Dong Zhao's words can be said to have calculated the human heart to the utmost extent.
Cao Rui and Dong Zhao talked for a while before leaving the western pavilion. At this moment, Sima Yi and the three eunuchs had already returned and were waiting in the courtyard for the emperor.
After leaving Dong Zhao, Cao Rui's sorrow in his heart was somewhat alleviated, but the things that needed to be done still had to be done.
Standing firm, Cao Rui said to Sima Yi approaching, "Marquis, the Secretariat should propose a posthumous title for the Marshal."
"Except for the posthumous title, the Marquis of Changheng will be inherited by the eldest son of the Marshal, while the posthumous title of the Marquis of Daozheng will be given to his second son, Desi."
"Yes." Sima Yi replied with a bow.
Cao Rui continued, "Moreover, instruct Minister of Rites Xu Xuan to depart immediately for Shouchun and retrieve the Marshal's coffin back to Luoyang. Remember to send someone to notify Zhangsi of the Left Guardian Corps, and have him go there at once."
"I am now unable to bear seeing him."
Sima Yi sighed, "Your Majesty's benevolence. I will have Xu Xuan and Cao Zhao leave by afternoon."
"Yes," Cao Rui said. "Is there anything else, Marquis, from the Secretariat?"
Sima Yi slightly puzzled, "I ... there are no other things to do."
"That's good," Cao Rui ordered, "My heart is sorrowful, and I will suspend court for seven days to show mourning. If there are no major matters, do not seek me."
"Yes, as you command," Sima Yi said, with some hesitation. "This is the first time Your Majesty has suspended court. Should we still report to the palace for duty?"
Cao Rui turned to leave, "After I myself suspend court, what should I do about the east pavilion and the west pavilion?"
"Yes." Sima Yi bowed at the back.
The term "suspend court" merely refers to the discontinuation of court meetings, not the halt of state affairs. If there is an important matter, of course, it can still be reported.
For Cao Rui himself, it means stopping to discuss matters with officials and bidding farewell to the turmoil, so as to concentrate and contemplate.
Cao Rui took a step towards the study, followed closely by the three eunuchs.
Leaning back on the lounge chair, Cao Rui turned to Xu Shu, "Now go find General Man, you two should go together to the graduation summary at the Academy of Martial Arts this afternoon. Tell Qian Zhao that I won't be going there this afternoon."
Xu Shu bowed and left.
Cao Rui looked at Pei Qian, "Pei Zhongshu is responsible for the affairs of Xuchang. Collect all the archives from Yuzhou, Xu state, and Yang state over the past two years and bring them to the emperor for a few days."
Pei Qian received the order and left.
In the study, there was only Xin Bi left. Cao Rui sighed, "The Marshal has passed away, and I still have to send a letter to the Marshal."
"Xin Zhongshu, please help the emperor write the letter. Write down everything you have heard. Write it here. I will read it when you are finished."
"Yes, as you command."
Xin Bi and Cao Zhen are the closest, and the emperor is aware of this as well. Whenever communicating with Cao Zhen, he will ask Xin Bi to write on his behalf.
Xin Bi is also a person who has been well-versed in official documents. With his swift handwriting, he finished the letter before a single incense stick had burnt out.
Cao Rui took the letter, glanced at it for a few moments, then nodded, "It's good. Seal it."
"I have been away from the capital in Yongzhou for more than a year and a half, and it is time to send someone to check on it."
"Cao Rui looked up at Xin Bi," "Xin Qing, please go to Guanxi on behalf of the emperor."
Inspecting out of town has always been the responsibility of the Censorate.
But to hold a node for inspection, it is still used by Zhongshu, which has no precedent in this dynasty. Xin Qi heard this, and was obviously very surprised.
Xin Bi bowed and asked, "I accept your order, but I am not sure what Your Majesty would like me to inspect?"
Cao Rui said indifferently, "Deliver the letter to the Marshal, and visit all the places in Chenchang, Shangguan, Qiyuan, Dachong, Modu, and Hanzhong."
"Inspect the previously planned fortifications and cities, and also look at the first two periods of the Academy of Martial Arts."
Xin Bi thought for a moment, "Your Majesty just mentioned six places. Dachong is the furthest. If I go on such a round trip, it will take me three or four months to return."
Cao Rui said, "Take as long as it takes."
"Xin Qing has always been in charge of the affairs of Guanxi. He has also supervised grain supplies in Chang'an. Among Zhongshus, he is the most familiar with that place."
"I estimate that by the time you return after the New Year, I will have already arrived in Xuchang. By then, we can meet in Xuchang as ruler and subject."
Xin Bi bowed and agreed, "I will comply with your Majesty's orders. When should I set off?"
Cao Rui countered, "How many days can Xin Qing travel in?"
Xin Bi replied, "I still have some matters to attend to, and it will take another one or two days to arrange them."
Cao Rui nodded, "Then three days."
Xin Bi bowed, and then left.
Having arranged all the state affairs, Cao Rui himself had a rare moment of leisure. Accompanied by the guards of the Tiger Guards, he walked towards the palace.
Since the last time leaving the palace of Sun Zhao Yi, Cao Rui has spent two days in the study.
Now the heart is filled with troubles and puzzles, the best place to go in the palace is of course Sun Zhao Yi here.
Sun Lubaan is not only like a flower that speaks, but also has the temperament of the most gentle and caring.
Even during the daytime, Cao Rui still lay on Sun Lubaan's legs, gently swaying and napping.
Sun Lubaan is also polite, gently massaging the emperor's forehead with her hands while humming softly in her mouth.
Cao Rui asked softly, "Da Hu, what are you humming?"
Sun Lubaan gently replied, "This is a song that my mother used to sing to me when I was young. It has a local accent, Your Majesty should not be able to understand it."
"The dialect of Wu and Yue, I really do not understand," Cao Rui asked, "Can Fu wife still be in good health in Wuchang?"
Sun Lubaan softly said, "My mother is doing well, there is no need for Your Majesty to worry."
"Your Majesty is really interesting. Every time you mention the wife's father, you always call him a thug and treat him as an enemy. But when you mention the wife's mother, you treat her like an ordinary husband to his elders and become more polite."
Cao Rui said, "There is no private enmity between me and your father. However, as the sovereign of Wei, I have the principle that I cannot coexist with the Wu state represented by your father."
"It's the first time I've heard you talk about this. Are you blaming me for it?"
Sun Lubaan laughed and said, "I do not blame you. As a ruler, there are many people who view him as an enemy. It is already a great man for Your Majesty to be so open and straightforward in front of me."
"But I was also thinking that I wonder how many people in the world hate you?"
Cao Rui sighed, "I suppose there won't be few either."
"After I ascended to the throne, I have personally led two campaigns. Once against Wu, and once against Shu. At least ten thousand soldiers from both countries have died or been captured."
"Everyone has a family, parents and wives and children. In their eyes, the ideal husband in front of you is the person they want to eat meat and sleep with the skin."
Sun Lubaan said, "That is also something that cannot be helped. Your Majesty is the ruler of the world, bearing the burden of the world, and naturally has to bear these responsibilities."
Cao Rui said, "Da Hu, do you know the Buddhist temples?"
"Buddhism?" Sun Lubaan asked back, "There is a White Horse Temple on the outskirts of Luoyang. It was recently renovated last year. Is that the Buddhist temple?"
Cao Rui nodded slightly, "Yes, that's the Buddhist temple."
"Buddhism teaches about cause and effect and the law of karma. After the Great General conquered the Western Regions, several foreign monks from Yantian have come to Luoyang. Last year, the Minister of Rites Cui Lin found me about this and I agreed."
Sun Lubaan asked, "What is cause and effect? I don't understand."
Cao Rui explained, "For example, as I just said, the war between the Great Wei and Wu and Shu has caused the destruction of over a hundred thousand families."
"I am the emperor of Wei, Wei soldiers killing people are carrying out my orders, this is the cause."
"And the more than ten thousand families in Wu and Shu resent me, this is the result."
Sun Lubaan seemed to understand but not quite: "If it goes by what Your Majesty said, following my father to fight in battle is the cause. Being captured by Your Majesty's men and becoming Your Majesty's concubine, this is the result?"
Cao Rui answered, "Just as you said, it is like this."
"But I have been thinking these two days, how can the Grand Marshal fall off his horse and still carry the karma?"
"If I can't figure out this cause and effect, will it one day come to my head?"
Sun Lubaan exclaimed, "Your Majesty, don't say such things! Don't say these unlucky things!" She covered Cao Rui's mouth.
Cao Rui opened his eyes and saw Sun Lubaan's worried eyes, then he smiled and said, "I didn't say anything false, I just thought about it."
Sun Lubaan scolded playfully, "Your Majesty is the husband of the concubine. I won't allow Your Majesty to think about these things. As the emperor of Wei, it's impossible for Your Majesty to have such an unexpected occurrence."
Cao Rui said, "I believe you, let's not talk about it anymore."
"Da Hu, I am considering bestowing the title of king on two princes. Do you have any places you prefer?"
Sun Lubaan's eyes were slightly red, and she seemed to be holding back tears. Not long after, a few drops of tears fell onto Cao Rui's forehead.
Sun Lubaan choked up and said, "Your Majesty, what's wrong? Aren't there still tens of thousands of families in the world?"
"Two princes are still small children, their words are not smooth, how can they be king?"
"Your Majesty first spoke of being resented by others, then talked about cause and effect. The concubine doesn't want to hear it. All I want is for Your Majesty to be in good spirits and get up and fight."
Cao Rui sighed softly and raised his hand to stroke Sun Lubaan's side face, "Okay, I promise you, let it go." (This chapter is completed)
