Cao Zhi sighed softly: "Your Majesty may not know that in the twenty-fourth year of Jian'an, when the subject was arrayed against Liu Bei's faction in Chang'an, while Wu Di was in Hanmiddle, there were also literary discussions between us."
"Discussions on literature?" Cao Rui asked, puzzled.
"When both armies were holding their ground, Wu Di and Liu Bei exchanged letters and engaged in a debate. At that time, a piece of mine titled 'On the Two Founders of Han Dynasty' was sent to Liu Bei by Wu Di, and Zhuge Liang also wrote a reply letter for me."
"And was there such a thing?" Now it was Cao Rui's turn to be surprised: "What did Zhuge Liang and Uncle talk about?"
Cao Zhi tried to recall and said, "It was because I discussed Han Gaozu and Han Guangwu with Ding Yi that I wrote this article for the discussion."
Cao Rui was curious and asked, "Which of the two is better, Han Gaozu or Han Guangwu?"
Cao Zhi smiled and said: "In my early years, I thought Han Guangwu was superior to Han Gaozu. Gaozu lacked in minor details, while Guangwu was well-versed in rituals and laws. Gaozu seldom possessed the qualities of a gentleman, while Guangwu appeared to be a sage ruler."
Cao Rui asked again, "What did Zhuge Liang say?"
Cao Zhi shook his head: "Zhuge Liang and I are essentially the same, but he believes that Han Gaozu's abilities were coarse and not as good as Han Guangwu, only achieving success through the help of people like Zhang Liang, Han Xian, Chen Ping, and Zhou Bo."
"While Han Guangwu's strategies and thoughts were more foresighted than Gaozu's. His generals and strategists were also similar to Zhang, Han, Chen, and Zhou."
Cao Rui had been about to leave, but upon hearing Cao Zhi's discussion of old matters, he turned back and sat down again among the seating.
Cao Rui whispered, "Guangwu respects scholars and favors the wealthy, remaining steady like a mountain, unlike Gaozu who risked arrows and stones personally."
"And there was the 'miracle' of Kunyang battle," Cao Rui laughed out loud: "Uncle and Zhuge Liang both have a greater preference for Han Guangwu, and in my opinion, it is also normal."
"However, up to now, what does Uncle think: which is better, Han Gaozu or Han Guangwu?" Cao Rui asked in return.
Cao Zhi sighed lightly: "Gaozu rose from obscurity, purged the world, overthrew Xiang Ji, personally pacified feudal lords. These things are all beyond the scope of Guangwu."
Cao Rui nodded: "So in the end, it was that both Uncle and Zhuge Liang were young at the time, not knowing the difficulties of national affairs."
"Guangwu sent out his generals to conquer the four directions and ruled from Luozhong, unifying the whole world. Perhaps at that time, both of you thought that conquering the world should be done just as Guangwu did."
"Gaozu personally led the army in battles, using talents like Ying Bu, Han Xian, Peng Ye, Liu Jia, and others to fight in separate directions as if they were his own hands and feet, yet he fell behind."
Cao Rui shook his head: "Not to mention, just take the issue of dividing responsibilities. Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang only divided Guan Yu into one person, and his Longzhong policy became a mere dream. Only after experiencing setbacks did they realize the difficulties of the world."
"The emperor roughly believed that at this time, Zhuge Liang would certainly feel more grateful to Han Gaozu."
Cao Zhi silently nodded.
"In the past ten years, neither Cao Cao, Cao Pi, nor Liu Bei have been able to fight battles like those of Han Guangwu or Han Gaozu."
When discussing two hundred years and four hundred years ago, and who was superior or inferior, it is now more about admiration and envy than any actual comparison.
Cao Rui got up and walked out, and as he reached the door, he turned back to look inside the room: "This matter requires Uncle to weigh every word carefully; the internal situation in Shu is not as solid as a block of iron!"
Cao Zhi bowed his hands in respect and said, "I understand, and I will definitely submit it to the emperor on time."
Cao Rui nodded and then left with Jiang Wei.
......
As evening approached, Shang Guan Qi, who had slipped out of the city of Ji County and alternately ridden two fast horses, held the token of Yin Xiang. He continued eastward, pretending to send a message to Xinyang.
Xinyang is a small county that cannot be compared to Ji County in terms of population or food supplies, so the Shu army merely withdrew the 500 soldiers stationed in Xinyang to the west.
From Xinyang, heading west, then passing through Ji County and continuing westward, one can reach Luomen. Going south from Luomen can lead to the area around Qixian and Luocheng.
Shang Guan Qi rode his horse fast into the city of Xinyang, and at that moment, the city was in chaos.
This is something that cannot be helped.
Although the city of the Great Wei originally belonged to the Shu Han, and the Shu Han is now withdrawing its army, it is necessary to take away the officials and civilians in Xinyang City.
If the Great Wei returns... The people will certainly be safe, but will the officials be punished for their crimes?
Unfortunately, the Shu Han army did not concern itself with such matters during the retreat, leaving with a resolute decisiveness. However, to be fair, these five hundred soldiers were also unable to do much more.
Shang Guan Qi took advantage of the chaos to find the county hall nearby and grabbed a clerk-like person. He asked out loud, "What is the current situation in the city? Are there any movements of Great Wei's army nearby?"
The middle-aged clerk, whose wrist was grabbed by Shang Guan Qi, felt pain and couldn't get free, so he had to reply: "The city has been in this state, and you can see it with your own eyes."
"As for the Great Wei army, there are currently Great Wei cavalry stationed in the eastern part of the city. Please go on your way and do not delay me here."
Shang Guan Qi furrowed his brow and asked, "Am I delaying you? What do you want?"
The middle-aged clerk finally managed to pull his hand free and took a step back immediately. He said cautiously, "Of course, I'm looking for a way to make a living to the west! If you want to find the Great Wei army, please go on your own, go on your own! Don't block me!"
During this period of chaos, various people are making different choices. The behavior of the middle-aged clerk would have certainly been subject to scolding by yesterday's Shang Guan Qi.
But after hearing about Yin Xiang this morning, Shang Guan Qi, a young man under the age of thirty, gained a deeper understanding of the complexity of the world and people's hearts.
If he goes, he goes by himself.
I decide my path forward!
Shang Guan Qi hurriedly rode out of the city and headed east, directly colliding with the scouts of Dian Man's army. He was then brought before Dian Man himself.
Luoyang is a big dyeing tank. Dian Man has been waiting in the middle army for nearly twenty years and has become a human expert. His usual thickness is just a protective color.
Dian Man furrowed his brow and asked, "You say you came from Ji County? Isn't Ji County all surrendered to the Shu rebels? Were you also among those who surrendered?"
"There is no such thing!" Shang Guan Qi, with nothing to hide, stood tall: "After the Shu Han army entered the city of Ji County, I abandoned my official position and fled into hiding in the city."
"The Shu Han army is retreating westward today, and the entire Ji County is almost being emptied! Grain, household registers, military supplies, and people are all being transported westward to Luomen, then southward to Wudu and Hancheng!"
Dian Man's eyes were still filled with suspicion: "This matter is of great importance. How can I believe you? Are you not here to deceive me?"
Shang Guan Qi's expression became even more urgent: "General! Xinyang City is only three miles to the west. Send five or ten riders to investigate and you will know!"
Dian Man only then nodded lightly and ordered one of his capable lieutenants to lead the troops to investigate.
As expected, the city of Xinyang was in a state of chaos. Without hesitation, Dian Man led his troops into the city of Xinyang immediately and sent someone to inform General Cao Zhen of this message.
If it weren't for the setting sun and the unknown details of the road, Dian Man would have certainly left immediately to go to Ji County.
......
Meanwhile, outside the city of Lueyang, at dusk, Huan Fan led his three thousand cavalrymen back slowly.
The Shu Han Guanghan Prefect Zhang Yi, who was handcuffed and had his hands tied behind his back, was escorted into the county hall's grand hall.
Cao Rui, along with Sima Yi, Yang Fu, Chen Jiao, and others, were all seated in the hall at this moment, watching the Shu general Zhang Yi kneel on the ground with composure.
Cao Rui looked at Huan Fan, "Huan Jun, you have done well this time. The Shu soldiers who surrendered today should be taken to Qianzhenxi and handed over to him to manage along with the prisoners captured earlier."
"It is all thanks to Your Majesty's great fortune, Your servant dare not take even the slightest bit of credit," Huan Fan said, bowing: "Your Majesty said that he wanted to see Zhang Yi, so Your servant brought him here. He just told me that he also has the intention to surrender with sincerity."
"Subject Zhang Yi of the surrendering army kneels before Your Majesty." Hearing this, Zhang Yi made a gesture to bow his head. However, due to his hands being tied with ropes and behind him, he fell sideways to the ground.
Cao Rui laughed upon seeing this, "Since he has surrendered, why not untie Zhang Governor?"
As the emperor spoke, two armor-clad soldiers walked from the side and slowly untied the ropes binding Zhang Yi.
After Zang Yi's hands were free, he adjusted his posture, knelt on the ground and repeatedly bowed his head, knocking his forehead against the ground with a thud: "Subject Zhang of the surrendering army greets the emperor, greets the emperor!"
"Rise," said Cao Rui, looking at Sima Yi, "Since he is a surrendered general, Minister of Works, you shall inquire about him on my behalf."
Sima Yi nodded and stood up, looking at Zhang Yi, "Zhang Yi, Zhang Bocong, aren't you? I am the Minister of Works for the Great Wei, and I have been sent by Your Majesty to ask you questions. Your answers must be truthful."
Zhang Yi got up from the ground, his body still slightly trembling, but he was not sure whether it was because he was cold or lacked food.
"Understood, Minister of Works, please go ahead and ask your questions," Zhang Yi said.
Sima Yi asked, "What is your native place and what is your career background?"
Zhang Yi bowed and said, "Subject Zhang of the surrendering army reports to the emperor, his origin is Wuyang in Qianfu County, his great-grandfather Zhang Mianhao served as Minister of Works, and his great-great-grandfather Zhang Mianhang served as the Governor of Guangling."
"And what about your father and grandfather?" Sima Yi asked.
Zhang Yi did not hesitate: "Under my grandfather, he served as the county magistrate. My father served as the prefect of the state."
"Hmm." Sima Yi nodded: "Please continue."
Zhang Yi spoke slowly, "In the past, when Liu Bei served as the Governor of Yi Province, I served as his scribe. Then I gradually rose to become a county magistrate and then a governor. I am currently serving as the Governor of Guanghan."
Sima Yi asked one by one, and Zhang Yi answered one by one.
Cao Rui listened carefully in the hall. Many of the things Zhang Yi said corresponded with known facts, and from a logical standpoint, Cao Rui had not heard any contradictions.
After Sima Yi finished his questioning, he bowed to the emperor with his hands.
Cao Rui opened his mouth and asked, "According to what you said, did Zhuge Liang also face many obstacles during this invasion?"
Zhang Yi bowed and replied, "The road to Shu is indeed difficult. The transportation of grain and the conscription of the common people are too demanding. There are many criticisms in the court and among the people, and the discussions are fierce, making it difficult to control."
"Your Majesty, as a newly surrendered subject, I have not yet achieved any merits. However, the maps of the mountains and rivers of each county and jurisdiction in Yi Province are all stored in my mind. I wish to offer these maps of Yi Province to Your Majesty!"
Cao Rui snickered and said, "I have heard the story of the needle and the carriage, don't try to deceive me with tricks."
Zhang Yi immediately knelt down: "How dare the subject do such things? Just outside Your Majesty's hall, every inch of the subject's body was searched, and there were no weapons found at all!"
Cao Rui looked at Huan Fan, who nodded slightly to indicate that there was no problem.
"Very well," Cao Rui said. "Minister of Works, give him a blank left-back paper and let him draw here!"
"Following the imperial order." Sima Yi replied. (End of this chapter)
