Three Kingdoms: I am not Cao Rui

Among the 50,000 elite troops under the command of the Prime Minister's Office, General Zhenwei Yuan Chen commanded 5,000 soldiers and was stationed in Baxi County, controlling the Micang Road leading south from Hanzhong to Shuzhong.

During this expedition, Zhuge Liang left 5,000 elite troops to garrison in Baishui.

As a result, the army Zhuge Liang dispatched for the Northern Expedition this time was a real 40,000 soldiers. Although it was half the number of the army he dispatched two and a half years ago, in terms of eliteness and combat effectiveness, it was a step up from two and a half years ago.

As for the military strategy for this advance, Zhuge Liang, Yang Yi, Jiang Wan, Fei Yi, Wei Yan, Wu Yi, Wu Ban and others repeatedly discussed and decided over the next few days, and finally chose Wudu over Dazhong.

There are three reasons.

First, Dazhong is very remote from Baishui and far away from the main battlefield between Han and Wei. The farmland is not fertile and there are no people, so it is difficult to enrich oneself by taking advantage of it.

Even if we take Dazhong, a place far from Baishui, it will be difficult to defend it if we don't leave about 10,000 soldiers here. At present, the Han Dynasty has a total of 80,000 soldiers available, and the Baishui Xiangfu has a total of 50,000 soldiers. How can there be extra troops left here?
Second, this time Sun Quan took the initiative to march into Xiangfan, mobilizing 70,000 troops, which was rare. According to the historical alliance between Han and Wu, whether it was from the end of Jian'an or from Wu's attack on Huainan four years ago, Han and Wu had never successfully coordinated at the same time.

This opportunity is rare. It would be a waste if we only use it to attack Da Zhong, a remote area.

Third, from Zhuge Liang to Yang Yi, Fei Yi, Wei Yan, Wu Yi and others, they were all full of confidence in this Northern Expedition to conquer Wei.

Zhuge Liang worked hard in Baishui for the past two years, practicing battle formations, weapons and armor, generals’ knowledge of soldiers, and soldiers’ use of force. Generals such as Yang Yi, Fei Yi, Wei Yan, and Wu Yi also worked hard. The money originally used to support 120,000 soldiers was now used to support 80,000 soldiers, so they were definitely elite!
Wei Yan, Yang Yi and others all knew about the attack on Wudu, except the ordinary generals. That's why Wei Yan was talking about the military strategy today.

Wei Yan finally said: "Dazhong and Wudu are two places. Dazhong is close while Wudu is far. Dazhong is easy while Wudu is difficult. Dazhong is familiar while Wudu is unfamiliar. But to restore the Han Dynasty, how can we not face difficulties and how can we be afraid of dangers and obstacles? Think about it."

"Prime Minister." Wei Yan turned to look at Zhuge Liang, cupped his hands and said, "I have explained it clearly. Please give me your instructions."

"What Wen Chang said is correct." Zhuge Liang calmly looked around at everyone in the tent: "Do you have any doubts?"

Seeing that no one responded, Zhuge Liang nodded and said, "Okay, let's follow this strategy."

"Ziyuan!" Zhuge Liang mentioned another name.

"I'm here!" General Wu Yi, the General of the Northern Expedition, saluted with his fists.

Zhuge Liang said: "After we capture Wujie, your 7,000 men will be stationed at Wujie. One is to block the Wei troops in Dazhong, and the other is to provide backup for the army. They will be ready to be deployed at any time."

Wu Yi immediately responded: "I obey your command!"

……

Yuzhou, Xuchang.

On the evening of October 2, after receiving the battle report from Xu Shu in Fancheng, Cao Rui summoned Sima Yi, the Minister of Works, Liu Ye, the Right Supervisor of the Privy Council, Wang Guan, the Left Supervisor of the Privy Council, and Pei Qian, the Palace Attendant, into his study.

Small meetings for big events had become the standard procedure for the emperor to handle major matters during the Taihe period. The monthly grand court meetings were more for maintaining court traditions, conveying some less important government orders, and meeting with ministers as a courtesy.

Liu Ye stood up in front of his seat and explained Xu Shu's military report and Qian Zhao's statement. Then Cao Rui gently waved his hand to signal Liu Ye to sit down.

"You have all heard clearly what Liu Qing said just now." Cao Rui raised his head and looked at the four people: "Two things, how the battle in Jingzhou is progressing, and the matter of General Zhenxi Qian Zhao submitting a petition to retire. Let's talk about Qian Zi Jing first."

"What do you think?"

Sima Yi was the first to bow and said, "Your Majesty, I am old and want to retire. If the situation is true, the court should generally allow it. Qian Zijing reported that he was too weak to come, but considering that he has always been loyal and trustworthy, I think the court should allow it."

Cao Rui also sighed: "Xu Zhongkang at the end of last year, plus Qianzijing in October this year, in less than a year, the court has had two generals retire."

"My General Zhenxi never let me down when we fought against Shu two years ago. After returning to Luoyang, he was in charge of martial arts. At the end of last year, he was ordered to take charge of the Wuwei Camp. This time, he dragged his weak body to successfully lift the siege of Fancheng for me. In public and private terms, Qian Zijing should be a role model for other generals. How can I not allow him to retire?" "Mr. Pei, draft an edict for me."

"Yes." Pei Qian bowed and replied, then walked to the desk on the side of the study, dipped the brush in ink, and waited for the emperor's next words.

Cao Rui said slowly: "General Zhenxi Qian Zhaogong is loyal to the country, has defended the border for a long time, and has been prudent in times of crisis. He is truly a role model for other generals. I hereby allow him to retire, remove his title of General Zhenxi, and grant him the title of Guanglu Dafu, grant him special promotion, and return to Luoyang to lead the military."

"Pei Qing, please polish it." Cao Rui instructed Pei Qian, "Also write a note to Qian Zhao for me. First, the merit of rescuing Fancheng will be counted separately, and the reward will be determined after the battle is over. Second, let him recommend someone who can take over his command of the Wuwei Camp."

Liu Ye interrupted at this time and said, "Your Majesty, I saw in the memorial that he said that he would accept the court's deployment and seemed unwilling to recommend a successor."

Cao Rui said, "Well, since he wants to retire peacefully, I will not ask him any more questions. My Lords, what are your candidates?"

Liu Ye answered first: "Your Majesty, I recommend Xiahou Kangren."

When Sima Yi heard what Liu Ye said, he began to ponder it in his heart.

In the second year of Taihe at Chencang, Your Majesty was seriously ill. Among the ministers around him, only Xiahou Xian did nothing. Then, Your Majesty immediately appointed him as General Anbei and sent him to Youzhou to accompany Liu Ye, who was the former governor of Youzhou.

But in two years, in the first half of the fourth year of Taihe, Xiahou Xian had been in Youzhou for nearly two years, and finally came in handy. In the past, in Xiangping City, Your Majesty changed Xiahou Xian to General Huya and returned to Henan with Man Chong's army.

Is this person going to be used now? Did His Majesty have this in mind when he transferred Xiahou Xian back to Henan? Or did Liu Ye, as the Right Supervisor of the Privy Council, prefer to use Xiahou Xian, who was familiar to him?
Sima Yi took a deep breath, then bowed and said, "I think Xiahou Kangren is a good choice."

How could it be inappropriate? At present, except for Xiahou Xian, all the other generals have their own duties, and he is the most suitable.

"Pei Qing?" Cao Rui glanced at Pei Qian.

"I also think Xiahou Kangren can do the job." Pei Qing answered without hesitation.

Cao Rui did not rush to answer, but asked Wang Guan: "What do you think, Lord Wang?"

Wang Guan made a startling statement: "Your Majesty, I recommend General Cao Tai, the General of Guarding the East."

Sima Yi, Liu Ye, and Pei Qian all looked at Wang Guan at almost the same time. After Wang Guan finished speaking, he lowered his eyes slightly and looked at the ground, not even looking at the three of them.

"Cao Tai? I didn't think of him." Cao Rui also became interested and leaned forward slightly to look at Wang Guan: "Tell me, Wang Qing, how did you think of him?"

Wang Guan then raised his head and said, "Your Majesty, I am not saying that Xiahou Kangren is not suitable to lead the Wuwei Camp, but I am saying that Cao Fangcheng is also suitable for this position."

Cao Rui pointed at Wang Guan and said, "Your Excellency Wang, there is one thing wrong with you. You are always a little restrained in front of me. I don't know what you are afraid of or worried about. Speak nicely in front of me, just like the Sikong, Liu Shumi, and Pei Shizhong beside you. Don't be afraid. Just say whatever you want to say."

"As you wish." Wang Guan received the emperor's order and no longer hesitated: "I am the Left Supervisor of the Great Wei Privy Council, and I am also speaking for the Great Wei as a whole. Cao Fangcheng is the son of the former Grand Marshal Cao Zixiao. When he fought against Wu in the first year of Taihe, his record was quite remarkable. Now among the Cao clan generals, from the generals down, only Xiahou Kangren (Xiahou Xian), Xiahou Junlin (Xiahou Ru), and Cao Fangcheng (Cao Tai) are in charge of the army. Among these three, only Cao Fangcheng has no experience in the central army and has always been a border general."

"I think that perhaps putting Xiahou Kangren in Cao Fangcheng's place and ordering Cao Fangcheng to lead the Wuwei Camp would be enough to give him some experience and allow Your Majesty to seriously examine his talents and military strategies."

As soon as Wang Guan said this, Sima Yi, Liu Ye, and Pei Qian fell silent almost at the same time, and turned their eyes to the emperor. These were people who knew the emperor's character and habits well, and Wang Guan's words were indeed too convincing.

Cao Rui was silent for a moment, and no one dared to interrupt him. It was not until Cao Rui raised his head and looked at everyone again that he spoke:
"What Lord Wang said is indeed reasonable. As a relative of the clan, Cao Tai should be allowed to gain some experience in the central army."

"Pei Qing then drafted an edict for me, summoning General Cao Tai of Zhendong to return to Xuchang to see me, and ordering Xiahou Xian to immediately head south to Shouchun to lead Cao Tai's troops, and not to stay!"

"As ordered." Pei Qian said. (End of this chapter)