"Man Chong?" Sima Yi said, "Wu Zhen has done such a thing in Luoyang this time. Truth be told, I am quite surprised, for he is almost unrecognizable from the Wu Zhen I knew before."
"When did Wu Zhen start arresting people?"
Sima Shi thought for a moment and said, "It seems that after the Yanji Camp Commander Guan Jian returned to Luoyang to report the victory, the Grand Inspector began to arrest Xun's people into the imperial prison."
"It seems it was less than two days before Xun Yu died in the imperial prison."
Guan Jian... Sima Yi's face showed a faint expression of disgust.
The last time the emperor sent this person to ask questions at his mansion. That day, Sima Yi looked at the young man's less than humble demeanor, and he harbored some dissatisfaction.
This time, the emperor again sent Guan Qianjin to Luoyang to report the victory, and then Wei Zhen began to arrest and kill people.
Among them, without the involvement of the emperor, Wei Zhen would never have dared to do such things. Xun You's disciples and officials were scattered throughout the mighty Wei. To kill Xun You's son still required immense courage.
But now, it seems that Wei Zhen not only did it, but also did it very decisively, leaving himself no half measure.
Sima Yi asked, "Just now, father heard someone briefly mention that to get the members of the Xun family into the imperial prison, Wei Zhen even had the Judge High Rousoftly imprisoned?"
Sima Shi nodded and said, "My son heard that at that time, Judge High was standing outside the imperial prison, intercepting the Grand Inspector. He banned the Grand Inspector from bringing the suspects into the imperial prison on the grounds that there was no imperial edict."
"As a result, the news of this incident spread widely, and the Judge High was also confined at home by the Grand Inspector that day."
"Confined on that very day?" Sima Yi asked, frowning.
Sima Shi also seemed to sense something amiss: "Father asked a good question... it seems it was only softly confined for one day."
Sima Yi shook his head and cursed in his mouth, "This High Rou, is still so slippery, never willing to do bad things!"
Sima Shi was puzzled: "The Judge has always been upright, hasn't he? This time he was personally standing outside the imperial prison to block it. How can he be slippery? I don't understand."
"Humph." Sima Yi said with a stern expression, "It's more important to judge a person by their deeds than by their words."
"Just last year, when the late emperor wanted to kill Bao Xun, father and Chen Qun jointly urged the late emperor to save Bao Xun's life."
"The late emperor wanted High Rou to kill Bao Xun, but High Rou saw that the late emperor was severely ill and near death, so he refused to do such a wicked thing. Finally, the late emperor, out of desperation, had High Rou called into the palace to be reassigned, and then killed Bao Xun."
Sima Shi suddenly understood: "So High the Judge has done as he did before this time, then?"
"How is it the same?" Sima Yi stared into Sima Shi's eyes.
"Again putting the responsibility outside himself, I suppose," Sima Shi said. "By blocking outside the imperial prison and then being confined at home, he can't be blamed by any court officials who sympathize with the Xun family."
"All the blame has been laid on the Grand Inspector alone."
Sima Yi nodded: "Ziyuan seems to understand the importance of judging a person by their deeds."
Sima Shi, however, was moved: "With the guidance from father, I find that many of the well-known ministers in the court are not as upright as previously reported."
Sima Yi said, "At the level of the Three Publics and Nine Ministers, what is there to differentiate between right and wrong? They are merely fighting for different positions."
Sima Shi immediately said, "Father didn't just ask me about the impact of this event in Luo Zhong?"
"Let Ziyuan say." Sima Yi replied.
Sima Shi spoke slowly, "Many people feel sympathy for the Xun family due to the identity of Xun You's son. However, when it comes to matters of rebellion, almost no one dares to speak up for the Xun family or argue with the Grand Inspector."
"Father, as a leader of scholars, Chen Biaoqi is far away in Yangzhou, and now it is only you in Luoyang. Shouldn't you also say a few words?"
Sima Yi stood up, looking down at his son from a high position: "Ziyuan, I ask you, how did father become the leader of scholars?"
Sima Shi asked in surprise, "Father has been assisting in governance for many years and is a scholar; isn't that exactly what makes you the leader of scholars?"
"Wrong," Sima Yi said with a sarcastic smile, "Ziyuan, you must remember that there is no such thing as a leader of scholars. From the period of Cao Qing to Huang Chao, and from Huang Chao to Taihe, no one has ever been able to force scholars into a single group! Father cannot do it either."
"But... Although father is not the leader of scholars, he is also one of the most respected scholars in Luoyang. If I don't say something, it will certainly disappoint everyone."
Sima Yi took a few steps, opened the door of the study, and turned to face Sima Shi: "Ziyuan, you will send someone to the Taixue immediately after this and ask for leave. You will stay at the mansion these days; don't go to Taixue. Father is now going to the Secretariat."
Sima Shi was somewhat confused by his father's meaning. As the Prime Minister and the Chief of the Grand Commandery had returned to the capital, and the emperor was not far from Chenliu in Luoyang, it was clear that this stagnant case at Taihe, the first major case of the year, would certainly progress to a new stage.
Xun Can was constantly shuttling between Taixue and Luoyang, spreading his views... It's clear that Taixue will also become a suspect area.
Sima Shi bowed, "Father, walk slowly."
Sima Yi did not turn around, nodded, and directly left the mansion, traveling in a carriage towards the Secretariat.
Luoyang, the Secretariat.
The former Chief Secretary, Wang Si, had taken a leave of absence at home for old age and illness several months ago, looking as if his days were numbered.
Moreover, Chen Jiao had already taken the post of the Vice Grand Historian. Before Sima Yi's return, Wei Zhen, the Deputy Grand Historian, was the most responsible person in the Secretariat.
The emperor also doesn't know why he hasn't yet taken away Sima Yi's power as the Recorder of the Secretariat, and the largest 'Counseling Cabinet' is still reserved for Sima Yi. Wei Zhen had long moved into the room that was used by Chen Jiao and Wang Si before.
Sima Shi heard that some of his subordinates reported that the Prime Minister had come to the Secretariat, and Wei Zhen slowly walked out of the house and met Sima Yi in the courtyard.
Wei Zhen, with a calm expression, bowed and said, "Greetings to the Prime Minister."
Sima Yi laughed and said, "In these past few months, it has indeed been a labor of love for you, Gong Zhen, to manage everything in Luoyang all by yourself!"
Wei Zhen said, "As a commoner, I would never dare to use the word 'exhausting.' The Prime Minister accompanied the emperor on the southern campaign; that is truly a national benefactor. I am just staying at home to guard the palace."
Sima Yi maintained the curve of his mouth, but the smile in his eyes gradually faded.
Powerful positions are always accompanied by contention. The relationship between ministers is far from being summed up by the four characters 'togetherness in harmony'.
Wei Zhen has been in Luoyang for the past few months, in charge of the court and responsible for logistics, which is exactly what Sima Yi himself did in Luoyang and at Chuang when the late emperor Cao Wei launched his southern expedition!
The emperor took Sima Yi away from Luoyang but allowed Wei Zhen to take over the functions that Sima Yi originally had.
Although Wei Zhen's current position is only the Deputy Grand Historian, he is still a few levels below his own post as the Grand Inspector.
But Wei Zhen was a minister who had been personally entrusted by the emperor. Such a position is about more than just the title; it is about favor from the emperor!
The impression Sima Yi left in the Secretariat was always one of speaking only good words but getting things done efficiently.
Now that Sima Yi has returned to Luoyang with the position of Recorder of the Secretariat, he still has to compete with Wei Zhen, who is in charge of Luoyang, for power and responsibility in the Secretariat.
"Guarding the palace is also a great contribution, not less than military achievements!" Sima Yi looked at Wei Zhen and said, "Since I have returned to the Secretariat, any documents that need to be reviewed, Gong Zhen can send someone to deliver them here."
Wei Zhen's expression remained unchanged: "That's exactly right. If there are any matters to be handled, I will send them to the Grand Inspector immediately."
Sima Yi nodded slightly in satisfaction: "I also did something similar a few years ago."
"Great matters and small details, a thousand threads and endless entanglements. The burden of eleven states in Da Wei rests solely on my shoulders." Sima Yi spoke slowly: "Gong Zhen has not had this kind of background before, so it must be much harder for him to do things, let alone with the added responsibility of being the Grand Inspector."
After Sima Yi finished speaking, he stood on the steps and scanned the large courtyard of the Secretariat. Clerks moved busily between various offices, with almost no moment of rest. At this moment, the Secretariat was actually the heart of Da Wei.
Sima Yi looked elsewhere and asked casually, "By the way, Gong Zhen, I heard that Xun Yu was killed in the imperial prison?"
Wei Zhen nodded in response: "Xun Yu first slandered the late emperor by claiming that he ordered the execution of his brother Xun Yu when he was a minor emperor. He harbored a grudge for many years, and took advantage of the fact that the emperor was away to spread rumors and wanted to proclaim King Yongqi as emperor."
"Xun Yu was rebellious and traitorous; after leaving a confession in the imperial prison, he feared punishment and committed suicide. He truly deserved to die."
Sima Yi looked at Wei Zhen and asked, "What about Xun Hong?"
Wei Zhen replied in a calm tone: "Xun Hong was also involved in Xun Yu's plot. He is currently being detained in the imperial prison, waiting for the emperor to return to Luoyang and conduct further questioning."
Sima Yi furrowed his brow and said, "Gong Zhen, even though Xun Yu and Xun Hong are rebellious, it can't be that all of the Xun family are traitors, can it? Why must you detain all the members of the Xun family? That is the imperial prison!"
Wei Zhen replied, "It is precisely because we need to investigate thoroughly that we can clear the suspicion of innocent people. Those who commit crimes must be punished according to the law."
Wei Zhen stood upright in the courtyard, as he conversed with Sima Yi, passing clerks avoided them to avoid disturbing the two high-ranking officials. Thus their conversation at this time could not be heard by others.
"Zhen, I have something to advise you," Sima Yi said, glancing around and speaking in a low voice. "Lord Xun has rendered meritorious service to the state, and most of the Xun family are loyal to the country. Don't involve too many people."
"Zhen, you can give me a look at the case files for this matter. I will also help Zhen investigate the evil ones."
Wei Zhen still had the same expression, but he shook his sleeve heavily and added a few more cold tones to his speech: "Prime Minister, the case files belong to the jurisdiction of the Grand Inspector, not the Deputy Grand Historian."
"While I hold both positions, they cannot be confused or mixed," Wei Zhen said slowly. "I apologize, but I cannot comply with your request."
Sima Yi saw Wei Zhen's expression change, and then explained: "Zhen, I have no intention of exonerating the Xun family. I just don't want to implicate too many people. Xun Yu's eldest daughter was married to Chen Qun, wasn't he? Hasn't Chen Qun sent someone to inquire about this?"
Wei Zhen said in a deliberate manner, "Prime Minister, is this something you must get involved in? Chen Hu had indeed sent someone to inquire, but I must also remind the Prime Minister that Chen Hu has marital ties with the Xun family and they are also hometown compatriots."
"However, Prime Minister, you are not from Yingchuan!"
(Chapter complete)
