Chapter 32 To relieve my worries In the morning, Cao Rui's carriage had arrived at the Shangshu Terrace. Unlike the last time Cao Rui was stopped when he came to the Secretariat, at this moment Chen Jiao was standing at the door respectfully greeting the emperor. Chen Jiao cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I am overwhelmed with fear when you come in person." Cao Rui saw Chen Jiao's obedience in the carriage and laughed: "Minister, come to my carriage and follow me to the 'Assistant Government Pavilion'. I want to discuss military affairs with the assistant ministers." Chen Jiao was somewhat surprised: "How dare I ride in the same carriage with Your Majesty? This is somewhat against etiquette." Cao Rui shook his head: "It's okay, I just happen to have something to ask you." Chen Jiao bowed and got on the carriage. Cao Rui's imperial carriage entered the gate of the Shangshutai and continued to drive inside. Through the windows, one could see people coming and going in the various duty rooms, some holding documents or carrying confidential matters. All matters of the Wei State, big or small, were concentrated here. Since the last time he was summoned to the palace by the emperor but he had not seen him for a day, Chen Jiao understood at that time that this was the emperor expressing his dissatisfaction with him. As a minister, it was extremely bold to dare to test the emperor. Obviously, Chen Jiao did not want to lose the position of Shangshu Ling at this time.
So Chen Jiao was extremely nervous at this time, fearing that Cao Rui would hold him accountable. But to Chen Jiao's surprise, Cao Rui did not ask Chen Jiao about official business. The people of the Cao family did not have the good temper inherited from their ancestors. Cao Rui sat in the middle of the car and looked at Chen Jiao who was sitting on the side: "How old is Chen Qing's son?" Chen Jiao was stunned. He had never expected the emperor to ask about such a personal matter. He quickly replied, "Your Majesty, thank you for your concern. My eldest son Chen Ben is seventeen years old, and my second son Chen Qian is fifteen years old." Cao Rui nodded: "Have you entered school?" Chen Jiao replied: "At present, I am only learning at home, and I have not yet entered school." Cao Rui said, "Since you haven't entered school yet, why don't you let your two sons enter the Imperial College?" Chen Jiao was stunned. He knew about the confidential military intelligence sent from Jiangxia Wenpin last night, but he didn't expect the emperor to ask about his two sons' studies, let alone allow his sons to enter the Imperial College. Although Chen Jiao was a little confused, he felt that the emperor seemed to be in a good mood and had no ill feelings towards him. Chen Jiao said cautiously, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Academy has long been in decline and there are not many great Confucian professors. I'm afraid it will be difficult to learn anything even if you enter the Imperial Academy." Cao Rui looked at Chen Jiao and said, "Don't worry, Mr. Chen. I went to see the Grand Tutor Zhong Yao a few days ago and told him about the reorganization of the Imperial College." "I have previously appointed Zheng Cheng as a doctor of the Imperial College to assist Grand Tutor Zhong in managing the Imperial College. Didn't Mr. Chen see this appointment?" Cao Rui's words had hidden meaning. Zheng Cheng was the great-nephew of Zheng Xuan, a great Confucian scholar in the late Han Dynasty. He once taught Cao Rui classics in the Eastern Palace. The appointment of Zheng Cheng was issued on the same day that Chen Jiao and Sima Fu refuted the emperor's advice. Of course Chen Jiao knew. So when the emperor mentioned the Imperial College and Zheng Cheng, Chen Jiao got up in panic and tried to stand up, and his head hit the roof of the carriage. Cao Rui laughed and said, "Chen Lingjun, there is no need to do this. I don't mean to blame you. Please sit down." Chen Jiao nodded repeatedly, his face now somewhat flushed. Cao Rui said: "Look, the descendants of the important officials and officials in the court can all enter the Imperial College when they reach the right age!" "I recently read an article written by Emperor Wu and found that he entered the Imperial Academy at the age of fifteen. Since Dong Zhuo's chaos in the court, the Imperial Academy has been in ruins for thirty years."
"This is too much, it's time to do better." Chen Jiao replied: "Your Majesty is a man of great insight. The Imperial Academy is for educating talents for the country, so it should be well developed." The Shangshutai was not very big. While the two were talking, Cao Rui's imperial carriage had already arrived outside the Fuzheng Pavilion. Unlike when he faced Zhong Yao, Cao Rui did not express his idea of giving preferential treatment to Taixue students when evaluating their grades. Chen Jiao certainly did not consider this at this time. However, the wind starts from the tip of the green reed, and you will feel it slowly. The four ministers were already standing outside the gate of the Regent Hall to welcome the emperor. They were surprised to see Chen Jiao get out of the carriage first, then take the initiative to lift the curtain and try to hold the emperor's arm. Didn't Chen Jiao just offend the emperor? Why is he so submissive now? He is like a completely different person. Chen Jiao, who had gone through a lot of mental ups and downs, did not think that he was ashamed at all. It was not shameful to be weak in front of the emperor. If anyone questioned him, he could just throw out the word "loyalty" to solve the problem. Those who seek fame will also be entangled by desires. Cao Rui did not act pretentiously. He frankly let Chen Jiao lift the curtain for him and accepted Chen Jiao's support naturally, as if he was accepting the service of a eunuch in the palace. When the four ministers saw the emperor getting off the car, they all saluted. Grand Marshal Cao Xiu was the first to speak: "Your Majesty, please hurry up. The military situation is urgent. I have been looking forward to reporting to Your Majesty." Cao Rui smiled and said, "Didn't Grand Marshal tell me before that the southeastern defense line is as solid as a rock?" Seeing Cao Rui smiling, Cao Xiu was not nervous at all: "Of course, the people from Jiangdong will become rats once they cross the river. There is nothing to worry about." Cao Rui laughed loudly: "The Grand Marshal is indeed very generous. If that's what you said, what should I worry about? Let's go!" Cao Xiu and Cao Zhen took the initiative to walk on both sides of Cao Rui, pushing Chen Qun and Sima Yi to the side. Sima Yi and Chen Qun looked at each other and shook their heads slightly, showing a little helplessness. The Fuzheng Pavilion was in the center of the Shangshutai, slightly higher than the other houses. Cao Rui walked up the steps and looked back at Chen Jiao who was still standing below: "Shangshu Ling, come together." Chen Jiao hurriedly followed. At this moment, Chen Jiao had no time to think that this room was originally his office. …… After the chief military commander, Grand Marshal Cao Xiu, analyzed the military situation, Cao Rui said, "So, this attack by the Eastern Wu will definitely be fruitless?" Cao Xiu nodded: "If my prediction is correct, it is exactly so. Whenever a large army is deployed, winter is definitely the best season." "Dongwu sent troops to Jiangxia in August. I'm afraid it was a tentative attack on Sun Quan, the great Wei Kingdom." "Besides, every time Sun Quan attacked Wei, his focus was on Huainan. If they attacked Huainan, Dongwu would have more time in terms of manpower, food, and military equipment." Cao Rui nodded: "What the Grand Marshal said makes sense. Ever since the late emperor became seriously ill and the Grand Marshal returned to Luoyang, Yangzhou has no more important officials or governors. If we want to deal with it, it will be troublesome to go back and forth to Luoyang." Cao Xiu cupped his hands and said, "I have had this idea for a long time. Your Majesty, please send me to Shouchun to supervise the military operations at the front." Cao Rui stood up and looked at Cao Xiu: "The war in the southeast has been hard for Grand Marshal. The foundation of the Cao family was not easy to come by. Grand Marshal should be cautious!" Cao Xiu said sternly: "Don't worry, Your Majesty. As long as I stay in the southeast, I will ensure that the Eastern Wu will not invade our borders." Cao Rui said, "I feel relieved when the Grand Marshal is here. However, should someone also go to command the battle in Jingzhou?" Several people looked at each other, and seeing this, Cao Zhen wanted to take it.
But to the surprise of those present, Cao Rui looked at Chen Qun who was sitting in his seat. "Mr. Chen is an important official of the state. Would you be willing to take charge of the war in Jingzhou for me to relieve my worries?" (End of this chapter)