With Cao Cao by my side, what do I have to fear from the world?

Chapter 266, A Rare Moment of Resonance

Liu Xie publicly praised Cao Cao, saying, "This year, Lord Cao has successively pacified Ji Province and Bing Province, and his achievements are outstanding. I am very pleased. The battles in Ji Province and Bing Province were very fierce. Whether it was attacking Ye City or capturing Hu Pass, Lord Cao did not shy away from the dangers and always stayed on the front line, leading by example and bravely defeating the strong enemy. I am really happy that my Han Dynasty has such a pillar."

Cao Cao cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to Liu Xie and said modestly, "Your Majesty is too kind. This is merely my duty."

Liu Bei looked at Cao Cao, raising his eyebrows a few times in displeasure.

At every annual meeting, Cao Cao was always the most prominent. He had pacified two provinces in a year, which was indeed a great achievement. However, Liu Bei knew very well that Ji Province and Bing Province were actually under Cao Cao's control.

Cao Cao was helping himself to strengthen his power and expand his territory.

Liu Bei couldn't help but feel a little sour, but he didn't realize that his original motivation for going to Jingzhou was also to have the final say there.

After praising Cao Cao, Liu Xie turned to Liu Bei and said, "Since Liu Biao's death, I was most worried about the situation in Jingzhou, but now Jingzhou is the place I am most at ease with, because my uncle is in charge of Jingzhou. Although I have not seen with my own eyes everything my uncle has done in Jingzhou, his praises for you have never stopped in my ears."

When it comes to military campaigns and governing the country, Liu Xie was well aware of his own limitations; he was indeed not particularly outstanding.

However, when it comes to praising people and winning their hearts, he has long been a master and can handle it with ease.

These words alone elevated Liu Bei to the highest esteem.

Cao Cao couldn't help but glance at Liu Bei, sneering inwardly, "Jingzhou is the most reassuring place. Your Majesty really knows how to please people."

Guo Jia looked at Liu Bei, but smiled without saying a word.

His Majesty's practice of praising people is consistent; he has always done the same thing with Cao Cao.

Guan Yu stroked his long beard, a hint of pride in his eyes. He was even happier than if the emperor had bestowed upon him a title and a generalship; he was genuinely pleased for Liu Bei.

Jingzhou is the place that the imperial court can trust the most. Is there anything more gratifying than this?
Cao Cao has made the greatest contributions this year, and Jingzhou is the region that the court can trust the most.

Everyone realized that the emperor seemed to have begun to treat the two men as his right and left arms.

Because once such praise spreads, it is destined to further enhance the good reputation of Liu Bei and Cao Cao.

Next, Liu Xie also commented on Chen Deng, Zhang He, Guan Yu, and others one by one.

Finally, Liu Xie raised a cup of wine and said, "Gentlemen, I am truly delighted today. Peace and stability for the world are just around the corner. I hope that you will continue your efforts next year and achieve new successes!"

Everyone stood up and responded in unison, "We will certainly live up to Your Majesty's expectations."

Next, Xun Yue led dozens of scholars into the main hall.

Xun Yue was in charge of the Imperial Academy, and Liu Xie also entrusted him with the task of compiling statistics on the selection and evaluation of talents recommended from various regions.

Since the workload of the palace examination was indeed very large, finding more helpers would make things easier for Liu Xie.

"Everyone."

Some people were puzzled, so Liu Xie took the initiative to explain: "These are the candidates selected from the previous rounds of the palace examination. The palace examination is held once a month, and the best candidates are selected. Today is the last day, and it is also the last selection this year."

Everyone was very curious, wondering how the emperor would test them next.

The writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones were all prepared, one set for each person. The examinees stood in the main hall, under the scrutinizing gazes of the ministers.

Liu Xie smiled and said, "There are only three questions today. You will answer them on the spot, and there is no time limit. Whoever finishes answering first can leave. The first question is: The barbarians on the border have always been stubborn and unyielding. How should they be governed? The second question is: With the widespread use of military farming in various places, how can we maximize grain production and enhance the enthusiasm of farmers for labor? The third question is: The south is plagued by floods, which occur almost every year. How should this be managed?"

When Liu Xie posed his test, Cao Cao's eyes lit up considerably.

Cao Cao always valued talent above all else, to the point that he was so obsessed with it that he would appoint people based solely on their abilities, regardless of their character or background.

As long as someone has ability, Cao Cao will use them, even if they have a bad reputation!

Although the meritocratic personnel system was met with resistance from many people, Cao Cao did not back down.

In Cao Cao's view, what the world lacked most was precisely capable people. No matter how good a person's character or reputation was, if they lacked ability, then they were no good.

Conversely, if he is capable, even if he has some flaws or shortcomings, it doesn't matter. His merits outweigh his flaws, and as long as he is talented, he should be given important responsibilities!

Cao Cao immediately sensed from the three questions the emperor asked today that these practical and targeted questions would surely help select a capable person.

Because the more useful a person is, the better they are at solving problems.

Cao Cao even wondered why he hadn't thought of such a good idea before.
Liu Xie did not test them on the classics of history, philosophy, and literature. Perhaps some of them were well-read and learned, but such people may not necessarily have real talent.

What Liu Xie values ​​most is the ability to truly learn and apply what one has learned, and to combine what one has learned with practice.

"My lord, His Majesty only set the questions, but didn't prepare any desks or tables for these people to answer them," Xun You couldn't help but remind them.

Cao Cao also noticed the problem, but he quickly laughed and said, "Your Majesty did not forget, but did it on purpose. This is truly an eye-opener. Your Majesty is testing their ability to adapt to changing circumstances in a comprehensive way."

To answer questions, you need more than just pen, ink, paper, and inkstone; you also need a table where you can write, right?
However, Liu Xie made no arrangements.

Clearly, he wanted these people to figure out their own solutions and resolve the issues themselves.

Those who had the opportunity to participate in the palace examination were certainly not stupid; they quickly understood the emperor's intentions.

Therefore, these people had no choice but to use their individual abilities to succeed.

Liu Xie deliberately set up obstacles for them in order to observe their ability to adapt to changing circumstances and see if they could solve problems proactively and calmly.

Even if they tried to curry favor with the ministers next to them and then politely borrowed their desks, there would be no problem.

Moreover, this requires exceptionally high emotional intelligence and courage, as the ministers present were all of high status, the lowest being a prefect of a region.

Many candidates stood there dumbfounded, completely bewildered and unsure of what to do.

Others, knowing full well that this was a difficult problem posed by the emperor, but having no other options, turned to their attendants for help and asked for an extra table.

Even if one were to make a request, the servants would simply ignore it coldly.

Liu Xie admired those who were quick-witted and capable of solving problems, such as a man named Wang Chong, who walked directly and confidently to Liu Bei, bowing and showing great politeness.

"This must be the benevolent and wise Liu Bei, right?" Liu Bei nodded slightly. "How did you recognize me?"

Wang Chong replied neither humbly nor arrogantly: "The oath of brotherhood between Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei in the Peach Garden is famous throughout the world. The three of you have always been inseparable. The two generals are full of heroic spirit, while Liu Bei is full of gentleness. It is not difficult to tell them apart. I dare to borrow your desk, Your Highness."

Borrowing a table from Liu Bei requires not only courage but also skill.

Wang Chong's few tactful words pleased Liu Bei greatly, so he smiled, nodded, and stood up to offer his seat.

Wang Chong thanked him repeatedly, which greatly increased Liu Bei's goodwill towards him.

Seeing this, Cao Cao smiled and said to Guo Jia, "Liu Bei's reputation for virtue is truly known to all."

Cao Cao was half envious and half teasing, while Guo Jia said meaningfully, "My lord, the more beautiful something is in the world, the more memorable it will be once it is destroyed."

Guo Jia, always patient, lowered his voice and said, “My lord, you must never openly confront His Majesty. However, we can turn our attention to those around His Majesty, especially Liu Bei.”

"Liu Bei is stationed in Jingzhou. If we can bring down Liu Bei, Jingzhou will be in trouble, and Yizhou will naturally be separated from Xuchang. This would be most beneficial for you, my lord."

Cao Cao wholeheartedly agreed, saying, "That makes sense."

Qingzhou, Yuzhou, and Xuzhou are already under the emperor's control. Jingzhou is a dividing line. Once Liu Bei and Liu Zhang are completely under the emperor's command, these five provinces will quickly be connected.

This was something Cao Cao, who was eager to expand his power and wanted to suppress the emperor through force, did not want to see.

Therefore, Guo Jia killed two birds with one stone. As long as Liu Bei was brought down, the ownership of Jingzhou would change. Naturally, Guo Jia would try to secure the greatest benefit for Cao Cao, preferably for Cao Cao to own Jingzhou.

If problems arise in Jingzhou, the connection between Yizhou and the imperial court will also be disrupted.

Just like cutting a cake with a knife, the emperor's ideal blueprint, connecting five continents, can be instantly divided in two.

Guo Jia looked at Liu Bei with interest and continued, "My lord, any plan needs someone to cooperate in order to be implemented perfectly. Liu Bei has clearly discovered that Liu Qi has health problems. Jian Yong once advised him to let Liu Qi come to Xudu, but he refused. This shows that deep down, Liu Bei also hopes that Liu Qi will disappear from this world quietly."

Cao Cao was in a great mood. He picked up a cup of wine, smiled, and drank it all in one gulp.

"Let him be smug for a while longer. I wonder if he'll still be at this party this time next year?"

The two looked at each other and both laughed.

Guo Jia shook his head; Liu Bei could not possibly appear here again.

The banquet continued, and everyone did not quiet down just because the palace examination was being held. This was also Liu Xie's way of putting some pressure on the candidates.

If everyone is in a quiet place where they won't be distracted, they might be able to answer questions smoothly, but some more important qualities will be harder to discover.

After chatting with Guo Jia for a while, Cao Cao walked over to Xun Yu, who was very interested in the palace examination and wanted to learn more about it.

Walking over, Cao Cao didn't stand on ceremony and went straight to the point, "Wenruo, is the palace examination usually like this?"

Xun Yu quickly stood up and, as before, remained respectful to Cao Cao.

Xun Yu shook his head and replied, "His Majesty is unconventional, and his methods are different each time. For example, before the palace examination last month, His Majesty first sent those people to experience life in the homes of poor people in the vicinity for three days. They ate and slept in the homes of the people, and then he asked them to do some targeted tests on how to improve the lives of the people."

Cao Cao listened attentively, nodding repeatedly. "It seems Your Majesty has truly put a lot of thought into this."

Cao Cao always valued practicality in his approach to talent.

A person who can solve problems and play a role is a truly valuable talent.

"Giving everyone a chance to make recommendations makes things much simpler. Why didn't I think of that?"

Cao Cao praised the emperor, truly admiring his skill in getting everyone involved and even linking it to political achievements, thus steering things in the direction the emperor desired.

The recommendation of talent is no longer limited by the number of slots, and everyone is happy to participate because everyone can benefit from it.

Xun Yu continued, "Now, people are recommended almost every day, and then the palace examination is held at the end of each month. The questions in each palace examination are very difficult, and even we have to put in some effort."

Cao Cao nodded. "Your Majesty always has ingenious ideas and always has impressive performances. I can't help but think that maybe I really am getting old."

As the two were talking, Liu Xie walked over and asked, "Lord Cao, Wenruo, what are you talking about?"

Cao Cao smiled and said, "It's nothing. We were just talking about the palace examination that His Majesty has been promoting. It's really quite good, and I've benefited a lot from it."

Liu Xie took Cao Cao's hand and said affectionately, "Lord Cao, my attitude towards talent is the same as yours. As long as someone has talent, I hope they will have the opportunity to demonstrate it. The more soldiers Han Xin commands, the better, isn't that right?"

Cao Cao nodded silently. After a while, he said, "Your Majesty's move is much wiser than my previous proposal of selecting talent based solely on merit. To be honest, when I recruited talent, I often had to go against the majority of opinions, especially those from poor and humble backgrounds. They faced a lot of invisible pressure."

In fact, people from humble backgrounds are not necessarily poor. They are also considered aristocratic families, just families that have declined in status.

Cao Cao's meritocratic approach to promotion is commendable and has earned him lasting fame, but that's because he had the courage to act decisively, not because he didn't encounter any obstacles.

As Cao Cao spoke, his eyes glanced intentionally or unintentionally at the ministers in the hall.

The powerful families and the poor were two opposing classes. Cao Cao promoted people based on their talents, regardless of their background. Some of these people became prefects, and some became generals. They were all from humble backgrounds and had absolutely no connection with the powerful families.

However, Cao Cao's actions threatened the interests of powerful clans.

There are only so many resources in officialdom. The more opportunities the poor are given, the more dissatisfied the powerful families will become.

Therefore, the voices opposing Cao Cao have never ceased.

However, Cao Cao was powerful enough to control the situation, and even if some people were dissatisfied, they dared not openly oppose him.

Liu Xie was surprised and moved that Cao Cao would say such things today.

Liu Xie sighed. It was rare for the two of them to resonate on the same issue. "Lord Cao, your worries are also my worries."

"Your Majesty, may I speak with you in private?" Cao Cao said, stepping out of the hall.

(End of this chapter)