Zongzheng Cao Ge, following the emperor's command, sent messages to summon the various kings to the court for an audience.
The messenger left Luoyang in the early part of October and traveled to various places. It took a whole month, from early to late November, for the various kings of the Greater Wei to gather in Luoyang slowly.
In his letter, Cao Ke said that it is not urgent for the kings to arrive in Luoyang within a month. He did not reveal anything else. However, these close sons of Emperor Wu Cao Jian did a lot of psychological preparation before they set off.
After all, their Imperial Inspector and Prime Minister were also going along.
According to the system established during the reign of Emperor Cao Pei, officials were required to monitor the divisions of the royal family. Kings were assigned Imperial Inspector as their escort, while marquises were assigned officials to assist them.
If they were caught by the Imperial Inspector and their escort, they could face mild reprimanding or severe penalties, such as the reduction of their fief and the demotion of their title. Who could withstand this kind of punishment?
Although there was the precedent of Cao Zhi obtaining an official position, after all, Cao Zhi was the brother of the late emperor and the uncle of the current emperor.
The Grand Empress Dowager is still sitting in the North Palace.
We? We are merely the concubines' sons.
There were eight sons of Emperor Wu, and seven of them were enfeoffed in the Yong Province by the late Emperor Cao Pi.
Prince Yanqi Cao Zhi, Prince Xingci Cao Jun were given their fiefs in Chenliu. Prince Baima Cao Biao, Prince Huyang Cao Guan, Prince Juan Cheng Cao Lin were all granted their fiefs in Dongjin. Lifeiang King Cao Hui was given his fief in Dongping and Dancheng King Cao Yu was given his fief in Jiyin.
At its root, the reason is that Yanzhou is the closest state to Luoyang and requires strict vigilance.
However, only the Qulus King Cao Gan was granted his fief in Hebei, which is far away from Luoyang.
This may be due to the fact that Cao Gan's foster mother, Empress Wang Zhaoyi, was much favored by Cao Cao and made valuable suggestions during the struggle between the concubines and consorts. Therefore, in Cao Pei's eyes, Cao Gan received different treatment from his other brothers.
November 10th, that was the agreed-upon deadline for their arrival set by the Grand Secretary Cao Ke.
Seven county kings arrived in Luoyang two days ago, and today when Cao Gan arrived, Grand Secretary Cao Ke accompanied Yongqiu King Cao Zhi to meet them at their residence in Luoyang.
After a long separation, they were moved. These long-absent, delighted but unfamiliar, half-brothers finally unleashed their emotions for a short while before moving on to the main point.
Now 34 years old, Baima King Cao Biao stepped forward.
The fief of Baima King Cao Biao was the Baima County, which was as famous as Yanjin during the Battle of Guanduan. Guan Yu Gan surpassed all in martial prowess, charging into the enemy ranks to kill Yanlang with a spear, then returning with his head cut off. This was precisely this place.
Cao Biao, the oldest among the seven kings and best friends with Cao Zhi, addressed Grand Secretary Cao Ke: "Sir, I wonder when we can finally see the emperor and pay our respects?"
Cao Ke replied with a smile, "Your Majesty has summoned the kings back to the court for two reasons. First, he misses all of you and wishes to receive you in person to show his affection for the royal family. Second, he intends to assess your abilities; younger ones may be admitted to the Taixue (Imperial Academy), while older ones may be granted official positions based on their merit."
Official positions?
When Cao Ke mentioned that the emperor missed them, the crowd only took it as he was saying some irrelevant nonsense.
However, when Cao Ke mentioned the second point about granting official positions to the kings, these royal family members, who had been under supervision for many years, erupted with a tremendous surge of enthusiasm almost instantly.
They not only shone their eyes, but also unconsciously leaned closer to each other.
Cao Biao glanced at Cao Ke, who was smiling and looked like an elder, and then at Cao Zhi, who was also smiling. Cao Zhi merely nodded slightly, and Cao Biao was almost jumping with excitement.
It was truly a state of "jumping for joy"!
Although the late Emperor Cao Pi had these royal brothers under strict control, the situation changed greatly during the reign of Emperor Taihe.
Cao Zhi's appointment to Chongwen Guan is well-known to the world.
Cao Zhi excels in literature, and Chongwen Guan is a suitable position for him. But not every marquis has such literary talent. If there were other positions of real power, would the emperor be willing to give them up?
It is said that to meet with a pleasant rain after a long drought is a great joy in life.
These sons of Cao Cao have been suffering for nearly ten years. One problem here, another there, Cao Ke can only explain one by one with patience.
The explanations are almost all on the same theme.
"Your Majesty is willing to use you, but how to use and how to use you, all that depends on Your Majesty's will. I, as the Grand Secretary, cannot make decisions."
If so, let's talk about it inside the palace!
It was unclear who spread the news, but from the kings' residences in the southwest of Luoyang City to the road leading to the south gate of the North Palace, many scholars and civilians were gathered to watch.
The horse-drawn carriages of noble titles have different ceremonial rules from ordinary officials, and those who are slightly familiar with the rules can easily distinguish them at a glance.
Even some bold scholars counted the carriages one by one, counting the number of people after, and whispered to the crowd beside them: "Eight marquises! Luoyang has not had so many marquises for a long time!"
It was quite a lively scene.
Of course, Cao Rui didn't need to know about these trivial matters. He was sitting in his study and reviewing documents.
Soon, Zhong Yu entered from outside and bowed to report, "Your Majesty, the Grand Secretary is leading the kings to pay their respects. They are waiting outside the palace gate."
Cao Rui did not look up, calmly replying, "I know. Come to the study exterior to report."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Zhong Yu answered and left. After a short while, he came in again to report, "Your Majesty, the kings are outside the study."
Cao Rui still didn't look up: "Good, you go wait in your duty room. Come find me half an hour later."
Zhong Yu was puzzled by the meaning of his words.
Why would the kings wait outside the study and not see the emperor?
Cao Rui had no intention of explaining these things to Zhong Yu.
For eunuchs of alien birth, these eunuchs naturally understand that the power they hold is an extension of the emperor's will, granted by the emperor himself.
But with relatives who share the same surname with the emperor, it is often easy to become confused about the source of power due to their natural family names.
They are disrespectful when close and resentful when distant. This situation is hard to avoid.
Then it is even more necessary to remind them.
In the early part of November, Luoyang had already begun to get cold. Cao Ke, Cao Zhi, and the other seven marquises stood quietly outside the study yard.
After all, they were within the imperial palace, and they dared not talk or look around randomly. They also had to pay attention to their appearance and demeanor while waiting.
As time passed, the excitement and enthusiasm of these kings gradually calmed down from when they first entered the palace.
The Zhong Shengliang had just reported that His Majesty was busy with important matters in the study. He would soon summon them.
But how long is "later"? Does it mean half an hour?
His Majesty's official position is truly something that can be obtained in this way?
Just when everyone was eagerly waiting, Zhong Yu came out of the yard for the third time: "Grand Secretary, please lead the relatives and county kings into the study to pay their respects as ordered by His Majesty."
"Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you, Minister Zhong, for delivering the edict." After bowing his hands as a gesture of gratitude, Cao Ke led the eight into the study together.
Dong Zhao heard the commotion outside and called in an eunuch who was waiting outside the Western Pavilion: "Zhao Kuang, who is entering the palace now?"
Eunuch Zhao Kuang bowed and said: "Outside are the Grand Secretary and the Prince of Yongqiu. There are also seven others following, and their faces are not recognizable."
Dong Zhao nodded: "I know."
Zhao Kuang bowed and walked to the door, and Dong Zhao looked at Man Ning: "Brother Man, perhaps it is the emperor's several uncles."
Man Ning sneered coldly: "What uncles, they are just a bunch of pests relying on their family background to be kings."
Dong Zhao smiled and shook his head: "They were pests before, but they might not be pests in the future. It depends on how His Majesty uses them."
Since the Han Dynasty, the status of the marquises has always been low, and no one among proper officials would willingly associate with them.
This was the same reason why Yang Fu looked down on Cao Zhi, and why Dong Zhao and Man Ning despised these marquises today.
On the other side, in the study, including Cao Zhi, the eight marquises together bowed in deep reverence.
Cao Rui did not hurry to say "please stand up," but sat behind the desk and carefully looked at everyone in turn.
Baima King Cao Biao lay on the ground, unable to hear the emperor's voice. His heartbeat and breathing were becoming more and more tense.
A mere few moments felt so long.
"Huh." Cao Rui suddenly chuckled, then stood up and walked in front of the crowd, smiling and saying:
"You are all my uncles, why do you need to be so formal? Please get up quickly, please get up quickly!"
Cao Rui helped Cao Zhi to his feet and then gestured to support Cao Biao, who was standing next to him.
Cao Biao dared not accept the help, and immediately replied with humility: "Your Majesty overpowers me."
Cao Rui responded: "The heavenly realm also recognizes human relationships?"
"Today, I invite you here to catch up on old times and also to find a way out for the marquises of the Great Wei."
Cao Zhi bowed respectfully: "We thank Your Majesty for His kindness."
The other seven also bowed along with Cao Zhi.
Cao Rui chuckled, walked back to the desk, and looked at the crowd as his smile gradually faded: "You and I are relatives. The Great Wei should not nor can it be harsh on the royal family."
"You can introduce yourselves one by one. What your aspirations and abilities are. I will also help choose suitable positions for you."
Cao Ke, as the Grand Secretary, stood to the side of the study, feeling quite at ease as a distant relative.
Cao Ke noticed that the emperor had only referred to the group as "uncles" once.
After one polite greeting, the tone, demeanor, and behavior were no different from when addressing ordinary officials.
As soon as Cao Rui finished speaking, the seven standing below lost their courage, stammering and too afraid to speak.
Of course, Cao Zhi was not among them.
Having received the emperor's eye signal, Cao Zhi said: "Your Majesty, perhaps we can arrange it according to age, and the kings can report in turn?"
Cao Rui nodded: "Yes!"
" Zhu Hu, you should go first," Cao Zhi gently pushed Cao Biao next to him with his elbow.
Cao Biao understood and took a deep breath, straightened his mind, and said in a humble bow: "Your Majesty, I am Cao Biao. I was 34 years old this year. In the late year of Jian'an, I served for two years in the Central Army, and I am capable of managing troops."
"I beg Your Majesty to allow me to return to the military, whether as a commander or a general. I only wish to serve the Great Wei on the battlefield and serve Your Majesty!"
After E Biao finished speaking with great sincerity, Emperor Cao Rui chuckled softly and nodded, saying, "Marquis Baima, you wish to be a general? Where do you want to serve as a general, in the Central Army of Luoyang or in the external armies? Or perhaps in a local province or prefecture?"
From His Majesty's words, it seems like there will be something happening!
Cao Biao had waited for years, finally waiting for such an opportunity. While being a prince of Wei was good, with luxurious clothing and food in abundance, the one thing he lacked was freedom and ambition.
The more you lack something, the more you think about it.
Cao Biao was so excited that his body shook slightly. He looked up at the emperor with a glance, then knelt down and bowed, saying: "Your Majesty, I also have the blood of Emperor Wu in my body. I also want to do some things for Wei! Wherever the emperor wants me to go, I will go there!" (Chapter finished)
