Within Xuchang City.
In an inconspicuous house.
Several mysterious big shots were having a gathering.
The leader seemed to be a young man.
He was the emperor, Liu Xie. The history books all called him Emperor Xian of Han.
There were many other people present, with Wei General Dong Cheng, Grand Marshal Yang Xiong, and Capital Governor Sima Fang as the main figures. These three were all veteran elders of the Han Dynasty.
The initiator of this secret gathering was Dong Cheng.
Although Dong Cheng was only a General of Guards, he was the father-in-law of the Emperor, Liu Xie. At the same time, he was also one of the old officials who escorted Liu Xie out of Luoyang.
Yang Xiong was the Grand Commandant, the head of the three dukes, and the head of all officials. Although he had been completely stripped of his authority, his prestige and reputation were still there. It was very important to obtain his support.
Sima Fang was the governor of the capital, and his position was equivalent to that of the future chief of the capital's police. In the future, any action would inevitably require his support and cooperation.
Everyone else present.
Most of them were old officials of the Han Dynasty.
The news of Cao Cao's death in Wan City came back.
This greatly encouraged these people who usually did not dare to breathe.
This secret meeting was to discuss how to completely disintegrate the Cao family's power.
Dong Cheng said excitedly," Cao Cao is dead. The Great Han will rise again. Your Majesty, please seize Cao Cao's military power immediately!"”
Yang Xiong shook his head and said," Although Cao Cao is dead, the remnants of his old subordinates are still very powerful. There are many generals and strategists. It won't be easy to seize it by force. It will be almost impossible to succeed."”
Everyone nodded.
Although everyone hated Cao Cao to the core.
However, it could not be denied that without Cao Cao's protection, Xuchang would have been captured by Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu, or other rebels, and Liu Xie would not have become the emperor.
A powerful family led by Yuan Shao.
No one was willing to acknowledge Liu Xie as the emperor.
Liu Xie was made emperor by Dong Zhuo.
Dong Zhuo wasn't Huo Guang or Yi Yin, a traitor who usurped the Han Dynasty. What right did he have to make an emperor? Therefore, Liu Xie's throne itself was controversial.
If he were to rashly strip the Cao family of their military power…
This would definitely cause a backlash from the Cao Family Group.
If even the Cao Clan did not acknowledge the position of the Son of Heaven, they could very well rebel.
Secondly, even if they completely took down the Cao family, chaos would inevitably occur during the transfer of military power. Now that Xuchang was surrounded by Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu, and Lu Bu, it was difficult to guarantee that they would not take the opportunity to attack.
Once they started fighting.
Who would lead the troops?
Who would fight?
The emperor had no good generals to use!
Everyone was at a loss.
"Zhong Da, do you have any ideas?" Sima Fang asked.”
Everyone's gaze fell on Sima Fang, or more accurately, on a young man of eighteen or nineteen years of age beside Sima Fang.
This person was Sima Fang's son, Sima Yi.
Although he was only eighteen years old, he was quite talented.
Sima Yi frowned slightly, hesitating if he should say it.
Liu Xie said," I have gathered all the ministers today to discuss countermeasures. If you have any ideas, feel free to speak."”
"That's right, Young Master Sima, do you have any good ideas?" Yang Xiong also spoke up.”
Sima Yi had no choice but to say," If Cao Cao was still around, we would have no chance of winning against the Cao Clan. We could only hide and endure. But now, we have a chance." It could greatly weaken the Cao Family and ensure that the Great Han Dynasty would not be threatened by the rebels.”
Liu Xie's eyes lit up." Please speak!"
Sima Yi said," Among Cao Cao's many sons and daughters, the eldest son, Cao Ang, is the most popular. If nothing unexpected happens, Cao Ang must have returned to inherit his father's power.”
Everyone nodded.
Cao Ang was nearly twenty years old.
Although he was still very young.
He didn't have enough credit or prestige.
But he was indeed the only heir.
At this moment, Cao Pi was only 10 years old and Cao Zhi was only 5 years old. They were both too young.
"So you mean…" Yang Xiong made a beheading gesture.
"No, absolutely not. It's easy to kill Cao Ang, but once Cao Ang dies, the Cao Clan will be able to use this opportunity to make trouble for the Imperial Court.”
"Zhong Da, what exactly is your plan?" Sima Fang asked.
Sima Yi did not answer directly," Your Majesty, not only should you not show any hostility, but you should also commend Cao Cao's contribution to Wan City and give him a lavish burial. You should also worship Cao Hong as the Great General."”
Cao Hong was Cao Cao's younger brother.
He was one of Cao Cao's earliest followers.
He had a high status and authority in the Cao Corporation.
Everyone looked at each other, but very soon, some smart people understood.
Unlike the staunch and loyal Xiahou Dun, Cao Hong's character was relatively inferior.
He was famous for being greedy and greedy for money. He had a large amount of fertile land and family assets, which showed that he also had a great desire for power.
Cao Hong was indeed loyal to Cao Cao, but not necessarily to Cao Ang. This was especially so since the Emperor had made him a Great General. In name, he was above all others, and it was equivalent to him inheriting Cao Cao's position.
Everyone had selfish motives.
With Cao Hong's personality.
Could he possibly refuse?
Normal people would not be able to resist this temptation.
In the end, Cao Cao was just a subject.
It was not like the Duke of Wei or the King of Wei. Legally, there was no designated heir.
Once Cao Hong was appointed as the Great General, what would Cao Cao's true successor, Cao Ang, think?
He would think.
Cao Hong attempted to take away everything that belonged to him.
One was a person with real power who held military power and fought on the battlefield.
One was the expected and natural heir.
Once a crack appeared between the two of them, the result would be obvious.
"Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful!" Dong Cheng slapped the table and stood up, stroking his beard as he laughed loudly. "This move is to retreat in order to advance. Not only can it stabilize the overall situation and allow the enemy to take advantage of the situation, but it can also cause internal friction among the Cao bandits and eventually completely divide them.”
Yang Xiong nodded and said," As long as Cao Ang and Cao Hong fight for power, both of them will have something to ask of Your Majesty. Your Majesty only needs to balance them and gradually take the initiative. This is the art of the Son of Heaven and the Emperor."”
Liu Xie went around for a long time.
He finally understood.
"Haha, Minister Sima, you have a good son. Zhen will definitely reward you handsomely!”
Sima Fang and Sima Yi immediately cupped their fists." Thank you, Your Majesty!”
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