"Does the emperor despise superficiality?"
Sima Fu sat motionless in his study, lost in thought. Sima Yi, seeing this, also walked back to the desk and began to read the scrolls on the table by himself.
"Dong, dong, dong." Someone loudly knocked on the door of the study.
Sima Fu, deep in thought, was startled and widened his eyes, staring at the door. He began to feel inexplicably nervous. Just now, Sima Yi and Sima Fu were discussing the late emperor and the emperor in the study. Could it be that the headquarters of education is eavesdropping from behind the wall and has found this place?
Sima Yi glanced at his startled brother and waved his hand: "Shuda, don't be frightened. This is my home; the School Affairs Bureau doesn't dare to enter the residence of a man like me, who holds the post of Minister of Books."
A few seconds later, the person outside didn't wait for Sima Yi to speak and directly pushed open the door of the study, walking in with a deep and shallow step.
Looking up, the two saw that it was Jia Ji and Jia Zitong who had come.
Jia Ji walked in and said with a smile, "Zhongda, you two brothers are plotting some great matter in the study; I heard it from outside the door!"
Sima Fu was not very familiar with Jia Ji, and upon hearing Jia Ji's words, his heart began to race again.
Sima Yi was clearly familiar with Jia Ji's venomous nature, tipped his chin in the direction of Sima Fu: "Now that Zitong has come, you can explain to Shuda why the emperor today despises superficiality."
Jia Ji sat down without any ceremony, as if he were at home: "What is there to say? If he dislikes it, let him dislike it. Shuda, why not be content as a Royal attendant? Are you dissatisfied with the position being too low? Many people can't get such a post."
Sima Yi said with a smile, "I was just discussing matters with Shuda about the court. Now that you know, you can tell Shuda. I also have documents to review."
Jia Ji stretched his legs: "Being born into a noble family is really good. I don't have a brother like Sima Yi, who is the Minister of Books."
Upon hearing this, Sima Fu stood up, his words filled with anger: "Jia Zitong, how dare you insult me!"
Jia Ji was just a bit tongue-tied, and he didn't want to make enemies with others. Upon seeing that Sima Fu was clearly angry, he quickly stood up and bowed: "Uncle Da, please don't be angry. I and your elder brother have all held the position of selection officer. The matter of superficiality has long been understood by the master and ourselves. Uncle Da's knowledge or lack thereof makes no difference in doing official business. Since Zhongda has been given a command, I will try to explain it."
Seeing Jia Ji apologize and wish to explain, Sima Fu sat down as a gesture of acceptance and fixed his gaze on Jia Ji's face.
Jia Ji cleared his throat and slowly said, "Uncle Da, do you know what caused the turmoil in the late Han dynasty?"
Sima Fu said, "Naturally, it was the Yellow Turbans and Dong Zhongshu."
Jia Ji huffed and said, "Although it is called the Yellow Turbans and Dong Zhongshu, in reality, it was the chaos caused by party members."
Sima Fu nodded his head after hearing Jia Ji's words.
This is not difficult to understand. During the late Eastern Han dynasty, during the reigns of Emperor Huan and Emperor Ling, scholars praised each other's reputation and lauded each other into factions. At that time, the imperial court could not prevent scholars from using praise and party formation to control elections. Thus, Emperor Huan launched the "party prohibition" disaster.
The "party suppression" disaster, in brief, was the prohibition of a certain group of scholars from serving as officials, forcibly interrupting the process of scholar clans striving for power.
Why is it said that the "party members caused chaos in the world"? Although Grand General He Jin was indeed killed by eunuchs in the palace, you, Yuan Shao, as a leader of the party members, could not take advantage of the chaos to march troops into the palace. It's not that I'm intentionally blackening your reputation.
It's amusing that the person who ordered the restoration of the "party suppression" disaster was none other than Dong Zhongshu, who was invaded by Yuan Shao's alliance.
Sima Fu asked, "Is it because the emperor disliked the party members, and there were many superficial individuals among them?"
Jia Ji thought for a moment: "There is indeed some connection. After Emperor Wu came to power, he felt that scholars were seeking reputation to disrupt governance. He issued three orders to search for talents, selecting people based on their ability to govern rather than their moral character."
"The three decrees to seek talents were issued in 210 AD, 214 AD, and 218 AD. From 'only choosing talent', to 'the person who makes progress may not have good conduct', and then to 'he may not be a benevolent or filial son, but has the ability to govern the country and use military strategy', Emperor Wu's attitude has already become quite clear."
"Emperor Wu refers to none other than Cao Cao."
Jia Ji, with his hands crossed over his waist, looked at Sima Fu: "Emperor Wu not only said it verbally but actually appointed Cui Yan, Ma Jie, Chen Qun, and Zhong Ying to hold the election. All of them selected talented individuals. And Cui Yan, Ma Jie, Chen Qun, and Zhong Ying were more supportive of the late emperor."
"This creates a very obvious phenomenon: During their tenure of power, people like Cui Yan, Ma Jie, Chen Qun, and Zhong Ying, who were friendly with the late emperor, selected individuals who were loyal, far-sighted, and capable of practical work, which is what we call 'men of accomplishment'."
"Uncle Da, don't forget that at that time, the late emperor was competing with Prince Cao Zhi of Yongqiu for the throne. After these people were selected, the rest of the superficial and incapable individuals who pay attention to false glory and honor, i.e., those your elder brother calls 'superficial people', naturally gathered around Prince Cao Zhi of Yongqiu."
Sima Fu suddenly understood: "Ah, now I see! How come I didn't think of that before!"
"Zitong, looking at the division between the faction of achievement and the faction of superficiality, the officials during the late emperor's reign, from Zhong Ying, Chen Qun, and your elder brother to Liu Ye and Xin Pi, as well as numerous officials in the court and local areas, are all from the faction of achievement!"
Jia Ji walked slowly to Sima Yi's desk, picked up the best brush on the brush stand and examined it: "Exactly as such."
Sima Fu shook his head and said, "I see. Wei Feng, who 'rebelliously' acted in Ye Commandery, was from the faction of superficiality. On that day, I almost got implicated and was saved by my elder brother. Now the emperor even wants to put me in the same category as the 'superficial' people. Fortunately, he hasn't punished me severely."
Jia Ji sneered and said, "Uncle Da, you really should thank your elder brother. Last time and this time, it's mostly because of your elder brother's face. However, the late emperor killed Wei Feng in order to establish his authority. Whether you are involved or not doesn't make much difference."
Seeing that Sima Fu's doubts had been clarified, Jia Ji turned his gaze to Sima Yi, who was sitting behind the desk, reviewing documents. Sima Yi hadn't lifted his head during the conversation as if the two of them talking had nothing to do with him.
Jia Ji said, "Zhongda, people outside are saying that you're going to be granted a title!"
Even Sima Yi, who prided himself on his incredible talent, felt quite uncomfortable when he heard such remarks that put a person on a hot seat: "Zitong, how can such things be said randomly? Who started this gossip?"
Jia Ji replied, "Who started it? How should I know? In any case, the whole of Luoyang has heard about it."
"Outside is saying that the emperor is offering an award for the Eastern Wu as a reward, hoping that you, Zhongda, Sima Zhen and Chen Qun can concentrate on your duties and obtain a title as a reward. It is said that Cao Xiu can obtain the first-place merit and you, Zhongda, Sima Zhen and Chen Qun can also obtain the title of a king."
"Zhongda, if you are granted a title in the future, do not be like Hua Yan meeting Niqiu or feel embarrassed to be among us."
Sima Yi looked up and fixed his gaze on Jia Ji's face, then burst into laughter: "Zitong, Zitong, your tongue is truly sharp."
Jia Ji didn't laugh either, and his expression gradually became serious: "I am Jia Ji, not someone who only talks. I cannot understand how the emperor plans to break down the Wu in just ten years."
Upon hearing this, Sima Yi also tightened his expression: "The emperor's intention is that attacking Wu is much simpler than attacking Shu, and the things that need to be done are simply to nurture the naval forces, accumulate grain and provisions, and increase troops."
"If there is a ten-year period, it is not impossible to accomplish something."
Jia Ji asked in doubt, "Which of the three, the navy, grain, or the army, does not take several years? How could it succeed so quickly?"
Sima Yi nodded: "That's why the emperor wants to increase the military strength of the border troops. It's the best choice for a short-term solution. I really don't know who came up with this idea for the emperor."
