The elite did not migrate south

Chapter 771: Endless Killing

Sima Yan sat obediently in the carriage, looking at Cao Mao from time to time.

He had a lot of confusion in his mind, but didn't know how to ask.

He still didn't understand why His Majesty had to take action against those who followed him and made so many contributions.

They can't threaten Your Majesty at all.

Cao Mao felt Sima Yan's gaze, but he didn't say much.

Cao Mao naturally had his own reasons for taking action against these powerful families.

If I insist on saying that it is for the greater good of the world, then it would be too hypocritical. If we say that they are thieves of the country, then I, the feudal monarch, am the chief thief.

They are all just petty thieves. In terms of annexation, property, tenants and slaves, which big family can compare with Cao Mao's?
If you say that it is for the long-term prosperity of the Wei Dynasty, that is not right. No matter how powerful the Wei Dynasty is, how long can it last?
It's only been more than two hundred years, and it's very impressive to be able to reach three hundred years.

Every unified dynasty would first take action against the powerful families, but in the end, new problems would arise and the dynasty would inevitably go to destruction.

So what is it for?

Of course, it is to make the world a better place and to end the twisted and perverted clan politics as soon as possible.

Before the poison of this clan politics spreads throughout the body and burns the brain, we must eradicate it completely.

Cao Mao could not completely solve the problem of land annexation, nor could he suppress the big families forever, but the heavy-handed measures he took now could at least suppress the big families for a hundred years.

In the past hundred years, if other aspects had gone smoothly enough, the imperial examination system had become more perfect, and the education of the grassroots had become more outstanding, the knowledge monopoly in the hands of the big families could be broken, allowing the poor to succeed, then the aristocratic politics would have come to an end.

The powerful and wealthy will definitely still exist, but at least it will not develop into the current situation where "99% of officials in the world come from wealthy families"!

"Your Majesty, when I grow old, will I also have to go to the frontier?"

Sima Yan asked weakly.

Cao Mao glanced at him and said, "You don't have to. It doesn't matter where you stay."

"Oh"

"What about Da Sima?"

Sima Yan asked again.

This time Cao Mao did not rush to answer, "Let's talk about it later."

Although Cao Mao did not give a direct answer, Sima Yan felt that Sima's family might not be able to escape such a disaster.

When they were almost at the palace, Sima Yan got off the car. He still had studies to complete. Cao Mao gave him a few instructions and then quickened his pace.

Today he also has to meet with Zhong Hui to discuss another very important matter.

When Cao Mao hurried to the East Hall, Zhong Hui had been waiting for him for a long time.

It was not because Cao Mao was late, but because Zhong Hui came too early.

When he saw Cao Mao, Zhong Hui couldn't close his mouth with a smile.

It was not because of anything else, but because of a recent essay written by Cao Mao, entitled "Fish and Water Fu".

Just by looking at the name, you can get a general idea. Yes, this is a piece of writing specifically used to describe the relationship between him and Zhong Hui.

Compared with the previous poems, this essay is more powerful.

Cao Mao's prose really has a bit of the flavor of Cao Zhi. Cao Mao likes to use some romantic rhetoric. Although this guy admires Zuo Si's realism so much, in fact, he is also an imagist.

Everyone in the Cao family had some literary talent, and Cao Mao was one of the best.

In history, Cao Mao was praised as having a writing style better than Chen Si. Although this praise was a bit exaggerated, his literary skills were indeed not bad.

When this essay came out, Zhong Hui felt like he had been given a shot of super-strong adrenaline, which was much more powerful than any of his previous poems.

Before going to bed at night, he would have someone read the essay several times before he could fall asleep.

Zhong Hui, who was previously immersed in grief after the death of his brother, was instantly revived to full health. It can only be said that Cao Mao really knew how to use Zhong Hui.

"His Majesty!!"

Zhong Hui bowed deeply to him, then took out a lot of documents and placed them on the table.

"These are all the reform methods that Pei Xiu came up with."

"I think it's inappropriate. He has made changes to the current nobility system and established five ranks."

If the titles were reduced according to Cao Wei's original system, it would be too confusing, because Cao Wei's title system itself had some problems. After all, it was a system derived from wartime.

Pei Xiu proposed a five-level nobility system, which was actually very simple. It just followed the Zhou Li's duke, marquis, earl, viscount, and baron.

If the royal family is included, they can be divided into kings, dukes, county kings, etc.

Cao Mao took a look and thought of the final results of these five levels.

After Pei Xiu established the five ranks of nobility, the remaining marquises and Guannei marquises were gradually abolished. During the Sui and Tang dynasties, the five ranks and ten nobility became nine levels of nobility.

In fact, there is not much difference, they are king, prince, duke, county duke, county marquis, county earl, county son, and county baron.

Among them, a county king was abolished.

With this division, the titles are clear at a glance, and the descending order is clear.
Cao Mao narrowed his eyes, immediately picked up his pen, and began to make revisions. "My princes can be made kings, ruling a country, and members of the royal family can be made county princes, ruling a county. This is all fine, and I have no objection. But who are you going to confer as the county prince?"

"I think the title of county king can be abolished. In addition, the titles of township marquis and pavilion marquis can also be abolished."

Cao Mao wrote down his thoughts directly on the paper, which was actually just copying the final answer.

Historically, after the emergence of the new nobility system, the old system was not actually abolished, and a very strange coexistence situation emerged.

But Cao Mao naturally would not allow such a situation to happen. As of now, the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers have almost no role and have been completely replaced by the Three Terraces.

The system of three provinces and six ministries has taken on an almost complete form.

Many things that appeared during the Wei and Jin Dynasties were not perfected and solved until the Sui and Tang Dynasties. What happened during the time in between?

Well, let’s not talk about it.

When Cao Mao showed Zhong Hui his revised system of nobility, Zhong Hui felt it was a little strange but couldn't tell why.

Cao Mao couldn't help but fall into deep thought at this moment.

Why does it feel like the Wei Dynasty is becoming more and more like the Sui and Tang Dynasties?
This series of policies is very similar to the Tang Dynasty, which is not a bad thing, but the Jiedushi is still abolished and eunuchs cannot be reused.

Zhong Hui pondered for a long time, "Your Majesty's idea is quite unique. You can discuss it with Pei Xiu again."

Cao Mao nodded, "Okay, then go and talk!"

Cao Mao finally understood that Pei Xiu was not that famous in history. Of course, he was a super expert in cartography and a world-class celebrity.

However, he is not well-known for his political skills. However, if you carefully study the many policies of the Western Jin Dynasty, you will suddenly find that how can all the policies be related to this guy?

Cao Mao would not force Zhong Hui to do things according to his own ideas. He appreciated his subordinates having different opinions and ideas, as this was the only way to achieve results.

After discussing with Zhong Hui for a long time, he hurried away with the documents.

Cao Mao felt a special kind of relief.

He narrowed his eyes and even felt the urge to go out and bask in the sun. He didn't know whether Zhu Ying and others had arrived in Jiangdong.

After these two people arrive in Jiangdong, they can go on a diplomatic mission to Southeast Asia.

There are actually quite a lot of resources in Southeast Asia. If the Maritime Silk Road can be developed more, it may be faster and larger in scale than the land route.

If merchants from Rome can come to our Great Wei, why can’t merchants from our Great Wei go to Rome?

Cao Mao never thought of conquering Rome and Kushan.

The country is in chaos. If we send troops to fight them, there probably won't be many people left by the time the soldiers arrive.

But friendly exchanges are still possible, especially business exchanges.

The excellent products of the Wei Dynasty could be exported. The Romans liked Chinese porcelain, silk and other items the most.

The Kushans certainly liked it very much. They had previously sent envoys to ask for silk and paper.

Maybe we need to encourage overseas trade more in the future.
Cao Mao thought about what would happen in the future and a smile appeared on his face again.

"Father!!!"

A call broke Cao Mao's beautiful fantasy.

Cao Mao immediately frowned, "Come in!!"

The person who walked in quickly was Guo Ping.

Guo Ping hurriedly bowed to Cao Mao and said in a panic, "Father, something big has happened at the Imperial Academy!"

"Oh, isn't it just a classic debate? It's normal to have occasional bumps and bruises."

Guo Ping shook his head frantically. "Father, this isn't just a casual incident. I heard the scholars say the exams were unfair. The only people who passed were from the great families of the Central Plains. Someone had provided them with a lot of test questions, which prevented students from other places from passing."

"They said Pei Xiu was responsible for this and they're going to ask him about it at the Ministry of Rites!"

Cao Mao was stunned, and a gleam of light flashed in his eyes.

Pei Xiu just came up with a plan to reform the system today, and then someone said he cheated in the imperial examination?
Are you so quick to act?

Cao Mao would never believe that Pei Xiu cheated. Pei Xiu was just partial to the powerful families, he was not a madman. Besides, even if he wanted to cheat, the Ministry of Rites was not founded by him alone. Did he really think that the ministers under his command were useless idiots?

He is not Sima Anshi!

As for why the ones who finally passed were all the big families in the Central Plains, what else could it be? They had enough resources and the classics were passed down from generation to generation. How else could they compare?
These rats only dare to hide in the dark and instigate the students to cause trouble.

However, if this matter is not handled well, it will affect the imperial examination, which happens to be the most important thing.

Guo Ping saw that Cao Mao's face turned extremely bad in an instant.

"I really shouldn't have been soft-hearted towards these bastards. I thought they would behave themselves after what happened, but I didn't expect them to be so ruthless. Even in the current situation, they still want to attack us in secret!"

"I must kill these bastards, not a single one can be left alive!"

Cao Mao was furious, "Come here, go and call He Zeng over to me!!"

"Even after killing so many people, I still can't control them. It seems I'm too soft-hearted!! They brought this upon themselves!! I will make sure they don't dare to cause trouble again for the next ten years!!"

(End of this chapter)