Cao Rui sat on his horse, holding an arrow and aiming with his bow. For a few moments, he held his breath. Then, with a light touch of his right fingers, the arrow buzzed as it shot through the air straight towards the grassy thicket ahead.
A rustling sound emerged from the grass, where a wild rabbit, with its belly pierced by an arrow, kicked its legs a few times before ceasing to move.
Sun Li shouted beside him, "Your Majesty has shot a rabbit!"
The other 40 knights who followed him also shouted in unison, "Your Majesty has shot a rabbit!"
Cao Rui looked at Sun Li beside him with a smile: "De Da, do not shout when you have shot a rabbit. If you can shoot a bear or deer, it's not too late to shout."
"Understood." Sun Li grinned, bowed, and said, "Then I shall go fetch the game."
Cao Rui nodded and said, "I will accompany you."
After Sun Li dismounted and stood to the right front of the emperor's white horse, he took the reins and walked forward. The two had just walked less than three cun when an unusual commotion suddenly came from the bushes ahead.
It seemed that the animal had smelled the blood. A majestic tiger, its fur patterned and lying down, slowly stood up. Its round eyes stared directly at the two humans in front of it, and the low growl emanating from its open mouth conveyed an invisible threat that was about to come rushing in.
This was the first time Cao Rui had encountered a tiger in the wild.
It is only when facing a large predator directly that one feels the oppression brought by a hunter. Cao Zhen had once shot an tiger with a bow in his youth, and such courage is indeed not something ordinary people possess.
But you, Cao Zhen, have a bow, and I, Cao Rui, don't have a bow?
Cao Rui gently raised his left hand, signaling the knights behind him to halt.
A gust of wind blew from the front, and there seemed to be a faint smell of the tiger in the air.
At this moment, Sun Li suddenly drew his long sword from his waist and stepped to the left, blocking in front of Cao Rui's horse.
Cao Rui's lips curved up. After moving the bow in his right hand to his left hand, he drew an arrow from the quiver hanging from the saddle on the right side of the horse, placed the arrow on the bow, and slowly drew it back.
Apart from the few riders directly behind Cao Rui, all the knights on both sides also drew their bows full, and the low sounds of the taut bowstrings resounded simultaneously on both sides.
"De Da, return and be careful!" Cao Rui whispered.
Sun Li didn't turn his head: "Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will go ahead for the emperor."
All of this happened within a matter of moments.
The tiger seemed to have recognized the line of armor-clad knights approaching in front of it, as well as the closest and most prominent rider on horseback, who was wearing a gold armor. After roaring once, it retreated backward.
It retreated back into the bushes within an instant.
Sun Li heaved a sigh of relief, feeling his legs go weak for a moment.
Before Cao Rui could even open his mouth to speak, Sun Li turned and deeply bowed: "Your Majesty, there is something I must report to the throne."
Cao Rui slowly loosened the bowstring, held the arrow in his right hand, and pointed to Sun Li with the feathered end: "De Da, what is your report?"
Sun Li looked up and replied, "Your Majesty, as the supreme ruler of a vast empire, you carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. It is inevitable to encounter a ferocious tiger even during a hunt."
"It is hoped that Your Majesty will exercise great care in the future, and refrain from personally venturing forth during hunting. Please take today's event as a lesson."
Cao Rui stared at Sun Li for a few moments before smiling and saying, "With an advisor like you by my side, what is there to fear from even a tiger?"
"De Da, get on the horse and ride with me to find another tiger!"
Sun Li expressed his sincerity with a serious tone, "Your Majesty, think twice."
Cao Rui waved his hand, saying, "No problem. First, retrieve the rabbit I shot, and then we'll go to the east."
Sun Li could only bow and comply.
...
As the sun reached its highest point, it began to gradually sink towards the west.
By afternoon, Cao Rui led a hundred riders back, and among the spoils of the hunt were not only hares, rabbits, and deer but also a bear.
There is indeed a bit of luck involved when it comes to shooting a tiger.
As soon as they returned to the camp, the remaining Zhongsheng Xin Zhi approached them proactively.
Cao Rui raised his whip, smiling, "Minister Xin, would you like to see the spoils of my hunt?"
However, Xin Pi's expression was serious. After bowing respectfully, he said, "Your Majesty, there is an urgent military matter from Luoyang that has just been transmitted. Please allow me to present it to you."
Cao Rui reached out and took the document from Xin Pi, removing the sealing wax on the outside.
After giving it a cursory glance, Cao Rui smiled and said, "Ah, it's about this matter? No matter, I am aware of it."
Feeling that Xin Pi was staring at him, Cao Rui threw the document to him as well and said, "Minister Xin, you can also take a look."
Xin Pi unfolded the letter, and his already serious expression grew tighter: "Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance. Perhaps it would be better to summon the Grand General and the Marquis back?"
Cao Rui shook his head and said, "It's nothing. Let them come back slowly."
Xin Pi urged, "Your Majesty, how should we respond to this matter?"
"Naturally, we will respond after I return to Luoyang," Cao Rui said with a smile. "It's no big deal that Zhuge Liang has gone to Hanzhong. I had anticipated it. Otherwise, what am I doing sending Zhang He to Yong and Liang?"
Cao Rui dismounted and pulled on Xin Pi's sleeves, leading him backwards: "Come on, Minister Xin, let's take a look at the prey I hunted today."
By the time the spoils of the hunt were tallied in the evening, Sun Suyi's squad still had the least. Due to a bet, Cao Rui also had the rare opportunity to see Sun Suyi indulging in drinking.
Indeed, he can hold his drink.
His body is in good condition.
By the time they returned to Luoyang, it was already mid-afternoon of another day.
Cao Rui summoned the Western and Eastern study rooms, along with four ministers, to his study room.
Xin Pi summarized the military situation brought by Zhang He, then turned to the assembly of officials and said, "The details of what Minister Xin just mentioned, everyone has heard?"
The previous evening, the emperor only cared about drinking and did not discuss this matter with Cao Zhen and Sun Suyi. What Cao Zhen had to say had been bottled up in his heart for a day.
Cao Zhen was the first to bow and say, "Your Majesty, I believe that the Great Wei should mobilize troops to respond."
Cao Rui raised his eyebrows and looked at Cao Zhen: "What measures do you suggest, General?"
Cao Zhen said, "Your Majesty, as a military governor of Yunyang and Liang, I am very familiar with the military situation there. The places we are considering are Qiushan and Longyou."
"Shall we send an additional 10,000 troops to Longyou as a precaution?"
Cao Rui asked, "Add an additional 10,000 troops? From which place?"
Cao Zhen didn't hesitate to say, "Your Majesty, I believe we should dispatch troops from Zhang He's location to Longyou and then transfer 10,000 central troops to reinforce Zhang He."
Cao Zhen spoke with a sincere expression, clearly indicating that he had given serious thought to the matter. In this study room of the Northern Palace in Luoyang, it was only General Cao Zhen who had truly commanded troops in Yunyang and Liang.
It was clear that Cao Zhen remembered the emperor's policy of resting and nourishing the people, but dispatching only 10,000 troops was indeed what Cao Zhen considered to be the minimum response.
Cao Rui nodded slightly but did not respond. Instead, he continued to look at the other officials in the study room.
Simya, Wei Zhen... Chen Jiao...
The gaze shifted to the newly appointed minister Wang Shu.
Wang Shu was a pure scholar, a fact that Cao Rui was well aware of. But scholars are not incapable of having military strategy, are they?
Cao Rui asked, "Minister Wang, this is the first time I have asked you about military strategy. What do you think the court should do in response?"
Wang Shu bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that the words of the Spring and Autumn Annals say that war is a deceptive strategy that should not be practiced regularly. It is always risky to go to war and cannot be relied upon."
"If Zhuge Liang is in Nan Zhi, attacking Yunyang and Liang is a move that he would surely regret. I believe that such a faraway expedition will inevitably lead to failure. Our troops should remain steadfast and wait for their attack before responding."
Cao Rui lightly nodded: "I understand."
It seems that there are differences between the ministers and the minister-attendants.
If Liu Ye was here, he would certainly respond with military strategy directly, and definitely not be like Wang Shu who cited the Spring and Autumn Annals.
As for the matter of Zhuge Liang, there is no need for anyone to help analyze it. Zhuge Liang's establishment in Nan Zhen was clearly for the purpose of preparing for next year's northern campaign.
Otherwise, what could he do? Planting wheat in Hanzhong and messing up the timing? Even if he did plant wheat, wouldn't that be a waste of time?
Choosing Wang Shu as a minister-attendant was intended to leverage his scholarly and literary skills to oversee the modification of laws, compilations of classics, historical records, and literature.
Each person to their own, if he doesn't understand military strategy, then so be it.
Cao Rui cleared his throat and said, "All those who think we should reinforce Yunyang and Liang, or engage in battle as a response, please raise your hands."
The officials who can sit here are not people who hesitate.
Almost instantly, Yang Fu, Chen Jiao, Cao Zhen, Sima Yi, Dong Zhao, and Wei Zhen all raised their hands.
Except for Wang Shu, Cao Rui turned to the officials who had not yet raised their hands and asked, "What is your opinion, Minister Xin?"
Xin Pi said with a solemn expression, "Your Majesty, I also accompanied Emperor Wu on the expedition to Hanzhong."
"I vividly remember what Emperor Wu said, 'Nanzheng is straight to the heavenly prison, and the Xiegu Pass is merely a five-hundred-mile stone cave.' "
"The terrain in Hanzhong is treacherous, and even Emperor Wu did not want to attack it again. To fight when it is easy and retreat when it is difficult is the right way for the army to conduct operations."
"If the plan is to attack Hanzhong, this is knowingly engaging in difficult challenges. Therefore, I am against this plan."
Cao Rui nodded: "Minister Xin, you are against attacking Hanzhong, but you didn't say anything about not increasing troops, did you?"
Xin Pi thought for a moment before bowing and acknowledging.
Cao Rui looked at the six officials who had just raised their hands and said, "Who would like to send troops from the central army?"
This kind of voting on affairs was not something the officials were very accustomed to, but they still followed the emperor's command and made their statements.
Now, there is only one person left who hasn't raised his hand, Yang Fu.
Cao Rui appointed Yang Fu as a minister-attendant precisely because he was a native of Liang and could consult him on matters related to Liang.
Now is the time to hear his opinions.
Cao Rui pointed to Yang Fu and said, "What do you say, Yang Qiong?"
Yang Fu bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I'm afraid that the various counties of Liangright cannot afford so many troops. Does that mean we have to transport grain from Henan?"
Upon hearing Yang Fu's words, Sima Yi's brow slightly furrowed. This minor change in expression was acutely noticed by Cao Rui.
Cao Rui asked, "Minister Yang, you believe we should increase troops, but also believe we cannot move them. From where should the troops come?"
Yang Fu bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, we should recruit the Qiang to fight. The Qiang and Han live in a mixed state in Liang, with the Qiang and Han making up half each."
"If we enlist the Qiang as irregular troops, then we won't have to endure the trouble and expense of moving troops!"
Cao Rui smiled and shook his head slowly.
Yang Fu, whose temperament is naturally blunt, was curious and asked, "Your Majesty, is there something wrong with what I said?"
Cao Rui looked at Yang Fu: "Minister Yang, using the Qiang as soldiers is actually a method that was used after the Han Dynasty's Qiang rebellion, and it is fundamentally correct."
"But Minister Yang seems to have forgotten something. The army led by Zhuge Liang is not something that can be dealt with by irregular Qiang troops."
"How could it be done without Han troops?"
Yang Fu did not argue; he bowed and then said no more.
Cao Rui looked at the other officials and said, "It is necessary to deploy troops."
"But, I do not want to deploy troops to Liangright, nor do I want to send them to Mian County."
"Send the troops to Chang'an. What do all of you think about that?" (The chapter ends)
