The elite did not migrate south

Chapter 147 I Want to Be a Powerful Official

"His Majesty."

Wang Xiang's expression was particularly stern.

"How could you do such a thing?"

"How many times have I advised Your Majesty that clever words can distort virtue, and a lack of patience can ruin great plans."

"Your Majesty, why is this happening?!"

Wang Xiang was really angry.

Yesterday, when he received the messenger sent by Cao Mao and learned that Cao Mao had summoned all the ministers in the court, Wang Xiang was really scared.

What does the emperor want to do?
Are you planning to go to war with the Sima family directly?
Wang Xiang did not come, and neither did the ministers. They were all afraid that if the emperor suddenly announced Sima Shi's crimes after summoning the ministers, what would the ministers do?

This is not something that can be resolved privately.

Although Wang Xiang looked calm, he had actually not slept all night last night and had been worried about the situation in the palace. Until today, when he learned that the emperor had only debated classics yesterday, he finally breathed a sigh of relief and rushed to the East Hall and scolded Cao Mao.

Cao Mao grinned, "Teacher, are you scared?"

Wang Xiang frowned and said nothing.

Cao Mao had no choice but to say, "Teacher, you worry too much. I am not doing anything unwise. I just want to debate the classics with everyone, so I want to call them together."

"Does the general also know that His Majesty thinks so?"

"If the general feels that Your Majesty has other intentions, then today, I will never see Your Majesty again."

"Your Majesty's inner thoughts are not known to outsiders. It is best for Your Majesty not to do anything that will cause others to think too much, so as not to bring disaster upon yourself."

Wang Xiang said solemnly, "I am not afraid of death, nor am I afraid of Sima Shi. I am just worried that the great cause will be ruined because of your Majesty's recklessness!"

Cao Mao's reckless behavior this time made Wang Xiang very disappointed.

The reason why he dared to follow the emperor and fight to the death was because of the emperor's precocious and steady character.

But this time, the emperor showed the immaturity of his age, and Wang Xiang was not sure whether he would continue to make such risky moves in the future.

And the most important thing is that despite such a harsh reprimand, there is still no fear in the emperor's eyes, let alone any remorse.

Cao Mao suddenly spoke and interrupted Wang Xiang's thoughts.

"Teacher, you misunderstood."

"I did this not to deliberately provoke Sima Shi, but entirely for you."

Cao Mao looked at Wang Xiang's face and spoke very seriously.

Wang Xiang's expression remained calm, as usual, but his heart wasn't. He was stunned by these words. "You're provoking Sima Shi because of me?" "Why, are you afraid I won't die dignified?"

He said calmly, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

He didn't even ask the emperor why he said that.

Although he didn't ask, Cao Mao still had to explain.

"Teacher, I debated with the famous scholars in the East Hall yesterday. The content of the debate has been recorded and must be widely circulated at this moment."

"So many famous scholars gathered together to debate the classics, including figures like Zhong Hui, Ruan Ji, Ji Kang, and Zheng Xiaotong. This debate should not be underestimated."

Wang Xiang remained calm.

What Cao Mao said was not false. The debate that took place yesterday caused a huge stir today and was circulated wildly among the scholars. Those celebrities were eager to let everyone know the content of the debate and see their wonderful performance, so they worked very hard to promote it.

Many famous people came here yesterday, and the whole of Luoyang is talking about this matter today.

But the question is, what’s the use of this?
Even if you turn the Dongtang Banquet into a banquet recognized by celebrities all over the world, what’s the use?

Wang Xiang's expression became more and more disappointed, but looking at Cao Mao's shrewd eyes in front of him, he suddenly realized that something was wrong.

"Could it be."

Cao Mao hurriedly sat down next to Wang Xiang, took his hand, and said aggrievedly, "There is something I want to ask you, teacher, please don't blame me."

"In yesterday's debate, I was truly no match for those people. I was powerless to fight back against what they said. I could only counterattack with what you taught me, but I didn't want to tarnish your reputation."

"Ok?"

Cao Mao continued, "Before Zheng Xiaotong left, he held my hand and told me that the teacher was truly a god. He was able to teach me so well in just one month and that I was the best teacher in the world."

Wang Xiang had never taught Cao Mao any classics. He had been talking about some empty theories these days. Classics were not Wang Xiang's strong point.

But it seems that this weakness has now been made up.

Is Your Majesty trying to build momentum for yourself?
Wang Xiang looked at Cao Mao in front of him in surprise. The celebrities did not play a big role in the temple, but they had a strong influence on public opinion. In front of the Sima family, they might not dare to flatter the emperor too much, but if it was Wang Xiang, they would not have this concern.

Cao Mao's classics were actually taught by Wang Su.

Wang Su really taught him a lot at the beginning, and he taught him without reservation, probably because he saw the talent in him.

However, for the sake of the great cause, I have to let Prince Wang Su down.

After all, you two are both princes. It doesn't matter who gets this little fame, right? Cao Mao didn't know if Wang Su would jump up and curse if he knew about this. Cao Mao combined his academic thoughts with his own things and gave them to Wang Xiang.

Wang Xiang was actually a little excited at this moment.

Wang Xiang has a great reputation and is a famous scholar today, but he was not as good as Wang Su and others in the past. The main reason was that Wang Xiang was not strong in studying classics.

Although the status of classics is getting lower and lower, studying classics is still one of the compulsory courses for celebrities and is indispensable. Wang Xiang relied solely on his reputation to rise to prominence and lacked the foundation in studying classics like Wang Su.

For celebrities, publicity is important, but talent is also a must.

Talent and publicity are indispensable, and only by combining the two can one become a top celebrity.

Cao Mao took the initiative to help him make up for his shortcomings, allowing him to possess talents, and full-level talents at that. He even promoted him through other top stars.

Wang Xiang suppressed his inner excitement and said seriously, "Am I teaching Your Majesty to study the classics just to show off? Studying the classics is for governing the world! Not for debating with others!"

"I have been studying the classics since I was young, but I have never thought of debating with others. This is because debate is not the basis of studying the classics. The basis of studying the classics lies in governing the country!"

"Your Majesty is now using the knowledge I taught you to debate and show off. Isn't this putting the cart before the horse?"

Cao Mao's eyes widened.

Well, you are really not polite at all!

Cao Mao thought that Wang Xiang would admit it, but he didn't expect that Wang Xiang would admit it so straightforwardly, without any shame at all, and his eating manners were so ugly!
Have you been studying classics since you were young? Don’t you have any idea about it?
You're taking advantage of me and yet you're scolding me so harshly, right?

Wang Xiang scolded him for a few words, then softened again, "Your Majesty, this is all for your own good."

"In the future, if Your Majesty needs to summon more famous scholars, please inform me first. Although I have no talent, I am willing to do my best for Your Majesty!"

After hearing this, Cao Mao stopped complaining and started talking about his next plan.

"Teacher, I heard that the Minister of Rites has resigned and returned home. Who else in the current imperial court could hold such a position besides you? Now that you have a disciple to spearhead your cause, why don't you take the initiative and claim this position?"

Wang Xiang, who had just said that he should act cautiously, was now moved again.

Of course he wants the position of Taichang.

Taichang is the head of the Nine Ministers and the position closest to the Three Dukes.

The main task was to oversee sacrifices, but in the Wei and Jin dynasties, the Taichang had a more important power, which was to train and promote officials who were well versed in Confucian classics and to be responsible for the assessment of Confucian scholars.

Originally, Wang Xiang was not in a hurry to take action because he knew that his ability in studying classics was insufficient.

If you want to assess other people's talents, at least you should have some talent yourself, right?
You are nothing, so how can you be qualified to evaluate others?

But now it’s different. With Cao Mao as his pioneer and shaping his “talents”, Wang Xiang can indeed compete for this position.

If I can earn it, all the Confucian scholars in the world will follow me as their leader, and I can definitely do better than Wang Su!

Looking at Wang Xiang who was already moved, Cao Mao became more confident.

"Teacher, in today's government, besides you, who else can hold such a position?"

"Please, for the sake of justice, do not refuse. I will definitely be even more attentive at future banquets for celebrities!"

Wang Xiang looked embarrassed, then sighed helplessly.

"I have always been indifferent and never cared about high positions and generous salaries. However, I dare not disobey the orders of Your Majesty, as I fear the righteousness of the world."

"Teacher is wise!!!"

The master and disciple then began to plan to obtain the position of Taichang.

Wang Xiang's reputation was enough for this position. Cao Mao could help him with the classics, but that was not enough. He also needed an important minister to speak for him, and then the other ministers would agree.
Wang Xiang was very popular in the court, in stark contrast to Zhong Hui.

He was quite confident about this matter, and when he left, his pace was a little faster than usual.

Cao Mao watched him leave, but did not rush to leave the East Hall. He fell into deep thought again.

Wang Xiang has finally completed this part.

By sending him to the position of Taichang, he would have the ability to promote Confucian officials. Wang Xiang would also be safer. With the status of the head of the Nine Ministers, even the Sima family would have to be a little wary.

The next step was to wait for Wang Jing to replace Wang Xiang as the Inspector of the Imperial Capital.

Wang Jing has proven his loyalty in history. As the only person who did not betray Cao Mao, Cao Mao had a good impression of him.

Historically, Wang Jing succeeded Wang Xiang as the Inspector of the Imperial Capital a year later.

The Sima family did not trust Wang Xiang that much. Instead, they favored Wang Jing more. They first let him command the army, and later made him the Inspector of the Sili Army and conferred him the title of Shangshu.

If Wang Xiang was promoted to Taichang, the position of Sili Xiaowei would be vacant. Then Wang Jing would be able to appear by his side a year earlier.

Cao Mao didn't need to put in too much effort. He just needed to let Wang Xiang and others do some work in the court to get Wang Jing to come to Luoyang to serve as the Inspector of the Imperial Guards.

Because he was the best candidate in the eyes of the Sima family.

Cao Mao raised his head and a smile appeared on his face.

I really want the general to feel the feeling of being sidelined.

(End of this chapter)