Cao Shen succeeded as prime minister for more than 40 days, and there was no change to the regulations and laws made by Xiao He before. At the end of the year, the upper plan of each county - that is, at the end of the year of the magistrate or himself or sent to Chang'an to report the annual population, money and grain, thieves, prison lawsuits and other matters to the imperial court, as long as it does not go too against the will of the emperor and the regulations of the imperial court, Cao Shen generally does not pursue it too carefully.

Since Cao participated in the appointment of prime minister, he rarely discussed political affairs with Emperor Hui Liu Ying, and Emperor Hui was slightly displeased. Cao Shen took it upon himself to select some honest people from the various counties and vassal states who were simple and not good at writing, summoned them to be appointed as prime ministers, and repelled those who were strict about the subtleties of their words and words and wanted to blindly pursue their reputation. Cao Shen himself drank fine wine every day, and the officials and guests below the doctor saw that Cao Shen did not care about political affairs, and the people who came to the door had words to persuade him, but as soon as these people arrived, Cao Shen immediately gave them fine wine to drink, and after a while, some people wanted to say something, and Cao Shen let them drink until they left after getting drunk, and they were never able to open their mouths to advise, so they were accustomed to it. The back garden of Xiangguo's house was close to the official's house, where he drank and sang all day long. Cao Shen's entourage officials were disgusted by this, but they could not do anything about it, so they invited Cao Shen to play in the back garden, and together they heard the drunken singing and shouting of those officials, and the entourage officials hoped that Xiangguo would summon them to stop them. Instead, Cao Shen asked people to take wine and set up a table to drink, and he also sang and shouted, and made peace with those officials.

When Emperor Hui learned of this, he was displeased, thinking that Cao Shen looked down on him, so he ignored political affairs so much, and Emperor Hui was not good at facing Cao Shen in person, and he didn't know how to deal with it for a while. Chen Ping and Lu Jia saw that Emperor Hui was depressed all day long, and knew that Emperor Hui's unhappiness was all because of Cao Shen, so they had the heart to persuade Cao Shen. Chen Ping and Lu Jia went to Xiangguo Mansion together, Cao Shen knew their intentions, and came out of the house and smiled at Chen and Lu Yuan, "Chen Gong and Lu Gong are so interested." Chen and Lu returned the salute from afar and said respectfully, "It's really inappropriate to let Xiangguo greet each other." Cao Shen smiled, welcomed the two of them into the house together, the servants put fresh fruits, Cao Shen asked Chen and Lu to eat, Chen and Lu looked at each other, did not dare to move, and sat in place. Cao Shen ordered the servants to put on the wine utensils. Chen and Lu saw that the wine utensils had come up, so they hurriedly said to Cao Shen, "Xiangguo knows what the two of us mean by coming?" ”

"Yes." Cao Shen smiled, and had already poured three bottles of wine, one for Chen Ping and one for Lu Jia, and he picked up the wine bottle and drank it with him politely. Chen Ping and Lu Jia had no choice but to pick up the wine bottle and drink the wine.

"In the past, Prime Minister Xiao He Xiangguo could do a good job in the subtleties of national affairs, and His Majesty would not worry." Lu Jia put down the wine bottle and asked Cao Shen, "Now that Cao Xiangguo has been in office for less than two months, why do you ignore state affairs, why do you indulge in alcohol every day?" ”

Cao Shen poured a bottle of wine for him, and said with a smile, "There is no major event in the country, the people are harmonious, and everyone is planning their own policies, so why bother with its order?" ”

"Since Emperor Gaozu set the world, he has given light gifts, rewarded farming, punished lightly, and rested with the people, all of which have the wisdom of Xiao Xiangguo. Cao Gong's new appointment, I don't know what the big plans are for the world? Lu Jia asked reluctantly.

Cao Shen only smiled silently, poured a bottle of wine for him, and drank it all when he picked up the wine bottle and touched it with Lu Jia, and Lu Jia had to drink it. Cao Shen said freely, "There is no big plan for the world. ”

Lu Jia was surprised, stopped drinking and wanted to talk, Chen Ping stopped him, and then said to Cao Shen, "Dare to ask Xiangguo, what is Xiangguo's ministry?" ”

"Zuo Tianzi straightens things out." Cao Shen calmly replied.

"The Son of Heaven is not happy, and the country is straightened out." Chen Pingdao.

Cao Shen was stunned for a moment, knowing that he had fallen into the trap of Chen Ping's words, he laughed, and said that Chen Ping was like a great wise man in the mouth of others, Chen Ping shook his hand and smiled humbly. Cao Shen poured a bottle of wine for each of them, and said solemnly, "The second prince came to know." I also learn Taoist techniques, Taoist thoughts: pure and inactive, conform to nature, do not disturb the people. If it is decided today, since I am the prime minister, I will assist the Son of Heaven to manage yin and yang, follow the four people, conform to the will of the people and nature, and govern the country. Taoism says that its government is dull, and its people are pure; Its politics are inspected, and its people are lacking. Your Majesty rules the country, the people are stable and happy, and there is no need to make any more plans. Xiao He's rules of the old Xiangguo are just to be followed, and there is no need to change. So, why don't you get drunk all day long? The two princes are both Taoists, and if they feel that a certain sentence is correct, they will drink this wine; If you are not good at something, there is no need to continue the fragrant fruit wine. The second duke went back. Cao Shen flicked his sleeves and got up to leave. Chen Ping and Lu Jia had already been persuaded by Cao Shen in their hearts, so they got up and arched their hands together and said, "Mountains and rivers are high and rivers are rare, and it is rare to meet bosom friends." Cao Gong is good, I waited for this wine. With that, Chen and Lu both picked up the wine bottle and drank it all. Cao Shen nodded and smiled with satisfaction.

Chen Ping attended and bowed his hand to Cao Shendao, "A certain Ming Xiangguo will, but His Majesty is not happy with the trip to the country, what can I do about it?" ”

Cao Shen stroked his back and said, "I have my own head, and the prince said that I want to be with Your Majesty." ”

"Your Majesty is not the first emperor, and you don't enter the palace to meet Your Majesty, I'm afraid that the emperor will think that Chen Ping himself is Cao Xiangguo's good words." Chen Pingdao.

Cao Shen smiled and said to Chen Ping that he was about to enter the palace to meet the emperor in the past few days. Chen Ping and Lu Jia breathed a sigh of relief. The three chatted for a while, and Chen and Lu said goodbye to Cao Shen and went home for the time being.

For more than a month, Cao Shen did not enter the palace, and acted as before, regardless of political affairs, and drunk alcohol with guests and friends every day. Emperor Hui was displeased, complaining that Cao Shen did not take care of political affairs, and always felt that Cao Shen looked down on him. Liu Ying privately called Cao Shen's son Cao Yuan, Cao Ying was in the court to be a doctor, Liu Ying said to him, "Xiangguo acts differently from ordinary people, and he has not been on the board for a long time, so he disdains me?" Cao Yao was shocked, and hurriedly waved his hand and said, "My father definitely didn't mean that, and my father definitely didn't mean that." Your Majesty is not concerned. ”

"Earlier, Chen Ping and Lu Jia went to Xiangguo's Mansion to chat with your father, and they also said that Cao Xiangguo had no other intentions," Liu Ying said to Cao Ying, "Go back and ask your father, and you will say, 'Emperor Gaozu is great, and the new emperor is rich in the Spring and Autumn Period.'" Jun is the phase, the day drinks, there is nothing to ask for, why worry about the world? ’”

Cao Yi agreed.

"Remember, don't say this, I taught you."

Cao Yi nodded in agreement. Cao Shen took an official break on the fifth day, and when he was resting, he found his father Cao Shen, and first said a bunch of other inconsequential trivial things, making Cao Shen happy, and when he saw that his father was in a happy mood, Cao Ying converted what Liu Ying said to him into his own words to Cao Shen, intending to persuade Cao Shen to deal with political affairs. Cao Shen's face sank, and he slapped Cao Shen without warning, and suddenly Cao Shen had five red handprints on his face, and he was stunned by his father's slap without warning, and looked at his father Cao Shen in confusion.

Cao Shen reprimanded his son with a dark face, "Does the little doctor care about this?" Go back to the palace to serve the emperor, are you in charge of national affairs? Cao Yao didn't dare to speak anymore, and went back covering half of his face.

On the second day, the morning meeting. Liu Ying saw the five red handprints on Cao Yao's face, and remembered it in her heart for the time being. After the court meeting was over, Liu Ying ordered the eunuch to bring Cao Wei into the Xuanshu Palace, and Liu Ying asked Cao Ying in detail what the slap print on Cao Yuan's face was. Cao Ying had to report to Liu Ying how he persuaded his father, how his father got angry, and slapped him one by one, Liu Ying was stunned for a moment, stroked his back and said, "Because of me, you have worked hard." Cao Ji shook his hand and said he didn't dare. Liu Ying asked the eunuch to go to the Tai Hospital and put the best medicine on Cao Ying, who nodded to Liu Ying and thanked him in every way.

The next day, Cao Shen visited Emperor Hui Liu Ying. I am afraid that what his son said the day before yesterday was what the emperor meant, Cao Shen thought about it again and again, and then entered the palace. Emperor Hui was already waiting for Cao Shen in the Xuanshu Palace. Cao Shen stepped in, took off his crown and apologized, "The minister pays homage to see Your Majesty." ”

"Xiangguo is so interested, why do you have time to come to the palace?" Liu Ying was a little displeased, buried her head and continued to look at the bamboo slip in her hand, without looking at the kneeling Cao Shen, and said with resentment, "You should stay at home and drink." ”

Cao Shen was silent, just paused.

"How many times has Cao Xiangguo inspected Chang'an City?"

"Only two or three times." Cao Shen replied calmly.

"What did the people say, how many words did Cao Xiangguo hear?"

"Not much."

Emperor Hui Liu Ying glanced at Cao Shen, snorted coldly and asked, "Why did Xiangguo punish Cao Yuan," Liu Ying's gaze was still only on the bamboo slips, "Cao Ying spoke like that, I taught him." ”

"Your Majesty asked the dog to persuade Cao Shen, but because Cao Shen failed to be as good as Xiao He Xiangguo," Cao Shen raised his head and arched his hand, "Cao Shen is bold, dare to ask His Majesty a few questions?" ”

Liu Ying glanced at Cao Shen and let out a rough 'um'.

"Your Majesty, you inspect the Holy Martial Arts, who is superior between you and Emperor Gaozu." Cao Sando.

Emperor Hui exclaimed, "I dare to compare with His Majesty Emperor Gaozu!" ”

"Your Majesty, Guanchen and Xiao He, who is the wise?" Cao Shen asked after him.

Emperor Hui thought for a moment and looked at Cao Shen, "The prince seems to be weaker than Xiao He Lao Xiangguo. ”

Cao Shen bowed his hand deeply and said firmly, "Your Majesty's words are very true, Emperor Gaozu and Xiao He Lao Xiang set the world, and the laws and regulations are clear. Isn't it right that Your Majesty is bowing down now, and the ministers are in charge of their duties, and they don't lose them? Xiao Gui Cao Sui, what does Your Majesty think? ”

Emperor Hui's face became happy, he threw away the bamboo slip in his hand, personally stepped down to help Cao Shen on the ground, stroked his back and said with a smile, "It turns out that the prince has his own decision, why don't you explain it to me earlier, I will be the prince and marquis...... Strive for the Vedos. As soon as the words fell, Liu Ying laughed heartily.

Cao Shen was stunned and solemnly bowed his hand, "Chen Shen really doesn't dare." ”

Emperor Hui pulled Cao Shen to sit on the table, poured him a bottle of wine with a smile, poured a bottle himself, and took the wine bottle as a respect. Cao Shen felt that the emperor's grace was deep, and hurriedly picked up the wine bottle as a respect. The monarch and the minister said something about you and me, and I will accomplish you. Emperor Hui Liu Ying stroked Cao Shen's back and called it Hu Lian, Cao Shen was flattered, saying that he would devote his life to assist the emperor, and said to Emperor Hui, ""Lu's Spring and Autumn Period" has said: The monarch is ignorant and inactive and virtuous in knowledge and promising. Emperor Hui nodded and smiled, secretly praising Cao Shenbi and Xiao He in his heart.