"What does father mean by this?"

Hearing his father's comments about Sima Yi, Cao Pi's expression changed slightly, and he quickly raised his hands and asked.

As soon as he finished speaking, Cao Cao's originally serious face gradually relaxed, and then he reached out and stroked his son's tressed head, and said in a slightly gentle tone:

"Pi'er, my father is already old and I don't know how many years he still has to live, but now there are still Sun and Liu in the south of the Yangtze River."

"Maybe in my lifetime, my father will not be able to complete the great task of unifying China."

"Father, why did you come out..."

Cao Pi didn't know why his father said this for a moment, but he was interrupted by a wave of hands in the middle of his words. Cao Cao's tone changed slightly and he said solemnly:

"Pier, listen to what your father has to say!"

"Sima Yi is so talented that he doesn't have to worry about being a father."

"The foundation of the Wei Dynasty established by my father will need you to continue to protect it in the future. To destroy Sun Pingliu and unify Jiangnan, you or your descendants will need to continue to work hard. It will not be achieved overnight."

"With Sima Zhongda assisting you, Pi'er, you won't have to worry about being a father."

"This man can bring peace to the country with his humanity, and he can rule the country with his military skills. He can be entrusted with military and state affairs. These are not things that my father worries about!"

When the words fell here, Cao Cao revealed his eyes that seemed to be very deep, and said in a deep voice: "But according to my father's recent observations, Sima Yi is a hawk who looks down upon wolves. Although he is a great talent,

But there is also hidden ambition.”

"Pi'er, you must always remember this person in the future. You must reuse this person, but you must also guard against him at all times, and firmly control the fate of the Sima clan in your hands."

"If he has hidden evil intentions, once he is discovered, his family must be confiscated and his family must be exterminated."

"If not, my kingdom in Wei Dynasty may be stolen by this person!"

The words fell out one by one,

Cao Pi undoubtedly felt his brain pounding for a moment.

He was completely shocked, Sima Yi had evil intentions.

"Since my father saw that Zhongda was hiding evil intentions, why didn't he take the opportunity to find an excuse to get rid of it?"

Cao Pi thought deeply and couldn't help but ask again in a deep voice.

"If my father could kill Sun and Liu during his lifetime, China would be reunited."

"Then if Sima Yi abandons it, there will be no big loss!"

"Even if you use it, you can think of your father's power and deter him from having ambitions."

When Cao Cao's words came to this point, he immediately responded in a deep voice: "But you are different, Pi'er. When you are the master of a country, you must not be careless."

"Without Sima Yi's assistance, it would be difficult for you to be in charge of the court and balance the ministers."

"You also need the help of the two thieves Sun and Liu who are conquering the south of the Yangtze River."

"But, Pi'er, you have to remember that you cannot give him control of troops and horses until absolutely necessary. Even if you give him troops and horses, you must check and balance him. You must not let his family dominate and cultivate cronies."

"Can you remember that?"

At the end of his words, Cao Cao's expression became very serious again, and he stared at him closely and asked.

"Father, please rest assured, your child will keep it in mind!"

After hearing this, Cao Pi quickly raised his hands and said in assurance.

"That's good."

Seeing the determination on his son's face, Cao Cao breathed a sigh of relief, pondered for a moment, and then said again:

"My father has just discussed with the ministers and decided to raise an army to march west to conquer Hanzhong in an attempt to curb Liu Bei's power in Bashu."

"After my father passes away, you will be responsible for all the royal palace and the country's military and political affairs. You must grow up as soon as possible, Pi'er!"

"When the time comes, my father will ask Sima Zhongda to stay behind and assist you in the administration."

"Father, please be at ease. My child will definitely live up to your expectations!"

Cao Pi responded solemnly.

After some explanation,

A few days later, during the meeting in the main hall, Wei King Cao Cao publicly announced his decision to conquer Hanzhong westward again.

After all the ministers heard this, no one objected!

After a while, Dong Zhao asked again, "How many troops will your Majesty bring for this expedition? How much grain, grass and other logistics materials will be prepared?"

One word.

Cao Cao, who was sitting at the top, wearing formal royal robes and a royal crown on his head, almost said without thinking: "This time I want to conquer Liu Bei personally."

Before anyone could react to these words, Cao Cao continued, "As for the army, just go to Chang'an with the Huben Battalion alone, and the Guanzhong Army will be the main force."

"Although the Central Plains had a rich harvest last year, the terrain in Hanzhong is steep and the army cannot fully utilize its conquest force."

"It's better to garrison troops in Guanzhong to conquer, that's better!"

"After I leave the royal city this time, the crown prince will supervise all matters in the rear. I hope that all the ministers will assist me!"

As a series of words fell,

After Cao Cao directly announced the appointment, all the ministers stood up and handed over their hands to accept the order, saying, "I will do my best to assist the prince in protecting the peace in the rear."

…

In early March of the twenty-fourth year of Jian'an [219].

Cao's side was also the first to take action.

After arranging all the affairs in the rear, Wei King Cao Cao marched westward with the Huben Battalion and rushed to Chang'an in order to join the main force of the garrison in Guanzhong and conquer Hanzhong.

This situation is not trivial, and the movements of the march cannot be concealed from Liu Bei's eyes and ears!

While Cao Cao's troops were still halfway there, this military information was already reported back to Hanzhong County first.

When General Zhenyuan and Commander-in-Chief of Hanzhong Wei Yan learned that Cao Cao had personally gone to Chang'an to take control of the situation, he almost immediately realized that the situation was unusual!

He then quickly sent people back to Chengdu to report the details to the rear.

Afterwards, preparations began to be stepped up to prevent the start of a war.

Due to the Cao family's presumption of kingship in the past two years, Liu Bei, the king of Hanzhong, had already ordered Hanzhong County to recruit people into the army and began to build siege equipment and other ordnance.

A steady stream of logistical materials is also being transported to Hanzhong.

Even if Cao's army attacks now, the Han army is not too worried!

After all, after two years of preparation, basically everything is ready.

Wei Yan is preparing for battle quickly.

Zhao Tong, the commander-in-chief of Wudu and Yinping, was naturally aware of the enemy's military situation.

Cao Cao is about to arrive in Chang'an City to take charge.

Having been in the army for several years, he has a very keen sense of war.

He judged almost instantly that Cao Jun was probably preparing to attack Hanzhong, Wudu and other places again.

As the war approaches,

On the one hand, he ordered the defenders in Qishan, Qiangdao, Lintao and other places to be ready to fight at any time.

On the other side, he also personally went to a bamboo house on the west side outside Shimon City.

Not far from the city, we arrived at a suburb.

Bamboo forests on both sides here are gradually sprouting, presenting a vibrant scene. Under the verdant green, there is also a rare tranquility.

Zhao Tong glanced around and felt much better.

Then, he turned around and ordered Huo Yi and other personal guards behind him: "Stay here while I go in alone!"

"Here!"
Chapter completed!