Chapter 7 cold night mutation

When Cao Cao woke up from his sleep, he found that the room was very bright. It turned out that the courtyard was already brightly lit, and the light shone in.Could it be a fire?He put on his clothes and hurried out the door.I saw Qi Shushua, the servant of the Hefu, standing up, with the lantern and torch in his hand shining like daylight. Before he knew what happened, he saw Qin Yilu running to him holding a torch: "Master, something happened. Listen carefully!" Cao Cao raised his head and listened carefully. In the silence of the night, he could only feel the melodious bell coming from the northwest direction: "There is trouble in the imperial court... This is the big bell of Yutang Palace."

Since Guangwu Zhongxing, the capital of Han was moved from Chang'an to Luoyang. Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu rebuilt the imperial palace and cast two big bells outside the Yutang Hall of the Nangong Chaohui, both of which were more than one foot long. Whenever there was an emergency court meeting or an accident occurred, the bell would be rung to warn. There can be no delay. At this moment, Lou Yi held a lamp and led Cao Song, who was wearing a court uniform, to come over.Seeing that his son was still standing there stupidly, the old man urged: "Change quickly, let's enter the court together."

"What?" Cao Cao was taken aback, there was no precedent for Liubai Shi Yilang also hearing the bell go to the hall. "If you are told to change it, you can change it. The imperial court has sent a notice that all officials in the capital of more than 400 shi will enter the palace to discuss matters." Cao Song said and turned around, "I'll go and order the horses and chariots first, hurry up." Cao Cao hurried back to the house, and let Qin Yilu comb his hair and change his clothes. He was so nervous that he didn't know which set of clothes he was wearing.At this moment, the first thought that popped into his mind was - the emperor died.

Although the emperor Liu Hong was only twenty-nine years old, all the emperors had died early since the three generations of ZTE.The first emperor Liu Zhi was considered the longest-lived, only thirty-six years old.Emperor Xiao'an was thirty-two years old, Emperor Xiaozhang was thirty-one years old, Emperor Xiaoshun died at thirty, Emperor Xiaohe was twenty-seven, Emperor Xiaozhi was poisoned to death by Liang Ji at the age of eight, Emperor Xiaochong died at only three years old, Xiaoshang It's over when the emperor is two years old... The more Cao Cao thought about it, the more he felt that the emperor was dead, and then he realized that the eldest son Liu Bian was only twelve years old. What should the future court situation be?Just as he was thinking wildly, he heard his father stop yelling: "What are you dawdling about! Hurry up and go."

"Yes, yes, yes!" Cao Cao regained his composure, and hurriedly followed his father through the courtyard and out of the mansion. It wasn't until they stepped out of the mansion that the situation was not as simple as the death of the emperor.I saw people coming and going in Yongfu Lane, and all the mansions were brightly lit. This is a place where dignitaries gather, and there are soldiers holding halberds standing in front of all the mansions, including my own home.Could it be that the order of the court has been issued to every family?Cao Cao vaguely remembered the scene when the first emperor Liu Zhi died when he was thirteen years old. Although it was a sudden change in the middle of the night, and it took a day or two to be chaotic, there was no soldier guarding the door, nor did he summon all the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty into the palace overnight.

They came out a bit late, and almost all the Beijing officials from far and near had already left the house.The street was originally quite spacious, but there were too many official cars and it was jammed.Many officials brought their family members to yell and urge behind them, creating a commotion.Cao Song looked back at his son, raised his voice and said, "That's not allowed. As a father, you must arrive early. There must be a big disturbance in the palace during this battle. At this point, there is no need to care about the rules. My father and I walk!" Cao Cao nodded again and again, thinking: "After all, Jiang is old and spicy. Daddy has rich experience and is in a mess. Don't think I'm almost thirty, I still have to learn from the old man."

The streets are full of soldiers holding torches and carrying sharp knives, one post at ten steps and one sentry at five steps.The two of them walked back and forth in the Zhuma workshop, and after a while they squeezed out of Yongfu Lane.Unexpectedly, when we arrived at Pingyang Street leading to the imperial palace, the scene in front of us was even more shocking: Soldiers lined up with swords and guns, and soldiers guarded every household in the city, and civilians were not allowed to take half a step out of their homes.Judging by the appearance of their uniforms, the five battalions of the Luoyang Northern Army's archers, infantry, tun cavalry, Yue cavalry, and Changshui battalions all dispatched bullets to press down on the ground.It was really too crowded. All the officials who were blocked in the streets and alleys got out of the car and pushed and shoved. I don't know how many people lost their teeth.Then I heard bells and drums ringing together, and I couldn't tell the direction. The gate towers around Luoyang City were ringing bells, and the sound was continuous, which was urging the officials to move quickly.

Cao Cao and his father also merged into the torrent. The further north they went, the more people walked, and there was no more car in sight.At this moment, there is no distinction between high and low grades, and everyone wears their crowns neatly without losing their court appearance, but their hearts are flustered and their steps are hasty.They are all acquainted with a lot of officials in the same dynasty, and they whispered to each other while walking: "What happened?" "Has the Northern Army rebelled?" "It won't be the emperor, his old man..." "Are there thieves besieging the city?"

"The eunuch is making trouble! It must be that guy Zhang Rang..." "Where is the emperor? Isn't he still in the West Garden?" There were too many people talking, it was buzzing, and then I couldn't hear anything, and the continuous bells made people flustered.Even though it was still a cold spring night in February, with so many people together, they couldn't feel the cold anymore. Seeing the gate of the palace, the running team suddenly stopped, and it turned out that there were soldiers strictly checking.From a long distance, Cao Cao saw Jian Shuo of the Huang family leading his soldiers and searching them one by one in front of them. Even those who were allowed to bring swords to the palace were banned this time, and the crutches of several veteran officials were also taken away.No iron is allowed to enter the palace tonight.

Once you enter the palace, you have to obey the rules. In an instant, everyone was silent, and gradually even the bells stopped.The blue and black clothes can't be seen at a glance, like a flock of crows rushing to their nests.Entering the Yimen Gate, passing through the complex road sandwiched by high walls, you can hear the echo of clogs stepping on the green bricks in the silence, which adds a sense of terror. After leaving the complex road, it suddenly became clear, and saw the open space in front of the Yutang Palace, the dark habayashi army with bows and arrows in their hands.General Zhonglang, General Zuo Zhonglang, General Right Zhonglang, General Huben Zhonglang, General Habayashi Zhonglang, Habayashi Zuojian, Yubayashi Rightjian, the generals of Guanglu Xun's Seven Departments and Wei Wei's subordinates The armor is bright, and an alley flashes out, and the lights in the hall are brilliant like a mirage.

Hundreds of officials have been gradually separated according to rank and title while walking, and a tide of people stepped up the steps to the hall.Only now did Cao Cao see Chen Wen, brothers Bao Hong and Bao Xin among them, all looking down at the road worriedly.Here Cui Jun helped his father Cui Lie up the jade steps, and Yang Biao and Yang Qi supported the elderly Yang Ci to rest step by step, while Yuan Ji supported Yuan Feng and Yuan Kai on the other side.In the night of early spring, there was a layer of dew on the jade steps, which is really difficult for people who are more than a few years old. Cao Song broke free from his son's hand, pointed to Yuan Ji and whispered in a low voice, "I have good legs and feet, go and help them." Cao Cao hurried over, grabbed Yuan Kai's sleeve, and carried the old man up.Yuan Ji nodded to express his gratitude, after all, this is not a place for gossiping. There is a hierarchical system for the court meeting of officials. Although Yutang Hall can accommodate more than 200 people, there are too many people here today. When the ministers, lieutenants, and servants enter, it will be almost crowded.Officials below the doctor can only stand outside the hall, and looking behind them, small officials such as Zuo Cheng, Ling Shi, Yushu, Yezhe, and Zhuang Cong crowded together, some of them were lined up on the jade steps, and they could only stretch their legs. Looking in the neck, there are some who just came out and couldn't squeeze anymore.Cao Cao wanted to get together with Brother Bao Xin, but they couldn't squeeze through at all, so he squeezed next to Yuan Ji at the front of the hall entrance. This late-night court meeting is quite different from the usual ones, and all the ceremonies of worship are exempted. Originally, Shang Shuling, Sili Xiaowei, and Yushi Zhongcheng were lined up in a row in the south, named "Three Independent Sitting", and they were all removed tonight, so that people outside People can also see clearly.In addition, officials of the inner court were also present to listen to the court. I saw that the emperor Liu Hong had been sitting on the dragon throne long ago, but he was dressed in a hastily untied clothes and his face was very pale.Not far behind him, Zhang Rang, Zhao Zhong, Duan Gui and other twelve permanent attendants stood with their heads bowed, and Lu Qiang, Guo Sheng and other big and small yellow gates were also densely packed in the corner of the hall. The old eunuch Cheng Huang, who was many years old, was escorted here, and it was so dim behind the palace lantern that it was difficult to see who else was there. After a long time, the rustling of clothes and crowns finally stopped.I saw Jian Shuo galloping up to the palace: "Long live back, most of the officials above 400 shi in Beijing have already entered the palace. Those who have not arrived will be detained by soldiers in the palace, and they are not allowed to leave the house." Liu Hong didn't speak, but raised his hand. Jian Shuo understood, turned around and shouted to the outside of the palace: "Close the palace gate!" "Close the palace gates...close the palace gates...close the palace gates..." the eunuch passed on the orders layer by layer.All the officials looked at each other in blank dismay: What are you doing closing the door? "Everyone!" Liu Hong stood up, "This is not a court meeting, but something terrible happened. Tonight, someone went to the province to secretly report that the Taipingdao recruited soldiers and horses, gathered more than a million people, and will rebel on the fifth day of the next month. .” As soon as this remark came out, there was an uproar. "Silence! Everyone is silent!" Jian Shuo shouted at the top of his voice. "Thinking of the horned wolf's ambition and entrusting evil magic to the righteous way, I will definitely punish him! But what is even more frightening is that the rebels have already penetrated into the land of Henan, right under the nose of Luoyang. The name of this thief is Ma Yuanyi is the confidant of Zhangjiao, the first bandit of the Taiping Dao, and he sent his disciple Tang Zhou into the palace to buy eunuchs and assassinate the widow!" Everyone could see the fear in the emperor's eyes, "Fortunately, Tang Zhou was afraid of the incident and went to the province to subdue the law , have reported the Taipingdao thieves." As he said that, he grabbed a roll of bamboo slips from the imperial case and threw them on the hall, "If this matter is accumulated in the house, it must be removed! Ma Yuanyi and his gang of rebels must be wiped out tonight. I have issued an edict that Luoyang's eleven gates At the same time, be alert, and guard the eight passes of Gyeonggi to defend against the enemy." The so-called eight passes, namely Hangu Pass, Taigu Pass, Guangcheng Pass, Yique Pass, Yuanguan, Xuanmen Pass, Mengjin, and Xiaopingjin, are the defensive fortresses in Henan Province of Gyeonggi Province, and they are all guarded by one man. land.Once the eight gates are closed, the land of Henan will be isolated from the outside world. No matter how powerful this gang of rebels is, the possibility of highlighting the capital is very slim. "He Jin who will be the general!" Liu Hong shouted for Uncle Guo to come out. Cao Cao could see clearly that although He Jin was the nobleman of the Nine High Courts and the master craftsman in charge of palace construction in name, this was probably the first time he was called out of court by the emperor in public.He shivered and climbed out of the seat: "The minister is..." The voice was trembling. "The widow ordered you to immediately take up the post of Henan Yin, take over the security of Gyeonggi, and have the right to supervise all the soldiers and horses of the Seventh Division of the Fifth Army in Luoyang, and raise troops to arrest Ma Yuanyi and wipe out the rebels!" He Jin pressed his big round head tightly to the ground, and stuttered: "Chen, Chen... I really don't have enough talent, I'm afraid I won't be able to do it." Hearing what he said, all the officials looked sideways: what kind of uncle is this!At this time, I still have to refuse. It is really unskillful to be an official.There are so many capable lieutenant Sima in the Five Armies and Seven Departments, how can you really use you to make plans for a charge?It is obvious that the military power is too great, and I don't feel at ease handing it over to others, so I specially gave it to you, a relative of the emperor.I don't understand the meaning of this at all, what kind of official are you? Liu Hong also knew what kind of material his uncle was, but now there is no one who can be completely trusted except him, so he bypassed the case and helped He Jin himself: "He Aiqing must not refuse, there are many captains and horses in the Fifth Army, It will definitely assist you to succeed immediately." "This... alright!" He Jin felt that the emperor was tightly strangling his wrist, and expected that this matter could not be shirked, so he only obediently agreed. Liu Hong also heaved a sigh of relief, and returned to the dragon seat to pat the case: "Bring the traitor in the palace!" Following this cry, Jian Shuo led the Yulin army to escort two eunuchs who were tied up.Everyone stretched their necks to have a look, and many people really recognized that it was Taiguan Ling Fengxuan and Zhonghuangmen Xu Feng.Cao Cao gasped: The eunuch is in charge of the emperor's food and drink, if poison is poisoned in the imperial meal, assassinating the king will be easy! "The book of Tang Zhou Mibao already said that the two of you accepted bribes from the rebels, so I will kill you today to sacrifice the flag, so as to show the prestige of the army!" "I'm wronged... This slave is greedy for petty wealth, and never colluded with evil... Your Majesty..." The two wanted to argue, but they were dragged out like dead dogs.As the shrill shouts faded away, there was a moment of silence in the hall.He Jin still stood in the middle in a daze, not knowing what he should do.Seeing this, Zou Jing, the Marquis of the Northern Army who supervised the Fifth Battalion, hurriedly squeezed in from the entrance of the hall and knelt down: "My Majesty, the matter of the army is urgent and cannot be delayed any longer. I will do my best. Please send troops immediately!" "Well, quickly lead the troops." Liu Hong waved his hand. Zou Jing got up and saw that He Jin was still standing still, so he pouted at him; He Jin saw it, but he didn't know, so he pouted at him too.Zou Jing really wanted to risk his life and scold him, but in the face of the national crisis, he had no choice but to say patiently: "Uncle Guo! You are the commander in chief, hurry up and go to the Dianbing!" Only then did He Jin understand what it was like, and ran out in a hurry, and when he arrived at the gate of the hall, he remembered that he hadn't left the court, so he turned his head and bowed: "I bid farewell to the holy driver." Turning around, he didn't pay attention to the threshold, stumbled, and nearly fell in public A big horse lying down.Cao Cao was crowded at the entrance of the hall, he could see clearly, he wanted to laugh but didn't dare to, he gritted his teeth and held back.Looking at the officials inside and outside the gate, they all looked up at the sky, holding back their laughter.This is too out of harmony with the tense atmosphere. Liu Hong was also a little embarrassed, coughed lightly, and said sternly: "There is a change in the capital tonight, all officials are not allowed to leave the palace, they will be guarded by the Habayashi Army, and they will rest in the palace, and they will not be allowed to return to the palace until the Northern Army captures the leader of the bandit. "It is said that the guards are actually supervised. Since there are traitors among the eunuchs, it is even more inevitable among the officials. If someone delivers a letter for the rebels or takes the opportunity to cause chaos in the city, it will be out of control.Putting all the officials under house arrest in this way, the Habayashi Army will spread their bows around, and the great ability will not be able to make waves. At this time, when it was almost ugly, everyone relaxed.Liu Hong was tired from the shock of the whole night, he tilted his body and said, "Your family, if you have anything to say about the suppression of rebels, no matter what position you are in tonight, it doesn't matter." As soon as the words fell, a middle-aged eunuch flashed out from the corner of the hall: "My minister Lu Qiang has something important to announce, please allow your majesty." Liu Hong was also quite surprised, teasingly said: "If you have anything to say, you can go back to the harem." Lu Qiang lowered his head: "I have been thinking about this performance for a long time, I implore Your Majesty to take this opportunity to make a decision with all the officials." "Then let's talk." Liu Hong didn't bother to talk to him. "Your Majesty, please quickly pardon those who are imprisoned by the party." Hearing this, everyone straightened up, and countless pairs of eyes looked at the emperor earnestly inside and out.How many scholars wish for the lifting of the party's shackles!But one blow after another came one after another, and they no longer dared to expect extravagance.Unexpectedly, today it came out of an eunuch's mouth. This is something that no one expected. Liu Hong glanced at Lu Qiang, lowered his head and sighed helplessly.Even though he is the Ninth Five-Year Master, he dare not face the eyes of all the officials at this moment. Lu Qiang also knew that this was a taboo thing, so he kept his head down all the time: "The party has been imprisoned for a long time, and there are many grievances. If you don't forgive me for a long time, you will conspire with Zhang Jiao to make things worse. There is no way to regret it. At this time At this moment, the emperor should forgive the party members, release the imprisonment, and show kindness to the world. If you don't pardon, I am afraid that the crowd will fight against the enemy, and the arrogance will increase. Long live! You must..." "Don't talk about it! I understand," Liu Hong nodded. His enemies in various fields may form alliances. He still understands the truth. They can still be enlisted as officials." "Your majesty is holy!" I don't know how many people blurted out, and the shouts were really deafening!Since the change of Dou Wu and Wang Fu, the case of party imprisonment that lasted seventeen years has finally been cancelled.Cao Cao was so happy that he unconsciously clenched the four big hands of Yuan Ji beside him.But when he was looking for his father among the ministers, he saw the old man sitting in the hall with an unhappy expression on his face. When he looked closely, the faces of Fan Ling, Xu Xiang, Jia Hu, Liang Hu and others were also sinking like water. Eunuchs rely on the party to imprison people who start their families.Even more striking was the Ten Attendants behind Liu Hong. Although the lights were dim and their faces could not be seen clearly, they clearly saw Zhang Rang and the others glaring viciously at Lu Qiang. Liu Hong deliberately knocked on the case and said: "But there is one more thing, I have been thinking about it for a long time..." The officials holding hands to celebrate immediately became quiet when they heard that there was more to come. "When the country is in trouble, think of a good general. The late Taiwei Duan Jiong was able to fight and make great achievements. It is a pity that he was implicated and died by Wang Fu. It is really an injustice. His family is still in exile, and today he is pardoned and allowed. Return to your hometown." At this point, Liu Hong raised his voice, "I hope Lie Qing understands that those who have contributed to the widow will definitely live up to it." As soon as this remark came out, those who were unhappy because the party members lifted the ban finally smiled a little.In fact, Liu Hong's intentions are very clear. Many people in the court are promoted because of the party's imprisonment, and some of them are the executioners who slaughtered the party members.As an emperor, he could never tolerate one faction overwhelming the other and intimidating himself. He wanted the two factions to coexist in order to maintain balance.So when he said that Duan Jiong's injustice was a lie, he actually wanted to reverse the case on purpose.Because Duan Jiong had hunted and killed thousands of party members and imperial scholars, he was the most ruthless among many officials involved in the party's imprisonment.Now acknowledging his contribution is tantamount to adhering to the correctness of the party, and by the way, giving reassurance to those ministers who have persecuted party members. In any case, this ending can be regarded as "happy", and there is nothing to do next, just wait for the good news from the butcher Guojiu. Liu Hong tightened his dragon clothes and got up and said: "The gate of the palace is closed, and you are not allowed to leave without authorization. You can rest on the spot. I'm afraid it's still a little cold, and the adults above Gongqing will reward you with a brocade robe to resist the night cold. I have already ordered people to prepare Serve soup and cakes to feed the officials to keep them warm, and everyone can eat whatever they want this night." After finishing speaking, he got up and turned back to the harem, and after walking a few steps, he suddenly turned around and said, "You two old lovers, Yang Ci and Yuan Feng, follow me Come……" When entering the palace, Jian Shuo took away his crutches and knelt for a long time, but Yang Ci and Yuan Feng couldn't stand up. "Go slowly, don't rush. Allow your son to take care of you and come with you." Liu Hong waved his hands and left first.As soon as the emperor and the ten servants left, everyone relaxed.The Yutang was bustling with people inside and outside, Cao Cao knew that he was too busy to go in and serve his father, so he rushed to Brother Bao Xin.Not long after, Chen Wen, Cui Jun, and Yang Qi, a group of good friends, also gathered around. The brothers of the Bao family were martial artists, especially Bao Hong, who was addicted to martial arts, and complained immediately: "It's not my place to send troops to fight." Bao Xin said with a smile: "Brother is too stupid, you should find a way to sneak into the Northern Army first." Yang Qi was dejected: "I had listened to my uncle's words earlier, why did today's change happen?" Cui Jun said to himself: "Brother Boqiu has finally made it through, but it's a pity that in the end it was because of the favor of an eunuch, so it's not beautiful." Chen Wen muttered again: "I have to go and see Ma Gong. If possible, help him back to Dongguan to rest first. He has old cold legs." It seems that each has their own concerns, but none of them is close to what Cao Mengde is thinking at the moment.While he was in a daze alone, he saw the admonishing doctor Zhu Jun stretching his waist and coming out of the hall: "Boy Meng De, we were still chatting in the Yuan Mansion yesterday afternoon! Who would have thought that the situation would change overnight and people would panic." It seems that Two words of flattery are so powerful, Zhu Jun actually took the initiative to look for him. Cao Cao quickly apologized and said with a smile: "I think you are calm and composed, you don't care." "It's a disaster that can't be avoided!" Cao Cao finally found someone who could speak his mind: "My lord, according to your opinion, can you get Ma Yuanyi here?" "The eight gates have been closed, so it must be easy to catch." Zhu Jun stretched his waist and legs, "but troubles will come soon. There are millions of people in Zhang Jiao! Although things have been revealed, can you let it go and bow your head to subdue the law? A chaos of swords and soldiers close at hand." This is exactly what Cao Cao is concerned about at the moment: "My lord, I think there are more than a million!" "Oh?" "The bandits from all over the place, the anti-people in the front court, and the refugees who were ruined by various tyrannical regimes. Together with Zhang Jiao, they will all follow the rebellion, and the world will be in chaos!" Zhu Jun sighed, and said: "Your Majesty, this has come to an end. Ma Yuanyi is easy to catch. What should we do next? Liangzhou Qiang has been in chaos for a long time, and it is impossible to transfer troops to turn around at this time. The Kanto states don't even think about it." , It is not safe to recruit troops at this time. Relying on the Northern Army alone, this battle is not easy to fight." Cao Cao nodded, and said: "But today I have seen the emperor's demeanor. The Holy Majesty is not stupid at all. He just took the matter of pardoning party members today, and in a short while he found Duan Jiong's old story. You have a quick mind. How could such a shrewd king not devote his mind to government affairs?" "This is all our wishful thinking. In fact, we are all wrong. The emperor doesn't want the foundation of his ancestors, nor the great affairs of the court. He has no enmity with party members, and he has no kindness with eunuchs." Zhu Jun stroked his mustache, his eyes widened There was a burst of helplessness, "He only wants to have fun in his mind, and he will protect whoever can play with him. He is indeed shrewd, but everything he does is just for fun... It's a pity..." "Now that he has caused such a big mess, he is at the end of his game." "I just want one thing right now. When Zhang Jiao revolts and Liangzhou generals can't be transferred back, who will the emperor send to suppress the rebellion?" Zhu Jun blinked his small round eyes like black beans, "Hmph! The errand is about to be stuffed into my hands again." A subtle idea suddenly came to Cao Cao's mind: He promised to take me to fight in the army, if he really wants to be handsome, shouldn't I also show my skills?Moreover, Cao Cao felt that this idea was very evil. As an official of the Han Dynasty, he should hope that the country would be peaceful, so how could he expect someone to rebel?This feeling is really contradictory... At this time Yuan Ji ran over suddenly, bowed and said: "When I went to the hall just now, thanks to Brother Meng Dexian who helped my old father." "It's such a small thing." "Hey... My family, Benchu, and Gonglu don't want to come out to be an official. I'm ashamed. I'm ashamed. Did you see Yang Qi?" "Over there." Cao Cao pointed with his finger. "Thank you very much..." "What's up?" "The emperor asked the two elders to come to the back to discuss matters. Unexpectedly, Yang Gong and the emperor stood up. The two monarchs and ministers shouted hoarsely for a long time. Yang Gong's old problem of distress has happened again. I have to hurry and ask Yang Qi to go too. Serve me." After saying that, Yuan Ji left. "Did you hear that, the emperor still doesn't listen to loyal advice?" Zhu Jun smiled bitterly, "If there is a war, I'm afraid that the leader of the army will not die at the hands of the rebels, but will die at the mouth of treacherous officials. Don't leave this job to me." Cao Cao chatted with Zhu Jun for a while, and when it was Yin time, the sky turned bright.There is no battle report, and the guarding Habayashi Army is still unrelenting.The two went down the jade steps, found a place to leeward, and sat on the ground on the green bricks of the royal garden.After all, it is still early spring, especially at dawn when the chill is the most pressing. The folk saying is called "ghost baring teeth", and even ghosts bark their teeth from the cold. It's easy for young people, but there is a time when they become officials, and Yilang also has ages. Older officials have to stay up half the night and suffer from the cold, which is really unbearable.Just on the edge of the jade steps, there was an elderly old Yilang, shivering with cold, leaning on the railing and shaking.Cao Cao knew that Dong Fu, a famous scholar in Shu, was the best at prophecy and astrology.Cao Cao never believed in divination, so he didn't respect this man very much.But I couldn't bear to see the old man suffering from the cold, so I went over to help him. At this very moment, a big man walked out from the hall! This person is eight feet tall, neither fat nor thin, with a fair face, long eyebrows and phoenix eyes, a high nose bridge, ingot ears, and a thick black beard covering his chest.No one can guess that he is nearly fifty years old, if he is young, he must be a first-class handsome man.There is a natural nobility and elegance in his gestures, but there seems to be an imperceptible edge hidden in this elegance.It's no wonder that the officials of the imperial court, when it comes to noble status, are the first to recommend this man-Zong Zhengqing Liu Yan. Among the nine officials, Zong Zhengqing is the most respected, because this official position is in charge of the affairs of the royal family and even the enfeoffment of the kingdom.It is precisely because of its particularity that this position must be held by someone with noble status and outstanding reputation among the members of the clan.Liu Yan, courtesy name Junlang, was born in Jingling, Jiangxia. He was a great-great-grandson of Emperor Xiaojing after King Lu Gong of the Han Dynasty.In his forties, he enjoyed the dignity of Zongzheng, which is rare since the Li Han Dynasty. I saw Liu Yan walked down the jade steps quickly, took off the brocade robe that the emperor had just awarded, and put it on Dong Fu: "I have been thinking about you for a long time!" Dong Fu said tremblingly: "Don't dare, this is given to you by the emperor." "Don't worry about so much, you just need to wear it!" Liu Yan tied it up for him with his own hands. Dong Fu was so moved that tears filled his eyes: "My lord, you...really..." Liu Yan supported him: "Let's go! Let's enter the hall together to keep warm." "The official position is low. Don't dare... dare not..." "Why don't you dare?" Liu Yan raised his eyebrows, "Tell me what you want, and the eunuchs and guards in the palace will give me three points. If I say let you in, which one of them dare to make irresponsible remarks?" "Master Liu told you to go in, so go in." Taicang Ling Zhao Wei walked over with a smile.Behind him were Yilang Fayan and Meng Tuo. Liu Yan was very happy to see them: "Let's go! Come in with me, how many people can't fit in such a big Yutang Hall?" After saying that, he nodded and called a little Huangmen, "Go and fill five bowls of hot soup. Bring it in for me." The eunuch couldn't provoke him, so he hurried away. Seeing this, Cao Cao sneered, and said to himself, "Liu Yan is such a Canadian, but he will use his status to buy people's hearts." However, Cao Mengde really underestimated Liu Yan.He didn't realize at all that in this turbulent situation, a third force other than eunuchs and Qingliu was slowly rising.When the brocade robe was put on Dong Fu, the first separatist forces in the Eastern Han Dynasty headed by Liu Yan and counseled by Zhao Wei, Fa Yan, and Meng Tuo were already brewing...