Three Kingdoms: I am not Cao Rui

Cao Rui said: "Take the time when Zhong Gong, Liu Ye and Tian Yu were at Yanmen, and they led the Xianbei tribes to attack Kebi Neng, who was also a Xianbei. Those Xianbei people who were loyal to the Wei Dynasty might defect, but the Wuhuan people would never defect."

"They are not of the same ethnic group. How many Xianbei people were killed or wounded? What does that have to do with the Wuhuan people?"

Cao Rui then asked, "If the imperial court led the vassal army composed of the Xiongnu, Xianbei, Wuhuan and other Hu people to conquer the Western Regions and Liaodong, with sufficient logistics and clear command, would they rebel?"

"I don't think so either." Guanqiu Jian said.

Cao Rui smiled and said, "That's it."

"Minister Pei, is there anything else?" Cao Rui turned and looked at Pei Qian.

"Your Majesty, I have nothing else to do here for the time being." Pei Qian said.

Cao Rui nodded and said, "Okay, Pei Qing, wait here for a while. After I finish practicing sword skills, you two can go out of the palace with me and inspect the Xiaowei camp. When Wang Ling came to see me last night, I promised him that I would inspect the camp and summon all the generals above the rank of Qianshi. You can go there today when you have time."

"As you wish." Pei Qian bowed.

"Zhong Gong, come on, continue!"

Cao Rui looked at Guanqiu Jian, stood still, and slowly drew the sword from the scabbard. The two men faced each other again, about ten feet apart.

The swords used for practice were not sharpened, and both Cao Rui and Guanqiu Jian were only wearing light leather armor instead of iron armor.

Although Pei Qian didn't know much about swords, as a bystander, he could still judge the pros and cons.

Cao Rui looked Guanqiu Jian in the eye, took a bow step forward, and thrust out with the sword in his right hand. The sudden attack was a bit swift, giving him the advantage of the first move.

Guanqiu Jian was not in a hurry. He raised his sword sideways to block the attack. His left hand also grasped the lower end of the hilt, changing from holding the sword with his right hand to holding it with both hands. He took a small step back to steady his center of gravity.

Seeing this, Cao Rui took advantage of the situation and continued to move forward. Guanqiu Jian used his sword to block Cao Rui's two horizontal slashes. Cao Rui's eyes were cold and unyielding, and he swung his sword to chop him in the face. Guanqiu Jian drew back his left hand, held the sword horizontally with his right hand, and put his left arm armor behind the sword, and raised both arms to block the slash.

Pei Qian, who was standing not far away, was a little stunned.

Although Pei Qian had heard that the emperor often practiced swordsmanship, this was the first time he saw it with his own eyes. The sharpness of the swordsmanship did not seem like a sparring match at all, but rather like a life-and-death duel.

After Guanqiu Jian blocked the first wave of attacks, he saw Cao Rui draw his sword back and attack from the right, so he lowered his body and swung his sword to the left, barely blocking the attack. Taking advantage of his greater strength, he swung his sword to the left and confronted Cao Rui on the opposite side.

Cao Rui raised his lips slightly: "Why, Zhong Gong can use his arm armor to block the sword? Is this outside the rules?"

Guanqiu Jian said: "I only remember that your majesty said that you should not attack the head, but you did not tell me about other taboos. If the sword is not sharpened, then there are unsharpened fighting methods."

"it is good."

Cao Rui just nodded in response, Guanqiu Jian stepped forward and thrust, Cao Rui also took a small step back, raised his elbow and swung the sword away. Guanqiu Jian thrust again, three times, and after three thrusts, Cao Rui also took three steps back.

While Guanqiu Jian was not standing firmly, Cao Rui turned his wrist and slashed the tip of the sword from the side towards the wrist of Guanqiu Jian's right hand holding the sword.

The two fought each other for about ten rounds before they retreated and distanced themselves from each other.

Pei Qian clapped his hands at the side and said, "Your Majesty's swordsmanship is superb, and the commander-in-chief is not inferior to him. I am honored to see such swordsmanship today."

Cao Rui looked at Pei Qian from the side and sneered, "Pei Qing is really good at talking. Zhong Gong is not inferior to me, but is on par with me."

Pei Qian nodded with a smile on his face: "Although I don't understand swordsmanship, I also know the principle that hardness cannot last long and softness cannot be defended. I hope Your Majesty will practice swordsmanship more slowly and don't hurt your holy body."

Cao Rui knew that Pei Qian meant well, but he still said, "If you don't really fight when you practice sword fighting, how can others show mercy when you use the sword?"

"I suddenly remembered something." Cao Rui said, "I remember that in the seventh year of Huangchu, not long after I ascended the throne, the general came to see me at the martial arts field in the North Palace of Luoyang. I told the general at that time that the first purpose of sword training is to preserve oneself, and the second is to win and kill the enemy." Pei Qian took over the topic, "If that's the case, your majesty's swordsmanship should focus on agility. What I saw today is not so."

"Yes." Cao Rui sighed as he put the sword back into the scabbard and threw it to the eunuch waiting beside him. With his arms open, Guanqiu Jian also walked up quickly and began to remove Cao Rui's armor.

"In the seventh year of Huangchu, it was four years ago. At that time, I had just ascended the throne. To be honest with Pei Qing, I didn't know how to be an emperor. I seemed to be too cautious and a little timid."

Pei Qian stepped forward to help Guanqiu Jian and whispered, "It's always a good idea to be cautious."

Cao Rui said, "But four years have passed. I have led troops, fought wars, governed the country, and gradually figured out some things. In most things in this world, if you don't make progress, you will go backwards. There is no other way. This is true for being an emperor, and it is also true for practicing swordsmanship."

Pei Qian nodded and said, "Emperor Wu and Emperor Wen were both good at using swords. Your Majesty's swordsmanship is inherited from the same lineage."

What Pei Qian said just now was not a lie. Emperor Wu Cao Cao and Emperor Wen Cao Pi were both good at swordsmanship.

Cao Rui continued, "Emperor Wu once encountered rebels in Longkang and killed dozens of them with his sword that night."

"The late emperor learned swordsmanship from Shi A, who was also Wang Yue's disciple, so his swordsmanship was naturally extraordinary. The late emperor had many talents, not just swordsmanship. The late emperor was good at swordsmanship, using iron halberds, playing chess, music, poetry, and writing. I can't be as good as him, but it's good enough that I can govern the country well."

Guanqiu Jian sighed and said, "Your Majesty has been really hard-working. You have been leading the troops in battles and have been so diligent in government. You are a little too hard on yourself."

Cao Rui smiled and said, "I am an emperor. Although I am tired, I am not as hard-working as Zhong Gong said. Why do you still pity me? Apart from other things, the Queen Mother just accepted five concubines for me a few days ago. Didn't Zhong Gong accept a concubine at the end of last month? She is a perfect match for me."

"Bi Jin." Cao Rui turned his head and glanced at the eunuch Bi Jin: "Select a bushel of pearls and two corals from the inner storehouse, and send them to Zhong Gong's home later."

Guanqiu Jian was a little surprised for a moment, and bowed and said, "It is my fault that Your Majesty has been bothered by such a small matter. The reward is too valuable, and I beg Your Majesty to take it back."

Cao Rui smiled and said, "Just take what I give you. These things were sent by Sun Quan before. They are the finest pearls produced in Nanhai County. If you don't want them, maybe I will give them away by next year, and you won't be able to get them even if you want them."

"Sun Quan has fallen out with me now. It will take years to conquer Wu. The pearls of Nanhai County will be hard to come by any time soon."

Guanqiu Jian boasted that he was the emperor's confidant, so when he heard this, he stopped being polite, bowed his hands, thanked him, and accepted the reward.

Cao Rui glanced at Pei Qian who was standing at the side and said: "If Pei Qing takes another concubine, I will also give you pearls."

Pei Qian smiled bitterly: "I am already fifty-five years old, why should I take another concubine?"

Cao Rui laughed and said, "What's wrong with fifty? Master Zhong is still taking concubines when he is over seventy years old. He is still strong and will never change his mind until he is old!"

"This..." Pei Qian was speechless for a moment.

Cao Rui stopped joking and pointed, "Bi Jin, send a pair of ivory to Minister Pei's home later, and also send the tortoise-shell pen holder and paperweight that I use on my desk."

"As you wish." Bi Jin said.

Pei Qian was about to speak when Cao Rui stopped him with his hand: "Don't say any more. It's just some things. I don't want to share happiness with others. Zhong Gong has already taken off his armor. Come on, follow me to the Xiaowei Camp."

"I thank your Majesty for your generous gift. I will obey your command." Pei Qian said.

"Yes." Guanqiu Jian also responded.

Cao Rui, together with Pei and Guanqiu, went to the military camp outside the city. At the same time, more and more figures appeared in the guard room of the Xuchang Palace.

Counting the days, the emperor had previously ordered eight imperial attendants in the palace to go out and investigate the farming issues in the counties around Xuchang. Today was the day for the eight of them to return. (End of this chapter)