Unexpectedly, only a few court officials joined in agreement with this statement made by Cao Rui.
Taking a side glance, Cao Zhen, Zhang Geng, Qian Zhao, and other commanding officers of troops were mostly silent.
After just a moment's thought, Cao Rui smiled and said, "Could it be that what I said was not appropriate? Is it that this place cannot be built into a city as I described?"
Since the emperor has asked, naturally there must be someone to answer. Cao Zhen, as the Grand General and the highest-ranking officer among the commanders, could not avoid answering. He bowed his hands and said:
"My report to the emperor, although Qiushan Fort is a dangerous place, the mountains on both sides of Xihexi River are not steep. It is impossible to build a fortress like San Guan or Tangguan with two mountains squeezing in between."
Yang Fu interjected, "Your Majesty, in addition, the mountains between the north and south are separated by the Xihexi River. This river has greatly varying water flow between summer and winter, and it is also impossible to build a city with a water gate passing through it like those in the Central Plains."
Cao Rui paid no attention to this and even treated it as a teaching opportunity for himself, pointing directly to the matter:
"Since it cannot be enclosed by a city, can it only be built into a large fortress like Wuguan? Using the terrain for defense and controlling a region with one city?"
"I observe that in this river valley, the Xihexi River has steep mountains to the south and more gentle ones to the north, and Qishan Fort is located on the north bank of the river."
As he spoke, Cao Rui pointed to a slightly higher mountain to the north, not far away, "There, the terrain is somewhat higher. Perhaps we can extend the walls of Qishan Fort northward to there?"
"Yang scholar, how far is it from Qishan Fort to the foot of the mountain?"
Yang Fu gazed for a moment, "It's about less than two li."
"That's all right." Cao Rui smiled: "With a distance of less than two li, it should be no difficulty. I remember that Yecheng is seven li long and five li wide, so building a city of less than two square li is sufficient."
"Another fort should be built on the north mountain, which would correspond with Qishan Fort and cover the entire area north of the Xihexi River."
"As for the south... should we build a small camp, or should we just leave it empty?"
Listening to the emperor's rough plan, Zhang He and Guo Huai, who were not very familiar with it, looked a bit stunned.
How can an emperor be so good-tempered? When a subject points out his mistake, there is no answer to counter back?
Moreover, after being corrected by Cao Zhen, the emperor immediately determined a new strategy based on his existing knowledge. From the perspective of an old general like Zhang He, what the emperor said about the city layout is almost an optimal use of the terrain!
"It is definitely enough." Cao Zhen bowed his hands and answered: "Since Your Majesty is here today and has determined the plan for this city in Qinzhou, might I suggest that Your Majesty give it a name?"
Giving a name?
The other officials around him all agreed, including Chen Jiao, the ruler of Qinzhou. He crowded forward and said, "This city was founded by Your Majesty. If we could also obtain Your Majesty's name for it, it would be a great fortune for the entire region of Qinzhou!"
Cao Rui smiled lightly and waved his hand: "I never like to do these formalities. Qishan Fort is here, so let's call it Qishan City."
"By placing Qishan City to guard the western frontier, let's see if Zhuge Liang can pass through this place again."
Upon hearing the emperor's words, Sima Yi seemed to suddenly ponder something.
Building Qishan City is just a way to make full use of this valley, stretching for over a hundred li along the Xihexi River.
If Prime Minister Zhuge Liang of Shu is merely surrounding Qishan Fort without attacking it, why does the emperor mention Zhuge Liang again when discussing the construction of Qishan City?
What about the ancient qin that was displayed on the city head a few days ago? What does that have to do with it?
Before the emperor heard that Zhuge Liang had come to the western frontier, he had rushed here in person with his middle army without hesitation.
Why is the emperor so concerned about Zhuge Liang? Even though he is a general of the enemy, it doesn't seem to warrant such intense attention.
Cao Rui did not pay attention to the various thoughts of the people, but instead, he climbed up to the Qishan Fort with his officials, which was 15 zhang (approximately 15 meters) high and connected to a flat area only by a winding mountain path.
The tiger guards had already taken control of all the key points of Qishan Fort. The group walked up slowly until they reached the top of the city wall at the southern end of the fort, where they stopped.
After all, it was February, and the weather had warmed up a lot since they first arrived in the western frontier.
Looking far into the distance from Qishan Fort, the valley stretched all the way to the horizon. The azure sky without a cloud in sight seemed endless. A large army that stretched as far as the eye could see was marching southwards.
The sound of the flags flapping in the wind reached the ears, adding a sense of heroic magnificence to the view from atop the high ground.
The magnificent scenery of the mountains and rivers had Cao Rui completely entranced, and he couldn't help but recite a verse from it.
"Tune with the dimensions of heaven and earth, shine like the luster of the moon and sun. Enjoy eternal honor without limit, equate your years to that of Dong Wang."
The scholars and military officers present were all puzzled, but only Sima Yi seemed to recall something from his memory, furrowing his brow as he pondered.
Cao Shu stepped forward, bowing his hands respectfully: "In such magnificent scenery, this verse is most suitable to be presented to Your Majesty. Just as I presented it to Emperor Wu in the past, I am unable to create a better one at this moment."
It was only then that Sima Yi realized that this verse was from a "Tower Building Poem" written by Cao Zhi when the bronze bird tower was completed!
At that time, after the completion of the Bronze Bird Tower, Emperor Wu had held a literary gathering on the tower and had ordered your late father and the Marquis of Yongqiu to write articles with other scholars in celebration.
It was almost during that occasion when Emperor Wu compared the literary abilities of his two sons, which triggered a competition between them for more than ten years!
When the "Tower Building Poem" was written, Sima Yi was still cultivating and studying in his hometown of Henan. If Cao Pi had not told Sima Yi about this incident later, he would have remained unaware of it.
Even Sima Yi, who had the closest relationship with Cao Pi, could only remember it faintly. The other officials were even less aware of it.
As the emperor of the great Wei, Cao Rui was naturally straightforward and had no concerns. When he mentioned Cao Zhi's past works, it was just a spur-of-the-moment reaction to the scenery.
After hearing Cao Zhi's words, Cao Rui laughed and said, "If others say they are running out of literary inspiration, I might believe it. But when my uncle says this, I can only take it to mean that he does not want to write poetry."
Cao Zhi awkwardly smiled and said, "If Your Majesty commands me to compose a poem, of course I can do so."
Cao Rui laughed and waved his hand, saying, "Alright then. The scenery here today is quite beautiful. In my opinion, the officials of Wei should not only devote themselves to national affairs but also be knowledgeable in literary elegance! If those present cannot compose a poem, each of them will have to drink ten bottles of wine at tonight's banquet!"
"How is it, officials?"
Among those who had ascended to Qishan Fort with the emperor were scholars such as Sima Yi, Chen Jiao, Yang Fu, Wang Su, and Cao Zhi, and military officers such as Cao Zhen, Zhang He, Qian Zhao, Guo Huai, and Cao Hong.
Exactly five each for the scholars and military officers.
Among the five scholars, Cao Zhi was undoubtedly an unrivaled poet, and Wang Su was also a man of great learning. The remaining three - Sima Yi, Chen Jiao, and Yang Fu - although long experienced in official matters, could also squeeze out a poem if they tried.
But on the side of the military officers...
Zhang He is literary-minded but only of mediocre talent.
Qian Zhao is a scholar and warrior, and Guo Huai is also of literary background, but they are not as capable as Cao Zhen and Cao Hong, who are brash warriors.
Sure enough, Cao Zhen was the first to complain, pointing to the scholars across from him, "Your Majesty, I could drink ten bottles of wine without any problem, but it's really not fair that I have to compose a poem. After all, I am not skilled in poetry!"
Sima Yi and Chen Jiao, the other scholars, were indeed unfamiliar with the emperor's intention and looked on, watching the emperor and Cao Zhen.
Cao Rui laughed and said, "I have said that if one cannot compose a poem, then they may drink instead. Can General Cao not drink?"
"If you are willing to compose a poem but do not know how, Your Majesty and Marquis of Yongqiu can teach you today." Cao Rui smiled and looked around at his ministers, "What say you?"
Cao Zhen spread out his hands: "I will drink alcohol instead!"
With Cao Zhen leading the way, Cao Hong also copied his actions, smiling and patting his belly, saying, "I can also drink alcohol!"
With the Marshal and the Commander-in-Chief showing off their incompetence, Cao Zhi did not wish to compete with the rest and also took into consideration Cao Zhen's dignity, so he bowed his hands and said, "It is fine for me to drink with the two generals."
Wang Su nodded in agreement.
"That will be acceptable, now there are three scholars and three military officers left." Cao Rui lifted his eyebrows and pretended to be angry: "There shall not be any fewer. Otherwise, today's enjoyment will be spoiled."
Zhang He, however, remembered the emperor's words and said, "I wish to compose a poem but do not know how. May I trouble Your Majesty to teach me a few things?"
Qian Zhao and Guo Huai also turned their gaze towards the emperor, and several other scholars wanted to know how the emperor would explain it.
Cao Rui smiled and said, "Then I will first explain to General Zhang. You can listen as well."
The crowd nodded in agreement, but Zhang He, who had just asked the question, felt at a loss. For a general who has dominated the battlefield with ease, such a literary endeavor seemed harder than having to chop off ten heads.
Cao Rui looked at Zhang He and said, "The essence of composing a poem is just four words: inspired by emotion! As for the length and formality, they are all secondary to the emotions expressed."
Poetry at this time was not as refined as in the original historical records or during the Tang and Song dynasties, still in its early stages of development. The world's first seven-character poem was written by the late Emperor Cao Pi twenty years ago.
"If you are to write poetry, you cannot avoid describing scenery. I will ask you, what can you see when you look out from Qishan Fort?"
Although Zhang He was not particularly good at writing, as a commander, his bravery as a military officer compelled him not to show timidity in front of the emperor. After hesitating for a moment, he said, "I see the Xihexi River flowing southwest, I see the army advancing, and I see mountains and vast plains."
Cao Zhen and Cao Hong looked at Zhang He's back with suspicious expressions, but Guo Huai, who had a better private relationship with Zhang He, was not surprised.
Cao Rui nodded: "Although the formality is not important, five-character poems are simpler than seven-character ones. I will teach you to write a five-character poem!"
"General Zhang just mentioned three things, adding one more will be fine."
Zhang He crossed his hands and thought for a moment, pointing to the flags fluttering on the city wall: "I also saw the flags!"
"Good! The Xihexi River, the advancing army, the mountains and vast plains, and the flags. These four items are enough for the scenery."
Cao Rui smiled and said, "I will ask you again. As a heavy general of Wei who guards the Qin and Yong provinces, what thoughts and feelings do you have as you march south to Wu Du?"
Zhang He almost instinctively blurted out: "Naturally, I will drive ahead for Your Majesty, defeat the Shu rebels, and die for Wei!"
"Very good!" Cao Rui nodded, "With scenery and emotion in place, the next part will be easy." (Chapter ends)
