Three Kingdoms: I am not Cao Rui

Inside the study of Beigong Palace.

Cao Rui's study rooms in various places were basically the same in style, but there were still differences in the details. For example, since the beginning of winter, the cushion on Cao Rui's reclining chair was made from the six fire foxes that Guanqiu Jian had captured when he went on an inspection tour of Bingzhou.

The colors are fiery and intense, yet gentle and warm, evoking memories of loved ones.

Just as the women in the harem all served the same husband, so too did the ministers of the world look up to the same monarch. Cao Rui had more than just Guanqiu Jian in his heart.

Wei Zhen was also present.

"Master Wei has submitted a memorial to me, requesting to return to the capital from Guanzhong to serve as an official, and recommending Guo Huai (Guo Boji) to succeed him as the Supervisor of Yong and Liang." Cao Rui tapped a document on the table lightly with his knuckles, and said to the three Attendants-in-Ordinary, Pei Qian, Xu Shu, and Wang Su, "What are your opinions on this matter?"

Wang Su remained silent. Pei and Xu exchanged a glance, then Pei Qian coughed lightly, cupped his hands, and said:

"Your Majesty, the fact that General Wei has requested to return to the capital from Guanzhong is not solely his own matter. Whether General Guo Huai, the General Who Conquers Shu, is capable and worthy of use must be carefully reviewed by the Privy Council and reported to Your Majesty before it can be determined by a few words from General Wei."

Cao Rui nodded noncommittally, signaling Pei Qian to continue.

Pei Qian continued, “From a purely military perspective, Your Majesty used to be in the southeast, while Wei Chariots and Cavalry were stationed in the northwest. It seems appropriate to appoint Guo Boji to that position now. However, from a political perspective, Wei Chariots and Cavalry has requested to resign from his posts as General of Chariots and Cavalry and Supervisor of Guanzhong and return to the capital. Naturally, a new position should be made in the court.”

"There are many vacant positions in the court, and not just in one place. The Secretariat currently only has one Vice Minister, Huang Gongheng, and the Privy Council only has one Deputy Commissioner, Liu Ziyang. Among the six ministries, the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Works are vacant, and there are also vacancies among the Nine Ministers. Take the Attendant-in-Ordinary, for example, there is currently one vacancy. Moreover, according to His Majesty's previous instructions, it seems that the positions of the court officials and the local governors should be reassigned."

"With so many important duties, the consequences of even the slightest change are far-reaching. I believe it would be better to consider the whole picture before recalling the Imperial Guards back to Luoyang. Moreover, Your Majesty might consider summoning Guo Boji to court for an audience first."

Cao Rui nodded slightly: "Minister Pei has said a lot, but in fact, there are too many vacant positions in the court. We should sort things out first before assigning a position to Master Wei. We will not discuss the Ministry of Personnel and the governors of various prefectures for now, nor will I discuss Master Wei's matter. Today, let's settle the matter of the Attendant-in-Ordinary."

At this point, both Pei Qian and Xu Shu felt a chill run down their spines.

Both men were insightful and talented, and they also aspired to advancement in their positions. Since the late Han Dynasty, scholars had often sought to achieve merit in order to gain the emperor's favor. Cao Rui was naturally aware of these qualities in the two men.

Compared to Pei and Xu, Wang Su was much more composed and seemed indifferent to worldly desires. However, Wang Su had his own reasons. He was only forty years old, had served as a court attendant to the emperor for many years, inherited the title of Marquis of Lanling County from his father, who was a high-ranking official, and had become the top scholar in the Great Wei... If he pursued advancement in his position, he would only be making himself unhappy.

"Minister Xu," Cao Rui said, looking at Xu Shu, "Lord Dong is too old to manage affairs, and he has also been granted the title of prince. According to precedent, the court should dismiss him from his positions as Grand Commandant and Privy Councilor. However, I have personally visited Lord Dong, and he is old and frail. Let him resign from his posts after he has gone on his journey."

"When that time comes, I intend to appoint Liu Ziyang as the Privy Councilor. He has worked diligently for many years and is suitable for this position. Minister Xu has also been working hard for the Privy Council this year. Would it be appropriate for him to serve as the Deputy Privy Councilor for me?"

Xu Shu immediately rose and bowed to Cao Rui, saying, "Your subject kowtows to thank Your Majesty for your divine grace!"

"Rise," Cao Rui said calmly. "You have been serving in the Privy Council for a long time, and this position should be yours."

"As for Minister Pei and Minister Wang, I do not wish to send you two out to other places. You shall remain by my side as attendants."

"Your subject obeys the decree," Pei Qian and Wang Su responded simultaneously.

To be honest, Pei Qian had previously speculated whether His Majesty would appoint him as Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. However, after learning that Wei Zhen had requested to return to court, Pei Qian immediately thought that the chances of this happening were slim.

This is merely a reaffirmation. What benefits would there be in serving as a court attendant and staying by the emperor's side? Pei Qian had already made up his mind to take advantage of the reorganization of officials in the court to promote his younger brother, Pei Hui, to the position of governor.

Sima Yi wasn't the only one with a younger brother; Pei Qian did too.

Cao Rui continued, "As for the remaining two Attendants, I have already made my choices."

"Wang Xiong, the governor of Liangzhou, was well-versed in border affairs, insightful, and of lofty character. Cui Lin, the governor of Youzhou, was skilled in general affairs, loyal and upright, and frugal and honest."

"What do you think of Wang Xiong and Cui Lin?"

The emperor is choosing their colleagues, what else can he do?

Cui Linjiu was serving in Luoyang for a long time and was an old acquaintance of theirs in the court, even a friend. As for Wang Xiong... they really didn't know much about Wang Xiong, so they couldn't say anything bad about him.

“Both of these men are loyal and virtuous officials, and I have no objection,” Wang Su said first.

"I second the proposal."

"I also second my opinion."

Cao Rui nodded: "Very well, Minister Wang, draft a letter for me, summoning Wang Xiong and Cui Lin back to court. In addition, send letters to Yang Fu in Chenliu and Lu Yu in Xiangyang, ordering them to return to court as well."

Now that Xu Shu has stepped down from his position as Attendant-in-Ordinary, he seems much more at ease: "I suppose His Majesty will be assigning new positions to Yang Yishan and Lu Zijia?"

“Indeed!” Cao Rui nodded in agreement: “Since Emperor Wu became king, Liu Fang (Liu Ziqi) and Sun Zi (Sun Yanlong) have jointly managed the Privy Council for more than ten years. I first ordered Sun Zi to be transferred to a post as governor, leaving only Liu Fang in the Secretariat to handle important matters.”

"It's time to change people. It's not appropriate for him to always bear this heavy responsibility alone. Yang Fu and Lu Yu are both loyal ministers to me. I intend to appoint Yang Fu as the Director of the Secretariat and Lu Yu as the Chancellor, so that these two can jointly manage important matters for me."

"I intend to send Liu Fang to serve as an official in a remote area, but I don't want him to go too far. What position would be better for him?"

Pei Qian thought for a moment and said, "It would be better to appoint him as the Commandant of the Capital Region. He can still oversee the situation in the Capital Region for His Majesty, without having to be sent out to another region. He can be summoned by His Majesty at any time."

Cao Rui nodded: "The Commandant of the Capital Region is not bad."

"Let's discuss the remaining official positions next year. The end of the year is approaching, and Minister Wang seems to be busy preparing for the New Year's Day sacrificial ceremony?"

Wang Su bowed and replied, "Indeed. Your Majesty has returned after conquering Wu and has been away from Luoyang for a long time. I believe that you should offer sacrifices at the Imperial Ancestral Temple on the 30th to honor the spirits of our ancestors and offer sacrifices to Heaven on the New Year to inform Heaven and Earth. Zheng Xueli's account of the sacrifice to Heaven contains many errors. I have already prepared the necessary rituals for the sacrifice to Heaven. I will find the text later and send it to Your Majesty for your review."

"Alright." Cao Rui nodded slightly: "Minister Wang, please attend to the matter of the sacrificial ceremony first. After you finish that, next year, the Taoist and Buddhist matters that I previously instructed you to prepare should also be put on the agenda."

"Your subject understands," Wang Su replied. (End of Chapter)