Chapter 31: Leading Troops in Combat Can Chen Qun, a civil servant, really lead troops in battle? Today, at this point in time in the seventh year of Huangchu, if one does not have the ability to predict the future, sending Chen Qun to lead the troops into battle is undoubtedly a much more reliable choice than letting Sima Yi lead the troops into battle. The reason is very simple. Although Sima Yi was called the General of the Fujun Army at that time, he had never led troops into battle. So where did Sima Yi's title of General of the Fujun Army come from? Two years ago, in the fifth year of Huangchu, Cao Pi launched his second southern expedition against the Eastern Wu. The other three ministers, Cao Xiu, Cao Zhen, and Chen Qun, were all taken to the front line in Guangling by Cao Pi. What about the rear? Just leave Sima Yi in Xuchang! Sima Yi had only two things to do in Xuchang. The first was to transport food and military supplies, and the second was to ensure the normal operation of the Shangshutai. Therefore, Sima Yi's title of General of the Army was given because of his military supply and logistics, not because of his military leadership. Although he did have 5,000 soldiers under his command, they were never used. What about Chen Qun? Sorry, although Chen Qun also has little military experience, it is still much richer than Sima Yi. While Sima Yi was hiding in Xuchang, Chen Qun followed Cao Pi to the front line in Guangling. Because Cao Zhen, who originally commanded the central army, had a combat mission, Cao Pi asked Chen Qun to take over the central army. At the beginning of this year, when Cao Pi returned to Xuchang from the front line in Guangling, he ordered Chen Qun to be the commander-in-chief of the Wei navy. Although Chen Qun had never actively commanded a war, he was clearly more familiar with the army and war.
…… As Cao Rui and Wei Zhen chatted, the light outside gradually changed from pitch black to brighter. Wei Zhen entered the palace overnight and brought news of the invasion of the Eastern Wu. From Wen Pin's first wave of military reports, it was learned that Sun Quan sent troops across the river to attack Jiangxia. Although the troop strength and generals were unknown, with Wen Pin, a great general who had guarded Jiangxia for nearly twenty years, Cao Rui was not worried about the sudden collapse of the Jiangxia defense line. What Cao Rui was worried about was that as Sun Quan attacked Jiangxia in the north, if he sent Chen Qun to Jingzhou, the course of history would change greatly. Can Chen Qun hold on? Can he win? How will the world line change in the future? Everything is unknown. However, Cao Rui understood that as an emperor, he must be decisive and responsible at critical moments. If he was like Yuan Shao, who was good at making plans but not decisive, he would never accomplish anything great. The candlelight in the study was still flickering. In the early morning, some wind blew into the room, and a hint of coolness could be felt. After a brief conversation between Cao Rui and Wei Zhen, Cao Rui already understood Wei Zhen's idea. However, since the two captains Xiahou Xian and Chen Tai were still in the study, Cao Rui did not intend to discuss such a high-level personnel appointment in front of them. Cao Rui looked at Xiahou Xian and Chen Tai and asked: "Have you two ever fought before?" Xiahou Xian bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I have fought with Chen Tai before. In the third year of Huangchu, I was in the army of General Cao Zhen and participated in the siege of Jiangling." Chen Tai, who was standing nearby, also bowed and said, "I was in the army of former Grand Marshal Cao Ren at the time, and I followed Cao Tai to attack Ruxu." Cao Rui was not surprised to hear this. The Wuwei Army, where Xiahou Xian and Chen Tai were, belonged to the Central Army of Cao Wei, or the Imperial Guard Army as it was commonly called in other dynasties, and they often went on expeditions. Unlike the Southern and Northern Armies of the Eastern Han Dynasty, which stayed in Luoyang most of the time, Cao Wei's Central Army could both guard the emperor and go out to fight. When Cao Cao was the prime minister of the Eastern Han Dynasty and was fighting wars everywhere, Cao Cao's guard troops were the actual central army of the Eastern Han Dynasty at that time. For example, the personal soldiers led by Dian Wei would both guard Cao Cao's tent during wars and be the first to charge into battle. For example, in the Battle of Tongguan between Cao Cao and Ma Chao, Xu Chu and his "tiger soldiers" who were protecting Cao Cao not only completed the task of guarding Cao Cao, but also served as a rear guard for the army. Cao Wei’s central army can be described as an all-round player. Cao Cao fought in many battles, and the troops that followed him were the Central Army. The Tiger and Leopard Cavalry that chased Liu Bei at Changbanpo and defeated the Wuhuan at Bailang Mountain were also the Central Army. The Seven Armies that lost more than half of their troops at the Battle of Chibi and were completely wiped out by Guan Yu's flood at Xiangfan were all the Central Army. Therefore, it was not surprising that Xiahou Xian and Chen Tai, two young captains guarding the palace, had actually fought on the battlefield.
Xiahou Xian's grandfather was Xiahou Dun, and Chen Tai's father was Chen Qun. The generals of the central army of Cao Wei were either children of Qiao Pei or children of high-ranking officials. At this stage, such people are indeed more reliable. Cao Rui asked Xiahou Xian and Chen Tai, "In your opinion, what are the advantages and disadvantages of the Wu army?" Xiahou Xian thought for a moment and said, "In my opinion, the Wu army is good at defense but not good at attack." Cao Rui asked: "Why do you think so?" Xiahou Xian replied, "I used to be under the command of Cao Zhen, the Grand Marshal of the Western Route. When we attacked Jiangling, we defeated both Wu's generals Sun Sheng and Zhuge Jin with ease." "But when attacking Jiangling City, despite using methods such as piling up earth hills, digging tunnels, and using catapults, Zhu Ran still failed to capture Jiangling City." "So in my opinion, the Wu soldiers are good at defense but not good at attacking." Cao Rui nodded, but Chen Tai, who was standing next to Xiahou Xian, seemed to have a different opinion at this moment and looked like he wanted to speak. Cao Rui saw this and asked, "Chen Tai, what do you have to say?" Chen Tai thought for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, I have some different opinions to express." Cao Rui said: "It's okay to speak frankly." Chen Tai bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I don't think we can say that the Wu army is good at defense, nor can we say that the Wu army is good at attacking." "I think that the combat effectiveness of Wu soldiers led by different generals in different regions is uneven and cannot be generalized. If we really want to talk about the combat effectiveness, we can only say that Wu soldiers are more accustomed to water battles. General Wen has been stationed in Jiangxia for more than ten years, so I don't think there is any need to worry." Cao Rui glanced at Chen Tai who was speaking. After all, he was a descendant of the Yingchuan Chen family. Even though he had joined the army, he was still able to analyze specific issues. This was already a rare talent under Xu Chu, a rough man. Cao Rui did not comment on what the two said, but instead asked them to leave. The name Chen Tai has been remembered by Cao Rui. Time passed little by little, and it was already five o'clock in the morning. Facing Wei Zhen, the minister who had taught him state affairs in the Eastern Palace, Cao Rui directly expressed the thoughts that had been accumulating for many days. "Master Wei, I want to make Chen Qun the commander-in-chief of the war in Jingzhou. What do you think?" Wei Zhen stroked his long beard and said, "Your Majesty, do you want Chen Qun to go? Chen Qun is a cautious and prudent person. He once managed the central army and commanded the navy for the late emperor. If we only talk about defense, Chen Qun can do it." "However, Your Majesty ordered Chen Qun to go to Jingzhou. Perhaps it would be better to pair him with a general who is good at attacking." Cao Rui asked, "Who is Master Wei talking about?" Wei Zhen replied: "The Left General is Zhang He." (End of this chapter)