Three Kingdoms: I am not Cao Rui

Wuhan, the city of Queyue.

By the time Cao Rui returned to Wuhan, it was already October 21st. In order not to exhaust the soldiers too much, the return journey was not rushed, with the army only traveling about forty li each day and resting for one day every five days.

On the road, the soldiers were able to relax, but Cao Rui and the central government officials were still troubled by the affairs of state and military every day.

Before launching the campaign against Wu, the court and the public prepared for more than four years. After the campaign was successful, the follow-up work was equally complicated, and Cao Rui, along with his ministers, made decisions on many government affairs on the way.

The first urgent matter is the appointment and removal of officials in Xiangzhou and Jiangzhou prefectures.

Cao Rui approved the plan proposed by Sima Yi, the Minister of Works and Right Vice Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, to coordinate the submission of memorials in Wuhan. More than ninety counties in Xiangzhou and Jiangzhou selected students who graduated from the Imperial Academy in the first and second years of the Taihe era to serve as coordinators.

Before the expedition, Cao Zhen had held the nominal position of Governor of Jiangzhou, and Man Chong had held the nominal position of Governor of Xiangzhou. With Cao Zhen being granted the title of Prince of Hejian and resigning from his military post as Grand General, and Man Chong being stationed in Zhijiang, west of Jiangling, as Governor of Jingnan and General Who Conquers the South, the governorships of these two men should be filled by others.

In his memorial, Sima Yi suggested transferring Sima Zhi, the Minister of Works, to the position of Governor of Xiangzhou, and changing Xue Ti, the Governor of Xuzhou, to the position of Governor of Jiangzhou. After careful evaluation, Cao Rui, Huang Quan, and others agreed to this proposal. Essentially, Sima Yi's entire memorial was approved without any modifications.

Before Cao Rui launched his campaign, he appointed Yin Fan, a court official, as the governor of Wuchang. Now that Wuchang has been renamed Wuhan, Yin Fan naturally became the governor of Wuhan.

Midway through the journey, when the army arrived at Baqiu, Sima Zhi bid farewell to the emperor and his entourage, and separated from the army with more than a hundred attendants to take up his post in Linxiang County, Changsha Commandery. Linxiang County was the seat of Changsha Commandery and was also chosen as the seat of Xiangzhou.

The imperial edict transferring Xue Ti, the governor of Xuzhou, to the position of governor of Jiangzhou had already been issued. Cao Rui ordered Yu Jun, a court attendant, to go to Xuzhou as an envoy to deliver the order, and also wrote a private letter for Yu Jun to pass on to Xue Ti. The letter clearly stated that transferring Xue Ti to Jiangzhou was an affirmation and trust in Xue Ti's abilities and character. Jiangzhou was newly annexed and vast, requiring capable ministers to govern it effectively.

Regarding the matter of transferring ministers between the inner and outer courts mentioned by Sima Yi in his memorial, Cao Rui and his ministers stated that the transfers should be made after the emperor returned to Luoyang.

The emperor appointed and dismissed important officials in the field because of the urgency of the situation. Since the Great Wei had already pacified the Wu Kingdom, such an important and comprehensive reshuffling of high-ranking officials should still be carried out in the capital Luoyang, allowing the Ministry of Personnel and other regions ample time to prepare.

Besides the urgent matters concerning Xiangzhou and Jiangzhou, the second urgent issue to be addressed was the military organization.

By the fourth year of the Taihe era, the Wei army had already reached a staggering 300,000. With the need to conquer Wu, by the latter half of the eighth year of the Taihe era, just before the campaign began, the total number of troops had reached approximately 350,000. By October of the ninth year of the Taihe era, considering the continuous surrender and submission of Wu troops, even the central government could not obtain an accurate figure, only knowing that the force numbered around 450,000.

The extra 100,000 troops beyond the original 350,000 came from various sources: some were from the surrender of Wu's entire army, and others were from temporary conscriptions in various parts of Jiangnan to maintain order. Additionally, during the campaign against the Shanyue, Guanqiu Jian, Cao Shuang, and Sun Li extensively conscripted local people into the army in Jiangzhou and Yangzhou.

Despite the organizational structure, the actual troop strength was clearly somewhat weak. Both the central army, the outer armies, and the prefectural and county troops had suffered losses, making it difficult for the central government to accurately assess the situation.

Take, for example, the 90,000 troops under Man Chong, the Governor of Jingnan and General Who Conquers the East. In reality, only about 75,000 of them were actually soldiers. These 75,000 soldiers also include the 40,000 naval troops of Yue Lin, Xiahou Wei, Gong Zun, and Cao Zhi, who were almost at full strength. In other words, the 50,000 troops under Man Chong and Huan Fan had actually suffered a reduction or shortage of 30% of their manpower.

These are all things that need to be carefully addressed in the future.

Currently, only Yizhou and Jiaozhou remain unsubmitted, and according to Guanqiu Jian, Jiaozhou's submission seems imminent. Should the Great Wei then retain this force of 450,000 troops?

The answer is of course no.

Regardless of whether such a large number of troops would be needed for future attacks on Shu, from an economic perspective, maintaining 450,000 troops is absolutely unnecessary and unprofitable.

The result of conquering Wu should be an expansion of the population and tax base. The increased revenue for the country should be reflected in tax cuts and improved livelihoods, and should not be consumed by the extra 100,000 soldiers.

Therefore, after nearly ten days of deliberation, Cao Rui finally allocated a total of 350,000 troops to the country, which was roughly the same as before the expedition in the eighth year of Taihe.

With this framework of 350,000 men, it became much easier for the officials to discuss the details. However, even when the army returned to Wuhan, there were still many details that could not be decided on how to allocate these 350,000 men.

Sima Yi and Xu Shu, along with all the officials of the Secretariat and the Privy Council, greeted the emperor and his entourage at the Han River pontoon bridge on the northwest side of Queyue City.

After the meeting, Cao Rui exchanged a few pleasantries with Sima Yi and Xu Shu before ordering everyone to return to Queyue City to begin their discussion.

More than twenty high-ranking officials, ministers, and generals were seated in the main hall of the prefectural city. Although the seating arrangement was somewhat cramped, the occasion remained solemn and dignified.

The emperor has never liked grand court assemblies; such occasions for discussing matters are the most formal of all.

Cao Rui, dressed in casual clothes, sat in the center of the hall, looked around, and slowly said, "It is now late October. I will stay in Wuhan for another ten days before heading north back to Luoyang. There are a few things I would like to discuss with you all."

"The first matter is that I have decided to establish four provincial administrations in the secondary capital of Wuhan, namely Xiang, Jiang, Jiao, and Yang, modeled after the administrations in the temporary capital. These administrations can also be called the Jiangnan Administrations, and will be used to oversee and supervise the land, taxes, and education affairs of these four provinces." "Minister Pei," Cao Rui glanced in Pei Qian's direction, "This proposal was put forward by Minister Pei, so let Minister Pei explain it to you."

Under everyone's gaze, Pei Qian slowly stood up, walked to the side of Cao Rui's desk, bowed, and then turned to face his colleagues.

"The so-called 'Xing Shangshu Tai' is a non-permanent institution established by the imperial court because the southern prefectures are too far from Luoyang, the central government, resulting in slow delivery of government orders, and because several prefectures urgently need to complete reforms."

"The Jiangnan Regional Government will act on behalf of the central government to oversee all matters concerning land, taxation, and educational reforms in the three southern prefectures of Xiangzhou, Jiangzhou, Jiaozhou, and Yangzhou, and may proceed at its discretion..."

Pei Qian spoke for the full duration of an incense stick burning, explaining in detail the original purpose of establishing this Jiangnan Administrative Office, the tasks to be performed, and when it should be abolished.

"Do any of you have any objections?" Cao Rui asked, sitting at the head of the table, after Pei Qian bowed to him again.

"Your Majesty is wise," Cao Zhen was the first to speak, bowing respectfully.

"Your Majesty is wise." A few moments later, everyone responded in unison.

Cao Rui was not surprised by this situation.

The establishment of the Xiang, Jiang, Jiao, and Yang prefectures' administrative offices, also known as the Jiangnan administrative offices, was actually a temporary institution set up to supervise the reforms of the newly annexed territories in the south. It did not change the existing structure of the imperial court, and the Jiangnan administrative offices were not involved in other normal administrative matters, nor were they related to military affairs. They were more like a large-scale southern governor.

Moreover, Cao Rui had already explained the importance of these three matters—land, taxes, and education—to his ministers in the imperial court.

However, judging from the expressions in the eyes of the officials, since this was an acting Ministry of Personnel, it was imperative that a chief official be appointed…

"Minister Sikong." Cao Rui looked at Sima Yi.

"Your subject is here." Sima Yi sighed inwardly, and despite his reluctance, he could only step forward immediately.

Cao Rui slowly said, "I wish to appoint the Minister of Works as the Grand Secretary of the Jiangnan Regional Government, to be fully responsible for the reform of the various prefectures in Jiangnan."

"Land, taxes, and education are the three most important issues that are the foundation for the long-term peace and stability of the Great Wei. The reforms in the four prefectures of Xiang, Jiang, Jiao, and Yang in Jiangnan will pave the way for future reforms in the Great Wei. After much thought, I believe that among the ministers in the court, none is better than the Minister of Works in terms of governing ability. At this time, I still need the Minister of Works to do these things for me. I wonder if the Minister of Works is willing to share my burdens?"

Sima Yi took a deep breath.

Sima Yi is currently in a dilemma.

For Sima Yi, the emperor's decisions did not offer a choice between agreeing or refusing; there was only one: agreeing. Frankly speaking, Sima Yi was unwilling to leave the central government. Leaving the emperor's side meant losing timely access to information and control over matters of state and the most crucial personnel in the court.

Not to mention that although the Jiangnan Regional Administration nominally governs a vast area, it is only responsible for reform matters, and even the governors of the several prefectures under its jurisdiction are not under its jurisdiction.

However... Sima Yi's current dilemma is that after this campaign against Wu, there will definitely be a major change in personnel in the court, and perhaps a new and more intense political struggle will break out.

The emperor chose to promote reforms in the southern prefectures through such a direct and drastic approach as establishing the Xing Shangshu Tai (行尚书台). Would the emperor have dealt with the various deep-seated problems that had persisted for many years in the central government and the Central Plains even more drastically?

Sima Yi had long observed that the emperor's peaceful attitude towards the imperial family, gentry, and aristocratic families over the years was almost entirely the result of his forbearance in order to advance the campaign against Wu.

If I were to assume the position of Minister of the Jiangnan Regional Government, would I be able to avoid any potential political struggles in the court?
I am only fifty-six years old, in the prime of my life, and can still make long-term plans! It might not be a bad thing to avoid it now!
Sima Yi bowed deeply and said, "Your Majesty has entrusted me with the responsibility of the Minister of the Southern Secretariat. I will certainly do my best to implement reforms for Your Majesty and for the Great Wei in Wuhan. I request Your Majesty to set a deadline. If I fail to do so, I beg Your Majesty to punish me!"

Cao Rui nodded approvingly and said in a deep voice, "The Minister of Works is a pillar of the nation, but the reforms in Jiangnan cannot be rushed or delayed."

"I believe that the Minister of Works should first conduct thorough investigations and research in various places, visit several prefectures to understand the people's concerns and the difficulties of implementation in various places, and then set an agreed deadline with me."

"As for when the reforms will be completed... I will set a five-year timeframe for now."

"Your Majesty is wise; I understand," Sima Yi replied. (End of Chapter)