Sima Shuda?
Yes, this is Sima Shuduo, the brother of Sima Yi and currently serving as the head of the Bureau of Revenue and Accounting in Liangzhou.
Everyone's attention is focused on Sima Yi's face, as if the governorship of Sima Fu were obtained by his elder brother.
Sima Yi, feeling helpless, could only stand there with a stern face, as if he had no concern for the matter, and remained silent in the hall.
As Sima Fu was not present, Cao Ru also only informed the officials, without saying much more. However, the words of the emperor caused all the officials in the hall to be startled.
Cao Rui spoke loudly: "Perhaps you have all heard that last year, the Tingyuan Gao Reno proposed to reorganize the official assessment system within the imperial court."
"Yesterday, I received the initial draft from Gao Tingyuan, and after reviewing it, I generally found it satisfactory."
"The so-called assessment is essentially for the imperial court, the military, and the local regions. I have discussed it with the Grand General and the Ministry of Public Works, and we have decided to take departments like the Ministry of Engineering and Justice as pilot projects in the imperial court, and the military region led by the Grand Marshal's son in Yangzhou as a pilot project."
"And among the local regions," Cao Rui looked at the officials in the hall: "take Liangzhou, Yanzhou, and Henan as pilot projects."
...
As several major personnel changes were announced by the emperor, Chen Jiao, the newly appointed governor of Qin State, reorganized the new policies in Qin State. The first imperial conference held in Lengyou, Wei Dynasty, came to an end.
Zhang, Guo, Lu, Xiahou and other generals have all been promoted. Chen and Yang, the two governors, have recently taken office. Overall, the top-level structure of the Great Wei in the Western part has been completely changed.
However, such top-down changes would be extremely difficult to implement without the emperor personally leading the Central Army to control the Western Regions or without using the pretext of establishing Qin State. If he were to sit in the Northern Palace of Luoyang instead, it would be even more challenging to carry out.
The assessment system is also like this.
In the end, the assessment system was a 'desperate stratagem' proposed by Tingyuan Gao Reno when he suggested discontinuing the post of Inspector General last year. It was a move to 'shed his old skin' after being questioned by the emperor.
During the Huangchu years, and even earlier in the Jian'an years, the central government's supervision of localities usually only involved the restraint of prefectural governors by their state governors. It was not the central government as a whole taking direct command of each state from above down.
In other words, in the past, the way state governors governed was quite autonomous. However, after Gao Reno's proposal of the assessment system, there was a top-down evaluation standard for both state governors and county prefects.
After the conference, Chen Jiao, the newly appointed governor of Qin State, visited Sima Yi voluntarily.
Tap-tap-tap.
With three knocks on the door, Chen Jiao pushed it open by himself: "Zhongda, do you have some time now?"
Sima Yi glanced at Chen Jiao and set down the bamboo scroll he was holding: "It's Sima Bin who has come? Please take your seat."
"What brings you here?"
Chen Jiao slightly raised the corners of his mouth and bowed: "I have some matters that are not quite clear, and I would like to seek guidance from Zhongda."
"Sima Bin, why do we need to be so formal with each other? What is unclear, just say it." Sima Yi replied calmly.
In the past, Chen Jiao served as the Minister of Works at the Secretariat, which made him a direct subordinate of Sima Yi. Their many years of working together indeed did not require any formality.
After sitting down, Chen Jiao sighed and shook his head: "When Your Majesty appointed me as the governor of Qin State, I was indeed overjoyed. However, after thinking about it after the morning conference, many things in Qin State are indeed quite difficult to handle."
Sima Yi looked at Chen Jiao and nodded slightly, indicating that Chen Jiao should continue.
Chen Jiao said, "What I am worried about is nothing more than the relocation of the Qiang and Hu people, the provisions and expenses, and governing the various prefectures."
Sima Yi looked at Chen Jiao with an odd expression on his face, knowing that Chen Jiao would definitely not come to ask himself about such trivial matters.
After all, he was the former minister of the government in charge of all the affairs of the world. How could he not handle the affairs of a state?
Chen Jiao seemed not to have noticed and continued speaking on his own: "According to Your Majesty's previous instructions, there will be a need for two hundred thousand Qiang people in the areas from Ji County to Shanggu, Qishanhalu City, and also from Lin Ao south to Ta Zhong."
"Additionally, there will be a need to relocate ten thousand Qiang people from the Western Regions to the Central Plains."
Sighing, Chen Jiao spread his hands and said: "This is already thirty thousand."
Sima Yi nodded casually, replying as if it were no big deal, "This is about relocating the Qiang people. There are two more things, aren't there?"
"First, let's talk about provisions." Chen Jiao swallowed hard: "When I was in charge of the army's supplies, the food we used at Liuyang was mostly transported from the Central Plains by land routes, which was very difficult."
"Now that we are to use troops on multiple fronts, I have made some rough calculations. The grain in the Western Regions and the Central Plains can only support the army for about half a year, which doesn't even include losses along the way."
"That's right, it is indeed like that," Sima Yi replied softly.
Chen Jiao still didn't stop: "Now that so many Qiang people live in Qin State, what to do about the matters of settlement and cultivation? This is another difficult problem."
As soon as Chen Jiao finished speaking, Sima Yi burst into a loud laugh.
"Ji Bei, Ji Bei! In the Secretariat, weren't you used to seeing others speak to you like that?" Sima Yi laughed and scolded as he pointed at Chen Jiao: "Now, you've come to complain to me!"
"How about the matters of the prefectures and counties? They are not as easy as the Secretariat, are they?"
Chen Jiao slightly awkwardly smiled: "Zhongda, you're laughing. It's different from the Secretariat."
Sima Yi pondered for a moment, then replied, "Ji Bei, out of the three things you mentioned, I can only agree to two."
"Which two?" Chen Jiao's eyes slightly widened.
"Of course, the first and the third," Sima Yi said in a deep voice.
Chen Jiao's face showed a look of joy: "That's enough. Thank you, Minister of Works, for your support!"
Everyone is a very good friend of theirs, and they usually address each other by their given names. They only use each other's official titles when dealing with matters on the job.
Sima Yi pretended to be angry and scolded: "You, Chen Ji Bei, are seeking power. Now you want to spare me!"
"You've worked hard, Zhongda," Chen Jiao laughed and chuckled.
Sima Yi shook his head and sighed: "I don't have time to waste on this trivial matter. What do you think? Go and ask the emperor to give you power."
Chen Jiao's expression also gradually became serious: "The matter of moving the Qiang people cannot be done without the Central Army stationed in Qin State!"
"In the past, Emperor Wu migrated the people from Wu Du and Han Zhong to the Western Regions and Guanzhong in the north. The departure and resettlement of a hundred thousand people took nearly three months."
"Now, from Liangzhou to the Western Regions and then from the Western Regions to Guanzhong, the time will necessarily be longer. I think it will take at least half a year!"
Sima Yi pondered: "Relocating people requires a time limit, and provisions also require a time limit. Then the two things you mentioned are almost the same."
"Are you aware of Qian Zhao, who was in charge of transporting grain and who was personally appointed by the emperor, Deng Ai, also known as Deng Shizai?"
Chen Jiao replied: "I know very well. His transportation of grain has been very effective. If it weren't for this discussion of merits, his level wouldn't be high enough for me to even recommend him for a reward."
Sima Yi replied in a calm tone: "You acted too late. Yesterday when the emperor called upon Deng Ai to attend an audience, I was also present."
"The grain in the Western Regions cannot last long. If the court continues to station a large army in Qin State, it will necessarily have to transport grain from the Central Plains. But the Longshan Road is too far, and the Wei River Road is too winding."
Chen Jiao interjected and asked: "Then why not take the Chencang Pass to Wu Du?"
"That's right!" Sima Yi exclaimed with emotion: "This man is only thirty years old, and he has such insights into provisions and settlement matters. Truly, the younger generation is to be feared!"
Chen Jiao no longer held back and spoke solemnly: "The current strategy should be to have the army launch a swift attack on Wu Du. Only by occupying Wu Du can we allow the grain from the Central Plains to be transported from Chencang to the southwest, via the old road along the Guo Road River to within Wu Du Prefecture!"
Sima Yi imitated the emperor and lightly tapped the desk: "If the Shu troops have already retreated, then there is no need to say anything. If they have not yet retreated, then we must launch a rapid attack."
"I will discuss this matter with the emperor."
"As for the Central Army staying in Qin State for half a year, I will talk to the emperor and see if it can be done. Now that the Shu troops have temporarily withdrawn, we will have to wait and see the military situation."
"With the Central Army in Qin State, Your Majesty may also be in Qin State." Sima Yi looked at Chen Jiao: "Ji Bei, Your Majesty has not yet separated from the Central Army."
Chen Jiao sighed: "I feel the same way. This matter is beyond my control, and I still need to seek the help of the Minister of Works."
"Try your best!" Sima Yi continued: "Then what do you plan to do about the matter of settlement and cultivation?"
"Transfer the power of Qiang people's settlement and cultivation to the state!" Chen Jiao gritted his teeth: "The emperor only made a general allocation, and many specific responsibilities have not yet been clarified."
"It's said to be the settlement of the Qiang people. From the perspective of ordinary Qiang people, it would be under the jurisdiction of Lu Sun. If it's military cultivation, then Zhang He would undoubtedly be in charge."
"But Lu Sun is a fallen official and a treacherous person, while Zhang He is a military man and acts recklessly. Giving them the responsibility is not advisable." Chen Jiao placed his hands on the table, leaned forward slightly, and said: "The settlement of 200,000 Qiang people must be handed over to the state!"
"Zhongda must fight for me and ensure that such a significant power is not left in the hands of those military men. Qin State only has three or four hundred thousand households. If I cannot govern these 200,000 settled Qiang people, then isn't the position of governor just a name without substance?"
Sima Yi sat with a serious expression, thinking for a long time before speaking: "With the power of the state, it is difficult for the local officials in the Western Regions to govern. If given to those military men, the situation might be even worse."
"Let's do it this way," Sima Yi laughed: "The emperor has been worried about finding a suitable place for the graduates of the Imperial Academy last year."
"Here's a suggestion," Sima Yi said. "Why don't I report to the emperor to establish the Qiang people as civilian settlers, and then keep all these hundred scholars from the Imperial Academy in Qin State to help you manage the cultivation?"
"My son has studied in the Imperial Academy, and I have also learned a lot about the courses there," Sima Yi said. "In summary, these scholars from the Imperial Academy are more capable than the usual officials recommended by the state. Moreover, almost all of them are descendants of prominent families from various regions."
"It depends on how you handle it!"
Chen Jiao stood up from the seat with a look of joy, bowed deeply, and said: "Zhongda, you have done me a great favor! Great kindness deserves no words of thanks. Chen Jiao will surely repay you in the future!"
Sima Yi looked at Chen Jiao with a slightly playful tone for a while before bursting into laughter: "Jiang Zitong has gone to Yangzhou, and now you, Chen Ji Bei, are in Qin State."
"I obtained for the two of you the power over important territories, all out of public consideration. How could I have any interest in your returns?"
"No need to say more!"
Chen Jiao and Sima Yi exchanged a glance: "Zhongda is right. There is no need for us to say anything!" (Chapter complete)
