The elite did not migrate south

Chapter 212 What a coincidence!

Are you a genius?
The look in Cao Mao's eyes when he looked at Sima Yan became a little different.

However, even if I want to use your father, your father has to be willing.

Cao Ju, the King of Pengcheng recommended by Zheng Mao, was actually not bad, but he was not the best candidate in Cao Mao's mind. He would have to focus a lot of his energy on this member of the royal family in the future.

As a result, the position of Zong Zheng became extremely important.

Zheng Mao was not suitable for the position of Zong Zheng at all. In Cao Mao's eyes, he was the best candidate for the position of Minister of Personnel.

He must be given the title of Minister of Personnel in the Secretariat, and among the Nine Ministers, he can also be appointed as the Minister of Rites.

Zheng Mao is good at identifying people and recommending them, so he is suitable for official promotion and education.

He himself tended to be neutral. Whether it was between Sima Shi and Cao Mao, or between the ministers and Cao Mao, he wanted to remain neutral. Such a person could not follow Cao Mao in taking tough measures on the issue of the royal family.

He needed someone who was radical, bold, older, experienced, related to his family, and willing to work for the royal family.

Like King Pengcheng, his qualifications, age, and family ties all meet the requirements, but his character is that of a coward. He can be made to take the blame, but if you want him to take risks to work for the royal family and yourself, well, forget it.

If there is really no one available, you can consider him and let him be a decoration.

In fact, Sima Zhao really did meet all the conditions perfectly, but this is impossible, at least for now.

Cao Mao thought about it seriously. In fact, there were not many candidates. Wen Qin, the governor of Yangzhou, was a good choice. His age, qualifications, and temper level all met the requirements perfectly. As for whether he was a member of the royal family?
That's easy to say. My brave general Wen Yang hasn't married yet, right?

However, the current situation was that Guanqiu Jian needed Wen Qin more than he did, so he had no choice but to give up.

If only Xiahou Ba hadn't run away.

Yang Hu could indeed be related to the royal family, but his qualifications were insufficient.

Cao Mao narrowed his eyes, and several names appeared in his mind again.

"His Majesty??"

Sima Yan asked, "Does Your Majesty think there's something wrong?"

Cao Mao shook his head and said calmly, "There's nothing wrong with it."

"General Zhengxi is the most suitable person for this position, but it's not the right time yet."

Sima Yan seemed to understand and nodded.

Cao Mao asked, "Are you ready for the next Dongtang Banquet?"

Ever since Sima Yan discovered that he could not keep up with the thinking of the famous scholars, Cao Mao recommended several books to him and asked him to read them thoroughly.

Sima Yan was somewhat reluctant. He did not like reading and believed that governing the world could not be achieved by relying on these classics.

Cao Mao told him that classics were the entry requirement for governing the world. Even Sima Shi and Sima Zhao used classics as a stepping stone. How dare you not learn?

Cao Mao immediately used the same plot that Sun Quan used to persuade Lu Meng: Do I want you to study and become a doctor in Taichang?

Sima Yan did not dare to refute. He took some books back and recited them from time to time.

Hearing Cao Mao's question at this moment, Sima Yan was very confused.

"Your Majesty, shall the banquet continue?"

"My father won't let me go out. This time, I was escorted all the way to the palace gate by over 300 soldiers, and I couldn't even drive them away. How can we still hold a banquet at this time?"

"Besides, my uncle is seriously ill. Even if they are willing to come, wouldn't it be unfilial for us to drink and have fun here?"

Cao Mao's expression turned serious.

"Anshi, don't be deceived by those who seek fame and reputation. Their filial piety is only displayed for others to see. It is not genuine. What is there to praise or emulate in such filial piety?"

"Their filial piety is just a means for them to get promoted."

"When Duke Xuanwen died, did the general resign from his post and observe three years of mourning?"

"Is this because the general is unfilial? The general inherited Duke Xuanwen's will and continued to govern the world on his behalf. This is the greatest filial piety. Today, my father-in-law is seriously ill, and my heart is also in pain. However, what my father-in-law cares about is this world!"

"Instead of pretending to be unhappy, I should show my filial piety to others and help the general govern the world and continue his ambitions. Isn't this the greatest act of filial piety?"

Cao Mao's words immediately convinced Sima Yan.

"Your Majesty is right!"

Sima Yan perked up immediately. He asked, "But, Your Majesty, the East Hall Banquet is just a way for us to attract famous scholars. Now that the court is in chaos, I'm afraid the ministers won't dare to come. How can summoning a few famous scholars really help my uncle?"

Cao Mao laughed. "I've been waiting for your question." "I knew you weren't someone who just chased fame. A real man should do great things. How can he just seek fame and respect all day long?"

"Anshi has grown up."

"Your Majesty, just tell us what to do!"

Sima Yan had already begun to get excited.

Only then did Cao Mao begin to express his thoughts.

"If the Dongtang Banquet is well organized, it can become a grand banquet for the world's celebrities. Commenting on the celebrities is secondary. The most important thing is that we can change the world's thinking through the banquet."

"Today, metaphysics is on the rise, and people are superstitious about ghosts and gods. They ignore practical matters, take medicine and drink alcohol, and engage in idle talk. These are all detrimental to governing the world."

“We have to change these step by step.”

"Metaphysics is not entirely useless. I am well-versed in the classics and have a good understanding of them. If we want to govern the world, it is far from enough to govern it through policies alone. We must also govern it through ideology."

"I want to summarize the many academic thoughts of the past and present and change the current trend of decadent thought. I want to bring together the bravery of Gongyang, the teaching of Zuo Zhuan, and the metaphysical principles of the origin and end, the body and function, and form an advanced thought aimed at expanding territory, educating the world, and naturally achieving success!"

Cao Mao finally expressed his true intention of setting up the Dongtang Banquet.

Sima Yan was stunned for a moment and clapped his hands hurriedly.

"Good! Your Majesty, what you said is very good! I agree with you!"

"That's how it should be, gather him!"

Cao Mao nodded and asked, "What do you think the first step should be?"

Sima Yan said uncertainly, "Speak?"

Cao Mao clapped his hands, "Yes! Your opinion is absolutely right! It coincides with mine!"

"The scholars today are extremely confused, because the ideas of the past can no longer support their beliefs. After their faith collapsed, the government has been madly suppressing them. They are not allowed to express their inner thoughts, nor are they allowed to question or refute. If they disobey, they will be executed or exiled. They are so afraid of being killed that they can only engage in some superstitious things."

"Therefore, our first step is to make these scholars dare to speak out! No, not just speak, we have to let them criticize, let them curse out loud!"

"If only the scholars dared to curse out loud, they would stop taking medicine and drinking all day long! They wouldn't be so decadent!"

Sima Yan looked at Cao Mao blankly and nodded dully.

Am I really a genius?
Cao Mao then discussed the specific details of the next Dongtang Banquet with Sima Yan.

"You don't have to hide these things. When you return later, you can tell your father directly. General Zhengxi will certainly not object."

"it is good!"

After explaining these things, Cao Mao let Sima Yan leave.

After seeing him off, Cao Mao walked towards Zhaoyang Palace.

He had to ask the Queen Mother some questions to confirm what he thought in his heart.

In fact, in addition to these people in the temple, there are several other candidates for the position of Zongzheng. They are the old ministers that Cao Rui wanted to stay and assist the temple, such as Cao Yu, Xiahou Xian, Qin Lang and others.

Among them, Cao Yu was a half-usable person. He was cautious and chose to compromise with the Sima family after losing power. But this cannot be blamed on him. After all, under the feudal system of the Wei Dynasty, his every word and action would be monitored. What do you want him to do?
Xiahou Xian and Qin Lang both resigned from their posts and left, and Cao Mao was not sure whether they were still alive.

Cao Mao didn't know much about Xiahou Xian, but he was more familiar with Qin Lang.

Qin Lang was the son of Qin Yilu, a general of Lu Bu. Lu Bu originally sent Qin Yilu as an envoy to Yuan Shu. Yuan Shu wanted to keep him, so he found someone to marry him, and Qin Lang stayed in Xia Pi with his mother.

After Cao Cao defeated Lu Bu, it is said that Guan Yu fell in love with Qin Lang's mother, Du, but Cao Cao did not agree and took Du for himself. Qin Lang thus became Cao Cao's stepson, just like Guo Ping today. He lived in Cao's mansion and was raised by Cao Cao.

At the same time, Mrs. Yin’s son He Yan also grew up in Cao’s Mansion and was also adopted by Cao Cao. It is worth mentioning that He Yan is the grandson of the former general He Jin.

He Yan was unscrupulous and arrogant in his actions. After he became famous, he spent all his time hanging out with Xiahou Xuan and Sima Shi. The three of them were known as the Three Sages of Luoyang. They played around everywhere and had a lot of fun, becoming the idol group of the scholars at that time.

Qin Lang was a cautious, low-key person who didn't like to be in the spotlight. He was liked by Cao Cao since he was a child.

He himself was also very talented. He had fought against the Hu people and resisted Zhuge Liang. He had good abilities in both domestic and military affairs.

Later, he was dismissed by Cao Shuang and Sima Yi, and resigned and returned home.

If this person is not dead yet, he can be summoned again.

But when Cao Mao walked to the door of Zhaoyang Palace, his thoughts were interrupted.

He saw two people kneeling outside the Zhaoyang Palace. In this cold winter, they were shivering all over, regardless of the icy ground. Mr. Guo was standing in front of them with an indifferent expression.

(End of this chapter)