South Zhengcheng.

"The last general is incompetent, please punish the general!"

Ma Chao, who was dressed in linen and filial piety, bowed to Yang Ling with a sad face.

Looking at him in the hall, Yang Ling frowned!

Before the Battle of Hanzhong broke out, he ordered Ma to send troops to support.

But at that time, the Hu people such as Qiang Di in Liangzhou were instigated by Liu Bei, and Ma Teng had no time to separate.

That's not all, Yang Ling ordered Ma Teng to guard Wudu County, which borders Yizhou, to prevent Liu Bei from sending troops to attack Longyou!

However, Ma Teng was too careless and didn't take Yang Ling's words to heart.

When Liu Bei led people to attack Xixian, he didn't have time to react at all, and he was defeated and died!

And before Ma Chao led the troops to support his father, Yang Ling told him to be careful of Liu Bei's ambush!

But Ma Chao, who was carried away by the pain of losing his father, was also defeated by Yang Ling!

How does this not make Yang Ling angry?

As far as the public is concerned, Ma Teng died bravely, and Ma Chao had many military exploits in the past.

Privately, one is Yang Ling's father-in-law, and the other is the eldest brother.

Yang Ling is really not good at dealing with them!

As if seeing his embarrassment, Zhang Liao on the side took the initiative to stand up,

"General Meng Qi was eager to avenge his father, and he was ambushed by Liu Bei. I also hope that the general will see his filial piety and forgive him this time! ”

"Yes, please be gracious to the general!"

"General Meng Qi is brave and brave, so that he can make meritorious service in the future!"

Zhao Yun, who was good friends with Ma Chao, also pleaded for him.

"That's it! Thinking of Meng Qi, you have many military exploits in the past, and there are so many people pleading for you, so I will treat you lightly! ”

"From today onwards, I will demote you to the Marquis of Guannei and reduce the fiefdom!"

"For those soldiers who died in battle, in addition to the imperial court death pension, you also have to compensate their families!"

Ma Chao made the mistake of underestimating the enemy and killed thousands of soldiers.

If they are not punished, they are afraid that others will not be convinced.

But thinking about his past merits, it's not good to be too harsh.

In the end, Yang Ling lowered his title, reduced his fiefdom, and asked him to compensate the families of the soldiers who died in the battle.

Hearing the punishment of Ma Chao, everyone was also relieved.

With Ma Chao's ability, as long as he can go to the battlefield in the future, it is easy to achieve military exploits, and a mere title is nothing.

"General Meng Qi, don't thank the general soon!"

Zhao Yun on the side reminded.

"Thank you for the general's grace not to kill!"

Ma Chao also knew in his heart that Yang Ling was treating him lightly, so his words were also full of gratitude!

"Alright, you can bury your father for the time being! When I go back, I will ask the court to reward your father generously. ”

At the mention of Ma Teng, Yang Ling's expression eased a lot.

Although Liu Bei was let go due to carelessness, Ma Teng had helped Yang Ling a lot before.

Whether it is money or effort, there is no ambiguity.

Previously, Yang Ling was placed under house arrest by Cao Pi and secretly informed Ma Teng to raise troops.

Ma Teng also did not hesitate at all, and immediately drove away the court officials, saying that before Yang Ling was released, he would cut off contact with the imperial court!

Besides, the other person has passed away, and there is nothing to worry about, so you should be in charge!

"Thank you, General!"

Ma Chao bowed again!

……

With the end of the Battle of Hanzhong, it was also time for Yang Ling to return to Luoyang.

After all, Cao Zhi's future affairs, as well as the support of the new monarch, are waiting for Yang Ling to deal with them!

As for Hanzhong, Yang Ling ordered the construction of five roads, Qishan, Chencang, Baoxie, Fuluo, and Ziwu, to strengthen the liaison between Guanzhong and Hanzhong.

There is black powder to open the road, and at most half a year's effort, a few mountain roads can be built.

In addition, Yang Ling asked Zhang Liao to sit in Nanzheng, and Yu Ban and Zhang He to guard Yangping Pass in case Liu Bei counterattacked.

After everything was dealt with, Yang Ling took Zhao Yun, Deng Ai, Jiang Wei, as well as Zhang Lu, Zhang Qiying and others, and embarked on the journey back to Luoyang!

He didn't choose to return to Luoyang from Guanzhong, but took a boat along the Han River, first arrived in Jingzhou, and then went all the way north, and finally returned to Luoyang!

Outside the city of Luoyang.

The officials led by Pang Tong, Gao Rou, and Xu Shu were all waiting at the city gate.

Seeing Yang Ling and the others returning, they stepped forward one after another and said in unison,

"Welcome to the triumphant return of the Great General!"

Yang Ling turned over and dismounted, looking at the many familiar faces among the courtiers, and couldn't help but feel a little complicated in his heart.

Not long after he sent troops to recruit Zhang Lu, the older generation of military generals such as Jia Xu, Xiahou Dun, and Xiahou Yuan fell one after another!

This situation reminded Yang Ling of Boss Cao's words before his death,

"The old people are withering one after another, like falling leaves in the wind!"

However, birth, old age, sickness and death are the normal state of life!

Yang Ling just sighed, then packed up his mood and walked towards the palace with a group of officials.

Although it has been more than a month since Cao Zhi's death, Yang Ling, who is in charge of the government, has not returned, and Cao Zhi's funeral has been suppressed.

The coffin containing his body had been parked in an ice cellar underground, but fortunately it had not rotted.

Yang Ling returned today, and the coffin was also carried to the palace.

After Yang Ling's condolences were finished, Pang Tong, who served as Situ, took the initiative to speak,

"There is a way that a country cannot be without a king for a day, and now that His Majesty has died, we should set up a new king!"

"What Situ said is extremely true!"

Taiwei Gao Rou nodded and agreed,

"Your Majesty has passed away, and according to the etiquette system, the crown prince should succeed to the throne!"

As early as when Yang Ling passed his son to Cao Zhi, Cao Zhi made Cao Yuan the crown prince.

Now that Cao Zhi has died, he should be succeeded by Cao Yuan.

Seeing Pang Tong and Gao Rou singing and harmonizing, the court naturally knew that this was what Yang Ling meant.

"The minister agrees with Situ and Taiwei's opinion!"

"The minister seconded the proposal!"

"I hope the Queen Mother will agree!"

A group of ministers chimed in.

Everyone's eyes looked at the Empress Dowager Bian in the hall.

Since Cao Pi was deposed, Cao Zhi ascended the throne as emperor, and succeeded Cao Yuan, Empress Dowager Bian also knew very well that sooner or later there would be such a day!

That's it!

In any case, Cao Yuan is Cao Qing's son, and he passed on to Cao Zhi, so he can be regarded as Cao's bloodline after all!

Let him ascend the throne as the emperor, whether it is for the Cao family or Yang Ling, it is the most suitable choice!

Thinking of this, Empress Dowager Bian nodded slightly and said,

"The mourning family is ready! I wonder what the general thinks? ”

"Back to Her Royal Highness the Queen Mother, the minister has no objection!"

Supporting his son to be the emperor, how could Yang Ling refuse?

So with the unanimous consent of everyone, it was finally decided to establish Cao Yuan as the new monarch of Cao Wei!

After a while, Cao Yuan came to the main hall surrounded by a team of eunuchs.

"We meet Your Majesty!"

The ministers saluted Cao Yuan one after another, and the tsunami-like sound of the mountain startled Cao Yuan, who was still young!

Seeing that his son was a little overwhelmed, Yang Ling coughed lightly and threw an encouraging look at him.

Smash, don't be afraid, there is a father behind your back to support you!