The elite did not migrate south

Chapter 468: Me Again?

"Your Majesty, thank you!"

Ji Kang knelt in front of Cao Mao and did not raise his head for a long time.

Cao Mao was silent for a long time.

Just today, Cao Mao was still preparing to set up a mountain camp and a naval camp, and Ji Kang suddenly asked for a meeting. As soon as they met, Ji Kang knelt in front of him.

Ji Kang was one of the first people to support Cao Mao, but now, they still cannot get together.

Cao Mao couldn't quite understand the train of thought of these celebrities.

And they didn't quite understand Cao Mao's thoughts.

It seems that in their view, as long as one uses cruel officials and torture, he is a tyrant and has nothing to do with benevolent governance.

Cao Mao sometimes wondered what kind of person fit the image of a wise ruler in their minds.

After much thought, he felt that Sima Yan and Sima Zhong might be the most consistent with the image of a benevolent monarch in their minds.

Or maybe it was Emperor Wen, of course Emperor Wen of Han.

Like Emperor Wen of Han, who did things but was not very direct, and wanted to save both face and substance, perhaps they would be speechless.

But Cao Mao believed that he did not have the ability of Emperor Wen, so he could only have the substance.

He would not be as lenient as Sima Yan, who allowed his ministers to bully him and made the people of the world live in a horror movie.

At first, Cao Mao wanted to blend in with these celebrities and change them.

Cao Mao's idea at that time was very simple. As long as he let them speak and abolished the restrictions on them, perhaps they would change their minds.

But it is obvious that this reclusive lifestyle, negative thinking, and the pursuit and support of such a stupid king have been deeply rooted in their bones.

Even though the world has changed, they haven't changed much.

Ji Kang did not like Sima Shi, but his son was willing to die for Sima Yan and Sima Zhong.

After all, he is a benevolent monarch, generous and loving to his people. He won't take action even when people mock him in front of them. What a benevolent government!

Therefore, Cao Mao gave up the idea of recruiting these people.

No matter how much you hate me, no matter how much you avoid the world, I only want those who really do things.

Ji Kang raised his head and said, "Your Majesty, you have vindicated Xia Hou and others, which is truly admired by the world."

Cao Mao interrupted him directly, "In fact, the world doesn't care that much about their affairs. I think the people of the world may be more concerned about whether this year's spring planting will go smoothly, whether the autumn harvest will be improved, and whether they can have warm clothes in winter. What do you think?"

Ji Kang said solemnly: "Reputation is a precious tool. Those who govern the world must first rectify their reputation."

"You are quite right, but reputation should be based on reality, not just empty talk. Reputation is something you can only see after you've done something. Xiahou Xuan and the others have eliminated traitors for the country, and I have vindicated them. This is a good thing. I am not angry that you have come to thank me for this."

"However, you have neglected other matters. Over the past year, you have only remembered Xiahou Xuan's affairs. I am very dissatisfied."

Ji Kang said calmly, "Your Majesty, you seek virtue with virtue and evil with evil. Your Majesty cannot govern the world well with the ways of cruel officials and harsh laws."

Cao Mao laughed and said, "But I have governed well."

"The taxes collected by the court have increased. The people are happy, the soldiers are happy, the officials who work hard are happy, and the poor scholars are happy. Only you are unhappy."

“Even if you achieve temporary success, it will sow hidden dangers for future generations.”

"Your Majesty, aren't you afraid that your descendants will follow your example? Let cruel officials run rampant, and make the people fearful?"

"How can I care about what happens later? I am lucky to have achieved what I have achieved so far. Master Ji, you are a famous scholar in the world. You have assisted me in many things. I don't want to embarrass you. You should go back. Wang Rong will surely die, and I will never forgive him."

"Giving each other gifts and recommending each other is absolutely not a noble thing in my opinion. It is disgusting!"

Cao Mao waved his hand and immediately decided to send the guest away.

He really had nothing to say to these celebrities. Ji Kang was even quite good. Although he opposed his policies, he did not curse them.

But the rest of the people were all gritting their teeth at themselves.

Cao Mao knew this very well.

Ji Kang was helpless. He knew he could not convince Cao Mao because this emperor was extremely talented.

Especially in terms of debate, Ji Kang and others had long understood his abilities.

Seeing that the emperor was unwilling to say more, Ji Kang could only say goodbye and leave.

When Ji Kang walked out of the palace, he saw his friend Zhang Hua.

In fact, their relationship has always been very good, and Ji Kang likes Zhang Hua's articles very much.

He couldn't help but ask, "Why can't Mr. Mao's brilliant article persuade His Majesty to implement benevolent policies?"

Zhang Hua's expression was very calm, even a little distant.

"Because Hua is not only good at writing beautiful articles, I did not try to persuade him."

Ji Kang was stunned for a moment, then said seriously, "Your Majesty is originally a wise man, but it is because of people like you who are eager for quick success and instant benefits that you have become what you are today!"

Zhang Hua shook his head with some pity.

He did not hate Ji Kang, he just felt sorry for these people.

They were born in an era of change, and their souls are branded deep down. What they pursue is simply impossible to achieve at present, and may even be unlikely in the future.

Their political ambition is to be quiet and inaction.

Similar to the early Han Dynasty, but different from the early Han Dynasty. They thought they were new, but in fact they were advocating the ideas of Laozi and Zhuangzi many years ago.

Governing the world in that way is not good governance, it is evil governance that will destroy people.

But this way of thinking may not be able to change.

Zhang Hua whispered, "You are not the only ones who are familiar with the Way of Taixuan. It's just that your understanding of the principles is too shallow."

Ji Kang suddenly realized. "Taixuan, yes, it's Taixuan!"

"The culprit that caused all this!"

"That's Wang Su!"

"He is the one who corrupted His Majesty!!"

When Ji Kang left here angrily, Zhang Hua was a little confused.

These people must have taken so much that their brains have gone crazy. What does Wang Situ have to do here?
"what???"

Wang Su stared with wide eyes at Ji Kang, Ruan Ji and others in front of him, stunned.

Wang Su was quite happy when he heard that several famous scholars came to visit him.

After all, Wang Su himself is a celebrity.

In fact, he was once the top star in this circle.

His Taixuan Jing is well-known throughout the world. He is a great Confucian scholar today, surpassing the top stars and being close to Zheng Xuan. Later, he and Zheng Xuan were often referred to as "Zheng Wang Jingxue", which is enough to show his status.

He was still very willing to interact with these celebrities. Apart from his own interests and hobbies, he also wanted to see if he could leave behind some good stories.

But he didn't expect that as soon as these people met him, they started to attack him and scolded him.

He insisted that he had misinterpreted the contents of Taixuan, corrupted the emperor, and caused the current tyranny.

Wang Su was stunned.

What? The emperor was well versed in Confucian classics, and you say it was because of Wang Xiang, but when something happened you say it was because I taught him?

Wang Su's face flushed red.

Ji Kang was not afraid of him. After all, they were the top stars today, and Wang Su was already "out of date".

"Your Majesty now governs the world with what he calls the Great Mysterious Way. Wasn't this Great Mysterious Way taught by Lord Situ? Was it this Great Mysterious Way that Lord Situ taught?"

Wang Su blushed immediately.

You can say that there is something wrong with me as a person, but if you say that there is something wrong with my knowledge, then I have to have a serious talk with you.

Since Zheng Xuan, I have never been afraid of anyone when it comes to knowledge!

He was about to speak when suddenly, an idea flashed through his mind and he was stunned.

He looked at Ji Kang in front of him blankly, the anger on his face disappeared, and he did not react at all.

Ji Kang asked again, "Why didn't Situ Gong answer? When you first taught Taixuan, wasn't the principle of Taixuan about tranquility and inaction, resting with the people, and being kind to others?"

"Your Majesty is in charge of Taixuan, so why would you resort to such harsh punishments?"

They were still questioning him, but Wang Su's mind was no longer here. He stared blankly at the people in front of him, not knowing what he was thinking.

Suddenly, Wang Su laughed.

"Hahahaha, right! That's how it should be!!"

Wang Su suddenly spoke, which scared the people in front of him.

They looked at Wang Su suspiciously, not understanding what was wrong with him.

Wang Su once again looked at the several celebrities in front of him, without a trace of dissatisfaction or anger in his eyes. He smiled and took Ji Kang's hand, "You are absolutely right, hahahaha, I know what to do. Okay, everyone go back first."

"You must come more often in the future!"

Wang Su did not give them any chance to ask questions and immediately had them sent out.

After they were forcibly taken out, Wang Su quickly grabbed a few of his books, got on the carriage, and hurriedly left his mansion.

His destination was the Taiwei's residence.

When Wang Su arrived at the Taiwei Mansion, it seemed a little deserted.

The three dukes and nine ministers were all severely reduced in number, and there were not even many subordinate officials left.

Zhuge Dan was very surprised to see Wang Su's sudden visit and hurriedly invited him into the study.

Wang Su sat down in front of Zhuge Dan excitedly and said, "Mr. Zhuge, do you remember what I told you earlier?"

"Of course I remember. Situ Wang once said: We must do something great for His Majesty so that His Majesty will pay attention to us from now on."

"Yes, now is the time to do something big."

Zhuge Dan looked at him calmly, waiting for him to speak himself, and definitely not asking.

Wang Su happily placed the Taixuan Sutra in his hand in front of him.

"Lord Zhuge, your Majesty's actions have caused so much opposition. I believe this is all due to metaphysics."

"These people govern Taixuan, but they have only learned the basics, so they use these principles to oppose Your Majesty."

"You are also a great sage in studying the classics."

"What if we could reinterpret Taixuan and make it suitable for current political affairs?"

Zhuge Dan raised the corner of his eye.

"Does Lord Situ want to speak for His Majesty?"

"What virtue and ability do I possess? I am nothing but an old man with no talent. All I have learned in my life is a book on the Great Mystery. I simply want to annotate its contents so that people all over the world know how to truly cure the Great Mystery."

Wang Su laughed, with an inexplicable light flashing in his eyes.

ps: I feel like I was cheated during the decoration. The cabinet doors are bubbling and swollen, and they all need to be replaced. The place where the lamps are hung is cracked, and the computer desk seems to be too low, and the host computer cannot be placed in it. Alas, it is really useless without social experience. It is easy to be cheated and know nothing.

I originally thought that I could settle down as soon as possible so that I could write without worries. I didn’t expect it to be so complicated. Anyway, I have done everything that needs to be done today, and I will resume stable updates tomorrow.

(End of this chapter)