In Luoyang city that night, there were countless houses similar to Sima Yi's residence.
The imperial edict of the Northern Palace had already been issued by the Secretariat, ordering the Shangshutai and the Privy Council, a total of five to six hundred officials of varying positions, to move to Xuchang for official business.
An imperial decree was issued tonight, and tomorrow the governor of Henan Province will send a car to take the luggage away, and they will set off the day after tomorrow. The families of these officials will have to leave three days later, and they will still be responsible for them. They made such a big fuss, as if they were going to stay in Xuchang for a long time.
Inside the palace, Cao Rui, as the emperor, found it difficult to respond to the soul-searching questions of his concubines as to why they were leaving.
The emperor managed the affairs of the world, but he was also the husband that the ladies in the palace thought about day and night. One day without seeing him was like three years, and eight or nine months without seeing him was like a burning bone and heart. It was bearable not to see the husband, but if they saw him, the lust that could be released was like the continuous heavy rain in Luoyang in August, lingering and lingering all night.
On the night of the 11th, Cao Rui went to visit Concubine Su, who gave birth to the third son, Cao Shou.
On the night of the twelfth, Cao Rui seemed to discover for the first time that as Mao Yan grew older, her body became more and more mature, and it became easier to pick her.
On the night of the 13th, it was Sun Luban's turn to sleep with the emperor.
After the two of them communicated, Sun Luban curled up in Cao Rui's arms like a kitten, whispered for a long time, and actually sobbed with tears in her eyes.
"Your Majesty, why are you leaving Luoyang right after returning? Can't you take me with you to Xuchang?"
Cao Rui stared at Sun Luban for a moment and said, "Da Hu, have you guessed why I am going to Xuchang?"
Mao Yan from last night and Sun Luban from tonight seemed like different people. Mao Yan, who was originally a little reserved, responded enthusiastically, while Sun Luban, who was originally enthusiastic, responded cautiously.
She was not the kind of woman who grew up in a deep courtyard and had no knowledge. You should know that Cao Tai brought her back when he was fighting in Wankou. Xuchang was in the south, and Sun Luban could not think of any other reason for the emperor to return from Yecheng so anxiously and then head south in a hurry, except for her father who was far away in Wuchang.
Sun Luban hummed softly, "Is it possible that my father has done something in the south again?"
Cao Rui did not rush to answer, but asked: "How are you living in the palace? How does the Queen Mother treat you? How does Concubine Mao treat you?"
Sun Luban carefully tucked her long hair behind her ears. "I have Yan'er by my side, who is almost the same as Maopin. The Queen Mother doesn't often discipline us two, but she disciplines other sisters more. Maopin... we two often chat together to relieve boredom."
"I have made both of your children kings, but the reasons are different." Cao Rui said softly, "The eldest son was given the title of King in Yecheng, which goes without saying. The second son was given the title of Changle, which sets a precedent for making concubines' sons kings. It will also allow you, a woman from Yangzhou, to live a happier life in the palace."
Sun Luban knew that Cao Yan had Sun Quan's blood in his veins. If Wei took any action against Wu, this child would be used as a model or for recruitment sooner or later. But she still held back and didn't say anything.
"Your Majesty hasn't said what I just guessed."
Cao Rui looked a little helpless and said calmly: "Your father led the navy to block the Han River, and both Xiangyang and Fancheng were surrounded by him."
After that, Cao Rui lifted her chin with his index finger and said, "You married me, but he didn't even offer me Jingzhou as a dowry. Instead, he came to take Xiangyang. What do you think I should do?"
Sun Luban blinked and blinked: "If so, Your Majesty, take me to Xuchang and punish me every day."
After that, her pair of slender hands became restless again: "I am guilty of my father's crime. Your Majesty, you can punish me now."
Cao Rui refused repeatedly and coughed lightly, "I will not take you with me to Xuchang this time. Not only you, but also all the concubines in Luoyang. Yan'er is growing up, so you should take care of him more and move less."
The problem for women in the palace has always been the inequality rather than the lack of wealth. Hearing that Mao Yan was not going either, Sun Luban finally felt relieved.
It was only a short while after she rested, and although she felt relieved, her soft and warm body rolled up again.
……
The next day, as soon as it got light, King Sun Quan of Wu got up from his tent and, with his personal soldiers and a group of officials, began to inspect the newly built camp.
Xiangyang City is indeed the key to Jingzhou.
The Han River comes from Hanzhong in the west. At the western end of Xiangyang, the Han River generally flows from northwest to southeast. After Xiangyang, the direction of the Han River is almost the same as due south. Such terrain and location have created several sandbanks at the bend of the Han River.
There are about three large sandbars, but during this high water period, only one sandbar called Yuliangzhou remains above the surface of the Han River.
Some years ago, when Liu Biao was the governor of Jingzhou in the Han Dynasty, many famous people of the time lived near Xiangyang.
Xu Shu's former residence is still on the bank of Tanxi River southwest of Xiangyang, and Yuliangzhou, where Sun Quan is now, is the former residence of Pang Degong. The Han River is divided into two parts, north and south, by Yuliangzhou. To the south of Yuliangzhou, near Xiangyang, is the former residence of Pang Tong and Pang Shiyuan, and next to it is a building called Jingshengtai built by Liu Biao. To the north of Yuliangzhou, near Fancheng, is the residence of the famous scholar Sima Hui.
At that time, scholars in Xiangyang traveled by boat to the north and south of Yuliangzhou, discussing classics, making friends and having fun. However, this scene disappeared completely after Emperor Wu Cao Cao led his troops south in the 13th year of Jian'an. Even the people in the south of Xiangyang were almost all relocated to Yuzhou.
The huge Yuliangzhou Island gradually became deserted until it was occupied by Sun Quan's navy. When the water level rose, the part of Yuliangzhou Island that emerged from the water was about five miles from east to west and three miles from north to south, just like the size of a city.
Using Yuliangzhou in the Han River as the base can not only take advantage of the navy, but also be far away from the land to prevent attacks from the Wei army. If the situation turns out to be unfavorable, one can escape at any time. It is indeed a good place.
"What did the Wei army do last night?"
Sun Quan stood on the wooden watchtower and looked far to the west.
Xiangyang is located in the south of the Han River, and Fancheng is located in the north of the Han River. The two cities are only ten miles away from Sun Quan.
When a large army goes out to war, naturally, specific people are assigned to specific tasks.
Hu Zong, who had always been trusted by Sun Quan, was now in charge of the defense of Yuliangzhou and was not by Sun Quan's side. The person who was now in charge of military affairs for Sun Quan was called Shi Yi. He was over sixty years old. He followed Liu Yao to Jiangdong to avoid the chaos. Later, he was recruited by Sun Quan and was now the person in charge of Shangshu affairs in Wuchang.
Prime Minister Gu Yong stayed in Wuchang to guard the city, so Shi Yi followed him on the expedition.
Shiyi's original surname was not "Shi" but "Shi". When he was a county official in Beihai County, he was ridiculed by Kong Rong because of his surname. Kong Rong said that "Shi" was the most important character in "Min" and should be changed to "Shi", so he changed his surname.
The cypress trees on Kong Rong's tomb have withered and flourished many times, but Yi is still a high-ranking official in the State of Wu.
Shi Yi bowed and said, "Your Majesty, the Wei army in Xiangyang did not make any moves last night. Instead, the Wei army in Fancheng seemed to have attempted a sneak attack at night, but was stopped by General Bu's troops."
Sun Quan asked again: "How is the progress of building the dock at the mouth of the Yu River?"
Shi Yi replied, "It will take another five days to build the Yukou Fort. We have fences set up all over the north of the fort, so we will be safe even if the Wei soldiers come to attack."
"Okay." Sun Quan nodded: "Come down with me."
"Yes."
The two of them went down the tower together. Sun Quan looked at Sun Deng who was standing respectfully beside him, and asked with the intention of testing him:
"Zi Gao, do you know why I planned this?"
With Zhuge Ke and the other three looking at him encouragingly, Sun Deng cupped his hands and said, "Father, I think your military strategy is excellent. All the important locations have been deployed, so it is absolutely safe."
Sun Quan smiled and said, "Which four places? Tell me, what does Zi Gao think?"
Sun Deng immediately explained: "They are Xiangyang, Fancheng, Yukou, and Yuliangzhou."
"Xiangyang is south of the Han River, isolated and without support. We only need to send a force to set up defenses outside the city to prevent the Wei troops inside from leaving. If Fancheng is in danger, the Wei troops inside Xiangyang will lose their will to fight."
"Yuliangzhou is in the Han River. The Wu navy can use this place to advance or retreat, and can cope with any situation. It is safest for the central army to hold this place."
"Yukou connects the interior of Wei, and a fort is built by the water, just like the Ruxu Fort by the Ruxu River in Yangzhou. It is an important place that must be defended."
"Fancheng is located at a lower altitude and is also north of the Han River. It is obviously a place that the Wei army must rescue. At this time, Fancheng is being besieged by my father's army. We can either defend the city or wait for the Wei army to come to our rescue. My father can send people to attack and conquer it."
"Hahaha." Sun Quan stroked his beard and laughed after listening to Sun Deng's explanation. His son, who was in his early twenties, had such insight, which was already considered excellent.
The King of Wu was in a good mood, and the ministers who followed him also echoed and praised him. Sun Deng was the eldest son and the crown prince, and this expedition was obviously intended to hone his skills. The ministers could see that this was Sun Quan accumulating experience for Sun Deng.
What a harmonious scene with a loving father and filial son, and everyone enjoying themselves.
Sun Deng quickly bowed his hands humbly and said, "I dare not deceive you, father. This is not just my opinion. I have listened to the geographical situation from General Quan these past two days, and asked General Hu about military strategies and military affairs. I also talked a lot with Zhuge Yuanxun, Zhang Shusi and four others. I listened to everyone's words and thought about it for a long time. This is the conclusion I made."
Zhuge Ke, Zhang Xiu, Gu Tan and Chen Biao, who were standing behind Sun Deng, also bowed and saluted.
Sun Quan waved his hand and said, "The power of one person is always limited, and only when everyone works together can things be accomplished. Zi Gao is my crown prince. If you can use the opinions of others, they are no different from your own opinions. You should accept suggestions from all sides. This is the magnanimity of a crown prince."
"Zigao has been with me in Yuliangzhou all day, but there is nothing to do. Among the four places you mentioned just now, besides Yuliangzhou, which of the other three would you like to go to?" (End of this chapter)
