On October 21st, Qin Liang went to the court hall of the imperial palace early in the morning with Wang Guang as he had done several times before. After the court meeting began, he never spoke in the court hall, only to listen. But today he just arrived in the east hall.
Before the court meeting started, he suddenly heard that the ministers were talking about explosive news.
Full of love to death.
It is indeed a hurdle for the elderly when the temperature drops sharply. Taiwei Manchong was a veteran of the Four Dynasties. As far back as the Battle of Chibi, Manchong had already become a prefect, and Qin Liang has not been able to do so until now. The successive emperors of Cao Wei
His position and favor have all been reused, and now his prestige and status are so high that no two people in the entire court can compare with him.
It seems that Man Chong and Wang Ling are still old partners. They were in Yangzhou, Man Chong was the governor and Wang Ling was the governor. However, their relationship was not harmonious and they fought for many years. Now it is better and the grievances have been completely settled.
Everyone in the east hall of Tai Chi Hall was lamenting and lamenting, but Lian Qin Liang soon realized that it was hard to say whether everyone really cared about the life and death of this old minister, and what people really cared about in this matter was: Man Chong's death,
The position of Taiwei was now vacant. Jiang Ji was also a veteran of the Four Dynasties, so he should be promoted to Taiwei.
It didn't matter that Jiang Ji was promoted, but his original position as commander of the Forbidden Army and the leading general became vacant.
Qin Liang couldn't help but glance outside the open door of the court where there was a lot of discussion. The first snowfall the day before yesterday had stopped, but the weather was still overcast. Such calm weather always made people feel that there might be a snowstorm at any time.
Just like the current Wei Dynasty, after the Wu army's offensive retreated this year, it has been quiet and peaceful. But this kind of calm cannot withstand even the slightest disturbance.
At this time, Shi Linghuyu, the chief of the general's office, also came to the court and went straight to Qin Liang. The two bowed to each other and saluted each other. Qin Liang had a very happy chat with Linghuyu twice before, but now Linghuyu always wants to talk to him.
Qin Liang stayed for a while.
People with a temperament are like this. They are a bit emotional and pay great attention to their inner feelings of likes and dislikes.
Linghuyu is a middle-aged man with a Chinese character face and a decent appearance. He is standing next to Qin Liang and whispers: "Anyi Marquis Wu Zhonggong will return to Beijing from Youzhou at the end of the year to report on his duties. He will be here in the next two days. Xiahou
Taichu (Xia Houxuan) got along well with him, so the general wanted to hold a banquet to welcome him. But now that the Taiwei has passed away, the banquet may have to be postponed for a while."
Qin Liang was a little distracted. He was observing Sima Yi in front of him intentionally or unintentionally. Sima Yi had been talking about something with Jiang Ji. Apparently Sima Yi had seen the next few moves and showed a rare nervous behavior.
After a while, Qin Liang suddenly realized that Guan Zhonggong was Guan Qiujian? He was a big shot.
"Yes." Qin Liang responded and paid attention to the surrounding situation. The Queen Mother and the Emperor had not arrived yet, and the court was shrouded in a noisy "buzzing" noise. He said, "But maybe
.”
Linghuyu didn't recover for a moment and blurted out: "Maybe I refuse?"
Qin Liang nodded slightly and reminded in a low voice: "It depends on who the new leading general is."
Linghuyu suddenly understood and said in a deep voice: "After all, we are relatives. Zhong Ming can only say this to me."
"Of course." Qin Liang said.
If Cao Shuang's government can successfully seize the position of the leading general this time, then all the Chinese and foreign armies in Luoyang will be in the hands of Cao Shuang. Because the guarding general is already Cao Shuang's cousin Xia Houxuan.
In this case, this game is a huge victory for Cao Shuang, and it can be said that it almost establishes a sure-win situation. The political change in the capital, if you can control the Chinese and foreign troops in Luoyang, it is equivalent to holding a gun to fight with bare hands.
No reason to give up.
But will Cao Shuang plan a coup? Qin Liang fell into deep thought.
In any case, with Cao Shuang's increasingly arrogant mentality, he doesn't care about the mourning of the death of a veteran marquis. If he doesn't hurry up and hold a banquet to celebrate, what are he waiting for? In fact, even if the Wei emperor died, the new emperor is still admiring it.
Singing, dancing, and getting close to women, the people above have long stopped paying attention to these.
Qin Liang worked as a servant in Cao Shuang's Mansion for several months, and also worked in the School Affairs Office for several months. It was still useful. At least he supplemented all kinds of information about the temples of the Wei Dynasty. What happened to the court, or what happened to the princes?
He can almost decipher the information behind any discussion of national affairs, and there is never a time when he cannot understand it.
At this moment, Cao Shuang walked into the court swaggering, and everyone bowed to him. Cao Shuang's posture was very arrogant, but maybe only Qin Liang understood him. People who are too fat have difficulty walking with balance, which is why it is easy to walk in such an arrogant manner.
As if beaten.
After a while, the Queen Mother and the Emperor also arrived and took their seats. Everyone still bowed their heads and shouted "Longevity".
What followed was a familiar scene. The princes began to "point out the mulberry trees and scold the locust trees" and each reported various matters to the Queen Mother and the Emperor. Sima Yi proposed to discuss Man Chong's posthumous title and send someone to appease Man Chong's descendants.
Cao Shuang said directly: "Your Majesty, Your Highness, I believe that the leading general Jiang Zi is a veteran of the four dynasties. He has made great contributions to the country and has great seniority and prestige in the government and the public. He should be promoted to the rank of Taiwei, with a gold seal and purple ribbon, and be ranked among the three princes."
At this time, Qin Liang really wanted to see Jiang Ji's expression, but Qin Liang was standing too far back and could only see Jiang Ji's back. Jiang Ji at least did not refuse.
At this time, Sima Yi may want to scold | Mother: Jiang Ji, Jiang Ji, people used to accuse you of selling out officers of the Chinese and foreign armies. I asked you what happened, but you still dared to joke that you are an innocent child, and you won’t sell it for a penny less. I
I just laughed it off. How can you covet a high position now? Don’t say anything. Are you reliable?
The Queen Mother Guo also didn't say a word, and didn't even say anything to let the princes discuss it. Qin Liang suddenly felt that the Queen Mother Guo knew about government affairs, and he immediately understood what Cao Shuang wanted to do. She would rarely give advice to the courtiers.
, but at the moment, she knows the difference between silence and response very accurately.
The court fell into an awkward silence.
At this time, Sima Yi said: "The Marquis of Changyi has passed away. Uncle Zhao does not need to rush to discuss the position of Taiwei. Let's wait until the family of the Marquis of Changyi has finished the funeral."
Cao Shuang did not object. After a while, the dignified and calm voice of the Queen Mother Guo came: "The Taifu's words are reasonable. The Marquis of Changyi has contributed to the country. We should first send an envoy to the house of the Marquis of Changyi to comfort him. We will discuss the rest later.
"
Sima Yi bowed and said, "Your Highness is kind and kind." All the ministers agreed and praised him.
Then the dynasty dispersed, and all the princes paid great homage again.
Qin Liang slowly walked out of the east hall, paying attention to the door with his peripheral vision, waiting to see if any eunuchs would stay with him. Because Mrs. Zhen said the day before yesterday that His Highness had changed his mind and agreed to supervise the salt policy. Will he inform you today?
?
At this time, Linghu Yu came over first and invited Qin Liang to accompany him. Qin Liang couldn't refuse, so he walked to the west of the Taiji Hall courtyard while watching for any eunuchs coming.
However, without waiting for the eunuch, Qin Liang and Linghuyu walked out of the west gate of the palace and went straight to Linghuyu's carriage, asking Wang Kang to drive behind. Linghuyu said: "General Wu's reception banquet, the list of guests. Let me handle it, and Zhongming will come when the time comes."
Qin Liang cupped his hands and said, "Foolish nephew, it is better to be respectful than to obey orders."
Linghuyu shook his head: "Hey! We, our own family, shouldn't speak so openly."
"Okay." Qin Liang smiled.
Linghuyu whispered again: "Jiang Jiruo has been removed from the position of leading the army. I think the successor may be the general's younger brother Cao Zhaoshu (Cao Xi). Not long ago, the general praised his younger brother in public for being calm and cautious. I also think that Uncle Cao Zhao He is a good person.”
Qin Liang said: "Master Sima is a little dissatisfied today and may have to argue twice."
Linghuyu nodded and said, "Zhong Ming's words make sense."
Cao Shuang's current situation is simply excellent. Qin Liang sighed secretly and didn't say much.
Today, Qin Liang did not follow Linghu Yu around a large circle like last time. At an intersection, he got out of the car and said goodbye, saying: "On the day of the banquet, please come over early, and our uncle and nephew will talk again. Let's say goodbye today. Already."
Linghuyu replied: "When the arrangements are made, I will write the time on the post and send it to your cousin's house."
Qin Liang hurried back to the school affairs office and immediately asked someone to find Yinci and meet him on the second floor of the mansion.
The Empress Dowager has not yet determined the money matter, and the current information only comes from Mrs. Zhen's words. But Qin Liang must also pay close attention to the human matter.
Previously, Sun Li went to Yangzhou to serve as governor, and brought some troops from the Chinese and foreign armies in Luoyang. Later, Sun Li returned to Beijing to serve as the Shaofu, and those Chinese and foreign armies went home to rest first, and should have returned to the Luoyang military camp by now.
Once Cao Shuang's people completely control the Chinese and foreign armies, they may wantonly replace their own people as generals. Once those people Qin Liang knows lose their jobs, don't they quickly recruit them? If they move a little slower, the nobles will recruit them and do their job. Private soldier general.
This is not someone who is easy to find as a local prefect. After all, the official position that a prefect can give is not large, and the talents available in the area under his jurisdiction are also limited.
Yinci went upstairs and bowed to him. Qin Liang said directly without any nonsense: "You personally take over the undercover agents in the Chinese and foreign armies. If there is any news in the military camp, please report it to me immediately."
"Here." Yinci said.
Qin Liang paced back and forth, and suddenly stood still and said: "Wait a minute, there is still time, don't rush for a few days. Tomorrow I will announce the reorganization of the school affairs office, and then add more Cao Cao, recruit more manpower, and start spying on the military situation of Wu and Shu. Submit the memorial. When the time comes for you to take over the undercover, everything will fall into place."
Yinci nodded and said in a low voice: "The master of the government has thought everything about it. There are indeed spies in the school affairs office."
Qin Liang glanced at him: "I knew it before I took office. It's an obvious matter. Just go and do your own business."
Yinci bowed his head and said, "I beg you to leave."
Qin Liang walked to the north window and looked at the vague mountain shadow of Mang Mountain. He actually felt that Cao Cao was so thirsty for talents back then. The few Chinese and foreign military generals he knew were indeed good, and they had nothing wrong with leading troops. At that time, he was in Shao In the Battle of Pi, they had proven their ability to form formations and command troops.
You must not be stingy with money. It is best to show your sincerity by giving a settling-in allowance first. Is the money from the Queen Mother real? If not, you have to borrow money from Wang Guang and just return it to him later.