Hearing the emperor's question, Zhen Xiang replied, "I know of Wang Shu's reputation."
Cao Rui nodded slightly and turned to look at Sima Yi beside him, "Do you know what I mean?"
Sima Yi bowed and said, "Wang Shu is indeed a loyal and upright man. His son, Wang Ning, was appointed as a court advisor by the former emperor in the first year of the Huang Chu era. He currently resides in Ye City and has not received any actual appointment."
Cao Rui knew that Sima Yi had guessed his meaning and raised his whip to point forward, "Let's go, discuss it at the Dragon Girl Platform first."
The white horse trotted forward slowly, and the crowd of officials behind them followed.
The city of Ye covers a vast area, with a length of seven li from east to west and a width of five li from north to south. It is bordered by the Zhang River to the north, and from north to south in the northwest part of the city are the Bing Jing Tai (Ice Well Platform), Tong Que Tai (Copper Sparrow Tower), and Jin Hu Tai (Golden Tiger Tower) three platforms.
Tong Que Tai is a hundred feet high, with pavilions, buildings, and terraces. It offers a panoramic view of the entire Ye City and the surrounding scenery of the Zhang River.
After entering Ye City, the central command of Gou Jianguan's army took over the city defense. The remaining 10,000 infantry of the Xiao Wei military, as well as 15,000 cavalry from the Yulin Left Army and Wucingui Army Camps, all remained outside the city.
Although neither of the two emperors during the periods from the first year of Huang Chu to the fourth year of Tai He had ever visited Ye City, after all, it was one of the five capitals of the Wei Dynasty. The maintenance of Tong Que Tai continued as usual and there was no sense of neglect.
Cao Rui reined in his horse slowly, and followed the long steps leading up the sloping terrain in front of the platform. The cabinet officials, ministers, and other officials followed behind.
There were also three others: Zhen Xiang, Luo Zhao, and Zheng Hun.
The main hall on Tong Que Tai is called Feiguang Hall, facing north and south, directly opposite the Jinhu Tai not far away. It is the second month of the year, and the weather has warmed up with a gentle breeze that makes the hem of robes flutter slightly.
After closing his eyes to feel the atmosphere for a moment, Cao Rui opened his mouth and said, "Sima Yi, tell the officials about Wang Shu's situation."
Sima Yi bowed respectfully: "I obey the order."
The conversation between the emperor and Sima Yi was so cryptic to the onlookers that they were completely baffled and couldn't understand its meaning.
During the journey to Tong Que Tai, everyone followed the emperor. When the emperor conversed with Zhen Xiang and mentioned Wang Shu, they all heard it.
The present audience comprises nine ministers, governors, and prefects. Why mention an old minister who died in the Jian'an period?
Man Chong stared at Sima Yi thoughtfully for a moment, and he had a general idea of the guess in his mind, but he wasn't sure if that was exactly what the emperor meant.
The officials in the Secretariat only stood motionless, and the ministers also focused on their superiors, making a serious listening appearance.
No one spoke.
Sima Yi stepped forward to the front of the group, gave a slight bow, "Does anyone here remember the Wang Changshi at the Lord's Mansion?"
The Wang Changshi mentioned here refers to Wang Bi, the Chancellor of the Duke of Wu Cao Cao.
In the early days when Cao Cao was first appointed as the Governor of Yong Province, Wang Bi was an official in the province. When Cao Cao was granted the title of General, Wang Bi became his assistant. After Cao Cao became the Chancellor of the Great Han, Wang Bi served as the Chancellor's Chancellor, a position akin to that of a chief advisor or chief of staff.
The most important of the officials, the most trusted within the trusted circle.
In the year when Liu Bu was captured by Cao Cao, there was still hesitation about whether to kill or spare him, it was Wang Bi who spoke up to have Liu Bu executed.
After the unification of the Central Plains, the Han Emperor resided in Xuchang for a long time, while Cao Cao resided in Ye City and did not live in the same city as the Han Emperor. As the Chancellor's Chancellor, Wang Bi was stationed in Xuchang for a long time to 'guard' the emperor, holding an extremely heavy responsibility.
As you mentioned Wang Bi, it is quite clear what the purpose of discussing Wang Xiu and Wang Shu is.
Man Chong's pupils widened slightly, but only for a few moments, and then he sighed silently.
Why does Sima Yi understand the emperor's intentions so clearly?
This is a skill.
A rare and important skill in the court.
Sima Yi said slowly, in the presence of everyone, "In the 23rd year of the Jian'an era, rebellious bandits Ji Miao, Geng Ji, Jin Yi, and others set fire to Xuchang. Wang Changshi suppressed the rebellion but died of injuries."
"After the incident, Wu Ming summoned all the Han officials and ordered them to line up here, on Tong Que Tai."
"When Ji Miao set fire to Xuchang, the rescuers stood on the left and those who did not rescue stood on the right. Most people thought that rescuers were guiltless and chose to stand on the left."
At this point, Sima Yi slightly raised his head, as if seeking the emperor's approval, with a look of consultation.
Cao Rui slightly nodded.
Sima Yi said, "Among all of you colleagues, more than half of them served as officials in Ye City at that time, and you have probably heard about the events that followed."
"Wu Ming, believing that those who tried to extinguish the fire were aiding the rebels, thought that those who did not help must not be aiding them. He ordered the execution of all those who stood on the left."
During his anger, Cao Cao, with the death of Wang Bi, 'cleaned up' many Han officials within Xuchang City.
Although it was a bit scary to hear, for the officials standing in front of Sima Yi at that moment, they were all officials of Wei during that time, so the disaster would not reach them. Therefore, their emotions were just sighs.
But today, when Sima Yi brought up this matter again, and considering that they were at Tong Que Tai, it couldn't help but make people think more deeply.
Sima Yi continued, "And just three months after this incident, a bandit named Yan Cai in Ye City attacked the palace gate in anger."
"Hearing the alert, the officials in Ye City stayed at their own residences and did not dare to go out. Only Wang Shu, with his subordinates, walked to the palace gate to rescue."
"At that time, Wu Ming was on Tong Que Tai, and from a distance, he saw an official coming to save the situation and immediately concluded that it must be Wang Shu."
"The Zhong Tai Fu once asked Wang Shu, 'Why do you want to go out of the city against the established rules of the state?' To which Wang Shu replied with the words, 'I must go to help in a time of crisis.'"
After speaking, Sima Yi bowed to the emperor, "Your Majesty, I have fully described the matter involving Wang Shu."
Cao Rui redirected his gaze from the layered clouds in the distance and looked at Liu Fang with his hands behind his back:
"Wang Xiu is a loyal and upright official, but he did not receive the reward of the great Wei because of his early death. Liu's Secretary will later issue an edict, posthumously making Wang Xiu a Marquis and granting him an annual income of 400 households, with the inheritance rights passing down to his son Wang Ning."
Liu Fang bowed respectfully and accepted the order.
Cao Rui continued to address the crowd, "In the case of Wang Bi, only three months had passed before the officials in Ye City were all terrified and dared not leave their official residences. It was only Wang Xiu, a civil official, who led his subordinates to rescue."
"Although this was the responsibility of the Wu Wei, why was Wang Xiu able to act and behave in such a way?"
"I have posthumously honored Wang Xiu and publicly reminded the Yueji Camp Commandant, all for the purpose of discussing this principle here, on Tong Que Tai."
"Have any of you felt anything, gained any insights?"
Just now, Sima Yi had spoken. Man Chong, another cabinet minister present, stepped forward half a step: "Your Majesty, I have a suggestion to make."
Cao Rui nodded: "Speak up, General Man!"
Man Chong said, "There are ethical norms and principles in the country, and there is a sense of duty for lords and ministers to face death bravely."
"Since one is receiving the salary of the king, one should help alleviate the king's worries."
"In ordinary times, helping the king alleviate his worries is enough for a loyal official to fulfill his duties, be diligent in national affairs, and put forth his utmost efforts."
"When events like the rebellion by Yan Cai in Ye City occur, these are times of great crisis. In times of crisis, there should be extraordinary righteousness, and one should not be confined to ordinary systems. Instead, one should fight to the death for the king and the country, to fulfill the loyalty and righteousness of a loyal minister."
After speaking, Man Chong bowed again: "Please forgive the insufficiency of my speech, Your Majesty. This is what I have felt."
Cao Rui nodded and looked at the nearly twenty ministers in front of him: "General Man has spoken. What are your thoughts?"
"I will select one person from each of you to answer."
"Say something, Your Excellency Yang!" Cao Rui extended his right hand and pointed to Yang Ji.
Yang Ji said, "Duty to the country without fear of danger, resisting evil without fear of death!"
Cao Rui named another one: "Lu Minister!"
Lu Yu bowed and answered: "I will do it regardless of fortune or misfortune, based on righteousness!"
Cao Rui turned to Zhong Yu and said, "Come on, Jishi!"
Zhong Yu, who was a young man and had never experienced such a situation, felt quite nervous. His father Zhong Tai Fu was an example for Wang Xiu, and this young man couldn't help feeling a bit nervous. "I think Wang Shu is a pure minister, worthy of being an example for the whole country!"
Cao Rui didn't pay much attention to Zhong Yu's words. He extended his finger towards Lu Zhao: "Mr. Lu is an official on a provincial mission. If there are rebellious people in the court, how should one behave?"
Under the gaze of the crowd, Lu Zhao fell to his knees and shouted loudly: "If there are traitors in the court who endanger the nation and Your Majesty, an official on a provincial mission should also strive to eliminate these traitors for the sake of the country!"
While Sima Yi was speaking, the Commandant General Fan Qiu Jian hurriedly arranged the defense of the city and rushed to Tong Que Tai.
Listening to the opinions of the others, General Fan Qiu Jian nodded in agreement without ceasing.
Cao Rui of course saw General Fan Qiu Jian's arrival: "What are your thoughts, Zhongkong?"
General Fan Qiu Jian bowed and said, "As for my qualifications, I am young and junior. If Your Majesty is in danger, I can only offer my loyalty and devotion to death!"
Cao Rui nodded slightly and looked at Zhen Xiang: "Zhen, you should temporarily be under the command of General Fan Qiu Jian. As a new military commander, learn more about the principles of loyalty and righteousness."
Zhen Xiang bowed and accepted the order. In front of everyone, he walked to stand behind Fan Qiu Jian.
In the seventh month of Taihe II, Cao Rui had fallen ill in Chenchang and had been unconscious for several consecutive days during a time of crisis.
At that time, Cao Zhen, Fan Qiu Jian, Sima Yi, and Yang Fu all made different responses. Some did it for the country, while others did it for the emperor. All of them can be considered reasonable.
Only Xiahou Xian was at a loss and followed the crowd, for which he was disappointed by Cao Rui and was exiled to serve as an official in Youzhou.
Today, when touring Yecheng and having a dialogue with the officials, this is the kind of political ethics that will never be recorded on paper.
Cao Rui looked at the people around him and nodded: "All of you here on Tong Que Tai today are the officials whom I depend on."
Cao Rui pointed at the crowd with his finger: "Two cabinet ministers, three ministers, four imperial attendants, five secretaries, and four officials from the central army, Jizhou, Weicheng, and Yueji."
"What you all said just now, I believe there is no lack of logic. However, among them, only two cabinet ministers, one who understands my will and another who knows the overall situation, are the ones I place the most trust in."
"General Man has summarized the matter well. I will add a few more words."
The crowd bowed together, saying, "We humbly listen to Your Majesty's teachings!"
Cao Rui said, "Fulfilling one's duties and putting one's heart into one's work are the common standards for officials in the various states and territories of the world."
"And since you all stand before the emperor, nearly all of you are officials holding the title of 2000 grains of rice, heavy ministers in the court. The authority in your hands should not be underestimated. For you, it's not just about doing your job well, but also about striving to uphold the imperial decree and the state when danger befalls the country and the emperor."
"This is the great righteousness of lord and minister, not the small righteousness."
Sima Yi and Man Chong stood at the front, looking at the emperor's face seriously.
Cao Rui said: "I have long been away from Tong Que Tai, but because I think of the pure officials in the state, I spoke a lot to you just now."
"Only in the face of strong winds do we know the toughness of grass, and only in times of upheaval can we recognize loyal ministers."
"Ministers, strive hard!" (Chapter ends)
