Wei Ni

My maternal uncle admonished you.
So, you're trying to complain now?

its not right!
You read books in the morning and practice riding and archery in the afternoon. How did my uncle know that Zhen De and Xiahou Gong told you stories about the Qin and Han dynasties?

Upon hearing this, Xiahou Hui couldn't help but smile. He quickly realized what was going on and asked the same question.

"Well, that's right."

Somewhat embarrassed, Emperor Cao Fang explained in a low voice, “The two tutors mentioned the alliance between Qin and Jin. Qin and Jin were not without enemies, so I was puzzled by Duke Mu of Qin's act of sending grain to Jin by boat. Yesterday, when the Grand Master of Ceremonies was giving a lecture, I asked him about it. The Grand Master of Ceremonies was surprised that I knew about this, so I told him the truth. The Grand Master of Ceremonies then advised me that I should not be distracted by studying history since I have not yet mastered the Analects. It just so happens that the General came today, so I wanted to ask if the two tutors will continue to tell me stories about the Qin and Han dynasties in the future?”

That’s it~
Xiahou Hui, his smile widening, nodded to show he understood. "It depends on Your Majesty. If Your Majesty wishes to hear, then let the two of them continue."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Cao Fang's eyes lit up with joy. "Does the General mean that the Chief Minister of Ceremonies is mistaken?"

"No."

Shaking his head slightly, Xiahou Hui patiently explained, "The Grand Master of Ceremonies is not wrong, nor is your subject, Hui. What the Grand Master of Ceremonies taught Your Majesty was the way of the sages; and what your subject, Hui, did was to make Your Majesty understand the way of the ruler."

uh~
Emperor Cao Fang was speechless.

At his age, he simply can't distinguish these things.

Xiahou Hui didn't expect him to understand right now, so he continued to explain a few more sentences.

"By studying history, one can understand the rise and fall of dynasties, distinguish between wise and foolish rulers, discern loyalty from treachery, and know how to appoint capable people. Even now, Shu and Wu are not loyal, and the fate of our Wei dynasty rests on Your Majesty's shoulders. If Your Majesty cultivates the habit of studying history, using it as a mirror to understand the way of a ruler, you will be able to build upon the achievements of three generations and accomplish a great undertaking for the entire realm after assuming personal rule. This is why your servants, Hui and Rang, have recounted the stories of the Qin and Han dynasties to Your Majesty. However, Your Majesty is still young, and naturally finds history obscure and difficult to understand. This is why the Grand Master of Ceremonies, Wang, has advised Your Majesty to focus on the classics. Historical records are vast and concise, summarizing a person's entire life in just a few words. Without a thorough understanding of the classics and a broad knowledge base, it is difficult to comprehend what historians have written and to grasp the truth and falsehood of historical accounts."

So, listening to stories about the Qin and Han dynasties now is basically useless?
Cao Fang didn't speak, but tilted her head and let her eyes dart around.

Despite Xiahou Hui's lengthy explanation, he still didn't understand.

The concepts of the way of being a ruler and the way of a sage had not yet formed in his mind.

But he didn't dare ask any more questions.

Fearing that further questioning would lead Xiahou Hui to believe, like Wang Su, that he was too preoccupied with Qin and Han stories to focus on studying the classics, he instructed Zhen De and Xiahou Gong to stop talking.

Of course, Xiahou Hui couldn't hide his little thoughts from his open expression.

"If Your Majesty does not understand what I just said, then please disregard it for now."

After thinking for a moment, Xiahou Hui said, “Your Majesty only needs to think this way: when the Chief Scholar and the Doctors are teaching you the classics, you should listen attentively and try to understand them. The stories of the Qin and Han dynasties are for Your Majesty to enjoy while practicing riding and archery. If there are any parts of the stories that you do not understand, Your Majesty can ask the attendants for clarification. You should also order the attendants not to let the Chief Scholar or the Doctors know about them.”

“So best!”

Emperor Cao Fang immediately became overjoyed, "Hehe, the General treats me better."

"I dare not. Assisting Your Majesty is my duty."

After exchanging pleasantries, Xiahou Hui excused himself and left the palace.

Since the imperial concubines were sent home and the number of servants and laborers was reduced, the northern palace had become much quieter. Xiahou Hui, who was walking slowly towards the Sima Gate and heading to the Southern Palace General's Office, hardly saw anyone along the way.

This made him, who had wanted to summon a soldier to fetch his seventh brother Xiahou He for a chat, look around and lose interest. He simply gave up the idea and strode away.

Unexpectedly, after he had only taken a few quick steps, he heard a greeting.

"I've met the general."

Looking in the direction of the sound, they saw that the person was standing behind the low wall behind the Sima Gate, his figure obscured. Xiahou Hui had seen him before in the Jiafu Hall, where he was a guardian spirit, but now he was dressed in the uniform of a military guard.

Could it be that he is also secretly involved in school affairs?
Suddenly remembering Shi Er, Xiahou Hui stopped at the sound and nodded slightly, "Hmm. Who are you?"

"Reporting to the General, my name is Chen Liu."

The man remained expressionless, bowed respectfully, and replied, "When the Grand General investigated the matters of the military farms, the late Emperor sent Shi Erying, the head of the Beiman Mountain Manor, to accompany him, and I was the one who filled the vacancy of Shi Erying's position."

It really is a school matter!
"I understand."

A flicker of realization crossed Xiahou Hui's eyes, and he asked in a deep voice, "What matter do you have entrusted to me?"

"I dare not accept the words of the Great General."

Chen Liu, who was still bowing, bowed even deeper upon hearing this. "I was sent by Chief Inspector Wang to boldly suggest to the General that if you have time, please send someone to the Beiman Mountain Manor to summon Chief Inspector Wang. The General has met Chief Inspector Wang before; he was the former temporary Seal Envoy in the Jiafu Palace."

It turned out to be that old eunuch~
But why was he at the Beimangshan Manor?
Xiahou Hui, looking at Chen Liu in his military uniform, placed his hand on his long beard and remained silent in contemplation.

One should always be wary of others.

After all, Cao Shuang had served as General of the Imperial Guard for many years, and his younger brother was currently in office.

“If the General has any doubts, he can ask Xiahou Yilang. The General’s elder brother was also one of the chief officers during Emperor Wen’s reign, and he knows the identities of Chief Inspector Wang and myself. I cannot stay here any longer, please forgive me.” After waiting for a while without Xiahou Hui speaking, Chen Liu must have guessed what Xiahou Hui was thinking, so he said the same thing again, then bowed and turned to leave.

Xiahou Hui had no time to pay attention to his departure.

My mind was completely captivated by his statement that "the eldest brother of the Grand General was also one of the chief officers of the Imperial Academy during the reign of Emperor Wen."

Unbelievable!

My harmless and unassuming eldest brother is actually one of the school's affairs officers.

Is this why Emperor Wen treated his elder brother with special favor?
As Xiahou Hui slowly walked away, he couldn't help but recall all the things his elder brother had done, and he still found it unbelievable.

But he also knew that Chen Liu would never lie to him about something so obvious that the truth could be easily verified.

After leaving Sima Gate and returning to the General's Office, he finally recovered from his shock and began to consider the strange things revealed in Chen Liu's words.

For example, his elder brother was a censor during the reign of Emperor Wen, but not during the reign of Emperor Ming.

So, what is the reason behind this?
For example, that old eunuch, who is also the chief eunuch in charge of the Imperial Academy, is no longer staying in the palace. Moreover, he suddenly sent Chen Liu to find him. The reason must be that with the death of Emperor Ming, the secret Imperial Academy is now unable to continue.

Does this also mean that the emperor and the court officials are still unaware of the existence of this group?

Furthermore, since Shi Er and Chen Liu were both using the identity of the Imperial Guard as a cover, they should have been more familiar with Cao Shuang. Why did they specifically come looking for me?

Is it because the late emperor left a will?
Or perhaps the late emperor forgot to make arrangements for them when he passed away?

As Xiahou Hui sat alone in his office, closing his eyes to rest, his thoughts couldn't help but wander.

"Thu~ Thu~"

A short while later, I heard a few knocks on the door.

When he opened his eyes, he saw Ding Mi standing there holding a document.

Seeing that he was looking over, Ding Mi did not wait for him to speak. She walked straight over and sat down to the side, placing the documents on the table. She complained, "Zhi Quan is so free. It's a pity that I've been reading these letters these past few days. My eyes are swollen, and I can't even see the millet clearly when I eat."

"Haha~"

Upon hearing this, Xiahou Hui couldn't help but burst into laughter.

The various memorials collected from the pitch-paper-throwing vessel are now being reviewed one by one by Ding Mi and several clerks. Only when insightful policy discussions or books that report illegal activities are found are they presented to Xiahou Hui for his review.

This work is not only tedious and trivial, but nowadays almost all the people who submit letters are minor officials and commoners, and what they say is mostly trivial matters, and their words are vulgar. For Ding Mi, a famous scholar, this is really a torment.

But there is nothing that can be done about it.

Of the officials and subordinates recruited by Xiahou Hui for the position of Grand General, only Chief Clerk Sun Li and Aide Huan Yu have arrived at the office.

Sun Li was certainly not capable of handling such trivial matters.

His real job was to replace Xiahou Hui in going to the East Hall every day to discuss the affairs of the court with the officials and ministers of various departments, and this responsibility kept him so busy that he was constantly on the go.

Huan Yu's affairs were equally complicated.

Having served as Cao Yan's deputy in charge of the defense of Chang'an, he was familiar with military affairs and finances. Because he was Xiahou He's brother-in-law, he was trusted by Xiahou Hui and entrusted with the responsibility of verifying the accuracy of the expenditures of the troops stationed at the front.

This kind of calculation requires absolute concentration.

Because if the calculation is wrong, it could lead to a general being unjustly executed.

"Yanjing, if you hold on a little longer, the appointment of the General Who Conquers the East has already been sent to Huainan. I'm sure Wang Yanyun will reciprocate and soon arrange for someone to take over the duties of the person I recruited, so that they can step down and come to the capital as soon as possible."

After laughing for a while, Xiahou Hui comforted him, "Yes, Wu Gang, Wu Shidu, Yan Jing also met him in Huainan. He is a quiet and steady person, and he is most suitable to handle such trivial matters."

No matter how fast it is, it will still take more than ten days.

Muttering something under her breath, Ding Mi resignedly nodded and gestured with her chin toward the document, "Shi Du, I remember you. Zhi Quan, read this book first. Huan Yuan had it sent over."

Huan Fan?!
Why did he write this letter?
Raising his eyebrows slightly, Xiahou Hui spread the letter out on the table, read it quickly, and couldn't help but grin.

The content of the letter is very simple.

First, he thanked Xiahou Hui for recruiting Huan Yu into the General's Office, and then he said that Cao Shuang sent someone to find him and wanted to appoint him as Chief Clerk, but he had already declined.

While seemingly indicating that he would not side with Cao Shuang, he was actually subtly asking Xiahou Hui: Even Cao Shuang knows that he is looking for him, so why hasn't Xiahou Hui, with whom he had a past relationship, recommended him for an official position?
Don't you know he's currently unemployed and staying at home?
"Huan Yuanze was ambitious, experienced, and a respected elder from Qiao and Pei."

Ding Mi said slowly, "Since he has rejected Cao Zhaobo's offer of service, Zhiquan should not even think about appointing him to the position of Sima. He should think as soon as possible about which of the Nine Ministers or a position with comparable responsibilities he could be transferred to." (End of this chapter)