Cao Rui just finished speaking, and Man Chong immediately bowed and said, "Sun Quan is a petty person, and his crime deserves to be punished!"
"I beg for permission to attack Wu!"
Cut, cut, cut! Are you going to pay for the money and grain?
Sima Yi couldn't bear it any longer and directly refuted, "Your words are mistaken, former general!"
"Last time we attacked Wu in Huainan, and we were able to succeed. Now Sun Quan is carefully guarding the Yangtze River, and our water army in Wu just established a short time ago in Wankou. How can we have the strength to cross the river again?"
"Moreover, the 10,000 vacant positions in the central army that were filled last year have only just been replenished this year. Can't we take a rest and recover for another two years?"
Man Chong acts as a self-proclaimed military commander who always speaks aggressively whenever there are enemy countries' military affairs, but he is very wise in his heart.
The Emperor's policy of nurturing the people and allowing the country to recover, Man Chong is well aware of it, just a gesture. After being rebutted by Sima Yi, he also didn't speak right away.
Man Chong took it lightly.
According to Man Chong's logic, if even the military commander only speaks of defense before the Emperor, how can the Emperor believe that the soldiers will fight with their lives?
Cao Rui spoke softly, "I think Man's proposal is not impossible."
The people in the study were all surprised, did the emperor suddenly change his character and turn a new leaf, intending to attack Wu?
Cao Rui looked at everyone and said, "What Liu Ziyang wrote to me earlier says that the two armies of Da Wei in Jiangzhou and Yangzhou have not been moved for more than two years, which is not good."
"Restoration and regeneration can accumulate strength, but small battles and not large-scale engagements, low-intensity confrontation and combat with enemy troops, can also play a role in honing the army."
"Jiangzhou and Yangzhou haven't been engaged in battle for two years, it's time to stir things up, to flex the muscles."
After saying that, Cao Rui stood up from his lying chair and looked at everyone seriously, "I want to punish Sun Quan a bit."
"Do any of you have good strategies?"
Seeing the emperor rise and his expression so serious, the ministers dared not be lazy and stood up one after another.
At this moment, in the study, every one of them is afraid to engage in battle with Wu.
Fighting with Sun Quan for more than twenty years, it's almost impossible not to know each other very well!
Now that the emperor wants to punish Sun Quan, using the word "punish" means it won't escalate to the level of a national war. As long as it doesn't harm the foundation of the state, then if they want to fight, let them fight!
Dong Zhao said, "Your Majesty, the only two provinces that face off against Sun Quan are Jiangsu and Hubei."
"The Grand Marshal of the Provincial Military Command in Yangzhou can only act in Hefei and Wankou."
"If we attack from Hefei, we would have to take Ruyu. The area of Ruyu is easy to defend and hard to attack, not a place that can be taken by light troops."
"If we attack from Wankou, we would have to compete with Sun Quan on the Yangtze River. However, I fear that Jia Qiao's navy may not be strong enough."
"General Zhao Yan, the prefect of Luoyang's military, is also available for deployment."
"Either launch an attack from Jiangxia to attack Wusong, or from Xiangyang to attack Nancheng."
Dong Zhao raised his fingers and counted, "Your Majesty, the only options are Ruyu, the Great River, Wuyang, and Jingling."
"And the Eastern Wu is along the Yangtze River for defense, with their troops and logistics also benefiting from the convenience of the river. If we want to attack one place, we must make preparations for enemy resistance in all four places."
"Otherwise, Sun Quan can calmly gather his troops to resist."
Cao Rui opened his mouth and asked, "Are we talking about Ruyu, the Great River, Wuyang, and Jingling?"
"The West Hall and the East Hall, you are to send a command to the Prime Minister's Office and the Secretarial Office for a military campaign to these four places. Show it to Your Majesty after you have finished, then His Majesty will select one."
"All aspects of troop deployment and logistical support must be thoroughly considered."
"I may not necessarily attack, but you must plan as if we are going to fight. Do you understand?"
Dong Zhao, Man Chong, Sima Yi, and Wei Zhen all took their leave at the same time.
"All right," said Cao Rui, waving his hand. "Go to the West Hall and discuss it. I'm going to practice swordsmanship."
"Give me a reply within fifteen days."
After saying this, Cao Rui flicked his sleeve and walked out.
As he was about to walk towards the Martial Arts Field, Cao Rui thought of Sun Quan and changed his direction to head towards the Imperial Palace.
Of course, he went to seek Sun Zhaoyi.
Two years ago, during the Taihe Year, Emperor Cao Rui simplified the ranks of the Imperial Harem, reducing the complex hierarchy of concubines to five levels: Empress, Consort, Favorite Consort, Consort-in-Waiting, and Beauty.
Cao Rui did not want to establish a queen, and Mao Pinyin, as the second-level Consort, had no room to ascend and was essentially the supreme figure in the harem.
While Sun Lüban, as a fourth-level Consort-in-Waiting, could not be ignored after giving birth to a son and was promoted to the third-level Favorite Consort.
Mao Gui Pinyin and Sun Zhaoyi are the only two concubines in the harem who have given birth to sons.
Beneath Mao and Sun, only Guo Yao is a Consort-in-Waiting, with the rest of the women being the fifth and final rank, Beauty.
Cao Rui has always been generous in the court. For anyone who is useful or has contributed to the Great Wei, appointing official positions and granting titles of nobility is not an issue.
However, Cao Rui is not as generous with the harem as he is in the court.
The reason is simple.
The officials in the court can be removed from their posts and transferred to other positions. There are at least hundreds of different posts available in the court, the military, the provinces, and non-active roles.
Then the ranks in the Imperial Harem only have five levels. If they are not demoted, it would be too cold-hearted.
So in the harem, he is ' stingy' much more.
Upon arriving at Sun Lüban's place, Cao Rui amused himself with Cao Yan for a while before Sun Lüban took the initiative to hand her son over to the nursemaid, allowing for a private conversation between her and Cao Rui.
Sun Lüban leaned in and cooed, "Since Yaner's first birthday, Your Majesty hasn't come to see me. It's been over two weeks now."
"Why are you free in the afternoon today?"
Cao Rui smiled, "I have some news about your father. Would you like to hear it?"
Sun Lüban's eyes brightened, but she immediately sneered, "I would love to hear it. But every time I hear news about my father from Your Majesty, it is all about state affairs. There is no mention of family matters."
Cao Rui smiled, "Family matters are to be handled through letters. I do not forbid you from communicating with your parents. Why would I need to personally tell you anything?"
"Today, it is also about state affairs."
Sun Lüban stood up and walked behind Cao Rui's chair, placing her delicate hand on his shoulder and gently patting it behind him.
Cao Rui understood, leaning even more deeply against the back of the chair, with his head resting on the softness of Sun Lüban's chest and his eyes gently closed.
Two delicate hands rested on Cao Rui's forehead, the pads of the fingers gently massaging the acupoints on either side of his forehead.
After breathing out a mouthful of impurities, Cao Rui nodded in satisfaction.
Sun Lüban giggled, "If the emperor has something to say, he can tell me now."
During times of national affairs that are vexing, being massaged by Sun Lüban in such a way would greatly improve one's spirits.
Among the many concubines in the harem, most would invite favor and act coquettish upon seeing each other. Only Sun Lüban was as considerate and understanding as this.
Perhaps this also has something to do with her upbringing.
Apart from Sun Lüban, there is no one else who can learn in the home how to comfort a king.
Cao Rui rested for a moment before slowly recounting the events he had heard in the study.
Sun Lüban sighed lightly, but her actions did not stop for a moment: "My father always acts this way, believing that if he puts his heart into it, others will also do so. He is too gullible because of his great ambitions."
"Now that he has been deceived by this man from Liaodong, it was bound to happen."
Cao Rui slightly opened his eyes, turning his head to look at Sun Lüban. However, because his brain moved a few times, Sun Lüban misunderstood and thought he was trying to be mischievous.
"Your Majesty, please don't move. If you do, I won't continue massaging you." Sun Lüban teased.
"All right, I won't move," said Cao Rui with a smile, continuing to close his eyes and asking, "Did you just say that with an example?"
Sun Lüban replied, "How could there not be an example?"
"Lu Zhi, Lü Meng, Lu Su... These people were trusted and heavily relied upon by my father, but they often failed to meet his expectations."
"Your Majesty doesn't know Lu Sun? It was because of his failed strategies that I ended up here with Your Majesty."
Cao Rui responded, "Then I must thank my brother-in-law for making me sit so comfortably now?"
"Do you blame him?"
Sun Lüban gave a dismissive glance. "What's there to blame? After all, he was the matchmaker for me and my husband."
After a few laughs, Cao Rui whispered, "I must tell you, I plan to go to war in the south."
"Sun Quan has been hesitant and duplicious, flattering me on one hand while plotting against me on the other. If I do not demonstrate punishment, it will not be enough to show the might of the Emperor and Great Wei."
Sun Lüban softly sighed and spoke in a hushed tone, "My husband wants to fight my father. What can I do?"
"Once married, one must follow the husband. If Your Majesty leads the army into battle, I will carry the quiver for you."
Cao Rui smiled, "Are you not blaming me?"
Sun Lüban smiled and spoke in a normal tone, "What to blame you for? The Great Wei and the Wu have been at war for twenty years now. If they want to fight, let them fight!"
"I have already told Your Majesty, if my husband wins and I am in Luoyang, it would not be the case that the Sun family would all lose their lives."
"If he loses, it still doesn't mean the end for a royal relative. In the world, there isn't such a good thing, is there?"
Cao Rui asked, "Do you really think so?"
Sun Lüban nodded: "I truly believe this! I think that my father has been responding in a humble manner with each letter and sending such generous gifts every time, which is also to deal with these matters."
Cao Rui reached out and took Sun Lüban's right hand, speaking softly, "Since you are so open-minded, I will make you a promise."
"If it really comes to that, if there is a reason to spare his life, even if it's just one, I will keep Sun Quan alive on your behalf."
Sun Lüban lowered her head and lightly kissed Cao Rui's forehead. "All right, I understand my husband's intentions. There's no need to say any more."
"What kind of food would you like for dinner? Stay in my palace tonight, and I will send someone to prepare it."
Cao Rui said, "As always, the eight courses. Don't change anything."
Sun Lüban replied, "I know. I will send someone to prepare it later."
At this moment, the sound of conversation came from outside the room where they were.
Sun Lüban heard her maid, Bi Jin, trying to stop him. However, Bi Jin spoke very urgently, claiming there was a matter of great urgency and kept trying to rush in.
Bi Jin walked to the door and loudly called out, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty! The old servant has an urgent matter to report!"
Sun Lüban took a few steps forward, opened the door, and glared at Bi Jin's ugly face with an unkind expression: "What do you have to say? Do you not know that His Majesty and I are inside? How can you disturb us?"
Bi Jin, however, paid no heed to Sun Lüban and directly looked at Cao Rui: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty! Urgent news from Shouchun: The Great Marshal is seriously ill!"
Cao Rui stood up abruptly, taking two steps for every one of Bi Jin's and grabbed the latter's clothing: "What happened? How serious is the Great Marshal's illness?"
Bi Jin hurriedly said, "The Secretariat said that the Great Marshal fell off his horse and was injured in the back of his head. He is still unconscious!" (The end of this chapter)
