The elite did not migrate south

Chapter 714: Not Serve the Powerful
"His Majesty!"

Zheng Mao bowed to meet him, and Hua Yi followed closely behind.

Cao Mao smiled and asked them to sit down. Facing these two people, Cao Mao did not need so many polite words and directly asked about who would be suitable candidates if Shazhou was to be established.

If he was just a provincial governor, Cao Mao would not have invited Zheng Mao over.

Cao Mao needed a governor of Shazhou, a prefect of Dunhuang, a prefect of Gaochang, a new chief secretary, and a new colonel.

The current governor of Dunhuang is surnamed Yan, and he is from a prominent family in Liangzhou. According to his background, he should not have been an official in Liangzhou. It was only because of the serious shortage of officials in the Wei Dynasty that he was not replaced.

If Dunhuang is to be the core, this person who always tries to evade responsibility must no longer be used.

He can be a prefect, but not in Dunhuang, he can go to another place.

As for Cheng Yi, he is already very old. This time when he comes back, he must be allowed to rest in his hometown. There is no reason to send him to Liangzhou to do hard work.

After Cao Mao finished expressing his thoughts, Hua Yi fell silent and tilted his head to look at Zheng Mao.

Zheng Mao said without hesitation: "Shangshu Lang Liu Song can take the position."

Cao Mao was stunned. After thinking for a moment, he had no impression of this person. He asked, "What talents does he have to be appointed as a provincial governor?"

Zheng Mao said, "Liu Song comes from a prominent family. He is a descendant of Liu Xu, the Prince of Guangling and son of Emperor Xiaowu of the Former Han Dynasty."

"His father, Liu Guan, had been a prefect. He was very intelligent when he was young and was praised by his fellow townsmen. He later took the imperial examinations for filial piety and integrity, and later for scholar status, but he chose not to. Later, he took the imperial examinations and was a candidate for the position of Lang."

"This man is well versed in law, upright, and good at government affairs. When he was a minister, he proposed many policies that benefited the people."

"When the land award order was first issued, this person was the happiest and was praised as the wisest order of the time."

"I believe that if Your Majesty appoints this man as the Governor of Shazhou, he will surely accomplish great things, whether it's dealing with criminals and traitors or developing the local area, and will not disappoint Your Majesty's high hopes."

After hearing what Zheng Mao said, Cao Mao looked at Hua Yi.

"Minister Hua, what are you still standing there for? Write it down!"

Hua Yi quickly picked up his pen and started writing.

Zheng Mao said: "There are several other people"

"No need. Since Duke Zheng was the first to recommend this person, he must be capable of great things. Let him be the governor of Shazhou!"

Cao Mao made the decision immediately. Zheng Mao was a little surprised. "Your Majesty, why don't you meet this person and ask him about his affairs?"

"No need. Don't I trust the person recommended by Duke Zheng?"

Zheng Mao was deeply touched.

Cao Mao then asked, "Who can take on the position of prefect?"

Zheng Mao said without hesitation: "Secretary Lang Zheng Mo can take the position."

Cao Mao was suddenly stunned, "Zheng Mo is not yours."

"It is my eldest son."

"Although this boy is foolish, he understands the principles of local governance, has a heart that cares for the people, acts with discretion, is not partisan, is generous and tolerant, modest and prudent. He previously performed great service as a secretary, and is therefore qualified to serve as a county governor."

Zheng Mao commented on his eldest son, but his expression did not change at all.

Cao Mao couldn't help but praise him, saying, "People who recommend talented people should be like Duke Zheng. They are not afraid to recommend their enemies, nor are they afraid to recommend their relatives!"

"Okay, let Zheng Mo be the governor of Dunhuang County!"

Cao Mao also knew about Zheng Mo's previous contributions. He improved the classification method of books, using A, B, C, and D for classification, which had a huge impact.

Cao Mao then asked about the candidates for the post of Colonel and Chief Secretary.

Zheng Mao gave two names without hesitation.

One was Deng Ai's son Deng Zhong, and the other was Liu Shi, a commoner.

There is no need to say much about Deng Zhong, but as for Liu Shi, his background was not very good.

His father, Liu Guang, was a county magistrate. The son of a county magistrate was definitely not from a prominent family. He lost his father when he was young and his family was poor. He relied on selling cowhide to support himself, but he was very studious. He would tie ropes in his hands and recite poems and books.

It is because of this love of learning that he has extensive knowledge, is familiar with ancient and modern times, has a clean character and flawless behavior, and is deeply respected and loved by the local people.

Later, he worked as a minor official in Luoyang. Through his many meritorious services, he was promoted to the position of Henan Yincheng, and was later promoted to Shangshu Lang, Tingwei Zheng, and Libu Lang. However, when his official position was constantly rising, his good son Liu Xia accepted a huge bribe.

Because the Ministry of Personnel is a good place, as evidenced by the example of Wang Rong, the Ministry of Personnel is in charge of the promotion and advancement of officials throughout the world.

I don’t know how many people are eyeing this position. Even if it is just a Personnel Officer, in the eyes of everyone, it is still shining, and everyone wants to have a good relationship with him.

However, Liu Shi was a very honest person. He would never accept bribes from these people. If someone asked him to do something for him, he would get angry and drive them away. Because of his honesty, his family life was not very good. He expected his children to be like him and to be self-reliant. He often told them stories about his childhood.

Unfortunately, his sons were destined not to study as hard and become successful as he did.

His son Liu Xia accepted a large amount of bribes and promised those people to whisper in his father's ears and let his father agree to the appointment and dismissal of those people.

Later, after Wang Rong got into trouble, Cao Mao ordered a thorough investigation of the entire Ministry of Personnel.

As a result of the investigation, Liu Xia was found to be the culprit, and this official from the Ministry of Personnel was also dismissed.

Because Liu Shi was unaware of the incident until it happened, Cao Mao simply dismissed him from his official position, making him a commoner. As for his good son, he was exiled to Jiaozhou.
Zheng Mao recommended this person again.

Zheng Mao said, "Although Lord Liu failed to discipline his son, his talent and character are commendable. Rather than letting him continue to be a commoner in Luoyang, why not let him become the Chief of the Western Regions? This can be considered as a way for him to atone for his sins. What do you think, Your Majesty?"

Cao Mao agreed again.

At this moment, Cao Mao just felt refreshed.

What a powerful person he is, he becomes more and more amazing as he gets older.

If I were asked to think of four suitable candidates, I would probably have to think for several days and might not be able to come up with such suitable people. But if it was given to Zheng Mao, he provided Cao Mao with a complete list of candidates in a moment.

Cao Mao took Zheng Mao's hand and sighed again, "It is a great blessing for me to have Duke Zheng in the court!"

Zheng Mao smiled and shook his head, "Your Majesty, why do you say that? To have you and your ministers is a great blessing to the world!"

The two looked at each other with a smile.

Hua Yi sat aside, feeling very complicated.

He was very envious of Duke Zheng's skill, but this was something that not everyone could learn.

In the future, I will consult Mr. Zheng more often and see when I can master his skills.

Too learned.

Xiahou He sat in the mansion, looking up with a rather arrogant look on his face.

The person sitting in front of him at this moment seemed a little uneasy.

"Lord Xiahou, we used to have quite a friendship."

Xiahou He shook his head. "This isn't something that can be solved simply by having connections. More and more people are coming to see me these days, and I can't let friendships hinder my work. How can I possibly live up to your Majesty's high expectations?"

"Don't worry, you are a famous scholar after all, and you have made great contributions in the past. If I really want to hire someone, I will definitely use you first!"

After listening to Xiahou He's words, this person's face became very depressed. He saluted Xiahou He again and then left.

Xiahou He watched him leave and then sneered.

This man was called Wu Xi, the eldest son of the former Weiwei Wu Zhou. When he was young, he hung out with Sima Shi and others. He was a famous scholar and later served as a county magistrate. When Sima Shi was the general, he once appointed him as the Inspector of the Sili Army and the Minister of the Imperial Household. Sima Zhao also valued him very much, but when the big clan broke with the Sima family, he stood on the side of the big clan.

Later, Cao Mao came to power and began to investigate all officials. Fearing that he would be implicated, he resigned and left.

Later on, he became a free and easy celebrity, spending his days traveling, commenting on people around the world, and doing nothing else.

Xiahou He still remembered that when he was ordered to manage the Imperial College and invited those famous scholars to come, they were more arrogant than each other, saying that they were unwilling to serve the powerful and wealthy, and that they were solitary and wanted to live in seclusion in the mountains.

As a result, as soon as the order to reward land came down, they instantly changed their attitude and actively visited Xiahou He, hoping to get a job in the Imperial Academy.

Xiahou He finally understood.

What does it mean to not serve the powerful and wealthy, what does it mean to be a lone wild crane? It all comes down to not having to worry about food and drink!
In the past, Wu Hui entrusted his farmland to his third brother, without having to pay taxes. He expanded his farmland unscrupulously and lived a lavish life without having to worry about his life.

After the land reward order came down, he had to pay taxes for his farmland and he could no longer live in seclusion in the mountains.

Their secluded life in the mountains was also very elegant. They wore brocade and silk and ate beef and mutton every day.

There are also beautiful women serving him.

Now that these people have realized that their good life is gone forever, they are all anxious to become officials again, at least to solve the tax problem.

Now that there is no conscription, and they are too embarrassed to take part in the examination, the best way is to register in the Imperial Academy and become an official of the Imperial Academy.

I don't ask for the title of Taixue Jijiu, but the title of Jingxue Jijiu or something like that will be fine!
Xiahouhe is in a very good mood now.

Just as I begged you in the past, you must beg me now in the same way!
Do you really think that this Imperial College is a place where you can register whenever you want?
There were many famous scholars in the Wei and Jin Dynasties because there were so many children of wealthy families who had no worries about food and clothing. They did not need to be officials or work hard, and they could live a good life without worries about food and clothing.

But when they lost their umbrella of protection and started paying taxes and living a normal life like ordinary people, they could no longer say things like living in seclusion in the mountains and not caring about fame, wealth and power.

(End of this chapter)