Has the Han Dynasty been restored today?

Chapter 93 Show Sincerity

The political structure of the Shu Han court was different from that of the Wei court.

While Guanqiu Jian was worried about Sima Yi's immense power and prestige in Guanzhong, the people of Hanzhong were busy and expectant, waiting for the imperial carriage to arrive in Hanzhong, much like the rising sun.

This anticipation naturally contains a touch of trepidation.

Liu Shan had only recently assumed personal rule, and before that, the government was entirely controlled by Chancellor Zhuge Liang. Liu Shan spent most of his time in the Chengdu palace and had little contact with his ministers. Not to mention, the generals and officials in Hanzhong had been away for a long time and rarely returned to Chengdu, so they were even more unfamiliar with the emperor.

Naturally, Chen Zhi, as a close advisor to the emperor, became the best target for gathering information.

Chen Zhi had official business to attend to for the first two days after arriving in Hanzhong. He and Du Yi, who was also the Vice Minister of Works, assisted in preparing logistics for Jiang Wei's military campaign and declined all invitations.

After seeing Jiang Wei off at Yangping Pass from Mianyang, Chen Zhi was unexpectedly stopped on his way back to Mianyang.

If it's not Wu Yi, then who else could it be?

Wu Yi, accompanied by a dozen armored soldiers, stood by the roadside in his official robes, a smile on his face, and greeted Chen Zhi, who was riding up on horseback: "Fengzong, it's been a long time. You've been so busy since you arrived in Hanzhong. I invited you, but you didn't come."

Chen Zhi quickly dismounted, walked closer, and returned the greeting with clasped hands: "General, you flatter me. How could I dare refuse your invitation? I am truly ashamed that you have waited for me here."

Wu Yi shook his head and chuckled, seemingly unconcerned: "It's alright. I'm here because I have something to ask Fengzong. Jiang Boyue informed me beforehand that he had been ordered to leave Yangping Pass for Wudu to restrain the Di people, saying that the Qiangduan and Fushuang tribes had rebellious intentions. What is the reason for this?"

Chen Zhi responded with a smile and said calmly, "Since you have stopped me here, General, do you have any vegetables or food to offer? I have little to do today, so it won't be too late to return to Mianyang City later."

Wu Yi laughed heartily: "Perfect timing, I've also been wanting to have a deep conversation with you. Come to my camp for lunch, have some wine and water, and then call my brother over so we can have a proper chat."

"That is indeed my wish, but I dare not ask." Chen Zhi cupped his hands in greeting: "All arrangements will be made according to the general's wishes."

Political matters can be divided into those above the surface and those below it.

Regarding the current political situation, the emperor's relocation to Hanzhong and his urging of the Northern Expedition are matters that are only visible on the surface. However, the attitudes and understanding of the war situation of key generals like Wu Yi and Wu Ban are the crucial aspects that lie beneath the surface.

No matter how many northern expeditions there are, in the end, the battles still depend on these veteran generals of the imperial court.

Court politics and political maneuvering are one thing, but actual warfare is another. The importance of a general leading troops is far greater than that of a minister in the Hanzhong Secretariat.

Lunch was simple: four tables were set up in Wu Yi's military tent, each with six dishes, a soup, and a bowl of wheat porridge. In addition to Chen Zhi, Wu Yi, and Wu Ban, Wu Yi also invited Fa Miao to the banquet.

This eldest son of Marquis Yi, Fazheng, was clearly highly valued by Wu Yi, who regarded him as his strategist.

When interacting with others, the most important thing is to be sincere.

Wu Yi and Wu Ban were both seasoned generals, so Chen Zhi had no need to hide anything from them. He revealed the court's plan to march westward into Qiangzhong and seek control of Liangzhou, and also explained in detail the reasons why Jiang Wei had sent troops.

To Chen Zhi's surprise, Wu Yi did not immediately express his agreement, but instead frowned. Fa Miao's attitude was also unreadable, his expression remaining unchanged.

Wu Ban, being more boisterous and uninhibited, asked directly, "Fengzong, regarding your plan to march west into the Qiang region to control Liangzhou, have His Majesty, Lady Jiang, Minister Fei, and Boyue all agreed?"

"Exactly." Chen Zhi nodded. "This strategy was proposed by Jiang Boyue, discussed with you in Chengdu, and then you all agreed to it. I also agree."

Wu Ban shook his head: "I don't mean to question the court's strategy. But, Fengzong, don't you think Sima Yi is too powerful? To the point that you're a little afraid of him?"

Chen Zhi raised an eyebrow at Wu Ban and asked, "What makes you say that, General?"

Wu Ban said, "Sun Tzu's Art of War says that in warfare, one should be as aggressive as fire and as immovable as a mountain, right?"

"Yes." Chen Zhi nodded.

Wu Ban continued, "When the Prime Minister was in power, it was always the Han army that launched fierce attacks in every campaign. Sima Yi could barely remain unmoved, and sometimes he couldn't even do that. Forgive my bluntness, Feng Zong, but as a subject, I dare not criticize His Majesty, but whether it's Lord Jiang, Minister Fei, or you, Feng Zong, none of you know anything about military affairs!"

Chen Zhi frowned deeply: "I don't understand what you mean, General. Even if we don't know anything about military affairs, doesn't Jiang Boyue also know nothing about military affairs?"

"Him?" Wu Ban shook his head and said, "It's not that I'm slandering my colleague, but Boyue is a young talent, and I've always thought highly of him."

But how many major battles has he actually fought? He's been by the Prime Minister's side every day, and all he's learned is the Prime Minister's caution. I suspect that seeing the Prime Minister unable to defeat Sima Yi in Guanzhong, he wanted to abandon Guanzhong and Longyou, focusing all his efforts on fighting the Qiang and Hu tribes. This shows he's cowardly.

Chen Zhi was at a loss for words to respond to Wu Ban, so he could only remain silent.

Seeing Chen Zhi's state, Wu Ban asked again, "Fengzong, I'd like to ask you, how skilled is Sima Yi in military strategy?"

Chen Zhi replied, "I can command an army of 100,000."

"He did lead an army of 100,000, but did he truly command it?" Wu Ban asked. "And tell me, what were Sima Yi's military achievements?"

Chen Zhi was silent for a few moments before replying, "Sima Yi defeated Zhuge Jin in Xiangyang, captured and killed Meng Da in Xincheng, and then led troops during the Prime Minister's four campaigns."

Wu Ban laughed and said, "That's it then. Can be considered a meritorious deed by beating Zhuge Jin?"

Chen Zhi remained silent.

Wu Ban then asked, "Sima Yi was then the governor of Jing and Yu provinces. He used 40,000 men to fight Meng Da's 10,000 men. His only advantage was speed and surprise. As for Meng Da, you may not know him, but I do. His local troops in Shangyong were hardly a strong force. I could fight even 20,000 or 30,000 Wei soldiers, let alone 40,000. What's so remarkable about that?"

Chen Zhi remained silent.

Wu Ban continued, "As for the fourth campaign, under the Prime Minister's command, we fought against Sima Yi at Lucheng, inflicting a great defeat on the Wei army and beheading Zhang He. During the fifth campaign, we once advanced to the Wei River, where Sima Yi had no choice but to lead the Wei army to resist at the Wei River and hold firm without fighting."

"Fengzong, in my and my brother's view, Sima Yi excels at using force against the weak and numbers against the few, and his troops are swift in their advance. In other words, Sima Yi's strategy works against weaker forces, but it never works against stronger ones! In the ninth year of Jianxing, the Prime Minister led us to advance on Shanggui. After we arrived at Lucheng, we were in Wei territory. Sima Yi initially dared not fight. The two armies were in a stalemate, so not fighting was fine. However, he could not hold back and instead launched a strong attack on the Han camp, which we defeated, and he then retreated!"

Later, when the Han army ran out of supplies and retreated, Sima Yi forced Zhang He to lead troops into battle, directly resulting in Zhang He's death at the hands of the Han army!

"I don't know if Fengzong, Fei Pushe, and Jiang Boyue know these things. But I can tell you that Sima Yi can fight weak armies, but he has difficulty fighting strong ones. His ability to command troops lies in his high position and commanding generals; finding opportunities for battle in the midst of an engagement is his weakness. In my opinion, his combat ability is even inferior to Zhang He's!"

Wu Yi finally spoke up: "This man only fights when things are going well. Moreover, from his forced battle against Zhang He, it's clear that his mind isn't on fighting, but on seizing power!"

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