Huan Wen originally had no grudge against Hao Long comparing him to Lord Mengchang, but after listening to Chen Cao's few but eloquent judgments, Lord Mengchang became a hero of cocks and dogs, and Hao Long had no way to argue. Huan Wen had great ambitions and was fond of Although Hao Long accepted the world's talents, he compared him to a cock-crowding dog and a robber. Of course, he would not be happy, but Huan Wen was known for his magnanimity. As long as it did not touch his fundamental interests, he would tolerate it, not to mention that it was just an overheard remark. He Since he didn't care too much, he said with a smile: "Cao is very knowledgeable and can tell things that no one has ever said before. I should have passed the first question."
When Hao Long heard what Huan Wen said, he couldn't help but feel discouraged. He sighed deeply several times and then said: "Chen Yu, please listen to the second question - Chu State ordered Yin Ziwen to build troops in Gui, and ended the dynasty without killing anyone; his successors followed Ziyu once again managed the army until it was withered, and he finished it all day long, whipping seven people and piercing the ears of three people - please try to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of Ziwen and Ziyu's army."
Hao Long thought to himself: "Chen Caozhi gained his reputation by relying on mystical theory and clear talk. He must have no knowledge of these matters of marching and managing troops. I want to highlight his shortcomings and suppress his strong points."
Xie Xuan and Wang Tan were all worried about Chen Cao. Xie Xuan only started to study military books after joining Huan Wen's army. He was not interested in military books before. In his interactions with Chen Cao, he never discussed the art of war. He did not know about Chen Cao. Have you ever read this kind of book?
Chen Caozhi sat still and replied: "The Taigong's Six Taoists. The Dragon Taoism. The General's Power" says, 'If you kill one person and the three armies are shaken, kill him; if you reward one person and make ten thousand people happy, reward him.' Kill one and then. Punishing the masses, rewarding one and encouraging the masses. "Book of Shang Jun. Go Strong" says, 'When the timid people are punished, they will be brave, and when the brave people are rewarded, they will die.' Extraordinary law."
Hao Longqi said: "I heard that Chen Caozhi of the Qian and Tang Dynasties followed the teachings of the internal sage and the external king, and had the reputation of New Confucianism in the country. Unexpectedly, he was a legalist who favored punishment. Is this the so-called violation of the law?"
Chen Cao's way: "The inner sage and the outer king, this is the way to govern the country. Punishment is used to show the military, rewards and encouragement are given, and rewards and punishments are clear. This is the way to build a military. Hao Canjun confused governing the country with managing the army. Isn't it absurd! "
Hao Long was at a loss for words again. He didn't expect that Chen Caozhi was familiar with the art of war, so his rhetorical question just now was also hasty and hasty. Chen Caozhi counterattacked, hitting the vital point and unable to move. He asked a dilemma and got two It’s not ridiculous either.
Now Huan Wen looked at Chen Caozhi with admiration. It was not easy for a poor student to study Confucian classics, meddle with Lao Xuan, raise friends, and raise his family to the gentry class. He did not expect Chen Caozhi to have such a strong interest in the art of war and the art of war. He also knows the Legalists well, Ya can talk about mysteries, and Wu can command the army. Such Chen Caozhi is the talent that Huan Wen urgently needs. If Xi Jinbin has the ability to know people, he said three years ago that Chen Caozhi is worthy of reuse. Although he did not say it clearly, his ambition was obviously not to be satisfied with official positions below the fifth rank. Only he, Huan Wen, could reuse and promote such a junior nobleman who was eager to seek promotion, and Chen Caozhi was determined to marry a girl from the Lu family. , without the help of Huan Wen, it would be overwhelming——
"Very good, very good, it will be of great use." Huan Wen twisted his beard and smiled.
Huan Wen looked at Hao Long in the hall and then looked at everyone. These people originally had a cold-looking attitude and wanted to see how the madman Hao Long would compete with the newly famous Chen Cao Zhi. However, Chen Cao's opponent Hao Long's sharp counterattack, although he didn't say much, quoted a lot from other sources, showing his profound knowledge. His face was horrified and moved, and he couldn't help but sit up straight, as if he was listening attentively——
Hao Long said: "Chen Yu is really talented. He has also read military books. Although he has not seen actual practice, he can always talk about military affairs on paper. I admire him."
Hao Long was arrogant and unpopular, and everyone was happy to see him embarrassed. At this time, they heard Hao Long's strong words and sarcastic words, and they were all looking forward to Chen Cao's counterattack. Unexpectedly, Chen Cao Zhi was still gentle and calm and asked: "Hao Canjun, don't you know this second person?" Did you barely pass the question?"
Everyone was secretly surprised, thinking that Chen Caozhi had been so aggressive with Hao Long's post about posting his calligraphy, why was he so humble and tolerant now? But they didn't know that Chen Caozhi was trying to gain a head start. Since he had suppressed Hao Long's arrogance, he naturally had to be gentle, courteous and humble. To restore the image of a gentleman, it is not advisable to be too arrogant when you first enter the army.
Hao Long nodded and said: "That's a good answer. Please listen to the third question - the champion general Chen You defended Luoyang. Does Chen Yu think Luoyang can be defended?"
As soon as this statement came out, there was an uproar in the hall. Hao Long was clearly making things difficult for Chen Caozhi, who had just joined the army. However, Hao Long had said before that if it was necessary to test his knowledge and current affairs, Chen You's defense of Luoyang would be considered a good one. This was originally a It was a difficult problem. Sima Huan had no opinion on whether he could hold Luoyang, but Hao Long used it to test Chen Caozhi. It was too much!
Huan Wen spoke: "Chen Yu has just arrived. Hao Canjun's question is inappropriate. Chen Yu doesn't have to answer. This question will be considered passed."
Hao Long showed his enthusiasm and loudly said: "Huan Da Sima, Luoyang is the biggest current affairs at the moment. The champion general Chen You sent an envoy to report last month. He thought Luoyang was difficult to defend and wanted to retreat to Xuchang. Chen Caozhi entered The Xifu has prepared advisors to prepare for the expedition to the West, so it is appropriate for me to ask this question."
Chen Caozhi bowed to Huan Wen and said, "Da Sima, let me ask you something first. I wonder if Shen Chong's son Shen Jin and Shen Shijian are in Luoyang?"
The Shen family in Wuxing was a wealthy family with tens of thousands of hectares of land and hundreds of thousands of dollars in wealth. Shen Chong, a young master, practiced military arts and was well-known as a hero. He was executed for participating in Wang Dun's rebellion. Shen Chong's son, Shen Jin, was a man of integrity and mourned the death of his father for injustice. He wanted to make a great contribution to avenge his family's shame, but because the sons of the Xing family were not allowed to advance in officialdom, Sizhou Governor Wang Huzhi valued his talents and appointed him as a staff member——
According to Chen Caozhi's knowledge, Shen Jin was supported by Wang Huzhi, and the imperial court agreed to lift Shen Jin's ban from serving as an official, and ordered Shen Jin to make up for the long history of champions and help Chen You defend Luoyang. Shen Jin used his family and his own influence to raise funds. Thousands of warriors rushed to Luoyang, repeatedly attacking the Yan army with a small number and destroying it. However, Luoyang ran out of food and supplies, and Chen You could not defend it. The handsome army retreated to Xuchang, leaving Shen Jin with 500 men to guard Luoyang. Shen Jin was originally there With the heart of death, he vowed to live and die in Luoyang City. He defended Luoyang for a year with 500 soldiers. He had no food and no reinforcements. He was finally captured by Murong Ke, the Prime Minister of Yan, and Murong Chui, King of Wu. Shen Jin died unyielding. The imperial court In recognition of his loyalty and righteousness, he presented it to the Governor of Dongyang, and the Shen family of Wuxing returned to the gentry.
This is another person who is excited about the family's revival and does not care about his own safety. Chen Cao's heart is filled with sadness.
When Huan Wen heard Chen Caozhi ask about Shen Jin, he wondered: "Does Chen Peng know Shen Shijian? This man was recommended to us by King Hu Zhi, the governor of Sizhou. He has recruited thousands of strong men. He wants to go to Luoyang to serve the country with meritorious services. I have received a letter from Wang When Hu Zhi wrote the letter, Wang Hu Zhi had already died of illness. He was entrusted by his old friend and thought about it sadly. Unfortunately, Shen Shijian is the descendant of the Xing family, and I cannot use him in violation of the law, so he is still stranded in the city."
Chen Caozhi said in his heart: "It turns out that Shen Jin has not gone to Luoyang yet. He is a general. It would be a pity to die." He then said: "Cao Zhi has never met Shen Shijian before, but he has long heard that Shen Shijian has little integrity, courage and strategy. , Grand Sima recruits talents in any way, but it would not be a pity if he was hindered from serving the country because he is the descendant of the Xing family!"
Huan Wen had a secret in his heart. His Longkang Huan family was the descendant of the Xing family. Although he was ignorant, he still had a lot of taboos about it. He was noncommittal at the moment and said: "Why did Chen Yu bring up Shen Jin? This has nothing to do with whether Luoyang defends or abandons it." Does it matter?"
Compared with the Northern Expedition, Huan Wen paid more attention to Jiangdong. There were many conflicts in Jiangsu and Zuo, and there were many complicated things to deal with. The Northern Expedition was just a means for Huan Wen to establish his prestige. In fact, he did not want to fight to the death with Fu Qin and Murong Yan and consume his own strength. Chen Cao Zhi knows this very well, but he still has to say something -
Chen Caozhi replied: "Since the champion general Chen You wants to retreat to Xuchang, it is clear that he has no ambition to defend himself. However, after Shen Jin punished Yu, he wanted to avenge his country and avenge his family's humiliation, so he was willing to sacrifice his life and recruited thousands of strong men. , as long as the Grand Sima reported to the imperial court to lift his ban from serving as an official, grant him a military position, and then allocate 500 sergeants to enrich them, and order them to go north to help Chen You defend Luoyang. Chen You will have Shen Jin to help him, and his determination to defend the city will be strong. That's right, Luoyang can be defended. From now on, whether the Great Sima marches westward to Guanzhong or goes north to attack Murong, it will be convenient. If the Great Sima wants to make great achievements, Luoyang cannot be lost."
Huan Wen thought for a while and then asked Hao Long: "Does Hao Canjun think Chen Cao's strategy of defending Luoyang is feasible?"
Hao Long said: "To pull out the Shen Jin that has not been put into practice is completely a clumsy strategy. I don't think it is feasible."
Xie Xuan once heard his uncle Xie An talk about Shen Jin. Xie An thought that Shen Jin was resolute, courageous, and talented. He immediately said: "Da Sima, I think this proposal is feasible. Shen Jin is commendable for his loyalty and righteousness, and he is worthy of his appointment."
Wang Tanzhi's opinion of Chen Caozhi also changed drastically. At the last elegant gathering in Situ Mansion, Chen Caozhi shocked everyone with his debate and was highly appreciated by the King of Kuaiji. However, Wang Tanzhi, who advocated Confucianism and the study of criminal names, disagreed and thought that Chen Caozhi Even a metaphysical genius like Wang Bi would be of no use in today's world. But today, Chen Caozhi seemed to be a completely different person. He never mentioned Lao Zhuang and talked about the art of war, current affairs, and knowledge. He was also an expert. Yi Chi, this Chen Caozhi, looking ahead, suddenly behind, is as knowledgeable as the sea, unfathomable!
Huan Wen's purpose of using Hao Long to test Chen Caozhi has been achieved. Xi Jinping said that Chen Caozhi was Zhang Zifang of Han and Xun Wenruo of Wei. It was true that Huan Wen had a big breast cup. It would be better for the imperial court to fake him as Huang Yue than to get Chen Cao. He was delighted and raised his glass: "Chen Caozhi successfully passed the test. Let's have a drink together to congratulate him."
Hao Long returned to his seat silently and saw that everyone was raising their glasses to pay tribute to Chen Caozhi. They seemed to have forgotten that Chen Caozhi also asked him three questions as agreed in advance. Hao Long felt deeply neglected and said loudly: "Chen Caozhi, it's up to you now." You come to ask me three difficult questions."
Chen Caozhi smiled and said: "Today is a happy day for Grand Sima to be promoted to a new rank. The emperor's envoy is here. Since I have answered the questions as usual, there is no need to join the army by asking questions. It is better to get drunk and quarrel with each other."
Hao Long didn't understand, and thought that Chen Caozhi was contemptuous of him, so he had to ask Chen Caozhi to make things difficult for him. Chen Caozhi said: "Well, let me ask a question -"
Hao Long said: "Three questions."
Chen Cao said: "Only when you can answer the first question can you answer the second question."
Hao Long said angrily: "You say it, you say it."
Chen Caozhi asked slowly: "In the past, Shi Chong entertained guests in Jingu Garden and cooked bean porridge for the guests. He immediately cooked it, why?"
Bean porridge is very labor-intensive and takes a long time to cook, but when Shi Chong was a guest in Jingu Garden, Shi Chong gave an order, and the bean porridge was steaming hot and delicious. Wang Dun, who was a guest in Jingu at that time, and Wang Dao brothers were very fond of it. This is a big puzzle. I wonder what method Shi Chong used?
Hao Long asked Chen Caozhi three difficult questions in a serious manner, but Chen Caozhi asked Hao Long this irrelevant question. It can be said that he is humorous and unrestrained, which is very typical of Jin people.
