On the fifth of April, the large army arrived at the county of Ji. Cao Rui rushed to meet and inspect a force of 17,000 infantrymen who had stopped there.
On the seventh of April, they continued their eastward journey and reached the city of Tuyin in the commandery of You Pingbei on the afternoon of the seventeenth.
As the evening approached, about twenty horsemen arrived in a hurry from the southwest outside the city of Tuyin.
By now, it was considered wartime, and any military forces or officials entering the city had to obtain permission from one of the three: Zhuan Qiu Jian, Zhong Junying; Xu Shu, Zhongshu; or Man Chong, Qianjin.
The person in charge of defending the city, Mu Qiu Jian, was surprised to see a figure who shouldn't have been there: "Isn't Xin Gong in Quanzhou? How did he come all the way to Tuyin City so lightly?"
Xin Bi climbed down from his horse and approached Mu Qiu Jian's ear, saying, "Zhong Gong, I shouldn't have come here as the supervisor of supply and logistics. However, there is a pressing matter that requires an urgent report to the emperor."
"Take me there immediately, do not let others see your tracks!"
Mu Qiu Jian's alarm bells rang in his mind, and he instinctively lowered his voice to ask, "What is so urgent that General Xin is so anxious?"
Xin Bi whispered, "There are two things in Luoyang and the Western Region. I can't say much more. When Zhong Gong knows the time, Zhong Gong will understand for himself!"
Mu Qiu Jian replied, "General Xin, follow me from behind. The rest of you wait here."
"Good! Please proceed quickly!" Xin Bi nodded.
Without further words, Mu Qiu Jian mounted his horse and led Xin Bi directly into the office of the commandery of You Pingbei, where the emperor was residing.
Cao Rui was sharing an evening meal with Man Chong and Sima Yi when he saw Mu Qiu Jian leading Xin Bi directly into the hall from outside. Startled, he dropped his bamboo chopsticks.
Xin Bi should have been in Quanzhou overseeing logistical supplies at this time. How did he come to Tuyin City?
It must be something important that cannot be explained unless Xin Bi himself comes here!
But from Mu Qiu Jian's perspective, the emperor seemed to be warmly welcoming Xin Bi.
"It's Minister Xin!" Cao Rui put down his bamboo chopsticks, stood up, and said with a smile, "It's been half a year since I last saw Minister Xin. Have you been missing me so much that you came to see me in person?"
Xin Bi bowed deeply and said, "Your servant Xin Bi pays his respects to the emperor!"
After straightening up, Xin Bi glanced at Sima Yi and Man Chong on either side, and then bluntly said, "I have come from Quanzhou to report two important matters to the emperor."
Cao Rui stood up, and Sima Yi and Man Chong also rose simultaneously, bowing to Xin Bi in gesture of respect.
Cao Rui laughed and said, "It's already night, and what matters could be so urgent that it can't wait until morning? Have you had your evening meal, Minister Xin?"
Xin Bi's face was tense, and he shook his head, saying, "I have not eaten. I rode for three days and traveled four hundred li to get here."
"Come!" Cao Rui called out to the tiger guards standing by the door, "Have someone prepare an extra meal for Minister Xin."
As the tiger guards went out to find the military supervisor of food, Xin Bi gestured to speak but hesitated, thinking about the emperor's words just then and refraining from speaking.
Cao Rui asked a few questions about logistics deployment, and Xin Bi answered them one by one.
Shortly after, the tiger guards brought the food. After thanking the emperor, Xin Bi didn't even care about his appearance and ate quickly without speaking a word throughout the meal.
Cao Rui only chatted idly with Sima Yi, Man Chong, and Mu Qiu Jian, without asking any questions.
Xin Bi had traveled from Quanzhou to Tuyin and had been on the road for three days, so fatigue and hunger were common. In less than half an incense stick's time, Xin Bi swallowed the last mouthful of food, rinsed his mouth with hot soup, put down the earthen bowl he was holding, wiped his mouth with a handkerchief, and then stood up and walked to the middle of the hall.
Seeing that Xin Bi had already eaten, Cao Rui's smile faded gradually as Xin Bi walked out.
"What's the matter, Minister Xin?"
Emperor Cao Rui showed no intention of avoiding Man Chong, Sima Yi, or Mu Qiu Jian. Whether it was a military or state matter of great importance, the emperor always needed to discuss plans and strategies with others; he couldn't bear the whole burden alone.
Xin Bi bowed one hand in salutation and said with a serious demeanor, "Your Majesty, from the second lunar month, thirty days had passed without rain in the regions of Guanzhong and Donghe. On the twenty-first day of the third lunar month, Lord Zhong Taifu passed away in Luoyang."
Cao Rui was startled and drew a deep breath.
The lack of rain in Guanzhong and Donghe, as well as the death of Zhong Yao, these two bad news are really hard to say which is more severe.
In an agricultural society, having good harvests and regular rain is the utmost premise for national governance, taking precedence over all other conditions.
Historically, the Wei Dynasty relied on the provisions of grain and supplies from the regions of Donghe and Pingshan in its campaigns in Guanxi. Cao Cao placed Du Ji as the Governor of Donghe for more than a decade, aiming to ensure that Du Ji, known for his administrative capabilities, would guarantee the logistics support.
With no rain in Guanzhong and Donghe for thirty days, it basically means that the grain harvest in Guanxi this year has been greatly affected, and it might even be difficult to secure military supplies.
Adding to that, there have been so many barbarian tribes that have been assimilated two years ago...
Currently, the grain from Hebei is being sent north to supply the army's campaign in Liaodong, so there is no power to support the prefectures in Henan. Grain and forage are the cornerstone of military affairs throughout the realm.
Such a situation where a small change can affect the whole is indeed quite difficult for Emperor Cao Rui to handle.
As for the other news, the passing of the elderly chancellor Zhong Yao has also had a significant impact on the court.
The three leading ministers of Wei Dynasty were Taiciang (Prime Minister), Dashu (Viceroy), and Xingsi (Minister of Public Works). Zhong Yao's position as the Chancellor can be considered a 'superior minister'.
By all accounts, the emperor himself should have gone to offer a personal tribute to Zhong Yao upon his death. Moreover, as an elderly and respected minister from Yingchuan who had always firmly supported the emperor, Zhong Yao had a tremendous influence over younger scholars and officials in the court.
Chen Qun and Sima Yi... These are all considered younger than Zhong Yao. After Cao Rui became the emperor, his first visit was to offer a jade gift to Zhong Yao's home.
After Zhong Yao's death, how will the scholars of the world react? Two big events suddenly appeared in front of Cao Rui, leaving him stunned and unable to speak for a moment.
Sima Yi, who was known for his quick wit, saw that the emperor was standing still and not speaking, and immediately bowed and said in a loud voice:
"Your Majesty, with the bowstring already drawn, there is no choice but to take action! If we withdraw now, not only will morale collapse, but the various tribes of Wuyuan, Xianbei, and Xiongnu may develop discontent. It might truly result in Gongsun Yuán establishing himself as a ruler in Liaodong!"
Man Chong, upon hearing Sima Yi's words, also spoke up without hesitation, "I concur! This campaign against Liaodong only involved two thousand middle military horsemen, and it poses no significant impact on the military affairs of the realm. We must not retreat at all!"
Cao Rui looked at the two men and then at Xin Bi, who was standing silently in the hall, and quietly waved his hand to indicate that they should sit down.
Then there was another silence.
Sima Yi could plan and Man Chong could advise, but ultimately, it is up to me, the emperor of Wei Dynasty, to decide on the matters of the realm.
With the severe drought in Guanzhong and Donghe, it is a foregone conclusion that there will be a shortage of grain in Guanxi this year. Shu Han launched two northern invasions in the third year of Taihe, and at this frequency, it is likely that the fourth year of Taihe will also be restless.
While attacking Liaodong, even if Gongsun Yuán were to be defeated in a single blow, it would still take until the end of the year or early the following year to return to Luoyang.
What if something happens in Jingzhou? What if something happens in Yangzhou?
Retreating is certainly the safest solution. However, the matters mentioned by Sima Yi just now are not without basis!
Whether it be heroes or hoodlums, people can gather together to achieve great things, relying on others to listen to you and believe in you.
As a political entity, the state also faces the issue of gaining people's trust.
The emperor has inspected the borders of You and Bing, conducted military reviews, and even reached the border of Liaoxi Commandery.
At this moment, if you say not to fight and withdraw the army to ensure the safety of the court, who would believe it?
The nomadic tribes in the grasslands are indeed capable of betrayal and unrest.
If Gongsun Yuán hears about this, not only will his arrogance escalate further, but the internal cohesion will also improve once again, and to some extent, it may even increase some legitimacy.
If we cannot resolve it, let's cut off the root of the problem and address it directly!
Cao Rui, no longer hesitating, spoke in a deep voice, "I came to Youzhou in order to attack Liaodong. How can I abandon it halfway and leave future troubles behind?"
"If the harvest in Guanzhong and Donghe decreases significantly due to the drought this year, how should the court respond?"
Sima Yi coughed lightly and said, "Your Majesty, I believe this is not only a matter of grain supplies, but also some issues with our institutional system."
Cao Rui said, "Speak, Minister of Public Works!"
Sima Yi bowed and said, "Even with the great drought in Guanzhong, with the rainfall reduced sharply over thirty days, it's not as if all rivers in Guanzhong would have dried up."
"There will still be some yield."
"With last year's reserves, if Henan provides some more support, the grain and forage in the entire Guanxi region should be able to get by."
Cao Rui furrowed his brow and said, "What does this have to do with the system?"
Sima Yi said, "There are a total of four provinces in the western regions of Wei - Yong, Liang, Qin, and Yi."
"Grain for Zhang Yue in Wudu and for Guo Hui in Hanzhong is usually supplied from Guanzhong. If Guanzhong is short of grain, it might be better to transfer supplies from Longyou instead."
"The route to Liangzhou is too far to supply, but by exchanging local grain for livestock, it can still provide some relief to Longyou."
"Moreover, the army and farming in Guanzhong have many, the Commandery of Yong Province and the Governor of Guanzhong are not under the same command, making it difficult for military and civilians to coordinate. Therefore, grain supply will be the most challenging."
Cao Rui blinked and asked, "According to the Minister of Public Works' idea, the court should select an official bureau or entity to oversee the grain and forage in the western regions?"
"Would the collection of grain, distribution, and dispatch all be handled by a single entity?"
Man Chong spoke from the side, "Your Majesty, this matter can only be handled by the Commandery of Chenchang, which is home to the great general!"
Cao Rui did not hesitate: "Zhonggong, draft an edict for me!"
Mao Qiu Jian, rarely taking up this long-dormant task, readily found the ink, brush, paper, and inkstone, and began to prepare to start writing.
Cao Rui spoke in a deep voice, "Order the Commandery of Chenchang to take charge of the grain and forage in the four western provinces, and the Governors of each prefecture must give full support, under no circumstances should they shirk or delay their responsibilities in any way!"
After saying this, a figure appeared in Cao Rui's mind, and he added, "Order that the counselor of the Commandery of Chenchang, Deng Shizai, be appointed as the Inspector-General for Grain Supplies in the four western provinces to assist the great general in managing grain and forage affairs!"
Sima Yi bowed and said, "Your Majesty is truly wise! Although the western regions suffer from a great drought, with unified management, though it may be somewhat difficult, we can endure it and persevere through thick and thin."
Cao Rui nodded: "The western regions have been divided, and now that Zhong Taifu has passed away, the emperor of course must express his condolences."
"Following the example of the former Chancellor Wang Jingxing, order Zhong Yu, the Attendant of the Imperial Stud, to be an envoy of the Son of Heaven to return to Luoyang for a condolence visit. Command that all members of the royal family and officials in Luoyang should participate in the funeral of Zhong Taifu, and no one may be absent."
"The emperor will remain in Tuiyin for three days, wearing mourning clothes to offer a remote sacrifice for Zhong Taifu!"
Everyone in the hall bowed respectfully and acknowledged the emperor's command.
Cao Rui looked at Mao Qiu Jian and, after a moment of silence, said, "Order Xiahou Taichu to come to Youzhou and join the army, and to be promoted to the position of Attendant." (The chapter ends.)
