Weird Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3897 The Application of Etiquette and the Importance of Harmony
With tricolored banners fluttering, a group of people left the main battlefield of Heluo and headed towards Taigu Pass.

In the ranks, Sima Yi couldn't help but look back, feeling somewhat melancholy.

He didn't understand.

This world changes so fast; it seems like just yesterday she was a sweet little girl...

The army marched at a pace that was neither too fast nor too slow. During this march, Sima Yi finally had enough time to confront himself and reflect on his actions...

Then, Sima Yi's resentment and confusion when faced with Fei Qian's appointment gradually became clear amidst the sound of horses' hooves and the clanging of armor.

Sima Yi was undoubtedly a clever man.

Recapture Taigu Pass, open up the Songshan Pass, and connect Jingzhou and Xiangyang.

Its strategic significance is beyond doubt.

Fei Qian did not reject Sima Yi's suggestion on this part, but why should he stay in Nanyang?
Appointed as the Prefect of Nanyang, he was responsible for governing the region, a position considered important.

But this clearly meant gently removing him from the core game that would determine the fate of the world and placing him on the side of the chessboard.

Was it because he did something wrong?
He clearly didn't do anything wrong!

Horses and men swayed, banners fluttered, as they rolled along the desolate winter road.

Sima Yi sat upright on his horse, closed his eyes and pretended to sleep, letting the warhorse slowly move forward with the main force, but his mind was spinning like a wheel.

This was a skill he honed in the Northern Regions; if necessary, he could even eat, drink, and relieve himself on horseback…

There was a time when Sima Yi felt that he had gained enough experience at the grassroots level and it was time for him to make his mark in the central government. But unexpectedly, he was transferred to a remote area again in the blink of an eye.

Although he was a local official with a salary of two thousand shi (a unit of grain), and a prefect of a region, Nanyang was, after all, a desolate and ruined place. Not only could he not accomplish anything for a considerable period of time, but he also had to rely on the support of other regions such as Guanzhong and Jingxiang.

Sima Yi let out a long breath.

He began to weigh his recent words, actions, and suggestions on the invisible scales of his mind...

Something's definitely wrong.

On the surface, they agree to peace talks, but in secret, they prepare for a surprise attack...

"Open up the Songshan Mountains, swiftly capture Taigu, connect Jingzhou and Xiangyang, and link the north and south..."

These strategies were the culmination of Sima Yi's wisdom and also conformed to the common sense that "all's fair in war" and "opportunities should not be missed" in the struggle for power in chaotic times.

No problem?!
But why does the General of the Cavalry always seem to prefer methods that appear more 'clumsy' and 'slower'?

They even built a training ground...

That's fine, but why did Fei Qian repeatedly agree to Cao Cao postponing the meeting?
Why did they remain indifferent to the so-called secret reports from Liu and Liang?
Even Guan Yu's rash reaction, as I've heard, differs from my own assessment...

correct!

This is it!

Fei Qian's reaction to Guan Yu's reckless advance!

And then his indifference towards the "brilliant plan" he offered!

Sima Yi was suddenly startled and opened his eyes. He couldn't help but look up at the tricolor flags fluttering above his head, as if he could feel the scrutinizing gaze of the General of the Cavalry being projected onto him through the tricolor flags!

Previously, Sima Yi was caught in the middle of the situation; as a strategist, his focus was naturally on 'breaking the deadlock'—

How to defeat the enemy in front of you and seize key objectives in the fastest and most effective way.

His mind was preoccupied with concepts such as "game-changing tactics," "ingenious strategies," and "capturing enemy generals and flags," and all his calculations revolved around maximizing his own military and political interests while minimizing the costs...

And this 'price'...

Sima Yi suddenly realized that he had never truly stepped out of his comfort zone and considered from a higher perspective what kind of "new situation" he should establish after "breaking the deadlock"?
Or rather, in Sima Yi's subconscious, he believed that as long as Cao Cao was defeated and the land was occupied, the remaining "governance" would be nothing more than a matter of course and following the established procedures!

Only now, far removed from the somber atmosphere of the central command tent and the constant stream of military reports, as he travels alone to his new post, do those previously overlooked details begin to surface, piecing together a clear picture…

Sima Yi recalled the scene when Zhuge Liang arrived at the Heluo camp after a long journey and reported the situation in Jingxiang to Fei Qian.

The young recruit spoke calmly and clearly.

He was more like a military man than a civil official.

At that time, Zhuge Liang's report did not focus on the glorious achievements of beheading generals and capturing flags, nor on the mountain of spoils, and there was not a trace of glee in exaggerating the bloody killings...

Zhuge Liang detailed how he cooperated with Xu Huang to stabilize the order in Jiangling; how he appeased powerful clans like the Cai and Kuai families, both utilizing and restraining them; how he gathered defeated soldiers and refugees, registered them as households, and allocated land to prevent them from causing trouble again; and how he repaired the post stations and roads to ensure the smooth flow of government orders and grain supplies...

Zhuge Liang even mentioned how he had initially made contact with, divided, and appeased the southern Sichuan barbarians during his time in Sichuan...

At the time, Sima Yi felt that what Zhuge Liang was talking about was all very trivial, even somewhat "dragging his feet," and that it would be more exciting to discuss things like the raid on Xuchang and the decisive battle at Sishui...

But now, looking back, he realizes that every move Zhuge Liang made pointed to a clear core!

To restore and consolidate rule, and to transform military victories into lasting and effective governance!
Zhuge Liang's thinking was embedded in the framework of "post-war reconstruction" and "long-term stability" from the very beginning!
Fei Qian listened attentively and asked detailed questions, clearly taking it very seriously!
Why didn't I notice this at the time?!

Sima Yi couldn't help but flick his whip.

The warhorse beneath him thought Sima Yi was reminding him to speed up, so it neighed and charged forward!

Sima Yi was jolted by the movement and quickly pulled on the reins.

The warhorse immediately reared up, its front hooves wobbling twice in the air before landing heavily. It then snorted and thrashed its neck from side to side, as if to say, "You think Sima Yi is a dog? What do you want, whip or choke?!"
Sima Yi bent down and patted the warhorse's neck a few times to soothe its little temper.

"Prioritize the people... ensure their well-being... the world does not belong to one person..."

Sima Yi suddenly recalled what Fei Qian had said earlier...

Sima Yi had always thought that these words were nothing more than the "correct slogans" that wise rulers and virtuous ministers of all dynasties had to proclaim, a gorgeous cloak covering power struggles and the distribution of interests.

Sima Yi himself often talked about "considering the future of the world."
But now it seems that Fei Qian may not have been just talking!

Fei Qian may have truly regarded the people as the foundation and considered governance as something more complex and important than mere military conquest!

Fei Qian's grand strategy may be to "solve" Cao Cao and pacify the Central Plains in a specific way that can reshape the order and win the hearts of the people in the long run, and in the process, promote Fei Qian's new system and new ideas to the whole world!
Therefore, in comparison, Sima Yi's strategy, although ingenious and ruthless, and capable of achieving immediate and miraculous results, may leave hidden dangers...

Betraying an alliance and launching a surprise attack will easily lead to a loss of credibility with the world.

Taking Xu County hastily and opportunistically could provoke even fiercer resistance from the Yingchuan gentry, undermining the rapid post-war reconciliation efforts.

Overemphasizing immediate military adventures may lead to neglect of local stability and public sentiment...

All of these run counter to Fei Qian's pursuit of restoring order.

"It turns out that my wisdom is limited to destroying the old; while my lord's strategy aims to establish the new..."

Upon understanding this, Sima Yi was immediately filled with extremely complex and contradictory emotions.

"madness!"

A sharp voice screamed in his heart, 'Such womanly compassion, such impractical views! Most of the people are muddle-headed, only concerned with their immediate needs for food and clothing; who cares about long-term stability? Don't talk about the iron will of history! History is always in the hands of the victors! Besides, a hundred years after the valiant general, who knows if those who come after him won't change course? Those commoners, receiving favors today, will forget them completely tomorrow! To go to such lengths, doing something so laborious, thankless, and with such slow results, is utterly foolish!'

"Not necessarily!" Yet, deep within Sima Yi's heart, another faint but undeniable voice countered, "What if we truly act as you, my lord? What if we could break this cycle of three or four hundred years of order followed by chaos, land annexation, the rise of powerful local magnates, and eventual collapse? What if we could truly bring less war and more peace to the world in the future, ensuring that farmers have land and residents have shelter… perhaps that would be the true righteousness, the true achievement?"

The two extremely contradictory thoughts tore at Sima Yi, causing him great distress.

This pent-up frustration, the sense of defeat after self-reflection, and the lingering worry about being marginalized in the future—all these mixed together to create a complex emotion…

This feeling, pent up in his heart, weighed heavily on Sima Yi's mind, causing him great distress.

He was unwilling to question the correctness of Fei Qian's decisions, as that would be tantamount to denying the fundamental strategy of the group he now relied on, which was also the most likely to win the world.

However, he could not completely convince himself that this seemingly roundabout path was the optimal solution.

He needs a specific target to vent to...

That means it's Zhuge Liang!

Yes, Zhuge Liang.

If this person hadn't suddenly appeared, and given his reporting style and approach that was so different from traditional strategists and more aligned with Fei Qian's strategic thinking, creating a stark contrast with Sima Yi, then perhaps the General of the Cavalry wouldn't have noticed Sima Yi's "minor deviation" in strategic direction so quickly.
Without Zhuge Liang, Sima Yi might still be an indispensable strategist in the central command tent. Even if his strategies were somewhat unconventional, they might still be adopted because there was no one to compare them with, or they might be used after modification!
Simply put, Sima Yi was completely "replaced" by Zhuge Liang!

"If it weren't for Zhuge Liang... why would my lord have sent me out to gain experience? Yes, that must be it!"

He prided himself on his exceptional intelligence and decisiveness, yet he lost to this seemingly martial scholar from Jingzhou in the more subtle test of "strategic fit."

Sima Yi let out another long sigh.

That sigh contained a vague awareness of one's own limitations, a lament for bad luck, and even more so, a sense of resentment at the rivalry between heroes.

"Since Yi was born... why was Liang born as well..."

……

……

On the other side, others were also expressing similar sentiments.

"Since Shuo was born, why was Zhang created?!"

Just yesterday, in the temporary camp between Chen and Liang, Cao Shuo had a falling out with Cao Zhang and Cao Zhen.

Although Cao Cao's army ultimately forced Wei Yan to retreat and inflicted considerable losses on him, the price paid by Cao Cao's army was equally heavy, and it failed to achieve its strategic objective of annihilating or severely damaging the enemy's main force, so it can hardly be called a "great victory".

The wounded soldiers of Cao Cao's army also had difficulty receiving effective treatment, and many of them were just toughing themselves out.

However, amidst this oppressive atmosphere, one person experiences a unique sense of accomplishment that seems out of place with his surroundings.

This person was Cao Shuo.

In his own carefully constructed narrative, the key turning point of this fierce battle lies in his "heroic" act as bait, risking his life to attract Wei Yan's main force!

Of course, Cao Shuo selectively ignored the fact that it was his own troops who had collapsed first...

In this way, it was Cao Shuo's "dedication and sacrifice" that created a "precious opportunity" for Cao Zhang's flanking attack and Cao Zhen's solid defense!
Therefore, Cao Shuo himself believed that his "merits" were the greatest!
To prepare for this, Cao Shuo specially donned a new, gleaming suit of armor, smoothing out every wrinkle on his battle robe, striving to make his image more befitting of the "hero" he envisioned. Whenever a junior officer passed by, he would unconsciously puff out his chest, anticipating compliments or awe-inspiring glances.

but……

There seems to be a big gap between imagination and reality.

Cao Shuo soon discovered that the lower-ranking officers' flattery and reverence were not directed at him, but at Cao Zhen and Cao Zhang...

What on earth is going on?!
Inside the central command tent, Cao Zhang, his wounds wrapped in cloth, lay half-reclined on the bed, his face pale from excessive blood loss.

In the battle against Wei Yan, Cao Zhang charged ahead, achieving many victories but also sustaining the most severe injuries, at one point falling into a coma and on the verge of death. At this moment, although Cao Zhang was weak, the look in his eyes as he looked at Cao Shuo contained not only annoyance but also undisguised contempt.

In Cao Zhang's view, apart from initially acting as a rather clumsy bait according to the plan, Cao Shuo accomplished almost nothing in the entire battle and even nearly ruined things on several occasions due to his cowardice...

In comparison, Cao Zhen was much more composed. Not only was he able to remain calm and decisive in the face of the crisis when Cao Shuo's troops were scattered and Cao Zhang was wounded, but he also organized an effective tiered defense using the burning wreckage of vehicles and the terrain, blocking Wei Yan's final fierce counterattack. Furthermore, he was able to effectively regroup the troops and restore order to the ranks when Cao Zhang was unconscious.

Therefore, when Cao Zhang regained his senses, he looked down on Cao Shuo's flashy but impractical behavior even more.

Under these circumstances, the atmosphere became somewhat delicate when the three gathered to discuss their next move.

Cao Zhen spoke first, "Ziwen's injuries are severe; he must be sent back to Qiao County immediately for proper treatment. He can also assist Ding Jianyang in preparing the rear and see if we can gather more provisions and troops. Although the situation in Chenliu is dire, we cannot abandon it entirely. I will lead the remaining troops there to gather the defeated soldiers, contact the local authorities, and try to stabilize the situation and stop the advance of the Flying Cavalry."

Cao Zhen got straight to the point; given the current situation, there was no room for formalities.

Cao Zhen paused, looked at Cao Shuo, and calmly instructed, "As for you... Xu County is the capital. Although there is no emperor there, it cannot be lost. You should return to Xu County as soon as possible. Firstly, to reassure the people, and secondly, to assist Ziyang in handling matters such as grain transport and official correspondence. This is also an important task."

Cao Zhen had obviously already discussed it with Cao Zhang.

Cao Zhang returned to the rear, both to recuperate from his injuries and to use his bravery to gather supplies.

Cao Zhen went to the front lines to undertake the most arduous military reorganization task.

As for Cao Shuo...

Sending him to Xu County was because they felt he was militarily incompetent and that it would be better for him to do some stable, "showy" logistical and administrative work, rather than causing trouble on the critical battlefield.

There was nothing wrong with this arrangement, but Cao Shuo was immediately displeased, his face turning bright red. This was completely different from what he had imagined—a "rewarding merits" and "discussing important matters"!
Cao Shuo believed he should be given a more important military position, at least on par with Cao Zhen, instead of being sent to handle logistics and documents!
"That's a misconception!" Cao Shuo suddenly stood up, his voice sharp with excitement. "In this victory, our troops lured the enemy deep into our territory, holding back the main force of the Wei rebels—our contribution was indispensable! If I hadn't personally braved arrows and stones to draw their attention, how could Ziwen have succeeded in his flanking attack? And how could you, Zidan, have had the opportunity to organize your troops and form ranks? Now that the overall situation is still uncertain, and we need capable men, how can you expect me to return to Xu County to do trivial and menial tasks? Are you perhaps intentionally trying to suppress me?!"

Cao Shuo felt increasingly aggrieved as he spoke, "The previous defeat was not my fault! It was truly the cowardice of my soldiers, inexperienced in battle, who scattered at the mere sound of enemy cavalry charging! If it were my elite veterans from Qiao and Pei, this would not have happened! My strategic acumen and courage are certainly not limited to commanding such a rabble!"

These words were like a reference to my drug use and promiscuity, yet I'm still a good kid. Hearing this, Cao Zhang, half-reclining on the bed, was furious. He couldn't help but cough up a mouthful of blood, exclaiming, "This is...cough, cough...utter nonsense!"

Cao Zhen frowned, his tone turning cold: "In military matters, merits and demerits will be judged by public opinion. The current arrangements are based on the overall situation, allowing everyone to do their best. Xu County is strategically important, with numerous and complex affairs; only meticulous and steady individuals can handle it. It's not a trivial matter."

Cao Zhen tried to cover up Cao Shuo's shame by saying he was "meticulous and steady," but Cao Shuo didn't appreciate it at all.

Seeing the two men working together in concert, insisting that he go to Xuchang, Cao Shuo was even more enraged. He felt they were conspiring to bully him and were jealous of his "achievements." So he stubbornly shouted, "I will not go to Xuchang! I want to join Zidan in reorganizing the troops and fighting against the General of Chariots and Cavalry again!"

Cao Zhen looked at Cao Shuo, expressionless: "Chenliu is the front line of the battle between enemy and us; it is a dangerous place."

"What about dangerous terrain? I've studied military strategy thoroughly; how could I not know?" Cao Shuo interrupted him, as if to prove himself, "My mind is made up! Either I go to Chenliu, or... I return to Qiao County to assist my brother Ziwen!"

In fact, Cao Shuo hesitated again upon hearing the words "dangerous place," and changed his mind, thinking that returning to his hometown might be safer, and he could use the family's influence to do some "big things."

Upon hearing this, Cao Zhang was so angry he almost sat up in bed. He hissed, "You're going back to Qiao County? What can you do to help? Will you just cause trouble?! Ding Youyang's side is already in dire straits. Besides putting on airs, what else can you do? Fine, fine, you're unwilling to do this and unwilling to do that. Then I'll write a letter and report the battle situation here and everyone's actions to Father in detail! I'll ask Father to decide whether to send you to Xu County, return to Qiao County, or entrust you with another 'important task'!"

Cao Shuo's eyes widened immediately.

He knew that his father, Cao Cao, was strict in governing his army, clear in his rewards and punishments, and especially averse to cowardice and shirking responsibility. If Cao Zhang were to report this "truthfully" to his father, his already mediocre impression of him would likely plummet to rock bottom, and he might lose not only his military power but also his current position.

While he was inept at military and political affairs, Cao Shuo excelled in other areas. He immediately stood up, pointed at Cao Zhang and Cao Zhen, and said, "Fine! Fine! I knew you two wouldn't tolerate me! You don't need to write any letters; I'll go see Father myself!"

Cao Zhen tried to ease the tension, saying, "Xu County does indeed need manpower. If you truly want to share your father's burdens, then go to Xu County... But remember, there are no jokes in the army, orders must be obeyed, and you must never act willfully again..."

"I'm not being willful!" Cao Shuo's face turned pale and then red, his chest heaving with suppressed rage. He flung his sleeves and stormed off. "I'm going to find Father right now!"

After saying this, Cao Shuo glared fiercely at Cao Zhang and Cao Zhen, then turned and left, the clanging of his armor seeming to echo the resentment in his heart.

Inside the tent, Cao Zhang was panting from excitement and pain, unable to speak for a long time.

Cao Zhen watched Cao Shuo's departing figure, slowly shook his head, and sighed silently.