Wei Ni

Alas, excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures has even dulled my judgment.

Seeing the doubt still lingering in Emperor Cao Rui's eyes, Xiahou Hui, who was serving him wine, couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy. He then continued to explain, "Your Majesty, I, Xiahou Hui, do not possess any extraordinary abilities. Rather, I believe that the Grand Commandant and I share similar views. We both think that General Guo's previous poor performance was not due to a lack of strategic acumen, but rather to bad luck."

"Bad luck. Bad luck, hehehe~"

Emperor Cao Rui, who had murmured the words a few times, suddenly looked enlightened and shook his head with a bitter smile.

Indeed, Guo Huai's poor performance in recent years is truly due to "bad luck".

During that period, despite Wei's superior military strength and its advantageous terrain and reliable supplies, even the late Grand Marshal Cao Zhen and Grand Commandant Sima Yi suffered defeats, were strategically outmaneuvered, and were humiliated by challenges. Under such circumstances, why be so critical of Guo Huai's achievements?
After laughing a few times, Cao Rui felt relieved.

He wasn't surprised at all that Xiahou Hui could guess Sima Yi's suggestion.

After all, Sima Yi had once served as the governor of Yongliang. It would be strange if he didn't do something for his former subordinates.

Therefore, Cao Rui's strange thoughts earlier were more about the intention behind Xiahou Hui's mention of Sima Yi: Could it be that he was subtly slandering Sima Yi for having ambitions to seize power?
"Since the Grand Commandant and Zhi Quan share similar views, I will agree with you. However, the most undesirable thing in the army is unclear rewards and punishments, and his mistake in the defeat still needs to be addressed. Hmm, let's punish him by deducting his salary and reprimanding him to appease him."

Rolling up his damp sleeves, Cao Rui took a sip of wine, finalizing Guo Huai's decision, and then continued, "However, it is an undeniable fact that Yongliang currently lacks a governor, and the various departments are not coordinated and cannot cooperate. Zhiquan, do you think there is anyone in our country who is capable of serving as General Who Conquers the West?"

Xiahou Hui had never actually thought about this question.

As for whether to appoint a General Who Conquers the West and who should be selected, Cao Rui should have left such matters to the officials in the court to discuss at their leisure.

This position has way too much power!
It's better to have none than to have something of poor quality.

Of course, now that the Emperor has asked him and brought him to Tianyuan Pool for a private discussion, he will not pretentiously refuse with the excuse that he has a specific duty to perform.

"Um"

With a slight nasal tone, he lowered his eyes, stroked his beard, and carefully considered his words before answering, "Your Majesty, I dare to ask whether Your Majesty's establishment of the General Who Conquers the West at this time is for the purpose of conquering the enemy or to appease the various tribes?"

Aren't both of these duties the responsibility of the General Who Conquers the West?

Cao Rui raised his eyebrows slightly, silently looking at Xiahou Hui, and gestured for him to continue.

Xiahou Hui must have known the scope of the General Who Conquers the West's duties, so his question must have had other considerations.

"Now that the rebellious Shu is weak, it will be difficult to launch an invasion for at least three to five years, as Your Majesty is aware of. Therefore, I, your humble servant Hui, believe that if Your Majesty is appointing a General Who Conquers the West for the purpose of a campaign, it is too early now, and I, your humble servant Hui, have no suitable candidate. However, if Your Majesty is appointing a Protectorate General of Yong and Liang to enforce the laws, I, your humble servant Hui, think that it would be sufficient to fill the vacancy of the Protectorate General Who Conquers Shu and appoint him as the Imperial Envoy to supervise the various tribes."

As expected, Xiahou Hui immediately offered an explanation.

The Protector of the Army for the Conquest of Shu was an official position established by Emperor Cao Cao.

Although his rank was not very high, he was equivalent to a "military supervisor" and held military power. In the event of war and the absence of a governor of Yongliang, he could temporarily act as governor.

Cao Zhen was the first to take office, followed by Xiahou Ru. After Xiahou Ru was transferred to Jingzhou, Dai Ling took over.

During the standoff between Wei and Shu at Wuzhang Plains, Cao Rui appointed Qin Lang to lead troops to reinforce Sima Yi. After the war ended and Qin Lang returned to Luoyang to resume his post as General of the Valiant Cavalry, the position became vacant.

In other words, Xiahou Hui's suggestion was that since there was no war in Yong and Liang, it was not advisable to appoint a General Who Conquers the West, lest his power become too great and difficult to control; if the court was worried that the various tribes in Yong and Liang would be difficult to control, then they should settle for the next best option.

"Yes, Zhiquan is right. It is indeed too early now."

Cao Rui nodded slightly, his eyes full of approval. "In that case, Zhi Quan will be the latter. Now tell me who is qualified to be the Protector of the Army in the conquest of Shu."

"only."

After responding, Xiahou Hui pondered for a while before replying, "Your Majesty, in such a hasty situation, I, your subject, have not been able to consider everything thoroughly. I believe there are two people who may be capable of this task. One is Minister Liu Jing, and the other is Huan Fan, who is recuperating at home."

"Fan is arrogant and intolerant, so we'll disregard him. Jing is suitable in terms of talent and character, but he has almost no military experience, so I'm afraid he won't be able to control Guo and the others."

Cao Rui first rejected Huan Fan without hesitation, then frowned and stroked his beard in deep thought.

Xiahou Hui, who dared not disturb her, felt a mixture of joy and helplessness.

Joy naturally stemmed from understanding that Cao Rui's plan to adjust the deployment in Yong and Liang and parachute in someone to control the various generals was intended to diminish Sima Yi's prestige in Yong and Liang; this also meant that his sarcastic remark, "My thoughts are similar to those of the Grand Commandant," had worked.

Yes, he came here specifically to sow discord between Cao Rui and Cao Rui.

However, having learned from his previous experience of using cunning tactics when recommending the governor of Hongnong, which were discovered by Emperor Cao Rui, he did the opposite this time.

Cao Rui was very intelligent!
Intelligent people are most prone to overthinking. If Xiahou Hui disagreed with Sima Yi's suggestion, he would assume Xiahou Hui was still harboring malicious intentions and dedicated to discrediting Sima Yi as a "sage." But if Xiahou Hui agreed, he would overthink things—even the youths of Qiao and Pei thought Sima Yi was the right person, so what about Sima Yi's former subordinates far away in Yong and Liang? Therefore, if anything happened, would they listen to Sima Yi or to the emperor himself?!
Unfortunately, it was a pity that Huan Fan did not fight for power.

Of the two people he mentioned, Minister Liu Jing was actually just there to make up the numbers.

Although Liu Jing was the son of the late Governor of Yangzhou, Liu Fu, and was loyal and capable, and had achieved political success in many places, he had hardly been involved in military conflicts. Therefore, he would not be transferred by the court to Yongliang to control the various generals.

Huan Fan would be a good fit.

He was a fellow townsman of the Wei dynasty, had held various military and political positions, and had even served as a regional governor. In terms of both seniority and status, he could overpower Guo Huai.

Unfortunately, that's a pity.

Not long ago, the imperial court transferred him from the governor of Yanzhou to the governor of Jizhou, but he resigned directly due to illness!
The reason he did not take up the post was that General Lü Zhao, who was in charge of the Northern Garrison, had entered officialdom later than him, and he was ashamed to be subordinate to him and could not bear being controlled by Lü Zhao.

With such behavior, it's no wonder Emperor Cao Rui couldn't possibly have a good impression of him.

Even with Xiahou Hui's recommendation now, it's difficult for Cao Rui to change his opinion of him; he still feels that he is not up to the task.

"The two men recommended by Zhiquan are both good men, but neither of them is capable of serving in Yongliang."

Without much deliberation, Cao Rui rejected Minister Liu Jing as well, and asked with a smile, "Although it was hasty and my considerations were not thorough, has Zhiquan overlooked anyone?"

Did I miss someone?
Upon hearing this, Xiahou Hui was slightly taken aback and began to carefully consider the matter in his mind.

From Emperor Cao Rui's tone, he could easily guess that this person was none other than one of the Xiahou Cao clan.

But neither Cao Shuang nor Xiahou Xian, who are currently in the capital Luoyang, are suitable!
It wasn't that Xiahou Hui looked down on Cao Shuang, but rather that even Emperor Cao Rui knew of his talent. If he were appointed as the Protector of the Army for the Conquest of Shu, it was uncertain whether he could suppress the various tribes of Yong and Liang, but he would definitely be led by Guo Huai.

As for Xiahou Xian, Emperor Cao Rui had previously stated explicitly that he would no longer be allowed to serve in the army.
Who could it be? After removing these two people, there's no one else. It couldn't be Qin Lang, who hasn't been working in Hetao for long, who was transferred back, could it?
and many more!
Could it be? !

Xiahou Hui's heart skipped a beat. He raised his head in disbelief and asked tentatively, "Does Your Majesty mean that I, Xiahou Hui, should recommend myself?"

"Of course!"

Immediately, Cao Rui clapped his hands and burst into laughter, "Now Zhi Quan is too late in his studies! Hahaha~"

He seemed to enjoy seeing Xiahou Hui's surprised expression, and laughed heartily.

Upon hearing the affirmative reply, Xiahou Hui was stunned, his heart filled with regret for his own actions and the bitter pill he had brewed for himself.

Previously, in preparation for seizing power in the future, he had gone to great lengths to persuade Emperor Cao Rui to kick Qin Lang and Cao Zhao out of the capital Luoyang, and now he was still thinking about how to mirth Xiahou Xian in a quagmire!
Unexpectedly, this also prompted Cao Rui to consider sending himself to a post outside the capital.
Isn't this just kicking yourself out of Luoyang?

To be fair, from Cao Rui's perspective, there was indeed no one more suitable than Xiahou Hui to be the Protector of the Army for the Expedition against Shu.

Regardless of his status or achievements, Xiahou Hui was able to suppress the generals of Yong and Liang led by Guo Huai.

As for age and experience.
joke!

Previously, when Xiahou Shang was appointed General Who Conquers the South and commanded Xu Huang, and when Cao Xiu was appointed General Who Conquers the East and commanded Zhang Liao, who dared to question them based on their age and experience?

Just as Emperor Wen of Han, Cao Pi, appointed Cao Xiu, Cao Zhen, and Xiahou Shang as governors of the three major war zones of Huainan, Yongliang, and Jingxiang respectively, Cao Rui's current appointment of Xiahou Hui to Yongliang is a preparation for the selection of governors in the future.

The candidates for governors of Huainan and Jingxiang have also been basically determined.

Now, Guanqiu Jian, who is leading the campaign in Haidong, will be able to assume his post as governor after he succeeds, and Qin Lang, who is going to Hetao to gain experience as governor, will be able to assume his post after several years.

Following the example of the late Emperor Cao Pi's "three sons guarding the borders," Cao Rui's arrangement of having members of the imperial clan from Qiao and Pei, or former associates from his time as a prince, in charge of military power to protect the capital and prepare for the future conquest of Shu and Wu was quite appropriate.

This also shows the great trust and respect placed in Xiahou Hui.

It should be noted that, considering the controlled military force, the territory under its jurisdiction, and the population, the combined strength of Huainan and Jingxiang is still less than that of Yongliang alone.

Therefore, Xiahou Hui was quite moved at this moment.

However, it is now late autumn, September of the second year of Jingchu (238 AD), and he really cannot leave the capital Luoyang!
If Cao Rui had lived as long as Emperor Wu of Han (Cao Cao)—no, if he only needed to extend his life by ten years—he would have used every means at his disposal, even resorting to tantrums and crying, to go to Yong and Liang when Sima Yi resigned as governor and returned to the capital! Why would he need to wait until now for Cao Rui to ask for it himself?
The pavilion remained silent for a long time.

Even Cao Rui felt that Xiahou Hui's "shock" had lasted a while, so he asked a question out of curiosity.

"What, Zhiquan doesn't want to go to Yongliang?" (End of Chapter)