Next for three days, that is the first day of the second lunar month, the large army will continue to advance southward.
Today marks the first large banquet in Gaiguang city, which is held in accordance with the customs of the capital Luoyang.
From high-ranking officials like Cao Zhen, Sima Yi, Yang Fu, and Chen Jiao, to local officials like Lu Pan, Hu Zun, and Ma Zun from the region of Longyou, all were gathered together in the small county hall.
Although it cannot compare to the grandeur of the North Palace in Luoyang, it still has a touch of its own charm.
Cao Rui, with a calm face, sat in the hall and surveyed the officials. After a while, he said slowly:
"I have been traveling from Luoyang for nearly two months now. The things I have done can be summed up in just three matters."
"The first one is that I have taken back Longyou from the hands of the Chen Pasi."
"The second one is that I have established the Qin State and reformed the system."
"The third is the assimilation of the Qiang people and the replenishment of the population."
"I have heard that the Chen Pasi has retreated from Xianxian South, and I will also lead the entire army to advance towards Wu Du in the first day of the second lunar month."
"But do you know, Zhuge Liang, after receiving my edict, not only did he not surrender to the Great Wei, but also dared to reply with provocation to me!"
Cao Rui picked up the bamboo slips from the table with his left hand, held them high, and waved them in front of the ministers: "I and Zhuge Liang discussed the Heavenly Mandate and human affairs, yet Zhuge Liang dared to turn around and lecture me!"
"What can I say, Your Majesty is like Wang Mang, and the Chen Pasi's army will be like Emperor Guangshou in Kunyang!" Cao Rui repeated Zhuge Liang's words silently.
"With exhausted troops of several thousand, he smashed the forty-plus million strong army of Wang Mang on the outskirts of Kunyang. The key to victory lies in the righteousness, not in the size of the army..."
The ministers standing in the hall, upon hearing the emperor's own recitation of Zhuge Liang's retort, all showed expressions of anger.
Among the ministers, Yang Fu, with the strongest temperament, stood up first and shouted: "The evil of the Chen Pasi is so great that even a bamboo pole is insufficient to record it! After the conquest of Sichuan, we will definitely crush these bandits into dust!"
Just as Yang Fu had finished speaking, other generals like Cao Zhen and Zhang Ji also expressed their anger and clamored for battle, their voices rising and falling in the hall.
Cao Rui extended his hand downwards in a gesture of control and calmly said, "I'm not using Zhuge Liang's words to provoke you. Instead, I want to tell you that there is no possibility of reconciliation between Wei and Shu!"
"We cannot allow Liu Shanchan and Zhuge Liang to continue occupying Sichuan, causing the world to be incomplete!"
"Your Majesty is wise!" Yang Fu was the first to shout out.
The other ministers followed suit and spoke in unison.
It was not that Yang Fu had received the emperor's hint and acted as a stooge in the meeting. In fact, among the numerous ministers of the Great Wei, Yang Fu's hatred for Sichuan was the most sincere and profound.
Ma Chao wreaked havoc in Longyou, causing significant casualties and injuries in Yang Fu's family. Moreover, Liu Bei sheltered the exiled Ma Chao.
This time, Zhuge Liang's invasion of Longyou targeted the hometown of Yang Fu, and he even resettled the entire population of the Yang family living in Ji County, which accounted for nearly half of the clan.
National hatred and family grudges are all like this.
Cao Rui sighed and said, "Emperor Wu once said when he was attacking Zhang Lu in Han Zhong that people suffer from insatiable desires, after capturing Longyou, he wanted to take Shu as well."
"At that time, Emperor Wu was unable to do anything, but today, as I lead the army southward with all of you by my side, we must pool our strength and collective wisdom to permanently eliminate the threat of Shu from the Great Wei!"
Cao Rui looked up at the ministers standing in a straight line. He had only discussed the affairs of Qin State and the personnel arrangements in Yongliang with Cao Zhen and Sima Yi, and the other ministers were not aware of it yet.
It's time to announce it.
Cao Rui spoke out loud, "I am to divide the six commanderies of Longxi, Nanan, Tiangui, Guangwei, Wudu, and Yinpingsi to form the Qin State. Qin State will bear the heavy responsibility of confronting Shu. I also wish to choose a virtuous and capable minister to govern the civil administration of Qin State for me."
"Where is the minister Chen Jiao?"
Upon hearing the emperor's words, the ministers in the hall looked at Chen Jiao with disbelief.
Even Chen Jiao himself was somewhat bewildered.
"I, Qin State?"
As the former Prime Minister, Chen Jiao had also extinguished the ambition to be reused during the year and a half he served as a Middle Chamberlain in the emperor's court.
He thought that as a Middle Chamberlain at the emperor's side, acting as a military advisor, that would be his best outcome. He never expected that the emperor would entrust him with the governance of Qin State.
Chen Jiao walked to the center, bowed deeply, and said, "Your Majesty, I am here."
"During this military campaign, you have been responsible for the logistics, which has been quite effective. In the past, when you were the Prime Minister, you have also made diligent contributions to the Great Wei for many years."
"I wish to use the territory of Qin State to counter the Shu rebels who occupy Yizhou. Are you willing to be my Qin Governor, ensuring that the civil administration of the six commanderies in Qin State is well-managed and providing sufficient troops and food for the army?"
Having served in government for nearly thirty years, Chen Jiao had seen many instances of officials who were sidelined and then reused. Now that it was his turn again, he was no longer a naive newcomer to the court. There would be no hesitation.
Chen Jiao immediately bowed deeply: "I accept the order and express gratitude! I will exert all my efforts and loyalty to the affairs of Qin State in order to repay your grace!"
"Chen Minister, please rise," said Cao Rui, looking at this minister who once stopped him personally at the entrance of the Ministry of Ceremonies. "Qin State is a newly established province with complex military and civil affairs. It is exactly the kind of province that needs a capable minister like you!"
"Chen Minister, please take your seat first."
Chen Jiao bowed respectfully and then returned to his place in the lineup.
Any discerning person in the court would know that Chen Jiao's past actions had truly incurred the wrath of the emperor.
But the emperor did not hold a grudge against Chen Jiao and employed him as a Middle Chamberlain, and now entrusts him with the governance of Qin State.
Indeed, a wise monarch!
On another level, Huang Quan is the Governor of Yuzhou, Liu Xie is the Governor of Youzhou, and now Chen Jiao has taken on the role of Qin Governor.
It seems that the position of Middle Chamberlain has become increasingly prestigious.
Cao Rui continued, "With the establishment of Qin State, I have also made some adjustments in military matters."
"Where are Zhang He, Guo Hui, and Lu Sun?"
"I am here!" They answered in unison, and then walked into the hall to bow.
"The contributions you three have made, I have already stated them, and there is no need to elaborate further in the meeting."
"Promote Zhang He, the Commander-in-Chief of the Left Army, to the Generalissimo of the Western Campaign and appoint him as Governor of Yong Province. Promote Guo Hui, who is currently Governor of Yong Province, to the Generalissimo of the Campaign against Shu. Promote Lu Sun, the Acting Commandant for Pacifying the Qiang Tribes, to Commandant for Pacifying the Qiang Tribes."
"Chiefly command Zhang He, the Generalissimo of the Western Campaign, to serve as the commander-in-chief of all military affairs in Qin and Yong provinces and to camp at Qiy Mountain!"
It was another stunning allocation that stunned the ministers in the hall.
Guo Hui lost his position as Governor of Yong Province and gained a rankless general title, but he had always wanted to lead troops, so this could be considered a fulfillment of his wishes.
And as a subject of the Eastern Wu who surrendered, Lu Sun's promotion to a rankless general title for buying a horse skeleton with a thousand pieces of gold had already been spread throughout the city of Guan for several days, and the people were already shocked. Now, this news was simply announced again to make it official in front of everyone.
While Zhang He, who was previously in charge of the military affairs of both Yong and Liang provinces, has been changed to be in charge of both Qin and Yong provinces, still leading the military affairs on the western front of the Great Wei, his position has essentially remained unchanged.
However, the appointment of Zhang He as the Commander-in-Chief of the Western Campaign is quite heavy!
Zhang He repeatedly declined, "Your Majesty, in Lueyang, I relied heavily on your assistance and that of the Grand General for protection, I how dare to seek further advancement?"
After saying this, Zhang He bowed deeply and prostrated himself, "My wisdom is limited and my virtue is slender. I humbly beg Your Majesty to show compassion for me and revoke your decree."
However, Cao Rui calmly stated, "Zhang Minister, do you really think that I appointed you as the Commander-in-Chief of the Western Campaign for your personal glory?"
Zhang He was startled and looked up, meeting the emperor's gaze.
Cao Rui said, "I established Qin State and appointed you to oversee both Qin and Yong provinces as the Commander-in-Chief of the Western Campaign, precisely to use your abilities to subdue the Shu rebels!"
"Just as General Zhang Liao was the Commander-in-Chief of the Eastern Campaign and General Xu Guang was the Commander-in-Chief of the Southern Campaign in Feihe, did they do this just to reward their merits? Of course, it was for the Great Wei and for all mankind!"
"I will see if you can hold Qin State for me and subdue the Shu rebels!"
Zhang He's refusal was not entirely arbitrary.
According to the convention of the Great Wei, below the Grand General, Marquis of Chariot Cavalry, Cavalry Commander, and Army Commander, there are the Four Marching Generals, the Four Stationary Generals, and the Four Commanders of the Fronts and Backs as well as the East, West, South, and North.
Zhang He being promoted directly from Left General to Commander-in-Chief of the Western Campaign is understandable. After all, the title of Commandant of the West has already been taken by Qian Zhao!
Zhang He listened to the emperor's words, and had no choice but to bow and thank along with Guo Hui and Lu Sun.
Cao Rui nodded and continued with the distribution: "Although I have carved out Longxi, Yong Province is still a crucial area of the Three Assistants and the Guanzhong region."
"Where is the Minister Yang Fu?"
To be honest, with the experience of Jiang Ji taking charge of Yangzhou, Yang Fu had been busy up and down in Longright for some time now and thought he would be appointed as the Governor of Qin State.
Yangzhou at least has Cao Huo in Shouchun, so entrusting Yangzhou matters to a local man like Jiang Ji is not a problem. Moreover, Jiang Ji comes from the Shan family and doesn't have many relatives to consider.
Since Yang Fu's family is large and Cao Rui cannot keep Cao Zhen stuck in Qin State, it would be necessary to bring out the Three Interchange System from the Han Dynasty, making Yang Fu the Governor of Yong Province instead.
If there were any critical moments, Yong Province would still have to provide urgent aid to Qin State. With someone like Yang Fu who is passionate about Longxi and Qin State, things would not be mismanaged.
Yang Fu bowed deeply, feeling nostalgic, "I originally came from the border areas of Yong and Liang, and within a year, I have been promoted to Minister and then entrusted with the governance of a province by Your Majesty."
"I dare not not be willing to lay down my life for Your Majesty and the Great Wei!"
Yang Fu's personality can be described as generous and impassioned, and in reality, he is also somewhat emotionally rich. This five- decade-old Hanzi from Longxi has indeed, as he said, started his career as a small Gateway Commandant and has been twice promoted by the emperor.
Cao Rui lightly laughed, "Yang Minister, rise. I still understand you. There's no need to go to Chang'an just yet. Wait until after I have reconquered Wudu and return to the capital, then we can go back together."
Yang Fu nodded in agreement.
Looking around at the ministers in the hall, Cao Rui's next words surprised everyone unexpectedly.
"The division of Qin and Yong provinces has been determined, and the Generals Qian Zhao and Zhu Gai will continue to garrison in Yong Province."
"The affairs of Liang Province must also be divided among the officers in the same manner as Qin and Yong Provinces."
Cao Rui coughed lightly and spoke out loud, "Liang Province is vast and has been difficult to govern in the past. The civil and military affairs in the interior provinces have been separated, but the next province to be changed is Liang."
"Where is the Governor of Liang Province, Xiahou Bai?"
Xiahou Bai had not expected to have a part in the current proceedings, and was taken aback, bowing deeply and replying: "Your Majesty, I am here."
"You shall continue to serve the Great Wei and defend Wuwei and Liang Province! I appoint you as General of Peace and Distant Campaigns, in charge of the military affairs of Liang Province."
"Remember, train a good cavalry unit for me in Liang Province. I will have great use for it in the future!"
For Xiahou Bai, a member of the Xiahou family, Cao Rui's words were more straightforward and friendly.
Xiahou Bai asked without any pretense, "Your Majesty, what about the matter of being the Governor of Liang Province?"
"Let Mi Zhun Da take it!" (Chapter completed)
