The elite did not migrate south

Chapter 143: Wise Men and Peace
"Hahaha, you're trying to win over your father?"

Cao Mao couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Sima Yan had a stern face and said nothing.

"Why don't you try to win over your uncle?"

Cao Mao shook his head and said with a smile, "How can you use this method of winning over famous scholars on your father?"

"Let's not talk about that anymore. By the way, why did Your Majesty suddenly want to hold a banquet? Didn't we agree to hold the banquet starting next year?"

Sima Yan quickly changed the subject.

"I originally wanted to wait until next year, but I've been so bored these days that I thought of gathering all the wise men and having a feast."

Sima Yan nodded. He was a little bored after staying at home all day. Of course, a banquet would be great. He asked, "But I heard that Your Majesty invited many ministers. Why is that? How can we have a good time if they are all in the East Hall?"

Cao Mao said seriously, "Anshi, since we want to make the Dongtang Banquet a banquet that all scholars in the world yearn for, we must emphasize the celebrity effect. The banquet must include ministers from the imperial court. These ministers from the imperial court that I have invited are not only capable of promoting others, but are also respected and renowned scholars themselves. With them in charge, won't the banquet's reputation be even greater?"

"Besides, you don't have to worry about them ruining the atmosphere. As long as they show up, it will be fine. In fact, in today's government, there are so many things going on that not all of these people can come. Even Mr. Zhong may not be able to come."

"Hahaha~~ Your Majesty is wrong to think so!"

I heard laughter coming from outside the door, and then I saw Zhong Hui swaggering into the East Hall without even notifying the soldiers at the door.

Sima Yan shook his head, feeling somewhat helpless about Zhong Hui's behavior.

Cao Mao looked at Zhong Hui without his usual enthusiasm, his eyes were very calm.

Zhong Hui didn't care about these things. He bowed to Cao Mao and sat next to him.

"Your Majesty is hosting a banquet, how dare I not come?"

Cao Mao sneered, "A few days ago, Mr. Zhong's slanderous words, his actions no different from Jia Chong's, made me recognize you again. Why are you so enthusiastic today? What despicable tricks are you planning to use?"

Sima Yan was shocked and asked hurriedly, "What happened?"

Zhong Hui was scolded by Cao Mao in person, but there was not a trace of anger on his face.

He replied with a smile: "Your Majesty, I have a different opinion on this matter."

"Oh?"

"Appreciate further details."

"Your Majesty is a rare talent, why would you associate with such a despicable person? If I hadn't gone there and informed her in advance, when the General told her about the marriage, I'm afraid she would have refused it on the spot and challenged him. Does Your Majesty think she is a match for him? In the end, he would have been defeated miserably, and Your Majesty would have been implicated."

"For Your Majesty, I have sacrificed my own reputation and done things that a minister should never have done. But, you see, after this incident, hasn't she come to her senses? At least she won't bring trouble to Your Majesty again. What do you think?"

"According to what you said, I should thank you?"

"Hahaha, how could a king in this world thank his ministers? This is what a minister should do!"

Zhong Hui said this with righteous indignation.

Cao Mao almost cursed out loud.

Of course, he also had a better understanding of Zhong Hui. This man must have some serious illness.

Zhong Hui obviously had his own way of understanding the world. In his personal understanding, he was a wise minister who assisted the holy lord and supported the world. Everything he did was in line with morality and there was nothing to be ashamed of.

He often talked about "Heaven's Mandate" to Cao Mao, who thought it was an excuse to usurp the throne, while Zhong Hui may have really believed that he was carrying out Heaven's Mandate.

He is actually somewhat similar to Guo Ze, both living in their own world, but the difference is that his world may be more distorted.

Even in the crazy Wei and Jin Dynasties, this man was considered very unique. Apart from anything else, his behavior of not marrying was shocking at that time.

In an era when powerful families are rising, it is really incomprehensible not to marry and have children.

Sima Yan looked at Cao Mao and then at Zhong Hui.

He totally couldn't understand what the two were talking about.

Hearing Zhong Hui's words, he hesitated a little, but still asked softly, "Is Mr. Zhong ready to serve?"

The smile on Zhong Hui's face froze instantly, his expression darkening. Cao Mao chuckled, "An Shi! How can you ask such a question?!"

Sima Yan quickly explained, "Mr. Zhong, please don't misunderstand me. I don't have any other intentions. I'm just curious."

Zhong Hui's face turned even darker.

If there wasn't a big party coming up, he would have to get up and leave right now.

Cao Mao looked at Sima Yan with approval, what a master!
Since he had been fighting with Zhong Hui, he had rarely gained any advantage in words. An Shi's words were a critical hit, almost breaking Zhong Hui's defense!
It turned out that I underestimated Anshi.

Cao Mao still underestimated Zhong Hui's enthusiasm for famous scholars. He had so many things to deal with now that he was almost exhausted and was unwilling to miss such an opportunity.

Celebrities began to arrive one by one, and the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove were the first to arrive.

The previous banquet had been excellent, and they were quite satisfied. This time, they were the first to arrive, and with Sima Yan and Zhong Hui present, they had no concerns about whether getting too close to the emperor would cause any problems. For the first time, Cao Mao saw Ji Kang sober.

He finally came here sober today, without anyone's support, walking in front of everyone with a swagger.

This is really rare.

When Ji Kang was sober, he was not as wild as he was when he was drunk. He looked very serious, and when he frowned, he was even colder than Ruan Ji.

Everyone bowed to Cao Mao, and a smile finally appeared on Zhong Hui's face.

Sima Yan was as enthusiastic as ever, but people's attitude towards him had also changed.

Sima Yan's reputation is now much greater than before. Except for Ruan Ji and Ji Kang who are still so indifferent, the rest of the people all greet him with a smile.

Cao Mao looked at the eighth person among the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove with some surprise.

He had never seen this person before, and this was probably his first time here.

This man was tall and unlike other celebrities, his body was not hollowed out by alcohol and money. He walked with great vigor. For some reason, he had been staring at him since he came in, frowning, with some anger in his eyes.

Another good dog from the Sima family?
Cao Mao ignored him and greeted everyone with a smile.

Everyone was still as polite as before, but with a hint of distance in their politeness.

The only one in the world who clearly expressed his support for the emperor and survived to this day was Guanqiu Jian, who held a large army. The rest of the ministers had long been executed and their families exterminated.

As for the remaining people, they naturally did not have the courage to fight the Sima family head-on and only survived.

But Cao Mao would not look down on them because of this. After all, although they chose to hide, they did not choose to compromise.

"Tiger!"

"Xiang Jun, are you okay?"

"Mr. Liu! I can smell the aroma of wine on you before I even get close!"

Cao Mao met them one by one, and finally, his eyes fell on the newcomer.

Ji Kang said, "Your Majesty, this man is my friend. His name is Lü An, and his courtesy name is Zhongti. He is from Dongping and is the second son of the former Governor of Jizhou, Lü Gong."

It was him!

Cao Mao knew this person. Lu An was friends with Ji Kang, Shan Tao, Xiang Xiu and others, and was also a famous scholar of his generation. However, he was somewhat different from the others. He had a strong character and often had the ambition to help the world. He did not have any negative thoughts of escaping the world. He was also one of the few famous scholars who opposed the rule of the Sima family.

This person is an ally.

Historically, this man had a very tragic fate as he was framed by his good friend Ji Kang.

His wife was very beautiful. His brother Lu Xun was attracted by his sister-in-law's beauty and raped her. Lu An was furious and prepared to sue his brother.

Because Ji Kang had a good relationship with both brothers, he advised them not to make the family scandal public and to resolve it privately. As a result, Lu Xun took the initiative and falsely accused Lu An of being unfilial, leading to his arrest by the government.

Ji Kang was very angry and came forward to testify for Lu An, but was also arrested.

The two had previously made many extreme remarks, all of which were against the rule of the Sima family. Sima Zhao had caught their handle and naturally would not show mercy. In addition, Zhong Hui was rejected by Ji Kang and felt resentful, so he spoke out, which led to both of them being executed by Sima Zhao.

This incident caused a huge sensation. Three thousand students paraded through the streets demanding the release of Ji Kang and Lu An. This made Sima Zhao even more fearful and he executed them directly.

After his death, celebrities from all over the country spoke up for him, and the wave of opposition became even greater. Sima Zhao quickly said: I have regretted it, but unfortunately, I am dead and there is nothing I can do.

Cao Mao looked deeply at Lu An in front of him. Okay, I was wrong. He was not the dog of Sima family, but why did he have such an attitude?
Lu An bowed, then asked displeasedly, "Your Majesty, has there ever been a wise ruler in the world who brought prosperity to the country by hosting a banquet?"

Many celebrities fell silent immediately.

Zhong Hui's eyes lit up.

Sima Yan frowned.

If it wasn't the second round, Cao Mao would definitely think that this person was trying to take advantage of the opportunity to gain fame.

But knowing his deeds in history, Cao Mao could vaguely see what he was thinking. This man scolded him with a hint of disappointment in his ability.

He did not want to immerse himself in useless celebrity banquets, but wanted to revive the Wei Dynasty and govern the world.
But the problem is, Master Sima also has to give himself this opportunity! !
You speak so righteously, and it's easy for you to talk without any pain in your waist, right?

Cao Mao asked in reply, "Mr. Lu, has there ever been a guest at a banquet who insulted the host?"

"Your Majesty, I have no other intentions, but Your Majesty is still young, and the country is in turmoil. Your Majesty should prioritize studying and learning, and not indulge in banquets and indulgences. This is not the way of a sage monarch."

Lu An spoke very sincerely.

Cao Mao finally understood why Sima Zhao wanted to kill him. You're too direct! Why didn't you just say that the Sima family controlled the government and that they should practice martial arts to kill the enemy?
Sure enough, the corner of Zhong Hui's eye twitched, and several famous scholars around him immediately lowered their heads.

Sima Yan was silent for a long time, then asked again in a low voice:

"Mr. Lu, are you willing to take the medicine?"

(End of this chapter)