Chapter 197

While the Han Dynasty was continuously preparing for war, Cao Wei was also preparing for the anticipated battle.

In the midst of a three-way battle with no alliances, Cao Biao, who had formed an alliance with Eastern Wu and returned to Ye, immediately summoned Sima Yi.

Sima Yi, who was in Luoyang dealing with the aftermath of the recent war and preparing for the next, felt that the inevitable had come and headed to Ye.

As soon as he saw Sima Yi, Cao Biao’s tone was far from pleasant.

“You must know why I summoned you.”

To Sima Yi, whom he trusted the most among his subordinates, Cao Biao used a tone he normally wouldn’t. Sima Yi prostrated himself and shouted.

“I have failed to meet expectations and can only express my deepest regrets.”

Cao Biao looked down at Sima Yi’s head without saying much.

To Cao Biao, Sima Yi was the best strategist who rarely disappointed him.

Although he prioritized the Three Excellencies in governing the country, Sima Yi was the one who best understood Cao Biao’s intentions and spoke of what Cao Biao desired first.

Even though it wasn’t exactly as Sima Yi had initially proposed, Guan Yu was still killed. Cao Biao, very rarely, decided to show mercy.

A softer voice came from his mouth.

“I once told you something.”

“Which decree are you referring to…?”

“When I am in the east, you take charge of the west, and when I am in the west, you take charge of the east.”

“Of course, I remember.”

This war followed the same logic. While Cao Biao personally led the campaign in the southeast against Eastern Wu, Sima Yi would block Shu Han in the west.

Sima Yi went a step further. He proposed a plan to Cao Biao to kill Guan Yu.

At the time, the war in Huainan was heading towards a truce, so Cao Biao accepted Sima Yi’s strategy.

It was a decision made with the calculation that Sun Quan, who had already antagonized Shu Han, would gladly lend a hand in attacking Liu Bei.

If they captured Guan Yu and provoked Liu Bei’s full-scale war, Sun Quan would not miss the opportunity to bite Shu Han’s flank.

However, the outcome Sima Yi produced was far from what he had initially proposed.

Xu Huang, Zhang Pei, and Sima Yi surrounded Guan Yu. While Xu Huang held the center in Nanyang Commandery, Sima Yi took Shangyong, and Zhang Pei captured Yangfan. They blocked all of Shu Han’s advance routes—Wuguan, Shangyong, and Yangfan—and thoroughly defended against their full-scale attack, aiming to exhaust them from within.

This was the grand strategy Sima Yi had persuaded Cao Biao with, but what was the reality? They killed Guan Yu but failed to take his head, and the defense line against Shu Han shifted from Nanyang Commandery to Luoyang.

Losing Nanyang Commandery was one thing, but losing Hedong Province and Hongnong County was a separate issue. It was a fatal mistake and a painful loss.

The reason Sima Yi could only bow in response to Cao Biao’s reproach was not due to Cao Biao’s whims but because the reality was as such.

Internally, however, Sima Yi’s operation was considered a success.

The fact that they had captured Guan Yu, Liu Bei’s right-hand man, was still true.

Given the state of Cao Wei, which had been suffering repeated defeats, they couldn’t openly admit they had lost. Thus, the operation to behead Guan Yu was declared a success.

Therefore, Sima Yi was a victorious general. Even though he was bowing his head and pleading guilty before Cao Biao, Cao Biao had to reward him.

“I will appoint you as the Supreme General.”

Sima Yi’s previous position was General Who Pacifies the Army with Imperial Authority. He was promoted to Supreme General for his merit in killing Guan Yu. However, it wasn’t a pure promotion.

“Intelligence reports that Liu Bei has sent Ma Chao and Chang-ran to rally the tribes in Yongyang and Hatu. They surely intend to attack Bingzhou through Hatu, just as we did.”

Sima Yi anticipated what Cao Biao would say next.

While the promotion appeared to be a reward, sending him to the frontier reduced his actual power, effectively holding him accountable for the defeat. It was a predictable but proven method.

Cao Biao’s subsequent command was exactly as Sima Yi had expected.

“Sun Quan in the south has formed an alliance, and I will personally lead the campaign in the west. You go north. Go and defeat the Shu rebels with Protector of the Northern Frontier Jian Chao and General Zhen Ye.”

“Your humble servant is once again granted Your Majesty’s grace and given another chance. I will spare no effort to proclaim Your Majesty’s majesty throughout the land.”

Thud! Thud!

Even though he was being pushed from Luoyang, the second most important region after Ye, to Bingzhou, Sima Yi kowtowed and obeyed Cao Biao’s command.

Thanks to Cao Biao’s intervention, he didn’t bleed, but Sima Yi held his ringing head and staggered out of the Great Hall.

‘Zhen Ye and Jian Chao are famous generals not far behind the Five Elite Generals of the late emperor. Ma Chao won’t be a big problem.’

Sima Yi was confident.

There were indeed shortcomings in the operation to behead Guan Yu. Just as Guan Yu had underestimated Sima Yi, Sima Yi had also underestimated Guan Yu. Moreover, the unexpected variable of Chang-ran had disrupted the situation.

But Ma Chao was different. Chang-ran is only one person; she can’t be in Bingzhou while in Luoyang.

‘First, Gabi Neng. The Shu rebels will naturally try to link up with Gabi Neng. Sending Quan Yan should suffice. Meanwhile, I’ll have Jian Zijing rally the northern tribes still loyal to Cao Wei.’

Despite his dizzy head, Sima Yi continuously thought about how to defeat Ma Chao.

After organizing his thoughts on dealing with Ma Chao, another issue arose in his mind.

‘His Majesty prefers to personally command and lead the army, but unfortunately, his military talent isn’t exceptional. Ultimately, it depends on whether Xu Huang, Zhang Pei, and other aides perform well.’

The real problem is that Cao Biao, the decision-maker, doesn’t easily listen to others.

No matter how good the strategies and tactics Xu Huang and Zhang Pei propose, they are useless if Cao Biao doesn’t listen.

‘If only Xu Huang or Zhang Pei could be sent north, and I could remain by His Majesty’s side.’

Cao Biao still somewhat trusted and followed Sima Yi’s advice. But Cao Biao wanted to send Sima Yi, whom he trusted the most, to a region without him, and the imperial decree had already been issued.

‘The next best option is to send the Three Excellencies.’

The Three Excellencies of Cao Wei—Zhong Yao, Hua Xin, and Wang Lang—were Cao Biao’s pride and the ones he trusted and followed after Sima Yi and Zhen Jun.

‘Especially the Grand Commandant, who has a deep understanding and great influence over the Luoyang area. I must visit the Grand Commandant.’

Grand Commandant Zhong Yao was the one who had restored and rebuilt Luoyang after it was reduced to ruins and lawlessness by Dong Zhuo.

Based on Zhong Yao’s understanding of Luoyang, Xu Huang and Zhang Pei could establish tactics, and Zhong Yao could persuade Cao Biao to accept them. It would be perfect.

‘But the Shu generals are no pushovers. Xu Huang and Zhang Pei are excellent, but it’s still overwhelming to block all of them. It’s a pity Man Chong is tied up in Huainan.’

Even though they had formed an alliance with Sun Quan, given Sun Quan’s track record, it was impossible to completely withdraw troops from there.

Still, they had to divert some troops to the war against Shu Han, so at least the commanders needed to be excellent. Thus, Man Chong remained in Huainan.

‘A reversal of talent is happening. Until now, our country had overwhelming talent, but now Shu has more. We must win this time. If we lose this war…’

Sima Yi, his head throbbing from thinking too deeply, held his head and headed to Zhong Yao’s residence.

Although there was no prior appointment, Zhong Yao personally came to the gate to welcome him upon hearing of his arrival.

“Zhongda, what brings you here?”

“I have urgent matters to discuss with the Grand Commandant, hence my rudeness.”

Sima Yi calmly explained everything to Zhong Yao, from receiving Cao Biao’s order to deal with Ma Chao in the north to his subsequent deep thoughts.

After listening to Sima Yi’s words, Zhong Yao said, “Don’t worry. I share your thoughts. Since Pang Tong, the Shu Grand Commandant, follows Liu Bei, I, as the Grand Commandant, should also support His Majesty.”

“Your words reassure me greatly. Do you know who will accompany His Majesty to Luoyang?”

“I heard that Wei Zhen and Xin Pi will assist His Majesty. But if you are going to Bingzhou, there will be additional personnel.”

“That’s likely.”

However, just hearing their names somewhat eased Sima Yi’s worries.

With Xu Huang, Zhang Pei, Zhao Jin, and Xiahou Sang leading the army, and Zhong Yao, Wei Zhen, and Xin Pi devising strategies and tactics, defending Luoyang shouldn’t be too difficult.

‘I’ve done all I can. The rest is up to those going to Luoyang.’

The next day, without a moment’s rest, Sima Yi headed to Bingzhou, sighing with concern.