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

Chapter 293 Provocation
"Uncle, is something on your mind?"

Deng Ai noticed Jiang Wei's expression.

Jiang Wei exhaled a light breath and said:

“Shizai understands my aspirations.”

"The court originally planned to close the country to the outside world for several years, so I didn't feel anything was wrong."

"But seeing others about to achieve great things while I am idly spending my days in the palace, it is hard not to feel resentful."

"Ha!" Deng Ai clapped his hands and laughed.

Jiang Wei's expression immediately turned displeased:

"Didn't your Prefect of Fengyi also get captured by She Yuan? Why make fun of me?"

“No, no!” Deng Ai quickly waved his hand.

“Lord She, the late emperor’s old minister, whose talent and virtue I cannot match, how can you say I am being deprived?”

Seeing Jiang Wei's ambiguous smile, Deng Ai simply took out a piece of charcoal and paper from his cloth bag and began to write quickly on the saddle.

Jiang Wei rode forward and saw the words "Fufeng" written on the paper. He paused for a moment, then suddenly realized what was going on.

This archer, She Wenxiong, whose ancestral home was Fufeng County, was one of the representative figures of scholars from the Three Auxiliary Regions who flowed into Sichuan in the early years.

He was well-known for his virtue and reputation in Guanzhong during his youth, which is why he was chosen by Huangfu Song, the Grand Commandant and famous general at the time, who married his daughter to him.

With this premise in mind, it becomes easier to understand why the imperial court chose She Yuan as the prefect of Fengyi.

By leveraging the reputation of the She family within the pass, they can quell public opinion!

But... why does the imperial court treat the people of Guanzhong with such great favor?

Jiang Wei thought he had figured out the problem.

But now it seems...

"In short, prepare provisions and repair weapons as soon as possible," Deng Ai said, looking up.

"I don't expect that within six months, you and I will also have to leave Hedong."

Seeing Deng Ai's suddenly fluent speech, Jiang Wei's face showed no trace of dejection.

……

The news that the Han army had gathered troops in Linjin City during the summer flood season was quickly discovered by the Wei army in Hedong, which was on the opposite side of the river.

The latter was sent south directly by express horse.

However, just three or four days later, the entire route from Tongguan to Luoyang was alarmed.

That's why it's so efficient.

It's not just because the post road system between Guanzhong and Luoyang was the best in the world.

Furthermore, General Zhang He, who was stationed at Tongguan, was determined to overcome his shame and become stronger.

After receiving the appointment to guard Tongguan, he immediately set off westward from Luoyang, repairing roads and cities along the way.

At that time, everyone in Luoyang was focused on the transition between the old and the new, so no one interfered.

Zhang He's military deployment was successfully implemented.

Almost the day after the first batch of Han army supply wagons entered Linjin City, he began preparations for war.

"People should know shame."

On the city wall of Tongguan, Zhang He spoke to one of his lieutenants.

"For defeated generals like you and me, it is already a great achievement to be reinstated."

"If I do not fight to the death to serve the court, how will I face the late emperor in the afterlife?"

The lieutenant was slightly younger than Zhang He, and his face was covered in scars, making him look extremely ferocious.

However, when facing the powerful General Zhang He, he behaved quite obediently, simply nodding in agreement.

Only after Zhang He finished rambling did he say:
"The general's defeat was due to being outnumbered, not solely the fault of the general himself."

"Hao Zhao, who commanded a large force in Longyou at that time, was unable to defend it. His skills were inferior to others, so how dare he be compared to the general?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang He waved his hand and said:
"A defeat is a defeat; there's no need to make excuses."

"The key is to learn from this experience."

Hao Zhao clasped his hands and said:
"Please enlighten me, General."

Zhang He glanced at the military tally in the other party's hand, and said without changing his expression:

"Chen Changwen (Chen Qun) sent you here to mobilize troops to Hedong. You wouldn't be going to serve under Sima Yi, would you?"

Hearing Zhang He address someone by their given name, Hao Zhao felt a pang of sympathy.

He could only tighten his grip on the talisman and say in a deep voice:
"Chen Gong did indeed have this intention, because the Shu bandits' attack this time clearly focused on Hedong as their main direction of attack."

"Tongguan is well-fortified, and with a general stationed there, leaving only a portion of the troops is sufficient to hold it..."

Hao Zhao spoke softer and softer.

Because he saw that Zhang He's fists were clenched so tightly they turned white.

It felt as if they were about to punch him at any moment.

In fact, since the emperor fell critically ill and the crown prince began to assume the duties of regent with the assistance of senior ministers, the personnel in Luoyang have changed drastically. In particular, after Sima Yi left for the north, his old grievances with Zhang He were brought up by those with ulterior motives, which directly affected the balance of power among the regents.

Originally, it was two generals from the imperial family facing off against two trusted advisors.

The former had the sense of righteousness due to being a member of the Cao Wei imperial family, while the latter had been cultivating power in the central government for a long time.

On the surface, they can be considered evenly matched.

However, after the Zhang He incident, Sima Yi left the central government to avoid suspicion.

This balance was immediately broken.

Chen Qun sent himself here not only to provide Sima Yi with some substantial support, but also perhaps to test Zhang He's attitude.

However, it is clear that Zhang He would not neglect public duty for private reasons.

But as long as it doesn't involve matters of principle, he absolutely doesn't mind making things difficult for Sima Yi!
Upon hearing this, Hao Zhao had long lost the will to continue troop deployment and took his leave.

"Wait a minute!"

Zhang He suddenly called out to him.

Hao Zhao had no choice but to turn back.

"Does the general have any further instructions?"

"Nothing more." Zhang He grinned.

"I'd like to ask, is Xu Sili still in charge of the allocation of grain and fodder this time?"

"It's still Master Xu!" Hao Zhao immediately responded.

"The Crown Prince originally favored Chen Lingjun, but the three high officials in the court and the generals from all sides unanimously believed that Xu Gong was fair and respected, so he ultimately chose Xu Gong as the military supervisor to oversee the transport of supplies."

Zhang He: "The generals from all sides, including Wu Zhi from Ye City?"

Hao Zhao nodded hurriedly, but dared not respond further.

Zhang He stroked his beard and said, "Then it seems that Sima Yi also favors him... Xu Yuanzhi is truly remarkable!"

"Very well, it's more reassuring to entrust our future to Xu Yuanzhi than to Sima Yi's relatives and friends!"

He then pointed to the military tally in the other party's hand and said:
"I won't make things difficult for you."

"Go back and tell Lord Chen and Sima Yi that Tongguan is the gateway to the city. Unless the emperor issues an edict, not a single soldier here can be lost!"

"Let's go!"

Hao Zhaoru was granted a general amnesty.

……

"Did that old revolutionary Zhang He really say that?"

Sima Yi looked at the young provincial official before him, his heart filled with suspicion.

The latter was Wang Jun, an official from Hedong Commandery, who calmly replied upon hearing this:

"General Zuo did not directly mention taking revenge on you, but upon hearing that it was Lord Chen who requested troops on your behalf, he resolutely refused."

"This...!" Sima Yi's face immediately turned red.

Wu Zhi, standing nearby, was already laughing so hard he was practically bursting into tears.

Sima Yi took a deep breath, calmed himself down, and asked:

"What about the allocation of provisions? It's fine if the troops aren't divided, but surely there can't be a shortage of provisions?"

Wang Jun hesitated upon hearing this, wanting to speak but holding back.

Sima Yi frowned:
"The importance of Ye City is no less than that of Tong Pass; how could he dare to favor one over the other?"

Wang Jun then said:
"General Zuo said that if Xu Sili were to make the arrangements, he would have no objection and would not interfere. But if Chen Lingjun were to make the arrangements, he would insist on every single detail to prevent anyone from abusing their power for personal gain!"

"Who's abusing their power for personal gain!" Sima Yi slammed his fist on the table, his expression turning serious.

Wu Zhi, standing beside him, also stopped laughing.

Both men glared angrily at Wang Jun.

But the handsome young state official remained completely unfazed, simply replying calmly:
"This humble servant is merely acting on the orders of Lord Xu to deliver a message. If you two gentlemen do not trust this humble servant, you may send another messenger to inquire with Lord Xu or the Left General."

"Furthermore, Xu Gong also said that he would do his best to maneuver on both sides to ensure that the soldiers on the front lines would not suffer from hunger and cold or be unarmed when facing the enemy."

After a long silence, Sima Yi sighed and said:
"There's no need to ask anymore."

"Go back and tell Xu Yuanzhi that we need not express our gratitude, but if we win this battle, we will surely repay him."

Wang Jun accepted the order and withdrew.

A moment later, only the two of them remained in the room. Sima Yi said to Wu Zhi:
"My original intention was for Hedong and Henan to cooperate in the battle, but now that Zhang He has caused trouble, I'm afraid we'll have to fight separately!"

Wu Zhi sneered inwardly upon hearing this.

Why Zhang He threw a tantrum is unknown to others, but surely Sima Yi knows?
sidewalk:

"Let's break up then, it's better than him coming to Hedong to cause trouble, isn't it?"

Sima Yi thought about it and realized that this was the only option.

(End of this chapter)