Chapter 19 Wealthy and proud

The banquet in the evening was very lively, it was rare for important officials of the imperial court to gather together, even if they don't come out often, they arrived today, and there were more people than the court meeting.Cao Cao served as prime minister on the first day, who would dare not give face?But unexpectedly, Cao Cao announced an appointment during the meeting-Yuan Guangluxun Xixi was promoted to Yushi doctor. Cao Cao abolished the three princes and appointed him as the prime minister. He had already monopolized the power. No one thought that he would be ingenious and make a royal doctor.This official is the deputy prime minister in name, but he understands it without explaining it.Xi Xi froze on the spot unprepared, and Cao Cao couldn't help but drag him to the chairman to accept congratulations from all the officials.

Cao Cao held up the wine and looked around the crowd, and found that a few important people were missing: "Why didn't Zhang Fu and Old Situ Zhao come?" Sitting at the east end, Hua Xin hurriedly said, "Master Fu is very sick and can't move. Zhao Situ is now a commoner, so he won't come here if he feels that there is something wrong with him." Seeing that the Han Dynasty was about to fall, the head of the country Fu Wan saw that the Han Dynasty was about to fall, and his daughter went back three times Letters from both ends of the day complained that he was paralyzed in a panic, and now he is only more breathless than a dead person.Zhao Wen has done too many things for Cao Cao, and he is ashamed to face others.

Cao Cao continued to search, but found that Xun Yu hadn't arrived: "Where is Ling Jun?" Hua Xin smiled awkwardly: "It's a bit of a coincidence. Uncle Xun Chang passed away yesterday or two days ago, and your lord was busy there with the funeral. Master said, 'If you cry, you don't sing.' I didn't come here for fear of getting in the way." Yue was Xun Yu's uncle, who had just passed away, and Xun Yu used this as an excuse not to attend the banquet. Cao Cao was displeased, but he didn't complain, he just said: "I don't know, so let's go to the mansion to pay homage another day." Before he finished speaking, he heard a harsh laughter—Kong Rong.

Those who should come will not come, and those who should not come will not come back.Kong Rong has become more and more unscrupulous since the relaxation of the alcohol ban, drinking and drinking all day long, the imperial physician Ling Zhixi, Yi Lang Xie and other drinking friends are in his house day by day.I was a little drunk when I came here today, and I may have had a drink. Cao Cao glanced at him in disgust: "Brother Wen Ju, will you be safe in a few years?" "Prime Minister, why bother to ask each other," Kong Rong said with a smile, "I'm fine, Zhao Da and the others have already told you!"

Everyone was taken aback during the dinner, Hua Xin, Chen Qun and others hurriedly smoothed things over: "Just kidding, kidding. Brother Wen Ju is funny." Cao Cao smiled indifferently: "Brother Wen Ju, is there any dissatisfaction?" Kong Rong fiddled with the wine in his hand and said: "The seats are always full, and the wine in the glass is not empty. What else can I be dissatisfied with?" Yes, the emperor's surname is almost Cao, and he can't control it if he wants to, except for drinking. What are you doing? Cao Cao deliberately made things difficult for him: "Today, all the talents are here, why don't Brother Wen Ju sing a song to help everyone?"

"Ask me to compose a poem?" Kong Rong's eyes showed a bit of resentment, but he turned to smile and said, "Okay! I'll compose it for you!" All the officials became nervous, wondering if he would make any untimely remarks ; but saw him throw down the wine cup, stand up in the center of the hall, swing his long sleeves and sing: Everyone's uneasy hearts gradually calmed down. Kong Rong did not compose a poem by himself, but recited "June".This poem is a ballad praising Yin Jifu, a famous minister of the Zhou Dynasty, who assisted King Xuan of Zhou in conquering Xirong.However, there are also a few well-educated people who have a different taste. Although Yin Jifu was a famous official of the Zhou Dynasty, he was eventually killed by the faint king Zhou Youwang.Isn't it an intentional curse to compare a person who didn't die well with Cao Cao?Xi Xi, Wang Lang and others figured it out, but saw Cao Cao smiling all over his face and kept nodding, presumably they didn't hear it.In fact, they guessed wrong. Cao Cao became an official because he was proficient in ancient studies in his early years.Cao Cao laughed, but it wasn't Shi Hao who was laughing, it was Kong Rong who didn't know when he was about to die.

After reciting a song "June", all the civil and military officials in the hall clapped their hands and praised it.The royal censor, Chi Ji, hurriedly raised his wine: "Congratulations, Mr. Cao..." "Don't respect me," Cao Cao grabbed his wrist, "You and I are entrusted by the emperor today, and we will have to rely on the civil and military affairs of the Manchu Dynasty in the future. Come, come, let us go down and respect everyone!" "Yes, yes, yes." Xi Xi quickly got up and followed Cao Cao closely. Kong Rong stood in the middle of the hall after reciting the poem. When he saw Cao Cao and Xi Xi approaching, he hurriedly turned around to get the wine. When he turned around again, he saw Cao Cao passing by and ignored him.Instead of being angry, Kong Rong was delighted. Guessing that he had understood the sarcasm just now, he happily drank the wine himself.

According to the size of the official position, the first person to be respected is Lie Qing, and Xu Wei, Ding Chong, Wang Yi and others avoided the table to pay respects.Cao Cao saw that Ding Chong had poured himself into a blush: "You drunk cat, I heard that you were drunk a few days ago and ran all over the yard with a knife in hand, yelling to kill people. Is this true?" It is common for Ding Chong to get drunk, but it is rare for Ding Chong to become drunk and go crazy.He has something on his mind—after all, the Ding family is the family of the great Han Sangong, and Ding Chong himself is the hero who helped protect the emperor's return to the east. Back then, he followed Cao Cao to establish Xudu. He thought that the revival of the great Han would be hopeful, but he did not expect Cao Cao's ambitions to expand. In addition, Mrs. Ding was divorced by Cao Cao, and the two families have become estranged. Old friends and relatives who have been friends for decades have come to this point.

Cao Cao saw that he was still drinking and did not answer indifferently, and said again: "If you don't want to be this official again, you may as well speak up, and I will find you a job. Your two sons are not young, and they will be brought to the mansion to be called someday. See you, Mao Jie, I will give them official positions. We are old friends, and I will arrange the affairs of your children and grandchildren for you." "Hmm." Ding Chong hiccupped, muttering, but he didn't know if he understood or not.Cao Cao sighed, shook his head and walked away.Xi Xi didn't dare to be negligent, he only raised his lamp a little, and hurriedly followed behind his buttocks - this "Vice Prime Minister" was simply a follower.

Next to Ding Chong is Dasinong Wangyi, who had been separated from Hedong at the beginning, and he had both sides in the struggle between the court and Gao Gan. Cao Cao forcibly appointed Du Ji as the governor of Hedong and replaced him.Back then, this local snake was domineering, but now it is as honest as a sheep.Cao Cao laughed all over his face: "How is Wang Qing recently, did any of the old men from Hedong come to visit you?" Wang Yi put down the wine and kowtowed again and again: "The prime minister knows people with his eyes. Since Du Ji went to Hedong, he has done his duty and made great achievements, which is ten thousand times better than my subordinates! Those subordinates who followed Du Jun will serve the country, and they have long forgotten me! Now my subordinates My health is not good, and I read books behind closed doors every day and have nothing else to think about." He tried to explain in fear of suspicion, but he didn't know which sentence touched his heart, so he shed two tears.

Cao Cao not only showed no sympathy, but laughed loudly: "It's not bad that you have no other thoughts on enjoying the happiness. You have spent most of your life thinking about it, so you should rest! Hahaha..." How can people not bow their heads under the low eaves?Wang Yi was also considered a brilliant man for a while, but now he can only force himself to smile when faced with sarcasm, and Gou Quan's life is not bad.But beside him, Ma Teng, Wei Duan, and Duan Yan, three Lie Qing who were all from the Guanzhong separatist regime, talked and laughed freely.Duan Yan was old and had the merit of killing Li Jue, so he got along well with Cao Cao.Both Wei Duan and Ma Teng made the right bet in the dispute between Yuan and Cao, and they are considered meritorious. Moreover, although they moved to Beijing, Wei Duan's remaining troops were handed over to his son Wei Kang, and Ma Teng's troops were handed over to his son Ma Chao. There are still soldiers in Liangzhou! Wei and Ma had just entered Beijing, and Cao Cao only met once symbolically. Today, they have the opportunity to face each other close to each other, but they have to look carefully——Wei Duan looks dignified and talks elegantly, which is worthy of being a well-known family in Jingzhao; Ma Teng is tall and hideous, He is in his fifties, sitting there wobbly and unsteady, his official uniform seems to be borrowed, he doesn't look like an official at all, and he has brown eyes and beard. It is said that this person is a famous general of ZTE Ma Yuan's descendants, why do they seem to have some barbarian blood?Ma Teng was honest and straightforward. Seeing Cao Cao staring at him in a daze, he said straight to the point: "Prime Minister Zusa Li? Hungry and ugly? Why are people in Wuda smashing it!" Cao Cao's eyes widened. Wei Duan covered his mouth and smiled: "Prime Minister, don't take offense, Ma Weiwei speaks Liangzhou dialect." Cao Cao also laughed - in order to stabilize the situation, such a rough man also called him Jiuqing. In the classroom, "Zu Sari" said "Sai Mo Lie", and someone had to translate for him. Ma Teng laughed and chattered, and asked Wei Duan what Cao Cao didn't understand. It took him a long time to figure it out: Ma Teng is indeed a descendant of the Fufeng Ma family, but his branch is not like that. Ma Rong and Ma Rixun were so prosperous that their father Ma Su's generation was very frustrated. He only got a job as a small county captain in Tianshui County. Later, he was dismissed from office and fled to Longxi. Some of Hu people's blood.Due to the early death of his father, Ma Teng had a hard time cutting firewood for a living when he was young. Later, Bian Zhang, Han Sui, Wang Guo and others rebelled, and he joined the army to fight bravely and was promoted to Sima.Emperor Han Ling's government was corrupt, and the governors of Liangzhou successively appointed were incompetent. Ma Teng had no way to serve the country, so he simply joined the ranks of rebels.He was brave and good at fighting, treated people with loyalty, and soon became a leader. Later, he joined forces with Han Sui to kill the bandit leader and divided everyone equally, so he became the warlord who occupied Liangzhou. Cao Cao didn't have a good impression of this rough man at first, but when he saw that he was so frank and unabashed, he found him cute, even a little silly.His strength is far beyond the comparison of Duan and Wei. If he is not stupid and cares about high officials, how can he give up his army and horses and become an official in Beijing after hearing a few good words?Only the eldest son, Ma Chao, was left behind, and all the other sons and daughters were brought along. I'm afraid he didn't even think clearly that he was a hostage. In any case, being able to hold Ma Teng in his hands is a good thing for Cao Cao. The only fly in the ointment is that Han Sui failed to come to Beijing and only sent a young son.Thinking of this, Cao Cao decided to sell Ma Teng's personal favor, and also made a show for Han Sui: "Ma Weiwei and his family are worthy of commendation for coming to Beijing. The old man will go to the imperial court and make your son Ma Xiu the captain of the chariot, and Ma Tie the capital of the cavalry." Lieutenant, Ma Chao, the eldest son who stayed in Liangzhou, was promoted to general!" Fengche Duwei is a respectable official who guides Shengjia, and Qi Duwei is also a military officer of Erqianshi. Although it is impossible to have real power, it is enough honor.As for the position of partial general, it is a bit unlucky to say the least.Originally, it was the prince's obedience, but it turned out that the "Jade Belt Edict" came out. Later, Guan Yu also became a partial general with his achievements in Baima and Yanjin, and finally he simply went to Liu Bei's place.Therefore, Cao Cao hated this official position a little, so it was vacant for many years. Although Ma Teng didn't know Beijing dialect, he could understand what others said, and made a lot of chatter, which seemed to be words of thanks.Cao Cao laughed loudly: "As long as you follow this old man wholeheartedly, I will protect your children and grandchildren!" He used to always talk about the court, but now he only talks about himself, and the word "court" is not even mentioned. Leaving them, Cao Cao couldn't stop laughing, and when he looked up, he saw a table next to the door, where two gray-haired veterans were sitting—Guanglu Doctor Yang Biao and Cavalry Captain Sima Fang.Cao Cao hurriedly went over to toast: "Mr. Yang, Mr. Sima, it seems that Mr. Cao has a lot of face, and you are here too... Sit, sit, Mr. Yang has a foot problem? I can't afford to hurt your leg, please sit down." .” Yang Biao was dismissed by Cao Cao as the Taiwei, was put in prison for a time, and was tortured by Man Chong. After he was released from prison, he declared that he would stay behind closed doors and would not participate in public or private entertainment.Today I really couldn't push it away, so I came out to show my face. I didn't expect Cao Cao to be so sarcastic.Sima Fang was the Minister Youcheng when Cao Cao promoted Xiaolian, and together with Shangshu Liang Hu rejected Cao Cao's request to be the Luoyang Order, he was not at ease. Cao Cao looked at the embarrassment of the two people who had been riding on his head, and his heart was filled with the pleasure of revenge. He patted Sima Fang on the shoulder: "In the past, I wanted to be the first county magistrate in the world, but you only let me be the northern county magistrate." How about now, Lieutenant?" Sima Fang's answer was decent: "The present and the past are different, so how can they be the same? In the past, when the Duke of Ming promoted filial piety, his qualifications were only suitable for being a county lieutenant." "Oh?" Cao Cao laughed more and more, "Then I am suitable to be the prime minister today! Sima Gong, your son Sima Lang is an official in Yanzhou. I think highly of him, and I will give him a promotion in the future. But you should also be more magnanimous , I heard that there are eight sons in your family, how can you let only one work for this old man? Your second son is called Sima...what's the matter?" "The dog Sima Yi." "It's him! This old man refused to take up the post three times, is it because I don't have enough face?" "Don't dare, dare not." Sima Fang was startled. "Let's let the past be over. Please persuade your son to come to Beijing to report as soon as possible, and I won't eat him!" Cao Cao said and glanced at Yang Biao again, "Mr. Yang also has a son named Yang Xiu Right? In the past, you Heng said, "the eldest son Kong Wenju, the younger son Yang Dezu", and now he is in his thirties. The old man also plans to call him into the mansion, and he will do it tomorrow! I have to persuade you, old man, that you should call them when your children and grandchildren grow up Seek a future, don't let them do nothing and get mixed up with the crazy and shameless people." His so-called "crazy and shameless people" is of course an insinuation of Kong Rong. Yang Biao never said a word, endured the humiliation silently, held up the wine and drank it twice, and drank it with a sad face-the fourth and third members of the Yang family have done nothing wrong, but they have been reduced to today's field, and they are called Cao Mengde. .This glass of wine in life is really hard to drink! Cao Cao satirized the two of them, his heart became more relaxed, and he simply went down to the hall to have a drink with his ministers.The lower-level officials outside are different, most of them support the Cao faction, and they are full of smiles and courteously persuade them to drink.Cao Cao drank seven or eight cups in a row, his face flushed.Seeing that he seemed to be drunk, Xi Xi wanted to persuade him but was pushed away by him; he staggered a few steps and came to a table where Jin Xuan and Han Xuan were sitting. Jin Xuanzi Yuanji, a person from Jingzhao, is the younger brother of Jin Shang, the governor of Yanzhou who Cao Cao drove away in the past; Han Xuan is a native of Hanoi, the brother of Han Hao in the Central Guard.These two people have a good relationship with Cao Cao, and they greet each other with smiles on their faces. Cao Cao glanced at Jinxuan: "If you want to say that I, Cao, have anyone who is sorry, your brother is one of them. If I hadn't expelled him from Yanzhou in the past, how could he have died at the hands of Yuan Shu in vain? I was not good to your brother. The compensation will be on you. When troops are sent out in a few days, you will follow the army. If you take the land in the south of the Yangtze River, at least I will give you a county guard!" He openly took his position for personal gain. "Thank you for the promotion, Mr. Ming." Jin Xuan wept with joy, "Brother is alive in heaven, I must be grateful for your kindness." "Why are you crying about my words?" Cao Cao turned to Han Xuan again, "Your brother has done a lot of service in the army for many years, and you will be used by the army in the future, and the old man will not treat you badly." "Thank you, Prime Minister, for your support." Han Xuan was originally a person who could not achieve martial arts, so he relied on his seniority, so he was naturally happy to get unexpected care. Cao Cao drank the wine, and Han Xuan helped him fill it up again. Just as he was about to move on, he suddenly saw Chief Shi Wangsi running from outside the courtyard with a smile on his face: "Happy, happy! The imperial court has another big happy event." "Why do you like it?" The drinker fell silent for a moment. Wang Si was beaming with joy: "Liu Zhang sent Zhang Su from Yizhou to pay tribute to Beijing. The previous enlightenment to Yin Pu paid off. Zhang Su not only sent Shu brocade, silk and imperial miscellaneous items, but also sent 300 old soldiers. See Come Liu Zhang intends to accept the land and surrender." "Foreign vassals pay tribute and foreign races belong to them. This is auspicious!" Han Xuan hurriedly followed up with good words. "There is more!" Wang Si said again, "Yilang Zhou recently negotiated with the Xiongnu very well, Zuoxian King has agreed to send Cai Zhaoji back to the Han." How dare not let go? Xi Xi raised his wine and proposed loudly: "The majesty of the great man shines all over the world, and the barbarians and the barbarians surrender one after another. Let's drink this cup together and wish our court..." "Xi Gong really can't talk." Jin Xuan interrupted, "This is all Cao Gong... No! It's the prime minister's credit. Let's share a cup with Jing Jing!" Cao Cao was obviously a little drunk, and he was drunk by everyone, and suddenly he thought wildly; he felt in a trance that the world would be calmed down, and that he would be on the Ninth Five-Year Plan tomorrow, and Liu Biao and Sun Quan were not worth mentioning at all. Can frighten them to disarm and surrender.He has lived for more than fifty years, and he has never had such a good time as today. This is a completely unrestrained indulgence.The sky, the earth, and the self are the greatest, and all creatures in the world are destined to submit to their feet.Cao Cao even imagined that after the unification of the world, he must work hard to govern and lead the great Han... no, lead a new dynasty to a prosperous age, leaving Yao, Shun and Yutang far behind!Under the urging of the wine, he suddenly became poetic, and walked a few steps to the stone steps, holding up the wine and singing loudly: The government is clear, the people are happy; the grain is plentiful, the old and the sick are free from worries;It is the so-called "Datong world" in "Book of Rites".In Cao Cao's view, it is no longer a problem to extinguish the smoke of the wolf, and he will struggle how to govern the world in the future.The world is at his fingertips.Everyone present—whether they agree with Cao Cao or not—couldn’t help but be shocked by this song. The world has been in turmoil for more than 20 years, with swords and soldiers bleeding everywhere. Is it time to end?Regardless of whether Sheji's surname is Liu or Cao in the future, people in the world should be relieved... "Everyone!" Dong Zhao stood up suddenly. He walked up to Cao Cao with his head held high, raised his voice and looked around the crowd, "I thought the sage mentioned in this poem just now is our prime minister! The number one hero in the world! He is the mainstay of China and Kyushu! I suggest that we all stand up, solemnly respect the prime minister for a glass of wine, and wish the prime minister longevity and prosperity!" This is not a toast, it is clearly a temptation, who dare not stand up?Hua Xin, Wang Lang, and Chen Qun were no longer Kong Rong's close friends, and stood up first; Duan Yan, Ma Teng, and Wei Duan laughed to themselves, and then stood up; Wang Yi was stunned and trembling Standing up tremblingly; Yang Biao and Sima Fang groaned for a while, supported each other and stood up; Xi Xi followed behind Cao Cao, and he had no choice but to stand; let alone those outside, Jin Xuan, Han Xuan and others took the lead , A swarm of bees stood up. Only the two of them stayed where they were - Ding Chong was so drunk that he fell unconscious and snored while leaning over the desk; Kong Rong was also sleeping soundly on the ground with the wine jar in his arms, but he didn't know if he was really drunk or not. Dong Zhao didn't even look at Kong Rong, and held up the wine cup: "Come! The Prime Minister Hongde benevolent to all sentient beings, let's wish the Prime Minister longevity and prosperity!" Prime Minister Hongde Enze sentient beings... I wish the Prime Minister Longevity and Jinan... All the heartfelt, desolate, rudderless, and irresponsible wishes gathered together, shaking the eardrums and the roof tiles.Cao Cao looked down upon everyone present and nodded with satisfaction, indulging in the sweet praise.