Build a city near the Chu Xu Port?
Cao Rui repeated Liu Ye's words in a low voice, turned to look at him, and asked, "Can we use building a city to restrain Wu troops? How can this be done?"
"Of course it's possible!" Liu Ye responded: "I would like to ask the emperor a few questions."
Cao Rui nodded: "Speak!"
At this moment, Liu Ye's expression was full of confidence. He looked around the three people present, including Sima Yi, Wang Guan, and Pei Cheng, and then declared in a loud voice: "I would like to ask the emperor first. For many years, the army of Your Majesty has not been able to pass the Rumen River to the Great River due to the Rumen Fortress. Is that correct?"
Cao Rui did not say anything, but simply nodded slightly to acknowledge.
Liu Ye asked again, "Why has the Rumen Fortress been historically difficult to attack?"
While Cao Rui was still thinking and organizing his words, Liu Ye had already spoken: "There are three key reasons why Rumen Fortress has resisted attack for so long!"
"There are three main reasons for the Rumen Fortress's resistance: firstly, it uses the advantage of being in a state of rest to face fatigue. The Wu troops, with their stronghold on the Rumen River and the advantage of geographical location, contend with our troops. Secondly, it benefits from their ships and boats which can enter the Rumen River through the Yangtze River. Lastly, it is a labor-intensive and long-distance expedition. To attack Rumen Fortress from Fengdu City is about three hundred miles away, while from Shuchun City, it is more than five hundred miles."
Cao Rui gently stroked his chin, frowning as he listened to Liu Ye's words. Sima Yi silently observed Liu Ye's expression, Wang Guan lowered his head, saying nothing and looking at the ground, while Pei Cheng raised his eyebrows slightly, as if becoming excited as well.
Liu Ye noticed that no one had responded and swallowed a mouthful of saliva before continuing: "Now, most of Sun Quan's middle and naval forces are in Xiangyang and the Wu army's navy is mostly in the vicinity of Xiangyang. If the Great Wei can hold its ground in Xiangyang and resist the Wu army, or if it can capture Rumen Fortress on the riverbank or build a fortress to resist them nearby, then Rumen Fortress can be recaptured within just a few days!"
Cao Rui raised his eyes to look at Liu Ye, and then looked at the other three. He nodded and said, "Whether or not this thing can be done requires further consideration. Liu Prefect, together with Wang Zhenghui and the Minister of Civil Affairs, please discuss this matter thoroughly. By the time you arrive in Xuchang tomorrow evening, you must present a complete plan to me!"
"And also, send Marquis Zhu Gai's right general force from Nanyang Xinxu to reinforce Xinye via Anyang, Yiyang, and Biyang. I estimate it's no more than six hundred miles. From the moment they receive the order, give them ten days to reach Xinye. If they do not have the entire army there by then, disciplinary action will be taken!"
"Yes, Your Majesty." Liu Ye replied in a deep voice.
"Your Majesty's orders are understood." Sima Yi and Wang Guan also responded simultaneously.
After Sima Yi, Liu Ye, and Wang Guan had withdrawn, there was only one person left in the hall—Pei Qian, the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat.
"Pei Qian, come closer to the emperor." Cao Rui gestured towards Pei Qian, indicating: "What Liu Yang mentioned just now has a precedent in history? I can only recall the example of Emperor Wu, who built a sand city on the opposite side of the Wei River at night during his attack on the passes of Tong Pass. This is not the same as what he mentioned."
After hearing this, Pei Qian thought for a moment and tentatively said: "If following the ideas of Liu Zhenghui, I can actually provide a historical example to Your Majesty."
"Really?" Cao Rui raised an eyebrow.
Pei Qian nodded: "The strategy proposed by Liu Zhenghui is actually 'building a fortification in front of the enemy'. When Yue, while attacking Wu's capital, now called Wu County in Jiangdong Wu, constructed a Yue city outside the southwest gate of Wu, this was used to encircle and observe the Wu army. King Hudie ultimately committed suicide."
"Even when Liu Zhenghui was speaking, I felt in my heart that this matter was doable."
Cao Rui did not consult a map. He had already memorized the geographical diagrams from Shouchun to Hefei, then to Chaohua and Runan, and so on in his mind. As a minister of the Imperial Secretariat, Pei Qian was supposed to remember these details as part of his duties.
Cao Rui said, "If following his strategy to build a fortress near the Rumen Fortress, we would first need to dispatch a large army to hold the northern part of the Rumen Fortress. Then we could build a city in the north of the army to respond. This is not difficult from a military standpoint, and Chen Dusheng's carefulness is sufficient for this task. However, when it comes to mobilizing manpower, material resources, and financial resources, traveling hundreds of miles from Shouchun along Hefei and Chaohua to build a city is undoubtedly the most challenging part."
Pei Qian immediately smiled and said, "No matter what is built, it will be a good thing. If time is short, converting the temporary military camp into a long-term base would also suffice. If building a city is not possible, constructing a fort or encampment would work as well."
"Your words are correct, Pei Qian," Cao Rui sighed. "On one hand, there is Runan, and on the other hand, there is Xiangyang. Moreover, the Great Wei's central army has just returned from fighting in the Northeast."
"After years, no situation has ever been so distressing to me."
Pei Qian pondered for a moment and then said to comfort: "While the situation is challenging now, for the Great Wei, it is about seeking stability and avoiding defeat everywhere. For Wu and Shu, the momentum of the world has already shifted away from them. This time it's just like a cornered beast fighting and a dying man struggling."
"Take Xiangyang as an example, Your Majesty. Allow me to speak plainly," Pei Qian said. "Even if both Xiao Yang and Bicheng are lost, what could be the great loss for the Great Wei? Xiangyang and Bicheng are in the hands of Sun Quan, and it should be Sun Quan who worries about their defense! Can he truly defend them?"
Cao Rui glanced at Pei Qian, "If we can take Rumen Fortress, I would even give up Xiangyang. But if it's as you and Liu Ye said, we can't take Rumen Fortress for the moment, then not only can't we lose Xiangyang, but I also want to see progress over there!"
"Your Majesty's words are like golden oratory, and they are protected by heaven. The matters in Jing and Yang provinces will surely go smoothly," Pei Qian bowed and said. "Your Majesty might as well wait for their opinions and see what methods should ultimately be used."
Cao Rui nodded: "There's still a day. When we arrive in Xuchang tomorrow night, I'll wait for their suggestions!"
Inside the hall, while Pei Qian accompanied the emperor with conversation, outside Sima Yi, Liu Ye, and Wang Guan also found an empty room, arranged their assistants to clean up, and then took their seats.
"Minister of Works..."
Just as Liu Ye was about to speak, Sima Yi gestured to him to be interrupted.
Sima Yi smilingly said, "Since Zi Yang has mentioned the idea of building a city in Yangzhou, it would be somewhat inappropriate for the three of us to discuss matters here. It would be better to call the Minister of Works Fu Xian and the Minister of War Wu Zhou as well. Their opinions should also be heard."
Fu Xian and Wu Zhou?
Liu Ye was stunned for a moment, and then turned to look at Wang Guan beside him. Wang Guan, however, avoided Liu Ye's gaze and turned to look outside with composure, leaving Liu Ye quite embarrassed and regretful.
Just now, in the presence of the emperor, I sought to enjoy the satisfaction of speaking freely and embarrassed Wang Guan. Now, when we are discussing matters together, there is one Marquis against two Ministers. Fu Xian and Wu Zhou are under Sima Yi's command within the Ministry of Works, so it's actually three against two, or even four against one!
"Sima Yi's suggestion is correct. This matter should be discussed with the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Works. Please bring Fu Xian and Wu Zhou as well, for the sake of Great Wei."
"Right, it's for the sake of Great Wei." Sima Yi nodded and stood up, going to the door and giving an instruction to the servants outside. Then he returned to his seat and sat down.
Not long after, Fu Xian and Wu Zhou arrived in a hurry, and Liu Ye was then able to continue presenting his views.
...
In the evening of the 20th day, the emperor's carriage, along with officials from the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Civil Affairs, arrived at Xu Chang City, one of the five capitals of Great Wei.
Sima Yi and Liu Ye, with the strategy they had prepared overnight and throughout the day, were about to report to the emperor when the emperor first summoned Yu Province Governor Huang Quan to the study within the Xu Chang Palace.
"I have committed a crime."
Just now there were many people outside the city, so Huang Quan immediately bowed and said when he was alone with the emperor: "My previous accusation against Dongzhi indeed added to the confusion for Your Majesty and the state. I hope Your Majesty will punish my mistakes."
Cao Rui sighed, pointed at the chair beside him, and said with a sense of melancholy, "Both of you, I have punished by docking your salaries to show my disapproval. I docked you three months' salary and docked Dong Taiwei a year's salary. I have also sent Dong Zhou to the border of Youzhou."
"In the end, it was Dong Zhou who failed to do his job properly and caused delays in state affairs. Being demoted was only appropriate."
Huang Quan didn't dare to sit down, and his already lowered head became even lower: "Even so, the timing of my accusation was inappropriate. At that time, Your Majesty had just returned from the Northeast. You were worried about it, and this is a crime that I cannot escape from."
Cao Rui said, "That's why I docked you three months' salary. Since I have punished you once, I will not punish you a second time. Let this matter end here. I will not say more about it, and you should not bring it up to me again."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Huang Quan bowed respectfully.
However, from Huang Quan's perspective, a slight anxiety was natural. When the imperial edict reached Huang Quan, Huang Quan was docked three months' salary while Dong Zhao was docked one year's salary, which made it clear who was more severely punished.
But when the emperor himself returned to Luoyang, he immediately elevated Dong Zhao to the position of Grand Marshal, the highest of the three public officers. With such praise and generous rewards, Huang Quan, who had disagreements with Dong Zhao, naturally worried whether the winds of change in the court had shifted, and whether Dong Zhao had spoken ill of him to the emperor. He worried that as a former Minister who used to serve before the throne, he might have lost the emperor's favor and trust.
At present, it seems that the emperor is as wise as ever.
"Sit down, I have something important to discuss with you now." Cao Rui opened his mouth and said: "How is the situation in Yu Province? I have read the document you sent to the Ministry of Works, but I still need to confirm it with you personally. Is it true?"
"It is true! I would never deceive Your Majesty or the court at all!" Huang Quan said seriously, "I have sent officials to investigate the disasters in each county of Yu Province, and there is no county left out. All of it is verifiable!"
Cao Rui nodded: "Very well, I believe you. I remember that you came to Yu Province in the year of Taihe. Your hard work is something I know about. After three years, perhaps no other provincial governors have done better in managing the affairs of the military camps and land distribution."
"I have a question for you now."
Huang Quan leaned slightly forward, listening intently with particular seriousness.
Cao Rui said, "Huang Qin, what do you think about the time for the grain reserves in Yu Province to be terminated?"
Stop farming?
Huang Quan was somewhat puzzled and asked, "Your Majesty, is there anything that I have done wrong in Yu Province? During the Taihe years, when it comes to the achievements of the grain reserves policy, the grain reserves in Yu Province were often at the top among all provinces!"
Cao Rui smiled and said, "Don't be nervous. I'm talking about the grain reserves itself when I say 'grain reserves', with no intention of denying your work."
"I mean to say that the grain reserve policy is originally a temporary measure since the end of the Han dynasty and the subsequent chaos." (The chapter ends)
