After the court assembly, the ministers filed out of the great hall.
Every one of them wore a grave expression. Some recognized Xiahou Xian standing to one side, but had no heart to approach him for a chat.
Once all the ministers had dispersed, a palace attendant approached Xiahou Xian with short, quick steps, his hands crossed at his waist.
"Master Xiahou, His Majesty summons you."
Xiahou Xian raised his hands in salute and gestured for him to lead the way. "Sorry for the trouble."
When he entered the hall, Cao Rui had his back to him. Xiahou Xian first saluted the Son of Heaven. "Your servant Xiahou Xian pays his respects to Your Majesty."
Only upon hearing him did Cao Rui slowly turn around.
"A few months ago, you said the State of Shu would invade our borders at the beginning of spring this year. It seems you truly had foresight."
Seeing Cao Rui come straight to the point, Xiahou Xian dispensed with pleasantries as well. "Your Majesty, your servant was merely speculating at the time. I had no wish to see such a thing actually happen."
Cao Rui studied Xiahou Xian below the jade steps, deep in thought.
Liu Ye had once said the same thing to him.
And who was Liu Ye? He was a veteran statesman who had served three reigns of Great Wei, a pillar of the court whose predictions were uncannily accurate and who excelled at devising strategies.
For this young man to possess the same breadth of vision as Liu Ziyang was rare indeed.
Cao Rui said, "I promised to let you serve the state in a local post. Now the opportunity has come. Are you willing to help our Great Wei recover its lost territory?"
Without hesitation, Xiahou Xian answered in a ringing voice, "Your servant is willing to serve the state. I would walk through boiling water and raging fire without flinching."
"Excellent!" Cao Rui declared at once. "I appoint you military adviser. Tomorrow, you will accompany me to Chang'an."
Xiahou Xian was briefly taken aback. Although a military adviser participated in military affairs without wielding much actual authority, the position was often held by a lord's trusted confidant.
Examples included Guo Fengxiao during the reign of the Grand Progenitor, and Ma Youchang, currently a military adviser in the State of Shu's chancellor's office.
Thus, he was quite satisfied. "Your subject obeys."
After he bowed in thanks, the two resumed their conversation. Cao Rui clearly had no intention of letting Xiahou Xian leave yet.
He paced back and forth a few times, then said to Xiahou Xian, "You must already know the current situation, so I need say no more. What do you think our army should do next?"
Xiahou Xian replied, "Your Majesty and the General-in-Chief surely have detailed arrangements. Your subject lacks experience, and I fear any rash discussion of military affairs would amount to waging war on paper."
"Oh?" Cao Rui was somewhat surprised. "When did you become so modest?"
"Military affairs concern the very survival of the state. Your subject truly dares not speak lightly."
In truth, Xiahou Xian already had a preliminary plan in mind, but he could not voice it yet. If he spoke first about certain military secrets, the emperor would not think his foresight uncanny, but would instead suspect him of harboring sinister intentions.
So he waited for Cao Rui to offer him a slope down which he could lead his donkey.
Sure enough, Cao Rui spoke. "Very well. Since I have chosen to employ you, naturally I must let you truly take part. I have dispatched Zhang He from Jing Province with fifty thousand infantry and cavalry to Guanzhong. At present, General-in-Chief Cao Zhen is stationed in Mei County, facing Zhao Yun's army."
Stroking his chin, Xiahou Xian said, "At present, Zhuge Liang's main army should be facing Inspector Guo beneath the walls of Shanggui. Since Your Majesty has sent General Zhang there, you presumably intend for him to take Guanlong Road into Longyou."
"Precisely." Cao Rui nodded.
Xiahou Xian continued, "The State of Shu's objective this time is already clear: to cut off Longyou. If our Wei State's forces remain blocked beyond Long Mountain, the three commanderies of Longyou will soon submit entirely to Shu Han."
"Then what do you propose?" Cao Rui asked.
"Jieting," Xiahou Xian said. "This location is of paramount importance. Since Your Majesty wishes to race Zhuge Liang against time, why send Zhang He's army? You should have General-in-Chief Cao Zhen lead his troops there."
"The General-in-Chief's forces are already in Guanzhong. They can certainly reach Jieting before Shu Han does. As long as we seize the pass first, our great army can march into Longyou in full force, and the danger there will be resolved."
"Hmm..." For a moment, Cao Rui was rather bewildered. Cao Zhen's main army was currently facing Zhao Yun's forces at Ji Valley. Having Cao Zhen rashly march away with his army hardly seemed appropriate.
"Is Your Majesty worried that the Shu forces in Ji Valley will really attack Chang'an?" Xiahou Xian had clearly seen what was on Cao Rui's mind. "Your Majesty need not worry. Even if Zhao Yun's army does fight its way out of Ji Valley, our forces can hold Chang'an to the death. The Shu army would be an isolated force and could not possibly hold out for long!"
Cao Rui thought this sounded somewhat reasonable, but it meant he might face an enemy army at the city gates on his very first campaign in person. Wasn't this lad's strategy a little too reckless?
Xiahou Xian dared to say this because, in his memories, Shu Han's first northern expedition had ended in defeat.
And Jieting was the key to victory or defeat.
Even if he did nothing, Ma Su would most likely lose Jieting anyway.
But he did not want to gamble. He wanted this victory to be more certain.
Seeing Cao Rui still wavering, Xiahou Xian administered a potent dose. "Forgive your subject for speaking frankly, but does Your Majesty truly wish to recover the three commanderies?"
At these words, anger first flared in Cao Rui's heart, but soon subsided.
Indeed, even after learning that Zhao Yun's army was a decoy force, he had still kept Cao Zhen's main force facing it, precisely to ensure that Guanzhong remained secure.
In fact, though his words had been resolute, inwardly he had prepared himself to lose all three commanderies. Chang'an, however, was his final line and must never be lost.
Yet Xiahou Xian's words stirred waves in Cao Rui's heart once more, and he finally made up his mind.
"Attend me!" Cao Rui called. "Convey my decree: General-in-Chief Cao Zhen is to lead his army to Jieting at once."
Several hours later, at Princess Qinghe's residence.
"What? His Majesty wants you to accompany the army on campaign?" Qinghe stared in astonishment at Xiahou Xian, who was packing his belongings.
"That's right," Xiahou Xian replied without looking up, continuing to pack.
"Absolutely not!" Qinghe turned to leave. "I'll go speak to His Majesty."
Xiahou Xian stopped her. "Mother, His Majesty's words are gold and jade. How could he issue an order in the morning and change it by evening? Besides, this is a fine opportunity for your son to earn merit and establish himself."
"That may be so, but you've only just entered service, and you're already going to the front lines. What would I do if something happened to you?" Qinghe was still uneasy.
"You're worrying too much, Mother. As a military adviser, I won't necessarily have to enter battle and kill the enemy myself. Where would the danger come from? Besides, His Majesty will also be in Chang'an in person. I'll be fine."
Qinghe's expression briefly froze. She did not know what to do either.
"By the way, Mother, would you like to come to Chang'an with me?" Having finished packing, Xiahou Xian suddenly looked up and asked.
"What would I go there for?"
Xiahou Xian smiled faintly. "Haven't you always wanted to bring Father back to Luoyang from Guanzhong?"
Qinghe snorted coldly. "Very well. I'd like to see just how many sluts that bastard father of yours has been keeping!"