Chapter 1256: Standing on the Side
Two more days passed.
Cao Zhi, who went to Liangzhou and Yongzhou to comfort the people who suffered from drought, also rushed back to Yecheng.
Compared with Cao Pi, Cao Zhi had a very hard time this time.
It took more than a month just to travel.
Fortunately, the official roads of Wei were well repaired, and the post stations along the way were able to operate normally.
Otherwise, it would take Cao Zhi at least two months to go back and forth.
After this experience, Cao Zhi also truly realized the difficulties of the people's lives on the border of Wei.
Although there was enough food, there were still many people living on the line of food and clothing.
After Cao Cao learned that Cao Zhi had returned to Yecheng, he sent someone to summon Cao Zhi.
After Cao Zhi received Cao Cao's summons, he went directly to the palace to pay his respects without delay.
"Father."
When Cao Zhi came to the palace, he was obviously much darker and thinner than a month ago.
Seeing Cao Zhi like this, Cao Cao couldn't help but nodded.
It seems that Cao Zhi really did something to comfort the disaster-stricken people in the northwest this time.
"Zijian, the people in Liangzhou and Yongzhou, do you have enough food now to last until the next autumn harvest?"
Cao Cao's relief grain had already arrived in Liangzhou and Yongzhou, but due to the loss in the middle and the officials' deductions, only about 30% of the food could be distributed to the people.
According to Cao Cao's calculations, this batch of food was enough for the people in Liangzhou and Yongzhou to survive the drought, but it would be a bit difficult to feed everyone.
If the deductions were too severe, people would starve to death.
Cao Zhi told Cao Cao what he saw and heard in Liangzhou and Yongzhou.
"Reporting to the emperor, the people of Liangzhou and Yongzhou have received relief food."
"Relying on these grains, there is no problem to hold on until the next autumn harvest, but within a year, Yongzhou, which suffered less drought, can recover, Liangzhou may not be able to."
After Cao Zhi finished talking about the situation in Liangzhou and Yongzhou, he finally suggested to Cao Cao:
"Father, I beg you to reduce the taxes and corvée in Liangzhou this year!"
"Well, I have this plan."
Cao Cao nodded and said.
If the taxes and corvée in Liangzhou are not reduced this year, people will definitely starve to death.
This may lead to a rebellion by the people of Liangzhou.
Cao Cao, who has a strong army, does not want this kind of internal friction in Wei.
And now the prince has not been enthroned, there are many things to do, and Cao Cao does not have enough energy to use manpower and material resources to suppress the rebellion.
It is better to settle the prince's affairs first before talking about other things.
"Thank you, father!"
Cao Zhi said to Cao Cao sincerely.
The lives of the people in the northwest who suffered from drought made Cao Zhi think all the way. If he became the prince and finally ascended the throne as the emperor, how should he improve the people's livelihood?
Cao Cao also clearly felt a kind of growth from Cao Zhi.
Cao Zhi, who was originally unruly and liked poetry and wine, gave Cao Cao a much more stable feeling after returning from the northwest this time.
"Well, Zijian, you have worked hard all the way. Stay in the palace to rest tonight."
Seeing Cao Zhi, who looked tired, Cao Cao finally smiled at him.
The next day, the news that Cao Zhi was left by Cao Cao to rest in the palace had already reached Cao Pi's ears.
At this time, Cao Pi was in the mansion, Sima Yi and Chen Qun were also with Cao Pi.
"It seems that His Highness Cao Zhi went to Liangzhou and Yongzhou on behalf of His Majesty to appease the people affected by the disaster this time, and what he did should be in line with His Majesty's wishes."
After Sima Yi took a sip of tea, he said to Cao Pi and Chen Qun in a deep voice.
This is not good news for Cao Pi.
Then Cao Pi looked at Chen Qun.
After Cao Pi accepted Sima Yi's advice and assisted Cao Cao in handling government affairs, some of the court officials who had not rushed to stand on the side before finally joined Cao Pi.
Chen Qun was one of them.
According to the original historical process, Chen Qun, Jia Xu, Cui Yan, Xing Yi, Wu Zhi and other old officials were all important helpers for Cao Pi to obtain the position of the crown prince.
However, because of Bai Feng, now that the Wei Dynasty has unified the Central Plains, Cao Cao's health is much better than in history, so Jia Xu and Chen Qun and others did not help Cao Pi fight for the position of the crown prince early.
But as Cao Cao's physical condition deteriorated after the stroke, Chen Qun began to tend to support Cao Pi to be appointed as the crown prince.
This time, after Cao Pi assisted Cao Cao in handling government affairs and returned to Yecheng, Sima Yi finally got a positive response from Chen Qun, which was also the reason why Chen Qun appeared in Cao Pi's mansion.
"Does the censor think that the emperor will appoint Zijian as the crown prince because of this matter?"
Cao Pi then asked Chen Qun.
Chen Qun, the current Chief Censor, smiled at Cao Pi after hearing this:
"Your Highness, don't worry."
"Although His Highness Cao Zhi has won the praise of His Majesty for this matter, I think it is difficult for His Majesty to appoint His Highness Cao Zhi as the crown prince because of this matter."
"What's more, His Highness has assisted His Majesty in handling government affairs before, and he has done it without any mistakes."
Chen Qun, who gave Cao Pi a reassurance, believed that Cao Pi had a greater chance of winning in the battle for the crown prince.
First of all, Cao Pi's status as the eldest son, and secondly, Cao Pi's impression on everyone is calm, sincere, and comprehensive.
This is a great plus in the eyes of old ministers such as Chen Qun.
Cao Pi's expression relaxed a lot after hearing this.
"Thank you for the advice of the Censor, I am still a little confused because of my concern."
After Cao Pi filled Chen Qun's teacup, he smiled and said.
Sima Yi on the side was not thinking about how Cao Zhi could get Cao Cao's affirmation.
He was thinking about how to help Cao Pi win the support of more senior officials in the court.
Chen Qun's team gave Cao Pi and Sima Yi a very good signal.
Next, Sima Yi will continue to lobby the senior officials in the court and continue to help Cao Pi strengthen his strength.
With the merit of following the dragon, the Sima family will prosper again in the near future!
"Sir, do you have any suggestions?"
Cao Pi asked softly after seeing Sima Yi thinking.
Sima Yi said to Cao Pi what he thought:
"I think your highness does not need to rush to show in front of His Majesty now. As Chen Yushi said, it is difficult for His Majesty to appoint His Highness Cao Zhi as the prince because of this matter."
"Your highness should now win the support of more important officials in the court."
Cao Pi was suddenly enlightened when he heard this, and realized that he was panicked because of Cao Zhi's excellent performance.
The last thing to do now is to lose your composure, which will leave a bad impression on Cao Cao.
And now Cao Pi has won the support of Chen Qun, who is from the Yingchuan Chen family.
This means that the Yingchuan Chen family behind Chen Qun has also become a powerful helper for Cao Pi to fight for the position of crown prince.