The ministers all longed to work in departments with real power.
After all, honorary offices and titles were only honors. Real power let them rake in more benefits and earn more distinction.
Yet now, Xun Yi announced that he wanted to leave the Imperial Secretariat.
When he knelt before Cao Mao and asked to leave, Cao Mao could not help trying to persuade him to stay.
"Lord Xun, why is this?"
"You have served in the Imperial Secretariat the longest and know its affairs best. Without you, what would happen to its business? Who would handle it?"
"You must not leave!"
But Xun Yi shook his head. He was now as eager to leave the Imperial Secretariat as he had once been to take charge of it.
The Imperial Secretariat of the past had wielded real power, but it had not been busy. The ministers had numerous subordinate clerks, the various secretaries' duties were poorly defined, and quite a few people simply coasted through their days.
Xun Yi had little talent for governance. Learned and accomplished, he leaned more toward scholarship. Historically, when he served as a secretary, he oversaw officials' promotions and transfers. The ministers of the time were very satisfied with him and considered him fair.
Just how fair was Xun Yi? Every official he promoted met Sima Zhao's expectations, and he was also deeply favored by Sima Yan.
Later, he even praised Jia Nanfeng to Sima Yan's face as "graceful in bearing and rich in virtue," fit to become the crown princess.
In all conscience, Jia Nanfeng did not fit a single word of that description!
Xun Yi's specialty was navigating worldly relationships. As he saw it, only by helping and supporting one another could the great clans give everyone a bright future.
Sure enough, after Jia