"The slanderer is reckless, and the danger is too great to ignore this suspicion." Xunzi became the prime minister.

Dong Cheng returned to the mansion angrily, and was about to go to Linyuan to summon Hu Miao, Qing Niujiao and other close scribes. He explained how he argued with Ma Rixi, how the emperor deliberately favored the side, and how Ma Rixi and his group were in conflict.

A clear one.

He patted the table angrily and said, "I don't understand. His Majesty was obviously wary of that group of people, otherwise he wouldn't have let me handle the Shanglin matter, and severely punished the powerful men who had invaded the Forbidden Garden.

But why does your Majesty stand by the Taiwei to stop me when this is such a good opportunity?"

Hu Miao hesitated and said: "Could it be that the country sees this matter as too difficult and is afraid that it will cause a big mess and end badly."

"I don't think so. Your Majesty is young and vigorous, so how can you be afraid of this? Wasn't the matter of Qingzhang Shanglin not big enough? If you don't do it, you won't even grant the Taiwei's plea." Dong Cheng shook his head.

Qingniu Jiaoxin said, you listened to Hu Miao and wanted to check the westward migration household registration. You must know that this has offended the Ma family and the Yang family. They have almost targeted all the famous wealthy families in Sanfu. How can the emperor allow you?

mess?

Dong Cheng caught a glimpse of the silent green horn and suddenly asked: "Zhengfang, what do you think?"

Qing Niujiao smoothed his beard, smiled reservedly, and said: "I am not very intelligent and cannot figure out the mystery. However, there is a more important matter that we need to deal with at the moment."

Hu Miao didn't like the way Qing Niujiao pretended to be mysterious, so he said dissatisfiedly: "Please speak frankly."

Qing Niujiao said nonchalantly: "Liangzhou Ma Teng, Han Sui is coming."

"So what?" Dong Cheng disapproved and said scornfully: "They fought against the imperial court several times, but every time they were beaten to the point where they abandoned their armor and fled in panic?"

"This time they are not going to war with the imperial court, but asking for surrender. Their subordinates can unite tens of thousands of tribesmen. Once they submit to the imperial court, they will become a force that cannot be ignored." Qing Niujiao said lightly: "

Also, I heard that one of them, Ma Teng, is from Maoling, Fufeng."

"So what about Fufeng people?"

"Dong Gong!" Hu Miao came to his senses and reminded: "The Taiwei is also from Fufeng Maoling."

Only then did Dong Cheng realize the seriousness of the matter, because there would be no second Ma family in Fufeng, so he exclaimed: "This bandit is actually from the Ma family in Fufeng!"

Hu Miao intended to steal the limelight from Qingniujiao. He himself was not too resourceful. He analyzed it first: "The Taiwei is the head of the Ma family in Fufeng. If Ma Teng is recognized as the remaining branch of the family, then the Taiwei line will have military power."

I'm afraid it will be very difficult for us to deal with you in the future."

The increase in counterattack's influence brought about the decrease in his own influence. Ma Rixi was supported by the Kansai scholars, and his influence in the court was already greater than that of Dong Cheng. Dong Cheng only relied on the emperor's support and the army's

After being intimidated, he reluctantly fought with Ma Rixi and others.

Now that Ma Rixi will have his own family, Ma Teng, to lead troops as foreign aid, his biggest deterrent is about to disappear. Dong Cheng is extremely reluctant and does not believe it: "Ma Teng surrendered to the enemy as a bandit and caused chaos in Liangzhou. He is not a loyal person."

What he did. The Taiwei enjoys a good reputation among the world, how can he recognize this kind of people as his family?"

"Times have changed and customs have changed. In the past, they might have been wary of their reputation and not make friends with you. But now that Duke Dong is by their side, it is not impossible for them to do something to strengthen their momentum." Qing Niujiao said slowly: "They surrendered, and the court also

Once a pardon is issued, if the past crimes are absolved, the misdeeds of the past will naturally be nothing."

Dong Cheng suddenly thought of people like him who had also committed bad deeds of rebellion. How come he was not welcomed and accepted by Ma Rixi and others after he surrendered, while Ma Teng and other bandits who had rebelled for several years were about to be tolerated by Ma Rixi.

?

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became, and the more he felt that these scholars' behavior of double standards for personal gain was really hateful.

"If you have anything to say, just say it. Even if I can't stop Ma Teng from surrendering, I can't let them get too comfortable!"

Hu Miao was very reluctant to express his opinion on this topic, because he had not yet come up with a perfect strategy. At this time, due to the presence of Qingniujiao, he had to bite the bullet and said: "The Taiwei has made friends with the generals, and relying on the military strength, your Majesty cannot help but

I will care about this matter. In my opinion, the one who should be wary of most should be Your Majesty, not Mr. Dong."

"You mean to let me just wait and see what happens?" Dong Cheng said with some dissatisfaction: "What good will this do to me?"

"That's not as good as that, it's not as good as that," Hu Miao was so flustered that he forgot all the words that were on his mind and said hesitantly.

Qing Niujiao said at this time: "Ma Teng, it will be some time before Han Sui surrenders and comes to court. Before that, if Dong Gong wants to make a difference, he must win a great victory first."

"Your Majesty has not allowed me to propose an inventory of the westward migration households. I am afraid that if I want to attack the Guanzhong gentry again in the future, I don't know where this success comes from?" Dong Cheng asked.

Qing Niujiao suppressed the pride in his heart and said calmly: "How can Ma Teng's ragtag army be compared with Dong Gong's elite soldiers? As long as Dong Gong leads his army to win a battle, he will naturally be able to surpass the Taiwei in terms of momentum.

"

Hu Miao was startled at first, and then said: "The Bai Bo army numbered more than 100,000, and they united with the Southern Xiongnu Yu Fuluo to defeat Taiyuan, Hanoi and other counties. When Dong Zhuo was there, he sent Niu Fu one after another, but Li Jue failed to defeat them even after repeated conquests.

,us"

Dong Cheng snorted coldly: "When Guo Tai, the leader of the Baibo Army, was really united, the advance and retreat were orderly. However, Guo Tai died in the battle at the hands of Li Jue, and the rest were all a mob, not unified. Last year, I led the army to station in Hedong.

To get a glimpse of the reality, although the Baibo army is huge, it only has more than ten thousand soldiers capable of fighting. If we can take advantage of this to seek peace, it will indeed be a great achievement."

However, Dong Cheng still had something to say. His general Yang Feng was once a member of the Baibo Army, and Qingniujiao was recommended by Yang Feng. To say that Qingniujiao had no connection with the Baibo Army, Dong Cheng had no connection.

I don't believe it either.

At this time, when he proposed to attack the Baibo Army, what was Qing Niujiao's plan?

Qing Niujiao knew Dong Cheng's concerns, and he couldn't help but smile and said: "Dong Gong is worried too much! But there is no rush at this time. Anyway, Gaishun and others are still in Lantian to exterminate the bandits. Even if the imperial court wants to send troops to Hedong, they will have to wait.

They’ll discuss it again when they come back.”

This was actually a reminder to Dong Cheng that if he didn't make a decision at this time, it might not be his turn to send troops to Hedong when Gaishun came back with military exploits.

Dong Cheng was a little embarrassed, but in the end his concerns prevailed and he did not immediately agree to Qing Niujiao's proposal. He winked at Hu Miao, then pretended to have other things to deal with, and sent the two of them back.

Hu Miao understood and parted ways with Qing Niujiao after they went out, but secretly took a detour and returned to Dong Cheng's mansion not long after.

In order to show his closeness, Dong Cheng specially met him in the backyard. Although he was the first batch of scholars to surrender to him, although he only came from a small wealthy family, he was still much more reliable than someone with unknown origins like Qing Niujiao.

After hearing Dong Cheng's suspicion about Qing Niu Jiao, Hu Miao was secretly happy and said: "My subordinates also feel that this person has bad intentions. He must have his own agenda when he comes to serve Dong Gong, and this person has nothing to do with the Yellow Turban."

If you start a relationship, Mr. Dong must not get too close to him."

"You are right." Dong Cheng also agreed with Hu Miao's point of view: "This man is hiding deep. Although his intelligence is not as good as that of several of your majesty's personal attendants, his scheming is very good. I can't help but guard against it."

Watch him. Previously he suggested that I send troops to Hedong, and I was worried about this, not only worried about him, but also worried about Yang Feng."

As Hu Miao listened and thought, his eyes suddenly lit up. He thought he had a plan. He was so excited that he cupped his hands towards Dong Chengyi and said: "With my humble opinion, it would be better to follow his wishes by sending troops to the east of Hedong."

Dong Cheng was stunned for a moment, wondering what he meant: "What are you trying to say here?"

"Now that Gaishun is about to return from his military exploits, he is a confidant of His Majesty and the son of the old master of Shangshuling. He will definitely be rewarded generously in this battle. If he is allowed to send troops to Hedong again, Dong Gong's reputation in the army will sooner or later be destroyed by him.

Press on." Hu Miao said: "That's why we must not let him lead the troops this time, but Duke Dong should go into battle himself to establish his reputation."

Looking down on your opponents in front of your subordinates is a way to improve your own strength and boost your own morale. Dong Cheng knew this well, and his evaluation of Gaishun was full of disdain: "Gaishun, this kid, has no ability to lead troops. He only relies on his father's ability."

This was only possible because of Yin He's old officials and His Majesty's appreciation. I have led the army for several years, how could I lose to this baby?"

"Dong Gong stationed troops in the east of Hedong. For many years, Bai Bo did not dare to invade. It can be said that he used his troops well. How can a mere brat compare to Dong Gong?" Hu Miao boasted, and then said: "Besides, even if

This person has a secret conspiracy with Yang Feng, or colludes with Bai Bo. We have been on guard for a long time, will we still fall into the trap?"

Seeing Dong Cheng's expression of thoughtfulness, Hu Miao continued: "In the opinion of my subordinates, the worst thing is to have a private communication with Bai Bo and imitate the story of Hu Zhen who turned against Lu Bu and defeated Lu Bu."

"It seems that Yang Feng has no good intentions. If our army is really defeated in this way, Baibo's march westward will be enough to threaten Guanzhong." This is not Yang Feng's business, but because of the green ox horn he recommended, Dong Dong

Cheng Ye also took him into account: "But I calculated it mentally and unintentionally. I will make a plan when the time comes. The Baibo Army is already in dire straits. I may be able to take advantage of this to break it."

This is exactly what Hu Miao wanted to say, and he echoed: "Dong Gong, in my opinion, this is much greater than Gaishun's achievement in suppressing the bandits!"

"Okay, in that case, while Ma Teng and the others haven't arrived in the past few days, I will first ask your Majesty to send troops to Hedong." Dong Cheng stared at Hu Miao and said, "When you come to join the army, I will give you a share of the battle merits!

"

Hu Miao was overjoyed. He had secretly regretted that he had made the emperor unhappy because of his awkward words when responding to the imperial edict. If he didn't hurry up to please Dong Cheng, he might not even be able to serve Lin Yuan in the future.

He continued his efforts and said: "As for Ma Teng and others, don't worry about it for the time being. When Ma Teng, Han Sui and others raised an army of 100,000, weren't they defeated by General Huangfu in one fell swoop? How many soldiers are left to fight now?

When Duke Dong comes back victorious, if they know the current affairs, they will naturally know who is strong and who is weak."
Chapter completed!