By this time, it was the afternoon.
The Shouchun City had almost become a military city by this time. Cao Rui sat in the hall of the imperial palace, yet he could still hear the loud noises of troops drilling and people running around in the city.
Since the people haven't yet arrived, and there are no other things to do here, Cao Rui sat sideways in the chair while picking up Jia Qui's documents to read. At this time, Cao Zhen, the Grand General, simply closed his eyes and started to rest on the chair.
The first to arrive were four Vishus.
Cao Zhen heard footsteps approaching, turned his head, and raised his eyes to see four attendants entering the hall. After giving them a slight nod, he continued to close his eyes.
Although Cao Zhen appeared to be calmly closing his eyes and sitting on the chair, his mind was far from at peace at this moment.
According to the reason, the emperor already has our four auxiliary ministers. Why do you still have to bring these four attendants with you at all times?
Liu Xie and Xin Pi can be overlooked; after all, they are the two attendants left behind by the late emperor, and it is their duty to serve at the emperor's side.
How can a surrendered man like Huang Quan gain the emperor's trust and be consulted on state affairs? And Chen Jie, a person who blocked the emperor outside the Shangshu Tai, actually followed the emperor south?
I truly don't know what the emperor is thinking.
From Cao Rui's perspective, among the many problems he has faced since taking the throne, the most prominent issue is the lack of clear division of responsibilities.
Originally, according to the system, there should be four Vishus beside the emperor, not only to serve at his side but also to consult on both big and small matters with them. However, when Cao Feng died, there were only two Vishus left, and he also arranged some Scattered Riders who have the same functions as Vishus.
Cao Rui had to fill the vacancies for the four Vishus and also abolished the original position of Scattered Riders, making them a mere honorific title.
For example, besides being the Grand General, Cao Zhen also serves as the supervisor of all military affairs in and out of the capital. Originally, the emperor was in charge of the Central Army at Luoyang, but due to the need to attack southward, he temporarily entrusted Cao Zhen with the command of the Central Army. What about the army outside the Central Army?
Similarly, Cao Xu is the Great Marshal, the theoretical head of military officials, but he is only a supervisor of military affairs in Yangzhou. Under his command are both external troops and troops from other states and prefectures.
This creates some very awkward situations. In the present Shouchun City, both Cao Xu and Cao Zhen are present. The various prefects, governors, and generals gathered in Shouchun can either follow Cao Xu's orders or those of Cao Zhen. So, whose orders should they follow?
So, establishing a complete command center and making it clear to the various prefects, governors, and generals is now the top priority for Cao Rui.
It's really a top priority! Even if the soldiers are brave and the equipment is excellent, without coordination, unclear division of responsibilities, and mutual subordination, how can you coordinate these tens of thousands of people?
The four attendants entered the hall, nodded to Cao Zhen without speaking, and the emperor merely leaned against the chair and cast a glance at them before they found seats in the hall and sat down by themselves.
The next one to return was Cao Xiu, the Grand Marshal.
About a quarter of an hour later, Sima Yi and Jiang Ji finally arrived.
Seeing that everyone had arrived, Cao Rui slowly stood up and sat down behind the desk. The others rose and bowed as they saw the emperor's movement, but Cao Rui merely waved his hand to indicate that they should sit down.
Cao Rui glanced around and saw that Cao Xu and Cao Zhen were seated in the front, followed by Sima Yi and the four attendants, and at the far right was Zhong Hujuan Jiang Ji. It's truly a group of people who have been involved in the imperial court for a long time. No one needs to arrange them, and they will find their own seats to sit.
Cao Rui cleared his throat and said, "I left Luoyang on the tenth day of the twelfth lunar month, traveled for fifteen days, and covered a distance of twelve hundred miles to arrive here in Shouchun City, where we have gathered with all of you."
"I want to clarify with all of you that the weakening of our country is due to the unrest in the two neighboring countries, Wu and Shu. However, we are about to launch an attack. I want to win this battle while maintaining stability and not wasting our national strength and military resources. You, my dear ministers, are the backbone and heart of our country, and your future careers depend on this battle. Our national future is at stake."
Cao Rui looked at the two Cao generals: "Grand Marshal, Grand General, the military force in Shouchun, please let either of you tell me in detail?"
Elder in years and higher in rank, Cao Xu, seeing the gesture of his fellow general Cao Zhen nodding towards him, stood up and greeted with a bow while explaining.
Cao Xu said, "Your Majesty, the officials and generals, since November, the military force gathered in Yangzhou has already reached sixteen hundred thousand."
"By today, there are five hundred thousand in the middle army, seven hundred thousand in the outside army, and two hundred thousand from prefectures and prefectural military forces near Shouchun, totaling one hundred forty thousand."
"Additionally, the garrisons in He Fei, Guang Ling, and Liu An have a total of ten thousand outside troops, including four thousand in He Fei, four thousand five hundred in Guang Ling, and one thousand five hundred in Liu An."
"The southerly campaign has already been launched by the military of Yu Province, led by Ji Kaqi, the Prefect of Yu Province. According to the plan, four thousand soldiers will be sent to Yuan City for garrisoning, and six thousand soldiers will be dispatched to work on fortifications at Jiashi and Wuqiang Pass."
"Sixteen hundred thousand troops, this is the entire military force available in Yangzhou."
After Cao Xu finished speaking, he cast a glance towards the direction of Cao Rui.
Cao Rui took the initiative and said, "Who is the current commander of He Fei?"
Cao Xu replied, "It is Biangong Zhuanghu, the son of Zhuang He, also known as Zhuang Wenyuan. Zhuang He has been garrisoning in He Fei since 16 years of Jian'an era, and Zhuang Hu has been in He Fei with his father for a long time. I believe that Zhuang Hu can perform well in He Fei."
Cao Rui nodded: "What Grand Marshal said just now was very clear. Excluding the three places south of Shouchun and Ji Kaqi's troops, there are already one hundred forty thousand soldiers gathered near Shouchun."
"The places suitable for battle from Shouchun are mainly two: Ruche and An City. Ji Kaqi recently reported to me that he found Wu troops investigating at Wuqiang Pass. If there are any movements from Wu troops at Ruche, it is likely that Sun Quan will start to gather troops at An Pass."
"The southeast of Ruche and the southwest of An City, how should we choose between these two places? It's up to you officials to discuss it."
Cao Zhen said, "With a total of one hundred sixty thousand troops, we can naturally attack both An City and Ruche. If the main force of the Wu troops is gathered in the northern territory near An Pass, as our great Wei army has an advantage in land battles, I believe we should focus on attacking An City."
Cao Rui looked up at Cao Xu who was standing, and Cao Xu immediately expressed his agreement: "I also think so."
It seems that after Cao Zhen led the Central Army to Shouchun, Cao Xu and Cao Zhen have already reached a consensus.
Cao Rui turned his gaze to Sima Yi and asked, "What do you, Marquis of Zhaoge, have to say?"
Sima Yi remained silent for a moment. After everyone's gaze gathered on him, Sima Yi finally spoke after a long pause: "Your Majesty, is Zhou Can definitely a feigned surrender?"
Cao Rui said with certainty, "Zhou Can's feigned surrender is without doubt! Ji Kaqi and the Grand General have confirmed it."
Sima Yi replied immediately, "Sun Quan sent Zhou Can to feign surrender to get Zhou Can to mobilize the forces of the Great Wei, so that the Wu troops could wait passively for an opportunity to strike."
"But since Your Majesty has clearly confirmed that Zhou Can feigned surrender, the situation has been reversed in terms of attack and defense. It is now Your Majesty's turn to mobilize Sun Quan."
Cao Rui asked, "What do you mean, Marquis of Zhaoge? How should I mobilize Sun Quan?"
Sima Yi spoke slowly, "The difference between Sun Quan mobilizing our troops and us mobilizing Sun Quan is merely in terms of the offensive and defensive situation."
"If we follow Zhou Can's plan, it would be the Great Marshal leading the attack and the Wu troops defending. However, with Zhou Can's feigned surrender revealed, it has now become Sun Quan leading the attack and our army defending."
Cao Rui, with a serious expression, asked, "Where is Sun Quan planning to attack?"
Sima Yi replied, "An City."
Cao Rui asked again, "If our army engages in battle with the enemy at An City and then retreats, can we then mobilize Sun Quan?"
Sima Yi bowed and said, "That's right."
Cao Rui asked, "Where is the furthest we can mobilize Sun Quan?"
Sima Yi said, "An City is not a strategic location. Sun Quan's attack should only be to inflict damage on our army. If the pursuit of victory is the goal, the Wu troops can be mobilized to the area of Jiashi and Wuqiang Pass."
Cao Rui nodded and looked at Cao Xu: "Grand Marshal, you have been to the An City area several times. How far is it from Jiashi to An City, from An City to An Pass, and from An Pass to Ruche?"
Since Emperor Cao Rui had asked this question, and Cao Xu was not a fool, he immediately bowed and said, "I understand Your Majesty's meaning. If we set out from the area of Jiashi and Wuqiang Pass, it's about seven hundred miles in total: southwest to An City, then along the An River to An Pass, and finally by river to Ruche."
"However, if we directly march from Jiashi and Wuqiang Pass to the northeast to Ruche, the distance is only about two hundred miles."
"Marquis of Zhaoge, do you mean this?" Cao Xu looked at Sima Yi.
Sima Yi nodded and said, "That's exactly what I mean. As Sun Tzu said, 'To seem unable when able, to seem inactive when active, to seem near when distant, and distant when near.'"
"The Great Wei has always been in battles with Ruche, but often attacks fail because Sun Quan leads troops from all along the river to aid Ruche, making it difficult for us to conquer."
"Now, with the Great Wei's sixteen hundred thousand troops, even if we fight on both the eastern and western fronts, there will still be some troops left. We are certain to draw Sun Quan's troops to the area near An City, or even to Jiashi and Wuqiang Pass."
"In such a scenario, if we attack Ruche, the Great Wei's distance is only two hundred miles, while the Wu troops have to travel seven hundred miles to come to their aid, making them exhausted. Thus, our chances of winning become much greater."
Seeing that it was Sima Yi speaking, Jiang Ji spoke up from the back: "Marquis of Zhaoge, the exact number of Wu troops in An City has not been confirmed yet, how can we be sure that we can keep them all here?"
Cao Rui did not anticipate that Jiang Ji would speak up at this moment. In fact, during the journey from Luoyang to Shouchun, Jiang Ji mostly just listened and did not speak. Jiang Ji's words now are clearly intended to flatter Sima Yi.
Cao Rui looked at Jiang Ji but said nothing. Liu Xie, being perceptive, noticed the emperor's glance and promptly spoke up, saying, "How else can it be confirmed? Naturally, it can only be confirmed by fighting until the Wu troops gather in An City."
Cao Xu promptly spoke up, "Seven hundred miles and two hundred miles, such a distance is enough to block the Wu troops. It can at least delay them for more than ten days."
Sima Yi also nodded and said, "Therefore, if our army moves south from Shouchun and camps at the area of Wuqiang Pass, we can not only block the Wu troops from both the east and west but also facilitate attacks whether to the west or to the east."
Cao Rui nodded: "Throughout the journey, I have discussed this matter with Marquis of Zhaoge and several attendants, and I too think that Wuqiang Pass is an excellent location."
"Grand Marshal and Grand General, what do you both think?"
(Chapter Complete)
