Three Kingdoms: I am not Cao Rui

With the emperor himself and 40,000 fresh troops arriving in Shu, the entire battle situation suddenly became much clearer.

Cao Rui invited Lu Xun from Baidi City only to use Lu Xun's wisdom to fill gaps and make up for deficiencies, not to say that the Wei rulers and ministers would not be able to fight without Lu Xun.

After Cao Rui arrived in Deyang on January 20th, he led his generals to pay homage to Man Chong that same day, held a military council that evening to plan the battle, and began a large-scale military campaign the following day.

The tactics for 50,000 players are completely different from those for 90,000 players.

General Hu Zun of the Right Valiant Guard led 10,000 infantrymen to Anhan County in the north, tasked with conquering Anhan, Nanchong, and Langzhong.

Cao Rui appointed General Jiang Wei's troops to launch a surprise attack on Chengdu. The general route was to pass through Jiangzhou, Jiangyang, and Nan'an to advance on Wuyang, south of Chengdu, essentially drawing an arc directly below the Shu Basin. The distance was approximately 1,500 li.

Jiang Wei's troops were not tasked with conquering cities and fortresses, but rather with launching a swift and rapid offensive to disturb the heartland of Shu and Chengdu, thus disrupting the overall plans of the Shu Kingdom.

In other words, as long as Jiang Wei didn't commit massacres, he could freely use any means to disrupt Shu. This was authorized by the emperor himself.

In addition to the left and right flanks, the pressure on the main battlefield also increased sharply.

With the emperor himself present at the army camp, and especially given that he was an undefeated commander who had repeatedly quelled powerful enemies, the morale of the entire army was at its peak. Every one of the 90,000 soldiers knew that the emperor was there.

To put it bluntly, as generals, officers, and soldiers, aren't they all striving for fame and fortune, and to ensure the well-being of their descendants?

With the emperor right in front of us, what reason is there to hesitate even for a moment?

However, after only five or six days, and with the main force exerting its strength for only two or three days, the entire frontal battle situation began to shift in favor of the Great Wei.

All of this put immense pressure on Zhuge Liang in Guanghan. With 20,000 troops and tens of thousands of laborers as support, the defensive positions were no longer able to withstand the Wei army's frenzied attacks, and the situation gradually began to deteriorate.

This is not a result that can be changed by human effort; it is the natural suppression of a smaller force by a larger one, and it is the timeless truth that victory comes from numbers.

This also reflects the tragedy and helplessness of Shu Han's insufficient military strength.

January 26th, Guanghan County, inside the government office.

"Lord Wei, how is the military situation today?" Zhuge Liang sat behind his desk, the candlelight making him appear even more gaunt. Even his usually bright, sharp, and majestic eyes now looked tired and sluggish.

Yang Yi knelt before Zhuge Liang and whispered, "Prime Minister, the first line of defense has already fallen. Tomorrow we should retreat to the positions outside Guanghan City. I estimate that with the fortifications, we can hold out for another ten days or so?"

When Yang Yi mentioned the phrase "more than ten days," he unconsciously changed his tone to one of inquiry, looking at Zhuge Liang with a questioning gaze.

Zhuge Liang shook his head very slowly and slightly: "Seven or eight days, I'm afraid any longer would be difficult to manage."

"Yes." Yang Yi continued, "The news that came from Chengdu today is that Fei Wenwei has massacred two aristocratic families from Yizhou in Chengdu, with more than two hundred people killed. In addition to Chengdu, the magistrates of Pixian and Guangdu counties were also beheaded by Fei Wenwei for being lazy and cowardly, and their positions were replaced by trusted confidants."

“Jiang Lingjun is nearby, and this matter has also been approved by Jiang Lingjun.”

"Hmm." A trace of sorrow appeared in Zhuge Liang's eyes again: "Kill those who deserve it. Things have come to this point. If killing some people will make those above and below more obedient, then they should be killed..."

Yang Yi was of superior intelligence and understood the unspoken meaning in Zhuge Liang's words.

What if you kill someone, but things still don't get done?

The answer is self-evident. If it's not done well, it's not done well, because by then the Han Dynasty will no longer exist, and who will hold them accountable or bear the consequences?

As Yang Yi reported on the matter one by one, Zhuge Liang grew increasingly weary. In fact, while listening to Yang Yi, he slammed his hand on the table with a loud thud, startling Yang Yi.

"What's wrong with the Prime Minister?" Yang Yi, who was kneeling on the seat, quickly straightened up and leaned forward to ask.

Zhuge Liang kept his eyes tightly closed: "..."

Yang Yi asked anxiously, "What is the Prime Minister saying? I didn't hear you clearly."

As soon as Yang Yi asked the question, he realized that the situation was extremely bad. He crawled forward on his knees, his hands trembling at the same time, and put his right ear to Zhuge Liang's face.

"My head is throbbing...Lord Wei...I fear my time has come and I am about to meet the late Emperor."

Yang Yi was terrified, his face turned pale, and he trembled all over: "Prime Minister, please don't say such unlucky things! The Prime Minister is just too tired, he will be fine after a few days of rest. I'll go and call the physician, I'll go and call the physician!"

"Don't go." Zhuge Liang frowned deeply and said with all his might, "While I still have the strength, Duke Wei, please listen to me say a few more words."

Yang Yi was at a loss, tears streaming uncontrollably down his face. He repeatedly responded, his voice filled with panic: "Prime Minister, please speak! I'm listening, I'm listening!"

Zhuge Liang said, “First, ten thousand men are enough at Jiange, five or six thousand will also be fine. Let His Majesty come to Guanghan as soon as possible. The reason why there is no rebellion in various parts of Shu is because I am stationed at the front line in Guanghan to suppress it. Remember, do not hold a funeral for me.”

"If I die, the situation will likely change drastically; if Your Majesty is not here, it may be difficult to maintain the status quo!"

"Yes, yes, I understand." Yang Yi knelt down directly, pressing his forehead to the mat, still trembling, his thoughts unknown.

"Secondly, tell His Majesty that if I am not present, he must not show any signs of cowardice! For many years, His Majesty and you have relied on me for courage. If I am not present, Duke Wei, you must remind His Majesty when he is indecisive that he is the son of the late Emperor! The late Emperor spent most of his life fighting and never showed any signs of cowardice! The foundation he built is hard-won and should not be easily abandoned. The situation may not be irreversible!"

“Yes…” Yang Yi’s voice was low and choked with sobs.

At this moment, Yang Yi's mind was in complete chaos.

Besides the Prime Minister, who else could withstand such an attack from Wei? If the Prime Minister were not present, could Guanghan truly have been defended?
Thinking of this, Yang Yi raised his head and asked urgently, "Prime Minister, if Guanghan cannot be defended, can we retreat to Fuxian and Luocheng? And how should Chengdu be defended?"

"After the Prime Minister's departure, who should take charge of affairs in the court?"

"Please enlighten me, Prime Minister! Please enlighten me, Prime Minister!"

Zhuge Liang lowered his head, but his eyes began to scrutinize Yang Yi. His gaze seemed to hold a mixture of contemplation, hesitation, and dissatisfaction…

But in the end, Zhuge Liang didn't say a word, but instead smiled slightly.

Then, he closed his eyes and remained silent.

Inside the military tent at this moment, only Yang Yi and Zhuge Liang remained. Yang Yi forcefully suppressed his sobs, not daring to let anyone outside the tent hear a sound. After weeping for a long time, he finally helped Zhuge Liang's still warm body lie down on the mat.

Yang Yi's mind went blank.

Where should I go from here? (End of Chapter)