Chao Rui's question was out, even Lau Xing of the newly appointed right monitor of the secretariat, Li Shou Yang, responded promptly with a weary expression:
Your Majesty is wise and just. It is right to return earlier after learning about so many affairs in Henan these past few days on the road.
Xin Bi said to Chao Rui's left rear: "Although there is a post office here, it is only five miles away from the capital city of Yan'an. We should hurry up and enter the city. After meeting the Minister of Works, we can explain our situation."
Cao Rui nodded slightly.
From the post town of Turin in the right Pingping Commandery to the post town of Wei Commandery in Ye City, there is a distance of about 1,300 miles. Cao Rui covered this distance in just ten days.
When Cao Rui set out from Turin, he had only decreed that all the officials of the Imperial Secretariat and the Ministry of War who were staying in Yan'an should return to Luoyang, without leaving any behind.
The only senior officials left in Yan'an waiting for Cao Rui's arrival were Marquis Zuo Si and Marshal Yi. Cao Rui also did not allow the officials in Yan'an to meet him in advance. Therefore, the officers at the post office located five li to the east of Yan'an, upon discovering that the emperor was leading troops back, were very surprised.
"What, Your Majesty has entered Yan'an?"
Marquis Yi was sitting in the private chambers of the Secretary of State, where he heard the report of General Chen Gui and stood up suddenly.
Chen Gui respectfully bowed and said: "It is true that Your Majesty has just entered the city with his troops. The Minister of Works should quickly go to greet him."
"Not at your word, I know how to handle things." Marquis Yi straightened his robe, stepped out directly without looking back, and said, "Zicheng, please tidy up the documents from Luoyang and Xuchang for me. You never know when we might need them."
"Yes, I understand," Chen Gui answered promptly.
Yan'an also has an Imperial Secretariat.
Before this, Cao Cao established the Wei Commandery as a foundation and incorporated surrounding commanderies and counties into it, creating a super-sized Wei Marquisate, which later evolved into the Wei Kingdom. As a legitimate vassal of the Han dynasty, King Cao Cao of Wei not only had an Imperial Secretariat and a Censorate without any gaps, but also possessed all nine ministries.
Dong Zhao had made significant contributions to this matter.
In fact, during the Huang Chi period, Sun Quan of Eastern Wu and Dai Wei of Wei's counteraction, setting up an Imperial Secretariat and various official agencies in Changsha, and then claiming himself as King Wu, almost copied the structure of Cao Cao's Wei state wholesale.
Quick action is not only made by Marshal Yi, Governor Zhou Huan of Wei Commandery also acted rapidly. Governor Luo Zhao of Hei State was on a tour of the population in Zhao Country at that time and was not in Yan'an.
The first thing to do after entering the city was to settle the accompanying army. As the four thousand heavy riders under Guo Qi were on a long-distance march, they had all changed into light armor before setting out, even though they reduced their loads, it was time for them to rest.
The departments of the Secretary-General led their instructions and Guo Qi led the five hundred horsemen surrounding the Emperor and his group of ministers. They turned west to head towards the bronze phoenix pavilion, when they saw Marshal Yi and Governor Zhou Huan, as well as many officials from Hei State and Wei Commandery.
"We humbly greet Your Majesty's return in victory, may Your Majesty live ten thousand years!" Marshal Yi and Governor Zhou Huan led the way, with about a hundred officials bowing and offering salutations together.
However, Cao Rui did not respond immediately and instead turned his gaze towards the west to gaze out.
At this time, it was dusk. The sun was in the west, and the scenery was very beautiful. Cao Rui sat on his white horse, from east to west, lifted his eyes and looked out, looking through the crowd and northwest of the bronze phoenix pavilion towards the distant sky with its bright red cloud in full splendor. It seemed as if the clouds were celebrating at the same time.
Indeed, it is a victory return!
After half a year of hard work, with countless campaigns and marches, covering tens of thousands of miles, all of this was done for this moment of victorious return.
Cao Rui looked at the subjects and smiled, raising his hand: "I miss my hometown very much, so I decided to return to Yan'an first from You State. In this campaign, the distribution of grain and supply of provisions, the officials in Hei State have exerted great effort. The merits you have made are always in my mind. I will issue a decree for Governor Luo Zhao of Hei State to assess your merits for each of you. No matter how small your contribution is, the court will never forget it."
"Ladies and gentlemen, rise."
"Thank Your Majesty for His Divine Graces!" The officials replied in chorus, rising from the ground one by one. The officials of Hei State who had received the promise of reward for their merits from the emperor seemed to have a more resounding voice in their chorus.
Cao Rui laughed lightly and then ordered Governor Zhou Huan to organize the ministers to disperse and return to their respective offices. He waved his hand, indicating that Marshal Yi should follow his entourage.
The subjects work hard and are loyal to the court, and the court should not be too harsh on its subjects. Spiritual loyalty cannot be separated from material security. With the realm not yet unified, being overly frugal with the subjects is like committing suicide slowly.
Without stopping, Cao Rui and his entourage arrived at the Feiguang Palace on the bronze phoenix pavilion.
High places can't withstand the cold, but the views from high places are better.
Standing on the balustrade in front of the palace, Cao Rui looked at the fiery red clouds in the western sky and sighed, "Yan'an truly deserves to be one of the five capitals of Great Wei. Emperor Wu established the country here and also built the bronze phoenix pavilion here. I have also benefited from the blessings of our ancestors."
"Ministers, do not neglect this beautiful land. Work hard for the benefits of your present achievements and the reputation of your future generations!"
Liu Xing jumped in and said, "With the enlightened sovereign in power, we will not fail the Emperor's trust."
Liu Xie spoke first, and when several of the court attendants behind him wanted to follow suit, Marshal Yi stopped them with a light cough.
"The scenery is indeed beautiful, but there are many matters in the court. Marshal Yi respectfully suggested: "Your Majesty's hurried return to Yan'an requires the government to carefully consider all matters. With so many complicated matters, it would be better if Your Majesty allowed me to sort out a few for You."
Cao Rui nodded, turned to look at Marshal Yi and Liu Xing for a moment, and then walked into the Feiguang Palace: "I have been thinking about this too. Come in with me to discuss affairs."
"According to Your Majesty's command." Marshal Yi led the way, followed by the other ministers, leaving Liu Xie with an awkward expression.
Cao Rui took the initiative to sit down first, and the ministers followed in order. Marshal Yi and Liu Xie naturally sat on either side of Cao Rui, followed by General Xin Bi, Xu Shu and Pei Chen two Secretaries of State. While the three scribes He Yuan, He Li and Xiao Chuan were also exceptionally granted permission by the emperor to sit at a more distant position.
The Imperial Secretarial Advisor Liu Fang was not allowed to participate in the meeting, feeling awkwardly, he walked to the side palace.
Marshal Yi coughed lightly, bowed slightly, and looked towards the emperor, "May Your Majesty allow me to report matters from the simple to the complex one by one."
"Permitted." Cao Rui nodded.
Marshal Yi said, "The first matter, I would like to congratulate Your Majesty on the birth of a son. The beauty Su gave birth to a son, and Your Majesty is requested to bestow a name on the prince."
Whether it is any matter, the first time and the second time are always fresh and filled with passion, and the same is true for being blessed with a son.
Cao Rui responded lightly, "The beauty Su has done a good job, and I will reward her after I return to the palace. As for the newly born Prince Wei of the capital, according to the letter from Lucheng Empress, the prince is weak. So let's name him 'Shou'. Cao Shou, what do you think of this name?"
"This name is very good."
"Your Majesty is wise."
"The prince must have long-lasting blessings and longevity."
Marshal Yi and the other ministers all chimed in agreement. It's not as if they were the ones having a son; whatever the emperor wants to name him is fine.
Cao Rui nodded. As for the next matter, Marshal Yi continued, "Your Majesty, the impeachment of Huaihe Governor Dong Bojun by Huainan Governor Huang Gongheng and the self-retirement request of West Hall Secretary of State and General Xin Bi are matters that require Your Majesty's wise judgment."
It was apparent that Marshal Yi was unaware of Xin Bi's appointment as the new General of the Military at this moment. Xin Bi, sitting diagonally across, was clearly holding back from speaking.
Cao Rui shook his head and summarily concluded the argument between the two ministers: "Huang Quan is making a fuss, and Dong Zhao is also making a fuss."
"I have read the letter from Dong Zhao, who says he wants to retire to his hometown while at the same time requesting that his son go to serve on the frontier for me. When have I ever been so harsh to a loyal minister, and when have I ever disregarded old favors?"
Marshal Yi bowed and said, "Your Majesty, it is indeed true that Dong Bojun, the Governor of Yingchuan, has not been good at his job. There are records in the Secretariat of this matter. Yingchuan is a strategically important place, with water conservancy, military affairs, and crop cultivation being crucial for the state. It also includes Xuchang, one of the five capitals of Great Wei."
"I think it would be better to demote Dong Bojun to a less important position. This would both save the face of Dong Gongren and not affect the government's affairs. It is a win-win solution."
Cao Rui looked at Marshal Yi: "The government's affairs must be taken care of, and the face of the subjects must also be considered. Therefore, I will not directly issue an imperial edict. The Secretariat of State will handle this matter."
"Prime Minister, send a message to the Ministry of Personnel, Yang Ji, and according to Dong Zhao's suggestion, transfer Dong Zhou to Changli Prefecture as the governor."
Marshal Yi nodded: "Your Majesty, what should be done about the two officials of Dong Gongren and Huang Gongheng?"
Cao Rui said, "The governor of Huainan cannot put the overall situation into consideration, so he will be penalized with a three-month reduction in his salary. Dong Zhao of the West Hall took advantage of this opportunity to elaborate on the matter, so he will be penalized with a one-year reduction in his salary. These two penalties should also be conveyed by Yang Ji."
Everyone in the hall, except for Liu Xie and Xin Bi, was unaware of the emperor's intention to appoint Dong Zhao as the Grand Marshal. At this moment, Marshal Yi was also unaware. Liu Xie and Xin Bi, however, both noticed the title used by the emperor.
Marshal Yi originally said "West Hall Minister and Grand Marshal Dong Zhao," but the emperor said "West Hall Minister Dong Zhao." It seems that the emperor does not want to take away Dong Zhao's position as the Grand Marshal, and there seems to be a hint of keeping this matter under wraps for the time being.
From Marshal Yi's perspective, it was clear that Dong Zhao had lost the emperor's favor. Huang Quan was penalized with a three-month reduction in his salary, while Dong Zhao was penalized with a one-year reduction. Which punishment is more severe and which is less should be evident at a glance.
This is the difference brought about by information discrepancies in the court. The absence of a key piece of information can lead to a different judgment of the overall situation.
Marshal Yi nodded: "I will carry out Your Majesty's orders. I will send a letter to the Ministry of Personnel, Yang Ji, for the three matters later."
"Yes." Cao Rui replied.
Marshal Yi spoke concisely and to the point, and Cao Rui was also not verbose. The two state affairs were thus quickly resolved.
Regarding the matters of the Secretariat of State officials moving south, Your Majesty, your emissaries from Beiping arrived in Yan'an three days ago. On that day, I ordered the Secretariat of State and the Palace of State to move south. I also learned from the emissary that the Yellow River was very high and difficult to cross at Mengjin. So I instructed them to cross from Xiaopingjiao if Xiaopingjiao was still too difficult to cross, or else from Heliujiao."
Cao Rui took a deep breath, "Even Mengjin is difficult to cross?"
Marshal Yi nodded, "The river at Mengjin is narrower, and the water flow is faster. The ferry cannot be used, so it is difficult to cross. Fortunately, the ferry at Xiaopingjiao is still usable." (This chapter ends)
