Chapter 384 Cao Cao attracts Lu Xuan and marry Tang Ji!
In Luoyang in October, the cold wind blew.
It's already more chilly.
However, the city of Luoyang is becoming more and more prosperous and lively. Under the governance of Xun Yu, an imperial capital like Luoyang changes every month. Everything is prosperous and it is no longer as depressed and deserted as it used to be.
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Cao Cao returned to Luoyang from Nanyang County and learned about Xun Yu's handling of Yang Feng. He was very impressed.
Leave the rear to Xun Yu, he can rest assured.
Because Cao Cao was defeated in Nanyang County and his prestige was damaged, there were more voices of opposition in the court. People who wanted to cling to imperial power always used the excuse to let the emperor take power and ask for more rights.
Faced with this situation, Cao Cao had no choice but to hold his nose.
He cannot kill at will.
Because these people who are loyal to the emperor have no problem on the surface. Unless they rebel, if you kill people at will, you are responding to violence with violence, which will lead to greater criticism and greater trouble.
Therefore, Cao Cao could only firmly control the center and control the imperial city.
This is the disadvantage of having an emperor in your hands.
You control the emperor, use the emperor to set up a banner, enjoy many benefits, but also have to bear the backlash brought by imperial power. Countless people, knowing that the imperial power is declining, are still willing to fly like moths to the slightest bit of possible power.
Fire serves the emperor.
When Cao Cao suppressed the imperial power and suppressed the emperor's power, he also ushered in this year's autumn harvest. According to the statistics of grain and grass from various places, Yanzhou had a bumper harvest. Especially Guanzhong was a military garrison, and it was a bumper harvest.
Cao Cao had food, and finally there was no food shortage for the time being. The area under his rule was not like Lu Xuan's south, which had abundant food and grass. Fortunately, starting from this year, the decline was completely reversed, and it was no longer as miserable as it used to be.
The only shortcoming was that he was defeated by Lu Xuan in Nanyang County and lost his troops and generals, as well as Cao Hong.
On this day, Cao Cao was reading in his study.
While he was pondering the military plan, the sound of rapid footsteps came, and the attendant came in and reported: "My lord, Shangshu Xun is asking for an audience. He is very anxious, as if there is something very big and urgent."
Cao Cao ordered: "Please come quickly."
The attendant went to deliver the message, and after a while, Xun Yu entered the study. Before he had time to salute, he said directly: "My lord, Yuan Shao is offering sacrifices to heaven and earth in the southern suburbs of Ye County. He is proclaimed the King of Jin and has made Yecheng his capital."
The pupils in Cao Cao's eyes shrank.
There was a loud bang in his mind, and his whole person became confused for a moment.
The news is so shocking.
After Cao Cao came to his senses, his cheeks twitched, his dark face had a cold expression, and he asked: "Wen Ruo, is the news confirmed?"
Xun Yu sighed and said: "On September 26, Yuan Shao offered sacrifices to heaven and earth in the southern suburbs of Ye County. Such a thing cannot be faked. My lord, this time it will be a big deal."
"The consequences of Yuan Shao becoming king will be more troublesome than Yang Feng's rebellion."
"Rebellion only needs to be suppressed."
"Yuan Shao becoming king will break the current balance and further weaken the authority of the imperial court."
"The key is the situation of Yuan Shao becoming king. I sorted it out. First, there was news in Yecheng that Lu Xuan was going to become king in the south. Then, Xu You met with Yuan Shao and finally decided to become king.
.”
Xun Yu said: "Furthermore, Yuan Shao was in a hurry to become king in Ye County. It didn't even take a month from deciding the matter to offering sacrifices to heaven and earth to become king. He went through the process directly, as if Yuan Shao wanted to use this to completely overpower Lu Xuan.
"
Cao Cao put his hands behind his back and walked back and forth.
He thought for a while, but without giving an answer, he ordered people to invite Guo Jia, Xun You and Cheng Yu to discuss the matter.
After all the people had arrived, Cao Cao told the story of Yuan Shao becoming king and the news that Xun Yu had explained.
Finally, Cao Cao said in a deep voice: "The news about Lu Xuan proclaiming himself king in the south, I am more inclined to believe that Lu Xuan deliberately spread the news to stimulate Yuan Shao and let Yuan Shao proclaim himself king. However, Lu Xuan may really have the intention to proclaim himself king."
"What do you think we should do?"
"If this matter is not handled properly, the majesty of the imperial court will be completely destroyed, and the Han Dynasty will completely lose its influence."
Guo Jia also frowned deeply. He also believed that the situation was very bad.
Yuan Shao got off to the worst possible start.
Guo Jia is good at conspiracies, but when faced with such a grand situation and involving political arrangements, he is not good at it.
Therefore, Guo Jia did not express his position immediately and waited for other people's opinions.
Xun Yu, as the head of the civil service, said directly: "My lord, Yuan Shao has become king, and it is impossible to stop what he has done. The key now is Lu Xuan, and Lu Xuan must be stabilized."
"As long as Lu Xuan is stabilized, it will be easy for Yuan Shao to become king."
"Although there is hatred here at Lu Xuan, at the moment, we can hold our noses and tolerate the conflicts in the past, unite Lu Xuan to attack Yuan Shao, let Lu Xuan attack Qingzhou, and we will go north from Yanzhou to attack Jizhou."
"Actually, now is not the most appropriate time to send troops, but the situation is too bad."
"If the court turns a blind eye, it is tantamount to acquiescence and connivance, and people in the world will never take the Han Dynasty seriously again. Therefore, the current arrangement is to stabilize Lu Xuan, as long as Lu Xuan does not become king
, let’s join forces with Lu Xuan to fight Yuan Shao for a while.”
Xun Yu said: "We don't want to destroy Yuan Shao. As long as we defeat Yuan Shao, it will be easy and it will save the court's face."
Cheng Yu has always been mature and prudent, and he was even more loyal to Cao Cao. After listening to Xun Yu's words, he said: "I also think that Xun Shangshu's arrangement is the most appropriate. First, arrange for someone to go to Yangzhou as an envoy to persuade Lu Xuan to give up the title of king.
"
"If we are unable to accomplish our mission, we must also be prepared. Lu Xuan and Yuan Shao have both become kings. How can my lord conquer the world? My lord can only become king in order to suppress Yuan Shao and Lu Xuan."
Xun Yu said decisively: "We will discuss the matter of my lord proclaiming himself king later. The key now is to stabilize Lu Xuan. As long as Lu Xuan does not proclaim himself king, there will be no problems."
Cao Cao glanced at Xun Yu.
A look of approval instantly appeared on his face, and he said decisively: "Wen Ruo is right, we don't care about anything else at the moment, we only think about winning over Lu Xuan. What should we do if we want to win over Lu Xuan and prevent Lu Xuan from becoming king?
?”
Guo Jia immediately said: "I have some thoughts about this. To stabilize Lu Xuan, we must make Lu Xuan profitable. I think we can arrange it from three aspects."
Xun Yu looked over eagerly, with expectant eyes.
Cao Cao smiled and said: "What are Fengxiao going to do?"
Guo Jia said calmly: "First, worship Lu Xuan as Great Sima General, grant him the title of Duke of Wu, and further elevate Lu Xuan's official position. Lu Xuan already wants to proclaim himself king. Once Lu Xuan becomes king, the consequences will be unimaginable.
"
"As long as Lu Xuan gives up being king, no matter what price he pays, it will be worth it."
"Lu Xuan's current official position is General of Hussars and Marquis of Wu. The imperial court appointed him as General of Sima, which greatly promoted his official position. You must know that General of Sima was an official position that Wei Qing and Huo Guang once held."
"Especially Huo Guang's appointment further makes the position of Great Sima General even more glorious."
"The Marquis of Wu is just a county marquis, and being promoted to Duke of Wu will further elevate Lu Xuan's status."
The Guo family elaborated on their thoughts and said: "Although this arrangement has greatly elevated Lu Xuan's official position, it will affect the lord. But when the time comes, the lord can also further enhance his status and official position."
Cao Cao looked approvingly, nodded and said: "Feng Xiao's analysis is excellent, we can arrange it this way."
The Guo family continued: "Second, the imperial court granted Lu Xuan a marriage. Lu Xuan is a very lustful person, so we used a beauty trick to seduce Lu Xuan. Ordinary women cannot achieve the effect of charming Lu Xuan, so I suggest that Hong
Tang Ji, the concubine left behind by the peasant king Liu Bian, was granted marriage to Lu Xuan."
"No!"
Xun Yu spoke decisively.
He stared at Guo Jia and said in a deep voice: "Fengxiao, after all, King Hongnong was once the emperor, and Tang Ji was also the imperial concubine. If the news spreads about Tang Ji marrying Lu Xuan, wouldn't it be a big scandal to the world.
"
Guo Jia's eyes did not give in, and he said: "King Hongnong was abandoned by Dong Zhuo. He is not considered an emperor, and the courtiers did not regard him as an emperor. Just like Liu He in the past, who was the emperor for twenty-seven days.
Will he be the emperor?"
"Liu Bian is the same."
"Especially this time, our arrangement is to make Lu Xuan give up the idea of becoming king. Everything is for the advancement and continuation of the Han Dynasty. As a former imperial concubine of the Han Dynasty, there is nothing wrong with sacrificing herself to fulfill the interests of the Han Dynasty.
Woolen cloth?"
Guo Jia and Xun Yu are good friends.
However, he also has his own ideas and will not just follow Xun Yu's words.
Guo Jia looked tough and said loudly: "Could it be that Wen Ruo intends to let the lord become the king in order to suppress Lu Xuan and Yuan Shao? Between abandoning Tang Ji and becoming the king, which one do you choose?"
Xun Yu frowned deeply.
What he considered was that using Tang Ji to grant a marriage would be a slap in the face of the Han Dynasty, which was a huge irony.
Guo Jia's suggestion also has a big problem, it is still weakening the Han Dynasty.
Guo Jia's starting point is problematic.
Of course, Xun Yu had to admit that Guo Jia's suggestion was feasible to a certain extent, and everyone knew that Lu Xuan was lustful.
Xun Yu hesitated in his heart, and when he spoke, he took back all the words he had said and no longer objected. He asked directly: "Feng Xiao, where is your third arrangement?"
Guo Jia smiled and said: "The third arrangement is to pass a letter to the lord's daughter Cao Xian and ask her to blow the pillow. As long as Miss Cao Xian supports it, Lu Xuan may let go with his nature of loving women. Interests, female sex, no matter what
Coupled with the pillow style, I think it’s feasible to take everything into consideration.”
Cao Cao was a little moved when he heard this.
You can give it a try.
Cao Cao said in a deep voice: "What do you think of this matter?"
Xun Yu said: "I have no objection to my humble position."
Xun You said: "I second the proposal due to my humble position."
Cheng Yu also nodded, with a look of approval on his face, and everyone reached a unified opinion.
Cao Cao said directly: "The plan has been decided, and a person is needed to go to Yangzhou as an envoy. This candidate must have sufficient influence and ability, otherwise it will be difficult to succeed. Who do you think is the most suitable?"
Xun Yu said without hesitation: "I believe that Taichang Yang Biao is suitable to be sent as an envoy. He has always been loyal to the Han Dynasty and loyal. At this time of crisis for the Han Dynasty, it is most appropriate to invite him to Yangzhou."
Cao Cao frowned slightly.
Yang Biao was a veteran of the Han Dynasty and one of the few remaining fruitful old men. In addition, Yang Biao was born in the Yang family of Hongnong. His father Yang Ci once served as a Taiwei, and his grandfather Yang Bing and great-grandfather Yang Zhen also served as Taiwei.
The Hongnong Yang family is a famous family that is not weaker than the Runan Yuan family. Therefore, after Cao Cao came to power, he kept suppressing Yang Biao and was unwilling to give Yang Biao too much power.
Once Yang Biao's great master takes power in the court, it will be very dangerous.
This time, there is no other way.
After careful consideration, Cao Cao nodded and said: "According to Wen Ruo's arrangement, I will ask Yang Biao to go to Yangzhou as an envoy to persuade Lu Xuan. In addition, I remember that Yang Biao's son Yang Xiu is an eloquent speaker, so I asked Yang Xiu to go with him."
"Here!"
Xun Yu immediately agreed.
After Cao Cao decided on his strategy, he said no more and waved his hand for everyone to go down. Although Yang Biao was sent as an envoy, Cao Cao could not be completely relieved. Once Lu Xuan refused, Cao Cao would have to consider the worst plan.
But why does he have such expectations in his heart?