After returning to the study, Cao Rui called for eunuchs to bring over Sima Yi and Yin Zhen, as well as Imperial Minister Xin Bi.
and sent someone to summon Xu Shu and Lu Yu in Luoyang.
Sima Yi and Wei Zhen arrived in the study first and bowed to the emperor before taking their seats. It was not until Xin Bi entered the study that Cao Rui spoke.
Cao Rui said, "I have called the three of you here to discuss the merits of our campaign against Shu."
"As previously stated, all generals under the Grand General will be ranked by the order of Zhang, Qian, Guo, and Lu. In addition to these four men, you three and other eligible civil officials with meritorious records will also be considered for battle honors."
With the previous post-war rewards from the Huaihuai campaign, the three men were not surprised and all stood up, bowing their hands in gratitude.
Cao Rui waved his hand and said, "There is no need to be modest. Rewards for those who have meritorious service are my duty as an emperor."
"The Great Wei belongs to me, and also to you, my esteemed ministers of state. As in the previous example, I will first discuss your merits."
"Vice Minister of Works." Cao Rui looked at Sima Yi, "Your Excellency has made several strategic contributions in the field of battle, so I am increasing your fief by seven hundred households."
Sima Yi stood up and bowed three times in gratitude, saying, "Your Majesty's great favor, Your Excellency! Although I have accomplished some minor deeds, I still feel ashamed of my own inadequacy."
"There's no need to feel guilty," Cao Rui said with a smile. "Vice Minister of Works is my wise counselor, who always finds flaws in military strategies and tactics, so he deserves this reward."
Sima Yi wanted to bring up the matter of the general pardon now, but he held back, thinking he would wait until the emperor finished speaking before mentioning it.
Cao Rui continued to call out names: "Master Wei, you have stayed in Luoyang for half a year, defending the capital without any errors. You shall have your fief increased by five hundred households."
Wei Zhen took a deep breath, stood up, and said, "Your Majesty has gone to war twice, and I have earned military merit just by staying in the rear. This might bring about criticism from both the court and the people."
Cao Rui said, "If anyone dares to criticize, let them come to me! Overseeing governance and maintaining the rear lines are meritorious achievements similar to those of Xiao He."
"Have you not heard of the saying that merit belongs to the master and the dog does the work?"
Wei Zhen said, "I thank Your Majesty for your grace. However, there is one matter I wish to propose, and I hope Your Majesty will consider it carefully."
"What is it?" Cao Rui asked, even though he already knew.
Wei Zhen spoke slowly about the opportunity to use the general pardon to issue a decree lifting the restrictions on scholars who were imprisoned for their extravagance.
While Cao Rui remained silent, he was also waiting for Sima Yi's reaction.
As expected, while Cao Rui remained silent, Sima Yi also stood up next to Wei Zhen and spoke, "I also agree. I wish to exchange the merits of our expedition to the west for a general pardon for my subordinates. I hope Your Majesty will show mercy!"
Cao Rui laughed and said, "Sit down, all of you."
"I understand your intentions. Since it's a general pardon, 'generous' is the only word that can accurately reflect the splendor of the Great Wei. After this pardon is issued, you all must return home and diligently guide your families, so they do not stray again."
"As for the suggestion made by Vice Minister of Works to exchange merits for a pardon, that is unnecessary. Have I just given out rewards, only to take them back immediately?"
Sima Yi bowed deeply, "I thank Your Majesty for Your grace! Your Majesty is truly the first wise ruler, the first sage ruler, and the first benevolent ruler in history!"
Cao Rui laughed heartily, "How can I have so many 'firsts'? There's no need to flatter me. Without your assistance, I would not have been able to accomplish so much by myself."
Sima Yi thanked again for a while.
Cao Rui listened to Sima Yi's words and couldn't help but feel a sense of melancholy.
When Cao Rui increased Sima Yi's fief by seven hundred households earlier, he didn't thank him as sincerely. It seems that in Sima Yi's heart, the future of his eldest son Sima Shu is a more important matter.
That's understandable.
This is not surprising. For a noble family to thrive over generations, it is necessary to accumulate over time. Local magnates may accumulate wealth, but for a scholarly family like the Sima clan of Henan, what must be accumulated is reputation and official positions.
Reputation is a necessity.
There was a saying in Sima Yi's generation that he was one of the "Eight Great Military Strategists" of the Three Kingdoms period. And Sima Shu here also has the reputation of being parallel to Xiahou Ying and He Yan.
Holding office is also a necessity.
Taking the rare achievement of the "Four Generations of Three Public Servants" by the Yuan family in Yunnan as an example, this is a family achievement where three generations of the main line have served as three public servants. Even one generation missing is not considered a lack.
The same applies to the Sima family of Henan.
Sima Yi's father, Sima Fang, had recommended Cao Cao with favors and later even served as the Jinger (an official rank) of Jingzhao, a position that was worth two thousand stones.
Sima Yi's generation is even more outstanding. Sima Lang, Sima Yi, and Sima Fu are all talents.
Sima Yi's sons, Sima Shu and Sima Zhao, have not yet joined the official ranks. On the contrary, the two legitimate sons of his third brother Sima Fu, Sima Yong and Sima Wang, both became county officers at the age of twenty-something.
How could Sima Yi not be anxious about this?
Compared to the family's inheritance, the few hundred households added or subtracted from Sima Yi himself are not a significant issue.
This matter was settled, and Cao Rui then called out the name of Xin Bi: "Xin Zhongshu has managed the logistics in Chang'an, handling numerous affairs with few errors. He is indeed devoted to his duties."
"In recognition of your services in governing the Guanzhong region, increase your fief by three hundred households."
Xin Bi naturally expressed gratitude once again.
After exchanging pleasantries with Xin Bi, Cao Rui gradually moved on to the main topic.
Cao Rui said, "During the previous campaign against Wu, the Prime Minister's outstanding contribution earned him a fief increase of two thousand five hundred households, while the Grand General's second-place contribution was a fief increase of one thousand households."
"But now, I have a strong inclination towards Zhang He's merits. Therefore, I would like to discuss with you all whether it is the Grand General's merits that are greater or those of Zhang He, the Commanding General of the Western Campaign?"
A silence fell.
No one is foolish; the emperor asked a sensitive question.
The size of the fief not only involves a comparison of the status of Marquis, but also involves family prestige, and more importantly, property income.
Blocking someone's path to wealth is like killing one's parents.
If it's blocking someone's path to increasing their fief?
And now there are three high-ranking officials present. If something is said, it might spread to the ears of Cao Zhen in Chenping within ten days."
It's not something that directly concerns my own interests. Who would want to stick their nose in?
Furthermore, it's not directly related to important state affairs. It's just a matter of the amount of rewards.
The three men looked at each other, and for a moment, none of them spoke.
Cao Rui smiled, "What? Are all of you now as concerned as I am?"
Wei Zhen is a low-key gentleman who has always sought to maintain his integrity and generally does not interfere in such matters. Cao Rui did not expect Wei Zhen to say anything obvious.
Instead, Xin Bi took a step forward, bowed, and replied: "In my opinion, the Grand General's achievements surpass those of the Commanding General of the Western Campaign!"
Cao Rui asked, "How do you come to this conclusion, Minister Xin? I am also in doubt."
Xin Bi said, "Military achievements can be divided into high and low, large and small, but first of all, we must distinguish between the main and secondary."
"Without discussing the achievements of the various generals, may I ask Your Majesty, among the results of this campaign against Shu, what is most important and what is secondary?"
Cao Rui's expression also gradually became serious: "Taking Hanzhong is most important! Loss of Shu's army is secondary."
Xin Bi said: "The Grand General led troops of 30,000 to urgently capture Hanzhong. It took only three days to take Yangping Pass. The surrenders of Juxian and Yangping Pass were the result of the Grand General leading his troops personally to Hanzhong."
"Capturing Hanzhong is naturally the Grand General's primary achievement. From last December to this June, the Grand General has not been absent from battle in any engagement."
"Therefore, I believe that the Grand General's achievements surpass those of Zhang He, the Commanding General of the Western Campaign!"
Cao Rui sighed and said, "Minister Xin's words are indeed reasonable. However, I still feel that if Chiteng had not won so quickly, it might have been difficult to capture Hanzhong. Therefore, I am slightly inclined towards Zhang He."
Sima Yi spoke up, saying, "At the time of the battle of Chiteng, I was by Your Majesty's side, and we played a game of Weiqi all day long."
"From my perspective, at the Battle of Chiteng and Qingni (Green Silk Valley), Zhang He was only in charge of military command. His merits cannot be compared to those of the Grand General."
It's interesting that Xin Bi took the lead, and Sima Yi followed suit.
Cao Rui immediately pointed at Sima Yi and said, "Minister of Works, continue!"
Sima Yi said, "That battle had little strategic significance. The one who is better at adjusting their troops and the one with higher morale, and the one that can better endure losses and injuries, will be the winner."
"The Son of the Great Wei Empire, the Emperor, personally commanded the army, while the Shu army was led by a pretender to the chancellor's position. The difference in morale is immediately clear, which is one victory."
"The main forces of the Great Wei are more elite and numerous, while the Shu army is outnumbered and outmatched, which are two victories."
"With these two victories, how could Zhang He fail to win? It's just a matter of coordinating different departments and advancing steadily. Zhang He is taking advantage of Your Majesty's authority."
Cao Rui laughed and said, "Minister of Works, your words are indeed sharp!"
"Minister of Works and Minister Xin's words make sense. Therefore, I will not hesitate any longer on this matter."
"This time we captured Hanzhong, which is indeed a major victory similar to last year's campaign against Wu. The Grand General will receive an increase of two hundred households, and the Commanding General of the Western Campaign will receive an increase of one hundred households. Is this arrangement still appropriate?"
Xin Bi said with a slight hesitation, "As Your Majesty's will is so, how can we dare to object? However, I have a concern. Last year, the Prime Minister was awarded two thousand five hundred households, and this year the Grand General is to receive two thousand. Isn't there a distinction between the two?"
Cao Rui answered, "That is the point. Both are primary achievements, but in my view, defeating Wu is more important than defeating Shu!"
"This is also a distinction I have made for the officials of the court."
Xin Bi bowed in agreement and said no more.
Cao Rui nodded and asked, "What about Qian Zhao, Guo Huai, and Lu Xun?"
Sima Yi said, "In my opinion, Qian Zhao should be awarded eight hundred households, and Guo Huai should be awarded five hundred households. As for Lu Xun, he should not receive an increase in his fief."
Cao Rui turned to Wei Zhen and Xin Bi and asked, "What do you two think?"
Wei Zhen hesitated for a moment before speaking up, "I agree."
Xin Bi added, "I also agree."
Cao Rui nodded, "An increase of eight hundred and five hundred households is a reasonable achievement. As for Lu Xun's merits, Your Majesty has already rewarded him with the title of Marquis of Wu and a fief of one thousand households."
"Therefore, he will not receive any further reward this time."
At that time, it was around midday and Xu Shu and Lu Yu arrived promptly. As Cao Rui discussed the achievements with the three officials, Xu and Lu were already waiting outside the study.
Zhong Yu came in to inquire, and Cao Rui gestured with his hand, indicating for Zhong Yu to lead Xu Shu and Lu Yu inside.
After the two had kneeled and paid their respects, Cao Rui asked, "Xu Shu, you are in charge of agricultural affairs and trench fortifications for the Great Wei. And Lu Yu, you are responsible for legal matters. Among all the busy places in Luoyang City besides the Department of the Ministry of Works, I imagine there aren't many like yours."
Xu Shu bowed and answered, "Eating the grain that comes from the Emperor and sharing in his worries is what a subject is supposed to do. Since Your Majesty instituted the system of military settlements last year, there was a decrease of ten percent in the grain collected from Henan Province as required by the policy, but only three out of every hundred were actually short."
"Your Majesty is wise and farsighted. Reducing the rent for military settlements is indeed a benevolent policy that benefits the people."
Cao Rui nodded and then asked Lu Yu about the legal work. Upon learning that one-third of the law had been completed, he asked Xu and Lu:
"Minister Xu, Minister Lu, are you willing to serve as a Minister of State by My side?" (Chapter ends)
