Chapter 9: The One Who Replaces Han Is Tall
Eastern Wu, Jianye, Wu King's Residence.
The temperature in Jiangdong was three degrees hotter than in Luoyang. Even on such a hot summer afternoon, King of Wu Sun Quan was still practicing swordsmanship in the central courtyard.
Even though Sun Quan's talent in swordsmanship was ordinary, after decades of practice, his swordsmanship still surpassed most people, and this was one of Sun Quan's philosophies for dealing with the world.
Zhuge Jin walked quickly from outside the central courtyard directly to Sun Quan. The guards of the Wu King's Residence did not stop this favored Minister, who was the Eastern Wu Left General and a close friend of the King of Wu.
Sun Quan noticed Zhuge Jin's arrival, but he did not stop immediately. Instead, he waited until the last two sword moves were finished before slowly standing still. He placed his sword on the sword rack and turned to look at Zhuge Jin, who was standing to the side.
Zhuge Jin also knew his lord's temperament and patiently stood aside, waiting for Sun Quan to speak.
A maidservant handed him a silk towel, and Sun Quan wiped the fine sweat from his face, casually asking, "Ziyu is here? Why are your steps so hurried?"
Zhuge Jin handed over the document in his hand: "Your Majesty, the secret agent reported that Wei Emperor Cao Pi has died, and his eldest son, Cao Rui, has succeeded him. Cao Xiu, Cao Zhen, Chen Qun, and Sima Yi are assisting him in governance."
Sun Quan did not speak, nor did he hesitate. He snatched the document from Zhuge Jin's hand, opened it directly, and began to read.
A moment later, Sun Quan asked, "Is this true or false?"
Zhuge Jin took a deep breath: "How can the ruler of a nation fake his death? If Wei truly used this as bait, then Cao Pi is as good as dead."
Sun Quan nodded and continued to ask, "When did our Wu spies learn of this?"
Zhuge Jin replied, "After Cao Rui's ascension, the envoy reached Xiajiang in three days, and the news reached Jianye three days later."
Sun Quan nodded: "Ziyu, Wei has just suffered a loss. What do you think of this matter?"
Zhuge Jin was silent for a moment: "Your Majesty, I truly did not expect Cao Pi to die so soon."
Sun Quan also sighed. Wei and Wu had been enemies for many years, and Sun Quan had even been enfeoffed as the Great Wei King of Wu by Cao Pi, which was an indelible humiliation for Sun Quan. But at this moment, Sun Quan felt a sense of sadness, like a rabbit mourning the death of a fox.
"If I remember correctly, Cao Pi is five years younger than I am."
"Why did he die so early? Was it from illness or was he murdered?"
Zhuge Jin replied: "The Wei Emperor ascended the throne six years ago and was in his prime. His original faction from the succession struggle all held high positions, and the imperial clan and external Ministers each had their roles. We have never heard of any major discord within the Wei court."
"I suspect Cao Pi probably died of illness."
Sun Quan nodded: "I think so too. Quickly summon all Ministers to the Wu King's Residence for a discussion."
Zhuge Jin bowed and accepted the order, then turned and walked out of the courtyard to arrange for guards to deliver the message.
Only Sun Quan remained in the courtyard. After pacing for a moment, he picked up the treasured sword he had just put down and repeatedly caressed its hilt.
...
Wu King's Residence, Council Hall.
Zhuge Jin stood at the forefront of the steps, announcing the death of Wei Emperor Cao Pi to the Ministers of Jiangdong.
After a moment of silence, the Ministers' discussions immediately grew noisy, with various remarks coming forth.
"Cao Pi died well! The Wei Emperor dying so early is a blessing from heaven for our Jiangdong!"
"Cao Rui, who succeeded in Wei, is merely a child. Your Majesty, I am willing to be the vanguard for the Northern Expeditions, and the Wei child will surely be terrified!"
"This is a great joyous occasion for our Jiangdong!"
There were various discussions below, and the calls for battle from the military generals rose and fell, as if Cao Pi's death meant half of Cao Wei had died, as if each of them could easily defeat Zhang Liao.
"Silence!" Chancellor Gu Yong of Eastern Wu turned and coldly swept his gaze across the Ministers, who all lowered their heads, not daring to speak further. As the second Chancellor of Eastern Wu, Gu Yong's duty was to rectify court discipline.
"Your Majesty, I have something to say." Gu Yong turned to face Sun Quan and bowed.
"Chancellor, please speak." Sun Quan responded expressionlessly.
Gu Yong slowly said: "Regarding the Wei Emperor's demise, I believe it is beneficial and not harmful to our Wu."
"War is a great matter of the state and should not be undertaken lightly. Although Cao Pi is dead, Cao Wei's front lines will not lose a few cities or a few thousand soldiers because of this."
"I believe we should order our generals to strengthen their defenses. Our Jiangdong should firmly hold the defensive line and wait for the opportune moment."
Zhuge Jin also bowed and said: "Your Majesty, with Wei in mourning, it will likely be difficult for them to send troops for several years. This is the time for our Wu to recuperate and build strength."
Below, some military generals began to clamor: "Recuperate until when! We even defeated Cao Cao at the Battle of Red Cliffs. What is there to fear from Cao Cao's grandson now!"
Sun Quan glanced at Zhuge Jin, then at Gu Yong. The two trusted Ministers instantly understood their lord's intention.
Then Sun Quan stood up, placed his hand on the hilt of the sword at his waist, and said to the Ministers:
"Well said! With Wei in mourning, this is precisely the time for our Wu to act!"
"I have decided to raise an army to attack Wei in the near future. The specific time and place of the deployment will be decided after I consult with Governor of Jing Province."
The military generals were all invigorated, while Chancellor Gu Yong's expression slightly darkened. Zhuge Jin, on the other hand, remained as expressionless as before.
After the court session, the civil and military officials dispersed. Gu Yong and Zhuge Jin remained in the Wu King's Residence to have a private audience with Sun Quan.
Gu Yong said: "Your Majesty, when I just spoke of recuperating and building strength, I was considering the national strength of our Jiangdong. However, Your Majesty's strategy of using force is also, I believe, correct."
Gu Yong was not a two-faced person; his virtue and integrity were known to all in Eastern Wu.
Sun Quan smiled: "Yuan Tan already understands my meaning?"
Gu Yong nodded.
Zhuge Jin interjected: "Brother Yuan Tan must be thinking of testing Cao Wei, right?"
Gu Yong said: "Precisely. Cao Pi has just died, and four regents are assisting a mature Emperor. How long can this last?"
"Cao Xiu and Cao Zhen have long been external generals. Now entrusted with such a heavy responsibility, it's inevitable they will contend for power and profit with Chen Qun and Sima Yi."
"If we send troops to test them at this time, I imagine the Wei court will likely experience some changes."
Sun Quan nodded: "Yuan Tan's words are very much in line with my intentions. If we send troops, where should be the first choice?"
Zhuge Jin and Gu Yong exchanged glances and, in unison, uttered two words: "Xiajiang."
Sun Quan stroked his beard and laughed heartily.
Eastern Wu had many generals. When it came to decisive battles on the field, Sun Quan, Gu Yong, and Zhuge Jin were not directly involved.
But when it came to matters of the court, Sun Quan, having held power since he was sixteen, naturally had no lack of experience. Gu Yong and Zhuge Jin were also masters at discerning people's intentions.
One must know that great generals of a nation are commonly referred to as 'regional commanders'. Cao Zhen was often in Yong and Liang, and Cao Xiu was often in Xu and Yang. Now that Cao Zhen and Cao Xiu are both regents, if there is a need for military action in Jing and Xiang, it would be very interesting to see whom the young Emperor Cao Rui would send to lead the campaign.
Zhuge Jin continued: "If this expedition yields results, then so be it. If there are no results, perhaps it can still lure Wei into attacking us."
"Our Wu is best at defensive counterattacks. If we can find an opportunity to annihilate another twenty or thirty thousand of Cao Wei's troops, Your Majesty can then use this great victory to ascend even higher."
Gu Yong said: "Ascending higher means reaching a high place."
Sun Quan stood with his hands behind his back, looking at his two Ministers: "Yes, 'the one who replaces Han is tall,' perhaps that is the meaning!"