"We were quite quarrelsome with each other when discussing his life, so Panlong Sui broke up with the book." [History of the Ming Dynasty·Wenyuan Biography 3]
The seventh day of the eighth lunar month in the seventh year of Jian'an.
Jingzhao, Chang'an.
Recently, there was a very lively mansion in Jiadi, Beique. There was a lot of traffic in front of the door, singing and dancing in the hall, people drinking and drinking, and the guests and hosts enjoying themselves.
The guests in this mansion are all powerful and powerful people in the Sanfu area. Except for a few high-ranking people, almost all of them come here as guests. The host at the table is a Chinese man with a Kanto accent.
A young man, everyone flattered him one by one as "Ding Gong" or "Ding Dusi". Dusi is the nickname of the Sili Colonel. This man was the former Jibei Prime Minister who was transferred to Chang'an on the recommendation of Cao Cao.
Ding Chong, the lieutenant of the school.
Ding Chong and Cao Cao's wife, Ding, were from the same clan. They were old friends when they were young, and they were also in-laws. So when Cao Cao's power increased greatly, he first thought of this "confidant" and transferred him back to Chang'an to serve as cheese.
The position of Lieutenant Colonel is extremely important.
There was Shangshu Ling Xun Yu inside, and Sili Xiaowei Ding Chong outside. Cao Cao relied on these two right-hand men to establish power in the court. However, the good times did not last long. As Cao Cao implemented the New Deal and severely cracked down on powerful families, Ding
The differences between Chong and Cao Cao gradually began to widen, especially when the emperor issued an edict to clean up the powerful Wubao and ban private soldiers. Cao Cao wanted Ding Chong to set an example first in Sili. After all, there were Henan Yin Zhangji and Hanoi Governor Zhuge.
Xuan's performance is at the forefront, and naturally Ding Chong, as the Sili Colonel, cannot lag behind others.
However, this proposal was rejected by Ding Chong. One day, he didn't know whether he was drunk or something. At a private banquet arranged by Cao Cao's wife Ding, Ding Chong made wild remarks, saying that Cao Cao "cared for small profits and forgot the righteousness" and "filial piety".
Lian Weizi used his family wealth to support the army. Otherwise, Cao Gongan would be where he is today!" Then came another commonplace saying in the court, and his attitude of resistance was particularly clear.
After talking about it, thanks to Cao Pi, Wei Zhen, Ding Yi and other juniors, they came forward to dissuade Ding Chong and took Ding Chong outside to sober up.
Even close associates like Ding Chong disagree with Cao Cao's political views and hinder his implementation of the decree. How can others be convinced? How can the policy be implemented? In the end, it will be half the result with twice the effort. Not only will the emperor blame him, but others will also question Cao Cao's authority.
and ability. So this incident made Cao Cao very angry. He could see the snickers of others without bothering to inquire. What was especially troublesome was that Ding Chong was recommended by him. He had only been in the position for two months. Now he is
Whether he was scolded or dismissed, Cao Cao felt particularly troublesome for a while.
At present, everyone inside and outside the court is waiting to see Cao Cao's joke, but Ding Chong thinks that he has done something very right. He has such an impulsive personality. When Cao Cao came to him for the last time, he tried to solve the problem by talking to him.
This knot makes a big thing trivial. The clinker Ding Chong doesn't know whether he listened to someone's nonsense or has his own opinion, but he refuses to listen.
Cao Cao had no choice but to sigh in the end and said with regret: "Youyang, back then you got mad due to worry, and when you got sick, you would dance wildly with your weapon. I was afraid of you every time!"
Ding Chong smiled, not understanding the meaning of the other party's words, he just caressed his beard and said: "There are not many people in the world who can make Meng De afraid."
The conversation between the two ended with a harmonious review of the past. After Ding Chong left, Wang Bi, Guo Jia and others who were accompanying him saw that Cao Cao's smile was gone. They knew that things were bad, and it was difficult to say anything for a while. Guo Jia
Knowing that Cao Cao would not worry about this matter for long, Ding Chong definitely could not stay in this position, but he did not know whether this position could still be left to Cao Cao to arrange.
Guo Jia pretended to be curious and asked: "Ding Youyang has suffered from madness before?"
"Yes, that happened many years ago." Cao Cao replied almost subconsciously: "At that time, I often slept with him and talked about it day and night."
Wang Bi knew that Cao Cao and Ding Chong had a good relationship when they were young, but he didn't expect that the relationship was so good that they could sleep together. He also asked: "When did they stop sleeping together?"
Cao Cao seemed to have thought of something, and stood up from the couch. With a flash of his eyes, he said: "Since he got mad, I will never sleep with him again."
In Beique Jiadi, as soon as he drank the wine that someone persuaded him to drink, Ding Chong suddenly recalled what happened a few days ago. At that time, he was not only trying to express his quick words, but he also believed that the emperor's edict was too radical, so he expressed his opposition.
.Unexpectedly, it actually caused a subtle break with Cao Cao. The other party's face was not good-looking, but he inexplicably became a "upright person". Now he is a little dizzy, and he can't figure out where all this flattery comes from.
The flatterer was coming from downstairs. Seeing that he was distracted, a powerful man named Feng Yilai persuaded him to drink again: "Ding Gong, Ding Gong! Have another full glass of wine to honor our guests and friends!"
"Ding Gong is not afraid of power, does not shy away from relatives and enemies, dares to advocate advantageous strategies for the country, and is deeply aware of the shortcomings of the current situation. His sincerity makes us admire him." Another person raised the title and said: "Ding Gong is so upright.
If the eloquent ministers are in the government, why worry about the world not being peaceful? I think in a few years, when the Taiwei retires, the three princes will surely take the place of Ding Gong!"
"Serious words, serious words." Ding Chong laughed and threw the thought behind him. The other party said that for this reason, the wine cannot escape.
Ding Chong drank the wine in a big gulp and drank it in front of everyone. Naturally, he won applause from the crowd. Private wine was strictly prohibited in the imperial court, and official wine was classified into high and low. As the captain of the Sili school, Ding Chong could not usually drink high-quality wine.
Private wine, now taking advantage of parties, many powerful people have private donations. He is an alcoholic, how can he not drink to his heart's content?
"The people in Hebei may be hateful in this civil unrest, but it is also due to the excessive policy of the imperial court. Most of these groups are expedient measures to gather the refugees and prevent them from causing trouble. Once they are disbanded and there is no place to resettle,
How can we not afford to cause trouble?" Someone took advantage of the drunkenness and said self-righteously: "There is also a dock wall. Although it is a bit bigger, it is the shelter of a good family. Back then, thieves were everywhere.
, the common people depend on it for their survival. It will be demolished as soon as the imperial court issues an edict. From now on, unruly people will be able to peek into the inner rooms without having to climb over the wall. If things continue like this, how can the people make a living?"
"Yes, the court's policies are somewhat inadequate." Someone agreed.
"I heard that the country was incognito last year. When they visited Feng Yi, they entered the right wall of Yihao. They hated his extravagance and tyranny, so that's why we issued this order." Someone else filled Ding Chong's glass with wine and said, "That family
Now that the wall of the dock has been demolished, the family's defense against thieves has also disappeared. If a slave holds a stick, he will be called a private soldier and will be reported to the government. All the farmers under his name know that his family has no minions.
, they are not convinced by him, and I heard that they are thinking of reducing the land rent this year."
Someone in the audience immediately said angrily: "Ah? Is there such a thing? These untouchables are really ignorant! When their family was ruined and they came here, I don't know who protected them!"
Ding Chong's ears were buzzing when he heard it. Facing everyone's expectant eyes, he said smoothly: "This matter is true. I will send a letter to the local county magistrate tomorrow so that he can handle it with ease!"
Then there was another round of flattery: "Ding Gong is so righteous!"
Everyone drank another drink together. Just as Ding Chong was about to take a breath, he felt his hands sink again. Another person whose face was a little blurry in front of him began to pour wine for him: "What Mr. Ding heard was just a family relationship.
The civil unrest in Hebei is declining, and its lessons are not far away. Now that the civil unrest is gradually disappearing, Si Li will take this policy seriously. If trouble breaks out again in the future, maybe we will be like this family..."
"Please also ask Mr. Ding to make the decision for us when the time comes!" After saying this, everyone bowed down as if they had agreed.
Ding Chong's speech was a little slurred. He waved his hands unsteadily, as if he wanted to refuse: "I'm afraid I'm weak in ability and weak in intelligence..."
"Ding Gong and Cao Cheqi are close friends from the same hometown. With Ding Gong representing us and conveying our difficulties, the emperor is wise and will be able to sympathize with us and slow down his strategy." Someone immediately suggested.
yes……
I have a very good relationship with Cao Cao...
Ding Chong's head was a little swollen. He seemed to have forgotten the unpleasantness he had with Cao Cao a few days ago because of this incident. In his memory, he only remembered the time when he and Cao Cao slept together and talked about everything. That was when Cao Cao was imprisoned.
Before he was promoted to Xiaolian and became a man in Luoyang, after that, Cao Cao met new friends like Yuan Shao, and he became alienated from him at some point...
"Okay, okay." Ding Chong suddenly wanted to say something to Cao Cao. As for what he said, it was not important. What was important was that he wanted to know why when he first suffered from madness, everyone else left and only Cao Cao was with him.
He looked at him. So he hurriedly drank the wine in his glass. The wine he didn't drink in time flowed down his beard and onto his collar. He staggered up from the table and was about to say something when he suddenly felt dizzy.
Then there was an intense cramping pain in the abdomen, and for a moment it was as if the world was turning upside down, and then suddenly I heard a "bang" impact, and an exclamation that seemed to be extraordinarily far away, separated by a layer of thick fog.
Weiyang Palace, Xuanshi Palace.
Cao Cao, who arrived in a hurry, was stopped by the emperor before he could salute. Seeing the other man's expression, he obviously knew what was going on: "Do you know everything about Ding Chong?"
"I just know that." Cao Cao lowered his head so low that he couldn't see his expression at this moment.
"You just know?" The emperor paid attention to the other party's movements and asked: "You are so good, how can you die after drinking?"
Cao Cao knew a lot when he came, and explained everything in detail: "Your Majesty, Ding Youyang has been eating excessively, and has suffered from abdominal pain for a long time. After drinking too much wine, he died of intestinal rot..."
The emperor knew the answer, but still asked: "At that time, so many people drank the same wine, and he was the only one who got into trouble?"
"yes."
"Then it's not about the wine." The emperor was about to speak, but Cao Cao suddenly said:
"Your Majesty, Ding Youyang had a private banquet, and the guests persuaded the guests to drink excessively, which resulted in the death of the guests. I thought that I should immediately bring the court officer to the court for interrogation. The first is to find out the situation at the time and whether there was intentional persuasion to drink. The second is to find out what they said at the time.
They are all three auxiliary powerful men, and it is very suspicious to gather together."
"Okay." The emperor nodded and said with satisfaction: "Then leave it to Yang Pei for interrogation. Make sure to find out clearly, otherwise" he leaned slightly and said to Cao Cao, who had his head lowered: "It's not just you,
My body will also be unclean."
Cao Cao's hanging hands shook, but he still calmly bowed his hands and said, "I would like to thank you."
After Cao Cao left, Jia Xu, who had been silent, finally said: "This is not like Cao Cao's behavior, because it didn't end like this."
"Yes." The emperor simply responded, took out a piece of silk from his sleeve, spread it out and looked at it: "He has already submitted the memorial to impeach Ding Chong. He is just waiting for me to issue an edict to depose him. How can he do it again?"
Is it unnecessary?"
Xun You also said: "Ding Chong died mysteriously at this time, which is somewhat troublesome. I don't know how many people will suspect that Cao Mengde did it in the future."
"Will the world only guess about him?" The emperor smiled and turned to look at Xun You: "Whether Ding Chong's death was an accident or not, Cao Cao and I have gotten into trouble."
After saying this, without waiting for the two men to reply, the emperor added another word: "Immediately draft an edict to allow Zhang Ji to enter the court and take over as Sili Xiaowei. If the capital and the capital are not reorganized first, how can we set an example for all states in the world?"
Ding Chong's death brought great shock to Cao Cao. Not only did he lose another old friend, but he also fell into a turmoil. Someone will definitely use the situation to pour dirty water on Cao Cao's head afterwards, and he is now
I didn't even know who the suspect behind the scenes was.
"Could it be..." Only Guo Jia had the courage to speculate wildly.
"Don't think this way." Cao Cao raised his hand to stop the other party before he finished speaking: "There is no clue about the matter, so be careful about alienation tactics."
"But what His Majesty said today is clearly because he suspected that someone was plotting against Duke Ding, and even testing Duke Cao." Guo Jia frowned slightly and said softly: "But as Duke Cao said, the more this is the case, the less it can be done.
If you make unreasonable guesses, otherwise the king and his ministers will be alienated, and they will not be able to follow other people's wishes."
"Fortunately, Yang Pei has been ordered to take charge of this matter, and Zhongde is assisting me, so I am not afraid that it will be detrimental to me..." Cao Cao was thinking deeply, and he had already begun to think about who should be recommended as the most suitable captain of the Sili school in the future.
Little did he know that the emperor had already decided on the candidate himself.