For a moment, Jiang Wei could only sigh and say, "Where in the world is there no governor like Ma Zun? But you and I are both ambitious people, and we definitely can't be like him!"
"Zixiu, are you willing to enter the Imperial College? The current emperor is extremely virtuous. Although I am of low rank and my words do not count, I think it will be possible for you, a virtuous person, to study at the Imperial College!"
Shangguan Qi knew that his good friend was more knowledgeable, capable, and magnanimous than himself. He must have his reasons for avoiding talking about it.
But which young person doesn’t want to make progress?
With Jiang Wei sitting beside him alive, Shangguan Qi naturally knew that Imperial College was a smooth path to becoming an official nowadays, and it was even better than the filial and honest official in the past!
"Boyue, I really don't know how to thank you! I never thought that a person like me from a poor family could enter the Imperial College and go to Luoyang..."
"Don't say that." Jiang Wei hurriedly stopped him, "You have made great achievements this time, and you have a bright future! I was just pushing you from behind."
"Zi Xiu, I am half a year older than you. How about we become brothers from now on?"
"Excellent, excellent!" Shangguan Qi showed a look of delight, but then he smiled and said, "You and I are still warming our feet, let's talk about it after we warm our feet!"
“Hahahaha.” Jiang Wei also laughed, “Let’s talk about it after we wake up tomorrow! It’s late at night and there’s nowhere to find the incense table.”
Both of them were delighted.
Early the next morning, Jiang Wei and Shangguan Qi found the incense table in their residence, reported it to God, and became brothers with different surnames.
After a quick ceremony, Jiang Wei went to the county government to take up his post.
"Your Majesty, King Yongqiu requests an audience." Jiang Wei stood at the door and bowed to report.
"Let him come." Cao Rui ordered: "Bo Yue, after Prince Yongqiu leaves, give these documents to Minister Yang and ask him to come to me later."
"As you wish." Jiang Wei stepped forward quickly, sorted out the documents that the emperor had pushed out, and placed them on a small table on the side. He took a few steps back, turned around and walked out to call Cao Zhi.
Looking at Cao Zhi who walked into the hall, Cao Rui asked with a smile: "Uncle, are you going to show me the proclamation?"
Cao Zhi responded, "Your Majesty is right. I have corrected the inappropriate parts you pointed out the other day and will now present the entire article to Your Majesty."
Cao Zhi held the manifesto up in his palm, ready to hand it to the emperor.
Cao Rui smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Uncle Huang's magnificent writing, I have seen it the other day. Come, Bo Yue, read it for me!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Jiang Wei took the manifesto from Cao Zhi's hand, opened it carefully, read it for a few seconds, and then his eyes lit up.
Jiang Wei cleared his throat and read aloud: "In the past, the Han Dynasty was in decline, the land was torn apart, and the lives of the people were almost wiped out..."
"The Lord is now holy and wise, carrying on the legacy of the past..."
"I mourn for the people of Bashu, who are alone in being bandits. I pity the people of these places, who are still toiling under the heavy labor. Therefore, I order the six divisions to be appointed, and Gong to carry out the punishment of heaven..."
"…Now I will use my counsel as my sword and my halberd, my strategy as my banner, and I will not disturb my teacher and my disciples, but will draw on the power of the Heavenly Master. The thunder will turn the fallen stones into thunder, and the broken hazels and trees will shatter. When the weapons are blown, no enemy will not fall; when the drums are sounded, no city will not be conquered."
"If you take it easy and do not turn back, once the army is launched, everything will be shattered. Even if you want to regret it, it will be too late. You should carefully consider the pros and cons, and wish for the best for yourself. Each of you should make it known to everyone."
Needless to say, Cao Zhi's literary talent is very smooth, and his writing persuades the people of Shu to follow the laws of nature through ups and downs. It is indeed a magnificent article.
Cao Rui smiled and said, "Uncle, this article is worth 10,000 soldiers!"
Originally he wanted to say one hundred thousand, but Cao Rui thought about it and decided that it would be better not to exaggerate the number for Cao Zhi.
Hearing the emperor say that it could match 10,000 soldiers and horses, Cao Zhi was stunned for a moment. But Cao Zhi quickly reacted and realized that the current emperor did not often say such lies, and praising it with the number of "10,000" was already a great compliment!
Cao Zhi cupped his hands and said, "I was able to write this article thanks to your Majesty's great blessing. Without your Majesty's guidance, I would never have been able to do it. What's the point of my small contribution?"
Seeing that Cao Zhi's official language was becoming more and more polite, Cao Rui shook his head and said with a smile: "Uncle, don't learn bad things from the court officials. You are my relative, so you can say whatever you want to say. Do you understand?"
"Uncle, you will read this letter to the public in person during the Heavenly Sacrifice tomorrow! This will show me how to educate the army and how the Wei Kingdom will surely win!"
"I understand." Cao Zhi said with a folded hand: "If there is nothing else, I will take my leave now."
"Uncle, wait a minute." Cao Rui said slowly, "I do have a question for you, uncle."
Cao Zhi looked up at the emperor with a hint of surprise and said, "Your Majesty, what do you want to ask me? I will tell you everything I know."
"That's right." Cao Rui paused for a few moments, then said, "Yesterday I talked with my ministers about the Qiang people. If I want to make the Qiang people submit to the king, is there any way other than the system?"
"Qiang people?" Cao Zhi wondered, "Your Majesty, do you want the Qiang people to return to their faith and gradually merge with the Han people?"
"That's right." Cao Rui nodded.
After thinking for a while, Cao Zhi smiled and said, "Your Majesty, I think this is a long process that can't be accomplished in one day. But if Your Majesty wants to do it, I have a few quick ways to use."
"Uncle, please tell me, don't hide it anymore." Cao Rui urged.
Cao Zhi bowed and said, "Although the Qiang people are different from the Xianbei, Xiongnu, and Wuhuan, they are also foreign tribes after all. We still need to lure them with benefits and seduce them with emotions." "If we lure them with benefits, we should use taxes and grain as conditions to drive the Qiang people to do things."
"If it is profitable, there are many things that can be done. I think it is nothing more than dressing properly and changing to a Chinese surname."
Cao Rui said with a hint of surprise: "Uncle, what you said is very good! You hit the nail on the head right away!"
"The Qiang people have always admired the culture and elegance of the Han people. Giving different surnames to the Qiang people of the same tribe will naturally lead to their disintegration and division over time."
"If we can reward the Qiang people who are willing to wear Han Chinese clothing, or give Han Chinese clothing to obedient tribes, we can gradually bring them back to their hearts!"
"That's right. I just have a rough idea. Your Majesty, what you said are the details that can be directly implemented, which are more wise." Cao Zhi replied.
"Look at you. I told you not to be polite, but you are still like this." Cao Rui was silent for a few moments, then looked at Cao Zhi: "If what the emperor's uncle said can really be accomplished, I will also reward the emperor's uncle."
Cao Zhi cupped his hands and said, "This is all within my responsibility."
After seeing Yang Fu outside the door, Cao Rui said, "Uncle, please go now. You will read the manifesto tomorrow, don't forget it."
"As you command, I'll take my leave." Cao Zhi slowly walked out of the hall.
Yang Fu passed by Cao Zhi but did not even look at him.
"Your Majesty, I am here to see you. What is the matter with you that you have summoned me?" Yang Fu asked with a bow.
"I have two things to discuss with Lord Yang." Cao Rui said directly: "First, you will preside over the ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven tomorrow."
"I have already instructed Guo Huai to take care of the altar, rituals, and other matters. I appointed you as the Minister of the Interior, essentially to let you assist me in matters concerning Yongliang."
"I will not use the general or the minister of work tomorrow, but you will be in charge. Are you willing to do it?"
Yang Fu didn't seem to think for a moment, and he bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, I will obey your command even if I die!"
Cao Rui nodded with satisfaction.
Among the four attendants, with Liu Ye's departure and Wang Su's replacement, Xin Pi's responsibilities gradually increased.
Only Yang Fu played the role of Xin Pi's former "adviser". He was always able to speak frankly, dare to give advice and correct mistakes, and be brave to take on responsibilities.
When the emperor was touring his hometown, asking him, a native of his hometown, to preside over the sacrifices was also a form of alternative praise.
Cao Rui did not hesitate and continued, "After you left yesterday, I thought about many military matters later."
"The original two states of Yong and Liang will soon be divided into three states: Yong, Liang, and Qin. How will Zhang He's Yong and Liang governorship be changed?"
"I will not hide it from you, Mr. Yang. There is no precedent for Zhang He to supervise the military of three states alone, and I do not want to give Zhang He such power!"
Cao Rui understood that it was no problem for him to ask ministers like Sima Yi and Chen Jiao about major policies, but when it came to sensitive personnel appointments and dismissals, the first person Cao Rui instinctively thought of was Yang Fu.
Yang Fu was silent for a few moments, then he said, "If Your Majesty thinks of this, I think at least we should take Wudu County in this battle! Yinping is secondary."
"What do you mean?" Cao Rui asked.
"This military strategy was made clear before," Yang Fu explained, "If the Shu army marches north from Hanzhong, they will either enter Guanzhong or go west through Wudu County."
"There are two directions from Wudu County. One is to go along the West Han River to Qishan, and the other is to go along the ancient road to Chencang. The key places of the entire Yongliang are actually these two roads."
"If Your Majesty can capture Wudu in this battle, then with Wudu County, you can control two routes of the Shu army! This also means that supervising the military of Qinzhou is almost comparable to supervising the military of Yongliang in the past."
Cao Rui said slowly: "Then Yongzhou is just like Yuzhou? Under the premise that several roads are blocked, the defense task becomes as easy as Yuzhou. When necessary, we can just send soldiers and food to Qinzhou?"
Yang Fu gritted his teeth and said, "I dare not make a final conclusion, but from a military point of view, this seems feasible."
"I understand." Cao Rui said slowly: "After the New Year, when the central army arrives on the road, I will order the army to advance."
"To be honest, I am still somewhat dissatisfied with Guo Huai's actions this time. Although he defended Shanggui for the Wei Dynasty, his contribution was as a general, not as a governor of a state."
"Your Majesty, are you planning to transfer Guo Huai?" Yang Fu asked in surprise.
"That's right." Cao Rui nodded. "As you said just now, the defenses of Longyou and Wudu are more important, and Zhang He should be stationed there personally, so Guo Huai won't be of much use here."
"Wouldn't it be more appropriate to let Guo Huai be a general in Guanzhong and transfer people from the court to take charge of civil affairs?"
Yang Fu took a deep breath, then cupped his hands and said, "I think it's best to discuss these matters after the war. Right now, we should make progress in the military first."
Cao Rui stared at Yang Fu for a long while and said, "What Yang Qing said is true. Please keep an eye on Guo Huai for me and help me see if he is capable of great use."
"I understand." Yang Fu said with a folded hand. (End of this chapter)
