Kebineng, Budugen and Liu Yuan immediately bowed and accepted the offer.
It was nothing more than a battle, so why would these people be afraid? They were fighting against the Gongsun clan of Liaodong, not the Wei Dynasty.
If they were to attack by themselves, Kebi Neng would still be a little bit afraid. But when it comes to harassing the enemy and providing flank support, Kebi Neng is of course full of confidence.
There was no need for Cao Rui to elaborate on the details, as Man Chong and Sima Yi would take care of them. After Cao Rui stood up and walked out of the tent slowly, only Man Chong and Sima Yi were left to watch over the three Hu people.
Somehow, it seemed as if the faces of the two men had turned in a different direction, and in an instant they looked completely different from the kind appearance they had when the emperor was present.
Sima Yi had become thinner recently. He glanced at the three people with his eyes raised slightly, showing a bit of sternness and scrutiny: "When His Majesty was here just now, you three spoke well. But I have a few words to remind you, please remember them well."
Ke Bineng and his two companions could not afford to offend the emperor, nor could they afford to offend the West and East Pavilions, so they had no choice but to ask Sima Yi for instructions, and their attitude became more humble.
Sima Yi said coldly: "Among the three of you, one is the Xianbei Chanyu, one is the Xianbei Lord, and one is the Xiongnu Left Commander, but none of them are official positions in the court. I have already asked His Majesty for instructions, and the reward of the title of Marquis will also apply to you."
As he was talking, Sima Yi pointed at Kebi Neng and said, "For example, you, Kebi Neng, are an official position of the Xianbei Shanyu. It is not impossible to add a noble title. It is different from the former Fuyi King."
Can we also be granted the title of marquis?
Like a Han general, he was given a title of marquis? A marquis of the Wei Dynasty?
Liu Bao was the first to bow. Kebineng and Budugen looked at each other and were about to bow, but Sima Yi stopped them with his hand.
"Don't thank me yet, I haven't finished speaking yet." Sima Yi said, "If you fail to fight well, the punishment you deserve will be the same as that of the Wei generals. You may be imprisoned, exiled, or even your entire clan exterminated."
"You have some calculations in your mind."
When the three of them were secretly frightened, Man Chong laughed on the opposite side: "It is a blessing for you to have the prime minister give you advice face to face. Come, I will tell you about the march."
"Kebi Neng, who is heading south, will set out first tomorrow morning, and the rest of the Xianbei and Xiongnu will set out three days later."
"Kebineng, I will send the Changshui Commander Duan Mo to go with you. After you reach Liaokou, take a ship to the east. After you land, follow the instructions of the Shesheng Commander Cao Zhaobo."
"You know what the position of the Archer Captain is, right?"
Ke Bineng cupped his hands and said, "I know him. He is one of the five battalion lieutenants, with an official rank of two thousand stones."
"Well, pack up when you get back. Leave at dawn tomorrow morning. Take only your weapons, no baggage. Do you understand?"
"General, you have explained it clearly. I understand!"
……
The next day, Kebineng set out at full speed in the early morning and arrived at Liaokou before noon.
Pei Hui's fleet had been waiting here for a long time, and the second fleet that arrived was still loading and unloading food and supplies at the dock.
"Greetings, Chanyu." Pei Hui's expression was indifferent, as if he was dealing with official business: "Has Chanyu already told his subordinates about the situation on the ship?"
Ke Bineng dismounted and bowed in return: "Greetings to Censor Pei. I have learned the details at the camp last night. I have selected someone who is good at raising horses to look after the horses, and I will try my best to ensure that they can be transported safely on the sea."
"Okay, then let's get on board in order." Pei Hui said, "Your troop and Captain Duan's troop have a total of 6,000 cavalrymen. The first batch must be off the ship before midnight. Chanyu, please hurry up and divide your troops into 20 teams. I will also go to the ship to take charge first."
"Thank you, Censor Pei." Ke Bineng bowed.
The wind was not strong today, so the ship was delayed for a few more hours. By the time Kebineng led two thousand cavalrymen to disembark and set up tents to live, it was already late at night.
Lying on the felt blanket and looking at the ceiling of the tent, Ke Bineng actually experienced insomnia for the first time in his life.
It was the first time he saw the vastness of the ocean, the first time he transported troops on a ship... Ke Bineng was thinking about the magnificent scenery of the sea and sky he saw on the ship in the afternoon, and he was a little dazed for a moment.
Kebi Neng had been as far east as Fuyu and as far west as Dunhuang. In his lifelong concept, the only thing vaster than the grassland was the endless sky.
When talking with Pei Hui on the boat, he heard that the ocean was even vaster than the grassland. One could take a boat from Liaodong directly to Jiaozhou, the southernmost part of the country. There were even countless islands in the sea south of Jiaozhou.
As he thought about it, he became a little dazed. The vastness of the ocean was completely imprinted in the mind of this Xianbei man who was born on the grassland, and it could never be erased.
It was unknown how much time had passed before Ke Bineng was about to fall asleep.
When it was just a little light in the sky, Kebineng was awakened by the sound of horse hooves coming from the ground. He stood up instinctively like a frightened prairie fox.
A moment later, the guards outside hurried into the tent to report: "Report to the Chanyu, a Wei general named Cao Xiaowei has arrived."
Captain Cao? Captain Cao Shuang?
This person was mentioned in Man Chong's order, so Kebi Neng did not dare to neglect him and hurried out to greet him. After the two exchanged pleasantries for a while, Cao Shuang suddenly interrupted and said, "I think the Chanyu looks very familiar, like an old friend."
Ke Bineng didn't understand, but still smiled and said, "I've heard a Confucian scholar say 'It's a great pleasure to have friends coming from afar', I guess this is what it means."
There was still a slight smile on Cao Shuang's lips, but his mind flashed back to the time three years ago when he was running around outside the city of Mayi to prevent Kebineng's invasion.
I think Kebi Neng, who came from the main camp, must have met Guanqiu Jian many times. I wonder if Guanqiu Jian told Kebi Neng that his former son-in-law Yu Zhugan was killed by Guanqiu Jian?
Cao Shuang refrained from talking about his experience back then, and only slightly cupped his hands and said: "In the future battle, I hope that the Chanyu will cooperate with me properly and not delay the important affairs of the court."
"I hope Captain Cao will take good care of me." Ke Bineng replied, "Imperial Censor Pei has already made arrangements. It will take three days to transport the troops. I will come on the first day, and Captain Duan will come on the third day."
"I know that." Cao Shuang said, "The army will march on the fourth day, so this arrangement will not delay the time."
As he spoke, Cao Shuang's expression gradually became serious: "When the time comes, Chanyu will just follow my instructions. Without orders, you are not allowed to pursue privately, covet the spoils, or surpass my troops to the north."
Ke Bineng said, "Don't worry, Captain Cao. General Man has already told me that I will not make any mistakes."
……
Both the north and south sides were busy preparing for the general offensive on June 7, either repairing roads and preparing supplies, or rushing to transport troops to bypass Liaokou.
Cao Rui himself in the central army camp was much more free, so he went to visit the catapult position on the river bank.
Cao Rui picked up a ten-jin stone bullet, looked at the hemp net on it, and the multiple wooden objects like whistles hanging on the net, and asked Ma Jun, the master craftsman beside him:
"This stone bullet has been tested? Is there any problem?"
Ma Jun introduced enthusiastically: "We have tested it according to your majesty's order. In the past, the stone bullets weighed between 30 and 50 kilograms and could be launched at least 100 feet. Now it has been reduced to about 10 kilograms and can be launched at least 250 feet. From this side of the river, it is enough to be thrown behind the moat on the east bank of the Liao River."
"Where was the test conducted?" Cao Rui asked again.
Ma Jun smiled and said, "I tested it five miles behind the army. Your Majesty, don't worry, the enemy will never see the catapult testing this stone bullet."
"When the catapults are launched at the same time, the stones will make a sharp whistling sound when they fly, which will surely frighten the enemy. Your Majesty has such a clever idea, I can only sigh that I am not as good as you."
Cao Rui raised his lips slightly: "I am a theorist. If we really want to make something, it will be up to Ma Qing to do it."
Ma Jun said: "The weight of the stone bullet has been reduced from 30 jin to 10 jin. Not only has the range been more than doubled, but the speed of projection has also increased. There is no need to worry about the wooden arm of the catapult being damaged."
Cao Rui smiled and explained: "This is a question of energy conservation. Just like a person throwing a stone with his arm, with the same force, the big stone will go slower and closer, while the small stone will go faster and farther."
"We don't need to use stones to smash the city in this battle. We just need to use them to intimidate the enemy. Are the three stone-throwing vehicle positions ready?"
Ma Jun clasped his hands and said, "One outside the main camp, five miles north and six miles south, have already been set up. Each has sixty stone-throwing carts, which should be enough for the army."
Cao Rui nodded: "Yes, prepare enough stone bullets. The floating bridge and the catapult were prepared by Ma Qing. I tell you, if this is done well, it will also be a military achievement!"
Ma Jun bowed and said, "I do not seek military merit, I only wish to repay your majesty for your kindness!"
Cao Rui smiled and said, "Well, I'll see how you perform tomorrow."
……
Near noon on June 6, General Liu Ye, who led 8,000 light cavalry in the north, also led his troops to a place fifteen miles north of Goguryeo City in Xuantu County.
Five days later than scheduled.
On a raised hill in the wilderness, Liu Ye and his entourage rode their horses to stand on the high ground, raised their hands to cover their eyes and looked to the south, and sighed:
"We thought we could reach Goguryeo Castle in thirty days, but it took us fifteen days longer. Failure to meet deadline is a serious crime. I wonder how the battle went, Your Majesty?"
Liu Ye led 8,000 light cavalry to the north. Among his 3,000 central cavalry, except for the infantry lieutenant Duan Zhao, who was considered an old general, Cao Zhao, who was considered a young general, and Zhen Xiang, who was a relative who was inserted in Yecheng. The 5,000 Wuhuan light cavalry was led by Ti Du, who had made great contributions in the attack on Ke Bineng in the past.
The four people were standing beside Liu Ye, looking towards the direction of Goguryeo City in the distant wilderness, with worry on their faces.
Duan Zhao said: "The army has already arrived at the gates of Goguryeo. It is useless to talk about whether we will miss the deadline or not. Moreover, the roads along the way are damaged, the terrain is complex, and the baggage is difficult to transport. If the court holds you accountable, I am willing to explain on your behalf that it is not your fault."
Cao Zhao responded, "I am willing to protect you as well."
Zhen Xiang on the side said, "Me too."
Cao Zhao is the son of the late Grand Marshal Cao Xiu, and Zhen Xiang is the emperor's cousin. These two people have extraordinary face. But Liu Ye did not relax because of their words. His brows were still furrowed, pointing to the city in the south:
"Whether I am guilty or not, I will test the Goguryeo city and try to take it."
"Everyone," Liu Ye turned around and looked at everyone: "The light cavalry is as swift as the wind. I intend to immediately surround the city with cavalry in order to trick the city into opening or capture it!" (End of this chapter)
