Three Kingdoms: I am not Cao Rui

In the central army tent, in full view of everyone, Zhuge Liang appointed Wang Ping as the commander of the vanguard, commanding 10,000 troops to march toward Xiabian first, which really surprised everyone.

Wang Ping had already agreed, and Generals Ma Zhong and Gao Xiang did not hesitate either, following Wang Ping in responding.

Zhuge Liang only took a quick glance and realized what everyone was thinking. He said, "Among all the generals, I always think that General Zhenbei Wei Yan and Wei Wenchang are the best. They are decisive in battle and always lead the troops. Wenchang is truly the best among all the generals."

"After Wei Wenchang, there is the General of the Northern Expedition Wu Yi, Wu Ziyuan. He is experienced in the use of troops and is very appropriate. Therefore, I have also left him in Wujie to serve as the rear wing of the army and to supervise the grain and grass."

"After Wu Ziyuan, the people I like the most are Wang Ping and Wang Zijun."

Wang Ping had been a military general for a long time and was not good at speaking. When he was praised by Zhuge Liang in public, he just stood solemnly in the big tent, letting everyone look at him, like a rock.

In the previous battle of Lueyang, Wang Ping's military achievements were second only to Zhao Yun and Wei Yan, and his prudent use of troops was eye-catching. From the sixth year of Jianxing to the eighth year of Jianxing, Zhuge Liang also visited Wang Ping's military camp many times and issued an order to praise Wang Ping in Baishui Xiangfu.

In other words, Wang Ping is the most popular figure in front of the prime minister in the past two years.

Wang Ping was promoted to a high position by Zhuge Liang and was publicly ranked after Wei Yan and Wu Yi. The ordinary generals had no objection, but the anti-rebellion general Wu Ban felt a little sad.

In the battle of Lueyang, Wu Ban's troops suffered more losses than Wei Yan's troops, and his position had not changed in the past two years. In this Northern Expedition, Wu Ban led 4,000 people and was directly under Zhuge Liang's command, and was listed with Huang Xi, Ju Fu, Zong Yu, Meng Yan and others. He was somewhat disappointed.

If fewer people had died in his army that day, maybe it would be him instead of Wang Ping who would be given important posts today? Unfortunately, there are not so many ifs in life.

After the assignment was finalized, Yang Yi also presided over the assignment of some food and logistics matters. It was not until late at night that the generals dispersed and returned to the camp.

Zhuge Liang only kept Fei Yi and Jiang Wan with him.

"Wenwei, please go to Sayama in person and bring this handwritten letter to Wenchang."

Zhuge Liang sat behind the desk, writing carefully on a piece of silk while giving instructions to Fei Yi.

Fei Yi was somewhat puzzled and asked:
"The Prime Minister sent his men to Wei Wenzhang's place just to deliver a letter. Is there any other assignment?"

Zhuge Liang did not look up, and said as he wrote: "Yes, there is an assignment. Wen Wei will stay in Wen Chang's army and assist him in military affairs."

When these words came out, Fei Yi and Jiang Wan were both surprised. Fei Yi was a military officer for the Prime Minister and was in charge of important military affairs, so how could he be assigned to Wei Yan by Prime Minister Zhuge Liang?

Zhuge Liang put his ink pen aside, looked up at Fei Yi and Jiang Wan, sighed, and said slowly:
"When the generals were discussing just now, I ranked Wei Wenchang at the top of the list. Although this was a sincere feeling, I was also worried. Wenchang has a proud and brave character. He is brave and dares to fight. When marching and fighting, he always has his own clever ideas, which are often different from his true appearance."

"This time I let Wenchang lead the troops to attack Wudu, which is more than a hundred miles away from the main army. It is really a helpless strategy. Zhang He is commanding a large army in Qishan. If Zhang He leads the troops to attack, if it is not Wenchang who leads the troops, I really don't know who can retreat intact."

"Wen Wei, you are going to Wen Chang's army this time to first convey my order to him, so that he can attack Wudu in the west without resentment. Second, persuade Wen Chang to judge the situation and not to fight with Zhang He's army of Wei, but to withdraw in time. The main battlefield is near Xiabian, not Wudu."

Jiang Wan asked, "Since the Prime Minister has given the order, why should we worry that Wei Wenchang will not obey it?"

Before Zhuge Liang could answer, Fei Yi sighed and said, "Brother Gongyan has been away from the Prime Minister's residence for a long time in the past few years. He has been in Chengdu or on a diplomatic mission to Wuchang. I don't know what's going on in the Prime Minister's residence."

"Since Yang Weigong took over as the chief secretary of the prime minister's office, he has become even more arrogant in front of Wei Wenchang, and Wei Wenchang has not given in either. The two of them have had many arguments, and no one can persuade them, not even the prime minister."

As he spoke, Fei Yi gave a bitter smile and said, "Brother Gongyan, I am the only one with my face and words who can persuade Yang Weigong and Wei Wenchang to stop them."

"What does this have to do with military orders?" Jiang Wan asked with a frown, puzzled.

Fei Yi said: "Wei Wenchang lost Xiabian two years ago. He always regarded it as a shame for his life and vowed to take it back for the army. But the army is not limited to Xiabian, so it is more important to choose a suitable general to attack Wudu. Only Wei Wenchang is the most suitable."

"If he knew about this, his first reaction would be to think that Yang Weigong was interfering and preventing him from leading the vanguard to capture Bian."

Fei Yi spread his hands and said, "Then I'll have to go."

Jiang Wan stared with eyes wide open for a few moments, then snorted heavily and said angrily: "This is really bizarre! The Chief Secretary and the Sima are so at odds with each other. If it weren't for the military affairs, I would definitely impeach these two and demote them all!"

Zhuge Liang also sighed: "Military affairs are at the forefront. I am patient, so why can't Gongyan be patient?"

"You may not know that today Chengdu sent a person to me who is still in trouble. I also want to hear your opinions."

"Who is it?" Fei Yi asked.

"Who did you send?" Jiang Wan asked, with a hint of caution in his words. Zhuge Liang said, "Li Zhengfang came from Chengdu. This person came secretly, and no one else knew about it."

Fei Yi was puzzled: "Wasn't Li Yan demoted by the Prime Minister? Why is he here?"

Jiang Wan also looked at Zhuge Liang.

Zhuge Liang said slowly, "Along with Li Yan came a letter from Your Majesty. Your Majesty said that Li Yan learned that I was going to send troops to the north again, so he asked to see me in the palace. His words were sincere, and he only hoped to make some contributions to the Northern Expedition of the Han Dynasty. Your Majesty was undecided at the moment, and because of his past contributions, you sent him here."

"Can you promise him an official position?" Fei Yi asked.

Zhuge Liang shook his head.

Jiang Wan asked, "Does anyone else know about this?"

Zhuge Liang said, "Those who came with the army report the news, no one else knows about it."

Fei Yi glanced around, lowered his voice, took a few steps closer to Zhuge Liang, and said in a deep voice: "Li Zhengfang is a villain. Although he has some talents, he is more harmful to the country. It is better to kill him in secret, clean and neat!"

Zhuge Liang looked up at Fei Yi, his face expression calm, but he did not answer for a moment.

Jiang Wan also said, "I second your proposal! Your Majesty sent Li Yan here with this intention. Confucius also wanted to execute Shao Zhengmao. I hope the Prime Minister will make the decision!"

"So, you two think that Li Yan should be killed?" Zhuge Liang asked softly.

Fei Yi said: "To kill or not to kill is a matter of ambiguity. I just want to avoid any trouble and not let this person delay the Northern Expedition."

Jiang Wan also said: "I have the same idea. This person has a bad record. If he causes trouble, it will be bad!"

Zhuge Liang sighed and raised his eyebrows to look at the two of them: "I asked you this question only to ask how to deal with Li Yan, but I never thought that you two wanted to kill him. Killing him is easy, but where will you two put me?"

"Are you asking me to be like Huo Guang and kill Shangguan Jie?"

"I dare not." Fei Yi bowed quickly.

Seeing Fei Yi bowing, Jiang Wan felt helpless and bowed as well.

Zhuge Liang said: "Today I will make it clear to you two that the enemy of the Han Dynasty is only among the Wei rebels in the north, not in the court."

"The late emperor was kind and forgiving. Li Yan was the one he entrusted to his son. Based on this sentiment, I cannot kill him. Moreover, there are many people who have made trouble for me, not just Li Yan. Du Qiong, He Zong, Lai Min, Pei Jun... too many to count."

"You and I guarantee that His Majesty sent Li Yan here with no intention of killing him. You two must believe the truth and His Majesty's mercy. Stability is the top priority for the court. Don't kill if you can avoid it. The blade should be pointed outwards, not inwards. If you lead the government in the future, remember this."

"Yes, sir." Jiang Wan said.

"I have spoken out of turn. Please punish me, Prime Minister." Fei Yi said with his head down.

Zhuge Liang sighed, "What punishment? Since your majesty has ordered Li Yan to come here, we should use him if we can. How about this, I will give him the position of military assistant and let him go to Wenchang's army with Wen Wei to do some work as a clerk or advisor, so as to avoid letting others know."

Fei Yi said: "Don't worry, Prime Minister. Wei Wenchang and I will keep an eye on this man for you and will not let him cause any trouble."

Zhuge Liang nodded and said, "I am still confident that Wen Wei can do the job. It's just that it's difficult for Wen Wei to travel north at night."

"This is my job." Fei Yi said softly.

Zhuge Liang stood up and said in a deep voice: "Come, you two come with me to see Li Yan!"

"Yes."

"As ordered."

Jiang Wan and Fei Yi responded at the same time. (End of this chapter)