On the first day of April, there was another lively court meeting. Many ministers suddenly discovered that Si Tu Wang Lang, who was supposed to be sitting in the front row, did not attend the court today. There was no need for Cao Rui to hide anything, so he directly told his ministers that he had sent Wang Lang to Hebei to be responsible for building a mausoleum for Empress Wen Zhao. Wang Situ is truly decisive and swift in his actions. After receiving the emperor's appointment, Wang Lang set out for Yecheng in the north the next morning without delaying for half a day. As for the fact that his son Wang Su was under house arrest, Wei Zhen, Liu Ye and Yang Fu could not have said so, and others had no way of knowing it either. From the perspective of most bystanders, it was that after Master Zhong and Situ Wang quarreled again over the restoration of "corporal punishment", Situ Wang wanted to escalate the situation and make the dispute public. Situ Wang made the letter public in the morning, the emperor went to Situ's residence in the afternoon, and Situ Wang left for Yecheng the next day. Although on the surface it seemed that Master Zhong had won again, the speed of progress was confusing for a while. When the issue of revising the law was being discussed at the court meeting, a minister stood up and suggested that the emperor restore corporal punishment. Many ministers then echoed his suggestion, while others spoke out against it.
Cao Rui simply said that corporal punishment is a specific punishment and that discussing corporal punishment is not a critical matter. We should first decide on the general direction of the law revision, and then discuss corporal punishment after revising the details. The emperor said so, and what he said was logical. First the general outline and then the details, this is the proper way to do things! It can only be put on hold. Tutor Zhong Yao still had poor legs and feet and was unable to attend court. After discussing with the general and grand marshal Hua Xin, the minister of works Sima Yi, the minister of the right servant Wei Zhen and other ministers, Cao Rui roughly decided on several principles for this revision of the law. First, simplifying the complex and repetitive parts of the Han laws was gradually simplified, and unnecessary annotations and precedents were deleted. Second, the logic is clear. The newly revised law should be structured in a general way, then chapters, and finally articles, so that it is convenient for states and counties to study and search. Third, prudence comes first. This point was specially added by Cao Rui. Cao Rui believed that the law was a means rather than an end. Therefore, the law should have the purpose of punishing past mistakes and preventing future ones, curing diseases and saving people, and repeated verification and confirmation should be carried out before the law is used to sentence people. After Cao Rui proposed caution, no one, whether Hua Xin, Sima Yi or Cao Zhen, had any reason to refuse. Be careful when solving a case! This is also essential. Cao Rui couldn't help but shake his head when he heard the ministers' praise. This kind of flattery is really meaningless, but what if I mention the person who revised the law? "My Lords," Cao Rui said slowly, "Since the principles of the revision of the law have been determined, there must be someone to take charge of all the issues." "Who should be in charge of this revision of the law?" As soon as the emperor said this, the originally silent court began to discuss in low voices. There are also some rules for being an official. It is better to do smart work than to do hard and tiring work, and this revision of the law is a typical example of smart work. Your Majesty has already personally drawn up the scope, and only one person is needed to take the lead. As the first major event in the court of Your Majesty in the first year of Taihe, isn't this a clear political achievement? All the ministers had their own thoughts in mind, but no one spoke. Cao Rui chuckled at this, knowing that no one was willing to be the first to take the lead, so he asked, "General? Does anyone have a candidate to recommend to me?" Cao Zhen thought for a few moments, then cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I am not very clear about the details of the laws and decrees, so I have no choice. But for the revision of the military orders, I suggest that the Minister Xin Zuozhi be responsible for it." Cao Rui nodded and looked at Xin Pi: "Military orders are important matters in the army. Since the general recommended Xin Shizhong, Xin Qing, are you willing to take charge of this matter?" Xin Pi stepped out of the line and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I am willing to help you with this matter and share your worries."
"Let Minister Xin do it, and I have nothing to worry about." Cao Rui replied with a smile. "Except for the military laws and regulations, this matter has been decided to be handed over to Minister Xin, and the next major issue still needs to be discussed." Cao Rui pointed to the Grand Commandant Hua Xin and said, "Grand Commandant Hua, do you have anyone to recommend?" Hua Xin was old and virtuous, and he usually didn't speak easily in the court. Hua Xin simply bowed and replied: "Your Majesty, I recommend Chenliu Governor Liu Shao Liu Kongcai to the court." "Your Majesty, Liu Shao served as Shangshu Lang and Sanqi during the Huangchu period. He was also ordered to compile a number of books into Huanglan. He is also well versed in laws and regulations. He is indeed suitable for this position." Cao Rui said: "The last time I went on tour, I stayed in Chenliu for several days. I have also heard about the achievements of Chenliu Governor Liu Shao. I think he is worth considering." "What did Sikong say?" Cao Rui looked at Sima Yi. Sima Yi was actually quite conflicted. At the beginning of March, before leaving Luoyang for Yangzhou, Jiang Ji discussed with Sima Yi about giving the position of Henan Yin to Feng Ping, the chief secretary of Grand Marshal Cao Xiu. The current Henan Yin Sima Zhi is Sima Yi's cousin. Normally, according to common sense, after Sima Zhi handled the case of Cao Hong's family and Sima Yi recommended him slightly, it was possible for him to be promoted to one of the Nine Ministers. Currently, both the positions of Taipu and Da Si Nong among the Nine Ministers are vacant. But the emperor's attitude towards Sima Zhi was neither positive nor negative, which was very puzzling. Should he recommend Sima Zhi? Or should he recommend someone else? Be cautious! Sima Yi thought for a moment, then cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I recommend four talented people to the court. They are Wang Chang, the governor of Yanzhou, Huan Fan, the central guard, Sima Zhi, the governor of Henan, and Lu Yu, the governor of Guangping." Sima Yi recommended four people in succession at the same time? All the ministers in the hall looked behind Sima Yi's head. Cao Zhen and Hua Xin only recommended one person each, so why did you recommend four people in a row like naming dishes? Cao Rui actually had the same idea. Cao Rui patiently asked, "Why did Sikong recommend four candidates? Do you want me to use four ministers to jointly lead this matter?" Sima Yi was not in a hurry, and he answered with his hands clasped: "Your Majesty, the revision of laws is a major matter for the country. I am only considering the court and therefore recommending candidates with caution." "Each of the four people I just recommended has their own strengths and can be used by the court." Wang Chang, Huan Fan, Sima Zhi, and Lu Yu. Cao Rui laughed and then asked, "Well, Sikong, please tell me and the officials why you think these four people can take on this important task?" Sima Yi cleared his throat, cupped his hands and replied, "I believe that the revision of laws is a very complicated and important matter. It requires people who understand criminal law, people who are talented in compiling literature, and people who understand practical matters." "Wang Chang and Sima Zhi are proficient in practical affairs, Huan Fan once compiled Huang Lan with Liu Shao, and Lu Yu is good at criminal law. I think these four are all outstanding talents of Wei and can be entrusted with important tasks." Cao Rui just found it interesting at this time. You, Sima Sikong, put four people on the same level. Can't I guess what you mean? Wang Chang once worked in Cao Pi's Prince's Palace, and took over the position of Prince's Secretary after Sima Yi went to the Prime Minister's Palace. Lu Yu once worked in the Western Division of the Prime Minister's Office and was once a subordinate of Sima Yi. Needless to say, Sima Zhi is Sima Yi's cousin and also Sima Yi's confidant. The only one is Huan Fan...Cao Rui currently doesn't know what his connection with Sima Yi is, maybe he was just reported to make up the numbers? However, Sima Yi did not lie about one thing. These four two thousand stone officials were all talented people of the country and were capable. It was just up to the emperor to choose who to use.
Cao Rui smiled and said, "Huan Fan and Sima Zhi are both in Luozhong, and Liu Shao, Lu Yu, and Wang Chang are all in office." "Since the Minister of Works has recommended these four people, then let's summon Liu Shao, who was recommended by the Grand Commandant, to Luoyang. I want to have a chat with them in person." Sima Yi cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty is wise and wise. We should be cautious in this matter." Cao Rui thought for a few moments and then looked at Liu Fang. "Oh, by the way, Secretary Liu, send a fast horse to catch up with Situ Wang later and tell him what happened in the court today. See if Situ Wang has any candidates to recommend." Liu Fang bowed and agreed. Cao Rui glanced around and then said slowly: "Is it possible that you have heard something about my plan to establish Chongwen Temple?" "The day after tomorrow, I will personally go to Chongwen Temple to show my intention of 'respecting Confucianism and cherishing learning'." "If any of you here know of anyone with outstanding literary talent, or if you have written brilliant articles yourself, you can recommend them to join Chongwen Temple." "Yes, Your Majesty." All the ministers in the palace responded. …… In the evening, in Sikong Mansion. Sima Zhi asked in confusion: "Brother, why did you recommend me to His Majesty in the court today? I'm afraid His Majesty is already dissatisfied with me because of Cao Hong's incident last month." "Your Majesty is not as petty as you think." Sima Yi shook his head and said, "Even if Your Majesty says you did something wrong, won't you still not be punished? Your Majesty will not punish without teaching." "Besides... Zihua, do you know that the positions of Taifu and Da Si Nong, the two Nine Ministers, are both vacant?" Sima Zhi nodded: "Of course I know! What does this have to do with the revision of the law?" Sima Yi said: "The revision of the law is a very important matter. Many ministers in the court, provincial governors and governors of various states and counties may have something to consult with them. If the person in charge of the revision of the law does not have a position as one of the Nine Ministers, how can he take the lead in this matter?" "What do you mean, brother?" Sima Zhi's eyes widened. "You want to recommend me as one of the Nine Ministers?" Sima Yi stared at Sima Zhi for a long while, then said: "Zihua, don't be timid. I have become one of the Three Dukes, so what if you, Sima Zihua, become one of the Nine Ministers?" But Sima Zhi was not a dull person. He realized almost immediately that the big cake his brother fed him was hard to eat: "Then why did my brother recommend Wang Chang, Lu Yu, and Huan Fan?" Sima Yi glanced at Sima Zhi and said, "If I only recommend you, won't His Majesty be suspicious of me?" "And among these three, Lu Yu is indeed good at criminal law, Huan Fan is good at compilation, and Wang Chang is proficient in general affairs. If one of you four can pass, it will not be a bad thing for you or me." "It's just that," Sima Yi stroked his beard, "I heard that when Your Majesty was in Chenliu, he talked with Liu Shao for half a day and was quite impressed with him." "Who knows, His Majesty will use this person!" (End of this chapter)