"When the longevity reaches eighty..." Huang Quan repeated this sentence, then fell silent immediately.
Even though various rumors and little-known news among officials in Luoyang were circulating, they were limited to individual circles. Huang Quan, after all, was still an 'outsider' and had only gotten closer to Liu Ye in the past six months due to his position, far from having channels to know these things.
"Before the late emperor's passing, he once said that the eighty years of life that Zhu Jianping spoke of was just dividing day from night," Liu Ye looked at Huang Quan: "How can I dare to speak this in front of the emperor?"
"There's also Zhou Xuan. The late emperor had Zhou Xuan interpret a dream, where the late emperor saw a blue aura rising straight from the ground to the clouds. Zhou Xuan told the late emperor, 'There will be a noble woman who dies unjustly.' At that time, the late emperor had just issued an edict to sentence Empress Dowager Wen Zhao to death. After hearing Zhou Xuan's words, he urgently ordered people to pursue her, but in the end, he was unable to catch up."
Liu Ye looked directly at Huang Quan's eyes: "How can I possibly tell the emperor, and how could I possibly dare to say so?"
Huang Quan also had nothing to say in return.
After a long while, Huang Quan asked Liu Ye, "Who told the emperor about the things you discussed with several officials at the Secretariat?"
"Humph," Liu Ye showed a look of disdain: "There were only five people in the Secretariat that day, Chen Qun, Sima Yi, Chen Jiao, Wang Si, and Wei Zhen."
"The two senior ministers asked me voluntarily, it's impossible that they will tell the emperor about it. Wang Si is sick and dying, the emperor has never summoned him, so it's between Chen Jiao and Wei Zhen."
Huang Quan observed Liu Ye's expression: "Chen Ji Bi has always been at odds with Zi Yang brother..."
Liu Ye stood up from the seat, straightened his robes, and said, "I will handle this matter myself. Let the public office observe it."
After saying this sentence, Liu Ye walked out directly without any hesitation. Huang Quan asked himself the question with his words, and since everything that needed to be said had been said, what was the necessity to stay here?
Huang Quan saw that Liu Ye had left and simply lay down on the bed in his clothes, his mind filled with many thoughts.
Before he became a palace minister, he originally held the rank of General Commanding the South Nan Commandery, but the emperor had never taken it away. However, during his visit to Xuchun, the emperor publicly granted Jia Qiugui the position of General Commanding the South Nan Commandery.
Does the emperor simply forget about this matter? Or has he taken away his own general title out of thin air, or is there some other appointment waiting?
As night deepened, Huang Quan found it increasingly difficult to fall asleep. After drinking a bellyful of wine, the more he tossed and turned, the more thirsty he became. He then got up, put on his shoes, and went to the toilet for a urination. After the water flowed out and the bloating in his abdomen began to weaken, a late-night breeze blew through, and his entire body seemed to become clear and refreshed.
Huang Quan suddenly remembered several years ago when the news of Liu Bei's death reached Luoyang, and all the officials in Wei gathered to celebrate. At that time, Emperor Cao Pi sent a messenger to summon him. Before he left his house, there were several urgent messengers urging him to come out. The servants in his house were terrified.
Huang Quan forced himself to keep his composure, and when Emperor Cao Pi saw him, he laughed out loud and did not take any action.
It's truly a case of not being able to write two characters of the surname Cao. Do all rulers find it necessary to test the hearts of others?
...
The tour of Que county came to an end quickly, and the emperor and his entourage were going to continue northward towards Chenliu County.
And just as the emperor's entourage was about to set out in the morning, several knights brought a confidential report from Luoyang.
Upon seeing the messenger, Sun Zi went to receive the confidential report from the messenger. After asking a few simple questions to understand the situation, Sun Zi waved his hand to signal the messenger to leave, and then turned back to the emperor's carriage.
"Your Majesty, this is a confidential report sent by the State Inspector," Sun Zi raised the sealed letter containing the report and presented it to the emperor.
Cao Rui nodded, broke the wax seal, and took out the confidential report to read for a moment. After nodding again, he put the report back inside.
Upon hearing that it was a confidential report from Wei Zhen at the palace guard station in Luoyang, the officials who were attending the emperor's entourage all kept their composure, but they gathered their ears to listen attentively.
The officials around the emperor were all astute.
With Wei Zhen in charge of the governance of Luoyang and all matters related to the capital, a confidential report arriving at the emperor's side in the morning must be an extremely urgent matter.
Liu Yue and Huang Quan exchanged a slight glance, but their eyes met for only a moment before separating.
The last urgent report from Wei Zhen in Luoyang was to inform the emperor about the rumors spreading in the capital.
Liu Yue and Huang Quan had already talked privately. During the Summer Palace Conference, rumors spread in Luoyang that the emperor had died in the army led by General Wang Nan. Some even claimed that they would support Prince Cao Zhen as the new emperor. Although these rumors were humorous, they were still very concerning for any rumors about the emperor's safety.
Since the current emperor ascended the throne more than half a year ago, although he has been kind and virtuous in his handling of affairs and has never killed or punished any minister, the palace ministers who have long served by the emperor's side would not think that he is an easy target.
And yet, the emperor entrusted Wei Zhen with such great responsibility and sent Xuan Qian to lead the mounted troops back to Luoyang to report the victory. Is Wei Zhen in Luoyang starting to make arrests now?
Although the officials remained composed on their faces, their minds were already racing with various thoughts.
Seeing that the ministers were looking at him, Emperor Cao Rui laughed: "A report has come from Zhang He in Yixian County. A local powerful family named Qu Ying rebelled in Xiping Commandery a month ago, but Zhang He has sent generals to quell the rebellion. Just a few scoundrels causing trouble; with Zhang He in charge of Yong and Liang regions, I have no worries. Let's wait for Zhang He's victory report."
Emperor Cao Rui believed that he should inform the officials in public about the urgent report, so as not to create misunderstandings with the close advisors around him.
The officials also chimed in, agreeing that trouble in the Liangzhuo region was commonplace, and with the emperor's heavenly protection and the capable generals stationed in Yong and Liang regions, there would be no problems.
The procession walked north, and Emperor Cao Rui called Xin Pi over to inquire about the affairs of Liangzhou from years ago.
As he turned to Xin Pi, Emperor Cao Rui asked, "Xin Qing, you used to work with Su Zhe as well. What were the causes and consequences of the rebellion in Xiping Commandery in the first year of Huang Chu?"
Xin Pi replied with a bow in the saddle, "Your Majesty, the former Palace Minister Su Ze was the Governor of Jincheng at that time, and he led the troops to quell the rebellion. As Your Majesty mentioned just now, the leader of this recent rebellion in Xiping Commandery is named Qu Ying, while seven years ago it was Qu Yan. The surname Qu is not common, so it seems likely that these two individuals are members of the same clan."
"Siblings of the same clan," Emperor Cao Rui nodded and said, "How was the rebellion led by Qu Yan quelled?"
"Your Majesty, I am not sure if You are aware of this," Xin Pi said. "In the first year of Huang Chu, Qu Yan's rebellion was not just a single instance, but two."
"Twice?" Emperor Cao Rui frowned. "I did not actually notice this detail. What does it mean, two rebellions?"
Xin Pi explained cautiously, "Your Majesty, the first rebellion by Qu Yan occurred after the news of Emperor Wu's death reached Liangzhou. At that time, Qu Yan claimed to be acting as the Protector of the Qiang and rebelled, but he did not occupy any cities. After Su Ze led his troops to fight against Qu Yan, Qu Yan feared Su Ze and surrendered. Therefore, Qu Yan was not punished."
Emperor Cao Rui did not speak, indicating for Xin Pi to continue. When Emperor Wu Cao Cao died in Luoyang, not only the Xiping Commandery in the remote west, but also the green state troops and Xuzhou troops near Luoyang thought that the world was about to be in turmoil and left on their own from outside of Luoyang. Since Xiping is a mixed residence area of Qiang and Han ethnic groups, it's true that some turmoil there wouldn't have been a big deal.
Xin Pi said, "After the late emperor reestablished the Liangzhou Prefecture, the commanderies of Zhangye, Wuwei, and Xiping were in turmoil once again. Su Ze, along with others such as Mantou Xing, joined forces to quell the unrest. Su Ze took the opportunity to lure and kill Qu Yan, and as a result, the Liangzhou region was temporarily brought under control."
"However, not more than a year after the suppression of the rebellion, the Qin River region once again saw unrest. The late emperor dispatched the General Cao Zhen to quell the disturbance, with many killed and captured." Xin Pi continued while bending his fingers "From the end of Huang Chu in the second year to now, it has been over five years since Liangzhou was pacified."
Emperor Cao Rui asked, "Is five years of stability in Liangzhou satisfactory?"
"Being able to maintain peace for a long time would be even better," Xin Pi looked at the emperor and asked, "Your Majesty, may I inquire about the current situation of the rebellion in Xiping Commandery?"
There are some things that cannot be discussed openly, but that does not mean they cannot be discussed privately.
"Not very well," Emperor Cao Rui shook his head slightly. "Xiping Commandery has four counties, and from Zhang He's report, two of them, Linqing and Xidu, were already occupied by the rebels. The administrator of Linqing and the leader of Xidu have both sacrificed their lives for their country."
Xin Pi drew in a sharp breath.
"Xiping Commandery was newly established by Emperor Cao during the Year 19 of the Yan Dynasty, originally from the Jincheng Commandery. Its jurisdiction covered all of the areas along the Huanghe River Valley," Xin Pi explained. "The two counties, Linqiang and Xidu, that were attacked by rebels are located in the heart of the Huanghe River Valley."
After a moment's pause, Xin Pi spoke up, "Your Majesty, the rebellion in Xiping Commandery must not be taken lightly. Both Linqiang and Xidu counties are rich and fertile areas. The centuries-long Qiang rebellion in the Western Han Dynasty began with conflicts over control of the Huanghe River Valley."
"I believe the court needs to prepare for the Qiang people's rebellion in Liangzhou," Xin Pi said with a serious expression, "Your Majesty might send messengers to urge Zhang He to act cautiously, in case Liangzhou fails or that other Qiang people also join the rebellion."
Emperor Cao Rui gently tugged on the reins, and the horse under him stopped smartly. Seeing the emperor stop, the rest of the procession quickly came to a halt.
Emperor Cao Rui looked at Xin Pi: "Xin Zhongshu, who should be sent to supervise Zhang He?"
"This..." Xin Pi shook his head. "I'm not sure. The affairs in Liangzhou are intricate, and I am just afraid that another rebellion in Liangzhou might affect Your Majesty's grand plan."
"I think it's better not to send anyone," Emperor Cao Rui said. "Except for the deployment of the General to Liangzhou, no one else can be more familiar with the affairs of Liangzhou than General Zhang He. No one else can be more familiar with the combat situation in Liangzhou."
"I have carefully reviewed all of Zhang He's military records," Emperor Cao Rui thought for a moment and said, "In the nineteenth year of Jian'an, Xiahou Zheng was in command of the Western Command and led various generals to suppress Song Jian. Song Jian was in Fuhao, and Fuhao was west of Lin Diao. After Song Jian's death, Xiahou Yuan sent Zhang He with troops to small Qingzhong Commandery to suppress various Qiang tribes."
"Xin Qing," Emperor Cao Rui looked at Xin Pi, "If Zhang He cannot handle this matter, I really can't think of anyone else in the Great Wei who could pacify this region."
Xin Pi bowed to the emperor from his horse: "Your Majesty is correct, it was I who overthought the matter. With Zhang He in command, I'm sure that the affairs in Xiping Commandery will be handled well."
Emperor Cao Rui nodded, lightly tapping his foot against the belly of his horse, and then slowly resumed riding. "When employing someone, one does not doubt them; when one doubts, one does not employ them. Since I have appointed Zhang He as the supervisor of Yong and Liang regions, I have full faith in Zhang He."
"Let us wait for Zhang He's report."
(The end of this chapter)
