Three Kingdoms: I am not Cao Rui

Luoyang, northwest, Baichi Tower.

"Just as the gate of heaven is in the northwest, those who want to ascend to heaven should ascend from Kunlun." Liu Ye recited this sentence from memory, and then continued to say to the emperor who was leaning on the railing and looking into the distance: "In the past, after reading Wang Zhongren's words in the North Palace, the late emperor supervised the construction of this 100-foot tower in the northwest of Luoyang, and also wanted to expand a small city outside this tower."

Cao Rui asked thoughtfully, "When Emperor Wu ordered the construction of the Bronze Sparrow Tower in Yecheng, he also chose the northwest. The previous emperor also built a tower in the northwest of Luoyang. Could it be that Emperor Wu also read Wang Zhongren's book?"

The so-called Wang Zhongren refers to the scholar Wang Chong who lived during the reign of Emperor Guangwu and Emperor Ming of the Later Han Dynasty.

Wang Chong's book Lun Heng, from the perspective of later generations, is considered a book on atheism. But in the eyes of Wang Chong's contemporaries, this book is more like a heresy that specifically opposes Han Confucianism and criticizes prophecies and the great work Baihutongyi that mixed modern and ancient texts.

Liu Ye smiled and said, "I don't know about Emperor Wu's other affairs, but I know a thing or two about this matter."

"The former Minister of the Interior Wang Jingxing once served as the governor of Kuaiji, where he read this book. After reading this book, Cai Boqi often regarded it as a strange book. Although I have not seen this book with my own eyes, I know that Wang Jingxing presented this book to Emperor Wu and the previous emperor."

Cao Rui nodded: "This is also related to the standpoint. The rise of Emperor Wu had nothing to do with Confucian classics, and many of those so-called "famous scholars" who believed in prophecies and divinations served under the Yuan family in Hebei. Not only Emperor Wu, but also the late emperor and I do not believe in prophecies and divinations, and do not believe in such ancient texts about disasters and anomalies."

Liu Ye smiled and said, "This book may be in the Forbidden City. I am not on duty with Your Majesty now. Your Majesty can ask the Attendant to look for it where the book is hidden."

"Forget it." Cao Rui shook his head slightly: "When I read now, I usually try to understand the general theory and its meaning. I don't have the time to read the specific details. Since the late Wang Situ has this book in his home, Wang Ziyong must have read it."

"I plan to find an opportunity in two days to visit Wang Su at his home, and then I can listen to his explanation."

"Your Majesty is wise." Liu Ye replied, but he was thinking carefully in his heart.

When did Wang Jingxing die?

It was probably the summer of the second year of Taihe, when Your Majesty was supposed to lead troops in Guanxi to conquer Shu. Everyone in Luoyang knew that Wang Su and Zheng Xue were at odds, and his doctrine was also called Wang Xue in the past two years, and it was very popular in Luozhong.

According to Zheng Xue, the so-called three years of mourning actually means 27 months. However, according to Wang Su himself, it means 25 months, which is different from Zheng Xue.

Since Wang Su had made this judgment, he decided to set the mourning period for himself at 25 months, which is two years and one month.

Is Wang Su out of mourning now? It should be in the second half of this year. But at that time, His Majesty was busy with the war in Jingzhou and the southeast in Xuchang, and had no time to take care of him, so he put the matter aside. And before that, I had never heard of Wang Su taking the initiative to write to His Majesty, it seems that he can really keep his composure.

Liu Ye thought secretly that since His Majesty was going to Wang Su's mansion in person, Wang Su might have to serve as the Minister of the Interior again.

Not to mention two years ago, even at the end of the fourth year of Taihe, Wang Su was only 36 years old. Although he had borrowed the favor of his father, Wang Situ, Wang Su's attainments in classics, rituals, and academics seemed to be slightly better than Wang Situ's.

He is indeed too young. Liu Ye sighed secretly in his heart.

"Liu Qing just said that the late emperor wanted to build a city here?" Cao Rui asked, "Why was it not built later?"

Liu Ye replied calmly: "I remember clearly that after the attack on Wu in the fourth year of Huangchu, the late emperor no longer cared about building the city, so it was delayed like this."

Cao Rui pointed to the southeast and said, "This place is backed by Mang Mountain to the north, and overlooks the entire Luoyang City to the south, and can also see the Luo River in the distance. What the late emperor said is not wrong. We should build a strong city here to control Luoyang, just like the three towers of Tongque overlooking the Zhang River and Yecheng."

"If we build a city here, we will have to troublesomely come up with a name." Cao Rui chuckled, "I have always been reluctant to do this kind of naming. Didn't Liu Qing come here today with Chen Situ's division of Yangzhou's defense? Previously, Chen Situ asked me to give names to the two forts at Ruxukou, and I just asked him to choose one from the names made up by the imperial guards."

Liu Ye hesitated, not knowing whether he should say it or not. After a few moments, he bowed and said carefully:
"Your Majesty, the late emperor once gave it a name, Jinyong City. Xin Zuozhi and I both heard of it at the time."

Cao Rui glanced at Liu Ye and said, "Since the idea of ​​building the city is correct and the late emperor has given it a name, then let's build it under the name 'Jinyong City'."

"Mr. Lu, please hand this matter over to Minister Fu of the Ministry of Works later and ask him when he can arrange it."

"As you wish, I'll make a note of it." Lu Yu bowed in response.

"By the way," Cao Rui added, "I am not urging Fu Xun. The year is almost over. If the corvée in Henan is insufficient next year, we can repair it the year after. I am not in a hurry. It's just a small city anyway."

"Yes." Lu Yu nodded.

At this moment, two attendants, Xu Shu and Pei Qian, climbed up the wooden stairs in the building and came in front of the emperor and Liu and Lu.

"Your Majesty, we pay our respects to you." The two men bowed at the same time.

Cao Rui did not turn around, but said casually: "Do you have something to tell me?"

"Your Majesty, you are wise." Xu Shu bowed and replied, "Yesterday, I and Minister Pei..." "Let's talk about it later." Cao Rui finally turned around and pointed at Liu Ye: "Liu Qing, please tell us about the division of Yangzhou first. Let's finish one thing first, so as to avoid chaos."

"As ordered." Liu Ye said slowly, "Your Majesty, Yangzhou's Chief Supervisor Chen Situ reported and the Privy Council Yangzhou Office reviewed and approved that Yangzhou's 60,000 foreign troops are distributed as follows."

"General Jia Kui of Zhennan has 20,000 troops stationed near Wancheng, including Wancheng, Wankou, Qiankou, and Songzi. Although this unit is under the command of Chen Situ of Shouchun, it also has the right to defend itself independently, unlike the other units in Yangzhou."

"The remaining 40,000 foreign troops in Yangzhou should be divided into four areas, Ruxu, Dongxing, Hefei, and Shouchun, in order from south to north."

"Lieutenant General Zhang Hu led 4,000 elite troops to guard the Jingnan East and Jingnan West forts at Ruxu. Lieutenant General Le Chen led 6,000 infantrymen to guard the Dongxing Two Forts. If we go further north, we will reach Hefei, where we will find General Pingdong Cao Zhao's troops, who led 5,000 men. The remaining 25,000 people, except for the 10,000 troops stationed between Shouchun and Xiacai, the remaining 15,000 people will be distributed to nearby Yangquan, Xiquyang, Yicheng, Huailing, Huaiyin, etc."

Cao Rui had been to Yangzhou in person. After Liu Ye's brief explanation, Cao Rui immediately understood Chen Qun's intention of deploying troops in this way.

Yangzhou’s military can be roughly divided into three directions.

The easternmost Xuzhou Guangling County was also within Chen Qun's jurisdiction. Except for a small number of troops stationed in Huaiyin, the capital of Guangling County, the rest of the troops were all near Shouchun. If Guangling had any trouble, they could always take a boat eastward along the Huai River, which was fast and swift.

The central Ruxu and Hefei area is a major transportation route from north to south along Hefei, Chaohu Lake, and Ruxu River. In the past, when Wei attacked Ruxu or Wu attacked Hefei, they always traveled along the waterways along the Ruxu River, Chaohu Lake, and Fei River. Chen Qun's layout from Shouchun, Hefei, Dongxing, and Ruxu was along this route.

The necessary deployment of defenses in Shucheng and Lu'an on the west side became unimportant after the capture of Wankou in the first year of Taihe and Jia Kui stationed 20,000 troops there to garrison.

This kind of deployment based on states and counties actually makes the decision easier the wider the scope. There are only two options: staying in a critical place or deploying on a major transportation route.

Cao Rui thought for a few moments and said, "I have approved this matter. I will use the seal later."

"I obey your order." Liu Ye replied.

"There is one more thing." Liu Ye continued to ask: "General Jia Kui of Zhennan reported that he was not in good health, but the court ignored it at the time and delayed it due to the war. Chen Situ mentioned this matter in the document he sent to the Privy Council. Your Majesty, should Jia Kui be recalled?"

"Since Mr. Liu asked me, what do the East Pavilion and the Privy Council think?"

"I have already reviewed the letter from Minister Chen with General Dong and General Man. They both have no objection to the garrison in Yangzhou, but regarding the assignment of Jia Kui, the two ministers of the Western Chamber have not responded yet. The general asked me to ask your majesty's opinion first."

Cao Rui nodded: "I understand. The West Pavilion couldn't find a candidate for the time being, so they pushed this matter onto me."

"What does Liu Qing think?"

Liu Ye seemed to have a plan in mind: "Your Majesty, except for the Chief Supervisor Chen Situ, the generals of Yangzhou, Xiahou Xian, Cao Zhao, Zhang Hu, Le Chen and others are not talented in their own areas and cannot command 20,000 troops. In addition, Wancheng is isolated outside Yangzhou, lying across the Yangtze River, facing the front of the Wu army. The military and the government are integrated, and it cannot be done without someone who is familiar with all the affairs of Yangzhou."

"I suggest that the governor of Yangzhou, Jiang Ji and Jiang Zitong, be transferred there. They are good at military affairs and civil administration. They have been governing Yangzhou for three years and have a good reputation. It may be possible to let them take over Jia Kui's position."

"Jiang Ji?" Cao Rui frowned. "He is not good enough. I still need him in Yangzhou."

Seeing the emperor's straightforward words, Liu Ye began to guess, but now was not the time to think about it. Liu Ye then continued:

"If Jiang Zitong is not suitable, then I think Feng Ping, the military advisor to the General of Cavalry, can take on this position. Feng Ping has served in Huainan for a long time. He was the chief secretary of the former Grand Marshal Cao Wenlie. He was also transferred from Henan Yin to the military advisor to the General of Cavalry of Chen Situ. In terms of talent, virtue and political achievements, Feng Ping is the best choice."

"Feng Ping?" Cao Rui thought for a moment, then turned to look at the three attendants Xu, Pei, and Lu: "What do you three think?"

Xu Shu replied: "Feng Boying is a man of special talents."

This is what it means to use a specific person for a specific purpose. Feng Ping has been in Huainan for a long time, so it might be okay to let him lead the troops in Huainan. But if he is sent to another place, this person's qualifications are not enough.

Pei Qian cupped his hands and said, "I agree with what Minister Xu said."

"Mr. Lu." Cao Rui stretched out his hand and pointed at Lu Yu.

Lu Yu thought for a long time and bowed slightly: "Your Majesty, I am not very familiar with Feng Boying, so I dare not speak nonsense. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."

Cao Rui nodded and said, "Since Yangzhou is peaceful for the time being, and it is approaching the New Year, and Wu has just withdrawn its troops and is unable to start a new border conflict, the Privy Council will send a message to Feng Ping to return to Luoyang to see me as soon as possible."

"I personally supervised the conquest of Wancheng in the first year of Taihe. I have always known Jia Kui's talents and virtues, but I still need to talk to Feng Ping in person before I can make a final decision."

"I accept your order." Liu Ye said. (End of this chapter)