At that moment, as Cao Rui was discussing with the four ministers, the day's duty assistant imperial censor and You quietly entered from outside.
According to the emperor's previous statements to the four of them, any officials of six departments, nine principals, generals and above requesting an audience must be immediately reported.
The four officials from the Western and Eastern Caves maintained proper decorum; even when they heard footsteps behind them, they did not glance sidelong.
Yourespectfully bowed and said, "Your Majesty, Marshal Xu Chu is waiting outside the palace to see Your Majesty."
Xu Chu?
Man Chen faintly furrowed his brow.
With a faint furrow of his brow, Man Chen wondered, "General Xu Chu shouldn't be in the Wuwei army at this time, busy with preparations for the campaign. How did he get into the palace?"
According to the system established in Taiping year 1, all three high officials below the Three High Officials, the six departments of Ministry, nine principal officials, various prefectural governors, as well as generals above the assistant general of the central army and Marquis, were allowed to directly request an audience with the Emperor. Marquis were also allowed to do so.
To show that the channels of communication are open without hindrance, and to foster mutual trust between the ruler and his ministers without suspicion.
Cao Rui nodded to You, indicating approval, and said, "Alright, go and bring General Xu Chu in."
You went to fulfill the order.
As the four people in the study room watched him, Cao Rui smiled and said, "I don't know what matter Xu Chu has that he needs to discuss with me. But since you're all here, let's hear what Xu Chu has to say."
A moment later, Xu Chu walked slowly into the study hall, bowing deeply as a sign of respect, with a bow angle that was as standard as possible.
Cao Rui nodded and asked, "What do you want to say to the emperor today, General Xu?"
Xu Chu paused for a moment, then bowed and said, "Your Majesty, as the New Year is approaching, the Secretariat has ordered the Wuwei Army to set out in a few days."
"I am naturally willing to continue leading troops and serving Your Majesty and the Great Wei. However, since the onset of winter, my energy has gradually become inadequate. The shoulder and arm I was injured on the battlefield years ago have been particularly painful this year."
Speaking of this, Xu Chu sighed deeply, "Your Majesty, I am old and sick, unable to be driven by the court. If I had not reported this matter to Your Majesty, one day when I truly collapsed on the battlefield, it would have caused chaos in the court."
Cao Rui shook his head slightly and pointed to the seat beside Man Chen, saying, "General Xu, please take a seat first and talk to me at your leisure."
Although Xu Chu was here to resign, his words were still as neat as ever: "Your servant will comply."
After Xu Chu had taken his seat, Cao Rui softly asked, "General Xu, is your decision to resign today something you have come up with yourself, or have you been instructed by someone?"
Xu Chu hesitated for a moment and then said sincerely, "Your Majesty, after receiving your order at the beginning of the month, I have been in a dilemma. As the date for departure is drawing near, I went to the Secretariat yesterday to discuss this matter with Wang Youjian."
Wang Youjian, Wang Chang, Wang WenShu?
Cao Rui looked at Xu Chu and indicated for him to continue.
Xu Chu looked to the left and right at the ministers, then continued his statement, "After listening to me, Wang Youjian suggested that I should come forward and resign myself, so as not to delay the important affairs of the state and military of the Great Wei."
Cao Rui shook his head slightly and said, "Is this Wang Chang's exact words? I don't believe he would be so cold-hearted."
Xu Chu, feeling embarrassed, smiled and said, "The suggestion for me to resign indeed came from Wang Youjian. However, his exact words were to let me know when to advance and when to retreat, and to be aware of the consequences. To have served the state of Wei for thirty years and not cause trouble at the end, leaving a bad result behind. Now I have retired in honor, I can enjoy a peaceful old age."
Cao Rui smiled softly, "Wang Chang is indeed straightforward."
"General Xu, if you are indeed retiring and seeking a peaceful old age, who can take over the Wuwei army? Why not recommend someone to Your Majesty?"
Xu Chu shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, if I am to retire, I can no longer have a say in matters. The Wuwei Army has been with me for a long time, but my heart is clear."
"The court can decide on anyone they wish to use, and it is not for me to interject. I apologize for not being able to answer Your Majesty's question."
Cao Rui sighed and said, "Whenever old ministers resign, I indeed cannot bear it in my heart."
"Throughout history, when a minister grows old and sick, both Emperor Wu and the previous emperor have never been stingy with official positions and titles. General Xu is the tiger marquis of the Great Wei, and today as you resign for rest and recuperation, I will add another hundred households to your fief."
"Your eldest son, Xu Yi, is now thirty-two years old and has served in the central army for ten years, but he has only reached the position of a thousand-cubic stone (a unit of weight) mayor. I am now promoting him to a two-thousand-cubic stone captain."
Xu Chu stood up from his seat and bowed in thanks. The white strands of his hair, visible within his ceremonial hat, were clearly visible. His voice was filled with an indescribable tremble and emotion: "Your Majesty's great grace, Your servant is truly grateful. Since I cannot serve Your Majesty, may my son continue to serve You in the central army."
"I am truly..."
Xu Chu is a tiger general of the world, though old, Cao Rui still did not want to see him in such a state: "General Xu, you can thank me later. I am not finished yet."
Xu Chu raised his head to look at the emperor.
Cao Rui said, "General Xu and I are fellow villagers from the same county. Do you wish to live in Luoyang or return to Chou County for your retirement? Just choose a place, and I will arrange for you to buy a house and farmland."
Xu Chu sighed and said, "I served with Emperor Wu for more than two decades in battles. How can I return to Chou County now? My relatives are all in the city of Yecheng. The descendants of my fellow nobles who followed me and the ancestors of our family who joined the founding emperor are mostly buried in Yecheng."
"If Your Majesty is kind to the servant, please allow me to spend my old age in Yecheng."
Cao Rui nodded, as if it was not a surprise at all, "Yecheng?"
"General Xu, do not worry. I will send someone to arrange it. There will be a banquet before the end of the month. After I go to Xuchang, you can also go to Yecheng together."
"Although General Xu has resigned, the title of Wuwei has accompanied you for more than half of your life. Keep the title of General. If anything happens in Yecheng, you can report to Your Majesty at any time."
"Understood?"
Xu Chu nodded, his words seemed to contain some unsatisfied grief, but he rallied his spirits and left after bidding farewell.
Watching Xu Chu's slightly bleak figure, as he took steps forward, Cao Rui sighed and said, "Time is the most ruthless to people. My ministers, when faced with such partings, what are your thoughts?"
Man Chen was the first to speak, "Your Majesty, there is no need to feel sad. Gathering and parting are common in the world."
"In my opinion, a man should stand in the world, not to dishonor either the king or oneself, and that would be enough to satisfy one's life."
Cao Rui looked at Man Chen, "Just seek no regret?"
Man Chen stroked his beard and nodded, "Just seek no regret!"
Cao Rui turned to look at the door outside the study again. The door was closed, and Xu Chu's figure could no longer be seen.
Xu Chu resigned from his position, having just passed sixty years of age and yet still harboring the desire to return to Yecheng to spend his final years peacefully.
As Xu Chu said, many of his former subordinates and clan members are buried in Yecheng. It is the passing of these individual lives, one by one, that has laid the foundation for the Great Wei's prosperity...
Sima Yi looked at the emperor, who was somewhat dazed behind the desk, and cleared his throat, "Your Majesty, since you have agreed to allow General Xu to resign, the choice of his successor for leading the Wuwei army should also be discussed. The date for the departure of Wuwei army is getting closer."
Cao Rui snapped out of his daze: "Let Yan Zhao take over."
Sima Yi, seeing that the emperor had formed an opinion, bowed and said, "The ruler governs the ministers, and the ministers govern the people; each is in their proper place, which conforms to the natural order."
"As we are getting close to the New Year, Your Majesty should not let these trivial matters disturb your thoughts."
Cao Rui looked up at Sima Yi, "Good words from the Prime Minister!"
Sima Yi smiled, "It's not that I am magnanimous, but there are too many things to do. Why should one think about old people and old matters?"
"Your Majesty, the magistrate of Yongzhou, Sima Da, reported yesterday that the Western Regions' Great Yuezhi King Bode has sent an envoy to present gifts. According to the calculation of time, it should have passed through the Yellow River Pass and will likely arrive in Luoyang before the end of the year."
Cao Rui looked at Sima Yi with slight surprise: "Great Yuezhi? Is that the Great Yuezhi that Emperor Wu sent Zhang Qian to the Western Regions to find?"
"Is that country still around?"
Sima Yi said, "This is what Sima Da reported, and the specific details I cannot know."
Cao Rui nodded, "I will meet this ancient Western Regions state myself when the time comes."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Sima Yi bowed and replied.
...
The preparations for the previous dynasty were being made in full swing. The Secretariat and the Board of State jointly went to Xuchang, and the nine ministers who had not gone were inevitably sighing with a sense of isolation.
The situation in the palace is the same as well.
The two Consorts Mao and Sun who remained in Luoyang to raise the crowned prince, were unable to accompany the Emperor to Xuchang.
In the twelfth month, a beauty from the illustrious Su family of Jingzhao Wan Nian (Jingzhao is a region, and Wan Nian means ten thousand years) became pregnant, becoming the third person to be with child after Consorts Mao and Sun.
There are constant celebrations in the palace, but there are also jealousy and hidden hatreds.
When the emperor selected five people to accompany him to Xuchang, which women should be chosen, there was constant competition in the palace. However, what was the point of competing? It was all for nothing.
Cao Rui merely chose five people based on his memory and at random, with Guo Yao and Guo Jieyu naturally included.
Guo Yao is very favored, and everyone in the palace knows this. As she is the highest-ranking among the five girls, the emperor chose her to be responsible for accompanying the imperial court.
The palace internal affairs have always been managed by Guo Taolater, Cao Rui merely plays the role of an onlooker and does not go to inquire personally.
In other words, that is to say, as the elder, Empress Dowager Guo governs all the concubines equally, and the differences among them are only in their ranks. The two women, Mao Yan and Sun Luanban, who have sons, also have no power at all.
When the emperor moves his court, he cannot bring the Empress Dowager along.
Guo Yao, as the first concubine to gain some power in the palace, after blowing a lot of soft wind in bed, received the emperor's advice to find Empress Dowager.
Guo Yao, having obtained the emperor's approval, went to pay a visit to the Empress Dowager's palace.
After entering and paying respects, Empress Dowager Guo was very affectionately holding Guo Yao's hand and leading her to sit down on the table.
Empress Dowager Guo's original name was Guo Qi, with the style name of Guo Nüwang. She was known by the name Guo Nüwang in the world. She was born in the first year of the Zhongping era, three years older than Emperor Cao Pi, the previous emperor.
Though called the Empress Dowager, she was only forty-five years old. Having enjoyed half a lifetime of wealth and splendor, in the eyes of future generations, she was still a woman with graceful posture and charming appearance.
However, having become the Empress Dowager, Empress Guo Nüwang could only live within the depths of the palace every day, with nothing to do and her full measure of wisdom and cunning being used solely to ponder and arrange for the palace concubines.
Guo Yao's arrival brought a touch of interest to her peaceful life.
The usually stern Empress Dowager, who was harsh in front of the other women, was smiling and cheerful today, holding her hand. It was really disorienting for Guo Yao.
"Your Majesty, I have come to see Your Majesty today at the emperor's request. I am seeking Your Majesty's guidance on how to manage the people."
Then Guo Yao recounted the words the emperor had arranged.
Empress Dowager Guo laughed and said, "Cao Rui is really interesting. He even asked you to come find me."
"How to manage the people? You are just a Jieyu today, not much higher than them in rank. Where do you need to manage anyone?"
Guo Yao was puzzled, "My lady is foolish and cannot understand the Empress Dowager's profound meaning."
Empress Dowager Guo laughed and said, "We are both from the same family name, so I will point out a few things to you today. Cao Rui's intention is to test you...
With someone accompanying her for a rare occasion, Empress Dowager Guo shared many of her own experiences from her time in Xuchang and passed on to Guo Yao many ways of dealing with matters in the palace.
Guo Yao left the Empress Dowager's palace and returned, still feeling dazed in her mind.
Is the water in the palace really so deep? (This chapter ends)
