Chapter 91 Staying in Luoyang "I think what Jiang Wei said just now makes a lot of sense." "The suffering of the border counties is not in the war, but in the waste of national strength, financial resources, and the lives of soldiers and civilians in the defeat! I, the four assistant ministers, the three ministers, the ministers, and the secretaries all say the same thing." "I hope that all the scholars of the Imperial Academy will also keep state affairs in mind while studying the classics. If they are talented, I will definitely use them!" …… The emperor's trip to the Imperial College was like a stone dropped into a calm lake, spreading from Luoyang to all prefectures and counties in all directions. The emperor was the supreme ruler of the country, and his every move had political significance. The announcement of the new reign title of "Taihe" for the next year at the Imperial College for the first time raised the importance of the Imperial College in the eyes of the world. Not to mention that this "Imperial Academy Questioning Government" initiative was a spiritual encouragement to the scholars who advocated Confucian traditions. Even the governors and prefects of various states and counties went to the local academies to "investigate the academic situation". Although they dare not use the word "asking about politics" like the emperor, it does not affect the imitation show of officials from all over the country! What is good above will be replicated below. Several students who discussed current affairs with the emperor face to face, such as Fu Gu, Xiahou Xuan, Jiang Wei, etc., also became famous among the scholars in Luoyang and the world. Among them, Xiahou Xuan and Jiang Wei were commended in public. The emperor even directly awarded Jiang Wei the title of Sanqi Shilang and allowed Xiahou Xuan and Jiang Wei to accompany the emperor on his southern tour, which aroused the envy of all the students.
Tomorrow is December 10th, the day the emperor prepares for his southern tour. Beigong, in the emperor's study. At this time, there were only Cao Rui himself and the Minister of Personnel Wei Zhen in Cao Rui's study. It has been half a year since Cao Rui ascended the throne. Among the four ministers Cao Xiu, Cao Zhen, Chen Qun and Sima Yi, Cao Xiu was sent to Yangzhou and Chen Qun was sent to Jingzhou, leaving only Cao Zhen and Sima Yi in Luoyang. The general Cao Zhen was in charge of military affairs, and Sima Yi, the minister of the imperial court, was in charge of government affairs. During this southern tour, Cao Rui would take Cao Zhen and Sima Yi with him. The late Emperor Cao Pi led three southern expeditions to the Eastern Wu. The first time, Cao Pi was stationed in Wancheng. The second and third times, Cao Pi personally went southeast to Guangling. It was Sima Yi who stayed in Xuchang to handle government affairs and food and logistics for Cao Pi. Now that Sima Yi has also gone south to fight, who can command the rear for Cao Rui? After much thought, the only person who can be chosen is Master Wei Zhenwei. Wei Zhen was sitting in the study at this time. He looked at Cao Rui with a serious face and said, "The war is dangerous. I originally wanted to advise Your Majesty not to go to the front line in person, but to stay in Xuchang or Qiao County in the rear." "But I have thought about it. Considering the examples of Emperor Wu and Emperor Wen who personally led the army to the frontlines whenever they faced a military event, and your Majesty's wisdom and bravery, how can I persuade your Majesty to stay at home?" "I just hope Your Majesty understands that Your Majesty alone can bear the weight of the world. No matter what situation you are in, I hope Your Majesty will not put yourself in danger." Cao Rui replied solemnly: "Several years ago, when I was in the Eastern Palace, I already understood Master Wei's sincerity towards me. Although I am using the false surrender of the Eastern Wu as an excuse to mobilize troops, it is always a case of fighting the unprepared with the prepared. I will take care of myself, Master Wei, don't worry." Apart from Cao Xiu and Cao Zhen of the Cao family, among the important ministers, the person Cao Rui could sincerely entrust with state affairs was probably Wei Zhen. Wei Zhen said: "This time I have something to say and a question to ask. I hope Your Majesty can give me some advice." Cao Rui smiled and said, "Master Wei, do you know? When I sent Chen Qun to Jingxiang that day, Chen Qun also asked one question after another." Wei Zhen said: "Mr. Chen is the pillar of the country, and my words will definitely be different from yours." Cao Rui nodded and looked into Wei Zhen's eyes: "Master Wei, please speak." Wei Zhen's expression remained serious: "If Your Majesty goes on a southern expedition, you should choose a reliable person to lead the rear." "Your Majesty, I, Wei Zhen, am willing to supervise the affairs of Luoyang."
Cao Rui stood up immediately after hearing what Wei Zhen said, and bowed to Wei Zhen who was sitting at the table: "Master Wei, what you said is the true meaning of taking the responsibility! With Master Wei in Luoyang, I have nothing to worry about." Seeing the emperor saluting him, Wei Zhen was stunned for a moment, then quickly stood up and returned the salute: "I dare not promise much to Your Majesty, but I assure Your Majesty that as long as my head is still there, I will guarantee that Luoyang will be safe for Your Majesty." Cao Rui did not speak at this time. He paced around the study room with his hands behind his back for a few circles and then asked, "Master Wei, I will promote you to the position of Shangshu Ling and Sili Xiaowei." "Master Wei, do you think this arrangement is okay?" The Shangshu Ling was responsible for leading the government affairs of the Shangshutai, which naturally goes without saying. In the early years, Xun Yu, Chen Qun, Chen Jiao and others all led government affairs in the position of Shangshu Ling. The position of Si Li Xiao Wei was much more sensitive. Si Li Xiao Wei supervised all matters of the court and the capital, and had the power to impeach, interrogate, and arrest all officials and nobles. As early as the Western Han Dynasty, the Inspector of the Capital, because of its important power and responsibility of being at the center and judging all officials, was an important position in the struggle between eunuchs, relatives of the emperor, and scholars. In the past, after Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty died, General He Jin wanted to kill all the eunuchs, so he appointed Yuan Shao as the Inspector of the Imperial Guards, and Yuan Shao killed all the eunuchs. Even after Cao Cao welcomed Emperor Xian, he took on the post of Inspector of the Imperial Guards to increase his power. Wei Zhen was also quite frightened at this time, and he said with his hands clasped, "Why did your majesty give me such an important position? My original intention was just to ask for the position of Sili Xiaowei." Cao Rui shook his head slightly when he heard this. Ever since the incident between Chen Jiao and Sima Fu, Cao Rui had intended to remove the position of Shangshu Ling. But now Wei Zhen was needed to lead the government affairs from behind. If Wei Zhen was not appointed as Shangshu Ling, how could he show the heavy responsibility of Wei Zhen? Wei Zhen continued, "Your Majesty brought Sikong with him on the southern tour. Is it to take away Sikong's power and responsibility as the recorder of Shangshu affairs?" Cao Rui was silent for a moment and then nodded. Wei Zhen continued, "Your Majesty trusts me, so I should be honest in front of you. I have already guessed your intention." "I remember that in August this year, when the news of the invasion of Wu soldiers came from Jiangxia, I discussed state affairs with Your Majesty that night. Your Majesty mentioned that he wanted to appoint two assistant ministers to guard one side. Although Your Majesty did not say it explicitly, I had some guesses at the time." "When Your Majesty deprives Chen Jiao of his position as Minister of the Chancellery and appoints him as Minister of the Court, but does not appoint any more Minister of the Chancellery, my thoughts will become clearer." Wei Zhen continued, "If Your Majesty wants me to lead the affairs of the Secretariat, please appoint me as the Right Minister of the Secretariat! The position of Minister of the Secretariat should no longer be appointed in the future." Cao Rui narrowed his eyes and looked at Wei Zhen's face: "Then I will grant you the power of pretextual authority!" Wei Zhen bowed and replied, "I obey your command." Cao Rui asked, "Does Master Wei know how to do it in Luoyang?" Wei Zhen nodded and said, "I also came here during the Jian'an period and saw the late emperor staying in Yecheng with my own eyes. How could I not know? Since Your Majesty has appointed me as the Sili Xiaowei and granted me the power of pretextual authority, I should keep an eye on the officials and royal family for Your Majesty." Cao Rui shook his head slightly: "Not only that, doesn't Master Wei have the title of Shizhong given by the late emperor? Even if there is any unusual movement in the Northern Palace, Master Wei can deal with it on the spot." Who was in the North Palace? There was Empress Dowager Bian, Empress Dowager Guo, and Concubine Mao, who was pregnant by Cao Rui. The people of the three generations were all in the North Palace. Moreover, Concubine Mao was pregnant, which involved the heir. If one or two incidents occurred, how could Cao Rui, who was far away in Huainan, intervene? Wei Zhen can only do it. Wei Zhen was silent for a long time after hearing this. After a moment, he looked up at the emperor and asked slowly, "Your Majesty, are you worrying too much?" Throughout the dynasties, the dangers in the palace were often no less than those outside the court. The son of Empress Dowager Bian, who was in his prime, was still in Yongqiu, Empress Dowager Guo was not Cao Rui's biological mother, and Concubine Mao was still pregnant. Now that Cao Rui was about to go on a long journey, it was never too careful. Cao Rui then said, "Master Wei, you don't know about the affairs of the royal family. Just protect the harem for me." Things had come to this point, and Wei Zhen had no choice but to agree. After a moment, Wei Zhen said, "Your Majesty, I have another question."
Cao Rui took a deep breath and said, "Master Wei, please speak." Wei Zhen asked: "Your Majesty used military force in Huainan, and you have already told me about Zhou Cang's false surrender. I would like to ask Your Majesty, where do you want to attack during this southern tour?" When deploying troops in battle, one must be flexible and adaptable, but the overall strategy should not be adjusted too much. Wei Zhen asked this question to suggest that the emperor should have a limit in mind for deploying troops no matter what the situation was. Blindly expanding the war will often make it difficult for logistical supplies and manpower to keep up, which may cause a chain reaction and collapse. Cao Rui thought for a moment and said, "Since Master Wei asked, I will tell you the truth." "This time Zhou Qian pretended to surrender Poyang County. I read the battle report from the Grand Marshal. Zhou Qian and the Grand Marshal wrote to each other in early January." "Since the Eastern Wu intends to have the Grand Marshal lead his troops westward from Hefei, through Wancheng and along the Wan River into the Yangtze River, I will also choose the area near Wancheng as the place for the battle." "The water level is quite low in winter now. I have asked Jiang Ji, the Central Guard General who is familiar with the Jianghuai River system. The flow of the Wan River is not large. If we use the army in Wancheng, I am afraid that the baggage and troops of the Eastern Wu will be difficult to transport using the Wan River." "My intention is to fight from Wancheng to Wankou at most. After occupying Wankou, we will defend the north of the Yangtze River and not move south any further." Wei Zhen already knew what the emperor meant, so he bowed and said no more. In fact, if one person were to be chosen from among the core members of the current imperial court to be the emperor in charge of Luoyang affairs, there would be no more suitable candidate than Wei Zhen. Wei Zhen and the Cao family were fellow townsmen. His father Wei Zi spent all his family wealth to support Cao Cao in his uprising. Wei Zhen's family could be said to be the original shareholders with a good family background. Emperor Wu Cao Cao and Emperor Wen Cao Pi, these two emperors successively trusted Wei Zhen very much. When Cao Rui was still in the East Palace, Cao Pi ordered Wei Zhen to teach Cao Rui about government affairs, and they had a teacher-student relationship. Most importantly, Wei Zhen was an extremely upright person. He never formed a clique for personal gain, nor did he have close personal relations with any ministers. Given Wei Zhen's family background and the trust he enjoyed from the emperor, why would he need to flatter others? He seemed to have established his own faction in the court. Cao Rui held Wei Zhen's hand and said, "I still say what I said before. If I were Emperor Wen of Han, I would like Master Wei to be Song Chang for me!" (End of this chapter)