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

Chapter 280 Half a year's salary deduction, a one-time exception

Xu Shu's voice was hoarse and weary.

While admiring him, Cao Pi even felt a pang of guilt.

Because Xu Shu had been a subject of Liu Bei, and was not a confidant of Liu Bei during his time as crown prince.

Cao Pi could not possibly entrust him with the responsibility of leading troops.

He can only be put in charge of a portion of the logistics dispatch.

But Xu Shu had no regrets.

He never makes a mistake when it comes to matters within his job responsibilities.

Even when Cao Pi casually asked about the amount of military supplies such as grain, fodder, horns, sinews, salt, iron, and silk in a certain city or residence in Guanzhong, Xu Shu could answer accurately and fluently.

It is evident that he is dedicated and conscientious in his daily work.

Now, the great generals of the royal family are dying out, and the younger generation has not yet come of age.

In the short term, it will be necessary to appoint a large number of generals from outside the imperial family.

Perhaps... we can give Xu Shu a chance?
After all, although Sima Yi was close to him, this closeness also meant that he maintained good relationships with everyone around him, which reduced the checks and balances on him...

While he was pondering, Xu Shu presented him with a pale yellow sheet of paper.

Cao Pi frowned subconsciously.

He immediately recognized it as "Mi Shi Paper" from Sichuan, which has recently become popular among the people of Luoying.

Although convenient, the thought that the Han army used this thing to spread inflammatory proclamations was unbearable.

Cao Pi couldn't help but feel a little uncomfortable.

Fortunately, he soon discovered that it was a military report from the Han army intercepted by a spy.

The above states that Guan Ping's attack on Tongguan was unsuccessful, but the Wei army was also unable to march north to rescue Zhang He, so they planned to retreat to Zheng County for defense.

In short, if this report is true, then Sima Yi did indeed fight a successful defensive battle at Tongguan.

However, the results were not as exaggerated as he described.

At this moment, Xu Shu's hoarse voice rang out:

"I believe that although Lord Sima has exaggerated the results, since the fall of Chang'an, rumors have been rampant in Guanzhong and Guandong. The imperial court urgently needs a great victory to boost morale. Therefore, it is understandable that Lord Sima slightly exaggerated the results."

"Besides, once Guan Ping retreats, won't Sima's troops immediately head north to join General Anxi and then go together to meet General Zuo?"

"To doubt Sima Gong based on this is to be a petty person judging a gentleman by one's own standards."

Liu Ye immediately glared at him angrily.

However, since his promotion, Xu Shu has been recognized as someone who is not afraid to offend powerful figures.

Having made a fool of himself, Liu Ye could only say to Cao Pi:
"I believe that military affairs are a serious matter. If this kind of ostentatious behavior is encouraged, it will be of no benefit to the country. I hope Your Majesty will consider this carefully!"

Cao Pi glanced at Liu Ye, whose face was full of arrogance, and then at Xu Shu, whose face was stern.

He immediately formed a plan in his mind.

His face regained its composure:

“What you two say is all reasonable.”

"I will immediately issue a letter of admonition to Sima Zhongda, deducting his salary for half a year, and making this a one-time exception."

This means to put something down gently.

Liu Ye felt depressed.

He gave Xu Shu a cold glance.

Xu Yuanzhi appeared to be loyal and upright, but in reality, he was just an opportunist.

Seeing that Zhong Yao was gaining power, he went to seek refuge with him.

Seeing that Sima Yi was useful, he went to curry favor with him.

Each time it seemed like he was offending powerful figures, it was actually in line with Cao Pi's wishes.

Why are there so many people like this around the emperor?!
I, Liu Ye, am full of strategic talent and was a trusted confidant during the reign of the late emperor. Why have I become a marginal figure in this dynasty?

Is it possible that trying to figure out what the superiors want is the only way out?
……

"That old scoundrel Zhang He still refuses to surrender?"

Beneath the walls of Linjin, Zhang Fei's beard and hair flew wildly, like a raging lion.

But actually, standing next to him, Mi Wei felt that Master Zhang's emotions were unusually stable.

It was even a bit desolate.

Mi Wei: "According to our 'spies,' Linjin had already run out of food three days ago."

"Zhang He is merely putting up a stubborn resistance."

As a senior general of the Shu Han state, Zhang Fei was one of the few who knew who the "spy" Mi Wei was referring to was.

In this moment of spiritual communion, I say:

"Shall we attack the city tomorrow? Or should we fire cannons?"

Miwei shook his head:

"This city will be an important stronghold for our army when we march out of Hedong. If it is damaged, we will have to spend a lot of effort to rebuild it."

"It would be better to allow Zhang He to leave on his own, and even take a few of his troops with him."

Zhang Fei suddenly turned around, his large, tiger-like eyes slowly narrowing into slits:

"Is this also a suggestion for 'spying'?"

Mi Wei analyzed in a low voice:
"One of the reasons why Zhang He was besieged this time was that the Xianbei people were persuaded by our side."

"But Sima Yi's failure to come to the rescue is also a fault."

"However, since he is a confidant of Cao Pi and is good at cultivating relationships with superiors and subordinates, he may not necessarily suffer setbacks because of this defeat."

"On the contrary, Cao Wei's veteran generals are now dying out, and Sima Yi is one of the few generals who is both trusted by Cao Pi and knowledgeable in military affairs. If he is not suppressed, he will sooner or later become powerful and influential."

"Having experienced such defeat and humiliation, how could Zhang He possibly obey Sima Yi's every word in the future? There will inevitably be friction between the two sides."

Zhang Fei nodded slightly, then suddenly chuckled:

"Zhang He surrendered to Cao Cao because he was framed by Guo Tu and was afraid of being held accountable by Yuan Shao."

"Zhang He suffered greatly from this, and must have deeply abhorred such selfish and petty people."

“It’s just that Shi Shan…” Zhang Fei looked at Mi Wei.

"You seem to value Sima Yi quite highly? I've heard that when he served under Cao Cao, he was only known for his diligence in his official duties, and I didn't see anything particularly remarkable about him."

After thinking it over, Mi Wei decided to let Xu Shu take the blame:
"This is because Sima Yi was good at disguising himself, and even Cao Cao could not detect it."

"Fortunately, that 'spy' had been living in Luoyang for a long time, observing his words and actions, and thus, over time, he came to know his true character and realized that he was no ordinary person."

"Time will tell..." Zhang Fei subconsciously repeated.

Looking up to the east, the desolation on his face deepened.

“I harbored resentment towards him after we parted ways at Changban.”

"But I do not have His Majesty's magnanimity, and I am always unafraid to speculate about people's hearts with malice. We have not corresponded at all over the years."

"Now it seems that he did cherish old feelings after all... It's just a pity that His Majesty didn't live to see his return... I wonder if he had any regrets?"

Miwei opened his mouth, but ultimately decided to remain silent.

The warm spring breeze blew from the south, making Zhang Fei's half-white beard and hair flutter even more.

The chill of that autumn in the thirteenth year of Jian'an has long since faded, yet it seems like only yesterday.

Zhang Fei hesitated for a long time, then turned around and said:

"Then let's do as you suggest."

"If we take Linjin as soon as possible, Your Majesty... the late Emperor can be laid to rest sooner."

After speaking, Zhang Fei strode down from the platform with his head held high.

Although his expression remained desolate, his steps were much lighter.

……

In the fourth month of summer in the fifth year of Zhangwu, with the surrender of Linjin, the last major city in Guanzhong, Guanzhong finally returned to the Han territory.

At this point, the Shu Han state controlled the four provinces of Yong, Liang, Jing, and Yi.

He could easily claim to possess half of the world.

Of course, if we were to be precise, places like Tongguan and Puban, which are key to Guanzhong, were still in the hands of the Wei army, so Guanzhong could not be considered completely secure.

Regardless of the circumstances, the Han army is currently in an expansionary phase, while the Wei army is strategically contracting.

In the short term, the Wei army has no possibility of launching a counterattack.

Therefore, in May of that year, led by Zhuge Liang, the officials of Shu Han jointly submitted a memorial to the Eastern Palace, requesting that Crown Prince Liu Shan enter Guanzhong to preside over the funeral of his father and inherit the throne.

The central government offices of the Shu Han dynasty, originally located in Chengdu, were also moved north to Chang'an, which became the primary capital city.

Liu Shan readily accepted the good advice and set off from Shu in mid-May.

(End of this chapter)