Three Kingdoms: I am not Cao Rui

Less than ten miles north of Ruxukou, two forts received new names.

Jingnan East Wu and Jingnan West Wu.

According to the envoy who came here to announce the imperial edict five days ago, the Secretariat suggested the name Pingwuwu for the emperor, but it was discarded because it was too straightforward. In the end, eight attendants wrote eight names, and the emperor decided by drawing lots.

However, for Chen Qun, who was in charge of the military affairs in Huainan, it didn't make much difference no matter what name he took.

On the south wall of Jingnan Xiwu, Chen Qun, wearing a big red cloak, stood on the top of the city wall, and Feng Ping, Jiang Ji and others were also there.

"The fact that the Wu army has only started to reduce its troops today is beyond my expectation." Chen Qun stroked his beard and said, "Even the battle report summary of Jingzhou has been sent from Xuchang."

Jiang Ji also put his hands behind his back, looking at the Wu army camp that was gradually being demolished a few miles away, nodded and said: "After the outer camps are withdrawn, most of the Wu army will not stay north of Ruxuwu. In the future, there should still be a three-point defense system of Ruxuwu, Ruxuzhongzhou, and Wuhu across the river."

"After more than 30 years, Wei finally reached the Yangtze River again at Ruxu. Although there are still a few miles of waterway that have not been occupied, it is almost there. Once Wei's navy enters the Yangtze River, Wu's fall will not be far away."

Feng Ping interrupted and asked, "Envoy Jiang came from Hefei yesterday. I wonder if the chief engineer Ma Deheng has arrived? The document from the Privy Council to Mr. Chen mentioned that a shipyard would be built in Hefei."

"We're here." Jiang Ji nodded. "According to Ma Deheng, he first went from Luoyang to Xuchang, and then from Xuchang to Hefei. But he doesn't have the time and energy to work on the shipbuilding factory this year. He will start work in February or March next year."

Chen Qun turned and looked at Jiang Ji: "Zitong, where are you going to build the factory?"

Jiang Ji replied: "It has not been determined yet, it should be in the Juchao and Dongxing areas, and the specifics will have to wait for the confirmation of the Privy Council and the Shangshutai before it can be implemented."

"Then Ma Deheng will stay here?" Chen Qun frowned slightly.

Jiang Ji nodded: "Yes, I will stay in Yangzhou to be in charge of shipbuilding."

Chen Qun asked again, "What about the Luoyang Chief of Construction? As the Chief of Construction, how can he be away from the government office for a long time?"

"Hahaha." Jiang Ji laughed out loud: "Mr. Chen asked a good question. I asked him the same question. Ma Deheng said that His Majesty appointed the Imperial Censor Pei Wenji as the Chief Architect of the Imperial Construction Department, who will be in charge of the Imperial Construction Department in Luoyang."

"Two master architects?" Feng Ping was puzzled for a moment: "How could this be possible? There has never been such an arrangement before!"

"Then you will see it today." Jiang Ji chuckled: "The Chief of Works is not a noble position like the Nine Ministers. Let alone two, what can three or four do?"

Feng Ping couldn't help but shook his head.

Jiang Ji asked again: "Mr. Chen, since most of the Wu army is ready to retreat, I wonder how the military forces here will be assigned? After all, there are two more Dongxing and Jingnan docks to defend."

Chen Qun stroked his beard and said, "Yangzhou's 40,000 foreign troops used to use Hefei as their outpost, with most of them stationed in Shouchun and the cities above and below the Huai River. Now that they are closer to the river, they should move further south."

"Previously, the only troops close to the north side of the river were those of Jia Liangdao who were stationed in Wancheng and Wankou. Now there will be more."

Jiang Ji chuckled and said, "In a few years, we may be stationed in Jianye."

Just as they were talking, General Zhang Hu, who was guarding the city, came up quickly from the stairs on the city wall, walked behind them, and bowed, saying:
"Mr. Chen, Cao Changsi has arrived from Xuchang."

"Cao Changsi?" Chen Qun was obviously stunned.

Zhang Hu reminded him quietly, "It is Cao Zhao, Cao Changsi, the son of the late Grand Marshal Cao, Marquis of Changping, and the Cavalry Captain."

"No need for you to tell me, how could I not recognize him?" Chen Qun and Feng Ping looked at each other, then nodded and said, "Military Advisor, please go down for me and invite Changsi over."

"Okay, Mr. Chen, please wait a moment." Feng Ping nodded, then followed Zhang Hu downstairs.

Cao Xiu had been in office in Huainan for many years, and Cao Zhao was familiar with Feng Ping, Zhang Hu and others. Chen Qun had already heard the eagerness in Zhang Hu's words. They were all old officials of Cao Xiu! So was Feng Ping, so he should go to greet them.

Soon, Feng Ping and Cao Zhao climbed up the tower one after the other. Cao Zhao walked up quickly and bowed earnestly: "Your subordinate greets Lord Chen!"

After raising his head, he bowed to Jiang Ji again and said, "Greetings, Envoy Jiang."

"Oh? Why does Changsi call himself a subordinate in front of me?" Chen Qun looked kind and smiled at Cao Zhao, "Changsi came here from Xuchang. How is Your Majesty?"

"Your Majesty, are you in good health?" Cao Zhao pulled out a document from his sleeve and handed it to Chen Qun with both hands: "Mr. Chen, Your Majesty will send me to Yangzhou in the near future to take the post of General Pingdong."

Chen Qun took the document, peeled off the sealing wax, unfolded the document and began to read it slowly.

In addition to Chen's appointment of Cao Zhao as General Pingdong, the document also mentioned that when the letter was sent, Xuchang had just received a report that Cao Zhen's headache had recurred. After learning about this, the emperor immediately sent Cao Zhao over. Seeing Chen Qun staring at the document for a long time, Jiang Ji glanced around a few times, and then moved closer to Chen Qun, wanting to take a peek. Chen Qun saw this scene from the corner of his eye, but he also closed the document, folded it up, and put it back in his sleeve.

Jiang Ji curled his lips, showing a somewhat helpless expression, and asked: "Mr. Chen, what happened in the court?"

Chen Qun smiled calmly and said, "Your Majesty has appointed Changsi as the General of Pingdong and has him lead 5,000 troops to guard Hefei. It just so happens that I am still worried about this matter. Changsi's arrival will be a great help to me."

"I don't deserve it." Cao Zhao's expression remained humble.

Chen Qun said, "Since your majesty has appointed Changsi to Hefei, I have an idea of ​​how to distribute the 40,000 troops. Five thousand in Hefei, six thousand in Dongxing, four thousand in Jingnan and Erwu, and the remaining 25,000 will be stationed near Shouchun."

"Boying, draft it like this and report it to the Privy Council."

"Yes." Feng Ping nodded.

Jiang Ji stood aside, as if remembering something: "Mr. Chen, speaking of the two forts in Dongxing and Jingnan, this is the first time in our country. With the efforts of the southeastern part of Wei, four forts were built in more than 20 days, which is really spectacular. In the past, the late emperor was in Guangling watching the troops by the river, and now your majesty is in Xuchang by boat, so you can go directly here without any obstacles."

"Why not submit a memorial to Your Majesty? If you have time, would you like to invite Your Majesty to tour the southeast? It has been four years since the war in the first year of Taihe. Your Majesty can take a look at the changes in Yangzhou in the past few years."

Chen Qun recalled the situation of Cao Zhen written in the letter just now, and after a few pauses, he said:

"Why not submit the petition after the New Year? Now that the war has just ended, the various places in the state and the various armies should rest for a while."

"Okay, let's talk about it after the New Year." Jiang Ji nodded.

……

Qinzhou, Xiabian City.

"Report to the Prime Minister." General Gao Xiang came from outside the city and entered Zhuge Liang's tent. He bowed and said, "The Wei army in the north of the city seems to be retreating."

"Did you see it with your own eyes?" Zhuge Liang asked for confirmation.

"I saw it with my own eyes." Gao Xiang nodded. "Since dawn today, the scouts in the mountains to the east have noticed that the Wei bandits are retreating eastwards. They have gradually increased their troops along the way, and there are many vehicles and supplies coming and going. The scouts in the north of the city also reported that there are soldiers lined up outside the Wei army camp in the north, and the camp is transporting supplies to the east. I led more than ten cavalrymen to the front of the camp to confirm it, and then reported it to the prime minister."

Zhuge Liang nodded and said, "You go first. I will make the assignment. Also, have Wu Ban's 4,000 men prepare for battle. He will receive a military order later, asking him to try to intercept the Wei army to the east."

"Yes, sir. I will report this to General Wu right away." Gao Xiang bowed and stepped out of the tent.

The Wei army withdrew immediately? Zhuge Liang was not surprised.

This year, there was a drought in Guanzhong, and it was a fact that the Wei army lacked food and grass. According to the previous situation, the Wei army, divided into two parts, wanted to attack Xiabian from both sides, but he broke the siege. The two parts could no longer work together, so it was not a good result for the Wei army to continue to stalemate here.

Since the Wei army in the east and west were retreating, we should take the opportunity to capture Hechi in the east, and then capture Chiting from Xiabian, cutting off the Chencang Road connecting Chencang and Hanzhong, and forcing the Wei army to fight again despite the shortage of food. This is what we should do.

Zhuge Liang pondered for a long time alone in his tent until the sound of armor and footsteps of patrolling soldiers outside the tent woke him up from his thoughts.

"about."

"Here!" The guard outside the tent responded, then walked into the tent, knelt on one knee and saluted with his fists.

"Please invite the Chief Secretary and the two military officers Jiang and Fei. Go quickly." Zhuge Liang ordered softly.

"As ordered!"

Soon, Yang Yi, Jiang Wan and Fei Yi entered the tent one after another.

Zhuge Liang said slowly, "Gao Xiang just informed me that the Wei army stationed in the north of the city has shown signs of retreating. Since the Wei army is going to retreat, what should we do next? I want to lead the army to try to intercept them, and then try to occupy Hechi and Chiting to force the Wei army to fight again. What do you three think?"

Yang Yi, Fei Yi, and Jiang Wan looked at each other and remained silent for several moments.

As the chief secretary of the prime minister, Yang Yi, in order to ease the awkward atmosphere, said, "Prime Minister, I think it would be fine if we attack Hechi. Hechi is not far from Xiabian. Although it is dilapidated, it is also a proper county in Wudu County."

"But isn't Chiting a bit far?" Yang Yi seemed to realize that his wording was inaccurate, and changed his words: "Chiting has to go further southeast. If the Wei army marches from Hechi to Xiabian, then Chiting's return route will be blocked, which is probably not a good thing for the army."

Yang Yi said it in a tactful way, but Zhuge Liang, Jiang Wan and Fei Yi could all hear the hidden meaning in his words. Even if we take Chiting, what if the Wei army cuts off our way back? Yang Yi didn't say another sentence. Even if we take Chiting, we don't have enough military strength to take Wuxing in the south. What's the point of attacking it? (End of this chapter)