[Three Kingdoms] Seven steps into wetness

Sima Yi has been a little annoyed recently.

His troubles are not Cao Cao's intentional or unintentional temptation, nor is it that the officials of the court and China are restless because of the reform.The source of his troubles was actually Chen Qun.

Chen Qun and him have known each other since they were young, and they have become acquainted with each other.Later he joined Cao Ying and became Cao Pi's teacher, and now Sima Yi is also here. The two people who are not very familiar have become old friends.

Therefore, Chen Qun often came to his mansion to drink and chat with him, occasionally talking about Cao Pi.

Sima Yi's heart was as clear as a mirror, and he remained calm.

If Cao Pi seems to be wooing him, he will naturally feel it, but now is not a good time for the team, why should he take the risk of being beheaded by Cao Cao and seek refuge with Cao Pi?

Now because of the political reform, Chen Qun often stays in his residence, and as time goes by, he becomes more and more anxious.

Sima Yi sighed: "Changwen, Changwen, can I stop walking around? You keep walking around in my house, don't you feel dizzy?"

Chen Qun said urgently: "Today, the Fourth Young Master is hosting a banquet for the ministers, what should we do!"

Sima Yi chuckled lightly: "From my point of view, there is nothing urgent about this matter."

Chen Qun said solemnly: "Zhong Da! You don't know how troubled Mr. Pi is, and naturally you don't know why I am so panicked!"

Sima Yi closed his eyes and smiled.He has a handsome face, and this smile is naturally very good-looking: "Actually, looking at it the other way around, the more the Fourth Young Master handles this matter beautifully, it may be a good thing for Young Master Pi."

Chen Qun wondered, "Why?"

Sima Yi smiled and said nothing.

Chen Qun patted the table and said helplessly: "I said Zhongda, why can't you just finish the sentence? You've already said half of what you said, and you want to die in a hurry?"

"The prime minister's meaning, who can guess. But since Mr. Pi wants to guess, let's guess first. The prime minister ordered the fourth son to participate in the reform-this is flattering..." Sima Yi poured him a glass of wine, his eyes were cold What's more, "Oh, it's also killing."

Regardless of the outside world's doubts, Cao Zhi eventually participated in it.

These days, people have heard that after the emperor agreed with Xun Yu's reform, he actually handed over the matter to Cao Cao and let Cao Zhi handle it. It is because of the various drawbacks of the reform that he is tireless every day, or that "Cao Cao actually used serious illness as an excuse." Let a yellow-mouthed child who is under [-] perfunctory, "this reform is just a child's game" and other reasons, begging the emperor to take back his order.

However, these actions had no effect except to annoy the emperor so much that he didn't even bother to go to court early.

They could only turn their eyes back to Cao Cao.

It's just that Cao Cao's beheading of Kong Rong in September last year aroused sympathy among the gentry officials, so almost no one dared to speak out against Cao Cao.I can only ridicule this matter in private and respond negatively.

Cao Cao ignored it at all, as if the power had been handed over to Cao Zhi.

To change the law, it is natural to understand which of the current laws are suitable for the current court and which are not.Therefore, Cao Zhi ordered people to visit various places quickly, and brought back tens of thousands of investigation scrolls in half a month.

It took him three days to read these surveys together with Yang Xiu, Xun Yu and others, and he already had some feelings in his heart.

Then, Cao Zhi hosted a banquet and invited officials from the imperial court to discuss how to formulate laws and regulations.

However, Cao Zhi waited for two hours that day, except for Xun Yu and other important officials of Cao Ying, only three people came!The rest either went out suddenly to visit friends, or fell ill.

Cao Zhi kept smiling calmly.

It wasn't until sunset on the western mountain that Cao Zhi waved his hand and ordered the guards to take the doctor and go with his servants.He said: "I participated in this matter, it was my father's order. Come, please go to visit the seriously ill people with the doctor."

"Of course, if there is anyone who is not true... don't blame me for contempt for the government and severely punish you."

It took half an hour after he said this sentence before people arrived one after another.

The sky was completely dark, and Cao Zhi finally waited for someone.

He invited twenty important ministers to discuss the matter, and only fifteen came.The other five, seeing Cao Zhi ordered the doctor to come to make a diagnosis, turned into anger and closed the door to thank the guests.

Someone asked Cao Zhi how to deal with those people. After all, Cao Zhi was no more than the son of Cao's family and had no strength.

When Cao Zhi heard about it, he just smiled and said, "When I go back and ask my father for instructions, you will know what happened to them."

Everyone kept silent.

The banquet has begun.Perhaps because of waiting for half a day, the food was already cold.They moved a few chopsticks and put it aside.But Cao Zhi was not as good as they wanted, and asked them if the food was not delicious.

Therefore, instead of stopping their chopsticks, they have to eat with a smile on their faces.

After drinking for three rounds, it is time to speak.Cao Zhi saw that everyone couldn't eat anymore, so he got up and said, "I invite you to come here today, I think you already understand. Father intends to change the law to make my dynasty strong."

Someone interrupted: "Your Majesty has already promulgated a decree when he established his capital in Xuchang. As for today, the world is only getting used to it, so why should the Prime Minister change it? You must know that the reform needs to be done step by step. Is the fourth son too radical?"

Cao Zhi said lightly: "This adult seems to be reasonable, but I don't agree with it."

The man's eyes brightened, seeing Cao Zhi's refutation, he said coldly: "Oh? Please tell me, Fourth Young Master."

Cao Zhidao: "Your Majesty promulgated the decree back then, and my father has not yet unified the north. Now that 12 years have passed, my father has also unified the north. The decree should keep pace with the times!"

Some people say that Cao Zhi doesn't know the important affairs of the court at all, so how can he know that the current law is not suitable for the past.

Cao Zhi smiled and listened to everyone's rebuttals and even ridiculed them, and ordered his attendants to deliver the materials he collected: "Everyone, please take a look at the brocade in front of you. In fact, before this, I really didn't know whether the current law is suitable, but seeing this material, I But it is somewhat clear.”

"The lord said that the four prefectures have the same law as my Xuchang. But do you know how many cities were destroyed in the other three prefectures? Are there enough people to cultivate the land? Then how much tax and miscellaneous taxes should be collected every year so that they don't have to starve to death and fill the treasury?"

The crowd was in an uproar.

Some people whispered to each other, while others stared at Cao Zhi with an unpredictable expression.

Cao Zhi just said: "Everyone, let's take a good look."

Everyone buried their heads.After reading all of them, the complexion is a little ugly.

——What they read is the way of Confucius and Mencius, based on benevolence.But many people huddled in a corner of Xuchang, fighting for power and profit all day long, even forgetting that the life of the people in the world is very hot!

So what is the use of them reading?

Most people closed their eyes and sighed in disappointment.

"Since you have read it, I think you know in your heart whether Xuchang's law is suitable for the other three states." Cao Zhi thought for a moment, and then said, "Guan Zhong's reform, Duke Huan of Qi established hegemony; Shang Yang's reform, Qin gradually became stronger and finally unified The Six Kingdoms; and father, do you think that father is incapable of defeating Guan Zhong and Shang Yang?"

Everything was quiet.

Xun Yu finally got up and said: "The world is in chaos because the court cannot be of one mind, and the people cannot return to the court. That's why Dong Zhuo hijacked the emperor to misbehave, that's why Sun Quan occupied Jiangdong and didn't want to surrender, and that's why Liu Bei fought against the emperor." The uncle is recruiting troops under the banner. I believe that the reform is inevitable. If the prime minister promulgates a decree and everyone works together, we will be able to revive our Han Dynasty!"

Cao Zhi said: "What Xun Lingjun said is true."

Some people have been persuaded: "However, the reforms of the past dynasties have reduced the family property of our gentry. How can the fourth son keep our family business?"

Cao Zhi sneered in his heart.But he didn't refute, instead he kicked the question back to them: "I don't know, but you adults must have the answer."

Everyone was a little surprised.

Cao Zhi continued: "The talents and learning of you are the best in the world. If you can come up with some laws and regulations to strengthen the country and enrich the people, it will take both."

Everyone was in deep thought.

"Everyone is doing things for father, and so am I." Cao Zhi got up and walked to the middle of the hall, bowed to everyone, and said loudly, "So please put aside your prejudices for the time being, and work together with father to formulate a plan. Law, so that the people can live and work in peace and contentment!"

It was late at night.

Cao Zhi dismissed the crowd and even ordered the guards to go back first, but instead walked on the way home alone.

He was a little confused.

Since Cao Cao ordered him to preside over the reform, he has been collecting information for half a month.In the first confrontation with the ministers until today, it seems that he has won by a narrow margin.

First, he threatened them in the name of Cao Cao and forced them to come; then he used the status quo of the court to explain that the reform was inevitable, so that they could no longer refute it; then he hinted that if they participated in this reform, they could try to save some of their interests; finally, they lowered their stance , Ask all the gentry officials for help.

Everything is speculative.He should have been happy, but somehow he suddenly had some bad thoughts.

He was wondering why Cao Cao ordered him to preside over the reform temporarily, and whether there was something he had overlooked.And whether the neglect has any other significance for what he will do.

Cao Zhi was puzzled, and then he saw the person not far away.

The night was gloomy, and the black cloak this man was wearing was already wet.

But he doesn't care.He just stood quietly with his hands behind his hands, waiting quietly.

He is Guo Jia.

Cao Zhi was taken aback, and walked in front of Guo Jia in three steps at a time, and asked in surprise, "Why are you here, sir?"

Guo Jia's face was frosty.He has almost recovered from his illness, and he is still the handsome man Cao Zhi first met seven or eight years ago.His eyes are still deep, and the magic power that makes people fall is covered when the four eyes meet.

He put his hands to his mouth and breathed a sigh of relief, then smiled and said, "Of course I'm waiting for you."

Cao Zhi stretched out his hand subconsciously, but held back when he reached halfway.He untied his cloak and put it on Guo Jia: "Sir, is it for reform?"

Guo Jia waited here in the middle of the night, naturally because of the reform, which Guo Jia could not participate in.

In fact, as Cao Cao's adviser, he has too many things to take into account.First of all, he must be smart and know what to do and what not to do.But he can't be too smart, because if he is too smart, then the lord will not live long, and they will not live long.

There are so many birds in history who have done their best to hide their bows. It is by no means that the Ming Lord is old and faint.In fact, what they are afraid of is that if they die, will their descendants be able to suppress these people?

unable.

Cao Cao is now old and began to consider the position of the son.Then these counselors can avoid them if they can, and if they can't avoid them, they can only help secretly.Because Cao Cao was already jealous, how could he allow them to guide the next generation?

That's why Guo Jia is in such a situation.

Cao Zhi also understood, so he didn't ask Guo Jia.But why did Guo Jia appear here?Had he really missed something important?

Guo Jia wrapped his hands in Cao Zhi's cloak, and then said calmly: "I understand that the Fourth Young Master does not want to participate in this matter, and the Fourth Young Master also handled it very well. But today, I found that the Fourth Young Master has not yet noticed the other side of the Lord. a purpose."

When Cao Zhi and Yang Xiu analyzed in the past, Cao Zhi said four points.But there is actually a fifth point, which neither Cao Zhi nor Yang Xiu expected.

Guo Jia let out a breath slowly: "My lord's main purpose is to warn the fourth son."

Cao Zhi's fingertips trembled, his mind went blank for a moment.

He finally knew what he had overlooked.

But why the warning?

Could it be that his and Yang Xiu's guesses were all wrong?

No, not right.Everything would be correct in another time, he just ignored the blow of Cao Chong's death to Cao Cao.

Cao Cao's favorite son died, and the perfect heir in his heart was gone. When he saw Cao Zhi Chibi again, he said, could it be that Cao Zhi expected that Cao Chong would die, so he was anxious to express himself?

Cao Zhi froze in place, feeling cold all over.

If he wants to perform, Cao Cao will let him perform.Cao Cao wanted to see what he could show.He wants to see how ambitious Cao Zhi is.

Even if Cao Zhi had no ambitions at all!

But in the eyes of others, he flattered Guo Jia, tried his best to perform in Chibi, and achieved great success after the death of Cao Chong and the illness of Cao Cao and Cao Pi. Isn't it the most obvious manifestation of ambition?

Cao Zhi took a deep breath.

Guo Jia saw that he was stupefied, so he turned and left.But Cao Zhi suddenly grabbed his hand, and hurriedly called: "Sir."

Guo Jia looked back in surprise: "Huh?"

In the dark sky, Cao Zhi's eyes were bright.

——Sir, I had no ambitions, and in my father's eyes, I was just an ordinary son.Just for you, there is a transformation today.I walked out of the small Cao Mansion and began to face the world.Maybe we will face bloody storms in the future, maybe we will encounter all kinds of sufferings in the future, and maybe we will struggle in the future.

Maybe my father misunderstood me, maybe my elder brother resented me, maybe the world couldn't understand me.

Maybe I will be stained with blood if I go to the end of this road, maybe I can't even go to the end of this road...

These are all things I do willingly, without resentment or fear.

But sir, the night is cold and cold, you have waited here for so long just to tell me this sentence, why didn't you order others to come?

In your heart, besides repaying your kindness, do you still have a little liking?

Cao Zhi showed a silly smile: "Sir, we are so familiar, why do you still call me the fourth son?"

Guo Jia smiled and said gently, "Zijian."

The next day, Cao Zhi became seriously ill.