After Xia Houhui spoke generously, the Chonghua back hall fell into silence for a while.
Both Emperor Cao Rui and Xia Houheng were speechless for a moment, but their reactions were completely different.
For example, Xia Houheng was stunned at first, and then he raised his sleeves to cover his face, feeling extremely embarrassed and angry.
Shuzi!
I asked you to apologize, but I didn’t ask you to flatter me!
Yes, at this time he already regretted forcing Xia Houhui to come to the temple to apologize.
If he hadn't thought about the Emperor's presence, he might have been unable to restrain himself and stepped forward to punch and kick Xia Houhui.
The consequences of Xia Houhui's actions such as thanking him for his kindness and writing poems to satirize the emperor were simply that he would be hated by the emperor, and he would find it difficult to have any opportunities in his official career in the future.
It cannot affect the careers of other people in the family.
But this kind of flattering words like "The Lord of Ming is above" on the left and "The Lord of the Holy Ming" on the right will damage the reputation of the Xiahou family, which is founded on meritorious deeds!
Shameless!
You act erratically and don’t even care about your family’s reputation!
When everything here is over, go home and see if I don't use your skills!
Xia Houheng had already decided in his heart that Xia Houhui would know what family law was today.
The emperor's reaction was also shocked at first, and then found it funny, but soon his face turned gloomy again.
The rapid change of demeanor is breathtaking.
However, he himself didn't think there was anything strange about it.
There was a look of astonishment on his face. Naturally, he already had a general understanding of Xia Houhui's character in previous contacts, and also had a preconception that he was an upright minister. In this way, he suddenly heard such words as "The Lord of the Holy Ming" It’s not surprising that he was instantly stunned by the flattery.
I find it funny because I think Xia Houhui's behavior of refusing to admit defeat is a bit childish.
Obviously, he was brought to apologize by Xia Houheng. He only needed to bow his head and admit his mistake to be forgiven, but he just didn't want to!
In order to gain this reputation and prove that he was not wrong, he actually said words such as "I was terrified, I would kill myself to serve my country, and I would say all my words to the superiors and subordinates"!
Don't even think about it, you have even done such a thing as thanking En Soma, and you still claim that you are always afraid?
Have you forgotten that more than ten days ago, you used Qin II to criticize Sang and Huai?
How could Cao Rui, who was recognized by the courtiers as a wise man, have his mind swayed by a few flattering words?!
Therefore, after listening to it, Cao Rui couldn't help but feel that Xia Houhui's contradictory flattery was as ridiculous as a three-year-old child.
As for why he suddenly became gloomy again~
But he suddenly discovered the "sinister" intentions of Xia Houhui's words!
Because since ancient times, "If the emperor is wise, his ministers will be virtuous, and if the emperor is ignorant, his ministers will be treacherous."
Previously, when Xia Houhui was at Beimangshan Manor, he wrote the "Afang Palace Ode" to persuade him. Although his words were inappropriate and his attitude was fierce, it cannot be denied that this was done by his direct minister; but now, he was brought to plead guilty by Xia Houheng. In order to save himself, he was forced to Those who have no choice but to say flattering words are naturally the actions of sycophants.
So, how should Emperor Cao Rui choose?
If he adopts Xia Houhui's flattering words, wouldn't that also make him a foolish king?
But if one admits that Xia Houhui's previous advice was not wrong, wouldn't it mean that he is indulging his arrogance and will not be able to push himself further in the future and repeatedly violate Yan Zhijian?
Although, without Guo Yan Zhichen's foil, the reputation of Mingjun would not be evident.
However, it was nothing more than a play on Ao Pu, so Xia Houhui dared to use Qin II as an analogy!
If he behaves more excessively in the future, then Xia Houhui must not compare him with Xia Jie and Shang Zhou?!
Shuzi!
Such a cunning intention!
For a moment, he thought deeply about the emperor Cao Rui, and felt a wave of anger filling his chest and abdomen.
Fortunately, Xiahou Heng, who was feeling ashamed and angry at the side, saw that the emperor was silent and thought that Cao Rui was lamenting the loss of Xiahou family tradition! He immediately gritted his teeth secretly, with a ray of determination flashing in his eyes, and leaned forward again. Worship, please say, "My brother has misbehaved. He first committed the crime of Tianyan, and now he is a treacherous person. He is really unworthy of the position of a minister of Sanqi! Chen Heng boldly asks your majesty to let my brother leave his post and return home. I must The general will strictly discipline him. If his younger brother can bark and benefit current affairs in the future, he should emulate his father's ambition and devote himself to the country. If his younger brother cannot become a talented person, he should be made to die in the countryside. He will not be a disaster to the country or a disease to the family. ! ”
Uh~
As soon as these words were spoken, not only the emperor was surprised, but even Xia Houhui was speechless.
Xia Houheng, who had misunderstood, was abandoning his car to protect his commander, and was planning to temporarily cut off Xia Houhui's future with the whole family in mind.
However, it’s easy to understand when you think about it.
It had only been a few days since Xia Houhui started his official career. Now that he has resigned, there will be no shortage of opportunities to resume his official career in the future.
But if the emperor were to conclude that the Xiahou family's reputation was no longer what it was before, then the entire family would be in catastrophe, and there would be no chance of regaining the merits of their fathers in the future!
Comparing Qu alone with the entire family, Xia Houheng could clearly understand which was more important and which was less important.
"Marquis An Ning's words are serious."
After being stunned for a short time, the emperor Cao Rui smiled and comforted him, "Just get up. There is no need to blame yourself. Even if you don't come in today, I have no intention of punishing you. "Mencius" has a saying, "If someone tells you, you will be punished if you have heard of it." Happy, Yu heard the good words and worshiped him. The great Shun had great sayings: He who is good is the same as others, he sacrifices himself and follows others, and he is happy to take from others as good. .I succeeded to the throne at a young age. Although I dare not compare myself to Emperors Yu and Shun, I will not let Zilu Zhuanmei, who has heard about it and was delighted, be more beautiful than my predecessors."
Yes, after Xia Houheng's interruption, he had already figured out how to handle the matter.
After appeasing Xia Houheng, the emperor turned his head and looked at Xia Houhui. He said with a slightly angry tone, "Both your father and brother died in the national disaster. They are loyal ministers of the Wei State! You can enjoy the merits of your fathers." , You should strive for the unfinished ambitions of father and brother! An Neng does not think about the good reputation of his family, so he utters such flattering words! "
"only!"
Being scolded by the emperor as his father, brother and family, Xiahou Hui did not dare to refute in any case. He immediately responded and looked up with a look of shame on his face, "Hui is terrified! From now on, you must practice virtue and only obey your majesty's words."
"Um"
This very respectful gesture also made Emperor Cao Rui feel comfortable instantly, and he made a pleasant nasal sound.
However, he did not forget to correct Xiahou Hui's future behavior, and added, "Furthermore, the Xiahou family is the mainstay of the country, no different from the clan. I know that you are loyal to serve the country, and the gains and losses of your advice are the same." Duty. However, I am just having fun with my close ministers to play the game of Ai Pu on a whim. Can you compare it to the second generation of Qin Dynasty? Could it be that I am already a dim-witted master in your heart? I have thought of you for living in the mountains for a long time. This time It’s not a sin, but in the future, when you give advice, don’t get carried away and act recklessly!”
"only."
Xia Houhui once again answered respectfully, "Thank you for your majesty's grace."
"Get up."
In response, Cao Rui just waved his hand, said nothing, and even raised his head to look at the sky.
The intention was very obvious, let the Xiahou brothers resign immediately.
Xia Houheng, who had been in the official career for a long time, understood it by heart, but when he just wanted to speak out, Xia Houhui beat him to it.
Still not standing up, he bowed his head to the emperor again and said respectfully, "Your Majesty treats Hui with the best of his heart. Ling Hui is inexplicably grateful, and he dares not seek for his own good. I would like to ask your Majesty to allow me to say one more word."
You're not done yet, are you?
Cao Rui, whose mood had just improved, felt irritable again.
But after all, he lived up to the praise of being able to tolerate others. After suppressing his temper and taking a deep breath, he nodded and said, "Yes, let me tell you."
"only."
Xiahou Hui responded loudly and said eloquently, "Your Majesty, Hui has lived in the mountains and fields for many years. He has seen wealthy people setting up apricot trees to lure people to play in them. He has also witnessed people being deprived of their land and property and forced to play because of the aioli Pu gambling. He has become a poor tenant of a wealthy family. Therefore, Hui boldly advises that Your Majesty should no longer take pleasure in acanthus. Because it is good for the people above, it will be better for the people below. If the government and the public know about Your Majesty's happiness, they will follow suit and follow the instructions. The Aipu opera is very popular. Moreover, Haoyou used the Aopu field to seize the property of the common people, and I fear that the common people will inflict it on Your Majesty!"
"Um?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Emperor Cao Rui, who was still a little impatient at first, had a faint and captivating light flashing through his eyes, and he urged with a solemn expression, "Is it conclusive that Hao You has seized the property of Li Shu's land?!"
"Hui'an dares to speak evil before His Majesty?"
Xia Houhui nodded, raised his hands and just opened his mouth, but after looking around for a moment, he whispered, "Your Majesty, don't say that it is true that Hao You seized the property of Li Shu's land. Hui Hui returned it in Xudu, and witnessed it with his own eyes in Qiaopei. The nobles of the noble clan secretly colluded with Diannong Zhonglang and Diannong Xiaowei to invade and occupy the farmland."
well.
This time, Cao Rui sighed.
Because he already knew about the occupation of the farmland, he no longer had any doubts about the incident in Aopuchang.
The farming system that began in the Wei Dynasty and Cao Cao's period was divided into military villages and civilian villages. Among them, those who used official cattle in civilian villages were divided into six and four private villages; those who did not use official cattle were divided into half and half.
Although the government took a lot of money, compared to the current situation of people being homeless at that time, this system was still good governance.
But later, as the Wei Kingdom settled in the north, the civilian villages became a bad government.
After all, all the states and counties are stable, the people can live and work in peace and contentment, and the harvest is distributed in this way. How are the farmers and slaves different?
Moreover, as the gentry became stronger and the wealthy families became more and more powerful, the state and county laws were abolished, and they frequently occupied farmland and distributed taxes to the farmers. As a result, the distribution of harvests became a private matter.
It is precisely because of this that the people in the settlements have repeatedly fled due to the overwhelming pressure, which makes the settlement system exist in name only.
The consequence for the Wei State was that the treasury became increasingly empty.
The disadvantages of the nobles being in power can be seen from this, just like the great rats of the country.
But today's emperor Cao Rui is helpless.
And he knew that even if he wanted to change everything, it wouldn't happen overnight.
"Yes, I know."
After being silent for a long time, the Emperor Cao Rui said in a faint voice, "As you said, I will no longer play the role of Ai Pu in the future. And if you see me doing anything immoral in the future, you should do your best to dissuade me."
After saying this, without waiting for Xia Houhui's reply, he stood up and walked out with some lack of interest.
He was planning to return to his bedroom.
However, before he walked out of the palace door, he seemed to have remembered something, and turned around to warn Xia Houhui, who was following closely behind, "Zhiquan seems to have brought the good horse back to the palace? It's better to bring it to the palace to raise it."
It's in my stable."
Is this a hint to me that I will often travel with you in the future?