Three Kingdoms

Confucius said: "Don't worry about few, but worry about inequality." 』

It can be seen from this that the shortcomings of people's hearts are often due to comparison.

This was the case with Cai Mao back then.

The same is true now.

During the Battle of Jingzhou, Cai Mao was a relatively determined member of the Jingzhou nobles who took refuge with Cao Cao.

Maybe it was because Cai Mao had some friendship with Cao Cao before, which was deeper than with Fei Qian, or maybe it was because Cao Cao was closer to Jingzhou at that time, and Fei Qian had a dispensable attitude, but no matter how you say it, Cai Mao finally pulled many people to join Cao Cao, and maintained most of his strength in Jingzhou.

Therefore, Cai Mao's contribution in Cao Cao's battle of Jingzhou is not insignificant.

However, Cai Mao's "position" in Cao Cao's political group has always been somewhat embarrassing.

Cai Mao was older and his merits were not small, and he considered himself "loyal" to Cao Cao. However, he was not as good as Xun Yu in terms of ability, not as good as Xia Hou in terms of status, not as good as Guo Jia in terms of intelligence, and Jingzhou After the war, there were basically no opportunities for promotion, and Cao Cao never promoted him.

In fact, on the whole, the members of Cao Cao's political group have always been a mixed bag of good and bad. Some people are from the Yingchuan gentry, some are those who surrendered halfway, some are opportunistic fence-sitters, and some are superficial. Those who are loyal to the emperor and actually loyal to the emperor...

Cao Cao knew this, so some local officials with powerful local surnames, who were the most greedy and greedy on weekdays, successfully made it onto the list of officials to be reorganized this time.

Is it just that the relationship between noble families is like a spider web?

Among those who were dealt with, there were also some who had a closer relationship with Cai Mao and had more contacts...

As a result, Cai Mao could not help but have some fluctuations in his heart.

After the Battle of Jingzhou in the past, Cai Mao got a new position.

But it's not enough. Cai Mao is not a person. He is a representative of a family. What's the use of promoting Cai Mao to a false position?

What's more, it's just Captain Changshui...

Of course, the title of Colonel Changshui is not small.

The Changshui school captain is considered a Forbidden Army establishment. It was first established by Emperor Wu of the Western Han Dynasty. It is one of the eight school captains of the Northern Army. It has a rank of two thousand stones and ranks among the ministers. The officials include Cheng, Sima, etc. The leader, Shui Xuanqu, and Hu Qi, garrisoned the capital and also served as expedition commanders.

But now, Captain Changshui is just an empty shell.

What's more, everyone knows Cai Mao's talent in cavalry. How can I put it? Just like that, who would really let a general with special skills in the navy command the cavalry?

Therefore, although his rank is two thousand stones, his rank is high, and his official position is not small, but does it compare with Cai Mao's previous expectations...

Yes, it’s not that I didn’t get any benefits, it’s just that compared with others, it seems less!

People's hearts change, and they are most afraid of comparison. This is the key to the problem!

People in officialdom are most sensitive to changes in their status.

In recent times, Cai Mao has also clearly felt that his status in the Cao family's political group is no longer what it used to be. Even compared to when he was under Liu Biao, it was far inferior.

Previously, although Cai Mao was only a local official in Jingzhou, he was basically the second-largest figure in Jingzhou after Liu Biao. At that time, even if Cai Mao expressed some opinions that were at odds with Liu Biao, Liu Biao would not easily refute him, and would even ask him to refute him. The layout can catch some pigtails or something, so that you can speak louder to Cai Mao. And now, how big a figure is Cai Mao in Cao Cao's camp?

In addition, when Cao Cao was reorganizing his administration during this period, some Yingchuan nobles whom Cai Mao knew were eliminated. This also frustrated Cai Mao's plan to use these Yingchuan nobles to expand his influence in Cao Cao's political group. .

Even scared, this old friend will fall out whenever he wants!

Putting all these things together, Cai Mao would inevitably have many thoughts in his mind.

However, because of Cao Cao's decisive action in this official affairs incident, he really shocked many people, including Cai Mao. Cai Mao did not dare to express his thoughts at the moment, but these thoughts were like a seed, which had been quietly planted in his heart and was gradually growing and sprouting...

People have limited resources, and no one can always think things through.

In recent times, Cao Cao has mainly been paying attention to the movements of General Fei Qian, and he has to consider the affairs of Jizhou and Youbei. He has not paid attention to the changes in the thoughts of Cai Mao, who is relatively peripheral.

Guo Jia, on the other hand, has always been good at understanding people's hearts, and he was slightly aware of some of Cai Mao's actions. However, Guo Jia did not express any direct expression, but just waited and waited. After all, Cai Mao was also Cao Cao's "old friend". , random speculation without solid evidence is not good.

What's more, if you just think about it, it doesn't count. The important thing is whether you do it or not.

Nowadays, the more important changes in Jizhou and Youbei gave Cao Cao a headache.

Cao Cao summoned his advisers to discuss the relevant situation.

In fact, there is not much room for negotiation on these matters.

It can be said that the Qinglong Temple Discourse really broadened Cao Cao's horizons, making Cao Cao and his advisers discover that there was actually a war on culture, and Cao Cao and the others had been beaten so hard that they could no longer hold their heads up.

The traditional local concept was broken, and the four directions of China were added to it. Cao Cao couldn't help but wonder if he was the frog at the bottom of the well, seeing only the world in front of him.

Of course, others do not know the specific results of the discussions between Cao Cao and his core ministers, but what is very interesting is that before the results of these discussions were reflected, Cao Cao first announced some lists of promotions and promotions...

Among them was Cai Mao, who was granted the title of Marquis of Yangting in Han Dynasty.

"Hanyang..."

Cai Mao stared at the sealing edict in his hand and was silent for a long time.

……((￣o￣).)……

At the same time, in the Chongde Hall, Emperor Liu Xie's heart was also ups and downs, and he could not calm down.

The light in the hall is a little dim.

Liu Xie did not let Xiao Huangmen light more candles. On the one hand, he showed his diligence and simplicity. On the other hand, Liu Xie knew that if it was too bright inside the hall, it would be difficult for him to detect what was happening outside the hall.

On the contrary, it would be better if it were darker inside the hall, and then Liu Xie would be able to notice it immediately if there was a slight flicker of light and shadow outside the hall.

Sometimes, light brings hope, but it is also easy to escape. Darkness brings fear, and sometimes it brings courage.

It's like the contradictory psychology of Emperor Liu Xie.

Liu Xie held a piece of information in his hand and looked slightly haggard.

"Liu Ruo..."

"Wang Tu..."

"Deng Zhan..."

Liu Xie felt that the core thing he lacked was talent.

Especially the talents in the outer court.

What he held in his hand was the list of names that Cao Cao had sealed these days. The names he was chanting were some relatively unknown people who had recently entered the court. Some of these people were from poor families, and some were in the military. Basically, the relationship between these people and the Cao family and the Xiahou family was naturally there, but it was not that deep.

If you can identify some useful talents from these people, it will be more or less what you can rely on for the next step. Otherwise, it is really difficult to move forward. Just relying on the power of the Xiaohuang Sect can only be maintained within a small range at most. It simply cannot be expanded.

Liu Xie has developed some small yellow gates in the palace. These eunuchs basically have to rely on the imperial power to survive, especially in the inner palace. Liu Xie is the only person who can immediately decide the life and death of these eunuchs, even if they are Once Liu Xie discovers an outside spy, he can be killed with just one sentence. Therefore, under the absolute authority over the inner palace, some of the eunuchs Liu Xie developed were loyal, but they couldn't stretch.

"Your Majesty, Doctor Xi has arrived..."

Liu Xie put the list into his sleeve and said, "Pass it." 』

Xi Lu came back, with a big bag on his head and a heart full of anger.

This time, he was not on the reward list.

Some people don't do things when they are doing them, and can even shirk the work that they should have shouldered. But you must eat meat, otherwise it will be a dim system and an unfair court...

Xi Liu felt that this reward was unfair.

Why doesn't he?

Could it be said that it is not hard for him to travel around for days? Could it be that he was at fault for not staying in Xu County?

It’s simply incredible and incomprehensible!

After meeting with Liu Xie, Liu Xie, after preliminary greetings, threw out the lists he had been paying attention to for a long time and asked about the situation of Liu Ruo, Deng Zhan and others.

Xi Liu roughly guessed what Liu Xie wanted to do, but Xi Liu felt that the people Liu Xie asked were completely different from Xi Liu himself, so he not only did not hide anything, but also talked to him sincerely. Liu Xie said that these people currently have relatively low positions, and even if they are promoted, they will not be able to help in a short period of time.

"Prime Minister Cao is rectifying the officialdom. What does Aiqing think?" asked Emperor Liu Xie.

"Well, haha," Xi Luqiang smiled, "If there is too much corruption, it will not be beautiful after all. It is also a good thing for Prime Minister Cao to rectify the government..."

Liu Xie sighed: "Nowadays, it is necessary to have a noble character and not be contaminated by officialdom, but also to have outstanding ability and be able to do practical things. Such talents are really rare... My dear, why are there always so many people in the court?" Are those corrupt officials with higher positions? Qingliu people are often in lower positions. Is it because they lack ability? 』

Hearing the emperor's question, Xi Liu looked a little embarrassed.

Because Xi Lu has always called himself "Qingliu", does the emperor mean that his abilities are limited?

If you don't show that you are quite capable, does that mean that you are actually a "corrupt official"?

However, in the current situation, Xi Liu had to admit that most of the "Qingliu" officials in the imperial court were talkative people with high ambitions and low abilities. If they really wanted to do some practical things, these Qingliu officials would often fail to succeed and fail more than they should. .

After hesitating for a moment, Xi Liu also sighed and said: "The elites in the court are indeed lacking in ability. Although they have noble character, when it comes to doing practical things, they are indeed not as good as those corrupt officials and treacherous ministers..."

"Why is this?" Liu Xie asked, "Ai Qing, can you clear up my doubts?" 』

Hearing Emperor Liu Xie's inquiry, Xi Liu's expression showed some emotion, and he said slowly: "Human nature is greedy. Throughout the ages, there are only a very small number of people who can restrain their greed." The officialdom is like a vat of fame and fortune, with power in hand, frequent temptations, and lack of checks and balances. Under such circumstances, how many people can stick to their true intentions? The saying goes that people's hearts are not as old as they used to be, and that's about it. 』

Emperor Liu Xie had a solemn expression and remained silent, but he nodded and agreed with Xi Liu's statement.

"Your Majesty," Xi Lu raised his head slightly, glanced at the emperor, and then said slowly, "Why are most of the clear streams useless?" Does it appear that corrupt officials can do practical things? But that’s not the case. It’s not that there are no clean officials who are capable, willing to do things, and flexible, nor are they all corrupt from the beginning, but it’s hard to be alone..."

"how do I say this? "When the emperor Liu Xie heard that there was something in Xi Lu's words, he asked.

Xi Lu cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, in this officialdom, there is no such thing as being independent. On the contrary, one's position determines everything!" When ordinary officials enter the official career, most of them start from a salary of between 200 and 400 shi in the county. However, when these people take office, they find that most of their subordinates are corrupt officials, and most of their colleagues are corrupt officials. My immediate boss..."

Xi Liu paused for a moment, and then continued, "Under such circumstances, if he still wants to insist on being honest, he will become a different kind. Naturally, he will be squeezed and suppressed by others, and it will be difficult for him to get promoted." If he wants to do something practical, people below him will hold him back, people around him will hinder him, and people above him will secretly make things difficult. As a result, not only will he fail to do things, but he will also give others leverage, and ultimately he will lose his official position and be held accountable... …』

The emperor pondered for a long time and nodded, "I understand." In this way, upright officials who can do things are suppressed before they are promoted. Those who are promoted often have already chosen to join in the evil and do the same thing... Moreover, these people are easier to deal with because of the help of cronies. Once you get things done, you will have more things to do, and you will have more experience, and you will naturally have the abilities and means, and then your promotion will be just around the corner..."

"Your Majesty is wise. ” Xi Lu responded.

Xi Lu not only messed up the original mood of the emperor Liu Xie, but also gave Cao Cao a blow. He also smeared the names of the previous ones, leaving only himself who seemed to be an innocent person...

"So, rectifying the officialdom..." Emperor Liu Xie pondered, "Actually, it's just...ahem, what I mean is that rectifying the officialdom is actually not very effective?" 』

"Your Majesty is wise. Xi Lu cupped his hands and said, "This kind of official administration cannot be accomplished in a day." To be honest, officials must have such space from top to bottom. Otherwise, even if there are individual honest officials, they will often be made things difficult for others and have no power. And even if corrupt officials are caught again and again, they will still be caught endlessly... 』

Xi Liu spread his hands and almost said, "Look, I don't have any authority in my hands. Your Majesty, don't think about what I have or don't have. It's only right to give me some authority first!"

"According to Aiqing, can it be that honest and self-responsible officials cannot stand out at all?" Is it necessary to allow evil and evil to run rampant in the temple and become more and more chaotic? "Hearing Xi Lu's words, Emperor Liu Xie felt a little unwilling and gritted his teeth and asked.

Xi Liu's expression was a little helpless, "Your Majesty clearly knows that corruption is not new today." It was like this in ancient times, it was like this in the Spring and Autumn Period, and it is the same now. Even if there is some peace occasionally, it can only last for a while and cannot last long... However, if the pure and the turbid can flow together and check and balance each other, it will be like Jingwei, and at least the dynasty can be maintained. The hall is stable and the world is peaceful. 』

"The pure and the turbid flow together, checking and balancing each other?" Liu Xie repeated, "If you have any ideas, please tell me." 』

Xi Lu cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty is wise. If you want honest officials to succeed, the best way at the moment is to expand the Yushitai! 』

"Yushitai?" Liu Xie frowned.

In the Qin and Han Dynasties, the censors were responsible for supervising affairs, and the official offices where these censors lived were naturally called the Censor's Mansion, also known as the Xantai. They were responsible for picketing, impeaching officials, and upholding the discipline of the court. The Yushitai is headed by the Yushi Dafu as its official officer, followed by the Yushi Zhongcheng as deputy, who holds positions such as serving the Yushi, serving the Yushi in the palace, and supervising the Yushi.

"Exactly. Your Majesty is aware of this. From the perspective of a humble minister, the Yushitai is now empty and cannot serve any purpose of supervision..." Xi Lu said in a deep voice, "According to the law, the Yushitai should have one Yushi Dafu and two Yushi Zhongcheng. The doctor is in charge of the criminal code and corrects the crimes of hundreds of officials. The Zhongcheng is his assistant. There are three courtyards under him. One is called the Taiyuan, with Shi Yushi as the chief official, in charge of inspecting the upper and lower parts of the Yushi stage. The second is the palace. The third one is the Procuratorate, where the imperial censor is the chief official and is responsible for supervising all officials in the court. The third is the procuratorate, where the censor is the chief official and is responsible for supervising local officials..."

"He reports on important matters, specializes in small matters, and recruits the best people in the world. If the affairs are complex, he has deputies. He can check the good and evil of officials, check the scattered households, check the lack of diligence in farming and mulberry trees, reduce consumption in warehouses, or check monsters." A cunning thief, doing harm for his own benefit..." Xi Lu had obviously been planning for a long time, and now he found an opportunity, so he started to talk about it, "The place can be inspected, the virtues are filial and brotherly, the talents are outstanding, and the hidden traces of the hidden utensils should be Those who use the time should also observe the cunning officials and powerful clans, the mergers and tyranny, the poor and the weak who have suffered injustices and cannot redress themselves... In this way, the world will naturally be able to curb corruption, clear the court, and sweep away the chaos! 』

Xi Liu was very lively.

It seemed that it was for the man, for the court, for the emperor, and for the common people, but the emperor Liu Xie tasted some other flavors from it...

It's just that this taste is similar to what Emperor Liu Xie wanted to achieve.

Cao Cao used the banner of rectifying the officialdom to slaughter the people on a large scale, and the party was united and opposed. The sound was crackling like the slaughter of pigs and sheep during the New Year and the setting off of firecrackers.

The emperor Liu Xie could only act like a kid who had no money to buy firecrackers. He groped greedily among the remains of the firecrackers that Cao Cao had set off to see if he could find a few dumb firecrackers to make himself a small firecracker and send out some. Come with your own voice.

Now Xi Wu suggested that why go to all the trouble and just make a bunch of firecrackers to set off!

Didn’t Prime Minister Cao want to rectify the administration of officials?

Just go with the flow and build the Yushitai!

After all, if we all work together, we will be truly black!

Xi Lu almost made it clear to the emperor Liu Xie that he was weak and could only use more people!

Liu Xie's eyes changed, and he also guessed that Xi Liu must have selfish motives in this matter, but at least at this stage, he and Xi Liu were still in the same direction, so this selfishness seemed to be possible. Within the acceptable range?

"So... so good..."

Emperor Liu Xie nodded, "I will discuss this matter at the next court meeting..."

"His Majesty! Holy Ming! 』

With a clang of green tea, Xi paid homage and knocked it to the ground.