Chapter 176 Section 3 The duel of the top lobbyists

Mao Jiao had been at home for many days, when he heard Li Si's visit suddenly, he was also very surprised.He knew that Li Si was a powerful figure in Qin State's political arena, and the trial of the Lao Ai case made Li Si famous all over the world. People often compared him and Li Si in front of him, so that he secretly regarded Li Si as his own strong enemy. Mao Jiao received Li Si on guard.The two sat down, and Li Si started chatting from Jixia Academy before getting to the point.We know that Li Si is Xunzi's proud disciple, and Xunzi has served as the sacrificial wine of Jixia Academy three times successively-equivalent to being the principal of Jixia Academy. The principal was deeply impressed, and had the honor to hear the teachings of Old Master Xun himself.With this layer of origin, the distance between Li Si and Mao Jiao quickly narrowed.Old Master Xun passed away two years ago (238 B.C., the eighth year of Yingzheng), and when they talked about him, they couldn't help remembering and feeling a lot together.

Mao Jiao has been isolated in Qin State for a long time, and he is in a depressed mood. Today, he had a chat with Li Si, and suddenly sighed that he hated the late acquaintance.Mao Jiao asked about the political situation of Qin State.His situation, his confusion, hoped to be answered by Li Si. However, Li Si avoided this topic and asked, "Your Majesty has been in Xianyang for a while, how is Xianyang? How is it better than Linzi?" Mao Jiao sighed and couldn't answer.Only when he arrived in Xianyang did he know how much he missed Linzi.He misses the mountains and rivers there, the people there, and the friends and folks there.That is his hometown.The hometown he never left since he was a child.But here in Xianyang, he is not used to the crowding out between the government and the opposition, cultural differences, different meals, different interpersonal relationships, etc., and he doesn't like it.

Li Si knew that Mao Jiao was miserable, so he said: "Your life is at stake, do you know?" Mao Jiao is also a master lobbyist, and he is very familiar with such opening remarks.Playing this game in front of me, Li Si, you are looking for the wrong person.Mao Jiao said with a smile: "I am not afraid of the dead! If you die, you will die. Why worry about it?" Mao Jiao originally thought that this sentence was enough to silence Li Si, but Li Si still looked determined.Li Si knew Mao Jiao's level of lobbying well, and he would not be easily led by himself.However, Li Si firmly believed that those who are good at attacking may not be good at defending, and Mao Jiao must be able to be persuaded.Li Sidao: "Although Mr. Mao's theory is high, I think it is not interesting. Of all things in life, death is the most important, can you be careless? What do you mean by death? To die in the wrath of the King of Qin or at the hands of a bitch, there is no gain. Is it different? When Mao Jun remonstrated with the King of Qin, he was full of loyalty and the world waited and watched. At that time, death was nothing to fear. There are three ways for a king to die today, all of which are enough to humiliate his name and shame his body. Huh?"

Mao Jiao said, "I would like to hear about it." Li Sidao: "Li Siwen heard that the Empress Dowager loves you very much. She has called you to visit her many times, but you have avoided her. There is a story about Lai Ai before, and she avoids the actions of a sincere and wise person. However, it is most difficult to accept the favor of a beautiful woman, let alone that beauty is the Queen Mother." ?The queen mother can't get Mao Jun, but it is enough to destroy Mao Jun. Mao Jun rejects the Queen Mother's kindness, the queen mother would rather have no anger? The queen mother would rather have no complaints? shame."

When Mao Jiao thought of the amorous Zhao Ji, he couldn't help but feel dizzy.He admitted that the situation Li Si said was not impossible.Mao Jiao said: "There are three ways for me to die, what is the second one?" Li Si said again: "It is easy to gain power, but difficult to deal with. Mr. Mao suddenly gained a high position, and many courtiers were jealous, and wanted to be detrimental to Mr. Mao. The clan regarded Mr. Mao as a foreigner and hated him. The old ministers regarded Mr. Mao as a new nobleman and hated him." You are independent from the court, and enemies are numerous. Even if you have the trust of the King of Qin for a while, you ask yourself whether you can save it? The innocent are hated and died, which is not what a gentleman wants."

Mao Jiao said, "What's the third one?" Li Sidao: "Mr. Mao has lived in the study for a long time. He knows the situation of the world, but he doesn't know the people's hearts. There are many dead men here. They don't care about their lives if they want to benefit their master. It's easy to hide a spear, but it's hard to guard against it. Mr. Mao will eventually go out. Stealing fear The day Mao Jun goes out is the day he dies in the market. To die at the hands of villains is not the ambition of a gentleman." Mao Jiao thought of the fruit thrown at him.The darkness and complexity of politics is completely different from his original imagination.In fact, long before Li Si said it, he had already thought of quitting.He has made up his mind, and the conversation with Li Si now is more like a game to him.Mao Jiao asked: "If this is the case, where will Mao Jiao go?"

Li Si also noticed that Mao Jiao's tone was different, he had no time to think carefully, and said: "Mr. Mao was educated by Lu Zhonglian, why not follow the example of his teacher, hold high morals, stay away from officials, let go of his ambitions, talk about the world, and don't lie To the lords, it is like a dragon that sees the head but does not see the end, which is envied by the people of the present world, but will be imagined by future generations?" Mao Jiao said: "My teacher has tasted the saying that those who are more valuable than the world's scholars are those who relieve people's adversity, resolve difficulties, and solve chaos without taking anything. Even if there is someone to take, it is a matter for merchants, and a gentleman can't bear to do it. Instead of being rich and honored, lie For people, there is no such thing as poverty and lowliness and despise the world. If the guest wants me to do it, do you think this is the case?"

Li Si thought that Mao Jiao had been persuaded, so he nodded.Unexpectedly, Mao Jiao changed the subject and said with a smile: "Don't do to others what you don't want yourself to do to others. You advised Mao Jiao to retreat, why didn't you retreat first?" After speaking, Mao Jiao squinted his eyes and looked at Li Si proudly. It depends on how he answers.