Wei Ni

Chapter 105 Candied Fruit
Three days later, Nanque Simamen.

Xia Houhui, who brought Wang Yuanji home, came to knock on the que while it was still early.

The next day, he will bring his bride back to Wubao at the west end of Yangqu for a short stay. Naturally, he will also come to the palace to thank the emperor Cao Rui for his generous reward on the day of their marriage.

The Central Command Office is within Sima Gate.

With the convenience that the backbone general still belongs to the leader of the central government, he can directly enter the palace ban.

The soldiers guarding Simamen dared not and had no reason to stop them.

But he still chose to wait for the military pass.

The reason is that in just a few days, his name has spread to every corner in Luoyang. Even the old man Yun Yexiang knew that there is a general named Xia Houhui who is now the holy family Yulong, and he is the emperor when he welcomes his relatives. The army came to clear the way.

In other words, his actions are now being watched by others.

So it's best to wait for the report honestly, so as not to let others have a "favourite" leisure time.

Not long after, a young servant came over and invited him in.

He claimed that His Majesty was still in charge of government affairs in the East Hall, and then led him to the Chonghua Houdian to wait.

Chonghua Houdian is very small, almost adjacent to Tianyuan Pool. It was originally the place where Emperor Cao Rui bathed and changed clothes on the eve of the sacrifice. Occasionally, he would invite some of his confidants to have a banquet there, so it was very deserted at this time.

Even the halberd officers who were on duty outside were no more than three or two.

After the little servant who led the way left, Xia Houhui didn't enter without authorization, but found a shady place at random, and leaned on the railing to look at the frolicking birds hovering over Tianyuan Pool, feeling puzzled in his heart.

It's already the beginning of April, and the spring plowing in various places is enough, and the frontline soldiers are not active, and the Zhongshu Province and Shangshutai almost control the power of the temple. Why is it that the emperor is busy until noon?

Is it a matter of Bingzhou?

Or is it that the politics of recruiting talents is at odds again?
Since returning to Luoyang, Xia Houhui has also learned about new disputes in the temple recently from his mouth one after another.

Among them, the dispute over recruiting talents for the country is the most intense.

However, before the emperor Cao Rui took Jiang Ji as the main guard and Du Shu as the deputy to be in charge of the selection of the emperor's disciples. Now nearly a dozen people have been promoted one after another, and it is time to confer duties.

The original intention of the Son of Heaven was to send these people outside the prefectures and counties to serve as Fucheng or County Cheng, and also to picket some arbitrarily determined rural songs and rampant counties.

However, this move was strongly opposed by the temple princes.

The reason is that they feel that these people of humble origins suffered from injustice or bullying in their early years, so they also have a heart of revenge.Now that he is registered as a disciple of the Son of Heaven, and the power of picketing is released to the outside world, he may do something to vent his personal anger and disturb the common people because of his sudden success.

In this way, it is not conducive to the stability of the place.

Especially now that the two countries of Shu and Wu are still alive, and the border counties are frequently worried.

Therefore, they suggested that these disciples of the Son of Heaven should be appointed as Liao Zuo first, and then the actual authority would be granted after seeing their character and familiarity with local government affairs.

Emperor Cao Rui was unwilling to do this.

He took these people as officials, and originally wanted them to be cruel officials, as a knife to attack local arrogance.

If these people are allowed to serve as Liao Zuo first, it is tantamount to giving time for the aristocratic family to win over and corrupt these people with their glory and wealth, so how can he realize his intention?
The so-called transition from thrift to extravagance is easy, and from extravagance to thrift is difficult.

Although there is no lack of people with humble backgrounds who are strong-willed and consistent in their original intentions, they are a minority after all.

On the contrary, after experiencing the corruption of power and wealth, more and more people will become greedy and despicable people who seek self-interest.

So the emperor didn't want to give them a chance to fall.

Instead, they want to take advantage of the fact that they have just been promoted, and they still have gratitude to the king and indignation at the injustice of the world, so that they can be brave and live up to his expectations.

As for even so, it is inevitable that there will be fallen people.
Just bring it to justice.

The emperor Cao Rui originally regarded them as a knife. If the knife is not sharp enough to hurt people, it will be useless, so why keep it!

However, among the ministers who held objections, there was You Servant She Weizhen.

This makes it difficult for the emperor Cao Rui to stick to his views.

In the imperial court system, Jiang Ji, the general guarding the army, selects the military officers, while She Weizhen, the right servant, selects and recommends the officials.

Wei Zhen is more justifiable than Jiang Ji in terms of the appointment of the disciples of the emperor.

As a former minister of the half-hidden mansion, the reason why he objected was not because he didn't know the intentions of the emperor Cao Rui, nor was it because he was defending the nine-rank official system from being attacked, but because he felt that the time had come.

The border affairs are still hot, and the swordsmanship is not stopped. How can we add local disturbances?
This is his objection.

It is also the reason why the emperor Cao Rui did not forcefully promote it.

After all, Wei Zhen's remonstrance is very pertinent, and it is an old-fashioned way to seek the country, and there are also local rebellions in Wei State. If he insists on going his own way and stirs up the rebellion of Haoyou, the monarchy will be hit.

With the generals of the clan almost withered, he can no longer usher in turmoil in the country.

It's just that he doesn't want to give up.

So let this matter go on like this, causing the temple to argue from time to time.

But the pending decision means that the ministers and officials have fulfilled their wishes.

Xia Houhui was not surprised by this result at all.

Before the emperor Cao Rui, for his own selfishness, did not use Jiang Ji as a "tree of trust" to select cruel officials from the existing officials, but instead trained them from the emperor's disciples, he foresaw the result of opposition from the ministers of the Manchu Dynasty.

I just don't know if the emperor Cao Rui regretted this situation?
Xia Houhui didn't know.

Because the emperor Cao Rui did not intend to discuss this matter with him again.

In other words, at least the emperor would not have such thoughts until Xia Houhui resigned from the military affairs of Huainan Shouchun and returned to Luoyang.

When I was young, I drove to the rear hall of Chonghua.

But instead of stopping, let the attendant Zhao Xiahou Huisui enter Tianyuan Pool behind the car.

When Emperor Cao Rui got out of the car, before Xia Houhui could see the ceremony, he joked, "When the newlyweds were married, Zhiquan actually came to knock on the door to ask for an audience. Could it be that there is a shrew in the family who is not happy?"

"Returning to Your Majesty, Hui is indeed unhappy. But it's not because of the bride."

After paying homage respectfully, Xia Houhui got up to answer.

It also made Cao Rui pause for a while, looked back at him with doubts for a while, and then continued to walk towards the small pavilion in the middle of the lake, "Follow me."

"only."

The two walked slowly, and took their seats in the small pavilion.

Cao Rui, the emperor with a somewhat tired face, leaned on the pavilion fence and watched the birds for a long time. After the attendants put the food on the table one by one and left by themselves with sharp eyesight, he asked softly, "Let's talk about it." Let's go. Why does Zhiquan enter the palace, and why is it unsatisfactory?"

"only."

Xiahou Hui, who was sitting upright, cupped his hands and answered, "Go back to Your Majesty, Hui asked to see you, but came to thank His Majesty Long En. Unfortunately, Hui's small house in the west of the city welcomed many congratulators these two days, and Hui knew it. It turns out that Hui has so many friendly people in the capital. Hui spent twice as long as usual on the way to visit His Majesty in the palace today, and was busy making smiles back to others all the way, his face was stiff with laughter gone."

"Huh~"

For Xia Houhui's cryptic accusation that there are many followers of power in the capital, Emperor Cao Rui just chuckled and said nothing else.

But from the face that didn't have a half smile, it could be seen that he was in a bad mood at this time.

Because he had no intention of killing Xia Houhui.

When Xia Houhui was summoned at the Beimang Mountain Manor before, after hearing about the trivial matters of the marriage, he asked people to secretly pay attention to the marriage in order to find some fun.After learning that Xia Houhui's small house in the city was actually a gift from the Wang family, they gave a lot of money in the name of Wei Zhen, Zhen Xiang and others.

The idea is to let Xia Houhui have the money to build a house in the city.

Just like he gave Qin Lang a mansion before, it was because he never stingy rewards to those close to him.

And asking Xu Yi to lead the tiger guards to clear the way for Xiahouhui's welcoming team was to know that Xiahouhe, who invited the guests on his behalf, was bumping into walls everywhere, and even Xiahoumao and Xiahouxuan, who were from the same clan, made excuses not to go to congratulate.

That's why he thought of bestowing great honors on Xia Houhui, and came to warn the clans and the children of Qiao Pei's fathers not to have internal rifts. Thinking about the fact that the clan governors are now dying, they should unite and love each other, and strive to benefit the community.

Of course, now it seems that his efforts were wasted.

Yes, wasted effort.

What everyone didn't know was that in the past two days, he secretly asked the school officials to keep an eye on Xia Houhui's house, and write down the people who went to give gifts to Xia Houhui one by one.

The reason for doing this is because he has always remembered the words of the great Sima Cao Zhen when he was dying, "The defeat of an old minister may not necessarily be a bad thing for Sheji".I plan to take this opportunity to know which courtiers in the capital are flatterers, in case they can't be given important tasks in the future.

The effect is very significant.

He already has a list, many of whom are about to go out to graze and keep the place.

But he is not happy.

Because there are no descendants of the clan and princes of Xia on the list.

What he didn't expect was that even though he expressed his intentions very clearly, these clan children and the princes of Xia still didn't know what he expected; even Qin Lang, who was judged by the late great Sima Cao Zhen as "still usable", did not go to benefit Xiahou. Congratulations!
Don't they know that going to congratulate Xia Houhui is to let the officials know that the cornerstone of Cao Wei Sheji is still united, and that those who defend the monarchy are still united?

Obviously, they all know that the clan's prestige is declining now!

But no one considers it from the perspective of the community, let go of their own selfishness and act as a show!

There is no one who is "concerned about the king's worries"!
So, what joy is there in knowing a flatterer?
Even the descendants of the clan and Qiao Pei Yuanxun are more selfish than benefiting the community!

Ugh.
I sighed quietly in my heart.

Emperor Cao Rui picked up a candied fruit and chewed it slowly in his mouth.

This candied fruit is made of preserved green plums soaked in honey and boiled and dried. The pickling is not well prepared, and the pulp is slightly sour, and the honey smells burnt, which is a bit unpalatable.

However, if you just hold it in your mouth, it will be delicious.

So he picked up another one and put it in his mouth.

Some things are often the same as candied fruit, and the taste will be different if you eat it differently.

Cao Rui, the emperor who calmed his thoughts, also remembered his plan to transfer Xia Houhui back to Luoyang when he sent Cao Zuan to Huainan earlier—in order for Xia Houhui to accumulate qualifications as soon as possible so that he could become a pawn in promoting reform and rectifying current malpractices. And come forward to play games with the officials on his behalf.

Now, it is a good thing that Luoyang scholars all know about Xiahou Huisheng's relative Shenglong.

Thinking of this, after he swallowed the candied fruit whole, he looked up at Xia Houhui, a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, breaking the silence in the small pavilion, "Is it enough to make juvenile power honorable by sending the tiger guards to clear the way?"

What is there to be proud of?
I wish you didn't send Tiger Guards to put me on the stove!

Thinking secretly in his heart, Xiahou Hui with drooping eyes and resting his mind hastily cupped his hands and answered, "Return to Your Majesty, Hui thinks it's not true."

Ok?
Hearing the answer that was completely opposite to what he thought, the emperor Cao Rui was stunned for a moment.

He was about to ask a question, but was preempted by Xiahou Hui, "Your Majesty, the Hui clan and the country share weal and woe, and there is no joy in the way of the Tiger Guards. I only hope that your majesty will work hard to rule the world, and complete the great cause of the world, so that Hui can be attached to the tail , the name is listed in the history, so it is an honor!"

"Childish words, great kindness! Hahaha~"

After hearing this, Cao Rui clapped his hands and laughed, and even the tired look on his face faded a lot.

Xia Houhui didn't smile.

Because he didn't say such things to flatter Cao Rui.

Instead, he waited for Cao Rui to smile happily, then changed the subject and poured cold water on Cao Rui, "However, Your Majesty, Hui secretly thinks that with the current state of affairs, the emperor may be in trouble everywhere."

After all, I first stated that five Taishan retinue migrators came to settle in Wubao at the west end of Yangqu, and became his tenants and hermits of the imperial court.Then he changed the subject and said that the five retinues had brought nine families; the four extra families were willing to give up their citizenship and become vassals because they could not bear heavy taxes and frequent corvee.

With the intelligence of the emperor Cao Rui, of course he knew that Xia Houhui was not pleading guilty for hiding the population.

Instead, he was telling him a fact——

Now the taxes in the Wei State are too heavy, and the livelihood of the common people is difficult; therefore, they would rather be the tenants of the rich and powerful than the peasants of the Wei State!
And this kind of thing is a vicious cycle.

If taxes are not lowered, there will be more common people in Li and common people who choose to become powerful and powerful.

However, the more powerful and rich are attached to the right, the government will get less taxes, and the Wei State will have to increase taxes in order to conquer, and then force more Li Shu to become hermits.
So Cao Rui restrained his face and kept silent again, he took the candied fruit and put it in his mouth.

And chew it.

The reason is that he suddenly realized that changing the way of eating can't change the fact that the candied fruit is not well preserved, and the way of eating it with a mouthful and then swallowing it is very likely to choke himself.

"Your Majesty, since the establishment of Emperor Wudi, there have been constant swords and soldiers in the world, and our Wei State has been fighting endlessly for years, and there is hardly any time to rest with the people. Our Wei State has inherited the destiny of the Han Dynasty, and we should take the old Han Dynasty as a warning. .Although there are still Shu and Wu in our country of Wei today, and there is a rebel Ke Bi Neng and Gongsun Yuan in the country, who cannot save the power of the people and weaken the military power. , Your Majesty should plan to follow the hearts of the people."

(End of this chapter)