The Han River separates the north and south, and the Xiangyang City on the southern bank and Fan City to the north are often collectively referred to as Xiangfan. Separated by the river, one facing south and the other north, they can be connected by a floating bridge during times when the water is calm.
As if a city, sliced in half by the Han River in the middle.
At this moment, Zao Yan and Niu Jin were on the northern city wall of Xiangyang, right by the bank of the Han River. The movements of Wu troops' ships in the river were clear to see, and there was no need to send scouting cavalry out anymore.
Niujin, styled Sucerai, is now fifty-two years old.
Starting from the time when Niujin accompanied Cao Ren in guarding Jiangling, he has been stationed in the Jingzhou and Xiangfan areas for twenty-two years. He has established his family and livelihood here, and no one can be more familiar with the geography and hydrology of the vicinity of Xiangyang than Niujin.
After listening to Niujin's flattery, Zao Yan only smiled slightly and then pointed to the eastern Fish Islet and said, "When the Han River floods, the entire Jingzhou water army of the Great Wei has already moved along the northern Yin River of the islet and set up camp between Deng County and Caoyang. If Wu troops only patrol on the Han River, they will never find them. The Yin River is narrow, and they dare not rashly enter."
"Now, the ground outside Xiangyang City is muddy, and the Wu army has surrounded the city but cannot take it. If the relieving forces arrive, the Wu army will naturally withdraw."
Niujin sighed lightly, kicked a brick on the city wall with his right foot, and said, "Thank goodness that the commander-in-chief sent General XIAHOU to Jiangxi earlier. If Wu forces attack Xiangyang and Fan, we are not afraid. But if Wu forces attack Jiangchahar, it will be more troublesome."
"How can it be otherwise?" Zao Yan nodded: "Shucai, what do you think Wu troops will do next? Will they surround Xiangyang or Fan City?"
Niujin thought for a moment: "Given the current time and weather conditions, Wu troops won't be able to surround either Xiangyang or Fan City in the short term. They can only occupy the Fish Islet and other river islands to wait for the water to recede."
Zao Yan said: "The rain has stopped for these two days. If all the water on the riverbank recedes, it will take at least two or three days. If we can dry up the ground to a point where Wu troops can land, it will take at least six or seven days."
"Six, seven days, and Wu troops will be powerless," Niujin said decisively: "Yu Shiwang is in Fan City. At this time, he should have already seen this scene and should have gone to the north to report the news to Luoyang. The subordinate will stay here protecting the commander-in-chief until the reinforcements arrive."
Zao Yan nodded: "You've worked hard, Shucai. If there are any damaged parts on the city wall, repair them promptly and don't skimp on wood or bricks. If needed, you can always take materials from the houses within the city!"
"Understood!" Niujin bowed one hand.
……
The Henan Prefecture, where Luoyang is located, is only separated by the Yellow River from the He Nan Commandery. As the water in the Mangjin area diminishes, Cao Rui is also able to cross the river from Mangjin.
Cao Rui left Shanyang County ten in the morning and arrived at the north bank of the Mengjin Crossing at ten in the evening. As he crossed south towards Luoyang, it was already close to noon on September eleventh when he reached the northern suburbs of the city.
It is not known whether it was Weizhen or someone else's handiwork, but they have repaired the official road from Mengjin Ferry to Luoyang City so thoroughly that it looks as if it has never been flooded.
Cao Rui left Luoyang at the beginning of the fourth year of Taihe and returned in September, which can be said to be a long and arduous campaign that ended in triumph. Just as the Qin Province was newly established in the Guanxi region in the second year of Taihe, this time another new province, Yingzhou, was established. The expansion of the imperial territory was celebrated by all.
Five miles north of the city, there were arrays of banners and drums, as well as the emperor's carriage from the palace. Every two thousand and one thousand stone officials from all over Luoyang, as well as all the nobles and consorts, waited by the roadside.
Guan Qiujian led one thousand cavalry in front, and when Cao Rui himself saw the troops of his subjects greeting him, they had already bowed and shouted greetings.
Having returned to the capital after campaigns in Huaiyang in the first year of Taihe, and after campaigns in Hanzhong in the second year of Taihe, Cao Rui had now experienced his third grand return from the field. The rituals and ceremonies were no longer able to move Cao Rui, and all he now wanted to see was those who should be seen by him.
As for who he wanted to see...
Among the court officials, of course, he wanted to see two of the resident secretaries in Luoyang, Dong Zhao and Wei Zhen. In the palace, besides the two princes who had been made kings, there was also a newly born third prince named Cao Shou.
And the mothers of these several young children as well.
The welcoming team, with the most prominent being the Military Commissioners Yi Hsin, followed by Dong Zhao and Wei Zhen.
Cao Rui reined in his horse and stopped in front of Yi Hsin, dismounted, bowed his head and looked at the seventy-three-year-old old minister of Wei: "Why is the military commissioner also here to welcome me?"
Hua Xin bowed his hands and bowed his head in respect, then smiled wryly, "Your Majesty, my old and ailing body is no longer of use to the state. Your Majesty's victorious return from the distant campaign to Liaodong after traveling four thousand miles; if I cannot come to greet you, then I will truly have no use for the court at all."
"I sent someone to bring my household out, so I could finally see Your Majesty's divine presence."
Cao Rui was aware of Hua Xin's poor health. In the past, whether it was the funeral of Zhong Yin or that of Weixuan Ping after, Hua Xin had been too ill to attend.
At this moment, Hua Xin is no different from Zhong Yuanchang, who could not walk in the first year of Taihe and was carried to the city gates in a chair, all for his children and grandchildren.
Cao Rui sighed lightly: "I have known the concern you have for the state, Your Majesty. Now that Huayu is serving as an official at the Temple of Immortals, is he?"
The term "Huayu Rong" refers to the eldest son of Hua Xin, Huayu Bing. Huayu is twenty-seven years old and looks much younger than his father's age. However, this is because most of Huawan's early sons were scattered in the chaos of war.
Huaxin trembled and extended his hands weakly. Cao Rui understood and extended his left hand for Huaxin to grasp. "It is indeed fortunate for Your Imperial Majesty to care about me, and I am now serving as an official at the Temple of Immortals."
"Let him come to serve by my side as a Junior Imperial Attendant," Cao Rui said. "Zhong Yin has served as a Junior Imperial Attendant by my side for several years and is now mourning his parents in his home in Luoyang. I have placed Du Xu as the Governor of Liaodong, so there is one person missing by my side."
Huaxin bowed with clasped hands and said, "I thank Your Majesty on behalf of my son, Huayu. After I return home today, I will have him report to the palace tomorrow to take his post."
"Very good."
After releasing Huaxin's hand, Cao Rui turned to look at Dong Zhao and Wei Zhen.
"In the over half a year that I was not in Luoyang, it was thanks to Marquis Dong and Master Wei who worked so hard for me."
Dong Zhao and Wei Zhen both prostrated themselves in salutation.
Dong Zhao spoke first: "We are just doing our duty in Luoyang. How dare we say it was hard work? It is Your Majesty who has been campaigning on the front lines, truly bearing hardship."
Wei Zhen echoed: "I am the same."
"Sili and Feng State's disaster relief work was done well," Cao Rui nodded, and then looked at Dong Zhao again: "As for the request by Marquis Dong to resign, I have rejected it. Have you received the message?"
Dong Zhao looked a bit embarrassed and bowed again: "It was thoughtless of me, Your Majesty. You are quite right in your criticism."
Cao Rui chuckled softly: "This matter is not settled yet. Marquis Dong's arrangements will be announced at the next imperial audience."
This...
After exchanging greetings with the officials who had come to greet him, Cao Rui entered the carriage and began to move slowly towards the northern palace of Luoyang. A group of ministers followed behind, with Dong Zhao riding on horseback, his expression showing a hint of confusion.
"My arrangements? What could I possibly arrange?"
Could it be that Your Majesty places more value on Huang Quan rather than on me? After all, the Emperor has punished Huang Quan by deducting his salary for three months, while I was punished for a year.
Since he couldn't see the deeper meaning, Dong Zhao didn't linger on it. He shook his head and continued to sit on his horse, riding along with the procession.
Shortly, Cao Rui's carriage arrived at the southern gate of the Northern Palace. The officials followed the instructions and dispersed, while officials at the level of the six ministries and nine agencies were notified and came to drink and celebrate in the palace in the evening.
Since the Wuxuan Ping after had been sacrificed in Yè City earlier, Cao Rui did not need to visit the ancestral temple again to pay respects and offer sacrifices. In addition, since he was out of mourning, he could directly return to the palace.
The carriage and its retinue came to a gradual stop. Cao Rui stepped down from the cart along the wooden crimson-colored steps, and the attendants, courtiers, and other officials following behind all dismounted.
As soon as he stepped into the palace, Cao Rui saw a little boy running towards him, jumping and leaping. It was clearly his second son, Cao Yan.
Huangzhao, with a meaningful look at Sun Luban, only after he understood that Sun Luban had put Cao Yan, who was in his arms, on the ground. The child was too young to understand and would naturally run towards his father. On the other hand, Cao QI, who is three years old and more, is standing at the hem of his mother Mao Pin's skirt, bowing respectfully with his hands.
Empress Guo stepped forward a few steps on her own: "The emperor has returned victorious, and I celebrate for the emperor!"
Behind her, a group of ladies also began to celebrate together.
Cao Rui replied hastily, "Thank you for the congratulations." Then he bent down and picked up Cao Yan: "I have been away from Luoyang for over eight months, and Yan has grown so heavy now."
Two-year-old Cao Yan, while calling out "Father Emperor," was giggling and patting Cao Rui's neck with his hands. Clearly excited to see his father after so long, he was very happy.
Cao Rui smiled and looked forward, finding Maoyan and raising his chin to indicate: "Xiaoqi, come over and greet your father here."
Cao QI looked up at his mother, and only after Maoyan crouched down and encouraged him by patting his back did he jump forward and run to his father. Cao Rui also reached out his right hand and lifted Cao QI up.
"Mother, I'll go back to my palace first. You'll still have to worry about these people here."
Empress Guo smiled and nodded: "Only returning from Yecheng a few days ago, the emperor has indeed worked hard. Now that he is back in the Northern Palace, he should rest well."
"Children are also getting heavier, do not hurt the arms. Xiaoqi and Yan entrusted to me."
"Very good," Cao Rui smiled and nodded, indicating with a gesture. Holding his two sons on either side, he amused them in small circles for a long time, constantly conversing with the children. It was only when his arms began to ache slightly that he put Xiaoqi and Yan down.
Cao Rui nodded to his more than a dozen consorts and concubines, and his eyes lingered longest on the two women of Maoyan and Sun Luban. Afterwards, he turned around and walked towards the sleeping chamber.
Empress Guo, having been through such experiences herself, knew well what the emperor of only twenty-plus years old would want to do after returning from a half-year-long campaign. As expected, the emperor walked in front, and as Empress Guo gave instructions to the consorts and concubines behind him, Maoyan and Sun Luban hurriedly walked up to the emperor's side.
The other concubines looked at them with jealousy in their eyes, but dared not say anything. They had no children to inherit and could not afford to show jealousy in front of the Empress Guo, lest they seemed to covet their good fortune.(This chapter concludes)
