Three Kingdoms: I am not Cao Rui

November 5th, Wudu County, Sashan.

As the document with Cao Zhen's seal was delivered to Zhang He's camp, Zhang He's last bit of worry was eliminated. He led his army along the middle road and the two mountain roads, and marched towards the Shu army camp on the mountain ridge like a tide.

It took less than an hour from the formation to the occupation of the camp. The Shu army only put up a little resistance, and faced with the absolute numerical advantage of the Wei army, they withdrew from their positions before being surrounded, leaving an intact camp to Zhang He.

Twenty miles further east, Wei Yan and his troops were stationed in a camp built to block the road. However, the person at the top of the central army camp was not Wei Yan, but Prime Minister Zhuge Liang himself.

"Prime Minister, the Wei army launched a major attack today. Liu Nan and his troops have already retreated from the camp and are heading here."

Wei Yan entered the tent from outside and reported the message just brought by the messenger to Zhuge Liang clearly and accurately.

Zhuge Liang nodded calmly: "Cao Zhen has been making great efforts in the east these past two days, it seems that he is just trying to support Zhang He's attack in the west."

"This place is still twenty miles away from Xiabian. Ten miles further east, I have ordered Wu Ban and Huang Xi to set up camp for you. After Zhang He leads his troops to approach, Wen Chang will hold out here for a few days and then retreat."

"I obey your command." Wei Yan bowed and accepted the order, but hesitated to speak. After a long pause, he finally asked, "I have not been by the Prime Minister's side for a while, so I would like to ask you a few more questions about your plan."

Zhuge Liang looked up at Wei Yan's expression and said, "Li Zhengfang's problem is his own fault. It has nothing to do with you. When a general is on the battlefield, he should only focus on the war. You should not consider other things."

"Yes." Wei Yan bowed his head slightly and continued, "According to the Prime Minister's instructions just now, after I retreat from this camp in feigned defeat and retreat to the camp ten miles west of Xiabian, the more than 30,000 Northern Expedition troops will only stay twenty miles to the left of Xiabian. The Prime Minister means to defend the area around Xiabian and hold out against the Wei army. This subordinate knows that the Wei army will not be able to last long this year due to the lack of food. Cao Zhen and Zhang He will either retreat or attack. They have no other choice."

"But if they force their attack, how can we counterattack and defeat the Wei army? After all, the current situation is that the Wei army is surrounding us from the east and west, not us surrounding the Wei army."

Zhuge Liang replied calmly, "You are a little impatient, I wanted to talk to you about it when Zhang He's army arrived at Xiabian in a few days. Since you asked, I will give you a brief explanation today."

"Order someone to bring the map."

"As ordered."

Soon, a map painted on silk was slowly unfolded on the table. It was much smaller than the maps commonly used in the Wei State today, but it was still usable enough.

Zhuge Liang pointed to the lower position on the map and said slowly, "The situation in war is unpredictable. Although the enemy army has trapped our army from the east and west, the traffic between the two sides is blocked. Although we can say that we are joining forces, it is far from being as effective as joining forces together."

"According to the terrain of Xiabian, the north and west sides are open, while the east side leading to Hechi is mountainous and narrow, making it easy to defend but difficult to attack. Once the Wei army launches a large-scale attack, our army should attack from the west and defend from the east."

Wei Yan narrowed his eyes and thought for a few moments.

Attack the west and defend the east. These four words succinctly describe the situation on the battlefield and are very easy to understand. Facing the Wei army's pincer attack from the east and west, they first defended one side, concentrated their forces to repel the enemy on the other side, and then returned to defeat the other side.

First guard against Cao Zhen, then concentrate troops to defeat Zhang He, and then return to defeat Cao Zhen. Wouldn't the battle be won?

This strategy is easy to say, but extremely difficult to implement.

For two years, when Prime Minister Zhuge Liang was training troops in Baishui, Wei Yan witnessed the whole process and fully believed that the soldiers in the mountainous battlefield near Xiabian were enough to resist the Wei army. But who would completely prevent Cao Zhen in the east from attacking in the west?
According to what Prime Minister Zhuge said just now, the Wei army seemed to have increased its forces in the east in the past two days. According to the time calculation, these additional forces were either reinforcements from Yongzhou or transferred from Hanzhong and Wuxing, which would definitely increase the food and grass pressure of the Wei army.

Having said that, it is an indisputable fact that Cao Zhen’s military strength increased.

Wei Yan coughed lightly, bowed and said, "My Lord, Cao Zhen's troops are heavy in the east. Although we can resist them according to the formation you gave us, we still need an important general to lead them. Wu Ziyuan is now leading his troops to defend Wujie. Apart from him, my subordinates are the only famous generals in the army." Zhuge Liang glanced in Wei Yan's direction quietly out of the corner of his eye without saying a word.

Wei Yan continued, "Since the Prime Minister wants to attack Zhang He first from the west, it would be more appropriate for the Prime Minister to control the overall situation from the west. I would like to go to the east to resist Cao Zhen! Two years ago, I was in Xiabian to resist the enemy. I know all the mountains and rivers there in my mind. I will definitely be able to stop Cao Zhen for the Prime Minister and prevent him from advancing an inch!"

Zhuge Liang said calmly, "According to Wen Chang's meaning, do you want to go east to replace Wang Zijun?"

Wei Yan raised his eyebrows for a moment.

What does it mean to take over? To take over from Wang Ping?
Wei Yan hurriedly asked, "Does the Prime Minister want Wang Ping to defend against Cao Zhen on the east side?"

"That's right." Zhuge Liang glanced at Wei Yan's anxious face and said, "Wang Ping is loyal and solid, and he is steady in using troops. He is worthy of great use. I intend to let Wang Ping lead his own troops, as well as the troops of Ma Zhong and Gao Xiang, a total of 10,000 people, to stop Cao Zhen in the east of Xiabian."

Wei Yan was shocked: "Wang Ping is stupid, how can he take on such an important task! If he is careless when deploying troops, once the defense line is broken, the Wei army will really attack from both sides. Then, not to mention my subordinates, even the prime minister will be in danger! How can we give such an important task to Wang Ping? Let my subordinates do it!"

Zhuge Liang's face remained calm. "Wen Chang, what you just said was that without you, there would be no one left in the imperial army. Why are you so arrogant? Have you forgotten the story that the late emperor chose you to guard Hanzhong instead of Zhang Yide?"

The two men knelt beside the table. Wei Yan looked at Zhuge Liang without any fear. After a few moments, he bowed down:
"Prime Minister, the Northern Expedition is more important than the mountains. Yan Su is confident and only takes national affairs as the most important thing. He has never dared to be arrogant! It's just that he doesn't trust Wang Ping!"

Zhuge Liang sighed, leaned forward slightly and supported Wei Yan. After Wei Yan stood up and sat down, Zhuge Liang began to comfort him in a deep voice, even his voice was more emotional:

"Wen Chang, I know everything you are thinking."

Wei Yan looked at Zhuge Liang in astonishment, not knowing what he meant.

Zhuge Liang said: "Since the 23rd year of Jian'an, famous ministers and generals have died one after another. Fa Xiaozhi, Huang Hansheng, Guan Yu, Zhang Yide, Ma Mengqi, Zhao Zilong... If one of them could still be alive, I wouldn't have to tie up the entire army to fight. Wouldn't it be better to divide the troops and attack?"

"But the situation is like this, and God's will cannot always fulfill people's wishes. Wen Chang puts the country first, and does not want to believe that Wang Ping can lead the army to hold out against Cao Zhen's army. I also put the country first, and do not believe that others can manage the country's politics and military strategies."

"but!"

Zhuge Liang's expression gradually became serious, his eyes were as sharp as torches and looked extremely majestic. He said to Wei Yan:

"There are two lines of defense on the east side, which can stop the enemy layer by layer. The chariot array, deer horns, and trenches are all prepared to stop Cao Zhen's troops. Even if both lines of defense are lost, there is still Xiabian City to rely on to stop the enemy!"

"But the situation in the west is different. Cao Zhen has a large army, but Zhang He also has a large army. Apart from Wang Ping's 10,000 men, there are only 20,000 men left who can fight. The force is still a little weak. It is of utmost importance that Wen Chang leads the troops in the west to help me defeat Zhang He!"

"Now that we have come to this, you should understand what is more important!"

Wei Yan bowed and said, "The Prime Minister has a profound vision and foresight. I admire you. I will follow your military strategy and will obey your orders before the battle!"

Zhuge Liang nodded and said, "Wen Chang, please stand up. Military affairs are very busy and I have to return to Xiabian. I estimate that after Zhang He cuts off our army's food supply, he will stay in Sazashan for a few days before continuing the attack."

Wei Yan also responded, "I have also noticed that since the arrival in Wudu, Zhang He has been very secretive in his marches and battles. If he comes anytime, he is only about 20 miles away, and I will report it to the Prime Minister as soon as possible." (End of this chapter)