After officially pardoning Cai Yan's crime of implicating Cao Cao was in a good mood. At the dinner that night, he suddenly realized that Cai Yan must be alone when she returned home after she was released from prison. He knew very well that he had a guilty conscience to Dong Si and Cai Yan and his wife. He specially sent someone to send a lot of gorgeous clothes and delicious food to Cai Yan's home, and ordered the envoy to send a message to Cai Yan, that if she was interested in attending the dinner, she could take her over.

Sima Yi, who was present, was very unhappy after hearing this. He knew that Cao Cao had always liked to seize his wife, and how could Cai Yan escape from Cao Cao's eyes? Therefore, he began to worry about Cai Yan, who had just escaped.

After returning home, Cai Yan looked at the brocade clothes and jewellery piled up in the room, and the servant respectfully conveyed Cao Cao's meaning to Cai Yan. Cai Yan's expression was very calm after hearing this and responded softly to the envoy:

"You go outside first, I will go to the Prime Minister's mansion to visit later."

The attendant thought that he had finally completed the character Cao Cao's instructions, so he returned happily to waiting outside the door. Soon Cai Yan, wearing a gorgeous costume, walked out of the door. When the attendant saw Cai Yan like this, he felt as beautiful as a goddess descending to earth, so he quickly greeted her respectfully on the carriage specially prepared for him by Cao Cao.

When the carriage drove to the gate of the prime minister's mansion, the servant said to Cai Yan in the car through the curtain:

"Madam, please wait for the villain to report to the Prime Minister to know."

The attendant quickly walked to Cao Cao in the night banquet hall and whispered in Cao Cao's ear that Cai Yan was waiting outside the door.

Cao Cao was very happy after hearing this. He took advantage of the drinks and pointed at the door and said to the guests all over the room:

"Cai Boyi's daughter is outside. Some of you may not have seen her before. Let you see it today."

After hearing this, everyone looked out the door together, including Xin Pi, Dong Zhao, Cheng Yu, and other famous officials who had hardly met Cai Yan carefully. Sima Yi was different from those who watched the fun. Although he was calm on the surface, his hands hidden under the table and always grabbed his knees tightly, and never relaxed...

When Cai Yan actually appeared in front of everyone, everyone was shocked:

Cai Yan, who was showing in front of everyone, was disguised on her long hair and was barefoot. What was even more surprising was that Cai Yan was still wearing the clothes she was wearing in prison, and she looked like a prisoner who had just been arraigned from prison.

At this time, the person with the stiffest expression was Cao Cao who was sitting in the master's seat. He put down the wine cup and asked Cai Yan and said:

"What do you mean by doing this?"

Cai Yan answered Cao Cao with clear-cut and sad words:

"The concubine is the wife of a criminal minister. Now the Prime Minister has been able to survive, but he still dare not forget that he is a guilty person."

Now Cao Cao knew that Cai Yan was disgusting himself with Dong Si's affairs. However, Cao Cao was not angry, but thought Cai Yan's actions were very interesting, so he directly responded to her actions: "Dong Si's crime has been approved, and the execution document has been issued. Even if I want to spare his life, it is too late."

However, Cai Yan did not accept such a statement:

"There is no evidence for the crime of the husband. Such a careless person may hurt the prime minister's reputation. Besides, there are thousands of good horses in the prime minister's stable and countless brave soldiers. Will he be reluctant to go and ride one by one to save a dying life?"

Cao Cao was pressed by Cai Yan's words step by step, which made him feel a little out of touch. In addition, Cai Yan's sad statement moved everyone present, so he asked Cai Yan to investigate the Dong Si case again and postpone the execution.

Under pressure, Cao Cao had to agree to everyone's request and sent a quick horse to pass on an order to pardon Dong Si's death sentence.

After the order was issued, Cao Cao stood up and walked to Cai Yan who was kneeling on the ground, stretched out his hands and bent down to help her up: "If you want to pardon Dong Si, you can tell me so much, you don't need to do such a situation."

Cai Yan seemed to see from Cao Cao's eyes that he intended to possess himself, so he took two steps back and asked Cao Cao and said:

"Does the Prime Minister still remember why he took me back from Zuo Xian King?"

At this time, Cao Cao was quite stunned. He suddenly realized that the reason he had sent Cui Yan to the Huns to welcome Cai Yan back was that this was Guo Jia's last request before his death, and the person Cao Cao trusted and valued the most in his life was Guo Jia.

Thinking of this, Cao Cao couldn't help feeling that his selfish desires were a bit dirty, so he gave up the years of placing Cai Yan and treated him more courtesy. Finally, Cai Yan asked to return to his hometown Chenliu with his husband, and Cao Cao also agreed.

Through this incident, Cai Yan realized that his existence would threaten Sima Yi's safety. In order to avoid the trouble, Cai Yan did not stop after Dong Si, who had been acquitted, returned home. He immediately packed up his clothes and set off at night and left Yecheng.

When Dong Si drove his carriage away from the south gate of Yecheng to the foot of Qishan, he found that there was a torch light on the road far away.

As the distance approached, Dong Si and Cai Yan in the car gradually saw clearly the two figures next to the torch were already waiting here.

Cai Yan saw that it was not someone else standing on the roadside, but Sima Yi and Cheng Wu.

The reason why Sima Yi appeared here was to bid farewell to Cai Yan and his wife, and Cheng Wu was by his side to ensure Sima Yi's safety.

After the carriage stopped, Sima Yi raised his hands to salute Cai Yan in the carriage. Cai Yan lifted the curtain and walked off the carriage with Dong Si's support. Although as an elder, she understood the reason why Sima Yi would appear here, from a rational perspective, Cai Yan did not agree with his behavior: "Now this matter has just come to an end. You and I have not completely escaped Cao Cao's sight. Are you afraid that it will arouse Cao Cao's suspicion when you appear here rashly?"

Sima Yi naturally understood that when he made this decision, Zhong Yu and Xun Yun did not agree, but Sima Yi thought that he might never have the chance to meet again after the parting. In order not to leave him with regrets and to fulfill his obligations as a junior, he would go to Qishan with all his might:

"I have considered it now. Cao Cao's eyeliner has not left me yet, but Qishan has already left his vision. Besides, I am extremely secretive this time and I don't expect anything to happen."

Cai Yan reminded Sima Yi: "You must be extra careful about those people. Although they did not succeed this time, they also exposed you to Cao Cao again. You must be cautious in your actions in the future and take every step forward."

It was already late, so Cai Yan advised him to go back for Sima Yi's safety:

"It is a blessing that our aunt and nephew can meet again after so many years. All of this is the painstaking effort of filial piety."

After Cai Yan said this, Sima Yi realized that Guo Jia asked Cao Cao to take Cai Yan back before his death, because the purpose was not because of his love for her, but also to allow him and Cai Yan to be reunited. It was really a long time to think about it.

Before getting on the bus, Cai Yan suddenly thought of a detail he accidentally discovered when Sima Yi and Zhang Chunhua and his wife came to visit: "Your wife... My eyes seem to be very complicated when I look at her, so you should pay more attention."

Sima Yi didn't think there was anything wrong with Zhang Chunhua:

"Chunhua? She did experience a lot of hardships when she was young, but she is still very loyal to me, so don't worry about my aunt."

Cai Yan shook her head and said, "I'm not saying that she is ill-treated against you. From the way she looks at you, I know that she is sincere to you. I can't tell you anything. Hope it is my illusion..."

At ten minutes late at night, Sima Yi returned to Yecheng, but a hurry knock came from outside the door shortly after he arrived home...

After Sima Kui opened the door, he saw a sword-holding warrior wearing armor outside the door, and said loudly in a hurry:

"Come out quickly, Lord Sima, the Prime Minister has something important to ask him to go to the Prime Minister's Mansion!"

Looking at the fierce look of the soldier, Sima Kui did not dare to neglect. He jogged all the way to Sima Yi's study and knocked on the door and said:

"Second brother, the Prime Minister sent someone to invite you to the Prime Minister's Mansion."

At this time, Zhong Yu and Xun Yun in the study became nervous when they heard this. Sima Yi also felt that he had been at home, and Cao Cao came to find him. Maybe his trip to Qishan had been exposed.

"What should I do?" Xun Yun looked at Sima Yi:

"If Cao Cao asked you to see you off for your sake, then you might not be able to come back..."

But Sima Yi no longer has the right to choose:

"It's still too early to say that my whereabouts are exposed. If I go now, I still have half of the chances of survival, but if I don't go, it will completely make Cao Cao suspect me, so I still have to go."

From a realistic perspective, Zhong Yu and Xun Yun believe that Sima Yi’s point of view is correct, but just in case, they still let Cheng Wu secretly protect Sima Yi.

After Sima Yi stepped into the threshold of the prime minister's mansion, he immediately felt that the atmosphere in the mansion was a little unusual.

He came to the meeting hall under the leadership of the attendant and found that not only Cao Cao, but also Jiang Ji, Gao Rou, Yang Xiu and other officials of the prime minister's office. When he appeared, everyone's eyes were gathered on him.

"Prime Minister, Sima Yi is ordered to come..."

No matter what, Sima Yi still bowed to Cao Cao:

"I wonder what important things are there for the Prime Minister to summon his subordinates late at night?"

Seeing that Sima Yi had arrived, Cao Cao, who had been closing his eyes, spoke to everyone:

"Xiahou Yuan led his leadership to help Ji County after quelling the Wuguan Daokou Rebellion, but because it had been delayed for several months, Wei Kang tried his best to surrender to Ma Chao. Ma Chao, who was waiting for it, suddenly launched an attack on Xiahou Yuan more than 200 places east of Ji County. Xiahou Yuan was caught off guard and had to withdraw his troops temporarily. Now Ma Chao's victory made the entire Long Shang wind direction again lean towards Ma Chao. Baiqing Di King Yang Qianwan and Xingguo Di King Agui and others have stationed troops to Xingguo to respond to Ma Chao. The current situation is not good for me."

It turned out that the purpose of Cao Cao's recruitment of Sima Yi late at night was not about Cai Yan, but about the situation in Guanxi. This made Sima Yi feel relieved in secret, and then said to Cao Cao:

"Prime Minister, the current momentum is beneficial to Ma Chao. We should temporarily avoid his edge and let General Xiahou Yuan temporarily retreat his troops to Chang'an. The land of Yongliang is the foundation of the power of Ma Chao and Han Sui and others. We just won. Although they greatly weakened their strength as a whole, Ma Chao's influence is still there, so it is predictable that this situation is today."

Jiang Ji agreed with Sima Yi’s opinion:

"What Zhongda said is reasonable. General Xiahou is stationed in the Sanjiao land based on Chang'an, and first controls Fufeng, Jingzhao Yin and Fengyi counties. We have no chance of winning by rashly sending troops at this moment."

Cao Cao looked at Jia Xu who was silent on the side: "What are Wenhe's opinions?"

Jia Xu replied: "Reported to the Prime Minister, based on my opinion, Ma Chao's rebellion should not attack from the outside, but should collapse from the inside."

"oh?"

When Cao Cao heard this, he became interested: "I wish to explain in detail..."

"From the military newspapers from Ji County, most of the counties in Longshang surrendered at the beginning of Ma Chao's rebellion. Wei Kang, Yang Fu, Jiang Xu and others in Ji County were loyal to the prime minister, so they stayed in the lonely city to resist for several months. The city had been unwell for a long time. At the same time, they gave Yang Ang the horse farm great resistance and casualties. There are two reasons why Wei Kang surrendered later. One is that Ji County has been besieged for more than May, and the city has limited food and grass. Wei Kang can't bear to the people.

After enduring the suffering of hunger and war; secondly, Ma Chao promised to treat the people preferentially after entering the city, and all officials in the city would maintain their original positions and not harm them. However, after entering the city, Ma Chao caused great trouble to himself because of Wei Kang's persistence. He violated his oath and acquiesced to Yang Ang to harm Wei Kang. This will inevitably cause dissatisfaction among the civil and military officials in the city. As long as we secretly send envoys to make an appointment with him, it will inevitably lead to their surprise attack on Ma Chao internally."

After a long discussion, everyone nodded frequently, and Cao Cao also recognized Jia Xu's idea:

"Ma Chao has now entered Ji County and used it as a base to secede Longshang and establish himself as the general of the Western Expedition, leading the governor of Bingzhou, and attempting to govern the military of Liangzhou. It seems to be a huge momentum, but in fact, the counties and towns that surrendered to him in the surrounding areas are just for peace. As long as Ma Chao is defeated in the battle, they will definitely abandon him. By then, Ma Chao will completely become a dog of a despair."
Chapter completed!