Cao Zhen also smiled on the other side and said, "The Grand Commander has not seen Your Majesty for a long time. He misses you very much. Your Majesty's urgent march from Luoyang to Shouchun only took fifteen days, and along the way, the carriages and horses were exhausted. It was indeed tiring."
Cao Rui said, "I did not tire myself with carriages and horses. Along the way, I only rode horses and did not take a carriage."
"Would the Grand General believe me if I said that riding a horse is more comfortable for me than taking a carriage?"
"Ha ha ha." Cao Zhen laughed heartily: "The same is true for me. When I was campaigns against the Qiang and Huns, I once made an urgent march for a day and night of 260 li, almost falling asleep on the horse. But the horse has its own spirit, and sitting on its back actually feels more comfortable."
Cao Rui nodded: "With the natural sway of the horse, it's such that neither the rider nor the horse feels too tired. This must be what it's like to be perfectly matched."
As they chatted idly, they unknowingly came to see the Huai River. The boats sailing back and forth on the Huai River were very lively, and there were many campsites everywhere that could be seen from a distance.
Cao Xu, bowing from his horse, asked, "Your Majesty is proficient in archery, horseback riding and shooting. This is something that the subject knows well. The subject is only concerned about the injury to Your Majesty's body due to camping and marching in the wild."
Cao Rui replied, "I was born in Ye City and grew up in Luoyang. This is indeed the first time I have made such a long journey on an expedition. From Luoyang, we crossed the pass to Chenliu, and then continued south. Whether it's Qiao County or Shouchun, they are not at all like the scenery of Luoyang."
Cao Xu nodded in agreement, "That is true. Compared to Luoyang, Shouchun is still a bit damp even in winter and not very conducive to living. However, why did Your Majesty not rest for two days in Qiao County?"
Cao Rui laughed and said, "Of course, I can rest for two days and let the Grand Commander wait for two days as well. However, the more than ten thousand people who have been gathering here one after another, should they also wait for me?"
"People eat and horses chew; daily consumption is depleting the strength of the Great Wei. I should hurry to Shouchun instead."
"Your Majesty is merciful." Both Cao Xiu and Cao Zhen said in unison.
Cao Rui asked, "Grand Marshal, how is the grain and forage gathered here?"
Cao Xiu replied without any hesitation, "Your Majesty, not only have I mobilized grain and forage from the four provinces of Yong, Qing, Xu, and Yu, but I have also called in some from Ji Province. They should be on their way now."
"If we calculate according to the 150,000 people, we can at least maintain for three months."
Cao Rui, upon hearing this, frowned slightly and asked, "What would happen if it exceeded three months?"
Cao Xiu explained, "The Si and Ji provinces are where the most grain and forage are stored. This time we didn't call in too much, so if there's still a shortage, we can pre-arrange to call in more from the Si and Ji provinces. The central plains have had good harvests for three consecutive years, so there is no need to worry too much about grain and forage."
"What about the carts for transporting grain?" Cao Rui asked again.
Cao Xiu continued to answer, "Ox carts, horse-drawn carts, and donkey-drawn carts exceed 20,000. They will also have no problem transporting them."
Cao Rui gently took a breath and said, "Throughout the journey, what I've been most concerned about is the grain and logistics. If there's no worry about the grain and logistics, then I have no worries as well."
Cao Xiu laughed and said, "Your Majesty is conducting battles on behalf of heaven, so there is no need to worry about anything."
"The Grand Marshal, eleven months ago, I intended to gather a few tens of thousands of troops. But by the end of last month, I received news that troops from several states were coming to Shouchun, so I had some concerns."
"Now there are already 150,000 troops here. Your Majesty might as well give me a clue: where do you intend to campaign this time?"
Cao Rui remained silent for a moment before saying, "This matter is not something that I alone can decide. With the 150,000 troops gathered in Shouchun and the surrounding areas of Jing Province's Xiao Yanjiang, there are already 200,000 people in total."
"Firstly, it is by taking advantage of Zhou Fang's feigned surrender, and trying to see if we can push forward from Wuancheng to Wankou."
"Secondly, it is by using the forces attracted near Wuancheng, and then taking another shot at Ruyu."
Cao Zhen asked at this moment, "Should Your Majesty want both or just one?"
Cao Rui thought for a moment and replied, "Of course, I want both. In order to control the whole of Jiangbei. But it will depend on the situation. If Wuankou or Ruyukou is occupied, then this time I will not have come in vain."
The few of them, while chatting, arrived at the floating bridge.
Cao Xiu led the way, "The Grand Marshal has ordered that temporary bridges be built across both sides of the Huai River. If ships pass through, we will cut the middle part and wait for the ship to pass before putting it back together. This is quite convenient for both land and water transportation."
Cao Rui nodded and rode his horse onto the Huai River floating bridge. Shouchun City was on the bank of the Huai River, and the broad river, as one side of the city's protective moat, added a touch of grandeur to Shouchun City.
Just as they were about to leave the bridge, Cao Rui, as if remembering something, smiled and asked the two senior officials of the Cao family by his side, "If I'm not mistaken, Yuan Shu, the Marquis of Yunchang, once declared himself an emperor here, right?"
Cao Xiu laughed and said, "Yuan Shu was arrogant at the time and established himself without any virtue. It could be said that Shouchun suffered from his declaration of himself as an emperor here."
Cao Rui nodded and said, "I remember there was something about Yuan Shu being 'dry bones in a tomb'. Who said that?"
Cao Xiu and Cao Zhen exchanged a glance and shook their heads, indicating they did not know.
The voice behind them came slowly, "The phrase 'dry bones in a tomb' was said by Kong Rong, son of Kong."
Cao Rui, Cao Xu, and Cao Zhen at the front all turned their heads upon hearing this.
After glancing at Sima Yi, Cao Rui said, "The Yuan family, with Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu, relies entirely on their reputation of having had four generations of officials at the three highest ranks. Grand General, Grand Marshal, now Master Sima behind you has also become a tri-county official. Isn't it time for you both to congratulate him?"
Cao Xiu also gave Sima Yi a careful inspection before bowing and saying, "As the son of Cao Wenliang, I sincerely wish Master Sima a lifetime of three-county officialdom."
Sima Yi, sitting on his horse and almost rolling his eyes white, hurriedly bowed and said, "Your Majesty, Grand Marshal, please do not ridicule the humble subject."
Cao Rui, who had not been laughing, suddenly burst out laughing: "Where is there any intention to mock? I have come on this southern tour precisely to make use of Master Sima's intelligence."
Sima Yi coughed lightly, bowed, and did not speak.
Cao Rui asked, "How did Yuan Shu die?"
Cao Xiu thought for a moment and said, "I recall that it was Emperor Wu who sent Liu Bei and Zhu Ling to subdue him. After Yuan Shu's death, his son and daughter later fell into the hands of the Eastern Jin in Jiangdong."
Cao Rui interrupted Cao Xiu's words, "Did you say there were descendants of Yuan Shu? Where are Liu Bei and Zhu Ling now?"
Cao Xiu replied, "I think they should still be in Jiangdong. The humble subject has heard from the Eastern Wu surrenderees that Yuan Shu's daughter was married to Sun Quan, and his son Yuan Jie became a physician for Eastern Wu."
Cao Rui heard this and scoffed, "For a daughter of such a person as Yuan Shu, Sun Quan still keeps her in the royal harem? The reputation of being from a family with four generations of officials at the three highest ranks sure is useful. Yuan's daughter really is valuable."
Cao Xiu also laughed and said, "The mice of Eastern Wu can only huddle together with Yuan Shu. In the past, Sun Ce left Yuan Shu to become his enemy. Now that Sun Quan has married Yuan Shu's daughter, it is really hard for me to say anything."
The three rode their horses into the city gate, and the layout of Shouchun City was larger than that of Qiao County. Cao Xiu said, "The Grand Marshal has already changed the prefectural mansion into a palace for Your Majesty's residence. Please move in."
Cao Rui said, "I will not be staying in Shouchun for long. Isn't this action of yours by Grand Marshal a waste?"
Cao Xiu replied seriously, "The humble subject did not add much. And Your Majesty, as the ruler of all the lands, what little palace can it be?"
Cao Rui shook his head slightly: "I will not say anything this time. It will not happen again."
Cao Xiu smiled and nodded, "Shall Your Majesty first rest in the palace?"
Cao Rui thought for a moment and said, "Well, let the officials who have come to welcome us return to their camps. I will hold a meeting with officials with more than 2000 stone of annual salary in Shouchun City tomorrow morning."
Cao Xiu nodded repeatedly in agreement and was about to turn his horse around to make arrangements when Cao Rui called out to Cao Xiu, "Grand Marshal, come to the palace with me later. I have something to say."
Cao Xiu bowed from his horse and then galloped away.
Cao Rui looked at Sima Yi and said, "Serve as my officials, Minister Sima, Minister of the Interior, and Commandant of the Palace Guard, also come with me."
Sima Yi also bowed and agreed. When he looked back, he saw the four ministers of the interior behind him, but he didn't see Zhong Huajiang Jiang Ji in sight. There were no couriers nearby, and the four ministers were all internal officials, so Sima Yi had to ride his horse behind Cao Xu himself to find Jiang Ji.
At this moment, it was Cao Zhen who led the emperor forward.
When Cao Rui arrived at the entrance of the palace, he looked around and couldn't help but take a deep breath. As Cao Xiu had said, the palace hadn't been extensively expanded, it was just a renovation of the original prefectural mansion. The walls and door frames were higher, and from the open gate, there was no glimpse of luxurious decorations inside.
The Grand Marshal is indeed frugal, Cao Rui thought to himself.
Cao Zhen dismounted at the entrance of the palace and raised his hand to lead the emperor's horse inside. As Grand Marshal, he was a general, and for a general to lead a horse? Even if Cao Zhen himself didn't mind, if it got out, others would only say that this emperor was mean.
Cao Rui also dismounted and held Cao Zhen's hand and said, "Grand Marshal, let's go in together."
Cao Zhen responded, "The humble subject shall pave the way for Your Majesty."
