Three Kingdoms: I am not Cao Rui

Liu Ye instinctively chose to remain cautious.

It wasn't that he himself had no ideas, but rather that he found it inappropriate to say anything in a situation where he, as a mere Deputy Privy Councilor, was with three cabinet ministers, especially since the three men had expressed three different ideas.

Cao Rui, engrossed in the banquet, was unaware of these intricacies; the matter would only reach his ears the following morning.

Although he couldn't say he was completely triumphant, the army had entered Jianye, and the Wu Kingdom was like a vegetable, waiting only for Sun Quan to be beheaded to end it. The matter that had been weighing on his mind for so long was finally relieved, and he felt much lighter.

Speaking of the former officials of Wu who attended the banquet today, in addition to the newly appointed Minister of the Palace Secretariat Gu Yong, who was in high spirits, and the four ministers Kan, Xue, Qu and Ji, there was also Gu Ji who was appointed as governor and Zhuge Ke who was appointed as general. A series of officials of Wu, such as the Nine Ministers, were appointed to the same position as governors with a salary of two thousand piculs.

This was the new invention of Huang Quan, also known as Huang Gongheng, who served as the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.

The term "co-prefect" means "prospective prefect." These former officials of Wu and new officials of Wei should have been appointed to official positions with a salary of two thousand piculs of grain according to their rank and treatment. However, since there were no actual vacancies in the court at the moment, they were given the title of "co-prefect" and received their official robes and salaries. As for when they would be promoted to their official positions, that would be discussed after the war.

Cao Rui did acknowledge Huang Quan's new invention, and these former Wu officials were willing to accept it with a way out. Even if they were given a title like "Co-Prefect," what could they do? Changing emperors wouldn't stop them from kneeling and bowing in the same way.

At this moment, Cao Rui walked through the hall with his hands behind his back, with Jiang Wei by his side, sword in hand, and Yin Fan, the Vice Minister of the Secretariat in charge of confidential matters, carrying a wine tray beside him. Gu Yong introduced Cao Rui to the guests attending the banquet one by one.

"I know that all of you ministers are former governors," Cao Rui said with a smile. "Minister Gu, just tell me about your previous official positions and don't hold back in front of me."

"Your Majesty, I obey your decree." Gu Yong nodded: "This man is Zhang Mi, formerly the Grand Master of Ceremonies."

"Your subject Zhang Mi pays his respects to Your Majesty!" Zhang Mi was called by name by Gu Yong and immediately bowed down.

"Zhang Qing, rise. Drink three cups." Cao Rui took the golden cup handed to him by Yin Fan, took a sip, and then smiled at Zhang Mi.

"Your subject obeys the decree." Zhang Mi did not refuse and decisively drank three cups in a row.

Cao Rui smiled and was then led by Gu Yong to the next person's place.

After walking around for a while and meeting Pei Xuan, the Grand Herald of the former Wu Kingdom, Yan Jun, the Commandant of the Guards, Hao Pu, the Minister of Justice, Shen Heng, the Minister of the Treasury, and Ge Xi, the Minister of Agriculture, the person Gu Yong introduced next piqued Cao Rui's interest.

"Your Majesty, this man is Mi Fang, formerly the Grand Master of the Palace."

Cao Rui clicked his tongue and raised an eyebrow at Gu Yong: "Is it that Mi Fang?"

Gu Yong nodded in agreement, "Yes, it's that Mi Fang."

Cao Rui chuckled a few times and looked at Yin Fan beside him: "Didn't Shuping say that Sun Quan had sent him to Hengyang to be the governor? When did he come back?"

Yin Fan said from the side, "This should have happened in the last two years."

Judging from Mi Fang's appearance, he is nearly seventy years old. Although Mi Fang has been in the State of Wu for many years, he has long since developed a thick skin that is impervious to water and fire. Now that the Wu ministers have surrendered to Wei, Mi Fang has surrendered twice compared to them.

Seeing Mi Fang kneeling and kowtowing with slight trembling, Cao Rui spoke:
"Mi Qing, I ask you, why did you open up Jiangling City back then? You sold it to Sun Quan for such a low price. You might as well have sold it to Wei. Perhaps in ten years, you could have become a county marquis in Wei."

Mi Fang replied nervously and helplessly, "It was my foolishness back then that led me to listen to Lü Meng and open Jiangling City. I should have defended the city and handed Jiangling over to the Great Wei!"

He then began to kowtow repeatedly. Cao Rui gave Gu Yong a look, and Gu Yong immediately helped the kowtowing Mi Fang to his feet.

Cao Rui stepped forward and sighed, "Minister Mi has suffered so much these past years! If the Great Wei had pacified Jiangnan twenty years earlier, Minister Mi wouldn't have had to endure such hardship. How wonderful it would be if he could have been a peaceful subject in times of peace!"

"Is that right, Mi Qing?" Cao Rui reached out and patted non-existent dust off Mi Fang's shoulder.

“Yes, yes.” Mi Fang nodded repeatedly.

Cao Rui couldn't help but laugh out loud. He waved for Mi Fang to sit down, while the Wei officials sitting on the other side of the hall were all laughing heartily.

Next, Gu Yong introduced another person: "Your Majesty, this person is Liu Chan, the former Imperial Censor. He is the son of Liu Jiyu."

Cao Rui's first reaction was to find it amusing that the Wu court had so many former Shu officials. Besides Mi Fang, Hao Pu, whom he had just met, was also one of Liu Bei's former subordinates.

Liu Chan bowed meticulously, thinking that he was better than Mi Fang and that the emperor's attitude would be better. However, Cao Rui's gaze towards Liu Chan was not very friendly.

"Gentlemen, do you know this man's father, Liu Zhang (Liu Jiyu)?"

"We understand," everyone replied in unison.

"Do you also know that this man's grandfather was named Liu Yan?"

"We understand," the others replied.

Cao Rui pointed directly at Liu Chan's face and said to the crowd, "When I was in Luoyang, I discussed with my ministers why the Han Dynasty fell apart at the end of the dynasty. This man's grandfather, Liu Yan, was extremely ambitious. He persuaded the Han court to abolish the position of historian and establish a governor, and sought to establish his own independent regime in Yizhou. He can be considered the source of the rebellion!"

"The one who started this practice, will he have no descendants?"

"Guards!" Cao Rui snorted.

"Your subject is here," Jiang Wei replied immediately, and the many armored soldiers standing in the hall also responded at the same time.

Cao Rui said coldly, "I truly despise your father and grandfather, but since the court has already granted you an official position, I will not go back on my word and strip you of your two thousand shi (a unit of grain). However, I forbid you from feasting with me here today. Guards, take this man away!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Two tall, heavily armored Tiger Guards immediately approached, one on each side, and pulled Liu Chan out. Liu Chan seemed to be stunned, simply following the Tiger Guards out in a daze, unable to utter a word.

Of course I'm scared!

This is His Majesty, this is the Emperor of the Great Wei!
His Majesty expressed his disgust for him in front of everyone. How could Liu Chan not be terrified? But he was so afraid that he didn't dare to utter a sound.

The joyful atmosphere that had just arisen in the hall because of Mi Fang abruptly ceased, and Gu Yong's expression froze. The harmonious scene of a wise ruler and virtuous minister was merely an illusion; this was the Emperor of Great Wei, the Emperor of Great Wei who led an army of 250,000 to conquer Wu and even entered Jianye City!

When Gu Yong continued his introduction, he bent his back even lower and became even more cautious.

After everyone had been introduced and finished drinking, Cao Rui returned to the head of the table and said, "This city is named Jianye, isn't it? I don't think it's a good name!" (End of Chapter)