"Build a city next to Ruxuwu?"
Cao Rui softly repeated Liu Ye's words, turned to look at him and asked, "Use building a city to contain Wu's soldiers? How can this be done?"
"Of course it can be done!" Liu Ye replied, "I would like to ask your Majesty a few questions."
Cao Rui nodded: "Tell me!"
Liu Ye looked quite confident at the moment. He calmly glanced at Sima Yi, Wang Guan, and Pei Qian, and then said in a loud voice: "I would like to ask your Majesty first, is it because of Ruxu Fort that the royal army has been unable to cross the Ruxu River to the Yangtze River for many years?"
Cao Rui didn't say anything, but just nodded slightly to show that he understood.
Liu Ye asked again: "Ruxuwu has always been difficult to attack, but why is that?"
While Cao Rui was still thinking about his words, Liu Ye had already spoken: "There are three reasons why Ruxu has been unable to be conquered after repeated attacks!"
"First, they were resting while waiting for the enemy to tire themselves out. The Wu army was guarding a strong city with its back to the Yangtze River, and they were able to compete with the king's army for victory by taking advantage of the geographical location. Second, they had the advantage of boats. The Wu army's boats could enter the Ruxu River from the Yangtze River. Third, the army had to travel a long distance to tire themselves out. It was three hundred miles from Hefei to attack Ruxu, and more than five hundred miles from Shouchun."
Cao Rui stroked his chin and frowned as he listened to Liu Ye's words. Sima Yi quietly observed Liu Ye's expression, Wang Guan lowered his head and looked at the ground without saying a word, while Pei Qian slightly raised his eyebrows and seemed to become excited.
Seeing that no one responded, Liu Ye swallowed his saliva and continued to explain his point of view: "Now most of Sun Quan's central army and navy are in Xiangfan. If Wei can hold out against Wu troops in Xiangfan, and Yangzhou can capture Ruxu, or build a city next to Wu's Ruxu Fort to hold out, then the recovery of Ruxu will be a matter of a day or two!"
Cao Rui looked up at Liu Ye, then at the other three, nodded and said, "Whether this can be done or not, I need to think about it for a while. Liu Qing, you, Wang Shumi and Sikong, please discuss this matter carefully. When we arrive in Xuchang tomorrow night, you must give me a complete plan!"
"Also, quickly send the troops of Zhu Gai, the right general in Runan Xinxi, from Anyang, Yiyang, and Biyang to reinforce Xinye. I estimate that it is no more than 600 miles from the time I received the order. I will give him ten days to rush the entire army to Xinye, otherwise he will be subject to military law!"
"As you wish." Liu Ye replied in a deep voice.
"We obey your order." Sima Yi and Wang Guan also responded at the same time.
After Sima Yi, Liu Ye and Wang Guan left, only the attendant Pei Qian was left in the hall.
"Pei Qing, sit closer to me." Cao Rui waved to Pei Qian and said, "What Liu Ziyang just said, is there any precedent in history books? I can only think of the example of Emperor Wu who built a sand city overnight on the other side of the Wei River when he attacked Tongguan. This is not the same as what he said."
Pei Qian pondered for a moment and said tentatively, "If Liu Shumi's words are true, I can find an example for Your Majesty."
"Is it true?" Cao Rui raised his eyebrows.
Pei Qian nodded: "The strategy that Liu Shumi just mentioned is actually 'building fortifications in front of the enemy'. When Yue attacked the capital of Wu, which is now Wu County in Wu County in Jiangdong, they built a Yue City outside Xu Gate in the southwest of Wu capital to besiege and monitor the Wu army. King Fuchai of Wu was eventually forced to commit suicide."
"When Liu Shumi made the suggestion just now, I felt that this was feasible."
Cao Rui did not bring a map, but he had memorized all the geographical maps from Shouchun to Hefei, Chaohu Lake and Ruxu. As a minister, it was his duty to remember all these.
Cao Rui said: "If we follow his plan and build a city next to Ruxu Fort, we should first send a large army to garrison in the north of Ruxu Fort, and then build a city to the north of the army. From a military point of view, it is not difficult, and Chen Situ's caution is enough to deal with it. But mobilizing the manpower, material resources, and financial resources to build a city from Shouchun along Hefei and Chaohu for hundreds of miles, this becomes the most difficult part."
Pei Qian immediately smiled and said, "No matter what it is built like, it will be a good thing. If time is short, we can turn the temporary military camp into a long-term station. If we can't build a city, we can build a fort or a stronghold."
"Pei Qing is right." Cao Rui sighed, "On one side is Ruxu, on the other side is Xiangfan, plus the Wei Central Army just returned from the expedition to Liaodong, and there are still things to do in the west..."
"In the past few years, the situation has never made me so embarrassed."
Pei Qian thought for a moment and consoled them: "Although it is a little difficult right now, for Wei, it is to be stable and invincible everywhere. As for Wu and Shu, the world situation is no longer on their side. This time it is just a desperate struggle."
"Take Xiangfan for example. Your Majesty, please allow me to speak the truth." Pei Qian said, "Even if Xiangyang and Fancheng are both lost, how much loss will it cause to the Wei Dynasty? Xiangfan is in the hands of Sun Quan, so the one who should be worried about the defense of the two cities is Sun Quan! Can he really hold on to them?"
Cao Rui glanced at Pei Qian and said, "If we can take Ruxu, I don't need Xiangyang. But if, as you and Liu Ye say, Ruxu cannot be taken for the time being, then not only can Xiangyang not be lost, I also want to see progress in Ruxu!"
"Your Majesty, with God's blessing, the affairs of Jing and Yang provinces will surely go smoothly." Pei Qian bowed and said, "Your Majesty, why don't you wait and see what the three of them say and see what measures will be taken in the end?"
Cao Rui nodded: "One more day. We will arrive in Xuchang tomorrow night, and I will be waiting for their advice!"
While Pei Qian was talking with the emperor in the hall, Sima Yi, Liu Ye and Wang Guan outside also found an empty room, arranged for assistants to clean it up, and then went in and sat down.
"Sikong..." Liu Ye was about to speak when he was interrupted by Sima Yi.
Sima Yi smiled and said, "Since Zi Yang mentioned that he wanted to build a city in Yangzhou, it would be inappropriate for the three of us to discuss the matter here. Why not call the Minister of Works Fu Xun and the Minister of War Wu Zhou together and listen to their opinions."
Fu Xun and Wu Zhou?
Liu Ye was stunned for a moment, then turned to look at Wang Guan who was standing beside him. However, Wang Guan avoided Liu Ye's gaze and calmly turned to look outside, which made Liu Ye feel awkward and a little regretful.
Just now, in front of His Majesty, he wanted to make a good show, but he lost Wang Guan's face. Now there are three people discussing matters, one Sikong against two Privy Councilors, and the Privy Councilors have the advantage in numbers. Fu Xun and Wu Zhou are both under Sima Yi's command in the Shangshutai, so isn't this three to two? Or maybe four to one!
"Sikong is right. This matter should be discussed with the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Works. Then please ask Minister Fu and Minister Wu to come together. It's all for the sake of the Great Wei."
"Yes, it's all for the Great Wei." Sima Yi nodded, stood up and walked to the door, gave an order to the clerk outside the door, and sat down in his seat again.
Not long after, Fu Xun and Wu Zhou also hurried over, and Liu Ye was able to continue to express his views.
……
On the evening of the 20th, the emperor's carriage, along with officials from the Secretariat and the Privy Council, arrived at Xuchang City, one of the five capitals of the Wei Dynasty.
When Sima Yi and Liu Ye were about to report the strategy they had prepared late last night and today to the emperor, the emperor first called Huang Quan, the governor of Yuzhou, who was waiting for them outside the city, to the study in the Xuchang Palace.
"I am guilty."
There were many people outside the city just now, so when Huang Quan was alone with the emperor, he immediately bowed and said: "My previous impeachment of Dong Zhou has indeed caused trouble to Your Majesty and the country. I hope Your Majesty will punish me for my mistakes."
Cao Rui sighed, pointed to the chair beside him, and said with emotion: "I will fine both you and General Dong as punishment. I will fine you three months' salary, and General Dong a year's salary. I will also send Dong Zhou to guard the border in Youzhou."
"The bottom line is that Dong Zhou himself did not do his job properly and caused trouble for the country. It is only right that he should be demoted."
Huang Quan did not dare to sit down, and his already lowered head lowered even more: "Although this is the case, the timing of my impeachment is wrong. Your Majesty has just returned from Liaodong, which has caused Your Majesty to worry. This crime I cannot escape no matter what."
Cao Rui said: "So I fined you three months' salary. Since I fined you once, I won't fine you a second time. This matter ends here. I won't talk about it again, and you don't have to mention it to me again."
"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty." Huang Quan bowed.
However, from Huang Quan's perspective, it was normal to feel a little bit uneasy. When the imperial edict arrived in Yuzhou, Huang Quan was fined three months' salary and Dong Zhao was fined one year's salary. It was very obvious which one was more serious.
But when His Majesty returned to Luoyang, he immediately promoted Dong Zhao to the position of Grand Commandant, the first of the Three Dukes. With such praise and generous rewards, Huang Quan, who had a disagreement with Dong Zhao, naturally worried whether the court had changed and whether Dong Zhao had slandered His Majesty. He was worried that he, who had served the emperor in the past, had now lost His Majesty's heart and trust.
At the moment, it seems that Your Majesty is still as wise as ever.
"Please sit down. I have something important to discuss with you." Cao Rui said, "What is the disaster situation in Yuzhou? I have read the documents you sent to the Shangshutai, but I still want to confirm it with you in person. Is it true?"
"It's true! I will never lie to your majesty or the court!" Huang Quan said solemnly, "I have sent people to investigate the disaster in every county in Yuzhou. No county has been left out. Everything is well documented!"
Cao Rui nodded and said, "Okay, I believe you. I remember that you came to Yuzhou in the first year of Taihe. I know how hard you have worked for three years. In terms of farming and land, I'm sure no governor in any province can be better than you."
"I want to ask you something now."
Huang Quan leaned forward slightly and listened very carefully.
Cao Rui asked, "Mr. Huang, when do you think the military farming in Yuzhou can be stopped?"
Just farming?
Huang Quan was a little confused for a moment and asked, "Your Majesty, what did I do wrong in Yuzhou? During the Taihe period, Yuzhou was always at the top of the list in terms of military farming achievements!"
Cao Rui smiled and said, "Don't be nervous. When I say tungtian, I am talking about tungtian itself. I don't mean to deny you."
"I want to say that the military farming thing was just a stopgap measure since the chaos at the end of the Han Dynasty." (End of this chapter)
