In September of the seventh year of Zhang Wu, Zhuge Liang led the main force to retreat to Nanyang.

In the first battle of Ziyun Mountain, he only defeated Cao's army at the cost of losing thousands of people, captured more than 10,000 people, and killed 20,000, which can be described as a complete victory.

With the power of this victory, the army returned to Nanyang in a mighty way.

For a while, the voice of Zhuge Liang in the Southern Han Dynasty was swept away at once, and the rumors and rumors in the court were almost extinct.

The ministers congratulated Liu Chan countless times, and no one impeached Zhuge Liang for not understanding military affairs.

Zhuge Liang asked Zhang Fei and Gan Ning, Lu Chang, Wu Yi and others to take the lead and garrison Wancheng and other places, and he and Fazheng Pang Tong Xu Shu and others returned to Xiangyang to return to Liu Chan.

In late September, the group arrived in Xiangyang.

Liu Chan took the civil and military ministers out of the city to greet him at the dock to celebrate Zhuge Liang's victorious return.

The people of the city got the news and flocked to the entire dock.

Surrounded by everyone, Zhuge Liang enjoyed star-like treatment and escorted all the way to the Xiangyang Palace.

It wasn't until they entered the palace that everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

The people were so enthusiastic that they knew that Zhuge Liang had won the battle and the city was a sensation.

Everywhere along the way, it can be said that there are crowds of people, cheers are endless, the whole market is boiling, even if there are troops standing guard, it cannot stop the enthusiasm of the people.

Everyone came to the palace, Liu Chan sat on the main seat, and invited everyone to sit down, and many ministers in the hall were full of smiles and joy.

Liu Chan said with a smile: "This big victory, the prime minister has greatly increased the military prestige, I'm afraid it won't be long before we can go on another Northern Expedition." ”

"Hmm."

Zhuge Liang nodded with a smile and said: "Your Majesty, the long-cherished wish of the first emperor, the minister will not dare to forget for a moment, the Northern Expedition has a long road, but it is still necessary to forge ahead." ”

Liu Chan said again: "It's just that now that we withdraw our troops back to Nanyang, should we recuperate, and the prime minister is still needed for major national affairs." ”

Zhuge Liang said: "It is true that I want to recuperate, but the minister plans to go to Wancheng to prepare for military affairs." ”

"Oh?"

Liu Chan was surprised: "Could it be that the prime minister plans to immediately go on a northern expedition next year?" ”

"It's not."

Zhuge Liang shook his head and said: "The first emperor entrusted the great cause to the minister, and the minister could not slack off, so the minister would actively rectify the soldiers and horses in Nanyang and go north to Henan again at any time." ”

Liu Chan said worriedly: "But the country's government affairs still need the assistance of the prime minister." ”

During this time, there was no Zhuge Liang here, Liu Chan was a head bigger than two, although there were also Ma Liang, Jiang Wan, Yang Yi, Yin Mo, Fei Yi, Dong Yun, Huo Yi and others to help deal with it, but it was not like before, and he didn't need to take care of it.

In the past, when Zhuge Liang was there, not only were the country's major affairs in order, but even the appointment of officials and the arrangement of soldiers and horses in various places were also handled by Zhuge Liang, and there was no need for Liu Chan to think about it.

As a result, as soon as Zhuge Liang left, Liu Chan realized how troublesome it was to manage a country.

He was approached for everything from the appointment of officials, the collection of grain and grass taxes in various localities, the distribution of peasants' land, the examination of death row prisoners across the country, the uploading and disposal of intelligence in various localities, the construction of warehouses, the maintenance of roads, the sowing of grain, and even disputes between officials over certain matters.

For a while, Liu Chan's scalp was numb, waiting for Zhuge Liang to come back like the stars and the moon, but he didn't expect Zhuge Liang to go to Nanyang again, so what should he do?

Zhuge Liang had no choice but to appease: "There are other important ministers in the court, Ji Chang, Gongyan, Wei Gong, Wen Wei and others are all great talents, and if Your Majesty has something that cannot be decided, you can naturally ask them." ”

"But they can't make decisions right away like prime ministers."

Liu Chan found a reason and said: "What's more, sometimes they don't have the same opinions, and I don't know who to listen to." Only the decision made by the prime minister is convincing. ”

"This"

Zhuge Liang frowned, Shen Chen often advised him not to work too hard, just concentrate on one thing, don't always think about all the big and small things.

After Liu Bei's death, there was no one to command the main force of Nanyang in the middle lane, and Shen Chen recommended him to take on this responsibility.

Therefore, Zhuge Liang felt that if he personally led the troops to the Northern Expedition, then he would naturally have to be in the barracks all the time, otherwise if he couldn't train the soldiers and pay close attention to military affairs, wouldn't it become a situation where the generals didn't know the soldiers and the soldiers didn't know the generals?

But now Liu Chan hopes that he can handle government affairs, which is a bit contradictory.

There was a moment of hesitation.

Liu Chan thought of a genius idea, he said with a smile: "Anyway, Wancheng is not far from Xiangyang, it is better for the prime minister to set up the prime minister's mansion in Wancheng, and all the government affairs in the world will be sent to Wancheng, won't the prime minister be able to make a decision?" ”

This is indeed a good way, because Wancheng and Hanshui are connected by water, and it takes two days to take a boat from Wancheng to Xiangyang, and it takes four or five days from Xiangyang to Wancheng.

What's more, the two places are connected by carrier pigeon bases, and if there is an emergency, the news can be delivered quickly.

But Zhuge Liang has to manage both military affairs and government affairs, and he really treats him as an iron man.

Zhou Budo, who was transferred from Nanyang to the central government this year, was the first to stand up and object: "Your Majesty, Shijun once said that if you are not in your position, you will not seek your own government. The prime minister is also a human being, in the past, he was already very tired of dealing with national affairs, and now he has to take charge of military affairs, and the Northern Expedition to Cao Wei is difficult to use for two purposes. ”

"Yes, Your Majesty, the minister thinks that the prime minister has to handle military affairs on the one hand, and on the other hand, he also has to deal with government affairs, and it is inevitable that there will be mistakes and omissions. This is not a good thing for both military and government affairs. Therefore, the minister thought that it should still be separated, and the government affairs should stay in Xiangyang. ”

"The minister also thinks that this is the reason, although the prime minister can do everything well, but if everything is handled by the prime minister, then what else does the minister of the Manchu Dynasty do? Your Majesty should still trust the rest of the ministers. ”

"The minister seconded the proposal."

"The minister also seconded the proposal."

For a time, many courtiers objected to Liu Chan's throwing government affairs to Zhuge Liang.

It's not that they doubt Zhuge Liang, they are afraid that he will grasp all the military and political affairs, become a generation of powerful ministers, and usurp the Han like Cao Pi.

Under the existing system, if Zhuge Liang really does this, I am afraid that he will be eliminated immediately.

Guan Yu is still there, Zhang Fei is still there, and even Zhuge Liang himself often talks about loyalty to the Han Dynasty and loyalty to the first emperor, and he will definitely not end well if he does this.

Therefore, no one is afraid that Zhuge Liang is in power.

The main reason is that as soon as Zhuge Liang leaves, there will be a hollow power in the southern court.

It turned out that these ministers could only obey Zhuge Liang, and now they can control political affairs by themselves, which is naturally good news.

Zhuge Liang himself didn't want to be so tired.

Historically, he had no choice, but now that the south is full of talents, there is no need to catch them all.

So he also said: "Your Majesty, what the princes said is very true, now that the deputy ministers of the three provinces have also returned to the court, if the ministers want to go on the Northern Expedition, the three ministers can share the worries for Your Majesty, so why should the ministers be there?" ”

"Okay then."

Liu Chan reluctantly complied, but his expression was obviously very disappointed, it seemed that he didn't have to do anything, and the happy days of just lying flat every day were going to be gone forever.

Ma Liang said: "Prime Minister, now that the army has withdrawn back to Nanyang, the Cao army will definitely not give up, if it is to use troops in Huainan Guanzhong?" ”

Zhuge Liang said with a smile: "It's okay, I already have a countermeasure." Please be relieved about this matter. ”

As he spoke, he looked to the east with a deep gaze.

Cao Wei wanted to take advantage of Liu Bei's death and the whole country mourned to take the opportunity to seize Huainan Guanzhong, but he would not give the other party such a good opportunity.

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In the seventh year of Zhangwu of the Han Dynasty and in September of the eighth year of the Huang Dynasty of the Wei Dynasty, Emperor Cao Pi of Wei vomited blood and fainted in the Luoyang Palace.

He woke up the next day, bedridden, and his physical condition was not optimistic.

In the West Palace, incense was burned in the hall, Cao Pi had just drunk the decoction, and the whole person was very weak, and his face was extremely pale.

Chen Qun, Dong Zhao, Liu Ye, Jiang Ji and other major strategists accompanied him below.

"Is Zhongda back?"

Cao Pi turned his head and asked with difficulty.

Chen Qun replied, "It's already on the way." ”

"When Zhongda returns, let him come to see me immediately."

"Yes."

"Send the edict again, escort Xiahou Yuan back to Luoyang, and behead him immediately."

"Your Majesty."

Dong Zhao was shocked: "No, the hussar general is an important minister of the country, and he must not destroy himself." ”

Cao Pi was furious and was about to roar, but he felt tightness in his chest, and coughed violently: "Ahem, cough, what a heavy minister, I have almost destroyed the entire army of Great Wei, and I will never spare him." ”

"Your Majesty"

Dong Zhao wanted to say something, but Jiang Ji next to him pulled him and signaled that Cao Pi was angry now, don't say anything.

Seeing this situation, Dong Zhao had no choice but to keep silent.

It was still Chen Qun who persuaded and said: "Your Majesty, this matter, let's wait for Zhongda to come back and discuss it." After all, the hussar general has quite a prestige in the army, and if he is killed now, the morale of the army is afraid."

"Ahem, ahem."

The corners of Cao Pi's mouth were bleeding, and he waved his hand with difficulty and said, "That's it, wait for Zhongda to come back." ”

Let's let everyone go down, he is too uncomfortable now, he just wants to rest.

Two days later, Sima Yi came back in the dust.

Before entering the palace, Chen Qun and the others told him that Cao Pi was going to kill Xiahou Yuan.

Sima Yi said he understood, and then went to see Cao Pi.

The situation on Cao Pi's side was very bad, he was seriously ill in bed, and when he saw him coming, he still held his sick body and asked about the situation.

Sima Yi informed Cao Pi of what happened at that time, and Cao Pi was furious after hearing this, and said, "Xiahou Yuan should be killed!" ”

"Naturally, it should be killed."

Sima Yi said lightly.

Chen Qun, Dong Zhao, Jiang Ji, Liu Ye and others next to him were shocked.

They never expected that Sima Yi would obey Cao Pi's wishes, and looked at him in shock for a while.

Cao Pi said: "Zhong Da also thinks that Xiahou Yuan should be killed? ”

"Yes."

Sima Yi arched his hand and said: "The minister also persuaded the general, but he didn't listen. ”

"Okay."

Cao Pi nodded: "Then send Xiahou Yuan back to Luoyang and kill him." ”

Sima Yi said again: "In addition to the hussar generals, I also ask Your Majesty to kill Xiahou Shang, Jia Kui, Guo Huai, Wang Ling, Chen Qun, Dong Zhao, Jiang Ji, Liu Ye, etc. ”

Chen Qun and the others over there were even more shocked, but after a while, they quickly understood, and they were silent for a while.

"Why?"

Cao Pi was puzzled.

Sima Yi said: "These people think that they can attack, so naturally they are guilty of the same crime as the hussar general." It was they who despised Zhuge Liang, was the hussar general the only one to bear the blame? ”

As soon as these words came out, Cao Pi froze for a while.

Because even if he thinks he can pursue, doesn't that mean that he is guilty of the same crime?

After all, no one expected that Zhuge Liang's military ability was so strong, he was able to command tens of thousands of troops on the spot, resisted the attack of Cao's army, and waited for Zhang Fei's reinforcements to arrive.

So this matter is not only Xiahou Yuan's misjudgment, but everyone's misjudgment. If only Xiahou Yuan is held responsible, it is indeed unfair to Xiahou Yuan.

Thinking of this, Cao Pi could only say: "Then forget it, but the death penalty can be avoided, Xiahou Yuan will be demoted to a concubine, and Xiahou Shang will temporarily lead the front line commander, and then I will choose a suitable person to go to the south." ”

"Your Majesty is wise."

Only then did everyone breathe a sigh of relief and surrender their hands to Cao Pi.

Cao Pi coughed violently, covered his mouth with a handkerchief, and said again after a while: "Now that you are defeated, can you still seek to capture Huainan Guanzhong?" ”

Sima Yi said, "Your Majesty, it's the right time. ”

"Why?"

"Your Majesty, think about it, Liu Bei is newly mourned, and the national strength of the south is declining greatly, they no longer have the heart to fight a decisive battle with us, if we are not defeated, what will they think?"

What will they think?

Cao Pi pondered: "If it is me, I am afraid that we will take the opportunity to concentrate troops and horses to attack Huainan or Guanzhong. ”

"Not bad."

Sima Yi nodded and said, "But now that we are newly defeated, the enemy will definitely not expect us to send troops immediately, so this is the time when they can relax their vigilance the most." ”

"Ahem, cough, cough"

Cao Pi coughed a few times, gasped, and said softly: "This is reasonable. ”

Sima Yi said: "I heard that Guan Yu has returned to Huainan, and the latest news is that the grain will be harvested soon this autumn, if you take advantage of this time to attack Huainan, and then let Sun Quan rebel in the rear, so that Yangzhou can not harvest grain and grass, then the military food on the front line will inevitably be scarce, and you may be able to defeat Guan Yu in a short time and recapture the land of Huainan." ”

"It's just that now Zhuge Liang has returned his soldiers and horses to Nanyang, if he takes the waterway from Nanyang to help, what will it be?"

Cao Pi asked again.

They had discussed this issue before.

Originally, it was planned that if the soldiers and horses of Nanyang went to rescue Huainan, their main force in Henan would take the opportunity to invade.

But now that Henan has been defeated, it is still unknown whether the main force on his side can invade.

Therefore, Cao Pi is very worried.

Only Sima Yi said: "Please transfer the Youzhou cavalry to Henan." ”

"Youzhou cavalry?"

Cao Pi frowned: "Tian Yu, Yan Rou and others do have a lot of cavalry in their hands, but those are all for guarding the border. Xianbei Wuhuan has not been able to fully restrain himself, if all the soldiers and horses on the frontier are transferred, then Youzhou is not "

Sima Yi said: "The soldiers are fast, this battle is a surprise attack on Huainan, and the soldiers and horses are attacking for thousands of miles, which is to take advantage of the enemy's unpreparedness to attack decisively, so that they cannot be guarded." At that time, if Guan Yu can be conquered, even if there is chaos in the north, he can immediately go back to resist. ”

"Hmm"

Cao Pi pondered for a long time, and finally nodded and said: "Okay, then listen to Zhongda's words, mobilize the troops and horses on the northern border to go south, and then send someone to send a message to Sun Quan, we are about to attack Huainan, let him get ready." This is his last chance, and if he doesn't seize the opportunity, he will never be able to turn around. ”

"Yui."

Everyone should give it up.

The plan to seize Huainan is finally about to begin.