Wen Xiu desperately broke out of Fancheng that day, but he did not go north, but hid in the nearby mountains and forests to find out the news in the city. The next day, he saw Guo Tong escorting Manzhong all the way to the north, originally Nanyang was Cao Wei's territory, Wenxiu should go to Wancheng for help, but he also knew that Sima Yi had a bad relationship with his father and Manchu, so he quietly followed the Zai Shu army, and took advantage of the night to enter the camp and prepare to rescue Manzhong. But Wen Xiu never thought that Man Chong would suddenly make such a move, and he wanted to reach out to help, but Man Chong insisted on refusing, and replied: "This matter is related to the survival of the country, and the young general must not push it." Wen Xiu heard him say something solemn, so he had to bow down and say, "My lord, please speak, a certain person will die together." ”

The various things that have been seen and heard in the past two days have already made the heart of Man Chong believe that Sima Yi and Shu Han have colluded, so Luoyang is worried, and now he can only let Wen Xiu rush to Luoyang as soon as possible to report this matter to the emperor, so as not to be succeeded by Shu Han and Sima Yi. As for Manzhong's own safety, compared with Cao Wei's country, it is not so important, so Manzhong briefly said the guess in his heart, and finally said: "Your Majesty in Luoyang does not know that Sima has colluded with Shu Han, and the young general is involved in the Jiangshan Society, please be worshiped by the old man again." ”

Wen Xiu heard the intention of being full of favor and death, and wanted to persuade him to escape with him, but he was really not sure that he could take him out safely. If it was in Fangcai, at most, the two of them would be buried under the sabers and guns of Shu together, but now the news of Sima Yi's collusion with Shu Han in Wancheng must be passed on to Luoyang, and Wen Xiu must leave alive. This choice between life and death is quite painful for Wen Xiu, after all, Man Chong has worked with Wen Xiu for many years, and Yu Wenxiu is like his father and uncle, how can he really leave him and leave alone?

Man Chong also saw Wen Xiu's hesitation, and he deeply understood in his heart that Wen Xiu's chance of escaping alone was many times greater than that of the two of them succeeding together, and now he definitely couldn't put the Jiangshan Society of Great Wei in a dangerous situation because he was an old person. Anyway, Man Pet already has the heart of death, and now that he is free, why not cut it off on his own to cut off Wenxiu's heart of help? Thinking of this, Man Zhong said again: "Everything is up to the young general." Then he picked up the Pu knife dropped by the Shu army next to him, and led his neck to kill himself. Although Wen Xiu was in front of Man Favor, because Man Pet bowed down and kowtowed, he also bowed and bowed back, and when he looked up, he had already seen the blood splashed from the other party's neck. hurriedly rushed forward, although his heart was full of grief and indignation, but he didn't dare to shout loudly, so he had to whisper: "My lord, my lord, my lord's ......" The throat of the full pet was cut, and he couldn't make any sound, but his lips opened and closed a few times, and he died of anger. Although Man Zhong didn't say anything, Wen Xiu understood the old man's dying intentions, and wanted to make sure that he would rush to Luoyang and tell the court about Sima Yi. Wen Xiu straightened his favored body, leaned on the tent cloth, and said three times: "My lord, leave with confidence, as long as Wen Xiu does not die, he will be able to bring the news to Luoyang." Then he got up and went out of his tent to the north.

Wen Xiu had just left the Shu Han military camp not far away, and Guo Tong and Ma Bing appeared from the shadows one after another. Ma Bing watched Wen Xiu's back disappear into the night, and was greatly relieved, and said: "Finally, it lives up to the general's clever plan, as soon as Wen Xiu arrives in Luoyang, Cao Rong will definitely send troops to attack Wancheng." Guo Tong nodded again and again, but said: "Cao Wei's civil and military affairs are all like Wenhi, full of favors, and they are loyal ministers of the Death Festival." The general's plan for the Northern Expedition was only afraid that the war would be dangerous and protracted. The death of Man Pet did make Ma Bing deeply touched, and after a moment of silence, Fang said: "The general's plan is unpredictable, and Cao Wei will be invincible." The two sighed a few more words before returning to the account together.

Wen Xiu was burdened with a thousand catties of heavy burdens and a deep hatred of blood, and he didn't dare to rest at all along the way. But on the way, he had to avoid the military horses of Wancheng, and the trip was really not fast, until Liang County, Sizhou, out of Sima Yi's sphere of influence, he found the local garrison, identified himself, asked for horses, and rushed to Luoyang. At that time, Cao Zhen, the general of Wei, had already been ordered to gather military horses near Luoyang and prepare to attack Wancheng in the south. After getting the Fancheng war brought by Wen Xiu, he knew that the trouble was big, so he didn't dare to delay, so he took Wen Xiu into the palace to meet the emperor Cao Rong.

Wen Ping's battle report was written when he knew that Fancheng could not be punctual for a long time, but he did not mention Sima Yi's matter, so after Cao Rong read it, he only knew that Fancheng was not guaranteed, and he suddenly lost his opinion in his heart. He originally decided to attack Wancheng, that is, he bet his success or failure on the thousands of elite troops hired by Fancheng Wen. But he never expected that before Cao Rong's own three-way army had started, Fancheng had already fallen into the hands of Guo Huai. It seems that Chen Sheng's worries may not be very reasonable, Cao Rong couldn't help but look at Chen Sheng next to him, and handed the fold in his hand to the other party, sighing: "Sure enough, as the general expected, Guo Huai has captured Fancheng." ”

Chen Sheng could see the war in Fancheng from the faces of Cao Zhen and Cao Rong, but he couldn't understand that if Zhao Shu tried his best to send people to Luoyang and spread the text of Sima Yi's rebellion, in order to provoke a war between Cao Wei and Sima. Then we should wait quietly until the two sides go to war, then send troops to Fancheng, unite with Sima Yi, and then try to take the Central Plains. At this moment, the capture of Fancheng is not bordering Wancheng, Cao Wei will not easily send troops to recruit Sima Yi. So isn't it in vain to waste all kinds of efforts in Luoyang these days? Could it be that his own inference was wrong, and the text was really sent by Sima Yi, and Shu Han didn't know about it?

Chen Sheng hurriedly finished reading Wen Ping's recital, and asked Cao Rong again: "Since Fancheng has fallen into the hands of thieves, can Your Majesty still conquer Sima Zhongda in Wancheng?" "Cao Rong is not a fool, at this time, if he sends troops to attack Wancheng, won't he force Sima Yi to take refuge in Shu Han? was about to decide to postpone the war, but he didn't want Cao Zhen next to him to take the lead, and said, "Naturally, we want to fight." Looking at Cao Rong and Chen Sheng's incomprehensible eyes, Cao Zhen said again: "Your Majesty only knows one and not the other." The son of General Fan Chengwen, Wen Xiu was outside the palace, and asked His Majesty to summon him. ”

Wen Ping's recital was written in the tone of a unique pen, Cao Rong knew that he would die, since the loyal ministers had a queen, as the emperor should naturally be given preferential compensation, so he hurriedly asked someone to invite Wen Xiu in. Wen Xiu rushed to Luoyang non-stop, and entered the palace without any rest and cleaning, his body was embarrassed, and the blood was still there. When he entered the palace to salute, Cao Rong looked a little sad, and regardless of the difference between the monarch and the minister, he personally stepped forward to help him up, and said: "General Wen died loyally, and I will not treat Aiqing lightly." ”

Wen Xiu thought of his father's death, and felt the grace of Cao Ei, he couldn't help but weep bitterly, and said in a lost voice: "Please also ask Your Majesty to raise troops to avenge your father." "Cao Rong's new succession to the throne originally wanted to make a difference, so he thought of sending troops to conquer Wancheng, but now that Shu Han has captured Fancheng, Sima Yi can no longer fight, so it is not impossible to send troops to fight a decisive battle with Shu Han. Otherwise, with his new accession to the throne, there will be Sima Yi's rebellion first, and then there will be the invasion of Shu Han, if there is no action at all, wouldn't it make the world laugh at his incompetence? Anyway, now that Cao Zhen and other generals are ready to go on the expedition, Cao Heng's mind turned, and he thought about the conquest of Shu Han again, so he said: "Guo Huai invaded my territory for no reason and killed my generals. Aiqing doesn't have to worry, I will go to war to avenge General Wen. ”

Wen Xiu thanked him again, but Chen Sheng said on the side: "Your Majesty, since Guo Huai has captured Fancheng, he will definitely go north to Wanluo." Sima Yi bore the brunt of the attack, why didn't Your Majesty sit back and wait for the two families to go to war in order to benefit from the fisherman? Chen Sheng didn't know that Wen Xiu would bring the news of Sima Yi's collusion with Shu Han, and the plan he offered now was indeed very good, and Cao Rong couldn't help but nod again and again. Wen Xiu hurriedly said, "Absolutely not." Then he said the words of his dying favor one by one, and finally said: "Sima Yi is connected with Shu Han, and in this battle of Fancheng, he mostly contacted Guo Huai. Now that the Shu army has won Fancheng, Sima Yi will send troops north with him, Luoyang will be in danger, and his majesty will be asked to make a quick decision. Cao Rong never expected that after the fall of Fancheng, Wen Xiu would also bring such bad news. Fancheng and Wancheng are the southern gateways of Luoyang, and now that the Shu army is easy to take, isn't Luoyang exposed to the soldiers of Shu Han? This news shocked Cao Rong far more than the fall of Fancheng, and hurriedly walked to the front of the imperial case, kept checking the map, and did not say a word for a long time.

Chen Sheng also understood at this moment why the Shu army was attacking Fancheng at this moment, but he quickly recovered from his suspicions, and then thought about whether Shu Han did this, would it still be just a countermeasure, or did he want to provoke a war between Cao Wei and Sima? I was afraid that Cao Rong would decide to send troops to Wancheng without thinking about it, so Chen Sheng said: "Your Majesty, Sima Yi may have the heart of self-reliance, but he may not unite Shu Han." The stakes are so great that there must be no conclusive evidence, and we must not hastily raise troops. This time, Cao Rong didn't answer, but Wen Xiu had already said angrily: "This matter is entrusted by Lord Man Boning with his life, how can it be fake?" Sima Lao Thief has been disobedient since the time of Emperor Taizu. Today, taking advantage of the new funeral of the first emperor, His Majesty ascended the throne for the first time, and united with Shu and Han to commit crimes, what is still suspicious? ”

Although this is true, Chen Sheng still feels that the matter is too strange, first there are articles in Luoyang, and then there are such rumors, both of which are bound to make Cao Wei start a war in Wancheng and then quickly. Once the war starts, the biggest beneficiary is now Shu Han. Chen Sheng didn't dare to doubt Wen Xiu's loyalty and full of favored wisdom, but he preferred to believe that Shu Han Zhao Shu's intelligence was better than everyone else, otherwise he would not have the last laugh in Shu Han. Chen Sheng looked at Wen Xiu with an angry face, and really didn't want to argue with him anymore, but it was a matter of the safety of the imperial court, and he had to say it, so he had to persuade Cao Rong again: "Your Majesty think twice." ”

Chen Sheng's consideration is not unreasonable, but whether Sima Yi colluded with Shu Han or not, but it is only five or five, how can Cao Rong confirm that this must be Shu Han's counter-plan? Once Sima Yi and Shu Han really colluded together, Cao Rong's three-way army still did not move, wouldn't it be a chance to miss the battle, and let Sima Yi and Shu Han's coalition army directly attack the border of Sizhou? Fighting, it is indeed possible that Sima Yi will take refuge in Shu Han when he can't bear the pressure; If he doesn't fight, Sima Yi may also join Shu Han to march together. Since it is all possible, instead of waiting for the other party to attack, it is better to attack first. Cao Rong suddenly slapped the imperial case and said: "General Cao, I have appointed you as the governor of the southern capital, the governor of Chang'an, Luoyang, and Runan, and the three military horses of Runan, and went south to attack the anti-thief Sima Yi." ”

Cao Zhen has been constantly preparing for war recently, and after hearing the news brought by Wen Xiu, he even wanted to behead Sima Yi's family. Now that he received the emperor's holy decree, he immediately bowed down and thanked him, and said: "Weichen will live up to His Majesty's grace." Cao Rong walked up to Cao Zhen again, helped him up, and said: "This battle is very important, and the general must be cautious in everything." Cao Zhen is the Cao royal family at this time, the first general who can fight, not to mention that there are hundreds of thousands of troops and the entire Cao Wei Jiangshan as the backing, naturally full of confidence, said: "Sima is just a corner of the land, less than a month, more than a hundred days, Weichen should recover Wancheng, in order to comfort the first emperor, and thank Your Majesty for your grace." ”

Cao Rong Xianzhuang said, but ordered the waiter to take the imperial wine, personally toasted Cao Zhen three cups, and replied: "Drink three cups of thin wine today, and wait for the general to triumph in the future, I will personally go out of the south gate of Luoyang thirty miles to welcome the general's chariot." Cao Zhen thanked him repeatedly, and then wanted to retire and prepare to send troops. Next to Wen Xiu, he bowed down again, please avenge the vanguard of the front, his father and his comrades who died in the battle of Fancheng. Cao Rong is self-sufficient, and he is the hand-picked pioneer of the seal and the rest.

Chen Sheng has been looking at the three monarchs and ministers in front of him without saying a word, although attacking Wancheng seems to be imperative, but he always faintly feels that something is wrong in his heart, he originally wanted to make contributions on the battlefield, but at this moment he was not willing to ask to follow Cao Zhen to fight. However, Cao Rong knew that Chen Sheng was both civil and military, and he was really a rare talent, so he asked with a smile: "The army still lacks a deputy marshal, is General Chen willing to go out with the governor of the capital?" The implication is to make Chen Sheng Cao Zhen's deputy, which can be described as extremely favorable, if Xiahou Mao is present, I am afraid that he will be angry on the spot.

However, Chen Sheng's answer surprised the three of Cao Rong's ministers and ministers, "The commander of the capital is on the march, and the defense of Luoyang is empty, and Weichen is willing to abide by his duties and defend His Majesty in Luoyang." Cao Rong looked at Chen Sheng for a moment, knowing that he still firmly believed in his own judgment, and thought that sending troops to Wancheng was a wrong decision. But Cao Ei's determination to attack Wancheng is also a helpless move, as the saying goes, "strike first is stronger", with Cao Wei's strong national strength, is it really Sima Yi and Guo Huai's coalition army to fight together? Such blatant resistance, although motivated by two different strategic intentions, does not mean that Chen Sheng is disrespectful, but can show his loyalty. But after all, the emperor has the dignity of the emperor, Cao Rong's heart was somewhat displeased, so he had to say: "Since General Chen is so loyal, then I will not be reluctant." The three of them retreated.

Chen Sheng didn't go to Wancheng but he had other considerations, in his heart he always felt that the big war was coming, but Wancheng was not the main battlefield. Cao Zhen and Wen Xiu naturally went back to the house to discuss the matter of sending troops, and only Chen Sheng couldn't let go for a long time.

Three days later, Cao Zhenqin led an army of 300,000 troops from all over Luoyang to the south to conquer Sima Yi in Wancheng. When this news reached Ye Feng's ears, he was naturally extremely excited, and then rushed back to Hanzhong non-stop. As Chen Sheng expected, a big war finally began.