In the morning, Cao Rui's carriage had already arrived at the Secretariat.
Unlike last time when Cao Rui was blocked on his way to the Secretariat, Chen Zhengjie now stood at the door, greeting the emperor with respect.
Chen Zhengjie bowed and said, "Your Majesty has personally come, and Your servant feels extremely honored and scared."
Cao Rui smiled as he saw Chen Zhengjie's respectful behavior in the carriage. "Chancellery Premier, come to my carriage and accompany me to the 'Regulatory Hall', where I want to discuss military affairs with my advisors."
Chen Zhengjie was somewhat surprised: "How dare I ride in the same carriage as Your Majesty? This is quite improper according to protocol."
Cao Rui shook his head: "It's no problem, I just have some matters to ask you about."
Chen Zhengjie bowed and then got into the carriage. Cao Rui's imperial carriage entered the gate of the Secretariat and continued to drive inward.
Through the windows, one could see people coming and going between the various duty rooms, carrying documents or confidential matters. All the great and small affairs of the entire country of Wei were concentrated here.
Since the last time he was summoned to the palace but had not seen the emperor for a day, Chen Zhengjie immediately understood that this was the emperor expressing his dissatisfaction with him.
As a subject, to dare to test the emperor once, is already very bold. It is obvious that Chen Zhengjie does not want to lose his position as Chancellor at this time.
Therefore, Chen Zhengjie was particularly anxious at this moment, fearing that Cao Rui would ask him to account for his actions.
However, to Chen Zhengjie's surprise, Cao Rui did not ask him about state affairs. The Cao family was known for having a bad temper, and they did not inherit a good one.
Cao Rui sat in the center of the carriage and looked at Chen Zhengjie, who was sitting to one side: "How old is Chen Qing's son?"
Chen Zhengjie was taken aback; he hadn't expected the emperor to ask about such personal matters. He quickly replied, "It is Your Majesty's kindness to concern yourself with this, but my eldest son, Chen Ben, is seventeen years old, and my second son, Chen Qian, is fifteen."
Cao Rui nodded: "Has he entered the school yet?"
Chen Zhengjie replied: "At present, he is studying at home and has not yet entered a school."
Cao Rui said, "Since they haven't entered a school yet, why not have your two sons enroll in the Taixue (Imperial Academy)?"
Chen Zhengjie was stunned. He knew the confidential military affairs sent last night from Jiang Xia Wenpeng, but he had not expected the emperor to ask about his two sons' studies, nor did he expect the emperor to let his sons enroll in the Imperial Academy.
Chen Zhengjie, although somewhat confused, realized that the emperor's mood was good and there was no ill will towards him.
Chen Zhengjie spoke cautiously, "Your Majesty, the Taixue has long been in disrepair, with very few great scholars teaching there. I fear that even if one enters the Taixue, it may be difficult to learn much."
Cao Rui looked at Chen Zhengjie: "Chen Premier, do not worry. I have recently seen the Imperial Tutor Zhou Yin. I have already instructed him to restore the Taixue."
"I previously appointed Zheng Cheng as the Professor of Taixue to assist the Imperial Tutor Zhou Yin in managing the Taixue. Did you not see this appointment, Chen Premier?"
Cao Rui's words implied something.
Zheng Cheng is the nephew of the Han dynasty's great Confucian scholar, Zheng Xuan. He once taught classics to Cao Rui at Cao Rui's Eastern Palace. The appointment of Zheng Cheng was issued on the same day that Chen Zhengjie and Sima Fu proposed to advise against it, rejecting the emperor's suggestion.
Of course, Chen Zhengjie was aware of this. Therefore, when the emperor mentioned the Taixue and Zheng Cheng, Chen Zhengjie became somewhat flustered and tried to stand up, bumping his head against the ceiling of the carriage.
Cao Rui smiled and said, "Chen Premier, there is no need to be so anxious. I have no intention of blaming you. Please sit down."
Chen Zhengjie kept saying "Yes" and was somewhat flushed at this point.
Cao Rui said, "Look, the descendants of senior officials in the court and those who hold a rank of two thousand stones can all enter the Taixue when they reach an appropriate age!"
"I have been reading the works of Emperor Wu recently. I found that Emperor Wu entered the Taixue at the age of fifteen. After the chaos caused by Dong Zhuo, the Taixue has been in disrepair for thirty years."
"Now is the time to improve the Taixue."
Chen Zhengjie replied, "Your Majesty is all-seeing, and the Taixue is for nurturing talents for the country. It truly should be properly constructed."
The Secretariat itself is not very large, and between the two of them speaking, Cao Rui's imperial carriage had already arrived at the door of the Assisting Government Hall.
Unlike facing Zhou Yin, Cao Rui did not mention his idea of granting preferential treatment to students in the Taixue when determining their grades in the Zhong Zheng. Chen Zhengjie, at this point, had not even considered this.
However, as the saying goes, "Wind starts from the end of a blade of grass," and you will slowly feel it.
Four of the assistant officials had already stood outside the Assisting Government Hall to welcome the emperor. Seeing Chen Zhengjie exit the carriage first, and then, on his own initiative, raise the curtain to help support the emperor's arm, they were all surprised.
Chen Zhengjie had just angered the emperor, so why is he now so humble and obedient? This is a complete change.
At this moment, after going through a mental turmoil, Chen Zhengjie does not at all think he is ashamed. In the face of the emperor, having a weak body is not ashamed. If anyone questions it, he can just throw out the word 'loyalty' to resolve it.
Those who seek fame must also be bound by desire.
Cao Rui was also straightforward and allowed Chen Zhengjie to lift the curtain. Naturally, he accepted Chen Zhengjie's support, as if receiving service from an eunuch in the palace.
The four assistant ministers bowed in respect as the emperor descended from the carriage.
The Grand Marshal Cao Xiu was the first to say, "Your Majesty, please come quickly. Military affairs are urgent. We have long been eager to report to you."
Cao Rui smiled and said, "Didn't Grand Marshal previously tell me that the southeastern defenses were as strong as gold?"
Cao Xiu, seeing that Cao Rui was smiling, was not anxious himself: "That is natural. As long as people from the Eastern Jiang pass the river, they become rodents; there is nothing to worry about."
Cao Rui laughed loudly: "Grand Marshal, you indeed have the spirit. Since you have said that, what is there to worry about? Let's go!"
Cao Xiu and Cao Zhen walked ahead of Cao Rui on his left and right sides, respectively, pushing Chen Qun and Sima Yi to the side. Sima Yi and Chen Qun exchanged glances before slightly shaking their heads with a hint of helplessness.
The Assisting Government Hall is located in the center of the Secretariat, slightly taller than the other buildings. Cao Rui climbed the steps and looked back at Chen Zhengjie, who was still standing below: "Chancellor, come over together."
Chen Zhengjie quickly followed. At this time, Chen Zhengjie had no time to think, as this room was originally his office.
……
After the martial general, Grand Marshal Cao Xiu, had given his analysis of the military situation, Cao Rui said, "So, it seems that the Eastern Wu's recent attack will surely come to nothing?"
Cao Xiu nodded: "As I predicted, it is indeed so. For major military campaigns, the best time of year is always winter."
"Sun Quan's probe attack in August at Jiang Xia was probably due to his grief over our great Wei country."
"Moreover, whenever Sun Quan launches an attack on our great Wei, the focus is always on Huai Nan. Attacking Huai Nan, the Eastern Wu has more resources in terms of manpower, supplies, and military equipment."
Cao Rui nodded: "Grand Marshal, your words make sense. Since the late Emperor was ill, you have returned to Luoyang, and there has been no senior minister or commander in charge of Yangzhou. It is troublesome to come and go between Luoyang and Yangzhou in response to an attack."
Cao Xiu bowed and said, "I have also been considering this. Your Majesty, please send me to Shouchun to oversee military affairs on the front lines."
Cao Rui stood up, looking at Cao Xiu: "The southeastern war will be a burden on you, Grand Marshal. The Cao family's heritage is not easily obtained, and you must be cautious!"
Cao Xiu replied seriously, "Your Majesty, do not worry. As long as I am in the southeast for a day, I will ensure that Eastern Wu cannot cross our borders."
Cao Rui said, "With you there, I am naturally at ease. However, should someone also go to supervise the military affairs in Jingzhou?"
A few people looked at each other. Cao Zhen saw the situation and wanted to take over himself.
But to the surprise of everyone present, Cao Rui looked at Chen Qun, who was sitting in his seat.
"Chen Premier is a senior statesman of the state. Would you be willing to serve as my commander-in-chief for the Jingzhou military affairs to relieve my concerns?"
