Chapter 461: Xianbei Chanyu
On August 11, Cao Rui led his army to Jieshi.
As soon as they arrived at Jieshi, someone discovered the masterpiece left by Sima Yi there, and it was presented by the attendant Pei Qian.
Cao Rui sat in the tent and carefully read Sima Yi's handwriting. Pei Qian asked, "This letter from Sikong seems to be an invitation to Your Majesty."
"There is a scene in front of me that I cannot describe. Emperor Wu wrote a poem on it." Cao Rui put Sima Yi's work aside and said with a smile, "I will not write anymore. This place is Jieshi. Can anyone write a better sentence than Emperor Wu's 'The movement of the sun and the moon seems to come from it. The stars and the Milky Way seem to come from it'?"
Seeing that the emperor had even mentioned Emperor Wu Cao Cao, Pei Qian had no choice but to bow and say, "Your Majesty is wise. Would the army like to rest for a day in Jieshi?"
Cao Rui nodded and said, "After ten days of marching, the soldiers are all exhausted. Let's continue the march tomorrow. After we set out tomorrow, we will have to wait until we reach Youbeiping to rest."
Pei Qian immediately responded: "As ordered, I will go and tell General Man."
"Go." Cao Rui waved his hand.
Actually, Cao Rui had not said one more thing just now. Regarding the poems about Jieshi, are Cao Cao's poems the best? Of course not.
The best work should be "Thousands of years have passed since the past, when Emperor Wu of Wei waved his whip, he left a poem on the east side of Jieshi. The bleak autumn wind is blowing again, and the world has changed."
This song, Lang Tao Sha, is much higher than "The Stars Are Splendid, as if They Came Out of It" in terms of momentum, literary talent, and the height of the times behind it. For ordinary people to see this work is like an ant seeing the blue sky!
Cao Rui certainly knew about this masterpiece, but he couldn't even think of reciting it in this era, let alone plagiarizing it. It was because he was not qualified.
The road is long, so keep encouraging yourself!
When an army is on the march, it is always difficult when it is on the march, but easy when it is on the return journey.
When they were marching, the situation ahead was unknown, and they had to hurry to build camps. But when they returned, the camps were ready, and many supplies were transported back to Quanzhou from Liaokou by sea, so the return journey became easier.
But no matter how relaxed you are, you still have to rest after walking more than 600 miles.
After lunch, Cao Rui was lying in the tent to rest, while Xiahou Xuan, the Palace Attendant who was standing outside the tent, received an unexpected request.
Xiahou Xuan looked at a soldier under the former general Man Chong and said, "What? Xianbei Chanyu Kebineng wants to see Your Majesty?"
The military officer nodded, "That's right. General Man can't make the decision on the matter of seeing His Majesty, so he ordered me to come and ask for permission."
Xiahou Xuan turned around and glanced towards the big tent: "General, please stay here with me. His Majesty is resting. Don't make any noise to disturb him."
The military officer lowered his voice and responded, "Just as the Minister said!"
The two waited for more than half an hour before Cao Rui woke up in the tent and called for help. Xiahou Xuan then went in to ask for permission.
"Kebineng?" Cao Rui chuckled. "I thought he would come to me in Xiangping. He is really patient and has endured all the way to Jieshi."
"Taichu, let me guess, what could Kebi want from me?"
Xiahou Xuan thought for a moment, then answered with a folded hand: "Ke Bineng obviously did not come to greet Your Majesty..."
“Hahahaha.” Cao Rui laughed, “If he takes the initiative to greet me, the sun will rise from the west.”
Xiahou Xuan also laughed and said, "Xianbei Chanyu, I think he must be asking about Xianbei affairs. Previously, the court had newly established Yingzhou and also brought Goguryeo, Buyeo, and Baekje under the jurisdiction of Yingzhou. Yingzhou, located in the northeast of Wei, was still like this, and the Qiang people in the northwest had all been dispersed into counties. What about the Xianbei, Wuhuan, and Xiongnu in Youyi and the north? There was no explanation before."
Cao Rui nodded: "What Taichu said is very true. Moreover, I have drawn 4,000 soldiers from the Xianbei, 2,000 from Kebi Neng, and 2,000 from Budugen. Neither the Wuhuan nor the Xiongnu have drawn any soldiers. From Kebi Neng's perspective, it does seem like I am favoring one over the other."
"Well, I will meet this Kebi Neng. Then call Budugen, Suli, and Xieguini from the Xianbei, as well as Tidu from the Wuhuan and Liu Bao from the Xiongnu! The Xige, the Shizhong, and the Shumi should also come together!"
"As you wish." Xiahou Xuan received the order and walked out quickly. His Majesty had called many people, so it would take a while just to notify them.
Two quarters of an hour later, led by Man Chong, everyone entered the central military tent and saluted the emperor.
Cao Rui nodded and looked directly at Kebi Neng: "Chanyu! What do you want me to see you for?"
Kebi Neng wanted to have a private conversation with the emperor, whether it was to show his pity, loyalty or to speak from the heart, he was willing to do so. But in front of so many people, including the Wuhuan and Xiongnu people, Kebi Neng was very embarrassed.
Should I say it or not?
Once the army reaches Youbeiping, there is no need to go west anymore, they can directly follow the canal route to Yecheng. How could the court allow me to lead the army across Jizhou and Bingzhou and return to Yunzhong alone? If I don't say it now, there will be no chance!
Ke Bineng struggled with his conscience for a while, then he clasped his hands and said, "I have something to tell Your Majesty."
Cao Rui's expression remained unchanged: "Tell me!"
Kebi Neng opened his mouth slightly, wanting to speak but stopping himself. After a few moments, he managed to say: "I have been promoted by your majesty and was appointed as the Chanyu of Xianbei. I am deeply moved. When I was conquering Liaodong, I heard that Goguryeo, Buyeo, Baekje and other countries were all under the jurisdiction of Yingzhou." Kebi Neng stood in the tent and spoke slowly, his tone sounding a little nervous and a little embarrassed. Cao Rui looked at this man quietly, and it was just as he expected.
Ke Bineng continued, "I wonder if the Xianbei tribes can become a legitimate country under the rule of Wei, just like Goguryeo, Buyeo, and Baekje? Or be subordinate to Bingzhou or Youzhou?"
Cao Rui guessed what Kebineng was thinking, but the rest of the people in the tent were all shocked by Kebineng's words.
Man Chong narrowed his eyes slightly and stared at Kebineng's hair and the back of his neck, as if he was thinking about how to chop off his head more cleanly. Liu Ye's mouth showed a hint of sarcasm, and several of the attendants also looked uneasy.
The reactions of the Xianbei, Wuhuan and Xiongnu, who are also Hu people, are even more interesting.
Budugen of the Xianbei showed an expression of interest, Tidu of the Wuhuan had a mocking look on his face, and Liu Bao of the Xiongnu even seemed to start laughing!
Cao Rui asked in a gentle voice: "Shan Yu, do you think the imperial court should also set up a border for the Xianbei and make them a county-state, just like they did with Goguryeo?"
Ke Bi could see that the emperor did not seem angry, so he continued to bow and said, "I have this request."
Cao Rui asked again: "Which part does the Chanyu want me to assign as your border?"
Ke Bineng thought for a moment and said, "I think it would be better to take Yanmen County to the west of Hutuo River..."
"How brave!"
Man Chong's voice like muffled thunder exploded in the tent, not only interrupting Ke Bineng's speech, but also scaring everyone indiscriminately.
Ke Bineng had never expected that Man Chong would attack him directly from behind in front of the emperor. When he turned to look at Man Chong, there was a hint of barely perceptible fear in his eyes.
Man Chong snorted coldly: "The area west of Yanmen County is the former Dingxiang County, and the area west of Taiyuan County is the former Shang County. And above the Hetao area west of the former Dingxiang County are the areas of Yunzhong, Wuyuan, and Shuofang!"
Ke Bineng quickly explained: "Didn't the Wei Dynasty want these places?"
The killing intent in Man Chong's eyes became even stronger, and his left fist was already clenched. Although Man Chong was eight feet tall and strong, he was already over sixty years old, but if he swung a punch, Kebineng, a thin Xianbei man, would not be able to withstand it.
After all, they were discussing matters in front of the emperor, so Man Chong forced himself to hold back and pointed at Kebineng's nose, "Since the Chanyu has already surrendered to the Wei Dynasty, stop saying these arrogant words. The six counties of Shuofang, Wuyuan, Yunzhong, Dingxiang, Shangjun, and Beidi, from Wuwei to Daijun, these old places during the Han Dynasty are all the territory of the Wei Dynasty, and they will be taken back sooner or later. How can we allow you to establish a country?"
Ke Bineng was naturally upset by Man Chong's scolding. But adhering to the simple truth that one has to bow his head under someone's roof, Ke Bineng knew the situation and knelt down to apologize.
Man Chong played the role of a good guy, and Cao Rui was happy to be a good guy.
"Stand up." Cao Rui said with a smile, "No one has ever been punished for speaking in front of me. Chanyu, don't be alarmed. Stand up."
"Yes, yes." Ke Bineng nodded repeatedly and stood up again.
Cao Rui said: "Since the Chanyu has spoken to me openly, I will also make it clear to the Chanyu. There should be no secrets between the ruler and the subject, and the same applies to me and the Chanyu."
Ke Bineng lowered his head slightly and looked at the ground, not daring to say much.
Cao Rui said: "The so-called Xianbei, Wuhuan, and Xiongnu tribes have lived in border areas for a long time, and their customs are very different from those in the Central Plains. Tell me the truth, I asked you to lead the army to Luoyang to serve as my escort. Are you unwilling in your heart? But I want to tell you that if you still want to restore the old system like Tan Shihuai and oppose the Great Wei and me, I am afraid it is wishful thinking."
Ke Bineng was stunned for a moment, then he cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, who in the world doesn't know that the Central Plains is good? And Luoyang is the capital of Wei and the best place in the Central Plains. How can I not be willing? How dare I go against Your Majesty?"
"It's just that I have led the tribe for many years, and was granted the seal by your majesty as the Chanyu of the Xianbei, so I have given more consideration to the future of the tribe. I have no intention of being disrespectful or disloyal to your majesty or the Great Wei!"
Cao Rui smiled and said, "It is right for Chanyu to consider the tribe, but I am the Son of Heaven and I need to consider all the people in this world, and Xianbei is a part of them."
"Let the Chanyu lead the troops to guard me. This kind of work of serving the king must be done." Cao Rui pointed at Kebi Neng and said, "This year I have appointed you, Kebi Neng and Budugen. In a few days, the Wuhuan and Xiongnu will also come to guard me. No one can escape. Anyone who is unwilling to follow me is unwilling to be loyal to me!"
Kebineng, Budugen, Suli, Xieguini, Tidu, Liu Bao and others all bowed their heads and said they dared not.
Cao Rui said: "Just now, the Chanyu said that Henan is a good place, but in recent years, the climate on the grassland has become colder and the number of white disasters has increased. I am also aware of this. As the Son of Heaven, I should also find a good way out for all of you."
"Do you know that I have set up a new settlement in Yanmen?"
(End of this chapter)
