Chapter 32 2. Zilong Jue

Inside the censer with eight treasures inlaid with pearls and jade and gold in Yuxian Hall, wisps of green smoke curled up, floating in various poses in the mid-air, or twisting like dragons and snakes, or flying like cranes and swans, Or condense like a group of clouds, which is dizzying and breathtaking. On the chief wooden couch in the hall, an elder in green robes with a high bun and a wide forehead sat recliningly.He has a kind face and elegant demeanor, and when he looks forward, there is a noble and aloof aura exuding, like a fairy who does not eat fireworks in the world, he looks elegant and refined, floating in the dust.At this moment, the elder in green robe was looking up at the wisps of cigarette smoke rising from the incense burner, fascinated by it.

"Father... Father..." But at the entrance of the hall, a young man in red shirt with a handsome face and gentle temperament approached, bowed to the elder in green robes on the couch and whispered. Hearing the voice of shouting, the green-robed elder raised his brows and raised his eyebrows, as if he had returned to reality from the state of mind of being born into the world as if he had become a fairy.With a concentrated expression, he quietly glanced at his son standing in front of him, but did not speak immediately.After a while, he turned his eyes to the wisps of cigarette smoke floating in mid-air, and sighed leisurely: "White clouds and dogs, everything changes in a blink of an eye... the world is like smoke, and it is unpredictable. If you want to be disturbed and dazzling here' In the midst of "Impermanence", it is really too difficult, too difficult to firmly hold on to that solid and indestructible "Impermanence" consistently and unswervingly..."

After expressing his emotions, he sat up straight, straightened his clothes, and asked the young man in red: "Yun'er, what's the matter with you?" "Father, Sima Yi from the Eastern Cao Department of the Prime Minister's Mansion is here to visit you." The young man in red shirt lowered his hands and raised his eyebrows, still bowing and said respectfully. "It turns out that Zhongda (Sima Yi's word Zhongda) is here." A hint of joy appeared on the clear face of the green-robed elder, and he stood together and said with a smile, "Yu'er, invite him in quickly." !"

The young man in the red shirt didn't expect his father to welcome Sima Yi in such a way, and he couldn't help saying in surprise: "Father, why do you favor Sima Zhongda so much? Thinking about Yang Xiu, the heir of Taiwei Yang, who came to visit yesterday, the child didn't Seeing that you treat him with the same enthusiasm you have for Sima Zhongda today..." "Yun'er, it's not like you don't know that this Sima Zhongda is the most outstanding genius among the hundreds of disciples of my Xun family." After hearing his words, the green-robed elder stretched out his hand to stroke his chest With a few long beards, he sighed, "In today's world, there are fewer and fewer young talents like him who are talented, studious and thoughtful... As the saying goes, 'When a room produces Zhilan, its owner is happy', for my father Can you love him dearly and welcome him all the way?"

"Father's sincerity towards his students and disciples really makes the child envious!" The young man in the red shirt smiled slightly and said with emotion, "To be honest, you have never treated your children with such care and thoughtfulness as you have treated them!" "There is an old saying: 'There is no greater joy in raising talents from all over the world!' There are three joys in a father's life: to seek talents and talents, to cultivate talents, and to promote talents." Qingpao Chief The host laughed, and just urged the young man in red to go to the front yard to bring Sima Yi in, "The joy in this is like a fish drinking water, knowing it in the heart, but it's hard to describe it! Yun'er will understand it in the future."

"It's a good one to get the best talents in the world and cultivate them. There is no joy in it"! Teacher Ling Jun's words and ambitions are worthy of the demeanor of a generation of Confucianism! The students respect him." Only a long laugh was heard outside the Yuxian Hall, followed by this As soon as he spoke, he saw that Sima Yi was already standing imposingly under the eaves of the hall, bowing himself and bowing inward. It turned out that the green-robed elder was Xun Yu, the current minister, and the red-shirted young man was his eldest son, Xun Yun.In the official system of this dynasty, Shang Shuling is a very important position-the general code, outline and discipline, and everything is unified.When participating in the imperial court meeting, the three officials, Shang Shuling, Sili Xiaowei, and Yushi Zhongcheng, all set up special seats to show respect, and did not sit with officials from other ministries, so the world called these three officials "three independent seats".However, Shang Shuling is the head of the "three independent sittings", and his power is almost equivalent to that of the prime minister, but his name is slightly inferior, and his official rank is one level lower.In order to avoid the divergence of authority in the court, the two positions of prime minister and minister Shuling are often not co-located.However, Cao Cao, the prime minister of the great Han Dynasty who always liked to be authoritarian and arbitrary, not only did not have the slightest grudge against Xun Yu as the minister, but instead relied on him as a teacher and friend, and highly respected him.All of this is because Xun Yu won the position of Shangshuling not by relying on the wealth of his ancestors like other nobles from aristocratic families, but by relying entirely on his own strategy of conquest With the illustrious meritorious service of "loyalty and integrity, care for the internal and external", the officials of the government and the public are convinced, and they are extremely respected, which is well-deserved.Almost all the young talents inside and outside the imperial court sincerely respected Xun Yu as the current master, and they all worshiped him to learn and seek knowledge, so that there was a proverb circulating in the court and the public: "Han officials come out of Xun's family, so that the king The world is full of peaches and plums!"

At this time, seeing that Sima Yi was already standing outside the hall, Xun Yu stretched out his hand to make a false impression, and said with a smile, "Zhongda, why don't you come in quickly? Let me show you what you have learned in terms of experience and knowledge recently." Diligent?" Sima Yi quickly responded, straightened up, lifted the corner of his robe, walked into the hall respectfully, and knelt down on the seat below Xun Yu's left. Xun Yu was still sitting upright on the wooden couch, turned around, looked at Sima Yi with a smile, and asked slowly, "How many books have you read recently?"

"Teacher Lingjun, the students have recently read several classics such as "Historical Records" and "Xunzi", and feel that they have benefited a lot." Sima Yi pondered for a moment, and replied respectfully, "Students read books and scriptures differently from other scholars. , I like to take its meaning and despise its rhetoric." "Oh... when you read books and read scriptures, you should pay more attention to their righteousness than their rhetoric." After hearing this, Xun Yu nodded his head in agreement, "The ancients said: 'The spring flowers are beautiful, and the autumn fruits are edible. A gentleman's stomach is not his eyes. Therefore, take the autumn fruits and give up the spring flowers.' Among the classics and books, the rhetoric is "chunhua", and the meaning is "autumn fruit". You take the meaning in the book and ignore the rhetoric in the book. Understanding is indeed a wonderful way to be good at learning and mastering, and it is worth learning from!"

"Teacher Ling Jun is absurdly praised." Sima Yi blushed slightly, and said in a low voice, "Students know that reading books and reading scriptures emphasize their principles and ignore their rhetoric. The shallower the skills, the more knowledgeable they are, but they will not be able to shine in the history with wonderful prose. This is why students are not as good as Yang Xiu, Chen Lin and other famous writers." Xun Yu laughed loudly when he heard this, stroked his beard and said, "Zhongda's words are wrong. According to my teacher's opinion, throughout the ages, the most successful scholars have always focused on knowledge and talent. Accumulate knowledge, develop a full-fledged economics, fulfill the post of a general, and make contributions to helping the world and the people. In the future, there will be great achievements that will shine in the annals of history. Although Yang Xiu and Chen Lin have the reputation of wonderful writing, they are not as good as your meritorious deeds And there are many people who are admired by future generations!"

"Thank you, Mr. Ling Jun, for encouraging the students." Sima Yi hastily bowed deeply on the seat, with a respectful expression, "The students suddenly opened up, and Mr. Jun's words will definitely be engraved in their hearts." Xun Yu nodded slightly, just looked at Sima Yi with a smile, and without saying a word, that warm and sincere affection, like a pulse of clear spring, was already pouring into his heart. Sima Yi was very moved in his heart, he stood up and cupped his hands and said to Xun Yu, "Mr. Ling Jun, the weather is very hot and the epidemic is prevalent recently, you should take care of your health!"

"Thank you Zhongda for your concern." Xun Yu smiled lightly and replied slowly, "The body of my teacher is just the same as before. Anyway, it is half-breathed. It's barely going to last for a while." "Mr. Lingjun's words are wrong! Whether your health is in good condition is closely related to the safety of our Han Dynasty!" Sima Yi said with a serious face, "The student recently found a detoxification and nourishing medicine from the mansion. After discussing with my elder brother, I think that this treasure can only be accepted by Mr. Jun, so I come here to present it, please accept it!" "A family heirloom in Zhongda's mansion?" Xun Yu's face changed after hearing this, and he waved his hands hastily, "How can you accept it as a teacher? You can't do it, you can't do it!" Sima Yi ignored Xun Yu's refusal, and slowly unfolded the sleeves of his robe, took out a small red sandalwood box from it, and placed it gently on the black lacquered wooden table in front of him. He reached out and slowly opened the lid of the box, and carefully took out something from inside.Xun Yun stood aside and watched carefully, but saw that it was an exquisitely carved cup carved with dragons and phoenixes.Taking a rough look, the cup seems to be nothing special, with many shallow old marks in the blackness, it looks very simple.But if you look closely, there is a ray of white silk streaking down from the top to the bottom of the cup, like a ray of moonlight splitting a cloud of chaos, it is truly amazing.Xun Yun looked at it for a long time, but he couldn't tell what kind of material the cup was carved from. "Oh! Unexpectedly, there are such rare treasures hidden in Zhongda's mansion!" Xun Yu glanced at the cup, and couldn't help sighing in surprise, "If the teacher reads correctly, this cup should be The 'Rhino Horn Cup' handed down from King Xuan of Zhou!" "Mr. Lingjun is really well-informed, and he recognized the origin of this cup at a glance." Sima Yi was also deeply impressed, and he cupped his hands and replied, "My father, Cheng Baixiu, the ancestor of the Sima family, was ordered to conquer the cup when King Zhou Xuan The Nanman made great achievements in successive battles and victories. King Xuan of Zhou was so pleased that he bestowed this "rhinoceros horn cup" known as one of the "Three Treasures of the Zhou Dynasty" to our Sima family as a reward. Our Sima family has always The treasure cup is regarded as a sacred object and is never shown to others easily. However, in order to thank Teacher Lingjun for his support and cultivation of our Sima clan in many ways, Zhong Da respectfully obeyed the order of his father and brother, and specially presented this cup, and begged Teacher Jun to accept it .” After finishing speaking, Sima Yi took a clay pot on the wooden table, and gently poured a full cup of tea into the rhinoceros horn cup.Strange to say, the tea was still steaming hot when it was first poured into the cup, but after a while, the heat gradually dissipated, and a faint strange fragrance overflowed, curling up endlessly. Then, Sima Yi carefully held the "rhinoceros horn cup" with both hands, stepped forward very humbly, presented it to Xun Yu, bowed deeply, and said slowly: "Please ask Mr. Jun to taste this cup." Rhino horn cup 'tea in'." Xun Yu smiled slightly, took the "rhinoceros horn cup" with his right hand, and took a sip in his palm.Unexpectedly, the tea, which was still boiling hot in the clay pot just now, has become lukewarm in this cup. There is a warmth in the mouth that goes straight to the heart, and there is a trace of indescribable freshness. Fen sweet.In an instant, Xun Yu only felt refreshed, and his whole body was as smooth and comfortable as if he had taken a panacea. He nodded lightly, held the cup in his hand, and praised: "I have heard for a long time that the 'rhinoceros horn cup' has the magical effect of dispelling heat and disinfecting, nourishing the body and nourishing the vitality. I have tried it myself today, and it really lives up to its reputation." Having said this, he paused for a moment, raised his eyes to look at Sima Yi, and said, "You Sima family members are so polite! What merits do you have for your teacher to accept such a precious cup? Zhong Da , you should take it back.” Sima Yi bowed down on the seat, knocked his head heavily, and replied respectfully: "Teacher Lingjun, with the great benevolence and sage in the world, you enjoy the rare treasures in the world, and the great name and position in the world. It is really a reward from heaven, and there is nothing wrong with it!" "Own the world's great name and position?" When Xun Yu heard his words, his eyes flickered, he gently put the rhinoceros horn cup on the table in front of him, stared deeply at Sima Yi, and slowly Said, "Master, listen carefully, there seems to be something in Zhong Da's words? - You were ordered by Prime Minister Cao to lobby for the position of Sikong for your master?" Sima Yi didn't expect Xun Yu's gaze to be so sharp, and he saw through his intentions at once. He was startled secretly, but pretended nothing had happened on his face. Instead, he straightened his chest, looked up at Xun Yu and replied: " That's right, the students did come here to persuade Teacher Ling Jun to take up the post of Sikong, but they didn't come here under the order of Prime Minister Cao." After hearing this, Xun Yu glanced at his face again, then slightly lowered his eyelids, and sat quietly on the couch with his eyes half closed, his eyes watching his nose and nose watching his heart, so that no one could see through any of his emotional fluctuations. Sima Yi was silent for a while, seeing that Xun Yu didn't ask questions, so he made up his mind, and continued to speak eloquently: "According to the students, since Mr. Ling Jun followed Prime Minister Cao to raise righteous soldiers and help the Han Dynasty 20 years ago, he has done a lot for you. The imperial court built the ingenious strategy to destroy Yuan Shu in the south, offered the secret plan to capture Lv Bu in the east, and smashed Yuan Shao's good plan in the north. They made a lot of contributions and achieved impressive results. Even though Zhang Liang and Chen Ping were resurrected, their achievements are hard to compare with yours! All of this has been witnessed by the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty and the people of the world. Now, the prime minister invited you to be promoted to the position of the third prince, which is also a righteous act to reward the virtuous and wise. Why do you have to be humble? If even a virtuous official like you can’t If you enjoy the honor you deserve, how will the Confucian scholars and righteous scholars all over the world think of our Great Han Dynasty? They may think that our Great Han Dynasty treats heroes with stinginess, meanness and lack of kindness, and many rumors are born instead Rumors come. How could such a situation be what you wished in your heart?" Xun Yu listened to his words in silence, and still sat quietly on the wooden couch, with his eyes slightly closed, as if in a state of concentration, and remained silent for a long time. Finally, he slowly opened his eyes, looked at Sima Yi faintly, and said indifferently: "Zhongda, you don't know something. Whether you are promoted to the position of Sikong as a teacher has a lot to do with today's court situation. Sigh... If you move your whole body with one blow, if you are a little careless, the situation in the court will be out of balance, and the consequences will be unimaginable. Forget it, forget it. It is difficult for a teacher to explain to you the twists and turns. In the future, you will naturally understand. "Actually, since the death of Kong Rong, the twentieth grandson of Confucius in the thirteenth year of Jian'an, the doctor of Taizhong, the body of the teacher has fluctuated from good to bad, and his mind has been distracted. He has no half to assist Prime Minister Cao. The day before yesterday, he suddenly asked to be promoted to be a teacher and become Sikong. He felt ashamed to be a teacher. How could he be a vegetarian who has no merit but received a title? You should stop persuading your teacher to become a "Sikong". Or talk about it Tell me about the experiences you have gained from studying the scriptures recently, so that you can also benefit from Zen as a teacher." "This... Regarding the matter of being promoted to Sikong, since Mr. Ling Jun has already made up his mind, the students will not say anything more." Sima Yi saw that Xun Yu had indeed made up his mind to resign Sikong's position, so he had no choice but to let it go. After a moment of quiet thinking, I just answered, "Students have recently read the "Historical Records" deeply, thinking about the struggle for hegemony between Chu and Han, and think that the reason why the Han can defeat the Western Chu is entirely because the Han has the strengths of the three heroes of the commoner, while the Western Chu Chu is invincible." "That's right. At that time, Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty had Zhang Liang, a counselor who was "planning a strategy and winning a thousand miles away", Xiao He, a wise minister who "maintained the country, caressed the people, paid them, and kept food and roads", and there was a "company With a crowd of millions, Han Xin is the famous general who must win a battle and overcome a battle, and Xiang Yu, the overlord of Western Chu, has the power to lift a tripod and sweep a thousand troops, but he is powerless in the end." Xun Yu straightened his face , said leisurely, "Speaking of it closer, the rebel Lu Bu of this dynasty is not the brave champion of the three armies, enough to be the enemy of ten thousand people? In one dynasty, he was bound to the white gate tower, and the head of the owl made the capital! Since ancient times, the intention Those who conquer the world, only those who can gather their strengths will win, while those who rely on their own wisdom and manage alone will lose. What does Zhong Da think?" "'Since ancient times, those who want to conquer the world, only those who can gather together will win, while those who rely on their own wisdom and self-management will lose.' Teacher Ling Jun's words are enough to be a lesson for all generations!" Sima Yi listened, Slowly nodded, and said in thought, "However, the students think that Emperor Han Gaozu was able to defeat Xiang Yu and rule the world, but he only borrowed the strengths of the three masters of the commoner, and the three masters of the commoner were all loyal and obedient people. It was borrowed by Emperor Gaozu. Borrowing the power of others to pacify the world will eventually be difficult to stabilize the foundation. According to the students, if Emperor Gaozu of Han could combine the wisdom of Zhang Liang, the ability of Xiao He, and the talent of Han Xin, he would be able to take on the great responsibility alone. Clean up the whole world, and bring all the wastes into order, without being ridiculed by Han Xin later as 'a great treasure bestowed by heaven, and gaining power by luck'!" "It's a combination of Zhang Liangzhi's wisdom, Xiao He's ability, and Han Xin's talent, and he's the only one to take on the great responsibility"!" Xun Yu couldn't help raising his eyebrows slightly when he heard the words, his eyes were deeply focused on Sima Yi's face, and he stared at him. After a long time, he said slowly, "It's just that such an unrivaled genius can be said to be rare in a thousand years, and almost no one can match it! It is too kind for the heavens to give me three heroes in common clothes; The whole world can be determined by Gu Jian!" Sima Yi's heart skipped a beat when he saw him, his thoughts changed quickly, and he quickly bowed and said solemnly: "Teacher Ling Jun has Zhang Liang's wisdom in the temple and Xiao He's ability to govern the country, and Prime Minister Cao has Han Xin's ability to use troops like a god." Talent. According to the students, the current troubled times can finally be settled with the cooperation of Teacher Ling Jun and Prime Minister Cao." After hearing this, Xun Yu couldn't help but gave a deep wry smile, then raised his eyes to look at the wisps of green smoke rising from the golden censer, and after a while of silence, he sighed leisurely: "If this troubled world cannot be calmed down in time, So what? What if the final decision is made? What will happen after the seven heroes of the Warring States period contend for hegemony, while the Zhou family still exists, and the rites and teachings are still flourishing; Whose hand? How do you know that today's chaos is not the blessing of the Han Dynasty?" Hearing Xun Yu's vague and pointed deep sigh, Sima Yi's heart suddenly trembled, and cold sweat broke out on his back.Teacher Ling Jun is secretly ridiculing Prime Minister Cao, just like Qin Shihuang took Zhou to stand on his own, destroying princes, cutting down the Han Dynasty, seizing great power, and seeking dominance!He didn't dare to listen any longer, and hurriedly said: "The students can't bear the common people struggling and crying in this troubled world, and sincerely hope that Teacher Ling Jun can assist the prime minister to work together to wipe out all rebellions, clear the universe, and return the world A peaceful and prosperous world for all people!" When Xun Yu heard him say such ridiculous things to himself at this time, he couldn't help squinting at him. Seeing that he was still looking at how he answered in a serious manner, he changed his mind, and realized that he was avoiding the situation just now. The topic, so he also smiled slightly: "Return the people of the world to a peaceful and prosperous world? This is something that the teacher will never forget! However, the teacher has always had a premonition that this matter seems to be impossible in the hands of the teacher. Well, it seems that it is difficult to complete in the hands of Prime Minister Cao. It is estimated that after 20 or 30 years, in the eyes of your generation of wise and capable ministers, you should be able to see the ray of dawn..." When Sima Yi heard Xun Yu speak so negatively and bluntly, he suddenly realized something.There was a secret movement in his heart, but he didn't ask any more questions, just lowered his eyebrows and waited quietly for Xun Yu to speak. After a while, Xun Yufu looked at him gravely again, hesitated to speak a few times, and finally asked: "Actually, Zhongda, my teacher has always wanted to ask you a question. If you can choose freely, Do you choose to be a small fish in a big pond, or do you choose to be a big fish in a small pond?" Seeing that Xun Yu no longer brought the topic of conversation to current events, Sima Yi breathed a sigh of relief at this moment, pondered for a moment, slowly considered his words, and said very carefully: "Actually, it's okay to be a small fish in a big pond. , being a big fish in a small pond, for students, there are advantages and disadvantages, and there are gains and losses. But under the consideration in front of students, they are still willing to choose to be a small fish in a big pond. Because Students firmly believe that as long as time passes, students will definitely grow into a big fish in a big pond!" "Zhuge Liang from Nanyang and Zhou Yu from Jiangdong are young men of the same age as you. What they choose is to be a big fish in a small pond. Because they can use it quickly and make meritorious deeds quickly. It's quick to become famous, so it's a shortcut." Xun Yu smiled lightly at the corner of his eyes, as if he had already guessed his answer, and looked at him quietly for a long time before he said, " But Sima Zhongda, your eyes are sinking, and you silently chose to be a small fish in a big pond! With this toughness of being willing to be lonely and able to bend and stretch, the teacher has to look at you differently! But, It's not so easy to be a fish in a big pond! You probably have to wait until many big and small fish are old and sick and die before you, and then you will have the day to become a leader, which requires a long wait It's only good to deal with cleverly..." "Thank you, Teacher Ling Jun, for your guidance. The students will remember it." Sima Yi replied calmly without changing his face. "By the way, Zhongda, are you still doing well in the position of Dongcao subordinate in the prime minister's mansion? If you don't think it's going well enough, my teacher wants to transfer you to Shangshutai to be the head of Duzhi Shangshu who is in charge of the world's wealth. The official rank is really two thousand stones," Xun Yu picked up the "rhinoceros horn cup", drank the tea in the cup, then looked at Sima Yi, and said gracefully, "What do you think?" "This...student is very satisfied with his job as the Dongcao subordinate in the Prime Minister's Mansion. For the time being, he has no idea of ​​letting go of the official." Sima Yi hastily bowed and thanked him deeply, "Thank you, Teacher Lingjun, for your support everywhere. Student Unforgettable." Xun Yu held the "rhinoceros horn cup" in his hand and looked at it carefully for a long time, then gently put it back on the table, and said leisurely: "There is no need to be so polite between you and my teacher and students. Anyway, you The teacher accepted the 'rhinoceros horn cup'. However, there is an old saying: 'If you come and don't go, it is indecent.' As a teacher, I have something in return for you, so don't refuse it." Xun Yun winked.Xun Yun understood and withdrew from the hall. "How...how did this happen?" Sima Yi blushed when he heard it, waved his hands repeatedly and said, "Teacher Ling Jun's move really killed the students!" Just as he was refusing, he saw Xun Yun coming to the hall with a brocade box in both hands, and handed it to Sima Yi. The brocade box was slowly opened in front of his eyes, and there was a crescent-shaped jade ring the size of a palm on the yellow silk cushion inside, the whole body was white and moist like crisp.What is particularly amazing is that there is a striking purple pattern coiled around the body of the jade jue, which looks like a dragon, which is vivid and mighty when it is coiled and pitched. "Purple Dragon Jue?" Sima Yi was taken aback, "Is this the rare treasure that was said to have been hired by Zhou Wenwang Sangu Weibin to invite Jiang Taigong to come out of the mountain—Purple Dragon Jue?" "That's right." Xun Yu nodded deeply, and said slowly, "This treasure was given as a teacher by Xu Shao, the first scholar in Guanzhong, who evaluated him as a 'wizard who helps the world'. After this incident, I have come to visit him many times in person. My teacher despises his character, and I have never shown it to him. Now, my teacher presents this treasure to you—hope you see Jue Sheng We will continue to forge ahead and become a great weapon of a generation as soon as possible, and make great achievements for our great Han Dynasty!" "Recovering the Sangong" is false, and "Abolishing the Sangong" is true. "Father, you are too polite to Sima Yi!" After Sima Yi left the mansion, Xun Yun finally couldn't hold back, and said to Xun Yu, "My child always thinks that Sima Yi's city mansion is very deep, and the reality is unpredictable. I'm afraid father No matter how much sincerity your lord has paid to him, it may not be able to influence him. Moreover, the Sima clan has been too close to the Cao family since the time of Jingzhao Yin Sima Fang. They will not stand with us While dealing with Prime Minister Cao..." Xun Yu sat quietly on the wooden couch, staring deeply at the entrance of Yuxian Hall, as if seeing Sima Yi still standing there.After a long time, he sighed and said: "Yun'er, you are right. The Sima clan is indeed very close to the Cao family, and a father must be wary of them. Today's meeting with Sima Zhongda During this conversation, my father expressly hinted in many ways, and I just hoped that they would not be too attached to the Cao family. Of course, it would be best for them to stand on our side; The family aids the tyrant... "This Sima Yi, don't underestimate him. Remember Weifu's prophecy today. In about twenty years, no matter how the situation changes, he will stand out, and he will definitely overwhelm Weifu! Alas! Weifu today To kiss and caress him, to show kindness in many ways, is it not to reserve a way out for my Xun family? Yun'er, no one can take lightly a generation of outstanding figures like Sima Yi! He has a deep heart for the city. Unfathomable, but his words and deeds are always reasonable, calm and moderate, and there is no sign of violating etiquette and law. You should not be too harsh on him. It is not in line with my Confucian way of loyalty and forgiveness!" "This... my child understands." Xun Yun hurriedly nodded and replied. "You heard it just now. He said that he has great ambitions in his chest, and he wants to hone himself into a genius who combines Zhang Liang's wisdom, Xiao He's ability, and Han Xin's talents. He is the only one who can take on great responsibilities." Yu's gaze quietly turned to the south where Prime Minister Cao's Mansion is located, as if looking very deeply, as if he wanted to penetrate all the courtyards in the Prime Minister's Mansion, "Sima Zhongda is so conceited of his talent, I'm afraid it's not unusual. The courteous treatment can move him... If Cao Cao can comfort Sima Zhongda with the sincerity of Liu Bei's three-time visit to the thatched cottage to hire Zhuge Liang, maybe Sima Zhongda can still be used by him. If Cao Cao treats him as a servant, he will bully him with power I am afraid that Sima Zhongda will not be able to be loyal to his Cao family in the future... However, these are things for the future. I have said too much for my father today..." Xun Yun listened quietly, curled his lips in secret disapproval, shook his head slightly, and said in his heart: Father, you really think highly of Sima Yi!What he said about becoming a genius who "gathers Zhang Liangzhi's wisdom, Xiao He's ability, and Han Xin's talents in one body to be the only one responsible for great responsibility" is nothing but frivolous and ignorant big talk!My father took what he said seriously. To put it more seriously, he is just a copyist in the prime minister's mansion, a clerk with a knife and a pen at his desk, how can he see anything special?Father is really old... At this moment, I heard a servant shouting outside the hall door: "My lord, my son, Taiwei Yang Biao, Mr. Yang is here to visit." When Xun Yu heard this, he quickly stood up from the couch, and with Xun Yun's support, he walked slowly to the entrance of the hall, stood firmly, and told his servants, "I invite Taiwei Yang to come to the hall to teach you!" The servant responded outside, then ran to the gate to pick Yang Biao into the mansion. Not long after, the sound of slow footsteps approached and stopped at the entrance of Yuxian Hall.But seeing a purple-robed old man with white hair and childlike face, kind face, and strange demeanor standing upright, he smiled inwardly and shouted: "Mr. Xun Ling, I'm really bothering you for visiting me again." Xun Yu rushed forward to greet him, cupped his hands in salute and said, "Taiwei Yang is here, and Xun has lost his way to welcome him. Please forgive me for my sin." While exchanging greetings, the two of them entered Yuxian Hall and sat down at the table of guest and host. As soon as he sat down, Yang Biao took out a stack of memorials from the sleeve of his robe, gently placed them on the table in front of him, and then said straight to the point: "Xun Lingjun, I am here to visit your mansion today. He also has selfish intentions. To be honest, the old man went to the palace just now, and brought over some memorials that His Majesty gave you to read at the Shangshutai, and handed them over to Lingjun for you to dispose of yourself." "Oh! Taiwei Yang just came from the palace? Since you came with the imperial memorial, please wait a moment for Taiwei Yang. After Xun has finished disposing of these memorials, how about I share my heartfelt song with you? " After hearing this, Xun Yu couldn't help but straighten his face, and called Xun Yun to fetch the stack of memorials for reading. "Not busy, not busy. Just listen to the oral instructions brought by the old man about these memorials." Yang Biao waved his right hand, stopped Xun Yun, looked directly at Xun Yu, and said, "Your Shangshu Taihu His Majesty agreed with the memorial submitted by the Ministry to expand the 103,000 hectares of villages in Jizhou, Qingzhou, and Youzhou. There should be no delay in implementing it.” "Well...Your Majesty can see the value of the most important part of this stack of memorials at a glance, it is indeed the Lord! The old minister admires." Xun Yu slowly stroked the few strands of beard under his jaw, and couldn't help losing his voice He said with emotion, "What's your opinion on other memorials?" "There is another memorial, which was written by Minister Wei Wei. Wei Shizhong believes that Prime Minister Cao's request to restore the official system of the 'Three Dukes' is really an act of publicity and selflessness, which is worthy of praise. But next, the officials must be asked to Re-clarify the scope of the power of the prime minister and the duties of the three lords, so that the prime minister and the three lords can 'perform their duties and fulfill their responsibilities, and jointly control the Han Dynasty'!" Yang Biao pondered for a while, then said slowly, "Your Majesty, Let the old man come to ask Xun Lingjun for advice, how should he treat Wei Xi's memorial?" The Yuxian Hall suddenly fell silent, so quiet that only the "rustling" sound of the leaves outside the window being blown by the breeze could be clearly heard.After a long time, Xun Yu's slightly hoarse voice finally broke the silence: "My lord Taiwei, please tell your majesty that, in my opinion, Wei Satire's memorial is really full of nonsense, which is really disturbing." Listen—you might as well burn it right now!" "Burn it?" Yang Biao couldn't help being taken aback, "Your Majesty Lingjun, please burn it?" "Yes, burn it." Xun Yu nodded solemnly, "Besides, Your Majesty would better burn this memorial in front of Prime Minister Cao." Yang Biao sat there blankly, and after a long while, he finally regained his composure, and murmured, "This suggestion from Xun Lingjun is really unexpected." "What's unexpected about this?" Xun Yu smiled deeply, and asked in a somewhat complicated tone, "Master Yang is now in the position of Taiwei, and it is your duty to take charge of the power of the world's soldiers and horses. ——Then, Xun, let me ask you, are you confident that you can mobilize a single soldier of the 10,000 forbidden army under the command of General Xia Houshang, the commander of the forbidden army in the palace?" "This... this..." Upon hearing this, Yang Biao muttered and couldn't answer. "Prime Minister Cao's proposal is only to restore the position of the 'Three Dukes', not to restore the power of the 'Three Dukes'." Xun Yu said coldly, "To put it bluntly, he just set up the position of the Three Dukes to honor Lord Yang, Lord Wang Lang and Xun Yu. That's all, I won't give up the power of the prime minister that I hold in my hand to 'govern the government on behalf of the emperor and monopolize the hundred ministers'!" "No wonder Xun Lingjun has been trying his best to refuse to take up this post of Sikong..." Yang Biao suddenly realized, and nodded again and again, "So you have already expected that Prime Minister Cao's request to reset the 'San Gong' official is a false pretense!" "Not necessarily. In fact, even if Prime Minister Cao asked Xun to be a veritable Sikong, Xun would still refuse to accept it. However, what Xun has never figured out is why Prime Minister Cao recently reset the "Sangong" 'The official came to win us over?" Xun Yu frowned slightly, and said, "Since the 13th year of Jian'an, when he brazenly beheaded Kong Rong, a stalwart official of the Han Dynasty and a senior official of the Taizhong, Xun has never been seen again. I've worked hard for him. Now, what is his intention to win over Xun with the position of Sikong all of a sudden?" "Alas!... If this old man had known that the position of Taiwei was a nameless cover used by Cao Mengde to win people's hearts, this old man would never accept it." Yang Biao slapped his knee with his right hand and sighed, "That day in the court hall Above all, the old man thought that Cao Mengde was a man of good conscience, and wanted to cut his own power to return to the Han Dynasty... Unexpectedly, in the end, he was still playing tricks, taking the yang and the yin! Tomorrow, the old man will be like Xun Lingjun, Resign from the position of Taiwei in public!" "Lord Yang, wait a minute!" Xun Yu hurriedly persuaded him when he heard this, "It's better for Cao Cao to let the officials of the 'Three Dukes' coexist with his position as prime minister, than to abolish the 'Three Dukes' in one fell swoop. You and Mr. Wang Lang According to the positions of Taiwei and Situ, you can more or less check his power as prime minister. You must not resign from this position lightly. Probably Cao Cao was also accused by princes such as Sun Quan and Liu Bei of "taking the name of Han prime minister, in fact "Han bandits" had no choice but to reset the official system of "Three Dukes" to eliminate the ridicule inside and outside the court. However, according to Xun, it seems that Cao Cao's re-establishment of the official system of "Three Dukes" is not so simple..." "Oh... When Xun Lingjun said this, I can't help but think of a strange thing that happened recently." Yang Biao listened, frowned and thought for a moment, then said in deep thought, "A few days ago, the admonishing doctor Dong Zhao visited the old man in person. A secret letter was presented to the mansion. The content in the secret letter violated the etiquette, so the old man rejected Dong Zhao on the spot. At that time, the old man thought that the content written in the secret letter was only the absurd opinion of Dong Zhao alone, and I didn't think too deeply about it, but now it seems that Dong Zhao's actions at that time were planned for a long time, and he was probably instigated by others..." "What secret letter?" Xun Yu was slightly startled, "Let's talk about it and listen to it." "Here! This is the secret letter..." Yang Biao took out a silk letter from the sleeve of his robe and hurriedly handed it to Xun Yu, "Actually, the old man came to visit today, and I also want to talk to you about this secret letter. Let's talk about..." Xun Yu gently unfolded the secret letter and read it carefully.只见上面写道：“董昭致书杨太尉：昔日周旦、吕望，当姬氏之盛，因二圣之业，辅翼成王之幼，功勋若彼，犹受上爵，锡土开宇；末世田单，驱强齐之众，报弱燕之怨，收城七十余座，迎复齐襄王；齐襄王加赏于田单，使东有掖邑之封，西有菑上之虞。前世录功，浓厚如此。今曹公遭海内倾覆，宗庙焚灭，躬擐甲胄，周旋征伐，栉风沐雨，三十年间芟夷群凶，为百姓除害，使汉室复存，刘氏奉祀。其巍巍功德，与周旦、吕望、田单等数公相比，犹若泰山之于丘石，岂可同日而论乎？如今，却让曹公徒与列将功臣并肩而赏，不显殊荣，此岂天下所望哉？有请太尉大人深思。” 静静阅罢之后，荀彧将绢函缓缓合上，闭目凝思片刻，方才睁眼望向杨彪，沉沉说道：“看来董昭已然利欲熏心，竟想凭着拥戴曹操晋爵升阶而换取一己之荣华富贵！唉！士人之中出此败类，真是可耻！” 说着，他站起身来，背负双手，在堂上急速踱了数步，忽又立定，转头问向杨彪：“董昭可曾与您讲过要用何等的殊荣与封爵来显耀曹丞相的巍巍功勋？” “这个……老朽一读完他这密函便马上严词厉色地拒绝了他，哪里还顾得上去深问他这些问题……”杨彪将须髯一掀，愤然说道，“想那董昭，枉自号称为前汉鸿儒董仲舒之后，却做出这等令先祖蒙羞的丑事来！” “杨太尉切莫气坏了自己的身子。其实细细阅看这奏章，董昭的含义亦是不言而自明的了。他所奏请朝廷给予曹丞相的殊荣与封赏，绝非一县一邑这样的赐爵所能比拟……”荀彧却是顺着自己先前的思路追想下去，悠然说道，“如果荀某没有猜错的话，董昭所言的封赏与殊荣，应当是国公之爵、九锡之礼！” “什……什么？”一听之下，杨彪顿时张口结舌起来，“国公之爵、九锡之礼？这是何等的殊荣与恩遇啊！已是堪称人臣之极了……老朽记得王莽就是在安汉公这个位置上篡了前汉的。光武大帝有鉴于此，曾经颁下明诏，令后世不得妄封群臣为国公。董……董昭这么做，是在冲撞我大汉礼法啊！” 却见荀彧慢慢移步来到堂中的那尊金猊香炉前停下，一言不发，只是静静地注视着炉上升腾而起的缕缕青烟在半空中幻化出各种奇形怪状来，眼底里亦随之浮起了一片忧郁之色。 杨彪见到荀彧此刻举止有些古怪，便也闭住了口，莫名其妙地观察着他，不再放声多言。 良久之后，荀彧才低沉着声音忽地向他问道：“杨太尉，荀某此刻倒想请教您一个问题。您看，这育贤堂上，香烟浮动，煞是让人眼花缭乱。却不知这究竟是堂外吹来的微风在徐徐撩动，还是炉中升起的香烟自己在往上飘动？” “唔？”杨彪一时也未明白过来荀彧为何会问这“风动”“烟动”之类的玄虚话题，不由得怔了一下。但转瞬之际，他心念一动，顿时悟了过来，也起身来到金猊香炉之前，盯着那升在空中姿态百变的一缕缕青烟，深深一叹，道：“想来荀令君自是对此洞若观火，何须多问老朽——此时此刻，可谓是'风也在动，烟也在动，内外齐动'！荀令君以为如何？” 荀彧并不立即回答，仍是向那香烟静视许久，方才缓缓说道：“其实，风动也罢烟动也罢，这对当今大汉朝局而言，都没有多大的关系。依荀某之见，关键在于某些人的'心动'才是造成当前朝局动荡的症结啊！拖了三四年……这一天终于还是直逼过来了……” “呵呵呵……荀令君，老朽也希望您能一直镇住这些人的心一点儿也不乱动啊！自建安十三年来，您以静制动，苦心孤诣地镇抚着汉廷'帝相各安，互不越矩'的格局已太久太久了……”杨彪深深长叹一声，悠悠然说道，“为了维持这个格局长久不变，您以身作则，大兴谦退之风，辞掉了朝廷的一切封赏，这才稍稍遏住了他曹操的非分之想。董昭他们说什么曹操赏不符功，其实您为了汉廷安危，又何赏不是牺牲了许多许多？想这大汉王朝今日能够恢复升平之世，若是没有您的奇谋大略相助，曹操他一个人济得何事？这肃清诸逆、底定中原的赫赫奇勋，有一半固然是曹操在前方浴血奋战而得，但另一半纯系您荀令君在后方苦心经营而来！ “换而言之，他曹操今天该受什么样的殊荣与封爵，您也就该受和他同样的殊荣与封爵！您一直极力谦辞着种种殊荣与爵赏，其用意就是在以静制动，以礼制人，让他曹操一直找不到挟功自立的机会……唉！自建安十三年来，您已竭尽全力镇抚着这个暗潮涌动的格局整整三四年了，乃是何等的不易。如今，曹操外有董昭等人同声共气而呼应，内施小恩小惠以笼络人心，一心欲求非常之赏以耀己功，从而凌逼汉室而渐行篡之……他此番来势汹汹，大非往日情形可比。老朽实是深以为忧啊！” “可惜……该来的终究还是要来啊！既然董昭等已是发难于前，我等也只得应变于后了。但是，此时此境，亦容不得我们与他们硬碰硬斗。”荀彧面容一肃，沉思着缓缓言道，“当今许都城中的文武百官，十之七八均是您杨太尉、王司徒和荀某的门生故吏。您、王司徒与荀某倘能对他们严加约束，使他们不得蹚入这趟浑水，不要跟着董昭胡来，自然便可将这一场朝局动荡镇定于无形之中。董昭一人在许都城中孤掌难鸣，也就掀不起什么风浪来了……杨太尉，您意下如何？” “不错！不错！”杨彪一听，犹如在暗屋之中终于打开了一扇窗户，心底一下亮堂了起来，“事不宜迟，老朽马上就赶回府去，召集门生故吏，晓之以大义，约之以礼法，让他们不可妄动……” 说着，他转身便欲告辞而去。只见荀彧微一沉吟，跨出一步，拦在了他身前，拱手行礼道：“且慢！荀某尚有一物须请杨太尉代为转呈陛下。不知太尉情愿否？” “何物？”杨彪身形一定，停住了脚步，有些诧异地看着他。 荀彧挥手示了示意。荀恽会意过来，便将那只“犀角杯”放在紫檀木匣内装好之后，托在手上送到了杨彪面前。 “这……这是何意？”杨彪有些云里雾里，心中一片茫然，“犀角杯固然是祛热驱毒的奇宝，但陛下龙体康健，倒是不需此物。反是您荀令君一向体弱多病，留着此杯大有益处……” “荀某近日听得并州、豫州等郡因天气暴热而导致疫疾大作，百姓多有患病不治者……荀某很是揪心。”荀彧面色沉郁，微微摆了摆手，淡然说道，“据说这上古犀角乃是祛疫驱毒的灵物……陛下若能将此犀角杯研磨成粉末，然后分赐给疫疾流行的并州、豫州等地的黎民百姓用以服食疗治，必可转危为安矣！陛下的仁惠之风，亦能借此举措而流传天下，为我大汉赢得'深仁厚泽'之盛誉，于无形之中消遏某些权臣的不轨之志。这便是荀某将此犀角宝杯敬献给陛下的用心……” 杨彪认真地听罢之后，深深地凝视着荀彧，只觉眼眶里一片潮热，几欲流下泪来。他勉力定住胸中的激荡之情，哽咽着说道：“古书有云：'于萌芽未动、形兆未见之际，昭然独见存亡之机、得失之要，预禁乎未然之前，使主君超然立乎显荣之处而天下归美者，乃圣臣也。'今日老朽亲眼目睹了荀令君为我大汉所做的一念一动、一言一行，才知荀令君真乃世间古往今来第一圣臣也！大汉朝有您这样的圣臣竭诚辅弼，中兴有望矣！” 荀彧听了，却是上前一步，紧紧握住了他的双手，悠悠一叹，缓缓摇了摇头：“杨太尉谬赞了！荀某哪里做得成什么'圣臣'？不过是和孔大夫一样，勉力做个与汉室共存亡的忠臣罢了……”说着，他眼中的浓浓忧郁却是掩也掩不住地溢了开来，便如窗外的沉沉暮色一瞬间已弥漫得无边无际。