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

Chapter 312 Xu Shu also launched an attack.
Sima Yi immediately noticed the "collapse" of the Han army's right flank.

However, they did not rush to deploy more troops to their left flank.

There are two reasons.

Firstly, this "collapse" was formed during the process of the two sides' densely packed troops colliding and pushing each other.

At this moment, not only were the military formations themselves dense, but the spaces between the two formations were also filled with a large number of soldiers, corpses, and weapons of various uses, making them completely impenetrable.

There was simply no extra room for subsequent personnel to follow up.

It's impossible to squeeze in.

Secondly, there was the right flank of the Han army, where a unit of Wei troops bearing the banner of the general "Zhang" were already stationed.

There was absolutely no need for Sima Yi to send additional troops.

At least most people think it's unnecessary.

After a moment's thought, Sima Yi still dispatched a squad of knights to go that way.

They weren't going to reinforce, but merely to cover the enemy's exit from the mountains and to advance two miles to form ranks.

He believed that the commander on the other side could clearly understand his intentions.

And sure enough.

A moment later, the banner bearing the character "Zhang" belonging to the Wei army moved north to the flat ground in front of the mountain and stood tall.

It's about two miles.

As a result, the right wing of the Han army not only had to face the powerful Wei infantry and cavalry directly in front of them.

Less than two miles to the right, another ten thousand Wei soldiers were preparing for battle.

This distance, in the context of battle formations, can be described as being practically within arm's reach.

You can meet them before the two drumbeats are finished.

This direct sense of visual oppression undoubtedly exacerbated the already weakened Han army's situation.

The speed of the "collapse" suddenly accelerated.

Some soldiers on the flanks have even begun to flee.

As the saying goes, one thing rises while another falls.

The deeper the Han army's rear collapsed, the further the Wei army facing them naturally had to advance.

Soon, the battle line, which was originally roughly perpendicular to the mountain, began to tilt noticeably.

At this moment, the Wei army in front of the mountain, which should have remained still, began to stir.

Occasionally, soldiers would desert their posts, only to be shot dead on the spot by the military commander and his men.

However, these disobedient Wei soldiers were not deserters.

They were planning to steal kills, not kills.

After all, the Han army was already showing signs of decline.

If we strike now, we can still get a share of the spoils.

If it's any later, when friendly forces from another direction fully advance, we'll just be left trailing behind, eating dust.

However, the commander on this side was surprisingly obedient to Sima Yi's military orders.

They said they would set up their position two miles in front of the mountain, not even half a mile more.

They said they would hold firm and not fire an extra arrow.

So, nothing unexpected happened.

This vital force, which could have joined forces with allied forces to the east to encircle the right flank of the Han army, was ultimately left behind by its allies.

Then I saw the "victories" gradually fade into the distance.

But at this point, neither the Han army nor their allies had time to pay attention to the Henan Wei army that was just watching the show.

With more than half of the Han army's right wing collapsing, Sima Yi no longer stayed behind, but personally went up to the platform to beat the drum and ordered the entire rear army to advance.

They completely defeated Zhuge Liang's forces on the east bank of the salt lake.

At the same time, he ordered his soldiers to separately notify Hu Zun, Wu Zhi, and the more than 10,000 Henan Wei troops in front of the mountain.

Once Zhuge Liang's army was routed, they launched an attack simultaneously.

Hu Zun was responsible for holding off Guan Xing, while Wu Zhi took the opportunity to circle around to the direction of the Yellow River to block Zhuge Liang's retreat.

The Henan army in front of the mountain naturally cooperated with their own forces to continue to expand their winning advantage.

"Prime Minister, the vanguard of the Wei army has reached the ditch where the culvert has been breached."

Hu Ji took the stage again and said something similar to what he had said more than an hour earlier.

Except that the character “我” was replaced with the character “魏”.

This time, Zhuge Liang suddenly opened his eyes and stood up, decisively issuing the order:
"Raise the flag to signal that Yide should not hold back and should launch a full-scale attack on the enemy's right flank."

"Weidu will stay here and continue to coordinate for me. I will personally go to the left flank to provide support!"

Although Hu Ji had known about Zhuge Liang's plan for a long time.

But hearing this still makes me worried:
"Simply sending a subordinate general to raise the flag will suffice; why must the Prime Minister go in person?"

Zhuge Liang said solemnly:

"Liang governed his army with strict discipline and clear rewards and punishments, and his soldiers trusted him. What was the basis for this trust?"

It's all about sincerity.

"If we deceive the army today, how will we show sincerity to our officials and ministers tomorrow?"

"If you cannot win people over with sincerity, how can you get your people to fight with one heart and one mind?"

"The late emperor often said: Only virtue and wisdom can win people's hearts." "I am of little virtue and wisdom, so I can only strive to be as sincere as possible!"

After saying this, he resolutely walked down from the platform.

From the registrar Hu Ji down, all the military officers and guards on the platform were filled with awe and respect.

The change in Zhuge Liang's banner naturally attracted Sima Yi's attention.

To be honest, this surprised him even more than Zhang Fei's previous restraint.

If I were in Zhuge Liang's shoes, I would already see signs of defeat at this point, though I wouldn't necessarily abandon my army and flee.

But we definitely need to start planning our escape route.

Where would they find the time to put on a show of personally covering the retreat in order to salvage their reputation?

Yes.

Sima Yi believed that the only significance of Zhuge Liang's current action was to salvage some of his personal reputation.

After all, if he were to lose this battle, even if he managed to escape back to Guanzhong, he would still have to face the emperor and his officials, as well as the people of Guanzhong who had been starving all winter.

He might have to resign as prime minister.

Oh, right.

And then there's that clever little guy, Miwei, who sneaked off to Hanoi.

After Zhuge Liang's defeat, he was left isolated.

Once I've defeated Zhuge Liang, I can turn around and deal with him as well.

At that time, one of Liu Bei's two trusted ministers who had entrusted him with the care of the young emperor was captured, and the other suffered a loss of prestige.

It might cause turmoil in the Chang'an court...

"Xu Sili reports urgently!"

Just as Sima Yi was contemplating the future, a scout galloped up to the foot of the general's platform.

Ma Yile stopped and said impatiently:

"Seeing the Han army routed, the Left General launched an attack on his own initiative. Xu Sili asked him what should be done?"

"Zhang Junyi is far away in Henan, how can we launch an attack?"

With victory assured, Sima Yi no longer concealed the truth and revealed it in one sentence.

The so-called Henan soldiers carrying Zhang He's banner were just a decoy deliberately set up by Xu Shu.

The scout was clearly taken aback, but he suppressed his curiosity and only asked how to reply.

Sima Yi waved his hand and said:

"Tell Xu Yuanzhi to properly discipline his subordinates and prevent them from causing me trouble; if he does, it will be a great achievement!"

The scouts went after hearing the sound.

But not long after, he returned.

This time, he didn't even stop the horse before starting to speak:
"Xu Sili's troops clashed with our left-wing forces over the enemy's banners!"

Sima Yi was drinking water when he heard this and immediately spat it out.

He said angrily:

"Is this how Xu Yuanzhi manages his troops? Surely he wouldn't be so greedy for credit!"

"I said I'd share the credit with him, and I will!"

"Doesn't he even believe what I say?"

Such a sophisticated question is beyond the ability of a lowly scout to answer.

Sima Yi did not expect him to answer, and told him to quickly carry out the previous order to pass on the message.

But before the scout horse had gone far, another rider came galloping over.

However, he was Wang Jun, an assistant official under Xu Shu and an official in Hedong.

"Lord Sima, Xu Gong said that when the soldiers saw Zhuge Liang's banner, they went into battle like madmen. Xu Gong has no prestige in the army and is unable to stop them. I beg Lord Sima to send a veteran general to restrain his men!"

"This……"

Sima Yi was speechless.

It was a lament about Xu Shu's incompetence.

I'm once again amazed by Zhuge Liang's "charm".

But none of them seem to be unexpected events?
If I had to call it an accident...

It's probably Zhang He again.

If only that old Ge had died in battle in Linjin last year!
In this way, the general guarding Tongguan can send someone who is both knowledgeable in military affairs and obedient.

Therefore, the 10,000 Henan soldiers in front of the mountain would not be led by an incompetent Xu Shu.

No, that's not how it works...

If Zhang He didn't return alive, why should I risk leaving the central government?
At this time, one should be like Chen Qun, Xiahou Mao, and others, getting close to the crown prince in the palace while strategizing in the imperial court.

There's absolutely no need to risk your life in battle!

That’s all.

Looking at the chaotic left flank of the army, Sima Yi had completely given up on intervening.

Since Zhuge Liang's flank has already collapsed, no matter how chaotic our side is, we still have the advantage in troop strength. Can Zhuge Liang turn the tide?
Thinking of this, Sima Yi turned his gaze to his own right flank.

(End of this chapter)