Compared to the stalemate, betrayal, and confrontation in various places of Longyou, the days of Cao Rui, Cao Zhen, Qian Zhao and these people were more monotonous and uneventful.
They were in a constant hurry, leading their troops westward.
In the early morning of December 5th, the court in Luoyang received intelligence on the military situation in Longyou. In the morning of that day, General Cao Zhen led the first batch of eight thousand cavalry forward.
The next day, that is, the sixth day, Emperor Cao Wei personally led 16,000 central cavalry to Chang'an, and it took him nearly seven days to cover the 800 li journey.
The military situation is urgent, and the speed of foot soldiers and cavalry is completely different. Therefore, the foot soldiers were far behind. Thanks to Cao Wei's physical exercise through swimming, archery, and practicing swordplay every day, such a march intensity was still bearable for his body.
By noon of the thirteenth day, Emperor Cao Wei of Wei personally arrived in Chang'an City with 16,000 cavalry, the first time he had entered this absolutely important stronghold in the western pass of Wei.
As Emperor Cao Wei was still outside Chang'an City, he led his ministers to a high point, gazing at the overall outline of the entire city. Such a great city stands on the Guanzhong Plain, and from geography, history, as well as military and political aspects, Chang'an is undoubtedly the absolute center of the western region of the Great Wei.
However, at this time, the city of Chang'an appeared somewhat dilapidated from the outside. The city of Chang'an during the late Han Dynasty had been alternating between the Han dynasty, Dong Zhuo, and the Xiyu forces, and there were many repairs on the walls.
After Cao Rui was alone, he sighed deeply. He turned to look at the officials and found that Cao Zhi looked somewhat pale.
"What's wrong with you, Uncle? Have you caught a cold?" Cao Rui asked with a hint of concern in his voice.
Cao Zhi coughed twice and replied with a bow: "Your Majesty, perhaps due to the long horseback ride in the past two days, I feel a bit unwell. I should be better soon."
"It's still important to take care," Cao Rui paused, and then asked, "How many times have you been to Chang'an?"
Cao Zhi did not hesitate and replied immediately, "Your Majesty, I have visited Chang'an and the western region a total of three times. Emperor Wu went west three times: in the sixteenth year of the Jian'an era to conquer Ma Qiao, in the twentieth year to conquer Zhang Lu, and in the twenty-third year to conquer Liu Bei, and I accompanied the army on all these campaigns."
"Yes," Cao Rui nodded. "Have you also been to the middle Han?"
Cao Zhi replied, "When we were going to conquer Zhang Lu, I went to Hanzhong with the army. When Emperor Wu went again to conquer Liu Bei, I remained in Chang'an to defend the city and did not go to the front lines."
"The scenery in the western region is completely different from that in Henan! This time, coming to Chang'an again, I wonder what kind of literary work your uncle can come up with?" Cao Rui sighed and then spurred his horse ahead, leading a group of officials into the city.
Chang'an has palaces.
As early as the Jian'an period, the officials left in Chang'an modified some of the original palaces of the Han Dynasty into living quarters for Cao Cao, who was already the King of Wei. But Chang'an was too large and there were too many empty palaces, so Cao Cao did not want to live there.
Cao Pi also had the same thoughts back then. As one of the five capitals of the Great Wei, Chang'an was a vast area that was demolished and rebuilt, with brand new palaces constructed. However, Cao Pi himself never came to Chang'an, and in the end, it was Cao Rui who benefited from it.
In the imperial palace, Cao Rui and a group of officials accompanying him began to gather and discuss the military situation.
Indeed, it is necessary to conduct a thorough study. The sudden invasion of Shu troops in Longyou, from the front line of Xianting to the other counties in Longyou, as well as in Liangzhu and Guanzhong areas, all have quite different reactions.
With Sima Yi and Xin Pi among them, there is no need for Emperor Cao Rui to personally handle the task of compiling intelligence. He can wait for the information to be sorted out before deciding on the strategy.
However, Liu Fang, who should have been responsible for handling confidential matters, was outside asking to report something important to the emperor.
Cao Rui waved his hand, and Liu Fang approached, bowing respectfully to Cao Rui. He then placed a military report lightly on the table in front of Cao Rui.
After reading for a few moments, Emperor Cao Rui's brow furrowed deeper, and a look of concern appeared on his face.
Sima Yi, as the highest-ranking official in the imperial palace at this moment, bowed and asked, "Just now, Liu Zhang said that the military situation from Luoyang was reported. Could you tell me what makes Your Majesty worried?"
Cao Rui gently put down the military report in his hand and slowly said, "It's not Luoyang, but Liaodong."
"Liu Xie and Mai Qiu Jian arrived in Liaodong at the end of September, and Gongsun Gong personally accompanied them on inspections in various regions of Liaodong and Xuanwu counties."
"Under Liu Yue's repeated persuasion, coupled with Gongsun Gong's lack of ambition and desire for power, he almost convinced him to submit willingly to Wei. However, Gongsun Yuan, his nephew, discovered that his uncle was planning to surrender to Wei and conspired with generals to seize his uncle's position as ruler."
"What about Liu Yue? And Mai Qiu Jian?" Xin Pi hurriedly asked.
"They are both fine," Cao Rui gently shook his head, pointing to the document and indicating to Sima Yi. Sima Yi went forward and picked up the document to read: "Liu Yue and Mai Qiu Jian have been driven out by Gongsun Yuan and are now stopped in Yangle County in Liangxi."
"Liu Yue is sending a letter to ask for my instruction. Gongsun Yuan has ill intentions and is already planning to establish his own power. He wants me to send troops to conquer him."
Xin Pi was taken aback upon hearing this and then sighed bitterly, "Could it be a coincidence? Just as the war has started in the west, how can we now launch another expedition to Liaodong?"
"Your Majesty," Xin Pi said with a bow, "The Sun family has controlled Liaodong for nearly forty years, with Sun Du, Sun Kang, and now Sun Yuan. The region is remote and not an easy target." After reading Liu Yue's military report, Sima Yi handed it to Xin Pi and said, "Liu Yue was unaware of the Shu army's invasion and therefore submitted a proposal for attacking Liaodong. Your Majesty should explain the difficulties of the court to Liu Yue."
Cao Rui nodded gently, "Yes, that is how it should be. However, you said that Liu Yue's desire to use force against Liaodong might have something to do with their being driven out by Gongsun Yuan?"
When the discussion should have been about the military situation in Longyou, the crowd inside the palace began to discuss Liaodong instead. Yang Fu, who was most concerned about the military situation in Longyou, coughed lightly and bowed, saying: "Your Majesty, I think that since war has begun in Longyou, Your Majesty and the ministers should not be distracted by other matters."
"Yes, Marquis Yang is right!" Cao Rui said with a sigh: "But Liu Yue is already in Youping (the area around modern Beijing), so indeed, we must be cautious of Gongsun Yuan."
Cao Rui looked at Sima Yi and asked, "Where does the Honorable Wang Xiong usually station himself? Could he withstand Gongsun Yuan if there is any trouble in Liaodong?"
Sima Yi and Wang Xiong were not related, how could he make such a guarantee on his behalf in front of the emperor? After thinking for a moment, Sima Yi replied, "Your Majesty, Wang Xiong is stationed in Jixian County, Yan Prefecture. He was appointed to the area by the late emperor due to his ability in governance, and there is no relationship between his skills in administration and military abilities."
Sitting on the mat, Cao Rui pondered for a moment before asking, "Are there any vacancies among the nine officials of the palace and in the major prefectures throughout the empire?"
Sima Yi nodded and replied, "There are still vacancies in the Chenliu County."
"If so, then let Wang Xiong return to the court and take office in Chenliu. Promote Grand Tutor Liu Yue to the position of prefect of You Prefecture."
Cao Rui issued his order slowly, "Tell Liu Yue to settle Gongsun Yuan peacefully for me, and do not take any military action without permission! Wait until I handle the affairs in Longyou before discussing the matter of Liaodong with him."
"Yes, Your Highness." Liu Fang bowed and then slowly walked out.
For now, let's put Liaodong aside. Emperor Cao Rui turned to Sima Yi and said, "Let the Grand Master explain the situation in Longyou to me and the ministers."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Rising from his seat, Sima Yi took a few steps forward to a screen in front of the emperor that displayed a map of Longyou.
Cao Rui, being close to the map, could see it clearly and then waved to invite the other officials present to come and look together.
Sima Yi pointed to a region on the map that was marked with red sand on it and said, "According to the report of Zheng Si, the commander of Qiyanchuan Fortress, the Shu army surrounded Qiyanchuan Fortress on November 26th, claiming that there were more than 20,000 Shu troops."
"On the evening of the 27th, Guo Hui in Linjing and Zhang He in Zhengping heard the news and reported to Guo Hui in Linjing and Zhang He in Zhengping. They then moved their troops to Gaoli North."
"On the morning of December first, Zhang He led 2,000 cavalry and 8,000 infantry along the Longshan Road to reinforce Shangguan."
"On the afternoon of December second, Qian Zhao led 15,000 foot soldiers to prepare to support Shangguan along the Longshan Road."
"On December fourth, Guo Hui reported to Chenping via the Weiyu Road that there were about 50,000 Shu troops. On the sixth, Shu troops increased to 20,000 outside Shangguan City and another 30,000 along the Longshan Road. Guo Hui estimated that the total number of Shu troops was more than 70,000 or even 80,000."
"Zhang He arrived in Lueyang on the afternoon of the sixth day and was preparing to hold the Shu army back from advancing northward."
Sima Yi, with a serious expression, bowed and said, "Your Majesty, all the military information that I have learned up to this point has been reported to you."
Cao Rui rose from his seat solemnly, with his hands clasped behind his back, and walked in front of the map. Sima Yi instinctively stepped back to make way.
Looking at the route marked in red on the map, Cao Rui frowned and asked, "Where is Qian Zhao's army now?"
After leaving Luoyang, the important affairs of state still handled by Liu Fang, the Imperial Secretary accompanying the army. And military reports and confidential affairs, led by Xin Pi.
Xin Pi responded immediately, "Qian Zhao's troops were still in Yidian County on the seventh day. There are five hundred and eighty miles from Yidian County to Lueyang. It is estimated that Qian Zhao will reach Lueyang in three or four more days."
Cao Rui seemed to think of something, and asked again, "When did Zhang He's military report from the afternoon of the sixth day reach Chang'an?"
"The answer is, Your Majesty," Xin Pi replied, "There are nearly nine hundred li from Lueyang to Chang'an, and the military report arrived yesterday."
Seeing the emperor seemed to be showing some confusion, Xin Pi quickly explained, "Your Majesty, the speed of messenger communication varies in different regions. The lack of stations west of Guanzhong means that the speed of message delivery is almost as fast as that of mounted troops on a rapid march, which is about 120 li a day, perhaps a bit faster, but not much."
"Once in the Guanzhong region, with many stations and well-maintained roads, horses can change without stopping and travel day and night, making it possible for messages to be delivered at a speed of up to 300 li in one night."
Cao Rui shook his head slightly after listening, this was just a small problem caused by the insufficient infrastructure of this era. After this battle, he must spend some money to perfect the post roads and stations throughout Wei.
"So, Zhang He has been surrounded for four or five days, right?" Cao Rui asked. "With the Shu army's 30,000 men advancing north and Zhang He having only 10,000 men to defend the small city of Lueyang, and Qian Zhao still another three or four days away. Can he hold out?" (Chapter ends)
