Huo and Ge had no intention of serving as the first assistant, and Liu Bei had no choice but to ask the courtiers for advice.

At dusk, the remnant sun shines through the windowsill and into the house.

Liu Bei sat on the couch, his face was sallow, and his voice was much lower.

"Zihua get closer!"

"The minister is here!"

Wuhan Yin Shou Sima Zhi took a few steps forward, and stopped four or five steps away from Liu Bei.

"Since he was appointed as Yin Shou in Wuhan, Qing has enforced the law fairly, renovated people's livelihood, built bridges, and made great plans for farming. The people are solemn, they don't close their doors at night, and they have surplus food at home, which is the merit of the Qing! Liu Bei appreciated.

"The ministers act in accordance with the edict, and they can make achievements today, thanks to Your Majesty's attention." Sima Zhi replied.

Because of his long-term engagement in farming, Sima Zhi's political philosophy is not only different from Zhuge Liang, but also different from that of Yin Shou in Wuhan in previous dynasties.

After a few words of greeting, Liu Bei asked directly: "Do you know the meaning of me recruiting you into the palace?" ”

Sima Zhi lowered his head slightly and said, "Forgive the ministers for being stupid, Zhi doesn't know the meaning of His Majesty's edict." ”

In the event of a flood, acres of land around Wuhan will be flooded, and food prices will skyrocket.

While developing agriculture, Sima Zhi also vigorously developed infrastructure, repaired barns, erected pontoon bridges, leveled roads, and renovated cities.

Through Sima Zhi's long-term efforts, Wuhan's agricultural affairs have progressed, and the people's families have gradually had surplus grain.

Sima Zhi's political philosophy is to emphasize agriculture and suppress business. He often believed that although business travel could make people rich, for troubled times, the harvest was not as good as the harvest of acres.

"Of these three, Ge Xiang is not as good as Huo Du, how can he be above Huo Du today?"

Sima Zhi arched his hand and replied: "In the Han Dynasty today, in terms of the most meritorious person, Ge Xiang is not as good as Huo Du; Guarding Jianghuai and the Wei army did not dare to attack south, Ge Xiang was inferior to Huo Du; On leading the troops to fight, the Northern Expedition to the Central Plains, Ji Xing Han Dynasty, Ge Xiang is not as good as Huo Du. ”

Liu Bei's expression was indifferent, and he said: "I am not in good health, and I have repeatedly ordered the monarchs to enter the palace, or to discuss the matters after death. Now the ministers have decided, but Huo Du and Cheng are humble to each other, and they are unwilling to take the position of head and assistant. Qing has a lot of contacts with Huo and Ge Erjun, who do you think can take on this big responsibility? ”

With permission, Sima Zhi led officials to the countryside and traveled all over the Yinnei counties in Wuhan to find many fields suitable for farming. It was distributed to the poor people in the county, and they were allowed to cultivate wheat and build fields.

Sima Zhi pondered for a while and said: "Your Majesty, although Zhi was once a servant of Huo Du, but in terms of fairness, Zhi thinks that Huo Du is not enough to settle the world!" ”

Due to the humidity in Wuhan, unless it is a big family, ordinary people have no granary at all. In order to let the people have surplus grain, Sima Zhi built a granary on a high place for the people to store grain.

Once Liu Bei dies, the backbone of maintaining everyone is not there, and there will inevitably be turmoil, or barbarian rebellion, or general commotion. Those who can use their prestige to suppress the unscrupulous forces of all parties in the south and the soil, except for Huo Jun, no one can replace them.

The territory of the Southern Han Dynasty was vast, and there were people from Huaisi, Yuancong, Bashu, Jingchu, Wuyue and other parties in the country. In the past, Liu Bei relied on his personal charm to obey others, and through the exchange of interests, he let Nantu Wenwu work for him.

Therefore, after Sima Zhi came to power, in addition to verifying the hidden area, he vigorously developed agriculture. Zhuge Liang did not approve of Sima Zhi's heavy agricultural strategy on the grounds that Wuhan was barren.

Zhuge Liang, who had previously opposed the strategy of heavy agriculture, couldn't help but admire Sima Zhi's ability when he saw that Sima Zhi's political achievements were so outstanding. Capable is capable, but with Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang framing the structure, Sima Zhi is also difficult to change Wuhan's business-oriented positioning.

Later, as the population of Wuhan skyrocketed, the local grain was no longer enough to eat, and it was necessary to buy it from Changsha, Yuzhang and other peripheral counties.

Sima Zhi's tone was aggravated, and he said: "If Your Majesty unfortunately dies, who can have the prestige outside the world and obey the world, so that the arrogant soldiers and fierce generals will submit." ”

Sima Zhi saw that Zhuge Liang did not approve, so he went directly to Liu Bei. Liu Bei didn't want to agree, but after Sima Zhi's tireless slackening, he finally agreed to Sima Zhi's development strategy.

"Why?"

In the past, Yin Shou of Wuhan followed Zhuge Liang's opinion, adapted measures to local conditions, and vigorously developed commerce according to the geographical location of Wuhan, and despised agriculture.

Liu Bei was silent for a long time and said: "What Zihua said is the same as what I think. However, the stakes are very high, so I will step back and let me think about it for a while. ”

"It's not early today, you can rest in Taichung."

"No!"

Soon after Sima Zhi retired, Sun Shao then entered the palace.

"Please see Your Majesty, may Your Majesty recover soon!"

"Excuse me!"

Liu Bei coughed a few times, pointed to the chair Sima Zhi was sitting on, and said, "Come forward and speak!" ”

"No!"

"Qing is a scholar, an important minister of the country, and he has been around me for a long time. I can't hide the truth today, I am seriously ill, and everything has been arranged, but I only have the position of the first assistant, but I don't know who Huo Du and Ge Xiang can do? ”

Liu Bei didn't get tired of it and said: "The two gentlemen shirk each other and obey my edict. And I have a hard time choosing, so I want to enter Taiwan and consult with each other about major matters. ”

Sun Shao pondered for a while and said: "This matter is not worth worrying about, Shao thinks that Fei Ge Xiang is not enough to govern. ”

"Why?"

Sun Shao said: "Attached to the people, Fushun barbarians, Huo Du is not as good as Ge Xiang; enrich the treasury, the prime minister's overall situation, Huo Du is inferior to Ge Xiang; Governing hundreds of officials, assisting the young master, Huo Du is not as good as Ge Xiang. And Huo Du has already held military power, if he is in charge of national politics again, he is afraid that the southern soil is not something that the country can have. ”

Liu Bei looked slightly dissatisfied, and said: "Zhong Miao and I have known each other for more than 20 years, and Cao Cao gave the king of Huainan in the past but did not accept it, how can he do anything wrong now." Changxu should not talk nonsense, in order to hurt the feelings of the monarch and ministers. ”

Sun Shao's expression remained unchanged, and he said in a deep voice: "It is precisely for the righteousness of the whole monarch and ministers that Your Majesty should order Prime Minister Ge to govern." ”

"Huh?"

Seeing that Liu Bei was puzzled and pondered, Sun Shao asked directly: "Your Majesty knows that Huo Du has no bad intentions, but can you know the heart of his subordinates?" ”

Sun Shao bowed and said: "If the subordinate officials and soldiers want to follow the dragon, and Zong Huodu has no intention of doing this, I am afraid that he will also be coerced by his subordinates." Your Majesty is the affection of the whole monarch and ministers, and he should ask Ge Xiang to govern, check and balance each other, and use the good stories of the whole world. ”

"Changxu's words are really what I think. However, the stakes are very high, and Rong Zhen pondered a little. It's getting late today, so you can stay on the stage to rest. ”

"No!"

With Liu Bei's orders, Sun Shao walked out of the hall and came to the side hall to rest under the guidance of the attendants. Coincidentally, Sima Zhi was also arranged here by Liu Bei.

When the two met, although they were stunned, they quickly understood that the other party was also called to the palace by Liu Bei for questioning.

When they were dining together, Sima Zhi couldn't help but asked curiously: "Your Majesty has entered the palace, I don't know if the monarch will raise Huo Du, or push Ge Xiang to be the main ruler?" ”

Sun Shao was reluctant to disclose the details of the chat, so he only said vaguely: "Your Majesty is worried about this, and a certain special minister Ge Xiang is the main minister." ”

Hearing this, Sima Zhi frowned slightly, and said, "I want to talk to you about the second monarch, but what?" ”

Sun Xu was reluctant and said, "The minister of the first assistant is beyond your ability to judge. If Your Majesty knows about this, I am afraid that you will be dissatisfied! ”

"No!"

"If Your Majesty doesn't want you and me to talk about the two kings, why should you let you and me live in the same room?"

Sima Zhi looked at the empty house and said, "And the position of the first assistant is related to the rise and fall of the Han family. The king will raise Ge Xiang as a person, and Zhi is afraid that the king will be bad for national affairs! ”

As Sima Zhi said, Liu Bei let the two live together, in fact, he wanted to see if the two would argue because of this, so as to get a better understanding of Huo Jun and Zhuge Liang, who is suitable for the role of first assistant.

Seeing Sima Zhi accusing himself, Sun Shao was slightly dissatisfied and said: "Since you want to talk about it, I am willing to listen to what you say?" ”

Sima Zhi bowed his hand and asked: "Commanding the three armies, making the soldiers forget their lives and deaths, and the enemy country does not dare to plan, which of the two monarchs is stronger?" ”

"Huo Du!"

Sima Zhi bowed again and said: "Kuang Fu Your Majesty, revive the Han family, in terms of merit and prestige, which of the two monarchs is stronger?" ”

"Huo Du!" Sun Xu replied with a calm expression.

"Good!"

Sima Zhi smiled lightly and said: "Guarding Jianghuai and trying to make China make the Wei people dare not go south, which of the two monarchs is stronger?" ”

"Huo Du!"

Sima Zhi couldn't understand, and asked suspiciously: "Since you know that Huo Du is stronger than Ge Xiang, why does Ge Xiang be higher than Huo Du?" ”

"Governing the army and expanding the territory, shocking China, far-sighted, Ge Xiang is not as good as Huo Du!"

Sun Shao bowed back and said in a deep voice: "But if Your Majesty unfortunately collapses, the situation in the south at that time, when the lord is few and the country is suspicious, the minister is worried and unattached, and the people are panicked and uneasy. ”

Then, Sun Shao said again: "In the past, His Majesty fought for the southern land, and Ge Xiang often sent troops to make up for it, so that tens of thousands of people would not be trapped by food. In the Battle of Jinkou in the past, Huo Du defeated Cao Cao outside, and Ge Xiang ran to Jiangzuo and contacted the scholars to stabilize the six counties on Jiangzuo. ”

"And His Majesty entered Jingchu, Ge Xiang made official ceremonies, regulated the law, held the law to the public, and was solemn inside and outside. Although this merit is not as good as Huo Du, how can it be said that there is so little now? ”

Sima Zhi was silent for a long time and said: "As Jun said, the government should come out of Ge Xiang. However, the matter of martial arts needs to be taken out by Huo Du. At the time of the change of world, Huo Du's prestige was not enough to serve the bureaucrats. ”

Sun Shao sighed and said, "When it is up to Ge Xiang and Huo Du to work together to manage the country, it is not up to you and me to say the advantages and disadvantages of the two monarchs." ”

In fact, Sima Zhi and Sun Shao argued to the end, and it was gradually coming to fruition. But because there are a lot of things that can't be said, the two of them will end up in a tiger's end

After half a ring, under the advice of the attendant, Liu Bei had already learned the content of the dispute between the two.

Leaning on the couch, Liu Bei sighed and said: "Zhong Miao's merits are high and his prestige is heavy, and no Zhong Miao is not enough to settle the Quartet; Kong Ming is trustworthy and good at governing the country, and it is not enough to unify the Han Dynasty without Kongming. ”

After Sun Shao's words, Liu Bei was already inclined to Zhuge Liang to be the first auxiliary minister. But Sima Zhi's words of recommending Huo Jun are also reasonable. And under Huo Jun's high merit, Liu Bei is not good at letting Zhuge Liang take power.

As for who to consult as the first assistant, Liu Bei not only asked the two today, but also asked Wang Cang, Xu Shu, Ma Liang and other officials in the service and Shangshu.

Because Zhuge Liang became prime minister, most officials recommended Zhuge Liang. However, because of Huo Jun's high achievements, many officials who were good friends also recommended Huo Jun.

Today's verbal discussion between Sima Zhi and Sun Shao is basically a concentrated feedback on everyone's words.

"Zilong, do you have any insights?"

Looking at the dragon pattern curtain for a long time, Liu Bei suddenly looked at Zhao Yun and asked.

Zhao Yun was the leading general and commanded the palace guards. After Liu Bei recuperated in Huanghutai, Zhao Yun accompanied the guards.

In the past few days, none of the officials summoned by Liu Bei have avoided Zhao Yun. Of course, Zhao Yun was like wood and stone, only listening and not speaking, and stood silent.

Zhao Yun said: "Your Majesty, the ministers are guards, and it is inconvenient to talk about politics!" ”

"Now Zilong and I, what can't we say?" Liu Bei leaned on the cushion and said.

Zhao Yun pondered for a while and said: "What all the gentlemen said is reasonable, but the minister thinks that only Sun Lingjun's words should be far-reaching and insightful words. Your Majesty might as well follow Sun Lingjun's words and let Ge Xiang preside over the overall situation. ”

"It may be unconvincing to treat Zhong Miao as a subordinate." Liu Bei said.

Yun once asked Huo Du with the first assistant, Huo Du said that things were complicated and cumbersome, and he was afraid that he would be flawless, so he was willing to resign to Ge Xiang. Therefore, His Majesty might as well make Huo Du higher than Ge Xiang, and Ge Xiang upholds Shangshutai and holds the power of state affairs; Xu Jun took the imperial history platform and presided over the discipline of national law. ”

Zhao Yun arched his hand and said: "And the center is stable, but it can be imitated now, Huo Du is outside the town of Jianghuai, Ge Xiang and Xu Jun work together to govern the country, and Lu Jun is strategizing Longyou." ”

Zhao Yun's words made Liu Bei's eyes light up.

During the Qin and Han dynasties, the emperor often used the imperial historian to supervise and contain the prime minister. And Liu Bei ordered Xu Shu to return to Beijing, and was actually ready to use him to contain Shoufu.

Today, Huo Jun is respected, the power belongs to Zhuge Liang, and Xu Shu is the inspector. The military, administrative, and supervisory forces check each other and restrain each other. And because of the different status of the three, the closer to Liu Chan, the lower the official position. Coupled with Zhao Yun's darkness, it is enough to ensure the stability of Liu Chan's position.

If everyone wants to change the emperor, Huo Jun needs to take the lead, Zhuge Liang and Xu Shu cooperate, and finally pass the level of Zhao Yun, and everyone is indispensable.

Liu Bei smiled and said approvingly: "When you can see Zilong's words, treat Zhong Miao with respect, govern by Kong Ming, and Yuan Zhi Inspector." ”

"A shallow view is not worthy of His Majesty's praise!"

(End of chapter)