The following day, that is, the twenty-seventh day of the first lunar month, Guan Cheng, who was the Duke of Li Cao Channel, returned to Guatiao. Upon hearing this news, he directly questioned his son.
Guan Cheng, with ill will, slapped his chest and said: "Gongming, I have always known that you are good at interpreting the I Ching divination. But do you know the treacherous nature of people?"
"Occupying the killing matter publicly in a medical hall, if Hu Di has malicious intent and everyone around is under his control, you may have already died by now!"
Guan Cheng smiled indifferently and said, "Father knows that I am good at divination. Before revealing this person's crimes, have I ever divined for myself?"
Guan Cheng was even more upset, reaching out to strike.
Guan Lu dodged and smiled carelessly, "Father, I have no life bone on my forehead, no guarding essence in my eyes, no pillar in my nose, no celestial root in my feet, no triple armor on my back, and no triple Ren in my abdomen. My lifespan is to be forty-eight years old; this is the predetermined fate."
"How could it be that I would suffer because of one Hu Di?"
Guan Cheng was about to scold, but was stopped by Guan Lu who extended his hand: "I can not only predict that Hu Di will commit murder, but also predict that my father will have a bright future ahead!"
Guan Cheng said with an unhappy tone, "I was talking about you, and you're talking about my future?"
Guan Lu said, "Father will be summoned by the Heavenly Lord!"
The bamboo slips in the other hand of Guan Cheng fell to the ground. He didn't care about the slips that hit his face, shaking slightly with his lips, Guan Cheng said: "Gongming, this is also divined by you?"
Guan Lu shook his head, "Not at all, not at all. Father, I learned a method of observing the wind last year; it was something I noticed."
"Can you see the wind? Don't deceive him!"
Guan Cheng felt that he had been fooled by his son and was filled with anger. He seemed about to pick up the bamboo slips and throw them at his son, but he was quickly held back by Guan Lu who embraced his arm.
"The wind is the command of heaven and earth, the instrument of yin and yang, it shows blessings or misfortunes, and it manifests divine teachings. Last night, I observed the wind's angle and measured that the uncoordinated wind came from the northwest. By interpreting the wind according to the five musical notes, I knew that a large military movement would occur in the northeast."
"Father, you are in charge of the Li Cao Channel. If the court raises an army, how could it not prioritize logistics and supplies? This is the time for father to achieve merit."
Guan Cheng thought deeply, lightly patted his son's arm a few times: "In the first year of Taihe, the court attacked Wu. In the second year, it attacked Shu. Now, the one who controls Liaodong is Gongsun's family."
"If it's really as you said, then is the court preparing to attack the Gongsun family?"
As an official with a salary of 1,000 talents, Guan Cheng knew many information that ordinary people could not access.
Guan Lu smiled and said, "Father, please do your job quietly, and the future will come by itself."
While the two were talking in low voices in the officer's office, a young clerk hurriedly walked in from the door.
"Report to the Duke, the court has urgent news."
Guan Cheng's eyes widened, he looked at the messenger, then at his son, and said: "Hurry, bring it to me!"
After taking the letter, Guan Cheng glanced at it a few times and then looked at Guan Lu, "Tomorrow, Minister of Works Fu will arrive in Guatiao to inspect the Li Cao Canal!"
……
On the third day of the second lunar month, Cao Rui led a force of 30,000 central troops to the southern suburbs of Yecheng.
Yecheng is one of the five major cities of the Greater Wei, and was the capital of the Wei kingdom established by Emperor Wu, also known as Cao Cao.
Now, the land of Yecheng had been decreed as the fief of Prince Cao Qi, the eldest son of Emperor, and its status was different from that of Chang'an, Xuchang, and Qiaoxian.
Having received the emperor's order to refrain from a distant welcome in advance, Governor Lu Zhao of Jizhou, Prefect Zheng Hun of Weipu, and Middle Officer Zhen Xiang, among others, all came out to greet.
Long before this, Governor Lu Zhao and Prefect Zheng Hun had received documents from the Ministry of Works and knew that the Great Wei was about to invade the Liaodong Peninsula and would be visiting Yecheng.
Therefore, in the past few days, Governor Lu Zhao and Prefect Zheng Hun, as well as all the officials of Yecheng, have been busy repairing palaces and city walls, cleaning the city, and preparing for the emperor's arrival.
Cao Rui rode slowly on his horse, looking at the three men prostrate on the ground, and calmly said, "All of you may rise."
The official on the left was bowing and wanted to speak, but was interrupted by Cao Rui with a smile: "I have seen the portraits of Governor Lu and Prefect Zheng. They are all government officials. How could I not recognize them?"
After speaking, Cao Rui looked at Zhen Xiang: "And my cousin Zhen Bamining, of course, I remember you."
Zhen Xiang's eyes were slightly red, and he deeply kowtowed, speaking with a crying tone, "Subject Zhen Xiang pays homage to Your Majesty! The Zhen family has been insulted for many years, until Your Majesty ascended the throne did things begin to improve."
"It is so fortunate today for me to be able to see Your Majesty's face! With Your Majesty coming to Yecheng, the Zhen family finally has a backbone."
Cao Rui sighed lightly: "I refused you to come to the court before because it was for your own good. Is there any benefit for the Zhen family if I'm in or out of Yecheng?"
Said and done, Cao Rui turned his head towards the back and gestured with his hand: "Minister of Books!"
Minister of Books Liu Fang immediately rode up and sat on his horse, bowing with his hands: "What orders does Your Majesty have?"
Cao Rui calmly said: "Liu Secretary of State, when we enter the city, draft an imperial edict. Appoint Middle Officer Zhen Xiang as Commander of Cavalry, to join the army immediately!"
Years ago, when Minister Wang Lang was sent by the emperor as an envoy to inquire about the situation of the school affairs in Yecheng, Zhen Xiang had been summoned to meet with Wang Lang to explain the matters. Three years had passed since then, and Zhen Xiang is now thirty-six years old.
At the age of thirty-six to be Commander of Cavalry, it's not a rapid promotion. But in the Taihe period, the current emperor has not promoted the relatives for official positions.
Zhen Xiang is the first one!
With this precedent, will the relatives be used again?
Liu Fanyun, with an indirect thought, spoke without pausing while his mouth responded: "I obey the order!"
Zhen Xiang is already thirty-six years old. Having experienced the rise and fall of the Zhen family, his mind has long become seasoned and mature. Facing the emperor's appointment, how could he act gracefully and refuse?
Zhen Xiang immediately kowtowed: "I, Zhen Xiang, thank Your Majesty's great favor!"
Cao Rui nodded: "All of you may rise."
"Send someone to bring a royal horse," Cao Rui commanded, then turned to Zhen Xiang, "Cousin, mount the horse and ride with me!"
"Today, I will make all of Yecheng know that you have received an official position, and will ride shoulder to shoulder with the Heavenly Son of the Great Wei!"
Zhen Xiang lifted his hand to wipe away the tears at the corner of his eyes, and stood up: "I thank Your Majesty's favor!"
……
Yecheng was the capital of Wei's country for several years, with public officials, aristocrats, wealthy families, and large households all gathering there. Given that Hebei was the earliest to be stabilized during the chaos, Yecheng had also been stable for more than twenty years.
In the first year of the Huangchu period, Emperor Cao Pi ordered many people to move to Luoyang, but still, many did not migrate. Since Luoyang held important military and political positions, in terms of urban prosperity alone, Luoyang was still not as flourishing as Yecheng.
Zhen Xiang rode with the emperor into the city, with his position ranking higher than all the officials, and such glory was spread throughout Yecheng within half a day.
Cao Rui's intention to make Zhen Xiang so distinguished was not a momentary impulse, but rather a deliberate effort to promote talented members from his mother's side of the family.
With Empress Wen Zhao and Empress Zhen no longer present, the emperor is the biggest support for the relatives. Whether it's an appointment or a dismissal, everything can be decided by a single word from the emperor.
Zhen Xiang was chosen in this way.
The emperor's party entered from the southern gate of Yecheng, and instead of going to the palace, they turned westward from the Zhi Che gate and headed towards Tongque Terrace.
The emperor can reside in the palace in Yecheng or on the Tongque Terrace.
Cao Rui turned his head and asked, "How much do you know about the Tongque Terrace? Have you ever been to the Tongque Terrace?"
Zhen Xiang, on the side, bowed and answered: "Your Majesty, during the 15th year of Jian'an, Emperor Wu built the Tongque, Jin Feng, and Yu Long three towers in Yecheng. Among them, the Tongque Tower is the most extensive, with 101 rooms."
"Subject has visited the Tongque Tower several times. The last time was in the 23rd year of Jian'an, when I went with Empress Wen Zhao. Since then, I have not been back."
Cao Rui sighed: "Since the year name was changed to Huangchu, Emperor Cao Pi has not come to Yecheng again, has he?"
Zhen Xiang did not speak, but nodded silently.
As they walked, Cao Rui looked at Zhen Xiang: "If you think about it, I haven't called you 'cousin' for many years either."
Zhen Xiang replied with a slightly anxious expression: "Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, and I am Your Majesty's subject. How could I forget the rules of propriety for relatives?"
"Please, Your Majesty, from now on, call me by my name. Do not address me in this way anymore."
Cao Rui carefully looked at Zhen Xiang for a moment, then nodded slightly, imperceptible to others.
Cao Rui said, "Qian Zhen, you have been in Yecheng for a long time without being appointed an official position. Do you know why I bestowed upon you the title of Commander of Cavalry today?"
Zhen Xiang pursed his lips and shook his head, replying, "Your Majesty, I am foolish and truly do not know Your Majesty's intention. Please instruct me."
Cao Rui said, "Very well, today I have some time, let me explain it to you."
"The previous Commander of Cavalry of the Great Wei was Gou Qiu Jian, who is now the Middle Officer of the Guard. In my time in the East Palace, Gou Qiu Jian served as my literary advisor."
"In Luoyang, in Liaodong, and in Guanxi, Gou Qiu Jian's character and actions were highly valued by me, hence I placed him in such an important position as the Middle Officer of the Guard."
"You are a relative of mine, and a position of a thousand stone is yours. Please take Gou Qiu Jian as an example, cultivate virtue and talent, and take your official duties seriously to serve the country, avoiding arrogance and haste."
Zhen Xiang knew that the emperor was speaking from the heart, so he bowed deeply: "Subject understands and will surely live up to Your Majesty's expectations."
Cao Rui nodded slightly: "Up ahead is the Tongque Terrace. I've thought of someone, and I wish for you to be a subject like him."
Zhen Xiang asked: "Who is it that Your Majesty speaks of?"
Cao Rui said: "Do you know Wang Xiu and Wang Shuzhi?"(End of Chapter)
