Xi Chao stood in the corridor, twirling his beautiful beard, smiling as he watched the tall and handsome Chen Cao Zhi walking briskly. Behind Chen Cao, a giant man with a height of eight feet was following step by step. Xi Chao saw that this giant man looked familiar.
Suddenly I remembered that it was the young man named Ran Sheng, whom I hadn't seen for three years. He was hunting with a long beard and was very brave.
When Chen Caozhi saw Xi Chao, he hurriedly took a few steps and bowed deeply: "How happy I am to see Xi Chao join the army again!"
Xi Chao returned the gift, stepped forward, held Chen Caozhi's hand, looked at it carefully, and praised: "After three years apart, Zizhong's demeanor is even better than before. When we first saw Tongxuan Pagoda, Zizhong was still childish at that time. Now,
He is already a handsome man from E'e. In my opinion, the title of Jiang Zuo Wei Jie is not suitable for Zi Zhong. Wei Shu Bao's male and female looks are too soft, so Zi Zhong should be reborn as Ji Zhongsan."
Ji Zhongsan is Ji Kang from the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Forest, with dragons and phoenixes, nature is natural, Xiao Xiao is solemn, hearty and clear, and the mountains and waves praise Ji Kang: "Uncle Ji is a man at night, and the rocks are as independent as a solitary pine;
When you are drunk, you will collapse like a jade mountain."
Chen Caozhi smiled and said: "Life is like an adverse journey, generations are like passers-by, and this body is nothing more than a stinky skin in the shape of earth and wood. Is it worthy of Xi Shenjun's praise?"
"You are a broad-minded person!" Xi Chao laughed loudly, holding Chen Caozhi's hand, looking at Ran Sheng who was standing with his hands crossed, and said: "You are Ran Sheng, can you ride and shoot?"
Ran Sheng puffed up his chest and said, "I am skilled in bow and horse. If you don't believe me, ask my young husband."
Chen Caozhi smiled and said nothing, Ran Sheng's archery skills were very accurate, but he only learned to ride the horse for two days, so he dared to claim to be proficient in bow and horse, which was a big boast.
Xi Chao said to Chen Cao: "Zizhong, when you go to Xifu to take up a post, take Ran Sheng with you and let him train from the rank of corps commander. In less than ten years, he will be a fierce general."
Chen Cao said: "It depends on Xiao Sheng's own wishes."
Ran Sheng said: "I'm not going anywhere, I'm just following the young man."
Xi Chao couldn't help but smile when he saw this giant bearded man showing his childishness. He joined hands with Chen Caozhi and went into the room to talk. After greetings, Xi Chao asked Chen Caozhi when the Dazhongzheng examination was scheduled? Chen Caozhi said: "It will be this month.
On the 18th.”
Xi Chao said: "Okay, then I will come to participate and test you."
Chen Cao said: "With the participation of the Zhongzheng Association of the Eight Prefectures and the gossiping celebrities who often gather at Situ's Mansion, I am already tired of dealing with it. Brother Xi, please don't make things difficult for me anymore."
Xi Chao laughed loudly, pointed to the volume of "Laozi's New Meanings" on his desk and said: "The King of Kuaiji paid homage to your masterpiece last night and did not rest until the fourth watch. Then I went to see him. The King of Kuaiji repeatedly praised him, saying that Qian, Tang and Chen Cao were not just guards.
Jie was resurrected, and Wang Bi was reincarnated. Wang Bi commented on Lao Tzu, creating a new generation of mystical trends. Chen Caozhi used Buddhist scriptures and Confucian classics to explain Lao Tzu's new meanings. His teachings were unprecedented and indescribable. He was truly a genius - on the 18th
During the assessment, Zizhong asked the Eight Prefectures Dazhong Zhengzhuan to read "Laozi's New Meanings" and "Mingshenghu Lunxuan Collected Works", and he passed the assessment naturally. Those celebrities who talked about it were very mysterious when they talked about it.
Who can write a book and talk about it!"
Chen Cao said: "I'm afraid it won't pass so easily."
Xi Chao said: "Are you worried that Zizhong will face the same difficulties as Yu Xi did in Wu County last time? You are outstanding in talent and have been appreciated by the King of Kuaiji. There is nothing to worry about!" After a pause, he said: "Zizhong, I have something to ask you.
discuss--"
Chen Caozhi heard Xi Chao's solemn tone, so he sat upright and said, "Brother Xi, please speak."
Xi Chao said: "When I came to Beijing this time, escorting Duke Huanxian to get married was not my first priority. My real mission was to submit Huan Da Sima's memorial to the court for review. This was to move the capital to Luoyang. Since Yongjia, those who spread rumors and spread rumors are all Northern disciples.
Ishi Henan—Does Zizhong think this proposal can be implemented?"
Chen Caozhi was slightly shaken and moved the capital. This was a major event that shocked both the government and the public. Huan Wen had great ambitions and aspired to the throne. He once said, "If a man is not famous throughout the ages, he will be infamous for thousands of years." In the tenth year of Yonghe, Huan Wen launched his second Northern Expedition.
After a great victory and regaining Luoyang, he had long wanted to consolidate his position by moving the capital to Luoyang, and then replace it with Jin. Xi Chao was Huan Wen's think tank and should be very clear about Huan Wen's ambitions, but he still tried his best to help Huan Wen. Naturally, he wanted to
Being the founding hero of the Huan family was because only in this way could they gain greater power and develop their ambitions. On the other hand, the royal family of the Eastern Jin Dynasty preferred to settle on the left side of the Yangtze River and did not want to make progress. Wang and Xie Gaomen established their foundation in Jiangdong and occupied high positions.
He didn't want to return to the north, so Xi Chao decided to help Huan Wen, even at the expense of breaking up with his father Xi Min——
Chen Caozhi's outcome for Xi Chao was very clear. Huan Wen's third Northern Expedition did not use Xi Chao's plan, which resulted in Fangtou's defeat, his reputation plummeted, and he was no longer able to usurp the throne. A few years after Huan Wen's death, Xi Chao also died in depression.
Only forty-two years old——
But now, it was when Huan Wen's reputation was at its peak, so he had a plan to move the capital. Xi Chao said this to Chen Caozhi, firstly to examine Chen Caozhi's knowledge, and secondly to test Chen Caozhi's position to see if he could help Huan Wen.
Used--
Of course Chen Caozhi understood Xi Chao's intention, and his thoughts turned to him. Now that he had entered Jiankang, he could no longer just study and paint to accumulate knowledge as before. He was bound to be involved in political disputes. Huan Wen and Xi Chao worked for Qian Tang and Chen's family.
He made great efforts to become a scholar. This is a favor and must be repaid. Moreover, as a new member of the gentry family, his family status is declining. If he does not find shortcuts, he will just step by step and rely on accumulated qualifications to get promoted. In a high-ranking family,
In the Eastern Jin Dynasty, those who held high positions would probably already be gray-haired if they wanted to become the fifth-grade governor. But Chen Caozhi obviously has more ambitions than that. He has greater ambitions. Assisting Huan Wen should be the best choice at the moment.
As for whether to assist the Huan family to the end, it depends on how the situation develops. People cannot hang themselves on a tree——
While Chen Caozhi frowned and thought, Xi Chao sat silently, waiting for Chen Caozhi's answer.
After a long while, Chen Caozhi said slowly: "Brother Xi, I think it will be difficult for Sima Huan to implement this proposal."
Xi Chao raised his eyebrows and asked, "How can you see it?"
Chen Cao said: "Huan Da Sima's proposal to move the capital is indeed a far-sighted plan for the country. However, the northern land is depressed and people are suspicious and fearful. Since Yongjia's southern crossing, the northerners who have lived outside the river have lived for several generations. Most of them live and work in peace and contentment. Now
We also want to force them to return to Henan. Their fields and houses cannot be resold, and they cannot buy boats or carriages. They abandon a country of peace and happiness and adapt to a land of chaos. It goes without saying that they live in poverty. There will definitely be complaints and it will be detrimental to Huan Da Sima's good reputation."
Xi Chao's eyes showed approval, and he nodded and said: "Zizhong's concerns are very true, but those who do great things must do extraordinary things. The northern land is indeed depressed, but the land is there, and those returning from the north can be allocated a large amount of land. This pair of
It is very attractive to the northerners who miss their homeland. Returning to their hometown can annex the Huaibei refugees and the northern tribes, which will be of great help in regaining Henan and Hebei. Therefore, Huan Da Sima Rui decided to
OK, I will write a memorial tomorrow and see how the public discussion goes. If there are many opponents, can Zizhong come up with a good compromise?"
Chen Cao said: "Luoyang is now a place for military use. It is impossible to move the capital. For Huan Da Sima's plan, he should send his trusted generals to guard Luoyang in advance, sweep the land of Liang, Xu, and Henan, dredge water transportation, and use Wei Wu's method of farming.
, In this way, Luoyang is fertile, so Xu Yi moved the capital. Confucius said, 'If there is no desire for haste, there will be no small gains. If you want haste, you will not achieve anything. If you want to see small profits, great things will not be accomplished'."
Xi Chao narrowed his eyes and stared at Chen Caozhi. Chen Caozhi faced him calmly. A smile gradually appeared on Xi Chao's face and he said: "Zizhong is the most intelligent person I have ever seen in my life. He assesses the situation, is clear and thoughtful, and discusses mysterious theories.
The Taoist people talk arrogantly but are helpless when faced with problems. Yin Hao, Xie Wanshi and others can speak lofty words and be pragmatic and understand the situation. This is what I, the guest Xi, value."
A military officer came to report: "Xi joins the army, Duke Huanxian invites you to come over and discuss matters."
Xi Chao then stood up and said: "Zizhong, come with me to see Duke Huanxian. When you enter Xifu, you will rarely have to see Duke Huanxian often."
Chen Caozhi followed Xi Chao to see Huan Ji. Huan Ji was twenty-three years old, seven feet tall, and had a mole on his left eyebrow. His appearance was not handsome. When he saw Chen Caozhi, he exchanged greetings for a while and ignored Chen Caozhi.
At the scene, he angrily said to Xi Chao: "Xi joins the army. I don't want to marry the daughter of the King of Kuaiji. I will return to Jingzhou tomorrow."
Xi Chao was shocked and asked: "Why did Duke Huanxian say this?"
Huan Ji glanced at Chen Cao and remained silent.
Chen Caozhi left immediately, and Xi Chao sent him to the court, holding his hand and saying: "I will have a long talk with Zi Zhongdianzu another day."
Chen Caozhi and Ran Sheng took an ox cart back to the mansion of Gu Min, the censor Zhongcheng. Along the way, he frowned slightly, thinking about what Huan Ji said about not wanting to marry Princess Xin'an. What was the reason that made Huan Ji say that?
Such words? King Sima Yu of Kuaiji and Grand Sima Huanwen are currently the two most powerful people in the court. Such a marriage should not break down easily. Neither Princess Xin'an nor Huanji are able to resist the will of the family and enter into a marriage.
It is imperative——
Thinking about the ridiculous questions and answers that Princess Xin'an had with him that day, as well as the incident between Princess Xin'an and Wang Xianzhi recorded in history, Chen Caozhi couldn't help but feel wary, and had a premonition of getting into trouble.
Chen Caozhi returned to the Gu Mansion, but Gu Kaizhi had not returned from his visit to Zhang Andao, but he saw Quanli, a regular attendant of Sanqi, accompanied by Gu Minzhi, waiting for him to come back. Quanli was a fellow villager of Qiantang, and Qi Yunshanya who had been there four years ago.
At the gathering, Quan Changshi commented on Chen Caozhi that he was "genius and brilliant, outstanding" and promoted Chen Caozhi to the sixth rank. It can be said that he was acquainted with Chen Caozhi. I was very happy to meet him this time.
It was almost noon, Gu Minzhi left a small banquet with Chen Caozhi to accompany him. Chen Shang went to Situ's Mansion to deliver congratulatory gifts and had not returned yet. Gu Kaizhi must have been given a meal by Zhang Andao.
Quan Li, a regular attendant of Sanqi, was nearly sixty years old and his health was not as good as before. He appealed to the court to resign and return to his hometown, but the Chief Situ and the officials approved it. During the banquet, Quan Li and Chen Caozhi talked about the scenery of his hometown, and he felt like returning home.
, when people grow old, they just want to return to their roots after falling leaves.
After seeing off Quan Changshi, Chen Caozhi thought about going to visit Quanchang Shifu tomorrow. The doorman came to report that Jia Bizhi, the Genealogy Department, came to visit. Just as he welcomed Jia Bizhi into the hall and sat down, the doorman came again to report that Dong'an Temple Forest
The disciple Zhi Fahan asked to see Mr. Chen of Qiantang.
Gu Minzhi smiled and said: "Cao Zhi moved into my Gu Mansion. The Gu Mansion is really a bustling place."
