All Sima Zhao could see was that his father rejected his proposal. But from Sima Shi's perspective, he could see it clearly. Although his father didn't ask much about his younger brother, he still examined him once a month. As a father, Sima Yi knew Sima Zhao's knowledge and courage very well. According to Sima Zhao's current level, he would not be able to enter the A-level even if he went to the Imperial College, which would be a disgrace. Besides, the position of Taixuelang is just a preliminary proposal and has not been implemented yet. Sima Yi certainly didn't want his second son to try it out as well. It wouldn't be too late to go to school after the promotion path for students at the Imperial College became clear. One can be an official for a lifetime. What does it matter if one becomes an official one or two years earlier or later? …… The next day, outside the south gate of the North Palace. Yesterday afternoon, Guanqiu Jian was in the camp listening to the message from the palace messenger, asking him to come to the palace to look for Your Majesty the next day. Guanqiu Jian didn't understand why, but he still came to the palace gate early in the morning and waited.
"Oh, it's Captain Guanqiu. Why do you want to enter the palace so early?" Dian Man, the Huben commander in charge of guarding the gate, said with a smile. "Brother Zi'an." Guanqiu Jian smiled and bowed. "I was in the camp of the Five Colonels yesterday, and heard that His Majesty wanted to summon me. How could I dare to delay? I came here early in the morning." "Brother Zi'an is much older than me, so don't call me Captain, just call me Zhonggong." Dian Man, who was nearly 40 years old, was patrolling near the South Gate wearing a helmet and armor. After working all night, it was a pleasure for Dian Man to have someone to chat with. Dian Man smiled and said, "Zhong Gong, are you all happy in the camp of the five lieutenants?" Guanqiu Jian also smiled and said, "If we talk about happiness, it is happier than being on duty here, Brother Zi'an. At least I don't have to stand guard at night." Dian Man nodded: "Not having to stand guard is good, but not having to fight is not so good. I heard that you didn't fight many battles in Huainan this time. I missed the southern expedition last year. If there is another war, I will definitely try to get one or two." Guanqiu Jian said: "How can the emperor's personal army be thrown around casually on the battlefield? If Brother Zi'an wants to fight, he must be transferred away from the Tiger Guards before he can have a chance." "However," Guanqiu Jian said with a smile, "the rewards given to the Tiger Guards who guard the Northern Palace during the annual festivals are much greater than ours!" "It's just some property, not worth mentioning." Dian Man stood next to Guanqiu Jian. His strong figure made Guanqiu Jian look even more handsome. Dian's face was filled with a hint of respect: "Zhonggong is now favored by the emperor. If there is a war in the future, I hope Zhonggong can recommend me a few!" Guanqiu Jian smiled and nodded. He just wanted to gain some military merits. This was normal. He was also willing to make this good relationship: "I don't know when the next military action will be. Brother Zi'an, don't blame me if you wait too long!" Dian Man lightly hit Guanqiu Jian on the shoulder and said, "Haha, I said Zhong Gong is a straightforward person. After Zhong Gong comes out of the palace today, if you are free in the evening, how about coming to my house for a drink?" "Since Brother Zining has invited me, I will be very disrespectful to refuse." Guanqiu Jian said, "After I leave the palace, I will send someone to report back to Brother Zining in the afternoon." A smile broke out on Dianman's round face. He then adjusted his helmet and stood aside. Not long after, the eunuch led Guanqiu Jian into the palace. Cao Rui yawned, looking like he hadn't slept well: "Zhong Gong is here? I haven't seen you for half a month." Guanqiu Jian bowed and said: "I have not come to see Your Majesty for half a month. It is my fault." "Hahaha." Cao Rui pointed at the chair casually and said, "Zhong Gong, the head of the Liangzhou traitor Qu Ying has been hanging on the city gate for three days. Have you seen it?"
Guanqiu Jian nodded and said: "How can you not see it? It is hung on the side of the city gate, and it has become infested with flies." "I asked you to come here because it has something to do with this matter." Cao Rui walked to the map and said, "Zhong Gong, come here." Guanqiu Jian walked over and saw that the emperor's right index finger was pointing at the arc outline above the map. "Bingzhou, Youzhou. Go north from Pingyang County to Yanmen, then to Dai County, Shanggu, Yuyang, Youbeiping." Cao Rui said: "Zhonggong will take Qu Ying's head and deliver it to the border counties on my behalf." "By the way, let's investigate the military and civilian situations in each state and county. I have been focusing on the south and have neglected Hebei." Guanqiu Jian was still staring at the map. Cao Rui asked: "Did Zhong Gong find anything?" Guanqiu Jian said: "I understand your majesty's intention, but I am confused as to why you only went to Youbeiping?" "In my opinion, we can take this opportunity to visit all the Liaodong counties where Gongsun Gong is located!" After that, Guanqiu Jian pointed to the upper right corner of the map and said, "Your Majesty, I heard that the envoys from the Wei Dynasty who went to Gongsun clan only went to Xiangping in Liaodong County. You can also visit the three counties of Xuantu, Lelang and Daifang to the east of Xiangping." Cao Rui asked, "What name should we use?" Guanqiu Jian thought for a few moments and said: "If I still use the excuse of sending the head, I am afraid it will scare Gongsun Gong." Cao Rui nodded: "Gongsun Gong has always been respectful to the court. I don't want to cause trouble in Youzhou until Wu and Shu are at peace. You must think of a more gentle reason." After saying that, Cao Rui waved to Zhong Yu and said, "Zhong Yu, go and call Minister Liu." Liu Ye is knowledgeable and has a good memory, so he can be used as a human-shaped data book. After a while, Liu Ye came over. After listening to the emperor's retelling of the incident, Liu Ye thought for a few moments and then smiled and came up with a new idea. Liu Ye cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, do you know that Daifang County in Liaodong has always had exchanges with Japan?" "Gongsun Kang's son Gongsun Huang was a palace guard in Luoyang. When the late emperor summoned this man, I was also there and heard Gongsun Huang talk about this matter." Liu Ye smiled and said, "Why not use the excuse of sending an envoy to Japan as an excuse to pass through Lelang County and Daifang County?" Japan! How could Cao Rui not know? From Liaodong to the peninsula, and then to Japan, this kind of transportation should not be difficult. It’s just that I didn’t know about Gongsun Huang before. Cao Rui clapped his hands and laughed, "Master Liu, what a brilliant plan! Do you know what the current situation in Japan is like?" Liu Ye tried to recall for a moment, and then said: "I only remember it roughly. Wa was originally composed of several large islands. One of them was called Yamatai, and its chief was called Himiko." "Gongsun Huang once said that Japan and the Gongsun clan would have exchanges about once every three years." Cao Rui nodded, with some emotion in his heart. If he could pacify Gongsun clan one day, he would definitely try to send troops to Japan. Cao Rui smiled and said, "Then let's follow Liu Qing's plan!" "Mr. Liu," Cao Rui looked at Liu Ye, "I will ask Zhong Gong to take the head of the traitor Qu Ying and pass it along the border counties of Youzhou and Bingzhou, and at the same time do some investigations on the border counties. What do you think?" Several people returned to their seats from in front of the map. Liu Ye thought for a moment before saying, "Your Majesty, the governor of Youzhou, Wang Xiong, Wang Yuanbo, and the governor of Bingzhou, Liang Xi, Liang Ziyu, are both capable officials guarding the border." "They were both officials during the time of the previous emperor. If Your Majesty sends Lieutenant Guanqiu to investigate, I am afraid they will be uneasy."
Cao Rui nodded and said, "What Liu Qing said is right. How about this? I will write a letter to each of them, and then let Zhong Gong bring some gifts to them. I think it will be fine." Liu Ye said, "Your Majesty, this is a good idea." "Don't talk about whether your opinion is good or not. There are many times when I can't think of it." Cao Rui pointed at Guanqiu Jian and said, "After all, Zhonggong has not been to the border counties and has not spent much time in the army." "I have thought about it, how about Liu Qing taking Zhong Gong with him?" Liu Ye opened his eyes wide and looked at the emperor: "Your Majesty wants me to leave Luoyang and go with you?" Cao Rui smiled and nodded: "That's right, that's right. Liu Qing is always by my side, and your decisions and judgments are all very sophisticated. I think the situation in the border counties cannot escape your eyes." "Go north from Luoyang, along the west and north of Bingzhou, the north of Youzhou, and then go to Liaodong to take a look. Gongsun Gong has always been submissive to the court. With this reason, he can't just rebel here, right?" "You have to see the border counties and Liaodong for yourself to know what they are like." Liu Ye did not rush to agree, but instead calculated the time: "Your Majesty, it will take one month from Luoyang to Yanmen, another month from Yanmen to Youbeiping, and two months from Youbeiping to Lelang and Daifang." "Adding the time for research, I'm afraid it will take nearly a year for me to return to Luoyang." Cao Rui smiled and nodded: "One year? One year is just one year. I can still wait." Seeing this, Guanqiu Jian stood up, bowed and said, "Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I will definitely fulfill my mission and bring back all the information about the northern border." Liu Ye was also awakened by Guanqiu Jian's words. He knew that he should not have hesitated like this, so he stood up and said, "Your Majesty has entrusted me with a great trust, and I will certainly live up to your expectations." Cao Rui nodded: "That's right. Although it will take a year on the road, slow is fast and fast is slow." Guanqiu Jian was in his twenties and was Cao Rui's preferred future heir. Liu Ye was extremely intelligent and good at military strategy. It was good to have such a person by his side for consultation, but he might be more useful if he was released to other places. Bingzhou and Youzhou. Wuhuan, Xianbei, and Liaodong. take it easy. Cao Rui said, "Liu Qing, Zhong Gong, you two should prepare for a few days. Let's go north on the first day of May. How about this? Liu Qing will be the chief and Zhong Gong will be the deputy." "What title should I give you?" Guanqiu Jian looked at Liu Ye. Liu Ye had more seniority, so it was difficult to assign him a position for the time being. Guanqiu Jian cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, you may give Liu Gong the title of Guanglu Dafu." Cao Rui nodded and said, "Grand Master of Imperial Households. Mr. Liu, how about this position?" Liu Ye cupped his hands and said, "I am your majesty's envoy, so why should I bother with a few titles?" "Then Liu Qing will be promoted to Guanglu Dafu and Zhijie. Zhonggong's position as Yueqi Xiaowei will remain unchanged." Liu Ye and Guanqiu Jian both agreed. (End of this chapter)