When Liu Bian entered the recruitment hall, the young man from the aristocratic family was behind a gray-haired old man, whispering something.
When Liu Bian came in, he whispered a few words.
The old man turned his head, with sparse white hair on his head, a slender face, and eyes as sharp as knives, and looked at Liu Bian.
He was startled for a moment, then looked at it carefully, and suddenly pressed his hand on the table, stood up with difficulty, and walked towards Liu Bian.
The young man was startled, quickly supported him, and whispered: "Grandpa, what's wrong?"
The old man didn't say anything. When he came to Liu Bian, he seemed to look at him more seriously. He raised his hand and said, "Sima Jun's eyesight is dim. May I ask, but your Majesty?"
Liu Bian looked at him, smiled slightly, and said, "It's me. Sima Qing's family can recognize me from so far away, but I don't look like I'm nearly eighty years old at all."
Sima Lang, the grandson behind Sima Jun, was shocked when he heard this. He quickly raised his hand and said, "I didn't know it was your Majesty, but I bumped into him. Please punish me!"
Sima Jun raised his hand tremblingly, with a look of fear on his face, and then said in a deep and powerful voice: "Your Majesty, Sima Jun, see you."
Others in the recruitment hall were shocked. Looking at this young man with extraordinary temperament, holding a child and looking like an ordinary nobleman, no matter how they looked at him, they would not think that he was the current Emperor!
But who is Sima Jun? How could he admit his mistake!
"I will see you, Your Majesty!" Everyone in the talent recruitment hall stood up and saluted mixedly.
Liu Bian waved his hand and said: "I'm quite surprised that I have free time today and come to the Talent Recruitment Hall to sit down. If you have something to do, go and do it. Don't worry about me."
Because the imperial court selected few talents from the Talent Recruitment Hall, there were not many people left in the Talent Recruitment Hall. There was no stupid person who heard the sound of Liu Bian's voice, glanced at Sima Jun and Sima Lang, and left one after another.
Soon, only Liu Bian and Sima Jun were sitting in the recruiting hall.
Liu Bian sat down cross-legged, put the little guy between his legs, looked at Sima Jun, and said with emotion: "The Qing family has a long life, which is enviable."
As the saying goes, "Seventy years is rare in life". Living to the age of seventy is really a long life!
This Sima Jun is seventy-eight years old this year!
Not only this Sima Jun, the Sima family generally has people with longevity. His grandson is the Sima Yi who lived through almost the entire Cao Wei era.
Sima Lang, standing behind Sima Jun, is the eldest grandson, followed by Sima Yi.
Sima Lang and Sima Yi's eight brothers were all outstanding. Because the last word in their cousin's names was the word "da", they were called "Sima Bada" in history.
Sima Jun sat opposite Liu Bian, hunched over, and said, "I am wasting my years and doing nothing. I am really ashamed."
Liu Bian held the restless little one in his arms and said with a smile: "The Qing family wrote books and established lectures, gave lectures from time to time, and taught countless people. How can you say that it was wasted?"
Sima Jun shook his head repeatedly and sighed: "Now that I am old, I realize that looking back on the past, I have neither merit nor virtue. I have failed the king above and my ancestors below. Every time I think about it, I feel so guilty that I can't sleep at night."
Liu Bian narrowed his eyes slightly, glanced at Sima Lang behind him, and said, "What the Qing family said is wrong. The ancients said that those who are good at fighting have no illustrious military exploits, and the great sages are unknown, but their achievements are real and not just a name. Qing. A home that is plain and sincere is a hundred times better than a home that is surrounded by flies and dogs."
Sima Jun was silent, waited for a while, sighed, raised his hand and said: "Your Majesty is far-sighted and magnificent, beyond the reach of my ministers. He is old and incompetent. He wastes his time and only leaves the world with laughter."
Sima Lang stood behind Sima Jun, listening to his grandfather's "modesty speech" that was completely different from the past. He was puzzled in his heart, and his face was full of respect.
Liu Bian saw Sima Jun's constant mouthing, and his smile did not diminish. He pulled back the little guy who was about to crawl out in his arms and said: "The Qing family has strong bodies, sharp minds, and experienced experience. They are far better than others."
Before Sima Jun could speak, Liu Bian suddenly glanced at Sima Lang and said, "The Qing family should know about the conversation between me and your grandson just now. What do you think?"
Sima Lang's face tensed when he heard this, and he bowed unconsciously.
In the eyes of the world, the His Majesty in front of him is a special emperor with many labels such as 'low-key', 'decisive', 'ruthless', and 'courage'.
Less than two years after taking the throne, he eliminated the "eunuch party" that had been suffering for a century, seized power from the powerful general He Jin, and even defeated the Xiongnu in a personal expedition. Tens of thousands, sweeping away the decline of the imperial court.
How can ordinary people do this one by one?
Sima Jun's old face suddenly became solemn, and he raised his hand and said: "Your Majesty, if your heart is not right, you will be evil, and if your body is not right, you will be traitorous. As an official, you must inherit the destiny of heaven and bring peace to the people below. You must not be partial. Those who are private will owe heaven's favor. , the country is in chaos. Through the ages, history books are as iron as iron, so please give your Majesty a clear warning."
Seeing that his grandfather's words were completely different from before, Sima Lang couldn't help but lower his head and glanced deeply at Liu Bian out of the corner of his eye.
The only person who could make his grandfather talk nonsense was the majesty in front of him.
He didn't dare to look at Liu Bian's face, but he happened to catch Liu Shao's gaze.
The little guy seemed to be very curious about Sima Lang, waving his little hand and making a sound.
Sima Lang quickly lowered his head and looked at his feet.
Liu Bian looked at Sima Jun with a calm expression and said in a slow tone: "Do the Qing family believe that Henan Yin Zhongji should be severely punished to serve as a warning to others?"
Sima Jun's face was serious and his eyes were sharp, and he said: "Your Majesty, ordinary people still know that the Han law is strict and dare not violate the rules. If officials are wanton, where will the majesty of the court be? Once this example is opened, the consequences will be endless."
Liu Bian looked as normal, reached out to pick up the tea cup, took a sip, and said, "If the Qing family is to punish Cao Shangshu, what should we do?"
Sima Jun paused for a moment, and then said: "Your Majesty, I will immediately imprison Zhong Ji and judge him as soon as possible to eliminate other people's delusions."
Before he finished speaking, he raised his hand, with a look of shame on his face, and sighed: "I am in my seventies this year, and I have to rely on my descendants for my daily life. I wish I could be ten years younger and share your worries for Your Majesty."
Liu Bian shook his head and said with a smile: "The Qing family is so devoted to the country, how can I sit back and watch the Qing family feel ashamed and regret it for the rest of their lives?"
As he spoke, he turned his head to Pan Yin and said quickly: "Draw up the decree and appoint Sima Qing's family as the Minister of Punishment. If anyone objects, let him come to me and tell me face to face."
Sima Jun raised his hand hurriedly, sat up with difficulty, and said with an uneasy look on his face: "Your Majesty, I am not ashamed of myself, but my ability is actually limited..."
Liu Bian waved his hand, interrupted him, and said: "The Qing family does not need to say anything, I have given up my mind. This Henan Yin case will be dealt with seriously and quickly according to the Qing family!"
Before Sima Jun could speak, Liu Bian said with a smile: "Sima Qing's family is well educated. Pan Yin will draft an edict. Sima Fang will be the prefect of Hanoi and Sima Lang will be the prime minister of Luoyang."
When Sima Lang heard this, he suddenly panicked and looked at his grandfather beside him.
Sima Fang is his father.
The Sima family has very strict upbringing. Without Sima Jun's nod, Sima Lang would not dare to accept this imperial edict!
Sima Jun's old face was solemn, his sparse white hair was not moving in the wind, he lowered his head, remained silent for a moment, raised his hands and bowed down, and said: "I accept the decree and thank Heaven for his kindness!"
"I accept the order and thank Tianen!" Sima Lang quickly followed and fell to the ground, his eyes wide open and looking at the ground, full of fear.
Until now, he still didn't understand that this His Majesty was either 'passing by by chance' or coming here for his grandfather!
When Liu Bian saw that they had accepted the order, he smiled with satisfaction and said, "You two nobles will be excused from the ceremony."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" The two responded and stood up slowly.
There was nothing strange about Sima Jun's face, it was full of contemplation, as if he was already thinking about Henan Yin.
Sima Lang did not have such a city, and his face was full of panic.
"Wow wow wow..." The little guy in Liu Bian's arms waved his little arms towards Sima Lang.
Liu Bian hugged him again, smiled and said to Sima Jun: "The decree will be issued soon, and the Qing family will take office as soon as possible. Henan Yin will go to Beijing to report on his duties in ten days, and the matter will be finalized in ten days to put an end to the rumors."
The incident of "Henan Yin Zhongji misappropriating autumn grain to provide disaster relief" has become a topic of conversation in Luoyang City after dinner.
The argument between Sima Lang and a group of subordinate officials in the street is an example of this.
The various rumors that have been formed for this reason are constantly being renovated, each one becoming more and more outrageous.
"I accept the decree." Sima Jun said without changing his expression.
The worry in Sima Lang's eyes never faded.
Although he believed that Zhongji's actions violated the imperial code and should be severely punished to serve as a warning to others - his grandfather should not be the one to do it!
What Zhongji did was against Han law, but it could be used to help the victims. It was an "act of kindness" and his reputation was unprecedented. Anyone who touches him at this time will be punished by the world's scholars, and his reputation will be greatly damaged!
"Wow wow wow..." The little guy grabbed Liu Bian's sleeve, stretched his head, opened his mouth, and wanted to bite.
When Liu Bian saw this, he picked him up with a smile and said to Sima Jun and Sima Lang: "Sima Qing's family, our Highness may be hungry. I will take him back to the palace first. If anyone doubts my appointment to the Qing family, Or if you make irresponsible remarks about the age of the Qing family, you can go directly to Deyang Palace to present it, and I will make the decision for the Qing family."
Sima Jun looked grateful, raised his hand and said: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Liu Bian nodded and carried Liu Shao out of the recruitment hall.
When Liu Bian walked away, Sima Lang couldn't help it. He opened his mouth to ask, but he held it back and stood behind Sima Jun with anxious eyes, not daring to say a word.
Sima Jun was silent for a moment, then reached out to pick up the teacup and said, "Ask me if you want to."
Sima Lang suddenly felt relieved and said anxiously: "Grandpa, your Majesty's intention outside just now was obviously to use that kind of editing. Why do you agree to severe punishment now?"
In Sima Lang's view, what Liu Bian said to him before was that he believed that Zhong Ji was "treacherous but capable" and that he cared more about Zhong Ji's "capability" and not about loyalty and treachery.
Sima Jun originally judged this way, so after Liu Bian showed a hint of intention to retaliate against him, he insisted on repeatedly "severely punishing" Zhong Ji in order to conflict with Liu Bian, and politely refused to be recruited.
"It can only be said that I am more useful than Zhongji." Sima Jun took a sip of tea and said calmly.
Sima Lang understood, he looked struggling and hesitated to speak.
Sima Jun didn't say much, and sat on the chair, with a trace of concentration on his old and hale face.
Last year, Yang Biao asked him directly in public whether he wanted to become an official, but he declined.
He stayed in the capital to look for opportunities for his children and grandchildren to become officials. Unexpectedly, he was focused on planning for his children and grandchildren, but the palace was eyeing him!
Asking for a monthly ticket~
(End of chapter)
