Three Kingdoms: I am not Cao Rui

Following the alarm from one place, the rest of the Shu army camps, as well as the Shu army headquarters in Xiabian City, also became alert. The sound of the horn was quite harsh in the quiet morning.

However, mobilizing troops takes time.

Three hundred cavalrymen came diagonally from the northeast, heading straight for Xiabian City. Before the troops in the city were ready to leave, Cao Zhen and his men arrived about a mile north of the city, took a quick look at the surrounding camps, and then rode back without stopping.

Zhuge Liang was in Xiabian City. After being awakened by his personal guards, he put on his fur robe and quickly climbed the north wall without changing his clothes. When Zhuge Liang reached the wall, Cao Zhen's 300 cavalrymen had already gone far away.

Hundreds of infantrymen had already begun to pour out of the Shu army camp that had received the earliest warning, forming a battle formation to block the enemy on the flat ground.

Cao Zhen didn't care. He led his cavalry to take a short detour and passed by the north side, just beyond the range of bows and crossbows. He bypassed the Shu infantry that had just begun to form a battle array and returned to the entrance of the valley where they came from.

After Cao Zhen waved his whip and stopped first, the guards beside him hung the flag on a long pole and held it up with both hands, and the cavalrymen gradually gathered behind him.

It was early winter, and the horses were just warming up, with a hint of steam coming out of their backs. The soldiers were also excited, their eyes fixed on the direction of the flag.

Although the tens of thousands of Shu troops there did not engage in direct combat, they took advantage of the enemy's unpreparedness and advanced to the city of Xiabian. They had a clear view of the city and the enemy's deployment from another angle, which was an extremely exciting thing in any way.

Cao Zhen was not in a hurry to leave, as the way back was ready. If the Shu army really came, the infantry would not be able to catch up with the speed of the horses. He took advantage of this time to find a high place with his personal guards, Fei Yao, Deng Ai and others, and pointed in the direction of Xiabian City.

"Gong Wei, Shi Zai, did you get a good look at the Shu army camp just now?"

Fei Yao did not answer, but looked at Deng Ai with a smile on his face. He also heard Cao Zhen's words about promoting Deng Ai: "Why not let Shi Zai tell us about the situation in the Shu army camp?"

Deng Ai was not afraid of the stage. He simply recalled for a few moments and immediately answered loudly:
"General, Sima Fei, I did see some of them among the cavalry just now."

"There is a camp northeast of the Xiabian city wall. A large camp can be seen on the other side of the river east of the city. Four small camps can be seen on the two mountains to the east. A camp can be vaguely seen on the main road at the mountain pass further south. More camps are not clear. I think they are also guarding the main road leading to the river."

Fei Yao nodded, obviously agreeing with what Deng Ai said, and then turned to look at Cao Zhen, as if to see the great general's reaction.

Cao Zhen said: "Shi Zai is right. The Shu army's move can be called a hedgehog. From what Shi Zai sees, what is Zhuge Liang's purpose?"

Deng Ai said without hesitation: "If it is empty, then make it real; if it is real, then make it empty. The camp is set up there, but there may not be troops inside, and the strength of the troops may not necessarily be counted by camp. Whether it is really going to defend or just bluffing, we can only know it after a real fight."

"The Shu army has come all the way here, but they are acting as if they are defending the city to the death. Perhaps they want to use this place to block the alliance between the general and the general who conquers the west, so as to find another opportunity to fight."

Cao Zhen nodded and said, "Shi Zai's words agree with my thoughts. The fact that our army is short of food cannot be concealed. Zhuge Liang may want to use the fact that my army is short of food to fight with me."

Fei Yao said at this time: "General, how should we deal with this? Should we hand over Xiabian City to the Shu army?"

Cao Zhen sneered: "It's an empty city, with no land and no people. If he wants to take it, he can take it."

"The Shu soldiers are coming from the west. It seems that I am not in a good position to use my military power here. It is time for Zhang Junyi to perform meritorious deeds again."

Deng Ai pondered Cao Zhen's words in his heart. Suddenly, an idea came to his mind. He looked at Cao Zhen and asked:

"What the general said just now means that we should hold our army against the Shu army here, and then ask the general to cut off the Shu army's food supply route from the west, so as to win the victory in one fell swoop?"

Cao Zhen said: "When two armies fight, either you cut off my food supply or I cut off yours. This is just a common tactic. As for whether we can win in one fell swoop, who can say for sure?"

"Let's go back to camp, and then recruit warriors to cross the mountain to Qishan Road to communicate with Zhang Junyi."

After saying this, Cao Zhen rode back without stopping. Fei Yao and Deng Ai looked at each other and followed closely.

Cao Zhen led the cavalry back to the camp without any obstruction. This is the advantage of cavalry. The most important point of cavalry is that it can make tactical moves that infantry cannot do in a short time by relying on the speed of horses, so as to achieve the purpose of reconnaissance, pursuit, interception, and hedging.

Almost at the same time, in the city of Xuchang, thousands of miles away.

After Cao Rui had his breakfast, he went to the study surrounded by the Tiger Guards.

Three Wei generals were waiting outside the study, namely Xiahou Xian, Cao Tai, and Qian Zhao. Cao Tai and Qian Zhao arrived in Xuchang one after the other yesterday evening and night. Qian Zhao was in a very calm mood, as retirement was just around the corner. The treatment after retirement had already been discussed. After seeing the emperor, he could retire in Luoyang Wuxue and no longer have to worry about the war.

Growing up in troubled times and suffering a life of hardship and hardship, this is the best ending for a military commander, no doubt about it.

"Are all the ministers here?" Cao Rui walked to the door and saw three people bowing to him. He held his hands up and said, "Don't be polite. Come on, follow me in."

"Yes."

"According to the order."

After the three of them entered, they each found a seat and sat down.

Cao Rui looked around, nodded, and said with a smile: "General Zhenxi, General Zhendong, General Huya, everyone has a good general title. As an emperor commanding troops, why don't I have a military rank title like you guys?"

Although Xiahou Xian was familiar with the emperor before, he had been serving in a foreign post for the past two years. He did not dare to respond to the emperor's joke for fear of something going wrong.

Cao Tai had always been an outsider general, and was confused when he heard this. Qian Zhao, on the other hand, knew that the emperor was joking, and smiled and bowed in response:
"Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven and the ruler of the Great Wei. Ordinary military ranks and titles are not enough to show your majesty's dignity. The word 'Emperor' is enough to show your power."

Cao Rui smiled and said, "I was reading a few days ago and saw that Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty reviewed the troops at Pingle Temple in Luoyang and called himself the 'Supreme General'. The general is supreme, which is really a bit ridiculous."

"If I were to call myself that, it would be better to call myself 'Grand Marshal of the Army of the World'."

Qian Zhao was now in a calm state of mind, and he agreed with a smile: "Your Majesty is wise, the 'Commander-in-Chief of the Armies at Home and Abroad' is your minister, and the 'Grand Marshal of the Armies of the World' is your monarch, they complement each other."

Cao Rui laughed a few times: "Okay, I was just joking, I wouldn't really give it such a joke name."

After saying that, Cao Rui turned to look at Cao Tai and Xiahou Xian and said, "The Privy Council has informed you of your appointments, right?"

Xiahou Xian nodded and said, "I have said that."

Cao Tai bowed and said, "I came back late yesterday. Wang Zuojian informed me this morning."

Cao Rui said, "It was Wang Zuojian's idea to let Cao Qing lead the Wuwei Camp. I think it's a good idea, so I agreed."

"But it's funny to say that you captured Sun Zhaoyi at Wankou and became my matchmaker. Now you have to go to Fancheng to fight my father-in-law for me."

Cao Tai said, "I don't know any father-in-law, I only know your majesty's orders. If I meet Sun Quan, should I kill him on the spot or capture him alive?"

At this time, Cao Tai gradually blended into the atmosphere.

Cao Rui said: "It's not that easy."

"I called you here today because I have something to tell you." Cao Rui looked at Qian Zhao and said, "General Qian has been in charge of the Wuwei Battalion for more than half a year. Do you have anything important to tell General Cao?"

Qian Zhao's face gradually became serious. After thinking for a few moments, he said:
"General Cao, I am also a transferee from the outer army to the central army. The central army commanders are different from the outer army commanders. All the 2,000-stone commanders are marquises, and their families have wealth. They are arrogant and brave. It is not very useful to use ordinary meritorious rewards to motivate them when the battle is about to begin."

Cao Tai also responded solemnly, stood up, clasped his hands and asked: "I hope General Qian can give me some advice, how should I proceed?"

Qian Zhao replied, "They are all experienced generals. They just need to be calm. If the general explains it clearly, they will naturally obey your orders and will not refuse when it is time to serve."

"In addition, you must be cautious when using the Wuwei Battalion, and don't let the elite troops fall into danger."

Qian Zhao glanced at the emperor for a moment, then turned back to look at Cao Tai: "After all, ordinary foreign troops and state and county soldiers can be replaced if they are lost, but the Wuwei Battalion is more elite and more difficult to replace. Unless it is an emergency, do not throw the lives of the Wuwei Battalion soldiers lightly."

Cao Tai responded seriously: "The Central Army is the foundation of the world. I understand the general's intention." (End of this chapter)