Beigong, in front of the official residence of the palace.
Cao Rui instructed Chong Yu, who was holding the reins, "Bring out the General of the Nan Nan Commandery for the emperor."
Zhong Yu rushed into the official residence. Shortly after, a middle-aged man with a firm face and short beard emerged.
Huang Quan bowed deeply to Emperor Cao Rui, who was sitting on his horse, "I am guilty, for I failed to greet Your Majesty."
"It's all right," Cao Rui looked at this General of the Nan Nan Commandery from Shu Han, "General, have you been in Luozhou for a long time? Can you still ride a horse?"
Huang Quan was slightly surprised and then said, "I can ride a horse, and I am willing to follow the emperor both before and after his horse."
Cao Rui nodded: "General Huang, come with me."
Huang Quan bowed respectfully: "I will follow Your Majesty's orders."
The official residence of the Palace of North Palace is not far from the East Gate of North Palace, and the group slowly walked towards the palace gate.
Upon reaching the palace gate, Emperor Cao Rui ordered the gate guardian to provide two horses for Huang Quan and Zhong Yu. Thus, Emperor Cao Rui rode a white horse in front, with Huang Quan and Zhong Yu riding brown horses on either side behind him. The three of them walked towards the camp of the Wuwei Camp in this manner.
Although Wei followed the Han system, the imperial bodyguards of Cao Wei were far superior to those of the Eastern Han.
As imperial bodyguards, their primary function is undoubtedly to protect the emperor and defend the capital city.
In Wei, the imperial guard is also known as the Central Army, which was directly led by Cao Cao and Cao Pi and consisted of elite troops.
The capital Luoyang can be divided into three layers from inside to outside, namely palace, palace city, and capital city. These three layers are respectively responsible for the nine ministers of the court - the Grand Historian, the Palace Guard and the Imperial Warder.
Under the rule of the father-and-son duo, Cao Cao and Cao Pi, during the process of replacing the Han with the Wei, it was entirely the guard system from Cao Cao's strongman office that replaced the guard system of the Han dynasty.
The Wuwei Camp in Cao Cao's strongman office had two brave commanders in front and back.
The first commander was Dian Wei from Chenliu. Dian Wei had a robust and muscular physique, exceptional strength, and was skilled in wielding large axes and iron spears. His martial prowess was unparalleled in Cao's camp.
Unfortunately, formidable warriors often fall in battle. Dian Wei, in the Battle of Xuan City, died fighting to protect Cao Cao, sustaining dozens of wounds. His son, Dian Man, is currently serving as a Duwei (Commander) in the Wuwei Camp.
The second commander of the Wuwei Camp was Xu Chuchu. Xu Chuchu was loyal and exceedingly strong, having once forced back the Western Liangyang army during the Battle of Tao Pass, earning him the nickname "Tiger General." Cao Cao also compared Xu Chuchu to his own Ban Xia.
Although Xu Chuchu was not very intelligent, he was prudent, law-abiding, silent and frugal, making him the ideal choice as the commander of the imperial bodyguards.
At the time of Cao Cao's death, Xu Chuchu was so grieved that he vomited blood. His loyalty to the Cao family was likely of this caliber.
The camp of the Wuwei Camp is located in the northeast corner of Luoyang City, next to the Luoyang Armory, and is not far from the East Palace, where Cao Rui used to live.
The journey from North Palace to the Wuwei Camp was very familiar to Emperor Cao Rui.
Emperor Cao Rui rode his white horse and leisurely walked along the roads within Luoyang City. Today, the soldiers of the Wuwei Camp, who were on guard duty at the palace, were running on both sides of the road.
Cao Rui turned to Huang Quan beside him and said, "Are your family members still in Shu Han?"
Huang Quan quickly rode up, just one horse length behind Cao Rui: "My family members are still in Shu Han. Since my submission to Great Wei, my family has not been affected."
Cao Rui continued, "Liu Bei is so lenient?"
Huang Quan remained silent for a moment before saying, "Although it was an unwilling choice for me to join the Wei, as I have submitted to Great Wei, I will definitely be loyal to it. Liu Bei knows that I am doing so reluctantly, so he has not punished me."
Cao Rui nodded. Liu Bei was indeed benevolent, and his grandfather Cao Cao and father Cao Pi were somewhat more pettish in comparison.
However, all of these people are no longer alive, so comparing them holds no real significance.
Huang Quan had served as a high-ranking military official in Shu Han and had extensive knowledge of the country. Among the officials of Wei, few could rival his understanding of Shu Han.
"What about Zhuge Liang? I have heard that Zhuge Liang holds power in Shu and that the emperor of Shu, Liu Shuan, issues no decrees outside the palace?"
Huang Quan replied solemnly, "I once served in Shu Han and am quite familiar with Zhuge Liang."
"I believe that rather than being autocratic, Zhuge Liang's power can be described as being dedicated to the state."
Cao Rui inquired with curiosity, "How should the general's autocratic and dedicated power be interpreted?"
Huang Quan explained, "I have some understanding of Zhuge Liang's character. Zhuge Liang was favored and promoted by Liu Bei from a low position, which truly shows that he has the gratitude of Liu Bei for his discovery."
"Zhuge Liang was first appointed as a Military Intelligence Officer by Liu Bei, then as the Prime Minister. Whenever Liu Bei went on campaigns outside, Zhuge Liang often supervised the rear area, organizing logistics and supplies for Liu Bei, which could be compared to the abilities of Xiao He."
"Shu Han is a small country with limited resources. I have heard that Zhuge Liang has taken measures to gather the state's strength by issuing decrees from his home office. Zhuge Liang himself worked day and night, which cannot be described as anything but diligent."
"This is what I refer to as exercising absolute power."
"Zhuge Liang's power is not used for personal gain, but rather for the greater good of the state."
"That is why I believe that Zhuge Liang exercised absolute power rather than autocratic power."
Hearing Huang Quan's high praise for Zhuge Liang, Emperor Cao Rui was filled with many reflections.
The first reflection is about the cohesiveness of the people in Shu Han.
Shu Han is a small country with limited resources. In order to unite people, it must inevitably be strong and powerful, using military power abroad, and all officials and generals can cooperate with each other.
Liu Bei understands Huang Quan, and he does not kill Huang Quan's family members. Huang Quan also understands Liu Bei, knowing that Liu Bei would not harm his own family.
Such mutual understanding between rulers and officials is indeed rare.
The second reflection is about Zhuge Liang.
As a descendant from later generations, Emperor Cao Rui deeply understands the greatness of Zhuge Liang.
Zhuge Liang, with only one state, repeatedly launched campaigns to fulfill Liu Bei's testament, dedicating himself to his cause until the end of his life.
Zhuge Liang's talent and charismatic personality surpassed all the ministers of Wei.
Under Emperor Cao Rui, there was Sima Yi, who took advantage of the young age of the Wei ruler and seized power in Wei.
Liu Shanchan, this mediocre person, entrusted all the state affairs to Zhuge Liang, and Zhuge Liang still served the country wholeheartedly.
Although Wei and Shu Han were rivals, try to imagine it this way: Who doesn't wish their subordinates were Zhuge Liang? And who wants their subordinates to be Sima Yi?
To have been born in the same era as Zhuge Liang but not to have him serve you, that truly is a great regret.
Cao Rui looked at Huang Quan beside him and continued speaking.
"If I let General Huang continue to lead the troops against Shu Han, will he resent me?"
Huang Quan bowed from his horse, replying, "As one who eats the emperor's salary, I am naturally supposed to relieve the emperor's worries. As a subject of Great Wei, I will definitely fight against Shu Han without any reservations."
This might be the truth, or it might be a lie. However, Cao Rui does not care.
Words may be pleasant to hear, but how they are acted upon will become clear when the matter is handled.
The three rode their horses slowly as they approached the camp of the Wuwei Camp.
Xu Chuchu and the generals of the Wuwei Camp heard that Emperor Cao Rui was coming to inspect, and they all lined up outside the camp gate.
Before Cao Rui was close to the camp gate, Xu Chuchu walked forward alone and bowed to Cao Rui on his knees, performing a grand ritual.
"Subject Xu Chuchu humbly salutes Your Majesty."
Xu Chuchu's voice was choked with emotion, and Cao Rui quickly dismounted and supported Xu Chuchu's arm with his hands.
Cao Rui looked at Xu Chuchu's chiseled face and said to the general who had served the Cao family his entire life, "Tiger General, Tiger General, after my grandfather and father, my safety is now entrusted to you."
