If a nation can exist long and be maintained, what is needed is the "mercy and virtue" two words.
The so-called "virtue" refers to actions such as righting the wronged and punish the guilty, stabilizing the seas, and caring for the country and its people. When a nation can bring a stable life to its citizens and continuously ensure the normal functioning of society without causing chaos, this is what constitutes the virtue of a nation.
The so-called 'mercy' refers to situations such as 'benefiting from the country's favor' or 'repeatedly receiving imperial favors'. A nation provides positions for officials and nobles, as well as a stage for individuals to advance, making this the 'mercy' of a nation.
The combined reign of the Han Dynasty spanning four centuries indeed amassed a substantial amount of 'virtue' that nurtured many elite figures who would die for the Han. However, what about Wei? After all, even the seventh year of Huangjī (Yellow Dragon) has not passed yet. How much 'virtue' can Wei accumulate in such a short time?
Then it can only be about the 'mercy'.
When Cao Pi was crowned the king and emperor of Wei, he had previously granted massive rewards to his subordinates twice. Now, Cao Rui wants to continue to make officials and generals loyal. Does he have to do one-on-one counseling or rely on his personal charm to win their hearts? Of course, promoting them in their ranks is a quicker way.
But when it comes to granting official positions and titles, if you were to rank the priority, it would certainly be those courtiers closest to the emperor who are given preference first. While everyone is supposed to be equal, there will always be some who are more equal than others.
The term "close advisors" refers to four Imperial Concilors like Liu Ye, Xin Pi, Huang Quan, and Chen Jiao, as well as two Secretaries of the Palace like Liu Fang and Sun Zi.
Among these six, Liu Ye and Sun Zi, who were originally only classified as a "guanlinhou," were promoted to "tinghou." The four others - Xin Pi, Huang Quan, Chen Jiao, and Liu Fang - who were already "tinghou," were each upgraded to the next level - "xianghou."
A promotion in their local titles by one grade, and everyone was delighted.
Even the 14-year-old Zhong Yu, who is almost 15, was given a marquess title.
This is the advantage of being a close advisor to the emperor.
And the ministers of the outer court, from the three dukes and nine marquises to the generals governing various regions, many of them also received promotions in their titles or fiefdoms. Even Meng Da, known as Meng Zi Du, far away in the Xin Chengjun area of the southwest, was promoted from a tinghou to an xianghou, and he also got the position of Anxi General, which was taken from Xiahou Mogu.
It's natural for everyone to be delighted when the emperor orders promotions and rewards.
At this time in Luoyang, the biggest news other than the awards was that the emperor would be taking a southern tour in ten days.
Since it's a southern tour, the exact location hasn't been announced, but according to the customs of Cao Cao and Cao Pi, it's likely that Xuchang, Chenliu, and Qiao County are the main choices.
Many ordinary people in Luoyang don't understand what an emperor's tour entails, thinking it's just like the emperor's carriage leaving the city of Luoyang to go sightseeing elsewhere, like ordinary people going on tours or doing affairs in neighboring counties.
But those with some insight among the scholars, officials, and civil servants know that an emperor's tour is vastly different. Especially in these times, the Imperial Guard must accompany the emperor on his tour.
There are a total of 50,000 troops in the Central Army within Luoyang City and its vicinity. Such a large-scale army, whether it's logistics and deployment or the movement of troops, cannot be concealed. Anyone who observes the deployment of the Central Army during the emperor's tour can roughly ascertain whether it is a genuine 'tour' or an opportunity for some military action.
This is a tradition!
Han Gaodi Liu Bang also once manipulated military and state affairs during his tour. At that time, someone submitted a complaint accusing Hui He of plotting rebellion, so Chen Ping suggested to Liu Bang 'pseudo tour Yunmeng', using the name of the tour to summon Hui He and capture him.
As for what the emperor plans to do during this southern tour, who can say for sure?
The grand audience on the first day of December was held in the morning. With so many officials appointed by the emperor in the audience, it became the hottest news in Luoyang recently, and by afternoon, it was already spreading everywhere.
If it's a state secret, it can be kept quiet. But when officials are appointed by the emperor, they're allowed to go out and talk about it, aren't they?
Sima Yi, the eldest son of Sima Ji, who was studying at the Taixue Academy, was on his way home after finishing his studies for the day when he heard people talking about his father being appointed as one of the Three Dukes.
What great news! Our Sima family is now a noble family.
Sima Shi felt like his body was floating. After receiving a lot of compliments and polite words, Sima Shi rushed back to his family home as soon as he arrived, and headed straight to his father's study.
Sima Shi pushed the door open directly, his eyes fixed on his father sitting behind the desk, reading documents.
Sima Shi grinned and said, "Son, I wish you could be as happy as I am. What does father feel at this moment?"
Sima Yi had always been strict in his family, only allowing his eldest son Sima Shi to enter the study without knocking. Even his wife Zhang Chunhua and second son Sima Zhao were not allowed to do so.
Sima Yi didn't raise his head upon hearing the words; instead, he smiled slightly at the corner of his mouth as he continued to read the documents, "Is it Zi Yuan who has returned? Did you hear the news at the Taixue Academy?"
Sima Shi turned around to close the door of the study, sitting down by himself, "I didn't hear it at the Taixue Academy. I heard it on my way home. People I know say that father, at this age, becoming a Threefold Official is truly a pillar of the country and a benefactor to society."
Sima Yi looked up at his son with a smile, "Father becoming a Threefold Official has nothing to do with them. These people have nothing but ulterior motives. They are trying to use this opportunity to flatter and praise you so that they can make friends with you."
"Zi Yuan, one should act according to the principle of moderation. Did the Taixue Academy teach you about moderation?"
Sima Shi answered, "Of course, I have been taught about it. The concept of 'moderation' is to be neither too much nor too little, but to be just right."
"You are asking me to act according to moderation, which should mean that I neither resist nor show my liking for others' flattery, but follow the original rules as usual."
Sima Yi nodded slightly, "Since that's the case, father doesn't need to say more to you."
"By the way, there's another thing," Sima Yi said. "Your uncle has been sent by the emperor to the Western Regions to assist the new Western Regions Administrator Xiahou Bailu in governing the Western Regions. He is also stationed in Wuwei."
Sima Shi exclaimed in surprise, "Does the emperor plan to harm my uncle? Why would he send my uncle to such a remote and desolate place?"
"Don't talk nonsense!" Sima Yi said with a slightly reproving tone: "The Western Regions are in great need of capable people now. As a subject, how can one refuse an appointment just because it's far from the Central Plains?"
"Moreover, your uncle has been idling in the Bureau of Horses and Carts for several months, thinning out. Now that he has been appointed as the head of the Supply Department, he is quite pleased."
Sima Shi said in confusion, "The head of the Supply Department, since it carries the title of a 'commandant', must be a 'two thousand grains of rice'?"
Sima Yi nodded slightly.
"That's okay. Two thousand grains of rice are nothing." Sima Shi moved his shoulders and said, "However, what does the head of the Supply Department mean?"
Sima Yi replied, "The Western Regions are located on the border. The counties are too far apart to coordinate easily. The responsibilities of the head of the Supply Department include helping the Administrator of the Western Regions manage civil affairs and managing trade with the Western Regions."
"The Western Regions are quite vast, and they have been outside the governance of the Central Plains for a long time. If your uncle goes to Wuwei, he should be able to achieve some accomplishments quite easily."
Sima Shi furrowed his brow, "With the Western Regions? The Five-Ching coin was banned by the previous emperor, how can there be money for trade?"
Sima Yi said, "Can the court ban something and completely prevent it? How many Luoyang officials are there in the Western Regions, and aren't they still being used as needed?"
Sima Yi paused and continued, "Zi Yuan, father has always had you study classics, but it seems now you should also learn about civil affairs. Just like the matter of trade in the Western Regions, the Five-Ching coin is naturally still in use. Besides money, silk and linens are also quite commonly used."
"I will tell you a few more words. Since the frequent unrest of the Qiang people in the Han Dynasty, trade between the Central Plains and the Western Regions has been interrupted. After a few years ago, trade with the Western Regions was reestablished, but it was not on a large scale. The people of the Western Regions either traded in Dunhuang or reached as far as Wuwei, the capital of the Western Regions, very rarely reaching Chang'an and Luoyang as in the Han Dynasty."
"And the trade of the Western Regions is not only with the people of the Western Regions, but also includes bartering with precious items such as gold, jade, gems, horses, medicinal herbs from the Western Regions for fine cloth and silk from the Central Plains. Plus, there are salt pools in the Western Regions, and there is also trade between various groups of nomads in the state and counties with Qiang tribes."
Born into a scholar's family, Sima Shi had never valued money or goods much, only taking it as his father's way of educating him. After hearing his father's words, Sima Shi nodded, "Son understands. As long as uncle is worry-free in the Western Regions, that's good enough."
Sima Shi said, "Speaking of the Western Regions, I did meet some classmates from the Western Regions in the Taixue Academy. Most of them are from prominent families in the Western Regions and even one was taken as a disciple by Zheng Chun."
"Zheng Chun?" Sima Yi asked. "Is it the Zheng Chun who came from the Eastern Palace and is the nephew of Zheng Yan? Why would he take a disciple?"
Sima Shi shook his head slightly, "Professor Zheng Chun manages the Taixue Academy, so how would I know why he is taking a disciple. However, this person is from Tianshui Commandery and seems quite different from the scholars from Henan. Not only does his accent sound slightly different, but it is also said that he served as a military advisor in the commandery."
Tianshui Commandery... Longyou... Western Regions...
Sima Yi was not too concerned just now, but after Sima Shi mentioned Tianshui, some small details seemed to connect.
Sima Yi asked, "When did Zheng Chun take a disciple?"
Sima Shi replied, "It was just yesterday. Although the people from the Western Regions read quite diligently, they don't have much social interaction with other scholars. I am not familiar with him either. I wonder how Professor Zheng chose him."
However, at this moment, Sima Yi was thinking about something other than the lucky scholar who had been chosen as Zheng Chun's disciple.
The emperor had just appointed the Director of the Yong-Liang (Yin-Liang) Military District and the Governor of the Western Regions, and had issued a series of policies to win over the Longyou region, all of which Sima Yi, as the Grand Secretary, could see.
It is now unprecedented for Zheng Chun to personally take on a disciple.
The emperor is thinking so meticulously, is he planning the Yong-Liang region? Who came up with this idea?
Thinking to himself, Sima Yi turned his head to look at Sima Shi.
"Zi Yuan, the affairs of the Taixue Academy were under the care of Zhong Taifu at that time, along with Zhao Gao Long. Father does not have a thorough understanding of the various affairs of the Taixue Academy. It seems that the Taixue Academy is also being valued by the emperor."
"Go to the Taixue Academy tomorrow and investigate the conditions of the students from various regions. Then come back and tell me."
Sima Shi replied, "Father, I remember that about a month ago, I heard someone say that excellent performance in the Taixue might also result in government appointments."
Is the Taixue Academy selecting officials?
Sima Yi took a light breath. He was increasingly unable to figure out what the emperor was thinking. Or rather, he had never really understood the emperor's thoughts.
(Chapter ends)
