Heard the emperor inquiring about his eldest son Cao Shuang, Cao Zhen was also weighing how to approach the emperor with this matter.
Cao Zhen said, "Your Majesty, I have been staying in Luoyang for only a few years. When Zhao Bo was young, I was almost always leading troops outside, so I actually did not have much control over Zhao Bo."
Cao Rui sat across from him, quietly listening to Cao Zhen's words.
Cao Zhen continued, "Zhao Bo is benevolent and cautious, never doing anything against the laws. Your Majesty got along well with him before ascending to the throne, while I have always been busy with official duties and rarely communicate with him in everyday life. Perhaps Your Majesty knows him better than I do."
"Now Zhao Bo is holding the post of a special envoy to the Hanlin Academy, and Your Majesty also intends not to make Hanlin an actual position in the future. If that's the case, why not let Zhao Bo join the military?"
"Join the military?" Cao Rui looked at Cao Zhen's face, a hint of mischief on his lips.
"What do you think Zhao Bo can command? Should he lead a hundred men or a thousand men?"
Cao Zhen said seriously, "I think he cannot command a hundred men, let alone a thousand men. Please allow me to let Zhao Bo be a shizhang."
Cao Rui was somewhat surprised. The descendants of the Cao and Xiahou clans entering the military would start as at least a commander of a hundred men.
When Cao Zhen and Cao Xiu first joined the military, they led a thousand men directly. Now that Cao Zhen wants his eldest son to be only a shizhang, he seems to be willing to let go?
Cao Rui asked, "How do you think, General? According to custom, at least a duobu (leading 100 men) when entering the military?"
Cao Zhen slightly shook his head: "The descendants of the Xiahou and Cao clans can indeed lead a hundred men in the central army due to their noble status. However, the central army values loyalty above all, and it does not require independent execution of military orders. Obeying commands and being obedient are the most crucial points."
"In other words, in the central army, being an officer is more important than anything else. But now I am leading the central army on behalf of the emperor, so I naturally do not want Zhao Bo to enter the central army."
Cao Rui asked, "General Cao, are you thinking of sending Zhao Bo to the frontier army?"
"Exactly." Cao Zhen nodded and agreed: "Please allow me to grant your request, Your Majesty."
"Zhao Bo has always been close to me, how could I refuse?" Cao Rui asked: "But General Cao wants Zhao Bo to go where? Southeast or Fengxiang?"
Cao Zhen said, "I do not want Zhao Bo to go to the southeastern regions, as there may be no major wars in southeastern China for several years after this battle. Furthermore, Your Majesty is about to entrust me with responsibilities in the west, and I do not want Zhao Bo to come under my rule."
"Your Majesty, I think it would be better to send Zhao Bo to the northern frontier. Let him serve under Huanyu Xiong's army and gain experience in military affairs."
Cao Rui was silent for a while.
In fact, Cao Rui had been most hesitated about two people, that was Sima Yi and Cao Shuang.
In dealing with Sima Yi, Cao Rui adopted a policy of using him cautiously while also keeping an eye on him. While relying on Sima Yi's intelligence as a support, he placed Sima Yi in a high position as a three-public figure but did not give him actual military command and control, effectively confining Sima Yi to his side.
In dealing with Cao Shuang, Cao Rui's attitude had not yet become clear. Now Cao Zhen's suggestion has given Cao Shuang a chance. Starting from the grassroots military ranks and gaining experience in the military for one or two decades, it is expected that he may be able to make significant contributions in the future.
Just as jade needs to be carved to become a utensil, the extent to which Cao Shuang can achieve in office depends on himself.
Cao Rui asked, "The current commander of Hebei is Wu Zhi, General Cao, do you worry that Wu Zhi might trouble Zhao Bo?"
Cao Zhen said seriously, "I let Zhao Bo join the military to serve the state. I don't think Wu Zhi has the courage to harm Zhao Bo. Although there have been grudges between me and Wu Zhi, it hasn't reached this level."
"That's good," said Cao Rui. "After General Cao returns to Luoyang, let Zhao Bo set off then."
Cao Zhen naturally agreed.
Cao Rui asked, "But General Cao, do you think there is still a need for the commander of Hebei? The late emperor gave Wu Zhi the position of commander of Hebei as a reward for his achievements, but now Hebei is stable, and there have been no wars for several years. Moreover, there are governors in each state and ustu and xianpi guards at the frontier districts."
"I only want to leave three commanders at the borders facing Shu Han and Dong Wu. One to command over Yongliang, one to command over Jingzhou, and one to command over Yangzhou."
"I am not on good terms with Wu Zhi, Your Majesty. When you ask me about this matter, I should avoid any potential conflicts of interest," Cao Zhen answered.
"Avoid what? Is the regent also supposed to avoid such matters?" Cao Rui said. "General Cao, feel free to speak directly."
Cao Zhen said, "I think it can be done. Your Majesty can summon Wu Zhi to the court to serve as an official."
Cao Rui nodded, "There is one more thing. During the late Han Dynasty, Liu Yuan abolished the prefects and established governors in each state, which was a very unusual thing during that time of chaos. I intend to abolish the position of governor and ask your opinion, General Cao."
This topic is somewhat sensitive.
In short, the current governor of the state of Yangzhou in the Great Wei is one person, and that is the Marquis of Yangzhou, General Cao Xiu.
The title of Marquis of Yangzhou on Cao Xiu's shoulders was originally just the Prefect of Yangzhou. During Huangchu years, when Cao Wei first launched a three-way offensive against Eastern Wu, only Cao Xiu's route achieved a decisive victory. Therefore, in order to reward him for his achievements, Cao Wei promoted the Prefect of Yangzhou on Cao Xiu to Marquis of Yangzhou.
But if the Prefect of Yangzhou can be promoted to Marquis of Yangzhou, can the Marquis of Yangzhou then regress back to being a Prefect of Yangzhou?
Cao Zhen asked with a serious expression, "Your Majesty, are you thinking of separating military and civil affairs?"
"That's right," said Cao Rui.
Cao Rui chose to remove Cao Xiu's title of Prefect of Yangzhou at this time, also to avoid any misunderstandings. This time, Cao Xiu's achievements were first, and although his official position was that of Grand Marshal, he could not be further promoted. Instead, he would only be given additional fiefdoms as rewards.
After establishing a merit, removing Cao Xiu's title of Prefect of Yangzhou can be considered a reform of the state system. If he were to resign in ordinary times, it would definitely lead to misunderstandings among the court and the officials that Cao Xiu had lost his power or that the emperor disliked him.
Cao Zhen now showed a look of difficulty.
The emperor always piles a lot of troublesome issues on himself, it's just to sit and talk with me on the boat. Why do I always get involved in these awkward things?
Think about it and let it go. Cao Zhen would never say such things. Who could have said this when they are hanging the title of Regent? If he doesn't speak up on these matters, the emperor will think that he lacks responsibility.
After thinking for a moment, Cao Zhen said, "Your Majesty, may I go to Wancheng myself to meet with Grand Marshal Cao Xiu and explain the matter to him face to face?"
Cao Xiu was still in Wancheng supervising the construction of Qianshou Wu in Wan. He had not yet returned to Shouchun.
Cao Rui laughed and said, "General Cao, are you really going? Although I have fewer opportunities to meet with Grand Marshal Cao Xiu than you, I believe there is still some understanding between us as ruler and subject."
"Grand Marshal Cao Xiu was the first to achieve merits in this war. I'll take away his title of Prefect of Yangzhou and give him an additional fiefdom of a thousand households as an award. What do you think, General Cao?"
"Is it appropriate? Of course, it is."
In Cao Zhen's view, how the emperor and Cao Xiu interact with each other, as long as it does not affect the overall situation of the court, has nothing to do with me, this Grand General. As long as things do not involve me, it's fine.
Cao Zhen bowed, "Your Majesty's sincere intention, I'm sure the Grand Marshal will be delighted and sincere."
Cao Rui nodded.
The night slowly deepened, and the position of the moon in the sky grew higher. The boat was gradually slowing down as it approached the mooring spot by the quay.
As Cao Rui disembarked the ship, he asked, "General Cao, according to the customs of the court, how should we comfort Xu Yang?"
Cao Zhen thought for a moment and said, "Your Majesty might as well send a trusted official of 2000 stones, and also send a court doctor to accompany him to express our condolences."
"Two thousand stones?" Cao Rui said, "Then let the Commandant of Dragoons, Yang Ji, go in my place."
Cao Zhen naturally agreed.
Let's put aside the fact that the emperor and the general are riding horses from the quay outside Shouchun City and returning. Inside Shouchun City, Sima Yi is holding a candlelit night talk with Jing Ji in his bedroom.
Due to the housing shortage in Shouchun City, Sima Yi and Jing Ji are living in the same courtyard. As they are good friends, such an arrangement allows for more time to talk.
Jing Ji sat cross-legged on the table, speaking casually, "This time we achieved such a great victory, Zhongda has come closer to his title of a Prince."
As they were about to return, Sima Yi did not try to stop Jing Ji's joke. Instead, he said, "What title of a Prince? In my opinion, the greatest merit of this campaign is still due to Grand Marshal Cao Xiu."
"E'ai?" Jing Ji looked disdainful: "Let's not talk about the past. During this campaign, I was always by the emperor's side. Sima, have you ever seen the emperor use E'ai's strategies? On the contrary, it was E'ai who was used as a cavalry officer to make a decisive throw at the end."
Sima Yi looked at Jing Ji and said, "What's the difference between a cavalryman? The three thousand horsemen were entrusted to you, Jing Ji, and you would know how to use them."
Jing Ji shook his head: "I don't understand it, but the strategies of the court are still higher than those of the battlefield."
Sima Yi agreed with this statement.
After a moment, Sima Yi said, "Yesterday, the emperor has already decided to appoint Jia Qi as the General of South Command, responsible for military affairs around Wancheng."
"A Wancheng, an Ankou, plus the newly built Qianshou Wu, General Jia Qi has over 15,000 troops in his command, almost at the same level as the military power of Wu Pei in Jiangxia. According to my calculation, this is because Your Majesty wants to divide General Cao Xiu's authority by appointing General Jia Qi."
"Dividing power won't make much of a difference, as Wancheng still belongs to Yangzhou and remains under General Cao Xiu's supervision," said Jing Ji with a smile. "Not as you predicted? What kind of deal do you have with Jia Qi?"
Sima Yi sneered, "I don't need to make any deals with Jia Qi. He has no money to bribe me, and I am not like you in terms of greed."
Jing Ji saw Sima Yi's teasing words and diverted the conversation, "What do you think of General Jia Qi in Wancheng?"
Sima Yi said, "How can it not be successful? After the fortress was built at Qianshou Wu in Qiankou, this is another Rumenu. As Your Majesty pointed out, after the completion of the Wu Dou village, the land from Wancheng to Songzhi can be used for farming."
"I wonder who came up with such a great idea for Your Majesty."
Jing Ji said, "The emperor always has extraordinary ideas. However, now that Jia Qi has become the General of South Command, the position of the Governor of Yu Province is vacant. I wonder who Your Majesty will appoint to take over?"
"How do I know? Ask me, and I don't know," Sima Yi said, turning to Jing Ji. "Why not let you, Jing Ji, become the Governor of Yu Province? You will get a large state and a good post."
(The end of this chapter)
