Three Kingdoms: I am not Cao Rui

After a brief moment of awkward silence, Cao Rui, in front of the only two attendants in the tent, Cui Lin and Wang Su, shook his head and sneered:
"How could I not know that my arrangements were extremely ingenious, flawless, and foolproof?"

Lu Xun couldn't tell whether this was self-deprecation or a questioning of him. He felt somewhat inappropriate, but he could only cup his hands and reply, "Your Majesty, military strategy says that one should engage with the orthodox and win with the unorthodox. Your Majesty's use of both orthodox and unorthodox tactics will naturally lead to victory."

Cao Rui nodded, his expression softening somewhat, but he didn't stop asking, "Does Boyan really have no suggestions at all?"

Lu Xun sighed inwardly, bowed deeply, and replied, "Your Majesty, please forgive my ignorance; I have no further suggestions."

Cao Rui stood up abruptly, walked to the front of the map, put his hands behind his back, and looked at it for a long time before sighing softly, "Boyan."

"Your subject is here." Lu Xun turned his body toward the map.

Cao Rui turned around, frowned, and asked, "What are you being so hesitant about? In the past, whenever I corresponded with you, you would always talk to me about military strategy and tactics. Why is that all of that today?"

Why is it so difficult to understand?

"During my stay in Deyang, I spoke with Minister Huang for an entire night. Do you know what Minister Huang said to me after General Man's death? He told me frankly that he was not capable enough to command the army and asked me to choose someone else to lead it. Although he lacked some responsibility, he was honest with me and did not jeopardize important matters!"

As he spoke, Cao Rui's tone grew increasingly angry: "I summoned you from Baidi City. If I didn't want to ask you about the military affairs at the front, what else would I want to hear from you? If I wanted to hear your flattery, would I need you to say it? I could find 100,000 people to praise me every day!"

Since he had a long talk with Huang Quan, His Majesty must be fully aware of the conflicts he had with Man Chong. There's no way to fool him now…

"Your Majesty!" Lu Xun immediately knelt down: "I have heard that serving one's sovereign requires sincerity, and I dare not conceal anything."

“When the Eastern Route Army went to war last year, I wanted to lead the navy to make contributions, but General Man refused. After the Xiling was captured, General Man only allowed me to lead 10,000 naval troops to come to the aid of the 40,000-strong navy, and then left me idle in Baidi to guard Wei Yan.”

"Death is a serious matter. General Man has just passed away, and I shouldn't bring up all these past events again. But if General Man had followed my advice and launched an attack quickly, he wouldn't have died of exhaustion in the army. The ships can travel directly down the Yangtze River to Jiangzhou!"

"Your Majesty, I previously believed that wars of annihilation should be swift, but General Man's cautious approach to warfare was not without fault, and I had no right to comment. Today, Your Majesty has asked me this question, and I am somewhat at a loss and timid. I beg Your Majesty's punishment!"

Having said that, Lu Xun lowered his head even further. Cao Rui shook his head slightly, stepped forward to help Lu Xun up, and said in a deep voice, "I have always known that no one is perfect, so I will not use the standard of a perfect person to demand that everyone be perfect. As for General Man, I am already satisfied that he brought the imperial army from the Jiangling and Xiling areas into Shu."

"I have already arrived in Deyang. I will take care of the rest. Besides, you are here now, aren't you?"

"Boyan, I am in command of the army here, and I need your advice on military strategy. Do not be afraid or timid, speak your mind. Your relationship with me is different from that of outsiders!"

"Yes, Your Majesty, I understand." Lu Xun nodded.

“Alright,” Cao Rui grabbed Lu Xun’s wrist and led him to the map, beginning to discuss the military deployment: “Guanghan is 130 li from here. Cao Zhao and Xiahou Xian’s troops will be in the front, with General Guo following behind to alternate the offensive…”

Regardless of any lingering resentment in Lu Xun's heart, the matter had been brought to this point, and he had no choice but to focus all his attention on discussing military matters with the emperor. The emperor was a seasoned commander who had never suffered a defeat in major affairs; he couldn't simply brush him off.

Perhaps Lu Xun, with his years of experience leading troops, was more precise and meticulous in specific military details, but on a larger scale, the emperor's strategy was no weaker than his.

Time passed slowly, and Cao Rui and Lu Xun stood in front of the map, chatting for an hour. At this moment, Pei Qian, the Chamberlain, walked out and coughed lightly, interrupting their conversation.

"Your Majesty, I have important military intelligence to report."

"What is it?" Cao Rui asked loudly without turning his head.

Pei Qian cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, Guanqiu Zhonggong is currently in Jiangyang. He has already captured Sun Deng and sent him to Deyang City."

"What?" Cao Ruichu was also extremely surprised when he heard the news: "Say it again!"

Pei Qian said calmly, “Your Majesty, General Guanqiu Zhonggong led his troops from Longbian City in Jiaozhi Commandery, Jiaozhou last June. He pacified Jianning and Zangke Commanderies, and on January 20th, he arrived outside Jiangyang City in Jiangyang Commandery, Shuzhong, with 7,000 troops. He captured the Wu rebel Sun Deng and received more than 6,000 of Sun Deng's surrendered soldiers in Jiangyang. He should be attacking Jiangyang City at this time. Guanqiu Jian sent Sima Ziyuan to escort Sun Deng, first to Jiangzhou and then to Deyang. He is waiting outside now.”

"I have finished speaking."

Cao Rui sighed: "In this campaign against Shu, I have two armies, one in the north and one in the east, and I have also made three strategic moves."

"One of them was the troops of General Guo Huai who conquered Shu. He roughly completed the mission and opened up the Micang Road, which can be considered a hard-working achievement."

"The second is Deng Ai's troops who took a small road south from Yinping. After Deng Ai captured Jiangyou Pass, he was blocked by the Shu army and had to return to Jiangyou to garrison. He is still stuck in Jiangyou and has made no progress."

"The third is Zhonggong, who came from Jiaozhou." Cao Rui shook his head with a smile: "Who would have thought that Zhonggong would fight his way all the way from Jiaozhou to here? Gentlemen, who among you could have imagined? How many miles is it from Longbian to Jiangyang?"

Before delivering the message, Pei Qian had already made a rough estimate in his mind, and immediately cupped his hands in reply: "Your Majesty, Guanqiu Zhonggong's journey is no less than three thousand li. To march such a long distance in such a remote place is truly a wise and courageous act!"

"I didn't expect this either," Cui Lin replied. "I thought it would be fine if Guanqiu led his army to conquer the south, but who knew he would actually break through the south!"

Lu Xun then reminded him, "Your Majesty, Jiang Boyue's troops should arrive in Jiangyang within the next day or two."

Cao Rui laughed loudly: "In that case, I have nothing to worry about!"

"Minister Pei, summon Sima Ziyuan before me. I wish to see him!"

"Yes, Your Majesty, please wait a moment." Pei Qian bowed and accepted the order, then turned and walked out.

When Cao Rui saw Sima Shi, his eyebrows immediately twitched upwards.

This is quite different from the Sima Shi that Cao Rui remembered.

Sima Shi strode to a spot two zhang in front of Cao Rui, making a gesture as if to bow, but Cao Rui waved his hand and said, "Ziyuan, come closer so I can see you clearly!"

"Your subject obeys the decree!" Sima Shi replied loudly. (End of Chapter)