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Although Liu Jing hoped that Ma Chao could stop his horse, the development of the matter still disappointed him. In late April of the 22nd year of Jian'an, Ma Chao issued an edict to the world that Hexi officially left the Han Kingdom and surrendered to the court. He proclaimed himself King of Xiliang and sent people to Yedu day and night to submit to the court, hoping that the court could recognize his kingdom's independence.

The news of Ma Chao's independence in Yedu shocked the government and the public, and became the news that Yedu talked wildly. Almost everyone was talking about this on the streets and alleys. This kind of passionate discussion completely exceeded the importance of the news itself.

This is understandable. After the defeat of Hefei, the entire Yedu was immersed in the pain of failure. They were suppressed by the aggressive force of the Han army and lost their laughter. They lived in the dark every day. Suddenly, news of the split from the Han Dynasty came. How could this not make the Yedu people ecstatic and how could they not make the Yedu people feel proud?

For a moment, the gloom that enveloped Yedu due to the defeat in Hefei was washed away by this news, as if the sky had also become blue. For many people, this is the best news this spring.

Even Cao Cao's spirit was much better, and he held a banquet in the Tongquetai for the first time to entertain military officers.

In the lobby of the Tongquetai banquet, several officials gathered together, namely, to celebrate the May 5th Festival of God-Sacrifice and Driving Diseases, but in fact, everyone understands that this is celebrating the division of the Han Dynasty.

This was also the first public appearance of Cao Cao since he returned from Hefei last year. In almost a year, he lived in the palace on the grounds of recuperation and stayed in the door. All government affairs were decided by Cao Pi. Even if Cao Pi was not in Yedu, it would be handled by Xu Yi, the chief of the Prime Minister's Office.

Today, Cao Cao's appearance again surprised many people. In just over a year, Cao Cao, who used to be powerful, has disappeared and has become a thin, slightly hunched sick old man. It can be seen that he has reached his twilight years, and it has been at most one or two years.

Many officials were shocked and worried about the future of Wei. Although the Han Dynasty is now divided, when will this division last and how much damage can it cause?

In the lobby, Cao Cao's voice was heard slowly, "Today is May 5th. According to the old custom, we should worship the Jiang God. I have ordered the local officials of all counties to worship the river. But I am in poor health and cannot go to the riverside. I can only hold banquets here to enjoy the river with you and the Jiang God."

Everyone was silent and listened with their ears, fearing that Cao Cao's important conversation would be missed. "Just yesterday, good news came from Hexi. Our strong enemy finally had internal strife. Ma Chao had his troops and became independent. He submitted a letter to the court and asked the court to recognize his independence. To be honest, I really want to suggest that Tian Chan be named King of Hexi, but I did not do this because I do not want to see Longyou Hexi suffer again and the people are displaced. So I hope that the King of Han can negotiate with Ma Chao, find a plan that both sides can accept, stop the army and extinguish the sword, and let the people enjoy peace forever."

Although the words were very pleasant, many people knew that Mr. Wei was not optimistic about Ma Chao's independence and did not want to offend Liu Jing, so he refused to agree to make Ma Chao the King of Xiliang. In fact, he was actually maintaining neutrality in this matter.

At this time, Cao Cao smiled again and said, "It's a rare banquet. Everyone is anxious. I won't say more. Everyone can enjoy it."

Everyone and the officials sat down one after another, the banquet began, and the maids who served wine and food were flowing endlessly, and there were whispers in the lobby.

Cao Cao could not drink alcohol or tolerate too much noise. He sat for a moment and left the table. In fact, his appearance was not just to celebrate the division of the Han Dynasty, but more because some time ago, the government and the people in Yedu had been rumored that he was dying. In order to break the rumors, the best way was to show up publicly.

When he returned to the back hall, his daughter Cao Xian quickly helped him sit down. Cao Cao said, "I feel good today and feel much better."

"The father is in good spirits and the daughter is happy."

Cao Xian smiled, remembered something again, and said to his father: "Father, there is something that my daughter wants to report to his father."

"What's up"

"The Princess of Han sent someone to give her a dress to her daughter."

Cao Cao was stunned, "This is the case."

"Just this morning, the man who gave the clothes said that this was the little intention of the Princess Han to his daughter, and his daughter also found it a little strange."

Cao Cao thought for a moment and then hurriedly asked: "What kind of long skirt is it?"

"Just a regular long linen dress."

Cao Cao suddenly understood and couldn't help laughing. Cao Xian's face suddenly turned red and he complained in a low voice: "Father, please don't laugh at his daughter like this."

"Okay, I don't laugh, I didn't laugh at you."

Cao Cao held back his laughter and quickly ordered the guards standing at the door, "Go and invite Military Commander Cheng."

The guards quickly left, and then Cao Cao said to his daughter: "Xian'er, this skirt is meaningful, Daddy wants to congratulate you."

"My daughter doesn't understand why Princess Han gave her a long thin linen dress to her daughter."

"This means that the Princess Han accepted you. The last time the Princess Han married Princess Shangxiang, Princess Han sent someone to give her a long thin linen dress. It was a skirt made by Princess Han himself. This time it should be the same. That is to say, she is willing to accept you as a sister and hopes that you can live a simple life. This marriage is about to begin again."

Cao Xian then understood the profound meaning of the Princess of Han. It turned out that this was her etiquette, so what gift should I give her back

At this time, Cheng Yu hurriedly walked from the front hall, bowed and said, "See Duke Wei."

Cao Cao nodded, "Zhongde, please sit down."

He said to his daughter again: "I want to talk to Cheng Shibo about some military and national affairs, so you can retreat first."

"It's my daughter who gave up."

Cao Xian bowed his knees and bowed to Cheng Yu, and then left in a hurry, watching his daughter disappear. Cao Cao then smiled at Cheng Yu and said, "Unexpectedly, Liu Jing actually showed goodwill to me in this way."

"Duke Wei, what happened?" Cheng Yu asked in confusion.

"The Princess of Han sent someone to send a long thin linen dress to Xian'er today. Zhongde said what does this mean?"

Cheng Yu pondered for a moment and said with a smile: "This is the marriage that was interrupted last year and is about to continue to begin."

Cao Cao nodded, "This should be what Liu Jing meant. He was actually reminding me in a tactful way not to participate in the Hexi Rebellion."

"It's true. Using marriage to make a statement to Wei Gong means that Liu Jing is going to take action against Hexi. So what is Wei Gong thinking about it?"

"I originally planned to be neutral. It would be best to persuade the two families to reconcile and stop the troops. This would allow Ma Chao to become Liu Jing's back thorn. However, I guess Liu Jing would not be vague in such a thing, and would never have any hidden dangers behind him. He would definitely send troops to quell the Hexi Rebellion. I just hated that the war in Hefei was in full swing last year, and there were not many Han troops in Guanzhong. Why did Ma Chao not stand on his own at that time?"

"Ma Chao may be ashamed of Liu Jing and does not want to take advantage of the Han army to send troops to Guanzhong."

"Hmph, this is his wife's kindness. He is destined to be unable to accomplish great things. I don't like him. He wants me to admit that he is the King of Xiliang, so dream."

Cao Cao was very annoyed. If Ma Chao could send troops to Guanzhong when the war in Hefei was at its peak last year, then the entire battle situation and even the entire world would be rewritten. At that time, let alone the King of Xiliang, even if the King of Guanzhong was enthroned, he would agree. Unfortunately, Ma Chao refused to cooperate with him, which led to Cao's army being defeated. Now he is thinking about independence. Will he recognize a Qiang regime?

Cheng Yu pondered for a moment and said, "The summer grain is not collected now, and it is time for us to lack food. It is obviously unrealistic for us to send troops to help Ma Chao at this time. Since we cannot help Ma Chao, since Ma Chao will definitely be defeated, why don't we sell Liu Jing a favor?"

"What kind of favor does a military advisor refer to?"

"Ma Chao expelled Han officials and relied on Qiang and Di. This was actually not only a splitting Han Kingdom, but also a splitting court. Heaven should issue an order to condemn Ma Chao for selling Han territory and trying to reduce Hexi into the territory of Rongdi. Heaven then granted Liu Jing the general to conquer the West. In this way, Liu Jing gained a political advantage and used the royal army to recover Hexi. Why didn't Wei Duke seize this kind of favor with the flow?"

Cao Cao smiled slightly, "But if I give me favors, what are the benefits of me?"

"Didn't Wei Gong promulgate the Ding Order? I believe that if Liu Jing gets this favor, he will not oppose Duke Wei on the Ding Order."

A sentence reminded Cao Cao that the Ding Order was to strictly order wealthy families in various places to release their hidden populations. Due to the large number of self-cultivated farmers fled to the Han Dynasty, the population of Bingzhou, Central Plains and Hebei was sharply reduced, and it had reached a serious and critical state finance and taxation.

But Cao Cao was also very clear that a large number of people were hidden by wealthy families in various places during the war. If these hidden people were released, the court would increase at least tens of thousands of self-cultivated farmers, which would have a crucial impact on improving the court's taxes.

Of course, this is an offending matter, which will offend the vital interests of wealthy families in the world. Therefore, Cao Cao has not dared to implement it easily for many years, but now it has reached the point where the court cannot maintain its operation, so he has to take this dangerous move.

The key is that as long as Liu Jing does not publicly oppose his Ding Ling, he will be confident that this reform will be successful.

Cao Cao nodded, "Zhongde is right. I believe he is also a person with long-term vision and will not object to my Ding Ling. I will meet the sky tomorrow."
Chapter completed!