It is indeed an old story.
Concubine Mao was born in Henei County and was a fellow townsman of Sima Yi.
Another fellow villager of Concubine Mao was Yu, who once insulted the emperor and Empress Dowager Bian in person.
If you count carefully, Yu has been in the cold palace for two years. Although according to the emperor's instructions, food, clothing and health are always worry-free.
Without freedom, it was not only Yu herself who was restricted, but also her clan in Henei County. From the perspective of the Yu family in Henei, their daughter was living well in Luoyang, so how could she have angered the emperor?
Half a year is enough to wait, a year is enough to endure. After a year and a half, almost two years, the Yu family must take some action.
Whether doing something or giving a gift, there must always be some reason behind it. New Year gifts are the best excuse.
Before the New Year, Mao Jia, the father of Concubine Mao, came to Luoyang from Hanoi to send some New Year gifts to the daughters in the palace. Mao Jia could not resist the Yu family's earnest request, so he also brought a gift for the Yu family.
Mao Jia didn't reach the point of being unscrupulous, but he could be considered quite complacent.
It was well known in Luoyang that Concubine Mao was favored by the emperor. Moreover, the emperor's eldest son Cao Qi was born to Concubine Mao, and the status of a mother in the palace was enhanced by her son.
Someone had advised Mao Jia long ago that if it were during the Han Dynasty, as Mao Jia was a relative of the emperor, he might be made a general.
Mao was delighted to receive her father's gift, but she was troubled by the gift from the Yu family. After hearing that the emperor had conquered Hanzhong, the Yu family sent Mao another gift that was ten times more generous than the previous one.
I only ask that Concubine Mao say a good word or two for Yu. I have no other request.
Concubine Mao was not stupid. She knew everything about Yu's previous insults to the emperor.
Therefore, after meeting Cao Rui, he told him everything about his father's request, the Yu family's entrustment, and what gifts had been sent.
Cao Rui's expression gradually became better. He turned and looked at Concubine Mao: "The Yu family only asked you to beg for mercy. No other request?"
Maopin thought for a moment and said, "By the way, she also said that if the court grants amnesty, she would like me to mention Yu's name."
amnesty……
Cao Rui nodded slightly and continued to ask: "What do you think of this person from the Yu family?"
Concubine Mao was stunned for a moment, then said hesitantly, "I really don't know. She did something wrong in the past, and she deserves the punishment from Your Majesty."
"It is up to your Majesty to decide how to deal with it. I cannot refuse your father's request, so I have confessed everything to your Majesty."
Cao Rui sighed: "You are able to be selfless and not fight or compete with me. This is your best quality."
"I know about this matter, so you don't have to worry about it. I will send someone to talk to your father. I will also take care of the matter with Yu family."
Concubine Mao bowed and said, "Your Majesty is wise."
Cao Rui said, "Let's not talk about whether I am wise or not. Last year, after I had a prince, many officials in the court asked me for amnesty, but I suppressed it at that time."
"Now that we have returned to Beijing victoriously, the issue of amnesty should be put on the agenda."
Cao Rui adjusted his collar, looked at his face in the mirror, and slowly walked towards the door.
Just as he raised his foot and had not stepped out of the door, Cao Rui took another step back and turned to look at Concubine Mao who was seeing him off: "I will come to your place tonight, remember to wait for me."
Concubine Mao was surprised and happy, and said goodbye softly. Her eyes were full of affection as she looked at Cao Rui.
Cao Rui raised the corner of his mouth, chuckled, waved his hand, and then strode out.
In the Zhangtai Palace, a grand banquet is being prepared.
Of all the ministers who went out of the city to welcome him today, except Zhong Yao who was really unable to do anything, all the others came to the banquet.
The lights are swaying and the colors are flowing.
The civil officials and military officers were either chatting with smiles on their faces or staring intently, waiting for the emperor's arrival.
There were tables and counters on both sides of the hall, nearly a hundred of them, filling up the Zhangtai Hall, which had been deserted for more than half a year.
As everyone was talking and laughing, everyone fell silent as the loud shout of the Palace Censor echoed in the hall.
Cao Rui was surrounded by eunuchs and guards, and walked slowly from the side hall to the throne in the innermost part of the hall.
He glanced around and saw that there were too many people in the palace today. In addition, the distance was too far, so he couldn't see the faces of about half of the ministers.
This kind of banquet is more about ceremony than substance, and is not really about eating, drinking and chatting.
After a few polite words, the banquet began as the music started to sound and dancers appeared on stage.
For many ordinary officials of the rank of two thousand stones, feasting in the same hall with His Majesty is something they can brag about for ten or even twenty years.
But there are only a few people who can really talk to the emperor and make the emperor willing to talk to them.
Among these people, of course, is General Hua Xin.
Hua Xin, who was over 70 years old, came over to toast, and Cao Rui had to give him face. After asking a few questions about Hua Xin's sons, Cao Rui asked casually, "Does the commander-in-chief think that we should grant amnesty to the whole country at this time?"
"A general amnesty?" Hua Xin instinctively repeated the emperor's words, but after a few seconds of reaction, he immediately replied, "I think a general amnesty should be given to the whole world."
"Your Majesty's ascension to the throne and the birth of a prince, both of these major events can be pardoned to show your majesty's magnanimity. Your Majesty has been on the throne for two years, and nearly half of the time has been spent on military campaigns."
"We have won another great victory this time," Hua Xin said, "and it is said that you should be prudent in sentencing prisoners, be compassionate to prisoners, and clarify the law to help educate the people. Your Majesty should take this opportunity to show your kindness to the world."
Cao Rui nodded and said, "Why is amnesty an act of grace? Please, General, explain this to me."
Hua Xin didn't know whether the emperor was pretending not to understand to liven up the atmosphere or was testing him, so he immediately replied: "The so-called country is between your majesty and the people, with a layer of officials in between."
"Since it is a rule of man, mistakes are inevitable. The mistakes made by officials in governing the people are the faults of the officials themselves, and they are often not corrected."
"The so-called amnesty is nothing more than a rescue for the people who have been wronged. It can also pull the people out of prison so that they can farm, weave and serve like normal people."
Cao Rui smiled and nodded: "I understand."
"This amnesty may sound like a benevolent policy, but in reality it is more based on practical considerations. Is that right?"
Hua Xin smiled and bowed his hands and replied: "Your Majesty is wise. To govern the world, we need to combine Confucianism and law. We cannot just take one and neglect the other."
Just as Cao Rui and Hua Xin were chatting, Sima Yi, the Prime Minister of Wei, also came over with a wine jar.
Hua Xin smiled and nodded at Sima Yi, but in his heart he was complaining about Sima Yi's attempt to join in the fun.
Sima Yi had just finished his toast when Cao Rui asked him, "General Fang Caihua and I were discussing the issue of amnesty. What do you think, Minister of Works?"
Sima Yi replied sternly: "Your Majesty's benevolence is comparable to that of Yao and Shun! You returned to the court after a great victory and issued a general amnesty, demonstrating the benevolence and forgiveness of the Wei Dynasty while promoting martial virtues at the same time."
Cao Rui said: "Since the Grand Commandant and the Minister of Works both agree to grant amnesty, I will grant your request!"
"Let the West and East Pavilions discuss the details together tomorrow. If there are no mistakes, we will announce this matter to the court at the grand court meeting three days later!"
They both nodded.
Since it was a courtesy banquet, Cao Rui did not drink much. After the banquet, Cao Rui smiled and waved goodbye amid the cheers of his ministers, and got on the carriage back to the harem.
After being away from home for more than half a year, it was time for him to have a good night's sleep in Luoyang Palace. Not to mention that there was a beautiful woman by his side, warm and soft.
The emperor had already arrived at Concubine Mao's palace, but Sima Yi was still on his way home.
Sima Yi hurried home in the afternoon, met with his family and talked for a few words, then hurried out to attend the banquet.
But after he returned home in the evening, the first thing he did was not to talk with his wives and concubines, but to call his second son Sima Zhao into the study.
"Zi Shang, is everyone in the family doing well during the time your father was away from Luoyang?"
Sima Zhao entered the study, sat at the table and talked with his father face to face, a treatment that was previously only enjoyed by his elder brother Sima Shi.
Now that Sima Shi is studying in his hometown of Wen County, he now has the opportunity to talk with his father late at night.
What you can’t get is the best.
Sima Zhao has envied his brother for several years, and now that his father asked him about family affairs, he wanted to show off.
"Don't worry, father." Sima Zhao replied proudly, "Everything is fine at home. Father is not at home, and as the eldest male in the family, I will do my best to take good care of mother and younger brother."
"Well, not bad." Sima Yi glanced at Sima Zhao and said, "Are you still studying hard at home? In a month or two, you will enter the third term of the Imperial Academy."
"You know what the Imperial College is like. When you get there, don't bring shame to the Sima family."
Sima Zhao still smiled foolishly and replied: "Don't worry, father! I study the scriptures every day at home and never slack off for a single day. If you don't believe me, please test my homework!"
"No need for homework. Zishang, haven't you always been curious about the future of Tai students?"
"Father, let me tell you that the hundred students that Your Majesty brought with him to Longyou have all become officials in charge of the Qiang people's farming affairs."
"Are you an official? Are you still associating with the Qiang people?"
Sima Zhao was stunned, and seemed to show a trace of disgust: "In a place like Longyou, Your Majesty may be too harsh on the students of the Imperial College?"
"Don't talk nonsense!" Sima Yi said, "Your Majesty once said that a prime minister must rise from the prefectures and counties, and a brave general must rise from the ranks. In my opinion, among these students who are farming in Longyou, there may be someone who can become one of the Three Dukes in the future!"
Sima Zhao swallowed and nodded to show that he understood.
Sima Yi sighed, "Your elder brother Ziyuan was also a student of the first term, but he was implicated in the Fuhua case and is now just living in his hometown in Wen County, without making any progress."
"Today in the palace, I heard from His Majesty that a general amnesty will be announced soon. If there is a general amnesty, I will take the opportunity to release Ziyuan even if I have to sacrifice my merits in this expedition!"
Sima Zhao kept nodding in response, but he couldn't help feeling a little sad.
Father, is it true that you love your brother the most?
You are not talking to me today, why do you always bring up my brother? (End of this chapter)
