It was heard that Xinbi was in Quanzhou dispatching canal transportation and there were no abnormalities. While Cao Rui relieved himself, he also asked an unexpected topic to Pei Hui.
"Pei Yin, according to the arrangements of Xin Zhongshu, how many days can you stay here?"
Pei Hui was scrutinized by the eyes of several senior ministers, pondered for a moment, then calmly replied, "Your Majesty, I can roughly stay at Liaokou for another five days."
"Is there still an extra ship at Xin Zhongshu's place?"
Pei Hui temporarily did not know what the emperor wanted to do, seriously calculated a few times, and replied, "Your Majesty, the 20 ships under my command are also gathered from various counties in Hebei Province and Qing State."
"The fleet with the same capacity as mine, at the residence of Minister Xin, only consists of seven divisions. The two additional divisions are for emergency needs."
Cao Rui smiled and said, "Do not leave any redundancy, Pei Yin. I have already requisitioned your ships."
"The wide and difficult-to-cross Liaokou area, as well as the numerous rivers and marshes, are not suitable for large armies to cross the river." Cao Rui reached out and patted Pei Hui's shoulder: "I have a task for you!"
Pei Hui bowed respectfully and said, "I am ready to listen to Your Majesty's instructions."
Cao Rui said, "Pei Yin, at dawn tomorrow, lead two thousand troops from your ship along the coastline eastward. If you find a suitable landing place, immediately order the soldiers to disembark and explore the path."
"I intend to bypass the mudflats and swamps near Liaokou and land further east, then head north. Can you handle this for me?"
Pei Hui had served as an official in the Yizhi Bureau in Luo, and now that he also led the task of supervising grain, more was monitoring grain quantities and encouraging deadlines. Although he had run a fleet down the sea, there was still some hollow feeling inside.
Pei Hui instinctively glanced at his elder brother, Pei Qian, who was not willing to make eye contact in the presence of the emperor. He only gently tapped his right index finger three times inside his sleeve.
That will do!
Pei Hui bowed respectfully: "The country's war is in a critical moment, and the subject is willing to serve the emperor to his death!"
Cao Rui gestured with his hand towards his back: "Zhaobai, come here to me."
Cao Shuang, clad in full armor, strode forward, bowing: "Here I am, Your Majesty."
As early as the first year of Taiping, Cao Shuang was sent to Tian Yu in the state of Tai by a conspiracy between his father Cao Zhen and Cao Rui.
After nearly three years of struggling and fighting, Cao Shuang, who had achieved the rank of a thousand-catties marshal, was appointed as the Commandant of the Archers upon the emperor's arrival in Jixian County. This also meant that he officially entered the ranks of two-thousand-catties officials and returned to command troops in the central army.
Compared to three years ago, Cao Shuang's body fat was almost nonexistent, his figure was slightly sturdy, and his face had become darker and coarser.
It was not until now that Cao Shuang, the eldest son of General Cao Zhen, looked like a true general rather than the second-generation scion of a wealthy household in Luoyang who had grown up on the merits of his father's patronage.
"Zhaobai, go back and make preparations. Tomorrow morning, lead your own one thousand light cavalry out. I will also give you an additional one thousand soldiers from the states and prefectures."
"When you find a place to land, head straight north and explore until you find a way to proceed. Do you understand?"
"I will obey the emperor's orders!"
Cao Shuang bowed and saluted, then stepped back two steps to stand behind the ranks of ministers according to their official ranks, saying not a word more. The frost and snow of the northern lands not only sculpted angles on his face but also made him even more silent and reserved.
Three years ago, Cao Shuang was different from three years later. Many of his traits had become completely opposite. However, the more silent and reserved he became, the more trustworthy he became to people.
...
Since May 25th, when the main army arrived west of the Liao River, the central army camp has been engaged in a stand-off with the Gongsun army on the east bank.
So far, it has been ten days.
This morning, during the third river crossing attack led by Tian Yu and Xian Yu Jing, Gong Sun Yan ignored Tian Yu's position downstream and quickly dispatched 3,000 cavalry out of the camp to attack, driving Xian Yu Jing who had just landed on the east bank of the river upstream.
In the haste, Xian Yu Jing had no choice but to form a formation backed by the Liao River to counter the sudden assault by the Liaodong cavalry. Despite Xian Yu Jing having done everything a general could do, his men still suffered a loss of over five hundred.
The Liao River was vast, and the main army of Wei on the west bank could not provide archery support. They could only dispatch troops to intercept at the west side of the floating bridge, waiting for Xian Yu Jing's men to gradually retreat.
Without a major battle, Xian Yu Jing's 3,000 infantrymen were reduced to only 2,000.
After Xian Yu Jing and Tian Yu arrived at the main camp, he thought that Man Chong would seize the opportunity to criticize his depleted forces and even demote him.
To his surprise, Man Chong did not say anything superfluous. He only carefully asked about the timing, strength, and deployment of the forces on the other side, and then said no more. Xian Yu Jing wanted to stay behind and apologize to Man Chong individually, but was waved away by Man Chong.
Sima Yi, who was working in the same headquarters with Man Chong, smiled and said, "General Man was a bit harsh in his reprimands during Wu Lü's training days. I think Xian Yu Jing is quite scared today."
Man Chong sighed lightly and said, "All the armies in the interior and exterior are afraid of me, Man Chong, and compare me to the cruel officials like Zhang Tan and Qizhi Du. However, I am not a person who easily loses his temper. It's all for achieving things. When I scolded Wu Lü, it was to warn the commanders not to be overly indulgent. Today's loss of troops by Xian Yu Jing was not something we predicted."
Sima Yi stroked his beard: "If the bandits launch an attack, either Tian Yu or Xian Yu Jing, or both of them, will be hit. It's a certainty."
"If Tian Yu and Xian Yu Jing do not confront them this time, I would start to doubt the actual situation on the other side."
Man Chong sneered coldly: "If the enemy does not launch another attack, I think we should simply press our forces forward. Why be so cautious?"
At this moment, Emperor Cao Rui happened to walk out from the door of the tent and overheard Man Chong's last words: "Being cautious is always without fault."
"The main army will be here for ten days, which will just cost some additional food and wealth. I'm not unwilling to lose troops, but I don't want to waste them."
"Zhang Jingye fought so fiercely at the previous battle at Chi Ting, and I have never been unwilling to send more troops to him. The only calculation is whether it's worth it or not. It's not an attack on a city or a battlefield engagement. Losing troops in the riverbed outside this enclosure has no meaning at all."
Man Chong rose and slightly bowed: "I have spoken out of turn, Your Majesty. Please punish me."
Cao Rui did not respond to Man Chong's words, but walked directly to his throne and sat down, saying, "Just now, Pei Zhongshu sent a messenger from Liaokou. Pei Wenjie and Cao Zhaobai found a suitable place east of Liaokou at a distance of fifty miles. They have already explored over a hundred miles north without incident, and just now reported back."
"How is Lu Yu's work in the north going?"
Man Chong took over and said, "Your Majesty, Lu Zhongshu left from three miles west of the main camp, and cut a route for thirty miles in the Liao wilderness to the northeast. From there, it would be only another two or three miles east to the bank of the Liao River."
Cao Rui lightly tapped his desk: "For an army to advance and break through obstacles, whether it's mountains or water, is the norm. Considering the preparations for ferry crossings and floating bridges, how many more days will it take for Lu Yu to advance?"
"Four days, the seventh day of the sixth month," Man Chong replied with a very precise answer.
"Okay." Cao Rui nodded towards the two of them and said, "Since a path has been found at Liaokou, it's time to use light cavalry. Which army should we send?"
Sima Yi paused for a moment in silence before bowing and saying, "Your Majesty, there are still eight thousand light cavalry of Xianbei and three thousand of Huns in the main army."
"Since the purpose is only to harass the bandits on the east bank and allow the main army to land with ease, why not send out all the Xianbei and Hun cavalry? We can coordinate a time for them to go!"
Hearing this, Cao Rui raised his eyes to look at Man Chong: "What do you think, General Man?"
Man Chong said, "I agree with that. Marquis Sima's words are very appropriate. The light cavalry of the Hu people are not capable of storming fortresses or engaging in fierce battles, and they are just the right choice for auxiliary tasks like harassment."
"Since Lu Zhongshu's path in the Liao wilderness is mainly heading north, I think it should be assigned to a total of 6,000 light cavalry from the Xianbei and Hun tribes."
"The Liaokou is to the south, and 2,000 infantry and cavalry have already set out. Let Ke Bian's main 5,000 light cavalry go as well."
Cao Rui smiled lightly, "Very well, let's proceed according to this plan. Send someone to summon Ke Bian, Budugen, and Liu Bao!"
Huo Wei was dispatched to carry out the orders.
Man Chong's allocation of resources considered not only military strategy but also other factors outside of military considerations.
The Huns have always been friendly to the Wei, and the Xianbei leaders Budugen, Xi Guni, and Suli have also submitted to the Great Wei. However, Ke Bian's troops have a sense of instability.
If we continue to head north from Liaotun Pass, we will pass through Xuanwu Prefecture and reach the former territory of the Eastern Xianbei. To prevent Ke Bian from escaping, placing him on the south side is a better choice.
The three Hu people, surrounded by several Huo Wei guards, entered the tent and bowed respectfully.
Cao Rui glanced at the three men idly and said, "You three have followed me on a distant campaign to Liaodong. Do you have any thoughts on that?"
The three Hu people looked at each other, and Liu Bao was the first to bow and speak:
"Your Majesty, my family has always been loyal to the Great Wei, and we have been subjects of the emperor for hundreds of years. Poo Chingyuan at Liaodong is nothing but a trivial figure. He dares to challenge your supremacy with just four prefectures? It's like an idle dream!"
What is tolerable, what is not tolerable!
After listening to Liu Bao's elaborate speech, Cao Rui smiled lightly and looked at Ke Bian and Budugen.
Liu Bao's words served as a prelude, and the two Xianbei men were evidently more practical.
Ke Bian bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I have come to this place with the main army. I only want to gain some achievements on the battlefield to repay Your Majesty's great favor in granting me the title of Khan. If Your Majesty needs me to lead an army into battle at any time, I will gather all my forces and go without a second thought!"
Budugen also said in a straightforward manner, "If Your Majesty has a command, I will definitely lead the way and not lag behind!"
Cao Rui smiled and said, "As long as you three have this intention, you can be content with your hearts. The main army has been stationed here for some time, and the bandit Poo Chingyuan shows signs of defeat. It's time for you to fight!" (This chapter ends)
