Wei Ni

Indeed, Xiahou Hui had a realization.

He understood why, despite Emperor Cao Rui's apparent intention to consult him on matters, he still used the pretext of hosting a banquet to welcome Prince Cao Yu of Yan.

It must be because of his outspokenness when he annotated the "Methods for Evaluating Officials in the Capital" the day before yesterday. When Cao Rui summoned him today to ask about these two sensitive matters, in order not to make him think too much, he used Prince Cao Yu of Yan as a pretext.

Even with such a sensitive identity as Prince Yan, Cao Yu, he wanted him to hold military power in the capital. You, Xiahou Hui, are just a mere Central Protector General, so don't be so suspicious because of the "eagle-like minister" theory!
You're not qualified, you brat, understand?
As for the statement by Prince Yan Cao Yu that "Your Majesty keeps a respectful distance from talk of ghosts and gods," it was probably added on his own initiative because he was worried that he had not played his role well and that Xiahou Huifu would not understand Cao Rui's meaning.

It can be considered a kind of goodwill.

Therefore, after Xiahou Hui understood the situation, her impression of him improved considerably.

Since they were already sitting across from each other enjoying drinks and conversation, it wouldn't matter if they were attacked by others for associating with the vassal kings in the future. So he decided to give him a reminder as a way of repaying the kindness he had shown.

"The Master did not speak of strange phenomena, physical prowess, disorder, or spirits. With Your Majesty's wisdom, this is certainly the case."

Following his words, Xiahou Hui nodded and then changed the subject, saying, "Just now, the Prince of Yan asked me about the Five Pecks of Rice, and I know a little about it. It is because before we attacked Liaodong, we stationed troops outside Ye City."

"Oh?"

Slightly surprised, Prince Cao Yu of Yan first raised his eyebrows.

Immediately, a smile bloomed on his face, and he cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "I would like to hear the details."

Although he was Zhang Lu's son-in-law, he himself did not believe in the Five Pecks of Rice sect, nor did he care how much Xiahou Hui knew about or liked the sect. He only mentioned it earlier to find a reason to talk.

His current display of keen interest in discussing things in detail with Xiahou Hui is also out of necessity.

After all, Emperor Cao Rui had gone to the inner room to rest, leaving him and Xiahou Hui sitting opposite each other. It wouldn't be appropriate for them to just stare at each other in silence, would it? But he and Xiahou Hui weren't familiar with each other, and their respective identities were sensitive, so there were many topics they couldn't discuss. Since Xiahou Hui had taken the initiative to find topics to avoid awkwardness, he naturally had to appear pleased.

However, after Xiahou Hui explained in detail, he immediately showed fear in his eyes and sweat appeared on his temples.

"When I was stationed outside Ye City, I would occasionally enter the city to collect provisions and supplies. At that time, I saw that the Five Pecks of Rice sect had many followers in Ye City, including sons of nobles and commoners. I found this very strange. So I sought the help of the garrison commander of Ye City to understand. He said that after the death of Lord Yuan, the Five Pecks of Rice sect no longer had a headmaster. Without a leader, the sect leader's power and authority grew increasingly strong. He was also keen on spreading his teachings to the powerful and wealthy, which contradicted Lord Yuan's doctrine of spreading the teachings to all without discrimination when he was in Hanzhong. This caused the conservative followers to leave in anger and focus on spreading the teachings to ordinary people. From then on, the Five Pecks of Rice sect was divided into old and new sects."

"At that time, I knew that the Five Pecks of Rice sect was likely to get out of control. I couldn't help but recall that the Five Pecks of Rice sect originated from Zhang Xiu of Ba County. He used his doctrines to win over the people and once raised an army to rebel in the southwest; moreover, at that time, it was during the Taiping Dao of the previous dynasty's rebellion of 'the blue sky is dead, the yellow sky shall rise'."

Prince Cao Yu of Yan was respectful and gentle, but he was not lacking in intelligence.

Therefore, upon hearing this, he immediately understood that Xiahou Hui was subtly reminding him to take precautions.

Yes, prevention is better than cure.

During the Former Han Dynasty, Wang Mang usurped the throne, and many uprisings were launched using religious groups to gather troops. The Yellow Turban Rebellion led by Zhang Jiao in the previous dynasty tolled the death knell for the Han Dynasty. Now, the Five Pecks of Rice sect, widely practiced in Ye City, is fragmented and in chaos. Could it be exploited by those with ulterior motives during times of natural disaster or man-made calamity?
Or perhaps, since Prince Cao Yu of Yan was not a believer, even if the Five Pecks of Rice sect caused trouble, there was no reason for him to be implicated.

But what if the rebels start an uprising in his name?
As the son of Emperor Cao Cao and the son-in-law of Zhang Lu, no one could have more influence than him, right?
The best course of action would be for him to find an opportunity to report this matter to Emperor Cao Rui, and on the grounds of the potential for future chaos, to suggest that officials be appointed to guide and manage the Five Pecks of Rice sect in an orderly manner, thus eliminating the possibility of such a rebellion.

As for how to prevent it, that's neither his concern nor his business.

So he didn't ask Xiahou Hui anything else, but sincerely bowed and thanked him, saying, "I understand. I am deeply grateful for Zhiquan's reminder."

"Don't dare."

They both felt each other's goodwill, and the awkwardness disappeared. They were finally able to drink and chat happily without any embarrassment.

After a while, Emperor Cao Rui awoke, and as it was getting late, everyone went home.

Prince Cao Yu of Yan was naturally to accompany the emperor to the palace.

He also received a special honor, being summoned by the emperor to ride in the same carriage.

Of course, being in the same carriage as the emperor, he knew what he had to do, and without Cao Rui asking, he directly reported in a low voice, "Your Majesty's earnest intentions are already clear to me. Moreover, I just mentioned something else..."

"Is the Five Pecks of Rice sect fragmented and disorderly?"

After listening quietly, Cao Rui murmured, stroked his long, thin beard, and pondered for a moment, "Hmm, the Prince of Yan need not worry about this matter. I will issue an edict to Ye City."

After appeasing King Cao Yu of Yan, he began to chat with great interest.

"It is truly astonishing that Zhiquan's progress is so remarkable, even in its subtle ways!"

"The Prince of Yan may not know, but when Zhi Quan was a Gentleman Attendant, he once told me that the young Zhi Quan, who died in the Hanzhong uprising, was the most talented in the family. But now I think that's not true. Although Zhi Quan could compose essays at the age of seven and had a photographic memory, literary talent is not the same as intelligence, and it may not necessarily enable him to consider matters of high office." Has Xiahou Hui truly improved?
His elder brother, Xiahou Heng, answered no.

Because after returning from the Beimangshan Manor, he did something foolish again.

However, after learning that Emperor Cao Rui did not suspect him as a "soaring minister," his ulterior motives began to stir again. He wrote a letter and had his steward Sun Lou deliver it to the Marquis of Anning's residence and his elder brother.

He wanted Xiahou Heng to spread rumors that he himself was a "minister of eagle-like arrogance" in order to frame Xiahou Xian.

This was partly to retaliate against Xiahou Xian for obstructing the investigation of the Shi family's land reclamation, and partly out of consideration for reducing the number of people vying for power in the future.

Yes, he already knew that his elder brother Xiahou Heng had largely established an intelligence system.

Although Xiahou Heng readily accepted the large sums of money that Sun Shu transferred to him every quarter, he insisted that such a taboo matter could not be accomplished overnight and told Xiahou Hui not to bother him.

Xiahou Hui initially believed it.

After all, Xiahou Heng had been like a father to him for so many years.
How could I possibly lie to myself?

Later, during a casual chat with his seventh brother Xiahou He, he told an amusing story, which made Xiahou Hui realize what had happened.

When Xiahou Hui was stationed in Ye City, he colluded with Emperor Cao Rui. After submitting a memorial, he was demoted to Liaoxi Commandery and left without a general in charge of the garrison. Xiahou Heng then spread rumors to make the emperor mistakenly believe that Xiahou Xian, Cao Zhao, and Cao Shuang had designs on the garrison, which led to all three of them being reprimanded by the emperor.

At that time, Xiahou He, who was accompanying the emperor, shared the news upon returning to the mansion, and Xiahou Heng's reaction was very indifferent.

"My elder brother's composure is becoming more and more remarkable. He is not surprised at all by this matter, as if he had known about it all along."

Xiahou He, unaware of the reason, said this.

Xiahou Hui, who was attentive to the listener, immediately understood.

It should be noted that Xiahou Heng was one of the people secretly in charge of the school affairs during the reign of Emperor Wen of Han, Cao Pi, and Xiahou Hui was still in Huainan when he asked Xiahou Heng to do this!

So many years have passed, how could it be that a makeshift team hasn't been assembled yet?

Moreover, Xiahou Hui could also guess why his elder brother had so vehemently denied it.

It was simply that they felt this matter was taboo, and given Xiahou Hui's impetuous nature, they didn't want to hand it over to him, lest it bring trouble to their family.

The reply from Xiahou Heng the following day, after Sun Lou delivered the letter, confirmed this.

This time, Xiahou Heng did not refuse to say that he was not capable of spreading the rumors, but instead scolded Xiahou Hui for his lack of self-control.

The letter reads:
"You mere youth, newly ascended to the throne, dare to look down upon the world! Since Your Majesty's ascension, your wisdom and decisiveness have earned you renown throughout the court and the countryside, yet you know nothing of him? Who is Xiahou Yunjin? He entered the palace at a young age and has served Your Majesty for over a decade, yet Your Majesty still does not understand his character and courage! If we follow your words, Your Majesty may not suspect Xiahou Yunjin, but instead order an investigation to uncover the whole story. Once the truth is revealed, my family will bear the blame! You have been educated since childhood, well-versed in the works of various philosophers, yet you do not know that petty tricks are unfit for high society? You should understand that those who hold high positions must first establish themselves, using their own righteousness to attack the wicked. Just as in warfare, one must first uphold righteousness before employing unorthodox tactics. How can those skilled in intrigue and deceit last long! If you have acted on your own conscience, then repent and correct your ways, lest my family suffer the calamity of being destroyed; if it was instigated by others, then distance yourself from them and never employ them again."

After reading it, Xiahou Hui immediately broke out in a cold sweat.

Even after looking at it repeatedly, I still felt goosebumps and lingering fear.

Alas, I am still too young and have not been immersed in officialdom for long. Whenever I think about things, I always like to use clever tricks and lack great wisdom.

With this realization in mind, as he burned the letter, he also thought of how he had previously slandered Sima Yi as if he were a saint in front of Emperor Cao Rui.

Perhaps the emperor didn't react at the time because he thought the idea was naive and shallow.

Because everyone knows that Sima Yi, who is aware of his high position, is now eagerly hoping to retire gracefully and return to his hometown in glory. If it weren't for the fact that many of the Wei officials in their seventies and eighties are still dedicated to their duties and contributing their talents, he, who is not yet sixty, would have long ago petitioned to retire and return to his hometown to enjoy the company of his grandchildren.

Where does one get the heart of a sage?

"When a man holds a high position in the government, he must first establish himself before he can accomplish anything."

Sitting alone in his study, he murmured this sentence many times before finally getting up to find the "Shuoyuan" to study it carefully.

He hadn't read a book in a long time since he went to Huainan.

Therefore, after being instructed by his elder brother Xiahou Heng, he also decided that in this final period, he would try his best to avoid trouble and focus on understanding the lessons learned from his battles before resuming his studies. (End of Chapter)