Cao Zhen smiled and said from the other side, "Marquis, it's been a long time since you haven't seen Your Majesty, and I miss you dearly. Your Majesty's emergency march took only fifteen days from Luoyang to Shouchun, and the journey was truly exhausting for the horses and carriages."
Cao Rui said, "I did not experience any wear and tear on the journey, as I only rode horses and did not take any carriages."
"If I say that I find it easier to ride a horse than a carriage, will Marshal believe me?"
"Ha ha ha," Cao Zhen laughed heartily, "I believe that too. When I was on campaign against the Qiang and Hu tribes in the past, I once rode in a hurry for two days and one night, covering two hundred and sixty miles. I was so tired on the horse that I was almost falling asleep, but the horse has a spirit to it; it's actually more comfortable to sit on its back."
Cao Rui nodded in agreement, "The natural oscillation of the horse's movement makes it easy on both the person riding and the horse itself. This may be what you call perfect synchronization."
In their idle chatter, they didn't realize that they could already see the Huai River. The river was quite lively with ships traveling back and forth, and where one could see, all along the way were fortresses.
Cao Xu bowed from his horse and asked, "Your Majesty is skilled in archery, horse riding, and shooting. This I know. But I am worried that camping and marching in the wilderness might harm Your Majesty's health."
Cao Rui answered, "I was born in Yezhou and raised in Luoyang, so this is the first time I've gone on a long-distance campaign like this. From Luoyang to the Pass, then to Chenliu. After Chenliu, we continued south. Although Qiao County and Shouchun are not far from Luoyang, their scenery is quite different."
Cao Xu nodded, "Indeed, compared to Luoyang, Shouchun is slightly damp even in winter and not very suitable for residence. However, why not let the army rest for two days in Qiao County?"
Cao Rui smiled and said, "Of course, I can rest for two days, and Marshal Cao can wait for two days without issue. But what about the more than one hundred thousand people who have been gathering here one after another? Should they all have to wait for me?"
"People and beasts consume every day, and this is draining the prosperity of the great Wei. I should hurry to Shouchun as soon as possible."
"The emperor is benevolent," Cao Xu and Cao Zhen said in unison.
Cao Rui asked, "Marshall, how is the grain and forage collection going here?"
Cao Xu responded without hesitation, "Reporting to Your Majesty, this time I not only mobilized grain and forage from the four states of Jianzhou, Qingzhou, Xuzhou, and Henan, but also some from Jizhou. They should be on their way now."
"If we count for fifteen thousand men, it can at least sustain the army for three months."
Cao Rui heard this and furrowed his brow, "What should we do if it lasts longer than three months?"
Cao Xu explained, "Sizhou and Jizhou are the two places with the most grain and forage. Since not many were raised this time, if there is still a shortage of food, we can start collecting from Sizhou and Jizhou in advance. The central plains have been in good harvest for three consecutive years, so we don't need to worry too much about the grain and forage."
"What about the wagons for transporting the grain?" Cao Rui asked again.
Cao Xu continued, "There are over two thousand oxcarts, horse carts, and mule-drawn carts, and transportation is not a big issue."
Cao Rui took a deep breath and said, "The most important thing to me along the way is grain and logistics. If there is no worry about grain and logistics, I have nothing to worry about."
Cao Xu smiled and said, "Your Majesty, as the executor of divine justice on a campaign, there is nothing you need to worry about at all."
"Your Majesty, when I was in the eleventh month, I originally thought that several tens of thousands of soldiers would be enough. However, by the end of last month, I received news that the armies from several states will also be coming to Shouchun, and I can't help but feel some apprehension."
"Now there are already 150,000 troops here. Your Majesty might as well give me a clear bottom line, where do you want to fight this time?"
Cao Rui fell silent for a moment before saying, "This matter is not solely up to me. With 150,000 troops in Shouchun and another 20,000 in Xiangyang and Jiangxia of Jingzhou, that's a real total of 200,000 men."
One reason is to take advantage of Zhou Fang's feigned surrender and try to advance as far as Wankou."
"Secondly, we'll use the vicinity of Wancheng to draw enemy forces and then test the waters around Ruyu."
Cao Zhen interrupted and asked, "Should Your Majesty aim for both, or just one?"
Cao Rui thought for a moment and answered, "I naturally want to have both to fully control the northern bank of the river. But we must see what the situation calls for. If we can occupy one of Wankou or Ruyu, this time's campaign won't have been in vain."
As they continued their conversation, they arrived at the floating bridge.
Cao Xu led from the front, "I have ordered people to build floating bridges across both sides of the Huai River. If any boats pass by, we will cut the middle part to make way for them. After they pass, we will reconstruct it, which is both convenient for water transportation and land transportation."
Cao Rui nodded and rode his horse onto the floating bridge across the Huai River. The city of Shouchun was located right on the edge of the Huai River, with the broad river serving as one side of its defensive moat, adding a touch of grandeur to the city.
As they were about to leave the bridge, Cao Rui suddenly seemed to recall something and asked with a smile to the two senior officials of the Cao family beside him, "If I'm not mistaken, didn't Yuan Shu, Yuan Gonglu, declare himself emperor here?"
Cao Xu smiled and said, "Yuan Shu was ambitious and arrogant at the time. He had no moral integrity and declared himself emperor here, which can be considered bad luck for Shouchun."
Cao Rui nodded and said, "I remember there was a term 'dry bones in a grave' for Yuan Shu. Who said it?"
Cao Xu and Cao Zhen exchanged a glance and shook their heads, indicating that they did not know.
The voice behind them slowly echoed, "The phrase 'dry bones in a grave' was said by Kong Rong, Kong Wenjng."
Cao Rui, Cao Xu, and Cao Zhen in front of them turned around at the sound.
Looking at Sima Yi, Cao Rui said, "The Yin family, with Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu, relies entirely on their family name of four generations of officials. Marshal, Marshall, the Sima gentleman behind you is also now a tripartite official. Isn't it time for a celebration?"
Cao Xu also looked up and down at Sima Yi for a moment, then bowed and said, "I am Cao Wenlie. I congratulate Marshal Sima on becoming a tripartite official in the world."
Sima Yi sat on his horse, his eyes nearly popping out with exasperation, and quickly bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, Marshal, please do not make fun of your subject."
Originally, Cao Rui did not intend to laugh. However, at this time, he couldn't help but burst into laughter, saying, "There is no intention of making fun. This time I embarked on a southern tour to borrow the wisdom of Sima Gentleman."
Sima Yi coughed lightly and bowed slightly, but did not speak.
Cao Rui asked, "How did Yuan Shu die?"
Cao Xu thought for a moment and said, "I remember that the Emperor dispatched Liu Bei and Zhu Ling to attack him. After Yuan Shu's death, his son and daughter later fled to the Eastern Jin."
Cao Rui interrupted Cao Xu when he heard this, "Did Yuan Shu have any descendants? Are they still in the Eastern Jin now?"
Cao Xu replied, "Both of them should still be in the Eastern Jin. I have heard from people who defected from the Eastern Wu that Yuan Shu's daughter was married to Sun Quan, and his son, Yuan Yao, served as a court physician in the Eastern Wu."
Cao Rui laughed at this, "The daughter of such a person like Yuan Shu is kept in the palace by Sun Quan? The family name 'four generations of officials' is really useful. The Yuan family women are truly valuable."
Cao Xu also smiled and replied, "The Eastern Wu scum can only join forces with Yuan Shu. In the past, Sun Ce broke away from Yuan Shu and became his enemy, so they were already enemies. Sun Quan took in the daughter of the Yuan family, and as a subject, I really don't know what to say."
The group of men rode into the city gate, and Shouchun was a size larger than Qiao County. Cao Xu said, "I have already changed the governor's mansion into an imperial palace for Your Majesty. Please enter and reside in the imperial palace."
Cao Rui said, "I don't stay in Shouchun often, so this imperial palace is not necessary. It wastes your efforts, Marshal."
Cao Xu replied with a serious face, "I have not expanded it much. Moreover, Your Majesty is the heavenly emperor who has all the lands under his control. How could this temporary palace be worth mentioning?"
Cao Rui slightly shook his head, "I won't say anything this time, but no more after this."
Cao Xu smiled and nodded, "Should Your Majesty rest for a while first in the imperial palace?"
Cao Rui thought for a moment and said, "Very well, let the officials who came to meet us return to their camps. In the morning, I will hold a morning meeting with officials at the level of two thousand stone and above within the city of Shouchun."
Cao Xu nodded repeatedly, about to turn his horse around to arrange the matter, when Cao Rui called out to stop him, "Marshal, come to the imperial palace later. I have something to discuss with you."
Cao Xu bowed in the saddle and then galloped off to the rear.
Cao Rui looked at Sima Yi again and said, "The Minister of Justice, the Grand Secretary, and the Middle Protector shall also accompany me."
Sima Yi bowed and agreed, looking back to see the four Grand Secretaries behind him. However, Sima Yi did not see the Middle Protector Jiang Ji, and there was no orderly with him. The four Grand Secretaries were all palace officials. Unable to find Jiang Ji, Sima Yi had to ride his horse behind Cao Xu and go find Jiang Ji himself.
At this time, it was Cao Zhen who led the emperor.
When Cao Rui arrived at the gate of the imperial palace, he looked around and couldn't help but take a deep breath. Cao Xu was not wrong. This imperial palace had indeed not been expanded much. It was just a transformation of the original governor's mansion. The walls and doorways were higher, and from the open gate, there was no sign of any luxurious arrangements inside.
Marshal Cao Xu is indeed simple in his ways, thought Cao Rui to himself.
Cao Zhen got off his horse at the entrance of the palace, ready to lift the reins to lead the emperor's horse inside. As a General, Cao Zhen would normally not be expected to do such tasks, and even if Cao Zhen himself did not mind, having a General do so might only be seen as the Emperor being petty.
Cao Rui also dismounted, shook hands with Cao Zhen, and said, "General Cao, please accompany me inside."
Cao Zhen responded, "It is my duty to clear the way for Your Majesty."
……
Cao Rui had just sat down to rest in the hall, and Cao Zhen handed over two documents, saying, "Your Majesty, please take a look at these two submissions from Jia Kui, the Governor of Yu Province."
Jia Kui was assigned by Cao Xu to work on constructing fortifications, but why does he send a memorial?
Cao Rui opened the two documents. After reading them carefully twice, he did not speak but simply placed them lightly on the corner of the table.
Cao Zhen noticed the change in the emperor's expression and asked, "Your Majesty, is there something wrong with Jia Kui's situation?"
Cao Rui said, "It's not a big situation, just that Jia Kui discovered some trace of Wu troops near Wu Pass. There are probably a hundred people."
Cao Zhen's expression also became serious, "Did the Wu troops come from the south or the east?"
Cao Rui replied, "According to Jia Kui's report, the Wu troops came from the east, and it is estimated that they might have come from the direction of Runshu Wuzhu."
Cao Zhen, who had long been in the military, had almost developed an instinct for judging the situation based on scouting reports: "Runshu Wuzhu? In that case, Zhou Fang is definitely pretending to surrender. The defenders of Runshu may already be making arrangements, but it is unclear whether they are moving east to Wu Pass or via the river to Wu Pass."
Cao Rui looked at Cao Zhen, "I have said from the beginning that Zhou Fang is a feigned surrender. It seems now that Sun Quan has also begun to mobilize his troops. We should wait for everyone to gather before holding a meeting in Qi."
(Chapter complete)
