The elite did not migrate south

Chapter 338: Letter of Breaking Off Friendship

Cao Mao was sitting in the Taiji Hall, holding in his hand the "Letter of Breaking Off Friendship with Lu Changti" sent by Zhang Hua.

In history, Ji Kang also wrote such an article.

However, it is obviously not as powerful as the current one.

In this letter of breaking off the friendship, Ji Kang scolded many people involved in this case, including Lu Xun and Feng Xun.

Given Ji Kang's reputation, it was only a matter of time before this letter of breaking off the friendship spread throughout the world.

Ji Kang personally identified the traitor, and with his writing style, this description can be passed down to later generations.

Zhang Hua was in a good mood at the moment. He smiled and said, "Your Majesty, these people are not completely useless. After this letter of breaking off the friendship was published, even the students of the Imperial Academy became extremely quiet and no longer dared to talk about framing others."

"Those clans named by Ji Gong were in a state of panic. Feng Xun's elder brother drove to the Supreme Court, stating that his brother's crimes were too serious and requesting to be punished together."

Cao Mao sneered.

"Finally, these people no longer dared to hide and came out to make amends. They were afraid of being nailed to the pillar of shame by Ji Kang's letter."

Cao Mao did not inform Ji Kang of the situation beforehand, and let Ji Kang and Lu An work hard for the redress, just to accumulate this big wave. Ji Kang was a person who valued friendship very much, and only in this situation would he go all out.

This time, these people will follow Ji Kang's famous works to be remembered for eternity, or be infamous for eternity. Ji Kang's works will be remembered for eternity, but their reputations will be infamous for eternity.

If the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove were to make plans and govern the country to ensure the people's well-being, even if they were tied up, they might not be as good as Zhong Hui.

However, they are the "top idols" in the world today.

Even Zhong Hui is their "fan", so you can imagine how great their influence is.

After "Xiahou Xuan, Sima Shi and He Yan", these seven people once again led the trend and became idols of the scholars. In Cao Mao's eyes, they were the biggest public opinion weapon at the time.

If Cao Mao singled out one for criticism, at most one would be dismissed and sent home, but if these seven people jointly criticized one, then one would be socially dead. Under the Zhongzheng system, social death was even more serious than physical death.

This will bring trouble to your entire clan, causing them to be looked down upon by other major clans, not accepted by scholars, and be gossiped about for the rest of their lives.

Just look at Jia Chong and you will know. Because of the regicide, he was scolded wherever he went.

Jia Chong was drinking with his ministers, and Yu Chun, who was drinking with them, asked: Where is Lord Gaogui?
Later, Jia Chong said to the Wu emperor Sun Hao: I heard that you dig out people's eyes and peel off their faces. What kind of punishment is this?
Sun Hao said: This is the punishment prepared for regicide.

After him, the clan produced many talented people, such as Crouching Dragon and Phoenix Chick. The dignified Pingyang Jia family almost perished, and he himself became the last of his descendants.

He had a descendant named Jia Zhong. After Sima Lun was killed, the court wanted him to succeed Jia Chong and pass on Jia Chong's title. However, this man pretended to be crazy and stupid, and started to act submissive, refusing to agree to anything.

The impact of social death has reached this point.

Cao Mao put down the document in his hand with satisfaction and was very satisfied with Zhang Hua standing beside him.

"Maoxian has made many great contributions, but I have not rewarded him. Maoxian, do you have any doubts in your heart?"

Zhang Hua laughed. "Your Majesty has not forgotten to reward Deng Ai and Zhuge Dan, so why should I worry about not being reused?"

Cao Mao said seriously, "Maoxian, you are a talented person who can serve as the Minister of the Chancellery. You will definitely be the backbone of the Wei Dynasty in the future. Staying by my side now will allow you to be exposed to various things and gain more experience."

"That's why I didn't send you out, nor did I rush you into taking on important responsibilities within the government."

Zhang Hua replied, "Your Majesty promoted me when I was not well-known. I wish to remain by your side, and I do not wish for any reward or honor."

"No, merits must be rewarded, and faults must be punished. This cannot be changed."

"Although you are young, since you have made great contributions, there is no reason to hide them. I will promote you to the position of Palace Attendant, and you will continue to stay by my side!"

Zhang Hua was stunned and bowed hurriedly to express his gratitude.

"I will definitely not let your Majesty down for your kindness!"

"You still need to meet these wise men. Men like Shan Tao and Wang Rong can be used in government affairs."

"Shan Tao was magnanimous, not jealous of others' talents, and knew how to judge people. Wang Rong had very accurate assessments of others and understood the pros and cons of government affairs."

"Both of them can serve under Duke Zheng."

"The rest of them are more suitable for classical music."

While Cao Mao was giving orders, a cavalryman came to visit him.

When Cao Mao learned the identity of the visitor, he smiled and immediately asked Zhang Hua to take charge of the important matter.

"His Majesty!!!"

The person who came was Sima Yan.

Since meeting his father, Sima Yan has returned to his former self and is full of confidence in himself.

He once again believed his father's words and made it his mission to save the family reputation and inherit his father's and grandfather's great cause.

When he broke into the West Hall, Cao Mao waved and asked him to sit next to him.

Cao Mao himself picked up the document and began to read it.

Sima Yan was completely unceremonious and sat directly next to the emperor. He even dared to lean over to look at the document in the emperor's hand. This action made Yang Jin, the eunuch standing at the door, feel terrified and his scalp tingled. Isn't this too much of a disregard for outsiders?
Cao Mao did not hide it either, but handed the document over slightly so that Sima Yan could see it clearly.

"These are all handed in by the Imperial Court. Look at this list, they are all freeloaders who do nothing."

Sima Yan glanced at the long list and excitedly shouted, "I know all these people!"

Cao Mao glanced at him and said, "There are no great scholars among you, and those you talk and laugh with are all bandits. And you are so proud of yourself?"

Sima Yan scratched his head. "Your Majesty, are you going to dismiss these people? They are all from high-ranking families and descendants of famous officials. Wouldn't it be a pity to dismiss them like this?"

"Anshi, if the descendants of meritorious officials wanted to rely on the achievements of their fathers and grandfathers, stay at home and enjoy a peaceful life, and do not violate the law, I would not intervene against them. But these people are different. They occupy high positions but do nothing, collude with each other, collect salaries, eat, drink and have fun. What's so pitiful about such people?"

"Titles of nobility are reserved for the descendants of meritorious individuals, but official positions are not. Now that Hebei has suffered a disaster, and these incompetent people have taken high positions, do you know how many lives this will kill?"

Sima Yan nodded, "Your Majesty, what you said makes sense."

He said confidently: "Your Majesty, please leave these matters to me. I will investigate these incompetent people in the temple."

"Don't think these things are so easy. You can't do them just because you want to."

"Real government affairs are extremely difficult to handle. They are not as easy as you think."

Cao Mao looked very serious.

Sima Yan was a little unconvinced. "I've read a lot of books these days, and I'm no longer the Sima Anshi I used to be! Even my friends say: I already have the talent of my grandfather!"

"Which friend of yours said that?"

"What He Shao said!"

"Stay away from him."

"what??"

"Well, I have something to ask you, but I have to warn you in advance that this is extremely risky. If you do it, your clan will be in great danger, including you. You might be attacked by everyone."

"If you are not afraid, then I will give the order now and let you handle this matter."

Sima Yan's face turned pale. It was impossible for him to say he wasn't afraid, but since he had already said that, he cleared his throat and asked, "Your Majesty, please tell me."

"Go to Luoyang Taicang, count the amount of grain stored, and then come back and tell me."

Sima Yan breathed a sigh of relief. "Your Majesty is quite good at bluffing. When you said that just now, I thought you wanted me to chop off Liu Chan's head!"

Cao Mao glanced at him and said, "Don't be so dismissive. Let me tell you, finding out the true amount of grain reserves in Taicang is no easier than beheading Liu Chan."

Sima Yan was not afraid at all. He said confidently, "Your Majesty, please don't try to bluff me. Leave this matter to me!"

"Well, Anshi, you have great ambitions. It seems like this will definitely succeed."

"It will definitely succeed!"

"What if it doesn't work?"

"Please wait for your Majesty's decision!"

"it is good!"

Cao Mao clapped his hands, "But we agreed, I'm not asking you to go over and get the numbers they recorded, you have to take your men and do the investigation yourself!"

"No problem! I don't have anything else here, but there are plenty of people who understand numbers!"

Sima Yan agreed very straightforwardly. When Sima Yan left the Taiji Hall with his head held high, Yang Jin could not help but say, "Your Majesty, Sima Sanqi is a loyal and honest person."

"He must have been deceived by villains when he went to Taicang this time. I'm afraid it won't be effective."

"This kind of thing should be handed over to important officials."

After Cao Mao recruited Yang Hu and Shen Chang, he recruited two young men from the Yang family as his eunuchs.

Yang Xiu was good at talking, so Cao Mao asked him to run errands. Now he has been sent to Zhoutai. Yang Jin, the eldest son, was more calm, so Cao Mao asked him to stay by his side and help Zhang Hua.

Being cautious when grown up and being impatient when young is an old tradition of the family.

Hearing Yang Jin's words, Cao Mao couldn't help laughing.

He never expected Sima Yan to be able to investigate this matter thoroughly. The main feature of our Great Wei's granary is its flexibility and versatility. Even if we check it a hundred times, there will be no duplicates.

However, this was not in vain. Sima Yan's identity was very important, and he went to Taicang in person to investigate the grain reserves.

This is more valuable than any other investigation, and if anything happens in the future, it can be directly blamed on Sima Zhao.

Anshi has a good reputation, is kind to others, is young, and is easy to fool. The ministers will not have a hard time with him, but his father will.
Speaking of Sima Zhao, Cao Mao suddenly remembered something. He did not answer Yang Jin's question, but instead asked, "What are the ministers' reactions to the central army's expedition?"

Yang Jin smiled bitterly and said, "Extremely angry."

"General Wei's residence has been quite busy lately."

(End of this chapter)