Three Kingdoms: I am not Cao Rui

How far is it from Chengdu to Luoyang? The straight-line distance on the map is more than 2,200 li, but the actual distance is as much as 6,000 li.

Some people can complete this journey in four months, while for others it is a place they may never reach in their entire lives.

Cao Rui entered Chengdu on March 11th. While enjoying the taste of victory was certainly wonderful, there were still many political affairs that required his decision as emperor.

He reformed the administration of Shu, streamlined the troops in Shu, abolished the laws of Shu, appointed mid-level officers accompanying the army as commanders of various prefectures, selected capable officials from Shu to serve in the Central Plains, appointed graduates of the Imperial Academy who accompanied the army as magistrates and heads of various counties, and allowed officials who had migrated to Shu from various places over the past decades to return to their hometowns...

Cao Rui stayed in Chengdu until mid-April before leaving, a full 35 days.

When Cao Rui attacked Shu, he entered Guanzhong from Luoyang, passed through Chencang Road to Hanzhong, passed through Micang Road to Shu, and then advanced to Chengdu.

On his return journey, Cao Rui first went north to Fuxian, and then returned along the route taken by the eastern army, passing through Guanghan, Deyang, and Jiangzhou to Baidi City. There, Jiang Wan, who had just been appointed as Guanglu Dafu, entered the city to persuade Wei Yan to surrender. He promised Wei Yan the titles of County Marquis and General Zhenbei, after which Wei Yan led his troops to surrender.

With the Yangtze River flowing freely, Cao Rui transferred to a large ship at Baidi City and sailed down the river, passing through Xiling and Jiangling, to Wuhan. He stayed at the Wuhan Palace for a month before heading north along the Han River to Xiangyang, passing through Wancheng, Kunyang, Jia, and Liang before returning to Luoyang.

By the time we approached Luoyang, it was already August and autumn was in full swing.

Yique Pass is forty li from Luoyang. When Cao Rui's carriage arrived at Yique Pass, he was greeted by Wei Zhen, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and several other ministers from Luoyang, as well as Liu Fang, the Commandant of the Capital Region, Wei Dan, the Grand Master of Ceremonies, Qin Lang, the Grand Master of the Palace, Lü Dai, the Commandant of the Guards, and other nine high-ranking officials from Luoyang. All the capable officials from Luoyang had arrived.

Of course, there was also the eldest son of the emperor, Prince Cao Qi of Ye.

Upon seeing Cao Rui dismount, all the ministers bowed and said, "Your Majesty, we respectfully welcome Your Majesty back to the capital. Your Majesty has returned in triumph, unifying the country and bringing peace to the nine provinces. Your Majesty's power and virtue extend to all corners of the world. We congratulate Your Majesty and wish you a long life!"

"Master Wei, how have you been?" After months of travel, Cao Rui also looked somewhat tired. He waved to his ministers and said, "I haven't seen you all for a long time. You all did a good job in Luoyang. The army was at the forefront of the battle, and you were well-fed and clothed behind the scenes. You all worked hard."

"How is Liu Shumi in Luoyang? When I was in Nanyang, I heard from you that he was seriously ill. I have been rushing to see him these past few days."

Wei Zhen straightened his sleeves, a troubled expression on his face. He sighed softly and said with difficulty, "Privy Councilor Liu passed away yesterday due to his serious illness. He is no longer here. I was reluctant to convey the news of his death to Your Majesty, but it is the truth. I hope Your Majesty will not be too distressed..."

Cao Rui reached out and gripped the saddle, rubbing his forehead with one hand and letting out a long sigh. Guanqiu Jian, who was following behind, quickly stepped forward to prevent any accident from happening.

Wei Zhen lowered his head for a few moments, feeling a pang of pity. When he raised his head again, he found the emperor standing in front of him with tears streaming down his face.

"Your Majesty..." Guanqiu Jian gently supported Cao Rui's arm, looking at him with slight concern.

"It's alright, Zhonggong, I'm not going to fall." When Cao Rui raised his head again, his face had regained its usual composure.

"Let's go, enter the pass, and return to the capital," Cao Rui said slowly. "Since Liu Ziyang only left yesterday, I should quickly return to the capital to see him one last time."

"Yes," Wei Zhen replied, bowing slightly.

The carriage then headed north.

In the fourteenth year of the Taihe reign, perhaps because it contained the number 'four', news of deaths frequently appeared in the court.

At the beginning of the year, General Man Chong, the Duke of Changyi, who was in charge of the Southern Expedition, passed away.

In April, Huang Quan, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel and Duke of Langzhong, died in Chengdu. Cao Rui increased his fief by 3,500 households, gave him the posthumous title of Jing, ordered his son Huang Yong to inherit the title, and allowed him to be buried in his hometown.

In June, in Wuhan, Cao Rui met with Zhuge Ke, the Chancellor of Hejian, who had rushed from Jizhou to Wuhan. Zhuge Ke knelt and said that Cao Zhen, the King of Hejian, had died of illness in May. Before his death, he learned that the army had entered Chengdu and that the Shu Kingdom had been destroyed. He died with a smile on his face and requested to be buried next to the Shouyang Mausoleum of Emperor Wen of Han (Cao Pi) in Luoyang, so that his second son, Cao Xi, would succeed him as king.

Cao Rui granted his dying wish, ordering Cao Shuang, who was stationed in Wuhan, to return to Hebei immediately to attend the funeral, and posthumously honored Cao Zhen as the Prince of Hejian.

Cao Rui also ordered Zhuge Ke to escort the spirit of his uncle Zhuge Kongming back to Langya with the rites due to a Marquis of Langya, and granted Zhuge Ke's request to be buried in his hometown as well. Zhuge Kongming's youngest son, Zhuge Zhan, was also entrusted by Cao Rui to the Attendant-in-Ordinary Wang Su for education and upbringing.

Although Wang Su did not understand why the emperor had always held Zhuge Liang in such high regard and treated Zhuge Liang's son so well, he did not resist such matters and gladly complied with the order. His home was always occupied by dozens of disciples studying the classics, so one more person would not make a difference.

He died before the fall of Shu and was able to be buried in his ancestral graves in his hometown. His youngest son then became a disciple of a contemporary Confucian master.

This was the best possible outcome Cao Rui could imagine for Zhuge Liang.

But just after arriving in Luoyang in August, he heard the news of Liu Ye's death...

The deaths of loyal ministers and long-serving officials are a cruel thing for a monarch who has made great contributions.
But things in this world are beyond human control. Having achieved great things and left their mark on history, this was the best outcome for them.

Upon arriving in Luoyang, the officials and generals were naturally overjoyed. However, Cao Rui remained depressed for a long time, suspending court sessions and observing a vegetarian diet until the first day of the ninth month, when he finally hosted a banquet for his ministers.

The torches blazed brightly, celebrating unification with the utmost splendor.

After the banquet was announced, and after several rounds of drinks, celebratory shouts and toasts filled the air.

Although the emperor had previously announced a half-month suspension of court due to the deaths of several high-ranking officials this year, and that only rewards and awards would be bestowed upon soldiers and mid- to low-ranking officers, with the merits of civil and military officials to be determined in September, no one was truly worried. The country was now unified; how could merits be lacking? They would simply wait for the court to issue the awards.

Of course, many officials also toasted Cao Rui. At the victory celebration banquet, Cao Rui welcomed all who came, and every official who invited him to drink a full cup in return.

The eldest son of the emperor, Prince Cao Qi, who was kneeling beside Cao Rui's table and holding a jade spoon to add wine for him, had never seen his father drink so heartily today. However, this was the first time he had participated in such a grand banquet. He wanted to say a few words of advice, but he dared not speak due to the situation and could only keep adding wine.

"Fill it up." Cao Rui pointed at the wine vessel again.

"Yes, Father." Cao Qi looked at his father's face, which was already flushed with alcohol, and respectfully picked up the jade spoon.

Holding a wine cup, Cao Rui slowly stood up and walked into the hall. The clamor of the ministers immediately quieted down.

Nearly a hundred ministers were seated in the Jiade Hall.

The person on the left is a civil official.

Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel Wei Zhen, Deputy Chief of the Privy Council Xu Shu, Attendant-in-Ordinary Pei Qian, Attendant-in-Ordinary Wang Su, Attendant-in-Ordinary Cui Lin, Attendant-in-Ordinary Wang Xiong, Director of the Secretariat Yang Fu, Grand Secretary Lu Yu, Commandant of the Secretariat Liu Fang, Commandant of the Capital Region Sun Zi, Minister of Works Wang Ling, Minister of War Qin Lang, Minister of Personnel Qin Lang, Minister of Rites Kan Ze, Minister of Justice Liu Shao, Grand Master of Ceremonies Wei Dan, Commandant of the Guards Lü Dai, Grand Master of the Palace Miao Xi, Minister of Justice Gao Rou, Grand Herald Cao Zhi, Minister of the Imperial Clan Cao Ke, Grand Minister of Agriculture Qu Huang, Minister of the Imperial Treasury Yang Yi, Grand Master of the Palace Jiang Wan...

The person on the right is a military officer.

King Lu Xun of Chencang, General Guanqiu Jian, General Guo Huai who Conquers Shu, General Fei Yao of the Rear, General Wei Yan who Guards the North, General Cao Tai of the Left Guard, General Xiahou Xian of the Right Guard, General Hu Zun of the Right Valiant Guard, General Wen Qin of the Left Feathered Forest Guard, General Cheng Xi of the Right Feathered Forest Guard, General Sun Li of the Guerrilla Force, General Xiahou Ru who Pacifies the South, General Yue Lin of the Warships, General Xiahou Wei of the Fighting Ships, General Bei Yan of the Righteousness and Righteousness, General Wang Ping of the Decisive and Resolute...

The nation's elites, both civil and military, are all gathered in one hall.

Cao Rui's gaze swept over them one by one. As he approached each of them, the ministers stood up, holding their wine cups, their expressions ranging from solemn to excited to wistful as they looked at the emperor who had reunited the shattered empire.

It is now the fourteenth year of the Taihe era. Under the leadership of this emperor, they have pacified the realm, restored the people's livelihood, quelled chaos, and laid the foundation for a prosperous era...

Looking back on the past fourteen years of arduous pioneering work, how can one not feel moved?

Cao Rui walked slowly around once, then returned to his desk, raised his cup, and looked at his ministers.

Many of them already had tears in their eyes.

Cao Rui said loudly, "Today's victory banquet has swept away the foreign enemies that have plagued the Great Wei for the past twenty years since its founding. The turmoil and division that has plagued the country for sixty years since the reign of Emperor Ling has now come to an end. Such a magnificent achievement will be recorded in history. How can we not be happy?"

"My lords, let us raise our cups together to celebrate the Great Wei and the world!"

"Congratulations to the Great Wei! Congratulations to the world!" The crowd raised their cups and shouted in unison, then turned and shouted in unison, "Congratulations to His Majesty!"

"Raise your cup!" Cao Rui raised the golden goblet high with his right hand, tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp, then turned the goblet upside down to indicate that he was drinking.

"Prince Ye, fill my cup again!"

Under the watchful eyes of nearly a hundred officials in the hall, Cao Qi calmly picked up the jade ladle again, took a small step to his father, and refilled the golden goblet.

"Today's banquet fills me with endless emotions. As we drink to commemorate our achievements, we are in a state of harmony and leisure. The relationship between ruler and subject is solemn and respectful." Cao Rui gestured for Cao Qi to stand to his left, put his arm around the young man's shoulder, raised his cup, and continued, "I and you gentlemen have accomplished such great things together. I will not forget you, and you should not forget me either."

"I promise you that I will treat you the same way I have treated you in the past. You should also strive to do so, and not change your mind or act differently from the past, lest you cause me sorrow and worry."

"Your Majesty, do not worry." Wei Zhen immediately bowed in respect in front of everyone.

Everyone followed Wei Zhen's example and bowed in unison, saying, "Your Majesty, do not worry."

Cao Rui nodded slightly: "Today I give you all an explanation. In the next ten years, I will only have three things to do."

"Firstly, the army was reduced to alleviate the crisis, with the central army increasing to 100,000 and the total number of troops in the country decreasing to 250,000."

"Secondly, reduce taxes and burdens to improve people's livelihoods. Now that the country has been pacified, it is essential to start anew with the people and restore national strength."

"Thirdly, we must educate the people, regulate the system of rites, register households and equalize the people, stabilize the prefectures and counties, and gradually expand the territory."

"That's how it will be for the next ten years." Cao Rui shook his head and chuckled. "I am not yet forty years old this year. There will be another ten years after this. Although there will be fewer wars, there will still be a lot to do in the future. Are you all willing to join me in creating a prosperous era for the Great Wei?"

"Those who follow me, drink this cup to the brim!"

"We are willing to follow Your Majesty!" Everyone raised their wine cups in unison, and their voices echoed throughout the hall: "Long live Your Majesty! Long live the Great Wei!"

(The End) (End of Chapter)