The elite did not migrate south

Chapter 394: Due to His Majesty’s Grace

When he learned that Sun Yu was plotting a rebellion, the happiest person in Luoyang should be Zhong Shiji.

Zhong Hui originally had the idea of replacing people on a large scale. The Gao Rou case could be used to target ministers in the temple, but it could not be used to deal with local officials. It couldn't be said that Gao Rou had contacted local county magistrates and prefects in advance to plot a rebellion, right?

Just when Zhong Hui was worried about not having any opportunities, Sun Yu personally brought the opportunity to Zhong Hui.

Now we have a reason to deal with local officials.

When facing the ministers, anyone who disobeys is the remnant of Gao Rou, and when facing local officials, anyone who disobeys is the remnant of Sun Yu.

He has been collecting information on officials in the Sili region these days, preparing to use this incident to eliminate them all.

Zhong Hui didn't care whether these people actually rebelled or not. As long as they were disobedient and incompetent, they could be considered "rebellious."

But Wang Jing was a little hesitant about this.

He felt that Zhong Hui's idea was a bit too cruel. If he really did things like beating and killing civilians and seizing women, he could be killed, but to define it as treason and execute him just because of his lack of ability was really too much!

The two ultimately failed to reach a consensus.

Zhong Hui left here angrily.

At this moment, Cao Mao was busy meeting the rebels sent by Hu Zun.

Hu Zun first sent the captives and Sun Yu's head to Luoyang, and he followed with Cao Fang.

Hu Zun and Cao Fang had not arrived yet, but the people who surrendered in Qingzhou had already arrived in Luoyang.

Many prefects from Sun Yu onwards were beheaded, but Zang Ai, who was the first to rebel, was captured alive. It is said that after the city was broken, he changed his clothes and wanted to take the opportunity to escape, but was discovered and captured on the spot.

When this man was sent to Cao Mao, he no longer had the desire to live.

He just hoped that he could die cleanly without suffering too much torture.

Cao Mao was very curious about this person.

In the Tingwei prison, Cao Mao sat outside the fence, looking at Zang Ai inside.

"I have heard that you are honest and simple in dress, and are well-liked by officials from all over the country."

"Not long ago, someone recommended you, saying you could replace Sun Yu as the governor of Qingzhou. Speaking of which, if you hadn't rebelled, the officials might have gone to great lengths to protect you, which would have been quite troublesome."

Cao Mao was speaking when he suddenly asked, "You exploit the people everywhere, yet you don't enjoy yourself and only bribe people. What are you thinking? If you don't seek enjoyment, then you want to be an official? Do you want to be one of the Three Dukes?"

Hearing the question, Zang Ai slowly raised his head and looked at Cao Mao.

"Your Majesty, I have always wanted to serve the government since I was young."

"Unfortunately, I don't come from a prominent family. My father was only the son of a jailer. Even though we were well-known in Qingxu, we couldn't be considered a prominent family with a legacy of Confucian classics. I studied hard since I was young, passed the Imperial College exam, and became a Huangmen Lang. But after my father passed away, I could no longer advance."

"I work diligently and conscientiously, never slacking off for a single day. But what good is it?"

"In the Imperial College, the least talented were the first to be promoted, but in the court, those who had never served a day in office were promoted."

"I've been working here for many years and have made great contributions, so why haven't I been promoted once?"

"It wasn't until I used the money my father left me to break into the doors of the wealthy families and even sent my father's concubine to live with them that I began to be valued and promoted."

"I no longer work, nor do I study. Every time I arrive at a place, I simply distribute money to the people above me. This is how I am promoted every year, without stopping. If it weren't for Your Majesty taking charge, I would be one of the Three Dukes!"

Historically, this person became one of the Nine Ministers and died in that position.

Cao Mao put away the mockery on his face and his eyes became stern.

"So, all this isn't your fault, it's the world's fault?"

Zang Ai wanted to say something, but suddenly he smiled bitterly and shook his head. "Your Majesty, just kill me. Why humiliate me?"

Cao Mao pondered for a moment. "I'm very busy and don't have the time to come here to humiliate a traitor. This time I came to the court, not just for you. I have to intimidate them. Otherwise, how will those who have been captured give out more accomplices?"

"You have served as county magistrate in many places, which is actually quite good. With you, many traitors can be brought to justice."

Cao Mao slowly stood up, prepared to leave, and looked at Zang Ai again.

"Just rest assured and go on your way. Those incompetent people who climbed up ahead of you years ago, the evil people who suppressed you and prevented you from being promoted, will soon follow you on your way."

Cao Mao left immediately.

Zhang Hua was now beside him. "Your Majesty, Lord Zhong has dismissed many postdoctoral fellows and has drawn up a list of doctoral candidates for your Majesty's review."

"The Captain of the Imperial Guards, Wang, has submitted a memorial alleging that Minister Zhong intends to enforce harsh laws in the prefectures and counties, murdering officials. I would like to know your thoughts."

"The General who conquers the East will arrive with the King of Qi in two days. Duke Xiahou has submitted a petition to inquire about the proper procedures for their reception."

"General Guanqiu has submitted a memorial stating that Wu is experiencing unusual activity and that he has begun preparations for war."

"General Deng submitted a memorial stating that the Qiang were looting many farmlands during the autumn harvest, and he has sent troops in pursuit."

"He Cishi submitted a memorial stating that two prefects in the state were suspected of treason and had been apprehended. He had already sent people to take them to Luoyang."

Zhang Hua quickly talked about today's news, which were just some major events, not including the rest.

"Have Xiahou He review Zhong Yu's list, and have Zhong Yu check Zhong Hui's list. Welcoming General Hu with the highest standards is within my control."

"Yes!!" In addition to some things that are reported on the surface, there are also some things that happen in secret.

For example, what should Cao Fang do?
Zhang Hua had asked this question implicitly many times, and most of Cao Mao's confidants still wanted Cao Fang to die.

Cao Fang is one of the few people in the royal family who can challenge Cao Mao's status. As the last emperor deposed by a powerful minister, his current position is really embarrassing.

If he hadn't caused any trouble and had stayed in the vassal state peacefully, he might not have attracted any attention.

But Sun Yu happened to rebel in his name again. In order to prevent such a thing from happening again and to protect your majesty's legitimacy from any impact, killing Cao Fang is the most appropriate thing to do.

But Cao Mao did not give any response, and no one dared to do things on his behalf.

Zhong Hui dared to do so, but he was entangled with other things, so the ministers could only bite the bullet and take things one step at a time.

Amidst the various speculations among the ministers, Hu Zun brought Cao Fang to Luoyang.

Cao Mao showed great respect to the General who Conquers the East, and invited all the officials and even the Queen Mother to come and welcome him.

Even though Hu Zun was far away, he could see the scene in the distance, which made him very excited.

Hu Zun seemed to treat the trip to Luoyang as a march, and he drove at an extremely fast speed every day, without caring whether Cao Fang could bear it or not.

When Hu Zun saw the emperor's flagpole in the distance, he hurriedly jumped out of the car, changed his clothes, and went to pay his respects.

This was the first time Hu Zun saw Cao Mao.

"General!!"

Cao Mao hurried forward to greet him, and Hu Zun paid his respects with great ceremony.

Cao Mao helped him up and began to flatter him as usual, saying things like, "I've heard of your great name for a long time, we've been friends for a long time, and I'm glad to meet you today."

But Hu Zun, who was experiencing this three-piece set for the first time, felt particularly comfortable.

Lao Hu was in a very bad mood in recent years, mainly during the Battle of Dongxing, when he and Zhuge Dan assisted Sima Zhao and fought against Zhuge Ke.

As a result, due to the help of an unknown person, Cao Wei suffered a crushing defeat. This was the first time that Hu Zun experienced such a devastating defeat. He lost all his face and was disliked by Sima Zhao. Sima Zhao directly set his sights on Shi Bao, who had retained his strength.

Sima Zhao took a look at the imperial scepter he brought with him, and then said to Shi Bao: I only regret that I cannot give this scepter to you so that you can handle important matters!
Immediately afterwards, Shi Bao was appointed as the acting governor of Qingzhou.

What would Hu Zun, the general who was in charge of the expedition to the east and the governor of Qingxu, think?

Sima Zhao did not think that he was the cause of the defeat. He thought it was because Hu Zun and Zhuge Dan were too reckless and did not obey his command, which led to this great defeat.

Blame it all on Hu Zun! Zhuge Dan! And that Wang Yi who dared to say the sin was his own!

After being dismissed from his official position by Sima Shi, he became even more resentful.

Being respected so much by Cao Mao, Hu Zun glanced at Sima Zhao not far away, but didn't even look at him for long.

He started a cordial conversation with Cao Mao.

Cao Mao was good at talking and he praised Hu Zun a lot, which made Hu Zun even more excited.

The two chatted for a long time, and then a man came slowly, surrounded by many soldiers. He looked at the ministers in front of him with fear, and when he saw Sima Zhao, he subconsciously took a few steps back.

This person was Cao Mao’s predecessor, the previous emperor, Cao Fang.

The scene suddenly fell silent.

Everyone's eyes fell on Cao Fang.

Cao Fang then realized that he was now a minister.

He hurriedly bowed to Cao Mao.

"Your Majesty, your servant Cao Fang pays homage."

Cao Mao looked at him and bowed, then smiled and helped him up. "Why is the King of Qi so polite?"

"You've suffered a lot these days, haven't you?"

"Don't worry, once we get to Luoyang, this kind of thing won't happen again."

Cao Mao took the initiative to hold his hand and said a few words to comfort him.

Empress Dowager Guo also saw Cao Fang at this moment, and her face suddenly became ugly.

Cao Mao said nothing more and led everyone back to Luoyang.

Cao Mao and Hu Zun were sitting in the same carriage, chatting and laughing as they drove towards the Taiji Hall.

Cao Mao looked at the old general beside him and always felt that something was wrong.

Wasn't this person going to die of illness next year? Why does he look so energetic now and doesn't look sick at all?
He asked, "General Hu, I heard you were ill and didn't dare to let you travel long distances. Are you okay now?"

Hu Zun said with emotion, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern. I was ill before, but thanks to Your Majesty's grace, I am now well again!"

"Um???"

(End of this chapter)