A soft sigh rippled in the empty Chonghua back hall.
After listening to Xia Houhui's words, Emperor Cao Rui stood up in a dazed manner, carrying a bottle of wine and walking aimlessly in the palace, taking a sip from time to time.
In the crisp autumn weather of August, the night breeze is already a bit cool. Occasionally it blows in through the open door of the palace, teasing the lights of the candlesticks and causing Cao Rui's shadow on the ground to sometimes flex its teeth and claws, and sometimes shrink and become trapped.
Just like his mood at this time.
Because he knew that Xiahou Hui's conclusion on the nine-rank official system just now was biased.
But it was precisely because he knew that he could hear the hidden meaning of Xia Houhui's words - some words that were taboo and could not be expressed by the ministers, he said it in a subtle way by blaming the ninth-rank official system.
For example, the nine-rank official system formulated by Cao Pi in Wei Dynasty by Cao Pi and Chen Qun had merits at the earliest.
At that time, the previous dynasty's system of appraising talents for the country (promoting filial piety and integrity) had collapsed to the point where "a scholar was promoted, but he did not know how to read; a filial piety and integrity were promoted, and the father lived separately". This was because at that time, the county officials and the aristocratic families Hao You has completely controlled the public opinion in the countryside, turning the inspection and promotion system into a tool for personal gain. The implementation of the nine-rank official system will allow the temple center to take back the rights of Luancai, and prevent local gentry from interfering with each other. Hao wields power to the right.
But those who are qualified to benefit from the process of Cao Wei replacing Han know that Cao Pi is making a deal with the nobles.
Cao Pi needed the influence accumulated by these nobles in the prefectures, counties and villages through generations of officials to endorse that Cao Wei was destined to succeed the Han Dynasty; and the price was to delegate power to the nobles as a reward through the nine-rank official system.
Everyone takes what they get, and everyone is happy.
However, after a few years passed, we realized how much of a threat the nine-rank official system posed to the country!
For example, a large part of the power to transfer talents that was originally favored by local wealthy families has been taken back to the temple, but it is not in the hands of the monarch.
Rather, it is controlled by the bureaucrats from aristocratic families entrenched in the temple!
What's even more frustrating is that Cao Pi's reign was too short, and he didn't do his job properly!
He didn't even think about laying a solid foundation for the country and digging out the breach of power himself, nor did he think about how to plug it. Instead, he spent most of his energy on conquering Jiangdong without any self-awareness!
The inherent shortcomings of the Cao Wei State became the reason for the noble families to seize power.
Moreover, it is becoming increasingly rampant and wanton, and there is a tendency that the power of the gentry gradually overtakes the power of the monarch!
Just now Xia Houhui mentioned the Shiqing system in the Spring and Autumn Period, which was a subtle reminder to Emperor Cao Rui - during the Spring and Autumn Period, the power of the Shiqing was too great, and there was no lack of subordinates to suppress the superiors. There were many stories of monarchs being imprisoned, expelled or killed.
And he used his own Xiahou family as an example, claiming that the Xiahou family was no different from the clan, if it was classified according to the law, it would not be popular, but it was a reflection of the Cao family.
Although the Cao family was in the generation of Wei Wu and Cao Cao, they were no longer considered a poor family.
But what if we trace the origin further~~
During the Battle of Guandu, Chen Lin, who wrote a memorial for Yuan Shao, gave him a very appropriate title——
The extravagance is ugly!
An origin that is more disgraceful than a poor family!
In other words, as the nine-grade official system continues to be implemented, the trend of taking exams for the world is getting more and more intense, and I fear that even the Tian family will be secretly despised by the gentry in the future!
So, after hearing this, how can Cao Rui remain calm?
In particular, he knew in his heart that the nine-rank official system was like drinking poison to quench thirst for Cao Wei State.
If you don't drink, you will soon die of thirst.
If you drink it, you will go through a long and painful process and then die.
And in the meantime, maybe we can find a way to resolve the toxicity.
yes!
The nine-rank official system cannot be abolished.
Otherwise, without the support and endorsement of the noble family, the four hundred years of accumulated prestige of the Han Dynasty; wherever the sun and the moon shine, and wherever the rivers go, it is the bloody pride of the Han people; the deep-rooted roots engraved in the bones of more than ten generations, this kind of How could Cao Wei be the one who was destined to be replaced by him if he wanted to?
The previous Confucian model, moral model, and Wang Mang, who was hailed as a saint, all failed!
Is it okay to just replace it with a castrated wife and an ugly person?
How can you be so virtuous!
The most urgent task is to focus on reality and find a good strategy to alleviate this situation as soon as possible to avoid the poisonous death of Cao Wei Sheji due to the nine-rank official system.
And Cao Rui's hesitation alone at this time did not stop at this point.
He knew that since Xia Houhui had mentioned it, he would have considered a solution to this problem.
That's why he didn't ask questions for a long time.
In the heart of an emperor, there is no absolute good or evil or loyalty or evil.
Before asking about how to suppress the gentry family, Cao Ruiqi first had to consider Xiahou Hui's position clearly and analyze what he wanted to get from it and what he could get; and what his needs and demands would do to him and to Cao Wei's country. What impact will it bring?
It's not that I doubt that Xia Houhui will become a rebel.
But the power of the Cao Wei State is now held by the gentry and the clan respectively, and it is a relationship of one ebb and flow and the other ebb and flow.
Xia Houhui's background is no different from that of the clan. Now he is admonishing to weaken the power of the gentry. Even if his words are reasonable, as the emperor, how can Cao Rui not have the power of checks and balances in his mind?
He, what do you want?
With this in mind, while Cao Rui was walking aimlessly in the palace, he would occasionally glance at Xia Houhui from the corner of his eye.
Xia Houhui was very calm at this time.
Chew slowly and eat a few candied dried fruits, and then take a sip of wine. It feels so satisfying.
It's not that he is heartless, but he is really hungry.
Hunting in the afternoon was a strenuous task, and I didn't even have time to eat a few bites before returning from the banquet.
Furthermore, he gave his advice out of pure sincerity, and there was no need to worry that Emperor Cao Rui would hide five hundred swordsmen and axes in the Chonghua apse and throw a cup as a sign.
If you have a clear conscience, why should you be afraid?
As everyone knows, it was his heartless behavior that the emperor Cao Rui admired.
Nothing else but a frank ear.
At Xia Houhui's age, Cao Rui did not think that Xia Houhui was so sophisticated that he concealed selfish motives when admonishing him. Moreover, since there was a relationship of shared honor and disgrace, his submissive and groveling behavior was more superficial and less resourceful.
"Zhiquan, what are your ambitions in this life?"
Cao Rui, who returned to his seat and sat down, didn't know what he thought of, and asked suddenly.
"Well?"
Regarding this question, Xia Houhui was stunned for a moment.
Originally, he thought that after the emperor returned to his throne, he would ask about how to curb the power of the gentry. How could he have expected that Cao Rui would ask about his own ambitions?
However, he quickly reacted.
He quickly raised his hands in salute and responded respectfully, "Your Majesty, Hui Ping has two ambitions in life."
Can one have two ambitions?
Hearing this, Emperor Cao Rui raised his eyebrows slightly, with a gleam of interest in his eyes, and urged, "Speak quickly."
"only."
Xiahou Hui spoke without hesitation, "Hui's ambition is, first of all, to settle the affairs of the king and the world, and to win a reputation before and after his death. He will live up to the kindness and honor bestowed on Xiahou family from Emperor Wu; and he will live up to his sonship in this life. But I comfort my father and brother’s spiritual ears in heaven!”
"Great kindness!"
Immediately, the emperor Cao Rui raised his palm and praised, "Zhiquan is worthy of being the queen of the Xiahou family!"
After praising him, he raised his wine cup and invited Xia Houhui for a drink, "Such an ambition cannot be achieved without wine! Come on, Zhiquan, drink to win!"
After putting down the wine cup, he couldn't wait to urge him again, "What are the two ambitions of Zhiquan?"
After all, the first ambition is to "solve the affairs of the king and the world"!
Then the second one will definitely be more lofty, aspiring to open up new territories and create a grand occasion for the emperor for all nations to come to court?
But what Xia Houhui said next made him stunned.
"Your Majesty, Hui Zhizhi, the two of them are rich men."
Moreover, Xia Houhui had a look of regret on his face when explaining.
"Originally, Hui Nai wanted to be a son of a noble family, with no worries about food and clothing, and a life of freedom. But unfortunately, the talents in the family are as outstanding as those of the three brothers, and the five brothers are all in good health, so Hui Yu was mentioned by the eldest brother when he was young. You should fight hard for the lintel of the family and contribute to the country. Therefore, it is difficult to benefit the young and the strong, but it is difficult to serve as a disciple. I can only hope that when I am old in this life, I can become a rich man who does not bother to write documents."
Well, that’s it.
This time, Emperor Cao Rui understood.
Xia Houhui is not claiming to be aloof or pretending to be powerless.
Rather, he is claiming that as a member of the Xiahou clan, he is willing to serve the Cao Wei State wholeheartedly throughout his life.
If the emperor Cao Rui thinks highly of him and treats him as a scholar of the country, he will not care about personal honor and disgrace and will be willing to be a pawn to "solve the affairs of the emperor and the world"; but if Cao Rui treats him as a mediocre person, he will He will stay away from his official career and return to the mountains and fields to become a contented and carefree rich man.
It is somewhat similar to the pre-Qin scholar's style of "the king chooses his ministers, and the ministers also choose their king."
It also goes against the friendship between the two families who share weal and woe, and has a vague offensive meaning of "if you are not wise, I will run away from you".
However, Cao Rui didn't care about this.
Human beings are bound to have seven emotions and six desires when they are born, especially those who are capable and ambitious. How can they not have some temperament?
Moreover, in the current situation where the gentry is in power, Cao Rui hopes that Xiahou Hui, who is no different from the clan, has enough ability to fight for him on the road to consolidate the monarchy. How can he care about this trivial offense?
Therefore, after a brief silence, he continued the previous topic, "Zhiquan, what is the difference between today and Emperor Wu's period?"
"Third, it is the administration of officials."
After hearing this, Xiahou Hui said eloquently, "Your Majesty, Hui secretly believes that history can be used as a guide to determine the rise and fall."
"In the prosperous times of the previous dynasties, there was the rule of Wenjing first, and then the Zhaoxuan Zhongxing. The laws and regulations followed were all mixed with the Overlord Way. To sum up, they adhere to the Yin and Yang Golden Mean, which can be stretched or relaxed, and go in different ways. Return together."
"The same was true during the period of Emperor Wu. The officials were followed and treated cruelly, and the place of Jing'an was governed by the king's rule."
"Because the officials who followed the law and followed the principles, persuaded the farmers, followed the instructions, and governed the prefectures and counties according to the king's way, without cutting off the merits and talents. Although the people had no reputation, they had no hope, and they all followed the law to make peace; but the ruthless officials killed decisively. , the methods are cruel and can frighten the place, root out the treacherous and evil people, and make the arrogant and chaotic villains dare not cause trouble, because they are afraid of the law."
"Although the history of Qing Dynasty shows that there are differences between the officials who follow the rules and the officials who are cruel, but in terms of the country, they have the same goal by different paths, and they are all good officials who benefit the country! Now, in the Wei State, there is no shortage of officials who follow the rules, but there are no officials who are cruel! There are no officials who are cruel, so there are aristocratic families.
The powerful rightists roamed the prefectures and counties, and colluded with the treacherous men to bully Li Shu!"