"Using the Qiang to control the Qiang..."
Lu Sun whispered the four characters from the emperor's letter, and his mind couldn't help but stir with a murmur.
The next day, when Xiahou Bai was about to hand over the thousand County troops of Wuwei to Lu Xun for use, but Lu Xun refused.
Lu Xun asked for only 200 troops from Wuwei as his personal bodyguard, while the rest of the troops, he would recruit himself among the Qiang people as loyal followers.
Although Xiahou Ba was somewhat confused about Lu Xun's intentions, since Lu Xun insisted, he might as well let him be. After all, with Hao Zhao's two thousand soldiers here, there's no bandit who could cause trouble at the moment.
Three days later, Luoyang, North Palace.
Xiahou Xian walked into the study and bowed, "Your Majesty, the tiger guard has assembled. You may depart now."
"Good," Cao Rui nodded.
Before leaving, Cao Rui pointed at Zhong Yu standing in the corner and said, "Zhong Yu, follow me to the Imperial Palace. You can also listen to my lectures today."
Seeing that the emperor was in high spirits today, Zhong Yu also smiled and said, "Last year when you first went to the Imperial Academy, all the students were inspired. From Luoyang to Yanling and then to Yingchuan, this has already been widely celebrated."
Cao Rui laughed lightly, "The Imperial Academy is where I select talented individuals. It's only right to take it seriously. Young one, you're still too young at fifteen. Stay by my side for now. By the beginning of next year, you can also go to the Imperial Academy to study classics."
"I will comply," Zhong Yu bowed and asked, "Was the document Your Majesty prepared for yesterday also needed to be brought?"
"No," Cao Rui shook his head lightly: "I can write on the spot."
After a while, inside the southern gate of the North Palace, Cao Rui was sitting on a white horse, dressed in common attire and wearing a golden crown.
As Xiahou Xian led the two hundred mounted soldiers as the vanguard, Cao Rui sat on his horse slowly traveling, accompanied by several ministers and runners Zhong Yu.
Cao Rui gestured towards the back, "Yang Gong, come up here."
The Yangfu, who was being discussed by Hao Zhao and Lu Xun in Hedong, just yesterday had been summoned by the emperor to fill the gap left by Huang Quan's appointment as the Administrator of Henan.
Yang Fu felt somewhat surprised and flattered.
To be honest, this year is the 55th birthday of Yang Fu. He has reached the pinnacle of an official in Liangzhou. The position of a governor holding 2000 stone income is already the top level, and becoming a minister or even a Grand Secretary is almost unimaginable.
During the rebellion led by Ma Su in Liangzhou years ago, Yang Fu led his troops to fight against the rebel forces of Ma Su. He was wounded in five places and seven of his relatives were killed in battle, making his entire family a model of loyalty and heroism.
After Xiahou Yuan conquered the western part of Liangzhou, Yang Fu was also rewarded for his merits by being appointed as a Marquis of Guanning. During the campaign against Han Zhong, Yang Fu even remotely held the position of Governor of Yizhou.
The year before last, Emperor Cao Wen was preparing to recruit Yang Fu into the imperial court before his southern expedition. Yang Fu had also transferred from the position of Governor of Wudu to a temporary post as Commander of the Gate.
However, with Emperor Cao Pi's southern campaign and the subsequent rapid deterioration of his health upon his return, Yang Fu remained in the position of Commander of the Gate for two years.
With the leader absent, the plan for promotion was also put on hold.
But what puzzled Yang Fu was that he really didn't know how he was recruited by the emperor.
As a commoner from Liangzhou... could he really stand on the same level as the former Grand Secretary and stand by the emperor's side?
No matter how Yang Fu guessed, the reality always surprised people, and it wouldn't go according to one's expectations.
Yang Fu rode forward and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, Yang Fu is here. May I know what Your Majesty wishes to discuss with me?"
Cao Rui laughed and said, "Yang Qing, this is your first day on duty. I issued an edict yesterday to appoint you as the Minister of the Imperial Household. What are your thoughts on this?"
Although Yang Fu was dressed as a literatus, his beard from ear to ear, running down his cheeks in a continuous line, combined with his rather sturdy build, gave him a sense of a military figure.
After a moment of hesitation, Yang Fu replied, "I was also somewhat confused when I received the imperial edict yesterday. But after some reflection, I remembered Su Zé, a suitor from Liangzhou and the previous Imperial Household Minister."
Cao Rui laughed heartily, "Yang Qing, you are not aware that a few days ago, the Inspector of the Protectorate Region recommended you to me and suggested that I appoint you as the Minister of the Imperial Household."
After thinking for a moment, Yang Fu said, "When Your Majesty was on his southern tour and hadn't returned yet, General Wei had the newly appointed Commandant of the Umbrella Guard Lu Xun come to seek me and ask about matters in Yongzhou and Liangzhou."
Cao Rui nodded, "I use people without being bound by their origin, but I am still clear on the principle of assigning tasks to the appropriate person."
"The current issues facing the country are only the Western Shu and Eastern Wu. From the end of last year to the beginning of this year, I went to Yangzhou personally, won a victory, and have a general understanding of military, geography, and administration there."
"Since Yangzhou is at peace, the only thing I need to be concerned about is Yongzhou and Liangzhou."
Yang Fu patted his chest firmly and said in a confident tone, "I have been in Liangzhou for more than fifty years, and I have Liangzhou matters in my heart. Since the emperor has used me, I will certainly not disappoint the emperor's trust."
"This is what is expected of your position, it's your duty, and if it requires more words from me, it would be rather uninteresting," Cao Rui said from his horse. "Among the officials from Liangzhou currently serving in the court, isn't your rank the highest?"
Without thinking, Yang Fu blurted out, "Among the literati holding a salary of 2000 stone in Liangzhou, there are not many. I am currently the highest ranking official in Luoyang."
Cao Rui nodded, seemingly offhand, saying, "Whether it's a state, a county, or a family, someone must be willing to take the lead."
"Even though there are few people from Liangzhou in the court, in my opinion, Liangzhou people can also aspire to be Grand Ministers!"
After saying these words, Cao Rui turned his head and looked towards the front, lightly hitting the horse's flank with his foot, causing the magnificent horse beneath him to speed up without waiting for Yang Fu.
Yang Fu was taken aback and didn't quickly follow the emperor's horse, but after a moment of reflection, he slowly returned to the group of several ministers behind him.
Liu Xie gave Yang Fu a casual glance and, after turning his head forward, his heart began to churn with a mix of emotions.
It seems that when the emperor appointed Huang Quan, it was to use him as a way to foster his own trusted followers after taking office.
This appointment of Yang Fu is likely to be a part of the conclusion of affairs in Yangzhou, aiming to prepare for military action in Liangzhou.
But for some reason, Liu Xie always felt that something was amiss. This vague sensation had been lingering in his mind for a long time.
Only when the procession slowly approached the entrance of the Imperial Academy did Liu Xie realize it. He looked up and saw the long street of stone inscriptions on either side of the Imperial Academy gate, stretching all the way down.
It turned out that I am also an old minister, just like the Imperial Academy stone inscriptions.
If one day I should happen to displease the emperor... one must be cautious indeed!
Zheng Chheng and Gao Danglong were standing at the entrance of the Imperial Academy, welcoming the arrival of the emperor's entourage.
Zheng Chheng bowed and said, "Welcome Your Majesty. It's a great honor to learn that Your Majesty will come to the Imperial Academy to give a lecture in person. The entire Imperial Academy eagerly awaits this opportunity."
Gao Tanglong also smiled and said, "I have been preparing for this as well. A few days ago, the imperial edict arrived at the Imperial Academy. It merely stated that Your Majesty would be teaching about state affairs."
"I wonder what subject Your Majesty will be teaching today? Do we need to prepare for it?"
Cao Rui laughed and said, "Have the screens prepared by Master Gao been completed?"
Gao Tanglong nodded and replied, "Your Majesty, they are ready. The screens, one chi tall and one chi wide, have been set up in advance in the Jixian Hall."
"That's good." Cao Rui smiled and nodded, then turned to Zhong Yu and said, "Bring what the emperor has prepared!"
Zhong Yu responded, then from the carriage that followed behind, brought out a long scroll.
"What is this?" Zheng Cheng asked somewhat puzzled.
"You'll find out later, Zheng Teacher," Cao Rui said with a smile. "I'll keep you in suspense until we enter the Jixian Hall."
Zheng Chheng acknowledged the situation with a bow.
After entering the Jixian Hall, Zhong Yu instructed several attendants to slowly hang the scroll, which was one chi in length and width, on the screen.
Zheng Chheng looked at the map and couldn't help but lowly exclaim, "I have never seen a map this large and detailed before! How did Your Majesty create it?"
Cao Rui laughed and said, "It's just a matter of gluing together one after another long paper measuring over one chi in width and length, drying it in the wind to form a large piece of paper."
Seeing the emperor looking at him, Zhong Yu stepped forward a little and began to explain in detail to the group, "Firstly, we use very thick thread to draw the boundaries of each state, and then mark the mountains and rivers on top of that."
"As for the details of each state and county, they are also marked in very small characters on the map."
Gao Tanglong praised, "The saying that 'seeing the details can lead to understanding the whole' is very true. Now, with this one chi long and wide map, students at the Imperial Academy can get a general idea of the overall situation in the world."
Cao Rui said, "This map is just a teaching aid for my lecture this time. If the two teachers find it useful, perhaps it can be pieced together into a large board, and then copied onto it."
Gao Tanglong nodded repeatedly, "Your Majesty is correct. I will send someone to do it later."
The group had a conversation for less than half an hour in the side room of the Jixian Hall. When they came out again, all the students at the Imperial Academy were already seated in the main hall.
Unlike the previous time when students of grades A, B, and C were seated haphazardly, this time Gao Tanglong had arranged for the seating. The first three rows were occupied by fifty students of grade A, followed by students of grades B and C seated in order.
As the emperor entered, the 500 students in the hall stood up and bowed in respect.
Cao Rui, after reaching the lectern, loudly said, "Please be seated."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." The students sat down in a brief moment, and the Jixian Hall fell silent again.
Wearing a red and black-striped formal attire, which made Cao Rui's already slender body appear even more upright. The morning sunlight directly illuminated the emperor's body in the hall, reflecting off his golden crown, making him appear even more majestic.
Cao Rui, upon seeing that the scene had returned to silence, nodded and said, "Gentlemen, you are the first batch of students at the Imperial Academy after my accession to the throne. Whether you become a doctor of letters or serve as officials in state and local governments, or return to your hometowns to study classics, I have always held great expectations for you."
"From now on, every three months, I will keep my promise to visit the Imperial Academy once, to give lessons to you students myself."
"Today, for my first lesson, I will teach you all what constitutes the overall situation of the world!"
As the emperor's voice fell, the screen on the side was slowly turned around.
A gigantic map that none of the people present had ever seen before came into view before the students of the Imperial Academy.
For a moment, there were screams and shouting in the Jixian Hall.
(End of this chapter)
