After Cao Shuang and Cao Zhao went to Weiwei's mansion to report the news, Li Feng said that he had been living in the mansion for many years and could not disobey the king by disturbing His Highness the King of Pingyuan, so he asked them to return to the East Palace first and make some preparations. , then pay a visit on your own.
"Your Highness, I heard that after Cui Shijun took office in Youzhou, he actually didn't go to pay a visit to Governor Wu..."
Cao Zhao originally thought that Cui Lin would not be so bold, so he made a bet with Cao Rui.
However, this bet is related to his younger brother Cao Zuan. Cao Rui made an appointment with Cao Zhao, and the loser would have to practice martial arts with Cao Zuan for a month.
Cao Rui slowly put down the exquisite celadon tea cup in his hand, and said with a teasing smile in the corner of his eyes:
"Changsi, it seems that you will have to practice hard this month. However, I believe that Desi will not embarrass your brother too much."
Cao Zhao was like a mute who had eaten coptis, he just smiled bitterly.
At this time, a guard from the East Palace came to the main hall.
"Your Highness, the eldest son of the Weiwei Mansion, Li Feng would like to see you."
When Cao Rui heard this, he smiled and said:
"Gu Ke has invited this great talent here. I'll tell you to go down and have a cup of tea. The Zhaoxian Pavilion will serve you!"
"No! Your Highness, there is one more thing. The heir to the Marquis House in Changling Township, Young Master Xiahou, has just sent someone here. He said that he would come to the East Palace to pay homage to His Highness later."
"Oh?" Cao Rui was slightly happy. This cousin of Xiahou is extremely talented, and I have always admired him. Unfortunately, he has always stayed out of party disputes, and has long expressed his unwillingness to participate in the battle for the prince's heir. Therefore, he did not take it too seriously, but he did not expect that today would not be the case. It was not a festival, but he thought of paying a visit to the East Palace.
Li Feng and Xia Houxuan, two young talents, came to the East Palace at the same time. This was certainly not a bad thing for Cao Rui.
"Okay, hurry up and order someone to prepare an extra seat at the Zhaoxian Pavilion, as well as tea cups and tea leaves. Go quickly."
"promise!"
The East Palace guard received the order and immediately started preparing to go.
――――
His Majesty the Emperor, who was a little in high spirits at first, calmed down even though he felt unhappy after Liu Ye and Liu Ziyang poured a basin of cold water on his head.
Cao Pi understood that the biggest purpose of his southern expedition was to stabilize the two states of Qing and Xu. He must not go head-to-head with the emperor and his ministers who were of the same mind and had not exhausted their strength just because of a momentary impulse.
Not only that, Shangshu Jiang Ji also wrote "Three States Theory", specifically to advise himself not to cross the river easily.
But Cao Pi still refused to give up.
Even if he doesn't go head-to-head and really fights a big battle with Soochow, he still has to make Sun Quan nervous. That would be decent.
So Cao Pi ignored Jiang Ji and Liu Ye's advice and issued an order five days ago, ordering the army to cross Chao Lake to intimidate Soochow.
Cao Pi, who was waiting for the good news in the camp, once again opened "Treatise on Three States" written by Jiang Ji and read it silently carefully.
"Huaihu Lake is far away, with different roads on land and water, and no access to mountains and sun. It took Chen Deng to cross ditches, and even cut horse-ladders to cross the lake for hundreds of miles."
Cao Pi couldn't help but nodded, this Jiang Ji was indeed a capable minister capable of both literary and military skills.
Jiang Ji said in the article that Ma Lai is Baima Lake. Baima Lake connects Dushui and Huaishui. It is an important lake and the only lake that my fleet must pass through when heading south.
This lake is indeed "distinct from land and water" because of its long waterway. However, Cao Pi still wanted to try to see if his dragon boat could cross the natural dangers of the Yangtze River.
Originally, the channel from Fanliang to Bozhi, and then from Bozhi to Sheyang, was blocked all year round. In addition, the old road was long and circuitous, so the water flow was often changed, making it extremely inconvenient for boating.
In view of this, Chen Dengcai dug ditches and dug canals on the shore of Baima Lake to connect Fanliang Lake and Baima Lake with transport channels. From then on, it only took a hundred miles to reach Fanliang Lake from Baima Lake.
Since Chen Deng changed the waterway, the shipping routes from Huai to Baima Lake, from Baima Lake to Jin Lake, from Jin Lake to Fanliang Lake, from Fanliang Lake via Shaobo to Guangling and into the river or east to Hailing have been basically unimpeded.
Therefore, Cao Pi had the confidence to cross the Huai River in one fell swoop and press on the Yangtze River.
Calculated, the army should be able to cross the lake today and set up camp on the north bank of the Yangtze River.
"Your Majesty, today, the 1,300 warships of General Zhengdong and the more than 2,000 warships of General Zhengnan are all stuck in the mud, making it difficult to move forward!"
Cao Pi frowned and sighed.
It seems that Jiang Ji, Liu Ye and the others still have foresight.
Jiang Ji is worthy of his praise as a capable minister who is "equal in both civil and military affairs, generous in his integrity, transcending rivers and lakes, and swallowing up Wu Hui".
"First of all, I'm calling all the ministers to come and discuss matters in the camp."
"only."
Outside the gate of His Majesty's camp, Jiang Ji happened to meet Liu Ye, Sima Yi, Chen Qun and others. They exchanged greetings for a while and then immediately entered the camp.
"My lords, I believe you already know that Wen Lie and Boren's warships, numbering in the thousands, are unable to move forward due to the mud in the river. I wonder what you can do?"
Liu Ye and Jiang Ji were silent at this moment. They understand that if they continue to blame His Majesty for his previous decisions at this moment, they will only be resentful by the monarch.
In the past, Xu You, a surrendered minister under Emperor Wu, was a bloody example.
The minister asked Chen Qun to think for a while and then said:
"Your Majesty, I think that since the army has arrived in Guangling, it will cost a lot of money to go back and forth. If it returns without success, the cost of the trip will be doubled. As for Guangling County, there are many waterways and fertile land. It is better to let the army go there. Farm the land for a long-term plan."
After listening to Chen Qun's words, Cao Pi nodded in agreement.
Chen Qun's plan was indeed a success. Boren's Jingzhou and Wenlie's Yangzhou already had enough troops to stay. But now if troops are stationed on the spot, they can not only solve the food and grass expenses for tens of thousands of troops, but also provide food for them. We must be fully prepared to conquer Wu in the future, so garrisoning is indeed worthy of consideration.
"Your Majesty, I think this plan is good, but it has big hidden dangers."
"oh?"
A familiar voice interrupted Cao Pi's dream. When Cao Pi looked up, it was indeed Jiang Ji. This time, he no longer dared to despise Jiang Ji's opinion.
"Zitong, if you have any good ideas, tell me quickly."
Jiang Ji breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that the emperor did not look angry. He twirled his long beard and said softly:
"Your Majesty, I think that Guangling County is close to Chaohu Lake in the east and Huaihe River in the north. If the water is strong, thieves will easily become bandits and the army will not be able to settle down. I hope your Majesty will think deeply about it and consider it carefully."
Cao Pi frowned, closed his eyes, thought about it again and again, and finally made a decision.
"Okay, then I will follow Jiang Qing's words. While the water has not receded, beat the drum tonight and pretend to attack to scare the enemy. The army will return by water tomorrow."
"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"
Cao Pi nodded, looked at Liu Ye who said nothing, and said with a smile: "In this southern expedition, the army stopped for a long time, and Sun Quan did not come in person. This is what your policy is."
Liu Ye looked at the smiling emperor. For some reason, he felt numbness in his spine and palpitations in his heart. He immediately fell to his knees and said, "Your Majesty is so complimentary, I am so frightened!"
Cao Pi smiled slightly and continued:
"Sir, when you want to kill the two thieves for me, don't just know their feelings."
"I understand."
Liu Ye was sweating and knelt on the ground, kowtowing.
Three days later.
When the returning Wei army arrived at Jinghu Lake, unfortunately, the water in the lake receded, and thousands of boats had no way to go, so they had to stay where they were.
Cao Pi thought over and over again and finally handed over the remaining fleet to Jiang Ji.
How dare Jiang Ji let down the emperor's trust? After waiting for the water to rise to no avail, he finally thought of a way.
He ordered people to dig the ground to make four or five water channels, and ordered people to gather all the remaining warships together. He also diverted water from the nearby Chaohu Lake, and finally successfully sailed the ship into the Huaihe River.
――――
Under the Recruiting Pavilion in the East Palace.
The fragrance is misty and the smell of tea floats.
Cao Rui, dressed in his royal uniform from a long journey, was sitting at the main table. Cao Shuang, Cao Zhao, Guanqiu Jian, Wei Lie, Gao Xun, He Zeng and others were waiting on the left and right, waiting for the distinguished guests.
Not long after, Li Feng came to the pavilion under the leadership of the visitor.
Cao Rui raised his eyes and thought that this man was indeed extraordinary. However, whether it is a false name remains to be further investigated.
"Weak minister Li Feng, please pay homage to His Royal Highness King Pingyuan!"
Li Feng did not dare to be rude, so he bowed his head three times and performed the full ceremony.
Cao Rui smiled slightly, thinking that this person was not as rebellious as Xia Houxuan.
"I learned that the young master is coming, and I have specially prepared fragrant tea for the young master to appreciate. No need to be polite, please come and take a seat."
"Thank you for your kindness, Sir. I am scared."
Li Feng was humble and bowed again before taking his seat.
Before Cao Rui could ask any questions, the waiter announced again:
"Your Highness, Mr. Xiahou has also arrived."
Cao Rui smiled slightly and said:
"Okay, please come in quickly! Today is indeed a good day for the East Palace. Two blue clouds are ushered in [Note 1]. It is really a joy to congratulate you. Come and get some more jars of good wine. Today, I want to be with you. Everyone, have a drink and have fun!"
[Note 1: There is a saying in ancient times that under the blue clouds, there must be hermits, so Qing Yun is used here to refer to two talented men who have not been involved in government affairs for many years. 】
When Xia Houxuan came to the pavilion, everyone couldn't help but feel an inexplicable sense of solemnity.
If Li Feng just gave people the feeling of being as gentle as jade, then Xia Houxuan is the majestic national artifact, the white jade cauldron.
Cao Rui, I have just seen it today, what is the majesty of a scholar whose appearance is like a phoenix.
"Xuan, I have met His Highness!"
As expected by Cao Rui, Xia Houxuan did not treat him with the same courtesy as Li Feng.
But Cao Rui didn't mind too much. After all, Xia Houxuan came anyway, which was a great honor for him.
"Cousin, there is no need to be polite. Come on, please take a seat. Hahahaha, we brothers will have a good drink today."
"Xuan, how dare you disobey your orders."
Xia Houxuan, who had always been free and easy, liked His Royal Highness Prince Pingyuan even more. He did not refuse anything and went directly to the table.
――――
Hedong Prince's Mansion.
The fifth son of the emperor, his master Cao Lin, King of Hedong, is in the study room, displaying ink calligraphy and painting, swaying freely
The butler outside the door thought about it again and again, and decided to inform the lord of the new information he had obtained.
After all, if you conceal it today, it will definitely be a disaster if the master finds out about it tomorrow.
"Your Highness..."
The housekeeper knelt down in front of Cao Lin's desk, trembling with fear.
"What's the matter!?"
Cao Lin was quite impatient and waved the wolf hair in his hand so fast that a few dots of thick ink splashed onto the butler's ocher clothes.
"Your Highness, today, today, the eldest son of Weiwei Mansion, Li Feng, and Mr. Xiahou of Zhengnan Mansion, went to the East Palace together..."
"Clang!"
Before the butler could finish speaking, the jade paperweight on Cao Lin's desk was shattered in front of the butler.
