Three Kingdoms: I am not Cao Rui

Jiang Wei remained silent for a moment, then glanced a few more times at the city across the river to the south, before saying:

"Man Gong ordered me to be the vanguard and to go to Jiangzhou to prepare for the arrival of Man Gong's army. Jiangzhou is the capital of Ba Commandery, and Dianjiang and Lecheng are both under the jurisdiction of Ba Commandery. It is not against military orders to go to these two places to investigate."

"Zixiu wants to lead the army?"

Shangguan Qi nodded emphatically: "If my brother allows, I would certainly like to lead the troops!"

Jiang Wei said, "You should summon the three generals in the army to me. I have military affairs to assign."

"Yes, I'll go right away." Shangguan Qi bowed and left.

In early 12th year of the Taihe era, Shangguan Qi, who had long served in Qin Prefecture, was recommended by Guo Huai to take up a post in the central army. Years earlier, when the emperor led troops to aid Guanzhong and defend against Zhuge Liang's first northern expedition, Shangguan Qi and Jiang Wei had become sworn brothers, with Shangguan Qi treating Jiang Wei like an elder brother. Jiang Wei and Shangguan Qi were naturally delighted that their sworn brother had been appointed as a military advisor in their own army.

Jiang Wei's Left Valiant Guard had a total of 10,000 cavalry, with Jiang Wei himself leading 4,000 cavalry and three other colonels each leading 2,000 cavalry. Moreover, these three colonels all had quite a background: one was Hu Fen, the eldest son of Hu Zun, the Right Valiant Guard General; another was Wang Hun, the eldest son of Wang Xiong, the Attendant-in-Ordinary, who had served in the Privy Council; and the third was Qian Hong, the son of Qian Zhao.

It is common practice for generations of generals to serve as generals.

The cavalry moved swiftly like the wind, and in less than a quarter of an hour, several officers from the army arrived in front of Jiang Wei's horse.

"Greetings, General." The three captains and the military advisor bowed in unison.

Jiang Wei nodded slightly: "As I told you yesterday, I would arrange military affairs with you once we arrived outside Jiangzhou City, and now it's time."

“Jiangzhou City is right in front of us. I will lead six thousand cavalry to besiege this city, and I will also send men to attack Dianjiang and Lecheng.”

"Zixiu, I am sending two thousand cavalrymen from my own forces to take Dianjiang! If you cannot conquer it, send someone to report back as soon as possible."

Shangguan Qi cupped his hands in response: "Your subordinate obeys!"

Shangguan Qi was Jiang Wei's sworn brother, a fact known to everyone in the army, so no one made a fuss about it.

Jiang Wei then looked at the three men and slowly asked, "Who is willing to go and take Le City in the southwest?"

Qian Hong was the first to clasp his hands in response: "General, I am willing to go to Lecheng to take it!"

"Alright." Jiang Wei nodded: "Take the captain away. Just like with the military advisor, send someone to report as soon as you arrive."

"Yes, Your subordinate obeys." Qian Hong clasped his hands in response, his face full of excitement.

While Jiang Wei was arranging military affairs on the north bank of the Yangtze River, Zong Yu, the garrison commander in Jiangzhou City on the opposite bank of the Jialing River, was in great distress.

Information asymmetry exists everywhere on the battlefield.

Jiang Wei, newly arrived in Shu, was unaware of the situation. However, Zong Yu, who was guarding Jiangzhou and serving as Wei Yan's rear guard, knew very well that Dianjiang City to the north had already been captured by Guo Huai! Yang Yi should also have arrived outside Dianjiang City at this time, fighting against Guo Huai.

After much deliberation, Zong Yu summoned his military advisor, Huo Yi, to his side.

Throughout history, monarchs, upon assuming power, have invariably appointed numerous close confidants to high positions. This is not nepotism, but rather the optimal approach to personnel management. All rulers followed this practice without exception. Liu Shan was no exception.

Liu Shan had a group of young close advisors around him. When the army was deployed, Liu Shan arranged for them to be next to the generals in charge of troops in various places, either as military advisors or captains.

For example, Liu Shan placed Chen Zhi by Zhuge Liang's side, and also arranged for Huo Yi, who had served as a Gentleman Attendant at the Palace Gate, to be by the side of Zong Yu, who was guarding Jiangzhou.

"What matters does the general have to assign to his subordinates?" Huo Yi asked with a serious expression. He had, of course, seen the large cavalry force of the Wei army across the river and knew the crisis facing Jiangzhou City and even the entire Yizhou.

Zong Yu said in a deep voice, "Military Advisor Huo, you have seen what happened to the Wei army. We both know the same thing. Since the Wei army was able to get here, the Wei general at Baidi City in the east either failed to hold it or was tied down by other Wei troops. In short, this group of Wei cavalry has entered. Whether there are more behind them, no one can guarantee!"

"You are a close and trusted minister of His Majesty, and you cannot perish here. I order you to quickly take ten riders and go to find His Majesty and the Prime Minister to deliver a message while the Wei army has just arrived and has not yet crossed the Jialing River to the city. A few days ago, a messenger came here and said that His Majesty has led 10,000 troops to Guanghan to replace General Yang. The Prime Minister should still be in Baishui!"

Huo Yi cupped his hands and said, "The general ordered me to leave, how could I leave the city at such a critical time? Wouldn't that go against His Majesty's original intention in sending me here?"

Zong Yu stamped his feet anxiously: "What time is it? Stop talking nonsense! If I tell you to go, then go. Explain the military situation here to His Majesty. That will be more useful than you guarding Jiangzhou. The city walls don't need another person to stand guard!"

"Understood, sir." Huo Yi didn't mince words. "Then I'll leave immediately. Please write a few lines, General, as proof."

"Take my seal and ribbon; no other proof is needed," Zong Yu urged. "Leave now, or the Wei army will cross the river!"

"Yes." Huo Yi gritted his teeth, cupped his hands, and withdrew.

Huo Yi led ten cavalrymen out of the west gate of Jiangzhou City, moving swiftly. Meanwhile, Qian Hong and Shangguan Qi split their forces and marched towards their respective designated locations.

On the third day, Shangguan Qi finally arrived near Dianjiang.

"Military advisor, military advisor!" Scout squad leader He Liu galloped back from the front, panting heavily. Without dismounting, he went straight to Shangguan Qi's side and said, "Military advisor, it seems that the Great Wei flag is flying on Dianjiang City! I'm not sure which one it is. The shadows on the city wall are too indistinct to approach, but it is definitely the black and red ivory flag of the Great Wei!"

Shangguan Qi remained silent for a moment, his grip on the riding whip tightening. The Left Valiant Guard belonged to the central army; scouts could identify the banners of the Great Wei, but they might not know which specific army it belonged to.

"Lead the way!" Shangguan Qi lightly nudged the flank of his horse, and scout He Liu immediately followed.

Shangguan Qi did not rush directly to the city of Dianjiang. Instead, like an ordinary scout, he chose several mountains west of the city to observe the situation.

Dianjiang City was not a large city, only about one li in circumference. It was clear that many troops were stationed in the city, and a camp was also built against the east side of the city wall. Judging from its layout, it should be occupied by infantry.

About four or five miles north of Dianjiang City was a Shu army camp, which, judging from its size, should have had around ten thousand men.

Strangely, no army should be here at this time! But judging from the banners on the city walls, it was undoubtedly the army of Wei. Shangguan Qi knew that no one would have set such a trap beforehand when he launched his surprise attack.

After much deliberation, Shangguan Qi dispatched ten scouts carrying his own school flag to the infantry camp east of the city. Less than a quarter of an hour later, the ten scouts returned with a hundred cavalrymen from Dianjiang City.

Only after inquiring did Shangguan Qi learn that this was actually the army of General Guo Huai, the General Who Conquers Shu! General Guo is indeed valiant; he has actually marched all the way here? (End of Chapter)