"Within and outside?"
Cao Ruixi raised his eyebrows and looked at Dong Zhao, slightly revealing a playful expression in his eyes:
"Lord Dong, who is inside and who is outside with your words 'Within and Outside'?"
Dong Zhao remained calm, smiling as he said, "The 'inside' and 'outside' we're discussing with Your Majesty are naturally the Central Army and beyond the Central Army."
"Now that the war on the western front has been settled, the Generalissimo is in charge of the Central Army's garrison in Chenchang and commands all military affairs in the western region. Therefore, Your Majesty no longer needs to worry about any potential interference from the Central Army."
Cao Rui nodded: "I trust the General is one thing, but from the perspective of state system, it is another. The Central Army has been under the General's jurisdiction for a long time. Now that they have all returned to Luoyang, it's time to disband the Central Army."
"The West Hall is to take over the responsibility of overseeing the Central Army for me."
Dong Zhao nodded: "The General stays in Chenchang, and all the personnel of the former General's office remain in Luoyang. It looks like it's time to change its name as well."
"The name is no trouble," Cao Rui said. "I have a general idea, but I need Lord Dong's assistance to refine it."
"By the way, Lord Dong, please sit down closer to me. Don't stand up again."
"Yes."
Dong Zhao pulled a smaller chair from the door and slowly sat down in front of Cao Rui's side.
"What is Your Majesty's idea? Why not share it?"
Cao Rui said, "The first thing is to disband the Central Army. The Central Army has five million personnel, although this battle has suffered significant losses, it will not be a big problem to replenish the personnel within a year."
"I intend to divide the Central Army into divisions, each with ten thousand men, and ensure they are not under each other's command."
Dong Zhao pondered for a moment, combed through his white beard, and then summarized after a moment: "In the five million personnel of the Central Army of the Great Wei, the two and a half thousand of the Wuyi Garrison account for half."
"Of the remaining half, four thousand are from the Five Commandery Garrison, Eight Thousand from the Main Force Camp, Seven Thousand from the Central Fortress Camp, Three Thousand from the Central Military Command directly under the General, and Three Thousand directly under the General."
"If we were to divide it into ten-thousand-man divisions..." Dong Zhao paused, "then the Wuyi Garrison would need to be split up. The Main Force and Central Fortress Camps would need additional personnel."
Cao Rui shook his head: "If we do this, it might be better not to change at all."
"Lord Dong, you know more about the old affairs of the Great Wei than I do. How did the Wuyi, Main Force, and Central Fortress Camps come to be?"
Dong Zhao thought for a moment and said, "The Wuyi Garrison was established after the late Emperor ascended the throne. An edict allowed Zhu Fu to become the General of the Wuyi Garrison, which was mainly formed from the palace guards."
"During the year of Jian'an, Zhu Fu performed meritorious service in protecting Emperor Han during the campaign against Ma Chao, and was promoted to the position of Wuyi Zhongliangjiang."
"The 'Wuyi' in the Wuyi Garrison is originated from Zhu Fu."
Cao Rui said, "Zhu Fu has served the Cao family for thirty years and is now a senior general in his sixties. On this campaign to Sichuan, I noticed that Zhu Fu is already feeling his age, so I didn't assign him any offensive duties."
"Although he is older, if he only handles guard duties and military commands, it should be no problem." Dong Zhao's response was instinctual, as if he wanted to argue against the word 'elderly'.
Dong Zhao himself was an elderly man, and he would not have said someone was not fit for important tasks just because they were old.
Dong Zhao continued, "The Main Force and Central Fortress Camps were established due to the names of the Main Force General and Central Fortress General. After the Han Dynasty was replaced by the Wei Dynasty, the late Emperor used them as part of the Central Army but did not change their names."
Cao Rui nodded: "So, Wuyi, Main Force, and Central Fortress Camps do not have a long history. They were originally commanded by miscellaneous generals with the rank of general, and it just happened to be the Central Army that preserved them."
"Your Majesty speaks the truth." Dong Zhao said.
Cao Rui gently nodded.
If it were ordinary matters of the court, Cao Rui would never discuss it with just Dong Zhao. He would summon the two members of the East Hall, and best invite a few palace officials.
However, the division of the Central Army is merely an adjustment of organizational structure, and Cao Rui intends to discuss it with only Dong Zhao and himself.
Small matters are discussed in large meetings, big matters in small meetings, and very important matters are not discussed in meetings. This is of great importance.
The logic of doing things remains similar in every dynasty and generation.
After a moment of thought, Cao Rui said, "When I previously reformed the Shangshu Tai and established six departments, the principle was that the name and reality should correspond."
"The names of the Wuyi, Main Force, and Central Fortress Camps are not very pleasant, and I intend to change them."
Dong Zhao asked, "How should they be changed?"
Cao Rui said, "The term 'Wuyi' is nearly exclusive to Zhu Fu, so I will give him some face and leave it as it is. The Main Force and Central Fortress Camps will be completely reorganized."
"Place the Plum Blossom Left and Right Cavalry Regiments, each under command of 10,000 mounted troops."
"Place the Wuyi and Xiao Wei Troop Units, each under command of 10,000 infantry."
"Leave another 10,000 cavalry, with the Five Commandery Garrison commanding 5,000 troops and the Central Military Commander's Camp commanding 5,000 troops."
Dong Zhao thought for a long time and said, "So, if the Wuyi Garrison is divided into two-thirds and merged with the Central Fortress and Main Force Camps, the name 'Wuyi' would no longer be appropriate."
"Increase the strength of the Five Commandery Garrison, increase the strength of the Central Military Commander's Camp, and cancel out the original Generalissimo's directly under command?"
Cao Rui nodded: "What do you think, Lord Dong?"
Dong Zhao hesitated slightly and asked, "What about the guards who protect the imperial family?"
Cao Rui said, "The Central Military Commander's Camp will be responsible for the palace, and the Left and Right Plum Blossom and Wuyi and Xiao Wei Troop Units will draw troops from their ranks to protect outside the palace."
Dong Zhao asked again, "What should be done with the Five Commandery Garrison?"
Cao Rui answered, "In my opinion, for routine border conflicts without large-scale national wars like the Battle of Wu and the Battle of Sichuan, there is no need for a large number of cavalry."
"Five Commandery Garrison is a carryover from the old Han Dynasty, with one Camp Director and five Commandery Generals, totaling six of the second-level officials."
"If it is not a national war, sending the 5,000 cavalry of the Five Commandery Garrison should suffice."
Dong Zhao nodded in agreement: "The Central Army is naturally more cavalry-oriented. The strategy of 'Within Controls Without' relies on the Central Army's strong and immovable stance to suppress all directions."
"Your Majesty's deep thinking and foresight surpass my capability by a mile."
Cao Rui waved his hand: "Even if I am not well-versed in military strategy, having been involved in both major battles from start to finish, I have learned what is necessary."
"Now that I need to reorganize the Central Army, I am relying on your help, Lord Dong. We need someone capable to implement this."
Dong Zhao looked at the emperor with a smile: "Does this person need to be impartial, never form any party? It would be best if they are also knowledgeable in military strategy and capable of shouldering the future responsibilities of military and state affairs."
Cao Rui glanced thoughtfully at Dong Zhao: "That's right. Do you have someone in mind, Lord Dong?"
Dong Zhao laughed loudly and said, "Your Majesty is wise. I indeed have someone in mind. Except for this person, I cannot think of anyone else."
Cao Rui also smiled and pointed southeast with his finger.
Dong Zhao bowed and said, "I recommend General Man Chong, Man Bo Ning, to take on the position in the West Hall!"
Cao Rui nodded: "Alright! I will approve your recommendation, and orders will be issued for Man Chong to return to the capital in the afternoon!"
"Who can take over the troops that Man Chong is in command of in Yuzhou?"
Dong Zhao said, "General Zhu Gai, the Right Commander, might be suitable."
Cao Rui nodded: "Your suggestion, Lord Dong, is very appropriate!"
Dong Zhao reminded: "Although the Central Army has been reorganized, the position of Middle Protector is still vacant."
"The Middle Protector is in charge of the selection of all military officials under the kingdom. The Commanders and Assistants under the banners of all Du su (commanders), as well as the Commandants in all states and prefectures, are selected under the supervision of the Middle Protector."
"Han Fan has been relieved of his duties, and the position of the Middle Protector is currently vacant. Someone should be found to fill it in order to cope with the overall situation."
Cao Rui sighed: "The situation in Lüe Yang is clearly stated in the military reports. I'm sure Lord Dong is aware of it as well."
"That day, Zhang Yi attempted to assassinate me, causing unrest among everyone. Han Fan confessed his guilt in the tent, and I took the opportunity to send him into exile to the An Ding Prefecture."
"If we examine it in detail, Han Fan's actions were indeed accidental, and I do not truly hold a grudge against him. It is also time to bring him back to Luoyang."
Dong Zhao nodded and said, "The Emperor is now leading the Central Army, and has promoted Guan Qiuxian to the Central Military Commander. Han Fan's hometown is the same as that of the Emperor, making him rare in today's court."
Cao Rui said, "Even the Emperor can't avoid relying on fellow compatriots and relatives of the same clan, let alone others?"
Dong Zhao also sighed: "Your Majesty is correct! Just like Wu Zhi, who is from the same hometown as me, although his reputation is not good, we still have to often associate with him. After all, there are few officials in Luozhong who are from Jiyin County."
Cao Rui smiled: "If there are no officials from Jiyin County, how about someone from Shanyang County? They are all old colleagues from the Yan State."
Dong Zhao was startled.
"Just now, I was only speaking impulsively and forgot to mention that!"
Man Chong is from Shanyang County, which is adjacent to the Jiuyin County of my origin. Jiuyin and Shanyang counties are not very large in area, and the distance between Dingtiao and Changyi is also not far, so there is no significant difference in being from the same prefecture."
Will the emperor suspect me after just recommending Man Chong?
Dong Zhao was about to explain, but Cao Rui stopped him with a smile and said, "I know what you want to explain, and I don't mind."
Wiping the non-existent sweat from his forehead, Dong Zhao stammered, "Your Majesty is wise. I have no ulterior motives at all."
Cao Rui laughed heartily, "Alright, I have one last thing to ask you."
"Zhao Yan is someone who can be used. He is currently serving as Chen Qun's military strategist. If I summon Chen Qun back, would it be appropriate to appoint Zhao Yan as the supervisor of Jingzhou?"
Dong Zhao was slightly stunned and then blurted out, "Zhao Yan's credentials are not sufficient. Although he is known along with the famous scholars of Yingchuan County, including Xin Pi, Chen Qun, and Du Xi, he is numbered among them as Zhao."
"But Chen Qun comes from a more distinguished family background, and he cannot be equated with the other three."
Cao Rui laughed and continued, "Xin Shi was the military strategist of the Great General, and Du Xi is currently the military strategist of the Great General. As for Zhao Yan, he is currently the military strategist of the Right Cavalry Commander."
"The scholars of Yingchuan County, how can they get into the habit of being military strategists? From what I understand from Lord Dong, Zhao Yan may not be capable of supervising Jingzhou."
Dong Zhao said solemnly, "I am not afraid of offending anyone. I will speak the truth before Your Majesty. Now, those who are in charge of a region are the Great General and the Grand Marshal. What qualifications does Zhao Yan have to supervise Jingzhou?"
"Your Majesty can make Zhao Yan oversee military affairs in Jingzhou. That is one level lower than the region's duvet, and the duties he will perform will have no fundamental differences."
Cao Rui agreed: "This arrangement is good. When Chen Qun returns, Zhao Yan can take his place. I will also let Xiahou Ruzhu return to Jingzhou to command the army."
Dong Zhao said, "Zhao Yan is someone who is dedicated to Jingzhou. He is suitable for use in Jingzhou, but may not be so elsewhere."
Cao Rui understood that Dong Zhao was aware of his views on the scholars of Yingchuan County. Such a statement may also have been intended to flatter his sentiments.
But regardless, as long as it does not harm the national affairs, it is all good.
Cao Rui originally wanted to discuss the candidates for the three palace attendants with Dong Zhao, but since the discussion has come to this point, he has lost interest and stands up to return to the study.
"Let's go to the study with the emperor. The discussion on merit awards among the generals this time, we will discuss a result together."
"Aye." Dong Zhao extended his hand forward, "Please, Your Majesty, lead the way." (The chapter ends)
