The elite did not migrate south

Chapter 425 Take a warning
"Pei Xiu! Come out!"

The soldiers dragged Pei Xiu out of the prison roughly and walked out.

At this moment, Pei Xiu, with disheveled hair and dirty face, finally became a little dazed.

He felt a little scared, but he didn't show it. He just slowly closed his eyes.

My life is over.

Pei Xiu was brought out, and the soldiers took him for a long time, made a circle, and finally brought him to where He Zeng usually worked.

When Pei Xiu was pushed in, the person sitting on the throne was not He Zeng, but Emperor Cao Mao.

Seeing Cao Mao appear here, Pei Xiu's eyes lit up and he hurriedly bowed to greet him.

Cao Mao looked at Pei Xiu, who had lost the gentlemanly demeanor of the past, and his expression did not look very good.

"Mr. Pei, the Shangshutai reported that you were plotting treason. What's going on?"

Pei Xiu was about to reprimand the officials of the Imperial Censorate when he suddenly realized what was happening and changed his words, saying, "The ministers have neglected government affairs and therefore have been mistakenly considered suspects."

"Take it."

Cao Mao glanced at him and said, "I think I issued a new law a while ago, prohibiting officials from drinking too much, right?"

Pei Xiu lowered his head and said, "That's it."

"As the Minister of Rites, is this how you implement the new laws of the court?!"

"I acknowledge my guilt! From now on, I will never touch these things again!!"

Cao Mao said seriously, "If you feel tired, you can tell me. I will allow you to rest, but why do you have to wear the robes? The officials in the court are to be imitated by officials all over the country in every move."

Hearing this, Pei Xiu unconsciously glanced at He Zeng who was standing next to the emperor.

If we want to imitate him, isn't it more dangerous to imitate him?

Of course, Pei Xiu didn't dare to ask this question in person.

Cao Mao scolded him severely again before letting him go in to take a bath and change his clothes.

When Pei Xiu came out again, he looked completely refreshed.

Cao Mao gestured for him to sit next to him.

Of course, Cao Mao never thought of killing Pei Xiu. He just wanted to help Pei Xiu quit smoking.

In history, Pei Xiu died in the process of mourning, which was for the sake of the country as well as for himself.

Originally, Cao Mao wanted to intimidate Pei Xiu a few more times, but since he was his confidant after all, Cao Mao didn't want to go too far. He just wanted him to learn a lesson. If he did the same thing again in the future, he would not let him off easily.

Pei Xiu thought back to how he had been treated over the past few days, feeling a surge of emotion.

Cao Mao then said, "The obscene worship among the people has reached a point where it must be dealt with."

"With the rise of metaphysics, many scholars have become superstitious about ghosts and gods. I've heard that some local officials even use divination from the I Ching to determine government affairs!!"

"absurd!!"

"Since you are in charge of the Ministry of Rites, you must do these things well. If you can't do it, I will ask Mr. He to help you!"

Pei Xiu was horrified.

After Liu Xiu, metaphysical thought began to flourish and reached its peak during the Wei and Jin Dynasties.

How outrageous was the superstition in the Wei and Jin Dynasties?

Ruan Xian's son, Ruan Zhan, didn't believe in ghosts and gods, and he often debated with those around him. One day, a man approached him. Initially, they were chatting pleasantly, but when the topic of ghosts and gods came up, they started arguing. Ruan Zhan left the man speechless, and in a rage, he stood up and demanded, "You say there are no ghosts? Ancient sages knew there are, but you don't? If there are no ghosts, then who am I?"

Then he revealed his true form, which was extremely terrifying. Ruan Zhan was terrified and soon fell ill and died.

This incident was recorded in the Book of Jin. The Book of Jin not only recorded this incident, but also recorded incidents such as ghosts and gods demanding lives.

When the compilers of the Book of Jin saw these authentic Jin Dynasty documents, I wonder what kind of thoughts they had in mind when they completed the compilation.

This makes people doubt whether these historical materials are the results of the Wei and Jin historians' work after they were released from military service.

In fact, the superstition during the Han Dynasty was more about the fear of God, a kind of nature and ancestor worship. After Sima Yi and his sons worked hard to break this feudal superstitious thinking, the superstition of the Wei and Jin Dynasties changed from the fear of God to the fear and belief in ghosts and gods.

This superstition mixed with ideas such as idle talk and inaction created an absurd and ridiculous era.

Cao Mao really hopes that Pei Xiu can rectify the customs of the world through the Ministry of Rites. He cannot always change things through killing. Pei Xiu's Ministry of Rites must also play a positive role.

Pei Xiu looked at He Zeng, who was eager to try, and said hurriedly, "Your Majesty, don't worry. I will definitely take care of this matter!"

Pei Xiu was naturally very scared.

He Zeng helped me with something, but was that really an act of service? If I couldn't stop him and let him kill people indiscriminately, it would be said that I was colluding with He Zeng to cause chaos, and I would be infamous for eternity.

Cao Mao stared at Pei Xiu. This guy was actually very talented, but he needed to be pushed a little.

He believed that if this matter was handed over to Pei Xiu, there would definitely be results.

Soon, Pei Xiu left the Censorate, but the matter did not end there. He was fined one year's salary and was given a fake title, "Fake Shangshu", which was similar to a temporary Shangshu and could be replaced at any time. In other words, he was kept in office for probation.

"Your Majesty, I believe Pei Jun can understand your painstaking efforts and will definitely not make such a big mistake again in the future."

He Zeng stood beside Cao Mao with a smile on his face.

Cao Mao looked at him and said, "This year's autumn harvest is abundant, much higher than in previous years."

He Zeng was stunned for a moment, then quickly said, "Congratulations, Your Majesty! The world is finally at peace!"

"Great governance?! They've executed so many ministers, dismissed so many officials, left so many positions vacant, yet the grain output is so much higher than last year. What does this mean?!"

"I'm thinking now that most of the world's tax revenue has fallen into the hands of others!!" "Otherwise, how could this situation occur?!"

Cao Mao was very angry and not at all happy about the tax increase. It was really sad.

"From now on, don't just focus on the imperial court. Send more people to the local areas to check. The affairs of the world cannot be ruined by these villains!"

"only!!"

He never lowered his head, and Cao Mao left angrily.

He Zeng wiped the sweat from his forehead only after Cao Mao left. Guo Zhi walked in cautiously, looked into the distance, and sighed.

"Your Majesty's power is truly becoming more and more terrifying."

He Zeng did not comment on this, but only reminded: "Just do what His Majesty ordered."

"Don't be afraid of offending others. In this world, as long as you don't offend the emperor, you can offend anyone else."

Cao Mao drove towards the imperial palace.

Seeing that the emperor was not in a good mood, Zhang Hua took the initiative to talk about local topics.

"Your Majesty's ability to judge people is truly enviable to me. Everyone says Duke Zheng is good at judging people, but I feel that Duke Zheng is not as good as Your Majesty."

Cao Mao glanced at Zhang Hua and said, "Mr. Mao, you should have less contact with He Zeng from now on."

Zhang Hua shook his head. "I'm not trying to flatter you. I'm just impressed by the provincial governors that Your Majesty has chosen."

"The success of the autumn harvest still depends heavily on these provincial governors. Your Majesty has selected these individuals who are honest and upright. With them in charge, the officials have become much more restrained."

"After Your Majesty took power, he first reorganized the civil service. Now it seems that this was indeed the right thing to do."

"The Great Wei has become different in the past year, whether in the imperial court or in the countryside. Your Majesty may not feel it properly in the palace, but the eunuchs who often go out all say the same thing."

Zhang Hua saw that Cao Mao's complexion had improved a lot, so he continued to talk about more things.

Of course, what he said was not a lie.

Anyone with a discerning eye can see the changes in the Wei Dynasty today.

This also makes many people look forward to the future, such as Zhang Hua.

In Zhang Hua's eyes, the Wei Dynasty was a carriage trapped in a swamp, and Cao Mao was dragging the carriage out to turn the tide.

He couldn't help but sigh, "Alone, he turned the tide, supported the country, dealt with treacherous officials, and settled the people. This ambition truly moved me."

Cao Mao also looked at Zhang Hua at this moment.

Cao Mao didn't know what he was thinking of, "It also moved me."

Zhang Hua was stunned.

Your Majesty, are you praising yourself?
He also told me to have less contact with He Zeng. It seems that Your Majesty should also have less contact with Zhong Hui.

When the emperor and his minister returned to the palace, Jiao Bo was waiting for him.

"His Majesty!"

"Prince Pengcheng will soon arrive in Luoyang, and Minister Zheng is by his side."

"The King of the East Sea is still on his way and will probably arrive in five days."

Cao Mao narrowed his eyes immediately, Cao Ju.

I finally get to see you.

Cao Ju, King of Pengcheng, was also a strong contender for the throne, Sima Shi's first choice, and Cao Mao's uncle.

Cao Ju was sitting in the carriage. He was thin, with a dark complexion and a thick beard. He shrank in the carriage, his eyes full of fear.

When King Pengcheng learned that the emperor wanted to see him, he almost cried.

The king is sitting at home when disaster strikes.

Of course, King Pengcheng knew very well why the emperor wanted to see him, as he had once competed with him for the position.

Thinking of the power struggle among his brothers, Cao Ju's legs trembled with fear.

Cao Ju is the son of Cao Cao. He has been the main target of attack since the time of Cao Pi, and has been attacked until now. Unexpectedly, he will be targeted again this time.

It’s not me who wants to be the emperor. It was Sima Shi who chose me. Why did he force me to come to Luoyang?

It was in this state of panic that Cao Ju finally met the emperor.

Cao Mao was standing in the distance with a smile on his face. His appearance, temperament, and eyes made Cao Ju stagger and almost fall to the ground. Cao Mao quickly helped him up.

"What happened to King Pengcheng?"

"Your Majesty looks very similar to Emperor Wen, so I lost my composure. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me!"

"No problem, no problem!"

Cao Mao supported him, his eyes full of tenderness.

"I have always heard of the wisdom of King Pengcheng. I know that you are talented in literature and martial arts, and you are the moral elder among the royal family!"

Hearing this, Cao Ju was horrified and shouted:

"Your Majesty!! These are all rumors!"

(End of this chapter)