Three Kingdoms: I am not Cao Rui

Outside Queyue City, General Xiahou Ru, the pacification general, slowly arrived with his troops. At this moment, he was standing in the courtyard outside the main hall of the government office inside the city, waiting for the emperor to summon him.

It is indeed frightening.

First, he suffered a defeat, losing about 10,000 of his 20,000 troops, making it arguably the biggest local defeat during the Taihe era of the Great Wei Dynasty. Second, he was not put to use; the main army, after approaching Wuhan, did not even bother to wait for him for a few days, but resolutely launched a general offensive, ultimately achieving a complete victory.

But Xiahou Ru's panic gradually subsided, because an even more panicked person came to his side: General Wang Ling, also known as Wang Yanyun.

Things are always better when compared… He had also heard about Wang Ling’s affairs. Surrounded by tiger guards, the two dared not speak privately, but could only exchange glances for a few moments before standing at attention and awaiting their summons.

Not long after, Attendant-in-Ordinary Wang Su came out from inside, nodded to the two of them, and said softly, "His Majesty is discussing matters with his ministers. You two can go in and find your own seats to listen in. Do not speak or bow, so as not to disturb His Majesty."

"Thank you, Attendant Wang." The two hurriedly replied and followed Wang Su into the hall. Sure enough, there were two backless high stools placed to the side of the entrance, and the two sat on them somewhat awkwardly.

Indeed, the emperor ignored the two of them completely, and instead kept talking to Cao Zhen, Lu Xun, Liu Ye and others.

"Has Zhaobo already reached Liyang? Bring me the map." Cao Rui beckoned to Liu Ye.

Liu Ye nodded and went to hang up the map of Yangzhou.

Cao Rui squinted and pointed in the direction Cao Shuang was advancing, saying, "Sun Deda has returned from Luling, passed Pengli Lake, went through Poyang to Dong'an, and is advancing towards Le'an. If so, will Zhao Bo and Sun Li be able to join forces in the Xin'an and Xinchang area?"

Cao Zhen said in a deep voice, "The Yue people have existed since ancient times. The traitor Sun Quan has occupied Jiangdong for more than 30 years and has been attacking them every year. We can only repeatedly disperse and plunder them, but we cannot eradicate them."

"The main area of ​​this rebellion is Kuaiji Commandery, extending from Shanyin in the north to Xin'an in the south, with various cities occupied by the Yue tribes. The Yue tribes of Poyang and Danyang are not under the same jurisdiction as the Yue tribes of Kuaiji. Although they respond in their own way, they are not as powerful as the Yue tribes of Kuaiji. Therefore, after Zhao Bo marched south from Xuancheng, he left two hundred soldiers to guard the city and collect provisions in each place he conquered within two months, before moving south. The Yue tribes of Danyang are not as rampant as the Yue tribes of Kuaiji this year, so each time they gather a force of several thousand or nearly ten thousand, they are all defeated and driven away by Zhao Bo."

“If Zhao Bo comes from the north and Sun Li comes from the west, they can meet at Xin’an and block the Yue tribes of Kuaiji Mountain from the southernmost point. After Zhao Bo and Sun Li join forces, their army should be more than 10,000.”

Cao Rui nodded and slowly said, "That's the right thing to do. The Yue tribes of Kuaiji occupy many cities, which are the most important, and we should defeat them as soon as possible. Apart from the rich plains to the north that are close to Wu County, the rest of Kuaiji County is mountainous. Zhonggong's strategy of stabilizing the north of Kuaiji County first is correct. When Zhonggong comes from the north and Zhaobo and Sunli come from the south, Kuaiji can be pacified."

Cao Zhen nodded in agreement.

Pei Qian then spoke up, saying, "Now that Jiangzhou has been pacified, Wuchang County of Wu has been renamed Wuhan County. Of the six counties of Wuhan, Yuzhang, Poyang, Luling, Zhang'an, and Jian'an, even if the Yue tribes of Poyang can be pacified, Jian'an and Zhang'an are too far away. When the Yue tribes rebelled, there was no news from them, and it was difficult to know how chaotic the Yue tribes were there."

According to later geographical analysis, Zhang'an Prefecture was equivalent to the area around Taizhou, Lishui, and Wenzhou in southeastern Zhejiang, while Jian'an Prefecture was roughly the size of the entire Fujian province.

Even Sun Quan, who dealt a heavy blow to the Shanyue, could only establish a few cities in these two commanderies for garrisoning and suppression. These were scattered and difficult to even connect along major transportation routes. Most areas were not even governed by officials. It would probably take nearly a thousand years to develop these remote and desolate places, which is indeed quite difficult for the present era.

Cao Zhen, who had not yet been granted the title of king and still held the position of governor of Jiangzhou, coughed lightly and slowly said:
"Your Majesty, I have something to say."

“Tell me,” Cao Rui nodded. Cao Zhen said, “I am the governor of Jiangzhou. Currently, only the three prefectures of Wuhan, Yuzhang, and Poyang are under our control. Sun Li’s southern expedition to Luling did not encounter much fighting. He simply issued a proclamation to settle the matter and announced the benevolence and might of the Great Wei before withdrawing. In other words, the three prefectures of Luling, Zhang’an, and Jian’an are not under the effective jurisdiction of the court.”

"I suggest that we follow the example of Duan Mo being placed in Yangzhou and select generals to be stationed in the Nanchang and Poyang areas to continuously conquer the mountain tribes in various places, so as to expand the territory that can be effectively governed for the Great Wei."

"Follow in Duan Mo's footsteps?" Cao Rui pondered for a moment, then looked thoughtfully at Cao Zhen: "Do you have a candidate for Grand General?"

Cao Zhen said, "When recommending worthy people, one should not avoid relatives. I suggest that Cao Shuang be in charge of this matter."

Cao Rui frowned: "I intend to have Zhao Bo return to the army in a few months to participate in the battle in Jiangling. How can I leave him in Nanchang and Poyang?"

Cao Zhen cupped his hands and replied, "Your Majesty has already told me that I will continue to be the commander-in-chief in the Battle of Jiangling. Once the Great Wei sends troops, it will surely gain all of Jiangling. I would like to let Zhao Bo continue to gain experience for a few more years, rather than suddenly gain this merit. I hope Your Majesty will understand."

"Sigh." Cao Rui shook his head slightly: "The General is always like this. He was the same when he sent Zhao Bo to Tian Yu in Bingzhou. Well, since the General has said so, let Zhao Bo spend more time managing the Shanyue region."

At this point, Cao Rui seemed to have just noticed Wang Ling and Xiahou Ru, and waved to them.

Wang Ling was startled, swallowed hard, and respectfully rose to stand before the emperor, bowing and saying, "Your subject Wang Ling greets Your Majesty."

"Rise," Cao Rui waved his hand casually. "Yan Yun, let me ask you, when Wu Gai, the Privy Councilor, conveyed the imperial decree to you, did he mention that I had ordered the Valiant Guards to guard the rear?"

Sweat began to bead on Wang Ling's forehead: "Your Majesty, General Wu has spoken to me. I... I am eager for battle, therefore, therefore I wish to lead the Valiant Guard to participate in the war. It is I who have failed to understand Your Majesty's profound meaning, please punish me!"

Cao Rui snorted softly, staring at Wang Ling's tense face for a long time before slowly saying, "The Valiant Guard is the Valiant Guard, and you are you; they are not the same. Very well, since you request to fight, I will give you a chance."

"From this day forward, Yan Yun, you will no longer serve as the Valiant Guard General. I hereby promote you to General of Anxi, in charge of commanding the surrendered Wu soldiers and laborers within the army. I hereby order you to be the first to attack Jiangling!"

"Your Majesty, I accept the imperial decree and express my gratitude!" Wang Ling immediately kowtowed and said, "Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I will repay Your Majesty's great kindness with my life, and I swear to capture Jiangling for Your Majesty!"

Cao Rui said calmly, "It doesn't matter who takes Jiangling; it's normal to conquer it. What I want is for it to be conquered beautifully."

"Junlin!" Cao Rui pointed at Xiahou Ru.

"Your subject is here!" Xiahou Ru also prostrated himself on the ground along with Wang Ling.

Cao Rui said, "Don't let one defeat break your spirit. You lead your own troops, and I will give you all the Liaodong infantry. I want to use you, a defeated general, and Yan Yun, a general eager for battle, as the vanguard!"

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness!" Xiahou Ru kowtowed deeply. (End of Chapter)