In the magical night of Luoyang, hundreds of lights are shining brightly, and the clouds reflected are slightly red.
Sanqi Changshi, Changping Marquis Cao Zhao, Sanqi Changshi, Changling Marquis Xiahou Xuan, and Gaoyang Township Marquis Guanqiujian, who had just been promoted to Yulin Supervisor, were currently sitting in Tianyuan with Emperor Cao Rui. Drinking wine, admiring the moon, and talking freely by the bank of the pond [Note 1]. Cao Zuan, the general of Wu Wu, wore two levels of armor and stood by the Tianyuan Pool with a solemn expression to prevent any accidents when everyone was drunk.
[Note 1: The name Tianyuanchi in Luoyang was first seen in the Cao Wei period. "Three Kingdoms Wei Zhi·Wendi Ji" records that "in the fifth year of Huangchu, Tianyuanchi crossed Tianyuanchi", and Tianyuan was also called Tianquan. In the first year of Taihe reign of Emperor Ming of Wei Dynasty, Wang Lang wrote: "Hualin Tianyuan is enough for a banquet." Since then, the name "Tianyuan" has appeared frequently in poems and songs from the Southern and Northern Dynasties to the Sui, Tang, and Song Dynasties. 】
Cao Rui, Cao Zhao, Guan Qiujian, and Xia Houxuan were just leaning on their seats casually. Compared with the solemn banquets in the past, the three or four people at this moment were much more free and leisurely.
The water of Tianyuan Pond sparkled under the light, and from time to time, it sent everyone a cool breeze to relieve the slight drunkenness in their minds.
The Tianyuan Pond in front of us was excavated in the fifth year of Pihuang, Emperor Wen's reign. It can be regarded as a palace garden dominated by water views in the palace.
Since a lot of river water is introduced into the pool, if you look at Tianyuan Pool from a close distance, you will have the feeling of being in the vastness of the sea, which is very spectacular.
Not only that, there are also palaces and pavilions in the open space next to the pool and in the water above the pool. There are many pavilions and pavilions connected by a complex overpass. In addition, there are also many exotic flowers and plants, beautiful trees and fragrant fruits. It’s really a beautiful and colorful place.
Next to the pool, there is a narrow channel of living water that is excavated by skilled craftsmen and winds like a dragon and snake. There is flowing water in it, so wooden lacquered wine vessels can be floated in it to make flowing water.
The four people at this moment were practicing drinking orders in this "Liubigou", also known as "Liubeigou".
After three rounds of drinking, the emperor was already a little drunk. He had something hidden in his heart and no longer wanted to drink more.
"Changsi, Zhonggong, Taichu."
Cao Rui stood up at this moment and looked at the moon. His eyes seemed to be shining with some kind of light. The light contained both the burning flame in his heart and the light of the bright moon in the sky:
"Do you think the current Wu and Shu regions can be conquered or pacified?"
Cao Rui actually asked many questions in one sentence.
The first is whether Wu and Shu can be conquered. If so, which of the two lands should be conquered first?
Second, once a war is launched, can the Wei Dynasty destroy the country in one fell swoop, and can the two regions really be conquered in one fell swoop?
Xiahou Xuan looked at Cao Rui's look and words and knew that the emperor had already expressed his intention to conquer. However, based on his understanding of Wu and Shu, he understood that this was not the best time to unify the world. However, I don't have close contact with the emperor's cousin, so if I choose to criticize Ni Lin at this moment, it may not be a wise move.
Although Cao Zhao and Guan Qiujian were both close friends of the emperor, their hearts were full of twists and turns at this moment. Although Guanqiu Jian liked military affairs, he never fought unprepared, so he did not make any rash remarks.
Only Cao Zhao seemed to have made up his mind after thinking for a moment. He said to Cao Rui:
"Since your Majesty has asked this question, he must have already made up his mind. Why don't you tell me your secrets? Maybe I can give you some advice on this matter."
Although Cao Zhao had been brothers with Cao Rui since they were young and had a wild and unrestrained temperament, he always maintained a humble attitude in front of Cao Rui and was not as arrogant and domineering as some rumors said.
"I want to conquer Shu!"
When Cao Rui saw that Cao Zhao had a plan in mind, his eyes immediately lit up. Being a little excited, he stood up and said loudly:
"Zhuge Liang has led his troops to attack our border for many years. Although he has repeatedly failed, it is really a headache. Now, our country, Wei, is at its peak, with strong soldiers and horses, and sufficient armor. It is time to fight back!"
Cao Rui turned to look at Cao Zhao and asked seriously:
"Changsi, just now you said you could serve as my adviser. I wonder if you have any good ideas?"
"Your Majesty."
Cao Zhao has always been quick in thinking when borrowing money, not to mention that he already had a plan in mind at this time. After a moment's thought, he had sorted out all the clues, and then he spoke:
"I think that conquering Shu is very feasible. However, I believe that there are three difficulties and three benefits in conquering Shu. I wonder if your majesty would like to hear my detailed explanation?"
"Please tell me, Changsi." Cao Rui couldn't help but feel a little more excited when he heard that Cao Zhao also agreed with this strategy. Xia Houxuan and Guan Qiujian couldn't help but become curious when they saw Cao Zhao's excited expression.
"Your Majesty, I believe that there are three difficulties before you want to carry out the attack on Shu. First, the conservative people in the court are content with the status quo, and there must be many people who do not want your Majesty to attack Shu. This is a big deal for Your Majesty. Resistance, so I think this is the first difficulty."
Cao Zhao spoke eloquently and clearly, and Cao Rui appreciated it and nodded.
"As for the second difficulty, most of the famous generals who accompanied Emperor Taizu Wu to conquer Hanzhong have died. Therefore, there is a lack of people in the court who know the details of the Shu captives. This is the second difficulty."
Cao Rui listened attentively, and he understood that everything Cao Zhao said was true.
The person who was most familiar with the terrain in central Sichuan at that time was the old general Xiahou Yuan and Xiahou Miaocai, who was known as the "Tiger Steps on the Right", but he had already died in Dingjun Mountain.
In addition, although General Zhang He and Zhang Junyi, the Marquis of Maru, who once confronted Shu generals Zhang Fei and Zhang Yide (Note 2) in Langzhong, were brave and wise, they were not capable of commanding hundreds of thousands of troops.
[Note 2: The character Yide of Zhang Fei in "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms" is an adaptation, and the character name of Zhang Fei is Yide in "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms·Shu Zhi·The Sixth Biography of Guan, Zhang, Ma, Huang and Zhao"]
Although the general Cao Zhen was the most famous general of the clan in the dynasty, he was always known for being good at defense, and he was not 100% sure of attacking rashly.
As for the hussar general Sima Yi, he did not have enough prestige in the Yongliang army, so it was really a problem to choose the head coach.
"There is a third difficulty." Cao Zhao continued: "That is the ability of the enemy general. The ability of Shu Prime Minister Zhuge Liang must not be underestimated. This man took the initiative to attack with the exhausted manpower of Shu and less than 100,000 troops. It can also make people in the Wei Dynasty panic, which shows his extraordinary talent and his skill in winning over people's hearts."
"Then, according to what Chang Si said, this strategy of conquering Shu cannot be implemented?" Cao Rui couldn't help but feel a little uninterested after hearing these words.
"No, I have said before that this strategy is feasible." Cao Zhao was still full of confidence: "Although there are three difficulties in front of us, there are three benefits to offset them, or to resolve these three difficulties."
"Oh?" Cao Rui was confused and couldn't help but curiously asked: "What are the three benefits?"
"First, if your majesty can overcome all opinions and succeed in conquering Shu, you can establish new prestige in the court and gain the prestige of killing the Shu Han. This is the first benefit.
Secondly, there was a lack of people in our country who were familiar with the border situation in central Shu. We just took this opportunity to conquer Shu and let the people accompanying the army record the terrain along the way and draw it into an atlas. Even if the expedition against Shu failed, nothing would be gained. This is the second reason. profit.
Thirdly, the court lacked a general who could take charge of attacking Shu alone, which allowed Shaolinghou and Wuyanghou to cooperate. Firstly, General Cao Zhen controlled the armies with his prestige in the army, while General Sima Yi defeated the enemy with his extraordinary tactics. Can be complementary and mutually beneficial. What do you think, Your Majesty? "
"Okay!" After hearing Cao Zhao's analysis, Cao Rui suddenly became enlightened and his confidence doubled. He personally filled up the wine bar for Cao Zhao and laughed loudly and said: "After Changsi has sorted it out, I feel very at ease. Come, let's After drinking this wine, I wish you success in conquering Shu!"
"Your Majesty, please." Cao Zhao, Xia Houxuan, and Guan Qiujian met Cao Rui's wine master, and the four of them drank.
Cao Rui couldn't help but feel a little tipsy. He looked at the Tianyuan Pond that was like a sea wave in front of him and felt the cool breeze blowing by the pond. He suddenly felt very happy in his heart.
―――
The next day, hundreds of officials lined up in the Taiji Hall.
Cao Rui proudly proposed his bold idea of conquering Shu in front of his ministers.
Sure enough, the entire court was like a cauldron of boiling water, boiling non-stop. Some people agree, and naturally many people refute it. Those who agree say that the Wei Dynasty has strengthened its troops and horses in recent years, which is the time to defeat the Shu Han's enthusiasm, while those who oppose it say that the mountain roads in Shu are rugged and the enemy's situation is unknown, so it is not suitable to rush forward rashly.
Cao Rui just listened quietly to everyone expressing their opinions. After all the courtiers had finished raising their opinions, he smiled and then said:
"What you all said makes sense, but I have made up my mind!"
At this moment, all the officials were silent.
They spent most of the day and really revealed everything they wanted to say and everything they could say. But since the emperor had already made a decision, they did not dare to say another word.
Seeing that the officials were no longer noisy, Cao Rui waved to the chamberlain beside him. The chamberlain understood, took out the imperial edict that Cao Rui had prepared in advance, and read aloud:
"The imperial edict says: Now the general, Shaolinghou Cao Zhen, is promoted to the rank of chief commander, and the hussar general, Wuyanghou Sima Yi, is promoted to the rank of general. The two of them are specially given the Talisman Festival, leading an army of 100,000, and setting a day to conquer Shu. I admire this."
After hearing this, those conservative officials did not dare to say anything more.
Sima Yi and Cao Zhen had also expected that with His Majesty's character, once he made a decision, he would never be swayed by the tide of the court. The two men, who had already been mentally prepared, hurriedly knelt down to accept the order. Fu Jie Ling took out half of the Tiger Talisman and handed it to the two of them along with the imperial edict.
―――
Autumn has entered the long pavilion in the western suburbs, with dead leaves everywhere, adding an inexplicable sense of desolation.
"Uncle Zhao, you must be careful in everything you do when you go out with your uncle this time. This time Sima Yi and Master Sima and his son will leave the capital. It is a good time for me to investigate the previous case, so I can't accompany you to the battlefield. "
Xia Houxuan was holding a wine bottle and was farewelling Cao Xi in the pavilion.
"Don't worry, Taichu." Cao Xi smiled, raised his wine and said, "This is not my first time on the battlefield, so what should I be afraid of?"
"Come, drink this glass of wine, and wish you and your uncle a speedy victory!"
"Okay, do it!"
After Cao Xi drank the wine, he rode his horse in the direction of the guards of his father Cao Zhen and his eldest brother Cao Shuang.
Xia Houxuan stood on the long slope and watched Cao Xi's figure disappear into the dust in the distance, until even the sound of horse hooves disappeared.
