Three Kingdoms: I am not Cao Rui

As Cao Rui finished speaking, all the ministers in the study of Shouchun Palace turned their eyes to Shangshu Zuo Pushe Xin Pi.

During the Taihe period, the rule in the court seemed to be that the latecomers always had the upper hand.

At that time, the emperor himself, against all odds, selected Man Chong to enter the Western Pavilion and take charge of the Privy Council. After that, Man Chong made drastic changes to the original General's Mansion into the Privy Council, and redivided the central army into the Yulin Left Army, Yulin Right Army, Xiaowei Army, Wuwei Army, the Central Commanding Army, and the Five Colonels Camp for the emperor.

Since Xin Pi took office as Shangshu Zuo Pushe, he has always been ruthless and impartial. He continued his uprightness when he was Shizhong to Shangshu Taizhong. He presided over the military farming and tax reform in the fifth and sixth years of Taihe. He has always been known as the "iron-faced Pushe". Compared with Xin Pi's sharp attitude in handling political affairs, Sima Yi was considered a moderate.

Whether it was Man Chong or Xin Pi, they knew very well why the emperor asked them to take on this important task. It was to do things and to promote change! Of course, the two did not disappoint Cao Rui's painstaking efforts.

Xin Pi was still the same person who was brave enough to take on responsibilities, just as he was in charge of logistics in Chang'an when Cao Rui led his troops to rescue Longyou, and he was in charge of military supplies in Quanzhou when Cao Rui led his troops to conquer Liaodong.

"Your Majesty has given the order, and I have no choice but to follow it." Xin Pi stood up, calmly and solemnly standing in front of the chair, and said with his hands clasped, "I would like to ask Your Majesty for instructions on what to do after I arrive at Qishan."

"Xin Qing has always been steady. I will feel relieved when you go." Although Cao Rui was calm, there was still a sense of sadness in his face. He raised his hand and waved: "General and Xin Qing, please sit down. It's time to discuss this matter carefully."

"Zhong Yu, show Yang Shuping a seat."

This was the first time that Yang Tan had enjoyed such treatment. He hurriedly bowed to express his gratitude, and then carefully took the wooden stool sent by the Minister of the Imperial Guard Zhong Yu. After stealing a glance at his father-in-law Xin Pi, he carefully sat down next to Lu Yu on the outermost side.

"For important military and national affairs, let Xige talk first!" Cao Rui slightly supported his forehead with his right hand.

Cao Zhen spoke first: "Your Majesty, I think the court should make three preparations."

"The first is the selection of the successor to Zhang He to lead the army in Qinzhou, the second is what will happen after his death, and the third is the military affairs of Liangzhou."

"Liangzhou?" Cao Rui asked back.

Dong Zhao bowed and said, "Your Majesty, since last spring, Jiuquan and Wuwei counties have been invaded by the Hu people. Xiahou Ba has sent troops three times, but has never been able to fight the bandits. Since Xin Pushe has gone to Qishan, why don't you take the opportunity to go to Wuwei for your Majesty and the Central Committee to see what the situation is like there."

"Xin Qing?" Cao Rui looked at Xin Pi again, which meant he was asking about him personally.

"Since it is a matter of the court, I am willing to go. But I still need the general and Lord Dong to tell me how to proceed." Xin Pi nodded and agreed to the matter.

"Of course." Dong Zhao responded, stroking his beard.

"Okay, that's two things." Cao Rui sighed, "The military affairs of Liang Province are all details, I won't ask too much, just the first two things."

"I would like to order Lu Xun to succeed Zhang He. Do you have any objections?"

The study fell into silence again.

Cao Zhen's expression did not change, but he sighed in his heart. He originally wanted to recommend Guo Huai to replace Zhang He. In terms of emotion and reason, Guo Huai seemed to be more suitable.

But the emperor obviously wanted to push Lu Xun to the throne. When it comes to the emperor's will, Guo Huai is clearly inferior to Lu Xun.

There’s no way to tell!
Cao Rui glanced around and saw that no one was willing to offend the emperor.

However, although His Majesty is autocratic, he also has his good points.

If Your Majesty really intends to decide on certain candidates, just like when you asked Xin Pi to go west and promoted Lu Xun, you would say it directly and would not leave the ministers any room for ambiguity. If Your Majesty really asks the ministers about the candidates, it means that he really wants to ask.

It can be said to be extremely open and aboveboard.

Cao Zhen cupped his hands and responded, "Your Majesty is wise and wise. Lu Xun is a man who is more than qualified for the position."

"I second the motion." Dong Zhao also responded.

Sima Yi and Xin Pi in the East Pavilion looked at each other and expressed their agreement.

Since the ministers had said so, Cao Rui did not need to ask anyone else, but continued: "Except for Lu Xun being transferred from Dazhong to Qishan, how will the other military commanders in Guanxi be deployed?"

In the past two years, there have been occasional changes in the generals in Kansai.

After Hao Zhao died, the court appointed Dai Ling as the General of Suppressing Bandits and sent him to Hanzhong to assist Guo Huai. In addition, Fei Yao, the former Grand Marshal, filled the vacancy of the Rear General and led his troops to follow Wei Zhen in Chencang.

Cao Zhen coughed lightly and said, "Your Majesty, if Lu Boyan is transferred from Dazhong to Qishan, then the commander of Dazhong will need to be re-selected."

Cao Rui asked back: "Does the general have a choice?"

Cao Zhen thought for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, I think Lieutenant General Cao Ping can take on this task." "It's the general's nephew..." Cao Rui paused and said, "Cao Ping's qualifications are remarkable, but if you want him to guard Dazhong, it's really too much. Let Cao Ping guard Wujie City, and let Lu Xun's chief officer named Zhou Duo guard Dazhong."

Cao Zhen did not hesitate and praised: "Zhou Duo is a reliable person with sufficient qualifications. However, he is the chief secretary of Lu Boyan. If Lu Boyan goes to Qishan, Zhou Duo should also be given a title to show his favor."

Dong Zhao also echoed in agreement.

Cao Rui said, "Then let's give Lu Xun's previous post as the Protector of the Qiang to Zhou Duo. That's it."

Cao Rui, Cao Zhen and Dong Zhao chatted for a while about the military affairs of Qinzhou. Xin Pi saw that none of them seemed to be talking about the main topic, so he interrupted and said:

"Your Majesty, if Lu Boyan is to be in charge of Qinzhou's military affairs, then the title of General Protector of the Qiang seems inappropriate for him at this moment, not to mention giving the title of 'Protector of the Qiang' to Zhou Duo."

Cao Rui nodded with a hint of approval: "After all, it cannot escape the word 'West'. Whether it is a conquest or a suppression, it is something that needs to be discussed."

"Zhengxi or Zhenxi?" Cao Zhen repeated in a low voice.

"It's better to control the west than to conquer the west." Dong Zhao said calmly, "We have to leave some room for maneuver."

Cao Rui only needed to exchange glances with Dong Zhao to understand what he meant. Lu Xun was now the General Protector of the Qiang, and since he was a surrendered general, he had to be used with caution.

"Mr. Dong is indeed competent. Let's do as he says." Cao Rui gave an order.

In the Wei Dynasty, the generals below the titles of General Da, General Hussar, General Chariot and General Guard were the Four Expeditions, the Four Towns, the Four Frontiers, the Four Directions, the General An, the General Ping and the Generals of Miscellaneous Titles. However, due to his family background, Lu Xun could not achieve the high positions of General Chariot and General Cavalry, General Hussar, and General Guard. His limit in life was the Four Expeditions.

Now making Lu Xun the General who Guards the West instead of the General who Conquers the West has, on the one hand, imposed restrictions on him, but on the other hand, it has also left a little room for Lu Xun's "progress".

After giving instructions one by one, Cao Rui felt a little sad, but he still looked at Xin Pi and said, "Xin Qing, you should leave today. You two haven't seen each other for years. It would be good for you to keep each other company on the road."

"As you wish." Xin Pi bowed and said, "It is already February. I am going to Qinzhou and Liangzhou, each of which is thousands of miles away. By the time I return, I am afraid that summer will have passed and autumn will have arrived. Your Majesty, please take good care of your body."

Cao Rui stood up and walked to Xin Pi, holding his hand tightly. "I will trouble Xin Qing to go to Qinzhou and Liangzhou and take care of the affairs for me. You should take care of yourself."

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. This is my duty." Xin Pi was still so upright.

Cao Rui asked again: "When Xin Qing leaves, who can take over the post of Shang Shu Zuo Pushe? Xin Qing, do you have anyone to recommend?"

Is this to ask Xin Pi to recommend Shangshu Zuo Pushe?
Sima Yi was shocked and looked at Xin Pi calmly. Fortunately, Xin Pi did not mention any names, but simply replied: "Since Your Majesty has asked me to go west, I do not need to interrupt the affairs of the court. Please choose for yourself."

"Okay." Cao Rui looked at Xin Pi intently for a moment, and finally did not insist.

After personally seeing off Xin Pi and Yang Tan, the father-in-law and son-in-law, at the door of the study, Cao Rui led all the ministers to sit down again and looked at Sima Yi:

"The power and responsibility of the Shangshutai has always been in the hands of Sikong. Today, Sikong will recommend someone to me to take over the matters left by Xin Qing. If there is no problem, I will use him."

"This..." Sima Yi stood up and bowed, "This is a serious matter. Your Majesty, please allow me to think about it for a moment."

"Okay, I have time." Cao Rui said a few words calmly.

Even someone as calm and meticulous as Sima Yi fell silent as he stood in the study in public.

"If there is no problem, I will use it."

This sentence contained the immense trust that Sima Yi had heard for the first time from the emperor. Although what a minister expected was the emperor's trust, when it came time for Sima Yi to make the decision on this position, he could not help but hesitate.

Even Xin Pi could be the Shangshu Zuo Pushe, so if he were to be selected from the Nine Ministers, there would be no obstacles in terms of status. But among the Nine Ministers, only Gao Rou, who was the Tingwei, was familiar with him. However, the position of Tingwei was extremely professional, and others could not handle such judicial matters. If Gao Rou was to be in charge of the Shangshutai, he might not be able to handle such complicated affairs. Apart from Gao Rou, there was no other candidate among the Nine Ministers.

As for the provincial governors and capable officials in various places, the only two people he could recommend were Jiang Ji, the provincial governor of Yangzhou, and Xue Ti, the provincial governor of Xuzhou. Sima Yi had no hope for Sun Zi, who remained in his position as the provincial governor of Yanzhou.

Among the six ministers at present, Minister of Works Sima Zhi and Minister of Punishments Xu Miao have always had a very good relationship with Sima Yi, but using Sima Zhi seems to be suspected of favoritism and corruption, while Xu Miao's ability is not yet at the level of entering the cabinet.

After thinking about it, Sima Yi was still confused. There really was no suitable candidate! You know, according to convention, the person who was replaced had to join the cabinet! If the choice was not good, he would even lose the emperor's favor.

"Sikong has been thinking about it for a long time. Is there any result? His Majesty is waiting." Cao Zhen urged unexpectedly.

Sima Yi came back to his senses, glanced at the ground again, and finally decided on an answer in his mind.

"Your Majesty, I recommend Chen Jiao, the lieutenant of the imperial court, and Chen Jibi, the lieutenant of the imperial court!" (End of this chapter)