Three Kingdoms: I am not Cao Rui

"This is how I dine with my concubines in the harem," Cao Rui said with a smile, pointing to the table in front of him. "One table, several plates, each person eats their own meal. This is how a family should be, without distinction between inside and outside."

"Sit down, everyone sit down," Cao Rui gestured.

"Thank you for the seats, Your Majesty." Cao Zhen, Cao Zhi, and Lu Xun each sat down, with Cao Zhen on the left, Lu Xun on the right, and Cao Zhi opposite the emperor.

The three men were not used to this kind of banquet and were a little embarrassed, not knowing what to say. However, Cao Rui personally scooped up some wine from the wine pot next to the table with a lacquer spoon and poured it into Cao Zhen's wine cup.

"Your Majesty!" Cao Zhen was taken aback and quickly stood up, taking Cao Rui's arm with his hand, looking somewhat anxious: "How could I possibly accept Your Majesty's offer of wine? Please, Your Majesty, do not do this, it is too much for me!"

"It's alright," Cao Rui said calmly. "General, please sit down."

“This…” Cao Zhen wanted to decline again.

"Sit down." Cao Rui glanced at Cao Zhen: "Could it be that the General cannot even accept a cup of wine from me?"

Seeing that the emperor had spoken so frankly, Cao Zhen had no choice but to obediently sit down and watch the emperor pour him wine.

First Cao Zhen, then Lu Xun, and finally Cao Zhi. Both Lu Xun and Cao Zhi declined, but Cao Rui stopped them both.

After pouring himself a cup, Cao Rui finally sat down and said softly, "During the discussion just now, some of the ministers spoke rather tactfully. As the emperor, I must also listen to the words of my ministers. General, do you agree with what Huang, Pei, and Liu said just now?"

Cao Zhen sighed: "Your Majesty, I am not a fool. How could I not know these principles? Wu and Shu will surely fall into chaos, Jiangling can be attacked later, and the rear should be stabilized in time. I understand these principles."

“But even if the cabinet ministers, the ministers, and the privy councilors have a thousand words to say, as the Grand General, I am always willing to fight, and regardless of politics, public sentiment, or changes in the situation, I am ready to fight for Your Majesty at any time! If I am unwilling to fight, then the court will truly be in disarray.”

Cao Rui nodded slightly: "As the head of the military officials, the Grand General must have a clear stance."

"Come, let's have a little drink together." Cao Rui picked up his wine cup and said with a smile, "Drink less, lest I have to pour you more wine."

"Yes." The three smiled and drank some wine with the emperor.

After putting down his wine cup, Cao Zhen continued, "There are two things I remember clearly today. The first was when we were discussing killing Sun Quan, I suggested that he behead him quickly, saying that Your Majesty should not go to see the mastermind. The second was when we were discussing matters just now, I suggested a swift war, and after Minister Huang spoke, I said no more."

“What Minister Huang said makes sense, but what I think makes a different sense.”

"From the time of Emperor Wu to the day Sun Quan was beheaded, the Great Wei and the Sun family of Jiangdong have been fighting for thirty years, and the grudges between them are countless. If we had not been defeated at the Battle of Red Cliffs, why would the matter of establishing the dynasty and declaring oneself emperor have been delayed until the late emperor? Perhaps it could have been done in the fourteenth or fifteenth year of Jian'an! Emperor Wu launched four campaigns against Wu in Yangzhou, the late emperor launched three campaigns against Wu, and Your Majesty fought against Wu for nearly ten years... During this time, the people suffered greatly, the civilian population was exhausted, and the number of soldiers killed and wounded was countless. Xiahou Yuanrang, Cao Zixiao, Zhang Wenyuan, Cao Wenlie, Xiahou Boren, Xu Gongming... these famous generals of the country have devoted half their lives to Wu and Sun Quan. Even I have been fighting against Wu for nearly thirty years!"

"I still remember back in the thirteenth year of Jian'an, when I was a cavalry general in the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry under Emperor Wu. I chased Liu Bei to Dangyang, covering three hundred li in a day and night, but was ultimately defeated after the Battle of Red Cliffs..." Cao Zhen said, almost becoming emotional: "Now the Wu Kingdom is about to be destroyed. Let alone three months, I can't even wait three days! There are too many old stories, too many grudges, too much hatred. I wish that the Great Wei could take over all of Wu tomorrow!"

"Your Majesty, these are truly my heartfelt words! I sincerely believe that the Great Wei has a very high chance of success in quickly capturing Jiangling, and this is not just empty talk!"

As Cao Zhen spoke, his face flushed slightly. He took only a sip of wine, not for the sake of the wine itself, but because he was truly pouring out his heart. Lu Xun lowered his gaze, unable to empathize, and could only hide his eyes. Cao Zhi, upon hearing these words, was also deeply moved.

“I know, I know everything.” Cao Rui was silent for a few moments, then said, “That’s why I’m inviting the General over to sit and talk with me, instead of forcibly issuing an edict.”

"Come, drink again." Cao Rui raised his wine cup once more: "Cheers! I'll pour you more wine!"

"Cheers!" The three of them raised their glasses at the same time, tilted their heads back, and drank it all down.

As Cao Rui poured wine, he said, "From a purely logical standpoint, what Huang, Pei, and Liu said is the correct one at present. I intend to proceed according to their suggestions. Does the General have any objections?"

Cao Zhen looked at the traces of wine being poured from the lacquer spoon into the wine vessel and shook his head.

The emperor himself has poured you wine; it's just a matter of sooner or later when the fight will break out. What else is there to say?
Cao Rui then looked at Lu Xun and Cao Zhi: "Boyan and Imperial Uncle, do you have any objections?"

“Your Majesty’s judgment is wise, and I wholeheartedly agree,” Lu Xun immediately responded.

"I have no objection," Cao Zhi also spoke up.

Cao Rui sat down again and slowly said, "If there are no objections, then this matter is settled. I not only called the three of you to discuss this matter, but also the matter of post-war rewards and honors."

“What Minister Pei said earlier is correct. The rewards should be distributed before the attack on Jiangling. The three kings and ten dukes were what I promised back in Chaisang. Now that Sun Quan is dead, I will explain this to you.”

"General." Cao Rui raised his wine cup once more and looked at Cao Zhen.

Cao Zhen also raised his wine cup.

“Boyan.” Cao Rui then looked at Lu Xun.

Lu Xun also raised his wine cup, imitating Cao Zhen.

Cao Rui slowly said, "General Cao Zhen led troops to quell the rebellion, and his merits will be remembered for generations. He should be rewarded with the title of Prince of the Commandery. Grand Commandant Dong Zhao reformed the court and served the country with integrity. General Lu Xun, who conquered the east, traversed the Yangtze River and served as my vanguard and trusted advisor in the campaign against Wu. He should be rewarded with the title of Prince of the County."

"I have not yet decided on the ten dukes, but I will speak to you about the three princes today. After the war in Yangzhou and Jiangzhou is over, we will hold a ceremony to bestow the titles. As for the number of households in the fiefs... the fiefs are not that important. This time I am determined to grant real fiefs. Apart from the necessary levies by the court, the rent and taxes within the fiefs will be your private property."

"Your Majesty! My humble service is unworthy of such a reward!" Cao Zhen's face immediately showed surprise. He sprang to his feet and bowed deeply. "Although I am not well-read, I know the principle that a subject should not be made a king. I fear that my descendants may not be virtuous and may cause trouble in the future. I hope Your Majesty will consider my thoughts! If Your Majesty wishes to bestow a title upon me, I request to be one of these ten dukes!"

Lu Xun was so startled that he dropped the spoon in his hand, his movements even appearing somewhat flustered: "I beg Your Majesty to rescind your order. I am merely leading troops to quell the rebellion on Your Majesty's behalf; how could I possibly deserve such merit? As a county marquis, my life is already complete!" (End of this chapter)