Section 4 Nine

Cao Pi's face was very depressed and very depressed. Sima Yi thought for a moment and knew the key points. He lowered his mind and chuckled softly: "General, you are familiar with the scriptures and proficient in government affairs in ancient and modern times. Some things must be clearer..."

Cao Pi looked at him with some displeasure and did not speak. In what Sima Yi said, everything in front of him was empty talk. Cao Pi had read the scriptures and was proficient in government affairs but could not be said to be. But Sima Yi said this, not to flatter him, but to lead the words behind him. And the words behind him must be that he was not very proficient, so Sima Yi had to take good care of his face in advance. He looked at Sima Yi quietly, smiled faintly and said, "Zhongda, you and I have a close relationship with each other. Just say something."

"Here." Sima Yi responded respectfully, raised his head and stared at Cao Pi's chest. Although his eyes did not look at Cao Pi, he could see Cao Pi's expression. He coughed and continued: "At that time, Shusun Tong followed Emperor Gaozu with a Confucian scholar. After killing King Xiang in Gaixia, he advanced to Emperor Gaozu with Confucianism. Emperor Gaozu denounced him to win the world immediately. Shusun Tong said, "Get the world immediately, but cannot be governed immediately." This is the most wise saying."

Cao Pi said "Oh" and understood what Sima Yi meant. Although Confucianism cannot conquer the world, it can defend the world. Moreover, it must be Confucianism. Emperor Gaozu also said, "Don't use Confucianism, I don't know how precious the emperor is." The Han Dynasty has used Confucianism to govern the world for hundreds of years. The forces of the Confucian scholars who study Confucianism should not be underestimated. They cannot help much when fighting, but the world is about to be pacified. Now there is only one Liaodong left and has not surrendered. The Gongsun Kang brothers are not very talented. If he and Xiahou Dun bring tens of thousands of troops to the city, it will be a matter of time before they recover Liaodong.

If the world is unified, those generals who are on the battlefield will have no effect. On the contrary, they will become factors of instability in the country. At this time, we must rely on those aristocratic families, especially those who study Confucianism, and these people have the most in Guandong. The most educated scholars under Cao Chong, whether they are Xun Yue or Zhong Changtong, whether they are Wang Lang or Xu Jing, are all from Ruying and Qilu areas, and his female husband Cai Yan is directly from Chenliu. If they can win over these people, then half of the power around Cao Chong - and half of the power with increasingly powerful effects - will be biased towards him, at least they will not object to him. There are many important officials in the court who are from Yan, Yu, Qing, Xu, like Zhang Zhao and Zhang Zibu, who are now highly valued by the emperor, is from Pengcheng, Xuzhou. As for the Prime Minister's Mansion, there are more, and there are countless chances. Cao Cao started his career here, and his subordinates are of course mainly from the people here.

These people are very important, and Cao Pi also knew that it was not that he didn't want to win over them, but he also condescended to invite them. He was also very etiquette. It was because these people looked down on him and ignored him at all, otherwise he wouldn't be so angry.

"As soon as the next general is determined, the importance of famous generals will gradually be reduced to famous scholars. General Cheqi is focused on industry and commerce and does not value Confucianism very much. It is a good opportunity for the general to interact with these aristocratic families." Sima Yi said tentatively: "Although General Cheqiqi set up a School of Economics in Xiangyang and Chang'an College, these classics are only studying academics, and the path to officialdom is not smooth. They not only have to understand the classics first, but also teach in towns and counties for three years before they can become officials. These are all regarded classics as craftsmanship like carpenters, how could they be favored by famous scholars? Most of the recruits of General Cheqiqi were just pedantic people who were as obsessed with academics as Song Zhong Chang'an Abhisattva. How could they have any talented people in governing the country? These are all left to the general by God. It is ominous if God does not take it."

Cao Pi smiled bitterly, a little helpless, and said angrily: "Zhongda, tell me the truth, it's not that I don't want to recruit them, but they are all noble and famous, and they don't want to associate with ordinary people like me. I asked Shuye (Bao Xun) to meet them, and they all agreed to be well, saying that they should help each other, but there was no practical action. Look at how many celebrities are there in my General Mansion in Zhendong? It's far from the General Mansion of Cang Shu, which is full of talents." Cao Pi felt more and more discouraged as he spoke, and could no longer sit quietly on the mat. He stood up and walked around irritably.

Sima Yi thought for a moment and said with a smile: "General, Yi thinks that their worries make sense."

Cao Pi stopped, turned around suddenly, looked at Sima Yi in confusion, and after a long time he said, "Zhongda, what did you say?"

Sima Yi smiled and said, "General, I mean, since they agreed to the general, they did not take any action. They said that they did not want to cooperate with the general, but they had some concerns before they figured out some problems."

"Concern, what are the concerns?" Cao Pi asked afterwards.

Sima Yi wanted to speak but stopped, as if he was a little brave enough to look around. Cao Pi glanced at the guards around him, waved his hand, and drove them all out. Then he turned around and said to Sima Yi: "Zhongda, can you say it now?"

Sima Yi smiled bitterly and said helplessly: "General should still remember how I entered the Prime Minister's Mansion?"

Cao Pi was stunned. He remembered that Sima Yi was so arrogant that he didn't want to become an official, but he was almost killed by Cao Chong. He was forced to become a member of the Prime Minister's Mansion. He couldn't help but smile: "Zhongda, you are so alert, otherwise you really don't know what the consequences will be."

Sima Yi rubbed his nose and felt a little scared. He paused and continued, "The world was not decided at the time. The Prime Minister was busy with military and national affairs, and did not need the condolences to forgive him. He practiced the law-abiding and strict laws. Even if he was a well-known Confucian scholar in the prime minister's mansion, he might be whipped with a little mistake. The general must not know that He Shulong (He Kui) often carries poisons around him?"

"Poison?" Cao Pi was shocked.

Sima Yi shook his hand and said, "General, don't be surprised. He Shulong brought poison, but he didn't want to be unfavorable to the Prime Minister, but was just afraid of being humiliated by temporary mistakes. He Shulong was a famous scholar in Chen County. His great-grandfather was once the general of the chariot and cavalry during the reign of Emperor An. He lived with his mother and brother, and was known for his filial piety and friendship. Yuan Shu once threatened to ask him to surrender to Taizu, but he was rejected by him. He was famous in Huainan. He still could not save himself in the Prime Minister's Mansion. Others can imagine it."

Cao Pi raised his hand and touched the beard under his jaw and remained silent for a while. Cao Cao was impatient and a powerful figure who believed in the Legalists. His subordinates made a little mistake and pulled out and took off their pants and spanked them. More than one or two of them were beaten in the Prime Minister's Mansion. Sima Yi said that He Kui was very upright in character, but he really could bring poison to save himself. What a famous scholar? Of course, he needs face. Such a big man was taken off his pants and spanked by someone in the public court. It is indeed a bit unfavorable, and it is not consistent with the ancient etiquette of a doctor who cannot be punished by the punishment. Could it be that those famous scholars were unwilling to enter the palace to do things because of this?

"The Prime Minister has been in the army for a long time, and it is inevitable that he will act with the laws of the army." Cao Pi couldn't say what Cao Cao was wrong. First, he didn't dare to say it, and second, it was not a good thing that he said it. Sima Yi and his family were very rules and valued filial piety. Even if he was an official in the Prime Minister's Office, when he returned home, he saw that I was respectful. When I was eating, I didn't move my chopsticks, and my brothers didn't dare to move. Speaking about Cao Cao in front of such a person is afraid that he would be despised by Sima Yi and would have an impression of being unfilial. "But if the next day is determined today, the time will change, and the situation will naturally not be so strict."

Sima Yi smiled and nodded repeatedly: "General is magnanimous, so naturally he will not be like this. I said this, but it is just that the situation in the past is not very attractive to those aristocratic races. They are not talented in turmoil, and they have these severe punishments and laws like obstacles. It is reasonable for them to be unwilling to enter the palace to do things. When the general acts and treats people with courtesy, they will eliminate their doubts and naturally they will not worry anymore."

Cao Pi snorted, "When I become a political leader, do you still need to bring them to support the store?" The key is now, not the future. He waved his hand and told Sima Yi not to go around the circle anymore, and just say something useful.

"In addition, there is another more important question. I wonder if the general has ever thought about it." Sima Yi kept it a secret.

"What's the problem?" Cao Pi frowned unhappily.

"There is something in the world. The Prime Minister asked for talent three times to meet the season. There are certainly many humble gentlemen in the Prime Minister's Mansion, but there are also many slander people. If the Prime Minister wants to rely on them to do things, he naturally has to tolerate them. Although Chen Changwen is a position of discipline, he has no real power. Whenever he is subject to inspection, he will forgive the Prime Minister. Guo Fengxiao has a genius. Although his character is not good, he is a person who is very close to the Prime Minister. Ding Wenhou (Ding Fei) can sell official seals for cakes. He repeatedly violates the law, but retreats and advances..."

Sima Yi stopped talking halfway, but Cao Pi understood what he meant. There were many villains in the Prime Minister's Mansion and few gentlemen. These people who were based on classics were unwilling to be an official, and they were unwilling to be an official or accompanies. Cao Pi's face was a little bad. According to this statement, Cao Cao was obviously the most misconductive. He was an evil boy in Luoyang City since he was a child. He has been the most prominent prime minister in the Han Dynasty for more than 60 years, but he is still not the kind of humble and polite gentleman. Although Sima Yi did not say that Cao Cao was a villain, he had such a meaning in his words, which made Cao Pi feel a little unwilling to accept it.

If he hadn't asked these people for now, he wouldn't want to pay attention to them. He thought for a long time before he forced a smile, glanced at Sima Yi and said, "What do you think Zhongda thinks?"

Sima Yi smiled secretly. He knew that Cao Pi had no other way out, so he deliberately said these words to stimulate him to test his thoughts and spirit. If Cao Pi was not serious and got angry, he immediately accused him and then turned around and left. To be honest, he was unwilling to be with the people of the Cao family. Cao Cao was not a gentleman, and this Cao Pi was not a good person. But now the power of the world has fallen into the Cao family. Since he has entered the officialdom, if he does not rely on the Cao family, there will be no way out in his career.

"General, use talents in troubled times and use virtue in governance. The world is determined, and the prime minister and general are old. The general is the most important thing in the foreign relatives, and he is about to be in charge of the heavenly constitution. If he does not interact with these scholars and officials, how can he govern the world?" Sima Yi said solemnly. His words were half true and half false, as if he said that Cao Pi should reserve talents for the future. In fact, it was a reminder to Cao Pi that if you do not interact with scholars and officials, you are the only important thing in the foreign relatives, you are not Cao Pi.

Cao Pi was a little anxious. He knew what Sima Yi said. The problem is that you have to tell some useful methods to let those literati and officials use it for me. What is the use of just talking about these empty principles? I said that if you want to use a gentleman, can they believe it?

"General, before I came, I heard a long article that he said that since the first peace, the world has been shady, the people have been living in poverty, and many people have left their hometowns. The method of evaluating and recommending people in ancient towns is now difficult to implement, so talents have no way to advance, so that the treacherous people can fill the official career. Now, if you want to have a great rule, you need a good method to select people who value virtue as officials, and gradually eliminate those who are misbehaved, so that those who are noble and virtuous will be important officials. Once such a law is established, why worry about the world and the generals will not worry about no one?"

"What method is this?" Cao Pi was a little confused. It sounded good, but Chen Qun never mentioned this in his letter.

"The long article says that this is followed by the ninth-rank law in the army." Sima Yi kept a secret and stopped talking: "I just knew a rough idea. Although I felt it was wonderful, I couldn't explain it clearly. If the general wants to know the details, when he asks for the long article in detail, he will definitely say it more thoroughly than me."

"The method of the ninth rank?" Cao Pi understood a little bit. In order to select talents, Cao Cao once implemented a ninth rank man in the army. A famous and prestigious person made various people a ninth rank according to their talents and virtues, and wrote the finished product certificate and recorded it. When there was a vacancy, just check the name certificate and quickly selected the right person. It was quite convenient to use. Judging from Sima Yi's meaning, it seemed that Chen Qun had refined this method and promoted it to other officials to choose. However, what does this have to do with these literati?

"This method of long-term writing focuses on the selection of Zhongzheng. Zhongzheng must be the most valuable and hopeful person. The character of the people they selected is guaranteed. Those villains naturally have no way to go, which is in line with the principles of wise and virtuous rituals. If a general can practice this method, why worry about the virtuous people coming without expecting the wind?" Sima Yi raised his eyelids and looked at Cao Pi's face quietly. Cao Pi pondered for a long time and didn't speak. This method sounds good. It gave these scholars the level of advancement. As long as there is a leader, it will follow in a steady stream. But where does this leader come from?

"Zhongda, this method is good, but it will not take a day or two to do it. Is it a little far away and unable to relieve near thirst?" Cao Pi asked hesitantly.

"General, not far away." Sima Yi smiled: "It is certainly not a matter of one or two days for the general to make this law, but as long as the general asks the Prime Minister's Office to make this law, the scholars and officials will definitely know the general's morality, and they will also know the general's intentions, and naturally they will not push back. Yi is not talented and is willing to do this with Shuye to work hard for the general."

"It's so good." Cao Pi said with a smile: "Since Zhongda is interested, you have quit your job from Cang Shu again and go to my small Zhendong General's Mansion to be the chief minister. How about it?"

Sima Yi was overjoyed. The chief of General Zhendong's mansion was a prominent position, much better than the former captain with two thousand people. If he wanted to conquer Liaodong, the commander would be tens of thousands of elite soldiers. He hurriedly bowed: "I dare not obey."

Sima Yi became the chief minister of the General's Mansion of Zhendong and took action soon. On the one hand, he wrote a memorial for Cao Pi to report to the Prime Minister's Mansion and the court, asking for the ninth rank to select people, recruit talents, and on the other hand, as Cao Pi spokesperson, he visited several major families with Bao Xun. His identity was different from Bao Xun. The Bao family was just a local tyrant. Although Bao Xun's grandfather Bao Dan was also a gentleman and was at least at the office's attendant, the Bao family's Confucian background was not deep, and Bao Xin was the biggest.

The official was just a prime minister of Jibei, but his Sima family was different. Since his grandfather Sima Jun was appointed as the general of the Western Conquest, the Sima family was 2,000 stones for generations. His father Sima Fang once served as the Yin of Jingzhao. He had a deep family and had a good relationship with many aristocratic families. With him, and the ninth-rank method he advocated, those aristocratic families immediately understood the benefits and readily agreed to the enthronement of the General Zhendong Mansion. For a moment, famous scholars from the General Zhendong Mansion gathered.

These are all secondary. What excited Cao Pi even more was that after the officials of the Prime Minister's Office heard that Cao Pi asked for the Ninth-rank official law, many people showed their kindness to him. The two most important ones were Cui Yan and Mao Jie, who were in charge of the selection of officials of the Prime Minister's Office.

Cui Yan and Sima Yi's brother Sima Lang had a good relationship. Now I heard that Sima Yi was the chief secretary of the General Zhendong Mansion, and the ninth-rank official law that submitted the above request was very consistent with his ideas for selecting people, and immediately expressed great interest. With his recommendation, a group of Jizhou people entered the General Zhendong Mansion one after another. Mao Jie himself was from Pingqiu, Chenliu, and he also gave a lot of support for a large number of Chenliu people entering the General Zhendong Mansion. With the two of them secretly adding fuel to the fire, in just over a month, the originally empty General Zhendong Mansion was a little overcrowded.

With the support of those great tribes, Cao Pi's plan to prepare for Liaodong was progressing even smoother. At the end of September, all matters were completed one after another. Cao Pi asked the Prime Minister's Office to allocate grain and grass, and asked the Cao Ren tribe of Jizhou, Zhuo County Prefect Zhao Yun, the guardian Wuhuan lieutenant, and the Yuyang Prefect and other troops to go to war together. Cao Pi did not expect the Prime Minister's Office to agree to his conditions. He had nearly 70,000 troops from Xiahou Dun's troops and 20,000 naval troops from Zang Ba and other troops. As long as there were enough food, fodder and weapons, he believed that he could pacify Liaodong. He was full of confidence. Even before the Prime Minister's Office's reply, he had asked Zang Ba to take the navy first, go to sea from Donglai County, and attack the Dashi City of Liaodong County, attracting Gongsun Kang's attention. Just wait for the autumn harvest to be completed, even if the Prime Minister's Office does not call for him other food and only let him use materials from Qingxu and other places, he can complete this achievement.

At the end of September, Wu Zhi, who had been wandering on the road for more than a month, heard that Cao Pi was about to launch a large-scale conquest of Liaodong, and rushed to Chenliu with a horse. Cao Pi was overjoyed when he saw Wu Zhi, and Wu Zhi came. He quickly asked someone to invite Wu Zhi in. When he saw Wu Zhi, Cao Pi was surprised. Wu Zhi not only looked very bad--this is understandable. He was just dismissed from military power and his complexion could not be good-then--and his face was not good. When he saw Cao Pi, he just bowed his hand, but he did not express his joy, which made Cao Pi puzzled.

"Ji Chong, why is this?" Cao Pi said with a smile: "I am just a member of the general. Why are you here now? And your face is so bad? Are you still upset? Don't think about it, there are only five thousand people? When you come to me, it's not a problem to ask you to bring 10,000."

"General..." Wu Zhi smiled awkwardly and said stutteringly: "I heard that the general wants to establish the ninth rank method, but I don't know what rank it should be...?"

Cao Pi was stunned and then smiled. He looked at Wu Zhi's nervous look, and the more he thought about it, the more he felt funny, and couldn't help laughing loudly. Wu Zhi was from Jiyin. His family was not a clan, but a poor family. He was very knowledgeable, but he was unwilling to be a farmer. He tried to enter the upper class since he was young and never interacted with the villagers. He took Cao Pi, but the villagers did not give him face. No one praised him so far.

Even Dong Zhao, who was close to him, looked down on him and was unwilling to give him a lecture. Now Cao Pi wanted to practice the method of a ninth-rank official. With his reputation as Wu Zhi, it is impossible to say that high-ranking is impossible. I am afraid that whether he can get into the grade is a big problem. In this way, wouldn’t he follow Cao Pi for so many years, but in the end he has nothing? If this is true, why did he work hard to come to Chenliu? It would be better to stay in Guanzhong and join Cao Chong’s disciple like Zhu Shu.

Now seeing Cao Pi laughing, Wu Zhi was even more worried about gains and losses. Sweat came out on his forehead and winding down his dusty face. A wet ditch flowed out, like an earthworm, looking extremely embarrassed.

"Ji Chong." Cao Pi stood up, walked slowly to Wu Zhi's side, and said in a deep voice: "Ji Chong, you have been smart for a lifetime, why are you confused for a while? Although this algae character is in Zhongzheng, the final decision is still in my hands. If you achieve great success, why worry about wealth? How could you be the Shan family in Jiyin? Besides, isn't this just asked to establish a new family? Regardless of whether the Prime Minister's Mansion can agree, even if it is to be implemented, it will take several years of adaptation. With these few years, can't you show your ambition?"

Wu Zhi was stunned and immediately understood what Cao Pi meant. A big stone in his heart fell to the ground. As long as Cao Pi retained his power, what else should Wu Zhi worry about? This is the promise Cao Pi gave him. The most important thing now is how to make contributions and how to help Cao Pi protect his inheritance. He quickly turned around and worshiped Cao Pi, and his head almost knocked to Cao Pi's silk shoes. He sobbed and said, "Zhi was confused for a moment, and he was wrong. Please forgive me for your sins."

When Cao Pi heard that he did not call him a general, but a young master, he felt aroused in his heart. He bent down, patted Wu Zhi on the shoulder, and sighed and said, "Ji Chong, you and I have known each other for many years, how can you get confused for a while? You, care is confused, and care is chaos."

"My subordinates know that they are wrong, but their subordinates know that they are wrong." Wu Zhi cried with joy.

"Get up, we still have big things to do." Cao Pi helped Wu Zhilai up with both hands and stared in his eyes: "Ji Chong, there is not much time left, and there are not many opportunities left."
Chapter completed!