The following afternoon, after receiving the imperial edict, General Xiahou Mogu, who was in charge of military affairs in Guanzhong, entered the palace.
The Eunuch escort Zongyu led Xiahou Mogu to the emperor's study. After all, he was the son of Zhong Taiya, though only fourteen years old, he was quite capable for receiving and sending people.
Cao Rui, upon seeing Xiahou Mogu arrive, did not wait for him to pay respects before directly asking, "General Xiahou, why have you slandered me?"
Hearing this, Xiahou Mogu immediately knelt down, his head bowed low, and said, "I am guilty, please Your Majesty punish me."
Cao Rui raised his head, gazing at the figure of Xiahou Mogu kneeling on the ground and said, "What crime do I punish you for? Why didn't you explain it to me when you came to the palace?"
Xiahou Mogu only bowed his head heavily on the ground without any more words.
Cao Rui shook his head slightly upon seeing this and slowly walked over to Xiahou Mogu's side.
Upon hearing the footsteps, Xiahou Mogu knew that the emperor had come, and for a moment, he was quite frightened and quickly raised his head.
However, contrary to Xiahou Mogu's expectations, the emperor's expression was not one of anger, but rather a touch of pity.
Cao Rui stood two steps away from Xiahou Mogu and spoke softly, "I have already had the Secret Police investigate this matter. They have apprehended your two younger brothers in Chang'an, weren't they Xiahou Zizang and Xiahou Zijiang?"
"They were the ones who wrote the memorial for Qinghe Princess, who is also my aunt."
Cao Rui bent over and took Xiahou Mogu's arm, helping him up.
Cao Rui said, "I know it was not your fault, and I have also obtained the confession of your two brothers. Qinghe Princess believed false accusations and deceived the emperor; Xiahou Zizang and Xiahou Zijiang betrayed their elder brother. These three are truly guilty."
"I will hand over the confessions of the two men to the Supreme Court for punishment. Xiahou General, I promise to clear your name."
Upon hearing this, Xiahou Mogu sighed deeply, "Your Majesty, the mistakes made by my wife and younger brother are ultimately due to my failure as a husband and elder brother."
"Your servant humbly requests to resign from office and return home, and also wishes that Your Majesty could forgive my wife and my two younger brothers."
Cao Rui also expressed his feelings, "Yes, you are right. The mistakes of your family members can naturally be attributed to you. Can the mistakes of my officials also be attributed to me?"
Cao Rui returned to his chair, looking at Xiahou Mogu, who stood there helplessly with a rather disheartened expression, and said, "However, you have attracted much trouble by marrying many concubines outside and causing discord within your household. Although it is not a crime, your responsibility is also unavoidable."
"All right, you will stay in Luoyang and serve as a Secretary-General for a term. After all, you have served as a military governor before. I will also grant you the title of Grand Adviser and add the position of Prime Minister, can't you say that I am not treating you unfairly?"
The term "Grand Adviser" is not a specific official position but rather a political honor that allows its holder to rank after the Three Grand Secretaries and before the Nine Ministers in court meetings. Xiahou Mogu, as a military governor of Guanzhong, held a position equivalent to that of the Nine Ministers. By adding the title of Grand Adviser, he was indeed well treated.
Xiahou Mogu bowed deeply, "Your Majesty's kindness is beyond my capacity to repay. I am well aware that I lack the ability to command troops and that I was overambitious in occupying the position of military governor. Now, staying in Luoyang as a Secretary-General is like shedding a heavy burden. Regarding the matter in Chang'an, I humbly ask Your Majesty to choose another capable and wise person to handle it."
Cao Rui nodded and asked, "What is the current situation of military affairs in Guanzhong? Tell me the truth."
Although Xiahou Mogu was not particularly skilled in military campaigns, he was still familiar with the situation under his jurisdiction. He slowly said, "In my view, since the death of Liu Bei, there have been no battles in Fengling for a long time, which is certainly not comparable to Jingzhou and Yangzhou."
Xiahou Mogu's words are indeed true. In the original history, after Liu Bei's death, the attention of the Cao Wei regime was primarily focused on the war against the Eastern Wu, largely ignoring the threat from Shu Han.
This is indeed logical! Shu Han, a small nation with few people and limited strength, suffered two devastating defeats in losing Jingzhou and the Battle of Yiling. With what strength can it threaten Fengling by crossing the Qinling Mountains?
Therefore, when in history Zhuge Liang made his first northern campaign, the three commanderies of Long Right successively rebelled, even causing a stir among the court and the people in Luoyang. This was indeed unexpected.
Cao Rui understood these things. As long as the people of Yong Province take their time, they can gradually achieve their goals without worrying about Zhuge Liang's Northern Campaign for another year.
Currently, the Cao Wei regime has about 40,000 troops in total, consisting of 20,000 foreign troops stationed in Chang'an and Mi counties, and approximately 20,000 state-garrisoned troops in Meng state.
It is still somewhat weak. However, at this time, the Cao Wei regime is preparing to fight against the Eastern Wu, and there is no immediate opportunity to reinforce the military strength in Yong Province.
Cao Rui looked at Xiahou Mogu and asked, "After you return to Luoyang from Chang'an, what do you think should be done with the affairs in Chang'an?"
Xiahou Mogu paused for a moment before saying, "It might be better to station the General in Chang'an? If the affairs of Guanzhong are entrusted to the General, Your Majesty will undoubtedly be at ease."
Xiahou Mogu was unaware that the court was planning to wage war against the Eastern Wu, and since Cao Rui also intended to keep Cao Zhen by his side to manage the central army, it was even less likely that Cao Zhen would be sent away.
Cao Rui looked at Xiahou Mogu and said, "The duty of the General is not in Yong Province. I have other places where I need the General's talents. Do you have any other suggestions for me?"
After a moment of thought, Xiahou Mogu shook his head and said that he had no idea: "Besides the General, in the Cao family and Xiahou family, it seems there are no other suitable candidates."
Cao Rui nodded: "I understand. You may go now. Take care of your family affairs and do not trouble me anymore."
Xiahou Mogu naturally agreed.
In fact, Xiahou Mogu's thinking has significant limitations, or the Cao Wei regime's approach has always had significant limitations.
Since the beginning of his entrepreneurial endeavors, Cao Cao received significant support from the Cao and Xiahou clans. Owing to the unstable situation in the world, commanders who supervised various armies were generally appointed from among these families.
Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Cao Ren, Cao Hong, Cao Xiu, Xiahou Shang, and Cao Zhen were all respected and trusted by the court. They were close friends or relations and contributed greatly to the achievements of the court.
By the time Cao Wei came to power, he appointed Xiahou Mogu to manage Yong Province and Xiahou Shang to manage Jing Province.
It was not a problem to always entrust real power positions to the relatives of the Xiahou and Cao clans when they were abundant with talents. However, people grow old and die. When the first and second generations of elite figures from the Cao and Xiahou clans were mostly gone, to whom could one entrust these important regional positions?
Can it be given to scholars? Of course, it is not possible. As military achievements and noble status were originally positions against the wealthy and influential families, how could scholars be given the responsibility of military affairs?
The essence of the imperial court lies in balance, which naturally requires a batch of military aristocrats who do not bear the Cao or Xiahou surnames. They need to be given actual power and sufficient political status to avoid the adverse consequences of scholars taking command.
Taking the so-called "Five Famous Generals" as an example, which one truly independently led troops and guarded a region on their own?
When a commander is outstanding, but finds the ceiling to be formed by people with surnames like Cao or Xiahou, will he fight to protect the Cao family?
The answer seems to be no.
