Wei Ni

The Hall of Supreme Harmony, East Hall.

Emperor Cao Fang, who was not wearing a crown, sat upright behind the bronze table, watching with great interest as the three regents, the three dukes, and the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat discussed matters concerning preparations for war.

"I have heard that when the late Emperor was young, Emperor Wu would often have him stand in a tent with his close advisors and attendants to observe how senior officials discussed important matters of state. Although I am far inferior to the late Emperor, I wish to emulate him."

He had spontaneously brought along his attendants Cao Xi and Zhen De, as well as close ministers such as Xiahou Gong, and had specially summoned the Grand Secretary Sun Zi to accompany him to the East Hall. When the crowd hastily rose and greeted him in surprise, he explained that he had only come to listen out of curiosity and told everyone not to be awkward and to continue their discussion without needing to worry about him.

In response, everyone praised Emperor Cao Fang for his diligence in emulating the late emperor, and expressed their gratitude for the nation's good fortune and the arrival of a wise ruler. They then received their orders and proceeded with the meeting as usual.

The only difference was that everyone tried to be more restrained, so that the tension would no longer be so high, and the beautiful scene of the country's important officials and ministers working together in front of the emperor would no longer be staged.

Although Emperor Cao Fang is of advanced age, he cannot possibly discern the underlying conflict of interest that they are arguing about under the pretext of prioritizing the well-being of the nation.

Therefore, Sun Zi, who was brought in as the Grand Secretary for no reason, found himself in a rather difficult position.

Because Emperor Cao Fang not only had him sit beside the bronze table, but also kept whispering questions to him like a curious child.

For example, why did General He propose that, similar to the time of Emperor Wen and Emperor Ming, Xu Huang and Zhang He be stationed in Fangcheng, Jingzhou, respectively, and that elite infantry and cavalry be dispatched as mobile forces?

For example, why did the General of Chariots and Cavalry keep emphasizing the importance of Yong and Liang? Even when the Grand Tutor was questioned by the General and said that the rebellious Shu was already weak and that even if they raised troops to invade again, they would not be able to shake Guanzhong, he still insisted on setting up more troops in Yong and Liang to prepare for any eventuality.

There are none from Huainan yet.

Grand Commandant Man Chong spoke with conviction, saying that General Wang Ling, who was in charge of the Eastern Expedition, was a veteran general, and that the military farms on both sides of the Huai River had accumulated a great deal of resources. He said that the army was well-equipped with troops, weapons, and supplies, and that even if the Wu rebels launched a large-scale attack, they could defend themselves and there would be no need to worry about the central army from Luoyang rushing to their aid. However, both the Grand General and Cao Shuang insisted that more troops should be added to Xuzhou to protect the military farms.

Emperor Cao Fang even had the ability to draw inferences from one instance to another.

With a puzzled look, he asked, "At the beginning of the year, many high-ranking officials claimed that the war in the East Sea was extremely costly, and even the three regents voluntarily used their salaries to subsidize the national treasury. How come, only half a year has passed, we are already increasing troops in various places? Has the national treasury suddenly become so full in just half a year?"

There are many other problems like this.

Each of these made Sun Zi feel incredibly exhausted, and he even began to envy Cao Xi and the other three lecturers who were not qualified to sit down and were standing in the back as spectators.

It wasn't that he didn't know how to answer.

It is precisely because he knows the answer that he finds it difficult to answer.

After all, he couldn't very well tell Emperor Cao Fang with righteous indignation that the three regents entrusted with the care of the young emperor were vying for power and harboring their own ulterior motives, could he?
Especially since he is already in a semi-retired state.

Because of his early years of "exclusive" power in the court, he was unable to abdicate. Since the emperor ascended the throne, he has kept to himself, avoiding guests and keeping a low profile, not interfering in state affairs. He only wanted to fade out of the sight of the officials and ministers so that he could grow old peacefully and not bring disaster to his family.

How can you spout nonsense on such a matter?
Of course, he could not pretend to be deaf and dumb when faced with Emperor Cao Fang's questioning, nor could he simply try to deceive him.

The only way to dispel the emperor's doubts was to use the old system as a pretext, the fact that the rebels from Shu and Wu were still determined to invade, the peace in the north, and the fact that the court could transfer its troops to Western Shu and the southeast to devote itself to the great cause of conquering the world.

Then, immediately, he had the unrealistic hope of dying on the spot.

Emperor Cao Fang, who only vaguely understood what Sun Gong had said, praised him for his tactful explanation, but then posed a fatal question: "If what Lord Sun Gong said is true, these newly established garrisons should also be guarded by senior officials and veteran generals. I wonder who Lord Sun Gong thinks is suitable for these positions?"

Am I qualified to answer this question?
Sun Zi was stunned and felt extremely uncomfortable.

Moreover, the emperor's question was quite loud, and Sun Zi noticed out of the corner of his eye that everyone discussing matters in the East Hall had heard it and turned their gazes over.

"Cough, cough."

Sun Zi, who suddenly felt a tickle in his throat, coughed a few times before respectfully bowing his head and replying, "Your Majesty, this old minister has never served in the military and dares not speak lightly of matters of war. If Your Majesty has any doubts, you may wait for the regents and the three dukes to discuss it before inquiring with them."

After saying that, he suddenly felt a sense of relief.

Not only because Emperor Cao Fang nodded and said "as Lord Sun said," but also because he felt that the several gazes that had been focused on him had now left.

It wasn't that the people were pleased with his tactful obedience, but rather that they were all astute enough to discern that Emperor Cao Fang's sudden appearance to listen to matters today was not simply out of curiosity. Furthermore, considering the emperor's age, they deduced that this trip must have been orchestrated by someone.

Therefore, they were all on high alert: who was it that could influence the emperor so quietly without the knowledge of the officials and use the emperor's authority to interfere in state affairs?
Xiahou Hui, who was sitting at the head of the table presiding over the discussion, glanced discreetly at Cao Xi, the lecturer standing behind Emperor Cao Fang. He then took the opportunity, while bowing to the emperor, to glance at the Three Dukes and the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat before asking, "Your Majesty, I dare to ask you to inquire. We will answer whatever we know."

"Nothing exists, nothing exists."

Seemingly flustered, Emperor Cao Fang quickly waved his hand, then put on a smile. "General and all of you, please don't misunderstand. I was just asking out of curiosity and didn't mean to interfere with your plans. Well, please continue, I won't interfere any further."

Upon hearing this, everyone bowed and clasped their hands in unison, as was customary.

It was Xiahou Hui, who was at the front of the train, who spoke on behalf of the emperor, saying, "We dare not. The late emperor left us the mandate to assist in governing, and we are certainly not ignorant of anything before Your Majesty. We await your command. If Your Majesty has any questions, please instruct us."

"No need for that, no need for that, gentlemen, please dispense with the formalities."

Emperor Cao Fang, whose expression grew increasingly tense, found his forced smile becoming more and more unnatural, and his words carried a childlike fear, "I merely... well, I merely wanted to ask whether any generals who have rendered meritorious service in the war against the sea have been selected in the current discussion among the ministers regarding the selection of commanders for the re-establishment of garrisons?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Xiahou Hui, still respectfully bowing, replied slowly, “The court system rewards merit and punishes wrongdoing. Now that the northern border is peaceful and the Hu and Di tribes have submitted, while the fighting in the southeast of western Shu continues, those skilled in warfare should be promoted and entrusted with important responsibilities. If there are generals who have rendered meritorious service in the war in Haidong, we will select them according to their merits to serve as a bulwark for the country.” After speaking, he paused briefly to allow Emperor Cao Fang to understand before asking in a deep voice, “Your Majesty has mentioned someone; may I ask who it is?”

At this moment, all the gentlemen in Dongtang perked up their ears.

They were also eager to know who had reached into the palace and influenced the emperor.

Emperor Cao Fang, unaware of the trap in the question, instead breathed a sigh of relief and, pleased with the General's understanding, answered directly, "I am young and, as the late Emperor instructed, should not interfere in state affairs, nor do I have anyone in mind to appoint. Hmm, I was just thinking of General Zhao, whom I have met several times. Zhao is the eldest son of the late Grand Marshal, and the late Emperor was very close to him, appointing him as his deputy to the campaign in the east, hoping that he would one day serve the country like his father, guarding the borders and acting as a pillar of the state. I wonder where the General and the other ministers intend to send Zhao to garrison?"

Cao Zhao?!
As soon as Emperor Cao Fang finished speaking, the East Hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, and everyone reacted in different ways.

The three high officials, including Man Chong, along with Minister of the Imperial Secretariat Pei Qian and Grand Secretary Sun Zi, all lowered their eyelids, withdrew their curiosity, and remained calm—in their view, since the emperor had mentioned Cao Zhao, it was no longer a matter for them, as non-royal subjects, to participate in.

Xiahou Hui's pupils narrowed slightly.

My first reaction was that Cao Shuang was incredibly ambitious, not only having already brought Cao Zhao onto the war chariot, but also secretly demanding military power through the emperor's words.

However, when he turned his head slightly and looked back, meeting Cao Shuang's astonished yet furious and resentful gaze, the two of them were taken aback.

Clearly, both sides could tell from each other's eyes that this action was not the other's doing.

Therefore, after exchanging glances, they both turned their gazes to the composed Grand Tutor Sima Yi on the other side, and there was a hint of shared indignation at being tricked.

no way.

If this was not done by Xiahou Hui and Cao Shuang, then the most suspicious person is the Grand Tutor.

Moreover, in Xiahou Hui's view, Sima Yi had already voluntarily relinquished power and retired, yet now he was quietly using the emperor to win over Cao Zhao, a member of the imperial clan. Wasn't he just sitting back and reaping the benefits?
Feeling mocked, how could Xiahou Hui and his companion not consider him a potential threat in the power struggle?

Well, Sima Yi's mood was just like Sun Zi's earlier, filled with helplessness and grievances as the city gates caught fire and the fish in the moat suffered.

Because this is an undeserved disaster!

He truly did not conspire with Cao Zhao, nor did he instigate Emperor Cao Fang to stage this incident.
However, having been immersed in officialdom for many years, he quickly came up with a way to clear his name.

Under the scrutinizing gazes of Xiahou Hui and Cao Shuang, he calmly straightened up and bowed to Emperor Cao Fang, slowly saying, "Your Majesty, please allow this old minister to answer your question. The old minister and the Grand General have discussed this matter, but we have not yet reached the point of selecting a governor. Moreover, before the late Emperor passed away, he intended to appoint Zhao, the Commander of the Central Army, to assist in governing, but unfortunately, he had to return south due to the distance. Therefore, in this old minister's opinion, Zhao, the Commander of the Central Army, should be appointed to serve in the capital and assist Your Majesty. It is not too late for him to go out and govern a region to suppress the rebels for the country after Your Majesty has assumed personal rule."

I persuaded the emperor to keep Cao Zhao in the capital. You can't possibly suspect that I was behind this, can you?
Xiahou Hui remained silent, seemingly skeptical.

Cao Shuang, however, selectively believed most of it, and then probed the emperor further, saying, "Your Majesty, I believe the Grand Tutor's words are reasonable. Moreover, I, Shuang, humbly believe that the Commander of the Central Army, Zhao, is a member of the imperial clan and a minister who was on good terms with the late emperor. He should be treated with special favor. Perhaps it would be better to wait until he returns to the capital, inquire about his wishes, and then make a decision." (End of this chapter)