The elite did not migrate south

Chapter 522: No Horse?

"Mr. Anle, are you used to living here?"

Cao Mao was leading Liu Chan into the county magistrate's mansion.

Liu Chan lowered his head and replied with an awkward smile, "Your Majesty, the living quarters are simple and the house is small, with few pleasures, but it is much better than traveling."

Cao Mao smiled and said, "The residence arranged for Anle Gongsong is the residence of your general Jiang Wei in Hanzhong."

"He's the highest-ranking official in Hanzhong, and he specifically let Duke Anle live in his mansion. To my surprise, it's still so simple."

Liu Chan was suddenly speechless and stammered.

Cao Mao had just said, "Jiang Wei is foolish. He doesn't reserve farmland for himself, nor does he build a luxurious courtyard for his enjoyment. Instead, he spends all day thinking about how to go on an expedition to invade our Great Wei."

"I heard that there was a eunuch under the command of Duke Anle, named Huang Hao. He was much more clever. The soldiers who entered Shu confiscated more than 60 courtyards under his name, scattered throughout Jiange. It's a pity that with Jiang Wei here, he didn't dare to seize the land and build a mansion here."

"Otherwise, we can let Lord Anle live in his mansion!"

Liu Chan's eyes were dazed and he didn't say anything.

Cao Mao led Liu Chan into the hall, where more than forty ministers were sitting.

These were all important officials and generals of the Shu Kingdom.

After recuperating for a few days, their complexion seemed much better.

Seeing Cao Mao and Liu Chan come in together, they hurriedly stood up and bowed to them.

There were soldiers watching all around, so Cheng Ji was guarding the door.

Cao Mao passed through their midst, took the upper seat, and then asked Duke Anle to sit next to him.

Cao Mao invited all the ministers to take their seats.

Then he started reading.

Seeing this, he couldn't help but sigh. He looked at Liu Chan who was sitting next to him and said:
"Duke Anle, I envied you greatly when I was in Luoyang. There are so many heroes and talents in Shu. Aren't all those present here virtuous people who can govern the world?"

Hearing Cao Mao's words, Liu Chan was somewhat disapproving. He sighed, "How can anyone compare to Your Majesty? The Central Plains is filled with talented people. How can a single Shu land compare to them?"

After hearing the conversation between the two, the ministers' expressions suddenly changed.

The Cao Wei emperor, who was an outsider, praised them so much, but their own emperor said such words.

However, considering the emperor's daily behavior, it is really not surprising at all.

Cao Mao shook his head. "How can you say that? Bashu is a land of heroes and talents. It has been home to many talented people since ancient times and has amassed the heroic spirit of the world. Among those present here, who can't compare to the ambitious people of the Central Plains?"

Liu Chan still didn't quite agree, he said: "It should be like this."

Cao Mao said seriously, "If the man whom Anle Gong considers to be a virtuous person is someone like Huang Hao, then he is indeed incomparable to the Great Wei. I have heard of Huang Hao's reputation even in Luoyang."

"I heard that this person suppresses talented people at home, excludes dissidents, installs his own cronies, supports his own clansmen abroad, and annexes land and fertile farmland. If any ministers offer bad advice or make unfavorable memorials to him, he will exile them. If anyone flatters or speaks nonsense, he will promote them!"

"Isn't it because of people like this that Duke Anle is my minister today?"

"To govern the world, one must open the channels for communication and listen to advice and criticism, not block the path for loyal criticism. Duke Anle despised important officials in the court, but trusted villains like Huang Hao. He refused to listen to advice and criticism, and this discouraged those with aspirations."

"Things like this should serve as a lesson for future generations!"

Liu Chan's face suddenly turned pale. He didn't dare to open his mouth to refute, but just lowered his head and remained silent.

At this moment, even the ministers closest to Liu Chan were speechless.

Cao Mao pointed at the important official in front of him and said, "I have heard that there is a minister in Shu named Fan Jian. He is a man of integrity and uprightness, and he will not associate with the evildoers."

"There was the Minister of the Secretariat, Dong Jue, who investigated for deficiencies and filled gaps, and worked diligently, without fail."

"There is the Guard General Jiang Bin, a man of good character and integrity; there is the Prince's Servant Jiang Xian, handsome and eloquent; there is the Secretary Wei Ji, a man of good strategies and good governance; there is the Secretary General Xi Zheng, indifferent to fame and fortune, with a strong and upright character; there is the Grand Master of the Imperial Household Qiao Zhou, with extraordinary knowledge and extensive learning."

"There are also generals like Liao Hua, Zong Yu, Huo Yi, Zhang Tong, Yan Yu and many others, all of whom are brave and skilled in fighting."

"In addition to important officials, there are also Li Mi, Chen Shou, Liu Yin, Chang Xu, Zhang Yi, Xiang Tiao, Xiang Chong, Dong Hong, Deng Liang, Wen Li, Fei Gong and other loyal and capable people as well as young talents."

"Aren't these people considered talented?!"

Cao Mao asked again.

At this moment, the ministers of Shu Kingdom were no longer calm.

Their eyes were full of surprise.

Although the various countries are relatively familiar with each other's situations, even they cannot name the officials or talents in Wei in such detail.

It is said that the Emperor of Wei loved talented people, and it turns out to be true!

Liu Chan was a little confused at this moment. If Cao Mao hadn't told him, he wouldn't have known that he had so many talented people under his command.

Looking at the bewildered Liu Chan, Cao Mao continued, "However, Duke Anle surrendered in time and saved these talented people for me. This is why I treat him with such courtesy." Cao Mao then looked at the ministers and said seriously, "The world has been in turmoil for many years. The people have suffered, and loyal officials have been persecuted. Shu, at the border, may not be aware that the Hu people are becoming increasingly powerful around Wei. The Xianbei have already gathered hundreds of thousands of troops, and are said to have 200,000 skilled archers."

"I'm afraid they have the same ambitions as the Xiongnu in the pre-Han period. I've heard the Spring and Autumn Annals say: Respect the king and repel the barbarians!"

"If I wish to defeat foreign enemies and protect China, I must unify the country!"

"I am deeply pleased to see all these talented people submit to me. You are all capable and virtuous. This is the time for true men to achieve great things and leave their names in history!"

"I have always been clear about rewards and punishments. When I return to Luoyang, I will definitely make important appointments. I hope you can ignore the trivial matters of the past and do not miss this opportunity!"

Cao Mao added, "If there are any old ministers who wish to return home to retire, I will not force them. They can stay in Shu to retire."

Hearing this, the ministers could no longer hold back.

Cao Mao saw a gleam in the eyes of many people.

At this moment, a man stood up tremblingly.

The person who stood up was the old general Zong Yu. He had been in poor health to begin with, and the journey from Chengdu to Hanzhong was too much for him, and his condition worsened.

Although he was unsure whether Cao Mao was telling the truth, he had nothing to worry about at this point, so he simply said, "Your Majesty, I am old and sick, and I cannot bear the hardship of traveling. If Your Majesty can show mercy and allow me to stay in Shu to live out my days, I am willing to stay indoors and never interact with anyone again."

Cao Mao immediately frowned, "How can this be possible?"

A hint of disappointment flashed in the eyes of the ministers.

Cao Mao then asked, "Why do you stay indoors? Isn't this like imprisoning the general?"

"Don't worry, old general. If you're feeling unwell, you can stay in Hanzhong. You don't have to go to Luoyang. Your clansmen can also stay in Hanzhong and serve you. I will reward you with a mansion and some farmland. Your clansmen can farm here and support themselves. If you feel better, you can go out at will without any hindrance!"

At this moment, everyone was in an uproar.

There are also differences among the ministers, and it is impossible for Cao Mao to bring all the officials of Shu to Luoyang.

However, at least these people from the court must be taken away.

Because they have high official titles and great appeal in the local area, especially people like Zong Yu, who is the general of the Shu Kingdom. Anyone can stay, but people like him cannot.

Isn't the emperor afraid that they will rebel again?
Cao Mao was really not afraid.

Not to mention that many old ministers of Shu died on the way, nor is it said whether Zong Yu, an old man in his seventies, could rebel. Any rebellion is not without reason.

The people of Shu were tired of war, and the warmongering of the later Shu Kingdom had made them suffer so much that Cao Mao did not believe that they would still think of rebelling under his rule.

If the people of Shu were to rebel because of his governance, then it would not be Zong Yu's problem, but Cao Mao's own problem!

Now that they have enough food to eat and their lives are better than before, Anshi’s son rebelled!
Seeing that Cao Mao really agreed, the officials of Shu Kingdom were even more shocked.

Liu Chan was a little confused. Didn't he just promise them that they could resign and stay?

You can do it yourself.

Cao Mao looked at the faces of the Shu ministers and asked, "Are there any others who want to stay?"

Liao Hua also stood up at this moment. His condition was better than Zong Yu's, but he was really old and didn't know how many days he could live. At this time, even if he could reach Luoyang alive, he would probably die in Luoyang.

He said seriously, "Your Majesty, I am old, and I would like to ask Your Majesty to show mercy and allow me to stay in Shu."

"Okay, just like the Lord Zong, you will be allowed to stay in Hanzhong!"

Cao Mao waved his hand and agreed directly.

The officials of Shu looked at each other.

Fan Jian couldn't help but sigh at this moment.

No wonder the Shu Kingdom perished at the hands of this man.

It's really not unjust that he died.

Cao Mao asked again, but no minister said they wanted to stay.

Cao Mao was very happy, as this showed that these people were really willing to follow Cao Mao to do things.

There were actually quite a few talented people in Shu Kingdom, even those who had not entered officialdom were very numerous. This was the biggest gain for Cao Mao, who had always loved talents.

Cao Mao had very high requirements for officials, and most of the ministers in Shu were people who could do things but rarely offered advice. However, Cao Mao was not worried. There were simply too many people in Wei who could offer advice, and the Secretariat was full!
What is lacking is people who can follow orders.

Besides, there is a real shortage of talent in the Wei Dynasty.

These people can complement the local situation well and become one of the cornerstones of Cao Mao's governance of the world.

The contrast between Liu Chan and Cao Mao also became clearer in the eyes of the ministers.

Many ministers have begun to look forward to the new treatment they will receive under the new king.

(End of this chapter)