The Rebirth of Lu Bu in the Legend of the Heroes of the Later Han Dynasty

In the Wancheng Pavilion, Cao Pi was talking to Sima Yi, and a royal edict came from Luoyang. The King of Wei will begin his tour of the world on the third day of December this year and spend the New Year in Nanjun, Jingzhou. He will probably stay in Wancheng for a month. This required the construction of a temporary palace. Zhang Xiu was born in the army and had never presided over the construction of a palace, so he gave this task to Cao Pi, who came to Wancheng to supervise the army.

Cao Pi asked: "Zhongda, we have to build a palace again this time. There are still three months before my father comes to Wancheng. How should I design the palace this time? I can't make any more mistakes."

Sima Yi replied: "The construction of fortifications this time is different from the last time. The King of Wei is the actual ruler of the world today. It should be built vigorously and grandly. In theory, it is not inferior to Tongque Tower."

Cao Pi said: "In less than a hundred days, I'm afraid we won't be able to recruit so many craftsmen and civilians, and we won't have that much money and food."

Sima Yi said: "Jingxiang is a prosperous place. Liu Biao worked hard for decades in the past, and the goods and people are prosperous. The nobles and wealthy families in Jingzhou can contribute money, food and people. As for the craftsmen, I can use my family's connections to get the goods from Yingchuan." convene."

Cao Pi said: "Thanks to you, Zhongda, if I can be rich and noble in this life, I will definitely live up to you."

Sima Yi knelt down and said: "Young Master has great ambitions and will definitely achieve great success as a prince. The Sima family is willing to serve as your frontline soldier."

When the two were about to discuss the location of the palace in detail, a servant came to report that someone from Chang'an asked to see the young master.

Cao Pi wondered why someone in Chang'an would ask to see his down-and-out young master. Could it be Cao Ren or Cao Hong? However, he had no friendship with these two uncles. With doubts, he decided to meet the visitors from Chang'an.

The person who came took off his cloak and it was none other than Jia Xu, the fifty-eight-year-old Ling of Chang'an.

When Cao Pi saw Jia Xu, he was at a loss. This was a close official of the emperor and his father, and he forgot to say hello for a while.

Jia Xu saluted Cao Pi and said, "I have met Mr. Zihuan."

Only then did Cao Pi come back to his senses: "Greetings to your lord, why did you come to Wancheng? Pi didn't know beforehand and received me poorly. I hope you can forgive me."

Seeing Cao Pi's respectful and humble look, Jia Xu nodded and said, "I'm here to discuss important matters with you. Please step aside."

Hearing what Jia Xu said, Cao Pi asked his attendants to leave first, then invited Jia Xu into the inner room and closed the door, leaving only the two of them in the room.

Jia Xu took out an imperial edict and handed it to Cao Pi, saying, "This is the emperor's secret edict. Please read it yourself."

Cao Pi respectfully took the edict and opened it slowly. He was shocked by the contents of the edict. His hands and feet kept shaking, and he said intermittently: "You...you actually...wanted to murder my father." King? Why...are you asking me to do this?"

Jia Xu helped Cao Pi sit down and said calmly: "Given the current situation of the young master, in a hundred years from now, the king of Wei, do you think the throne will be passed to you, to you, to Mr. Wen, or to Mr. Jian?"

Cao Pi said: "My father's favorite one now is my fourth brother, but he has not yet established a heir apparent, so I still have a chance."

Jia Xu said: "The position of the eldest son should have been inherited by the eldest son, but it is a pity that he died young. According to the order of succession, in theory, you should be the second son to inherit the throne. But don't forget, Mr. Zihuan, the king of Wei now treats you But let’s be honest, once he is a hundred years old, you will only be a prince at best, am I wrong?”

Cao Pi said: "Patricide is a serious crime. I can't do it. Besides, there is Xu Chu, an enemy of ten thousand people, beside my father. I advise you to give up this idea as soon as possible."

Jia Xu smiled: "If I can help the young master not bear the crime of patricide, but also inherit everything owned by King Wei, do you think it is feasible?"

Cao Pi fell into deep thought. According to his current situation, it is indeed difficult to stand up. Since he does not have to bear the charge of parricide, why not give it a try? After thinking about this, he said: "If it is true as stated in the emperor's edict, after the event is completed, I will inherit the throne of Wei King and entrust Yanzhou, then I am willing to do it. I hope you can teach me how to do it."

Jia Xu said: "What you have to do is very simple. As long as you get Xu Chu drunk at the banquet when King Wei comes to Wancheng, half of the matter will be done. I will ask the Jingzhou army to do this." I will never implicate the young master."

Cao Pi said: "It is not difficult to get Xu Chu drunk, but there are still 30,000 troops in Wancheng, and the Jingzhou army is only 50,000, and 40,000 of them are in the hands of Xiahou Ba who guards Jingnan. How can you mobilize them?"

Jia Xu said: "I don't need to worry about this matter. I have my own way to make Zhang Xiu's 30,000 Xiliang troops leave Wancheng. I only need Cai Mao's 10,000 Jingzhou troops, and a great thing can be accomplished."

Cao Pi gritted his teeth and said, "I'll leave everything to you sir. After I become the King of Wei, I will definitely thank you sir again."

Jia Xu was very satisfied with the double promise from the emperor and Cao Pi. This was exactly what he wanted. Using his sharp tongue to seek the centuries-old wealth of the Jia family, no matter how high the risk was, it was worth it.

After bidding farewell to Cao Pi, Jia Xu went to the military camp to meet Zhang Xiu. According to the words he had prepared in advance, he told Zhang Xiu that the Zou family had now become the forbidden wife of the King of Wei. As he expected, when Zhang Xiu learned that the Zou family, whom he regarded as his own mother, was occupied by Cao Cao, he was furious and immediately said something that was incompatible with Cao Cao.

Jia Xu took out the emperor's secret edict, asked Zhang Xiu to wait for the opportunity, and informed Zhang Xiu of the emperor's promise to General Zhang Xiu. Zhang Xiu made a decisive choice and was willing to help the emperor.

Three days later, Jia Xu came to Xiangyang again and met Cai Mao.

Cai Mao read the emperor's edict and expressed his unwillingness to participate in the rebellion: "My sister is now the concubine of King Wei, and I am also the governor of Jingzhou now, with a high position. Why should I help you murder King Wei?"

Jia Xu shook his head and said: "The high position and power that the general mentioned is just an illusion in my opinion. Jingzhou is an important place for military strategists. The King of Wei has already decided that Xia Houyuan will guard it. When he returns from the western expedition, he will replace the general." Position, this is why Xiahou Ba, the son of Xiahou Yuan, can take charge of the 40,000 Jingzhou army. Once Xiahou Yuan comes to Jingzhou, I don’t need to say what will happen to the general. If the general is willing to help the emperor, the Cai family will be able to I will be the Lord of Jingzhou forever."

Cai Mao was very afraid of Xia Houyuan, not only because Xia Houyuan was Cao Cao's younger brother, but also Cao Cao's brother-in-law. This relationship was unmatched by anyone in the clan, and Xia Houyuan's daughter, Xiahou Lingnu, was also betrothed to Cao Cao's third son, Cao Zhang , this relationship is even more intimate. It can be said that to a certain extent, Xia Houyuan is Cao Cao's shadow. Once he comes to Jingzhou, the Cai family will lose their glory and wealth. Jia Xu's words touched his sore spot!

After weighing the pros and cons, Cai Mao finally made up his mind to join the camp of punishing Cao.

Three months passed quickly. The temporary palace in Wancheng had been built, and Cao Cao also began his tour of the world. The first stop was Wancheng.

At the banquet to welcome Cao Cao, an urgent military situation was reported, and the Qiang people invaded Liangzhou and Guanzhong in large numbers. Zhang Xiu asked for orders to lead the Xiliang army to conquer, and Cao Cao agreed.

Cao Pi toasted Xu Chu and praised him as a world-famous warrior. Xu Chu felt a little carried away and couldn't help but drink a few more glasses.

In the past, Cao Cao strictly controlled Xu Chu's drinking. Today, Cao Cao made an exception and allowed him to drink as much as he wanted. The hundred-man escort also participated in the banquet. After all, Cao Pi was here in Wancheng, and everything seemed so safe.

Cao Zhang, who was training troops with Xiahou Ba in Jingnan, heard that the Jingzhou army had been gathering in the direction of Wancheng recently. He was confused and decided to go to Wancheng to check it out in person. However, he was blocked at the gate of the city.