Cheng Yu and Xu Shu stared blankly at the map inside a large tent.
Xu Shu murmured, "What choice will His Majesty make?"
At that moment, a guard clad in Long Xiao Camp armor entered the tent and cupped his fists, saying, "Two strategists, a message from outside. The password from His Majesty tonight is 'Jie Xuan'..."
Cheng Yu and Xu Shu sprang to their feet, startled. Both spoke in unison – "Jie Xuan!"
Before Cheng Yu could react, Xu Shu strode towards the map. He seemed to tense up instantly, his finger tracing a line from Hanzhong on the map northeast, then south… towards Jingzhou.
As if too excited, Xu Shu tripped over a folding stool and fell.
Cheng Yu quickly helped Xu Shu up, but Xu Shu, ignoring the pain, kept his gaze fixed on the map.
Cheng Yu asked, "Yuan Zhi, have you seen something?"
"Jie Xuan, the ailment of Jie Xuan... *Lu Shi Chun Qiu: Zhi Jian* states – 'As for Qi and Wu, it is but a Jie Xuan ailment!'" Xu Shu explained carefully, "The ailment of Jie Xuan is merely a minor skin condition, insignificant, and does not affect the overall situation... However, corresponding to the Jie Xuan ailment is a major threat to the heart and core! It seems His Majesty has no intention of personally campaigning against Guan Yu!"
Cheng Yu paused, "Can we judge solely by a 'password'?"
"This morning during the military discussions, Guan Yu flooded Jiangling... The ministers mourned, utterly helpless... But in reality, our Great Wei's national strength is ten times that of Ba Shu. How can we not afford a single defeat? Yet everyone remained tacitly silent... Could it be that Zhang Wenyuan, Xiahou Miaocai, Xu Gongming fear him, Guan Yu? Even if they do? Great Wei still has Lu Fengxian, and Ma Mengqi... Which of them cannot contend with Guan Yu?" Xu Shu analyzed meticulously, "Therefore, there is only one possibility: the entire court of generals and His Majesty have reached some tacit understanding, prompting His Majesty to proactively propose a personal campaign against Guan Yu!"
This...
Cheng Yu pondered Xu Shu's words carefully and finally sighed, "Then... what is the purpose of this tacit understanding between the entire court of generals and His Majesty?"
"Naturally, it is to make the enemies in Shu believe that His Majesty intends to personally campaign against Guan Yu, thereby lowering their guard... At the same time, it forces Guan Yu to accelerate his offensive, to capture Xiang and Fan two cities before His Majesty's personal campaign! This is to compel Jingnan to surrender to Shu Han, this is Shu Han's only opportunity to contend with our Cao Wei!"
Cheng Yu suddenly understood, "After all this talk, His Majesty is making a plan!"
"Heh heh..." Xu Shu smiled. He sighed, "Our His Majesty, he was once... a Hidden Dragon who could discern the heavenly secrets, with a dragon's roar that shook the heavens, turning into a dragon upon encountering a Hidden Dragon. Compared to His Majesty, Liu Bei and Guan Yu... still lack the finesse!"
With the conversation reaching this point, Cheng Yu pressed further, "Then what should we do?"
Xu Shu smiled, "We must cooperate with His Majesty's performance; we cannot pretend not to see it, nor can we turn a deaf ear! The current difficulty is how to make all the enemies believe that His Majesty will personally campaign against Guan Yu!"
Cheng Yu probed, "It seems Yuan Zhi has an idea."
Xu Shu smiled, "What idea could I possibly have? Yang Dezhu is His Majesty's direct disciple. Whatever he does, we shall do the same... we won't be wrong!"
...
...
Yang Xiu was directing the soldiers of the Long Xiao Camp to pack their belongings, "This, and this, pack them together. Books should be packed separately, and all loaded onto the carriages outside the tent."
A centurion of the Long Xiao Camp inquired, "Young Master Yang, is His Majesty really going to personally campaign against Guan Yu? Are we going to Jingzhou?"
Yang Xiu smiled triumphantly, "Not a personal campaign, but His Majesty plans to pass through Yiling from Jingzhou and advance west into Ba Shu, so that their rear cannot support their front!"
A soldier of the Long Xiao Camp tapped his forehead and asked, "Advance west into Ba Shu, how... we haven't heard of this?"
Yang Xiu smiled, "What kind of person is His Majesty? He attacks the enemy's mind and his strategies are flawless... If everything he does is foreseen by others, how could Great Wei prosper as it does today? Go pack your belongings. This time, only the Long Xiao Camp and the Hu Ben Camp will go to Jingzhou. Guan Yu is a tough bone, and it is up to us, the Long Xiao Camp, to chew on it! We will set off in two or three days."
Not long after...
At the entrance of the military tent, countless armored soldiers of the Long Xiao Camp began loading their belongings. Soldiers from other camps came to watch. One soldier asked, "Where is the Long Xiao Camp going?"
A soldier of the Long Xiao Camp replied casually, "Naturally, to Jingzhou. Who else can chew on this tough bone of Guan Yu except us brothers of the Long Xiao Camp?"
Guo Jia, who was on his way to the Special Operations Camp and passing by, heard this and was startled... He couldn't help but stop and listen. The soldiers immediately became astonished and flustered, "If... if His Majesty and the Long Xiao Camp go to Jingzhou, then what about the Shu road? There are still hundreds of thousands of troops here!"
Indeed...
A commotion erupted all around. Guo Jia's brows twitched slightly, but he quickly relaxed. He smiled and turned towards Yang Xiu's tent.
With a "whoosh," the curtain of Yang Xiu's tent was lifted. Yang Xiu, who was organizing documents, looked up and saw Guo Jia entering. He smiled, "Strategist Feng Xiao, aren't you supposed to be commanding the Special Operations Camp on a mission? Why are you here amidst your busy schedule?"
Guo Jia walked in slowly. Yang Xiu, over the years, had been arrogant despite his talents. Apart from Lu Yu, Guo Jia had never truly regarded anyone, yet this Yang Xiu had stunned him.
Yang Xiu also sensed that this conversation might have a deeper meaning... He couldn't help but straighten up, waiting for Guo Jia to speak.
Guo Jia stood less than a foot away from Yang Xiu, the air like a taut string, about to snap...
Finally, Guo Jia spoke, "The soldiers of the Long Xiao Camp outside are packing their belongings, and... spreading the news of His Majesty personally campaigning against Guan Yu. All of this was done by you, wasn't it?"
Yang Xiu smiled faintly, "I didn't expect that the first to be alarmed would be Strategist Feng Xiao."
Guo Jia continued, "Do you know that if it were just this, it would not be enough to make Ba Shu believe... it might even be counterproductive, making Ba Shu vigilant. Although Li Yan is not as wise as Zhuge Liang, it is not difficult for him to see through such a superficial plan!"
Yang Xiu's smile suddenly gained a hint of innocence and helplessness, "This is strange. If Strategist Feng Xiao feels this action is inappropriate, you can report it to His Majesty!"
Guo Jia shook his head, "Dezu is far smarter than I thought. There's no need to beat around the bush. Dezu knows that I will definitely see His Majesty tonight, and I will also tell His Majesty about you falsely reporting military intelligence and instigating the army!"
Yang Xiu took a step forward, almost pressing against Guo Jia's body. He looked like a serpent about to strike. He whispered into Guo Jia's ear, "Strategist Feng Xiao, please do not say any words of gratitude to this subordinate. This subordinate's actions are for Great Wei, and also for myself! I have always been curious, how did His Majesty see through the Bitter Flesh Strategy of Zhou Yu beating Huang Gai back then? I have also always wanted to emulate Zhou Yu beating Huang Gai and set up a Bitter Flesh Strategy that no one can see through. Can Strategist Feng Xiao lend me a hand?"
Guo Jia looked up at Yang Xiu, "Currently, you and Zhongda are at the bottom of the rankings in the School Affairs Office. After this plan, your position will at least be ahead of mine, Guo Jia!"
Boom...
Yang Xiu seemed to be infected by Guo Jia's words. "Hahahaha..." He laughed heartily. "Strategist Feng Xiao, do you know that I have another title in the Spy Division under the School Affairs Office..."
"What title?"
"Chicken Rib!" Yang Xiu's tone was meticulous. "Chicken rib, tasteless to eat, a pity to discard!"
"Refreshing!" Guo Jia unhooked the wine gourd from his waist and handed it to Yang Xiu. "This battle, who knows how many will gain fame. Perhaps your name, Yang Dezhu, will not be on the功劳簿 (record of merits), but you are the greatest contributor to this battle!"
Yang Xiu took a big gulp of wine. "Good wine calls for a bosom friend, refreshing!"
Guo Jia walked out of Yang Xiu's tent and stared at the sky for a long time without moving, wondering if he was shocked by Yang Xiu's ambition or his courage...
Guo Jia murmured to himself, "As expected, talent emerges generation after generation!"
Just then, Jiang Wei slowly walked up to Guo Jia. He noticed that Guo Jia, unusually, was not wearing a wine gourd and was only slightly surprised. Jiang Wei cupped his fists, "Strategist Guo, the brothers of the Special Operations Camp are still waiting for the strategist's deployment."
"No rush!" Guo Jia waved his hand. "The urgent matter is a plan ten times more important than the actions of the Special Operations Camp!"
"Yang Dezhu is spreading rumors and instigating the army! Gather the brothers of the Special Operations Camp and arrest all those soldiers of the Long Xiao Camp who are packing their belongings!"
Ah... Jiang Wei was stunned.
Guo Jia then added, "And... shout at the top of your lungs for everyone to hear... Yang Dezhu is spreading rumors and instigating the army!"
...
...
The armored soldiers of the Long Xiao Camp were in a chaotic mess packing their belongings. Jiang Wei led the soldiers of the Special Operations Camp, along with Cao Xiu, and quickly arrived.
Cao Xiu was startled and shouted, "What are you doing?"
The centurion of the Long Xiao Camp replied, "Reporting to the general, we heard that His Majesty is going to personally campaign against Guan Yu and will set off in a few days. Your subordinates are packing early to avoid chaos at that time!"
Cao Xiu was stunned... He stared at Jiang Wei with wide eyes...
Earlier, when Jiang Wei told him, he didn't believe it, but now...
Cao Xiu was furious, "I, this general, have not even received an imperial decree, yet you dare to spread rumors!"
The centurion of the Long Xiao Camp was bewildered, "It... it was instructed by Yang Cao Yuan, the head of the School Affairs Office... Yang Cao Yuan is His Majesty's direct disciple, his words..."
Cao Xiu pointed at the centurion, "Guards, seize him! Imprison him and interrogate him for spreading rumors and instigating the army!"
This...
Cao Xiu's words shocked everyone.
The Long Xiao Camp operated under strict orders – everyone knew this, but... this time, wasn't it a bit unusual?
The soldiers of the Special Operations Camp swarmed forward and tied up the centurion. The centurion pleaded, "Unjustly accused, my lord, unjustly accused! It was truly... Yang Cao Yuan who ordered it like this!"
He was dragged away screaming. The other soldiers of the Long Xiao Camp who were packing their belongings were all stunned, not knowing... what was true and what was false?
Cao Xiu angrily declared, "Those who pack their belongings before His Majesty's military order is issued shall be treated as deserting in the face of the enemy. Any further offense will be punished on the spot..."
He turned away angrily, muttering to himself, "Has this Yang Dezhu gone mad? I can't count on his help, but he's a master at causing trouble!"
Meanwhile...
Lu Yu was reading military reports. Ju Shou analyzed beside him, "If Guan Yu captures Xiang and Fan, then Liu Bei will have two directions to march out of Shu, land and water. Both routes are relatively long... The troublesome part is the water route. If Jingbei falls, then Jingnan will be cut in half by Guan Yu. At that time, Liu Bei will have more choices. Perhaps... he won't necessarily attack the north; they can go south to Jiangdong, south to Jingnan, and use the Yangtze River as a line to divide the world with His Majesty!"
At this moment... Dian Wei entered and reported, "Your Majesty, Strategist Feng Xiao is here to request an audience!"
Lu Yu looked up, "Announce him!"
As soon as he spoke, another armored soldier from the Hu Ben Army entered and reported, "Your Majesty, General Wen Lie requests an audience!"
"Cao Xiu?" Lu Yu paused slightly. "Announce them both!"
As he spoke...
Cao Xiu and Guo Jia strode in. Due to his anxiety, Cao Xiu forgot to pay respects, "Does Your Majesty truly intend to personally campaign against Guan Yu?"
In fact...
Lu Yu had never confirmed a personal campaign against Guan Yu.
However, during several military meetings, Lu Yu seemed to have expressed this inclination...
"Your subject Guo Jia pays respects to Your Majesty." Unlike Cao Xiu's anxiety, Guo Jia first cupped his fists and bowed...
His action made Cao Xiu realize his discourtesy, "Your subordinate was remiss. Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty!"
Lu Yu then asked indifferently, "Who told you this?"
Cao Xiu respectfully replied, "It's all over the camp. The Long Xiao Camp is in chaos, busy packing supplies. Yang Cao Yuan said it was His Majesty's intention!"
Ju Shou heard this and bowed, "Indeed, when I came to Your Majesty's tent just now, I also heard rumors of Your Majesty leading the Long Xiao Camp on a personal campaign against Guan Yu!"
As this was said...
Lu Yu's eyes darted around, but soon his gaze settled, and his expression became somber, "Nonsense! Captain Dian... quickly go to the Long Xiao Camp and issue an order saying that no one is to move rashly before the imperial decree is issued, and no rumors are to be spread!"
Dian Wei cupped his fists...
He took a step towards the door, but Guo Jia stopped him, "It's better for Your Majesty to clarify things. If Your Majesty truly intends to personally campaign against Guan Yu, then Yang Dezhu is not instigating the army. However, if Your Majesty did not say such a thing, then Yang Dezhu's actions must be punished! Hasn't Your Majesty always emphasized that whether it is the Long Xiao Camp or Great Wei, orders must be obeyed and rewards and punishments must be clear?"
This...
Guo Jia's words stunned Lu Yu.
Lu Yu paused, closed his eyes, and pondered for a moment, "Did you not remember what I just said, or did you not understand?"
Guo Jia cupped his fists, "Your subject remembers. Your subject takes his leave!"
As he spoke, Cao Xiu, Guo Jia, Dian Wei, and others slowly retreated... but as they reached the door.
"Wait!" Lu Yu's voice rang out again. "Tie up Yang Dezhu, and according to the crime of spreading rumors and confusing the army... impose a heavy punishment of fifty military strokes, no... Yang Dezhu is my direct disciple. If not severely punished, military law cannot be upheld. The heaviest punishment will be eighty military strokes, and he will be imprisoned. After the war, he will be exiled to the frontier!"
"Ker-plunk..."
Lu Yu's words made everyone's hearts sink.
Eighty military strokes...
Let alone eighty military strokes, Yang Xiu's frail body could barely withstand fifty military strokes. His Majesty was going to beat him to death!
"Your Majesty..."
Cao Xiu wanted to plead for Yang Xiu, but remembering Lu Yu's mention of "direct disciple" and "if not severely punished, military law cannot be upheld"... the words in his mouth all turned back into his throat.
After Guo Jia, Cao Xiu, and Dian Wei retreated...
Lu Yu pondered and sneered, "Yang Xiu, oh Yang Xiu, you truly dare! You are forcing me onto the fire!"
Ju Shou cautiously said, "If Your Majesty intends to personally campaign against Guan Yu, then an imperial decree should have been issued long ago to stabilize the army. If not, then spare Yang Dezhu this time!"
Heh...
Ju Shou's words made Lu Yu smile.
Lu Yu sighed softly, "Military Advisor Ju... If you were Liu Bei or Li Yan, would you believe me if I were to openly personally campaign against Guan Yu like this?"
Uh...
Lu Yu's words silenced Ju Shou.
He suddenly realized a very serious problem:
– His Majesty... never intended to personally campaign against Guan Yu!
– Jie Xuan... Guan Yu was merely... an ailment of Jie Xuan!
...
...