"What? The General Who Inspires Might intends to rebel?"
In the eastern hall, Xiahou Xian heard this unbelievable news from Cao Rui.
"It has yet to be substantiated," Cao Rui said. "But this is a grave matter and must be handled cautiously. I intend to summon Wu Zhi back to the capital to report on his duties."
Clearly, Cao Rui had not let anger cloud his judgment.
Although he detested Wu Zhi, he understood what took priority.
War was about to break out on the eastern front, while on the western front, General-in-Chief Cao Zhen was stationed at Chencang with a large force to guard against an attack from Shu Han.
If they drove Wu Zhi into a corner now over something as insubstantial as chasing the wind and grasping at shadows, something serious might well happen.
Even though he truly wished the man would die of illness at once.
As soon as Xiahou Xian heard this, he understood the intricacies involved and said, "Your Majesty, I fear this is not as simple as returning to the capital to report on his duties."
"The General Who Inspires Might is advanced in years. When he returns to the capital this time, I intend to appoint him Palace Attendant, to assist me at my side. What do you think?" Cao Rui made no attempt to conceal his intentions and immediately laid them out.
Well... Cao Rui was still quite levelheaded.
This was an overt stratagem, openly telling Wu Zhi that the emperor intended to strip him of his military authority.
There was no fear of Wu Zhi actually harboring rebellious intentions, either. He would have to weigh whether he had the strength to clash with the central army in Luoyang.
Still, history seemed to have brushed over this in a single line, and Xiahou Xian had no way of knowing what had actually happened.
Wu Zhi was clearly not as "docile" as his father, Xiahou Mao. What if he simply refused to take up his post in Luoyang and insisted on splashing them with blood even as he died?
After turning it over in his mind, Xiahou Xian still felt that if the emperor wanted to strip him of his military authority, so be it. It had little to do with him.
He immediately replied, "I believe that would be appropriate."
A gleam suddenly flashed through Cao Rui's eyes. "Since you believe it appropriate, would you make the journey on my behalf?"
Xiahou Xian nodded slightly, hesitating for a moment.
So you're sending me charging into the fray? What if Wu Zhi really does intend to rebel and sacrifices me to his banners?
He immediately cupped his hands. "I lack the ability and fear I am unequal to the task. Your Majesty should choose someone eloquent and persuasive."
"Besides, I have never met the General Who Inspires Might. I am apprehensive and fear I might ruin Your Majesty's important plans."
Yet Cao Rui waved a hand and turned away. "Ah, what a pity. This is a confidential matter, and no one at court knows of it yet. Among my close officials, you are the first to learn of it."
What does that mean?
Xiahou Xian could hardly say, "Then why not tell someone else?"
The emperor was determined to drive a duck onto a perch.
Helpless, Xiahou Xian could only resign himself to his fate.
"In that case, I am willing to travel to Hebei on Your Majesty's behalf."
"Good." Cao Rui gave Xiahou Xian a meaningful look.
Certainly, he greatly admired Xiahou Xian's talents. As a scion of the imperial clan's kin, he would assuredly be granted authority in the future.
But that authority could only be bestowed by him, the emperor.
Now that the Xiahou family had broken off its marriage alliance with the Wu family and would personally reclaim Wu Zhi's authority, Wu Zhi's political resources would most likely no longer flow to the Xiahou family.
The next day, Xiahou Xian set out.
After leaving Luoyang, Xiahou Xian's carriage headed north.
For this mission, Xiahou Xian brought several dozen retainers, with a trusted servant driving his carriage.
The man had dark skin, and the veins stood out clearly on the arms holding the reins. Though his temples were gray, he looked thoroughly capable.
His name was Shi Feng. He had once been one of Xiahou Dun's retainers, and after Xiahou Dun's death, he had become a household servant at the Xiahou residence.
Shi Feng had served the Xiahou family conscientiously for many years and had long regarded it as the place where he belonged.
"Young master, Mengjin Ford is another five or six li ahead. We'll take a boat north across the great river there, then change carriages."
Hearing Shi Feng's voice, Xiahou Xian lifted the carriage curtain and answered, "This is my first long journey, too. Uncle Shi, make whatever arrangements you see fit."
When they reached Mengjin Ford, the party boarded a boat. Gazing at the surging river flowing from the west, Xiahou Xian could not help being filled with emotion.
The Yellow River, the mother river of Huaxia civilization, had witnessed the rise and fall of the entire Huaxia people and the succession of dynasties.
Even after a hundred years or a thousand, the Yellow River would remain the Yellow River, while the world along its banks would long since have changed beyond recognition.
After crossing the Yellow River, the party found a posthouse to rest in that night and continued on their way the next day.
After Cao Pi proclaimed himself emperor, he appointed Wu Zhi General Who Inspires Might, granted him the imperial tally, and placed him in command of military affairs in You and Bing Provinces.
To respond to incursions by the northern nomadic peoples, both the Inspector of You Province and the Military Governor of Hebei had established their offices in the more conveniently situated Ji County.
During the great upheaval at the end of the Han, it had been the seat of Gongsun Zan, a formidable warlord of his age.
Luoyang was nearly sixteen hundred li from Ji County, and half a month had passed by the time Xiahou Xian arrived.
After a brief rest, he went to the residence of the General Who Inspires Might the following day.
Wu Zhi received Xiahou Xian in the reception hall.
Wu Zhi wore a short beard and was dressed as a scholar. Although Cao Rui had described him as advanced in years, he was about the same age as Cao Pi and was not yet fifty.
Tea bowls sat on the low table. Wu Zhi had the servants boil some tea, and that served as his hospitality.
Wu Zhi did not give Xiahou Xian a bad first impression, but the moment he opened his mouth, his true colors showed.
"Summoning me back to the capital?! That brat Yuanzhong wants to strip this old man of his military authority!"
"Mind your words, General. How can you address His Majesty directly by name?"
Knowing he had been somewhat too presumptuous, Wu Zhi thought for a moment and changed his wording. "I understand His Majesty's wishes. However, Kebineng of the Xianbei has repeatedly invaded our northern frontier of late. Changing commanders at such short notice could jeopardize the border."
"Could it be that you are clinging to power and cannot bear to let go, General?" Xiahou Xian ignored his excuse outright and spoke bluntly.
At these words, Wu Zhi suddenly glared.
Impudent brat!
I only showed you a little courtesy because you are the emperor's honored envoy. How dare you provoke me?
But Wu Zhi had not drunk any wine that day, and when his head was clear, he could still exercise some restraint.
He thought that the current emperor, having ascended the throne at a young age, was impatient to reclaim authority.
But how can you reclaim this authority simply because you wish to? I was personally appointed General Who Inspires Might by the late emperor. A little child like you has no business interfering.
For now, I'll fob Xiahou Xian off and send him back, making my position clear. Surely the emperor won't actually send men to attack me?
Wu Zhi spoke again. "What talk of power? It is all merely service to the state. Why don't you return to the capital first, honored envoy, and report to His Majesty? Once the fighting on the northern frontier subsides, I shall lay aside my armor and return to my fields."
Once the fighting on the northern frontier subsides?
How can you even say that?
The northern nomadic tribes, after all, did not launch organized, planned offensives like the states of Wu and Shu.
They would only come like locusts, raiding whenever they had nothing else to do. When would that ever subside?
Seeing Wu Zhi resort to such unreasonable obstruction, Xiahou Xian felt it was time to give him a little intimidation.
He sipped his tea, then set down the bowl and said loudly, "General, you must already be colluding with those Wu rebels to plunge our Great Wei into peril!"
"Insolence!"
Wu Zhi immediately drew the sword at his waist.