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

Chapter 332 Diplomatic Warfare
"Why has Your Excellency come from the east? Is it a royal decree?"

After boarding Zhuge Jin's ship, Zhuge Ke went straight to the point and asked.

Zhuge Jin glanced at his dissolute eldest son, and thinking of his younger brother Zhuge Liang's high praise for Zhuge Qiao in his letter, he felt increasingly uneasy.

But he still answered directly:
“Lu Boyan wrote to say that the border was undefended and asked me to come east to take over his guard of Ruxukou, so as to prevent the northerners from taking advantage of the situation.”

Zhuge Ke had no doubts upon hearing this.

Recalling my experiences traveling north, I couldn't help but complain:
"Your Excellency works so hard to defend the border for the country, yet you can only serve as a minor official in Jiangxia."

"That Lord Yu merely used his words to easily gain the prestige of being appointed prime minister of six states."

"I think that next year, Sun (Shao) and Gu (Yong) will have to step down and let Yu and Zhang take over the positions of left and right prime ministers!"

Zhuge Jin was already used to his eldest son's unrestrained speech.

Besides, since it was their own ship, they weren't worried about being overheard, so they asked:
"You've followed Yu Zhongxiang all the way to 'persuade the six states,' but do you know how much sincerity the generals of Wei have in forming an alliance?"

Hearing his father join in the joke, Zhuge Ke couldn't help but chuckle.

But then, recalling what he had seen and heard in the north, his expression suddenly darkened, and he said:
"To be honest, sir, I have always had doubts about this matter, but I have no evidence and it is difficult to convince you gentlemen."

"Judging from appearances alone, the Wei people in Huainan can indeed be considered sincere."

"For example, when I took my leave, both sides were already discussing the establishment of a border market."

"Once the trade is established, then this 'alliance of six nations' will be considered complete..."

Before Zhuge Ke could finish speaking, he saw Zhuge Jin's expression turn unusually serious.

His heart skipped a beat, and he stared intently, saying, "Just now, the lord said... the border is undefended?"

Zhuge Jin nodded emphatically:
"Shi Hui rebelled, and the governor of Jiaozhou, Lü Dai and Lü Dinggong, were unable to suppress him. Lu Zhengbei has already led his troops south at full speed."

Zhuge Ke was speechless.

It took him a long time to say:
"Shi Hui's rebellious intentions have been brewing for quite some time now, so how could Lord Lü be so careless?"

"Besides, Bu Zishan (Bu Zhi) has always been stationed in Jingnan, hasn't he? Although he suffered a defeat at Wuling in the past, his ability to command troops is widely recognized. How could he not be able to suppress Shi Hui?"

Zhuge Jin shook his head and said:

"It's not that I can't control it, it's that I dare not."

"Dare not?" Zhuge Ke didn't react.

Zhuge Jin explained:

"Two years ago, Shi Hui's rebellious intentions first became apparent. Lü Dinggong did indeed plan to lure him into surrendering and then ambush and kill him."

"But Shi Hui knew that he could not stand alone, so he sent an envoy to Chang'an to request to surrender."

"Generals Lü and Bu, fearing the might of the superior state, dared not offend it and could only secretly plot against it. In the past two years, they have won over quite a few members of the Shi clan."

"Who would have thought that this year, seeing that the situation was hopeless, Shi Hui decided to go all out and tricked Yong Kai of Yizhou into surrendering, then tied him up and sent him to Chang'an."

"It should be known that Yong Kai has always been unruly in the south and has even kidnapped Zhang Yi, the current governor of Nan Commandery."

"Isn't Shi Hui's action a contribution to Chang'an?"

"Therefore, Generals Lü and Bu had no choice but to stop again and wait and see how Chang'an would react."

"Taking advantage of this opportunity, Shi Hui eliminated internal troubles and quickly dispatched troops, successfully defeating Lü and Bu's forces..."

At this point, Zhuge Jin couldn't help but sigh deeply:
"Generals Lü and Bu were not lax in their fighting, but they were defeated because of their 'diplomatic tactics'."

"Now, our Wu Kingdom is controlled by the powerful northern kingdom, and even the most insignificant border scoundrels dare to bully us. What should we do?"

"In short, Lu Boyan has already gone south to deal with this matter, and the military strength in Ruxu is also empty."

"As your father, I can only do my best to come east and guard the borders of the kingdom for the King of Wu, so as not to fail the King's grace."

He then said to Zhuge Ke:

"I am old and often lack the strength to do things."

"From now on, you should not wander around. Stay by my side and take charge of the drums and flags for me."

Zhuge Ke had no choice but to agree.

……

Just as Zhuge Jin and his son were making preparations for the future of Eastern Wu.

Thousands of miles away in Youzhou in the north, Wang Xiong, the governor of Cao Wei, also had the foresight to clean up the border troubles of the Wei. However, his methods were not so honorable.

Specifically, they asked a warrior named Han Long to assassinate Kebineng, the most powerful chieftain of the Xianbei.

And Han Long lived up to expectations, striking successfully in one blow.

According to Wang Xiong's plan, the various Xianbei tribes, lacking a strong leader to suppress them, would fall into endless infighting and would no longer be able to threaten the rule of the Great Wei over Youzhou.

However, despite all his calculations, Wang Xiong could not have foreseen that Kebineng had already learned of his impending assassination.

Just in case, he handed over a group of his elite troops to his son and son-in-law respectively.

He also told his subordinate leaders that whoever avenged him after his death would inherit all of his tribe's property.

So Han Long had just assassinated Kebineng and hadn't gone far when Kebineng's son and his men came after him.

Han Long fought desperately to break through the encirclement, and then publicly assassinated Kebineng's son.

But two fists can never beat four hands.

In the end, he was killed by Yu Zhujian, the Xianbei chieftain and son-in-law of Kebineng, who arrived at the scene.

The latter also successfully inherited Kebineng's tribe, instantly elevating its strength to a new level.

Although such inheritance is often not something that can be fully fulfilled with just a verbal promise.

Some of them will inevitably take advantage of the chaos to leave or challenge the authority of the new leader.

However, thanks to Kebineng's arrangements before his death, the Xianbei people did not experience any major turmoil.

They even rallied together under the banner of avenging Kebineng and launched a counterattack on the prefectures and counties.

Wang Xiong was immediately at his wit's end.

At this very moment, another powerful military leader in Youzhou, the so-called General Sima Yi, arrived.

They resolutely dispatched troops to provide assistance.

His unit had recruited a group of 10,000 mixed-race cavalrymen who were not only familiar with the geography of Youzhou, but also knew the details of the Xianbei people.

After several raids, they successfully defeated Yu Zhujian's forces.

They then pursued the fleeing enemy all the way north until they drove Yu Zhujian to Yiwulü Mountain, east of the Yu River, before finally returning south in triumph.

After this battle, Sima Yi's prestige in Youzhou became unparalleled.

Subsequently, memorials impeaching Wang Xiong and praising Sima Yi were presented to Cao Rui's desk like snowflakes.

Although Cao Rui's mind was focused on Bingzhou, it didn't mean he didn't care about Youzhou and the Xianbei people behind him.

He immediately ordered the removal of Wang Xiong and appointed Sima Yi as the governor of Youzhou, holding the imperial insignia to oversee the military affairs of Youzhou and Bingzhou.

Sima Yi submitted his resignation three times, but Cao Rui rejected it each time.

Therefore, Sima Yi had no choice but to reluctantly accept the appointment.

For a time, he was praised by both the court and the public for his virtue and talent.

They seemed to have forgotten the other side's defeat in Hedong three years ago, which directly led to the Wei court having to move out of Luoyang and fall into a state of gradual retreat.

The people of Ye City blamed the original governor of You and Bing, Wu Zhi, for the responsibility.

After that battle, the latter had been stripped of any actual command and was left with only the title of Lieutenant General.

It is far less successful than Sima Yi's current prosperity.

It's truly heartbreaking.

Of course, this kind of personnel trend in the Cao Wei court was too far removed for Yu Zhujian, who had retreated to the desolate mountains.

After experiencing a series of ups and downs, he had lost his will to fight and only wanted to find a place to settle down and live out the rest of his life as soon as possible.

But God did not fulfill people's wishes.

Not long after Yu Zhujian escaped Sima Yi's pursuers, he was planning to detour back to the vicinity of Liucheng in western Liaoning.

A cavalry unit from Liaodong suddenly appeared before him and abducted him.

After recognizing his identity, the latter not only refused to release him, but also kidnapped him and took him back to Liaodong.

(End of this chapter)