SWDnovel Chapter 1377 Rescue
Chapter 1377 Rescue
Chapter 1377 Rescue
As Cao Shuang's second brother, Cao Xi naturally did not need to report when entering the General's Mansion.
Cao Xi led Sima Zhao into the front hall, took him to a warm room, and said to Sima Zhao:
"Please wait here for a while, I will go to see the general."
Sima Zhao, who had finally regained some color, said to Cao Xi gratefully:
"Thank you, Uncle Zhao."
Cao Xi waved his hand and turned to leave.
Water outside the mansion turned into ice, but at this moment, the living room of the general's mansion was as warm as spring, and the banquet was in full swing.
In broad daylight, candles as thick as forearms were lit around the living room - this was a great thing that even the imperial palace did not have.
After all, the emperor was in a hurry to inspect Qiao County, so everything was kept simple.
How could it be possible that the late emperor had already built a new palace in Xudu before his eastern tour?
The great general Cao Shuang sat in the host seat, accompanied by three dogs from the stage. Each person's desk was covered with an embroidered table cloth and placed with all kinds of exquisite utensils.
The wine jug is made of rare jade, which is warm and delicate, with delicate peony patterns engraved on the surface. As the wine is poured in, it seems as if the peony is blooming in the jug.
The wine glass is as thin as a cicada's wing, crystal clear, and the body of the glass is so light that it seems to dance with the wind.
The chopsticks are carved from ivory, each pair is unique, and are engraved with exquisite floral and bird patterns, as if they are a miniature of nature.
The chopstick rests are made of jade, which is emerald green and complements the ivory chopsticks.
The delicacies on the plate are either served with a silver spoon or set off with a gold plate, showing nobility and luxury.
Those silver spoons and gold plates were carefully polished by craftsmen and were symbols of royal identity and status.
At this time, the general and the three dogs of Taichung were holding it in their hands and playing with it without any care.
There were beautiful women accompanying each of them.
They were dressed in gauze as thin as a cicada's wing, and they either clung to their bodies fawningly or teased their heartstrings frivolously. Their smiles were full of vulgarity and frivolity, and they tried hard to cater to the debauchery and corruption of this banquet.
Holding the beauties in their arms, several of them were already drunk. They raised their wine glasses and drank the wine wantonly, with debauchery and unruliness on their faces.
Taichung Sangou's eyes were flashing with greed and desire as he stared closely at the geisha who was dancing to the music.
These graceful and charming dancers were specially selected from the palace and trained by the general.
In particular, several of them were talented people of the previous emperor.
When they thought of their identities, they felt extremely excited.
If it were somewhere else, no matter how brave the three dogs in Taichung were, they would not dare to do such obscene things to Cao Rui's talented woman.
But it’s different in the General’s Mansion.
Not only is he courageous, but he is also very brave.
The whole living room was filled with the strong smell of wine and cosmetics, which was suffocating.
However, the general and his cronies were so intoxicated by this decadent atmosphere that they were unable to extricate themselves.
The secret medicine mixed with the wine they just drank made them more and more eager, their bodies hot and extremely excited.
As the banquet was about to reach its final stage, everyone had a frank conversation.
Suddenly, the door was pushed open with force, and a gust of cold wind swept the visitor into the hall.
General Cao, who was only wearing a light robe, couldn't help but shiver.
He immediately flew into a rage and was about to yell at him, but when he looked closely, he found that it was his own younger brother.
So he suppressed his anger, slowed down his voice, and asked:
"When did Uncle Zhao return to the city? Why didn't you tell me in advance so I could send someone to pick you up."
Cao Xi was the commander-in-chief of the six armies and was elected by the emperor.
Moreover, this man was quite knowledgeable and understood the laws. Compared with Cao Shuang who indulged in pleasure and was even too lazy to attend court, he was still considered to be conscientious.
As the end of the year is approaching, he has specially gone to the military camp outside the city these days to summon the generals in the camp and calm the people's hearts.
Unexpectedly, he heard about Sima Zhao as soon as he returned to the city. He didn't stop for a moment and rushed over immediately.
Taking a glance at the decadent hall, Cao Xi frowned inadvertently.
Not only had he tried to dissuade his brother from his increasingly absurd and excessive behavior, he had also repeatedly advised him to stop.
He even wrote three books, explaining how arrogance and debauchery led to disaster and failure. His words were very pointed, and he entrusted his brothers with warnings to hint to Cao Shuang.
Cao Shuang also knew that it was directed at him and was very displeased.
When Cao Xi saw that Cao Shuang refused to listen, he became deeply worried.
Especially when he saw the disheveled three dogs from Taichung, there was a hint of disgust in his eyes.
But he also knew that Ding Mi and others were his brother's right-hand men.
The elder brother can hold all the power, and his brothers and others can hold important positions, mostly because of the planning of these three people.
The last time he persuaded Cao Shuang, he had already made Cao Shuang unhappy. Now that he was in front of everyone, he naturally couldn't say anything more.
He sighed inwardly and could only bow to Cao Shuang and say:
"Brother, there is someone outside the mansion begging on his knees, wanting to explain something important. Didn't the servant report it to you, brother?"
"Ah, you mean Sima Zhao," the drunk Cao Shuang said nonchalantly, "I was leaving him alone on purpose."
"Brother!" Cao Xi subconsciously took two steps forward when he heard this:
"Sima Zishang came here for the matter of Hebei. If Hebei is lost, without Sima Yi to hold back the Han army, we will be pressed by the Han army in the west and north, and the Wu bandits will repeatedly invade the north in the south."
"At that time, there are enemies on three sides and there is no way out to the east. What can we do?"
Cao Shuang slammed the wine glass on the table with a bang, and some of the wine in the glass spilled out and splashed onto the table.
Cao Shuang's face darkened and he asked:
"Uncle Zhao, in your eyes, do I, a great general, not even know this?"
Seeing Cao Shuang angry, Cao Xi lowered his head quickly and said, "I dare not."
"General, you just came back from outside the city. You are in a hurry and don't know the reason. It's normal."
Seeing that the atmosphere was getting tense, He Yan quickly stood up to smooth things over:
"The general just wanted to give Sima Zhao some time off and give him a hard time. This is out of selfish motives."
"But private matters are private matters. As for public affairs, how could a great general be so confused about national affairs?"
"That's right." Cao Shuang spoke again, "That old thief Sima has always been rebellious and has repeatedly disobeyed the imperial court's orders."
"He often opposes me and even wants to kill me. I wish I could kill him."
Thinking of how the old villain Sima had crossed the state border and approached Yecheng with his troops, intending to capture the talented woman of the previous emperor who he had sent to Yetai to practice singing and dancing in order to control him, Cao Shuang felt so angry that his teeth were itching.
"This time, I just want to give Sima a warning and make some people remember it for a long time."
Then he glanced at Cao Xi and said, "I didn't put Sima Zhao in jail, which is already considered benevolence and forgiveness."
When Cao Xi heard this, he was shocked and thought that he was going to make things worse, so he quickly tried to dissuade him:
"Brother, please do not harm Sima Zishang. If something happens to him in Qiao County, it will not only give people a reason to criticize you, but it may also force Sima Yi to rebel."
Cao Shuang grabbed the wine glass, drank more wine, and snorted: "I know, so he now has the opportunity to kneel outside the mansion and plead for Sima Yi."
Cao Xi was about to say something but stopped himself. He opened his mouth but couldn't help but remind him, "But brother, if we let him kneel outside the mansion for a long time and let outsiders see him, wouldn't it be... a bit inappropriate?"
At this time, He Yan interrupted again:
"Well, Lieutenant General, what's wrong with this? Everyone knows that Sima Yi has repeatedly offended the general."
As he spoke, his face, which was already greasy and powdered, turned red. He twisted his body as he spoke, as if he was trying hard to endure the discomfort in his body.
Among the few people, this one was the most lustful, and he also drank the most aphrodisiac secret medicine just now.
If Cao Xi hadn't barged in, he would have taken the late emperor's talented woman to vent his anger.
At this moment, my mouth was dry and I just wanted to solve this mess brought by Cao Xi as soon as possible so that the banquet could continue:
"Now that Hebei is in trouble, he has sent his son to beg for mercy. How shameless! If we don't teach him a lesson and just agree to his request, everyone will follow his example and offend the general. Where will the general's prestige be?"
Cao Xi was speechless.
Although he felt that this approach was somewhat inappropriate, he did not know how to refute it for a moment.
"Alright, alright. I know what to do about this. Uncle Zhao, you just came back from outside the city. It's cold and you must be tired. You should go back and rest first."
Cao Shuang waved his hand and said in a final word.
Cao Xi sighed, bowed silently, and then walked out.
As soon as the door was closed, he could faintly hear obscene sounds coming from inside again.
He shook his head and turned to leave.
Sima Zhao, who had been waiting in the warm room for half a day, saw Cao Xi coming back and hurriedly went to meet him, asking anxiously:
"General, how about this? Is the general willing to see me?"
"General..." Cao Xi hesitated for a moment before answering, "General has important matters to attend to, so I'm afraid he won't be able to meet with Zishang."
When Sima Zhao heard this, he was half disappointed and half expected. He nodded and said casually:
"It's okay. The general is busy. I will just wait in front of the mansion gate. I believe that one day, the general will be free to meet me."
Cao Xi quickly grabbed Sima Zhao's hand and advised:
"Zi Shang, why do you have to do this? Although the general is not available to see you, I have already made inquiries for you. The general intends to send troops to help rescue Hebei. Zi Shang, just wait for the news."
When Sima Zhao heard this, his worry turned into joy, and he held Cao Xi's hand:
"Is this true?"
"How dare I deceive you on such an important matter?"
Sima Zhao asked again: "But I don't know when the reinforcements will set out?"
Cao Xi hesitated for a moment, then said:
"It's cold today, and it may be difficult for the soldiers to travel in the snow. Besides, the army needs to raise food and grass, so it will take some time."
He comforted her, "Just wait patiently, Zishang. I will send someone to inform you as soon as I have any news."
How could Sima Zhao feel at ease after hearing this?
"The military situation is urgent. I can wait, but I'm afraid Hebei can't. Uncle Zhao, I beg you to help me persuade the general. There is no time to waste in an emergency!"
"How could I not know that the military situation is urgent and will not wait for anyone?" Cao Xi could only continue to comfort Sima Zhao, "But it is freezing cold. Even if the Han army is brave and good at fighting, and has the courage to fight against thousands of men, it is difficult to attack the city in such weather."
"Moreover, Sima Taifu is a pillar of the country. He has been in the army for decades. With the many dangerous passes of Taihang as a support, Hebei will surely be safe for the time being."
"Don't worry, Zishang. As soon as there is a chance, I will persuade the general to send reinforcements as soon as possible."
After hearing what Cao Xi said, Sima Zhao could only say:
"Then Zhao would like to thank General Zhong first."
"We are all contributing to the country, why should we thank each other?"
After finishing the conversation with Sima Zhao, Cao Xi personally sent him back to his residence, and then they parted.
This winter is warmer than in previous years, and the wind from Hebei does not reach Qiao County.
But the north wind from the desert can blow across Yanshan Mountain and reach Hebei.
The people sent by Tuoba Xilu went against the north wind, crossed the Yanshan Mountains, and under the escort of a team of Wei troops, they hurried back to Suotou before the beginning of spring.
"Han is attacking Hebei. Master Sima asked us to send troops to help as soon as possible?"
Unlike the dying Dou Bin, and also unlike the aging Sima Yi, Tuoba Liwei, who is about to turn seventy-three, is still energetic and in good spirits.
The majestic body sat in the tent, like a big dark bull.
He stared at the messenger lying on the ground with sharp eyes and said in a thunderous voice:
"When I formed an alliance with Sima Taifu in the past, he told me that there were no less than 200,000 elite soldiers in Hebei."
"With 200,000 elite soldiers relying on the mountains and the help of natural disasters, why did he immediately send for help when the Han soldiers attacked?"
"Could it be that these 200,000 elite soldiers are all paper soldiers or straw generals, or is Sima Yi really as the rumors say, afraid of Shu like a tiger, and was terrified when he heard that the Han army was coming to attack?"
"Great Kehan, the Second Prince said the same thing in Yecheng, but Sima Yi said that the Han army went against common sense and invaded Hebei in winter, so they must have other intentions."
"Especially Feng the Plague God, he is the most sinister and cunning. If this thief doesn't move, it's fine. But once he moves, it must be a vicious plan. We must be on guard!"
After saying this, he repeated Sima Yi's analysis of the Han army's deployment this time.
He even did not forget to flatter:
"Great Kehan, Master Sima also said that Feng Wenshen's use of troops this time was against common sense. I'm afraid he also knew that our alliance with the Great Xianbei and Hebei was invincible."
"So they wanted to take advantage of the fact that our Great Xianbei was fighting the white disaster in winter, thinking that we couldn't come south to support them, and wanted to defeat Hebei and the Great Xianbei one by one."
When Tuoba Liwei heard this, a look of pride first appeared on his face, then his brows frowned again, and he looked thoughtfully at the deacon standing beside him.
The butler in black nodded slightly and said:
"Kehan, the reason why Feng the Plague God is called the Plague God is not only because he is the reincarnation of the Ghost King, who likes to eat the flesh and blood of the world and bring disaster to the world, but also because he is far-sighted and extremely sinister. We must be on guard against him."
Tuoba Liwei nodded:
"That's right. No matter where this thief is, he will cause blood to flow there. The Ghost King and Plague God is what the world calls him. Isn't there a reason for that?"
Thinking about the present situation on the grassland, whether it is the Western Xianbei or the Central Xianbei, they have all been poisoned and killed by this man, and almost no one has escaped.
After Lord Tan Shihuai, even though the Great Xianbei was divided into pieces and each was conquering its own people, the grassland was always the grassland of the Great Xianbei.
But a plague god came from the southwest. All the tribes on the grassland were terrified, fearing that they would be captured and used as blood sacrifices to the plague god.
Thinking of this, Tuoba Liwei couldn't help but feel awed:
"Then according to the deacon's opinion, should we send troops to rescue?"
(End of this chapter)