The ministers in Feiguang Hall have dispersed, and Cao Rui, along with the two chamberlains Xu and Lu, walk slowly to the north along the side of the palace.
The northern side of the Cuoca Pavilion is the Zhangshui River.
The distant mountains and waters contrasted with the nearby towers and pavilions, like a grand and solemn landscape painting.
Cao Rui recited from his mouth, "Over the long flowing of the Zhang River, gazing upon the thriving fruits in the garden."
"The literary talents of Yongqiu King are indeed outstanding! In my opinion, among all the poems and essays describing Zhangshui River and Yan'er City, Yongqiu King is undoubtedly the best."
Xu Shu spoke up beside him, "In the past, Emperor Wu commanded his sons to write together. At that time, the late emperor also wrote an essay titled 'Ascending the Terrace'."
Cao Rui waved his hand, "Both writing about the wind and birds, the late emperor used 'The wind blows and the clothes are blown, the birds fly and make noise in front' while Yongqiu King used 'Rejoicing in the gentle breeze, listening to the sorrowful cries of birds'."
"To be honest, the late emperor was good at writing essays and writing poems about women's grievances, but in terms of other poetry and prose, he is still some distance behind Yongqiu King."
The two chamberlains nodded in agreement.
If it's just a little distance, it seems more like the late emperor gave preferential treatment. In fact, it should be much further apart.
When discussing literature, Your Majesty often believes that the late emperor has a higher vision than Yongqiu King. But when it comes to poetry and prose, Your Majesty never hides his praise for Yongqiu King.
Liu Yu said beside him, "Your Majesty, the Cultural Observation Center has been established for over three years now, and many scholars in Luoyang have shown exceptional literary talents."
Cao Rui asked, "I visited the Cultural Observation Center in late October, and I haven't paid much attention to these matters since then. The prosperity of culture can also demonstrate the great virtues of the Great Wei."
"Who are the scholars who have made excellent works?"
Liu Yu paused and said, "Your Majesty, there is a scholar in Luoyang named Ruan Ji, the son of the late Ruan Yuanyu from Yelang. When Ruan Ji first came to Luoyang to study last autumn, he became famous at the Taixue with a five-character poem titled 'Praising one's feelings'."
"Oh, is this person named Ruan Ji?" Cao Rui nodded thoughtfully and asked, "Can you recall the poem, Lu official?"
Liu Yu bowed and said, "I remember the words 'Sleepless at night, I rise and sit to play the zither. The thin curtain reflects the bright moon, and the gentle breeze blows my sleeves'." The style of the text is fresh and refined, with a transcendent feeling.
Cao Rui smiled, "He's a good prospect. This scholar's writing is very similar to the poem 'How Bright the Moon Is'."
"Chamberlains, I have an idea today, and you two will accompany me to discuss it."
Xu Shu then folded his hands and stood up straight, and Lu Yu did the same.
Cao Rui said, "I established the Cultural Observation Center in the first year of the Taihe era, and the Five Classics were revised all over again. Poems and articles have been selected every year. The prosperity of literature in Luoyang is like the 'Seven Scholars of Yelang' in the Jian'an era, within the Yelang Garden."
"At that time, Wang Chuanxuan, Xu Weichang, Ruan Yuyun, Ying Deyan, Kong Wenju, Chen Konguang, and Liu Ganqian were seven scholars who had no lack of knowledge or falsehoods in their studies. They were equal in their achievements and jointly promoted the prosperity of literature at that time."
Cao Rui sighed and said, "The literature and poetry are like this. I was thinking whether it would be possible to bring these strange talents from the countryside into the Yueyang court to be governed?"
"People like Guan Chengsu, who are expert in divination and fortune-telling, as well as those who specialize in omens and various beliefs... They can be controlled to not cause chaos in the public realm and can also be used by the government. Just like the previous emperor summoned Luci, Ganzhi, and Xie Jian in Yan'er City."
Speaking, Cao Rui turned to Xu Shu: "Xu official, I remember you mentioned before that you sent a Yanzhou censor to investigate, and the last trace of Zuo Ci was in the Tianzhu Mountains of Luchang County?"
Xu Shu answered, "It was indeed Tianzhu Mountain. After that, Zuo Ci disappeared. Tianzhu Mountain is close to the jurisdiction of General Jia Kuai, and I sent someone to ask for help from him, but he did not agree."
"Previously, Your Majesty mentioned Gě Xuān. The censor has also investigated him. Gě Xuān has been living in Wuchang and has a close relationship with Sun Quan, making it impossible for him to come to Luoyang."
Cao Rui nodded, "And what about the various beliefs?"
Xu Shu thought for a moment, "The most prosperous among the common people is in the Huai River Circuit, followed by Qingzhou."
"The remote districts of Lancyang, Donghai, Xiaopu, Guangling and so on in the Huai River Circuit are where Taishi Dao and Buddhism coexist and often have disputes. The previous prefect of Xu State, Lu Jian, was old and deaf. He did not govern properly."
"And in the border areas of Qing, Xu, and Yanzhou - Jibei, Taishan, Dangtu, Beihai, and Jining - there are still believers in the Taiping Dao."
Cao Rui sighed and said, "Zhāng Jiǎo has been dead for more than fifty years, and yet the Taiping Dao still exists! The court does not have much energy to deal with blind faith in the countryside. It cannot be completely suppressed, but it can only be controlled."
"Xu official, send a message to the imperial house of Wu, commanding all the counties to gather various beliefs and odd talents. Have their leaders reside in Luoyang to prevent chaos in the public realm."
"Establish an office like the Cultural Observation Center," Cao Rui looked at the few people present and said, "What should we call it?"
The two chamberlains looked at each other. Eventually, Xu Shu pushed Lu Yu with his elbow, and the youngest among them, Lu Yu, finally bowed his hand and said, "The Cultural Observation Center oversees all matters of literature in the world. The newly established office gathers extraordinary talents from around the world and is governed by the court to explain its principles."
"How about taking 'Mingli' as the name?"
Cao Rui smiled and shook his head, "The character 'Li' (reason) can be chosen, but 'Ming' (bright) is more exquisite. The more one debates, the clearer the reason becomes, but how can one debate to understand matters of faith? It's better for the court to select those with clear understanding!"
"Then call it the 'Mingli' Observation Hall!" Cao Rui looked at Xu Shu and said, "Let Xu official go and tell the Wu House about this matter."
"Yes." Xu Shu replied.
Lu Yu pursed his lips, as if there was more he wanted to say but didn't.
Cao Rui saw the expression of Lu Yu and asked, "What do you want to say, Lu official?"
Lu Yu had been brewing his thoughts for a long time, but he began to hesitate at that moment.
Your Majesty has always regarded divination and face-reading as a form of entertainment, mainly for leisure and to relieve boredom, rather than taking these things seriously.
Just like the Emperor Xuanwu summoned Zuo Ci and others to Yan'er City and the Wen Emperor consulted Zhu Jianping for a fortune, it was for entertainment and to please their ears and eyes, with no real purpose.
If I follow Guan Lu's astrological omens and say……
Then speak it out!
Lu Yu made up his mind and said with a bow, "Your Majesty, just now Guan Lu cast the Huan hexagram, and the hexagram text is 'The king goes to the ancestral temple, it is favorable to cross the great river'."
"The ancestral temple of the great Wei Dynasty is in Luoyang, but the high tomb of Emperor Wu, the Chuangyang Princess's Chanyang Tomb, and the Xiao Yang Princess's Zhaoyang Tomb are all located in Yan'er City. Your Majesty has only dispatched Xu Xuan and others to offer sacrifices at the high tomb and Zhang Shiguang to offer sacrifices at the Chanyang Tomb."
Lu Yu began to feel nervous: "The king goes to the ancestral temple, and the ancestral tomb is also like the ancestral temple. How about Your Majesty going in person to offer sacrifices at the high tomb for expiation?"
Cao Rui glanced at Lu Yu: "Are you afraid of Guan Lu's hexagram, or do you truly want me to go there in person?"
Lu Yu bowed and offered a respectful greeting, speaking seriously: "Your Majesty, both of my thoughts are there."
Cao Rui then looked at Xu Shu: "What does Xu official say?"
Xu Shu replied, "If you believe, it exists; if you don't believe, it doesn't. Your Majesty can make a decision according to your own will. The hexagram can be interpreted from the perspective of the ancestral tomb in Yan'er City or from the perspective of the ancestral temple in Luoyang. Wasn't the ancestral temple in Luoyang worshipped before Your Majesty set out for battle?"
"I think there is no need to worry."
Clearly, Xu Shu was not a Confucian scholar and did not wish to waste the goodwill between himself and the emperor on such advice.
On the contrary, it seemed that Lu Yu was more considerate and seemed to think more about the emperor himself.
Cao Rui understood the meaning of it in his heart: "I know. The high tomb and the Chuangyang Princess's tomb are all located in the west of Yan'er City, which are only ten miles apart from north to south. In three days, I will personally go to worship at the high tomb and the Chuangyang Princess's tomb. It will be a round trip within a day."
……
Three days later, Emperor Cao Rui went west in person to pay respects at the tombs, and the new scholar of the Cultural Observation Center, Guan Lu, accompanied him.
Five days later, at the Cuque Pavilion, both Sima Yi and Man Chong brought the emergency plans made by their respective subordinates.
Both documents were thick, more than an inch thick in total. Regardless of what was written inside, this attitude was commendable.
Cao Rui picked up the document from the Secretariat and, while carefully looking through it, asked, "Although the methods of the Secretariat are a bit rustic, I believe they should be effective."
Sima Yi bowed and said, "Our subordinates took Yu State and Yang State as examples."
"Among the rivers of Yu, Yang, Wosu, Suo, Fei and Qiu, there are many dams. If the rainy season comes, more water should be released than stored. The local officials can make their own decisions. If the rain is too large and difficult to predict, the water gates of the dams should be destroyed in time. The governors and county magistrates are not responsible for this decision. If they delay in destroying the water gates, they will be punished."
Cao Rui nodded, "Although I am the emperor and you are the Marquis of Bing, and the court governs the entire empire, specific and trivial matters still need to be executed by officials at the state and county levels."
"The importance of government affairs lies first in managing officials."
"I don't understand much about water conservancy. Since the Secretariat has already presented a strategy, it seems that the overall framework is accurate. I also don't think I can do any better than that. Let's send it down to execute."
"Yes." Sima Yi answered with a bow.
After finishing the document from the Secretariat, Man Chong took the document from the Grand Secretariat.
Man Chong quickly reported, "Your Majesty, arrangements have been made by my subordinates for the maintenance of roads and supervision of waterways in Hebei. However, specific information about rainfall and water conditions in Youzhou cannot be judged from Yan'er City."
"A few days ago, I sent messengers by horseback to Liu Ziyang in Youzhou. I asked him to assist the messengers in collecting rainfall and water conditions from the past years in such counties as Youping and Liaoxi."
Cao Rui did not blame him: "According to the facts, it is correct. Even if you and I were to think hard in Yan'er City, we would not come up with anything."
"Ships, rainwear, medicine, and weapons, the Grand Secretariat's plan has all mentioned them. The items that should be prepared are to be monitored by people. Do not have any errors."
With the difficult situation finally passed, Man Chong's tense heart relaxed a bit. Just now, he had carefully observed the emperor's expression, but now he was more relaxed.
"Your Majesty," Man Chong said with a bow, "Today is February fourteenth. Last night, I received an update from Tian Yu in Yand men, saying that he has already sent emissaries to the neighboring Xiongnu and Wuhan tribes as per your command to mobilize troops from each tribe."
Cao Rui asked calmly, "What about Ke Biding?"
Man Chong replied, "Tian Yu also sent a message to Ke Biding. According to Tian Yu, Ke Biding's past two years of loyalty suggest that he has a 70% chance of coming with an army."
Cao Rui retorted, "If he has been loyal, then why is it only a 70% chance?"
Man Chong nodded, "These barbarians do not understand propriety and righteousness. They will not know the benefits and dangers unless a strong army is pressing upon them. Tian Yu said that if the elite cavalry of the central army arrives at Yand men, there is a 99% chance that Ke Biding will respond to the call." (End of chapter)
