Wei Ni

With Xiahou Xuan's departure, the tavern loft fell silent again.

Wei Zhen, who had been drinking by himself, seemed to have had enough. He casually moved the wine cup to the corner of the table, lowered his head and picked out dried fruits. He looked so careful as if he was panning for gold in the yellow sand.

Xiahou Hui waited calmly for the other party to speak first.

An old bureaucrat at Wei Zhen's level would never do anything without a purpose.

No matter if it was just now when he intervened and persuaded him to let Shi Jian go, or when he asked him to wait for a moment when they met on the road.

However, Xiahou Hui was really unsure about what the person in front of him was up to. Instead of asking proactively, it would be better to use caution to avoid being led by the other party.

However, there is one thing he can be sure of: Wei Zhen has no intention of harming him.

Because Wei Zhen was also the son of a founding father of the Wei State, but his native place was not Qiaopei. In many things, the two of them were in the same trench.

Especially Wei Zhen held a very high official position.

As long as his longevity is not a problem, it is inevitable that he will be one of the three highest officials in the future.

Therefore, the rewards given to him by Wei State were very generous, and there would be no conflict of interest between him and Xiahou Hui. On the contrary, he hoped that people like Xiahou Hui who could benefit the country could establish a solid foundation in the temple as soon as possible.

"Hey~"

After a while, Wei Zhen finally broke the silence.

He looked up at Xiahou Hui with interest and asked, "I have been nosy and have interfered with Zhiquan's affairs for no reason. Zhiquan must be very confused about this. Why don't you ask me why I am nosy?"

I'm waiting for you to speak first.
The matter has been settled. I have listened to the advice and made a concession. I asked Xiahou Xuan to pass the message to Shi Jian. There is no chance to force out the person behind the plot. Your excuse is not important.
Furthermore, everything has its pros and cons.

Following your advice, I did Xiahou Xuan a favor, which planted a seed for Cao Shuang.

Regardless of whether this seed can take root and sprout, it will make him feel uncomfortable for a while.

You know, half of those who were dismissed by the Fuhua case gathered around Cao Shuang because of the recommendation of Xiahou Xuan and He Yan. This group of people, all of them are eager to pursue official careers, and are the best at fighting for power and intrigue. They are not easy to deal with!

"Duke Wei taught me with kind words, which shows his love for me. Why do you say he is meddling in other people's affairs?"

Xiahou Hui smiled and bowed, saying, "And Duke Wei is the pillar of our Wei State. He has his own reasons for doing things. Although I don't understand, I won't be anxious and anxious to find an explanation. If Duke Wei is willing to explain, I will listen attentively; if not, I dare not make a fuss as stupid as I am."

"Haha~ Zhiquan, don't provoke me with words."

Wei Zhen couldn't help but shook his head and laughed, "If you are stupid, how can you suppress the rebellion in Liaodong?"

He paused for a moment, then sighed, "Everyone in the government and the public thinks that Zhiquan is a rough man in the court, but now it seems that he is not worthy of the name!"

In response, Xiahou Hui smiled and said nothing.

Wei Zhen didn't point at him to be modest or to make excuses. He picked up a piece of dried fruit and put it in his mouth, chewing it slowly. The smile on his face gradually faded, and after he swallowed it, he said this.

"Your Majesty has trusted me and I am now the Right Prime Minister, in charge of elections. Since Wang Ji left to serve as a governor, the position of the Secretary of State has been vacant. It's not that Wei lacks talented people and there is no one available. I, the Shangshu Jian and the Ling, as well as other ministers, have all recommended talents to fill the vacancy, but Your Majesty has not approved them. So, I and others all know that Your Majesty has already chosen someone."

At this point, Wei Zhen looked over and said, "When Zhiquan returned from Liaodong, Your Majesty told me privately that the Zhongshu Jian and Ling Shu were capable of handling the affairs and had enough energy, and that the vacancy of Zhongshu Shilang could be filled by one person."

He also holds the post of Zhongshu Shilang~
Doesn't this coincide with my previous self-speculation?

Xiahou Hui's eyes flashed with understanding, but he still tried to ask, "What does Duke Wei mean?"

He stopped talking halfway.

For things like this, the meaning can be conveyed without having to say it out loud.

And Wei Zhen also nodded slightly.

Then he continued, "Zhi Quan has made great achievements and is not lacking in talent and knowledge, but he has been in the army for a long time and has hardly been involved in the affairs of the court, so it is difficult for him to win the support of the people. If I had recommended him and only assumed the duties concurrently, the officials in the court would not have rejected your majesty's wishes. However, if Zhi Quan insisted on venting his anger today and caused a Shangshu Lang to die on the street, causing public discussion, it would surely fail! It would also be a betrayal of your majesty's kindness! This is why I just said too much and made Zhi Quan protect his reputation."

That's it!

Xiahou Hui immediately understood.

He knew that Wei Zhen had already put it very tactfully, saying "caused controversy among the government and the public."

To put it bluntly, the ministers and officials should all rise up to resist and ask Emperor Cao Rui not to act on his own.

The reason was that Xiahou Hui killed Shi Jian out of anger, which broke the rules.

Just ask yourself, who would dare to work with a person who, when a conflict occurs, throws out a few of his troops to kill people?
If he dares to kill the Shangshulang today, he will dare to kill the Shangshu tomorrow! How can such a person not make all the officials feel insecure when he enters the central government?
For the sake of their lives, it would be strange if all the officials did not come together to ask Emperor Cao Rui for orders.

"I will never forget the love and care Lord Wei has given me."

Xiahou Hui immediately stood up and saluted solemnly, "I have been in the army for a long time, and I am used to be crude and vulgar, so I almost ruined your majesty's plan. Now Duke Wei has spoken to me, I am very fortunate!"

"Oh, Zhiquan, don't be sentimental."

Wei Zhen shook his head and said frankly, "I am not thinking about Zhiquan, but for my own sake. If Zhiquan does not listen to my advice and kills his officials privately, I will not be able to promote Zhiquan to be the Minister of the Central Secretariat in the court. If so, I will not be able to complete the instructions of Your Majesty."

uh~
You are quite honest.

So honest that I don't know how to respond~
Xiahou Hui didn't know what to say for a moment, so he let out a few fake laughs, then raised his wine cup and drank to cover up his embarrassment.

However, after a moment, he reacted.

Wei Zhen only persuaded him to let Shi Jian go because the opportunity arose, but he had not yet told him the important matter that he was waiting for!

"I have long heard that Lord Wei has a straightforward personality. Today, I can say that I have finally gotten to know him. However, Lord Wei's advice finally saved me from being criticized by others. I should keep it in mind."

After exchanging pleasantries, Xiahou Hui asked, "Well, we just met outside. Duke Wei asked me to wait for him. What instructions do you have? Please give me your instructions."

"It's not really an order, just a casual chat."

Hearing this question, Wei Zhen answered casually, but his eyes when looking at Xiahou Hui became complicated.

It seemed like there was a hint of helplessness in his words. He also threw a few dried fruits into his mouth and chewed them very quickly and vigorously.

this.
It seems like there is no intersection between you and me, right?

Why do I feel like you want to chew me like a dried fruit?
For a moment, Xiahou Hui was at a loss and didn't know how to continue the "chat".

Fortunately, Wei Zhen's expression soon recovered as he said slowly, "Zhi Quan petitioned the court to grant Ding Mi a title based on his military merits. Your Majesty asked the public to discuss it, and I was among them. However, because everyone had different opinions and the year was coming to an end, it was put on hold for the time being. At that time, Zhi Quan's uncle Wang Ziyong also happened to be present. He should have told you what happened, right?"

Sure enough, it’s because of this matter!
Xiahou Hui said this in his heart, and nodded slightly, "Replying to Lord Wei, my uncle did tell you. Although Lord Wei has a negative opinion on this, that is also in accordance with the law of the court. I have no objection to Lord Wei."

"Of course I speak honestly and impartially!" Xiahou Hui was interrupted by Wei Zhen before he could finish his words.

He stared with his eyes wide open, his beard trembling, and he obviously misunderstood what Xiahou Hui said. "Does Zhiquan think that I came to you to explain the reason?"

I don’t have such thoughts!

But if you want to explain, I have no objection.

After being slightly stunned for a moment, Xiahou Hui smiled bitterly and apologized, "Lord Wei, you misunderstood. That was not my intention."

"Modo said so."

Waving his hands impatiently, Wei Zhen took a breath and his expression returned to normal. "I have done my duty as a minister to persuade Ding Mi to be granted a title for his military merits. As for the final result, it is up to your majesty to decide. I mentioned this matter only to say that your majesty has summoned you to discuss twice, and the last time Chen Shizhong was absent due to illness. I believe Zhiquan also knows that your majesty has always been lenient and generous to old and important ministers, so he also feels that he should not trouble Chen Shizhong with trivial matters."

Why did it turn to the Minister Chen Jiao again?
Xiahou Hui felt increasingly confused.

He knew that the Minister of the Interior Chen Jiao was in poor health and often fell ill and took sick leave.

But what does this have to do with me?

Seeing that he still didn't understand, Wei Zhen added a reminder, "Several years ago, the traitor Sun Quan of Wu invaded, and Your Majesty led the army in person. Minister Chen also accompanied him to Huainan. Has Zhiquan forgotten?"

The scholar family changes!

The answer suddenly popped up in Xiahou Hui's mind.

Because Emperor Cao Rui had gone to Huainan before, he also specially inspected the situation of the new army of the Shijia Army, and launched the Shijia Reform on a large scale in Huainan. Deng Ai's "On Crossing the River" was not only implemented, but he was also promoted to Xuzhou to be in charge of farming, filling the vacancy of General Gao Qian who died in battle.

According to the style of Emperor Cao Rui, it is impossible for him to make these decisions without consulting Chen Jiao who was with the army at the time.

From this we can also infer that Shizhong Chen Jiao supported the reforms of the scholar family.

Now, Wei Zhen suddenly mentioned that the health of the attendant Chen Jiao was worrying, and the emperor Cao Rui could not bear to trouble him; in addition, the emperor had previously privately told him that after returning from the expedition to Liaodong, he would still be in charge of the reform of the Shijia.
Combining the two, Wei Zhen's meaning is expressed very clearly.

After all, the attendant Chen Jiao was known for his impartiality and integrity in the court, and he once stopped the emperor Cao Rui from entering the Secretariat.

Wei Zhen's reputation and character are roughly similar to Chen Jiao's.

Emperor Cao Rui could not bear to see the sick Minister Chen Jiao work too hard, so he wanted Wei Zhen to take his place.

In the private understanding between Emperor Cao Rui and Xiahou Hui, promoting the reform of the scholar families was only a starting point; using it to leverage the Wei court to reform the administration of officials was the real deal.

Therefore, Emperor Cao Rui wanted to use Xiahou Hui as a swordsman and a vanguard.

Now that the vanguard of the charge had been decided, Cao Rui naturally had to arrange for an important official in the court who could withstand the pressure from all the officials and the secret mischief of the aristocratic families to be included in the list.

No wonder there was helplessness and displeasure in the look he gave me just now.

No matter who is thrown out to bear the brunt of the thunder, it is inevitable to be angry~
He could not harbor any resentment towards Emperor Cao Rui, but why should he be polite to himself, the instigator of the incident?

"Does Zhiquan seem to understand?"

Seeing Xiahou Hui's face full of realization, Wei Zhen asked.

"Ah."

With a slight nod, Xiahou Hui lip-synched the four words "Scholars' Reform".

"Yes, that's it."

Wei Zhen also nodded, and then said, "Not long ago, I took leave to return to my hometown to worship my ancestors, and Your Majesty told me about this privately. After the beginning of spring, the court will transfer Zhiquan's official position, and you and I will start working together."

"It is my good fortune to be able to serve under Duke Wei."

This time, Xiahou Hui smiled and bowed, "I hope Duke Wei will not think I am stupid and teach me more."

"Alas, it is my misfortune to work with Zhiquan!"

But Wei Zhen did not appreciate it. Instead, he shook his head and sighed. He was just sighing, and even scolded him, "Control your temper! Things like abandoning your troops and killing Shangshulang today, you must not do it again! Otherwise, I will not let others rush to impeach you first!"

"only."

Xiahou Hui smiled and accepted the instruction respectfully. "I will definitely keep the Duke of Wei's words in mind."

Wei Zhen just snorted, obviously not believing it.

Xiahou Hui not only didn't care about this, but his smile became even brighter.

Because he himself doesn't believe it.

It is impossible for him to restrain himself. He was still counting on this opportunity to serve the emperor as a knife and carve out a smooth path to defend the country!
When there is no one to carry the bomb, he will risk his life without regard for his own safety; if someone helps him to carry the bomb, he will become even more aggressive and will fight to the death as long as he survives!

The next day, Mao Shi.

In front of the palace of Lingzhi Hou in Luoyang, the capital.

The four men, who looked very strong and were dressed like the Xianbei people, stood in front of the mansion with their heads held high, looking down on people in a rude and impolite manner.

Shangshu Lang Shi Jian, with a look of grief and indignation on his face, was bowing and apologizing to each of them one by one under the gaze of a group of scholars and court officials.

Between damaging his reputation and saving his life, he ultimately chose the latter.

Although he knew very well that it would be difficult for him to make friends in the future.

The contemptuous whispers of the onlookers had already foreshadowed this, but his career had just begun and he did not want to get Xiahou Hui covered in blood.

He could only keep comforting himself in his heart.

There are stories about Goujian sleeping on firewood and tasting gall, Han Xin suffering the humiliation of being kicked in the crotch, Sima Qian suffering castration, etc.

Yes, he has no remorse.

Things have happened, and whether you regret it or not is of no use in reality.

Moreover, he still feels that he has a promising future.

He had already provoked Xiahou Hui at the instruction of that nobleman, and he had to bear the consequences alone when Xiahou Hui retaliated against him. This was enough to prove to that nobleman that he could be regarded as a confidant and was worthy of promotion!

As long as his career gets some help, he will have a chance to avenge his shame in the future. (End of this chapter)