Early the next morning, before the hour of Chén, Cáo Rui had just finished his grooming and entered the study room when the eunuch reported that Wang Chang, the Right Minister of Military Affairs, had arrived.
Cáo Rui nodded and looked at the eunuch official Bì Jìn: "Ask if Wang Wenshu has eaten. If he has, wait outside. If not, bring him in and give him some food."
Soon, Bì Jin led Wang Chang in together.
Cáo Rui looked at Wang Chang with a calm expression and said, "Take a seat. Bì Jin, fetch a portion for Right Minister Wang."
Wang Chang bowed with respect and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for the meal. I have already eaten."
"How is that, unable to sit still?" Cáo Rui, holding a piece of meat and fleshy skin with an ivory fork, asked, "Last night's military situation from the west of the Guān Pass sent by General Dàjiàng, what do you and Wang Wei think about it?"
Wang Chang cupped his hands and said, "Last night, Minister Wang and I discussed it, and I was about to send word to General Man when I received Your Majesty's oral command, so I held off on this matter."
"We, the two of us, think that since there is a threat on the western border, perhaps we should reconsider the deployment for today's army."
Cáo Rui put down the ivory chopsticks and looked at Wang Chang with a hint of doubt: "The imperial edict has already been sent out. How do you plan to consider it? Not to fight back to Luoyang or use troops in the west?"
Wang Chang said, "Should we send the Yǔlín Right Army to wait in Chang'an? The mounted army is closer to the battlefield, which would be more convenient for deployment."
Cáo Rui sighed lightly and said, "Today you speak directly to the Emperor, so I will also remind you of a flaw."
Wang Chang was puzzled: "May I have Your Majesty's instructions, please."
Cáo Rui said, "Minister Wang has been in the Ministry of Military Affairs for over a year. His work is diligent and his conduct is proper. I am generally satisfied with him. However, he sometimes pursues perfection too meticulously, controls details rigorously, and does not trust his colleagues."
"How much influence does Left Minister Wang Weitai still have in the Ministry of Military Affairs? I have long heard rumors that as Right Minister Wang, he has a weight comparable to that of 'chénglì shì' (the head of the Ministry of Military Affairs)."
"I dare not!"
Facing the emperor's words, Wang Chang could only bow and apologize, saying, "I have only been loyal to my duties and have not dared to be even slightly lazy. I have no desire for power."
"Get up and return to your seat." Cáo Rui lightly knocked the table: "I have no intention of blaming you. Listen to what I have to say."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Wang Chang took a deep breath, then sat down, his chest slightly heaving.
Cáo Rui said, "Paying attention to details is certainly good, but you also need to consider the overall strategy. For example, when Cao Zhuge invaded the Yangping Pass."
"Last April, when Zhuge Liang attacked Taizhong, did the General Da, Zhang Junye, and Lu Boyan not cooperate well?"
"The strategic importance of Yangping Pass has not changed, the strength of the Shu nation has not increased, and there have been no changes in its commanders. Even the military strength of the Great Wei in the western pass has grown. For the western region against Shu territory, it is already sufficient, and there is no need for additional support from Henan."
"I trust the generals in the western region and also trust Minister Wang to some extent. For major military situations, it is better to consider the overall situation first. If the overall situation is sound, then trust them. Do not necessarily feel the need to take action just because you can do things and want to feel at ease."
"Like the Emperor's trust in Man Chong and your management of the central army. Have you not done very well?"
Wang Chang rose and bowed, sighing lightly, "Your Majesty truly sees through me. Reflecting on my own character, it is indeed quite inappropriate, as it is consistent with what Your Majesty has said."
Cáo Rui looked at Wang Chang and said, "The Ministry of Military Affairs is a new agency, and one of the changes I made. When I appointed you to lead it, I had high expectations of you, hoping that you would gain experience and improve."
"Minister Wang, do you know whose temperament is similar to yours?"
Wang Chang asked in some confusion, "Similar to whom?"
Cáo Rui laughed and pointed to the southwest, saying, "He is somewhat similar to Zhuge Liang of Shu."
"Minister Wang, I mean no disrespect. But if you truly believe in your abilities, why not put them to the test? By doing so, you will be able to better understand yourself and your capabilities. And who knows? You may even surprise yourself with what you are capable of."
Cáo Rui chuckled a few times: "I said you have the talents of a prime minister. Now that the Great Wei no longer has a Chancellor, perhaps in the future you could rise to be a cabinet member."
"Alright, I will not keep you talking for long. The army will soon set off, and I also want to see the generals. Go back and tell General Da to reply to my letter, and then inform me of the campaign against the Liaodong region."
Wang Chang bowed and replied, "Should the positions of the Ministry of Military Affairs and the Board of Rites also be informed?"
Cáo Rui waved his hand, "No need, just have him send a letter to Luoyang."
"The Ministry of Military Affairs and the Board of Rites will follow the Emperor to Yecheng first, and we will discuss other matters later."
"Yes, Your Majesty. The Minister Wang bows and slowly departs."
"……"
Since the destinations of the various troops in the central army are different, their travel routes also differ greatly.
Qian Zhao led the Wuwei Army and was stationed in Xuanchang, so he merely came to see them off without being involved in the military movement or camp relocation.
Cheng Xih's Yulin Right Army returned to Luoyang from Xuchang, following the same route as Qian Zhao. They first went west from Xuchang, via Mo Bi and Guangcheng Pass, before returning and saying farewell in the same way as Qian Zhao.
The remaining 20,000 cavalry and 10,000 infantry all accompanied the Emperor on the northern expedition. They traveled through Xuchang, Yanzheng, Kaifeng, Xunyi, and crossed the Yellow River at Baima Pass. Then they proceeded to Yejiang and Neihuang before arriving at Yecheng.
Before departure, at the parade ground on the eastern outskirts of Xuchang, Emperor Cao Rui rode on his royal horse and looked at Qian Zhao and Cheng Xi: "Both of you are stationed in Xuchang and Luoyang. You should not move lightly unless it is an important matter."
"Now that I am accompanied by the Ministry of Military Affairs and the Ministry of State to proceed to Hebei, you two should temporarily follow the orders of the Left Minister Yi Jun and the Lord of the Commandery Dong Zhuo. Managing the rear area is also an achievement."
"I will return to the north in this expedition within a year or so. Do not disappoint my expectations!"
Qian Zhao and Cheng Xi bowed together before the emperor: "We will strictly comply with Your Majesty's will."
After saying that, Cao Rui turned to Huang Quan and said, "Your Excellency in Yizhou has done a good job. Your position will be discussed when I return."
Huang Quan bowed with respect: "I will have Yizhou under control, and Your Majesty can be at ease."
After giving a few simple instructions, Cáo Rui no longer delayed and ordered the entire army to set off northward.
From the beginning of Huang Chu VII, Cáo Rui has led three campaigns, and each time he has had a completely different mindset.
In December of Huang Chu VII, he followed the cavalry of the central army from Luoyang to Shouchun. At that time, Cáo Rui had little understanding of military campaigns and battles. He learned military orders, flags, camp relocations, reconnaissance, formations, and dispatches as he walked south from Luoyang.
It was a state of uncertainty and anticipation intertwined.
In December of Taihe I, he led the cavalry of the central army from Luoyang to aid the guardians of the western border. At that time, Cáo Rui had a bit more composure and confidence than his first campaign, but he was also cautious due to Zhuge Liang's reputation being extremely cautious.
The more he fought, the more composed he became, and the more confidence he gained. Having been in the army for half a year, there was little that he didn't know that he shouldn't have known.
The divine plans depicted in scholars' writings are merely fantastical tales existing only on paper. Real warfare is simply about, under the premise of fully utilizing all efforts to gather information, trying to make the best use of the resources at hand.
This is exactly what is meant by 'aligning the straight with the crooked to win'.
The understanding has deepened another layer.
At present, in the third month of Tàihé IV, his attitude was much more relaxed.
It is an attack, not defense, control the initiative, stronger cavalry, and the enemy is weaker than Wu and Shu...
With all these reasons intertwined, the central army's northward march was not characterized by much tension or worry; instead, the desire to win and seek glory was extremely intense.
When an army wins and wins again, the backbone and spirit of the army are established.
But this is a very long process.
The current central army of the Great Wei is a new force that was reestablished during the Huang Chu years and rose to prominence during the Taihe years.
To ask about the previous destination of the central army, we must mention Yuan Xin, who was once the top foreign general of the Great Wei and under whose leadership was Wen Zhen.
In the first month of Jian'an twenty-four years, the former General of Western Campaigns Xiahou Yuan died in Hanzhong. Emperor Wu Cao led the central army to rescue him personally.
In May, due to the difficulty in sustaining the food supplies and military supplies of the Wei army, Emperor Wu Cao, suffering from old age and illness, led the army to retreat from Hanzhong back to Chang'an. At that time, Cao Cao himself was so afflicted by old age and illness that he could no longer lead an army normally.
In July, Cao Cao intended to send Cao Zhi to lead the central army to Yanking Ying to rescue Cao Ren. However, Cao Zhi was too drunk to carry out the mission. Therefore, he sent Yu Jin, then the Left General and holder of a titular "sword and seal," to lead the army instead.
In August of the 24th year of the Jian'an era, there was heavy rain and flooding.
Yu Jin surrendered, and the entire 30,000 central army became disheartened.
In a certain sense, Yu Jin, as the former top foreign general, played a role similar to that of Liu Bei in the Shileng War. It can be said that the northern foundation is still there, even though many losses were suffered, it can still be reestablished.
The multiple military operations of the late Emperor Cao Pi during the Huang Chu years actually played a role in reestablishing the central army.
After ten years, the spirit and vitality of the central army has become so strong again. This is not something easy to achieve.
As the troops headed north, Emperor Cao Rui rode on a white horse, staring at the distant clouds, mountains and plains in a daze.
Sima Yi turned his horse and approached, smiling and saying, "Your Majesty, this campaign is different from the past. There are many cities around here. The central region is densely populated to begin with, with each county being only about 50 to 60 miles apart, or no more than a hundred miles away at the most. The cavalry can camp in a different county every day as they head north."
"Today's army can camp between Yanzheng and Yue Shizhi."
Cao Rui snapped back to reality, tilting his head to look at Sima Yi, "Chancellor, you have fought alongside me in three campaigns. What are the similarities and differences between them?"
Sima Yi gently stroking his beard, "The situation is becoming more open as the battles go on, and the national strength is becoming stronger. Being able to fight and willing to fight without being aggressive, this is the true foundation of a nation's prosperity."
Cao Rui shook his head, "I haven't said anything about the Great Wei. I am asking Chancellor Sima how his thoughts and feelings have changed."
Sima Yi pondered for a moment before slowly saying, "I can only feel that it is difficult to start a venture and equally difficult to maintain it."
Cao Rui smiled and asked, "What does the Chancellor mean by this?"
Sima Yi said, "In the past, Emperor Wu launched his rebellion from Chenliu, and every time he faced a war, he personally led the main army to the front lines. This allowed him to pacify the north and lay the foundation for the empire."
"Emperor Wen launched three campaigns against Wu, and Your Majesty has led three personal campaigns."
"Nowadays, the situation is not the same as after Wang Man's rebellion. The countries of Shu and Wu are not countries like Gongsun Tan that could be conquered by just one strong general. Your Majesty has to work hard, rain or shine, and personally lead six armies."
"I sincerely hope that Your Majesty will soon clear the realm and achieve a unified nation."
Cao Rui looked at Sima Yi, "I have heard what you said, Chancellor. This is my aspiration, and it has been the aspiration of Emperor Wu and Emperor Wen for decades."
"However, today I will also ask the Chancellor. What does he aspire to?"
Sima Yi bowed respectfully and replied in a deep voice, "Leaving a name during one's lifetime, and a fragrance after death."
"Your Majesty, this is the ambition of the minister."
Cao Rui nodded, "I also look forward to the Minister achieving merits. I am twenty-six years old this year, and the Minister is only just past fifty. The road ahead is long and arduous!" (The chapter concludes)
