ebookland Chapter 137 Cao Cao's Expedition
Chapter 137 Cao Cao's Expedition
Chapter 137 Cao Cao's Expedition
The rear hall of Deyang Palace.
Liu Bian sat in the main seat, with Yang Biao, Huangfu Song, Wang Yun, Dong Zhuo, Liu Biao, Xun You, and Zhong Yao on either side of him.
Opposite them, a lightly armored soldier lay leaning against a pillow, his face pale and blood between his legs.
The lightly armored soldier said with difficulty, "Your Majesty, the traitor Qiao Mao suddenly sent troops to Shanyang County, and Envoy Ding was caught off guard and had to retreat to Jiyin County. The traitor also forged letters from the Minister of Works and Minister of the Interior and sent them to various counties in Yanzhou, claiming to 'clean up the emperor's side and eliminate treacherous officials.' People from Taishan, Jibei, Chenliu, and Jiyin responded. Envoy Ding ordered me to report to Your Majesty as soon as possible. I don't know the current situation."
Yang Biao, Wang Yun, Liu Biao and others looked solemn and had a look of anxiety in their eyes.
Liu Bian nodded calmly and said, "Take him down and let the doctor treat him properly."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." The lightly armored soldier raised his trembling hands.
After he left, Liu Bian looked at Huangfu Song and asked, "What does the Huangfu family think?"
Huangfu Song exuded a cold aura, his expression unchanged, and he bowed and said, "Your Majesty, Qiao Mao is the descendant of Qiao Xuan, and he has always been prestigious. He fabricated lies to plot rebellion, and he is unpopular. The royal army will advance eastward and the rebellion will be suppressed in more than a month."
Huangfu Song's words dispelled the panic in Liu Bian's heart. He glanced at the others and asked, "What do you think?"
Yang Biao, Wang Yun, Dong Zhuo and others bowed without saying anything.
They knew very well that Qiao Zheng was Qiao Mao's cousin, and it was not too surprising that Qiao Zheng was killed and Qiao Mao rebelled. In addition, Qiao Mao was not only closely related to the eunuch party, but also a student and former official of the Yuan family.
Xun You raised his hand and said, "Your Majesty, the treasury is empty and there is little left. If we send troops to Yan, I am afraid that we will be constrained by money and food."
Zhong Yao had a serious expression on his face and was also thinking.
The biggest constraint of the Han Dynasty was the two words "money and food". When he heard that Qiao Mao had rebelled, he immediately thought about how to raise money and food, but after thinking about it, he could not raise the military pay and food needed for 20,000 troops.
Wang Yun suddenly raised his hand and said, "Your Majesty, I recommend the city gate captain Gai Xun as the mighty general to lead the army to attack Qiao Mao and pacify Yanzhou."
Liu Bian glanced at him, stood up and said, "I'll think about it. People are waiting outside, so go out."
Inside the Deyang Palace, hundreds of people were waiting anxiously.
Everyone had no objection and followed Liu Bian to the main hall of Daodeyang Palace.
A few steps outside the door, Liu Bian and Pan Yin whispered, "Send Cao Cao into the palace."
Pan Yin responded and quietly retreated.
Yang Biao and Huangfu Song heard it nearby, but they turned a deaf ear to it, as if they didn't hear it at all.
After more than thirty steps, Liu Bian arrived at the side door of Deyang Palace.
As soon as he came in, everyone's eyes were immediately focused on him. Many people wanted to ask questions but held back.
Yanzhou borders Sili. Once the rebels capture Yanzhou, it will come as no surprise that they will take the opportunity to attack Sili!
The capital of the Han Dynasty is in danger!
Empress Dowager Dong and Empress Dowager He were equally worried behind the curtain. Liu Xie sat there with a stern face, trying to remain calm.
After Liu Bian sat down, he looked down at all the court officials, smiled calmly, and said: "I have inquired clearly, Qiao Mao was desperate because Qiao Zheng was executed, and he rebelled. This time, there is no need for the Grand Marshal to take action. I will choose a good general and the rebellion will be suppressed in more than a month."
All the court officials in the hall were silent, but it seemed as if the entire Deyang Hall breathed a sigh of relief.
Liu Bian looked around and said, "No need to worry, my lords. Everything will go on as usual. Those who should take a break should take a break, those who should visit their families should visit their families, and have a good New Year. It is getting late, Zhao Yun, escort all the lords out of the palace."
"I obey your order." Zhao Yun responded and went out first.
"I'm waiting to retire."
More than a hundred people in the hall raised their hands in unison, without the previous momentum, and stood up one after another and slowly left the hall.
Seeing this, the two Empress Dowagers behind the curtain stood up and left.
In a blink of an eye, only Liu Bian, Pan Yin, Zuo Li and Dian Wei were left in the hall.
Liu Bian half-closed his eyes, thinking about the affairs of Yanzhou.
Qiao Mao's open rebellion was completely beyond his expectation. When he had led the army in person and won a great victory and the court was united in their determination, Qiao Mao actually lost his mind and fabricated lies to plot rebellion!
Liu Bian sneered. He was no longer the same as when he had just ascended the throne. Back then he was unarmed, had to be cautious in everything, and had to be patient at every step.
Liu Bian stood up and walked out of the gate of Deyang Palace. Standing in front of the steps, he stared quietly ahead.
The court officials filed out of the palace, and could be clearly seen gathering in groups of three or four, whispering to each other.
Liu Bian ignored them, looked up at the dark sky, and said, "Zuo Li, feel around. If there are people in the capital who are connected with Qiao Mao and others, arrest them directly."
Zuo Li took small steps forward, bowed, and said cautiously in a low voice: "Your Majesty, Minister of War Liu is from Yanzhou."
Liu Dai, this person is a royal relative.
"Don't worry about who he is, arrest him first and report later." Liu Bian said calmly.
"I obey your command." Zuo Li was overjoyed, but his snow-white face still looked respectful.
Liu Bian thought carefully and said, "Send an order to Jizhou, Qingzhou, Xuzhou, and Yuzhou, ordering them to prepare their troops for battle and be ready for battle!"
Yanzhou's geographical location is very special. It is connected to five states. In addition to those four states, the most important one is the Sili Xiaowei Department!
Pan Yin lowered his head and said solemnly, "I obey your order!"
After Liu Bian arranged all these, his mind turned to the words "money and food".
If you want to send out a large army, you need money and food. However, the national treasury is in a period of shortage and cannot provide much.
Liu Bian frowned deeply and thought hard.
At the same time, Cao Mansion.
Xiahou Dun rushed in from outside and rushed into Cao Cao's bedroom. He saw Cao Cao lying on the bed, snoring and reeking of alcohol. He grabbed the servant who was carefully urging him to come over, shook Cao Cao's shoulders vigorously, and shouted, "Meng De! Meng De! Wake up! His Majesty urgently summons you to the palace!"
Cao Cao was very lonely because he failed to enter the palace, and he got drunk alone.
Thirty-six years old, how many years can I live?
If you ask about my life's achievements, where are they?
Xiahou Dun swayed left and right, but Cao Cao just struggled and couldn't wake up at all.
Xiahou Dun's expression darkened, and he shouted, "Bring me some hangover soup and some cold water."
Xiahou Dun and Cao Cao are like brothers, with no difference except that Xiahou Dun cannot sleep with his wife.
The Cao family didn't care and agreed to make the arrangements.
Xiahou Dun couldn't wait any longer, so he dragged Cao Cao to the bedside and inserted two big fingers into Cao Cao's mouth.
Wow
Cao Cao felt a sore and itchy throat and began to vomit violently.
When Xiahou Dun saw him, he patted his back and said anxiously, "Meng De, Meng De, the opportunity has come! His Majesty summons you to the palace!"
Cao Cao vomited all over the floor, but still didn't wake up. It was even difficult for him to open his eyes.
Xiahou Dun endured the strange taste and inserted his hand into Cao Cao's throat again.
Cao Cao's body trembled and he vomited again.
Xiahou Dun patted him and urged him, but Cao Cao only groaned weakly and opened his eyes slightly, but he was still unconscious.
Xiahou Dun looked furious and inserted two fingers into Cao Cao's throat again.
Cao Cao vomited bile many times in a row. He barely woke up a little, grabbed the window frame with both hands, and said with difficulty: "What are you doing?"
Seeing this, Xiahou Dun squatted beside him and said in a deep voice: "Meng De, the opportunity has come! Dongjun Governor Qiao has rebelled, and His Majesty has summoned you to the palace."
Cao Cao, who was originally confused, was stunned when he heard the words. Suddenly, his eyes widened and he exerted force with both hands, trying to sit up. However, his arms were weak and he fell back and lay there gasping for breath.
Seeing this, Xiahou Dun helped him up, handed him some hangover soup, and said, "Hangover soup."
Cao Cao opened his mouth and drank in big gulps. His stiff brain barely worked, and he kept gasping for breath and said, "Fengxiao, where is Fengxiao?"
Xiahou Dun was stunned and said, "That drunkard is even drunker than you. Do you want me to wake him up?"
Cao Cao grabbed his arm, his narrow eyes gleaming as he said, "No need!"
Xiahou Dun looked at his expression, as if he had seen Cao Cao in his normal state, and said, "The angel is still outside. I'll have someone prepare some hot water for you."
Cao Cao's face became calmer. He clenched his hands, feeling a little stronger. He looked outside and said, "Get two buckets of cold water and prepare a set of clothes."
Xiahou Dun nodded heavily, picked him up and put him on the ground.
Cao Cao took a few steps, his eyes twitching again and again. He pushed Xiahou Dun away, took a deep breath, barely stood still, looked up, his expression as firm as iron, his narrow eyes filled with excitement, yearning, uneasiness, and pride!
"Let everyone get ready and follow me into Yanzhou to kill the bandits and avenge your majesty!" Cao Cao said in a deep voice.
There were many people who were willing to follow Cao Cao, especially those of the same generation and younger generations from the Cao and Xiahou families.
"Good!" Seeing that Cao Cao had recovered, Xiahou Dun strode out.
Cao Cao's face straightened and he raised his foot with difficulty.
His mind was still very stiff yet exceptionally clear, his body was weak yet he felt like he could break rocks with one punch.
After moving to the door with difficulty, Cao saw the two buckets of cold water. He took off his shirt and said, "Pour it on me."
The servants looked at each other and dared not step forward.
In the cold winter, pouring these two buckets of cold water on someone can kill them!
"I come!"
At this time, a big man with a round face came over, picked up a bucket, and poured it directly over Cao Cao's head.
Cao Cao's whole body was shaking wildly, but he held his neck stiff, clenched his fists, stared wide-eyed, and gritted his teeth, without making a single sound.
Xiahou Yuan waited for a while and asked, "Are you still watering?"
Cao Cao's eyes widened like bells and he said, "It's not enough!"
Without saying a word, Xiahou Yuan picked up another bucket and poured it on again.
Cao Cao refused to move, allowing the cold water to pour down his head and soak his entire body.
Not far away, the Ding sisters came over with towels and bedding.
Cao Cao's wife, Mrs. Ding, had red eyes. She wiped his whole body and said, "Why are you doing this?"
The other Ding was Xiahou Yuan’s wife.
Cao Cao said nothing, his mind became clearer, his eyes calmer. After drying himself, he changed his clothes in front of everyone at the door, and then shouted, "I'll be back soon!"
Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan, brothers, escorted him into the palace.
After they left, Guo Jia slowly came out from the corner of the wing room, took a sip of wine, looked at Cao Cao's back, his eyes were like lightning, and he said to himself: "What a cruel man..."
Cao Cao entered the palace late at night, not in Jiade Hall or Jingfu Hall, but in Deyang Hall.
Cao Cao came alone and saw Liu Bian standing on the steps of the Deyang Palace gate from afar, looking up at the faint moonlight.
Cao Cao looked calm and walked slowly. He came forward and saluted, saying, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you, Cao Cao."
Liu Bian did not move, but glanced at him and said calmly, "You know everything?"
Cao Cao raised his hand, lowered his head, and said with a firm look in his eyes, "Yes. The governor of Dongjun, Qiao Mao, plotted a rebellion and falsely sent a letter to the two officials, causing chaos in Yanzhou."
Liu Bian slowly turned his head, looked directly at him, and said, "I plan to send you, are you sure?"
Cao Cao lifted his clothes, fell to the ground with a plop, and said in a deep voice: "I will definitely succeed in this trip and live up to your grace!"
Liu Bian looked at him quietly, his eyes slightly narrowed, but he was still slightly worried.
He was not worried about Cao Cao's ability, but was wondering whether the Cao Cao he had trained would be a capable official loyal to the Han Dynasty or a treacherous hero! ?