The Art of War.
The story of Tian Ji's horse racing is told.
Lower-tier horses against the opponent's upper-tier horses;
Middle-tier horses against the opponent's lower-tier horses;
Upper-tier horses against the opponent's middle-tier horses.
Trading local disadvantage for overall victory.
This principle, from small-scale business strategies to large-scale military deployments, is universally applicable.
At this moment...
Wei Palace, the Hegemon's Manor.
Before Lu Yu, along with his strategists and generals, a massive map of Bashu was laid out in the center.
From Jinniu Pass to Jianmen Pass, a red circle was drawn, marking the names of two individuals: Zhang Fei and Fa Zheng.
The entire sprawling Mianmi Range was marked with Huang Quan, Yan Yan, and Wu Yi.
The treacherous Lizhi Pass had Zhao Zilong, Ma Su, and Wang Ping circled!
Beyond these, the Yipin Pass, which required crossing the Mogling Mountain, was undefended.
These were the main routes for Bashu's northern expedition.
To the southeast of Bashu, at Yiling, the pairing of Guan Yu and Ma Liang appeared as solid as a rock.
Huuu...
Upon seeing this map transmitted by Zhao Yun, everyone in the Hegemon's Manor fell into silence, each contemplating deployment and coordination...
Everyone knew the story of Tian Ji's horse racing.
But... how to identify the opponent's upper-tier, middle-tier, and lower-tier horses?
And how to dispatch our own horses?
For a moment, all eyes turned to Lu Yu. They realized...
When the decisive battle truly arrived, Lu Yu—this Emperor of Wei—was the only one whose presence could instill the utmost reassurance and serve as the very soul of the Wei army...
"Why isn't anyone speaking?"
Seeing their silence, Lu Yu inquired.
"Your Majesty should speak first." Xun Yu shook his head, then nodded. "Your Majesty excels at psychological warfare; the overall strategic deployment should naturally be determined by Your Majesty!"
"Then I shall decide..." Lu Yu surveyed the civil and military officials before him, his tone carrying a hint of a smile.
His words immediately alleviated some of the somber atmosphere.
"Let's start with Yiling... From among the countless officials, Lu Yu's gaze fell upon Lu Xun. Boyan, for the Yiling front... you shall lead the army! You will command the entire fifteen divisions of Jingzhou!"
"Me?"
Lu Xun was bewildered...
Without exaggeration, within the Hegemon's Manor, he was considered the least significant. In fact, were it not for the Lu family connection, Lu Xun would not have even qualified to enter the Hegemon's Manor.
One must remember that originally, the one tasked with establishing a defensive line in Jingzhou to defend Yiling was Zhou Yu, whose strategic command was considered top-tier even within the Hegemon's Manor. Lu Xun and Zhou Yu were still leagues apart in terms of both prestige and command ability!
Lu Xun's eyes instinctively turned to Zhou Yu. "Your Majesty, I am still young and my qualifications are shallow. While I am willing to serve as a staff officer, to lead as a commander... then..."
Before Lu Xun could finish speaking... Lu Yu's words became even more decisive.
"It's you! You will be the one to lock horns with Guan Yun Chang!"
"The generals from Jiangdong, Lu Meng, Jiang Qin, Zhou Tai, Ling Tong—all will be under your command!"
Lu Yu said with a smile...
But somehow, it sounded like he was arranging for a noble's son to study alongside the crown prince.
Could it be that His Majesty intended to support the empress's relatives?
After all, His Majesty had shown no special favor to the Lu family over the past five years; he had treated them as equals... but now...
"Your Majesty..." Before Lu Xun could speak.
This time, Zhou Yu interrupted. "If it were anyone else, this commander might not have relinquished command of Jingzhou, but if it is Lu Boyan, then it's another matter entirely..."
...Zhou Yu's words clearly held a deeper meaning.
As his words fell, Zhou Yu specifically raised his eyes to meet Lu Yu's gaze. Their eyes met, as if they understood each other's intentions.
"Since Your Majesty and the Grand Commander both say so, then this subordinate accepts the order! I shall not fail Your Majesty's trust!"
Lu Xun bowed.
"Now that Yiling is settled..."
"Next is Jinniu Pass..."
The opponent at Jinniu Pass is Zhang Fei and Fa Zheng. Lu Yu mused in his heart, in later-day games, these two... one's martial prowess is near maximum, and the other's intelligence is almost monstrous...
Their cooperation is almost flawless.
But the battlefield is not a game; it cannot be solely about accumulating data.
Precisely this pair, who seem most flawless, Lu Yu believes, are Bashu's lower-tier horses.
"Father-in-law, this route shall be entrusted to you." Lu Yu's gaze fell upon Xiahou Yuan. "Father-in-law, you shall lead, and let Gongda assist you..."
In Lu Yu's view...
The key to victory on this route does not lie in his middle-tier horses, but in the personalities of Zhang Fei and Fa Zheng!
One is reckless, the other is just and meticulous about grievances...
The combination of these personalities inherently carries immense risk.
In favorable conditions, or during methodical defense, a series of problems can be easily concealed; but in adversity, during an offensive campaign, it is uncertain!
"This subordinate accepts the decree!" Xiahou Yuan bowed...
Xun You blinked, pondered for a moment, and also bowed to accept the order!
"Next is Mianmi Pass..."
Lu Yu looked up...
"General Yuan Rang, General Zi Xiao, General Zi He, General Zi Lian, General Man Cheng, General Wen Ze, General Gong Ming, General Wen Yuan, General Wen Qian, General Fu Yi, General Nu Kou... Xiahou Dun, Cao Ren, Cao Chun, Cao Hong, Li Dian, Yu Jin, Xu Huang, Zhang Liao, Yue Jin, Zhang Bu, Zang Ba..."
Lu Yu was naming almost the entire all-star lineup of Wei for Mianmi Pass.
"The enemy generals on the Mianmi Pass are Yan Yan, Wu Yi, and Huang Quan. Their advantage is a better familiarity with the terrain, but... our Wei troops are no longer what they were five years ago. Terrain constraints are nothing before the technology tree!"
As Lu Yu said...
The Great Wei had not stagnated in the past five years. A large number of talented individuals had been absorbed into the workshops, greatly aiding Wei's military, civil, and agricultural affairs...
Lu Yu intended to fight a war of technology...
How laughable...
Bashu still planned to contend with Great Wei using its geographical advantages. How naive!
"This subordinate accepts the order!"
Everyone stepped forward, sharpening their blades...
Speaking of which, the decisive battle with Bashu is the final campaign before unification. If one doesn't participate... how regrettable? How unfortunate?
"Right, and there's also Lizhi Pass!"
Lu Yu remembered, there was indeed Lizhi Pass...
He almost forgot about it because Zhao Yun was the main commander.
"The enemy commander at Lizhi Pass is Zhao Yun, the deputy commander is Wang Ping, and the staff officer is Ma Su. Who shall go?" Lu Yu's eyes blinked, his gaze sweeping across everyone's faces, finally landing on Sima Yi. "Zhongda, you go..."
Sima Yi was taken aback. He was waiting for Lu Yu's next words. "You want me to go? Then what? How many men should I take? Who will be the deputy commander?"
"And how... should we fight?"
If there were no plans, there should at least be a guiding principle, right?
But...
There was nothing. Lu Yu simply said, "You go..." and nothing else.
...This...
Sima Yi opened his mouth, wanting to ask.
But the words were swallowed back. He suddenly realized that Zhao Yun's infiltration into the enemy camp was a top secret of the Military Intelligence Department, not known to everyone...
Therefore, the specific personnel selection could only be made from the Military Intelligence Department, and specific arrangements could only be made in private!
With this thought, Sima Yi bowed.
"This subordinate accepts the order!"
"Now, all arrangements are complete..."
Lu Yu continued to ask, "Everyone, is there anything else? If not, today's Hegemon's Manor meeting ends here."
It seemed...
Such a serious meeting concluded so casually!
Such a simple deployment.
...and... it was over?
Although the meeting in the Hegemon's Manor had ended, many people still felt something was missing in their hearts...
But what was missing? They couldn't quite pinpoint it.
"Your Majesty... we're just... going to fight like this?" Xiahou Dun scratched his head.
He was straightforward and felt the rhythm was off. So he was the first to step forward and ask.
"Why not?" Lu Yu retorted, a smile spreading across his lips. "After five years of recuperation, the gap between Bashu and Great Wei has become an insurmountable chasm. Everyone... just fight casually, the most important thing is to have fun!"
Lu Yu seemed perpetually optimistic...
So optimistic that it made everyone feel incredulous.
"Uh... does this not require psychological warfare?"
"Isn't Your Majesty most skilled at psychological warfare?"
...
...
Bashu, Prime Minister's Manor.
Zhuge Liang, feigning illness, slowly walked in. His student, Ma Su, rushed to support him.
"Prime Minister, you are still unwell; you shouldn't have come!"
"These are trying times. Bring me the memorials..." Zhuge Liang's brows were tightly furrowed...
Ma Su deliberately put aside a few memorials and handed over the others.
Zhuge Liang noticed the hidden memorials. "Bring those as well."
"Prime Minister..." Ma Su hesitated...
"Bring them!" Zhuge Liang's tone intensified. But this sudden shout caused a wave of pain to sweep over him. Cough, cough, cough... a series of coughs...
Ma Su was worried. He held the memorials but dared not hand them over...
Zhuge Liang, enduring his coughs, took the bamboo slips and slowly unrolled them.
At first—he could still calm his mood and prevent his mind from becoming chaotic. But the further he read... the more Zhuge Liang felt tightness in his chest and shortness of breath, to the point where he had to clutch his chest.
"Has His Majesty already implemented the four-six tax and the three-for-one conscription in Bashu so quickly?" Zhuge Liang's voice was bitter.
Ma Su nodded. "Since the decree was issued, it has been implemented in all regions immediately. Those who were slow to implement it... were severely dealt with by Li Yan!"
"I understand!" Zhuge Liang's tone was indifferent...
"Prime Minister, are you going to persuade His Majesty?" Ma Su asked. "With the four-six tax and three-for-one conscription, perhaps the treasury can accumulate enough provisions for the northern expedition, but... but... the people are grumbling fiercely, and their hearts are scattered!"
Zhuge Liang shook his head helplessly. "I have already persuaded him twice. Now, with the decree for additional taxes and levies, it indicates His Majesty's resolve to fight Cao Yu is firm. I can no longer persuade him. Anything can be done once or twice, but not a third or fourth time."
"Prime Minister, then what should we do?" Ma Su asked.
This "we" naturally referred to the Jingzhou faction, led by Zhuge Liang...
"What else can we do? Tell Ma Liang, Xiang Lang, and the others to fully support His Majesty... Other than this... cough... cough, there is no other choice."
Hearing this, Ma Su also felt a sense of great loss...
It was like wanting to kill the enemy but being powerless to reverse the situation!
... "Prime Minister, I have something to say... I don't know if I should say it or not!"
Upon hearing this, Zhuge Liang's expression froze. Then, he pointed at Ma Su and raised his voice, "You should not say it!"
It seemed his emotions had become quite agitated all of a sudden.
"Yes, sir." Ma Su bowed and retreated with a sense of helplessness.
After Ma Su left, Zhuge Liang lowered his head. His peripheral vision followed Ma Su's retreating figure, but in his heart, he was shouting, "Ma Su, Ma Su, you should tell me that the Lord's northern expedition... has bypassed me and directly ordered the old officials of Shu to handle matters! It is the times, it is fate... it is the times, it is fate..."
As he spoke...
Zhuge Liang no longer sighed, but slowly took out the memorial.
And upon seeing the lines in the memorial...
Zhang Fei and Fa Zheng advancing from Jinniu Pass, Wu Yi, Yan Yan, and Huang Quan advancing from Mianmi Pass, and Zhao Zilong advancing from Lizhi Pass—Zhuge Liang's expression became even more somber.
"Li Yan... Li Yan is ruining the country!"
He seemed to foresee something, but quickly, his hand moved to Yipin Pass again. He murmured, "Why? Why is Yipin Pass undefended? If it were anyone else—one could afford to ignore this pass, but Ji Han's enemy is Cao Yu. If it were him, he would definitely cross Yipin stealthily... stealthily... stealthily cross Yipin!"
As the last character, "ping," left his lips, with a dull thud, Zhuge Liang, as if completely exhausted, collapsed to the side...
"Prime Minister, Prime Minister..." A servant discovered him and immediately shouted.
Ma Su had not yet left the Prime Minister's Manor when he quickly turned back.
...
...
Luoyang, the Wei Palace late at night, all was silent...
In the palace courtyards, only the sounds of insects could be heard.
Suddenly, under the dim lamplight, the gates of the Wei Palace opened... Led by a young eunuch, and escorted by the Western Garden Commandant, Guo Jia, Sima Yi, and Yang Xiu entered gracefully.
"Where is His Majesty?"
"He awaits the three of you in the Taiji Hall!" Xu Chu's voice was as firm as ever, but the Tiger Guards protecting the Wei Palace had changed their demeanor.
Thump, thump...
Following a series of footsteps, Guo Jia, Sima Yi, and Yang Xiu entered the Taiji Hall.
The Taiji Hall at this moment was vastly different from during the day...
A massive sand table was set up in the Taiji Hall...
The entire terrain of Bashu was vividly displayed. Where there were small paths, where there were mountains, where there were lakes... Even where the Bashu garrison was located, where the granary was, where the armory was. And there was a mysterious place, a simple dwelling between two towering mountains... which Lu Yu had specifically marked.
And this entire topographical map... Lu Yu had spent five years completing it. How much effort and manpower had been expended to reveal the entire Bashu so meticulously?
It was clear—Guo Jia was not seeing this sand table for the first time...
Sima Yi and Yang Xiu were greatly astonished. For five years, they had no idea that His Majesty, while residing in Luoyang, had already set foot in every corner of Bashu.
"Your Majesty... this map..."
Before Sima Yi could speak...
Guo Jia smiled. "This map is identical to the actual mountains and ridges of Bashu. How laughable, Liu Bei chose four routes for his northern expedition, but in reality... there are thirteen mountain passes connecting Bashu to Great Wei, with sixty-six branches!"
Guo Jia's voice was not loud, but the meaning behind his words shocked Sima Yi and Yang Xiu immensely...
Thirteen passes?
Sixty-six branches?
This...
This was completely contrary to their imagination of the difficult Shu roads.
Even so, the two unconsciously displayed expressions of immense surprise and exaggeration...
"Your Majesty... how was this map created?"
Sima Yi asked in astonishment...
.
Haha... Lu Yu laughed. He turned to look at Guo Jia...
Guo Jia then clapped his hands. At this moment, from behind the curtains of the Taiji Hall, two women walked out gracefully. One of them was as graceful as a startled swan, as agile as a coiling dragon, appearing as if light clouds veiled the moon, and fluttering as if a flowing wind brought back drifting snow!
...
...
Niu Nai Tang Tang Tang reminds you: Remember to collect after reading.