Farmers of Shu Han

Chapter 1461 The final struggle
In October of the thirteenth year of the Yanxi era, while the joyous news of Crown Prince Liu Chen's engagement to Feng Ying, the eldest daughter of the Feng family, was still being widely discussed in the court and among the people, the Emperor of Han, at the request of Grand Marshal Feng Yong, issued another edict:

"The people of our allied state of Eastern Wu are suffering from famine and are also afflicted by the floods of Danyang. I am deeply saddened. Therefore, in addition to the grain loan we previously agreed upon, I will grant them an additional amount of grain."

"We dispatched Zhuge Qiao, the envoy for peace, and Ma Su, the deputy envoy for grain delivery, along with Fu Qian, the military commander, Luo Xian, the commandant of the expeditionary force, Wang Jun, the transport commander, and Du Yu, the registrar, to escort the grain ships eastward to assist Wu in disaster relief and to solidify the alliance."

Once the imperial edict was issued, Zhuge Qiao and his entourage, under orders, supervised the transport of grain ships and set sail from Yong'an, heading towards Eastern Wu in a grand procession.

When the news reached Jianye, Zhuge Ke was overjoyed.

Upon learning that the Han grain ships had been dispatched, he immediately led a large army across the river to the north, ostensibly to receive Han grain, and then built the Dongxing Dam on the banks of the Ruxu River.

He built two fortified cities, the East and West, along the mountains on the east and west sides (later known as the East Pass and West Pass), and ordered Generals Liu Lue and Quan Duan to each lead a thousand soldiers to guard them.

Zhuge Ke's move was not only a direct display of military power against Wei, but also a declaration that Wu's military might remained sharp despite natural disasters.

It was also a move by the newly appointed regent to demonstrate his ability and establish his authority to various domestic forces.

He was not unaware of the risks involved, but he had no choice but to proceed because he knew all too well the mess he was in to handle.

The power struggle between the two palaces, which Sun Quan launched in his later years, ended with the Prince of Lu being forced to commit suicide, the Crown Prince being deposed, and a large number of court officials being exiled or executed.

While this move dealt a heavy blow to the powerful families of Jiangdong and temporarily consolidated imperial power, it also left behind political rifts that are difficult to heal.

Nowadays, the powerful clans of Jiangdong, led by the four prominent families of Wu County, either remain silent, watch coldly, or even slack off regarding the new emperor's ascension to the throne.

Moreover, in their eyes, Zhuge Ke, the regent, was not one of their own, so why should they help him?

Without the financial and human support of these powerful families, it would be a pipe dream to quickly quell the Danyang flood with only the meager reserves of the Wu Kingdom's treasury.

This is why Zhuge Ke withstood the pressure and preserved the notorious but vital trade agency that controlled the lifeline of trade with the Han state.

If even this last source of revenue is cut off, he, as the regent, will likely be completely sidelined.

How can you govern without money? How can you maintain peace and stability without food?

Unfortunately, Zhuge Ke, the regent, was also a controversial figure.

Not only did Sun Quan publicly criticize him as "stubborn" during his lifetime, but he also swiftly executed another regent, Sun Hong, while Sun Quan's body was still warm.

Although the situation has been stabilized for the time being, it is inevitable that it will arouse suspicion and give rise to accusations of "eliminating dissidents".

Internally, there were the lingering effects of power struggles among officials; externally, there were the cold stares of aristocratic families; and below, there were the cries of destitute people from various counties.

After receiving this "lifesaving grain" from the Han Dynasty, Zhuge Ke, given his personality, was naturally unwilling to choose to proceed step by step and slowly clean up the mess.

Demonstrating strength externally, especially by confronting the weakened state of Wei, was his best option to quickly win over the people, divert internal conflicts, and establish personal prestige.

After all, the State of Wei had just experienced the coup d'état by Sima Yi, the relocation of the false emperor to the east, and the successive surrender of important towns such as Xuchang and Runan to the Han Dynasty. It was a time of great internal and external troubles and its most vulnerable state.

Taking action now carries the least risk but could yield the greatest political gains.

The location he chose was also very particular.

Ruxukou, a strategic pass controlling the passage between Chaohu Lake and the Yangtze River, has historically been a forward outpost for the Wu army as they crossed the river from Jianye to advance northward.

Zhuge Ke used this place as his main camp, which could both receive Han grain ships and defend against the southward advance of Wei troops, making his actions legitimate and allowing him to advance or retreat with a clear strategy.

However, his next move—the construction of dikes and passes—went far beyond the scope of "responding" and "preparing."

This is tantamount to openly crossing the border between Wu and Wei, driving two wedges under Wei's nose.

This move immediately caused a huge uproar among the Wei army in Huainan.

The reason is simple: if we stand idly by and watch the Wu people turn this temporary stronghold into a permanent fortress, the consequences will be unimaginable.

At that time, the Wu Kingdom's navy could use this as a springboard to freely enter and exit Chaohu Lake, and continuously harass Hefei like a festering sore.

From Wei's perspective, this was no different from the Wu people holding a knife to their throat, allowing others to snore beside their bed.

If you can be a thief for a thousand days, how can you guard against thieves for a thousand days?
At that time, the troops defending Hefei will be exhausted and their defense pressure will increase more than double.

Zhuge Dan, the acting governor of Yangzhou and general who was in charge of the Eastern Expedition in Wei, could no longer sit still.

He quickly submitted a memorial to Pengcheng, forcefully explaining the advantages and disadvantages, and strongly demanding that troops be dispatched immediately to take advantage of the Wu army's incomplete fortifications and seize the two cities in one fell swoop, so as not to let the problem fester and cause future trouble.

However, his memorial to the throne was sent to Pengcheng, but it disappeared without a trace.

As the Wu army's city walls rose higher and higher each day, Zhuge Dan grew increasingly anxious and could no longer contain himself.

He had no choice but to temporarily hand over the defense of Hefei to Prefect Wang Ji, while he himself used the excuse of "returning to the capital to report on his duties and present military plans" to ride at full speed and travel day and night straight to Pengcheng.
-
For the State of Wei, this winter is exceptionally cold.

The biting north wind whipped up heavy snow, enveloping the temporary capital of Pengcheng in a desolate white expanse.

Ignoring the cold wind and snow along the way, Zhuge Dan rode his horse, its hooves shattering the ice, straight to the Grand Tutor's residence.

Deep within the mansion, even the warm chambers and the smell of medicine could not dispel the heavy, deathly aura.

Sima Yi, wrapped in a thick fur quilt, leaned against the couch, his face sallow, his breathing muffled like a broken bellows, like a flickering lamp that might go out at any moment.

When Zhuge Dan was led in and placed the urgent military report, damp with cold and snow, heavily on the small table beside the couch, a faint light finally appeared in Sima Yi's deep-set eyes.

"Grand Tutor!" Zhuge Dan's voice trembled slightly with excitement and cold, and he disregarded formalities:
"Zhuge Ke harbors wolfish ambitions and has actually built a city within our territory! If the two passes in the east and west are completed, Hefei will never have a peaceful day, and Huainan will be as precarious as a pile of eggs."

"This humble general has repeatedly submitted memorials requesting permission to send troops to attack them, but why... why has there been no news to this day?"

He pointed at the military newspaper, his fingers trembling slightly from the pressure:
"If we wait until the city's defenses are complete and the navy is stationed there, the gates of Chaohu will be wide open. At that time, all the tribes of Yangzhou will be bound to Hefei, forced to defend day and night, and exhausted from running around. Grand Tutor, hesitation will only lead to chaos!"

Perhaps startled by the cold wind brought in by Zhuge Dan, Sima Yi coughed violently, and it took him a long time to catch his breath before he spoke slowly in a voice so weak it was almost inaudible:
"Resting time... Your loyalty is commendable... However... The weather is freezing cold, and the soldiers are ill-equipped for battle; the transport of provisions is difficult, and it is truly impossible to support a large army... Ahem... Let's wait until next spring when things warm up, and then we can discuss it again..."

"Ice freezing cold? Supplies running low?" Zhuge Dan almost knelt down, heartbroken. "Grand Tutor, you have fought on the battlefield for a long time and know that speed is of the essence in war."

"By next spring, Wu City will be fortified, and it will be too late to regret it! We will have to watch helplessly as the Wu bandits build a city within our territory. Where will the imperial authority be? How will the people of the world view us?"

Sima Zhao, who was standing to the side serving, hesitated to speak upon seeing this.

Sima Yi simply closed his eyes wearily, waved his hand, and his voice grew weaker and weaker:
"My mind is made up... I'll take a break... You... go back to the inn and rest first... This matter... we'll discuss it later..."

Although his tone was slow, it carried an undeniable determination.

When Zhuge Dan saw that the Grand Tutor had openly invited him to return, he knew that further arguing would be futile, and a look of disappointment and resentment flashed across his face.

He bowed deeply, almost spitting out the words through gritted teeth: "This humble general... takes his leave!"

He then turned around, flicked his sleeves fiercely, sighed helplessly to the sky, and left with great reluctance.

Only after Zhuge Dan's footsteps faded into the distance did Sima Yi slowly open his eyes and look at Sima Zhao, who seemed hesitant to speak.

"I think you had something to say just now. Do you also think that the fear of fighting for the sake of the elderly has chilled the hearts of loyal ministers?"

The voice was still low and hoarse, but it suddenly became much clearer.

Sima Zhao immediately knelt down:
"Your son wouldn't dare! It's just... Your son feels that what Commander Zhuge said makes sense."

"If we allow Zhuge Ke to run rampant like this, it may damage the prestige of the court and cause people both inside and outside the court to underestimate your ability to make decisions. I really don't understand."

"Don't understand? Heh..." Sima Yi let out a hoarse, cold laugh, gesturing for Sima Zhao to come closer. "You only know the surface, not the essence."

"Do you really think Zhuge Dan is in such a hurry because of the defense of Huainan?"

Sima Zhao was taken aback.

Sima Yi's eyes held a mocking glint.

"Do you think that his decision to rush home through the freezing cold, to speak frankly and offer advice despite my illness, and even to contradict me, was all because he was worried about the defense of Huainan?"

Sima Zhao hesitated for a moment, then said, "Isn't that right?"

Sima Yi, panting, analyzed the situation, word by word:

“That was something he did on purpose! It was half true and half false, seven parts acting. The crisis in Huainan was real, but his anxiety was at least five parts. It was an act for his father, and for you and me to see.”

Upon hearing this, Sima Zhao's expression changed slightly: "Deliberate?"

“That’s right, it was deliberate.” A glint of light flashed in Sima Yi’s cloudy eyes as he emphasized, “He’s doing this to show his loyalty!”

“He was using this seemingly ‘reckless and outspoken’ attitude to tell his father: Look, I, Zhuge Dan, am different from those chauvinistic scions of noble families.”

"I, Zhuge Dan, have only the affairs of the state in my heart and only know justice. For the sake of the defense of Huainan, I even dare to defy the authority of the Grand Tutor. My heart is as clear as the sun and moon."

"He is using this 'rudeness' to prove his 'selflessness'!"

Sima Zhao felt a chill rise from the bottom of his heart. So that's how it is.
Sima Yi's tone turned cold, and his gaze fell on Sima Zhao:
"If he thinks that he can be deceived by his father's serious illness and delirium, then he is mistaken."

Sima Zhao lowered his head in shame.

He knew that the adults' use of "deceiving him with tricks" was actually directed at him.

Reflecting on Zhuge Dan's words and actions just now, it does seem that he was indeed being a bit too deliberate.

Sima Zhao took a deep breath before raising his head and continuing to ask:

"Then, sir, what is Zhuge Dan's true purpose in doing this?"

"Testing the waters, self-preservation, or even a coup d'état."

"A coup?"

“That’s right!” Sima Yi coughed violently a few more times, forcing himself to stay awake, and began to analyze the situation in Huainan for his son. “Does Zhuge Dan not know that Runan has already been submitted to Han?”

"Therefore, the fate of Shouchun is already hanging in the balance with Feng Yong's decision! The Han army marches out from Runan, and their iron cavalry can reach the walls of Shouchun in no time. At that time, let alone supporting Hefei, Shouchun itself will be an isolated and deadly city!"

We don't need to capture Shouchun; just containing it would be equivalent to severing the connection between Huainan and Huaibei. How would we defend it then?
"Huainan, from the moment Runan fell, was a doomed game destined to be abandoned! Zhuge Dan, being on the front lines, understands this better than you or I!"

Sima Zhao vaguely grasped the key point, his body trembling slightly: "Then he still..."

"Why is he still so insistent on sending troops?" Sima Yi finished for him. "He is asking his father: Do you, Grand Tutor Sima, still want this Cao Wei empire, this land of Huainan?!"

“If you insist on defending, then please, Grand Tutor, show your courage, pour out the grain from Qing and Xu provinces, and mobilize the troops you can use. I, Zhuge Dan, am willing to be the vanguard and fight the Wu people to the death.”

"If we're talking about not defending..." Sima Yi took a long, deep breath before continuing, "Then Grand Tutor Sima must make arrangements as soon as possible, so that Zhuge Dan can make plans accordingly."

Upon hearing this, Sima Zhao felt a chill creeping down his spine.

"Does Your Excellency mean that Zhuge Ke also saw this, which is why he is so brazen in building cities within the territory of our Great Wei?"

Seeing his son's shocked and almost speechless expression, Sima Yi's pale face suddenly flushed slightly as if in a final burst of energy.

Like withered, barkless hands gripping their son tightly, they mustered their last strength and, with a weak yet exceptionally clear breath, uttered that name:
"Don't worry about Zhuge Ke... he's also in Feng Yong's trap!"

Sima Zhao's pupils suddenly widened to their maximum size!
In that moment of utter disorientation, a seemingly random and incoherent sentence, like a ghost, uncontrollably surfaced from the depths of my memory, eerily clear:
"Zishang, are you alright? Is the Grand Tutor recovering from his illness soon?"

This was the mysterious letter he received personally at that fateful moment. (Chapter 1451 The Incident at Qiaoling)
Although he still doesn't know who wrote the letter, a voice in his heart keeps shouting that this ghost letter must have been written by someone surnamed Feng!
"You mean... Feng Yong's support for Zhuge Ke is also... a scheme?"

"That's right!" Sima Yi was almost exhausted, so he could only keep it brief. "Feng Yong is making Zhuge Ke arrogant and nurturing a future disaster for Eastern Wu!"

"Zhuge Ke is careless and ambitious, stubborn and ungrateful. Such a person can only win, not lose. If he wins, he will be arrogant and disdainful of everyone; if he loses, he will be abandoned by everyone."

“Feng Yong provided him with supplies and stabilized his rear, not for the sake of friendship, but to hasten his death, so that he could advance north with peace of mind and fight the Great Wei to the death.”

Sima Zhao felt a chill run through his body; he suddenly realized how treacherous the world was.

With trembling lips, he asked, "What if Zhuge Ke wins..."

"Victory?" Sima Yi gasped for breath. "If we win, Zhuge Ke will become even more arrogant and domineering. The powerful families within Wu are filled with resentment. How can they tolerate him? At that time, Feng Yong may be able to reap the benefits."

"If we are defeated, Zhuge Ke will lose the hearts of the people and his prestige will be ruined. Eastern Wu will be in chaos in an instant. At that time, the Han army will sail downstream. Who can stop them?"

"Zishang, remember this: Feng Yong's strategy is not about a small piece of land, but about winning the hearts of the enemy. Helping the enemy can also lead to their destruction!"

At this point, if he weren't so weak, Grand Tutor Sima would surely have let out a long sigh.

Sima Zhao also felt a pang of sympathy:

Alright, sir, stop scaring me. I already knew how formidable that man was...

Seeing Sima Yi's coughing and panting subside slightly, and him lying weakly on the couch, Sima Zhao felt as if his heart was being torn apart. He wanted to let his lord rest, but couldn't help asking:

"My lord, what should we... do in response?"

Sima Yi lay motionless on the bed, as if he had exhausted his last bit of strength.

After a long while, he slowly raised his head, a look of almost madness appearing on his face. His voice, though faint as a whisper, carried an undeniable determination:
"What else can we do? Naturally, we should turn the tables on them, take advantage of their situation, and use their momentum to defeat them. If he can embolden Zhuge Ke, why can't I?"

Before Sima Zhao could process the deeper meaning of these words, Sima Yi struggled to reveal an even more astonishing plan:

"You will soon be going to Shouchun with Zhuge Dan. Although Wang Ji is a confidant, I am afraid that he alone cannot control Zhuge Dan, this... unpredictable and vicious dog."

"Remember, you and Wang Ji must bring the Huainan army back to me intact and defend Lü County to the death."

"I will send a secret envoy to meet with Zhuge Ke and voluntarily cede the Huainan region to Wu! After you have safely crossed the Huai River to the north, I will then order Guo Huai to abandon Qiao County and retreat to Xuzhou!"

"My lord! No!" Upon hearing this, Sima Zhao was struck dumb, his face paled with shock, and he almost jumped up.

This is tantamount to handing over the territory of the Great Wei in the southeast to others!
"Listen...to finish speaking!" Sima Yi roared with his last ounce of strength, his voice weak yet carrying an undeniable authority. "You...must never forget a single word I say today!"

His cloudy eyes were fixed on his son:

"The armies of Huainan and Qiao County... have all returned north... then Pengcheng, Lü County, and Xiapi can form a triangle, supporting each other... and will be safe for the time being."

"To cede Qiao County, a place of constant warfare... to the Wu Kingdom... may seem like a loss of territory... but in reality... it's like driving one tiger to devour another!"

He gasped for breath, each word uttered with difficulty, using his last strength to explain:

"From now on... to my west... I will have the Wu Kingdom as a human shield! If the Han army wants to advance eastward from Xuchang and Runan... they must first ask Zhuge Ke whether he agrees!"

"I want to see... whether Feng Yong... has the guts... to completely expose his rear flank to the fickle Wu people!"

At this point, a complex light, a mixture of despair and hope, flashed in Sima Yi's eyes:
"If he dares not... then my eastern front will only need to deal with the Wu people... the pressure will be greatly reduced... if Han and Wu become estranged because of this... or even turn against each other... then it will be... Heaven's blessing upon the Sima family!"

Sima Zhao's voice trembled uncontrollably:
"What if...the officials in the court all refuse to agree?"

A fierce, almost ferocious look flashed across Sima Yi's withered face as he forced out a chilling utterance through clenched teeth:
"Then... let's change to a more obedient emperor! Anyone who dares to disobey... let him go to Qiao County... to guard the late emperor's tomb!"

Seeing his son's face turn deathly pale and his eyes filled with utter panic and helplessness, Sima Yi forced a grim and eerie smile, attempting to soothe him:
"Don't panic... I... have already made arrangements... Even if things fail... there is a way out... You... just follow the plan..."

If this fails, it will be a heinous crime that will result in the extermination of three generations of one's family!
This will plunge the Sima clan into a truly irrecoverable abyss!

Where is there a way out?!

Sima Zhao stood frozen before the bed, his body ice-cold, wanting to press for answers.

Suddenly, Sima Yi convulsed violently, spitting out a mouthful of black blood. He collapsed heavily onto the bed like a puppet with its strings cut.