Chapter 51 Cao Rui fell into the trap

Adou originally wanted to tell the matter of sending troops to attack Wei, but he saw an old man standing behind Guan, Zhang and Zhao.

This old man is Huang Zhong!

Seeing Huang Zhong's appearance of rubbing his hands and the earnest look in Huang Zhong's eyes, A Dou knew that Huang Zhong might want to ask for a fight!

Huang Zhong is already in his eighties, but his health is still very good. Although as he grows younger, Huang Zhong's physical strength, reaction and endurance have decreased, in Adou's opinion, ordinary generals are definitely not Huang Zhong's opponent. After all, Zhang Sanfeng was still very powerful when he was 100 years old, and it is normal for Huang Zhong to fight at the age of 80.

Huang Zhong is in his 80s old man, so A Dou naturally would not force Huang Zhong to attend court. Moreover, on weekdays, Huang Zhong, a general, ran to the court to fight, and it was useless except to occupy a position. So A Dou hadn't seen Huang Zhong attend court for more than half a year.

Now that Adou is about to conquer Cao Wei, Huang Zhong, who has not appeared for a long time, actually ran out. Huang Zhong appears at this time and must be ready to go to the expedition with the army.

A Dou didn't have this idea when he asked an old man in his 80s to go to war. People like Guan and Zhang, A Dou were ready to let them retire, let alone the 80s Huang Zhong.

"Well, cough cough..." Adou coughed dryly, but his mind began to wonder what reason should be used to deal with Huang Zhong.

"Well, this rebel Cao Pi died, which is a blessing for my great man! I am ready, prepare..." Adou frowned and thought. He must not propose a tax collection now, but how should we continue this? Is this amnesty in the world? I just passed the world in the wedding before; is the tax cut? Adou is reluctant to give up.

Well, it is a good idea to add titles to these ministers, and a title is just a reputation. Thinking of this, Adou continued: "I decided to take this opportunity to establish a new title, called "Kuke of Founding County", abbreviated as "Kuke of the Kingdom", second only to "King".

At this point, Adou continued: "General Guan Yu, the founding minister, was granted the title of Duke Zhenguo!"

"General Zhang Fei of the Wei Dynasty was also the first minister to found the country and was granted the title of Duke of the Suiguo."

"Ma Chao, General of the Cavalry, opened up territory for our Han Dynasty and was granted the title of Duke of Anguo."

"...Zhao Yun, after following the former emperor for many years, he has also achieved the merit of saving the emperor, and was granted the title of Duke of Ding..." He said here, looked at Huang Zhong, and then said: "Huang Zhong is stronger and stronger, and has made many military achievements and has been granted the title of Duke of Ding!"

Immediately afterwards, Adou awarded Wei Yan, Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong and Zhang Song as Dukes, and then several meritorious ministers including the Six Ministers of the Ministry of Justice were granted as marquis.

After the award, Adou smiled slightly: "So, I said that last year's martial arts department selected outstanding talents for me, but 80% of them were generals in the army, and there were few people. I remember that when Liu Biao was in Jingzhou, he promoted academics and established rural education, so that Jingzhou would be full of talents in the next few decades. So I think, to establish a martial arts lecture hall! The talents produced in the martial arts lecture hall will be selected into the army in the future."

Adou paused and continued, "There is a hunting ground west of Chang'an City. It was ordered by Emperor Wu that year. There is a palace near the hunting ground. I decided to assign the hunting ground and palace to the martial arts lecture hall!"

"But this martial arts lecture hall requires experienced generals and commanders. My dear friends think who should be the leader of this martial arts lecture hall?" After A Dou said that, he glanced at Pang Tong.

Pang Tong immediately understood, stood up immediately, and said, "What Your Majesty said is that the commander of the martial arts lecture hall needs the most is experience. I think that the most experienced general in our court should be sent to the commander of the martial arts lecture hall."

"The richest experience! That's General Huang Zhong and Huang!" A Dou said immediately.

When Huang Zhong saw this posture, he sang and reconciled between the emperor and his ministers. It seemed that he was planning to himself. But thinking about it, this martial arts lecture hall is a place to train soldiers, and it is still very attractive as the leader of the martial arts lecture hall. Moreover, his Majesty has already made him a duke, and this big hat is to prevent him from getting involved in the Eastern Expedition. Huang Zhong has lived for more than 80 years, so how could he not understand this truth?

"Haha, Huang Aiqing, what do you think?"

Huang Zhong thought for a while and said, "Your Majesty, I have no objection! But I want to recommend one person to Your Majesty today."

"Oh? Who?"

"This person's famous general Huang Chong is the son of Huang Quan. Huang Chong has been studying art with his old minister for many years, and Ruyi has learned 60% or 70% of the skills of his ministers."

"Huang Chong?" A Dou immediately recalled the information about this person.

Huang Chong is Huang Quan's son, but unlike Huang Quan, Huang Chong is good at martial arts but not literary. Somehow, Huang Chong admired Huang Zhong as his adoptive father, so Huang Chong became Huang Zhong's godson.

Huang Zhong originally had a son who led Huang Xu, but he died young. Since then, Huang Zhong has no children. Now he has an extra godson. Huang Zhong treats Huang Chong as his own and gives all his gifts to Huang Chong. However, Huang Chong has always been young, so he is still white.

Now Huang Chong has just become an adult, and Huang Chong's father Huang Quan is a very upright person and has never recommended Huang Chong as an official. However, Huang Zhong hopes from the bottom of his heart that Huang Chong can make a difference, so he recommended Huang Chong at this time.

According to Huang Zhong's intention, he had no share in his own way to go to Wei State, but he had to give his godson a chance!

Although Huang Chong is still young, A Dou is not a good idea. However, since Huang Zhong spoke, A Dou always has to give Huang Zhong a face. So A Dou said, "Since that's the case, I will give Huang Chong the Shangshu Lang and listen to it in the court."

Speaking of this, Adou's inspiration appeared, and another idea appeared, and then he said, "The so-called "only literature is not prosperous, and only martial arts is not prosperous. Since there is a martial arts lecture hall, I think we will build another National Academy, called the Imperial College, select young talents, and go in and study..."

When Adou said this, he secretly looked at the reactions of the people below, and almost all of them had their faces changed.

The National Academy is definitely different from the general private schools in the local area. These ministers realized that if the Imperial College was really established, as long as they could enter the Imperial College, it would be a shortcut to become an official.

No one of the ministers has any relatives and friends, even if they are the sons of these ministers, they may not have a good way out in the future. The first thing that many people think of is that the Imperial College can try to have a good way out for their descendants.

Whether it is a martial arts lecture hall or an Imperial College, it will not be established in a short time. Adou just proposed a concept first and needs careful planning to implement it in the future. However, for Adou today, the most important thing is to conquer the Wei Kingdom in the East.

The rumors in Chang'an City soon spread all over the world. Xiahouba guarded Wu Pass, just a few feet away from Chang'an, and soon got the news.

As the person involved, Xiahou Ba immediately understood that this was a strategy used by Shu Han, who deliberately spread rumors and caused trouble to target him. Xiahou Ba was full of injustice, but there was no way. Xiahou Ba wanted to write a letter to Yecheng to explain, but some things became darker and darker, and the more they explained, the more they felt that they were covering up. So Xiahou Ba simply did not explain, and looked like the Qing people were clear, allowing rumors to spread everywhere.

In Nanyang, not far from Wuguan, Sima Yi quickly learned the rumors about Guan Yu and Xiahou Ba on the market.

"The strategy used by Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong is too despicable. You can tell at a glance that it was deliberately maliciously slandering General Xiahou!" Deng Ai said in a sigh.

"Haha, Shi Zai, you don't understand. This is the power of Zhuge Kongming and Pang Shiyuan!" Sima Yi smiled slightly.

"What's so awesome?" Deng Ai shook his head in confusion: "I can't see this plan of disagreement. This is a trick that requires anyone with a little brain to see. There are many talented people in my court, so how can I not see it through it!"

"Shi Zai, what you are saying is that if this kind of rumor is spread to Yecheng, anyone with a little brain can see through it, but as long as someone believes it, oh, no, or doubt it, the plan will be successful." Sima Yi said.

"One person? Grand Marshal, are you talking about His Majesty?"

"Yes, as long as your Majesty has a little doubt, this plan will be considered successful!"

"Your Majesty is well-read, so he probably won't believe it!" Deng Ai said. In Deng Ai's eyes, Cao Rui was also a famous talent.

"Shi Zai, if Your Majesty is still just a prince, there will definitely not be much suspicion, but now Your Majesty is already Your Majesty! Your Majesty is unpredictable! Your Majesty has just ascended the throne, and what he is most afraid of is the betrayal of others, and what he is most afraid of is the unsteady of this country! Even if it is a slight possibility, Your Majesty will doubt it." Sima Yi said this, sighed, and then said, "Shi Zai, this is Junxin. Even if everyone will not doubt Xiahouba, Your Majesty may not be. If Your Majesty does not even have a slight doubt, then he is not Your Majesty! This is Junxin, this is the way to be a king!"

"The way to be a king? Can those who are a king do not distinguish between right and wrong?" Deng Ai asked.

"Shizai, be careful of your words!" Sima Yi shouted with a stern face.

After a while, Sima Yi continued, "Shi Zai, you are not from a noble family and you are not sure about the truth. However, you will gradually understand some things. Now you are still too young and need to experience it. However, today, you should have learned something. The most successful strategy is not the best, nor is it the least easy to see through, and not necessarily the most complicated. As long as you can make the person who should be trapped the most, this is a successful strategy."

"Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong obviously calculated that even if everyone in the world would not fall into the trap, Your Majesty will definitely fall into the trap!"

Yecheng.

The rumors spread to Yecheng. Most knowledgeable people sneered at this. They all felt that the use of this divisive plan was too unstable, or in other words, the use of this divisive plan was too obvious, so obvious that anyone with a discerning eye could tell at a glance.

Finally, the rumor reached Cao Rui's ears.

In court.

"Hmph, then the Liu family is exhausted. Using the strategy of divisiveness, they really think that the five people in Yecheng, or do they think I am a fool!" Cao Rui snorted coldly.

The ministers below all shouted that His Majesty was wise, but a smile appeared on Xu Shu's face. Xu Shu didn't believe it, and Cao Rui didn't even have any doubts.

"Okay, let's go to the court, by the way, the Prime Minister's back hall is about to discuss matters." After Cao Rui said that, he turned around and walked down.

Xu Shu walked slowly deliberately, looking very leisurely.

When Xu Shu walked into the hall, Cao Rui was wandering around the hall, looking at a loss.

When Xu Shu saw Cao Rui's appearance, he thought to himself: "Cao Rui is still young, so he has no idea. He is far inferior to his grandfather Cao Cao or his father Cao Rui! How can such a person compare with his proud disciple?"

"See Your Majesty!" Xu Shu said.

"Sir, you're finally here!" Cao Rui hurriedly walked up: "Sir, the rumors came from Chang'an, huh, this..."

Although Cao Rui knew that this was a plan of disagreement, he was still very afraid that it was true in his subconscious. However, if he said it out, it would be too close to him and lose face.

"Haha..." Xu Shu smiled slightly, how could Cao Rui hide the little abacus in his heart?

"Your Majesty, this is a plan of alienation between Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong. But I think there is something in the rumors that is very correct."

"Which point?" Cao Rui asked hurriedly.

"Xiahou Ba is indeed difficult to resist Zhang Fei!" Xu Shu paused and continued, "Zhang Fei is a tiger general in the world. Dangyang Bridge alone could block the 200,000 army of Emperor Gaozu. Even the former "tiger fool" Xu Chu was defeated by Zhang Yide. His Majesty thinks that Xiahou Ba alone can resist Zhang Fei's courage?"

Cao Rui shook his head: "Stop talking about one Xiahou Ba, even three or five Xiahou Bas are not Zhang Fei's opponents."

"Your Majesty, think about it again. Wuguan was established in the pre-Qin period. Now it has been hundreds of years. The walls of the pass are dilapidated. It is far worse than Tongguan! Zhang Fei is very good at attacking. Xiahou Ba relies on a military officer to block Zhang Fei. The chance of victory is probably not great!"

The military officer was one of the four Qin barriers back then, but the local walls were indeed far behind the scale, height or solidity of Tongguan that Cao Cao later built.

Another point is that Tongguan was established by Qin to resist the Chu state among the six Guandong countries. Therefore, the guard wall on the east side of the military officer is taller and stronger than the guard wall on the west side, and the defense strength in the east side will be higher than that on the west side. The Shu army will attack from the west, and the role of the military officer will be reduced by several points.

On the contrary, Tongguan is different. Tongguan was established by Cao Cao to resist Ma Chao, so the wall in the west is much better than the wall in the east. In addition, the terrain is more dangerous and easier to defend than military officers.

Zhang Fei's reputation is so great. Since Cao Rui became sensible, he began to hear about Zhang Fei's deeds. Cao Rui had no confidence in Xiahou Ba's resistance to Zhang Fei.

Xu Shu continued, "Although Xiahou Ba is quite like his father, it is far inferior to Zhang Fei. Another point is that Xiahou Ba is Zhang Fei's wife and uncle, so if he really fights, even if Zhang Fei breaks through Wu Pass and thinks of his relatives, he will not do anything to Xiahou Ba. So whether this Wu Pass can be kept, Xiahou Ba will have no worries about his life."

"Sir, I mean Xiahou Ba won't try his best to guard the pass?" Cao Rui asked tentatively.

"Your Majesty, Xiahou Ba is sure of my heart, but Xiahou Ba is not the best candidate to guard Wu Pass." Xu Shu said.

"Sir, should I transfer Xiahou Ba back and replace him with another person to guard Wu Pass?"

"Your Majesty, the one who guards Wu Pass is General Zhang He!" Xu Shu said,

"Zhang He?"

"Your Majesty, General Zhang He is extremely brave. Although he is not as brave as Zhang Fei back then, Zhang Fei is now old. General Zhang He should be able to resist Zhang Fei! Besides, General Zhang He is both wise and brave, and only he can defend Wu Pass!"

Xu Shu paused and noticed Cao Rui's expression of motivation. He continued: "Your Majesty, Zhang He is not as talented as Xiahou Dun, Cao Ren and others. However, because Zhang He was a surrendered general, he was not highly valued in his early years. As far as I know, Zhang He had a bad relationship, and the late emperor trusted Sima Yi very much, so he did not use Zhang He."

"Your Majesty has just ascended the throne, and the most important thing is that his ministers return to his heart. Now His Majesty has appointed Sima Yi as the Grand Marshal to win over Sima Yi's heart. However, among these foreign ministers, Sima Yi is indeed the only one in the family, and someone is needed to check and balance Sima Yi..." Xu Shu continued.

Cao Rui nodded slightly. As Xu Shu said, among the generals of the Cao family, Xu Shu, Sima Yi and Zhong Yao were the ones with the highest official positions. Among them, Zhong Yao is already an old man, and Zhong Yao is the best person to study classics in recent years and is no longer as concerned about the government as before.

In the decades before Xu Shu, he joined Cao's camp without saying a word, did not form cliques for personal gain, and had no power. Although he was the prime minister, with one person above ten thousand people, he was a commander with only one person and no subordinate who could use many people.

Only Sima Yi has developed rapidly in recent years. Many officials in the court were all Sima Yi's party. In addition to the Sima family, Sima Bada became officials in the court except for the dead boss. In addition to the family that had a marriage with the Sima family, Sima Yi's power was already very strong. Apart from Cao Zhen, no official in the court could compete with Sima Yi.

The most important way to be a king is a check and balance. If the ministers are the only one, they will inevitably threaten the emperor's status. Therefore, many emperors in all dynasties feel at ease when they see their ministers fighting. Officials who are well aware of the way to be a minister will cooperate with the emperor and deliberately establish a few political enemies for themselves.

Although Cao Rui had just become emperor, he still had some understanding of the checks and balances. At this time, Cao Rui also had the idea to support Zhang He and fight against Sima Yi. In this way, there would be three forces in the court, one was the Cao clan loyal to him, the other was Sima Yi, and the third was Zhang He. They could restrain each other.

Thinking of this, Cao Rui said, "Sir, I have received the teachings. I will issue an imperial edict immediately, and Zhang He will go to guard Wu Pass!"

"Your Majesty is wise!" Xu Shu said immediately, and at the same time, a strange smile appeared on the corner of Xu Shu's mouth.

"Kong Ming, I have done everything I can do in Yecheng. Whether I can take down Sili next depends on you..." Xu Shu thought to himself.
Chapter completed!