The elite did not migrate south

Chapter 205 The Fish Changes, the Bait Remains
Taiji Hall, East Hall.

"Your Majesty, Lu Yu said he was resigning from his post and has withdrawn into his home, refusing visitors."

After class, Wang Xiang told Cao Mao about the Secretariat.

Cao Mao was stunned. "Is there such a thing?"

In fact, Cao Mao knew about this matter yesterday. After all, Sima Fu suddenly came to the palace yesterday and had a big quarrel with Gao Rou. It is said that in the end both sides left and the atmosphere was very unfriendly.

Cao Mao was the first to know about these things.

Cao Mao probably understood Lu Yu's thoughts. He was sure that Sima Shi was no longer able to fight back, so he began to make his own plans, hoping that the ministers would take the initiative to invite him to take the position of Shangshu Ling.

The only thing Cao Mao didn't expect was that Sima Fu would so readily jump out to help Lu Yu.

He thought Sima Fu would come forward after Sima Shi took action.

However, their fights had nothing to do with Cao Mao.

He even enjoyed seeing the intensification of conflicts among his ministers.

Wang Xiang shook his head and said disdainfully, "Your Majesty, these ministers have no regard for the country or the world, only their own personal interests. How hateful!"

As usual, Wang Xiang belittled these people in front of Cao Mao.

Cao Mao did not refute and listened to the teacher's story carefully.

When Wang Xiang was about to leave, Cao Mao said, "Teacher, I will meet Mr. Chen tonight."

Wang Xiang immediately looked at Cao Mao and asked, "Why did Your Majesty summon Lord Chen?"

"The Queen Mother said this man and Sima Zhao were close friends, and he hadn't participated in previous court meetings, fearing they might have different opinions. I think Gao Rou probably told the Queen Mother this. The Queen Mother asked me to meet with him and Zheng Shaofu to test their current stances."

Cao Mao scratched his head and asked helplessly, "Teacher, how should I question them?"

Wang Xiang's expression relaxed a little, and he said seriously, "These two people are sincere followers of the Queen Mother. There is no way they can have any problems. Your Majesty cannot be rude to them. You can take this opportunity to ask them more about the classics. They are both very knowledgeable in the classics."

Wang Xiang deliberately guided them towards the study of classics, and Cao Mao also appropriately showed an expectant expression.

Soon, Cao Mao sent the teacher away.

Cao Mao was quite helpless. If nothing unexpected happened, he would have to confront his teacher one day.

After all, Cao Mao knew his teacher's thoughts very well. Compared with Sima Shi's thoughts, his thoughts were obviously more terrifying. However, if he was strong enough to suppress him, could he make him work for him forever?
Teacher, I hope that I will be strong enough in the future so that I won’t kill you.

Cao Mao did not get up. Zhang Hua stood guard at the door, but Wei Shu walked in and sat in front of Cao Mao.

"Your Majesty, I have already discussed this with Li Zhao, Jiao Bo, Ji Kang, and Lu An. They are all willing to serve you and obey your arrangements."

"Well, have you explained the specifics clearly?"

"Everything has been made clear, Your Majesty. When will the implementation begin?"

"No rush. I still need one last lieutenant. If he doesn't come, these four men won't be able to match Deng Ai under Sima Zhao."

Cao Mao said in a low voice.

"Mr. Zhang, please go find Chen Qian now."

Chen Qian followed Zhang Hua into the palace. When he learned that the emperor had summoned him, Chen Qian did not hesitate at all.

Chen Qian discovered very early on that he and the emperor got along very well.

They are all impatient, courageous, and willing to do big things.

Wang Xiang's character is too cautious, which is not liked by Chen Qian. In Chen Qian's opinion, if Wang Xiang could make up his mind earlier, the situation would not be so passive. These credits can be taken by his own people and will not fall into the hands of villains like Lu Yu!
Chen Qian was still looking forward to meeting the emperor in private.

When Chen Qian arrived at the East Hall, Cao Mao had already prepared a sumptuous meal.

"Your Majesty, I, Chen Qian, pay my respects to you!"

Cao Mao smiled and asked him to sit down.

"Mr. Chen, we finally have a chance to talk in private."

"You don't know how much I've been looking forward to this day!"

"At the Dongtang banquet that day, I can't speak directly, so I can only use the wine as an analogy."

Chen Qian nodded, "It's indeed not easy."

Cao Mao then asked, "Mr. Chen, are you willing to be the general?"

Chen Qian was a little dazed at this moment.

He looked at Cao Mao again, but did not avoid the question. He nodded and said, "I have the ambition to help the world, and naturally I am willing to shoulder the heavy responsibility of the general."

"Hahaha, good!"

"You are my great general!"

"I just like people like you, who dare to speak and act, unlike those who are timid!"

Cao Mao raised his wine cup and said, "General, this is a toast to you!"

After they drank, Cao Mao continued, "You see the current situation. You are different from my teacher, so I will not hide it from you. My previous policies were only to deal with Sima Shi, not to truly stand up for the aristocratic families."

"You know best what consequences those policies will have after they are implemented." "Although your father was one of the Three Dukes, the foundation of the Linhuai Chen Dynasty, starting with your father, is still somewhat lacking."

"These policies may not be of any benefit to you."

When Cao Mao talked about these things, Chen Qian's face was extremely calm, he didn't care about them at all.

Cao Mao had no choice but to change his words and said, "The current situation in the world is in great need of a man of your caliber. Internally, we have ministers controlling the government, local generals commanding large armies, and externally, we have thieves from Shu and Wu. Isn't this a great opportunity for a man to make great achievements?"

"If you are willing to resolve these issues for me, I am willing to make you my general. In the future, I will defeat Shu and destroy Wu. You will achieve unparalleled achievements!"

Only at this time did Chen Qian's eyes change.

"What does your majesty want me to do?"

"Not yet. Later, I will need you to take over the central army."

Chen Qian nodded, "I am willing to serve Your Majesty."

Chen Qian's attitude was actually very clear. He was willing to establish a temporary cooperative relationship with Cao Mao, but would not completely turn to the emperor. This was different from the way Zhang Hua, Wei Shu and others defected. However, it was understandable, as he was a minister of the current dynasty after all.

Cao Mao felt that this was enough. When he slowly showed his fangs, Chen Qian would naturally become determined.

Cao Mao asked, "How is the matter I instructed you to do?"

Chen Qian was stunned for a moment, "Is it about that Ma Long?"

"Exactly."

"As Your Majesty has said, I have already arranged for him to be my subordinate."

"What?? He's in Luoyang??"

There was some surprise in Cao Mao's eyes.

Chen Qian nodded. "Yanzhou isn't far from Luoyang. He arrived earlier and has been staying at the Censorate. Your Majesty, do you wish to see him?"

Cao Mao laughed. "I really want to see him. When I was in Yuancheng, I always heard about his righteous deeds. It's rare that he came to Luoyang, so I must meet him! Please let him come over when you return!"

"By the way, Zhang Hua, you should come with us, so that Ma Long won't be able to get in."

Chen Qian didn't know why Cao Mao was so concerned about a local warrior, but he didn't say much. He agreed to the emperor's request and left in a hurry.

After they left, Cao Mao happily said to Wei Shu, "The person I've been waiting for has arrived!"

Zhang Hua did not make Cao Mao wait too long. Within half an hour, Zhang Hua returned to the East Hall again, and he was followed by a tall and strong man.

The man was tall, but there was no arrogance on his face, and he was dressed like a scholar.

He looked a little uneasy.

Ma Long was not from a prominent family. He was quite famous in the local area, especially in Yanzhou, but no one knew him outside of Yanzhou.

Even in Yanzhou, because of his poor background, he did not get any opportunities to make achievements and was not highly regarded by others.

But just before that, he suddenly received a call from the imperial court, which surprised Ma Long. He came to Luoyang in a daze, and then quickly entered the Censorate. Ma Long had no idea what had happened. The Lord Chen even gave him a courtyard, which made Ma Long very incredible.

I obviously didn't have much contact with him, but when I went to him to express my loyalty, Chen Qian acted very indifferent, as if he completely looked down on me.

Ma Long was very confused. He didn't know what was going on. If they looked down on him, why did they recruit him?
And now, he actually entered the palace.

This is the royal palace.
"Call out your name and pay your respects with great respect."

Ma Long muttered to himself, feeling extremely nervous.

The emperor wants to summon me, what virtue and ability do I have to be summoned by the emperor?

"Is the person coming Ma Xiaoxing?!"

Ma Long raised his head and stared blankly at the emperor in front of him. He was speechless for a moment until Zhang Hua pushed him and he woke up.

"Your Malong! I pay my respects to Your Majesty!"

His voice was so loud that Cao Mao couldn't help laughing.

Cao Mao looked at the fierce general in front of him and became more and more satisfied.

Ma Long came from the lower class, so he was naturally in awe when facing the emperor. This was very normal. The sacredness of imperial power had not disappeared and it was still very powerful at the local level.

Cao Mao helped him up, looked him over, and said seriously, "When I was still in Yuancheng, I heard rumors about Xiaoxing many times!"

Hearing the emperor's words, Ma Long's face immediately turned red.

Born into a poor family, Ma Long tried various ways to become famous in his early years. At his age now, those things in the past seem a bit embarrassing.

However, at this moment, Ma Long also understood the reason why he could come to Luoyang.

Although his reputation was not well-known in other places, it was still good around Yanzhou. The emperor must have heard of him before he ascended the throne, so he wanted to promote him now.

Just as Ma Long was lost in thought, Cao Mao suddenly asked, "Xiaoxing, are you willing to be my general?"

"what???"

(End of this chapter)