Chapter 31 1. Sima Yi's official career

Outside the wooden window of the hall of the Prime Minister’s Mansion Dongcao Office, in the shade of bisensen trees, summer cicadas cling to the branches and whine long and short, mixed with the scorching heat like boiling water and invade the house, one can’t help feeling a little upset chaos. On the straw mat beside the entrance of the hall, Cao Laosan, the gatekeeper and servant of the prime minister's mansion, sat.He was rattling a cattail fan with one hand, and while opening his clothes to reveal his big belly, he was leaning against the door frame halfway up, and kept screaming for heat.Speaking of which, Cao Laosan can also be regarded as a distant relative of Prime Minister Cao's family, and has been with the late Prime Minister Cao's father, the old Taiwei Cao Song, for quite some years.Prime Minister Cao thought that he was an old servant of the Cao Mansion who served his father, so he didn't send him back to Qiaojun Township, but left him as a job in the Prime Minister's Mansion, and he had the right to provide for him.

But Cao Laosan relied on having worked as a servant in the Prime Minister's Mansion for many years, and thought he had some qualifications, so he looked down on some young servants who had recently entered the Prime Minister's Mansion.At this time, in front of Lang Wangchang, the secretary of Dongcao Office, he said without hesitation: "Hey! Wang Chang, you don't just want to bury your head in the desk and gnaw on what kind of documents! The weather is so hot, Why don't you take a break! Let's listen to your old uncle Cao talk to you...Tell me, in our prime minister's mansion, which young official has the fastest promotion?"

Wang Chang, who was sorting out documents at his desk, raised his head to look at him, frowned slightly, and replied in a neutral tone: "This question, Mr. Wang doesn't know." There are so many chores, how can I, Wang Chang, have the time to think about these issues!Only servants like you, Cao Laosan, who are doing nothing all day long, have time to think about these things. "Hey! You didn't pay attention to such a thing, so what are you busy with all day in the prime minister's mansion? You only know how to pull the cart and don't know how to look up the road. You are a stupid cow! Forget it! Forget it! Let Your old uncle Cao told you—speaking of it, among all the young officials in the prime minister’s mansion, only your immediate superior, Sima Yi, who belongs to Dong Cao, has been promoted the fastest! Since the end of the twelfth year of Jian’an, you Uncle Cao is the most knowledgeable about his success in this prime minister’s mansion.” As soon as Cao Laosan opened the chatterbox, he talked happily, “I remember that when he entered the prime minister’s mansion in the twelfth year of Jian’an, it was about two years ago. Eighteen or nineteen years old, three or four years older than you are now, and also a small literary officer, with an official rank of only six hundred shi. It was in July of the thirteenth year of Jian'an, and he followed Prime Minister Cao to the south of Jingzhou. After a conscript, he was promoted to the position of Bingcao not long after he came back, and his official rank was raised to Biqianshi. Later, he was sent out to the palace as Yilang for a year or two, serving as an errand under Xun Lingjun in Shangshutai. Xun Lingjun appreciated him very much and suggested that the Ministry of Officials should raise his official rank to one thousand stones (higher than six hundred stones, but lower than thousand stones). In April last year, he returned to the prime minister's mansion and boarded the Dong Cao belongs to this prominent position. Tsk tsk tsk, the official rank has reached two thousand stones. Of course, this is nothing compared to the official rank of two thousand stones. The most important thing is that the position of Dong Cao belongs is really special—to be able to It represents that Prime Minister Cao is exclusively exercising the great power of electing, promoting, rewarding and dismissing civil and military officials inside and outside the imperial court! Even the post of Minister of the Ministry of Officials at the Shangshutai in the imperial court is incomparable!"

"Uncle Cao! You can't talk nonsense! The current chief officer of the Dongcao Office is Master Cui Yan of the Dongcao Office! Lord Sima is just an adjutant of the Dongcao Office. During this period of time, due to Mr. Cui's illness, he is recuperating at home. Prime Minister Cao temporarily asked Master Sima to assume the position of Dong Cao’s vassal and take over the power of Dong Cao.” Wang Chang heard Cao Laosan’s nonsense, and hurriedly interrupted him, “After Master Cui recovered from his illness and returned to his post, how can Master Sima do it? Like what you said, how do you exercise the power to represent Cao Cheng in electing, rewarding, dismissing and promoting civil and military officials inside and outside the court? Your words are a bit too much, and it will be detrimental to Lord Sima if it is spread."

"Oh! What do you know, you little boy? Do you know the relationship between Master Cui Yan and Master Sima's elder brother, Sima Lang? They are old friends for many years! His careful cultivation of Master Sima Yi on weekdays, you and I are both It's obvious to all!" Cao Laosan felt that Wang Chang's words just now were a bit hot, so he didn't want to be outdone, so he simply came up with a "big bag", "Let me tell you! Master Cui Yan had already been dismissed by the court before he fell ill. Prime Minister Cao was scheduled to be Minister of the Ministry of Officials, but he was unable to take up the post because he fell ill at this time. During his convalescence, Lord Sima Yi assumed the power of East Cao Cao. This is clearly Prime Minister Cao's intention to train him, and then Let him successfully take over the position of Tosoko."

"Oh... If Uncle Cao's words are true, then my subordinates are also very happy for Master Sima! Master Sima is ambitious, talented and rich, and has outstanding knowledge. He can be promoted step by step, and he deserves his name." Wang Chang read from the book case. He stood up, stretched his waist, and said lightly, "There's nothing to be surprised about!" "Hehehe..." Cao Laosan waved the cattail fan in his hand, killed a big mosquito that was biting his belly with a "slap", and said shaking his head, "Master Sima has some real talents. It’s true, but how could he be so successful so quickly? You don’t understand that? His elder brother, Sir Sima Lang, is the head of the Prime Minister’s Mansion, and he is the most favored person around the Prime Minister. Everyone knows this. The most important thing What's more interesting is that his father, former Master Jing Zhaoyin Sima Fang, was an old acquaintance who recommended Prime Minister Cao as "Xiao Lian" and later promoted Prime Minister Cao to be the captain of Luoyang North. Prime Minister Cao values ​​love and righteousness the most. To repay Sir Sima Fang’s kindness, he took such good care of Brother Sima Yi. In addition, their Sima family has very deep connections inside and outside the court, and Guanglu Doctor Yang Biao, Shang Shuling Xun Yu, and your cousin Da Honglu Wang Lang and other senior officials have deep personal relationships, hehehe—with such a unique background and background, it is difficult for Sir Sima Yi not to be promoted!"

"Uncle Cao, don't talk nonsense anymore." Wang Chang waved his hand to him hastily after hearing this, and said solemnly, "What kind of wise man is Prime Minister Cao? Hypocrisy, the selection of talents is the most impartial and selfless, and has never been promoted on the basis of closeness, family background, and false fame. According to Wang, Lord Sima Yi was able to be promoted to an official position in just three or four years. The rank of Tung Cao who is more than two thousand stones is purely due to his real talent and learning. Uncle Cao must never talk about these things behind other people's backs."

When Cao Laosan heard Wang Chang's words, he couldn't help but look embarrassed, and secretly said, "You kid, why are you pretending to be prudish with Cao Laosan at this time?"Do you really think that matters in the officialdom are so black and white that people can see clearly at a glance?The bottom is still deep!On the day of Master Sima Fang's death in the twelfth lunar month last year, Prime Minister Cao even got out of his busy schedule to attend the memorial ceremony in person. How touching was his grief-stricken expression at the funeral!From this point, I'm afraid you haven't really understood it until now.I told you these things today to remind you that Sima Yi's position in Dongcao will soon be vacant, and you have to hurry up and find your great-uncle Wang Lang, who is the Great Honglu, to drill the door!I didn't expect you, kid, to put on a show for me. Only after you have suffered a few dumb losses will you know whether what Cao Laosan said is true or not... He snorted heavily, and shook the cattail fan in his hand There was a loud bang, and I stopped talking.

Seeing Cao Laosan's disapproving look, Wang Chang couldn't help curling his lips secretly, unwilling to talk to him.It is true that Master Sima Yi's rapid fortune is indeed a great miracle in the prime minister's residence.There are many rumors circulating inside and outside the Prime Minister's Mansion about his success, which are much more colorful than what Cao Laosan said today.After all, Sima Yi, who had just turned thirty-four years old, was quietly promoted by Prime Minister Cao to the position of Dong Cao's subordinate in the Prime Minister's Mansion, and now he is acting as Dong Cao's power, taking charge of the inside and outside of the Prime Minister's Mansion with ease. The great power of personnel, really made many officials, big and small, who have been through many years of seniority but have not been able to "achieve the Tao and ascend to heaven", talk a lot.Yes, in this troubled world, there are too many miracles.Zhou Yu, who died young under Sun Quan in Jiangdong, was young. At the age of thirty-three, he became the commander-in-chief of the tens of thousands of troops in the Sun-Liu Alliance; ", also became Liu Bei's military adviser when he was less than thirty years old.But they rely on their real talents and learning, and they are illustrious military exploits. The positions they hold are equivalent to their abilities and efforts.Why can Sima Yi be reused by Prime Minister Cao?Didn't he climb up by relying on his family background, the protection of his father and brother, and bragging, what's so special about him?

Discussions inside and outside the prime minister's mansion were raging and mysterious. Cao Laosan would definitely not be the first person to comment on Sima Yi like today, and certainly he won't be the last.However, in the eyes of many people, Master Sima's performance is as usual.His gaze is still looking straight ahead with firm composure, his gait is still steady and unhurried, and his speech is still rhythmic and rhythmic.The clerk beside him is still Wang Chang, and the coachman is still his old servant Yu Zhong.The calf he was riding in was also the original one, without any extravagant decorations.In short, his image is still the same as when he was the literary director of the prime minister's mansion before he was promoted.

Even so, Sima Yi still couldn't avoid people like Cao Laosan talking nonsense behind his back, Wang Chang sighed deeply in his heart.There is an old saying that goes well: "If a tree is beautiful in the forest, the wind will destroy it; if one's conduct is higher than others, people will not do it." It is indeed a famous saying that has never been easy. "Today's weather is really hot!" Suddenly a clear and bright voice came over, but I saw a burly and handsome young civil servant slowly turning in on the left hand side outside the gate of the Toso Office.With his square face, high raised forehead, and eyes as deep as a deep abyss, when he raised his hands and feet, there was a sense of majesty and majesty, which made people feel awe. "Si...Master Sima!" Cao Laosan couldn't help but stop shaking his fan when he saw it, and hurriedly stood up from the straw mat, with a smile on his face, nodded and bowed, and said, "You ...You...you retreated back?" The person who came was Sima Yi, who belonged to Dongcao in the prime minister's mansion.At this moment, as soon as he stepped to the door, his face was already restrained, and a smile suddenly overflowed on his face. He nodded slightly to Cao Laosan very accommodatingly and replied: "Oh! It's such a hot weather, and Uncle Cao is here to help you!" We are guarding the door, and I really feel a little sorry...Wang Chang, bring me a cup of tea." Hearing Sima Yi's order, Wang Chang was reluctant in every possible way in his heart, so he had no choice but to take the cup of tea that he had brewed for himself on the table, and handed it directly to Sima Yi. Sima Yi still smiled slightly, held the teacup in both hands, and presented it respectfully in front of Cao Laosan, and said in a gentle voice: "Uncle Cao is an old senior in the prime minister's mansion, you must take care of yourself. You and Please have some tea!" Seeing his respectful attitude, Cao Laosan couldn't help bowing and thanking him: "Ah! How can this old servant deserve such respect from Lord Sima? You really flatter this old servant." He said modestly, On the one hand, he took the teacup unceremoniously and drank it down. "Alas... this tea is just to quench your thirst." Cao Laosan handed back the teacup to Sima Yi, but then muttered, "It's a pity that Prime Minister Cao issued a 'prohibition order', which made the old servant like this." I've been so hungry for so many days..." It turned out that since the beginning of the thirteenth year of Jian'an, in view of the large amount of grain needed for wine making, Prime Minister Cao issued a ban on wine in order to save the grain for military use, so as to curb the use of grain for wine making in all states and counties. Wasting.In the prime minister's mansion, apart from holding various conferences or important celebrations, no common people are allowed to drink and have fun in private.Therefore, even though Cao Laosan's alcohol addiction is unbearable at this moment, he can only sigh to himself. Sima Yi listened to his complaints, a light flashed in the depths of his eyes, raised his eyebrows slightly, and said thoughtfully: "In my opinion, it seems that this matter of private drinking is not a piece of paper. It can be banned by order. I just came back from the court, and when I passed the "Mumendong" alley in the east of the city in a small cart, I seemed to smell a little wine. It seems that there are still many people in the capital secretly Secretly brewed wine and sold it..." When Cao Laosan heard this, he immediately scratched his head and couldn't sit still.Sima Yi saw it, but remained calm, and said slowly: "Uncle Cao, the weather is very hot today. How about it, you don't have to stay here as a gatekeeper all the time at your age. I'm giving you a vacation, you take these few hundred coins and go outside to buy some melons, fruits, pears and peaches to quench your thirst..." As he said, he took out a handful of copper baht from his sleeve and stuffed it into Mr. Cao Three hands. "How can Lord Sima bother you so much? Lord Sima treats us servants of Cao's mansion with nothing to say!" Cao Lao San held the copper bahts tightly in his hand while declining verbally. At the bottom of the feet, there are three steps and two steps in parallel, and they go in a hurry. After Cao Laosan ran away, Wang Chang couldn't help approaching Sima Yi angrily, and said very unfairly: "Your Excellency is so self-restraining! Thank you for treating him so respectfully... You don't know, this old man Relying on the old and selling the old, how do you gossip behind your back... Even Wang is complaining for you!" "Hey, he's just a gossip and ignorant villain. I heard what he said clearly just now outside the hall gate. Forget it, forget it. I think he is an old man in the Xiangfu, my lord How can you argue with him?" Sima Yi's eyes were fixed, and he looked deeply at the back of Cao Laosan, his face flushed slightly, and the blood in his body seemed to rush up and then retreated, but he said in a cold tone, "No need No matter what, people like him will eventually come out of their mouths, and one day they will end up slapping themselves in the mouth!" After finishing speaking, he turned around, looked directly at Wang Chang with burning eyes, and said slowly: "Let's put aside these trivial matters for the time being. I came back from the court today, and I have a few important things to do. .” "Oh! What are the important events? Lord Sima, please show me." Seeing that Sima Yi spoke so solemnly, Wang Chang immediately gathered all his attention and looked at him seriously. Sima Yi stood solemnly, after a moment of silence, he said slowly, "Do you still remember that Nanyang prefect Zhu Hu?" "Zhu Hu? I remember." Wang Chang thought for a moment, his eyes flashed suddenly, and he remembered, "He is the prefect who has accomplished the greatest and fastest collection of food in the forty-eight states and counties of the Central Plains in the past few years. At the end of last year, Prime Minister Cao He also personally awarded the "Generation of Capable Officials" four-character gold plaque award to him, and it has been publicized and commended by the government and the public for a long time..." "That's right. It's rare for Wang Jun to remember his situation so clearly." Sima Yi nodded deeply, walked a few steps in the hall with his hands behind his back, and then said slowly, "It's not yet July this year. The county sent another 460,000 shi of military rations, which relieved the three-month shortage of food for the 150,000 elite soldiers under the generals Xia Houyuan and Cao Zhen in Guanzhong. Cao Cheng was very satisfied with his move, and ordered us to The Cao Department immediately drafted and issued a commendation decree, once again commending his contribution to the abundance and timely supply of food this time.” "Hmm... this prefect Zhu really deserves to be a capable official! In just half a year, with only one county, he was able to raise more than 400,000 shi of military rations in one fell swoop, which is truly commendable." Wang Chang nodded repeatedly and walked quickly Walking to the side of the book case, while studying the inkstone, he was full of admiration, "I will immediately draft this commendation order for him." "Wait a minute! There is another important matter. It's not too late to write after you've heard it." Sima Yi stopped him with a wave of his right hand, straightened his face, and said slowly, "You probably don't know yet, in today's court, Cao Cao The Prime Minister suddenly suggested resetting the "Three Dukes" and recommended the candidates for the "Three Dukes" on the spot. With his suggestion and recommendation, the Guanglu doctor Yang Biao was appointed Taiwei, and your cousin Wang Lang was appointed Situ. At that time, he also suggested that His Majesty ask His Majesty to confer the title of Minister Xun Lingjun as Sikong... But, Xun Lingjun tried his best to reject his kindness. After the dynasty was over, Prime Minister Cao specially ordered me to act on his behalf after returning to the mansion. Draw up a manuscript to request the imperial court to award Xun Lingjun as Sikong, send it to him in time for personal review and correction, and then formally report it to His Majesty..." "Ah! The imperial court is going to restore the official system of 'Three Lords' again?" Wang Chang couldn't help but startled, "In the thirteenth year of Jian'an, Prime Minister Cao asked the court to 'abolish the Three Lords and establish the power of prime minister'. Why does he want to reset now?" Sangong'? This... Where will this place the prime minister he lives in?" There was a reason why he was so surprised, because the abolition of the "Three Dukes" official system was directly related to the changes in the Han court, which should not be underestimated.Originally, the establishment of Taiwei, Sikong, and Situ was originally a measure of "balanced power" implemented by Liu Xiu, Emperor Guangwu of the Later Han Dynasty, to consolidate the power of the emperor since the founding of the country.In view of Wang Mang's power over the country at the end of the former Han Dynasty, he divided the power of the prime minister into three: Taiwei was in charge of military power, Sikong was in charge of common affairs, and Situ was in charge of rituals and laws.And this system of separation of powers and three princes, which lasted for two hundred years, was broken by Cao Cao, who was then Sikong, in July of the thirteenth year of Jian'an. affairs of state.And Cao Cao was promoted from Sikong to prime minister at that time, and he has been in office for three or four years.During this period, Cao Cao monopolized the power in the court and overwhelmed all officials, and he used the position of prime minister very handily.Who would have expected that he would suddenly propose to restore the position of "Three Dukes" when he went to the court today. Could it be that he will cut his own wings and divide the power of the prime minister in his own hands in the next step?Could it be that Prime Minister Cao has always been arbitrary and willful? "My lord, you seem to be asking too many questions." Sima Yi stared at him gravely, and said, "No matter what Prime Minister Cao said, our East Cao Department can only follow what he said scrupulously."