Weird Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3759 It may be difficult to secure the country and expand its territory.
Chang'an City, the residence of the General of the Cavalry.

The night watch had not yet ended, and the stars still hung in the sky.

Fei Zhen sat with her robe draped over her shoulders, her brows furrowed with a solemnity beyond her years.

Xun You entered slowly, the candlelight flowing like water on his robe.

After the two exchanged greetings, Fei Zhen cut to the chase: "My lord, I have heard that the traitor Cao has once again invaded the He and Luo regions?"

Xun You nodded and said, "Indeed."

Fei Zhen frowned and asked, "How did it come to this?"

Xun You replied, "Does Your Excellency know that Sun Tzu's Art of War says, 'The skillful strategist brings the enemy to his own ends, rather than being brought to his own ends'?"

Fei Zhen rose and performed the disciple's salute: "Please teach me, sir."

"The loss of Yique was not a defeat, but rather a consequence." Xun You pointed to a map beside him. "Why don't you take a look, my lord?"

Fei Zhen stood up. "Fetch some more candles!"

The servant lit the candle and brought it closer.

Fei Zhen walked to the edge of the large Heluo map, slightly raised her head, and her gaze lingered on Yique, but quickly slid back to Luoyang City...

……

……

In the Heluo region, within the city of Luoyang.

Faced with the overwhelming momentum of Cao Cao's army, an emergency military meeting is being held overnight.

The idea of ​​prioritizing internal stability before external threats suggests that eliminating internal traitors before a major battle is a necessary step.

However, there isn't much time to verify the authenticity right now. If we make a sweeping cut, it will inevitably harm a large number of innocent people.

The biggest weakness is the lack of manpower.

Just as Zao Zhi said, the first priority for the Wen Si (a government agency) is to secure Pingyang in Hedong and Chang'an in Guanzhong, while the Heluo region...

In later generations of Da Dong, although the official claim was that civil servants accounted for nearly 1% of the total population, in reality, when temporary and contract workers were included, the number far exceeded 1%. Even so, when faced with some emergencies, it was still inevitable that they would be flustered and even make mistakes in the rush.

The ratio of officials to commoners in the Han Dynasty was approximately 1 to 7,000, in the Tang Dynasty it was 1 to 4,000, in the Ming Dynasty it was 1 to 2,000, and in the Qing Dynasty it was 1 to 1,000. Therefore, it was obviously unrealistic to expect civil servants to have four eyes and eight arms under such ratios.

Therefore, whether it's criticizing Zao Zhi for not doing this sooner or condemning the Wen Si for dereliction of duty and incompetence, these are all one-sided accusations that disregard factual basis. So, in the Han Dynasty, could the limited number of officials in and around Luoyang not only have been able to secure the city's defenses and harvest the crops before Cao Cao's army arrived, but also to have been able to eliminate internal traitors?

Obviously it is impossible.

Zao Zhi also knew this.

So, what's the priority right now?
It seems that the first priority should be to strengthen the city's defenses.

Is that really the case?

Zao Zhi paced slowly, pondering for a long time.

"The current situation, though precarious, is certainly not the time to stop violence with violence," Zao Zhi said slowly, standing firm. "My lord, in leading a righteous army and implementing new policies throughout the land, the most important thing is to win the hearts of the people! If, out of fear of internal collusion, you were to resort to ruthless measures, emulating the harsh policies of Qin, you would undoubtedly be destroying your own defenses, causing fear among the people and alienating the scholars. At that time, even without Cao Cao's army attacking, we would have already lost our foothold."

"The traitor within is indeed despicable and must be eliminated as quickly as possible! However, we must clearly define the laws, conduct thorough investigations, and execute those with evidence of guilt without pardon! Those without concrete evidence should not be lightly investigated. How can we throw the baby out with the bathwater and resort to the cruel method of 'better to kill the innocent than let the guilty go free'? This is not the way to govern a country! In the past, Shang Yang established trust by placing a wooden pole, which made the people of Qin fear the law; if we rely solely on suspicion and abuse punishment, how are we any different from Jie of Xia and Zhou of Shang?" Zao Zhi paused for a moment, his tone becoming extremely resolute, "The traitor in Cao Cao's army must be eliminated, but that is not the most urgent matter at present!"

He opened his mouth, wanting to argue, but seeing Zao Zhi's unwavering gaze, he swallowed his words and lowered his head, saying, "I... obey."

Zao Zhi nodded slightly, then his gaze returned to the map.

Taigu Pass.

"Yique has fallen, and Luoyang's western defenses have been breached. Although Taigu Pass has been temporarily preserved, its location in the east has lost its strategic advantage. Sima Zhongda and Wang Wenshu, though defending against Cao Cao's army, have limited forces and are holding an isolated pass alone. If Cao Cao's army advances north from Yique or makes a flanking maneuver to the east, Taigu Pass will be attacked from both sides and will surely fall..."

Zao Zhi raised his head and looked at everyone. "Luoyang urgently needs reinforcements. We cannot allow our capable generals and elite troops to be trapped in this isolated place! The most urgent task is not to hold onto the remaining passes, but to consolidate our forces, strengthen Luoyang's defenses, and await our lord's return to reinforce us!"

"Pass on my order!" Zao Zhi's voice suddenly rose, carrying an unquestionable authority. "Immediately, by urgent dispatch, order the Commander and General Wang of Taigu Pass to abandon Taigu Pass, gather all capable troops, and, along with usable provisions and weapons, retreat to Luoyang at top speed to establish defenses! No mistakes allowed!"

……

……

In Chang'an City.

Inside the council hall of the General of the Cavalry's residence.

Bright lights.

Xun You slowly said, "Does my lord know why our lord appointed Zao Zijing to command the Heluo region?"

Fei Zhen instinctively replied, "After the war in the Heluo region, it's only natural that Zijing Shu (Zijing Shu) should be the one to oversee the restoration of agriculture!"

Xun You nodded, but said nothing.

Fei Zhen glanced at Xun You, seemingly realizing that her answer was merely superficial, and frowned slightly as she pondered.

Xun You then asked, "Why did the lord order that Marquis Du be sent to deliver the order to evacuate Yique only yesterday?"

"This..." Fei Zhen scratched the back of her head, feeling a little itchy.

……

……

On the walls of Yique Pass, the black smoke had not yet dissipated, and the smell of burning blood mingled with the stench of blood, creating a suffocatingly heavy atmosphere in the autumn air.

Cao Cao stood with his hand on his sword, his black cloak fluttering in the wind of the pass.

He gazed at the devastated battlefield both inside and outside the pass, his face still bearing that usual arrogant smile that looked down on everything.

"Hahaha!" Cao Cao laughed loudly, glancing around, "The General of the Cavalry is nothing special!"

"If Fengxiao were here, seeing this formidable pass fall, what would he say of my military strategy?" Cao Cao's voice boomed as he laughed to his men, as if he had merely completed a routine hunt. "The General of Chariots and Cavalry is valiant, but ultimately he made a fatal mistake! With this pass breached, the fertile lands of the Heluo region are now in my grasp!"

Upon hearing this, the officers and soldiers on both sides were all excited and cheered, with endless shouts of praise and commendation.

Cao Cao stroked his beard and laughed heartily, exuding confidence and displaying the air of a domineering ruler who was certain of victory.

"My lord," Xiahou Wei said, clasping his hands in a gesture of respect, "our army has just won a victory, and morale is high. Why not seize the opportunity to advance and besiege Luoyang? Or perhaps divide our forces and head east to take Dagu Pass?" "This humble general is willing to be the vanguard! I will surely slay the enemy general beneath the city walls and display the might of our army!"

Xiahou Wei believed that by volunteering first, he could both support Cao Cao and erase the image of defeat in the previous pursuit battle.

Cao Cao chuckled and patted Xiahou Wei on the shoulder, "With Ji Quan here, I have nothing to worry about! Hahaha! However, our men and horses are all exhausted now, so let's rest for a while... This vast land of Heluo is practically empty; why should we fear a lack of merit? Hahahaha!"

Cao Cao laughed again, seemingly as bold and unrestrained as ever.

However, the smile did not truly reach his eyes.

Deep within those deep, sharp eyes, there was no hint of the apparent pleasure, but rather a still, almost icy pool of water, warily reflecting every corner of the pass.

The grand words were meant for his soldiers, a posture he had to project, but deep in Cao Cao's heart, a taut string never loosened.

Fei Qian, Fei Ziyuan.

The name was like an invisible thorn, always stuck in his proud and ambitious heart.

That person is too good at planning and too adept at striking after the opponent has acted.

The lessons learned from the past were too numerous and profound. Every time he thought victory was assured, Fei Qian would always deliver a fatal blow from an unexpected angle.

Just like now, the victory at Yique Pass was too smooth, so smooth that it aroused his suspicion.

Yique Pass is the shield of Luoyang. The Flying Cavalry is known for its tenacity and defensive prowess. Huang Zhong is a veteran general. Even if Cao Cao launches a surprise attack, how could they retreat so easily?
Could this be another carefully laid trap, designed to lure him in and repeat his past failures?
Cao Cao's laughter subsided, his gaze seemingly casually sweeping over the blood-stained and wrecked city walls and passageways. His tone turned solemn, carrying a perfectly measured weight of gravity. "Send down the order: all units must hold their camps firmly, maintain strict vigilance, and prevent any enemy counterattack! Furthermore, thoroughly clean up the battlefield, inventory the spoils, treat the wounded, and properly collect the remains of the fallen. With proper rest and recuperation, we can win this battle in one fell swoop!"

"Our lord is benevolent!"

"The Prime Minister is wise!"

The generals responded with a resounding roar. The order was relayed down through the ranks.

While most soldiers began to rest and celebrate their hard-won victory, several seemingly ordinary patrol teams, carrying more secretive instructions, quietly dispersed into every corner of the fortress.

They were Cao Cao's eyes and ears, directly under his trusted lieutenants. Their mission was not to maintain order, but to confirm the unspoken doubts deep within Cao Cao's heart...

Was Fei Qian truly retreating, or was he luring her in?

Was the fall of Yique Pass a desperate struggle, or a pre-prepared trap?
Surrounded by his guards, including Dian Wei, Cao Cao appeared to be casually inspecting the city. His steps were steady, and he wore a calm smile that suggested he was in control of everything. He would nod to the soldiers along the way from time to time, and even personally helped up a kneeling wounded soldier, comforting him with gentle words. He displayed the demeanor of a great ruler, but in reality, his mind was not entirely focused on his own troops. Instead, he was carefully examining every corner around him.

Inside the fortified city, the traces of battle were shocking.

The collapsed ramparts, burned vehicles, scattered weapons, congealed dark brown pools of blood, and the remains of soldiers from both sides that had not yet been transported away all testify to the brutality of the war that had just taken place.

This is indeed how a pass should look after a fierce battle and subsequent fall.

However, Cao Cao still did not let go of his doubts.

Cao Cao strolled to a residential area inside the pass.

There weren't many civilians inside Yique Pass, but there were certainly laborers who came with the army. These laborers were unlikely to live with the soldiers, so a residential area naturally formed.

Although the houses here were also affected by the war, they were obviously not the focus of the attack and defense, so most of them were not burned down and were preserved.

Cao Cao casually pushed open one of the half-closed doors.

The interior was simply furnished, yet it still retained the distinct scent of someone who had lived there not long ago.

On a rough wooden table, bowls, chopsticks, and other utensils lay scattered haphazardly.

Cao Cao lifted the lid of an earthenware jar and found some uncooked millet inside.

Cao Cao reached out and pulled out some millet to examine it. He found that it was half rice and half bran, and not too stale, clearly the daily ration of this household...

The water tank next to it was still about half full of water, and the water quality was relatively clear.

Cao Cao handed the earthenware jar to his guard and then signaled his soldiers to search the surrounding houses.

Before long, the soldiers who had looted these houses gathered the "spoils of war" and placed them in front of Cao Cao.

Some were like the half-chaff, half-millet rations that Cao Cao discovered; others were like half-eaten steamed buns that he couldn't bear to eat and had put away; and some messy, dirty, and tattered clothes...

Cao Cao looked at it, nodded, and then waved his hand, "If anyone wants it, then divide it up."

Cao Cao's personal troops naturally looked down on these junk items, but the ordinary Cao soldiers didn't mind at all, and they happily sorted through all the miscellaneous items they had found.

Cao Cao then arrived at the relatively remote rear camp kitchen area within the city gates.

The area was relatively messy, with broken earthenware pots and pans lying on the ground.

Some grains can still be seen in the cracks in the ground.

The messy footprints clearly indicate that someone has already scouted this place out beforehand...

These days, everyone knows that the houses in the slums are all made up of scraps, and only the army's rear supply depots have good food.

Especially the rear camp of the Flying Cavalry.

Cao Cao beckoned, "What did you find here?"

The minor official in charge of the rear camp smiled obsequiously, "Reporting to the Prime Minister...it's just some miscellaneous discarded items...nothing much, nothing at all..."

"Is it registered?" Cao Cao asked.

"This..." The clerk was dumbfounded. "Reporting to the Prime Minister, this... was rather rushed, and we haven't had time yet..."

Cao Cao nodded, then suddenly pointed to the empty hook hanging from the crossbeam of the rear camp and asked, "What was originally hanging over there?"

"It's just a few pieces of cured meat..." the clerk answered instinctively, then quickly added, "Some spoils of war, which I was originally planning to put in the books..."

Cao Cao nodded, then ignored the clerk who was secretly wiping his sweat, looked around again, and without saying anything more, returned to the council hall in the pass.

The soldiers who were sent out to scout returned one by one to report back to Cao Cao with the information they had gathered.

Does Old Cao care about a few pieces of cured meat?

Obviously not, he cares about other things.

With the soldiers' reports, Old Cao roughly sketched out the scene of the retreat from Yique Pass in his mind...

Cao Cao waved for the scouts to leave, then frowned and pondered.

In front of the council hall, most of the flags had fallen or been burned in the war. Only one tall flag, though blackened by smoke and fire and with several holes in its surface, still stubbornly fluttered at the top of the flagpole. It was the flag of the Han Dynasty, the black character "Han" unfurling in the wind, as if still proclaiming the former sovereignty of this place.

Cao Cao glanced at it and suddenly sensed something was amiss. "Guards! Why is this flag like this?"

Hearing the commotion, Dian Wei looked up and jumped up in anger, shouting, "These lazy bums! Get back to your clothes right now!"

At the command, several soldiers hurriedly went to change the flag.

Cao Cao glanced at another flagpole that already had the Cao family's flag hanging on it, his eyes darting around as if he were thinking about something.

A moment later, the last group of soldiers sent by Cao Cao came to report, bringing with them some broken weapons and armor fragments collected from the battlefield.

Broken blades, wrecked bows and crossbows, leather shields riddled with arrows, shattered pieces of iron armor...

The items were numerous and varied, mostly charred and deformed, mixed with blood and dirt, and emitting a strong smell of rust and burnt earth.

Cao Cao didn't mind the filth at all. He walked out of the hall, bent down, and patiently rummaged through the pile of broken equipment.

He picked up the broken crossbow arm, his fingers tracing the splinters of wood and the signs of metal fatigue at the fracture point; he picked up a piece of shattered lamellar armor, carefully examining the wounds caused by blunt force or sharp blades; he then picked up a twisted arrowhead, identifying its design and craftsmanship…

These details silently tell the story of the brutality and reality of the battle.

Each breach corresponds to a collision with a weapon, a desperate slash or block.

Especially the equipment of the cavalry, the extent and manner of its damage could not have been achieved by deliberately aging or faking it.

Cao Cao noticed in particular that many of these remains were severely damaged and completely beyond repair.

If the intention was to deliberately abandon the pass to lure the enemy, even if traces were to be left behind, there would be no need to waste so many usable weapons, nor would there be any need to go to the trouble of damaging so much equipment to the point of being irreparable...

After checking everything, Cao Cao looked at a severed head lying on the ground.

The raging fire charred the head and helmet so much that they seemed to have melted together.

"Is this the garrison commander of Yique?" Cao Cao asked. "Are you sure it's him?"

"I'm certain," Cao Cao's army commander replied. "I questioned many people who were present at the time and confirmed that this man was the general guarding the pass. He fought and retreated, and eventually perished in the flames due to exhaustion..."

Cao Cao examined him for a moment, pondered, then waved his hand, "A true hero indeed, give him a proper burial!"

Cao's army commander responded and took away the miscellaneous items, along with Zhang Lie's head.

Cao Cao slowly straightened up. He brushed the ashes off his hands, and his usual reassuring and invigorating smile returned to his face, as if the meticulous and suspicious scrutinizer from moments before had never existed. He laughed heartily, "Send down the order: slaughter pigs and sheep to reward the army!"

"The Prime Minister is brilliant!" The soldiers and military academy students around them cheered again.

The order was quickly relayed, and the atmosphere inside the fortress became even more enthusiastic.

Surrounded by the crowd, Cao Cao walked towards the temporary central command tent, his steps seemingly much lighter.

Old Cao trusts no one but himself.

He believed the details he saw with his own eyes and judged that the retreat from Yique Pass was indeed hasty. Moreover, the fact that even the general guarding Yique Pass had died there further illustrated the urgent situation at the time and the lack of prior preparation.

Therefore, it's impossible to say that this was any pre-arranged plan by Fei Qian...

Even so, who can be 100% confident when facing an opponent who always manages to create miracles?
Marching into Luoyang is still a high-stakes gamble.

At this moment, Cao Cao felt that his bargaining chips had gained some weight.