Chen Qun is an official, can he really lead troops in battle?
In today's world, at the point of Huang Chu Year 7, if one does not have the ability to predict the future, it would be much more reliable to send Chen Qun to lead troops in battle rather than letting Sima Yi do so.
The reason is very simple, at this time, Sima Yi is named as the General of QuanJun although he has never led troops in battle. Where did Sima Yi's title of General of QuanJun come from?
Two years ago, that is, in the fifth year of Huang Chu, Cao Pi embarked on his second southern campaign against Eastern Wu.
In addition to the three assistant officials, Cao Xiu, Cao Zhen, and Chen Qun, who were brought by Cao Pi to the front line at Guangling, Sima Yi was left behind in Xuchang as the rear guard.
Sima Yi had only two responsibilities in Xuchang. The first was to transport grain and supplies, and the second was to ensure the normal operation of the Board of Rites.
So Sima Yi's title of General of QuanJun was not given due to leading troops in battle, but rather because he was appointed for military supply and logistics. Although he indeed had 5,000 soldiers under his command, he had never been put to use.
What about Chen Qun?
I apologize, Chen Qun's military experience was relatively limited, but it was far richer than Sima Yi's.
While Sima Yi was stuck in Xuchang, Chen Qun went with Cao Pi to the front line at Guangling. Because Cao Zhen, who was originally commanding the central army, had a combat mission, Cao Pi entrusted Chen Qun with the command of the central army.
At the beginning of this year, when Cao Pi returned to Xuchang from the front line at Guangling, he appointed Chen Qun as the acting Inspector of the Eastern Army's Navy.
Although Chen Qun had never taken the initiative to command a war, when it comes to familiarity with troops and wars, Chen Qun was clearly one step ahead.
......
Cao Ren and Wei Zhen were chatting when gradually, a thin ray of light penetrated the darkness outside the room.
Wang Zheng hurriedly entered the palace at night and delivered the news of Eastern Wu's invasion. From the first batch of military reports from Wen Pei, it could be learned that Sun Quan sent troops across the Yangtze River to attack Jiangxia.
Although the number of troops and the names of the commanders were unknown, with General Wen Pei, who had been defending Jiangxia for nearly twenty years, Cao Ren was not worried about the sudden collapse of the Jiangxia defense line.
What worried Cao Ren was that if he sent Chen Qun to Jiangling, the historical trend would change greatly.
Can Chen Qun hold his ground? Can he win the battle?
How will the future timeline be altered?
Everything is unknown.
Cao Ren, however, understood that as an emperor, he must make decisive and courageous decisions at critical moments. To act decisively is to act; if he were like Yuan Shao, who was good at planning but lacked the ability to make quick decisions, nothing significant would be accomplished.
The candlelight in the study continued to flicker, and a breeze started at dawn, feeling a bit cool as it blew into the room.
After a simple conversation with Wei Zhen, Cao Ren understood Wei Zhen's thoughts. However, as Xiahou Xian and Chen Tai were still in the study, Cao Ren did not plan to discuss such high-level personnel appointments in front of them.
Cao Ren looked at Xiahou Xian and Chen Tai: "Have you two fought before?"
Xiahou Xian bowed: "Your Majesty, both I and Chen Tai have fought in battles. During the campaign against Eastern Wu in the third year of the Huang Chu era, I served under General Cao Zhen and participated in the siege of Jiangling."
Chen Tai also bowed: "At that time, I served under General Cao Ren and accompanied Cao Tai in the attack on Runeshu."
Cao Ren was not surprised upon hearing this. Xiahou Xian and Chen Tai's Wushuang Army belonged to the middle army of Cao Wei, or the guard troops according to other dynasties, and they were often dispatched to conquer the four corners.
Unlike the Southern and Northern armies of the Eastern Han Dynasty, which spent most of their time in Luoyang, the middle army of Cao Wei could both protect the emperor and go out to fight.
When Cao Cao served as the acting Prime Minister and fought battles across the land, his guards were the actual middle army of the Eastern Han Dynasty at that time.
For example, the imperial bodyguards led by Dian Wei, during every battle, would not only escort the Cao Cao's command tent, but also often take the first step in front of their troops.
For instance, during Cao Cao's battle against Ma Chao at Tongguan Pass, Xu Chu and his 'Tigers' who guarded Cao Cao not only fulfilled the task of protecting him but also simultaneously served as rear guards for the main army.
The middle army of Cao Wei can be considered a versatile player.
During his campaigns in the north and south, the middle army followed Cao Cao. The Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, which pursued Liu Bei at Changbanshuo and broke Wuhuan's cavalry, were also part of the middle army. The Seven Armies, which suffered heavy losses at Red Wall and were completely wiped out by Guan Yu's water attack at Xiangfan, all belonged to the middle army.
Therefore, it is not a strange thing that Xiahou Xian and Chen Tai, the young Duwei who guarded the palace, have actually fought on the battlefield.
Xiahou Xian's grandfather was Xiahou Dun, and Chen Tai's father was Chen Qun. The generals of the middle army of Cao Wei were either from the Qiao-Pei family or from high-ranking officials' families.
At this stage, people like this are indeed more reliable.
Cao Ren asked Xiahou Xian and Chen Tai, "In your opinions, what are the strengths and weaknesses of the Wu army?"
Xiahou Xian thought for a moment and said, "In my opinion, the Wu army is good at defending but not so good at attacking."
Cao Ren said, "How do you know?"
Xiahou Xian replied, "While I served under General Cao Zhen in the Western Command, during the campaign to besiege Jiangling, the Wu generals Sun Sheng and Zhuge Jin were defeated easily in two separate battles."
"However, during the attack on Jiangling City, despite using such methods as mounding up soil hills, digging tunnels, and throwing stones from siege engines, Jiangling City still could not be taken."
"So in my opinion, the Wu army is good at defense but not so good at attack."
Cao Ren nodded, and at this moment, Chen Tai who was standing beside Xiahou Xian seemed to have a different opinion, with an expression as if he wanted to speak.
Cao Ren saw this and asked, "Chen Tai, what do you have to say?"
Chen Tai thought for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, I have some differing opinions that I wish to express."
Cao Ren said, "Speak freely."
Chen Tai bowed: "Your Majesty, I believe that it cannot be said that the Wu army is good at defense or attack."
"In my opinion, the army of Wu is not uniform in its strength and leadership, and it cannot be generalized. If we really talk about the strength of the army, we can only say that Wu soldiers are more accustomed to water warfare. General Wen has been stationed at Jiangxia for over ten years, and I don't think there is much to worry about."
Cao Ren looked at Chen Tai who had spoken, recognizing that he was a member of the prestigious Chen family from Yingchuan. Even though he had joined the military, he was still able to analyze specific issues specifically. This was a rare talent under Xu Chu, a rough-and-tough man.
Cao Ren did not comment on the words of the two men, but instead directly sent them away.
The name Chen Tai had been etched in Cao Ren's mind.
Time passed by slowly, and it was already the fifth watch of the night.
Cao Ren, facing Wei Zhen, the official who had taught him government policies in the palace, directly expressed his thoughts that had been accumulating for several days.
"Master Wei, I wish to appoint Chen Qun as the commander of the battles in Jingling. What do you think?"
Wei Zhen stroked his long beard under his chin: "Your Majesty, do you really want to send Chen Qun? Chen Qun is cautious and serious, and he has previously managed the central army and been the supervisor of the navy. As for defense, Chen Qun would be adequate."
"However, if Your Majesty sends Chen Qun to Jingling, it may be better to pair him with a commander who is good at attack."
Cao Ren said, "Who do you have in mind, Master Wei?"
Wei Zhen replied, "Left General, Zhang He."
