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

Chapter 217 A Crude Plan
"It is said that he directly remonstrated with the former Grand Commandant Jia Xu in front of the emperor and all the officials, and was therefore praised."

As Li Hong recalled the information, he meticulously recounted the intelligence provided by the informant.

After listening, Mi Wei remained silent for a long while before saying:
"I am not familiar enough with the current system of the Wei court. Is Xu Gong, as the Imperial Censor, considered a key minister in the central government?"

"Or rather, can he participate in the decision-making process of Cao Cao's military and national affairs?"

Li Hong replied without hesitation:
"Although the Cao family once restored the position of Grand Censor, the chief clerk of the Censorate was still the Vice Censor-in-Chief. The title of the Three Solitary Seats was no different from the Han system, so it must have been an important central position."

"However, whether or not one participates in important military affairs cannot be generalized; it depends on one's relationship with the Wei Emperor."

In other words, Xu Shu's rank was already high enough.

However, he might not have enough seniority among Cao Pi's close advisors, unless he gets another opportunity.

Upon hearing this, Li Hong immediately understood his meaning:
"Does the general suspect that Xu Gong has recently been involved in confidential matters and is being watched more closely by the magistrate, making it more difficult to contact him?"

“That’s possible,” Mi Wei nodded.

"Moreover, Xiahou Ba's southward journey this time is too suspicious. It seems dangerous, but it hides an opportunity... I have a feeling that someone is pulling the strings behind the scenes."

After careful consideration, Mi Wei decided to postpone dealing with Xiahou Ba.

It wasn't just based on trust in Xu Shu.

It was also based on trust in the abilities of his generals.

To be honest, he didn't really believe that Xu Shu could cause much of a stir in Luoyang.

There are too many talented and intelligent people in Luoyang.

It was already quite remarkable that Xu Shu was able to pass on intelligence to his side while preserving himself.

To expect him to destroy the Wei Kingdom for me is truly asking the impossible.

He then said to Li Hongdao, "Continue to contact your spies and, while Xiahou Ba is heading south, infiltrate northwards, and then do me a favor..."

……

As the last capital of the Eastern Han Dynasty and the birthplace of Cao Wei, Xuchang had a camp outside the city large enough to accommodate a large army.

There's not even a need for temporary repairs.

From the day Cao Hong planted his flag on the city wall, grain ships and carts from the north arrived in an endless stream every day.

The camp became increasingly noisy, and the granaries became increasingly full.

A massive storm is brewing.

However, Cao Hong, the General of the Cavalry who was at the center of the storm, spent his days drinking and making merry in his official residence, playing and having fun with female entertainers.

As time went on, some people naturally began to disapprove.

"General, you are going to war for the country, but instead of thinking about military strategy, you are indulging in a life of debauchery. Are you trying to ruin the foundation laid by the late emperor and Your Majesty?"

An untimely voice came from outside the gate.

Cao Hong knew who it was without even looking up.

He casually dismissed the female entertainers, but did not rise to greet them, saying lazily:

"George, just say what you have to say. Why resort to sarcasm?"

"Are you upset that I didn't invite you to join in the fun?"

"To be honest, ever since I was called Jie and Zhou by Yang Yishan, I have been afraid to drink and feast with upright people."

"Nothing more than to avoid making each other unhappy!"

George was none other than the strategist Xin Pi, and upon hearing this, he was immediately speechless with anger.

Normally, he would definitely argue his case based on reason, in order to uphold propriety and righteousness.

But at this moment, only Cao Hong could command the large army, so he had to temporarily put aside his personal grudges and questioned:
"Xiahou Zhongquan besieged the city but failed and requested reinforcements from the general. Why did the general not respond?"

Cao Hong said indifferently:

“Zhongquan’s troops are all elite soldiers of the central army. Why is there a need to send more troops? I think he is not bold enough as this is his first time leading an army independently.”

"Besides, didn't George say before that Mi Wei's men were a bunch of rabble?"

"In that case, there is even less need to hastily increase troop numbers."

Xinpi frowned upon hearing this:
"How can the general take things out of context?"

"I clearly said that Guan Yu's army was gathered in Wancheng, and Mi Wei's forces were temporarily weakened!"

"Moreover, as I said, this swift attack was for two reasons: first, to use Mi Wei to test Guan Yu's strength in Wancheng; and second, to quickly reinforce the troops in Nanyang and Fangcheng, boost morale, and avoid repeating the mistake of Xu Jingshan in Kunyang."

"How did it come to the general's mouth as me underestimating the enemy?"

Cao Hong smiled and did not respond.

Although Xinpi was upright, he was not dull-witted.

He immediately realized that the other party's attitude was not right, so he simply asked: "General, have you perhaps listened to the slander of a villain?"

Cao Hong then slowly sat up:

"He's not a villain at all; he's clearly a gentleman who speaks out for the people!"

As he spoke, he pulled out a strange piece of yellowish-white paper from his sleeve and slammed it heavily onto the wooden table in front of him.

Xin Pi was not intimidated by his demeanor. Instead, recalling the memorial Xu Miao had read, he blurted out:

"Mi's paper?"

He immediately stepped forward and took it.

Upon closer inspection, his expression changed several times.

It turns out that the "gentleman" Cao Hong mentioned was none other than Mi Wei, the inventor of Mi's paper.

He recounted the immoral and cruel acts committed by the Cao Wei dynasty against the people.

It was also pointed out that there were no great generals in Luoyang, and that the unworthy and petty Cao Hong was appointed as the commander-in-chief, which showed that the Mandate of Heaven was in Han, not Wei.

The reason he didn't come to Xuchang to take Cao Hong's life was because Xin Pi was a wise man and Xiahou Ba was a brave general.

Without the help of these two men, killing Cao Hong would have been as easy as taking something out of a bag.

In short, he vehemently denigrated Cao Hong while praising Xin Pi and Xiahou Ba.

Xinpi, with his keen insight, immediately understood what was going on.

Even angrier:

"General, you are a seasoned veteran, you have seen all kinds of storms. How can you so easily believe such a crude scheme to sow discord!"

Upon hearing this, Cao Hong burst into laughter:

"So, in George's eyes, I'm not entirely useless after all?"

"Yes, how could I believe such a crude plan!"

"But what difference does it make whether I believe it or not?"

"I'm afraid some people will insist on believing it!"

Xinpi opened his mouth, looked down again, and suddenly realized.

This letter is not a private letter, but is written in the style of a manifesto.

In other words...

“Enemy spies have already sent messages south of Guangcheng Pass.”

"At this moment, all the high-ranking officials and ministers in Luoyang are probably discussing this matter!"

After Cao Hong finished speaking, he sighed heavily.

Xin Pi, having come from the dangerous and treacherous world of Luoyang, naturally knew the hardships of human nature.

All anger vanished, leaving only worry.

Instead, he comforted Cao Hong, saying:

"His Majesty's divine martial prowess and wisdom are known throughout the land. Such unfounded slander will not shake the general's position."

Cao Hong's expression softened slightly.

In truth, he didn't believe that Cao Pi would actually remove him from office because of this; at most, he would just let the younger generals share the credit.

He had already risen to the rank of General of the Cavalry and been enfeoffed as Marquis of Yangdu; the only way to advance further was to increase the number of households in his fief.

He had long since stopped caring about such insignificant rewards.

if not?
Are you suggesting I do something outrageous and ruin my reputation for loyalty?
Who will support him?
Therefore, Cao Hong's behavior today was merely an attempt to take advantage of Xin Pi, this upright man, and to vent his dissatisfaction.

He had already prepared reinforcements for Xiahou Ba.

They were just waiting for Sinpi to come and beg them.

You should immediately grant the other party's request.

But just then, a young lieutenant rushed in, his face beaming with joy:
"General! We have good news!"

"General Xiahou besieged Kunyang for several days without success, so he changed to a feigned attack and then launched a night raid on Dingling and Yanxian, which are located downstream of the Zhi and Ru rivers."

"The garrison troops of the two cities were caught off guard and fled in panic. The two cities have now been recaptured!"

Upon hearing this, Cao Hong subconsciously glanced at Xin Pi.

But he saw that the latter was also looking at him.

His expression was inexplicably conflicted.

(End of this chapter)