Luoyang's northern and southern palaces follow the old sites of the Han Dynasty.
Unlike during the Han Dynasty, the current Emperor of the Great Wei often resides in the Northern Palace and does not visit the Southern Palace frequently.
The empty land near the Palace of Secretaries was built upon this year, or the Spring of Tahe Third Year, to create a workplace of approximately half the size of the Palace of Secretaries. It was named as the Board of Military and Police Affairs.
The so-called Board of Military and Police Affairs, in fact, was a new institution established this spring, following the appointment of General Man Chong as the Director of the Western Pavilion, with the emperor's orders.
The Western Pavilion leads the Board of Military and Police Affairs, and is responsible for the state's military affairs and intelligence.
The Eastern Pavilion leads the Palace of Secretaries, and oversees the state's affairs in each prefecture and county.
Civil and military officials stand side by side, creating a sense that their combined efforts complement each other.
The officials of the Board of Military and Police Affairs maintain consistency with the original General's Mansion.
Year of Tahe, Third Month, 29th Day of the Ninth Month.
In the afternoon, the Right Supervisor of the Board of Military and Police Affairs, Wang Chang, also known as Wang Wenshu, was sitting in the duty room, examining the winter defense plan for this year in Qinzhou.
At this very moment, a urgent footstep echoed from outside, and then the footsteps quickened as it got closer.
"Reporting to the Right Supervisor, this is an urgent report from the General of Peace in the north sent from Youzhou."
A young civil officer in a green robe, about thirty years old, bowed and took a few small steps to stand before Wang Chang. He respectfully handed over the report.
Wang Chang took the military report, verified the integrity of the wax seal, opened it and began to read. As he read word by word, his brow furrowed even tighter.
The civil officer in green stood waiting before Wang Chang's desk, making no noise.
Wang, the right supervisor, was known for his strictness. Any slight mistake made by the officials in the Board of Military and Police Affairs would result in scolding from Wang Chang.
The Board of Military and Police Affairs has its 'Two Wangs'.
Wang Chang, also known as Wang Wenshu, was strict and diligent. He was chosen by the emperor to lead the newly established Board of Military and Police Affairs from his position as a chamberlain.
Wang Guan, also known as Wang Weitai, was kind-hearted and magnanimous. He was transferred from the position of Administrator of Fanyang Prefecture back to the capital, where he worked alongside Wang Chang to oversee the affairs of the Board of Military and Police Affairs. He enjoyed considerable support from the officials within the institution.
Wang Chang heavily exhaled, looked at the military report one more time, and then folded it neatly before putting it into his sleeve.
After standing up, Wang Chang pointed to the door and said, "You may go back now. I already know about this matter."
"The underling bows and retreats." The civil officer in green bowed and retreated with small steps.
And at this moment, Wang Chang walked out with a serious expression.
The distance between the Northern Palace and the Southern Palace is not far. Wang Chang, tall and strong, walked quickly like a flying arrow, and reached the emperor's study outside in just a few minutes.
"Chong the Minister, would you please inform His Majesty that this official has urgent military affairs to report?" Wang Chang slightly bowed.
"Right Supervisor, please wait for a moment." Chong Yu replied with a bow.
Besides the four people from the Western Pavilion and the Eastern Pavilion, the other subjects showed no disrespect to Zhong Yu when they saw him.
The current emperor has removed the position of Caiji Changshi, leaving only Caiji Zhengshuang. The weight of Zhongshu has made the same-ranking Caiji Zhengshuang gradually become influential as well.
Perhaps, it also has something to do with Zhong Yu having a good father.
After the emperor returned to Luoyang in July last year, he spent more than a year there from September of this year, without leaving.
Unlike the First and Second years, there were no significant border conflicts in the Third Year of Tahe.
Zhong Yu saw Wang Chang's solemn expression and had some guesses in his mind as well.
The Board of Military and Police Affairs has bypassed the Western Pavilion, and such urgent reports have been directly delivered to the military supervisor. The last time was in April, when Zhuge Liang of Shu invaded Dazhong.
Now I wonder what's wrong again?
Cao Rui sat behind the desk in his study, took the military report presented by Wang Chang, glanced at it for a moment, and then laughed out loud.
"Foolish, truly foolish!"
Cao Rui slammed the military report on the desk with force, laughing and said, "Wang Prefect, how can Sun Quan be this foolish?"
Wang Chang bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, I believe Sun Quan is indeed a great danger. Although Gongsun Yuan speaks with humility and obedience, he is also a chronic illness in the northeast of the Great Wei."
Cao Rui waved his hand: "This son-in-law of mine, how could he be so foolish? He has inadvertently given Gongsun Yuan so many things."
"Qiushu, call the Western Pavilion and Eastern Pavilion over to discuss affairs." Cao Rui addressed Zhong Yu.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Zhong Yu had just left, and Sima Yi arrived almost at the same time without being invited.
"Reporting to the emperor, Liu Ye, the prefectural administrator of Youzhou, sends an urgent report. Sun Quan wants to confer the title of Yan Public on Gongsun Yuan. Gongsun Yuan has killed Sun Quan's envoy and sent the envoy's head to Youzhou. Liu Ye has already sent the head of the Wu envoy."
Sima Yi, upon seeing Wang Chang, likely knew what the matter was about.
Military and civil affairs.
Upon hearing such a major event, Liu Ye and Xiahou Xian both dispatched envoys to Luoyang from Youzhou. The distance to Youzhou was great, and the envoys were on the border, so their envoys departed at the same time and traveled along the same route.
However, once inside the city of Luoyang, one group went to the Palace of Secretaries, while the other went to the Board of Military and Police Affairs.
Cao Rui nodded and said, "Wang has already informed the emperor."
"You may sit and wait for everyone to gather before discussing."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Sima Yi and Wang Chang both bowed together and then sat down.
After a moment, Dong Zhao, Man Chong, and Wei Zhen had arrived.
Cao Rui stood up and stretched his muscles, leaning back in his chair, and nodded to Wang Chang: "Wang Prefect, please tell us the story behind this matter!"
"Yes," Wang Chang stood up, and said solemnly, "After Gongsun Yuan seized his uncle Gongsun Gong's position last year, he thought he would receive the edict of recognition from the Great Wei. But the Great Wei never acknowledged Gongsun Yuan's position, and Gongsun Yuan's heart grew increasingly anxious."
"Since last year, Sun Quan and Gongsun Yuan have been communicating through sea routes several times."
"In March, Gongsun Yuan sent envoys Su Shu, Sun Zong, and others to Jianye, sending 500 fine horses from Youzhou to Sun Quan."
"This July, at the end of the month, Sun Quan sent envoys Zhang Mi, Xu Yan, and others, carrying gold, jade and precious treasures across the sea to Liaodong, intending to confer the title of Yan Marquis on Gongsun Yuan."
"Gongsun Yuan pretended to comply, but could not bear the inner agony and worry about punishment from the Great Wei. Therefore, in early August, he plotted to kill Zhang Mi and Xu Yan and seize 5000 soldiers and over 50 ships from Sun Quan's army."
"Gongsun Yuan also sent the heads of Zhang and Xu to Liu Ye in Youzhou, informing him of the matter. At the same time, he requested a patent from the Great Wei for his official position."
Wang Chang finished speaking and bowed, "Gentlemen, that is the situation."
"Sit down," Cao Rui signaled with his hand and asked, "What do you call this, loyalty from Gongsun Yuan?"
Sima Yi bowed and said: "This is not an act of loyalty, but an attempt at rebellion. It has nothing to do with the word loyalty."
Cao Rui nodded with a smile, "I thought the same way as well."
"Gongsun Yuan wants to act against the conscience, but only realizes it halfway through and repentantly returns the head to the Great Wei."
"How should the emperor deal with Gongsun Yuan?"
Dong Zhao lightly coughed and said slowly, "I believe that we should judge by actions rather than intentions. The Liaodong region is remote and hard to control. Your Majesty should take this opportunity to issue an edict conferring an official position on Gongsun Yuan and commend his actions."
Man Chong said, "Your Majesty, both Gongsun Yuan and Sun Quan are bandits. Although Sun Quan is indeed detestable, Gongsun Yuan's vacillating behavior and committing such an unjust act also require punishment."
"The name is not right, then the words are not proper. The Great Wei has never conferred an official title on Gongsun Yuan. How can we allow him to have the name of governing Liaodong?"
"Now that the Great Wei's army has been on rest and recuperation for over a year, it is precisely the right time to use military force against Liaodong to demonstrate that the Great Wei's territory is indispensable!"
Sima Yi originally wanted to counter, but after thinking for a moment, he refrained and sat silent, ready to see how the emperor would respond to Man Chong's words.
Since July last year, when Man Chong was recalled to Luoyang and entered the Western Pavilion according to the imperial edict. In one year, he first organized the imperial bodyguard and then supervised the appraisal and elimination of incompetent military officers in various external armies and prefectural and county militias.
As he was employed, Man Chong also gained greater favor from the emperor.
Whenever the group gathered in the study to discuss matters, Man Chong was often enthusiastic and spoke loudly. When his opinions differed from those of the other three ministers, he often argued vociferously.
The emperor does not blame Man Chong either.
Sima Yi let out a cold snort in his heart. Is it as easy as you say to mobilize troops? The emperor's policy of conserving strength has never changed. How can we start a major war over such a trivial matter?
As expected by Sima Yi, after the emperor listened to Man Chong's words, he shook his head slightly.
Cao Rui looked at Sima Yi and Wei Zhen and said, "What does the Eastern Pavilion say?"
Sima Yi bowed and said, "I believe we should bestow rewards on Gongsun Yuan, but not confer an edict on him or use military force. Gongsun Yuan's action of submitting to the Great Wei is a sign of his submission, but it is far from being worthy of an official position."
"Liaodong is remote and difficult to attack. Gongsun Yuan is also unable to invade the borders of Youzhou."
"Maintaining the status quo."
Cao Rui turned to Wei Zhen and asked, "Professor Wei, what is your opinion?"
Wei Zhen replied, "I concur with the opinions of the Right Supervisor."
Cao Rui then asked, "Does the Board of Military and Police Affairs have anything to say?"
Wang Chang said, "I also concur with the Right Supervisor's words."
Upon hearing Wang Chang's words, the four people in the Western Pavilion and Eastern Pavilion simultaneously looked at Wang Chang's face.
Wang Chang was being stared at by the gazes of the others, but he remained unmoved, maintaining his calm demeanor and graceful appearance, sitting quietly in his chair.
Cao Rui laughed, "Well, I know what you all are thinking."
"I will also share my thoughts with you."
The four then moved their gazes away from Wang Chang's face and back to the emperor.
Cao Rui is now clearing Wang Chang's misunderstanding.
The Board of Military and Police Affairs is under the jurisdiction of the Western Pavilion, just like the Office of the Secretariat is under the jurisdiction of the Eastern Pavilion.
The Board of Military and Police Affairs is powerful and should be managed by two officials like the Office of the Secretariat, with a Right Secretary-General and a Left Secretary-General.
Dong Zhao is one of the nine ministers, serving as the Minister of Armory, and Man Chong is the General of Front Army. Cao Rui did not want to add the title of Secretary-General of the Board of Military and Police Affairs to both of them. Instead, he established two officers, a Left Supervisor and a Right Supervisor, to manage the daily affairs of the Board.
Now Wang Chang is openly differing from Dong Zhao and Man Chong before the emperor, which is comparable to the six ministers of state opposing Sima Yi and Wei Zhen simultaneously in front of the emperor.
Wang Chang wants to be a loyal minister without blindly following the Western Pavilion. Cao Rui, of course, wants to help him out. It's a convenient favor to do so, why not?
Cao Rui whispered, "About ten days ago, at the beginning of the ninth lunar month, when my second son Cao Yan celebrated his first birthday, Sun Quan sent a luxurious ship filled with gifts and money as a congratulatory gift."
"Sun Quan's memorial table written to the emperor was extremely respectful. Apart from actual matters, Sun Quan said all the empty words he could."
"This was at the beginning of the ninth lunar month. The letter Sun Quan sent to the emperor was sent no later than August."
"However, Sun Quan's intention to confer an official title on Gongsun Yuan was reached in July. The ship from the Eastern Region arrived in Liaodong at the latest in July, and it would have been even earlier if it had sailed from the Eastern Region."
"While Sun Quan was preparing a congratulatory gift for the emperor and his son, he actually intended to confer an official title on Gongsun Yuan?"
Cao Rui looked around at the assembly and said, "Just now, you all said that Gongsun Yuan is indecisive. Gongsun Yuan may have one face for the front and another for the back, but could he be as overly aggressive as Sun Quan?" (End of chapter)
