Three Kingdoms: I am not Cao Rui

Meanwhile, Zhuge Liang had also arrived in Fu County.

The journey from Baishuiguan to Fuxian, a distance of over 400 li, was entirely by land. The road was bumpy, and Zhuge Liang's physical condition could not support a rapid journey. Reaching Fuxian in six and a half days was already a great achievement. However, things improved once they reached Fuxian, where they could transfer to a boat and travel along the Fu River to Guanghan, which would be less physically and mentally taxing.

Upon learning of Zhuge Liang's impending arrival, Jiang Wan greeted him outside the east gate of Fu County. Zhuge Liang slowly alighted from his carriage, and as the two gazed at each other, their expressions were complex and indescribable.

Jiang Wan cupped his hands in greeting: "Greetings, Prime Minister... Prime Minister, you should take care of your health and not overwork yourself."

Zhuge Liang took a light breath: "It's alright, the affairs of state are such that I cannot rest for a moment. How is the military situation in Fuxian?"

Jiang Wan replied, “I have already ordered Liu Yin to lead 5,000 troops north to relieve Jiangyou. I heard that Jiangyou Pass has fallen. Liu Yin is now leading troops to block the Wei army at the southern entrance of the Fu River. There should be no danger there. My troops still have more than 10,000 men here. According to the time, Your Majesty should have set off two days ago.”

"Prime Minister, perhaps I should go to Guanghan instead." Jiang Wan sighed deeply. "How can the Prime Minister possibly cope with such a demanding job?"

Zhuge Liang shook his head: "This matter has been discussed several times already, there is no need to repeat it."

"Yes." Jiang Wan nodded. "Prime Minister, should we make some moves regarding my troops in Fu County?"

Zhuge Liang said, "Fuxian is the most important place in the whole situation. Your more than 10,000 men will stay in Fuxian."

Jiang Wan agreed, saying, "The Prime Minister's considerations are thorough. Of all the current situations, Yong'an is the most worrying. Does the Prime Minister have any idea what the situation is like with Wei Wenchang?"

Zhuge Liang said, "Baidi City is said to be a natural fortress, but it is only a natural fortress for self-defense. It is not the same as the strategic pass of Jiange. If the Wei army wants to force its way through with its superior numbers, how can Wen Chang stop them?"

“Wen Chang will not collapse so quickly. If I am right, he must still be in Baidi City at this moment, and there is still a considerable number of Wei troops around Baidi City. The number of Wei troops that broke into Shu must not be too many, at most thirty to fifty thousand. If we add the two Wei troops that came from Micang Road and Jinggu Road, the number will be at most seventy thousand.”

"Although it is dangerous, it is not in dire straits."

"It is already September. If we can maintain the status quo and hold out for a few more months, after the New Year, the main force of the Wei army outside Baishui Pass will have difficulty transporting supplies. At that time, we can focus all our efforts on dealing with the Wei army on the east side."

As they were talking, Zhuge Liang coughed again. Jiang Wan looked at him with concern, but she couldn't say anything more. She could only nod slowly and keep talking to Zhuge Liang.

Meanwhile, the entourage and officials around them watched as the Prime Minister and the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat stood and chatted by the east gate of Fu County, as if they couldn't even bear to take a moment to enter the city and sit down.

Just then, the sound of rapid hoofbeats approached. Jiang Wan frowned and turned to look, but her eyebrows immediately shot up.

It was none other than Emperor Liu Shan, escorted by cavalry, who arrived here.

As Liu Bei's son, Liu Shan was born into a military family, and with diligence, his archery and horsemanship skills were passable. After riding three hundred li in two days, Liu Shan appeared somewhat tired when he dismounted to meet Liu Bei.

"Your Majesty, we pay our respects." Zhuge Liang and Jiang Wan bowed simultaneously.

"Prime Minister, Your Majesty," Liu Shan nodded, "There's no need for further formalities now. After your letter arrived in Guanghan, I immediately set off, but unexpectedly encountered you outside Fuxian. Do you have any thoughts on the current situation, Prime Minister?"

"I was just talking to Gongyan," Zhuge Liang nodded and said, "the current strategy is nothing more than to confront and stalemate in the east, and to block them layer by layer in the north..."

Zhuge Liang then recounted the situation he had just discussed with Jiang Wan to Liu Shan, and then asked, "Your Majesty, what is the situation in Guanghan?"

Liu Shan's expression was grave: "General Wu is locked in a stalemate with the Wei army at Dangqu, and Military Advisor Yang is facing off against Guo Huai at Dianjiang. Considering the time, the rear of Wei's eastern army should have reached Jiangzhou by now. General Zong in Jiangzhou… I only have ten thousand imperial guards in Guanghan, barely enough to support Military Advisor Yang's rear guard, let alone rescue General Zong." Zhuge Liang shook his head slightly: "Right now, we can only hope that General Zong will hold his ground. After Your Majesty reaches Baishui, you can trust Wang Ping with military matters, and heed Chen Zhi's advice on other matters. With these two assisting Your Majesty, I believe the north will not be in a difficult situation."

Liu Shan then asked, "If the Wei army attacks aggressively, what should I do?"

Zhuge Liang replied, "The Wei army has been attacking Baishui for over a month. The Jiameng Pass and Yang'an Pass behind it are similar, but not as good as Baishui. If Baishui can be defended, we should try our best to defend it."

"If my estimation is correct, Baishui Pass should be able to hold out for another two months or so. The situation is developing so rapidly that Baishui Pass is practically immobile. In any case, the Wei army will never be able to break through Jiange!"

Liu Shan asked again, "Prime Minister, what should be done about Guanghan?"

Zhuge Liang looked directly at Liu Shan, and after a few moments, he laughed: "I will go to Guanghan to delay the situation and try to avoid battle and confrontation, so that his troops will run out of food and retreat, or his morale will be low."

"As for other matters, we will have to rely on the late emperor's protection."

"I understand."

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Liu Shan bowed deeply to Zhuge Liang in public, and then bowed to Jiang Wan.

Jiang Wan naturally knelt and returned the greeting, while Zhuge Liang stroked his beard and remained silent, simply standing there to receive the gesture.

After bowing, Liu Shan's face gradually hardened: "Prime Minister, Your Majesty, it is noon now. I can still travel a bit further, so I will not stay here any longer and will depart immediately."

Zhuge Liang also looked at Jiang Wan: "Gongyan, I will not enter the city either. I will change boats outside the city and head south."

"The minister obeys the order."

Jiang Wan bowed to the two men, then stood quietly watching them go their separate ways, one to the south and the other to the north, without stopping for a moment. Tears welled up in her eyes.

……

On the same day, Baidi City.

The situation at Baidi City has reached a complete stalemate.

Having spent his life on the battlefield, Wei Yan was well aware of the disadvantages of being trapped at Baidi for the Shu Kingdom, hence his eagerness for battle and repeated challenges. But the person he faced was none other than Lu Xun, who had once held his own against Liu Bei for more than half a year at Yiling.

Lu Xun had no chance of winning an attack on Baidi City, nor did he want to attempt it. In open field battles, Wei Yan was brave and resourceful, making the outcome a 50/50 chance.

It would be exceptionally easy for Lu Xun to defend the city from outside, relying on his superior forces to confront Wei Yan and remain neutral.

When Man Chong was in power, the Wei army was very strong, and Wei Yan dared not leave the city to fight. He had suffered a loss at Xiling, and if Man Chong were to come and wear him down again, Wei Yan would not be able to afford the losses. However, tens of thousands of Wei troops had already left, and in the past twenty days, Wei Yan had led ten thousand troops out of the city to challenge Lu Xun six times, but Lu Xun had not responded even once.

Wei Yan was extremely anxious. (End of Chapter)