The elite did not migrate south

Chapter 163: Issue an edict!

Yang Hu looked around carefully, and seeing the empty palace nearby, he finally breathed a sigh of relief, raised his head, and strode forward.

During these days, Yang Hu was troubled by the emperor.

He regretted his choice very much.

If he had known it would be like this, he would not have come to Luoyang!
I thought Sima Zhao was already very kind to me, but who would have thought that this little emperor was even more kind than Sima Zhao.

He didn't know how to explain these things to Sima Zhao and others.

Could it be that the emperor is clinging to me and I can't get rid of him?
Yang Hu had never seen a person like the emperor in his life. His excessive enthusiasm was enough to scare away any minister. No wonder Sima Wang resigned from his position as general and ran away.

Yang Hu was thinking about these things in his mind. When he turned around at the small intersection in the palace, he felt a sense of malice.

He raised his head and sure enough, the emperor was standing in front of him with a smile on his face.

"uncle!!"

"What a coincidence! I actually met you here!"

Cao Mao took a few steps forward and grabbed Yang Hu's hand, as if he was afraid that he would run away.

In just a few days, Yang Hu became Cao Mao's uncle.

Cao Mao had a basis for saying this. According to him, although he and Sima Yi had not officially married, they were already husband and wife.

Yang Hu is Sima Yi's uncle and Yang Huiyu's younger brother, so of course I have to call him uncle!

Yang Hu wanted to deny it, but he couldn't, as if it was really the case.

He could only complain in his heart, my brother-in-law, what are you doing?
"Uncle, we haven't seen each other for a long time, and my sister has been thinking about you all day long. Come with me! Let's eat something first, and then you can go and get busy!"

Cao Mao did not give Yang Hu any chance to refuse and pulled him towards the Shiqian Hall where Sima Li was.

Yang Hu was dragged forward by Cao Mao helplessly, his face full of bitterness.

When they walked into the hall, there was some surprise in Sima Yi's eyes, which looked like dead ashes.

Sima Yi was not Yang Huiyu's biological daughter at all, and she had no feelings for Yang Hu. They had only met a few times, but the emperor brought people to her all day long and said that relatives should see each other more often. This made Sima Yi feel confused.

"Yi! Uncle is here! Send someone to bring some food!"

Cao Mao's words sounded very natural, and if someone didn't know them, they might really think they were husband and wife.

Sima Yi didn't say much. After paying her respects to Yang Hu, she left.

Cao Mao pulled Yang Hu to sit down, then let out a breath.

"It's really different when my uncle is around. Even flies don't dare to come near."

As Cao Mao spoke, his eyes turned to the two eunuchs in the distance.

Yang Hu followed his gaze and looked into the distance, and saw the two people. His face suddenly became solemn.

Cao Mao smiled bitterly, "Uncle, I really hope you won't blame me."

"I'm all alone here."

"I lost my mother when I was young, and my father when I was a little older. My younger brother doesn't get close to me. I'm all alone. I was intimidated by the officials in Yuancheng. When I arrived in Luoyang, no one dared to come to me or talk to me. I just want to find someone to talk to."

"Back then, my mother died giving birth to me. My father thought it was my fault, so he didn't love me. When I was young, he threw me into another courtyard and left me alone."

"I was only four or five years old at the time. I was extremely scared and cried loudly, but no one paid any attention. I could only talk to myself and fell asleep like that."

"After I grew up, it was even more so. The officials in Yuancheng didn't dare to talk to me. As soon as I opened my mouth, they would impeach me to the Three Departments. I thought that becoming an emperor would be different."

"But, for some reason, those ministers are unwilling to talk to me."

"The former Grand Master of Ceremonies even feigned illness and left the court because I kept visiting him. There was one named Jia Chong who was willing to talk to me, but after just a few conversations, he was executed, accused of alienating the emperor and his ministers."

"I set up a banquet and wanted to gather those celebrities. I heard that celebrities are the best at talking. Who would have thought that after they arrived, they just surrounded An Shi and were unwilling to pay attention to me."

Cao Mao's face was very bitter. "I go to visit my mother every day, but her relatives all hate me and even resent her because of me."

"Including my current wife. Her son is in the general's mansion, so she can't say much to me."

"I always hear those famous people talk about my uncle. They say that my uncle is the most virtuous and virtuous person in the world and that he will be known by the world sooner or later. They also say that you are kind, benevolent, and generous. I think someone like you would be willing to talk to me."

Cao Mao suddenly raised his head and looked at Yang Hu expectantly.

"Uncle, if you don't like it, I don't have to come to see you in the future."

Yang Hu was very restless at the moment. His face was flushed and his brows were furrowed. The emperor's words just now contained so much information that he was unable to calm down for a while.

Cao Mao watched his expression change constantly, and finally there was some pity in his eyes as he looked at him.

Yang Hu and Cao Mao looked at each other with bright eyes.

"Your Majesty, there is no need to exaggerate like this. I know that even in the palace, there are princes, Anshi, and many eunuchs to accompany you."

Cao Mao was stunned.

Yang Hu continued, "However, I also know that the suffering Your Majesty has endured is real." "However, Your Majesty overestimates me. I am not as virtuous as you claim. I fear death and the consequences for my family. I dare not draw my sword like a virtuous person and stand up bravely, nor do I dare to sacrifice my life for justice like a righteous man and face life and death head-on."

"I have studied diligently for decades, hoping to display my talents, leave my name in history, and achieve something that will earn your Majesty's praise. I am truly ashamed."

Yang Hu spoke very seriously, and Cao Mao pursed his lips and said nothing.

Yang Hu added, "But if Your Majesty is willing, you can still come and talk to me."

"I am willing to listen."

Cao Mao was silent for a long time, then asked, "Why is this?"

Yang Hu said sincerely: "Although I am not the wise man that Your Majesty thinks, I admire such wise men. Similarly, I also admire Your Majesty."

"Your Majesty, at such a young age, dares to do things that even virtuous and ambitious people dare not do."

"I have no virtue, but if Your Majesty simply needs someone to listen to your suffering, I am willing to do my humble part."

Cao Mao laughed. "Listen? Uncle, aren't you afraid of getting into trouble for doing so? The general shows no mercy to his wife, his friends, even his daughter and grandchildren. Do you think your status surpasses these people?"

Yang Hu shook his head and said, "The general will not kill me."

"why?"

"Because the General knows that I will not assist Your Majesty."

Cao Mao smiled and did not delve into the topic further. He sighed and said, "You are so sincere. No wonder those people praised your uncle's character."

“They got the review right this time.”

Cao Mao poured some tea for Yang Hu and said, "Since your uncle doesn't mind, then stay and chat with me for a while. If you see me again in the future, don't run away again."

Yang Hu's blunt words made many of Cao Mao's prepared rhetoric fall through.

But Cao Mao didn't care much about these things. He sipped his tea and said slowly, "Speaking of which, since I came to the palace, this is the first time I've met someone as sincere as you. I've been with those people for so long that I don't know how to get along with someone like you."

"In the aristocratic families, there are very few people like you. On the contrary, those petty people who are looked down upon by others are more sincere and willing to sacrifice their lives for justice."

Cao Mao laughed. "Every time I think about it, I feel a little embarrassed. The noble children who pride themselves on their morality, in my opinion, are far inferior to the villains they despise."

"I believe that your Majesty's words are biased. Morality has nothing to do with birth. Not all children of noble families are noble gentlemen, and not all common people are cunning villains."

"Uncle, could you please tell me about the other noble men in the court? Honestly, I don't know much about the officials there."

"Shangshu Lang Du Yu, I think it is..."

The two were talking when suddenly there was a shouting outside.

"His Majesty!!!"

Cao Mao said helplessly: "This is An Shi coming!"

"Send someone to bring him in quickly."

Soon, the eunuch brought Sima Yan here. Sima Yan was wearing armor today. His appearance was not suitable for armor. He looked out of place and even funny.

Sima Yan walked in with a smile. Seeing Yang Hu was also there, he was stunned for a moment and hurriedly saluted.

"Anshi, weren't you in the central army? Why did you come back suddenly?"

"Don't mention it. I was just about to take office when my father sent me back."

Sima Yan said this and sat down next to Cao Mao with difficulty. The armor was really inconvenient.

"So you really have to enter the palace in armor? You're not a palace guard, and entering like this is against the law."

Sima Yan was stunned. "Is there still such a law?"

Cao Mao rubbed his forehead and said, "Forget it. Tell me, what happened?"

"Oh, good!"

"The prince has been appointed as the Minister of Rites, the head of the Nine Ministers. Hahaha, there will definitely be more people coming to see me at future banquets. With a Minister of Rites in charge, those famous scholars who want to become officials through studying Confucian classics will definitely find ways to come to the banquet!"

Sima Yan was very happy.

Cao Mao nodded, not seeming too surprised.

With Wang Xiang's ability, he could have gotten the position of Taichang by himself. Now that he has his own help, it will naturally be easier for him to serve as Taichang.

Yang Hu looked at Cao Mao's expressionless face, but felt a little surprised.

Sima Yan thought for a moment, then suddenly said:

"By the way, the imperial court also issued an imperial decree."

"The court has appointed General Guanqiu Jian, the Eastern Guardian, as Grand Commandant and ordered him to come to Luoyang immediately!"

"Um?!"

(End of this chapter)