Chapter 27 Six, Cao Pi's chess

"Brother Sima has been a literary master recently, it's really not easy!" Cao Pi raised the teacup and took a sip of green tea, and smiled at Sima Yi, "I heard that this time the Southern Expedition Encouraging Army Poetry Meeting, because of Is it a bit difficult to get together the manpower?" Sima Yi sighed: "Yes! This year's Southern Expedition Encouraging Army Poetry Meeting, the atmosphere is a bit deserted..." Usually, when Cao Cao was fighting against Lu Bu and Yuan Shu in the east, and when he was attacking Yuan Shao and Wuhuan in the north, famous scholars and officials in Xudu, such as Kong Rong, Yang Jun, Wang Lang, Ruan Yu, etc., would write poems and poems to encourage the army, to strengthen morale, and to promote mighty virtue.However, this time Cao Cao punished and killed Kong Rong, which has already made everyone in the Confucian Lin of Xudu feel insecure and silent.Sima Yi went to invite those famous scholars and bureaucrats to participate in the meeting and present poems, but there were very few people who responded. In Xu Capital City, except for Hua Xin, Lu Cui, Dong Zhao and a few close friends of the Cao Mansion, everyone else declined behind closed doors.It’s no wonder they didn’t support them. Even Cao Zhi, the third son of Cao’s family, had been depressed and saddened because his father beheaded Kong Rong, avoiding Sima Yi’s proposal to write poems and praises for his father requirements.

However, Sima Yi was not worried if the Southern Expedition Encouraging Army Poetry Meeting could not be held.He has already made preparations to hold this poetry meeting in a special way - as early as five days ago, he had ordered Sima Yin and the subordinates of the Literature Department to find some exiles from Jingzhou in the refugee resettlement camp in the south of the city. For the common people who came over, they jointly wrote a "Welcome to the Southern Expedition Good News Letter" and submitted it.In this "Welcome to the Good News of the Southern Expedition", those well-behaved Jingzhou refugees, under the ingenious hints of Sima Yin and the subordinates of the Literature Department, portrayed the incompetent Liu Biao and the ambitious Liu Bei as grimaces and desperate faces. The husband pointed out that he also praised the wise and mighty Prime Minister Cao's southern expedition as "a unparalleled righteous battle to relieve the suffering of the Li people".With such a "Welcome to the Southern Expedition Good News Book", Sima Yi believed that he would definitely be able to get the rare appreciation and praise from Prime Minister Cao.

Of course, Cao Pi never came just to care about the Southern Expedition Encouraging Army Poetry Conference hosted by Sima Yi. He was forced to go to Sima's mansion to find out the truth by a rumor with a nose and eyes.This rumor has been floating faintly inside and outside the Prime Minister's Mansion, and it has become a lingering nightmare for Cao Pi.This rumor is: Cao Cao is very likely to return to Xudu after the great victory of the Southern Expedition and the great stability of the world, and immediately start the great cause of Cao Daihan, and appoint Cao Zhi as his heir, and use his literary talents and virtues to win the hearts of the world's scholars and people.

Cao Pi basically believed in this rumor more than doubted it, and his father's preference for Cao Zhi was undisguised, and it was obvious to all inside and outside the prime minister's mansion.But before it became an absolute reality, he still had a little bit of luck, after all, he was the eldest son!Could it be that the father really gave up the heir he should have inherited to Cao Zhi regardless of etiquette?Therefore, looking around at a loss, he thought about it and felt that others seemed unreliable, so he could only find Brother Sima Lang who had saved his life to find out the reality and ask for countermeasures.After all, the Sima Lang brothers are the bookkeepers and officials who deal with their father every day. They must know the news faster and more than themselves, and the advice they give must be more accurate and clever than others.

"Brother Sima, Mr. Cao heard that my father-in-law... this time he went south to Jingzhou, and he seemed to intend to bring Brother Zhi to go with him. Is there such a thing?" Cao Pi drank two cups of green tea, and couldn't hold back anymore , finally asked mutteringly. "Hmm... The Eldest Young Master is in the close proximity of the Prime Minister's Mansion, don't you know?" Sima Yi was slightly taken aback, "This has been spread throughout the Prime Minister's Mansion, and the Prime Minister has already asked the Third Young Master to accompany him Go south to fight."

"Oh, oh, oh...Cao remembers, my father mentioned this to us." A trace of embarrassment flashed across Cao Pi's face, and he hurriedly covered it up, "Yes, brother Zhi is talented. He is handsome, civil and military, and has been cultivated and supported by his father and lord so carefully, this... this... must be able to show his talents and make great achievements in the Southern Expedition..." A faint smile flickered across Sima Yi's lips: "If the third son has established meritorious service during this Southern Expedition, Prime Minister Cao's support for him in the future will be more justifiable... Alas, my Sima family has always adhered to the rules and regulations, and advocated "Seniors are orderly, children and concubines are different", I don't quite agree with Prime Minister Cao's actions, but it's hard to say clearly because Prime Minister Cao's preference is too strong."

Hearing Sima Yi's words, Cao Pi was shocked like being struck by lightning: This Sima brother is really my confidant of Cao Pi!He was able to say this openly to me, because he took a great risk to express to me his sincere heart for supporting the eldest son!Under the ecstasy in his heart, his voice immediately changed his tone: "The Sima family is worthy of being born in a famous Confucian family, and they follow the principles of etiquette every time they raise their hands and throw their feet. It is completely different from the vulgar Confucianists. This piece of deep heart and sincerity, Cao Mou will always remember it in his heart and never forget it..."

Seeing this, Sima Yi hurriedly avoided the table, and thanked Cao Pi: "My lord, you are serious. Our Sima family just follows the rules and etiquette, and you don't need to be too polite. , Heaven knows, Earth knows, that's enough!" Tears welled up in Cao Pi's eyes, he looked deeply at Sima Yi, bit his lips secretly, and nodded his head silently and slowly. When Sima Yi saw Cao Pi's situation, he expected that he had been deeply moved by his sensible words, so he thought to himself, calmed down, and slowly recited a Yuefu poem: Today is a good banquet, and the joy is hard to describe.The zither is playing vigorously, and the new sound is wonderful.Let De sing high words, recognize the music and listen to the truth.We are of the same mind and wish, and the meaning is not declared.Life is sent for a lifetime, dying suddenly like flying dust.Why don't you plan to be a high-ranking student and take Lu Jin first?Doing nothing to keep the poor and humble, the ups and downs are long and hard!

When Cao Pi heard him finish reciting this Yuefu poem, he couldn't help clapping his hands and praising him: "Brother Sima is full of poems and books, and he speaks well. Cao admires him so much." Sima Yi listened to his flattering compliments, and smiled inwardly, but his face showed a look of panic: "Oh! The eldest son praised you absurdly - this... this Yuefu poem was not written by me, but by my predecessors." It’s made by people.” Then, he paused and looked into Cao Pi’s eyes, “The most attractive thing about this Yuefu poem is the line—’Why don’t you be a master, first occupy Lu Jin?’ This line has profound meaning , Deafening, and most interesting.”

"Why don't you be a master and ask for Lujin first?" Cao Pi frowned, and read this poem gently in his mouth. Suddenly his eyes lit up, and he hurriedly bowed to Sima Yi and asked, "Cao is here?" I respectfully ask Brother Sima to tell you the strategy of 'acquiring important resources first'!" What Sima Yi was waiting for was his words. Now that he heard him say it himself, he straightened his clothes in a calm manner, and said with restraint: "The eldest son is so respectful and shameless to ask his subordinates. It’s not true—forget it, I’m going to show my shame. If the eldest son wants to be trusted by the prime minister, he must first be filial and do his best. Don't slack off. Now holding the Southern Expedition Encouraging Army Poetry Meeting is an excellent opportunity for you to show your filial piety!"

"Oh? Brother Sima, please explain everything in detail." Cao Pi hurriedly asked. "The Southern Expedition Encouragement Poetry Meeting is indeed a bit deserted, and Prime Minister Cao must have been secretly concerned about it. The other famous scholars and bureaucrats pretended to avoid Prime Minister Cao, not to mention it; it is three The young master has always been famous for his wonderful poems, but he didn't compose poems and sing for Prime Minister Cao's Southern Expedition, which greatly violated the way of filial piety. Although Cao Cheng didn't speak clearly about this, his heart inevitably harbored a grudge." Sima Yi said leisurely, "If the eldest son can break this silence, write a poem with ink and ink, and actively cheer for Prime Minister Cao's southern expedition to Jingzhou, then Cao Cheng will appreciate your good intentions, eldest son." I will have a deep understanding, and I will definitely have a deep feeling, and my impression of you, the eldest son, will definitely be greatly changed in the future..." Hearing this, Cao Pi's face was already bright red, and his eyes were full of surprise: "Brother Sima said it! , Xuande Yaowu's magnificent poems and wonderful poems, I ask Brother Sima to give me some pointers before presenting it to my father for appreciation!" Sima Yi saw that Cao Pi accepted his suggestion so quickly, and secretly admired his way of accepting advice and taking advice. He nodded slightly with a smile and said, "The eldest son is enlightened, and I admire him very much. Then, after this false case, I will Waiting for your eloquent words to come out, Eldest Young Master." Cao Pi laughed, only to feel that a big stone in his chest was finally put down, and he couldn't help overflowing with joy when he looked at him.He raised his glass again and drank a full cup of tea, then looked at Sima Yi and said happily: "It is a godsend for Cao to meet a great talent like Brother Sima as a friend in this life! Cao only hates him." Brother Sima has always been busy with official duties and has no time to spare, so he can't always sit down and talk with you and learn from you!" "Master Cao is so trustworthy, I am flattered!" Sima Yi hastily avoided the table and said respectfully, "If you need to use my Sima family in the future, you can send a paper order at any time to call me. Come here for the ride. If I cannot go in person for some reason, then my eldest brother is also my confidant who can be entrusted to your confidant when you are in need. The whole family of Sima Ma family thinks that you are honored to serve you wholeheartedly... "