Three Kingdoms: I am not Cao Rui

Even though military intelligence was being relayed, the stalemate remained a real problem.

The communication between Wei's eastern and northern armies did not alter the strategic landscape of eastern Yizhou in the slightest. Man Chong refused to budge or relinquish power, leaving Guo Huai with no recourse.

After arriving in Guanghan, Huo Yi, a military advisor from Shu, finally met Emperor Liu Shan in person. Faced with this extremely complex military situation, Liu Shan lacked the ability to judge how to deploy his troops and also lacked the courage to make troop deployment decisions. Instead, he sent Huo Yi north to Baishui to inform Zhuge Liang of the matter, leaving the decision to Zhuge Liang.

Besides asking Zhuge Liang to make decisions, who else could he rely on? With Zhuge Liang around, would he really ask Fei Yi to make decisions about the fate of the country?

On September 6, Huo Yi arrived at Baishuiguan.

It was common knowledge that Huo Yi was serving in Zong Yu's army, and that Zong Yu was stationed in Jiangzhou. Huo Yi, in front of Zhuge Liang and a host of military advisors and generals, slowly revealed the general's feelings, causing a moment of silence in the hall.

Dead silence.

Wang Ping, Gao Xiang, Hu Ji, and other generals didn't dare to speak either, as they really had nothing to say.

Wei Yan commanded only 30,000 troops, while the opposing Wei army numbered 100,000. Furthermore, the terrain there was unlike the easily defensible land routes of Hanzhong and northern Yizhou. They had already exerted their utmost effort. The defeat at Xiling River and the repeated retreats at Zigui and other places failed to prevent the Wei army from passing through Baidi...

Wei Yan's military strategy and bravery were universally acknowledged in the court. In short, if Wei Yan couldn't do it, none of them could!
After General Huo Yi finished speaking, he bowed deeply and said, "His Majesty also asked me to consult the Prime Minister while he was in Guanghan. I urge the Prime Minister to make a decision as soon as possible, as the situation on the eastern flank is already in dire straits!"

Zhuge Liang did not reply, but instead looked up at Huo Yi: "Is there any further news from General Wei?"

Huo Yi bit his lip and shook his head, replying, "Since the middle of last month, no messengers have come."

Zhuge Liang's brows furrowed more and more, but he remained silent.

Zhuge Liang remained silent. The generals in the hall looked at each other, unsure of what to do. The military advisors were equally still, simply staring intently at Zhuge Liang.

Upon seeing this scene, Huo Yi was extremely anxious and almost burst into tears.

Just as the situation in the hall reached its lowest point, Chen Zhi finally stood up, cupped his hands in greeting to Zhuge Liang, and said:

"Prime Minister, I have something to say."

Zhuge Liang nodded: "Tell me."

Chen Zhi said, "I believe that the situation in the east is so dire that it cannot be stopped unless the Prime Minister personally goes to Guanghan to oversee the entire situation!"

"No!"

"The Wei bandits have a large force right below the pass; how can the Prime Minister leave?"

"How can this be done?"

Wang Ping, Gao Xiang, and others quickly stood up and repeatedly expressed their opposition.

What a joke! The Emperor of Wei is right here at the pass. Wei has conquered the entire land, with only Yizhou remaining independent. Leaving aside the issues of insufficient troops and the technical aspects of defense, Wei cavalry have already reached Jiangzhou. If even the Prime Minister is gone, who will be in control of the situation? Who will be able to maintain order and control the people's hearts?
Even if they are loyal, it's hard to guarantee that the morale of the lower- and middle-ranking officers in the army won't drop and they won't surrender! It's also hard to guarantee that they won't develop ulterior motives!
Beyond the pass lies the Emperor of Wei!

“Why not?” Chen Zhi’s voice rose several octaves as he faced Wang Ping, Gao Xiang, and the others, directly refuting their claims: “I know what you generals are thinking. Cao Rui is right below Baishui Pass, and the troops outside the pass are numerous. If the Prime Minister leaves, I fear the morale will be low and the situation will be difficult to manage. Isn’t that right?” “Since I have said this, I will certainly have a solution!”

Zhuge Liang's voice was full of exhaustion: "Fengzong, what is your strategy?"

Chen Zhi said to Zhuge Liang, "I request that the Prime Minister move to Guanghan to take command of the military and direct the generals to resist the Wei army. I also request that Your Majesty move to Baishui to secure the morale of the army and defend against the Wei invaders from beyond the pass! Baishui Pass has been defended for nearly a month, and there is Jiameng Pass behind it, and then Jiange Pass. This place will surely not fall!"

Upon hearing Chen Zhi's words, Zhuge Liang actually laughed, pointed in Chen Zhi's direction, and said to everyone with a smile:

"The talented and wise men of Sichuan have never ceased to exist. Fengzong's words demonstrate courage and strategy no less than those of Jiang Gongyan, Yang Weigong, and Fei Wenwei! Hearing Fengzong's words today, I am delighted, and the gloom of the past few months has been swept away!"

"General Wang," Zhuge Liang said slowly, looking at Wang Ping, "you are now the commander of Baishui. I entrust the battle here to you. I will send a message to His Majesty, requesting that he move his troops to Baishui, and that you will be in charge of protecting His Majesty."

Wang Ping gritted his teeth and replied in a deep voice, "Prime Minister, rest assured, this humble general will certainly not fail your trust!"

"Alright." Zhuge Liang nodded slowly, then looked at Huo Yi and asked, "Shaoxian, come with me to Guanghan in an hour."

"I will now draft a letter and order the scouts to deliver it immediately by fast horse without delay!"

After Zhuge Liang finished speaking, everyone bowed deeply. They were not only impressed by the Prime Minister's decisiveness, but also moved by his sense of responsibility, and even felt a great deal of helplessness and sorrow.

The Wei army, numbering over 200,000, advanced from multiple directions, and the situation was extremely precarious. For the past two months, Prime Minister Zhuge Liang had been working tirelessly day and night on military matters, to the point that his health was already well-known. Even at this critical juncture, he still bravely took on the responsibility of commanding the troops at the front lines.

However, at this time, no one said anything to stop Zhuge Liang or to ask him to take care of his health.

Given the perilous situation, the generals and officials in the hall have long been favored by the court. If things really come to a critical juncture, Wang Ping, Gao Xiang, and others believe they will die for their principles to uphold this favor. What about Prime Minister Zhuge?
It doesn't matter how it goes, it's just a matter of whether it's worth going or not.

……

On September 12, Man Chong arrived in Jiangzhou.

After leaving behind sufficient troops, Man Chong led Cao Zhao and Xiahou Ru's forces westward. By the time Man Chong arrived outside Jiangzhou City, Xiahou Xian's forces had been attacking the city for five days.

"Greetings, Lord Man." Jiang Wei and Xiahou Xian bowed in unison.

"Hmm." Man Chong covered his mouth with the back of his hand and coughed heavily a few times, then asked in a hoarse voice, "How is Jiangzhou City? How many days will it take you to take it?"

Jiang Wei turned his head to look at Xiahou Xian, whose troops were all infantry, and he was in charge of the siege.

Xiahou Xian cupped his hands and said, "Reporting to Lord Man, we have been wearing down the Shu army's strength in the city these past few days. We are just waiting for your order to launch a general attack. Jiangzhou is not a fortified city; if we launch a general attack, it should take us down in a few days!"

Man Chong snorted: "Are you trying to say that the central army's infantry shouldn't have been lost in the siege? That we should wait for Cao Pingdong and Xiahou Pingnan's troops to arrive before launching a full-scale attack?"

Xiahou Xian awkwardly cupped his hands in apology: "Your Excellency is wise. I was only worried about the loss of my subordinates, which would delay Your Excellency's important matters."

Man Chong stared at Xiahou Xian for a few moments, then smiled instead of getting angry: "From the court's perspective, what you said is not wrong. Now that I've arrived in Jiangzhou, let's begin the general offensive tomorrow! The defending general is so stubborn; after the city falls, he should be publicly executed to show the officials and magistrates of all the cities in Shu what the consequences will be for those who resist the Great Wei!" (End of Chapter)