Chapter 35 1. The mysterious "watching and inspection"

This time, Sima Yi went to the Sifang prefectures and counties on behalf of Prime Minister Cao Dongcao's office to "watch the wind and inspect", and he did it very secretly and low-key.When he went out, he only brought Wang Chang, a subordinate official, and ten guards and servants with him. He drove lightly, and dressed in plain clothes. At first glance, people thought it was some official who had retired and returned home. When they left Xudu, they didn't go north to Youzhou or west to Liangzhou, but came east to Lujiang County.Wang Chang was a little surprised at the beginning. This Lujiang County is just an inconspicuous small county among the counties in Sifang Prefecture. The population in the city is no more than 80,000 households.Master Sima was the first to choose it for "watching the wind and inspection", which is really unbelievable.But astonished as he was, he had no choice but to go with Sima Yi and didn't say much.He believed that Master Sima must have a reason for doing what he did, but as a subordinate, he couldn't figure it out.

When he arrived in Lujiang County, Wang Chang really realized how difficult the situation here is.Not to mention the sparseness of people trading in the market in the city, there are not many houses on both sides of the street that are slightly visible.He thought carefully in his heart, this Lujiang County is bordered by the rebel Sun Quan in Jiangdong, and it is too close to the flames of war, how can it become rich and prosperous? While he was thinking, he could only hear the rattling of wheels, and the carriage finally came to a stop in front of the Yamen of Lujiang Mansion.He opened the car curtain first and looked outside, and was immediately stunned.I saw that the mansion was very dilapidated, two wooden doors with peeling paint, a plaque covered with cobwebs, two blue stone lions with missing legs and claws, and several walls that were burned like charcoal... It looked like It was like a large house that had been looted, it was too messy to look at.

"This... how did this place become like this?" Wang Chang couldn't help sighing, "Although Lujiang County is close to the territory of Sun Quan in the east of the Jiangjiang River, it is inevitable that it will suffer from the flames of war, but it shouldn't be so defeated! The prefect here is Gao Rou, I really don't know how to protect the environment and the people?" Sima Yi also leaned out to take a serious look, then sat back in the carriage, pondered for a moment, and said coldly to Wang Chang: "Go down and inform them, and see what they will say when the time comes. "

When Wang Chang heard the words, he agreed, jumped out of the carriage, and walked quickly to the gate of the government office. At this moment, the two dilapidated doors were slowly pushed open after hearing a "squeak" of the pivots, and the servants and subordinates under Lujiang prefect Gaorou were all smiling. Stride out. "Oh! Prince Wang, Sir Sima! I just got the official document from the Prime Minister's Mansion yesterday, informing you that the Dongcao Office will be inspecting the county in the near future..." Gao Rou stepped in front of Wang Chang, bowed his hands and saluted, and came again Arriving in front of the carriage Sima Yi was riding in, he bowed his body towards the curtain and said with a smile, "No wonder Gao Rou got up early this morning with his left eyelid twitching violently. It turns out that you two nobles have come to visit you! I really have something for you, sir!" Greeting from afar——you guys came so fast!"

After a while, the curtain of the carriage rolled up quickly, and Sima Yi, dressed in a high crown, black robe, and official uniform, looked like an imperial envoy, and slowly got out of the carriage with a solemn expression on his face. , stood in front of Gao Rou. For some reason, Sima Yi just stood in the middle of the dam, and when he raised his hand, there was an inexplicable solemn and majestic aura, which swept towards Gao Rou and his subordinates and government servants like a majestic wind. . Gao Rou is also an acquaintance who has known Sima Yi for many years. When she saw his behavior and aura today, she couldn't help but secretly gasped in her heart. Mind, was about to speak, but saw Sima Yi raised his hand slightly, and walked past him proudly.Sima Yi fixed his eyes on the ruins of the old gates of the government office, approached them slowly, looked at them silently, then turned around, and solemnly said to Gao Rou: "In the past, Dayu was going to save the world from a great calamity, so I will come here first." Humble their palaces, frugal their food and clothing, so that Kyushu can be pacified and Huayi can be subdued. Gao Taishou and the princes sit leisurely in this mansion with ruined walls and old plaques, and manage common affairs without thinking Bitterness, is it because you want to follow the example of the Great Yu and 'humble your office and save your food and clothing'? But I don't know if this will finally calm Jiangdong and subdue all rebels?"

Gao Rou heard the deep irony in Sima Yi's words, she couldn't help but flushed with embarrassment, opened her mouth, and was about to answer.Sima Yi obviously didn't have the patience to listen to his arguments, and he said coldly: "I remember that since the fourteenth year of Jian'an, the imperial court has given you Lujiang, Yangzhou, Xiakou, Xiangyang and other nearby states and counties almost every year. There is a sum of money allocated to repair the city gates—where did you spend it? Hmph! Could it be that you and the others were greedy, collude, and secretly divided this money into ink?”

"Si...Master Sima! You... You really killed the official for what you said?" Gao Rou heard Sima Yi's words so harshly that she was so frightened that she was sweating. She bent down hurriedly and said sincerely, "All these years Well, the imperial court has indeed allocated a lot of money for repairing the city walls and yamen in Lujiang County. Although the officials and others have never used them to repair the city walls and yamen, they dare not take them for themselves. Please, Mr. Sima Mingjian, Xiaguan and others have used these funds in other places that are more beneficial to the country and the people..."

"Oh? What did you use it for?" Sima Yi fixed his eyes on Gao Rou's expression, and slowly asked, "Misappropriating funds allocated by the court without authorization is also against the law of the Han Dynasty..." "Your Majesty Sima doesn't know something. I use the money appropriated by the imperial court to repair the city walls and yamen to build several 'persuading schools'." Gao Rou has stabilized her mind at this moment, and the fear on her face has gradually faded away. , bowed his body, and said eloquently, "Master Sima, Xun Lingjun once said: 'In the past, Shun ordered Yu, Ji, Qi, and Gaoyao to make achievements, educate and conquer, and use them from time to time. And at the beginning of Han Gaozu, Jin Ge In Fang Yin, those who can teach the people well, uncles and grandsons practiced etiquette among soldiers and soldiers; Emperor Guangwu, the ancestor of the ancestors, had the matter of throwing swords to teach art, and stopping horses to discuss Taoism. Gentlemen have no end to eat and violate benevolence. Martial arts, internal revitalization of literature, make war harmonious, the way popular, the country's crisis can be eliminated, and the six rites are all in place. This is the reason why Ji Dan ruled the Zhou Dynasty quickly. It not only establishes virtue and meritorious service, but also establishes words. It is true to the meaning of Confucius's writings. Wouldn’t it be great to show the system at that time and make it famous in later generations? If it is necessary to make it after the completion of military affairs, it will be ruled by law, and it will not be sensitive. The study, with one sage and truth, combined with the study of rites, gradually enlightened and educated, will benefit both kings and Taoists." The officials thought that what he said was very true, so they made the establishment of the "Encouraging School" the top priority of the county. In addition, Our Lujiang County is too close to Sun Quan, the traitor in the east of the Yangtze River, and it will suffer disasters as soon as the war starts, so this yamen is often destroyed and repaired, repaired and destroyed, and I don’t know how much money was wasted... Later, when the officials gritted their teeth, they didn’t care about it. It’s a lot, so I don’t want to repair this yamen any more, I saved this money and built a few ‘persuading schools’...”

"Yes! Yes! Please forgive me for being rude. Let me also offer a few words." At this time, the county magistrate in Gaorou's mansion also cautiously interjected to excuse his superior, " When the adults came, they walked along Chengdong Avenue, so they didn’t know about it. The "persuasion schools" supported by the prefect Gao were built in the west of the city. Tsk tsk tsk! You will know when you go to inspect them. The building is majestic and majestic, so lively! The beams, pillars, doors and windows are all made of high-quality Nanmu! The inside is bright and bright. When it was just completed, twenty-eight scholars were invited to come and give lectures. A total of more than 300 students have been recruited to study...all the people in Lujiang County have praised the prefect Gao for doing a great deed that will benefit thousands of years!"

"Hehehe... Good job, Gaorou! It turns out that you transferred the money to build the Quanxuetang! If you follow Xun Lingjun's good words in governing the country, it will be flawless." Sima Yi listened quietly, At this moment, Ji just slowly calmed down, after a moment of pondering, he suddenly bowed to Gao Rou, and said deeply apologetically, "Since that's the case, I have wronged you! I hope you forgive me!" "Ah! Your Majesty Sima is so polite! How can I afford it?" Gao Rou hurriedly knelt on the ground with a "plop" when she saw this, not daring to accept his apology.Sima Yi hurriedly took a step forward and reached out to support him.The two looked at each other for a while, and both burst out laughing.

Immediately, the atmosphere in the audience was relaxed, and everyone's mood brightened like a sunny day after rain. When the night light first came on, Gao Rouben also knew that Sima Yi was also a master of Confucianism, so he excitedly brought a few ancient books to visit the posthouse where Sima Yi stayed for advice. After the guests and hosts sat down separately, Sima Yi said to Gao Rou with a smile, "Gao Jun, in front of the public today, it is also my duty to speak harshly to you. I have no choice but to ask for your understanding." "What did Lord Sima say? On behalf of Prime Minister Cao from the Eastern Cao Department, he came to Sifang Prefecture to observe the wind and inspect," Gao Rou hurriedly replied modestly, "I will naturally respect you as much as Prime Minister Cao. No matter how you supervise Reproaching a subordinate official is just like a strict father scolding a young son, it is for our own good after all. How dare a subordinate official disobey? How dare he complain?" Sima Yi listened, nodded secretly, and said in his heart: Today, the purpose of stern words to teach Gao Rou is to strengthen the prestige of the prime minister's house.And Gao Rou is not a mediocre person, she probably guessed her own intentions, so she pretended to be extremely humble in front of everyone, and cooperated with her to perform this "double play".It seems that this Gao Rou is worthy of being a random and fickle talent who understands current affairs, and it is worth using. Thinking of this, Sima Yi took a sip of tea, narrowed his eyes slightly, and said intentionally or unintentionally: "Gao Jun, you build a school of persuasion and enlist the merits of the enlightenment of sages and scholars. After I return to Xudu, I will see you." Prime Minister Zhaoming praised you. However, tonight, I would like to talk to you about something off-topic, would you be willing?" "Master Sima, please express your high opinion, and I will listen with all your ears." After hearing this, Gao Rou was immediately elated, and hurriedly answered with cupped hands. Sima Yi's face was condensed, and he gently put the teacup in his hand back on the table. After pondering for a moment, he sighed leisurely: "The world is in chaos today, and the heroes are competing to fight endlessly. Sima Yi patrolled all the way, but saw the thousands of miles of plains along the way. , the bones are everywhere, the city is in ruins, the people are trapped in the ravine, the orphans cry and wander, it makes people feel sore. You and I are born as Confucian scholars, and our hearts are for the common people. Bring peace to the world!" Gao Rou smiled and said, "Master Sima, don't worry. Today Prime Minister Cao is brilliant and powerful, and he is invincible. In a few years, he wiped out Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu and other rebellious ministers, leaving Jiangnan and Western Shu untouched. Gao Rou believes that as long as Prime Minister Cao is in power, Peace in the world is just around the corner!" Sima Yi smiled slightly and said, "Prime Minister Cao's achievements in rebuilding the Han Dynasty and saving the country and the people can really shine through the ages!" Gao Rou listened and nodded in agreement.Sima Yi knew that Gao Rou was promoted by Prime Minister Cao from an ordinary clerk to the post of Lujiang prefect, so he was naturally grateful to him and respected him extremely.Thinking of this, his gaze suddenly became meaningful: "However, I thought that Prime Minister Cao wiped out all the bandits, cleared the Central Plains, conquered the world with great achievements, and was blessed by the common people, but he blindly retreated and defended the festival, so far he is still in the position of the three princes. It doesn't seem to match his merit!" What a smart person Gao Rou is, after hearing Sima Yi's words, he immediately understood: "Yes, Prime Minister Cao's merit is so great, it is really admirable. And! If the imperial court does not increase the rewards, how can it motivate all the officials in the world to be loyal?" Sima Yi smiled slightly, but remained silent. Watching from the side, Wang Chang felt that Master Sima's language art is really subtle and subtle, and with just a little bit of tweaking, he made other people's thoughts follow the plan in his heart so naturally. Gao Rou pondered for a moment, then asked tentatively: "Then, Lord Sima, what kind of honor should Gao Rou suggest to the imperial court for Prime Minister Cao?" Now that Cao Cheng is an extremely respected minister, he monopolizes the government, and is extremely honorable. Indeed, there is no higher existing title conferred—this is really hard to say.At this time, Sima Yi picked up some ancient books brought by Gao Rou and flipped through them. Avoiding his question, he suddenly asked Gao Rou: "Actually, the poems written by Prime Minister Cao and his son are very good, and they will definitely become famous in the future. Annals of history. I admire Prime Minister Cao’s poems very much. His poetic charm is deep and majestic, and it has a long aftertaste. Have you read his recent "Duan Ge Xing"? The world returns to its heart.' Throughout the ages, is there any poet who can speak as profoundly and profoundly as he does?" As soon as these words came out, both Wang Chang and Gao Rou changed their expressions slightly.The implication of Sima Yi's words is very clear that the court can only be worthy of his great achievements if he confers Prime Minister Cao the Duke of Zhou like Zhou Cheng did.However, this is greatly contrary to the laws and etiquette of the Han Dynasty.According to the law and etiquette system of the Han Dynasty, different surnames can only be conferred as marquis, and kings and dukes can only be conferred on the clan.Even a founding hero like Deng Yu can only be made a marquis with four counties.Of course, there were also people who were made dukes in the former Han Dynasty, that is, Wang Mang who once served as the Duke of An Han and later usurped the throne.Sima Yi hinted to him that he wanted to ask the court to make Prime Minister Cao a Duke, which was extremely bold and outrageous.Gao Rou's heart immediately jumped wildly.He felt dry mouth for a while, and hurriedly reached for the teacup, but with a "dang", he accidentally knocked over the cup, and the tea flowed all over the floor.Sima Yi acted as if nothing had happened, just looked at Gao Rou quietly, smiling and saying nothing.Gao Rou tried her best to calm down, stretched out her sleeves and wiped the fine sweat on her forehead, her face became a little flushed, she suddenly fell silent, without saying a word. But Sima Yi said at this time: "I remember that when Taishou Gao was in the barracks, he was an assistant, but he liked to study the art of punishment. One night, Gao Jun was outside the camp and immersed himself in studying "Han Feizi" by the moonlight. I fell asleep with a book. It happened that Prime Minister Cao was inspecting the night camp. He was very moved when he saw you reading this month. Seeing that you were sleepy and couldn’t bear to wake up, he took off his robe and put it on you to protect you from the cold. The next day, you were promoted by the prime minister to be the assassination order history, and you were promoted to three ranks overnight..." "Lord Sima...the prime minister's great kindness, Gao will never forget it. You don't need to say any more." Gao Rou raised her face, tears streaming down her face, and said with a sob, "I know how I should repay Cao The prime minister is here." Sima Yi's face was as calm as usual, but an imperceptible smile flashed across the corner of his eyes.Gao Rou calmed down slowly, and said slowly: "During the Zhou Dynasty, Duke Zhou and Jiang Shang, although they were also virtuous and virtuous, made great achievements through hard work, but in terms of their achievements, they were far inferior to Prime Minister Cao, but they enjoyed the honor of dukes and the title of Cracking Earth. Gao Rou thought that Prime Minister Cao's great achievements today are not inferior to that of Duke Zhou back then. The imperial court should confer on Prime Minister Cao the Duke of the State, and enjoy the gift of nine tins and the reward of breaking the soil and drawing borders. Gao Rou will return home tonight After writing the memorial, please brother Sima bring back Xu Du and present it to the imperial court." Sima Yi's face was calm, he just nodded slightly and said no more.The two chatted a few more words about the situation between the DPRK and China.During the conversation, Gao Rou was deeply impressed by Sima Yi's foresight, and couldn't help but praise: "Master Sima has great aspirations and talents, is loyal, diligent and intelligent, and will become a great weapon in the future, but I hope that in the future, don't forget to support the lower officials." Sima Yi He smiled and said: "The great trouble for scholars in ancient and modern times is that it is hard to find a wise master with extraordinary talents. You and I are lucky to meet a wise master like Prime Minister Cao, so why worry about not being able to stand out? Congratulations on your promotion and return." Gao Rou was overjoyed when she heard that, and hurriedly said, "Thank you, thank you." What Gao Taishou said just now was a joke to flatter his superiors, but Wang Chang really thought so of Sima Yi. Although the eight-character commentary of "great ambition, broad talents, loyalty, diligence and wisdom" is good, how can it fully express Lord Sima's strengths?He has been following Master Sima for more than two years, and he admires Master Sima for his resourcefulness, discernment, determination, restraint, and adaptability.He has always firmly believed that one day Lord Sima will definitely become a virtuous minister who is famous all over the world.Yes, although the current imperial court is full of talents and each has unique skills, but in his opinion, among all the princes, the one with the most potential is none other than Lord Sima.Zhu Jianping, a famous scholar in the Pei Kingdom, has always been good at divination and physiognomy. Many important officials in the court like to invite him to watch his physiognomy.Zhu Jianping and Sima Yi have a good personal relationship, but they have never dared to look at his palm.Once as a guest in Sima's mansion, Zhu Jianping opened Sima Yi's left palm and took a closer look when there was no one else around.After reading it, he only sighed, and said mysteriously, "The secret of heaven must not be revealed."Sima Yi withdrew his palm, and said with a faint smile, "It's a secret, so don't let it out. Wealth and fame are like floating clouds to me. I don't want to ask more questions." I don’t intend to seek wealth and honor, but I’m afraid it’s the fate of heaven, and there will be riches and great honors to force you!” Sima Yi sighed leisurely: “You’re right. When I was in my twenties in my hometown of Hanoi County, I only I wanted to be a hermit and guard my thatched hut all my life. But I didn’t expect Prime Minister Cao to think highly of me, and forced me into the mansion again and again, alas..." His expression suddenly became a little desolate, as if he didn’t want to go back to the past, Lian Chong Bringing up old stories has also become a pain.Zhu Jianping smiled slightly and said: "How can you know that you are not a blessing if you lose your horse?" Brother Sima, have you not even understood this sentence? You will definitely not be able to become a hermit in your life, but today the world is dying because of you. There is one more outstanding person—this is your destined choice!" Sima Yi slowly regained his composure, and did not answer him, but cleverly changed the subject.Wang Chang could hear clearly when he was present, and his heart was shocked as if he heard thunder.From then on, Sima Yi became more and more divine in his heart.In his opinion, Sima Yi's every move embodies the extraordinary wisdom and strategy. The next day, Gao Rou wrote the memorial to the Duke of Jin, the Prime Minister of Cao, and handed it to Sima Yi, saying repeatedly: "Your Majesty Sima personally forwarded it to the Prime Minister. Gao Rou is very grateful." Sima Yi lightly accepted the memorial. He patted the back of his hand and said nothing.The two knew each other and smiled at each other.Then, Sima Yi took Wang Chang on the road again. Along the way, when Sima Yi revealed Gao Rou's memorial, the prefects of the various counties along the way immediately understood the purpose of his visit, drafted drafts one after another, and unanimously suggested that the court should reward Prime Minister Cao for his great achievements.Wang Chang followed Sima Yi all the way to watch coldly, and gradually understood a little bit.Prime Minister Cao is now of great merit, and all the counties in the world have also jointly promoted him, which shows that Prime Minister Cao is really a great sage who "follows the sky and responds to people". Maybe at that time, the number one hero of the Han Dynasty Zhongxing will be none other than him.Well, Master Sima's microservice inspection of various states and counties this time seems to be paving the way for public opinion propaganda for Prime Minister Cao's rise.His skill is really clever, it fits the will of Prime Minister Cao, and wins the favor of the prefects of various counties, it is really extremely beautiful.However, his move is also very risky. If someone reads his book and accuses him of contacting the prefects of various counties without authorization for "going against the public and private interests", I am afraid that even Prime Minister Cao may not be able to protect him.However, Sima Yi is Sima Yi, with extraordinary strategy and courage, otherwise he is not enough to be called a generation of outstanding people.