History of Women in the Wei Dynasty

Chapter 210 Have you ever heard of Hu Guozhen?
"Guard Zhao angered His Majesty a few days ago, and His Majesty ordered him to go home and reflect on his actions." Wang Yu said this briefly, then handed the imperial edict and the approved memorial to the Prince of Xianyang.

The memorial requested the court to dispatch court officials to tour the prefectures and kingdoms to investigate the people's hardships and the performance of the prefects and magistrates. The emperor had approved it, but listed several predetermined personnel transfers at the end of the memorial.

Guo Zuo was appointed Minister of Personnel.

He appointed Wei Yi as Left General.

Yuan Zhi was appointed as the Assistant Prefect of Sizhou.

He appointed Wei Yu as the governor of Hengzhou.

Cui Xiu was appointed as the governor of Bohai.

Cui Guang was appointed as a court attendant and tasked with compiling the national history.

Sun Huiwei was appointed as a junior official.

Guo Zuo was recommended by the Prince of Xianyang, Wei Yi by the Prince of Rencheng, Cui Xiu by the Prince of Beihai, and Sun Huiwei, who had previously served as a lecturer in the Eastern Palace, was deeply trusted by the new emperor.

In a single document, various forces vied for power. Whether the ministers harbored selfish motives or were wholeheartedly devoted to the court, the emperor granted all their requests. As the head of the ministers, the Prince of Xianyang naturally had to support the emperor's other edict... To build the Yaoguang Nunnery north of the imperial road at the Changhe City Gate, it was to be completed before August.

At this time, the court officials who had something to report entered in order. Wang Yu stood to the left of the prime minister, the Prince of Xianyang, to listen and record. When the report was finished, it was just past 9 a.m., and everyone learned that the Prince of Rencheng had been attacked the night before.

The Prince of Xianyang cursed inwardly that those who assassinated Yuan Cheng were all idiots. With Yuan Cheng being so fat and strong, even if he stabbed randomly with his eyes closed, he could still get a hit. Now that Yuan Cheng was speaking loudly, he was obviously not injured at all.

"The Prince of Xianyang? The Prince of Xianyang? The Grand Commandant?"

Yuan Xi snapped out of his daze and looked at the Prince of Rencheng who had called him.

"Grand Commandant, guess for me, who is the mastermind behind the rebellion?"

"how could I know!"

"The responsibility of guarding the palace belongs to the general, while the responsibility of guarding the city belongs to you. You think you can shirk responsibility with a simple 'I don't know'? Hmph, if Prince Pengcheng were here, would the rebels dare to run wild in the inner city of Luoyang!" Prince Rencheng turned and left.

Soon, Wang Yu returned to the palace and told Emperor Yuan Ke about the unpleasant parting between the Grand Commandant and the Right Minister of the Imperial Secretariat.

When Prince Rencheng came out of the carriage and got into it, his anger dissipated, replaced by a helpless sigh. He knew that the mastermind behind the rebellion that tried to kill him last night was definitely not Prince Xianyang. His deliberate confrontation with the other party was just for the emperor's benefit.

Why did the Prince of Pengcheng, who held a high position and great power, choose to retire gracefully, relinquish all military power, and distance himself from Luoyang, a place of power struggles? It was because he saw through the new emperor's character and feared arousing suspicion and bringing about his own demise.

The young emperor even distrusts the loyal Prince Pengcheng, so he would certainly distrust the other regents!
Just wait and see. If the Prince of Xianyang continues to be arrogant, he will definitely confront the Emperor and Yu Lie, who controls the Imperial Guards.

Prince Rencheng peeked out the window and ordered Zhao Zhi, the newly promoted head guard outside, "Go to Xing's residence in Yonghe Lane."

Zhao Zhi's order to the driver was even more concise: "Yonghe, Xing Residence!"

As the vehicle moved slowly, Yuan Cheng pondered the changes in officials listed in the imperial edict. Only Yuan Zhi's transfer was unexpected. He had thought that Yuan Zhi would be transferred to Jingzhou as governor, but he did not expect him to be appointed as the deputy governor of Sizhou.

"Hey hey—" Yuan Cheng was overjoyed. Yuan Zhi would definitely fight with Wei Yi for his son when he returned to Luoyang. If he helped Wei Yi again, wouldn't he be able to bring Zhao Zhi's family to his Prince Rencheng's mansion?

Yuan Zhi couldn't help but think of Hengzhou, and of the mysterious case that the nun Seng Zhi had asked his fifth sister for help to investigate last year. So, the Prince of Rencheng asked Zhao Zhi, "Around this time last year, did you hear of this person, Hu Guozhen, the Earl of Wushi?"

"let me see."

The wheels rumbled and clattered...

After walking through two long streets, Yuan Cheng couldn't help but pull the curtains open wider and ask Zhao Zhi again, "Do you think anyone in Pingcheng could kill more than a hundred members of a noble family and then completely cover up the murders?"

"Whom does the Minister suspect?"

"I'm asking you!"

"I only know martial arts; for strategy, you must consult Chief Secretary Li."

The carriage rolled along, then rolled along another street.

Yuan Cheng stuck his big round head out of the carriage window this time: "I'll give you a chance. Was it you who killed the Wu Shi Hou family?" "Thank you for your forgiveness, Minister."

How dare you?

“If I were a coward, how could I be fit to protect the Minister?”

That makes sense.

May 29th.

It was not yet afternoon.

Outside the residence of Yuan Fan, a minor official, were several scholars in plain clothes. They were all from the same hometown as Yuan Fan. The scholars had just arrived in Luoyang and it was difficult to find a job. The cost of each meal and lodging made their lives even more difficult. If they could see Yuan Fan, they would ask for a letter of recommendation. Perhaps they could then teach the classics in a wealthy family.

Wei Yin and his daughter also arrived.

Last time, Wei Yin came alone. The old servant of the Yuan family told him that Yuan, an official, had gone out to visit friends and would only return home at noon today, and would only have one hour of free time.

The father and daughter felt they were at the end of the line of Confucian scholars. It was so hot; everyone was drenched in sweat. Wei Yao took out a fan from her waist and fanned her father to cool him down. Wei Yin felt very comfortable and instructed, "If Yuan Sanguan sees you, answer him calmly. Don't worry, Father."

"Yes."

The scholar in front heard this, turned around in surprise to look at Wei Yao, and couldn't help but ask, "Are you related to Yuan Sanguan?"

Wei Yao replied, "No."

It was good that they weren't relatives, so the scholar didn't pursue the matter further.

The courtyard gate opened, and the old servant looked at the back of the procession and asked, "Is that Miss Wei Yao?"

Wei Yao stepped forward and bowed, saying, "I am Wei Yao. I have come with my father and am taking the liberty of paying my respects to Yuan Sanguan."

"Oh, I remember, come in together."

Only after the courtyard gate was closed did the scholar grumble and complain, "How could they cut in line!"

Soon, with a soft "dumb" sound, the old servant came out again and said, "Young Master Yuan will not be receiving guests today. Please go back."

The scholars felt humiliated. After leaving the streets, one of them turned around and pointed, saying, "When his family came to Wei to seek refuge, they were just as poor and helpless as we are. They only achieved their current official positions and wealth because of the help and care they received from their fellow villagers. But while he enjoyed the kindness of his fellow villagers, he is stingy in helping other fellow villagers. No matter how rich or powerful such a person becomes in the future, I will not deign to associate with him!"

Yuan Fan certainly wouldn't care about the dissatisfaction of ordinary Confucian scholars towards him. In this chaotic world, there is only exchange of benefits when there are benefits to be gained.

Everyone does!

He first asked, "When will Master Confucius arrive in Luoyang?"

Wei Yao: "If nothing changes, we should have arrived in Bingzhou by now."

Yuan Fan was relieved. No matter how intelligent Wei Yao was, without the support of a powerful aristocratic family, she would find it difficult to establish herself in the palace academy. "For now, you should focus on teaching and not get involved in the power struggles among the female officials."

"Yes."

“In a few days, I will find a temple in the east of the inner city and arrange a lecture on the classics, in which you will explain the ‘Airs’ chapter of the Book of Songs.”

This trip was definitely worthwhile. When Wei Yao and her father left the Yuan residence, the afterglow of the setting sun was incredibly beautiful.

In auspicious years.

A sturdy black horse stopped running, and the boy on its back attracted more admiration from passersby than the horse itself. Some people exude nobility and aloofness simply by their appearance, and Xi Jiao was one of them.

Approaching home, I felt apprehensive; the clatter of the horse's hooves seemed to be knocking on the door ahead of time.

(End of this chapter)