The elite did not migrate south

Chapter 98: Not seeking merit, just to cause trouble

When he learned that he was going to be the emperor's teacher and came to the palace to teach.

Wang Xiang was very excited.

He thought this was a good opportunity for him to gain fame and also a good opportunity for him to participate in various "big events".

Wang Xiang was a fearless person. He was not afraid of losing his life if he got involved in these major events. He was only afraid that he would not be able to get involved in these major events.

Actually, his ideas are similar to Cao Mao's.

Doing it may not necessarily lead to progress, but not doing it will definitely make no progress.

Although he was excited, Wang Xiang actually didn't care too much about Cao Mao.

This is a huge chessboard. The most advantageous player at the moment is Sima Shi, who has countless chess pieces in his hand. Although the emperor has climbed onto the chessboard through a series of farces, he has too few chess pieces. On the surface, there is only one Guanqiu Jian, who cannot give direct command and is just a nominal chess player.

Wang Xiang never thought about having any connection with Cao Mao. He just wanted to see if he could become an opportunity in his hands.

But when Cao Mao talked about his ideas, Wang Xiang was a little confused.

What kind of selfless saintly king is this?
This is the true Holy Son of Heaven!!

Sima Shi!!

Look at them!!

If you don't get the support of your ministers and powerful families, you should look within yourself to see if the goal you've painted isn't big enough or if you haven't been friendly enough to the powerful families.
Cao Mao clearly saw the gleam in Wang Xiang's eyes.

As early as in Yuancheng, Cao Mao had talked about his ideas with Hua Biao. Hua Biao was very excited at that time, but he was destined not to have such courage. Even though he longed for the pie drawn by Cao Mao, he did not have the courage to risk his life to make it come true.

But Wang Xiang is different.

Whether in terms of vision, courage to do things, or appeal among the big families, Wang Xiang is not comparable to Huabiao in all aspects.

If Zhongzheng's idea made Wang Xiang happy, then the idea of tax exemption made him very excited.

Wang Xiang wanted to say something, but looking at the young man in front of him, he sighed helplessly.

such a pity.

Such a wise king, however, never lived to see the moment when he would hold great power.

If he could take power and implement these policies, why would he worry about the prosperity of the Wei Dynasty?

However, facing a powerful enemy like the Sima family, there was no chance of winning at all.

Neither Sima Shi nor Sima Zhao would obviously implement such a policy. They are far less wise than Your Majesty.

Wang Xiang's eyes were full of regret.

Cao Mao continued, "I have benefited immensely from your lectures today, including the punishments. To be honest, I also feel that the current punishments are excessive. They often execute entire families, even if they are guilty of a crime. Even then, they are considered virtuous. I have heard that officials are not subject to such punishments. How can you torture such virtuous people with such corporal punishments?"

"Both sides should be respectful. When you mention this, I think of what happened to Lord Xiahou, and I feel deeply sorry."

"There's one more thing I thought about back in Yuancheng. The Great Wei is different from the Former Han Dynasty. The Great Wei has so many talented people, but many of the official positions are similar to those in the Former Han Dynasty. How many talented people have been left out in the wild?"

"If we could create more official positions, so that all the talented people in the world could be employed by the government and participate in the great cause of governing the country, wouldn't that be wonderful?"

Cao Mao talked about his many ideas again.

Wang Xiang listened very carefully.

As he listened to the emperor's thoughts, his eyes looking at Cao Mao became more and more complicated.

The pie Cao Mao painted was very good, but Wang Xiang was not the kind of person who would get carried away by hearing a few words.

No matter how good the cake is drawn, it is still out of reach. Only what you eat is real.

"Your Majesty is truly a sage! The world is truly blessed to have a wise and benevolent ruler like you!"

After Wang Xiang said a few words, he began to talk about his empty strategies for governing the world again.

Cao Mao also knew that he couldn't sway the man in front of him by just making big promises. Just as Wang Xiang was explaining the corvée, Cao Mao suddenly interrupted him and said, "My Lord, I think that simply explaining these principles is of no use."

Wang Xiang was not angry. Instead, he smiled and asked, "Then what does Your Majesty think?"

"We should strive to promote it!" Wang Xiang was silenced again.

"What does your majesty mean?"

"My Lord, I am still young and still have many things I don't understand about state affairs. If I were to carry them out on my own, I'm afraid it would not be easy. However, I have many wise ministers in the court. When I first ascended the throne, the general said that with the help of these wise ministers, we could accomplish the great cause of unification."

"My Lord, if I were to step forward, and with the assistance of my ministers, could I implement the things I just mentioned within a short period of time?"

Wang Xiang was a little restless at this moment.

The emperor wasn't just painting a pie in the sky! He really wanted to make the pie and feed it to them!
Wang Xiang had previously believed that Cao Mao was trying to win his support by making false promises, hoping to get the noble families to take sides. But now, Wang Xiang was a little confused. Are you serious?
Cao Mao seemed very anxious. "Prince, do you think it can be done? Apart from other things, the matter of assigning rank to the great families should be feasible, right?"

"If I were to come forward and tell the general, he would certainly not refuse! The general loves virtuous people the most!"

"No!"

Wang Xiang quickly interrupted.

My goodness, I just finished teaching you a lesson and you went to tell the general about this. What would the general think?
Moreover, if Your Majesty proposed such a good policy, wouldn't the general reject it outright? If we wanted to use it in the future, it would also arouse the general's fear.

Wang Xiang made a quick judgment. He looked at the emperor sincerely and said, "Your Majesty, now is not a good time to implement this plan. The general is seriously ill and many things are complicated. I am afraid that the ministers do not have the energy to do this."

"Besides, Your Majesty is still young and lacks experience in governing the country. If you rashly propose something and something goes wrong, wouldn't it tarnish Your Majesty's reputation?"

"That's absolutely unacceptable."

"Ah? What should I do then?"

Cao Mao looked at him curiously.

Wang Xiang seemed hesitant. He frowned and looked at the emperor before him, as if he had made up his mind. "Your Majesty, if you truly wish to implement such a policy, then I will do it for you."

"I am willing to do this for you. If anything goes wrong, I will bear the responsibility and it will not affect Your Majesty!"

Wang Xiang acted so righteously.

Cao Mao knew in his heart that this person wanted to kick him out and eat the cake himself.

Wang Xiang must have thought that he wanted to win over the ministers through this matter. Therefore, as long as he was not involved, this matter would be a private matter between the ministers and the general, and had nothing to do with Cao Mao. Simply put: your idea is very good, and now it is mine.

As to whether such a policy would lead to trouble, Wang Xiang also has his own considerations.

In the current situation, the general is seriously ill, Guanqiu Jian is eyeing the country covetously from outside, the internal situation is not stable, and people are in panic. At this time, if the Sima family does not want to further win over the ministers, how dare they take action against them?

Gao Rou's previous intervention to stop the ministers had already caused dissatisfaction among many people.

If you dare to continue the strong suppression and kill people again, then we will all fight with you. You don't want us to stand on Guanqiu Jian's side, do you?

Although such behavior is likely to offend the Sima family and lead to their revenge in the future, if you can't eat from five tripods while you are alive, you will be cooked in five tripods after you die!

Looking at Wang Xiang who was eager to try, Cao Mao felt very relieved.

You want to kick me out? Fine, go ahead and kick me out!
But you must do this.

Cao Mao never thought that he could easily win over these aristocratic families to his side. These people were so cunning, how could they go against the Sima family for the sake of the Void Pie?

However, as long as they could come forward to bring blessings to the general, Cao Mao would be satisfied.

Anyway, governing the world is now the Sima family's responsibility. You can do as much harm as you can while Sima Shi and Sima Zhao are still around.

If Anshi was the current ruler, Cao Mao would definitely not instigate them. Otherwise, given Anshi's personality, he would probably have agreed directly.

But Sima Shi and Sima Zhao knew the pros and cons. They could make certain concessions to the powerful families, but they could not do so at the cost of the destruction of the country.

Anyway, the policy has been made, so you can go and discuss it with Sima Shi.

Cao Mao was deeply moved and took Wang Xiang's hand. "My Lord, I'm sorry to trouble you. You can handle these matters with confidence. If you need me to intervene, just ask. I will never let you bear the responsibility for my affairs!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!!"

The king and his minister looked at each other affectionately.

A strong wind started blowing in front of the hall at some point, and the fire in the hall was swaying, as if it would go out at any time.

(End of this chapter)