Chapter 39 Private Discussion Cao Rui was preparing to appoint Jiang Ji as the Central Guard General. The Central Guard General was a key position in charge of the selection and assignment of military generals. According to common sense, key military officer positions such as the Central Guard General are usually nominated and reported by the general, and then approved by the emperor. But since Cao Rui took office, the emperor always directly appointed important military positions such as the Captain of Yue Cavalry and the Central Guard General, without even asking Cao Zhen. This was an embarrassing situation for Cao Zhen, a great general. Cao Zhen was indeed devoted to the Wei Dynasty and had no second thoughts about the emperor. Such a loyal minister could not ask the emperor why he didn't ask him after the emperor issued an order. Not suitable. When Cao Zhen heard that the emperor was going to appoint Jiang Ji, he asked, "Your Majesty, the Central Army was previously led by Chen Qun, and Chen Qun also served as the Central Guard Army. Since Jiang Ji has been chosen as the Central Guard Army, who should be the Central Commander?" The Zhonglingjun, or the leading general, is actually the direct leader of the Zhongjun. In short, he is Xu Chu's direct superior. It’s just that the people in this position, those with less experience are called lieutenant commanders, and those with more experience are called leading generals. If they are important officials of the state, such as Cao Zhen as the General of the Central Army and Chen Qun as the General of the Zhen Army, they can also directly lead the Central Army.
The same position just has different titles depending on the level of seniority. The leader of the Chinese army? Cao Rui thought for a moment and said with a smile: "General, do you remember Cao Chun?" Cao Zhen replied, "Of course I remember that Marquis Cao Chun led the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry and was a famous general during the reign of Emperor Wu. Grand Marshal Cao Xiu and I also led the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry." Cao Rui continued, "I read a sentence in the classics. After Cao Chun's death, an official made a suggestion to Emperor Wu, asking who should be appointed to lead the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry. Do you know what Emperor Wu said?" Cao Zhen shook his head slightly: "The Grand Marshal may know about this matter, but I really don't know." Cao Rui smiled and said, "The Emperor said, 'Can't I just take over as the commander of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry?'" "Now, I also want to lead the central army myself. What do you think, General?" "Your Majesty, you must never..." Cao Zhen opened his eyes wide in surprise, and just said half of the words of dissuasion, but swallowed them back. Cao Rui actually wanted to lead the central army himself? This was something Cao Zhen had never expected. Not to mention whether the emperor had time to manage the central army. The 23-year-old emperor had no experience in commanding troops, and it didn't sound reliable for the emperor to lead 50,000 central troops himself. Cao Zhen had no ambitions. For decades, Cao Zhen had fought bravely and risked his life. He was brave enough to take on responsibilities. And out of respect for the emperor, Cao Zhen really couldn't say anything. Cao Zhen was not a civil servant who was responsible for giving advice. As a general of the imperial clan who commanded the military forces at home and abroad, if he took the initiative to prevent the emperor from leading the central army, what was he doing? Was he trying to monopolize power, or did he want the emperor to be a puppet? What's more, the previous emperor Cao Pi had already come up with worse evidence. Pure literati like Zhu Shao, Chen Qun, and Wei Zhen were able to lead the central army. With such a precedent, there was no way to dissuade him. Cao Zhen paused, then said: "Your Majesty is really like Emperor Wu. I think this is a good idea. If there is any problem in the central army, please feel free to contact me." Emperor Wu's style...isn't it that he only loves other people's wives? But Cao Rui just thought about it and couldn't make fun of Cao Cao with his two ministers. Cao Rui nodded and said, "Compared with the Central Army, the affairs of the foreign army are much more difficult. Moreover, I plan to improve the combat effectiveness of the foreign army. I will trouble you, General, to handle these complicated matters." Cao Wei's army was divided into three categories: the central army stationed in Luoyang, the foreign army stationed on the border, and the prefecture and county troops in the inland areas. Faced with the emperor's request, Cao Zhen naturally agreed. The morning meeting in the study was over. After Cao Zhen and Sima Yi left, Cao Rui also returned to the harem to visit Concubine Mao who was pregnant.
Mao Concubine was less than a month pregnant, but Cao Rui still put his ear close to her with great interest. As expected, there was no sound of the baby in the early pregnancy. Seeing Cao Rui's high spirits, Maopin smiled and said, "If our child is born, Your Majesty must give him a good name." Naming has always been a troublesome thing since ancient times. Just as Cao Rui and Concubine Mao were discussing the name, Sima Yi had already returned to the Secretariat. After Cao Xiu and Chen Qun were sent to Yangzhou and Jingzhou, and Chen Jiao was promoted to Shizhong, Sima Yi had become the only assistant minister in the Shangshu Tai. As for Cao Zhen, after his own application and Cao Rui's nod, he had moved back to his general's mansion. Originally, the four of them could hold a meeting, or even play mahjong. Now there were only Sima Yi and Cao Zhen, which was a bit awkward. Sima Yi walked straight into Shangshu Jiang Ji's duty room. Jiang Ji was quite short and fat, and was reviewing documents at his desk. When he saw Sima Yi walk into the room, he did not stand up, but said with a smile: "Zhongda, you haven't even given me the wine you owe me, how dare you come to me?" Sima Yi was not angry at all. He stood at the door and said, "If I don't come, who would be willing to chat with a drunkard like you?" Jiang Ji laughed, stood up and walked to the door and patted Sima Yi on the shoulder. Jiang Ji pushed Sima Yi from behind, pushed Sima Yi to his seat, and then sat next to him. Sima Yi said, "Zi Tong, is your leg disease getting better?" Jiang Ji chuckled: "It's okay, although it hasn't gotten better, but fortunately no one will die. Zhongda, did you just come back from the palace?" Sima Yi shook his head: "You'd better be careful. His Majesty summoned Cao Zhen and I to the palace to discuss the war in Jingzhou. We just came out of the North Palace." Jiang Ji asked, "How is the battle in Jingzhou going?" Sima Yi responded: "What else can we do? Jiangxia is a place that is easy to defend but difficult to attack. Wen Pin has been here for eighteen years. We will definitely be able to hold it this time." "Besides, there is no movement in Guangling and Hefei. I'm afraid Sun Quan's attack on Jiangxia and Xiangyang this time is more of a test." Jiang Ji continued to ask: "What about Xiangyang?" Sima Yi sneered: "Sun Quan sent Zhuge Jin to attack Xiangyang. It is obvious that he was sending Chen Qun to take the credit." Jiang Ji also laughed and said, "Then the court might as well send me." Sima Yi looked at Jiang Ji and said, "I do have a place for you. His Majesty wants to appoint you as the Central Guard General." Jiang Ji had an expression of disbelief on his face: "Let me be the Central Guard General, I was the Eastern Army General! Didn't Chen Jiao become the Palace Attendant? Why didn't you promote me to the Minister of the Chancellery?" Sima Yi rolled his eyes and said, "How about letting you take charge of the Shangshu affairs? I'll give you my seat." Jiang Ji laughed out loud. Sima Yi had been an official for many years and had good relationships with many people in official affairs. Xun Yu, the Shangshu Ling of the late Han Dynasty, once recommended Sima Yi. But in terms of personal relationships, Sima Yi did not have many friends outside of official business because of his somewhat cold personality. And Jiang Ji was one of Sima Yi's few good friends. (End of this chapter)