The Duke of Shu Han began guarding Jingzhou in place of Guan Yu.

Chapter 143 Parting Scheme: Dividing the Hexi Corridor

Once the military order was issued, Mi Wei's command of the central army was immediately changed from "acting military supervisor" to "acting left commander".

Then, without infantry, only send 1,500 light cavalry.

Guan Xing, Ma Dai, Ma Zhong, and Wang Ping, who were under his command, each led a unit.

This also included two groups of barbarian cavalry under Zhan Sifu and newly added Qiang cavalry.

Everyone carried only five days' worth of rations, traveling light.

It is worth mentioning that.

"Light cavalry" is a military term used in ancient China.
This is not the same as the heavy and light cavalry of later Western times.

The term "light cavalry" here is similar to "light march" or "heavy march".

Both are descriptions of the marching state.

In other words, cavalrymen marched without baggage, allowing them to travel in a relatively relaxed manner.

The purpose of doing this.

This was to fully utilize the mobility advantage of cavalry, quickly reach the designated battlefield, and execute tactical objectives.

Just now, Mi Wei is about to cross the Wei River to the north and go around to burn Zhang Ji's grain depot.

As winter approached, the Wei River was mostly frozen over, but cavalry could travel freely.

Liu Bei specially led his close advisors to the riverbank to watch Mi Wei cross the river on the ice.

On the opposite bank, one could see deep ravines and towering plateaus, resembling ferocious beasts ready to devour their prey.

He felt inexplicably worried about his group of young nephews and nieces.

He knew very well that even if this detachment succeeded in its raid, it would become an isolated force trapped in enemy lines once it lost its reinforcements as its main army marched west.

The main army could not possibly stop to wait for and support them.

Otherwise, Miwei's solo expedition would have been meaningless.

Will we be able to survive among the mountains and make it home?

Three parts depend on human planning, seven parts depend on fate.

Some of the young faces before me may never be seen again.

Liu Bei thought to himself that he had spent half his life fighting and had never commanded troops, so he shouldn't be so sentimental.

I guess... I'm really getting old.

While they were pondering, the riders suddenly turned south.

The leader was none other than Mi Wei.

Liu Bei's heart tightened, and he stepped forward to greet him, saying:

"But is there something wrong ahead?"

“There is nothing amiss ahead,” said the elk, exhaling white breath.

"I was in such a hurry that I almost forgot something important."

"I have a preliminary plan that may help Your Majesty quickly divide the counties and prefectures in Hexi!"

Liu Bei completely ignored the word "immature" and said with a bright look, "Tell me!"

Mi Weidao:
"After Your Majesty besieges Su Ze, you can first send General Ma to contact former officials and friends in Liangzhou in the name of his late father, and induce them to surrender."

Ma Chao's father, Ma Teng, was appointed General Who Conquers the West by Cao Cao and was given his own office and staff.

Later, he seized control of Yongliang and had many local scholars under his command, forming a complex web of relationships.

Ma Chao was renowned in Yong and Liang.

Besides his own abilities.

This is also related to the connections left by his father.

Upon hearing Mi Wei's words, Liu Bei's attendants instinctively looked at Meng Da, who had come from the group.

The latter immediately blushed.

He had previously used the same method to persuade Ji County to surrender, but he had failed.

Seeing this, Mi Wei said bluntly:

“My plan was indeed inspired by Mencius, but it is not only that.”

"Inducing former officials to surrender is only the first step; if it succeeds, great; if not, it doesn't matter."

"Next is the second step."

"If anyone is loyal to Cao Wei and refuses to surrender, then Your Majesty shall send a second batch of envoys."

"These envoys are sent in His Majesty's name. They can tell those loyal to Cao Wei that His Majesty intends to return Yu Jin and Yu Wenze in exchange for warhorses from Hexi. If the horses are obtained, the generals will be returned and the troops withdrawn. Please send envoys eastward to speak on behalf of both sides."

"Use it to exchange for warhorses in Hexi?" Commander Feng Xihu's eyes widened in disbelief.

They are actually considering the feasibility of this operation.

Meng Da, whose raft had been used by Mi Wei, finally couldn't hold back any longer and sneered:
"Not to mention that Yu Wenze has already surrendered to His Majesty and is serving in the same court as you and me, it is difficult for him to gain the trust of Cao Wei."

"Even if the rulers and ministers of Cao Wei were all incompetent, how could they not know the importance of Liangzhou, which was something that even ten Yu Jins couldn't exchange for?"

However, Miwei ignored him.

Continued:
“Yu Wenze is a general in the north. Even if they don’t believe it, since they are loyal to the Cao family, they should go and deliver the message for both public and private reasons.”

"Why doesn't Your Majesty show sincerity and allow their envoy to go east, even if the envoy is outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant and takes the opportunity to seek help?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei vaguely guessed what Mi Wei was thinking and pressed for an answer:
"Your plan has a third step, doesn't it?"

“Exactly!” Mi Wei said.

"The third step is for Your Majesty to send Yu Wenze to visit each city after the envoy leaves, to express his distress at being a dependent and his longing to return home."

"Whoever can help him make this happen will be rewarded with a donation of his entire family fortune upon returning to Cao, and will do his best to recommend the benefactor's sons. The family fortune will be divided equally among the benefactors."

“If Yu Wenze is too ashamed to do this, his former subordinate Hao Zhou has long been impressed by His Majesty and will surely do it for him.”

"Given the precedent set in the previous step, this time the counties and prefectures will be even less likely to refuse to send envoys eastward."

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei couldn't help but lash out with his whip in admiration.

Meng Da was completely dumbfounded.

However, Miwei did not finish speaking:
"The key to this plan lies in what follows." "This second group of envoys must not be allowed to leave. They should be hunted down and killed, and their bodies returned to their location, claiming they were intercepted and killed by bandits on the way. Let them send another envoy."

"Then His Majesty, under the pretext of protecting the envoys along the way, divided his troops to block the key roads and prevent the cities from communicating with each other."

At this point, Mi Wei finally revealed his true intentions:
"At that time, the cities fell into mutual suspicion, believing that someone was plotting to monopolize the benefits and to intercept and kill the messengers of other cities."

"Once trust is shaken and channels of communication are lost, it becomes difficult to trust each other."

"Then Your Majesty can send troops to attack the city without worrying about the cities supporting each other and forming a defensive alliance!"

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone fell silent except for Liu Bei, who repeatedly praised his words.

The look in his eyes as he gazed at Mi Wei carried a hint of awe.

Although the people had never heard of the "prisoner's dilemma".

But the intricate design of the Miwei makes it very clear.

It was clearly a step-by-step tactic to erode the trust of each city, thereby turning their systematic defenses into a disorganized mess, so that they could be attacked one by one.

This skill in manipulating people's hearts is truly masterful.

How can one not inspire both respect and awe?
Ma Dai, who came with him, whispered to Guan Xing:

"No wonder you always say that my elder brother is the Marquis of Liu in our time."

Guan Xing chuckled lightly, his hand on his waist, a look of pride on his face.

Of all the people present, Meng Da had the most unpleasant expression.

But they could only grit their teeth and continue questioning:

"This plan still has flaws!"

"As long as the Cao Wei rulers and ministers are not incompetent, the first batch of envoys will most likely return to Liangzhou with the king's orders to defend the territory and uphold the prerogative, and will be subjected to coercion and enticement."

"Should His Majesty intercept and kill these envoys, or not?"

"Ambush them! They should know that His Majesty and Yu Jin's promises are all empty words. It's not a good strategy to win them over!"

"If we don't kill them, they will receive the king's order and become even more determined to resist, which is also disadvantageous!"

Miwei countered:
"May I ask, Lord Meng, how long is the journey for this envoy from Hexi to Guanzhong and even Luoyang? How long does it take? Is he able to return before next spring?"

Upon hearing this, Meng Da was suddenly jolted.

The initial look of shame and indignation gradually disappeared.

Instead.

It's all about sudden realizations and belated understanding.

Why did my previous attempt to induce the surrender of a large city on the banks of the Wei River in Longyou fail?
Why did Miwei dare to use a similar plan in Hexi after seeing his own failure?

even.

Earlier.

I remember the days when I was still lording it over everyone in Shangyong.

Why was Miwei able to manipulate himself so easily?

After that, they went to great lengths to get the Shen brothers to open up the mountains and build roads.
Everything.

It comes down to it.

It's just a few words.

time.

Journey.

transfer.

Or, to put it another way, the efficiency of information transmission.

The intelligence also originated from Guanzhong.

Longyou is connected to Guanzhong by the Wei and Qian rivers.

Large cities along the river can obtain firsthand intelligence in a short time.

However, Jincheng and Longxi are separated by mountains and rivers, so their speed is much slower.

As for the Heyou region west of Jincheng, it is not surprising that intelligence is lagging behind by six months to a year.

Let alone Jincheng.

Even in Longyou, there are those Di tribes scattered among the mountains and rivers.

It's also because they couldn't keep track of the situation in time.

Did I start scaring myself?

So it's the same kind of empty threats and intimidation, the same kind of coercion and enticement.

In some places, it just doesn't work.

For example, Ji County, located on the banks of the Wei River.

But in some places it has a surprisingly good effect.

For example, the Hexi region, which is far beyond the reach of the Wei River.

Another example.

Back in the day, I could fool the illiterate mountain people in Shangyong.

However, when it comes to Shen Dan, the legitimate governor, one can only resort to coercion, not deception.

As for Mi Wei, the provincial clerk, he could only let him do as he pleased.

This is the difference between timely intelligence gathering and untimely intelligence gathering!
Having understood this, Meng Da looked at Mi Wei again with nothing but awe.

He was more awe-inspiring than anyone else.

Because he really did fall to Miwei!

Perhaps, if I want to be able to recover in the future.

He should be like Zhuge Liang and Pan Chengming.

Befriend this person.

　Thank you to reader [Zhuge Zhaixing] for the generous donation! I'll try my best to add more chapters!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)