The Prefect of the Province is undoubtedly a prominent national official.
Although only 600 grains, the Prefect of the Province as 'the representative of low to high', its supervision of a state, the management of the administrative functions, far greater than those 2000 grains of Guardian.
Yuzhou Prefect pointed out Huang Quan, a surrendered general from Shuhan. Yangzhou Prefect pointed out Jiang Ji, who was proficient in local affairs of Yangzhou.
The logic of selecting these two individuals is different.
Huang Quan is the Grand Secretary and the emperor's confidant. Let Huang Quan do some reform work to ensure that policies are implemented. The internal officials become officials in the outside court, who doesn't know he is the emperor's person?
Jiang Ji is a native of Yangzhou, who became renowned for his talents in the Jianghuai region at a young age. He first served as a county clerk in his hometown, and later held the position of Prefect of DanYang and the Deputy Officer of Yangzhou.
And the scenes that best showcase Jiang Ji's talents were all during military service. After Cao Ren's defeat in NuJu, Jiang Ji led the army back to Shouchun. When Cao Pi led the water army back north but was almost destroyed by thousands of ships, Jiang Ji repaired the irrigation projects and brought the ships back.
Only Jiang Ji taking office in Yangzhou can truly allow his talents to shine. Such a national talent should not be restricted by something like 'San HU Law'. Using locals for local affairs can ensure the highest efficiency.
The imperial assembly was gradually coming to an end, and after the announcement of the adjournment, there were two individuals who were sent by the emperor to stay behind.
In the North Palace, in the study.
Cao Rui leant back in his chair.
Months have passed without him returning, and the study is still as it was on the day he left Luoyang for his southern tour, with not even the slightest change in the angle of the recliner.
After attending a grand imperial assembly, his back was tired from sitting.
Cao Zhen and Sima Yi, these two auxiliary ministers sat in their chairs, quietly watching the emperor lying on the recliner, deep in thought.
After a while, Cao Wei took a deep breath and looked at the two ministers.
"Great General, Earl of the Court," Cao Wei said: "I have something to ask you."
Both Cao Zhen and Sima Yi simultaneously bowed and said: "Please speak, Your Majesty."
Cao Wei asked: "I believe that during these past few months of the southern campaign, the high efficiency in analyzing military intelligence and handling state affairs is due to the fact that I have been with the Great General, with the Earl of the Court, and with several Grand Secretaries day and night."
"After returning to Luoyang, the matters I need to handle are not much fewer than on the journey," Cao Wei continued: "Looking back, if important and minor national affairs are handled from the details, in fact, I have more things to do."
"Although I am in my twenties and full of vigor, I cannot personally attend to so many things."
"Over the past few days, several Grand Secretaries have repeatedly made suggestions to me. I have been thinking recently whether I can grant more power to the Grand Secretaries, allowing them to assist me in handling state affairs?"
"Your Majesty, you must not!" Both Cao Zhen and Sima Yi nearly spoke out simultaneously.
Cao Wei sighed, as if he had anticipated this reaction: "The Great General, please speak first."
Cao Zhen replied, "Your Majesty, in the Han Dynasty, Grand Secretaries were originally officials of a similar rank to attendants. It was only gradually that they became more esteemed."
"The late Emperor brought brilliant people into the position of Grand Secretary in order to facilitate consultation with various officials. If Your Majesty further increases the power of the Grand Secretaries, internal officials with such great authority would be detrimental to the well-being of the country."
Cao Wei nodded silently, his gaze shifting to Sima Yi.
Sima Yi also continued, "Your Majesty, I share the same thoughts as the Great General."
"If Your Majesty asks a few questions from Grand Secretaries when they are by your side, there is nothing wrong with that. However, if Grand Secretaries are entrusted with handling state affairs, this would deviate from the original intention of the late Emperor in selecting brilliant people as Grand Secretaries."
Cao Wei gently shook his head: "Then who can I turn to besides the Grand Secretaries?"
Cao Zhen raised his hands in a gesture of respect and said, "Before the southern campaign, wasn't there a room for you and me, Your Majesty, as well as for the Earl of the Court, in the study?"
"If we, Your Majesty's Grand Secretaries, were to accompany you every day, we could perhaps help alleviate some of your burdens."
After Cao Zhen spoke, he turned to look at Sima Yi.
Sima Yi understood the implication and followed immediately, "I share the same thoughts as the Great General. Since Your Majesty has already set a precedent, it should be fine to follow that example."
From the perspective of Cao Zhen and Sima Yi, entering the palace to work on a daily basis is a way to demonstrate their authority and importance, as well as their trust by the emperor.
Both men were quite in favor of entering the palace to carry out duties.
To them, this is an act of grasping power.
However, they did not realize that this was actually a trap set by the emperor for them, waiting for them to fall into it.
Cao Wei paused for a moment and softly said, "Then will it be the same as last year, with the Great General entering the West Annex and the Earl of the Court entering the East Annex?"
Cao Zhen and Sima Yi both nodded in agreement.
Cao Wei asked again, "Then will the West Annex be responsible for military affairs, while the East Annex handles state affairs?"
Cao Zhen smiled and said, "As the Great General, I am only suitable for handling military affairs. If there are other state affairs to be asked about, I may not be able to handle them as well."
Sima Yi also added, "I can just handle the affairs of the Secretariat at the palace. It will also be convenient for Your Majesty to find me whenever needed."
"The West Annex handles military affairs, and the East Annex handles state affairs…" Cao Wei gently tapped on the chair with his finger, remaining silent for a long time without speaking.
"Great General," Cao Wei asked: "Currently, the military dispatch of the state is conducted through the Great General's household. If the Great General enters the palace, will the military still be handled through the Great General's household?"
Cao Zhen said in some surprise, "Military affairs have always been handled this way, through the Great General's household."
Cao Wei nodded and continued, "What are the current responsibilities of the Earl of the Court's household?"
Sima Yi thought for a moment and replied, "Your Majesty, the household of the Earl of the Court currently does not have any responsibilities in state affairs and has not done much."
Cao Wei nodded: "Then as the Great General and the Earl of the Court have said!"
"The West Annex will be responsible for the Great General, and the East Annex will be responsible for the Earl of the Court. The West Annex will help me handle military affairs, and the East Annex will help me handle state affairs. Is such an arrangement still reasonable?"
Cao Zhen thought for a moment and said, "I believe that Your Majesty's arrangement is indeed reasonable."
"What about you, Earl?" Cao Wei looked at Sima Yi.
Sima Yi replied, "I think it is very appropriate."
For Cao Zhen and Sima Yi, it was simply a change in their place of work, from the Great General's household and the Secretariat, to working near the emperor's study within the North Palace.
Being able to enter the palace on a daily basis is a rare honor for a courtier in this era.
It can be said that they have obtained what they desired.
Cao Wei nodded and said, "If this is the case, it may not be enough for only the Great General and the Earl of the Court to serve as advisors within the palace."
"I will find a deputy for both the Great General and the Earl of the Court."
"Deputy?" Cao Zhen asked somewhat confused.
"That's right," Cao Wei responded: "I think there are two people who would be suitable to assist. How about letting the Assistant Secretary-General of the Ministry of Rites, Wei Zhening, enter the palace to assist the Earl of the Court in handling affairs?"
"The Earl of the Court is already handling affairs of the Secretariat. And the Assistant Secretary-General, Wei Zhening, also has the same responsibilities in the Secretariat. Why not also invite Wei Zhening to the palace? This way, both the Earl of the Court and Wei Zhening can handle Secretariat affairs within the palace."
"Is this appropriate?" Cao Wei looked at Sima Yi.
Sima Yi's mind quickly went through several rounds.
As a member of the regency, entering the palace to handle state affairs is my duty and also the key to my holding central power. Is the emperor using Wei Zhening to share power with me?
But in the palace, in front of the emperor, and next to Cao Zhen, I must not show any reluctance to be given power-sharing.
After thinking for a moment, Sima Yi nodded and praised: "I think this is very appropriate. I, along with Wei Zhening, will certainly be able to assist the emperor in handling state affairs."
Indeed, it is about 'assisting.' According to the rules of a dynasty governed by the royal family, whether one is the Earl of the Court, the Acting Chancellor of the Secretariat, or the Great General... they are all assisting the emperor in governing the empire.
The ultimate source of power for these positions, including the Earl of the Court, the Acting Chancellor of the Secretariat, and the Great General, all come from the emperor's appointment.
The emperor is simply allowing ministers to work in the palace. What reason is there to refuse? Not even the slightest hint of unwillingness should be shown!
After Sima Yi agreed, Cao Wei turned his gaze back to Cao Zhen.
"Great General," Cao Wei slowly said, "Is there a person like Wei Zhening who can assist the Great General in handling matters?"
"The…" Cao Zhen was a bit awkward for a moment.
Sima Yi is the Acting Chancellor of the Secretariat, and Wei Zhening is the Assistant Secretary-General of the Secretariat, who manages the day-to-day affairs of the Secretariat. Their responsibilities are nearly identical, with only a slight difference in rank.
As the Great General, I am at the top of the rankings, and no one can be under me. My Chief of Staff and Generals are positions that cannot be compared to the Assistant Secretary-General of the Secretariat.
If we talk about other people with the title of general, at present in Luozhong, there is only General Wei Cao Hong.
To have someone like Cao Hong by the emperor's side? Don't add trouble for the emperor!
"Actually, I have my Chief of Staff assist me on a daily basis, but it would not be appropriate for him to enter the palace," Cao Zhen said helplessly, "I do not have any suitable candidates here."
Cao Wei, as if he had already anticipated Cao Zhen's answer, immediately responded: "In that case, I will choose someone for the Great General."
"Dong Zhao, Master Dong, is also an old statesman of the country, who has worked hard for many decades. Let him assist the Great General in handling military affairs."
Dong Zhao? Master Dong is over seventy years old, isn't he? Although he was once a man of wisdom, what use can he still be in today's age?
Cao Zhen was about to remind the emperor, but then thought that although Dong Zhao, the old man, couldn't be of much help, he wouldn't cause any trouble either.
What is most admirable about Cao Zhen is that, despite holding the position of the Great General, he considers everything for the country and for the emperor without any thoughts of power-grabbing.
Cao Zhen bowed and said, "Dong Zhao is elderly and virtuous. When I led the troops to attack Jiangling, it was Dong Zhao who repeatedly advised me and Xiahou Shang."
"The former emperor once said that Dong Zhao's insight was like that of Zhang Liang and Chen Ping. With Dong Zhao's assistance, I am sure I will gain a source of support."
Cao Wei nodded, then stood up and walked out slowly.
Cao Zhen and Sima Yi rose to their feet and followed the emperor as he stepped out of the study.
Cao Wei smiled and pointed to the 'West Annex' and 'East Annex' and said, "With the Great General and the Earl of the Court assisting me daily in handling state affairs, it is certain that I will achieve twice the result with half the effort."
"I will now be neighbors with the Great General and the Earl of the Court."
Cao Zhen and Sima Yi both bowed their heads and exclaimed that they dared not.
After Cao Zhen and Sima Yi had left, Cao Wei, sitting behind his desk, began to grind the ink by himself.
As the ink stone turned back and forth on the desk, the complicated thoughts in Cao Wei's mind also gradually calmed down as the ink color deepened.
Whether it's the 'Inner Cabinet' or the 'Six Departments', these more advanced systems than the current ones, Cao Wei wants to set up all of them.
But each era has its limitations. For now, let Cao Zhen and Sima Yi enter the palace. Once the entire court and the populace are accustomed to receiving commands from the palace, we can discuss further matters then.
The ink color is becoming darker and darker as it grinds deeper into the ink stone.
Cao Wei picked up the ink stone and dropped a droplet of concentrated ink into the inkwell, causing ripples on the surface of the ink, but soon settling back into tranquility.
Take it easy!
(Chapter complete)
