Not long after.
The news that the imperial court issued an order to Xiao He reached Cao Shen's ears, and Cao Shen immediately rushed to Xiao He's residence.
As soon as he stepped into the door of the house, Cao Shen asked hurriedly: "Brother Xiao, I just heard that the imperial court issued an order to you? Is this really true?"
Xiao He nodded.
Xiao He has the gentleness of a gentleman.
Neither arrogant nor impetuous.
He didn't speak in a hurry, he just looked at his home and took Cao Shen into the study.
The two sat facing each other.
Cao Shen hurriedly said: "Brother Xiao, if I have to say something inappropriate, you can't go this time. You have declined several promotions from the imperial court before. If you agree this time, if the imperial court becomes suspicious, wouldn't it be possible for you to be in Yangzhou?" Entering the tiger's mouth?"
Xiao He pondered for a moment and shook his head.
He said softly: "I may not be able to follow Brother Cao's advice this time."
"I have just made a decision."
"I will go immediately."
Hear the words.
Cao Shen's eyes were fixed, full of surprise, and he asked: "Brother Xiao, why is this? You should be aware of some of the circumstances. If you go this time, it will be difficult to escape from it."
Cao Shen still urged.
With a warm smile on his face, Xiao He said lightly: "How could I not know Brother Cao's concerns? But this time there is indeed a reason to go. This time the order is not to go to Xianyang, but to Lingnan, and not to the imperial court. Activation is just a temporary call."
"in addition."
"This time we are entering His Royal Highness Fusu's office."
"What the order says is actually very clear."
"I am just being recruited to handle some non-commissioned officer matters. When the matter is over, those of us who have been mobilized will return to our original posts."
"It won't be delayed."
Said.
Xiao He also smiled and said: "I, Xiao He, have read a lot, and my lifelong wish is to make full use of my talents. However, the situation in the world has been turbulent in the past. Although I have the intention to show my talents, I dare not really do it." He is in the undercurrent of the world."
"But now the world is gradually becoming more stable. Although it is just an appearance, there is indeed a sign of peace."
"And all the changes in the world today originate from the imperial court."
"We are in Sishui County, which is too far away from Xianyang. We know very little about the situation in the imperial court. Although we can hear some news from the mailman or other merchants and nobles who come and go, most of it is only superficial and not detailed. It’s difficult to get a full view of the imperial court.”
"Now that I have the opportunity, how can I let it go?"
Xiao He responded calmly.
He did have some ideas.
Of course, it is still impossible to really serve Qin wholeheartedly.
The reason why they were unwilling to be promoted before was because they saw that the situation in the world was about to change. In this troubled world, the first thing they, local officials, had to do was to protect themselves, so they turned down promotions and transfers in the imperial court several times. This year, a lot of things have happened in the world.
Xiao He, as the chief official of Peixian County, was deeply touched by this.
He was very keenly aware that due to some changes in Xianyang, the people's anger, which had been a bit overwhelming, had quietly calmed down a lot, which surprised Xiao He.
He didn't even notice what the court had done.
This made Xiao He very anxious.
Being in Pei County, Surabaya, although far away from the disputes, is also doomed to lack of information. If the world situation remains stable, it is a good time to hide one's strength and bide one's time. However, if the world situation is stable, if one continues to stay in Pei County, he will gradually become a caged person. bird.
In the end, he will only be abandoned by the world.
In the past few months, Xiao He felt a sense of alienation. As time passed, this feeling not only did not weaken, but became stronger and stronger.
This also made Xiao He even more unable to sit still.
He knows it very well.
I can no longer sit still and wait for death.
If this continues, Peixian County may really die.
He needs to get out.
He needs to know more information so that he can reorganize the world situation and make the most practical and reasonable measures. The order sent by the court this time gave him such an opportunity.
Know yourself and your enemy, and you can fight a hundred battles without danger.
Fusu is the crown prince of the Qin Dynasty and the person closest to the center of power in the world today. Meeting Fusu may help him get a glimpse of the changes in the world.
Again.
He also guessed Fusu's intention.
Perhaps it was for the purpose of attracting talents and getting to know the talented people in the world. If Fusu really had such ambitions, Da Qin might not be able to fight back from the thorns everywhere.
He also needs a platform to showcase himself.
Hear the words.
Cao Shen was still a little worried in his eyes.
He shook his head and said, "I still think you shouldn't take the risk."
"Too dangerous."
“And we’re still going to Lingnan.”
"The weather over there is hot and dry, and the Qin army suffered numerous casualties there. If you contract malaria or other diseases there, you may really lose more than you gain."
"Besides, how can the world situation change so easily?"
"Guanzhong is different from us. They are different in every aspect. No matter how talented you are, it will be difficult for you to be reused due to your background in Chudi. Instead, you will be hated by many people."
"I know I can't persuade you."
"But I really don't want to risk seeing you once we get to know each other."
Xiao He said with a smile: "Thank you Brother Cao for your kindness. As Liu Ji said before, I, Xiao He, basically stayed in Peixian County in the past. Except for going to Sishui County every year, I almost never went out. This time I also went out to see this place. The real world.”
Xiao He looked very cheerful.
See this.
Cao Shen sighed and did not continue to persuade.
He knew that once Xiao He made up his mind, it would be difficult to persuade him, but they and Qin Ting were not the same people after all. He had known Xiao He for decades, and now that the world was in turmoil, he really didn't want to see his good friend. adventure.
Cao Shen said: "Since Brother Xiao has decided, I won't persuade you any more. It's just that the journey is long and we have to go to Lingnan. Brother Xiao must pay attention to safety on the way. If it is really not possible, Brother Xiao should come back as soon as possible to avoid long nights and dreams."
Xiao He nodded and said, "Brother Cao, don't worry, I know what's going on."
"I am going to Lingnan this time, for at least two or three months, or for more than half a year. The affairs of the county may have to fall on Brother Cao. I also ask Brother Cao to bear with me. When I return from Lingnan, I will be there in person. Let’s have a banquet.”
"It's okay to have some political matters." Cao Shen said.
Then Xiao He made some explanations about the situation in the county. By the time everything was explained, it was already dusk.
After leaving Xiao He's house, Cao Shen thought for a while and was not in a hurry to go back, but walked towards the outside of the city.
He was still a little worried about Xiao He going to Lingnan, and was going to ask Liu Ji for his opinion again. Moreover, Xiao He had a good relationship with Liu Ji. If Liu Ji spoke, maybe Xiao He would change his mind.
Not long after.
Cao Shen arrived at Liu Ji's house.
The sky was already dark, but there was still the sound of weaving in the house.
Cao Shen knew what was going on.
It was Liu Ji's wife Lu Pheasant who was weaving cloth to supplement daily household expenses. But thinking of Liu Ji's daily activities, Cao Shen couldn't help but smile bitterly. In fact, he admired Liu Ji in his heart. He deceived Lu Gong's daughter, who was very famous in the county.
Although the couple quarrels from time to time, they still support each other in life.
Boom! Boom!
There was a knock on the door outside the house.
Lu Pheasant put down the pendant in his hand, with a hint of impatience in his eyes.
She almost didn't need to think about it, and she knew that it must be Liu Ji's friends who had met outside, and they came to her door again late at night.
With a cold face, she went to open the door and was about to scold her when she saw it was Cao Shen. Her expression immediately changed and she said with a smile: "Cao Shen, why do you have time to come here so late? I thought it was Liu San here again." Those people I met outside who bought dogs to mourn."
Hear the words.
Cao Shen smiled awkwardly.
He certainly knew who Lu Pheasant was targeting with his harsh words.
Liu Jiping was always generous and righteous. Most of the rangers in the county knew Liu Ji. Since they were all rangers, they were naturally a group of people who were idle and not doing their jobs. Therefore, these people often came to Liu Ji's house to eat and drink. Drink.
This has always made Lu Fei deeply resentful.
Their family was living in a very tight situation, and Liu Ji also liked to spend a lot of money and make noises. If Lu Pheasant hadn't been able to weave cloth to support the family in recent years, their family would have been completely ruined by Liu Ji.
As the voice fell, a person walked out of the room.
This man is of medium stature and has a cheerful face. He has a short green and yellow bamboo leather crown on his head, which is quite novel. He has a short beard under his chin, which makes his relaxed face look mature and wise. His gait and intonation are also... A kind of association similar to ruffianism.
Liu Ji had a natural smile on his face, and almost as soon as he walked out of the house, he came from a distance and bowed his hands.
When he got close to Cao Shen, he glanced at Lu Pheasant and said, "Cao Shen, don't listen to this woman's nonsense. She is a woman who only has room for a few inches of cloth and a few coins in her eyes. What do you know, don’t meet him and go into the house.”
Said.
So he directly led Cao Shen into the house.
Lu Pheasant snorted coldly, but didn't say much.
Went to the kitchen to prepare some hot water.
indoor.
Liu Ji leaned on the desk and asked curiously: "Brother Cao, why are you free to come to my place today?"
Cao Shen nodded and said: "I came here this time to ask you to come forward and persuade Xiao He. Today, the imperial court sent an order to recruit Xiao He."
Hear the words.
Liu Ji frowned.
He looked at Cao Shen suspiciously and said in confusion: "Issuing the imperial decree as soon as it is issued? With Xiao He's cautious attitude, it would be easy to find an excuse to refuse, but you want me to persuade you? Could it be that Xiao He agreed?"
Cao Shen nodded.
He said: "Brother Xiao did agree."
Hearing Cao Shen's words, Liu Ji looked surprised and said curiously: "This is a rare thing. What did the imperial decree say? It can make Xiao He change his mind. This is not easy."
Liu Ji also became interested.
Cao Shen said: "I know a little bit about the contents of the order."
"Great Qin established the crown prince a month ago."
"And the prince was preparing to open a palace some time ago, but it was not a prince's palace, but some kind of affairs palace. This affairs palace wanted to recruit officials, and Xiao He was on the roster. The strange thing is that this time the affairs palace I am not responsible for matters related to the crown prince, but I am going to the South China Sea to solve some military matters."
"I just felt something strange."
"So I'm not optimistic about this. It's just that Brother Xiao has a firm attitude and I really can't persuade him. In the past, Brother Xiao respected you a lot. If you open your mouth, maybe you can make Brother Xiao change his mind."
Liu Ji didn't answer.
He tapped his fingertips on the table, his eyes rolling.
a long time.
Liu Ji shook his head and said, "I can't persuade you."
Cao Shen was stunned and asked, "Why is this?"
Liu Jidao: "Xiao He has his own ideas. Now that he has made a decision, how can he change it easily?"
"You know Xiao He's caution. He will not put himself in danger. He is willing to take risks this time. He may have weighed it in his heart. How can we persuade him to go back to this?"
"Moreover."
"There's no need to persuade."
"This is an official of the Crown Prince's Mansion."
"Once Fusu comes to power in the future, Xiao He will be able to rise directly with this relationship. By then, we may even benefit from Xiao He's glory."
Liu Ji said with a half-smile.
Cao Shen frowned.
He felt that Liu Ji was not telling the truth.
He said doubtfully: "Not to mention what will happen in the future, we have discussed before that Da Qin's policies are not popular in the local area, and it has aroused resentment among the people. In the long run, the world may not be peaceful, and the nobles of the six countries And those scholars are not people who are willing to calm down. Once something goes wrong in the Qin court, the world will probably be in chaos."
"Brother Xiao, it is not a wise move to go to Lingnan at this time."
Regarding Cao Shen's words, Liu Ji did not comment. He said coldly: "Cao Shen, your idea is a bit too rigid. The situation in the world is not static. The world will be in chaos?"
"Ha ha."
"When will there be chaos?"
"Who can say it accurately? Who can guarantee that it is true?"
"If we keep the chaos alive, do we have to keep waiting like this?"
Cao Shen fell silent for a moment.
Liu Jidao: "This is Xiao He's cleverness. After all, we are in Peixian County, a county with a population of no more than 10,000 households. What general trends in the world can we see here? How much information about the world can we know? Changes in the world, Can an official grasp it accurately?"
"You can't hold it!"
"I traveled around the world with Zhang Er, and what I heard every day was shocking. In a place as big as a palm in Peixian County, we can talk about the general trend of the world. If we want to truly know the general trend of the world, we can only go to those well-informed places. Xiao He’s approach is right.”
"The situation is not clear now, so we really need to be extra cautious."
"But caution is not enough."
"You can't achieve anything by just being cautious. Sometimes you have to take risks. As the saying goes, how can you catch the tiger's cubs if you don't enter the tiger's den? If you don't get out, how can you understand the true context of the world?"
"Xiao He went here this time to inquire about the news."
"The world will remain unchanged."
"At this juncture, it is even more important to have a calm mind and understand the world's situation. Otherwise, if you take one step at a time, you will suffer serious consequences."
"Your vision is too limited."
"In his eyes, he can only see the immediate gains and losses, and cannot see the long-term. Xiao He is different. He considers more and thinks more, because"
"Perhaps the world will not change!!!"
"If the world remains unchanged, then all his previous actions will become a joke."
"Xiao He is no longer willing to wait any longer."
(End of chapter)
