HLnovel Chapter 501 Sima Yi Frames Gao Rou! A Woman More Wronged Than Dou E Appears
Chapter 501 Sima Yi Frames Gao Rou! A Woman More Wronged Than Dou E Appears
定军山
Zhang Lu, still shaken, said to his trusted subordinates:
"Fortunately, the deer are intelligent; otherwise, if that scoundrel Zhang Fei had made his way to the walls of Nanzheng, Hanzhong would have been in grave danger!"
One of his trusted confidants quickly said:
"Rest assured, Celestial Master, you are a lucky person and Heaven will protect you."
"Now, Zhang Fei has been defeated, and even his deputy has lost his life."
"This is the consequence of those who oppose me for even a pittance!"
After saying this, several of his confidants burst into laughter.
Zhang Lu, however, showed no sign of composure.
He has always had informants planted in Sichuan.
It is said that Liu Bei was able to conquer Shu at such a rapid pace precisely because he had the assistance of Fa Zheng.
This time, Fa Zheng once again served as Liu Bei's military supervisor.
Besides Liu Bei himself, Fa Zheng held the highest status in Liu Bei's army.
One can imagine the immense psychological pressure Zhang Lu must have felt facing such an enemy.
Although Zhang Lu was quite capable, he had his own area of expertise.
Faced with a top strategist like Fa Zheng, Zhang Lu also felt that he had the will but not the power.
However, there was no better solution at the moment, so Zhang Lu could only disperse his troops and strengthen patrols in various parts of Dingjun Mountain to prevent similar sneak attacks from happening again.
……
Beijia Pass
Since the day of the raid on the camp, Zhong Yao seemed to have lost his spirit and stayed in bed all day.
I don't know if it's because I don't love it anymore, or because I don't have the ability to come and go as I please.
In any case, the pain from being shot in the buttock was etched into Zhong Yao's memory.
Sima Yi, looking travel-worn, rushed in and reported to Zhong Yao:
"My lord, our army only has enough food for two and a half months."
"If we are still unable to capture Beijia Pass after two and a half months, I'm afraid our army will be forced to retreat."
After saying this, Sima Yi lowered his head, looking extremely humble.
How could Zhong Yao bear to rebuke Sima Yi?
Besides, the burning of the grain supplies had nothing to do with Sima Yi.
If we really have to find someone to blame, then it's definitely Gao Rou who should take the blame!
Gao Rou was even more wronged than Dou E, but did Zhong Yao care about that? Obviously not.
He stretched out his right hand, intending to pat Sima Yi on the shoulder.
However, because he was lying face down on the hospital bed, he couldn't reach Sima Yi's shoulder.
Sima Yi, observing the situation, respectfully squatted on the ground, behaving extremely docilely.
Zhong Yao couldn't help but sigh:
"Zhongda is truly an honest and kind man!"
Then, Zhong Yao paused for a moment and asked Sima Yi:
“Zhongda, I am not an unreasonable person.”
"In this battle, we have already lost the initiative."
"The morale of the soldiers was also low."
“If this continues, I know very well that our army has no hope of winning.”
"But if we retreat in a hurry, Su Ziyi might slander me, saying that I failed in battle and was incompetent."
"In your opinion, what should I do to decide?"
Sima Yi knew that the real test had arrived!
At first glance, it sounded like Zhong Yao was asking him for his opinion.
But as the saying goes...
When your leader asks for your opinion, they are not really seeking your perspective.
Rather, he already had what he considered to be the best answer in his mind!
What leaders want is recognition; they want your answers to match theirs.
next moment.
Sima Yi then spoke righteously and solemnly:
"My lord, you have painstakingly built this southern expeditionary army, all for His Majesty, for the court, and for the people!"
"Those who attempt to slander you, sir, are all despicable villains!"
"Now, you have no choice but to lead this southern expeditionary force to retreat, in order to preserve the army's fighting capacity and to prevent millions of people from losing their beloved sons because of the war!"
"You are selfless and devoted to the world!"
"Withdrawing troops is not shameful, but glorious!"
"Extremely glorious!"
"Anyone who dares to oppose your opinion, sir, is sworn enemies of Sima Yi!"
“Zhongda…”
Zhong Yao was moved to tears again.
Even a biological son wouldn't be as considerate as Sima Yi!
Another day of openly envying Sima Fang.
How fortunate Sima Fang must have been to have such a son who was both loyal and filial!
"Zhongda, it is my honor to have such a talented person as you to assist me."
"Order a retreat in three days."
"After returning to Chang'an, I will personally submit a memorial to the Minister of Works, explaining the defeat in this battle."
Sima Yi quickly said:
"Sir! Please don't take all the blame upon yourself."
"If someone absolutely must bear the blame, please, Your Excellency, allow me, Sima Yi, to step forward and take full responsibility!"
"As long as you, sir, are still here, we have hope!"
"Even the cunning Su Ziyi is no match for us!"
Sima Yi's selfless act strengthened Zhong Yao's resolve to pin the blame on Gao Rou!
Sima Yi truly mastered the tactic of feigning retreat to advance.
This cunning and wicked fellow also used this trick to completely deceive Cao Shuang in history.
Unexpectedly, this fellow was not only physically robust, but even in his sixties, he was able to produce a younger brother for Sima Shi and Sima Zhao.
……
As night fell
Sima Yi dispatched his trusted confidants to shoot a letter with an arrow into Beijia Pass, carrying the message that the troops would withdraw in three days.
Sima Yi dared to do this because, apart from himself, more than a dozen generals or strategists, including Gao Rou, already knew that Zhong Yao intended to withdraw his troops.
When it came to the blame afterward, Sima Yi was not at all to blame.
In fact, Zhong Yao would not doubt him in the slightest.
After receiving the letter, Yang Ren immediately discussed the matter with Zhang Ren.
Zhang Ren frowned and said:
"General Yang, as far as I know, Zhong Yao's subordinates are all from aristocratic families."
"But the more prestigious the family, the more they prefer to preserve their strength at crucial moments."
"Now that Zhong Yao has failed to capture my Beijia Pass, it is only natural that he intends to retreat."
Yang Ren nodded and said:
"Yang also holds this view."
"When the enemy retreats, that's when the defenses are at their weakest!"
"If we take the opportunity to pursue them..."
At this point, Yang Ren and Zhang Ren exchanged a smile.
No secrets stay hidden forever, especially in a war between two armies.
Yang Ren and Zhang Ren already knew that Zhong Yao had been injured by an arrow in his buttocks.
If Zhang Ren remembers correctly...
The arrow that wounded Zhong Yao must have been shot by him personally.
Now, Zhong Yao plans to retreat.
As an old friend, how could Zhang Ren not reciprocate and prepare another generous gift for Zhong Yao?
A hefty reward! A hefty reward is a must!
Otherwise, outsiders might think that the soldiers of Hanzhong don't understand human relationships!
Over the next two days, Sima Yi commanded his army to continue the feigned attack on Beijia Pass.
Yang Ren and Zhang Ren also pretended to resist a little.
Both sides are actors, and they are waiting for the third night to arrive!
Gao Rou, however, discovered a blind spot in the matter.
He judged that the garrison at Beijia Pass had most likely seen through Zhong Yao's army's intention to retreat.
Therefore, Gao Rou hoped to meet with Zhong Yao to change the evacuation time.
But how could Sima Yi, as a top-notch undercover agent, just stand by and watch such a situation unfold?
Before Gao Rou even arrived at Zhong Yao's tent, Sima Yi had already taken the lead and personally led his troops to surround Gao Rou's camp completely!
……