Three Kingdoms: I am not Cao Rui

Chapter 65: Sitting in Chang'an (Seeking follow-up reading)

Just as Cao Rui was about to stand up, Sun Zi mentioned another matter: "Your Majesty, Princess Qinghe has submitted a memorial from Chang'an, saying that Xiahou Mao slandered Your Majesty in his words."

Cao Rui raised his eyebrows: "Xiahou Mao? The Xiahou Mao who was in Chang'an and was in charge of Guanzhong? Why would he slander me? I haven't even met him."

Although he heard Cao Rui's question, Sun Zi was cautious and did not respond. When handling confidential matters around the emperor, the most important thing is to keep your mouth shut and not get involved in things that you shouldn't get involved in. Especially when it comes to such a mess involving Cao's clan members.

Princess Qinghe was Cao Cao's eldest daughter and Cao Pi's elder sister.

Speaking of Princess Qinghe, she and Cao Cao's eldest son Cao Ang, who died in the battle of Wancheng, are brothers from the same mother, both born to Cao Cao's wife Liu.

'Xiahou Mao...' Sun Zi just mentioned that Xiahou Mao slandered him, and Cao Rui's attention was just attracted by Xiahou Mao.

But on second thought, it was Princess Qinghe who reported Xiahou Mao. Isn't this a wife reporting her husband? And it was Cao Cao's daughter who reported Xiahou Dun's son?

According to the law, defaming the emperor is a crime punishable by imprisonment. Why did Princess Qinghe send her husband to prison? This matter must not be as simple as it seems. There must be something fishy, ​​and it must be a dirty reason.

Moreover, Xiahou Mi was a royal family general stationed in Chang'an, in charge of commanding the military affairs of Guanzhong, and his position was extremely important.

Cao Rui thought for a moment and asked, "Why did the late emperor let Xiahou Mao be the General of Anxi and the Commander-in-Chief of Guanzhong Military Affairs?"

Sun Zi showed a hint of hesitation in his expression: "Your Majesty, this matter involves the late emperor. I don't know whether I should tell you."

Cao Rui gently waved his hand: "Just say it, I won't punish you for what you say, especially since I'm asking you."

Sun Zi nodded and said, "Then I will try to explain the context of this matter to Your Majesty."

"To discuss this matter, we have to start with the late emperor. When the late emperor ascended the throne as King of Wei, the former general Xiahou Dun was stationed in the southeast, and the troops under his command were the largest among all the generals."

"After the late emperor ascended the throne, he immediately appointed Xiahou Dun as the general. However, Xiahou Dun died of illness less than two months after he was appointed the general. Therefore, the late emperor appointed Xiahou Dun's son Xiahou Mao as the governor of Guanzhong."

"The late emperor had a very good relationship with Xiahou Mi since he was a teenager."

Cao Rui took a breath. Xiahou Mao had a very good relationship with Cao Pi. Cao Pi was really nice to his friends.

Cao Rui looked at Sun Zi and said, "I remember that the previous governor of Guanzhong was Xiahou Yuan, and Emperor Wu even called him 'a tiger marching along the right side of Guanzhong, unstoppable'?"

"Xiahou Yuan died in the battle at Dingjun Mountain. I know that. Then who was the governor of Guanzhong between Xiahou Yuan and Xiahou Mao?"

Sun Zi said calmly, "It's Cao Zhang, the King of Rencheng."

Cao Rui was speechless at this moment. It seemed that Cao Pi's appointment of Xiahou Mi as the governor of Guanzhong was another messy appointment of a close friend.

The so-called national affairs, the appointment of many key positions is not to see who has the strongest ability to appoint. Appointing relatives and friends is a very useful and reliable instinctive choice.

Is Cao Zhang capable? Of course he is.

As the General of the Northern Army, Cao Zhang led his army northward to the north of Dai County, pacified the rebellious Wuhuan tribe, and made Kebi Neng surrender. Even when Cao Cao encountered Liu Feng coming down the mountain to challenge him in Hanzhong, the first person he thought of was his "yellow-bearded son" Cao Zhang.

Wouldn't it be appropriate for such a general to guard a place? But Cao Zhang was Cao Pi's brother and there was a possibility that he could compete for the position, so Cao Zhang could only go to the fiefdom and died of illness a few years later.

Is Xiahou Mao capable? Xiahou Mao was just a captain of the central army, and he had no military achievements to commend. After Cao Pi ascended the throne as King of Wei, he was suddenly appointed General Anxi and sent to Chang'an to supervise the military affairs of Guanzhong. Who can I complain to?

Since it was Cao Pi who made the appointment himself, Cao Rui had no choice but to accept it.

Cao Rui asked again: "Princess Qinghe is my aunt, but I have never met her. Secretary Sun, do you know about Princess Qinghe's situation?"

Sun Zi responded: "I know a little bit, but it is still related to the late emperor."

"Just tell me what you want to say." Cao Rui sighed, "Just say whatever you want to say."

Sun Zi nodded repeatedly.

Sun Zi stated: "When Emperor Wu was alive, he wanted to marry Princess Qinghe to Ding Yi of Qiao County, and he asked the late emperor about the situation."

"The late emperor suggested that Emperor Wu marry Princess Qinghe to Xiahou Dun's son Xiahou Mao, because Ding Yi's eyes were too small and Princess Qinghe might not like him."

"Ding Yi was unable to marry the princess, so he was extremely jealous of the late emperor and turned to support Cao Zhi, the Prince of Yongqiu."

Another more speechless incident.

When Cao Pi and Cao Zhi were competing for the throne, Ding Yi, as a capable general under Cao Zhi, even killed two important officials, Cui Yan and Mao Jie, when he was at the peak of his power.

This directly led to a situation where Cao Pi's party and Cao Zhi's party were almost at war to the death.

"Ah..." Cao Rui sighed. How can there be enemies without reason in this world? Whether it was Cao Pi's dissatisfaction with Ding Yi in the front or Ding Yi's jealousy of Cao Pi in the back, the hatred between the two was indeed growing.

In the second month after Cao Pi became the King of Wei, he planned to let Ding Yi commit suicide to apologize for his crime. After Ding Yi refused, he even killed Ding Yi's two brothers and all the male members of his family.

Anyone who can become an emperor has blood on his hands.

Cao Rui thought for a moment and said, "In that case, let Princess Qinghe and Xiahou Mao come to Luoyang together. I want to ask them in person."

Xiahou Mao was the governor of Guanzhong. Was he going to let such a person guard against Shu Han and Zhuge Liang? Cao Rui had long wanted to replace him, so he took this opportunity to let Xiahou Mao come to Luoyang.

Regarding Xiahou Mao, Cao Rui recalled a historical case: When Zhuge Liang launched his first Northern Expedition, Wei Yan suggested personally leading 5,000 elite soldiers and 5,000 grain transporters to launch a surprise attack on Chang'an through Ziwu Valley in about ten days.

Of course, Wei Yan's plan was rejected by the cautious Zhuge Liang. The reason was simple: Wei Yan made too many assumptions.

To meet Wei Yan's strategic intention, Wei Yan himself "must" pass through Ziwu Valley within ten days, Xiahou Mao, who was considered incompetent by Wei Yan "must" abandon the city and flee, Wei State "must" send reinforcements more than 20 days after Xiahou Mao abandons the city, and Zhuge Liang "must" reach Chang'an via Xiegu within a month.

These "musts" were almost all Wei Yan's fantasies. In history, Cao Zhen conquered Shu through Ziwu Valley, and it took him a month to get halfway through. Zhuge Liang later went out of Xiegu to the north, and it also took him two months in total.

But no matter what, Xiahou Mao had to be replaced! Could we count on Xiahou Mao to resist Zhuge Liang?
At this time, Sun Zi asked: "Your Majesty, if Xiahou Mao returns to Luoyang, then Chang'an will be left without anyone to take charge?"

Cao Rui glanced at Sun Zi and asked, "Who do you think is worthy of being the governor of Guanzhong?"

(End of this chapter)