Three Kingdoms: I am not Cao Rui

"Your subject Sima Shi pays respects to Your Majesty!" Sima Shi took another ten feet forward as requested by the emperor, and then bowed respectfully.

Previously, when Guanqiu Jian sent Sima Shi back to Luoyang from Jiaozhou to report on the rebellion and request naval assistance, Sima Shi was also visibly tired, but compared to now, it was nothing.

Although horses could be ridden, the army did not have many, and the breeds were not as good as the northern horses. They were also used for scouting and reconnaissance, and many of them were lost due to climate, geography and food shortages.

If we estimate based on a march of three thousand li, Sima Shi must have walked at least a thousand li on foot. His face was darker, his physique more robust and sturdy, and his clothing was somewhat mismatched. These were clothes he had obtained from prominent families in the south.

Cao Rui spoke up: "Ziyuan, please rise. Just now, Attendant Pei briefly told me how many battles you fought on your way to Jiangyang, and how many troops you lost."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Sima Shi rose respectfully, then bowed and replied, "Commander Guanqiu led 30,000 troops from Jiaozhi. In Dianchi County of Jianning Commandery, they reorganized and weeded out the weaker soldiers, selecting 10,000 from among them. The remaining 20,000 were led back to Jiaozhi by Chief Clerk Zhu Yi. Afterwards, Commander Guanqiu led us north..."

Sima Shi's words were filled with many details, which he described slowly and deliberately, while Cao Rui listened attentively. Especially when Sima Shi described Guanqiu Jian's oath-taking ceremony with the local people and prominent clans at Dianchi Lake, he mentioned the lake's breathtaking scenery...

Dianchi County is far too remote and desolate nowadays. Even if the emperor were to travel there, reaching Chengdu in Sichuan would be the limit that the court could accept. It is likely that Cao Rui would never have the chance to see the scenic beauty of Dianchi Lake and other highland lakes.

During his narration, Sima Shi himself was filled with deep emotion. Of course, Sima Shi still retained the arrogant and disdainful attitude he had had in the past, but after many years of experience, his determination to achieve great things had only grown stronger.

It was not out of loyalty to the emperor that he achieved merit, but rather that establishing merit was simply what a man should do! Sima Shi was confident that his journey of three thousand miles with Guanqiu Jian would one day be recorded in history!
Sima Shi's lecture lasted for a quarter of an hour. After he finished speaking, Cao Rui asked the most crucial question:
"Ziyuan, are Zhonggong's seven thousand soldiers still capable of fighting?"

Sima Shi replied, “Your Majesty, Commander Guanqiu clearly explained to me before I set out that his 7,000 soldiers are only slightly weaker than ordinary soldiers from prefectures and counties. Since they are all from Jiaozhou, they are unlikely to be able to endure a hard battle. I hope Your Majesty is aware of this. Now, we are attacking Jiangyang while our morale is at its highest. I request Your Majesty to send troops to assist us. Otherwise, if we encounter setbacks, it will demoralize the army.”

Cao Rui smiled and said, "You came from Jiangzhou? Did you see the Left Guard of the Valiant Guard?"

Sima Shi replied, "I saw it near Jiangzhou. Ten thousand cavalrymen marched in a grand procession, their military might was truly magnificent."

Cao Rui nodded: "Let Boyue fight the tough battles, and Zhonggong's troops can assist him. First, take Jiangyang, and then advance westward together. Jiangyang is not a major city, and Ma Zhong is not a famous general. I do not believe that the morale of the army and the people in Shu is so stable that they cannot even take Jiangyang!"

"Yes," Sima Shi replied, unsure of what to say.

Cao Rui pointed at Cui Lin and said, "Attendant Cui, I hereby appoint you as Protector of the Army for the time being. You are to oversee the armies of Boyue and Zhonggong, coordinate the war, and ensure harmony between the two armies. In military matters, Zhonggong will take the lead. As for matters outside of military affairs, as a cabinet minister, you can make decisions on the front lines without having to consult with others. You may depart early tomorrow morning!"

"Your subject obeys the decree," Cui Lin replied. As a cabinet minister, it was normal for him to have greater authority when on official business.

Lu Xun sighed inwardly as he listened to the emperor's arrangement for Cui Lin to go. The emperor himself was the commander-in-chief, and Shu was only so big; he couldn't offer much help with military strategy. Here, Lu Xun could only serve as a strategist advising on military matters, with no other use to him. However, this was also a good thing for him.

Having rendered meritorious service or not is better than having rendered fault. He has already been granted a royal title; what more merit does he need?

Cao Rui then pointed at Sima Shi: "Ziyuan will also return to the army tomorrow with Attendant-in-Ordinary Cui. I will write a letter tonight, which you will give to Zhonggong tomorrow." "Your subject obeys." Sima Shi hesitated for a few moments before asking, "Your Majesty, I have brought the traitor Sun Deng from Jiangyang..."

Cao Rui didn't respond to that question: "That Wu general who surrendered was named Liu Zan, right?"

“Exactly.” Sima Shi nodded.

Cao Rui said, "Wang Shizhong, please take note: This man surrendered to the Great Wei with six thousand troops. He should be made a marquis and appointed as a general."

“Yes,” Wang Su thought for a moment, “This man has been in the bandit camp for a long time. Now that he is in dire straits, he has come to surrender. The fact that the Great Wei is willing to accept him is already an immense favor. I think it would be enough to grant him a fief of two hundred households and appoint him as a two-thousand-stone colonel to serve at the front. Any more favors would be undesirable.”

"Good." Cao Rui nodded. "As for that Sun Deng, this thief has been escaping from the Wei for almost five years, but he has been captured today. Is there anyone in the army who recognizes Sun Deng's face? Go and verify his identity, and then execute him in accordance with the law."

Among the former Wu officials who surrendered, several of the Wu ministers are now either ministers or governors. Gu Yong also died of old age two years ago, and as for Zhuge Ke, he is still serving as the Chancellor of Hejian in Hebei. Where in the army can one still recognize Sun Deng?
Lu Xun was at a loss and could only bow and reply, "Your Majesty, I saw Sun Deng's face more than ten years ago and should be able to recognize him."

"Then go, Boyan." Cao Rui seemed unconcerned: "Go quickly and come back soon. I will wait for you here."

"Your subject understands." Lu Xun bowed and then left.

About fifteen minutes later, Pei Qian entered and reported the news of Sun Deng's execution. Cao Rui simply responded with an "uh-huh".

Whether Sun Deng is dead or alive, or whether he exists or not, is now a trivial matter to Cao Rui and the Great Wei. Cao Rui didn't even ask about Sun Deng's funeral arrangements.

Let the ministers do it; how can one concern oneself with every matter in the world?
……

The following day, just as Cui Lin and Sima Shi set off, Jiang Wei led 10,000 cavalry to Jiangyang City, almost exactly as Cao Rui and others had predicted.

Back when Jiang Wei was a colonel in the Five Colonels Camp, Guanqiu Jian, who was the Commander of the Central Army, was Jiang Wei's direct superior. Therefore, Jiang Wei always respected Guanqiu Jian. Upon seeing him today, he bowed deeply in respect.

"We pay our respects to the General! Several years have passed since we last met, yet your demeanor remains as impressive as ever!"

"Hahaha, Boyue, you now command ten thousand cavalry, that's truly a cause for celebration." Guanqiu Jian laughed heartily, stepped forward and took Jiang Wei's hand: "It is a great joy to meet you outside Jiangyang City today! Now that you are here, Boyue, you should help me conquer Jiangyang City together."

Jiang Wei smiled and said, "Of course, General, you have come a long way to take the lead in the attack, and I will assist you from behind the scenes!" (End of Chapter)