Wei Ni

It's not that I'm unwilling, but that I simply can't!
With a sigh of helplessness in his heart, and under the suspicious gaze of Emperor Cao Rui, Xiahou Hui had no choice but to bite the bullet and argue, "Your Majesty's trust in me is so great, how could I not know it? How could I not gladly go? But Your Majesty, I humbly believe that if I were to take up my post in Yongliang at this time, I fear I would not be able to meet Your Majesty's expectations, nor would I be of any benefit to the country."

Huh?
You, who often speak frankly to me and debate with the entire court, now you don't even have the confidence to suppress Guo Huai?
Cao Rui looked at him with suspicion, stroking his beard as he asked, "What do you mean by that, Zhiquan? Explain in detail."

"only."

Taking a deep breath, Xiahou Hui solemnly replied, "Your Majesty, there are three reasons for my request."

"Firstly, the times are not right now."

“Now that our army has just suffered a defeat in Longyou, it is a time when the various tribes of Yong and Liang are uneasy. However, I am well-known, and if I go to take up my post at this time, they will surely harbor resentment. Moreover, if the Shu troops invade in the future, they will surely invade Longyou rather than Guanzhong. If I am in Guanzhong, I am afraid that I will find it difficult to control the generals of the various tribes.”

“Childhood, please stay here.”

Xiahou Hui had just finished explaining his first reason when Emperor Cao Rui raised his hand to interrupt him, "If the Shu troops were to invade, they would surely invade Longyou, not Guanzhong. Why does Zhi Quan make such a statement?"

"Your Majesty, the Shu forces have invaded our country several times before. They gained nothing from invading Guanzhong, but their invasion of Longyou resulted in even greater losses for our army. Furthermore, Shu is exhausted from prolonged warfare and is likely to lose popular support. If we were to resume the war, they would surely choose the easier path instead of the more difficult one."

Uh, I understand.

This means that the Shu Kingdom no longer had the strength to compete with the Wei Kingdom for destiny, and it also gave up the delusion of conquering Guanzhong in one battle. Instead, it sought victory in Longyou to appease the people and fight like a cornered beast.

Cao Rui nodded, his expression indeed becoming increasingly puzzled.

Since Xiahou Hui can even predict the future movements of the Shu troops, he should be given a post in Yongliang to display his talents, establish merit, and share the burdens of the country!

Why has that become a reason why it's not suitable to go?
Immediately, he also raised his doubts, "I still don't understand Zhiquan's words. In the previous war between Yongliang and Shu, our army suffered repeated defeats. Zhiquan has the ability to foresee the future, so he should be more pleased with the generals and officers. Why is there any talk of secret resistance? Moreover, the garrison of the Protectorate General who is in charge of the conquest of Shu has always been in Longyou. Why does Zhiquan say that he will be stationed in Guanzhong after taking office?"

"Your Majesty, this is the second reason why I wish to speak."

Xiahou Hui answered without hesitation, “My late father was stationed in Chang’an in his early years. After entering Longyou from the Qian River Valley, he fought across thousands of miles and defeated countless rebels. He successively destroyed the Qian River Di, slaughtered the Xingguo Di, conquered the Gaoping Tu Ge Hu (a branch of the Xiongnu), slaughtered the Fuhan Qiang, destroyed the Xiabian Di, and slaughtered the Hechi Di. Behind his illustrious reputation is Your Majesty. A son should not speak ill of his father. I am sure Your Majesty already knows my meaning.”

This time, Cao Rui did not allow Xiahou Hui to continue explaining.

He truly understood.

Xiahou Yuan, who roamed Guanzhong, was known only for his fierceness in Yongliang, and had no kindness towards either the Qiang (Di) Hu or the Han gentry and commoners.

It's easy to understand why they showed no kindness to the Qiang and Di people.

Back then, the State of Wei formally established its rule over various regions of Longyou by Xiahou Yuan's conquests. He slaughtered many Qiang and Di tribes who dared to resist, and those who were unwilling to submit were rendered powerless to resist. Moreover, whenever Xiahou Yuan passed through a tribal settlement, he would collect grain, cattle, and horses for military use, even those tribes that directly submitted.

It can be said that from the time Xiahou Yuan marched westward from Qianshui until he entered Hanzhong, every footprint he left was red, and every gust of wind behind him carried the mournful cries of the Qiang and Di tribes' dead souls.

They showed no kindness to the Han people, and instead became scapegoats for the Wei state's efforts to eliminate separatist forces.

After the Battle of Wei River, Ma Chao and others fled from Guanzhong. Emperor Cao Cao, due to a rebellion in the rear, withdrew his troops and did not pursue them, thus giving Ma Chao, who had fled to Longyou, a chance to catch his breath. Ma Chao then sought refuge with Zhang Lu and won over the Qiang and Di tribes to launch a counterattack on Tianshui County.

Tianshui Commandery was the residence of Wei Kang, the governor of Liang Province (at that time, Yong Province had not yet been separated from it), and his father, Wei Duan, was the previous governor.

Previously, Emperor Wu of Han, Cao Cao, welcomed Emperor Xian of Han back to Xuchang. Out of concern that the various tribes in Guanzhong would pose a threat to him, he appointed Wei Duan as the governor of Liangzhou in the name of the court to keep him in check. After Wei Duan entered the court as a minister, he replaced him with his son Wei Kang.

The Wei family was originally a prominent clan in Jingzhao. With more than ten tribes in Guanzhong vying for power, Wei Kang and his son were able to establish themselves in Tianshui County and control Longyou and Hexi. They were very popular and had considerable strength.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call them separatist forces.

Therefore, after Emperor Wu of Han, Cao Cao, incorporated the Hebei region into his territory, his power began to extend to Guanzhong, and he also had to take steps to eliminate the influence of the Wei family.

Xiahou Yuan, who was stationed in Guanzhong, felt obligated to become the mastermind behind it all.

At that time, Ma Chao besieged Ji County in Tianshui. Wei Kang led the officials and people to hold out for eight months, but Xiahou Yuan's reinforcements did not arrive. In the end, he had no choice but to open the city gates and surrender. He was then secretly killed by Yang Ang, a general under Zhang Lu, on Ma Chao's orders.

It should be noted that Xiahou Yuan was renowned in the army for his swift military tactics, often described as "five hundred men in three days, a thousand men in six days," and was particularly adept at rapid attacks.

How far is it from Chang'an to Ji County in Tianshui?
Just look at Zhang He's later victory over Ma Su at Jieting to understand.

Wei Kang held on for a full eight months!
Even a fool would know that Xiahou Yuan deliberately (on orders) refused to help Wei Kang in order to use Ma Chao to get rid of him.

Therefore, the Qiang and Di tribes still existing in Longyou today, feeling a sense of loss for their own kind and remembering the kindness of the Wei family father and son in protecting them, would never welcome Xiahou Yuan's son to Longyou!

This is why Xiahou Hui claimed that after taking office as the Protector of the Army for the Conquest of Shu, he would be stationed in Guanzhong—in order to avoid escalating conflicts and also to be able to get a good night's sleep.

The reason why it was difficult to suppress Guo Huai and his ilk was also due to this. Guo Huai had served as the governor of Yongzhou since Emperor Wen of Han, Cao Pi, usurped the throne. He had been stationed in Longyou for twenty years, and his influence and power were already widespread. If Xiahou Hui were to go there now, it would only cause the Qiang and Di tribes and common people in Longyou to spontaneously gravitate towards Guo Huai.

Want to suppress him?

Even without Guo Huai expressing his indignation, the "ambitious men" of Longyou would, just like when Ma Chao was driven out, raise their voices in protest or even directly launch a rebellion to force the court to recall Xiahou Hui!

Don't doubt this possibility.

The century-long Qiang rebellion of the previous dynasty is enough to prove their ability to act.

Of course, in both situations, Xiahou Hui was still able to establish himself in Longyou.

The first option is to rotate three to five troops from Longyou to Guanzhong, and have Xiahou Hui lead his old troops, such as the four battalions of Zhenhu, into Longyou. Following the example of his father Xiahou Yuan, he would turn any daring Qiang and Di tribes into several mounds of corpses, and then no insects would dare to make a sound.

Another scenario is when Wei and Shu once again face off in a major battle.

At that time, the court would allow Xiahou Hui to command the generals led by Guo Huai under the pretext of overseeing the defense of Yong and Liang against the invading Shu troops. They would then obediently submit to his orders. Guo Huai, who had served as an official under Emperor Wu and Emperor Wen, would never allow infighting among his subordinates in the face of external conflicts.

The former would trigger unrest in Longyou and give Shu an opportunity to take advantage of it, while the latter is a condition that has not yet been met.

Therefore, Emperor Cao Rui pondered silently for a moment, and finally abandoned the idea of ​​appointing Xiahou Hui as the Protector of the Army for the Expedition against Shu. However, he still took the opportunity to ask, "What is the third reason for Zhi Quan's appointment? It's not because your brother Zhong Quan has a falling out with Guo Huai, is it?"

Yes, that's it.

But since you've already thought of that, I'll give you a different reason.

Xiahou Hui, seeing from Cao Rui's expression that he would not be sent to a post elsewhere, was in high spirits and a sense of humor arose within him. He replied, "Your Majesty, it is not so. Shu is now weak, but the power of the bandit Wu is still considerable. In the future, they will surely not hesitate to invade our country. Since that bandit Sun Quan of Wu has vowed to kill me, I think I should stay in the capital for now, so that one day I may volunteer to lead troops to meet him, and not let the bandit Wu think that we have no one in the Central Plains! This is my third reason."

"You brat! Hahaha~"

As expected, Emperor Cao Rui immediately pointed at him and laughed, "Being greedy for merit is being greedy for merit! Why use the oath of the traitor Sun Quan of Wu to persuade Xiang Yu? And why use such high-sounding words to prove that there are people in the Central Plains!"

For a time, both the emperor and his ministers were delighted.

With their business concluded, the two chatted for a while before Xiahou Hui took his leave and left the palace.

It was only after he left the palace that he suddenly remembered something he had forgotten to remind Cao Rui of: when he had helped Cao Fu find a job, Cao Rui had asked him to check if the Shu soldiers had been delayed, but now the Shu soldiers had all returned, and there had been no explanation.

Has Emperor Cao Rui forgotten?

He wasn't sure, and he didn't dare to ask.

Because I was worried that Cao Rui had deliberately forgotten, I decided to let it go for now.

Today I almost dug a hole and buried myself, so I'd better behave myself and avoid causing any unnecessary trouble or complications.

In fact, Cao Rui had not forgotten.

A few days later, Cao Fu was appointed as the Chief of the Imperial Carriage by the imperial court, thanks to the merits and favors bestowed upon him by his late father.

Although this position was subordinate to the Commandant of the Guards and had a rank of only 600 shi, it was in charge of the South Gate of the Palace (Sima Gate) and patrolling the palace at night. All memorials from officials and commoners, tributes from all directions, and summons were relayed through him, making it a relatively important official position.

This is especially fitting for Cao Fu.

This would both prevent the court and the public from making unwarranted comments about the Wei dynasty's mistreatment of the sons of meritorious officials, and also allow for an assessment of Cao Fu's abilities and character, so that he could be used in the future.

The adjustments concerning Yongliang were also announced in a decree.

After the imperial court gave a perfunctory reprimand to Guo Huai, the governor of Yongzhou, for the defeat, it transferred You Yiping, the prefect of Nan'an, to Qingzhou and replaced him with Yue Lin, the son of Yue Jin. The vacancy of the prefect of Guangwei after Wang Yun's death was filled by Zhu Shu, the son of Zhu Ling, who was currently serving as the Right Minister under the Tiger General.

From the identities of these two candidates, it can be seen that Emperor Cao Rui intended to reorganize the various tribes of Yong and Liang, reduce the influence of Grand Commandant Sima Yi, and had already begun to introduce foreign influence into Longyou.

It is worth mentioning that after Zhu Shu received his appointment, he made a special trip to the Central Protectorate to express his gratitude to Xiahou Hui. This was because when Emperor Cao Rui encouraged him and Yue Lin to take up their posts in Yong and Liang, he claimed that the key reason for promoting him to the position of Governor of Guangwei was because Xiahou Hui had strongly recommended him.

ok~
Emperor Cao Rui intended to transfer Xiahou Hui to Yongliang in the future, so he began to prepare for his transfer.

This is also reflected in the selection of the new Protector-General for the Expedition against Shu. (End of Chapter)