For a moment, Jiang Wei could only sigh: "Where in the world is there no Governor like Ma Zun? However, both you and I are enterprising people, and we must not be like him."
Zixiu, are you willing to enter the Grand Academy? The current emperor is extremely wise. Although my position is low and my words carry little weight, I believe I can still recommend you, this talented and virtuous individual, to study at the Grand Academy!
Zhang Qich knew that his friend, Ouqi, had superior knowledge, abilities, and demeanor compared to himself. It was certain that there must be a reason why he avoided the topic.
But isn't it true that no young person isn't eager to advance and improve?
With Jiang Wei sitting right beside him, it was natural for Shangguan Qi to know that attending the Grand Academy was a straight path to a government post, even more advantageous than the ancient practice of recommending virtuous and talented individuals (Xiao Lian) had been!
"Bo Yu, I really don't know how to thank you! I never thought that a person from such a humble background as mine could actually enter the Grand Academy and travel to Luoyang..."
"Don't say that." Jiang Wei hurriedly interceded: "Your recent achievement also means a bright future for you! I just helped give you a little push from behind."
"Zixiu, I am half a year older than you. How about we two become brothers from this moment on?"
"Very good, very good!" Shangguan Qi smiled, but then joked: "We are still feeling the heat from our feet, let's talk about it after we cool down!"
"Ha ha ha." Jiang Wei laughed along: "Let's talk about it after we wake up tomorrow! It's late at night and there's no place to find a incense burner."
Both men smiled.
The next morning, early in the morning, Jiang Wei and Shangguan Qi found a small incense burner in their room and reported to the heavens to officially become sworn brothers.
After a quick ceremony, Jiang Wei went to the county magistrate's office to take his duty.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, King Yongqiu requests an audience," Jiang Wei reported with a bow at the door.
"Let him come in," Cao Rui instructed. "After King Yongqiu leaves, give these documents to Yang Servant Zhong and tell him to come see me later."
"Following the emperor's order," Jiang Wei rushed forward, arranged the documents handed by the emperor on his palm and placed them neatly on the small table beside him. After stepping back a few steps and turning around, he walked out to summon Cao Zhi.
Seeing Cao Zhi walk into the hall, Cao Rui smiled and asked, "Uncle, are you here to show me the declaration of war?"
Cao Zhi replied, "Your Majesty spoke the truth. The several errors pointed out by the king the other day have been corrected, and the complete text is now presented to Your Majesty."
Cao Zhi held the declaration of war in his hands and was about to present it to the emperor.
Cao Rui laughed and waved his hand, saying, "Uncle's heroic writing, I have seen it already the day before yesterday. Come, Bo Yu, read it for me!"
"Following the emperor's order!" Jiang Wei took the declaration of war from Cao Zhi's hands and carefully opened it, glancing at it a few times before his eyes brightened.
Jiang Wei cleared his throat and read aloud: "In the past, the Han dynasty's rule waned, the whole realm disintegrated, and the lives of the people were on the brink of extinction..."
"Now, the current emperor is wise and virtuous, carrying forward the previous dynastic legacy..."
"Mourn for the Bashu, which has been a land of lawlessness, and show compassion for these poor citizens who have suffered from unending labor. Therefore, I have entrusted six armies to enforce the heavens' justice..."
"...Now, we will use our strategy as swords and spears, and our strategies as banners and flags. Our troops will not disturb the enemy, relying on the strength of our celestial generals. We will strike down the walls of the city with heavy rain and break apart trees with thunderous sounds. Any enemy struck by our weapons will crumble, and any city shaken by our drums will be captured."
"If they seek temporary peace and remain deluded, without turning back, once the great army sets out, everything will be shattered. Even if they wish to repent, it will be too late. Let them weigh the benefits and dangers for themselves and seek many blessings. Make the announcements so that everyone may hear."
Cao Zhi's literary talent is undeniable. His writing flows smoothly, and his ups and downs in persuasion encourage the Shu region to comply with heavenly justice, truly an eloquent piece of literature.
Cao Rui laughed and said, "Uncle's writing can be as powerful as ten thousand soldiers!"
The original intention was to say ten thousand, but Cao Rui thought for a moment and felt that praising it too highly might not be suitable.
Hearing that the emperor said it could be equivalent to ten thousand troops, Cao Zhi instantly froze. But he soon realized that Emperor Cao rarely used such exaggerated speech, and calling ten thousand troops praise is already a very good compliment!
Cao Zhi bowed and said, "I was able to write this article solely because of Your Majesty's great fortune. Without Your Majesty's guidance, I could never have accomplished such a thing. Such a trivial contribution is not worthy of mention."
Seeing Cao Zhi's official language becoming more polite, Cao Rui shook his head and laughed, "Uncle, don't let yourself be corrupted by the officials. As a close relative of mine, you should speak as you please. Do you understand?"
"Uncle's article will be read aloud in public by you, the emperor's close relative, the next day when we sacrifice to the heavens! To demonstrate that our troops are guided by the imperial edict and that Great Wei's victory is certain!"
"Member knows," Cao Zhi said with a bow, "If there are no other matters, the member will now withdraw."
"Uncle, wait a moment," Cao Rui slowly said. "I have a question I want to ask the uncle."
Cao Zhi looked up slightly in surprise at the emperor and said, "What do you want to ask the minister? I will speak whatever you need to know."
"This is the matter," Cao Rui paused for a moment, then said, "Yesterday, I discussed the Qiang people with the ministers. If I want to make the Qiang people loyal and submit to our imperial culture, aside from the established systems, are there any other methods?"
"Qiang people?" Cao Zhi was puzzled and asked, "Is Your Majesty thinking of making the Qiang people loyal and gradually integrate with the Han people?"
"That's exactly what I'm thinking." Cao Rui nodded.
After thinking for a moment, Cao Zhi smiled and said, "Your Majesty, I think this matter is like dripping water on stone, not something that can be accomplished in a day. However, if Your Majesty wants to do it, I have several quick methods that can be put into practice."
"Uncle, speak up! Don't hold back," Cao Rui prompted.
Cao Zhi bowed and said, "The Qiang people, although different from the Xianbei, Hun, and Wufan tribes, are still alien and barbarian. They need to be lured by profit and seduced by emotion."
"To lure them with profit, we should offer them the condition of paying taxes and taxes for food. Then we can use their labor."
"With profit to be made, there are many things we can do. I think it's just about correcting the clothing and changing the Han surname."
Cao Rui expressed a sense of surprise and admiration, saying, "Uncle has said something excellent! You've hit the nail right on the head!"
"The Qiang people have always admired the culture of the Han people. By giving different surnames to Qiang people of the same tribe, it will naturally divide and weaken them over time."
"If we reward Qiang people who want to wear Han clothing or give Han clothing to the tribes that obey us, they will gradually become loyal!"
"That's right, Your Majesty. I only had a rough idea, and what you mentioned are specific details that can be implemented directly, which are more brilliant," Cao Zhi replied.
"Look at you, I told you not to be polite, but you're still like this," Cao Rui said silently for a few seconds before looking at Cao Zhi and saying, "If what the uncle said can truly succeed, I will also give the uncle rewards."
Cao Zhi bowed and said, "These are all matters within my duties."
Seeing the figure of Yang Fu outside the door, Cao Rui said, "Uncle, you may go now. You will read the declaration of war tomorrow; don't forget."
"Following the emperor's order, the minister will withdraw." Cao Zhi slowly walked out of the hall.
As Yang Fu passed by Cao Zhi, he didn't even look at him properly.
"Your servant pays homage to Your Majesty. May I inquire what matter Your Majesty has summoned me for?" Yang Fu asked with a bow.
"I have two matters to discuss with Your Excellency," Cao Rui said directly. "The first is that the ritual for sacrificing to the heavens tomorrow will be conducted by you."
"The altars and rituals, I have already ordered Guo Hui to handle. The reason I appointed you as the Minister of the Imperial Palace is fundamentally to have you assist me in matters of Yong and Liang."
"Tomorrow, I will not use the Marquis of Dingyang or the Duke of Space, but you. Will you be willing to take on this task?"
Yang Fu seemed to have thought for no more than a moment, bowing and replying directly: "Your Majesty's command, the servant will die a thousand times without complaint!"
Cao Rui nodded satisfiedly.
Among the four ministers, with Liu Ye's departure and Wang Su's appointment, Xin Bi's responsibilities for handling matters increased gradually.
Only Yang Fu assumed the role of Xin Pi as his 'adviser', always willing to speak frankly, daring to correct mistakes and errors, and brave enough to undertake responsibilities.
The emperor's inspection of his hometown, and having him, a native of that region, preside over the sacrifice, can be seen as a form of unconventional praise.
Cao Rui did not hesitate and continued, "Yesterday after you left, I thought about many military matters later."
Cao Rui hesitated not at all and asked next, "After you all left yesterday, I thought a lot more about military matters. The original Yong and Liang Commanderies are about to be divided into Yong Commandery, Liang Commandery, and Qin Commandery. What should be the change for Zhang He's Yong-Liang military governor?"
"I don't deceive Your Excellency. If we let Zhang He alone oversee the military of three provinces, there has never been a precedent for it, and I don't want to give Zhang He such great authority!"
Cao Rui understood that his own ministers, such as Sima Yi and Chen Jiao, were excellent at major policies. However, for sensitive personnel appointments, Cao Rui instinctively turned to Yang Fu first.
Yang Fu was rare in being silent for a moment, then said, "If Your Majesty has thought of this, I believe that at least in this campaign, we must capture the Wu Du commandery! Yinping is secondary."
"How does this relate?" Cao Rui asked.
"This military strategy has been clearly outlined previously," Yang Fu explained. "If the Shu army advances from Hanzhong to the north, it is either into the pass of Gansu or westward through the Wu Du commandery."
"There are two directions from Wu Du commandery: one is along the Western Han River to Qishan, and the other is along the Gu Dao River to Chen Cang. And the key locations in the regions of Yong and Liang are essentially these two routes."
"If Your Majesty obtains Wu Du commandery in this campaign, with just one county, it can control the two passes of Shu's army! This means that supervising the military of Qin Commandery is almost on par with supervising the military of Yong and Liang Commandery in the past."
Cao Rui said slowly, "Then will Yong Commandery be as easy to defend as Henan Commandery? Under the condition that several routes are not accessible, the defense task becomes as easy as Henan Commandery, and we can send troops and grain to Qin Commandery whenever necessary?"
Yang Fu gritted his teeth and said, "I dare not make a definitive conclusion, but from a military standpoint, this seems to be feasible."
"I understand," Cao Rui slowly said. "After the New Year, when the main army on the road arrives, I will order the invasion."
"Honestly, I am not completely satisfied with Guo Hui's actions this time. Although he has defended Gaoting for Wei and held the city for a period of time, his contributions are as a military commander rather than as a governor of the commandery."
"Is Your Majesty considering transferring Guo Hui?" Yang Fu asked in astonishment.
"That's right." Cao Rui nodded. "As you just said, since the defense of Longyou and Wu Du is more important, Zhang He should be present there himself. Guo Hui's presence here would not bring much value."
"Let Guo Hui be a general in command of troops in the pass of Gansu, and transfer civil officials from the capital to serve him exclusively in civil matters, would not be more appropriate?"
Yang Fu took a deep breath and then said with a bow, "I believe that these matters should be discussed after the war. For now, we should prioritize military progress."
Cao Rui stared at Yang Fu for a long time before saying, "Your words are also reasonable. Please continue to watch over Guo Hui for the emperor, and help the emperor see if he is worthy of great responsibility."
"I understand," Yang Fu said with a bow. "This chapter is complete."
