Three Kingdoms: I am not Cao Rui

At this moment, Cao Zhen was no longer joking. He stood with his hands clasped in front of Cao Rui, looking down at him with a disdainful expression and his eyes gradually becoming sharp.

"Gentlemen," Cao Zhen said, "Today is the first day of the ninth year of Taihe. We should celebrate the New Year and offer our congratulations. As the Grand General, I would like to say a few words that are out of place. The war against Wu is a national war. The court will make the arrangements as it is. However, if any of you have any pride, any intention to underestimate the enemy and act rashly, or any thoughts of indulgence and slackness, you should reflect on yourselves from this moment on."

Cao Zhen, with a stern face, looked around and said, “Apart from the two officials from Yangzhou, everyone else here today is a rank of two thousand shi, or at least a Marquis within the Pass. The affairs of the state are our private affairs. We share weal and woe, we share glory and we share loss. You should all remember this principle.”

"After today's meeting, it will be wartime for you. In fact, Man Zhengnan is in Xiangfan, Xiahou Pingnan is in Jiangxia, and Huan Zhenbei is in Wancheng. The three generals have already sent troops south and are engaged in battle at this moment. Wartime must have wartime rules. From this Grand General down, whoever neglects his duties, fears war, disobeys orders, or violates any military laws or regulations is a criminal against the country. All matters must prioritize military affairs!"

Following Cao Zhen, Situ Chen Qun also stood up.

Although Situ Chen Qun had faded from Cao Rui's decision-making circle since the early years of the Taihe era, even without participating in major policy decisions, Chen Qun was one of the Three Dukes, a high-ranking official in charge of a region for many years. In addition, Chen Qun was also the chief military judge for this expedition, which made the officials even more serious.

"I will only say one thing," Chen Qun said slowly, "Anyone who violates military law or delays military operations will be severely punished. This applies not only to the military, but to all officials."

Everyone was in awe.

As military, logistical, and logistical matters were arranged, the group gradually dispersed after receiving their New Year's gifts at the palace gates. The generals returned to their respective camps, where they still had subordinates to motivate.

Sima Yi, citing official business, invited Jiang Ji to the office of the Minister of Personnel. After Jiang Ji closed the door, Sima Yi gestured for him to sit beside him.

"Zitong," Sima Yi sighed softly, "Once the Grand General leads the army on his expedition, His Majesty will certainly be with him. You are the Governor of Yangzhou, and I am the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. Should we go with the army or stay in Shouchun? His Majesty has not yet given us an answer."

"Oh?" Jiang Ji raised an eyebrow and asked, "Zhongda didn't ask His Majesty?"

Sima Yi pursed his lips: "I've asked, and His Majesty said it's not decided yet. What do you think of this matter?"

Jiang Ji thought for a few moments and said, “This matter should be considered as follows. There are still ten days before the troops are to be dispatched. Even if the decision is made five or six days later, it should not delay the affairs of the country. Your Majesty must have some hesitation.”

"What is the cause of your hesitation?" Sima Yi asked.

“Firstly, logistics.” Jiang Ji spread his legs, his posture quite casual: “For so many years, His Majesty has always had Zhongda accompany the army to oversee all affairs whenever he goes on a campaign. But there are 150,000 troops going on a campaign from Yangzhou, and the allocation of military supplies is even more complicated. It seems that it would be better to use you in Shouchun.”

Sima Yi remained silent.

"Secondly..." Jiang Ji had barely opened his mouth when he suddenly opened his eyes wide, sat up straight, and looked at Sima Yi: "Zhongda, what do you think His Majesty is thinking?"

Sima Yi sneered: "Yes, what were you thinking?"

"I see that you, the governor of Yangzhou, have been carefree lately! You've even become quite dull-witted. His Majesty has expanded the territory of Yangzhou, bringing the three prefectures of Danyang, Wu, and Kuaiji under Yangzhou's jurisdiction, and has allowed you to continue in your post. He has also made Jianye your new capital."

Jiang Ji was somewhat embarrassed and chuckled awkwardly, "Zhongda, I'm just busy with official business."

Sima Yi asked, "In the seventh year of Huangchu, nine years ago, what were His Majesty's exact words at that time?"

“I can’t possibly forget that.” Jiang Ji recalled for a few moments seriously: “The one who makes the greatest contribution will be enfeoffed as a king with the territory of a prefecture. If the generals below him make no mistakes, they can be enfeoffed as kings with the territory of a county. Those who have made great contributions to logistics can also be enfeoffed in this way. Other meritorious officials can be enfeoffed as dukes.” Sima Yi then asked: “According to the court’s current allocation, if there is a great victory, who can be considered the one who makes the greatest contribution? During the Taihe era, the country did not suffer a single defeat. Such a question can be asked.”

“Cao Zhen…Cao Zhen definitely doesn’t count.” Jiang Ji narrowed his eyes slightly: “His title of Grand General is almost nominal, with no real achievements. But because he is a member of the imperial clan, if he were to be granted a title of King, he would definitely be counted as the commander-in-chief.”

"This is one person." Sima Yi snorted lightly.

“Xiahou Ru and Huan Fan are merely subordinate generals, at most they can be granted the title of county marquis. Lu Xun is a surrendered official of Wu, and can't be considered a commander-in-chief…” Jiang Ji looked at Sima Yi: “Can Lu Xun be granted the title of duke?”

"Perhaps," Sima Yi said. "In recent years, I have become increasingly unable to fathom His Majesty's intentions. He is resolute in his campaign against Wu, yet there is often ambiguity between His Majesty and Sun Quan himself, and there is also Consort Sun in the harem. In short, in order to appease the surrendered officials of Wu, Lu Xun will most likely be promoted, but it is unclear to what extent."

"As for Man Chong, let's see how well he performs in Jingzhou," Jiang Ji said. "You and I both know what kind of place Jiangling City is. It's not easy for 60,000 troops to take Jiangling and Xiling. The minimum is to be granted the title of Duke, and the maximum is to be granted the title of King."

"General Guanqiu Jian, the commander-in-chief," Sima Yi said.

"Your Majesty is forcibly elevating Guanqiu Jian," Jiang Ji sneered. "At the age of thirty-five, he has become a commander-in-chief. He is merely a friend from Your Majesty's former residence when you were still a prince, yet he has been granted such a prominent position!"

"He should at least be granted the title of Duke."

Sima Yi took a breath: "I agree with all of your ideas. It is precisely because we agree that there is a problem."

Sima Yi leaned forward slightly: "Zitong, tell me, among the three main generals—Cao Zhen, Guanqiu Jian, and Man Chong—only Grand General Cao Zhen is truly secure a title of king. I really don't know what Your Majesty is thinking. Who can be considered the one with the greatest merit?"

"Who knows?" Jiang Ji looked down at the ground. "That's a royal title. Is His Majesty not allowed to be stingy with the seal of office? If only Cao Zhen is granted the title, or if everyone is granted the title of Duke, what can the people of the world do?"

"In my opinion, back in the seventh year of the Huangchu era, who could have imagined that the Great Wei would achieve so many victories in recent years? The battles of Wancheng, Yongliang, Liaodong... these victories were less due to the merits of the ministers and more due to His Majesty's fearless leadership of the central army at the forefront, never complaining about the hardships. Even Emperor Wu's arduous campaigns in the north were no more than this. As for strategy and command, if the campaign against Wu had been successful, the credit would have been earned by His Majesty himself, rather than by any minister who stood out from the crowd."

“However,” Jiang Ji looked up and met Sima Yi’s gaze, “it’s just that the logistics and transportation will make it difficult to be granted the title of king.”

Sima Yi's expression also showed some dejection. He laughed self-deprecatingly, "For so many years, I have often boasted of being a capable minister of the state, and I thought I would be eligible to be enfeoffed as a king. But unexpectedly, His Majesty personally oversaw Huainan for two years, and Yang Fu and Xin Pi also shared the credit for supervising logistics. In addition, I lost the responsibility of the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, the Ministry of the Imperial Secretariat was divided with Huang Quan, and the cabinet has repeatedly obstructed me..."

"There is no hope of being made a king."

Jiang Ji comforted him, saying, "No matter what, there's no problem with Zhongda being granted the title of Duke. Besides, His Majesty has always been generous; if any civil official is to be granted the title of King, it will undoubtedly be Zhongda!"

"I hope so, I take your good wishes." Sima Yi said in a deep voice, "Then I should stay in the rear and take charge of the affairs of the Secretariat in Shouchun. You should go south with the army. If we win, the three counties of Danyang, Wu, and Kuaiji will need you to take charge."

"I will go to see His Majesty again tomorrow," Jiang Ji said. "I will explain everything to you when I return."

"Alright." Sima Yi nodded. (End of Chapter)