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

Chapter 325 Cao Rui Makes His Move
This year was the third year of Jianxing reign of Emperor Liu Shan of the Han Dynasty.

This year was also the second year of the Taihe era of Emperor Cao Rui of Wei.

But Miwei knew very well.

In another historical period, because Liu Bei died early in Baidi City, and Zhuge Liang was eager to establish Liu Shan's authority within Yizhou, the reign title was not changed the following year.

Therefore, the reign title for this year had already been set to the sixth year of Jianxing.

In the spring of the sixth year, Zhuge Liang launched his first expedition to Qishan, but suffered a defeat at Jieting and returned in disarray.

Zhao Yun suffered a defeat at Jigu Valley and died the following year.

Ma Su was punished by Zhuge Liang according to military law that same year.

And this life.

Whether it's Qishan or Jieting, the entire Guanzhong region is now Han territory.

Zhuge Liang remained the steady and reliable Chancellor of the Han Dynasty.

Zhao Yun's fame and status surpassed those of his predecessors, and he remained vigorous even in his old age.

Ma Su also held a stable position as a court official in the Ministry of Personnel, and he and his brother, Ma Liang, the Minister of Personnel, were known as the "Two Mas".

From this perspective, Miwei is quite proud.

However, at the same time, his stress and worries also increased day by day.

The first and foremost goal, of course, is how to achieve the ultimate objective of unifying China.

In general, after Cao Rui moved the capital to Hebei, the Shu Han dynasty's ambition to conquer the Central Plains became unstoppable.

This is analogous to another "Three Kingdoms" period in later times, namely the Northern Zhou, Northern Qi, and Southern Chen dynasties.

The territory of the Shu Han dynasty was roughly equivalent to that of the Northern Zhou dynasty.

Ultimately, it was the Sui Dynasty, which succeeded the Northern Zhou, that unified the other three kingdoms.

The subtle differences, such as the fact that the Shu Han dynasty gained more land in Jingzhou west of the Xiang River but lost the three areas along the Yellow River, did not affect the overall situation.

The development of Jiangnan could only begin after the population boom of the Tang and Song dynasties.

The development of the three sets of equipment would have to wait until after the so-called Little Ice Age ended.

Population limitations and climate conditions cannot be addressed overnight.

In conclusion, based on historical experience, a complete victory is to be expected.

The key is how to do it.

And how many more years it will take.

It's ten years, twenty years.

Or will it be like the Western Jin Dynasty in another timeline, where we have to wait more than fifty years?

If that were the case, I'm afraid I wouldn't live to see that day.

Moreover, if the era of great division continues for another half a century, the population of the Central Plains will be continuously depleted due to the war.

Could this lead to a repeat of the chaos caused by the Five Barbarian Tribes in Chinese history?
Having gone through so much trouble to travel through time, I can't let this embarrassing and shameful thing of "traveling south in fine clothes" happen again, can I?

This kind of worry stems somewhat from the routine patriotic anxieties that middle-aged people often express during their leisure time.

Na Miwei was an important minister of the Shu Han dynasty who worked in the imperial tomb.

There are still some real-world pressures.

Specifically, it's because the scale has expanded that there are more things to do.

In the original history, the Shu Han only had one place, Yizhou. Prime Minister Zhuge Liang worked like crazy, barely managing to shoulder all the burdens by himself.

Even if we launch a northern expedition, the fighting will only take place in the Yong and Liang regions.

And now.

The territory of the Shu Han dynasty spanned six provinces: Yi, Jing, Yong, Liang, Si, and Yu.

The number of counties, officials, soldiers, population, output, and so on is five or six times that of the early years.

No matter how hard one works, it is impossible to manage such a vast territory.

At the beginning of the year, Zhuge Liang sent a letter from Chang'an.

It is said that because of Ma Chao's death, the Qiang people in Guanzhong were somewhat rebellious, and he had to personally go to Longyou to deal with the Hu affairs.

This was by no means an overreaction by Zhuge Liang.

Unlike the Eastern Han and Cao Wei dynasties, which established their capitals in Luoyang, Guanzhong as a whole can serve as a buffer zone for Luoyang.

Like the Sui and Tang dynasties that followed, the Shu Han dynasty established its capital within the Guanzhong Plain. If unrest broke out in Longyou, it could easily affect the safety of the capital, Chang'an.

The Guanzhong Plain and Longxi region share a close, interdependent relationship.

You can never be too cautious.

Therefore, Zhuge Liang specifically asked Mi Wei to help keep a close eye on the military situation in the Guandong provinces.

If necessary, one can emulate the ancients who "wear mourning clothes and join the army," and be reinstated immediately.

Ma Liang will fully cooperate.

Since the Prime Minister has put it this way, what else can Mi Wei do?
Let's keep working overtime.

In short, after discussing the state of affairs at the grave for half the night, Mi Wei couldn't resist the drowsiness and returned to his private thatched hut to rest. It's worth mentioning...

The mourning period in the Han Dynasty was stricter than in later dynasties, and it prohibited men from having children with their wives or concubines.

However, as a renowned general and scholar, it was not appropriate for him to engage in any underhanded dealings.

I've been feeling incredibly depressed these past two years.

……

A few days later, an urgent letter from Shangdang arrived in Mi Wei's hands.

The letter was sent by Deng Ai, the governor of Shangdang during the Han Dynasty.

However, what they were talking about was the matter of Yang Dao, the governor of Shangdang in Wei.

Deng Ai said that Yang Dao sent two pieces of intelligence.

First, Cao Rui's carriage suddenly appeared in Shexian County, and he replaced a large number of local county officials.

Secondly, Cao Rui summoned Qian Zhao, the then governor of Yanmen, to go south to Shexian County to commend him for his achievements in pacifying the Xianbei over the years.

Yang Dao did not offer his own thoughts.

But Deng Ai's guess is not hard to make.

Cao Rui may have become suspicious of Yang Dao.

This is not groundless.

First, Shexian County is a key node on the Fukou Pass, one of the eight passes of Taihang.

It was a necessary route for advancing from Shangdang to Yecheng.

Cao Rui's sudden arrival in this place to replace local officials clearly indicates that he intends to take action against Shangdang, and even the entire Bingzhou.

Secondly, there's Qian Zhao.

In the first year of Mi Wei's mourning period, Qian Zhao was still one of Cao Wei's Protector of the Xianbei.

Last year, he was promoted to Prefect of Yanmen for his meritorious service.

In other words, this Lord Qian had not been promoted for two years when he suddenly had to go south to receive praise.

It's still on the edge of Shangdang County.

Isn't it obvious who this is targeting?

Deng Ai asked Mi Wei whether they should immediately send troops to attack Huguan and seize northern Shangdang before Cao Rui could make a move.

But Miwei hesitated.

The gains and losses in Shangdang are related to a plan he made two years ago in the Shangdang region.

Specifically, it was related to the letter that Xu Shu sent Wang Jun to deliver on the eve of his mourning period.

At that time, Xu Shu revealed that Cao Rui intended to move the capital to Ye City.

He advised Miwei not to rush to attack Huguan.

This was to solidify Cao Rui's determination to move the capital.

There are two considerations.

Firstly, naturally, it was because after the capital was moved, the Han army could capture cities in Henan at a lower cost, and even conquer another former capital of the Han Dynasty, Luoyang.

Subsequent events proved this to be true.

Although Cao Rui put on a show during the relocation of the capital.

Furthermore, generals such as Cao Hong and Jia Kui were stationed on the front line in Yuzhou.

However, as the Cao Wei central government moved away from the Heluo region and the people gradually became estranged, the banners of the Han Dynasty were gradually planted all over the city walls of Hongnong Commandery and Henan Yin in the past two years.

Hongnong County was completely liberated last year.

Shi Tao was therefore transferred to the position of prefect.

As for the Governor of Henan, apart from Zhang He who was still holding out in the isolated city of Luoyang.

The other passes were also mostly breached by Guan Yu and Zhang Fei.

Luoyang was also on the verge of collapse.

Secondly, Mi Wei intentionally kept a secret from Ye City.

If we were to march east out of Hebei in the future, Huguan would fall in an instant. We might be able to rush to the walls of Yecheng before the Wei army could react, thus achieving a decisive victory.

From a tactical to a strategic level, this is an extremely valuable attempt.

Yang Dao himself understood this.

So after the situation in Henan became clear, he quietly sent his daughter, Yang Huiyu, over to pave the way for the future.

But right now.

Cao Rui suddenly appeared in Shexian County.

This caught both sides off guard.

(End of this chapter)