Three Kingdoms: I am not Cao Rui

Fighting a war is easy, but getting it over with is troublesome.

With countless issues to resolve in Jiaozhou after the war, and Guanqiu Jian still planning to launch another military campaign, he simply asked Chen Ben to bring his four thousand northern soldiers back to Panyu, while he himself remained in Jiaozhi County to reorganize affairs.

Thus, Guanqiu Jian's elite forces in Jiaozhi Commandery consisted of only four thousand soldiers from Jiaozhou Prefecture, with the rest being surrendered troops. Guanqiu Jian intended to reorganize and train them for several months.

Zhu Yi, under the orders of Guanqiu Jian, led Huang Gai and other rebels, along with some captured flags and local specialties from Jiaozhi, and left Longbian to head north.

It wasn't until the end of March, after traveling for a full two months, that Zhu Yifang finally arrived in Luoyang.

After all, Zhu Yi had about a hundred people in his entourage, and his journey took a month longer than Sima Shi's at the time, which was already the result of Zhu Yi's hurried pace.

The territory is vast and geographically dispersed; there's nothing that can be done about it.

In the Later Han Dynasty, such a border achievement arriving in Luoyang would certainly have boosted the morale of the court. But now it is the Taihe era, and the court has won countless victories. It would be strange if Guanqiu Jian could not conquer the barbarians in just a few counties of Jiaozhi. Sun Deng did not have the courage to face the Wei army in Jiangling, and his instigation of rebellion is even less significant.

As the Chief Clerk of the General of the Army, Zhu Yi's first task upon arriving in Luoyang was to report to the Privy Council. Hearing this statement there, he knew that Jiaozhi was not a place where barbarians were causing trouble, but he couldn't easily explain it. A poor explanation wouldn't be a problem; causing trouble for Guanqiu Jian would be even worse.

The military report was presented to the study in the Northern Palace, and Cao Rui then summoned all the chief officials of the Cabinet, the Secretariat, and the Privy Council.

Liu Ye was in poor health, so he had the Deputy Privy Councilor Xu Shu inform his colleagues of the situation.

"Speak up," Cao Rui said calmly, glancing around. "The rebellion in the four southern counties of Jiaozhou has been quelled. When Sima Shi came to Luoyang last year to deliver a message, he said that it would be quelled within a month after reaching Jiaozhi. Now it seems that it didn't even take a month."

"Master Wei, Minister Huang, Zhonggong has suggested dividing Jiaozhou into two prefectures for governance. What is the Ministry of Personnel's opinion on this?"

Huang Quan instinctively looked at Wei Zhen, who coughed lightly and cupped his hands, saying, "Your Majesty, Guanqiu Zhonggong said that Jiaozhou should be divided according to the example of Youzhou being divided into You and Yingzhou in the past. Youzhou and Yingzhou are far away from Liaoze because they are by the sea, while Jiaozhi County and Hepu County of Jiaozhou are separated by thousands of miles of mountains and the sea. This comparison is quite appropriate."

"I think it is possible. However, now is the time for the country to mobilize its troops. If it is divided into two provinces, the political and military affairs of the two provinces should still be under the command of Guanqiu Zhonggong."

Cao Rui nodded and gestured towards Huang Quan with his lip: "What does Minister Huang think?"

“What Minister Wei said is quite right, I second that,” Huang Quan said, bowing.

Cao Rui nodded: "In that case, dividing it into two prefectures is appropriate. Jiaozhi is too far from the imperial court, and it is also a thousand miles away from Panyu in Nanhai Commandery. If it is to be divided, how should it be divided?"

Wei Zhen said, “Guanqiu Zhonggong’s memorial states that the five prefectures of Nanhai, Cangwu, Hepu, Yulin, and Zhuyai should be combined into one prefecture, and the three prefectures of Jiaozhi, Rinan, and Jiuzhen should be combined into another prefecture. I believe that combining the three southern prefectures into one prefecture is somewhat cramped. Jiaozhi has a large population, so it would be better to divide Jiaozhi prefecture into two to ensure mutual checks and balances. As for the names of the two prefectures, Your Majesty should decide.”

Everyone turned to look at Cao Rui.

For the Great Wei, the establishment of a new province was no longer a novelty. The original thirteen provinces of the Han Dynasty were no longer suitable for governance. Before the division of Jiao Province, the Great Wei already had seventeen provinces with governors, in addition to Hanzhong, which belonged to Yi Province and had not yet been given an official post.

“Very well,” Cao Rui said. “In that case, let the five northern commanderies be Guangzhou, taking the character ‘Guang’ from Guangxin County, the seat of Cangwu Commandery, and let Guangxin County be the seat of the prefecture. The original seat of the prefecture, Panyu, is too far south and is often flooded, so it is not suitable as a prefecture seat. The three southern commanderies, centered on Jiaozhi, will remain Jiaozhou. As for the division of commanderies, I generally agree, but let Guanqiu Zhonggong decide on the specifics.”

"how?"

Wei Zhen cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty is wise. Now that two prefectures are to be established, I hope Your Majesty will select the appropriate governors."

Cao Rui pointed at Huang Quan: "Does Minister Huang have any objections?"

Huang Quan thought for a moment and calmly replied, “Your Majesty, Guanqiu Zhonggong previously submitted a memorial stating that Sima Shuda, the Prefect of Zhuyai, requested to be transferred back to the Central Plains. However, the court is about to launch an attack on Shu, and it is difficult to send capable ministers to Jiaozhou. Moreover, Sima Shuda is quite familiar with the customs and conditions of Lingnan and has served as a prefect before. I believe that it would be better to select a capable prefect from the Central Plains to go south and serve as the Prefect of Guangzhou, while Sima Shuda is appointed as the Prefect of Jiaozhou to assist Guanqiu Zhonggong in handling border affairs.”

Cao Rui did not answer, but looked at Wei Zhen: "What about Zheng Hun? Zheng Hun has served as the governor of Wei Commandery and Yingchuan Commandery. He is an upright and capable official, and he should be competent in governing Jiaozhou."

Wei Zhen thought for a few moments and said, "Your Majesty is wise."

“Very well,” Cao Rui said, looking at the others in the hall. “Do any of you have any objections?”

"Your Majesty is wise," the crowd responded in unison.

"Alright." Cao Rui nodded: "Does the Privy Council have any objections to Guanqiu Zhonggong's request for commendation on behalf of everyone?"

"No," Liu Ye replied, rising to his feet. "However, I have some concerns about Guanqiu Jian's intention to attack the southern part of Shu. The southern region is vast; even after Guanqiu Jian reaches Jincheng County, it is still three thousand li away from Chengdu by land. The routes from Xiling to Chengdu, and from Chang'an to Chengdu, are all shorter than this." "I believe it is acceptable for Guanqiu Jian to deplete the military and civilian resources of Jiaozhi, select meritorious officials, and contain the Shu army, but there is no need to set any specific military objectives for him. Let him march north to the southern region and attack at will."

"I have made a rough estimate. If Guanqiu Jian can stabilize Zangke County and Jianning County, it will already be a great achievement."

Xu Shu also cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, what Privy Councilor Liu said is pertinent."

"During the Han Dynasty, rebellions frequently broke out in the southern regions. Although prefectures and counties were established, they were not subject to much control by the imperial court. Guanqiu Jian's memorial clearly stated that he could launch an attack in April. It is currently late March, and if the message is sent back to Jiaozhi, it should be in May. Jiaozhi is far away, so launching an attack in May would allow him to coordinate with the imperial court's northern and eastern armies launching an attack in July. In this way, it can be called a three-pronged attack on Shu."

After listening, Cao Rui nodded slightly: "Does the Ministry of Personnel have any objections?"

Wei Zhen shook his head in response, but Huang Quan spoke up instead: "Your Majesty, there are many local people and barbarians in Jiaozhou. Since the Great Wei has widely spread its royal power and assimilated the Yue people, the local people and barbarians should also be used by the court. I think we should ask Guanqiu Jian to give this matter more consideration and use the strength of the local people and barbarians when we send troops to encourage Jiaozhou to submit."

Cao Rui pursed his lips: "After the Shu Kingdom pacified the Nanzhong region, did it also select many soldiers from the Nanzhong tribes?"

"Yes," Huang Quan replied. "Minister Li of the Ministry of Civil Affairs has mentioned this matter to me. Zhuge Liang selected nearly ten thousand soldiers from various tribes in the south over several years."

Cao Rui nodded: "Using the Jiaozhou troops to attack Nanzhong would be a perfect match, so let's do it that way."

"Previously, I and my ministers had decided to dispatch the Central Army to the front lines in April. Has the Privy Council yet formulated a specific strategy?"

"We have already prepared a draft," Liu Ye and Xu Shu said simultaneously.

Cao Rui nodded slightly and gestured for the two to speak.

Liu Ye coughed a few more times, then turned to look at Xu Shu. Xu Shu understood and replied, "Your Majesty, the Privy Council has drafted a strategy, which we will now submit to Your Majesty for your consideration."

"Of the 80,000 troops in the central army, 60,000 were mobilized. Due to the mountainous terrain and lack of flat land in Shu, the troops of General Wen Qin of the Left Feather Forest and General Cheng Xi of the Right Feather Forest were stationed in Luoyang. 20,000 cavalry were left as the general reserve to guard the rear. The remaining 60,000 troops in the central army were divided into two parts to support the northern and eastern armies."

"Among them, the infantry of General Cao Tai of the Left Guard, the infantry of General Hu Zun of the Right Valiant Guard, the cavalry of General Sun Li of the Guerrilla Force, and the Liaodong infantry and cavalry of General Bei Yan of the Fengyi Force, a total of 40,000 men, accompanied the emperor to the northern route."

"The cavalry under General Jiang Wei of the Left Valiant Guard and the infantry under General Xiahou Xian of the Right Martial Guard, totaling 20,000 men, went to Xiling on the eastern route and came under the command of General Man Chong who was in charge of the Southern Expedition."

"Jiang Wei's troops are going to Jingnan? How did the Privy Council assign them?" Cao Rui asked Xu Shu.

"Yes." Xu Shu calmly explained, "The Central Army has 45,000 cavalry. Not counting the 5,000 Liaodong cavalry and 10,000 Hu cavalry, among the 30,000 elite cavalry of the Central Army, the Left and Right Armored Guards are mostly heavy cavalry, with a small number of armored cavalry and few light cavalry. Only the Left Guard of the Valiant Guard has a composition of half light cavalry and half heavy cavalry."

"General Man's army in Jingnan has no cavalry. Shu is mountainous, and the Hu cavalry is more suitable for the northwest than the mountainous Jingnan. Therefore, I and Privy Councilor Liu chose the Left Army of the Valiant Guard, rather than the Left Army of the Feathered Forest Guard and the Right Army of the Feathered Forest Guard."

"Hmm." Cao Rui nodded slightly: "Wen Qin and Cheng Xi are both veteran generals. Wen Qin is impatient and Cheng Xi is melancholy. Leaving them in the rear and preventing them from participating in the battle may cause them some resentment. Can you properly appease them?"

Xu Shu replied, "Given the story of Wang Ling in the ninth year of the Taihe era, these two should not cause any trouble. However, it would be even better if Your Majesty could personally instruct them."

Cao Rui chuckled: "Fine, I'll appease these two men you've chosen. Forget it, send word that in three days all the generals of the central army should come to the palace, and I will personally host a banquet for them. Cao Tai, Xiahou Xian, Hu Zun, Jiang Wei, Wen Qin, Cheng Xi, Bei Yan, and Sun Li, all eight of them will come."

"Yes." Xu Shu showed no change in expression, having long been accustomed to the emperor's direct control over his generals. He cupped his hands and replied, "I will inform him tonight."

"Very well." Cao Rui asked, "How does the Ministry of Personnel plan the logistics for the troops' deployment?"

Wei Zhen replied, “Your Majesty, Minister Huang and I have reached a decision. I will volunteer to accompany Your Majesty’s army to be in charge of logistics, while Minister Huang will go south to Jingnan to join General Man’s army. The army’s provisions will be coordinated by Minister of Civil Affairs Li Yan in Chang’an, and Minister of the Jiangnan Regional Secretariat Sima Yi in Wuhan. The provisions for the front lines will be dispatched by Governor of Qin Prefecture Du Xi and Governor of Jing Prefecture Lü Zhao in Hanzhong and Jiangling respectively.”

"As for the transportation of grain and fodder, there was a precedent during the campaign against Wu in the ninth year of Taihe. Therefore, no important officials were assigned to transport the grain and fodder along the way. Instead, the governors of the prefectures along the way were responsible for the transportation within their respective jurisdictions."

"We believe that this is the complete solution."

Cao Rui nodded: "In that case, let's set the date for the expedition to begin on April 15th."

"We obey your decree," everyone responded in unison. (End of Chapter)