Has the Han Dynasty been restored today?

Chapter 90 The Appointment to Divide Shaanxi (Part 1) (Seeking First Subscription)

Just as Chen Zhi and Jiang Wei arrived in Hanzhong, a caravan of over a hundred people, which had set out from Luoyang, slowly entered Chang'an City through Xuanping Gate in the east.

Both Chang'an and Luoyang were capitals during the Han Dynasty. Chang'an, located in the west, controlled the Guanzhong Plain, while Luoyang, located in the east, exerted control over the entire country.

Since Dong Zhuo's usurpation of power, it was not until Cao Cao defeated the generals of Guanzhong, led by Ma Chao, in the Battle of Tongguan in the sixteenth year of Jian'an that the Guanzhong region was largely stabilized, and the long-destroyed Han capital Chang'an was able to gradually recover its economy and increase its population.

After nearly twenty years of governance, although Chang'an is still far from its historical peak, it can be called the most prosperous place west of Tongguan.

At this time, the most powerful person in Chang'an, or rather the entire Guanzhong region, was naturally General Sima Yi. The delegation that came to Chang'an with the edict of Emperor Cao Rui of Wei was there to announce the promotion of General Sima Yi to Grand Commandant.

Upon their arrival, the delegation was informed by city officials that the General was not in Chang'an, but rather in Wugong County of Fufeng Prefecture in the west, handling military affairs. The message was immediately relayed from Chang'an, and the delegation could only wait patiently within the city.

Sima Yi was indeed skilled in martial arts and military affairs. However, for an official of Sima Yi's rank, it's hard to say whether his absence when the imperial envoy arrived was intentional.

Upon receiving the news in Wugong, Sima Zhao, who was attending to Sima Yi, greeted the messenger from Chang'an. After speaking with his father about the investiture, Sima Zhao showed no joy, but rather a hint of resentment: "Are all the officials in the court dead?" Sima Zhao closed the hall door, walked close to Sima Yi, and complained, "Father is the Grand General of the court, above the Three Dukes, while the Grand Commandant is only the head of the Three Dukes. How can going from Grand General to Grand Commandant be considered a promotion?"

"This is clearly meant to make things difficult for Father!"

"What's troubling you?" Sima Yi replied indifferently, without even raising his eyelids, and slowly picked up his water cup to take a sip of warm water.

Sima Zhao frowned: "It's clearly a surrender, how can you call it a promotion? Isn't this like calling a deer a horse?"

"You even know how to call a deer a horse," Sima Yi snorted irritably. "When you were in Luoyang, I made you read the *Dongguan Hanji*. Did you finish it?"

Sima Zhao hesitated for a moment, then said, "I read some, but not all of it."

"Then he hasn't studied." Sima Yi glanced at his rather unworthy son and sighed softly. "The so-called 'Grand General' is above the Three Dukes,' which is not a fixed system. It's just that the Grand General has always ranked before the Grand Commandant when attending court. Both are officials with a salary of 10,000 shi (a unit of grain), and there is no difference in their salaries!"

"The Dongguan Hanji clearly states that during the reign of Emperor Guangwu, the rank of Grand General was below that of the Three Dukes. During the reign of Emperor He, Dou Xian led an expedition against the Xiongnu and inscribed a stone at Yanran. After his victory, his prestige soared. The court officials, in support of Dou Xian, jointly submitted a memorial to the throne, placing the rank of Grand General below that of Grand Tutor and above that of the Three Dukes. This practice has continued ever since."

"That's a matter of the Han Dynasty, what does it have to do with the Wei Dynasty? The Grand General and Grand Commandant of the Wei Dynasty both had a salary of 10,000 shi (a unit of grain), some higher and some lower. Was it Emperor Wu or Emperor Wen who decided that? First it was Jia Wenhe, then Zhong Yuanchang, then Hua Ziyu—Hua Ziyu has been dead for three years!"

Before me, which great general could match their prestige and virtue?

Sima Zhao cautiously replied, "Then there's a precedent for today?"

"Hmm." Sima Yi nodded and replied, "Having reached the level of my father in terms of official rank, what difference does it make whether I become Grand Commandant or General-in-Chief? As long as the court continues to allow me to command troops and oversee Yong and Liang, nothing else matters."

"Did the messenger say who this messenger who is?"

"Father," Sima Zhao said, bowing. "It was Guanqiu Zhonggong (Guanqiu Jian). The messenger said that Xiahou Taichu (Xiahou Xuan) has also come."

"Guanqiu Zhonggong — Xiahou Taichu —"

Sima Yi remained silent for a moment, only repeating the names of the two people over and over again.

For the Wei Kingdom at present, the main focus of defense is on Yongliang and Huainan. Therefore, Sima Yi and Man Chong, who hold the positions of governors of these two places, are the two most favored ministers in the Wei court.

Sima Yi traveled from Chang'an to Wugong and back to Chang'an, always accompanied by two thousand cavalrymen, making it a grand procession.

On the afternoon of the 25th day of the first month, Sima Yi arrived in Chang'an. Guanqiu Jian had come with an imperial edict, so Sima Yi naturally wanted to meet him immediately. Therefore, he invited Guanqiu Jian and Xiahou Xuan to the Governor's Mansion to discuss matters.

Guanqiu Jian, courtesy name Zhonggong, was a native of Wenxi in Hedong Commandery. He was not yet forty years old, but over seven feet tall, with a resolute face and sharp eyes. He was a close advisor to the emperor, skilled in both literature and military affairs. When Emperor Cao Rui of Wei was still the crown prince, Guanqiu Jian served him as a literary aide. After Cao Rui ascended the throne, Guanqiu Jian's official position rose rapidly, holding positions such as Gentleman of the Palace, Supervisor of the Imperial Guards, Director of Agriculture in Luoyang, and Governor of Jingzhou within a few years. At the end of last year, he also came to Chang'an to welcome Xin Pi.

Xiahou Xuan, who accompanied Guanqiu Jian to Chang'an, came from a prestigious family and was among the top nobles in Cao Wei. His father, Xiahou Shang, was Xiahou Yuan's cousin, a friend of Cao Pi, and the General Who Conquers the South; his mother, the Lady of Deyang, was the younger sister of the late General Cao Zhen.

Xiahou Xuan was Cao Cao's adopted daughter. He was also known in Luoyang for his erudition and outstanding appearance, described as "bright and clear as the sun and moon in one's bosom".

Given the status and reputation of Guanqiu Jian and Xiahou Xuan, even Sima Yi, as the Grand General, should treat them with the utmost respect.

Not to mention that Xiahou Xuan was Xiahou Hui's elder brother.

"Zhonggong, Taichu." Sima Yi accepted their bows and nodded with a smile, "Please take a seat. I apologize for not being able to see you sooner after traveling such a long distance."

"Thank you for offering me a seat, Grand Commandant." Guanqiu Jian returned the smile. "Grand Commandant is busy with military affairs, so it won't be a problem for us to wait a few more days in Chang'an."

Sima Yi nodded: "Sit down, let's talk after you sit down."

"Okay." Guanqiu Jian nodded in agreement.

After the two were seated, Guanqiu Jian spoke first: "So that the Grand Commandant may know that I have come here from Luoyang with an imperial edict to do three things."

"Firstly, the imperial court issued an edict promoting the General-in-Chief to Grand Commandant. In addition to the transfer, the court also granted the Grand Commandant an additional 800 households as a commendation."

Upon hearing this, Sima Yi nodded slightly and cupped his hands in a gesture of respect towards Luoyang, saying, "Your Majesty is wise; I dare not claim credit for this."

Guanqiu Jian continued, "Secondly, rewards and honors will be bestowed upon the generals of Guanzhong. The generals in the army can have their rewards conveyed by the Grand Commandant. Among them, the court will promote Governor Guo of Yongzhou from Jianwei General to Left General. This edict is a separate document and Governor Guo himself must receive it. I have already sent someone to Chencang to invite Governor Guo two days ago."

Sima Yi narrowed his eyes slightly and remained silent.

Thirdly—

Just as Guanqiu Jian was speaking, Wang Guan, an attendant in Sima Yi's military headquarters, walked in from outside, and Guanqiu Jian immediately shut his mouth and remained silent.

"Reporting to Lord Ming, Prefect Yan of Jingzhao and Director Zhang of Chang'an request an audience."