Han family achievements

Chapter 479 Returning

Cao Cao led the army, starting from Luoyang along the official road, passing through Yanzhou and Jizhou, and then arriving in Youzhou.

All Cao Cao's generals and counselors were riding horses, looking back from time to time.

Even though his sight was blocked, he still looked back frequently.

After walking an unknown distance, the generals and counselors gradually separated and each performed his own duties.

Only Jia Xu, Cao Hong, Cao Ren, Cao Ang and others were still with Cao Cao.

Seeing that there were no outsiders, Cao Hong stepped forward and said, "Sima...are we...just going to Youzhou like this?"

He had a lot to say, but when it came to his mouth he didn't know how to ask, so he could only change it to this.

Cao Cao had no expression on his face and said to the endless north, "Everyone except Wen He, let's go."

Cao Hong was stunned and just about to speak, he was pulled by Cao Ang and had to leave reluctantly.

Cao Cao rode a horse and walked in the front, followed by Jia Xu, and not far away were the personal soldiers composed of the family members he had led for many years.

Jia Xu came to Cao Cao's side, dressed in white and snowy, without saying a word.

Cao Cao glanced at him out of the corner of his eye and said, "Wen He, what do you think?"

Jia Xu didn't squint his eyes and said, "Did Sima talk about Luoyang or Youzhou?"

Cao Cao's narrow eyes were as cold as frost, savoring this question, and said: "Luoyang."

Jia Xu was unusually hesitant and silent, until he seemed to sense that Cao Cao was about to turn around, and then he said: "Sima has already seen through it, why bother asking again."

Cao Cao missed Guo Jia in his heart, especially at times like this.

Guo Jia likes to do things first and never lets Cao Cao worry, and the two of them can sleep together and talk all night long without any worries.

But Jia Xu was different. This man had a deep mind and hidden countless thoughts. He never wanted to surrender to Cao Cao. It was not easy to answer questions and answers. He usually reacted with "I know, you should know too".

This made Cao Cao very angry, but he couldn't bear it.

"Tell me about it." Cao Cao said calmly.

Jia Xu heard Cao Cao's anger, frowned, and said: "The incident happened in Yanzhou, and it was Sima's fault. But when it came to Luoyang, although it was mixed with all the complicated situations, in the final analysis, it was still the attitude of the palace."

"Continue." Cao Cao's tone was calm, with strong impatience in it.

Jia Xu turned to look at Cao Cao. Knowing that Cao's family was confiscated and exiled, it was a huge blow to him. He pondered for a while and said: "Based on my inference, His Majesty wants to take care of the Yingchuan Party, so he can only wrong Sima." ”

Cao Cao's expression remained unwavering, and he rode his horse as straight as a pine tree without any sway.

Seeing that Cao Cao refused to answer, Jia Xu had no choice but to say: "After all, your Majesty doesn't trust the general either."

This sentence seemed to touch Cao Cao. He raised his head slightly, looked at the north, and said, "Where is Youzhou?"

Jia Xu followed and looked over, saying: "Judging from what His Majesty just said, he has decided to pacify the north as soon as possible and defeat Wuhuan, and then Liangzhou can be easily solved. If my inference is correct, Sima will not return to the court after returning from victory. Instead, they will continue to implement the 'separation of military and political affairs' until the court is ready to order the generals to attack the Three Qiang."

Cao Cao's narrow eyes slowly narrowed, flashing with a strange light, and his frozen expression also changed subtly.

Jia Xu noticed that it was an expression of sudden enlightenment and understanding of something.

He thought carefully about what he had just said and said: "Sima, you must not take it lightly. Wuhuan's attack on the border this time is different from the past. If we can't hit him hard with one blow, once Wuhuan retreats, there will never be peace in Liaodong."

Jia Xu stared at Cao Cao's side face, suddenly changed his tone, and said calmly and meaningfully: "I think Liu Gong's appeasement policy is right. Sima, maybe we can make good friends with Wuhuan, Xianbei and other barbarians. clan.”

"Hahaha……"

Suddenly, Cao Cao laughed loudly, and his face bloomed, sweeping away the previous ice.

The laughter lasted for a long time, coming from the bottom of my heart and being extremely joyful.

Jia Xu was stunned by Cao Cao's smile and thought about his words again. It seemed that nothing could untie Cao Cao's knot and make him so happy.

Not far away, Cao Hong, Cao Ang and others also looked over with doubts on their faces, but they did not dare to step forward without orders and could only suppress their curiosity.

What did Jia Xu say to make their Sima so happy?

Cao Cao laughed for an unknown amount of time, then gradually calmed down his expression, stroking his beard, his eyes full of smiles.

Jia Xu was confused as to what could have caused Cao Cao to forget the pain of confiscating his home and guarding the border. After waiting for a while, he said, "Sima, what have you figured out?"

Cao Cao couldn't shake his smile, touched his beard, nodded and said: "Wen He, I figured out why your majesty did this."

"Oh, what's the reason?" Jia Xu asked. What was the reason that made Cao Cao so happy even though he didn't care about confiscating his family and being exiled?
Cao Cao did not point it out. He looked at the north, his narrow eyes flashing with cold light, and said calmly: "Wen He just said that he wanted to marry Wu Huan?"

Jia Xu observed Cao Cao's expression and said, "Yes, for emergencies."

Cao Cao glanced at him, his tone became more and more indifferent, and said: "Wen He still remembers what happened to those who advised me to rebel and stand on my own before, right?"

When Cao Cao was in Jizhou, Yanzhou, Qingzhou, and Yuzhou, more than one or two people persuaded him to stand on his own feet and pursue a great cause.

But without exception, they were all secretly executed by Cao Cao.

Jia Xu looked as usual, without any fear, and said: "Sima, the Cao family has been exiled to Liaodong, don't you want to find another way to make a living?"

Cao Cao's smile disappeared and he said expressionlessly: "Wen He, this is the first time you have said it, so I won't care about it. If it happens a second time, I will kill you without mercy!"

Jia Xu heard the words "cut without mercy" in the words "decided and decisive", full of murderous intent.

Cao Cao is not just talking, it is true. If Jia Xunzhen tries to persuade him again, he will be killed!
Jia Xu's expression moved. What had Cao Cao figured out? Why was he still so loyal to the court at this time?
Did your Majesty really make Cao Cao so afraid?
"Tell me how to pacify Wuhuan?" A smile appeared on Cao Cao's face again, looking north in the distance.

Jia Xu suppressed the complicated emotions in his heart and said: "Soldiers are very fast. Sima arrived at the fastest speed, and circled back to annihilate Wuhuan in one fell swoop!"

Cao Cao still approved of this tactic and said: "I want Gongsun Du to fake defeat and lure Wuhuan into the pass. How about it?"

"No!" Jia Xu directly objected, saying: "Sima must be decisive in this battle, and the court must not find another opportunity to attack. Once Sima shows his flaws, the old and new accounts will be settled together, and your Majesty will not be able to protect him even if he wants to. "

Cao Cao stroked his beard and suddenly shouted in a deep voice: "What you said makes sense. Order the whole army to go into battle lightly and advance at full speed!"

"Yes!" The soldiers behind him responded, waving their flags and running back.

Cao Cao's army moved in the blink of an eye and headed straight for Youzhou as fast as possible. Jia Xu, on the other hand, was still trying to figure out what Cao Cao was thinking.

This new lord's abilities are far superior to Dong Zhuo's, but his thoughts are also terrifyingly deep. Even if he's close at hand, he can't figure it out.

When Liu Bian was seeing Cao Cao off, a meeting was also held at the Shangshutai.

It is already the middle of the year, and there are too many things to summarize, especially the current priorities, 'regulating rivers', 'governing officials', 'taxation', 'farming', 'opening up wasteland', 'suppressing bandits' and so on.

The atmosphere in the Shangshutai conference hall was unprecedentedly harmonious, and all matters were passed with almost no obstacles.

Liu Cao and Jiu Temple cooperated unanimously without any noise.

After the meeting, Prime Minister Xun Yu began to make arrangements and decided to go to Bingzhou in person to supervise the progress of the "New Deal".

Zhong Yao and Xun You, the servants on the left and right, also planned to leave the capital. One rushed to Liangzhou and the other went to Yanzhou to appease him.

The chief officials of Liucaojiu Temple also have their own tasks. While nervously handling the tasks of various ministries and temples, they also plan to visit the capital.

The unity shown by the imperial court really shocked many people, and invisibly put great pressure on many people.

evening.

Kong Rong, the Minister of Taichang Temple, and Chen Lin, the Minister of Li Cao, came to the newly renovated "Maoyuan" together.

Kong Rong's plump and round face was full of smiles, and he smiled with Chen Lin and said: "Chen Shangshu, in my opinion, it can be activated this autumn."

Chen Lin observed the examination booths one by one and said: "The total number can accommodate 12,000 people taking exams at the same time. It is not easy for the workers to build them so quickly."

Kong Rong said with a heavy belly, "It is indeed not easy. I heard that Chen Shangshu personally came to supervise the work every now and then, and worked day and night on the renovation, which made it what it is today."

Chen Lin had a look of satisfaction on her face and said with a smile: "Mr. Kong, I heard that there are as many as 8,000 people applying for the exam this year?"

Kong Rong suddenly looked proud and said: "Not only that, but there are more on the way, which have not been recorded. By September, there may be ten thousand people. What the Shangshutai means is that at least one thousand people will be admitted this year. More than enough.”

In the past, it often happened that scholars resisted becoming officials and refused to listen to edicts. However, the situation has changed dramatically in the past two years. Scholars are rushing to become officials, and there are simply not enough official positions in the court.

Chen Lin nodded and said: "The intention of the Chancellery is to further eliminate some redundant official positions, and the 'rectification of officialdom' will definitely remove many lawless people. Generally speaking, the imperial court is still in urgent need of talents. ”

Kong Rong put his hands behind his back and looked at the rather simple and concise examination booth. He said as he walked: "But it still takes time. The attitude of the Shangshutai towards people who want to become officials is 'survival of the fittest and the mediocre will retire'. The big test will be done first, and the best will be selected." As for recruitment, we should start from the humble officials and advance to the top, while the mediocre will retire. If we want this group of people to become talented, it will not take more than ten or eight years.”

In the past, the Han Dynasty basically adopted the inspection method. To put it simply, one was 'recommendation' and the other was 'inspection'. Once admitted, they were often awarded 'important official positions', and many more were classified as Yifei. soaring.

The most famous ones are the various relatives.

The three current ministers, Zhong Yao, Xun You, and especially Prime Minister Xun Yu, are the biggest beneficiaries.

When Xun Yu entered the official position, he was in charge of the palace orders. He then resigned from the official position for a few years and then entered the official position as Cao Shangshu. Within a few years, he was promoted to the prime minister!
With only a few years in his official career, he became prime minister in his early thirties, which really shocked countless people, and also made countless people envious and looked forward to becoming the next one.

However, with the continuous restructuring of the imperial court, this "dream of soaring into the sky" was defeated, especially the established fact of the "big exam", for which countless scholars beat their chests and feet, and once launched a strong resistance.

Chen Lin glanced at Kong Rong and knew that this person was also opposed to the 'official entrance examination', but as Taichang Qing, he was forced not to openly oppose it, but could only express his vague yin and yang.

Chen Lin paced, did not answer, and said, "Have you found any good seeds?"

"there's a few,"

Kong Rong suddenly smiled and said: "Jia, Wang, Zhen, Cai, Xun, etc. all have Qilin sons, with outstanding talents and good conduct."

Chen Lin thought for a while, vaguely remembering a few juniors, and said: "Okay, I'll pay attention to it then. By the way, will the marking still be in Dongguan?"

Kong Rong nodded and said: "They are still here, but it is said that Duke Cai will be the chief reviewer this year, especially the 353 people in the top three. All of them must be evaluated by Duke Cai before they can be sent to the palace."

Mentioning Cai Yong, Chen Lin suddenly thought of something, looked at Kong Rong and asked, "Is His Highness going back to Beijing?"

Kong Rong was startled and thought of it in an instant. He nodded calmly and said, "It should be today."

Mentioning 'Your Highness', Chen Lin and Kong Rong remained tacitly silent, walking slowly side by side in Maoyuan.

In the Han Dynasty, both the government and the public had always had one thing in mind - the candidate for the Eastern Palace.

For this matter, there was a case of "Wang Yun plotting to establish a prince". As a result, Wang Yun was attacked by the Yi tribe. Almost all other people involved in the case were dismissed from office and driven out of Luoyang City, including His Highness's grandfather, Cai Yong.

Now, Cai Yong is going to serve as the marking officer for the college entrance examination. Is there any other deeper meaning in this?
Kong Rong thought for a while and suddenly said with a smile: "Chen Shangshu, this Mao Yuan is quite good and can be used for this year's college entrance examination. When the time comes, you and I will be the chief examiners. Please work together to find talents for the country."

"Naturally." Chen Lin reacted quickly and responded with a smile.

Although it was a knot in their hearts, no one dared to mention it again.

This is a taboo in the palace!
At this time, a small official hurried over, came to Chen Lin and whispered: "Shang Shu, the main hall is down."

Chen Lin's face changed slightly, and she also whispered: "Are you here specifically, or are you just passing by?"

The clerk said: "Mr. Cai is here too, and he is accompanied by the workman Chen Shangshu. He should be here."

Chen Lin's eyes flashed strangely and she looked at Kong Rong.

Kong Rong's fat face tightened slightly, he straightened his clothes and said, "Let's go and greet him."

Chen Lin nodded slightly, and with some thoughts in mind, she and Kong Rong walked towards the main entrance of Maoyuan.

Liu Shao was wearing regular clothes. Even in summer, he still looked like a chubby little boy. He had some baby fat at the corners of his face and small eyes. From the first glance, he looked like a simple and honest child.

Behind him are the white-haired Cai Yong and the seemingly cold-hearted Chen Gong.

"I have met His Highness," Chen Lin and Kong Rong stepped forward quickly and raised their hands in greeting.

Liu Shao looked up at the two of them and said in a gentle voice: "No courtesy."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Chen Lin and Kong Rong stood up and said.

Liu Shao waited for them to stand up, his fair and tender little face a little confused and curious, and said: "Has Maoyuan been built? Is it available this fall? Can the admission rate of Hongdu School be improved?"

Hongdu Menxue was originally built by Emperor Ling for his own preferences, and was a place dedicated to cultivating talents from the common people who were fond of calligraphy and painting.

After Liu Bian succeeded to the throne, he developed Hongdu Menxue into a school specifically for the common people. It has been mentioned on the same level as Taixue, and he has constantly tried to improve its status.

(End of this chapter)