Confucius said: "Don't worry about lack of weight but worry about inequality."

From this we can see that the shortcomings of human hearts are often caused by comparison.

This was how Cai Mao was back then.

The same is true now.

During the Battle of Jingzhou, Cai Mao was relatively firmly aristocratic in Jingzhou who defected to Cao Cao.

Perhaps because Cai Mao had had some friendship with Cao Cao before, it was a deeper friendship than Fei Qian, or perhaps because Cao Cao was closer to Jingzhou at that time, and Fei Qian had an optional attitude, but no matter what, Cai Mao eventually pulled many people and surrendered to Cao Cao together, and maintained most of his strength in Jingzhou.

Therefore, Cai Mao made great contributions to Cao Cao's battle in Jingzhou.

However, Cai Mao's "status" in Cao Cao's political group has always been a bit embarrassing.

Cai Mao was old and his contribution was not small. He also thought he was "loyal" to Cao Cao, but in terms of ability, his status, Xiahou, and in terms of talent, he was basically no chance of promotion after the Battle of Jingzhou, and he had never been promoted by Cao Cao.

In fact, overall, the members of the Cao Cao political group have always been mixed with good and bad quality. Some people were born in Yingchuan gentry, some were surrendered halfway, some were opportunistic fenceists, and some were superficially loyal to the royal family...

Cao Cao knew this, so some local officials who were powerful and powerful in the country were the most greedy and greedy in their daily lives, and they were successfully listed on the list of rectification of officials this time.

But the relationship between the gentry is like a spider web.

Among these people who are dealt with, there are also some who have close relationships with Cai Mao and have more contacts...

In this way, Cai Mao would inevitably feel a little fluctuating.

After the Battle of Jingzhou in the past, Cai Mao obtained a new position.

But it is not enough. Cai Mao is not alone. He is the representative of a family. So he was promoted to Cai Mao as a false position. What is the purpose?

What's more, it's just the Captain Changshui...

Of course, the title of Changshui Captain is not small.

The Changshui School Captain was considered an imperial guard. It was first established by Emperor Wu of the Western Han Dynasty. It was one of the eight school captains of the Northern Army, with a rank of 2,000 stones, and was ranked as the chief, Sima and others. They led the Changshui Xuanqu Huqi, stationed in the capital, and also served as the expedition.

But now, the Changshui Captain is just an empty shell.

What's more, everyone knows that Cai Mao's talent in cavalry, how can he say that? That's it. Who would really let a general with special skills in navy command the cavalry?

Therefore, although it is 2,000 stones, and the ranking is a noble, and its official position is quite large, but how can I compare with Cai Mao’s previous expectations?

Yes, it’s not that I don’t get any benefits, but that I seem to be less than others!

People’s hearts are changing and they are most afraid of comparison. This is the key to the problem!

People in the officialdom are most sensitive to changes in their status.

In recent times, Cai Mao has also clearly felt that his position in the Cao political group is much worse than before. He is even far inferior to when he was under Liu Biao.

Before, although Cai Mao was just a local official in Jingzhou, he was basically the second-ranked second in Jingzhou after Liu Biao. At that time, even if Cai Mao expressed some ideas and was incompatible with Liu Biao, Liu Biao would not easily refute it, and even had to plan to catch some braids and other things to shout louder at Cai Mao. Now, what is Cai Mao in Cao Cao’s camp?

In addition, while Cao Cao was rectifying the administration during this period, some of the Yingchuan gentry that Cai Mao knew were eliminated, which also made Cai Mao's plan to use these Yingchuan gentry to expand its influence in Cao Cao's political group fail.

Even when he became scared, this old friend turned his back on his face!

With all these combined together, Cai Mao will inevitably have many thoughts in his mind.

However, because Cao Cao's resolute actions under the Xu County Palace Gate during this official incident did shock many people, including Cai Mao. Cai Mao did not dare to express his thoughts at the moment, but these thoughts were like a seed, which had been quietly planted in his heart and were gradually growing and sprouting...

People are always strong and poor, and no one can always think carefully.

Cao Cao has been paying attention to the movements of the General Fei Qian of the Cavalry in recent times, and also considering the affairs of Jizhou and Youbei. He did not pay attention to the changes in Cai Mao's thoughts in a more marginal way.

On the contrary, Guo Jia has always been good at guessing people's hearts and has a little notice of Cai Mao's actions. However, Guo Jia did not make any direct statements, but instead watched the changes. After all, Cai Mao is also Cao Cao's "old friend". It is not good to make random guesses without conclusive evidence.

What's more, if you just think about it, it's not a big deal, the key point is whether you have done it.

The more important changes in Jizhou and Youbei today gave Cao Cao a headache.

Cao Cao summoned his advisers to discuss the relevant situation.

And these things are actually not much room for discussion.

It can be said that the Qinglong Temple discussion truly broadened Cao Cao's horizons, making Cao Cao and the advisers under Cao Cao discover that there were actually wars in culture, and Cao Cao and others were beaten to the point of being unable to raise their heads.

The traditional concept of localization was broken and the four sides of China were added. Cao Cao could not help but wonder if he was the frog at the bottom of the well. All he saw was the world in front of him.

Of course, others don’t know what the specific results of Cao Cao’s discussion with the core officials were, but it’s interesting that before these discussion results were reflected, Cao Cao first announced some promotions and promotions...

Among them, Cai Mao was also named the Marquis of Hanyang Ting.

『Hanyang…』

Cai Mao stared at the enfeoffment order in his hand and was silent for a long time.

…((￣o￣).)…

At the same time, in the Chongde Hall, Emperor Liu Xie was also in a state of turmoil and could not calm down.

The light in the hall was a little dim.

Liu Xie did not let Xiaohuangmen light more candles. On the one hand, he showed his thrift and simplicity. On the other hand, Liu Xie knew that if the inside of the hall was too bright, he would not easily notice any movement outside the hall.

On the contrary, it is not as dark as the hall, and then there is a slight shaking outside the hall, so Liu Xie can immediately notice it.

Sometimes, light brings hope, but it is easy to hide. Dark brings fear and sometimes courage.

It's like the contradictory psychology of the emperor Liu Xie.

Liu Xie held a piece of information in his hand and his face looked a little haggard.

『Liu Ruo…』

『Wang Tu…』

『Deng Zhan…』

Liu Xie felt that the core focus he lacked was talent.

Especially the talents in the outfield.

What he held was the list of Cao Cao's titles these days. The names he was talking about were relatively unknown and newly entered the court. Some of these people were from poor families, and some were people in the ranks. Basically, there were naturally some relationships with the Cao Xiahou family, but they were not that deep.

If you can find some useful talents from these people, it will be more than your next step. Otherwise, it will be really hard to move forward. Relying on the power of the Xiaohuangmen can only maintain it within a very small range at most and cannot be expanded at all.

Liu Xie has developed some small yellow sects in the palace. Because these eunuchs basically have to rely on imperial power to survive, especially in the inner palace, Liu Xie is the only person who can immediately decide the life and death of these eunuchs. Even if the eyeliner inserted by the outside world is discovered by Liu Xie, it will be a matter of one sentence. Therefore, under the absolute authority of the inner palace, some of the newly developed eunuchs in the yellow sects of Liu Xie are loyal, but they can't stretch them out.

"Report to Your Majesty, Doctor Xi has arrived..."

Liu Xie put the list into his sleeve and "pass on it."

Xi Lu is back, carrying a big bag and full of anger.

This time, he was not on the reward list.

Some people don’t do things when they do things, and they can even shirk away the job they should have, but they must have it when eating meat, otherwise it will be a dark system and an unfair court...

Xi Lu felt that this reward was unfair.

Why doesn't he have it?

Could it be that he has been working hard for days outside? Could it be that he has made any mistakes when he has not stayed in Xu County?

It's simply incredible and incomprehensible!

After meeting Liu Xie, after preliminary greetings, Liu Xie threw out the list of several he had been following for a long time and asked about Liu Ruo, Deng Zhan and others.

Xi Lu roughly guessed what Liu Xie wanted to do, but Xi Lu felt that the people Liu Xie asked about were not on the same track as Xi Lu himself, so he not only did not hide it, but also sincerely told Liu Xie that these people currently have relatively low positions, and even if they are promoted, they will not be able to form a support in a short period of time.

"What do you think about Prime Minister Cao's reorganization of the administration?" asked the emperor Liu Xie.

『This, haha,』 Xi Lu forced a smile,『It is not beautiful to be corrupt after all, and Prime Minister Cao is also a good thing to rectify the administration of the government...』

Liu Xie sighed: "Now, we must be noble in character and not be affected by the official dyeing vat, and have outstanding abilities and able to do practical things. Such talents are really rare... My dear, why are there always those corrupt officials in the court higher positions? And the pure people often have low positions. Is their abilities lacking?"

Hearing the emperor's inquiry, Xi Lu's expression was a little embarrassed.

Because Xi Lu has always claimed to be a "clear stream", what the emperor said is that his ability is limited?

Or do you mean that you are quite capable? Are you saying that you are actually a "corrupt official"?

However, in the current situation, Xi Lu had to admit that most of the "Qingliu" officials in the court were high-minded and boasted. If they really wanted to do something practical, these Qingliu officials would often fail to succeed and fail.

After hesitating for a moment, Xi Lu sighed: "The Qingliu in the court is indeed lacking in ability. Although they have noble character, they are indeed inferior to those corrupt officials and treacherous officials when doing practical things..."

『Why is this?" Liu Xie asked, 『Can you please solve my doubts?

Hearing the inquiry from Emperor Liu Xie, Xi Lu's expression gave him a little emotion and said slowly: "Human nature is greedy, and from ancient times to the present, there are only a very small number of people who can restrain the greed in their hearts. In the officialdom, such as fame and fortune, holding authority, frequent temptations, and lacking checks and balances, how many people can stick to their original hearts? The so-called human hearts are not as old as this."

Emperor Liu Xie had a solemn expression and remained silent, but he nodded, agreeing with Xi Lu's statement.

"Your Majesty," Xi Lu looked up at the emperor slightly, and said slowly, "Why are Qingliu mostly useless? It seems that corrupt officials can do practical things? However, it is not like this. There are not many Qingliu officials who are capable, willing to do things, and can adapt. They are not always corrupt officials from the beginning, but they are difficult to protect themselves..."

"How do you say this?" Emperor Liu Xie asked after hearing something in Xi Lu's words.

Xi Lu bowed, "Your Majesty is wise, there is never a saying that you can keep yourself alone in this officialdom. Instead, your position determines everything! After entering the official career, most of the officials start from 200 s to 400 s. However, when these people take office, they find that most of their subordinates are corrupt officials, most of their colleagues are corrupt officials, and their immediate superiors..."

Xi Lu paused for a moment, and then continued, "If he still wants to stick to integrity in this situation, he will become an alternative. Naturally, he will be excluded and suppressed by others and will be difficult to advance. If he wants to do something practical, the people below will drag him down, the people around him will stumbling, and the people above will make things difficult. As a result, not only will he fail the matter, but he will also give people a handle, and in the end he will lose his official position and hold him accountable..."

The emperor pondered for a long time and nodded, "I understand. In this way, the honest officials who can do things have been suppressed before they are promoted. Those who are promoted often choose to be with the flow and be with the light and dust... Moreover, because of the help of the clique, it is easier for these people to accomplish things. Then, with more things done, their experience will be enriched, and their abilities and means will naturally be available, and then promotion will be just around the corner..."

"Your Majesty is wise." Xi Lu answered.
To be continued...