Cao Rui is preparing to appoint Ji Jǐ as the Middle Guard Commander.
The Middle Guard Commander is a key position responsible for the selection and allocation of military officers.
According to convention, key military positions like the Middle Guard Commander are typically nominated by the Grand General and then approved by the emperor.
However, since Cao Rui took office, important military positions such as the Yue Raojiang and the Middle Guard Commander have always been directly appointed by the emperor without consulting Cao Zhen.
As the General in Command of the Army, Cao Zhen now faces embarrassment.
Cao Zhen has indeed been loyal and dedicated to the Great Wei, and has no other loyalty but to the emperor. Such a loyal minister can't just directly ask the emperor after he has given the order, "Why didn't you ask me?"
Unsuitable.
Upon hearing that Emperor Cao Rui was to appoint Ji Jǐ as the Middle Guard Commander, Cao Zhen bowed and asked: "Your Majesty, before that, the middle army was led by Chen Qun, and the Middle Guard Commander was also held by Chen Qun. Since the Middle Guard Commander has been selected as Ji Jǐ, who should be the leader of the Middle Leader?"
The Middle Leader, or the Commander of the Army, is actually the direct leader of the middle army. In short, it is Xu Chu's direct superior.
The person in this position, with a relatively short career, is called the Middle Leader, while those with a more established career are called the Commander of the Army.
If they are high-ranking officials in the state, such as Cao Zhen as the General in Command of the Army and Chen Qun as the General of the Town, they can directly command the middle army.
The same position, but with different titles based on the level of seniority.
Yes, that's correct.
Cao Rui thought for a moment and smilingly said, "General in Command of the Army, do you remember Cao Chun?"
Cao Zhen replied, "I certainly remember, Marquis Cao Chun, who led the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, was a national hero during the reign of Emperor Wu. Marquis Cao Huo and I have also led the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry."
Cao Rui continued, "When I reviewed the ancient records, I found a passage. After the death of Marquis Cao Chun, the officials presented a proposal to Emperor Wu about who should be appointed to lead the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry. Do you know what Emperor Wu said?"
Cao Zhen slightly shook his head: "This matter might be known to Marquis Cao Huo, but I am not aware of it."
Cao Rui said with a smile, "At that time, Emperor Wu said, 'Why can't I directly be the commander of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry?'"
"Now, I also wish to personally lead the middle army. What do you think, General in Command of the Army?"
"Cao Zhen's eyes widened in surprise, and his advice was stammered back. "Your Majesty, this is……"
Cao Rui's intention to personally lead the middle army was something that Cao Zhen had never expected.
Leaving aside whether the emperor has time to manage this military affair, the fact that the twenty-three-year-old emperor has no experience in leading troops, and that the emperor personally leads five thousand troops in the middle army, is not a reliable idea.
Cao Zhen has no ambition. For decades, he has fought in the front lines, risking his life, and can be called brave in taking on responsibilities. Moreover, out of respect for the emperor, Cao Zhen really doesn't have anything to say.
Cao Zhen is not a specialized official responsible for giving advice. As a leading military official of the royal family, if he actively prevents the emperor from leading the middle army, what is he doing? Is he trying to wield power, or is he making the emperor a puppet?
Moreover, the late Emperor Cao Pi has already established a worse precedent. Zhu Shuo, Chen Qun, and Wei Zhen, who are all pure scholars, can lead the middle army. With such a precedent set beforehand, it becomes even more difficult to dissuade the emperor.
Cao Zhen paused for a moment and then said, "Your Majesty truly has the style of Emperor Wu. I think this matter is very good, and if there are any issues with the middle army, Your Majesty can always turn to me."
"Emperor Wu's style..." not only did he like to take advantage of other people's wives, but Cao Rui just thought about it and couldn't make a joke with the two officials.
Upon hearing this, Cao Rui nodded and said, "Compared to the middle army, the affairs of the outer army are much more difficult. Moreover, I also plan to enhance the combat power of the outer army. These complex matters will be a great burden on General in Command of the Army."
The army of the Cao Wei was divided into three categories: the middle army stationed in Luoyang, the outer army garrisoned at the borders, and the regional armies of various states and counties within the interior.
Faced with the emperor's request, Cao Zhen naturally agreed to it.
The meeting in the study room had already ended. After Cao Zhen and Sima Yi left, Cao Rui also returned to the palace to visit Mao's pregnant concubine.
Mao Bing was less than a month pregnant, but Cao Rui was still very interested and pressed his ear against her abdomen.
To no avail, there was no sound of a child's voice, as Mao Bing had only recently become pregnant.
Seeing Cao Rui's enthusiastic expression, Mao Bing smiled and said, "If our child is born, the emperor must give him a good name."
Choosing a name has always been a troublesome matter.
While Cao Rui and Mao Bing were discussing names, Sima Yi had already returned to the Office of the Secretary.
After Cao Xu and Chen Qun went to administer Yuzhou and Jingzhou, respectively, along with Chen Jiao's promotion to Viscount, Sima Yi had become the only supporter in the Office of the Secretary.
As for Cao Zhen, having requested it himself and with Cao Rui's approval, he had already moved back to his own General's Mansion. Previously, with the four of them gathered together, they could even hold a meeting or have enough people to play Mahjong. Now, with only Sima Yi and Cao Zhen left, it was quite an awkward situation.
Sima Yi walked straight into Ji Jǐ's office at the Office of the Secretary.
Ji Jǐ was relatively short and stout, busy reviewing documents at the desk. Upon seeing Sima Yi enter the room, he didn't get up but smiled and said, "Zhongda, you owe me a drink and haven't given it to me yet. How dare you have the face to come here?"
Sima Yi showed no sign of anger, standing at the doorway and saying, "If I didn't come, who else would be willing to chat with this wine lover of yours?"
Ji Jǐ laughed loudly, stood up and patted Sima Yi on the shoulder. From behind, Ji Jǐ pushed Sima Yi to his own seat and then sat down next to him.
Sima Yi said, "Zitong, has your leg pain improved?"
Ji Jǐ softly laughed, "No harm done, though it hasn't gotten better yet, but at least it won't kill anyone. Zhongda, you just came back from the palace?"
Sima Yi shook his head: "You'd better take care of yourself. The emperor summoned me and Cao Zhen to discuss the Battle of Jingzhou, and we just came back from the North Palace."
Ji Jǐ asked, "How is the battle in Jingzhou going?"
Sima Yi replied, "What else can there be to say? Jiangxia is a place that's easy to defend and hard to attack. Wen Pin has been there for eighteen years, so he's bound to hold it this time."
"Furthermore, there hasn't been any movement on the sides of Guangling and Hefei. It's likely that Sun Quan's attack on Jingzhou and Yangzhang this time is more of a test."
Ji Jǐ continued to ask, "And what about Yangzhang?"
Sima Yi sniffed and laughed, "Sun Quan sent Zhuge Jin to attack Yangzhang, which is obviously a move to let Chen Qun pick up some merit."
Ji Jǐ also laughed, "Then the court might as well send me instead."
Sima Yi looked at Ji Jǐ, "In fact, I have a place for you. The emperor intends to appoint you as the Middle Guard Commander."
Ji Jǐ wore an expression of disbelief: "To make me the Middle Guard Commander, but I've already been the General of the Eastern Middle Command! wasn't Chen Jiao appointed as Viscount? Why not promote me to Prime Minister of the Secretariat?"
Sima Yi gave Ji Jǐ a look and said, "How about you become the Prime Minister of the Secretariat? My position, let me sit in it."
Ji Jǐ laughed heartily.
Sima Yi had served for many years and had good relationships with many people in official matters. During the late Han dynasty, the Chancellor Xun Yu had even recommended Sima Yi.
However, in terms of personal relations, Sima Yi was somewhat cold in character and had relatively few friends outside official matters.
And Ji Jǐ was one of the few close friends that Sima Yi had.
