Chapter 6: Ghostwriting and Proxying
In the afternoon, Cao Rui, draped in a thin outer robe, strolled through the palace.
The Attendant Bi Jin held a copper tray in both hands, and on the tray, a bunch of purple grapes looked very tempting, still glistening with water droplets.
Cao Rui tossed a grape into his mouth, chewed for a moment, then pursed his lips and spat the grape skin onto the ground. Soon, a Yellow Gate Attendant came over to pick it up.
“The sweetness of grapes in this era is still not enough,” Cao Rui muttered to himself. “They’re only good for making wine.”
“What did the late emperor’s writings say about it?” Cao Rui turned his head to look at Liu Ye.
A person should keep his word, let alone an emperor.
In the past few days, Cao Rui had indeed been working with two Attendants to organize the writings of Cao Cao and Cao Pi.
For this purpose, he even specially summoned Zhong Yu, the son of the calligraphy master Zhong Yao, to serve as an Attendant Gentleman. Zhong Yu inherited his father's excellent handwriting, practically a human printing press. Coupled with the finest zuo bo paper, the compiled books could almost be preserved as works of art.
Liu Ye had a photographic memory: “Your Majesty, the late emperor’s original text was: ‘When it is deep summer approaching autumn, there is still lingering heat. After a night of drinking, waking up, one eats them covered in dew. They are sweet but not cloying, sour but not crunchy, cool but not cold, with a long-lasting flavor and abundant juice, relieving vexation and quenching thirst.’”
Cao Rui said with a smile, “The late emperor truly hadn’t tasted many good things.”
Liu Ye had been following Cao Rui closely these days and knew that this emperor was unconventional and could even crack jokes. So he responded along with Cao Rui’s words.
“Your subject doesn’t know if there are any fruits better than grapes in this world?”
Cao Rui thought to himself, ‘Of course there are, but you won’t have the chance to see them.’
A moment later, Cao Rui seemed to have thought of something and casually said, “Bi Jin, take two catties of the grapes from Liang Province and divide them between Liu Shizhong and Xin Shizhong, and send another two catties to the Auxiliary Governance Pavilion officials.”
Bi Jin bowed and assented, then instructed the young Yellow Gate Attendant beside him to arrange it.
Liu Ye cupped his hands in thanks: “Your subject thanks Your Majesty for the reward. With this imperial blessing, my family will also be able to taste the grapes.”
Cao Rui waved his hand: “By the way, how many days have the four Auxiliary Governance Pavilion officials been working in the Imperial Secretariat?”
Liu Ye replied, “It has been seven or eight days since the grand court assembly. The Auxiliary Governance Pavilion officials began working in the Imperial Secretariat two days after the assembly. So, it has been five full days.”
Cao Rui said, “It’s time to find someone to ask. I’ve been idle these past few days, and I don’t know how the four Auxiliary Governance Pavilion officials have been managing the government.”
Liu Ye said, “Your subject heard that the two General Cao are growing increasingly impatient sitting in the Imperial Secretariat.”
Cao Rui chuckled, “It’s hard on the two of them. Who should I send to ask?”
Liu Ye quietly reminded him, “Issuing edicts and communicating is the Central Secretariat’s duty.”
Cao Rui looked at Bi Jin: “Go, invite the Central Secretariat.”
Then he continued to Liu Ye, “Liu Qing, do you usually exercise your body?”
Liu Ye shook his head.
Cao Rui said with a smile, “Liu Qing, in my opinion, this place is very spacious. We should dig a swimming pool here.”
Liu Ye was puzzled: “What is a swimming pool?”
Cao Rui gestured with both hands towards the open space: “Look, this open space is perfectly shaded by trees. Dig a square pool, line the sides and bottom with terracotta bricks, and then fill it with water.”
“In the summer heat, swimming in the pool can both cool you down and exercise your body. Wouldn’t that be killing two birds with one stone!”
Liu Ye hesitated: “Your Majesty truly has extraordinary ideas. Your subject heard that Emperor Ling of Han also dug a pool here in the North Palace. If Your Majesty also builds a swimming pool, I fear it might cause controversy in the court?”
Cao Rui scoffed, “I know the story of Emperor Ling of Han. The Ten Eunuchs built him a nude swimming hall in the North Palace to curry favor with him.”
“My swimming pool will require clothes. I am not as muddle-headed as Emperor Ling of Han.”
“Your subject misspoke. Please punish me, Your Majesty.”
“No matter, giving advice is always a good thing.”
A hurried sound of footsteps came from afar, then slowed as it approached Cao Rui.
The newcomer cupped his hands and bowed: “Your subject, Central Secretariat Sun Zi, greets Your Majesty.”
Cao Rui was in a good mood and said to Sun Zi with a smile, “Central Secretariat, go to the Imperial Secretariat for me and see the four Auxiliary Governance Pavilion officials. Also, bring them some grapes.”
Sun Zi replied, “Your subject obeys the edict. Does Your Majesty have any words for the four Auxiliary Governance Pavilion officials?”
Cao Rui said, “There’s nothing much to say. Oh, by the way, they should have handled quite a few matters these past few days. Have them write a summary and send it over.”
Sun Zi asked doubtfully, “May I ask Your Majesty, how should this summary be written?”
Cao Rui replied, “Let them figure it out themselves. Just bring it to me to see. Central Secretariat, go quickly, or they’ll be off work and gone home soon.”
Sun Zi bowed and withdrew.
...
Imperial Secretariat.
Facing the pressure from the four Auxiliary Governance Pavilion officials, it was ultimately Shangshu Ling Chen Jiao alone who bore the brunt of everything.
Cao Pi established Luoyang as the capital after usurping the Han. The large-scale renovation of Luoyang has only been going on for six or seven years until now.
The South Palace, where the Imperial Secretariat was located, was almost reduced to ruins during Dong Zhuo's Luoyang rebellion and remained dilapidated for about twenty years thereafter.
In Jian'an 24, when Guan Yu attacked Xiangyang, Emperor Wu stationed troops in Luoyang to organize the city's defenses, using the construction waste from the South Palace's ground as recycled material for the city defenses.
During the six years of the late emperor’s reign, the South Palace was only just cleaned up. Apart from a few halls and pavilions for the emperor, the only usable place was the Imperial Secretariat.
Thus, Shangshu Ling Chen Jiao had to make do. Chen Jiao gave up his own office and converted it into a large open space for the four Auxiliary Governance Pavilion officials to work. The Shangshu even named this room 'Auxiliary Governance Pavilion'.
It was rather amusing that Chen Jiao himself moved in with Shangshu Pushe Wang Si.
Here, Sun Zi arrived at the Imperial Secretariat, carrying the grapes given by Cao Rui.
Inside the Auxiliary Governance Pavilion, the four men sat at their respective desks. Chen Qun and Sima Yi were diligently working at their desks, while Cao Xiu and Cao Zhen had their legs propped up on the table.
Seeing Sun Zi arrive, Cao Xiu and Cao Zhen stopped their idle chatter and walked smilingly to the door to greet him.
Cao Xiu said, “Grand Central Secretariat, does His Majesty have an edict for us?”
Sun Zi put down the food basket he was carrying and respectfully bowed to the four Auxiliary Governance Pavilion officials. Chen Qun and Sima Yi also rose from their seats.
Cao Zhen said, “Brother Yanlong, why are you being so formal? What are you carrying?”
Sun Zi replied, “His Majesty sent me to the Imperial Secretariat to bring some grapes to the four Auxiliary Governance Pavilion officials.”
After the four bowed in thanks, Sun Zi began the main topic.
“His Majesty also said that for the state affairs of the past few days, he requests the Auxiliary Governance Pavilion officials to write a summary and present it.”
Cao Zhen loudly interjected, “His Majesty wants a summary, but what kind of summary, and how should it be written?”
Cao Xiu also chimed in, “Yes, I’ve read many documents from various regions and armies. But the documents were all written by my Chief Clerk. Can this summary be ghostwritten by someone else?”
Chen Qun remained expressionless, while a faint smile touched Sima Yi’s lips, as if he were watching a joke unfold.
Sun Zi replied, “His Majesty’s original words were that the four Auxiliary Governance Pavilion officials should write a summary together. Please, the four Auxiliary Governance Pavilion officials, interpret His Majesty’s meaning yourselves.”