The army arrived at Ji County on April 5th. Cao Rui hurriedly met and reviewed the 17,000 infantrymen who stopped there.
On April 7, they continued their journey eastward, and only arrived at Tuyun City in Youbeiping County on the afternoon of April 17.
Nearing evening, more than twenty riders hurriedly arrived outside Tuyun City from the southwest.
It was already wartime at this time, and any army or minister entering the city had to obtain permission from one of the three: the commander of the army Guanqiu Jian, the minister of the court Xu Shu, and the former general Man Chong.
Guanqiu Jian, who was in charge of the city defense, was surprised to see a person who shouldn't be here: "Isn't Lord Xin in Quanzhou? Why did he come to Tuyin City so lightly?"
Xin Pi dismounted and leaned over to Guanqiu Jian's ear and said, "Zhonggong, I am in charge of logistics supervision and should not be here. But right now there is an urgent matter that I need to report to Your Majesty."
"Take me there quickly, and don't let anyone see me!"
Guanqiu Jian's heart was filled with alarm, and he instinctively lowered his voice and asked, "Why is it so urgent? Is Lord Xin so anxious?"
Xin Pi whispered, "There are two things about Luoyang and Guanxi. I can't say much. When it's time for Zhong Gong to know, Zhong Gong will know!"
Guanqiu Jian replied, "Xin Gong, follow me on horseback, and the rest of you stay here and wait."
"Good! Please go on quickly!" Xin Pi nodded.
Guanqiu Jian said no more, mounted his horse, and led Xin Pi straight into the Youbeiping prefectural government where the emperor lived.
Cao Rui was having dinner with Man Chong and Sima Yi when he saw Guanqiu Jian leading Xin Pi in from outside the hall. He was so surprised that he put down the chopsticks in his hand.
Xin Pi should have been in Quanzhou coordinating logistical supplies at this time, so how did he come to Tuyin?
There must be something important that cannot be explained unless Xin Pi himself comes here!
But from Guanqiu Jian's perspective, it seemed that the emperor was warmly welcoming Xin Pi.
"It's Xin Qing!" Cao Rui put down his chopsticks, stood up and said with a smile: "I haven't seen Xin Qing for half a year. Could it be that Xin Qing misses me and wants to come and see me in person?"
Xin Pi bowed and said, "I, the Minister Xin Pi, greet your Majesty!"
After straightening up, Xin Pi glanced at Sima Yi and Man Chong, and then said bluntly: "I came here from Quanzhou and have two important matters to report to Your Majesty."
Cao Rui stood up, and Sima Yi and Man Chong also stood up at the same time and bowed to Xin Pi.
Cao Rui smiled and said, "It's already night, no matter how big the problem is, has Xin Qing had dinner yet?"
Xin Pi frowned and shook his head, saying, "It has never been used. I rode a horse for three days and traveled 400 miles to get here."
"Someone come!" Cao Rui called to the tiger guards standing at the door, "Have someone prepare more for Minister Xin!"
The Tiger Guards went out to find the military eunuch. Xin Pi bowed and wanted to speak, but he was thinking about what the emperor had just said, so he held back.
Cao Rui asked several questions about logistics and Xin Pi answered them one by one.
Soon the tiger guards brought the food. After Xin Pi thanked him, he wolfed it down without caring about his appearance, without saying a word the whole time.
Cao Rui only chatted with Sima Yi, Man Chong and Guanqiu Jian, and did not ask any questions.
Xin Pi had been traveling from Quanzhou to Tuyin for three days, so it was natural for him to be tired and hungry. In less than half an incense stick of time, Xin Pi swallowed the last bite of food, rinsed his mouth with hot soup, put down the pottery bowl in his hand, wiped his mouth, and then stood up and walked into the hall.
Seeing that Xin Pi had already finished his meal, the smile on Cao Rui's face gradually disappeared as Xin Pi walked away.
"Xin Qing, what happened?"
Cao Rui had no intention of hiding from Man Chong, Sima Yi, and Guanqiu Jian. No matter how important the military and national affairs were, the emperor would always discuss and plan with others. How could he take on all the responsibilities alone?
Xin Pi bowed his hands and said solemnly, "Your Majesty, since the end of February, there has been no rain in Guanzhong and Hedong for 30 days. On March 21, Grand Tutor Zhong passed away in Luoyang."
Cao Rui took a breath when he heard this.
There is no rain in Guanzhong and Hedong, and Zhong Yao has passed away. It is hard to say which of these two bad news is more serious.
In an agricultural society, good weather and good harvests are the biggest prerequisite for national governance, above all other prerequisites.
The Wei Dynasty had always relied on the food and fodder logistics provided by Hedong and Pingyang counties when it was fighting in Guanxi. Cao Cao had placed Du Ji in the position of governor of Hedong for more than ten years in order to allow Du Ji, who was known for his governing ability, to ensure logistics.
There has been no rain in Guanzhong and Hedong for 30 days, which basically means that the grain harvest in Guanxi has been greatly affected this year, and the supply of military food may even be difficult.
Plus, so many Qiang people naturalized two years ago...
At present, all the grain in Jizhou is supplied to the army in the north to conquer Liaodong, and it is unable to provide support to the counties in Henan. Food and grass are the foundation of the world's military.
This kind of matter, which affects the entire body, really made Cao Rui feel awkward.
Another piece of news was that the death of the 80-year-old minister, Grand Tutor Zhong Yao, also had a huge impact on the court.
The three highest officials of the Wei Dynasty were Grand Commandant Hua Xin, Minister of the Interior Chen Qun, and Minister of Works Sima Yi, while Zhong Yao's Grand Tutor could be considered one of the "highest officials".
Logically speaking, when Zhong Yao passed away, the emperor himself should have gone to pay his respects in person. Moreover, as an old minister from Yingchuan, Zhong Yao had always intimidated the younger scholars in the court with his firm support for the emperor.
Chen Qun, Sima Yi... these were all Zhong Yao's juniors. The first visit Cao Rui made after ascending the throne was to Zhong Yao's home to present him with jade.
After Zhong Yao's death, what would happen to the scholars of the world? These two major events hit Cao Rui in the face, leaving him speechless for a moment.
Sima Yi was always quick-witted. Seeing that the emperor was standing there in a daze without saying a word, he immediately cupped his hands and said loudly:
"Your Majesty, the arrow has been drawn and must be shot! If we withdraw now, not only will the morale of the troops be broken, but the Wuhuan, Xianbei, and Xiongnu tribes may also become disloyal! I'm afraid Gongsun Yuan will really establish his own regime in Liaodong."
After hearing what Sima Yi said, Man Chong did not hesitate to reply, "I second your proposal! This expedition to Liaodong will only involve 20,000 cavalry from the Central Army. It will not be a big deal to the military affairs of the country. We must not withdraw our troops!"
Cao Rui glanced at the two of them, then looked at Xin Pi who was standing silently in the hall with his hands behind his back, and quietly waved his hand to signal them to sit down.
Silence again followed.
Sima Yi could plan and Man Chong could give suggestions, but in the final analysis, all affairs of the world were to be decided by himself, the Emperor of Wei.
Guanzhong and Hedong suffered from severe drought, and food shortage in Guanxi was inevitable this year. Shu Han invaded the north twice in the third year of Taihe. At this rate, it was unlikely that Taihe would stop in the fourth year.
As for attacking Liaodong, even if Gongsun Yuan himself was defeated in one blow, it would probably take until the end of the year or early next year for him to return to Luoyang.
What if something happens in Jingzhou again? What if something happens in Yangzhou again?
Of course, withdrawing troops is the most prudent solution. But the things Sima Yi just mentioned are not groundless!
No matter whether you are a hero or a street thug, the reason why people can gather people and accomplish things is that others listen to you and believe in you.
As a political entity, the country also faces the problem of gaining people's trust.
The emperor had inspected the borders of You and Bing, reviewed the troops, and even reached the border of Liaoxi County.
If you say you don't want to fight anymore and return to the army for the safety of the court, who will believe you?
The Hu people on the grasslands will really rebel and become disloyal.
If Gongsun Yuan heard about this, not only would his arrogance become even greater, but the internal cohesion would also be enhanced again, and even to some extent, it would increase some legality.
If you can't decide, you might as well draw your sword and cut through the tangled mess and get to the root of the matter!
Cao Rui did not hesitate any longer and said in a deep voice: "I came to Youzhou to attack Liaodong. How can I give up halfway and bring disaster to the future!"
"If the harvest in Guanzhong and Hedong is greatly reduced due to drought this year, how should the court respond?"
Sima Yi coughed lightly and said, "Your Majesty, I think this is not only a matter of food and grass, but also a problem of some systems."
Cao Rui said: "Sir, tell me!"
Sima Yi clasped his hands and said: "Even if there is a severe drought in Guanzhong, and there is no rain for 30 days, the amount of water will decrease sharply, but it will not cause all the water in Guanzhong to dry up."
“There will still be some production.”
"With the grain stored in previous years and a little more aid from Henan, the entire Guanxi region should be able to survive with enough grain and grass."
Cao Rui frowned and said, "What does it have to do with the system?"
Sima Yi said: "There are four states in Guanxi: Yong, Liang, Qin, and Yi."
"The food for Zhang He in Wudu and Guo Huai in Hanzhong have always been supplied by Guanzhong. If Guanzhong is short of food, perhaps we can transfer it from Longyou instead."
"Liangzhou is too far to supply us, but if we exchange the local grain for livestock, we can help Longyou."
"Moreover, there are many troops, military farms, and Qiang people's military farms in Guanzhong. The General's Office and the Yongzhou Governor are not under the jurisdiction of each other. It is difficult for the army and the people to coordinate, and the food supply will be the most difficult."
Cao Rui blinked and asked, "According to Sikong's opinion, the court should select an official office or entity to manage the grain and grass issues in Guanxi?"
"The collection, distribution, and dispatch of food are all handled by one place?"
Man Chong interrupted and said, "Your Majesty, this matter can only be handled by the general's mansion stationed in Chencang!"
Cao Rui did not hesitate: "Zhong Gong, come and draft an edict for me!"
Guanqiu Jian rarely picked up this job that he had not done for a long time. He found the pen, ink, paper and inkstone as if he was familiar with it and began to prepare to write.
Cao Rui said in a deep voice: "The General's Office is ordered to take charge of the grain and grass of the four states in Guanxi. The governors of each state must provide full assistance and must not shirk or delay in any way!"
After saying that, a figure appeared in Cao Rui's mind, and he immediately added: "Appoint Deng Shizai, the military officer of the General's Office, as the grain supervisor of the four states in Guanxi to assist the general in managing grain and grass matters!"
Sima Yi saluted and said, "Your Majesty is wise! Although there is a severe drought in Guanxi, the deployment is consistent. Although there will be some hard times, we will eventually get through it if we are patient."
Cao Rui nodded: "The Guanxi affairs have been assigned, and of course I have to express my position on the death of Master Zhong."
"As in the case of Minister of the Interior Wang Jingxing, the emperor will order the Imperial Secretary Zhong Yu to be the envoy of the emperor and return to Luoyang to offer condolences. The officials and ministers of Luoyang will be ordered to hold a funeral for Grand Tutor Zhong together, and no one should be left out."
"I will stay in Tuyin for three days, and I will wear plain clothes to offer sacrifices to Master Zhong from afar!"
Everyone in the hall bowed and responded.
Cao Rui looked at Guanqiu Jian, and after a few moments of silence, he said, "Order Xiahou Taichu to come to Youzhou to join the army and be promoted to the position of Sanqi Shilang!" (End of this chapter)
