Cao Rui listened to Wei Zheng's words and couldn't help but gradually frown.
Grand Minister of Agriculture...
The position of Grand Minister of Agriculture during the Great Wei Dynasty is quite different from the Grand Minister of Agriculture during the previous Han Dynasty in terms of power and responsibilities.
Since the beginning of Jian'an, after Cao Cao accepted Zao Zhi and Han Hao's suggestion about the system of cultivating land, the system of cultivating land has become increasingly important in Cao Wei's camp.
It also elevated the position of the Grand Minister of Agriculture, an important official among the nine ministries, further, even placing it almost at the top among the nine ministries.
Wei Zhen gave a bow and said, "Your Majesty, should the court not appoint another Grand Minister of Agriculture?"
Since the position of Grand Minister of Agriculture is so important, Cao Rui has no choice but to approach it with caution.
Cao Rui coughed lightly and said, "The position of Grand Minister of Agriculture is very important. Does anyone have a suitable candidate to recommend to the throne?"
At this moment, Sima Yi was thinking in his heart whether to recommend his cousin Sima Zhi. However, just recommended Sima Zhi to compile the law, if let Sima Zhi to be Grand Minister of Agriculture again, probably the emperor will not be happy.
The four people present were all silent. It wasn't that there was no one to recommend; rather, it was difficult to figure out a suitable candidate in the short term.
The current emperor's style of doing things is completely different from his predecessor. For personnel assignments and important personnel appointments, decisions can often be made immediately after discussion, unlike his predecessor who would hesitate for a long time.
After a few moments, seeing no one spoke, Cao Rui nodded and said, "How about Xu Shu, alias Xu Yuanzhí? He is prudent and diligent in his duties. I have also had detailed conversations with him. Using such a meticulous person in the position of Grand Minister of Agriculture, which is filled with routine and numerous tasks, seems to be the most fitting choice."
Xu Shu... Sima Yi remembered, during the journey back to Shouchun, the emperor had ridden side by side with Xu Shu and talked for half a day.
The emperor often chooses people and appointments not limited by past achievements, but rather chooses those he is familiar with. As they say, "Choosing the talented and using the able." It seems that being under the emperor's sight is still the first step!
Since the emperor has said this, the four of them can only agree in succession. How can they oppose him?
Cao Rui said, "Huang Quan has impeached Linghu Yu. Whether Linghu Yu is right or wrong, I will first dismiss him and investigate his crimes. Otherwise, what authority will the Governor of Yuzhou have?"
"The candidate for the Grand Minister of Agriculture has been determined. As for the cultivation of land, can it be transferred to the state-level responsibilities as suggested by Wei Zhen earlier?" Cao Rui paused and said, "I will ask his opinion when Xu Shu takes office."
Wei Zhen, who had just asked the question, bowed and said, "Your Majesty is wise. This matter is merely suggested by me. Systematic matters cannot be rushed."
Cao Rui nodded in agreement, "Just as you said."
...
Meanwhile, outside the cities of Yuzhou and Xuchang.
Huang Quan's carriage moved slowly out of the city, heading towards the granary office located fifteen miles to the west.
Just a few days ago, the colonial official Huang Fangbo arrested the granary official Linghu Xu for alleged wrongdoing and became the recent hot news in Xuchang city.
And Huang Fangbo, who had been in Yuzhou for a month, had been touring the city almost every day.
As a result, the granary officials near Xuchang city were quite fearful and anxious, worried that if another problem arose, it might anger Huang Quan, who was in a temper. Many of them took sick leave and stayed at home.
Upon arriving at the granary office located to the west of Xuchang city, Huang Quan dismounted and led everyone directly into the main gate.
The officials in the courtyard greeted him in turn, but Huang Quan had no intention of conversing with them. Instead, he entered the official office straight away.
Seeing that there was only one person in the hall, Huang Quan showed an expression of displeasure and said angrily, "Is there only one official responsible for the granary here?"
The young official quickly stood up from the seat, bowing three times and stammering as he said, "I, I, I bow to the Excellency."
It's another one who can't speak fluently.
Frowning, Huang Quan turned to his Longshi (senior secretary) and said, "If the chief official of a region is incompetent and corrupt, then his subordinates are all merely parasites in office. It seems that if we want to reform the granary system in Yuzhou, we must start with Yingchuan and then with Xuchang!"
Before the Longshi could respond, the young official standing opposite Huang Quan bowed and said, "Your excellency, your words are incorrect. We are all working diligently and not just occupying our positions without doing anything."
The Longshi rebuked, "How dare you speak to the Excellency in such a disrespectful manner?"
"Let him speak." Huang Quan sneered and looked at the young official, "If you can't make a point, I'll use you as an example of a man who occupies his post without doing anything!"
The young official replied calmly, "Please ask, Your Excellency! I have nothing to hide."
Huang Quan, stroking his beard, asked, "Firstly, why has the output of the granary in Xuchang decreased significantly over the past three years?"
The young official answered, "Your Excellency, I have carefully investigated and found that this is due to the farmers often having to perform heavy labor, which causes them to miss the farming season."
Huang Quan saw that this person really could say a few words and had some doubts, "Serving labor is not a national affair? How can it affect the farming season?"
The young official replied slowly, "Serving labor is indeed a proper task, but it should not be overly frequent."
"The people cultivating the granary fields work hard from plowing and sowing in January, weeding and tilling the fields, pruning mulberry trees, burning wasteland, planting wheat, repairing threshing yards, harvesting crops, until October when it is all done."
"In addition to this, they also have to repair granaries, build bridges over rivers, transport taxes and labor services, pave roads, construct bridges, plaster houses, plug wall gaps - they are engaged in agricultural labor every day of the year."
Huang Quan nodded slowly, this person was saying things right, but he had not fully hit the mark.
Huang Quan asked, "Is it truly these corvée labor that has affected the granary yield?"
The young official didn't hesitate in his answer, "Your Excellency, there is also the abuse of labor force by the granary officer, who requires the granary people to work for his own industries."
At this moment, Huang Quan realized that he had encountered a capable talent on his tour today.
Huang Quan asked, "What is your name? What position do you currently hold?"
The young official answered, "I am Deng Ai, also known as Shi Zai. I currently hold the position of Palace Attendant for the granary in the western part of Xuchang."
Huang Quan nodded and said, "No longer be a Palace Attendant for the granary! I am now recruiting you as an Aide to the Prefecture. Come with me and inspect the granary affairs in our state together!"
Deng Ai is thirty years old and comes from a poor family. He has only achieved such an official position through diligence and perseverance.
It is an opportunity that not many people can encounter and grasp.
But Deng Ai replied slowly, "Thank you for your recruitment, Excellency, but I would like to discuss something with you first."
"Is it Deng Shizai? Speak your mind," Huang Quan said with a composed demeanor, looking at Deng Ai.
Deng Ai replied slowly, "The so-called 'temporary land', whether military or civilian, in fact, are all about farming and farming. Spring planting and autumn harvesting are the natural laws of the world that humans cannot interfere with."
"I hope that when handling the granary affairs, Excellency can be very cautious and gradually implement changes, which will also save a bit of labor force."
Huang Quan frowned and said, "Does the state only know that I, Huang Gongheng, will put a magistrate in prison, but not that I also govern a region?"
"Do not worry about that. Shizai, will you help me?"
Deng Ai bowed and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Excellency. I am willing to serve the Excellency."
Huang Quan nodded in satisfaction.
...
The city of Luoyang, North Palace.
Cao Rui drew the bow, held an arrow, aimed at the red center of the target with his right eye, and after slowly exhaling, released his finger. The arrow pierced through the air and struck the target's center.
The bow in his left hand also turned half a circle, hanging down by his side as he let go of his arm.
"What is it?" Cao Rui glanced at Bi Jin, an inner official beside him, who seemed to have something to say.
Bi Jin said respectfully, "Your Majesty, there is a message from the Empress Dowager's palace. The Empress Dowager has something she wishes to discuss with Your Majesty."
"Empress Dowager?" Cao Rui furrowed his brow. "Is it Empress Dowager Guo or the Imperial Dowager?"
"Your Majesty, Empress Dowager Guo has something to discuss with Your Majesty," Bi Jin replied.
Since ascending the throne last year, Empress Dowager Guo has been like a transparent person in the rear palace. She has been peaceful and law-abiding, never causing trouble, and rarely seeking the emperor's presence.
What is going on today?
Cao Rui took a deep breath, held his breath, and with his right hand, drew out the remaining four arrows from the quiver. He bent his index and middle fingers slightly and gripped the four arrows together in his palm.
After shooting one arrow, he brought back the bow with his left hand, and then moved his fingers to lift another arrow horizontally with his right hand.
The sound of arrows piercing through the wind kept echoing. In a few seconds, after shooting out all four arrows at once, he exhaled.
"Let's go," Cao Rui slowly placed the bow on the bow stand and slapped his hands.
"Your Majesty," Bi Jin did not dare to delay and ran out, calling for a carriage.
After a moment, the palace of the Empress Dowager.
"Greetings to your majesty." Cao Rui greeted Empress Dowager Guo with a serious bow.
"Mother, what brings you to summon me?" Cao Rui spoke softly and gently to Empress Dowager Guo.
Empress Dowager Guo looked at the emperor in front of her, and she was completely different from when she was in the palace. It was as if they were two different people.
In the East Palace, he was careful at every turn, fearing that any mistake would anger Emperor Wen.
Now, as the emperor, his demeanor of unspoken authority even carries a touch of the style of Emperor Wu.
Before, the eunuchs in the palace of the Imperial Dowager were all punished by the emperor, and even as the emperor's stepmother, she had to act cautiously in the palace.
However, on the other hand, as the empress dowager of the current state of Wei, Guo's mother, she still has many things she can do.
So after a year of silence, Empress Dowager Guo summoned the emperor for the first time proactively.
Empress Dowager Guo smiled, looking at Cao Rui slowly and said, "My son, please sit down. Mother has something to discuss with you."
Cao Rui nodded and found a chair opposite Empress Dowager Guo, taking a seat.
Cao Rui looked around and then asked, "Mother, are the funds and expenses in your palace sufficient? If not, I will have the Ministry of Treasury allocate more funds to your palace."
Empress Dowager Guo was also a woman of wisdom, and she possessed both beauty and talent. Otherwise, how could she successfully compete with the extremely beautiful Consort Zhen in Cao Pi's palace?
Empress Dowager Guo realized that the emperor might have thought she was asking for money, and she couldn't help but sigh in her heart for a moment.
"I haven't fallen to that extent!"
Empress Dowager Guo smiled and said, "Of course, it is sufficient. The expenses in my palace are already very high, and every year at festivals, you send over many things. I am indeed rich."
"What I want to discuss today is the matters of the rear palace." (The chapter ends)
