Wei Ni

The southern foot of Shouyang Mountain is also the location of the tomb of Emperor Wen, Cao Pi.

After the death of Sikong Chen Qun, Chen Tai, who was in charge of the funeral, originally planned to carry the coffin back to his hometown Yingchuan for burial. However, Emperor Cao Rui asked Chen Tai to choose Shouyang Mountain as the burial site on the grounds that Sikong was a friend of Emperor Wen's Eastern Palace.

In this regard, Chen Tai had no choice but to obey.

Of course, this is not a companion tomb.

Emperor Wen, Cao Pi, who advocated frugality and simple burial, wrote the "Final Regulations" in advance, setting an example by choosing the Shouyang Mountain, a hilly and barren place, without any seals or trees, and without building mausoleum gardens or sacred roads. Strictly speaking, it is not an imperial mausoleum, so there is no such thing as a companion mausoleum.

Duke Changwen's tomb is located under the forest on the southern slope, about ten miles away from Shouyang Mausoleum.

This place is covered with mountains and forests, with many green rocks and small clear streams. Since it is not suitable for farming, Xiahou Hui and his party, who came on horseback, did not meet many people along the way.

When we arrived, we saw three or four small thatched huts built along the trees. The withered thatched roofs were covered with sparse and mottled light and shadows. Under the lush greenery around them, there was a faint sense of simplicity. The ground in front of the hut was covered with a layer of sand, and there were several crudely made tables, reed mats and stilts in between, allowing a few tenacious grasses to find gaps and break out of the ground.

Chen Tai, wearing a cloth tassel on his head, sparse mourning clothes and sparse sandals, was sitting in front of a desk, reading a scroll in his hand.

Perhaps it was the sound of horse hooves that broke the silence of the forest.

He turned his head and met the eyes of Xiahou Hui, who had dismounted and was walking more than ten feet away.

It also made Xiahou Hui feel a little guilty.

Isn't it inappropriate for me to disturb the peace of a mourning son by doing mundane things?

The so-called mundane affairs were naturally what Ding Mi recounted. Wu Ying claimed that Shi Jian's deliberate provocation in the past was instigated by Xun Xi, the sixth son of Xun Lingjun and the attendant.

As soon as he heard it, Xiahou Hui thought he had heard it wrong.

Except for the time when he had just returned to Luoyang to serve as a minister of imperial guards, he had met Xun Yi once at a banquet in Chen Tai's thatched cottage outside the city, and there was no intersection between them. There was no grudge between the two families, so why did Xun Yi instruct Shi Jian to provoke him?

But Ding Mi confirmed again and again that the news was correct.

He claimed that he himself did not dare to believe it at first, but only came back to tell it after Wu Ying swore an oath in the name of his deceased father Wu Zhi. Xiahou Hui had no choice but to believe it for the time being.

In order to find out the reason, Xiahou Hui, who was puzzled, went out of the city to find Chen Tai.

Or perhaps he had a vague guess about it, but he didn't dare to confirm it, nor could he rashly go to find Xun Yi, so he asked Chen Tai if he could act as a bridge of communication.

Xun Yi, who lost his father at a young age, was first known in the capital because of Chen Qun's high praise for his talent.

Chen Tai, his nephew, is about the same age as him. They grew up together and have always had a good relationship.

Some things were difficult for Xiahou Hui to express his concerns, but for Chen Tai, they were just casual conversation between uncle and nephew.

"It's been half a year since we last met. Brother Xuanbo has become thinner."

After greeting each other, Xiahou Hui, who went to pay respect to the tomb of Duke Changwen first, expressed such emotion after taking his seat according to the order of priority.

"It's inevitable."

Chen Tai was slightly moved and nodded in response. After his entourage brought him some clean water, he bowed and apologized to everyone, "As a person in mourning, I only offer clean water to guests. I hope Zhiquan and others will not be offended."

"Don't dare."

"It is our fault. We have the audacity to disturb Brother Xuanbo's peace."

The three of them quickly returned the greeting.

After chatting for a while, Xiahou Hui was hesitating about how to start talking about the main business, but Chen Tai got the better of him. He waved his hand to let the followers stay away and asked directly, "Zhi Quan came here today, it must be because of my uncle, right?"

Although he said it was a question, his tone was full of certainty.

It also made Xiahou Hui stunned for a moment.

He couldn't imagine that Chen Tai had already known about this.

He was even more surprised that, given their friendship, why did Chen Tai not inform him about this matter for half a year.

Even if it was a case of relatives hiding something from each other, but the incident happened during the mourning period, and Xun Yi's behavior was an offense to Duke Chang Wen! Don't you have any resentment at all?

Or did Xun Yi discuss this matter with you?
Xiahou Hui, who was unable to understand, simply spoke frankly, "I am ashamed. The reason I came here is exactly as Brother Xuanbo said. Because I am stupid, I still don't know why I offended Minister Xun, so I came to ask Brother Xuanbo to explain it to me."

"Zhiquan did nothing wrong. Alas!"

Chen Tai sighed, pondered for a moment, and then told the whole story as if he had made some kind of decision.

Xun Yi told Chen Tai about this matter after he came here to observe mourning.

Moreover, Xun Xi's original intention was just to let Shi Jian test Xiahou Hui's reaction, but he did not expect that Shi Jian would choose the time when he went to Chen's house to pay condolences.

As for why Xun Xi did this?
"My uncle is a very filial son. I also saw Zhiquan argue for my father in the government in his early years. Now I have a very good relationship with Zhiquan and Yiquan." This is how Chen Tai explained.

Although they seemed to be completely unrelated, everyone present understood them.

Pointing out Xun Xi's filial piety means that he can't get over the fact that Xun Lingjun died of grief and anger; and mentioning the relationship between Xiahou Hui and his family means that Xun Xi has the heart to restore the glory of his family. Therefore, he made a tentative move to further verify whether "a general in vain" and "food in an empty box" can be classified in the same category in Xiahou Hui's mind.

No wonder Chen Tai dragged it out for half a year and did not inform Xiahou Hui of the matter.

Xun Yi's throwing of a stone to test the waters was actually to ask whether Xiahou Hui had any resentment in his heart and whether he was willing to sympathize with him and work together with him in the future, thus repeating the story of the sincere cooperation between the scholars of Yingchuan and the governor of Qiaopei in the past!

Xiahou Hui understood, but he became more confused.

He knew that the Xun family of Yingchuan was gradually declining.

The reason was not only that Lord Xun died of grief and anger, but also because most of Xun Yi's brothers died early, and Xun You's descendants were not talented, so there was no one in the clan who held important positions in the court.

But Xiahou Hui also knew that Sima Yi, who was now the most powerful man in Wei State, was still very grateful for Xun Lingjun's recommendation.

For example, when Xun Xi first entered the government due to his father's meritorious service, his position was no higher than Zhonglang. However, after Sima Yi was appointed as the assistant to the government by the will of Emperor Wen, Cao Pi, he praised him as "the son of Xun Lingjun" and recommended him as Sanqi Shilang. Therefore, if Xun Xi, who has been promoted to Shizhong, wants to go further and be granted real power in the court, he should also ask Sima Yi for his recommendation!
Why did you come to look for Xiahou Hui?
The temple lacks real power, and even if Xiahou Hui wants to recommend him, he is powerless.
Of course, although he was still confused, Xiahou Hui did not continue asking.

Whether in his words or his expression, Chen Tai clearly revealed that he did not want to get involved.

Forcing others to do something is not the behavior of friends.

Especially since Chen Tai had only been in mourning for half a year, and it would take two years for him to return to the court to serve as an official. Why bother him any more?

"Thank you, Brother Xuan, for clearing up my doubts."

Standing up and bowing sincerely, Xiahou Hui apologized and promised implicitly, "I came here today to disturb Brother Xuanbo's peace with mundane matters. I am really confused and can't calm down. When I come again, I will only discuss the scriptures with you, and nothing else."

"Zhi Quan's words are too serious."

In response, Chen Tai also stood up and returned the greeting, saying with a sigh, "This incident was caused by my uncle, and it happened in my house. I am very lucky that Zhiquan is not guilty. How can I dare to ask for more."

After saying this, he paused for a moment, said "Zhi Quan, please wait a moment", and called his attendants in the distance to enter the thatched cottage and bring back a small box.

From the thin layer of dust, it is not difficult to see that this box has not been opened for a long time.

There was only a letter with a lacquer seal still on it.

When handing the letter to Xiahou Hui, Chen Tai explained, "This letter was left here by my uncle when I settled down here. He said that if Zhiquan comes to ask about Shi Jian one day, he will give the letter to you."

Alas!
It seems that Xun Yi is well prepared~
But how can you be sure that I am willing to share the same ideals with you?
"Thank you."

Xiahou Hui took the letter and put it in his sleeve. He also knew that it was time to say goodbye and leave. "I dare not disturb Brother Xuanbo any more. We will go home first."

"it is good."

On the way back, Xiahou Hui and the other two rode side by side, while Han Long, who was very observant, led his entourage far ahead to clear the way.

Xiahou Hui opened and read Xun Yi's letter as soon as they left Shouyang Mountain, and also showed it to Ding Mi and Xiahou He.

There is only one sentence in the letter.

He said: "Fate is full of twists and turns, and the world is full of ups and downs. A gentleman should constantly strive to improve himself."

After reading this, Xiahou Hui roughly understood why Xun Yi gave up Sima Yi and came to find him instead.

It was because he didn't want his family to become a supporter or vassal of the Sima family.

An equal cooperative relationship must be based on equal strength of both parties.

Nowadays, the Xun family of Yingchuan is gradually declining, while the Sima family's reputation is on the rise, and Sima Yi has already reached the highest position in the country. If Xun Yi regards Sima Yi as a helper in his official career, he will inevitably become a subordinate to him in the future.

After all, in the official career, the most solid relationship is the exchange of interests.

Sima Yi had already repaid Xun Lingjun's recommendation through marriage and promoting Xun Xi to an official position. If he continued to work for Xun Xi, what benefits would Xun Xi give him in return?
Unequal exchange of interests is not called cooperation, but rather a favor.

Favors must be repaid.

That's why Xun Yi set his sights on Xiahou Hui.

The two people have different experiences, but they can sympathize with each other; their status is also roughly equal, one has a superior status, and the other has extensive connections. They complement each other and it is beneficial for both sides to work together.

The most rare thing is that, in Xun Yi's view, there will be no conflict between the two people's interests from beginning to end.

The story of the military-political division during the reign of Emperor Wu Cao Cao and the three sons of Emperor Wen Cao Pi guarding the borders made Xun Yi feel that Xiahou Hui's struggle was to become the first of the royal family of Wei, in charge of conquests and military power; while he hoped to be one of the three highest officials, in charge of general affairs. The difference between the inside and the outside, and the different responsibilities, of course, can cooperate sincerely.

Therefore, Xiahou Hui is now also thinking, is this letter outdated?
He not only wanted to take control of the military, but also wanted to investigate the farming of the scholars, which should be included in the government affairs. (End of this chapter)