Jiang Xia, Wen Hui, Xun Yu, Xun Family......
Emperor Caofei has already approached the scholarly families of Yingchuan very closely. How could the generals in charge of war not do the same?
Thinking of this, Emperor Cao Wei sighed: "I was just worried about the military situation ahead, and I spoke out of turn."
Cao Zhen was at a loss for words. Instead, it was Sima Yi who saw the silence in the scene and wanted to initiate a conversation to resolve the situation.
Evidently, the shrewd Sima Yi had discovered certain details in the emperor's words that reflected his true feelings.
The emperor first mentioned 'Wen Pin ingratiating himself with Xun Yu', and then went on to mention 'Wen Pin ingratiating himself with the people of Yingchuan'.
If Sima Yi's assessment is correct, the emperor has only met Xun Yu once, so there can be no personal likes or dislikes. Wen Pin has been stationed in Jiang Xia for many years as a frontline general, and the emperor has no reason to dislike him.
The only reasonable explanation is that the emperor has not been sincere with the scholarly families of Yingchuan for a long time. Does Chen Qun's appointment to Zhiyao also have something to do with his origin from Yingchuan?
The emperor seems to dislike the people of Yingchuan? Sima Yi silently made a note of this matter in his mind.
Sima Yi said, "Your Majesty, I know that you are worried about the frontline generals' involvement with the nobility, but I think there is no need to be overly concerned at this time."
Emperor Cao Wei looked at Sima Yi, raising his eyebrows slightly.
Sima Yi continued, "I believe that Wen Pin has been stationed in Jiangxia for eighteen years. In reality, he has been on the border for a long time and knows little about court affairs. Since Your Majesty ascended the throne not long ago, Wen Pin is far from Luoyang and also not well-informed about Your Majesty, so he must be anxious in his heart."
"Now that an imperial inspector has arrived in Jiang Xia, coincidentally accompanied by some military achievements, Wen Pin does indeed have a component of ingratiating himself to Xun Yu. However, the person Wen Pin is trying to ingratiate himself with is actually Your Majesty."
These pleasing words coming from Sima Yi's mouth were not something Emperor Cao Wei was quite accustomed to. Perhaps Emperor Cao Wei himself wasn't aware, but he had become overly anxious about the military campaigns on the front lines.
Those who often cross over know that the first war or battle after crossing over is the most crucial.
Emperor Cao Wei, on the surface, felt that this Sun Quan invasion would have no major impact according to the historical trajectory.
But deep down, his concerns were not minor at all.
When Cao Wei looked at the records, he thought that all three countries of Wei, Shu, and Wu were equally weak. As long as they held their ground and developed steadily, waiting for the right time, they could push forward with a wave of their hands and achieve unification.
But after Cao Wei reviewed the military records of Wei, if I had to describe them in four words, it would be "shocking to the eyes."
It's simply because the Wei state has suffered too many defeats.
More accurately speaking, in the larger strategic sense, the Wei have never won against Shu Han and Wu.
This is not alarmist talk.
The Battle of Red Cliffs in the thirteenth year of the Jian'an era, where the alliance of Sun Quan and Liu Bei defeated the Wei army, is a well-known fact.
However, in the thirteenth year of Jian'an, the sixteenth year, the eighteenth year, and the twentieth year of the Eastern Wei Dynasty, Cao Cao launched four campaigns across the Chaohu Lake to attack Wu but never achieved any success.
I'm not saying Cao Cao has never won a battle, but from the strategic perspective, he has never achieved significant strategic goals.
Has Cao Cao ever won against Shu Han? I apologize, but from a general strategic standpoint, it's still a series of losses.
In the twenty-fourth year of Jian'an, Liu Bei led his army to attack Hanzhong. In the Battle of Dingjun Mountain, Xiahou Yuanshen was killed by the veteran Huang Zhong of Liu Bei, and even later when Cao Cao led his army personally, he couldn't change the outcome.
In the twenty-fourth year of Jian'an, Guan Yu launched a northern attack on Xiangfan, flooding the seven armies and terrifying all of China. Cao Cao even contemplated moving the capital as a result.
The following year, Cao Cao passed away, and then Cao Pi took the stage.
The situation with regard to foreign wars under Cao Pi was no different. Unfortunately, there were no significant progressions.
He launched three campaigns against Wu, but the first one was a proactive retreat, and in the second and third campaigns, he never actually engaged in battle.
How was the situation with regard to the war with Shu Han under Cao Pi? The situation was basically one of a lack of military engagements, with the seven years of Cao Pi's reign slipping away.
Ask any person of normal intelligence, let alone an emperor, to see such poor military performance from the Wei state, and what confidence could they possibly have?
Perhaps one can only pray that the opponent is also poor, leading to a strategic stalemate, and just keep enduring like this.
The Wei state's anyone could dare to dream. Cao Zhen could dream, Sima Yi could dream.
It's just that Emperor Cao Wei cannot. This is not only because, as an emperor, the success or failure of the country's military affairs concerns his own life and safety as well as his reputation.
Moreover, he is well aware that Zhuge Liang will not be content in Shu Zhong, and will definitely continue to launch invasions of the Wei territory. Each time, it will be even more fierce.
Sun Quan will also continue to persistently attack the north. Sun Quan also aims to raise his prestige through a major victory and establish himself as the emperor.
This is quite a difficult situation, and there's no way to just indulge in pleasure. This is the greatest feeling of Emperor Cao Wei at the moment.
If we summarize the situation carefully, Emperor Cao Wei's understanding can be divided into three stages within two and a half months.
The first stage is to see the mountains as mountains.
With the world divided into thirteen provinces, the Wei state occupies nine, while the rest - Yi Province, Jing Province, Yangzhou, and Jiao Province - are under Shu Han and Wu. With nine provinces against four, the advantage is on our side. We can just hold our ground and defend while waiting for things to unfold naturally.
The second stage is to see the mountains as something other than mountains.
What is military power? It's just the external manifestation of politics! If you want to govern politics well, you have to establish a balance between the scholarly families and the imperial family, you have to clean up the Imperial Academy, and you have to consolidate power and streamline procedures.
The third stage is to see the mountains as mountains again.
Political reforms and social class mobility are certainly desirable. But priorities matter. Look at it, Sun Quan has already attacked! By the latest, Zhuge Liang will launch his first invasion next year!
No one who just ascended the throne can immediately understand what they need to do, or immediately figure out the priorities of national affairs.
Emperor Cao Wei is no exception. His mind doesn't have a system that 'dings' to plan the best route for him.
Replacing Cao Xiu and Chen Qun, balancing the internal and external affairs, and consolidating power.
Cleaning up the Imperial Academy, making friends with Zhong Yin, and avoiding the monopoly of talent training by the scholarly families.
Dealing with Sima Fu and Chen Jiao, ensuring smooth administration of edicts from the Secretariat, and avoiding bickering in the court.
Two months to complete these tasks is already quite good. However, it is far from the point where Emperor Cao Wei can rest and enjoy himself.
When Emperor Cao Wei heard Sima Yi's words, he was momentarily confused. Was Sima Yi truly convinced that Wen Pin's actions were out of goodwill, or was he advising Emperor Cao Wei not to constantly suspect the scholars from Yingchuan?
As the few were discussing the front-line situation, Zhong Yu walked into the study room with a long scroll in his hands, taking his time.
Zhong Yu bowed and said, "Your Majesty, the border map has been drawn according to your instructions."
Emperor Cao Wei nodded and spread out the long scroll on the table. The scroll was about as long and wide as a person's hands when fully extended. When laid flat on the desk, it revealed all of Wei's mountain ranges, geographic features, and border fortifications.
After greeting Cao Zhen and Sima Yi, Zhong Yu stepped back and stood in the corner of the study room, waiting.
Emperor Cao Wei waved his hand, indicating that Cao Zhen and Sima Yi should come forward. The two were one literate and one martial, not to mention that Sima Yi had expertise in military strategies.
"General Cao, Sima Master, this is the new map of Wei's border defenses that I have had the attendants and riding officials create."
"Both of you may go and take a look."
