On the way back to camp after leaving the city, Zhang He and Guo Hui rode their horses side by side.
Zhang He was still pondering the emperor's words, and only after a long while did he turn his gaze towards Guo Hui beside him.
"Bo Ji, do you think the emperor's meaning is that my four sons should all enter the Martial Arts Academy?"
"And just now, you spoke of scholars and warriors on equal terms. Does the emperor not want us to have any connections with scholars?"
Guo Hui sighed lightly: "Zhang Gong, the emperor has said so much, but it's actually just one thing."
"What is it?" Zhang He asked.
"Zhang He asked, "What's the matter?" Guo Hui replied softly, "The emperor wants us to follow him and listen to his words." Guo Hui glanced around before continuing, "He doesn't want us to listen to the words of scholars."
Zhang He nodded with a hint of concern: "I understand it that way too. But Bo Ji, it seems that the emperor didn't count you among the scholars."
"Don't you resent?"
"What's there to be resentful about?" Guo Hui sneered: "The emperor speaks the truth! I've been in the frontier region for too long. It's almost as if I've forgotten what the capital is like."
"Zhang Gong," Guo Hui looked serious as he addressed Zhang He, "Although my family has served in the government for two thousand stones, I followed the path of first being recommended for an official position due to filial piety and then being appointed as a local administrator."
"But if we really count it, it's because of my position as the thief taker under the late emperor, and my recommendation by him to join the campaign against Zhang Lu."
"What's the point of my being from a prestigious scholarly family?"
Zhang He gently nodded.
Guo Hui continued: "From the Yellow Emperor's founding to Taihe's second year, it's only been eight years. We've fought the Wu four times and the Shu once, and the emperor is also a capable commander."
"Following the emperor is the right thing to do! Whatever the emperor says, we should do it. This is what will ensure our family's continuous prosperity and flourishing."
Zhang He bit his teeth together: "Then, I will request from the emperor to send all four of my sons to the martial arts academy."
Guo Hui shook his head: "Zhang Gong, you're wrong again."
Zhang He frowned.
Guo Hui explained, "The emperor has pointed out two paths for you, Mr. Zhang. You can take both of them. Besides, with so many sons of yours, having two go to the martial arts academy and two to the Taixue (Imperial Academy) is not a problem at all."
Zhang He answered, "My sons, in terms of learning about Confucian classics, they might not be as good as I am. If what the emperor said is true, wouldn't it be shameful for them to not graduate?"
"Shameful? Who dares to ridicule the son of General Zuozi? " Guo Hui laughed: "If they truly fail to graduate, we can always find the emperor for mercy. In my opinion, the emperor is just teasing you, Mr. Zhang!"
"Then let it be as Brother Ji says!" Zhang He nodded.
"……"
On May 25, Cao Rui held a banquet in the city of Huaian to entertain the military generals.
All military officers with a rank of two thousand stones or above, including commandants, captains, deputy generals, and associate generals, were included.
Including many long-term secretaries and generals who may not have reached the rank of two thousand stones, but whose importance is not inferior to those who hold such a rank. They were also invited to the banquet.
Since it was a celebration before the triumphant return, Cao Rui further discussed the ranking of merits with the generals at the banquet.
As was the case in Shangguan, Zhang He was ranked first in merit, followed by Qian Zhao, and then Guo Hui.
The top three military commanders in terms of merit did not change.
If we were to make a detailed comparison, we could say that Lu Xun's rush to Baishuiguan contributed more, or we could say that Xiahou Yu's contribution was protecting them.
Cao Rui knew in his heart that the victories at Chiying and Hanzhong were actually just the continuation of the battle at Lueyang.
Therefore, there was no change.
Above these three generals, General Daji Cao seemed to have contributed more. However, due to his responsibility of assisting the ruler and his title of General Daji, which was the highest attainable rank for a subject, he was not ranked with others.
Below these three generals, Lu Sun ranked fourth for his contribution in leading the Qiang soldiers to provide support and for his surprise attack on Baishuiguan.
The commanders of the middle army, such as the generals Xu Chuan and Cao Hong who arrived from Luoyang to assist, Fei Yao, Wen Qin, Huainan, Cheng Xi, Dian Man, and Xia Xia who were all generals in the usual sense are included in the overall merit of the middle army.
These people are not worried either.
With the rewards from the previous campaign in Huaiyang, the determination of the merit of the middle army's commanders may be later than that of the external army, but the scale will definitely be higher, not lower.
The credibility of the emperor in giving rewards to his subjects is indeed like pure gold.
On May 27, Cao Rui led his troops northward.
North of Yangping Pass, at the entrance of the Maomingge Road, the great army made a halt.
Cao Rui was dressed in a moon-white silk long robe, wore a golden crown and jade hairpin, and had a sash with streamers attached. He was surrounded by the generals, riding a white horse.
Among the ranks of the generals dressed in black armor, such a stark contrast in attire, only emphasized Cao Rui's clear and distinguished presence.
In front of him, on the ground, were the three generals, Guo Hui, Hao Zhao, and Hu Zun, who were kowtowing in farewell.
"Guo Qing, Hao Qing, Hu Qing, all of you please stand up."
Cao Rui spoke loudly: "Today, I am leading the large army back, and the responsibility of Hanzhong will be entrusted to you three generals."
After Guo Hui and the others repeatedly expressed their gratitude, they stood up and replied: "We will definitely protect Hanzhong for Your Majesty! If we fail, we will present our heads to meet Your Majesty!"
"What head would you bring?" Cao Rui chuckled: "There are no such supernatural things in this world. I have searched for Lu Zhu for a long time, but he has not yet come to see me. How can you talk about bringing a head?"
"Perfect the defenses of the three cities of Yangping, Huaian, and Nanzheng. Hold the city well, report in time, and that's it."
Cao Rui looked at Guo Hui: "I trust you, and I also trust all of you."
"I will proceed. Go back to your respective duties, you all."
"Farewell the emperor and his returning troops!" Guo Hui, Hao Zhao, and Hu Zun bowed in unison.
As previously discussed, Cao Rui left fifteen thousand external troops under Guo Hui's command in Hanzhong.
The task is indeed simple.
One thousand five hundred people are simply not enough to defend a place as large as Hanzhong.
However, if they were to defend only three cities and provided mutual support, they would be more than sufficient.
Cao Rui naturally had no worries.
Leaving Hanzhong, Lu Pan led the 5,000 external troops along the Chenwang Road northward, passing through Ju County and arriving at Wuxing. Then, he relieved Xiahou Yu's position.
After reaching Chiting, Zhang He led his troops to bid farewell to Cao Rui and set off in the direction of Qishan City.
The army beside him gradually dwindled, and Cao Rui's mood became increasingly relaxed.
Finally, he was returning to Luoyang.
Who wouldn't miss home?
Even if Cao Rui had little affection for the Empress Dowager and the Grand Empress Dowager, after six months of campaigning, what about the concubines in the Luoyang Palace?
While often communicating through letters, white paper and black ink are always less satisfying than seeing each other in person.
Let alone that his eldest son, Cao Qi, is about to turn one year old.
The little baby who cried and fussed when they marched out in December is about to learn how to talk now.
Not to mention the numerous concubines waiting for him...
The longing to return is like an arrow shot straight to the target, but the journey must be taken step by step.
On the tenth day of the sixth month, Cao Rui led his troops to reach Chencang.
Chencang, as the new residence of the General's Command Post, was about to undergo a new status change and become the military center of Guanxi.
Commander of the Military Affairs in Guanxi, this is Cao Zhen's new title.
Since the Later Han Dynasty, the term "Guan Dong" and "Guan Xi" has often been defined by the Huan Pass.
The four states of Yong, Liang, Qin, and Yi, as well as the six geographical units of Guanzhong, Longyou, Hexi riverbasin, Hexi desert region, Linan and Hanzhong can all be summarized by the term 'Guanxi'.
The power cannot be considered small, nor the responsibility light.
Even if Cao Zhen left Luoyang and took up his duties in Chencang, there would be no logical flaws in that.
In the city of Chencang, in the original office building belonging to Zhang He, before the signboard of General's Command Post was hung, Cao Zhen began to discuss with his subordinates.
There were a total of five people in the hall.
General Cao Zhen sat in the middle.
To the right was the General's Command Post General Secretary, Du Xiji Du Zixu, and the Chief of Clerical Affairs, Yang Den Yang Shuying.
On the left were the General's Command Post Marshal Fei Yao Fei Gongwei and the Chief of Clerical Affairs, Deng Ai Deng Shizai.
Du Xiji and Fei Yao are self-explanatory. Du Xiji is an old minister of the great Wei, and has been serving in Guanxi for a long time. Fei Yao is a commander of the middle army, and is often relied upon by Cao Zhen as a trusted confidant.
Yang Den, though also a talented scholar, carries more titles related to familial connections.
Yang Den comes from the Yang family of Taishan, and his father, Yang Xu, was a well-known party member during the reigns of Emperor Huang and Emperor Ling.
Yang Den's eldest brother, Yang Mi, served under Marshal Sima Yi at the Yizhi Bureau and had a very close relationship with Sima Yi.
Yang Den himself married the daughter of Xin Pi, Xin Xianying, making him the son-in-law of the Chancellor Xin Pi.
With such a network of relationships, Yang Den could pretty much walk around in the great Wei without any obstacles.
On the contrary, Deng Ai, also a Chief of Clerical Affairs, had no background at all.
You are correct, the emperor's favor towards Deng Ai seems more effective than any background.
What truly persuaded Cao Zhen to recruit Deng Ai was the defense plan for Hanzhong that Deng Ai proposed to Cao Zhen during their campaign in Hanzhong.
With Deng Ai's proposal, and after consultation with the emperor and other senior officials, the strategy to defend only the three cities in Hanzhong was decided.
Deng Ai thereby became well-known in the army.
Sitting in the hall, Cao Zhen said solemnly, "The emperor has entrusted me with the heavy responsibilities of Guanxi, and I will rely on the support of all of you."
"The emperor said that the middle army will stay in Chencang for three days. I, as the general, need to draft a comprehensive strategy for the defense of Guanxi before the emperor returns."
"After the strategy is set, the emperor will return to Luoyang. With tens of thousands of troops at our disposal, this matter cannot be delayed."
"Give me three days, but I will give you only one and a half! Within one and a half days, I will come up with a detailed strategy!"
The four men in the hall took the matter seriously.
Commandery of the General's Command Post, one of the most important positions in the world.
During the late Eastern Han Dynasty, when He Jin held the position of Generalissimo, Yuan Shao, Liu Bang, Cao Cao, and others were all part of He Jin's Commandery of the General's Command Post.
Although Du Xiji and Fei Yao's ranks are only at the level of a thousand stones, and Yang Den and Deng Ai are at six hundred stones.
But before the emperor reformed, the governors of the various states were all at the rank of six hundred stones. Who would dare to look down on them even a little?
Du Xiji coughed lightly and looked at the other three: "Since the General has said one and a half days, let old man shorten it even further. I will prepare the strategy within one day."
"A day's delay in the army's progress would result in a significant loss of military expenses and grain supplies, which should still be saved."
With Du Xiji saying that, the other three couldn't argue. They all nodded in agreement.
Cao Zhen also showed a smile. Since he didn't have to write the plan himself, it would be better to do it as quickly as possible.
Du Xiji continued, "If we are to draft a comprehensive strategy for the Commander of Military Affairs in Guanxi, there are three main points: one for military force deployment, two for the replenishment of soldiers, and three for emergency plans."
"We can start with a framework and fill it in gradually."
Cao Zhen agreed: "That's exactly it."
"As for military force deployment, besides the central army that Your Majesty will take away, there are over 50,000 troops in Guanxi."
"How to allocate the 50,000 troops is the first thing to be done." (Chapter Complete)
