Chapter 159 Extraordinary
"What's going on?" Sima Shi thought for a moment. "Could it be that during the few months when my father was away from Luoyang, the Grand Tutor and the Inspector General of the Capital had close contacts?"
"Oh? Is this true?" Sima Yi raised his eyebrows.
Sima Shi quickly denied it: "That's not the case. However, the son of the Grand Tutor, Zhong Yu, and the son of the Inspector of the Capital, Wei Lie, have always had some contact with each other."
Seeing his father frowning slightly, Sima Shi added: "Not only Wei Lie and Zhong Yu, but even my son has contacts with them."
"What's going on?" Sima Yi looked at Sima Shi's face and said, "Tell me in detail, don't leave anything out!"
"Yes." Sima Shi explained, "Since the end of last year, the descendants of the ministers in Luozhong have entered the Imperial College. Therefore, they often comment on current affairs and discuss people in the Imperial College."
"So many scholars gathered together to interact with each other, and I was one of them," Sima Shi explained.
"Who else is with you?" Sima Yi frowned slightly.
Sima Shi thought for a moment: "They are all talented people in Luoyang. Like He Yan, Zhuge Dan, Li Sheng, Deng Yang, Ding Mi, Bi Gui and others..."
Sima Yi asked, "Didn't you just say that there were also Wei Lie and Zhong Yu?"
"Zhong Yu is not at the Imperial College, he only comes occasionally." Sima Shi said, "There are also Liu Xi, the son of the Secretary Liu Fang, Sun Mi, the son of Sun Zi, and Wei Lie, the son of Wei Zhen."
"These three people are all mediocre in terms of talent and learning. They just use their fathers' status to get together with us."
Sima Yi nodded slightly and thought for a moment.
These people ranged from the gentry to the royal family, or the second generation of the powerful, and each of them had talent or background. Thinking of how he also socialized with scholars when he was young, Sima Yi did not stop them.
Sima Yi asked: "What is your position in this? Are you a leader or just following the crowd?"
"Of course he is the leader. When people interact with each other, He Yan and I are often the leaders." Sima Shi smiled and said, "But if Xiahou Xuan comes back, there will definitely be a place for Xiahou Xuan."
Sima Yi nodded and then asked, "Let's talk about Wei Zhen and Master Zhong next."
Sima Shi thought for a moment and said, "Could it be that Master Zhong is old and weak and wants to give his son Zhong Yu a good future? Now that the Inspector of the Capital is trusted by Your Majesty, he is just going along with it and doing a favor?"
Sima Yi was silent for a moment and then said, "Ziyuan thinks the same as I do."
"I remember that when His Majesty first ascended the throne, he recruited Zhong Yu as a royal guard and was the first to visit Grand Tutor Zhong at his home." Sima Yi took a deep breath: "Grand Tutor Zhong's plan is really long-term."
Sima Shi said: "In that case, the general was also entrusted by Master Zhong?"
"Not necessarily." Sima Yi shook his head: "The general is not someone that Master Zhong can easily rely on."
"In my opinion, it's probably because of your majesty. Your majesty was close to Wei Zhen when he was in the East Palace, and now he has repeatedly entrusted everyone to Wei Zhen. In addition, Wei Zhen's father has done favors for the Cao family, so it's not surprising that the general has a good impression of Wei Zhen."
"By the way, Ziyuan." Sima Yi looked at Sima Shi and said, "In a few days, you and Xiahou Xuan should find a time to go to the general's mansion and tell him that it was your father who asked you to go."
"Go to the General's Mansion?" Sima Shi was puzzled: "Father, what do you mean? Why should I go to the General's Mansion?"
Sima Yi smiled and twirled his beard, "Your father wants to discuss a marriage with you. You have seen Xiahou Xuan's sister Xiahou Hui, right? What do you think of her?"
Sima Shi blushed, stood up from his seat and said, "When did father make this decision? Why didn't he tell me?"
"Don't I know you well?" Sima Yi smiled and shook his head: "Xiahou Shang's daughter, Xiahou Xuan's sister, Cao Zhen's niece."
"Ziyuan, wouldn't you want to marry a woman of this wealth? I heard that she is also pretty."
"Of course I am willing." Sima Shi walked around the room twice, took a deep breath and said, "Xiahou Xuan is so outstanding, how could his sister be ugly? Naturally, she is one in a hundred."
"Then why are you sighing?" Sima Yi asked with raised eyebrows.
"Why else?" Sima Shi said with a slightly frustrated look, "I am inferior to Xiahou Xuan in every way. If I marry Xiahou Xuan's sister, won't I always be inferior to Xiahou Xuan?"
Sima Yi smiled and shook his head: "I don't care about this. But Ziyuan, you should think carefully about how to face the general's test. The general said that if your talent is not up to standard, the general will not agree."
Sima Shi gritted his teeth and said, "Don't bother me, father. Just wait for my good news."
Sima Yi laughed out loud.
……
The next day, Luoyang, Beigong.
Another grand court meeting, another reward ceremony.
Many officials made contributions in this southern expedition.
Grand Marshal Cao Xiu had the most merit, and his fief was increased by 2,500 households. General Cao Zhen had the second most merit, and his fief was increased by 1,000 households.
Sikong Sima Yi was rewarded with the merit of formulating strategies, and his fief was increased by 800 households.
The former general Man Chong and the right general Zhu Gai were given an additional 700 households for their military achievements. The governor of Qingzhou Wang Ling, the general who guards the east Cao Tai, and the governor of Yuzhou Jia Kui were also given an additional 500 households.
Wei Zhen, the Inspector of the Imperial Capital, was also given an additional 500 households for his service in guarding Luoyang.
The rest, including Liu Ye, Xin Pi, Huang Quan, Chen Jiao, and the Central Guard General Jiang Ji, also had their fiefs increased by 200 to 100 households.
As for the reward of 2,000 stones for the central army and the foreign army, although the sizes were different, they were all equally distributed.
Unexpectedly, although General Chen Qun failed in his expedition to Xiangyang, he was also awarded an additional 200 households for his hard work. However, compared with the important officials who were awarded thousands or hundreds of households, he was much inferior. In the hall, the officials who were awarded were naturally excited. The dust has settled, and who doesn't like rewards?
Isn't it ultimately for one's own fame and fortune that one serves the country?
"Where is Central Guard General Jiang Ji?"
Jiang Ji had just had his fiefdom increased by 200 households, and was thinking about the reward he had just received, when unexpectedly the emperor called his name.
"I'm here." Jiang Ji hurried out.
Cao Rui said: "During the Huangchu period, Jiang Qing followed the late emperor in his southern expeditions. This time he followed me to Yangzhou and also made some valuable suggestions."
"I want to ask you, after the victory in Wancheng, what should we focus on when we fight against Sun Quan in Yangzhou?"
Jiang Ji's mind was racing.
Jiang Ji was also one of the most intelligent men in the Wei Dynasty. This was a grand court meeting! The emperor asked his ministers about state affairs in public at a grand court meeting. This was unprecedented!
Could it be... that you want to use me, Jiang Ji, to go to Yangzhou?
The emperor was watching from above, and Jiang Ji didn't have time to think much in that instant. He just came up with a few words based on his daily experience.
Jiang Ji bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I think there are three things that Yangzhou should pay attention to."
Give a general outline first, which will give you several moments to think.
This can also be considered a kind of "quick wit".
Cao Rui nodded: "Jiang Qing, please tell me."
Jiang Ji cupped his hands and said, "Storing grain is the foundation, training soldiers is the key, and water conservancy is the priority."
"Your Majesty, first of all, storing food is the basis for military operations. Since the Huangchu period, we have deployed troops to Huainan many times, and every time we did so, we had to requisition food and grass from various states, and even from Yecheng in Hebei."
"The establishment of military farms in Yangzhou and Huainan will certainly reduce the waste during the expedition. In addition, this time we have soldiers captured in the war who can be used for military farms. This is a win-win situation."
Cao Rui nodded but said nothing.
"Secondly, I believe that training troops is the foundation of victory in battle. Of course, the military affairs of Yangzhou are not my main responsibility, so I will not elaborate on them."
"Third, building water conservancy projects and constructing ships are urgent matters for Yangzhou right now. Whether it is sending troops from Hefei or Guangling, or from the newly occupied Wankou, dredging the river can ensure smooth dispatch of troops, and building ships can develop the navy."
"Your Majesty, these three points are what I think are necessary for Yangzhou right now."
Cao Rui nodded and said, "What Mr. Jiang said is very much in line with my opinion. I have a comprehensive understanding of the major and minor military events in Yangzhou during my expedition to Yangzhou this time."
"Food, combat power, and water transport! Jiang Qing's summary is good. These three points are what Yangzhou needs right now!"
Cao Rui said loudly: "The country has been at war for a long time, and many policies and personnel arrangements have not been adjusted in time. Taking this opportunity today, I will also announce the contents of the adjustment."
"Liu Zhongshu, please read it."
"As you wish." Liu Fang took out a roll of bright yellow silk and read aloud to the ministers in the hall.
As Liu Fang's words continued to come out, except for a few important officials such as Cao Zhen and Sima Yi who knew the truth, the rest of the officials were all surprised.
To sum up, the edict read by Liu Fang also mentioned three things.
First, unify the names of various official positions in the military.
The position of General of the Central Army was abolished, and the general in charge of troops in each county was called Duwei, and the general in charge of troops in the central army and the outer army was called Xiaowei. Duwei and Xiaowei were no longer used interchangeably.
Second, simplify the duties of provincial governors.
The provincial governors no longer led troops, but were only responsible for administrative matters. In case of war, the troops of each county were led by the county commander and supervised by the generals sent by the court.
Third, abolish the post of provincial governor.
From now on, there will be no more provincial governors, and generals leading troops will no longer be in charge of administration.
Sima Yi was looking at the emperor in the hall, feeling deeply moved.
When the previous emperor Cao Pi was in power, he always encountered many obstacles when he wanted to do something. But the current emperor has been on the throne for only one year, and he has taken away the power of the provincial governors and abolished the positions of provincial governors. Such a big thing has been done easily.
If we win the war, can we really do whatever we want?
At this time, Sima Yi also had a vague idea of leading the troops in his heart.
Cao Rui said loudly in the hall: "I have communicated with the Grand Marshal. From today on, the Grand Marshal will no longer serve as the governor of Yangzhou, but will continue to be the commander-in-chief of all military affairs in Yangzhou as before."
"Jiang Qing." Cao Rui looked at Jiang Ji.
"I'm here." Jiang Ji bowed and said.
"I want to appoint you as the governor of Yangzhou. Are you willing to make contributions to the court?" Cao Rui said slowly.
Jiang Ji was a little overwhelmed for a moment, but then he knelt on the ground and said: "I am willing to serve your majesty and the great Wei!"
Sima Yi glanced at Jiang Ji kneeling on the ground and sneered in his heart. Jiang Zitong took the post of Yuzhou governor as a joke that day and didn't take it seriously. Now that His Majesty has promised you the post of Yangzhou governor, didn't you agree without any hesitation?
At this moment, Jiang Ji was kneeling on the ground, thinking about how he had devoted all his energy to the affairs of Yangzhou in the past twenty years. Is there really a place for me to use my talents now?
However, if Jiang Ji really had a conversation with Sima Yi at that time, he would probably have retorted immediately.
Although the Governor of Yuzhou and the Governor of Yangzhou are both governors, can Yangzhou and Yuzhou be the same thing?
(End of this chapter)
