Is it Chen Qun again?
It must be said that the emperor's decision came as a surprise to the court officials.
Especially Chu Qun, who has served in the southeast for a long time and thought he was in favor with the emperor, felt a bit disappointed at this moment.
At this moment, Chen Qun, the Grand Minister of the Great Wei, who was being watched by everyone, was even more taken aback.
"Your Majesty, are you making me go to Shouchun?" Chen Qun asked in disbelief.
Cao Rui stepped forward and pulled hold of Chen Qun's hand, speaking with a serious face, "I know the Duke is old, but in the current situation in Luo, only the Duke has served as a local official."
"For the sake of the country and for the greater Wui, I would like to ask the Duke to take up residence in Shouchun for a year."
"After the New Year, I will go to Xuchang. At the most, in one year, I will personally visit Shouchun."
Chen Qun was still hesitant: "I know the emperor's intention, but the situation in Yangzhou and Jingzhou is not the same. Yangzhou has a vast territory, a large number of troops, and also oversees military settlements and other matters..."
"Forgive me for being straightforward, but the affairs of Yangzhou are quite complicated, and I am not sure where to begin at this moment."
Cao Rui nodded: "That's easy, just follow the regulations and practices of the Western Wei!"
"No need for Duke Chen to make any changes, just follow the old examples! In addition, I will send the old General Cai with Duke Chen. He was the previous General Commander's Chief of Staff, and he can definitely help Duke Chen!"
Chen Qun, as one of the four assistants to the throne in the Great Wei and also as the Duke of the Three Posts, has always been brave in taking on difficult tasks and diligent in state affairs.
With the emperor's words reaching this point, and all the important officials in the Great Wei looking at themselves, how could one possibly refuse on the spot?
Chen Qun bit his lip slightly and the contour of his face took on a somewhat resolute look.
Bowing and making a formal bow, Chen Qun calmly said, "The emperor entrusts me with the responsibility of a region, how can I not give my all and be loyal?"
"Please rest assured, Your Majesty. In Yangzhou, I will definitely do better than when I served in Jingzhou."
The time when I served in Jingzhou?
In the first year of Taihe, the Huaiyang army defeated the Wu army in a great victory, but the direction of Jingzhou suffered a defeat.
Cao Rui secretly thought in his heart, "Don't let it be like when we suffered a defeat in Jingzhou! This time, using you in Huaiyang is sufficient. We just need to strengthen our defense, without the need to launch an attack."
The difference between attacking and defending is one order of magnitude.
Although Cao Rui did not have high expectations for Chen Qun's military abilities, since Chen Qun had agreed, he was indeed a great loyal subject of the Great Wei.
At present, in the capital city of Luoyang, no one is truly suitable for an external appointment among the officials in the Western Palace and the Eastern Palace.
Dong Zhao is already over seventy years old and is too old. Although his brain still works well, his physique and energy are gradually declining, so he may not be able to entrust the heavy responsibility of the southeast of the Great Wei.
Man Chong has served in the Cao family for thirty-six years, following Emperor Ling and serving under Emperor Wu Cao Cao during the early years of Chuping. He is now a senior general in his sixties.
Using Man Chong is not a problem. However, Man Chong is known for his efficiency and directness in carrying out tasks, to the point where he is more capable than Sima Yi. He is truly someone who follows the orders wherever they may lead.
When reorganizing the central military forces, managing the purging of outside military and state-level officials, Man Chong was not afraid of public opinion and ruthlessly implemented the emperor's orders.
Too useful, so useful that Cao Rui didn't want to send him away.
As for the two officials in the Eastern Palace, they...
Sima Yi, pass.
Wei Zhen, as someone Cao Rui can trust and who can govern the capital and manage the rear, Cao Rui would under no circumstances send Wei Zhen away.
After giving it some thought, it seems that Chen Qun is the most suitable.
Since Chen Qun has agreed, Cao Rui also feels obliged to repay his favor.
Cao Rui nodded slightly and gently patted the back of Chen Qun's hand. In that era, holding hands and entrusting each other was still the highest form of etiquette between an emperor and his ministers.
Cao Rui said, "With Duke Chen going to Shouchun, I can rest assured!"
After speaking, Cao Rui turned his head to Xin Zhi: "Xin Zhongshu, draft an imperial edict and send it to the Chancellor's office shortly."
"Yes, your majesty." Xin Pi stood up and walked to the desk beside the study room. Zhong Yu would grind ink twice a day, using high-quality Wei Dian ink, which was ready for use as soon as he dipped the brush into it.
The edicts are signed by the Ministry of Documents, but the drafting of the text is something that Cao Rui has always assigned to whoever he happens to be with at the time.
Thus, the four Secretaries who always served beside the emperor had developed a skill in drafting edicts. The accuracy of their words and their use of literary allusions were both top-notch.
If the king likes slender waists, many women in the palace will starve to death.
If the emperor is fond of literary scholars, then the Secretaries must work hard to improve their literary skills.
Cao Rui spoke in a deep voice, "Promote Duke Chen to the position of General in Command of Cavalry and General of Auxiliary Forces. He shall hold the banner, assume the golden halberd, and oversee all military affairs in Yangzhou."
As Xin Pi wrote the words "hold the golden halberd," the tip of his brush paused slightly, leaving an indistinct ink spot on the silk.
The emperor's words have a hidden meaning.
According to the current national system, the character 'jie' represents the emperor's identity. Holding the banner means that the emperor is present.
The titles "jia jie," "chi jie," "shi chi jie," and "jia huang yue" are essentially the same.
They all represent the emperor, so how could the emperor himself be of different sizes?
But the emperor specifically mentioned both 'hold the banner' and 'assume the golden halberd' together.
And after 'assume the golden halberd' comes 'oversee all military affairs in Yangzhou.'
Then the emperor's meaning is very clear.
If Chen Qun reaches Shouchun and Cao Xu is fine, then he will hold the banner. If he reaches Yangzhou and Cao Xu has passed away, then he will assume the golden halberd and oversee all military affairs in Yangzhou.
If Chen Qun misinterprets the emperor's intentions, then he will have to bear the consequences himself.
As Xin Pi wrote, he felt a sense of regret in his heart. However, in just a moment, the emperor had thought of so many things! He was so smart and calculating!
Chen Qun bowed and said, "I accept the imperial edict! I will dedicate my life to serving the emperor!"
Cao Rui laughed and helped Chen Qun to his feet, "Don't talk about sacrificing yourself; it's inauspicious. I'm looking forward to meeting Duke Chen again in Shouchun."
"Time is of the essence. Duke Chen, take the seal and immediately board the pursuit carriage. As for Duke Chen's family matters, I will send someone to handle it later."
"I will also send someone to notify Xuanbo."
After saying this, Cao Rui looked at Xin Pi, "Xin Zhongshu, go quickly to fetch the edict from the Ministry of Documents."
"Pei Zhongshu, bring the seal for Duke Chen."
"Lu Zhongshu, quickly go to the local government in the city and meet the prefect of Henan at the southern gate of Luoyang."
Xin, Pei, and Lu immediately accepted the orders.
Henan Prefect, that is Feng Ping, aka Feng Boying. He used to be the chief of staff for the General Commander in Shouchun. After the departure of Sima Zhi from the post of prefect of Henan, Feng Ping took up the position.
Chen Qun is also a straightforward person. After bowing and making a formal bow, he quietly sat back in his chair and began to close his eyes and meditate.
However, shortly afterwards, Xin Pi and Pei Qian came back with the edict and seal.
Chen Qun received the two items and immediately left, with no hesitation.
Cao Rui stood proudly in the study room, watching the ministers: "Next January, I will make a tour to Xuchang."
"The Ministry of Rites and the High Command need to start preparing for contingency plans. I plan to capture Ruizi and fully occupy the Yangtze River north of Yangzhou within the next one or two years!"
The ministers responded with a resounding "Yes, your majesty!"
...
Chen Qun and Feng Ping went to Shouchun. Although the sky was already dark, the official road near Luoyang has always been well-maintained, straight and flat. Traveling by carriage at night would not be a problem.
The fastest route from Luoyang to Shouchun is to cross the Luo River from the southern gate of Luoyang, pass through the Huan yuan Pass, and reach Xuchang in Yingchuan Commandery. Then, travel through the commanderies of Chen and Runan to reach Shouchun.
It seems that Chen Qun will be staying in the inn tonight.
Today two major events occurred simultaneously.
One is the matter of Gongsun Yuan's alliance with Sun Quan, and the other is the serious injury suffered by the Marshal when he fell from his horse.
Cao Rui's mood was heavy. He gave up the evening dinner scheduled with Sun Luban and sat alone in the study, reading and meditating to dispel his thoughts.
Using the phrase "a solitary ruler" to describe an emperor is truly very appropriate.
In such a large harem, none of the concubines would dare to approach the emperor unless he specifically chose to visit their quarters.
Mao Qin will think that the emperor went to Sun Zhaoxi's residence, and Sun Zhaoxi will think that the emperor went to Guo Jieyu's residence...
Solitary ruler.
Fortunately, according to the system, four ministers and four secretaries are rotated for night duty each night.
When the moon hung in the sky, Cao Rui, dressed in a robe, opened the study door from within.
The two tiger guards standing outside immediately bowed and asked after his health.
Cao Rui opened his mouth and asked, "Who is the minister and secretary on duty tonight?"
The Marquis of Guo Fēng on the left spoke softly, "Reporting to the Emperor, tonight it is the Minister of Engineering and Pei Zhongshu who are on duty."
The wind was strong at midnight, and Cao Rui tightened his robe. Looking at the two guards, he asked softly, "Have you both worn the down-filled winter clothes under your armor?"
"Your Majesty, I did not wear a down-filled winter cloak. I did not expect the wind to be this strong at midnight. When I was on duty in the evening, it was not so cold."
Cao Rui nodded and beckoned to Bei Jin standing in the doorway, wearing thick clothing: "Send someone to the Imperial Kitchen and bring some hot porridge and food."
"It's very cold tonight. Make sure to distribute some hot food to all the guards on duty, don't leave anyone out."
Bei Jin agreed and turned to leave.
The two Marshals behind him thanked him, but Cao Rui did not turn his head or seem to have heard them at all. He walked straight towards the living quarters for the Secretaries.
Even though the living quarters for the Secretaries were in the same courtyard as the study, the two Tiger Guards followed closely behind Cao Rui, not leaving him more than five steps away.
Giving some hot food is the grace of the emperor, while not adding clothes and not leaving the duty post are responsibilities.
The Central Army Tiger Guards understand these principles very well.
Cao Rui stood at a distance and looked over. The oil lamp in the living quarters was still on, and there were shadows of people on the windows, as if they were still sitting at the desk.
The two Marshals, fully armored, walked with their own sound. The figure inside seemed to have sensed something and also stood up from behind the desk, walking to the center of the living quarters, and then standing still.
Cao Rui laughed softly and pushed open the door of the living quarters himself.
Pei Qian bowed his hands in a greeting: "Your Majesty, this is Pei Qian."
Cao Rui walked closer and nodded, "I haven't arrived yet, and you've already heard my voice, Pei?"
The two Tiger Guards also followed the emperor into the room. After closing the door to block the wind, they stood in the corner by the door.
Pei Qian replied calmly, "When the emperor goes out, it is also something that I feel."
Cao Rui laughed and shook his head. He walked up and sat in the seat of Pei Qian, casually flipping through a book on the desk.
"What are you looking at, Pei?"
Cao Rui looked up and saw Pei Qian standing there. He pointed to the chair next to him and said, "Also, sit down. The night is long, and I want to chat with you for a while."
"Thank you, your majesty." After taking a seat, Pei Qian said, "This is a book given to me by my younger brother, Pei Hui. My younger brother enjoys Neo-Confucianism and recently obtained this book from Xiahou Taizong. After reading it, he sent it to me."
"Thinking of being on night duty today, I brought it from home to read." (Chapter ends)
