The elite did not migrate south

Chapter 371 Let’s go
Wang Xiang was a little surprised.

He subconsciously began to look for loopholes in Cao Mao's words, and even began to think about how to fight back.

However, Wang Xiang suddenly reacted, smiled bitterly and shook his head.

"What's the point of saying this now?"

"I only regret that the government is filled with these incompetent and mediocre people. They are so high up in the sky, thinking they are so wise and resourceful, but they always do such stupid things."

"I wonder how many people will be buried with me this time."

"They are all talented people of the country. What a pity."

Cao Mao laughed and said, "The court is filled with these mediocre people. Isn't it because of your ambition?"

"Under the Zhongzheng system, Xun Linggong's son became Shangshu, the General of Chariots and Cavalry's brother became Taishou, and every single one of the civil and military officials in the court, if you ask them, they all have the most distinguished backgrounds."

"As you asked, if the father is a capable minister, does that mean the son will also be a capable minister?"

"Zhou Bo and Zhou Yafu are rare. Throughout history, there has never been a situation where the descendants of famous officials are in the imperial court, inheriting their father's career and having their official positions determined by their father's status."

“A few people who came from poor backgrounds were able to make their fortunes only because of these people who came from prominent backgrounds.”

"This is probably what officials selected according to the era you desire. Even if the emperor is incompetent, there are still ministers who can govern the country. If all the ministers are mediocre and incompetent, who will save the world?"

Wang Xiang remained silent for a long time.

Cao Mao continued, "As for being a national talent, I don't think I am one. I was just born into a good family and have read more books. But governing a country is not just about reading books. The court today is different from the past. The ministers around me are all doing their jobs and no longer think about intrigues."

"Teacher, isn't it because of what you longed for that you are where you are today?"

Looking at Wang Xiang who had fallen silent, Cao Mao didn't say anything more. He slowly stood up and poured tea for Wang Xiang himself.

"Teacher, I still want to thank you."

"I have learned a lot from you over the years, especially from you."

"Tea, please."

Wang Xiang took the tea and started eating it without hesitation.

Cao Mao just looked at him quietly and never spoke again.

After Wang Xiang finished eating, he stood up calmly and bowed to Cao Mao.

"Your Majesty, I retire!"

Cao Mao's expression also became serious.

"Teacher, goodbye."

Cao Mao bowed deeply in return.

Wang Xiang turned around and left the Taiji Hall. He held his head high, looking as majestic as when Cao Mao first saw him, and no one dared to look down on him. Zhang Hua and other eunuchs followed him and led him out. Cao Mao stood in the Taiji Hall.

Faintly, he heard a sound outside, like something falling to the ground.

Cao Mao just sat in the west hall, the candlelight kept swaying. Under the candlelight, there was a face with a changeable mood, jumping between darkness and light with the candlelight.

"What a disaster! What a disaster!"

As soon as Xun Yi opened his eyes, servants rushed in in a hurry.

The servant looked terrified and pale. He almost fell in front of Xun Yi and said in fear, "Master! Something happened! Wang Xiang was stabbed yesterday and died in the mansion from his injuries! Dozens of assassins were involved in this incident."

Hearing this, Xun Yi felt as if something suddenly exploded in his mind, and everything went blank.

Could it be that the sure-fire strategy that Guo Pei assured me about was to assassinate Wang Xiang?

Xun Yi staggered a few times and almost fell to the ground. The servants hurriedly supported him.

"Prepare the car! Prepare the car!!"

Xun Yi screamed in surprise and rushed out of the mansion.

Cao Mao did not hide this matter at all. It caused a sensation in Luoyang. In a very short time, everyone knew that a assassin had gone to assassinate Wang Xiang last night and took his life.

Wang Xiang's previous actions were to write a letter to apologize and reprimand Gao Rou and other traitors.

As a result, he was assassinated the next day.

Putting these two things together, it means that Gao Rou's followers, the traitor, took action to eliminate Wang Xiang.

This is a big deal.

When Xun Yi rushed into the palace and ran all the way to Taiji Hall, Cheng Ji stood in front of him, frowning and looking extremely solemn.

"Xun Gong, stop!"

Xun Yi quickly said, "I have something important to discuss with Your Majesty. I know something about the prince!"

Cheng Ji was stunned for a moment, then turned and walked into the hall.

Soon, he came out again and invited Xun Xi to come in. When Xun Xi walked into the West Hall, Cao Mao was sitting in the upper seat, with all kinds of documents in front of him. His face was extremely ugly, and even after seeing Xun Xi, it did not improve much.

Looking at that solemn face, Xun Yi felt his legs go weak and he immediately knelt down in front of Cao Mao.

"Your Majesty!! I am guilty!! I beg Your Majesty to forgive me!!"

Cao Mao looked at him suddenly and asked angrily, "Did you kill my teacher?!"

Xun Yi just felt wronged.

When Guo Pei found him, he looked very proud and determined, and Xun Yi felt that he had found the right person.

But when he talked about deposing and enthroning the emperor, Xun Xi felt that this man was somewhat unreliable. However, he said that there was a way to rescue Wang Xiang, so Xun Xi decided to be patient for the time being.

But Xun Yi never expected that Guo Pei would do such a thing.

He didn't dare to continue hanging out with Guo Pei. When he discovered the danger, Xun Yi decided to sell the other party out to save himself.

This is the usual style of aristocratic families.

Cao Mao did not expect this unexpected gain. He obviously did not know how much Xun Yi valued him now.

"Your Majesty, I did not attack the prince, but I know who did it!"

"It's Guo Pei, the younger brother of the General of Chariots and Cavalry!"

Xun Xi then told him that Guo Pei had found him and discussed the matter of Wang Xiang. Of course, Xun Xi said that he was determined not to cooperate with a traitor like Guo Pei. He scolded Guo Pei to his face and asked him to leave his mansion.

He claimed that everyone in his house saw this scene.

"Your Majesty! I only thought this boy had evil intentions, but I never imagined that he would actually dare to attack the prince!"

Listening to Xun Yi's explanation, the emperor looked even angrier.

"I trust Lord Xun so much that I let you serve as the Minister of State. Is this how you repay my trust?!"

"Your Majesty, I don't know, I don't know!"

Seeing Xun Yi panicking, Zhang Hua couldn't help but speak up, "Your Majesty, Xun Gong has always been loyal to you. He never conspired with Guo Pei, and now he's come forward to admit it. How can you accuse him like this?"

Cao Mao angrily asked, "Loyalty? Someone revealed their rebellious intentions but refused to tell anyone. Can this be considered loyalty?"

Zhang Hua hurriedly explained, "Your Majesty, Lord Xun did this for your own good. He was worried that you would unjustly punish such a villain, so he personally stepped forward to reprimand Guo Pei, urging him not to affect Your Majesty's reputation. Who could have known that Guo Pei would actually do such a bold thing?"

Cao Mao slowly looked towards Xun Yi, who quickly saluted, "Your Majesty, that's exactly what happened!"

"I am guilty! Your Majesty, please punish me!"

Hearing this, Cao Mao's anger seemed to subside. He took a deep breath and said, "Okay, Xun Gong, you can go back first. I will make the final decision on this matter."

Xun Yi then stood up, bowed to Cao Mao again, and left here respectfully.

After he left, Cao Mao and Zhang Hua's expressions suddenly calmed down. Cao Mao looked at Zhang Hua, "Why do you want to save him?"

Zhang Hua replied, "Your Majesty, having such a Shangshu Pushe in the court is not necessarily a bad thing."

"This person is just a facade, only understanding things like benevolence, righteousness, and morality, but he doesn't have any great talents, and besides, he doesn't have any courage."

"What he's best at is bluffing, but it's easily broken."

"Wouldn't it be better for such a person to stay?"

"All the ministers trust him, and he won't bring any real harm to Your Majesty. He can even come out and testify for us when we want to deal with people like Guo Pei. Your Majesty, we only need one of the two ministers of state. I know you want the General of the Southern Expedition to succeed Lord Xun."

"However, it is best to leave behind someone who is recognized by the ministers, otherwise it will be detrimental to the overall situation."

Listening to Zhang Hua's advice, Cao Mao couldn't help but ponder, "But the prince must enter the Shangshutai."

"Could his status possibly be lower than Xun Yi and Chen Tai?"

Zhang Hua replied, "Why not let him be the Minister of Chancellery?"

"Duke Zheng's position as Shangshu Ling was originally a concurrent one. He will continue to serve as Sikong, and the Shangshu Ling position will be handed over to the Duke. The Duke comes from a prominent family, has a high reputation, and has made great military achievements. No matter from which aspect, no one can surpass him!"

Cao Mao narrowed his eyes and said, "Then let's do it this way."

"It's just right. This assassination attempt will put pressure on the ministers. Let Chen Qian strike harder, so hard that they will think the Secretariat should be annexed by the Ministry of Justice."

"only!!"

Cao Mao sat in the upper seat and couldn't help shaking his head. In fact, he really had no interest in the affairs of these big families. His current ambition was to govern the world. The temple had just started to improve, and the ministers finally began to act like ministers, but these people insisted on finding ways to die.

They do not have the talent of a general, but have the disease of a general, and each of them thinks that he is not inferior to Sima Shi.

This is good, as it saves me from having to replace my own people one by one. This time, Yuan Liang and Zheng Chong will be replaced. A Ministry of Justice can be established in Yuan Liang's place, and the candidate for the Minister of Justice will of course be Zhong Hui.

It is such a waste to put Chen Qian in the position of Chief Justice. The most suitable place for him is the army.

(End of this chapter)