Three Kingdoms

Is there anything wrong with Confucius?

In other words, did Confucius do anything wrong in his life?

In fact, this does not require too much consideration. Who has no faults and no regrets?

But the problem now is that many Han people, even most Confucian scholars, have praised Confucius and Mencius and used them as weapons to suppress or criticize others.

In fact, personal ethics and knowledge are originally two different concepts. People with good knowledge may not necessarily have good personal ethics, just like some beasts with no country, no father and no bottom line. People with good personal ethics may not necessarily have high knowledge, just like some people who make a living by picking up garbage and have to support many orphans. An old man studying.

But there are some Confucian scholars who bundle knowledge and personal morality together, causing many things to lose their original meaning. Those who are virtuous and incompetent do bad things with good intentions, and those who are capable but not virtuous do bad things with good intentions. Those who are virtuous and capable are beaten to death with a stick and dragged into the shadows before they can step out of this dim environment.

Confucius is a great man, but are all the descendants of Confucius great men?

This obviously cannot be established either.

But the problem is that these descendants of Confucius didn't think so. For example, Kong Rong would claim that he was a descendant of Confucius, and he couldn't say it himself. It would be best to have a helper or something, and he could add in an understatement that he was being humble and not as good as a saint. That would be great. If you can't enjoy the treatment of a great man, then what's the point of living?

This is not to say that Kong Rong’s character is bad, but that he is used to this pattern. Kong Rong's moral character is still good, but his ability is not strong. Therefore, the standard of Kong's family depends entirely on "consciousness".

Kong Rong would not openly ask for bribes, but if others offered him money in exchange for teaching, brush polishing, paintings, etc., Kong Rong would happily accept it. Scholars, can polishing one’s pen be regarded as a matter of business? If you haven’t written a peace scripture and openly sold it, it’s already pretty good.

This was true for Kong Rong, and even more so for the Kong family.

Kong Rong still cared about his face to some extent, but the Kong clan members were basically shameless. Because Kong Rong could eat and drink with just his face, but they couldn't, so why did they need face?

The emperor Liu Xie still remembered Wang Can, because Wang Can was just like Wang Yun, who committed suicide and martyred his country. There is no problem in closing the coffin, but Kong who was involved in the incident with Wang Can or was forced to do it Rong, but ran away halfway...

In addition, this time Kong Qian blocked the road to complain, and the result was that the emperor Liu Xie was somewhat cheated. Therefore, Liu Xie's attitude towards Kong changed from being relatively trusting at the beginning to becoming more suspicious.

Xi Xi decided to use Kong's surgery first, of course he had his own considerations.

Kong's name is all that's left. Just like a child holding gold in his arms while walking in a busy city, he will inevitably attract all kinds of greedy eyes, but Xi Ru just turned his eyes into actual actions. .

Xi Li did not dare to impeach the Cao family and the Xiahou family, and it was impossible to achieve any results, but impeaching the Kong family...

This is the first battle of Yushitai!

It must start!

Only by gaining fame first will some people think Yushitai is a good place, and only then will it be possible to recruit talents, and then...

Moreover, the impeachment of Kong was loud and eye-catching, but would not cause any risks.

Is there anyone in charge of the military power of the Kong family now? No. Has anyone taken control of the finances? Neither does it, so no matter how we do it, what's the problem? Isn’t it up to you to decide how far you want to go?

Therefore, Xi Lu's first step in launching an attack on the Kong family was to take advantage of the fact that the Kong family was unprepared and caught off guard, and first graft all the corruption and perversion of the law over the years onto Kong Rong's head!

Kong Rong liked to protect others because it showed "benevolence".

Kong Rong had done such a thing when he was very young. Zhang Jian was a famous scholar who spoke out for justice and was arrested by the eunuch Shi Changshi. At that time, it was not just Kong Rong who had a sense of justice in the county. Many families Zhang Jian passed by and stayed at were implicated in the matter and executed. There were dozens of them. These people did not leave any names, and they died when they died. Kong Rong was also accused, but not only did he not die, he also gained a good reputation.

By shielding people, he gained benefits. Kong Rong liked it, and so did his tribe.

The problem is, not everyone is like Zhang Jian...

Therefore, if the Kong family, including Kong Rong, is really looking for a problem, is there no shit under that butt?

Emperor Liu Xie frowned and asked in a deep voice, "This matter is of great importance and should not be discussed based on rumors. Does Aiqing have any conclusive evidence?" 』

Xi Lu naturally handed over the memorial that contained the evidence of Kong's crime without any haste.

Emperor Liu Xie took the memorial and unfolded it. He saw that the conditions, time and place, witnesses and material evidence were all present. It seemed that the evidence was conclusive and could not be refuted.

So after reading the memorial, the emperor Liu Xie was also very angry. He threw the memorial on the table. He originally wanted to get angry, shout loudly, or even curse, because among those crimes, not only land occupation , and various behaviors that disregard human life, which have nothing to do with the so-called "benevolence" and completely run counter to the meaning of "loyalty and filial piety". However, when Liu Xie was about to curse, he held it back again and glanced at Xi He was worried, then turned his eyes to Cao Cao and said, "I wonder what the prime minister has to say about this matter?" 』

Cao Cao seemed to have glanced at Xi Liu, but he seemed not to have looked at him at all. He just handed over his hand and said, "Your Majesty is the one who makes the decision. I have no opinion for the time being." 』

Cao Cao probably knew Xi Li's purpose, but he also had no good impression of Kong. At the same time, this incident was a bit sudden, so he wanted to observe it and was not willing to get involved rashly.

However, most of the officials in the court felt a little frightened at this time. Above the court, partisanship could affect the whole body. At this time, how to express one's stance and how to stand in line is a major matter related to the future of the family. For them, it is far more important than the specific tasks of their own positions.

Emperor Liu Xie was silent for a moment, and then ordered a member of the Liu clan to be named to verify the matters reported by Xi Lu...

The son of the Liu clan is Liu Ye.

As the world's power was divided into three parts, the number of Liu family members became increasingly rare.

Liu Yu is dead, Liu Yan is dead, Liu Biao is dead, Liu Yao is dead, Liu Dai is dead, Liu Chong is dead, and Liu Qi is dead.

In the old Liu family, there are now only two people with stronger abilities and two with weaker abilities.

Exactly half on one side.

What? Koto?

What is Jiangdong?

Liu Ye was under Cao Cao, and Liu Bei was under Fei Qian. Then Liu Zhang was raised by Fei Qian in Feixiongxuan, Chang'an, and Liu Cong was raised by Cao Cao in Qingzhou.

Strictly speaking, it is not that there are no descendants of the Liu family in Jiangdong. For example, Liu Yao's son Liu Ji and Liu Shuo are in Jiangdong, but he is younger and has not served as an official.

Liu Ye accepted the order helplessly, as if he had accepted a hot potato. Liu Ye knows his position. He is a clan member of the Liu family, but he also carries the scent of Cao Cao. In many cases, he is like a cushion or lubricant between the Emperor Liu Xie and the Prime Minister Cao Cao. Something...

Well, why does it feel a little weird?

Forget it, that's not important.

The important thing is that Liu Ye can't show too much leaning towards one side, otherwise, he will lose this advantage, but he found that Xi Xi seems to want to become a member of his camp. This is not something that Liu Ye cannot accept, but it is just impossible for Liu Ye to pave the way for Xi Lu.

During such a buffering time, observe whether Xi Ji has any back-ups and what Cao Cao's attitude is, which will determine what methods Liu Ye uses...

Everyone knows that Cao Cao's lack of expression does not mean that Cao Cao does not care about the matter, but that Xi's consideration of impeachment of the Kong family and Kong Rong's corruption is beneficial to Cao Cao, so Cao Cao did not object immediately.

Just like Xun Wang was the powerful one among the Xun clan who stood opposite to Cao Cao, the Kong clan has not kept pace with Lao Cao in recent years. Even after escaping back to his hometown, Kong Rong would make some comments from time to time, expressing his dissatisfaction with Lao Cao, a classmate in the court, who controlled the government and was unwilling to return power to the emperor.

Let alone ridicules and complaints, some gossips will make Lao Cao jump in anger when they reach his ears.

Of course, these remarks of Kong Rong were beneficial to the emperor.

Kong Rong spoke for the emperor, so it cannot be said that he was disloyal, but it is unclear whether there were any personal emotions or individual plans behind such remarks.

However, these remarks made Cao Cao and others very unhappy.

Could it be that Kong Rong also wanted to create a Kong's Lunar New Year Commentary?

Now that Xi Lu is willing to come forward, Cao Cao thinks he can take a look. So although Cao Cao acted like "it has nothing to do with him," most people in the court knew that Kong Rong was going to be in trouble. Some even began to wonder if Xi Lu had turned to Cao Cao, and then Lao Cao The classmates are the masterminds behind the scenes.

So much so that Liu Ye felt that his head was very big.

"State-owned laws and regulations, at this time, the court should naturally act in accordance with the regulations. Whether Kong Wenju is guilty or falsely accused, a thorough investigation is needed before a conclusion can be made. 』

Liu Ye said this at the press conference after the court meeting, well, surrounded by officials in the main hall square.

There seems to be no problem with such rhetoric.

But in fact, Liu Ye thought about it and didn't want to be this evil person.

Once you actually enter the review process, basically no one can escape the "review". What's more, even if the crimes submitted by Xi Lu are exaggerated, some of them must be true, and one can check them accurately.

What's more, there is "unnecessary" as a backup...

Liu Ye said this, of course, not just to have fun, but because he wanted to remind Kong Rong in this way. What should be done should be done now. If the review continues, the situation will probably be irreversible.

In fact, China's model is very mature, and "out-of-court settlement" is not just a patent of Western law. Just like in later generations, drunk driving tests were divided into immediate blood tests and three days later. If after this time, If the conflict cannot be resolved within this period, then it will naturally be "official business". If the conflict can be "resolved" within this period, nothing will happen.

Just when Liu Ye was thinking of ways to delay, Cao Cao sat in the Prime Minister's Mansion.

Cao Cao did not discuss with anyone in the main hall, or have any thoughts of tit-for-tat. After all, that kind of behavior was really out of character for a prime minister.

In the past few days, Cao Cao's attention was indeed not on Xi Lu.

Not only Cao Cao, but also most people in the Prime Minister's Palace focused their attention on Jizhou and Youzhou. Compared with Yushitai, which only has three or two big cats and kittens, incidents such as Hanoi's Nakamo Yuyang are obviously more worrying. But it happened that this Yushitai listed a question in front of Cao Cao at this point in time.

Cao Cao's expression was a little serious and thoughtful.

When all the officials under Cao Cao's sect saw that Cao Cao was like this, they all understood that Cao Cao was thinking about something, so they didn't dare to disturb him. They just followed quietly and waited.

Cao Cao thought for a while, then raised his head, looked around, and asked, "What do you think about the matter in the main hall today?" 』

Dong Zhao cupped his hands and said, "Return to the Prime Minister, could this be because Xi Hongyu wants to reconcile with his lord..."

The reason why Dong Zhao thought this way was because it was different from Xi Lu's original style of doing things. It is not like Xi Lu directly surrendered to Cao Cao in history, but followed Zheng Xuan around Chang'an before coming here, and was introduced as a foreign aid by the emperor Liu Xie. Therefore, to a certain extent, Xi Lu stood on the side of The opposite of Cao Cao.

It's just that this time about the Kong Qian incident, Cao Cao killed many opponents in a rage. It was a complete break with those previous opponents, and it also made many people tremble and panic. Under such circumstances, Xi If you want to save your life, it is not impossible to surrender to Cao Cao.

"not necessarily. Guo Jia shook his head and said, "If you want to surrender to the Lord, you can just come here to pay your respects. Why bother?" In my opinion, I am afraid that this Xi Hongyu is still planning for power and seeking fame to respect himself. Seeing that Confucius was convicted, the first thing he did was to deal with the lord and ease the conflict, the second thing was to declare his authority and deal with the emperor, and the third thing was naturally to profit from it..."

Cao Cao's eyes moved slightly, but he didn't say anything. He continued to ask other advisers. After everyone had said it again, he nodded slowly and said, "Since the emperor has ordered Yang to supervise this matter, we will wait for him to investigate." that is. 』

Compared with the incidents of Xi Lu and Kong Rong, the defection of Sima family in Hanoi was obviously more serious.

How to deal with the follow-up issues of the Sima family's defection became the next issue in the Prime Minister's Office, which generated a far more intense discussion than Xi's consideration of impeachment of Kong Rong, because in fact many nobles were sitting on the fence. Yes, there are not only people under Cao Cao, but also family members in Guanzhong Fei's hiding place. Now the defection of the Sima family in Hanoi, coupled with Cao Cao's previous cleanup actions under Xu County, has formed a one plus one The effect of about two made many nobles begin to feel uneasy, and Cao Cao's attitude towards the follow-up handling of the Sima incident has also become the focus of many people's attention.

While Cao Cao and his advisers were discussing matters related to Sima, Xi Liu, led by the Huangmen eunuch, returned to the corridor of the palace square.

Xi Lu took two steps forward, got behind the Huangmen eunuch, and whispered: "Zhang Zhonggong, I wonder how your majesty is feeling right now?" 』

Eunuch Zhang still lowered his head and bent his waist, as if he was very humble, "I am just serving a sentence, how dare you speculate on the emperor?" 』

Xi Liu didn't say much nonsense, stretched out his hand, shook it, and quickly stuffed a flight ticket into the eunuch's hand.

Eunuch Zhang squeezed it in his hand, and then used the cover of his sleeve to quickly glance at the amount, then smiled slightly, put the flying ticket deep into his sleeve, and said in a low voice: "After your Majesty comes to court, there will be no peace." No one smiled when they spoke, but they didn't get angry either... In short, Yushi Xi should be more careful..."

Due to the development of east-west trade, flying tickets such as banknotes, or flying money, have gradually become the best tool for bribery. They are anonymous and can be cashed against the ticket. There is no password, the procedure is simple, and both parties can rest assured. It is really It couldn't be more convenient, just like the anonymous debit cards in supermarkets in later generations.

Xi Lugong cupped his hands to express his gratitude, and the two of them didn't say anything more. Soon, they arrived at the apse.

Eunuch Zhang signaled Xi Lu to stop, and then went in to report. Immediately, Liu Xie summoned Xi Lu.

When Xi Lu entered the back hall, he secretly looked up and saw Liu Xie's expression on the Dan level. Just as the Huangmen eunuch said before, there was no joy or anger, just thoughtfulness. .

"Your Majesty, Xi Lulu, goes to see your Majesty." 』

Emperor Liu Xie glanced at Xi Liu, who was prostrate in front of him. He didn't know why he suddenly frowned subconsciously, but he quickly relaxed and said calmly: "I love you, you are not in the main hall, so you don't need to be restrained." Come on, take a seat. 』

"Thank you, Your Majesty. ” Xi Lu thanked him and sat down at the table.

In the past, Liu Xie summoned Xi Liu, most of the time to ask about the situation outside Xu County, but later Liu Xie was not satisfied and began to gradually try to control the court, so he hoped to influence Xi Liu. To achieve something, but now, Liu Xie suddenly felt that he was gradually losing control of Xi Xi.

As for the emperor Liu Xie's thoughts, Xi Liu knew it in his heart, but he was helpless.

In fact, Xi Liu didn't want Liu Xie to feel "out of control", but after understanding what Liu Xie wanted, Xi Liu understood that if he did everything according to the emperor's wishes, , then it will definitely not end well.

Therefore, Xi Lu could only do things according to the emperor's instructions, but also make small moves from time to time to gradually reverse the situation he faced.

These small actions beyond the scope of Xi's consideration must have deepened Liu Xie's worries.

All of this seems contradictory, but it also seems to be an inevitable result, just like layers of heavy snow pressing on the mountain ridges, accumulating thicker and thicker, and finally collapsing down...