The following afternoon, within the martial field of the palace.
Cao Rui in a tight-fitting outfit and bent the bow and arrow, the arrow shaft cracked through the air and hit the red heart of the distant target, the tail feathers still gently trembling.
There are now only three of the four officials of the inner court, Xin Pi and Xu Shu were on duty yesterday, and today it is Xin Pi and Lu Yu.
Xin Pi has to bear the burden of doing two jobs alone.
After the emperor shot through an arrow tube, Xin Pi, his hands tied up beside him and slightly worried, asked: "Your Majesty, Zhang Taimed said that the Emperor should rest for a hundred days. I hope that the Emperor would value his health as a dragon body and not to be overworked again."
Cao Rui turned to glance at Xin Pi, then reached out and patted the quiver at his waist. Xin Pi helplessly had to pull out ten arrows from the quiver displayed on the shelf and hand them over to the emperor's quiver.
Draw an arrow, bend the bow, and shoot in one fluid motion, Cao Rui nodded in satisfaction as he watched the arrow hit the target again, turning to Xin Pi and saying: "While the Taimed did say it was wise for me to rest for a hundred days, I cannot do everything according to reason."
"Archery is one of the six arts of a gentleman, and practicing it is beneficial." He said this, then raised his hand to release another arrow.
How can I listen to everything the Taimed says? Zhang Taimed also said not to indulge in female charms, but it didn't prevent Cao Rui from running to Guo Yao's room every day.
Just shooting an arrow, a trivial matter.
After the second arrow in the quiver was shot, Cao Rui slightly gasped, handing over the bow to Lu Yu and taking off the quiver to throw it to Xin Pi.
"Lu Zhongshu, I have heard that your father Lu Zigang was also a versatile man, both skilled in literature and martial arts. He also led troops to quell the Yellow Turban bandits?"
Lu Yu, seeing the emperor mention his late father, bowed and replied, "It is the emperor's kindness to remember my late father; indeed, he was both literate and martial."
"My late father once studied under the great scholar Ma Gong, later serving as a Taimed and participating in the compilation of the Eastern Han Records. He also led troops to quell the Nine Junctions Rebellion and, holding the position of Northern Middle Warlord General, forced Zhang Jiao to retreat to Guangzong."
Cao Rui took the delicate hemp cloth offered by the eunuch, wiped the sweat from his brow, and then turned to sit down on the chair behind him.
Upon hearing Lu Yu's words, Cao Rui said, "The suppression of the Yellow Turban rebellion was a significant achievement, but unfortunately, it was unjustly blamed by the Holy Emperor."
Lu Yu remained calm and said, "During the reign of a tyrannical ruler, my late father, despite his abilities, was never able to serve. Unlike myself who was able to serve under a wise monarch in Luoyang."
Cao Rui pointed at Lu Yu and laughed, "Lu Qing, you've only just taken office and you're already so skilled in speaking?"
"I remember that Emperor Wu, during his Northern Expedition against the Wuhuan, passed by the county of Zhuo when he sent offerings to your father's tomb."
Lu Yu replied, "The sanctity of Emperor Wu is etched in my heart. It was then that I was summoned to serve as an official."
Cao Rui asked again, "Then, among your kin, do you have any other relatives?"
Lu Yu replied, "Your Majesty, the rest of my clan have died off gradually in the turmoil. Now, there is only myself left in the clan, and there are no other relatives in Fanyang."
Cao Rui smiled and said, "Since there are few people at home, expanding the family tree is a serious matter. Do you have two sons in Luoyang?"
Lu Yu was somewhat at a loss, "Your Majesty, I have two sons and one daughter, who all live in Luoyang, not in Fanyang."
Cao Rui said, "Then send one of your sons back to the hometown to live. It will add more people to your family."
"By the way, let me know when you're leaving. I'll send someone to prepare some gifts, as a gesture to coincide with the sacrifice to your father that Emperor Wu made."
Lu Yu agreed decisively, but inwardly, he was still somewhat confused. As an official of the inner court, he had not yet been close enough to the emperor to discuss such matters!
However, Lu Yu was unaware that his descendants would continue for hundreds of years, gaining great renown.
This matter had nothing to do with Emperor Cao Rui, but throwing in a few casual remarks along the way was just one of the interesting things he did in his daily life as an emperor.
On the other side, Xin Pi, who stood by and witnessed it all, had long become accustomed to it.
The emperor is generally wise and decisive when discussing politics and military affairs. However, when he talks about something inconsequential, his words are always puzzling.
The mind of a ruler is hard to fathom!
At this moment, the Literary Ride-and-Ride Officer Du Xu walked in quickly and bowed to report: "Your Majesty, the Grand Secretariat has requested an audience and is waiting outside the palace gate."
Cao Rui nodded and said: "The Grand Secretariat is coming to find me, if he doesn't come to find me today, I'll announce him in two days."
"Let's go back to the study. Wu Bo, have Gao Rou come over as well."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Du Xu received the order and turned to run off quickly, while Cao Rui, accompanied by Xin and Lu, slowly walked towards the study.
Xin Pi said, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Secretariat reported that the Grand Secretariat entered the Ministry of Rites last night and stayed for over half an hour before leaving."
Cao Rui looked at Xin Pi and asked, "What did he go to see Sima Yi for?"
Xin Pi said, "I have no idea. However, I roughly estimate that it should be related to the examination and grading system."
"Previously, Your Majesty was in the west, the Grand Secretariat had sought out Shangshu Fucheng and Xu Xuan for the examination and grading system, but was rejected by both Fu and Xu. It seems that there was an argument between them in the Grand Secretariat."
"And the Chancellor is in charge of the affairs of the Secretariat, and the Secretariat is under his jurisdiction."
While moving his slightly stiff right shoulder and arm, Cao Rui said thoughtfully, "It seems that the examination and grading system has been hindered? It's not surprising. The Grand Secretariat is not responsible for this matter, and it is not right to speak. I have no direct edict from the emperor."
"If Gao Rou can succeed, that would indeed be strange."
Cao Rui and Xin Pi were chatting while walking, with the less experienced Lu Yu silently following behind, furrowing his brows in thought but saying nothing.
In the study, Cao Rui received Gao Rou. After discussing some trivial matters of the Grand Secretariat, Gao Rou began to make a complaint.
The Secretaries of State, Fu Cheng and Xu Mi, the military governor of Liang State, Si Ma Fu, the military governor of Yuzhou, Huang Quan, the military governor of Yuezhou, Sun Zi, the military governor of Jingzhou, and Cao Xiu, the Great Marshal in Shoushun.
One by one, Gao Rou accused them all. The language used was sharper than what he had said at Sima Yi's mansion.
Of course, it should be more pointed.
With decades of official experience, how could one not know how to play the victim? And given that he is performing the duties assigned by the emperor, which is not within the Grand Secretariat's jurisdiction, it's even more likely that he'll play the victim.
As the emperor, Cao Rui did not dismiss Gao Rou's complaints, which were reasonable and well-supported.
"Grand Secretariat, please be at ease. Liang State, Yuzhou, and Jingzhou. I will dispatch someone to deliver oral edicts to reprimand the three of them."
"These three are far away, but Fu and Xu, the two Secretaries of State, are nearby; they are in the Southern Palace Secretariat."
Looking at the slightly stunned Gao Rou, Cao Rui smiled kindly and said, "I will summon Fu and Xu now to settle the matter for you!"
Gao Rou was greatly surprised.
Is this really necessary to make such a big fuss??
Gao Rou originally wanted to refuse, but because he had already made a complaint, he couldn't refuse the emperor's suggestion of "administering justice."
He could only bow and accept.
After about half an hour, the two Secretaries were led into the study by Du Xu.
Xu Mi had been to the emperor's study before, but Fu Xun was his first time.
Cao Rui calmly waved his hand: "Please sit down."
After the two officials and the three ministers took their seats, Cao Rui directly asked, "Ministers Fu and Xu, the Grand Secretariat has just reported to me about your misdeeds."
"How were the reasons for rejecting the examination and grading system?"
At this moment, Gao Rou's heart was already at the edge of despair. Reporting this matter was meant to earn more credit, not to cultivate enmity with Fu and Xu!
The emperor summoning the two of them and wanting to ask questions in front of everyone, how could Gao Rou make his case clear?
Fu Xun is also an experienced, elderly minister with excellent credentials.
Upon hearing the emperor's words, Fu Xun glanced in the direction of Gao Rou, then stood up and calmly replied, "Your Majesty, I simply believe that there are some flaws in the examination and grading system proposed by the Grand Secretariat."
"At the time, Your Majesty was waging war in the west, and Minister of Armies ordered that no important matters be reported. I couldn't submit a memorial to Your Majesty in time. Now that I am before Your Majesty, please allow me to report this matter."
Cao Rui nodded: "The truth becomes clearer through argument. Fu Qin, please explain the flaws in the examination and grading system."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Fu Xun slightly bowed and then straightened his back and spoke seriously, "I believe that the so-called examination and grading system is nothing but an increase in the duties of officials throughout the country, making the current administration more cumbersome."
"But the pressing matters of the Great Wei right now are not administrative governance, and the pressing matters of administration are not about examination and grading! The Great Wei already has a system of annual reports. Why do we need to establish another examination and grading system?"
Cao Rui naturally understood what Fu Xun meant, and asked counterclockwise, "Fu Qin, are you suggesting that the current focus of the Great Wei is not on administrative governance? Clarifying the overall political direction is right, and focusing on details of officials is useless?"
Fu Xun bowed and answered, "Your Majesty is wise and insightful. That is exactly what I meant."
"There is already an existing system of annual reports. The imperial officials are supervised by the Censorate, and the prefects of each state supervise the districts. Every autumn, the counties submit their annual reports, and in winter, each prefecture sends officials to Luoyang to report on the situation."
"The counties submit their annual reports, the prefects of each state supervise their districts, the Secretariat receives the reports, and the Censorate verifies them. Fu Xun earnestly said: 'I cannot understand why we need to establish such a hierarchical examination system that will add more burdens on officials throughout the country.'"
"If that were the case, wouldn't everyone focus on the examination and grading system and have no interest in doing anything else?"
After hearing this, Cao Rui fell silent for a moment before slowly saying, "I'm not saying that the system of annual reports is bad; it's more or less workable. It's just that there are some shortcomings in the details."
After saying this, Cao Rui turned to Xu Mi: "What do you have to say, Xu Qin?"
Xu Mi bowed and answered, "I head the Ministry of Justice, and the affairs of the Ministry of Justice can only be judged by whether officials are capable. The fewer criminal cases there are in the world, the better. How could officials seek to achieve political achievements?"
"I hope Your Majesty will see the truth."
Cao Rui spoke calmly: "The system of annual reports is not perfect, and the examination and grading system is not worthless."
"If there are already so many problems after the examination and grading system has just been implemented at the Secretariat, there will surely be even more issues in the various states, counties, and military units."
"Lu Minister," Cao Rui turned his face to Lu Yu.
Lu Yu stood up and answered, "I'm here."
Cao Rui said, "Afterwards, have the Prime Minister issue an edict ordering all officials of rank of 2000 taels or more in Luoyang to discuss this matter. Within fifteen days, regardless of whether they praise or criticize this matter, they must submit a memorandum on this matter."
"I want to carefully observe how my officials think about this."
Lu Yu bowed and accepted the order.
After Fu and Xu had spoken, Gao Rou presented the entire proposal he had discussed with Sima Yi at the Ministry of Rites yesterday.
Cao Rui neither agreed nor disagreed, but calmly expressed that he would make a decision after collecting the memorials from the officials of the court.
It is quite interesting that the system of annual reports has barely included officials from the Secretariat and other officials in Luoyang.
But Gao Rou's examination and grading system does.
It is also noteworthy that just now, Fu Xun and Xu Mi, two individuals, also seemed to have an unspoken agreement and did not mention this matter...
Being an emperor is difficult, especially in the control of major and minor affairs, as well as the details of people's hearts. If Cao Rui did not understand the differences between the two, Fu Xun's words might have been more persuasive.
After the three of them left, Cao Rui sat in his study and started flipping through the little notebook Gao Rou had personally copied, which detailed the examination and grading system.
Frowning, he also added a trace of irritation to his heart.
Cao Rui realized that he had perhaps oversimplified the matter of the examination and grading system.
In this age of poor communication and diverse officials' quality, establishing a smoothly operating examination and grading system is indeed a difficult task.
Moreover, the current situation of the Great Wei does not allow for a large-scale examination and grading.
Gao Rou's examination and grading standards are essentially based on the system of annual reports during the Han Dynasty, with additional items added and refined further.
Can the situation in Han times be the same as now?
Today, the world is still divided between the Wu and Shu states, and military affairs are of great importance in all the prefectures. The economy is depressed and urgently needs to be restored.
Where is it like the prosperous times of the Han Dynasty?
During the Han Dynasty, four directions could adopt the same standard. But can it work now? Just as Sima Fu said, Xiling Prefecture cannot be evaluated with the same standard as other prefectures.
Each state has its own situation. Is it really reasonable to come up with at least twelve different plans? That would truly be absurd.
Cao Rui sighed lightly, although he had discovered the problems with the examination and grading system, he still had to proceed with it.
What if Wu and Shu are still undecided? What will happen in five or ten years?
The examination and grading system already has a prototype. Why not refine it carefully and implement it in five or ten years?
Matters must be done, and there is no such thing as wasted effort. It's just a matter of doing it early or late.
……
Fifteen days is but a fleeting moment.
Chen Qun, Man Chong, and Pei Qian have all returned to Luoyang.
Guanling Prefectural Administrator Liang Xi also returned to Luoyang to fill the vacancy left by Xu Shi's appointment as the new Secretary of State. Fán Chong and Fán Yuánmíng were appointed as the new Guanling Prefectural Administrator and promptly took office.
In the afternoon, Cao Rui sat in his study, pondering over tonight's banquet with these ministers.
Wang Chang walked in from outside, holding a stack of documents. He couldn't carry it alone, so Du Xiu and Zhong Yù also followed to help him.
Cao Rui pointed to the desk in the corner and told Wang Chang, "Put it over there. The Prime Minister has already read these memorials? What are their main points?"
Wang Chang said, "Your Majesty, the memorials mostly show blind support or blind opposition, with more of the former."
"Among those who oppose, the one who speaks most persuasively is Grand Right Protector."
Grand Right Protector? Cui Lin?
Cao Rui asked, "What did the Grand Marshal and the Minister of the Palace say?"
Wang Chang replied, "The Grand Marshal and the Minister of the Palace's memorials are classified as blind support."
Cao Rui laughed heartily, "Wang Qin is indeed interesting. Come, give me Cui Lin's memorial. I want to see it myself."
"At your service," Wang Chang didn't even glance at it and picked up the topmost memorial from the stack carried by Du Xiu, handing it directly to the emperor's desk with both hands.
Wang Chang's purpose was to deliver the memorials. Since the emperor knows his classification and division, Wang Chang now bids farewell and leaves.
There are no ministers here; in the study, there are only Du Xu and Zhong Yu, the two riding attendants.
Cao Rui reads through Cui Lin's memorial, nodding his head as he reads.
Cui Lin's point is that in today's court, to better govern the world, what needs to be fiercely grasped is not the establishment of the system, but its execution.
Cui Lin states that since the Zhou Dynasty, there have been methods for examination and grading, but these methods have gradually been abandoned and are no longer useful.
The focus is not on the completeness of the legislation, but on its enforcement.
It's not 'no law can be found', and the system of annual reports is also not unusable.
The issue is not 'no law can be relied upon,' but rather 'every law must be adhered to,' and whether it can be enforced.
Cao Rui nodded in agreement with Cui Lin's words while recalling the corrupt officials and officials of later dynasties who were caught. Is it that the system of the country is not perfect enough?
It's not about the system at all; it's a matter of enforcement!
There is no heart-wrenching repentance, only the calm acceptance of one's fate.
Cao Rui, feeling melancholy, handed over the memorials in his hand: "Come on, Wang Cheng and Zhong Ju, you two look at Grand Right Protector's memorial."
"Up until now, I haven't allowed you two to participate in state affairs. Look it over, and then each of you tell me what you think."
Du Xu, already approaching thirty years of age and ambitious in his political aspirations, was appointed as a riding attendant. Given the opportunity to express his opinions by the emperor, Du Xu's talent was finally recognized, and he naturally felt willing to speak.
But Zhong Yu is different.
Today is the first time the emperor has called Zhong Yu by his name.
In the early days of this year, Zhong Yao fell ill, slightly earlier than Wang Lang. At that time, Zhong Yao thought he wouldn't survive, so he personally added the Zhuang style to his son Zhong Yu on his sickbed and took the alias 'Zhi Shu'.
At this age, taking an alias early on is common. No scholar family would be rigid enough to wait until the age of twenty to add a style and take an alias.
Zhong Yu being called by the emperor's name and treated as an adult has naturally excited and stirred him.
The matter that the emperor asked him to answer was of less importance.
In comparison, it can be said that the son of the Grand Teacher does not have to worry about getting a government position, while the son of the Secretary has no one to rely on.
Du Xu took the memorial first, carefully reading it and then handed it back to Zhong Yu.
After a moment, Du Xu took a deep breath and bowed and said, "At your service, I do not approve of the examination and grading system either. However, my views differ from those of Grand Right Protector Cui."
"Oh?" Cao Rui raised an eyebrow and looked at Du Xu, "What are your thoughts, Wang Cheng?"
"I think Grand Right Protector has pointed out the problem of enforcing laws and regulations. Before Your Majesty promoted me last year, I had always been a bureaucrat in the court, dealing with trivial matters every day."
"The general situation of officials in the world should be similar to that of the humble servant before me. I think that the examination and grading system is more difficult than the annual reports system, and officials will also spend more time and energy on its implementation."
"But there are many things that require time and effort, and the mere examination and grading system should not be at the forefront. Grand Right Protector's words are merely misleading Your Majesty."
Cao Rui smiled and nodded, "Okay, you have insight. It is always right to dare to speak and advise."
"The views of young officials will naturally differ from those of senior officials."
Du Xu bowed and said, "Your Majesty, actually, I have some personal thoughts as well."
Cao Rui nodded, "Go ahead!"
Du Xu spoke directly, "I think that the examination and grading system, used to assess ordinary officials, is acceptable. However, it cannot truly select talented officials who can govern the country."
Cao Rui asked, "How do you mean?"
Du Xu said, "From my limited perspective, there is no great talent who has been selected through the examination and grading system among officials."
"Let's not speak of distant times. Just consider the current senior officials of the Great Wei. Grand Marshal Zhong, Grand Marshal Hua, Grand Chancellor Chen, Grand Master Sima, and the Guard Minister, as well as the six departments and nine ministries of state, who were all selected by the court. How many of them were chosen through examination and grading?"
"Not one of them was not recognized by the court's discerning eyes!"
Cao Rui thinks for a moment and laughs, "Wang Cheng's words indeed have the feeling of 'the law does not apply to officials, and etiquette does not concern common people.'"
"Once reaching the Three Grand Secretaries and Nine Ministers, the court needs to discern talent without the need for examination and grading. And can the common Two Thousand Stone officials and those below them be applicable for the examination and grading?"
"Is that what you mean?"
Du Xu feels a bit embarrassed. He can't answer the emperor's question and has to bow repeatedly in apology.
Cao Rui waved his finger and said, "No problem. I said that daring to advise is a good thing." He then pointed to Zhong Yu: "Zhi Shu! What do you think?"
Zhong Yu thought for a moment, hesitated, and then bowed to answer, "Your servant is not knowledgeable about state affairs, but it seems that Grand Right Protector's words are somewhat inappropriate."
Cao Rui asked, "Where is it inappropriate?"
Zhong Yu replied, "The court is now pushing for examination and grading, but Grand Right Protector says that its implementation is poor before the examination and grading has been rolled out, and has not yet offered any useful methods."
"Your servant merely thinks that this attitude should not be towards serving the court."
Cao Rui laughed loudly, "Zhi Shu, I see that you are also quite clever!"
"These days, I have also come to a conclusion: a perfect system is not easy to achieve. How can it be made by just a few officials gathering together in the study?"
"Take your time, I can wait!"
Du Xu and Zhong Yu bow together.
As the sky darkened, Cao Rui also set off from the study and headed to the banquet that had been arranged in advance.
Cao Rui did not summon the other senior officials.
Only four officials invited for the banquet today, Chen Qun, Man Chong, Pei Qian, and Liang Xie, as well as three attendants of the minor officials - Xin, Xu, and Lu - were present to act as companions.
In this era, everyone drinks, and there are many who are skilled at it.
With no external threats and no obvious internal troubles, it can be said that this is the best year since the founding of the Great Wei, with no worries about external enemies and no significant internal concerns.
The emperor and the senior officials drink together, discussing naturally matters of state. As there are no many worries about state affairs, the atmosphere of the banquet becomes increasingly lively as the alcohol flows.
Man Chong has the largest capacity for alcohol, while Pei Qian and Liang Xie are slightly behind.
Cao Rui proposed a total of ten cups to Man Chong, and Man Chong reciprocated with twenty cups. Perhaps Man Chong was using this as a way to express his own suitability and loyalty to the emperor.
While the newly appointed Chen Qun and Chen Xiong, the Inspector of the Palace, may have been more drunk because of their age.
Cao Rui saw that Chen Qun was somewhat intoxicated, so he took the opportunity to use his drunken state to hold the wine cup and personally approach Chen Qun's table.
"Chen Gong, in the two years you've been away from Luoyang, you've certainly been greatly missed by me!"
"Chen Gong, do you think the current Great Wei is better than when I took over?"
Chen Qun stood up and bowed respectfully, also following the emperor's gesture to raise the wine cup and pay tribute: "The Emperor personally led the tiger and wolf troops, pacifying the warlords who opposed Wu and Shu, winning every battle, capturing all they attacked. This is an illustrious emperor with extraordinary wisdom for Great Wei!"
"May I congratulate Your Majesty, and celebrate for the Great Wei!"
"Long live Your Majesty!"
After speaking, Chen Qun drank the wine in his cup in one go.
Cao Rui also laughed and raised his cup to toast the others, and for a moment, the sound of "Long live Your Majesty!" echoed throughout the hall.
It has been two years. The Great Wei has almost transformed in appearance, cleaning up its previous decline.
The promise of ten years and the oath by the Lo River still resonate in his ears, how could Cao Rui forget? (This chapter is complete)
