The Duke of Shu Han began guarding Jingzhou in place of Guan Yu.

Chapter 319 Seeing a change of heart
The seventh year of the Huangchu era was definitely a year full of twists and turns for Luoyang.

However, this turmoil did not subside with the ascension of the new emperor and the change of the reign title to "Taihe".

Instead, the relocation of the capital caused new turmoil.

Although it was expected, the intensity of public opinion still slightly exceeded Cao Rui's expectations.

Even Wang Lang, the instigator who had just been promoted from Minister of Works to Minister of Education, was caught off guard.

In particular, the sudden submission of a memorial by Cao Zhi, the Prince of Yongqiu, to participate in the debate, which subsequently garnered considerable support from members of the Cao clan, further elevated the nature of the matter to another level.

"King Yongqiu is foolish!"

"He is in a position of suspicion and should be biding his time to protect himself. How could he cause trouble for the court at such a time?"

Inside the palace in Xuchang, Attendant-in-Ordinary Xin Pi looked heartbroken.

Before him stood General Cao Hong and Governor Jia Kui of Yu Province, their expressions quite different.

Cao Hong's first thought was of his own experience.

When Cao Pi was in power, he was also suspected.

Fortunately, Xin Pi came in time to explain the key advantages and disadvantages. In addition, the Shu bandits were coming with great force at that time, and the court was in need of capable people. He made timely concessions and eventually survived Cao Pi's reign, retaining his position as a general.

From this perspective, he actually agrees with Sinpi's statement.

Cao Zhi shouldn't have been the first to stick his neck out at this time.

Do you really think the new emperor's vigilance and precautions against the imperial clan will be any different from those of the previous emperor?

On the other hand, he actually agreed with Cao Zhi's suggestion from the bottom of his heart.

In other words, the emperor should be determined to sacrifice the country and should not move the capital just because enemy troops are approaching.

They shouldn't have moved away in the first year of their reign, at the very least.

Let's at least fight a battle before we leave!

How can we allow the world to look down on the spirit of the men of the Cao family?

However, it seems that Master Xin and Master Jia next to him have different opinions.

Thinking of this, Cao Hong and Cao Zilian, whose edges had long been worn down by reality, chuckled and turned to Jia Kui, saying:

"I wonder what your opinion is on Cao Zijian's memorial to the throne?"

Jia Kui shook his head slightly and said:

“King Yongqiu has a heart full of patriotism. Even if the timing is not right, what is there to criticize?”

"Now the bandits are rampant, Hedong has fallen, and Luoyang is about to face the bandits' slaughter. Whether to defend or retreat, there are reasons to be given and there are refutations."

"The reason for this is simply that everyone's experiences, their position, and their calculations of gains and losses are different."

"For example, as a native of Hedong, I naturally hope that the royal army will soon recover our homeland."

"What difference does it make whether or not to move the capital, as long as it benefits this matter?"

“Take George for example,” Jia Kui said, looking at Xin Pi.

"Yingchuan is located south of the Yellow River. If Luoyang falls, Yingchuan and Ruchuan will quickly fall as well."

"How could a scholar from Yingru like George possibly hope for the imperial carriage to travel north?"

"Is George's deep sorrow perhaps because he sees that it is rare to find a prince with such backbone among the royal family, and thus he has decided to preserve his position for the future?"

Xinpi immediately covered his face with his sleeve and repeatedly said that he dared not.

“And General Cao Hong.” Jia Kui’s gaze returned to Cao Hong.

The latter, already aware of the formidable nature of this Prefect Jia, quickly replied, "I am all ears."

However, Jia Kui suddenly stopped speaking at this point.

After a moment, he shook his head slightly, clasped his hands together, and said nothing more.

Xinpi also gritted his teeth, his expression showing some apprehension.

The room fell silent for a moment.

In the end, it was Cao Hong, the least shrewd of them all, who couldn't hold back any longer and spoke up:

"We are all generals and ministers guarding the territory, so there is no need for us to gossip about each other."

"So what's the opinion of the officials in Luoyang on this matter? Do they support moving the capital or not?"

Upon hearing this question, Xinpi, whose duties were the least demanding among the three, spoke up again:
There are essentially three interpretations.

"One group consists of scholars like King Yongqiu who supported the king's sacrifice for the state and resolutely opposed the relocation of the capital. These were mostly scholars from Luoyang, Yingzhou, and Ruzhou, so there's no need to elaborate."

"As for those who agree with moving the capital, there are two opinions."

"The first is the emperor's proposal to move the capital north to Ye City."

"Secondly, there was the proposal to move the capital to Shouchun, advocated by General Zhu Ling and Governor of Yanzhou Wang Ling." "In addition, there were other proposals to move it to Xuchang or Qiao."

"But these two places, Xuchang and Luoyang, are very close. If Luoyang cannot be defended, how can Xuchang escape unscathed?"

"The two are essentially one, there's no need to make a fuss about it."

"As for Qiao, although it is a bit far away and is the place where the emperor rose to power, its land is barren and not enough to support a large army. In the past, Lu Yu and Lu Zijia opposed the late emperor's relocation of people to Qiao."

"How can such a place serve as a proper capital?"

"So in the end, it's just a matter of choosing between Luoyang, Yecheng, and Shouchun."

Upon hearing this, Cao Hong subconsciously looked at Jia Kui again.

But the latter stared intently at him, without saying a word.

Cao Hong already had something to hide, so he didn't dare to meet his gaze.

He immediately turned his head away, laughing awkwardly:
"Speaking of which, Zhu Wenbo is from Qinghe in Jizhou, and Wang Yanyun is from Qixian in Taiyuan. It's one thing for these two not to support His Majesty's trip to Hebei, but why do they advocate going to Huainan instead?"

Xinpi replied without hesitation:
“Since the great victory over Sun Quan in Hefei in the fourth year of Huangchu, General Zhu and Prefect Wang have been building up their power base in Huainan for three or four years. Why would they give up their current power for the sake of their hometown thousands of miles away?”

Then, pointing to Jia Kui, who was pursing his lips beside him, he said:

"Even if you asked Lord Jia, who had lost his hometown of Hedong, whether to move the capital or not, he would definitely say no."

“But if you press him further about whether Yecheng or Shouchun is better if the capital is moved, he will most likely choose Shouchun.”

"Am I right, Master Jia?"

Upon hearing this, Jia Kui, who had been staring straight at Cao Hong, dared not meet Xin Pi's gaze.

He had clearly been told what was on his mind.

Cao Hong was immediately relieved.

So it turns out I wasn't the only one harboring disloyal thoughts here!

……

In February of the first year of the Taihe era, after a series of twists and turns in public discussions,

Cao Rui ultimately forced through the decision to move the capital to Ye City.

The support of Sima Yi, Wu Zhi, and a large number of scholars from the three prefectures of Hebei played an indispensable role in this.

General Zhang He's request to remain in Luoyang to garrison the city also gave some people a reason to convince themselves.

But most importantly, Yang Dao, the governor of Shangdang, blocked the Han army's offensive at Huguan.

From a topographical perspective, as long as Huguan Pass is not lost, Yecheng is still a relatively safe place.

The only gap is in Hanoi County to the south.

But Hanoi hasn't been lost yet, has it?

Therefore, there is still sufficient defensive depth.

It's much safer than Luoyang.

However, in order to appease the feelings of most scholars in Henan, Cao Rui followed Wang Situ's advice.

After leaving Luoyang, he did not immediately cross the river to the north.

Instead, they first went south to Xuchang to comfort the troops.

Afterwards, accompanied by General Cao Hong and Governor Jia Kui of Yuzhou, they traveled east to Qiao.

They comforted the local elders and pardoned some criminals.

He also had the scholars accompanying him compose a proclamation that the Mandate of Heaven rested on Wei, and that they would surely drive the Shu bandits out of the Central Plains in the future.

During this time, a yellow dragon appeared in Qiao, sweet rain fell from the sky, and sweet springs gushed from the earth.

There are countless auspicious omens, such as intertwined trees, melons symbolizing unity, and five-colored fish.

At least it offered some semblance of reassurance.

Finally, Cao Rui even summoned his uncle Cao Zhi from his fiefdom of Yongqiu in Chenliu Commandery to encourage him.

However, they were not given any substantive appointment.

By April of that year, the relocation of the officials and people of Luoyang to Ye City was almost complete.

Sima Yi and others also brought good news that the palaces in Ye City had been renovated.

Cao Rui then stopped and headed straight for Baimajin on the banks of the Yellow River.

As Cao Rui approached the ferry, he saw the magnificent spring landscape and recalled how his grandfather had once ambushed Yuan Shao here, ordering Guan Yu to kill Yuan's general Yan Liang.

Thus, a surge of heroic spirit arose in his heart, and he ordered his uncle Cao Zhi to compose a poem to encourage him on his journey.

(End of this chapter)