The elite did not migrate south

Chapter 169 Feast
Taiji Hall, East Hall.

Because of the previous two banquets, the Dongtang Banquet became more and more famous.

Cao Mao went one step further than in the first week. Not only did he expand the number of participants, he also directly turned this banquet for celebrities in the palace into the most top-level banquet for celebrities in the Wei State.

For an emperor, even if he is a puppet emperor, this is not a difficult task.

After all, the emperor's status is there, and being summoned to the palace for a banquet by the emperor means that one is already a top celebrity.

With the participation of many celebrities, Sima Yan's fame, and Wang Taichang's official announcement, this banquet has become a place that top celebrities are eager to visit.

But Cao Mao knew it very well.

This Dongtang Banquet probably can’t continue.

Sima Shi is now concentrating on dealing with Guanqiu Jian and has no time to be distracted, but there is also Sima Zhao. Although Zhong Hui can escort the banquet, Sima Zhao is not Sima Shi. He will not be so tolerant of Zhong Hui and will still take action to stop him when it is necessary.

This influence probably exceeded Sima Zhao's tolerance.

Moreover, there are ministers attending the meeting this time, and Sima Zhao certainly does not want to have the opportunity to meet with them.

It is precisely because of this that Cao Mao cherishes this banquet very much.

Cao Mao had three main purposes for this banquet.

The first thing was to find out the situation outside from Ji Kang.

The second is to meet with Chen Qian and ask Chen Qian to help him.

The third thing is to deal with the two people from the Guo family.

Well, the third thing was added by Cao Mao on the spur of the moment. The reason for adding this thing was not because Cao Mao valued those two people, but because of the performance of Empress Dowager Guo.

In Cao Mao's eyes, Empress Dowager Guo was definitely not a qualified ruler. After careful selection by Emperor Ming of Wei, there were only a few talented women left in the harem. The least talented Empress Dowager Guo stood out from the crowd and won the first prize in the brainless competition, thus being promoted to queen.

If Cao Rui could live longer, this would not be a big problem. The person who succeeded him could easily deal with the empress dowager, as long as that person was not Sima Zhong.

But Cao Rui died young, and the government was handed over to this queen mother.

I wonder if Cao Rui regretted his previous arrangements before his death?
At present, the Queen Mother is what worries Cao Mao the most. Guo Li just said some nonsense, but she was almost persuaded.

This was just the actions of Guo Li and others. If Sima Shi personally took action and wanted to cause trouble for the Queen Mother, Cao Mao felt that she would collapse at the first touch and would have no ability to fight back.

To be on the safe side, he had to get rid of the two foreign relatives of the Guo family, so that Empress Dowager Guo would stop harboring illusions, follow him with peace of mind, and be firm in her choice.

This banquet was unusual. When Sima Yan brought the famous scholars, Zhong Hui still did not show up.

This surprised Cao Mao a little.

Judging from Zhong Hui's character, even if the sky fell, he would not miss such an important banquet for celebrities.

Could it be that he is not in Luoyang?

"His Majesty!"

Sima Yan led everyone to pay homage to the emperor with a smile.

Sima Yan looked very high-spirited, and his fame was growing. Originally, the ministers wanted to support him, and now with Cao Mao's help, it was too easy for him to gain power.

Sima Yan believed that all this was due to Cao Mao's help and his own efforts.

However, even without Cao Mao, he would still be praised, and even if he did nothing, he would still have great fame. Cao Mao only provided him with a more legitimate reason to go on a military expedition.

Sima Yan at this moment has not yet been involved in any government affairs. Although he holds a position, he has not received any training from his family and has not even done anything.

It was five years later that Sima Yan really began to be trained by his family.

Sima Zhao put him in charge of welcoming Cao Huan to the throne, and appointed him as the Central Pacification Army, allowing him to truly begin to interfere in the affairs of the court.

From then on, Sima Yan began to mature and took the initiative to win over ministers such as Pei Xiu and Yang Xiu to build momentum for himself and respond to his father's inquiries. He had some strategies.

At that time, Sima Yan was already 24 years old.

Sima Yan was not a typical "young talent" like other aristocratic families. He matured very late and his maturity was very limited.

In the early days of his reign, because his mother was still alive and there were many capable ministers in the court, the national strength of the Western Jin Dynasty was increasing. However, when his mother died of illness and the capable ministers died, Sima Yan's true colors were revealed.

He encouraged his ministers to compete with each other for wealth, allowed them to kill people indiscriminately, made his extremely incompetent son the heir to the throne, indulged his harem, kept the aristocratic families loose, ignored the princes, lived a corrupt life, indulged in pleasure, ignored state affairs, lived extravagantly, openly sold official positions, and had nearly 10,000 concubines in the palace!

If his governing level in the early stage was considered to be average and above average, then his actions in the later stage were simply unpopular and condemned by both the people and the heavens.

To some extent, he may not even be as good as his son. After all, his son was ill and had intellectual disabilities. But as a normal man and a founding monarch, he led a new dynasty that should have risen to a dead end.

Of course, at this moment Sima Yan still maintained his simplicity, and had not even reached the immature political level of his 24-year-old self. If one had to say, he was now completely incompetent.

The famous scholars paid their respects to Cao Mao one by one, and Ji Kang, the person Cao Mao cared about the most, was also standing in front of Cao Mao at this moment.

Ji Kang's temperament changed greatly.

In the past, Ji Kang seemed to harbor unspeakable anger, being aggressive towards everyone and constantly on the verge of anger. He was only happiest when drunk, completely lost in thought and focused on drinking. But now, Ji Kang seems to have calmed down a lot and become more peaceful.

His eyes were exceptionally bright, and there was no trace of alcohol on him anymore.

Cao Mao's eyes widened.

Not only Cao Mao was surprised, but Ji Kang's friends also found it incredible to see Ji Kang in this state.

They did not dislike Ji Kang's change. Wang Rong and Liu Ling were very happy.

Only Ruan Ji had a sad look in his eyes and reeked of alcohol, and seemed even more dissolute than before.

Ji Kang had countless things he wanted to say to His Majesty at this moment, but he knew that now was not a good opportunity.

Cao Mao did not look at Ji Kang for too long. After all, there was still no shortage of Sima family dogs among these people, such as the serious-looking Wang Shen, the lowered-headed Gao Guang, and the blushing Pei Xiu.
After many celebrities arrived, hearty laughter was heard from afar.

Cao Mao quickly stood up and said to everyone, "My teacher has arrived."

The celebrities also stood up, and Wang Xiang led many ministers here.

Wang Xiang was surrounded by several ministers. When Cao Mao saw these people, he was a little surprised, because among them were some important ministers!
Grand Tutor Sima Fu and Minister of Works Zheng Chong, these two people actually appeared here.

There was no need to say much about Sima Fu. This Sikong was known for not getting involved in anything. So why did these two people come along?

In addition to them, there were also acquaintances such as Chen Qian and Zheng Mao.

Wang Xiang led everyone to pay a visit to Cao Mao, who quickly asked them to stand up.

After these people took their seats, the celebrities at the banquet suddenly became quiet.

If only a few of the Nine Ministers came, it wouldn't be so serious, but the problem is that two of the Three Dukes also came, which is a bit disturbing.

The atmosphere was somewhat restrained.

Wang Xiang was also somewhat helpless. He hadn't expected these two to come together. He had only invited the Nine Ministers, and these two had come to him later, saying they wanted to go to the banquet with him. He couldn't refuse them, could he?

Cao Mao pondered for a moment and was unsure of the purpose of their visit.

Sima Yan was very happy. At this moment, he was holding Sima Fu's hand, whispering something, and his face was very excited.

A moment later, Sima Yan came to Cao Mao's side with a little pride on his face.

"Your Majesty! I have invited the Grand Tutor over! What do you think?!"

It's you!!
Cao Mao glanced at Sima Fu. However, even if Sima Yan had invited him, Sima Fu's sudden arrival was a bit puzzling, unless he had some other purpose.

Cao Mao kept all his guesses in his heart and immediately prepared to start the banquet.

The good news is that Zhong Hui did not come, the bad news is that Sima Fu came!

"Everyone, at this banquet in the East Hall, there is no monarch or minister, no uncle or nephew. Everyone may speak freely, debate the classics, drink, and compose poetry. No need to be restrained!!"

Cao Mao said loudly.

"It should have been so!"

Ruan Xian spoke first.

The scholars burst into laughter. Liu Ling pointed at him and scolded him, "You little brat, you've already given up on recognizing me as your uncle!"

These words of the two immediately broke the silence and the scene became lively, which made Cao Mao look at Ruan Xian a few more times.

This person was Ruan Ji's nephew. He was very accomplished in music, but he inherited his uncle's love of drinking and debauchery. He spent all day with his uncle, drinking and having fun. Historically, when Shan Tao recommended this person to Sima Yan, this person probably went to see Sima Yan drunk. Historical records show that Sima Yan had a very bad impression of him and felt that this drunkard would not be able to achieve anything great.

But he was Sima Yan after all, so he was still given an official position.

However, later this person questioned Xun Xu's musicality, which made Xun Xu hate him. He was demoted to a local area and died of illness.

Cao Mao looked at Ji Kang and then at Chen Qian. It seemed that he had to change the plan temporarily.

Sima Fu is here, so we have to be more careful if we want to do anything.

While everyone was debating with each other, Cao Mao took the initiative to sit next to Sima Fu.

"Master Taifu, why are you here?"

"I heard that Your Majesty was hosting a banquet, so I came here uninvited. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."

"How dare I, how dare I, it's such an honor for you, Grand Tutor, to be here!"

Cao Mao looked at Zheng Chong who was standing beside him. Zheng Chong said nothing and looked a little dull, giving people a feeling of absent-mindedness.

"Lord Sikong, I've heard you're incredibly talented and learned. Could I learn a thing or two from you?"

(End of this chapter)