Since both matters have been settled, Cao Zhen is also preparing to rise and leave, returning to his Grand General's mansion.
It's not that Cao Zhen is going back to handle official business, but rather he is going back to summon his officials and generals to calculate their merits.
When the Emperor was in Shouchun, he only praised the officers of the central army. The specific military achievements and rewards would still be announced after returning to Luoyang.
However, the general achievements of the central army have been roughly determined. As the Grand General, how could the details of merit reported to Your Majesty be rejected?
Being settled earlier will also benefit the soldiers. They will be less anxious if the decision is made earlier.
Cao Zhen has served in the military for more than twenty years. He is fully aware of the thoughts and concerns of all the soldiers and officers under his command.
"Zidan, brother, wait a moment." Sima Yi called out to Cao Zhen and also rose from his seat.
Cao Zhen turned to look at Sima Yi. Recently, Sima Yi has been addressing him as "the Grand General," so why does he call him "Zidan, brother"?
"What else do you have to say, Zhongda?" Cao Zhen asked.
Sima Yi, with a smile on his face, walked over to Cao Zhen's side, and as they walked towards the door together, he spoke in a low voice, "What do you think of my son Sima Yu?"
Cao Zhen looked at Sima Yi and said, "Your family's Sima Yu? He is a young and talented person. Is he not studying in the Imperial Academy at present?"
"Ha ha, Zidan, brother, you are right. He is indeed a young and talented person," Sima Yi said as he walked and spoke: "Jiaochou Bo Ren does not have a daughter named Xiahou Hui? My son, Yu, is also nearing twenty years of age. Xiahou Hui is also in her prime......"
Cao Zhen pounded Sima Yi's shoulder with force, his expression feigning anger as he said, "You rogue, Sima Zhongda! You dare to think about my sister's daughter!"
"This is not what I meant," Sima Yi said without revealing any emotion as he pushed Sima Zhen's hand away and rubbed his shoulder, "Jiaochou Bo Ren is no longer alive, and Xiahou Xuan is still young. Matters like marriage should still be decided by you, uncle."
"Listen to my opinion? No, it's out of the question! Let's not talk about it!" Cao Zhen turned and walked out: "Empty promises and empty words just want to marry Hui?
"Ah, Zidan, brother, wait a moment," Sima Yi called out, quickly catching up: "How can it be empty promises? Sima Yu is my eldest son, and the heritage of the Wuyang Marquis will all belong to him in the future."
"How can the Xiahou and Cao families not have any assets, and you want to take over their wealth?" Cao Zhen stopped his footsteps and looked at Sima Yi: "Let's not talk about others, how can your Sima Yu compare to my nephew Xiahou Xuan?"
"How can he not compare?" Sima Yi immediately realized that what he said was a bit overboard after he spoke.
"Hmph," Cao Zhen sneered: "As for family background, Hui's family is not inferior to yours, Sima. As for talent, among people of similar age in Luoyang, who can match Xiahou Xuan? And as for appearance, do I need to say more?"
"Ah..." Sima Yi shook his head and sighed: "Even if we don't talk about family background and talent, just take appearance, Xiahou Xuan is tall and eight feet, and is called the 'Jade Tree' - as bright as the moon in one's embrace."
Just now, Cao Zhen mentioned the three things: family background, talent, and appearance. His own son indeed does not have an advantage in these aspects.
Sima Yi looked at Cao Zhen with a sincere expression: "If my son is not up to par, then among the young men of Luoyang, there isn't anyone who excels in all three aspects of family background, talent, and appearance over Xiahou Xuan. There simply isn't such a person."
"Zidan, brother, and I heard that both Sima Yu and Xiahou Hui have met once outside the Imperial Academy, led by Xiahou Xuan."
Cao Zhen looked suspiciously at Sima Yi: "What are you implying?"
Sima Yi explained, "My son Sima Yu is also among the top in terms of family background and talent among the young men in Luoyang. Zidan, brother, why don't we ask Xiahou Xuan and Xiahou Hui themselves about this matter?"
Cao Zhen shook his head and said, "No! I will make the final decision on behalf of her mother. As her uncle, I have to ensure that she marries into a suitable family."
Sima Yi sighed: "Zidan, brother, Zidan, brother, in my opinion, this could be a beautiful match. Why can't Zidan brother just agree?"
After thinking for a moment, Cao Zhen said, "I've only met your son twice in a hurry. Xiahou Xuan has already become an advisor to the throne, while your son is still studying at the Imperial Academy. His future is uncertain. How can I feel at ease?"
Sima Yi stomped his foot: "Zidan, brother, don't make it difficult for me! The son of the Cang family has no need to worry about finding a way into government service!"
Cao Zhen looked around and said, "Alright, Zhongda. After a few days, when Xiahou Xuan returns to Luoyang, have your son Sima Yu come to me along with Xiahou Xuan. I'll test him in person then, and only then can I make the final decision."
Sima Yi's face finally lit up with a smile: "That will be no problem. Let's do as you say, Zidan!"
At this time, a man was also struggling with his indecision thousands of miles away at the city of Xincheng.
Wei, Jingzhou, Xincheng Commandery, Shangyong City.
Shangyong City is situated at the confluence of three rivers and has always been known for its easy defense and difficult attack. However, due to its remote location far from the border fortresses of Wei and Shu, it has become a place where Wei and Shu repeatedly engage in tug-of-war struggles.
Meng Da, dressed in a robe made of Shu brocade, was pacing back and forth in the main hall of the magistrate's mansion, silent and unwilling to say a single word.
Duan Xian, the close confidant of Meng Da and also his nephew, was anxiously watching as his magistrate was pacing up and down in the hall.
"How is uncle thinking about it?" Duan Xian asked anxiously.
"What's the rush? Calm down!" Meng Da stopped pacing and looked at Duan Xian with a glance before walking around the courtyard again.
Duan Xian sighed deeply, sat down on the bench, and shook his head.
After a moment, Duan Xian stood up as if he had made up his mind, chasing after Meng Da and walking to his side, bowing and saying, "Uncle, how can you still not make up your mind? Whether you agree or not, I need to give the messenger an answer."
Meng Da looked at Duan Xian with a stern expression and said, "I have already made up my mind."
Duan Xian's voice trembled slightly as he said, "Uncle Meng, are you going to switch sides to Zhuge Liang?"
"Why would I switch sides to Zhuge Liang? Are you crazy?" Meng Da said with a smile on his lips, "Zhuge Liang talks big but does not deliver. He wants to turn me over with just a letter? In my dreams!"
Duan Xian was puzzled and asked, "What does Zhuge Liang say in the letter?"
Meng Da coldly snorted and said, "Zhuge Liang wrote in the letter that my friendly emperor has died, and other officials like Huan Jie and Xia Xia Shang have also passed away. He said that I would definitely be oppressed in Wei."
" He also said that he is 'eastwardly watching' in Shu and eagerly waits for me to return." Meng Da looked at his nephew and said, "Shuping, how can Zhuge Liang convince me to defect from Wei with just a letter? What's he thinking?"
Duan Xian, who was anxious and could not keep his composure, had no particular leanings towards Wei or Shu. Upon hearing Meng Da's words, he laughed out loud for a moment: "Zhuge Liang must not know that uncle was just promoted last month!"
"He certainly doesn't know," Meng Da said with a smile: "General of the Army, Marquis of Zhenning. That's just a Marquis of Wu, can't he even give me a county lord?"
Duan Xian said, "Uncle Meng is absolutely right. The emperor treats Uncle Meng very well. He has been promoted and granted a title, and even specially awarded Uncle Meng a set of drums and flutes."
"The matter with Liu Feng in the past, the emperor still remembers it for Uncle Meng."
Meng Da nodded with satisfaction: "Shuping knows this, right? The saying 'If a ruler treats his subjects like his own hands and feet, then the subjects will treat the ruler like their own core and heart', must be referring to my relationship with the late emperor and the present emperor?"
Duan Xian laughed and said, "In the end, it's all because of uncle's talents and reputation that shake both Wei and Shu. Otherwise, why would the emperor treat uncle so favorably?"
"Yes, both talent and demeanor cannot be lacking," Meng Da said with great certainty: "The emperor treats me so well, I must certainly not let him down."
"Shuping." Meng Da looked at his nephew next to him.
"Understood, general," Duan Xian knew that when uncle Meng called his name, it was time to attend to official matters or serious business.
"Send Zhuge Liang's letter to..." Meng Da said halfway through, starting to become indecisive again.
"Where to send it?" Duan Xian asked in confusion.
Meng Da started pacing around the courtyard again.
Duan Xian felt inexplicably confused as he stood in place and watched his uncle walk two more circles before finally hardening his heart and stamping his foot to say: "Send Zhuge Liang's letter with someone to Luoyang! Wait, I also need to write a letter personally to the emperor explaining this matter."
Duan Xian asked, "Why doesn't uncle send the letter to Xiangyang?"
Meng Da shot a disapproving look at Duan Xian: "No rules! When discussing official matters, you are supposed to address me as the magistrate!"
Duan Xian bowed his head and muttered to himself for a moment before saying with a bow, "Reporting to the magistrate, according to the regulations, should it be sent to Xinye?"
Meng Da said, "Do you know Chen Qun and Pi Qian? If either of them cause trouble for me, I will have to send it directly to Luoyang."
"Perfect, I've heard that the emperor has returned victorious from his expedition to Eastern Wu, and I also plan to write a congratulatory table personally to present to the emperor."
Duan Xian remained silent, waiting calmly for Meng Da to finish speaking.
Meng Da noticed that Duan Xian did not respond, so he immediately asked again: "What else can be sent from the official residence? I need to prepare some offerings to be sent with the messenger to the emperor."
Duan Xian thought for a moment and said, "Will the emperor appreciate the things in the official residence? It's just some jade, silk, Shu brocade, and spices."
Meng Da said, "The emperor is rich beyond the four seas; how could he care about the things I send? It's just a gesture of my respect, that's all!"
"Go and prepare the gifts now. Pick out the best and most expensive ones. Don't be stingy at this time. Make sure they are well-wrapped and bring them to me to see."
"Understood," Duan Xian said after receiving the order and then bowed to excuse himself.
After Duan Xian left, Meng Da went back to the hall and began to read Zhuge Liang's letter again.
After reading for half a day, Meng Da took out another roll of bamboo slips and copied Zhuge Liang's letter word by word. After putting it away in a box, he wrapped up the original letter written by Zhuge Liang.
Thinking about it, he nodded to himself and whispered to himself, "If a ruler treats his subjects like his own hands and feet, then the subjects will treat the ruler like their own core and heart. This time I have again established a merit, if there is an opportunity, I should go to Luoyang to pay respects to the emperor personally."
"As for Zhuge Liang's messenger... let him return to Chengdu first. Just make some excuses to him."
"Let's not mention Meng Da's plotting in the city of Xiongniang."
The emperor stayed in Chenliu for several days and then continued on to Xuchang, a major fortress of Wei.
After staying in Xuchang for several days, the emperor left and traveled northeast. He returned to Luoyang via Sima Pass and Xuanmen Pass.
When Cao Rui returned to Luoyang on the day of the first lunar month, March 1st.
(The end of this chapter)
