Pulling her eyebrows slightly together, she stared at the topographical map on the screen for a long time.
Zhu Gai gave a light cough, standing aside and said, "Your Majesty, I roughly understand your intention."
"Let's hear it!" Cao Rui turned his side to look at Zhu Gai.
Zhu Gai said, "I will move forward a few steps to the front of the topographical map and divide it with your Majesty."
Cao Rui stepped aside two steps immediately, making room for Zhu Gai.
At this moment, the distance between the three people was very close, and Zhu Gai only spoke in a low voice, "As you said earlier, Guo Huai, Xiao Hao, and Lu Xun are blocking the enemy in Longyou."
"If there is danger in Longyou, the Left General needs to go west from Longshan to reinforce Longyou."
"So, the 20,000 troops that Your Majesty intends to place in Chang'an actually have three tasks to handle."
Cao Rui raised his eyes to look at Zhu Gai and asked, "Which are the three?"
"The first is to ensure that the Sichuan enemy does not invade the Guanzhong region, which is of paramount importance. The second is to timely reinforce Longyou in a timely manner, so that Longyou does not encounter danger."
Zhu Gai paused for a moment and continued, "The third is, if Longyou is completely lost, to block Longshan and prevent the Shu army from entering the Guanzhong region."
Cao Rui's eyes slightly widened, and he stared intently at Zhu Gai's face for a good while before asking, "Right General, why do you say that? How could Longyou lose?"
Zhu Gai's face showed a trace of panic, and he hurriedly explained, "Your Majesty, I did not intend to make an unwarranted statement."
Cao Rui asked, "Then why do you say it like that?"
Zhu Gai explained, "Although I have been in the southern shore for ten years, when Emperor Wu broke through Ma Chao and HAN SUI in Weinan, I was fighting alongside General Zhang Junye under the command of Emperor Wu."
"I just remember that, back then, when His Majesty Emperor Wu left Chang'an and passed through Meiyang County, His Majesty discussed with the generals about the time when General Zhang Wen led Dong Zhuo, Sun Jian, and others to fight against the rebel army of Bingzhou led by Biance and Han Sui."
Such old matters, if not mentioned by the party involved, would probably be unknown to others.
Cao Rui was now in high spirits, and Qianzhuo also relaxed his brows temporarily, listening to Zhu Gai's story.
Feeling the attention of the emperor and Qianzhuo, Zhu Gai coughed lightly and said, "Emperor Wu had said among the generals that in those days, when Zhang Wen led the six armies out of Longyou, only Dong Zhuo's army returned victorious."
"If we are to fight in Longyou, we must first consider failure and then strive for victory. We must ensure that Guanzhong does not fall into enemy hands."
Zhu Gai bowed to the emperor and said, "Your Majesty, that's exactly what I was thinking. Please forgive my crime."
Cao Rui turned and walked towards his desk, pointing at the chair beside it as he went, "Both of you, take a seat!"
After Qianzhuo and Zhu Gai took their seats, Cao Rui sighed lightly and said, "Right General, you said well! I will record this for you as a merit!"
"But Your Majesty……" Zhu Gai was puzzled and raised his hands to ask.
Cao Rui spoke slowly, "As they say, even a lion fights an ant with all its might! This year, I soundly defeated Sun Quan in Huaiyuan. Without gathering more than half of the national forces in Huaiyuan, I might not have achieved such a victory."
"I have always believed that with Zhang He and Guo Huai in Yongliang, and with me sending over Lu Xun and Xiao Hao, we do not need to fear anything from Zhuge Liang."
"Right General, you've given me a wake-up call! How can we be complacent in military affairs just because we have made some predictions?"
From the expressions in Qianzhuo and Zhu Gai's eyes, Emperor Cao Rui knew that they clearly did not understand what "having some predictions" meant, but Cao Rui was not prepared to explain any further.
Cao Rui continued, "Twenty thousand may be enough or may not be enough. I have discussed this with the Western and Eastern Palaces, and we have not yet found enough military supplies to place more troops in Yongliang and Liangyou."
"I have pondered over it again and again, and at the moment, the most important thing is to have all the places in Yongliang mobilize their forces for battle and be prepared for any contingency."
Cao Rui looked at Qianzhuo and said, "Did you not ask me earlier why I am using you to command the troops in Chang'an?"
Qianzhuo stood up with a serious expression and bowed his hands in response.
Cao Rui spoke slowly, "The situation in Yongliang is different from that in Yangzhou, where the military control is too complex."
"The foreign troops in Yongzhou, the regional troops in Yongliang, the Qiang people's voluntary soldiers, and the foreign troops transferred from Jingzhou and Yangzhou... I really do not want there to be any regional prejudices or personal likes and dislikes within the military in Yongliang that could affect military campaigns."
Cao Rui looked directly into Qianzhuo's eyes and said, "I have thought and thought, taking into account the military from all over the vast land of Wei, as well as those who have been serving in Yongliang, Changjiang and Yangzhou for many years but have not been stationed there recently, the most suitable person is none other than you."
Qianzhuo bowed and said, "I will not disappoint your Majesty's intention."
Cao Rui nodded slightly.
At this moment, Cao Zhen and Dong Zhao also came over.
Seeing Qianzhuo bow, Cao Zhen asked with a smile, "Is the imperial general already assigning military officers?"
"Yes, I have," Emperor Cao Rui also smiled and asked, "General Cao, how is the progress of the troop withdrawal from Jing and Yang provinces to Chang'an?"
Cao Zhen saw that the emperor was in a good mood, so he also said, "I heard a good news from the Prime Minister."
"Oh?" Cao Rui asked, "Can the Prime Minister spare some more troops?"
"Your Majesty is wise," Cao Zhen replied. "The Prime Minister wrote to me saying that 12,000 troops are certainly no problem. If we need a little more, say an extra 3,000 or 5,000, they can be provided as well."
Cao Rui, however, looked somewhat doubtful and asked, "Why? Did we not count the troops in Yangzhou earlier?"
Cao Zhen smiled brightly and said, "We had forgotten the captured Wu army soldiers earlier this year."
"The Prime Minister and the Governor of Yangzhou, Jiang Zitong, have selected about 20,000 soldiers from the 50,000 Wu army prisoners of war. These men come from remote counties and the Shanyue region and have little affection for the Sun family of the East Jiang. Moreover, military farms have been established for them."
"Jiang Ji helped the Prime Minister with military farms?" Cao Rui asked.
"That's right," Dong Zhao added from the sidelines, "The Prime Minister and Jiang Ji together submitted a report, also seeking Your Majesty's approval. Could we use the military farms in Henan as a model and allocate half of the grain and prisoners of war from the newly established military farms in Yangzhou, according to a five-five split, as rations?"
"If so, it would not only increase the income from grain supplies but also win over these prisoners and transform them into usable soldiers for the Great Wei."
Cao Rui pondered for a moment and asked, "How do they plan to prevent the prisoners from rebelling?"
Dong Zhao bowed and said, "The Prime Minister has proposed three strategies in his report."
"The first is to disrupt and reassign the place of origin and original command of the captured soldiers."
"The second is to divide them and administer them, with each unit allocated around military garrisons in small groups, to prevent them from rebelling."
"The third is to promise each man a hundred mu of land after the conquest of Wu."
Cao Rui asked with a smile, "How can these prisoners believe that?"
"With land allocated and promises made, they naturally believe it," Dong Zhao replied. "In addition, the terror of the Battle of Anwu is still fresh and no one dares to have any mischievous thoughts."
Cao Rui nodded: "Please bring the Prime Minister's report to the imperial presence. If there are no other matters, this proposal can be approved."
"What about the remaining 30,000 prisoners?"
Dong Zhao said: "Most of them are probably busy with river-building and masonry work."
"Hm." Cao Rui nodded and said, "It seems that the Prime Minister and Jiang Ji have not disappointed Your Majesty in Yangzhou, as they have truly come up with some new ideas."
At this moment, Cao Zhen bowed and said, "Just now, Your Majesty asked about the timing of the troops from Yangzhou and Jingzhou reaching Chang'an. If the orders are approved in the next couple of days, they can arrive before the end of July."
"Very well, then do as we say," Cao Rui looked at Cao Zhen and pointed to Qianzhuo and Zhu Gai, "General Cao, give them a good explanation of the geography and military situation in Yongliang and Liangyou."
"Obedient." Cao Zhen bowed and replied.
Just as the four of them were about to leave, Emperor Cao Rui called them back.
Cao Rui said, "Just now in my hurry, I almost forgot something."
"Qianzhuo." Cao Rui spoke in a deep voice.
"Present," Qianzhuo replied, as if he had sensed something. He saluted solemnly.
Cao Rui spoke slowly, "I will confer upon you the title of 'Vice-Chancellor of the West.' I am giving you the same rank as the Great General. Do not let me and the Great General down!"
Qianzhuo bowed deeply and said, "I, Qianzhuo, will not fail to repay the emperor's great favor."
Cao Zhen smiled and said, "General Qianzhuo, you may not know this, but after the late Emperor conferred the title of 'Vice-Chancellor of the West' upon me, I led my troops to pacify the Xiyu and defeated five million enemy soldiers. I also captured over one hundred thousand heads of cattle and sheep."
"Such good luck, Your Majesty must also want to give me a little fortune to boost my spirits!"
Qianzhuo bowed deeply again, and Cao Rui gestured to Cao Zhen with a look. Cao Zhen then stepped forward to gently help Qianzhuo to his feet.
For a moment, it seemed that there were a few tears in Qianzhuo's eyes.
Since Qianzhuo's service to Wei began, the "neck-slicing friendship" between him and Liu Bei had been constantly questioned and inquired about by others, so much so that Qianzhuo was stationed as the Governor of Yanmen Prefecture on the border of Hebei Province just a month ago.
A person with such a distinguished background and abilities has, however, not been properly employed due to some speculation in the court.
Now, the title of "Vice-Chancellor of the West" conferred by the emperor is enough to console Qianzhuo's feelings of hardship over the past twenty years.
……
As the former Governor of Yanmen Prefecture, Qian Zizheng, received the title of "Vice-Chancellor of the West" in Luoyang, the Protector of the Wuhuan, Tian Yu, led his troops out of the northernmost city of Juyang in Yanmen Prefecture.
The Province of Yan and the Province of You, one to the west and one to the north, form a layout similar to a "┍" that encloses the vast land of Hebei.
Qianzhuo, who had served as the Governor of Yanmen Prefecture, was located in the northernmost part of the Province of Yan. Tian Yu's departure point, Dai Prefecture, was in the westernmost part of the Province of You.
The boundary between Yanmen Prefecture and Dai Prefecture is the turning point of the "┍"-shaped layout.
Juyang County is located here.
The 2,000 elite troops led by Tian Yu arrived at Juyang last night. After resting for a night, they set out from Juyang early in the morning and advanced southwards along the eastern bank of the Sangkan River.
Three Xianbei-styled knights rode towards the army from a distance. After being checked by the scouts, they were led to approach Tian Yu.
After Tian Yu reined in his horse, he raised his left hand to signal a halt in their advance.
The three Xianbei riders dismounted and bowed down in front of Tian Yu's horse.
Tian Yu picked up his horsewhip and struck it sharply into the air, making a crisp sound: "Suli? Why are you not in Wangtao but have come alone to my presence?"
Four days ago, Suli's younger brother Suli mentioned Daijun Prefecture, citing that Suli's forces had encountered an attack from Ko Bidayu and requested Tian Yu's assistance.
Tian Yu had been stationed in the northern border for many years, and the northern tribes in the provinces of You and Yan had generally stabilized.
The Wuhuan tribes mostly followed the commands of the Great Wei.
Most of the Xianbei tribes, except for the most powerful Ko Bidayu tribe, are about to be conquered by Ko Bidayu and are about to join the Great Wei's border prefectures.
In simple terms, except for the Xianbei Ko Bidayu tribe, the rest of the Xianbei and Wuhuan people listen to the Great Wei.
Ko Bidayu reigns supreme over the grasslands, though he lacks the aura of the past when Tan Shihai roamed tens of thousands of miles. But he is basically equivalent to one-third of Tan Shihai. Since the Great Wei currently has no spare strength to launch an army in You and Bing, Tian Yu had no choice but to send troops to save Suli's tribe after it was attacked by Ko Bidayu.
Absolutely cannot ignore Ko Bidayu's expansion.
At this moment, the very Suli who Tian Yu is sending troops to save is kneeling in front of Tian Yu's horse!
This surprised Tian Yu greatly!
Suli said respectfully, "Reporting to General Tian, I only discovered last night that Ko Bidayu had withdrawn his troops. Therefore, I came here early this morning to seek help from General Tian."
"It might be that Ko Bidayu heard that General Tian had come in person and feared offending the might of General Tian, so he led his troops to withdraw..."
Before Suli could finish, Tian Yu rode forward two steps and struck his right ear with a whip, instantly causing blood to spray from the ear of Suli.
"Damn, what heavens' power!" Tian Yu's chest heaved, clearly upset: "I'm sixty-plus years old! I have ridden hastily for four days to save you. I have also recruited three thousand Wuhuan loyal followers. Yet you tell me that Ko Bidayu has already left??"
"Have you colluded with Ko Bidayu and tried to deceive me?"
Suli repeatedly bowed his head: "General Tian, I am now alone in your army. How could I dare to speak a single false word? If there is any deception, you can cut me right here!"
"Look up and stand up!" Tian Yu barked.
"Yes, yes," Suli stood up somewhat reluctantly, following the order.
Tian Yu, who had been stationed in You and Yan for many years, was well-known in the frontier for his virtue. However, in dealing with the Xianbei and Wuhuan tribes, Tian Yu's speech and behavior were very rough.
This is also related to the nomadic habits of the Xianbei, Wuhuan, and other tribes. Tian Yu was well aware that if he were to treat them with politeness and respect, they would see him as weak and vulnerable.
Even a leader like Suli who commands a tribe of ten thousand people, Tian Yu struck them with a whip without hesitation, as if it was nothing.
Tian Yu said, "Since I have seen you, you must tell me in detail how Ko Bidayu attacked."
Suli said respectfully, "General Tian, it was about two months ago that Ko Bidayu sent someone to curse me because I sold horses to the government. A month ago, Ko Bidayu's son-in-law, Yuzhuan, led his people to graze around Pingcheng."
"The grasslands around Pingcheng are my own. I had an agreement with Ko Bidayu last year. When I sent my messenger to ask about Yuzhuan, they were bound and returned, with one ear cut off."
"Since then, Yuzhuan and his troops have become increasingly arrogant. Less than ten days ago, Ko Bidayu personally led two thousand cavalry to attack me."
"That's why I had to retreat from Pingcheng again and again, only stopping when I reached the southern bank of the Sangkan River."
Suli quickly said, "I am not intentionally disobeying your orders, but Ko Bidayu's army is numerous, and over two hundred of my tribe have been killed!"
Tian Yu nodded slightly, as if pondering something.
"Tuli!" Tian Yu asked, "Where is Yuzhuan's tribe now? Do you know?"
"Pingcheng, definitely Pingcheng!" Suli shouted, "Ko Bidayu's army has come to attack me, so it must be to support Yuzhuan."
"Yuzhuan seized Pingcheng, where else could he go? It must be in Pingcheng!"
Tian Yu maintained a calm demeanor, but inwardly he sighed softly.
"Pingcheng..."
Was the former Han territory now a place for Hu tribes to fight over?
The situation of the border must not be allowed to deteriorate on my watch!
Tian Yu turned around and called out to the side: "Call Xiashe over here!"
The guards behind hurriedly passed the order, and in a short while, Xiashe arrived in front of Tian Yu's horse.
"Reporting to General Tian," Xiashe saluted.
Tian Yu nodded gently, pointing to Suli's direction: "You are usually in charge of contacting the various Xianbei tribes. No one in our army knows the situation of the Xianbei tribes better or is as proficient in their language as you are."
"Xiashe, you are now to accompany Suli's younger brother, Suli, and take this General Tian's token to empress Yuzhuan in Pingcheng. Ask him why he dared to come to Pingcheng and why Ko Bidayu attacked!"
"Yes, sir!" Xiashe replied.
Suli's younger brother, Suli, who was kneeling behind him, was now holding his brother's robes with a terrified expression on his face: "Big brother! Can you not make me go to Yuzhuan? I will die..."
Suli had been on edge for over a week, and when he saw his younger brother was afraid to go, he grabbed the collar of Suli's robe and lifted him up, slapping him four times across the face.
Suli cursed, "With the Minister Xia accompanying you, what are you afraid of? Where did your courage go?"
"I..." Suli was about to argue, but seeing his older brother's reddened eyes, he swallowed his words.
"Please don't be angry, brother. I will go with Minister Xia."
Suli's expression finally softened, and he turned around, imitating the way Han people salute, bowing his hands and saying, "I would like to ask General Tian to come to Wangtao City with me first, so that we can wait for news."
"Mm," Tian Yu nodded: "Suli, when I set out on this campaign, I also called 3,000 Wuhuan loyal followers who are just two days' ride behind me."
"Make sure the camp is prepared."
"Are all 3,000 men going to be provided for with supplies from my tribe?" Suli secretly groaned in his heart.
But thinking that Tian Yu's mission was to support himself, Suli had no choice but to swallow his frustration and force a smile: "Whatever arrangements General Tian makes are fine with me!"
...
Two days after Tian Yu arrived in Wangtao, He Xin and Cao Shuang led a contingent of 3,000 Wuhuan light cavalry to arrive in Wangtao as well.
Another day later, the Yanmen Commandery also welcomed two important figures from the capital who had come from Luoyang.
Yanmen Commandery was vast, with its northern boundary along the Sangkan River. Wangtao and Jiyang were both close to the Sangkan River.
At this time, the seat of Yanmen Commandery was located in Guangwu County, a hundred miles to the south, which was also where the former governor of Yanmen Commandery, Qian Zhao, had been stationed.
Qian Zhao had been summoned to the capital and was not yet back. The new governor had not yet taken office.
At the time, the matters of Yanmen Commandery were handled by the Prefectural Assistant Gong Fang. The district's troops were led by Captain Feng Po.
Upon hearing that the messengers Liu Xie and Moqiu Jian from Luoyang were approaching Guangwu, the Prefectural Assistant Gong Fang and the Captain Feng Po of the commandery came out three miles from Guangwu City to greet them.
Liu Ye and Moqiu Jian rode side by side, with a hundred mounted guards following behind them, provided by the emperor as protection.
"Liu Gong, we have traveled non-stop from Taiyuan. Why not rest in the Guangwu City for three days?"
Liu Xie stroked his beard: "Zonggong is right! Although the mountains and rivers of Jin are beautiful, I have seen enough of them in over a month. From Yanmen, it's just a short distance to Youzhou. With plenty of time, staying for three days is no problem."
Moqiu Jian smiled and nodded.
A group of people waiting at a pavilion by the side of the road saw the entourage of Liu Ye and Moqiu Jian approaching, and two men came out to shout, "Are you here with the Heavenly Angel Liu Gong and Moqiu Gong?"
Liu Xie smiled and looked at Moqiu Jian, "Zhonggong, you are now also Marquis Moqiu!"
Moqiu Jian smiled awkwardly and rode forward, dismounting and bowing his hands, "I am Moqiu Jian, the deputy official and Yueji camp commander."
Moqiu Jian pointed to his rear, "This is Lord Liu, the Director of the Ministry of Rites."
Liu Xie did not dismount, but nodded in acknowledgement: "You two are the local officials of Yanmen Commandery?"
Gong Fang bowed his hands: "Greetings, Liu Gong and Moqiu Gong. I am the Prefectural Assistant of Yanmen Commandery, Gong Fang. The person beside me is Captain Feng Po, the Deputy Governor of Yanmen Commandery."
Feng Po also bowed: "Greetings, Lord Liu, Marquis Moqiu."
Moqiu Jian smiled and said, "We have been sent by the emperor to inspect the various counties, traveling from Taiyuan. We have been on the road for a long time and would like to rest for three days in your county before proceeding further."
The plump Gong Fang smiled warmly and welcomed, "How could Marquis Moqiu say such things? Since you have arrived in Guangwu, the angels can stay for as many days as they wish. The district will certainly do its utmost to entertain you!"
...
Liu Xie and Moqiu Jian had just stopped for one day in Guangwu. They displayed the head of the rebel Qu Ying as ordered by the emperor in the county, which stirred some emotions and words of loyalty.
Meanwhile, in the Guangwu City to the north of the commandery, Tian Yu was angered.
"What? Yuzhuan killed Xiashe, yet he left you to come back and deliver the message?" Tian Yu grabbed Suli's collar and exclaimed in anger.
Suli skillfully fell to the ground with a thud, his voice trembling as he said, "General Tian, please do not be angry! This Yuzhuan is too audacious!"
"He told me that General Tian favors my older brother, ignoring the deaths of our own people, and bestowed us with such a good pasture," Suli continued.
"He also said... he said that my older brother is a loser, not worthy of such a good place, and should just go back to the south of the Sangkan River to beg in Yanmen Commandery."
"Xiashe has served General Tian for nearly ten years."
From a low-ranking soldier to a military official, Tian Yu has invested considerable effort in Xiashe.
I thought that as I grew older, I could cultivate more talents for the You and Bing regions, for the sake of the future. Who would have thought that Xiashe would meet his end in the hands of Ko Bidayu's son-in-law today?
Outraged to the extreme, Tian Yu did not say a word more to Suli. Instead, he turned to look at Cao Shuang, who was standing by his side, and squeezed out a few words through his teeth: "Raise drums, assemble the tent, and prepare the army!"
"Yes, sir!" Cao Shuang also dared not say another word and followed the order. Shortly thereafter, along with Suli, Suli, and three Uxhuan chiefs, all the military leaders in the camp gathered in the hall.
Facing the crowd, Tian Yu said in a low voice, "Yuzhuan killed Xiashe and plotted against the officials of the Great Wei, which is tantamount to rebellion!"
"Follow my orders, gather the army and prepare to march to Pingcheng!"
The crowd in the hall responded with bows, "Yes, sir!"
It takes time to allocate troops. Tian Yu's own two thousand elite soldiers, the three thousand light cavalry loyal followers of the Wuhuan, and the four thousand questionable fighting ability light cavalry of Suli's people, now amount to nearly ten thousand troops.
As the army prepared to cross the Sangkan River, Tian Yu's scouts sent out in two directions to the east and north reported that Ko Bidayu's army had arrived.
About a quarter of an hour later, on the undulating horizon across the Sangkan River, large numbers of horsemen appeared.
Even from the direction of Jiyang to the east, there were also vague silhouettes of Ko Bidayu's cavalry.
Tian Yu, who had been a seasoned military leader for many years, knew that this time they were being ambushed by Ko Bidayu. So he called Cao Shuang to his side:
"Zhaobo! I have an important task to entrust to you!"
Cao Shuang replied without hesitation, "General Tian, please speak!"
"Take advantage of this opportunity while Ko Bidayu has not yet surrounded us. Quickly, go to Guangwu and find Governor Qian Zhao to send troops for reinforcement!"
"The city of Wangtao is dilapidated and cannot be held. I will retreat upstream along the Sangkan River to Yingu, Mayi, and the like."
"Understood?" (Chapter Complete)
