The elite did not migrate south

Chapter 272: Capable Minister
"Your Majesty, please look at this list."

"These are the traitor Gao Rou's trusted aides in the Secretariat. The previous forged imperial edict was written by these people!"

Cui Zan naturally would not come to see the emperor empty-handed.

But unlike Xin Chang, Cui Zan brought another big gift package.

Cao Mao looked at the list in his hand in surprise. The details of the old villain Gao Rou had been dug out.

What is important is not the names on the list, but Cui Zan’s behavior at this moment.

Cui Zan had just betrayed some of the aristocratic families to the emperor.

With such behavior, Cui Zan would certainly not be accepted by the ministers in the future. This was his way of showing his determination to the emperor.

Cao Mao found it difficult to understand. Cui Zan was a man with the ability to govern, but at the same time, he was calm and rarely took the initiative. Unlike Xun Yi who wanted to stand out, he always stayed contentedly in his position, a bit like Zheng Mao.

How could he take such a risky move?
Cui Zan's face was full of determination at this moment.

"Your Majesty, my clan has suffered a great loss."

"They were all harmed by the rebels in the court."

Cao Mao then realized that Cui Zan and Lu Yu were fellow villagers and both representatives of prominent families in Hebei.

Sima Shi's backup plan had directly cut off their roots, severely damaging the Cui family. Although they did not fall into the same miserable situation as the Lu family where only one family was left, their situation was not much better either. Only a dozen people escaped.

They had flourished in the past, so naturally they were not in a hurry to stand out. With so many clan members, if they continued to nurture and accumulate hope, they would be able to soar to great heights sooner or later, so there was no need to add extra risks to themselves.

But the situation is different now.

Their family was on the verge of collapse, and Cao Mao was well aware of the character of his ministers. Faced with such a damaged clan, the first thing they thought of was not to help, but to swallow it up.

The Cui family needs a leader with sufficient status and someone to protect them.

Therefore, Cui Zan decided his position very decisively. When the emperor needed people, he stood directly on Cao Mao's side and helped Cao Mao do things.

After thinking clearly about the key point, Cao Mao felt moved again.

Actually, this is all because of my father-in-law's benevolent rule.

Thank you, General, for helping me with all your heart even after your death.

I will definitely inherit your legacy and continue to fulfill your ambitions.

Cao Mao really needs talents now, especially ministers who come from prominent families like this and are capable of working in the Secretariat.

Cao Mao immediately grabbed his hand and said sadly: "Alas, please don't be sad, this will never happen again."

Cao Mao comforted Cui Zan for a long time before he calmed down.

Cao Mao accepted Cui Zan's surrender. In fact, Cao Mao would not refuse any minister's surrender, regardless of whether it was sincere or not.

Cao Mao firmly believed that everyone had different uses.

However, Cao Mao was not in a hurry to let Cui Zan serve as the Right Prime Minister.

The top positions of the Shangshu Tai cannot be filled by all these later defectors. There must be people who are fully trusted by him, such as Wang Jing.

Wang Jing currently lacks experience in governing the world. He is good at governing local areas, but governing local areas is completely different from governing the world.

But Wang Jing was not very old, so he could be appointed as a Shangshu to let him get familiar with the Shangshu Tai first, and then become the Shangshu Pushe.

In fact, Guanqiu Jian could also be appointed as the Secretary of State. Although he was a fierce general, he was actually a capable minister who was both civil and military.

However, Cui Zan could add other official positions besides Shangshu, such as Shizhong.

There could be two Shizhong, originally Huabiao and Zheng Xiaotong.

Cao Mao sent the Huabiao to the Zhongshutai. As for Zheng Xiaotong, Cao Mao wanted him to be the Taichang and replace his own teacher.

Then the two candidates for the position of Shizhong were left vacant. Cui Zan could replace one of them, and for the other one, Cao Mao decided to let Zhong Hui.

Zhong Hui's position as Zong Zheng can be removed, and Prince of Yan Cao Yu can be allowed to resign from the Secretariat and become Zong Zheng.

Zhong Hui served as Shangshu and also as Shizhong.

In this way, Zhong Hui can not only participate in decision-making but also implement it, which can be said to be making the best use of his resources. And most importantly, with Zhong Hui's character, I am afraid that he will be able to gather a large number of eunuchs and bring them to his side soon.

The only problem is Zhong Hui's age.

He was too young, and he was promoted directly to the position of Shangshu and Shizhong, which meant he reached the top level. It would be difficult for him to move up any further.

However, Cao Mao was younger than Zhong Hui, and as long as there was no problem with his health, Cao Mao was confident that he could suppress him.

Cao Mao was not afraid that he had made too many achievements. He would reward him for his achievements. If he held the highest official position, he would grant him a title. If he held the highest title, he would increase his fiefdom. If he still failed, he would give him honorary titles. As long as he continued to give him various honors, this person would not easily rebel.

Cao Mao was thinking about Zhong Hui when Zhang Hua came again to report that Zhong Hui had come to see him.

Cao Mao had no choice but to send Cui Zan away and go out to meet Zhong Hui in person.

Zhong Hui was followed by two followers, holding heavy documents in their hands. Zhong Hui looked in a good mood and greeted the emperor with a smile, and then they walked into the West Hall together.

"Your Majesty, please look at these!"

Zhong Hui pointed at the documents and angrily scolded Zhang Hua, "What are you still standing here for?! Go out and wait!"

If it were before, Zhang Hua might have contradicted him a few times, but probably because of the contribution made by Zhong Hui this time, Zhang Hua did not talk back. After seeing Cao Mao nod, he left the West Hall. "What is this?"

Cao Mao picked up the documents.

Then, he was surprised to find that these were actually confessions, Gao Rou's confessions! Whether it was the handwriting or the tone, it was certain that they were written by Gao Rou.

The names on each confession were different, and many even had blank beginnings without names written on them.

Zhong Hui smiled and said, "Your Majesty, I just got these from Gao Rou. With these, you can use them as you please. If anyone disobeys, you can use them to arrest them. These are the handwritten confessions of the old villain Gao Rou. They are legitimate!"

Cao Mao laughed and said, "Shi Ji, you are really wrong. Why would Gao Rou help you write such a thing?"

"I promised him that I would help him secretly save his grandson's life."

Cao Mao was silent for a moment. Zhong Hui was very capable, but not every emperor could accept his behavior of taking action without consulting the emperor.

Even if he was really doing it for the emperor, it would still cause most people to be wary.

Cao Mao said nothing more. He covered the things again and said with emotion, "With Shi Ji in the court, what do I have to worry about?"

"Shi Ji, you have made great contributions this time. I am thinking that you should stop doing the work of Zong Zheng and focus on the Shangshu Tai, and add the title of Shizhong."

Zhong Hui's eyes lit up.

This Shizhong is the head of the eunuchs and is responsible for decision-making. In nature, he is on the same level as the Shangshu Ling.

When the imperial power was strong, it was not an exaggeration to say that he was the prime minister.

Zhong Hui was overjoyed and quickly stood up and bowed to Cao Mao.

"Thank you, Your Majesty! I will assist Your Majesty with all my strength! Let us create an unprecedented era of prosperity!!"

Cao Mao helped him up again and said, "There's no need to talk about this between you and me."

Zhong Hui was easy to appease. At this moment, he had already forgotten the emperor's displeasure in rewarding Jiao Bo and Li Zhao first, and began to think about how he could be a qualified prime minister of the empire.

Just as Cao Mao was about to speak, Zhong Hui took out a letter from his bosom.

"Your Majesty, please take another look at this."

"This is?"

Cao Mao took the letter, flipped through it, and was immediately shocked. This was a letter from Sima Fu to Sima Wang? ?
Zhong Hui smiled and said, "Sima Fu was the Sima family's retreat. Now that he has fallen, he naturally hopes his son can continue in this position. This letter is his advice to Sima Wang to learn from his mistakes and to assist the Holy King well. He should not do anything that would disappoint you and should thank you for your grace of forgiveness."

"With this, the Yongliang issue can be settled."

"I believe we can have Xun Yi send someone to Yongliang to deliver this letter to Sima Wang, and then persuade Chen Tai to surrender to Your Majesty."

"Your Majesty may not know that Chen Tai's mother is Xun Xi's sister. Chen Tai has already lost his reputation, and now is a good opportunity for him to make amends. With Xun Xi persuading him, he will not refuse."

"And Sima Wang must continue to serve as the rear guard and cannot disobey his biological father's orders. In this way, Yongliang will be pacified."

Cao Mao looked at Zhong Hui again.

Is your efficiency a bit too ridiculous?

No wonder Sima Zhao was so miserable in the first round. If you continue to make achievements at this rate, will you be able to get a high title?

"What do you think, Your Majesty?"

"Shi Ji is a great talent! Shi Ji is a prodigy! There is no other capable minister in the world as good as my Shi Ji!!"

"Hahaha~~"

Zhong Hui benefited greatly from it.

Cao Mao said again, "Shi Ji, if you still have anything on you, please take it all out. Don't take them one by one."

When Zhong Hui heard this, he smiled and took out another letter from his sleeve and placed it in front of Cao Mao.

Are you really going to take it?
Cao Mao was a little confused at this moment. He took the letter and found that it was actually written to Zhuge Dan.

"Your Majesty, the captured Captain Sima Yi is Zhuge Dan's son-in-law."

"I met him on the way today. We have some friendship, so I promised him to deliver a letter to Zhuge Dan."

Cao Mao frowned and looked at the letter from home in his hand.

This was indeed a family letter, telling Zhuge Dan not to worry about himself, his wife, and children.

He also advised him not to rush to believe what others said and to wait for General Wei's order.

"Is Shi Ji planning to intimidate Zhuge Dan so that he won't act rashly?"

"Hahaha, this guy is inferior to the General Guarding the East. We can't rush to let the other external generals know what's happening in Luoyang, but we must let Zhuge Dan know in time so that he won't cause trouble. He just wants to continue to bully others in Yuzhou. As long as he doesn't rush out, we will have many opportunities to deal with him in the future."

Zhong Hui narrowed his eyes and did not take the general with heavy troops seriously at all.

"Your Majesty, although you are now in charge of government, you cannot easily change matters at court. The local areas are filled with people from aristocratic families, and there are also unruly foreign generals with heavy troops in various places. Your Majesty must not be complacent, guard against arrogance and impatience, and act with caution."

Cao Mao glanced at him and said, "Should I be the one saying this?"

When it comes to pride and complacency, who can compare to you?

(End of this chapter)