Wei Ni

After working together for decades, Liu Fang knew Sun Zi's personality very well.

He has always been the one who acted radically, but who would have thought that Sun Zi would change his cautious approach and propose to join the game himself.

Although, Liu Fang also knew that Sun Zi's suggestion was not made on impulse.

Instead, Xiahou Huisu was already excluded by the Xiahou Cao clan, and was about to take away the cheese of the aristocratic families and offend countless court officials. If the two of them showed enough goodwill at this critical juncture, they would definitely be able to get along well with them and form an alliance of interests in the future.

Giving timely assistance is definitely more valuable than adding icing on the cake.

But what puzzled Liu Fang was, was it worth it to serve a reckless man like Xiahou Hui?
It is true that they are old, and they have seized too much power and offended many people in recent years, so they need to consider the issue of retreat. However, Emperor Cao Rui is in his prime!

With the Emperor Cao Rui's nature of treating old ministers well, the two of them don't need to worry about being liquidated when they retire.
Why get involved in new disputes?
In their current position, Xiahou Hui can't help them with anything, nor do they need Xiahou Hui's help. So shouldn't they adhere to the principle of "less trouble is worse than more" and stay out of it and watch from the sidelines?

Furthermore, if Xiahou Hui was really criticized by everyone, it would be a good thing for them.

Didn't it attract the criticisms of the ministers?

They only need to keep a low profile and gradually allay the resentment of the court officials about the "exclusive appointment" so that they can get away with it in the future.

This is the way to take advantage of the situation and plan for your own benefit!

Why bother getting involved and only causing trouble?

"Mr. Sun, I cannot agree with this matter."

After being stunned, Liu Fang shook his head, his tone gentle but resolute, "You and I have been favored by His Majesty for many years, and there are countless jealous people. We should not cause more trouble. Lord Sun just said that you and I are both old, and we should seek a way to retire, and we should also consider our descendants. After all, you and I are both scholars, and this cannot be changed!"

I am just thinking about it for my descendants.
Sun Zi retorted in his heart and remained silent.

He was also familiar with Liu Fang's character. His words "You and I are both scholars" meant that his mind could not be changed.

Yes, how could the people of Qiaopei, who stood up for the monarch, have eternal interests with the scholars?

Wasn’t Xun Yu wronged in the past?

With the passing of Si Tu Chen Qun, how much power do the Yingchuan scholars, who in their early years had power to compete with the Xiahou and Cao clans, have in the government now?

Because of their different backgrounds, we are destined to be different people.

This was Liu Fang's basis and a fact that Sun Zi could not refute.

Seeing that he remained silent for a long time, Liu Fang softened his tone and persuaded him, "I know that Lord Sun is also thinking about his descendants, and he was inspired by the fact that Ding Mi was previously made a marquis. It's just that letting his descendants get rid of the shackles of official career is not something that Xiahou Zhiquan can do! Lord Sun, don't you forget that when you were a few years old, the Grand Commandant returned to the capital from Chang'an."

Borrowing Sima Yi's power?

As the only remaining regent minister who had supervised Jingxiang and Yongliang, his identity was more sensitive than Xiahou Hui's!
As the Xiahou and Cao clans declined, Sima Yi's achievements surpassed his master's.

How could Emperor Cao Rui allow you and me to have anything to do with him!

"Ah~"

Sun Zi sighed inaudibly and compromised, "Lord Liu, how about this? I will go to Xiahou Zhiquan to ask for advice, and you will wait for the Grand Commandant to return to the court. How do you think?"

It's not a bad idea to diversify your investments.

Liu Fang hesitated for a moment, and finally nodded slowly, "Okay."

Central Guard Officers Office.

It was the third day since Xiahou Hui took office.

During these three days, he, Sima Chenqian, who had come to take up his posts earlier, and his aide Ding Mi carefully reviewed the information of all the low-level military officers in the central army.

My eyes are dry and my mind is tired.

It is so painful to record things on bamboo slips!
Not only was the content of a scroll of bamboo slips not much, but it was all written in tiny handwriting. In addition, the resume and achievements of each low-level military officer were only mentioned briefly, and one would always have to check other documents or ask other people to find out the details.

I don’t know how Jiang Ji managed to survive back then.

Or, in other words, Jiang Ji had previously ignored the resumes and achievements of generals and officers at all levels, and his promotion and demotion were determined only by the amount of silk they received.

However, the hard work was not in vain.

At least on the table placed on Xiahou Hui's desk, there were densely written the names of more than a dozen generals and their supervisors, among which the names of four people were circled in cinnabar ink.

They all have resumes and achievements that do not match their official positions.

Those who are in the circle of celebrities are suspected of being unqualified and occupying positions without any merit.

If Xiahou Hui wanted to make some big moves as a new official, these people would be the first choice to make an example of them.

At least that's what Chen Qian and Ding Mi thought.

Otherwise, why would these three people spend so much time burying themselves in paperwork?
"As for the young power, the promotion and dismissal, etc., we still need to work out them slowly."

Chen Qian, who had dark circles under his eyes and had spent three days in the government office without returning home, did not feel happy after sorting out the information about the generals and subordinates. Instead, he had a trace of worry between his eyebrows. "Guanglu Xun has been in office for more than ten years. As soon as he was transferred, Zhiquan took drastic measures. I am afraid that we will hardly see each other in the future. Of course, those who are just sitting there doing nothing should not be kept, so as not to let down your majesty's grace. In my opinion, it would be better to keep it secret for now, collect the evidence of these people's incompetence in private, and then report to the court to dismiss them. In this way, there will be evidence to follow, and Guanglu Xun will not think that Zhiquan is deliberately making things difficult for him." "Sima Chen is right."

Ding Mi, who also had messy hair and a greasy face, echoed Xiahou Hui before he could speak, "Now that the position of the Central Commander is vacant, and Zhiquan's position is under control in the Central Army, we should be cautious in everything and not give others an excuse to criticize Zhiquan for being arbitrary. Moreover," he lowered his voice, "Guanglu Xun is trusted by your majesty, no less than Zhiquan. If Zhiquan is eager for success and has a conflict with him, it is not what your majesty wants."

"Haha~"

Xiahou Hui, who had just folded the registration paper and put it into his sleeve, was rubbing his nose to relieve his fatigue. Hearing their persuasion, he couldn't help laughing and jokingly said, "Could it be that in your minds, I am the kind of person who is eager to seek help as soon as something happens?"

Well, just telling the truth.

If it's not you, then what can it be?

Chen Qian and Ding Mi were exhausted and could not find the humor in this joke at all.

This also made Xiahou Hui look a little embarrassed.

"Cough, cough."

After coughing a few times to ease the embarrassment, he nodded and said seriously, "Don't worry, I know the pros and cons. At least until we are familiar with the situation, we will not touch them."

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"good."

"So best."

This time, Chen Qian and Ding Mi responded.

"Well, Sima Chen's suggestion is very good."

Xiahou Hui thought for a moment, then looked at Chen Qian and said, "I am also the Minister of the Secretariat, and I have other things to do recently, so I am afraid that I will not have much time in the office in the future; Yan Jing has no official position and is not convenient to act, and the Zhonglang has not yet taken office. I can only trouble Sima Chen to take on the task of collecting evidence of their incompetence."

Chen Qian was slightly startled, then nodded solemnly, "Okay."

Because Xiahou Hui's words meant that the affairs of the Central Guard Military Office would be managed by him.

Although the final decision-making power on matters still lies in Xiahou Hui's hands, this level of delegation of power and trust is by no means something that a confidant can deserve.

He is not a confidant, but he is trusted by the confidant.

Even though he knew that this move might be an attempt to win people's hearts, Chen Qian was still somewhat moved.

Especially before he came to take up the post, his father-in-law Chen Jiao told him some things in private.

For example, when he accompanied the emperor to Huainan before, he witnessed with his own eyes the results of the reforms of the scholar family and the reaction of the emperor Cao Rui; and when Chen Qian was transferred to the position of Zhenhu General Sima, Cao Rui privately revealed to him words.

"The emperor is about to give a great responsibility to Xiahou Zhiquan, and you are the one chosen by the emperor. I have tried my best to decline this matter, but it cannot be changed. Whether your participation in this will be a blessing or a curse for our family, your father is old and it will be difficult for him to see. My son has always been scheming and good at making changes. It is up to you to choose whether to serve the public or to serve wholeheartedly."

This was Chen Jiao's earnest advice.

Since that night, Chen Qian has felt a heavy burden on his shoulders.

The blessings and disasters of the relationship made him feel both repulsive and happy about Xiahou Hui's kindness, and he was extremely conflicted.

After the war against Gongsun Yuan in Liaodong, he was inclined to assist wholeheartedly. Especially since this was originally arranged by Emperor Cao Rui, he was also loyal to the emperor.

But the key is!

He still doesn't know what the emperor wants Xiahou Hui to do!
How dare he do that when he doesn't even have a basis for judging right or wrong?
However, Xiahou Hui continued to show his goodwill and was willing to give him power and trust.
It was his duty, and he had no reason to refuse.

But if he does not refuse, over time, I am afraid that all the officers in the Central Guard Officers' Office will regard him as Xiahou Hui's confidant.

This feeling is really frustrating.

Chen Qian suddenly had an urge to return home immediately and consult his family members.

"Although it is inconvenient for Yan Jing to act in the office, he can also take advantage of helping to sort out the documents to privately observe other officers who are not listed to see if they have violated any discipline."

Xiahou Hui, who was unaware that Chen Qian was upset by the move to delegate power, had already set his sights on Ding Mi. "I have already submitted a memorial to recommend the position of Zhonglang. Your Majesty should not reject it. This person is Yu Song Yu Shumao, and Yan Jing should have heard of him. He is talented and can be trusted. After he takes office, if Yan Jing has any inconvenience, he can discuss it with him."

"Yu Shumao from Chenliu? I've heard of this man. Don't worry, Zhiquan."

Hearing this, Ding Mi tilted his head slightly, thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

After that, he looked around for a while before lowering his voice and asking, "It's just Zhiquan, other officers whose resumes and achievements are in line with their duties should not be observed, right? If the matter is exposed, it will be bad for your reputation."

Can't you discuss this issue of whether or not to eliminate dissidents now without me noticing?
In response to this, Chen Qian next to him drooped his eyelids, feeling angry again.

But the ears stood up quietly and involuntarily.

"Yan Jing, don't think too much."

Xiahou Hui smiled and shook his head. "In the army, those who have made great contributions may not necessarily be suitable generals. I just want to select generals and officers, promote the capable ones and demote the mediocre ones, regardless of family background or past, and strive to make the best use of their talents. As for those who have made great contributions but are mediocre, recommend them to be transferred to the prefectures and counties, and do not give up their achievements." (End of this chapter)