Chang'an, Yongliang Governor's Mansion.

A banquet to welcome Xia Houru, the general who conquered the west, was going on grandly. Numerous Cao Wei officials in Chang'an City were all attending the banquet. At this time, they had had three rounds of wine and five dishes, and everyone was drinking and drinking, exchanging glasses, chatting and laughing. , the jokes are endless, and the scene is extremely lively.

As the protagonist of tonight's banquet, Xia Houru's seat is naturally next to Cao Zhen. The two have known each other since childhood and have a close relationship. Although they have worked in different places over the years and rarely meet each other, they do not feel strange at all. On the contrary, we had a great time chatting.

Xia Houru is in his early forties this year. He is thin in stature, handsome in appearance, extraordinary in conversation, and calm in demeanor. Compared with his status as a military general, he looks more like a scribe.

He was born in the Xiahou family, which had a close relationship with the Cao family and was almost treated as a clan. He was the younger brother of Xiahou Shang, the late general who conquered the south. He had a noble status and outstanding abilities. When he first entered the officialdom, he served as the knight commander of Cao Cao's third son, Cao Zhang. He also served as a guard for the conquest of Shu, and came to Guanxi to work with Zhang Ji to put down the rebellion of Su Heng in Jiuquan.

It was precisely because Xia Houru was of noble origin and had experience in serving in Guanxi that Wei Emperor Cao Rui ordered him to serve as the General of the Expedition to the West and lead 30,000 infantry and cavalry to reinforce Guanzhong.

Of course, in addition to the above two reasons, there is actually a deeper factor behind his appointment.

The vast majority of the 30,000 Wei troops coming to the west this time are soldiers from Jingzhou and Henan. The foundation is deep, and a considerable number of people in the Jingzhou Army and Yuzhou Army were former relatives of Xiahou Shang's old generals.

Therefore, it was most appropriate for the Wei court to let Xiahou Ru, who was Xiahou Shang's younger brother, come to command this army. After all, this army would be stationed in Guanzhong for a long time. It was difficult to guarantee that the soldiers would not feel resentful after being away from home for a long time. If someone starts to make trouble, Xia Houru can rely on Xia Houshang's remaining power to suppress the troublemaker.

"Brother Junlin, this time Brother Yu was defeated by the Shu general Yang Qing. Not only did he lose his troops, but he also lost Qicheng. It really makes you laugh." Cao Zhen drank the wine in the glass in one gulp and said with a wry smile.

Xia Houru said: "Brother is joking. The bandits' attack east this time was based on the strength of their numbers. Our army is small and it is difficult to compete. It is really an ordinary thing. Brother, don't blame yourself too much.

Now that I have led 30,000 elite infantry and cavalry to garrison in Guanzhong, our army has regained its strength. It will be enough to compete with the Shu army in the future. It will be enough to let others know how stupid it is to offend Wei Tianwei. Brother, you should cheer up. Revenge is not far away."

"Haha, my dear brother's words are still as nice as before. It's like the spring breeze blowing on the face, making people feel happy and not feeling depressed."

Cao Zhen laughed loudly, and then sighed: "Oh, it's just that I have been defeated repeatedly this year, and I can't protect the country and the people. Now that the thieves are becoming more and more powerful, I really have no face to go back to the court to see the emperor."

"Brother, please do not belittle yourself. Therefore, after Duke Wenlie, the Duke of Zhuang, died of illness at the end of last year, my brother has become the number one general in the clan. He is the well-deserved Optimus Stone of our Wei Dynasty and has a deep reputation in the world. Of course, His Majesty has high hopes for my brother.

Having said this, Xia Houru leaned close to Cao Zhen and said in a low voice: "I heard that your Majesty recently wanted to summon my brother to return to the court."

"What? Is this serious?" Cao Zhen was surprised.

Xia Houru said: "It's almost the same. Before I left Kyoto, I heard from Taiwei, Sikong and Zhongshu that they revealed some of their intentions in this regard."

"Could it be that His Majesty thinks that I have suffered consecutive defeats and failed to guard Guanzhong, and wants to recall me to the DPRK, remove me from my post and investigate?"

Xia Houru said with a smile: "Brother, what are you thinking about? Your Majesty can't trust you, so how can you be removed from your post and investigated? Duke Wen Lie died of illness, and the position of Chief Sima was vacant. Your Majesty intended for your brother to take over.

The position of Grand Sima is to serve as an assistant in the imperial court and to be a counselor in the affairs of the imperial court."

"So that's it."

Cao Zhen nodded, a flash of brilliance flashed in his eyes, and then he smiled bitterly and said: "I took over as Grand Sima, how can I, a defeated general, be so virtuous and capable? Your Majesty will not dismiss me from my post this time and put me in jail for investigation. I will be thankful to God."

"Haha, brother is joking again, come on, come on, have a drink." Xia Houru took the wine bottle from the maid behind him, filled Cao Zhen's wine glass himself, and said with a smile on his face.

At the same time, the Luoyang Imperial Palace-style Qian Palace thousands of miles away was also brightly lit, as bright as day. Wei Emperor Cao Rui had not yet rested, and was standing in front of the domestic map on the wall with a frown on his face, thinking about the current situation in the world.

"Your Majesty, the Queen just sent someone over to ask when Your Majesty will go to bed?" A chamberlain walked carefully behind Cao Rui and said softly.

Cao Rui said without looking back: "Tell the queen that I have state affairs to deal with tonight, so I won't go there."

"promise."

Before the chamberlain took a few steps back, Cao Rui suddenly remembered that he had not seen Queen Mao for several days. He felt a sense of debt and hurriedly called to the chamberlain: "Wait a minute, just tell me that I will go there after I finish my work, and let the queen sleep first."

."

"promise."

Queen Mao was born in a poor family and was not the first concubine before Cao Rui came to the throne. When Cao Rui was still King of Pingyuan, the princess he adopted was the Yu family from Hanoi. However, the Yu family was not favored by Cao Rui, and she did not establish Yu after he ascended the throne.

The surname is the queen.

On the contrary, Cao Rui first made Mao, whom he loved very much, a noble concubine, and in the second year after he came to the throne, he made her queen. As the original concubine, Yu was not given the title of queen. Such a humiliating move naturally made her both sad and sad.

Resentful.

When the Empress Dowager Bian came to comfort her about this matter, Yu said without hesitation: "Cao has always liked to appoint a lowly queen as her queen, and she has never chosen someone based on virtue. However, the queen manages six

In matters within the palace, the emperor was in charge of world affairs, and the responsibilities of the emperor and empress were complementary to each other.

Today's emperors don't have a good start, and it's hard to say there will be a good outcome. Maybe they will suffer the loss of their country and ruin the country and the country founded by their ancestors!"

This chapter is not over, please click on the next page to continue reading! Bian is Cao Cao's second official wife. She comes from a wealthy family and has an extremely humble status. Yu's words not only scolded Mao, who was favored by Cao Rui, but also scolded Mao.

Empress Dowager Bian's head was full of treacherous words.

Cao Rui was furious after hearing this, so he deposed the Yu family and returned them to the palace in Yecheng, never to see each other again.

But whoever caused the instigation has no descendants? Mao took away the Yu family's position because of her favor. Soon she will face the same predicament as the Yu family did. But for now, she is still the favorite of the Sixth Palace, and the most favored by Cao Rui. favorite.

"Your Majesty, Taiwei and Sikong have arrived."

After hearing this, Cao Rui returned to the throne and sat down: "Xuan."

Hua Xin and Chen Qun entered side by side. The monarch and his ministers finished the etiquette and took their seats. Cao Rui said: "The reason why I summoned the two Qings to the palace at night is because I can't decide on something, and I put it in my heart." It's been a few days, and if we don't make a decision, I might not be able to sleep tonight, so I invited the two ministers to come over and discuss it together."

"I wonder what your Majesty is worried about?" Hua Xin asked.

Cao Rui stood up and walked to the map again, picked up the black lacquered wooden stick and pointed at it and said: "Two Qings, please come and take a look. Currently, we have former general Man Chong on the eastern front of our southern border defense in the Wei Dynasty, hussar general Sima Yi on the middle line, and Sima Yi on the west line. The front line is guarded by General Cao Zhen. The east line and the middle line defend against Wu thieves, and the western line defends against Shu thieves. Although the Wu thieves are more powerful among the two thieves, the Shu thieves have recovered their national strength in recent years and should not be underestimated.

Moreover, Zhuge Liang, the leader of the thieves, was a versatile man in both civil and military affairs. He was good at running the country as well as military affairs. He also had Yang Qing, Guan Xing, Zhao Yun, Wei Yan and other generals under his command who were good at conquering and fighting. The thieves were rampant and could not be suppressed.

The Shu thieves have always considered themselves orthodox to the Han Dynasty. If their strength increases greatly, they will invade the country again and again. Therefore, compared to the Wu thieves, I am actually more worried about the Shu thieves.
Chapter completed!