Wei Ni

Before long, Yu Yi, the Imperial Secretary, arrived by imperial decree.

Having already accepted the reality that would be repeatedly revised, Liu Shao handed over his assessment method and Xiahou Hui's annotations, explaining the situation in general. He then quietly waited for Xiahou Hui to finish reading and offer his rebuttal.

To his surprise, Yu Yi pondered silently for a moment after reading it, and then made such a statement.

"Since Your Majesty's suggestion regarding the Central Protectorate Army is quite appropriate, let us proceed accordingly and see how to simplify things as much as possible."

Don't you admire Confucianism?

And you have been in court for many years, surely you still cannot understand why His Majesty has summoned you?

For a moment, Liu Shao was stunned.

Why is Kong Cai silent?

Seeing his silence, Yu Yi tilted his head slightly and asked with a puzzled look, "Could it be that what I said was inappropriate?"

No!

Absolutely not.

Coming to his senses, Liu Shao smiled like a spring breeze, "No. Shao Ran's words are exactly what I think."

But out of mutual goodwill, after laughing, he covered his mouth with his sleeve and added in a low voice, "But, Shao Ran, don't you really need to consider this further before making a decision? His Majesty summoned you here specifically to discuss this with me."

"Haha~"

Returning a thank-you look, Yu Yi replied without hesitation, "After years of consideration, I have also reached this conclusion. There is no time to lose, Kong Cai, please do not doubt it."

"good!"

About half an hour later.

Although he had washed his face, Emperor Cao Rui, still sleepy-eyed, stepped into the East Hall again.

Seeing that the two were sitting facing each other with their eyes closed, resting rather than whispering, discussing, or arguing, he couldn't help but feel a little strange. So he called out to them, "Seeing how relaxed you two are, you must have already reached a consensus, right?"

"Your subject Shao (Yi) pays his respects to Your Majesty."

After exchanging greetings, Liu Shao spoke up and replied, "Your Majesty, I am of limited learning and knowledge. After consulting with Yu Yilang, I have simplified the examination method into thirty-two articles. I wonder if this is in accordance with Your Majesty's wishes."

How many?!

Emperor Cao Rui, who had just sat down and was leaning lazily against the backrest, sat up straight in a moment, his eyes filled with disbelief, and did not ask the two of them to get up for a long time.

"Hmm, let me take a look first."

After a moment, he finally recovered from his surprise and waved his hand, "Please rise and sit down."

"only."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

After reading the simplified examination method at a glance, Cao Rui's eyelids drooped.

The simplification of the regulations was, unsurprisingly, mostly at his request. If Liu Shao and Yu Yi hadn't been sitting in the hall, he would have thought that Xiahou Hui had personally streamlined them.

That's right, they followed Xiahou Hui's advice and decided on everything based on "respecting the virtuous and employing the capable".

"Minister Yu has always upheld virtue as his guiding principle, and he often reminds himself that 'of the hundred virtues of a scholar, virtue is the foremost.' Why then does he now believe that 'talent is the most important quality, and virtue is secondary'?"

After a moment of hesitation, he finally couldn't help but ask the question.

Upon hearing this, Yu Yi immediately bowed again.

Because he knew that Emperor Cao Rui was subtly asking him why he had disregarded his intention in summoning him to discuss matters with Liu Shao.

After the ceremony, he straightened up and raised his head, displaying a calm and composed demeanor to the emperor, and then spoke slowly.

"Your Majesty, it is because I uphold virtue as my personal principle, while deliberating on the performance evaluation system is for the public good. I humbly believe that the suggestion by the Commander of the Central Guard that Emperor Wu's unconventional approach to recruiting talent should not be dismissed is quite practical. Moreover, in my life I have seen many people, but those who can truly be described as possessing both virtue and talent are few. Even a flawed gem, if polished, will still retain its luster. Now that the performance evaluation system for officials has been established, its purpose is to select loyal and capable individuals for the benefit of the nation. How dare I apply my own experience to others and disobey Your Majesty's decree?"

He paused for a moment, then bowed his head and continued, "Furthermore, having served in the court for many years, I am aware of the Central Protectorate's concern that 'if the assessment system is too complex, it will be difficult to implement,' and this is not an unfounded worry."

Uh, okay.

Cao Rui, who also knew that Yu Yi's last words were correct, ultimately put aside his criticism.

However, he still found it difficult to accept, and therefore remained silent for a long time.

Upon seeing this, Liu Shao, who had served the emperor for many years, had a sudden change of heart. He bowed and advised, “Your Majesty, I am the one who drafted the evaluation system, and I am inevitably bound by the old ways. If Yu Yilang participates temporarily, his ideas may easily fall into novelty. For the sake of stability, I humbly suggest that Your Majesty summon the Commander of the Central Guard and ask him about the details and scope of his ideas, so that we can pool our wisdom and efforts to achieve the best possible result.”

Let me inquire about Zhiquan?
You want me and Zhiquan to reach a consensus before you are summoned to make revisions, so as to avoid going back and forth?

As intelligent as Cao Rui was, he immediately understood what Cao Rui meant, but he did not expose him. Instead, he nodded in acceptance, saying, "Hmm, what you say makes a lot of sense. You have worked hard today, so go home now."

"Yes, Your Majesty. Your subject Shao (Yi) takes his leave."

Liu Shao, in high spirits after leaving the East Hall, extended an invitation to Yu Yi, wanting to host a banquet to thank him for not disobeying the Emperor's wishes and arguing with him earlier. "It's been a long time since I sat down and talked with Shao Ran. Today is the perfect time. Why don't you come to my house and we can drink and chat together?"

But Yu Yi's answer once again surprised him.

"I am ashamed. Kong Cai's invitation was very kind, and I should have gladly accepted. However, if I had not been ordered to come to the East Hall, I would probably already be a guest of the Xun family. I have a prior appointment with him, and being late is already past the deadline. If I did not come, I would be breaking my promise. Therefore, I ask Kong Cai for your understanding. It is not that I am unwilling, but I really cannot comply."

"I dare not, it was my rashness that caused this."

The two confessed their sins and then parted ways.

Yu Yi was indeed going to see Xun Yi, but there had been no prior arrangement for them to meet at the residence. The reason he decided to go on a whim was not because he didn't want to get closer to Liu Shao, but because he was eager to inform Xun Yi of what had happened that day.

Because he was a scholar from Yingchuan.

He already knew about Xun Yi's previous visit to Xiahou Hui.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have disregarded Emperor Cao Rui's wishes in the East Hall.

The next day, afternoon.

Xiahou Hui, dressed in a traditional Chinese robe, rode his horse toward the Beiman Mountain Manor.

Emperor Cao Rui sent Shi Er to his residence to find him, claiming that he had nothing to do at court recently and had developed some refined interests, so he invited him to a banquet to enjoy himself.

Of course, the excuse that there's nothing to do in the government and that leisurely pursuits are just that—an excuse.

Since his previous remark, "fearing water like a tiger," disturbed the emperor's banquet, Xiahou Hui had not been summoned to accompany him for quite some time, and he knew this himself.

I suppose it's related to my own annotations in yesterday's appendix.

With these thoughts in mind, Xiahou Hui even took a cold shower to dispel the autumn fatigue before setting off.

Upon arrival, led by the manor steward, we arrived at the banquet hall.

Upon seeing the scene, the suspicion that the banquet was not a good one was confirmed once again—only three seats were set up under the eaves, with the emperor in the middle, the Prince of Yan, Cao Yu, already seated on the right, and the left seat left vacant to await him.

"Your subject, Commander Hui, greets Your Majesty."

Upon entering, Xiahou Hui, who had been keeping his composure, respectfully bowed.

"No need for formalities, please take a seat."

"only."

As instructed, Xiahou Hui first bowed to King Cao Yu of Yan before sitting up properly.

"Today's banquet is to welcome the Prince of Yan."

With a beaming smile, Cao Rui raised his cup and explained the reason for the banquet: "Since Asu went to Wuyuan to take up his post, the only person I can speak freely with is Zhiquan. However, Zhiquan is busy with official duties, so I summoned the Prince of Yan from Yecheng to the capital."

Listen to what kind of talk this is!

They set the tone right from the start, forcing me to become the one they wanted to talk to!

Xiahou Hui, who hurriedly raised his cup to drink with him, became highly vigilant and, according to etiquette, feigned fear, saying, "Your subject Hui is ashamed."

"It doesn't matter."

Cao Rui waved his hand and then turned to ask Cao Yu about his daily life and interesting stories in Ye City.

Occasionally, he would mention Xiahou Hui, and when he was in high spirits, he would even find an interesting story and use his personal belongings as bargaining chips to make Xiahou Hui and Cao Yu debate.

At first glance, it really does seem like something that "cultivates refined interests in leisure time".

After several rounds of drinks, Cao Rui, his face slightly flushed, finally suppressed his smile, rose, and went to the eaves. As he poured the wine on the ground, he murmured, "Those who dare to speak frankly to me are becoming increasingly rare. Alas, my father, Gao Tangsheng, has passed away. I, Zhi Quan, also have a reputation for speaking frankly; I should strive to do so. Hmm, Gao Tangsheng advised me on his deathbed that I should grant princes and dukes the power to command troops and to assist the imperial family. What do you think, Zhi Quan?"

No~
Asking for my opinion on such a matter in front of Prince Cao Yu of Yan?
Xiahou Hui, who was following closely behind, was immediately taken aback.

When I couldn't help but glance at Cao Yu, I noticed that Cao Yu couldn't help but look embarrassed, and he turned his head to look at the horizon.

"Speak freely, there's no need to be shy."

As if sensing something, Cao Rui urged him on again.

"only."

Helpless, Xiahou Hui could only reply, “Your Majesty, I humbly believe that this measure may not be advisable. The reason is not that I doubt the newness of the princes, but that the current military strength of the Shu and Wu forces is insufficient to support the troops of the fiefdoms. However, I also believe that the duty of the vassal states to protect the vassal states cannot be violated. If we can reduce the number of officials in charge of defense and supervision, and reduce the number of relocations, we can first allow the fiefdoms to enjoy their glory and happiness, and then consider other matters. Furthermore, if there are no descendants of the princes who have been enfeoffed, then officials can be selected based on their talents, thus demonstrating the bond of kinship.”

"Does the Prince of Yan hear this truth?"

Unexpectedly, Cao Rui remained noncommittal after hearing this, and instead turned to look at Cao Yu and said, "I said before that Zhi Quan would definitely advocate for a more lenient approach to the policies of the Prince of Zong!"

ok~
So you're worried that princes like Prince Yan, Cao Yu, might have expectations of Gao Tanglong's words, and therefore you're using me to block any possibilities.

She truly lives up to her reputation for intelligence!

In an instant, Xiahou Hui was filled with resentment.

Prince Cao Yu of Yan also flattered him, saying, "Your Majesty's discernment is beyond question."

“Zhi Quan’s words are commendable.”

Cao Rui waved his hand, signaling Cao Yu not to flatter him, and pondered for a moment. "I have always desired to broaden the administration of the state. However, this move will surely be difficult for the officials in the court to accept, so we must wait for the right time. Yesterday, Zhi Quan's annotations on the 'Methods for Evaluating Officials in the Capital' mentioned valuing the virtuous and capable, and simplifying complex matters, which are quite in line with my intentions. I just don't know how many points Zhi Quan suggested should be simplified?"

Finally, you asked.

With a sigh, Xiahou Hui, who had already prepared his thoughts, answered without hesitation, "Your Majesty, in my opinion, the best assessment method should be within ten articles."

How many? !
Cao Rui's expression froze instantly.

Liu Shao and Yu Yi had already reduced the number of articles to thirty-two, which he found unacceptable. Xiahou Hui actually wanted to limit it to ten.

Within ten items, what else can be tested?
Is it just a formality?
call.
Cao Rui let out a quiet sigh of relief, struggling to suppress his emotions. After returning to his seat, he asked in a deep voice, "What is the basis for Zhi Quan's words?" (End of Chapter)