Three Kingdoms: I am not Cao Rui

"Your Majesty, I have something to say." Cao Zhen gritted his teeth, as if he had made up his mind, and said with his hands clasped.

"Approved." Cao Rui nodded.

Cao Zhen said, "Your Majesty, a subject has his duty. Serving the country loyally and suppressing disloyal subjects are our duties, not for titles or ranks..."

"Stop talking." Cao Rui glanced at Cao Zhen indifferently: "This is a matter of national importance, not just the personal matter of a single minister. General, please don't try to persuade me like this. I have been bound by the bond of loyalty and trust between you as ruler and subject for many years, how could I go back on my word?"

Cao Zhen took a deep breath and bowed his head, saying, "Your Majesty understands this matter. Even if Your Majesty wishes to bestow titles, with 100,000 royal troops assembled in Jiangxia and over 100,000 Wu troops still gathered in Wuchang, Jiangling, and other places, the dust has not yet settled. Now is definitely not the time for bestowing titles!"

"I know, I know everything." Cao Rui sighed softly, "But since you ministers have come here on my orders to lead an expedition, and a great battle is about to begin, how could I not give you some instructions?"

"Today I only promise you rewards, promising to bestow three royal titles and ten dukes upon you. Back in Shouchun, I discussed with Lord Dong, the Minister of Works, and all the cabinet ministers, ministers, and privy councilors the time required to conquer Wu. It would take anywhere from three months to a year. The army's progress was indeed too fast, having pacified Yangzhou in just two months. Sun Quan is in such a panic, and the Wei army has barely suffered any losses. I imagine the time to go on won't be too long."

"As for who will be granted the title of King and who will be granted the title of Duke, it depends on how the battles of Wuchang and Jiangling progress. Even if I were to offer you ten or a hundred cups of wine here tonight, it would not be as effective as the four words 'clear rewards and punishments'."

"My lords, let us strive on!"

Everyone bowed in response.

Even at a banquet, people's expressions can vary, let alone their hearts.

The three titles of nobility were almost exclusively reserved for Cao Zhen and his ilk, and with the promise that the commander-in-chief could be granted one, no one paid any attention to them. However, the number of dukes, who were of the next rank, was much larger, which sparked more speculation.

It should be understood that for all officials at this point in time, there was little difference between being granted the title of King or Duke, since no one could actually achieve it. During the Han Dynasty, the highest title for everyone was Marquis. Cao Cao's granting of the title of Duke of Wei clearly indicated his intention to establish an independent political entity outside the Han Dynasty. Both the Duke of Wei and the King of Wei could establish their own states, so what difference did it make?

The court officials originally had little expectation of the dukedom, but now that ten slots have been allocated, they will likely fight tooth and nail for them.

Regardless of others, the ten officials present each harbored different thoughts. Aside from Cao Zhen, who was seventy percent certain he would be granted a title of king (as long as the war in Wuchang didn't break out), and Cao Zhi, the Prince of Yongqiu, who was uninvolved, Lu Xun, Pei Qian, Liu Ye, and Huang Quan all felt they could contend for a dukedom. Cao Tai, Cheng Xi, Huan Fan, and others felt a dukedom wasn't enough, but a title of county marquis shouldn't be a problem. Wang Su, however, had no desire for a title whatsoever. He believed he was still young and that a title would only hinder his future promotion to a position of real power…

Whether or not to impose a ban, and how to impose one, ultimately depends on the outcome on the battlefield. After the imperial entourage arrived in Chaisang, Cao Rui himself became very busy.

On the second day, he inspected the Wuwei Army, watched the military drills of Wang Qi's troops, and examined the enemy flags, armor, and weapons captured by the Wuwei Army in Wuhu. In the evening, he had a banquet with Dian Man, Wang Qi, Li Ji, Zou Gui, and their commander, General Cao Tai, who was in charge of the Eastern Garrison.

Cao Rui spent a whole day with each of the Yingzhou infantry and cavalry, Huan Fan's troops, and the Right Wing of the Imperial Guards… Soldiers must know their generals, and generals must know their soldiers; even Cao Rui, the emperor, had to meet with every general of rank two thousand shi (a unit of grain measurement) in his 100,000-strong army. For elite central forces like the Left Wing, Right Wing, and Wuwei Army, each commander of a thousand shi had the opportunity to meet the emperor and receive encouragement. For Cao Rui, it was merely a small gesture, yet it greatly inspired his soldiers.

When the emperor inspected the army, a military officer with a salary of 1,000 shi (a unit of grain measurement) came to pay his respects in the military tent. The emperor ordered him to rise. Upon seeing the handsome and imposing emperor, the emperor personally stated the officer's name and place of origin, bestowed upon him money and silk as rewards, and inquired whether his family was well-off, and whether he had any difficulties that needed to be resolved, and whether any of his children wanted to enter the martial arts academy...

The emperor himself was in the army. This was the emperor leading an army of 100,000 on a personal expedition. Who would betray such a monarch on the battlefield?

It wasn't until March 5th that Cao Rui had time to visit the naval camp on the opposite bank of the lake to inspect the navy.

Chaisang City faces the river to the north, and only a few dozen miles to the east lies the mouth of Pengli Lake, where it flows into the Yangtze River. Historically, naval camps were chosen in places with calm currents, making them less vulnerable to surprise attacks. Longzangpu in Jianye, Wuchang, Fankou and Xiakou in Wuchang, and Hanjin in Jiangling were all such locations. For a navy of up to 50,000 men, Lu Xun naturally chose Pengli Lake as his base, leaving only a portion of the fleet north of Chaisang for garrison duty.

After Cao Rui himself boarded the ship of Lu Xun, the commander of the navy, the ship slowly sailed away from the dock and arrived at the rear of the fleet on the lake.

A deep and long horn sound came from the flagship. Cao Rui and Lu Xun, who were at the highest point of the warship, could see through their telescopes that the leading fleet had begun to set off. The vanguard was led by General Yue Lin of the Mengchong (鉟艟) and General Cao Zhi of the Louchuan (楼船) followed behind. The main fleet of Lu Xun's ship was to the left of Cao Zhi's troops.

According to the military exercise procedure set by Lu Xun, the fleet will depart from the naval camp in Hukou, enter the river from Hukou, travel upstream for thirty miles, then the emperor will go ashore to watch the various naval forces change their formations, and the army will then return to the camp downstream.

"The warships are magnificent, a sight to behold." Cao Rui nodded slowly as the army passed Hukou: "In the past, the Wu Kingdom roamed the river, but now the Wei navy can also traverse it as if it were flat ground, leaving nothing but peace wherever it goes. Boyan's command is excellent, and he has truly worked hard."

Lu Xun, standing to the side, humbly said, "Your Majesty, the two provinces of Yu and Yang have been logging timber and conscripting laborers to build ships. The Imperial Workshops have improved the ships and added new weapons such as pontoons. The soldiers are training hard and ready to fight. This is why the navy is ready for battle today. I am merely leading troops by imperial decree and have no merit whatsoever."

"You all always humbly decline credit beside me. Especially Boyan, you're too cautious. Haven't you heard the saying 'One should not shirk responsibility'? The navy has conscripted many laborers to build ships, and the court has already issued newly minted copper coins. The soldiers have fought bravely, and they have also been rewarded with military pay." The river breeze brushed past Cao Rui's face. Standing on the high ground, he felt a sense of pride: "Without Boyan's hard work and planning, how could the Privy Council's naval battle order have been issued? The various units have warships, but they don't know how to fight, how to command, and how to succeed?"

"This credit belongs to you, so don't be modest in front of me. If it weren't for Boyan commanding the navy for me, I might not have chosen this method to attack Wu. In other words, Boyan's contribution is not only in leading troops, but also in giving me more confidence to attack Wu." (End of Chapter)