cause, he would not want to drag his third brother into this whirlpool. But Sima Yi sighed in his heart, but his rationality reminded him that he must do this.He looked out the window and thought: Is Cao Pi also in the same state of distress as himself at this moment?Does he know that I used my closest younger brother as a tool for his sake?