Three Kingdoms: I am not Cao Rui

Since late February, the Wei navy has been using Chaisang as a base to continuously probe upstream along the river. Several small-scale battles have occurred during this period, but none of them have resulted in a decisive victory.

With the emperor's arrival imminent and preparations for the battle in Chaisang still insufficient, Lu Xun was unwilling to create any unnecessary complications. He only hoped that the vanguard of his navy, Yue Lin's troops, could maintain a presence and remain active on the river.

Sun Quan and Quan Cong on the other side were in an even more difficult situation.

The Wu army was upstream, while the Wei army was downstream. This difference in position created a natural difference in combat strategy. It made it easier for the Wu army to advance downstream, but their retreat would be slower. The Wei army, on the other hand, faced the opposite situation. This provided both navies with an opportunity for a temporary truce.

After Liu Ye left, General Lu Xun, who was in charge of the Eastern Expedition, came to the central command tent to report on the military situation, saying that the naval soldiers, ships, logistics and so on were all ready and ready to be dispatched at any time.

Cao Rui was naturally satisfied with this.

He came to Chaisang to supervise the various armies' preparations for battle. Now that the navy is ready, the entire army will advance westward towards Wuchang within the next two or three days. After all, in a riverside operation, the logistics of the infantry and cavalry also depend on the navy for support.

But no sooner had Lu Xun left than Liu Ye hurriedly returned from outside, less than an hour later.

"What happened again?" Cao Rui thought Liu Ye was going to bring up Wang Ling's matter again when he saw Liu Ye's expression.

Liu Ye, with a solemn expression, cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, the Governor of Yangzhou, Jiang Ji, has reported that the Yue people in the three prefectures of Danyang, Xindu, and Kuaiji have rebelled. There are at least twelve counties that have clearly reported the Yue people's rebellion, not to mention the places where communication has been cut off. The report also includes military reports from Generals Guanqiu Jian and Cao Shuang."

Cao Rui frowned instantly, stood up abruptly from his seat, and asked, "Where is Zhong Gong? Where is Zhao Bo?"

Liu Ye replied, “Your Majesty, after General Guanqiu Jian led his troops to defeat Sun Shao’s army in Dantu, he reported to the Privy Council that he would reorganize his troops in Wu County for five days before leading them south towards Kuaiji Commandery. At this time… at this time, they should have reached Qiantang County. Qiantang County is located north of the Qiantang River, and Wu Commandery and Kuaiji Commandery are separated by the Qiantang River. It is very close to Kuaiji Commandery.”

"Cao Shuang, the Colonel of Archers, has already captured Wanling, Xuancheng, Ningguo, and other places. I believe he is currently between Huai'an County and Shexian County in Xindu Commandery..."

"Since this matter concerns Yangzhou, Cao Shuang should report to Yangzhou, and Guanqiu Jian's message also passes through Jiangning. Therefore, Governor Jiang Ji compiled the information in Jiangning and then sent it to Chaisang. According to Jiang Ji, Wu has been brutal to the Yue people for many years, almost without fail to levy taxes and punish them every year. They destroyed the Yue people's fields and relocated their people to the vicinity of the city. They also conscripted young Yue men into the army to replenish their ranks. It can be said that the Yue people have suffered under Wu for a long time."

"Jiang Ji believes that since last year, in order to cope with the military pressure from the Great Wei, the Wu Kingdom has transferred many garrison troops from various counties to the banks of the Yangtze River, neglecting the suppression of the Yue tribes. When the Great Wei army arrived, the Wu Kingdom collapsed. After the Yue tribes in Danyang, Xindu, Kuaiji and other counties realized that the Wu Kingdom was unable to suppress them, they rose up and attacked the cities and killed officials. These Wu officials who had recently surrendered to the Great Wei all sought help from the central government..."

Cao Rui listened in silence and shook his head: "The Wu people have bullied the Shanyue for a long time. Now that the Great Wei has come, they have lost their prestige. The Shanyue people will now seek revenge for their grudges and grievances."

"That's exactly what I meant." Liu Ye cupped his hands in greeting. "Although that's the case, these places are now all territory of the Great Wei. The magistrates and county heads of Wu people in various places can surrender as soon as they receive the letter from Jiangning, but once the Yue tribes take over the counties, they will be difficult to govern for a while due to their rugged and remote terrain."

"I believe we should launch a swift campaign."

Cao Rui sighed. That's how things are in state affairs; often, just when you want to concentrate all your efforts on a major task, many smaller matters will occur simultaneously, constantly diverting your energy. "Minister Liu, summon the Grand General, the Grand Secretaries, and the Ministers to my tent!"

"Your subject obeys the decree." Liu Ye bowed.

In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Cao Zhen, Pei Qian, Wang Su, Liu Ye, Huang Quan, Wang Ji, and Sima Zhi arrived together in Cao Rui's tent.

When Cao Rui departed from Shouchun, among the various ministers in the Ministry of Personnel, he not only sent Huang Quan, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, but also Wang Ji, the Minister of War, and Sima Zhi, the Minister of Works. For the past two months, Wang Ji had been primarily handling military affairs for General Cao Zhen, while Sima Zhi had been serving as Huang Quan's deputy.

A large map of Yangzhou hung on the screen in the military tent, a long-standing tradition of the emperor's military campaigns. This map was made according to the new administrative divisions of the Great Wei Dynasty, including the three prefectures of Huainan, Huaixi, and Lujiang north of the Yangtze River, and the three prefectures of Danyang, Wu, and Kuaiji south of the Yangtze River, a total of six prefectures.

Liu Ye stood before the map and recounted the military situation. Before he finished speaking, General Cao Zhen immediately said:

"Your Majesty, I believe there are priorities. The land east of Chaisang has been largely pacified by the Great Wei, and the Sun family has been driven to Wuchang. The few mountain tribes are merely a minor ailment. If the various armies are too involved, or if a large number of troops are diverted to quell the rebellion, it may affect the war effort in this region. Even if it does not hinder the war effort, it will certainly consume a lot of resources in terms of logistics."

"I suggest that even if the Shanyue rebel, the court should continue with the existing military arrangements, with General Guanqiu Jian's troops advancing from north to south to retake Kuaiji Commandery, and Cao Shuang should do the same in Danyang Commandery. No matter how difficult the Shanyue are to defeat, can they be more difficult than the Wu army?"

Cao Rui remained silent and did not answer Cao Zhen's question immediately.

Pei Qian also cupped his hands and said, "I second that suggestion."

“What the General said is absolutely right. Right now, everything is focused on Wuchang and Jiangling. Once these two places are captured by the Great Wei, it will not matter if we conquer the Yue tribes later.” Pei Qian paused for a few moments, looked around, and then continued, “Moreover, I believe that this is not a bad thing for the Great Wei.”

"How is it?" Cao Rui glanced at Pei Qian for a moment.

Pei Qian said, “Your Majesty, no matter what, Sun Quan’s years of campaigning against the Shanyue and relocating people in Yangzhou are still worthwhile. Now that Sun Quan has fled and Wei has taken control of Yangzhou, it will inevitably have to wage war against the Shanyue in the future. Moreover, Wei has never had any connection with the Shanyue, and we are just lacking a pretext for military campaigns.”

"At present, the Wu Kingdom's counties and prefectures in Danyang, Xindu, and Kuaiji have been newly annexed. The officials are not from the Great Wei, the clerks are not from the Great Wei, and the people do not yet recognize the Great Wei flag. At this moment, the mountain tribes' rebellion does not actually cause any loss to the Great Wei."

"Just now, the General said that he requested Generals Guanqiu Zhonggong and Cao Zhaobo to quell the rebellion normally, only asking that they maintain the rebellion from spreading further. When the Great Wei has time, they should gather their troops and strike again, so as to permanently pacify the Shanyue once and for all!"

Cao Rui sighed softly and nodded slightly. (End of Chapter)