Three Kingdoms

  Chapter 2687 normal is usually unusual

   Qiao County.

Before Cao Cao, Qiao County was not very famous, and after Cao Cao, it was not well-known, but it was one of the places where grains were grown in early China. It was known as the "Grain Cooking" county in ancient times, so it can be regarded as a prosperous population and a prosperous economy. , a land of abundant products.

  Since Cao's Cao Cao came to power, he has returned home several times, which made Qiao County stand out from the surrounding counties, and the economy has further prospered. Now, it is like a brocade.

   This is also normal.

  If a chicken or a dog attains the Tao, can one person ascend to heaven? Uh, that’s wrong.

  If you pay more attention, what kind of "Tao" is this "Tao" and what kind of "Tian" is that "Tian", there are some differences.

   It's just that among the blooming flowers, few people go to see them, just think about them.

   There are even rumors that as long as the Cao family is still the Cao family and the Xiahou family is still the Xiahou family, then Qiao County will always be Qiao County, and its prosperity will never decline!

  Recently, a big event happened in Qiao County.

  Whether it is a big event is actually not a "big" thing, but because it is related to the prime minister of the current dynasty, naturally no matter how small it is, it can be considered a big one.

This matter is that the Cao family, which is a major surname in Qiao County, or can be called a giant surname, declared to the outside world that under the order of Prime Minister Cao, it was declared that the descendants of the Cao family and Xiahou family should be honest and honest, diligent and kind, respectful and friendly. Respect, etc., a long list of standards like this, and these contents are published on the list. It is said that it is to form a family motto of the Cao family, which will be engraved in the ancestral halls of the Cao family and Xiahou family, and will become the descendants of the Cao family and Xiahou family for generations. Rules that all generations need to follow.

  Anyway, now the Cao family and Xiahou family are as good as one family, so the family motto is generally only slightly different in the surname, and the other contents are basically the same.

Family precepts are not an original creation of Cao Cao, but what is interesting is that the founder of family precepts in history was Cao Cao’s "idol". object to imitate.

  In ancient times, human society experienced the changes of clans, families, and families, which are the cornerstones of a society. When the national environment is unstable and legal ethics is unclear, a good family precept can exert the power to stabilize the family and social order.

  The family precepts of the Han Dynasty were inherited from the Spring and Autumn Period, and gradually became more colorful. There are many famous sayings and aphorisms about how to govern the family and teach children in the family motto, which conveys some very simple principles of social interpersonal relationship.

   Did the Cao family have family training before? It seems that they did, but they never announced it to the outside world. After all, they are "family training".

  Some people are confused, some are dull, some don't care, and some are thoughtful.

   But the fastest responders were not members of the Cao family and Xiahou family, but the officials, big and small, in the officialdom...

When Cao's Xiahou family expressed that they had received the joint instructions from Cao Cao and Xiahou Dun, especially according to the prime minister's order, they must give the "family instructions" to the children of the clan, and make sure that all the clansmen know good and evil, and the surrounding counties It was almost like an earthquake to the officials!

  The Cao family plus the Xiahou family, although not enough to occupy the entire Qiao County, but at least half of the city is at least, and naturally has a great influence. In addition to those who are officials outside, those who are related to each other, and various stakeholders, anyone with some brains will think about it a little bit.

Not long after the news came out, not only the big and small officials in Qiao County, but also the surrounding Peiguo, as well as officials at all levels in neighboring prefectures and counties, all used one or another excuse to personally or send their confidantes. I went to visit Cao's family, and during the visit, I expressed congratulations, and even expressed great praise for the family motto of Cao's Xiahou family. Of course, the attitude was naturally more humble, to show respect for Cao Cao.

  This may explain some problems.

  Some interesting questions.

The Cao family and the Xiahou family were originally the most popular surnames in the vicinity of Qiao County. They not only have a large number of clan members, but also have extraordinary assets. There are thousands of acres of land alone, and there are dozens of shops and various types of workshops, at least in Peiguo. In this place, no one can compare with the Cao family and Xiahou family.

So it seems that the Cao family and Xiahou family have been unanimously praised by the surroundings. Such family mottos can be passed down through the ages, and they are like a legend for thousands of generations. The atmosphere inside is not necessarily harmonious, but tense!

Not to mention the Cao family, even the smaller Xiahou family is a huge family with many internal branches. There are only more than 20 direct line men under the age of thirty in the family, and there are also unmarried women of the right age. There are also more than a dozen people. If all the men and women of the right age who are related to each other are added together, the number may be doubled.

   Not to mention the Cao family, Cao Cao, who is cheaper than Lao Tzu, was already a super-rich family during the Han Heng Emperor period, and there are many related family members.

  Among the clansmen of the two families, there are quite good talents like Xiahou Dun, Xiahouyuan, Cao Ren, Cao Hong, etc. Of course, there are also guys who only know how to make their own calculations and don't care about other people at all. In addition, sometimes because of certain things and interests, the relationship that should be regarded as close is broken, and it is inevitable that there will be enemies, mutual stumbling, and even mutual fighting between relatives, which are common.

It can be said that in the process of Cao Cao's rise, it was the most prestigious and glorious moment for the Xiahou clan of the Cao family, but it was also the most loose and internal friction stage among the Xiahou clan of the Cao family. Relying on Cao Cao, any conflicts must be controlled within a certain range, so as to have a bright future in the future, otherwise, I am afraid that some people have already moved the idea of ​​​​separating their families and self-reliance.

  The Cao family and the Xiahou family separated.

   Then the Cao family and the Xiahou family were separated again.

Just like some enterprises in later generations, there was only one boss at the beginning, and then branch companies were established. Under the branch companies, there were sub-companies. Under the sub-companies, there were also business offices and so on. Never mind the big boss and the small boss are all bosses after all.

  Some people say that unity is the strength, but some people turn around and say that it is better to be a chicken head than an oxtail.

   So should we unite or disperse?

   Unity is beneficial to unity, and dispersion is beneficial to dispersion.

   This is probably the thinking of most of the Xiahou Clan of the Cao family, but the problem is that in everything in the world, how can you just take advantage of it, take the benefits without paying, and without working hard?

  Among these things, the most troublesome thing is still the selection of talents in the Xiahou clan of the Cao family.

  Normally speaking, if others want to enter the officialdom, they have to go through some threshold assessments, but people from the Cao family and Xiahou family can hold some official positions, as long as they are not too stupid or stupid. And it doesn't matter if you are stunned, isn't there Xia Houyuan as a role model?

   Is this treatment good enough?

   However, it is still not enough.

   People will never be enough.

  The Cao family and Xiahou family have obtained a lot, but there are still some people who feel that they are not included in the quota for selecting officials, just not!

After all, there are only so many official positions, but there are still many members of the Cao family and Xiahou family who have not held positions. Even if those who are not suitable for age are excluded, there are still ten or twenty "young talents" who have reached the right age, but There are only a few official positions available!

  So the so-called "respect, humility and friendship" mentioned in the newly released family motto is basically nothing.

  Under the circumstances that there are obviously too many monks and too little food, what the **** is "respectful and respectful"? Many people hold the mentality that if I am "respectful and respectful", who will be responsible when there is nothing to eat, no one will give up easily.

  Don't care about the big man, let alone the hard work of the officials. In the feudal dynasty, what's not good about any official position in the system? Who doesn't want it?

   Even Mr. Tao, the so-called "five buckets of rice", let's not talk about what the "five buckets of rice" refers to. Tao Yuanming does not dislike the official position, but his attitude of inaction. He took office for eighty days, ate and drank every day without leaving any commendable political achievements, and then he slapped his **** and left, just like that so-and-so.

It’s not so much making things difficult for my boss, it’s more like a political escape. The so-called claiming to be “official in case of governance, hiding in case of chaos” actually makes it clear that I want to lie down and enjoy and work. don't call me. But this kind of thinking was very popular in the feudal dynasty.

  In feudal dynasties, as long as an official does not torment the common people, he can already get a "good official" comment. When the term of office is up, he can even get a Umbrella of the People to thank the official for his kindness in the past few years.

  So Mr. Tao can naturally be called a "good official" compared to those lowly officials.

   But the question is, when did the officials of this feudal dynasty stop comparing the upper limit and the lower limit? The Zhou Gongdan in the Book of Songs that these people learn is also to praise their meritorious deeds and do practical things for the people. When did the scriptures teach the lower limit of being an official?

  Scriptures are just scriptures, and family precepts are just family precepts. In order to be popular and drink spicy food, those who can afford it still care about these few words?

   In the past few days, the old Cao Ding of the Cao family has a headache.

  Cao Ding served as Shang Shuling in the early years, and now he is old enough to return to his hometown to be raised. Because of his seniority, he is Cao Cao's uncle, so he is the elder of the Cao family.

  On this day, Cao Ding was discussing the allocation of official positions with several other elders in the clan, when suddenly a servant of the Cao family came and shouted: "It's not good, there's another fight in the South Courtyard!" 』

  According to Cao Cao's instructions, all the descendants of the Xiahou family of the Cao family who were about to participate in the election of officials were gathered in one place, which was the South Courtyard of the Cao family compound.

  When there are many people, there will be many things. There was just a quarrel a few days ago, and today there is another conflict.

  Cao Ding frowned, "What's going on, please tell me in detail!" 』

Cao's family servant gasped for a moment, sorted out his thoughts, and said, "Brother Sheng and Brother Hong are hitting Brother Ying... It is said that Brother Ying didn't say hello when he saw Brother Sheng, and then he was beaten." Brother Hong pulled his robe and beat him... If he said yes, he would whip him...』

  Hearing what the servant said, Cao Ding felt even more headache.

  The "Brother Sheng" mentioned by the servant is the grandson of Cao Chi, the Taizhong doctor Changshui Xiaowei. His father died early, and he was the only seedling left in the family, and he was very favored. It was okay in the early years, after all, I was still young, and I have gradually grown up in the past few years, gradually walking outside, and because the family spoiled me too much, so that my temper was not very good, relying on the name of the Cao family, there are more rampant things. It also caused a lot of trouble.

   Another "Brother Hong" is Xia Houhong, the son of Xia Houlian. Xiahou Lian's ability is just like that, but as Xiahou Lian's son Xia Houhong, he thinks that his father is a talented person and has been plotted against by villains, so he often complains in his daily life.

  Cao Sheng and Xia Houhong do not fight each other on weekdays, and they often fight, but I don't know why they are together today to embarrass Cao Ying?

In addition, the person involved, Cao Ying, is the son of Cao Jie, from Cao Zhongxing's lineage, Cao Teng went to other places in the early years when Cao Teng had not made a fortune, and his life was very ordinary. In the past few years, he came here because of the name of Cao Cao. The descendants of the Cao family who have returned to their hometown.

Those like Cao Ying, of course, can be regarded as Cao's children, but they are far away from Cao Cao, and there is no strong backing, so even if Cao Ding knows Cao Sheng and Xia Houhong Somewhat bullying, but he didn't mean to intervene to stop him, he just waved his hand and said: "Go, send a message, let Sheng Hong and his wife calm down!" They are all brothers of their own family, so what is the big grudge to deal with? All good, all restrained! 』

  The servant nodded, then turned and left.

  As soon as this servant left, another servant came in a hurry and reported in front of the hall: "To all elders, General Fubo has arrived outside the city!" 』

"what? ! ? Cao Ding couldn't help being startled, and didn't dare to be negligent, and quickly said to the elders of the clan around him, "Hurry up, follow me to welcome you!" 』

  Although it is said that Cao Ding is older and considered to be Xiahou Dun's elder, Xiahou Dun, as an important court minister, has more weight than simple age and seniority no matter from which aspect.

   You know, even if the surrounding county magistrates came to visit in person, Cao Ding just said "please come in" lightly. All the elders in the hall also understood the joint, so they didn't complain at all, they all got up quickly and followed Cao Ding towards the outside of Cao's compound.

   Outside Cao's compound, Xia Houdun immediately glanced at the archway and lintel erected at the gate of the compound, as well as the flag of Cao's surname flying in the air, and remained silent.

  He doesn't have to come, just let his confidants, or some kind of aides, come to pass a message, give instructions on some things to pay attention to, etc., it may not be impossible.

  But Xiahou Dun still came in person.

   Basically, Cao Cao will not hide anything from Xiahou Dun.

  Compared with the Cao family, the Xiahou family is a relatively small family. There is no doubt about this, but smaller families also have various disputes.

   And it's a big dispute...

  So Xia Houdun felt that he had to come in person, meet him in person, and talk about it. After all, there are some things that cannot be solved by just sending someone a message or writing a letter.

  When Cao Ding arrived outside the courtyard, Xiahou Dun had already dismounted, and was looking at the screen wall that had just been erected with his hands behind his back.

   After a period of time, Cao's family motto will be engraved on this screen wall, so that everyone who enters the Cao's compound can see it.

  Cao Ding stepped forward to greet him, and the other elders also greeted Xiahou Dun together. After greeting each other, they moved to the main hall. Cao Ding asked Xiahoudun to take a seat, but Xiahoudun refused. In the end, the two joined hands and sat on the left and right, and the order was determined, and the rest of the people took their seats one after another.

   After chatting for a few more words, Xiahou Dun said, "I don't know what the prime minister has told you. How is it going?" 』

  Cao Ding said: "The prime minister ordered, I dare not slack off. Now the young talents of the Cao family and the Xiahou family are all gathered in Nanyuan...』

  After Cao Ding basically said what he had done these days, Xiahou Dun nodded first, then pondered for a while, and frowned slightly, "The elder has worked hard...but..."

  Cao Ding couldn't help but jump in his heart.

  Everyone knows, but, however, behind these words is the point.

  『I don’t know if there is any negligence, please tell the general. ’ Cao Ding said.

  Xiahou Dun nodded, and then looked around for a week, "All of you here are the elders of the Cao family. There are some things that should not be said by me, a member of the Xiahou family... However, since it is the order of the prime minister, I will speak bluntly..."

  Cao Ding felt something was wrong in his heart, "Yes, general, please speak up. 』

Xiahou Dun said in a deep voice: "The prime minister has ordered many people from the Cao clan to restrain their behavior. They must not do the usual things like bullying men and women running rampant in the countryside. Instead, they need to build bridges, pave roads, clear water canals, and help the poor. The porridge shed and other things... these things, but you have done it? 』

  『This…』 Cao Ding hesitated a little, and then said, 『The prime minister ordered, of course we dare not neglect, everything is done according to the prime minister’s orders...』

  『What are you doing? Xiahoudun smiled lightly, then looked at the elders of the Cao family on the left and right, "I forgot to tell everyone, I didn't come here today... Three days ago, I arrived near you..."

  While speaking, Xiahou Dun took out a volume of booklet from his sleeve, and then motioned for his servant to pass it to Cao Ding, "Let's all have a look..."

  Cao Ding took the brochure, flipped through it, and his expression changed. After seeing the end from the beginning, Cao Ding was silent, and then handed the booklet to the next elder.

  The elders of the Cao family looked over one by one.

   Someone turned pale and sweated on their foreheads after watching it.

  Some people have no expression on their faces, but there is a bit of gloating in the corners of their eyes.

   There were also people whose faces were flushed red, wishing they could find a way to get into the ground...

  Actually speaking, what is recorded in this booklet is not a big deal. In feudal dynasties, isn't it normal for officials or squires to bully others, buy and sell by force, plunder property, occupy fields, bully men and women, etc.?

  But these things at the moment seem a little unusual...

  (end of this chapter)