Entering the palace, Liu Mastiff was still a little scared. His marriage to Lu Ji had been decided. However, they would have to wait two years before they would officially get married. However, the two people who made the engagement could not They met as casually as before, but for some reason, Lu Bu suddenly tightened control over Lu Ji and sent her to the mansion, asking Yan to keep an eye on her and not allow her to go out to meet Liu Mastiff.
Liu Mastiff had not seen Lu Ji for three days, and he missed her very much, but he could do nothing.
He was still worried about this matter. Suddenly he heard his father summoning him, and he immediately panicked. He would not be so afraid in front of his mother, but his father, he gritted his teeth and rushed to Houzhou helplessly. In front of the gate of De Hall, Han Men went in to report. Before he saw Han Men, he heard his father in Houde Hall say, "Come in!" Liu Mastiff lowered his head and walked into the hall. Han Men stood aside, and the Emperor sat in front of the official document.
"Greetings to Father!!" Liu Mastiff hurriedly bowed to see him. The Emperor slowly raised his head, glanced at him, sneered and said, "Hey, isn't this our Luoyang hero? If I don't call you, you can just call him. Did I forget??”
"My child doesn't dare!"
"What don't you dare to do? You dare to rob Lu Bu's daughter. What else don't you dare to do?" Hearing the emperor's reprimand, Liu Mastiff's face turned pale with fright, and he immediately wanted to salute the emperor. He waved his hand impatiently, "Okay, I don't care about this matter. Let your mother have a headache. I'm not calling you here this time for this matter. I have other important matters...", he Just as he was about to speak, he stopped and said, "Han Men, you go out first."
"Your welcome!" Han Men saluted and left quickly.
The emperor watched him leave, then looked at Liu Mastiff and motioned him to sit down. Liu Mastiff sat in front of the emperor, a little frightened. Fortunately, the emperor did not continue to mention Lu Ji's matter, and directly asked: "Forbidden How is the situation of people taking medicine? Man Chong reported that the situation of people taking medicine has dropped a lot. It is almost impossible to see people taking medicine. But I don’t really believe it. You should know the specific situation in Taixue and Menzixue. That’s it?”
Liu Mastiff nodded and said: "Father, we can no longer see the followers in the school. Grandpa's punishment for the followers is extremely strict. He directly revokes the qualifications for assessment and will not be able to enter the official career for life. Many students dare not However, there are still many who have been convinced in private. Manjun is still busy with this matter. It is said that General Lu also took action and arrested more than 40 officials. Now they are still If you are locked up, you will probably be removed from the official position..."
"Well... that's very good..." The emperor nodded and said: "That's good. You must also control your subordinates. If they surrender, Man Chong will never let them go. ....”
He said, and then he said: "I want to build a relief platform in Jiuqing. I know that you care about the beggars and homeless people. Now, they can all settle down. However, I don't want to Don't be in a hurry...I called you here because I have something to ask you..." He looked at the prince in front of him and said: "This relief policy can greatly win over the people and help the people."
"I have my own reasons for delaying implementation... You decide for yourself, either implement it now, and this policy will be included in Xiping's benevolent government, or I will give it to you, and you can implement it after you ascend the throne in the future, which can increase the number of Your prestige allows you to control the temple faster... What do you think?"
When the emperor asked, Liu Mastiff was a little stunned. What did father mean by this? Are you testing me?
"My father can defeat me countless times, so of course it is my father who can do it."
"Don't talk nonsense to me... I am not an outsider, and you don't have to hide it... If you have a wish, I will leave it to you. If you don't want it, I will carry it out..." The Emperor Looking at him solemnly, waiting for his answer, Liu Mastiff frowned, thought for a moment, and then said: "Then I'd better ask my father to implement it... The people of the world have been waiting for benevolent government for a long time, and I can't bear to make them wait any longer. ..."
The emperor grinned and nodded.
"Okay...then who do you think can take up this position?"
Liu Mastiff thought for a moment and then said: "Many officials in my East Palace are really a bit unworthy of their talents. People like Zhuge Kongming and Sima Zhongda are fully capable of taking up this position. However, my uncle has already served as the young master. Zhongda He should be the most suitable... He is a shrewd man, and he will not be deceived by the local government when he takes up this position..." Hearing Liu Mastiff's words, the emperor shook his head and said: "Officials in the East Palace, no, we must learn from the rest. Choose among people..."
Liu Mastiff was a little confused. He didn't know why the emperor refused. He thought for a moment and then said: "In that case, I recommend someone...my uncle's eldest brother, Zhuge Jin. This person passed the examination and is currently working in Situ. As an official in the government, he is a kind and loyal man who speaks less and puts emphasis on practice. Situ Cao Gong praised him quite a lot and said that his talent and virtue are not inferior to those of his younger brothers. I think this person may be able to take up the post."
The emperor thought for a moment, is it the long, mature-looking man?
He asked again: "Can you trust that boy Kong Ming?"
"nature."
"Okay...then let him come."
After the father and son had finished their discussion, the emperor was about to drive the prince out. Liu Mastiff quickly asked: "Father, I want to tell you that there are too many officials in the East Palace. The talents of these people are unparalleled in the world." , They stay in the East Palace all day, which is really a waste of their talents. They might as well take up official positions and serve the state." The emperor laughed and said: "Needless to say, those people can't sit in these important positions..."
"Why?"
"You will understand when you also have a useless child..."
At this time, Cao Cao held a banquet in the palace and invited many officials. He was afraid that they would not come. Cao Cao also explained that this was the emperor's wish. With this news, everyone rushed there, including Sikong. Yuan Shao, Taiwei Sun Jian, Shizhong Ling Xun Yu, Weiwei Cui Jun, Henan Yin Sima Lang, Sanqi Shilang Zhong Yu, Situ Chief Shi Zhuge Jin, and many others could not arrive in person, so they had to give up.
Cao Cao sat on the main seat with a smile on his face, looking at the people below, but thinking in his heart, these people are all great talents in the country, but now he wants to use them as his opponents, among these people , there are big families that have been passed down for several generations, including Yuan, Xun, and Sima, there are also new ones, such as Sun, and of course Cao, and there are also those who have risen again after falling down, such as Zhuge.
Cao Cao never regards himself as a family. Although the Cao family is already a big family, several of his brothers are serving as officials in various places. If nothing happens, his five sons will certainly be among the best in the future. Three Gongs and Nine Qings, but he still refused to admit it.
"My dear gentlemen...it would be a great blessing to have you all in my house. Thank you all for coming here to gather..."
"Cao Situ, you don't have to be like this. We are extremely honored to be able to participate in Situ Gong's banquet."
It's about birth... I know that all of you are from prominent families and have famous families. Previously, I spoke to the Emperor and the Emperor valued you very much, and wanted to improve the conduct of all of you for the country and to be loyal and good from generation to generation...
..”
"Therefore, I have come up with a plan... Come here, you can take a look." Cao Cao said, and handed over the first memorial to the emperor to everyone for them to read. Several people took it with some doubts.
When the memorial was played, they didn't think Cao Cao had called them here for any good reason. After watching it for a while, everyone was a little surprised. Their expressions were different, some were worried, some were happy, and some were angry. Cao Cao observed them calmly.
Among these people, there were only two people that he was more afraid of, one was Yuan Shao and the other was Xun Yu.
Yuan Shao's face was very complicated, a little worried and a little uneasy, but Xun Yu just couldn't tell. He was exceptionally calm and there was no change.
"Mr. Cao, what do you want to do?" Yuan Shao was the first to speak. When Yuan Shao asked, everyone looked at Cao Cao. Cao Cao smiled and asked: "I want to listen to the truth.
?”
"nature."
"Then I will tell you the truth... You all have a prominent family background, many children in your family, a lot of money, countless cultivated lands, and many tenants and slaves... This is not good. If the descendants are unfilial and are deceived by villains, how can it be done?
Isn't it going to cause great chaos? Therefore, this system is just to restrict the big families... You are all smart people. This system of mine is not as harsh as the party's regulations. It supports the big families, but at the same time makes some restrictions.
What do you think?"
Hearing what Cao Cao said, Yuan Shao also fell silent. What else could he say?
Are you saying that you don’t want to be restricted?
Then I will probably retire and return home tomorrow.
"The emperor loves you so much that he wants to give you all kinds of preferential treatment. You can even go to the imperial college directly... you can get the respect of the people in the world... you can honor your ancestors... why are you not grateful?" Cao Cao asked.
Then he suddenly said: "Is it possible that you all don't want to be restricted in your heart, and want to grow bigger and resist the temple?"
"Don't dare! Don't dare!!"
Everyone shook their heads hastily, including Xun Yu. Yuan Shao looked gloomy and looked at Cao Cao in front of him. He said, "Of course we know the emperor's great love, and restrictions are good. Otherwise, if future generations are in trouble,
Wouldn't it be a disgrace to our ancestors...Cao Situ, did you call us here just to inform us?"
"Of course not! Since everyone agrees to the restrictions, how should they be restricted? Please tell me a few things... Everyone can speak freely, and I will inform the emperor of your words."
"you!!!!"
"Benchu?? What's wrong? Could it be that you don't agree with restrictions?"
"Of course not." Yuan Shao's face turned red from holding back. He looked at Xun Yu in the crowd, hoping that he could come up with something, but Xun Yu remained silent. Feeling Yuan Shao's gaze, he just
He smiled and didn't say anything.
Seeing everyone's silence, Cao Cao looked a little unkind and squinted his eyes, "It seems that all the gentlemen are against it? Are you unwilling to propose it?"
Everyone then reluctantly put forward suggestions. Only one Sun Jian was a little confused. Looking at them, he didn't understand how he became a big family. Cao Cao ignored him. When everyone put forward suggestions, he combined them again. After hearing Cao Cao's own suggestions, a brand new decree was mostly drafted. Cao Cao grinned and then greeted everyone and started drinking and eating.
It wasn't until the banquet was over that everyone left in a hurry.
Yuan Shao also had a bad look on his face.
Sun Jian stayed and waited for everyone to leave. Then he looked at Cao Cao and asked helplessly: "Cao Cao wants to entertain a large family, why do you need to call me?"
"Hahaha, Wentai, you are the third prince and have five sons. The eldest son is with Nanjun, the second son is with Donggong, and the remaining three sons are with Taixue... When they grow up... they will definitely be at the head of the famous family. ..." Cao Cao said, Sun Jian sighed and asked: "Then you are better than me? Three or four of your clan brothers have become county magistrates and prefects, and your five sons are still They are all older than my son... so you are also part of the aristocratic family?"
"No...I am different. You all have noble moral character and are full of heroes."
"And I, Cao Mengde, named Cao Gong, am actually a Cao thief."