Chapter 137 Be a saint from today, is it too late?
In Wei Wuji's courtyard, his guests welcomed Ma Fujun very warmly.
Their head of the family became the Prime Minister of the State of Zhao. In their opinion, it was thanks to Lord Ma Fu that they were now prominent, and several capable people were recommended by Wei Wuji to the King of Zhao, and even started to work locally.
Doctor Wei Wuji is different from Zhao Sheng. Zhao Sheng's standard for retainers is to not refuse anyone who comes, but Wei Wuji's standard is slightly higher. He does not refuse those who are capable. Many of the people who follow him are capable from the Wei state.
people.
To the surprise of these diners, Zhao Kuo actually remembered each of their names and greeted them enthusiastically. Immediately, the diners blocked him in the courtyard and wanted to greet him one after another. Wei Wuji stood at the door with a smile.
At the office, watching Zhao Kuo reminiscing with his guests, Hou Ying stood beside him and said with a smile: "If you don't speak again, I'm afraid your guests will become Ma Fujun's guests."
Wei Wuji smiled and didn't care.
Zhao Kuo and Wei Wuji sat facing each other. Wei Wuji said helplessly to Zhao Kuo: "The bamboo slips I want to look at now need three carriages to carry them in. The orders I have written require six disciples to lift them, because yours
Why do you make me work so hard?" Zhao Kuo smiled and said: "Now you are favored by the emperor, the ministers respect you, and the people of Zhao support you, this is also because of me."
The two laughed, and then Wei Wuji asked about Zhao Kuo's purpose. Zhao Kuo asked: "Do you know about my retainers giving seeds, farm tools, and food to the soldiers who went on the expedition?"
Wei Wuji nodded.
Zhao Kuo said solemnly: "Li Yu said: The officials in the countryside seized the cattle, and the people had to bribe them to get them. He stepped forward to question and was insulted by the officials. Fortunately, my disciple is a strong man, because
Because of the humiliation, he killed two county field officials, and now Dong Chengzi is interrogating the matter." Wei Wuji yawned. If this was to others, it would be a naked humiliation, but to a close friend like Zhao Kuo
, this is nothing.
He said: "It's just a few petty officials who dare to insult your retainers. Even if they are killed, it won't be a big deal. I will tell Dong Chengzi to let him go."
Zhao Kuo shook his head and said, "That's not what I want to say."
"Officials in the countryside impounded the cattle, while officials in the county kept the spring seeds distributed in Handan and used them on their own farmland. Officials in the county let these evil officials go and accepted their gifts.
, because they are their close friends and relatives, so they will not be held accountable."
"When a soldier goes on an expedition, the parents and wives he leaves behind are actually bullied by evil officials... Do you think this is something a human being can do?"
Zhao Kuo looked a little angry and said: "My followers can kill the evil officials in the countryside, I can kill the evil officials in the county, and you can kill the evil officials in the county, but after killing these people, the inheritance
The people in their position are still the same as them, when will they be able to kill them all?" After hearing what Zhao Kuo said, Wei Wuji thought for a moment and then asked: "Then what are you going to do?"
"I want to change the selection method of lower-level officials. Officials in the countryside are recommended and appointed by the county officials themselves. This will cause them to collude with each other and oppress the people. We can imitate the Qin State and implement joint sitting. Those who are recommended violate the law.
, who oppresses the people, the recommender is also guilty. In addition, I think it is most appropriate to select low-level officials through assessment, and I would like to ask you to help me."
Wei Wuji looked a little hesitant and hesitant, which surprised Zhao Kuo. The Lord Xinling he knew should not be like this.
Wei Wuji looked at him and said tangledly: "I can help you, but there is one thing."
"Please tell me."
Wei Wuji suddenly laughed and said, "After this is done, you have to drink with me."
Wei Wuji believed that if he wanted to do this, he had to invite the lieutenant. Although the ministers were all qualified to recommend officials to the king, this was still the lieutenant's responsibility after all. Therefore, Wei Wuji sent someone to invite the lieutenant.
The former lieutenant was Xu Li. He was an upright man and indeed recommended many capable ministers to the Zhao State. But now, the person who takes his place is the clan member Zhao Bao.
Pingyang Lord Zhao Bao, the eldest brother is Anyang Lord Zhao Zhang, the second brother is Huiwen King Zhao He, and the fourth brother is Pingyuan Lord Zhao Sheng. The current Zhao Wang Dan is his son, and King Zhao does not like his father-in-law very much.
, On weekdays, Zhao Bao's suggestions are always ignored by King Zhao. However, this does not affect Zhao Bao's status in the Zhao Kingdom. When Lord Pingyuan sees him, he has to respectfully call him "brother."
He treats him as a father.
Zhao Bu, the young general who followed Zhao Kuo and made great achievements in the past, was the son of Lord Pingyang. After learning that the Prime Minister had summoned Zhao Bao, although he was a little unhappy, he still got on the carriage and came to Wei Wuji's mansion to serve as Zhao Guo's minister.
The great nobles and the state minister should also come to visit him. However, the current Lord Xinling is also a member of the Wei clan. There is not much difference in status between the two, not to mention that they are still relatives.
Lord Xinling's sister married Lord Pingyuan, and Lord Pingyang was Lord Pingyuan's brother, so Lord Pingyang was also Lord Xinling's brother. The relationship between nobles was somewhat unclear. Zhao Kuo would sometimes be very confused.
He was confused. Because the countries were marrying each other, the situation looked like one family fighting for hegemony and attacking each other. This reminded Zhao Kuo of Europe in later generations, which seemed to be the same situation.
Sometimes, Zhao Kuo looks at the world today and feels that it is very similar to Europe in later generations. How can I put it this way, who would come to mind as a rigorous and rigid classical country? The Qin State is so similar to Prussia.
, the only difference is that what Prussia did not complete was completed thousands of years in advance by the Qin State. A romantic Zhao State who was at the forefront of fashion, even walking and speaking could become fashionable, and was imitated by others, had a powerful army.
, but are always beaten down by the strict country next door. Who does this remind you of?
That's right, this Zhao country looks very much like a certain unnamed surrender power in the future, but he has more backbone than France and never raised his hands.
An old powerful country, once more powerful than that rigorous country, was the original overlord, well, the conqueror Xiaobai and his Siegran.
A country that was regarded as a barbarian, very ferocious, with a vast territory, a heavy drinker, and a country that had long been competing for hegemony with strict countries... That's right, King Peter Zhuang and his Churos.
There is also Han Lan, who is caught between big countries and is rubbed back and forth. Wei Dili, who is split from a powerful empire and has a powerful army but is always beaten by his neighbors. There is also a Wei Dili who takes advantage of the enemy's weakest moment to attack
Attack Yan Dali, who was taught a lesson by the defeated soldiers.
Zhao Kuo couldn't help but laugh when he thought about this, but then his face became extremely serious. If his existence really hindered the unification of the seven countries, then it would not really become such a chaotic situation in the future.
Right? Thinking of this, he couldn't laugh anymore. Long-term division will cause more death and destruction. Is there a way to carry out this reunification process peacefully? Let everyone shed less blood?
Zhao Kuo's view may be different from everyone else. No one would treat the seven kingdoms as one family like him. After the unification of Qin, the conquered people were also regarded as captives and subjugated people. If he could
These conquered people can also taste the benefits of unity, freeing them from the disasters caused by war and harsh corvee, allowing them to farm with peace of mind...
Zhao Kuo was thinking about the future when Zhao Bao arrived.
Zhao Bao led a group of guests into the courtyard. Most of his guests were also arrogant people. Facing Wei Wuji's guests from the Wei Kingdom, they had no intention of getting close to each other and just looked at them indifferently. This was different from Zhao Bao.
Kuo's retainers formed a sharp contrast. If Di were here, he would never care whether these Wei people could understand or not, and would just greet them. Wei Wuji and Zhao Kuo stood up to greet them, and welcomed Zhao Bao indoors.
Zhao Bao did not expect Ma Fujun to be here, but he was close to Zhao Kuo because of his son. His son Zhao Bu, because of his meritorious service in the battle against Yan, has now served as a captain, commanding the elite soldiers to guard
Handan. Zhao Bao smiled and chatted with the two of them. Wei Wuji did not let Zhao Kuo express his thoughts directly. Instead, he vaguely mentioned the murder of Zhao Kuo's retainer.
When Zhao Bao heard this, he stroked his beard and laughed, saying: "Such evil officials should be killed. Please don't worry, Mr. Ma Fu."
Zhao Kuo looked at Wei Wuji and wondered why Wei Wuji wanted to talk about this. Wei Wuji said with some gratitude: "Thank you Lord Pingyuan for your kindness. It is a blessing for Zhao State to have a wise man like you in the country." Listen.
When Zhao Bao heard Wei Wuji's compliment, he couldn't help but laugh. Zhao Kuo suddenly understood and immediately followed Wei Wuji in complimenting him. When Zhao Bao waved his hand and said the compliment humbly, Wei Wuji finally entered the topic.
"As a lieutenant, it is the greatest disrespect for you to have such evil officials in the country. Zhao people will say: I didn't expect that a wise man like Lord Pingyang would promote such an official. Since Lord Pingyang helped Lord Ma Fu,
, then Ma Fujun must also help you to prevent your reputation from being tarnished. I think you can ask Ma Fujun to inspect the territory of Zhao State, find these officials who have ruined your reputation, and deal with them!"
Wei Wuji said angrily, as if resenting them for insulting Zhao Bao's reputation.
When Zhao Bao heard this, he nodded, looked at Zhao Kuo, and said with a smile: "Don't bother you, I can send people to clean up these evil officials myself."
Zhao Kuo said: "You have helped me, please give me this opportunity to repay you. Don't you think I have the ability to protect your reputation?" Zhao Bao said hurriedly: "Okay, I'll trouble you.
Already."
The three of them started chatting again, and Zhao Kuo just asked: "May I know the basis for recommending wise men?"
Zhao Bao said proudly: "I will look at their appearance. Those who are handsome and different from ordinary people must be sages with great achievements, such as Xunzi, you, and Lord Xinling, are all handsome people, which shows my choice.
There is nothing wrong with that.”
Zhao Kuo was stunned for a long time and then asked: "What about appearance?"
"And their clothes, words and deeds." Zhao Bao said casually.
Zhao Kuo fell silent, resisting saying anything more, and sent Zhao Bao away. Wei Wuji just sighed, sat in front of Zhao Kuo, and said to him: "Don't be angry, it's the same in Wei.
Yes, I know that there are many talented people in the Wei State, but they are not reused just because their backgrounds are not prominent enough, they do not have wise ancestors, or they are not handsome enough. Among the ministers in the Wei State, some are as handsome as Long Yangjun and Duan Duan.
There are very few people with a distinguished family background like Qianzi... who are truly talented."
Zhao Kuo sighed, then looked at Wei Wuji and said, "You want me to find those traitors in Zhao Kingdom?"
"Yes, when you find them and show these things to the Lord, the Lord will know the seriousness of the matter, and I will be able to propose that local officials be exempted from the power to appoint lower-level officials...
However, you must be prepared. The power to appoint lower-level officials is what officials value most. They rely on this power to attract talented people to become their guests, arrange their own cronies, and expand their power."
"Whenever the county magistrate leaves, the lower-level officials will be transferred and stay with the county magistrate."
"If you change these, you will become their enemy, and many people will want to kill you."
Zhao Kuo laughed, looked at Wei Wuji, and said, "I'm not afraid." He then asked, "Do you think I should hide my identity and inquire about the situation from the people, or should I go to investigate openly?" Wei Wuji drank.
After taking a sip of wine, he replied seriously: "You should raise the flag of Mr. Ma Fu, take your retainers, beat the drums and rush to various places."
"With your reputation, the people will not deceive you. They will tell the truth. Because of your virtue, those traitors will run away and dare not confront you."
"Your behavior will shock officials everywhere. From now on, they will be more restrained and not dare to do evil."
Wei Wuji said many things again, and Zhao Kuo took them all to heart. The aristocrats of this era did not have civil and military divisions. Wei Wuji could lead troops to fight, and he could also govern the country, because today's ministers are all aristocrats, and their aristocratic background means that they
Having received a comprehensive education in horse riding, driving, archery, fighting, law, literature, art, etc., he is an all-round talent, including Lian Po. King Zhao even intended to let Lian Po serve as the prime minister. This is a very reasonable thing.
, there are many people in the country who support Lian Po.
Zhao Kuo and Wei Wuji decided to investigate the officials in the country. Zhao Kuo just said goodbye to Wei Wuji. As soon as he walked out of the mansion, he saw Pang Nuan standing outside the door.
Pang Nuan calmly looked at Zhao Kuo who was walking out of the door, and leaned down to bow. Zhao Kuo was shocked and hurriedly turned aside to avoid his gift. He helped him up from the side and said, "You are an elder. I cannot accept such a gift from you."
."
"I used to just hold the bamboo slips left by the sages in vain, but today I realize my stupidity. I am willing to show you to your Majesty and pull out the thorns on your way forward." Pang Nuan said, violently using his cane.
He smashed the ground hard and asked: "Xunzi said: Saints are the accumulation of ordinary people's daily actions!!!"
"Is it too late for me to start today???"
Zhao Kuo looked at him and replied seriously:
"not late."
"It's never too late."
ps: I will update it normally today, and I will post the second chapter later. I was in a very bad mental state yesterday, so I wrote a chapter, but I deleted it because I was not satisfied with it. I don’t want to affect my quality, so please forgive me.
