Under the Immortal View, the emperor stood with his hands behind his back, looking up at the tall bronze statue of the Immortal, with a little confused look.

Cao Shi hurried over and saw that the emperor was in a daze, he quickly let his steps lightly. Chang Rong, a little eunuch standing beside him, saw him and quickly reminded him.

"Your Majesty, the Marquis of Pingyang will meet you."

The emperor withdrew his gaze, coughed, regained some dignity, and smiled a little more. He waved to Cao Shi and signaled Cao Shi to approach him. Cao Shi did not dare to be negligent, so he walked quickly to the emperor, bowed to the end, and was extremely respectful.

The emperor was very satisfied. As the representative of the meritorious group, he was also the husband of Princess Yang Xin, and the performance of the Pingyang Marquis Cao Shi was a minister. It can be seen that after decades of struggle, the meritorious group had disappeared and it was impossible to pose a threat to the court again.

The strong suppress them, and the weak support them. This is the only way to govern.

The emperor's smile was even stronger. He stepped forward and gently held Cao Shi's arm. "Brother-in-law, why should you be so restrained? I chose to see you here just to relax. Look, the immortal is by my side, and we have temporarily abandoned the difference between the king and the minister and talked about gossip."

Cao Shi was flattered, but he felt even more uneasy. He knew the emperor's temper too well. The sudden courtesy made him helpless. He couldn't help but reflect on his words and deeds over the past period of time to see if there was anything that was taboo.

The emperor saw Cao Shi's expression, raised his eyebrows gently, turned around and walked forward. Cao Shi followed closely and bowed his hand. The emperor said a few common words, slowly leading the topic to the war in Minyue. Cao Shi led the navy to fight, conquered Dongye, pacified Minyue, and made contributions. However, the fief of the Marquis of Pingyang did not increase, but only rewarded a thousand gold.

This reward is very unusual. According to the rules, as one of the main generals, Cao Shi should have added more people to the country after making such contributions, especially when Liang Xiao, the envoy, added more people to the country, it was unreasonable for Cao Shi to have made contributions but not to add people. However, Cao Shi did not say a word about this and accepted it calmly.

"I am very happy that you have made contributions this time. Pingyang Hou has successors. It is her blessing that my sister has a husband like you."

Cao Shi's forehead was sweating slightly. He said carefully: "Your Majesty is apologizing, I am ashamed of you. This time I went to war, I entrusted Your Majesty with wiseness, and I depend on the soldiers to use my life. I am the chief general of the navy. Even if I have made small achievements, I am not worthy of praise."

"You are too humble." The emperor narrowed his eyes and smiled. "Marquis Yi (Cao Shen) was the best in military achievements back then, and made great contributions to the Han Dynasty. He is a true pillar of the country. You are his direct descendant, and you must serve more of the country."

"I dare not serve you." Cao Shi became even more nervous, and even his voice trembled.

It is true that Cao Shen was the best in military achievements, but later the first hero was Xiao He. The evaluation of Emperor Gaozu of Han Liu Bang, "The master of merits and dogs" was specifically targeted at Cao Shen. Cao Shen was a strong man, and later he succeeded Xiao He as the prime minister. He strongly prevented Emperor Hui of Han from interfering in political affairs. The two hundred whips that were drawn on Cao Qi were always remembered in the hearts of the emperors of all dynasties. After Cao Shen, no one in the Cao family served as a high-ranking official such as the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers. He did nothing politically.

The experience of the Cao family is a microcosm of the heroic group. However, the Cao family has always been very strict with the family rules, and there are no such children who do evil, so they have always maintained their titles. By the time of Emperor Xiaojing, he married Princess Pingyang for his meekness and respect, which became a symbol of the court's pacification of the heroic group.

This time he went on the expedition, he deliberately hid his weakness. Most of the time he hid behind, Wei Qing charged in the battle, and Wu was commanded by the front line. At this moment, the emperor said such things. He didn't know if he said he had not done his best or had other meanings.

"All the generals in the same journey are familiar with you, are you?"

"Well... some contact, no deep friendship."

"It's okay. It's just a chat anyway, let's listen." The emperor put on a casual look, hesitated for a moment, and then said: "Hexi is not very peaceful, the court may have to use troops to Hexi. I want to hear your suggestions."

Cao Shi was stunned and his heart tightened. He knew that the emperor would not be idle and had nothing to do. He came to him and there must be something wrong. Hexi used troops? The two most suitable people were naturally Liang Xiao and Wei Qing. In terms of ability and understanding of Hexi, Liang was naturally the most suitable one. However, after this reward, Wei Qing's fief had surpassed Liang Xiao. The emperor seemed to intend to use Wei Qing instead of Liang Xiao, so it would be better to recommend Wei Qing.

Cao Shi had thought about it and then began to evaluate the generals. Han Anguo was old and persistent, thoughtful and thoughtful. Wu was resourceful and clear about the situation. Wei Qing was loyal, honest and upright, brave and good at fighting. Han said that the young man was energetic and dared to fight and rush. Cao Shi intentionally or unintentionally ranked Liang Xiao at the end, saying that he was as brave as a fight and good at using strange weapons, but sometimes he was too reckless.

When the emperor heard this, he burst into laughter. "Do you know how Liang Xiao evaluates you?"

Cao Shi shook his head blankly. "Liang Xiao evaluated the minister?"

"The reason I chose you to go to war is that you are my son-in-law, but Liang Xiao's evaluation of you is also one of the reasons." The emperor told the news that the Langguan reported to him and said, "Compared with his praise for you, your evaluation of him is not high."

Cao Shi was stunned for a long time. Is there anything like this? He didn't hear any wind. He and Liang Xiao came back from Minyue together, and did not see anything special to Liang Xiao for him. He thought about it, and suddenly a flash of inspiration flashed and said with a wry smile: "Your Majesty, I think it may be a misunderstanding."

"Misunderstand?"

"Yes, the Pingyang Marquis he mentioned may not be a minister, but someone else."

The emperor couldn't help laughing. "Is there another Pingyang Marquis besides you?"

Cao Shi raised his head and looked at the emperor quietly. The emperor was stunned for a moment, and suddenly realized. "You mean... me?"

"That's right." Cao Shi thought about it more and more, and then said, "Yes, I walked with Liang Xiao all the way and had no close friends. Before that, except for going to court, I had never had private contact with him. I had no precedent for leading troops to fight, and I didn't even have the opportunity to serve in the army. How could he know if I could use troops?"

After listening to Cao Shi's explanation, the emperor also felt it was reasonable. He had had many contacts with Liang Xiao and could feel Liang Xiao's appreciation for him. For a long time, he met Liang Xiao as the Marquis of Pingyang. Liang Xiao missed that time and still called him by Pingyang Hou, it was entirely possible.

Considering that Liang Xiao never judges a person based on rumors, he basically meets people who are more familiar with each other, such as Wei Qing and Huo Qubing. The possibility that the "Pingyang Hou" he mentioned refers to himself is indeed greater than that of Cao Shi.

The emperor suddenly laughed, unable to suppress his complacency. Liang Xiao has always been proud. He never regards people as his identity. Wei Qing and Huo Qubing are both slaves, but he does not underestimate them at all. Facts have proved that Wei Qing is indeed capable, and although Huo Qubing is young, his talent is really different from ordinary people. In this way, Liang Xiao's praise of him will not be polite words, but his true view.

Liang Xiao is the one who knows me! In an instant, the emperor felt a sense of intimacy. He sighed for a moment and asked again: "Who can take on the heavy responsibility of going to Hexi in your opinion?"

Cao Shi blurted out without thinking. "Wei Qing."

The emperor smiled and shook his head. "I think there is another person more suitable than him?"

Cao Shi was stunned for a moment and said uncertainly: "Liang Xiao?"

"No." The emperor pointed to Cao Shi's chest. "You."

The emperor issued an edict, and appointed Cao, the Marquis of Pingyang, as the general of the Western Expedition, and Weiqing, the Marquis of Changping, as the deputy, and the Marquis of Han said that the new generals would be in the conquest. As soon as the news came out, Li Guang was very disappointed, and Dou Ying was also very surprised. For such a big thing, the emperor did not discuss it with him in advance. This was far from his expectations.

He originally thought that the emperor would keep him, an "old minister", and even if he did not immediately entrust important tasks, he would consult everything and check for the missing. Now it seems that this is not the case.

Dou Ying was very disappointed. When he first heard the news, he could hardly control his emotions and had the urge to return to Chang'an to live in seclusion.

Also depressed were Dong Zhongshu, or Dong Zhongshu, or Dou Ying. He offended Tianyan and explained the reason for the flood in Shandong as repeated wars. He used too frequently, but before he finished speaking, the emperor decided to fight the West again. This was even more uncomfortable than slapping him in the face. All his efforts turned into bubbles. The emperor took away what he wanted, and the theories he valued the most were thrown away by the emperor as a broken shoe.

The two lost people naturally got together. Taking advantage of the opportunity to discuss knowledge, Dou Ying and Dong Zhongshu's friendship quickly heated up.

Mei Gao lived in Mount Lu for several days. Accompanied by Liang Xiao, he enjoyed the scenery of Mount Lu, tasted the Pengli silverfish, and prepared to leave.

Liang Xiao prepared some gifts for him, but they were nothing more than some local products from Yuzhang. Chang'an is rare, but they are not rare. Mei Gao didn't take it too seriously. With his friendship with Liang Xiao, there was no need to be too polite for these conventional gifts.

However, when Liang Xiao ordered people to carry out a black lacquer box, Mei Gao was a little surprised. The box was very beautiful, and the things inside were naturally very precious.

"What is this?"

"Paper."

"Paper?" Mei Gao was puzzled. Paper is a very cheap thing. Is it necessary to use such an exquisite box to pack it?

Liang Xiao didn't explain, and ordered people to open the box, revealing a stack of white and flat paper. A faint fragrance spread out, giving Mei Gao a sense of comfort to return to the bamboo forest of Lushan Mountain. Liang Xiao picked up a piece of paper and handed it to Mei Gao. Mei Gao took it in his hand, tossed and turned, and looked at it again and again, and became more and more happy. This paper was completely different from the thick and hard hemp paper he remembered, and it was just a pleasant appearance.

"Try it." Liang Xiao took a pen dipped ink and handed it to Mei Gao with a smile. "After eating so many delicious food and seeing so many beautiful scenery, you want to leave without leaving two essays. It would be too cheap for you."

Mei Gao laughed loudly and picked up the pen and wanted to write it. Liang Xiao quickly stopped it. "This paper is different from a bamboo and wood slip. You have to master the weight of the ink, otherwise it will be a ball of it after writing it."

Mei Gao followed Liang Xiao's instructions and scraped off the floating ink on the inkstone, and then he finished writing. At the beginning, he was a little uncomfortable and became a dot of ink, but he quickly mastered the trick and wrote the characters became more and more beautiful. He was known for his quick thinking, but now he was a new and good paper, and he was in a happy mood. He thoughts were like springs and his writing was like wind. He didn't have much effort, and an article "Lushan Fu" was published.

Liang Xiao picked up the fu, chanted it slowly, and praised it endlessly. "This fu is well written, but I have a heartless request." Liang Xiao squeezed his eyes. "These papers are sealing fees, so you can't tell the beauty of Mount Lu in your mouth."

Mei Gao was puzzled. He had just written a proud fu and was about to spread it all over the world, but Liang Xiao wanted to seal his mouth. What is this?

"I don't want too many people to know about Mount Lu, which disturbs my tranquility."

Mei Gao suddenly realized, couldn't help laughing loudly, pointing at Liang Xiao and saying, "You are so greedy, you actually want to monopolize Mount Lu."

"I dare not, if you come, I will definitely treat you sincerely." Liang Xiao said with a smile: "I didn't ask you not to mention it for the rest of your life. I just gave me a few years to do what I want to do quietly. In order to compensate for your losses, I will help you print a collection of essays and publish them all over the world, so that everyone who knows literacy in the world knows your name."

"What did you say?" Mei Gao was confused for a moment.

"Don't worry about so many. In recent years, I have carefully written a few good articles and then picked up the previous articles. Then I will use this paper to print thousands of them to you, and every county will send them a few. Are you still worried that people in the world will not know you, Mei Shaoru?"

Mei Gao laughed loudly, just thinking that Liang Xiao was joking. These days, all articles have been copied by hand. No matter how important the classics are, they have not been so luxurious. No matter how good his articles are, they can still compare with the classics of saints?

"Thank you." Mei Gao bowed carelessly.

Seeing that Mei Gao didn't believe it, Liang Xiao didn't explain much. When the King of Huainan made the printing technique, Mei Gao would naturally believe it. These papers were just the first gunshot of a revolution.

"Shaoru, after you arrive in Chang'an, you will give Mr. Dong some such paper to make him prepare well. It won't take long to challenge him. He will just wait for the challenge."

Mei Gao understood the spirit. If he wanted to advise the emperor to prevent the wandering heroes and the survival foundation of the wandering scholars, Dong Zhongshu's "Three Strategies for Heaven and Man" and the "Biographies of Gongyang Chunqiu" he ruled must be defeated to the ground. Mei Gao read more books than Liang Xiao, and he knew very well that compared with the Yin-Yang family theory of the induction of heaven and man, the unification of "Biographies of Gongyang Chunqiu" is the theoretical foundation for the emperor's actions.

Mei Gao jokingly pointed to the paper in the box, and shook the pen in his hand again. "So, this is the battlefield, this is the spear?"

"That's right, and you are a warrior who charges and is not writing a fu, but a battle manifesto." Liang Xiao was overjoyed. "I wish you success and victory."

Mei Gao also smiled so hard that he couldn't stop. He shook his head repeatedly. "I am no match for Master Dong on the Confucianism, but I can start the battle first. Bo Ming, you can send me a few more boxes of paper like this as soon as possible. For us who make a living by writing and writing, this is the best stepping stone, and it will be invincible."

"I dare not say that if I have too many, I can provide you with 500 pieces a month, and I don't have a single money."

"One thousand." Mei Gao patted Liang Xiao's shoulder hard. "Five hundred for your own use, five hundred for others."

"One word is determined."—
Chapter completed!