Cao Rui listened to the wind outside the East Warehouse: "Lord Dong, since I let Chen Qun go to occupy Jingzhou, I have taken charge of the central army. Now, I often personally oversee matters of the central army."
"If there is an alert in any of the four directions, I am willing to lead the armies myself, just like Emperor Wu. I know that the country is enduring fierce battles, and I also wish to accumulate national strength for future campaigns to subdue Wu and Shu. I even promised rewards for the conquest of Wu within ten years and bestowing the title of king. Is this not enough?"
Dong Zhao took a deep breath and said, "Your Majesty, the old minister speaks the truth. All of these are true, but they are not enough. Ten years ago, Lord Liu Xie of Yanang was still sitting in the palace of Xuchang! To encourage officials with events ten years in the future is like asking who would not become complacent? Who can predict events ten years from now?"
"As the emperor said, just like morning dew and fleeting time, Your Majesty should strive for every moment!"
Cao Rui listened attentively, and Dong Zhao continued to speak.
"In my opinion, even if Your Majesty needs to accumulate national strength, it should be war and victory every year without exception!"
"We should aim for a victory, even if it's a small one. If we can't capture the enemy's fortress, we should hold our ground and achieve victory. Use victories to gain prestige for Your Majesty. Engage in battle with the enemy to project military power and use victories in battle to reward military officials."
"Your Majesty must make it clear to the army and the military officers that their positions and ranks, their marquisates and titles, are not obtained by flattering the grand general or the grand marshal, nor are they gained through favored officials serving as secretaries of state! Their status comes from their loyalty to Your Majesty, fighting according to Your Majesty's orders, and winning victories!"
Just as Dong Zhao was making his statement to the emperor, a thunderous clap echoed outside. Cao Rui's eyes narrowed slightly at the sound, and Dong Zhao strained to continue his argument. Yet the sound of wind and thunder in the sky was unmistakably a sign that a storm was approaching.
Dong Zhao is worthy of being the strategist for the Cao Wei dynasty, only lacking in teaching Cao Rui step by step how to command the army. What Dong Zhao said seems to be correct: holding control of the army is right, leading the central army is right, and using victories to gain prestige is also right.
It's not important to discuss whether these goals can be achieved. What does Dong Zhao himself want by making such statements?
The light in the East Warehouse dimmed with the rain. Cao Rui inserted Han Gaoxiang's sword, which he had just sharpened, into its sheath. He then closed the lid of the exquisite lacquer box containing Wang Mang's head.
After doing these things, Cao Rui gently said, "Then, who is Lord Dong loyal to?"
Dong Zhao replied decisively, "I am loyal to the great Wei, to Emperor Wu, and to Your Majesty!"
Cao Rui seemed to have caught a loophole in Dong Zhao's statement: "Doesn't Lord Dong also have loyalty to the late emperor?"
At this moment, Dong Zhao's mind was preoccupied with the seemingly casual attitude of the emperor. Combining this with the emperor's light-hearted mention of the replacement of Han with Wei, and recalling the relationship between Cao Rui and Cao Pi... Dong Zhao decided to take a gamble.
Dong Zhao deeply bowed to the emperor and said, "Of course, Your Majesty, I am loyal! But the late emperor did not use me and instead trusted those from Yingchuan who helped him secure the throne. The scholars of Youyang and Wenluo formed cliques for personal gain, putting the whole Wei Dynasty in danger!"
Dong Zhao was taking a gamble, betting that the emperor would believe his recent words, betting that the emperor also intended to consolidate the military, and betting that the emperor was also wary of factions formed by aristocratic families.
Clearly, Dong Zhao had won the bet. However, at this moment, Cao Rui showed no expression on his face, neither of approval nor of disapproval.
From Dong Zhao's words, it can be heard that Dong Zhao is not tolerated by the scholars led by the Yingchuan aristocracy.
It's very simple. You, Dong Zhao, incited Cao Cao to replace Han with Wei and even created a set of procedures for proclaiming public and regal titles. Dong Zhao is a dissolute minister! He was the direct cause of the death of Xun Yu by Cao Cao!
Dong Zhao had deep conflicts with the literati who held power in the court.
Cao Rui did not want to give Dong Zhao an answer right away: "I understand, Dong Zhao's mature and wise words are worthy of consideration. I will go back and think about it."
……
One day later, Luoyang, the Northern Palace.
The general Cao Zhen had come to the palace. The military report sent from Shouchun on a flying horse was delivered directly to Cao Zhen's mansion. The report clearly described the incident of Zhou Cheng's pretending to surrender, including the causes and consequences, as well as the process of questioning by Cao Xiu.
Even the seven pieces of paper written by Zhou Cheng and signed by Hu Zong, were sent to Luoyang intact.
Zhou Cheng...isn't he the Eastern Wu official who lost his hair to gain the trust of Cao Xiu?
Cao Rui remembered very well that in the original history, it was Zhou Cheng's deception that led Cao Xiu to lead a force of one hundred thousand troops southward, only to be defeated by the Eastern Wu army led by Lu Yu at Shitingsi.
Known as the Battle of Shiting.
Cao Rui understood that it was the Battle of Shiting that indirectly led to the deaths of Cao Xiu, Jia Kui, and other distinguished officials, severing one arm from the Cao family's military command and preventing any large-scale attacks on the southeastern direction of Wei for about twenty years.
The Battle of Shiting in history involved at least two hundred thousand soldiers on both sides, which was much larger in scale than the battles during Zhuge Liang's northern expeditions.
Cao Rui understood that Zhou Cheng's deception was not as simple as it seemed, but rather represented a signal from the Eastern Wu indicating their intention to attack.
History has a trend, if the Wei Dynasty does not believe in Zhou Cheng's deception, will Eastern Wu's next battle be better?
No one, not even the gods, can say for sure.
At least now it can be clearly stated that Eastern Wu is preparing to launch an attack in the area north of Poyang and near Shiting.
This is enough to make a lot of sense!
Cao Rui carefully read the letters sent by Zhou Cheng. Zhou Cheng was a most intriguing person, as he had completely spilled out the strategic layout of Eastern Wu.
According to Zhou Cheng's letter, Sun Quan would send Lü Fan and Sun Xiao to attack Guangling, send Quan Cong and Zhu Han to attack Hefei, send Bu Yuan and Zhu Rang to attack Xiangyang, send Lu Yu and Pan Jiang to attack Mei Fu, and also mentioned that he would have Zhuge Liang attacking Guanxi!
Is this the "Five Routes to Attack Wei"? Does Zhou Cheng also want Cao Rui to handle these five routes with a strategy of "secure and stabilize" as he did with the Qian'an Campaign?
If Zhou Cheng had simply leaked information, it would not be strange. After all, if one is to betray, there must be something substantial on offer, and military deployment can indeed be worth some money. However, what makes Zhou Cheng interesting is that he has also arranged for Cao Xiu's attack on the Eastern Wu in a way that would make it easy for him.
In summary, Zhou Cheng has introduced all the movements of the Wu army and also helped Cao Xiu make a war plan, telling him 'Follow my plan, and Wu will be in trouble.' This is almost absurdly funny.
According to Zhou Cheng's directions, Cao Xiu 'should' advance south from Shouchun and Hefei, following the foot of the Dabie Mountains to Wan City, and then take a boat along the Wan River into the Yangtze River.
According to Zhou Cheng's instructions, Cao Xiu 'should' lead a force of ten thousand troops, while Zhou Cheng would await them on the southern bank of the Yangtze River.
Since Sun Quan will deploy his troops according to the strategic plan, there should be only three thousand troops left to guard the capital Wu in Chang'an. At that time, Cao Xiu's one thousand troops and Zhou Cheng's forces should be able to shake the Yangtze River, and the various prefectures of Eastern Wu should all surrender to them!
Cao Rui shook his head more and more as he read, and when he reached the part where Zhou Cheng asked for four hundred military officer seals and commands, he could not continue reading at all. He looked at General Cao Zhen.
Cao Rui said, "General, I have seen few people who surrender, and none like Zhou Cheng who not only surrenders but also directs the Wei Dynasty on how to fight."
At this moment, Cao Zhen didn't know what to say. Cao Zhen had indeed seen too many people who surrendered, especially during his campaigns with Cao Cao to stabilize the north, where surrenders were virtually endless.
But back then, as either the leader of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry or the commander of the central army, Cao Zhen was not familiar with the details of such surrenders. However, Cao Zhen did not want to tell the emperor that he was unaware of the situation.
Cao Zhen could only reply, "There have been no such cases of surrendering like Zhou Cheng's. This is the first time I have seen it."
Cao Rui thought for a moment and said to Zhong Yu, the chamberlain in his study, "Please summon Marquis Sima, the several ministers, and the two secretaries."
Cao Zhen understood that the emperor was about to hold a meeting again.
