Xuzhou was pacified.
It meant that the situation of the world had changed greatly.
The thirteen prefectures that had once been dominated by countless dukes were now left with only a few great dukes.
Yuan Shao secretly arranged for the battle in Youzhou.
The 2nd and 4th battalions also returned from Xuzhou.
Xuchang.
In the Prime Minister's residence.
Cao Cao handed the secret report of the Embroidered Uniform Guards to Xiao Bei and frowned."Yuan Benchu has already mobilized his troops. Three armies are attacking Youzhou. Gongsun Bogui probably doesn't know about this yet. He is guarding against Gongsun Du in Liaodong while recruiting soldiers!”
"Gulp!"
Xiao Bei took a sip of tea and said with a faint smile,"The unification of the Northern Four Prefectures is the general trend. We can't do anything now!"”
"Indeed!"
Cao Cao nodded.
Xiao Bei said indifferently,"The Central Plains has been pacified. The Prime Minister has destroyed Lu Fengxian, so he should naturally be heavily rewarded by the Imperial Court. What do you think?"”
"Not bad!"
Jia Xu, Guo Jia, Zhong Yao, and the others agreed.
Only Xun Yu frowned, feeling uncomfortable with these words.
Now that Cao Cao had been conferred the rank of marquis and was the Prime Minister of the Great Han Dynasty, there was no reward for such a huge achievement!
"Haha!"
Xiao Bei shook his feather fan and said,"The battle of Ji-Yan is already destined. I'm sure that after Yuan Shao takes Youzhou, he will impatiently station his troops north of the Yellow River. Therefore, this battle will be held next year, so we have to boost the morale of the army!"”
Xun Yu frowned.”
"Promotion!"
Xiao Bei said indifferently.
"Boom!"
Cao Cao suddenly stood up.
Zhong Yao, Chen Qun, and the others paled.
Xun Yu's face was livid. He gritted his teeth and said," Marquis of Beishou, the Han Dynasty has strictly ordered that anyone who is not a member of the royal family should be crowned king. The world can attack him together!”
"I didn't say anything about being a king!"
Xiao Bei's eyes were filled with ridicule as he said,"There is no meaning in issuing a declaration of war in the Battle of Ji and Yan. I think that the Prime Minister should be promoted to the position of Duke of Wei. His intention is to point his sword at Wei County and suppress the heroes of the four northern provinces!”
"Pa da!"
Cao Cao sat on the chair.
His expression was uncertain, as if he was deciding on the possibility of being promoted.
Dukes had been abolished for countless years. Ever since the Qin Dynasty established the system, dukes had been abolished. The Han Dynasty inherited the Qin system, so naturally, there were no dukes among the twenty ranks.
"Xiao Bei!"
"You're trampling on the court!"
Xun Yu's eyes were filled with anger as he berated coldly.
Xiao Bei took a sip of tea and asked,"If you don't reward someone for meritorious service, that would still be trampling on the court's principles. It would also be cold!"”
"Prime Minister!"
Xun Yu turned to Cao Cao.
Xiao Bei frowned and said indifferently,"Xun Wenruo, you see some things more clearly than others. No one can doubt your talent, so you should also know that there are some things that you can't and can't stop!"”
"Phew!"
Xun Yu took a deep breath and asked,"What exactly do you want?"”
"Peace to the world, crusade against the foreign races!"
"To establish the will of heaven and earth, to establish the lives of the people, to inherit the ultimate arts of the past saints, and to create peace for all generations!”
"You already knew about these things. If you wanted to stop me, why did you follow the Prime Minister and invite me to be an official?”
"Since I'm an official, Yang Biao, Dong Cheng, Lu Fengxian, and even Yuan Benchu can't stop me, so why are you standing in my way?”Xiao Bei said with a stern gaze.
"Crack!"
Xun Yu clenched his fists tightly.
He had the talent to assist the king, so he was naturally not a fool.
If Xiao Bei elevated Cao Cao to the position of Duke of Wei today, then he would be able to ascend to the position of King of Wei after the Battle of Jiyan. What about after the world was pacified?
"Whoosh!"
Xiao Bei stood up and tidied his clothes.
Everyone's eyes immediately gathered on him, including Cao Cao's confused expression.
"Haha!"
Xiao Bei smiled faintly and said,"The soldiers under the Rong Manor are the Prime Minister's troops. Within a month, I will recall the four governors and bring them to the court to request the Prime Minister to be conferred the title of Duke. At the same time, I will officially establish the Imperial College and recruit students from all over the world!"”
"Marquis Beishou!"
Xun Yu growled in anger.
Xiao Bei bowed slightly and said in a deep voice,"Dong Zheng is a little tired. I'll return to the residence to rest first!"”
"Yes!"
Cao Cao nodded.
"Swoosh!"
Xiao Bei walked out of the residence.
Xiahou Dun, Xu Chu, Yu Jin, Zhang Xiu, Cao Hong, Zang Ba, Xiahou Yuan, Cao Chun, Le Jin, Zhang Yang, and the ten generals of the five battalions all stood up and bowed solemnly before following Xiao Bei out of the Prime Minister's residence!
"Prime Minister!"
"Rest early!" Guo Jia bowed slightly.”
"Yes!"
Cao Cao nodded again.
Jia Xu also bowed slightly, walking out of the mansion together with Guo Jia.
Seeing this, Xun You sighed in his heart and bowed.""Prime Minister, I have to deal with the internal affairs of the Rong residence!”
"Go!"
Cao Cao said solemnly.
Xun Yu's eyes narrowed.”
Xun You stopped in his tracks and said with a complicated expression," Shang Shu Ling, the world must be peaceful. Those who have made contributions must be rewarded. No one can stop this!"”
"I will take my leave!"
Chen Qun, Xi Zhicai, Zhong Yao and Zao Zhi all bowed together.
Now, Cheng Yu was in Xu Prefecture, and Du Xi was in the third auxiliary. The four assistant ministers could only follow Xiao Bei's footsteps!
"You guys!"
Xun Yu muttered.
It was hard to imagine that so many people were actually agreeing with Xiao Bei.
The title of Duke of Wei was subverting the court and trampling on the 400-year-old system of the Han Dynasty!
"Wen Ruo!"
"You're tired too. You should rest!" Cao Cao said with a complicated expression.”
"Here!"
Xun Yu walked out of the Prime Minister's residence in a daze.
Cao Cao's transformation had already left his expectations and control.
In the past, he had sided with Cao Cao because he had the ability to pacify the world and eliminate crafty officials. However, today's meeting seemed to tell him that there was no true loyalty in troubled times.
The final destination of all the vassals in the world was to be conferred the title of king and then to rule the world!
A day later.
Four letters came out from Xuchang.
He headed toward Xuzhou, Nanyang, Chang 'an, and Hanoi.
On the surface, there were no waves in Xuchang, but in the dark, there were already waves surging.
The news that Xiao Bei wanted to promote Cao Cao to the Duke of Wei could not be hidden. Countless officials in the court learned of it. At the same time, some people discovered the differences between Xun Yu and Xiao Bei.
After the ambush, Xu Xi and the others started to plot in secret, wanting to drive a wedge between Cao Cao's subordinates.
3rd of October.
Dian Wei, Man Chong, personally visited the Northhunter Manor.
"Little mister!"
Dian Wei sat in the stone pavilion.
He ate the roasted sweet potatoes he took out from the stove at the side with a satisfied expression.
Xiao Bei swung the fishing rod and said indifferently,"Dian Wei, can't you change the way you address me?”
"Hey!"
"You're not that old!" Dian Wei grinned.”
Xiao Bei waved his hand and said helplessly,"You're the commander of the guards. Did something happen in the palace?"”
"Yes!"
Dian Wei took out a letter from his pocket and said with a complicated expression,""Last night, a female servant in the palace wanted to leave the White Horse Gate with a letter. This letter was found on the female servant. It was a letter from Fu Shou to Fu Wan!”
"Kill the Prime Minister?"
Xiao Bei said indifferently!
Dian Wei shook his head and said in a low voice," Empress Fu and His Majesty have discussed this matter. Let Fu Wan and the others think of a way to kill you before the Prime Minister requests for the title of Duke of Wei!"”
"Kill me?"
Xiao Bei was slightly stunned.
As far as he knew, Fu Shou wanted to kill Cao Cao.
Man Chong nodded and smiled bitterly."Fu Wan has already started to bribe the paladins, and they are also secretly contacting Xun Lingjun. If Xun Lingjun really changes, then the six ministries will be purged. This matter is of great importance, and I dare not report it to the Prime Minister!”
"Da!"
"Da!"
"Da!"
Xiao Bei knocked on the table, his eyes cold.
"Even Wang Yue is dead. I don't understand who Fu Wan can invite."”
"Haha!"
Xiao Bei mocked,"How is he trying to kill me? He wants to kill the four governors and Cheng Zhongde, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Justice who returned from Xuzhou. As long as these people die, coupled with the refutation of the officials and Xun Yu, the matter of the Prime Minister being conferred the title of duke will definitely not succeed. It will even threaten the Battle of Jiyan!"”
"So ruthless!"
Dian Wei and Man Chong's pupils constricted.
Xiao Bei touched his chin and said in a low voice,"Zhou Cang, take my order and go to the Rong Manor. Send the cavalry from the first camp to receive everyone. Who dares to stop me from doing what I want to do!”
"Here!"
Zhou Cang shouted.
"Marquis Beishou, how should we deal with the matter of Xun Lingjun?" Man Chong asked worriedly.”
"Don't worry about it!"
Xiao Bei waved his hand and said indifferently,"Wen Ruo just doesn't understand now. When the north is truly pacified, he will see what a perfect system is. Then, he naturally won't be troubled by these things!"”
"Here!"
Man Chong replied.
Xiao Bei looked at Dian Wei and said,"Dian Wei, bring Dai Xiu and Cao Pi back to Chen Liu to hunt today. I'll handle the rest!"”
"Yes!"
Dian Wei nodded.
Then, she took two sweet potatoes from the wooden plate and walked out of the manor without blushing.
Xiao Bei looked at Man Chong and said,"Bonin, there are some things that I can do, but you can't do it. At least for now, the Prime Minister and you can't do it. Even if Xu Prefecture wins, you can't do it. Do you understand?"”
"Understood!"
Full Pet's pupils constricted.
Xiao Bei looked at Mei Zhen who was walking over from afar and said in a low voice,"You can go now!"
"Here!"
Man Chong bowed and left the stone pavilion.
"Young Master Xiao!"
Mei Zhen hurried over from afar and exclaimed,""Your business is too big, it's simply making a lot of money every day. The Ministry of Works provides the army with stirrups, horseshoes, Mo knives, crossbows, and chariots. The money from selling books and paper has long exceeded the assets of the Xiao and Mi families!”
"Yes, I am!"
Xiao Bei nodded.
"Why did Prime Minister Cao give you money?" Mei Zhen asked.”
Xiao Bei was quite thick-skinned as he said,"I invented this thing. The Ministry of Works manufactured it for the Rong family and the people. The profits generated from it naturally have to be distributed to me. This is a patent. Whoever dares to manufacture it privately will be subject to the law of the Ministry of Justice. Do you understand?"”
"Cough cough!"
"But the Ministry of Works owes you half a year's worth of money. It's five million!" Mei Zhen coughed dryly.”
"No rush!"
Xiao Bei shook his head.
Cheng Yu was a general who had gone out with the army, so the money from the gold-looting lieutenant definitely did not enter the six ministries.
As long as he returned from Xu Prefecture, the money would naturally be distributed to the Beishou Marquis Manor after it was cleaned up!
"Alright then!"
Mei Zhen was disappointed.
She always thought that she came to Xuchang to manage a small business.
However, he did not expect that Xiao Bei's business was far larger than the Mi Family's. Even two Mi Families could not compare.
"Right!"
Xiao Bei raised his eyebrows and said indifferently,"The Zhen family will be coming to Xuchang in the next few days. It involves buying letters and paper. Leave them in the residence first and put them back after the Battle of Ji Yan is over!"”
"Zhen family?"
"Zhen Jiang or Zhen Tuo?" Mei Zhen asked in confusion.”
"They're all here!"
Xiao Bei narrowed his eyes and said,"Yuan Benchu wanted to attack Youzhou and fight a decisive battle with Yanzhou. His money and food could no longer support him, so he prepared to marry into the Zhongshan Great Shang. As an existence that was not weaker than the Mi family, the Zhen family was naturally targeted. Old Lady Zhen sent a letter a few days ago and hid them in the caravan, begging for my protection!"”
"Begging for your protection?"
Ma Yun Zao's expression was extremely strange.
No matter how she looked at it, it looked like the Zhen family had sent their daughter into the tiger's mouth.
"Eh!"
The corner of Xiao Bei's mouth twitched as he said helplessly,"All the merchants in the world are connected. The Xiao family, the Mi family, the Zhen family, the Xu family, and the Lu family in the south are all involved. Especially us grain merchants, who are even closer. Is there a problem with asking for my protection?"”
"No!"
Ma Yun Zao raised his head and looked elsewhere.
"I think Old Lady Zhen saw your talent and thought you could help the Prime Minister defeat Yuan Benchu!" Mei Zhen laughed.”
"Perhaps!"
Xiao Bei rubbed the space between his eyebrows and said in a low voice,"When the Zhen family arrives, don't leave the residence. Xuchang is in chaos these days and something big will happen. After the end of the year, I will go to East County to take charge.”
"Don't worry, Young Master!"
Gan Mei nodded.
Xiao Bei sighed in disappointment,"The pressure is too great. After all, I've raised a lot of people!"”
"Marquis Beishou!"
"If you win against Yuan Benchu, will you attack Western Liang?" Ma Yunzhao asked with a complicated expression.”
"Not necessarily!"
Xiao Bei touched his chin and said with a faint smile,"Perhaps it's Gongsun Du from Liaodong, or perhaps he'll start the Northern Expedition first. However, it's very likely that he'll attack Xiliang first. When you go out with me, it's best if you can trick Ma Mengqi into coming.”
"In your dreams!"
"I won't submit to you!" Ma Yun Zao said proudly.”
"Haha!"
Xiao Bei chuckled.
He reached out and pulled the fishing rod up. A huge carp glistened under the sun.
In his eyes, the internal disputes in Xuchang, the Zhen family's prayers for protection, or the unwillingness of the Western Liang princes were nothing compared to the destruction of Yuan Shao. The Northern Expedition to the Great Wall was nothing but a small interlude before the war.
No one in the world could stop him from doing what he wanted to do!
Two days later.
Cao Ang and Cao Pi were led by Dian Wei to the autumn hunt in Chenliu.
Cao Cao had doubts about this, but with Cao Ang's cooperation, they still walked out of Xuchang.
The two of them left.
The change in Xuchang was extremely obvious.
Fu Wan and the others 'plan was exposed, Xun Yu also closed the door and ignored the world!
Countless rangers walked out of the city gates and galloped in all directions. Some of them even headed straight for Chen Liu.
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。