Three Kingdoms: I am not Cao Rui

Having seen countless people, Cao Rui was able to sense the timidity hidden in Xiahou Ba's voice with just a glance.

The promises and guarantees he makes seem to have little to do with how he actually does them.

This man's potential is limited. He can manage a few thousand troops and suppress rebellions and barbarian tribes within a single province—that's all. Since there are no high expectations, Cao Rui is unwilling to waste any more emotion on Xiahou Ba.

"Very good." Cao Rui nodded lightly: "With your words, I can rest assured that you will be stationed in Xiangzhou."

"Sima Shuda".

"Your subject is here." Sima Fu bowed respectfully.

Cao Rui observed Sima Fu's face for a few moments before asking, "You've spent several years in Liangzhou and several years in Yingzhou. In your opinion, what are the differences between the border affairs of Liangzhou and Yingzhou?"

Sima Fu was taken aback.

This... Asking Xiahou Ba for insights, but asking me such a specific question! The difficulty is completely different. Does he have to treat the Xiahou family better even when asking questions?
Sima Fu was more astute than Xiahou Ba, and could easily think as he spoke. Therefore, Sima Fu bowed and slowly said:

"Your Majesty, Liangzhou is in the northwest of Wei, and Yingzhou is in the northeast. These two prefectures have different geography, climate, customs, and accents. But these are not the fundamental issues. I believe the fundamental issues are only the roads and the people!"

"Hmm, not bad." Cao Rui smiled faintly, "That's interesting, continue."

"Yes." Sima Fu continued, "Liangzhou and Yingzhou are both far from Luoyang. Liangzhou borders Qinzhou and Yingzhou borders Youzhou. The roads between them are long, so Liangzhou and Yingzhou must maintain their own food and livelihood. This is why the Great Wei has never levied grain on Liangzhou and Yingzhou, but only on supplies."

"The size of a province is crucial for supporting an army. The number of people determines the output and the military strength within the province. In Liangzhou, the Han and Qiang populations are roughly divided into three to seven. Therefore, the court needs to spread benevolence, minimize punishments, appease the various Hu tribes, and devise ingenious strategies should any changes occur. In Yingzhou, the four commanderies of Xiangping, Goguryeo, Lelang, and Daifang have a Han population divided into seven to three, which is sufficient to cultivate land and support an army of 20,000. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the surrounding Baekje, Goguryeo, and Buyeo kingdoms with a strong army."

"Regarding Your Majesty's question, I will reply with two points: roads and the people. The differences between these two points are the essential differences between Liangzhou and Yingzhou. I hope Your Majesty will consider this carefully!"

Cao Rui glanced to the side of the study and looked at Li Xi, the Gentleman Attendant-in-Ordinary, who was sitting behind the desk: "Write down everything Sima Shuda said!"

"Your subject obeys the decree." Li Xi nodded in response, his brush never stopping.

Cao Rui then asked, "Minister Sima, since you say the roads are long and the people are different, then tell me, what should the court pay attention to when governing the newly incorporated states of Jiangnan?"

"Let's start with the two points you raised: roads and people! I'll use different words for you, namely, roads and household registration."

"Your Majesty, I obey your decree." Sima Fu's mind raced, and he spoke slowly and steadily, "Your Majesty has appointed me as the Prefect of Zhuyai. I request to begin with Zhuyai Prefecture."

"Alright," Cao Rui replied with a single word.

Sima Fu said: "The First Emperor of Qin launched three expeditions against Baiyue with the might of conquering the six states. The outcome of these expeditions was already decided after the Lingqu Canal was successfully completed."

"Last year, when General Guanqiu and His Majesty separated their troops at Baqiu and marched south to Jiaozhou, they also marched south from Changsha Commandery, relying on the Xiang River to transport provisions and supplies for the army. From Xiangzhou, they marched south to Panyu in Nanhai Commandery. From Panyu, via the Xijiang River, they could reach Cangwu and Yulin Commanderies. From Yulin Commandery, they could march south to Hepu. From Hepu and Nanhai Commanderies, they could march south along the coast to Zhuya Prefecture. From Hepu, they could then march southwest along the coast to Jiaozhi Commandery. From Jiaozhi, they could march south to Jiuzhen and Rinan Commanderies." "In terms of transportation, to control Jiaozhou, one must first control Xiangzhou. To control Xiangzhou, one must first control the Yangtze River."

"If we want to control the southernmost counties of Jiaozhou, such as Zhuyai, Jiaozhi, Jiuzhen, and Rinan, we need to bring the major cities of Panyu, Guangxin, and Guilin under our control."

Cao Rui laughed and said, "If Sima Qing puts it this way, the counties of Jiaozhou are also inhabited by Han people and Baiyue people. How can we govern those areas as if they were the heartland of the Central Plains?"

"Forgive my frankness, but this matter cannot be accomplished hastily. Wu Kingdom occupied Jiaozhou for more than 20 years before, but it still failed to accomplish this, not even during the Han Dynasty." Sima Fu bowed and replied sincerely, "Your Majesty, I believe that for Jiaozhou, or for Xiang, Jiang, and Yang provinces, controlling those remote and desolate mountainous areas controlled by the Yue and barbarian tribes is not an important matter."

"For the Great Wei, the priority should be to quickly build roads to the counties of Jiaozhou, Jiangzhou, and the coastal counties of Yangzhou, and to send northerners to serve as officials to occupy cities and repair city defenses, so as to ensure that the Great Wei's military and supply lines are uninterrupted! This is the most important thing for the Great Wei, rather than the urgent need to govern the local areas."

Cao Rui nodded: "As you say, which cities should be developed?"

Sima Fu said, "South of Wuhan and Jiangling, we should develop the seven cities of Linxiang, Ling, Guiyang, Linhe, Guangxin, Panyu and Hepu."

Cao Rui smiled again: "As you know, Sima Qing is the Prefect of Zhuyai. Zhuyai Prefecture has been abandoned for many years. I know you are a capable minister, so I have appointed you to use your talents in Zhuyai Prefecture to rebuild the prefecture. How do you plan to rebuild Zhuyai Prefecture?"

"Your Majesty," Sima Fu replied solemnly, "Zhuyai Prefecture is isolated south of the sea, with a vast territory. We cannot rush things." He continued, "As the first Prefect of Zhuyai in the Great Wei Dynasty, I request a three-year period to repair the city walls, promote education, and oversee land reclamation. With the combined strength of Jiaozhou and the Imperial Court, I can restore Zhuyai County, the northernmost part of Zhuyai Prefecture during the Han Dynasty, within three years. Zhuyai Prefecture encompasses seven counties: Zhěndu, Zhuyai, Gōuzhong, Zǐběi, Línzhēn, Dàimao, and Shānnan. In a mere twenty years, the Great Wei Dynasty can fully revitalize Zhuyai Prefecture, making it a place akin to the heart of Hainan!"

“Hainan…” Cao Rui smiled: “You have reminded me of something. I understand what you mean. Twenty years is twenty years. If one term isn’t enough, then several terms will be taken. We should be able to finish this.”

"In short, I understand your reasoning. First, we will occupy the roads, then repair the cities, then relocate the people and promote education, turning the barbarians and the Baiyue into the people of the Great Wei."

"Minister Sima, I have another question for you." Cao Rui leaned back in his chair, his expression extremely relaxed: "In your opinion, how far can this method of occupying key routes and then flourishing be used to secure the Great Wei?"

Sima Fu paused for a few moments, thought for a while, and replied, "I dare to say that communication with the central government will take less than three months, and the Wei army will be able to launch its attack within half a year."

Cao Rui smiled and said, "According to your logic, it would be more difficult to expand into the Western Regions, while places like Jiaozhi and Japan, which are accessible by ship, would be much closer."

"Very well, I'll end our conversation here for today. Li Xi, later transcribe the dialogue between me and Sima Shuda, and have it printed at Chongwen Academy, distributing several hundred copies to all government offices in Luoyang and the Imperial Academy. Also, inform the Imperial Academy to seek the assistance of the Privy Council and the Ministry of Personnel in compiling teaching materials, making border affairs a formal course at the Imperial Academy in the future. I will personally review these materials in May!"

"Your subject understands," Li Xi replied.

Sima Fu and Xiahou Ba left the palace side by side. They had received the emperor's permission and would be heading south to take up their posts the next day.

"Brother Shuda, you're about to become famous in Luoyang and throughout the world again!" Xiahou Ba said with a hint of envy.

"Perhaps," Sima Fu said, still somewhat dazed, "I hadn't thought of these things either. It's all thanks to the Holy Emperor's protection..."

"Yes, it's all thanks to the Holy Emperor's protection," Xiahou Ba quickly replied. (End of Chapter)