"Here comes one, and there's another!"
Cao Rui angrily said, "I have worked hard to accomplish some things, and yet these people are still criticizing them here!"
"Come on, Master Wei, have a look at both these petitions."
Wei Zhen did not immediately speak to pacify the angry emperor; instead, he rose and walked slowly to the desk, gently picking up Gao Rou's memorial with both hands.
Wei Zhen, with his extensive knowledge and sharp memory, could roughly glance through it once and memorize the content. After putting down Gao Rou's memorial, he picked up Xu Miao's document. Similarly to Gao Rou, Xu Miao's memorial was also directly delivered to the palace without going through the Ministry of Information.
After reading it, Wei Zhen placed it quietly on the desk without making any noise.
Cao Rui said, "I know it's not appropriate for the School Affairs to be under the Ministry of Civil Affairs, but hasn't it all ended up in my own hands now?"
"I deliberately avoided mentioning their native places so that Xin Bi, from Yingchuan, would be in charge of the affairs in Luoyang, Yang Fu from the Western Regions would be responsible for Xuchang, and Chen Jiao from Yangzhou would oversee the affairs in North China."
"I still tolerate Sun Zi and appoint him to an external post instead of dismissing him. I consider the overall situation, why can't the Palace Advocate and the Imperial Censorate spare some attention?"
Wei Zhen hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, it is best not to be angry. The Minister of Justice and the Censorate can only see that Sun Zi has been posted to an external position and that the School Affairs have been transferred, using this opportunity to criticize the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the School Affairs. They are not aware of Your Majesty's deep intentions."
Cao Rui looked up at Wei Zhen and said, "People with Your breadth of vision are truly too few."
"Xu Miao criticized the Ministry of Civil Affairs for usurping power, and Gao Rou condemned the School Affairs for unrestrained behavior. Both of these individuals chose not to say anything at an early or late time, but instead waited until the moment Your Majesty reorganized their positions."
"Are they thinking that I have long been dissatisfied with the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the School Affairs?"
Wei Zhen bowed his hands and said, "How can we, mere ministers, fathom the thoughts of the emperor? We can only guess based on small matters."
"I think it's still necessary to give these two a general explanation."
Cao Rui gave a light snort: "Is it that without me saying everything clearly, these two won't understand?"
"I have made up my mind. I will keep Xu Miao and Gao Rou's memorials in the palace without sending them out. Let's see what these two will do next."
Wei Zhen sighed and said, "Your Majesty, please do not be angry. I have read these two petitions, and they are both within the scope of their duties."
"Xu Miao, Xu Jing Shan, at the Censorate, holds the position of Inspector-General under the Minister of Justice, which is a role that is inherently responsible for supervising all officials."
"In his memorial, Xu Miao mentioned that the Ministry of Civil Affairs has long been in close proximity to the emperor, holding important positions and often helping the emperor handle state affairs. This is not conducive to the prosperity of the state. If the officials have too much power, it can be dangerous for the country. If the emperor's close advisors are too familiar, he will be prone to being deceived."
"If the emperor's close advisors take advantage of his weariness and make decisions, the officials will see that they can influence affairs and inevitably lean towards them. Once such a precedent is set, evaluations and reputations of officials will be biased, and sycophantic vile men will succeed."
"The officials in Luoyang are afraid that even a single word might offend the Ministry of Civil Affairs, for fear that it could speak ill of them before the emperor."
Cao Rui frowned and said, "I understand Xu Miao's meaning. But what is his purpose in saying these words? Does he want me to dismiss Liu Fang and Sun Zi, or does he want me to abolish the Ministry of Civil Affairs?"
"He didn't mention how to change it; instead, he's just here talking about all the bad things about the Ministry of Civil Affairs."
"Even without the Ministry of Civil Affairs, there will still be Minister's Assistants, the Western Chamber, and the Eastern Chamber. How can such things be stopped?"
"Your Majesty..." Wei Zhen was about to speak when he was interrupted by the emperor.
Cao Rui said, "Let Xu Miao submit another memorial for self-defense! I want to see if, according to his words, if we abolish the Ministry of Civil Affairs, what good system he has in mind!"
Wei Zhen tried to dissuade him but could not, so he had to comply. He then started explaining the content of Gao Rou's memorial.
Wei Zhen said, "Your Majesty, Gao Rou's memorial states that in the court, each official has their own duties. Appointing School Affairs is not an act of trust in the ministers. Moreover, over the past ten years, School Affairs like Lu Hong, Zhao Da, Liu Ci, etc., have used their personal likes and dislikes to exercise authority arbitrarily, which is truly not in line with the original intention of Emperor Wu setting up the School Affairs."
Cao Rui said indifferently, "Why didn't they say it earlier, only speaking now when I'm about to take away the power and responsibility of the School Affairs?"
"Gao Rou isn't the Minister of Justice? Have him produce evidence that the School Affairs have done any illegal acts."
Wei Zhen could only agree.
...
The next day, Gao Rou sat solemnly in the main hall of the Minister of Justice's mansion, the tip of his brush, dipped in ink, remained still as he hesitated to write.
The Minister of Justice's overseer, Wang Guan, carried over three rolls of bamboo slips and said, "Gao Sir, the materials related to Liu Ci's involvement in the case have been prepared. Please take a look."
Gao Rou did not look up: "Just leave them here. Thank you, Master Wei."
Wang Guan replied, "This is within my duty. During the years of Huangchu, aside from cases that were trivial and could have gone either way, Liu Ci truly caused nearly a thousand unjust or incorrect judgments."
After Wang Guan placed the bamboo slips on the desk, Gao Rou thoroughly read through them from beginning to end, and then sighed heavily. "Such egregious behavior, the harm caused by School Affairs far surpasses its benefits! Wei Tai, would it be alright if I asked you to accompany me to the palace tomorrow?"
"I want to present this case to the emperor!"
Wang Guan said solemnly, bowing his hands, "As a subordinate, I will certainly follow your lead, High Master Gao."
As the evening approached, it was the time when officials returned home from work.
Xu Miao, who was waiting at the corner by the side of the street, saw the chariot of Sima Yi pass by the Censorate. Without hesitation, he jumped onto the carriage just as it stopped momentarily.
Xu Miao asked anxiously, "Zhongda! Zhongda! What are we to do?"
Sima Yi looked at Xu Miao and said, "Brother Xu, what's the hurry! Is the sky about to fall?"
Xu Miao said angrily, "How can I not be in a hurry? In the morning, the emperor asked me to submit a memorial for self-defense. Just now, there was a messenger from the court who came to the Censorate and asked me to appear before His Majesty tomorrow."
Sima Yi smiled and said, "To appear before the emperor is to appear before the emperor. What's there to be afraid of? You haven't said anything wrong, so why would you worry about being blamed by the emperor?"
Xu Miao frowned and said, "Although I haven't said anything wrong, the Ministry of Civil Affairs does indeed have too much power. However, the emperor asked me to explain how to solve this problem. If my answer doesn't match the emperor's heart, I might still face criticism."
Sima Yi said, "How did the emperor order you to submit a memorial for self-defense? Please tell me in detail, leaving no word out."
After Xu Miao spoke seriously, Sima Yi pondered for a moment, then gave Xu Miao some instructions. Xu Miao's expression gradually relaxed as well.
As they were getting close to the Ministry of Public Works, the carriage pulled over to a less crowded area, and Xu Miao got off the carriage. Just before leaving, Sima Yi patted Xu Miao on the shoulder.
...
The next day, at the Northern Palace, in the study room.
Cao Rui sat behind the desk, with eight officials sitting in chairs arranged on either side.
Cao Zhen and Dong Zhao from the Western Chamber, Sima Yi and Wei Zhen from the Eastern Chamber, as well as four ministers of the middle chamber, were all present.
Cao Rui spoke in a calm tone, "Have you all heard clearly the two memorials that Teacher Wei read just now?"
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Cao Rui nodded, "I have called you all here today for two reasons. Firstly, I want to discuss the memorials of Xu Miao and Gao Ru with you. Secondly, I want to explain a few things to you."
"Let's call Xu Miao in first."
Zhong Yu, standing in the corner, bowed and left. Shortly after, Xu Miao walked in from outside.
Xu Miao bowed and said, "I, Xu Miao, kneel before the emperor."
Cao Rui nodded, "I summoned you to the palace today to explain your thoughts to me and to the court officials."
Xu Miao had a calm expression as he bowed and said, "I will follow the emperor's orders. I will speak openly and honestly."
Cao Rui pointed to Xin Zhi: "Let Xin Zhi ask on behalf of the emperor."
Xin Zhi received the order and stood up, moving to the side of Cao Rui's desk and picking up a piece of left-handed paper that was lying on it.
Xin Zhi cleared his throat and then asked, "May I ask, Mr. Xu, why you did not submit your memorials through the Ministry of Civil Affairs but directly to the palace the other day?"
Xu Miao looked at the emperor and bowed in response, "Your Majesty, as I was impeaching the Ministry of Civil Affairs, how could there be a reason for them to convey the message?"
Cao Rui said, "Are you worried that the Ministry of Civil Affairs will hide your memorial and prevent the emperor from seeing it?"
Xu Miao replied calmly, "I did not mean that, I just thought that when impeaching the Ministry of Civil Affairs, it would not be appropriate to submit another memorial through them."
Cao Rui looked at Xin Zhi and asked, "Xin Minister, does the Great Wei have any regulations regarding the channels for ministers to submit memorials?"
Xin Zhi replied, "Your Majesty, there is no such regulation."
"That will be it then." Cao Rui spoke slowly. "Starting today, when ministers submit memorials to the palace, they must go through the Ministry of Civil Affairs. The Ministry of Civil Affairs is responsible for transmitting messages up and down and cannot be considered a mere ornament."
"Yes, your majesty, I will remember this. I will inform the Ministry of Civil Affairs later," Xin Zhi replied.
It's rather comical, but the edict that granted the Ministry of Civil Affairs authority still needed to be signed by the Ministry of Civil Affairs itself.
Cao Rui asked again, "Mr. Xu, in your memorial, you mentioned that if the emperor listens to the suggestions of his servants, he will be deceived. Who do you refer to as 'left and right' here?"
"Are you referring to the Minister of Civil Affairs Liu Fang and the Grand Secretary Sun Zi?"
Xu Miao took a deep breath and said, "Your Majesty, as the Ministry of Civil Affairs is among the emperor's close advisors, it is included in this sense."
After a moment's pause, Xu Miao said, "Your Majesty, I believe that not only the Ministry of Civil Affairs but also the Western and Eastern Chambers should be included!"
"Every word I say is from the bottom of my heart. If Your Majesty continues to gather ministers in the palace and listen to the suggestions of his close advisors, if this goes on, then eventually, all the ministers in the court will only know about the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the Western and Eastern Chambers, but not about Your Majesty!"
"If the power of ministers becomes too heavy, the people will naturally fear them and neglect the emperor. Please allow me to point this out!"
Several days ago, Sima Yi had a discussion with Gao Ru, intending to have Gao Ru accuse the School Affairs and then have Xu Miao impeach the Ministry of Civil Affairs, thereby reducing the overall authority of the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
Orders are issued from the palace to the outer court either through the Ministry of Civil Affairs issuing edicts and giving instructions or through the Eastern Chamber conveying governmental orders to the Secretariat.
When the late Emperor Cao Pi was alive, although he heavily relied on Chen Qun and Sima Yi at the Secretariat, he also used the Ministry of Civil Affairs to share the authority of the Secretariat.
Today, Sima Yi's actions were also to consolidate power in the Secretariat.
However, what surprised Sima Yi was that the emperor did not heed Xu Miao's advice and weaken the Ministry of Civil Affairs by sending Sun Zi away, but instead ordered Xu Miao to defend himself.
The wind is clearly turning.
The emperor's dissatisfaction appears to be directed at Sun Zi himself, rather than the Ministry of Civil Affairs as an institution. (End of Chapter)
