Huangquan held the reins and tried to control the speed of his horse, brown horse.
"In recent years, I have been in the service of the Imperial Academy for a long time, and have read a great deal of the classics of the Great Wei. I would like to attempt to organize them for Your Majesty."
Cao Rui nodded, indicating that Huangquan could continue.
Huangquan had also sat on the cold bench at the Imperial Academy for several years. At this time, he happened to consult Cao Rui, seeing that it was a good opportunity for his own resumption of duty. Huangquan dare not be the slightest bit negligent.
Huang Quan cleared his throat: "Chen Qun was born into the Chen family of Yingchuan. In his early years, Liu Bei served as the Governor of Yu Province, and Chen Qun was Liu Bei's personal aide."
"Later, Chen Qun fled with his father to Xuzhou. For some unknown reason, he joined the army of Bu Lü. After Emperor Wu defeated Bu Lü, he appointed Chen Qun as the western secretary of the Bureau of Civil Affairs."
Cao Rui asked, "Chen Qun was appointed as the West Chief Secretary immediately after he met the Great Ancestor? He was not even thirty at the time, right? What were his abilities?"
Huang Quan chuckled and said, "The main responsibility of the West Chief Secretary is to recruit talents for the Bureau of Civil Affairs. Chen Qun came from a prestigious family in Yingchuan, and had Chen Ji as his father. This was Chen Qun's talent at that time."
Chen Ji was a renowned scholar. When He Jin served as the General of the Army, he asked his subordinates to recommend outstanding scholars from around the world, and Chen Ji was ranked first.
Cao Rui noticed Huang Quan's disdain for the noble families, coming from a humble background: "I understand, General, continue."
Huang Quan continued: "Afterwards, Chen Qun participated in the military affairs of the Premier and later served as the Chief Justice of the Inspectorate. When Cai Yan and Mao Jie died in succession, Chen Qun took control of the East and West Chief Secretaries of the Premier's Office, which gave him control over personnel appointments in Great Wei."
Cao Rui asked, "The Chief Justice of the Inspectorate is in charge of the state's penal laws and regulations. How did he come to be in charge of personnel affairs?"
Huang Quan looked at Cao Rui: "Chen Qun's friendship with the late Emperor naturally meant selecting talents for the country."
Cao Rui pursed his lips. It was clear that after Cao Pi succeeded in his inheritance, he placed his ironclad ally Chen Qun in the position of East and West Chief Secretaries, which made it easier for Cao Pi to plant his own people.
Seeing that Cao Rui showed no sign of stopping, Huang Quan continued: "After the late Emperor ascended the throne, he appointed Chen Qun as the Grand Secretary. It was during the third campaign against Wu, last year, that the late Emperor's health had significantly deteriorated."
"Upon arriving in Huainan, the late Emperor appointed Chen Qun as the Chief Military Commander, in charge of the guards. After the late Emperor returned to Luoyang, he appointed Chen Qun as the Major General of the Army. The following events are self-explanatory."
Cao Rui listened carefully.
Chen Qun came from a distinguished family, so he received a good official position early in his career. Thanks to his good posts and his family background, he had a close relationship with the late Emperor Cao Pi. Furthermore, being capable himself, he rose step by step to his current position.
A perfect template for a distinguished Yingchuan scholar.
Also, because of his close relationship with Cao Pi, when Cao Pi was ill, Chen Qun took over the guarding responsibilities for him.
It's not that Cao Pi wanted to befriend Chen Qun without reason. In the late Han dynasty, the most distinguished scholars in the world were divided into two types.
One type were scholars like Yuan Shao, who had three generations of high-ranking officials and their disciples and officials were scattered everywhere in the world. They could move freely and eat well wherever they went.
The other type was like Chen Shih, the grandfather of Chen Qun. Chen Shih, faced with persecution by eunuchs during the Danggu Shanzu Incident, entered prison voluntarily and his reputation grew even more.
After his release from prison, Chen Shih returned to Yingchuan. At that time, Zhang Rang, the leader of the Ten Eunuchs, whose father had died and was buried in Yingchuan. Not a single famous scholar was willing to pay their respects at the funeral except for Chen Shih.
Therefore, Zhang Rang was grateful to Chen Shih and protected many Yingchuan scholars who were friendly with Chen Shih.
Such as Yingchuan Timely Rain, virtuous scholars protecting righteousness!
As the grandchild of such a person, who wouldn't want to be friends with him and make a name for oneself? It's no wonder that Cao Pi became good friends with Chen Qun.
Cao Rui looked at Huang Quan and said, "General Huang, I hope you will serve as a permanent member of the Imperial Council. Please accompany us, Lord Liu and Xin Bi, on a daily basis. We hope that you will not hesitate to offer your advice on important national matters."
The situation in the world is no longer what it was during the Battle of Yiling. This appointment is already a great grace for Huang Quan, who has been idle and sitting on the cold bench.
Huang Quan suddenly pulled on the reins, flipped off the horse, and bowed to the ground: "Huang Quan, I receive the edict and express my gratitude."
...
At this moment, the sky over Chengdu, thousands of miles away, was a brilliant blue.
Emperor Liu and Zhuge Liang, the monarch and his prime minister, certainly never expected that Huang Quan, who had previously defected from Shu Han, would now be entrusted with important duties by Emperor Wei again.
In the Prime Minister's mansion.
Ma Zha rushed in and said, "General, great joy, great joy!" As he walked, he waved documents.
Zhuge Liang looked at Ma Zha, slowly putting down the ink brush he was writing with.
"Youchang, what is it that has you so excited?"
Ma Zha's excitement was almost overflowing from his face: "Your Excellency, the Wei Emperor Cao Pi has died, and the young emperor Cao Rui has ascended to the throne. The important officials left to assist in governance are Cao Xiu, Cao Zhen, Chen Qun, and Sima Yi."
Zhuge Liang gently waved his feather fan: "Cao Pi has really died? The usurper who seized the Han dynasty has finally received his just desserts."
Ma Zha nodded repeatedly: "Not long after Cao Cao died, and now Cao Pi has followed him. I suppose the state of Wei must be in chaos with the hearts of its people scattered."
However, Zhuge Liang shook his head gently: "Youchang, this is different from the past. When Cao Cao died, the whole world was shaken and hearts were downcast. But now that Wei has been established for six years and both domestic and foreign affairs have already settled down, it's not going to be that easy."
Ma Zha noticed that Zhuge Liang's interest was not high and did not dare to say more, hiding his excitement.
"General, you have been preparing for the northern campaign for a year now. With the great loss in Wei, should we accelerate this matter?"
Zhuge Liang said calmly: "It is indeed time to accelerate, but we still need to carefully plan the exact timing."
"Since the pacification of the southern regions last year, our Han army has gone on campaigns in March and only returned to Chengdu in December."
"The missing troops have not yet been fully recruited, and armor, horses, and military equipment all require time."
"Based on the current pace, it will likely take another year or so."
Ma Zha nodded in agreement and then began to ask Zhuge Liang for advice. Since his brother Ma Liang had died in service, Ma Zha had become one of Zhuge Liang's key proteges and successors.
"Your Excellency, the age of Cao Rui, who has ascended to the throne, is already in his twenties. Why did Cao Pi appoint four ministers to assist him? This may not be in line with common sense."
Zhuge Liang laughed and said, "Youchang, do you know what common sense is for a prince of a nation?"
Ma Zha shook his head.
Zhuge Liang continued, "The prince of a nation is called the Crown Prince, with emphasis on the 'Crown' character. Have you ever heard that Cao Pi has established Cao Rui as his Crown Prince?"
Ma Zha replied, "Appointing a Crown Prince is a great matter for a nation, and I have never heard that Cao Pi appointed Cao Rui as the Crown Prince."
Zhuge Liang said, "That's right. Cao Rui has been in the palace for a long time and has little experience in governing the country. Moreover, he does not have any literati ministers as his backbone."
"Even if we ignore Cao Rui's talent, without the support of ministers, he probably won't be able to hold onto this position."
Ma Zha suddenly understood: "Your Excellency is absolutely right. If no distinguished ministers are appointed to deter the world, if Cao Pi can seize the throne, can't others do the same?"
Zhuge Liang saw that Ma Zha had understood, and he raised his feather fan, pointing at the document in Ma Zha's hands: "I won't look at this document. Youchang, quickly send it to the palace and tell the emperor, this document can be used to offer sacrifices to the late Emperor."
Ma Zha bowed and slowly walked out of the grand hall of the Premier's mansion.
Zhuge Liang also slowly strolled, walking to the courtyard.
As the sun slowly sank in the west, Zhuge Liang wished he had a long rope to tie the flying white sun.
Cao Cao has died, and so has Cao Pi.
How many people in the state of Cao Wei can still remember the ancient Han dynasty?
