Sim Guanyi said, "Since the king has this question, I am convinced that Xun Zi is correct."
Cao Rui nodded his head, he also guessed that Sim Guanyi would say this, then his gaze fell on Dong Xiao and Wei Zhen.
Dong Zhao bowed and said, "I agree and believe in Xunzi's words."
Wei Zhen was also as Sim Guanyi and Dong Zhao.
"General of the Army?" Cao Rui looked at Cao Zhen: "Does General of the Army believe that human nature is inherently good or inherently evil?"
Sim Yijian and the emperor had already made their point clear. Even if Cao Zhen did not seek further explanation, he also understood what the few were saying.
Cao Zhen bowed and said, "I also believe that human nature is inherently evil."
Cao Rui nodded lightly: "Since all the gentlemen believe 'human nature is inherently evil, and the good is merely pretense', if we talk about virtuous and noble, who would say their daughters are not virtuous and noble? This matter does not need to be discussed."
"As for the beauty or ugliness of appearance," Cao Rui said with a smile, "You wouldn't choose some ugly ones for me, would you?"
Cao Zhen also smiled and said, "Your Majesty does not need to worry, this is something that can be left to us. If anyone dares to disturb Your Majesty, let him come and see me with his head."
Sim Guanyi saw that the emperor was in a good mood, so he also asked tentatively: "Your Majesty, if we are to select from the noble families and officials, should there be any restrictions on the region of the nobles and the grade of officials?"
Sim Guanyi's question caused the study to fall into a gradual silence.
Cao Rui laughed softly: "Since we are all talking about noble families, which noble families do you want me to select, and which ones should I not select? The Grand Secretariat is unaware?"
"If we are to select a woman from the families of officials, then let's choose from officials who are in Luoyang."
Sim Guanyi bowed: "I understand."
Just as the four were about to rise and take leave, Cao Rui called them back.
"Please wait a moment," said Cao Rui, "I just forgot to mention something."
"I want to choose someone to be sent to Wuchang as an envoy to represent me and announce the edict on behalf of the king. I remember in the early years of the Huang Chu period, it was the Grand Officer Xing Zhen who helped to appoint Sun Quan as King Wu."
"The current Grand Officer Xing Zhen and the Grand Secretary Yao Chong seem to have poor health."
Cao Rui looked around at the four: "I want to choose a nine-official to go to Wuchang. What do all of you think who is capable of taking on this responsibility?"
Dong Zhao heard this and quickly bowed and said, "Your Majesty, although I am the Master of the Commandery, I am afraid I am unable to serve as an envoy to Wuchang for Your Majesty."
Cao Rui waved his hand: "Dong Public, you should stay in Luoyang to help me with my affairs. How could I possibly let you go?"
Sim Guanyi said, "Since the Grand Officer and the Master of the Commandery are not well enough to go, the positions of Minister of Feasts, Judge of Law, Chief Priest of Ancestors, and Minister of Lesser Treasury are not suitable either. The Great Minister of Agriculture Xu Shu has just taken office."
"The current Grand Officer of Horses is vacant, so let the Grand Minister of the Western Baronies, Cui Lin and Cui Deren, go? This person has broad vision and noble demeanor. He is just right to represent Your Majesty to spread the great virtues of Wei."
Cao Rui sighed: "Chang Hua's suggestion to send Cui Lin is sound, but I am well aware of Cui Lin. He is a righteous gentleman."
"This time, when I send an envoy to Wuchang, it is not to send a gentleman who gets along well with Sun Quan. Instead, I want to send an able minister who can spread the might of the Great Wei and intimidate Sun Quan on my behalf."
"Cui Lin is not suitable."
Sim Guanyi thought for a moment: "When does the envoy need to depart, Your Majesty?"
Cao Rui replied, "If we can decide on the candidate today, they can leave tomorrow. Regardless of how it is with Sun Quan, I want to get a reply as soon as possible."
Sim Guanyi said, "If as Your Majesty said, we have to choose from among the officials in Luoyang, let's send someone who is a thousand and two hundred."
Ancient China
The 2,000 grains of rice per month (a rank known as "thousand and two hundred")... since the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, military leaders' ranks have been getting higher and higher, a phenomenon known as "inflation". However, among civil officials, a 2,000 grain position is still as valuable as it was in ancient times. For a while there were not many candidates.
Cao Rui thought for a moment, then looked up at Sim Guanyi, who was also deep in thought. Suddenly, an idea struck him.
Cao Rui laughed and said, "Chancellor Xiao, what about your cousin Sim Zhi?"
Sim Guanyi looked at the emperor with a hint of surprise.
Previously, Sim Guanyi had recommended his cousin Sim Zhi for the matter of revising the laws to the emperor. What surprised Sim Guanyi was not the mention of "Sim Zhi" but the phrase "your cousin" that came before it.
Sim Guanyi did not hesitate and bowed: "Your Majesty, Sim Zhi is a person with resolute character. If he is to promote the great virtues of Wei, he should be able to fulfill Your Majesty's wishes."
Cao Rui smiled and looked at Sim Guanyi: "Let Sim Zhi go. Chancellor, take good care of him."
"By the way, isn't the position of Grand Officer of Horses still vacant? Let Sim Zhi take over that. Send him there tomorrow."
Sim Guanyi bowed: "Your will be done. What would Your Majesty like to tell Sim Zhi?"
Cao Rui nodded and replied: "After you leave, I will find him and bring him to the palace."
"There is one more matter," Cao Rui said with a calm expression, "I have recently taken Sun Quan's daughter as a concubine. What kind of dowry should we send to Sun Quan?"
The four people present did not show any surprised expressions, as if this thing was as natural as can be.
Cao Zhen smiled and said, "Send the dowry according to the standards of marrying a daughter of a feudal king. Sun Quan won't refuse, will he?"
Cao Rui also smiled and nodded: "General Cao, you're right! Although Sun Quan rebelled against the Great Wei, the former emperor only took away Sun Quan's official position; the title of King of Wu was still left for him."
"Be that as it may!"
...
At the same time, Shu Han, Hanzhong.
Hanzhong is indeed the northern gate of Shu Han, and the person who has been stationed here for seven years, guarding it, is Wei Yan, the General of the Army of the North and the Administrator of Hanzhong.
Last month, the Premier Zhuge Liang presented Liu Shu with the "Table of Departure from Office" in Chengdu and set off northward the following day.
Zhuge Liang still has seven days of journey to reach Hanzhong, and his Chief Historian Xiang Lang, who is known as Xiang Juda, has already gone ahead and arrived in Nanzheng in advance.
Outside the western gate of Nanzheng city, Wei Yan was waiting at the city gate for Xiang Lang's arrival.
Wei Yan rode his horse alone to meet the carriage, which was far away.
"Mr. Xiang, haven't you been well?" Wei Yan sat on his horse, smiling as he bowed to Xiang Lang.
"Oh, why is it that Mr. Wei is still coming out to welcome the old man?" Although Xiang Lang was the Chief Historian, he was unwilling to be disrespectful at this time and quickly got off his carriage to meet him.
Seeing this, Wei Yan also dismounted and followed Xiang Lang, walking side by side towards the city gate.
"Mr. Xiang is the Chief Historian of the Prime Minister, how could I dare not come to welcome you?" Wei Yan said with a smile, "When will Prime Minister Zhuge Liang arrive in Hanzhong?"
Xiang Lang looked at Wei Yan and said immediately, "Prime Minister Zhuge Liang should arrive in Hanzhong in about seven days. First to Nanzheng, then to Dan Yang."
"Mr. Wei, has the Prime Minister's mansion been built in Dan Yang city?"
Wei Yan patted his chest: "It's all ready. Whenever Prime Minister Zhuge Liang entrusted me with it, I took it to heart and saw to it."
Wei Yan looked around and then whispered, "Is Li Zhengfang still in Chengdu this time?"
"Prime Minister Zhuge Liang sent Li Yan to Jiangzhou. He is not in Chengdu anymore," Xiang Lang said calmly: "The garrison in Chengdu is led by my nephew, Mr. Xiang Chu. The emperor has promoted him to Middle Commander."
Wei Yan nodded understandingly, "The Xiang family is highly favored by the emperor."
Xiang Lang was silent for a few moments before saying, "Mr. Wei, I came to Nanzheng in advance at the emperor's command."
"What is the command?" Wei Yan showed slight confusion.
Xiang Lang replied, "I will announce the edict at your commandery's mansion later. Mr. Wei, please wait a moment."
Wei Yan nodded, without asking any further questions.
The two slowly entered the city of Nanzheng, and then proceeded to Wei Yan's commandery of Hanzhong.
After Xiang Lang had read out the imperial edict, Wei Yan knelt to express his gratitude before slowly rising. He carefully took the edict and examined it once more before cautiously putting it away.
Xiang Lang laughed and said, "Mr. Wei is now a commander of a state as well. This is the commander of the western region!"
"Mr. Wei knows, right? A few days ago in Chengdu, Li Yan even publicly asked Prime Minister Zhuge Liang to divide out the Ba prefecture from Yi prefecture. He wanted to be the Ba prefect himself. However, it was a failure."
So, does this mean I'm now more influential than Li Yan?
Wei Yan thought for a moment before laughing and saying, "With the trust of the emperor and the premier, I have confidence in myself. I will certainly serve the Han to the best of my abilities."
"Wei Yan is modest." Xiang Lang spoke slowly: "Mr. Wei, I also have something to reveal to you."
"Oh? What is it that Mr. Xiang is talking about?" Wei Yan held the edict in his hand, smiling at Xiang Lang.
"Prime Minister Zhuge Liang is considering appointing you as the premier's assistant." Xiang Lang said this with a calm tone.
Wei Yan nodded, with a hint of sentimentality at the time: "In those days, when the former emperor was the King of Hanzhong in Dan Yang, he publicly overruled the opinions of others and promoted me to command the military affairs of Hanzhong."
"Now that the emperor and the premier have such confidence in me and use me, I am truly at a loss as to how to repay their grace and the great favor they have shown me."
Xiang Lang smiled slightly: "How do you plan to repay the emperor's favor? The official position given to you by the emperor is already a clear answer."
"Ha ha ha." Wei Yan laughed, stroking his beard and said, "Mr. Xiang is right! If the emperor appoints me as the ruler of Yanshan, then I will definitely help the emperor to conquer Yanshan!"
"Mr. Xiang, the Prime Minister asked me to do a few things before. I have already started them."
Xiang Lang slowly sat down on the mat, and Wei Yan, instead of sitting in his own seat of honor, sat down at the lower seat next to Xiang Lang.
Wei Yan continued speaking, seeing that Xiang Lang did not respond: "I have already sent people to explore the Bonxi and Tangluo passes. Although both of them are difficult, the Bonxi seems to be a little easier to travel through than the Tangluo."
"Wei Yan asked: "Mr. Xiang, which route is the Prime Minister going to take?"
Xiang Lang shook his head: "How could I guess the Prime Minister's intention? The Prime Minister has ordered you to send people to explore the routes; there must be a profound reason for it."
"Have the boat-building sites been selected?"
Wei Yan nodded and answered, "When we attacked Wudu and Xian during the early years, the boats we used were made temporarily and not very durable. Now that the Prime Minister has asked me to select a site for building ships on the Xihexi River, I have already selected the site, and many trees have been cut down for construction."
"Very good, very good," Xiang Lang said with a hint of satisfaction, "In Hanzhong, you have covered all bases, Mr. Wei!"
Unexpectedly, Wei Yan sighed.
"Wei Yan said with a sigh, "Mr. Xiang, I have been in Hanzhong for seven years and have always wanted to contribute to the Han. In these seven years, I have memorized every mountain and stream in Hanzhong."
"Now that Prime Minister Zhuge Liang wants to launch a northern campaign, I finally have the opportunity to lead troops into battle."
Xiang Lang looked at Wei Yan again and smiled, "Are you looking forward to receiving rewards and titles?"
"Is there anything wrong with that?" Wei Yan replied, "Isn't it a man's duty to serve the country on the battlefield and strive for fame and honor?"
Xiang Lang nodded slightly and said no more. (The chapter ends.)
