Has the Han Dynasty been restored today?

Chapter 102 Luoyang (Bonus chapter 4/5 for Alliance Leader Man·Liuyun Zhishang)

The messenger carrying the military order has already set off from Mianyang City, heading swiftly westward to catch up with Jiang Wei's army.

Meanwhile, the mission returning from Chang'an also arrived in Luoyang.

When Guanqiu Jian set off, he took Guo Huai's third son, Guo Lin, with him to Chang'an. The court had already appointed the twenty-four-year-old Guo Lin as a separate commander with a salary of 1,000 shi (a unit of grain measurement). When Guanqiu Jian returned, he brought back Guo Huai's eldest son, Guo Tong.

After entering Luoyang through the Ximing Gate on the west side, Xiahou Xuan, having nothing else to do, bid farewell to Guanqiu Jian and returned home. Guanqiu Jian, on the other hand, led Guo Tong north around the Jin Market, intending to first report to the Southern Palace Secretariat before entering the Northern Palace to request an audience with the Emperor.

Guanqiu Jian left Luoyang less than twenty days ago, and the Southern Palace of Luoyang had already changed drastically.

Entering the Southern Palace through the Changhe Gate to the south, Guanqiu Jian saw laborers and piles of timber, bricks, and tiles everywhere. The official on duty there informed Guanqiu Jian that he could not pass through the Changhe Gate to the Shangshutai (Imperial Secretariat), nor could he enter through the Sima Gate to the east; he had to enter through the small Dongye Gate to the east.

Guanqiu Jian was speechless for a moment. He looked at Nangong, which had become a construction site, and helplessly went out to get into the car, intending to detour to the east to enter again.

Guo Tong rode in the same carriage as Guanqiu Jian, sitting beside him, and carefully smiled ingratiatingly: "Lord Guanqiu, I am somewhat puzzled. Is this a palace renovation project?"

"Yes." Guanqiu Jian nodded slightly: "An imperial edict was issued at the beginning of the first month to build the Taiji Hall in the South Palace, the Zhaoyang Hall in the North Palace, and the Zongzhang Temple next to the Fanglin Garden. It seems that construction has already begun."

"I see." Guo Tong feigned realization: "I have been in Guanzhong for a long time and have never entered the Southern Palace or the Northern Palace. I will have to trouble Lord Guanqiu to give me some pointers."

Guanqiu Jian knew that Guo Tong was just trying to make conversation and get closer to him, so he simply hummed in response and sat in the carriage with his eyes closed to rest, without saying another word.

In fact, nine years earlier, in the same year that Zhuge Liang first invaded Longyou, Emperor Cao Rui wanted to conscript people to build a palace in Luoyang. However, he was stopped by the strong remonstrances of Wang Lang, the Minister of Works, Gao Rou, the Minister of Justice, and others. Guanqiu Jian also submitted a memorial to the throne, advising against the construction of the palace, and the project was eventually halted.

When people advised Cao Rui, most of the reasons given were that the Wu and Shu rebels were causing trouble, and the court should conserve manpower and stockpile grain, and should not engage in large-scale construction projects.

Now that Zhuge Liang is dead, Emperor Cao Rui's authority has reached its zenith, and his increasingly eccentric personality stems from his poor health. With Zhuge Liang gone, can't a palace still be built?

The so-called "old ministers" in the court no longer dared to offer advice. The so-called "close ministers," such as Guanqiu Jian, were either unwilling to advise or too busy with important duties to do so. As a result, half of the Southern Palace, as well as parts of the Northern Palace and Fanglin Garden, became construction sites within a month.

After Chen Jiao stepped down as Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, the current Imperial Secretariat of Wei does not have a Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. Instead, the Right Vice Minister of the Imperial Secretariat is in charge of all affairs of the Imperial Secretariat.

Guanqiu Jian simply explained the situation to Wei Zhen before leaving the Secretariat for the Northern Palace. Wei Zhen, always conservative, openly opposed Cao Rui and Guanqiu Jian's plan to attack Liaodong.

But—just like Cao Rui's desire to build a palace. Situ Chen Qun repeatedly submitted memorials to Cao Rui, but Cao Rui refused to accept them. Who could possibly stop Cao Rui from building a palace?

Similarly, if Cao Rui wanted to attack Liaodong, who could stop him?

Guanqiu Jian arrived at the North Palace and waited for a long time before learning from the eunuchs that Cao Rui was not in the North Palace, but in Jinyong City in the northwest of Luoyang. Guanqiu Jian then rushed to Jinyong City and finally met Cao Rui.

As a close advisor, Guanqiu Jian told Cao Rui everything he had heard and seen since arriving in Chang'an, without holding back any secrets. Cao Rui remained expressionless throughout. It wasn't until Guanqiu Jian mentioned Yan Fei, the Prefect of Jingzhao, saying, "My lord has been appointed to the post of Governor of Shaanxi," that Cao Rui finally lost his temper. He abruptly swept his sleeves, knocking all the snacks and food on the table in front of him to the ground.

"Hahaha, my lord? The assignment of Shaanxi?" Cao Rui's face gradually turned cold: "The assignment of Shaanxi! When did I assign Shaanxi to Sima Yi? Does he want to compare himself to the Duke of Shao, or the Duke of Zhou?"

"What a fine appointment to govern Shaanxi! I've witnessed firsthand the extent of flattery in this world!" Cao Rui abruptly stood up, pointing at Guanqiu Jian: "Zhonggong, the military market magistrate was killed, and this is how Yan Fei responded?"

Seeing Cao Rui's anger, Guanqiu Jian dared not say anything more, but simply bowed deeply.

"Excellent! How virtuous is Yan Hui! What a fine descendant of Yan Hui!" Cao Rui sneered, "Where is the Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat? Summon him in!"

The eunuch went to make the arrangements, and soon after, Sun Zi walked in with small steps.

"Your subject is here," said Sun Zi, the Grand Secretary, bowing respectfully.

Cao Rui said, "I hereby appoint Yan Fei as the Prefect of Pingyuan, and order him to set off immediately upon receiving the imperial edict."

"Yes." Sun Zi nodded.

Cao Rui then said, "After he arrives at Pingyuan, issue an imperial edict ordering him to serve as the governor of Jiangxia."

"Yes—" Sun Zi continued to agree, though he seemed somewhat hesitant at this moment.

Cao Rui continued, "Once he arrives in Jiangxia, transfer him to Zhangye in Liangzhou to serve as governor!"

Sun Zi pursed his lips, looked at the furious Cao Rui, bowed, and didn't dare to say a word.

"Forget it," Cao Rui said, squinting. "Just transfer him to Pingyuan. He's over sixty years old; it's uncertain whether he can even make it to Pingyuan. The latter two appointments don't need to be issued."

"Your subject obeys the decree and will go to draft it immediately." Sun Zi bowed again and then carefully withdrew from the hall.

Sun Zi didn't know why Cao Rui was so angry, but based on his years of experience serving Cao Rui, Sun Zi was now certain that Yan Fei had no chance of surviving.

After Sun Zi left, Cao Rui, still clutching his chest, appeared extremely angry: "Prefect of Jingzhao! Prefect of Jingzhao! Zhonggong, I intend to abolish this Jingzhao Prefecture!"

"Your Majesty—" Guanqiu Jian had no idea what Cao Rui was going to do at this point.

Cao Rui slowly said, "At the end of last month, I selected two adopted sons from the imperial clan, one named Cao Fang and the other Cao Xun. Neither of my sons has been granted a title of king yet. Zhong Gong, what do you think would be a good place to grant them fiefdoms?"

"Your subject—your subject is foolish and dull," Guanqiu Jian replied, bowing respectfully.

Guanqiu Jian felt that he had missed a lot during his ten-odd days in Chang'an, and he didn't even know that Emperor Cao Rui had adopted two children from the imperial clan!

Cao Rui remained silent for a few moments before speaking: "I remember during the Warring States period, Qin was in the west and Qi was in the east. Qin was the Western Emperor, and Qi was the Eastern Emperor. With two emperors in the east and west, surely another emperor would emerge? Now we have Qi Commandery, which will be renamed Qi State and granted to Fang'er. Jingzhao Commandery will be renamed Qin State and granted to Xun'er."

"Zhonggong, do you think this matter is appropriate?"

Guanqiu Jian pondered for a long time, sighed inwardly, and bowed, replying, "Your Majesty is wise. I believe Qin and Qi are excellent states. Guo Boji's son, Guo Tong, has also come with me. Would Your Majesty like to see him—"

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