In the first month of the fourth year of Taihe, the ceremony for worshiping heaven was unusually grand.
After the ceremony was over, the vanguard of the Great Wei's middle army, consisting of 30,000 mounted soldiers, immediately set off for Xuchang, which was 300 miles away.
Luoyang is a strategically important location, protected by eight passes including Huanvali, Yixue, Guangcheng, Dashigu, Hunyuan, Xuanmen, Mengjin, and Xiaopingjin.
In terms of distance, the road through the Hanyuan Pass is the closest to Xuchang. At that time, Chen Qun was assigned to urgently travel to Shouchun to succeed Cao Xiu, and he took the Hanyuan Pass route.
As the main force marched from Luoyang southward, they always took the Yiqie Pass and Guangcheng Pass, which were located in the south direction.
To the south of Guangcheng Pass lies Liang County, which is the southernmost county of Henan Province, only about 100 li away from Luoyang.
To the west of Liang County is Luhun County, and to the east is Jia County in Yingchuan Commandery.
During Guan Yu's attack on Fanying in the north, when he flooded the enemy troops, killed Pang De, and besieged Cao Ren, Liang, Jia and Luhun counties were rallied by Guan Yu to revolt against many people.
The area between Luoyang and Xuchang had been so thoroughly infiltrated by Guan Yu. This was also one of the reasons why Cao Cao had stationed his troops in the Mobei area of Jia County, watching Xu Huang advance directly into the enemy territory.
It was not the 'using six armies to show our remaining strength', as spoken by Han Jie, but more of a concern that the large army would march south, achieve nothing, and cause trouble at home after returning.
On the first day of January, the vanguard of 30,000 cavalry soldiers set off southward.
On the fourth day of the first month, the entire cavalry force arrived at Mo Pi in Jia County.
The term 'Mobei' refers to a circular lake of over ten square li in size surrounded by fertile plains, which can be used for water conservation. It is the ideal place for a large army to camp.
As early as the years of Jian'an, Emperor Cao Cao established military farms near Xuchang. Mobei had both food supplies and military camps, making it the primary strategic stronghold between Luoyang and Xuchang.
Both the Wuwei and Xiao ye armies have already arrived in Xuchang, and there are many empty spaces left in Mobei.
From the fifth day of the first month until the tenth, Cao Rui reviewed the middle army cavalry at Mobei every day.
The Feilin Left Army under Wen Qin, the Feilin Right Army under Cheng Xi, the Zhongling Army camp under Guan Jian, as well as the army camps of Hunqi Cavalry, Shanghui Cavalry, Yeji Cavalry, Changshui Cavalry, and Sheisheng Cavalry all took part in the review.
On one hand, it was to inspect and adjust the combat effectiveness of the various armies after their reorganization. On the other hand, it was also to familiarize Cao Rui himself with the operation of cavalry and rehearse the tactics set in Luoyang in previous days.
At noon on the tenth day, the final inspection was carried out by the Feilin Left Army led by Wen Qin.
Equipped with armor, the central cavalry force broke through the enemy's formation and attacked directly. The heavy and light cavalry troops worked together to sweep away any remaining forces. This latest cavalry tactic was also presented to the members of the State Council and the Secretariat accompanying them.
On the viewing platform, Wang Chang walked over and, with a loud voice, bowed and said, "Your Majesty, General Wen's detachment of 1,000 armored cavalrymen, 2,000 heavy cavalrymen, and 4,000 light cavalrymen have completed the tactical plan predetermined by the Secretariat on a battlefield that is six li wide and thirty li long."
"The inspection result is considered excellent."
Cao Rui nodded slightly, smiling at the court officials: "If it were not for the fields around Luoyang, Your Majesty would have shown you the changes in the middle army cavalry long ago."
Sima Yi stroked his beard, thinking deeply and said, "The cavalry's current strength is quite different from what it was in Huaihai and Longyou."
"Your Majesty is indeed very ingenious. Combining saddles, hooves, full armor, and long spears, the armored cavalry is actually as powerful as this!"
Cao Rui said, "I just came up with an idea. It's not much. The credit for this achievement still belongs to the Secretariat and the Feilin Left Army."
"Prince Wang," Cao Rui smiled and pointed to Wang Chang with his right hand, "To be so good at military administration, you really make me happy. I didn't know you had such talent before when you were repairing roads and camps in Huaihai."
Man Chong, who was standing by, joked: "The selection of subjects by Your Majesty is the same as the choice of good horses by those in charge. How can we see the difference between good horses and ordinary horses if we don't let them work long distances and carry heavy loads?"
"In my opinion, King Wang Yizhao, who was discovered by Your Majesty, is just like the 'good horse'!"
Cao Rui laughed a few times playfully, "Prince Wang, it's General Man who made this comparison. If you're not satisfied, you can go find him yourself."
As Wang Chang was in charge of the Secretariat and was under the jurisdiction of Man Chong's Western Hall, he naturally knew that Man Chong was trying to take credit for himself. So he smiled accordingly.
On this occasion, Cao Rui still appointed Wei Zhen as the Sirli Zheng Cai, while Dong Zhao, in addition to his position as the Wewei, also assumed the role of the Huainan Yin.
Different from the previous western campaign, the Secretariat also accompanied them, leaving Dong Zhao without subordinates and his post as Weiwu with nothing to do.
Thus Wei Zhen handled the overall situation, while Dong Zhao managed Luoyang in this way.
On the 11th day of the first month, the main force continued east from Mobei towards Xuchang's direction, and it took another two days to reach.
Thirty miles west of the city of Xuchang, the Governor of Yu Province, Huang Quan, and the Prefect of Yingchuan Commandery, Dong Zhou, both stood respectfully along the official road to greet the imperial carriage.
Since the year one of Taihe, Cao Rui has been away from him for more than two and a half years.
This man who once defected from Shuhan and came over to the Great Wei, with his true potential realized, has governed Yu Province efficiently and effectively.
As the imperial standard grew closer, Huang Quan instructed Dong Zhou to stay in place, while he walked several dozen zhang (a unit of length) forward to greet the emperor, kowtowing and kneeling on the roadside.
"I, Huang Quan, bow before Your Majesty!"
Cao Rui looked at Huang Quan's shadow on horseback, and he couldn't help but be moved. He dismounted from his horse and helped Huang Quan to his feet, saying in a heartfelt tone: "Prime Minister Huang has done a good job in Yu Province! The emperor knows of your hard work in Luoyang, and I have also noticed your achievements."
"The achievements of the governorship of Yu Province this year, in terms of grain reserves, civil administration, water management, or education, can be considered the best among all the states. If every governor of the Great Wei could be as capable as Prime Minister Huang, I can sleep soundly knowing that I have nothing to worry about."
As a distant subject, who is far away from Luoyang, and without an imperial edict not to return to the capital, he is deeply concerned about the affairs of court. At the first sight of the emperor today, he received so much affirmative words from him.
The hard work of the past three years has been worthwhile in this moment.
Huang Quan smiled and bowed his hands to answer, "Your Majesty has entrusted me with the important task of a state, Your Majesty. How could I not devote myself wholeheartedly to serve Your Majesty?"
"The palace of Xuchang has been well maintained and repaired. The weather is cold outside, please Your Majesty to move into the city first."
"Lead a royal horse over!" Cao Rui called to his personal guards standing beside him, and immediately one of the guards led over a chestnut-colored mare from behind. Its coat was pure and smooth, with a streak of white hair on its forehead, making it a rare good horse.
"Prime Minister Huang, this horse is to be presented to you as a reward. Quickly mount your horse and accompany us into the city!"
Huang Quan looked at the attention of the court officials behind the emperor, not panic but composure. He bowed his hands and accepted, mounted his horse, and stood beside the emperor with a comfortable pace.
But ahead of him, after meeting with the Prefect of Yingchuan Commandery, Dong Zhou, he did not receive such good treatment anymore.
It is worth mentioning that when he was appointed Prefect of Yingchuan Commandery, it was actually to reward Dong Zhao for his suggestion. As Dong Zhao was elderly and difficult to reward, the imperial favor was given to his son instead.
However, Dong Zhou's talent was actually mediocre, and he even made some wrong decisions several times. The imperial edict for impeachment was stopped by Cao Rui.
This person can follow the rules and do things by the book, but he is absolutely not capable of taking on any important responsibilities.
It is said that the blessings of a virtuous person can only last three generations, and in most cases, to last one generation is already quite good.
The imperial banner continued to move eastward, and Cao Rui also arrived in the city of Xuchang for the first time.
However, as soon as they arrived at the palace and had not settled in, the Grand Secretary Liu Fang hurriedly came to the study to look for the emperor.
That's right, it was still the study.
The former position of Yu Province Governor Huang Quan as a Zhongshu Zheng Cai (Grand Secretary) had enabled him to understand the emperor's preferences to some extent. Therefore, in the original palace of Xuchang, after reporting to the Shaofu (Chancellery), an enclosed courtyard was reserved for use as a study.
The desk, arrangement, and area were all similar to those in Luoyang. In the same position, there was even a reclining chair.
At this time, it was already afternoon. Cao Rui was leaning back in the reclining chair with his eyes closed, resting and cultivating his inner energy.
"Your Majesty, urgent report from Youzhou: Gongsun Yuan has refused to come to Luoyang for court."
Cao Rui opened his eyes and showed no signs of fatigue. He stared at Liu Fang with bright eyes and asked, "What time is it?"
Liu Fang bowed his hands and answered: "December 15th, the Administrator of Youzhou Liushiang and General Xiahou Xian jointly signed the document. The document arrived in Luoyang first, and then in Xuchang."
"Hand it to me for a look." Cao Rui extended his hand, and Liu Fang received the document with both hands.
Cao Rui looked at it and coldly snorted, tossing the document on the ground: "What nerve, Gongsun Yuan!"
"Liu, Grand Secretary, call upon Sima Yi, Man Chong, and three Zhongshu Zheng Cai!"
"According to your decree." Liu Fang took the order and left.
It didn't take long for the five to receive the summons and arrived at Xuchang Palace together from their temporary residences within the city.
Even with a temperament like Sima Yi, when entering this newly built study courtyard, seeing its form and layout, arrangements, and even the reclining chair exactly the same as those in Luoyang, he couldn't help but widen his eyes.
Cao Rui remained seated on the reclining chair, motionless, waiting until everyone had bowed in greeting. Only then did he lift his eyes to look at them, "I've been proven right by you all!"
"Not only did he refuse verbally, but he also spoke disrespectfully, claiming himself as the people's choice of the million in Liaodong. It seems that his subordinates are not allowed to contradict him."
"How could Liaodong have a million people, and how could Gongsun Yuan, a native villager, have subjects who consider him their sovereign?" (End of this chapter)
