Sima Yi is only thinking about two things at this moment: strategy and troops.
From a strategic perspective, if Sun Quan's use of Zhou Can's deception this time was for political purposes, then Wei should pursue making Sun Quan's political goals fail.
Regardless of whether ignoring, fortifying the city walls, or fighting cautiously, the point is that Sun Quan doesn't want to boast about killing heads or winning battles? Then don't let Eastern Wu go back empty-handed. It would be best to inflict losses on Sun Quan in terms of both men and horses.
From a military standpoint, Sima Yi does not know why the emperor is so confident that Sun Quan can only produce ten thousand people. Sima Yi also does not know the historical Battle of Shi Ting, but what he does know is that Wei's logistics are more difficult than those of Eastern Wu.
If Wei wants to use troops in the Wu-cheng-Wu-kou area, deploying 100,000 troops is almost the upper limit. Others may not know this, but Sima Yi does.
During Cao Pi's three southern campaigns in the third, fifth, and sixth years of the Huang Chu period, Sima Yi served as the logistics chief, stationed at the rear to coordinate grain supplies and military equipment.
The troops from Yuzhou, Yangzhou, Qingzhou, and Xuzhou, including external troops and local state-garrison troops, can indeed gather to extract about 150,000 personnel. The last time Cao Pi personally went to Guangling, there were nearly 150,000 troops on a battlefield that was nearly 1000 kilometers wide.
But that was under the premise of having the Huai River and the Central Canal as waterways.
Starting from Hefei, the southeast stronghold of Wei, and traveling to Wu Cheng, there is no river transportation along the way. Deploying 100,000 troops has reached the limit.
But how should I explain this to the emperor? Sima Yi was stumped for a moment.
Sima Yi looked at the emperor, "Your Majesty, there are some matters I still need to bring up."
Seeing Cao Rui nodding in agreement, Sima Yi continued, "Your Majesty, I believe that if we aim to annihilate Sun Quan's ten thousand troops, deploying 150,000 troops from the southeast has reached the limit. With 150,000 against ten thousand, it would be very difficult to accomplish."
"I believe that from both military strength and logistics, it is not feasible."
Sima Yi had been cautiously observing Emperor Cao Rui's expression, but Cao Rui showed no sign of the displeasure one might expect. Instead, he asked calmly, "In your opinion, how many troops should we send out?"
"Ten thousand! The logistics from Hefei to Wu Cheng can only support ten thousand troops for battle, and anything more is beyond my ability."
Upon hearing Sima Yi's words, Emperor Cao Rui began to ponder as well. Warfare is a matter of great importance for the state, and the most crucial aspect lies in logistics and supplies.
Emperor Cao Rui was not stubborn. Since Sima Yi suggested ten thousand, and historically, Cao Huo also deployed ten thousand at Shi Ting, ten thousand troops must be a relatively reasonable number.
Just then, Emperor Cao Rui knew very well that Sun Quan would deploy nearly ten thousand troops at Shi Ting, and he felt a bit uneasy about not being able to take full advantage of this information.
Emperor Cao Rui looked at Sima Yi, "What if we face Eastern Wu in the area of Wu Cheng? My intention is that no matter how many troops Sun Quan deploys, Wei will deploy 100,000 troops."
"If Sun Quan sends 20,000 to 30,000 troops, the 100,000 we have would be enough to consume them. If Sun Quan sends 100,000 troops, then we can confront him in the Hefei-Wu Cheng-Wu Kou area."
"Sun Quan's army is fewer than Wei's. If we show a strong stance, we can draw Sun Quan's available troops to Wu Cheng."
"While engaging in combat and endurance with Sun Quan at Wu Cheng, we can also take advantage of our superior troop strength in other directions, trying to fight against the enemy with a greater number. What do you think of this plan?"
Sima Yi asked in doubt, "Your Majesty, are you proposing to wear down Sun Quan through a protracted campaign using the full might of our state?"
Emperor Cao Rui nodded in agreement.
Sima Yi bowed in a respectful manner, "Engaging in a power struggle is the right path. In that case, Your Majesty, please allow me some time to calculate the logistics situation at various locations."
Emperor Cao Rui gently patted Sima Yi's arm, "Thank you for your efforts, Marquis Sima."
Emperor Cao Rui has now found the right use for Sima Yi: formally responsible for all sorts of administrative affairs in Wei, but actually serving as the emperor's chief of staff, formulating state and military affairs at the hall of sacrifices.
To make the best use of Sima Yi's intelligence to the fullest extent.
Sima Yi was originally a literatus, and Cao Rui did not follow the historical situation of sending Sima Yi to command troops in Jingzhou, but instead appointed Chen Qun. At this time, Sima Yi would not likely pursue military authority.
Then Cao Zhen? Cao Zhen, relying on his status as a member of the imperial family and his title of Generalissimo, took charge of the specific military affairs for this illiterate emperor, Cao Rui.
One person responsible for strategy and the other for execution. If they can be kept by Emperor Cao Rui's side at all times, that would be even better.
As the conversation ended, just as Cao Zhen and Sima Yi were getting up to bow and preparing to leave, the emperor called them from behind.
Emperor Cao Rui looked at Cao Zhen and Sima Yi, "Recent military affairs have been quite numerous. I dare not be careless in the slightest. I wish to consult with General Cao and Marquis Sima on all matters."
"Every time I come and go from the palace, it wastes a lot of time, so I've thought of a plan."
"I've specially left two rooms for you two outside my study in the palace. General Cao and Marquis Sima, during these days, please work in the vicinity of my study. Let's go and take a look together?"
Cao Zhen and Sima Yi both wore surprised expressions, with Cao Zhen even asking in confusion, "Your Majesty, how can a subject work inside the palace? This is probably not appropriate."
Sima Yi also bowed and said, "Report to Your Majesty, General Cao and I are outsiders rather than officials like the Prime Minister or the Chancellor of Palace Bureaus. How can we work within the North Palace? This favor is too grand, and I dare not accept it."
In this era, according to common protocol, being closer to the emperor is clearly more honored. Officials like the Prime Minister or the Chancellor of Palace Bureaus who serve the emperor are envied and envied by all the other officials in the court.
Since Cao Rui ascended the throne, he has often summoned Cao Zhen and Sima Yi to the palace, and there have been countless rumors and discussions in the court comparing the two to pillars of the state.
Now that the emperor has provided rooms for the two in the palace, this honor is so excessive that it is almost absurd! At least Cao Zhen and Sima Yi must have felt this way at this time.
Emperor Cao Rui smiled and shook his head, "How can it be said that the reward is too excessive? Our late father left four able ministers for me, Marquis Sima and General Chen went to command troops in Yangzhou and Jingzhou, so in Luoyang, I can only rely on you two."
Cao Rui was in the middle, holding onto the sleeves of Cao Zhen and Sima Yi on both sides, leading them towards the courtyard. He had already ordered the palace servants to clean out these two rooms.
Emperor Cao Rui said with a smile, "The one on the west side is for General Cao, and the one on the east side is for Marquis Sima. What do you two think of this arrangement?"
Even though Cao Zhen and Sima Yi had seen many of the emperor's innovations and unconventional ways, such as keeping officials by his side in the palace for work, they could not have imagined this kind of favor. They could only respond with gratitude.
Cao Zhen was moved at this moment. As a member of the Cao clan and holding such a prestigious position as Generalissimo, he could not have asked for more.
At this moment, Sima Yi also felt that the emperor was too honored. How could there be a precedent for an outsider to work beside the emperor's study? There is none in history!
Seeing the two of them in such expressions, Emperor Cao Rui smiled and added, "By the way, I will have someone bring two horses from the Imperial Stables for you two later. From now on, both General Cao and Marquis Sima can ride their horses into the palace."
"The state affairs of Wei, it will be laborious for you!"
