Wei Ni

"If there is no suitable candidate, let's just give up for now."

Emperor Cao Rui, who had laughed heartily for a long time, consoled her and waved his hand to signal Xiahou Hui to leave. "Don't feel sorry, Zhiquan. I will give you another chance someday."

How can we just give up?

How can there be another chance? I think it’s too slow to seize the day.

"only."

Even though he was extremely unwilling, Xiahou Hui still accepted the order respectfully, and argued, "Actually, Your Majesty, I have thought of a suitable candidate, but Your Majesty knows how to appoint people well, and has already sent him to a remote place."

"Who?"

"Former Zhongshu Shilang, now Anping Tianshou Wang Ji, Wang Boyu."

Cao Rui still remembered clearly that Wang Ling was reluctant to let go of Wang Ji, who had been recruited by both Wang Lang and Sima Yi and had written memorials to advise him. However, he was a little curious about how Xiahou Hui and Wang Ji came into contact.

"Wang Boyu's talent has been highly praised by the ministers and officials in the court. I know this too. Why should he wait for Zhiquan to recommend him to be appointed as a 2,000-stone official? However, I don't quite understand why Zhiquan recommended him? Did Zhiquan hear about his deeds from Wang Ling when he was working in Huainan before?"

This inherited paranoia is really annoying~
Just by mentioning Wang Ji, you already suspected that I had something to do with Wang Ling!
"Your Majesty, it is because of your brother's right to do so."

Xiahou Hui, feeling helpless, explained carefully, "My younger brother Yiquan is on good terms with Wang Boyu, and he often praised his talent in person. I was curious, so I had dinner with him once or twice, and thus I got to know him."

It turned out to be because of Xiahou He~
Cao Rui suddenly realized and calmed down. He also found Xiahou Hui's unwillingness a little funny, so he changed his favor and said, "When the Taiwei Mansion starts to investigate the military farming, the governor of Hongnong will be changed. I guess there is no one to recommend Zhiquan during this period. How about this, the governor of Henei does not have the responsibility of the Yewang Department of Agriculture, so he can be temporarily not transferred until Zhiquan can recommend him."

Governor of Hanoi
That's nonsense. What's the point of me recommending you?

Sima Yi's hometown is in Wen County, Henei, so it would be useless to recommend a prefect there.

Hearing this, Xiahou Hui became even more depressed.

But it was not a good idea to argue any further, lest Cao Rui think that he did not know when to advance or retreat, so he could only stand up, thank the emperor and leave.

However, before he even crossed the bridge, he suddenly stopped, turned back, and saluted with a smile, "Your Majesty, I have thought of someone who can be the governor of Hongnong."

"Who?"

"Meng Kang, Meng Gong Xiu."

In response to this, Cao Rui remained silent for a moment.

Firstly, he didn't want to use Meng Kang.

Needless to say, Meng Kang was the nephew of Empress Dowager Guo, and Empress Dowager Zhen was sentenced to death because of Empress Dowager Guo's seizure of favor. It was inevitable that Cao Rui had a grudge against people from Empress Dowager Guo's family.

Another thing he knew was that Xiahou Hui and Meng Kang had only met once.

During the process of investigating the Luoyang Dian Nong Department, Shi Er recorded every detail in a letter and sent it to the palace. Therefore, Cao Rui also knew about Xiahou Hui's letter to Meng Kang to persuade Guanjin Marquis Guo Biao.

So, what was the reason why Xiahou Hui recommended Meng Kang?

Doesn't he understand that I asked him to recommend a candidate for the prefect in order to expand his power?
Or was he naive enough to believe that he could make Meng Kang, whom he had only met once, willing to serve him and fight alongside him against the aristocratic scholars led by the Grand Marshal Sima Yi by relying on the favor of recommendation?

Cao Rui couldn't understand.

Or in other words, he was sure that there was no way Meng Kang would be Xiahou Hui's lackey.

"I know Meng Kang. He is talented enough to be a 2,000-stone official."

After a moment of silence, Cao Rui could not help but ask, "I just don't understand. Zhiquan only met him once. Why did he recommend him?"

"Your Majesty, I have three reasons for this."

"First, as your Majesty has just said, Meng Kang is a man of talent and worthy of the position of a 2,000-stone official."

"Secondly, Meng Kang has been in the court for a long time and has held many redundant positions, so his talents and knowledge have not been able to be fully utilized. I, Hui, humbly believe that talented people can benefit the country and should not be left idle."

"Finally, when Meng Kang was selected as a cavalryman, the scholars called him 'Ajiu' and ridiculed him. Now, more than 20 years later, although he has devoted himself to his work and advised the court on the gains and losses, which has changed others' views, he is still unable to integrate with the scholars. In this situation, if Your Majesty is willing to appreciate him, entrust him with important tasks, and grant him the post of governor of Hongnong, he will surely be grateful to Your Majesty for his kindness and will not hesitate to sacrifice his life to repay it. In this way, our Wei Dynasty will gain a loyal minister!"

"good."

As soon as Xiahou Hui finished speaking, Cao Rui could not help but raise his hand to praise him, but the doubt in his eyes did not decrease at all - after saying so much, he still couldn't understand what benefit this matter would bring to Xiahou Hui!

"Your Majesty, I will take my leave."

As if he had been prepared for this, Xiahou Hui smiled at Cao Rui and explained, "I recruit talents for the country, only to benefit the country, not for myself."

Not for private use
Looking at Xiahou Hui's back gradually walking away, Cao Rui murmured something, then poured himself a drink, with the expression on his face changing.

At first, he showed a very relieved smile, but the smile gradually faded as time passed, and finally turned into loneliness in his eyes and a deep sigh.

He is so smart.

Sometimes, even if you want to be confused and numb yourself, it is difficult to do so.

For example, was Xiahou Hui's original intention in recommending Meng Kang really to benefit the country and not for personal gain?

Judging from the results, Cao Rui knew it was beyond doubt. But judging from the fact that Sima Yi was about to return to the court, he knew it was not entirely true.

He even dared to be sure that Xiahou Hui acted completely out of selfish motives!
He came to this conclusion not because he was suspicious again.

It was because he had been immersed in power for too long, and had long been aware of the means used by his subordinates to fight for power. Xiahou Hui's tricks in front of him were as childish and ridiculous as showing off one's skills in front of an expert.

Yes, Xiahou Hui is playing tricks.

Let me give you an example.

When two people fight for a bowl of rice, if one of them finds that he cannot get the rice, he will overturn the bowl, so that the other person will not get any food either. This is because he is worried that if the other person gets the rice, he will be full and strong, and he will have an advantage the next time he fights for the rice, and it will be easier for him to get the rice.

In fact, as it accumulates day by day, it is very likely that everyone can have the food all to themselves without having to fight over it.

Xiahou Hui was the one who simply knocked over his rice bowl because he couldn't grab the food.

Among the people he was friendly with, no one was qualified to be the prefect of Hongnong, so he would rather give this position to Meng Kang, who was ignored in the court and the country and was isolated from the royal family and the literati.

The purpose was to prevent Sima Yi from recommending him, or for others to recommend him according to Sima Yi's wishes.

After all, Cao Rui himself said just now that the replacement of the governor of Hongnong was when the Taiwei Mansion started to investigate the military farming affairs. When the Shangshu You Pushe Wei Zhen and the Minister of Personnel Lu Yu recommended new candidates, they must have referred to Sima Yi's suggestions in order to facilitate the smooth implementation of the investigation of military farming affairs.

This is why Cao Rui sighed deeply.

Even a loyal minister like Xiahou Hui began to have complicated thoughts.

What’s even more heartbreaking is that Cao Rui knew that it was entirely his own doing that caused Xiahou Hui’s transformation.

You brew your own bitter wine and are trapped in your own cocoon, so don't blame others.

Ugh!
That’s all.

Although he has his own selfish desires, he still remains loyal to the emperor. His original intention is still to put the country first, so don't ask for too much.

To take a step back, in terms of selfishness, among the many royal family members and Qiao Pei children, he cannot be considered selfish.

Cao Rui, who was comforting himself in this way, did not feel any better.

"Duke Zhou feared the spread of rumors, and Wang Mang was humble and courteous before he usurped the throne. If he had died at the beginning, who would have known the truth about his life?"

No one can be judged until the day the coffin is closed.

These were the words Xiahou Hui used to remind him that paying attention to Sima Yi was a potential threat to the Wei Dynasty.

Indeed, Sima Yi reached the highest position among the ministers.

But given Xiahou Hui's demonstrated talent and the emperor's favor, would it be difficult for him to become a high-ranking official in the future?
Therefore, Cao Rui couldn't help but ponder at this moment. When Xiahou Hui said this, didn't he ever think that he would also be suspected because of this sentence?

Probably not.

After all, he was a native of Qiaopei whose fortunes were closely tied to the Wei royal family.

However, he is still very young and there are many possibilities for him to change, and it will be a long time before the final judgment is made.

"Zhi Quan, how can you recommend Meng Kang?"

In the study room of Lingzhi Marquis's mansion, Ding Mi, who was deeply distressed, pointed at Xiahou Hui and angrily criticized him for not fighting back, "Doesn't Zhiquan know that Your Majesty grew up under Emperor Wu's tent since childhood? Moreover, during the previous emperor's time, there was a dispute over the crown prince, and before Your Majesty ascended the throne, Empress Zhen was sentenced to death. May I ask Zhiquan, how many twists and turns Your Majesty has experienced, and how many intrigues and deceptions have you seen? How can the emperor not see through Zhiquan's little tricks! You, after all, have been in the army for too long, and you are inexperienced in the road to power!"

Xiahou Hui, who was scolded, remained silent.

He originally thought he had made a brilliant move!

After returning and telling Ding Mi about it, he realized that he had shot himself in the foot. And it was very likely that his loyal and upright character that he had been selling for many years would be completely destroyed in one day.

Ugh.
I am really stupid~
With a sigh in her heart, Xiahou Hui, who was extremely annoyed, asked in a hoarse voice, "Yan Jing, do you think there is any room for remedy in this matter?"

"What has happened has already happened, and it cannot be changed."

Ding Mi, still angry, replied angrily, "Whether the situation can be remedied does not depend on you or me, but on the emperor's decision. If the emperor is resentful, no matter how Zhiquan tries to remedy the situation, it will be useless. The only thing we can do now is to wait for changes."

It depends on the emperor's thoughts. Just wait for changes?
Oh, if that's the case, that's not bad.

Hearing this, Xiahou Hui, who had raised his eyebrows for a moment, suddenly felt relieved of his annoyance.

This year the reign title has been changed to Jingchu. Now that the emperor knows that I have selfish motives, then that’s it.

no one is perfect.

If we look at the past of Qin Lang, Xiahou Xian, Cao Shuang and others, we can see that they were also selfish! Compared with them, what does my little thought mean?

Besides, the emperor already knows that Sima Yi is like a sage in the world.

Just find an opportunity to add fuel to the fire. (End of this chapter)