Three Kingdoms: I am not Cao Rui

Wang Su did not hesitate any longer and bowed. "I am a humble man, and my daughter is dull. How could I have deserved your majesty's favor? Your majesty's words are golden, and I shall obey them. I accept your command and thank you for your grace!"

"Okay." Cao Rui nodded with a smile, and then without stopping at all, without looking at Wang Yuanji and Xiahou Xuan, he walked out.

When Wang Su saw the emperor move, he followed closely behind him, and the imperial guards standing in the study also followed him.

Wang Yuanji, who was in the room, peeked at Xiahou Xuan through her sleeves a few times before the fifteen-year-old woman trotted back to the inner room of the study. Xiahou Xuan was still standing there like a wooden chicken, looking at the backs of the emperor and Wang Su, his future father-in-law, wondering what he was thinking.

"Taichu, congratulations!" He Chu passed by and patted Xiahou Xuan on the shoulder with a smile.

"Taichu has a happy event, and he owes us a banquet." Xiahou Hui did the same thing and teased with a smile.

The other five cavalrymen were not that familiar with Xiahou Xuan, but with He Yu and Xiahou Hui leading the way, everyone smiled at Xiahou Xuan as they passed by. Only Chen Ben, who was walking at the end, looked back at Xiahou Xuan who was still standing there after walking a few steps away, then turned around and quickly pulled him over.

After returning to the North Palace, Cao Rui went back to his study as usual. The guards left one after another, and only Wang Su remained beside Cao Rui.

"Your Majesty." Wang Su asked slowly, "I am actually a little confused. Why did Your Majesty arrange a marriage between my daughter and Xiahou Taichu?"

Cao Rui smiled and pointed at Wang Su: "You are so good, Prince Yong. I have found such a good son-in-law for you. Are you not satisfied?"

"Satisfied, of course I am satisfied." Wang Su stroked his beard and smiled, "I never thought I would find such a son-in-law. In terms of family background, no one in Luoyang can surpass Taichu. In terms of talent and learning, Taichu's name is well-known in Luoyang. In terms of appearance, 'bright as the sun and the moon in your arms', is this a false statement? Just because I am so satisfied, I am a little panicked for a moment, not knowing what to do."

After hearing Wang Su's words, Cao Rui responded calmly: "I have always been an open and aboveboard person. I have never concealed who I favor, who I employ, who I blame, and who I rebuke. I treat you the same way as I treat Xiahou Xuan."

"I understand your Majesty's intention." Wang Su replied carefully, "I am a humble person, but I am honored to have your Majesty visit my home so many times. I am deeply grateful."

Cao Rui said: "I employ Wang Qing because you have the talent to govern the country and are well versed in Confucianism. You can set a new example for the Wei Dynasty."

"I seldom go to the homes of ministers. Anyone with insight can tell my feelings for you with just a glance, and that you have the emperor's favor."

"Xiahou Xuan is also average."

Wang Su: "All Caos and Xiahou are originally one body and are considered as relatives."

"That's right." Cao Rui said, "The foundation of the Cao family has been passed down to me for three generations. Among the third generations of the Cao and Xiahou families, there are only a few people who can be used, such as Cao Shuang, Cao Zhao, Xiahou Xian, and Xiahou Xuan. Cao Shuang, Cao Zhao, and Xiahou Xian are good at commanding troops, and the only person who can be used in government affairs is Xiahou Xuan."

Wang Su listened quietly to the emperor's speech without interrupting him rashly.

Cao Rui continued, "But Xiahou Xuan has a shortcoming that makes me extremely dissatisfied, but I can do nothing about it."

Wang Su immediately became alert. He had just praised his future son-in-law to bits, so why was he pointing out his shortcomings again? Could it be that he had some hidden disease?

"Hesitating and unable to make decisions, he lacks decisiveness!" Cao Rui snorted coldly: "Did Wang Qing see the time when he answered questions today? He understands everything he should understand, but he just can't make decisions!"

"On the other hand, your Princess Yuan explained the matter thoroughly in just a few words. With a powerful emperor like me sitting here, won't I solve the problems that I should solve? Why do you have to worry about the system for me?"

"I have seen the talent of Yuan Ji. She is also decisive and never procrastinates. She is a perfect match for Xia Houxuan!"

Wang Su breathed a sigh of relief, but after a few moments, he asked carefully:
"Your Majesty, Taichu has taken Wushisan before, will there be any effects?"

This question left Cao Rui stunned.

After the Fuhua case, the Shangshutai issued an order to ban Wushisan in Wei. Under the full propaganda firepower, Wushisan was portrayed as a poison more vicious than venomous snakes and beasts, as if taking it once would make one lose their mind and turn into a monster.

Wang Su had personally seen He Yan and others who had smoked Wushisan, and he had even seen Xu Yun and Yuan Kan who had returned to the imperial court to serve in the Shangshutai. After all, everyone has their own expertise, and with such publicity, Wang Su had to think of this. After Cao Rui confirmed that Wang Su was not joking, he waved his hand and said, "It has nothing to do with Wushisan. Han Xin, a military genius, was still hesitant and unable to make a decision. What's so strange about Xiahou Xuan's personality? It's just a personality problem, nothing else."

"I understand."

Cao Rui said slowly: "Your Yuan Ji is only fifteen years old after the New Year, she is still too young. She will marry Tai Chu after she turns sixteen. I will ask his family to send the betrothal gifts to your family later."

Wang Su saw that His Majesty was in a really good mood today, so he took this opportunity to ask a few more questions: "I wonder what kind of appointment Your Majesty will make to Taichu in the future? Since I have an engagement with the Xiahou family, it seems inappropriate for the Shizhong and Sanqi Shilang to be by Your Majesty's side, and we should avoid suspicion."

"Even if Wang Qing didn't ask, I would have told him." Cao Rui glanced at Wang Su and said, "Taichu is still a little young now. Eight imperial guards are a bit too many. After the New Year, I will let Xiahou Xuan go to Gao Rou, the chief judge, to assist in the criminal justice. I will let him see the dangers of this world and change his indecisiveness."

"I will let him go to the army to gain some experience in two years. As for his future, I will be watching over it. You, the father-in-law who has not yet been promoted, don't have to worry about it."

"I obey your command." Wang Su bowed in response, with the curve of his mouth widening even more.

……

On December 30th, the grand court meeting before the New Year had ended.

Tomorrow is the New Year's Day of the first lunar month. After accompanying the emperor to the outskirts of Luoyang in the early morning and offering sacrifices to heaven according to the new procedure formulated by the Minister Wang Su, the New Year holiday will begin.

To be honest, during the New Year's Day of the first year of Taihe, Wei was fighting the Wu army in Huainan. During the New Year's Day of the second year of Taihe, even the emperor personally led his troops to Longyou for rescue, and the court in Luoyang did not have any holidays. The third year of Taihe was better, and during the New Year's Day of the fourth year of Taihe, they were on the way from Luoyang to Xuchang.

All in all, even for these high-ranking officials of the Wei Dynasty, having holidays during the New Year is a gratifying thing.

At the year-end court meeting that just ended, Sikong Sima Yi and Taiwei Dong Zhao, one after the other, gave their year-end reports on the political and military affairs of the fourth year of Taihe in the Wei Dynasty.

After these two people, it was Shangshu Zuo Pushe Xin Pi and former general Man Chong who announced the general plan for the fifth year of Taihe.

Although the reports of Sima Yi, Dong Zhao, Xin Pi and Man Chong were mostly qualitative and directional, this kind of court deliberation was still novel and impactful enough for the officials at the central level of the Wei Dynasty.

The four people made a report in public in the Jiade Hall, which seemed to represent that the cabinet had finally been publicly exposed to the public and, with a clear attitude, became the voice of the political and military affairs of the Wei Dynasty.

It is clear that the four cabinet ministers are on duty in the West and East Pavilions of the palace study every day. They are the emperor's actual secretaries and assistants.

It also indicates the further strengthening of the institutionalization of the emperor's power.

"Your Majesty, urgent news from Youzhou."

The court meeting had just ended and Cao Rui had just walked out of the Jiade Hall when he saw the Secretary of the Central Secretariat Yin Fan hurriedly coming towards him with an urgent report in his hand.

"What's the matter? Shuping, tell me!" Cao Rui just glanced at Yin Fan, but did not stop, but walked directly towards the harem.

"As you command." Yin Fan followed closely behind Cao Rui and said:
"Your Majesty, Yingzhou Governor Wang Wenshu and Yingzhou Governor Wang Yuanbo sent urgent news from Xiangping, saying that the King of Buyeo brought Sushen envoys to visit and presented stone arrows. In addition, the Queen of Wa, Himiko, sent an envoy Nan Shengmi to Xiangping, intending to go to the court to make tribute."

"Wang Wenshu and Wang Yuanbo have already sent people to take the Sushen envoys and the Wa envoys to Luoyang. Since the report was sent by express horse, it is estimated that it will take nearly two months for the two envoys to arrive in Luoyang."

Pei Qian, the attendant who followed behind him, bowed and said, "I congratulate Your Majesty. Your civil and military achievements have brought glory to the four barbarians. The arrows offered by Sushen are auspicious events, and the contribution of Japan is also the merit of the Great Wei!"

Cao Rui smiled and said, "By the time they arrive in Luoyang, it will be the fifth year of Taihe. Let's see what a new look the Great Wei will have next year." (End of this chapter)