Three Kingdoms: I am not Cao Rui

Pei Qian sorted out the content he had just written down, asked for its seal, and then sent a messenger to Shouchun to send it back immediately.

The messenger had just enough time to reach the next station before it got completely dark.

It was the norm to accompany the emperor on tours during the Taihe era. From the cabinet ministers to the ministers and high officials, and even the young imperial attendants, everyone had gotten used to this norm.

As for the Shizhong, Pei Qian and Xu Shu usually stayed in the same tent.

Late at night, the oil lamps in the tents had gone out, and the camp had become quiet, with only the regular footsteps of patrolling troops.

During this tour, the central commander Guanqiu Jian was in charge of the outer perimeter security, while the emperor's central military camp was usually managed in turn by the troops led by Infantry Captain Bian Lan, Yue Cavalry Captain Zhen Xiang, and Archery Captain Cao Shuang.

Cao Shuang is not to be mentioned. Bian Lan is a relative of Empress Wuxuan Bian, and Zhen is a relative of Empress Wenzhao Zhen. They are all people the emperor can trust. In the past, the emperor would either select relatives or direct descendants to serve as garrisons.

Pei Qian was still awake, staring at the door with his eyes open. After thinking for a long time, he called out softly:
"Is Yuanzhi asleep? Yuanzhi?"

It was not until he was called five or six times that Xu Shu was awakened by Pei Qian. He asked in a daze, "What's the matter, Wen Xing?"

"Yuanzhi is still awake, that's good." Pei Qian turned over and sat up from the table, clearing his throat: "Regarding what happened this afternoon, I have always had some ideas, but I am not sure. Yuanzhi might as well consult with me."

Xu Shu did not open his eyes, still lying on his side: "What happened this afternoon?"

Pei Qian said: "Turn around."

"Okay." Xu Shu was helpless.

After Xu Shu turned his face towards him, Pei Qian said, "Yuanzhi, why do you think the Minister of Works and the cabinet are talking about establishing a crown prince right now?"

"Why?" After hearing the word "crown prince", Xu Shu's sleepiness disappeared, and he sat up cross-legged like Pei Qian, wrapped in a quilt.

Pei Qian said softly, "Yuanzhi, think about it. When Zhong Yu read this matter in the tent today, he read it carefully without missing a word. You and I heard it all. Before the Minister of Works proposed this matter, he mentioned the letter that the Minister of Rites Wei Dan had sent from Luoyang. In the letter, he praised the King of Ye for a lot. Do you remember this?"

"Wenxing, are you saying that there is something going on between Sima Yi and Wei Dan?" Xu Shu asked back.

"No, Wei Dan won't." Pei Qian said firmly: "This person is a famous scholar, but he has no talent. Although Taichang is one of the Nine Ministers, he does not hold any real power now. Your Majesty uses him to fill a vacancy. This person will not be involved too much with the cabinet."

"Yuanzhi, think about it for a moment. What has happened to you and me during these days of following the emperor?"

Pei Qian had said this, how could Xu Shu not understand what he meant?
Xu Shu also asked softly: "Is it Jiang Ji?"

Pei Qian sighed softly, "You and I both know that it was your Majesty and Jiang Ji who first mentioned that His Majesty wanted to conquer Wu in the ninth year of Taihe. Your Majesty said that day that Jiang Ji should be allowed to communicate with the Privy Council and the Secretariat to coordinate the plan of 50,000 naval forces. It was reasonable for him to talk about this with the people in the cabinet."

"But the matter of conquering Wu is of great importance. If it succeeds, the four seas will be united. Whoever can contribute more to this matter will be more likely to get a high position. Since ancient times, the matter of choosing a successor has always been accompanied by political disputes. If a dispute arises over the choice of a successor, whoever can benefit from it will be able to handle more power and will be more likely to make contributions in the conquest of Wu!"

Xu Shu was silent for a long time, then he sighed, "People's hearts are treacherous."

"Yes." Pei Qian said, "Your Majesty has his own orders. I have heard some of what your Majesty said today. But as ministers, you and I also need to share the worries of the emperor!"

Xu Shu asked, "Wenxing, have you made up your mind?"

Pei Qian responded, "Yes, I will tell His Majesty what I should say. Yuanzhi, you and I are the ministers, and we are not involved in this matter, so we can speak out. His Majesty's order for the ministers to discuss this matter has the intention of promoting it. I intend to expand this matter again and let all the court officials take action. Only in this way can we see their true thoughts!"

Xu Shu smiled and said, "That's right. You and I are the emperor's ministers. No matter what happens in the outside court, we ministers will not be affected. How do you want to promote Wenxing? Tell me."

Pei Qian raised three fingers: "Three things!"

"Confer titles on kings and princesses, select subordinates for the kings, and allow the government and the public to discuss this matter!"

Xu Shu was also a wise man: "It's feasible!"

"It is now the seventh year of Taihe, and the Wei Dynasty has been established for thirteen years. The situation in the world has become extremely clear. The fall of Wu and Shu is only a matter of time."

"Since Your Majesty ascended the throne, you have taken the overall situation into consideration and avoided disputes. The court still uses the old ministers from the Jian'an and Huangchu periods. The achievements of the Taihe period were greater than those of the Huangchu period. Now that the situation is stable, it is time to replace those old people."

"Yuanzhi, I have the same idea!" Pei Qian knelt and stood up: "Since you and I are both worried about state affairs, why not go to His Majesty to discuss it at night. Sometimes discussing things at midnight is more effective than reporting during the day!"

"Okay." Xu Shu said, "Put on your outer robe and crown."

"Yeah." Pei Qian responded.

Today's Wei State is truly filled with talented people.

Dong Zhao, Chen Qun and Sima Yi, who were among the three highest officials in the country, were all capable of assisting state affairs. The Nine Ministers, the Shangshu and the Privy Council were all talented and capable. The provincial governors of various places always obeyed his orders, and the military generals from all directions were all loyal.

In other words, replacing a few ministers at the top of the power will not affect the current state of Wei. Who is definitely better than others? It's just that the lower-ranking ones have not yet sat on such a high position.

As ministers, don't Pei Qian and Xu Shu have any selfish motives? Since His Majesty has been deliberately suppressing political disputes in the court for so many years, and now he has the idea of ​​indulging him, why not add fuel to the fire! No one can be better than the ministers in guessing the emperor's mind and understanding his intentions.

The two of them left the tent together and went to find the infantry lieutenant Bian Lan who was on duty tonight, saying that they had important matters to report to the emperor. Bian Lan did not dare to neglect it, and personally woke up the emperor outside the military tent. After getting permission, he led Pei Qian and Xu Shu into the tent.

"It's so late, what do Pei Qing and Xu Qing want to tell me?"

Cao Rui lay sideways on the couch, glanced at the two of them in the light of the only faint oil lamp in the tent, and then continued to close his eyes and rest.

As Pei Qian and Xu Shu spoke out what they had just discussed, Cao Rui also opened his eyes:
"Do you two think that the government is in chaos?"

"That's right." Pei Qian bowed and said, "Minister Xu and I thought that since your majesty ascended the throne, you have always stabilized the court and never allowed the ministers to provoke fighting. But everyone has a desire to win and fight, but your majesty has suppressed it. The court officials have been ministers for many years, and there are factions in the court, which is in chaos. I know that your majesty is determined to attack Wu next year. Since the cabinet is talking to your majesty about the issue of establishing a crown prince, why not take this opportunity to get the court moving?"

"Your Majesty can take this opportunity to sort out the ministers, rectify the government, and sort out personnel matters."

Pei Qian's words touched Cao Rui's heart.

The situation in the seventh year of Taihe was different from that in the seventh year of Huangchu. The emperor's authority was unquestionable, the central army was under his control, and the foreign armies were also trustworthy in their loyalty to the emperor through dispatching generals and fighting in the south and the north over the years.

There's no harm in moving around a bit.

But is it Pei Qian and Xu Shu's turn to talk about this kind of thing?
Cao Rui slowly sat up from the couch and looked at Pei Qian and Xu Shu calmly: "All ministers have their own selfish desires, this is what Pei Qing said. Pei Qing and Xu Qing are also outstanding people, I have always known it, but what do you two want from me?"

Pei Qian immediately bowed down and said: "Ethics and moral principles are supreme, and a minister has his own way of being a minister. I only wish to share your majesty's worries and give advice to the great Wei, nothing else to ask for!"

Xu Shu said: "I feel the same way!"

Cao Rui nodded: "I remember what you two said, but the Shizhong are my retainers. I have something to ask you, not you who are interfering in the affairs of the outer court by taking advantage of your status as an inner official."

"Don't say this again, or you won't be on duty by my side." Cao Rui waved his hand and said, "Go back, I want to go to bed."

Pei Qian and Xu Shu bowed and took their leave.

After the two men left, Cao Rui lay on the couch for a long time without sleeping.

In order to maintain the stability of the government, some personal ideas must be suppressed. Some people have stayed in high positions for a long time, originally for the sake of maintaining the stability of the government. Is it really necessary to continue doing so now?

"I don't want to be a heartless person. Let's see what happens to them."

Cao Rui thought secretly, then closed his eyes and fell asleep.

Early the next morning, when they were supposed to continue their journey to Wancheng, Cao Rui called four attendants to his side.

Cao Rui asked calmly, "Yesterday, Minister Pei and Minister Xu proposed to me that the princes and princesses should be crowned as kings. Lord Wang, Lord Lu, what do you think?"

Lu Yu replied: "It is common sense for the royal family to make the prince the king and the princess the princess. This should be done."

Wang Su also said: "Although it should be done, it is up to your Majesty to decide whether to do it or not."

Cao Rui nodded: "Then do it, this time we will confer the title of prince first."

"The only two princes who have not been crowned as kings are Cao Shou and Cao He. Your Excellency, please choose two titles for me."

Wang Su hesitated for only a few moments, then cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, according to the custom during the Huangchu period, the princes were all enfeoffed with the lands of Yanzhou and Jizhou. I think the third son Cao Shou and the fourth son Cao He should be enfeoffed separately, one in Jizhou and the other in Yanzhou."

"The titles of the counties in Jizhou should be at least one county away from Wei County where Yecheng is located. I think Boping County in Pingyuan County is a good name, and Shouzhang County in Dongping, Yanzhou is also acceptable."

Cao Rui smiled and said, "One for Bo Ping and one for Shou Zhang?"

"That's easy. Let's make Cao Shou the King of Shouzhang and Cao He the King of Boping. What do you think?"

"Your Majesty is wise." Pei Qian bowed.

Xu Shu also responded: "The names of the two counties chosen by Minister Wang are excellent, and I agree with them."

"I second the motion." Lu Yu said.

"As for selecting officials for the kings, we should follow the Han Dynasty system and select one king tutor for each king and two middle sons." Cao Rui said: "The kings are still young, so there is no need to take this as a real job. They can just take it as a part-time job. What do you think?" (End of this chapter)