Seeing the emperor had already leaned against the boat hull, Cao Zhen mentioned another thing.
"Your Majesty may not know that Xu Hang is from Hedong, and Guan Yu is also from Hedong. These two people have a long-standing personal relationship, but when they confront each other, Xu Hang said he would offer a bounty on Guan Yu's head, saying that the one who gets Guan Yu's head will be rewarded with a thousand pieces of gold."
Cao Rui said, "They are from the same hometown? I've never thought of it from that angle."
Cao Zhen immediately said, "In a confrontation between two armies, private friendships do not matter. What Xu Hang said is completely correct, but Guan Yu was extremely frightened and asked Xu Hang, 'Big brother, what did you mean by that?'"
Cao Rui looked at Cao Zhen and said, "The General may not have thought of it all."
"Where did I not think of it?" Cao Zhen asked.
"The Wei Kingdom's military operations always adhere to the laws of the court, and all the generals' deployment are carried out according to military discipline," Cao Rui smiled and said. "On the side of Shu Han, there is no great righteousness of the court, and usually only a few main generals. It is hard to say that their relationship is more personal than public affairs."
"The emperor is right," Cao Zhen was stunned for a moment and then nodded, "Liu Ye hasn't said 'Shu is a small country, only Guan Yu is a general'?" Liu Beibei has not ruled over less than two states, and for a commander like Guan Yu who oversees the affairs of one state, it is indeed not appropriate to treat him solely with public affairs. The personal relationship is the most important."
At night, the Huai River flows grandly yet quietly. The small boat drifted slowly along the current towards the next harbor two li away from the shore. Cao Rui turned slightly and dipped his fingers into the water, then stirred up a spray of droplets.
Cao Rui asked, "Have you met Guan Yu, General? What kind of person is Guan Yu exactly?"
Cao Zhen said, "When I was young, I had the chance to meet Guan Yu in Xucheng. I don't even want to talk about his appearance or martial arts, but the feeling he gives off can be described in one word: 'arrogant'."
"Arrogant? Please elaborate, General," Cao Rui was curious.
Cao Zhen explained, "Guan Yu's arrogance is like looking down on everyone. The generals in Xucheng originally thought that this person only boasted of his martial arts and military skills, and coupled with the fact that Guan Yu was captured alive in Xucheng, they always thought his boasts were exaggerated."
"But when Guan Yu acted as the advance force at Baihe, he rode and pierced Yan Lang in the midst of a thousand people, and then slayed his head and returned. Not only were the troops of Yuan shocked, but Zhang Liao was also dumbfounded on the battlefield that day."
"Since then, after Guan Yu returned to Xucheng, although he was still as proud as before, no one dared to belittle him among the generals anymore."
"After several years, Zhang Liao led the attack on the WuHun at Bailiang Mountain and defeated the Uru ethnic group's chancellor Tudun. When he returned to Dathelang, he asked the others if his victory in the North was comparable to Guan Yu's victory at Baihe in terms of slight advantage."
Cao Rui still enjoyed listening to stories. As Cao Zhen finished speaking, Cao Rui also shook his head and stretched out the sentence slowly, "Wang Xing opened the border, Zhang Liao opened the land, Xiao Yu made a general of WuQiao, General captured the enemy."
After a while, Cao Zhen asked, "I know about Wei Qing and Huo Qubing, but who is this 'General capturing prisoners' referring to?"
Cao Rui helplessly said, "This is just wordplay for formality, I use it to fill the number. Anyone like Li Guang or Ma Wu can do it."
Cao Zhen hummed in agreement and didn't pursue the matter further.
Cao Rui changed the subject: "I've noticed that many warriors and strategists' resumes often can't be separated from the Xiangfan Campaign of the 24th year of the Jian'an era. This is true for Cao Ren and Xu Huang, as well as for Man Chong and Zhao Yuan. How is it that Guan Yu is so formidable?"
"I know he can fight, but it really puzzles me why he is so capable. Guan Yu, a native of Bing State and Hedong Province, could only use mounted troops for many years while traveling with Liu Beibei. In addition to mounted troops, he was expert in infantry, naval forces, guerrilla warfare, defense, and camp construction. Although there were flaws in his major plans, such a commander is indeed unusual."
This was not the first time tonight that the emperor had stumped himself. Cao Zhen's heart was also filled with resignation. He has always believed that he is not a natural military leader, but a steady and experienced one who has accumulated years of military experience.
If I knew how Guan Yu became so formidable, wouldn't that mean I could be as strong as Guan Yu? Even though Cao Zhen considers himself a distinguished general in his time, when he mentions the Guan Yu who forced Cao Cao to consider relocating the capital less than ten years ago, he still feels that there is a gap in his own abilities.
Cao Zhen had no choice but to bow and say, "To the emperor, your servant truly does not know."
With the general having said that, what else could the emperor say? His right hand extended again to the boat's railing, feeling the flowing water swirl past his fingers.
Cao Rui spoke casually, "General, in my heart, I have always had a default allocation for you and the Marquis. The Marquis governs the southeast, and you, as the general, are in charge of the Wu and Yong regions. Do you know this?"
Cao Zhen answered, "As for the affairs in the southeast, Your Servant is indeed not as capable as the Marquis. However, I am more familiar with the northwest."
"Yes, that's the idea of putting people in their best positions," Cao Rui said. "Although previously I asked Zhang He to oversee military affairs in the regions of Yong and Changle, if there is a war in Yong, General you still need to command the central troops and lead them to Changle."
Cao Zhen replied, "I am well aware of this, and it is the duty of a general."
Cao Rui nodded, "However, when dealing with the Southern and Eastern Han, Zhuge Liang is a person you must be careful with. No negligence is allowed."
"Even consider him as a rare and formidable enemy."
Cao Zhen said with a puzzled smile, "Your Majesty has just won a great victory, so why are you suddenly on guard against Shu Han? No matter how skilled Zhuge Liang is in warfare, can he be as strong as Guan Yu?"
Cao Rui didn't respond, but instead locked his eyes with Cao Zhen.
After a moment, Cao Zhen asked, "Does he even surpass Guan Yu?"
"I'm not sure to say, but in the world today, there are few warriors as exceptional as Zhuge Liang," Cao Rui replied.
Although Cao Rui himself knows about Zhuge Liang's 'future' northern expeditions and cannot confirm his strength by referencing events that have not yet occurred, the achievements that Zhuge Liang has already accomplished are enough to make people wary.
Cao Rui said, "I have carefully checked, and Zhuge Liang's achievements in entering Shu and stabilizing the southern region are unlike those of ordinary generals." Cao Rui continued, "Have you studied this before, General?"
"I know about these two events, but I have always thought of Zhuge Liang as more of a statesman than a warrior, so I haven't studied his military achievements in great detail," Cao Zhen replied.
The small boat had already passed a dock. Two guardsman alternated rowing, and there were also a group of horsemen from the Tiger Guards on shore, carrying torches and following along the shore.
However, fortunately, due to the need for military supplies, there are many docks outside the city of Shouchun. Beyond this dock, there is another one two li downstream.
Cao Rui said, "General, have you noticed that when Liu Bei failed to take Yizhou for a long time, it was Zhuge Liang who supervised Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun and led them upstream along the Yangtze River with less than 10,000 troops, forcing their way into Chengdu from Jingzhou."
"And last year, Zhuge Liang led his troops to suppress the southern region. He set off in spring, subdued all rebellions by autumn, and returned to Chengdu in winter. Such swift military movements require caution."
Cao Zhen bowed slightly, "Your servant understands the emperor's meaning."
Cao Rui said a lot of unnecessary things, and although Cao Zhen outwardly acknowledged them, Cao Rui felt that he did not actually listen to them.
However, it doesn't matter. With the emperor personally taking care of the final decisions, everything will be fine.
"General, the reason I have been so engrossed in the affairs of Yong and Liang recently is to counter Shu Han," Cao Rui said. "Now Zhang He serves as the military commander of Yong and Liang, and there are Guo Huai in Yong, and Xiahou Yuan's son Xiahou Bai in Liang. Moreover, we have sent Sima Fu to help Xiahou Bai handle civil affairs. We also sent a newly surrendered Lu Xun to deal with the matters in the western regions."
"You, as the General, should also pay close attention to the affairs of Yong and Liang."
Cao Zhen said, "Your servant has once fought against the rebellion in Liangzhou and knows a lot about the affairs of Yong and Liang. The region has been in chaos for over a hundred years since the Han Dynasty, and for our dynasty, which is newly established, to resolve the matters in Yong and Liang in such a short time is indeed not easy."
"During the Yongchu years, the Liangzhou rebellion lasted for fourteen years, costing two hundred and forty billion coins of money. During the Yonghe years, the Liangzhou rebellion lasted for seven years, costing eighty billion coins of money. During Emperor Zhongdi's reign, three regions in Liangzhou were pacified and the rebellion was quelled with forty-four billion coins of money."
"Under such massive expenditures, the situation in Liangzhou is still desolate," Cao Zhen sighed faintly, "Liangzhou is almost..."
"Almost what?" Cao Rui asked.
Cao Zhen said, "It's almost not like Han territory anymore."
Cao Rui pointed with his finger in the direction of the flowing Huai River, then swept his sleeve across half the sky, "Since that's the case, it's even more crucial to unify the realm first before we can gradually support Liangzhou from the interior."
"Classic has written the 'Book of Han'? Once I return to the palace, I will also command someone to start drafting a 'Book of Later Han'."
"If there is anyone in the future who writes the 'Book of Wei,' I, as the second emperor, will naturally be listed first. If I can really defeat Wu within ten years and thus join you all in creating a prosperous era, I hope that in the 'Book of Wei,' the general's place will be even closer to mine."
"In history, the officials are listed in order of merit. Being closer to the emperor in the records means achieving great merits. For the great merits of the great Wei, there is no doubt that it refers to the Wu and Shu countries."
The small boat rocked back and forth, and Cao Zhen slowly stood up from his seat. As a subject, even for someone as high as Cao Zhen, the opportunity to have a heart-to-heart talk with the emperor is rare.
Tonight, boating on the Huai River, above is the brilliant galaxy of stars, and below is the flowing water to the east. Cao Zhen then deeply bowed and said to the emperor, "Your servant understands Your Majesty's concern, and I am willing to always lead the way for Your Majesty."
Cao Rui raised his left hand in mid-air and pressed it downwards, indicating for Cao Zhen to sit down. "Sit down quickly, Your Majesty has more to say to you today."
"Among the generals from the Cao and Xiao families, who else can the emperor rely on besides you and the Marquis?"
After thinking for a moment, Cao Zhen said, "To the emperor, I believe Xiahou Ru might be suitable. Xiahou Bai is still a bit short and needs more experience in Liangzhou. As for Cao Tai, he is a good general, but he should be observed further before being given command of a region."
"I understand." Cao Rui nodded. "However, General Zhao Bao is of the same age as the emperor. What do you think about his future prospects?"
Zhao Bao refers to Cao Zhen's eldest son, Cao Shuang, also known as Zhao Bao.
(Chapter ends)
