Chapter 156 Some Thoughts
Sima Yi's eyes began to turn cold, and the corners of his mouth drooped.
Wei Zhen is right.
Sima Yi was not from Yingchuan and had no marriage relationship with the Xun family.
But the Xun family was well-known, and Chen Qun was not the only one who married into the Xun family. Even Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, Cao Cao, married his daughter Princess Anyang to Xun Yu's eldest son, Xun Yun.
It was natural for Sima Yi to say a few good words for Xun. Xun's reputation was there, and it was also acceptable in front of the emperor.
It would not be wrong for Sima Yi not to speak for the Xun family. Since he entered the government, Sima Yi has been an official in the prime minister's office. He has no connection with Xun Yu's Shangshutai, and cannot be called an old official of the Xun family.
Although Xun Yu had recommended Sima Yi to Cao Cao, Sima Yi viewed it as just a normal official matter and not a personal favor.
If Xun Yu had not recommended me, would I, Sima Yi, still not be able to become an official?
But compared with these twists and turns behind the scenes, Wei Zhen's attitude is more worthy of careful consideration. Is Your Majesty supporting Wei Zhen in dealing with the Xun family?
"I am not from Yingchuan, and I am only speaking out of public interest." Sima Yi shook his head slightly and sneered, "I am also doing this for Gong Zhen's sake."
Wei Zhen glanced at Sima Yi's expression and said, "Sikong also accompanied Your Majesty on this southern expedition. There were rumors in Luoyang City while we were fighting in the front. Fortunately, the battle was fought quickly this time, otherwise I don't know what the impact would be."
Sima Yi said: "Gong Zhen is right! Then we should try our best to investigate the case according to the law and get to the bottom of it as soon as possible."
"By the way, where are all the files of the Shangshutai from the past few months? I want to take a look at them myself."
Wei Zhen coughed lightly and replied calmly, "The political affairs of the past few months have been filed, so I won't bother you to check them out in person. What does you want to ask? I will have someone send the files to you."
"Your Majesty has not yet returned to Luoyang. As the governor of Luoyang and the right minister of the Shangshu, I still have to take up my responsibilities. I will not trouble the Minister of Works with the hard work."
If it was just one or two sentences, it would be justifiable given Wei Zhen's honesty. Do you think I really care about the lives of the Xun family?
But how many times has Wei Zhen challenged me with words?
It's obvious that you don't want to hand over the power. Do you really think that I, Sima Yi, no longer have the power to be the Recorder of the Secretariat? Or have you, Wei Zhen, grown stronger in the past few months?
Sima Yi snorted and was about to get angry, wanting to question Wei Zhen in the courtyard of the Shangshu Tai.
Unexpectedly, at this moment someone came in from outside and interrupted Sima Yi's plan.
"Zhongda, Gongzhen. Since you two are here, I don't have to go looking for you." Cao Zhen came in from the main gate of the Secretariat and called out their names from a distance.
Sima Yi frowned, turned around and looked at Cao Zhen's approaching figure, but in his mind he was thinking about the scenes of Wei Zhen in the Shangshu Terrace for many years.
Wei Zhen, who has always been cautious, was so reluctant to let go after he first took control of the Shangshu Tai?
However, Sima Yi did not expect His Majesty to doubt him. His Majesty had just promoted him to the rank of Three Dukes two months ago, and he had used his own plans in every aspect of the Southern Expedition. If someone had said this to Sima Yi in person, Sima Yi would definitely not believe it.
Cao Zhen walked over slowly, Wei Zhen bowed to Cao Zhen, and Sima Yi also bowed to Cao Zhen.
Sima Yi asked quietly, "Why did the general come to the Shangshutai?"
"Why else? He must have come for something." Cao Zhen sighed, "I just received news that Xu Huang died of illness in Xiangyang. Chen Qun sent a messenger to Luoyang, and I just received the news as well."
Sima Yi looked at Wei Zhen and said, "Gong Zhen, what should the Shangshutai say about this matter?"
Wei Zhen's words also softened a lot: "Since the Sikong has returned to the Secretariat, please give me your instructions." It was just a simple evasion. Wei Zhen did not intend to have an unpleasant experience with Sima Yi at this time.
After all, Wei Zhen only knew the emperor's attitude, and didn't know how the emperor wanted to remove Sima Yi's position as the Minister of the Chancellery.
At this juncture, it is better to do less than to do more.
Sima Yi felt more calm now. "In that case, Gong Zhen should go back to his duty room. I will discuss this matter with the general."
Wei Zhen bowed and said, "I'll take my leave."
Shangshutai, inside the "Fuzhengge".
Cao Zhen hadn't been here for a few months. Now that there were only him and Sima Yi here, Cao Zhen didn't need to act like a general anymore.
He found a chair to sit down and lean against, then skillfully placed his legs on the table.
Sima Yi was not surprised and asked directly: "This should be a customary matter. Didn't you also handle the funeral of the late Grand Marshal Cao Ren? Xu Huang is the General of the Southern Expedition, so just follow the etiquette."
Cao Zhen shook his head slightly. "If that's the case, it would be easy. But when I was in Shouchun, His Majesty always lamented the passing of famous ministers and veterans, and he was also quite grateful to Xu Huang."
"Isn't this the first time something like this has happened since your majesty ascended the throne? I came to talk to you."
Sima Yi thought for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, do you want to praise me?"
Cao Zhen responded: "It's hard to say. But your majesty is in Chenliu now, and Chen Qun's letter has been delivered to me."
"You and I will come up with a plan in Luoyang, and then send someone to Chenliu to report it to Your Majesty. This way Your Majesty will save a lot of trouble." Sima Yi nodded and said, "That's right. What do we need to discuss?"
Cao Zhen said: "First of all, we need to consider Xu Huang's posthumous title, whether he will be posthumously awarded, his funeral, and the succession of his title."
"Besides this, which general will take over the border troops led by Xu Huang in Jingzhou?"
Sima Yi's eyes turned. It seemed that Cao Zhen's focus in coming to the Shangshutai to look for him was on the second matter.
Since Your Majesty ascended the throne, there have been only a few major personnel changes:
Chen Qun was transferred from being the Recorder of the Secretariat to guarding Jingzhou in Xiangyang, and was also promoted to General of the Cavalry. Chen Jiao was promoted from being the Minister of the Secretariat to being the Palace Attendant, and Jia Kui was transferred from being the Governor of Yuzhou to being the Chief General guarding Wancheng.
Apart from these three cases, almost everything Your Majesty did was to promote people. Of course, his promotion from General of the Army to Minister of Works was the biggest promotion during the Taihe reign.
Did Cao Zhen want to appoint people himself? Otherwise, why did he come to me to discuss posthumous titles?
Sima Yi raised his eyebrows and looked at Cao Zhen: "Then let's talk about the posthumous title first?"
"That's right." Cao Zhen nodded: "You know more about posthumous titles than I do, so please tell me about it."
Sima Yi stroked his beard and said, "Xu Huang served the Wei Dynasty for nearly thirty years. He attacked Lu Bu, fought at Guandu, pacified Hebei, and conquered Xiliang. Xu Huang has been fighting non-stop. It is better to use the word 'strong'. Victory over the enemy and the rebellion is called strong."
"Xu Huang is a famous general of the country. If he is given the title of 'Zhuang Hou', it must be a good posthumous title." Sima Yi looked at Cao Zhen: "What do you think, General?"
Cao Zhen thought for a moment and said, "'Zhuang Hou' is indeed a good name. I will report it to His Majesty accordingly. I remember that Xu Huang only had one son, Xu Gai. It seems that there is no need to mention the issue of dividing fiefdoms."
Sima Yi replied: "Where is Xu Gai serving as an official now? Is it also in Jingzhou?"
"It's Jingzhou, in Xu Huang's army. If I remember correctly, Xu Gai should be a cavalry captain now." Cao Zhen said: "After this matter is settled, I will transfer Xu Gai to the central army to observe him."
"If Xu Gai is a capable person, observe him in the central army for two years before sending him out as a general. If Xu Gai is not capable enough, then let him find a sinecure in Luoyang."
Sima Yi said: "The general should make his own decision on this matter. However, did the general mention the matter of the generals of Jingzhou just now?"
"Who does the general want to pick up Xu Huang's subordinates?"
Cao Zhen laughed and said, "The capital of Jingzhou is in Xinye, and Pei Qian, the governor of Jingzhou, is here. Xu Huang, who was in Xiangyang last year, fell ill, and Chen Qun, the general of the cavalry, has been staying in Xiangyang. Wen Pin has been in Jiangxia for many years, and no one can move him."
"I want Xiahou Ru to take over Xu Huang's position." Cao Zhen did not hesitate and directly expressed his thoughts.
"Xiahou Ru?" Sima Yi raised his eyebrows.
"It is Xiahou Ru." Cao Zhen said carefully, "As early as Shouchun, I recommended Xiahou Ru to Your Majesty. Moreover, in this battle in Wancheng, Xiahou Ru led the core battalion and made many contributions. Moreover, Xiahou Ru's troops also killed Zhu Huan."
"If that's the case, I don't think His Majesty will veto it."
Sima Yi smiled on the surface, but he was already complaining in his heart.
The person Cao Zhen recommended this time was Xiahou Ru, who was not a general from another family. If a general with the surname Xiahou or Cao was recommended to the emperor, would the emperor refuse?
It seems that Cao Zhen has been used to listening to His Majesty these days, and he still hesitates even on such matters. But it doesn't matter. Since Cao Zhen came to ask me, isn't this a condition that is delivered to my door?
"Xiahou Ru's qualifications are sufficient." Sima Yi thought for a moment and said, "But I remember that in the sixth year of Huangchu, which was the year before last, when the late emperor attacked Wu, he wanted to summon Qian Zhao to lead the army, but it didn't happen in the end."
"Qian Zhao once served as the Central Guard General, and also led the troops of Qingzhou and Xuzhou to fight against the enemy. He also had many years of experience in the north, and it is time for him to be promoted."
"Qian Zhao's Qian Zi Sutra?" Cao Zhen thought for a while and said, "I have always known about Qian Zhao's talent, but I have never had the opportunity to give him a position."
"Zhongda is right. Qian Zhao is indeed a good choice." Cao Zhen looked at Sima Yi and said, "How about this? Report both Xiahou Ru and Qian Zhao to His Majesty and let His Majesty make the final decision."
"One will be from the central army, and one from the border. It depends on your majesty's wishes."
Sima Yi nodded calmly, but he was speechless in his mind.
No, you don’t even try to fight for it?
You fight for Xiahou Ru, and I will recommend Qian Zhao. If we discuss for a while and then decide on Xiahou Ru, I can also get a favor, isn't that good?
But Cao Zhen didn't think about these things at all. In Cao Zhen's view, it was just a matter of selecting a frontier general for the country. Whoever was suitable would go.
Whether it is Xiahou Ru or Qian Zhao, it doesn’t matter who we use.
All we can say is that at this moment, Cao Zhen and Sima Yi were not on the same channel in their minds.
(End of this chapter)
