Three Kingdoms: I am not Cao Rui

The following day, in the temporary palace in Queyue City.

"Your Majesty, the Minister of Works requests an audience." Zhuge Xu, the Gentleman Attendant at the Palace Gate, entered Cao Rui's study and bowed to report.

"Okay," Cao Rui replied softly.

Although it was called a temporary palace, it was actually just a few buildings temporarily converted from the city walls of Queyue. However, everyone in the court and the public knew that the emperor usually worked in his study and often slept in the study of the temporary palace. So when Sima Yi was guarding Wuhan and preparing for the temporary palace, he directly communicated with the governor of Huainan and ordered him to send ships to deliver all the items in the study of the temporary palace in Shouchun to Wuhan.

Sima Yi was quite attentive to these details.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects." Sima Yi bowed.

Cao Rui leaned back in his recliner and nodded slightly: "What business does the Grand Commandant have with me?"

Sima Yi said, "Yesterday I received the imperial decree to assume the position of Minister of the Jiangnan Regional Secretariat, and yesterday at the court meeting I heard Minister Pei explain in detail the duties and important tasks of the Jiangnan Regional Secretariat."

"I have thought about this all night. If the Jiangnan Regional Administration can be put to good use, the priority should be to train officials, and then we can discuss how to do things. I am alone in Wuhan and cannot be in charge of everything. Therefore, I would like to ask Your Majesty to assign two ministers from the Ministry of Personnel to serve as my assistant ministers, so as to supervise the affairs of the three and a half prefectures in Jiangnan."

Cao Rui directly rejected Sima Yi's request: "I have made it clear to the Minister of Works that the officials inside and outside the court will be replaced. I intend to appoint several ministers in the court as either the Nine Ministers or as governors in other regions. They cannot be released to the Minister of Works for the time being."

"Why not select a few experienced officials from the court to serve as ministers in the Jiangnan Regional Government? This would serve two purposes: to promote talent and to build their resumes. As for the position of Vice Minister, there's no need to appoint one; just appoint him directly as the minister in the Jiangnan Regional Government."

"How many people does the Minister of Works need?"

Sima Yi was clearly prepared. After a few moments of thought, he said, "I need three people to assist me, each responsible for one of the three matters: taxes, land, and education."

Cao Rui smiled and said, "Three ministers would be fine. The Minister of Works is more familiar with the qualifications of the officials in the Secretariat and the Great Wei than I am. Does the Minister of Works have any candidates in mind right now?"

"Your Majesty, please wait a moment and allow me to consider this for a while," Sima Yi said, bowing.

Cao Rui nodded: "No rush, Sikong, please find a seat."

"Thank you for the seat, Your Majesty." Sima Yi bowed and found a seat, lowering his eyes as if he were seriously considering the candidate.

Cao Rui ignored him and leaned back in his recliner, closing his eyes to rest. It wasn't until about fifteen minutes later that Sima Yi finally responded.

"Your Majesty, I have three people to recommend."

“Tell me about it.” Cao Rui opened his eyes.

Sima Yi said, "I recommend three officials: Imperial Censor Zheng Mao, Gentleman of the Palace Hua Biao, and Gentleman of the Palace Shi Bao. Each of these three is talented and capable, either proficient in general affairs, able to distinguish right from wrong, or courageous in taking on responsibilities. They are all suitable to serve as Gentlemen of the Jiangnan Regional Government."

"So it's these three?" Cao Rui smiled, then said, "Zheng Mao is the father of Consort Zheng in the palace. I know him quite well. Is he skilled in administrative affairs or can he distinguish right from wrong?"

Sima Yi cupped his hands in greeting: "The latter. 'Mastering all official duties' refers to the Minister of Personnel, Hua Biao."

Cao Rui said, "Although I am not very familiar with Hua Biao, I have heard his name. He is the eldest son of Grand Tutor Hua, and he is a capable man. Is the one who is courageous in taking on responsibilities the same as Shi Bao, the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat?"

"Yes." Sima Yi nodded in response: "When this man was serving in the Ministry of Works, he often coordinated the general affairs of shipbuilding with the Privy Council, the Directorate of Works, and the Yangzhou Prefecture. He was never afraid of difficulties, which is why I have this opinion."

Cao Rui had heard of Shi Bao. This man was recruited by Sima Yi to serve as a Gentleman in the Secretariat, and he was also placed in Sima Zhi's Ministry of Works, where he held the most important position...

"I have a use for Shi Bao. Given his ability to supervise construction and plan, I intend to appoint him to a post in Guanzhong. The next attack on Shu will definitely start from Guanzhong. Such a useful person in military affairs should be used in military matters." Cao Rui continued, "What about Imperial Censor Xu Hun? He is the son of Xu Shao and Xu Zijiang. He is discerning, insightful, and exceptionally talented. He often inspects the local areas for the court. I think he is suitable."

Sima Yi cupped his hands and replied, “Xu Hun is in the Censorate, and I am not very familiar with him, but I imagine he must be a talented man. Zheng Mao and Xu Hun should be in Luoyang, and Hua Biao is in Wuhan. I request Your Majesty to allow me to summon Zheng and Xu here, and for Minister Huang to issue appointments and seals to these three men.”

"The Minister of Works will personally issue a summons for these two men." Cao Rui nodded, then looked at Zhuge Xu, the Gentleman Attendant-in-Ordinary standing in the hall: "Youming, go and explain this matter to Minister Huang."

"As you command," Zhuge Xu replied, bowing respectfully.

In the following days, the Ministry of Personnel and the Privy Council in Wuhan assessed and distributed the rewards to the ministers, generals, military officers and soldiers who had made meritorious contributions to the campaign against Wu. Each army was to receive the rewards of copper coins and cloth after they moved to their new posts.

Of course, the merits of General Guanqiu Jian, who was still leading the troops in pacifying Jiaozhou, are still to be determined.

Among the officials, the governors of various prefectures and the prefects of key locations along the Grand Canal were all rewarded. Other important officials, such as Chen Qun, received an additional 1,500 households in fief; Yang Fu, whose fief was changed from a pavilion marquis to a county marquis, received an additional 1,200 households in fief; Chen Jiao, the Imperial Censor, received an additional 1,000 households in fief; Huan Fan, who was reassigned as General Zhennan, received an additional 1,000 households in fief; Cao Tai, the Left General of the Martial Guard, and Fei Yao, the Rear General, both of whom had the greatest merit among the generals, received an additional 900 households in fief; and the remaining generals, such as Wen Qin, Wang Ling, Cheng Xi, Bei Yan, Sun Li, Xiahou Ru, Xiahou Xian, Yue Lin, Xiahou Wei, Huan Jia, Cao Zhi, Gong Zun, Cao Shuang, and Jiang Wei, each received a title and reward. Zhu Gai, who died before the battle, was also posthumously rewarded.

It is worth mentioning that General Jiang Wei of the Left Valiant Guard and General Cao Shuang of the Tiger Tooth were each granted the title of Marquis of a Township, while Liu Bao of the Xiongnu and Tidu of the Wuhuan, who were in charge of commanding the Hu cavalry, were also granted the title of Marquis of a Regular Pavilion of the Great Wei. Only Xie Gui Ni, who was still with Guanqiu Jian's army, was not granted a title because the war was not over. Cao Rui originally planned to return north on November 1, ordering the central army to return to Luoyang via the Han River, Xiangyang, and Nanyang. Just two days before the return of the army, on October 29, the newly appointed General Cao Shuang of the Tiger Tooth returned to Wuhan from the battlefield of suppressing scattered rebellions by the Yue tribes in Poyang Commandery.

"I haven't seen Zhao Bo for a long time." Cao Rui's face was full of smiles. "I ordered Zhao Bo to be stationed in Wuhan without consulting you beforehand. Are you willing?"

Cao Shuang bowed and said, "A general should guard a region; this is my duty, and I am naturally willing to do so."

Cao Rui's gaze fell on Cao Shuang's left hand, which was missing only his thumb, and he slowly said, "Zhaobo, is there any inconvenience caused by your left hand injury?"

Cao Shuang laughed heartily instead: "Your Majesty, it's just half a left hand. Swords and spears have no eyes on the battlefield, and some injuries are inevitable. What does this matter? I can still ride a horse, wield a sword, and use a spear. It's fine. Your Majesty doesn't need to worry, nor do you need to ask me about such trivial matters."

"I have something else to tell you." Cao Rui nodded slowly: "Zhao Bo, after your father was enfeoffed as the King of Hejian, he should return to his fiefdom after the army returns, build a palace, govern the region, and rest and recuperate. This would be a very good thing. After I return to Luoyang, I will order the Imperial Clan Court to appoint you as the heir apparent of the King of Hejian, shall that be alright?"

Cao Shuang swallowed hard and answered without hesitation, "Your Majesty, I was granted the title of Marquis of Xiang because of my military achievements. This is my own title, but in my opinion, it is more noble and more precious than my status as the heir apparent of the Prince of Hejian."

"I have six brothers in my family, and I am the eldest. Among my brothers, Cao Xi and Cao Zhaoshu are the oldest. They are well-versed in literature, can distinguish right from wrong, and do not hold any noble titles. I humbly request Your Majesty to appoint Zhaoshu as the heir apparent to the Prince of Hejian."

Cao Rui narrowed his eyes slightly: "Does Zhao Bo really not want to inherit the throne of the King of Hejian in the future? You should think carefully before giving such wealth and honor to your brother."

Cao Shuang bowed and said, "Rank and emolument should only be earned on the battlefield. A man should make his own way in the world. Why should he inherit his position? I beg Your Majesty to grant me this favor!"

"Very well." Cao Rui smiled. "Then I will give the Heir Apparent of the Prince of Hejian to Uncle Zhao."

"I have two reasons for ordering Zhaobo to garrison troops in Wuhan. If the troops stationed in Jingnan need reinforcements, Zhaobo will be needed to depart from Wuhan immediately to provide assistance. If unrest breaks out in various parts of Jiangzhou and General Bian Lan, the Protector of Jiangzhou, is unable to quell it, then Zhaobo will be required to take action."

Cao Shuang nodded, then asked, "Your Majesty, I have heard that the court has set up a temporary Secretariat in Wuhan and appointed the Minister of Works as its acting head?"

"Since that's the case, how is my position in Wuhan related to this temporary government? I'm afraid my responsibilities are unclear, so I'd like to clarify this with Your Majesty."

Cao Rui said calmly, "You only obey my orders and those of the Privy Council. Nothing else matters to you, and you need not concern yourself with anything in Wuhan. Foreign troops stationed in various places may seem to have dealings with local governments, but in the end, they are just a part of the central army that is sent out."

“Zhaobo, this is your first time in a remote town, you must remember this well.”

Cao Shuang replied solemnly, "Your Majesty, I understand. Please rest assured!"

"Okay." Cao Rui nodded.

At the same time, Xu Miao, Minister of Justice, and Xu Xuan, Minister of Rites, also came to Sima Yi's official residence in Queyue City to formally bid him farewell.

This former imperial office, the Shangshutai, will soon be converted into the office of the Jiangnan Xingtai after the army leaves.

Sima Yi smiled and stood up, replying, "Jingshan (Xu Miao) and Baojian (Xu Xuan), what brings you two to my place?"

Xu Miao cupped his hands and said, "The Minister of Works will soon remain in his post at the Jiangnan Military Command. The day after tomorrow, we will travel north with the army. We have come here to bid farewell to the Minister of Works."

Sima Yi nodded and sighed softly, "Among all the ministers of the Ministry of Personnel, only the two of you have come to bid me farewell."

Xu Xuan stroked his beard and said, “When we arrived, we inquired, and Minister Huang said he would personally come tomorrow to bid farewell to the Minister of Works, and did not need to come with us. Minister Li of the Ministry of Civil Affairs said he had important business to attend to and asked us to come first. Minister Wang of the Ministry of War has been staying in the Privy Council recently, discussing some matter of troop deployment with the Privy Council. The messenger reported that Minister Wang was discussing matters in the Privy Council and was not to be disturbed without orders, so we did not call him…”

"It's alright, it's alright." Sima Yi said slowly with a relaxed expression, "The court is about to undergo a change, and I was suddenly appointed to a post outside the capital without any warning. It's normal for some people to keep their distance from me. I'm already very grateful to have the two of you here."

Xu Xuan scoffed, "Minister Huang is a minister, different from us. Minister Li has always kept to himself, but Minister Wang is rather cold-hearted..."

Xu Miao tugged at Xu Xuan's sleeve, and Xu Xuan shut up.

Sima Yi did not bring up these matters again, but instead asked the two men, "After returning to Luoyang this time, you two will definitely be stationed in the outer garrisons of Taizhong. Do you have any plans? His Majesty may seek your opinions."

Xu Xuan shook his head: "No, just like the appointment of the Minister of Works as the Governor of Jiangnan, or the transfer of titles for generals in the court, it was decided in a few words during the court discussion. What use are our own ideas?"

Xu Miao calmly replied, "If I were to receive an inquiry, I suppose there is no hope for a major prefecture. I would rather come to the border region to serve as a prefect."

Sima Yi nodded without speaking. (End of Chapter)