Generous Jiang Wei bowed and asked, "General, I have a question that I do not understand. Could you please clarify it for me?"
Man cheng nodded: "Let's talk!"
Jiang Wei said, "If the court forcibly conscripts Huns as soldiers and there are significant casualties during war, won't stepuogen, Sulili, and these other Hun chieftains lose their loyalty? As my family has been in Longxi for a long time, when the Qiang tribes were conscripted into the army, if there were many casualties, our tribe would not tolerate them continuing to fight!"
"Ha ha ha." Man Cui chuckled and said, "Brother You is still too loyal."
Jiang Wei's expression was somewhat confused, and Cao Shuai was even more puzzled.
Man Chong said, "The Qiang people are far more similar to the Han people than to the Xianbei, Wuhuan, and other Hun tribes. As for the various nomadic tribes on the grasslands, how many of them truly have grand ambitions? Most of them simply treat their subjects as their private property."
"The court has given them titles, rewarded them with salaries, and allowed them to enjoy wealth and luxury on the grasslands. As their property has been damaged, compensating them financially is sufficient to make up for it."
Jiang Wei and Cao Shuai were both moved.
Man Chong said, "Let's not talk about the Huns anymore. Just between you two, for this time, capturing Ke Beining's head, I as your commander will naturally report your merits to the emperor."
"Zhao Bong, Broker You, and Chang Xiang, who can be considered the one with the greatest merits and who should be ranked second?"
Hearing this, Jiang Wei immediately rose to his feet and bowed and said, "Reporting to General, this time our advance was led by Zhao Bong's troops to capture Ke Beining's head. Therefore, Zhao Bong should be recognized as the main merit!"
In the presence of General Man Chong, a minister of the Western Pavilion of the Great Wei, Jiang Wei handed over the credit cleanly and promptly, without any hesitation, which was incredibly astute.
While Cao Shuang was stunned for a few moments, he also rose to his feet and spoke:
"Reporting to General, when you sent us three together to the north, you clearly stated to us that we should jointly discuss any matters that might arise."
"Cao Shuang respectfully said, 'Jiang Wei and I fought together, but the distribution of duties was different. Brother Chang Si allowed his horse to take the rear, and without that, we could not have achieved victory. This is a shared achievement by the three of us, and it should be equally recognized. I dare not take precedence over the others; I hope General Man Chong will understand this."
Man Chong slightly twirled his mustache and said, "I have heard both of your arguments. Return to your camp."
"Yes, the servant withdraws." The military style was decisive, and they did not hesitate. After bidding farewell to Man Chong, they slowly exited the tent.
The night outside the central camp was as dark as a curtain, and armor-clad soldiers were patrolling back and forth. Cao Shuang and Jiang Wei walked side by side, heading towards their respective camps.
As they talked, they would occasionally burst into laughter. One was modest and generous, making a good match for each other.
At the guard post in front of the camp gate, Cao Shuang stopped his pace in the light. Jiang Wei also stopped when he saw this.
"What is it, Zhao Bong?"
"Jiang Wei brother, I indeed have something I want to ask," Cao Shuang looked directly into Jiang Wei's eyes with the light.
Jiang Wei felt that Cao Shuang was acting strange: "Just ask what you want to know, why so serious?"
Cao Shuang said, "As the eldest son of the General Commander and a relative of the Cao family as well as a friend of the emperor, my future prospects are naturally secure. To be honest, whether I receive the merit or not doesn't affect me at all. It doesn't matter to me if I give you the merit."
"Jiang Wei brother, you have excellent character and ability. It is my fortune to be your friend, Cao Shuang. However, I have always had a question that I don't understand. How did the emperor select you from the Imperial Academy and entrust you with such an important position in the central army? Among those who are similar to you, only Tao Qiuxiong is in the same position as yours. However, he is a eunuch from the emperor's palace!"
Hearing Cao Shuang's question, Jiang Wei was also at a loss for words for a moment.
The two junior officers stood there at night, while the ten soldiers guarding the camp gate stood straight, afraid of displeasing the officers. The flames crackled, casting a flickering light that illuminated Jiang Wei's profile, accentuating the contours of his face.
"I?" Jiang Wei was stunned for a long time before looking up at the twinkling stars in the sky: "Zhao Bong asks a good question, putting me in a difficult situation."
"Year of Yellow Daze, 253, I received the grace of the Emperor and studied at the Imperial Academy in Luoyang, where I came from Longji in pursuit of knowledge. The Emperor personally lectured at the academy, and I was highly regarded by him for my well-timed and fitting responses to his questions, alongside Xihou Yi (Summer Hou Ji), selected to serve as a riding guard."
"Four years have passed, and Xihou Taichu is still a riding guard, but for someone from a distinguished family of Longyou, at the age of thirty, to become a Vice General with an annual salary of 2,000 stones, reaching such a high position seems like a dream."
Jiang Wei turned away from the stars and looked at Cao Shuang seriously, with a faint flame flickering in his pupil: "When Zhao Bong asked me this question, I am honest to say that I do not know how to answer it. Over the years, I have always acted with loyalty and effort, with no other answer."
Cao Shuang nodded vigorously and put his arm around Jiang Wei's shoulder, pushing him towards the camp from behind: "Loyalty and effort, these four words weigh a thousand ounces. With a wise ruler in power, over the past few years, the situation on the borders has been improving greatly. The two neighboring states of Wu and Shu are probably not going to last much longer. Brother Jiang, since we both serve in the military with our lives, we are surely going to be recorded in history!"
As he walked, Jiang Wei nodded seriously and said, "To be a friend with Zhao Bong is also my fortune, Jiang Wei! The path is long and winding, let's journey together!"
"……"
The following morning, the emperor's carriage, accompanied by nearly a thousand guards and four thousand cavalry from the middle guard camp, arrived at the Mulou Pavilion in Yingchuan prefecture as well.
At the beginning of the year, when Emperor Cao Rui led the entire central army here, he had reviewed the troops at Mulou. The palace and camp were already in place here, and it was here that the imperial entourage encountered a messenger sent from Dang County by Xu Shu.
Liu Yex rushed into the palace, bowing respectfully and presenting the letter to Xu Shu to Emperor Cao Rui.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, Xu Ningyuan has led the troops from Xin Ye, led by Shen Dan, to advance to Dang County. They are cooperating with the troops from Fucheng led by Yú Shì. This is an urgent military report he sent from Dang County."
Xu Ningyuan refers to the newly appointed Ningyuan General Xu Shu, Xu Yuanzhi. Emperor Cao Rui hesitated upon hearing this name before realizing it was Xu Shu himself.
"Hand it over to the emperor," Cao Rui reached out to take it, and asked Liu Yex at the same time, "Have you read the military report? What do you think?"
Liu Yex said, "The subject believes that what he has said makes sense."
"The Great Wei is fighting on two fronts against the Wu state: one in Jingzhou and the other in Yangzhou. Although Jingzhou and Yangzhou are far apart, the military operations there are essentially part of a unified campaign."
"Emperor Cao Rui nodded and said, 'I understand. Bring the three officials of the Office of the Ministry, Wang Guan, and Pei Chen, I want to discuss matters.'"
"Yes." Liu Yex slowly withdrew, and Cao Rui also placed his hand on the armrest of his chair, deep in thought.
It will take some time before Qian Zhao's military camp reaches the battlefield. Whether Xiahou Yu can send reinforcements from Jiangxia to Fancheng is also uncertain. In this situation, in order to prevent the military situation in Xiangfan from further deteriorating, Xu Shu suggests that Chen Qun of Yangzhou dispatch troops to advance southward, thereby threatening Sun Quan and causing him to retreat due to concern.
From a logical standpoint, Xu Shu's idea is correct. Clearly, the Wu state's elite middle army is already stationed in the vicinity of Wuchang, Fancheng, Wuchang East, and the Jiang and Yang regions east of Wuyang. It is certain that these areas are weakly defended and unprepared. Attacking them at a time when they must be rescued will force Sun Quan to withdraw, which is in line with the principles of military strategy.
However, the problem is that Sun Quan's current campaign involves the entire army traveling by ship up the Han River. He can also easily lead his army down by boat at any time!
From Xiangyang to Wuchang by boat, sailing downstream with the current, the large army can reach there in three days. If they need to get to Rushu, it will take seven or eight days, at most not more than ten days.
With such a rapid march along the river, if they were to attack Rumen in Yangzhou or even cross the river to fight, they would be defeated by Sun Quan's relieving fleet, which is much larger, and it would be a laughing stock!
The logic is correct, but how to implement it is a thousand-difficult, ten-thousand-difficult matter.
As Emperor Cao Rui was pondering, Liu Yex hurried in with Sima Yi, Wang Guan, and Pei Chen following closely behind. After saluting, they each took their seats.
"Liu Yex, tell the other officials about Xu Shu's words."
"Yes." Liu Yex bowed and said, "The emperor has commanded it." Liu Yex stood up and briefly explained Xu Shu's request, and the three officials frowned or pondered, not saying anything for a while.
Emperor Cao Rui tapped lightly on the armrest with his fingers and spoke, "Minister of Works, what do you have to say?"
Sima Yi coughed lightly and said, "Xu Yuanzhi's words are correct. Sun Quan has placed a large army in Xiangfan and Fancheng, while Yangzhou is necessarily weak and unprepared. But how to mobilize Sun Quan, and then how to prevent him from counterattacking and defeating us, is the most urgent task at hand."
"Yangzhou has its troops concentrated in two places. One is in the area of Shuchun and Hefei, where there are nearly four ten-thousand troops, under the control of Duke Chen. The other is in the area of Wanning and Wankou, with troops of two ten-thousand, under the command of Duke Jia. If troops are to be dispatched, it can only be from these two places, with no other options."
Emperor Cao Rui looked up at Sima Yi and asked, "Minister of Works, where do you think we can take action?"
Sima Yi thought for a moment: "There are only two options: Rumen. The army of the Great Wei should not cross the river to fight in Yangzhou, and Sun Quan's forces on the north bank can only be at Rumen."
Emperor Cao Rui frowned and said, "In this way, the most urgent problem is how to attack Rumen?"
Sima Yi silently nodded.
"What do you all think? What are your opinions?"
Pei Chen bowed first and said, "I agree with the Minister of Works. At present, for the Great Wei, the only obstacle to troops from Yangzhou advancing southward is Rumen. If we can capture Rumen fortress, then our navy can navigate through the Huai River, Hefei, Chaohu Lake and Rumen River directly to the Grand River. Without Rumen's protection, Wu's forces will be destroyed soon!"
Emperor Cao Rui shook his head and said, "Rumen should indeed be attacked, there's no need for Minister Pei to mention it. For twenty years from Emperor Wu to the late emperor, the importance of Rumen is self-evident."
Wang Guan said from the side, "Your Majesty, could we not take Guangling? Guangling is further away, and it is uncertain if Sun Quan has enough time to send troops to aid Wuchang."
Liu Yex immediately retorted, "This is not correct. Compared to Rumen, Guangling is only a few days further by water. My troops in Yangzhou are far from Guangling, while Wu's navy is very close. It should not be taken into consideration."
Wang Guan bowed slightly and then quietly sat back in his chair.
Emperor Cao Rui looked at Liu Yex and said, "Tell me!"
Liu Yex said, "Reporting to the emperor, since Rumen is a must-attack location for the Great Wei to attack Wu, the subject thinks it would be a good idea to take advantage of Sun Quan's opportunity in Jingfan and Fancheng for some advantages in attacking Rumen in the future."
"What kind of advantage?" asked Emperor Cao Rui.
Liu Yex bowed: "Your Majesty, the subject has an idea. Could we take advantage of the current advantage of Yangzhou's army and build a large Wei city next to Rumen Fortress?" (End of this chapter)
