"How did I know that the Great Wei could not be waited any longer?"
Cao Rui pointed to the Luo River and looked at the officials with a serious expression, "Have you seen the leaves floating on the Luo River? A falling leaf can tell the autumn. As the emperor of the Great Wei, I have already seen some signs."
"It was precisely these times of failed expeditions to Shu and Wu that told me."
"What does Shu Han want? Liu the Prime Minister once said a few words, which I remember very clearly."
Cao Rui recited slowly: "Shu, though narrow and weak, desires to show strength with its own might. It must use its people to demonstrate abundance.” Cao Rui continued: “The same was true of Liu Bei. He was a native of Jingzhou but governed Shu Province. Zhu Geliang, who came from the same background, would likely be more so, especially with the internal and external troubles of Shu Province. How could he resist launching a military expedition?”
Cao Rui looked at Cao Zhen, "General, you are the most familiar with the Yungang and Liang regions. How long has it been since we last fought against Shu Han?"
Cao Zhen replied seriously with a bow, "It has been approximately six or seven years since we last engaged in a major battle."
Cao Rui said, "Indeed, have you ever considered that if Wu and Shu put aside their differences and united to attack the north, with 100,000 troops from Huainan and 50,000 from Qin Shan, what would we do?"
"General Cao Zhen, Minister of the Grand Secretariat, do you think the central army can handle it?"
Sima Yi pondered for a moment and shook his head slowly.
Cao Rui said again, "Then what about the Eastern Wu? What they want is a great victory and military achievements to allow Sun Quan to follow in Liu Bei's footsteps and declare himself emperor!"
"You all know that Sun Quan has ruled over the Eastern Wu for over twenty years, and I'm sure he has endured at least ten or eight years. How anxious must Sun Quan be? Even if the Great Wei does not move, he will definitely launch an attack."
"General Cao Zhen, what do you think the results would be if the Great Wei launched a preemptive attack on the Eastern Wu?"
Seeing Cao Rui treating him as a reporting tool, Cao Zhen's heart was filled with helplessness. However, he still replied: "Emperor Wu crossed the Chaohu Lake four times and Emperor Taizong of the Eastern Wu launched three expeditions, but none of them achieved significant strategic achievements."
Cao Rui nodded: "That's exactly right. Taking advantage of this autumn and this Luo River, today I want to be honest with you by the banks of the Luo River, and set a ten-year deadline with you."
"Enhance the combat power of the border army, build up irrigation systems to cultivate water forces, and in ten years, I will conquer the Eastern Wu."
Regarding military matters, Cao Zhen, as the General of the Army, has no way of avoiding it and can only continue to be a tool man.
Cao Zhen bowed respectfully: "If the emperor wishes to spread his power to all directions, Your Majesty, I will serve as Your Majesty's vanguard and strive to eradicate the Eastern Wu bandit."
The other officials also bowed and chorused, "We will serve as the emperor's vanguard and strive to eradicate the Eastern Wu bandit."
Cao Rui smiled and gestured for everyone to stand up, "What Mian Qijian just said is excellent, a national hero meets me, and a national hero repays me."
Cao Rui looked at Sima Yi and said, "Sima Yi, you are a great official of the Great Wei and one of the four friends of the late emperor. The late emperor greatly valued your contribution when he was fighting for the throne. Please say what rewards the late emperor gave to those who had served him in the past."
Sima Yi thought for a moment and said, "Jia Xu was made Taiwei, Zhen Gongyi succeeded him as Taiwei, the subject and Chen Qun recorded the work of the Prime Minister, Wu Zhi was in charge of northern Hubei, and Zhu Shuo also served as a general."
Cao Rui smiled and shook his head, "I just think that's not enough."
Seeing the confused expressions of the officials, Cao Rui slowly said, "Not only will I be honest with you by the banks of the Luo River, but I will also point to this Luo River and make a vow with you."
At the sound of the emperor's words, the expressions of the officials became solemn. Such a public declaration was equivalent to directly burying one's political credibility if violated.
What is said in public cannot be false, and even less so when pointing to the Luo River and making a vow.
The emperor, with his exalted position and personal prestige, could not be deceived. At this moment, the surging Luo River was still pristine.
Cao Rui spoke slowly, "I'll be candid with you. Within ten years, if we can subdue the Eastern Wu, the one who earns the highest merit will be granted a kingdom over a region!"
Upon hearing Cao Rui's words, the officials present involuntarily stopped breathing, and some even slightly widened their pupils.
Cao Rui continued, "I have no restrictions like the Han Dynasty's white horse pact. In the new dynasty, I have no taboos about titles like the kings of different surnames."
"I am not petty. If we launch an offensive from multiple routes, the commanders who earn the highest merit, provided there are no mistakes, can be granted a kingdom over a county, and those who have great contributions to logistics and transportation can also be granted a kingdom over a county."
"Others who have contributed greatly can be appointed as marquises!"
"I swear by the Luo River, setting a ten-year deadline. I will not let down the officials, and I wish you will also not let me down."
You must know that Emperor Cao Pi's own brother, Cao Zhi, is currently the King of Youqiu, and his territory is no more than a single county!
At this time, the credit value of the Luo River is still full marks. Facing the clear sky and sun, Cao Rui made an oath at the banks of the Luo River. The officials present believed it without a doubt.
Kingdoms, dukes... two hundred years and four hundred years have not been granted by the Han Dynasty's emperors. Now the second emperor of Great Wei, Cao Rui, has taken them out.
For a moment, all the officials fell silent. If one paid close attention, they could hear the breathing of those around them.
Appointing kingdoms and dukes, these common methods used by later dynasties, are still very effective in the newly established Wei Dynasty, which has only just ended the four-hundred-year Han Dynasty.
In the early days of the Han Dynasty, Emperor Gaozu of Han, Han Liu, cut out kings of different surnames under various excuses, and at the same time, he divided his nephews and nieces into kings of the same surname. He also killed horses and swore with his ministers to set down the white horse pact and swear that "kings who are not Liushis will be attacked by all under heaven."
And during the rebellion of the Zhus of Western Han, the reason why Chen Ping, Zhou Bu, and others could raise a banner against the Zhus was legally derived from the white horse pact.
From then on, the Han Dynasty had very few kings of different surnames. For those who had achieved great merits, they were usually rewarded with titles such as marquises.
To take Emperor Wu's reign for example, General Wei Qing was a Changleping Marquis, and General Huo Qubing was a Jingzhao Marquis. Making such great contributions only earned them the title of a marquis.
Then, was there anyone who was granted the title of a public duke or a king of different surnames? Indeed, there was, and it is closely related to Emperor Cao Rui of the Great Wei. The person in question is Cao Cao and his son Cao Pi.
Since the rise of Wang Mang, usurpers have had a series of procedures. Entering the palace without being given the title of Lord or not being mentioned by name are just small things. Adding the nine sacred symbols and then granting a public dukedom, and then crowning oneself king after establishing a kingdom.
Cao Cao followed such a procedure. However, after becoming the King of Wei, Cao Cao had little time left and could only pass the remaining procedures to his son Cao Pi.
Cao Pi went even further by declaring the establishment of the Wei Dynasty and becoming the emperor in the same year he inherited the position of King of Wei.
For four hundred years, no minister had been able to achieve this life goal. Today, it was given publicly by the emperor at the banks of the Luo River!
If the emperor's words are followed, the highest merit earner can be a king. The other commanders who are advancing together have no errors and can also be granted a kingdom.
Wouldn't it be that after a war to conquer a nation, if we go by the old tradition of three-pronged attacks, just the leaders of the army would account for three kings, and those in charge of logistics would also have one king? Then the Great Wei dynasty would have to have up to four kings of different surnames?
And that's not counting the dukes. Minister councillors, secretaries, governors, and military commanders... there could be dozens and tens of dukes.
The emperor is at the Luo River, which is a legitimate way to lure him with benefits.
But such an allure, who among the officials could resist it?
