Ji Han Da Sima

Chapter 570 Emperor Yang’s Southern Expedition

In the sixth year of Zhangwu, it was the fourth month of summer.

Wei, Luoyang palace.

"Your Majesty, I am so happy!"

With a smile on his face, Sun Quan walked quickly through the corridors, and then walked straight into the palace.

Seeing the smile on Sun Quan's face, Cao Pi put down the memorial and asked with a smile: "What makes Zhongmou so happy?"

Sun Quan bowed to Cao Pi and said with a smile: "Your Majesty, you may not know that the old villain Liu Bei died half a month ago, and now his son Liu Chan has succeeded him. I congratulate your majesty. The old villain has passed away, and our Great Wei has got rid of a great threat."

"Liu Bei is dead?"

Cao Pi's eyes widened with an expression of surprise. To prevent Sun Quan's news from being false, he asked, "Where did Zhong Mou get the news? Have you ever verified the authenticity?"

Sun Quan handed the memorial in his hand and said with a smile: "Xiangfan has been whitewashed by Lao Ge, and according to the investigation by the Jingzhou governor, the city of Wuhan is completely white. The death of Lao Ge is not a rumor. Now his son Liu Chan succeeds to the throne, and Huo Jun, Zhuge Liang and others are Minister Tuogu.”

On the contrary, the southern expedition to Jianghuai is not to mention whether it is easy to conquer. Now that the army is pressing down on the border, it is easy for the Southern Han Dynasty to unite as one. The Southern Han Dynasty can gather heavy troops and fight across the Huaihe River. It may not be impossible to fight against Cao Wei.

"Ok!"

Cao Pi walked up and down, smiled and ordered around, saying: "The death of Liu Bei is a great joy for me, the great Wei Dynasty. To celebrate the death of Liu Bei, I am holding a banquet in the palace to enjoy it with all the ministers in the court."

"Alone Better Together!"

"Ha ha!"

"Haha~"

Cao Pi took a few glances at the memorial, excitedly put his arms around Sun Quan's shoulders, and laughed: "Lao Ge died of illness, and the border problems suddenly disappeared; the young master succeeded to the throne, and the powerful ministers are in charge. This is a gift from God!"

Cao Pi took the map that had been prepared earlier, pointed to the map of Jianghuai, and said: "I want the army to be divided into two groups to march south. The partial army will go all the way out of Jinghan and go south to Xiangfan; the main army will go all the way out of Xuyu and go south to Jianghuai. At that time, I personally commanded the army. Ma, lead the Chinese army, follow Ru, Ying, Si, and Wo to the south. We should conquer Xiapi first, and then capture the Jianghuai."

Seeing Cao Pi's lofty ambitions, Sun Quan hesitated a little and said: "Your Majesty, now that Liu Bei has passed away from illness, it will be difficult for the Southern Territory to use troops in the short term. Why don't Your Majesty do the easy thing first and then the hard things? Take Longyou first, capture and kill Ma Ni, which will not only enhance your reputation, but also Real national strength.”

Then, Cao Pi took Sun Quan to sit with him and said with a smile: "Zhong Mou, my young minister is strong, can I attack the water thieves from the south?"

"After Longyou is leveled, Your Majesty will observe the enemy's situation and arrange it. You can either take Bashu or go to Jianghuai. Now it is difficult first and then easy. This is not a strategy based on the use of troops."

Sun Quan straightened his clothes and asked, "I wonder how your Majesty wants to march?"

Liu Bei's death was indeed a relief for Cao Pi. Last time Liu Bei raised troops to attack Chang'an, and the war broke out on both ends of the east and west, it scared him badly.

Although Sun Quan was dissatisfied with Cao Pi's strategy, because Cao Pi was the monarch, he could only bow his hands and say: "Your Majesty's strategy is wise, and I think it is feasible. Now at the banquet, I can ask the princes if they have any different opinions!"

Cao Pi had been preparing for the southern expedition the year before last, but he had not yet mobilized troops to go south. In addition to building new boats and boats, he was also worried about Liu Bei and Huo Jun. Now that Liu Bei has passed away, Cao Wei has not only eliminated one of his confidants. As Cao Pi said, Liu Chan is young and powerful ministers are in power, which is not a good sign.

As he spoke, Cao Pi seemed to think of the scene of watching the troops in Linhuai, and said proudly: "When the Xuhuai counties surrender, I will go to Dajiang in person, take over the land thousands of miles north of the river, and then complete the unfinished business of the late emperor, unify the world, and enshrine Mount Tai. "

"promise!"

Cao Pi was not very happy and criticized: "Why is Zhongmou so short-sighted?"

"Liu Bei died of illness, and the southern territory was in disorder. If we don't take advantage of the enemy's chaos in the south to march south, how can we conquer Longyou westward and stabilize the imperial court. If the Jianghuai River can be leveled, the northward advance of the thieves can be curbed. The land of Longyou, Isn’t it possible to settle down overnight?”

Although Sun Quan was not good at using troops to fight, he had merits in judging national strategy. In his eyes, conquering the south is not as good as advancing westward. After Liu Bei's death, the Southern Han Dynasty will surely fall into short-term chaos. If we can take advantage of the situation and advance westward, we may not be able to defeat Ma Chao and regain Longyou.

"it is good!"

Cao Pi nodded with satisfaction and said, "I am related by marriage to Zhongmou. After I go on the expedition, Zhongmou will be in charge of Luoyang to protect the food route for the army."

When Cao Pi first met Sun Quan, he was very embarrassed because of Sun Ying. Now, as time goes by, Cao Pi is also magnanimous.

In addition, not long after Sun Ying raised Cao Rui, Cao Pi had no choice but to make Cao Rui the crown prince due to the problem of heirs dying. Under the relationship between the two, Sun Quan became more and more favored by Cao Pi.

"promise!"

With Cao Pi's propaganda, the news of Liu Bei's death spread throughout Luoyang City in almost half a day. Compared with the officials in the southern region who mourned in vain, the officials in the Wei State celebrated Cao Pi with their crowns in their hats.

At dusk, as the attendants rushed to inform each other, the senior officials of Cao Wei came to Luoyang Palace for a banquet with great joy.

At the banquet, the sound of silk and bamboo bells and drums was endless, and the lingering sound lingered; the singer danced gracefully, as if she were a dragon. Wei Guan watched the music and dance, drank and had fun, and was very happy.

"Liu Bei was a man of great talent and was able to win people's hearts. Now that Lao Ge has died suddenly and alone, I would like to congratulate His Majesty!"

During the music room, Xin Pi came forward with a wine bottle, saluted Cao Pi, and said. Cao Pi, who was slightly tipsy, put his arms around Xin Pi's neck and said, "The old thief has passed away. Does Mr. Xin know how happy I am?"

Xinpi lowered his head, held hands, and said, "Your Majesty, etiquette should be observed at the banquet and no disrespect should be allowed!"

"Ha ha!"

Cao Pi drank the wine in the cup and got up from the couch. When he was about to say something, he saw that Chen Qun was a little unhappy, and immediately asked: "Why is Chen Lingjun sitting alone and unhappy? Is it because today's wine and food are not to your liking?"

As he spoke, Cao Pi's tone changed, and he asked in a deep voice, "Or are you not happy about Liu Bei's sudden death?"

Chen Qun's face remained as usual, and he sighed slightly: "Although Liu Xuande is the leader of the thieves, he has the grace to remove me as the master, and we still have friendship with me. Now that Liu Xuande has died, it is really difficult for me to drink and celebrate."

"Ok?"

Cao Pi became angry and scolded: "Chen Changwen, we, the great Wei Dynasty, and the water thieves are at odds with each other. How can we show mercy to the thieves because of our old friendship?"

However, Chen Qun was not afraid. He stood up and bowed his hands, saying, "Your Majesty, I will serve Liu Xuande in the future just as I did today. If I were unfortunately captured by a water thief, would it be okay for me to scold Your Majesty again?"

"Since I received your Majesty's salary, I have been conscientious in my work and have not dared to be partial. Now I dare not forget Liu Xuande's salary. I hope that your Majesty can understand my humble and respectful heart."

Hearing Chen Qun's words, Cao Pi was not angry but happy. He smiled and said: "I want to test your courage and loyalty. Now that I see you are so magnanimous, I am not worried. I am very happy!"

The conquest system prevailed during the Han Dynasty, which resulted in the unique dual monarchy. In the past, Liu Bei appointed Chen Qun as his master. According to Confucianism and morality, Liu Bei was actually Chen Qun's emperor. Therefore, in terms of Chen Qun's morality, he must not only assist Liu Bei, but also report his kindness to the emperor.

Although Chen Qun's words are not in line with the values ​​​​of Yuzhong in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, they are in line with Cao Pi's taste.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Chen Qun was very sensible. He raised his wine bottle to honor Cao Pi and said, "I drink this wine not for Duke Liu, but for His Majesty's Holy Might."

"it is good!"

Cao Pi took a sip of wine, asked the singer in the palace to retreat, looked at the people on the steps, and said heroically: "Old Ge Liu Bei died of old illness, his son Liu Chan is in power, and Huo and Ge are in power. It is expected that many southern lands are in power. When the officials are scattered and the people are fearful and uneasy, it is a time when the country is weak."

"Now the boat is completed, the food and supplies are abundant, and the troops and horses are strong. I want to raise my troops to the Jianghuai River, take over the six counties of Xuhuai, and restore the unfinished business of the late emperor. I don't know what you think?" Cao Pi said.

The ministers in the palace looked at each other, not knowing how to reply to Cao Pi.

After a while, Liu Ye came out and cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, the late emperor made many southern expeditions, seven out of ten in the world. This is said to be so powerful that it shocked the whole country, but even those facing the Yangtze River and Huaihe River in the south were afraid of him. Although Liu Bei died, Huo Jun and Zhuge Liang are still there. The national strength of the water thieves has not been damaged, so your majesty should not rush into it."

"In my opinion, now that Liu Bei has died of illness, Ma Chao is afraid of China. Your Majesty, it is better to move to the west, lead troops to conquer Ma Chao, take over the old territory of Longyou, and then observe the situation of the water thieves in the middle. If the water thieves cause chaos in the middle, Isn’t it easy for Your Majesty to conquer the south and destroy the bandits?”

Cao Pi glanced at Sun Quan. Although he was curious about why Sun Quan and Liu Ye had the same strategy, in order to strengthen his attitude, he said: "If we don't attack now, don't want to leave the water thieves and future generations? Don't take advantage of the chaos to seize the Jianghuai River and wait for the water thieves." If the people's hearts are stable, it will be difficult to win over Jianghuai!"

After saying that, Cao Pi said in a deep voice: "Please don't say too much, gentlemen. Now we should take the Jianghuai River first, and then go down to Longyou to restore the former emperor's old territory, and then build a navy to cross the river to destroy the bandits."

Seeing that Cao Pi did not accept what he said, Liu Ye retreated into the crowd and stopped speaking.

"Your Majesty, it is the summer season when the water is rising, the rain is dripping, and the roads are muddy. We are sending troops south to conquer the Yangtze and Huaihe Rivers, for fear of being attacked by epidemic diseases."

Xinbi cupped his hands and said: "I think it is better for your Majesty to use troops in autumn and winter. When the Huaihe River drops and freezes to seal the Huaihe River, we will then march south to the Jianghuai River. At that time, the soldiers will not be harmed by moisture and epidemic diseases, and the river water will freeze and dry up, which will facilitate the use of force by our Chinese soldiers and horses." ”

"good!"

Cao Pi paced and thought for a moment, then said: "As Jun Xin said, we will march south in the autumn and July months. Now we order the Chinese army and all the armies in Henan to prepare for war. The governors and county guards in various places should consider military affairs as the most important thing and must not violate the edict."

"promise!"

"Your Majesty, I have a superficial opinion. Is it okay to express it?" Wei Zhen said, cupping his hands.

"allow!"

Wei Zhen thought about it for a while and said: "Now that Liu Bei has passed away, Your Majesty might as well send an envoy south, saying that he wants to make peace with the water thieves, demarcate the border, and make the two families friendly to each other, in order to slack off the water thieves' intentions. In fact, it is to explore the reality of the water thieves in the court, such as The thieves have fallen into the trap. Your Majesty will march south in the autumn, and you may be able to quickly descend to the outer city and reach the Yangtze River unimpeded."

"Send the envoy to be lazy?"

Cao Pi pondered and paced, and asked: "Gong Zhen's words are very reasonable, but who should be sent south now?"

"Your Majesty, Huya General Xianyufu and Huwuwan Colonel Tian Yujiu are friendly with Liu Bei. Today Tianyu is guarding the border. Your Majesty, why not choose Xianyufu to go south, order him to maintain integrity, express the kindness of the three good things, and open the door to divide the north and the south. Second Dynasty." Wei Zhen said.

Cao Pi thought about it again and again, and said: "As Gong Zhen said, General Huya Xianyu was sent to assist Jie to go south to recruit water thieves in order to weaken the enemy. The states and counties in the world must not be affected by this and concentrate on preparing for war. This campaign must take the Jianghuai River. Return."

"promise!"

(End of this chapter)