Cao Zhang saw Cao Cao getting angry, but he didn't panic at all. He calmly replied: "Father, you gave me the courage and courage!"
"Nonsense, when did I ask you to disrespect your uncle, and when did I ask you to offend the Han court officials?!" Cao Cao became even more angry.
"My father did not give me a direct order, but the decree issued by my father and the current strategy let me know that I must do this!" Cao Zhang responded firmly.
"My decree? My strategy?" Cao Cao sneered, "Then tell me, why do you have to do this?!"
"Since the Second Emperor Huan Ling, the government has been corrupt, and natural and man-made disasters have continued. After the Yellow Turban Rebellion, Dong Zhuo also caused chaos in the government, and various princes separated themselves and fought for years. The people were miserable and the people were in dire straits."
"Wherever the war goes, the army will plunder the people, exacerbating the suffering of the people."
"In order to inspire soldiers to fight, my father also allowed soldiers to loot. But the situation is different now. We can no longer rob people."
"Although the Han Dynasty has declined, in the eyes of the people of the world, the four-hundred-year-old Han royal family is still orthodox. My father obeyed the emperor's orders and refused to submit. We represent the Han Dynasty."
"How can there be any reason in this world for one's own monarch to rob his own people?"
"Xu Huang strictly enforced military discipline and forbade his subordinates from robbing the people, thus safeguarding his father's reputation."
"Uncle Zilian took advantage of the situation and deducted military rations. If I don't stop it in time and let it develop, it will make the clan generals feel proud and act more wantonly."
"In the long run, the conflict between the clan and foreign generals will continue to expand, causing the military to lose morale. When facing the enemy, if we cannot unite as one, how can we defeat the enemy?!" Cao Zhang made an impassioned speech and explained his reasoning.
"Then why did you punish Dong Cheng's nephew?" Cao Cao's expression softened slightly and he continued to ask.
"Dong Cheng is the head of the country and an important minister of the imperial court. But he allows his nephew to bully the people and plunder."
"When my father was the North Commander of Luoyang, he executed the eunuch Jian Shuo's uncle Jian Tu with a five-color stick for violating the ban on traveling at night. This earned him a reputation for not fearing power!"
"I am punishing the villains today just to imitate my father's righteous deeds back then. It is also to establish my father's reputation and let the people know that my father is a wise man who benefits the people!"
Cao Zhang's words not only explained his behavior, but also complimented Cao Cao in disguise.
"Hahaha..." Cao Cao looked up to the sky and laughed, casually picking up the bamboo slips in front of him, "Then tell me, which one of the thirty-six strategies you are using?"
Cao Zhang looked down and noticed that what Cao Cao was holding was the thirty-six strategies he gave to Guo Jia.
"Ziwen, Fengxiao showed me the Thirty-Six Strategies you wrote. It is very ingenious and contains many insights. Even my father is amazed. It seems that you must have put in a lot of hard work behind the scenes."
"As for what you did today, coupled with your insights just now, they also won my heart and made my father very happy." Cao Cao praised Cao Zhang unabashedly.
After hearing these words, Cao Zhang felt at ease and understood that Cao Cao was pretending to be angry just now, but he was actually testing himself.
He hurriedly saluted Cao Cao respectfully: "Thank you father for the compliment."
"You have made great achievements today. Tell me, what reward do you want?" Cao Cao was in a great mood and asked Cao Zhang directly.
"What the son did was just follow his father's teachings and share his father's worries. He didn't dare to take credit, let alone ask for rewards." Cao Zhang declined modestly.
Cao Cao walked up to Cao Zhang, reached out and patted him on the shoulder, and said with a smile: "Excessive modesty is hypocrisy. If I give you another chance, what reward would you like?"
Seeing what Cao Cao said, Cao Zhang was no longer polite and hurriedly said: "My son is brave, I hope my father can transfer Xu Huang and his Buqu tune to my command!"
"That's all you need? Okay, I'll issue an order soon and transfer Xu Huang to you!" Cao Cao agreed immediately.
"Thank you, father!" Cao Zhang was overjoyed and hurriedly thanked Cao Cao.
"Ziwen, why do you value Xu Huang so much?" Cao Cao asked curiously.
After all, Xu Huang has not been with him for a long time and does not have many outstanding achievements.
"Back to my father, my son knows that his abilities are limited. If he wants to help his father conquer the world in the future, he must continue to improve himself."
"Xu Huang is strict in managing the army, and he is well versed in the art of war in marching and formation. My son transferred him to his command in the hope that he can give me more advice." Cao Zhang explained.
"I see." Cao Cao nodded approvingly, "Then you went to Changshe to find talents?"
"Exactly, there are many talents in Yingchuan, and my son wants to try his best to find as many talents as possible to help his father achieve great things."
Cao Cao nodded approvingly: "That's right. To achieve great things, you cannot do without the support of talents. I am preparing to publish a recruitment list. How about you write the recruitment order for me?"
Cao Zhang hurriedly declined: "My son has little talent and little knowledge, so I'm afraid he won't be qualified for the job. Zihuan and Zijian are far better than me in talent and learning. My father should ask them to write this recruitment order."
Cao Cao smiled and said: "I have known their abilities for a long time. But your recent performance really impresses me."
"This time I ask you to write a recruitment order, and I also want to see what your opinions are on recruiting talents. Don't worry, write it boldly, think of it as a test from me." Cao Cao encouraged Cao Zhang.
After hearing Cao Cao's words, Cao Zhang understood his intention, and then nodded in agreement: "I understand, I will do my best."
"Okay, it's been a hard day, go back and rest. Early tomorrow morning, come with me to the east gate to greet the distinguished guests." Cao Cao told Cao Zhang.
"Dignified guest? What kind of distinguished guest is worthy of being welcomed by my father personally?" Cao Zhang asked in surprise.
"Zheng Xuan." Cao Cao responded.
"Zheng Xuan?" Cao Zhang was shocked. This was a famous sage in the late Eastern Han Dynasty.
But at this time, Zheng Xuan was already old and had lived in seclusion for many years. How could he suddenly come to Xudu?
Cao Cao saw Cao Zhang's doubts and explained to him: "I am going to organize the Lunar New Year Review again to comment on famous officials in the world. Zheng Xuande is highly respected and is the best person to judge."
"So I reported to the Emperor that I would confer Zheng Xuan with the title of Great Sinong, rank among the Nine Ministers, and give him a ride in a chariot specially designed to take him from Xuzhou to Xudu."
"Someone just came to report that he will arrive in Xudu tomorrow. With his prestige and status, isn't it worthy of welcoming him to his father?"
Cao Zhang suddenly understood, and then said: "My son understands, I will go back immediately to make arrangements, and I must let the people, literati, and scholars of Xudu see the sincerity of my father, Lixian Corporal."
Cao Cao nodded with satisfaction and waved his hand.
Cao Zhang respectfully saluted Cao Cao and walked out, feeling secretly happy in his heart.
Cao Cao gave him the order to recruit talents, which showed that his attitude had changed. He must figure out Cao Cao's intentions and hand in an answer that satisfies him...
