Plan to cut off the nine states

Zhou Lu was an insatiable person. He received an article for nothing, but he was not very grateful. Instead, he was picky and picky. Early the next morning, he knocked on the door again, holding up the article and saying: "Master Lou, this article is yours." There is something wrong with the article.”

Lou Chu was stunned, Zhou Lu took the opportunity to bypass him, entered the courtyard and went straight to the house, asking the old servant of the Lou family to make tea, put the manuscript on the table, turned to the original author who followed him and said: "First of all, the number of articles is too few. Well, it’s just one thing, ‘Utilize the people and take advantage of the time’, so there are ten or eight of them. As far as I know, others have at least three.”

Lou Chu didn't know whether to laugh or cry, "That's it."

"A few more additions will only take an hour or two for Mr. Lou."

Lou Chi shook his head, "'Utilizing the people and taking advantage of the time' means that you should not run the country too hastily. It is right to pacify the frontiers, to eradicate thieves, to build palaces, to dig rivers, etc., but they cannot be done at the same time. They must be done first and then later. , There must be tension and relaxation. The people's power must not be exhausted, otherwise the country will decline; the people's support must not be completely lost, otherwise the country will be in chaos..."

Zhou Lu listened blankly, took a sip of the tea brought by the old servant, and asked, "Just add two more to make three."

Lou Chu laughed angrily, "Don't you understand? I suggest that the court decentralize the execution of political affairs to save people's energy. Of course, my own articles should set an example: one article is one, no one cares about this one, I will not write the second article. "

Zhou Lu finally came to his senses, "Oh, that's it, you... didn't write it clearly."

"Why talk nonsense when it's obvious?"

Zhou Lu sneered and stood up suddenly, "In that case, I'll take my leave first. I'll treat you to a treat in a few days and let's have a few drinks."

When Zhou Lu went out, he did not see the guests off on the floor. Instead, an old servant of the family sent them to the gate. When he came back, he said: "Young Master, I'm not too talkative. This Young Master Zhou is rich and powerful. Who in the school wouldn't want to make friends with you? Young Master?" The boss is no longer young, so he should find a way out for himself..."

Lou Chu was surprised. Although the old servant had taken care of him for many years, he was still a master and servant. The two rarely communicated with each other and never spoke unless necessary. He didn't even know the old servant's last name.

"Other young masters are already married and have careers. Young Master, you...well, I don't understand what imprisonment is, but I think, the young master is the son of a general, so there is no way out? As long as you care in your heart and associate with useful people, There is always a way.”

"Master Ma is not considered a 'useful person'?" Lou Chu asked with a smile.

"Master Mahou is good, but... forget it, I am a servant, how can I make irresponsible remarks on my master's friends?"

"There are no outsiders here. You and I don't treat each other as masters and servants. If you have anything to say, you can say it directly."

The old servant scratched his head and said, "I just said it casually. Don't take it to heart, sir, let alone tell it to Master Mahou."

"Don't tell."

The old servant scratched his head again, "Master Mahou... what should I say? I had a drink with his servants, and they all said that their master has good character and is not talented at all, but..."

"Just what?"

The old servant thought for a long time and then said: "How do you say this word? What is high, what is far..."

"Are you so ambitious?"

"Yes, everyone thinks that Mr. Mahou is too ambitious and not a down-to-earth person."

"Haha, Mr. Ma's ancestor was the emperor of the previous dynasty, so he is naturally more ambitious than others."

"It's great that my ancestors were emperors, but there's no need to talk about it all the time. After all, this is no longer the previous dynasty. The emperor's surname is Zhang, not Ma. Young Master, you are different. It seems that you are afraid that others will know that you are The general’s son.”

Lou Chu was slightly startled, "Is it because of this?"

"You have to be down-to-earth. If you want to fly to the sky, won't it be chaos? The young master should associate more with his brothers, or find a serious future with people like Mr. Zhou." The old servant became more and more enthusiastic as he spoke, sighed and advised He said: "Young master, be satisfied. With your back to the big tree of Lou's house, you still have to worry about the lack of shade? If you still feel wronged by being born in such a family, why don't people like us have to throw ourselves into the river, hang ourselves, or wipe our necks?"

The old servant put away the teapot and teacups on the table, "Please be careful if you speak harshly or rationally. I will never talk too much in the future."

"I quite like hearing what you say, but - everyone has his or her own ambitions."

"I don't understand the young master's ambitions. I just feel that the young master hasn't even decided on a marriage yet, so I'm worried about you."

"I'm only eighteen years old."

"Others even have children when they are eighteen."

"What about you? You got married when you were eighteen?"

The old servant laughed dryly, "I really got married when I was eighteen? It's a pity that my life was not good. My wife died within two years, and I didn't leave a son and a half. I was left alone to survive until today."

"Why not remarry?"

"Hey, we servants have other ways of living, which the young master cannot understand. I have a lot of work that I haven't done yet." The old servant left in a hurry.

There were no classes in the Yuxue Hall, and Lou Chu was studying at home. He didn't go out or go to Ma Wei's place for several days, until that afternoon, someone came to summon him to attend the election hall.

He arrived earlier this time. The general and his staff had not yet arrived. More than thirty children of the Lou family were chatting. They were talking about the military situation in Qin and Bing states. They envied the generals who were sent to suppress the bandits, thinking that they would be able to make great achievements. It's a pity that I couldn't get such an opportunity.

Lou Chi walked slowly among the crowd, approaching his brother who was in charge.

His name was Lou Shuo, Xing Qi, who specialized in managing household affairs. At this time, he was talking to several close brothers. His father was not around, and he looked much taller than usual. "Liang Taifu's grandson did not become a general. He was very angry. One day He had already gone to the palace to slander His Majesty and slander the general, but he waited for a whole day without even entering the palace gate. He also ordered the imperial envoy to impeach the general, but no one dared to come forward. Haha, Taifu Liang is also an old man. You are so confused that you dare to compete with the general."

Everyone said yes and laughed in unison. Lou Chu did not laugh. He nodded deeply to Lou Shuo and then stepped aside.

This trick worked well. Not long after, Lou Shuo came alone and asked doubtfully: "What's wrong with you?"

Lou Chu motioned to Brother Seven to follow him further and said seriously: "How long has Brother Seven been in charge of the general?"

"Huh? What do you want to do?"

The foundation of the building cupped his hands and said, "Brother Yu has a favor to give to Brother Seven."

Lou Shuo's expression calmed down slightly, he looked around and whispered, "What's the benefit?"

"Our Lou family has already produced three generals, three governors, four county guards, and countless miscellaneous officials. Don't you want seventh brother to go out and stand alone?"

Lou Shuo's face darkened, "This kind of thing must be decided by the general... No matter what I do, I am still better than you."

"Of course. If Brother Qi doesn't want to hear it, forget it. If you want to hear it, I'll boldly point out the reason why Brother Qi can't leave the house."

"The general didn't let me leave the house because he trusted me!" Lou Shuo was very angry. He turned to leave, but then turned back and said, "Tell me, if you dare to talk nonsense, I will tear your mouth apart."

Lou Chu smiled and said, "How dare you. The reason is actually simple. Brother Qi only cares about people and does not criticize others. Therefore, in the heart of the general, there is only hard work and no merit."

Lou Shuo was silent for a moment, and Lou Chu continued: "Foolish brother, I dare to say it bluntly. Seventh brother is not good at civil and military arts, calculations, and hospitality. He has to take care of some chores at home. When will he have the opportunity to go out?"

"Hey, that's straight. You've made me sound useless."

"For the sake of Brother Qi, I dare not not tell the truth. Besides, Brother Qi still has a chance. He who knows others is wise, and he who knows himself is wise. Although Brother Qi does not have any skills, he can recommend people with skills to the general. Please ask Brother Qi, Having been in charge for so long, have you ever recommended one or two people to the general?"

Lou Shuo sneered: "You want me to recommend you?"

"That's exactly what Yudi meant. This is also the benefit that Yudi gave to Seventh Brother."

"Hey, arrogant kid."

"Not being arrogant is not enough to show my talent."

Lou Shuo laughed, attracting the attention of others in the hall, "Are you done?"

"That's it."

"Okay, it depends on my mood. Everyone will be happy if I recommend someone, but if I recommend an unqualified person, I will suffer in front of the general."

"Please pay attention to the seventh brother. If the general never forgets Qinzhou, please ask the seventh brother to say a kind word for me. I happen to have some thoughts about Qinzhou, and maybe I am worried about the general."

"What's the idea?"

"You can only tell the general in person."

Lou Shuo snorted, tossed his sleeves and walked away, joined the others, and never spoke to Lou Xi again.

The general is here. This time, the discussions with his staff are all trivial matters, but there are many interests involved. How to distribute them is a difficult problem. The staff all come up with their own ideas, and the general makes the final decision.

The staff resigned, and Lou Wen lectured the descendants in the hall as usual. He was in a good mood today, cursed a few words in general, and left in a hurry without giving anyone a chance to speak.

"The general has taken another concubine and is going to be the groom tonight..." a son whispered, with both ridicule and envy.

Lou Chu could not speak directly to the general, so he could only wait for the recommendation of his seventh brother Lou Shuo.

We have been waiting for several days. The general did not believe it, but the East Palace has graded the articles written by everyone in the Lu Xue Hall. Ma Wei ranked first in the first grade, and the foundation fell into the tenth grade in the second grade.

Lou Chi learned the news on the way to the Yuxue Hall.

Zhou Lu came over angrily with his servants, stuffed a few pieces of paper into Lou Chu's hands, and said coldly: "I thought Mr. Lou was a talent, but who would have thought... B and tenth, all the money I signed on it was in vain Name. Alas, if I had known this, I should have asked Ma Wei. It would be more difficult, but there is always a way to get his article."

Lou Chu did not expect such a result, but the manuscript seemed to be much longer than the original manuscript he had written, so he read it roughly and said angrily: "This is not my article."

"Why not? It's just... Oh, by the way, I added four more to make up the 'Five Current Policies'. If so, I won't even get the tenth grade."

Lou Chu suppressed his anger and returned the manuscript to Zhou Lu, "It's my fault. Mr. Zhou, please don't ask me for articles in the future."

"No, not anymore. You and Ma Wei have a good relationship, right? Please introduce him to me, and I will buy his articles in the future."

"I'm not familiar with him." Lou Chu walked forward, but Zhou Lu caught up and kept nagging, thinking that Lou Chu owed him a favor and should help him once.

There are no classes in the Yuxue Hall today. Wenren Xuexue announced the results and asked everyone to wait until noon and then go to Qianzi Lake to meet the prince.

Everyone congratulated the three people in Class A, and everyone was gearing up to leave a good impression on the East Palace besides the article.

Wenren Xuexue waved to Lou Chu. Lou Chu stood up and came to the Xuexue, bowed and saluted, "Sir, what advice do you have?"

"I didn't see your name on it." Wen Renxue pointed at the list on the table.

"My disciple is stupid, so I didn't write it."

"Well, that's fine. People are self-aware. Since you don't have a place, you can be my book boy today. I am not allowed to take care of anyone in the East Palace. There is no one to carry the book box for me."

"Thank you for your trust, sir."

Wenren Xuejiu turned his head away, Ma Wei nodded in the distance, signaling Lou Chu to go out and talk.

There was no one outside the school, Ma Wei said: "A good article was ruined by the black-haired dog."

"No problem."

"Without Chu's brother fighting, I am honored to be ranked first. Maybe I can take the opportunity to find out from the East Palace... the information we need."

This was the first time that Ma Wei showed signs of urgency.