Chapter 14 Section 2: Recommending the Virtuous and Killing the Virtuous Uncle Cuo Died of Worry and Anger

In the prime minister's mansion in the south of Tianjie, the cars and horses in front of the gate are deserted, and the mansion is filled with heaviness and sadness. The uncle Cuo with white hair like snow was lying on the couch so breathless that he didn't even have the strength to open his eyes.If he hadn't insisted on seeing King Wei, he would have died already.As the pillar of the Wei State, he felt that he really wanted to go this time.He no longer cared about the dwindling carriages and horses in front of the house since he fell ill, the seldom visits from King Wei, and all kinds of weird gossip.His only hope at the moment is that King Wei will come back quickly and listen to him explain the last and most important thing in his life.He is very clear in his heart and also very confident, whether it is in terms of merit, prestige or even hard work, he is a well-deserved famous minister of the three dynasties of Wei.Not to mention the invincible love between King Wei's father Wei Wuhou and his monarchs and ministers.Since King Wei Hui came to the throne, his position as prime minister has not been shaken.Although he was defeated several times and was captured by Qin Xiangong once, he did not add the glory of martial arts to King Wei.But he is still the prime minister, and his status in the court of Wei is still so prominent, and the intimacy and trust of King Wei to him have not changed.His loyalty and virtue are legendary.In the ruling and opposition parties of Wei State, there were many people who laughed at his mediocrity, but there was no gossip about those who slandered his virtue.From the bottom of his heart, he really thinks he is a genius.But he also looks down on many talented people, and there is only one reason, that is, these people lack a kind of great virtue of nurturing talents to make things happen.He believes that he has great virtue, but he does not have the outstanding talent to turn his great virtue into political affairs.For many years, he has always harbored a wish in his heart, which is to find a talented person who can turn the world around for the Wei country. At the same time, this person must have high political integrity so as not to cause future troubles for the country.After searching and searching for twenty years, he turned out to be a drinker who had been in the sea but was hard to find.Who would have thought that in the past few years when his political affairs were less and less, he was pleasantly surprised to find that the great talent he had broken through and had nowhere to find was actually by his side!The great fortune of the country can be found in adversity.

For this reason, he did not know how many times he was emotional, how many times he was excited, and how many times he planned the recommendation method?But in the end it failed again and again.He really didn't know how to handle this important event well, and he has been stuck in deep hesitation and depression.According to the king of Wei, the general Pang Juan is a genius in the world, and it seems that with Pang Juan, he can accomplish everything.Uncle Cuo doesn't see it that way.In terms of political ability, he considers himself average.When it comes to meeting people, he thinks he is the infallible eye of heaven.What Pang Juan lacked was the means to accomplish great things and great virtues and schemes, just as what his father-in-law lacked was the talent to accomplish great things.As a famous general, Pang Juan was obviously inferior to Wu Qi in the early Wei Dynasty.This is the lofty ambition and the tenacious will that will never compromise with decay and staleness. It is the grandeur and openness of Qi Huangyang in the old Jin Dynasty.Pang Juan can be the commander-in-chief, but not the prime minister.Otherwise, Wei Guo will inevitably be overthrown in his plan.But for these reasons, Wei Wang always laughed.Later, Gong Shucuo stopped talking about it.The country is stable. In the battle between the generals and prime ministers, he always talks about Pang Juan. How can he feel at ease?Right now, Uncle Cuo doesn't think about these things anymore, he only wants one thing, which is to recommend to King Wei the last time a great talent to succeed him as prime minister.He believed that King Wei would come to visit him at the last moment no matter what, and he still had one last chance.There was silence in the bedroom.The maids by the couch stood around, their faces tensed.Uncles and old ladies sitting in front of the couch were helpless, weeping and speechless.

Uncle Gong suddenly opened his eyes, and asked with difficulty, "King Wei, have you returned to Daliang?" "Wei Wang went back to the palace last night and said that he would come to the mansion to check on your condition at noon today." The old lady hurriedly replied. "What do you think? You went back to the palace last night?" Uncle Gong was surprised. The old lady helped the uncle to sit up, "Don't worry, the king of Wei will come." Uncle Gong sighed in disappointment, but stopped when he wanted to say something.After a long pause, he suddenly asked, "Wei Yang, where is it?"

A maid stepped forward, "Prime Minister, the concubine is sorting out the prime minister's bamboo slips in the study." Uncle Gong was out of breath and said, "Please, invite him to come see me." "Yes." The maid obeyed and hurried away. The study of the prime minister's mansion is in the second entrance of the front yard, in the cross yard of the State Affairs Office.The State Affairs Office is the main hall where the uncle handles government affairs, and it is also the center of the prime minister's mansion.There is a moon gate to the west of the state affairs hall, and the moon gate is an exquisite courtyard.There is a pool, green trees and pavilions in the courtyard, which is very quiet.After passing the pool, there is a row of six-bay brick and stone houses, which is the study of the Prime Minister's Mansion.During the Warring States Period, the prime minister had great power.This kind of "big" does not replace the monarch's decision-making, but independently opens the government to exercise daily administrative power.The so-called Kaifu means that the prime minister's mansion is an independent state government office, and the prime minister has the right to convene officials to discuss matters and issue orders in the mansion without entering the palace.Other officials, except those granted by the monarch, must handle their official duties in the official office they belong to or manage, and the mansion is just a residence in a simple sense.Uncle Cuo is the old prime minister of the Wei state, and the Wei state is the most powerful, prosperous and civilized country, so the prime minister's mansion is even more extraordinary.Let’s just talk about the study of the prime minister’s mansion. Not only are there well-known ancient books in the world and transcripts of articles by famous scholars of various schools since the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods, but also transcripts of government orders of the Luoyang royal family, various warring states, and vassal states. There are all kinds of government decrees and classics.The so-called learning in the government means that the government has a collection of books and a major intellectual class that is incomparable to the people.The study in the prime minister's mansion of Gong Shucuo is managed by six young concubine sons and one middle concubine son.Most of the young concubines were young literati and ink officials, who actually did a lot of daily sorting, repairing and engraving of bamboo slips.The concubine is an adult civil servant, usually a subordinate official of the important minister who founded the government, and can take charge of any specific affairs designated by the minister who founded the government.In the prime minister's mansion of Uncle Cuo, the concubine has always been in charge of the study.

When the maid came to the study, there was a man in white sitting in front of the grown-up desk, with his head lowered, turning over the bamboo slips intently.He didn't even notice when the maid came in. "Young son, the prime minister invites you to go immediately." The man in white at the desk raised his head when he heard the sound, suddenly nodded and stood up abruptly.He has a slender figure, a white cloth shirt with a long collar almost covers the pair of soft white cloth shoes, even his hair is tied with a white ribbon, and a white jade hairpin is inserted horizontally in the hair bundle.Although he is very young, he has a pair of sharp and deep eyes, and his face is sharp and angular, which is different from the round and large faces common to people in the Central Plains. His calm demeanor reveals a kind of coldness and nobility, which is far from the status of a small official in the prime minister's mansion. .He is Wei Yang, the concubine who is in charge of the study, invited by Uncle Cuo.When he stood up, he asked in a low voice, "Has the King of Wei come?" The maid said: "My son, the King of Wei hasn't been here yet, so he said he will come at noon." He didn't say anything else, and walked out of the study in silence.

From the second entrance to the study room to the small courtyard of the prime minister's bedroom, you have to pass through the third entrance courtyard.The young concubine was walking in the deserted courtyard, sighing softly from time to time.Once upon a time, this place was full of officials and officials. The old prime minister had been ill for a long time, and the huge prime minister's mansion turned into a desolate place with few people. Even the busiest and busiest compound of the command hall in ordinary days also grew moss.Is this the ups and downs of the vicissitudes of life?

Hurrying to the prime minister's bedroom, Wei Yang cupped his hands in salute, "Wei Yang sees the prime minister." He stopped talking. The uncle waved his hand, and the maids retreated. "Ma'am, you should avoid it too." Uncle Gong always didn't want his wife to foretell political affairs, and whenever there was an important event, he would ask his wife to avoid it.The uncle and wife also knew that the old man was very particular, so she got up and left the seat, sighed and went out. Uncle Gong looked at the young man in front of him, and said in a slow but very clear tone: "Martingale, you have been here for five years, and the name is to study. Actually, I didn't teach you anything, but you opened it to me. I have opened up a new world. I heard the truth in the morning, and I will die in the evening. Seeing Wei Guo has a talent like you, I will die in peace."

"Uncle Prime Minister, Wei Yang has been in the mansion for five years. He has read all the famous classics in the world, and has benefited a lot from studying government affairs with the prime minister. Wei Yang will always remember the great kindness and virtue of the prime minister." Wei Yang's expression was slightly melancholy. Uncle Gong shook his head slightly, "Martingale, don't talk about this. I want to tell you, I hope you can stay in Wei State and achieve the hegemony of Wei State. The power of Wei State should be to rule the world." Whenever it comes to Wei State's domination, my husband Uncle gasped with excitement.

"Prime Minister, Uncle, I think the weather in Wei is not good, and the King of Wei won't use me." Wei Yang looked very indifferent. "How did you see it?" Uncle Cuo's old and turbid voice revealed surprise. "For one thing, the king of Wei has made great achievements since he came to the throne. He has neglected the country's foundation and is obsessed with showing off his national power. Such a monarch has no insight into the decline of the Wei state, and he has no desire for talents who govern the country. The second point is that the officialdom of the Wei state is too corrupt. The righteousness of power competition disappears, and the evil spirit of flattery grows. King Wei is soaked in corruption and extravagance, how can he surpass a small and middle-class son? Three things, General Pang Juan has become King Wei's important minister. The ruling and opposition parties of the Wei State have been fascinated by the superficial prosperity. No one, together with King Wei, would have thought that the strength of the State of Wei was shrinking day by day, and no one would have thought that the State of Wei needed a second reform and a second climb. With the current situation, how could the State of Wei be able to Urgently seeking talents?" At this point, Wei Yang sighed heavily, "Uncle Prime Minister, Wei Guo will not be strong for a long time. It is useless for Wei Yang to stay."

Uncle Cuo stared at Wei Yang closely, with a strange gleam in his old eyes, "Marting, you always have special insights. This is why I strongly recommend you. Please tell me the truth , if King Wei can really use you and entrust you with important tasks, what will happen to you?" "Within twenty years, Wei State will rule the world." Wei Yang's tone suddenly became firm and confident. Gongshucuo let out a long breath, his face flushed with excitement, "Martingale, I will die soon. Can you tell me who is your real mentor? I really want to see What a great person this is. It is a great joy in life to be able to cultivate talents from all over the world. I long for this expert to have a disciple like you."

Wei Yang: "Prime Minister Gongshu, Mr. has an appointment with me, and he will never reveal his name. I should stand between the heavens and the earth with my true talents and learning, not my reputation. My good and evil deeds, All should be borne by myself. I will abide by the agreement." Uncle Zuo was silent for a long time, and sighed, "There are teachers and students like you who are so independent in the world, and there are only five colors in the world, so rich and colorful." The maid came in and reported in a low voice: "Prime Minister, King Wei is here." Uncle Gong's eyes showed excitement, and he said in a low voice, "Martingale, you go down first." Wei Yang nodded and walked out calmly through the side door. "The king of Wei is here—!" The guard outside the dormitory gave a long call. King Wei Hui is here.The light car is simple and unpretentious, which is quite different from usual.He knew very well that the old uncle didn't care about luxury and he hated the bling, jewels, luxury cars and horses. Several royal children had been dismissed by the old uncle for this reason.Although King Wei Hui himself is the king of a country, the old uncle can't do anything to him.But for this senior and respected veteran of the three dynasties, King Wei Hui always had some inexplicable scruples.This is different from the vague dislike for Pang Juan.Pang Juan is a celebrity in civilian clothes and has no complicated roots. King Wei Hui doesn't need to hide anything in front of Pang Juan.But the old uncle is different, not to mention that the uncle's family is the Wei family before the Jin Dynasty, and the children of the family are all over the Wei State official office.If he keeps nagging about your shortcomings, you will definitely not live in peace, because that will soon be judged by the people of the country as an authority, and your reputation will naturally drop.For such an old-fashioned famous minister, even the king must restrain himself.Every time he saw the old uncle, Wei Huiwang would deliberately be simple, making him very uncomfortable.This is also the reason why King Wei Hui seldom goes to the prime minister's mansion.Uncle Zuo has been ill for many years, and he only came to visit once.He would rather keep sending his servants to bring precious medicinal materials and various gifts than to have a face-to-face conversation with the old uncle.Yesterday at Fengze Hunting Ground, he heard the urgent report that his old uncle was critically ill, and he was even a little vaguely happy and relaxed.Dismissal of such an old official who is out of date will attract criticism from the people of the country, and if he is allowed to be in power, it will really get in the way. The best result is that he should not grow like an evergreen fruit in the world.It seems that the old uncle is finally going to give way, and the day when Wei Guojun and minister Xinrui let go of his hands and feet is coming.Today, King Wei Hui deliberately changed into a set of half-worn casual clothes, and came in an ordinary car.The only special thing is that there is five thousand gold in the car, which is going to be given to the uncle and wife to spend the rest of their lives in peace.At the same time, King Wei Hui has decided to hold the old uncle's funeral grandly, so that the world will know the virtue of King Wei respecting the elderly and respecting the virtuous. When Wei Huiwang walked into the dormitory, his face was full of heaviness and sadness. Uncle Cuo bowed his body and cupped his hands on the couch, "Wei Wang Shuchen is seriously ill and cannot get up to greet him." King Wei Hui hurried to the couch to support his uncle Cuo, he was caring and kind, "You don't need to be polite, the old prime minister, the illness is important. The king hurried back last night. I should have come here immediately. However, the state affairs are so complicated. It’s too late.” At this time, the maid brought an embroidered pier and placed it on the side of the couch, and the king of Wei sat down and said: “The old prime minister has been ill for a long time, let’s rest in peace, the country of Wei cannot live without the support of the old prime minister.” With tears in his old uncle's eyes, he choked up and said: "Old minister... this time, I'm afraid there will be more bad luck than good luck." "Auspicious people have their own heaven. The old prime minister, but don't worry, my king sent an imperial physician to guard the old prime minister day and night." Gong Shuxuan shook his head, gasped and struggled to sit up, "I am waiting for my king's return with the rest of my breath. I want to recommend a ruler to my king to succeed me. This person is a great talent to turn the world around, enough to wipe out the princes. , to rule the world, and to accomplish the great cause of Wei." King Wei Hui nodded seriously, and asked urgently, "Who is he? He is a general? It's time for Pang Juan to change." "Wei Yang... Right now, he is in my residence." "Wei Yang?" Wei Huiwang was stunned, and suddenly seemed much more relaxed, "Is it the Wei Yang that the old prime minister mentioned several times? Old prime minister, he is only twenty-three years old. Don't you think he is too immature? Besides, Whose student is he? How can he be called a great talent who can turn things around?" "My king will know it as soon as he talks to him. Why do you have to look at the teacher when you look at people?" "Famous teachers make great apprentices. Can he learn without a teacher?" King Wei Hui smiled generously. Uncle Cuo cupped his hands with difficulty, his old face solemn, "King Wei, let me listen to your last words. I know Wei Yang very well. This man is of Yin and Shang descent and has extremely high talent. He is a talented person. Wei Yang has helped his ministers handle the state affairs for five years, and his many opinions have greatly shocked the ministers. If this person cannot be reused by our king, it will be the eternal hatred of Wei Guo.” King Hui of Wei understood the earnest chatter of this old minister very well. When a person is about to die, his words are kind.But he can't take this kind of sick talk seriously.After pondering for a moment, he stood up and supported Uncle Cuo, and said in a concerned tone: "Old Prime Minister, you are seriously ill, rest at ease." Uncle Gong closed his eyes, two lines of hot tears welled up on his old and painful face. King Wei Hui felt a little impatient, he didn't want to continue talking about an unknown young man, so he patted his father-in-law Cuo, still with a more concerned tone: "Old Prime Minister, who do you think is more suitable to be Prime Minister, Pang Juan or Young Master Ang?" Uncle Cuo didn't pick up the topic, his eyes were cold, "Please tell me the truth, does Wei Guo really not use Wei Yang?" King Wei Hui smiled helplessly, "Old Prime Minister, are you relieved to entrust the fate of a great country to a young man who doesn't know the details?" Uncle Gong was silent, he let out a long sigh, and suddenly his eyes lit up, "My king must kill this person if he doesn't use him. For the long-term plan of Wei State, he must not be allowed to go to other countries." King Wei Hui looked at Uncle Zuo in surprise, and felt that he must have lost his mind because he was such a dignified prime minister of Wei Guo that he was so stubbornly entangled with an unknown junior.For a moment, he felt sorry for this old hero with hair like frost and snow and skinny like a stick, and felt that he couldn't let him down any more, so he said with a relieved smile, "Okay, okay, I'll kill him tomorrow, heh." The father-in-law leaned weakly on the couch, weeping, unwilling to say a word. King Wei Hui walked out of the dormitory silently, ordered the servants to bring the big copper box, gave five thousand gold to the uncle and wife, said a lot of concerned words, and left in a light cart. Uncle Gong shook his hand with difficulty, "Wei Yang, invite him to come, hurry up." Hearing this, the maid hurried away. When Wei Yang came to the dormitory, he obviously felt the disappointment and sadness of his uncle and prime minister.But he didn't speak, just stood silently.Uncle Gong sighed a long time, "Martingale, run away quickly, it will be too late." Wei Yang smiled faintly, "Why did you run away? Where did you go?" Uncle Gong's face turned red , gasping for a while, "Martingale, for the sake of the country's righteousness, I tried my best to recommend you to take on the great responsibility. However, the king of Wei didn't want you. The old man persuaded the king of Wei to kill you. Killing you and using you is to do your duty for the country. Advise You run away to end your friendship. You go, go—" "Prime Minister, if this is the reason, there is no need to run away." Wei Yang was not surprised at all, and he didn't look like he was going to leave immediately. "You? Would you rather die in the Kingdom of Wei?" The old man was astonished. "Uncle Prime Minister, since King Wei won't listen to your words of using me, how can he listen to your words of killing me? He won't take me to heart. Don't worry about it." Wei Yang smiled lightly. The uncle's dim old eyes fixed on Wei Yang.He was obviously surprised, but he suddenly felt that he understood the truth. It was the same truth. As an old man who had experienced many vicissitudes, how could he not see it as thoroughly as the young scholar in front of him?There is no other talent for great wisdom!The old man couldn't help letting out a long breath, "Martingale, your knowledge is always superior to others...I can't see, I can't see that you have made great achievements...Which country are you going to?...You, you It will destroy the Kingdom of Wei, right..." He stretched out his skinny hands and held Wei Yang tightly, the gleam of light in his eyes gradually extinguished, and his old face gradually stretched out—the old uncle left, leaving in a disheartened manner. Wei Yang stood silently in front of the couch, cold sadness welled up in his heart, and big tears rolled down his cheeks.He bowed deeply to the body of Uncle Zuo, "Master Gongshu, thank you for knowing me so deeply. But you have no power to recover, and can only watch Wei Guo slide into the deep valley. My lord, you are worthy of Wei Guo , you may rest in peace." That night, white lanterns were hung in the uncle's mansion, and everyone in the mansion, all dressed in linen filial piety, let out mournful voices.As the news spread, some people in Anyi City were happy and some were worried, Dongxiangchun's debate hall was packed, and the all-night debates and questioning were still full of different opinions.King Wei Hui rushed to the uncle's mansion that night, wearing white filial piety clothes, and crying loudly in front of the uncle's coffin.King Wei's sacrifice disturbed the powerful officials and officials in Anyi. Tall carts and horses crowded the parking lot in front of the prime minister's mansion for a while.But there is a rumor in the Dongxiangchun Debate Hall: only the general Pang Juan did not go to the uncle's mansion to pay homage.The news aroused heated debates and speculations among the guests from all over the world and scholars in Anyi. Ten days later, Uncle Cuo was solemnly buried at the foot of Wuzhen Peak in Lingshan Mountain in the south of Anyi City.The solitary peak is a mausoleum, overlooking Yanze in the south, and the construction is almost the same as Wei Wenhou's cemetery.King Wei Hui discussed with his uncle and wife, and in view of the fact that the old prime minister had no children, he decided to send a capable cadre in the mansion to guard the mausoleum for three years.When I was carefully selecting, I didn't want the maid to report that someone had asked to guard the tomb.When Madam asked, it turned out to be the concubine Wei Yang!King Wei Hui smiled, "The old prime minister seems to have mentioned this person. Let him go, and it's not in vain for the old prime minister to appreciate him."