Sima Shi returned to Luoyang near the end of October, representing Yangzhou, as a staff officer of the Yangzhou warehouse, accompanying Lu Yu.
After staying in Luozhong for more than twenty days, Sima Shi had also reached the time to return to Shouchun.
Although his immediate boss Jiang Ji didn't care, Sima Shi was still the son of a senior official. There might be many people watching him in Luoyang, so he should be careful about his reputation.
With the journey to begin the next day, so after Sima Yi returned to his mansion in the evening, he engaged in conversation with his eldest son in his study once more.
As usual, Sima Zhao had no share.
As usual, Sima Yi discussed the affairs of state, covering the appointment of Lü Jie, as well as reforms to the bureaucratic system.
"Ziyuan, what's your take on this matter?"
Sima Shiyu has been working in Yangzhou for over a year, and this 21-year-old youth has grown a lot since his youthful days in Luoyang last year.
After pondering for a moment, Sima Shiyu shook his head and derisively smiled, "Father, do you really think this matter can be effective? The emperor is from Yuzhou, the capital is set in Sili Commandery, and Ji Province is the foundation of the Hebei region. How can one give them up?"
"Furthermore, can one really avoid the chaos of government by selecting people according to their native places? It's just a waste of effort."
Sima Yi calmly listened to his son's words and asked, "Ziyuan thinks this is the emperor's self-indulgence? It's fundamentally useless, only to be a consolation?"
Sima Shiyu replied, "How could it not be? Governing a country is not done based on place of origin, is it?"
Sima Yi asked, "Then what should be used to govern?"
Sima Shiyu slightly froze, but soon shook his head and said, "Based on the rule of law, clear official governance, prudent taxation policy, and successful military strategies."
"A mere matter of place of origin, what does it amount to?"
Sima Yi sighed and said, "It's truly as I expected."
Sima Shiyu wondered, "Father, what do you mean by saying that it's as you expected?"
Sima Yi glanced at his son and said, "I am referring to you, my son."
"Last year, I allowed you to take on a post in Yangzhou as a way to make up for your absence for over a year, so that you could accomplish some actual tasks."
"But I think now you seem too focused on practical matters, and your vision is becoming lower."
This somewhat surprised Sima Shiyu.
From any angle, this statement is not meant to be compliments.
Sima Shiyu also asked curiously, "Son is confused. What does father mean?"
Sima Yi explained, "What do you mean? There are ways to handle national affairs and ways to handle local affairs in a state. One focuses on the overall picture, the other on specifics; they cannot be equated."
"I ask you, regarding the law, official governance, taxation, and military strategies that you mentioned just now, is there any shortage under the present emperor?"
Sima Shiyu pursed his lips: "No shortage."
Sima Yi said, "Then, father suggests reducing the ratio of officials in the four states, and the emperor agrees. Is there anything wrong with that?"
Sima Shiyu muttered softly, "The son just thinks it's of little practical use."
Sima Yi sighed lightly: "You are doing practical work in the state of Yangzhou. How to collect and allocate money and grain, how to manage storage, all these are what you can immediately see the results after you do it."
"State affairs are not like that. Like water wearing away stone, it takes a long time to achieve results, and this is the way most state matters are handled."
"If the court were to issue orders and instructions everywhere, the world would have been in chaos long ago!"
Sima Shiyu bowed respectfully and said, "It seems my son has not thought it through."
Sima Yi sighed, "Father has appointed you to serve in Yangzhou to accumulate experience and connections, not to have you busy with trivial matters in the state every day."
"You were a subordinate in Yangzhou last year, and father had many things to tell you that he hasn't spoken with you yet. Now that you are a staff officer of a state, it's time for you to listen carefully."
Sima Shiyu sat up even straighter: "Please instruct me."
Sima Yi said, "You don't need to worry too much about the daily affairs of the state. Jiang Zitong won't be hard on you in the evaluation, as long as it's acceptable and not absurd. I know your abilities."
"As a staff officer of the warehouse in Yangzhou, what you should focus on is using this position as a window to observe the operation system and power structure of the entire state, and cultivate your own abilities."
"For instance, after the document from the Secretariat was issued to Yangzhou, how did the state operate and execute it? How did the prefector general assign tasks? How did officials divide their responsibilities, what were they worried about, and what were their considerations?"
"Or, for example, in the state government office, who has held their position for a long time and what credentials do they have for holding that position? Who holds a low rank but has significant power, and how do they make decisions in their actions?"
"How to deal with your superior, how to build relationships with your colleagues, how to win over people's hearts, and how to motivate others to achieve success. These are the things you should focus on every day." Sima Yi looked at Sima Shiyu and said.
"If one can only manage affairs but not people, then one's potential in this life is limited to being the governor of a large county. Ziyuan, what you should study is how to govern people, and do not be fooled by Huo Pingshu's empty words of 'perhaps they can accomplish the duties of the world'."
Sima Shiyu listened attentively, inadvertently nodding slightly and said, "Father is absolutely right. Son has been confined by the mundane affairs of the state, and there has never been enough time to think about other things."
"Father, is it not better for me to be employed in Luoyang?"
Sima Yi shook his head: "I haven't told you yet, but next January, the emperor will go to Xuchang to prepare for a military campaign against Wu. I'm not sure when he will return to Luoyang. What are you doing in Luoyang?"
"You are in charge of the warehouse in Yangzhou, and when it comes to collecting grain and forage, overseeing logistics, you will have plenty of opportunities to demonstrate your merit."
"And be at ease."
Sima Shiyu nodded thoughtfully, as if he had just remembered something else: "Does father have any message for Jiang Governor?"
Sima Yi said solemnly, "Just tell Jiang Zitong about the three mutual oversight laws that I just mentioned to you. There's no need for you to add any extra words."
"Yes, son, I understand." Sima Shiyu replied.
...
The third year of the Taihe reign passed swiftly, and before long, it was late December.
The news that the emperor will be residing in Xuchang has been communicated long ago. Not only all the central troops will go to Xuchang, but also the Secretariat, the Office of the Imperial Treasury, and the Secretariat of Military Affairs will accompany him.
The end of the year in Luoyang City was bustling with activity.
As the year came to an end, like last year, Cao Rui received the gift and congratulatory letter from King Sun Quan of Wu from Wuchang.
In the study, the Grand Administrator Cui Lin took a lot of time and read out one by one the congratulatory gifts on Sun Quan's gift list in front of four cabinet ministers.
Pearls, tortoise shells, coral, ivory, and so on, were all common items. The list even included one male and one female elephant, as well as four specialized servants who had been trained to take care of the elephants.
According to the envoy, these two elephants were transported from Jiaozhou to Wuchang this summer. They were shipped by water in a separate vessel, traveling north from Ruyu to Chao Lake, then through Huaihe, Shouchun, the Yellow River, and finally reaching Luoyang.
Since the founding of the Jin Dynasty, Sun Quan had presented a pair of elephants. People in Henan had not seen elephants for a long time since then.
Cao Rui, of course, was not interested in such a gift, but Sun Quan's sincere intention was obvious.
Cao Rui smiled at the assembly: "Ministers, as they say, 'excessive gifts are not to be blamed.' Today, I've seen it with my own eyes, and it makes me feel embarrassed to send troops to attack him."
Dong Zhao bowed and said, "Your Majesty, Sun Quan is sending the New Year's gift, as well as the congratulatory gifts for the establishment of the title of Lord of Changle, so it is understandable that they are more generous."
"But the character of Sun Quan has been clearly seen by Great Wei for more than two decades. His feigned reverence is nothing but a delaying tactic to recover his strength in terms of both the people and the military."
"If it needs to be fought, then it should be fought."
Cao Rui smiled and nodded: "I know, I do know. But I still find it somewhat comical."
"Sun Quan keeps sending gifts and letters to me, and I have also given him the New Year's gift. The envoys of the two countries come and go like they were really allies."
Man Chong said, "Sun Quan has been leading the Eastern Jiang region since his youth. His determination and his obsession with separatism are far beyond that of ordinary people."
"Great Wei is accumulating national strength, and so is Sun Quan. The mutual gifts and greetings are just a pretext for confusion before the coming war."
Cao Rui nodded: "I am aware of this. The various wealth and treasure contributions made by Sun Quan over the years, I have not stored them in the treasury, but have turned them all over to the Secretariat of Military Affairs for military use."
"There are ten days left before we set out. How are the preparations going at the Office of the Imperial Treasury and the Secretariat of Military Affairs?"
"Reporting to the emperor," Man Chong said, "The Secretariat of Military Affairs has already determined the order of the army."
"The Guards of Vanguard Department will set out on December 25th, and the Guards of Vanguard Department will depart on December 26th."
"On January 1st of next year, after Your Majesty has worshipped the heaven and earth in Luoyang, the remaining thirty thousand cavalry will set out simultaneously."
"There are camps outside Xuchang City. Since October, the Secretariat of Military Affairs and the Office of the Imperial Treasury have been working together to resolve the issue of mobilizing labor for military purposes to repair the camp."
"By taking turns, the state and districts also provided some allowances for those serving in labor. Therefore, the people were not resentful, but rather happy to earn some food."
Cao Rui nodded: "The order of the army is fine. When are the officials from the Secretariat of Military Affairs to set out?"
Man Chong bowed and said, "We plan to set out on the same day as the army."
Cao Rui looked at Sima Yi: "How about the Office of the Imperial Treasury?"
Sima Yi replied, "The Office of the Imperial Treasury will also proceed in the same manner."
Cao Rui nodded: "Alright, these trivial matters I will not pay attention to. From Luoyang to Xuchang, you all need to travel at least three days. Make sure that nothing delays matters."
Sima Yi said, "Please rest assured, Your Majesty, that this matter will be handled without any delay."
Man Chong echoed a similar sentiment.
Cao Rui nodded: "Then I have no worries."
"Oh, by the way, have the New Year's bonuses for all the garrison commanders been dispatched? Will they arrive on time?"
Man Chong bowed in response: "Reporting to the emperor, the earliest batch of bonuses was sent out from Luoyang in mid-November, destined for Xiahou Xian in Youzhou and Lu Sun in Qinzhou."
"The rest were sent out in the mid-November and early December."
"If the humble servant's predictions are accurate, today all the garrison commanders should have received Your Majesty's rewards."
Cao Rui nodded: "The third year of the Taihe reign can be considered the year with the least military action since my ascension to the throne. There has been no trouble in the southeast, and although Zhuge Liang invaded from the west, he was repelled by our generals."
"Next year, the fourth year of the Taihe reign, Great Wei will have its hands full again." (This chapter concludes.)
