really.

This time, Liu Xie summoned Xi Lu after the grand dynasty meeting to ask Xi Lu about what purpose was Xi Lu's impeachment of Kong Rong at the court meeting.

After Xi Lu got up and sat down, Emperor Liu Xie looked at Xi Lu for a few times, and asked directly: "Xi Aiqing, today is in the morning court. Why did you suddenly target Kong Wenju? I remember that you didn't say that Kong Wenju is very talented and loyal to the great man? I have never heard of any personal grudges between you two, but your actions today made me feel a little confused."

After saying that, Liu Xie stared at Xi Lu's face with bright eyes, not letting go of any changes in Xi Lu's expression.

After hearing Liu Xie's inquiry, Xi Lu did not dare to respond vaguely, and said calmly: "Report to Your Majesty, even if there are some grudges between me and Kong Wenju, it is just a difference between articles and scriptures, and it is not considered a big resentment. Kong Wenju is also loyal to the Han Dynasty and Your Majesty, but it is precisely because of Kong Wenju's actions..."

Speaking of this, Xi Lu sighed, as if he was regretting Kong Rong. "Therefore, I have to impeach Kong Wenju, which would be better to cause some controversy... This will also be of great benefit to Your Majesty's stability..."

"Oh?" Liu Xie was thinking about something, and seemed to have thought of something, but he still asked, "What does your dear mean?"

『Your Majesty…』 Xi Lu said slowly, his voice slightly lowered.『As for today's situation, I believe Your Majesty also knew that the cavalry was the dominant part of Guanzhong, and held a grand ceremony for Qinglong Temple, inviting all the world's literary talent to gather Chang'an... His character can be seen. Now, the leader of Shandong Wenhua is Kong Wenju, and Wenju lives in seclusion in the wilderness and refuses to become an official. In the long run, Chang'an is stronger and Shandong is weaker... I am just using the name of impeachment to inspire Kong Wenju to come out of the mountain... I hope Your Majesty will clearly understand it."

Liu Xie was stunned.

Is there any such statement?

Oh, I impeached Kong Rong for the sake of Kong Rong's good, um, for the sake of the good of the man?

Hearing Xi Lu's explanation, Liu Xie looked at Xi Lu deeply, was silent for a moment and asked: "What I said... Although there is some reason... However, what I say is all for this?"

『Your Majesty's wise!" Xi Lu nodded first, then shook his head, and continued to explain, 『I am also a little selfish, and there are some other considerations...』

Liu Xie straightened his back slightly, "Oh? Let's listen."

Xi Lu lowered his head, "I am ashamed. Since I received the favor of Your Majesty, I have accomplished nothing recently and have not been able to resolve my worries for Your Majesty... Now that the court is divided, there are also people who are unofficial in Guanzhong, and there are many plans, which can be said to be ulterior motives..."

Seeing that the emperor did not interrupt himself or reject him, Xi Lu felt very calm, but his face still looked ashamed, and continued to say: "I have been trusted by Your Majesty, and I have the power to supervise the court and the people. However, the initial establishment of the Censorate has many shortcomings... I also know that Your Majesty's worries are my fault. If you can take this opportunity to expand the Censorate, you can also use it for Your Majesty's..."

Xi Lu paused for a moment, not knowing whether it was to sort out his ideas or to give Liu Xie room to think. Seeing that Liu Xie did not speak, Xi Lu said again: "The Han Dynasty is now in turmoil. The reason why there are people who are unofficial and do not know the emperor is because they do not understand the scriptures and do not know loyalty and righteousness. I think privately that the Censorate was originally reported and reported... Therefore, regardless of whether Kong Wenju was guilty, he must come to Xu County to defend himself. Your Majesty can punish him and correct his mistakes, and forgive him for his crimes. It is all in the hands of Your Majesty... Therefore, I have made such impeachment."

Xi Lu's words were not only very frank, but also some of them reflected someone's meaning. Although they were all talking about Chang'an, they might not necessarily refer to all Fei Qian. Anyway, from the surface, Xi Lu completely drew a clear line with Fei Qian. Everything was for the sake of Emperor Liu Xie, and his attitude was extremely upright.

After hearing Xi Lu's words, Liu Xie could not find any fault. Moreover, if it was carried out according to the plan mentioned by Xi Lu, it would be beneficial for Liu Xie to control the situation in the court.

After thinking about it, Liu Xie finally had a smile on his face, and he nodded slowly and said, "I am willing to relieve my worries, so I will feel relieved."

Although Liu Xie said this, Xi Lu looked bitter and said, "Your Majesty is wise. However, I still have something to ask Your Majesty... Kong Wenju is now very famous, and his disciples are numerous, and his influence is far beyond my ability. Even though I impeach Kong Wenju, I may bring back his back. At that time, I hope Your Majesty will be very loyal to you...

Seeing Xi Lu like this, Liu Xie smiled and said, "If you have no confidence, why should you cause trouble? Well, I know. If you have trouble, I will never stand idly and protect you thoroughly."

Xi Lu bowed again and then retreated.

Liu Xie sat in the hall and pondered for a long time.

Although Xi Lu kept saying that it was for Liu Xie and the Han Dynasty, and then he casually mentioned some of his own selfishness, and these selfishness seemed to be used on the Censorate, but in fact?

Liu Xie was actually quite complicated about the open and secret struggles in the court.

If the major factions in the court are in peace, do not fight each other, or even live in harmony, then as emperors, they usually begin to wonder whether the major factions in the court are going to join forces? Will they start to deal with him, the emperor? They always feel that the position under their butt is getting hot and they will become unstable.

For Liu Xie, the Fei Qian in Guanzhong was used to suppress Cao Cao's external pressure. It was because of Fei Qian's existence that Cao Cao would not be so arrogant and domineering at the moment.

In Xu County, Liu Xie hopes that there will be a person, or even a faction, to continue to compete with Cao Cao, restrict Cao Cao, and fight against each other for various interests. In this way, Liu Xie himself can balance and adjust in the struggles of each faction. After all, only when disputes arise between each faction can the importance of the emperor be reflected.

If the ministers fight, the emperor will benefit; if the ministers fight each other, the emperor will be in danger.

This is Liu Xie’s experience in recent years.

If Yuan Wei was willing to stand up and fight against Dong Zhuo back then, his emperor brother Liu Bing might not have been driven out of office and then poisoned to death...

In other words, if Cao Cao wanted to drive Liu Xie out of office now, who would stand up and speak for Liu Xie?

This worry hidden deep in his bones made Liu Xie in panic all the time, and as time went by, he became more and more persecuted paranoia. He suspected Cao Cao, Fei Qian, and everyone around him. Of course, he also had a skeptical attitude towards what Xi Lu said.

Before, Liu Xie wanted to let Zheng Xuan come to Xu County. After all, Zheng Xuan had a very high reputation in Shandong and could become a good shield, stand by Liu Xie, and block many injuries for Liu Xie.

It’s just a pity that Zheng Xuan was unwilling to come back, but only Xi Lu came. If Zheng Xuan was a big shield, then Xi Lu could only be considered a few pieces of armor. Although it also had some effect, it was not so powerful. In order to make this armor really become a piece of armor, Liu Xie also favored many times, not only granting positions, but also came forward to build a censorship for Xi Lu.

Then Kong Rong, who is one level second to Zheng Xuan...

OK, it’s several levels later, but at least Kong Rong’s reputation is bigger than Xi Lu.

Liu Xie knew that Cao Cao didn't like Kong Rong, so he wanted Kong Rong to take some position directly, and he would inevitably be opposed by Cao Cao. But can he achieve his goal through a curved attack like Xi Lu? Whether it is guilty or not, after the news spreads, Kong Rong would be better off going to Xu County to apologize or confront the defense. At that time, can he go with the flow and leave Kong Rong as the shield for another side?

Just like Xi Lu said, Kong Rong and Kong family have been in charge for many years, and there are actually many disciples and friends...

The last time on the palace wall, Liu Xie saw all officials slaughtered by Cao Cao, and the blood color is still in his heart and cannot spread.

There must be something to do...

…(▽)/…

Youzhou.

Jixian.

The night has been updated twice.

This room, which looked slightly gloomy in the cold night, still never lit the lights.

Thin moonlight penetrates through the gaps in the window lintel, and the charcoal fire inside the brazier provides additional lightness for the room.

A dark shadow sat upright in the room silently, with his hands flat on his knees.

All the items around him are familiar to him. He has been playing and growing up here since he was a child, but now it seems that it is time to leave.

If you don’t want to leave, you may never have to leave.

Zu Wu's eyes were beating.

Unexpectedly, Cao Chun could still find out here?!

This surprised Zu Wu and couldn't help but wonder if he had underestimated Cao Chun.

Above the table, there is a blue-glazed tea bowl.

Next to the tea bowl, there is a tea urn.

A servant walked up, lifted the lid, and poured the freshly cooked tea into the tea jar. The dark brown water surged into the bottom of the jar, and a light tea fragrance gushed out. Zu Wu's expression became a little blurred in the fog rising in the cold night.

"The head of the family, the tea has been cooked." said the servant.

Zu Wu didn't say anything, just nodded, and then the servant retreated.

Rationally speaking, Zu Wu should avoid Cao Chun's edge at this moment, after all, he will be left with green mountains and will not be afraid of losing firewood.

But emotionally, Zu Wu was reluctant to leave.

It's been seven years since it's...

Zu Wu did it himself, poured a cup of tea, then picked it up, and took a sip.

The slightly bitter fragrance lingers on the tip of his tongue, which makes him intoxicated by inexplicable feelings for a moment, and he can't help but close his eyes and exhale. He has always been unsure whether the fun of tea tasting lies in the tea itself, or the ease of being beyond the world and forgetting the worldly world for a moment.

This is the tea of ​​the cavalry.

Not the Prime Minister's wine.

The tea from the cavalry can be bought with just spending money, while the wine from the prime minister cannot be bought with even if he has money.

Because the Prime Minister banned alcohol.

But the Cao family Xiahou family couldn't help drinking.

Others can’t drink it, but they will have it when they want to drink it. They occasionally act like ordinary people’s hardships, but in fact, their food, clothing and consumption are always different from ordinary people.

Prohibiting alcohol is just prohibiting the people.

Just like registering households and all the people, it is always just a restriction on the people, and scholars, who are not even considered officials, can already walk around.

Interesting?

So why can Cao Xiahou drink when he wants to drink?

In other words, why is the ban only targeting the people, and that someone can do not have to comply with it?

Since there is no need to obey someone, then naturally, don’t blame others for not wanting to obey.

No one likes to be restricted, banned, restrained, or bullied.

The moonlight outside the window was still clear. Zu Wu put down his cup, stroked his beard, and a sarcastic smile appeared on his lips.

Maybe it's mocking others, or maybe it's mocking yourself.

The beard is a man's rings, which carries the ups and downs of his life, and also records the sadness of the torrent of time that never returns. The dead are like this...

I am already thirty-nine years old.

No, it's already forty.

It's about to be in a forty-gone age.

Zu Wu gently stroked his right hand down, and his fingertips gently slid across every whisker. It seemed that every whisker rolled his thoughts, as if a book of memory was flipping through, and nostalgic thoughts surged out like a quiet tide...

How many years has Zu been in Youzhou?

And how long did Cao come to Youzhou?

Zu Wu still clearly remembers the scene of his first meeting with Cao Chun.

At that time, Zu Wu remembered that he was as uneasy as other wealthy families in Youzhou, and he didn't know what would be like under the new Cao regime. So when he heard that Cao Chun came to Youzhou with the emperor's edict and the special envoy of Cao Cao, Zu Wu's first reaction was nervousness and panic that arises from tension.
To be continued...