Three Kingdoms: I am not Cao Rui

Luoyang, Beigong, Chongde Hall.

Every time he led the army back to Luoyang, it was like a long journey home. Warm and complicated ceremonies were indispensable, and greetings with concubines in the harem also added a bit of warmth to the cold winter.

As early as yesterday, a fast horse was sent from the marching troops back to Luoyang to inform the generals in Luoyang to attend the banquet tonight.

As night approached, the atmosphere in Chongde Hall had already become lively. The eunuchs set up tables and seats in the hall, and the lights everywhere made the hall as bright as day.

Two young generals in military court uniforms stood on the steps outside the hall, staring at the long steps in a daze.

"Brother Boyue," Cao Shuang said in a low voice, "I have been leading troops away from Luoyang for three years. As soon as I return to Luoyang, I have to take the responsibility of welcoming guests at the banquet. It is really a bit embarrassing."

"Are you embarrassed?" Jiang Wei asked jokingly, "Three years ago, I was a commoner, but three years later, when I returned to Luoyang, I was already a 2,000-stone archer and a marquis of Wei. I should be proud of this, so why should I be embarrassed?"

Cao Shuang lowered his head and laughed awkwardly: "Others are fine, no need to pay attention. But I haven't seen my father for three years. I don't know what to say when we meet later."

Jiang Wei patted Cao Shuang on the shoulder and said, "The general should be praising you for the achievements Zhao Bo has made in the past few years. Why are you embarrassed?"

Cao Shuang said quietly, "If it were me three years ago, I wouldn't be embarrassed. But in the past few years in Youzhou and in the Central Army, I have seen many people wasting their lives, and they are only a Sima with a salary of 1,000 stones. My achievements are not much, so how can I be worthy of a Shesheng Xiaowei and Tinghou with a salary of 2,000 stones? It is only because of my status as the son of a great general that I have received so many honors."

"When you are young and suddenly reach a high position, you just feel timid."

Jiang Wei advised: "If Zhao Bo is really worried about not living up to his reputation, then he should work harder in the army and make more contributions. There are always opportunities to make contributions in the central army."

"No matter how right Brother Bo Yue is, I still can't hide my overthinking." Cao Shuang smiled bitterly and shook his head, looking down the stairs: "Someone is coming."

"Well, I saw that, too."

"Greetings, General Wei." Cao Shuang and Jiang Wei saluted at the same time.

Cao Hong was indeed quite old. He walked up the stairs slowly, holding his belly. He looked at the two and laughed a few times. "It turned out that Zhaobo and Boyue were in charge of welcoming guests. A few years have passed in the blink of an eye. I still remember that a long time ago, when His Majesty held a banquet in the palace, it was Guanqiu Zhonggong who welcomed the guests. A few years later, it has been replaced by you two."

Cao Shuang and Jiang Wei were not stupid. They both knew that Guanqiu Jian had held a prominent position in the Central Army in recent years and was highly valued by the Emperor.

Cao Hong's obvious hint seemed to be saying that His Majesty was planning to promote the two of you.

"General Guanqiu is also coming to the banquet today. General Wei will see him later." Cao Shuang said with a smile, "General Wei, please come in quickly. It's cold outside. Don't get caught in the cold."

"Okay, okay." Cao Hong stroked his beard and smiled: "Zhong Gong is here too, who else is coming to the banquet today?"

Jiang Wei bowed and said, "The general of Wei has arrived. Today, we also have the general, the general, the general Dong, the general Man, the doctor Qian, the envoy Liu, the envoy Wang, the general of the left wing, the general Wang of the valiant guard, the general Cao of the military guard, the general Guanqiu of the central army, the general Huan of the central guard, the general Xu of the imperial court, and the prefect Zang of the imperial guards."

"Zang Ba is here too?" Cao Hong exclaimed, "This is new. This guy stays at home all day, and I almost forgot about him!"

Jiang Wei smiled and pointed inside: "It's warmer inside the palace. It's cold outside. General Wei, take care of yourself."

Cao Hong smiled and walked in.

Cao Shuang seemed to remember something and looked at Jiang Wei: "I didn't think so much when I got the list just now. Didn't Minister Xu come back from Xiangfan? Since he continues to serve as Minister, why is his title of general still on him?"

Jiang Wei was a little helpless: "Even Zhaobo doesn't know, how can I know?"

Cao Shuang shook his head.

It was not until everyone had entered one by one and the two of them were tired of welcoming them that Cao Zhen's figure slowly walked towards them from a distance.

"Bo Yue, wait a moment. I will go to the steps to greet my father." Cao Shuang said this, lifted the hem of his robe, and trotted forward.

Jiang Wei had no choice but to look around and follow Cao Shuang. He walked with him to Cao Zhen and saluted respectfully.

"Father has a headache, not a leg problem, why are you supporting me?" Cao Zhen cursed with a smile, and while walking, he carefully looked at Cao Shuang's face: "I haven't seen you for three years. Zhaobo has become darker, thinner, and stronger!"

"He also made many contributions in the army." Jiang Wei interrupted with a smile.

Cao Zhen laughed a few times and said, "Zhao Bo, Bo Yue, His Majesty ordered you two to welcome guests today, so you must be smart during the banquet."

Cao Shuang and Jiang Wei looked at each other, feeling somewhat puzzled.

"Just a word of advice is enough for you, don't think too much." Cao Zhen asked: "Have all the others arrived?"

"Father, everyone is here." "Well, I won't say much to you two, just go in quickly." Cao Zhen replied, then stepped over the threshold, walked into the hall, and greeted the generals.

However, Cao Shuang and Jiang Wei stood at the palace gate, not knowing whether they should go in or out. Previously, they were only responsible for welcoming guests, and the banquet was too high-profile, so they were not qualified to attend.

"Zhao Bo, Bo Yue." Guanqiu Jian waved his hand and said, "Come to my place."

"General." The two men bowed.

Guanqiu Jian smiled and said, "Zhao Bo is sitting behind the general today, serving the general at the banquet. Bo Yue is sitting behind your majesty, serving your majesty at the banquet."

After saying that, Guanqiu Jian patted Jiang Wei on the shoulder and said, "Pay more attention!"

Jiang Wei was startled and quickly bowed in agreement.

As the emperor himself appeared at the palace gate, everyone stood up and left their seats, bowing solemnly.

"No need to be polite today. I will have a year-end banquet with you, so please be more relaxed." Cao Rui walked steadily to the main seat in the hall, looked at everyone with a smile, and said loudly: "Let's set some rules for today's banquet. The general has a headache, so he will use water instead of wine. General Wei drank too much in Luozhong, so he is not allowed to get drunk today. The rest of you, don't leave until you are drunk today!"

"Good! Thank you, Your Majesty, for the banquet!"

"Don't return until you're drunk!"

When everyone laughed, Cao Zhen shook his head, his face full of helplessness. Cao Hong did not say a single word of teasing, but bowed his hands obediently to accept the order. Cao Hong knew that he had lost the emperor's heart when he was in Longyou in the past, and he became more low-key and obedient in the past two years.

After the opening, the atmosphere became more and more lively as people started to toast each other.

After Cao Rui finished drinking the bottle of wine from Taiwei Dong Zhaojing, he said with emotion:
"At the end of each year, I always feel emotional. I am drinking with you here at this moment, but there are many generals on the border who have not been able to drink with me. I often think of them in my heart."

"Where is the Privy Councilor?"

"I'm here." Liu Ye and Wang Guan both stood up at the same time after receiving the order.

Cao Rui smiled and said, "Today I am in Luoyang drinking the Nine-Brew Spring Wine from Qiao County with you. The generals are far away at the border and cannot drink it. Tomorrow morning I will have fast horses deliver two jars to each of them! Bingzhou, Youzhou, Yingzhou, Yangzhou, Jingzhou, Qinzhou, Liangzhou, Hanzhong, no place should be left out, no mistakes!"

"I accept your order." Liu Ye's face flushed a little: "I will send someone to deliver it tomorrow morning."

"Okay!" Cao Rui nodded with a smile.

Dong Zhao cupped his hands and said, "The fourth year of Taihe was truly extraordinary. Your Majesty personally toured the border to pacify the Xianbei, personally conquered Liaodong and pacified Gongsun, made plans in Xuchang, and the generals won battles in the border areas. Jingzhou repelled Sun Quan, Yangzhou built four cities, and Qinzhou repelled Zhuge Liang. You can be said to have obeyed orders."

"Now that the generals have received the fine wine bestowed by Your Majesty, even though they are thousands of miles away, they still feel the grace of Your Majesty. This is all due to Your Majesty's benevolence and great grace!"

Cao Rui smiled and waved his hand: "Don't brag about me, Lord Dong. If you say too many nice things, I will become proud too."

"Today, I rode in the same carriage with the general to discuss the border situation. I plan to let Wei Pushe succeed the general and supervise the military affairs of Yong, Qin, and Yizhou, just like Chen Situ of Yangzhou and Zhao Boren of Jingzhou."

"What do you think, Commander?"

Dong Zhao still smiled, but he was worried. Your Majesty has already discussed this with the general, but you asked me about this matter in public. What can I say? If I say anything, wouldn't I offend your Majesty, the general, and Duke Zhen of Wei?

Dong Zhao bowed and said, "Duke Wei is well versed in government affairs, wise and capable of making decisions. It is a good idea to have him serve in Guanxi."

"If he leaves, the post of Zuo Pushe in the Shangshutai will be vacant."

Cao Rui smiled and looked at everyone: "Today, all of you are my trusted friends and brothers, and you are here to share my worries. Do you have anyone suitable to recommend? Feel free to speak up, I will only consider reputation and talent."

Cao Zhen cupped his hands and said, "The affairs of the Shangshutai are complicated, and the post of Pushe cannot be filled without someone who can lead the overall situation. Perhaps we should select someone from the Shangshutai."

"The commander is here!"

Dong Zhao also said carefully: "Your Majesty, I usually deal with more military affairs. The position of Shangshu Zuo Pushe is very important. I dare not speak rashly."

"Qian Qing!" Cao Rui pointed at Qian Zhao: "What do you have to say?"

Qian Zhao responded carefully: "Your Majesty, I don't know who to recommend for the moment." (End of this chapter)