Three Kingdoms: I am not Cao Rui

The vast territory has many advantages, but it also makes it quite troublesome for officials to travel around.

The imperial court issued an edict ordering General Hu Zun to go to Guzang City in Wuwei County, Liangzhou, to replace Xiahou Ba. The edict was sent from Fancheng to Wancheng on April 4th, and it took seven days to arrive in Wancheng. After receiving the edict, Hu Zun made arrangements for one day, and after setting off the next day, he traveled two hundred li a day like a messenger, and it took him twelve days to arrive in Chang'an.

After Hu Zun met up with Lu Yu, the Chamberlain who was waiting in Chang'an, they set off for Wuwei in Liangzhou, on the northwestern frontier, which took another fifteen days. Lu Yu's body could not withstand such a high-intensity march, so the two of them traveled much slower.

For Hu Zun, this was a classic case of being appointed to a critical mission. The emperor, considering his background in Guanzhong, sending him to take over the mess left by Xiahou Ba was undoubtedly an act of trust in him.

All the examples from the Taihe era prove that as long as one gains the emperor's favor, promotion and advancement are minor matters.

Privately, although the campaign against Wu was imminent, he originally intended to lead 20,000 troops south with Huan Fan. However, considering that Hu Zun was not the main general in Wancheng and that the Wancheng route was a detachment, Liangzhou was more suitable for Hu Zun.

Moreover, Hu Zun had long served in Guanzhong, and he had no fear whatsoever of the various Hu people from Liangzhou.

Both publicly and privately, this appointment is a good thing for Hu Zun.

This is the complex process by which the imperial court appoints officials. It must consider not only the official's abilities and suitability for the local area, but also their personal future and private desires, so as to achieve a balance between public and private interests.

On the evening of May 10th, in Cangsong County, Wuwei Prefecture, Liangzhou.

Hu Zun and Lu Yu, along with their 100 escorting cavalry, arrived at the post station in the small town of Cangsong. Cangsong is only 60 li away from Guzang City, the capital of Wuwei Prefecture. If they set off early tomorrow, they could arrive before noon.

Cangsong was a small town, and the post station could only accommodate forty or fifty people, which was far from enough to house the hundred cavalrymen who accompanied them. However, the cavalrymen had traveled a long way and had already covered half the distance. Once they returned to Luoyang from Wuwei and handed Sima Fu and Xiahou Ba over to Gao Rou, the Minister of Justice in Luoyang, their mission would be complete.

Interestingly, the dozen or so riders who accompanied Hu Zun from Wancheng returned to Wancheng after arriving in Chang'an. These hundred riders were all elite cavalry from the Five Colonels' Camp, sent to protect Lu Yu rather than Hu Zun, and were also responsible for escorting supplies.

"Lord Lu, Lord Lu." Hu Zun gently knocked on the door with his knuckles from outside: "Is Lord Lu asleep?"

"Is it Chiyi?" Lu Yu asked slowly from inside the room.

Hu Zun replied, "That is indeed me. I will arrive in Wuwei tomorrow. I have been tossing and turning in bed, so I would like to ask Lord Lu about some things."

"Come in," Lu Yu said calmly.

When Hu Zun pushed open the door and entered, Lu Yu had already put on his outer robe and was kneeling on the mat inside the room. After Hu Zun closed the door and bowed, Lu Yu glanced at Hu Zun's face and calmly said, "Chiyi, please take your seat. It's just the two of us here, so let's not stand on ceremony."

"Yes, Lord Lu."

Although Hu Zun became a general of miscellaneous rank at the age of forty, and could be considered a rising star in the military of the Great Wei, he was completely outmatched in front of a Grand Secretary and Attendant of the Great Wei. Hu Zun dared not be anything less than extremely courteous.

Lu Yu seemed a little tired: "What does Chi Yi want to ask me?"

"Lord Lu, what I want to ask is still the court's attitude towards Guanzhong." Hu Zun asked tentatively, "The imperial edict only says that I should stabilize the situation there, but it does not specify how to stabilize it. Moreover, Lord Lu will be returning to Luoyang tomorrow with Sima Shuda and Xiahou Zhongquan. During the time before Lord Wang arrives, I am the only one here, so I am somewhat apprehensive."

Although they had been traveling together for more than ten days, Lu Yu was still not very familiar with Hu Zun. Lu Yu knew Hu Zun's resume very well. More than ten years ago, he was promoted to join the army by Zhang Ji, the then governor of Yongzhou. Later, he served as a commandant in Anding County and made meritorious contributions in the war against Shu in the second year of Taihe. After that, he accumulated seniority.

To what extent we should discuss things with Hu Zun depends on Hu Zun's own abilities.

Lu Yu asked, "I already told you about the Liangzhou matter when I was in Chang'an. Now that the court has chosen you to serve in Liangzhou, what are your thoughts on this appointment as the General Who Pacifies the Seas of Great Wei?"

Hu Zun remained silent for a long time before letting out a soft sigh: "Lord Lu, I do feel that this burden is not light."

"If what Sima Shuda and Xiahou Zhongquan said is true, the number of light cavalry capable of riding horses and drawing bows in Hexi Xianbei is about 40,000 to 50,000. From the perspective of the central government, this number is not large. Not to mention the 30,000 troops proposed by the General, even if only 10,000 central troops came to Liangzhou, these barbarian cavalry would be like clay chickens and earthenware dogs. I understand the court's reluctance to send troops. With the national war imminent, everything should prioritize the conquest of Wu."

"The reason why Wuwei County suffered the disaster was because Lu Shuihu and Juyan Hu led the way and gathered Tuoba Agu, a Xianbei from Hexi, to invade Shandan and Dichi areas of Zhangye County, intending to seize the military horses from the military horse farms there. Xiahou Zhongquan led all 5,000 cavalry westward to Zhangye, which allowed Tuoba Agu to seize the opportunity, return to Wuwei, and attack the city, resulting in the mass abduction of all the people in the city."

Judging from later place names, these Liangzhou nomadic tribes were planning to cross the Helan Mountains to reach the Shandan military horse farm in Zhangye to steal horses. Because Liangzhou bore the heavy responsibility of supplying horses to the imperial court, Xiahou Ba panicked and fell for a clear feint.

Wuwei County is located at the northernmost tip of Wuwei Prefecture, and is 300 li away from Guzang City, the prefectural capital of Wuwei Prefecture.

Lu Yufa asked, "Do you think they are both innocent?"

Hu Zun shook his head: "Of course they are not innocent. If they are innocent, then who can the deceased Magistrate Sui of Wuwei County seek justice from? Aren't the more than two thousand common people even more innocent?"

"I simply feel that Sima Shuda and Xiahou Zhongquan's forced confrontation is not a good situation. There are more bandits than government troops. If they rely on the city for defense, the government's five thousand cavalry would be enough to defeat tens of thousands of barbarian cavalry. In the end, they must take the initiative to fight in order to break this deadlock!"

Lu Yu took a deep breath: "How could the Xianbei of Hexi listen to you? You think we can just start a war just because you say so?"

Hu Zun said, "If I were to take up this post, I would lead the imperial cavalry to launch a preemptive raid, forcing the rebel army to pursue us at great length so that we may engage them in battle. I simply do not know whether the imperial court will allow my plan." Lu Yu remained silent, organizing his thoughts in his mind, trying to figure out how to explain himself to Hu Zun.

In the eyes of seasoned border generals like Hu Zun, the imperial court always seemed to have a long-term vision and a meticulously planned strategy. As a border general, Hu Zun believed he should also make contributions to the country in order to live up to the emperor's favor and earn the emperor's true favor.

But Lu Yu knew that the operating rules of the imperial court or the central government were by no means like that.

Each stage of the imperial court has its main tasks. As long as everything else is handled properly and without making mistakes, it is already sufficient to report back to the court.

Take the Taihe era as an example. The main task in the second year of Taihe was to attack Shu and expand the territory of Hanzhong. After occupying Hanzhong, the court had no further plans to attack Shu. Therefore, the expectations for Cao Zhen and his successor Wei Zhen were limited to holding the existing territory and holding the Guanzhong defense line.

In the fourth year of the Taihe reign, war raged in Liaodong, Guanzhong, Jingzhou, and Yangzhou. The imperial court required local officials to requisition provisions and supplies for the front lines as quickly and efficiently as possible, while also managing disaster relief. Even if the allocation of military supplies instigated some minor peasant uprisings, this was within the court's comprehension.

Now, with the campaign against Wu imminent, the imperial court's demand of Liangzhou is clearly to avoid trouble.

Even if the officials in charge of Liangzhou ignore the crisis involving the Hexi Xianbei and the mixed Hu tribes of Liangzhou, and even if this crisis grows increasingly larger, as long as it doesn't explode within the next two years, it's fine. Once the imperial court has the time, even if the Hexi Xianbei have 100,000 archers, it won't be a major problem that's difficult to solve.

However, Lu Yu worried that speaking so directly to Hu Zun would dampen Hu Zun's enthusiasm. Moreover, what if Hu Zun lost another battle? It would only worsen the situation in Liangzhou!
Lu Yu remained silent for a long time before finally speaking: "Chiyi, I am not good at military affairs, so I will not comment on your battle strategy. Liangzhou is already in such a state. Before you launch your battle strategy, you must ask the court for permission. You should not act on your own initiative. But there is one thing I want to make to you."

"Please give your instructions, Mr. Lu." Hu Zun's attitude remained humble.

Lu Yu said: "Many times, the enemy may seem to be a whole, but it is actually a mixture of different forces. Take the Liangzhou Hu people for example. The Hexi Xianbei are the main force, but Tuoba Agu has never had a blood feud with the Great Wei before. On the contrary, the Lushui Hu and Juyan Hu have always been at odds with the Great Wei."

"Tufa Agu's plundering of cities is a crime, but I want to make it clear to you that the hatred that has arisen from the trade is nothing compared to the 50,000 mixed barbarians that the Great General killed in Liangzhou in the past."

Hu Zun seemed to be deep in thought: "Does Lord Lu mean that we should fight the Lushui Hu and Juyan Hu? If we really fight a blood feud with Tuoba Agu, there will be no room for maneuver in the future?"

“Yes.” Lu Yu added, “Wang Yuanbo is in Yingzhou. He has probably just received the news. The earliest he can come to Liangzhou is July. After I arrest Sima Shuda and Xiahou Zhongquan tomorrow, I will not stay in Wuwei at all. You must act cautiously and report any matters to the court until Wang Yuanbo arrives. From the perspective of the central government, stability is the most important thing for you.”

"Thank you for your guidance, Master Lu." Hu Zun already understood Lu Yu's meaning, so he stood up, bowed, and left through the closed door.

Lu Yu was left alone in the room, unable to sleep for a long time.

Lu Yu and Hu Zun did not inform Liangzhou of their arrival beforehand. Last night, the magistrate of Cangsong hurriedly reported the matter to Guzang. Sima Fu and Xiahou Ba only knew that the two had arrived, but did not know why.

Upon the arrival of the cabinet ministers, Sima Fu and Xiahou Ba hastily decided to go out of the city to welcome them. Outside the east gate of Guzang City, the two led more than three hundred officials from the prefecture and county to greet them a mile outside the city gate.

Although Sima Fu was inwardly apprehensive, he still tried his best to show a kind and joyful expression. Upon seeing Lu Yu's face, he quickly stepped forward and greeted him with clasped hands.
“Zijia, we haven’t seen each other for many years. You’ve come all the way from the imperial court. Why didn’t you inform us beforehand? Zhongquan and I had no choice but to rush to greet you outside the city. I really feel bad about this.”

"And who is this?" Sima Fu looked at Hu Zun behind him.

Hu Zun was originally a border general, and his resume had nothing in common with Sima Fu's. Xiahou Ba had met Hu Zun twice before when he rushed to the aid of Longyou in the second year of Taihe, and he felt that he had seen this person before, but he did not dare to recognize him.

"Greetings, Lord Lu." Xiahou Ba bowed and greeted him.

Lu Yu nodded to the two men, sighed softly, and dismounted. Hu Zun behind him also dismounted and stood up at the same time.

Lu Yu did not respond to their greetings: "Shuda, Zhongquan, this is General Hu Zun and Hu Chiyi of Heng Hai. They have come to Liangzhou with me by imperial decree."

Sima Fu smiled and cupped his hands in greeting: "I have long admired General Hu's name. He has guarded Hanzhong and Wancheng for many years. Today, I finally get to meet him."

"Greetings, Prefect Sima." Hu Zun was equally polite. Since the imperial decree had not yet been issued, Sima Fu was still the Governor of Liangzhou.

Xiahou Ba clasped his hands in a fist and said with a smile, "General Hu, we met back in Shanggui! Six years have passed, and General Hu's demeanor is extraordinary; I didn't even dare to recognize you for a moment!"

Hu Zun remained polite in his reply. Even though Xiahou Ba had lost power, his Xiahou surname was still valuable.

Just as the two were exchanging pleasantries with Hu Zun, Lu Yu, who was standing to the side with an expressionless face, glanced at them, took out a wooden tube from the leather bag next to the saddle, held it in his hand, and coughed lightly.

"Shuda, Zhongquan," Lu Yu said in a deep voice, "I have traveled here from the Emperor's presence with an imperial edict to be read to you two. Please bring your accompanying officials and prepare to receive the edict."

When disaster truly strikes, people often have a premonition. Sima Fu's hands trembled slightly as he tried to give a few instructions to the officials behind him, and then led more than three hundred people to kneel on the ground.

Lu Yu slowly unfurled the imperial edict in his hand. (End of Chapter)