Three Kingdoms: I am not Cao Rui

Before Cao Rui first created the East Pavilion and the West Pavilion, which developed into the current cabinet, apart from a few Shizhong and Sanqi who could stay in the palace permanently, no other ministers could reside in the palace permanently.

Of course, this refers to the Northern Palace where the emperor lived in Luoyang. The Southern Palace was different, it was more like the brain of the court for handling national affairs, the Secretariat, the Censorate, the Privy Council, etc. were all concentrated here.

Although there is no system to regulate the etiquette, introducing ministers to his concubines with the emperor's noble status is a real act of intimacy, and the importance contained in it is needless to say.

Therefore, Man Chong and the other three also became serious and stood in front of the emperor with their heads slightly lowered.

Cao Rui smiled and introduced: "The one on the far left is the former general Man Boning. He served as a minister beside me and has served the Wei Dynasty for nearly forty years. His loyalty and talent are a model for the world and he is the leader among all the ministers."

Out of etiquette, Man Chong still couldn't raise his head to look at them, so as not to see the faces of the emperor and his concubines. He just bowed slightly and said, "I am ashamed."

The reason why these people were so careful was actually because of a public case.

In his early years, when the late Emperor Cao Pi was still the General of the Five Officials, he entertained all the literati in Yecheng. When he was drunk and infatuated, he ordered his wife Zhen to come out from behind the scenes to meet the talented scholars. At that time, all the literati bowed to the ground and dared not look up, but Liu Zhen looked straight ahead without avoiding.

Cao Pi was open-minded and did not make any fuss about this matter. But after hearing about it, Cao Cao ordered Liu Zhen to be punished with hard labor for disrespect. Until Liu Zhen died of plague in the 22nd year of Jian'an, this famous talent, one of the "Seven Sages of Jian'an", was not reused.

"The second from the left is the Privy Councilor Liu Ziyang, who is a man of many wisdom and good decision-making, a rare hero."

Liu Ye cupped his hands and said nothing, but in his heart he was already overjoyed at the description of him as a 'hero of the ages'.

What was the pursuit of a minister? Wasn't it just for the emperor's affirmation? These five words made Liu Ye feel more comfortable than rewarding him with ten thousand gold coins.

Cao Rui pointed at Pei Qian and said, "This is Pei Wenxing, the head of the imperial guards. He is upright and loyal, well versed in common affairs, and can be of great use."

"I am ashamed." Pei Qian also learned to decline humbly like Man Chong.

However, like Liu Ye, his mind was also disturbed by the emperor's few words.

The chief minister? Capable of great use?
That is to say, have my abilities, skills, and talents far surpassed Xin Pi, Xu Shu, and Lu Yu?

Pei Qian thought about it and wondered whether Xin and Xu were included in the "first". But the words "capable of great use" were real.

Before being recruited by the emperor as a Shizhong, Pei Qian had served as the Governor of Jingzhou for a long time. If he were to be employed again, he would have to be at a higher level than the Governor, Nine Ministers, or Shangshu.

But if we talk about higher positions, then wouldn't it be the level of Shangshu Pushe or Shumijian? Or even higher cabinet ministers?

Finally, Cao Rui smiled and looked at Lu Yu: "This is the descendant of Lu Zigan, a loyal minister of the Han Dynasty, and the Minister of the Court Lu Zijia. His father is well-known throughout the country, and his learning is the leader of Confucianism, a model for scholars, and a pillar of the country. Minister Lu is just like his father."

"I thank Your Majesty for your evaluation of my father." Upon hearing this, Lu Yu bowed directly. The amplitude of the movement was so large that even Cao Rui was startled.

On second thought, this is also human nature. Who wouldn't be moved when the emperor praised his father? With a father like Lu Zhi, how could Lu Yu not be excited when the emperor praised him for being like his father?

Guo Yao was bolder, her eyes were not timid at all. After smiling at Cao Rui, she looked at the four people's faces carefully and said calmly: "I think you ministers have come to see Your Majesty for important matters. Please take your leave."

"Okay." Cao Rui nodded: "You three can go back first and have dinner with me tonight."

"According to the order."

Guo Yao, who was of a higher rank, took the initiative to resign and left with Yang Huiyu and Wen Fang. After leaving the martial arts arena, Yang Huiyu was on the left and Wen Fang was on the right. The three of them walked slowly side by side along the road in the palace, chatting about the trivial matters in the harem.

Wen Fang was the most senior among the ladies in the harem, and she had also been educated, but she was not very clear about the ways of the world. Guo Yao was usually kind, so Wen Fang had doubts in her heart and asked in a low voice:

"Why did His Majesty introduce those ministers to us sisters just now? We are in the harem and have nothing to do with the former dynasty. Didn't Sister Guo say before that the country has a system that people in the harem are not allowed to interfere in political affairs. It is useless to tell us this."

Guo Yao glanced at Wen Fang's face with her eyes, and couldn't help but smiled and said, "How can I guess what your majesty wants to do? Although I entered the palace earlier than you, there is no big difference. I am not much older than you."

"Hui Yu, what do you think of what Ah Fang said just now?"

Yang Huiyu had a calm expression, and as he walked, he replied softly, "Rather than saying that Your Majesty is introducing us, it's better to say that Your Majesty is praising us with words, taking advantage of our presence."

Wen Fang seemed to understand something. After saying "oh", she whispered again, "I understand! We are His Majesty's family. It would be more sincere if he praised us in front of us!"

Yang Huiyu smiled and said, "Maybe that's what it means. I'm just guessing." But Guo Yao retorted, "How can it have so many deep meanings? Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, you are tolerant of the world, you can say whatever you want and do whatever you want, Afang, don't you think so?"

"Sister Guo, what you said makes sense." Wen Fang is a good person.

Yang Huiyu just smiled and didn't say much.

The topic shifted to other places. When they reached a corner, Guo Yao took advantage of the moment when Yang Huiyu lowered her head to carefully examine her face from the side. Her facial features were delicate and exquisite. Although not as majestic as herself, who was born in Liangzhou, she was more gentle and bright. She was obviously more beautiful than when she first came to the palace and had not received any favors.

"Alas." Guo Yao sighed in her heart. Yang Huiyu's entry into the palace was pushed by Empress Dowager Guo, so of course she knew about this.

Before Guo Yao came to Xuchang, Empress Dowager Guo patiently guided her and instructed her on matters concerning the harem, as if she was somewhat fond of her. Unexpectedly, less than a year later, another girl named Yang was sent into the palace.

She was beautiful and intelligent, and seemed more threatening than Mao Yan and Sun Luban. I guess in addition to Mao and Sun's two daughters, I would have to be careful with her in the future.

It would be great if Your Majesty could someday say to that Minister Pei that I can also be of great use, just like he did just now.

No, I should give birth to a child for Your Majesty as soon as possible.

tonight!

……

Cao Rui almost never paid attention to the little thoughts among the concubines in the harem, and no one dared to gossip or say too much in front of him.

Perhaps it was because of the great things he had done in the previous dynasty that his reputation had spread to the harem, making the concubines even more awed by him.

However, as soon as the three women left, Cao Rui resumed his usual serious demeanor when handling government affairs and glanced at the four ministers:
"There are chairs here too. Find one and sit in front of me. What's the urgent matter?"

Liu Ye, Pei Qian, and Lu Yu all turned around to move the chairs, but Man Chong did not move. Instead, he took out a letter from his sleeve, bowed slightly, and presented it with both hands:
"Your Majesty, Xu Yuanzhi sent a letter from Fancheng. The commander of the Central Army, Guanqiu Jian, went around the upper reaches of the Han River to Xiangyang. On the third day after arriving in Xiangyang, he lifted the siege of Xiangyang. The Wu army took this opportunity to gather troops in the north and stationed near Yukou. They felt that they were too powerful to be eliminated."

"Xu...Xu Yuanzhi has come up with a plan. I would like to ask Your Majesty to follow the example of the first year of Taihe and write a letter to Sun Quan to drive away his troops."

Cao Rui took the letter and chuckled: "My letters are so useful? Then I will have to write more."

Pei Qian and Lu Yu each picked up a chair and turned around, but Liu Ye fell behind. Just now, when Man Chong was talking to His Majesty, Liu Ye had no choice but to hold a chair in one hand and walk slowly with two chairs in his left and right hands.

Taking a chair is nothing, just a piece of cake, but the letter just now was to the Privy Council, and I should have presented it myself. But unexpectedly, when I was at the door of the cabinet, Man Chong took it away with just a few words, and now he is handing it to Your Majesty!
The key point is that Liu Ye is still nominally under the control of Man Chong, and he has no choice!
The four of them sat down. Cao Rui carefully read Xu Shu's letter three times, then held it in his hand and said in a deep voice, "Xiangyang has been recovered, but the north and south are still blocked. This kind of thing has rarely happened before. In the final analysis, it is still a problem of the navy."

Pei Qian interrupted, "Your Majesty, the chief architect Ma Deheng arrived in Xuchang yesterday. Your Majesty intended to summon him to discuss naval affairs."

"I remember now that there was such a thing." Cao Rui looked at Pei Qian: "Minister Pei will call him to the study later. I want to discuss it with him in detail."

"As you wish." Pei Qian said.

Man Chong continued, "Your Majesty, there have been wars in Yangzhou, Jingzhou, and Qinzhou in recent days. It is complicated and there are many things that require your Majesty's judgment."

"Then let's go. Follow me back to the study. I have shot six pots of arrows. This is enough exercise for today."

"Yes." The four responded.

Cao Rui was used to talking while walking, so on the way back to the study, it seemed as if five of them were walking side by side.

"I am no longer worried about the situation in Jingzhou. This time it is Sun Quan who is attacking me, not me attacking Sun Quan. Now that the siege of Xiangyang has been lifted, it will be difficult for him to attack Fancheng. The only reason he stayed in Xiangfan is to delay my troops and make preparations for Zhuge Liang in Qinzhou."

"But I feel that Sun Quan and Zhuge Liang, our two allies, are not close friends who share the same blood. They are just pretending to be allies and have their own ulterior motives. If my letter can play a role, it is nothing more than wasting some time writing it."

Man Chong replied in a deep voice: "I'm sorry to trouble you, Your Majesty."

Cao Rui did not reply directly, but said: "Due to the limitation of grain and grass this year, Qinzhou, Jingzhou and Yangzhou are facing the enemy on three fronts. I am stationed in Xuchang but I can't help them much."

"What Sun Quan and Zhuge Liang did this time seems to be a stress test for me and the Wei Dynasty. If we can get through this year properly, then from now on, we can properly defend against Wu and Shu with only the foreign troops and the state troops, and there will be no need for my central army to rush around." (End of this chapter)