Cao Ke, the Minister of Imperial Clan Affairs, followed the Emperor's order and summoned all the kings to the court for an audience.
The messengers set out from Luoyang in early October and rushed to various places. It was not until early November, a full month later, that the kings of Wei finally gathered in Luoyang.
Cao Ke said in the letter that there was no rush and asked the kings to arrive in Luoyang within a month, but he did not reveal the rest. However, these sons of Emperor Wu Cao Cao had done a lot of psychological preparation before they set out.
After all, their regent and prime minister also went there.
According to the system of the previous emperor Cao Pi, the enfeoffment of royal family members required the appointment of officials to supervise. The king was given a supervisor, and the marquis was given a defense assistant.
If the regent reported him, he would be reprimanded at best, or his fiefdom or title would be reduced at worst. Who could bear this?
Although Cao Zhi had obtained an official position as a precedent, Cao Zhi was, after all, the younger brother of the late emperor and the uncle of the current emperor.
The Empress Dowager is still sitting in the North Palace.
We? We're just bastards.
Of the eight surviving sons of Emperor Wu, seven were granted the title of Yanzhou by the previous emperor, Cao Pi.
Cao Zhi, King of Yongqiu, and Cao Jun, King of Xiangyi, were enfeoffed in Chenliu; Cao Biao, King of Baima, Cao Gun, King of Puyang, and Cao Lin, King of Juancheng, were enfeoffed in Dongjun; Cao Hui, King of Shouzhang, was enfeoffed in Dongping; and Cao Yu, King of Shanfu, was enfeoffed in Jiyin.
The fundamental reason is that Yanzhou is the closest state to Luoyang and needs to be strictly guarded against.
Only Julu King Cao Gan was enfeoffed in Hebei, far away from Luoyang.
This may be because Cao Gan's adoptive mother Wang Zhaoyi was favored by Cao Cao and made great contributions in the dispute between legitimate and illegitimate children. Therefore, in Cao Pi's eyes, Cao Gan was treated differently from other brothers.
November 10th was the arrival date agreed upon by the Minister of the Imperial Clan Cao Ke and them.
The seven county kings had arrived in Luoyang one after another in the previous two days. As soon as Cao Gan arrived today, the Chief of the Imperial Clan Cao Ke and Yongqiu King Cao Zhi went together to meet them at their residence in Luoyang.
After a long separation, the half-brothers, who were happy and unfamiliar with each other, released their emotions for a short time and then got down to business.
The 34-year-old White Horse King Cao Biao stood up.
Cao Biao's fiefdom was Baima County, which was on par with Yanjin during the Battle of Guandu. It was here that Guan Yu showed his military prowess, stabbed Yan Liang in the midst of thousands of troops, and returned with his head beheaded.
Cao Biao was the oldest of the seven princes and had the best relationship with Cao Zhi. He asked Cao Ke, "Excuse me, the chief of the imperial clan, when can we see His Majesty and pay homage to him?"
Cao Ke smiled and responded, "Your Majesty summoned the princes back to the court this time because, firstly, he missed you all and wanted to have an audience with you to show the kinship of the clan. Secondly, he wanted to examine your talents. The young ones can be admitted to the Imperial College, and the older ones can be appointed to official positions according to their merits."
Grant an official position?
When Cao Ke mentioned that the emperor missed him, everyone thought he was just talking nonsense.
But when Cao Ke talked about the second point and said that he would grant official positions to the kings, these royal family members who had been under supervision for many years almost instantly burst into great enthusiasm.
Not only did his eyes shine, but his body also unconsciously moved closer.
Cao Biao glanced at Cao Ke, who was smiling like an elder, and then at Cao Zhi, who was also smiling. Cao Zhi just nodded slightly, and Cao Biao almost jumped for joy.
It's really exciting!
The previous emperor Cao Pi was very strict with his brothers. But during the Taihe period, the trend changed dramatically.
It was common knowledge that Cao Zhi took office as the magistrate of Chongwen Temple.
Cao Zhi is good at writing, so Chongwenguan is a good match. But not every prince has such literary talent. If it were any other position of power, would the emperor be willing?
It is said that rain after a long drought is a great joy in life.
These sons of Cao Cao had been in drought for nearly ten years. There were questions here and there, and Cao Ke could only patiently explain them one by one.
To explain, the purpose is almost the same.
Your Majesty is willing to use you, but how and how you are used depends on Your Majesty's wishes. I, as the Zongzheng, cannot make the decision.
In that case, let’s go into the palace first!
No one knew who spread the news, but many scholars and common people were watching on the road from the kings' residences in the southwest of Luoyang City to the south gate of the North Palace.
The etiquette of a prince's carriage is different from that of an ordinary official's carriage. Anyone who is slightly familiar with the etiquette can tell the difference at a glance.
There were even brave scholars who counted the carriages one by one. After counting the number of people, they lowered their voices to the crowd around them and said, "Eight princes. Luoyang hasn't had so many princes for a long time!"
Quite lively.
Of course, Cao Rui did not need to know these trivial matters. He sat comfortably in his study and reviewed memorials.
Soon, Zhong Yu came in from outside and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, Zong Zheng is leading the other princes to see you and is waiting outside the palace gate."
Cao Rui didn't raise his head and replied calmly, "I understand. I'll report to you outside the study."
"As you command." Zhong Yu followed the order and left. But a moment later, he came back to report, "Your Majesty, the kings are outside the study."
Cao Rui still didn't look up: "Okay, go back to the duty room and wait, come back to see me in half an hour."
Zhong Yu didn't understand what he meant.
The kings are already outside the study, why are you delaying?
Cao Rui had no intention of explaining this to Zhong Yu.
For foreign ministers of different surnames, they naturally understand that the power they hold is an extension of the emperor's will and comes from the emperor's grant.
However, relatives who share the same surname as the emperor are always confused about the source of power because of their natural surnames.
If they are close, they will be rude; if they are far away, they will complain. This situation is inevitable. It is even more necessary to remind them.
It was already a bit cold in Luoyang in early November. Cao Ke, Cao Zhi and the other seven princes stood quietly outside the study.
After all, we are in the imperial palace. We dare not talk or look around carelessly, and we also have to pay attention to our appearance and manners while waiting.
As time passed, these princes gradually calmed down from the excitement and enthusiasm when they first entered the palace.
Minister Zhong, who was just summoned, made it clear that His Majesty was handling important matters in the study and would issue an edict later.
But how long will it be later? Will it be as long as half an hour?
Is your Majesty's position really so easy to obtain?
Just as everyone was looking forward to it, Zhong Yu came out of the courtyard for the third time: "Zongzheng, all the clan relatives and county princes, His Majesty has issued an edict, please come in and see him."
"As you wish, Minister Zhong, thank you for delivering the decree." Cao Ke bowed and led the eight people in.
Dong Zhao heard the commotion outside and called in the eunuch who was waiting at the door of the West Pavilion: "Zhao Kuan, who is coming in from outside?"
The eunuch Zhao Kuan cupped his hands and said, "Outside are Zong Zheng and Prince Yongqiu. There are seven others accompanying them. I don't recognize their faces."
Dong Zhao nodded: "I understand."
Zhao Kuan bowed and walked to the door. Dong Zhao raised his eyes and looked at Man Chong: "Bo Ning, perhaps your Majesty's uncles are here."
Man Chong snorted coldly: "What kind of uncle is this? They are just a bunch of parasites who relied on their family background to become kings."
Dong Zhao smiled and shook his head: "They were termites before, but they may not be termites in the future. It all depends on how Your Majesty uses them."
Since the Han Dynasty, the status of the princes has always been low, and no upright minister would be willing to establish friendship with them.
In the past, Yang Fu looked down on Cao Zhi, and today, Dong Zhao and Man Chong look down on these princes. It’s all for the same reason.
In the study room on the other side, eight princes including Cao Zhi paid homage together.
Cao Rui did not rush to say "stand up", but sat behind the desk and stared at everyone carefully.
White Horse King Cao Biao lay on the ground, unable to hear the emperor's voice, and his heartbeat and breathing became increasingly tense.
Just a few moments, yet it seemed so long.
"Ha." Cao Rui suddenly laughed, then stood up and walked in front of everyone, saying with a smile:
"You are all my uncles. Why do you have to be so polite? Please stand up quickly, please stand up quickly!"
Cao Rui helped Cao Zhi up, and then pretended to support Cao Biao who was standing next to Cao Zhi.
Cao Biao did not dare to accept the help and quickly responded, "Your Majesty, please forgive me."
Cao Rui responded: "Does the Heavenly Family have no human ethics?"
"I invited you here today. I want to see you reminisce about the past and also to find a way out for the princes of Wei."
Cao Zhi bowed and said, "We thank your majesty for your grace."
The other seven people also saluted along with Cao Zhi.
Cao Rui laughed, walked back to the table and looked at everyone, his smile gradually faded: "You and I are relatives, the Wei Dynasty should not and cannot treat the royal family harshly."
"Why don't you introduce yourselves one by one, what are your ambitions and talents? Then I can choose some ways out for you."
Cao Ke, the head of the clan, stood at the side of the study. As a distant relative, he felt quite relaxed and out of the way.
Cao Ke noticed that His Majesty only called everyone "Uncle Emperor" once.
After being polite once, his tone and expression were no different from when he spoke to his subjects on a normal day.
After Cao Rui finished speaking, the seven people standing below lost their courage and stammered, not daring to speak.
Of course, Cao Zhi was not among them.
At the emperor's signal, Cao Zhi said, "Your Majesty, how about you have the kings report to Your Majesty in order of age?"
Cao Rui nodded: "Yes!"
"Zhu Hu, you should speak first." Cao Zhi gently pushed Cao Biao with his elbow.
Cao Biao understood, took a deep breath, gathered his thoughts, bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I am Cao Biao, I am thirty-four years old this year, I served in the Central Army for two years at the end of Jian'an, I can command the troops."
"I would like to rejoin the army and serve as a lieutenant or a military commander. I only hope to serve the Wei Dynasty on the battlefield and serve Your Majesty!"
After Cao Biao said this with an extremely sincere expression, Cao Rui chuckled and nodded, "Would the White Horse King like to be a general? Where would you like to be a general? In the central army of Luoyang, or in the foreign army? Or in the local prefectures and counties?"
Judging from what Your Majesty said, there seems to be hope!
Cao Biao waited for many years and finally got such an opportunity. Being a prince of Wei was good, with everything from fine clothes to delicious food, but the only thing missing was freedom and ambition.
The more you lack something, the more you want it.
Cao Biao was so excited that his body trembled slightly. He looked up and made eye contact with the emperor, then bowed and said, "I also have the blood of Emperor Wu in me, and I also want to do something practical for the Wei Dynasty! Wherever your majesty wants me to go, I will go there!" (End of this chapter)
