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It is gradually approaching December, less than a month after the 21st year of Jian'an. This year, the New Year atmosphere in Yedu is stronger than in previous years. Grain prices are stable and meat prices are falling. Almost every household can kill sheep for the New Year. This is mainly because Cao's army won a great victory in the attack on the Bingzhou Xiongnu and seized a large amount of supplies, including tens of thousands of cattle and sheep.

Although Cao Cao used a large number of fat sheep to reward the army, tens of thousands of sheep still flowed into the market, and the prices were low, making it a delicacy on the dining tables and altars of Yedu people.

The Cao army also seized nearly 10,000 sheepskins, but Cao Cao did not benefit every family in the Han Dynasty like Liu Jing. Instead, he gave all these sheepskins to soldiers and the families of fallen soldiers to buy the morale of the army. This move indeed increased the morale of the Cao army and increased Cao Cao's reputation in the army.

However, for Cao Cao, the most important thing is not to reward the army, but to make up the world and marry Liu Jing, the King of Han. After Cao Cao fell seriously ill at the beginning of last year, his body began to decline, becoming thinner and weaker, and his energy was not as good as before. He was already sixty years old and an elderly man.

This made Cao Cao feel that time had been threatened. He felt that his time was not long. He had to arrange his funeral within the past two years, stabilize the overall situation of Wei, strive to develop the economy, strengthen military strength, and hand over a relatively powerful Wei State to his son.

In the early morning, Cao Cao's carriage drove into the north gate of Yedu and headed towards Anyang Palace not far away. Today he was going to meet the saint and asked Liu Xie to prepare to formally enthrone his eldest son Cao Pi as Wei Gongshi.

This was the final decision made by Cao Cao, who made the leader of Cao Pi, and the root cause of his determination was the Yang Xiu case. It was in the Yang Xiu case that Cao Cao finally understood Cao Zhi's political thoughts, which was to respect Confucianism and suppress the law, and let Liu Xie return to the throne.

This is fundamentally contrary to Cao Cao's idea of ​​governing the country. Cao Cao believes that this is not a moment of confusion, but his deep-rooted thought. Because of this, Cao Cao finally decided to make Cao Pi the world. Although Cao Pi did not satisfy him, he was a dark person, hypocritical, eager for quick success and instant benefits, and lacked a great strategy, compared to Cao Zhi's thought of respecting the king and respecting Confucianism, these shortcomings of Cao Pi were not worth worrying about.

The carriage was running rapidly on the street. Cao Cao looked at both sides of the street silently. The pedestrians were walking in a hurry, mostly smiling. There were guests in the tavern, and the noise reached the street. In previous years, the refugees and beggars on the street were invisible this year.

However, Cao Cao knew that it was not that the refugees and beggars were starved to death, nor that they became rich, but that they all went to Guanzhong one after another, preparing to receive land and immigrate to the Guanzhong. Most of these refugees and beggars were actually from Guanzhong. They can now return to their hometowns. Perhaps the land, who would still be willing to beg for food on the streets of Yedu

Thinking of this, Cao Cao couldn't help but sigh. Although he also took measures to reduce taxes and grant land to encourage people to migrate to the northern part of Bingzhou, the effect was not ideal. The key was that he could not announce ten-year tax exemption like Liu Jing, which would seriously impact the farmers in the southern part of Bingzhou and cause riots. There was another reason. It seemed that the people did not believe him. They would rather go to the Han State to grant land than accept the land granted by Wei State.

This is the judgment of the people of the world. They believe that the Han State will defeat Wei State sooner or later, and that the promise of the Han State will be more reliable. It is this judgment that made Cao Cao defeated the war with Liu Jing for population.

Cao Cao couldn't help but sigh. The ice ruler was not cold for a day. The people of the Central Plains had no confidence in him, Cao Cao, and it had already started since the Battle of Red Cliff many years ago.

Just less than a mile away from the palace, a cavalry rushed from behind and shouted, "Report to Duke Wei, report to you if you have important matters."

"parking"

Cao Cao stopped the carriage, opened the window and asked, "What's the point?"

"You have reported to Duke Wei, Chen Zhongcheng returned from his mission to Han State, and brought Sima Yi, the Minister of Han State, and is waiting in Tongque Palace."

Cao Cao was immediately excited. He had been waiting for news from Chen Qun. Now he finally came, and even Sima Yi came. He pondered for a moment and immediately ordered: "Return to Tongque Palace"

The sky was far less important than Liu Jing in his heart. At this time, he was eager to know the result of Chen Qun's mission. The carriage accelerated and, under the protection of several guards, drove quickly out of the northern city.

...........

In the VIP hall of Tongque Palace, Prime Minister Xu Yi was chatting with Sima Yi. Xu Yi was about fifty years old, smart and capable, knowledgeable, and served as Prime Minister General for many years. He was Cao Cao's most trusted confidant.

Before Cao Pi had no power in government affairs, every time Cao Cao went to war, he stayed in Xuchang to handle various government affairs, giving him great power. When Cao Pi took over government affairs, he took the initiative to cooperate and completely handed over the power to Cao Pi, which won Cao Pi's trust again.

Now Xu Yi is a bridge between Cao Pi and Cao Cao. When Cao Pi encounters major military and national affairs that cannot be decided, he always writes his own opinions first and then transfers them to Xu Yi. Xu Yi will explain Cao Pi's opinions in detail. The result of this is often that Cao Cao finally agrees with Cao Pi's plan, reducing the conflicts between his father and making the government orders smooth.

Xu Yi and Sima Yi have a good personal relationship. When Sima Yi was the leader of Cao Cao, it was recommended by Xu Yili. When Sima Yi went on a mission to the original state a few months ago, Xu Yi stayed in Yedu, and the two sides were unable to meet. This time, the two sides seemed particularly intimate, just like a reunion of close friends who had not seen each other for many years.

"I haven't seen each other forty years. Zhongda is over 40 years old, and I am over fifty years old, and we are all old."

Sima Yi also smiled and said, "Brother Ji Cai is well maintained. He looks only in his early forties. Unlike me, he is dark and thin. When he is staying in a hotel, the shopkeeper even calls me the old man."

Sima Yi was talking interestingly, both of them laughed. After the greetings, the topic turned to the main business. Xu Yi pondered for a moment and said, "Is there anything else to do when Zhongda went to Wei State to discuss the specific details of the wedding?"

Sima Yi also knew that Xu Yi was actually on behalf of Cao Cao. What he asked was what Cao Cao wanted to ask. Sima Yi smiled and said, "In addition to discussing the details of the wedding, there are actually two other things to discuss with Mr. Wei. Although the matter is not important, it is not insignificant."

"Can you tell me what's going on?"

"sure"

Sima Yi said slowly: "The first thing is about the handling of the Xiongnu prisoners of war in Bingzhou. The Han King meant that Duke Wei could hand over the captured women, children and families to the Han State. Of course, we would also give you certain compensation. If Duke Wei could agree, we would continue to discuss specific conditions. This is the first thing, the second thing is actually a small matter that is insignificant."

"Zhongda please make clear"

Xu Yi looked very serious. He knew that Sima Yi brought the negotiations in Yedu, which would definitely not be a trivial matter. The more Sima Yi said this, the more important the matter was. Xu Yi was sensitively aware that the small matter Sima Yi was going to talk about next was probably the real highlight.

Sima Yi smiled and the tone of the light words he had just said were gone. He spoke very slowly, but every word was clearly cleared. "His Highness of the King of Han wanted to go to Luoyang to worship the ancestral temple. For safety, His Highness of the King of Han will bring some troops to him. I hope that Duke Wei can agree to his visit to the temple."

"I don't know how many troops His Highness the King of Han plans to take to Luoyang." Xu Yi almost gritted his teeth and asked this sentence.

"From a security perspective, at least 50,000 troops."

............

While Xu Yi and Sima Yi were reminiscing about the past, Chen Qun was also reporting to Cao Cao in the official room of Cao Cao in Tongque Palace. There is no need to say much about the harvest. Liu Jing agreed to welcome the bride in April next year. This is actually not very meaningful. Welcoming bride and launching a war are two different things.

As for Liu Jing's failure to agree to release the Xiongnu prisoners of war in Bingzhou, this was also as Cao Cao expected. Both sides needed population and had no interests. No one would easily give the population to the other party. This required continued negotiations to reach an agreement.

Cao Cao was concerned that Liu Jing refused to implement the Cao-Liu alliance reached verbally in writing. Of course, the Han-Hungary War had ended and the alliance between the two sides had ended. There was no need to sign any written agreement, but the terms on the safety of Hefei were not over. The two sides reached a consensus to maintain the status quo of Hefei within one year.

But Liu Jing refused to turn the verbal consensus into a written treaty, which shows that he would definitely launch a battle against Hefei before August, which made Cao Cao feel anxious.

Cao Cao was not afraid of fighting at this time. He had accumulated a lot of food and food over the years, especially the Xiongnu in Bingzhou and gained a lot of wealth, which was enough to support him in launching a war, but Cao Cao needed time to prepare.

He ordered Cao Ren and Zhang Liao to heighten and strengthen the walls of Hefei and Shouchun respectively, especially to seal Xiaojin's entry into the city and build a complete wall. This is a huge project and will be completed at the earliest in June and July.

Cao Cao was walking in the room with his hands behind his back. How could he delay Liu Jing's attack? Chen Qun said carefully: "Sima Yi later visited me. He said that the battle in Hefei was not inevitable, but we needed to make concessions."

"What concessions are made?" Cao Cao asked anxiously.

"He didn't say it clearly, he just said that Mr. Wei understood it in his heart."

Cao Cao frowned. How could he understand? At this time, Cao Pi, who was standing next to him, said: "Does Liu Jing want us to give up Bingzhou?"

"nonsense"

Cao Cao angrily scolded: "How is this possible? It's better to have a battle in Hefei. Liu Jing would not make such a request."

"What the child is talking about is not all Bingzhou, but a county in Hedong, Bingzhou. In this way, Liu Jing has a springboard to attack Bingzhou. Of course, he doesn't have to launch the Hefei Battle, but directly launch the Bingzhou Battle."

Cao Cao's heart moved. Maybe this is really possible. At this time, Xu Yi hurried into the room, bowed and bowed, "See Mr. Wei."

"Ji Cai doesn't have to be too polite. Tell me what he said when he met Sima Yi."

"Reporting to the Duke of Wei, Sima Yi said two things. One is that he hopes that we will give the captured Xiongnu women and children in Bingzhou to the Han Dynasty, and he is willing to give compensation."

Cao Cao couldn't help laughing, "As I expected, they also want this group of people. If they are willing to compensate, they can consider it. I don't know how much compensation they are willing to give."

"Sima Yi said he was willing to talk in detail."

Cao Cao nodded and said to Cao Pi: "Pi'er, you will be responsible for discussing this matter with them."

"Boy obeys the order"

At this time, Xu Yi said again: "Your Highness, Sima Yi also said something. I think this is the real big thing."

Cao Cao's expression suddenly became solemn. He looked at Xu Yi and said, "What's the matter?"

"Liu Jing plans to go to Luoyang to worship the ancestral temple on the morning of the morning, and he hopes that Duke Wei can agree."

"Go to Luoyang"

Cao Cao sneered repeatedly, "How could he go to Luoyang to bring five guards, or prepare to bring five thousand cavalry?"

"Mr. Wei, Sima Yi, said that Liu Jing plans to bring 50,000 troops to Luoyang."

Cao Cao's expression suddenly frozen. Fifty thousand troops, this is not a place to go to Luoyang to worship the temple. It is obviously trying to occupy Luoyang. Cao Cao couldn't help but snorted heavily, "He is dreaming."

Cao Pi next to him whispered: "Father, I'm afraid this is what Liu Jing said, to avoid the battle in Hefei."
Chapter completed!