As Cao Shuang's second younger brother, Cao Xi naturally did not need to notify him when he entered the general's palace.
Cao Xi led Sima Zhao into the vestibule, took him to a warm pavilion, and then said to Sima Zhao:
"Sir, please wait here for a moment. I will go to meet the general."
Sima Zhao, who finally regained some color, gratefully said to Cao Xi:
"Thank you, Uncle Zhao."
Cao Xi waved his hand, turned and left.
The dripping water outside the mansion turned into ice, but at this time, the living room of the General's mansion was as warm as spring, and the banquet was in full swing.
In broad daylight, candles as thick as forearms were lit around the living room—a good thing that even the palace does not have now.
After all, the emperor hurriedly inspected Qiao County and kept everything simple.
How could it be possible that the late emperor had already built a new palace in Xudu in advance before he visited Xudu eastward?
General Cao Shuang was in charge, accompanied by three Taichung dogs. Each person's desk was covered with a splendid cloth and placed with a variety of exquisite utensils.
The wine pot is made of rare jade, which is warm and delicate. The surface is engraved with delicate peony patterns. As the wine is poured, it seems that the peonies are also blooming in the pot.
The wine glass is as thin as a cicada's wing, crystal clear and light, as if it can dance with the wind.
The chopsticks are carved from ivory, and each pair is unique. They are engraved with exquisite patterns of flowers and birds, as if they are the epitome of nature.
The chopstick rests are made of jade, which is emerald green and complements the ivory chopsticks perfectly.
The delicacies on the plate are either served with silver spoons or set off with gold plates, showing nobility and luxury.
Those silver spoons and gold plates were carefully polished by craftsmen and were originally a symbol of royal status and status.
At this time, it was being played with by the general and the Three Dogs of Taichung without caring.
Several people are surrounded by beautiful women.
They were dressed in gauze as thin as cicada wings, either clinging to their bodies flatteringly, or teasing their heartstrings frivolously. Their smiles were full of kitsch and frivolity, trying hard to cater to the corruption and corruption of this banquet.
Holding the beautiful woman in their arms, several people were already drunk and confused. They held up their wine glasses and drank the wine wantonly, their faces full of debauchery and uninhibitedness.
The eyes of the three dogs in Taichung were shining with greed and desire, and they stared closely at the maiko who was dancing with the silk and bamboo.
These swaying and graceful dancers were specially selected by the general from the palace and trained by the palace servants.
In particular, several of them were talented people of the late emperor.
When they thought of their identities, several people's hearts became extremely hot.
In any other place, no matter how courageous the Three Dogs in Taichung were, they would not dare to do such obscene and indecent behavior to Cao Rui's talent.
But it's different in the General's Mansion.
Not only does he have courage, he also has great courage.
The whole living room was filled with the strong aroma of wine and powder, which made people feel suffocated.
However, the general and his cronies were extremely intoxicated in this corrupt atmosphere and could not extricate themselves.
Just mixing the secret medicine in wine and drinking it made them more and more eager to move, their bodies were hot and excited.
Seeing that the banquet is coming to the final stage, let's have a frank meeting with everyone.
Suddenly, the door was pushed open with force, and a gust of cold wind swept the visitor into the hall.
General Cao, who was only wearing a light robe, shuddered involuntarily.
He immediately became furious and was about to scold him. Unexpectedly, when he took a closer look, he saw that it was his second brother.
So he suppressed his anger, slowed down his voice, and asked:
"When did Uncle Zhao return to the city? Why didn't you tell him in advance so that I could send someone to pick you up?"
As the central leader, Cao Xi was the leader of the six armies, and he was elected by Bing.
Moreover, this man was quite knowledgeable and understood the laws. Compared with Cao Shuang, who indulged in pleasure and even did not bother to go to court, he still fulfilled his duties.
As the end of the year is approaching, he went to the military camp outside the city these days to summon the generals in the camp to appease people's hearts.
Unexpectedly, as soon as he returned to the city, he heard about Sima Zhao's incident. He didn't stop for a moment and rushed over immediately.
Glancing at the rotten hall, Cao Xi frowned inadvertently.
It was not that he had not tried to dissuade his elder brother from his increasingly ridiculous behavior that exceeded the rules, and he would also stop him with repeated remonstrances.
He even wrote three articles about how Chen's arrogance and promiscuity led to disaster. His speeches were very precise and he warned his brothers to hint to Cao Shuang.
Cao Shuang also knew that he was doing it for himself and was very unhappy.
Cao Xi was deeply worried when he saw that Cao Shuang refused to listen.
Especially when he saw the disheveled Taichung Three Dogs, there was a hint of disgust in his eyes.
But he also knew that Ding Mi and others were his brother's right-hand men.
The elder brother can monopolize the power, and several of his brothers and others can hold great power. Most of the time, it is these three people who plan the affairs in the middle.
The previous time he persuaded Cao Shuang, he had already made Cao Shuang unhappy. Now that he was in front of everyone, he naturally couldn't say anything more.
Sighing in his heart, he could only salute Cao Shuang and said:
"Brother, there are people outside the house who are begging on their knees and want to tell something important. Didn't the servants report it to my brother?"
"Ah, you mean Sima Zhao," Cao Shuang, who was quite drunk, said nonchalantly, "I'm deliberately trying to keep him cool."
"Brother!" Upon hearing this, Cao Xi subconsciously took two steps forward:
"Sima Zishang is here for the sake of Hebei. Once Hebei is lost, without Sima Yi to hold back the Han army, we will be forced by the Han army to the west and north, and in the south there will be Wu invaders who invade from the north."
"At that time, there were enemies on three sides and there was no road to the east. What could I do?"
Cao Shuang put the wine glass on the table with a bang. Some of the wine in the glass spilled out and splashed on the table.
I saw Cao Shuang's face sinking and he asked:
"Uncle Zhao, do you think that I, a great general, don't even know this?"
Cao Xi saw Cao Shuang angry and quickly lowered his head: "I don't dare."
"Commander, you have just returned from outside the city. It is normal for you to be in a hurry and not know the reason why you are here."
Seeing that the atmosphere was getting a little tense, He Yan quickly stood up to smooth things over:
"The general just wants to show off Sima Zhao and make him suffer. This is selfish."
"But as far as private matters are concerned, as far as public affairs are concerned, how can a general be confused about important matters in the country?"
"That's right." Cao Shuang then spoke again, "That old thief Sima has always had a rebellious heart. It's just that he has repeatedly disobeyed the imperial court."
"He often opposes me and even wants to kill me. I can't wait to kill him."
Cao Shuang was filled with hatred when he thought of the old thief Sima who crossed the state border without permission and came to Ye City with his troops, hoping to take some of the late emperor's talents and send them to Ye Tai to practice singing and dancing, so as to take advantage of him.
"What I'm doing this time is just beating the Sima family, and it will make some people remember it for a long time."
As he said that, he glanced at Cao Xi and said, "I did not take that Sima Zhao into prison, which can be regarded as a mercy."
When Cao Xi heard this, he was shocked and thought that he was going to make things worse, so he quickly tried to dissuade him:
"Brother, please don't hurt Sima Zishang. If something happens to this person in Qiao County, it will not only be true, but it may also force him to rebel against Sima Yi."
Cao Shuang grabbed the wine glass, drank the wine again, and hummed: "I know, that's why he has the opportunity to kneel outside the mansion now and plead for Sima Yi."
Cao Xi hesitated to speak, opened his mouth, and couldn't help but remind him: "But brother, would it be... inappropriate to let him kneel outside the house for outsiders to see?"
At this time, He Yan interrupted again:
"Hey, you are leading the army, what's wrong with that? Who knows that Sima Yi has repeatedly rebelled against the general?"
As he spoke, he, who had oily hair and a pink face, turned red. As he spoke, he twisted his body, as if he was suppressing his physical discomfort.
Among the few people, this person was the most lecherous, and he had just drank the most amount of secret aphrodisiac.
If Cao Xi hadn't barged in, he would have vented his anger on the late emperor's talents.
At this time, my mouth was dry, and I just wanted to get rid of this mess brought by Cao Xi as soon as possible so that the banquet could continue:
"Now that Hebei is in trouble, he sent his son to plead for mercy. How shameless is it? If he doesn't give it a good beating and just agrees to this person's request, then in the future everyone will follow the example of the old thief, not knowing the importance of it, and rushing against the general, the general.
Where is the prestige?”
Cao Xi was speechless.
Although he felt that this approach was somewhat inappropriate, he didn't know how to refute it for a while.
"Okay, okay, I have my own sense of discretion in this matter. Uncle Zhao, you just came back from outside the city. It's cold and you're tired, so you'd better go back and rest first."
Cao Shuang waved his hand and said firmly.
Cao Xi sighed, silently saluted, and then withdrew.
As soon as the door closed, he faintly heard the lewd sounds starting to come from inside again.
He shook his head and turned to leave.
Sima Zhao, who had been waiting in Nuange for a long time, saw Cao Xi turning around and rushed forward to greet him, asking anxiously:
"How about you lead the army? General, would you like to see me?"
"General..." Cao Xi hesitated for a moment before replying, "General, there are still important things to do. I'm afraid I have to meet with you."
When Sima Zhao heard this, he was half disappointed and half expected. He nodded and pretended to be relaxed:
"It doesn't matter. The general is not free. I will wait in front of the mansion. I believe that one day, the general will be free to meet me."
Cao Xi quickly took Sima Zhao's hand and advised:
"Why is it necessary for Zishang to do this? Although the general has no time to see you, I have already inquired for you. The general intends to send troops to help Hebei. Zishang can just wait for the news."
When Sima Zhao heard this, his worries turned into joy, and he held Cao Xi's hand:
"Is this true?"
"How dare I deceive you into taking on such a big matter?"
Sima Zhao asked again: "But I don't know when the reinforcements will set off?"
Cao Xi hesitated for a moment, and then said:
"It's cold today, and it may be difficult for the soldiers to travel in the snow. Moreover, the army needs to raise food and grass before going out, so it will take some time."
He consoled him: "Sir, just wait with peace of mind. As soon as I have news, I will send someone to inform you immediately."
How could Sima Zhao feel at ease after hearing this?
"The military situation is urgent. I can wait, but I'm afraid Hebei can't wait. Uncle Zhao, I beg you, please help me persuade the general again. The matter is urgent and it is not advisable to slow down!"
"How could I not know that the military situation is as good as fire and waits for no one?" Cao Xi could only continue to comfort Sima Zhao, "But the weather is cold and the ground is freezing. Even if everyone in the Han army is brave and good at fighting, and has the courage to be unstoppable by ten thousand men, waiting here
It is also difficult to attack the city in bad weather."
"Furthermore, Taifu Sima is the pillar of the country. He has been in the army for decades, and he has many dangerous passes in Taihang as his support. Hebei will be safe for a while."
"Don't worry, Zishang. As soon as there is an opportunity, I will definitely persuade the general again and send reinforcements to help as soon as possible."
After hearing Cao Xi's words, Sima Zhao could only say:
"Then Zhao will thank the leader in advance."
"We are all contributing to the country, so why do we need to thank each other?"
After conversing with Sima Zhao, Cao Xi personally sent him back to his residence before parting ways.
This winter is warmer than previous years, and the wind from Hebei cannot reach Qiao County.
But the north wind in the desert can blow across the Yanshan Mountains and reach Hebei.
The men sent by Tuoba Xulu crossed Yanshan Mountain against the north wind. Under the escort of a group of Wei troops, they hurriedly and slowly rushed back to Suotou before the beginning of spring.
"The Han Kingdom is attacking Hebei. Sima Taifu wants us to send troops to help as soon as possible?"
Unlike Dou Bin, who was about to die, and Sima Yi, who was aging and aging, Tuoba Liwei, who was about to be seventy-three, was still full of energy and good spirits.
Sitting in the tent, his majestic body looked like a big dark bull.
He looked at the messenger lying on the ground with bright eyes, and his voice sounded like thunder:
"In the past, when I formed an alliance with Taifu Sima, he once told me that there would be no less than 200,000 elite soldiers in Hebei."
"Two hundred thousand elite soldiers were protected by the mountains, and there was a natural disaster to help them. Why did he immediately send for help as soon as the Han soldiers attacked?"
"Is it possible that these 200,000 elite soldiers are just improvised generals, or is it true that Sima Yi is as afraid of Shu as a tiger, as rumored, and was frightened when he heard that Han soldiers were coming to attack?"
"Great Kehan, the second prince said the same thing in Yecheng, but Sima Yi said that the Han army went against common sense and invaded Hebei in winter, and they must have ulterior motives."
"Especially that God Feng Wen, he is the most insidious and cunning. If this thief doesn't make a move, it will be fine. If he does, it will be a poisonous plan. You must be on guard against it!"
After finishing speaking, he repeated Sima Yi's analysis of the Han army's dispatch.
He even didn’t forget to flatter him:
"Great Kehan, Sima Taifu also said that Feng Wenshen's use of troops this time went against common sense. I am afraid he also knew that our alliance between Xianbei and Hebei was invincible."
"That's why we want to take advantage of our Da Xianbei to fight against the White Disaster in winter, thinking that we can't go south to support, and want to defeat Hebei and Da Xianbei one by one."
When Tuoba Li heard this, his face first showed a proud look, then his brows furrowed again, and he looked thoughtfully at the deacon standing beside him.
The deacon in black nodded slightly and said:
"Kehan, the reason why God Feng Wen is called the God of Plague is not only that this thief is the reincarnation of the Ghost King, who likes to eat the flesh and blood of the world and brings disaster to the world, but also that this thief is far-sighted and extremely insidious. He must be guarded against."
Tuoba Li nodded slightly:
"Yes, no matter where he is, this thief will cause blood to flow there. The King of Ghosts and the God of Plague are what the world calls him. Isn't it unreasonable?"
Thinking about today's grasslands, whether it is the western Xianbei or the central Xianbei, they are all poisoned and killed by this person, and almost no one is spared.
Since Mr. Tan Shihuai, even if Great Xianbei has been divided into four parts and each has its own conquests, the grassland has always been the grassland of Great Xianbei.
Unexpectedly, a plague god came from the southwest, and all tribes on the grassland became frightened when they heard about it, fearing that they would be caught and used as a blood sacrifice to the plague god.
Thinking of this, Tuoba Liwei couldn't help but feel awe-inspiring:
"In the opinion of the deacon, should we send troops to rescue him?"