Three Kingdoms: I am not Cao Rui

Since Cao Rui had already said so, Yin Fan couldn't just stand by and do nothing, so he had no choice but to reply casually, "General Lu, this is a prudent move."

“Yes, prudent.” Cao Rui looked up at Yin Fan: “Shuping is twenty-seven years old this year, right? I remember you are about the same age as Xiahou Taichu.”

"Yes," Yin Fan replied, bowing his head, unaware of the emperor's meaning.

Cao Rui said, "I have sent Xiahou Taichu to be the governor of Danyang. After the newly established Jiangzhou of Great Wei is completely recovered, let Shuping serve a term as governor of Wuchang County for a few years. There are two governors in Wu, so you and Taichu can each serve one."

"Your Majesty..." Yin Fan was momentarily at a loss for words. After hesitating for a few seconds, he used the same words he had just uttered: "Your Majesty is terrified. How can I compare to Xiahou Taichu!"

Cao Rui waved his hand: "With your merits, when you first returned to Xiangyang from Wuchang and then to Luoyang, I should have appointed you as a rank of two thousand shi. However, you were too young at that time, so I kept you in the palace to gain experience, which is also for your own good."

"And you, I have high hopes for you. You have a deep understanding of people's hearts, your wisdom is similar to Jia Wenhe, and your courage is even greater than Liu Ziyang's. Shuping, do not refuse. Although Wuchang is not the capital of Jiangzhou, it is located in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River and is converging with the Han River. It has a strategic location and will surely become a metropolis in the future. Go there to gain experience for a few years and then return to the court."

"Your subject accepts the decree and expresses his gratitude!" Yin Fan had no choice but to bow down and pay his respects with utmost deference.

Who is Jia Wenhe? The first Grand Commandant of the Great Wei! Liu Ziyang is currently the Deputy Privy Councilor. His Majesty's words are tantamount to an endorsement of his own future career! His words are golden!

Cao Rui nodded: "Go ahead, and also invite the three Grand Secretaries, Minister Huang, and Privy Councilor Liu."

"Your subject obeys the decree." Yin Fan rose and slowly withdrew.

Before long, five ministers arrived as summoned and bowed in unison in the hall.

"Find your seats, everyone." Cao Rui waved his hand casually, then tapped the table a few times: "Today I will discuss military matters with you, firstly Dantu, secondly Chaisang, and thirdly Jiangling."

"Minister Liu, let's talk about Dantu first."

"As you command." Liu Ye said solemnly, cupping his hands in greeting, "According to the Privy Council's arrangements, General Guanqiu Jian's troops will launch a general offensive against Dantu on February 20th, which is five days from now. Based on the timeline, Guanqiu Jian's troops should also be returning north from Kuaiji Commandery today. After all 10,000 members of the Valiant Guard have assembled in Dantu, we will begin the siege by throwing stones. The Privy Council has allocated five days for this siege."

“Your Majesty,” Liu Ye explained to Cao Rui, “Wu is newly annexed, and the preparation of siege equipment is much slower than when we were in Yangzhou. In addition, it is not easy to accumulate stones in Dantu. Therefore, the preparation and siege time is longer than that of Ruxu.”

Cao Rui nodded slightly: "I know. The attack on Ruxu has been in preparation for a long time. Dantu is different, so I won't say more, Minister Liu."

"Yes." Liu Ye continued, "The Privy Council believes that after conquering Dantu, the 10,000-strong Xiaowei Guard and 5,000 cavalry under the command of General Guanqiu Jian should be recalled to Jiangbei, and Guanqiu Jian should lead the remaining troops and the surrendered soldiers from Wu to march south again."

"The central army is precious and should not be wasted on pacifying ordinary counties."

Cao Rui nodded slightly and looked at the others: "I think it's acceptable. What do you all think?"

"I second that proposal," said Xu Shu, the cabinet minister in charge of military affairs, who was the first to bow.

"Your Majesty, I also agree." Pei Qian, Wang Su, and Huang Quan all expressed their agreement. "Very well, Minister Liu, please continue." Cao Rui pointed.

"As you command." Liu Ye continued, "Three days ago, the Privy Council received a letter from the General. In the letter, the General stated that the Chaisang region is far from Yangzhou, and the transportation time from Yangzhou and Wu is long. The attack on Wuchang should not be taken lightly. Furthermore, the General's headquarters, the Eastern Naval Force of the Lu Zheng Army, and the Northern Huanzhen Army all need to rest and recuperate."

"The General said that he intends to accumulate enough provisions and military supplies in Chaisang to sustain the army for three months before advancing westward. I and the Privy Council have calculated that if we can stockpile military supplies in Chaisang, we will not be able to advance until the beginning of March."

“Your Majesty, barring any unforeseen circumstances, Sun Quan’s forces in Wuchang are only capable of fighting once. The Great Wei should proceed with caution. I believe that early March is fine; waiting a bit is not a problem,” Xu Shu said from the side.

"I agree," Pei Qian said. "It does not interfere with the court's previous strategy of a swift attack."

"I am not in a hurry. It is Sun Quan who should be in a hurry right now." Cao Rui chuckled a few times. "Minister Liu replied to the General that the matter is approved."

“Yes,” Liu Ye nodded. “According to the specific assignment, the Grand General plans to order General Huan Fan, the General Who Guards the North, to lead his troops across the river from Chaisang and head north to attack Qichun County. The Grand General’s main force will be heading west from the south, with Lu Zhengdong in the center. In this way, General Huan, the General Who Guards the North from the north, the Grand General from the south, and Lu Zhengdong from the middle of the river will advance in three directions, and everything will be fine.”

Cao Rui glanced at Liu Ye and asked, "What do you think?"

"I think it's very appropriate," Liu Ye replied.

Cao Rui chuckled lightly: "Doesn't this seem familiar?"

“It seems familiar.” Knowing the emperor’s cheerful nature, Liu Ye also laughed and said, “When Liu Bei fought against the Wu army in the past, he also deployed one army south of the Yangtze River, one army north of the Yangtze River, and the navy in the middle. However, back then Lu Boyan was the enemy of the Shu army, and today Lu Boyan is in the middle commanding the navy of the Great Wei. Why does Your Majesty need to worry?”

Cao Rui smiled and shook his head slightly. Liu Ye was quick-witted and perceptive, but he always thought too fast and didn't consider the feelings of his colleagues.

Huang Quan, Huang Gongheng, who was abandoned by Liu Bei in Jiangbei and never allowed to return, is now sitting next to Liu Ye with a dark expression! It's unclear whether Liu Ye truly doesn't care about his colleagues' opinions or is deliberately trying to tarnish his image; in any case, this has become Liu Ye's consistent style.

“Your Majesty, there is also the matter in Jiangling.” Liu Ye cupped his hands in greeting: “Zhuge Ke’s letter should have reached Man Zhengnan by now, but Man Zhengnan’s previous letter to the court should have been sent after he received news of the capture of Ruxu.”

"Man Zhengnan said that the Wu army there was stubbornly defending the city, and it was not easy to annihilate them after gathering troops. Although the Great Wei occupied the important waterway in the southwest of Jiangling, the waterway leading to Lexiang and other places in the southeast of Jiangling was still blocked. Therefore, the reinforcements of food and supplies were constantly being sent. In short, the Great Wei was short of ships there."

"Man Zhengnan said that his troops had been there for more than two months. If the court could make a breakthrough in Wuchang, the offensive in Jiangling would be easier."

Cao Rui shook his head slightly: "Let's put Jiangling aside for now. As for when to attack Wuchang, it's not something I can decide immediately."

"My lords, Lu Boyan has invited me to Chaisang, and I wish to accept his invitation."

Everyone thought that after the emperor returned from Jiangning, he would stay in Jiangbei, but unexpectedly, Lu Xun persuaded him to change his mind again.

Although they were unwilling for the emperor to move his capital, and the army there was certainly capable of fighting, the emperor was a warlord, skilled in commanding troops, and they could not possibly persuade him. (End of Chapter)