Is it the reinforcement of Chang'an?
Cao Zhen sat beside him, frowning and pondering.
It is certain that reinforcements will be sent to the western front. The things to be concerned about are merely two, one is the provision of military funds and supplies, and the other is the coordination of military deployment.
Stationing in Chang'an must be more economical in terms of both resources and supplies compared to stationing in Longyou.
Guanzhong is also a strategically positioned area, though it is much larger than Hanzhong.
Zhang He is stationed in Chenchang and Xianfu County in the westernmost part. If reinforcements are sent to the central Chang'an, they can not only provide timely assistance to Zhang He but also prevent him from taking any countermeasures.
But this time Cao Zhen found it difficult to think more. The reason why Cao Rui wants to send reinforcements to Chang'an is probably still from the angle of economy.
Cao Zhen bowed and said, "Your Majesty, why not dispatch another 20,000 central troops to Chang'an? If there are matters in Yong and Liang, it would be easier to mobilize them."
"Why two million?" Cao Rui looked at Cao Zhen and said, "In the end, the number of reinforcements will depend on how the battle is conducted."
Cao Zhen nodded: "As the strategy the emperor has always maintained, when Yong and Liang are exhausted, we should focus on restoration. In my opinion, it's better to defend."
"How to defend?" Cao Rui pursued.
Cao Zhen said decisively, "Blockade Chenchang Pass, Baoya Pass, Tangluo Pass, and Zimu Pass in the Guanzhong region. Face the invading enemy army and force them to retreat."
"Defend Qingshan Fort and wait for the opportunity to defeat the enemy in Nan'an, Xiantian, and Longxi."
"So the key focus is still on the western front?" Cao Wei interjected, "But the western front is poor and cannot support so many troops. Therefore, we need to hold the line first in the western front and then provide support from Meixian and Chenchang."
"Is that what the general means?"
Cao Zhen bowed: "Exactly so."
Cao Rui laughed, "As expected of a hero! Zhang He has sent Guo Hui to Tian Shui Commandery in the western front. How is Guo Hui with military affairs? Is the general familiar with him?"
Cao Zhen saw this and smiled and said, "He is similar to Man Bowning."
Cao Rui immediately understood.
Man Chong is a typical literary official leading troops, acting cautiously with no mistakes. He may not be suited for attacking and overcoming difficulties, but when it comes to defending cities, he should have no major problems.
Of course, against an opponent like Zhuge Liang, relying on one person alone, Guo Hui, is not enough. Zhang He's 15,000 troops stationed in Qianxian are the true reliance.
Cao Zhen continued to ask, "Your Majesty, if that is the case, should we dispatch the central troops to Luoyang?"
"Did I say anything about dispatching the central troops?" Cao Rui countered. "The central troops still need to rest and train in Luoyang and cannot be easily mobilized."
"I think it would be better to dispatch some troops from around Yangtze and Jingzhou to be sent to Chang'an."
After sitting for a long time, Sima Yi bowed and said: "The minister agrees. Sun Quan suffered heavy losses in early January, so the pressure on Jingzhou and Yangzhou should have decreased. It's fine to dispatch troops from these two places."
Cao Zhen gave Sima Yi a sidelong glance but said nothing.
The deployment of troops, where to send them, who to lead the attack and who to defend, these are sensitive issues that involve more delicate rights.
Let's not talk about anything else. Based on the current emperor's style of operation, it would be difficult to predict how many marquis titles will be granted after a major battle.
The central troops are Cao Zhen's own territory.
Xiachou Shang and Xu Zhang are both dead, and the troops outside of Jingzhou now all listen to Chen Qun.
Cao Xiu is indeed in Yangzhou, but Cao Xiu and Cao Zhen have never really been on good terms either!
Cao Rui nodded slightly with approval: "I still lean towards the opinion of the Grand Master. General, the central troops are the foundation of the state. They cannot be easily mobilized."
"Let the General lead them in Luoyang."
Cao Zhen also understood this, and he quickly forced a smile: "Your Majesty is right. However..."
Before Cao Zhen finished speaking, Cao Rui interrupted: "General, if we go from Chang'an to Xiangyang, which route should we take?"
Cao Zhen answered without hesitation, "From Chang'an, via Shangluo and Wu Pass, passing through Nanshang Commandery to reach Xiangyang."
"It will take a few days later to leave from Luoyang," Cao Rui asked again.
"But it's only three days later," Cao Zhen then asked, "If Luoyang is the destination, Your Majesty will need to select a capable general to command the troops."
"Who does Your Majesty have in mind?"
Cao Rui laughed: "The General cannot always ask the emperor for permission. After the meeting is over, you can discuss it together with the Grand Secretaries in the Western and Eastern Palaces, and let the emperor choose."
"By the way, send letters to the Grand Marshal and Chen Huodui, and ask both of them."
"It's just June now, and the matter of deploying troops to Chang'an can be decided before July. In my opinion, there is no need to rush this matter."
Cao Zhen nodded in agreement.
Chang'an, Chenchang, Longyou, Jincheng, and Wuyi.
From the ancient capital of the Han Dynasty, these strongholds are like pearls strung on a single thread, shining brilliantly while also being mutually vulnerable; one's loss is another's.
If any of these places are disrupted, it may be difficult to restore them in the short term.
The events in Yangzhou are followed by those in Liangzhou.
From promoting Zhang He to the position of Supervisor of Yong and Liang, to assigning Xiahou Ba and Lu Xun to positions on the western frontier, to Yang Fu becoming the Minister of Ceremonial Affairs, and now to today's discussion of sending troops to Chang'an - the importance of the Yong and Liang region no longer needs to be elaborated upon in court.
The officials and ministers filed out one by one, each with their own thoughts.
Like Yang Fu, a native of Tian Shui Commandery, he thought about his hometown being afflicted with war again.
The other high-ranking officials in the court were thinking more about personnel and politics. Liangzhou is not Qiao Commandery, not Hebei, not Yingchuan!
After leaving the door, the four ministers were all heading to the Western Palaces for meetings, and the ministers of state also turned around and went back to their office straight away.
The office of the serves is closer, but it is still necessary to cross over half of the courtyard to get to the West or East Court.
Just as they were about to part ways, Sima Yi was called over by Wang Shu, the Minister of Ceremonial Affairs.
"Grand Master, please wait a moment," Wang Shu whispered softly from the side.
Not only did Sima Yi stop, but Cao Zhen, Dong Zhuo, and Wei Zheng also slowed down their pace and turned around.
Sima Yi nodded to the three men, "Please go ahead, I will follow shortly."
The three men did not hesitate and continued on their way to the Western Palaces. A few moments later, Wang Shu said, "Grand Master, my father invites you to his home tonight for a chat."
To Wang Lang's home?
Sima Yi's heart suddenly jolted awake. He finally realized why, on the day he was on his way to Dashishan, the emperor's words seemed to hint at something for him.
On the twenty-sixth day of May, Sima Yi's eldest son Sima Shiyu married Xiahou Hui, the daughter of Xiahou Xuan.
As a young Three Grand Premier, Sima Yi attracted almost every prominent figure in Luoyang except Zhong Yin who was immobilized.
The Marquis of the House of Wang, Wang Lang, and the newly appointed Minister of Ceremonial Affairs, Wang Shu, were naturally among the top guests.
Even the emperor sent the General of the Central Guard, Huan Fan, to present him with a painting bearing the words "Loyalty and Carefulness for Generations."
Mastering calligraphy is not a one-day task. Cao Rui, in order to write good Han seal script, also took lessons from Zhong Yin. These four characters have an attractive framework but their soul seems somewhat lacking.
However, who would really find fault with the calligraphy of 'Loyalty and Carefulness for Generations' written by the emperor himself?
After the banquet that day, Sima Yi personally went to the door to send off Wang Lang and Wang Shu, father and son. Taking advantage of the wine, he asked Wang Shu experimentally, "Zi Yong, what do you think of my son Ziyuan?"
Facing Sima Yi who took advantage of the wine to ask questions, his father, the Duke of Wang, stood beside him. Although Wang Shu was a bit cold-hearted in nature, he could only smile and say: "He can achieve the affairs of the world. Sir Yuan of Sima is also an extraordinary talent and bearing."
Sima Yi smiled and shook his head, "You do not know, my eldest son is so outstanding; my second son is just like him."
Wang Lang, who did not drink because of his age, stood aside directly and asked, "What is your meaning, Zhongda?"
Sima Yi smiled and said, "My second son Sima Zhao was born in 16th year of Jian'an. I heard that you have a daughter, Xiaoshuang is still young. I wonder if the old man is willing to engage our Sima family?"
My eldest son, Sima Shi, has married the niece of General Cao Zhen. For my second son, Sima Zhao, to marry the granddaughter of a grand minister—this is not a loss!
Wang Lang furrowed his brow.
Although Wang Lang was already seventy years old, he had lost a son and a daughter in the early years of Jian'an. Now, he had only two sons left - one standing beside him, Wang Shu, and his youngest son was only two years old.
In this aspect, Marquis Wang's courage is not inferior to that of Grand Teacher Zhong.
Wang Lang has only one grown son, Wang Shu. Wang Shu is also the only daughter. Wang Yuji, since childhood, has been intelligent. Wang Lang once said, "She will be the one to bring prosperity to our family!"
Such a pearl in her father's palm, how could she be easily given away?
Wang Lang remained expressionless and said nothing. Sima Yi, standing across from him, was not at all embarrassed by the wine in his cup, and Wang Shu could only decline and promise to give an answer to Sima Yi at a later time.
When the emperor went hunting, Wang Shu, as a minister of ceremony, was also present. After returning to Luoyang, he learned from messengers that his father Wang Lang wanted to invite Sima Yi to his home for a detailed discussion.
Wang Shu understood that based on his father's character, he would likely agree to this arrangement.
But Wang Shu was somewhat surprised by Sima Yi's fixed gaze at the tiles in the courtyard, as if lost in thought.
"Minister Wang, Minister Wang," Wang Shu called softly.
"Oh, I've been a bit tired these past few days and zoned out," Sima Yi replied with a slightly apologetic smile and looked at Wang Shu. "Zi Yong, what did you just say?"
Wang Shu felt a hint of irritation in his heart. A person like Wang Shu, who was full of vigor and had become the Minister of Ceremonial Affairs at the age of thirty, who could even criticize Zheng Xuan's writings, would not submit to Sima Yi's power.
Moreover, his father is the Minister of the House.
If a commoner missed a word, Wang Shu might still be able to believe it. However, Sima Yi, who has spent half his life in the imperial court, should not have missed a word.
This is the attitude he has towards forming an alliance with the Donghai Wang family?
Wang Shu's face remained unchanged, still smiling and saying, "Our father invites you to our home tonight for a chat."
“Loyalty and Carefulness for Generations”, “Zhou Gong feared slander”, “Dong Zhuo sold these decades of merits for a good price”…
If Sima Yi didn't have this level of sensitivity, then he wouldn't be Sima Yi.
Sima Yi seemed to recall the gaze from the emperor, who was sitting behind the desk and looking down upon him, as he knelt before him in this very study.
Sima Yi could even visualize the emperor asking: 'Wang Shu just became a Minister of Ceremonial Affairs, and you want to form an alliance with him? Master of Space and Time is indeed blessed with many children!'
Wang Mang was humble when he was not yet usurping the throne.
A shiver.
Sima Yi addressed the Wang Shu, who was over a decade younger than him, with an earnest expression, bowing and saying, "Zi Yong, I truly feel unwell today. How about we postpone my visit to your father's residence and apologize to the Marquis another day?" (The chapter ends)
