Three Kingdoms: I am not Cao Rui

At this moment, Jiang Wei, the Colonel of the Tunqi Cavalry, and Cao Shuang, the Colonel of the Yueqi Cavalry, who were stationed at Hengjiang, stood side by side on the dock, gazing at the surging river in front of them.

"Did the Privy Council just reply?" Cao Shuang asked.

"Yes, I have replied." Jiang Wei responded, "The plan to defend the cities has been approved. I will leave 100 cavalrymen and 500 Baekje soldiers in each city, for a total of 1,200 men to defend Liyang and Xianxi. These two cities are small and there was no need to leave troops to defend them, but this is just to be on the safe side."

Cao Shuang clicked his tongue: "Baekje only had a thousand soldiers this time, and they're all here. Aren't they going to be given any credit?"

Jiang Wei didn't care: "Someone has to make the sacrifices. Compared to the Goguryeo and Buyeo people, the Baekje soldiers are less bright. They're not exactly stupid, but from the commander down to the captains, they're slower to react and don't seem to understand why. Leaving them here is just right. What kind of brain do you need to defend these two small cities?"

“Indeed.” Cao Shuang smiled. “This is also because the three vassal states of Yingzhou have always been respectful. His Majesty wants them to make contributions, saying that he wants to increase their sense of identification with the Great Wei. Otherwise, wouldn’t it be more convenient to recruit some more soldiers from Jizhou?”

“That makes sense.” Jiang Wei nodded. “This time, the vassal state troops and Hu cavalry who went with the Great Wei to fight totaled 20,000. Five thousand Xiongnu cavalry went to Jingzhou with General Wen, and we don’t know how they are doing there. I have five thousand Wuhuan and five thousand Xianbei volunteers, and five thousand troops from the three vassal states of Yingzhou. I heard that Guanqiu has already crossed the river with his army, and Lu Zhengdong has also defeated the naval forces of Wu general He Da. It seems that success is a foregone conclusion. The Hu people and the vassal state troops deserve credit for their contributions.”

"Zhaobo, do you think the central government has the idea of ​​long-term conscription of Hu cavalry and soldiers from vassal states?"

Cao Shuang shrugged: "Perhaps. You're the one in charge of them, so you know them best."

Jiang Wei said, "The Hu cavalry are paid according to the standards of the state and county soldiers, and their horses are also requisitioned from their own troops. Compared with the Hu cavalry, the elite cavalry of the Great Wei's central army is much more expensive. In terms of cost and resources, using the Hu cavalry is indeed more convenient."

"Let's wait and see. We don't even know what the distribution will be after the war." Cao Shuang looked at the magnificent river in front of him and sighed, "The river is so vast and mighty. I never expected that you and I would be the first to cross the river at Hengjiang Ferry and head south! On the contrary, His Majesty's main force has fallen behind."

Jiang Wei put his hands behind his back and looked at Cao Shuang thoughtfully: "There are two versions of this story."

“From a purely military perspective, the two of us are located in Hengjiang, which is the closest to Jianye. Once Lu Zhengdong leads his troops up the river from Jianye, our two units will be the closest to General Lu, and it is only natural that we should be the vanguard.”

"If we're talking about human nature and reason..." Jiang Wei nudged Cao Shuang with his elbow: "You're the General's eldest son. If this merit of crossing the river first doesn't fall on you, who else could it be? Don't worry, no one will compete with you. Everyone in the army is saying that the General is going to be made a king this time, and you'll be the future crown prince?"

Cao Shuang instinctively retorted, "The Grand General would never do me such a favor. Over the past ten years, I've worked much harder than you, moving from Bingzhou to Youzhou and then to the Central Army! When has Father ever voluntarily transferred me to any leisurely position?"

Jiang Wei smiled and said, "I'm strict with you all the time, without showing you any kindness, precisely so that I can lend you a helping hand in your future when it matters most!"

Cao Shuang fell silent.

Jianye, within the palace.

These past few days, Bu Lianshi has been experiencing heart palpitations at night, often waking up in the middle of the night from nightmares. As a result, Sun Luyu has been unable to stay up with his mother. Under external pressure, Sun Luyu, who was originally somewhat world-weary, had no choice but to instinctively take care of his mother. They talked and did things together, which helped to repair their relationship somewhat.

Perhaps due to Gu Yong's selective neglect of politics, and his insistence on sending someone to the palace to report to Bu Lianshi on everything, Bu Lianshi and her daughter Sun Luyu, who were originally unfamiliar with politics, have become increasingly familiar with the situation and circumstances around Jianye in recent days.

The mother and daughter simply didn't usually concern themselves with politics, but they were both intelligent enough. After several days of intense interest in politics, Sun Luyu couldn't help but feel some dissatisfaction with Gu Yong. Sun Luyu closed the bamboo slip and looked up at Bu Lianshi, who was half-reclining on the bed: "Mother, I still feel that Lord Gu has miscalculated."

"Little Tiger, where did you make a mistake?" Bu Lianshi asked in return.

Sun Luyu said, "At midnight on the 19th, Lord Gu told you and me that the Wei army would arrive at the earliest on the 20th, and at the latest on the 22nd or 23rd. In the past few days, Lord Gu has been fortifying the city and clearing the fields, gathering all the able-bodied men from Jurong in the east and Moling in the south to the vicinity of Jianye, and also stockpiling troops and grain in Stone City. Yesterday he even told us to go and stay in Stone City."

"But where is the Wei army?" Sun Luyu's words were full of dissatisfaction: "The Wei army has been surrounding Dantu, and hasn't even passed Jurong. What's the use of us busying ourselves here? Father will be leading the troops back in a few days!"

Bu Lianshi's gaze toward Sun Luyu at this moment was extremely complicated.

The good news is that my youngest daughter has finally emerged from the grief of losing her husband. Indeed, busy times can help one forget past worries.

The concern is that Xiaohu is still acting somewhat presumptuously. From Bu Lianshi's perspective, when it comes to matters of state, one should not take unnecessary risks; it's always better to be cautious. The fact that the Wei army isn't attacking is their problem; preparations must be made in Jianye.

Just as the mother and daughter were talking, an imperial attendant walked in from outside, bowed, and said, "Reporting to Madam and Princess, Lord Gu is again inviting you and Princess to Stone City."

Before Bu Lianshi could speak, Sun Luyu retorted, "Go tell Lord Gu that this is His Majesty's capital, and my mother and I are not going anywhere! Tell him not to come looking for us again!"

"This servant obeys." The eunuch dared not say anything more and retreated in small steps.

Although Bu Lianshi did not want to see her daughter so agitated, she had no energy left to control her and could only sigh and lie down on the couch again.

Gu Yong has been centrally coordinating affairs within the Ministry of Personnel for the past few days. On one hand, he is reinforcing the city walls, constructing fortifications such as ramparts, moats, and palisades outside the city, dredging waterways, and directing a series of tasks including gathering firewood and supplies. On the other hand, he is transporting provisions and military supplies to Stone City, located west of Jianye City near the river. Even though this is the capital, and with the help of many personnel in the Ministry of Personnel and other officials in the capital, Gu Yong's time is still extremely full. These past few days, he has only slept for two hours almost every night.

When Gu Yong received another report from his subordinates, he learned that Bu Lianshi and Sun Luyu had rejected his good intentions for the third time, and he sighed deeply.

As a subject, I have done what I should do. What more can I do? Things shouldn't happen more than three times. Those in Jianye Palace should pray for their own good fortune. I have done my best and have no regrets.

But at that moment, Gu Yong heard a commotion outside the door, and even the sound of horses' hooves.

Gu Yong frowned, stood up, pushed open the door, and was about to reprimand them when he saw several knights in armor ride straight to his duty room.

"Lord Gu! A report from Stone City says that the Wei navy can be seen from Stone City. It seems that General Sun's navy stationed at Lulong Mountain has been defeated!" The knight didn't even bother to dismount, but lay on his horse and shouted loudly, his words and expression revealing his panic and urgency.

Gu Yong's face turned deathly pale. (End of Chapter)