Three Kingdoms: Wolong's brother-in-law, tricking Liu Bei into seizing Jingzhou

Empress Pinu and Cao Rui were both shocked by these words, and a sense of unease welled up in their hearts.

Cao Rui hurriedly asked, "What's wrong? Explain yourself!"

Sima Yi pointed to the map, his expression excited:

"Xiao Fang must be planning to secretly send light cavalry from Yangguan into the Western Regions to sabotage our supply lines."

Once our supply lines are cut off, our army will be in dire straits.

"Yangguan?"

Upon hearing the name, Cao Rui was startled and immediately leaped up, rushing to the map.

He examined the map carefully, his expression growing increasingly grim. After a moment, he looked up and said:
"Yes, that traitor Xiao is very likely to enter the Western Regions through Yangguan!"

Yangguan Pass and the northern route are separated by a desert, a route not commonly traversed, but Xiao Fang is no ordinary man and is highly likely to employ this strategy.

After Cao Rui finished speaking, he turned to face Empress Binu and said anxiously:
"Your Majesty, please send more troops to protect the Divine Chariots, in order to prevent Xiao Fang from sending people to sabotage our grain transport."

Empress Pinu looked bewildered, clearly not understanding Cao Rui's meaning.

She asked in confusion, "Isn't Yumen Pass the only pass connecting the East to the West? Why is there also Yang Pass?"

Seeing this, Cao Rui quickly explained:

"Your Majesty, there are actually two passes leading from the East to the Western Regions."

One is Yumen Pass, and the other is Yang Pass.

Yangguan Pass is separated from the northern route by a desert, and the journey is difficult, so it is not often traveled.

However, Xiao Fang is a meticulous strategist and may very well have devised a strategy to enter the Western Regions through Yangguan Pass. We must take precautions in advance.

Empress Pinu was both shocked and furious upon hearing Cao Rui's explanation:
"There's another pass leading to the Western Regions. Why didn't you say so earlier?"
What should we do if our supply lines are cut off?

Large beads of sweat rolled down Cao Rui's forehead like broken beads, sliding down his cheeks that twitched slightly with tension.

His face flushed red, filled with shame.

After a long while, Cao Rui slowly turned his gaze to Sima Yi, his eyes filled with a hint of pleading and unease.

His lips trembled slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but then stopped himself.

Sima Yi's confident expression had vanished, replaced by a look of dejection and disappointment.

His eyes had lost their usual sharpness and determination, and his voice trembled slightly as he said:
"Your Majesty, the most urgent task is to immediately dispatch troops to protect the vital supply wagons!"

The grain convoy is the lifeline of our army; if anything goes wrong, the consequences will be unimaginable!

His voice carried a hint of urgency and anxiety.

Empress Pinu, awakened from her reverie by Sima Yi's reminder, stood up abruptly, a hint of panic flashing in her eyes.

"Sritra, I order you to immediately lead your elite troops to the grain convoy and ensure its safe passage!"

Her hands were clenched into fists, revealing her inner tension and worry.

After receiving the order, Sridhara was about to take his leave and turned to depart.

Just then, a Yuezhi guard rushed in, looking flustered.

He stumbled, almost falling to the ground, and cried out urgently:
"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened!"
Our supply convoy was ambushed by Han cavalry. The Han cavalry appeared suddenly like ghosts, catching our soldiers completely off guard.

"Marshal Narayana was unfortunately killed. He was hit by several arrows but still fought hard and eventually died in battle."

The provisions and the chariots were all burned to ashes!

His voice trembled with tears. Upon hearing this, Empress Vinu was horrified; her once dignified face turned deathly pale, as if struck by a bolt of lightning.

Cao Rui was dumbfounded, his mouth agape, but he couldn't utter a sound and stood there frozen in place.

His eyes were wide open, filled with terror and despair.

Sima Yi's figure also froze instantly, as if he were frozen in ice, his eyes filled with shock and disbelief.

Just as they feared!
Xiao Fang indeed dispatched light cavalry to secretly sneak out of Yangguan and launch a surprise attack on their grain convoy!

Those precious divine chariots were all burned and turned into a pile of scrap metal;
Narayana was also mercilessly killed and met his end!
This sudden turn of events, like a bolt from the blue, completely disrupted their original plans.

Empress Vinu seemed to have lost all her strength, collapsing to the ground in a deep panic, her eyes filled with despair and helplessness.

She held her head in her hands and muttered to herself:

"What should I do? What should I do..."

"Sigh, I was still a step too late..."

Sima Yi slumped down, letting out a long sigh filled with helplessness and self-reproach.

His eyes were empty and lost, as if he had lost his soul. He regretted not anticipating Xiao Fang's move and for not being fully prepared.

"Emperor Qin!"

Usaas glared angrily and shouted:

"You clearly knew that Yangguan Pass led to the Western Regions, so why didn't you remind us sooner?"

Now that such a terrible disaster has been caused, what crime have you committed?
"The Han cavalry were able to so easily raid the grain convoy; it must be due to your negligence in deliberately concealing the Yangguan Pass passage!"

Cao Rui looked extremely embarrassed, beads of sweat appeared on his forehead again, and his lips trembled slightly, but he did not know how to defend himself.

His eyes darted around, unable to meet Usas's angry gaze, and he could only silently endure the unwarranted accusations.

Sima Yi also looked ashamed, his head bowed, his heart filled with regret, yet he was powerless to defend himself.

After all, Yumen Pass and Yangguan Pass were located in the Central Plains. It was understandable that Empress Pinu was unaware of the details, but for Sima Yi, this was undoubtedly a serious dereliction of duty.

He knew his responsibility was heavy, but due to a moment of negligence, such serious consequences had occurred, and the guilt in his heart surged like a tide.

Usaas was furious and shouted angrily:
“Imperial Aunt, they clearly did not remind us on purpose. I propose that they behead them as a warning to others!”
What use is there in keeping such a negligent person around?

Her voice was filled with murderous intent.

Upon hearing this, Sima Yi and Cao Rui's expressions changed drastically, their eyes filled with fear and unease.

Their bodies began to tremble involuntarily.

Cao Rui said urgently, "Although we did have some oversights, the main problem is that Xiao Fang is too cunning and treacherous, and we really can't guard against him!"
He must have anticipated our plan, which is why he deliberately set this trap and led us into it.

His voice carried a hint of pleading, hoping that Empress Vinu would show leniency.

Upon hearing this, Empress Pinu was instantly enraged, her eyes seeming to devour Cao Rui and his minister.

She wished she could immediately order them to be killed to vent her anger.

However, at the last moment, she managed to suppress her anger.

Cao Rui still had some value to her.

It would be a real shame to kill him now.

She also needs Cao Rui's help to fight against the Han Dynasty and realize her grand eastern expedition. (End of Chapter)