Cao Rui asked back, "So should we kill him or not?"
Wang Shu Yi was taken aback for a moment, then bowed and said, "Your Majesty, such matters concerning the life and death of people are not suitable for us to discuss. Please allow Your Majesty to make the final decision."
Cao Rui shook his head helplessly: "Then Yuan Kan is either killable or not? Since the 'Eight Debts' were rejected and the 'Four Debts' were approved, let Yuan Kan be the first person."
"Prime Minister Wang, write an edict for the Minister of Justice on my behalf."
"Abide by the order." Wang Shu Yi stood up and walked to the table next to the corner of the study.
"Write the newly discussed 'Four Discussions' to Gao Ruan, and let him use the 'Discussion on Merit' for Yuan Kan. As for Zhuge Dan and Xu Yong, they should be punished according to the law."
"And also, send someone to write this 'Four Discussions' to Liu Shao. Meanwhile, ask him and Lu Yu to come to the palace to report on the progress of revising the laws."
"Abide by the order." Wang Shu Yi nodded, then dipped the pen tip in the inkpot, and began writing on the left-hand paper.
Cao Rui also got up from the reclining chair: "Firstly, let's disperse. Today the emperor is not happy, and the weather is also hot. I am going to swim. Who among you four can swim?"
The four men exchanged glances with each other and finally, only Chen Jiao bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I am from Guangling, Xuzhou. Since childhood, I have known how to swim. However, since becoming an official, I have not swum for many years."
Guangling people ...
Cao Rui suddenly thought of something: "Are there any officials named Xiao in the court? Or are there any families named Xiao in any region?"
Chen Jiao asked in confusion, "Your Majesty, which Ji?"
Cao Rui walked to the table and wrote a large character in Hanshu style: "Ji". When the four people saw it, they all said they had never seen such a character.
"It's all right." Cao Rui placed the pen on the table and turned to leave.
......
At noon, the water temperature of the pool after being exposed to the scorching sun is just right.
After ten laps, listening to the eunuch report that Liu Fang had arrived, Cao Rui got up and put on a bathrobe, sat in a chair, and one of the eunuchs carefully dried his hair behind him.
Liu Fang had seen the emperor swimming before and didn't react with surprise. However, Wang Chang, who came along with Liu Fang, couldn't hide his astonishment from his eyes.
Cao Rui looked at Wang Chang and asked, "Is there something important to report to the emperor?"
Liu Fang, after paying his respects, said: "As previously ordered by the emperor, if Huang Gongheng has any message from Yuzhou, it should be reported to the emperor immediately."
"Yes, there was such an incident." Cao Rui nodded lightly, "I won't read the letter. Just tell me, how is Huang Quan doing in Yuzhou?"
After unfolding the letter, Liu Fang said: "Master Huang has three things to report to the emperor."
"Firstly, Master Huang has roughly inspected all the granaries in Yingchuan, Chenjin and Ruyan."
"After investigation, Master Huang found that the lives of the people in the granary areas are quite difficult. If they receive only 50% or 40% of the harvest, after a whole year of hard work, their homes will hardly have any surplus property."
"Master Huang said that after a month and a half of observation, the morale of the granary people has been boosted since the announcement of an increase in distribution by 10%."
The reason behind this is obvious. For a granary worker, the only thing left after a year of hard work is what they eat and wear. When compared to the ability to save some grain, no one is foolish."
The level of enthusiasm would certainly be higher.
Cao Rui looked at Wang Chang and asked, "Prime Minister Wang, what is the situation with the granaries in various parts of Yanzhou?"
Wang Chang replied: "Your Majesty, there are no military granaries in Yanzhou, only civilian granaries. They are mainly located in Dongguan, Chenliu and Jiyin."
"However, I believe that the granaries in Yanzhou are different from those in Yuzhou. The rivers in Dongguan, Chenliu, and Jiyin are abundant, and the land is better quality, so the harvest of the granary people is also greater. It doesn't result in a situation where they have worked hard for a year but still have no grain saved at all."
Cao Rui nodded: "The situation in each state and county is different. Let's start with Yuzhou first! Huang Quan still has three more counties to visit in Liang, Pei, and Qiao."
"Indeed, to compare the harvests, we must wait until the crops are harvested. It cannot be rushed."
Liu Fang seeing the situation, continued: "The second matter that Master Huang wishes to report to Your Majesty is that he has doubled the salaries of the officials in charge of the granaries."
"Master Huang said that he found that the officials in charge of the granaries often use the labor of the granary people for their own work, or do things unrelated to farming and gardening. He believes that this is related to the fact that the officials in charge of the granaries also lead a hard life."
Is this because the officials in charge of the granary are too poorly treated, that they have no choice but to exploit the granary people?"
Cao Rui gestured for Liu Fang to continue.
Liu Fang continued: "The third thing, Master Huang said that he plans to gather the granary people from each county during the agricultural slack period to repair rivers and dams."
"Liu Shushu, write a reply to Huang Quan on my behalf." Cao Rui said slowly: "Tell Huang Quan that he can do whatever he wants to do in Yuzhou without any restrictions."
"Increasing the share of the harvest for the granary people and gradually implementing it across the counties, along with keeping records and feedback, is correct. As for increasing the salaries for the officials in charge of the granaries and undertaking irrigation projects, these are minor matters and I will not comment on them."
"Now that it is June, ask Huang Quan to provide a rough plan for how to reform the granaries by the winter. If it is good, I will let other states gradually implement it."
Liu Fang nodded: "I have noted it down. If there is nothing else, I will take my leave."
It was obvious that Liu Fang had not brought paper and ink for notes. However, Cao Rui had no doubt about Liu Fang's memory. As an official in charge of important matters, having a photographic memory was just basic skill.
Right after Liu Fang and Wang Chang left, Zhong Yuchi also walked in from outside.
"Your Majesty, the Chancellor requests an audience." Zhong Yuchi said carefully.
"Why did he come back to the palace so soon? I told him to go home today." Cao Rui frowningly said, "I won't see him today. Let's discuss any matters tomorrow."
"Yes, your servant will inform the Chancellor at once." Zhong Yuchi bowed and left, still curious. "What happened to the Emperor? Why did he disappear without a word?"
At the moment, in the East Pavilion, Sima Yi was sitting on his seat chatting with Wei Zhen.
"Master Gongzhen, it seems that it is time to reform the various departments of the Ministry of Personnel. Now there is an issue with the Department of Civil Affairs, but there are twenty-five departments in the Ministry of Personnel, and perhaps another department might have problems as well."
"During the reign of the first emperor, after the establishment of the Ministry of Personnel, the two positions of 'Secretary of the Left and Right Departments' were abolished. It seems that it is time to report to Your Majesty to restore these two positions."
Wei Zhen glanced at Sima Yi and understood everything in his heart.
During the first year of the Yellow Initial era, Emperor Cao Pi selected Huan Ji, who clearly expressed his support for Cao Pi to become the crown prince, as the Grand Secretary. Chen Qun and Du Ji were appointed as the Secretaries of Protocol.
The Secretariat of the Han Dynasty was completely different from that of the Wei Dynasty. The Secretariat of the Wei Dynasty was transformed from that of Cao Cao's State of Wei.
The Left and Right Secretaries of the Secretariat, which were necessary in the Han Dynasty's Secretariat, were thus intentionally or unintentionally overlooked. In the end, it all boils down to the few individuals in charge of the Secretariat during the Yellow Initial era wanting to consolidate power.
Of course, consolidating power isn't necessarily wrong. Who would willingly hand over the power they hold to others?
Wei Zhen nodded and said, "The Grand Secretary of the Secretariat is responsible for the general management of the Secretariat, while the Grand Secretary of Protocol is in charge of money, grain and official seals. This is a matter of great importance. It would be better to report it to Your Majesty again tomorrow to make a decision."
Sima Yi smiled and nodded, "It seems that you, Gong Zhen, and I have a good sense of mutual understanding when it comes to important matters."
Wei Zhen's expression remained unchanged: "What is in the best interests of the country, I would never refuse."
Sima Yi stood by the door with his hands behind his back, as if watching something: "Zhuge Dan and Yuan Kan have been found guilty. Both of us cannot avoid responsibility. We should think about how to explain things to the Emperor."
Wei Zhen spoke solemnly, "There is no need for an explanation. I am willing to resign from the position of the Grand Secretary of Protocol."
Sima Yi turned and laughed disdainfully, "What are you thinking, Gong Zhen? Even if you want to leave, the Emperor would not let you go."
Just as the two were talking, Zhong Yuchi also walked into the courtyard.
Sima Yi saw the figure of Zhong Yulu approaching, stood still without changing his expression, and waited for Zhong Yulu to come over.
From a distance of about one zhang, Zhong Yulu began to bow: "An order has been issued, Your Majesty. The Chancellor is to return home first, and will see Your Majesty tomorrow."
Sima Yi was momentarily stunned, and then he revealed an air of confidence. He walked out of the East Pavilion, mounted his horse, nodded to Zhong Yulu, shook the reins, and rode out.
Zhong Yulu stood still, displaying a peculiar expression.
Although the Emperor granted Sima Yi and Wei Zhen the privilege of riding horses, neither of them had ever ridden their horses into the courtyard.
What is going on with the Chancellor today?
Even Zhong Yulu, who was as inexperienced in politics as he could be, could clearly sense that something was amiss today.
Cao Rui not seeing Sima Yi naturally had a reason.
During the morning session at the Confucius Temple, Sima Yi had stated that individuals who consumed the Five-Stone Powder should not be appointed to office, but He Yan later claimed that Sima Shi was also among them, which led to Sima Yi losing his temper in public.
Sima Yi's desire to meet with the Emperor in the afternoon must have been about this matter. It would be better to wait for the results of Gao Ruo's interrogation of He Yan and others before making any decisions.
After the late meal, Cao Rui walked slowly ahead, followed by a group of bodyguards and courtiers, heading towards the palace where Mao Zhuang was living.
Counting the days, Mao Zhuang should have been pregnant since early September of last year.
As it is nearly mid-June and she is about to give birth, Cao Rui visits Mao Zhuang every other day to check on her.
"Has the imperial physician come today?" Cao Rui caressed Mao Zhuang's bulging abdomen and asked.
"Of course, he has come." Mao Zhuang gently looked at Cao Rui with a hint of reproach in her voice: "Three meals a day, and after each meal, the imperial physician comes to take her pulse, more frequent than Your Majesty's visits."
"The pulse and other signs are all good, how could I dare to trouble the Emperor with worries?" As she spoke, Mao Zhuang turned her back.
"What is the matter? Are you angry at me for being born?" Cao Rui asked with a smile beside her.
"How could I dare!" Mao Zhuang turned back to look at Cao Rui. "Today, Your Majesty, I heard that the Empress Dowager has brought five new beauties for Your Majesty."
"First, Sun Luban and Guo Yao, four daughters of noble families, were brought in yesterday. Today, there are five daughters of officials. The Empress Dowager has explained all these matters to me in detail. As a member of the imperial family, I do not envy them."
"I'm just worried that the Emperor's body can endure it?" (End of this chapter)
