Cao Rui only rested for a day in Chenliu Prefecture before setting out again the next day to continue his southern journey towards Qiao County.
Just a side note, if you really want to associate a place with Cao's family, Chenliu Prefecture might be the most suitable choice, there is no other.
During the time when Dong Zhuo committed all sorts of crimes in Luoyang, Yuanshao, Cao Cao and others left Luoyang one after another. Even Cao Cao had to change his name to escape from there. When he reached Zhongmu, the easternmost county of Henan Province, he was caught by a township chief and sent to the county only to be freed.
Cao Cao escaped from Luoyang in September and did not start recruiting troops in Chenliu until December. During the three months between September and December, Cao Cao actually lived in quite a dire situation.
Cao Cao continued eastwards, leaving Zhongmu County and entering Chenliu Prefecture. Only by passing Chenliu and Liangguo could Cao Cao reach his hometown of Qiao County, in Pei Prefecture.
Returning to his hometown, who could he rely on but his father and relatives? However, Cao Cao's views on politics were completely opposite to those of his father Cao Song. When Cao Cao explained his intention to raise troops, his father clearly opposed it. He even took the family assets and fled eastwards to Langya to avoid trouble.
Without his father's support, Cao Cao's attempt to raise troops was far from smooth. First, the Governor of Yu Province, Huang Wan, wanted to harm Cao Cao. Later, the Chancellor of Pei Province, Yuan Zhong, also intended to legally punish Cao Cao. If we talk about the lineage, Huang Wan should be a cousin brother of Huang Gai, the future general of Eastern Wu.
Close to the midpoint of raising an army, Cao Cao suddenly passed away along the way? It was not safe to stay in Qiao County. Cao Cao had to leave Qiao County and head towards Chenliu. While en route, he encountered his original shareholder Wei Zhi, who was also Wei Zhen's father.
Cao Cao officially began his path of domination in Chenliu.
Interestingly, before Han Xian Di, Liu Xie, was elevated to the throne by Dong Zhuo, his title was precisely that of the King of Chenliu.
The last Wei Emperor Cao Huan was finally given the title of Chenliu King by Sima Yan.
For over a hundred years, the line of Chenliu Wang Cao continued to rule in the Western Jin and Eastern Jin dynasties. When Liu Yu forced the last emperor of the Eastern Jin, Sima Dewen, to abdicate and transfer the throne to him, did it require a document? Did it require a joint letter from officials?
The most intriguing event was that, at that time, among all the nobles of the Jin Dynasty, the one with the longest legacy and highest title was Chenliu Wang Cao Qianshi. Thus, Cao Qianshi's name was written first in the document urging Sima Yan to ascend the throne.
A cycle, a irony, truly it is the law of heaven.
Cao Cao's control over the imperial power brought natural benefits to his hometown Qiao County. Originally, Qiao County was the capital of Pei Province. When Cao Cao seized power, Pei Province was divided into Qiao and other districts, hence the name 'Qiao' for Qiao County.
The road from Chenliu to Qiao County was unusually wide and even, with the cavalry of 5,000 soldiers and the emperor's entourage stretching for several miles along the plains.
The cavalry of 5,000 soldiers, out of which 4,000 came from the Zhonglei camp led by Cao Hong and another 1,000 tiger guard cavalry troops were from the Wuwei camp led by Xu Chu.
The emperor's entourage consisted of no fewer than a hundred carts.
This is not Cao Rui's excessive waste, but rather it is indeed necessary to have so many vehicles following. Even the guards are all mounted troops, if the entourage walks, it would be crawling forward at a snail's pace.
In addition to Emperor Cao Rui's imperial entourage and servants, there were also officials under the Office of the Grand Secretariat in charge of confidential documents and supervisory duties, servants, and inner court officials such as attendants and horse riders. Even the corteges of Cao Jie's Office of the Grand Chancellor were included.
But today, Emperor Cao Rui chose not to sit in the carriage but rode a horse instead. The emperor's horses were naturally the best of the best. Since he was ten years old, Emperor Cao Rui had practiced swordsmanship and archery, so riding was a common occurrence for him, and it even contained a trace of enjoyment.
As the upper level enjoys something, the lower level will naturally follow suit.
Simya Yi was also in his forties, and the Palace Attendants had been serving in the military for a long time. They had all participated in battles during the years of Jian'an. None of them were pretentious, and now they were riding horses and following behind the emperor.
The morning sun was a bit blinding. Holding the reins in his hand, Emperor Cao Rui's figure swayed up and down slightly with the movement of the horse.
Emperor Cao Rui suddenly thought of a line of poetry: 'silk hat and marten coat, thousands of horsemen sweep the plain.' It seemed quite appropriate for the current scene.
However, this line of poetry probably mentioned Sun Quan, as it was 'I shot a tiger, watched Sun Lang.' Sun Quan could shoot a tiger, but in the face of two armies in battle, what use could he be with just one man and one horse?
It was not in the suburbs of Hebi City, where Zhang Liang's 800 infantrymen rushed and scattered him, almost capturing him? This event was already well-known in Luoyang City. That day, Zhang Liao asked a surrendering Eastern Wu soldier: 'Who is the general with a purple beard, tall and short hair, good at riding and shooting?'
Sun Quan's 'long hair and short beard' had become a joke for the power elites of Luoyang after a night of drinking. It is always not serious to make jokes after drinking.
As for the poet Su Dongpo who wrote this line, it would probably be another eight hundred years before he could come into the world.
At this moment, a hurried horsehoof sound came from behind. Emperor Cao Rui was riding forward, and the voice of Sun Zhi came from behind.
Sun Zhi, who was now approaching sixty years old, was still able to ride and catch up with the emperor. It seems that working for the emperor requires a certain level of expertise, and physical fitness is an important factor as well.
Sun Zhi slowed down gradually when he was a few dozen yards away from the emperor. Emperor Cao Rui did not rein in his horse to stop, so Sun Zhi had to report the important matters from his horse.
Sun Zhi said, "Your Majesty, a message has just been sent from Chenliu in the rear, reporting that Yongqiu Wang has submitted a memorial here."
In his heart, Cao Rui thought, 'Without Su Dongpo, here comes Cao ZiJian.'
Without turning his body, Emperor Cao Rui merely tilted his head and glanced at Sun Zhi: "Yongqiu Wang? What does he want with me?"
As Sun Zhi was the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, he had naturally read the documents that he delivered to the emperor. Sun Zhi hesitated for a moment before saying, "Your Majesty, Yongqiu Wang's memorial this time is once again to recommend himself for service in the Southern Expedition."
Emperor Cao Rui's expression grew cold at this moment. He lightly pulled the reins of his horse, and the white horse beneath him stopped smartly. Upon seeing that the emperor had stopped, Liu Ye hastily signaled for the entire entourage to halt.
Turning around to face Sun Zhi, Emperor Cao Rui asked, "How did Yongqiu Wang know about the South Expedition? Who told him?"
Sun Zhi did not know how Cao ZiJian had come to know about the emperor's decision to launch a campaign in the south. At this point, he could only bow his hands and confess guilt: "It is my fault. I will immediately order the supervisors to investigate."
Emperor Cao Rui did not respond, but continued to ask, "I only left Chenliu early this morning. Now it's still midday, and the memorial has arrived here from Yongqiu. It seems that someone has a sinister heart and is still keeping Yongqiu Wang informed about the affairs of the court."
"Order my command, seize the Crown Prince's envoys and guards from Yongqiu Wang and bring them to the Marquis of Ting. Let the Marshal again find two new officials in Luoyang and send them to Yongqiu Wang."
Seeing that Cao Rui was angry, Sun Zhi kept bowing his hands to admit fault.
Cao Rui lightly kicked the horse's belly with his foot, and the white horse began to move forward again. The entire entourage moved forward once more. The emperor did not let Sun Zhi leave, so Sun Zhi had to control his horse to catch up with the emperor's horse.
Emperor Cao Rui said, "Sun Zhongshu, tell me, how can Yongqiu Wang be so unaware of affairs? What can he do at the front line, is he able to charge into the enemy's ranks first, or is he able to drive a chariot or sail a boat?"
"The late Emperor did not use him, and I naturally will not use him either. Why does he have to submit memorials again and again, destroying my good impression of him?"
If Cao Pi treated Cao ZiJian harshly, it could be understood since they were brothers and Cao Pi had once inherited the position of heir apparent. Now, Cao Rui is rectifying the wrongs against Cao Hong and using Xiahou Biao in Qingzhou. This is precisely when he is trying to win over the hearts of the Cao and Xiahou families.
If we were to punish Cao ZiJian, wouldn't all that effort be wasted?
Seeing the emperor complain to himself, Sun Zhi thought for a moment before responding, "Maybe Yongqiu Wang is in his prime and has nothing to do in Yongqiu Palace, so he can't help but feel lonely."
Cao Rui sneered coldly, "Nothing to do? Then I will arrange some work for him. Let him keep busy."
"Sun Zhongshu?" Emperor Cao Rui said.
Sun Zhi quickly answered, "Your Majesty, I am here."
Emperor Cao Rui asked, "Do you know why there are so few people nowadays who are well-versed in classical learning?"
Why are we talking about classical learning now? Though puzzled, Sun Zhi still tried to think of an answer in his mind. Although this emperor often does not pay attention to trivial matters, one still needs to be very careful in speaking before the emperor. Whether one's answer is sincere or not, the emperor's intelligence would definitely be able to tell.
Sun Zhi said, "I think it might be because there are too few masters teaching classical learning? When the Imperial Academy was reorganized in the past, it took much effort to recruit scholars like Confucius."
Emperor Cao Rui slightly shook his head: "The matter of studying classical learning, while having a teacher provides more refined explanations, has nothing to do with the popularity of classical learning."
Sun Zhi had already given his best answer, and couldn't figure out what the emperor wanted to say. He asked, "Then Your Majesty, what can be shown to me?"
Emperor Cao Rui spoke slowly and deliberately, "Currently, classical learning or other theories are not widely spread. One reason is that there are too few books, and another is that the essence of classical learning is difficult to understand."
"I ask you, the Spring and Autumn Annals contain subtle but profound meanings. If a person of average talent even reads Zheng Kangcheng's annotations, can they understand it by themselves?"
That's funny. If one can understand Zheng Xuan's annotations just by themselves, then what need is there for these scholars in the Imperial Academy? Let's disband the Imperial Academy then.
Sun Zhi replied, "I believe it's natural that one cannot understand it."
Emperor Cao Rui said, "That's precisely why change is necessary! In promoting education and civilization, can we only rely on the Imperial Academy to produce a few Confucian scholars? Shouldn't we start with the books themselves?"
Sun Zhi was riding silently to the left rear of Emperor Cao Rui, listening to his speech. He was really unsure of how to respond to the emperor's words.
Emperor Cao Rui asked, "Sun Zhongshu, do you think it's possible to translate the classical texts into plain language and add detailed annotations?"
Sun Zhi began to feel puzzled: "Your Majesty, what do you mean by plain language? I truly do not know."
Emperor Cao Rui patiently explained, "What I mean is that today's people write letters and compositions in literary Chinese, which are concise and elegant."
"Now I talk with you, my words are casual and do not need excessive word choice. This kind of ordinary language that comes out of the mouth is called plain language."
"When the professors at the Imperial Academy explain classics, aren't they also speaking in plain language?"
"If the five classics were translated into plain language, and without the guidance of famous teachers, scholars would probably find it easier to read them."
Sun Zhi was still confused: "But how does this relate to Yongqiu Wang?"
Emperor Cao Rui took a deep breath, "Yongqiu Wang has nothing much to do, right? Promoting the Five Classics and advancing civilization, is that not something he should be honored to do?"
"Let him stay in Yongqiu and translate and proofread the Five Classics for me!"
Today's second chapter will be released before 12 o'clock.
(End of Chapter)
