It’s really hard to put down!
The so-called meeting and laughing away all grudges has always only existed between two people of equal status. It is natural for brothers to let go of their hatred after a period of time.
However, Cao Zhi never forgave these "comrades" of his brother in his heart. If he could forgive them, then who should he ask to forgive Yang Xiu and Yang Dezu for their deaths?
But Cao Zhi had heard that it was Sima Yi who persuaded Emperor Wu to execute Yang Xiu in Xuchang.
They were almost facing each other head-on, and there was no way for the two to avoid it.
Cao Zhi looked at Sima Yi with complicated eyes, then bowed and said, "Greetings, Sikong."
Although Sima Yi felt that Cao Zhi's eyes were not good, it was not the Jian'an period anymore. He was just a member of the royal family that His Majesty had dug out from the garbage dump and used as a decoration. Jian'an and Huangchu were both in the past, and now was the Taihe period. What was there for him, the Sikong, to fear?
Sima Yi's mouth curled up slightly, but his eyes showed no expression at all. He bowed casually and said, "Greetings, Prince Yongqiu."
As soon as he finished speaking, Sima Yi walked away from the three people and went straight back to his own East Pavilion.
Liu Ye's expression was calm, but he saw it all.
I think it would not be a problem if I mentioned a few things to Your Majesty later.
After Sima Yi walked over, Cao Zhi slightly raised his head but did not follow him. A few moments later, he also walked straight to the emperor's study like Sima Yi just now.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you." Cao Zhi bowed.
"Is the emperor's uncle back? Please take a seat." Cao Rui sat behind the desk, reading the documents, and pointed to the chair on the right in a casual manner: "Have you seen the Empress Dowager?"
"I haven't seen the Empress Dowager for several years. Your Majesty has allowed me to see her this time. I really want to thank Your Majesty for your grace." Cao Zhi said.
"It is natural and human that mother and son can meet each other." Cao Rui put down the brush in his hand and placed it on the edge of the inkstone: "It is a good thing that someone can see it!"
Cao Zhi knew and heard that Empress Zhen was framed by Empress Guo, but for a moment he didn't know what to say.
Cao Rui saw Cao Zhi was silent, and knew that Cao Zhi was thinking about him, so he said, "Haven't we met for several years, uncle? Come to see me once a quarter in Luoyang from now on."
"Is it okay?" Cao Rui looked into Cao Zhi's eyes.
Is it good? How can it be bad?
Cao Zhi quickly stood up and saluted: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace."
"Sit down, sit down. Why are you standing up again?" Cao Rui waved his hand. "My uncle is here today. Tomorrow I will issue an imperial edict to announce the Chongwen Temple incident to the court."
Cao Zhi bowed and said, "I understand. But according to the purpose of Chongwen Temple to respect Confucianism and value learning, Chongwen Temple cannot only revise the Five Classics, right? Is there anything else to do?"
Cao Rui smiled and said, "Chongwen Temple is naturally related to literature. Uncle, is there anything else that you think Chongwen Temple should do?"
Cao Zhi thought for a moment and asked, "I just heard from Minister Liu that the court is studying the revision of laws. The laws of the former Han Dynasty were complicated and cumbersome. Since Chongwenguan is related to literature, can we participate in the revision of laws?"
Cao Zhi's logic is not complicated. He just participated in the revision of laws and did some writing work, which did not involve any power issues.
Liu Ye, who was sitting in the back, looked a little unhappy when he was mentioned by Cao Zhi.
"Amending the law is not an option." Cao Rui shook his head slightly. "Amending the law is a major national issue that will affect future generations for hundreds of years. The three dukes, nine ministers, and all prefectures and counties can participate in amending the law, but Chongwen Temple is not an option."
"I established Chongwen Temple to make it the center of classics and academic studies in the Wei Dynasty. As for the laws and decrees, other departments of the court can handle them."
Cao Zhi understood and then asked: "Why not let Chongwen Temple collect the books scattered among the people and sort them out according to the survival of the fittest?"
"That's something we can do," Cao Rui said. "Back then, the ancient text classics and the modern text classics fought for so long, wasn't it because the court hadn't chosen the official text and annotations?"
Cao Rui continued, "I think there is something that is feasible. I need to ask my uncle."
"Your Majesty, please speak." Cao Zhi's attitude remained respectful.
"The Han Dynasty established Lanting and Dongguan, both of which were intended to master classics and revise history books." Cao Rui said: "However, during the Jian'an period, this matter was largely under the jurisdiction of the Secretariat due to war. During the Huangchu period, the Secretariat was transferred to the Zhongshu Province, and the revision of history was shelved again."
"The Pre-Han and Post-Han dynasties are two dynasties. Ban Gu compiled the Book of Han in Lanting, and I think your uncle can also compile the Book of the Post-Han in Chongwen Temple!"
Cao Zhi was quite surprised to hear this: "Your Majesty, the current Wu and Shu are not yet at peace, and many people cannot be judged. How can the court compile history?"
Cao Rui smiled and said, "You are overthinking, aren't you? Compiling the Book of the Later Han is not something that can be completed in three to five years. Even if Chongwen Temple takes ten years to complete, won't it be possible to pacify Wu and Shu in ten years?"
This... The emperor's words choked Cao Zhi, so let's repair it!
Cao Zhi nodded and said, "Your Majesty is wise. Then, as Your Majesty just said, Chongwen Temple is for studying classics and history?"
Cao Rui smiled: "The so-called 'literature' should not be limited to classics and history. I think we can also organize the works of folk Confucian scholars and include the beautiful articles of literati."
"Literature is a great cause for governing a country and an immortal event." Cao Rui looked at Cao Zhi and said, "This is what the late emperor said in his classics." "Let's not talk about other people's works. I've read the articles of Emperor Wu, the late emperor, and the emperor's uncle, and they can all be summarized!"
Cao Zhi quickly refused, saying, "Your Majesty, how can my writings be included with those of Emperor Wu and Emperor Wen?"
"An article is an article." Cao Rui explained: "I have always disliked using articles to make articles. If I say it's okay, then it's okay."
"By the way, I vaguely remember that the emperor's uncle wrote a letter to Wu Zhi, the governor of Hebei?"
"I did write it," Cao Zhi replied. The emperor had been able to read his writings at will when he was in Chenliu, so he must have collected them on purpose. In addition to the "Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River" that he had hidden away before, Cao Zhi believed that all the other articles must have been circulated.
"But does your uncle know that the late emperor also wrote a letter to Wu Zhi, and its literary style and profound ideas are better than the one you wrote?" Cao Rui said, looking into Cao Zhi's eyes.
"I have no way of knowing this." Cao Zhi was also curious at this time: "The late emperor and Wu Zhi had always been close, and they must have written many letters. What did the letter Your Majesty mentioned say?"
"Uncle, have you read "Dianlun"? " Cao Rui said.
"I have read it carefully." Cao Zhi replied.
"The arguments in this letter from the late emperor to Wu Zhi are quite similar to those in the article 'On Essays' in the 'Classics'," Cao Rui explained, "At that time, the late emperor was in Yecheng compiling the collection of essays by Chen Lin and Chen Kongzhang, which was the 22nd year of Jian'an."
"The 22nd year of Jian'an..." Cao Zhi repeated the year softly and remained silent for a while.
The 22nd year of Jian'an was indeed a heavy year.
This year, there was a major epidemic in the Central Plains.
"When the late emperor was compiling Chen Lin's collection of essays, he was grateful for the deaths of Chen Lin, Ying Rong, Liu Zhen, Xu Gan and others due to the epidemic, so he discussed literature with Wu Zhi." Cao Rui said: "This is how the saying 'Literature is a great cause for governing the country and an immortal event' came about."
"Didn't the Emperor ask what the late Emperor said? I will pick out two sentences that I can remember and briefly tell you about them."
"I respectfully listen to your teachings," Cao Zhi said with a bow.
"We said that we would be together for a hundred years and could protect each other for a long time. But we would be gone in a few years. It's sad to say so." Cao Rui said, "This is what the late emperor said to Chen Kongzhang."
"Young men should really work hard. Once the years pass, there is nothing left to cling to. The ancients wanted to travel by night with candlelight, and there was a good reason for that." Cao Rui looked at Cao Zhi: "This is what the late emperor said about himself."
"Alas." Cao Zhi sighed, as if thinking of his deceased brother: "The late emperor was thoughtful and far-sighted, and I am no match for him."
Cao Rui did not respond, but looked at Liu Ye instead.
"Mr. Liu, how about letting Wu Ji return to Chongwen Temple? It's a good place for him to organize his articles and compile history." Cao Rui asked.
"I dare not speak rashly. Your Majesty will make the decision." Liu Ye cupped his hands and said, "However, Wu Zhi is very powerful in Hebei. If the emperor merely enters Chongwen Temple, the gap will be too big and he may feel resentful."
"How about this, I will promote Wu Zhi to the position of Shizhong and Guanglu Dafu, and give him a salary of two thousand stones, which is not unfair." Cao Rui said bluntly: "Wu Zhi is not very talented. He was appointed as the governor of Hebei because he was a close friend of the previous emperor. I think he will know his own limitations."
"What do you think, Mr. Yang?" This was the first time Cao Rui asked Yang Fu about specific court affairs.
Yang Fu solemnly bowed his hands and replied: "I think it is a great virtue. Thunder, lightning, rain and dew are all grace from the emperor. As a minister, I will do whatever your majesty arranges. Otherwise, I would be a disloyal person."
Liu Ye nodded on the side, but he felt that there was a hint of guidance for Cao Zhi in Yang Fu's words.
"Well, I'll have the Secretary of State write a letter later." Cao Rui said, "Liu Qing, take the emperor's uncle to the Shaofu and choose a house for him."
"Yes, sir." Liu Ye accepted the order.
"I thank Your Majesty for giving me the house." Cao Zhi also stood up and saluted.
"It's okay, go ahead." Cao Rui said softly.
After Cao Zhi and Liu Ye left, Yang Fu spoke directly: "Your Majesty, Minister Liu and I just escorted Prince Yongqiu to the palace of the Empress Dowager, and we followed the Empress Dowager and Prince Yongqiu into the palace to listen to the proceedings."
"You really got in?" Cao Rui said with a smile: "It's a great joy to meet again after such a long separation."
Yang Fu nodded gently: "I roughly know that the Empress Dowager and Prince Yongqiu mentioned the rumor case in Luoyang at the beginning of the year, and the case of the family members of the General Wei Mansion offering sacrifices this month."
"How did you know that?" Cao Rui asked curiously.
"Your Majesty," Yang Fu explained, "On the way back from the Empress Dowager's palace, Prince Yongqiu talked with Minister Liu and mentioned that the Empress Dowager had informed him of the obscene sacrifice case this month."
"If the Empress Dowager informed Prince Yongqiu of the obscene sacrifice case, there is no reason why she would not inform him of the rumor case at the beginning of the year." (End of this chapter)
