Xu Yao's words caused a stir among the crowd, and everyone turned their heads in surprise.
When it comes to indiscriminate attacks in the presence of the emperor, Xu Miao can be considered the first. After all, he is an official of the Supreme Procuratorate, and his combat power is indeed formidable.
Cao Zhen looked up at the emperor, seeing that Cao Rui showed no reaction, then with an expression of discontent, he turned to Xu Yao: "It would be better for you, as an imperial censor, to be more clear-cut. We work diligently in the palace every day; how is it that we are accused of seizing power and 'only knowing the Western and Eastern Studies Chambers while not knowing the emperor'?"
Xu Miao looked at Cao Zhen and bowed respectfully: "In response to the remarks of the Great General, your servant is not making any personal attacks, but rather discussing matters related to the system."
After probing the emperor's attitude through Xu Miao and Gao Rou's memorials, Cao Cao's strategy for Xu Miao was to muddy the waters.
It is the duty of the Supreme Procuratorate to supervise all officials. To criticize aspects of the system that are not satisfactory is part of their responsibility.
To compare the Imperial Secretariat and the Western and Eastern Study Chambers, which were personally established by the emperor, obscures any personal bias.
However, Cao Rui was also not without preparation. He simply countered each move as it came.
Cao Rui furrowed his brow and looked at Xu Miao: "Xu Jing, are you suggesting that the Imperial Secretariat, the Western Study Chamber, and the Eastern Study Chamber use my authority to issue decrees and edicts without using my name?"
"Is this your plan?"
Xu Miao bowed and said, "Your Majesty, that is exactly what I mean. Favor and severity should both emanate from above; it should not always be the case that ministers issue orders from within the palace."
Cao Rui nodded and said, "I understand your advice, Xu Jing. I have called you here today not to cause you any trouble, but merely to discuss this matter logically."
"The matter I just mentioned, I will present two possible outcomes to you."
Xu Miao bowed: "I listen to the imperial teachings."
Cao Rui said: "The first issue is that as an imperial censor, Xu Jing often advises me in the palace, affecting the government and making the Ministry of Censors' power grow."
"Xu Jing, does that capture your meaning?"
Xu Miao narrowed his eyes and thought for a moment before bowing to reply, "Your Majesty, that is precisely what I meant."
"Very well," Cao Rui said: "If I limit the responsibilities of the Ministry of Censors to managing confidential documents, drafting decrees and edicts, and transmitting them upward and downward, without consulting the Ministry of Censors, would that not be beneficial to the system?"
Xu Miao replied: "Your Majesty's wisdom shines. If this is done, it will certainly make the courtiers no longer fear the power of the Ministry of Censors, and the responsibilities of the Ministry of Censors will be more clear and pure."
Cao Rui nodded: "The second question, Xu Jing says that the weight of the emperor's closest advisors is too great, which is not beneficial to the state. Using my name for the Western Study Chamber and the Eastern Study Chamber is an act that diminishes my authority?"
Xu Miao recalled the instructions from Sima Yi on the carriage the other day and nodded decisively: "I fully agree. It is unprecedented in history for ministers to issue orders from within the palace! This is not good governance."
Cao Rui smiled at the four people in the Western and Eastern Study Chambers: "The Imperial Censorate puts it this way. What do you think?"
Cao Zhen was the first to bow: "This is truly an unwarranted accusation! We are here in the palace to assist Your Majesty. How can we be accused of seizing power? I do not agree!"
Dong Zhao tidied his long beard and slowly said, "Issuing decrees in the palace does indeed borrow some of Your Majesty's authority, and I have no argument against that."
Cao Rui turned his head to look at Sima Yi and Wei Zhen: "What about you, Marquis of Ssu and Teacher Wei?"
Sima Yi bowed: "Your Majesty, I will only listen to Your command."
Wei Zhen also followed up by saying: "I have the same opinion as the Marquis."
Cao Rui nodded: "Xu Jing, you have heard the statements of the four senior officials of the Western and Eastern Study Chambers."
"As for the matter you just proposed, I now have a solution to address it."
"If I have already clearly stated the power of the Ministry of Censors and no longer consult with them on state affairs. Then in the future, any document entering or leaving the palace shall be transmitted through the Ministry of Censors, as well as for the Western and Eastern Study Chambers."
Cao Rui's words caused the study room to fall silent instantly.
In fact, when Cao Rui established the Western and Eastern Study Chambers, it was to have military and political matters all emanating from the palace. He first allowed the court to adapt to this system, before gradually consolidating power and transforming the powerful generals and chancellors into roles similar to cabinet ministers.
But he didn't expect Xu Miao to launch a critique on this matter today. Cao Rui then went with the flow and put forward this suggestion.
Allowing the edicts from the Western and Eastern Study Chambers to be issued by the Imperial Secretariat already amounts to issuing orders in the name of the emperor.
While it is impossible for Cao Zhen and Sima Yi to truly become assistant to the emperor, if they were to leave the palace in the future, others could potentially take over their roles and continue to push through changes without facing much resistance.
The road to centralization is long, and let's take it slow.
Cao Zhen, Sima Yi, and others did not have the concept of a 'cabinet' in their minds, nor did they consider themselves in the role of assistant to the emperor. Therefore, upon hearing the emperor's words, their first reaction was merely surprise.
At this moment, Sima Yi's mind had turned countless times, and he still couldn't help but feel a sense of unease.
Sima Yi bowed and asked, "Your Majesty, I have a question. Although it may not be appropriate, I still wish to please Your Majesty by being allowed to speak."
Cao Rui laughed, "Marquis of Ssu, why are you being so formal all of a sudden? Just speak your mind."
"Yes," Sima Yi said: "Your Majesty, I understand your intention of entrusting the power to issue and receive documents both inside and outside the palace to the Ministry of Censors. However, if the Ministry of Censors were to handle it as well, it might slow down matters."
Sima Yi spoke in a roundabout way, but Cao Rui immediately understood the implicit message behind his words.
What is there to delay in affairs? Sima Yi is worried that the edicts from the Western and Eastern Study Chambers might be obstructed or even rejected by the Ministry of Censors. If that were the case, the power of the Ministry of Censors would actually increase, making the Western and Eastern Study Chambers mere puppets.
Cao Rui smiled and said, "As for the matters of the Western and Eastern Study Chambers, whether documents are submitted to the palace for review or edicts are transmitted out of the palace, the Ministry of Censors only has the responsibility to immediately transmit them without any interference."
Sima Yi bowed and said: "If this is the case, I have no issues."
Cao Rui asked, "General Cao, Minister of Armor, and Teacher Wei, do you have any questions?"
From their perspective, it is nothing more than changing the messenger from eunuchs to the Imperial Secretariat, and it should make no difference.
Cao Zhen, Dong Zhao, and Wei Zhen all expressed that they had no objections.
Cao Rui smiled as he looked at Xu Miao. He was quite satisfied with this censor who, for some unknown reason, had given him a solid assist.
"As for the matters mentioned in your memorial, I have answered them all one by one. Is there anything else you would like to ask?"
Xu Miao bowed deeply: "I have no more questions! Your Majesty's wisdom illuminates, and your great insight and decisive judgment are truly unparalleled among rulers!"
Cao Rui sniffed and laughed, "Not even a world-renowned sage? Xu Jing, calm down, don't be so overblown."
"Chén Shizhong, please take note for me."
Chen Jiao, upon hearing the emperor's summons, quickly rose and walked to the desk where the Ministry of Censors usually drafted decrees.
"A loyal and honest minister is a pillar upon which the ruler depends. Xu Miao is clear, respectful, and open-minded, and he serves diligently and wholeheartedly. In matters of state importance, he always makes proposals. His loyalty and diligence are commendable, and I highly admire him."
After Cao Rui finished speaking, he smiled and said, "I will have these words sent to the Ministry of Censors. They will issue a proclamation to the Imperial Censorate, praising Xu Jing in front of everyone."
Xu Miao's mood fluctuated several times during his day in the palace today, and now that he has received such praise, he's really at a loss. On the other side, Sima Yi's expression remained unchanged, but he also had no idea what the emperor was thinking.
Xu Miao could only bow deeply in salute: "I thank Your Majesty for your kindness."
After Xu Miao left the Imperial Censorate, he did not stop at all. Cao Rui immediately summoned Gao Rui.
Gao Rui had just seen Xu Miao's peculiar gaze when he left the courtyard, and now that he entered the study himself, he was even more surprised.
Why would so many people be present?
After a simple greeting, it was still Xinbi who asked the question.
Xin Zhi said, "May I ask, Imperial Attendant, in your previous memorial you stated that the officials in charge of investigating and executing the law were generally lawless during the Yellow Initial year. What kind of lawlessness did they exhibit? Why did you wait until after His Majesty transferred their responsibilities to submit this memorial?"
Gao Rui bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, may I report that there was a single official in Luoyang, the Commandant of the Censors, Liu Ci. In the past two days, I have compiled the unjust and erroneous cases caused by Liu Ci, totaling nearly a thousand."
"I have already sent Imperial Attendant Wang Guan to follow me. He has written down the cases in detail. Now, should we present this to Your Majesty?"
Initially, Cao Rui thought that Gao Rui would say something at any time, but he had to do it at this particular moment, implying that he had a plan to get rid of the camp.
Now it seems that the censors have been acting in an improper manner over the years?
Cao Rui thought for a moment.
If he was unaware of these details, he could still use the censors and pretend not to know.
But if he knew about the illegal actions of the censors and continued to use them to investigate cases while pretending not to see, isn't that self-deception?
The world is not mine. There's no point in fooling myself.
Cao Rui nodded lightly: "Bring over the case details."
Zhong Yu went out to lead Wang Guan in, and after looking over the documents presented by Wang Guan, Cao Rui could not help but shake his head repeatedly.
If we use three words to summarize the unjust and erroneous cases caused by the censors, it would be "no talent!"
Most of these cases involved minor officials and ordinary citizens. The only case that really involved a two thousand stone official in Luoyang was a minor incident. There were no major issues to speak of.
Why are you only focusing on low-ranking officials and ordinary citizens? You should be keeping an eye on the ministers and nobles instead!
Since the censor is guilty and needs to be punished, Cao Rui doesn't have to put much thought into it.
What Cao Rui wants to keep is the institution of the censors, not a specific person inside. If some of them are overstepping their bounds or even committing crimes, they will be punished according to the law!
Cao Rui slowly said, "Shocking to the soul! There are so many unjust and erroneous cases committed by the censors. Imperial Attendant, according to the law, what kind of punishment should be given?"
Gao Rui slowly said, "Your Majesty, Liu Ci is a Commandant of the Censors. His death is inevitable. However, other officials in the censorship office will also bear some responsibility to varying degrees."
Cao Rui had no intention of carrying out a thorough purge of the Censorial Office at this time: "Since Liu Ci is guilty of capital punishment, I will personally decree his death. The responsibilities within the Censorial Office, I will entrust to three Censors to make a clear judgment."
Cao Rui looked at Gao Rui and said, "I want to know, why did the Imperial Attendant report the illegal activities in the Censorial Office to me only now?"
"Why didn't you say earlier?" (End of this chapter)
