Jishi Yi's eyes began to turn cold, and the curve of his mouth also dipped.
Wei Zhen said very correctly.
Jishi Yi is not from Yingchuan, and at present has no kinship with the Xun family.
The Xun family has a reputation far and wide, and it is not just Chen Qun who has married into the family. Even Emperor Wu Cao Cao, married his daughter Princess Anyang to the elder son of Xun Yu, Yuanyin.
It is natural for Jishi Yi to speak well of the Xun family, as the Xun family has a reputation to maintain. It is acceptable for them to be discussed in front of the emperor.
If Jishi Yi did not speak up for the Xun family, it would be fine. Jishi Yi has been serving in the Premier's office since he entered public service, with no connection to Xun Yu's Secretariat, and he is not considered a former subordinate of the Xun family.
Although Xun Yu had recommended Jishi Yi to Cao Cao, in Jishi Yi's view, it was merely a routine matter of official business and did not constitute a personal favor.
If Xun Yu had not recommended me, would I still be able to become a government official?
However, compared to the intricacies behind the scenes, Wei Zhen's attitude is more worthy of careful consideration. Is the emperor supporting Wei Zhen in dealing with the Xun family?
"I am not from Yingchuan, and these words are said out of a sense of justice," Jishi Yi shook his head lightly and then snorted, "I am also speaking for you in the interest of the public."
Wei Zhen looked at the expression of Jishi Yi and said, "The Duke of Earl is also accompanying the emperor on this southern campaign. There have been rumors in Luoyang, thankfully the battle was fought quickly, otherwise it would have caused some impact."
Jishi Yi said, "Public Wearing is correct! Let's work hard to examine the case in accordance with the law, so that we can uncover the truth as soon as possible."
"By the way, where have the case documents from the Secretariat been kept for the past few months? I want to go through them myself."
Wei Zhen coughed lightly and replied indifferently, "The political affairs from the past few months have been archived. It is unnecessary for the Duke of Earl to personally examine them. What would the Duke of Earl like to ask about?"
He added, "Understood. I will have the documents sent to the Duke of Earl's office."
"Since the emperor has not yet returned to Luoyang, as the administrator and Vice Chancellor of Luoyang, I must fulfill my duties. The tiresome tasks will not trouble the Duke of Earl."
If just a few words, Wei Zhen's straightforwardness might be excusable. But do you think I actually care about the lives of those who are said to belong to the Xun family?
Wei Zhen has been provoked by his words a few times.
It's clear that there's a reluctance to hand over power. Do you really think that my authority as the Minister of Records has vanished? Or is it that you, Wei Zhen, have become too powerful in these past few months?
Jishi Yi hummed and was about to erupt, wanting to question Wei Zhen in the courtyard of the Secretariat.
Unexpectedly, at this moment, someone walked in from outside, interrupting Jishi Yi's plan.
"Zhong Da and Gong Zhen. You two are here, so there's no need for me to look for you." Cao Zhen entered through the main entrance of the Secretariat, calling out the names of the two from a distance.
Jishi Yi frowned and turned to watch Cao Zhen's approaching figure, while his mind was replaying the scenes of Wei Zhen in the Secretariat over the years.
A man as cautious as Wei Zhen, after taking control of the power of the Secretariat, does he really not want to let go so easily?
However, Jishi Yi did not expect the emperor to suspect him. Just two months ago, the emperor had promoted him to a position of three officials, and in the southern campaign, he used his strategies at every turn. If someone were to confront Jishi Yi with such words now, Jishi Yi would certainly not believe it.
Cao Zhen walked over at a leisurely pace. Wei Zhen bowed to Cao Zhen, and Jishi Yi also bowed.
Jishi Yi asked in a low voice, "General Cao, why did you come to the Secretariat?"
"Can there be any other reason? It must be because of something important," Cao Zhen sighed. "I just received the news from my side that Xu Huand died in Yangzhou. Chen Qun has dispatched a messenger to Luoyang, and I just received the news as well."
Jishi Yi looked at Wei Zhen and said, "Gong Zhen, how should the Secretariat handle this matter?"
Wei Zhen's tone softened as well: "Since the Duke of Earl has returned to the Secretariat, it would be best for the Duke of Earl to decide." With a simple dismissal, Wei Zhen did not intend to cause any unpleasantness with Jishi Yi at this moment.
After all, Wei Zhen only knows the emperor's attitude, but he does not know how the emperor plans to remove Jishi Yi's authority as Minister of Records.
At this crucial moment, it is better to avoid trouble than to cause it.
Jishi Yi felt a bit easier now: "Since that's the case, Gong Zhen, you may return to your office. I will discuss this matter with General Cao myself."
Wei Zhen nodded and bowed his hands: "Understood. I will bid farewell."
The Secretariat, in the 'Assistant Hall'.
Cao Zhen hadn't been here for several months. Now, there were only he and Jishi Yi in this place, so Cao Zhen no longer needed to maintain the demeanor of a general.
Finding a chair, he sat down and leaned against it, putting his legs across the desktop.
Jishi Yi also didn't mind seeing this, and directly asked, "This should be a customary practice. The previous death of the late Major General Cao Reng was not also handled by you? Xu Huand is a general responsible for the Southern Campaign, so it is appropriate to handle it according to the proper etiquette."
Cao Zhen slightly shook his head: "If it were that simple, it would be easy to handle. But when I was in Shouchun, the emperor often sighed about the demise of famous ministers and veteran generals in his talks, and he also expressed a deep sense of gratitude for Xu Huand."
"This is not the first time the emperor has done something like this since he ascended to the throne! I came to discuss it with you."
Jishi Yi thought for a moment and said, "The emperor is thinking of giving some recognition, is that it?"
Cao Zhen replied, "It's not certain. But the emperor is currently in Chenliu, and Chen Qun's letter was sent to me."
"We can come up with a plan in Luoyang and send someone to report it to the emperor in Chenliu, so that the emperor will be spared the inconvenience."
Jishi Yi nodded and said, "That's right. What needs to be decided?"
Cao Zhen said, "Firstly, we need to discuss Xu Huand's posthumous title, whether there should be a posthumous award, the funeral ceremony, and the inheritance of his title."
"Besides that, it is also necessary to discuss who will take over the border army led by Xu Huand in Jingzhong."
Jishi Yi's eyes flashed. Clearly, Cao Zhen's visit to the Secretariat was focused on the second matter.
Since the emperor ascended to the throne, there have only been a few significant personnel changes:
Chen Qun, who was previously the Minister of Records, was transferred to Zhengzhou to guard Jingzhong and was promoted to General with Horseman. Chen Xiao, who was previously the Premier, became the Secretary-General; and Jia Kuai, who was previously the Prefect of Yuzhou, became the commander in charge of Wan City.
Apart from these three cases, almost everything the emperor has done has been to promote officials. Of course, his own promotion from General of the Military Affairs to Duke of Earl is considered the biggest promotion in the Taihe era.
Cao Zhen seems to want to appoint personnel himself. Otherwise, why did he come to see me about discussing posthumous titles?
Jishi Yi raised his eyebrows and looked at Cao Zhen: "Then shall we first discuss the posthumous title?"
"That's right," Cao Zhen nodded. "You know more about the rules of posthumous titles, so you can make the suggestion."
Jishi Yi stroked his beard: "Xu Huand has served the Wei family for nearly thirty years, fighting against Lü Bu, engaging in the Battle of Guandu, pacifying the North of Hebei, and stabilizing the Western Liang. He has never ceased fighting. Why not use the character 'zhuang' (valiant), meaning to defeat enemies and suppress rebellion?"
"Xu Huand is a distinguished general of the state. Using the posthumous title of 'Zhuanghou', which means 'valiant and brave', seems to be a fitting choice." Jishi Yi looked at Cao Zhen and asked, "What do you think, General Cao?"
Cao Zhen thought for a moment and said, "The posthumous title 'Marquis of Valiance' is indeed a good choice, let's report this to the emperor. I remember Xu Huand only has one son, Xu Gai, so there's no need to mention anything about granting fiefdoms."
Jishi Yi replied, "Where is Xu Gai currently serving? Is he also in Jingzhong?"
"It is in Jingzhong, in Xu Huand's army. If I'm not mistaken, Xu Gai should currently hold the position of Mounted Duke. After this matter is settled, I will transfer Xu Gai to the central army for further observation." Cao Zhen said.
"If Xu Gai turns out to be capable, I'll have him observed in the central army for two years before sending him out to be a commander. If he's not up to the task, then after this, I'll just find him a leisurely position in Luoyang."
Jishi Yi said, "This kind of matter is best handled by the Duke of Earl himself. However, just now the Duke of Earl mentioned the issue of the commander in charge of the border army in Jingzhong?"
"Who does the Duke of Earl want to take over Xu Huand's forces?"
Cao Zhen laughed: "The capital of Jingzhou is in Xinye, and the Governor of Jingzhou, Pei Qian, is here. Last year, when Xu Huand was sick in Xiangyang, Chen Qun, as the General with Horseman, didn't move from Xiangyang. Wen Pin has been in Jiangxia for many years, and no one can move him."
"I want Xiahou Rong to take over Xu Huand's position," Cao Zhen said directly without hesitation, expressing his own thoughts.
"Xiahou Rong?" Jishi Yi raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, Xiahou Rong," Cao Zhen said thoughtfully, "Even when I was in Shouchun, I recommended Xiahou Rong to the emperor. Moreover, during the battle at Wan City, Xiahou Rong led the core camp and achieved many merits. His troops also defeated Zhu Huan."
"If so, I believe the emperor would not object."
Jishi Yi's face broke into a smile, but inside he had already started to grumble in his mind.
This time, Cao Zhen is recommending Xiahou Rong, not some outsider. Would the emperor refuse to accept a recommendation from a general with the surname Xiahou or Cao?
It seems that Cao Zhen has become used to following the emperor's orders and even hesitates on such matters. However, it's no problem, since Cao Zhen came to ask himself, it's like a gift.
"Xiahou Rong's qualifications are indeed sufficient," Jishi Yi thought for a moment and said, "However, I remember that in the sixth year of Huangjian, that is, two years ago, the late emperor wanted to summon Yan Zhuo to lead troops in court during the campaign against Wu, but the plan did not come to fruition."
"Qian Zhao once served as the Middle Military Officer and also supervised the troops of Qing and Xu provinces in their campaign against rebels. He has also been experienced in the north for many years, and it's time for him to be promoted."
"Qian Zhao's son, Xing Jing?" Cao Zhen thought for a moment and said, "I've always known Qian Zhao's talent, but I haven't had the opportunity to give him a command."
"Cao Zhen agreed with Jishi Yi's assessment, "Qian Zhao is indeed a good choice." Cao Zhen looked at Jishi Yi and said, "Then let's report both Xiahou Rong and Qian Zhao to the emperor. Let the emperor make the final decision."
"One comes from the central army, and the other comes from the border. Let the emperor decide according to his wishes."
Jishi Yi nodded calmly on his face, but he couldn't help but feel some disbelief in his mind.
No, you don't fight for it?
Why don't you fight for Xiahou Rong? I can recommend Qian Zhao as well. We can discuss it for a while and decide on Xiahou Rong. By doing this, I can get a favor from you, isn't that good?
However, Cao Zhen did not care about these things. In his view, it was just a matter of selecting a border general for the country. Who is suitable, who will take the position.
Xiahou Rong or Qian Zhao, it doesn't matter who is used.
It can only be said that at this moment, the thoughts in the minds of Cao Zhen and Jishi Yi were completely out of sync.
(Chapter complete)
