Has the Han Dynasty been restored today?

Qiao County.

The State of Wei had five capitals: Luoyang, Ye, Chang'an, Xuchang, and Qiao. This was a rule established by Cao Pi when he founded the state.

Cao Pi experienced almost the entire process of Cao Cao's rise to power in his youth, and still had some affection for his hometown of Qiao County, staying there every time he passed through on his southern expeditions. However, Cao Rui, who was born in Hebei, had no attachment to Qiao County whatsoever. The palace in Qiao County, named Qiao Palace, had not been repaired for a long time.

With a "thud," a scroll of silk was thrown onto the table.

Cao Rui's cold voice rang out: "Master Wei, take a look. The General has come to ask me for a reward."

"Your Majesty, please wait a moment." Wei Zhen rose from behind the table on the left side of the hall, walked steadily to Cao Rui's table, and bent down to pick up the silk book.

Wei Zhen was a veteran official of three generations of Cao Wei. His father, Wei Zi, provided substantial financial support to Cao Cao when he raised his army. During Cao Pi's reign, Wei Zhen served as Minister of Personnel and was also responsible for tutoring Cao Rui, who was then in the Eastern Palace. He was highly respected and trusted by Cao Rui and was now serving as Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.

The silk scroll contains a memorial submitted by Sima Yi, the Grand General, Commander-in-Chief of the Military Affairs of Yong and Liang, and Marquis of Wuyang.

The matters in the memorial were quite simple. First, it recounted the death of Zhuge Liang and the retreat of the Shu army. Second, it mentioned Yang Yi's killing of Wei Yan. Third, it requested to take advantage of the situation to launch an attack on Shu, citing the sudden change in Shu's situation, the availability of morale and the eagerness of the generals to fight.

Wei Zhen carefully examined the silk scroll three times before rolling it up again and placing it neatly on Cao Rui's desk. He then calmly asked:

"Your Majesty, may I ask if Xin Zuozhi has given any feedback?"

Cao Rui replied calmly, "Yes, Xin Qing did not mention the campaign against Shu."

Wei Zhen remained silent for a moment.

Xin Pi was also a veteran official of three generations of Cao Wei. He served under Yuan Shao, later surrendered to Cao Cao, and was highly valued by Cao Pi and Cao Rui.

Previously, when Sima Yi and Zhuge Liang were facing off on the north and south banks of the Wei River, the generals were eager to fight. Sima Yi could not suppress them for a time. Cao Rui then sent Xin Pi with imperial credentials to the Guanzhong army, appointing Xin Pi as the Grand General's military advisor and issuing an edict that the generals should not advance.

Now that Zhuge Liang is dead, why are the generals suddenly clamoring to attack Shu again? Xin Pi didn't even mention this?

That was clearly Sima Yi's own idea! Now Sima Yi has gathered an army of over 100,000 under his command, and now he wants to go to war again. As a ruler, how could he not be suspicious?

Wei Zhen sighed deeply: "Has His Majesty made any assignments?"

"He says he wants to attack Shu, isn't he just asking me for credit?" Cao Rui was clearly angry. "Fine, since he wants credit, I'll dismiss him from his position as Grand General and promote him to Grand Commandant. He can return to court and have a proper discussion with me!"

The phrase "sitting and discussing the Way" is an extension of the phrase "the Three Dukes sitting and discussing the Way" from the Later Han Dynasty. It likely refers to the fact that the Three Dukes held prestigious positions but did not handle actual affairs. The Three Dukes refer to the three most prominent official positions in the court: Grand Commandant, Minister of Works, and Minister of Agriculture. The position of Grand Commandant that Cao Rui was about to give to Sima Yi was the head of the Three Dukes.

"Your Majesty, please do not be angry." Wei Zhen hurriedly advised, "Although Zhuge Kongming is dead, the Shu army retreated in its entirety this time. The Shu Kingdom's national strength and military strength have not been lost. Its strength is still there. The Shu Kingdom may not stop invading. It would be better to leave the General in Guanzhong."

"Shu Kingdom, Shu Kingdom!" Cao Rui sighed deeply. "The bandits of Western Shu have repeatedly invaded, and have long been a scourge to China!"

"Summon the Grand Secretary to draft an imperial edict."

"Yes." Wei Zhen nodded, waved his hand, and signaled Zhong Yu, who was standing in the hall, to go and find the person.

Shortly after, Liu Fang, the Director of the Imperial Secretariat, strode in from outside and stood two zhang in front of Cao Rui, bowing respectfully.

"His Majesty."

"Draft an imperial edict." Cao Rui's voice was still weary.

"Yes." Liu Fang bowed again, sat down at a small table on the side of the hall, and picked up a brush to dip in ink.

Cao Rui coughed a few times, then said in a low voice, "Hearing of the death of Zhuge Liang, the Chancellor of Shu, the threat to Western Shu has greatly diminished, and the enemy will surely not return. I am very pleased. All the generals, from Grand General Sima Zhongda down, have made meritorious contributions. I have ordered the Commandant of the Guards, Xin Zuozhi, to carefully review their merits. I have ordered General Xiahou Xian to lead his 20,000-strong central army back to Luoyang, and I have ordered Qin Yuanming, the Protector of the Army for the Expedition against Shu, to lead his 20,000 infantry and cavalry to relocate to Tongguan. The remaining military matters will be decided by the Grand General himself."

"This edict."

When the emperor issued an edict, it was always a verbal instruction, which was then polished into a written document by the person who drafted the edict before it was issued.

The territory of the Wei Kingdom was larger than that of the Shu Han Kingdom, and its military system was more complex.

Of the more than 120,000 troops under Sima Yi's command, in addition to the more than 80,000 stationed in Yong and Liang, the 20,000 infantry and cavalry under Qin Lang and the 20,000 central army infantry and cavalry under Xiahou Xian were all transferred from Luoyang by the Wei court. They were more elite troops than the local troops stationed in Yong and Liang.

Cao Rui did not answer Sima Yi's question about conquering Shu at all. Instead, he directly issued an edict ordering the transfer of 40,000 troops led by Qin Lang and Xiahou Xian. This was already a very clear political statement.

This year, Cao Wei is also fighting on two fronts. How could its national strength allow it to conquer Shu?

Without the central army, try attacking one!

Wei Zhen cupped his hands and advised, "Your Majesty's edict is excellent, but it lacks a certain degree of appeasement. Perhaps I should inform Sima Zhao of Your Majesty's intention to appoint the Grand General as Grand Commandant. This would ease tensions between Your Majesty and the Grand General."

"Go do it." Cao Rui coughed a few more times and waved his hand impatiently. "With Zhuge Liang dead, I have no worries in Guanzhong! I can now free up my hands to deal with Gongsun Yuan in Liaodong."

……

Meanwhile, after more than ten days of marching, Chen Zhi, Jiang Wei, and their 500 Tiger Infantry soldiers were getting closer and closer to Chengdu.

On the evening of September 22, Chen Zhi and his party arrived at Xinducheng, which is 40 miles northeast of Chengdu.

After resting at the inn, Jiang Wei unusually took the initiative to go to Chen Zhi's room to talk to him.

"General Jiang, what brings you here today?" Chen Zhi asked with a smile as he stood up. "In the past, you were always the one looking after Chief Secretary Yang."

Jiang Wei bowed in greeting, then turned and closed the door, smiling as he said, "Now that we've arrived in Xindu today, we should be able to reach Chengdu before noon tomorrow, and perhaps we'll be able to be summoned by His Majesty tomorrow."

"As Imperial Censor Chen knows, I only visited Chengdu once in the eighth year of Jianxing, and I am not familiar with His Majesty. I would appreciate Imperial Censor Chen's guidance on what is appropriate to observe before His Majesty tomorrow."

Chen Zhi laughed heartily, gestured for Jiang Wei to take a seat, and then said, "General, you are a high-ranking official of the state. I am but a mere censor with a salary of 600 shi (a unit of grain), what could I possibly teach you?"

"Censor Chen has overstated things," Jiang Wei said, shaking his head slightly.

Chen Zhi took a soft breath: "General Jiang is ten years older than me. May I address you as 'Brother Boyue'?"

"Of course!" Jiang Wei's expression relaxed now. "Back in Hanzhong, I often heard Brother Wenwei address Imperial Censor Chen by his courtesy name. Imperial Censor Chen and Brother Wenwei have a past relationship, and he is also a high-ranking official, so I dared not address him in a casual manner. Therefore, I, Jiang, will address Imperial Censor Chen by his courtesy name, Fengzong!"

"Haha, Brother Boyue, you can just call me Fengzong," Chen Zhi laughed. "Since we're so familiar with each other, I won't be so formal with you."

"Brother Boyo, do you know where this place is?"