Beigong, the Imperial Study Room.
Sun Zi rushed through the streets, finally presenting the summary documents of the ministers before Cao Rui's dinner.
Four scrolls of bamboo slips were laid on the table. Cao Rui's brow immediately furrowed as he began reading the first scroll.
In the past, Cao Cao had cultivated his descendants by having them live and eat together with Cao Pi. Cao Huo had no interest in classics and was dedicated to mastering horse riding and battle tactics. Later, he took command of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry.
Although Cao Zhen was a bit stronger than Cao Huo, he seriously studied for over a year. However, his long career as a military officer allowed him to excel in literature, though not as much as Chen Qun and Sima Yi.
The first few characters on the bamboo slips were "Subject Grand Marshal Huo," confirming that this was indeed Cao Huo's summary.
"Ziyang, come and take a look." Cao Rui discarded the bamboo slips aside.
Standing by the side, Liu Ye picked up the bamboo slips and began to read softly as he looked at it: "Mouse in the Eastern Wu, dare not cross the river. Thief in the Western Shu, without courage to march north. Great indeed is the Wei Dynasty, prosperity on its way."
Cao Rui shook his head and then picked up the second scroll of bamboo slips.
The first few characters on the bamboo slips were "Subject General Zhen," and Cao Zhen's summary was more detailed. The news of the late Emperor Cao Pi's death had spread to all regions, and the commanders who were stationed in various places had sent letters expressing their condolences.
After discussing with the other three ministers, Cao Zhen believed that following the example of the death of Emperor Wu, the commanders in various places did not need to rush to pay their respects and could instead set up altars and hold memorial services for the late emperor in their respective places.
Cao Zhen also wrote about this incident.
Next were the reports from Chen Qun and Sima Yi. Cao Rui carefully read through them and found that the two seemed to be competing with their literary style. They mentioned various national affairs, but it was merely qualitative summaries.
Cao Rui sighed. He felt that the ministers of the great Wei should not be so mediocre. It seemed that he, as the emperor, would have to personally teach them a lesson.
"Secretary of the Imperial Palace, how did you communicate with the ministers at the Board of Rites?"
Cao Rui frowned as he looked at Sun Zi.
Sun Zi's heart skipped a beat. He had seen Cao Rui throw away Cao Huo and Cao Zhen's bamboo slips just now, and he didn't know if the emperor was now blaming him.
Sun Zi, bowing respectfully, replied: "Your Majesty, the ministers and I have told them to each write their own report and said that the emperor would personally review them."
Cao Rui huffed, of course he could tell that the reports were written by the ministers themselves. Cao Huo and Cao Zhen's handwriting looked like ghostly figures, and even literati would have difficulty imitating it.
Thinking about this, Cao Rui decided to teach them personally.
"Sun, the Secretary of the Imperial Palace, draft an edict for me."
The Wei Dynasty inherited the Han Dynasty's system, and the central authorities of the court were also largely similar, which could be divided into the Board of Rites, the Imperial Palace Secretariat, and the Office of Visitors.
Liu Fang, the Monitor of the Imperial Palace Secretariat, and Sun Zi, the Grand Secretary, were in charge of the palace's secrets. They were responsible for drafting edicts and announcing them, among other tasks, serving as the emperor's confidential officials.
Sun Zi quickly sat down next to the small desk and dipped the brush in ink, waiting for Cao Rui's next words.
"Just jot down whatever I say. We'll organize it and send it out."
Sun Zi immediately agreed.
"Let them take turns writing, and submit a report every five days to me."
"The Grand Court meeting held every month, during which they shall make a comprehensive report in front of the ministers, this too is to be done in turns."
"As for the style of the reports, they should be divided into three parts: internal affairs, military, and diplomacy. Pick out some important matters and clearly write down the causes, developments, results, and evaluations. Write them in detail. No more reciting poems or verses for me."
"After writing the three parts, add a summary at the end."
Upon seeing that Cao Rui had no further statements, Sun Zi took out a roll of silk, ready to transcribe the content quickly noted on the bamboo slips as an edict.
Liu Ye kept praising beside him.
"Your Majesty's move is truly exquisite. The ministers will write in accordance with Your Majesty's method, with substance and examples."
"If Your Majesty sits in Luo, You can see all the landscape of our Wei Dynasty."
Cao Rui smiled. What was scorned in later generations was considered progressive during the Three Kingdoms period.
Daily reports, weekly reports, quarterly reviews, and annual reports...With so many methods in hand, Cao Rui only requires the ministers to write a weekly report now.
I will gradually increase your workload in the future. Since you are all willing to die for Wei, I don't need you to actually die. Just be honest and diligent in your duties at the Board of Rites.
In the future, if there are battles, Cao Huo and Cao Zhen will definitely be sent out to lead the troops. If these two are not enough, Chen Qun can also be sent out, as Chen Qun still holds the title of 'Grand General of Military Command.'
As for Sima Yi...Cao Rui would never send him out to lead the troops in his entire life.
The best outcome for Sima Yi throughout his life would be to continue working at the Board of Rites day after day, year after year, serving Cao Rui by managing the trivial affairs of the world until he is drained of all his energy and light, and pass away in his prime.
And what about Cao Rui himself? Of course, he should aim to sleep early and rise early to keep his health in good shape. Besides governing the state, he should cultivate his mind and body, and also try to have more offspring, striving to live to be eighty years old.
Having Sima Yi manage the world is not a slight on his loyalty to his predecessor, Cao Pi, as he served him loyally.
Thinking about this, Cao Rui hurriedly ordered Sun Zi to patch up a loophole.
"Sun, the Secretary of the Imperial Palace, add a clause: The four ministers will have one day off every five days, and they are not allowed to take leave unless it is necessary. Those who are responsible for writing the report will be on duty."
Sun Zi quickly recorded it down on the edict.
Perhaps Sima Yi would never have imagined that his future life had already been planned by the emperor long ago.
A series of footsteps echoed outside the study room door, and Bi Jin met the door. A young eunuch was whispering something to Bi Jin.
Bi Jin walked carefully to Cao Rui's side: "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager invites you to go and discuss important matters immediately."
"Empress Dowager?" Cao Rui thought for a moment. It was the Dowager Empress of Emperor Cao Cao, who was also his current grandmother.
With his grandmother's summons, Cao Rui dared not delay and immediately set out to prepare for departure. Before leaving, he even took a moment to mockingly instruct Sun Zi to announce the edict at the Board of Rites early the next morning.
...
Inside the palace of the Empress Dowager.
"Cao Rui pays homage to the Empress Dowager."
Cao Rui's posture remained respectful, but his face looked very unpleasant.
The reason was simple. The previous few days, the concubine Yú who wanted to be the empress from Cao Rui, was sitting in the palace of the Empress Dowager and crying.
Family affairs are the hardest to handle, especially royal family affairs. Bian was born into a humble background, and during her time in Cao Cao's household, she was often bullied by Ding, who came from the Jin County aristocratic family.
This year, the young concubine Yú crying in the Empress Dowager's palace also stirred some sympathy in her.
The Empress Dowager Bian looked at Cao Rui with a gentle expression: "My dear son, as the emperor, the issue of establishing a queen should not be something your grandmother should interfere with. It should be decided by your mother."
"But your own mother passed away early. Grandmother here is asking you, what about this Yú child?"
Cao Rui looked at the kind-looking Empress Dowager Bian and then glanced at the crying Yú. He felt some annoyance in his heart.
Four years ago, Cao Rui married you, but that was the Cao Rui from before. I have not even touched you, and yet you, Yú, dare to coerce me into it?
Is this any different from urging marriage?
Cao Rui forced a smile: "Grandmother, the issue of establishing a queen is of great importance to the country's foundation. As I have just ascended to the throne, there is no need to rush in choosing a queen at this time."
"I didn't say I wouldn't establish Yú as the empress." Cao Rui shook his head slightly.
Empress Dowager Bian was just an elderly woman trying to mediate. Upon hearing this, she advised Yú, "Crying too much will harm your eyes. As you can see, the emperor didn't say he wouldn't make you the empress either."
Yú began to cry again, then raised her head. She had been married to Cao Rui four years ago, hoping that as the eldest son of the emperor, Cao Rui would make her the empress upon his accession to the throne.
However, Cao Rui was so reluctant, and it seemed that her hopes of becoming the empress were completely dashed. It was definitely because Cao Rui wanted to make the newly favored Mao the empress!
Yú's sullen expression, coupled with the desires that made her pretty face look especially fierce.
"Cao Rui, you are definitely going to make that low-born Mao the empress, aren't you!"
Cao Rui, seeing Yú's audacity, barely suppressed his anger and did not want to argue with her in the Empress Dowager's palace.
"Yú concubine, do not make noise here. Follow me back, and I will explain it to you slowly."
"Back where, to the cold palace?" Yú screamed.
"The Cao family always installs a slut as the empress! They never choose someone based on virtue; they will surely perish and become extinct!"
