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

Chapter 270 It Was Actually a Mind Game

Compared to Liu Bei and Guan Yu, Mi Wei had far less contact with Zhuge Liang.

But even with just a few interactions, he was able to figure out the "Prime Minister's" temperament.

If Liu Bei was a blazing flame...

While illuminating the path ahead, it can also inspire the fighting spirit in everyone's hearts.

Zhuge Liang was like a deeply rooted tree.

It appears to be lukewarm and slow.

In reality, he created a safe haven for Ji Han, sheltering everyone.

Liu Bei's generation shaped the spirited character and romantic ideals of the Shu Han dynasty.

Zhuge Liang, who took over the baton, found a solid and reliable support for the ideal that was floating in the air.

When it's my turn to step up in the future, what will I be like?

An abstract master who always liked to curry favor with powerful figures but ended up becoming the powerful figure himself.
After letting his thoughts wander aimlessly, Miwei responded:
“I was fortunate enough to meet Yang Wenxian in Nanyang before. He has now settled in Wancheng, and everyone in Luoyang knows about it.”

"In a few days, the people of Chang'an will surely understand this, which will be just what I need to do with it."

At this point, Wei Yan and the others around them all turned to look at him.

They all clearly knew the weight of Yang Biao's name.

Mi Wei: "The Yang family of Hongnong produced three high-ranking officials for four generations, and their students and former officials were all over the world."

"During the reign of Emperor Xiaoling, Yang Gong also served as the Prefect of Jingzhao (where Chang'an is located)."

"Therefore, eight or nine out of ten of the people in Chang'an are former acquaintances of the Yang family."

"If we use the name of Lord Yang to persuade them to surrender, those among them who still have the heart of the Han Dynasty will surely be willing to help the royal army and restore order."

"Even people like Feng Yi and Zheng Gan, who are indecisive, might have an excuse to shirk their duties, making it difficult for Cao Zhen's defense strategy to achieve its full potential."

"Excellent!" Zhuge exclaimed.

He addressed the crowd:

“The position of Minister of Works has been vacant for many years since Xu Wenxiu’s death.”

"Yang Wenxian has always regarded himself as one of the Three Dukes of the Han Dynasty and refused the honor of ten thousand bushels of grain offered by the Cao family. Now is the time to restore him to the position of one of the Three Dukes to demonstrate his integrity!"

Talking to smart people is so much easier.

Mi Wei secretly praised him.

Upon hearing this, Wei Yan's previously suppressed thoughts resurfaced, and he stepped forward, saying:
"The Prime Minister and the Governor's attempt to use deception to sow discord among the people of Chang'an is certainly the right thing to do."

"But having only deception without concrete results is probably not enough to subdue the people and soldiers in the city!"

Upon hearing this, Mi Wei glanced at Zhuge Liang.

The latter happened to be looking at him as well.

The two understood each other.

Seeing that Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and Guan Ping had all achieved victories, Wei Yan became restless.

……

When Chang'an was subjected to a fierce propaganda offensive by the Han army.

Cao Zhen's camp in the western suburbs was also not left behind.

Because there were no towering city walls to block them, the Han army's "offensive" was even more fierce.

Every day, Han cavalrymen would come to shoot messages and challenge them to battle.

It's incredibly annoying.

However, Cao Zhen, as the commander-in-chief of the Guanzhong Army, still maintained sufficient composure.

He ignored the Han general's insults and stayed indoors every day to avoid battle.

Thanks to his bravery on the battlefield in his early years, he is not yet ridiculed as being afraid of Shu like a tiger.

But it's hard not to feel frustrated inside.

With the sudden challenge from Han general Wei Yan, this anger reached an uncontrollable level.

Cao Zhen could no longer tolerate it, so he ordered the newly recruited troops of Wang Zhao and Zheng Gan to fight.

The two men were coerced and lured by Xiahou Mao; how could they possibly be determined to be enemies with Wei Yan?
They were hastily dispatched and suffered a crushing defeat in less than an hour.

More than half of the troops immediately deserted.

Guo Huai, who had been observing the battle from the city walls, had no choice but to go out of the city again to see Cao Zhen.

But to his surprise, Cao Zhen, after suffering a defeat, was not discouraged or even more furious. On the contrary, he was overjoyed.

Guo Huai did not understand his meaning.

Cao Zhen explained with a smile:

"Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang have been focusing on winning hearts and minds these past few days, clearly indicating that they do not want to rashly attack cities or wage war."

"If Wei Yan suddenly comes to challenge us, it would be fine if he only makes noise and doesn't actually fight."

"Now, not only are we at war, but we're also ruthlessly killing the Wang and Zheng tribes who were secretly exchanging letters."

"From this perspective, Liu Bei was bound to die soon. That's why Zhuge Liang couldn't control his arrogant generals!"

Guo Huai suddenly realized, and said with shame:

"I thought the general had fallen for the enemy's provocation, but I never expected that the general, who seems rough and bold, is actually shrewd and meticulous. I was overthinking it."

Cao Zhen stroked his beard and smiled, quite pleased with himself.

He then said to Guo Huai:
“Boji has always been a strategist. Now that you’re here, why don’t you give me some advice on how to break the Shu bandits’ psychological warfare tactics?”

Guo Huai replied without hesitation:
"What the Shu bandits rely on now is Liu Bei's status as a member of the imperial clan and the prestige of the Yang family of Hongnong, who have served as high-ranking officials for four generations. With these two things, it is difficult for those who still yearn for the Han dynasty not to waver."

"In addition, there is the 'cannon formation' outside the city... Our spies found out that's what the Shu bandits call it... In short, this formation is now in place, and those who have never thought of the Han Dynasty will have to start thinking about it from now on."

Cao Zhen couldn't help but laugh out loud at Guo Huai's witty remarks.

Asked rhetorically:
"Let's not even mention those two old men who are about to die."

"Tell me, is this artillery formation really that miraculous?"

Guo Huai pondered for a long time before speaking:
"Not necessarily."

"That day, things happened so suddenly that we were all thrown into disarray. Looking back, if we had been able to directly breach the city gates, Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang would have acted long ago. Why would they have stopped after such a brief attempt? It wasn't that we didn't want to, but that we simply couldn't."

Cao Zhen simply nodded slightly upon hearing this, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Guo Huai's tone suddenly changed:
"However, even if you and I believe that the Shu bandits cannot do such a miraculous thing, and they really cannot, so what?"

"The key is that after this incident, many people in the city believe that they can do it."

"People like Liu Bei and Yang Biao, who doesn't know that they are both very old?"

"But as long as he lives, he will still have a reputation that shakes people's hearts."

"To put it more bluntly, even if he really died, as long as Zhuge Liang kept his death a secret, he could probably fool some people for a while... unless Liu Bei died in a crowded place, in the sight of thousands of people."

Snapped!
Cao Zhen suddenly clapped his hands, his eyes shining brightly:

"Boji has hit the nail on the head! It's precisely this 'being the center of attention'!"

Although Guo Huai wasn't startled by his sudden outburst, he was still taken aback before reacting:

"General, are you perhaps planning to destroy this formation?"

"That's right!" Cao Zhen readily admitted.

"In order to frighten Chang'an, the Shu bandits deliberately placed this formation in a place where everyone could see it, making people believe that this formation had the power to withstand an army and a strong city."

"Then all I need to do is defeat them when everyone is watching, and whether Zhuge Liang intends to attack their hearts or their cities, won't it all come to naught?"

"This is a drastic measure to cut off the fuel supply."

Guo Huai could naturally understand this principle.

Or rather, the idea had already popped into his head the moment he saw the cannon formation from the city wall on the first day.

The issue is.

The Han army clearly placed great emphasis on protecting its artillery formations.

They even went so far as to use large quantities of cowhide for fireproofing.

How easy is it to cut off that force?
Then Cao Zhen pointed to the slightly overcast sky outside the camp gate and said:

"Spring waters are rising, and the rainy season is approaching."

Guo Huai initially did not understand his meaning.

But then he suddenly remembered Cao Zhen saying that Zhuge Liang couldn't control the arrogant generals.

Suddenly, I had a sudden realization.

His eyes lit up instantly, and he looked up and said: