Chapter 5: Voting and Governance
The design of Chongde Hall was truly ingenious.
Sunlight streamed in from the main entrance and the courtyard, allowing Cao Rui to clearly see every movement of his Ministers in the hall. When his Ministers looked up at Cao Rui on the dragon throne, he appeared dim and indistinct, with details unclear.
In other words, Cao Rui was now like the homeroom teacher of Great Wei’s Ministers; no one could escape his eyes, whether they were slacking off or passing notes.
At this moment, Cao Rui truly wished to summon the craftsman who designed Chongde Hall, personally praise him, and reward him with ten taels of gold.
“My birth mother, Zhen, was graceful, beautiful, and contributed greatly with her virtue. Let her be posthumously honored as Empress Wenzhao.”
“Your Majesty is sagacious,” Cao Zhen, Cao Xiu, Chen Qun, and Sima Yi responded in unison.
Cao Rui looked at them: “The four Grand Ministers have toiled greatly and deserve to be rewarded.”
“Central Secretariat,” Cao Rui called out to Liu Fang.
Liu Fang, holding a scroll of bright yellow silk, walked to the side-front of the four Grand Ministers and began to read aloud.
The four men knelt down one after another, and the Ministers in the hall followed suit. From Cao Rui’s perspective, it had a particularly neat aesthetic.
“Central Secretariat: By the order of the Emperor, General Who Conquers the East Cao Xiu, Grand General of the Central Army Cao Zhen, General Who Guards the Army Chen Qun, and Grand General Who Pacifies the Army Sima Yi, have established meritorious service for the Wei imperial house and proclaimed their achievements across the land.”
“We believe that a well-governed era relies on culture, and a chaotic one on military might. The Grand Ministers are truly the pillars of the imperial court and the bulwarks of the nation.”
“Therefore, Cao Xiu is promoted to Grand Marshal and enfeoffed as Changping Marquis; Cao Zhen is promoted to Grand General and enfeoffed as Shaoling Marquis; Chen Qun is enfeoffed as Yingyin Marquis; and Sima Yi is enfeoffed as Wuyang Marquis. The four Grand Ministers shall all establish their own administrations and each have their fiefs increased by five hundred households. Let this be known.”
After receiving the decree and expressing their gratitude, the four slowly rose.
The ceremonial part was over; it was time to arrange the formal section.
Cao Rui smiled at the four Grand Ministers: “Although I am now governing personally, the military and national affairs still require your assistance. I hope you will not shy away from the hard work.”
Cao Xiu cupped his hands and said: “Your Majesty, as a relative of the imperial clan, and having received great kindness from the late Emperor and Your Majesty, how dare I not exert my utmost loyalty and effort for Your Majesty.”
Cao Zhen took over: “I share the same sentiment. I only wish for our Great Wei to prosper and for us to swiftly pacify the rebels of West Shu and Eastern Wu.”
Chen Qun and Sima Yi also cupped their hands together: “We are willing to serve Your Majesty with utmost sincerity.”
“Hahaha,” Cao Rui laughed, then continued: “Since the four Grand Ministers are so loyal, I can rest assured entrusting the affairs of the state to you.”
Cao Rui then rose from the dragon throne, walked down the steps, and slowly approached the four Grand Ministers.
Cao Xiu was lean, Cao Zhen was stout; although both wore court robes, they could not conceal the imposing aura of military commanders.
Chen Qun had a round, honest face, while Sima Yi’s features were more defined, with a pair of hawkish eyes beneath thick eyebrows—this was the so-called “eagle gaze and wolf glance” appearance.
Cao Rui stepped forward and took Cao Xiu and Cao Zhen’s hands.
“Uncle Wenlie, Uncle Zidan, the foundation laid by Emperor Wu and Emperor Wen has been passed to my hands. The Cao dynasty’s empire relies on you two uncles.”
Cao Xiu and Cao Zhen were somewhat flustered, hastily responding to Cao Rui’s words. In this era, an Emperor shaking hands with his Ministers was a rare honor.
Cao Xiu said: “Your Minister is willing to die for Your Majesty, for Great Wei.”
Cao Zhen added: “Your Minister is the same.”
Cao Rui turned to look at Chen Qun and Sima Yi. For a moment, the two could not tell whether Cao Rui was truly speaking from the heart or merely putting on a show in court.
“State affairs are numerous; I will rely on Lord Chen and Lord Sima.”
Chen Qun and Sima Yi also agreed repeatedly.
Cao Rui smiled, then walked back to the dragon throne. For an Emperor, walking to the center of the grand hall during a court assembly and shaking hands and conversing with Ministers was indeed an unusual occurrence.
Cao Xiu and Cao Zhen did not think too deeply about it. After all, one had become Grand Marshal and the other Grand General; they had reached the pinnacle of a Minister’s career with no further promotions, so they were too content to ponder.
But Sima Yi, looking at Cao Rui’s back, narrowed his eyes slightly.
Sima Yi had now witnessed three generations of Cao Emperors. Cao Cao was bold and magnificent in spirit but often suspicious and prone to anger. Cao Pi was gentle, a refined gentleman, but occasionally went to extremes.
What kind of personality did Cao Rui’s recent act represent? Was it sincerity or hypocrisy? Sima Yi thought for a moment before realizing that the most suitable word to describe Cao Rui should be frivolous.
Yes, frivolous. A feeling as if he didn't care about anything, even though he was Emperor.
And at this moment, Cao Rui was not in a hurry to dismiss these Grand Ministers.
Before the court assembly, Cao Rui had sought counsel from Attendant Xin Pi. Xin Pi’s answer, in short, was to expel all the Grand Ministers.
Expel Cao Zhen to Yong and Liang, Cao Xiu to Yangzhou, and Chen Qun or Sima Yi to Xiangyang.
Only one Grand Minister would remain in court, diligently serving Cao Rui like an old ox. Cao Rui himself would wield supreme power.
Cao Rui had just been pondering what kind of reason to use to expel the three Grand Ministers.
But during the recent enfeoffment and conversations, Cao Xiu, Cao Zhen, Chen Qun, and Sima Yi, one after another, expressed their loyalty so sincerely that it was impossible not to believe them.
Cao Rui wanted to see how loyal they truly were to him.
“Grand Marshal, you are in Luoyang. Is the Southeast border secure?”
Cao Xiu patted his chest and said: “Your Majesty, do not worry. The Southeast defense line is impregnable. That Sun Quan of Eastern Wu uses troops like a child; Eastern Wu will not be able to cross Hefei City in a hundred years.”
Cao Rui then turned to look at Cao Zhen.
“Grand General, is Yong and Liang secure?”
Cao Zhen cupped his hands and said: “Your Majesty, rest assured. Shu just launched a campaign against South Central last year; its national strength is insufficient for attack, and even Hanzhong has become quite empty.”
Cao Rui nodded, showing a satisfied expression.
“Since military affairs are without worry, Grand Marshal and Grand General, please remain in Luoyang to assist in governance.”
Cao Xiu and Cao Zhen were dumbfounded; even Chen Qun, usually as steady as a mountain, widened his eyes in surprise.
“Where is Shangshu Ling?”
Shangshu Ling Chen Jiao, who had been completely overshadowed by Chen Qun and Sima Yi, stepped forward and bowed to Cao Rui.
“Find a large house in the Southern Palace, the best house, either within the Imperial Secretariat or adjacent to it.”
“Let the four Grand Ministers gather there to work together. From now on, all military and national affairs shall be jointly deliberated and decided by the four Grand Ministers.”
“I have thought long and hard, and I fear this is what the late Emperor’s dying wish meant!”
Chen Jiao had thought Cao Rui had something important for him, but it turned out to be about arranging a house. He figured it didn’t matter how the four of them arranged it, since he, as Shangshu Ling, couldn’t manage affairs anyway.
But at this moment, the four Grand Ministers were bewildered by Cao Rui’s “disorderly decree.”
From Cao Xiu and Cao Zhen’s perspective, having been promoted to Grand Marshal and Grand General, nominally controlling the nation’s military power. Remaining in Luoyang to assist in governance, they could also control half the power of the Imperial Secretariat—a windfall from heaven.
From Chen Qun and Sima Yi’s perspective, Wei prioritized military affairs, so this was an opportunity to get involved in military matters. Although half of the Imperial Secretariat’s power was divided, who was it that had just declared their willingness to die for the Emperor in front of all the Ministers? They truly couldn't refuse.
Cao Rui then added: “Both Emperor Wu and Emperor Wen were exceptionally talented in literature. Out of filial piety, I wish to spend more time diligently studying the writings of my father and grandfather. The important affairs of the state, I entrust to you four!”
The four remained silent for a moment, then successively expressed support for His Majesty the Emperor’s sagacious decision.
Chen Qun cupped his hands and asked: “May I ask Your Majesty, when we four make joint decisions, how should disagreements be handled?”
Cao Rui smiled slightly: “Lord Chen, have you heard of voting?”
“If there is an unresolved matter, you can vote. If it’s three against one, then it will be handled according to the majority opinion.”
“If it’s two against two, you may ask me to arbitrate.”
“How does this arrangement sound?”