The elite did not migrate south

Chapter 41 Three Dukes
"Greetings, gentlemen!"

Cao Mao respectfully returned the greetings to the ministers in front of him.

This was the first time Cao Mao met with his ministers.

Cao Mao had a dignified appearance, great dignity and was very heroic. In this era where everyone is obsessed with appearance, his appearance still had a great advantage.

Facing his ministers at this moment, there was no panic in his eyes, but rather great calmness.

This is consistent with the image of a wise young emperor imagined by everyone.

Wang Su, standing by, reminded him, "Your Majesty, you are the Son of Heaven. You don't have to bow to the ministers."

Cao Mao said seriously, "How could I dare to be disrespectful in front of so many virtuous officials who have made great contributions to the court?"

Most of the ministers nodded in satisfaction, except for the few big men standing in the front who had different expressions.

Wang Su pursed his lips and said quickly, "Your Majesty has come a long way. You can go to the front hall to rest for a while and then enter Luoyang tomorrow."

Wang Su was really scared. This guy was so bold, it would be better not to let him have too much contact with the ministers. Who knew if he would suddenly become crazy and talk nonsense?
Now that Jia Chong is not here, he must have gone to Luoyang to meet Sima Zhao. If anything happens here, he will have to take responsibility for it.

Cao Mao was stunned and looked at him in surprise. "All the nobles in the court have gathered here to welcome me. They are all virtuous and respected people. How can you treat them with such contempt?"

"I, the old minister, am not being disrespectful."

"Then how could you abandon them and go to the front hall to rest?"

Cao Mao did not give Wang Su a chance to continue speaking. He walked a few steps in front of the ministers and looked at them.

"Your Majesty, I, Gao Rou, pay my respects to you."

The one who was at the head of all the ministers was none other than Situ Gaorou.

Gao Rou was tall and had a resolute complexion. He had a reputation for being upright and strict in the court.

As an old minister who had witnessed five generations of kings of the Cao family, he had countless disciples and former officials, and his influence was extremely strong. Even Sima Shi did not dare to act against him easily.

He was one of the Sima family's most powerful allies in the court. At the same time, he had a very good relationship with the Queen Mother and was also an excellent ally of the Guo family.

For some reason, the Situ Gong looked at Cao Mao with a somewhat cold look.

Is it because of the Guo family? Or is it because of the Sima family?
This person is the one Cao Mao must win over. In the temple, he is the only minister who dares to challenge Sima Shi openly.

"Gao Situ!!!"

Cao Mao looked quite excited, and he hurriedly saluted Gao Rou again.

"I've heard of your reputation a long time ago and have always wanted to meet you. Today, my wish finally comes true!"

"Don't dare."

Gao Rou took a step back, still looking at Cao Mao with a distant look.

Gao Rou was qualified to challenge Sima Shi, but this did not mean that he intended to make things difficult for the Sima family. On the contrary, he had a very good relationship with Sima Yi and was very happy to cooperate with the Sima family.

The Sima family did not treat this ally badly. When Cao Shuang died, he was granted the title of Wansui Xianghou. When Cao Fang was demoted, he was promoted to Anguohou and appointed Taiwei. When Cao Mao died, he was given more fiefs and his two sons were both granted the title of Tinghou.

He had no intention of changing his allies, nor was he willing to get close to the young emperor.

However, whether he was willing or not was not something Cao Mao considered.

They come together because of interests and can also separate because of interests.

I can't provide any benefits at the moment, but there is always a chance to create benefits for them.

"Lord Situ, I am still young and have no idea how to govern a country. I will leave you with the responsibility of managing state affairs. At your age, you are still worrying about state affairs. This is my fault. How many officials do you have now? When do you eat every day? What time do you finish your work?"

Cao Mao continued to ask questions, and Gao Situ replied hesitantly, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I have enough staff, and I eat on time every day and never work too late."

"That's great. Situ Gong has a heavy responsibility. You should take good care of yourself!"

Gao Rou said yes, and someone beside him hurried forward and bowed to greet him.

Unlike Gao Rou, this man's face was full of excitement, and he looked at Cao Mao with a very kind look.

"Old minister Sima Fu pays respects to Your Majesty."

Cao Mao suddenly realized, no wonder.

Sima Fu was Sima Yi's younger brother. He had noble character and was a famous loyal minister of Cao Wei in history books.

This loyal minister firmly opposed powerful officials, so during the Gaopingling Incident, he and Sima Shi stationed troops at Sima Gate to control the capital.

This loyal minister firmly opposed the dethronement and enthronement, so he wrote his own name in the memorial to dethrone Cao Fang as King of Qi.

This loyal minister firmly opposed regicide, so when Cao Mao became too close to his son Sima Wang, he made his son resign and serve as a general in the province. This loyal minister served Wei his entire life. Although he was the Prince of Anping, his sons were all made kings, he held great power, and he knelt before Sima Yan, he was still a loyal minister of Wei.

Sima Fu might be the retreat left by Sima Yi. If his plan for the country failed, at least there would be a lineage to inherit. However, the position of this "retreat" was too vague.

His loyalty seems to be expressed only in his words. Judging from his actual behavior, he is no different from Sima Shi.

"Grand Marshal!"

"I dare not accept your Majesty's gift! I dare not accept it!"

Sima Fu hurriedly stopped Cao Mao in front of him, and he even shed tears because of his excitement.

"Seeing Your Majesty reminds me of Emperor Liezu. What a striking resemblance!"

"Isn't it a blessing for the Great Wei to have His Majesty here today?"

"Lord Taiwei, although I lack talent and virtue, I am willing to work with you to govern the Wei Dynasty and fulfill the long-cherished wish of our ancestors."

The two talked for a few words, and Sima Fu burst into tears. He seemed very happy about Cao Mao's arrival.

As for the last one, Cao Mao was the first to bow, "Greetings to the Minister of Works!"

This is Zheng Chong.

Zheng Chong was extremely elegant and looked like a hermit. He bowed to Cao Mao respectfully.

This person always does his own thing, never interferes in government affairs, and never expresses his own ideas. He lives a hermit-like life in the temple.

Of course, Cao Mao also expressed his admiration for him and his desire for knowledge.

Afterwards, Cao Mao met with the other ministers.

Not all the ministers were present. Apart from the three dukes, there were only some ministers of lower status who came. However, facing these people, Cao Mao did not show any contempt. He met with them one by one and answered their questions.

Wang Su was standing not far away, listening to their conversation with an indifferent and unmoved expression.

It's useless to say more.

The temple of today is no longer the temple of the past.

At this moment, Cao Mao suddenly asked, "Is this place safe? Can you send more soldiers?"

Sima Fu was surprised and asked, "Why do you say that, Your Majesty?"

"You may not know, Grand Marshal, that while I was in Yuancheng, several thieves broke into the mansion and attempted to assassinate me. If it weren't for Junior Minister Zheng and his men, I would have been killed on the spot. Later, the Grand General personally went to Yuancheng, not only to greet me, but also to investigate this matter."

"Ever since that incident, I've been constantly afraid and unable to sleep at night, always feeling like there's a thief lurking around."

Cao Mao spoke of this matter somewhat helplessly.

"what?!"

All the ministers were horrified. Not long after this incident happened, Sima Shi rushed to Yuancheng and blocked the news in the entire Yuancheng. Not many people in the temple knew about this incident.

Sima Fu said angrily, "Your Majesty, please don't worry. The general will definitely catch the real culprit! As for Luoyang, you don't have to worry at all. This is the safest place in the world. With this old minister here, no one dares to act recklessly!"

Gao Rou exchanged glances with the ministers around him.

Your Majesty was assassinated? Could it be related to Xiahou Xuan's incident?
Sima Shi went to Yuancheng in person just for this matter?

Why is this matter so worthy of his concern?
At this moment, Wang Su's face was calm, but he couldn't help cursing in his heart.

I knew you wouldn't give in so easily!! You're definitely going to cause some trouble!!
After the coronation ceremony, I will never get close to you again in this life!

He hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, at this auspicious time, it is really inappropriate to talk about these things. You are already very tired. Please return to the front hall and rest."

Cao Mao glanced at Wang Su, then leaned close to Gao Rou's ear and whispered something, then bowed to everyone and left.

Gao Rou stared blankly at Cao Mao's gradually disappearing figure, his eyes full of surprise.

Sima Fu asked curiously, "Lord Situ? What did His Majesty say to you?"

"It's not a big deal."

"Oh."

Sima Fu did not ask any further questions, but Gao Rou was thinking about Cao Mao's whisper.

Just now, Cao Mao came up to him and whispered to him.

"It was Wang Su who wanted to kill me!"

ps: Dear all, please give me some monthly tickets~~~
(End of this chapter)