When Sima Yi was mentioned, Cao Cao narrowed his eyes and asked, "What do you think of him, sir?"
Jia Xu replied: "I have only heard of his talent, but I don't know him. Cui Jigui praised him for his intelligence, wisdom, and integrity, and said that no one among the young generation could match him!"
"No one can match him?" Cao Cao nodded and said, "Cui Congshi is good at judging people, and his evaluation is not too much, but I don't know that this person has the eyes of an eagle and the back of a wolf, and he is not someone who will be under someone else for long."
After Cao Cao became prime minister, he appointed Cui Yan as the Eastern Cao official, in charge of evaluating and selecting talents, and forced Sima Yi to be the literary official, in charge of classics and books, and urging Cao Pi and other children to study.
A strange look flashed in Jia Xu's eyes: "I heard that the Prime Minister had repeatedly recruited this person, but he refused to take the position before. He only came to the mansion last year. Why do you say this?"
Cao Cao sighed, "I have heard of Zhongda's name for a long time. He has been very smart since he was young and has devoted himself to Confucianism. So I recruited him because of his reputation. But who knew that he would feign illness and almost fool me. He is so scheming at such a young age and he is not willing to be loyal to me. How dare I employ him?"
Jia Xu laughed and said, "The Prime Minister is a man of great courage and wisdom, and his power is so great that he is so powerful that he is so popular. What can a mere boy like him do?"
Cao Cao shook his head and said, "Sir, you don't know that Sima Yi is as cunning as Liu Bei! Liu Bei is ambitious and has great aspirations. He is a dragon in shallow water. Everyone knows it, but he just hasn't met the right time yet! But this man is very good at forbearance, like a dragon in the abyss, hiding in the dark. When he doesn't have the right time, he will bide his time. Although I am not afraid of him, I am afraid that in the future, you brothers and sisters will not be able to control him, and raising a tiger will become a disaster!"
Jia Xu could not believe that Cao Cao would compare Sima Yi with Liu Bei. After a moment of silence, he said, "The Prime Minister has always been good at employing people. He only selects people based on their talents and has a clear mind."
Cao Cao paused for a moment, then asked, "Is Ma Teng's threat really greater than Sun Quan's?"
Jia Xu said, "If there is no Liu Qi, then Ma Teng is nothing to be afraid of! Now Liu Qi has captured Wuguan and is eyeing Guanzhong, and Ma Teng claims to be the descendant of a meritorious official and a loyal and good man. If he is employed by Liu Qi, he will be even more powerful. Sun Quan inherited the foundation of his father and brother and is unwilling to be inferior to others. He wants to use Liu Qi. The two are not under each other's command, so there will definitely be conflicts. The Prime Minister can wait for an opportunity to defeat them."
Cao Cao's eyes flashed with a gleam of light, and he said slowly: "If Liu Qi can get the Xiliang army, his momentum will be unstoppable!"
Jia Xu nodded and said, "Guanzhong is of great importance. The Prime Minister should not take it lightly."
Cao Cao sneered and said, "Liu Qi, the little brat, is content to stay in the south of the Yangtze River. He can do nothing about it for the time being. If he attempts to enter Qin, he will surely suffer more losses than gains and regrets."
Jia Xu sighed, "It's a pity that I am too old to travel far to help the Prime Minister."
Cao Cao smiled and said, "I will feel at ease if Wenhe stays in Xuchang."
After seeing Jia Xu off, Cao Cao sighed and murmured, "I am alone..."
Thinking back to the Battle of Guandu that year, although the force was weak, there were many talented people around him who were able to display their abilities and do things with ease.
Now that we have suffered heavy casualties, there are fewer and fewer people available. It is difficult to find people like Guo Jia who can drink and chat with me, or Cheng Yu who can confide in me. A sense of inexplicable loss wells up in my heart.
Especially since Yu Jin, Zhang He and Li Dian were all persuaded to surrender by Liu Qi one after another, Cao Cao could not understand it even more.
How could a mere sick child deserve to undermine his own foundation
Just as he was feeling emotional, he heard a noisy sound outside and clanging noises. He couldn't go out and saw Cao Pi directing the servants to move furniture, causing a great deal of chaos.
"Zi Huan, what do you want to do?"
When Cao Pi heard Cao Cao's voice, he was startled and turned around in a hurry, saying in a panic: "Father, I'm here, I'm... replacing furniture."
He had clearly inquired about it and knew that Cao Cao was at Madam Qin's place, so how could he suddenly appear in the mansion
Cao Cao walked over slowly with his hands behind his back and looked at Cao Pi: "If you don't want to study, what's the point of doing all this?"
"I wanted to earn money... to help my father with his worries..." Cao Pi had already felt guilty and his words were somewhat incoherent.
"So my father-in-law is here. It's a good opportunity to see these furnitures!"
At this moment, Xiahou Mi brought a group of people into the mansion, and the sound of carriages and horses was noisy at the door.
Cao Cao's face was gloomy: "Zilin, what on earth are you two doing?"
Xiahou Mao was bold enough to step forward, clasp his fists and say with a smile: "The New Year is coming soon, and I am replacing some furniture for my father-in-law. It is also a filial piety for both of us."
Cao Cao was displeased and said, "The military situation is urgent and food and grass are scarce. I ordered the entire army to be frugal, but you two did the opposite. You want me to... What is this?"
Just as he was scolding the two men, he saw those people coming in carrying some tables and chairs. They were all styles he had never seen before and looked very strange.
Xiahou Mao smiled and said, "Father-in-law, these pieces of furniture are unique and have the same function as the water bed. Although I suffered a small setback in Xiangyang, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I have found a way to make money. Within half a year, I can help the Prime Minister alleviate the urgent need for food and grass!"
"Oh?" Cao Cao followed him into the main hall. He was surprised to see the square table and armchairs placed in the main hall. He walked over and sat down, exclaiming, "Could this be the furniture of the Hanxing Hall?"
"That's right!" Seeing Cao Cao's happy expression, Xiahou Mao said proudly, "Liu Qi thought he had a good plan, thinking that I was a spoiled child. However, my son-in-law is the best at managing the family business, as you know, father-in-law!"
Cao Cao stroked the table and chairs, and suddenly frowned and said, "But if we use the utensils of Hanxing Hall, won't people laugh at us if we spread the news?"
Xiahou Mao smiled and said, "This is Maolin Hall. There is Hanxing Hall in Jingzhou, and there is Maolin Hall in Zhongyuan. Tables, chairs and furniture are a must for every family. Liu Qi can use this to raise money and food, and we can do the same!"
He originally named himself Pi Mao Tang, but Cao Pi thought it sounded bad, so he changed the name to Huan Lin Tang, but Cao Pi rejected it again. Not wanting to get involved, he simply used his own name and named himself Mao Lin Tang.
“Hahaha, wonderful!” Cao Cao looked at the two of them. Seeing Cao Pi still looking nervous, he nodded and smiled, “I didn’t expect that my son has grown up. He knows how to share his worries!”
Cao Pi's worry turned into joy, and he said hurriedly: "I see that my father has been working hard for military affairs all day, and his headache has come, but I can't do anything about it. I can only do my best to help him."
"You are so filial!" Cao Cao was worrying about hiring people, and suddenly found that the younger generation had grown up. He was also quite relieved and said with emotion: "You two sold the furniture, maybe the funds were not enough?"
Cao Pi lowered his head, a trace of resentment flashed in his eyes, and said: "I am an unfilial son. I wanted to give my father a surprise after the matter was completed, but I didn't expect to make my father angry."
He went to Cao Hong with great hope to borrow money, but was poured a bucket of cold water on his head. Not only did he not borrow a penny, but he was also scolded. He has been holding a grudge ever since. He wanted to complain just now, but thinking of Cao Hong's close relationship with Cao Cao, he finally held back.
"It's really hard for you two to come up with these ideas!" Cao Cao stepped forward and patted Cao Pi on the shoulder. "Tomorrow, allocate two million yuan from the treasury. You must make Maolin Hall bigger and stronger. Don't lose to Liu Qi."
Cao Pi was overjoyed and trembling with excitement. He hurriedly said, "Thank you, father!"
Xiahou Mao patted his chest confidently and said, "Don't worry, father-in-law. Although I can't lead the troops to fight, I am willing to bear some of the military's money and food to share your worries."
"Very good!" Cao Cao nodded repeatedly, stroked his beard and laughed, "Who said there is no unicorn in my Cao family?"