Guo Huan was selected to the Chancellory thanks to Cao Pi's favor, and after joining the army to conquer Han Zhong, he was left as a senior officer in Xiang Huan's army.
After Xia Hаo Yuan was killed by Huang Zhong at Ding Jun Mountain, it was Guo Hui who led, along with Du Xi, in nominating Zhang He as the acting commander-in-chief. Subsequently, Guo Hui naturally became Zhang He's senior officer.
It can be said that there is a very deep historical friendship between Guo Hui and Zhang He.
"Sir Zhang, it's been a while." Guo Hui stepped into the Left General's mansion and said in a cheerful voice. Compared to the prefectural governor, Guo Hui was more like a general.
Guo Hui, over forty years old, with a robust figure and a resounding voice, did not fit the style of governors like Wang Chang and Wang Ling.
It is not known whether it is due to the soil in the western region, or if Guo Hui himself is a descendant of a military family.
"Boji has arrived? Please take a seat quickly." Zhang He rose and welcomed him with a smile.
There are always some unwritten rules between people. The more familiar one is with another, the more different the address will be from others.
Although Zhang He was a general for years, he liked to communicate with scholars in his private life. He was skilled in singing poems, shooting at targets with a dart, and playing the game of qi. These cultural activities popular among literati were all his forte.
Guo Hui addressing Zhang He as "Sir Zhang" instead of "Left General" actually suited Zhang He's preferences better.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Zhang He shared with Guo Hui all the information he learned from San Guan a few days ago.
Guo Hui also furrowed his brows upon hearing this: "Since the 24th year of the Jian'an era, Han Zhong has always been guarded by Wei Yan. Now that Zhuge Liang is leading his army to Han Zhong, there must be some intention behind it."
"Last year, when Zhang He just returned from Luoyang and passed through Chang'an, I remember Zhang He mentioned that the emperor believed Zhuge Liang would march north to Yong and Liang."
"It seems that the emperor has spoken true on this matter?"
Zhang He nodded and said, "The emperor is truly wise and decisive, displaying the style of Emperor Wu."
"Han Zhong is a land surrounded by four passes. To the north lies Yong and Liang, to the west are the Di and Qiang, and to the east is Shangyong. Zhuge Liang personally arriving must not just attack the Di or Qiang or Shangyong."
"For these two places, sending Wei Yan or Wu Yi would suffice. Moreover, there are hardly any people left in Wu Du anymore. They have all been evacuated!"
Guo Hui nodded, "Since things are like this, Zhang He will need to decide on a countermeasure first."
Zhang He said, "I invited Boji to Mian County specifically for this matter."
Guo Hui became the Governor of Yong Province at the age of forty, and being a trusted confidant of Cao Pi was indeed important. However, his outstanding talent was also evident. The late Emperor Cao Pi's arrangements in the western region were truly without fault, except for Xia Houshaoguang who was a mere mediocrity; the other personnel appointments were commendable.
After thinking for a moment, Guo Hui said, "Zhang He, is there no way to increase troops?"
Zhang He nodded: "The central troops are returning to Luoyang in March, with only two months for rest and recovery. It's likely that the vacant positions haven't been filled yet. How can more troops be added to Yong and Liang?"
"Furthermore, I have made a promise to the emperor that if Zhuge Liang hasn't arrived yet and we seek help, it would be laughing at by all under heaven."
It can be said that Zhang He and Guo Hui are indeed close friends. Such heartfelt words are not something that can be shared with just anyone.
Guo Hui analyzed in an orderly manner: "Zhang He, in reality, the Yong and Liang states were once united. The current problem is that Liang State has shrunk while Yong State has become too large."
"Besides Guanzhong, Nanshan, Tienshui, Longyou, and Guangwei in Longyou all belong to Yong State. With the Long Mountains in between, it is very inconvenient for east-west travel."
"Although the large army is stationed in Chenchang and is already quite close to Longyou, there may not be enough time if something happens."
Zhang He said, "Do you have a strategy to counter this situation?"
Guo Hui laughed, "It seems that you are testing me, Zhang He!"
"Since we cannot increase the number of troops, and we cannot move the soldiers from Chenchang to Longyou either, then if the Sichuan army comes, the only feasible thing is to quickly utilize the armed forces of each county and city in Longyou."
"If I, the Governor of Yong Province, do not stay in Longyou, how can this thing be achieved?"
"Ha ha ha," Zhang He laughed and said, "Boji really speaks freely!"
"I must not deceive you, Boji. After thinking about it repeatedly, I believe the only way is for a person like you who knows the army to personally sit in Longyou and command."
"If Boji is in Longyou, then I have nothing to worry about!"
Guo Hui interjected, "Zhang He, going to Longyou is no problem for me. But if I have to stay there all the time, it wouldn't be excusable not to inspect the various counties in Guanzhong."
Zhang He said, "A few political matters, how can that matter? Can Guanzhong even rise up?"
Guo Hui replied, "Zhang He is right. However, how should we explain this to the emperor and the imperial court?"
Zhang He said with a smile, "You need not worry about such matters, Boji. The emperor is wise and mighty, and he will surely agree to any military deployment. Rest assured."
Guo Hui interjected, "Zhang He, I did not mean that."
"Can't we move the residence of the Governor of Yong Province from Chang'an to Longyou? After all, it's still too big for Yong State!"
Zhang He pondered for a moment and said, "Let's not talk about this."
"According to the emperor's thinking, defeating Wu and Shu are just ten years away. There is no need to adjust the residency of governors yet. We can just cope with it for now."
"It was the same in Longyou a few years ago, with no governor at all. How did we get through it?"
Guo Hui replied, "That's true. Since the military situation is urgent, I won't return to Chang'an. Tomorrow, I'll leave Mian County and head to Longyou."
Things like this would probably cause the governors in Jingzhou and Yangzhou to delay for a few days to make preparations. However, in Yong and Liang, quick action has already become a habit from the top down. Saying goodbye and leaving at once is the norm.
Zhang He nodded: "Boji, where are you planning to go? To Nanshan County or Tienshui County?"
Guo Hui pondered for a moment: "I think I'll go to Tienshui County. After all, Lu Pan's 3,000 troops are stationed there, which will be more convenient in case of emergencies."
"Very good!" Zhang He said: "Then I will write a letter to Lu Pan, instructing him to follow your orders in case of emergencies."
"I cannot give you the symbol of authority, but Lu Pan has always been sensible, so there is no need to worry."
Guo Hui smiled and said, "All in accordance with Zhang He's arrangement!"
...
Five days later, in the late afternoon, at the southern outskirts of Luoyang.
As the capital of the Great Wei, there have always been quite a few hunting grounds outside of Luoyang.
During the reign of Emperor Cao Pi, he often went hunting with his close aides and was even reprimanded by Bao Xing.
The reason why there are so many hunting grounds outside Luoyang is that there are fewer people and more fallow land. After years of turmoil and plagues, the population still needs to recover.
Cao Rui seldom felt the urge to go hunting, but today he was in a good mood and wanted to go on a hunt outside Luoyang. Since he was going out of the city, naturally, he would take Cao Zhen and Sima Yi along with him, leaving Wei Zheng behind to guard the city.
Since Xia Houshu took over the post in Xiangyang to fill the vacancy left by Xu Huang, Xia Haosong had taken over the central camp, and the palace guards were in charge of Qin Lang.
For this hunt, it was also led by Xia Haosheng with 2,000 horsemen escorting.
They left the South Gate of Luoyang in the morning, crossed the Luo River and Yi River, and reached Dashiashan, fifty li southeast of Luoyang City, in the afternoon.
Cao Rui rode on his horse, turned his head, and asked with a smile, "General Cao, where should we set up camp today?"
Cao Zhen rode forward: "The emperor need not worry. Three days ago, I already sent people to observe the terrain and set up the camp. We will directly move in after we arrive."
Cao Rui smiled, "General Cao really knows how to please me."
Cao Zhen replied, "The emperor rarely comes out for hunting, and even small matters can be taken care of by me."
"Two thousand horsemen," Cao Rui looked at Cao Zhen, "and if it were a hundred thousand troops, General Cao would still be able to manage them smoothly."
Cao Zhen bowed and said, "It's all part of my duty."
Sima Yi stepped forward and said to the emperor, "If we calculate the time, it's almost time for the Imperial messenger Sima Zhi, who was sent to Wuangle, to return."
"That's true, he has been gone for over a month," Cao Rui said slowly: "I just wonder what response Sun Quan will give."
"Then why don't General Cao and Marquis Sima guess together?"
The emperor was in high spirits, and Cao Zhen and Sima Yi naturally could not ruin the mood.
Cao Zhen spoke first: "The emperor, I believe Sun Quan will not want to fight again. But with the Yangtze River as a barrier, he may not be willing to subject himself again. Once a face has been slapped, how can it be mended?"
Sima Yi nodded: "I have the same idea as General Cao. If I may add, regarding the marriage of Princess Sun, it seems that Sun Quan will have to grit his teeth and accept it."
"Ha ha ha," Cao Rui laughed and said, "If we want to defeat Sun Quan again in the future, it might not be successful to cross the river from An Juan or Runesu. Going by land from Changan to attack Jingling seems more reliable."
Jingling? Cao Zhen was the commander of the Western Army in the Three-Way Campaign against Wu. It's not easy to attack from Changan to Jingling.
Cao Zhen was about to speak to dissuade him, but then he thought that before the emperor's personal campaign, it seemed difficult to conquer Huaiyang as well. The words he was about to say were then swallowed back.
Sima Yi interjected: "When should the campaign begin, Your Majesty?"
Cao Rui said naturally: "At least, it cannot be done this year. Last November, December, and the first and second months of this year required enormous manpower. It will take at least more than a year to recover, and then we can consider it again."
"Xiangfan is already sparse in population. If we transport grain from Hebei and Henan, it would be too costly, and it might be difficult to bear the burden for a while."
The emperor's thoughts were clear, and Sima Yi had nothing to say to dissuade him.
But at this moment, Cao Rui suddenly asked about it.
"General Cao, Marquis Sima, I've been thinking of something."
Cao Rui smiled and said, "What if someone occupies the city of Luoyang now? How would we three of us outside respond?"
Cao Zhen was startled upon hearing this and, with a serious expression, bowed and asked, "What does the emperor mean by saying this? Is there any abnormality in the city of Luoyang?"
Cao Rui waved his hand: "General Cao, do not worry too much. I was just making a comparison and suddenly thought of this. With Xu Cu and Wei Zhen in Luoyang, what should I worry about?"
"Let's just play a game!"
Sima Yi smiled and replied: "My Lord, do we, the Marquis and I, also fall into the category of those who have fled outside? We do not know how the bandits in Luoyang managed to seize the city."
Cao Rui said calmly and slowly: "If they first send troops to the palace, get an edict from Dowager Empress Bian or Dowager Empress Guo, then occupy the military arsenal in Luoyang, and send people to order the Wuwei Camp, the Central Camp, and the Middle Fort Camp to hold their positions."
"After occupying the city of Luoyang, fortify it by controlling the floating bridges on the Luo River."
"What should we do then?" (End of Chapter)
