When Cao Shuang saw with his own eyes the 12-year-old little emperor who was dressed in the luxurious and majestic emperor's imperial robes, wearing the emperor's sword, and who had a hint of the late emperor's bearing, completing the crown ceremony and offering sacrifices to the Ancestral Temple, he suddenly felt a complicated feeling in his heart. Unspeakable emotions.
In terms of etiquette, Cao Fang is his king. Seeing that the king is finally about to grow up, Cao Shuang, who has always thought that he is the humerus of the Wei Dynasty, naturally has some expectations in his heart.
In terms of friendship, Cao Fang is his cousin and the beloved son of the late emperor, cousin, and old friend Cao Rui. The late emperor entrusted his beloved son to him, and now that the child has been crowned, Cao Shuang is naturally relieved.
And behind these two points of expectations and three points of relief, Cao Shuang's heart actually also hides a fifth of disappointment that even he himself was not aware of.
As for the reason for this loss, I am afraid no one will know clearly.
After Cao Shuang presided over the crowning ceremony of Emperor Cao Fang and saw the emperor offering sacrifices to worthy ministers in the Imperial Ancestral Temple, he suddenly felt the ambition to make great achievements in his heart.
One day in the future, I will definitely be like my father Cao Zhen and my cousin Cao Xiu, the two great Sima masters, and become a first-class meritorious official worthy of enjoying the Imperial Ancestral Temple, and become a celebrity throughout the ages!
While Cao Shuang was looking at the sandalwood screen of the Tiger Tower in front of him, he was immersed in imagining his world-famous posture, and he clenched his fists excitedly. After a while, Cao Shuang turned around and ordered Yang Zong, the general's chief clerk who was accompanying him:
"Hurry and invite Prince Consort He, Deng Xuanmao, Ding Yanjing and others to come over and tell the story!"
"Yes, General."
After Yang Zong said this, he immediately took action with Yan Shi, the tent supervisor.
Not long after, Wang Ji, Wang Boyu, his cousins Wang Shen, Wang Chudao, Wang Hun and Wang Xuanchong, as well as He Yan, Ding Mi, Deng Yang, Pei Xiu, Wang Bi, Xun Xu and others all came to the general's mansion.
After the guests of honor were seated, the maid of the General's Palace immediately brought hot tea and grapes from the Western Regions to everyone.
Cao Shuang saw that everyone had arrived, so he planned to speak his mind straight to the point. He habitually stroked the mighty mustache on his lips, stood up, sat down, and said:
"Everyone, after these few years of hard work, the capable people, loyal ministers and officials under Gu's command have all taken root in and outside the court. The Cao family's empire has finally become more powerful in our hands. Stable.”
After listening to Cao Shuang's words, everyone present nodded in agreement and agreed. He Yan, Deng Yang and others did not interrupt. They understood that Cao Shuang must have something to say.
As expected, Cao Shuang continued:
"Although the current situation is very good, it has been the truth since ancient times to sail against the current and retreat if you do not advance. Today, there are still young people in the temples; there are still bandits and bandits entrenched in Wu and Shu. We can only start from the root cause. , can we completely solve these hidden dangers!”
At this time, Ding Mi asked cooperatively:
"I wonder what the general meant by the source?"
At this moment, Cao Shuang showed a mysterious and confident smile on his face, and he spoke his thoughts loudly:
"Imitate Shang Yang and make reforms to strengthen the country!"
As soon as Cao Shuang said this, everyone present was quite surprised and startled.
——————
While Cao Shuang and everyone were having heated discussions in the general's mansion, Xia Houxuan was not idle in the mansion either.
In fact, brothers Cao Shuang and Cao Xi had already asked Xia Houxuan for advice on how to further stabilize the political situation, and then annex Wu and Shu, and unify the world. Xia Houxuan had already made up his mind to change the bad governance in the world when he traveled around as a boy and saw the plight of the people with his own eyes. Therefore, Xia Houxuan had already told his brother Cao Shuang about his restructuring ideas.
Cao Shuang, Cao Xi, and Xia Houxuan himself are now important figures in the world. The seemingly unrealistic fantasies when they were young naturally have the opportunity to be realized at this moment.
Xia Houxuan couldn't sleep at night for several days since he read the letter from Cao Shuang a few days ago about the restructuring idea.
When he learned that Cao Shuang finally agreed to implement the restructuring, he was excited.
That's right, Cao Shuang and his staff want to be famous throughout the ages and benefit the people of the country, so why don't they themselves?
Although I do not agree with the Confucianism of "famous religion" with many hypocritical rules and regulations advocated by the veterans in the court, but prefer the "let nature be natural" Confucianism like Lao Zhuang and Zhuangzi, this does not mean that I want to break away from Confucianism. path of.
I just want to use this seemingly deviant academic idea to compete with the corrupt, luxurious, hypocritical and unreal Confucianism of the world.
Fundamentally speaking, I am still a well-behaved Confucian scholar.
Cultivate oneself, manage one's family, govern the country, and bring peace to the world.
Which Confucian scholar doesn't want to reach such a state?
Xia Houxuan is naturally no exception.
At this moment, he could not suppress his excitement as he imagined the benefits that the restructuring would bring to both the government and the public. Xia Houxuan thought to himself that once he and the general successfully reorganized the system and all policies became stable, he would resign with his wife and children and go into seclusion, and never set foot in the temple again.
After thinking hard for a few days, he wrote a eloquent article of thousands of words about his ideas and specific measures for restructuring.
[Note 1: The full text of this long article "Current Affairs Discussion" is one of the few autographed articles by Xia Houxuan extant in the world. For the sake of novel effect, the author decided to quote a small part of it below. The article mainly records Xia Houxuan's There are three major measures in the restructuring: first, to rectify the law of nine-rank officials, transfer organizational and personnel power to the central government, and reduce the power of state central officials. The second is to remove counties and change administrative divisions into state and county levels. This is a major reform. Third, it is to simplify the clothing and ostentation. In today’s terms, it can be regarded as changing the style of the party and government. 】
"Husband, officials are responsible for employing people, and they are the handle of the country. Therefore, Quanheng is dedicated to the platform and pavilion, which is divided into high places. Filial piety exists in Luxiang. The superior and inferior people from the country are divided into inferior ones. If you want to be selected by the Puritan Church, it is clear that it will be divided into It’s just a matter of dividing the narrations and not interfering with each other. What is it? If you exceed the divisions above, you may be afraid that the source will not be the source, and the road will be opened for the power to gallop; if you exceed the narrations below, you may be afraid that the heavenly nobility will lead to the outside, and the door of power will be opened. There are so many. The emperor's authority is the common people's deliberation; the authority has many branches, which is the source of chaos. Since the official officials and talents in the prefectures and counties have been here for many years, there have been many people, but there is no order. Isn't it right? The divisions and descriptions are wrong, and each loses its important point! ...How can it be that each commander has his own division, and the officials are each based on whether they can present the tower and the tower according to the officer's ability? For the first place, refer to the virtues of the villagers and compare them, so as not to be biased. In the middle and right way, only consider their deeds, distinguish their superiority and inferiority, judge the generation, and do not promote or demote them. ... This will make people's hearts settled. If things are reasonable, the common people can calm down the customs and judge the talents of the officials.
He also thinks: "In ancient times, officials were established to help educate the people and manage the people's things. Therefore, they were the rulers and pastors. The masters of pastoral care wanted to be single and specialized. One official appointment would ensure peace of mind, and specialization would be a career. Cultivating and doing things is not troublesome. If the husband keeps things simple and the work is done, and the superiors and the subordinates are in harmony but do not govern, it is not possible. ...If the husband and the officials are not unified, the profession will not be cultivated; if the profession is not cultivated, how can things be simplified? If it is not simple, how can the people be at peace? If the people are not at peace, evil will flourish and traitors will flourish. ... It is better to be the governor of the province, but to serve as the governor; if the governor's office remains, the supervision will not be abolished. There are tens of thousands of county officials, and they are also pro-agricultural, so as to save trouble and expenses, and make crops rich. All the talents in large counties are qualified to be county guards. When it comes to litigation between right and wrong, whenever business matters change, if you obey, you will be safe, and if you are straight, you will fight. Harmony. The beauty of soup lies in the combination of differences, and the benefit of upper and lower parts lies in the ability to complement each other, and it is safe to obey. If the sound of the harp and harp is played, it will be removed, and the officials will be more streamlined. The second thing is that they are also responsible for the officials of the county, supervising the counties, and running the business. Protect the party and relatives, and the old villages and towns are not in harmony with each other, but due to the official system, the people's hardships and disadvantages are to blame. People are divided, there are few talented people, and there are few people who can do their jobs. There are often not the same good officials in counties and counties. The county is appointed by the county, and its role is inferior. When the officials are selected, the county should be the first. This is an official who is close to the people and has a special job. Below, the officials are responsible for the people's destiny, but they are often stubborn. Now that they have been merged, more and more good officials will be selected for appointment, which will promote great promotion and prosperity, and the people will have peace. Four. Control the county with ten thousand households and name it the county governor. Five For those with more than a thousand households, they will be named Duwei. For those with less than a thousand households, the commanders will remain as before. From senior to above, the exams will be transferred and transferred to those who can be promoted, and the number of herds will also increase. This is a description of the effectiveness of advancement. If the economic system is certain, then Officials have their own talents, and their achievements are all clear, the fifth principle. If the provinces and prefectures are guarded, and the counties are all connected, there will be no separation of affairs, and no officials will be left behind. The style of the three generations, although not necessarily, can be simplified and simplified. , Convenience and cost saving are all here.
He also believes that the changing use of literature and quality is like the overlapping of the four seasons. The king of nature and physical things must help them due to shortcomings. Today, at the end of the Hundred Kings period, there are remnants of the Qin and Han dynasties, and there is no secular text. It is appropriate to make major changes to improve the popularity of the people. Nowadays, under the imperial examination system, from the rank of duke and prince to the rank of general and above, all are allowed to wear silk brocade, Luoqi, plain silk, gold and silver, and carved things. There are differences in each level, but the system of court officials has reached the highest level, and the Xuanhuang system has been passed down to the lower levels. If the market does not display gorgeous colors, the merchants do not sell rare goods, and the workers do not make carvings, they will not be obtained. Therefore, it is appropriate to follow the principles of Dali, to accurately measure the ancient laws, and to adopt the appropriate literary and quality principles as a measure of etiquette. The uniforms and seals of chariots and carriages are all simple and simple, and the late vulgar ornate things are prohibited, so that the homes of the Qian Dynasty and the throne rooms no longer have brocade decorations, and there are no exquisite clothes, delicate things, from top to bottom, As for the difference between simplicity and simplicity, it just shows the level. Don't let it go beyond one or two. If you are given a gift of merit or a special gift from a superior, you should express it with care and then take advantage of it. The transformation above and below is like the wind blowing grass. If the teaching of simplicity flourishes in this dynasty, the spirit of extravagance will naturally disappear. "
Xia Houxuan wrote this long article with a thousand words in one breath. After taking a short rest, he made a copy of it, put the two long letters into envelopes, sealed them with wax, and then put the pen on He sat on the porcelain inkstone and stretched beautifully.
"Someone is coming."
"What are your orders, Your Majesty?"
"Send two messengers to deliver these two letters. Remember, one is sent to General Wu'anhou Cao's house, and the other is sent to Taifu Wuyanghou Sima's house."
"I understand." After receiving the order, the man went out to send someone to deliver the message.
Xia Houxuan thought to himself that the general now wanted to reform the system. Just reforming the ninth-rank official law would offend all the veterans of the Hebei gentry in the court.
Sima Yi has always had a broad vision. If he can get his support for these measures, then this restructuring will be half successful.
Although he wanted to overthrow Sima Yi, the restructuring matter was of great importance and related to the pros and cons and the rise and fall of the subsequent generations of the Wei Dynasty.
Therefore, he thought that if Sima Yi agreed to the restructuring, he would temporarily put aside his personal grudges and cooperate with him to implement the restructuring together.
After all, personal grudges are nothing compared to the prosperity of the Wei Dynasty for thousands of generations.
―――
Luoyang City, General's Mansion.
Cao Shuang was excited after seeing Xia Houxuan's restructuring blueprint. He thought to himself that this period was indeed extraordinary. His ideas not only included the opinions of He Yan, Ding Mi and others, but also proposed reducing the power of Zhongzheng officials and abolishing the system. Regarding specific measures such as the county system and the reform of the luxury clothing system, this letter is really important to me and to Wei.
Thinking of this, Cao Shuang immediately summoned the scribe of the General's Mansion and asked him to copy dozens of this letter for preservation and dissemination.
Cao Shuang was very ambitious at this moment. He thought that with these measures taken by Taichu, his restructuring would be successful!
―――
In Taifu's mansion, Sima Yi was sitting in the camellia pavilion, accompanied by two brothers, Sima Zhao and Sima Master. Sima Yi was looking attentively at the reform proposal sent by Xia Houxuan.
After reading the letter, Sima Yi nodded and said:
"Xia Houxuan, this son should not be underestimated... Master, Zhao'er, you two should also read this article by Xia Houxuan."
Master Sima took the long letter first, and Sima Zhao immediately came over, and the two brothers read it together:
"The Zhongzheng rule only examines his deeds, distinguishes his superiority and inferiority, judges his generation, and does not promote or demote him... It is appropriate to be the governor of the province, but he should be appointed as the governor, and to control the county with ten thousand households, he should be named the county governor, more than five thousand , named Duwei, with less than a thousand households, the commander remains the same. From senior to above, the exams and classes are transferred and transferred to the promotion, and the number of pastoral animals is increased. This is the description of the effectiveness of advancement..."
Seeing Xia Houxuan's suggestion of weakening Zhongzheng officials and abolishing county officials, a layer of cold sweat broke out on Master Sima's back unconsciously. Sima Zhao couldn't help but sigh at Xia Houxuan's vicious eyes.
Nowadays, most of the disciples, old officials and connections of the Sima family are gathered in various counties and serve as the governors of each county. If the county level and county officials are abolished as Xia Houxuan said, it will have no impact on the power of the Sima family. It's different from drawing fuel from the bottom of the cauldron. And if the Zhongzheng officials responsible for selecting talents become idle officials who evaluate talents but have no right to select them, as Xia Houxuan suggested, it will be an even more devastating blow to the power of his family.
At this moment, the father and son did not plan to put aside their personal grudges temporarily for the sake of state affairs like Xia Houxuan. What they were thinking about at this moment was instead how to hinder Xia Houxuan's reform plan.
Sima Yi thought for a long time and decided to reply a letter to Xia Houxuan in person. He ordered someone to get paper and pen, and wrote with the pen hanging from his wrist:
"At the beginning of Taichu, the wise nephew Ru Yu met: What you said about selecting officials, removing important officials, and changing the uniform system are all good. However, the three-level system of prefectures, prefectures, and counties has been inherited for a long time, and I am afraid that it cannot be changed. Qin Dynasty There is no governor, but there are county guards and chief officials. Although the Han family has a governor, it only has six regulations. Therefore, the court can still control the counties. Today, there is no need to spend so much time and effort to implement the law of dividing counties. In the past Han Dynasty, Jia Yi also Due to the extravagance of the clothing system, although the Han Dynasty wears Yigui, it still cannot make the upper and lower people go as they wish. Therefore, it is not necessary to change the clothes in a hurry. I am afraid that these three things will have to be implemented by the wise men of later generations. Zhongda's own handwriting."
[Note 2: Sima Yi’s reply here and Xia Houxuan’s reply below, “Reply to King Sima Xuan”, have modified part of the original text of the ancient letter in order to make it easier for readers to understand. 】
―――
Jiuzifang, Changlinghou Mansion, in the study next to the main hall.
Xia Houxuan felt quite disappointed after reading Sima Yi's reply. Although this letter praised his idea of restructuring, it was just perfunctory to him after all.
Sure enough, Sima Yi still refused to give in even half a step, wasting all his enthusiasm to influence the other party.
However, Xia Houxuan still had some illusions about Sima Yi. After all, if the restructuring made the entire clan an enemy, the resistance would be really scary. After thinking for a while, he wrote another reply, hoping to give it one last try and see what happened. Can Sima Yi be persuaded to support his restructuring?
"Taifu Rumei: Although Han Wen is dressed in tacky clothes, he does not reform the legal system. There are arrogant imitations inside and outside. His favorite ministers receive unlimited gifts. From this point of view, it seems to refer to the name that is established in the body, and it is not a strict rule. The meaning of control is also the meaning of control. Today's monarchs are ordered to be the chief ministers of the world. They should follow the ancient times and suppress the original version. If it is formulated above, it will naturally be implemented by everyone. When it is appropriate to make changes, be diligent and diligent, and on the day when the order is issued, The response is still ringing in my ears, and I am still bowing down and saying, "Waiting for the virtuous." This is not the code of Yin Ji in Yizhou. It is stolen without explanation. It is Xuan's own handwriting."
Not surprisingly, after Xia Houxuan's letter was sent, it was like a mud cow drowning in the sea, without any reply.
It seems that the Sima family must be overthrown!
After Xia Houxuan was disappointed, a fierce look flashed in his deep eyes.
