The cavalry on guard wore complete armor from the main hall to the gate of Liu Xiang's mansion, and stood every three steps on both sides of the road leading out of the city.
Before arriving at the Marquis of Shanyang's mansion, Cao Rui explicitly stated that he would not enter the city for the night to show respect for the Han dynasty's feudal territories, and staying outside the city was also a due practice.
On the way back to the camp, Cao Rui walked slowly with his hands behind his back, chin slightly raised, looking towards the distant darkness of the night sky. Liu Ye and Ku Qiao Jian followed him silently from a left and a right distance behind. The soldiers holding torches guarded the roadside, casting flickering light on Cao Rui's face.
The three of them walked forward in silence in this way. When they approached the city gate, Liu Ye coughed lightly from the left rear and spoke in a low voice:
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty?"
Cao Rui did not turn around and replied, "What is it?"
Liu Ye looked at the emperor's side face and a lock of hair: "What the Marquis of Shanyang said in the mansion is about the Middle Army and the Directorate of Decisions. The subject also touched my heart. After returning to Luo, should we submit this matter for discussion among the cabinet ministers?"
Cao Rui stopped and turned to look at Liu Ye: "Don't make a fuss about this, and there's no need to inform the Western Hanlin Academy. I called you two to follow me tonight as attendants. Just listen with your ears, and you need not go out and talk about the other matters."
Liu Ye hesitated for a moment before bowing respectfully and suggesting: "What the Marquis of Shanyang just said makes sense. I am the Right Supervisor of the Directorate of Decisions, appointed by Your Majesty. If Your Majesty intends to change the power of the Directorate of Decisions, I will definitely work hard for Your Majesty!"
Liu Ye took the lead, and Guan Qiujian also followed up by saying: "I concur!"
"Why, do you two think that I would doubt my ministers because of his few words? Cao Rui smiled and shook his head: "Liu Qing still understands my thoughts as before. Although what the Marquis of Shanyang said is good, it is a matter of ten or twenty years, not something that can be accomplished in a short time. After the founding of the Great Wei, we gradually took over the powers of the Nine Ministers to form the Secretariat and the Directorate of Decisions, and it is impossible to change the system back to its old form."
"Furthermore," Cao Rui sneered: "The emperors of the Han Dynasty never left Luoyang. Most of the time, I am outside Luoyang as the supreme commander of the thirty million people of the Great Wei. Is there any similarity to them?"
"Your Majesty's wisdom is clear!" Liu Ye agreed heartily.
"Your Majesty is wise." These are the words from Guan Qiujian following up.
Cao Rui looked at the two of them and said: "That's all for tonight's matter. Moreover, I have another thing to remind you."
"Right now, the most urgent matter for the Great Wei is to pacify the separation between Wu and Shu. The system of the Middle Army is the best for dealing with four-way military affairs. If we make the military power too scattered, it will be much more complicated to dispatch troops. We can reform the system of the Middle Army, but not now."
"Liu Qing, after returning to Luoyang, go to the Ministry of Rites and find Yang Yishan to pick four loyal and modest officials from humble backgrounds as eunuchs, and send them to the Marquis of Shanyang."
"Following the order, Your Servant Liu Ye knows it."
The three men were walking towards the camp outside the turbid deer city. The troops gathered behind them gradually increased. At the north gate of the military camp, Sima Yi was standing quietly by the gate with a middle-aged official.
Sima Yi saw the emperor from a distance, led the man forward, bowed respectfully, and said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, Liu Wengong, the Governor of He Nan, has come to pay respects and is waiting here."
Liu Jing also bowed along with Sima Yi's words and said: "The official Liu Jing bows to see the emperor! I have heard that the emperor is touring He Nan Prefecture. Therefore, I have come here as quickly as possible from Huai County to pay my respects."
"Rise," said Cao Rui, glancing at Sima Yi and then at Liu Jing. "You two come with me into the tent."
"Yes."
"Following the order."
"Not long after, inside the grand tent of the military camp, after settling down, Emperor Cao Rui looked at Liu Jing who stood respectfully in the tent and asked, "How many years have you been in He Nan, Liu Qing?"
Liu Jing replied with a bow, "Your Majesty, I was transferred from the Administrator of Lujiang to the Administrator of He Nan in Huangchuang's sixth year and have been in office for five years."
"Five years," said Cao Rui, nodding. "When you were in Lujiang, there were only a few cities like Sixan and Shu County in the prefecture. So Marshal Cao first captured Wan City, and then I personally led the army to defeat Sun Quan, reclaiming Wan City and Songzi City into the territory of the Great Wei. The current Lujiang Prefecture is quite different from what it used to be. The narrow and cramped land of old is now a region that extends south to the great river, which is no small achievement."
"If you were to send Liu Qing to Lujiang again, how would you proceed?"
Liu Jing obviously did not understand the temperament of the current emperor, so he took a moment to collect his thoughts and answered: "If I were to send Liu Qing to Lujiang again, how would you proceed?"
"If Your Majesty intends for me to serve as a prefect in Lujiang for a term, I would advise on agriculture and sericulture, enlighten the people with education, develop irrigation projects, establish military colonies, and assist the military to stabilize the borders."
"Emperor Cao Rui did not express his opinion by nodding slightly. "I have heard that your father Liu Yuanyin, in the past, served as the Administrator of Yangzhou. With a single horse and a rider, he came to the empty city of Hefei and gathered people to rebuild the city walls, which gradually made prosperity in the Huainan region. If you can become a prefect one day, I will send you to serve as the Administrator of Yangzhou."
Liu Jing bowed and said, "My father and I are both heartbroken for Huainan. If Your Majesty has an order, I will do my utmost to fulfill it without letting down the imperial favor!"
Liu Jing's father, Liu Fu, known as Yuanying, rebuilt the important town of Hefei in Huainan largely on his own. During his term, he stored grain and supplies, which allowed people like Jiang Ji to retreat the army of Sun Quan. Jiang Ji, also known as Jiang Zitong, has now been serving as the Administrator of Yangzhou for three years.
Liu Jing was deeply moved by the emperor's words. When Cao Pi appointed him as the Administrator of Lujiang, the emperor used his father Liu Fu's example to encourage him. Now Cao Rui is offering him the position of Administrator of Yangzhou, and how can Liu Jing not feel touched by this?
Inheriting the business or following in their father's footsteps, both father and son guarding one region, this is simply the perfect state of officialdom in the court.
"Rise," said Emperor Cao Rui calmly. "I still have a few more questions for you, Liu Qing."
"Following the order," Liu Jing stood up.
Cao Rui asked: "Since August, there has been heavy rain in the positions of Sirai, Henan, and Jingzhou. How is it in He Nan Prefecture?"
Liu Jing replied without hesitation, as if listing familiar items: "Reporting to Your Majesty, the heavy rains in Sirai were limited to the territory of Henan Marquis. In Heyang and Wen County areas, it rained heavily for four consecutive days from the 3rd to the 7th of August. Afterward, the rainfall gradually decreased, with only a few heavy rains on the 13th, 14th, and 26th."
"In the administration of Administrator of Defense Wei, from various counties in the prefecture, we have mobilized 23,000 laborers and other manpower to treat water near Luoyang on behalf of the Emperor. Besides this, grain, feed, medicines, clothings, and other supplies were also mobilized. The detailed list of supplies and the mobilization plan will be submitted to Your Majesty for preview after I return to Huai County."
Wei Zhen served as the Left Minister of the Secretariat, and also held the position of the Inspector of Sirai. This was within his duties and authority, nothing unusual, and even something that did not require reporting.
Cao Rui said, "There's no need to worry. I'm not here to audit the accounts. What is the local customs and the level of education in various counties of He Nan Prefecture?"
Liu Jing replied, "He Nan is a major prefecture under the Sirai. The prefecture has established a state academy, and counties have set up their own county academies. The Confucian classics organized by the Supreme Academy of Literature have been fully promoted in He Nan Prefecture. Since the Marquis of Shanyang is not far from the prefectural capital, Huai County, how about Your Majesty visit Huai County tomorrow to take a look?"
Cao Rui smiled and said, "There's no need for that. I will return to Luoyang tomorrow directly."
"Many governors of Yangzhou over the years, including your father Liu Yuanyin and his successor Wen Manji, were all loyal and capable.” Emperor Cao Rui looked at Sima Yi again: "And also Brother Sima in charge of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, Sima Bida, who was also as wise and capable as them."
Sima Yi sighed softly and bowed deeply.
This kind of behavior of commenting on old ministers in front of several important officials in the court can almost be seen as the official conclusion of the government on those ministers. As Sima Lang was the eldest brother of Sima Yi, how could Sima Yi not thank the emperor with such praises?
Liu Jing's eyes couldn't help but glance at Sima Yi, and then he said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, Sir Sima Bida has two sons, both of whom are clerks in the state. Both of them also accompanied me here."
Have Sima Lang's two sons been brought here by Liu Jing?
Emperor Cao Rui knew about these two people. The eldest son, Sima Yi, was the biological son of Sima Lang. The second son, Sima Wang, was the biological son of Sima Fu, who was later adopted into the name of Sima Lang.
Liu Jing's words implied that he wanted to see the two successors of the Sima family.
Cao Rui smiled lightly, "Since they are here, I shall see them. Zhonggong, summon them in."
"Following the order," said Muqiu Jian, standing up from the side. The armor of his body made a slight sound as metal pieces rubbed against each other.
Soon, Sima Yi and Sima Wang were brought in by Muqiu Jian.
After both of them knelt and paid their respects, Emperor Cao Rui asked, "Sima Yi, your uncle named Sima Yi with the character 'Yi,' why did you choose the character 'Yi' for your name?"
Sima Yi was a bit flustered when asked this question, and he dared not look up to seek help from his uncle. He could only bow and say, "Reporting to Your Majesty, the character 'Yi' in my name has the same pronunciation as the word 'Wei,' which means 'Empire.' My uncle's name, Sima Yi, is not a close pronunciation."
Not near the sound of 'Yi', but the same sound as 'Wei'?
"Although this character has multiple sounds, from the etiquette perspective, it is necessary to avoid ambiguity. Just now, when I was talking with Liu Prefecture about Sir Sima Bida, I thought about his old merits and should give you some praise," said Emperor Cao Rui.
"I will grant you the title of Guannei Duke, and in addition, I will bestow upon you a character 'Zhong,' henceforth, you shall be called Sima Zhong."
At this moment, Sima Yi finally moved a muscle in his face, bowed, and asked, "May I ask Your Majesty which character 'Zhong' are you referring to?"
"Sima Bida was loyal to the country, naturally, he is called 'Zhong' with the character 'Zhong,' which means 'loyalty.'"
Sima Yi, now called Sima Zhong, immediately bowed and said, "I thank Your Majesty for Your kindness! I will carry on my father's wishes and do my utmost to serve the Great Wei with loyalty!"
"Good, I'll remember your words today and keep them in mind," said Emperor Cao Rui. Then he turned to look at Sima Wang, "You are called Sima Wang, correct? Sir Sima Bida has a son, why did Sima Shuda adopt you into his family?"
Sima Wang bowed and said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, due to my elder brother's young age and delicate health condition for a long time, my father adopted me into the family."
Cao Rui nodded and then looked at Sima Yi: "The Sima family has many people, so these kinds of trivial matters also happen often. Since Sir Sima Bida has a son, why did Sir Shuda adopt a son for him?"
"Emperor Cao Rui said with a smile, pointing at Sima Wang, 'This matter is decided by me for your family. Uncle Shuda is also an important official in the court with a promising future. You should go back and be his son again.'"
"What do you think, Uncle Sima?"
(The end of this chapter)
