Luoyang, the Northern Palace.
Cao Rui leaned back in his reclining chair, holding a newly made feather fan and gently fanning the wind. He didn't know if Zhuge Liang's image at this moment was that of a man with a feather fan and a turban.
The recliner indeed became more comfortable. Under the order of Cao Rui, the soft cushions for the imperial study recliner have been iterated through several versions. The first version was wrapped in tiger skin, but it was quite hot to sit on. The second version, made of rabbit skin, was too slippery, and the final version, which used deer skin, was quite decent.
Having tiger skin, there are tiger meat. The Imperial Officer once asked the emperor if he wanted to try the taste of tiger meat, but after learning that the Royal Kitchen had no experience in cooking tiger meat, Cao Rui still smiled and rejected it.
At this moment, the Grand Chancellor Sun Zi was standing directly in front of the emperor's reclining chair, reporting to the emperor the intelligence collected by the Ministry of Police over the past few days.
The Ministry of Police was a special intelligence agency first established by Cao Cao. The main responsibility of the inspectors was to spy on the court officials and monitor the political movements of the influential aristocratic families, hence many of the officials in the Ministry of Police came from humble backgrounds.
The head of the Ministry of Police was known as the General Officer of the Caring Military, even though his official grade was higher than that of a magistrate (twenty thousand grains), he was often despised by the high-ranking ministers at that time.
During Cao Cao's reign, the heads of the Ministry of Police were Lu Hong and Zhao Da. They gained the attention of the entire court by probing into the information of high officials, leading to a popular saying at the time: "We do not fear Lord Cao, but we fear Lu Hong; Lu Hong is tolerable, but Zhao Da will kill us."
The power of the Ministry of Police was largely like this.
In the court, the actual leader of the General Officer of the Caring Military was originally Cao Cao's secretarial system. Since Cao Wei succeeded Han with Wei, the secretaries were renamed to Middle Secretaries. Liu Fang, the Middle Secretary supervisor, and Sun Zi, the Middle Secretary supervisor, took over Cao Wei's domestic intelligence work.
Just based on their control of important matters and responsibility for intelligence, it is not at all excessive for Cao Cao, Cao Pi, and Cao Rui to place great trust in Liu Fang and Sun Zi.
Sun Zi was in charge of important matters, and his daily work included reporting to the emperor, making him very familiar with the emperor's study. The emperor leaned back in his reclining chair and listened to the report, which had become routine for him.
Sun Zi held the document and asked, "Your Majesty, this is the brief report from the Ministry of Police over the past three days. May I proceed with my report?"
Seeing Cao Rui nod, Sun Zi slowly said, "The Ministry of Police in Hebei reported that General Zhang Wei, who is also the military supervisor of all military affairs in Hebei under a commission, Wu Zhi, publicly cursed the Prefect of Wei Commandery, Zheng Hun, at a banquet in Ye City after becoming drunk. He said that the Zheng family were dogs of the Yuan clan."
Cao Rui's face looked a bit awkward: "Wu Zhi dared to behave like this while drunk? Zheng Hun is at least a magistrate-general, and he is also someone who can be directly sworn at?"
Sun Zi said, "Zheng Hun's elder brother is Zheng Tai. In the past, when Dong Zhuo moved the capital to Chang'an, Zheng Tai, who was then a Secretary, also went to Chang'an with Dong Zhuo. Later, he moved south to join Yuan Shu."
Dong Zhuo and Yuan Shu could not be considered good people, but Wu Zhi's insult was too severe.
Sun Zi noticed Cao Rui's confusion and immediately explained, "Your Majesty, Wu Zhi has always been arrogant due to his favoritism. During the time of the late emperor, Wu Zhi boasted that he was favored by the late emperor and even dared to insult General Cao Ren at a banquet."
Cao Rui was not angry, he just found it novel; he had never seen such a brazen person before. "Wu Zhi dared to insult Cao Ren? How did he do it?"
Sun Zi faintly remembered and said, "Knowing Wu Zhi's previous relationship with the late emperor. The late emperor often corresponded with Wu Zhi about literature during his time in Hebei."
Cao Rui nodded, indicating that he was aware of this.
Sun Zi said, "In the fifth year of the Huangchu era, when Wu Zhi returned to the capital from Hebei to pay homage, the late emperor ordered all senior officials to dine at Wu Zhi's home. He also sent wine and food from the Tai Officer, who was in charge of food in the palace, to Wu Zhi's home."
"Wu Zhi's drinking habits have always been poor. That day, there were many people at the table, and Wu Zhi saw that Cao Zhen was obese and Zhu Shuo was thin, so he ordered acrobats and performers to come, for them to comment on the two men's body weight."
'This...' Cao Rui was at a loss for words.
Cao Rui asked, "Could Cao Zhen endure that?"
Sun Zi shook his head: "Cao Zhen was then the Grand Commander of the Superior Army and in charge of military affairs both inside and outside the capital. Compared to Wu Zhi, he was a family member, and how could he endure that? Cao Zhen got angry at that time, but people around him like Cao Hong and Wang Zhong kept trying to persuade him to sit down."
Cao Rui nodded: "Wu Zhi was indeed too much."
Sun Zi hesitated for a moment: "Your Majesty, there's more to this. Cao Zhen was so enraged that he drew his sword and said that if Wu Zhi dared to speak so trivially again, he would be killed. But Wu Zhi also placed his sword on the table and instead started to curse Cao Zhen."
"I wasn't intentionally remembering this matter, but... but this matter was too explosive, and I've never forgotten it."
Cao Rui was enjoying the story and took a sip of water to say, "Go on, go on!"
Sun Zi continued: "At that time, Wu Zhi cursed Cao Zhen, saying, 'Cao Zhen, you who are not worthy of the title of a butcher, Wu Zhi can swallow you without choking, chew you without teeth!'"
Cao Zhen boasted about his power and wealth, while Wu Zhi was arrogant due to his favoritism from the emperor. Neither of them was willing to give in. This old tale is still quite interesting to chew on.
Sun Zi said, "Zhu Shuo stood up to persuade Wu Zhi, but was also cursed by him. So Zhu Shuo angrily swung his sword at the ground, and the banquet ended in discord."
Cao Rui was also quite at a loss at this moment. Wu Zhi, relying on his favoritism from Cao Pi, dared to insult Cao Zhen in front of a crowd, and he was indeed arrogant due to his favoritism.
The relationship between Cao Pi and Wu Zhi was indeed good, differing from that of Cao Pi with Chen Qun, Sima Yi, and Zhu Shuo. The special thing about the communication between Cao Pi and Wu Zhi was that it was particularly extensive in terms of heart-to-heart connection.
Essentially an artistic young man, Cao Pi often wrote letters to Wu Zhi when he was in distress. The two often discussed literature and the human heart.
With such deep emotional connection as a basis, it is not surprising that Wu Zhi became arrogant due to his favoritism.
However, it was still inappropriate to openly insult Zheng Hun, a magistrate-general. Zheng Hun had done a commendable job in Wei Commandery. The emperor could compensate him for that later on.
As the melon ended, Cao Rui turned to Sun Zi and said, "Sun Zhongshu, continue."
Sun Zi continued: "The Ministry of Police in Shu Han reported that since last year's campaign against the southern region, Shu Han has begun selling Sichuan brocade through the Yizhou and Yongchang regions to the Daxia country, Pan Yue country, and Tianzhu country."
Cao Rui raised an eyebrow slightly. Could it be that Zhuge Liang had already begun international trade at this moment? With the Silk Road under the control of Cao Wei, it seems that Shu Han was selling Sichuan brocade from the direction of Yunnan to Southeast Asia and India.
There is still something to it.
Cao Rui asked, "How did our spies learn about this?"
Sun Zi replied, "Your Majesty, this matter is not actually secretive. There are many people who weave brocade in Chengdu, both in government workshops and in the homes of commoners. People also call Chengdu 'Jinli' (Brocade Town) and the river where the brocade is washed 'Jinjiang' (Brocade River)."
Chengdu! Cao Rui naturally knows about it. He has visited several famous attractions in Chengdu and even worshipped in the Chuanhou Temple.
Shu Han is using foreign trade to raise military funds…… After noting this in his heart, he signaled Sun Zi to continue.
Sun Zi cleared his throat: "A few days ago, Xuanyu's young son, Xu Zan, came from Yingchuan to Luoyang and debated with Fu Gu, who was known as a child prodigy in the northern territories. Hundreds of students from the Taixue (Imperial Academy) gathered to watch."
"Yesterday, He Yan and He Pingxiu again gathered many people at the Taixue (Imperial Academy), inviting Xun Can and Xiaodi Yuan, among others, for a joint debate."
Cao Rui frowned slightly: "It has been over a decade since Xuanyu died. How old is his son?"
Sun Zi answered, "Xun Can is only sixteen years old. Fu Gu is also just seventeen."
Cao Rui shook his head: "Just teenagers. What are they talking about?"
Sun Zi hesitated slightly and replied, "The emperor has also heard of the matter, and his majesty has ordered me to look into it. I will immediately start an investigation."
