"Sit down, all of you, don't stand like this anymore."
Cao Rui raised his hand and lightly pressed it downwards, causing the four people from the Western and Eastern Libraries, as well as the four Imperial Secretaries, to immediately sit back down in their chairs.
Just now, when the emperor mentioned changing the Six Cargoes to the Six Departments, the people present seemed to have all noticed a core issue.
That is the vacant position.
And not to mention positions such as the Left and Right Secondary Secretaries of the Ministry of Agriculture, all newly-appointed Six-Department Secretaries are promoted directly from the Six Cargoes?
If six new people are selected, then who should be chosen and who should not?
As everyone was muttering to themselves, Cao Rui said, "As for the Six Departments, I have an idea in mind. Listen, all of you. If there are any gaps in my thoughts, please help me fill them in as well."
Just then, Sima Yi, who had been demoted to the position of Leading Right Imperial Secretary and was still the highest-ranking position at the Ministry of Agriculture, was even more confused.
Just now, when discussing the Floating Beauty case, Zhong Yu had just stated the case details, and Dong Zhao immediately stepped forward to demand severe punishment. The Emperor also went with the flow and set the standard for punishment.
The Emperor did not consult with me about this matter, and if it is because of Zi Yuan's involvement and the need to avoid suspicion, that would be understandable.
But who came up with the idea to reorganize the Ministry of Agriculture?
Dong Zhao? Wang Lang? Hua Xin? These old men are trying to interfere with the Ministry of Agriculture?
However, Sima Yi was mistaken. The idea of reorganizing the Six Departments and creating a lot of new positions is not something that anyone would think of if it were not brought up by the Emperor himself. At least not in the present circumstances after two major cases.
Cao Rui said, "After upgrading the Six Cargoes Secretaries to Six Department Secretaries, their official rank has been elevated from the original 1000 grains of rice to 2000 grains, the same as Nine Ministers such as Taichang and Guangyuan, in order to demonstrate the weight of the Ministry of Agriculture's responsibilities."
After a pause, Cao Rui smiled and looked at Sima Yi and Wei Zhen: "Both of you, as Right and Left Imperial Secretaries, also have a rank of 2000 grains. The original Recording Secretary did not receive a salary, so now the Minister of Works can receive an additional one."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Sima Yi replied with an embarrassed smile and a bow.
So-called 2,000 stones is actually a general term for high-ranking officials, which can be divided into four categories: middle 2,000 stones, true 2,000 stones, 2,000 stones, and compared to 2,000 stones.
The "middle 2,000 stones" is actually a general term for high-ranking officials, which can be divided into four categories: middle 2,000 stones, true 2,000 stones, 2,000 stones, and compared to 2,000 stones. The "middle 2,160 stones" is the annual salary of a minister-level official and the level of the nine ministers. Sima Yi's position as Minister of Works may be titled "4,200 stones," but it is actually just a title and not an actual rank.
Of course, in addition to their income from the peerage estates, these heavyweights also receive various imperial gifts from time to time. They will not be as tight as ordinary officials.
Cao Rui continued, "As for how the Six Departments should be divided and which Cargoes they will include, discuss it between you two and then report to me."
"Divide the Six Departments into two parts, and you two, as the Leading Imperial Secretaries, will each be responsible for three departments. Moreover, leave the Ministry of Personnel under Wei Zhen's charge and choose someone else to fill the vacancy."
"We will follow your order, Your Majesty," Wei Zhen said.
Sima Yi interjected at this moment, "Your Majesty, should the new Six Department Secretaries be led by the former Secretaries as before?"
Cao Rui responded, "Your Majesty, I believe there are four current Six Cargoes Secretaries."
Sima Yi replied, "The post of Minister of Revenue is vacant, and the Ministry of Personnel was originally held by Minister Wei. The Minister of Guests is Xu Xuan, the Minister of Five Armies is Wu Zhou, the Minister of Fields is Wei Ji, and the Left People's Minister is Fu Xun. Indeed, there are four people."
Cao Rui thought for a moment and said, "The previous Minister of Revenue was Sima Fu, wasn't he?"
"That's right." Sima Yi nodded.
"Appoint a new Minister of Revenue and another for the Ministry of Personnel. The remaining four will be transferred immediately."
"We will follow your order." Sima Yi replied with a bow.
"If there are no other matters, please go back to your respective posts," Cao Rui said, looking at Xin Zhi. "Oh, Xin Zhongshu, draft an edict of today's discussion and send it to the Ministry of Justice through the Secretariat."
"I will go write it right away," Xin Zhi stood up, walked towards the desk in the corner, while at this moment, Dong Zhao had been staring at the emperor all along.
Upon realizing Dong Zhao's gaze, Cao Rui thought for a moment before suddenly realizing what to say, "The students who have been imprisoned in the Floating Beauty case are prohibited from leaving Luoyang within two days and must return to their original counties. Their hometowns will be supervised by the county lords."
A moment later, inside the West Hall.
After Sima Yi and Wei Zhen entered side by side, Sima Yi made a self-deprecating comment, "You and I, one as the Right Imperial Secretary and the other as the Left Imperial Secretary, are staying in the same room. It's actually quite complementary."
Wei Zhen also made a rare joke, "The Minister of Works is still the Minister of Works, but you have been 'left-transferred'!"
In the Han Dynasty, right was considered superior to left, with the right being higher and the left lower. Therefore, when an official was demoted and sent out of the capital, it was often referred to as 'left transfer'.
However, this saying is not absolute. Since the end of the Han Dynasty, in the military, the position of Left General has often been more prestigious than that of Right General. This is similar to the current situation with Zhang He as the Left General and Zhu Gai as the Right General.
After leaning against the chair, Sima Yi looked at Wei Zhen, "General Wei, let's discuss the affairs of the Six Departments first."
"Today afternoon, I need to take a half-day leave to deal with some domestic matters."
Wei Zhen sighed and said, "What the Minister of Works said is right, I also need to take a half-day leave."
"Are you going to send your son back to Henan?"
Sima Yi replied, "Indeed. There are still many relatives in the county, and Zi Yuan will no doubt be well taken care of upon returning. As for you, are you sending your eldest son back to Xiangyi?"
Wei Zhen answered, "Just now, you said you were going back to the county. As for my family, we are not as numerous as the Sima family. We only have a few branches and most of them are collateral branches in Xiangyi."
"I'm planning to send him to Chenliu."
Sima Yi sighed lightly, "Chenliu is also a large city. Spend a few years there, and perhaps he can return. It will at least be a bit of an experience."
Wei Zhen nodded silently.
Sima Yi asked, "How should the Six Departments be divided into two parts?"
Wei Zhen sighed and said, "This matter is not urgent. Minister of Works, perhaps we can discuss it tomorrow!"
Sima Yi combed his beard in silence.
……
Almost simultaneously, in Youzhou, Dai Prefecture, and the city of Dai.
"Tian Gong, Tian Gong! Please, Tian Gong, send your troops to save my eldest brother!" A young nobleman of the Xianbei people knelt on the ground and shouted loudly in an imperfect form of Han Chinese.
Seated in the hall, Tian Yu looked down at the Xianbei man with a low gaze and said in a deep voice, "I have met you before. You are the younger brother of Suo Li's Suo Ti, right?"
"That's right, that's right!" Suo Ti heavily bowed to the ground, and in succession, he made several loud bumps. Only after raising his head did he say, "My eldest brother followed the command of Tian Gong and sold one thousand horses to the government in April. After learning about this, Ke Bi Neng threatened to send troops to attack."
"We thought Ke Bi Neng was just threatening us, but we never expected him to actually send troops!"
Tian Yu nodded lightly and asked, "Where is Suo Li's army now? Is it still in Pingcheng?"
Suo Ti hurriedly shook his head and said, "How could we dare stay in Pingcheng? Ke Bi Neng brought horses from Wuyuan and Yunzhong, leading a total of two thousand riders!"
"My brother has long since withdrawn his troops to within the Yamen Commandery!"
Tian Yu stood up suddenly, looking at Suo Ti with a stern expression on his face. "I have always instructed Suo Li to stay north of the Sanggan River. Has he crossed the Sanggan River and moved southward?"
Suo Ti was intimidated by Tian Yu's commanding presence and glanced at the soldiers standing on either side of the hall, too afraid to speak.
"Speak!" Tian Yu frowned and said, "Where is Suo Li now?"
Suo Ti gritted his teeth for a long time before finally saying, "Not far from Jiyang..."
"Where is not far from Jiyang?" Tian Yu walked slowly towards Suo Ti and with a kick, sent Suo Ti sprawling to the ground.
"If you don't explain clearly, I'll cut off your head before Ke Bi Neng arrives!"
"Please forgive me, Tian Gong! Please forgive me!" Suo Ti crawled a few steps backward and then said, "My eldest brother is currently at Wutao, where he is facing off across the river with Ke Bi Neng."
"Please, Tian Gong, come to our rescue!"
Tian Yu, however, paid no attention to the kneeling Suo Ti on the ground and turned to face Cao Shuang, standing in armor and holding a standard in the hall: "Zhao Biao, sound the drums and raise the flag!"
"Yes!" Cao Shuang bowed and then ran out in small steps.
It has to be said that even the most formidable generals in the frontier have to be extremely cautious when facing orders from the capital of Luoyang.
Cao Shuang left Luoyang in April and journeyed north for nearly thirty days before arriving in Dai Commandery.
This speed is not too slow, allowing enough time to appreciate the geographical scenery along the way.
Cao Shuang set off from Luoyang and crossed the Yellow River at Mengjin. He then traveled north along Wen County and Yaowang. Passing through Taihang Pass to Shangdang, he exited through Jing Pass to Guilou, then via Puyin Pass and Feihu Pass, finally arriving at Dai Commandery where Tian Yu was stationed.
Having witnessed the majestic Taihang Pass, the spaciousness of Jinxing Pass to Guilou, and the dangerous terrain of Feihu Pass, Cao Shuang seems to have gained some insights into military affairs in his heart.
Especially when passing through Jing Pass.
Han Xin, Li Zuochi...
These cold characters from history seem to have come alive in front of this magnificent landscape.
Along with Cao Shuang, two letters had also arrived from the West Hall.
Cao Zhen's letter was essentially a simple military order, commanding Tian Yu to appoint Cao Shuang as a common soldier, with no room for negotiation. It decreed that just as any ordinary soldier must act, so must Tian Yu with respect to Cao Shuang.
While Dong Zhao's letter was more polite.
First, Dong Zhao praised Tian Yu for his meritorious service in guarding the Shenyang and Bian regions. Then, he threatened that if Cao Shuang made any mistakes, Dong Zhao would dismiss Tian Yu even before the court could punish him!
Although Tian Yu was upright and straightforward, he was also not oblivious to the ways of the world. With both of you, esteemed members of the West Hall, having said this, what am I, as a guard for the Wufan people, supposed to do?
Then just place him by my side as a personal guard!
Cao Shuang ran out to strike the drums. Before the three drumbeats were complete, the Chancellor, Marшal, Assistant Military Commandant, and Camp Commander of the camp all hurried to Tian Yu's presence.
"Hé Xìn!" Tian Yu said.
"I am present!" A sturdy, middle-aged warrior answered with a bow.
"I command you to gather Wufan confederates in Cheng, Pan, and Zhulu. You must bring three thousand elite cavalry and one horse per man. That's it, no more. You have three days to reach Pingshu!"
"Can you do it?"
He Qin is Tian Yu's Maršal, and also his most trusted and capable assistant.
Cheng is located north of Dai County, while Pan County and Zhulu are two locations to the north in different directions.
He Qin replied in a low voice, "In response to the general, if both Pan County and Zhulu are to be reached, I'm afraid I won't have enough time. In three days, I can only recruit two thousand riders."
"You go to Zhulu!" Tian Yu turned to Cao Shuang and called out, "Zhao Biao!"
"I am present!" Cao Shuang also slightly tensed and bowed in response.
"The Wufan tribes nearby are all familiar with He Qin's face. You go directly to Pan County with this general's token and recruit one thousand Wufan soldiers to Cheng. Wait for Maršal He to arrive later and then dispatch troops together to Pingshu. Can you do this?"
"Understood, I will definitely do this!" Cao Shuang called out loudly.
"Here it is." Tian Yu took a token from his waist and threw it to Cao Shuang, then looked at the rest of the people and said, "The rest of you, immediately prepare to follow me south to Pingshu. We'll spend the night in Pingshu tonight!"
"Understood!" The people in the hall answered in unison.
……
As Tian Yu and Cao Shuang, and others were preparing to send troops to fight against the Xianbei, in the afternoon, at the office of the General of Works in Luoyang, Sima Shi was still worrying about his future.
Quietly listening to his father recount the events of today's court meeting, Sima Shi sighed and said, "It is I who am to blame, father, for not choosing friends wisely!" (End of this chapter)
