Guanqiu Jian didn't know what to say, but Cao Rui had something to say to him.
Perhaps because Guanqiu Jian was a minister of the new dynasty, or because Guanqiu Jian was younger, or because the relationship between the two was closer, Cao Rui's words at this time seemed like a sigh and summary.
"I used to like a saying: If all the people are guilty, the fault lies with me."
Cao Rui half-leaned on the couch, looking in the direction of the tent door, and whispered to Guanqiu Jian: "Earlier at Chiting, Zhang He walked into the big tent with a bloody smell all over his body and told me with emotion how tragic the war was. I used this sentence to persuade Zhang He."
"But I have been ill for so long, lying on the bed for so many days, and in my dreams at midnight I often think of the corpses scattered all over the ground at Chiting."
Cao Rui laughed and said, "Only then did I understand that I am an emperor, a king, and the ruler of Wei, but I am only a human being, not a god."
"I cannot bear such a heavy consequence on my own, nor can I really bear the sins of all the people."
Guanqiu Jian was born into a family of literary officials in the Eastern Palace and had known the emperor since he was a teenager.
Before the emperor ascended the throne, as the eldest son of the previous emperor, he was of extremely noble status and often had the ambition to rule the world.
After the emperor ascended the throne, state affairs were complicated and there were many ministers, so he had fewer heart-to-heart talks with Guanqiu Jian. But overall, the emperor's attitude towards state affairs was high-spirited and positive.
What's happening now?
Guanqiu Jian bowed and asked, "I am a little confused about what Your Majesty means."
Cao Rui said, "During this expedition, nearly 20,000 Wei soldiers died. Zhong Gong, do you think they all died for me?"
Guanqiu Jian instinctively nodded his head, but then he thought that the emperor's question should not be so simple. After thinking about it for a few more moments, he became even more confused and could not figure out what the emperor meant.
Guanqiu Jian, who was kneeling, sat up straight and said instinctively: "They died for Your Majesty, and also for the Great Wei."
"That's right." Cao Rui looked at Guanqiu Jian calmly, "But Zhonggong, can I be equal to the Great Wei?"
“Am I the state?”
Guanqiu Jian was brave, but not a first-rate general. Guanqiu Jian was talented, but not at the level of a doctor. Guanqiu Jian was wise, but still a level below Sima Yi and Liu Ye.
How can there be a person who can do everything? But in summary, Guanqiu Jian is already the most outstanding talent among Cao Rui's trusted ministers.
I am the state?
Guanqiu Jian pondered the four words carefully, but inadvertently thought of the six months he had spent traveling outside last year.
When he led elite cavalry in Bingzhou to break through Kebineng's army, Guanqiu Jian certainly thought about serving the king, but he also thought about his personal achievements and the prosperity of his family.
When Guanqiu Jian was expelled from Liaodong by Gongsun Yuan, he had a duty and instinctively wanted to punish Gongsun Yuan.
All of the above are what Guanqiu Jian should do as a subject and official of the Wei Dynasty, and not just for the emperor!
Guanqiu Jian did not hide anything and said bluntly: "Your Majesty is Your Majesty, the Great Wei is the Great Wei, and Your Majesty is the Emperor of the Great Wei."
Cao Rui glanced at Guanqiu Jian and nodded with satisfaction: "I am not the same as the Great Wei. I am the emperor of the Great Wei, but the Great Wei is not my private property."
"So many Wei soldiers died in Chiting, they died for Wei, not just for me! If Wei wins and takes Hanzhong, and can help defeat the Shu bandits as soon as possible, the people of Wei will benefit! I will not be the only one to benefit."
Guanqiu Jian nodded to show that he understood.
Cao Rui continued, "The Great Wei is not my private property, so what am I going to do?"
"It is to be public-spirited and seek the welfare of the people and all the people."
"As the emperor of Wei, I want to ensure that the Cao family's throne will continue uninterrupted."
"It is to pacify Wu and Shu and unify the world as soon as possible."
Cao Rui looked at Guanqiu Jian and said, "It is not just that you regard the world as your own, that you regard the heart of one person as the heart of thousands of people, and that you handle state affairs arbitrarily based on my own likes and dislikes!"
Guanqiu Jian bowed and said, "I understand your majesty's aspirations! I am willing to lead the way for your majesty, do my best to be loyal, and die with no regrets!"
Cao Rui stretched out his hand and gave a slight push: "I understand Zhong Gong's intention. But Zhong Gong should also know my intention."
"The general is the general of Wei. Whether Zhong Gong just said that he wanted to isolate the inside and outside or that he intended to monopolize power, I don't blame him. Extraordinary times call for extraordinary things."
"Xu Chu, Cao Hong, Xin Pi, Sima Yi, Liu Fang... these people are all loyal ministers of the Wei Dynasty. I have nothing to criticize about them."
Guanqiu Jian stood up and sat down again, listening to the emperor's words with a solemn expression.
"And Zhong Gong, and Yang Fu." Cao Rui said slowly: "You two are not only loyal ministers of the Wei Dynasty, but also loyal ministers of me. I see it all."
"His Majesty!"
Guanqiu Jian was somewhat moved. He knelt down on the spot and kowtowed. He just lay there without moving.
Cao Rui said: "I am only a little disappointed with Xiahou Xian."
"First, he was not able to argue with the general like you did."
"Secondly, he was responsible for my protection, but he was separated from the general and directly commanded his own men."
"Third, he did not make any extra preparations. He simply followed the orders of the general. He is different from you and everyone else."
Guanqiu Jian said nothing, but just stood there quietly listening.
Your Majesty's meaning couldn't be more obvious. After this serious illness in Chencang, each of the accompanying ministers reacted differently to this matter.
According to your majesty, the general Cao Zhen, the minister of state Xin Pi, the minister of works Sima Yi... these people are more loyal to the Wei Dynasty. In other words, whoever is the emperor of the Wei Dynasty, they support him.
As for Guanqiu Jian and Yang Fu, they are more loyal to Your Majesty.
Your Majesty’s words just now made it clear: being loyal to Your Majesty is good, and being loyal to the Great Wei is also good.
But His Majesty is disgusted that he does nothing even though he is in such a key position.
Guanqiu Jian knelt on the ground and thought secretly, it seems that Xiahou Xian’s future will not be so smooth.
"Zhong Gong, please get up." Cao Rui said.
Guanqiu Jian stood up calmly, but his heart was churning with thoughts that he had just figured out.
Cao Rui looked at Guanqiu Jian and said, "Zhong Gong, call in everyone waiting outside the tent."
"Yes, sir." Guanqiu Jian bowed, then walked out of the tent and came back in with everyone.
After all the ministers saluted, Cao Rui leaned on the couch and looked at everyone present with a calm expression.
Cao Rui said: "I got sick in Chencang. According to the imperial physician, it was because I was overthinking. I thought about it myself and it was indeed true."
"I left Luoyang in December last year, and it has been more than half a year now. I have to think about and care about everything, including military strategy, political affairs, and state affairs. On the surface, I seem to be fine, but on the inside I am already a little weak."
Cao Zhen cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, it is because we are incompetent and cannot help you. Please punish me."
The tone is a bit high.
As Cao Zhen finished speaking, the other ministers in the tent also bowed and confessed their guilt.
Cao Rui looked at everyone and chuckled, "How can there be so many sins! In my opinion, haven't you all been very thoughtful during the time I was sick?"
"Everyone who is before me today is a loyal minister, and everyone has made contributions!"
Cao Rui glanced at Cao Zhen and said, "Especially the general, who has assumed the responsibility of supporting the country. I am very pleased!"
"Where is Secretary Liu?"
Liu Fang took a half step forward, clasped his hands and replied, "Your Majesty, I am here!"
Cao Rui said: "In recognition of the great general's recent achievements, his eldest son Cao Shuang will be granted the title of Tinghou! When we return to the capital, we will select a best pavilion from the twenty-four pavilions in Luoyang and grant it to Zhaobo!"
So he was made a marquis? It only took a few days!
Everyone's eyes were focused on Cao Zhen. Cao Zhen was surprised, but the worry in his heart finally fell to the ground.
To confer a title on his son was undoubtedly a compliment! Not to mention to confer the title of the Pavilion of Luoyang on Cao Shuang, which was an even rarer honor.
It’s almost comparable to being sealed in one’s place of origin!
Cao Zhen immediately knelt down in the tent and said: "How can I, with my humble contribution, deserve such a generous reward from Your Majesty? I hope Your Majesty will not reward Zhao Bo in this way."
"No problem." Cao Rui said calmly, "I said it's okay to reward, then it's okay to reward. General, don't you want Zhao Bo to be made a marquis?"
Cao Zhen had no choice but to say, "I thank Your Majesty for your grace on behalf of Zhaobo!"
Cao Rui smiled, and after Cao Zhen stood up, he said calmly: "I will reward everyone in the tent today! After returning to Luoyang, I will add more to your list when I commend your merits!"
After hearing the emperor's words, everyone bowed down and expressed their gratitude.
After a moment, Cao Rui looked at everyone and asked, "Where is Yang Fu?"
"I'm here!" Yang Fu replied.
Cao Rui said: "Yang Qing will return to the capital with me and will be transferred to Guanglu Xun. The former Guanglu Xun and He Qia will be transferred to Yongzhou Governor."
This was another piece of breaking news, even greater than the reward Cao Zhen had just given him.
Cao Shuang was a relative of the Cao clan and the eldest son of General Cao Zhen. How could he not be granted a title of nobility? It was only a matter of time.
How did Yang Fu go from being the governor of Yongzhou to becoming one of the Nine Ministers directly in Beijing?
Just because he wanted to commit suicide outside the tent when Your Majesty was ill, which was a political performance?
Sima Yi glanced at Yang Fu and felt a deep fear of this man who had been promoted from the position of city gate captain by the emperor less than two years ago.
How could this person be so opportunistic? And considering your majesty's wisdom, how could you believe it? And even give Yang Fu such a good position?
But at this moment, it is a reward for His Majesty after his illness, and it is neither reasonable nor moral to give any advice.
Yang Fu was stunned at first, and after a few seconds of reaction, he directly imitated Cao Zhen's behavior and knelt on the ground, bowing his head and saying:
"Your Majesty, I, Yang Fu, thank you for your grace! I am willing to sacrifice my life for you!"
Cao Rui said calmly: "I know what kind of person Yang Qing is. Come back to Luoyang with me. It's better for you to be closer to me."
Yang Fu said: "I obey your order! I will die for your majesty!"
Cao Rui nodded with satisfaction. (End of this chapter)
