After farewells to Xiahou Xuan, Sima Yi turned around and entered the hall.
In the hall of the governor's mansion in Xingping City, the atmosphere was unusually relaxed and enjoyable.
What else could be the reason? Because we won a battle! After working hard for half a year and reaping the rewards, the emperor also promised double the land as a fief at Jieshi, so naturally everyone was beaming with joy.
From Sima Yi, Man Chong, and the other generals and officers with 2000 cattles, to the leaders of the Uighur and Xianbei tribes, everyone was gathered in the tent.
Upon seeing Sima Yi enter, Cao Rui coughed lightly and said, "This time the Great Wei expedition to Liaodong was successful. You have all done much. As I did before in Huainan and in Hanzhong when discussing your merits, I will first discuss the generals. The achievements of the two cabinet ministers will be discussed in Luoyang."
As Sima Yi and Man Chong were both cabinet ministers, there wasn't much to say, and even Sima Yi felt somewhat bored.
Indeed, it was boring.
During the expedition to Shu, each general's merits were clearly displayed in front of everyone. Zhang Heng, Qian Zhaou, Guo Hui's strong defense at Gaomi, and Lu Su's surprise attack at Baisui were all commendable.
However, in this expedition to Liaodong, most of the effort was spent on marching and transporting supplies. The actual level of the Gongsun Yuan army is completely uncomparable to the two enemies, Wu and Shu.
The capture of Liaotun was relatively easy, and Xingping was taken without much effort. In the end, Gongsun Yuan, who was on the brink of ruin, lost everything in just one morning.
If forced to say who is more outstanding, perhaps only Liu Ye, who led a route on his own, can be praised. The other generals are really hard to rank as in the campaign to Shu.
Even if it's hard to rank, we must rank them! This is within the duties of Emperor Cao Rui as the ruler of the Great Wei.
Looking around at the other officials, Emperor Cao Rui said leisurely, "In all my previous campaigns, I have always listed the first achievements and then ranked them in order from first to third."
"General Liu Ye, Commander of the Frontiers Beyond the Great Wall!"
Under the focused gaze of the assembly, Liu Ye lifted his head proudly, casually adjusted the front of his robe, and with composure, he walked slowly to the center of the hall, bowing respectfully: "May it be so."
With a smile, Cao Rui said, "In the year of Taihe, I dispatched Liu Ye and Commander Qiongqi Jian to tour Yuansuo and Bingshuo. After traveling through Liaodong, Liu Ye served as the magistrate of Yuanshou for more than two years. In this campaign against Liaodong, we cannot merely discuss achievements in battle; we should also take into account his merits over the past three years."
"Liu Ye has advised wisely, formulated strategies, trained troops, executed rapid advances, and seized opportunities. When we weigh his various merits together, he deserves to be ranked first in the achievements of this expedition for Great Wei!"
Liu Ye stood respectfully in the hall, a feeling of indescribable relief washing over him at this moment. It was not tension or self-satisfaction, but rather a sense of relief that what he had thought and wished for had come to pass safely, as natural as releasing a breath.
Liu Ye bowed his hands and said, "I have been able to serve in Yuanshou under the great favor and protection of the Heavenly Emperor. I dare not claim credit for this."
With a smile, Cao Rui said, "Do not decline. It is what it is."
"Liu Ye!" The tone of Emperor Cao Rui's voice was slightly heavier.
Liu Ye knew that the important moment had arrived and hurriedly bowed his hands in welcome.
"Remove Liu Ye from his post as Commander of the Frontiers Beyond the Great Wall and Magistrate of Yuanshou," Emperor Cao Rui drew out the syllable slightly and said slowly, "Appoint the Grand Preceptor Liu Ye as Assistant to the Emperor's Secretariat for Topical Policy. Return to his duties in the Secretariat!"
The Secretariat?
Liu Ye himself had considered various outcomes. He thought he might be appointed as one of the nine senior officials, as the head of a ministry, as the governor of an operating district, or even as a governor in Liaodong for one term. But he had never imagined being assigned to the Secretariat.
But now, the Secretariat is on par with the Secretariat of State, each belonging to the Western and Eastern Studies Chambers, and it has become one of the most important positions below the cabinet ministers. It is somewhat similar to the six ministries and nine courts, but seems to be even higher!
Liu Ye had spent many years in the imperial court, and he was not at all modest in this moment. He directly bowed three times in respect and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty! I have been favored by Your Majesty with such great honor, and I can only repay Your Majesty with death a hundred times!"
"Rise," said Cao Rui.
Liu Ye knew that the emperor would discuss the merits of the other individuals next, so after rising, he said nothing more and quickly stepped aside.
Emperor Cao Rui spoke calmly, "General Wen Qin of the Left Yunlin Guard, in full armor and with weapons in hand, broke through enemy lines and captured flags. He deserves second place. Minister Xin Bi, who oversaw the grain and logistics, ensured that the army's supply of grain was not lost during the distant campaign. His merit is third."
"Other generals such as Xiahou, Quqiu, Sun, Da, Jiang, Tian, Xianyu, and other generals have all performed their duties well and without error. Specific rewards and titles will be determined by the Western Study Chamber and the Secretariat. They will be announced after careful consideration."
All the generals in the hall bowed respectfully in response, each showing a smile of joy.
In the military, as in the court, and even as in all organizations in the world, it is the same.
When discussing merits, most people were unlikely to be considered for the first place. Just to receive a rating of "no fault with merit" and be "sunshine-favored" was enough to be satisfied. The happiest person among them was Xianyu Jing, who had suffered the most losses in both battles.
After discussing merits and giving words of encouragement and advice, the generals bowed and retired one by one.
At this moment, the hall was left with only two cabinet ministers, Sima Yi and Man Chong, three attendants of the palace - Xu, Pei, and Lu - and three generals - Liu Ye, Wen Qin, and Guan Qi.
After the grand assembly, the smaller meetings become even more important.
Seeing that everyone had left, Man Chong, as a cabinet minister of the Western Study Chamber, bowed and asked, "Your Majesty, with the appointment of General Liu Ye as the Assistant to the Emperor's Secretariat for Topical Policy, what will happen to the original Assistant to the Emperor's Secretariat for Topical Policy Wang WenShu?"
Cao Rui nodded, "Wang WenShu first joined the Secretariat, then entered the Secretariat for Topical Policy. He has served by my side for three years. It's time to send him out to serve in other areas."
"As you have seen, there are vacancies for the governors of Youzhou and Yingzhou. I also need to arrange a military post in Yingzhou. For these three key positions, do any of you have recommendations?"
Even let us recommend?
A silence fell upon the hall.
Man Chong spoke first, "Your Majesty, as a cabinet minister of the Western Study Chamber, military affairs are my duty. Yingzhou is newly established, and the four commanderies have not been completely stabilized. There are also foreign countries like Goguryeo, Baekje, Buyeo, and Samhan. May I ask what kind of military post Your Majesty intends to establish in Yingzhou?"
Cao Rui smiled, "I summoned you all to discuss this together. General Man, what kind of military post should be established in Yingzhou?"
Man Chong tentatively asked, "Earlier, Your Majesty relieved Liu Ziyang of his position as Commander of the Frontiers Beyond the Great Wall. Why not permanently establish a position of Commander of the Frontiers Beyond the Great Wall in Yingzhou? Just as Great Wei has established a Protectorate over Wuhuan for Xin and Bing Commanderies."
Cao Rui nodded noncommittally and then turned to look at the rest of the assembly, "What do you think, Minister of Works?"
Sima Yi said, "I think we should establish an outer military post in Yingzhou and assign a senior general to oversee it, just as Zhao BoRan in Changjiang and Chen Changwen in Yangzhou."
"How about you?" Cao Rui looked towards the three attendants.
The few individuals either agreed with Man Chong or Sima Yi, without offering any new proposals.
Cao Rui sighed and said, "When I appointed Chen SiTou as the military supervisor in Luoyang before, I originally did not intend to set up a viceroy. However, considering the current situation in Liaodong, I think it is necessary to establish a viceroy to govern the various circuits and conduct military campaigns against disobedient subjects."
Man Chong and Sima Yi's suggestions were rejected, and these two almost instantly understood the emperor's intentions. The emperor still remembered the ambition to expand territories in Liaodong, striving to incorporate countries such as Buyeo, Samhan, Goguryeo, and others into the county-national system.
It seems that a fighting viceroy is needed, not just a military supervisor who mainly holds the defense.
Man Chong bowed his hands and said, "I understand Your Majesty's intention now. I recommend Wang Chang, former Assistant to the Emperor's Secretariat for Topical Policy, as the viceroy in charge of all military affairs in Yingzhou!"
Liu Ye felt a lingering feeling as he watched Man Chong vigorously recommend Wang Chang. The Assistant to the Emperor's Secretariat for Topical Policy and the Viceroy in Charge of All Military Affairs in Yingzhou, it seems that the latter is better?
Cao Rui nodded, "General Man's words are very good. quickly issue the edict for Wang Chang to take up his post in Xiangping!"
"Yes, Your Majesty, I understand," Man Chong bowed one last time.
The key positions in the imperial court are often completed in this way by following the trend and then giving a gentle push. If the intention is too obvious and someone is strongly recommended for a position, even fools can see that it is to form a clique.
A wise person would not do that.
Cao Rui continued to ask, "What do you all think about the governors of Youzhou and Yingzhou?"
Sima Yi seized the opportunity first: "Your Majesty, I recommend that Xianlin, the Grand Chamberlain of the Ministry of Rites, be appointed as the governor of Youzhou, and Wu Zhou, the Minister of War, be appointed as the governor of Yingzhou!"
Cui Lin? Wu Zhou?
Frankly speaking, neither of these two people were previously in Cao Rui's consideration. He had never thought that Sima Yi would recommend them.
Cao Rui asked, "Minister of Works, it is also appropriate for nine officials and ministers to become governors. But why do you recommend these two?"
Sima Yi, bowing, said, "Your Majesty, Cui Lin served as the Governor of Youzhou in the early years of Huang Chu and had achieved notable administrative success. However, due to defamation by the former Commander of Hebei, Wu Zhi, Cui Lin was once demoted to the position of Governor of Huanjiao. It was not until the Taihe era that he was promoted to a nine-rank official. With Youzhou now needing stability, it urgently requires a capable minister like Cui Lin to govern it."
"And Wu Zhou as the Minister of War will be able to work together with Wang Chang to stabilize Yingzhou!"
(End of this chapter)
