novelSusiti Chapter 99 4 Routes to Defeat Shu
Chapter 99 4 Routes to Defeat Shu
Chapter 99 Four-pronged Attack on Shu (Fourth Update, Requesting Monthly Tickets)
There's a saying: "To be swayed by the evil of the ruler."
There's also a term for it: cruel official.
Both can be called villains. Although Zhong Hui was the son of Zhong Yao, a famous minister who helped found the dynasty, and came from a prestigious family, he did not have a good reputation in the court and among the people.
For example, all the ministers are now opposed, and they are all aware of the potential risks this matter may bring.
What if we launch a long and arduous expedition without any support? And what if the Sima family's foundation is not yet secure and is shaken?
We can take it easy now. If Sima Zhao can't become emperor, then let the next generation take the throne.
Most people knew what Sima Zhao was thinking. But they objected because they believed it was the right thing to do.
But Zhong Hui was different. Serving Sima Zhao was in his nature, and it was also the ladder he climbed to power.
Although Zhong Hui is talented, he is a petty person.
The Zhong family's son is a wild child, which will surely cause endless trouble in the future.
The officials were extremely dissatisfied with Zhong Hui, but none of them dared to say it.
Deng Dun dared to speak out. His blood boiled, and he stood up. He first glared at Zhong Hui, then bowed to Sima Zhao, his voice filled with murderous intent, and said, "General, all the gentlemen say it's not right, but Zhong Hui says it's right. This is going to ruin your important plans! I beg you to execute Zhong Hui immediately to clarify right from wrong."
Zhong Hui was also enraged, gripping his sword hilt and glaring at Deng Dun, while feeling uneasy. Although he believed that Sima Zhao wouldn't kill him just for speaking, and that his words aligned with Sima Zhao's wishes, what if things didn't go as planned?
Sima Zhao was overjoyed to see Zhong Hui speak up in support of him; he certainly wouldn't kill Zhong Hui. He simply said, "General Deng, you flatter me. This is just a discussion; those who speak are not guilty."
Having said that, he stood up, gripping his sword in his left hand and flicking his sleeve with his right, then turned and left the hall through the side door, but turned back to look at the attendant.
The attendant nodded slightly and immediately said to the crowd, "Gentlemen, please leave. The Commandant of the Capital Region, please stay."
"Yes." Zhong Hui was overjoyed and bowed, responding loudly. Although he tried to restrain himself, his pride was still evident.
The officials all turned a sidelong glance at him.
"Hmph." Deng Dun's face turned ashen. He wished he could draw his sword and kill Zhong Hui, but in the end he didn't dare to do so. He snorted coldly and turned to leave.
The officials and ministers also left, but once outside the room they dared not speak loudly. Instead, they exchanged glances, sighed, or shook their heads.
"General Deng, Lord Sima's mind is made up. You should say no more," someone stepped forward and reminded Deng Dun.
Deng Dun, however, was unmoved, shaking his head and saying, "Thank you for your kindness. But how can I remain silent when I know it's wrong?"
After saying that, he strode away.
"Alas." The person who reminded Deng Dun shook his head and sighed, feeling that the general's fate was probably not good.
After the officials left, Zhong Hui followed a servant through the side door to the side room. Sima Zhao was kneeling and waiting, and upon seeing Zhong Hui enter, he immediately smiled.
"No need for formalities. Please sit down," Sima Zhao invited.
"Thank you, General." Zhong Hui bowed respectfully, then knelt down in front of Sima Zhao.
Sima Zhao sighed, "All of you gentlemen have disappointed me, only Shi Ji has satisfied me." After acknowledging Zhong Hui's strong support, he then asked seriously, "But Shi Ji, now that all of you are against it, I'm afraid I can't go my own way."
"Not so." Zhong Hui was prepared and replied calmly, "When Emperor Wu of the past attacked the Wuhuan, all the ministers said it was not advisable. Only Guo Jia supported Emperor Wu. Therefore, in the Battle of Liucheng, Tadun was defeated in one battle, and Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi fled to Liaodong, where they were killed by Gongsun. If it weren't for this battle, the Yuan family might still be alive and well."
After Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi's defeat, they first sought refuge with the Wuhuan people because Yuan Shao treated them very well. In the Battle of Liucheng, the Wuhuan leader Tadun was killed in battle by Zhang Liao.
After a pause, Zhong Hui continued, "In the Battle of Red Cliffs, Zhang Zhao and others persuaded Sun Quan to surrender his territory, but only Zhou Yu..."
Lu Su disagreed and supported Sun Quan's uprising against it. "Without Zhou Yu and Lu Su, there would be no Eastern Wu as we know it today."
"I believe that important matters do not need to be discussed by everyone; a private discussion among two or three people is sufficient."
After speaking, Zhong Hui bowed respectfully to Sima Zhao, showing true deference and courtesy.
The more Sima Zhao looked at him, the more he liked him. He was from a prominent family, handsome, exceptionally talented, and wholeheartedly supportive of him.
How could he not cherish it?
"Shiji is truly my Zhang Liang." Sima Zhao stood up, walked forward, bent down, and patted Zhong Hui's back, saying with great affection and joy.
"General." Zhong Hui was overjoyed and bowed deeply with tears of gratitude on his face.
Sima Zhao smiled and nodded, then returned to his seat in the main position. He then began to secretly spy on Zhong Hui.
After the meeting, Sima Zhao summoned his trusted advisors, including Shi Zuan, to discuss the matter. Just one day later, Sima Zhao defied the wishes of his officials and issued the order to attack Shu.
Preparations began for the campaign against Shu.
First of all.
Sima Zhao ordered the prefectures and counties of Qingzhou, Xuzhou, Yanzhou, Yuzhou, Jingzhou, and Yangzhou to train troops, stockpile grain, and build warships.
He also ordered General Tang Zi to lead troops to build ships in Qingzhou, making it appear as if he intended to attack Eastern Wu from the sea.
After throwing out this smokescreen, Sima Zhao secretly dispatched troops to Guanzhong.
A four-pronged attack on the Shu Kingdom.
The first route was the main force, with Zhong Hui appointed as General Who Guards the West, granted the authority to act on behalf of the emperor, and given the responsibility of overseeing all military affairs in Guanzhong. They raised an army of over 100,000 and marched along the Bao-Xie Road.
Tangluo Road, attacking Hanzhong.
The second force was a flanking force, led by General Deng Ai, with 30,000 to 40,000 elite troops including Wang Gu, the prefect of Tianshui, Qian Hong, the prefect of Longxi, and Yang Xin, the prefect of Jincheng, to attack Jiang Wei in Tazhong.
The third route was led by Zhuge Xu, the governor of Yongzhou and a member of the Langya Zhuge clan, who commanded 30,000 to 40,000 troops to seize Yinping Bridge and cut off Jiang Wei's return route.
The fourth route was led by Liu Qin, the governor of Weixing County, who commanded several thousand elite troops to go up the river and advance into the Ziwu Valley.
The total strength is approximately 200,000.
After Sima Zhao issued his order, without the need for an imperial edict, all forces in Cao Wei began to prepare for war with all their might.
In Hebei and Sanhe, grain was transported either by boat or by horse-drawn cart, with carts lined up one after another on the roads and boats lined up one after another on the rivers.
Countless couples and fathers and sons parted in tears as they rushed to the battlefield.
Although Cao Wei only had 200,000 troops, it mobilized over a million civilians and laborers.
The manpower and resources consumed in a war of this scale are incalculable.
This was also a concern for the officials of Cao Wei: "A long and arduous expedition will cost a fortune," and "If we fail, we will return in disgrace."
What was shaken was the very foundation of the Sima family.
But Sima Zhao was determined to do as he pleased. He wanted to destroy the Shu Kingdom and then turn the country into the Sima family's domain.
He wants to be emperor.
In the study of the Grand General's residence, Sima Zhao knelt on the main seat, examining a map with an excited expression.
Liu Shan, the ruler of Shu, was truly a mediocre ruler. Even with Zhuge Liang's assistance, he could only preserve the territory. What about Jiang Wei?
Because of being ostracized, Jiang Wei stationed his troops in Tazhong to grow wheat. There was only one road connecting Tazhong and Hanzhong, and Jiang Wei had to take the route via Yinping Bridge.
As long as Zhuge Xu's elite troops block the Yinping Bridge, Deng Ai's elite troops will pursue from behind, launching a pincer attack from both sides.
Jiang Wei was about to die outside Hanzhong.
Jiang Wei is dead, and the ruler of Shu is mediocre. The Shu kingdom is like a snow-capped mountain; it can collapse in an instant.
"I'm going to be the emperor!" Sima Zhao exclaimed excitedly, his body trembling slightly as he slammed his right hand heavily onto the map.
With a "bang".