Wei Ni

Faced with Cao Shuang's self-doubt, Xiahou Xuan remained silent.

It wasn't just because he understood that Cao Shuang's question was merely a momentary obsession; he could quickly realize on his own without Cao Shuang's answer that whether Xiahou Hui intended to plot against him depended on whether Cao Shuang would later strive for power like Shangguan Jie or emulate Tian Qianqiu's submissiveness.

Another reason was that he remembered his uncle Xiahou Ru's admonition.

Xiahou Ru, who was stationed in Wancheng, Nanyang, not only participated in the funeral procession at Gaoping Mausoleum alone because of the short distance, but also went to the capital to pay his respects to Emperor Cao Fang before returning to his post.

On his way out of Luoyang, the capital, Xiahou Xuan, having learned of the news, specially waited for him along the road.

Xiahou Ru had no time to chat with him, nor did he have any interest in asking about family matters. He simply threw down a sentence and rode away, saying, "In terms of clan sacrifices and ancestral rites, you are the same as Zhi Quan, not Cao Zhaobo! I am old, think about it yourself!"

This was a rebuke for his previous refusal to heed advice and his insistence on standing with Cao Shuang against Xiahou Hui. It was also a warning to him: Now that Xiahou Hui is a general, if you continue to follow Cao Shuang down this dark path, your descendants may even be stripped of the right to participate in clan sacrifices in the future!
Of course, Xiahou Xuan was not a fickle person.

He now recalls his father's admonition, and suddenly feels that it might come true.

Because he vaguely understood that once Cao Shuang realized what was going on, he would inevitably ask Cao Shuang for advice on how to proceed in the future, and Cao Shuang would certainly not accept his answer.

In fact it is.

Seeing Xiahou Xuan remain silent, Cao Shuang initially found it strange, but after a brief review, he quickly realized that he had asked a question that only he could answer.

So he paused, then asked again, "Now that things have come to this, Taichu, how do you think we should conduct ourselves?"

really.

Zhao Bo was still unwilling to accept it.

Upon hearing this, Xiahou Xuan, knowing that Cao Shuang was not following Tian Qianqiu's example, sighed inwardly and slowly asked, "On the day Emperor Ming passed away, Zhao Bo was also in Jiafu Hall. He should remember Emperor Ming's question to his uncle, right?"

The late emperor entrusted future affairs to Zhiquan, and asked him how he would govern.

Cao Shuang, somewhat unaware of the situation, slowly nodded. "I remember. His Majesty asked Zhiquan what he would do, and Zhiquan replied with 'Zhonggong asked Confucius about benevolence.'"

"This is how we conduct ourselves in the imperial court."

Xiahou Xuan nodded earnestly and said, "Emperor Ming's question is because he has some concerns. It is just like when Guan Zhong was about to die, Duke Huan of Qi asked whether Bao Shuya could succeed him, and Guan Zhong said no. It is exactly the same thing."

Guan Zhong was ill.

Duke Huan asked him, "Uncle Zhong's illness is serious, and we may not hide it. But if it is a serious illness, how can I possibly rely on a vassal state?"

Guan Zhong asked, "Whom do you wish to give it to?"

The Duke said, "Bao Shuya."

He said, “No. He is a man of integrity and virtue; he does not associate with those who are not as good as himself; and once he hears of someone’s fault, he will never forget it. If he were to govern the country, he would be at odds with the ruler above and the people below.”

—Zhuangzi, Miscellaneous Chapters, Xu Wugui

Cao Shuang had certainly read Zhuangzi and roughly remembered why Guan Zhong thought Bao Shuya was unsuitable to be prime minister.

Therefore, he could understand that Xiahou Xuan was advising him to be patient in the future.

Xiahou Hui was known for his upright and incorruptible character, with a clear distinction between good and evil, much like Bao Shuya in his determination to eradicate evil. This meant that once his power was consolidated and his influence grew, he would inevitably begin to address the long-standing problems within the court, and the situation of "colluding with the ruler above and going against the people below" would not be unavoidable.

Therefore, Xiahou Xuan felt that if Cao Shuang insisted on vying for power with Xiahou Hui, there was no need to rush.

If we simply wait until Xiahou Hui begins to launch a major campaign to eliminate long-standing abuses and disrupt the court, we can combine favorable timing and popular support, and have a great chance of winning.

"That"

After a slight hesitation, Cao Shuang, realizing what was happening, tentatively asked, "Taichu, how long do you think Zhiquan's statement, 'Zhonggong asked Confucius about benevolence,' can be sustained?"

"If you are in a hurry, it will take one or two years; if you are in a slow pace, it will take three to five years."

Xiahou Xuan, who had already thought about it, replied without hesitation, "My uncle is only thirty years old. He should be able to plan things slowly, or perhaps even longer."

Three to five years?
And it could take even longer?
Cao Shuang fell silent.

He wasn't incapable of enduring, but he couldn't accept enduring for so long.

It's a matter of give and take. Some things, if endured for too long, become like yesterday's flowers, faded and forgotten.

As a child, he asked with a sliver of hope, "Tai Chu didn't overestimate Zhi Quan. Given his character, he probably wouldn't be planning something slowly and deliberately, would he?"

"The emperor is nine years old now."

Xiahou Xuan raised his head to meet his gaze, shattering all his illusions. "And Zhao Bo is nowhere to be seen. Since the funeral at Gaoping Mausoleum, have my uncle's actions been any different from before?"

None.

Moreover, the emperor, who was only nine years old, would not be able to come of age for at least three years, get married and assume personal rule for five years, and it would still be ten years before he could truly make decisions on state affairs. It should be noted that when Emperor Ming ascended the throne, he was already about twenty years old, but Emperor Wen was still worried about the disloyalty of Shu and Wu outside and the possibility of someone usurping the Mandate of Heaven from within, so he left him four regents.

Cao Shuang fell silent.

His furrowed brows and slightly gloomy face indicated that he was in a very unhappy mood.

The only thing I couldn't see was him deliberating and weighing the options.

Therefore, Xiahou Xuan sighed inwardly again, and with the intention of trying one more time, asked, "Compared to Sima Gong, how do Zhao Bo's achievements compare?"

"It's better to have more." "A strategic and far-sighted mind?"

"It is not as good as that."

"What about his prestige in court and among the people, and the admiration of the officials?"

"Ugh"

With a sigh from Cao Shuang, Xiahou Xuan did not ask any further questions. Instead, he stood up, cupped his hands in greeting, and turned to leave.

"I have said all I need to say; Zhao Bo shall decide for himself."

Cao Shuang's expression was complicated as he followed Xiahou Xuan's figure with his gaze.

Reason told him that Xiahou Xuan's suggestion was correct, and if he chose to follow Sima Yi's example of forbearance, he could eventually bring Sima Yi along to counter Xiahou Hui.

But the resentment and sense of crisis in his heart kept urging him on, preventing him from obeying.

After all, what if something unexpected happens?
If Xiahou Hui consolidates his power and becomes too powerful, and during the process of reforming long-standing abuses, all the officials in the court remain silent and no one dares to object, wouldn't he just fade into obscurity, like a wooden or clay sculpture in the court?
Furthermore, Sima Yi was already over sixty!

He had long since exhausted all honors and was constantly planning to retire gracefully!
In three to five years, even if he waits for an opportunity after choosing to remain patient, will the old and decrepit Sima Yi choose to stand shoulder to shoulder with him? Judging from his current mindset, if he sees Xiahou Hui becoming powerful in the future, he should choose not to help either side and take the opportunity to retire completely, right?
The night is getting darker.

Cao Shuang, whose face was already full of fatigue, was not sleepy at all.

He was still undecided.

Because he knew that he was now at a crossroads in his life, and whether he continued along the main road or chose the side path would determine his future; and once he took the first step, there would be no turning back.

Click~
The burning honey candle wick suddenly burst forth with tiny sparks.

The sound was very soft, but it pulled Cao Shuang out of his thoughts.

He turned his head and saw that the honey candle he had lit that night was about to burn out, and he had been sitting there for almost an hour.

Alas, it turns out I am just an ordinary person, lacking the decisiveness to act.

Enough, enough. I can't make up my mind today. I'll rest for now and think things through more carefully tomorrow.

He smiled to himself.

She rose from the table, intending to blow out the honey candle, but abruptly stopped just as she puffed out her cheeks, her smile vanishing as she stood there watching the candle burn out little by little.

He suddenly realized that Xiahou Xuan had overlooked something.

Sima Yi is still alive, while his father Cao Zhen has been dead for many years, and his legacy, like a sweet candle, will eventually burn out. Furthermore, most of those currently under his command are imprisoned due to the extravagance of the Ming Dynasty. If these people remain imprisoned, even if he gets his chance in the future, he will lack the foundation and strength to contend with Xiahou Hui.

Several days later, at the Nine Dragons Palace.

Xiahou Hui, who was granted permission, entered the palace to meet the emperor.

They had to come to pay their respects to Emperor Cao Fang two or three times a month, which was a routine task for the three regents entrusted with the care of the young emperor.

This move was intended to reassure the officials and ministers, as well as to check on the emperor's condition, such as his health and progress in his studies with the help of his tutors and scholars, and to explain the recent situation in the court and the provinces to the emperor, thus demonstrating the humility of the ministers and the supreme authority of the emperor.

The difference is that the three of them came together the first time.

Now that Sima Yi has been promoted to Grand Tutor, the three of them have been coming over at their own pace.

"Your subject, General Hui, pays his respects to Your Majesty."

Maintaining the respect due to a subject to his ruler, Xiahou Hui entered the palace to pay his respects.

"General, you may dispense with the formalities."

Emperor Cao Fang, who already possessed some of the demeanor of a ruler, gestured to a seat to the side and said with a smile, "General, please come and sit down."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

He stood up in response, and Xiahou Hui came over and sat down.

He also nodded to each of the emperor's attendants who were bowing to him in the hall.

The next steps were naturally to inquire about his well-being, ask about any difficulties he might be having with his studies, inquire whether any of his close attendants had been negligent, and report on the affairs of the court.

But just as Xiahou Hui began to speak of court affairs, Emperor Cao Fang waved his hand, "The Grand Tutor came to discuss court matters the other day, and I am not entirely clear on them myself, so there's no need for the Grand General to elaborate." After saying this, he glanced around at the distance between himself and his attendants before lowering his voice to ask, "I asked Attendant Zhen, and he and Attendant Xiahou tell me stories of the Qin and Han dynasties every afternoon. Was this at the Grand General's behest?"

The so-called Qin and Han stories are actually the "Records of the Grand Historian" told in everyday language.

After Zhen De and Xiahou Gong entered the palace to serve as the emperor's tutors, Xiahou Hui specifically asked them to tell stories to the emperor, starting from Volume Five, "The Annals of Qin," during the time when the emperor Cao Fang rested after practicing riding, archery, and swordsmanship in the afternoon.

"Your Majesty, it was at my behest."

Nodding, Xiahou Hui asked with some confusion, "Did Your Majesty mention it today because you found the story too dull?"

"No, I quite like it."

Emperor Cao Fang, still possessing a boyish spirit, raised his head and grinned, revealing his teeth. "Compared to the Analects taught by the scholars, their explanations are much more interesting. Even yesterday, when the Grand Master of Ceremonies lectured on the classics, he used words to admonish me." (End of Chapter)