The elite did not migrate south

Chapter 243: Proud Student
The day after the Dongtang Banquet, the whole of Luoyang became a little different.

The two famous scholars of the Xun family became famous overnight, and Sima Yan's deeds were also talked about by everyone.

The scholars suddenly realized that instead of letting others gain prestige, why not gain it themselves? It was better to keep the wealth within the family. As a result, the various clans were in chaos.

Under the impact of metaphysical thought, the power of elders to control their juniors has been greatly weakened.

Although the students of the Wei Dynasty also came from aristocratic families, they had not yet lost their ambition to rule the world, probably because they were still young.

Scholars always have some higher pursuits that are higher than their actual interests.

The scholars of the Wei and Jin dynasties were unruly and contemptuous of etiquette and laws. For Cao Mao, this was also an advantage that could be absorbed.

Although the ministers were unable to suppress the rebellion directly, they were indifferent to their advice. They were not afraid of these scholars. After all, they were just talking and trying to gain reputation.

What they really care about are the major events in the world.

The rebellions were suppressed very smoothly in various places. After the arrival of reinforcements, Hebei was also unstoppable. The rebels fled in all directions and were unable to resist.

What made the court officials dissatisfied was Hu Zun, the governor of Qingxu.

The situation in Xuzhou was very strange. There was a large-scale riot in Hebei, so many counties were breached and the big families suffered. This was understandable for the aristocratic families.

However, not many counties in Xuzhou were breached, and the overall destructive power was very limited, but the number of aristocratic families that were defeated was actually no less than that in Hebei.

It was as if these rebels suddenly appeared and only targeted the big families in Xuzhou for slaughter.

This is totally unacceptable.

Even Qingzhou was affected. Fortunately, Shi Bao, who was in charge of Qingzhou, took action in time to avoid the same situation in Qingzhou.

At this time, the ministers finally confirmed their guess.

This matter has nothing to do with the general.

Hebei Province has seen numerous rebellions, and when something like this happens, no one thinks much of it. But why is Henan also experiencing this? It used to be very peaceful, and Xuzhou is even more so. Are you rebels targeting the powerful families? You don't harm the common people.
Thinking of Hu Zun's close relationship with Sima Shi, the ministers immediately confirmed their guess.

But it's no use even if they confirm it.

Unless he could win over the generals outside, how could he turn against Sima Zhao?

The two sides simply cannot start a war. Once a war breaks out, both sides will suffer losses.

At this moment, Wang Xiang didn't take these things seriously at all. Instead, he was very happy that his ministers could be distracted by this matter.

At this moment, he held a meeting in his own mansion.

Those who were close to him came here.

At first glance, his power is already not to be underestimated.

"Everyone, the Shangshutai's system of neutrality has been delayed. Many ministers in the Shangshutai have begun to forget their original intentions and are now fighting for power all day long. This is extremely inappropriate."

"I'm not being disrespectful to you, but I don't agree with your behavior."

Wang Xiang said seriously.

Chen Qian, Zheng Mao, Wang Jing, Cui Zan, Wang Guan and others sat on both sides, listening to his words.

"The Shangshutai is no longer doing anything, but we can't let it go on like this. I plan to do these things myself."

After Sima Shi's death, a vacuum of supreme power emerged, causing chaos. This would bring many crises, but it was also a good opportunity.

Wang Xiang sees hope in the current chaos, and he is ready to take over this mess and solve these problems.

Everyone present had different expressions.

The mess in the government today is not so easy to solve, and the complexity of the situation is far beyond everyone's expectations.

Apart from anything else, Sima Zhao is the biggest destabilizing factor and is extremely difficult to resolve.

Everyone understands what Wang Xiang means, but can it be accomplished?

Chen Qian looked at everyone and spoke first.

"I think what the prince says makes sense. Since the death of the great general, the Secretariat has accomplished nothing. Being constantly controlled by people like Zhong Hui is truly despicable. I am willing to take charge of these important matters."

Chen Qian had this personality to begin with, and after he spoke, Cui Zan also spoke: "We must find a way to calm down the current chaos, and those who made serious mistakes in the past must pay the price!"

Then Wang Guan also nodded, showing his support.

Wang Xiang smiled. It was enough to get the recognition of these people.

People like Gao Rou and Sima Fu have never noticed that the current situation is different from the past.

This is not the era of great generals, but the era of the aristocratic family that I have created.

In today's era, we still use the old methods, trying hard to avoid trouble and let others do it for us. It is simply unbelievable.

The current head of the ministers is not achieved through inheritance, but through his own ability.

At a time like this, how could one be afraid of trouble? One should take the initiative to resolve all issues. The ministers would certainly choose the most capable person who could bring the greatest benefits to take charge of the Secretariat.

Seeing that Gao Rou and others were indifferent, Wang Xiang finally had the idea of taking the initiative to do something.

After successfully persuading his own faction, Wang Xiang asked them to go back and make preparations, while he himself took a car to the palace.

Wang Xiang narrowed his eyes, not knowing what he was thinking.

When he arrived at the East Hall, the emperor was already waiting there.

Looking at Cao Mao who was respectful in front of him, Wang Xiang felt very complicated.

No matter how you look at it, this disciple of his is the best, no one else can compare to him. His talent for the classics, his respect for his teacher, and even his attitude towards others—every aspect of him is practically flawless.

How great it would be if he were not the emperor.

Wang Xiang sighed again.

If Cao Mao was just an ordinary member of the royal family, Wang Xiang would have cultivated him as his confidant, married him to the best woman in the clan, and spent all his resources to pave his way.
It’s a pity that he is an emperor.

The better he performed, the greater the threat he posed to his ministers.

Wang Xiang looked at his favorite student and thought about what he had done in recent days, with pride in his eyes.

Others may not know, but Wang Xiang knows clearly that Zhong Hui has been His Majesty's man for a long time, and everything Zhong Hui has done these days must have been instructed by His Majesty.

What an outstanding emperor he was. He first used his ministers to suppress the Sima family, and now he created chaos in order to suppress his ministers. He even had a certain ability to fight back.

When he first arrived in Luoyang, he had no relatives in the world.

It is truly astonishing that we have been able to achieve this point.

This is my own disciple.

Wang Xiang sighed, and the pride in his eyes suddenly disappeared.

His expression grew serious.

What a dangerous enemy this is.

If you are even a little careless, you will be deceived by his harmless appearance and die without knowing how you died.

Too many ministers have fallen into his hands.

In the new era, there is no place for such an ambitious young emperor. In the new era, all power must come from the three emperors, and the emperor can only be a role that enjoys the peace and prosperity of the world.

An emperor with such ambitions and such means will stand in the way of the new era and become an existence that must be overthrown.

Wang Xiang knew that he would soon be facing off against his favorite student.

The two sides can still maintain a harmonious relationship now because of Gao Rou, Sima Fu and others.

Once these people bow to him, then the next step will be a showdown between him and this favorite disciple.

The one who wins can usher in a new era.

Wang Xiang is still very confident in himself, because those standing on his side are the elites of the entire world.

This is a power that no emperor dares to ignore.

Even a powerful emperor like Emperor Guangwu had to bow to this force. But after so many reinforcements, no one could suppress it. Not Sima Shi, not the young emperor either.

"teacher?"

Cao Mao interrupted Wang Xiang's thoughts.

Wang Xiang quickly regained consciousness and sat down with the support of Cao Mao.

"Your Majesty, let's begin the lesson."

"only."

Wang Xiang suddenly spoke up, "I heard that Your Majesty and many famous scholars were asking about the reasons for the late Han Dynasty's immorality?"

Cao Mao nodded, "Yes, that's the case."

Wang Xiang's expression was very serious. He said, "I have heard different opinions."

"Teacher, please speak."

Wang Xiang then said, "I have heard from a wise man that the Han Dynasty never lost its virtue; it was its ruler who lost it."

"Xia Jie, Shang Zhou, Zhou You, the Second Emperor, Haihun, and Huan Ling—it was because of their incompetence that the empire changed. This was not because the dynasty lost its virtue, but because the king lost his virtue."

"Your Majesty, these dynasties prospered because they had wise kings, and they perished because they had foolish kings."

"Things in the world go on in cycles. A wise ruler governs the country, while a foolish ruler loses his virtue. Just as you said, Shaokang is better than Gaozu."

Cao Mao said "oh" and just looked at his teacher calmly.

Wang Xiang continued, "Your Majesty, wise men say that the prosperity of a dynasty depends on one person; this is the reason for the downfall of all dynasties. If all the ministers work together to govern the country, and the emperor listens to their advice and devotes himself to serving the country, then the situation will change."

"Even if a monarch fails in virtue, as long as the dynasty remains unchanged and the monarch and his subjects are united, the world will be governed well. This will benefit the people and the emperor."

"And the wise men who govern the world believe that the best way to govern the world is to keep the selfish desires of one person from destroying the world."

"A wise king has his country at heart and should not cause unrest and suffering to the people for his own selfish desires. The wisdom of one person is ultimately not as great as the wisdom of the world."

"What do you think of this wise man's ideas, Your Majesty?"

Wang Xiang looked at his disciples at this moment.

There was no anger on Cao Mao's face; he was even a little happy.

"This idea is absolutely right. I agree with this statement."

"Oh? Your Majesty really is."

"However, I believe that this wise man's idea has not yet reached the stage where it can be implemented."

(End of this chapter)