Cao Shu stood here with a friendly expression, while Yuan Kan was already quite anxious at this time.
According to the rules, such a matter should be reported to his direct superior, that is, the Chancellor's assistant and director of elections, who was elected by the Minister of Rites, Wei Zhen.
But Wei Zhen is not usually stationed at the palace, and it is also time for his rest and bathing now!
Although Yuan Kan did not want to be labelled as 'befriending' Cao Shu, out of respect for etiquette, he got up and performed a bow: "Your Majesty, please wait a moment. I will go first to look for the current Minister who is on duty."
After Chen Jiao became the Viscount of the Middle Palace and Wei Zhen entered the palace, there were only four ministers left in the Secretariat, each responsible for Left People's Affairs, Guest Affairs, Five Warfare Affairs and Ministry of Revenue respectively. They also led the twenty-five departments of the Secretariat.
This was almost the prototype of the six ministries in later dynasties.
"Yongqiu King?" The Secretary of Guest Affairs, Xu Xuan, who was looking at documents in the office, wondered after hearing Yuan Kan's words: "Publicly, are you joking? The Yongqiu King isn't in Yongqiu, how could he be here in the Secretariat?"
"Xu public should see it personally." Yuan Kan's face was full of difficulties: "The Yongqiu King said that the emperor appointed him as the deputy chief engineer of Chongwen Observation a month ago, and he came to the Secretariat this time to report."
Seeing that Xu Xuan was still contemplating, Yuan Kan couldn't help but urge him: "Mr. Xu, Mr. Xu?"
Xu Xuan looked at Yuan Kan with a cold eye and said, "I understand, you go first, I will be there shortly."
After driving away Yuan Kan, Xu Xuan sat down on the seat and began to ponder.
Yuan Kan has always been steady, so if he says that Cao Shu is here, then this matter must be true. The Yongqiu King's entry into Luoyang must have required the emperor's permission; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to leave Yongqiu.
Furthermore, the emperor himself had passed through the Chenliu Prefecture during his southern tour. It must be that the emperor had reconciled with the Yongqiu King, and thus chosen him to enter Luoyang as an official!
Understanding the subtleties, it only took a few moments. Xu Xuan stood up and straightened his robes, then walked out slowly, walking to the value room of the Ministerial Office.
"I am Xu Xuan, the Secretary of Guest Affairs, paying my respects to Your Majesty."
Xu Xuan knew the situation and paid a respectful bow, which startled Cao Shu who was sitting. Cao Shu quickly stood up and returned a courtesy to Xu Xuan: "I have seen Lord Xu."
Xu Xuan said with a smile, "Just now, I heard from Yuan Lang that this time Your Majesty has appointed Your Majesty as the Deputy Chief Engineer of the Chongwen Library?"
"Chongwen Observation, is not Chongwen Museum." Cao Shu corrected seriously: "Lord Xu, the emperor established this Chongwen Observation to uphold his 'to honor Confucianism and value learning' and 'learning is the foundation of governance'."
Cao Shu had been lingering for nearly ten years, and now that he had obtained a real position, even a purely literary job of sorting out classics and promoting scholarship in Luoyang City, Cao Shu was quite satisfied, so he attached great importance to it.
Even if Xu Xuan misspoke a single word, Cao Shu would carefully correct him, only then feeling at ease in his heart. Those who have not experienced the depths of despair cannot understand the taste of being able to freely feel the sunshine on level ground. Cao Shu now feels just like that, a sense of breaking free from the cage.
"Yes, Chongwen Observation." Xu Xuan nodded: "Your Majesty, how should the Chongwen Observation specifically uphold moral education and enlightenment? The Secretariat has not yet heard Your Majesty mention this matter."
Cao Shu explained: "Lord Xu knows the Five Classics, right? The Five Classics are complex and deep in study, and most students are not familiar with them. But if they are annotated in the form of common speech... "
While his ears were listening to Cao Shu's serious account, Xu Xuan's mind was completely elsewhere. To put it simply, this is just about the emperor finding a civil post and reappointing you, a prince who has been discarded for many years!
Xu Xuan, in fact, didn't really care where Cao Shu was working. It was just an excuse to chat with this person who had seemingly come back from the dead.
Yuan Kan stood quietly on the side, watching the two.
The Ministry of Personnel is responsible for elections and examinations, and Yuan Kan, who became the Middle Officer of the Ministry of Personnel at the age of over thirty and became a direct subordinate of Wei Zhen, is naturally among the elite. Yuan Kan's father was Yuan Huan of Chenjun, whom Cao Cao personally praised as "braver than Benyu and Yuyu."
Yuan Kan recalled his father's past evaluation of Xu Xuan, saying that Xu Xuan was bold in handling affairs but had a taste for speculation. Two years ago, when the late emperor was on campaign in Guangling and encountered rough seas, Xu Xuan drove his boat to the emperor's vessel without hesitation and became the first to arrive. As a result of this, he was praised by the late emperor and converted from a ride with the imperial court to a Secretary of Guest Affairs.
After chatting for a while, Cao Shu stood up to take his leave: "Lord Xu, I shall take my leave first."
"Your Majesty, please take your time." Xu Xuan smiled and said: "Your Majesty seems to should go to the palace to seek the emperor at this time."
"Lord Xu's words are very reasonable." Cao Shu nodded quickly, thanked Xu Xuan again, and then left.
Having been silent for many years, this was the first time Cao Shu felt kindness from a high-ranking official of the court, and his favorable opinion of Xu Xuan surged instantly.
The footsteps were getting further and further away, and Xu Xuan stood at the door watching Cao Shu's departing figure as he walked out of the Secretariat. Just as Cao Shu was about to leave, he turned to Yuan Kan and said: "Yuan Kan, this matter should be reported to Wei Zhen immediately."
"Thank you for the reminder, subordinate will immediately send someone to report." Yuan Kan bowed and sent off Xu Xuan. For a moment, he was at a loss for words about Xu Xuan.
This person is really trying to please everyone.
About half an hour later, Cao Shu finally arrived at the entrance of the emperor's study hall.
The palace is the office of Cao Rui and also his home. Unless he deliberately goes out for a trip or inspects other places, there is indeed no need to leave the palace.
Cao Rui had already learned from the Office of Inspection that Cao Shu would be coming to Luoyang today. As expected, Cao Shu sought an audience with him before noon.
"Oh, my Lord. How are you?" Cao Rui stood at the entrance of the study hall and greeted Cao Shu in a far-off way.
Cao Shu took three steps in two, and directly bowed when he reached the steps in front of the study hall: "Subject Cao Shu pays respects to Your Majesty."
Cao Rui did not reach out to support him; instead, he said with a smile, "Uncle, rise. Please come in quickly and sit down in the study hall to talk."
"I will comply." Cao Shu rose and entered the study hall, only to find Liu Ye and Yang Fu both present.
Just now, the emperor stood up to greet, and both Liu Ye and Yang Fu, who were sitting before, stood up.
Liu Ye, Liu Ziyang; Cao Shu had known him for a long time. But Yang Fu, Yang Yishan, this man looked quite unfamiliar to Cao Shu.
"Modesty is attractive." Cao Shu understood this, and was more cautious in his actions as he returned to Luoyang.
Before Liu Ye and Yang Fu had a chance to speak, Cao Shu began to bow to the two of them: "Greetings to Lord Liu, who is this person...?"
Liu Ye dared not let a prince address him as "Lord Liu" in the presence of the emperor, so he quickly responded, "Greetings to Your Majesty, please do not address me in such a way."
Liu Ye then addressed Cao Shu: "Your Majesty, this is Yang Fu, Jian mountain who has just taken office as a Gentleman-in-Waiting."
Cao Shu and Liu Ye were both careful, but Yang Fu did not show such caution.
Yang Fu simply bowed slightly and said, "Greetings to the Yongqiu King, I am Yang Yishan from Tian Shui."
Liu Ye was cautious because he knew the emperor had a heart to promote the imperial family and feared that he might lose the emperor's favor if he did not handle things well. Cao Shu's caution was due to his recent reappointment. However, Yang Fu showed no fear.
What's a prince worth? I'm still a government official!
It can only be said that during the reigns of Emperor Huandao and Emperor Ling, and during the early years of Emperor Wu, the generally bleak situation of the princes had become so habitual that scholars tended to look down upon them.
During the reign of Emperor Ling, Cai Xin, the younger brother of Emperor Huan who was a close confidant of the eunuch Wang Fu, was falsely accused of treason and committed suicide in prison due to severe torture.
Even a eunuch could cleanly dispose of a prince, and after the fact, no one was willing to speak up for them. What status could these princes possibly have?
Cao Rui naturally saw how each of them reacted, and he leaned back onto the armchair, then casually said: "Uncle, have you prepared a place to stay when you return to Luoyang?"
"I returned to Luoyang," Cao Shu said respectfully: "My previous residence, in the number of years, has been taken back by the court. Now I really have no place to live."
"That's not at all suitable," Cao Rui frowned slightly: "Liu, after this meeting, please ask the Ministry of Revenue to select a residence in Luoyang and bestow it on Uncle. Make it the same size as General Cao Hong's mansion."
Before Liu Ye could respond, Cao Shu quickly stood up and said: "Your Majesty, I have no merits for the country, how can I be given a residence of equal standards as General Cao Hong?"
Cao Rui did not respond to Cao Shu's statement, waving his hand and then saying to Liu Ye: "Just say that to the Ministry of Revenue. I have summoned Uncle back to Luoyang for official duties. If Uncle lives in a shabby residence, that would be a loss of face for me."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace." Cao Shu rose and bowed.
"Also, Lord Liu said, 'Your Majesty, the residence of Yongqiu King was previously given to the Commandery of Hebei's Marshal Wu Ji.'"
"Wu Ji Wu Jizhong..." Cao Rui thought for a while: "It's time to call Wu Ji back to court. However, it seems that there is no suitable position available for him at the moment."
Cao Rui glanced at Liu Ye and Yang Fu, then looked at Cao Shu: "Uncle hasn't seen the Empress Dowager in a few years, has he?"
To be honest, Cao Shu certainly wants to see his biological mother. However, since the emperor does not mention it, neither does he dare to speak about it himself.
Cao Shu nodded and said: "Since the Yellow Seventh year, after returning from Luoyang to Juancheng, I have not seen the Empress Dowager again. I don't know if the Empress Dowager's health is still sound?"
"Whether she is in good health or not, Uncle can go and see for yourself," Cao Rui said with a smile. "Liu the Gentleman-in-Waiting, Yang the Gentleman-in-Waiting, both of you should accompany Yongqiu King to visit the Empress Dowager properly."
"Understood the command," Liu Ye and Yang Fu rose to respond.
Cao Shu continuously thanked and then followed Liu and Yang out.
The eunuch Bi Jin led the way, Cao Shu walked in the middle, with Liu Ye and Yang Fu stepping back half a step to follow closely beside Cao Shu.
At present, only Cao Zhen and Sima Yi are allowed to ride horses inside the palace. Cao Shu, although a prince, is also an unequivocal foreign minister who must walk on two legs.
Cao Shu was eager to see his mother and had no mind to chat with the two gentlemen-in-waiting.
Yang Fu was accustomed to keeping silent, and at this moment Liu Ye was also thinking about the relationship between the emperor and the imperial family.
First, Cao Hong, and now Cao Shu.
During the reigns of Emperors Huandao and Ling, there was a power struggle between scholars, eunuchs, and relatives-in-law at court.
The present great Wei is almost on equal footing with Qiao Pei martial people and Youyang scholars.
But from the emperor's actions over these days, it seems that the status of martial people and imperial relatives is on the rise.
Should I... also seek a military position and achieve some real military merit, beyond just being a strategist?
Thinking about it, the group arrived at the palace of Empress Dowager Bian. With Bi Jin leading the way, there was no one to block their way.
Cao Shu crossed the threshold and walked in, Liu Ye and Yang Fu looked at each other, and then they also walked in without missing a step. (Chapter ends)
