The elite did not migrate south

Chapter 541: Who will succeed this great title?
Deng Ai was not used and was sent back to his mansion again.

However, his son Deng Zhong was summoned to the Secretariat again.

His previous achievements were not wiped out.

Zheng Mao was not such a villain.

But Deng Ai was quite unhappy. He still felt that he should go to Huainan and take charge of this war.

Although Deng Ai was not used, Cao Mao still felt that he could discuss his ideas with Guanqiu Jian.

At the same time, people from Shu Kingdom were constantly returning to the temple.

In addition to the large number of victorious soldiers, there were also those surrendered generals who later surrendered, as well as those who Cao Mao specifically asked to be brought along.

First of all, Zhong Hui returned to Luoyang.

"His Majesty!!"

Zhong Hui appeared in the Taiji Hall again, his voice exceptionally loud.

Cao Mao was very surprised to see Zhong Hui suddenly appear in front of him.

"Didn't they say it would arrive in three days?"

"What are you doing"

"Your Majesty, there are so many things to do in the palace. How can we waste time on the journey? I returned on a fast horse!"

Cao Mao smiled bitterly and shook his head, then gestured for him to sit down.

Zhong Hui sat next to Cao Mao. This time, Zhong Hui had achieved his ambition of destroying the country and becoming a marquis. He was eager to return to the court, probably to share his success with people he cared about.

For example, the ones in the bamboo forest, the one in the Tai Chi Hall, and of course, the one at home.

Zhong Hui straightened his body and looked at Cao Mao expectantly.

This was waiting for Cao Mao to praise him.

"Shi Ji has performed a great service this time! The Grand Commandant has told me that along the way, Shi Ji offered many strategic suggestions and personally led the troops, achieving numerous victories and breaching several checkpoints. He also saw through Jiang Wei's schemes, preventing the situation in Shu from worsening!"

"After conquering Shu, Shi Ji visited many local celebrities and heroes, and gathered many talents for the court!"

"With wise ministers like Shi Ji, a peaceful world is just around the corner!"

Cao Mao praised Zhong Hui for a long time, and his face turned red, and he looked like he was exhausted.

"Your Majesty, Shu is truly home to many famous scholars. I have made many friends during my time in Shu."

Zhong Hui took out a list from his sleeve.

"These are all the talented people in Shu who have never served in government."

Cao Mao picked up the list and praised it a few more times, although he knew in his heart that these were probably the good-looking talents in Shu.
Zhong Hui talked about Liu Yin, the prefect of Hanzhong.

He said: "Your Majesty, you don't know that this man is extremely talented, upright and loyal, good at government affairs, knowledgeable about military affairs, and savvy about strategy. It is really a waste of his talent to serve under Liu Chan!"

"For someone like him to be ordered to guard a small checkpoint, this isn't just a waste of talent; it's a sheer humiliation!"

When Zhong Hui talked about Liu Chan, his eyes were filled with anger.

Perhaps in his opinion, a guy who has so many famous people but looks down on them and hangs out with eunuchs all day long should be dragged out and tortured to death!
It's like the best card in your eyes is used by someone who doesn't know its value to pick his teeth and open a lock.

Cao Mao had heard of Liu Yin, but he didn't expect that he was actually good-looking.

To be praised to this extent by Zhong Hui, besides being talented, he must also be very good-looking.

Zhong Hui really doesn't care about your talent. People who only have talent but no looks don't deserve his favor, because Zhong Hui thinks that no matter how talented you are, you are not as good as me anyway.

However, the Liu Yin he mentioned is indeed a useful talent.

After he has been in the local area for some time, he may become a governor or directly enter the imperial court.

Zhong Hui then introduced the rest of the people to Cao Mao. It turned out that Zhong Hui's time in Shu was not in vain. It seemed that he was visiting all kinds of people outside every day.

After introducing these talented people, Zhong Hui began to talk about the governance of Shu.

Speaking of this, Zhong Hui's face was not so good.

"Your Majesty, why don't you just make Zhang Hua the King of Shu?"

Cao Mao laughed and said, "Shi Ji, Mao was only in Shu as an inspector. He was only in charge of military and political affairs just to make it easier for him to supervise. Why do you have to do this?"

Zhong Hui has always been dissatisfied with Zhang Hua. After all, Zhang Hua is younger than him, but his promotion speed has surpassed Zhong Hui who is the same age.

This made Zhong Hui somewhat displeased with him.

Now, although Zhang Hua has no title, he is the direct governor of the military and political affairs of Shu and holds the imperial seal. How can Zhong Hui still bear it?
After hearing Cao Mao's explanation, Zhong Hui said again: "Your Majesty, although Zhang Hua has some talents, he is a flatterer and a man of mean stature. He is not fit for important positions!"

"Besides, at his age, if he were to govern Shu, what would the officials of Shu think? They would feel that they were being looked down upon."

Cao Mao did not interrupt Zhong Hui and listened to him carefully express his thoughts.

Cao Mao then spoke up and said, "Shi Ji, the truth is, I originally wanted you to go to Shu to govern, but then I realized that the affairs of the court couldn't be done without you, so I chose someone who could carry out my orders and send him to Shu."

"My idea is to discuss with you the policy for governing Shu, and then let him implement it."

"Shi Ji thinks Zhang Hua is not capable of such a responsibility?"

Zhong Hui suddenly fell silent.

He hesitated for a moment, feeling extremely conflicted.

Zhong Hui was certainly aware of Zhang Hua's abilities. If it came to fulfilling the imperial mandate, then Zhang Hua was definitely capable. However, it had to be this kid. Zhong Hui finally gritted his teeth and made a decision, "Until we find a suitable candidate, let him take the position."

It can be seen that Zhong Hui made this decision with great difficulty.

Zhong Hui listened to the emperor's flattery for a while, and then hurriedly left.

Cao Mao also knew that he had many people to meet, so he gave him a few days of vacation so that he could fully show off.

After Zhong Hui walked out of the Taiji Hall, he went to his brother's residence.

Zhong Yu was not alone at home; he was with the former Taichang Xiahou He.

Xiahou He was transferred to the Censorate to take up a post. His next step may be to go to Jingnan and take charge of the affairs of Jingnan.

He has a very good relationship with Zhong Yu.

Now that the Censorate is not as busy as before, he comes to chat with his friends.

However, after the two of them had just drunk some wine, Zhong Hui walked into the mansion with a big laugh.

Seeing this dirty thing, Zhong Yu just felt a headache.

"Brother! Lord Xiahou!"

Zhong Hui bowed from a distance, which was actually quite rude. When facing an elder, one should come up to him and bow. Such a bow from a distance was a bit casual.

"I have returned from conquering Shu! I have been granted a title and a higher rank, and am now a county marquis!"

Zhong Hui's voice was very loud.

Zhong Yu took a deep breath and looked at Xia Houhe who was standing beside him. "My brother drank some wine secretly when he was young, so this happened. I hope you won't blame me."

Xia Houhe's lips trembled, and he smiled and said, "Of course not. Everyone knows that Zhong Shiji is very talented. It's a blessing for you to have such a brother!"

Zhong Hui sat down beside them with a smile on his face. He said to Xiahou He, "I used to think you were just above average, but I didn't expect you to have some talent."

Zhong Yu's face suddenly darkened.

Xiahou He had no intention of continuing drinking, so he had to say goodbye to Zhong Yu and leave.

Zhong Yu reluctantly escorted Xiahou He all the way to the door and apologized sincerely.

After seeing Xiahou He off, Zhong Yu just felt tired.

For many years, Zhong Hui has been frantically destroying the network of contacts left by his father, while he himself has been constantly repairing them. If this continues, he will have few friends left.

After sending this person out, Zhong Yu returned with gritted teeth, only to see Zhong Hui eating and drinking heartily.

"Do you really have to offend all my friends?! Lord Xiahou is a senior official of the imperial clan. Your Majesty intends to send him out as a governor. How can you..."

"Brother, please stay away from each other."

Zhong Hui glanced at him and said seriously, "The Wu Kingdom can no longer hold out for much longer. Once it is destroyed, His Majesty will then deal with aristocratic families like yours!"

“Me like this???”

Zhong Yu was furious and sneered, "Why, are you planning to change your last name?"

Zhong Hui said calmly, "I didn't say that, brother. If the Sima family were in power, the more friends the better. We would support and promote each other. But now, it is Your Majesty who is in power, and Your Majesty will soon deal with these powerful families."

"At times like this, the more friends you have, the faster you die. You might not even know how you died. You might be involved in some conspiracy."

"Brother, be careful."

Zhong Yu finally did not refute Zhong Hui this time. Zhong Yu knew more about what Zhong Hui knew than Zhong Hui did.

He sat in front of Zhong Hui and looked at his useless brother.

"I'm not afraid of these friends bringing disaster upon me, I'm just afraid of you bringing disaster upon our clan. His Majesty's love for you is too much, and this has made you even more presumptuous and disregardful of etiquette. I'm afraid that one day, you'll bring me great disaster."

Zhong Hui didn't care. He had been hearing these words for almost ten years.

His brother started saying this when he sent his father's disciple and former official to prison.

Zhong Hui cleared his throat and said, "Brother, please stop talking about this. There is something important I want to discuss with you."

"You say it."

"I want offspring."

"Cough cough cough~~"

Zhong Yu started coughing violently, but he quickly calmed down and looked at Zhong Hui.

"Have you finally figured it out?"

"Okay, it's time for you to get married. You should have gotten married a long time ago. I've been worried about this. You don't know what people say about you outside. If you never get married, I won't be able to face my father even after I die. I'll arrange it for you now!"

Zhong Hui shook his head and said, "Brother, I don't want to get married."

"These personal matters will only hinder my achievements and career, but will do me no good. I was just wondering, among all your sons, could you give me one to inherit my title?"

"Wouldn't it be a shame if such a good title of mine were to be lost after my death?"

The smile on Zhong Yu's face suddenly froze.

He took a deep breath.

“Get out of here!!!”

(End of this chapter)