Just now, I find Jiang Wei's words quite reasonable.
"The suffering of borderlands is not because of war, but because it costs the country's strength, wealth, and the lives of the people, even if they are defeated! So do I, along with my four ministers, the three officials, and all the officials in the Ministry of Documents. We all speak like this."
"I also hope that all the senior scholars in the academy will have national affairs in mind while studying, and if they are talents, I will definitely use them!"
......
The visit of the emperor's Imperial Academy felt like a stone dropped into a still lake, spreading outwards from Luoyang to all the prefectures and circuits.
The Emperor, as the supreme ruler of the realm, is ever mindful of the political implications of his actions. His recent announcement of the new year name 'Taiping' for next year at the Imperial Academy for the first time underscored its growing significance in public opinion.
Let alone the 'State Affairs Discussion at the Academy' this time, which has provided spiritual encouragement to scholars who uphold Confucian traditions. Even the governors and prefects of various states and counties have gone to their local academicians to 'inquire about the academic situation'.
Although I daren't use the words 'inquiry about government' like the emperor, it doesn't affect the local officials from imitating it!
Where there is leadership, there will follow emulation.
And several students who have discussed current affairs with the emperor, such as Fu Gu, Xiahou Xuan, and Jiang Wei, have also gained fame among the scholars of Luoyang and throughout the realm.
Among them, Xiahou Xuan and Jiang Wei were publicly praised, and the emperor even directly awarded Jiang Wei the title of Scribe-ridden Courtier, allowing both of them to accompany the emperor on his southern tour. This caused a wave of envy among all the Imperial Academy students.
Tomorrow is December 10th, which is the day when the emperor is planning to start his southern tour.
The North Palace, inside the emperor's study room.
At this time, the study of Cao Rui was filled only with Cao Rui and his personal secretary, Wei Zhen.
Since Cao Rui ascended the throne, more than six months had passed. Of the four ministers Cao Xu, Cao Zhen, Chen Qun and Sima Yi, Cao Xu was stationed in Yangzhou, Chen Qun was stationed in Jingzhou. There were only two ministers in Luoyang - Cao Zhen and Sima Yi.
General Cao Zhen, as the Grand General, oversees military affairs, while Sima Yi, as the Marquis of Si, acts as a recorder of the Ministry of Personnel and leads the Secretariat, overseeing state affairs. For this southern tour, Emperor Cao Rui will take both Cao Zhen and Sima Yi along with him.
The late Emperor Cao Pi undertook three campaigns against the Eastern Wu, with the first campaign seeing Cao Pi sitting in Wancheng. For the second and third campaigns, both of which saw Cao Pi personally traveling towards the southeast to Guangling, it was Sima Yi who remained in Xuchang to handle affairs and logistics for Cao Pi.
Now that Sima Yi is also heading south, who can take charge of the rear operations for Emperor Cao Rui?
After much thought, it seems that only Master Wei Zhen, the Minister of Personnel, could take charge.
Wei Zhen is currently sitting in the study, staring at Cao Rui with a serious expression and saying, "Battle is fierce and war is dangerous. I had originally intended to advise Your Majesty not to personally go to the front, but instead to command from behind the scenes in Xuchang or Qiao County."
"But I've thought about it for a while, and given the example of the late Emperor Wu and Emperor Wen always leading the army in person during military campaigns, as well as the brilliance and valor of Your Majesty, how could I possibly persuade you to stay in the rear?"
"I only hope that Your Majesty understands that as one person, you bear the weight of the whole world. Regardless of the situation, I hope Your Majesty will not risk your own safety."
Cao Rui replied with a serious expression, "Years ago, when I was in the Eastern Palace, I had already understood Master Wei's true devotion to me. Although this campaign against the Eastern Wu was triggered by the deception of surrendering to them, in the end it was a well-prepared attack against an unprepared foe. I will take care of myself, Master Wei, please do not worry."
Besides Cao Xu and Cao Zhen of the Cao family, among the heavyweights, Emperor Cao Rui can entrust with state affairs in earnest, Wei Zhen is likely to be ranked first.
Wei Zhen said, "I have one word and one question to propose, Your Majesty. I hope you will grant me your instruction."
Cao Rui smiled and said, "Master Wei, do you know that when I sent Chen Qun to Jingxiang, Chen Qun was also one word and one question."
Wei Zhen said, "Chen Gong is the pillar of the state. My words will certainly differ from those of Chen Gong."
Cao Rui nodded, gazing intently at Wei Zhen's eyes: "Please go ahead, Master Wei."
Wei Zhen's expression remains serious: "If Your Majesty embarks on a southern tour and military campaign, please choose someone reliable to command the rear."
"Wei Zhen, the Imperial Master, is willing to oversee matters in Luoyang on behalf of Your Majesty."
Upon hearing Wei Zhen's words, Emperor Cao Rui rose and bowed to Wei Zhen, who was seated on the mat, with a gesture of respect: "Master Wei's words are truly in line with the spirit of doing what is right and proper! With Master Wei in Luoyang, I have no worries about the rear."
Seeing the emperor bow to himself, Wei Zhen was taken aback for a moment before rising and returning the gesture with respect: "Your Majesty, I am not worthy to promise many things to You, but I can assure You that as long as my head is still attached to my shoulders, I will ensure that Luoyang remains safe for You."
At this time, Emperor Cao Rui did not speak. After walking around the study for a few rounds with his back to the walkway, he asked: "Master Wei, I promote you to be the Grand Master of the Secretariat and Act as the Imperial Commissioner of Equality."
"Is this arrangement, Master Wei, to your satisfaction?"
"The position of Grand Master of the Secretariat leads the administration of the Secretariat and does not require further explanation. In the past, notable officials such as Xun Yu, Chen Qun, and Chen Jiao have held this position and led state affairs."
The position of Imperial Commissioner of Equality is much more sensitive. The Imperial Commissioner of Equality oversees all matters related to the court and the Capital's immediate area, holding the power to lodge complaints, conduct trials, and arrest any officials or nobles.
As early as the Western Han dynasty, the position of the Imperial Commissioner of Equality was significant due to its central location in the government and its important responsibilities in investigating officials. It was a key post in the struggles among eunuchs, members of the royal family, and scholars.
In the past, after the death of Emperor Huan, the military general He Jin wanted to fully eliminate eunuchs, so he appointed Yuan Shao as the Imperial Commissioner of Equality. Yuan Shao thus eradicated the eunuchs. Even after Cao Cao welcomed and presented the last emperor, he had once held this position himself to enhance his power.
At this moment, Wei Zhen was also quite flustered and respectfully said, "How can Your Majesty entrust such an important position to the subject? The subject's original intention was simply to request the position of Imperial Commissioner of Equality."
Upon hearing Wei Zhen's words, Emperor Cao Rui shook his head slightly. Since the incident involving Chen Jiao and Sima Fu, Cao Rui had intended to abolish the position of Grand Master of the Secretariat. However, with Wei Zhen now in charge of the rear operations and Wei Zhen's important responsibilities in government, if he did not appoint Wei Zhen as Grand Master of the Secretariat, how could it demonstrate Wei Zhen's significance in authority?
Wei Zhen continued, "Does Your Majesty intend to take away the authority and responsibilities of the Marquis of Si as you take him on your southern tour?"
After a moment of silence, Emperor Cao Rui nodded.
Wei Zhen continued, "As Your Majesty values the subject highly, the subject will certainly be candid in front of Your Majesty. The subject has already guessed Your Majesty's intention."
"I remember in August this year, when the news came from Jianshao that Wu troops had crossed the border, that same night the subject discussed national affairs with Your Majesty. Your Majesty then mentioned that you would dispatch two ministers to serve as regional governors. Although you did not explicitly state it at the time, I had some suspicions."
"When Your Majesty took away Chen Jiao's position as Grand Master of the Secretariat and appointed him as a Councillor of State without filling the position, my thoughts became even clearer."
Wei Zhen continued, "If Your Majesty entrusts the affairs of the Secretariat to the subject, please grant the subject the position of Secretary-General. The position of Grand Master of the Secretariat should not be appointed in the future."
Emperor Cao Rui squinted his eyes and looked at Wei Zhen's face: "Then I will grant you the authority to command with a false flag!"
Wei Zhen replied with a gesture of respect: "The subject accepts the order."
Emperor Cao Rui said, "Master Wei, do you know what to do in Luoyang?"
Wei Zhen nodded: "The subject also came to Luoyang when it was established and personally saw the arrangements left by the late Emperor in Yè City. How could I not know? Since Your Majesty has appointed me as Imperial Commissioner of Equality and granted me the authority to command with a false flag, I will surely watch over all officials and members of the royal family on behalf of Your Majesty."
Emperor Cao Rui gently shook his head: "Not only that, Master Wei, you also have the title of Councillor of State that was added by the late Emperor, don't you? Even within the Northern Palace, if there is any unrest, you can handle it on the spot."
The Northern Palace includes Empress Dowager Bian, Empress Dowager Guo, and the pregnant Concubine Ma for Emperor Cao Rui.
With three generations residing in the Northern Palace, and Ma's pregnancy pertaining to succession, how could Emperor Cao Rui, far away in Huainan, intervene if any incidents were to occur?
It can only be left to Wei Zhen to handle it.
Wei Zhen heard this and remained silent for a good while before looking up at the emperor and slowly asking, "Your Majesty may be overthinking this?"
Throughout history, the dangers within the palace were often not less than those in the outer court.
Empress Dowager Bian has a son in his prime in Yongqiu, Empress Dowager Guo is not Emperor Cao Rui's mother by blood, and Concubine Mao is pregnant. With Emperor Cao Rui about to embark on a journey, it is impossible to be too cautious.
Emperor Cao Rui immediately said, "Master Wei, matters of the imperial family are not things you should be ignorant of. It is up to you to ensure the safety of the palace for me."
Having reached this point, Wei Zhen could only agree repeatedly.
After a moment, Wei Zhen said, "Your Majesty, I have another question."
Emperor Cao Rui lightly inhaled and said, "Master Wei, please proceed."
Wei Zhen asked, "Your Majesty is about to wage war in Huainan. As previously discussed with the subject regarding Zhou Fang's deceitful surrender, I would like to ask Your Majesty, what are Your intentions for this southern tour?"
In terms of military operations, although one must adapt to the situation on the battlefield, the overall strategic direction should not be adjusted too much. Wei Zhen's question is also a suggestion to the emperor that regardless of the situation on the battlefield, he should have a boundary in mind for his use of force.
Indiscriminately expanding the war may lead to difficulties in providing logistics and supplies, as well as difficulties in mobilizing additional troops. This may cause a chain reaction of negative events that could lead to collapse.
Emperor Cao Rui thought for a moment and said, "Since Master Wei has asked, I will share the truth with you."
"This time, Zhou Fang deceived the enemy by surrendering with the Poyang commandery. I saw the report from General of the Great March, and Zhou Fang and the General had agreed in their correspondence at the beginning of January."
"Since the intention of the Eastern Wu is for the Great Marshal to march from Hefei to the west, via Anhui City and along the Wu River into the Yangtze, I have also chosen a location near Anhui City as the site of our battle."
"Now that the winter water levels are quite low, I have consulted Zhong Huajun Jiang Ji, who is well-versed in the water systems of Jiangsu and Anhui. The flow of the Wu River is already not very large. If we deploy troops in Anhui City, Eastern Wu's supplies and troops may not be able to be transported by the Wu River."
"My intention is, at most, to fight from Anhui City to Ankou, occupy Ankou, and then hold the north bank of the river, no longer advancing southward."
Wei Zhen, understanding the emperor's intention, nodded respectfully and did not say anything else.
In fact, in the central administration of today's court, if one person were to be chosen to be in charge of all matters in Luoyang on behalf of the emperor, other than Wei Zhen, there would be no more suitable candidate.
Wei Zhen and the Cao family have the friendship of being from the same hometown. Wei Zhen's father, Wei Zi, spent all his family's wealth to support Cao Cao in raising an army. The Wei family can be considered as one of the original shareholders with a pure background.
Emperor Wu Cao Cao and Emperor Wen Cao Pi both greatly trusted Wei Zhen. When the latter was still in the Eastern Palace, Emperor Wen appointed Wei Zhen to teach him government matters, establishing a teacher-student relationship between them.
Most importantly, Wei Zhen was extremely upright in his character. He never engaged in party politics, nor did he have close personal relationships with any officials.
Given Wei Zhen's family background and the emperor's trust in him, why would he need to flatter others? He had essentially formed his own faction within the court.
Emperor Cao Rui grasped Wei Zhen's hand and said, "I will repeat what I said earlier. If I were to be like Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty, please become my 'Song Chang' for me!"
(The end of this chapter)
