With a smile, Sima Zhi replied to the emperor's question: "Your Majesty is wise, I believe that Sun Quan is indeed bribing Your Majesty."
"Unable to fight, unable to surrender, and reluctantly agreeing is not willing. Sun Quan can only use these private means to ask Your Majesty to be lenient with him."
Cao Rui lightly nodded: "The carriage master has seen Sun Quan personally this time. What does he think of this person?"
Stable Master?
Sima Zhi's heart shook. Is my position not the acting Stable Master? Has Your Majesty promoted me?
Although happy in the heart, but when reporting to Your Majesty, it is not appropriate to be distracted. Sima Zhi temporarily suppressed the excitement in his heart. This is a nine-minute official!
After hesitating for a moment, Sima Zhi replied, "As for appearance, there is no need for me to say more. There have been many officials from the Great Wei who have sent envoys to Dong Wu, and I also saw Sun Quan's portrait before I set out."
"However, I have been twice into Sun Quan's residence, and I can clearly feel the change in his attitude."
Cao Rui smiled: "Tell me, Your Majesty has time today."
Sima Zhi bowed and said, "After I arrived in Wu Chang, I stayed in the guesthouse for many days without being able to see Sun Quan. When I first met Sun Quan, I saw Zhuge Jin and Quan Zong, who were supposed to be leading troops outside, in the hall."
Cao Rui knew that Zhuge Jin was in An Gong and Quan Zong was in Wu Lie.
Sima Zhi saw that the emperor didn't speak, so he continued, "When I first met Sun Quan, the first thing I mentioned was the matter of the Empress Sun Ye and the desire to send a gift to Sun Quan."
"From the perspective of a diplomatic envoy, it is clear that Sun Quan was in disarray and could not make up his mind at the moment, which is why he pretends to be unwell and leaves the hall."
Cao Rui said, "Your job is done well. You have put Sun Quan's words back into his stomach."
"Although there is no major impact on the affairs between Wei and Wu, it can also reflect Sun Quan's intention."
"Your Majesty is wise," Sima Zhi bowed, "when I saw Sun Quan again the next day, Zhang Zhao was also present in the hall. It was also at this time that Sun Quan refused to submit to the Great Wei again."
After Sima Zhi finished speaking, he thought that the emperor would mock Sun Quan a bit, but he didn't expect the emperor's reaction to be like this.
Cao Rui sighed softly: "Sun Quan can endure humiliation, use talent and calculation, this person's disaster to Great Wei is far more than that of Western Shu!"
"He could have made a decision with a single word, but he still has to wait for the return of the commanding general to discuss matters. Having kept Zhang Zhao at a distance for so long, he can still use Zhang Zhao to further solidify his resolve."
"He can still pull his face to bribe me!" Cao Rui looked at Sima Zhi with a smile: "Sun Quan can indeed have the Yangzi and Yangtze regions. He really has his own skills. Children should be like Sun Zhongmeng!"
Sima Zhi didn't know what to say, so he could only reply, "Your Majesty is wise."
Cao Rui was not impressed, and slowly said, "The more Sun Quan acts like this, the more I want to eliminate him."
"Clock Yuyu!" Cao Rui shouted.
Zhong Yu walked in from the door, bowed and saluted: "What does Your Majesty command?"
"And go, bring both the Western and Eastern Wings and also look for the list of gifts given to the former emperor by Sun Quan when he received the title of King of Wu."
"According to the order."
Sima Zhi looked up at the emperor: "Your Majesty, I have not finished yet. There are still three matters to report to Your Majesty."
"It's okay," Cao Rui said: "Let's wait until both the Western and Eastern Wings come over first."
After a while, Cao Zhen, Dong Zhao, Sima Yi and Wei Zhen were all seated in their accustomed places.
Cao Rui looked at everyone, "The news brought by Sima Zihua from Wu Chang is that Sun Quan does not want to submit to the Great Wei nor does he want to fight against it."
"Stable Master, you mentioned earlier that there were three things to report, please proceed!"
Sima Zhi nodded, but unconsciously glanced at his elder brother in front with the corner of his eye. Last time he left, Sima Zhi was still standing in this room of the emperor. Now he can sit here like his elder brother.
Sima Zhi said, "Your Majesty, the first thing is that I learned from Hu Zong that Wu has formed an alliance with Shu."
"In the relationship between Wu and Shu, they call each other the East Master and the West Master, regardless of whether it's the Wu King or Liu Can, who is the false Han Emperor. There is no difference in status between them."
Cao Rui nodded: "As expected. How should the Great Wei respond? Can we beat one while pulling another?"
Sima Zhi did not know how to answer, yet he was unaware that the emperor's question was not directed at him at all.
Cao Zhen bowed and said, "Your Majesty, when Emperor Wu defeated the Hu Bei family, he did not attack them until after the brothers of Hu Shang and Hu Xi fought each other."
"If the Great Wei does not attack Wu or Shu for now, there will surely be another gap between Wu and Shu. The past event of Liu Bei and Sun Quan dividing the boundary at Xiangshui, and Luo Meng attacking Guan Yu, are still vivid in our memory!"
Sima Yi also spoke up, "Your Majesty, I believe that Sun Quan's refusal of the Great Wei's demands this time shows his determination to stand against the Great Wei, and it may be difficult for there to be any changes in the short term."
Cao Rui interjected: "It might be better to get in touch with Zhuge Liang and Shu for a bit? Even if Zhuge Liang won't be swayed, making the military and people's hearts of Shu sway a bit is also good."
Sima Yi shook his head: "Your Majesty, when Liu Bei died in the third year of the Huangchu reign, the Grand Minister Hu Taiwu, Minister Wang Shu, Cavalry General Chen Yao, Grand Historian Xu Zhi, and Guest Officer Ge Zang all wrote letters to Zhuge Liang, persuading him to follow the will of heaven and human affairs and to become a vassal state as soon as possible."
Cao Rui laughed and said, "Is there really such a thing? Did Zhuge Liang reply to the letter?"
Sima Yi nodded: "Zhuge Liang has sharp words and always has his own twisted logic."
Cao Rui said, "Never mind. The Great Wei has been fighting with Wu and Shu for so many years; who doesn't know who? Let's not waste our efforts on such futile attempts in the future."
"Your Majesty is thinking, what should the Great Wei do if Sun Quan oversteps in calling himself an emperor?"
Cao Zhen spoke decisively: "If things are done this way, I, as the vanguard, will please lead for Your Majesty to destroy Sun Quan!"
"General Cao says well!" Cao Rui nodded, "If Sun Quan dares to act in such a way, I will definitely dispatch troops to subdue him!"
Cao Rui looked at Sima Zhi: "What is the second thing?"
Sima Zhi slowly stood up from his seat and took out two sets of documents from his pocket: "Your Majesty, this is a memo I received in Yangling on my way here. It was sent by General Chen to have me bring it over, claiming that it is related to legal reform."
"I did not dare to refuse, so I brought it for General Chen."
Sima Zhi held the documents in his hands, waiting for a moment and noticed that no one came to take them. Cao Rui looked at the desk and nodded, indicating for Sima Zhi to come forward a few steps and slowly put down the documents.
Chen Qun originally wanted Sima Zhi to secretly submit these two documents in order to avoid the Secretary and the court officials. Now that the Western Wing and Eastern Wing have both learned about it.
Cao Rui said, "I'll take a look at them later. What is the third matter?"
Sima Zhi said, "The third matter is relatively a small matter compared to the other two. I heard Hu Zong say that the officials of Wu know the renowned scholar Li Feng from Luoyang."
Cao Rui frowned: "Li Feng Li An Guo? How did the people of Wu learn about him?"
"Li An Guo once served as an academic in Your Majesty's Eastern Palace. How could I not know that he had such a far-reaching reputation?"
"I remember meeting him last year, and I did not give him any real duties, only a supercilious title of a senior scholar. Where is he now?"
Cao Rui looked around the hall and saw that none of the people present knew. He would just have to ask Xin Pi later.
After Liu Ye left, the task of collecting information for the emperor fell on Xin Pi.
After the officials left, Zhong Yu returned with the old archives from the Secretary's Office.
Cao Rui took them and looked through them meticulously, then smiled to himself, "Sun Quan really thinks that if he sends more gifts, no one will blame him? These treasures and goods, I will use them to build ships!"
...
The next day, while chatting with Xin Pi, Cao Rui brought up the matter of Li Feng.
Xin Pi frowned and said, "I am indeed unsure for the time being. I will send someone to investigate."
"Go." Cao Rui nodded.
After about half an hour, Xin Pi returned and said, "Your Majesty, I have inquired and found out that Li Feng is currently serving as an academic at the Culture Observation Institute."
Cao Rui frowned and said, "Scholar? How could I not know that he has gone to the Chongwen Pavilion?"
Xin Pi replied, "I sent someone to Li Feng's house first. We found out that he is currently a scholar at the Chongwen Pavilion. I then sent someone to the Ministry of Personnel, Cao."
"Li Feng joined the Chongwen Pavilion last month and is now translating the Book of Songs with Marquis Ying of Yongqiu."
Cao Rui was curious and asked, "Who sent Li Feng there? Was it Marquis Ying of Yongqiu?"
Xin Pi shook his head: "I am not aware of that, Your Majesty. Do you need me to investigate further?"
As the inspector of the capital city of Luoyang is under Xin Pi's charge, it is quite appropriate for him to investigate such matters.
Cao Rui nodded: "Go. Also, investigate Marquis Ying of Yongqiu's recent activities."
"Understood." Xin Pi accepted the order.
The task was dispatched in the morning, and by the afternoon, everything had been sorted out.
Xin Pi found the emperor and said, "Your Majesty, Marquis Ying of Yongqiu has been keeping himself busy at the Chongwen Pavilion all day, with no contact with people outside."
Cao Rui asked curiously, "Then who recommended Li Feng?"
Xin Pi's expression was serious as he bowed and said, "Your Majesty, Li Feng was recommended by Chongwen Pavilion Scholar He Yan. Moreover, the investigator seems to have found some illegal activities."
"What is it?" Cao Rui was puzzled.
Xin Pi gave a light cough: "Your Majesty, recently the Chongwen Pavilion has recruited nearly ten scholars. Among them, five were recommended by He Yan, and Li Feng and Li An Guo are included in that group."
"The Ministry of the Interior ordered Li Feng's employment time, but it does not match the time he actually started working at the Chongwen Pavilion. Li Feng began working at the Chongwen Pavilion on May 11th and was recorded by the Ministry of the Interior as starting on May 13th."
Cao Rui frowned: "Did Li Feng take office early? If he wanted to go to the Chongwen Pavilion, why didn't he directly talk to me but instead seek He Yan's recommendation?"
Xin Pi shook his head: "I am not aware of this matter, but I believe there is something suspicious about it."
Cao Rui spoke in a low voice: "Xin Consul, the Department of Personnel is under Wei Jing's care. Please summon Wei Jing."
Xin Pi accepted the order and left. After a moment, Xin Pi and Wei Jin both arrived in the study together.
Cao Rui didn't need to make any small talk with Wei Jin; he asked directly, "Master Wei, what is the process for official appointments and dismissals in the Department of Personnel? Li Feng was appointed on May 13th, but why did he start working at the Chongwen Pavilion on May 11th?"
Wei Jin thought for a moment, then replied decisively, "Your Majesty, according to custom, decisions on officials under the salary of 600 jin can be made here, while officials above 1000 jin need to be reported to the Steward of the Department of Personnel for approval, and officials above 2000 jin need to be reported to Your Majesty."
"The scholar position at the Chongwen Pavilion that Li Feng held is also a salary of 600 jin. I clearly remember approving Li Feng's appointment on May 13th." (The end of this chapter)
