This night in the city of Luoyang, there are countless courtyard houses similar to Sima Yi's mansion.
The North Palace edict has been issued from the Chancery and decreed that all officials, amounting to about five to six hundred personnel from the Board of Rites and the Insignia Institute, must be transferred to Xuchang on official business.
The edict will be issued tonight, and tomorrow, the Governor of Henan will dispatch carts to transport the luggage, with departure scheduled for the day after. As for the families of these ministers, they will leave three days later and it will still be the responsibility of the court. The grandeur of this arrangement seems to indicate an intention to stay in Xuchang for a long time.
Internally, as the emperor, Cao Rui finds it difficult to respond to the soul-searching question from his concubines about why they have to leave.
The Emperor, who governs the affairs of the realm, is also the beloved husband of the women in the palace. A day apart is like three long years, and eight or nine months without seeing him breeds a yearning that gnaws at the bones and eats at the heart. Absence from one's beloved can be endured, but when reunited, the desire to connect is as relentless as constant rain in Luoyang in August - endless, unyielding, and keeping one entangled through long nights.
On the night of the eleventh, Emperor Cao Wei visited Su Mei, who had given birth to the third son, Cao Shou.
On the night of the twelfth, Emperor Cao Wei seems to have discovered for the first time that as she grows older, Marry's body becomes increasingly familiar and she is better able to pleasure him.
On the night of the thirteenth, it was Sun Luba's turn to serve the Emperor.
After communicating with each other, Sun Luba curled up in Cao Rui's arms like a little kitten, whispering softly for a long time before bursting into tears, sobbing like peach blossoms with rain.
"Your Majesty, why do you have to leave Luoyang so soon and return to the capital? Can't you take me with you to Xuchang?"
Cao Rui stared at Sun Luba for a moment and then spoke: "Big Tiger, do you guess why the emperor has to go to Xuchang?"
Last night's Mao Yanyan and tonight's Sun Luban seem to be two different people. The once somewhat reserved Mao lady responds vigorously, while the once lively Sun Luban plays along warily.
She is not the kind of woman who grew up in a secluded courtyard without seeing the world. After all, it was Cao Tai who brought her back during the battle at Wankou. Xuchang is to the south, and it is only natural for the emperor to be so anxious to return from Weicheng and then rush southward again. Apart from her father who is far away in Wuchang, Sun Luban can't think of any other reason.
Sun Luban whispered an agreement: "Is it because the lady's father has something done in the south?"
Cao Rui didn't rush to answer but instead asked: "How are you living in the palace? How does Empress Dowager treat you, and how does Mao lady treat you?"
Sun Luban carefully gathered her long hair from the sides of her head to behind her ears: "I have my son Yan by my side, almost the same as Mao lady. The Empress Dowager doesn't often interfere with us; instead, she pays more attention to the other ladies. Mao lady... we often chat and relieve our boredom together."
"The reasons are different for the children of you two." Cao Rui spoke softly: "The eldest son is granted the title of King of Yè City, which is self-explanatory. The second son's title is Changle, the first example of granting a title to a spare son, and at the same time, it will make you, this woman from Yangzhou, feel happier in the palace."
Sun Luban of course knows that Cao Yan has the bloodline of Sun Quan. If the Great Wei were to take any actions against the Wu state, this child would sooner or later be brought out as a display or used for recruitment. Yet she knew enough to hold back and did not speak.
"The thing I guessed just now, Your Majesty hasn't mentioned it yet."
Cao Rui's expression turned slightly helpless as he spoke in a calm tone: "Your father has brought the navy to sever the Han River, surrounding Yangchun and Fancheng."
After saying that, Cao Rui lifted her chin with his index finger: "You came to marry by my side, and he didn't even mention giving Jingzhou as your dowry. Instead, he wants to take Xiangyang. Tell me, what should I do?"
Sun Luban blinked her eyes a few times and said: "If that's the case, Your Majesty, bring me to Xuchang and punish me every day."
After speaking, her delicate hands began to move restlessly again: "A daughter-in-law takes the place of her father, so now is the time for Your Majesty to punish me."
Cao Rui repeatedly refused, coughing lightly: "I won't be taking you to Xuchang this time. Not just you, but all the concubines in Luoyang will not be brought along. Yan is at a growth spurt, so take good care of him and don't move around too much."
Matters of women in the palace have never been worried about being lonely but rather about inequality. Upon hearing that Maoyan will not be going, Sun Luban finally felt at ease.
However, after resting for a short period, although her heart was at ease, her soft and warm body turned over again.
...
The next morning, as soon as the sky began to lighten up, Wu King Sun Quan got up from his tent, accompanied by his personal guards and a group of attendants, and started to inspect the newly constructed camp.
Xiangyang City is indeed the key to Jingzhou.
The Han River flows from Hanzhong in the west, and at the western end of Xiangyang, it generally flows from northwest to southeast. After passing Xiangyang, the direction of the Han River is almost on a straight line with true south. With such terrain and location, several sandbars are formed where the river bends.
There are about three large sandbars, and during times of flooding, only one called Yu Liang Island remains above the water level on the surface of the Han River.
A few years ago, when Liu Biao was still the governor of Jingzhou during the Western Han Dynasty, many famous scholars of their time lived near Xiangyang.
Xu Zhi's former residence is still located on the Tanxi River in the southwest of Xiangyang. The Yu Liang Island where Sun Quan is currently located was once the home of Pang De Gong. The Han River is divided into two channels here by Yu Liang Island, with the southern part, closer to Xiangyang, being the residence of Pang Tong, also known as Pang Shiyuan. Nearby is a building constructed by Liu Biao called Jingsheng Tower. To the north of Yu Liang Island, closer to Fancheng, was the residence of the famous scholar Sima Hui.
At that time, in Xiangyang, scholars would travel back and forth between the north and south of Yu Liang Island by boat, discussing religious texts, exchanging ideas, and having fun. It was all very fulfilling.
However, this scene disappeared completely after Cao Cao led his troops southward in 213. Even the people south of Xiangyang were almost all resettled in Yuzhou.
The once grand Yu Liang Island gradually became desolate, until now, when it was occupied by Sun Quan's navy. During high tide, the part of Yu Liang Island that is above water is about five li long from east to west and about three li long from north to south, making it as large as a city.
Using Yu Liang Island in the middle of the Han River as a base of operations not only allows for the advantages of water transport and defense from attack but also provides a convenient exit in case of danger, making it an ideal location.
"What actions did the Wei army take last night?"
Sun Quan stood on the wooden watchtower, gazing far into the distance to the west.
Xiangyang is to the south of the Han River, while Fancheng is to the north. The distance between both cities and Sun Quan is no more than ten li.
In the case of a military campaign, of course, each person has their designated role.
Hu Zong, who has always been trusted by Sun Quan, is now in charge of the defense of Yu Liang Island and is not beside Sun Quan. The person now in charge of overall military affairs for Sun Quan is called Yi. This man is over sixty years old and followed Liu You to Jiangdong to avoid trouble in the past. Later, he was recruited by Sun Quan and is now the General Manager of Officials in Changsha.
Chancellor Gu Yong stayed behind in Changsha, and Yi accompanied the army on the campaign.
Yi is not actually surnamed 'Shi'; his original surname was 'Shi'. When he was a county official in Beihai Commandery, he was mocked by Kong Rong for his surname, as the character 'Shi' means 'common people' without the word 'upper', and so he changed his surname to 'Shi'.
The cypress trees on Kong Rong's tomb have died and revived many times over, yet Yi is still serving as a high-ranking official in Wu.
Yi bowed and reported: "I report to Your Majesty, last night there was no movement from the Wei troops in Xiangyang. On the contrary, the Wei troops in Fancheng seemed to have attempted a surprise attack during the night, which was blocked by the troops of General Bu."
Sun Quan asked again, "How is the progress of building the fort at the mouth of the Rui River?"
Yi replied, "The fort at the mouth of the Rui River will be completed in five days. Barriers have been set up to the north of the fort, so even if Wei troops attack, there is no need to worry."
"Good," Sun Quan nodded. "Come down with me."
"Yes."
The two men descended from the watchtower together. Sun Quan looked at the respectful Sun Deng standing by his side and had another idea to test him, so he asked:
"Zigao, do you know why I am making such arrangements?"
Under the encouragement of the four people behind him, Sun Deng bowed and reported, "I, Your Son, think Your Majesty's army strategy is excellent. All important places are well-prepared, so there is virtually no chance of failure."
Sun Quan's face was filled with a smile: "Which four places? Please tell me, Zigao, what is your thought?"
Sun Deng immediately began to explain: "It is precisely the four places of Xiangyang, Fancheng, Ruikou, and Yu Liang Island."
"Xiangyang is to the south of the Han River, and I am alone with no assistance. I can just send a division to set up defenses outside the city to prevent the Wei forces inside from leaving. If Fancheng is in danger, the Wei forces inside Xiangyang will definitely lack fighting spirit."
"The Yu Liang Island is in the middle of the Han River, and the navy of Wu Dynasty can take advantage of the waters. With this position, they can advance or retreat, and all possible situations can be handled. It is most stable for the central troops to hold this place."
"The mouth of the Rui River connects the interior of the Wei Empire. Building a fort by the river, like the Ruwu Fort by the Ruwu River in Yangzhou, is essential to be held. It is a vital defense position."
"The terrain of Fan Cheng is lower, and it is also located on the north bank of the Han River. It is clearly a place that the Wei army must save. At this time, Fan Cheng is being surrounded by Your Majesty's army. Either the city will fall into siege or wait for the Wei forces to come to the rescue. Your Majesty can order them to attack and break it."
Sun Quan laughed heartily after listening to Sun Deng's explanation. His twenty-year-old son could have such insight, which was already considered excellent.
The King of Wu was in high spirits, and the many ministers accompanying him also began to echo and praise. Sun Deng being the eldest son and the Crown Prince, this expedition was obviously intended to further train him. The ministers all saw it as Sun Quan accumulating experience for Sun Deng.
What a harmonious scene of parental love, filial piety, and joy!
Sun Deng quickly, with humble gestures, bowed and said: "I dare not deceive my father. This is not the result of my own thinking. In the past two days, while listening to geographical formations in General Quan's place, I also asked some military strategies and military affairs from General Hu, and had many conversations with four people including Ge Zhang Xu Xun and Zhang Shizhi. After listening to their words, I also thought about it for a long time, and then came to this judgment."
The four men standing behind Sun Deng—Zhuge Ke, Zhang Xu, Gu Tan, and Chen Biao—also bowed and made obeisance.
Sun Quan waved his hand: "The power of one person will eventually reach its limit. Only by gathering wisdom can achievements be achieved. Zigao, you are my crown prince, and if others' views can be used by you, they will be the same as your own views. Gathering diverse opinions is the demeanor of a crown prince."
"Zigao, accompany the sovereign here at Yu Liang Island, and there's not much to do every day. Just now, of the four places you mentioned, which one do you wish to go to, other than Yu Liang Island?" (Chapter ends)
