One hundred and seventieth chapters each cultivate its own way
"The government of the monarch and his ministers is like the symbols of heaven and earth. If the symbols of heaven and earth are clear, then the tools of the monarch and his ministers are the same." [Sixteen Strategies of Cheap · Monarch and Ministers]
Zhuge Liang, the minister Zuocheng, is tall and tall, with a face like a crown jewel. He is only in his twenties this year, and he is already famous for being calm and steady, neither arrogant nor shy. At this moment, he smiled and welcomed Liu Bei into the room. He only saw the table in the room.
There were many documents on the table, and an unopened food box next to it.
After Liu Bei came in and saw him, he glanced around the room and said with a smile: "I didn't expect you to have so many official duties. Your Majesty seems to be much more relaxed. You work day and night and are careful with paperwork, which hurts your body."
"Official affairs have been completed during the day, but I have found a lot of things for myself to do: I want to compile and collect the memorials and edicts from Lantai, Tianlu Pavilion and other places in the two dynasties into files. I have been busy in the past two years.
, most of them are busy with this matter." Zhuge Liang simply tidied up and invited Liu Bei to sit down.
Liu Bei casually picked up a shabby slip, and the handwriting on it could be vaguely seen as a policy statement when mourning the emperor: "My husband and the three princes are my heart and soul. He is the one who assists each other, guides all the officials, and harmonizes the world."
…”
This is Emperor Xiaoai's policy to depose Grand Sikong Shidan. The reason was that Shidan was not strict in his rule, which led to him being impeached and leaking secrets. But the deeper reason was that the reforms presided over by Shidan violated the interests of the nobles and powerful nobles.
Liu Bei had a complicated heart, and somehow he picked up this meaningful strategy document. Perhaps Zhuge Liang had just dug it out and checked it for himself.
"It's not easy to govern a country, and it's not easy to be a minister. Reporting to the country, and keeping the common people safe..." Liu Bei returned the policy book to the other party. Seeing him clearing up a table, he hurriedly took out the soup and rice in the food box, while
He said: "I'm not afraid of your jokes. I used to be far away in the world and thought it would be easy to govern the world. Now that I am living in a temple, I realize how difficult it is. Just reconciling the cauldron is a hard work."
After Zhuge Liang meticulously packed the things into categories, he took out the contents of his food box and put them on the table. His food box contained two fewer dishes than Liu Bei's, but it didn't hurt: "I thought,
A king is wise and his ministers are virtuous, and both are indispensable. The king is benevolent in giving to his subordinates, and the ministers are righteous in doing things. Those who have two minds should not serve the king, and if there is doubt in the government, they should not order the ministers to handle it. If the superiors and subordinates are polite, the people will be easy.
In this way, the world will be governed, and this is the way of kings and ministers."
"What is 'suspicious government'?" Liu Bei asked with interest.
"If there are difficulties in government, if things are done carelessly, then that is doubtful government." Zhuge Liang lowered his eyes and thought for a moment, then said: "Politics should correct their names; people who do things should encourage merit. The king plans his government, and the ministers plan their affairs, and the government can do it.
Only when you are able to achieve great results will your edicts be successful. This is the way to govern a country."
Liu Bei saw that he was talking about the principles of "king and ministers" and "governing the country" at such a young age, but his words were not superficial. He couldn't help but feel admiration. He looked at him with a look of appreciation: "I know now
There are so many virtuous people in the imperial court!"
"Liu Gong is so complimentary." Zhuge Liang also looked at each other at the same time. Their eyes met and they each had their own calculations. Now the situation in the court was clear. Cao Cao's style was strong and domineering. A day's prosperity would not last long in Zhuge Liang's eyes. And Liu Bei
He has great potential and is quite virtuous. The most important thing is that compared with Cao Cao who has Guo Jia, Dong Zhao and others, Liu Bei has no foundation in the court, so he is a suitable and close candidate.
Both sides gained something, and they talked happily that night until Liu Bei visited Cao Cao's house the next day.
Cao Cao had received the news early and opened the middle gate to welcome the minister's right servant She and Yicheng Pavilion Marquis Liu Bei. The two met in the garden behind the mansion. Guo Jia, Wang Bi, Wei Ji and others sat down to accompany them. Cao Cao ordered people to hold him.
He brought out a jug of wine and poured it for Liu Bei, who was very precious. He said, "It's autumn now, and there are only a few plums in my garden that are still good fruits. It's a pity that the season has passed. Otherwise, the green plums would be sour when used with wine."
The bitter taste in this wine is not satisfactory. Now," he gently placed the crystal cup in front of Liu Bei. There were several plates of food and wine on the table: "If you have some wine and food, please Xuande will accept it."
"You're welcome, Mr. Cao." Liu Bei looked down at the bright red wine poured into the crystal cup and said with a smile: "This is the first time I've seen such a bowl in my life. It's so crystal clear, like jade and ice, so different from this."
Wine goes well with it. I originally wanted to drink the Nine Brewing Spring Wine presented to Your Majesty by Duke Cao, but since I didn't have the chance, it would be a worthwhile act to get this fine drink."
At this time, Wang Bi smiled and said: "Mr. Liu, please drink from this cup. This wine has a great origin, and it will not be rude."
Liu Bei was a little confused, but he still wanted to hear what the other party had to say, so he drank it in one gulp and felt that the aroma was strong and had an aftertaste. He nodded gently and looked at Cao Cao in front of him, waiting for his words.
"This wine is not a tribute from the Western Regions, but comes from Shanglin Grape Palace and is brewed by Tang Guancheng." Wang Bi held up his cup and said, "In previous years, this wine was always sent as tribute from the Western Regions. Since last year, the Western Regions' Cheshi Prince presented the wine-making method to Shang Guancheng."
Lin Yuan and Tang Guan tried several times and finally brewed three dendrobiums. The state rewarded them to the ministers, and Cao Gong got this pot and these two crystal cups."
This seems to be a boast in front of Liu Bei that Cao Cao is favored by the emperor, but behind the scenes it is an allusion to the Western Regions. Although the imperial court has not yet officially dispatched officials such as the Protector of the Western Regions, Chang Shi and Wuji Xiaowei, it has begun to gradually recover with the ZTE.
To influence the Western Regions, at first only a few envoys from small countries came to Chang'an for an audience. After they went back to convey the imperial court's majesty, powerful countries began to submit one after another, and opinions on the reconquest of the Western Regions began to emerge one after another in the court.
Liu Bei understood that Cao Cao was determined to preside over the dispatch of troops to the Western Regions, and the emperor's tacit approval of Cao Cao. Regarding the Western Regions, Liu Bei had no idea. He just heard him mention it like this, which not only hinted at Cao Cao's favor and favor in front of the emperor, but also hinted at the current situation.
The dispute is no longer enough to endanger Cao Cao.
Are you late?
not necessarily.
Liu Bei turned the crystal cup thoughtfully and said tentatively: "Grapes are easy to grow, but fine wine is hard to come by. I went to the forest to get this good recipe. If it takes time and spreads throughout the world, I can produce fine wine without grains. It can be said that it is good for the people and the officials."
It’s a great bargain. But I don’t know how the court is going to reward this chariot prince? And when is it going to plant more grapes and implement good methods?”
Cao Cao understood the metaphor in Liu Bei's words and smiled calmly while stroking his beard. One of the people in the seat stood up and said: "The front of the chariot division has been Yanqi for a long time, and the Wusun and other tribes have invaded it. Therefore, the chariot prince is asking the court for hostility."
, as the capital to protect the Western Region. As for when to plant grapes and when to recommend good recipes, we must wait for the season and the people to be familiar with the new wine. They cannot be decided overnight. "
"What this person said is quite logical, but Guo Fengxiao?" Liu Bei nodded secretly and asked.
Cao Cao shook his head and introduced: "It's the man who works under the government who is the middle minister, Wei Bo."
"Oh, no wonder, no wonder." Liu Bei remembered that this person was Wei Jian who proposed to Cao Cao to change the tax system. He was a powerful man from Hedong and received a lot of criticism. He looked at the other person carefully and said softly: "I have heard of my name for a long time.