"Deceit?" Sima Shi thought for a moment: "Could it be that during the months when my father was not in Luoyang, the Premier and the Grand Justice were very close?"
"Oh? Is that so?" Sima Yi raised an eyebrow.
"Sima Shi quickly denied: 'That's not the case. However, there is always some sort of interaction between Zhong Yu, the son of the Premier, and Wei Li, the son of the Grand Justice.'"
Seeing his father's slightly frowning brow, Sima Shi added, "Not only Wei Li and Zhong Yu, but even my son and them have some interactions."
"What's the matter?" Sima Yi looked at Sima Shi's face: "Elaborate on it in detail, and do not omit anything!"
"Yes." Sima Shi explained: "Since the end of last year, the offspring of the major families in Luozhong have all entered the Imperial Academy. Therefore, they often discuss current affairs and comment on people there."
"So many scholars gather together to interact with each other, and I am one of them," Sima Shi explained.
"Who else is with you?" Sima Yi raised a faint brow.
Sima Shi thought for a moment: "They are all talented people in Luozhong. Such as Yan Zheng, Zhang Fei, Li Sheng, Deng Yang, Ding Mi, Bi Hui and so on..."
Sima Yi asked, " Didn't you just say that there was also Wei Li and Zhong Yu?"
"Zhong Yu is not in the Imperial Academy, he only occasionally comes," Sima Shi said: "There are also Zhong Xiu, the son of Liu Fang, Sun Zi, the son of Sun Ju, and Wei Jing, the son of Wei Zheng."
"The three of them are mediocre in terms of talent and learning. They just happened to be with us, taking advantage of their father's status."
Sima Yi nodded lightly, pondering for a moment.
These people, from the aristocracy to royal relatives, or the second generation with actual power, each has some talent or background. Thinking of his own youth when he also socialized with scholars, Sima Yi did not stop them.
Sima Yi asked: "What is your position in it? Are you the leader or just going with the flow?"
"Naturally, I am the leader among them. When we are socializing, it's often with He Yan and me at the forefront," Sima Shi smiled: "But if Xiahou Yuan comes back, there will definitely be a place for him as well."
Sima Yi nodded and continued to ask: "Next, talk about Wei Zheng and Zhong Tai Fu."
Sima Shi thought for a moment, then said: "Could it be that Premier Zhong, being old and frail, wants to secure a good future for his son Zhong Yu? Now that the Grand Justice is highly favored by the emperor, he might be taking advantage of the situation and doing a favor?"
Sima Yi was silent for a moment and said: "Zi Yuan is quite similar to what my father had in mind."
"I remember when the emperor just ascended the throne, he appointed Zhong Yu as a rider of scattering horses, and was the first to visit Premier Zhong's house," Sima Yi took a deep breath: "Premier Zhong's layout is indeed far-reaching."
Sima Shi said, "In that case, it sounds like General Commander was entrusted by Premier Zhong as well?"
"Not necessarily." Sima Yi shook his head: "General Commander is not something that Premier Zhong can easily entrust."
"In my opinion, it is probably due to the emperor's reasons. The emperor was close to Wei Zheng during his time in the Eastern Palace, and now he frequently entrusts people to Wei Zheng. Moreover, Wei Zheng's father is an ally of the Cao family, so General Commander has a good impression of Wei Zheng, which is not surprising."
"By the way, Zi Yuan," Sima Yi looked at Sima Shi, "In a few days, you and Xiahou Yuan should find some time to go to General Commander's mansion. Tell them it's at my request."
"Go to the General Commander's mansion?" Sima Shi was puzzled: "What does father mean by this, what do I need to do at the General Commander's mansion?"
Sima Yi, twirling his beard and smiling, said: "Father wants to talk about a marriage with you. Xiahou Yuan's sister Xiahou Hui, have you ever seen her? How is this girl?"
Sima Shi blushed and stood up from his seat, saying, "This... when did father make this decision? Why didn't he tell me?"
"I don't know you any better?" Sima Yi smiled and shook his head: "The daughter of Xiahou Shang, the sister of Xiahou Xuan, and the niece of Cao Zhen."
"Such a woman with this kind of background, Zi Yuan is not interested in her marriage? Father has heard that her appearance is also very good."
"Willingly, I do," Sima Shi walked around the room twice, took a deep breath, and said: "Xiahou Xuan is so outstanding, how could his sister possibly be ugly? Naturally, she's also outstanding among women."
"What are you sighing about?" Sima Yi raised his eyebrows and asked.
"What else could it be?" Sima Shi said somewhat depressed: "I'm already outmatched in every way by Xiahou Xuan. Now, if I marry Xiahou Xuan's sister, will I always be at a disadvantage compared to Xiahou Xuan?"
Sima Yi smiled and shook his head: "That's something I won't interfere with. But Zi Yuan, you still need to think about how to face the General Commander's examination. The General Commander has said that if your talent does not meet the requirements, he will not agree."
Sima Shi gritted his teeth: "Don't worry, Father. I'll bring good news to you."
Sima Yi roared with laughter.
......
The next day, Luoyang, the North Palace.
Another grand imperial audience, another grant of honors.
This time, there were many officials who had rendered meritorious service in the southern campaign.
The Grand Marshal Cao Xiu's merits were first, and he was granted an additional two thousand five hundred households. The Grand General Cao Zhen's merits were second, and he was granted an additional one thousand households.
The Premier Sima Yi had a role in the strategic planning, and was granted an additional eight hundred households.
General Ma Chong and General Zhu Gai, the former General and the Right General respectively, were each granted an additional seven hundred households for their military achievements. The Governor of Qing Province Wang Ling, the Marshal of the East Cao Tai, and the Governor of Yu Province Jia De were also granted an additional five hundred households each.
The Grand Justice Wei Zheng, due to his contribution to the defense of Luoyang, was also granted an additional five hundred households.
The others, including Liu Ye, Xin Pi, Huang Quan, Chen Jiao, and Jiang Ji, among others, were granted between two hundred to one hundred households.
As for the two thousand cattles of land granted to the central army and the outer army, although the amount varies, it does achieve equal distribution of benefits.
Unexpectedly, General Liu Yi, who failed to win in his campaign in Xiangyang, also received an additional two hundred households due to his hard work. However, compared to the high-ranking officials who received thousands of households or several hundred households, it is quite pale.
In the grand hall, the officials who had received rewards were naturally excited. Once the dust settled and decisions were made, who doesn't love to be rewarded?
Serving the country is ultimately for personal fame, wealth, and rank.
"Where is Zhong Hujuan Jiang Ji?"
Jiang Ji had just been granted an additional two hundred households, and he was thinking about the recent rewards when unexpectedly, the emperor called out his name.
"I'm here." Jiang Ji quickly stepped forward.
Cao Rui said, "In the early years of Huang Chong, Premier Jiang accompanied the late emperor on several southern expeditions. This time he accompanied me in an expedition to Yangzhou, and also had merits in contributing advice."
"I ask you, after the victory in Wancheng, when facing Sun Quan in the region of Yangzhou, what should be given priority?"
Jiang Ji's mind spun rapidly.
Jiang Ji was also one of the top strategic minds in the great Wei state. This was a grand imperial audience! The emperor, in public, was asking a subject about state affairs. This had never happened before!
Could it be... that they are going to send me, Jiang Ji, to Yangzhou?
The emperor was watching from above, and Jiang Ji had no time to think much. He just came up with a few phrases based on his daily accumulation of knowledge.
Jiang Ji bowed and said: "Reporting to your Majesty, I think there are three things that should be paid attention to in Yangzhou."
First, I'll present a general outline, which will leave me with several more moments to think, giving me more time for reflection.
This can be considered a kind of 'acute intelligence' as well.
Cao Rui nodded: "Premier Jiang, please continue."
Jiang Ji bowed and said, "Firstly, accumulating food supplies is essential; secondly, training soldiers is of utmost importance; and thirdly, managing water conservancy projects is a matter of urgency."
"Reporting to your Majesty, one of the priorities should be to accumulate food supplies, which is essential for military purposes. Since the early years of Huang Chong, when we have repeatedly used troops in the Huainan region, we have never once failed to obtain supplies from various provinces. In some cases, we even had to transport grain from far away Yan Commandery in the north."
"Setting up field camps in Yangzhou and Huainan will definitely reduce the waste of resources during military campaigns. Moreover, there are also military personnel captured in battle who can be used for fieldwork. This is a win-win situation."
Cao Rui nodded, but said nothing.
"Secondly, I believe that training soldiers is the fundamental factor in achieving victory in battle. Of course, military affairs in Yangzhou are not my specialty, so I will not go into further details."
"Thirdly, constructing irrigation systems and building ships are urgently needed in Yangzhou at present. Whether we are mobilizing troops from Hefei, Guangling, or from the newly captured Wan Mouth, dredging canals will ensure a smooth military operation, while shipbuilding can develop water forces."
"Your Majesty, these three points are what I believe to be necessary matters for Yangzhou at this time."
Cao Rui nodded and said: "What Jiang Ji has said is very in line with what I have in mind. I have already gained a comprehensive understanding of the major and minor affairs of the military in Yangzhou for this campaign."
"Grain, combat power, and water transportation! Premier Jiang has summarized well. These three points are exactly what Yangzhou needs at the moment!"
Cao Rui spoke out loud, "For a long time, our country has been in a state of war, and many policies and personnel arrangements have not been adjusted. Taking this opportunity today, I will also announce the contents of the appointments I have made."
"Liu Zhongshu, read it out."
"Imperial command followed." Liu Fang took out a roll of yellow silk, and began to loudly read it out to the assembly.
As Liu Fang's words were continuously spoken, all the ministers present, except for a few key officials like Cao Zhen and Sima Yi who were in the know, were surprised.
Summarizing, the edicts read out by Liu Fang also amount to three main points.
The first point is to unify the various official titles in the military.
Eliminate the position of Zhonglang General, with the military leaders in each prefecture being called Duwei (Commander), and the military leaders in the central and outer armies being called Xiaoyue (Captain). Duwei and Xiaoyue will no longer be used interchangeably.
The second point is to simplify the duties of the governors of the various states.
Each state governor will no longer command troops, and in the future, they will only be responsible for administrative affairs. If war breaks out, the troops of each prefecture will be led by their respective dukes and supervised by a general appointed by the court.
The third point is to abolish the office of state magistrate.
From now on, there will be no more state magistrates, and the military leaders will no longer be involved in administrative management.
Sima Yi watched the emperor in the hall, feeling very touched in his heart.
During the time of Emperor Cao Fu, if he wanted to do something, there was always a lot of resistance. But in just one year since the accession of the current emperor, the power of prefectural governors was stripped away, and the position of state magistrates was abolished. Such a major decision was made without much difficulty.
Can truly winning a war allow one to do whatever they wish?
At this time, Sima Yi also had a faint desire to take command of troops.
Cao Rui spoke out loud from the hall: "I have already discussed this with Grand Marshal Cao. Starting from today, Grand Marshal Cao will no longer hold the position of Yangzhou magistrate, but he will continue to command military affairs in Yangzhou as before."
"Premier Jiang," Cao Rui looked at Jiang Ji.
"I'm here," Jiang Ji bowed and said.
"I want to appoint you as the Governor of Yangzhou. Would you be willing to serve your country by establishing merits?" Cao Rui said slowly.
Jiang Ji was momentarily at a loss, but then he fell to his knees and kowtowed, saying, "I am willing to serve the emperor and establish merits for the great Wei!"
Sima Yi looked at Jiang Ji kneeling on the ground, and couldn't help but sneer in his heart. You, Jiang Zitong, had previously joked about the position of Governor of Yu Province not being important. Now that the emperor has appointed you as Governor of Yangzhou, you have agreed without hesitation.
At this moment, Jiang Ji was kneeling on the ground, thinking about the past twenty years when he had devoted himself to the affairs of Yangzhou. Now, is there really a place where I can put my skills to use?
However, if Jiang Ji were to have a conversation with Sima Yi at that moment, he would probably respond sharply right away.
Although both the Governor of Yu Province and the Governor of Yangzhou are called "Provincial Governors," they could not be considered the same thing.
(The end of this chapter)
