In early September of the seventh year of Zhang Wu, Zhuge Liang, the prime minister of the Han Dynasty, went north to withdraw his troops back to Nanyang.

Xiahou Yuan, the commander of Cao Wei, believed that Zhuge Liang had no experience in commanding troops and that there was no order in the withdrawal of troops, so he advanced lightly and was ambushed in the area of Ziyun Mountain, suffering heavy casualties.

In this battle, Cao Weizuo's general Zhang He was killed, the partial general Xiahou Ba was captured, and many other generals of different sizes also had different losses, if it were not for the tenacious command of Xiahou Shang, the general of Zhengnan, desperately resisted the attack of the Han army and retreated, I am afraid that the Cao army would be annihilated.

The Han army fought all night and was also very tired. Pursued Cao's army for more than 50 miles to Xiangcheng, and waited until the afternoon to drag his tired body away, from yesterday to now, the Han army has almost not closed its eyes for two days and two nights.

Victory to victory, but they themselves have no small losses. If the offensive continues, as soon as Xiahou Yuan's reinforcements arrive, they will be a tired division, and it is very likely that they will be severely attacked by the enemy's counterattack.

So Zhuge Liang saw that it was good, and ordered the three armies to temporarily station in the south of Xiangcheng, take turns to rest, and only after letting the soldiers reorganize a little on the second day did they evacuate Yingchuan, and on the way back, they passed Ziyun Mountain, and by the way, they cleaned up the battlefield, packed up the corpses and baggage equipment of our soldiers, and then left.

Xiahou Yuan, who learned the news, almost died of cerebral congestion on the spot, and hurriedly personally led the army to come to the rescue, and when he arrived, Zhuge Liang had already retreated and went back, he could only pack up the remnants of the army, count the losses, and then retreat to Xuchang and Yanling in a gloomy manner.

At this moment, Luoyang Palace.

Cao Pi had just come out of the harem in a state of despair.

Since Liu Bei's death in July, his nervous pressure has been relaxed all of a sudden.

returned to Luoyang last month, although he was a little unwell, it did not prevent him from returning to the harem to work hard and vent the energy accumulated during this time.

The Son of Heaven lives in the West Palace, Cao Pi has nothing to do today, wandered out of the dormitory, and arrived at the Deyang Palace, wanting to ask about the situation on the front line.

After he arrived in the palace, he sent people to summon Chen Qun, Dong Zhao, Liu Ye, Jiang Ji and others over.

These people are his more important staff officers, and now that Sima Yi, the main staff officer, is not there, he can naturally only rely on the help of these more minor staff officers.

After everyone was summoned, came to the palace, and saluted Cao Pi, Cao Pi looked around at everyone and said: "I returned to Luoyang and sent envoys to Zhuge Liang to retreat, but I have ordered Zhongda to see the right time, can I launch a surprise attack when they retreat, I don't know if there is a war report back now?" ”

Chen Qun said: "Your Majesty, the latest battle report has been sent, just arrived at Shangshutai, the minister has already read it, the hussar general said that Zhuge Liang's use of troops is far inferior to Shen Chen, and the retreat is not orderly, and even the two wings of the shilling cover the grain and grass retreat, and the main force is broken." ”

"After the main force is broken?"

Dong Zhao was surprised: "Zhuge Liang, is this hysteria?" The formation of more than 100,000 troops is spread out, and the Chinese army is facing each other, even if the troops are withdrawn, they should be the main forces on the two wings, how can there be a main force to respond to the two wings? Wouldn't it be the main force alone at that time? ”

Chen Qun nodded and said, "Yes, so the hussar general decided to attack, but Zhong Da suspected that this was Zhuge Liang's strategy, so he persuaded the hussar general not to chase after him." ”

"Scheme?"

The crowd pondered.

What kind of ploy could this be?

The main force of the Chinese army is isolated and helpless, once it is chased by their main force, can the left and right flanks support in time?

More importantly, did the Han army have such command ability to stabilize the situation?

"Could it be a ploy to lure the enemy?"

Liu Ye couldn't help but say: "But the hussar general should not be so impulsive, just send troops to chase, but will make sure whether their two wings have left before pursuing." ”

Chen Qun said: "Well, the hussar general waited for more than ten days until he was sure that the enemy's two wings had withdrawn to the area of Kunyang before sending troops. ”

Hearing this, Cao Pi looked around and asked, "If we can be sure that their two flanks have retreated, and our main force is chasing after us, can we win?" ”

"Your Majesty, the possibility of victory in this case is very high."

Jiang Ji also followed Cao Cao to fight everywhere in his later years, and he still had a lot to say about this situation, he said: "The retreat of soldiers and horses must be neat and well-founded. When the first emperor withdrew his troops, it was often the three armies that were majestic and neat, so that the enemy did not dare to offend. ”

Cao Pi thought for a while and said: "But I remember that my father also had a situation where he let the rear of the Chinese army withdraw first, and he led the main force to break the rear. ”

"That's because the first emperor had extremely strong command ability."

Liu Ye explained: "The first emperor used soldiers, and tens of thousands of troops were like the arms of the body, and the arms were the fingers, and they were all obedient. But even the first emperor could only command tens of thousands of soldiers and horses, and it was still too difficult to command more than 100,000 troops at one time. There are still very few people like Han Xin in this world. The minister thought that even Shen Chen in the south would not be able to do this. ”

"Not bad."

Chen Qun also said: "I remember that Zhuge Liang was good at government affairs, although he had the matter of pacifying Nanzhong, but the rebellion in Nanzhong was a rabble, and tens of thousands of elites could be easily pacified even if they didn't need much command." Therefore, the minister thought that Zhuge Liang probably did not have the ability of Han Xin. ”

"Hahahahaha."

Cao Pi laughed, nodded his chin slightly, and said: "Well, if this is the case, then the hussar general is right, it seems that Zhuge Liang is in vain and has committed a taboo in the army." ”

Dong Zhao nodded slightly and said: "Unless Zhuge Liang has the ability of Han Xin, even if the first emperor uses troops, it is quite reluctant." ”

"Hmm."

Cao Pi chuckled and said, "This is reasonable, I don't believe that Zhuge Liang can really defend against my more than 100,000 troops when only the main force retreats." If you can hit the south hard this time and recover Huainan and Guanzhong, it will be easy, hahahaha. ”

He was even happier when he said that.

In the battle of Wancheng, Cao Cao personally broke off and repelled Zhang Xiu.

In the Battle of Jingcheng, Han Xin also personally broke the rear, and then fought and retreated, and finally defeated the Zhao army in a desperate situation.

This proves that it is not impossible for the main force to be broken.

However, the question is, what military capabilities does Cao Cao have? What kind of military capability is Han Shin?

They are able to do this because they themselves have extremely powerful command ability and can bring into play the combat capability of the army.

Under normal circumstances, your two wings are missing, and the main force faces the outflanking of the opponent's main force and the two wings, even the more powerful generals can only be in a situation where the army collapses, and it is impossible to hold on to resistance.

Therefore, Zhuge Liang dared to make such an arrangement, which in itself means that he is more confident in his ability to command troops.

Xiahou Yuan's side dared to attack, because he didn't believe that Zhuge Liang had this level.

Now the result of Cao Pi's discussion is the same as that of Xiahou Yuan's side, even if there is fraud, can Zhuge Liang really be able to achieve such an exaggerated command ability?

It doesn't matter if others believe it or not, they don't believe it anyway.

Therefore, regarding Xiahou Yuan's decision to send troops, Cao Pi's side has a positive attitude.

Seeing that there was no other new battle report coming today, Cao Pi said: "Zhongda let me indulge in singing and dancing, if Zhuge Liang is defeated and the southern soldiers are defeated, it is natural for me to be happy, and when the south learns the news, I am afraid that they will also relax their vigilance, how about you drink and dance and have fun?" ”

"The minister should go back to Shangshutai first and see if there is any latest news."

Chen Qun said.

"Well, then Changwen will go first, we will have a banquet, and then summon the rest of the ministers, so that they can come to the palace to enjoy the singing and dancing."

Cao Pi waved his hand and motioned for the attendant eunuch to convey his order.

Then the eunuch went out to summon him.

Soon, the three princes and nine kings, as well as many important courtiers such as scholars, waiters, and waiters, were summoned to participate in the banquet.

After everyone was in place, the banquet was set up and the dancers and musicians came on the stage.

In the hall, the dancing girl danced gracefully, and the soft music resounded throughout the hall, and the ministers on the left and right sides who were invited to enjoy it squinted their eyes to enjoy, and Cao Pi sat on the main seat above, leaning lazily on the pillar and lying down.

Although the results of Xiahou Yuan's attack this time were not reported, many strategists believed that Zhuge Liang did not have such powerful military ability, so there was a great possibility of victory.

It doesn't matter if you don't have many big results, as long as you win.

Now that the South has withdrawn its troops, he has no more pressure. Jiangdong is also almost connected, once Zhuge Liang's side withdraws his troops, they can also send troops to Huainan to cooperate with the Jiangdong rebellion.

At present, although the national strength of the north has been damaged and the people eat chaff and vegetables, the situation in the south is not good. Cao Pi believes that there should be no sword soldiers for at least the next three years.

Therefore, in such a good situation, the recovery of Huainan and Guanzhong is just around the corner, and even if you are lucky, you can take advantage of the rebellion in Jiangdong to break Yangzhou in one fell swoop, so that the Han Dynasty in the south will directly lose one-third of the country.

Therefore, Cao Pi is now actively doing actions to confuse the enemy, and every day is either a singing and dancing banquet or having fun in the West Garden.

Of course.

He has always said to himself in his heart that he is only enjoying himself on the surface, but in fact, he is learning from the king of Chuzhuang, secretly taoguang and obscurity, and paralyzing the enemy in order to recapture Guanzhong and Huainan.

So Cao Pi began to indulge in lust with peace of mind.

Dancing Ji Xuan turned and jumped, her long skirt danced, like a fairy, and the music in her ears continued, circling the beam for three days, making the guests linger.

"Your Majesty!"

After about half an hour, Chen Qun slowly walked into the hall again.

"Well, Changwen, what's the matter?"

When Cao Pi saw him coming, he stretched out his hand and pressed down, signaling the singing and dancing to stop.

Maihime bowed and retreated to the musicians on the left and right sides of the main hall to wait for the dispatch.

Chen Qun stepped forward and stood in the center of the hall, arched his hand and said: "Your Majesty, there is news just now that Gao Ai has been pacified by Tian Yu, Wang Ying has been appointed by Wang Qin, and the rebellion in Youzhou and Qingzhou has been removed. ”

"Oh?"

Cao Pi said happily: "Great joy, Shang Shutai plans to give a reward to the fold, I want to give Tian Yu Wang Qin a good reward." ”

"Yes."

Chen Qun fell backwards.

Since the last years of Jian'an, when Shen Chen flooded the Seventh Army and shocked China, the situation in the north has not been very stable, and rebellions have broken out.

Later, when the south annexed Jiangdong, he put down the rebellion of the four directions, and at the same time, Cao Pi also seized the opportunity to usurp the throne and become emperor, and the situation was slightly better.

However, the year before last, Liu Bei launched a vigorous Northern Expedition, and because the living conditions of the people at the bottom of Cao Wei were relatively poor, there were countless rebel troops in response to Liu Bei's call, which dealt a heavy blow to Cao Wei's rear.

This is also why it is clear that the Han Dynasty in the south is a long journey, thousands of miles to the north, Cao Wei is in a situation of waiting for work, and the national strength is consumed, and the two sides are almost half a catty and eight taels in the past two years.

Because Cao Wei was not only busy dealing with the Han Dynasty in the south, but also with the rebellion in the rear.

In history, there were very few rebellions of Liu Bei's group, only more than a dozen rebel generals and rebel people, and almost all of them were ethnic minority rebellions in Nanzhong, and the Han people did not launch an uprising.

On Cao Wei's side, there are more than 100 rebel generals and rebel troops with surnames, and the scale is all over Cao Wei's forces, which shows how serious the turmoil in Cao Wei's rear is.

Therefore, Cao Pi was very happy to hear that the rebellion in Youzhou and Qingzhou had been put down this year.

After that, their plan to recapture Guanzhong and Huainan was also smoother.

After Chen Qun retreated, many courtiers below also congratulated Cao Pi.

Shang Shu Miao said: "Congratulations to Your Majesty, there is another major trouble." ”

Sima Fu, the squire of the Yellow Gate, also said: "The north is peaceful, and the south has withdrawn the army, Your Majesty should now recuperate and prepare to fight again in the coming day." ”

The servant Xin Bi said: "Your Majesty, although singing and dancing are good, but now you still have to devote yourself to state affairs." ”

"The southern army retreated, Liu Beichu died, and we shouldn't be too happy."

"Yes, Your Majesty, now that the southern army is retreating, should we take advantage of Liu Bei's death to take the initiative to attack, and no matter how bad it is, we must take back Guanzhong and Huainan."

"This statement is reasonable, Your Majesty seems to have been negligent in state affairs recently."

The ministers spoke one after another.

They actually didn't know what Sima Yi was planning for Cao Pi.

Because Cao Pi wanted to "pretend" to be Liu Bei's death, he thought that he could enjoy peace, so he cultivated the harem every day and enjoyed singing and dancing.

However, there were still many Wei ministers in the Cao Pi period who were good at hard work, such as Sima Fu Xinbi and others who also gave a lot of more pertinent opinions during his period.

Therefore, taking advantage of this opportunity, everyone wants to persuade them.

It's just that Cao Pi was originally implementing a plan to paralyze the enemy, so he naturally refused to accept their correct proposal, and snorted coldly: "I have already consumed Liu Bei, forced the south to retreat, and put down the rebellion in the north, and the enemy is almost eliminated, can't I enjoy it?" ”

"Your Majesty."

Simbi also wanted to say something.

Cao Pi interrupted him and said, "Needless to say, if you want to continue listening to singing and dancing, continue to sit here, if you don't want to listen, just go, come here, then play music, and then dance." ”

"Ugh."

The crowd sighed.

Sima Fu was puzzled, not because of Cao Pi's temperament.

He knew that Cao Pi was a person who liked to be vocal and sensual, and it was not uncommon for him to have such a situation.

Sima Fu wondered when he saw Dong Zhao, Jiang Ji, Liu Ye and others silent, he was suspicious for a while, and asked Dong Zhao next to him in a low voice: "Why doesn't Dong Gong persuade Your Majesty?" ”

Dong Zhao glanced at him and said, "This is Brother Ling's suggestion to His Majesty, why do you want to persuade him?" ”

"My brother's advice?"

Sima Fu scratched his head, thought about it, and didn't ask any more.

He knew that Sima Yi would not be untargeted.

At the moment, Cao Pi continued to enjoy singing and dancing, and where he indulged, his lower abdomen was about to move again, so he looked at the beautiful singer, thinking about whether he would take them back to the West Palace to be happy.

Just when the banquet had entered the climax, Chen Qun hurriedly rushed in, sweating profusely, and said anxiously to Cao Pi: "Your Majesty, we have been tricked, Zhang He has been beheaded, Xiahou Ba has been captured, and we are defeated!" ”

Hit the trick?

A great defeat for our army?

Cao Pi's original smile had solidified in an instant, and then his face suddenly turned from ruddy to pale.

He opened his mouth to say something, but he felt so tight in his chest that he couldn't say anything.

The atmosphere on the field fell into solemnity.

Cao Pi held the table with his left hand, trying to get up from the original lying position, but he couldn't get up.

After a while, the corners of his mouth overflowed with blood.

"Poof!"

Cao Pi was so angry that he spat out blood violently, fainted on the seat, unconscious!