The elite did not migrate south

Chapter 699: Still need a reason?
"Every year, people come to Xun Xi's mansion but never return."

"After so many years, why don't these people know to change someone?"

"Xun Xi has killed so many people, but he still doesn't learn his lesson."

Cao Mao was really confused.

I don’t know when it started, but I remember that a long time ago, Xun Yi began to collude with various big families to do all kinds of things.

So far, he has never been honest.

Participated in almost everything.

All his teammates were killed or wounded, but he was the only one who has been kept safe until now.

Under such circumstances, how could anyone dare to ask him to be their teammate?
Looking at the bewildered Cao Mao, Zhang Hua smiled and explained, "Among the many ministers, Xun Yi is the least close to Your Majesty. Furthermore, his clan is powerful, so these people are willing to seek him out."

"Heh, Maoxian, what do you think these people want to do?"

Zhang Hua analyzed seriously, "Your Majesty, I think their involvement in the Imperial Academy incident this time is to protect themselves. Everyone in the world knows that Qiao Zhou and others dared to jump out because of your imperial edict. They are now on your side."

“They feel like you’re taking this seriously.”

"So, they helped Kong Chao, Qiao Zhou, and others, firstly to gain Your Majesty's favor, and secondly to tie themselves to the Wang School, making it difficult for Your Majesty to take action against them."

Cao Mao sneered.

"That's all they have."

"I initially thought they wanted to use the students to get things done, but from the current situation, they are only in the Imperial College to protect themselves as much as possible."

"What else can they do? Incite the people to rebellion?"

"Are you calling on the ministers to oppose me?"

Zhang Hua immediately said: "Your Majesty, you don't have to worry. These people can't cause any trouble. I have sent people to keep an eye on them. If they dare to make even the slightest move..."

Cao Mao threw his head back and laughed.

"These people are nothing but a bunch of good-for-nothings. Are they worthy of me keeping an eye on them?"

Zhang Hua was stunned and looked at Cao Mao in confusion.

Cao Mao immediately looked at Man Changwu at the door.

"Captain Man!!"

"His Majesty!!"

"Take your men and go to Xun Yi's residence now and bring all those people back to me. Don't leave any of them alive!"

Man Changwu didn't ask anything, just replied "Yes", turned around and left.

Zhang Hua was stunned.

"Your Majesty! These people are all well-known figures in the country, and their connections are widespread. Furthermore, there's no law prohibiting them from coming to Luoyang. They've even worked at the Imperial Academy before. If you were to arrest them directly, I think it would be inappropriate!"

Cao Mao looked at the panicked Zhang Hua and said with a smile, "Mr. Mao, don't panic. I'm not saying I'm going to arrest them and execute them. I'm just bringing them here to have a chat."

"You are still too cautious."

"This employment is very important."

"If something goes wrong or something goes wrong, all my efforts over the years will be wasted."

"Since I know they are going to do evil, even if they haven't started yet, I will take action first. Otherwise, if I wait until they start to act before trying to stop them, I don't know how much I will have to pay."

"As for the law you mentioned, it's only necessary to use it against those who obey the law. Why would we even need to use it against those who violate the law?!"

Zhang Hua still felt something was wrong.

But he couldn't convince the emperor and could only sigh helplessly.

Cao Mao got up and left the West Hall, preparing to meet those bastards in the East Hall.

"Hahaha, it won't be long before we see results!"

In Xun Yi's mansion, everyone gathered here, all with smiles on their faces.

Only Xun Yi seemed a little hesitant and very worried.

More and more famous people came to Luoyang, and they all said they came for debate.

The benefits of this matter are already obvious. After these people joined, the originally weak Wang School received a great boost, soared to the sky, and quickly crushed the Zheng School, becoming famous in the Imperial College.

It then started from the Imperial College and continued to ferment in various places. Qiao Zhou's re-proposed theory of heaven also showed great influence.

The previous book "Chang Yan" has become a hot reading material.

Many celebrities no longer criticize the book as they did in the past, but instead find ways to praise it.

Xun Yi felt that he had not missed any of the tasks assigned to him by the emperor and had completed most of them.

However, these people came to Luoyang not simply to help him accomplish this task. What they were planning next was what Xun Yi feared.

He has been defeated by the emperor too many times, and he really doesn't want to go against the emperor anymore.

However, this policy is now really putting pressure on them.

Or maybe he saw what Xun Yi was thinking.

Cai Mu said, "Lord Xun, don't worry."

"We came here this time for academic matters. This matter is known to all the scholars in Luoyang. We spend all day together, either drinking or discussing academic matters in the Imperial Academy. We have never done anything detrimental to the court."

"If something serious happens, it has nothing to do with us." "Besides, we are all supporters of Wangxue and work for His Majesty."

Cai Mu said with a smile.

Then everyone started laughing.

Things at the Imperial Academy gave them a great sense of security.

Xun Yi shook his head and said, "You don't know, His Majesty is such an intelligent person, surrounded by so many talented people, I'm afraid nothing can be hidden from him."

Seeing Xun Yi like this, several people looked at each other with some disdain in their eyes.

If they couldn't find anyone else in the court, they would never have come to find Xun Yi.

But they still needed an important official, at least someone who could establish connections with the Nine Ministers and obtain information from the court for them. Xun Yi was the most suitable leader.

This guy is also big, so if something goes wrong, we can push him out.
Just when Cai Mu was about to speak again to appease this guy, there was a sudden noise outside the door.

Everyone was shocked and was about to speak when the door was kicked open.

Immediately, a group of guards raised their crossbows and aimed at the people in front of them.

Seeing this scene, everyone in the room seemed like ducks with their necks strangled. The room was silent and everyone just looked at the people in front of them in horror.

Cai Mu glanced at Xun Yi and found that he was equally frightened. Then he asked, "What happened?"

Then he saw a man walking out from the soldiers. Man Changwu looked at the person in front of him, picked up the documents, and checked them one by one.

"Take them all away, not one less!"

At Man Changwu's command, the soldiers stepped forward and started arresting people.

Perhaps because there were powerful crossbows pointed at them, these people didn't dare to resist or even ask questions.

Only Cai Mu was not afraid of the approaching soldiers. He loudly demanded, "Who are you? How dare you disrespect me?!"

"Even the General Zhenbei calls me Grandfather! Who are you?!"

Hearing his question, Man Changwu's eyes slowly moved to him.

Cai Mu was the most confident among everyone.

It's not just because of his prominent status and many relatives, but mainly because of his old age.

At his age, he doesn't even need to bow when meeting the emperor, and these people dare to touch me?!

He raised his head and stared at Man Changwu, feeling very unconvinced.

"Shut his mouth and take him away."

Man Changwu gave the order, and Cai Mu was furious. Before he could say anything, he was captured by the soldiers, his mouth was gagged with cloth, and he was taken away.

Seeing that Cai Mu was treated like this, the others didn't dare to say anything. Xun Yi swallowed his saliva.

Others may not know him, but he knows who this person is!!
The emperor knew?

At this moment, Xun Yi was filled with indescribable fear.

Everyone was forced into the car and then drove towards the palace.

Although Man Changwu has not spoken yet and has not expressed his identity and position, most people can guess his origins.

That was Xun Xi. Who else could break into his house openly, bring all his people out, and make Xun Xi not dare to say a word?

But they didn’t understand. They hadn’t had time to do anything yet, so why would someone come to arrest them?
What went wrong.

They were brought into the East Hall in confusion.

When they walked in, they saw the east hall was full of soldiers.

These armored soldiers, however, held short weapons and stood on both sides, staring intently with ferocious expressions.

The emperor sat on the throne, looking at them with a smile.

"Greetings to Your Majesty!!"

Everyone bowed and greeted Cai Mu, and only then was he put on the ground, and the soldiers took the cloth out of his mouth.

Cai Mu did not take action immediately, but followed the other ministers to pay their respects first.

Cao Mao nodded and said, "Sit down."

Everyone looked at their own position. They were right in front of those armored soldiers, under their short weapons.

Everyone was restless at this moment and didn't dare to go over.

The smile on Cao Mao's face gradually froze. "Why, you all want to disobey the imperial edict?"

They then walked over and sat down in panic. The armored soldiers were standing behind them. The coldness of the short weapons in their hands seemed to pierce the back of their necks, making their scalps numb.

Cai Mu did not move.

After everyone was seated, he still stood there.

"Your Majesty! I have devoted myself to the country and have never committed any wrongdoing. I have even come to the Imperial Academy to study. I wonder why Your Majesty would treat an old minister like this?"

"Your Majesty's favored general was disrespectful to me and attacked me. I am so old, yet I have been treated like this. I am truly heartbroken and angry!"

"I believe I have a clear conscience. If Your Majesty treats me this way because of the slander of a villain, I am willing to die to prove my loyalty! I will never be humiliated!!!"

(End of this chapter)