Cao Zhen reported the situation in Yangzhou after he finished reporting the situation in the army of Jingzhou.
Cao Zhen said, "Since the end of August, when Sun Quan retreated from Jiangxia, and Zhuge Jin and Zhang Bai failed to capture Xiangyang, there have been no further conflicts along the border of Jingzhou. Chen Qun submitted a memo to the court, asking when he could return to Luoyang."
Chen Qun wanting to return to Luoyang? Cao Rui sent him to Jingzhou precisely to get Chen Qun out of the Secretariat, in order to consolidate power. How could he let Chen Qun return at this time?
Without hesitation, Cao Rui said decisively, "Leave Chen Qun in Jingzhou and do not let him leave! I want to strengthen the border army's combat capabilities. The matters previously discussed about the irrigation in Jingzhou, the navy, and military equipment still need Chen Qun to oversee them in Jingzhou. We can talk about it again after dealing with these matters in a few years."
Whether Chen Qun returns to Luoyang or not is of course irrelevant to Cao Zhen.
Cao Zhen replied, "Then I will reply to Chen Qun accordingly."
Cao Rui nodded in agreement.
Upon seeing that Cao Zhen had finished his report, Sima Yi began to speak as well. Sima Yi said, "Your Majesty, two days ago, the governor of Nanyang reported that there might be a plague in Nanyang. I have dealt with it according to custom."
Cao Rui furrowed his brow and said, "Might have a plague? What does 'might' mean?"
Sima Yi explained, "It's just that a village outside of Nanyang has recently seen dozens of people with diarrhea and weak symptoms. Fortunately, the village is quite close to the main road, and the scope of the plague has not yet expanded. The governor of Nanyang has already dispatched troops to encircle the village and report to the court in a hurry."
Cao Rui said, "It is correct to surround the village, so that the epidemic will not spread further as people move around. Will this cause a major epidemic this time?"
Sima Yi slightly shook his head and said, "I think it is unlikely. The last major epidemic was during the Yellow Calendar Year 4. The epidemic occurred in the army during the campaign against Jiangling, and after the army returned north, it spread to Yan and Xu."
Cao Rui asked, "How many losses did the previous major epidemic cause?"
Sima Yi pondered for a moment before replying, "In the army, there were over a thousand deaths, and adding the civilian deaths in Yan and Xu, there might have been around ten thousand people."
Cao Rui sighed softly and said, "Epidemics are natural disasters, and what can humans do? Tell the governor of Nanyang that just surrounding the village is not enough. The soldiers also need to pay attention to cleanliness to prevent epidemics. Have those who have not yet fallen ill take care of those who have fallen ill. Send salt, grain, and other necessities from the county if needed, so that no one goes hungry."
Sima Yi bowed and responded, "Your Majesty's benevolence."
Cao Rui said, "Marquis Sima, issue this order to all the commanderies and states. If there are any epidemics again, the top priority is to isolate! Secondly, pay attention to the cleanliness and diet of those who are isolated, and also ensure the living needs of the people who are isolated."
Sima Yi nodded in agreement.
As the conversation continued, the team slowly approached the edge of the Luo River. A short distance away was a floating bridge that spanned across the river.
Cao Rui pointed to the floating bridge and asked, "When was this floating bridge built? Do you know if it is stable?"
Sima Yi replied, "This floating bridge has been around since the Han Dynasty. Both sides of the Luo River rely on it for transportation."
Cao Rui nodded, then gently reined in his horse. Seeing the emperor jump off the horse, Cao Zhen, Sima Yi, and a crowd of officials accompanying him also dismounted.
Cao Rui pointed to the Luo River, smiling as he said, "You all know that the Luo River produces grass carp, don't you? The grass carp from the Luo River is delicious, with soft and tender meat and few bones. It's a must-try. Next time, I will have the Grand Chef send some to all of you."
Cao Zhen smiled and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty. The Luo River is so close to the capital city that the fish might still be swimming when they are delivered to the city."
Cao Rui nodded and said, "Exactly. If it is as the Grand Chef says, the golden fish slices that I have tasted are delivered from the Luo River, prepared and served on the table within just two hours."
A gust of autumn wind blew past, and several leaves slowly fell from the trees along the riverbank. When they reached the Luo River, the waves pushed them downstream.
The Luo River meanders gracefully, like a ribbon of jade, tying a long lasting knot in the history river. On the river surface, occasionally some waterbirds fly over, stirring up ripples.
Cao Rui gazed at the Luo River ruffled by the autumn wind, his heart filled with profound feelings. For a moment, he was lost in thought while staring at the water surface. How many vows, both true and false, had been witnessed by the waves of the Luo River?
Sima Yi and Cao Zhen stood closest to the emperor. Cao Rui turned his head and saw Sima Yi standing beside him.
Cao Rui asked out loud, "I seem to remember that there is an anecdote about the Luo River. Does anyone among you recall it?"
As high-ranking officials in the imperial court, who would be uneducated? The emperor standing by the Luo River and asking for an anecdote prompted everyone to respond positively, claiming to know it.
Cao Rui shifted his gaze to Sima Yi's face: "Marquis Sima, you come and tell me this anecdote."
Sima Yi nodded and didn't seem to find anything unusual. As an accomplished scholar who had read extensively in history and literature, this problem was beneath him.
Sima Yi spoke slowly, "I recall that this anecdote took place during the reign of Emperor Guangwu of the Han Dynasty."
"The Emperor Guangwu of the Han Dynasty, in his early years, joined forces with his elder brother Liu Yu to rise up in arms. As Liu Yu captured the city of Yan, Liu Xiu defeated the elite troops of Wang Mang under the city walls of Kuangyang with over four hundred thousand soldiers. Because of this, Liu Xiu and his brother Liu Yu were greatly envied by Emperor Gaozu, Liu Xuan."
"Under the encouragement of Li Yi and Zhu Nan, Liu Xuan was arrested and killed by Liu Xuan."
"Guangwu led the main forces of the Han army of more than 200,000 troops south from Handan with his own command. He was preparing to take control of Luoyang. However, due to the fierce resistance by Zhu Nan's forces, the Han army surrounded Luoyang for months but failed to capture it."
"Since a direct attack was unsuccessful, Guangwu decided to try to persuade Zhu Nan to surrender. Guangwu sent Chen Peng to Luoyang to negotiate the surrender. Chen Peng had once been a captain under Zhu Nan's command, and Zhu Nan had shown favoritism towards Chen Peng."
"Chen Peng came to the city of Luoyang and called Zhu Nan to meet him. Zhu Nan was on the city walls, and Chen Peng was below them. They greeted each other warmly and talked as if they had always known each other. However, Zhu Nan worried that because he had harmed Guangwu's brother, Guangwu might harm him."
"After Chen Peng returned to Guangwu's camp and reported, to calm Zhu Nan's mind, Guangwu swore by the Luo River that he would not harm Zhu Nan. Zhu Nan was later promoted to a title of a duke, and was also appointed as the Minister of Finance."
Sima Yi slowly recounted the anecdote and then bowed to Cao Rui, "Your Majesty, that is the Guangwu anecdote that I remember."
Cao Rui said, "The promise made by Emperor Guangwu to Zhu Nan must have been made here at the Luo River, not far from where we are now."
Cao Rui looked at Sima Yi and said, "I am somewhat curious. Are there any historical records of what Guangwu said that day?"
"This..." Cao Rui's words left Sima Yi at a loss. Sima Yi had always approached reading with a focus on practicality, belonging to the type of person who absorbs the essence of the books without delving too deeply, satisfied with just understanding them. Now that Cao Rui asked him for specific details, Sima Yi couldn't recall them immediately.
Sima Yi could only awkwardly bow and say, "Your Majesty, I apologize, I am unable to recall the details."
Cao Rui nodded, "It's normal to forget. Even I previously couldn't remember it. It was only after I memorized it specifically that I was able to recall it."
Cao Rui turned to look at everyone and said slowly, "A person who is building great achievements does not grudge small grievances. If Zhu Nan were to surrender now, his position and title could be preserved, let alone punishment? The Luo River is here, and I will not break my word."
Cao Rui finished speaking and looked at Sima Yi, "What do you think of Guangwu's oath at the Luo River?"
