In May of the eighth year of Jianxing, the Empress Dowager Bian of Cao Wei collapsed, and Empress Bian of Wuxuan was declared.

The coffin stopped in the hall, Cao Rui wept, and the ministers and hundreds of officials accompanied the position, all dressed in white single clothes, and the white curtain was not crowned.

Cao Rui was so sad that he couldn't handle political affairs for ten consecutive days, and his close ministers persuaded him to let Cao Rui put the world first.

Cao Rui reluctantly accepted his grief and returned to court.

Empress Wuxuan gave birth to Emperor Wen Cao Pi, Ren Chengwei King Cao Zhang, Dong'a King Cao Zhi, and Xiao Huai King Cao Xiong.

Its people are angry and do not change their appearance, they are happy and frugal, they are frugal by nature, they are not gorgeous, they are embroidered with pearls and jade, and the utensils are all black lacquer.

Not only was he deeply valued by Emperor Cao Cao, but at the same time, he set an example, creating a simple and thrifty style in Cao Wei's harem, and often suppressed the momentum of his relatives.

Now that he has died, the whole Wei State is crying bitterly.

In July, the Gaoling (Cao Cao's tomb) was opened, and Emperor Wu was buried together, and the funeral of Changle Taifu, Shaofu, and Dachangqiu was mourned.

Luoyang City is plain white.

Just when the eyes of the world fell on the funeral of the Empress Dowager Bian, in the east hall of the Taiji Palace, Cao Rui, who was supposed to be buried in person, was participating in Bai Su and sitting on the throne.

The people sitting below are all Cao Wei's heavy ministers and the emperor's close ministers, such as Sikong Chen Qun, Taiwei Hua Xin, Zhongshu Ling Sun Zi, Zhongshu Ling Liu Fang, Liu Ye in the servant, Yang Ji, the leader of the Zhongjun Army, and so on.

On Cao Rui's desk was a letter sent by Cao Zhen, who was guarding the pass, to send it urgently.

It mentions:

The Shu people took advantage of the unpreparedness of Great Wei to attack Longyou, cut off Liangzhou, and peeped into Guanzhong.

Now I heard that the Shu people were approaching Liangzhou, and Liangzhou was in danger.

If Liangzhou is lost, the Shu people can invade Guanzhong with all their might, and if Guanzhong is disturbed, the Central Plains will be uneasy.

Why don't you take advantage of the fact that the hearts of the people in Liangzhou are still going to Wei, send troops from Guanzhong, or cut down Shu from the slope, or go west to Longyou, and restore Liangzhou.

The ministers have been planning for a long time, the generals in Guanzhong are united, and the generals are advancing in several ways, which can be greatly defeated.

Cao Rui asked people to copy several copies of this recital, handed it to the people below to read, and asked: "Do you think that the general's law is okay?" ”

After Chen Qun finished reading Cao Zhen's recital, his brows were furrowed.

Empress Wuxuan is now preparing to be buried, and the emperor doesn't follow the etiquette to go.

After all, Shu and Wu are captives, peeping at the side, and state affairs come first, which is reasonable.

It's just that Cao Zhen, as a member of the royal family, actually wanted to instigate the emperor to use troops in vain during the national funeral, which was not the way of the ministers.

What's more, the emperor not only did not feel that there was anything wrong, but summoned his ministers to come to discuss, and his heart was self-evident.

He turned his head slightly, and sure enough, he saw that many people were looking at him worriedly.

Chen Qun knew what he meant, and as an auxiliary minister, he naturally wanted to be the first to stand up: "Your Majesty, the matter of cutting down Shu is very important, and you must not be careful." ”

"In the past, Emperor Taizu wanted to attack Zhang Lu, and collected more beans and wheat in advance to benefit the army. However, Zhang Lu did not go down and there was a shortage of food and grass. Today, the pass is desolate, and there is no place for food. ”

"If you transport grain from the eastern part of the country, the loss is too great, and the slope valley is dangerous, it is difficult to advance and retreat, the Shu people are familiar with the terrain, and they will definitely choose elite soldiers to attack the grain road."

"In this way, the only way to do this is to keep more troops to guard the important places, so that more troops will be spent, and it must be carefully considered."

Cao Rui nodded, "What Sikong said is very true. But I don't know. Over the past two years, grain and grass have been transported from Kanto to Guanzhong day and night, which has long been enough to supply the Guanzhong army. ”

"Therefore, the matter of grain and grass is not to be worried. As for the slope valley risk, it is not a problem. The general also said that from Guanzhong to Hanzhong, it must be just a valley. ”

"Especially the Meridian Valley, which can go directly from Chang'an to Hanzhong. Even if you can't go to the Meridian Valley, you can walk back to the middle road, take the right side of Long, and then go down to Hanzhong. ”

Chen Qun was originally known for governing the world, and he was not very familiar with things in the army.

He had only heard of the dangers of Shu Road, and he had only heard of its name and not seen its details about this inclined valley meridian valley and the like.

Now that Cao Rui said this, although he felt that it was wrong, he didn't know where to start.

In addition, the turmoil of the flashy case has just subsided, and as the only auxiliary minister in Luoyang, his identity is indeed a little sensitive, so it's hard to say too much.

However, with Chen Qun's beginning, naturally some people followed the advice.

Taiwei Huaxin also stood up: "Your Majesty's holy virtue, in the prosperous age of prosperity, I am willing to pay attention to the governance of the road first, and take the conquest as the next thing." ”

"But so that China will not suffer from hunger and cold, and the people will not have the heart to leave the top, then the provocation of the two thieves can be quietly extinguished."

Cao Rui didn't know how many times he had heard this kind of big and empty words.

He opened his mouth and said: "The thief relies on the mountains and rivers, and when Emperor Wu and Emperor Wen are there, they are still not peaceful, how dare I say that they will be destroyed?" ”

"It's just that the two captives are stubborn, and the generals in the army think that if they don't enter the army to explore, it will be difficult to defeat themselves, so they use soldiers to see their provocation."

"If the time has not come, I also have lessons from the past, I can learn from King Wu of Zhou, and return to the army with the alliance, and I will not forget the precepts."

Hua Xin heard that the emperor had even moved out of King Wu of Zhou, and knew that the emperor was determined, so he sighed in his heart.

Seeing that Sikong and Taiwei couldn't persuade the emperor, one of them really couldn't see it, and stood up and said loudly:

"Your Majesty, at this time, you must not cut down Shu!"

Cao Rui fixed his eyes and saw that it was Yang Ji, the leader of the central army.

Although Yang Ji is a close minister of the emperor, he is the strongest in holding the opinion of Shu that cannot be defeated.

This is not the first time he has opposed Shu in public.

Cao Rui reprimanded: "You are just a scholar, and you know the military affairs? ”

Yang Ji thanked him: "The minister came from the end of Confucianism, and was favored by His Majesty. ”

"Wu Guo Lu Xun is only a scholar, but he can defeat Liu Bei in Yiling, Your Majesty An can not talk about military affairs with scholars?"

Cao Rui said angrily: "Can you compare yourself to Lu Xun? ”

Yang Ji goodbye:

"The minister is stupid, dare to ask Your Majesty, the Shu people and Wu Cai are openly allied, if the Great Wei destroys Shu, the Wu people will follow. If the matter of the second year of Futaihe is restored, then the Great Wei is in danger! Your Majesty must not be careless. ”

When Cao Rui heard this, his face suddenly became extremely ugly.

The two defeats in the second year of Taihe were the shame of his life, and he was mentioned by Yang Ji in public at this time, and he was very angry.

"The matter of the second year of Taihe was that the Shu people took advantage of my unpreparedness in Dawei, so they attacked Longyou. The Wu people were shameless, disregarded their faith and righteousness, and lured them to surrender, and Da Sima was deceived. ”

"Now that Great Wei has taken the initiative to attack the Shu people, plus I have been prepared in Eastern Wu, the Wu people will not have another chance!"

Cao Rui remembered his arrangements in Soochow, and he felt a little more sure in his heart.

Regarding the arrangement that the emperor said, Yang Ji naturally understood what he meant.

Because at that time, he personally led Yinbo to see Cao Rui.

Thinking that what His Majesty planned at that time was actually prepared for today, Yang Ji even understood that His Majesty had already intended to cut down Shu.

The general's recital was just an excuse for His Majesty.

It's just that Yang Ji wants to understand and understand, but he still hasn't retreated, and still insists on his opinion:

"Since Your Majesty feels that the courtier's words are not sincere enough, but Emperor Liu Ye is the first emperor to conspire with the ministers, and he often says that Shu cannot be fell, and His Majesty must not listen."

"You talk nonsense!" Cao Rui said angrily, "The servant and my words can be cut!" Do you want to deceive you? ”

Yang Ji was not afraid and looked at Cao Rui: "Chen An dares to bully Your Majesty? Liu Shizhong is also in the palace, so it is better to ask. ”

Everyone's eyes looked at Liu Ye, who was sitting there and had never spoken.

Liu Ye sat quietly with his eyes down, silent, as if he had not heard the argument between Cao Rui and Yang Ji.

Cao Rui was anxious, and shouted: "Liu Shizhong, why don't you answer what you asked?" ”

Liu Ye heard Cao Rui call him, so he hurriedly left his seat, got up and came out, saluted Cao Rui, and then stood solemnly.

Everyone thought that he was going to express his opinion, but after waiting for a long time, Liu Ye still stood there without saying a word.

Cao Rui frowned, and was about to urge again, but suddenly remembered that since he ascended the throne, Liu Ye seemed to rarely express his opinions in the court.

He thought about it, so he put it aside for the time being.

Then he asked Liu Ye to be left alone.

"The prince used to discuss with me about the destruction of Shu, but in front of the ministers, why didn't he speak?"

Cao Rui saw Liu Ye alone in private, with a look of dissatisfaction on his face.

Fang Cai and the ministers all opposed Shu, thinking that Liu Ye would support Shu on weekdays and would support himself despite public opinion, but he didn't expect to say nothing.

I don't know that Liu Ye at this time is completely different from the taciturn in the court.

I saw that his face was serious, his eyes were blazing, he looked directly at Cao Rui, and reprimanded him sternly:

"Conquering the country, planning also, the ministers have to make a big plan with Wen, honest and fearful, first I feel the grace of His Majesty in my heart, and then I am afraid that my mouth is not strict."

"I'm even afraid that I'll say this thing in my dreams, and if I say this, it's the sin of leaking secrets."

"The husband and soldier are treacherous, and the army has not been sent out, and they are not tired of it. Now that His Majesty is openly discussing this matter, the ministers are afraid that the enemy country has heard of it. ”

"Zhuge Liang, Renjie, when he learned of this, he must have known that His Majesty had the intention of cutting down Shu. At that time, the Shu people will be prepared, but they are afraid that what His Majesty is planning will have more twists and turns. ”

When Cao Rui heard this, he was shocked, and hurriedly got up to thank him.

Then he asked: "The matter of cutting down Shu, the important ministers in the court are all opposed, can the public teach me?" ”

Liu Ye accepted Cao Rui's gift, sat in his seat, and smiled indifferently:

"The princes of the court, sitting in the temple, do you know the frontier military affairs? In the military affairs, His Majesty did not listen to the words of the general guarding the frontier, but asked the people in the court, why is it different from Yuanmu asking for fish? ”

When Cao Rui heard this, he suddenly woke up, like a bright light in the dark, and suddenly realized:

"I am almost mistakenly made by scholars in the court!"

In my heart, I am even closer to Liu Ye.

It's just that he thought for a while, and said with some hesitation: "This matter is opposed by the important ministers of the court and the central government, if I insist on asking the general to send troops, won't I be said to be a lone husband?" ”

I only heard Liu Ye say again: "Whoever is the master of the people, should be in charge of the cadres alone, otherwise he will be easily deceived by the courtiers." ”

"And those who are ministers must not be autocratic, otherwise they are prone to arrogance and deceive the king, and this monarch and minister are different."

Cao Rui couldn't help but applaud: "This is a great goodness!" ”

"The master of the people should be in charge of the cadres alone, and I understand his meaning!" Cao Rui sighed and said with deep feelings, "It's just that this courtier is in power, fortunately, I haven't seen it." ”

When Liu Ye heard this, he seemed to have a smile on his face, and he didn't answer.

When Cao Rui saw Liu Ye's expression, his heart moved, and he asked tentatively: "Don't you have anything to say?" ”

I only heard Liu Ye say slowly: "The courtiers are dictatorial, Your Majesty is afraid that you may not have encountered it." It's just that His Majesty is generous and will not be held accountable. ”

"Oh? What does this mean? ”

"The minister once heard that His Majesty tasted Shangshumen and wanted to write the case, but was stopped by Chen Jiao, who was not allowed to enter, saying that the case clerk was the duty of the Shangshu order."

"In the end, he was relieved of his post and forced His Majesty to return to the palace? Isn't that authoritarian? ”

When Cao Rui heard Liu Ye mention this, his face changed, and he said strongly: "Chen Shangshuling is also reasonable, but he is a direct minister......

He listened to Chen Jiao's words that day, and apologized to Chen Jiao ashamedly, and naturally had to defend what he said before.

"In the past, Gao Tingwei (Gao Rou) refused to obey Emperor Wen's edict, compared with Chen Shangshuling, is he a direct minister? However, His Majesty repeatedly went to Tingchong to hear the trial of the prison. Has Gao Tingwei ever persuaded His Majesty? ”

The so-called Gao Rou did not listen to Emperor Wen's edict, which refers to the fact that Cao Pi had a grudge against Bao Xun in the imperial history, and wanted to kill him because of a small mistake.

Unexpectedly, Gao Rou, who was the court lieutenant at the time, resolutely refused to obey and must be dealt with in accordance with the law.

Cao Pi had to find an excuse to temporarily transfer him out and then let people carry out the edict.

After killing Bao Xun, Gao Rou was transferred back to Dali Temple.

"Therefore, in the eyes of the minister, what Gao Tingwei did like that is called in his position, guarding his position, is a real direct minister and loyal minister."

"As for Chen Jiao, it's just an act of inviting a name and exercising dictatorship."

Cao Rui was silent when he heard Liu Ye's words.

The two talked for a long time, and Cao Rui released Liu Ye from the palace.

Unexpectedly, Liu Ye was sent out of the palace, and he met Yang Ji, the leader of the central army.

It turned out that Yang Ji had been waiting outside the palace.

"Ziyang, I've been waiting here for a long time!"

Yang Ji saluted Liu Ye, his face was anxious, "Your Majesty has long had the intention of cutting down Shu, and today it is played by a great general." ”

"I saw the deliberate look on His Majesty's face, and I was afraid that I had already agreed to the general's performance."

"Ziyang is deeply valued by His Majesty, and he often tells me that Shu cannot be cut down on weekdays, so he has advised His Majesty to ...... in the palace."

Before Yang Ji finished speaking, Liu Ye's face changed greatly.

"Hugh, please be cautious!"

Yang Ji was reprimanded by Liu Ye, and only then did he react, he looked around, and hurriedly apologized to Liu Ye: "Ziyang, I am really too anxious, I have no intention." ”

Liu Ye sighed and said in a low voice: "Hugh and go back to the house with me first." ”

"Good, good!"

Yang Ji replied again and again.

The two left in the same carriage.

Back at the house, Liu Ye and Yang Ji entered the study, and before Yang Ji could speak, he spoke first:

"Do you know how to fish first?"

Yang Ji didn't know what he meant.

Liu Ye explained: "The big fish in the husband angler will follow, and only after it can be controlled, can it be pulled up, and it is all necessary." ”

"The prestige of the lady lord is comparable to that of a big fish, so if you disregard your face and give a direct advice, it will only be the opposite of your wishes."

"Today, above the court, Sikong, although the Taiwei advises, he does not fight with His Majesty. Only Hugh Xian, who has been admonished repeatedly, His Majesty has been unhappy for a long time. ”

"Zicheng is a direct minister, but the plan is not enough, and he must think about it."

When Yang Ji heard Liu Ye's words, he remembered what he said today, it was indeed a bit excessive, and His Majesty's face was indeed as Ziyang said, which was a little unsightly.

My heart was suddenly shocked, and I hurriedly thanked him: "It turns out that Ziyang is reluctant to speak in front of everyone, because of this, because I am not thoughtful." ”

Thinking that Liu Ye not only has the talent of the world, but even the way of being a courtier is far above himself, Yang Ji is even more respectful in his heart.