The elite did not migrate south

Chapter 112: Opportunity
Guo Li had a stern face and said nothing.

No matter how reasonable Cao Mao's words were, he would not listen.

Cao Mao also felt helpless. Stupid people like this would not admit it even if they knew that what the other person said was more reasonable than what they said.

They only believe in themselves, and words are simply not enough to convince others.

When Cao Mao saw Guo Li's expression, he gave up the idea of persuading him.

He shook his head and said helplessly, "Well, I originally wanted the family to be prepared to deal with the jackals, but I didn't expect you to have such an idea. Well, then you can do as you wish."

After Cao Mao finished speaking, he sat next to the empress dowager again.

The Zhaoyang Palace suddenly became quiet.

No one spoke. Guo Jian wanted to say something, but when he saw his father's gloomy face, he lowered his head.

Cao Mao completely didn't want to pay any attention to these people.

He was never one to give up easily, but he really had nothing to say to the few people present.

Although what Cao Mao said to the Queen Mother just now was not entirely true, he did not lie about many key things. It was obvious that the Sima family wanted to use the Guo family as a knife and throw it away after use. They wanted to abandon themselves and the Guo family together.

Even that fool Lian Chengji has figured it out now.

But he didn't want to understand the General Xuan De in front of him at all.

He knew Sima Zhao's intentions clearly, but he did not have the courage to fight back. He was not even as good as Cheng Ji.

Cao Mao did not think that having these people as his teammates was a good thing. It would be better to let Sima Zhao use such talents.

These people from the Guo family are too arrogant. They think they are very important, and perhaps they think they are trying their best to win them over, but the problem is, they are really not that important.

To Cao Mao, the Queen Mother was actually the more important one.

This negotiation ended in a bad mood. Due to Guo Li's firm opposition, they were unable to come to any conclusion. Guo Li hurriedly left with everyone and did not even look at the Queen Mother with a good face.

This made Cao Mao couldn't help but shake his head.

Did he really think that he was the one who made her the Queen Mother?
Empress Dowager Guo watched them leave, her eyes full of anxiety.

"Mother, it's good that they're gone."

"If they were here, I wouldn't dare tell the truth. He's more likely to cause trouble than to accomplish anything. That's what I'm talking about with people like him."

Queen Mother Guo said bitterly, "They are the only ones I have close to me. Without their help, how can I fight against outsiders?"

"Mother, do you really think the Sima family doesn't dare to touch you because of these people???"

"Wake up! They are of no help to you. They are just taking advantage of your power."

Cao Mao said seriously, "It's actually a good thing to see these people's true colors, Mother. It's time to replace them with real talents."

"Please don't tell anyone about this."

"I have two candidates here, both of whom are more suitable than these people to guard the palace."

"Don't worry, mother. I'm here and I won't let you suffer any injustice."

Cao Mao said this with a solemn oath.

It was not known whether Empress Dowager Guo believed his lies or not, she just sighed.

When Cao Mao walked out of Zhaoyang Palace, he was surprised to find that Guo Jian was guarding outside the door.

“So stylish.”

Guo Jian's expression was somewhat complicated. He looked around and then whispered, "My father and uncle have always been close to Sima Shi. Some time ago, they even met with Sima Zhao in private."

“I don’t understand why they would conspire with the people who killed my brother.”

"But you have to be careful. Based on what you said today, they may have already reported it to Sima Zhao."

Cao Mao was a little surprised. After all, Guo Jian had never left a good impression on him.

Cao Mao's face was calm. Just like the Sima family, there was no harmony within the Guo family.

Empress Dowager Guo, who was supposed to be the leader, was oppressed by her own clan.

Historically, Sima Shi wanted to depose and enthrone the emperor, and Empress Dowager Guo only found out about it later. This made her a little angry, and she wanted to discuss the matter with Sima Shi. As a result, Guo Zhi, as an elder, directly scolded her and told her not to interfere.

This was also true for Guo Li, who always reprimanded the empress dowager and taught her how to do things in the manner of an elder.

As a result, the Queen Mother's brothers all liked to take the lead and let the Queen Mother assist them.

In Cao Mao's opinion, this is simply ridiculous.

If it weren't for Queen Mother Guo, these bird people would still be doing hard labor. It was because Queen Mother Guo didn't like arguments and was a little cowardly that she tolerated them.

But now that she has me, will Empress Dowager Guo continue to endure it?

The Empress Dowager's edict was more effective than his own. His own edicts could not leave the palace, but the Empress Dowager's edict was completely valid and everyone would recognize it. Sima Shi could certainly deny it, but he would have to put in some effort, unlike Cao Mao, who could just ignore it completely. If Cao Mao wanted to win over the ministers and use his own name to win them over, it would not work. He could not give them any benefits, he could only promise them.

But if it is done in the name of the empress dowager, then there will be no problem. If the identity of the empress dowager is used well, a lot of benefits can be obtained. Even if it cannot be on par with the Sima family, it can still compete with them.

As for whether Guo Li and Guo Zhi would go to the Sima family to complain.

Cao Mao didn't care at all.

I have already been imprisoned by them. How bad can this situation get?
Moreover, if Sima Zhao knew that Guo Li and others did not follow him, he might feel more at ease with him. He has always been worried that he would get together with the Guo family.

But of course, I can't tell these things to my uncle.

Cao Mao looked somewhat moved, and he saluted Guo Jian.

"Thank you, uncle, for telling me!"

Guo Jian sighed, his face full of sorrow.

Cao Mao hurriedly said, "Uncle, don't worry about these things. I remember that when you were in Yuancheng, you loved the food there the most."

"Do you remember that I sent a chef to Luoyang to cook for you?"

Guo Jian laughed, "Of course I remember. It's a pity that since then, I have no appetite for delicious food."

"Uncle, that man came to Luoyang on orders. He asked your servants on his way back, and perhaps he even visited you."

"Ah? With so much going on, he should have been scared away a long time ago!"

"How can a merchant know about something important?"

"If we can find that person, maybe uncle can even enjoy the delicious food of Yuancheng. Uncle, you don't have to worry too much about these things. I think General Xuande has his own arrangements."

Cao Mao started chatting with him again, occasionally adding a few random words about the delicious food he had eaten in Yuancheng in the past.

Guo Jian was soon coaxed into laughing by Cao Mao.

The two men parted ways, and Cao Mao led everyone towards the East Hall.

He hasn't finished today's class yet.

When he arrived at the East Hall, Wang Xiang frowned and looked very serious.

"Why are you so late, Your Majesty?"

"This is all my fault. I failed to discipline you properly, causing Your Majesty to treat education with such disregard!"

Cao Mao quickly bowed and apologized, "Please don't be angry, Master. The Queen Mother summoned me, and I dared not refuse, so I was delayed. I will definitely not do this again in the future."

A hint of surprise flashed in Wang Xiang's eyes. "Since this is filial piety, there is no guilt. Your Majesty, please take a seat."

Cao Mao then sat down in front of Wang Xiang. He sighed deeply and said helplessly, "Teacher, I have disappointed the Queen Mother. I really dare not talk about filial piety."

Wang Xiang asked curiously, "What happened?"

Cao Mao said seriously, "Because of me, the Queen Mother has had conflicts with General Xuande, the General of the Guard, and others. She has no one else around her. Today, she summoned me and complained to me that her clansmen looked down on her."

"I am incompetent and have caused the Queen Mother such grief. How can I be considered a son?!"

Wang Xiang was naturally very clear about the relationship between Empress Dowager Guo and her clansmen. Over the years, they had always used Empress Dowager Guo as a tool. To be honest, Wang Xiang didn't understand why Empress Dowager Guo was so indulgent towards her clansmen.

Wang Xiang said solemnly with a stern face: "How can the Queen Mother say that there is no one available? The Great Wei has countless talented people who can assist the court."

Cao Mao lowered his head and said nothing more.

Some things still need to be handled with caution. The Queen Mother has not made up her mind at the moment. Let's make an opening today. Once we convince the Queen Mother, we can come here to persuade Wang Xiang.

If he could win over a group of ministers in the name of the empress dowager, he would be able to influence some of the decisions in the court.

Of course, Wang Xiang also had his own thoughts at this moment.

He directly informed Lu Yu of Cao Mao's previous proposal.

Lu Yu was in charge of the Secretariat. Although he did not have the title of one of the Three Dukes in name, he was one of the Three Dukes in reality.

Things like rewards of titles, land and money were of no use to Lu Yu.

Sima Zhao had previously wanted to use those things to get Lu Yu's help, which was simply a humiliation to Lu Yu.

What Lu Yu wanted was something that could make the family fundamentally strong.

For example, if Lu Yu could handle the matter of the Ministry of Personnel's selection power and directly select children from high-ranking families to serve as officials, then according to the dual monarchy at the end of the Han Dynasty, it is hard to imagine how powerful his family would be.

Wang Xiang thought he couldn't finish such a big fruit, so he found Lu Yu to eat it together. Lu Yu ate the flesh and he could eat the peel.

The matter of the Queen Mother once again made Wang Xiang think a lot.

Perhaps, this is also an opportunity.

ps: Thanks to the leader of Auto Chess ing!
(End of this chapter)