It is indeed an old matter.
Mao Ping is from He Naniang, making her a fellow compatriot with Sima Yi.
Another native of He Naniang, is Yu Shi who insulted the emperor and Empress Dowager Bian in front of the face.
If I count carefully, Yu Shi has been in the cold palace for two years. Although according to the emperor's command, food, clothing and health are always guaranteed.
Losing freedom is not just a restriction on Yu Shi herself, but also on her own clan in He Naniang. From the perspective of the Yu family in He Naniang, why would their daughter in Luoyang have angered the emperor, when she was doing well there?
It is understandable to wait for half a year, and one can endure for a year. But after nearly two years, the Yu family naturally needs to take some action.
There should always be some reason for doing things or giving gifts. New Year's Day is the best excuse.
Before the start of the New Year, Mao Jia, the father of Mao Ping, came from He Naniang to Luoyang to bring New Year's gifts for his daughter in the palace. Unable to refuse the urgent invitation from the Yu family, he also sent a gift on behalf of the Yu family.
Mao Jia is not to the point of being unrestrained, but he can be considered satisfied.
Mao Ping's favor from the emperor is known to everyone in Luoyang. Moreover, Cao Qi, the eldest son of the emperor, was born from Mao Ping. With her son's promotion, Mao Ping's position in the palace was also embellished with gold.
Someone had advised Mao Jia early on, saying that in the Han dynasty, with his position as an imperial relative, he might very well have been granted a generalship.
Mao Ping was naturally delighted to receive her father's gift, but when she received a gift from the Yu family, she found it difficult to decide. Upon hearing that the emperor had conquered Han Zhong, the Yu family again sent Mao Ping a gift ten times thicker than before.
Only asked Mao Ping to say a few good words for Yu Shi, with no other request.
Mao Ping is not stupid. She knows all the details of Yu Shi's insult to the emperor before.
Therefore, after meeting with Cao Rui, she recounted everything that her father had asked her to do, the favor from the Yu family, and the gifts she had sent, all in detail.
Cao Rui's expression gradually improved, turning to Mao Ping and asking, "We Yu family only asked you to ask for mercy, with no other request?"
Mao Ping thought for a moment and replied, "Right, they also mentioned that if there is a general amnesty from the court, they want me to mention Yu Shi's name."
Amnesty...
Cao Rui slightly nodded and continued to ask, "What do you think of this Yu Shi person?"
Mao Ping was first taken aback, and then somewhat hesitated before replying, "I really don't know. It was her own fault to do something wrong, and to be punished by your majesty is well deserved."
"How to deal with it is still up to Your Majesty. I couldn't refuse my father's request, and I have fully disclosed all the matters to Your Majesty."
Cao Rui sighed and said, "Being able to not have personal interests, not to quarrel or compete before me, is your best quality."
"I am aware of this matter. You need not be involved in it anymore. As for your father, I will dispatch someone to explain to him. As for Yu Shi, I will have my own calculation."
Mao Ping bowed, "Your Majesty is wise."
Cao Rui said, "Let's not talk about whether I am wise or not. Last year when I had a son, many officials and I requested a general amnesty, but I turned it down at the time."
"Now that we have won and returned to the capital, the issue of general amnesty should also be put on the agenda."
Cao Rui adjusted his collar and looked at his reflection in the mirror before walking slowly towards the door.
Just as Cao Rui was about to lift his foot and step outside, he took a step back and turned to look at Mao Ping who was bowing farewell. "Tonight, I will come to your place. Make sure to wait for me."
Mao Ping was both surprised and delighted. She softly said goodbye and looked at Cao Rui with affection in her eyes.
Cao Rui raised the corner of his mouth and laughed lightly, waved his hand, and then walked out.
In the Zhāngtái Palace, preparations were underway for a grand feast.
Today, among the officials who came out to welcome outside the city, everyone except Zhong Yao had arrived at the banquet.
The lights sway and shine with colorful splendor.
The literati and generals are either exchanging with smiling faces, or waiting for the emperor's arrival with serious eyes.
The sides of the grand hall were filled with tables, totaling nearly a hundred, once again filling the quieted Zhangtai Palace for over half a year.
Among the crowd, everyone was silent as the voice of the court servant monitor echoed in the grand hall.
Cao Rui was escorted by eunuchs and tiger guards from the side palace to the innermost throne of the grand hall.
Glancing around, Cao Rui noticed that there were too many people in the hall today. With the distance and the crowdedness, about half of the ministers' faces were not visible.
Such banquets are usually more of a formality than an actual gathering for eating and talking.
After a few formal words, as the music began and the dancers took the stage, the banquet officially commenced.
To dine with the emperor in the same hall is a capital that many ordinary officials of 2,000 stone rank can boast about for ten or even twenty years.
But only a few people can actually speak with the emperor and make the emperor willing to talk with them.
Among them, of course, include Huaxin, the Marquis of Wei.
At over seventy years old, Huaxin walked over to offer a toast. Cao Rui, of course, had to give him this face. After asking about the situation of his sons, Cao Rui casually asked, "Do you think it is appropriate to issue a general pardon now?"
"General amnesty for the people?"
Huaxin instinctively repeated the emperor's words, but after a few moments, he quickly responded, "I believe that a general amnesty should be issued."
"Your Majesty's ascension to the throne and the birth of the prince are both major events that can be celebrated with an amnesty to show Your Majesty's benevolence. Your Majesty has been on the throne for two years, and nearly half of that time has been spent on campaigns outside."
"This time, we have gained a great victory," Huaxin said. "The concept of 'restraining severity and sparing the prisoners' and 'clearly punishing to educate' means that Your Majesty should take this opportunity to show kindness to the people of the world."
Cao Rui nodded and said, "Why would a general amnesty be an act of kindness? I beg the Marquis to enlighten me."
Huaxin, not knowing whether the emperor was feigning ignorance to liven up the atmosphere or testing him, answered immediately, "In a country, between Your Majesty and the people, there is a layer of officials in between."
"Since it is a matter of human governance, there will inevitably be mistakes. Mistakes caused by officials governing the people are often their own fault, and are often not corrected."
"A general amnesty is essentially a salvation for the wronged people of the world. At the same time, it can pull people out of prisons and allow them to engage in normal agricultural and weaving activities, as well as to serve."
Cao Rui smiled and nodded, "I understand."
"The idea of a general amnesty is indeed a benevolent policy, but it is also more practical in nature. Is that correct?"
Huaxin chuckled and bowed in response, "Your Majesty is wise. Governing the world requires a combination of Confucianism and Legalism; one cannot rely solely on one and neglect the other."
While Cao Rui was conversing with Huaxin, Sima Yi, the Grand Prime Minister of the Great Wei, approached with a cup of wine in hand.
Huaxin chuckled and nodded at Sima Yi, but inwardly he was complaining that Sima Yi was just jumping on the bandwagon.
Just as Sima Yi was in the middle of offering a toast, Cao Rui turned to ask Sima Yi, "Just now, Huaxin Marquis and I were discussing the issue of general amnesty. What do you think?"
Sima Yi answered solemnly, "Your Majesty's benevolence is comparable to that of Yao and Shun! Returning from a great victory with a general amnesty shows the benevolent spirit of the Great Wei and at the same time propagates martial virtues."
Cao Rui said, "Since both the Marquis and the Grand Prime Minister have endorsed the idea of a general amnesty, I will grant your request!"
"Let the Western and Eastern Libraries discuss the details tomorrow. If there are no issues, at the grand imperial assembly in three days, we will announce this matter to the court!"
Both nodded in agreement.
Since it was a ceremonial banquet, Cao Rui did not drink much. After the feast ended, Cao Rui smiled and waved goodbye amidst the cheers of the officials, then took a carriage back to the palace.
Having been away for more than half a year, it was about time to have a sound and comfortable sleep in the palace of Luoyang. Not to mention, there's a beautiful woman beside him, soft and warm like jade.
The emperor has already arrived at Mao Ping's palace, but Sima Yi is still on his way home.
Sima Yi hurried home in the afternoon, greeted his family and said a few words, then rushed out to attend the banquet.
When Sima Yi returned home that night, his first act was not to chat with his concubines, but to directly summon his second son, Sima Zhao, into the study.
"Son, during my absence in Luoyang these past few months, have everyone in our family been well?"
Sima Zhao entered the study and sat on the seat to talk to his father face-to-face, which was a treatment previously reserved for his elder brother, Sima Shi.
Nowadays, Sima Shi is studying in his hometown of Wen County, and he himself has this opportunity to talk with his father in the late evening.
What's not obtained is the best.
Sima Zhao has been envious of his brother for several years, and now that his father has inquired about family matters, he is eager to show off.
"Father, don't worry," Sima Zhao answered with a sense of importance. "Everything at home is fine. As the eldest son, I will naturally take care of our mother and younger brother when you are not here."
"Good," Sima Yi glanced at Sima Zhao and said, "Have you been studying hard at home? In one or two months, you will enter the third period of the Grand Academy."
"You know what the Grand Academy is like. Don't let the Sima family down when you go there."
Sima Zhao still smiled foolishly and said, "Father, don't worry! I read Buddhist sutras every day at home and have never been lazy. If you don't believe me, please let me show you my studies!"
"There is no need for your homework. Son, haven't you been curious about the prospects of a Grand Academy student?"
"I'll tell you, all one hundred Grand Academy students who were brought by the emperor to Longyou during his campaign were appointed as officials responsible for managing the irrigation of the Qiang people's granaries."
"Officials? Working with the Qiang people?"
Sima Zhao was taken aback, and there seemed to be a hint of disapproval in his tone: "In such a place as Longyou, does the emperor perhaps treat the students harshly?"
"Don't say such nonsense!" Sima Yi said. "The emperor has said that the ministers must come from the prefectures and majors from the ranks. As for me, there is no doubt that some of these students who are managing irrigation in Longyou will one day be promoted to high positions in the government!"
Sima Zhao swallowed his saliva, nodding to indicate that he understood.
Sima Yi sighed, "Your elder brother, Sima Zhiyuan, was also a student of the first period of the Grand Academy. However, due to being implicated in the case of extravagance, he is currently only idling away in his hometown in Wen County and has not made any progress."
"Today in the palace, your father heard from the emperor that a general amnesty will be announced shortly. If there really is an amnesty, your father will take this opportunity to ensure that my brother Sima Zhiyuan's release, even if it means sacrificing my military merits this time!"
Sima Zhao nodded in agreement, but he couldn't help feeling a little bitter inside.
Father, do you really love my elder brother the most?
Why do you always mention my elder brother when talking to me today? (Chapter Complete)
