The military strength of Wei is now half crippled.
It is called "half crippled" because the national power is weak and it is difficult to muster military forces to campaign against Dongwu (the Eastern Wu) and Shuhan (the Shu Han).
After Cao Cao lost the Battle of Red Cliffs, the Wei kingdom has been unable to make major advances against Wu and Shu. It can only defend itself and cannot launch offensive campaigns, hence it is referred to as "half crippled".
But why can the "half crippled" Wei state still withstand pressure?
That is because both Dongwu and Shu Han are also in a state of "half crippled."
After four hundred years of brilliant years under the Han Dynasty, various long-standing contradictions suddenly burst into flames in the chaotic era of the end of the Han Dynasty.
Great families, landlords, warlords, bandits, years of conflict drained the national strength and people's strength of China.
The historical clock has turned to the era of the Three Kingdoms, and in essence, it has already entered the garbage time.
Cao Wei, Dong Wu, and Shu Han, the three political entities that stood as equal powers on the Chinese soil, were all simultaneously plunged into weakened state.
In the Imperial Study, Cao Rui and the four regents were discussing military affairs. The true reason why Emperor Cao Wei made three southern expeditions during the Huangchu years without any achievements was ultimately due to insufficient national strength.
There were a total of thirteen states under the Han Dynasty, with the Yizhou, Jingzhou, Yangzhou, and Jiaozhou being controlled by Dong Wu and Shu Han.
Wei also holds nine states.
Nine states against four, as long as Wei can develop steadily without disrupting its formation, it can drag these two forces to death.
Unfortunately, the emperors of the historical Wei Dynasty were not very capable. Emperor Cao Pi ruled for six years and lived to be forty years old. Emperor Cao Rui reigned for thirteen years and lived to be thirty-six years old.
The two emperors combined had a lifespan similar to that of Sima Yi, who lived to be seventy-three years old.
Early-deceased emperors, youthful monarchs, oppressive power-holders, lost military power, incompetent royal family members, and external enemy states...
Only after these signs of the country's collapse came together did Wei Dynasty fall under Sima Yi's control.
Cao Rui now needs to prevent these events from occurring. He only needs to do two things: first, live long; second, accumulate national strength. That's all.
This is the essence of simplicity in great principles. The best solution to many things is often the simplest truth.
Just this simplest of truths, people often fail to understand in their entire lifetime.
The backs of the four regents gradually faded into the distance. Cao Rui looked at the drafts scattered on the ground, intending to call the palace eunuch to pick them up.
But thinking of the swimsuit design on the drafts, Cao Rui decided it was better for him to bend down himself. Life is about movement; his recently aching back needed some exercise.
Liu Yue's gaze was still directed towards the direction where the others had left. Cao Rui saw this and asked, "What are you thinking, Minister?"
Liu Yue snapped back to his senses: "Your Majesty, I was thinking about the Wu-Shu-Yishiling War."
"During the time when Wu and Shu were at war, I once advised the late emperor to launch a full-scale attack on Wu, but he did not agree."
“After the Eastern Wu emerged victorious, the late emperor then led an expedition against Wu, and I tried to dissuade him, but he would not listen.”
"I merely feel a sense of regret."
Liu Yue is indeed a man of wisdom. From the perspective of hindsight, his two suggestions were very timely.
Cao Rui merely glanced at Liu Yue and did not respond.
Liu Yue was unsure of Cao Rui's thoughts and feared he had upset the emperor, so he quickly added, "Your Majesty."
"Our Great Wei will eventually be able to subdue the Wu pirates."
Cao Rui pondered for a moment: "I remember that Huang Quan of Shu Han surrendered to Great Wei during the Yishiling War, right?"
Liu Yue replied, "That's right. During the Yishiling War, Huang Quan was separated from the main force due to roadblock and was forced to surrender to our country."
"The late emperor was very generous with Huang Quan. He was appointed as the Commanding General of the Southern Region and given the title of Minister as well."
Cao Rui asked, "Where is Huang Quan now?"
Liu Yue replied, "He is currently serving at the Ministry of Personnel. According to the system, I and Xin Shizhong are permanent Ministers of Personnel, attending to Your Majesty's side daily to provide counsel. As for Huang Quan, who was an additional appointment as a Minister, he merely waits in the waiting room for Your Majesty's summons."
Cao Rui was somewhat surprised: "If I don't summon him, what can he do?"
Liu Yue nodded and replied, "Indeed, he has nothing to do."
Cao Rui rubbed his nose, his expression slightly helpless. It seems that the Wei court really employs many idle nobles.
At this moment, Zhong Yu had been waiting outside for a long time. Cao Rui called Zhong Yu in and asked, "Why is it just you here?"
Zhong Yu respectfully bowed: "I went to the Chang family mansion, where Lord Chang is lying sick in bed and unable to get up. He has delegated me to apologize to Your Majesty."
Cao Rui huffed: "Again with this empty formalities. If he's lying sick in bed, how can I blame him?"
"Shen, go and have Liu Fang draft an edict. The current head of the Nine Ministers, the Grand Master of Rites, is vacant. Let Chang Lin assume the title of Grand Master of Rites. As for the duties of the Ministry of Fine Arts, the emperor will make other arrangements."
Liu Yue retreated.
Cao Rui thought for a moment. Since everyone says that Wei's military strength is weak, and it's also a good opportunity, why not go to the Imperial Guard to check it out?
"Zhong Yu, come with the emperor." Cao Rui said to Zhong Yu, who was just bowing, and then quickly left the hall.
Zhong Yu was taken aback and hurriedly jogged a couple of steps to catch up with Cao Rui.
Zhong Yu's father is the veteran Zhong Yao, who is not only prestigious but also vigorous. He not only had the eldest son Zhong Yu at the age of 62, but also had another son, Zhong Hui, at the age of 75.
From this perspective, it can be said that among the Wei court officials who truly inherited the teachings of Luo Zicong's household alchemy techniques, Zhong Yao is certainly on the list.
Cao Rui would often think about the father-son pair of Zhong Yu and Zhong Yao and really be curious about how Minister of Tai (Zhong Yao) was able to maintain his vigor in old age.
Seeing Cao Rui step outside, the palace eunuch quickly brought the emperor's horse. After Cao Rui climbed onto the horse's back and mounted it with the eunuch's help, Zhong Zhu was still standing there in a daze.
Cao Rui winked at Zhong Yu: "What are you doing standing around in my palace, young Zhong?"
Zhong Yu looked at the emperor in a daze. As a fourteen-year-old boy, his eyes were full of tension and confusion.
Bi Jin stood in front of the horse and held the reins, glanced at the teasing emperor, and then smilingly handed the reins to Zhong Yu's direction.
Zhong Yu finally understood, and hurriedly stepped forward to take the reins of the horse for Cao Rui.
Cao Rui asked, "Do you know where the waiting room of the Ministry of Personnel is?"
Zhong Yu respectfully replied, "I know where it is. When I first entered the palace, Bi Eunuch introduced it to me."
Cao Rui said, "As long as you know that, let's go."
Zhong Yu nodded in agreement, then led Cao Rui's magnificent white horse under his saddle and walked towards the waiting room of the Ministry of Personnel.
Cao Rui sat on his horse, watching Zhong Yu walking in front of him, and at this moment, he only felt amused.
The roads in the Luoyang Palace were paved with bricks and stones, the hooves of the horse made a clucking sound on the path, and Cao Rui's body fluctuated up and down with the rise and fall of the saddle.
"Zhong Yu, have you ever ridden a horse for your father, Zhong Tai Yi?"
Zhong Yu responded as they walked, "Your Majesty, I have never ridden a horse for my father."
Cao Rui looked ahead at Zhong Yu: "Riding a horse for one's father is a son's duty. But you only ride with me in the palace, it seems you are more concerned with your official duties than with filial piety."
Zhong Yu, hearing this, grew somewhat anxious, and his pace slowed slightly. He hurriedly explained, "I have heard that when serving one's sovereign, one should be loyal, and when serving one's father, one should be filial. Loyalty comes before filial piety. Therefore, I cannot be considered unfilial."
Cao Rui laughed heartily: "Go home and ask your father, see what he has to say."
Zhong Yu's face turned even redder, and he quickly agreed.
