After listening to the words of Sun Huan and Pan Jun, Sun Quan sat silently in the hall, not uttering a single word.
War is a matter of state importance, and the painful consequences of the invasion in Wu Chang three and a half years ago left Sun Quan deeply hurt. Considering failure before considering victory became almost instinctual at this moment.
Of course, as the ruler of Wu for nearly thirty years, Sun Quan has seen countless great ups and downs. In the face of such a level of psychological turmoil, Sun Quan's subconscious mind would only regard himself as being reserved.
Sun Huan, seeing that Sun Quan was still hesitating, could not help but urge him, "Your Majesty, such a celestial opportunity cannot be missed. I beg Your Majesty not to hesitate any further."
Sun Quan looked at Sun Huan and said, "I understand the meaning of Prince Jieming. You and Chengming will stay in Wu Chang today and do not return to Xia Kou."
"What's the current location of Zhang Liang?"
Sun Quan recognizes this person, Zhang Liang.
Sun Quan recognized Zhang Liang. Before Sun Quan's invasion of Wu Chang more than three years ago, Zhang Liang proposed the strategy of "attacking with his troops against the current flow to take advantage of the enemy" in front of a camp in Xia Kou and was praised by Sun Quan publicly. During the battle at Wu Chang, while the Chinese navy from Jianyang moved south along the Han River, Zhang Liang led troops as vanguard and broke them
People all need to be tempered. The former young officer Zhang Liang has now become a decent naval commander.
Sun Huan answered, "Your Majesty, at this time, Zhang Liang should be garrisoned in the vicinity of Qu County."
Sun Quan nodded: "Send orders to summon Zhang Liang back to Wu Chang. How is the water situation ahead? I want to hear what Zhang Liang has to say with my own ears!"
"I understand, and I will send someone to quickly summon Zhang Liang to Wu Chang," Sun Huan said, saluted, and then prepared to withdraw along with Pan Jun.
At this time, however, Pan Jun bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I have a request that I dare not make without your permission."
Sun Quan was somewhat surprised but still expressed a hint of goodwill with a smile: "What is Chengming's request?"
Pan Jun said, "Your Majesty knows that the Han envoy Jiang Gongyan is my cousin. If I calculate it carefully, it's been over a decade since I last saw him. When I arrived in Wu Chang, I heard that Jiang Gongyan, as an envoy, was staying at the guesthouse. I humbly ask Your Majesty for your favor and permission to visit him for a brief chat."
As he spoke, Pan Jun turned to look at Hu Zong and said, "Please Your Majesty to send General Hu to accompany me."
Hu Zong was a close aide of Wu King, and it was clear that Pan Jun was avoiding any potential accusations. Since Pan Jun had previously served under Liu Bei, even though he claimed to be visiting relatives, he needed to be extra cautious.
However, Sun Quan seemed completely unbothered and said straightforwardly with a smile, "I might have forgotten about it if it weren't for Chengming mentioning it. Over ten years ago, when you were summoned to serve at home by my order, I remember you mentioning this matter."
"Now Wu and Han are allies, with Left General and Zhuge Liang as precedents. Chengming and Jiang Gongyan should also have good stories to tell. Chengming, please go ahead. Wei Zai has something important for me."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness," Pan Jun bowed, and then he and Sun Huan left together.
Just as the two had left, Sun Quan stood up, squinting his eyes as he walked slowly and crisply in the hall, making the atmosphere inside even more urgent.
"Xi Ze," Sun Quan stopped about two zhang away from Hu Zong, gazing intensely at this trusted confidant: "What do you think about what Sun and Pan just said?"
Hu Zong knelt and sat on the mat, his upper body straight, his eyes serious as he looked towards Sun Quan and shook his head, saying, "I do not agree with what General Sun and General Pan have said."
"Why?" Sun Quan asked.
Hu Zong said, "As the leading officers in charge of troops, they naturally want to establish military achievements to repay the king, and without this, their role cannot be demonstrated. The military strength of the state relies on the generals. Such military actions should be praised rather than suppressed."
"Starting a war is easy, but ending it is extremely difficult. Your Majesty has also ordered Zhang Liang to return, and the water situation ahead is unclear. Even if we can easily take Xiangyang, what comes after that? If the Wei Empire seeks revenge, how will Great Wu respond?"
"Moreover, from Wu Chang to Zhuge Kongming's camp in Baishui, Jiangxi Province, it would take at least one month from the time of sending a message to the emergence of troops. Han envoy Jiang Gongyan said he wanted to advance and retreat together with Wu. However, military opportunities are fleeting. How can they quickly advance in unison?"
Sun Quan sighed, "Xi Ze, that is a sensible remark. I will give it some more thought. When will General Zuo, General You, and General Weina lead their troops to Wu Chang?"
Hu Zong thought for a moment: "It's August 24th. Zhuge General is sailing downstream from Gaoling, so it will take about three days. It's expected that General Bu and General Quan's troops will arrive in Wu Chang by the end of August."
Sun Quan nodded: "Xi Ze, you may go. Summon Chancellor Zhuge and Zhang Zibu into the palace; I have something to ask them."
Hu Zong stood up, bowing his hands, and then added: "The originally planned start from September 1st for advocating for the emperor to become king will have to be postponed?"
Sun Quan glanced sideways at Hu Zong: "Do as you will. I have not yet made a decision."
"Yes, I understand."
Hu Zong slowly walked out of the hall, instructed a few words to the attendants outside, and just as he reached the palace gate, he encountered Yin Bon waiting here for some time.
"Shu Ping has been here for how long?" Hu Zong greeted Yin Bon.
"General Hu, I've just arrived here as well," Yin Bon said, pulling out a thick stack of papers from his sleeve. "These are several sample letters I've drafted for the various officials of the great Wu, which can be referred to during the persuasion for ascending to the throne. Although Your Majesty has let me decide, such matters are of great importance, so I thought I'd present them to General Hu for a review first."
Hu Zong nodded, took the documents from behind and handed them directly to one of the attendants: "Thank you, Shu Ping, for your hard work on these letters."
After speaking, Hu Zong was about to leave, but he noticed that Yin Bon still stood still in place, as if he wanted to say something.
"What else do you have, Shu Ping?" Hu Zong had lifted his right leg but then put it down again.
Yin Bon bowed and said, "I have no other matters, it's just that I see General Hu with so much to do. If there is anything I can help with, please feel free to order me."
Hu Zong was taken aback for a moment and then shook his head: "Shu Ping, you just need to do your own job. Don't worry about me. I will return the documents to you tomorrow. Then you go to supervise the submission and signing of documents in various places."
"If this matter can be handled well, it will be a great achievement."
Yin Bon bowed and performed the courtesy bow: "Thank you, General Hu, for your guidance. My subordinate will withdraw."
Just as Sun Huan and Pan Jun left the palace, Yin Bon met them and greeted them.
After leaving this place, Yin Bon went straight to Sun Huan's residence in Wu Chang. He had come to Wu to investigate the situation, and now with the cover of preparing the submission for Sun Quan to ascend the throne, he could go anywhere among the government departments and officials.
Yes, the regional generals advocating for Sun Quan's accession to the throne also need to sign the documents.
Chancellor Gu Yong and Assistant General Zhang Zhao arrived at Wu King's palace. To Sun Quan's surprise, he thought that Gu Yong, who supported the campaign, would express opposition. However, the conservative Zhang Zhao actually supported the military expedition!
"How do you think about it, Zhang Gong?" Sun Quan did not hesitate to seek guidance, and with an earnest expression, he asked Zhang Zhao.
Zhang Zhao was actually quite helpless. If your majesty does not want to fight, but I support the military campaign, how can I explain my thoughts?
"Your Majesty, wise and insightful," Zhang Zhao stroked his beard and looked at Sun Quan: "I think what Prince Sun Jiaming said was without error. I did not agree with the military campaign years ago, mainly because I was afraid of a decisive defeat. But since the water is rising rapidly, which is advantageous for naval forces, and the conditions of heaven, geography, and people are all in favor of Great Wu, Your Majesty should make a decision."
Zhang Zhao's words made Sun Quan even more hesitant and conflicted.
In matters of state, family, and the world, there should be a clear answer presented to everyone.
……
... Previously, Cao Rui had been traveling north from Xu Chang, passing through Chenliu Commandery, Weiping Commandery, and then to Changshan Commandery via Jingxing Pass. He then went through Xinxing Commandery, Yanmen Commandery, and Dai Commandery, all along the official roads.
And this time's southern journey, the closest official road to the capital city of Yanjing is almost parallel with the canal and rivers on the vast land of Hebei.
The most recent route was from the city of Tong Yin in Youbin Commandery to southwest and first to Quanzhou. After Quanzhou, follow the Ping Lu Gou along the Hong lou River at Dongping Shu to cross through the entire Heliu Commandery. Then follow Zengshui River southwest to Yanjing City.
This waterway was also the main artery for supplying grain and logistics during Cao Rui's campaign against Liaodong. The city of Quanzhou, where Xin Pi was stationed, was the heart of controlling these vital arteries.
From Youbin Commandery in the right northern border to Tong Yin City, which is about 300 miles away, is equivalent to traveling from Hebei Tangshan to Tianjin in modern times.
When Xin Pi learned from the city of Quanzhou that the emperor had arrived with his troops, he was just as surprised as Cao Rui had been when he had made a night-time visit to Youbin Commandery.
"Your Majesty, why are you in such a hurry?"
When Xin Pi heard that mounted soldiers had entered the city, he hurried out of the city to check, and accidentally ran into the emperor and his entourage who were galloping towards the city.
Cao Rui dismounted and displayed a weary expression: "Today I will rest in Quanzhou for a day or two. Tomorrow, I will continue southward."
"Come, Minister Xin, find a place for me to rest. I will explain things to you at my leisure."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Xin Pi, although filled with questions, quickly tidied up the best room in his own house and presented it to the emperor.
Cao Rui did not hesitate to enter Xin Pi's bedroom and half lie on the bed. The Visitors of the Inner Court, Secretarial Aides, and others all followed the command to rest in the camp, but Liu Ye, who seemed to spare no effort, followed Cao Rui into Xin Pi's bedroom and sat on a carved chair as if at home.
Although the room was quite simple in its furnishings and decorations, lying on the bed with Xin Pi and Liu Ye sitting before him, the scene felt somewhat like the time when he had just ascended the throne.
That was in the seventh year of Huang Chu (226), before the era was changed to Taihe.
At that time, the only legitimate Visitors of the Inner Court were Liu Ye and Xin Pi. Huang Quan was still an idle general, while Chen Xiao was in the Board of Scriptures, working under the supervision of Zhuge Chen and Sima Yi, both of whom held the position of recorder of state affairs.
Cao Rui murmured a sentiment: "Today, seeing you two in front of me, it's as if I've gone back four years."
Liu Ye first bowed to Xin Pi, then turned to face him: "At this time, it is vastly different from four years ago. In the four years since, Your Majesty has conducted southern and northern campaigns, laying the foundation for our empire. To have such a wise ruler is fortunate for both Great Wei and the entire world!" (The chapter ends here)
