"Yingzhou?" Cao Rui pondered for a moment in his mind and asked, "I can't quite remember; which dynasty proposed Yingzhou?"
Xu Shu bowed and replied: "Your Majesty, the 'Shangshu Shun Dictionary' once divided the world into twelve states, Yingzhou is one of them, which conforms to ancient system."
Cao Rui nodded: "In fact, I'm not really concerned about the name. Whether it's called Yingzhou or, more straightforwardly, Liaozhou, it's all fine; it's not as if we're choosing a national title."
Xu Shu was somewhat surprised: "May your Majesty enlighten us, Your Majesty."
Cao Rui said: "In my opinion, the geographical division between various states cannot be simply done with a mountain or a river as the boundary. Mr. Xu's method is too rough."
Rough?
Xu Shu slightly furrowed his brow and did not understand the emperor's meaning. The assembly of people also gathered their scattered gaze and focused on the emperor.
Cao Rui said: "Today, the emperor and the ministers are dividing Liaodong here. It's just like building Qin state in Longyou in ancient times. The establishment of a state is not easy, it requires large-scale military actions and suppressing large-scale chaos. Once determined, it may take several decades or even hundreds of years to change, which makes the emperor ponder deeply."
"Think about it, if the Liao River is used as a boundary, what would be the result if there were ambitious individuals who sought to secede and dominate Liaodong a hundred years later?"
Cao Rui swept the circle of his eyes and spoke without waiting for others to say anything: "Who knows, the imperial court might have to launch another campaign and fight another battle on the Liao River, outside the Liao Tunnel City!"
Cao Rui nodded: "In my opinion, the geographical division between various states cannot be simply done with a mountain or a river as the boundary. Mr. Xu's method is too rough."
Cao Rui smiled: "Indeed, Mr. Gui is a wise man. There are many similar examples. Why not divide Jizhou and Henan with the Yellow River? Why is Taishan County, a strategic location, in Henan instead of Qingzhou? It's all the same principle."
Cao Rui extended his finger towards Xu Shu: "Xu Ping, the name of Yingzhou was proposed by you. The emperor and Sir Gu just spoke about this. Do you have any additional suggestions?"
With Xu Shu's intelligence and wisdom, he had simply not thought of this aspect before. By the time the emperor spoke the first two sentences, Xu Shu had already come up with all the solutions.
"Your Majesty, I have something to say," Xu Shu bowed: "I think that Liaotun City is located on the east side of the Liao River, although it is closer to Xianping City, its position is strategic. It should be divided away from the Liaodong County and be placed in the western part."
"And the Liaoxi County, which is further west of Liaodong County, with its administrative center in Yangle, is too far away from Liaotun. I believe that the vast area should be established as a new county to govern the vast area west of the Liao River."
Cao Rui smiled and clapped his hands: "Xu Ping just said that Mr. Wu had exceptional talent, but you are truly an exceptional talent! Where should the new county seat be located, and what areas should it govern?"
Xu Shu replied without hesitation: "I believe that the county seat should be located in Changli and BinTu area, and should be divided from Liaoxi County by Jieshi."
Cao Rui nodded: "Very well, I won't add any more to the matter. Let this new county be called Changli County, with Changli City as its administrative center."
"Let's talk about the matters of Liaodong." Cao Rui cleared his throat: "I think it can be established with this Yingzhou, but looking at the administrative areas of Xuanwu County, Liaodong County, Liaoyang County, and Daifang County, it seems that there are still some missing areas."
Pei Qian was puzzled for a moment and bowed, "Your Majesty, Yingzhou is a newly established state, which has already been divided from Yōuzhōu. The land and people are not abundant. If the counties are further divided again, will the areas be too small?"
"Who said that I plan to split and redivide the four counties?" Cao Rui glanced at Pei Qian: "Land should not be taken from within, but sought from without! Wasn't it said before in Xuchang that we should take the territories of Fuyu, Goguryeo, Baekje, and Samhan?"
"Are you still going to fight? It will take until the end of July to completely stabilize the four counties of Yingzhou's current territory, and there may not be enough time to conquer so much land again."
At this time, none of the officials in the hall were completely flattering eunuchs, although their characters and habits differed greatly. They had abilities and were brave enough to offer constructive criticism directly.
Jiang Wei, who had not spoken for a while, bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that if we embark on another campaign, the great army may find it difficult to return before winter, and that would be a matter of great concern."
Cao Rui smiled: "Your advice is good, but I am not so foolish as to covet what is not mine. I will not seek to obtain what I cannot have."
What does it mean?
Sima Yi said, "Your Majesty's judgment is wise, but there are some things I do not understand. I hope Your Majesty will clarify."
Cao Rui nodded calmly: "Sir Yi, I ask you. If you were Fuyu King and had been friendly with the Gongsun Family for most of your life, and then they were suddenly destroyed in just a few months, would you be afraid?"
"Of course, he would be terrified," Sima Yi bowed and replied.
Cao Rui said: "If he was willing to submit to Gongsun Yuan, would he be willing to submit to me?"
Sima Yi: "Certainly, he would be willing."
Cao Rui smiled: "This is it. What is Fuyu? It is a vassal state, an unrestricted vassal state, I have defined its boundaries for him and granted him a real-covered dukedom. Can he not accept it? Dare he not accept it?"
Cao Rui continued, placing his right hand on the hilt of the sword at his waist: "I may not be waging war against these small countries, but that doesn't mean that the Great Wei and I have no means. First, bestow real-seal dukes on places like Fuyu, Baekje, Goguryeo, and Samhan, incorporate them into the territory of Yingzhou under governance, just like the inner regions' countries are independently enfeoffed. Then won't Yingzhou have eight or nine counties? " "If the court wants to bring them under control later, can't we just do another 'Imperial Command Seizing Titles' like Han Wu Emperor did? They don't understand anyway! Even if they understand in the future, what can they do about it?"
Sima Yi's mouth slightly opened, but he couldn't say anything. After a moment of silence, he bowed and said, "Your Majesty, the whole world under heaven is the soil of the king, these places are originally the territory of the emperor. I think there is no need to do such things..."
Cao Rui waved his hand to interrupt Sima Yi's words: "I don't want to talk about the principles of law or claim."
"Just one point, it's already the fourth year of Taihe, Sir Yi, do you think the people of Goguryeo and Baekje can be civilized by the Great Wei? Can they become ordinary people like those in the interior?"
Sima Yi remembered the Qiang people, who had already been assimilated since Taihe 2, and were treated equally by the court as Han people. He bowed and said, "Although their geography and language differ, they are all subjects of the king. They can all be taught in unison."
Cao Rui smiled: "If they can all be civilized, why not include them in the rule of counties and towns? Even if it's a real-seal dukedom now, with this title, we can take our time and gradually come. I have plenty of time!"
Sima Yi heaved a sigh lightly, the emperor is once again doing something that's hard to understand. But what can one do? If the emperor wants to do it, then let him!
"Your Majesty has a keen eye for the future, and we are all in awe!" Sima Yi led the way in bowing.
Cao Rui said: "Alright, I know you may not fully understand. Let's do it this way first, and you'll understand gradually."
"Sima Yi, send envoys to the four counties of Yingzhou and order the local magistrates to come to Xianping for a court visit! If they do not come, then launch an attack!"
"Understood!" Sima Yi replied respectfully.
As for the appointment of the camp administrator, Cao Rui did not mention it, and no one asked. Xu Shu, who had proposed the term 'Yingzhou', left the hall after this, trying to recall what he had heard in Luoyang city.
How did Chen Jiao become the Governor of Qin state at that time? Thinking about it, I just can't remember.
......
Cao Rui and the other officials in Xianping City clearly arranged the matters of Liaodong. They also newly established a Yingzhou and a Changli County.
However, only a few days ago, Gongsun Yuan, who had led troops from Xianping to fight against Goguryeo, now found himself in a dilemma of both going forward and backward.
The Goguryeo kingdom to the east of Liaodong had indeed been defeated multiple times by the Gongsun family in previous battles. However, these defeats were in open-field battles; when it came to defending cities, they were able to hold their ground for a while!
Gongsun Yuan set out from Xianping on May 25th and traveled along the Daliang River upstream, reaching the city of Heersung in Goguryeo at this time.
From the geographical perspective of later times, Gongsun Yuan's Xianping is located on the edge of the Liao River plain, while Goguryeo's Heersung city is a mountain city in a valley. If we describe it more accurately, the entire state of Goguryeo is in the mountains, and its people live in valleys for farming and also engage in fishing and hunting.
Gongsun Yuan, upon arriving at the gates of Heersung city, found that it would take some time before he could take the city.
Although it was frustrating that they couldn't take the city of Heersung at the moment, Gongsun Yuan was even more worried about the pursuing Wei army behind him. The pursuers were all light horsemen, with a number of 5,000 to 10,000, and did not directly engage in battle with Gongsun Yuan. Instead, they were simply following closely behind the main army, about thirty miles away.
This is the seven-thousand-light-horse brigade led by the general in charge of the Liao River area, Liu Ye. It is composed of two thousand light horsemen from the ranks of Cao Xin and Duan Zhao, and five thousand Udan light horsemen.
Gongsun Yuan had not thought of turning around to engulf this enemy force, but he simply could not do so. The army he relied on, the 10,000 cavalry of the Beiyin department, was blocked and intercepted by Liu Ye's troops when they were trying to head east from Xianping. When they wanted to return to Xianping, they were again blocked by the elite cavalry of the Wei army that had arrived.
Long before reaching the city gates of Liaotun, Beiyan had already clearly understood the overall situation. Gongsun Yuan had no hope left. Beiyan directly led his entire army to surrender, which was very tidy and efficient. The Gongsun family was finished, but there were still his relatives and kin within his own household!
The Wei Dynasty has always been known for its tolerance towards surrendered generals, and Beiyan was well aware of this. Therefore, after handing over his cavalry and being temporarily confined in the city of Xianping, Beiyan was not at all worried.
Without the support of Beiyan, Gongsun Yuan's main force was left with only 20,000 foot soldiers. Of course, it is possible to capture Heersung city with 20,000 foot soldiers if they launched a fierce assault. But isn't Liu Ye still trailing behind?
It's not just Liu Ye following behind.
Xian general Man Cheng, left yuanyin general Wen Qin, left wedge general Sun Li, right wedge general Dai Ling, longshui garrison segment default, shoot sound garrison Cao Rang, and the 3000 light horsemen of the Hun people, as well as the 5000 light horsemen of Kebi'nen's department, all gathered here.
On the night of the fourteenth day of June, in the camp tents 40 li east of Gongsun Yuan's army, Liu Ye stroked his beard and smiled, "I see that Gongsun Yuan is as lifeless as a corpse. We just need to march forward and behead him, then we can withdraw our troops and report to the emperor."
"I wonder when General Man plans to advance?"
Man Cheng sat in the middle of the tent, and at this moment, he also replied calmly: "General Liu advances first, and we follow later. We have just assembled today. It's time to deploy our troops."
"Listen to my orders!" Man Cheng rose and commanded solemnly, "We will launch a full-scale attack at dawn tomorrow!"
"Understood!" All the generals bowed in unison. (Chapter completed)
