Tian Yan

On the first early court after the New Year, Cao Cao first gave each minister a bowl of fish soup, and for a while the aroma in the hall was mouth-watering.

"Every year is more than enough, the country is prosperous and the people are safe." Cao Cao raised his hand, "My dear friends, please."

"The country is peaceful and the people are safe." The ministers paid respects, bowing their heads and eating in a very gentle manner.

"I have something to announce." Cao Cao summoned his servants, "Announce."

The ministers stopped their chopsticks when they heard the words, holding their breath and concentrating.

"Make Sima Yi the literary chief, I respect you."

All the ministers thought that Cao Cao was going to announce the candidate for the prime minister, but now they all looked a little disappointed. Several generals had already lifted the bottom of the bowl dry in one gulp, and handed the bowl to the servant standing beside him boldly.

Sima Yi went to the hall to receive the order, and was also handed a bowl of fish soup.

Cao Cao looked at him with a smile. For some reason, Sima Yi always felt that the contents of the bowl were deceitful. Thinking of the lewd fish in the hot spring that day, he couldn't help but feel a chill.

"Your Majesty's reward, Sir Sima, please." The servant urged.

Sima Yi was a little embarrassed, but Cao Cao just stared at him like that, so he could only close his eyes and keep his heart down, and poured it down.The fish soup was made by the imperial chef, so the taste is naturally unremarkable, but thinking of what the fish had eaten, Sima Yi still felt his stomach churn.

Seeing that he finished drinking, Cao Cao looked away in satisfaction: "I don't know who recommends you for the prime minister's matter?"

Sima Yi retreated silently to his proper seat, and he could see Cao Pi in the front row with his back straight, like a drawn sword.

"My son has someone to recommend."

It wasn't Cao Pi, nor Cao Zhang, but it was Cao Zhi who took the lead and handed over a booklet.

"Cui Yan..." Cao Cao put the book aside noncommittally, "Is there any more?"

"The minister also has a play."

Sima Yi's eyelids twitched, it was actually Cao Pi who spoke, and he handed the notebook to the servant respectfully.

Cao Cao took it, only glanced at it, and then pressed the folder without saying a word.

"The minister has his own book!"

"The subject also has a book!"

Seeing that the princes had begun, the ministers hurriedly handed in their notes.Sima Yi just watched coldly, feeling uneasy in his heart.

Who did Cao Pi recommend?Why didn't Cao Cao read out the names of the recommended people like he had written to Cao Zhi?There are only two possibilities in this situation. It may be that the person recommended by Cao Pi is exactly the person Cao Cao likes, or it may be...

Sima Yi's heart skipped a beat, Cao Cao's thoughts were so deep, one Cui Yan was enough to whet the appetites of all the ministers, naturally he would not reveal all the prince's favorites to the public, at least not now.

Cao Pi, why are you so impatient.Sima Yi stared unblinkingly at those passers-by, but found that Cao Zhang was standing steadily without any movement.

It seemed that Cao Zhang was not as frivolous as the rumors said, Sima Yi secretly sighed, it seemed that Cao Cao really wanted to use the prime minister to determine the candidate for the crown prince.

Every step from now on, there is no room for error.Cao Pi should also understand, but who is he recommending?

After a while, Cao Cao sat upright and pointed out the three piles of documents on the case.

"Cui Yan, Cao Ren," Cao Cao pointed to the two stacks that were about the same height, "and...Cheng Yu."

The eyes of all the ministers focused on Cheng Yu, and there was only one recommendation booklet.

Cheng Yu has followed Cao Cao for many years and has always been steady and prudent, but he has not made outstanding achievements like Guo Jia and Xun Yu. Therefore, although his official position is up to Shang Shuling, he is not the best candidate for the prime minister who will rule the power.

Cheng Yu was also a little apprehensive, the other two had the same number of nominations, he was the only one out there.I just don't know who recommended him, this is not a recommendation, it is clearly to put him on the fire!

"Hmm..." Cao Cao pondered for a while, "Cao Zhang, do you have anyone to recommend?"

"Father, my sons and servants have always only known about marching and fighting. They don't know much about the affairs of the court, so they dare not comment easily."

Cao Cao raised his eyebrows: "When I was in Xiliang, I gave you the sole right to supervise the country, why do you still know nothing about it?"

This sentence was clearly a reproach, and Cao Zhang settled down: "Father and emperor have learned a lesson, my son supervised the country for a short period of time, and he only knew one side of many things but didn't know the whole picture. The prime minister's affairs are related to the fate of the country, and my son has to be cautious."

"Third brother is wrong. Father asked us to recommend a candidate for the prime minister, but he just wanted to brainstorm. Third brother don't have to be too cautious. After all, the final decision rests with father, right?"

Cao Zhi's words were teasing, and Cao Zhang couldn't hold back his face. It was Cao Pi who smoothed things over: "The third brother has also lived in the army for many years, and he has less thought about the affairs of the court. Everyone has their own strengths."

Cao Zhang's face softened a little, and he gave Cao Pi a grateful look. Cao Zhi took a step forward without looking sideways: "Father, my son prefers Cui Yan, Lord Sikong."

Cao Cao said "Oh" and said, "Tell me your reason."

Cao Zhi replied calmly: "It has been several years since the founding of the Great Wei Dynasty. The country was established by force, and the country was governed by culture. The next step should be to let the officials and the people rest and recuperate, so as to prosper the economy and culture, so as to ensure the stability of the country. Cui Yan is both civil and military. The theory of direct remonstrance is famous all over the world, and he has held the position of Sikong for more than three years.

"Well," Cao Cao changed the subject and looked at Cao Pi, "Cheng Yu, you recommended him."

"Yes." Ignoring the attention of the ministers, Cao Pi took a step forward and bowed his hands in a shallow salute, "My minister thought that there is only one word of loyalty in Shang Shu Ling."

"The position of the prime minister is in the Qingming government. It is about selecting talents and appointing talents, rather than showing individual talents. Only with a utter loyalty can we not favor others' selfishness or self-willedness when employing people. Therefore, my son thinks that Mr. Cheng Yu is worthy Do this."

"Second brother, do you mean that other adults are not as loyal as Lord Cheng Yu?"

Cao Pi looked at Cao Zhi. His younger brother has always been self-confident, but he doesn't care much about the government. Why is he aggressive today?

"Fourth brother only saw one of them ask this question. In my opinion, the position of prime minister is not for the most talented person. Talented people must be conceited, and conceited people must not listen to it. The prime minister needs a humble and loyal person to take it. To preserve what ultimately reaches His Majesty as it is."

"Those who are capable must submit to others? Doesn't the second brother's words chill the hearts of talented people?"

Speaking of this, anyone can see that this is a debate, a debate on the strategy of governing the country.

"A person with both talents and virtues is a top grade, a person whose virtue is higher than talent is a middle grade, and a person whose talent is higher than a virtue is a low grade. A person without talent and virtue is a waste product." Cao Pi said slowly, "The amount of talent and virtue, In comparison, people with both talents and virtues are nothing more than ancient emperors and emperors in the present world. For ordinary people, there are differences between them. Take the middle grade and discard the low grade, this principle can be distinguished even by children."

Cao Zhi shook his head: "This is just the second brother's idea. In my opinion, if a talented person is familiar with poetry and books, his virtue will inevitably grow. But only looking at a virtuous person, if he is mediocre, it is nothing more than the benevolence of a woman." That's all, it's wrong for the country and the people."

"Okay!" Cao Cao interrupted their conversation at the right time, "The dispute over talents and virtues has not been settled for many years. Both of you have excellent knowledge. You should exchange ideas more often."

Cao Pi and Cao Zhi looked at each other: "Yes..."

Cao Cao tapped Cao Ren's stack of papers again with his fingers, but he didn't make any further comments: "Sanchao."

Cao Zhang was walking on the way back alone. Today's debate was a good opportunity to show Cao Cao his views on governing the country, but he couldn't intervene at all.He knows that he favors martial arts over culture, and Cao Zhi is right in saying that the world today is not the same as it used to be. It is easy to build a country, difficult to govern a country, and even harder to strengthen a country. He is not sure whether he has the talent and courage.For a moment, he was even a little confused, should he just be a general who only cares about fighting, and shouldn't think so much.

It's just that if Cao Pi or Cao Zhi succeeds to the throne, will he tolerate his brother who holds a heavy army?Even if he doesn't die, he will never let himself lead troops again.After many years, my descendants may also be alienated layer by layer, and eventually become rural peasants.

So he can't back down, as long as there is still a glimmer of hope, he will fight for it.

Cao Zhang's mind was a little confused, the early spring wind blew over, and it was inexplicably hot.

"Three Highnesses."

Cao Zhang turned his head and saw a man wearing a brand-new official uniform walking side by side with him, keeping a distance not too close or too far.

"Sima Yi?" Cao Zhang was a little surprised, but then felt that something was wrong, "Master Sima."

Sima Yi didn't look sideways: "Your Highness can just walk, you don't have to look at the officials."

"Hey." Cao Zhang responded, and quickly turned his head, "Does Master Sima have anything to say to me?"

"Does Your Highness know what the Second Highness and the Fourth Highness are fighting about today?"

"Aren't they just arguing that virtue is more important than talent?" Cao Zhang was a little puzzled, "But what's the use of arguing about such an inconclusive matter?"

Sima Yi raised the corner of his mouth: "Your Highness also thinks it's useless?"

"Yes." Cao Zhang was confused, "Is there any other meaning?"

"Well," Sima Yi nodded, "On the surface, it's an argument about virtue, but it's actually about the route the new king will take after His Majesty."

"What!" Cao Zhang whispered, "How do you say that?"

"Everyone is well aware of the current situation. His Majesty used the power of thunder to frighten the territory and deter all forces. But the new king who succeeds in the future does not have this courage. Therefore, in order to stabilize the country, changes are necessary. Fourth Highness said That's right, it's just too blunt."

"Frankly?"

"Yes, to be blunt," Sima Yi lowered his voice, "Your Majesty's Spring and Autumn Period has passed, and His Majesty knows it in his heart. However, His Majesty can consider this matter, but his ministers can't. Think carefully about what His Majesty said today, what you stand for Is there a problem with the angle?"

Cao Zhang pondered for a moment, and suddenly woke up like a dream: "Yes, from now on, that kid opened his mouth and shut his mouth, it seems that he is... that he regards the father as that..."

"The first emperor." Sima Yi added for him.

"You dare to say that!" Cao Zhang looked around nervously, "I understand, so the second brother kept mentioning loyalty to remind Cao Zhi of his father's status as emperor, but that kid Cao Zhi is too clueless!"

Sima Yi smiled noncommittally: "The palace gate is here, I will take my leave."

"Thank you, my lord, for your reminder." Cao Zhang lowered his head slightly to express his thanks for the inconvenience.

"Your Majesty the Fourth Highness speaks seriously, but it's just a trip along the same road." Sima Yi bowed slightly, "Your Majesty, take a step ahead."

Cao Zhang watched Sima Yi's back leave, and couldn't help thinking of a dream he had been having since that day.

——On that day, he led all his ministers to welcome his father, the emperor who returned triumphantly from Xiliang. The curtain of the plain royal car was lifted, and Cao Zhi, who was dressed in filial piety but wearing twelve hats on his head, walked out...

Today, Cao Cao did not comment on the recommendation of Cao Ren, which was also done by the faction of generals he represented, but he didn't want to be on the same level as Cui Yan recommended by Cao Zhi.

Cao Zhi... really should not be underestimated.Cao Zhang heaved a long sigh of relief, but the next moment he clenched his fist and smashed it against the city wall made of blue bricks.