When Shu Han and Cao Wei were fighting in Longxi, the war between Sima Yi and Cao Zhen in Nanyang was also in full swing. Cao Rui believed that Sima Yi colluded with Zhao Shu of Shu Han to dump Chang'an, and the soldiers of Luoyang and Cao Xiu in Runan, together with Cao Xiu, totaled more than 300,000 troops, and attacked Wancheng in three ways. Rao is Sima Yi's old scheming, and under such an absolute disparity in strength, he is only losing and retreating, trying his best to resist.

Wei general Cao Zhen supervised Luoyang's troops to the south, attacked Lushan, the moon was broken, the defender Wang Tao was killed, and Sima Yi lost an arm. The great Sima Cao Xiu led the soldiers and horses of Runan, attacked Ye County, broke it, and entered Bowang. Zuo general Zhang He led the Chang'an army, broke Li County, and garrisoned Zhenping. The three-way army gathered, and there was a great momentum to capture Wancheng.

Originally, when the eyebrows were burned, there was a military report that Guo Huai of Jingzhou, who was originally immovable, also raised troops to the north and stationed in Xinye. Wancheng has less than 100,000 soldiers and horses, and it is already quite difficult to deal with the three-way Wei army, and when they heard that Guo Huai's Jingzhou army is also coming to share the pie, the generals in Wancheng can't help but worry, and some people who are greedy for life and afraid of death are already planning a way back. Although the big families in the city did not dare to blatantly flee with their wealth, there were also many people digging in the ground to bury gold in private, but the Zhennan General's Mansion was peaceful, and there was no sign of panic.

Sima Yi sat on the main seat, thoughtful, his right hand kept stroking his beard, probably thinking too much, occasionally overpowering, tearing off one or two whiskers and falling to the ground, unaware. There are five people sitting below, the eldest son Sima Shi, and the second son Sima Zhao, when Cao Cao wanted to try Wancheng, they used tricks to capture and kill their own uncle Sima Lang at a young age. Now, after ten years of experience, they have all become rising stars who are enough to stand alone. The remaining three are Deng Ai, Sima Yi's favorite disciple, Dai Ling, a confidant, and Zang Ba's son, Zang Ai. Everyone had different expressions, but they were all surprisingly quiet, as if they were all waiting for Sima Yi's decision.

"Father." Sima Zhao was the first to break the silence in the room and said: "Now that the war is unfavorable, you might as well endure the humiliation first, and the child is willing to go to Chengdu on behalf of his brother." ”

Only then did Sima Yi raise his eyes to look at everyone, and asked expressionlessly, "Do you have any other opinions?" His eyes stayed on Deng Ai's body intentionally or unintentionally. Deng Ai knew that the teacher was asking what he meant, so he had to get up and sigh lightly: "The second son is willing to take risks on behalf of his brother, and his heart is commendable." It's just that when the son goes, the teacher will be controlled by others, and it will be very difficult to make a comeback. The disciple is foolish, you might as well wait a little longer. ”

"Wait?" Sima Zhao was quite unimpressed, and argued: "Not to mention that Cao Zhen's army will come to the city tomorrow, even Guo Huai's deadline is only today, and the envoy is waiting in the outer hall." If we don't allow it again, I'm afraid that the soldiers and horses of Jingzhou will also stab us in the back. Deng Ai was robbed by him, and he didn't see Sima Yi say anything, so he had to sit down silently and say no more.

Sima Zhao saw Deng Ai retreating, so he continued: "When Wei Wu was here, my father guarded Wancheng, so he was regarded as a confidant. Now the Lord of Wei has 300,000 armor soldiers, and he will be willing to get it. Brother Deng always thought that once Shu Han Li Lan sent troops, Cao Rui would move his troops to Chang'an, but now that the war in Longxi has started, he did not see any signs of Cao Zhen retreating, but the more he fought, the more fierce he became, and the more urgent he attacked. About the Lord of Wei has the intention to take Wancheng first, and then protect Chang'an. Wancheng's military strength really can't compete with Cao Wei, why didn't his father temporarily respond to Zhao Shu and return to Shuzhong in order to protect himself? ”

Sima Yi listened to his son's words, and couldn't help nodding slightly. Wancheng borders with Wei and Shu, and is not far from Wu's Huainan, if Wei attacks Wu Shu, if Shu invades then returns to Cao Wei, with the importance of Wancheng's status, no matter which country will not sit idly by and watch this place fall into the hands of other countries. Recalling that he captured Wancheng back then, he wanted to take advantage of this to seek a place between the three kingdoms and then try to dominate the great cause. Over the years, it has been proved that Sima Yi's idea is very correct, with Cao Cao's treachery and Cao Pi's insidiousness, he did not dare to easily increase his troops in Wancheng. For more than ten years, Sima Yi has been practicing Ming Zheng internally and repairing armor soldiers outside, hoping that one day, Cao Wei will go to war with Shu Han or Eastern Wu first, and he will be able to reap the benefits of fishermen.

But what Sima Yi never thought of was that after Cao Rui, the new emperor of Wei, ascended the throne, the first one was to take Wancheng. Sima Yi also heard about the rebellion in Luoyang, but he could only eat Coptis chinensis dumbly, and he swallowed bitterly. Did he go to Luoyang in person to explain to Cao Rui that it was Wu Shu's spies? only hated that the Wei court was full of a group of rice buckets, and he couldn't even understand such a simple divisive plan, and he didn't dissuade their emperor, so he rashly raised troops to the south.

When the war first started, Sima Yi was not very worried, because he knew that the battle in Wancheng would be together, or Runan, or Chang'an would also ignite the flames of war. In any case, compared with Shu Han or Eastern Wu, Wancheng is not a cancer. Once these two military situations are in danger, the Wei army in Wancheng can retreat without a fight. Sima Yi's abacus is really good, but Cao Rui is far from being as wise as he imagined. turned the cart before the horse, after Zhao Shubing left Hanzhong, he did not mean to let Cao Zhen withdraw from the army, but sent a little-known Xiahou Mao to guard Longyou. Could it be that in the young emperor's heart, he could threaten his throne more than Zhao Shu of Shu Han?

Sima Yi naturally didn't know how much thought and effort Zhao Shu had spent in order to convince Cao Rui that he had colluded with Shu Han, but he thought that Cao Rui was far less wise than his father and ancestors, and he was willing to lose Longyou and refuse to let Wancheng go. Since Cao Rui had no intention of retreating, Sima Yi was not a vegetarian, and he transferred troops to fight Cao Zhen several times. Although there was a slight victory, the disparity in strength between the two sides was too great, and in the end it could not stop Cao Zhen's march into the army.

When the three Wei armies were about to march under the walls of Wancheng, Guo Huai, who was stationed in Fancheng, finally made a move, raised troops to the north, and sent envoys. The envoy held the edict of Liu Chan, the puppet emperor of Chengdu, claiming that if Sima Yi could surrender to the Han Dynasty, he would be given the title of general of the Zhenjun army, the marquis of Wancheng, and the Yongzhen Wancheng, and Guo Huai could lead the troops of Jingzhou to help Sima Yi repel Cao Wei's soldiers and horses. Of course, such a generous reward is also conditional, that is, Sima Yi must send a son to Chengdu to serve, the edict said that decent, what "a son is smart, can be of great use, willing to be left and right for me" is an excuse, to put it bluntly, but it is necessary to have a hostage in Chengdu, otherwise how can you rest assured of Sima Yi?

After receiving such news, Sima Yi also had a hard time making a choice, so he summoned everyone to come and discuss. The second son, Sima Zhao, thought that the situation was too unfavorable, and he could temporarily return to Shu Han to achieve the purpose of borrowing troops for self-protection, and was willing to go to Chengdu as a hostage; But Deng Ai and others have the opposite opinion, after all, there is a prince trapped in Chengdu, Sima Yi will be jealous in the future, and he will be restricted by the Shu Han court everywhere, and he wants to be independent between the three kingdoms as before, I am afraid it is no longer possible. The two sides had different opinions, and neither could finally convince the other party, so they could only wait quietly for Sima Yi's final decision.

Sima Yi usually asks himself for being strategic, but at the moment he feels like a fool, he is being led by an invisible rope everywhere, and the person who is holding the rope is likely to be Zhao Shu of Shu Han. When he was in Xudu, Sima Yi and Zhao Shu also had several relationships, but they never thought that the other party would be the most powerful enemy under him. From the time when the new emperor Cao Rui ascended the throne, he spread a rebellious text, attacked Fancheng and led Cao Wei's army to himself step by step, while Zhao Shu fought with a gentleman in Longxi, and if he wanted to win, it would be easier than pinching an ant to death? When Wancheng was tight, he sent someone to send an edict of surrender, hoping to use this to assign Wancheng to Shu Han without wasting a single soldier, which was too comfortable.

Although Sima Yi could understand Zhao Shu's plan, he couldn't think of a way to deal with it. promised Zhao Shu, although he will be controlled in the future; If you don't agree, I'm afraid that if you don't wait for Guo Huai to lead the troops to continue north, Cao Zhen's 30 army will be able to make Wancheng suffer inside and outside, no matter whether it can hold on in the end, after this battle, Wancheng will probably no longer have the capital that can be independent outside the Three Kingdoms.

The more Sima Yi thought about it, the more he felt that he had no choice, and finally let out a long sigh and said, "Zhao Shushi is the most insidious and cunning person I have ever encountered in my life. As soon as the words fell, someone said: "Why should the general grow the ambition of others and destroy his own prestige?" Sima Yi raised his eyes and looked at it, and the speaker was Zang Ai.

Since the death of his father, Zang Ai has parted ways with Lu Rong and others and switched to Sima Yi in Wancheng. Sima Yigu knew that his father died at the hands of Cao Pi, and he had no heart for Wei, so he was under his command. Over the years, Zang Ai has won Sima Yi's appreciation with his intelligence and used him as a confidant. It's just that for his father's death, Zang Ai is deeply sorry in his heart, and he is bent on destroying Wei to avenge his father. Zang Ai did not say anything about whether to surrender to Shu Han, but he didn't want to say such a thing after Sima Yi spoke.

Sima Zhao was in a bad mood at the moment, and when he saw Zang Ai's rude words, he wanted to open his mouth to scold. Sima Yi hurriedly stopped his eyes, got up and stepped forward, and asked, "Could it be that Taihe has already made up his mind to teach me?" Zang Ai also got up and said, "Don't dare." It's just that now Cao Zhen's 300,000 army is about to come to the city, this so-called urgent need is also, if the general can't even protect Wancheng at this moment, how can he talk about the future? ”

Although Zang Ai did not make it clear, the news revealed between his words was that he would temporarily agree to return to Shu Han. When Sima Zhao heard that he supported his opinion, most of the anger in his heart suddenly disappeared, and he wanted Zang Ai to clearly say his mind, so he asked, "Then Lord Zang agrees with my opinion?" ”

Deng Ai could also hear the meaning of Zang Ai's words, he and Sima Zhao had different opinions, and they couldn't completely convince Sima Yi, but I was afraid that there was more Zang Ai now, and Sima Yi was moved, and hurriedly said: "Taihe's words are too biased." In a certain opinion, Xiahou Mao must not be Zhao Shu's opponent, at least in January, and at most in March, he will be defeated. When Zhao Shu's army invaded Chang'an, Cao Rui was able to endure it and had to dispatch Wancheng soldiers and horses to rescue. The siege of Wancheng is self-relieved, why do you need to send your son to Chengdu at this moment? Zang Ai turned his eyes to look at Deng Ai, sneered twice, and suddenly asked, "Why does General Deng think that Zhao Shu will invade Chang'an?" ”

Deng Ai has always opposed the return to Shu Han, considering that Zhao Shu can definitely defeat Xiahou Mao and further invade Chang'an. Chang'an is the old capital of the Western Han Dynasty and an important town in Guanzhong, once in distress, Cao Rui will definitely give up Wancheng and move troops to rescue. But now that Zang Ai asked a rhetorical question, he was suddenly speechless, Deng Ai could think that as long as the Shu Han army invaded Chang'an, the siege of Wancheng would be solved immediately, could it be that the scheming Zhao Shu would not think of it? That being the case, after Zhao Shu defeated Xiahou Mao, it is very likely that after Guo Huai captured Fancheng, he rested on the spot, and was not in a hurry to enter the army, and he must let Wancheng first succumb to the double pressure of Cao Zhen and Guo Huai before taking the next military action against Chang'an. Deng Ai figured out this, cold sweat broke out on his forehead, he may be proud of everyone, but when it comes to such a conspiracy and treachery, he is still quite inferior. It's just that the condition for submitting to Shu Han is to send a son as a hostage, so that in the future, it should be like this to get rid of the disadvantage? Deng Ai couldn't help asking: "If the son goes to Chengdu, Zhao Shu will have an order in the future, can the teacher not obey?" ”

Sima Yi is most worried about this problem, during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, there were many examples of reprimanding sons as hostages, and there were also fathers who did not take their son's life seriously. Although Sima Yi can be called a hero in troubled times, he really wants to abandon his son's life, and it seems that he can't be ruthless. I could only turn to look at Zang Ai, hoping to get some answers from him.

Zang Ai coughed lightly and said, "When Cao Pi succeeded to the throne, the third master was also accompanied by Luoyang, so would the emperor dare to touch him in the slightest?" As long as the general has military power in his hands, even if the son goes to Chengdu, how can he be humiliated? Zhao Shu wanted to use Gongzi to threaten the general, but why couldn't the general threaten Zhao Shu with Wancheng? Zhao Shubing came out of Hanzhong, and his ambition was not small, but Liangzhou in Longxi was not the heart of the Central Plains. If Zhao Shu wants to fight for the world, he will go north with the troops of Jingzhou, how important is Wancheng? As long as Zhao Shu wants to get Wancheng in his heart, and the general can defend Wancheng steadily, how can Zhao Shu dare to embarrass the son? ”

Zang Ai asked a few rhetorical questions, all of which were very reasonable, Sima Yi nodded again and again when he heard it, and said: "Zhao Shu wants to get Wancheng for a long time, otherwise why spend so much effort to force me to come here?" ”

"Exactly." Zang Ai replied: "Zhao Shu persuaded the generals to surrender, but Gai did not want to see Wanchengfu fall into the hands of Cao Wei. The general forbearance and surrender made Guo Huai and Cao Zhen fight and profit from it. And the news of General Zhao Shude's surrender will raise troops to invade Chang'an, so Cao Rui will send Cao Zhen and other generals back to Chang'an, and the siege of Wancheng can also be temporarily lifted. When the siege of the soldiers was relieved, the general was still in Wancheng, holding tens of thousands of male soldiers, and he may not necessarily obey Zhao Shu's moderation. I want to think about how many protons of the Qin State stayed in the Six Kingdoms back then, but how could the Qin people forget to attack the land of the Six Kingdoms one day? ”

Sima Zhao also said at this time: "The father has important land and heavy troops, and the child should be worry-free, if Wancheng cannot be protected, the whole clan will be overturned." How can a father abolish a great deal because of the thought of the child alone? There is an elder brother in the family who does his filial piety, and the child should have no worries. ”

Sima Yi turned to look at everyone, and even Deng Ai, who had just strongly opposed sending his son to Chengdu, was silent, so he nodded and agreed to Sima Zhao's invitation, but he heard Zang Ai say: "The second son's trip to Chengdu may not be a hundred harms and no benefits. When everyone's eyes looked at him, he continued: "Zhao Shu has been in charge of the Shu Han Dynasty for many years, although he has political achievements inside and military exploits outside, but his merits are high and his power is higher than that of the emperor, is there no harm?" The reason why Zhao Shu came out of Hanzhong was because he forced the mother to die, and he and the important ministers of the Liu family who were loyal to the court, such as Jiang Wan, could not stand on the other side, but he had to leave Chengdu with his troops for fear of causing trouble within the Xiao Wall. Its arrogance is so arrogant, don't say that the emperor Liu Chan is the old minister of the court, who doesn't dare to be angry and dare not speak? If the second prince can go to Chengdu, he can act in secret, if he can get the support of Liu Chan and the ministers for the general, not only is he not afraid of Zhao Shu, but he may also be able to try to do it. ”

What is the relationship between Zhao Shu and the Shu Han court, Sima Yi and others do not know, but the news that he sent troops to besiege the palace late at night and forced the queen to death has already been reported in detail. His behavior is no different from Cao Cao back then, with the cowardice of the late Han Dynasty emperor Liu Xiezhi and still knows that the hair and clothes are edicted to beg the thief, is Liu Chan worse than Liu Xie? If Sima Zhao goes to Chengdu, he can also get such a secret edict and send it back, it will definitely be insufficient to bring down Zhao Shu, but it can be regarded as holding the other party's small lifeline, and he may be able to give a fatal blow when he can.

Sima felt at this moment that Zang Ai, who was usually silent, could penetrate into the bones once he spoke, and immediately hugged his fist at Zang Ai and slammed it to the ground. Zang Ai naturally understood what he was thinking, and hurriedly returned the salute, saying, "My subordinates are willing to go to Chengdu with the second son, and ensure that the son is well-founded." In this way, even if the matter is decided, although Deng Ai's heart still feels inappropriate, he doesn't know how to dissuade it, after all, Cao Zhen's army is about to arrive in Wancheng, and there is no extra time for everyone to argue here, so he has to be silent. Let Zang Ai accompany Sima Zhao to Chengdu together, Sima Yi's heart was also a little more relieved, and he immediately took his second son to the front hall to meet the Shu Han envoy who had been waiting for a long time.

Ma Bing followed Guo Huai on the expedition for the first time, and accepted the important task of persuading Sima Yi to surrender, and while he was happy, he was inevitably a little worried. Sima Yi was able to endure under Cao Cao's nose for many years, and finally seized Wancheng, and it was not a fuel-efficient lamp, I don't know if he would follow the strategy set by the general and walk into the urn step by step. When he heard Sima Yi personally say that he was willing to accept the canonization of the Han Emperor, Ma Bingqiang suppressed the ecstasy in his heart, got up and said: "The general obeys the heavens and takes care of the lives of the people of Wancheng, which is really benevolent and righteous, and the lower officials are very admired." Sima Yi didn't dare to say before he said: "In the future, a palace will be a minister, and my father and son will have to take care of them a lot." ”

"What did the general say?" Ma Bingfu said: "The general's prestige is far and wide, even the general admires it tightly, and the subordinate will have to ask for more advice in the future." As he spoke, he clapped his palms twice, and asked the entourage behind him to present the wooden box in his hand, and said, "This is a gift from the general to the general, and I hope the general will accept it with a smile." ”

After Sima Yi thanked him, he motioned to his eldest son Sima Shi to take it, and listened to Ma Bingdao: "Why don't you open it and let the lower officials also see it?" With a smile, he said to Sima Shi, and said, "For my father, I also want to know what the general sent." Sima Shi opened the wooden box as he said, but saw a flag neatly stacked inside. Sima Zhao hurriedly took it out and spread it out in the wind, and there was rust on it with "Sima Yi, the general of the Hou Zhen Army of Wancheng of the Great Han Dynasty". Looking at these thirteen big characters, Sima Yi suddenly had a trace of inexplicable fear in his heart, could it be that Zhao Shu really believed that he would surrender?