My father-in-law Guan Yu, I persuaded Liu Bei to launch a surprise attack on Xiangyang at the beginn

Chapter 254 Xiao He, promoted to Grand Commandant! The renewed war between Wei and Chu is not only a struggle between the North and South, but also a war between the old and the new!

Guan Yu was promoted to Grand General, making him the foremost military commander.

Zhang Fei was promoted to General of the Cavalry, ranking below the Grand General.

Zhao Yun was promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry, Wei Yan to General of the Guards, Gan Ning to General of the Vanguard, and Huang Zhong to General of the Left…

The remaining generals, including Fu Tong, Guan Ping, Ding Feng, Zhang Liao, Zhou Cang, Feng Xi, Zhang Nan, Yan Yan, Zhu Huan, and Zhang Yan, were promoted and ennobled according to their merits.

As for the civil officials, Zhuge Liang, who was responsible for overseeing the government in the capital while Liu Bei was away on campaigns, was naturally promoted to the position of Chancellor.

As Liu Bei's nominal chief strategist, Xiao He was promoted to Grand Commandant, ranking among the Three Dukes.

The remaining officials, including Mi, Sun Qian, Jian Yong, Xu Shu, Lu Su, Lu Xun, Pang Tong, and Gu Yong, were promoted to high-ranking positions or provincial governors based on their merits and seniority.

Therefore, Liu Bei bestowed titles upon his officials, rewarded his soldiers, and granted a general amnesty.

After bestowing titles upon the officials, the next step was to discuss the selection of an heir.

Given Liu Bei's age, his eldest son should have been at least twenty-three or twenty-four years old, an age when he could shoulder important responsibilities.

However, his early life was filled with hardship and uncertainty, and his sons either died young or perished in the chaos of war.

Lady Gan gave birth to her eldest son, Liu Shan, just before the surprise attack on Xiangyang.

In the following years, with the pacification of Jingzhou and the conquest of Jiangdong, Liu Bei seemed to have a change of fortune in terms of offspring, and had three more sons in succession.

The second son was Liu Yong, the third son was Liu Li, and the youngest son was Liu Yu.

Having four sons was, for Liu Bei, a number of offspring that could be considered quite numerous.

However, although he has four sons, his eldest son, Liu Shan, is not even seven years old yet.

The youngest son, Liu Yu, had just turned one year old.

Considering that all his sons were young, Liu Bei decided not to establish an heir for the time being.

The edict announcing his kingship, along with the edict promulgating the imperial examination system, was quickly sent from Yingtian to various parts of the Chu Kingdom.

Talented individuals from Jingzhou, Yangzhou, Xuzhou, Qingzhou, and other prefectures and counties, who were confident in their own abilities and knowledge, whether from noble families or humble backgrounds, were all overjoyed.

Some people are happy, while others are naturally sad.

Among the gentry and powerful families, there are countless talented and virtuous individuals, but there are also quite a few who are outwardly impressive but inwardly rotten.

These are the people who are troubled.

They originally thought that, with their noble birth and family background, they could easily be recommended as candidates for official positions and receive a government salary.

Well, with the sudden emergence of the imperial examination system, these seemingly respectable but actually dissolute sons of scholar-official families were all dumbfounded.

For a time, the reactions varied across different states and counties, with many supporting and praising the imperial examination system, while others complained and opposed it.

However, their complaints were limited to nothing more than complaints.

The State of Chu was not like the State of Wei. The strength and foundation of its aristocratic families were far inferior to those of Wei, and it was rare to find top-tier aristocratic families like the Cui, Yang, and Xun clans who could influence the political situation.

A few petty complaints are no match for the fact that they can't stir up any trouble.

Moreover, since Liu Bei, the King of Chu, rose to power in Xiangyang, he has been invincible in battle, defeating Liu Cong, killing Sun Quan, and breaking Cao Cao. His expansion of territory has been unmatched, and his prestige is at its zenith.

Liu Bei's dazzling martial prowess and prestige alone were enough to suppress all opposition in the Chu Kingdom.

Thus, the imperial examination system was quickly and smoothly implemented with almost no opposition.

At the same time, the equal-field system and the military system were also implemented in the newly acquired Xu and Qing prefectures.

Tens of thousands of acres of land were distributed to the people of the two prefectures, and tens of thousands of able-bodied farmers joined the local militia.

The national strength of the State of Chu is growing rapidly at a visible pace.

The news of Liu Bei's ascension to the throne and the implementation of the imperial examination system was quickly sent by spies from Yingtian to Yecheng, a thousand miles away.

...

Ye City, Royal Palace.

"It is truly unbelievable that Xiao He, this freak, was able to create the imperial examination system as a method for selecting officials."

"Is there anything this freak can't do..."

Cao Cao threw the detailed rules of the imperial examination system on the ground.

To be honest, he regretted it the moment he saw the imperial examination system.

This system not only firmly grasps the power to select officials, but also opens up a clear path for scholars and powerful families to enter officialdom, and it can recruit talented individuals with genuine abilities to serve the country, regardless of social status.

It's simply a perfect and timeless law!
Isn't this imperial examination system ten thousand times better than Chen Qun's Nine-Rank System for making incense?
It's too late to regret it now.

With the implementation of the Nine-Rank System, the military system of Wei was also adjusted accordingly, adding a private army system to the original hereditary army system.

In short, under the original hereditary military system, soldiers were selected from military households, and the army belonged to the state.

Under the system of private armies, powerful clans were allowed to legitimately incorporate their tenants and retainers into the government army.

These soldiers, though nominally under the name of the Wei army, actually belonged to various powerful families, both large and small.

If you, King of Wei, wish to mobilize an army, your imperial edict will not suffice. You can only mobilize the army by issuing an order to the powerful military general who commands it.

This military system is remarkably similar to that of the Eastern Wu dynasty.

Cao Cao had no choice but to make such a concession.

If you don't relinquish power, why would these powerful clans offer their retainers and servants as soldiers to fight for you and protect your Cao Wei dynasty to the death?

"My Lords!"

Cao Cao suppressed his anger and regret, and his gaze swept over his ministers:
"Now that I have ascended to the throne as king, the Nine-Rank System has been implemented, and our Great Wei has recovered from the defeat in Qingxu. Our military strength has been restored, and everyone is of one mind."

"Now this big-eared scoundrel dares to usurp the title of king, which is utterly rebellious and deserves to be punished!"

"I intend to mobilize all the troops of Wei, once again lead an expedition south, destroy the false Chu, and unify the world!"

"If any of you gentlemen have a strategy for attacking Chu, please tell me."

He wants to start another war with the State of Chu!
He was well aware of the drawbacks of the Nine-Rank System.

Under this system, only an iron-fisted and powerful monarch could suppress the aristocratic clans and maintain control of the government.

If a weak and mediocre ruler were to be installed, the emperor's power would easily be usurped by the powerful aristocratic families and nobles, rendering him a mere figurehead. This was something Cao Cao absolutely did not want to see.

How could the Cao Wei dynasty, which he painstakingly built, be used as a stepping stone for the Shi family?

He must take advantage of his still strong and healthy body to conquer the State of Chu and unify the world!
Only when the country is unified and all foreign enemies are eliminated can he free up his hands to reform and innovate, and redefine the method of selecting officials.

When the time comes, it wouldn't be unreasonable to adopt Xiao He's imperial examination system.

Therefore, less than a month after becoming king, Cao Cao was eager to mobilize the entire nation's army to march south and attack Chu.

As soon as Cao Cao spoke, the hall erupted in commotion.

"Your Majesty, I believe that this campaign against Chu should be launched in three routes!"

Cheng Yu was the first to step forward.

After Guo Jia died of illness, Xun Yu resigned and returned to his hometown, and Xun You and Liu Ye both perished, he had become the chief strategist of Cao Wei.

At this critical juncture in the decisive battle between the two countries, he naturally had no choice but to step forward.

"How should we divide our forces into three groups? Zhongde, please continue."

Cao Cao's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he waved his hand and shouted.

Cheng Yu then ordered a map of the entire country to be moved into the main hall.

"For this eastern route, Your Majesty should lead a great general with tens of thousands of troops across the Yellow River and march south from Pingyuan to feign an attack on Qingzhou."

"On the western front, Your Majesty should choose another general to march south from Xuchang and feign an attack on Nanyang, thus threatening Jingzhou."

"These two armies are feigned attacks, intended only to divide the forces of the pseudo-Chu army."

"In the central route, Your Majesty should personally lead the main force of our Great Wei, marching eastward from Suiyang to Pengcheng, and then capture Xiapi."

"If Xiapi falls, our army can advance south along the Si River and head straight for the Huai River, cutting off the connection between Jing and Yang and Qing and Xu, and cleaving the pseudo-Chu in two, north and south!"

"In that case, Qing and Xu can be conquered without a fight!"

Cheng Yu spoke with increasing fervor, then waved goodbye and headed south:
"With Qing and Xu recovered, Your Majesty can ride the momentum of this great victory and continue south, taking Shouchun in one fell swoop, flattening Hefei, and surely recovering Huainan in one fell swoop, and once again drinking from the Yangtze River!"

"The false Chu state can be destroyed, the south of the Yangtze River can be pacified, and the world can be at peace!"

Cao Cao stood up abruptly, took a few steps down the steps to the map, scanned it, and sketched out Cheng Yu's southern expedition strategy in his mind.

His eyes grew increasingly excited, and his fists clenched tighter and tighter.

Clearly, Cheng Yu's strategy coincided with his own thoughts.

"Suiyang, Suiyang..."

Cao Cao slammed his fist heavily into that important town in the Central Plains.

During the Han Dynasty, prefectures and kingdoms coexisted. Suiyang was the capital of the Liang Kingdom, located in the heart of the Central Plains, between the three provinces of Xu, Yan, and Yu.

During the Rebellion of the Seven States during the reign of Emperor Jing of Han, his younger brother, Liu Wu, the King of Liang, defended Suiyang City to the death, holding off the siege of 200,000 rebel troops from Wu and Chu, thus preventing the loss of the Central Plains.

If the State of Chu wants to take the Central Plains, it must attack Suiyang.

If the Wei state wants to attack Pengcheng, recover Xiapi, and cut off the north and south, it will inevitably have to send troops from Suiyang.

"What do you all think of Zhongde's strategy for the southern expedition?"

Cao Cao stared at the map and said.

Chen Qun, Gao Rou, Zhong Yao, and other ministers all agreed with Cheng Yu's strategy without any objection.

They were afraid of Liu Bei, fearing that he would lead his army north, seize the provinces of Henan, and eradicate their entire lineage.

Now that Cao Cao is about to launch another campaign against Chu, they are naturally more than happy to do so.

Eliminating Liu Bei and eliminating future troubles would be ideal.

If we can't destroy them, we must at least recover Qing and Xu provinces, drive Liu Bei back south of the Huai River, and ensure the safety of the Central Plains.

Seeing that his ministers were united in their stance, Cao Cao slammed his hand on the table and roared domineeringly:
"Since all the ministers have no objections, then the strategy for attacking Chu is settled."

"From this day forward, immediately gather provisions and train the soldiers. Once the autumn harvest is over, we will march south!"

"In this battle, I will reclaim the lost territory and avenge our past humiliation!"

The ministers gladly accepted the order.

The plan was decided, and all the ministers took their leave.

Only Cao Pi remained.

"Zihuan, is there anything you want to say?"

Cao Cao noticed that his son had something on his mind, but it was inconvenient for him to talk about it in front of his ministers.

Cao Pi cleared his throat a few times, then cupped his hands and said:

“Father, I have heard that that big-eared scoundrel has actually appointed my fourth brother as the Marquis of Qiao. He clearly intends to use him to humiliate you and my Cao family.”

“Your subject has inquired and found that Liu Bei has not placed my fourth brother under house arrest or surveillance, but has treated him very leniently. We can try to find a way to get my fourth brother to take our mother back to Wei to apologize to our father. This way we can thwart the evil intentions of the big-eared traitor.”

Cao Cao frowned, and a hint of anger flashed in his eyes.

The fact that Lady Bian and her son had defected to Liu Bei was already a disgrace to him.

Crucially, Liu Bei also appointed Cao Zhi as the Marquis of Qiao!

Qiao County is the ancestral home of the Cao family. You, Cao Cao, a rebellious son who betrayed and surrendered to the enemy, were enfeoffed as a marquis of your ancestral home. Isn't this just disgusting you?
If we could get Lady Bian and Cao Zhi back from Liu Bei, that would be ideal.

"You're just being wishful. Those two committed heinous crimes. Do you think they'd dare come back?"

Cao Cao, however, looked on with disdain.

A strange glint flashed in Cao Pi's eyes, and he quickly said:

"My mother is, after all, my birth mother, and my fourth brother is, after all, my younger brother, and my father's biological son."

“If Father King grants permission, your son is willing to work with Cang Shu to stage a ruse to lure the mother and son back to Wei.”

(End of this chapter)