The setting sun diffused into the thatched cottage of the Chen Family Courtyard and fell on Master Sima who was still standing in front of the steps.
I saw him standing like a pine and cypress in the abyss, with a calm and thoughtful face, which made his already deep eyes look particularly gloomy.
"What are you thinking about?"
Chen Tai, who had just sent all the other guests away, came back to see him. He couldn't help but joked, "Is it possible that Xiahou Zhiquan's lack of response just now made Ziyuan feel annoyed?"
"Uncle Xuan, don't be ridiculous, I am such a small-minded person."
Master Sima, whose thoughts were interrupted, smiled sternly, "Furthermore, I just made the invitation because I was in a hurry and didn't think carefully. It's natural for Xiahou Zhiquan to be non-committal."
"oh?"
Hearing the completely opposite reply, Chen Tai couldn't help but was stunned for a moment. After frowning for a moment, he put his palms up and smiled, "Ha, I know what Ziyuan means! Naizhiquan is already Sanqi Shilang, his daily companion.
Driving around the emperor, it is difficult to have time for rest or leisure, and it is also difficult to respond to Ziyuan's invitation."
Indeed, as a close minister of the emperor, Xia Houhui did not dare to make appointments with others in terms of time.
After all, today's world still advocates and abides by the promise of a thousand pieces of gold.
However, this enlightenment had nothing to do with Master Sima being alone in his daze, so after Chen Tai finished speaking, he asked again, "Since Zi Yuan has no worries in his heart, why are he hurting his spirit here?"
"It's not that it hurts anyone. I'm just feeling a little emotional."
Hearing this, Master Sima nodded and said, "I heard that the late Xiahou Shuquan used to gather children to play in the army when he was a child. At the age of sixteen, he galloped against a tiger and killed it with one arrow, which made him famous as Emperor Wu. And Xiahou Youquan
The seven-year-old born in the Wen zodiac had a photographic memory, which impressed Emperor Wen deeply. However, both of them were born in the same year, and people at that time said that the person who would regain the glory of the Xiahou family must be my wife's brother, Xiahou Taichu! Today, I and I
Xiahou Zhiquan sat at a banquet and talked with him in detail about military affairs in Yongliang. Only then did he realize that there were many virtuous people in the Xiahou family! It is not yet known whether my wife's brother is the leader! Because I privately thought that Zhiquan's talents and learning might be the same as those of his uncle Quan and you.
The chief of authority."
Uh, both have the merit of being called Xiahou Rong by Xiahou?
Isn’t that a genius?!
After Master Sima said goodbye and left, Chen Tai's thoughts were still fluctuating due to his assertion.
It's not that I have doubts about Xia Houhui's talent and learning, but because he is a Yingchuan scholar.
At the beginning, when Cao Cao started his business in the early days of the Wei Dynasty, the conquests were done by the clan and Qiao Pei's hometown, and the Yingchuan scholars who were responsible for political planning and government affairs were worked on.
Xun Lingjun was the leader of the Yingchuan scholars under Cao Wei.
With the death of Xun Lingjun and the old age of Zhong Yao, Chen Qun, who came from a famous Yingchuan family and married Xun Lingjun's daughter, became the leader of Yingchuan scholars.
However, today's Yingchuan scholars no longer have the same power as before in the Cao Wei regime.
The apparent reason is that Cao Wei now covers ten states in the world and has gathered countless talented people. Naturally, he has to distribute his power equally to the scholars in other states and counties.
But the main reason was that Xun Lingjun had objections to Wei Wu and Cao Cao's ennoblement.
Even though Zhong Yao, Xun You and others all took official positions in Wei when Cao Cao was crowned king, they did not change the estrangement in Cao Cao's heart and evened out the power of Yingchuan scholars. For this reason, from now on, he is qualified to be in charge of privy secrets.
The selection of important ministers involved in the temple's decision-making can be seen at a glance.
Especially the people who were promoted to official positions by Xun Lingjun were no longer the core of Yingchuan scholars!
And there was a tendency to spontaneously form a group, further eroding the power of the Yingchuan scholars!
Like the Minister of Gu Ming left by Wei Wen Cao Pi, General Sima Yi had much greater authority than Chen Qun, and was more admired by scholars from other states and counties.
The reason for this is not that Sima Yi's literary and military tactics were superior.
Perhaps, I should have a close relationship with Xiahou Zhiquan?
Well, I'd better report this matter to my father first and see what my father thinks before making any plans.
Chen Tai, who had little utilitarianism, rarely planned an official career based on the current situation of Yingchuan scholars.
Outside Luoyang City.
Xiahou Hui, Xiahou and the two brothers rode their horses back slowly.
But the difference is that Xia Houhui has put aside his distracting thoughts and is leisurely admiring the beauty of the sunset reflecting on the water bank, while Xia Houhe is hanging his head and remaining silent.
It seems like you have something on your mind?
It's just that he is only seventeen years old. Now he doesn't have to worry about family affairs, nor has he embarked on an official career to work hard on paperwork, so why should he worry?
When Xia Houhui saw it, he was very puzzled.
He couldn't help but asked with concern, "Yi Quan, why are you so unhappy?"
Unexpectedly, this question caused Xia Houhe to look sad and said, "Sixth brother has exhausted his literary ideas and has been unable to do literary work for many years. However, the eldest brother and I were unaware and still urged the sixth brother to socialize and have banquets with others. This made
The sixth brother was embarrassed during the banquet, and he really did not care about the relationship between brothers."
It also left Xia Houhui speechless for a moment.
He really didn't expect that his lies had deceived Xia Houhe and made Xia Houhe feel guilty and take the blame.
When Xia Houhe saw that he was stunned and silent, he thought it was his words that aroused his sentiments, so he quickly added, "Sixth brother, after I return today, I will definitely persuade the eldest brother and will not make it difficult for the sixth brother to do anything."
Others are socializing and having a banquet!"
Alas, indeed!
It is better to be honest as a person, otherwise after you tell a lie, you will have to use countless lies to cover it up.
"Rights don't have to be like this."
With emotion in his heart, Xiahou Hui thought for a while, then said with a sincere face, "After today, even if I hang out with people and have banquets, no one will ask me to write poems or poems. Besides, I think,
It is a good thing for me and my family to be exhausted from literary ideas."
oh.
God's will is too small for one's own body, but he still says good things?
Hearing this, Xia Houhe was surprised and couldn't understand it at all. He also urged him to ask, "I can't understand what Sixth Brother said."
"Hey, what's wrong with you?"
Xiahou Hui was happy and said eloquently, "Firstly, since the beginning of Emperor Wu's establishment, my family has been famous for its martial arts. Although I am no longer capable of writing and calligraphy, I can still focus on military service. Isn't this the successor to my family?"
And today, the swords and soldiers are not extinguished, Bashu and Jiangdong are not ministers, and they have repeatedly raised armies to invade the territory. Those who serve in the army have many meritorious deeds, and they can also find marquises! If one day I can lead the army to attack the ministers, and be granted the title of marquis based on merit, this is not the case.
Has the family gained a reputation? Secondly, as far as the country is concerned, poems and poems are nothing more than trivial matters. I just find it difficult to write poems and poems, and it is not because I am illiterate. Moreover, now that I am relying on His Majesty's kindness to serve as a knight, there are many times when I can observe politics and benefit myself. In the future
If you can go out to herd and guard one area, you may not be incapable of doing the job. In this way, it will live up to our ambition of producing generals and becoming prime ministers, what a pity!"
At this point, he paused briefly, reached out and patted Xia Houhe on the shoulder, and encouraged him, "When my husband is born in this world, he should strive for self-improvement and aim to leave a name in history. Either with poems, meritorious deeds, or loyalty.
Either to implement benevolent government, or to cultivate virtue, or to promote culture and education. All kinds of things are possible! How can you feel sorry for yourself and abandon yourself just because you can't do one thing?"
"nice!"
After hearing this, Xia Houhe, who was in the prime of his life, immediately raised his palms and praised, and said loudly, "When my husband is born in this world, he should strive for self-improvement! The words of the sixth brother made me clear up my troubles as if the clouds were clearing and I saw the sun! From now on, I will
Don’t be obsessed with socializing and literary invitations. Instead, seek to learn from others, use your talents and knowledge to live up to the ambitions of your father and brothers!”
"good!"
Xia Houhui was generous in his praise.
Yes, he had no objection at all to Xiahou and Chang hanging out with talented people in Kyoto, having banquets and chatting.
He also didn't tell his younger brother to always remember his identity and position as the founder of Qiao Pei, and not to hang out with the nobles all year round and cause displeasure in the emperor's heart.
Because this was his expected escape route.
There is no other reason.
Man proposes, God disposes.
He was not sure that what he wanted to do would be successful.
And if he fails, Xiahou He, who is moving closer to the gentry, will still have a chance to keep the lintel of the Xiahou family.
Don't put all your eggs in one basket~
For example, when Wei was seizing the throne, Sima Yi was a good friend of Wei Wen Cao Pi and Sima Fu served in Cao Zhi's house; for example, Cui Yan publicly supported Cao Pi as the heir apparent, but his daughter was Cao Zhi's wife.
Similar things abound.
On the road to power, many families do not forget to reserve a way out every time they make a choice.
"Sixth brother yearns for military service and aims to achieve military success and become a marquis. I wonder if there will be a chance to join the expedition to Bashu?"
Just when the two brothers stopped talking and continued to drive their horses on their way, and were about to enter Luoyang City, Xiahouhe didn't know what he thought of and asked such a question.
It also made Xiahou Hui suddenly rein in his horse, looking astonished.
Follow the expedition to Bashu?!
Could it be that General Cao Zhen has already obtained the approval of the emperor and the temple and is about to attack Shu?
However, why do I, as a close minister of the Emperor, not know anything about evil?
After being stunned for a moment, he lowered his voice and asked, "How did Yiquan learn that the temple will attack Bashu evil?"
"ah?"
No, Xia Houhe was also surprised, "Sixth brother doesn't know about this?"
It was just a rhetorical question. He raised his hand and patted his forehead again, and said with a hint of confusion, "Sixth brother has been accompanying me in the palace these days, and the eldest brother has been in a daze recently. He probably forgot to inform the sixth brother. Yesterday, I
When my brother returned home, he was talking about his family life. He also asked his eldest brother for some of his father's previous songs. Brother Zhong claimed that Bashu had repeatedly invaded the country in recent years, and the Yongliang soldiers were all angry. Many generals led their groups to ask for orders from the general.
The attack on Shu. Brother Zhong had the ambition to restore Hanzhong, and he thought that if the general asked the emperor for permission to attack Shu, he would definitely allow him to accompany him in the expedition. Therefore, he asked for several of his father's previous tribesmen.
, to serve as a guide when marching."
The brother Zhong they call is Xiahou Ba.
During the reign of Wei Wen and Cao Pi, he served as a partial general in Yongliang and was given the title of Marquis of Guannei long ago.
Thanks to Xia Houyuan's early achievements in Guanyou, he was quite calm in the Yongliang army and was well-informed about all kinds of information in the army.
I see!
Perhaps General Cao Zhen’s consideration of requesting troops to attack Shu in the future was partly to appease the Yongliang tribes?
After all, in the past two years, the Shu Kingdom has sent troops to invade Yongliang three times!
He also captured Wudu and Yinping counties.
For the Wei State, which occupies ten states in the world, it would be too damaging to the country's prestige if it did not counterattack once.
Alas, if this is the case, the attack on Hanzhong should be unstoppable...
After Xia Houhui heard this, he realized something in his heart.
"I have only been in office for a short period of time, so I probably won't have a chance."
He replied calmly, without mentioning his opposition to the conquest of Shu, but instead urged, "Yi Quan, enter the city quickly. If it's any later, brother will be worried."