In the beginning, people have their own explanations for whether their nature is good or evil.

Maybe it's inherently good, maybe it's inherently evil, maybe it's neither good nor evil.

But no matter what, as long as you enter the court, the largest dye vat in the world, it is difficult to say that you are a good person.

And wine, sex and wealth are the most corrosive to people's hearts.

If you add the power in the court, who can take away wine, sex, wealth, and want to keep your true intentions, it will be even more difficult.

This is just like a certain country bumpkin. Even though he has lived in two lives, his previous life was influenced by the values ​​of the new era.

But in this era, we can still enjoy the corrupt life of the powerful with peace of mind.

For example, a group of wives and concubines in an open and honest manner?

No one can withstand corruption. How can a second-generation Cao Shuang, who has never experienced big storms since his birth, be able to hold on to his original intention when he suddenly assumes power and is surrounded by a bunch of snobs?

Of course, people with great power will inevitably do some outrageous things sometimes, as is human nature.

Let alone in this day and age.

After all, they have the capital.

But the bad thing about Cao Shuang is that he is too complacent and does not know how to keep a low profile. He is even afraid that others will not know what he has done, so he makes the things he has done known to everyone.

Huan Fan at the top of Yecheng City was so frightened that he broke into a cold sweat in the crisp autumn weather when he heard Sima Yi say the number "fifty-seven talents of the late emperor".

In addition to being shocked by Cao Shuang's stupidity, he also thought of a terrible possibility:

Sima Yi even knew how many late emperors and talents there were in Yetai, so what else in the city did he not know?

What may be even more frightening is how many people in Xuchang are passing on information to Sima Yi?

"Sima Yi, if I don't open the city gate, what will happen to you? If not, will you still raise troops to attack the city?"

It's one thing to scold Cao Shuang in your heart, but it's another thing to scold Sima Yi with your mouth.

"Whatever the general did, the emperor will make the final decision. When will it be your turn to condemn him?"

"Don't forget, Yecheng is the founding capital of the Wei Dynasty. In the name of condemning the general, you raised troops to surround the capital of the Wei Dynasty. How is this different from raising troops to rebel?"

Naturally, Sima Yi would not follow Huan Fan’s tactics:

"The emperor was young and was under the control of Cao Shuang. Even the queen mother was confined to a separate palace, and all government affairs were in the hands of Cao Shuang."

"The Empress Dowager and the Emperor cannot express their intentions. Someone was entrusted by the late Emperor to assist the Emperor Zuo. How dare he sit back and watch Cao Shuang's chaos and ignore it?"

"This time, I will try my best to blame the emperor in the future and expose Cao Shuang's crimes in front of the world."

"Huan Shijun, I have the patience to wait for you to open the door, but the soldiers under my command have been away fighting for several months and are hungry, so I have no patience!"

Looking at the heavy soldiers outside the city, they were surrounded layer by layer.

Huan Fan didn't know for a moment whether Sima Yi was threatening him or telling the truth.

It's okay if you're trying to intimidate yourself.

But if what he is telling the truth is true, when the city is breached, the officials in the city may not be in great trouble.

Naturally, Huan Fan was aware of his own family affairs, the army of the Wei Dynasty, and certain traditions that had existed since Emperor Wu.

Unless he can really defend Yecheng.

But is it possible?

Since the founding of the Wei Dynasty, Jizhou has always been regarded as the rear area, providing troops and food for the southern and western fronts.

During the Battle of Guanzhong, the late emperor deployed most of Hebei's troops to support Guanzhong.

Who would have expected that they would not be able to stop the Western thieves after all.

Most of the troops from Hebei that were transferred fell into Sima Yi's hands.

After losing Bingzhou, Jizhou has continuously increased its troops in recent years, hoping to guard the passes of the Taihang Mountains to prevent the west bandits from advancing eastward.

It can be said that most of Jizhou's troops are guarding the passes of Taihang Mountain.

But, but, Sima Yi was able to lead his army through such an important passage as Jingxing without any hindrance.

It wasn't until the army came to Yecheng that he knew what had happened.

Is it because Jingxing's defenders were too unbearable, or... or did Sima Yi use his Hebei soldiers to do something?

Huan Fan no longer dared to think about it any more.

If the defenders of Jingxing can no longer be trusted, then how many people in Ye City can be trusted?

Huan Fan couldn't help but turn his eyes to the soldiers around him.

I don’t know if it was his imagination, but someone seemed to be deliberately avoiding his gaze?

The old city of Yecheng was originally located south of the Zhang River. After it became the founding capital of the Wei Dynasty, Emperor Wu and Emperor Wen both expanded it vigorously.

It is now a large city across the Zhang River.

With Zhangshui as the boundary, the old city to the south of Zhangshui is called Nancheng, and to the north is the expanded Beicheng.

The Ye Terrace mentioned by Sima Yi refers to the royal building complex represented by the Tongque Terrace located in the North City.

Therefore, Yecheng is now a large city and spans the Zhang River. The soldiers are few and trustworthy. How easy is it to hold it?

Huan Fan's thoughts were chaotic and full of contradictions, but he knew that he could not show any timidity or concession at this time.

Otherwise, Sima Yi will definitely pounce on him like a vicious wolf.

"In that case, let's invite Taifu to attack the city! I am the governor of Jizhou in the Wei Dynasty. If I die at the hands of the rebel army led by Taifu in the Wei Dynasty, it will be just a casual chat after dinner."

After finishing speaking, Huan Fan stopped talking.

On the other hand, when Sima Yi, who was under the city, heard Huan Fan's words, he didn't know if they touched a chord in his heart.

The defenders on the city discovered that the originally densely packed army below the city began to loosen up a bit.

After another half an hour, the city finally sent someone to shout again:

"Everyone in the city, listen, you and I are all soldiers of the Wei Dynasty, and we should be of the same mind to the outside world!"

"It is a pity that the Wei Dynasty was unlucky. When Cao Shuang disrupted the government and changed the laws and regulations, the Taifu wanted to revive the imperial court, so he had no choice but to raise the flag of righteousness to attack the unjust."

"However, the Grand Tutor has a heart of benevolence and righteousness and cannot bear the comrades fighting each other in the past, so he specifically ordered the troops to retreat thirty miles and not attack the city for three days."

"During these three days, all officers and soldiers in the city who want to leave will be allowed to leave, and no one will be allowed to stop them. Anyone who wants to follow the righteous will be rewarded."

"In three days, the army will officially attack the city. I hope you all know it!"

As soon as this shouting came out, the Wei army at the top of the city became slightly commotion.

Someone subconsciously looked at Huan Fan who was walking down the city wall.

But I don't know if Lord Huan was walking in a hurry or if he was a little far away and didn't seem to hear him at all.

His figure soon disappeared at the corner of the horse road.

In order to let people in the city know as much as possible, Sima Yi sent more than ten teams of people to run around Yecheng and shout continuously.

For a time, people in Yecheng were agitated and rumors spread.

When Huan Fan returned to the governor's house, he finally couldn't control his emotions. He slammed the eucalyptus table and cursed in shock and anger:

"Does the old man Sima want to break the hearts of the military officials in the city? This is really abominable!"

It's just that at this time, Yecheng had been cut off from the outside world by Sima Yi.

Even if it is not cut off, it is still a question of how many defenders from various places dare to come.

As for Xuchang, Huan Fan has given up hope.

It is estimated that the fall of Xiangyang has made Cao Zhaobo very anxious and unable to take care of himself.

He also said that reinforcements would be sent north to relieve the siege of Ye City.

If Xuchang can stabilize Nanyang County, this is the best outcome.

Thinking of this, even though Huan Fan thought he was very wise, he had to sigh to the sky:

"What can I do? What can I do?"

But worse things were yet to come.

Just one day later, someone hurriedly came to report late at night:

"Huan Shijun, it's not good, someone has escaped from the city!"

Huan Fan seemed to have expected that something would happen at night, and he never dared to take off his clothes and sleep.

Hearing about the military situation, he quickly came out to meet the visitor:

"How many people ran away? Who were they? Have you sent anyone to chase them?"

"Replying to the envoy, it's too dark at night. We haven't found out how many people there are yet. There are probably more than ten or twenty people. They are all soldiers patrolling at night."

"Didn't you send someone to chase him?"

"When I found someone running away, I couldn't catch up..."
To be continued...