Chapter 1257: Too careless, too careless
Ants are greedy for life, how much more so for humans?
These talented people left behind by Cao Rui were pulled up from their couches in the middle of the night and gathered in front of the palace gate. Some of them were not even completely sleepy.
Let alone know what happened.
Then I saw that the door of the palace had been locked shut.
Another person brought a bunch of Bai Ling poisonous wine to him, saying that he and others were going to accompany the late emperor?
But I saw that all of them were pale in beauty, and their delicate bodies were trembling.
Thinking that their lives would be lost soon, many people were already unable to stand, collapsed on the ground, covering their mouths and crying.
How can anyone be willing to just think about dying inexplicably?
Finally I heard someone brave enough to ask in a trembling voice:
“May I ask where the emperor’s edict is?”
They are talented people of the late emperor. If they don’t have an edict from the emperor, they should at least have an edict from the empress dowager.
As soon as these words came out, many talented people also reacted.
That’s right!
They are talented people of the late emperor!
How could it be said that Bai Ling was given poisonous wine as soon as he came up without even an edict?
If the minister did it privately, wouldn't it be trespassing?
How is this different from treason?
Hope was rekindled in his eyes, his eyes brightened slightly, all looking towards Huan Fan.
It’s just that Huan Fan has already made his decision, so how can he shrink back because of these words?
But I saw him saying in a cold voice:
“Someone said that in urgent matters, follow authority.”
At the same time, there is an evil spirit in the eyes, sweeping towards the place where the words came out.
Understanding the situation, he stepped out from the crowd and walked over.
“What are you going to do?”
The speaker screamed, "You are plotting rebellion!"
Why are they afraid that they will be tainted and humiliated as well as the late emperor?
If it were really about humiliating the late emperor, the late emperor would have been humiliated long ago from the moment when people like myself were admitted to the general's palace to serve the general who was as fat as a pig.
Why did you wait until today to mention this matter?
But it was obvious that what Huan Fan needed was just an excuse, and it was impossible for him to engage in these meaningless verbal disputes with them.
Bu Qu controlled the talented man and looked at Huan Fan.
Huan Fan nodded slightly.
This nod is like giving an order.
Immediately afterwards, the servants brought by Huan Fan came forward one after another with white silk, and each looked for their target.
Then he strangled Bai Ling **** the necks of these helpless women!
For a time, in front of the palace gate, there was a melodious wailing, which was really like a cuckoo weeping blood. It made those who heard it sad and those who listened to it shed tears.
After a while, the women who were originally alive and fragrant were all turned into corpses, and they were piled on the ground in the palace.
Si Fan and the sergeants he brought over were all dumbfounded and looked at what was happening in front of them in horror.
It was only then that they realized what a catastrophe it would be if what they had done was leaked.
After Huanfan ordered the execution of these talented women, he looked at Si Fan and shouted:
“What are you still doing?”
Si Fan seemed to have come back to his senses just now, with a look of horror in his eyes. He pointed at the corpse on the ground in disbelief and stammered:
"Huan Shijun, this, this..."
Huan Fan smiled grimly:
“Now that things have happened, you don’t think you can stay out of it, right?”
This sentence was not only addressed to Si Fan, but also to the sergeants he brought over.
Seeing that they were all shocked, Huan Fan slowed down his tone again:
"Don't worry. Since I did this, I have already considered how to deal with the aftermath. As long as you follow my instructions, you will have nothing to worry about."
As he said this, he showed a ruthless look on his face, "But if you don't do what I say and are held accountable afterwards, will you be able to escape?"
Si Fan had already made some mental preparations since he followed Huan Fan into Tongque Garden.
At this time, when I heard Huan Fan's words, my heart sank. I knew that I had no way out and had no choice but to follow Huan Fan all the way to the end.
Si Fan gritted his teeth and showed a fierce look on his face:
"Huan Shijun, please tell me what we should do."
"If you want the affairs in the palace to be kept from leaking out, except for these talented people, you can also leave the rest behind!"
As soon as these words came out, some of the palace servants who were shivering in the corner finally came to their senses and quickly begged for mercy:
“Spare your life, spare your life!”
Huan Fan did not look at the beggar, but stared directly at Si Fan.
What doesn't Si Fan understand?
I saw him pull out his sword with a clang, strode forward, and stabbed the one who screamed the loudest to death.
Then he turned around and shouted to his cronies: "Leave no one behind!"
When the palace residents saw this, they immediately screamed and fled in all directions.
It's just that the door of this palace has been closed by Huan Fan. Where can he escape?
Under the coercion and inducement of Huan Fan and Si Fan, even the hesitant sergeants were forced to have their hands stained with blood.
If there are not enough people in the palace to kill them all, then add a few more cuts to the corpses to make up the number.
After killing everyone in the palace, Huan Fan asked people to bring the sacks he had prepared to put the bodies.
At the same time, he also ordered that the stones used for decoration or viewing in the temple should be removed, and a stone should be put into each sack.
If there are not enough stones, use the iron lamps and other heavy objects in the temple to replenish the number.
Then in the middle of the night, they transported more than a hundred sacks to the edge of the Zhang River, sank them to the bottom, and destroyed the corpses.
Send people to wash away the bloodstains in the temple without leaving any traces.
After being so busy, there is already light coming out of the sky.
Huanfan then packed up his troops and exited Tongque Garden.
There are still two days left, and he still needs to finish some things first and last, and prepare for Sima Yi to enter the city.
For example, how to silence the sergeants involved in this matter, or at least delay Sima Yi's knowledge of the matter as much as possible.
It is impossible to hide it completely.
Huan Fan knew that in front of Sima Yi, Yecheng was probably just a sieve with no secrets at all.
It’s so careless, it’s so careless!
To the south of Yecheng is Hanoi, but he didn't even think of guarding against Sima Yi's attack.
It’s really too careless!
Until he saw Sima Yi leading his army into the city, Huan Fan could not stop thinking about this sentence in his heart.
Sima Yi saw Huan Fan from a distance. He immediately dismounted from his horse, walked forward quickly, bowed his hands in salute, and looked a little apologetic:
"Huan Shijun, for the sake of the generals and soldiers of the army, I had to make this move, which shocked you!"
Huan Fan said nothing and kowtowed.
“Hey, hey, hey, what are you doing, Mr. Huan?”
Sima Yi seemed to be frightened. He quickly helped Huan Fan up and said loudly:
“I can’t do it, I can’t do it!”
Huan Fan then opened his mouth and said:
“The Tutor is in charge of the generals, and Fan is also his duty, so I had to speak harshly to him before, but I don’t know how the Tutor will deal with me?”
Sima Yi laughed and stroked Huan Fan’s back:
"Huan Shijun said this too much! Huan Shijun is the governor of Jizhou, and guarding the city is his duty. Don't say that he said bad words to each other. Even if we fight with swords, I dare not say that Huan Shijun is at fault."
After speaking, he slowed down his tone again, with a look of eager expectation in his eyes:
"The country is in danger, and I can only hope that I can clear up all the differences with Huan Shijun. I hope Huan Shijun can help me with the matter in Hebei."
Unexpectedly, Huan Fan sighed, shook his head and refused:
“A certain person is from the same hometown as the general. Fortunately, he was promoted by the general, so he was able to serve as the governor of Jizhou.”
"Now that I have been entrusted by the general, I am extremely ashamed. How dare I accept the kindness of the Taifu again?"
After saying this, he bowed to Sima Yi again and saluted:
“All kinds of pictures, books and documents in Jizhou have been sealed in the treasury, waiting for the Taifu to go and open them.”
As soon as Sima Yi heard this, he immediately became happy.
With these things, everything in Jizhou is under control!
Huan Fan continued to say:
"If the master can really ignore my previous sins and consider my merits, please allow me to leave with my entourage."
"If the master doesn't tolerate me, I will ask myself to be imprisoned until the court punishes me."
Sima Yi was startled and lost his voice:
"What does Huan Shijun mean by this? Could it be that he wants to abandon his official position and leave? Doesn't this, this, doesn't this make me a sinner?"
According to the best situation he imagined, it was natural for Huan Fan to stay and continue to serve as the ostensible governor of Jizhou to appease the people of Jizhou.
But he installed cronies and gradually secretly controlled Jizhou.
In this way, the transition of control of Jizhou can be completed smoothly.
Huan Fan’s words broke Sima Yi’s fantasy.
"How can a certain person have the nerve to stay in the position of governor of Jizhou despite being entrusted by the general? When I came out today, I had already hung my official seal in the hall. Now I just want to resign and return to my hometown."
Sima Yi also knew that the relationship between Huan Fan and Cao Shuang was indeed not shallow.
But this time when he led the army into Hebei, he had completely broken up with Cao Shuang.
Not to mention that he asked people to enumerate Cao Shuang's crimes outside Yecheng.
I'm afraid it won't be easy for Huan Fan to stay.
“Is Huan Shijun really unwilling to help me?”
Huan Fan looked at Sima Yi steadily and said:
“Do you want me to go to jail, Master?”
The implication is that if you want him to stay, the only way is to imprison him in prison.
“How dare I do this?”
If you detain a state governor in prison without justifiable reasons, it is really no different from rebellion.
“Does the Grand Tutor want me to bear the kindness of the general and the righteousness of my fellow countrymen, and make the world laugh at me?”
Sima Yi was silent for a while and then said:
“How dare I do this?”
Sighed slightly again: "Then, it's up to you, Commander Huan."
Then he turned around and ordered to the left and right:
“I’m sending you this order, no one can stop Huan Shijun from entering or exiting Yecheng. Violators will be dealt with according to military law!”
“Here!”
“Thank you, Master.”
"I am the one who thanked Huan for envoying you to do your best. I spared no harm to the soldiers and protected the officials. I am truly benevolent and righteous."
Huan Fan shook his head without changing his expression:
“From now on, I will no longer be the governor of Jizhou, and I dare not be called the envoy again.”
After finishing speaking, he saluted Sima Yi again, turned around to greet his entourage, and left Yecheng.
But I saw that the team was huge, no less than 300 people.
There were even people leading dozens of fine horses.
Although Sima Yi was a little surprised, he didn't go into details.
After all, in recent years, the trend of aristocratic families, powerful people, and annexing lands has not diminished along with the decline of the Wei Dynasty, but has become more and more fierce.
For example, the Three Dogs in Taichung, who were in Xuchang, dared to take advantage of the opportunity to swallow up Luoyang Royal Tang Mu and occupy the land of Hanoi officials.
His greed is evident.
After plundering all the worldly wealth, one naturally indulges in pleasure and is extravagant.
Huan Fan came from the Huan family in Longkang County, Pei County.
The Huan family has passed down the Book of Documents from generation to generation, and can be said to be a family of Confucian classics scholars, with a generation of public ministers.
Although Huan Fan has a reputation for being honest and frugal, reputation is such a thing...
Sima Yi looked at this long team with an unpredictable look in his eyes.
It is indeed not without reason that the late emperor wanted to suppress the flashy people.
But now is not the time to lament this. Sima Yi waited patiently for Huan Fan's team to leave the city, and Sima Yi couldn't wait to have people go to the treasury to check.
It turns out that it is true as Huan Fan said, the treasury materials, pictures, books and documents were all well sealed and there was no intentional damage.
Sima Yi finally couldn’t contain his inner ecstasy:
"Huan Yuan didn't lie to me. All the pictures and books are complete. It seems that all the land in Jizhou is in the palm of his hand!"
Remembering that I was trapped in Hanoi, Henan Province for so many years, I had to do my best to stop the Western bandits, but also asked for food from the Eastern traitors.
Who knows the frustration involved?
It’s okay now, it’s okay now!
Even though Sima Yi was very resourceful, when he picked up a book and patted it vigorously with one hand, his face was full of uncontrollable joy.
As long as we control Hebei, we will no longer have to be controlled by traitors.
It can be said that a fish escapes from the net, jumps into the river, and is free from now on!
Although it was a pity that Huan Fan left, he still had good sense and hung his official seal in the hall, pretending to resign and return home.
In this way, I will not be said to be driving away the imperial officials, and naturally I will not be in too much trouble.
The worst case scenario is to write to the imperial court and ask the imperial court to send another governor to take charge.
As for myself, before the arrival of the governor, in order to prevent the Western bandits from taking the opportunity to advance eastward, I naturally had to work hard and act as an agent for Jizhou.
He just entered Yecheng by himself. In addition to fighting against the bandits alone, he had no choice but to retreat to Jizhou.
There is another reason, and that is to punish Cao Shuang.
The most serious crime Cao Shuang committed was humiliating his late emperor.
Thinking of this, Sima Yi quickly called out:
“Come here, gather the troops and follow me to Bronze Bird Garden.”
In the past, the gatekeeper of Tongque Garden could be regarded as a leisurely and comfortable position.
Who would have expected that these days, it would be the biggest crisis.
Seeing Huan Shijun leading his people to break into Tongque Garden at night, he didn't know what kind of trouble he was about to suffer.
At this time, when he saw the Taifu leading his troops, the gatekeeper felt that the sky was about to fall.
He had no choice but to step forward because of his responsibilities:
"I'm here to pay my respects to the Tutor. I don't know if the Tutor is coming, uh, but, what's the matter?"
Facing this somewhat trembling gatekeeper, Sima Taifu was much more affable than Huan Shijun.
"There is no need for this. The reason I came with the army this time is to punish traitors and revitalize the royal family. I heard that Cao Shuang secretly accepted talents from the late emperor, and he dared to hide them in the Bronze Bird Garden built by Emperor Wu."
"Such behavior is simply contempt for the royal family and tramples on the imperial power. It is not an exaggeration to call him a traitor."
“Therefore, I came here this time to expose the rebellious behavior of the rebellious ministers and the dirt of the Qing royal family.”
As soon as the gatekeeper heard this, he suddenly broke into a cold sweat, his legs became weak, and he almost collapsed to the ground.
"Um?"
Seeing the other party's appearance, Master Sima felt something was wrong:
“Why do you look like this?”
“Tai…Tai…Taifu, please spare my life!”
The gatekeeper’s teeth were chattering on the ground and he couldn’t even speak coherently:
“Young man, I’m just a gatekeeper. I, I don’t know anything about what’s in this forbidden garden!”
“That’s it.” Sima Yi shook his head and laughed, “I didn’t say I wanted to make things difficult for you, so why did you do this? Get out of the way and let me in.”
The gatekeeper moved away with weak legs and stammered:
"There is something that I don't know whether to say or not."
"Huh?" Sima Yi, who was about to pass the gatekeeper, suddenly stopped and asked, "What's the matter?"
"Huan Shijun, Huan Shijun brought a large number of people and broke into Tongque Garden three nights ago..."
Before he finished speaking, Sima Yi's eyes suddenly widened, and his eyeballs protruded like dead fish.
The originally amiable expression disappeared immediately, and even his voice became sharp:
"What did you say!"
As if he couldn’t believe what he heard, he repeated again, “Say it again!”
"Huan Shijun also brought a large number of people with him three nights ago..."
“Damn it!”
Sima Yi finally could no longer maintain his grace and led his men straight into Tongque Garden.
Within three days, not to mention the fifty-seven talented people had long since disappeared without a trace. Even the blood stains on the ground had been washed away.
Sima Yi stood in the empty palace and was stunned for a long time. Suddenly he drew his sword and slashed at the pillar beside him, and cursed angrily:
“Huan Fan, how dare you bully me!”
That's right, capturing Yecheng is the biggest purpose of his trip.
But if there is no evidence of Cao Shuang's crime, then he will lose more than half of his justice this time when he enters Yecheng.
Too careless!
Huan Fanpifu, you have been pretending to be pitiful for so many days just to numb yourself!
Fortunately, I still wanted to let him stay and continue to serve as the governor of Jizhou.
No wonder he ran so fast!
Too careless!
I have been planning for so long, but in the end I was distracted by the victory over Yecheng without bloodshed. I only thought about taking over Jizhou, but I was not in the mood to think about anything else.
“Master, do you want to send someone to chase him immediately?”
Seeing the Tutor acting like this, the people around him quickly came up with suggestions.
“Chase! Of course we have to chase them, we must chase them all!”
“Here!”
After his cronies left in a hurry, Sima Yi sat down on the steps in front of the palace slumped.
Although he ordered to chase him back, Sima Yi knew that if Huan Fan wanted to run away and he sent people to chase him now, it would most likely be impossible to chase him back.
After all, it took so long to open the treasury and check the atlas, and it took some time to come to Tongque Garden.
Thinking again of those good horses in Huan Fan's team...
“The common man has planned this a long time ago!”
Sima Yi gritted his teeth and said bitterly.
Not only did he help Cao Shuang destroy the evidence, he even set up a trap for himself.
If the talents of the late emperor that Cao Shuang sent to Yetai cannot be found, Cao Shuang can accuse himself of false accusations.
Without great righteousness, or in other words, lack of great righteousness, it would be excusable for him to lead the army into Jizhou.
But entering Yecheng without permission will also become a crime for others.
"Huan Fan's intentions are extremely vicious. He simply wants to kill me!"
Sima Yi's eyes flashed fiercely, "If we can really capture this person, we will definitely not let him stay."
"If he is left here, he will definitely become Cao Shuang's think tank and cause endless troubles."
Although he was put aside by Huan Fan, Sima Yi was a man who had seen big storms after all.
He sat on the ground blankly, quickly collected his emotions, thought about it again, and began to consider how to face possible problems in the future.
At present, control of Jizhou is a foregone conclusion, and the room for maneuver will be much larger in the future.
And the connection between Youzhou and Xuchang in the north will also be easily cut off by himself.
Sima Yi's eyes flashed and he shouted: "Come here, prepare pen and ink!"
(End of this chapter)