"Huh?!"

"What are you talking about, Zixuan, do you mean that I want to leave this stone house, no longer hide in this Nanshan, but instead join you under your command and go out of the mountain to help you?"

Cao Ang nodded.

"I won't tell you the truth, a few days ago, the younger generation led his troops to defeat the Yellow Turban thieves who have been raging in Qingzhou, so that the counties in the state have stabilized."

"It's just that although the county is decided, the people's hearts are not decided, from the official clans to the ordinary people, they are currently in a state of unstable stability."

"It will take some time for them to return to farming and production, and to return to the order and contentment of the past."

"So I thought, if you can go out to help, sir, with your status as a Qingzhou person, plus the prestige of the world, I think you can quickly settle down the hearts of the people in the state and county."

Cao Ang's words are naturally nonsense.

Qingzhou now needs to set the hearts of the people.

As long as Cao Jun's ironclad heroes are shown to the outside, it means that no matter how unstable the people are, they will be stable, and no matter how frightened the people are, they will feel full of security.

What Cao Ang lacks is only middle-level officials, but what he lacks is administrative talents.

But persuasion, like negotiation, requires a certain amount of skill.

If you come up, tell Zheng Xuan.

My purpose is to turn them over to work for me, and as for your old man himself, it doesn't matter, you can come or not.

So what awaits Cao Ang will be Zheng Xuan's sentence "Sleepy, sleep first, you can ask Gao Ming for this job", and then he will pick up the teacup and send it off.

Since I played a few good cards before, I have successfully shortened the distance between the two people and made the relationship closer.

Then you have to take advantage of this condition.

Don't let your efforts go to waste.

…………

And Zheng Xuan listened to Cao Ang's explanation.

At first, there was a little approval on his face, but he quickly shook his head into a rattle.

"Zi Yu led the king to defeat the thieves who caused trouble in the place, and returned the people to stability, which can be described as a great achievement, and even the old man also benefited from it."

"It stands to reason that you are not only a student of Zigan, but also have great kindness in the land of Qingzhou, and I should try my best to meet your request."

"But let me give up my retreat and go out of the mountains to help, please forgive me for not agreeing, showing up among people at all levels in the state and county is absolutely not okay for me!"

I got the answer I expected.

Cao Ang asked with a pretended puzzlement.

"Sir, why is this, is it because I am worried that I am getting old, and I will be busy all day long? If that's the case, then you can put that to peace of mind. ”

"As soon as I invite you to go out of the mountain, I will regard an old man as a treasure, how can I let you do everything yourself, it is nothing more than when you encounter a problem, the kid will come to you with the cheekiness to ask for advice."

"Moreover, before coming to Qingzhou this time, I had been to Qian County in Peiguo, Yuzhou, where I met Mr. Hua Tuo, a famous doctor who is famous all over the world, and was fortunate to recruit him to my side.

"In this way, you are neither tired nor sick, and such worries can always be dispelled, right?"

Cao Ang's face was full of sincerity.

The tone was more sincere.

If Zheng Xuan's concerns were really his advanced age and this body and bones, then under Cao Ang's persuasion one by one, maybe he would really have to relent.

But it's clear.

This is not the reason for Zheng Xuan's refusal.

…………

"Smack!"

A slight crunch.

Zheng Xuan put down the tea bowl in his hand.

Then he spread his palms downward, looking at his skinny hands that were shriveled and fleshless due to lack of moisture.

I couldn't help but shake my head slightly.

"Zi Yu misunderstood, although I am sixty-five this year, but I am still in good health, compared to my peers, it is still a lot better."

"I can eat and drink every day, I can study the classics, and I have the energy to teach my students, although I have to be gray and thin, but as long as I do what I am willing to do, I will always have endless strength and spirit."

"Then sir, why did you refuse me, do you think there is something wrong with me?"

Zheng Xuangang explained that it was not a physical reason.

I heard Cao Angna's follow-up questions.

Its content made Zheng Xuan shake his head with a wry smile, with a helpless look on his face.

"The root cause is not in you, on the contrary, I am quite satisfied with you, if I see you before my brother, then I may consider taking you under my disciple and teaching you the scriptures."

"Actually, the reason why I refused was because I didn't want to be contaminated with these mundane things anymore, since I was young, my life's wish was to study the classics and learn through a hundred schools."

"After spending my whole life, I can leave a mark about me in the history books, and the articles and classics that have been annotated and explained by my hands can be passed on to future generations, which is enough to make me satisfied, and this life is in vain!"

……

Speaking of which.

Zheng Xuan pointed to the west again.

His gaze also followed the direction of his finger, as if he had passed through countless spaces, staring at the vast and dilapidated Xiongcheng Luoyang City, which was originally magnificent and vast, but was now burned down.

After looking at it for a while.

Zheng Xuan sighed in an extremely bitter tone again, and then explained.

"This is not what I want to do for the official, and since the disaster of the first emperor's party, I have been even more heartbroken about this way."

"Although Ziyu is my fellow junior, I don't think you will treat me too badly, but the ups and downs of the court, who can say for sure?"

"Rather than a bleak and uneasy future in the future, let me use this last bit of life to study as much as I can, or annotate a few volumes."

"So the old man already understands the meaning of the son, but it is impossible for me to quit and retreat, I can only disappoint you!"

Although Zheng Xuan's voice was old and light, his strength was not weak at all.

From between the lines, you can feel an extremely resolute attitude, and she refused Cao Ang's request without the slightest hesitation.

Plainly.

It's just that I'm not interested in being in the limelight, so if I have this time, it's better to read two more books.

In addition, he was bitten by a snake once, and he was afraid of the well rope for ten years, and he was worried that he would appear in front of the world in a high-profile manner again.

It is very likely that he will be imprisoned for many years like the disaster of the party at the beginning, which is really a calamity.

Instead of running around for things that you are not interested in, it is better to stay honest in this mountain wilderness, although the conditions are difficult, but you can also enjoy your old age in peace.

…………

Things have come to this point.

Cao Ang has already determined one point.

That is, it is impossible to pack Zheng Xuan away and abduct him under his command.

The fact that this old comrade can say so much to himself from the bottom of his heart is already for the sake of the closeness of the relationship between the two sides.

If Cao Ang had to force it.

That would be disgusting and resentful.

But fortunately, this itself is in Cao Ang's calculations, and everything is not out of control.

Inviting Zheng Xuan to help him and then getting him to refuse is one of the links in the whole negotiation technique, and it is his strategy!

As the saying goes, seek high and get middle, and seek middle and low.

Only by setting the target high from the beginning and converting it will it finally fall into the acceptable range.

Contrarily.

If you list your demands straight to the point, then if you want to achieve your goal, the price and effort you have to pay are probably more than a little.

Come to think of it.

Cao Ang immediately took out his best skill, that is, acting.

…………

"Alas!"

He sighed.

Cao Ang shook his head a little helplessly, and then arched his hand to Zheng Xuan, and said with a little bitterness in his tone.

"You have always said this, then as a junior, how can I be aggressive, and I will never be able to force my elders."

"So this matter can only be done, as for the stability of the counties and counties in Qingzhou, as well as the worries in the hearts of the people, I will think of other ways."

Cao Angyue said so.

Zheng Xuan felt more and more unhappy in his heart.

The juniors of the same family came all the way to visit him, and he was thoughtful and respectful.

And what he asks for is not for his own selfish desires, but for the stability of one party and for the sake of the people of Qingzhou.

He is not only a brother with Lu Zhi and Lu Zigan, but also a native of Qingzhou, so he should be given some help in both public and private affairs.

As a result, it is now rejected because of the conflict of personal ideas, which is a bit inappropriate to think about.

Think about it here.

Zheng Xuan immediately scooped up half a bowl of tea soup for Cao Ang, and then said with a kind face and a kind tone.

"Zixuan, I can't escape the world for the rest of my life, and if I don't reappear in front of the eyes of the world, I will stay in this small stone house and study the classics, which is what I want in my heart, so I really have to say a pity."

"But what you did was indeed for the sake of the people of Qingzhou, so in other matters, what can I do to help you, please speak out, as long as it doesn't go against my will, it's okay!"

…………

That's what Cao Ang was waiting for!

What I want is for Zheng Xuan to take the initiative to speak.

There is no longer ambiguity at the moment.

After pretending to hesitate for a moment, he hesitated a little and revealed what he really wanted.

"Since you say so, then forgive the younger generation for being bold and outspoken, there is indeed a way now, that is, to retreat to the second, gather your disciples and students, and fill the local officials in the counties and counties of Qingzhou."

"Although they don't have enough prestige, they are your students after all, and they still have a bit of a reputation in the state and county, as long as there are a large number of them, it is enough to play a considerable role."

"At that time, there is naturally no need for your old man to personally go out to appease people's hearts."

Cao Ang's voice just fell.

Zheng Xuan's face showed a sudden look.

Obviously, with his years of life experience, coupled with his intelligence far beyond ordinary people, he has understood the meaning of Cao Ang's words in an instant.

But after thinking quietly for a moment.

Zheng Xuan was still frowning.

Some hesitation and worry said: "Zi Xuan's method is indeed very good, if a large number of literati and bachelors can be filled into the local officials, it can indeed play a role in calming people's hearts and defending the land and the people." ”

"My disciples respect me as a teacher, if I deliver a letter to my hand, the vast majority of people will definitely obey my instructions and go to Qingzhou."

"Just in this way, isn't it equivalent to me deciding the future path for them, and depriving them of the right to make their own choices?"

…………

Cao Ang was really shocked at this time.

Zheng Xuan: What is this idea?

Your old man himself is reluctant to be an official, but the students and disciples under your command are definitely more positive than the other when they hear that they can be officials.

Mo said that the Han Dynasty of this official position was over.

That is, from ancient times to the present, and even in the future, which dynasty and which generation are not dominated by scholars and respected by officials?

The so-called diligent study, study and study, there are few who study for the sake of study, and the vast majority of them take this as a step to advance and achieve class leapfrogging.

It can only be said that Comrade Lao Zheng didn't figure it out for a while, or substituted himself into those students.

Such erroneous thinking must be corrected in a timely manner.

Cao Ang raised his eyebrows immediately, his expression was extremely serious, and he shook his head at Zheng Xuan seriously.

"This is wrong, how can this be called depriving them of the right to make their own choices, you are finding them a bright future!"

"Although there are no official positions such as county orders and county magistrates in the counties and counties of Qingzhou, most of them are county officials who can manage a mess of things, and they are real officials with command power."

"Being able to hold the number one official position in a county is something that many people dream of and cannot reach!"

Cao Ang's tone was full of surprise.

Zheng Xuan couldn't help but fall into contemplation.

And maybe it's because I don't think it's strong enough.

Cao Ang then added.

"Your students and disciples, naturally, will not lack talent and character, but are there few talented and capable people in the world, so many people gather in one place, and every year they can be the official and govern the party, there are nothing more than those people, which can be described as a drop in the ocean."

"Before the world was in turmoil and the court was weak, even if those young talents had extraordinary skills, they had to wait in a long line, waiting for the local magistrate to recommend them, so that they could have a chance to become officials."

"And now you only need to wave your hand and write with pen and ink, so that the more outstanding people among the students and disciples under your command can be filled into Qingzhou County as officials for a long time, which is a great favor for them, and how can anyone be resentful and blamed for this?"

"Besides, whether they are officials or officials, it depends on their own ideas, if they are really determined and only want to study and study, then you will whip them, and they will not agree!"

…………

Zheng Xuan was completely silent.

Although Cao Ang said it more politely.

But Zheng Xuan had also guessed his subtext.

"You wrote to them a great kindness and gave them a bright future."

"On the contrary, if this letter is not written today, then the person who is qualified to be selected will probably feel that it is his teacher who has cut off the bright future that belonged to him with one sword, which is the reason why the master and apprentice turn against him!"

Yes.

No matter how close a teacher is, he is just a teacher.

As a teacher, you can give me a great future, that is the rebirth of parents, and I am grateful to you for the rest of my life.

But if you don't ask me, and you refuse for me, then our master and apprentice will probably have to die of old age for the rest of their lives.

Very realistic, and very reasonable.

Zheng Xuan doesn't want to be contaminated with mundane things, and he hates being an official, but it doesn't mean that he doesn't understand human feelings.

Think about it.

First of all, Cao Ang's strategy is very good, it can solve the urgent needs of Qingzhou, and secondly, this is indeed a great thing that fell from the sky for his students and disciples.

If he is innocent, he refuses to refuse.

It broke the hearts of the students.

So why bother?

…………

After you have figured everything out.

Zheng Xuan no longer hesitated.

At that moment, he said to Cao Ang: "Zi's words are thought-provoking, and the old man has already understood!" ”

"I agree to your method, and I will personally write the letter later, and then hand it over to someone to send out one by one, and at the same time, some of the students and disciples who follow the seclusion around my stone house are also capable enough to serve as officials, and you can also arrange it."

"However, although I have many disciples, most of them are only famous, or have only heard me lecture once or twice, I can remember the name and whereabouts, and I think that there are more than 100 people who have the ability to be officials."

"So I hope Ziyu has a preparation in his heart."

As soon as this statement came out.

Cao Ang was overjoyed in his heart.

It's not in vain that he wasted a lot of tongues, and the spitting stars were almost dry, and finally moved this old comrade.

It's the use of negotiation skills, and it's all kinds of acting skills, and it really took a lot of effort.

However, compared with the harvest, these efforts are worth it, although Zheng Xuan said that the number of people is not large, only more than 100 people.

But hundreds of young talents are already quite a huge number, not to mention enriching local counties, even if they use up a circle, there may be more.

When the time comes, as their territory expands, these people can also come in handy.

This is for the long term.

Not for a moment.

How not to make Cao Ang's heart happy?

…………

"Wow!"

With the sound of the corners of the clothes swaying.

Cao Ang had already stood up from his position, took two steps back, and then waved his hand at Zheng Xuan.

"Gong is well aware of the righteousness, since you trust me, I will not disappoint your expectations."

"You, the students and disciples, are in my hands, as long as they are down-to-earth and willing to work hard, but I guarantee that they will have a bright future."

"In this way, you as a teacher take care of these students!"

Zheng Xuan did not finish the salute.

Instead, at the same time as Cao Ang bowed his hand, he quickly stood up, and then faced Cao Ang and bowed to him.

After all, this matter is deeply investigated.

Both sides are the winners.

Zheng Xuan seems to have helped Cao Ang, but on the contrary, did Cao Ang also help Zheng Xuan?

Therefore, it is the proper duty of both sides to worship each other.

…………

The next hour.

Cao Ang agreed on the details with Zheng Xuan, and stayed for lunch before choosing to say goodbye to him.

And after leaving the stone house.

Cao Ang felt the cold wind blowing from one side, and couldn't help but exhale a breath of white air, only to feel extremely refreshed and not feel cold at all.

"After returning to Dongjun, I have to prepare a generous gift, go and visit Mr. Lu Zhi first, I really thank him today."

"If you don't pull his tiger skin, I'm afraid it's really not so easy to talk to Kang Chenggong."

After a few words of self-talk.

I saw Cao Chun, who had been guarding outside, coming from a short distance.

"General, according to your orders, the last general let the soldiers rest briefly, and did not set up camp here, but it is past noon, if you want to camp here, you must make preparations in advance."

"So please show the general!"

Cao Ang grinned and waved his big hand.

Hearty smiled: "There is no need to camp here overnight, order all the military horses, let's go straight to Donglai County!" ”

…………

Recommended commuter passes

(End of chapter)