Cao Cao sat not far from Liu Yu, and his desk was full of various official documents.

For these, Cao Cao can be said to be at his fingertips, without any pressure.

He pretended to open the recital and quietly waited for Liu Yu to solve the mystery.

Liu Yu's unprecedented reminiscence with him must have a plan.

Sure enough, after a long time, Liu Yu came back to his senses, shook his head self-deprecatingly, looked at Cao Cao and smiled: "I remember that Meng De has always been eager to fight on the battlefield before, make meritorious achievements, follow Wei Huo, go down in history, become famous for all generations, and the world is changeable. ”

Cao Cao's expression did not move, and he said: "The original intention has not changed, and it is only for the sake of immortality." ”

Liu Yu examined his expression, nodded slowly, and said, "If you want to seek merit, it will be easy for Meng De." When one person dies, everything is empty, and only fame can be lost to future generations. Your Majesty wants to prosper the Han Dynasty and be able to minister famous generals, and he will be admired for centuries, and only for all generations. Compared with the annals of 10,000 years of history, what is the fame and fortune during his lifetime, wealth and glory? ”

Cao Cao understood Liu Yu's words, and said quietly: "What Liu Gong said is. ”

Liu Yu couldn't see anything on Cao Cao's face, and said, "You will leave Beijing in a few days, and go to Bingzhou first." The land is vast and sparsely populated, the situation is complicated, and you have to be careful. ”

Cao Cao couldn't fully understand Liu Yu's arrangement, and was silent.

If he wants to leave Beijing, he is to drive him away from the core of the court and turn him into an executor who cannot hold great power.

But at this time, the end of the year is approaching, Liu Yu sees that the deadline is approaching, and it is clear that the Great Sima Mansion is inseparable.

Cao Cao couldn't think through it for a while, but he still said quietly: "The subordinate officer receives the order." ”

Liu Yu saw that he didn't even ask a word more, and instead of being relaxed, his heart became heavier.

Such a forbearant person is either a great loyalty or a traitor!

I hope I'm wrong. ’

Liu Yu's eyes did not leave Cao Cao, and he sighed lightly in his heart.

He is about to die, there is not much he can do, and the checks and balances on Cao Cao may not be effective.

There is a charcoal fire burning in the Great Sima Mansion, and it is not as cold as outside.

The heavy snow kept drifting in Luoyang City, wrapping Luoyang City in a piece of silver and white, as if there was only one color.

The Three Law Divisions, the Imperial City Mansion, and the Huangmen North Temple Prison did not stop, according to the map, an individual was taken away by the light or the dark, or the quiet or the noise, and disappeared completely.

The silent chill was wanton from Luoyang City, and various states and counties also launched actions one after another, and some people who could not move and could not move in the past were taken away for various reasons, and then never appeared again.

Under the big hat of 'Wudou Mi Sect colluded and rebelled, infiltrated the imperial court, and plotted against him', almost no one could resist.

The states and counties also felt the tremendous pressure, and began to prepare for the various 'New Deal' plans for next year according to Shang Shutai's orders.

But the most pressure is not in the place, but in Shangshutai.

The palace gave them unprecedented tolerance, and this tolerance made them feel unprecedented pressure.

Yonghan 5th year, December 28.

There are only a few days left before next year, and Shang Shutai is still stepping up preparations, and the last meeting will come as scheduled.

The conference room of Shangshutai, the heads of various departments such as Shangshutai and Liucao Jiu Temple, and many officials gathered.

This kind of meeting is extremely rare, which shows the importance of this meeting.

Xun Yu sat on the main seat, this young prime minister did not have much prestige, and even, more than ninety percent of those present were more qualified to sit in that position than him.

Xun Yu's expression was majestic and self-respecting, and he swept everyone at a glance and said: "The contents of the 'New Deal' are basically decided, and there are some more controversial ones. First, it is about the nine-product Zhongzheng system. The second is the entrance examination. The third is taxation. Fourth, it is the definition of the status and division of powers of the three legal divisions. Fifth, it is about the reform and restoration of the imperial court system. Sixth, it is about the promotion plan and goals of the 'New Deal'. Ladies and gentlemen, today is the last big meeting of the year, and everything must not be delayed any longer, so let's share your views. ”

Xun You, as the official Cao Shangshu, said thoughtfully: "Prime Minister, regarding the nine-grade Zhongzheng system, the official Cao does not object. It's just that the promotion, selection, and grading involve a lot of things, and the prime minister is also asked to give time, so that the officials Cao can plan well and fill in the gaps as much as possible. ”

The reason why it has not been able to implement it has been the biggest obstacle is that the officials of the imperial court oppose the arrest of the officials, which deprives them of the power to promote officials, which is one of the most important powers!

Xun Yu snorted without being salty, and said: "The selection, transfer, and appointment of officials are already customized and cannot be changed. Yushitai, can the Tingwei Mansion have any objections? ”

Xun Yu said, and suddenly looked at Liu Xie and Wang Lang.

"No objections." Liu Xie has always tried his best to stay away from the government, and naturally he will not speak out against Xun Yu's questioning.

However, Wang Lang kept groaning and did not speak.

The 'Yingchuan Party' has already occupied the court, if this nine-product Zhongzheng system falls into the hands of the 'Yingchuan Party' again, wouldn't it be the world's family to let it be controlled?

Xun Yu saw that Wang Lang did not speak, and was not in a hurry.

Others were also waiting for Wang Lang to speak, and the huge conference hall could be heard of needles dropping.

Wang Lang seems to be alone, but he is the only 'cronie' left by the former prime minister Yang Biao, and naturally inherits the political legacy of the Yang family in the government and the opposition.

Wang Lang is not an inactive person like Yang Biao, even if he is low-key and introverted, but unconsciously, there are many people standing around him, and he is a force to be reckoned with in the government and the opposition.

Whether it is prestige or power, Xun Yu has some scruples, if Wang Lang insists on opposing it, he can't forcibly promote this nine-product Zhongzheng system.

Sima Jun, Huangfu Jianshou, Wu Jing, Kong Rong, Chen Gong and others sat still, but in fact, the rest of the eyes were on Wang Lang.

None of them belong to the 'Yingchuan Party', and in the face of the strength of the 'Yingchuan Party', most of the time they can only bow their heads, and selfishly, they also hope that someone can stand up and say a 'no' to the 'Yingchuan Party'.

"Xiaguan...... There is no objection. ”

In the silence, under the gaze of countless people, Wang Lang spoke calmly.

His voice has not yet fallen, and many people have already been quite surprised.

Wang Lang, who was against it before, why did he suddenly change his words?

Xun You was not surprised, his face was expressionless, because Yang Xiu wanted to serve as the official Cao Kaogong.

In exchange for Wang Lang's support, he gave up the Gong Si Division.

Xun Yu nodded and said, "The second item is about the joint examination of Taixue and Hongdu Menxue, this kind of assessment has existed since ancient times, and it is not strange. Since the fifth year of Zhongping, the court officials have been seriously deficient, and they need to be filled. This situation has not changed to this day. Therefore, the official Cao and Taichang Temple jointly proposed that the joint examination be set once every three years, and three hundred officials should be selected at a time, and it would be enough to make up for the lack of personnel in the imperial court with inspection and recommendation. There are many opinions put forward by the six Cao Nine Temples, which are intricate, and today I would like to hear your views. ”

Kong Rong had been waiting for a long time, and immediately said: "Prime Minister, the children of the family, few have joined Taixue and Hongdumen, and most of the students of the two academies are inferior, and the lower officials oppose the selection of scholars. ”

As Taichang Siqing, Kong Rong was the first to object, and the opposition came one after another.

Licao Shangshu Bingyuan was even more direct, and said: "The prime minister, the children of the family, all have private schools, and if they want to enter Taixue for another three years, wouldn't it be a waste of time and a waste of talents?" Besides, must the so-called big examination be selected as talents? Tall among the short, for the court, it is better not to. ”

"The lower officials also disagree, the court is short of personnel, you can order the local inspection, recommendation, and then by the imperial court assessment, meritocracy, how can the unified examination be awarded to the official position? If you have no worldly affairs and your hair is young, how can you be up to the task? ”

"The great talents of the family are all arrogant, and if they want to raise a warrior with the common people, it is like an insult, how can they bear it?"

"Prime Minister, I have a law for the scholars, this is the rule of the ancestors, and it must not be moved lightly."

……

A group of people objected, and the conference hall was quite lively for a while.

Xun You, Zhong Xuan and the others looked at it and didn't speak.

From the bottom of their hearts, they also think that there are still many discussions about this big way of examining and recruiting officials, but the palace is stubborn, and they can't be stubborn all the time.

And Sima Jun, Wu Jing, Huangfu Jianshou and others were silent and contemplative.

They are all from a noble family, and they are recommended to enter the ranks. In the same way, they also made the clansmen become officials, strengthen the family, and prestige.

This kind of 'big test' method has too much impact on him, and he doesn't agree with it in his heart.

Except for opposition, there was silence.

Xun Yu, Zhong Xuan, Xun Yu and others listened to everyone's words in their ears, and their silent expressions were also in full view, and they couldn't help but look at each other.

They all knew that there was strong opposition to this matter, but they didn't expect it to be so serious.

"Is Taichang Temple against the joint entrance examination?" When their words fell, Xun Yu's voice sounded calmly.

Kong Rong raised his hand and said, "Prime Minister, the lower officials are not opposed. It's just that there are too many drawbacks in this big exam, and the lower officials, as too Changqing, can't be truthfully mentioned above. ”

Tai Changqing continued. Xun Yu sat upright, and a trace of majesty appeared on his face.

Kong Rong had no intention of backing down, and said: "Prime Minister, can you lower the specifications of the big exam and use them as officials." ”

"No!"

Zhong Xuan categorically stopped, and said with a serious face: "Regarding the big exam, it is a big policy set by Shang Shutai, you can have different opinions and different ideas, you can discuss it, but you can't change the nature of the big exam!" ”

Xun You looked indifferent, raised his chin and looked at Kong Rong, and said: "Kong Taichang, you have recommended more than 30 people this year, except for those one or two, the others are either unappointable, or indiscriminate, I have been saving face for you, do you know if I have to send them back to you?" ”

Kong Rong's face changed slightly, and he said stiffly: "They, they all passed the official Cao assessment." ”

Xun You snorted coldly and said, "How did they pass, did Kong Taichang ask me to call the people from the Gong Gong Division over and explain it to my colleagues in public?" ”

Kong Rong stopped speaking for a while, and his face turned red like pork liver.

The people he recommended, he himself did not pay bribes or anything like that, but it was essential to come forward or greet others through others, and he also intervened in the arrangement of official positions.

After all, he recommended it, and it must be arranged in place.

This is also the usual practice after the recommendation, and everyone does it.

Although this is a matter on the surface, it cannot be exposed.

Xun You blocked Kong Rong, and when he saw that Bing Yuan was about to speak, he didn't care about his status as a famous Confucian, and sneered: "Bing Shangshu, Li Cao, the surname is Bing, right?" The official position of the imperial court is so privately conferred and accepted? Bing Shangshu, what are you against when you oppose the big exam? ”

Bing Yuan is a contemporary master, as famous as Kong Rong, but he never thought that he would be ruthlessly exposed by Xun Yu in this court.

His face sank like water, his eyes were wide open, and the corners of his face were agitated.

He wanted to refute a few words, but firstly, Xun You was the right servant, and secondly, what Xun You said was true, and he didn't have enough reasons!

Xun You stared at him for a moment, his gaze wandering, sweeping over the faces of his other colleagues one by one.

Who dares to look directly, and who dares to inform?

Xun Yu melted Kong in three or two sentences, Bing Yuan couldn't raise his head, and no one dared to touch his head again!

Seeing this, Xun Yu frowned and waved his hand, and said, "Okay, this is a business matter, don't show favoritism." Colleagues, do you have any other objections? Wu Shangshu, Huangfu Shangshu, Chen Fuyin? ”

"The lower officials have no objections." Wu Jing, Huangfu Jianshou, where will Chen Gong still speak out against it, Qi Qi raised his hand and said.

Xun Yu turned to Sima Jun, Wang Lang, Liu Xie and others, and looked for it.

The three of them raised their hands in unison and said, "There is no objection." ”

Xun Yu snorted, put aside the official document in his hand, picked up the next one, and said, "This matter is settled." The third thing is the matter of taxes. Hu Cao proposed to reduce taxes and reduce the burden on the people. For the head stone and the like, it will be gradually abolished and uniformly classified as a field tax, tentatively set at 20 taxes and 1. Miscellaneous taxes such as commercial taxes will be reduced together to benefit the people as much as possible. For many counties and counties that are in serious rebellion and disaster, it is proposed to reduce taxes for one to five years......"

Listening to Xun Yu's words, everyone had different expressions, and couldn't help but look at each other quietly, and even whispered.

The treasury of the Han Dynasty has been empty for I don't know how many years, especially since the succession to the throne today, it has been quelled many times, the treasury has been exhausted, and the officials can't take out their money. Even, several expeditions were raised by the generals themselves, and the Han court can be said to be extremely embarrassed.

Even now, the imperial court still can't make ends meet, and it still owes up to 500,000 yuan to the major families!

Originally, the government and the opposition all pinned their hopes on 'additional endowment', but they never thought that Shang Shutai not only did not add it, but also wanted to reduce it!

Sima Jun, who has always kept a distance from the 'Yingchuan Party' and is known for his 'justice', interrupted Prime Minister Xun Yu's words for the first time, raised his hand and said: "Prime Minister, the soldiers in Henan and Xu Prefectures who need to be compensated and the victims who are appeased have a total of more than 300,000 yuan in money and grain. The expected debt to be repaid is 200,000 yuan. The various expenditures of the imperial court are expected to be more than 200,000 yuan. Last year, the Yellow River burst its banks, and next year it will be repaired, at least 200,000 yuan. Qingzhou's arrears of money and grain have exceeded 500,000 yuan. Shangshutai wants to reduce taxes, but there are other sources of taxes to make up for the shortfall? ”

Xun Yu still has a lot of respect for Sima Jun, and he didn't care about the rudeness of interrupting the conversation, and said: "Sima Gong, there is always a way to get through the difficulties of the imperial court, but if the people are in difficulty, if the imperial court doesn't ask about it, what will they do?" Will you survive this winter? And what about next summer? ”

(End of chapter)