If there was no follow-up move, and Liu Zhang was really doing what Cao Chong said to show favor to his meritorious civil and military personnel, then his own remonstrance would be very necessary.
"It's better for me to go. Your Majesty is used to me, Zhou Bujie, being careless, and it's no different this time. I also have a lot of lice and don't feel itchy." Zhou Buyi said with a smile.
Zhou Bujie was born casual and didn't care too much about anything. Just like now, Zhou Bujie is not afraid of offending anyone.
"No doubt, you have stayed with His Highness for nine years. His Highness can't do without you. Cao Chong's visit this time is to repay His Majesty and His Highness for their kindness, so he went to write a note."
After Cao Chong finished speaking, he turned around and left Liu Xun's room without waiting for Zhou Bujie to speak. With Cao Chong's intelligence, how could he not have imagined that Zhou Bujie used that knowledge to seduce him, and Liu Xun's intentions were involved.
And now that Cao Chong has been with Liu Xun for so long, neither Liu Zhang nor Liu Xun has ever regarded him as a young master from the Cao family, and has never doubted anything. Especially Liu Xun, who completely treats him as a friend.
Cao Chong was not an ambitious person to begin with. When Cao Cao was still the king of Wei, several brothers were trying to win over civil and military forces, and Cao Chong never thought about increasing his power.
Cao Chong's greatest wish in his life was to assist Cao Cao in achieving great things. Now that has passed, Cao Cao no longer has a heart for the world and has gone into seclusion with Lingju.
Then he only had the kindness of Liu Zhang and Liu Xun to repay. Although Cao Chong was cautious by nature, he was never afraid of death. Cao Chong felt that it was worthwhile to make Liu Xun's future path easier.
Zhou Buyi frowned as he watched Cao Chong leave. This remonstrance would definitely offend the civil and military officials of the court. Cao Chong had no foundation in the court. He was even excluded because he was Cao Cao's son, just like when he was the commander-in-chief of Hebei Province.
.There are also people who frame him.
If he offended the civil and military officials of the court this time, Cao Chong might not be able to stay in the court any longer.
"Huh~~" Zhou Buyi let out a long breath: "If Cao Chong could have been born ten years earlier, with unparalleled loyalty and resourcefulness, his achievements would be no less than Huang Yueying's. What a pity."
Zhou Bujie felt a little regretful in his heart. Cao Chong basically put himself in a dead end when he went to remonstrate for Liu Xun this time. Cao Chong had no doubts about Liu Xun's loyalty.
But such a person who could greatly help Liu Xun had to say goodbye to the court like this. Zhou Buji felt it was a pity.
"Brother, don't worry. Cao Chong is the same age as me. We can live much longer than those in the court." Liu Xun said solemnly from the side.
Zhou Buyi glanced at Liu Xun doubtfully. But he suddenly realized that Zhou Buyi was startled by Liu Xun.
After such a long time, Zhou Buyi has never noticed that Liu Xun has such a scheming attitude. Is he pretending to be a pig to eat the tiger?
Yes, Cao Chong and Liu Xun were both so young, and Cao Chong offended the civil and military officials of the entire dynasty. The worst he could do was quit, but as long as Liu Xun was around, Cao Chong would still be able to come back one day.
Only now did Zhou Buyi realize that Liu Xun usually looked like he was asking for advice humbly, but in fact his heart was as bright as a mirror.
"This is the Ming Lord. It seems that my original choice was not wrong." Zhou Busuo said in his heart.
…
The eunuchs sang in harmony, and hundreds of officials entered the court.
All the civil and military officials arrived at the Palace Square early. Everyone was in high spirits and talking about whether they would be awarded a big title today.
And this day is the day when he truly achieves great fame.
All the officials filed in, and Zhou Buyi walked up to Cao Chong, who had two dark circles under his eyes: "How are you preparing? Actually, I think it's better for me to go. Your identity is sensitive, and the emperor knows what my temper is."
"No doubt, don't worry, I took a tactful approach." Cao Chong said: "If you directly remonstrate and request to lower your title, there will definitely be a huge backlash.
As I was writing this last night, it suddenly occurred to me, wasn't there a decreasing title before?"
"Decreasing titles?" Zhou Buji glanced around, deliberately avoiding some officials and whispered.
Cao Chong nodded: "Although the diminishing title is only reserved for retired low-level soldiers, who said it cannot be used for kings? Yesterday, the title of king did not say that it was not a descending title.
This is not a direct reduction of the title, which should be much better. But reducing the title is not enough. I also wrote that you cannot open a mansion or govern the country, otherwise the first generation of these kings with different surnames will have to rebel. Who wants their descendants not to inherit their own?
title.
Just this one, I'm afraid it will offend some people, but that doesn't matter."
Zhou Buyi nodded solemnly. Although Cao Chong's method was better than asking Liu Zhang to lower his title directly, after all, Jun Wuji said, how could he be demoted today after being granted a title yesterday?
But using such a reduced title would definitely offend him. Zhou Buyi never thought that Liu Zhang would use the reduced title on a minister of civil and military affairs.
After paying homage, Liu Zhang called out a eunuch, who held an edict in his hand offering a reward. The civil and military officials were a little excited when they looked at the edict, and were looking forward to what title they would get.
It's as exciting as when a student finishes an exam and the class teacher starts reading out the scores.
The eunuch began to recite the previous congratulations. When the congratulations were finished, the reward was about to be awarded. Huang Yueying was already preparing to go out and take the blame. However, Cao Chong heard that the eunuch had already begun to recite the congratulations. Liu Zhang just closed his eyes and rested, knowing that he would not go out until it started.
It would be too late to formally award the award.
Cao Chong took a step forward and said, "General Manager Hebei has promoted Cao Chong. I will report to your majesty if something happens."
All the civil and military personnel were excitedly waiting for the reward. At this time, Cao Chong jumped out and felt a little uncomfortable, especially since Cao Chong was in charge of the Hebei project at the time and had obviously known for a long time that the capital would be moved to Beijing.
Many civil and military officials were unwilling to move the capital to Beijing. After arriving in Beijing, they found it very cold and felt even more uncomfortable. However, their resentment could not be directed at Liu Zhang. Naturally, they all hated Cao Chong, the general manager of Hebei Province.
Huang Yueying frowned slightly and stopped. Liu Zhang also opened his eyes, wondering why Cao Chong stood up suddenly.
"Accurate performance."
"Your Majesty, Cao Chong is a new member of the Sichuan Army, but he lives alone in the court. In addition, he is young and ignorant. Although he has studied the New Deal day and night, he still does not clearly understand the essence of it.
Cao Chong knew that the New Deal was the foundation of our dynasty and would benefit all people. It was definitely a good policy. Because of this, Cao Chong had to study it carefully. If he could not understand it, he would not be able to face the court.
Cao Chong is trying to explain the New Deal. If there are any mistakes, ask civil and military officials to prove it. If Cao Chong knows nothing about the New Deal, ask the Emperor to issue an order to have Cao Chong withdraw from the court."
The ministers were talking about it, and they didn't know which song Cao Chong was singing. Liu Zhang also looked at Cao Chong strangely. Of course he didn't think that Cao Chong was unfamiliar with the New Deal. The New Deal was not profound. It was just because it offended so many people that it was difficult to implement.
, let alone Cao Chong is a child prodigy. Even ordinary people can understand.
However, Liu Zhang also knew that many "unfathomable" officials wanted to give advice, and they liked to give advice in a roundabout way, so Cao Chong was left to his own devices.
It's just that Liu Zhang knew that any kind of remonstrance was generally not a good word. Liu Zhang was also a human being and didn't like to hear harsh words, so he worked hard and launched a comprehensive defense. No matter how unpleasant Cao Chong said, he would not
Bear it down.
I only heard Cao Chong say: "Your Majesty, the core of the New Deal lies in the three major decrees, the Land Order, the Price Limit Order and the Four Civil Service Examinations. Cao Chong felt that from the time when the Sichuan army started to unify the world, the role of the Land Order and the Four Civil Service Examinations was undoubtedly revealed.
That is to break the land annexation and officialdom monopoly of the aristocratic families.
And where did the land annexation and officialdom monopoly of the aristocratic families come from? It comes from the family system passed down from generation to generation. If it is not a huge family system, what power do they have to annex land and monopolize the officialdom?
Therefore, the land order and the official examination of the four civil servants are in contrast to the huge family system passed down from generation to generation.
Cao Chong also felt that if it weren't for the previous Han officialdom and the imperial examination system that caused nepotism among the families, this huge family system would never have been passed down from generation to generation, and there would not have been the huge family system that followed.
Therefore, the land order and the official examination of the four civil servants are opposed to inheritance from generation to generation. Your Majesty, colleagues, Cao Chong is young and uneasy, I don't know if he is right?"
All the civil and military officials Zhanger Jingang was confused. Cao Chong said there was nothing wrong. They all nodded, but they were just wondering what Cao Chong was going to say.
"Keep talking." Liu Zhang said. He has a lot of patience now. Anyway, when Huang Yueying comes out later, there will definitely be a big disturbance. It's better to let Cao Chong make a fuss now.
"Since the Land Order and the Four Imperial Examinations have been passed down from generation to generation, and these two major decrees are the foundation of the Han Dynasty set by Your Majesty, then similar abuses should not continue after Your Majesty.
Cao Chong secretly believed that the inheritance of titles from generation to generation was the continuation of this shortcoming and was destroying the foundation of our great Han Dynasty.
A wise and mighty emperor like Your Majesty is rare to see in ten thousand years. In this life, His Majesty appears out of nowhere and overthrows the families that have been passed down from generation to generation. But if the title is passed down and another group is formed, who else will be able to save the big man? Isn’t this a big man like me?
Is there no hope?"
As soon as Cao Chong finished speaking, the officials immediately began to discuss. Is the inheritance of titles a continuation of disadvantages? What exactly is Cao Chong going to say?
They would never have thought that someone would dare to propose that the title should not be passed down. They had no such convenient thinking at all, so they all looked at Cao Chong in confusion at this time, wondering what was wrong with him.
Zhe Lanying, Huang Yueying, Zhang Ren, Fazheng and other people who were worried about Cao Chong were shocked when they heard the word "title" from Cao Chong. Could it be that Cao Chong...
Huang Yueying looked at Liu Zhang, did Liu Zhang find a scapegoat like Cao Chong? Wasn't this trying to kill him?
Firstly, Cao Chong had no foundation, and secondly, he was Cao Cao's son. Not to mention Zhang Renfazheng and Zhe Lanying, he was seriously inferior compared to Gao Pei and others. If such a person stood out and offended the civil and military officials of the dynasty, he would definitely die.
Liu Zhang, who was sitting on the dragon chair, was also confused. He glanced at Huang Yueying. Could it be that Yueying didn't want to come out and encouraged Cao Chong? She's not that kind of person, is she?
"Cao Chong, if you have anything to say, just say it," Liu Zhang said.
"Yes." Cao Chong bowed and said to Liu Zhang: "Your Majesty, Cao Chong feels that if the title is hereditary, it will inevitably form the same family power as the aristocratic family, and maybe even more powerful.
Titles are passed down from generation to generation, and more and more of them will be passed down in the future. Today’s civil and military ministers are all upright and upright, but who can guarantee that their descendants will be the same?
Cao Chong could predict that hundreds of years later, families with titles would inevitably form one after another. Just like the previous families, they had official positions, fiefdoms, and privileges. It was really a disaster, and I am afraid they would still have to stand in the hall now.
The ancestors were humiliated.
In order to prevent future generations from harming future generations, and in order to prevent future generations from being shamed by the Sichuan Army's civil and military achievements, Cao Chong feels that hereditary titles should be abolished."
"..." The ministers were quiet for a few seconds, and then suddenly there was an uproar. Isn't the title hereditary? Cao Chong's words were simply shocking. It stirred up a thousand waves with one stone. This simply violated the bottom line of everyone's civil and military affairs.
Some officials couldn't help but stand up on the spot. But Cao Chong said: "However, all the meritorious ministers of the Sichuan Army have made great contributions to the resurgence of the Han Dynasty. If they can't bring any benefits to their descendants, I'm afraid it won't be good.
Moreover, a royal family cannot bear to suddenly become an ordinary family. By then, I am afraid that all civil and military heirs will not be concerned about the death of their fathers and mothers, but the decline of the family.
So, Cao Chong thought of a compromise."
Cao Chong took out his memorial, and a eunuch hurriedly came down to take it and presented it to Liu Zhang. Cao Chong paused and said, "Cao Chong thinks that the decreasing titles set by your Majesty should be used.
Cao Chong thinks it can be like this, the title decreases from generation to generation. The next generation of a first-class king will get a first-class duke, and the next generation of a first-class duke will get a first-class marquis, and so on."
Liu Zhang had already opened Cao Chong's memorial. As he looked at it, he couldn't help being surprised. It coincided with his own thoughts. Now Liu Zhang seriously suspected that Cao Chong was induced by Huang Yueying, Zhe Lanying, or Zhang Renfazheng.
.
As for the following four people, the same Cao Chong was brought over by Liu Zhang.
However, the ministers wanted to look at him, so Cao Chong continued: "There is a benefit to this. What benefit? It is the preservation of the family status.
For example, an official is a first-class king, and one of his friends is a second-class king. His family status is obviously higher than that of his friend, and his descendants are also equally honored.
When it came to his descendants, he got a first-class duke, while his friend's descendants still got a second-class duke. In this way, his descendants' family status was still higher than that of his friend's family.
By analogy, as long as nothing unexpected happens, the honor of the ancestors can be passed down from generation to generation, and the status of the descendants will remain unchanged, so they will naturally be happy, and it can be regarded as a wife and a shadow child.
If his friend's family wants to change their status, they can only let their children and grandchildren contribute to the Han Dynasty. This also encourages my meritorious family of the Han Dynasty to maintain their fighting spirit from generation to generation and contribute to the prosperity of the Han Dynasty."
Cao Chong was talking eloquently. Although he knew the consequences of admonishing like this, he didn't seem panic at all when he spoke. Instead, he was very proud, as if he had come up with an exquisite idea.
When the ministers heard that they were "naturally happy", "can be regarded as a wife," and "keep fighting spirit", their faces were almost green with tears dripping from their faces.
But Cao Chong turned a blind eye and said: "Besides, Cao Chong secretly believes that sealing is a bad habit of the previous generations. Our land order is to prevent land annexation, so of course we cannot seal it.
Therefore, Cao Chong suggested that no one with any title of nobility is allowed to open a mansion or govern the country."
"What?"
Some people can't help but speak out. The reduction of titles in the beginning has seriously violated the bottom line of civil and military affairs. Now there is a person who does not run a government but does not govern the country. Is it still a title?
It would be better to directly issue a brand and receive rice grains according to the brand every month. Apart from some benefits, what is the use of this title?
"Your Majesty, please give me permission." Cao Chong paid homage to Liu Zhang, ignoring the surrounding discussions.
The ministers could no longer bear it any longer and spoke out to refute Cao Chong, but Cao Chong just knelt on the ground without even raising his head. Although he sounded comfortable at first, he was actually very nervous.
He was not afraid of retaliation, but afraid that Liu Zhang would not agree. Cao Chong and Zhou Buyi were not the same. Zhou Buyi respected Liu Zhang more in his heart. It was because of Liu Zhang that he became Liu Xun's companion.
Most of Cao Chong's emotions were with Liu Xun, and he would never allow Liu Xun to be left with such a big trouble. Cao Chong was so smart, but he didn't know that Liu Xun's character was not suitable for war.
If there are many kings with different surnames, even if the vassal is reduced, it is hard to say who will win between the central government and the local government.
Cao Chong was worried that Liu Zhang would reject his advice and insist on going his own way, which would be the most terrible thing. Cao Chong had already understood Liu Zhang's arbitrary opinions.
Cao Chong didn't care about other civil and military officials, he only cared about Liu Zhang.
Liu Zhang suppressed the memorials of the ministers. They all looked the same anyway. They were all against Cao Chong anyway. Liu Zhang took the eunuch's imperial decree and said to Cao Chong who was kneeling below:
"Cao Chong, according to the titles and rewards I have planned, you, Cao Chong, are the fifth-class king. In addition, Cao Zhang is the first-class duke, and Xia Houyuan is the second-class duke. Are you still sure you want to remonstrate?"
Liu Zhang looked at Cao Chong steadily, and the officials also looked at Cao Chong. Everyone felt that Cao Chong must have had sour grapes.
I thought I didn't have a high title, so I asked for some kind of diminishing title.
Now his sister is a second-class king, Cao Zhang and Xia Houyuan are both high-class dukes, and he is still a fifth-class king. Such a reward from the Cao family makes many civil servants uncomfortable, but no one can refuse it.
Many people were laughing secretly in their hearts. Cao Chong had shot himself in the foot. They did not believe that Cao Chong could withstand such temptation.
When Cao Chong heard that he was a "fifth-level king", he was surprised. Originally, he only thought that Zhou Buyi might be a king or a duke, and thought that he was no more than an earl.
I didn't expect that I was a king at all.
But at this time, Cao Chong was more determined to remonstrate. He was a king, so how many kings would he get? And at this moment, Cao Chong felt very warm in his heart.
He was Cao Cao's son. He came here and did nothing but serve as the general manager of Hebei Province. Liu Zhang actually gave him a royal title when he was drafting the title.
Even for this reason, it is worthwhile for me to take this advice today.
"Your Majesty." Cao Chong raised his head and said firmly: "Cao Chong is willing to voluntarily give up his title and asks for your Majesty's consent to use the descending title. Without opening a government or running the country, the great Han Dynasty is very lucky, the people are very lucky, and the world is very lucky."
The ministers were shocked. They originally thought that Cao Chong would just say a few perfunctory words and find a way to retreat. They did not expect that Cao Chong not only insisted on admonishing, but also gave up his title.