The person is good, and the feast is good.
This time, with the rift resolved, Cao Zhi shed the shackles from his body, and uncle and nephew were both thoroughly drunk, returning in high spirits.
The next morning, Guan Qiujian took the initiative to find the emperor and inquire about last night's events.
"Your servant has something to report to Your Majesty," Mu Qiujian said with a bow and respect.
"What has Zonggong?" Cao Rui asked casually.
"Your Majesty," Guan Qiujian asked, "Yesterday, you issued an edict to summon Ye Capital. Meanwhile, the Lord of Liwei is thoroughly investigating the case of slander in Luoyang and has not yet reached a final conclusion. If Ye Capital arrives in Luoyang, will he once again be involved in this case of slander in Luoyang?"
Cao Rui waved his hand: "No matter, there's no need to worry about Ye Capital. I believe that after this incident, Ye Capital will know which things are hard to come by and which things he must never touch."
"If Ye Capital is careful in Luoyang, I will naturally give him more importance in literary matters. If Ye Capital has any improper thoughts, the positions of the Inspector of Subways and the Chief Justice are not empty positions in the country."
Guan Qiujian replied: "The Emperor is wise. I am also afraid that others will actively involve Ye Capital. Then I will hand over the matters we drafted last night to the Master of the Ministry of Rites today?"
"Zonggong, you do have a point," Cao Rui thought for a moment. "It's all right, Ye Capital has been waiting for seven years, so an extra month or two won't make a difference. After I arrive in Luoyang and the case is wrapped up, then we can give this order to the Master of the Ministry of Rites."
"Your servant will comply," Guan Qiujian said, bowing and then retiring.
……
Inspector of Subways, Luoyang.
After several days of marching, the main army returning from Yangzhou to Inspector of Subways has already reached the outskirts of Luoyang City.
After all, it is a victory back, in accordance with the past custom of the Wei State, the main army return to court should be sent by the emperor of Wu in Luoyang city reception.
But since the emperor is not in Luoyang, he cannot send messengers to welcome the returning main army. Moreover, the Inspector of Subways and the Three Ministers within Luoyang do not hold a status to mimic the emperor in sending messengers to greet the returning troops.
Therefore, it had to be the three officials and nine ministers in the city, together with the Inspector of Subways, to receive the troops at the city gate.
But since the main army, starting from General Cao Zhen and down to various officials at 2000 taels, 1000 taels and 600 taels, were not very concerned about such formalities. The long-term expedition was a great victory, coupled with the promises of merit from both the Emperor and General Cao.
Returning home to see their families is truly the most important matter.
General Cao Zhen naturally returned to his own residence, the Daidu Palace. The various camps of the main army in Luoyang also returned to their respective locations.
Si Ma Yi has no special channels for information in the army, and has no idea about what is happening in Luoyang.
But once back in Luoyang, Si Ma Yi seemed like a tiger returning to the mountains, entering his own territory. After all, he had served as the Grand Secretary and recorded the affairs of the Secretariat for many years, so he still had that kind of ability.
From the city gate to the Si Kong Palace, it is only a few hundred meters. Si Kong Palace's trusted people have already reported the major events in Luoyang City over the past few months on the way from the city gate to Si Kong Palace.
Si Ma Yi sat in the carriage, listening and frowning as he listened.
He could not have imagined that Wei Zhen would be so daring, that he would actually kill Xun Yu alive in prison!
Is this still the gentle and cautious Wei Zhen, Wei Zhen, who I used to know? Just now at the city gate, Wei Zhen was still smiling and bowing to himself.
Si Ma Yi found that this matter was already beyond his expectations.
The carriage slowly reached the gates of the Si Kong Mansion.
An estate manager had already lifted the curtains of the carriage and Si Ma Yi got off, his furrowed brow was still not fully dispersed.
In the courtyard of the Si Kong Mansion, Si Ma Yi's wife, concubines, and children lined up to greet him.
Standing in the forefront was naturally Si Ma Yi's lawful wife, Zhang Chunhua, and behind her were her own sons, Sima Shi and Sima Zhao.
On Zhang Chunhua's side stood Si Ma Yi's concubine, Fu Ahra.
"Welcome home, husband (father)."
Accompanied by his family's greetings, Si Ma Yi slowly walked into the mansion.
There is no doubt that Zhang Chunhua, the lawful wife who is 39 years old, is standing in front. But just as the voice fell, Fu Ahra, the young concubine who was only in her mid-twenties and standing next to Zhang Chunhua, began to cry.
Zhang Chunhua naturally hopes that her husband would greet her. But her husband's gaze only lingered on her face for a moment, and even didn't look at each other, and immediately turned to Fu Ahra.
Si Ma Yi walked straight to Fu Ahra's side, lifted his hand to wipe away her tears, "I've returned, haven't I? Why should you cry?"
After saying that, Si Ma Yi's left hand grabbed Fu Ahra's hand, and his right hand was still rubbing a few times on Fu Ahra's arm.
Fu Ahra smiled, looked up at Si Ma Yi, "I just missed my husband too much. I haven't seen him for months, and now that I see him today, I'm at ease."
Si Ma Yi said in a low voice, "That's good, that's good. After I talk to Ziyuan for a while, I'll come to find you later."
Fu Ahra tilted her head and blinked her eyes, smiling at Si Ma Yi and nodding.
Si Ma Yi still didn't say a word to Zhang Chunhua, bypassing his lawful wife, and went over to his eldest son, Sima Shi.
Zhang Chunhua still had a smile on her face, but it was getting stiff and seemed to be frozen. Si Ma Yi walked over to his son standing behind him, but Zhang Chunhua still hadn't turned around.
Seeing Si Ma Yi coming over to him, Sima Shi respectfully bowed and said, "It has been months since I last saw you, father. You must be tired. Congratulations on your victory."
Si Ma Yi shook his head lightly, "It wasn't me who fought the battle; I was just accompanying the Emperor for a trip. How does victory have anything to do with me?"
"It's been three months, Ziyuan seems to have grown some," Si Ma Yi smiled and said, "Let's go to the study together with me."
"Yes." Sima Shi replied.
At this moment, Sima Zhao asked from the side, "Father always talks with Eldest Brother in the study. What do you two talk about? Can father take me along too?"
Si Ma Yi smiled and patted Sima Zhao on the shoulder, "Zhaoer, you're still young. Your father and your eldest brother will talk about some things in the capital of Luoyang. Go read by yourself."
Si Ma Yi's face was not angered but carried its own aura of authority. In the household, whether it was a major or minor matter, whenever Si Ma Yi made arrangements, no one dared to argue or delay by even a moment.
"Sons know, I'll go read now," Sima Zhao responded respectfully.
Si Ma Yi nodded and led Sima Shi towards the interior, both of them walking towards the study together.
After the two left, Sima Zhao originally wanted to return to his room. However, after a few steps, he felt something was wrong.
Turning his head to look back, he saw that his mother, Zhang Chunhua, was standing still in place, while Fu Ahra had long since left.
Sima Zhao naturally felt that there were some gaps between his parents. But as for Sima Zhao, he always had a respectful and fearful attitude towards his father, Si Ma Yi, so he could only walk over to his mother's side and console her softly.
In the study.
Si Ma Yi sat down behind his desk.
Last year, the emperor gave chairs to many officials and also got one for himself. It must be said that sitting in a chair is much more comfortable than standing.
Si Ma Yi slowly asked, "In the past few months when I was not in Luoyang, Ziyuan was fine at the Imperial College?"
Sima Shi also sat down by himself, everything in his father's study was too familiar to him: "Son has been doing well at the Imperial College. The professors' explanations of classics are full of wisdom. Studying for a few months there is better than a year of studying at home."
"Only," Sima Shi said: "One of my classmates at the Imperial College is called Xun Can, who is the son of Xun Yu, the Young Lord."
"Xun Can's several brothers and many family members were captured by the Inspector of Subways and placed in imperial jail. Even Xun Yu's second son, Xun Yu, died in the imperial prison."
Sima Shi thought for a moment and said, "There has been much discussion about this matter at the Imperial College recently. Xun Can has also been running around in the Imperial College and in Luoyang to seek help, but no one can save even a bit."
As Sima Shi spoke, Si Ma Yi's expression gradually became stern.
"Ziyuan," Si Ma Yi looked at his eldest son, "What do you think about the incident of the Xun family members being arrested?"
Sima Shi bowed and asked, "Father is asking about right and wrong, or the impact?"
"Both," Si Ma Yi said slowly.
Sima Shi asked tentatively, "Then let the son say about right and wrong first?"
"Okay." Si Ma Yi replied.
Sima Shi thought for a moment before saying, "The information from the Inspector of Subways suggests that Xun Yu and Xun Hong were the masterminds behind the rumors."
"This rumor son also heard about, and it has indeed caused anxiety in the capital city of Luoyang. But son can't understand why they would benefit from spreading such rumors."
"Even if the emperor were to really pass away, or even if Mengchou Wang could return to Luoyang, can the two people who fan the rumors really benefit from it?"
Si Ma Yi said, "So, Ziyuan thinks that this matter is false?"
"That's not what I mean. Xun Yu is also a worshipper of Mengchou Wang. Since the Inspector of Subways said Xun Yu had committed a crime, let it be so." Sima Shi replied: "Son just can't understand why they would do such a thing."
Si Ma Yi shook his head, "Xun Yu, a man of such wisdom, was still granted death by Wu Di. Can't there be two idiots among Xun Yu's offspring?"
"Ziyuan, remember this," Si Ma Yi said slowly, "Not everyone in this world will endure patience and then act after careful planning."
"People who act on impulse without considering the consequences, only to satisfy their immediate feelings, are the majority of people in this world. And such people are often useful to us."
Sima Shi said, "The son understands what the father has said. However, since the offspring of Xun Yu have been imprisoned in imperial jail in such a way, coupled with Xun Can's running around in the Imperial College to seek help, there are now many sympathetic people towards the Xun family in the Imperial College."
"Is this sympathy of any use?" Si Ma Yi looked into his son's eyes.
Sima Shi shook his head gently, "Actually, it's just some public opinion."
"Moreover, the reputation of the Inspector of Subways is now even more terrifying. Some people say that the Inspector of Subways' current style of operation can be compared to that of Man Qing in Xuchang."
(End of chapter)
