Chapter 38 4. The "holy minister" of the prime minister's mansion

After returning to Xudu, Sima Yi rushed to the prime minister's mansion first without leaving the saddle, and reported to Cao Cao that he had changed his power in Nanyang and killed Zhu Hu to cause the people's indignation. Cao Cao was in the White Tiger Hall at that time and his generals were studying the matter of the Eastern Campaign against Sun Quan. After listening to Sima Yi's brief report quietly, he didn't say much, just said: "Understood." He pointed to the corner of the White Tiger Hall He asked him to wait for a seat first, and then he immersed himself in studying the map, and continued to discuss with the generals how to deploy troops to attack Jiangdong.

After an hour, after the matter of the Eastern Expedition was decided, the generals obeyed orders and dispersed.The White Tiger Hall gradually fell silent, and finally only Cao Cao and Sima Yi were left sitting opposite each other. Cao Cao was silent for a moment, then stood up slowly, walked in front of Sima Yi step by step with a graceful and composed square step.Suddenly, his figure was fixed, his eyes radiated coldness, he stared at Sima Yi, and said coldly: "Sima Zhongda! The truth is that you are only given the task of 'watching the wind and inspecting', not giving you the responsibility of representing yourself. Law enforcement is like a mountain, and you have the power to kill and make decisions! Why are you so self-absorbed that you actually killed a Nanyang prefect with an official rank of two thousand shi? "

"Prime Minister, how dare your subordinates take such an act of arbitrariness? At that time, Zhu Hu knew that he had committed a crime and had nothing to pray for, so he committed suicide to appease the anger of the people in Nanyang and to thank the Prime Minister for his responsibility. At that time, What I did, I just wanted to lock him back to Xudu, hand him over to the Prime Minister's Mansion and the Ministry of Punishment for sentencing, and make it clear to the world, so as to serve as an example to others." Sima Yi kowtowed and said, "My lord, please learn from me, this subordinate is from Confucianism. How dare you act arbitrarily in violation of etiquette and law?"

When Cao Cao heard this, he just looked at him deeply, and after a cup of tea, he said leisurely, "Since Zhu Hu committed suicide in fear of crime, that's all. But, the truth is, I heard that you actually ordered him to be imprisoned in the Nanyang government office." The subordinate staff, servants, and other minions of the "whole" have been arrested... Sima Zhongda, your thunderous tactics really make people have to look at you, a scribe who claims to be a Confucian, with admiration!" When Sima Yi heard this, his heart was shaken again, his thoughts changed suddenly, he kowtowed three times, and then said respectfully: "Mr. The decree is clear in the ears, and the subordinates have a bit of confidence, and dare not take the teachings of the Prime Minister because of their cowardice."

"The decree of the truth?" Cao Cao's face froze when he heard it, and he was very stunned. "When you were in Nanyang County, did the minister give you any decrees?" "Master Prime Minister, when the subordinates were ordered to go to the Sifang Prefecture to watch the wind and inspect the day, didn't you instruct the subordinates to follow the example of Xun Lingjun wholeheartedly and be a good "sage minister" in the prime minister's mansion? "Sima Yi raised his eyes, stared straight at Cao Cao, and said calmly, without any timidity on his face, "You also quoted the classic inscription in detail and earnestly to inspire us—'Yu Bud has not moved, When the sign is not seen, one can clearly see the opportunity of survival, the key to gain and loss, and before the forewarning happens, the one who makes the lord stand in a place of glory and make the world beautiful is a holy minister.' And the subordinates are in Nanyang County Everything you have done is completely done in accordance with your orders. Please learn from the Prime Minister."

Standing in front of him, Cao Cao was choked up and speechless.He rolled his eyes a few times, but he didn't know how to refute this eloquent Sima Yi.After a while, he chuckled, and said half mockingly: "Oh! I don't really know from the facts that you are in Nanyang County. When the buds are not budding and the signs are not seen, you clearly see the chance of survival. , the key to gains and losses, before the foreboding happens'! Sima Zhongda, please explain in detail so that the truth can be heard." When Sima Yi heard the words, he hurriedly and humbly replied "Yes", and then said in a very eloquent way: "Your Excellency, Nanyang County is the throat of the imperial court's conquest of Sun Quan in the east and Liu Bei in the south. The location is critical and cannot be ignored. The fortresses lining Wancheng and Xiangyang and guarding the gates of Yuzhou are easy to attack and difficult to defend. If Zhu Hu does not understand the overall situation there, he acts against the law, causing incidents and causing a rebellion in Nanyang—then there will be Sun Quan in the east The mighty army of Jingzhou is watching, and the great army of Guan Yu in Jingzhou is waiting for an opportunity to devour it. How can the court deal with the aftermath? If there is a slight mistake and the land of Nanyang County is lost, it will be difficult for everyone to sleep. Therefore, thousands of subordinates After much deliberation, I felt that the situation was urgent, and it was too late to ask the prime minister for your instructions, so I had to adapt to the situation, first lock up Zhu Hu and his minions to reassure the people, and then send them to Xudu for punishment... Prime Minister My lord, this subordinate's move is indeed too bold, and I know in my heart that after returning to Xudu, I will inevitably be misunderstood by the prime minister. But this subordinate thinks about himself, for the long-term stability of the country, for the impregnability of the frontier town, and for the prevention of disasters Yu Weiran, the subordinates are willing to take the prime minister's severe reprimand, and they can only exercise power randomly to get rid of the troubles of Nanyang's cruel officials and tricky officials... The prime minister has always learned from thousands of miles, and he knows everything that is good. I hope to understand the painstaking efforts of my subordinates .”

Cao Cao stood quietly, listening to his words silently, his complexion relaxed a lot at this moment, he raised his right hand, and helped Sima Yi, who was kneeling on the ground, through the air, and said calmly: "Zhongda , It seems that the real minister has indeed blamed you a bit. You don’t have to take these things to heart. In the future, you still have to remember the decree of the real minister and be a "holy minister" in the prime minister's mansion down-to-earth. Do not slack off your ambition and diligence because of today's events..." "Your prime minister is wise, fair and selfless, and your subordinates should do their best to serve you loyally." Sima Yi straightened his upper body, took out a memorial from his right sleeve, and presented it respectfully, "This is my subordinate After observing the feelings of the prefectures and counties, I wrote a piece of "On the Construction of Army Stations to Raise Soldiers and Safeguard the Country" written after painstaking consideration. I ask the Prime Minister to advise..."

"What memorial? Well...let's see the truth." Cao Cao reached out to take the memorial, gently opened it and read it out, "'In the past, when Jizi talked about Chen Junguo's grand plan, he started with food. According to According to my investigation, there are still more than 300,000 people in the army stationed in the Sifang prefectures and counties in the world who do not farm but eat. Although the wars in the four directions are not peaceful and the military armor has not yet been rolled up, the army stationed in the county can still be ordered to use the leisure time of the four seasons to cultivate and guard, and be self-sufficient. If this can be done, it will benefit the country at the top and the people at the bottom. There is nothing good about it'. "

While thinking about it, Cao Cao's face that had been slightly gloomy gradually became clearer, and his deeply locked brows unknowingly relaxed... The night was dark, and the autumn wind outside the hall was whistling, rolling over the roof in bursts, making the iron horse wind chimes at the corners of the eaves jingle. Sima Yi sat quietly on the wooden couch, looking at the thick and thick letters that Gao Rou, Liang Xi, Jia Kui and other prefects and governors of various prefectures and counties wrote to the court to ask Prime Minister Cao Jingong to give him a gift on the desk in front of him. Pushing and wearing the watch in a large stack, he was silent, as if he had fallen into deep contemplation.

The hall door was gently pushed open, and Sima Lang and Dong Zhao walked in silently like ghosts. Sima Yi, who was deep in thought, raised his head and saw the two of them as if he had a feeling in his heart. He hurriedly stood up from the couch, and retreated respectfully to the side seat on the left side of the wooden couch. Sima Lang led Dong Zhao to the seat on the right side of the wooden couch, and at the same time gave Sima Yi a secret wink, and then took a seat on the right side of the wooden couch. He coughed lightly, then turned to Dong Zhao and asked, "Dr. Dong, how many sages and officials have you persuaded in the court recently to prepare a joint petition for Prime Minister Cao to be conferred the title of Duke and the ceremony of Jiuxi?"

A trace of worry flashed across Dong Zhao's face, he stretched out his hand and twirled the beard at the corner of his lips, and sighed deeply: "In the past two months, the old man has been lobbying in many ways, racking his brains, exhausting his lips and tongue, but it's just an invitation Eight or nine famous scholars and officials, including Hua Xin, Zhong Yao, and Chen Qun, were willing to come forward to jointly present this performance. Many disciples and old officials of the three major families of Xun, Yang, and Wang actually communicated with each other. Like Xun You and Yang Jun, they all ignored the old man's suggestion...It seems that this Xu capital city has been guarded by them almost impenetrable, impenetrable. We want to start a wave of support for Prime Minister Cao from here The climax of the Duke of Jin's blessing is really too difficult..." After hearing this, Sima Lang also frowned, worried, and asked: "In Dr. Dong's opinion, what should we do now?" "Oh? Master Sima is asking the old man what he thinks right now?" Dong Zhao shook his head, his face growing more worried, "In my opinion, I'm afraid this matter will be slowed down for a while. With the current situation, The time has not yet come, and the popularity of the people has not yet arrived, so Prime Minister Cao has to wait for a while..." "No! Prime Minister Cao has decided to conquer Sun Quan in person in more than a month. He wants to see the progress of this matter before then..." Sima Lang shook his head slowly and said, "Prime Minister Cao is in a very urgent mood. He has already He is sixty years old, and he has to go to the battlefield regardless of the pain of the pommel horse and the risk of a bloody battle... In all fairness, the imperial court should respect and respect him no matter what this time!" "How can I not know these reasons?" Dong Zhao sighed deeply, "But the famous scholars and officials in Xudu City just don't want to sign and jointly sign this push and wear watch! It's impossible for the two generals Xia Houshang and Cao Hong to chop off their Do you want to write your signature?" "Doctor Dong's words make this matter too difficult." Sima Yi, who had been sitting silently on the side seat on the left side of the wooden couch, couldn't help but speak at last when he heard this. "Hmm..." Dong Zhao's eyes flashed, and he looked towards him hastily, and asked in surprise and sarcasm, "Listening to what Zhongda said, are you sure about this matter? Come and listen to it." Sima Yi didn't answer right away, but got up slowly, walked to the side of the book case, and held up a thick stack of watches written by prefects and governors of various counties with great care, like holding up a heavy stone tablet , step by step, walked slowly in front of Dong Zhao, and presented it respectfully: "Dr. Dong, please take a look." Amidst all kinds of surprises, Dong Zhao reached out and took the stack of push-and-wear watches, gently placed them on the side of his seat, then picked up the one on his face, and looked carefully. After reading it, Dong Zhao's complexion changed drastically. With a "snap", he put down the copy of the playlist, took out another copy from the stack of push-and-wear watches beside him, and flipped through it quickly.He flipped through thirteen or four melodies in a row, before he stopped, sat down on the seat, panted heavily, and his cheeks gradually blushed. "Great... that's great!" After a while, Dong Zhao's slightly trembling cheer burst out from the depths of his chest, breaking the silence in the room at once, "With the support of these prefects and governors With the watch as evidence and foreshadowing, the old man can open up the situation in one fell swoop, and persuade more people who are neutral and neutral to push Prime Minister Cao and Duke Jin to give gifts..." Sima Yi just quietly retreated to his seat and sat down, his face was calm, as if he had expected Dong Zhao's surprise and abnormal behavior at this moment, and he was so calm that he turned a blind eye. After a long time, Dong Zhaofang calmed down, raised his head, and stared at Sima Yi as if he had just met Sima Yi for the first time, with an expression on his face that seemed to have infinite emotion: "Zhong Da is really an amazing genius! The county went to watch the wind and inspect, and came back with these performances in a short time. What a good vision! Good means! Good strategy! The young people are formidable, and the future is boundless. extreme." After hearing his compliments, Sima Yi hastily bowed down and gave a deep thank you, with a calm expression on his face, he still said calmly: "What this junior did today is nothing more than being obedient to others. On the contrary, Dr. Dong’s trip to contact the sages and officials in Xu Capital City can be called a heavy responsibility and a great achievement. If there is only one word from the seniors tonight, this is a big matter. It is related to the safety of our family. It can only be successful. Can't fail!" "This... the old man naturally understands." Dong Zhao nodded, his face froze again, and he said worryingly, "With these push and wear watches to respond, other famous scholars and officials are easy to deal with, the most difficult thing is to go Convince Xun Lingjun..."