The elite did not migrate south

Chapter 155 The Master of Provocation

Sima Yan used to yearn for the life of celebrities.

But when Cao Mao really brought him into the circle of these famous scholars, Sima Yan was somewhat disappointed.

This circle was not as wonderful as he had imagined, especially the debate, which was obscure and difficult to understand. For those who did not understand it, it was simply torture.

Although Sima Yan did not like discussing scriptures, he still arrived here on time because this matter really brought him benefits.

As the content of the debate that day became popular, the Dongtang Banquet became famous in Luoyang.

In the past few days, there were so many celebrities who came to pay a visit to Sima Yan and wanted to get tickets to the Dongtang Banquet. Some of them even came from the surrounding states and counties to pay a special visit.

Sima Yan rose to fame quickly and became famous. Many celebrities endorsed him and he became a future star in the circle of celebrities.

Not long ago, his younger brother Sima You was more famous than him, but now, the reputations of both sides are simply not equal.

With the assistance of Cao Mao, although Sima Yan did not yet have his own power, he had already gained a very good reputation, which was also a disguised recognition of the ministers.

Sima Yan, holding the ticket to the Dongtang Banquet, was no longer worried about his younger brother.

Although this incident brought benefits, Sima Yan could no longer be as free and easy as before.

Looking at the celebrities around him with different expressions, and looking at their slightly flattering smiles when looking at him, the halo of these celebrities in Sima Yan's heart unconsciously weakened a lot.

It turns out that celebrities also try to please others. It turns out that they also want to stand out. It seems that they are not as noble as they think.

Zhong Hui looked at Cao Mao with a smile after seeing that almost everyone had arrived.

He regarded himself as the host of this banquet.

"Your Majesty, I heard that you earlier summoned all the knights to discuss matters of justice for the classics?"

Zhong Hui's words immediately ignited the slightly quiet atmosphere.

The celebrities looked at the emperor in astonishment, and then talked to each other, and the scene suddenly became noisy.

Only the few cavalrymen at the time knew about this matter, and these famous scholars were still unaware of it.

It can be seen that some of these celebrities are frightened, some are happy, and some are uneasy.

If the dispute over Confucian classics is not handled properly, it will lead to very bad consequences.

At the end of the Han Dynasty, the officials were divided into two factions: the School of Modern Literature and the School of Ancient Literature. To what extent did their struggle reach? Whatever the School of Modern Literature supported, the School of Ancient Literature would oppose; and whatever the School of Modern Literature opposed, the School of Ancient Literature would support.

It has reached such an outrageous level that even if one knows clearly in one's heart that the other party's idea is correct, one still has to oppose it for the sake of the classic dispute.

A disaster occurred in Liangzhou. The ancient text wanted to provide relief, but the modern text opposed it. The modern text wanted to appoint officials, but the ancient text opposed it.
The situation today is even more complicated than before. It's not just ancient and modern literature. With the rise of metaphysics, various schools of thought are showing signs of rising. If a dispute over classics is started at this time, who knows how tragic it will become.

Those ministers who already controlled the school of thought with the right to speak would naturally oppose it, while the celebrities who did not yet have a school of thought with the right to speak would of course be delighted.

Cao Mao was not surprised at all. Among those imperial guards were people like Gao Guang, Wang Shen, and Pei Xiu. It would be strange if Sima Zhao, Zhong Hui and others were not aware of this.

All he wanted was for them to be informed.

He said with a stern face, "Yes, there is such a thing. What advice do you have, Mr. Zhong?"

Zhong Hui laughed, "Your Majesty is truly a man of great talent!"

"Establishing a tripod to establish righteousness, and righteousness first requires establishing justice. Your Majesty is right! This is what a wise king should value!"

"Your Majesty's talent is unparalleled throughout the ages!"

The celebrities fell silent at this moment. They looked at Zhong Hui quietly, not understanding what this guy wanted to do.

Cao Mao suppressed his inner ecstasy and said, "Mr. Zhong, you are too kind."

Zhong Hui smiled and said, "Your Majesty, I am not exaggerating. Your Majesty's plan is truly exceptional. I have already persuaded the General to agree with your idea. Your Majesty, do not worry. We will definitely take care of this matter. Perhaps, I will do it myself!"

As soon as Zhong Hui opened his mouth, he seized the initiative from Cao Mao.

Wang Xiang frowned.

Cao Mao suddenly laughed.

Zhong Hui did not see the expression he wanted to see on Cao Mao's face, neither disappointment nor anger.

But he was not in a hurry, as he would see it sooner or later.

He asked, "Why is your Majesty laughing?"

Cao Mao said seriously, "Mr. Zhong, you don't know something."

"When I proposed this idea that day, the Minister Zheng Xiaotong and others tried their best to dissuade me, telling me about the turmoil at the end of the Han Dynasty and asking me not to do it." "After careful consideration, I finally realized that this matter is not as simple as I thought. There is no distinction between the superior and inferior of many classics. How can I, with all my virtue and ability, determine their superiority?"

"I have long since given up on this idea. Please don't be impatient, Mr. Zhong. This won't work."

Cao Mao shook his head and said.

Zhong Hui narrowed his eyes and said, "Whether it works or not, we have to try it to know."

Cao Mao never thought about participating in the classic dispute. There were too many things involved and it was too complicated. Even if he was the emperor and could act as a referee and let his subordinates fight for themselves, if it was not handled properly, it would cause greater trouble.

The reason why Cao Mao brought this up, in addition to sending blessings to the general, was mainly to get Zhong Hui to take action.

Given Zhong Hui's arrogant personality, if he knew about this, he would most likely take over the matter himself.

Hmm, do you really think you're a genius? You're a contestant yourself, and you want to be a judge? Let's see if the other contestants will respect you!
Not to mention Zhong Hui, even Sima Zhao, as long as he had not ascended the throne, there was absolutely no possibility for him to be a referee!
Zhong Hui indeed took over, which was the best thing for Cao Mao.

In the future, this dispute over classics will entangle Zhong Hui, intensify the conflicts among the ministers, and may even force the ministers to turn against the Sima family.

At this time, Wang Xiang seemed to be thinking about something. He looked at Zhong Hui, then at Cao Mao, and then shook his head.

Zhong Shiji is very talented, but unfortunately his character
Cao Mao deliberately said in an exaggerated tone: "How can Mr. Zhong accomplish such a complicated task?"

Wang Xiang shook his head again. His performance just now was fine, but now it was a bit too much. Zhong Hui was no fool. How could he not see such an obvious provocation?

Alas, Your Majesty is still too young. This sentence has exposed your original thoughts. I am afraid that Zhong Hui will see through it.

Sure enough, Zhong Hui's face changed immediately.

Such a crude and simple method of provoking was as if Cao Mao was deliberately telling Zhong Hui that his previous actions were just a bait to trick you into taking the initiative to handle this matter.

Cao Mao indeed thought so, and he wanted to tell Zhong Hui about this.

Zhong Hui suddenly threw his head back and burst into laughter.

"Your Majesty, the places that sparrows cannot reach are but the land behind Kunpeng."

Cao Mao knew it!
Given Zhong Hui's character, he would never admit that he had been tricked. Exposing himself at this moment would not only not make him change his mind, but would make him more determined in his idea and he would not give up easily.

If he gave up, wouldn't that mean that Zhong Shiji was deceived by the emperor?

How could Zhong Shiji, a man of extraordinary talent, be deceived by others?
Wang Xiang looked at Zhong Hui in astonishment. In an instant, his mind was enlightened.

So it turns out to be a provocation hidden within a provocation?
Amazing!
Wang Xiang cleared his throat and looked at the many celebrities. He said seriously, "Everyone, I didn't want to come here today. I am old, and this kind of banquet is for talented people, not for me."

"However, I have heard that Your Majesty has been showing off his knowledge of the classics and debating with the wise men. I am truly terrified and have come here to apologize to you all."

Wang Xiang immediately wanted to bow to greet him, but everyone hurriedly stood up, not daring to accept his offer.

Cao Mao smiled wryly and explained, "You may not know this, but when my teacher was teaching me the classics, he repeatedly warned me not to debate or show off. That day at the banquet, I saw you guys debating, and I couldn't help myself. When my teacher found out, he was furious, so I insisted on coming here today."

Sima Yan asked in surprise: "So it was the prince who taught you? But I heard that the prince is not good at debate."

The other celebrities also looked at them with some suspicion.

Wang Xiang said seriously, "I'm not really good at it. It's just that Your Majesty is so talented and has mastered it quickly."

Cao Mao hurriedly said, "Teacher, please don't say that. I know you're modest, but you shouldn't flatter me. My teacher simply doesn't enjoy debate. When he learned I had studied the Taixuan Sutra, he used it as a foundation to teach me the classics. Everything I said the other day was learned from you."

Sima Yan was shocked, "So that's it!"

Wang Xiang said helplessly, "I believe that the purpose of studying the classics is to distinguish right from wrong, to know one's own shortcomings, and to govern the world, but not to compete for superiority. I do not like debates, so I do not want my disciples to debate."

Wang Rong quickly replied, "That's right. When I was young, it was my father who taught me the classics, but he didn't allow me to talk about it to others."

Everyone was a little surprised, and a few people who didn't quite believe it at first were actually a little shaken at this moment.

Liu Ling could not help but praise him: "Your Excellency is highly talented and virtuous!"

Wang Xiang said calmly, "I'll leave first. I can't disturb your banquet."

He looked at Cao Mao and warned him, "Don't show off, don't argue."

Cao Mao quickly lowered his head and said, "Yes."

Despite everyone's attempts to persuade him to stay, Wang Xiang still left. After he left, the famous scholars immediately started a debate. Cao Mao, following Wang Xiang's instructions, did not participate, but just listened with his head down.

"His Majesty."

At this moment, Ji Kang suddenly sat next to Cao Mao.

(End of this chapter)