"The tyranny of the pre-Qin dynasty and the loss of the people's hearts lasted only two lifetimes, and they died before they were less than forty years old. Since my ancestor entered the customs, he made three chapters of the law and spread benevolence and righteousness, so he won the hearts of the people, but in five years, he won the world. It can be seen from this that the indiscriminate application of criminal law is really the way to get rid of evil! ”

In the palace of the King of Chu in Xuchang City, all the civil officials under Liu Bei who were in Xuchang City gathered together to discuss the "Han Law" sent by Zhuge Liang just now. Without waiting to see the content, Han Song had already quoted the scriptures and talked about it eloquently. When these words were said, many people echoed them. Even Liu Bei is also a little moved, as a politician who talks about benevolence and righteousness all day long, he is still more inclined to rule the country with virtue. Not to mention that what Han Song said was all the old things of this dynasty, so Liu Bei, who had always taken Gaozu as an example, was not moved.

However, obviously not everyone agrees with Han Song's words, as soon as his words fell, Gu Yong on the side had already refuted it: "Degao's words are inevitably biased, I think that in the Spring and Autumn Period, the child was Zheng Guoxiang, in charge of the criminal law, the rewards and punishments were clear, and the people were happy and convinced." and mourning, the laws and regulations are not prosperous, and the benevolence and righteousness are abused, but the people are unscrupulous and do evil. It can be seen that if the laws and regulations are not passed, everything will be ruined, which is really not what Renjun wants! He also cites scriptures and has sufficient arguments.

Liu Bei is now listening to this, which also makes sense, and that also makes sense. Although he knows how to make good use of people, he does not have such a profound understanding of the significance of governing the country by virtue and according to law. While he was muttering, Liu Bei suddenly discovered a problem, and this time, he seemed to realize how to choose.

Although they are both civil officials, Gu Yong and Han Song are different. Gu Yongsheng's surname is strict, he doesn't drink alcohol, and he is serious and stereotypical to the point of outrageousness. Han Song is different, he is famous all over the world, although he is not a literary leader like the seventh son of Jian'an, but it is also extraordinary. Pingyu is the one who indulges in wine and sings, wanders the wreckage, and recites poetry, which is the one in this generation. Individuals have different surnames and feelings, so their attitudes towards criminal law are naturally different.

Thinking about this, Liu Bei had a lot of choices, and when he turned his head and saw Lu Su muttering to himself, Liu Bei hurriedly asked, "Zijing, in your opinion, what should I do?" ”

"My lord," Lu Su touched his goatee, and then said slowly: "What Yuan Si and Degao said is very reasonable, and how to choose depends on the matter." Fu Xianqin committed atrocities indiscriminately, resulting in the destruction of the country, but in Su's view, the disadvantage lies not in the implementation of the criminal law itself, but in the excessive severity of the criminal law. As the so-called legal principle is nothing more than human affection, if the punishment is too heavy, it is inevitable that the people's resentment will boil, and finally the tyrannical Qin will die because of it. But today's situation is quite different from that of the pre-Qin period! ”

"What's the difference?" Liu Bei hurriedly asked.

"Yizhou Liu Jiyu, Hanzhong Zhang Gongqi, Jingxiang Liu Jingsheng, Xuzhou Tao Gongzu. When these four sat in the local area, although they were benevolent to the people, but also because of the lax law and discipline, so that the local law and order were disordered, so Xuzhou had Zhang Kai's rebellion, Jingxiang had Chen Sun's rebellion, and although there was no war in Yizhou and Hanzhong, it was true that the government was disorderly and the political affairs were deserted. If the lord blindly implements benevolent government, he will inevitably repeat the mistakes of the Song Xianggong in the past. Today, Zhuge Kongming's "Han Law", Su Shen felt that his punishment was impartial, and the sentencing was moderate, which could not only protect the people's livelihood, but also deter the small, so Su thought it was feasible and implored the lord to implement it! ”

"Makes sense!" Lu Su's words are a step higher than Gu Yong and Han Song. If Zhuge Liang was Liu Bei's most trusted Wenchen in history, then now this person is Lu Su. As one of the highest civil officials to follow Liu Bei, Lu Su's overall view and strategy are outstanding, and what is even more rare is that he is relatively frank and does not deliberately form parties for personal gain, which is also one of the main reasons why Liu Bei relies on him. Hearing Lu Su's words, Liu Bei finally made a decision to implement this set of "Han Laws" compiled by Zhuge Liang and Qin Mi in the land of Henan under his rule.

However, Liu Bei is now the king of Chu, after all, he is not the emperor, and it is better to talk to the emperor about the law, especially Liu Bei, who talks about the Han family all day long, and he can't clearly treat the emperor as an ornament. Whether it is a form or a show, Liu Bei still copied a copy of this set of "Han Laws" and sent a messenger to present it to His Majesty the Emperor in Yecheng.

Not surprisingly, a few days later, this "Han Law" appeared in front of Cao Ying, the king of Wei. "There are so many talents under Liu Da'er, it is really rare that Zhuge Liang can compile such a complete set of criminal laws in this year when Zhuge Liang was not established! Why don't I have such talents? Looking at this set of "Han Law", Cao Ying also sighed. It's just that the last sentence really hurts people's self-esteem. When Hua Xin, Dong Zhao, Xun You and other literati heard this, they couldn't help but feel a little unbearable.

"My lord, this "Han Law" is still self-sufficient, and now Liu Xuande has opened the imperial examination and the nine-product Zhongzheng system, and recruited talents from all over the world for his own use. If this goes on for a long time, it will be a disaster! As an old courtier under Cao Ying, Xun You had to come forward and divert the topic a little first, so as not to embarrass everyone.

"Well, this matter is indeed a matter of concern. Liu Bei is a guy who knows how to make good use of people. If it is assisted by the world's talents, it will be difficult to contain. This is really worrying! I don't know, what can I do to deal with it? Cao Ying groaned.

"Lord, in Yi's opinion, these nine products are used by Liu Bei, and the lord can also be used. What's more, if the son is in Hebei today, the righteousness is here, if the lord can make good use of it, the world's talents will inevitably abandon Liu Bei, and the lord will also! Sima Yi on the side said eloquently.

"Well, Zhong Da has a point. Why, Zhong Da, you seem to have so much respect for Chen Changwen's Jiupin Zhongzheng system, why don't you think about Zhao Botao's imperial examination method? Cao Ying asked casually.

"Wei Wang Mingjian, Chen Changwen is a famous person in the world, and the method proposed by him is naturally excellent. This Zhao Botao is just a martial artist, and he can still be successful in marching and fighting, and he is afraid that he is no longer good at participating in political affairs and selecting talents. Therefore, whether the method of the imperial examination proposed by this person is the method of selecting real talents, or the method of bringing disaster to the country and the people, Yi does not dare to say anything! Sima Yi replied.

"I see, no wonder!" Cao Ying nodded noncommittally, and at this time, the rest of the people also echoed Sima Yi's proposal, Cao Ying saw that everyone agreed, and immediately made a quick decision to select highly respected people to serve as the central officials of each state in Hebei under his rule, implement the nine-grade Zhongzheng system, and select talents.

"Pi'er, Zhi'er, what do you think of Sima Zhongda?" After the discussion, in the palace of the King of Wei, Cao Ying asked his sons Cao Pi and Cao Zhi such a question.

"This person is a genius in the world, and he is born in the world, which is rare!" Cao Pi's words are concise and to the point.

"Sima Zhongda is very intelligent, and the city government is quite deep." Cao Zhi thought for a while. Cao Ying listened to the words of these two sons, nodded, and then changed the topic: "What do you think of this imperial examination method and the nine-rank Zhongzheng system?" ”

"The Jiupin Zhongzheng system and the imperial examination method are excellent, and they can undoubtedly recruit talents from all over the world more than the first to go down to the states and counties to recruit talents." Cao Zhi said without thinking.

"The child thinks so!" Cao Pi seconded. Cao Ying smiled slightly when he heard this, and then asked: "Then do you know why Sima Yi only respects the nine-grade Zhongzheng system, but not the method of the imperial examination?" ”

"This?" Cao Pi and Cao Zhi were speechless for a moment, and both shook their heads silently.

"Hehe, the key to the method of the nine-product Zhongzheng system lies in the selection of the Zhongzheng official. With the prestige of the Sima family in Hedong, I am only afraid of the central official in Sizhou, and it is none other than Sima Fang. In this way, wouldn't the talents of Hedong be exhausted with the Sima family? If there is a imperial examination system, then there are still other ways for Hedong scholars to become officials, and he does not need Sima Fang's wisdom to recognize talents! Cao Ying smiled.

The Sima Fang mentioned by Cao Ying is Sima Yi's father, who is officially appointed as Jing Zhaoyin. The Sima family has a long history, but it is extremely prosperous. Since the time of the Shang and Zhou dynasties, it has been a famous family, and after thousands of years, it can be called the first family in the north. As Cao Ying said, if you want to select a central official from Sizhou, I am afraid that except for Sima Fang, no one can be qualified to serve as a central official.

"How dare Sima Yi abolish the public for private reasons like this?" Cao Zhi and Cao Pi were both stunned. "People are not for themselves, the heavens and the earth will be destroyed, it has always been like this!" Cao Ying was not as excited as his son, and as soon as the words changed, Cao Ying suddenly said in a stern tone: "But Zihuan, Zijian, you have to remember that Sima Yi is a wolf and a hawk, and he has a lot of ambitions." Later, you can use it, but you must not fight with it, otherwise sooner or later there will be trouble! ”

"Remember, child!" Cao Pi and Cao Zhi hurriedly responded when they heard this. In fact, Cao Ying is also very difficult now, after all, he has such a subordinate with outstanding ability and a complex network of relationships, and he has not revealed his opposite, Cao Ying can't kill it, and he doesn't dare to reuse it. It can only be appointed while strengthening vigilance.

At the same time, this person, who made Cao Ying quite jealous, wrote a letter in his own home. "You crossed the river overnight and sent this letter to Brother Shanyang, so that he must calm down, don't be emotional, and give his surname in vain!" After writing the letter, Sima Yi put the letter in a cowhide envelope, sealed it with fire paint, handed it to a domestic servant waiting on the side, and instructed carefully.

"The little one understands, the second young master can rest assured!" The man nodded, and then went out without saying anything. Sima Yi looked at the people who were far away and sighed softly.

"Second brother, what's the matter, you want to repair the book to the eldest brother?" With a question, a personable young scribe, Shi Shiran walked in the door, but it was Sima Yi's third brother Sima Fu, who was currently under Cao Ying. There are as many as eight brothers in the Sima family, and the eldest brother in the mouth of Sima Yi is Sima Lang, the former Yanzhou driver. Now Yanzhou has been occupied by Liu Bei, and Sima Lang was appointed by Liu Bei as the commander of Shanyang County. Sima Yi wrote to him like this, strictly speaking, he was suspected of collaborating with the enemy.

"It's nothing, now there are many people in Yanzhou who are raising trouble, opposing Liu Bei in response to Cao Gong, I just remind my eldest brother not to be rash, follow the incident, and cause trouble." Sima Yi sighed.

"I see!" Sima Fu also nodded, as if he remembered something, Sima Fu opened his mouth and asked: "Second brother, I heard that when you were discussing today, you recommended Chen Changwen's nine-grade Zhongzheng system to King Wei, and it has also been adopted by King Wei?" ”

"Yes, and I think that no one can serve as the central official of the division except for my father! Since then, the talents of the division and a state have been exhausted under my Sima family! Sima Yi said with confidence.

"What the second brother said is true!" Sima Fu nodded, but then frowned and said, "It's just that the eldest brother is stranded under the rule of Liu Bei in Yanzhou, and his life is in danger at any time." I think, I think it's better to let him find a chance to escape back to Hebei to make sure sure! "Sima Lang is Yanzhou Don't Drive, when Jiyin was broken by Wei Yan, he was reduced to a prisoner, and later although he took refuge in Liu Bei, but as a prisoner, it is naturally impossible to be in a prominent position as before, and he was appointed by Liu Bei as Shanyang County. Although it was a demotion, he was finally able to save his surname, and the result was not bad. It's just that the Sima family is a Hebei family, but the eldest son in the family serves under Liu Bei, Sima Fu feels that this kind of thing is a little embarrassing and even dangerous for both the family and Sima Lang himself.

"No, third brother, you are wrong. If the eldest brother stays in Henan, it will be beneficial and harmless to him and to my Sima family. It seems to be dangerous, but in fact it is as safe as Mount Tai. If you flee back to Hebei, it is better to be in Henan. Sima Yi said lightly.

"Second brother, what do you say?" Sima Fu asked in some surprise.

"The eldest brother surrendered after being captured, Yu Liu Bei is not considered to be sincere, and Yu Wei is not loyal to the king. If he escapes back to Hebei, once he is discovered by Liu Bei, he will inevitably die; And even if he fled back to Hebei, the king of Wei would not reuse him. But after all, my Sima family is a Hebei family, Liu Bei in order to say that after the Northern Expedition, to attract the hearts of the northern scholars, even if he can't reuse the eldest brother, he will not snub him too much. Moreover, this world is not returned to Liu, even if it is returned to Cao. You and my brother are from Hebei, and my eldest brother is from Henan. In the future, no matter who takes over the world, my Sima family can enjoy wealth and prosperity. In this way, the eldest brother staying in Henan has two benefits, but returning to Hebei has two harms, do you say he is better to stay, or is it better to come back? Sima Yi said eloquently.

"Makes sense!" After hearing this, Sima Fu nodded again and again, thinking deeply. The two brothers talked some more gossip, and Sima Fu suddenly spoke: "Second brother, you always take in those outlaws and raise the dead. Acting like this is not the way to protect your family! ”

"Hehe, this matter is also a last resort. If you want to achieve great things, you can't just rely on yang schemes, and sometimes you have some intrigues! Sima Yi said vaguely. Sima Fu was silent for a long time when he heard this, but after a while, he said with some astringency: "Second brother, in fact, sometimes there is nothing wrong with being content. My Sima family is already a rare famous family in the world, and the glory and wealth are inexhaustible, if you are not greedy enough and act against the sky, I am afraid that sooner or later you will get into trouble! ”

"Third brother, what do you mean by that?" Sima Yi's face changed slightly when he heard this, and he hurriedly asked.

"Second brother, you and I are brothers, and we grew up together, even if others don't understand you, don't I understand? You have had great ambitions since childhood, and in recent years, although you have indulged in alcohol and unruliness on the surface, you have become more and more secretive behind the scenes. I think second brother, your ambition, I'm afraid it's not just to be a capable minister, right? Sima Fu said leisurely.

Sima Yi looked at his third brother, and after being silent for a long time, he sighed: "Third brother, I underestimated you for my brother, but I didn't expect that you are not a scholar who can only calligraphy!" ”

(To be continued)