"My intention?"
Sima Zhao also sighed, "I don't have any clue, I can only take one step at a time."
Having said this, he glanced at Xia Houxuan again, "If I could do something about it, why would Luoyang be like this?"
Even though Xia Houxuan was an outstanding person in self-cultivation, when he heard Sima Zhao's words, he couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.
Is this what people say?
You could just say "I swear to live and die with Luoyang"!
Normally, when Xia Houxuan heard these words, he would have stood up and left without hesitation.
But at this time, he had to continue sitting here against his will to delay time.
He forced himself to calm down, but Xia Houxuan said seriously:
"How could your Majesty say this! Now Luoyang is in danger and people's hearts are unstable. If your words were spread, how would the army officers and city officials feel?"
Hearing this, Sima Zhao seemed to have reacted, with a touch of shame and gratitude on his face:
"What Taichu said was that I was negligent."
"Although I have never led an army, I also know that those who have thunder in their chests as flat as a lake can worship the general."
Xia Houxuan said slowly, "Sages also have human beings and five emotions, but they are able to take care of things but not to things. Therefore, they can transform all things for their own use and teach all people to obey their destiny."
"We are determined to make great achievements, and we must hide ourselves in the abyss. How can we show our voices lightly?"
Sima Zhao looked solemn, cupped his hands and said:
"What Taichu said is absolutely true. I don't have enough cultivation of my character, and I really need to work on it more."
Then he humbly asked for advice:
"I know that Taichu has mastered the key to metaphysics. He can thunder in front of his eyes without changing his expression. I have admired him for a long time. I wonder why Taichu taught me?"
Isn't this what Xia Houxuan was waiting for?
"If you want to get the essence of metaphysics, you must study Laozi, Zhuangzi, and Zhouyi carefully. As the saying goes, the mysteries are more mysterious, and they are the door to all mysteries..."
Xuanyuan's theory is based on the theory of "ancestral records of Laozi and Zhuangzi" and calls "Laozi", "Zhuangzi" and "Book of Changes" the "Three Mysteries".
Its rise has extremely profound social factors.
Since Emperor Xiaowu only respected Confucianism, scholars have regarded the study of Confucian classics as orthodox.
Confucian classics pays attention to "investigating things, knowing the best, sincerity, upright mind, self-cultivation, managing the family, governing the country, and bringing peace to the world."
"From the emperor to the common people, they are all based on self-cultivation."
The popularity of Confucian classics has led to the mentality of scholars to govern the country and bring peace to the world, which is very common and true.
It is precisely because of this social mentality that the officials and soldiers of the Former Han Dynasty had feelings about their family and country that transcended the times.
But by the middle and late Han Dynasty, politics became extremely corrupt.
Especially after the disaster of party imprisonment, scholars rushed to remonstrate and submit letters, trying to maintain Confucian orthodoxy and restore the dynasty's principles in their minds.
However, what they got was intensified suppression. The great Confucian scholars who wrote the letter were even forced to death.
The attitude and practices of the imperial court caused a great blow and bruise to the psychology of the scholars.
Disappointment again and again made the scholars gradually become alienated from the Later Han Dynasty.
It just so happened that at this time, the powerful landowner had just completed his transformation into a wealthy family.
Then the traditional value system began to collapse.
The feelings of family and country gradually disappeared, replaced by the thinking of "valuing life and avoiding the world" - the world is not worth it, I only live for myself.
Therefore, from this point of view, the Later Han Dynasty is overwhelming to everyone, except for the inherent selfish nature of the wealthy families.
To a certain extent, there is also the element of the Later Han people seeking their own death.
After all, you can't expect a scholar group that you have abused thousands of times in politics to treat you like your first love.
Later, when troubled times came, the scholars intensified their escapism from reality.
It can be said that the rise of metaphysics gave scholars a certain amount of spiritual sustenance in troubled times.
It also provides a spiritual world to escape reality.
Over the past few days, Luoyang has been experiencing internal and external difficulties, which has put Sima Zhao under tremendous mental pressure.
As the saying goes, once someone shares the pain, the pain is reduced by half.
The arrival of Xia Houxuan, the leader of metaphysics, and his talk about metaphysics made Sima Zhaodun feel like there was good rain after a long drought.
The host and the guest had a lively conversation and expressed their feelings.
Sima Zhao felt that most of the stress accumulated over the past few days had been eliminated at once, and he felt very relaxed.
When the lanterns came on and Xia Houxuan stood up to say goodbye, Sima Zhao was still a little reluctant to leave:
"I've been quite tired and sleepy these days, and I haven't felt this relaxed for a long time. Why don't Taichu stay tonight and have a long chat with me?"
Xia Houxuan smiled lightly and shook his head:
"Lest someone may misunderstand me, I have no choice but to reject your kindness."
Misunderstand?
Sima Zhao was stunned for a moment, and then quickly remembered the respective positions of the Sima family and the Xiahou family.
If Taichu stayed overnight and talked with him all night long, once the news got out tomorrow, I don't know how many associations it would have in people who were interested.
At a certain moment, Sima Zhao even considered forcing Xia Houxuan to stay.
It would be great if Xiahou Taichu could be allowed to serve the Sima clan!
But in the end he could only let out a long sigh.
"Next time Taichu comes over, remember to send someone to tell him in advance, Zhao will be waiting for you!"
Xia Houxuan took a deep look at Sima Zhao and nodded: "Definitely next time."
"It's already past curfew time outside. Wait a moment, Taichu. I'll send someone to escort you back."
"Good work."
Sima Zhao personally sent Xia Houxuan out of the mansion, and told his servants to send him there before turning back to the mansion.
The news of Xia Houxuan's visit naturally could not be hidden from Master Sima.
Sima Zhao, who had just seen off Xia Houxuan, was immediately called over by Master Sima.
"Brother?"
"Well," Master Sima, who was resting with his eyes closed, immediately opened his intact eye when he heard Sima Zhao coming:
"What are Xia Houxuan doing here?"
Calling him by his name but not by his title shows that Master Sima had deep resentment towards Xia Houxuan.
Sima Zhao and Xia Houxuan had a very enjoyable conversation, so they tried to say a few nice words in front of their brother:
"Brother, Taichu came here to check on your condition, but I followed my brother's instructions and told him that you needed to rest, so I didn't let him see you."
When Master Sima heard this, he sneered:
"You are right not to let him see me. I don't believe he has such good intentions. In my opinion, I am afraid that the visit is fake and the temptation is real!"
Sima Zhao tried to defend Xia Houxuan: "Brother, Taichu also brought medicinal materials..."
"Do you think I dare to use the medicinal materials he sent?"
When Master Sima mentioned Xia Houxuan, he naturally had a bad tone.
But once he became emotionally unstable, his bandaged left eye began to hurt.
Seeing Sima Zhaona again, looking like he wanted to say something but didn't dare to say it, Master Sima finally sighed and swallowed what he was going to say.
"Zishang, I know what you want to say and what you want to do in your heart."
Master Sima tried his best to soften his tone:
"It's just that you have to understand one thing. Even we adults have not been able to convince Xia Houxuan to let him work for the Sima family. With our abilities, it is even more impossible to control this person."
Why didn't Sima Zhao understand?
It's just that he has always been under the wings of his family and his elder brother. Even though he knows that political struggles are dangerous, he still can't be as ruthless as Sima Shi.
In addition, he had a pleasant conversation with Xia Houxuan, and Sima Zhao even had a trace of fantasy in his heart:
What if?
If I can persuade Xiahou Taichu, can our Sima family get a lot of help?
But of course he didn't dare to tell Master Sima about his thoughts.
After hearing his brother's lesson, Sima Zhao, who had other thoughts, quickly said yes.
After exiting Master Sima's ward, Sima Zhao let out a sigh of relief.
Looking at the night, he felt even more sad.
If we say that the relaxation during the daytime conversation with Taichu allowed Sima Zhao to temporarily escape the heavy pressure.
Then, Master Sima's words brought him back to the cruel reality.
What made him feel even more cruel was being woken up in the middle of the night:
"Langjun, Erlangjun!"
"What's the matter?"
Sima Zhao was so dazed that he still didn't want to open his eyes.
"Something big has happened. There may be a problem with the Xiahou family!"
"Xiahou clan? What Xiahou clan?"
Sima Zhao, who was sleeping on the couch, was not fully awake yet and could not react for a while.
"Someone from the Xiahou family may have escaped from Luoyang!"
"What!"
Sima Zhao heard clearly this time and sat up suddenly, "Who ran away? Xiahou Taichu?"
"No, they are from the Xiahou Mao and Xiahou Wei families."
When he heard that it was not Xia Houxuan, Sima Zhao was still relieved, and then immediately raised his voice again.
Xia Houmao and Xia Houwei ran away, that is not a trivial matter!
"Didn't I ask you to monitor them? Why did they run away! When did they run away?"
Some of the spy leaders who came to report were:
"It should be that before closing the city gate, he mixed with the caravan and followed him out of the city..."
Caravan?
Sima Zhao was completely awake and immediately remembered that this was indeed the case.
If you remember correctly, the two caravans leaving the city had orders issued by themselves.
Thinking of this, Sima Zhao couldn't help being shocked and angry. He pushed away the maid who was dressing him and put on his boots indiscriminately.
At the same time, he stretched out his hand to tie his belt and started to walk outside. At the same time, he asked:
"Have you sent someone to chase him?"
"Erlangjun, it is Yinshi now, the city gate is closed, no one can leave the city unless the eldest gentleman gives the order."
Sima Zhao, who had only taken two steps, had to stop when he heard this. Only then did he realize that it was still dark outside.
"Yinshi?"
"Exactly."
Obviously, Xia Houmao and Xia Houwei wanted to make such a time difference so that the pursuers could not catch up in time.
And if you want to send someone to catch up at this time, you need to inform your brother.
Thinking of my brother's physical condition...
He was already angry when he got up, but when he heard the news again, Sima Zhao couldn't help but cursed in an extremely rude manner: "A common man!"
Then he glared fiercely at the spy leader, his eyes ready to spit fire:
"How do you do things!"
The spy leader lowered his head and dared not speak.
Seeing his subordinate's appearance, Sima Zhao became even more furious. He picked up the teapot on the table beside him and smashed it:
"Trash! What's the use of waiting for you!"
The spy leader did not dare to hide and watched helplessly as the teapot hit him.
Fortunately, the tea had cooled down, and apart from the clothes and quilt being a little wet, no harm was done.
In fact, the secret agent also felt a little aggrieved.
Although the three Xiahou clans cannot freely enter and exit Luoyang City, in the past few years, they have received orders to focus on monitoring Xiahou Xuan and not allow him to leave Luoyang.
As for Xia Houmao and Xia Houwei, they were put under surveillance simply because of their surname "Xiahou".
Not to mention that Xia Houmao has been in and out of the Taifu's house many times over the years, and was even received by the Taifu.
As for Xia Houwei, he explained things in simple terms and couldn't be more content.
There are many Cao clan members in Luoyang City, and their surveillance level is higher than these two.
In addition, Luoyang has been in chaos these past few days, which has made the secret agents even more exhausted.
The surveillance of Xia Houmao and Xia Houwei was naturally relaxed.
Besides, when the caravan from the Xiahou Mao Mansion left the city, it was under the orders of the Taifu Mansion. Who wouldn't have the foresight to investigate?
The most important thing is that when Xia Houxuan came to the Taifu's house during the day, it was you, the second young master, who personally welcomed him in, and you personally sent him out later.
The key personnel under surveillance have never been out of sight. Who could have expected such a thing to happen?
It's just these words that the spy leader would definitely not dare to say.
Sima Zhaoyu was still angry. He took a few steps back and forth. For a moment, he didn't know whether to inform Master Sima now.
But soon, he no longer had to hesitate.
Because another servant came to report:
"Erlangjun, Dalangjun please come over."
Sima Zhao's heart sank. Knowing that this matter had been known to his brother, he did not dare to neglect and hurriedly went to see Master Sima.
"Brother..."
"Xia Houmao and Xia Houwei ran away."
Master Sima had already sat up under the service of his maid. When he saw Sima Zhao coming, he said this immediately before he could finish his words.
Sima Zhao looked ashamed: "My little brother is incompetent."
"Everything is in chaos in Luoyang, you don't have much experience, and these two are not important people. It's no big deal if they run away."
Master Sima was much more calm than Sima Zhao, "As long as Xia Houxuan doesn't run away."
Master Sima's single eye was piercing and he stared at Sima Zhao: "Do you know what we should do now?"
Although he only had one eye, Sima Zhao did not dare to look directly:
"Brother is saying that we should send people to chase him immediately?"
Master Sima shook his head:
"I said that Xia Houmao and Xia Houwei have nothing to do with the overall situation. Besides, it's late at night. Even if we send people out of the city, where should we pursue them?"
"Opening the city gate at night will only cause rumors and increase panic, and it will do no good. Your Majesty, I now order you to personally lead people to arrest Xia Houxuan."
Sima Zhao was shocked: "Brother?!"
Master Sima's single eye contained a hint of heat and a hint of twisted excitement:
"Have you not discovered it yet? Xia Houxuan came here today for another purpose?"
Sima Zhao just lacks experience, but it doesn't mean he doesn't understand anything.
But in his heart, he tried hard not to think about that.
But Master Sima's outspokenness finally broke his illusion.
"Go quickly!"
Master Sima raised his voice: "Sir, don't be a woman!"
PS: Before returning to my hometown, I had been worried about whether my children would have any problems traveling during the peak period of Fuyang. Fortunately, they were safe and sound.
After returning from my hometown, I thought I could breathe a sigh of relief, but I didn't know that my child started to have a low fever from the next day.
The hospital said to try not to go there before 38.5, because there are all children with fever, and even the beds are full.
In the past two days, the child was so uncomfortable that he cried loudly. Because he was too young, he could not take medicine easily. He could only cool down physically and was very anxious.
(End of chapter)
