The elite did not migrate south

Chapter 328 Virtuous and Well-behaved

Luoyang, General Wei’s Mansion.

"Father!!"

"Father Zhong!!"

Sima Yan and Sima You stood together and bowed deeply to Sima Zhao.

When Sima Zhao saw his wife and children again, he felt indescribable bitterness in his heart. He glanced at Li Chu who was standing not far away, and slowly closed his eyes.

"Get up."

The two men stood up. Sima Yan was silent for a moment and asked, "Father, are you okay?"

Sima Zhao immediately frowned and looked at Wang Yuanji not far away.

Before his death, Sima Shi told Sima Zhao that if things did not succeed, he should not tell Sima Yan about the important matter, and let him continue to be a loyal minister to the emperor. He could focus on training Sima You, and the Sima family would still have a chance to rise in the future.

But looking at the guy's appearance, he obviously knew everything.

Wang Yuanji was somewhat helpless. She had no other choice at the beginning, fearing that Sima Yan would unintentionally become an accomplice against his father. Who would have known that the emperor didn't need it at all and easily got rid of his beloved.

Sima Zhao sighed deeply, wanting to say something but unable to.

Sima Yan glanced at Li Chu at the door, as if he understood something. He bowed and said, "Sir, we are having a family gathering. Could you please wait outside?"

Sima Zhao wanted to persuade him, but it was too late.

But what Sima Zhao didn't expect was that Li Chu actually nodded and said "Yes!", then he left and even closed the door considerately.

Sima Zhao looked at him in astonishment, then looked at Sima Yan.

Sima You whispered, "Father, my brother has been very close to His Majesty recently and is deeply loved by His Majesty. These people dare not disobey him."

Wang Yuanji angrily asked, "Do you have the right to speak here?!"

Sima You didn't dare to speak immediately.

In private, Sima You still called Sima Zhao his father and Wang Yuanji his mother.

After hearing what his brother said, Sima Yan was a little at a loss.

He was also very conflicted. Cao Mao was his best friend, but he was also against his father.

Sima Zhao laughed at this moment.

"Anshi, well done."

"what?"

An Shi showed his signature expression and looked at his father.

He had thought that this meeting would be very unpleasant, and he was even prepared to be scolded.

Sima Zhao seemed relieved.

After the failure, Sima Zhao was worried that his actions would take away his clan all at once.

If the entire clan was destroyed because of him, Sima Zhao felt that he would not have the face to see his brother.

The current situation is still not optimistic, but as long as there is still a spark left, we cannot say that there is no chance of winning.

The Sima family is still a very large clan, and a large clan means there will be no shortage of talents.

After experiencing this failure, Sima Zhao seemed to understand what his brother meant.

The reason why his brother asked him to assist the emperor was not because he did not trust his ability, but because he wanted to wait until the moment when the family would be able to make a breakthrough.

If the Sima family could become a member of the many big families, it would definitely become the most advantageous one among the many big families.

It was obvious that he could not turn back now, but his son still did it.

If Sima Yan could save his clan, the Sima family might have a chance to rise again in the future.

As for the eldest son's talent, Sima Zhao was not worried at all. The eldest son only needed to maintain his relationship with the emperor. His real hope was... Sima Zhao glanced at Sima You beside Sima Yan.

But he still didn't say it clearly.

Sima Zhao sighed and said, "Anshi, your grandfather was a loyal minister of the Wei Dynasty. Your uncle was simply too concerned about the imperial court, not harboring any ill intentions. He was a radical person, and his methods were just that, which is why he caused controversy."

"To be honest, this is all my fault. I believed the traitor's slander and made a mistake."

"From now on, you must assist the emperor wholeheartedly and atone for my sins. The future of the clan rests in your care."

Hearing Sima Zhao's words, Sima Yan suddenly became excited.

"Father!!"

"I will definitely not let you down!!"

"No, it's about not disappointing His Majesty's high hopes!"

"I made a terrible mistake, yet His Majesty still rewarded me with a mansion and sent people to take care of me. I will never forget His Majesty's kindness!"

"only!!!"

Sima Yan finally felt completely relieved.

Wang Yuanji probably also knew Sima Zhao's thoughts. Her two sons left one after another, and Wang Yuanji stayed with Sima Zhao.

"My dear, what are we going to do from now on? Are we going to be imprisoned like this for the rest of our lives?"

Wang Yuanji's eyes were full of sadness.

Sima Zhao's face was stern. "Our family has been through worse things than this, but we managed to pull through. Even though I've failed, there are still many talented people in the clan, and many young people who are not mediocre either. With these people around, what do you have to worry about?"

"I will study here and cultivate my character. One day, we will witness the rise of our clan. The great cause left by our father and brothers will surely be completed!"

Sima Zhao became resolute again.

At this moment, in the Taiji Hall, Cao Mao frowned and looked at the golden rice in front of him with a serious expression.

Zheng Xian explained, "My sister and I ate what I made last time. I tried it first this time and it's really delicious. Your Majesty, you can try it."

Cao Mao was still a little hesitant.

"Didn't I tell you that you don't have to do these things? Why do you have to do things that displease me?" "I know Your Majesty doesn't like me, but the decision on starting a family is not something I can make."

"Since we must get along, why can't we get along well?"

"I'm trying to get along with Your Majesty, and I've never come to disturb Your Majesty when you're busy with important matters. Why is Your Majesty so cold and indifferent?"

Cao Mao picked up the chopsticks.

"I'll eat it, and then you have to leave!"

"it is good!"

Zheng Xian was very confident in herself this time. She raised her head slightly, and there was anticipation on her face again.

Cao Mao lowered his head and started eating. Hmm, the taste is very good this time, a huge improvement over last time.

Come to think of it, I haven't eaten these meals for a long time.

The meals are fixed every day.

Cao Mao ate faster and faster, and under Zheng Xian's bright eyes, Cao Mao quickly finished the plate of golden rice.

"How is it? Is it delicious?"

Cao Mao wanted to praise him, but when the words came to his lips, he said, "Your millet was not cooked well, and it almost broke my teeth!"

"Don't cook for my father-in-law from now on. He'll age at least 20 years after eating one meal."

Zheng Xian frowned and leaned out to look at the rice. "How could that be? I've tasted it. If it wasn't cooked, how could His Majesty eat it so quickly?!"

"Didn't I tell you? You have to leave after you finish eating."

Zheng Xian's chest heaved a few times. She took a deep breath and suppressed her anger.

"Okay! From now on, if Your Majesty wants to eat, don't tell me!"

"I had specially prepared a gift for Your Majesty."

"what gift?"

Zheng Xian placed the package she had brought in front of Cao Mao. "Look, I know you're frugal, so I had the eunuchs take your tattered clothes and mend them for you. I heard that Emperor Xiaowen of the Han Dynasty wore mended clothes for many years!"

Cao Mao picked up the old clothes in front of him, with some surprise in his eyes.

This seemed to be the first time someone had mended his clothes.

For some reason, Cao Mao did not curse this time. He looked at him for a few seconds and was about to praise him, but suddenly he was stunned.

He pointed at his clothes and asked, "What are you embroidering?"

"Dragon, Tiger, and Spike."

"Isn't this what the emperor's clothes are made of?"

"You call this a dragon???"

Cao Mao almost jumped up when he saw the abstract lizard on his clothes.

Zheng Xian blushed and quickly defended herself, "I've never done this before. This is my first time, so I'm a little rusty. I'll get better with time!"

"You still want to have a future?!?"

"How can I, the great Emperor of Wei, appear before the public in such attire? And what about Xiaowen? This is almost laughable!"

Zheng Xian was very angry. She stood up and said, "You didn't wear these anyway, so I took them to get them mended. Is it my fault?"

"I didn't ask you to sew it."

"Okay, okay, I'll leave now, lest His Majesty gets angry when he sees me!!"

Zheng Xian frowned and quickly left the West Hall.

Cao Mao shouted, "Mr. Xu! Watch out! Don't let anyone touch my things! Also, don't let anyone enter the West Hall without reason!"

Mr. Xu outside the door lowered his head to see Zheng Xian off, then smiled bitterly and called out "Wei".

Ever since this lady came to the palace, the Taiji Hall has become lively. He has never seen His Majesty like this. The usually calm and composed His Majesty always quarrels with this lady.

It was said that the emperor hated her, so he would let her in every time she came.

I wouldn't say we dislike each other, but every time we meet we just make fun of each other and argue.

Even though the lady turned around and left angrily today, she will come again tomorrow and the two of them will quarrel for all kinds of strange reasons.

In the West Hall, Cao Mao looked at the twisted stitches and strange patterns, and suddenly a smile appeared on his face.

Can this be called a dragon?
This is a snake with human legs, this is a mouse with long teeth, and there is a rabbit?
If I were to wear this thing to meet the ministers, wouldn't I be remembered in history by making them laugh to death?

When Zhang Hua walked in, Cao Mao was still looking at those clothes.

"Your Majesty, Xun Xu requests an audience."

Hearing this, the smile on Cao Mao's face immediately disappeared, and he put his clothes aside with an expressionless face.

"Let him in."

Zhang Hua quickly brought Xun Xu before the emperor.

Xun Xu bowed his head and greeted Cao Mao, then walked to the emperor's side with a fawning face, "It's been a few days since we last met. Your Majesty has become even more majestic!"

"Ah."

"I have already investigated what Your Majesty ordered. There are a total of twenty-three ministers who have been in contact with Feng Xun. Here is the list."

Xun Xu hurriedly put the list on the table.

"These people were impeached and removed from office by Lord Chen. They have committed many faults. The Lu Xun incident was orchestrated by them. They wanted to bring down Lord Chen so they could regain power."

"These are only the ones I've come into contact with, not all of the dismissed officials. I've heard they also have connections with many of the ministers. The failure to provide disaster relief and the embezzlement of supplies seem to be connected to them. They're secretly plotting mischief, hoping to prove that there's something wrong with your Majesty's newly appointed officials and use that as a pretext to attack them."

Cao Mao looked at Xun Xu calmly, his eyes cold and frightening.

(End of this chapter)