The two people recommended by Sima Yi were beyond Cao Rui's expectations, but upon closer thought, they were both suitable talents.
Cui Lin was once the governor of Youzhou. If he were to be reassigned from the post of Grand Herald to Youzhou, it would be like overturning a verdict from earlier years. However, it would not hurt to overturn the verdict, as another person involved, Wu Zhi, had died of illness in Luoyang at the beginning of the year.
What really worried Cao Rui was Wu Zhou.
Whenever Cao Rui heard the name of Wu Zhou, he would always think of a short-lived dynasty in later generations.
There are two noteworthy labels on Wu Zhou.
One was well versed in military affairs and had served as a guard for Zhang Liao's troops on the front line against Wu. Wu Zhou had a feud with Zhang Liao, and Zhang Liao, despite his great achievements in shocking Wu Zhou at Xiaoyaojin, was unable to drive Wu Zhou away, and was instead fought back.
The second is Sima Yi’s old subordinate.
Sima Yi's political career mainly moved around in three places: Emperor Wu's palace, the Imperial Censorate and the Shangshutai. When Sima Yi was the Chief Censor, Wu Zhou, Zheng Hun, Yang Mi and Bao Xun were all Imperial Censors.
Zheng Hun is currently the governor of Weijun, and Yecheng is under his jurisdiction.
Yang Mi is deceased, and Yang Mi's nephew Yang Dan is now serving as a general in Chencang and is also Xin Pi's son-in-law.
Not to mention Bao Xun. When Cao Pi wanted to execute Bao Xun, Sima Yi tried his best to protect him.
Cao Rui knew clearly where Sima Yi had served, where he had been an official, who his subordinates were...
Sima Yi's other subordinate Chen Jiao was the governor of Qinzhou, and his good friend Jiang Ji was the governor of Yangzhou. Did he need another person to be the governor of Yingzhou?
One west, one east, and one north?
Although Sima Yi had many clerks as the Recorder of the Shangshu, it was not realistic to completely avoid them. But we couldn't let them go!
This matter does not even have to do with Sima Yi's loyalty or not. For the sake of balance in the court, some adjustments must be made.
Cao Rui said, "Cui Lin has been wronged before, so it would be a relief for him to return to Youzhou to serve. As for Wu Zhou, there is already a military expert named Wang Chang serving as the governor of Yingzhou, so there is no need for another military expert."
"Draft an imperial edict." Cao Rui ordered calmly: "The great scholars Cui Lin and Cui Deru are well versed in government affairs and capable of governing. Cui Lin is appointed as the governor of Youzhou. Chenliu prefect Wang Xiong and Wang Yuanbo have been in charge of border affairs for a long time and are diligent. Wang Xiong is appointed as the governor of Yingzhou. He will take up the post immediately after receiving the imperial edict!"
"Yes, Your Majesty." Lu Yu responded and took over the task of drafting the decree.
Sima Yi saluted and said, "Your Majesty is wise, and I am short-sighted. Wang Wenshu has served in the Privy Council for a long time. If we talk about military knowledge, he should be among the best in the court. There is really no need to transfer Wu Zhou to Yingzhou."
"It doesn't matter."
Cao Rui chuckled and said, "The governor of Chenliu is easy to deal with, but the Nine Ministers are now missing a Grand Herald."
After looking around and seeing no one answering, Cao Rui smiled and said, "How about the deputy chief priest of Chongwen Temple and Prince of Yongqiu Cao Zhi? What do you think?"
As the six ministries grew in power, the responsibilities of the nine ministers became smaller and smaller. The Grand Herald, who was in charge of vassal states and foreign affairs, was gradually ranked lower.
Cui Lin went to Youzhou, and Cao Zhi was appointed as one of the Nine Ministers? Giving him the actual post of deputy chief priest of Chongwen Temple was already a sign of the Emperor Taihe's great favor and kindness to the clan, but now he was going to appoint him as one of the Nine Ministers?
Sima Yi had no intention of trying to recommend Wu Zhou, as he had just failed. But letting Cao Zhi be one of the Nine Ministers seemed a bit too much of a breakthrough.
The emperor could not care.
After all, Cao Zhi was the emperor's uncle, and he had been re-employed by the emperor. If he was disloyal to the emperor, the world would not tolerate it. Moreover, the previous emperor Cao Pi had passed away, so it was only natural that the two brothers would put an end to their grudges, and the same was true for uncles and nephews.
But Sima Yi can't help but care!
As the number one counselor who fought for Cao Pi in his bid for the throne, how could Cao Zhi not remember the great hatred for Yang Xiu and Ding Yi, Cao Zhi's accomplices who were defeated and killed?
Is it really going to revive?
Sima Yi thought a lot in his mind, and immediately took a step forward and said solemnly: "Your Majesty, I have something to say from the bottom of my heart. I hope Your Majesty will allow me to speak."
Cao Rui turned to look at Sima Yi: "Why are you being so polite, Sikong? What do you want to say?"
Sima Yi said: "Your Majesty, Prince Yongqiu once competed with the previous emperor for the throne and was in a position of suspicion. Your Majesty has made an exception and promoted him to a real position of 2,000 stones. This is a great favor. Prince Yongqiu is famous for his literary talent, not for his ability to govern. Moreover, he is not yet forty years old, so it may be difficult for him to convince the people. I hope Your Majesty will think twice!"
Cao Rui nodded slightly: "What do you think, General Man?"
Man Chong bowed his head slightly and said: "Military affairs are my responsibility. As for other matters, I have no say in them."
Sima Yi cursed inwardly. Xige usually interferes in various matters under the pretext of military affairs, but now he is playing dumb?
Although Man Chong did not express his position clearly, he had actually made his position clear.
As for the three ministers, Xu Shu, Pei Qian and Lu Yu, Xu Shu clearly agreed, while Pei and Lu Yu, like Man Chong, did not express their opinions. As for the remaining three, Liu Ye, Wen Qin and Guanqiu Jian, the emperor did not even ask them.
Sima Yi didn't even need to think about it, because these three were the emperor's confidants, and they would definitely not go west if the emperor told them to go east.
As the emperor asked, Sima Yi gradually felt a little exhausted. If only I had been in Chenliu when Your Majesty returned from the expedition to Huainan to meet Cao Zhi! Why wait until now!
Cao Rui looked at Sima Yi with a smile: "All the ministers think that Prince Yongqiu is capable of doing the job. Does the Prime Minister have any objections?" Sima Yi sighed in his heart.
Don't blame them. When the late emperor was fighting for the throne, none of these people were his 'partisans'. They were all officials serving in other places, and no one was involved, so naturally there was no problem!
I have already made it clear what I should have pointed out just now. Regarding the competition for the throne, I only have literary talent and I am not old enough, but the emperor did not pay any attention to it.
Should I follow the emperor's wishes or stick to my position?
Sima Yi was torn between his own conscience and his own desires, and he made the decision in just a split second.
Sima Yi still sternly cupped his hands and said, "I think it is better not to give Prince Yongqiu such power. Your Majesty, don't you remember that when we conquered Huainan in the first year of Taihe, there were rumors in Luozhong that they wanted to establish Prince Yongqiu as emperor?"
Cao Rui's expression gradually became more serious: "The Xun family spread rumors, and the court has dealt with them all. Could it be that my relatives cannot be nine ministers?"
"I dare not! I spoke out of turn!" Sima Yi immediately bowed and apologized, with a trace of cold sweat on his forehead.
That's a bit harsh.
If Sima Yi was the only one in the Sima clan who was the Sikong, it would not be in vain, as he would not be dismissed for giving a few words of advice.
But his brother Sima Fu was serving as the governor of Liangzhou, and his cousin was also a nine minister in Luozhong. The prosperity of the clan was not the work of one person, and it would be troublesome if they were implicated.
Cao Rui said with a little surprise: "Why is Sikong like this? I don't mean to blame Sikong! It's all for the court. When have I ever spoken against a criminal?"
Sima Yi bowed and saluted: "I was careless for a moment and failed to think of your majesty's plan to appoint more members of the royal family. This is my fault. I hope your majesty will punish me!"
Cao Rui raised his eyebrows and said, "I just said that there is no need for Sikong to do this. Since the vacancies have been filled, how to stabilize Liaodong, I will discuss with you today."
"Sikong, yesterday you told me about the four important matters for stabilizing Yingzhou. I can now discuss them with you."
"As you wish." Sima Yi calmed down and continued, "Four important matters: one is stationing troops, two is relocating people, three is recruiting soldiers, and four is Xianbei."
Cao Rui nodded and said, "Let's talk about the garrison first. According to Du Shu, the military strength during the Gongsun Du period is too old to be verified. The Liaodong military strength during the Gongsun Kang and Gongsun Gong periods was about 30,000. Among them, there were about 7,000 to 8,000 cavalry, most of which were light cavalry, and the rest were infantry."
"What size army should the Wei Dynasty station in Yingzhou? Thirty thousand according to the old rules? Or more or less?"
Man Chong cupped his hands and said, "I think it should be even less. At that time, the Gongsun clan not only had to deal with the surrounding countries, but also had to guard against the Wei Dynasty. Now that the Wei Dynasty has pacified Liaodong and reached Yingzhou, this part of the troops can be saved."
"How about a rough number?" Cao Rui asked.
Man Chong was silent for a few moments. "Although we don't need 30,000 troops to station in Yingzhou, we still need more than 20,000. What do you think of 25,000, Your Majesty?"
Cao Rui did not give a direct answer: "Should we draw some troops from the interior and recruit some troops from Yingzhou? We need to keep some infantry and cavalry."
Liu Ye interrupted at this time and said, "Your Majesty, I think that if the 25,000 troops are as General Man said, the foreign troops coming from various places in the interior of Wei should account for at least 10,000."
"Among the four things the Minister of Works just mentioned, I heard the word 'draw troops'. Why not select the best soldiers who surrendered in this battle and return them to Henan to station there? Wouldn't it be more convenient to provide food and money for the local troops in Yingzhou if they were led by foreign troops as the backbone?"
Sima Yi also cupped his hands and said, "That is exactly what I mean. Gongsun Yuan is a militarist and has 50,000 soldiers. We can select 10,000 capable soldiers from them to accompany him in Luoyang to prevent Gongsun's old followers from causing trouble in Liaodong."
Cao Rui said: "This is feasible. The problem is where to draw foreign troops to Liaodong."
Man Chong replied: "I think we should take 2,000 cavalry from the central army as the backbone, and add 8,000 soldiers from the prefectures and counties in Hebei to support them. Ten thousand troops will be enough."
Cao Rui nodded and said, "In that case, let's do as you say. I will leave 10,000 troops in Liaodong, and let Wang Chang take care of the rest of the military management and reorganization after he comes. This is exactly what he is good at."
"Sikong, continue."
Sima Yi continued, "The so-called relocation of people refers to the relocation of many family members of officials who once served under the Gongsun clan from the four counties of Yingzhou. Liaodong Governor Du Shu has roughly calculated that there are about 26,000 people to be relocated."
Cao Rui said: "The previous estimate was 30,000 people, right?"
Sima Yi nodded: "The estimated number is 30,000, but the actual number is more than 26,000. It is now June 23rd, and this must be completed before the end of August."
Cao Rui interrupted, "We have the experience of relocating people in Hanzhong before, so this is not difficult. General Man, how many soldiers should we send to accompany and supervise?"
Man Chong thought for a few moments and said: "If we go by sea, I think three thousand cavalry will be enough."
"By sea transport?" Cao Rui was puzzled for a moment: "General Man means that we should let the relocated people take the ship back to Quanzhou, and then go to Yecheng?"
Man Chong smiled and said, "The grain and grass can be transported, and the troops can be transported to Liaokou, so I think it will be safe to transport the civilians. Sun Libu can first take the land route back to Quanzhou, and then escort them to Yecheng." (End of this chapter)
