Hearing the emperor's words, Lu Yu was almost frozen in place, his expression one of disbelief.
Xu Zhu clearly remained calm, conducting himself with grace and bowing respectfully in response.
It's no wonder Lu Yu was surprised.
Although Lu Yu had previously served as a magistrate of two thousand Stone, the magistrate and the other magistrate were different. Only large circuits such as Wei, Chenliu, Yingchuan, Nanhe, and Hedong were comparable to the prefect.
According to Lu Yu's age and experience, it would take a long time for him to reach the level of prefect. However, now being appointed as Zhongshu by the emperor is as if he had taken a shortcut.
The Minister of the Imperial Secretariat during the Taihe era was entirely different from that during the Han dynasty and the early years of the Great Wei Dynasty!
Take this westward expedition as an example, besides the King Sheng who was on mourning leave at home, Yang Fu, Chen Jiao all became a prefect. Yang Fu later returned to Luoyang as ordered by the emperor, and became one of the Nine Venerables as the Prime Minister of Guanglu.
Let alone the previous Liu Ye and Huang Quan.
The government and the common people have long been discussing that one cannot become a prefect without being a Minister of the Imperial Secretariat in the future. Although Lu Yu is upright, how can he not desire to become an important official?
Scholars also strive for achievements!
Xu Yu had served as the Minister of Imperial Secretariat, understanding that official positions and duties are determined by the whims of the ruler. Moving from the Nine Ministries to the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat did not cause him significant psychological upheaval.
After chatting with Xu Yu for a while, Cao Wei turned to Lu Yu and smiled, asking, "How come, Lu Qing? Don't you want to accept it?"
Lu Yu only then realized and replied: "I am willing to serve as a Zhongshu accompanying the Emperor on his right and left. Recently, I have been somewhat weary from modifying the laws, and I was startled upon hearing of such an important task. Please punish me, Your Majesty."
Cao Wei said, "Rest for a few days if you're tired, don't overexert yourself. I see you have a dark ring around your eyes."
"Modifying the laws is not a matter of one day or one night. As Lu Yu becomes a Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, you will also help me keep an eye on the matter."
"And Xu Qing as well." Cao Wei looked at Xu Yu: "You also need to keep an eye on the various affairs related to land placement for the emperor. The system is gradually showing some color, and must not be wasted!"
Xu Yu replied, "Your Majesty, please be at ease. The matters of land placement throughout the empire are all in my heart."
Sima Yi laughed from the side and said, "Your Majesty has excellent discernment of talent. By choosing two outstanding Ministers of the Imperial Secretariat from among the government, Xu Yu is skilled in administration, while Lu Yu is efficient and clear-headed. Both are talents of the great Wei Dynasty."
Cao Wei nodded: "Indeed, Xu Yu and Lu Yu's talents have been known to me for a long time. There should be four Ministers of the Imperial Secretariat, but there are only three at present. Another one is needed."
"Let's see, why don't the ministers guess? If anyone guesses correctly, I will also bestow some rewards."
Looking at the emperor's smiling face, it was clear that he was in a good mood today. Everyone present also joined the emperor in guessing.
Xin Zhi guessed Vyan, Sima Yi guessed Fan Xian, Dong Zhao guessed Wang Ling, Xu Yu guessed Cai Lin.
Wei Zhen spoke openly that he would not guess, while Lu Yu guessed Wang Chang.
Cao Wei laughed and clapped his hands: "After listening to the opinions of all the ministers, I am truly delighted. It is not because of the joy of games, but because of the abundance of talent in our great Wei Dynasty, and because I have so many intelligent individuals to choose from."
Cao Wei pointed to Sima Yi: "Still, the Master of Construction knows my intentions best. I have decided to recall Fan Xian back to Luoyang."
"How did the Master of Construction guess it?"
Sima Yi shrugged and said, "I simply noticed that the Ministers of the Imperial Secretariat were repeatedly sent out as governors. At this time, there is a vacancy in the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, so it is not impossible that a governor will be used to fill the position."
"And currently, in each state, the states of Yong and Xie, Qin and Jiao, Liang and Feng, You and Ye, Henan and Zheng, Yue and Zi, Yang and Ji are all governed by those who were sent out from the central government in the past two years."
"The only ones who have not changed are the five: Wang Ling in Qing Province, Lü Qing in Xu Province, Pei Qian in Jing Province, Lü Zhao in Ji Province, and Liang Xi in Bing Province."
"Among the five, only Pei Qian is the most outstanding for his wisdom and virtue. That is why I guessed Pei Qian."
Cao Wei nodded, and then looked around at the group: "That's why I often consider Sima Yi as my brain, because his wisdom and strategy emerge from the blue, making him the supreme among the courtiers!"
Sima Yi embarrassedly smiled, "I was just making an educated guess, and it happened to be right; it's not because of my own ability."
Cao Wei picked up a jade inkstand on the table and handed it to Sima Yi. After Sima Yi received it, he expressed his gratitude for the reward in a natural manner.
The action was sleek and smooth, like a flowing cloud.
Cao Wei laughed, "Master of Construction, you are capable and why be modest? After issuing the edict to recall Pei Qian back to Luoyang, assign Ma Qiu Xing to serve in Jing Province."
"Mao Qiu Xing?" Sima Yi asked, "Can this person also become a prefect?"
Cao Wei looked at Sima Yi, "Master of Construction, what do you think of this person? Is he lacking in ability or has he fallen short in virtue?"
Sima Yi shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, I did not mean that. Mao Qiu Xing was originally the Chief Architect, and he has not held a post in a state or province for many years. Moreover, his son Mao Qiu Jian has just been appointed as the Commander-in-Chief."
"The father and son both hold important positions, it might not be appropriate to break this precedent."
Dong Zhao, hearing this, was slightly dissatisfied and interrupted to say: "Both are loyal ministers. I believe it should not matter. Moreover, both father and son serving as officials of two thousand Stone in the same government is also a beautiful story."
Sima Yi laughed and said, "Master Dong is right. It was my mistake to speak out of turn. I forgot that the Dong family also has two officials serving as two thousand Stone."
Dong Zhao was not a good-natured person, his eyes narrowed as he stared at Sima Yi, raising his lips into a mocking smile and provocatively said: "It's just four thousand Stone for father and son serving as two thousand Stone. How can it compare to brothers who serve as twelve thousand Stone and are prominent?"
"One as a Marquis, one as a Prefect, shining the family name!"
Sima Yi's eyes turned cold for a moment, but as he thought of not losing his composure in front of the emperor, he immediately turned his head and walked away, no longer looking at Dong Zhao.
Cao Wei, witnessing this scene, rarely smiled and said: "Choosing a worthy person does not avoid relatives, let alone holding office? If you say that like this, won't it shame the Marquis of Sima Zi Hua?"
"I remember. The wife of Sima Zhi is the niece of Master Dong, and also a cousin of Sima Yi. In that case, you two are related as well!"
The emperor gave him an opportunity, and Sima Yi was a bit younger than Dong Zhao. He knew what was due and bowed to Dong Zhao in apology: "My words were inappropriate, please pardon me, Master Dong."
Dong Zhao's face changed just as quickly, smiling and saying, "I said something wrong, please forgive me, Master of Construction."
In fact, when Sima Yi spoke earlier, there was not a trace of irony towards Dong Zhao. It was Dong Zhao who was too sensitive and made the connection himself. He harbored some dissatisfaction with Dong Zhao in his heart.
Dong Zhao was also thinking the same thing. Maybe after the emperor pointed out their native places in the East Hall, and their names were mentioned together, they were a bit out of sorts?
Fortunately, the two only argued for two sentences before the emperor intervened and mediated their conflict.
Dong Zhao, believing himself to be a close advisor to the emperor, and with his age increasing and his inhibitions diminishing, no longer concealed his thoughts in speech.
Sima Yi also believed that he was the emperor's wise man. Although Chen Qun was removed from his position as Lord of the Records, Sima Yi had first been promoted to a Marquis and then gained more than a thousand households and fiefs through military campaigns, which filled him with pride and satisfaction.
More importantly…
With the intelligence of Sima Yi and Dong Zhao, they implicitly understood that arguing in the presence of the emperor might actually be better.
