Zhong Yao, whose courtesy name is Yuanchang, was born in the Zhong family of Yingchuan. He was born as a filial and honest person. He served as Ting Weizheng and Huangmen Shilang.
In the third year of Chuping, Cao Cao sent an envoy to Chang'an to submit a letter. At that time, Li Jue and Guo Si held the emperor hostage. They believed that Cao Cao belonged to the Kwantung Allied Forces and was an enemy of Dong Zhuo, so they discussed detaining the envoy.
At this time, Zhong Yao advised, saying that all the princes in the world have different intentions, but Cao Cao is the only one who wants to be loyal to the Han Dynasty. If he rejects his good intentions, who else in the world will dare to rely on the emperor?
After hearing this, Li Jue and Guo Si felt that it made sense, so they treated the envoy preferentially, and Cao Cao was able to establish contact with the emperor Liu Xie.
After Cao Cao heard about this, he asked Xun Yu about Zhong Yao's character. Xun Yu greatly praised Zhong Yao, so Cao Cao began to make friends with Zhong Yao privately.
Cao Cao was very eager for talents. At that time, most of the nobles in the world were attached to Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu. As a result, there were relatively few talents under Cao Cao, so he had to show a thirsty attitude for talents. For those who were worthy of friendship,
Try to make contact as much as possible.
It must be said that Cao Cao still had a very vicious view of people, and many of his subordinates would become famous in the future and become famous all over the world.
Two years ago, Cao Cao also tried to win over Yuan Xi, but Yuan Xi did not show any extraordinary talents at that time, and Yuan Xi casually dismissed the two concubines sent by Cao Cao, and then nothing happened.
When Liu Xie saw Zhong Yao speaking, he asked, "What's your plan?"
Zhong Yao looked around and then said: "Qi Tianjia, General Dong is loyal and sincere. Now the Baibo thieves are just taking the opportunity to eliminate dissidents."
"Without the general, the Tian family and the ministers are all like meat on the chopping block!"
"But there is always a road ahead. Although the rebel army is powerful now, there are loyal officials of the Han Dynasty outside the city, waiting to come to rescue them!"
"Yanzhou Shepherd Cao Mengde!"
"If the emperor issues an edict to expel the Baibo bandits, then the emperor's carriage will be safe!"
After hearing this, Liu Xie thought that Cao Cao had sent someone to make friends with him a few years ago, so he nodded and said, "What I love you said makes sense."
He turned to the others and said, "What do you think?"
Several people present were all confidants who were highly appreciated by Liu Xie, and one of them had defected to Liu Xie only a few months ago.
Dong Zhao.
After he left Yuan Xi and went to Zhang Yang, he returned the seal and ribbon to the court through Zhang Yang, and was awarded the title of Cavalry Captain. When Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty returned eastward to Anyi, Dong Zhao followed Zhang Yang to greet him, and was worshiped as Yilang.
The reason why he was favored by Liu Xie was that he persuaded Zhang Yang to make good friends with the Han Dynasty when he was in Hanoi. Zhang Yang brought food and clothing to the emperor this time, which was also Dong Zhao's vigorous promotion.
Therefore, Liu Xie reciprocated the favor and regarded Dong Zhao as a confidant and used him heavily.
Dong Zhao was in a state of confusion now. Yuan Xi's only request for him was to interfere with Cao Cao's plan to some extent without being exposed.
But in this situation, if he opposes Zhong Yao, he will definitely be suspected, and Dong Zhao also has his own ideas.
Because Cao Cao also befriended him privately!
The reason why Dong Zhao was so hesitant was because he was still wavering between Cao Cao and the Yuan family.
After all, Yuan Xi kept him for a year at that time. Although he treated him well, in Dong Zhao's opinion, there were things he valued more.
The rise and fall of the Han Dynasty.
Now that he is a Han minister, he naturally gives priority to the Han Dynasty. What he wants to weigh now is whether Cao Cao or Yuan Xi is more loyal to the emperor.
Thinking of this, he said aloud: "What Mr. Zhong said makes sense."
"No matter what Cao Gong is like, his ancestors are all loyal ministers of the Han Dynasty. He is definitely better than the Baibo generals who ignore the majesty of the emperor."
Liu Xie heard this and nodded slightly. Just as he was about to speak, he heard someone below say: "I heard that Cao Cao had a good relationship with Li Jue and Guo Si before?"
"If this is the case, what should we do if he drives away the Bai Bo thieves, turns around, opens the city gate, and welcomes Li Jue and Guo Si into the city?"
"He and Yuan Shu are in Yuzhou together, but there have been very few conflicts in the past two years. Is there collusion?"
"If he kidnaps the emperor and hands him over to Yuan Shu, the emperor's safety will be in danger. Who can save him?"
When everyone heard this, they were all shocked and looked at the person who spoke.
Kong Rong.
After he left Liu Bei, he took the way to Jizhou and his whole family headed west to seek refuge with the emperor Liu Xie.
He was originally going to Chang'an, but he got news that the emperor was going back to Luoyang, so he went to Luoyang in advance to wait, but on the way, news came that the emperor's car was being chased.
Seeing that waiting was no solution, he went north from Luoyang and rushed to Anyi to pay homage to Liu Xie.
Kong Rong was a well-known figure in the world, and his arrival could be said to be a timely help to the declining reputation of the Han Dynasty. Liu Xie was overjoyed and made him a general, and then he was promoted to the post of Shaofu.
Kong Rong was profound in knowledge. Whenever Liu Xie visited the court for a meeting, Kong Rong often cited evidence to make decisions, and most of the ministers and officials could not say anything. The contrast was extremely sharp.
Seeing what Kong Rong said, everyone felt that it was natural in their hearts, because when talking about Kong Rong, there were many grievances with Cao Cao.
Although he lost Beihai, it was Yuan's fault, but Liu Bei's subsequent loss of Xiapi was due to the tacit understanding between Yuan Shu and Cao Cao, which made Kong Rong hate him very much.
Of course, the more important reason is that Bian Rang, a famous scholar in Yanzhou who was killed by Cao Cao, was as famous as Kong Rong, and the two had a good relationship. Bian Rang was killed, which made Kong Rong hate Cao Cao very much, so he always opposed him.
Seeing Kong Rong criticizing Cao Cao, Zhong Yao said: "Although what Wen Jugong said is reasonable, who can save the current situation except Cao Cao?"
At this time, Dong Cheng, who was kneeling on the ground, raised his head and said, "I have something to say."
"I received news yesterday that Marquis Wen and the Youzhou Army have joined forces to welcome the Emperor's chariot. They will arrive within three to five days!"
"What!" Liu Xie was shocked, "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
To Liu Xie, Lu Bu was still very loyal, due to his character problem of being content with being a rich man. He never wanted to monopolize power, nor did he interfere with any of Liu Xie's powers.
Now that he heard that Lu Bu came to help, he was happy and angry at the same time. He was happy that Lu Bu would be a helpful help, but he was angry that Dong Cheng had hidden it from him. What did that mean?
Dong Cheng hesitated and said: "It's just Marquis Wen, but the Youzhou Army is also coming with us!"
Liu Xie didn't react for a moment and asked doubtfully: "What Youzhou Army?"
Dong Cheng spoke up: "The fierce tiger of the Yuan family who was originally the second son of Yuan Shao and is now the head of the family of Yuan Ji!"
"He and Marquis Wen have joined forces!"
When Liu Xie heard this, it was as if cold water was poured on his head, "The fierce tiger of the Yuan family who drove away Liu Yuzhou, killed Gongsun Zan, defeated the Black Mountain Army, and repulsed Yuan Shu's army, Yuan Xi?"
"I didn't give him an edict, so what would he do?"
Dong Cheng could only say: "I don't know the truth, so I didn't dare to inform the emperor in time."
When Yuan Xi's name came out of Liu Xie's mouth, everyone in the hall had different expressions, especially Kong Rong's face turned red instantly, as if it reminded him of something unpleasant.
Even Fu Shou, who was sitting next to him, had a curious light in his eyes. In the past two years, Yuan Xi's reputation as a ferocious tiger has become increasingly popular. Things about him have been widely spread among the nobles. Among the younger generation, there are many incompetent people.
Can suppress his limelight.
Of course, many of the rumors about this person are negative. It is said that this person is ruthless, full of tricks, and especially lustful!
Fu Shou thought about the true and false rumors and was quite curious, what kind of person is this?
Zhong Yao suddenly realized that the situation was a little out of control. As far as he knew, Cao Cao had bribed Dong Zhao and Dong Cheng privately, but now these two people were neither straightforward nor decisive, and their attitudes were obviously not firm.
He knew he couldn't do it without speaking, so he said: "Tianjia!"
"The Yuan family has done some serious evil things!"
"Yuan Shao is trying to establish another emperor, and Yuan Shu is determined to be self-reliant. How can a descendant of the Yuan family believe it?"
He fully expected Kong Rong to refute, but to his surprise, Kong Rong showed approval, "That Yuan family's fierce tiger is indeed not a thing."
"To me, Yuan Xi and Cao Cao are equally untrustworthy!"
Zhong Yao felt a little dizzy after hearing this. Why did Kong Rong bite everyone he saw? Which side was he on?
At this moment, a strange thought arose in Zhong Yao's mind. Could it be that Kong Rong just wanted to spite others?
Otherwise, there is no such thing as killing a thousand enemies and damaging oneself eight hundred!
Liu Xie was thinking about another thing at this time. There was a trace of ridicule on his face, "My dear friends, you are much better informed than me."
"Anyi is isolated, but it's not easy for you to know the news hundreds of miles away."
As soon as these words came out, several people in the audience looked embarrassed. Liu Xie was not stupid, so he naturally saw that they had all taken sides early.
Liu Xie's meaning is very obvious. You can have your own selfish motives, but you'd better say it openly. Don't use me as a gift to please the princes for your own selfish reasons!
Except for Kong Rong, everyone had their own motives. After a heated debate, it was decided that Dong Cheng would lead his troops out of the city to the south, bring the emperor's edict to see Cao Cao, and wait for an opportunity to deal with Bai Bo's army.
Kong Rong went out of the city and headed east, carrying the emperor's edict to meet Lu Bu's troops eastward, asking them to rush to Anyi to stop Li Jue and Guo Si.
On the surface, this seems to be treating everyone equally, but in fact, they are siding with Cao Cao and overpowering Lu Bu!
Because Bai Bo's army was in the city and Li Jue and Guo Si were outside the city, Lu Bu was probably not doing well and was taken advantage of by Cao Cao!
Seeing this result, Dong Zhao felt a little guilty in his heart, but there was nothing he could do about it. Among the officials around the emperor today, his impression of Lu Bu and the Yuan family was far worse than that of Cao Cao.
On the one hand, this is due to Yuan's Lu Bu's own reasons, but another important factor is that the power cultivated by Cao Teng cannot be underestimated in the Han court today.
Cao Cao's grandfather, Cao Teng, was a eunuch. He had a good relationship with Emperor Shun of the Han Dynasty. He became a regular servant and successfully supported Emperor Huan of the Han Dynasty. From then on, he ushered in the era of exclusive power of the eunuch group. He also controlled the selection of officials and became almost the majority of the world.
The leader of the scholars.
Although it is quite embarrassing for a scholar to be a eunuch, but for the sake of being an official, what does face mean?
In this way, Cao Teng almost made all the scholars in the world owe him a favor, and it was my son who had to repay the favor. This was the reason why Cao Cao relied on him in the future.
In contrast, Yuan Wei and Yuan Ji were originally powerful, but were killed by Dong Zhuo. After Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu escaped, they had the desire to be independent. Even if the disciples of the Yuan family had intentions, they did not dare to show it openly.
Kong Rong left the palace, returned home and said to his wife, "I'm leaving the city now."