Cao Rui laughed and said, "Haven't you heard the saying, 'The trees planted by predecessors provide shade for future generations'?"
"Liaodong is four thousand li away from Luoyang. What does the Great Wei need from Liaodong? Is it not better to dispatch 10,000 men to guard Liaoxi Prefecture and let Gongsun Yuan of Liaodong perish on his own? Shouldn't we allow the small states of Fuyu, Baiji, Gouli, and the Three Hae to remain as they are?"
"Of course, it's not good."
As he spoke, Cao Rui sighed softly: "There is no place in the world that is not the territory of the king. This is not just an empty saying."
"Since the end of the Han dynasty, the central plains have been in chaos for several decades. Although the people have suffered greatly and the world has been exhausted, how many years of war is it, and yet isn't it also like training soldiers for decades? Today, the armies of Great Wei, Shu Han, and Eastern Wu are all strong and capable."
"Regardless of the Huns, the Xianbei, or the Wufan, Great Wei has few defeats against them, and can subdue Youbing with an army of less than 20,000."
"On the side of Sun Quan, conquering the Mountain Yue has become his consistent policy for decades, with increasing the army and forcing their people to cultivate land in the mountains."
"Zhuge Liang's campaign against Nanzhong, the southern region of Shu Han, was also a military endeavor involving less than 20,000 troops and lasting for only one year. It posed no difficulties."
Cao Rui looked at everyone and said, "If we can conquer Gongsun Yuan, conquering Goguryeo, Baekje, and the Three Kingdoms will just require a little more time. Choosing a commander to attack them is a simple matter. Even a mere Gongsun Du could awe the remote barbarians. How much more powerful would be the powerful army of the Great Wei?"
"Do you believe that at this moment, the military strength of the central plains is the greatest difference compared to surrounding ethnic groups in hundreds of years? Take advantage of the opportunity and strike more often!"
The emperor's words left the five people in the study silent.
Man Chong was calculating the logistics and supply support needed to sustain such a campaign for the Great Wei.
Meanwhile, Sima Yi was pondering on the emperor's intentions.
The emperor's thoughts and intentions are becoming increasingly inscrutable.
Are we not supposed to attack Gongsun Yuan? How can we attack the four small states of Fuyu, Baekje, Gouli, and the Three Kingdoms all at once?
Isn't this excessive ambition?
Sima Yi furrowed his brow and continuously pondered the pros and cons. After a while, he was surprised to find that the emperor's words were very true!
Now the military strength of the Great Wei is unparalleled.
Regardless of combat experience or morale and public opinion, just in terms of weaponry and equipment, there is already a generational gap.
The Xianbei people, who were the strongest warriors on the grasslands, were equipped with only two items: suede armor and circular head knives. Iron armor could not be widely used.
Even if Gongsun Yuan of Liaodong has somewhat better weaponry, facing the heavy cavalry of the Great Wei, equipped with double stirrups, horseshoes, and full-body armor, not to mention the heavily armed plate armor cavalry, how much resistance can they have in open-field battles?
And even more so for the poorer places like Fuyu and Baekje.
Sima Yi's thoughts started to diverge.
With the experience of governing a million Qiang people in Yongzhou and Qinzhou, managing the people of Fuyu, Goguryeo, Baekje, and the Three Han should be much easier.
After a series of moves such as granting surnames, establishing fields, and imparting education, which barbarians would not wish to be Han people? Such a thought does not exist.
After a moment, Sima Yi bowed and said, "Your Majesty's exceptional talent and grand strategies are truly praiseworthy. If Your Majesty were to lead the campaign in person, I would humbly request to accompany you as an aide to offer counsel."
Pei Qian's eyes widened in surprise as he looked at Sima Yi's figure.
All of us are subjects. Why do you speak in such a manner?
Following Sima Yi, Pei Qian quickly expressed his stance as the second person.
Then the three people of Man Chong, Xu Zhou, and Lu Yucun also expressed their opinions one after another.
Cao Rui waved his hand: "The war hasn't even started yet. Please don't praise me so much, my ministers. If we can win the victory, I will be happy to celebrate with you."
"Let us discuss the details, my ministers."
"On the matter of the logistics discussed earlier by the Lord of the Office, I think it is excellent. How to choose 20,000 horsemen and how to assign 30,000 foot soldiers?"
Man Chong bowed: "Your Majesty, we only offer suggestions. The specific choice of a general should still be the decision of Your Majesty's wisdom."
Sima Yi also said, "Please, Your Majesty, may you personally appoint the ministers in charge of defense."
Cao Rui thought for a moment: "Since we need to take 20,000 riders, I will take the Yunling Left Army, the Central Leadership Camp, and the Five Command Camp with me."
"Program's Yunling Right Army of 10,000 riders are stationed in Luoyang and are under the control of the Left Chief of the Secretariat, Wei Zhen."
"General Qian Zhao leads the Wuwei Army stationed in Xuchang, and General Wang Ling leads the Xiaowei Army stationed in Ye City."
"Liaodong is a harsh and cold place, and it needs to be attacked during the summer and autumn. We cannot delay, and all the armies will set off according to the order three days from now, without fail!"
All five stood up and bowed: "We will follow the emperor's order!"
Cao Rui nodded, "You five will accompany me on this campaign!"
...
The 50,000 central army had already been on the march from Luoyang. Now, returning to the march status is a piece of cake.
The distance between Luoyang and Xuchang is only about three hundred miles, and it won't require much in terms of supplies; it's just like a drill.
However, in the eyes of Huang Quan, the Governor of Yuzhou, it seemed unusual.
Last year, the emperor said he would come to Luoyang, and the palaces in Xuchang had been renovated. He even brought five consorts with him. How can he suddenly decide to launch a military campaign to Hebei?
With these doubts, Huang Quan went to the Xuchang Palace to request an audience.
After Huang Quan suggested that the emperor stay, Cao Rui laughed and said, "Yellow is correct. The emperor should remain in Luoyang unmoving and choose a prominent minister to lead the army."
"Yet, do you know the benefits of the emperor leading an army in person, Huang Minister?"
Huang Quan hesitated for a moment, but knew in his heart that the left-hand evidence was there. However, he didn't want to say it out loud.
Cao Rui smiled and said, "I am twenty-five years old, and my physical condition is exactly right for enduring the hardships of the military."
"With me in the army, the generals have a stronger desire to win and to earn titles and rewards in my presence; the soldiers know that their merit will not be smeared, and their morale is better when facing battle; enemy forces often have their morale shaken when they hear that the emperor is on his way."
"So many benefits, how can the emperor let go of it, Yellow Minister?"
Huang Quan sighed: "If the emperor says so, his heart must already have a perfect plan. The minister only thinks of the events of Taiping year two in Chenling and worries about the emperor's safety."
Cao Rui laughed, "As the Son of Heaven, I should have no taboos."
"But regarding the previous matter, during the tenure of the late Great General who served as the supervisor of Yangzhou, the military forces in the provinces were all directly controlled by him. However, Chen Piao's position as a mounted guard does not have such direct authority."
"Before I head north, I will give you the authority to arrange the troops in the prefectures of Yuzhou. If there is any alarm to the southeast, assist Chen Qun to defend them. Seek no merit and only avoid fault. I have also spoken with Chen Qun in this manner!"
Huang Quan deeply bowed: "I shall not fail the emperor's trust and responsibility!"
...
On the 13th day of the first lunar month, Emperor Wei arrived in Xuchang, and by the 16th, he would be heading north. Various preparations were carried out in full swing.
Cao Rui had to spend three nights carefully soothing the five concubines who accompanied him to Xuchang, ensuring their peace of mind while they temporarily resided within the city, waiting for his return from the campaign.
Three days were spent in calming the five women.
On the eve before the northward journey, that is, the night of the 15th, Emperor Cao Rui spent the night in Guo Jieya's quarters after calming down from his exhaustion. Just as he was resting, Eunuch Bi Jin lightly called out again outside the palace.
"How dare you disturb my peace!" Emperor Cao Rui muttered softly, pulled up the quilt to cover Guo Yao's fair figure, and sat up, throwing on an outer robe before calling out in a loud voice, "What do you wish to discuss?"
"Eunuch Bi Jin's voice was sharp and urgent: 'Your Majesty, urgent report from General Chen Chang: Liu Bei has attacked Yangping Pass!'"
Emperor Cao Rui felt completely speechless, and before he could respond, beside him, Guo Yao sat up gracefully and leaned gently on the emperor's shoulder: "If my memory serves me right, at the end of the year in Taiping, Year One, the emperor learned of warnings from the west while lying on this bed."
"Come, change my clothes for me," Emperor Cao Rui softly called out, then made a jesting remark: "Yao'er is from Liangzhou, perhaps she's more informed about the affairs to the west. If I don't want trouble in the west, I should avoid seeking you out so often."
Guo Yao smiled coquettishly: "If the bandits attack the border, how does that involve me? Why don't you visit the Princess Sun instead? Will you also be afraid that Sun Quan will attack?"
Cao Rui laughed and said, "I fear he would come? I fear he wouldn't come!"
Only after putting on his robe, did Emperor Cao Rui open the door and take the military report from Cao Zhen from Eunuch Bi Jin's tense hands.
After carefully reading it twice, Emperor Cao Rui handed the document back to Eunuch Bi Jin: "Is this military report from the Imperial Secretariat?"
Eunuch Bi Jin shook his head: "Your Majesty, this military report was directly sent to the College of the Chancellor by General Cao. The old slave heard from people in the College of the Chancellor that a copy was also sent to the Imperial Secretariat."
Cao Rui nodded: "Then it's good. Send someone to tell Wang Chang and Wang Guan not to make a fuss tonight. They can sleep as usual. The business of deploying troops at dawn will proceed as scheduled, without delay."
"Understood, the old slave will withdraw."
After Eunuch Bi Jin left, Emperor Cao Rui closed the door and returned to his room.
According to the old practices of the Han dynasty, the palace did not object to eunuchs serving personally. However, after Emperor Cao Rui retired for the night, he never allowed any eunuchs to enter his room. Even on occasions like today when there was a matter to report, he would personally come down from his bed and open the door to ask.
Of course, such situations are not common.
Just as Emperor Cao Rui closed the door and started to walk towards his bed, Guo Yao snuggled into the emperor's robe.
"Your Majesty has returned to continue sleeping, right? Is there nothing to worry about then?"
Cao Rui smiled and embraced Guo Yao as he walked towards the inner room: "Is there really so many things to worry about?"
"Between Taiping Year Two and Taiping Year Three, the city defense and preparation in the west have been thoroughly improved."
"We have sufficient soldiers and capable generals. If we calculate the time, it is about now that your Minister Xin is probably in Hanzhong."
"What else can I worry about? Can Liu Bei still produce more troops?"
Guo Yao whispered: "Then how dare he attack our borders? Where did he get the courage?"
Cao Rui laughed, "Yao'er doesn't understand. In that Shu place, if they don't venture outwards, their internal stability might crumble..." (Chapter ends)
