Chapter 482: Boda Shuda
The cavalry guards were fully armored and stretched from the main hall of Liu Xie's mansion to outside the gate, with guards standing every three steps on both sides of the road out of the city.
Before coming to Shanyang Mansion, Cao Rui made it clear that he would not stay overnight in the city to show his respect for the Han Dynasty's fiefdom, and it was only natural for him to stay outside the city.
On the way back to the camp, Cao Rui walked slowly with his hands behind his back, his chin slightly raised, looking into the dark distance in the night sky. Liu Ye and Guanqiu Jian followed him silently, one on each side. Soldiers holding torches guarded the roadside, and Cao Rui's face was illuminated by flickering lights.
The three of them walked forward in silence. When they were near the city gate, Liu Ye, who was standing behind them on the left, coughed lightly and said in a low voice:
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty?"
Cao Rui didn't turn around: "What's the matter?"
Liu Ye looked at the emperor's profile and a strand of hair. "What the Duke of Shanyang said in the palace just now concerns the Central Army and the Privy Council. I also feel something. After returning to Luozhong, should I bring this matter up to the cabinet ministers for discussion?"
Cao Rui stopped when he heard this, and turned to look at Liu Ye: "Don't make this public, let alone tell the West Pavilion. I asked you two to accompany me tonight, just listen carefully, and you don't need to tell others about the rest."
Liu Ye paused, then bowed and said, "What Lord Shanyang said just now makes sense. I am the Right Supervisor of the Privy Council appointed by Your Majesty. If Your Majesty intends to change the power of the Privy Council, I will definitely work hard for Your Majesty!"
Liu Ye led the way, and Guanqiu Jian followed suit and said, "I second the motion!"
"Why, do you two think I will doubt my ministers because of his few words?" Cao Rui smiled and shook his head: "Liu Qing still understands my thoughts. Although Shanyang Gong's words are good, this is a matter of ten or twenty years, not a short-term achievement. After the establishment of the Wei Dynasty, the power of the Nine Ministers was gradually seized to form the Shangshutai and the Privy Council. It is impossible to change the system back to the old way."
"Besides." Cao Rui sneered, "The emperors of the Han Dynasty never left Luoyang. I spend most of my time outside Luoyang, and I am the commander of 300,000 troops of the Wei Dynasty. Am I similar to them in any way?"
"Your Majesty is wise!" Liu Ye said solemnly to show his agreement.
"Your Majesty is wise." This was Guanqiu Jian following suit.
Cao Rui glanced at the two of them and said, "That's all for tonight. Also, I have one more thing to say to you."
"The most urgent matter for Wei now is to quell the separatist regimes of Wu and Shu. The central army system is most suitable for wars in all directions. If the military power is dispersed, it will be much more troublesome to send troops. Reforming the central army system can be done, but not now."
"Liu Qing, after you return to Luoyang, go to the Guanglu Temple and ask Yang Yishan to select four loyal and honest officials from humble backgrounds and send them to the Duke of Shanyang."
"Yes, Your Majesty. I understand." Liu Ye replied.
The three of them walked towards the camp outside Zhuolu City, and more and more soldiers gathered behind them. At the north gate of the military camp, Sima Yi led a middle-aged official and stood quietly beside the camp gate.
Sima Yi saw the emperor coming from afar, led the man forward, bowed and said: "Your Majesty, Liu Wengong, the governor of Henei, is here to see you. I am waiting for you."
Liu Jing also bowed down following Sima Yi's words: "Your Majesty, I, Liu Jing, pay my respects to you! I heard that your Majesty was touring Henei County, so I hurried here from Huai County to meet you."
"Stand up." Cao Rui glanced at Sima Yi, then at Liu Jing: "You two, follow me into the tent."
"Yes."
"According to the order."
Not long after, Cao Rui sat down in the big tent in the military camp and looked at Liu Jing who was standing respectfully in the tent: "How many years have you been in Hanoi, Mr. Liu?"
"Your Majesty, I was transferred from the prefect of Lujiang to Henei in the sixth year of Huangchu, and it has been exactly five years now." Liu Jing replied with a bow.
"Five years." Cao Rui nodded. "When Liu Qing was in Lujiang, there were only a few cities in Lujiang County, such as Lu'an and Shuxian. So Grand Marshal Cao first took Wancheng, and I personally led the army to attack Sun Quan and took Wancheng and Songzi back to the territory of Wei. Today's Lujiang County is completely different from the past. It used to be a narrow and cramped place, but now the area under its control can reach the south to the Yangtze River. It is not easy."
"If Liu Qing is asked to go to Lujiang again, what should Liu Qing do?"
Liu Jing obviously did not understand the temperament of the current emperor. Facing such a jumpy question, Liu Jing took a few moments to sort out his thoughts and answered:
"If Your Majesty appoints me as the governor of Lujiang, I will encourage agriculture, promote education, develop water conservancy, build military farms, and assist the army to ensure the safety of the border."
Cao Rui nodded without commenting: "I have heard that your father Liu Yuanying was the governor of Yangzhou in the past. He came to the empty city of Hefei alone, gathered people and built the city, which gradually made Huainan prosperous. If one day you can become the governor, I will let you go to Yangzhou to take up the post."
Liu Jing bowed and said, "My father and I both care deeply about Huainan. If Your Majesty has an order, I will do my best to fulfill it and live up to Your Majesty's grace!"
Liu Jing's father, Liu Fu, also known as Yuanying, almost single-handedly rebuilt the important city of Hefei in Huainan, and stored food and supplies during his tenure, allowing Jiang Ji and others to repel Sun Quan's troops. Jiang Ji, Jiang Zitong, has now been the governor of Yangzhou for three years.
When Cao Pi was in power, he used the example of his father Liu Fu to encourage Liu Jing when he appointed him as the governor of Lujiang. Now Cao Rui used the position of governor of Yangzhou to encourage Liu Jing. How could Liu Jing not feel touched? Whether the son inherited his father's business or the son carried on his father's ambition, the father and son were both in charge of a place. This was simply the most perfect state for being an official in the court.
"Stand up." Cao Rui said calmly, "I still have a few words to ask Mr. Liu."
"Yes, sir." Liu Jing stood up.
Cao Rui asked, "Since August, there has been a lot of rain in Sili, Yuzhou, and Jingzhou. What about Henei County?"
Liu Jing did not hesitate at all and said, "Your Majesty, the heavy rain in Sili is only limited to the territory of Henan Yin. In the area of Heyang and Wenxian, it rained heavily for four days from August 3rd to August 7th, and then the rain gradually decreased. There were only a few heavy rains on the 13th, 14th, and 26th."
"Under the command of the Minister of Defense, Henei County has mobilized 23,000 civilians from various counties to work in Luoyang to control the flood. Grain, fodder, medicinal materials, cloth, and other supplies have also been mobilized. I will present the specific list of supplies and the details of the deployment to Your Majesty after I return to Huai County."
Wei Zhen was Shangshu Zuo Pushe and also held the position of Sili Xiaowei. This was within Wei Zhen's duties and authority, so it was nothing surprising and he didn't even need to report it.
Cao Rui said: "It's okay, I'm not here to check the accounts. How are the people in the counties of Henei and how is their education?"
Liu Jing replied, "Henei is a large prefecture under the Sili Prefecture. A prefectural school has been set up in the prefecture, and county schools have been set up in each county. The classics compiled by Chongwenguan have also been fully promoted in Henei County. Shanyang is not far from Huai County, the prefectural seat. Why don't Your Majesty go to Huai County tomorrow to take a look?"
Cao Rui smiled and said, "That's not necessary. I will return to Luoyang tomorrow."
"Yangzhou has had several governors. Your father Liu Yuanying and his successor Wen Manji are both loyal and patriotic." Cao Rui glanced at Sima Yi again and said, "And your brother Sima Boda, the Minister of Works, is also as wise and talented as them."
Sima Yi sighed softly and bowed deeply.
This behavior of evaluating the former minister in front of many important officials in the court can almost be regarded as the court's official final judgment on the minister. Sima Lang is Sima Yi's elder brother. How could Sima Yi not thank the emperor for such praise?
Liu Jing glanced at Sima Yi unconsciously, and then said: "Your Majesty, Sima Boda has two sons, both of whom are officials in the state. This time they are also accompanying me to the imperial court."
Sima Lang's two sons were brought here by Liu Jing?
Cao Rui knew about the existence of these two people. The eldest son, Sima Yi, was Sima Lang's biological son. The second son, Sima Wang, was Sima Fu's biological son, and was later adopted by Sima Lang.
It was clear from Liu Jing's words that he wanted him to meet the two younger generations of the Sima family.
Cao Rui chuckled and said, "Since they are here, I will meet them. Zhong Gong, call them in."
"Yes, sir." Guanqiu Jian, who was kneeling beside him, stood up, and the armor on his body made some friction sounds of metal plates.
Soon, Sima Yi and Sima Wang were brought in by Guanqiu Jian.
After they knelt and bowed, Cao Rui asked, "Sima Yi, your uncle was named Yi, why did you use Yi as your name?"
Sima Yi was somewhat flustered by the question, and he did not dare to look up to ask his uncle for help, so he could only bow and say: "Your Majesty, the word '遗' in this minister is pronounced like '魏', which is not similar to the '懿' in my uncle's name."
It is not similar to "Yi" in pronunciation, but is the same as "Wei"?
Cao Rui suddenly felt disgusted and nodded: "Although this word has multiple pronunciations, it still needs to be avoided according to etiquette. Just now, I discussed Sima Boda with Governor Liu. Considering his past achievements, I should praise you."
"I will confer upon you the title of Marquis of Guannei, and grant you the character 'Zhong' as your name. From now on, you shall be called Sima Zhong!"
Sima Yi finally moved his expression at this time, and asked with a cupped hand: "Your Majesty, please tell me which 'zhong' it is?"
"Sima Boda is loyal to his country, so he is naturally loyal to his country."
Sima Yi, who should be called Sima Zhong at this moment, immediately bowed and kowtowed, saying: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your kindness! I will definitely carry on my father's aspirations and serve the Great Wei with all my strength!"
"Okay, I will remember what you said today and encourage you." Cao Rui gave a few instructions and then looked at Sima Wang: "Your name is Sima Wang, right? Sima Boda has a son, why did Sima Shuda adopt you?"
Sima Wang bowed and said, "Your Majesty, my elder brother has been young and sick for a long time, so my biological father adopted me to you."
Cao Rui nodded, and then looked at Sima Yi: "Sikong's family has many people, and there are many trivial matters like this. Sima Boda already has a son, so why should Shuda adopt a son for him?"
"I will take care of this matter for your family." Cao Rui smiled and pointed at Sima Wang: "Shuda is also an important official in the court. He has a bright future. You can go back to be Shuda's son."
"What do you think, Sikong?"
(End of this chapter)
