Three Kingdoms: I am not Cao Rui

Cao Rui arrived at the south gate of Luoyang close to noon, and by the time he left Dong Zhao's residence after visiting him, it was already 5:45 PM.

I spent almost the entire afternoon at Dong Zhao’s residence.

At first, Dong Zhao could say a few more words. As their conversation deepened and they used up more and more words, Dong Zhao gradually became exhausted. Later, Cao Rui did almost all the talking, while Dong Zhao only gave his judgment on whether it was appropriate or inappropriate, and a few basic comments.

Jiang Wei, who was standing in Dong Zhao's bedroom, found pen, ink and paper at Cao Rui's instruction and sat down at Dong Zhao's desk to record their conversation.

Initially, Cao Rui and Dong Zhao discussed the four points of attention that Dong Zhao mentioned, with Dong Zhao elaborating on the details of the four points and Cao Rui continuously adding to them.

After that, Dong Zhao tried his best to recall the major events in the court and the country since the Jian'an period and their origins, and analyzed the various factions represented by the current court officials one by one.

As soon as this part ended, Dong Zhao already appeared extremely tired. Then, the next part began with Cao Rui speaking, Dong Zhao giving a brief evaluation, and making a judgment on the ministers.

After all this was over, on the way back to Beigong, the road was still lined with heavily guarded soldiers and flags fluttering in the wind.

However, Cao Rui had no time to appreciate these things and instead walked slowly with Jiang Wei.

"Boyue, what do you think of Lord Dong's words?" Cao Rui asked softly.

Jiang Wei bowed his head and replied, "Your Majesty, I dare not lie. Forgive my bluntness, but what King Dong said seems too shocking."

"Hmm." Cao Rui nodded. "Go on."

Jiang Wei said, "King Dong...King Dong seems to have exaggerated the wickedness of people's hearts. I have served by Your Majesty's side and in the army for many years. In my own eyes, the important officials in the court are all pillars of the state, and all of them have devoted themselves to the Great Wei. How could such a wicked thing happen?"

Cao Rui smiled and said, "It's normal that Boyue doesn't understand. I'll give you a few pointers today."

"As I say, all the current disputes in the court have been suppressed by my military achievements over the years. Once the border affairs are temporarily relieved, the situation in the court stabilizes, and there are no more external troubles, the political struggles in the court will naturally emerge."

"After the political strife, what did Job think about what would happen next?"

Jiang Wei was an extremely intelligent man, and he realized in just a few seconds: "When there is political strife, factions will be formed?"

Cao Rui nodded: "That's right. With political strife comes factions. With factions, naturally, there will be leaders within those factions. And what happens if that faction gains the upper hand in the political struggle, or achieves complete victory in the court?"

"The higher you climb, the colder it gets; there is no better path than to covet imperial power."

"I ask you again, Boyue, suppose that from this day forward I become incompetent, neglecting state affairs, indulging in wine and women, and letting the infighting in the court continue, which two factions will emerge in the court?"

Jiang Wei already sensed something was amiss. Such a profound conversation was not something an emperor and his subject could discuss. If Jiang Wei hadn't happened to be there today during the emperor's dialogue with Dong Zhao, otherwise... otherwise, such a question would never have come to pass.

Jiang Wei composed himself, thought for a few moments, and replied seriously, "I'm afraid there will be one faction led by military nobles and another led by scholars in the court."

"Isn't it just the Cao and Xiahou faction, and the scholar faction? The Great Wei has its own national conditions, what's there to be afraid of?" Cao Rui sneered: "Bo Yue may not have fully understood what Lord Dong just said to me, but he has actually given me a good solution."

Jiang Wei tentatively asked, "What method?"

Cao Rui said, "Rather than waiting for my ministers to form factions due to political disagreements or personal relationships, it would be better for me to take the initiative and cultivate several factions within the court." "Of course, the Wei army will remain independent of these factional struggles..."

As the two talked, the procession gradually reached the south gate of the North Palace.

Seeing the welcoming procession at the palace gate, Jiang Wei took the initiative to end the topic and stepped forward to take over the guard duties.

Upon entering the palace gates, the person at the front to greet them was none other than Empress Dowager Guo.

"Greetings, Mother." Cao Rui nodded with a smile. "I have not seen Mother for several years. I have been away on campaigns and have rarely written to you. This is my fault, and I hope Mother will not take offense."

In Queen Guo's view, compared to the emperor of several years ago, today's emperor not only possessed a more majestic and imposing presence, but also a more unfathomable composure. Although she held the status of the legal mother, she was, after all, a stepmother. Having not seen each other for several years, what intimate words could they possibly have? They could only exchange a few polite greetings.

Queen Guo replied cautiously, "Your Majesty has returned victorious this time, having toiled for the affairs of the state. What are these little matters in the palace?"

"Alright." Cao Rui nodded slightly: "Thank you for welcoming me, Mother. I have just returned to Luoyang and am very busy. I spent a long time visiting Lord Dong's residence today. Tomorrow, or at the latest the day after, I will make time to visit Mother's palace to pay my respects and tell her everything that has happened in the past few years."

"No rush, no rush." ​​Queen Guo nodded with a smile, her demeanor dignified and graceful, and very kind: "Then I will return to the palace first."

As Queen Guo spoke, she turned slightly, her gaze sweeping over the emperor and his concubines behind her. Having been through similar experiences, she knew that speaking too much here would inevitably incur resentment from those in the emperor's palace, and thus she was quite tactful.

As soon as Empress Dowager Guo left with her eunuchs and palace servants, the concubines who had been waiting there seemed even more impatient.

Currently, Cao Rui has twenty-seven concubines and eight children in his palace.

The imperial concubines were divided into five ranks.

The first rank is for the Empress, which is currently vacant.

The second rank is Noble Consort, and only Mao Yan, who entered the palace when he was still a prince, was among them.

The third rank was Zhaoyi, and only Sun Luban was in that rank.

The fourth rank was Jieyu. Apart from Guo Yao, who had not given birth to any children, the other Jieyu all had children. For example, Su Jieyu gave birth to the third prince, Cao Shou, Prince of Shouzhang; Jia Jieyu gave birth to the fourth prince, Cao He, Prince of Boping; and Chen Jieyu gave birth to the princess, Cao Qian. There were only four of them.

The remaining twenty-one women were all fifth-class beauties.

These women, as members of Cao Rui's harem, are currently positioned according to their rank.

Consort Mao smiled warmly, her face full of affection. She held the fifth prince, Cao Kai, who had not yet been granted a title, in her arms. To her left stood the eldest prince, Prince Ye, Cao Qi, and to her right stood the timid princess, Cao Wei. It was just like an ordinary wife welcoming her husband back from a long expedition.

Sun Luban, seated to Mao's right, held Princess Cao Fu in his arms, while the second prince, Prince Chang Le, Cao Yan, stood to his left. Compared to Mao, the joy on Sun's face seemed somewhat forced. It was obvious that he was worried about the fall of the Wu kingdom and the extermination of the Sun clan.

Standing to Mao Pin's left, Consort Guo Yao was even more different; from the moment the Emperor entered, her gaze never left Cao Rui. (End of Chapter)