"Is Mengda here?"
"Laughing, Cao Wei said, 'I told him to arrive on the twentieth day, but he arrived in Yanmen on the nineteenth. Although he brushed against my will, it did not violate it.' "
"Let him in."
"Yes." Mother Jiao bows and makes a gesture of respect, then turns around to prepare to lead the people out.
"Not long after, Mother Jiao led in a middle-aged man of medium height, dressed in official attire."
Mengda walked with neither hurried nor sluggish steps, dignified and composed. His gaze was directed downward, upon the ground. At a distance of two zhang (a unit of length equal to about 3.2 meters) from the emperor, he descended in a deep bow:
"Your servant Meng Da pays homage to Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty, on driving back the Shu rebels and regaining Hanzhong. The unification of the four seas is just around the corner!"
"To be honest, Cao Wei's first impression of Meng Da was completely different from the image he had always had in his mind."
Meng Da's appearance was decent, his walking posture was quite upright, and his voice was clear and crisp. From an image perspective, he was a typical positive character.
How much resemblance can there be between appearance and the heart within a person?
"Meng Qing, raise your head, let me have a good look at you," Cao Wei said.
"Subject obeys the imperial command." Meng Da kneels on the ground, sits upright with his upper body, looks at the emperor for a moment, and then lowers his head again.
"Rise, please," Cao Wei said in a matter-of-fact tone, as if it were an unremarkable matter.
"For this Meng Da, who used to be bought with titles and ranks in the past, even if his appearance is good, Cao Wei does not feel any particular interest in him."
But the required procedures still need to be followed.
"Thank Your Majesty," Meng Da rose with a demeanor as graceful as ever.
"He has even got a touch of Xiahou Xuan's feeling."
Cao Wei asked aloud, "This is the first time Meng Qing has appeared before the court, and it is also the first time I have seen you. During the reign of the previous emperor, he often mentioned Meng Qing to me and often called you a friend."
"After the passing of the former emperor, why didn't you send an edict to me or come to Luoyang for a farewell ceremony?"
"Meng Da was confused."
On his way to Yanmen without a day's delay, he did indeed wonder what the emperor might want from him.
Moreover, Meng Da has reviewed the things he has done over the past few years and found nothing illegal or disloyal.
"Probably the emperor just wants to see me."
So how can one explain the former positions of General Anxi and Baron Zhening, if not the summons he received from the emperor?
This is the limitation of human perspective.
Meng Da, who was seen as a vacillating character by the entire court, would never know that the emperor had such an impression of him in his heart.
The Cao Zheng, Sima Yi, Xin Zhi, Wang Chang, Zhang Hui, Cao Hong, Qian Zhuo, Guo Hua and others sitting on both sides of the hall looked at Meng Da as if watching a joke.
In the presence of the true power elite of the Great Wei, no one really took Meng Da seriously.
But Meng Da thought for a moment and calmly replied: "My Lord, the city of Xincheng is adjacent to Wu and Shu. When Wu experienced national mourning, I could only fulfill my duty and defend the city in order to repay one-hundredththousandth of the sacred favor of His Excellency."
"Today, I am honored to see Your Majesty's majesty, and to hear that Your Majesty has led your troops southward, winning battle after battle. On my journey to Hanzhong, I have been overjoyed. I humbly beg Your Majesty's forgiveness for my delay."
Cao Wei looked at Meng Da and continued to ask, "Since you have seen the emperor today, how do you compare to the previous emperor?"
Sima Yi glanced at the emperor, shook his head slightly with a hint of helplessness.
After the battle was over, the emperor seemed to become more 'leisurely'. Could such words be said without hesitation compared to the previous emperor?
Cao Zhen, Xin Zhi and others do not seem to have any other ideas, just like watching a show in the hall.
Meng Da replied with composure, bowing and saying, "Your Majesty has asked, and I will answer sincerely."
"Your Majesty continues the legacy of the previous emperor, ruling over the universe with a rod of discipline, and has never been defeated in battles. Compared to the previous emperor, Your Majesty is like Gude, comparing him to Xia Qin, and like Han Gaozu, comparing him to Han Wen. It is like this."
Cao Wei finally laughed: "The visit was leisurely and graceful, with a talent that exceeds others. Meng Qing is truly exceptional!"
Seeing that the emperor had finally shown some smile, Meng Da's tense emotions finally relaxed, and he followed along and made a joke:
"When the former emperor first met me, he joked with me about whether I was an assassin for Liu Bei. I have no particular talents, just being honest in my answers and loyal to the king."
Flattering words and expressions!
Cao Wei laughed, "Very good, what a loyal subject!"
"Since Meng Qing is a loyal subject, it should be recognized today. The city of Xincheng is a remote and secluded place, and Meng Qing has been wasted!" said Cao Wei.
"Where does Meng Qing want to serve as an official? Just speak up!" said Cao Wei.
Upon hearing the words "promotion" and the shift in the emperor's tone, Meng Da was overjoyed. He was about to start calculating what position he should choose.
Just as he was about to open his mouth, Meng Da instinctively felt a sharp pain in his back.
With an alertness in his heart, Meng Da slightly turned his head and glanced with the corner of his eyes. He noticed Sima Yi's cold face with a hint of mockery.
"Sima Yi..."
Meng Da is aware of Sima Yi.
Perhaps as a natural reaction of an loyal subject seeking favor, the close confidants of Cao Pi, whether it be the Zhongshu Liusai or the Sima Yis of the Shangshu Office, had repeatedly advised that Meng Da was not right.
Meng Da was aware of this.
The entire Great Wei court had only two people who were friendly with Meng Da, namely the former Secretary of the Treasury Huan Jie, and the former Commanding General Xia Xiu.
Huan Jie is dead, Xia Xiu is dead, but Liusai and Sima Yi are still there, and both hold high positions!
Almost instantaneously, years of experience straddling the fence between Wei and Shu allowed Meng Da to quickly make an instinctive response.
It is impossible to kneel, and the 'refined scholar' demeanor built up in conversation would be ruined if one kneels.
Meng Da bowed respectfully: "As a subject of the court, I have little contribution to the state, but it is only through the grace of heaven that I have attained the position of prefect and general."
"As long as it is the command of the emperor, I will die without a second thought!"
Meng Da loudly declared, "It depends on Your Majesty's arrangements!"
Cao Wei didn't say anything. He just stared at Meng Da's head quietly.
Time flowed second by second, and Meng Da didn't hear any echo. He dared not raise his head at all, just remained in the hall, bowing quietly under the eyes of everyone.
"Meng Qing, please stand up straight," Cao Wei sighed lightly, "In Luoyang, there are officials of all ranks, from high-ranking officials with a salary of two thousand grains of grain to minor officials with a salary of three hundred grains. They all say that I am a generous sovereign. When it comes to bestowing official ranks and positions, I have never been stingy."
"I intend to give you a good result, but it depends on whether you want it or not."
Meng Da's sweat continued to flow down his forehead.
Is Shen Yi or someone else who revealed the affairs in Shangyong to Your Majesty?
Did the emperor know about the several times I had private meetings with the Shu envoys before?
Meng Da slightly bit his lip, tried to restrain himself and did not show any abnormal expression. He bowed and said, "Your servant Meng Da listens to Your Majesty's teachings."
"Since Meng Qing is a refined scholar, he should not stay in Xincheng anymore, nor should he command troops. Accompany the emperor to Luoyang to enjoy blessings."
"Abolish your previous position, appoint you as the Associate Director of the Cultural Observation Academy, and add the title of Grand Officer of Luxury. Go help Wu Jizhong. He is not doing well."
Chongwen Guan?
Meng Da knows Chongwen Guan. Besides Gao Tanglong, the two Deputy Directors of the Cultural Observation Academy, one was an old minister of the previous emperor and the other was not used in the previous emperor's court.
To associate with them? What about my position as the General of Anxi?
Meng Da ultimately dared not ask, but only continued to bow and thank.
"Meng Qing, please rise," Cao Wei looked at Guanhou Jian, "Zhongkong, please entertain Meng Qing. He will stay in your camp."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Guanhou Jian stepped back a pace from Meng Da, smiled, and extended his hand in invitation, "Please, Minister Meng."
"I will retire." Meng Da first retreated three steps backwards, and then turned and walked away cautiously.
Meng Da did not know Guanhou Jian, but since the emperor called him by his characters, he seemed to be another favorite of the new court.
Arriving, he walked with an air of arrogance before Guanhou Jian, but leaving, he spoke with great humility to Guanhou Jian.
It was as if he was a completely different person.
After Meng Da left, Cao Wei discussed with his subjects the rules for the next month to move people to the region of Yong in terms of resettlement and a general plan for defense in Hanzhong after the war.
Guo Hua was also entrusted with the royal command and undertook the task of defending the three cities in Hanzhong.
The three cities of Yangping, Mianyang, and Nanzheng; with two thousand outside troops and a mixed army of Qiang people. This is the new duty station for General Guo Hua who led the campaign to conquer Shu.
After the evening meal, Guo Hua arrived uninvited in the grand tent of Zhang He's camp.
Mila Yi, such a scholar who followed the army, usually stayed in the city. However, generals like Zhang He and Guo Hua lived in their camps outside the city.
It had become a routine.
"How did Bai Ji come here?" Zhang He stood up from the table and welcomed him, "What brings you?"
"Please, sit down, Zhuanggong. I also have some private matters to seek advice from Zhuanggong." Guo Hua said calmly.
Zhang He looked around at the guards standing in the tent, and the two armored guards immediately understood and quickly walked out, leaving only the two of them inside.
"What is it, Bai Ji?" Zhang He asked.
Guo Hua spoke, "Is it Zhuanggong who recommended me for the position of Hanzhong?"
"Not from me to the emperor!" Zhang He was surprised, "It must have been the emperor himself who decided, or it could have been a suggestion from one of the grand commanders."
"What does Bai Ji mean by this? Is he unwilling to stay in Hanzhong?" Zhang He asked.
"How could I possibly be unwilling?" Guo Hua slapped his thigh, "It really surprised me."
"After all, with half of the soldiers being foreign troops and the other half Qiang soldiers, that's still a force of twenty thousand!" Guo Hua murmured, "As a general leading an expedition to conquer Shu, my army is as large as that of the General of Qianzhenxi. It's even larger than the General of the Front, General of the Right, and General of the Rear."
"It's really somewhat scared!"
Zhang He stifled a laugh and patted Guo Hua's arm: "The emperor trusts you, and so does the Grand Commander. Just be careful in what you do."
"The emperor has given you ample time. You will initially have 15,000 foreign troops, and you have half a year to recruit an additional 10,000 Qiang soldiers. At the same time, you will gradually withdraw 5,000 foreign troops."
"With 10,000 foreign troops and 10,000 Qiang soldiers, it is sufficient to hold and wait for reinforcements."
Guo Hua sighed, "Such grace is indeed too generous."
"However, Zhuanggong..." Guo Hua raised his eyes to look at Zhang He, "After the Grand Commander took charge of the four states in Guanxi, the position of General Inspector was no longer yours."
"Don't talk about it." Zhang He frowned and stopped, "I just became the General of the Western Campaign a few months ago. How can I neglect the emperor's favor and talk about this?"
Guo Hua licked his lips and explained, "I didn't mean that."
"Given the emperor's usual favor for the general, how could he not compensate you?" Guo Hua counted on his fingers, "It's already May, and at most another eight or ten days, the emperor will return."
"Should we discuss the merits before the emperor returns? Should we give you an increase in rank and rewards now?" (This chapter ends)
