Three Kingdoms: I am not Cao Rui

Separated by a river, the scenery is quite different.

Guangling is truly a wonderful place. It has been sparsely populated for many years, and the fish in the lake seem to have never experienced the presence of humans since birth. They readily take the bait when simply fished.

Cao Rui had nothing else to do in Guangling, so he spent his days fishing, and his fishing skills improved day by day. By his calculations, he had caught more than two hundred fish in the past few days. In addition to eating them himself, he also distributed them to the soldiers attending him and the military commanders and officers.

Cao Rui was unaware of the many troubles his father-in-law Sun Quan had encountered in the south. While Cao Rui was waiting for Wang Ling to lead 20,000 troops in Guangling, he received a letter from the Shouchun Cabinet.

"Uncle Zhi, bring me the vermilion brush." ​​Cao Rui casually summoned Zhong Yu.

“Your subject is here.” Zhong Yu stepped forward from about two zhang behind him.

Cao Rui wrote "approved" in red ink on the document sent by the cabinet, which suggested exiling Sima Fu and Xiahou Ba to Xuantu and Lelang counties in Yingzhou. He then took the seal, stamped it, and returned the document to Guanqiu Jian, saying, "Zhonggong, take this and send someone to deliver it."

"As you command," Guanqiu Jian replied.

Cao Rui then asked, "Have Xiahou Xian's troops return from Hailing and launch a feigned attack on Tangyi on October 19th. Be careful not to capture it, only to launch a feigned attack, the main purpose being to draw away Wu's forces. His five thousand soldiers are all cavalry, making them easy to advance and retreat, so there is no need to worry about Wu's army. Just provoke them as you please."

“Yes, Your Majesty, I will go and speak with him right away,” Guanqiu Jian said.

Sun Quan himself was attacked on the night of the 16th. He stayed in Wuxi for a day on the 17th. On the morning of the 18th, after General Sun Shao led his troops to Wuxi on a forced march, he led his army back to Dantu.

On the 20th, Sun Quan arrived in Dantu. At this time, news had also arrived that Tangyi had been terrified by the Wei army.

Upon receiving news of the fall of Guangling, Tangyi was now the only city north of the Dantu River that belonged to the Wu Kingdom and whose defenses remained intact. Sun Shao had already ordered General Liu Zan to reinforce Tangyi, and including the original troops there, there were a total of four thousand soldiers stationed in the city.

After several days of rest, Sun Quan appeared to have returned to normal, but he would occasionally feel dazed during the day when there was nothing to do. He would instinctively worry that the troops around him might rebel, but he would suppress his fears with reason.

Even someone as thick-skinned as Sun Quan hadn't slept well for several days. He would often wake up in the middle of the night, his mind constantly engaged in a battle of wits.

On the one hand, Sun Quan's successful experience of ruling for more than 30 years and navigating numerous storms gave him confidence. He also constantly told himself that he could hold on, extend the foundation of the Wu Kingdom for hundreds of years, and pass on the foundation to his crown prince Sun Deng peacefully.

On the other hand, Sun Quan subconsciously kept thinking about the night Zhu Zhen, Zhu Zhi, and Yu Qin plotted to assassinate him.

Yu Qin came from the Yu clan of Kuaiji. Sun Quan had already issued an order to arrest Yu Qin's entire clan, similar to the order to exterminate the Zhu clan.

Sun Quan couldn't understand whether he, as the emperor, had truly fallen so low as to be so immoral. After Zhu Zhen was arrested that night, Zhu Zhen cursed him as a tyrannical and incompetent ruler, a cruel and tyrannical man, and a descendant of melon farmers from the banks of the Fuchun River, of humble origins who had usurped the throne and failed to recognize the will of Heaven. He also cursed his father, his brothers, and himself for the many killings they had committed...

But after a night of delirium, Sun Quan began to have doubts. His father, Sun Jian, his elder brother, Sun Ce, and himself over the past thirty years seemed to have indeed killed far too many people…

It was visibly that Sun Quan looked much more haggard.

Equally haggard was Gu Yong, who had returned to his post as Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. The few black hairs Gu Yong had once had had completely turned white in the past few days.

On the one hand, after learning the reason why Sun Quan wanted to personally go to Wu County, he couldn't help but worry about the future of the Wu Kingdom. Zhu Zhen, Yu Qin, and Zhu Zhi were plotting a rebellion, which had nothing to do with him, but they were still using his name. Sun Quan tolerated it and reinstated him. He was afraid that Sun Quan's forbearance would only bring him a greater 'reward' in the future.

On the other hand, Gu Yong himself is not exactly a completely honest person.

The Lu family sent Lu Ya, a member of a collateral branch, to defect to the Wei Kingdom. When Gu Yong returned to his clan and learned of the Lu family's secret report, he was shocked. Feeling the terrible political situation in the Wu Kingdom and the objective reality that he had already stepped down and was under house arrest, he sent Gu Tang, a member of his own collateral branch who had little presence, to defect to the Wei Kingdom as well.

The problem lies here.

Gu Yong had no idea that he would be reinstated by Sun Quan! He was already over sixty years old and his health was declining; he had thought he didn't have many years left to live.

Ultimately, there was still an element of guilt involved; he was constantly tormented inside. Gu Yong knew that the execution of the Zhu and Yu families would once again destabilize the already precarious court.

And this is something that I can't quell by simply getting back on my feet.

Gu Yong even privately speculated that Sun Quan did not originally intend to kill Zhu Ju, but accidentally killed him. In order to eliminate any future threats, he confirmed Zhu Ju's crimes and executed his entire clan.

He no longer had the courage to argue even a little.

Back in Dantu and residing in the palace, Sun Quan could finally relax a bit and arrange the affairs of state. However, the first item on Sun Quan's agenda was not military or political matters, but rather the arrangements for Pan Jun's passing.

Sun Quan said softly, "Chengming died for me. I remember clearly that Chengming went forward barefoot with a sword in his white clothes, trying to stop the rebels with his own strength. He was truly my trusted confidant and a minister of the state."

"Chengming's title is Marquis of Liuyang. I wish to posthumously honor him with the title of Duke of Yuzhang and the posthumous title of Minister of Works. What do you all think?"

Pan Jun's original title was Marquis of Liuyang, which belonged to Changsha Commandery, while Yuzhang Commandery was right next to Liuyang County. To posthumously confer a title upon someone from an entire commandery, and to posthumously grant him the titles of Duke and Minister of Works, truly set a precedent for the Wu Kingdom.

If it were the old Gu Yong, he might have offered some advice, saying that the reward was excessive. But today, Gu Yong did not want to cause trouble and immediately expressed his agreement.

Xu Xiang was a witness to that night, while Sun Shao only listened to Sun Quan's words. Although both of them knew it was against etiquette, they did not offer any advice.

When Sun Quan discussed the war and military assignments, as well as how to stabilize the court after the extermination of the Zhu and Yu clans, Gu Yong, Xu Xiang, and Sun Shao did not offer any dissenting opinions. Whatever Sun Quan said or asked, the three of them expressed their agreement, support, and approval.

Sun Quan had intended to get the three men to offer their differing opinions, but when he looked up, he saw that Gu Yong's face was full of caution, Sun Shao seemed indifferent, and Xu Xiang was absent-minded. Sun Quan sighed and made no further demands on the three men.

"cough".

Sun Quan cleared his throat and looked at the three men: "Since the Wei army intends to attack Tangyi, Tangyi is the only city where the Great Wu is stationed north of Dantu. It cannot be lost."

"I believe that we should send troops across the river to confront the Wei army at Tukou, and have Liu Zan assist in defending the city, so as to protect Tangyi, an important node on the north bank of the river. If Tangyi is lost, the Great Wu Yangzhou will only have Ruxu left on the north bank of the river."

What do you three think?

Sun Shao pretended to be deep in thought. After a few moments, he cupped his hands and repeated, "Your Majesty is wise! Tangyi cannot be lost. Indeed, a capable general should be sent there to assist Liu Zan in its defense."

Gu Yong echoed, "Your Majesty's words are excellent; I agree."

"I agree," Xu Xiang said.

Sun Quan then asked, "Then who should I appoint to guard this place? What about Quan Zihuang? With Zhu Yifeng stationed at Ruxu, it should be fine to temporarily transfer Quan Zihuang from Linjiang to Tukou."

“General Wei is a renowned general of the nation, and I also believe that this matter should be handled by General Wei,” Sun Shao continued, expressing his agreement.

Gu Yong then cupped his hands and said, "Now that the Wei army is pressing on Yangzhou, Your Majesty's decision to bring General Zhu from Jingzhou is indeed a brilliant move. With General Zhu in Ruxu, General Wei in Wuhu can also be freed up. In terms of holding off the Wei army, General Wei has the most experience and is qualified for this task."

Xu Xiang also said, "I agree."

Sun Quan felt a wave of powerlessness wash over him.

Whether it's increasing troop numbers or using Quan Cong, it's not a problem.

He could clearly sense the perfunctory attitude of these three. But what could Sun Quan do? If these three were behaving this way, what about the other officials in the court? (End of Chapter)