Caomin smiled and shook his head: "You know that I am not the kind of person who indulges in desires."
"It won't necessarily harm the body," said Caomin, taking a sip of the warm water on the table: "On the contrary, it's often the national affairs that distract my mind."
"What's the matter with national affairs?" asked Mao's concubine: "Hasn't the emperor told this subject that seizing military power and personnel control are primary, while everything else is secondary?"
Caomin sniffed: "It has nothing to do with military power; it's all just trivial matters concerning personnel."
Mao's concubine gently massaged Caomin's back: "Don't worry, since it's trivial, let's deal with it tomorrow."
"Ask the ministers tomorrow. If what they say pleases the emperor, let them do it. If it doesn't please you, let them revise until you are satisfied."
Caomin turned his profile to smile at Mao's concubine, "Your thought is truly that of a naturally fortunate and idle person!"
Mao's concubine laughed and said, "I have the emperor, so how could I not be a wealthy and idle person? Don't go back to the study tonight, stay with me here instead."
"Good!" Caomin nodded: "Today, the emperor will go to bed an hour earlier. Military power, personnel, tomorrow morning the emperor will go to see five camps!"
The next morning, early, Caomin led the Guard Commanders out of the palace to inspect the five camps.
After leaving the five camps, Caomin led the five camp commanders, Wen Chining, to walk around the outskirts of Luoyang City and carefully inspect the city's defenses.
On the third morning, Cao Zhen and Dong Zhao from the West Pavilion also joined the emperor's tour.
After inspecting the Wuwei Camp in the morning, they took lunch, and in the afternoon continued their inspection to the Luoyang Arsenal.
As they walked from Wuwei Camp to the Luoyang Arsenal, Dong Zhao found himself filled with emotions.
Last year, it was in this armory, that Dong Zhao spoke up directly, boldly advising for this job in the West Pavilion, enabling him to assist in the military affairs of the country.
Now, returning to this familiar place, it seems there might be an even greater opportunity ahead?
As he thought about it, Dong Zhao's body unconsciously straightened up. Looking at Dong Zhao's posture as he sat astride his horse, Cao Zhen was puzzled.
This old guy is usually half dead half alive in the West Pavilion, but why is he particularly energetic today?
Stepping into the arsenal, as before, what met the eyes was a row of neat shelves, with piles of bows and arrows, swords and spears, armor and shields, and various military weaponry.
Cao Rui asked: "General, how is the matter of dispatching troops to Chang'an? How will these two thousand people be distributed and selected?"
Cao Zhen walked a few steps behind Cao Rui and said, "Report to the emperor, this subject and General Dong and Governor Dong have reached a preliminary agreement. Eight thousand troops will be drawn from Jingzhou, and twelve thousand troops will be drawn from Yangzhou. This will be exactly one-fifth of the troops for both regions."
"As for the specific troops to be deployed, I have already sent letters to the Grand Marshal and General Chen. It's estimated that we should receive their replies in about five days."
Cao Rui picked up the iron helmet on the shelf beside him, blew on it gently, and used his hand to wipe away the excess dust: "Why is it always one-fifth? During the Battle of Wan Province, many foreign troops from Yangzhou were killed or wounded."
"General believe it or not? The Grand Marshal will surely reply with complaints."
"This..." Cao Zhen stroked his beard, saying, "Jia Tao's former troops of ten thousand stationed in Yu Province have also been transferred to Yangzhou, haven't they? The number shouldn't be short either."
"Ha ha ha." Cao Rui laughed loudly and patted Cao Zhen's arm lightly, saying, "As long as there is no unrest in the southeast, as long as the troops at Wan Pass don't move, let them be. You and the Grand Marshal can discuss it!"
Cao Zhen also smiled feigningly and said, "I understand. As for the four generals' appointments reported to the emperor before, whom does the emperor favor?"
Cao Rui asked, "Are they Man Chong, Cao Tai, Zhuai, and Qian Zhao?"
"Yes." Cao Zhen nodded.
Cao Rui countered: "General, who among these four generals do you think is more similar to Zhang He in terms of military strategy?"
"Zhang He?" After thinking for a moment, Cao Zhen said, "In my opinion, none of these four generals have the same military prowess as Zhang He."
"You don't know that?" Cao Rui laughed: "Today they may not be as good as Zhang He, but who knows, maybe in the future, they won't be any worse. Generals are always chosen generation by generation."
"Your Majesty is right," Cao Zhen said, "Zhang He's military tactics have two distinctive features: the first is rapidity like the wind, and the second is cleverness with many strategies."
"As for the speed of advance, I'll leave that aside for now. Zhang He's military tactics are versatile: he can engage in open-field battles, defend cities, use troops on mountainous terrain, and maneuver across plains."
"Among these four generals, Man Chong can be described as steady, Cao Tai as brave, Zhuai as all-round, but only Qian Zhao can be said to embody the qualities of a great general."
Cao Rui nodded and said, "In the past, when recommending replacements for Xu Yang, you and the Grand Chancellor recommended Xiahou Ru and Qian Zhao, right?"
"Exactly," Cao Zhen replied.
"I remember during the reign of Emperor Wu," Cao Rui said, "Zhang Junyi and Xiahou Miaocai worked together as a front-line commander and a major general, capable of striding the land of Guan Commandery."
"I actually also have the intention to form a pair of Xiahou Yuan and Zhang He."
Cao Zhen reminded, "Actually, the two people Your Majesty mentioned do have their shortcomings."
Cao Rui laughed and said, "There are no perfect people. I naturally hope to choose a general who is both steadfast in military affairs and fearless. If Xu Xian had not died, I would have chosen him."
"If there is no tiger, even a leopard can do. If even a leopard is not available, two wolves are also better!"
"How about Qian Zhao and Cao Tai these two?"
Cao Zhen furrowed his brow: "Your Majesty wants Cao Tai to be like Zhang He, and Qian Zhao to be like Xiahou Yuan?"
Cao Rui nodded.
Cao Zhen cupped his hands and said, "Your subject believes this is not advisable! In the past, Zhang He and Xiahou Yuan often worked together, with Zhang He leading as the vanguard and Xiahou Yuan commanding the main force behind."
"But using Zhang He as the vanguard is not necessarily related to his bravery. Rather, Zhang He is best at reading the situation! If an opportunity for a quick battle can be found, he will take it; if not, he will hold and wait for assistance."
Cao Rui frowned: "Then what does the general mean?"
Cao Zhen answered solemnly, "If it is as Your Majesty wishes, I believe that Marquis Zhuai should take Zhang He's place, and it does not matter who takes Xiahou Yuan's position!"
Cao Rui inhaled deeply and said, "Then let Qian Zhao be the main general, Zhuai as the deputy. What do you think, General Zhen?"
"I believe it is quite appropriate."
"Send an edict tomorrow to summon these two back to the capital! Qian Zhao is the Governor of Yanmen, so he can be directly recalled. As for who will replace Zhuai, let the Grand Marshal choose the replacement."
"Submissive," Cao Zhen answered, bowing his hands.
As Cao Rui, Cao Zhen, and Dong Zhao were walking inside the arsenal, the Chancellor Wang Chang suddenly appeared here.
Cao Rui glanced at Cao Zhen and Dong Zhao, then smiled and said, "I've been waiting for the Minister of Justice's news for these two days, and I didn't expect to find it here in the arsenal."
Wang Chang ran over, panting slightly and said, "Your Majesty, the Minister of Justice has submitted a report on the preliminary results of the investigation into the frivolous party formed by He Yan and others. It is now presented to Your Majesty."
Cao Rui took the document from Wang Chang's hand, looking at the names listed in the document, he gently read: "Si Cong, Ba Da, San Yu..."
Handing the document to Cao Zhen beside him, Cao Rui said, "General Zhen and Marquis Dong should also take a look at this!"
Cao Zhen gave a general glance at the document and handed it to Dong Zhao. When Dong Zhao took it, he even read it thoroughly from top to bottom several times.
Gao Ruan personally interrogated He Yan, asking the names of all the so-called 'gentlemen' in Luoyang who had associated with him.
Nowadays, the prominent figures in Luoyang can be called the "Si Cong," "Ba Da," and "San Yu."
The "Si Cong" refers to He Yan, Xiahou Xian, Deng Xiao, and Pei Hui, who are known for their acute intelligence, superiority and uniqueness.
The "Ba Da" is a step below the "Si Cong," consisting of eight individuals: Ge Gongdan, Yuan Kan, Xu Yun, Li Sheng, Bi Gui, Ding Mi, Sima Shi, and Li Feng.
There are also the "San Yu," which actually refers to three people who, though their talents may not be as exceptional as the "Si Cong" and "Ba Da," have been able to climb into this group through their parents' political influence. They are: Liu Xi, son of the Minister of Confucian Rituals Liu Can; Sun Mi, son of the Governorship of Yan Province Sun Ji; and Wei Jing, son of the Right Servant of the Treasury Wei Zhen.
Cao Rui looked at Wang Chang: "Mr. Wang, please go back first. The document can be left with me."
"Submissive," Wang Chang bowed and retreated, but at this moment, Cao Rui seemed to have some doubts and difficulties.
It's just that the backgrounds of these frivolous and famous literati are all rather significant!
Among the "Si Cong," it goes without saying that He Yan and Xiahou Xian have considerable backgrounds. Pei Hui is the younger brother of Pei Qian, the current Governor of Jingzhou, while only Deng Yang has an ordinary family background.
Among the "Ba Da," Sima Yi's son Sima Shi is listed.
Let alone the "San Yu" whose fathers are Liu Fang, Sun Ji, and Wei Zhen.
"What is Your Majesty worrying about?" Dong Zhao's eyes were sharp, and he immediately noticed the hesitant expression on Cao Rui's face.
At this moment, only Cao Zhen and Dong Zhao were by Cao Rui's side. There is nothing that needs to be kept secret about this case.
Cao Rui spoke softly: "Gao Ruan said that in addition to the Si Cong, Ba Da, and San Yu, there are more than 100 officials and their sons from Luoyang who have associations, associations, and assessments with these people!"
"I intend to deal with the frivolous party members, but I don't want to turn the court upside down!"
Dong Zhao stood aside, standing straight with hands cupped in salute, and said, "Your Majesty knows what caused these people to form frivolous parties?"
"Just to gain fame and secure positions?" Cao Rui raised an eyebrow and looked at Dong Zhao.
Dong Zhao shook his head and said, "Yes, but not only that."
"The term 'frivolous' simply means that these scholars enjoy fame and reputation, and form party-like groups, praising and promoting each other to gain recognition."
"But at the root of this matter, it is actually digging into the roots of the Nine-rank Official Assessment System and the Model Scholars system of the Great Wei, and it is also a lingering effect of the time when scholars in the late Han Dynasty clamored for fame, reciprocated with praise, and gained official positions based on their reputation!"
Cao Rui furrowed his brow: "Master Dong, your meaning is that the harm of these 'Si Cong, Ba Da, and San Yu' is not about frivolous party formation, but about interfering with the selection and election process?"
"That's right!" Dong Zhao said decisively: "Your Majesty, think about it. Among the 'Si Cong, Ba Da, and San Yu', Ge Gongdan, Yuan Kan, and Xu Yun are officials in the Department of Personnel, while He Yan, Li Feng, and Deng Yang are specialized in evaluating individuals."
"They socialize with each other, pursue interests. If this trend continues to grow, how many officials' sons in Luoyang, and even among the Taixueshi students who Your Majesty has invested all your efforts in, will be able to focus on their work and strive for office through hard work?"
"These frivolous people, even if they happen to obtain positions of power, will definitely attribute it to their fathers, reputation and social connections. How could they possibly be grateful to the government?"
"The more noble and powerful the descendants, the worse this matter will be. Please Your Majesty impose severe punishment!"
"Correcting an excess requires going beyond the mean!" (The chapter is over.)
