Three Kingdoms: I am not Cao Rui

War is full of uncertainty. Faced with this uncertainty, excellent generals often use their noses to sense the progress of the war, thereby maximizing their gains.

Clearly, Guanqiu Jian was such a person.

For an army of 30,000, internal reorganization and preparations for the return march would consume a great deal of time. Even though Guanqiu Jian, Zhu Yi, Shi Bao, Pu Zhong, Sima Shi, and others were all capable men, they still spent twelve days in Dianchi County. During these twelve days, Guanqiu Jian and his men also made extensive preparations for the advance, exchanging gold and jewels with local powerful families and county magistrates for military supplies and clothing.

After Zhu Yi left with 20,000 men, Guanqiu Jian left 2,000 men at Dianchi Lake to guard key transportation routes and control logistics. He then led 8,000 men northward and arrived at Wei County after ten days of continuous marching.

Take it off easily.

Wei County was the seat of the Yijiang Governor's Office, with hundreds of officials and clerks in the city. After a surprise interrogation by Shi Bao, Sima Shi and others, some useful information was obtained, and they then went to Guanqiu Jian.

After listening to Sima Shi's report, Guanqiu Jian squinted and said, "It seems that what we predicted at Dianchi was true. The army has indeed marched to Shu. It's just a pity that these Shu officials still think that Ma Zhong and the others are only temporarily heading north and will return to Nanzhong at any time. They have been betrayed by them."

Sima Shi, standing to the side, laughed and said, "General, you swore an oath at Dianchi Lake to pacify the region, yet how quickly they changed sides after the Shu army retreated! It's clear that Shu is merely an empty shell in the south. If we don't deceive them, how can we reassure the people?"

Shi Bao echoed, "If it weren't for the general's outstanding vision, the army would not have been able to occupy this place. Previously, when we were in Dianchi County, the general said that we should decide on a strategy after we captured Wei County. I suggest that the general continue north."

"I second that," Sima Shi said, bowing in agreement.

"Hahahaha." Guanqiu Jian stroked his beard and laughed, quite pleased with himself: "Going north from Wei County, passing through Hanyang and Pingyi, you can reach Jiangyang County in Jiangyang Commandery. This is the route Zhuge Liang took when he returned from attacking Nanzhong. Ma Zhong also went north along this route. It is 1,200 li in total, and can be reached in 30 days."

"Gentlemen, I have heard that Liu Zan, one of Sun Deng's subordinates, has also led his troops north with Ma Zhong, clearly intending to assist in the battle. In that case, Pingyi City must be short-handed and cannot hold out for long. Sun Deng has made Pingyi City his capital and is acting as if he owns a kingdom in the southern region; he deserves to be punished. Leave a thousand men to guard this place, and tomorrow we will continue north to conquer Pingyi!"

"Yes, sir." Shi Bao, Sima Shi, and Pu Zhong responded in unison.

During the twenty-odd days that Guanqiu Jian traveled north from Dianchi Lake to Weixian County, the situation in Sichuan was constantly turbulent.

Man Chong led his army from Jiangzhou to Dianjiang, forced back the troops of Yang Yi, the military advisor of Shu, and advanced his army along the Fu River to Deyang City, 130 li to the northwest.

Guo Huai did not refuse Man Chong's request to command his army, but asked Man Chong to report to the imperial court outside Baishui Pass.

On the other side, Wu Ban held Dangqu for more than two months, using the city as a defense against the Bei Yan tribe, which was unable to conquer it for the time being.

However, for Man Chong, the forces at hand were already sufficient, and it was not unreasonable to use the Bei Yan tribe to temporarily besiege the city to counter Wu Ban's tribe.

The situation in the entire Shu region also evolved into a stalemate between Zhuge Liang of Guanghan and Man Chong of Deyang.

From then on, the entire Eastern Route Army and the Northern Route Army were completely connected, and military intelligence could be transmitted between them.

October 20th, outside Baishui Pass, Wei army camp.

"Your Majesty, Liu Shan's reply has been delivered. Please preview it." Attendant Pei Qian presented Liu Shan's letter with both hands.

Cao Rui chuckled softly, turning to his eldest son Cao Qi, who stood beside him, and said, "Qi'er, read this letter to me." "Your subject obeys." Cao Qi bowed slightly, then, under the watchful eyes of the assembled officials in the tent, walked to Pei Qian, cupped his hands in greeting, took the silk letter, unfolded it, and read:

"The Emperor of the Great Han Dynasty sends his letter of abdication to Your Majesty the Ruler of Wei. In this reply to your previous letter, I find many errors in your previous statements, which I will refute one by one as follows..."

Cao Rui watched with a smile as Cao Qi recited the poem aloud in front of everyone.

More than 50,000 troops from the Northern Route Army besieged Baishui Pass. Cao Rui understood that his greatest role was to use this prestige to distract the Shu rulers and their troops. Therefore, he repeatedly sent envoys to the Shu camp at Baishui Pass to exchange letters with Zhuge Liang and Liu Shan.

This is a gradual and subtle process.

Although Wei and Shu were enemy states, they never killed each other's envoys. If they wanted to communicate, there were still ways to do so.

In warfare, information is even more important than provisions and logistics. Neither Zhuge Liang nor Liu Shan would refuse an opportunity to glean information about the Wei army from a single note in a letter.

Once communication begins, Cao Rui's title as emperor and his ever-victorious record will continue to grow in the minds of the Shu rulers and their ministers, increasingly captivating their attention.

Cao Rui had already used this tactic countless times in Guangling during the winter of the ninth year of the Taihe era.

"Qi'er," Cao Rui pointed at Cao Qi, "You have finished reading Liu Shan's letter. In front of all the ministers, have you gained anything from this letter?"

Cao Qi turned and bowed to his father, then said, "Your Majesty, I am foolish and cannot do everything right, but I do think that what Liu Shan said in this letter is indeed strange."

"How is it strange?" Cao Rui was happy to play this kind of conversational game with his son.

Cao Qi said, "Your Majesty previously questioned the auspicious omens and prophecies surrounding Liu Bei's ascension to the throne in your letter. This is a case of a son doubting his father. If I were Liu Shan, I would simply rebuke such words directly. Why would I bother to explain in such detail as in this letter?"

"Hahahaha." Cao Rui clapped his hands and laughed at the assembled officials in the tent: "What Qi'er said earlier was correct. Liu Shan is just throwing himself into confusion, which only makes him a laughingstock. Since this letter has been sent out, I roughly guess that Zhuge Liang is no longer at Baishui Pass. If Zhuge Liang were here, how could he have allowed Liu Shan to adopt such a self-deprecating attitude in his letter?"

Wei Zhen watched Cao Qi's face quietly, a smile on his face. After Cao Rui spoke, he withdrew his gaze, then cupped his hands and said:

"Your Majesty, the army has been stationed at Baishui Pass for two months. During this time, the geography and transportation have become clear. Since last month, they have begun to attack the city, and the pass walls have been damaged in many ways."

"I believe we can launch a general offensive against Baishui Pass. Firstly, we can capture the pass and occupy a strategically important location. Secondly, we can use the victory to inspire our soldiers."

Xu Shu simultaneously cupped his hands and said, "I second that suggestion."

Pei Qian, Wang Xiong, and the other two attendants spoke up at the same time: "We also agree."

Cao Rui nodded slowly: "Since all of you have this intention, then inform the generals that we will launch a general attack tomorrow."

Just as Cao Rui was discussing tomorrow's battle strategy with everyone, Wei Guan, the Gentleman Attendant-in-Ordinary, entered from outside the tent, carrying a wooden box, and bowed respectfully.
"Your Majesty, the military report from Duke Man has arrived, and the Grand Secretary has delivered it to Your Majesty." (End of Chapter)