"Chase at night?" Cao Rui turned and stared at Ji Sima, whose words had just fallen silent.
"Exactly!" Ji Sima said with a bow: "If we can add a thousand riders to Xianping, our chances of winning the battle to capture Xianping and pursueong Yuan will increase by one point. At this critical moment, we should not be stingy with the horsepower of our riders; it is the time to show our might!"
Mao Cheng also spoke up in a low voice: "The enemy's situation is already collapsing. Premier's judgment is feasible, and we hope that the emperor will understand."
Cao Rui tilted his head slightly, pacing slowly around the room. After half a stick of incense had passed, he finally made up his mind and said with confidence, "General Man, you have been hardworking. Please lead the army at night. Let Wen Qin lead the entire Left Guard of the Palace Guards with you, and also bring along the 3,000 light cavalry of the Huns."
This is an opportunity to gain military merits!
And it's double the military merit, how could Man Cheng bear to miss it? It's a good thing he doesn't have to seek it!
Mao Cheng immediately agreed, "I accept the order. Please give me half an hour to prepare, and I will leave shortly after."
"Good!" Cao Rui nodded: "Once Xianping is captured, I will move my residence to Liao Route."
Mao Cheng received the order and left, while Ji Sima and Zhen Xiang did not. Cao Rui sent someone to offer Zhen Xiang wine and food, and also had someone prepare a meal for Zhen Xiang's subordinates.
Ji Sima followed Cao Rui and spoke up, "In today's battle, our army has killed over 3,000 enemy soldiers and captured less than 6,000. All of their weapons have been collected and securely stored in the North City."
"The imperial troops suffered approximately 1,600 casualties."
Cao Rui's brows furrowed slightly: "With such a big victory today, where did over a thousand people fall?"
Ji Sima nodded, quickly scanning through the various military reports he had just heard in his mind:
"In the infantry crossing the river from three routes, about 500 soldiers were lost in the North Route under Xiahou Xian and the Middle Route under Tian Yu. The rest are from the South Route where Xianyu Jing engaged in combat with enemy cavalry. River interval Dukes Zhou Ding also died in battle."
Cao Rui said, "Zhou Ding? He was the first to die in battle during the campaign to conquer Liaodong. The court should send someone to his family to offer proper comfort, and he should be posthumously enfeoffed as a Marquis of the Interior, with benefits for his descendants."
"As for this Xianyu Jing, I remember when we attacked Wu Luocheng. The casualties of his department were also greater than Tian Yu's. It seems that this person is not fortunate."
Ji Sima said, "On the battlefield, military momentum changes like water and cannot be fully measured. Almost all who emerge from ordinary generals to enter the ranks of great generals are extremely fortunate."
Cao Rui nodded: "I wonder if the Premier has noticed a thing? It seems that in recent years, neither the Great Wei nor the Wu and Shu states have seen as many brave generals as during the years of Jian'an."
"For the Great Wei, for example, Zhang Liao and Zhang Yuan, who broke through Sun Quan's army and killed Wu Hun Taotun, Xu Huang and Xu Gongming who charged directly into the enemy line with armor on and weapons in hand, and Le Jin who was the first to scale the walls without a rear guard - such generals are becoming fewer and fewer. The fierce and valiant generals of the Shu Han like Guan Qiong, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Cai, as well as the capable generals of the Eastern Wu like Zhou Yu and Lv Ming, seem to be missing."
Ji Sima thought it over slightly, then bowed and flattered: "The reduction in the number of valiant generals is a blessing for the emperor and Great Wei."
Cao Rui asked, "How do you explain this? I just feel that there aren't as many impressive battles as before."
"Most of the examples that the emperor mentioned just now were achieved under disadvantageous circumstances," Ji Sima said with a smile, "Winning many more soldiers than the enemy will be ordinary, while winning under great disadvantage will be remembered." He continued, "Great Wei has been fighting against Liu Bei and the remnants of Sun Quan for many years. Not only have we become more familiar with battles, but the scale of battles has also increased."
"Since the reign of Taiping, the strength and military power of Great Wei have always been superior to that of our enemies. The number of times we take risks has also gradually decreased. Just consider the area around Mereng and Shuchun today. Tens of thousands of troops are stationed in the southern bank of the Yangtze River, how could Zhang Yuan dare to take a dangerous risk with only eight hundred men?"
Cao Rui sighed, "Even though there are fewer brave generals, it shows the ability of the strategists. However, since I was present for all three campaigns, the presence of these three - General Commander, Grand General, and General Mao - seems to have somewhat diminished their individual contributions."
Ji Sima bowed slightly: "This is a fortune for the country!"
Cao Rui nodded: "Indeed, it's a fortune. Tonight, General Man will make this trip, and Xianping should be within our grasp. As Premier Ming said just now, Liu Ye has already sent someone to secretly notify that skilled officer. Gongsun Yuan has enemies on the front with Gokjue and troops chasing him from the rear."
"This man is incredibly foolish. He is even less wise than the former Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi."
Yuan Xih?
Ji Sima thought of a story he couldn't tell the emperor, and then bowed and said: "Gongsun Yuan committed treason against his uncle; disobeyed the emperor's command; and fled from battle, which shows no virtue. Such an ungrateful and unfaithful person without virtue, why should he not have done these things?"
"This man doesn't have even half the wisdom of Wei Xiao, during the time of Emperor Guangwu."
Cao Rui said, "God gives and takes. If Gongsun Yuan is defeated, the four counties of Liaodong will fall at once. Now it's early June. How long will it take to conquer the four counties if we can attack Gongsun Yuan in mid-month?"
Ji Sima thought for a moment: "Based on the distances to various places, it will definitely take at least one month. Both Liao Route and Xianping are counties of Liaodong, so the northern Xuantu County is closer, while the southern Le Lang and Daofang counties are even farther away."
"Certainly, Liaodong is manageable, but Xuantu County, Le Lang County, and Daofang County are too remote." Cao Rui thoughtfully stroked the sword at his waist: "The redistribution after the war will be quite a trouble."
"Troublesome matters?"
The emperor did not continue, and Ji Sima also knew better than to delve deeper. After all, this topic was still somewhat sensitive.
If Liaodong is pacified, the primary issue would be how to govern it. Given that Liaodong is so remote, Xianping is even further away from Luoyang, over four thousand miles, which is farther than Wuwei County in Gansu, and about the same distance as Dunhuang.
"Wouldn't it be necessary to set up a Grand Commandery like in Shouchun or Chencang, or even restore the system of state-level military regions in Liaodong?"
That depends on the emperor's decision. Currently, it is the fourth year of Taiping, and Ji Sima has also grown accustomed to his work state.
In Luoyang, he was in charge of handling state affairs at the Eastern Pavilion.
While accompanying the army, assisting the emperor in advising on various military matters.
Both within and outside the court, he is a top-tier heavyweight.
Even with such a significant position, without the emperor's prodding, Ji Sima dared not speak too much about the post-war arrangements in Liaodong, as he did not want to offend the emperor's temper. In the past two years, the emperor has still been as open to advice as before, but he has also become more decisive in major matters.
Only after Gongsun Yuan is defeated will we know for sure.
As Cao Rui and Ji Sima were conversing, in the commandery in Xiangyang, Jingzhou, Zhao Yan, known as Zhao Boyan, a Grand Minister and Supervisor of the Military Affairs of Jingzhou, was unexpectedly receiving a visitor.
"You say this person is from Luoyang and is carrying a letter from the Inspector of the Guard?" Zhao Yan looked at the current military counselor Liang Ji, who was on duty that night.
"Yes, indeed." Liang Ji bowed and replied: "The subordinate sees that the age of this person seems not long after the completion of his adult rites, yet he is distinguished in appearance and has an extraordinary demeanor."
Zhao Yan stroked the long white beard under his chin: "Since that's the case, then let this person in."
"Yes."
Soon after, Liang Ji led the young man into the room.
"Student Yin Fan, the younger brother of Yin Shu, humbly pays his respects to Marquis Zhao," the young scholar bowed respectfully.
"When the officials at your home reported it, I was somewhat surprised," Zhao Yan smiled and stood up, without the slightest air of a jurisdiction holder: "Since you've come to my place, you are my guest. Please take a seat."
"Thank you, Marquis Zhao!" Yin Fan slightly bowed, then sat on the chair at the front right of the hall with a composed expression.
Zhao Yan, along with Chen Qun, Xin Bi, Du Xi, and others, was known as one of the four great scholars of Yingchuan. In the presence of this young man who claimed to be a student, he maintained the modest etiquette of a scholar.
Nurturing new talents is one of the ways scholars create a good reputation among their peers, and Zhao Yan handled it with ease, almost as a natural instinct.
"Did Shu come from Luoyang? Your surname is quite uncommon. This is the first time I've heard of it," Zhao Yan inquired with a kind expression.
Yin Fan sat up straight in his chair and replied, "Report to Marquis Zhao, student Ying Fan hails from Beihai County, Qingzhou, and I am 22 years old. The surname 'Yin' is derived from the Ji family, with our ancestor being Marquis Huan of Lu. Our surname is not a common one. I entered the Grand Academy in the second year of Taiping. Today's visit is at the command of Inspector Wei Gong."
Zhao Yan didn't rush to ask what business sent Yin Fan, but instead smiled and stroked his beard, saying, "I have gained some new knowledge today. Shu from Luoyang, how is Wei Gong doing? What new things are there in Luoyang?"
Yin Fan bowed and said: "Before setting out, the student was received by Inspector Wei once. Inspector Wei is in good health with no concerns. As for the affairs in Luoyang, there is indeed one matter that can be mentioned at the former Taifu's residence."
"Oh?" Zhao Yan was surprised that there might be something worth mentioning: "Master Zhong is elderly and has achieved great virtue, both in life and after death. In his lifetime, he should have no regrets. What could possibly be the matter?"
Yin Fan said: "Master Zhong has no regrets, but his family is causing some trouble. The mother of the Assistant Secretary of State, Sun family, has always lived outside the Zhong estate, and Master Zhong's concubine Zhu does not allow Sun to come to pay her respects. On the day of the funeral, Sun caused a scene by blocking the road on the side of the road. It was quite an unsightly scene."
Zhao Yan made a sound of surprise: "Such a thing! What do Inspector Wei and the other gentlemen in Luoyang have to say about it?"
Yin Fan smiled wryly: "What else can there be to say? Sun is the biological mother of Zhong's son, and she has been granted a house by the emperor. This is an unimportant matter that Inspector Wei doesn't want to take care of. Among the three officials, Hu Taiyi is unable to go because of illness, Chen Si Fu is in Suzhou, and Sima Si Gong is in Liaodong. Even the nine ministers wouldn't get involved in such matters."
"I won't go into detail about the harsh words, but ultimately Zhong's son had to kneel to both his mother and stepmother in front of everyone, and only then did they stop the farce."
Older husband, younger wife, such troubles are bound to happen behind one's back!
While secretly cursing in his heart, Zhao Yan also gained a more positive impression of Yin Fan's words. At the age of 22, facing this jurisdiction holder who answered fluently was not someone of mediocre talent.
Zhao Yan slightly nodded: "Shu mentioned that he carried a letter from Inspector Wei?"
"Yes," Yin Fan stood up, took out the letter from his bosom, and held it out towards Zhao Yan with both hands. The guards then took the letter and handed it to Zhao Yan.
Zhao Yan furrowed his brow and focused intently on the letter for a long time, before turning to Yin Fan and saying, "This trip will be dangerous, and I cannot help you much more. Shu, please be careful!"
Yin Fan deeply bowed his respects. (End of this chapter)
