When the topic of water conditions came up, Liu Ye on the other side interrupted and asked, "Excuse me, Sikong, what are the water conditions in various parts of the Yellow River?"
Cao Rui and other ministers also turned their eyes to Sima Yi.
Sima Yi had read all the official documents and was familiar with the water situation, so he said directly to Liu Ye:
"The water situation of the Yellow River is directly related to the rainfall in various places in August. Since most of the heavy rains occurred in the counties on the south bank of the Yellow River, the north of the Yellow River was not greatly affected. The Yellow River rose from Luoyang down and only became calmer after passing Dongjun. The Yishui and Luoshui rivers south of Luoyang have already overflowed, and the Bianshui, Yingshui, Woshui and other rivers in Yuzhou are even more flooded."
Liu Ye asked, "What about Jingzhou?"
"I haven't finished yet, Ziyang, don't worry." Sima Yi showed a hint of helplessness on his face: "The counties of Jingzhou are located due west of Yingchuan and Runan counties. The rain is only a few days later, but it is just as severe."
"I mentioned in the previous report to Your Majesty that the navy dock west of Fancheng was submerged, but the navy ships are safe for the time being. The Han River has already overflowed to the north and south banks. According to the latest news, the ground in Xiangyang and Fancheng has overflowed to a depth of one foot."
Cao Rui sighed at this time: "It is God's will to turn Xiangfan into a swamp."
Cao Rui had some expectations about this abnormal climate, but when it actually came, he still found it a bit tricky.
The officials in the court had all started their careers during the Jian'an period, and had experience in Luozhong and the prefectures and counties. Therefore, when Cao Rui asked about the specific climate of each year, he could piece together a general overview from everyone's answers.
Climate change in recent decades can be summarized into two main characteristics.
The first characteristic is that the temperature is gradually getting colder, and it is getting colder year by year.
The most typical case is that in the sixth year of Huangchu, the late Emperor Cao Pi led the navy to attack Wu via Yangzhou and Guangling. When the navy passed Guangling and headed south, the waterway was frozen and they could not enter the river.
You know, Guangling is located between the Huai River and the Yangtze River. From the perspective of the entire country's territory, it is clearly in the south. This place, where there is no heating in later generations, has frozen waterways.
The cold weather is evident from this. The Xianbei and Wuhuan tribes in the north are not as prosperous as before, which is related to the cold winter climate.
The second characteristic is abnormal weather.
There were more and more heavy rains, and droughts also increased. The 24th year of Jian'an, the 4th year of Huangchu... It is impossible to list them all.
Cao Rui knew in his heart that this might be some abnormal climate phenomenon during the period later called the "Little Ice Age".
If it were still the Han Dynasty, every disaster would inevitably lead to the dismissal of one or two of the three ministers. Fortunately, the Wei Dynasty had only been established for ten years, and the court was full of people who supported the Wei Dynasty. No one said anything weird like "the emperor has lost his virtue" or "the heaven and man are in harmony". It was just that the people had a hard time.
Sima Yi said: "Although the water situation in Sili, Yuzhou and Jingzhou is very urgent, Jingzhou is the front line against Wu after all. I have ordered the Minister of Works Fu Gongti to go directly to Fancheng and take charge of the water situation in Xiangfan."
"I have also sent water officers from Sili and Yuzhou to Xuchang to assist Yuzhou Governor Huang Gongheng in providing disaster relief."
Cao Rui nodded: "Sikong did a good job. But Fu Xun's body, can he bear it at his age?"
Sima Yi replied sternly: "As a minister of state and the Minister of Works, how can Fu Gongti cherish his life at this time? Forgive me for being frank, but if Fu Gongti really has any misfortune, I, as the Right Minister of the Ministry of Works, will personally request the court to posthumously confer a title on him."
"You are too kind." Cao Rui waved his hand and said, "Fu Xun is a good man and a capable minister."
"Sikong, I returned in a hurry this time, and I was worried that Wu would take the opportunity to invade. In addition, I received news that Wen Pin was seriously ill on the way. What do you think of this matter, Sikong?"
Sima Yi said: "General Wen Zhongye is an important general of the country. He has been in Jiangxia for decades and has great power and grace. The court should appoint an important general to guard Jiangxia, otherwise it will not be able to pacify its people."
"We should send an important general, but I don't know who to send." Cao Rui glanced at the ministers in the hall and asked, "Do you have anyone to recommend?"
At present, most of the important generals of the imperial court are stationed in Huainan and Guanxi.
The best generals were all in Guanxi, such as General Cao Zhen stationed in Chencang, General Zhang He stationed in Wudu County, General Lu Xun in Dazhong, and General Guo Huai in Hanzhong.
All the generals in the central army cannot be moved, or in other words, they are not suitable to be border generals.
Qian Zhao was too old, and Guanqiu Jian was too young. Wen Qin and Cheng Xi were not very smart and strategic. They could be very useful in fighting under the command of Cao Rui and the Central Military Commission, but it was not clear if they could lead the troops alone. Wang Ling was the only one who had some talent, and Cao Rui was training him, so he was unwilling to let him go.
As for the generals in Huainan, Cao Rui subconsciously thought that they should be more adaptable to local conditions. Chen Qun was a general who was in charge of overall dispatch, and Jia Kui was a special general in Wancheng and Wankou. Cao Tai, Zhang Hu, Le Chen and others were all fighting generals, and their qualifications were not enough. In this way, Zhu Gai, the right general stationed in Yuzhou, might be suitable. But Yuzhou was an important position that took care of both the east and the west, and Cao Rui was unwilling to move him.
While Sima Yi was still thinking silently, Liu Ye asked first: "Your Majesty, I think there is one person who may be able to do it."
"Who?" Cao Rui looked at Liu Ye.
"Zang Ba, the Prefect of the Guards." Liu Ye said, "Zang Ba has been living in Luoyang for the past few years, and his life is quite leisurely. Among the senior generals in the court, only Zang Ba has no trouble at all. Moreover, Zang Ba has more experience in fighting against Wu than other generals."
Cao Rui was somewhat speechless: "Liu Qing, Zang Ba is already in his seventies, how can he still lead the army?"
Liu Ye shook his head, somewhat embarrassed: "Your Majesty, please allow me to think about it again."
Cao Rui then looked at the rest of the people and asked: "Do you have anyone to recommend?"
After these words were spoken, everyone remained silent.
After a while, the attendant Xu Shu bowed and said, "Your Majesty, if there is no other suitable candidate, I am willing to go to Jiangxia to help your Majesty!"
As soon as Xu Shu said this, everyone else looked at him.
Cao Rui stroked his chin and thought for a few moments: "It's not impossible for Xu Qing to go to Jiangxia. But Xu Qing, I have a question."
Xu Shu bowed and said, "Your Majesty, please ask."
Cao Rui said, "As early as the Jian'an period, Wen Pin was stationed in Jiangxia when he was a subordinate of Liu Biao. Emperor Wu did not move Wen Pin's position because he wanted a special person for a special purpose. For decades, the court has kept Wen Pin in Jiangxia. How do you want to deploy his troops and generals, Xu Qing?"
Xu Shu almost didn't hesitate and responded directly: "Your Majesty, the country selects Wen Pin based on the people. If Wen Pin is still there in Jiangxia, he will of course be the leader."
"If Wen Pin is not here, I think we should first confer an imperial title on Wen Pin's son and have him lead Wen Pin's former troops. First calm him down, and then I will explain the consequences to him, so that he can calm down temporarily. When the water recedes and the border is peaceful, we can slowly make plans."
Cao Rui nodded: "Wen Pin has been in Jiangxia for many years. If we look at the root of it, he has almost become someone who only follows orders but not instructions. Xu Qing's idea of taking it slow is right. We should take the long view."
"Do the other ministers have any other candidates to recommend?"
Sima Yi had a flash of thought in his mind to recommend Wu Zhou, the Minister of War, but then he thought that Jiangxia was close to Wuchang, Wu State, and it was not a good place to go. So he swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue and responded with a bow:
"Minister Xu is familiar with military affairs and has made many achievements. He is qualified to defend Jiangxia for the country. I agree."
Sima Yi expressed his opinion first, and the other ministers also expressed their agreement. Pei Qian felt a little eager to try, but when he thought that he was not as good at military affairs as Xu Shu, and that he might not be able to control the situation in Jiangxia, he felt a little regretful.
Cao Rui nodded: "Mr. Xu is loyal to the country, and I am very pleased."
"Minister Xu Shu!"
Xu Shu knew that His Majesty was about to announce an order, so he stood up and walked into the hall, bowed down and said, "I am here!"
"Mr. Xu, I appoint you as General Ningyuan and send you to Jiangxia to take charge of military affairs. Mr. Xu, you are recommending yourself. I am also interested in you. Please don't let me down!"
Xu Shu replied: "I am trusted by your majesty and will definitely make contributions to the country!"
"Stand up," Cao Rui nodded, "Taichu, go ask Secretary Liu to draft the decree. Once the decree is drafted, Xu Qing can leave now."
Xu Shu stood up, his face serious: "I obey your order."
Throughout history, people who have been entrusted with tasks in times of crisis are the most touching.
Cao Rui looked at Xu Shu's face and couldn't help but sigh: "Mr. Xu is an important official of the country. The reason why I promoted you to General Ningyuan instead of a temporary general is to let you temporarily go to Jiangxia for me to deal with emergencies."
"When the situation stabilizes, Xu Qing's future is still in the court. Do you understand?"
Xu Shu clasped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I am deeply moved by your sacred will. If a small boy from Wu dares to attack me, I will surely defeat him for Your Majesty!" (End of this chapter)
