The upsurge of public opinion in Bianliang City suddenly became polarized. The focus of discussion among scholars and scholar-bureaucrats was 'disarmament' and 'promoting schools'.
The focus of discussion among the people at the bottom is "Liu Congguang's embarrassing departure from Beijing."
Although Liu Congguang was not so arrogant as to rape women on the street, his reputation was not much better either.
Probably similar to Huang Silang from 'Goose City'.
The common people dare to be angry but dare not speak out.
After all, even the children in Beijing knew Liu Congguang's identity. His mother was the legitimate daughter of the Wuyue royal family, and his father was the late emperor's uncle.
In addition, Liu Congguang is still the most favored descendant of the current Queen Mother.
Before Liu Congguang was born, the Queen Mother issued an edict from the ban and directly allowed Liu Congguang to eat the royal food.
Such grace is evident.
However, in the final analysis, Liu Congguang is just a favored royal relative. The people talk about it, but it has nothing to do with the overall situation.
Nowadays, all the civil and military attention of the entire dynasty is focused on the issues of 'disarmament' and 'promoting education'.
In a sense, 'disarmament' is equivalent to emphasizing culture over military force.
Although the Xiang Army is not a combat force, it is also an army. It is the Xiang Army that is being abolished this time. Will the Forbidden Army be abolished next time?
No one knows.
An anxious mood spread among the military officials.
The status of military officials was already very low, but now it was cut down again.
The most important thing is that the blood drained from the body of the military minister was finally poured into the feet of the civil servant.
For a time, the military ministers rushed around one after another, and the Cao Mansion instantly became a place for the military ministers to "learn lessons".
Zhending Cao was already the top general, and Cao Wei was personally recalled to the capital by the officials.
Not only that, Cao Wei also participated in the court meeting.
Among the military ministers, except for the privy envoy Cao Liang, I am afraid that no one knows the inside story better than Cao Wei.
Everyone wants to urgently confirm one thing. Has the official family changed their mind?
Didn't the officials plan to imitate the "Qin Emperor and Han Wu" before?
The young master of the Cao family was also sent to the border area, and it is said that he went to Tubo.
"General, is this disarmament really just a strategy to reduce redundant troops?"
"Be honest, don't listen to the wind and it will rain."
Seeing his friend's confused look, Cao Wei couldn't help but smile.
The Qingzheng he mentioned was a descendant of the Pan family. His real name was Pan Weize, and he was Pan Mei's nephew.
Pan Mei was a famous general in the early Song Dynasty. He followed Taizu in the southern and northern campaigns, and made great contributions to Pinglingbiao, Jiangnan, Taiyuan, and the North Gate.
Both his and Cao Bin's posthumous titles are "Wu Hui".
In addition, Pan Mei is also the prototype of the villain in "The Yang Family", the 'Pan Renmei' who only relies on the support of the queen's daughter to harm Zhongliang.
(PS: Pan Mei’s daughter is indeed Zhenzong’s concubine, and she does have the name of queen, but the queen was named posthumously)
To be fair, Pan Mei was a little unjust. Although Yang Ye's death had something to do with him, it was only a little bit.
Yang Ye's death was mostly due to the military supervisor Wang Shen's greed for merit and rash advancement.
Closer to home, Pan Mei and Cao Bin were both famous generals in the Southern and Northern Wars. The relationship between the two was quite good, so much so that the Cao family and the Pan family had always been in contact.
Pan Weize came to visit today. There is no doubt that he is the vanguard of the nobles, because he had a good relationship with Cao Wei when he was a child.
Therefore, Pan Weize was pushed out.
"well."
Pan Wei sighed: "Baochen, it's not like you don't know what situation our general is in now."
Due to the relationship between the two of them, Pan Wei had no need to conceal his purpose of coming. He clearly told Cao Wei that he was the pathfinder who pushed the door out.
Cao Wei shook his head, hating him for not fighting.
"What's going on? They're just worried about food in their rice bowls."
At this time, there were only two of them in the side hall, so Cao Wei had less worries and pointed out the thoughts of the group of people straight to the point.
Cao Wei was very disdainful of drinking soldiers' blood.
What's the point of bullying the lowest-ranking soldier?
A true general’s disciple should fight on the battlefield!
Why don't men take Wu Gou and collect the fifty states in Guanshan? This is the pride that a general's disciples should have.
Although there is quite a trend of "horses letting go of Nanshan", Cao Wei knows very well that this is only temporary.
The official term "disarmament" actually has two meanings.
The first level is naturally to reduce redundant troops.
The other layer is to eliminate some unqualified soldiers and streamline the army.
When this step is completed, the next sword will indeed fall on the 'Forbidden Army'.
For those soldiers who are dawdling, Xiangjun is the best place for them to end up.
Your Majesty wants a strong army, not a bunch of rabble!
No matter how large the rabble is, it can't withstand several rounds of cavalry charges.
However, Cao Wei would not tell the truth about these things. Even if he and Pan Wei were having an affair, he would not reveal anything.
On the other side, Pan Wei couldn't help but smile when he heard Cao Wei telling the truth so straightforwardly.
"never mind."
Seeing his friend smiling and saying nothing, Cao Wei didn't bother to ask further questions, so he just ignored the question and spoke instead.
"Well, let me explain it to you here."
"After you go back, if others ask about you, tell them to always remember your identity!"
"We can't lose our ability to keep the door open!"
Although I can't tell my friends about the official's plan, it won't be a problem if I get some information.
"Ability to eat?"
Pan Wei couldn't help but be shocked when he suddenly heard such 'secret news'. Of course he knew that the 'ability to eat' that Cao Wei mentioned was definitely not a traditional art that could drink soldiers' blood.
It refers to the ability to navigate the battlefield!
"That's right!"
Looking at Pan Weize's increasingly rounded figure, Cao Wei sighed.
"Qingzheng, how much of your skills do you have left?"
"Well……"
Hearing Cao Wei's emotional words, Pan Weize had a faint look of shame on his face.
Then, memories of his youth flooded into his mind.
At that time, they were similar in age and had similar temperaments, so they naturally played together.
At that time, they were still young, with only passion in their chests, and they only hoped to inherit the aspirations of their predecessors and fight on the battlefield.
However, as they grow older, they understand more and more what "general disciples" represent.
The label of general disciple is like shackles, binding them tightly.
I wanted to buy sweet-scented osmanthus and drink it with me, but in the end it was not like I was a young man traveling.
After that, the two gradually became different in their lives. Cao Wei remained consistent and never forgot the name of the Cao family. Even if he was framed by others, he still had no complaints in his heart.
Pan Wei, on the other hand, gradually lived like most nobles, calling friends and hanging out in various houses in the capital.
Because of his status, there are not many people around him.
It is precisely because of this that Pan Weize was chosen as the representative of the generals and came to Cao Mansion to test his words.