Chapter 161 Seek kindness and gain kindness
The provincial governor is undoubtedly an important official of the state.
Although the salary was only six hundred stones, the Inspector, as a representative of "the inferior ruling the superior", had functions of supervising a state and managing administration, which were far greater than those of the prefects with two thousand stones.
The governor of Yuzhou appointed Huang Quan, a surrendered general from Shu Han, and the governor of Yangzhou appointed Jiang Ji, who was proficient in Yangzhou's affairs.
The logic behind choosing these two people is different.
Huang Quan was the imperial attendant and the emperor's confidant. Letting Huang Quan do some reforms would ensure that the policies were implemented. When an inner court official went to the outer court to serve, who didn't know that he was the emperor's man?
Jiang Ji was a native of Yangzhou. When he was young, he was known for his talent in Jianghuai. He first served as an accountant in his own county, and later served as the governor of Danyang and the deputy governor of Yangzhou.
The scenes where Jiang Ji showed his talent the most were in the army. After Cao Ren's defeat at Ruxu, it was Jiang Ji who led the army back to Shouchun; when Cao Pi's navy was blocked on its way back north and nearly destroyed thousands of ships, it was Jiang Ji who built water conservancy projects to bring the ships back.
Let Jiang Ji go to Yangzhou, where he can really display his talents. For such a great talent of the country, there is no need to mention the "three mutual laws". Using local people to handle local affairs will increase efficiency.
The court meeting was gradually coming to an end. After the announcement of the adjournment, two people were detained by the emperor.
Beigong, in the study.
Cao Rui leaned back in his recliner.
After not returning for several months, the study was still the same as the day before he left Luoyang for the southern tour. Even the angle of the recliner had not changed at all.
After a big court meeting, my waist is tired from sitting.
Cao Zhen and Sima Yi, the two assistant ministers, sat on chairs, quietly watching the emperor who was thinking about something on the recliner.
After a while, Cao Rui let out a long sigh and looked at the two ministers.
"General, Sikong," Cao Rui said, "I have something to ask you."
Cao Zhen and Sima Yi bowed and said at the same time: "Your Majesty, please speak."
Cao Rui asked, "I think that during the months of this southern expedition, the reason why I was able to analyze military intelligence and handle government affairs efficiently was because I stayed with the general, the prime minister, and several attendants all day long."
"After returning to Luoyang, the things I have to deal with are not much less than those on the southern tour." Cao Rui continued: "On the contrary, if I deal with the major and minor affairs of the country from the details, I actually have more to do."
"Although I am in my twenties and full of energy, I cannot take care of so many things by myself."
"Several of the ministers have given me advice and suggestions many times in recent days. I have been thinking recently whether I can give them more power and let them assist me in handling government affairs?"
"Your Majesty, you can't do that!" Cao Zhen and Sima Yi blurted out at almost the same time.
Cao Rui sighed, as if he had expected the two men's reactions: "General, please speak first."
Cao Zhen replied: "Your Majesty, the Shizhong was originally an official of the same rank as an attendant during the Han Dynasty, but it has only gradually become more important."
"The late emperor appointed talented people as Shizhong in order to consult his ministers. If Your Majesty further increases the power of Shizhong, it will not be a blessing for the country if the eunuchs have such great power."
Cao Rui nodded silently and turned his gaze to Sima Yi.
Sima Yi also said: "Your Majesty, I have the same idea as the general."
"Your Majesty, please have the Minister of State by your side. If you have any doubts, it will be fine to ask him about them. If you let the Minister of State handle government affairs, it would be contrary to the original intention of the late emperor to select a minister of talent and wisdom as the Minister of State."
Cao Rui shook his head gently: "If I don't look for the Minister, who else can I look for?"
Cao Zhen cupped his hands and said, "Before your majesty went on the southern expedition, didn't you leave two rooms for me and the Minister of Works in front of the study?"
"If I or the Minister of Works were to accompany Your Majesty on a daily basis, I think we could help Your Majesty with some of the burdens."
After Cao Zhen finished speaking, he turned and looked at Sima Yi.
Sima Yi understood and said, "I think the same as the general. Since Your Majesty has already set a precedent, it is fine to follow it."
From the perspective of Cao Zhen and Sima Yi, entering the palace to work on a daily basis was an act of demonstrating their authority and the emperor's trust.
The two of them were quite in agreement about entering the palace to work.
For them, this is an act of power grabbing.
However, they did not expect that this was actually a trap set by the emperor for the two of them, waiting for them to fall into it.
Cao Rui was silent for a moment, then said softly, "Is it still the same as last year, with the general entering the West Pavilion and the minister of work entering the East Pavilion?"
Cao Zhen and Sima Yi both nodded.
Cao Rui asked again: "Then the West Pavilion is in charge of military affairs, and the East Pavilion is in charge of political affairs?"
Cao Zhen smiled and said, "As a general, I am only suitable for managing military affairs. If you ask me about other political affairs, I may not be able to handle them well."
Sima Yi also said: "I will handle the affairs of the Shangshutai in the palace, and it will be convenient for Your Majesty to find me at any time."
"The West Pavilion is in charge of military affairs, the East Pavilion is in charge of government affairs..." Cao Rui tapped the chair lightly with his fingers and remained silent for a long time.
"General," Cao Rui asked, "the country's military dispatches are now all carried out through the General's Mansion. If the general enters the palace, will the military operations still be carried out through the General's Mansion?"
Cao Zhen said in surprise: "Military affairs have always been like this, and they are all handled through the General's Mansion."
Cao Rui nodded, and then asked: "What official duties does the Sikong Mansion have now?"
Sima Yi thought for a moment and replied: "Your Majesty, the Sikong Mansion is not responsible for government affairs now, and there is not much to do." Cao Rui nodded: "Then let's do as the general and the Sikong say!"
"The West Pavilion is for the General, and the East Pavilion is for the Minister of Works. The West Pavilion assists me in handling military affairs, and the East Pavilion assists me in handling government affairs. Is this arrangement reasonable?"
Cao Zhen thought for a moment and said, "I think your majesty's arrangement is indeed reasonable."
"Where is Sikong?" Cao Rui looked at Sima Yi.
Sima Yi replied: "I think it is very appropriate."
For Cao Zhen and Sima Yi, the office location was simply changed from the General's Mansion and the Secretariat to the North Palace, next to the emperor's study.
Being able to enter the palace on a daily basis was a rare honor for a minister in that era.
All I can say is that you get what you ask for.
Cao Rui nodded and said, "If that is the case, I am afraid that there will not be enough manpower for only the general and the minister of works to consult me in the palace."
"I will find a deputy for the general and the prime minister."
"Deputy?" Cao Zhen asked with some confusion.
"That's right. I think there are two people who are suitable to help." Cao Rui responded: "How about this, let Shangshu You Pushe Wei Zhen enter the palace to assist Sikong in handling affairs?"
"Sikong is in charge of the affairs of the Shangshutai, and Wei Pushe has the same duties in the Shangshutai. It would be better to invite Wei Pushe to the palace as well, so that Sikong and Wei Pushe can handle the affairs of the Shangshutai in the palace."
"Is this appropriate?" Cao Rui looked at Sima Yi.
Sima Yi thought about it quickly in his mind.
As a regent, it is my duty to go to the palace to handle government affairs, and it is also the key to my control of the center. Your Majesty, is he going to use Wei Zhen to share power?
But in the palace, in front of His Majesty, and next to Cao Zhen, he must never show any reluctance to share power.
Sima Yi thought for a few moments and nodded, "I think this is a good idea. Wei Zhen and I can certainly help Your Majesty handle government affairs."
It was indeed "assistance". According to the rules of the family empire, whether it was the Sikong, the Lu Shangshushi, or the general... they were all assisting the emperor in governing the country.
The ultimate source of power for these official positions comes from the emperor's appointment.
The emperor just wanted the minister to come to the palace to work, so what reason could he have to refuse? He shouldn't even be reluctant at all!
After Sima Yi nodded in agreement, Cao Rui looked at Cao Zhen again.
"General," Cao Rui said slowly, "Does the general have someone like Wei Zhen who can assist the general in handling affairs?"
"This..." Cao Zhen was a little embarrassed for a moment.
Sima Yi was the recorder of the Secretariat, and Wei Zhen was the Shangshu You Pushe who was in charge of the daily management of the Secretariat. The two were responsible for almost the same things, but their official ranks differed slightly.
As a general, he was unique, and no one could be below him. Could his positions as a chief secretary or a military officer be compared to that of Shangshu You Pushe?
If we talk about other people with the title of general, the only one in Luozhong right now is General Cao Hong.
Letting someone like Cao Hong accompany His Majesty? Don't make things difficult for His Majesty!
"I am actually assisted by my chief secretary on a daily basis, but it is not appropriate to let the chief secretary enter the palace." Cao Zhen said helplessly: "I don't have any suitable candidate here."
As if Cao Rui had anticipated Cao Zhen's answer, he immediately responded: "In that case, I will choose someone for the general."
"Dong Zhao, Dong Gongren, is also a senior official of the state. He has worked hard for decades. Let him assist the general in handling military affairs."
Dong Zhao? Dong Zhao must be over seventy years old. Although he was once a wise man, what use can he be now?
Cao Zhen was about to remind the emperor, but then he changed his mind and thought that old man Dong Zhao could not be of much help, so he would not cause any trouble.
The most valuable thing about Cao Zhen is that although he was a general, he always considered the country and the emperor in everything and had no intention of fighting for power or profit.
Cao Zhen cupped his hands and said, "Dong Zhao is old and virtuous. When I led the army to attack Jiangling, it was Dong Zhao who repeatedly gave me and Xiahou Shang advice."
"The late emperor once said that Dong Zhao's insights are like those of Zhang Liang and Chen Ping. If Dong Zhao helps me, I am sure I will also get some help."
Cao Rui nodded, then stood up and walked slowly out.
When Cao Zhen and Sima Yi saw the emperor walk out of the study, they immediately stood up and followed him.
Cao Rui smiled and pointed to the West Pavilion and the East Pavilion and said, "State affairs are troublesome. With the general and the prime minister helping me with my affairs, I will surely get twice the result with half the effort."
"I am now neighbors with the general and the prime minister."
Cao Zhen and Sima Yi bowed and said they dared not.
After Cao Zhen and Sima Yi left, Cao Rui sat down at the desk and began to grind ink.
The ink block turned back and forth on the inkstone, and the complicated thoughts in Cao Rui's mind gradually calmed down as the ink color became darker.
What about the 'cabinet' and the 'six ministries'? These are systems that are more advanced than the current ones, and Cao Rui wanted to establish every one of them.
But each era has its own limitations. Let Cao Zhen and Sima Yi enter the palace first, and then make a decision after the government and the people are familiar with the orders from the palace.
The ink color becomes darker and darker as it is ground.
Cao Rui picked up the ink block and dripped a drop of thick ink into the inkstone, causing ripples on the ink, but it soon returned to calm.
take it easy!
(End of this chapter)
