The elite did not migrate south

Chapter 123 The First Step to Fame

"As a cavalry officer, I have failed to lead you in the right way. This is my fault."

"I kneel down and beg Your Majesty to revoke your order, to be close to the wise and stay away from the villains, to carry on the aspirations of the three generations of sage emperors and achieve great unification in the Spring and Autumn Period."

"If Your Majesty does not respond, I will kneel and die in front of the palace."

Sima Yan read the article in his hand in a low voice, then looked at Cao Mao.

"Your Majesty, you don't really want me to kneel in front of the Taiji Hall? It's snowing heavily outside."

"Not just kneeling, but kneeling naked, taking off your outer clothes, kneeling in the snow."

"Huh?? Then can I still live?!"

Sima Yan was startled and shook his head quickly, "No, absolutely not, I will die outside!"

Cao Mao laughed and said, "What are you afraid of? Look at the prince. He was only ten years old and could strip naked and lie on the ice to melt it with his body heat, and he didn't die!"

Sima Yan looked at Cao Mao warily and took a few steps back. "Anyway, I won't do it!"

Cao Mao grabbed him and pulled him to his side.

"Do you think the prince is really lying on the glacier?"

"Is not it?"

"Nonsense, how can this solid ice be melted by body heat?"

Sima Yan narrowed his eyes, "Your Majesty, do you want me to lie?"

"You must kneel once and pass on the message. Then, find someone of similar stature to kneel in your place. We'll take turns kneeling. Do this for two or three days, and then I'll grant your request."

"Once word gets out about this, you'll be the most loyal minister in the Wei Dynasty. Just imagine, you took off your coat and knelt in the snow for three full days to persuade the emperor. The emperor was so moved that he finally rescinded his decree."

After Cao Mao said this, Sima Yan lost his composure.

"Your Majesty, now that you've said that, this is truly an opportunity. Otherwise, I'll just kneel down for three days myself!"

"With your physique, you'll have to go see Duke Xuanwen after kneeling for an hour!"

The brothers laughed.

Sima Yan quickly put away the article and said, "Just follow this. I will make all the arrangements and will not let your majesty down!"

"Anshi, reputation isn't the most important thing. You can do this kind of thing, but don't get obsessed with it, okay? Those so-called celebrities all use this method to get to the top. They pretend to be decent people, but in fact, they are not as good as us brothers!"

"So if you want to govern the world, you can't trust these people easily. You have to make your own judgments and not just follow what others say."

Sima Yan seemed to understand something and nodded.

Cao Mao then patted his shoulder and said, "Then go and get busy. I have to start my class too!"

"it is good!"

Sima Yan left here happily.

Xu Sheng looked at his back with some displeasure and said, "Your Majesty, why would you do such a thing? Sima Sanqi may be on good terms with Your Majesty, but he is still a member of your family. Is he worth sacrificing your reputation for?"

Cao Mao said seriously, "I am close to Anshi. If anyone wants to murder you in the future, you can ask him for mercy."

Xu Sheng was stunned, looked at Cao Mao with some emotion, and said bitterly: "I am incompetent. I really don't deserve your majesty's kindness."

"Hahaha, you guys are the only ones around me. If I don't favor you, who else can I favor?"

After saying a few words, Cao Mao stood up and headed for the East Hall.

He helped Sima Yan become a famous scholar, but of course it was not as simple as he said.

First of all, Cao Mao needs to contact the famous scholars outside. Although these scholars are not very powerful, they can sometimes burst out with great power, and the public opinion is actually driven by these scholars. Sima Zhao will never allow himself to easily come into contact with such a powerful force.

Unless his son takes the lead.

Sima Yan could serve as a bridge between himself and the famous scholars.

In addition, after Cao Mao came into contact with Sima Yan, he found that this guy was not a bad person, especially compared with his father and uncle, he was already a very good person.

Cao Mao also prepared for the worst.

If he failed and was eventually killed, he would leave behind a slightly more normal emperor in the world, an emperor who would not be so easily deceived by the "wise men".

Just like Yang Zong back then.

Cao Mao did not have much ambition to become king. Every day now was like dancing on the tip of a needle for him. If he was not careful, he would be crushed to pieces. This pain was far heavier than his ambition to rule the world. Cao Mao firmly believed that he came to this era to change something.

When Cao Mao arrived at the East Hall, Wang Xiang was already waiting there. Ever since the two of them had revealed their true feelings that day, their relationship had quickly warmed up. Cao Mao kept calling him "Master", as if he had become his only support.

Wang Xiang also told Cao Mao various ways to protect himself.

After closing the door, Wang Xiang stopped talking nonsense and got straight to the point.

"Your Majesty, uprisings are breaking out across the country. Henan has stabilized, but Hebei is struggling. Hebei already has a large concentration of imperial clansmen, and coupled with the conscription and taxation over the years, the local people are extremely dissatisfied with Sima Shi. Your Majesty also holds great influence in Hebei. After Lord Guo raised his army, people from all over Hebei responded. The General intends to appoint Shangshu He Zeng as the General of the North, commanding all Hebei military forces and granting him the title of Grand Marshal, to quell the rebellion in Hebei as soon as possible."

Cao Mao knew that Hebei had never been peaceful. Historically, after Sima Shi died of illness, unrest also broke out in Hebei. Sima Zhao hurriedly appointed He Zeng as the General of the Northern Expedition, gave him temporary authority, and let him be the commander-in-chief of Hebei's military affairs. Unexpectedly, it would be a year earlier.

Wang Xiang calmly analyzed the situation in various places for Cao Mao.

"Guo Huai is seriously ill, and Jiang Wei is ready to make a move. At this time, Sima Shi doesn't dare to go to war with the General who Guards the East. He can't hold out for much longer. Once he dies, the generals in various places may not obey the General who Conquers the West's orders. At that time, Your Majesty may directly order someone else to take over the position of General."

Wang Xiang talked a lot, but he didn't say what he was doing.

Cao Mao could understand this, and Wang Xiang certainly didn't want to affect his affairs.

In the end, Wang Xiang persuaded Cao Mao to be patient, not anxious, and wait quietly for Sima Shi to die of illness.

This was almost Wang Xiang’s conclusion every day. He seemed very worried that Cao Mao would act rashly.

However, after this conclusion, Wang Xiang added another sentence.

"I plan to go to Zhaoyang Palace today to meet the Queen Mother."

"Ah? Didn't you say you weren't in a hurry to see the Queen Mother?"

"Hahaha, if we don't see her again, I'm afraid the Queen Mother will go and summon the Guo family again."

Wang Xiang knew Empress Dowager Guo very well, so Cao Mao didn't say anything more.

Cao Mao told Queen Mother Guo that Wang Xiang had already surrendered to him, while to Wang Xiang he told her that the Queen Mother wanted to use him, but it didn't matter. Now that the two sides had established a cooperative relationship, he was not worried that Wang Xiang would go back on his word. He was just worried that the group of people with the surname Guo would come out and do bad things again.

Especially this Queen Mother, if her performance is too poor, will it make Wang Xiang change his position?
Although Cao Mao was very worried, he did not follow Wang Xiang to see the empress dowager.

Wang Xiang could go to pay a visit to the Queen Mother, but he could not go with her.

After finishing today's classes, Wang Xiang got up and left the East Hall and went directly to Zhaoyang Hall.

The aggressive Mr. Guo, when facing a minister like Wang Xiang, did not show any of the arrogance he usually showed towards Cao Mao. His face was full of smiles and he bent over like a dog without bones.

Wang Xiang was also very friendly and asked him to help him inform.

Soon, Mr. Guo invited Wang Xiang into the hall.

Empress Dowager Guo had a very bad time these days. She lacked a sense of security and was very anxious every day after she distanced herself from her clan. Although Cao Mao repeatedly assured her that he had won over Wang Xiang, who knew whether what he said was true or not?
After all, it was just a little doll.

But when Wang Xiang really appeared before her, Empress Dowager Guo believed what Cao Mao said.

There was no other reason, it was just because Wang Xiang performed a great ceremony and was extremely respectful.

"Prince! Please stand up!"

Empress Dowager Guo spoke hurriedly, and Wang Xiang thanked the Empress Dowager again, then stood up and sat aside.

"Queen Dowager, His Majesty said that you have been worried these days and feel that there are no wise men around you. Although I am incompetent, I am willing to assist the Queen Dowager and help the world."

As soon as Wang Xiang opened his mouth, he took the initiative in speaking.

Empress Dowager Guo was very relieved, "With the prince here, I naturally won't worry."

"Why didn't you come earlier?"

"Your Majesty, you have always been with outsiders in the past. How could I dare to get close to you?"

"outsider??"

"As the Queen Mother is from the Cao family, she spends all day with the Guo family. Naturally, I dare not come here."

Empress Dowager Guo looked a little embarrassed. The same words sounded different when spoken by Wang Xiang, and carried more weight than those spoken by Cao Mao.

"I would like to appoint you as the Minister of Rites."

"Why does Your Majesty say that?! Did I follow Your Majesty just for official positions and titles?!"

"That's not the case. I."

"Your Majesty is not yet of age, and the Queen Mother is the common ruler of the world. This is the righteous cause. I am willing to follow the Queen Mother for the sake of justice and the world, but not for myself!"

Looking at the golden Wang Xiang in front of her, Empress Dowager Guo was speechless for a moment.

(End of this chapter)