Three Kingdoms

When it comes to the order of seeking talents, most people of later generations think of Cao Cao. Unfortunately, many people only know one of them, and they may not even know much about this one.

In fact, many people had proposed the order to seek talents long before Cao Cao. Cao Cao was not the founder of the order to seek talents. The two more famous ones were Qin Xiaogong and Emperor Wu of Han.

Qin Xiaogong's order to seek talents created the rise of the Qin Dynasty. If Duke Xiao of Qin had not issued an order seeking talents at that time, there might not have been Shang Yang, let alone a rich country and a strong army.

At that time, many talents who could not be reused in other princes' countries, or who were excluded, went to Qin one after another, to a country that was originally considered by most people to be a barbaric land and a country where Yi and Di gathered...

And Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty is even more interesting, especially the sentence "If you have extraordinary achievements, you must treat extraordinary people", which has become a classic. Perhaps only this kind of eclectic way of concentrating on talents, so it was also the same during the period of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. There have been a large number of precedents of barbarians serving as officials and even being granted the title of marquis.

As for Cao Cao.

hehe.

Strictly speaking, Cao Cao issued the order to seek talents not once, but three times. The first was called the "Order to Seek Talents" and was issued in the spring of the 15th year of Jian'an. The second was called the "Order to Recruit Scholars Not to Abandon Those Who Are Short-term" and was promulgated in the 19th year of Jian'an. The third was called "Recruiting Talents" "Not to be implicated in moral conduct" was issued in the 22nd year of Jian'an.

Looking at Cao Cao's talent team in history, the most important ones are the group of people who started in Yanzhou, such as the Xiahou family, the Cao brothers, and people like Xun Yu, Cheng Yu, Guo Jia, etc. The second group was those who later came from Yuzhou That wave of talents, such as Zhong Yao, Chen Qun, Wang Lang, Du Xi, Xin Pi, Zhao Yan and so on.

Those who surrendered after conquering various places became the third echelon of personnel, such as Zhang Fan, Tian Chou, Wang Xiu, Bing Yuan, Guan Ning, Cui Yan, Huan Jie, Wenpin, Wang Can, etc...

But what is very interesting is that the above personnel had already served as officials under Cao Cao before the recruitment order. After the recruitment order was issued, that is, fifteen years after Jian'an, Cao Cao's talent group did not have many new recruits. At the same time, the pattern of the Three Kingdoms had been established after the Battle of Chibi, and the flow of talent was smaller than before the war. This is also the trend of the times. .

So why did Cao Cao issue orders to seek talents again and again when he already had a large number of talents and the overall pattern of the Three Kingdoms was basically determined?

There is a saying that a drunkard does not care about wine.

Cao Cao's recruitment order was not only written for the world's nobles, but also for Liu Xie.

The Han Dynasty was a society of scholars. As the former "eunuch's legacy", Cao Cao, although he had obtained the broadest and most powerful land through strategy and force, faced the aristocratic families, especially those like Yuan Yang. Among the descendants of the "Four Generations and Three Dukes" noble clans, who really supports the Cao family and who is temporarily content with it has become a very thorny issue that Cao Cao must thoroughly investigate internally.

Therefore, establishing authority and changing the concept of family status was what Cao Cao had to do at that time point.

The recruitment order was the first test, as can be seen from the phrases in it, "I am attracted by the beauty of the young," and the sentence, "The bright and humble, only the talented are promoted." Cao Cao used the poor and talented man Zhun Huaiyu as an example. This metaphor is not a complete metaphor for those undiscovered sages, but reflects Cao Cao himself!

The phrase "Ming Yang and humble" comes from "Shangshu", which is originally the language of Emperor Yao to recommend talents to Shun, so it is actually very clear whether the recruitment order is actually recruiting talents...

The behavior that followed also explained all this.

Three years later, in the 18th year of Jian'an, Cao Cao was officially named Duke of Wei. From then on, in this land of the Han Dynasty, the flags of the Han Dynasty were more often replaced by the flags of the Wei State. In addition, the Wei State was allowed to build its own government agencies and ancestral temples, and could set up ministers, ministers, and other internal and external officials that were exactly the same as the original Han Dynasty court, making it look like a state within a state.

So in fact, when you ask for a wise man, you are not asking for an ordinary wise man, but you are forcing Liu Xie to give up his throne to Cao Cao, a wise man...

At the same time, from another perspective, is it true that the promulgation of the order for seeking talents can be issued just by the people of one place and one county?

Look at who has issued the order seeking talents before?

Duke Xiao of Qin.

Emperor Wu of Han Dynasty.

Then came Cao Cao, and when did Cao Cao issue it?

Fifteen years of Jian'an.

Two years have passed since the Battle of Chibi. Sun Quan was still with Jiangnan, and there was a threat, but not a big one. Liu Bei had not even been able to fully enter Sichuan, and he would not really fall out with Liu Zhang until the seventeenth year of Jian'an.

In the Han Dynasty, half of the world was already in the hands of Cao Cao. At this time, Cao Cao issued an order seeking talents to test the waters and build a peacock tower to see how popular it would be...

And what if the image of the Han Dynasty has not completely collapsed, and if it is just one place, one county, or even just a few counties, it will issue an order to seek talents in the world?

It is one's duty to seek virtuous people in the name of filial piety and integrity within a county. To seek virtuous people from all over the world, hey, it is really something that only a certain level of ignorance can do...

It is estimated that if Sima Zhao had grown up early, he might have jumped on him immediately, holding his hands tightly and calling him comrade. Wasn't it obvious that he was planning to usurp the throne and start a rebellion?

So Fei Qian has always thought about it, but didn't dare.

After all, risks are everywhere.

But this time, it is an excellent opportunity...

It was the emperor Liu Xie who issued the order to seek talents, so the original risks and problems no longer existed. As the emperor, he is naturally qualified to extend an olive branch to talents all over the world, and he will not suffer any rumors, because this is a matter of course.

At the same time, the issuance of the order to seek talents will inevitably have a strong impact on the gentry's original promotion model based on the "recommendation system", and all the side effects of this powerful shock wave will naturally be caused by Liu Xie, a shining big man. All the shields have been taken down, and Fei Qian will also have the right to explain later.

Aha, you don’t accept it?

If you don't accept it, go to Han Emperor Liu Xie...

And in this way, there are some other additional functions, and these functions are hidden but effective. Maybe they will play some special effects in the future.

Just like playing chess, if you can't see your own next move, then there is no way forward. If you can't see the opponent's next move, then you have already lost half of the battle. If you want to win on this chessboard, , then you not only need to know how you are going to move, but you also need to know how the other party is going to move. Of course, the further you look, the better, and the probability of winning will naturally be greater.

To issue a recruitment order, it is naturally most appropriate to do so before the Academy.

As an office veteran, Fei Qian naturally knew what to do to make Liu Xie feel most comfortable. When it comes to matters such as the Order of Merit, it is not about overall control, nor is it about reporting every detail, but just like in the offices of later generations, asking Liu Xie to find some things that are easy to change and ask Liu Xie to take them. idea……

For example, whether the paving on both sides of the road should be mainly red or mainly black, etc. No matter how these changes are made, it is relatively easy and will not affect the overall situation, but it can give Liu Xie a sense of control. and a sense of participation.

Therefore, for the first time since Liu Xie ascended the throne, he felt that he was playing the leading role in such a major political event, rather than being a foil to other officials, let alone a puppet who could only obey what was said. This feeling made Liu Xie full of enthusiasm, and even Somewhat eagerly awaiting.

On the square of the Academy Hall, flags were fluttering, and soldiers holding swords and sabers were guarding the surrounding areas. Facing the door of the main hall, Fei Qian led everyone to stand solemnly and wait quietly. Today, to make Liu Xie feel like a protagonist, it is natural to make him the center of attention.

"The auspicious time has come!"

"Your Majesty is here!"

"welcome!"

Accompanied by the solemn tone of the ceremony officer, a colorful canopy umbrella was stretched out from the main hall, and under the canopy umbrella was Liu Xie in full dress.

"I respectfully welcome Your Majesty!"

"Everyone, I love you!"

After the meticulous process was completed, Liu Xie took a roll of towel from the attendant on the side. Generally speaking, Liu Xie did not need to recite this "Recruitment Order" in person. Like other edicts, the eunuch could just recite it directly in front of the public. But this time, perhaps because he felt that this matter was very important, Perhaps because he felt that he should do something for the big man, Liu Xie insisted on doing it himself.

"...In the past, Taizu founded the country, rejuvenated it with glory and military power, cultivated virtues and practiced benevolence, and blessed China. The East China Sea and the West, the southern border and the northern desert, fertile land thousands of miles away, are very vast and beautiful. However, today the world is restless, the family and the country are restless, and foreign troubles have not disappeared, and there are more Internal worries..."

"...The sky and the earth are vast, giving birth to the four directions. Light and dark, the sun, moon and stars, depth, rivers, seas, mountains, high and low, giant trees and cattails, what can't be used? What can't be used?"

"...In ancient times, talented people have faced many difficulties. Jiang Weng was poor, Zhong Nie was hurt when cutting his patella, and his crotch was humiliated. Talent is difficult, and it is also difficult to recognize talent! Nowadays, one may have a clear understanding and a pure mind; some may have a high position. , his moral character is more important than his responsibilities; or he is a filial brother who works hard in the field, and has always done well in high places; or he has a great pen and elegant writing, and his writing is beautiful; or he has a good academic knowledge, and has been learned for thousands of years; To keep one's power but not to use it, to advance in an official position without any steps, to devote oneself to one's own life, this is the harm done to a great man..."

"... Virtue needs to be cultivated through talent, and talent is based on virtue. Virtue is trustworthy, and talent is promising. Those who have both virtue and talent will be the pillars of the country. When great talents are used, the sun and the moon will move smoothly; when miraculous talents are used, the rivers will be clear and the sea will be clear. Yan: If talents are put to good use, the world will be at peace. If talents are not used, the country will be in darkness and the dynasty will suffer defeat. Only when talents are put to their best use can the country be bright and the dynasty prosperous..."

"...Therefore, I am issuing an order to recruit talented people, which will be widely used in the world. If there are talented people who can guide powerful men, I will not be stingy and honor officials and make them marquis to highlight their talents..."

Liu Xielue's childish voice echoed in front of the hall.

At this moment, Liu Xie's excited hands even trembled slightly. He seemed to see those great ancestors of the Liu family smiling approvingly at him in the air...

…………………………

Fei Qian looked at Liu Xie, who was surrounded by people like a giant panda, a national treasure of later generations, in front of the main hall like stars holding the moon. The doctors in the academy and some nobles who had heard the news and came from the surrounding areas were like waves. Usually, people come up to greet them, smile slightly, then get up and walk out.

"...After a while, if His Majesty feels a little tired, go in and tell them that the auspicious time has passed and let them all calm down..." Fei Qian whispered as he walked forward. Perhaps Liu Xie also feels that it is a rare opportunity to have such a discussion with these nobles at the grassroots level, so of course he can't disturb Liu Xie's interest now...

Fei Qian walked outside the main hall square, but met Jia Xu at the corner.

"... Xu congratulates the lord..." Jia Xu cupped his hands towards Fei Qiangong and whispered.

Fei Qian raised his eyebrows, then beckoned for Jia Xu to follow, and then said: "What are you saying to congratulate or not to congratulate? Those who want to congratulate must also congratulate His Majesty..."

Jia Xu cupped his hands and said pointedly: "The Lord has also seen that there are so many people in front of His Majesty... Xu's body is so thin that there is no way he can squeeze in..."

Fei Qian also laughed: "Then do you want Zichu to send two guards to help you clear a way?"

"Thank you Junhou for your kindness, but Xu still feels more comfortable with Junhou..." Jia Xu chuckled, "...By doing this, Junhou is not afraid that there will be too many people in front of His Majesty... "

The corner of Fei Qian's mouth curled up slightly and he said: "If you want to go, you will go naturally. Even if you are not allowed, you will still go, so what is there to worry about? What's more, His Majesty does need some people around him now..."

Can Fei Qian stop the royalists? Even in the situation where Cao Cao was strictly guarding, wouldn't he still be following one after another? Therefore, it is better to push Liu Xie to the front and attract everyone's attention, while standing in the dark, so that he can see the surroundings more clearly.

What's more, does Liu Xie now have the ability to distinguish so-called talents? Can these so-called talents really be given rights and status? Even if a new cavalry general is granted the title, does it mean that he can be compared with Yuan Benchu ​​and compete with each other?

Apart from a false reputation, Liu Xie now has nothing in his hands. It's like that joke in later generations. A stone fell from a high-rise building and hit five people, four chairman of the board, and the remaining one was the general manager. What kind of talent can be regarded as a so-called talented person who was attracted by a bunch of false names?

"... Your Majesty," Jia Xu heard this, his eyes turned left and right, then turned his head slightly, looked at the situation on the other side of the main hall, and suddenly said, "Your Majesty, are you going to send your Majesty to Luoyang? "

Fei Qian stopped, paused for a while, and said, "...What do Wen He think?"

It is naturally beneficial to retain Liu Xie, but after all, Liu Xie is only a boy of thirteen or fourteen years old. His temperament is undecided and his experience is still shallow. So whether it is based on the experience of later generations or the current situation, there is such a situation One of his immediate superiors, there is no guarantee that something will happen at any time. When the time comes, Fei will go out to fight, but it will cause trouble internally. It will not be very fun, so after a period of time, Liu Xie will be sent away, which means that he will go up This was Fei Qian's plan from the beginning, but Jia Xu unexpectedly guessed it.

However, since Jia Xu has made it clear that he will not go to Liu Xie's side, there is no need for Fei Qian to hide it with Jia Xu, so he directly asked Jia Xu what he thought of this arrangement.

"Junhou is really..." Jia Xu didn't expect Fei Qian to admit it directly. He couldn't help being stunned for a moment, and then he cupped his hands towards Fei Qian and said, "... Xu, thank you Junhou... Well, if Junhou wants to do this, Strategy, you might as well add more fire..."