Cao Rui frowned: "Zhong Gong, did Master Wei confirm that Shen Yu and Shen Hong are the masterminds?"
Mang Qiu Jian nodded: "Your Majesty, that is correct."
Cao Rui asked again: "What about Zhang Bao, the Keeper of the Golden Bull? Why does he get involved in such things? His troops have been lost and he cannot return to Qingxu. Why does he not properly live out his days in Luoyang?"
Wang Qiu Jian explained: "Zhang Bao was arrested on the basis of association, so currently it does not concern Zhang Bao. It is Zhang Bao's son, Zhang Ai, who has been involved in the incident."
"Zhang Ai, due to his low official position, has been frequently moving around in Luoyang in recent months, hoping to secure a good post for himself. But somehow, he has become entangled with the people of the Xun family."
Cao Rui asked: "Then, is Zhang Ai actually stupid, rather than evil?"
Wang Qiu Jian replied: "The Grand Inspector also holds this view, but considering the serious crime of treason, we must be cautious. Therefore, Zhang Ai and his father Zhang Bao have been arrested and detained in the imperial prison."
Zhang Bao...
Cao Rui slightly shook his head: "Although Zhang Bao had some tendencies of usurping power, he had also made contributions to the greater Wei in his early years. He was not swayed by major right and wrong issues. I had intended to give him a good ending, but I never expected that he would get involved in such things."
"Zhang Bao is almost seventy years old, isn't he?"
Wang Qiu Jian said, "He should be around seventy years old."
Cao Rui sighed lightly: "Zhong Gong, send a message to Master Wei, saying that I remember Zhang Bao's old age and his military contributions to the country in the past. I specially permit him to return home and stay there. We will discuss the matter again after this case is resolved."
"As for his son, Zhang Ai, you may dispose of him as you see fit; I will not interfere."
"Yes, Your Servant will send a message soon." Wang Qiu Jian bowed: "Your Majesty, what should be done with the people of the Xun family?"
Cao Rui shook his head slightly: "I still will not interfere. Zhang Bao is a veteran general for many years. I take care of him to show the generals that I respect military achievements."
"As for the people of the Xun family, let Master Wei handle them as he sees fit. There is no need to wait for me, nor is there a need to consult me again."
"Your Servant understands." Wang Qiu Jian said.
Since Zhang Bao was brought to Luoyang by the late Emperor Cao Pi, he has been powerless like a tiger without claws and can no longer pose any threat. Whether he stays or leaves, whether he lives or dies, has little impact on the political situation.
But the nature of the Xun family's situation is quite different.
rumors to deceive the masses, intention to usurp... all these aside.
Just based on their ability to bear so many children, if the scholarly clans are no longer suppressed, how many officials with the surname Xun will there be in the future halls of government?
If it were just about having a large population, that would be one thing. But if they start to marry into other scholarly clans and form alliances, the web of relationships will only expand even more. If it is not suppressed, this network may become deeply entrenched.
"Zhong Gong," Cao Rui looked at Wang Qiu Jian: "What has the Empress Dowager in Luoyang and the Empress in Beijing said?"
Wang Qiu Jian thought for a moment: "Empress Dowager Ping, upon hearing that the King's army was greatly victorious and that Your Majesty was safe and sound, was naturally very delighted. So was Empress Guo."
"Did Empress Dowager Ping say anything about King Yongqiu?" Cao Rui asked again.
Wang Qiu Jian replied: "The Empress Dowager once told the Grand Inspector, it must be the work of petty individuals, and has nothing to do with King Yongqiu. She also asked the Grand Inspector to investigate carefully and find out the truth."
Cao Rui tapped his fingers on the table several times: "Mother and son have a deep bond, and I also cannot be the evil one. Today King Yongqiu will arrive in Chenliu City, I will talk to him in detail."
"Zhong Gong."
Wang Qiu Jian bowed: "Your Servant is present."
"Today, I will have dinner with King Yongqiu, just the two of us. When the time comes, you will be standing by my side to serve. The several Zhongshou are old ministers, and I do not want them to get involved."
"Your Servant will follow the order." Wang Qiu Jian saluted.
As the emperor seemed to be about to end the topic, Wang Qiu Jian quickly said: "Your Majesty, before leaving from Luoyang, the Grand Inspector asked Your Servant to report to you the situation of Lu Xun."
"Oh?" Cao Rui raised an eyebrow: "How long did Lu Xun stay in Luoyang?"
Wang Qiu Jian replied: "Lu Xun stayed in Luoyang for three days. After arriving in Luoyang, Lu Xun first went to the Ministry of Works to retrieve his seal and official credentials with an imperial edict. The Grand Inspector also wrote personal letters to the Left General and the two governors, Guo and Xiahou, as introductions."
Cao Rui nodded in agreement after hearing this.
The Protectorate of the Western Barbarians has always been held by the Administrator of Gansu Province, and now that it has been established as an independent entity, its administrative powers must also be separated from those of the Administrator of Gansu Province and the Administrator of Henan Province.
Without Master Wei's personal letters to Zhang He, Guo Huai, and Xiahou Bai, Lu Xun may have difficulty establishing his position in the Western Barbarians without them.
Cao Rui asked: "I remember that the residence of the Protectorate of the Western Barbarians has always been in Lengju, right? Where did Master Wei send Lu Xun? Was it Lengju?"
Lengju was the almost fixed residence of the Protectorate of the Western Barbarians after the turbulent Qiang faction in the Western Han Dynasty. It is located at the border of Jinling and Wuyi prefectures, with strategic geographical position. From Lengju, one can cut off the arms of four western prefectures by going northward, or directly attack Jinling and Yuzhong by going southward.
"Your Majesty," Wang Qiu Jian answered, "Lu Xun's journey is not to Lengju County, but to Poqiang County."
Poqiang...
In fact, many place names in Han Dynasty are quite interesting.
The most classic example is the Four Commanderies in the Western Regions: Guhuang, Jiuquan, Zhangye, and Wuxi. The name Zhangye means "extend the arm to support, in order to connect with the Western Regions." The name Wuxi is even more self-explanatory.
The name of Poqiang County, 'Poqiang', is more straightforward than 'Wuxi'.
Cao Rui asked, "Why is it Poqiang County?"
Wang Qiu Jian answered: "Your Majesty, a few days ago, the Left General reported that Qu Ying in Xiping Prefecture rebelled and occupied Lingling and Xidu counties. The rebels were fighting against the troops of Jingcheng Prefecture in Anyi and Poqiang counties."
"The Grand Inspector sent him to Poqiang with the intention of having Lu Xun assist in this rebellion suppression."
Cao Rui nodded slightly: "If Lu Xun is there, I believe the situation will be more under control."
"Two days ago, Your Majesty had already received the report. Xiahou Bai has led the troops of Wuyi Prefecture southward. What is worth mentioning is that Xiahou Bai also gathered 3,000 Qiang cavalry from Wuyi Prefecture to accompany him."
Wang Qiu Jian bowed and said, "It seems that after reaching Wuyi, Governor Xiahou has indeed made some gains."
Cao Rui nodded: "The son of Xiahou Yuan should be used in the Western Regions."
Wang Qiu Jian continued the report: "In addition to writing a personal letter to Lu Xun, the Grand Inspector also found Yang Fu, alias Yue Shanshan, and had a thorough discussion with Lu Xun for two days."
"Yang Fu, alias Yue Shanshan? Is he the City Gate Commander Yang Fu?" Cao Rui asked.
"Wang Qiu Jian replied: "Indeed, it is this Yang Fu. Yang Fu is from Tianshui in Western Regions. During the uprising of Ma Chao in Western Regions, Yang Fu was awarded the title of Guan Nei Gongchu by the state for his distinguished service in battle."
"When Emperor Wu conquered Hanzhong, he ordered Yang Fu to act as the Governor of Yizhou remotely. Later, when Yang Fu served as the Prefect of Wudu, he was called to court by the late emperor."
Cao Rui nodded after hearing Wang Qiu Jian's report.
The situation in Western Regions is complex, and Lu Xun, an outsider from Yangzhou, would certainly be at a loss as to where to start.
With someone like Yang Fu, who is well-acquainted with the situation in Western Regions, to provide guidance, it is presumed that the intricate historical context of over a hundred years of Han and Qiang coexistence in the region can be understood more clearly and easily.
Cao Rui whispered: "How could I have missed this Yang Fu? It seems that there are still many capable officials in the court, but I just don't have time to discover them. It's still better to trust Master Wei."
Wang Qiu Jian smiled and replied: "The Grand Inspector was previously the Secretary of the Ministry of Personnel, so if it comes to officials in Luoyang, perhaps no one knows more about them than the Grand Inspector."
Cao Rui chuckled a few times.
Indeed, Master Wei has selected the right person for Lu Xun this time. People from Western Regions know the affairs of Western Regions.
Yang Fu... It's not too late to summon this man back to court. The Emperor himself will personally inquire about the affairs of Western Regions from him.
......
In the afternoon, Cao Zhi and his party arrived at the outskirts of Chenliu City.
Before the carriage reached the East Gate of Chenliu City, Cao Zhi called for the driver to stop and stepped down from the carriage, preparing to walk.
The Grand Minister Huang Xiu saw Cao Zhi get off the carriage and had no choice but to follow Cao Zhi on foot. After all, the position of Grand Minister is still technically Cao Zhi's 'servant'.
Huang Xiu did not ask any questions. In Huang Xiu's view, King Yongqiu's act of getting off the carriage and preparing to walk into the city at the city gate was simply to create a first impression of sincerity for the emperor before he even met him.
Just don't know if it will be of any use.
Cao Zhi walked into the city with a trembling heart, step by step, and finally walked to the entrance of the previous Chenliu Palace.
The streets of Chenliu City were now almost filled with the emperor's accompanying imperial guard and tiger guards, so Cao Zhi's actions had already been reported to the emperor.
When Cao Zhi was walking quickly towards the Chenliu Palace, he suddenly saw the emperor himself standing outside to welcome him.
Cao Zhi had not seen the emperor in over a decade, so he of course could not remember what the emperor looked like. However, the ceremonial arrangements that belonged to the emperor, Cao Zhi was still familiar with.
As he was only a few yards away from the emperor, Cao Zhi took a few quick steps forward and, in full view of everyone, knelt down to pay a deep reverence.
"Your servant Cao Zhi pays his respects to the emperor." Cao Zhi said loudly while bowing to the ground.
Cao Rui was also somewhat surprised by Cao Zhi's actions at this moment, but quickly reacted and moved forward to help Cao Zhi up.
Different from the vibrant Cao Zhi of his youth, the present Cao Zhi, although still with spirited eyes, was thin and gaunt, appearing as if he had overindulged in alcohol or had been overburdened by thoughts.
After a moment of thought, Cao Rui smiled and took Cao Zhi's arm, saying: "I haven't seen Uncle Cao for many years. Uncle Cao need not be so formal with me."
Cao Zhi respectfully bowed his head and said, "Since Your Majesty ascended the throne, your servant has never had the opportunity to pay respects to Your Majesty's face. This is my fault."
Cao Rui smiled and said, "No need for concern, let's go in together."
Before Cao Zhi could respond, Cao Rui pulled him into the palace. Cao Zhi was slightly stunned and then instinctively followed the emperor inside.
As they were about to enter the main hall, Cao Rui, as if remembering something, turned around and looked at one person still kneeling outside: "Is that the Marquis of Yongqiu, Minister Huang? Rise, don't kneel outside anymore."
Minister Huang Xiu rose cautiously, bowing his head submissively, not daring to look directly at the emperor.
"Cao Rui continued, turning around and pulling Cao Zhi inside. "Now that you are up, come in together."
(End of chapter)
