Cao Wei was not sure what to say in response, but Cao Rui had something to say to him.
Perhaps it was because Guan Qiuxian was a new subject, or because he was younger than Cao Rui, or because their relationship was closer. At this time, Cao Rui's words seemed more like a reflection and summary.
"I used to like a phrase: 'All the sins in the world are mine alone.'"
Cao Rui was leaning on the bed and looking in the direction of the tent door, speaking softly to Guan Qiuxian: "When we were at Chiting, Zhang He walked into the tent with a smell of blood on his clothes and described to me the horrors of the battle. I used this phrase to console Zhang He."
"But I've been ill for so long and have been lying in bed for so many days. At midnight, when I return from my dreams, I often think of the corpses scattered around Chiting."
Cao Rui laughed: "Only now do I understand that I am an emperor, a king, the ruler of Great Wei, but I am also just a person, not some god or saint."
"I cannot bear the responsibility for all these causes on my own, and it is not possible for me to truly bear the sins of the world."
Guan Qiuxian, born into the Eastern Palace's literati, met the emperor at a young age.
Before ascending the throne, the emperor, as the eldest son of the former emperor, held a very distinguished status and often felt a sense of mission for the empire.
After becoming the emperor, the affairs of state became complicated with numerous officials and subjects. Thus, the heart-to-heart talks with Guan Qiuxian decreased. However, overall, the emperor's attitude towards state affairs was optimistic and positive.
What is happening now?
Guan Qiuxian bowed and asked, "Your Majesty, I am somewhat unclear about Your meaning."
Cao Rui said, "In this campaign, nearly 20,000 of our army have died. Zhong Gong, do you think they all died for me?"
Guan Qiuxian instinctively nodded in agreement, but upon second thought, he realized that the emperor's question could not be so simple. After a few more moments of careful reflection, he became even more confused and could not discern the emperor's intentions.
Kneeling and sitting, Guan Qiuxian straightened his upper body and said instinctively, "They died fighting for Your Majesty, and also for the Great Wei."
"This is also correct," Cao Rui said calmly and looked at Guan Qiuxian. "However, Zhong Gong, can the emperor and the Great Wei be considered equal?"
"Do I equal the state?"
Guan Qiuxian has martial prowess, but he is not a top-tier fierce general. He has talent, but he hasn't reached the level of a Dr. (a title for an academic scholar). Guan Qiuxian has wisdom, but he still falls short of a level compared to people like Sima Yi and Liu Ye.
"There are no people who are perfect in every aspect," Guan Qiuxian replied. "However, when taken as a whole, Guan Qiuxian is one of the most outstanding talents among Cao Rui's current trusted officials."
Do I equal the state?
Guan Qiuxian pondered the four characters carefully, and without realizing it, he found himself thinking about the past half year of traveling outside last year.
When Guan Qiuxian led his elite horsemen to break the army of Ko Bijen in Shuofan, of course, he was thinking of serving the king and also thinking about personal achievements and family prosperity.
When Guan Qiuxian was expelled from Liaodong by Gong Sun Yu, his duty was to punish Gong Sun Yu.
All these things are what Guan Qiuxian, as a subject and an official of the Great Wei, should do, and not just for the emperor!
Guan Qiuxian did not hesitate to say, "Your Majesty is Your Majesty, and the Great Wei is the Great Wei. You are the emperor of the Great Wei!"
Cao Rui glanced at Guan Qiuxian, nodded in satisfaction: "The emperor and the Great Wei cannot be equated. I am the emperor of the Great Wei, but the Great Wei is not my private property."
"The soldiers of the Great Wei who died in the battle at Chiting died for the Great Wei, not for me alone! If the Great Wei wins and takes Hanzhong, it will help to sooner defeat the Shu rebels, and then all the people of the Great Wei will benefit! It is not just me who will benefit."
Guan Qiuxian nodded, indicating that he understood.
Cao Rui continued, "The Great Wei is not my private property. Then what should I do?"
"It is to act with public interest, to seek the welfare of the people and the millions."
"As the emperor of the Great Wei, ensuring the continuation of the Cao family's throne."
"To eliminate Wu and Shu and achieve early reunification of the country."
Cao Rui looked at Guan Qiuxian: "And not just to regard the world as one's own, to make the thoughts of one person represent those of a million, and to arbitrarily handle state affairs based on one's own likes and dislikes!"
Guan Qiuxian bowed deeply: "I understand Your Majesty's aspirations! I am willing to serve as a vanguard for Your Majesty, to exert my best efforts and dedication, without any regrets!"
Cao Rui reached up and made a vague gesture of support: "I understand Zhong Gong's intentions. However, Zhong Gong should also be aware of the emperor's intentions."
"The Grand General is the Grand General of the Great Wei. Whether it's isolation between inside and outside, or ambition for power, I do not blame him; in extraordinary times, there should be extraordinary measures."
"Xu Chu, Cao Hong, Xin Pi, Sima Yi, Liu Fang... These people are all loyal subjects of the Great Wei. I cannot find fault with them."
Guan Qiuxian sat back up and listened to the emperor's words with a solemn face.
"And Zhong Gong, as well as Yang Fu," Cao Rui said slowly, "You two are not only loyal subjects of the Great Wei, but also loyal to me personally. I have taken notice of it."
"Your Majesty!"
Guan Qiuxian was moved and bowed deeply on the spot without moving, his body bent to the ground.
Cao Rui said, "I am particularly disappointed in Xiahou Xian."
"The first is that he failed to speak out and argue with the Grand General as you have."
"The second is that he bears the responsibility of guarding Your Majesty, but he was directly ordered by the Grand General to command his own subordinates, bypassing his direct level."
"The third is that he had no additional preparations; he merely followed the orders of the Grand General, unlike you and the others."
Guan Qiuxian remained silent, bowing his head and listening quietly in the original position.
The emperor's intention is already very clear.
After the severe illness in Chencang, each of the accompanying officials reacted to the matter in their own way.
According to the emperor's words, Cao Zhen, Xin Pi, and Sima Yi are all more loyal to the Great Wei. In other words, who is the emperor of the Great Wei, they will support.
He, Guan Qiuxian, and Yang Fu, are more loyal to Your Majesty.
Your Majesty's words just now also made it clear: being loyal to Your Majesty is good, and being loyal to the Great Wei is also fine.
But in a critical position, but nothing was done, this makes the emperor's repulsion.
Guan Qiuxian knelt on the ground, thinking to himself, it seems that Xiahou Xian's future will not be as smooth as before.
"Zhong Gong, get up," Cao Rui said.
Guan Qiuxian stood up calmly, but his mind was rolling with the things he had just figured out.
Cao Rui looked at Guan Qiuxian: "Zhong Gong, summon the people waiting outside to come in."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Guan Qiuxian bowed and then walked out of the tent, bringing the people with him and bringing them back in.
The subjects bowed in unison. Cao Rui leaned back on the bed and looked calmly at everyone present.
Cao Rui said, "I fell ill in Chencang, and according to the imperial physicians, it was due to overthinking. After some reflection on my own part, I indeed agree."
"I left Luoyang in December of last year and have been traveling for half a year now. I have to think about military strategies, political affairs, and national matters every day. On the surface, everything seems fine, but internally, I am already a little weak."
Cao Zhen bowed and said, "Your Majesty, it is our inability to alleviate your worries. Please punish us for our failure."
The tone has been set too high from the start.
As Cao Zhen spoke, the other officials in the tent also bowed to take responsibility.
Cao Rui looked at the crowd, laughed lightly: "How can there be so many crimes! In my opinion, during the time I was sick, all of you have thought very well."
"Today, every person before me is a loyal subject and each has achieved merits!"
Cao Rui looked at Cao Zhen: "Particularly the Grand General, who has taken on the responsibility of supporting the state. I am very relieved!"
"Where is Liu Zhongshu?"
Liu Fang stepped forward and bowed, replying, "Your Majesty, I am here!"
Cao Rui said, "Given the recent achievements of the Grand General, grant his eldest son Cao Shuang the title of Marquis of Pavilion! When we return to Luoyang, select a fine pavilion from the twenty-four pavilions in Luoyang and bestow it upon Zhaobo!"
Is that how one is granted a marquisate? Just a few days?
Everyone's gaze was on Cao Zhen, and while he was surprised, the burden in his heart finally rested.
The son's promotion is an undeniable praise! And even more, the honor of getting a pavilion in Luoyang for Cao Shuang is even rarer.
It's almost as good as being enfeoffed in one's native place!
Cao Zhen immediately knelt and bowed deeply in the tent: "My humble achievements cannot bear such heavy rewards from the emperor. Please, Your Majesty, do not bestow such honors upon Zhaobo."
"No problem." Cao Rui said lightly: "I said it could be awarded, then it could be awarded. General Cao does not want Zhaobo to be enfeoffed as a Marquis?"
Cao Zhen had no choice but to say, "I thank the emperor for his great favor on behalf of Marquis Cao."
Cao Rui revealed a faint smile and said leisurely after Cao Zhen stood up, "All of you in this tent today will be rewarded! When we return to Luoyang, I will add more rewards when recounting achievements!"
With the emperor's words, everyone bowed and thanked him in unison.
After a moment, Cao Rui looked at the crowd and said, "Where is Yang Fu?"
"I am here!" Yang Fu replied.
Cao Rui said, "Yang Qian, please accompany the emperor back to Luoyang and take the position of Gongya. The original Gongya He Qie has been transferred to Jingdong Province as its governor."
Another significant announcement, even heavier than Cao Zhen's reward.
Cao Shuang is a member of the Cao clan, as well as the eldest son of Grand General Cao Zhen. How could he not be enfeoffed as a Marquis? It's only a matter of when it happens.
As for Yang Fu, how could he go from being the governor of Yongzhou directly to becoming a member of the Nine Ministries in the capital?
That's because he made a political performance outside the tent when Your Majesty was sick, wanting to commit suicide?
Sima Yi glanced at Yang Fu, feeling a deep sense of caution towards the man who was plucked from the position of Gatekeeper of the Capital to the Nine Ministries, and had been in that position for less than two years.
Why could this person be so cunning and manipulative? And with the emperor's wisdom, he would have been so credulous as to believe him? Furthermore, he was granted such a prestigious position to Yang Fu?
But at this moment, it is the reward after the emperor's illness. It would not be reasonable to argue against it at all.
Yang Fu first stood in shock, then reacted after a few moments and immediately imitated Cao Zhen's actions from a moment ago, bowing deeply on the ground and replying:
"Yang Fu thanks Your Majesty for the imperial grace! I am willing to pour out my heart and brain for Your Majesty!"
Cao Rui said lightly, "I am aware of Yang Qian's character. Please accompany the emperor back to Luoyang. It is better for him to be closer to the emperor."
Yang Fu said, "I will comply! I am willing to die for Your Majesty!"
Cao Rui nodded in satisfaction. (This chapter is complete.)
