The document that was thrown on the ground by Cao Rui had long since been picked up by others and placed on the desk.
Along with the documents submitted by Liu Ye and Xiahou Xian, there were also the tribute from Gongsun Yuan, as well as the joint statement from Gongsun Yuan's supporters.
Three documents were thus prominently placed before everyone.
Cao Rui raised his right index finger and pointed at Sima Qian: "As for you, Sima Qian, take a look. I had previously said that Gongsun Yuan had to die in front of you, but now he is the same before me."
Just as they entered the door, they heard the emperor say so much. They were still somewhat confused.
Simya Ji took the documents from Liu Ye and Xiahou Xian, and then handed the two documents from Gongsun Yuan and his followers to Man Chong.
Man Chong only quickly scanned the opening of the two documents and handed them to Pei Chen. He then leaned forward, bringing his head close to Sima Yi's. These two documents had excellent parallelism, but the content of the document spoke of treasonous words that were unfortunately disobedient.
Cao Rui quietly watched the expressions of the several people. As expected, the strongest reaction was from Pei Chen, whose eyebrows were tightly furrowed, while the others were quite calm.
This was within Cao Rui's expectations.
Gongsun Yuan's defense of Liaodong was just a half-province arid and desolate land. After facing such fierce competitors as Sun Quan and Zhuge Liang, a mere Gongsun Yuan was not worth these high-ranking officials in the great Wei power to worry about.
There is no doubt that we will fight. It's just a matter of when to fight, who will fight, and how to fight.
Sima Yi bowed and said, "Your Majesty, Gongsun Yuan does not come to pay homage. Instead, he instructs his subordinates to send letters, wanting the court to confer upon him the title of Marquis of Yan. Such a rebellious person must be subdued to demonstrate the might of the Great Wei."
Cao Rui nodded lightly, "Then send troops to fight. After conquering Liaodong, it will also reduce one fewer foreign enemy for the Great Wei."
"To all you ministers, but the emperor is still confused. Where does Gongsun Yuan's confidence come from, dare to show defiance to the emperor at this time and want to tear up the territory and make a duke?"
"Just because of his half-province territory?"
Man Chong coughed lightly and replied respectfully, "This is a chaotic minister and a bandit, whose ambition arises only to seek self-rule and power. Their words and actions cannot be understood by ordinary people."
"Since the Yellow Turban Rebellion began, are there not many ambitious people in the world?"
Cao Rui sniffed and looked up at the crowd.
Sima Yi stood expressionless, while Man Chong was taller than Sima Yi, with a robust build. Xu, Pei, and Lu remained silent, with their faces showing signs of thoughtfulness.
"General Man is right!" Cao Rui sighed, "If everyone in the world understands the situation, there will be no such people as Dong Zhong, Yuan Shu, who stirred up trouble against the tide of history."
"I now have a question for you all."
"Your Majesty, please say so." Sima Yi and Man Chong answered in unison.
Cao Rui pointed to the chairs on either side of the study: "The form of this study is the same as that in the palace in Luoyang, please sit down, then we will talk."
After the five people took their seats in order, Cao Rui asked, "What should we do about affairs in Huainan if we fight against Gongsun Yuan? I have talked with you all so many times before in Luoyang. It is now the time to make a decision."
Sima Yi answered first: "Your Majesty, my views are still the same as before. If the southeast is only defended and not attacked, there will definitely be no trouble."
"The court can rest assured that we can move north."
Cao Rui did not give an answer and turned his gaze to Man Chong.
Man Chong replied, "I previously discussed this matter with Duke Dong in Luoyang, and have already developed some ideas. Today is the perfect opportunity to report this to Your Majesty."
Cao Rui asked, "What are your thoughts, the two of you?"
Man Chong said, "We believe that the main threats to the Great Wei's borders are three: the state of Shu in Yizhou, the state of Wu in the southeast, and the Gongsun family's rule in Liaodong."
"For the Great Wei, there are only two difficulties when facing three enemies: one is troop deployment and the other is logistics."
"The Great Wei's various states, Hei State is the most prosperous and stable state that can be placed on top. With the vast land and abundant manpower and livelihood in Hebei, if an army is sent to Liaodong, there is no need to call for grain from the Henan State. It is sufficient to provide troops with supplies from the Hei State alone."
Cao Rui thoughtfully asked, "Up to now, hasn't the Great Wei always been transporting grain from Hebei to the south when using troops in the west and southeast?"
Man Chong nodded in agreement.
"During the second year of Taishou when we went to conquer Shu, the grain in Guanzhong and Siraffe was not enough to feed the whole army. The court also took grain reserves from the Weiyang and Dongcheng districts of Hebei, as well as the East District of Jutian and Chenliu. Although mostly transported by water, the loss along the way was still beyond calculation."
"However, if we are to invade Liaodong, transporting grain from Hebei to the north would be sufficient with the resources of Hebei alone."
"The logistics for attacking Liaodong will not affect the grain and supplies in the west and the south-east."
Cao Rui nodded: "Have the censors calculated this?"
Sima Yi responded, "Your Majesty, the Censorate has calculated together with the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Grand Minister of Agriculture. The grain and fodder produced in Hebei are sufficient. They can support a force of 50,000 soldiers for a year."
Cao Rui said, "Emperor Wu established the Wei Dynasty in Yecheng, and it is reasonable to feel the richness of Hebei."
"With no worries about grain and fodder, what about the troops? What have you discussed?"
Man Chong slightly bowed and said, "Your Majesty, at present, the Great Wei's recruitment is the least in Hebei and also the least in terms of expenses."
"The vast Hebei Province, which has only 20,000 troops in the Great Wei. This surplus of manpower should be able to recruit more troops."
"Campaigns?" Cao Rui frowned: "How should we recruit?"
Man Chong respectfully said, "The central army will send cavalry, while Hebei will send foot soldiers! The Hebei Province has the most households, at the very least we can recruit a foot soldier army of 100,000!"
Cao Rui thought for a few moments and immediately smiled, "You have really come up with a good idea! However, troops hastily assembled will be able to conquer Liaodong?"
Man Chong replied, "If we were to recruit foot soldiers from other places, it would not be appropriate. But Hebei is still a viable option."
Cao Rui raised his eyes to Man Chong and asked, "What do you mean by that?"
Man Chong's lips curved into a slight smile: "The number of households in Hebei is the most in the world. The various districts of Hebei hold annual military exercises during the winter season. It would be easy to recruit 10,000 healthy and strong soldiers."
Cao Rui nodded slightly: "Since the Secretariat has such an opinion, how should the Central Army arrange the deployment?"
Man Chong said, "Your Majesty, in Hebei alone, there are a total of 20,000 external troops and state troops. Apart from the necessary troops for defense at the borders of Yin and Bing, at least 5,000 troops can be diverted."
"Adding the 5,000 existing troops in Hebei to the newly recruited 10,000 foot soldiers," Man Chong straightened his chest slightly, "along with the 30,000 elite cavalry of the Great Wei Central Army, the total will be 45,000 troops of both foot and cavalry. This is enough to deal with Gongsun Yuan."
"Ha ha ha," Cao Rui laughed a few times and stood up from his reclining chair, walking to the desk behind the table. "Although the General Office has been training cavalry for Your Majesty, it has always been with the intention of using cavalry."
Man Chong smiled slightly, bowed and offered a respect, without speaking.
Cao Rui looked at the group, "Have all of you heard what General Man has said? At first hearing, this arrangement does not seem to be wrong."
"Do you all have anything to add?"
"Your Majesty, I have something to add," Sima Yi stood up and bowed respectfully. "The Central Army of the Great Wei has 50,000 troops. If we send 30,000 cavalry northward, how should the remaining 20,000 infantry be arranged?"
Cao Rui looked at Man Chong, who remained silent, and then cleared his throat before answering, "Why not station them in Luoyang and Xuanchang? In case of emergencies, it will not lose the backup for responding."
Sima Yi slightly shook his head, "It would be better to stockpile them in Xuchang and Yecheng."
Cao Rui was somewhat surprised: "How does the Grand Master consider this?"
Sima Yi said, "I think there is still a bit of an oversight in what General Man said just now."
Man Chong glanced sideways and remained silent.
Sima Yi said, "Why only take out 5,000 troops from Hebei's 20,000? Isn't it better to take out 10,000, or even 15,000?"
Man Chong opened his mouth to argue, but was stopped by Cao Rui: "General Man, please wait for the Grand Master to finish speaking."
Sima Yi slightly bowed to Man Chong and then continued, "In my opinion, the 50,000 troops of the Great Wei Central Army should be allocated in such a way."
"10,000 infantry should be stationed in Xuchang to deal with affairs in the southeast and Jingzhou."
"10,000 cavalry should be stationed in Luoyang, which can serve as emergency assistance for both the Wu and Shu directions."
"10,000 infantry should be stationed in Yecheng to stabilize the central part of Hebei."
Cao Rui frowned without waiting for Man Chong to object, "With a total of 50,000 central troops, we are only taking 20,000 cavalry for the campaign?"
Sima Yi faced him in a serious manner: "Although Liaodong is a narrow land, with the advantage of the Great Wei's cavalry, could two thousand troops not achieve victory? Could three thousand troops achieve victory?"
"Liaodong is nearly four thousand kilometers away from Luoyang. It would take at least a year for a round trip to fight there. At this time, we should consider more of the overall situation of the world rather than just one place!"
Cao Rui rubbed the cover of the document in his hand, thinking as he softly asked, "So, 20,000 central cavalry troops, 10,000 newly recruited infantry soldiers, plus 10,000 or 15,000 Hebei troops."
"Is it still four or four and a half million?"
Sima Yi said, "Your Majesty, there can be more troops."
"Since we are deploying Hebei troops for the distant campaign to Liaodong, we will also need to mobilize the Xianbei, Wuhuan, and Hun tribes along the border to accompany us."
Cao Rui and Sima Yi locked eyes for a few moments before Cao Rui said, "If those barbarian tribes do not come, the Great Wei's 20,000 elite cavalry can deal with them first. We will then deal with Gongsun Yuan in due time."
"Is it or is it not?"
Sima Yi nodded, "Whether the Great Wei wages war or not, Liaodong is still there; it cannot be moved or removed. It is only a matter of when the Great Wei decides to attack Liaodong, and Liaodong has no power to compete with the Great Wei."
"I think that if we are to wage war on Liaodong, the strategy should be set at a larger scale."
Cao Rui raised an eyebrow: "How large?"
Sima Yi laughed and said, "In matters of military and state, Your Majesty has always been willing to endure hardship. I assume that Your Majesty will lead the campaign personally."
Cao Rui also smiled and said, "Okay, since the Grand Master says so, I will follow this time and lead the campaign. Continue!"
Sima Yi said, "Firstly, by using the prestige of the heavenly son to meet and confer on the various tribes of the grasslands and make them vassals of the Great Wei, they cannot dare to rebel against us, and they will be too exhausted to do so. In this way, we can consume their strength while attacking Liaodong."
"Secondly, we should quell the rebellion of the Gongsun party in Liaodong and end the decades-long status of separatism by the Gongsun family."
Cao Rui squinted and thought for a few moments before whispering, "In my opinion, there can be another addition to what the Grand Master has just said."
This time, it was Sima Yi's turn to be surprised: "Please show me."
Cao Rui said, "Beforehand, I sent Liu Ye and Guo Qianqian to Liaodong. They were not only tasked with dealing with the Gongsun family in Liaodong but also with planning for the establishment of vassal states in Fuhun, Baekje, Goryeo, and the Three Kingdoms. Both of them were almost at the capital of Goryeo when they were brought back to Xianping by messengers from Gongsun Yuan."
"I have some trouble settling my mind."
"Not to mention the distant country of Wa, but could we not also take Goryeo, Baekje, and the Three Kingdoms at the same time?"
The emperor's words truly surprised everyone in the study.
How can we just fight for Liaodong and then destroy a country?
To be fair, the Grand Wei officials have little knowledge of these small states like Goryeo and Baekje.
Man Chong hesitated and asked, "Your Majesty, these small states have long-standing traditions and are located in remote areas that are difficult to govern. Why do we need to attack them?"
Cao Rui waved his hand: "We've said it's a strategy. Let's think bigger." (This chapter ends.)
