"His Majesty."
Wang Xiang's expression was particularly stern.
"How could you do such a thing?"
"I have remonstrated with Your Majesty so many times. Clever words can ruin your moral character, and a small amount of impatience can ruin your great plans."
"Why is Your Majesty like this?!"
Wang Xiang was really angry.
Yesterday, when he received the envoy sent by Cao Mao and learned that Cao Mao had summoned the ministers of the Manchu Dynasty, Wang Xiang was really frightened.
What does the emperor want to do?
Are you ready to go to war with the Sima family directly? ?
Wang Xiang did not come, nor did the ministers. They were all afraid. If the emperor suddenly announced Sima Shi's crime after summoning the ministers, what would the ministers do?
This is not something that can be resolved privately.
Although Wang Xiang looked very calm, in fact, he stayed up all night last night and was worried about the situation in the palace. Until today, when he learned that the emperor was just debating classics yesterday, he breathed a sigh of relief and came to the east in a hurry. Tang, gave Cao Mao a scolding.
Cao Mao grinned, "Is the teacher scared?"
Wang Xiang frowned and said nothing.
Cao Mao had no choice but to say: "Teacher, you are worrying too much. I didn't do anything unwise. I just wanted to debate the classics with everyone, so I wanted to summon them."
"Does the general also know that His Majesty thinks so?"
"If the general feels that your majesty has other agendas, then I will never see your majesty again today."
"Outsiders cannot know your Majesty's inner thoughts. It would be best for your Majesty not to do such things that will make people think too much, so as not to bring trouble to yourself."
Wang Xiang said seriously: "I am not afraid of death, nor am I afraid of Master Sima. I am just worried that our great cause will be ruined because of your majesty's recklessness!"
Cao Mao's reckless behavior this time made Wang Xiang very disappointed.
The reason why he dared to follow the emperor to death was because of the emperor's precocious and stable character.
But this time, the emperor showed a naivety for his age, and Wang Xiang was not sure whether he would continue to make such risky moves in the future.
And the most important thing is that despite such a severe reprimand, the emperor still has no fear in his eyes, and there is no sign of remorse.
Cao Mao suddenly interrupted Wang Xiang's thoughts.
"Teacher, you misunderstood."
"The reason why I did this was not to deliberately provoke Master Sima. It was all for your sake."
Cao Mao looked at Wang Xiang's face and spoke extremely seriously.
Wang Xiang's face was as calm as usual, but that was not the case in his heart. He was shocked by these words. Are you provoking Master Sima because of me? ? Why, are you afraid that I won't die decently? ?
He said calmly: "Thank you, Your Majesty."
He didn't even ask the emperor why he said that.
Although he didn't ask, Cao Mao still had to explain.
"Teacher, I debated with celebrities in the east hall yesterday. The content of the debate has been recorded, and it will definitely be spread around now."
"So many celebrities gathered together to debate classics, including people like Zhong Hui, Ruan Ji, Ji Kang, and Zheng Xiaotong. This debate should not be underestimated."
Wang Xiang was still calm.
What Cao Mao said is true. This debate that took place yesterday caused a huge commotion today and spread crazily among the scholars. Those celebrities were eager to let everyone know the content of the debate and see their wonderful performance, so we promoted it very hard.
Many celebrities came yesterday, and today the whole of Luoyang is talking about it.
But the question is, what's the use of this?
Even if you turn the banquet in the east hall into a banquet for celebrities recognized by the world, what's the use?
Wang Xiang's expression became more and more disappointed, but looking at Cao Mao's shrewd eyes in front of him, he suddenly realized something was wrong.
"Could it be"
Cao Mao hurriedly sat next to Wang Xiang, held his hand, and said aggrievedly: "There is something wrong, please don't blame me, teacher."
"In yesterday's debate, I was really no match for those people. They said I was unable to fight back. I could only use what you taught me to fight back. I just didn't want to lose your reputation."
"Um?"
Cao Mao continued: "Before Zheng Xiaotong left, he held my hand and told me that the teacher is simply a god. He can teach me like this in a month, and he can be called the best in the world."
Wang Xiang has never taught Cao Mao any classics. He has been telling some empty truths these days. Classics are not Wang Xiang's strong point.
But it seems that this weakness has been made up for now.
Is Your Majesty trying to build momentum for yourself? ?
Wang Xiang looked at Cao Mao in surprise. Celebrities did not play a big role in the temple, but they played a very strong role in public opinion. In front of the Sima family, they might not dare to praise the emperor too much, but if it was Wang Xiang, they don’t have this worry.
Cao Mao's classics were actually taught by Wang Su.
Wang Su really taught him a lot back then, and he taught him without any secret. He probably took a fancy to his talent.
However, for the sake of the great cause, I can only aggrieve Prince Wang Su.
Anyway, you are both princes, so it doesn’t matter who gets this little fame, right?
Cao Mao didn't know if Wang Su would jump up and curse if he knew about this. Cao Mao combined the academic thoughts he compiled with his own things and gave them to Wang Xiang.
Wang Xiang was actually a little excited at this moment.
Wang Xiang has a great reputation and is a famous scholar today, but in the past he was not as good as Wang Su and others. The main reason was that Wang Xiang was not good at treating classics.
Although the status of classics is getting lower and lower, the management of classics is still one of the compulsory courses for celebrities and is indispensable. Wang Xiang only relied on reputation all the way and lacked the foundation of classics management like Wang Su.
For celebrities, publicity is important, but talent must also be present.
Talent and publicity are indispensable. Only by combining the two can you become a top celebrity.
Cao Mao took the initiative to help him make up for his shortcomings, allowing him to have talents, which were at the full level, and he had even helped him publicize them through other top players.
Wang Xiang suppressed the excitement in his heart and said seriously: "I taught your Majesty how to study classics, is it just to show off? Managing classics is to govern the world! Not to debate with others!"
"I have been practicing classics since I was a child, but I have never thought about debating with others. This is because debate is not the foundation of managing classics. The foundation of managing classics lies in governing the country!"
"Now your Majesty is using the knowledge taught by me to argue and show off. Isn't this putting the cart before the horse?"
Cao Mao's eyes widened.
Well, you are really not polite at all!
Cao Mao thought that Wang Xiang would recognize it, but he didn't expect that Wang Xiang would recognize it so simply, without any shame, and his appearance would be so ugly!
Have you been treating menstruation since childhood, and don’t you have any idea?
You got an advantage and you reprimanded me so harshly, right? ?
Wang Xiang reprimanded a few words and then became gentle again, "Your Majesty, I am doing this for your sake."
"In the future, if Your Majesty wants to summon celebrities, please inform me first. Although I have no talent, I am willing to do my best for Your Majesty!"
After hearing these words, Cao Mao stopped complaining and talked about his next plan.
"Teacher, I heard that Taichang has resigned and returned to the temple today. Who else can hold such a position besides you? There are disciples who are pioneers for you. Why don't you take the initiative to get this position?"
Wang Xiang, who had just said that he should act cautiously, was now moved again.
Of course he wanted the position of Tai Chang.
Taichang is the head of the Nine Qings and the position closest to the Three Lords.
In the Wei and Jin Dynasties, Taichang had a more important function, cultivating and promoting officials who were proficient in Confucian classics, and was responsible for the assessment of Confucian scholars.
It turned out that Wang Xiang was not in a hurry to take action because he knew that his ability in studying Confucian classics was insufficient.
If you want to assess other people's talents, you should at least have talents yourself, right?
You are nothing, yet you are qualified to evaluate others?
But things are different now. With Cao Mao as his vanguard and shaping his "talent", Wang Xiang can really compete for this position.
If he could earn it, all the Confucian scholars in the world would put himself first, and he would definitely be able to do a better job than Wang Su!
Seeing Wang Xiang, who was already moved, Cao Mao became more confident.
"Teacher, apart from you, who else can hold such a position in today's temple?"
"For the sake of the righteousness of the world, please don't refuse. I will definitely pay more attention to the banquets held by celebrities in the future!"
Wang Xiang looked troubled, and then sighed helplessly.
"I have always been indifferent, and I never care about high-ranking officials and generous salaries. However, I dare not be afraid of the justice of the world, and I dare not disobey His Majesty's orders."
“The teacher is wise!!!”
The master and apprentice then began to make plans to obtain the Taichang position.
Wang Xiang's reputation is enough to hold this position. Cao Mao can help him with Confucian classics. But this is not enough. He needs an important minister to speak for him, and then the other ministers agree.
Wang Xiang's popularity in the court is very good, which is completely opposite to Zhong Hui.
He was quite confident in this matter, and when he left, his pace was faster than usual.
Cao Mao watched him leave, but did not leave the east hall in a hurry. He began to think deeply again.
Wang Xiang has finally finished this part.
By sending him to the position of Taichang, he would have the ability to promote Confucian officials, and Wang Xiang would be safer. With the identity of the head of the Nine Ministers, even the Sima family would have to be a little more wary.
The next step is to wait for Wang Jing to replace Wang Xiang and serve as Sili Xiaowei.
Wang Jing has proven his loyalty in history. As the only person who has not betrayed Cao Mao, Cao Mao has a good impression of him.
Historically, Wang Jing succeeded Wang Xiang a year later and became Sili Xiaowei.
The Sima family did not have that much trust in Wang Xiang. Instead, they favored Wang Jing more. They first let him command the army, and later made him the Sili Colonel and the Minister.
If Wang Xiang was promoted to Taichang, then Sili Xiaowei would be vacant, and Wang Jing would be able to appear by his side a year earlier.
Cao Mao doesn't need to work too hard. As long as Wang Xiang and others are allowed to work a little in the temple, Wang Jing can come to Luoyang as the Sili Colonel.
Because he was originally the best candidate in the eyes of the Sima family.
Cao Mao raised his head and a smile appeared on his face.
I really want the general to feel the feeling of being ignored.
