Three Kingdoms: The identity of the financial master behind the scenes was exposed by Cao Cao

In the west of Xudu City, Cao Pi's private residence.

A young man in scholarly clothes was playing chess with Cao Pi.

The young master was a few years younger than Cao Pi, but there was a hint of composure and maturity beyond his years between his brows.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Zihuan."

The scholar-clothed young man smiled humbly, and the black spot fell from his hand.

Cao Pi frowned and thought hard for a long time, but in the end he could only give out a wry smile and surrender.

"Zhongda, your chess skills have reached the level of a national player, not inferior to your father."

Cao Pi praised him.

The young master in scholarly clothes was none other than Sima Yi.

His father, Sima Fang, was Cao Cao's successor when he was young, and he was also from a wealthy family in Hanoi County.

Cao Cao came here to repay his kindness, and secondly to win over the Sima family, so he conquered the country. Sima Lang, the eldest son of the Sima family, entered Xudu as Yilang.

Sima Yi followed his brother to Xudu, hoping to broaden his horizons and make friends with famous people and dignitaries.

Cao Pi had known Sima Yi since childhood and knew that he was quite resourceful. When he learned that he was coming to Beijing, he warmly invited him, treated him with all his heart, and tried his best to win over him.

At this time, Sima Yi had secretly joined Cao Pi's family.

"How dare Yi's chess skills be compared with Sikong? Master Zihuan really beats me to death."

Sima Yi looked frightened and did not dare to accept Cao Pi's praise.

"Zhongda is so humble."

Cao Pi picked up the tea, took a few sips, rolled his eyes slightly, and then sighed.

Sima Yi looked at his face and asked,"Just now, when Yi saw Master Zi Huan playing chess, he was absent-minded, but is there something on his mind?"

"Not my younger brother Cao Zhi"

"This child is too young. He was bewitched by Yang Xiu Dingyi and his gang. Regardless of the order of his parents, he insists on competing with me for the position of heir to the Cao family."

"However, in terms of literary talent and appearance, I am far inferior to him. My father also favors him far more than me."

"I'm afraid that I, the older brother, will have to surrender to his younger brother in the future."

Cao Pi expressed his difficulties with a sad look on his face.

How could Sima Yi not hear that he was deliberately setting the stage for him to make plans?

"In fact, since ancient times, the most important thing for a prince is the word filial piety. In fact, any talent, military strategy, etc. are just the icing on the cake."

"Prince Huan only needs to be a filial son in front of Duke Cao, and secretly make friends and win over important officials in the court. In the future, the position of the heir apparent of the Cao family will naturally fall on Prince Huan."

Sima Yi revealed the mystery in his understatement.

Cao Pi was shocked, as if he had been enlightened, and his eyes suddenly opened up.

"Listening to your words, I can see the moon through the clouds. Thank you Zhongda for your advice!"

Cao Pi stood up and bowed his head to Sima Yi.

Sima Yi hurriedly stood up to help him, and said in fear:"Master Zihuan, I don't dare to accept such a great gift.

The two of them helped each other and sat down.

Cao Pi said with a smile:"If I can inherit the Cao family's legacy in the future, I will definitely repay Zhongda for his kindness today.""

A hint of subtlety flashed across Sima Yi's eyes, and there was fear and humility on his face.

Footsteps sounded, and Cao Zhen hurried in, interrupting the conversation between the two.

"Second brother, good news just came out from Bafu."

"Uncle Xiahou defeated Liu Bei in Fengcheng and shot him out of one eye. Liu Bei was defeated and seriously injured and fled back to Xiaopei."

"The foster father has ordered the troops to be sent out and will march directly to Xuzhou tomorrow."

Cao Zhen reported the information he had learned.

Cao Pi's eyes lit up and he said curiously:"I heard that Uncle Miaocai only had a thousand soldiers and horses, but he was able to defeat Liu Bei so miserably?"

Xia Houyuan weighs a few pounds. As a nephew

, he knows very well. This good news naturally made him question

"I heard that it was a small official named Cao Yuan who gave advice to Uncle Xiahou and was able to severely injure Liu Bei."

"Cao Yuan?"

Cao Pi rolled his eyes several times, searching his memory, but he couldn't figure out who this strange name belonged to. Sima Yi also showed a strange look on his face, and said:"Cao Pi's subordinates are really Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, just a small official. He actually has the ability to severely injure Liu Bei!"

"Zidan, who is this Cao Yuan? Why have I never heard of his name?"

Cao Pi's eyes were also full of doubts.

Cao Zhen lowered his voice and said:"Second brother, this Cao Yuan may be the scheming man we have been investigating and the adoptive father recently obtained."

As soon as he said this,

Cao Pi was shocked, and surprise flashed in his eyes.

"Yi heard this rumor when he was in Hanoi County, saying that Duke Cao had a mysterious counselor who had the ability to make plans without leaving any trace."

"Such a strange man is actually an unknown official?"

Sima Yi also had a strange look on his face, but he was also suspicious.

"Over the past six months, my eyes and ears have been secretly tracking my adoptive father and found that he often left the house incognito to meet this Cao Yuan....."

Cao Zhen kept talking, linking the evidence from secret investigations and various speculations one by one. at last.

Cao Zhen said with determination:"When Uncle Xiahou defeated Liu Bei, this Cao Yuan also happened to be present, so I am even more sure that the scheming man is him!"

Cao Pi took a breath and exclaimed:"It's just a matter of time." It is really unbelievable that a Cang Ling could have such extraordinary abilities!"

"Mr. Zihuan!"

"This man has extraordinary intelligence and has repeatedly performed extraordinary feats. He will definitely become an important minister of the Cao family in the future."

"And according to Duke Cao's high regard and trust in him, he will not only be an important minister in the future, but also a confidant who can make Duke Cao obey his words with great weight."

"Now that you know who he is, Master, you must immediately send someone to Xuzhou to win over this person before Master Zijian can. Sima

Yi looked solemn and admonished Cao Pi.

Cao Pi suddenly realized it and nodded:"Zhongda's words are reasonable. We must not let Zijian take the lead. It's just who should be sent to win over him.""

"Yi is not talented, so I am willing to go to Prince Huan to win over this person for him."

"Besides, Yi also wanted to see what this scheming man was like."

Sima Yi volunteered.

Cao Pi was overjoyed and said happily:"Okay, okay, Zhongda comes forward, why worry about this person not joining my sect!"

Sima Yi immediately bid farewell and left, heading straight to Xuzhou at starry night.

But at this moment, in another private house in the north of Xudu City,

Cao Zhi also expressed the same emotion.

"Unexpectedly, a mere Cang Ling actually hides a world-famous genius."

"With the help of such wonderful people, why should my father not be able to bring peace to the world?"

Cao Zhi was amazed, but could not hide his joy.

Ding Yi was confused and said:"If my uncle wants to reuse this Cao Yuan, he can directly reveal his identity and promote him to the Ba Mansion as the mastermind, but why should he use the pretense? It's really strange that Wang Bi's identity is asking him for advice."

Obviously.

Cao Zhi's side is also secretly investigating those rumored conspirators.

The news of the great victory in Fengcheng also confirmed that Cao Yuan is the person they are looking for.

"This is indeed a bit strange, but none of that matters"

"This person will definitely play an important role in the future, and his attitude is very likely to influence Cao Gongchu's determination."

"Master Zihuan will definitely want to win over such an important person, and we must be the first to win over him."

Yang Xiu, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke.

He is known as the"child prodigy" and is the real mastermind of Cao Zhi.

"Dezu's words are reasonable. This Cao Yuan must be won over."

Cao Zhi was convinced and nodded repeatedly.

Yang Xiuyi cupped his hand and said,"Master Zijian, Xiu is willing to go to Xuzhou in person to recruit Cao Yuan to his seat. Cao

Zhi looked happy and said happily:"That's very good. That matter should not be delayed. Dezu should go to Xuzhou as soon as possible.""

Yang Xiu immediately resigned and rushed to Xuzhou overnight.

That night, Sima Yi and Yang Xiu left Xudu one after another and went straight to Xuzhou.

Two days later,

Cao Cao, in the name of the emperor, issued an edict to denounce Liu Bei and Lu Bu as traitors, and led them personally An army of 40,000 marched straight to Xuzhou in a mighty manner.