The map slowly unfolds, depicting the counties, mountains, rivers of the Wei Kingdom on the white left Bo paper.
Cao Zhen and Sima Yi, both serve as Inspectors General of Military Affairs in and out, while the other controls the army's supplies and logistics. Although both have seen military maps before, this one from Cao Ruㄟ cannot be compared to the ones they had seen before.
The difference lies in the fact that this border defense map actually depicts the routes of all previous wars between Wei and Wu, Wei and Shu. The attacking, engaging, and retreating routes of the past twenty years are all clearly shown on such a large map.
Cao Rui watched as the two fixed their eyes intently on the map, feeling rather proud in his heart.
Cao Zhen stared in amazement at the map, pointing out the successive marching routes marked by different colored arrows on the map as he looked at it.
Cao Zhen lightly knocked on the city on the map, muttering to himself: "This is Luoyang, to the south is Nanyang, and this is Xiangyang."
"Luoyang is three hundred miles from Nanyang, and Nanyang is two hundred and sixty miles from Xiangyang... Indeed, it's true. I've walked this route when accompanying Emperor Wu to fight against Liu Bei, as well as during the first campaign against Wu."
Cao Zhen shifted his gaze to the east: "This route is... Starting from Xuchang, following the Cai and Yingsheng rivers to the Huai River, then passing through Shouchun to reach Guangling. This was the route taken during the campaign against Wu in Year Five of Huang Chu."
Cao Zhen couldn't help but exclaim in awe: "The Emperor's map is truly remarkable. All past attacking and combat routes and locations are clearly visible to me on such a map."
Cao Zhen spoke forthrightly: "But I also wonder, Your Majesty, what do you wish to discern from this map?"
Sima Yi was also diligently examining this border defense map. Upon hearing Cao Zhen's question, he also turned to look at the Emperor.
There is no evidence to suggest that Cao Rui has exceptional military strategy. If one does not understand military strategy, can they study warfare?
Of course not. If there is any particular advantage that this time-traveler, Cao Rui, has, it is clearly the way of thinking from his later times.
Cao Rui spent a month collecting and researching the archives, analyzing previous campaigns and frontline generals. With the help of Huang Quan and other ministers, he organized it into categories and completed the task.
Cao Rui, seeing Cao Zhen's question, cleared his throat and replied: "Although I do not understand military affairs, if I compile the routes of previous wars into a map, I can still obtain a lot of useful information."
Cao Rui took out a slightly dry brush from the pen stand and tapped the map with the tip of the brush.
"You see, during his reign, the late Emperor positioned Fort Hefei in the east, guarded Xiangyang in the south, and fortified Qiyama in the west. These strategic locations were fortified in all three directions."
"I am also puzzled as to why it is Hefei, why it is Xiangyang and Qi Yama. Only after I flipped through the archives and examined the previous routes did I begin to understand a bit."
Cao Rui pointed with the tip of his brush at Xiangyang: "From Wanyang to Luoyang, south to Fancheng, facing the Han River directly. The Han River is not as vast as the Yangtze River, but Xiangyang is south of the Han River. Holding Xiangyang prevents the Wus from crossing the Han River and thus preserves Nanyang."
As Cao Rui's introduction, the tip of the brush moved to Hefei: "For military operations in the Huainan region, logistics and supplies are the biggest challenge. The late Emperor always gathered troops and transported supplies through waterways during his campaigns against Wu."
"The primary goal of the campaign against Wu is to occupy the northern bank of the Yangtze River and allow our naval forces to cross at ease. So where would our navy travel?"
"During the reign of Emperor Wu, the navy would always set out from Qiao County, enter the Huai River via the Wou River, then proceed to Hefei via the Fei River. After that, they would attack Ruyu Port; if they captured Ruyu, the navy could then enter the great river."
"In summary, Hefei is a crucial location that blocks both the path of our army heading south and the path of the Wu army heading north. Have you seen how many times Sun Quan has attacked Hefei?"
Sima Yi nodded in agreement: "The Emperor speaks very accurately. Hefei not only serves as a key location for both river and land transportation along the Jianghuai region, but it is also the convergence point of numerous roads in the Huainan area. If we control Hefei, Wu will have great difficulty moving northward."
Cao Rui looked at Sima Yi: "Your Majesty's words are the same as mine. General Cao, Minister Sima, I am not repeating the previous battles with you. You are much more familiar with these battles than I am."
"Your Majesty is saying that if we want to consolidate our current borders, these cities at strategic locations such as Hefei, Xiangyang, and Qi Yama are essential."
"What I seek is for Wu and Shu, using the strength of several states, to gather a crowd of over one hundred thousand men to attack Hefei, Xiangyang, and Qi Yama. At that time, these cities must be able to give me a steady defense!"
"If these cities can be held, Wu and Shu will find it hard to move northward again, and our great Wei can rest and recuperate, accumulate national strength. Then, when the time is right, we can retake lost territory! Both of you, what do you think of my plan?"
Cao Zhen and Sima Yi fell into deep thought. Indeed, what Cao Rui said was very correct, but it was merely correct, like correct but useless words.
Cao Zhen thought for a moment and said: "Your Majesty, take Sun Quan of the Jiangdong area for example. If Sun Quan mobilizes the entire nation to attack, with a hundred thousand troops moving out at once, what then? Zhou Wen of Hefei is no longer there."
Cao Rui replied without any hesitation: "That is exactly what I mean! If Sun Quan brings a hundred thousand troops to attack, I need cities like Hefei, or Xiangyang, or Jingsha, to be fortified with strongholds, adequately supplied with grain and fodder. They should be able to hold out without the need for central forces, relying on the local border troops and regional armies."
Cao Zhen slightly surprised: "Your Majesty, every time Sun Quan attacks, the central forces always come from the southbound route via Yan City or Luoyang. With just border troops, how can they defend against a hundred thousand people?"
Cao Rui nodded: "General Cao, you have pointed out the crux of the matter. I ask you, during the campaign against Jingling in Huang Chu's third year, how many troops did we send and how many troops were inside the city? And how long did we attack?"
Cao Zhen thought for a moment: "I led fifty thousand troops, with thirty thousand of my own under me attacking Jingling, and Xiahou Shang led twenty thousand to defend against possible reinforcement by the Wu army. The defending forces inside Jingling should have been between five thousand and ten thousand, holding out for half a year."
Cao Rui said: "The city of Jingling can be held, so why can't the city of Hefei? I hope that all these cities, Hefei, Xiangyang, and Qi Yama, can be fortified like Jingling."
"The frontier troops can hold out, attracting troops to the area. This will allow the central forces to move with ease and time for strategic deployment. Whether it's a decisive battle in the north or another route to advance southward, this is far superior to the central forces being fatigued from continuous movement."
"As for the specific implementation, I would like both General Cao and Minister Sima to further study and research it."
Both Cao Zhen and Sima Yi accepted the task. The two now shared the same thoughts in their minds: was it because Cao Cao did not want to defend or because Cao Pi did not want to defend so well?
Cao Rui looked at the two who had just accepted their missions. There were many things he wanted to say but didn't. To increase the strength of the frontier troops, besides the obvious way of increasing numbers, there were also better city defenses, more advanced military equipment, and more advanced crop cultivation solutions that could be considered.
I will explain these things to them gradually.
According to Cao Rui's meaning, the most critical issue for Wei Country is that the frontier troops' ability to defend cities is too poor, and they always need to call on the central forces from the capital to save the situation.
For example, in the Battle of Xiangyang and Fancheng, Cao Cao's central forces had just fought in Hanzhong and had to travel thousands of miles to fight in Xiangyang and Fancheng. Just by scheduling the central forces' losses and expenses, the borders could be better defended.
Increasing the combat effectiveness of the frontier troops is a long and arduous task...
As the two were about to leave, Cao Rui suddenly asked: "When the late Emperor returned from the Battle of Guangling and marched northbound along the Central Canal, because the Central Canal was dry, he originally wanted to burn all the boats. But who brought them back then? I'm a bit unsure."
Sima Yi bowed and replied: "Your Majesty, it was Jiang Ji."
Cao Rui asked, "Minister Sima, how is the character of this person? I wish to appoint him as the Middle Commandery General."
Sima Yi said: "Jiang Ji is well-rounded, both physically and intellectually, making him a talent for governance. I believe he can be of great use."
Cao Rui nodded: "I am aware."
