Three Kingdoms: I am not Cao Rui

"Zhongda, please go back quickly. Don't send me off." Chen Jiao stood in front of the carriage. "Rest early today. You still have to be on duty in the cabinet tomorrow."

Sima Yi bowed slightly and said, "Ji Bi, take your time. Xiu Yuan, prepare some honey water for your father to sober up after you go back."

"Okay." Chen Jiao nodded.

"Junior understands, thank you for the reminder, Sikong." After helping Chen Jiao onto the carriage, Chen Ben bowed to Sima Yi.

Watching the Chen family's father and son's carriage gradually go away, Sima Yi shook his head slightly and turned to walk towards the courtyard. It was already late at night, and there was no one else on the road except for the occasional patrol of the central army soldiers, which made the night even quieter.

Sima Shi followed immediately, waved his hand to signal the butler and servants beside him to leave, and came close to Sima Yi and said:

"I wonder if father has noticed today that they are really alike. Their behavior after drinking is also exactly the same."

Sima Yi stroked his beard and said, "Let's talk about it after we get into the room."

"Yes." Sima Shi responded.

After entering Sima Yi's bedroom, Sima Shi helped his father sit on the recliner and stood by with his hands behind his back: "Father, what do you think of meeting these two father and son today?"

"What does Ziyuan think?" Sima Yi asked back.

Sima Shi thought about his words and said carefully, "Chen Pushe is really old. Not only is he old, but when father entertained Chen Situ at home last night, his demeanor was also old and decayed. How can these people who sit in high positions be described as vain and idle?"

"Father told me a few days ago that the attack on Wu is imminent, and His Majesty has asked Envoy Jiang to prepare for the navy. I think His Majesty's determination to attack Wu has gradually been established, and it is time to plan this matter in detail."

Sima Yi said slowly: "You are in the Ministry of War, your position does not need to be changed. No matter how we attack Wu, we cannot avoid your presence."

"As for the two things that your father and Chen Jiao talked about today, what do you think?"

Sima Shi asked, "Are they about the appointment of the crown prince and the appointment of the prince's tutor?"

"That's right." Sima Yi nodded.

Sima Shi said, "Father said he wanted to establish a crown prince, but he just wanted to use the issue of establishing a crown prince to stir up discussions in the court about the seniority of legitimate and illegitimate children, and to make some preparations for impeaching Chen Pushe later. If a crown prince could really be established, it would be a good thing for father. But now the emperor's attitude is ambiguous, father should act according to the situation."

"As for the tutor of the king..." Sima Shi paused and said, "I think father should still fight for the position of tutor of the king of Ye!"

"Do you really think so?" Sima Yi stared at Sima Shi and shook his head slightly: "I told Chen Jiao that I wanted to be the tutor of the third and fourth princes, but I didn't mean to set him up. Is this something I can fight for?"

Sima Shi was stunned and didn't know what to say for a moment.

This is a rare embarrassing moment between father and son. They are used to each other's habit of pretending to be different and telling different stories to different people. Occasionally, they tell the truth, but even their own son can't hear it and thinks that the truth is a trap.

Sima Shi paused for a while before he continued, "Father, it's not like you don't have a chance. Wouldn't it be a pity if you don't fight for it?"

Sima Yi responded calmly: "Let's wait and see. We have to wait until His Majesty returns before deciding these things. Ziyuan, don't come to me all the time. Just do your job at the Shangshutai peacefully."

"Yes, son, I understand." Sima Shi nodded.

……

South of the Yangtze River, Wuhu.

A huge fleet of fifty warships and twenty tower ships went upstream from the lower reaches of the Yangtze River and gradually anchored in the Wu army's naval camp at Wuhu.

There is no doubt that Sun Quan himself came here by boat from Jianye. Apart from him, no one else in the Wu State could have such a grand ceremony.

As the governor of Wuhu, Quan Cong arrived at the dock in advance to greet them.

Quan Cong's official position can not only be summarized by the three words "Wuhu Governor", but also includes Wu Guowei General, Xuzhou Governor, Wuhu Governor, Qiantang Marquis. Of course, the Xuzhou Governor in Quan Cong's hands is just an honorary title, not a real job.

After Sun Quan ascended the throne, all the ministers of the entire Wu Kingdom received a major boost in status.

Take the most important Jingzhou for example. Zhuge Jin, who had the closest personal relationship with Sun Quan, was in charge of guarding Wuchang. General of Wu, Governor of Jingzhou, Acting General, and Marquis of Wanling, these were all Zhuge Jin's duties. Now that Governor of Yangzhou Lü Dai had resigned, Zhuge Jin was the only governor of Wu with real power.

Of course, Sun Quan trusted Zhuge Jin, but not everyone had such a close personal relationship with him. Gu Yong, Shi Yi and others had previously reminded Sun Quan that Zhuge Liang controlled the government and military affairs in Han State. If Sun Quan gave Zhuge Jin the position of Jingzhou Mu, if the Zhuge brothers united, they would directly control Jingzhou and Yizhou, and the rule of Wu would be in danger.

But this statement was ultimately covered up by Sun Quan with the excuse that Zhuge Jin was a loyal person.

Sun Quan was not without his own concerns, but apart from Zhuge Jin, he had no better candidate at the moment. He couldn't let Prime Minister Gu Yong stay in Wuchang, right?
In addition to Zhuge Jin, the other two important generals in Jingzhou had the status of fake lords, namely Zhu Ran and Bu Zhi. Zhu Ran was the governor of Qingzhou, the general of chariots and cavalry, and the governor of Jiangling, Bu Zhi was the general of cavalry and the governor of Xiling, and Sun Huan also became the right general, stationed in Jiangxia, controlling Jiangxia and Miankou where the Han River flows into the Yangtze River.

The generals of Jingzhou were obviously highly qualified. Sun Quan himself was stationed in Yangzhou, so the positions of the generals of Yangzhou were relatively low. In addition to Quan Cong and Zhu Ju, who had been dismissed, Sun Shao, a member of the imperial clan, was appointed as the governor of Youzhou and the general in front, responsible for the military affairs in the lower reaches of Jianye and Guangling. Zhang Zhao's son Zhang Cheng was appointed as the general in the rear, serving as the governor of Ruxu, responsible for guarding Ruxuwu on the north bank of the Yangtze River, which was also the most important city in the Wu Kingdom.

"Your Majesty, I, Quan Cong, pay my respects to you." Quan Cong stood at the front of the crowd and took the lead in bowing.

"Zihuang, get up quickly." Sun Quan personally walked up to Quan Cong and helped him up: "I haven't seen Zihuang for two years. Come on, take me to the camp and have a good look!"

"As ordered! Your Majesty, please come to Wuhu in person. I will serve as your guide." Quan Cong pointed forward and said, "Your Majesty, please."

"Okay." Sun Quan nodded slightly. "By the way, Zihuang, call Zhang Zhongsi as well. I will have a feast with you tonight!"

Zhang Zhongsi is Zhang Cheng, the current rear general of Wu State and the eldest son of the old minister Zhang Zhao. He is based in Ruxu, opposite the Wuhu camp of Wu State.

Quan Cong replied, "The waterway from Ruxukou to Wuhu Camp is only 40 miles. Your Majesty has spoken your mind. I will let Your Majesty meet Zhang Zhongsi at the banquet tonight."

“Hahahaha.” Sun Quan stroked his beard and laughed: “Okay, Zihuang, order someone to do it!”

In the afternoon, Sun Quan, accompanied by Quan Cong and Hu Zong, inspected the Wuhu Infantry Camp and the Naval Camp. Hu Zong accompanied him, while Shi Yi and Xu Xiang stayed in Jianye to lead the troops. Sun Quan only brought 16,000 men with him on this tour.

In the evening, Zhang Cheng finally arrived at the Ruxu camp. He found a soldier to lead the way and hurried to the scene of Sun Quan's banquet.

As soon as he entered the hall where the banquet was held, Zhang Cheng began to salute from a distance of three meters: "Your Majesty, I, Zhang Cheng, greet you. I am late coming from Ruxu, and I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."

"What forgiveness are you talking about, Zhongsi?" Sun Quan laughed heartily. "Zhongsi, come sit next to me. I have reserved a seat for you on the left!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace." Zhang Cheng walked up carefully and sat down at the table.

Sun Quan loved wine, especially drinking with his ministers, but he was not a good drinker. Therefore, every time the ministers had a feast with Sun Quan, no matter they could drink or not, they had to pretend to be hearty drinkers. This was also an unwritten rule in the officialdom unique to the Wu State.

Dance and music are also indispensable.

As the banquet began, string and bamboo music played, and the dancers' sleeves and skirts swayed in the wind. In addition to Quan Cong, Zhang Cheng, and Hu Zong, there was also Pan Jun, one of the Nine Ministers, who attended the banquet.

"Hey!"

Halfway through the drinking, after Sun Quan drank a bottle of wine, he put down the bottle and sighed, shaking his head as he sighed.

He was drinking just fine just now, why is there a problem now?

The host here, Quan Cong, immediately stopped the dancing and music, and asked carefully, "I wonder what your Majesty is sighing about?"

Sun Quan turned his head away and waved his hand: "Let's not talk about this, Zihuang, let the dance and music continue, don't spoil the mood of the ministers for drinking today."

Spoiled the fun? Are you the emperor or who is the emperor!
Of course, Quan Cong could not follow Sun Quan's instructions. After exchanging a glance with Zhang Cheng across from him, he quietly stood up from the table, walked to a distance of ten feet in front of Sun Quan, and bowed deeply:
"Your Majesty, I dare to ask what you are worried about. I am willing to die for you!"

Zhang Cheng, who was also a general, did not want to be left behind, so he stood up from the table and walked to Hu Zong's side, saluted him together, and even his words were no different from Quan Cong's.

Sun Quan lowered his hand from covering his face, sighed and looked at the two of them: "Zi Huang, Zhong Si, are you two really willing to share my worries?"

Quan Cong and Zhang Cheng immediately bowed to the ground. Quan Cong said in a resounding voice: "As long as Your Majesty has the order, even if I die, what is the point?"

Zhang Cheng also said loudly: "Your Majesty, I am also like General Wei!"

"Zihuang, Zhongsi, you two raise your heads." Sun Quan suddenly said in a deep voice. Quan Cong and Zhang Cheng raised their heads to look at Sun Quan and found that Sun Quan was sitting in the main seat with a serious look on his face. He did not show any sadness at all. They were startled.

"Get up!"

"According to the order."

After the two stood up, Sun Quan continued, "Zi Huang, Zhong Si, do you know why the army of Wu always loses when attacking the army of Wei? Why can't they last long and lack the strength to continue attacking? What is the difference between the army of Wu and the army of Wei?"

Zhang Cheng hesitated for a few moments and said, "Your Majesty, Wei relies on the people's strength and material resources of the Central Plains, and has abundant military strength and combat capabilities. It also has elite cavalry from Hebei and Yongliang at its disposal. Therefore, when the Great Wu and the Wei army fought, they often suffered losses."

Quan Cong also bowed and said: "Your Majesty, Zhongsi is absolutely right. One is the strength of the troops, and the other is the cavalry. When the army of the Great Wu cannot win, it is often because of these two reasons." (End of this chapter)