My father-in-law Guan Yu, I persuaded Liu Bei to launch a surprise attack on Xiangyang at the beginn

Cao Pi was taken aback for a moment, then laughed.

Sima Yi really understood himself too well.

Back in Ye City, during several casual conversations, Sima Yi mentioned, intentionally or unintentionally, that his wife had taken in a sworn sister who was a stunning beauty.

Cao Pi had unknowingly kept this in mind, and when he passed through Hanoi this time, he didn't need to visit the Sima family in Wen County.

But halfway there, he suddenly remembered his sworn sister, Lady Sima Yi, and wondered how beautiful she was.

So, on a whim, Sima Yi used the pretext of visiting his father, Sima Fang, to make a detour to Wen County.

This trip was worthwhile; Cao Pi finally met Miss Guo, and as Sima Yi had said, she possessed a beauty that could rival the most beautiful women in history.

From then on, Cao Pi kept it in mind.

So, in this unusually happy mood, fueled by the alcohol, he subtly hinted at Sima Yi.

Sima Yi, observing Cao Pi's expression, immediately understood his thoughts and promptly presented him with a beautiful woman.

"Zhongda, this Miss Guo is practically your wife's younger sister. Are you really willing to give her away?"

Cao Pi suppressed his secret joy and asked.

Sima Yi's smile vanished, and he solemnly bowed:

"Your Highness is the ruler, and I am your subject. Everything I have, even my life, should belong to Your Highness, let alone a sister-in-law!"

After his generous remarks, Sima Yi changed the subject and said with a smile:
"Moreover, the Second Young Master is of noble status. Sooner or later he will become the Crown Prince of our Great Wei, and in the future he will become the King of Wei and the Emperor of Great Wei."

"That girl Guo Zhao is fortunate enough to serve the Second Young Master."

"I'm overjoyed to have secured such a marriage for her, how could I possibly be reluctant to let her go?"

This flattery made Cao Pi overjoyed, and he felt so comfortable from head to toe that his legs went weak.

Cao Pi laughed heartily and patted Sima Yi heavily on the shoulder:

"Since it's from you, Zhongda, that you're so kind, then I'll accept it."

"Don't worry, I will treat your sister-in-law well and will not let her suffer any injustice."

"If you think about it carefully, you and Zhongda are relatives, and this additional connection is very good."

Sima Yi's lips curled up slightly, and a subtle, almost imperceptible look flashed in his eyes.

On the surface, however, he appeared flattered and hurriedly said things like, "This is my honor," and "I dare not accept such praise."

Cao Pi grinned from ear to ear and asked Sima Yi when he planned to bring Guo Zhao over.

Knowing that Cao Pi was impatient, Sima Yi promised to immediately send a servant across the river back to the Sima family, and that Guo Zhao would be brought to Luoyang within a few days.

Cao Pi was pleased and happily raised his cup:
"Come, come, Zhongda, let's drink a thousand cups today and drink until we're completely drunk!"

Sima Yi laughed heartily and immediately raised his wine cup as well.

The two men raised their glasses, ready to drink it all in one gulp.

"Second Young Master, something terrible has happened!"

Zhu Shuo cried out in terror as he stumbled in, panting, and cried out:
"Just now, Hao Zhao sent someone to report that some soldiers had escaped back to Luoyang with Cao Tai's head. He said that tens of thousands of Chu troops suddenly came by boat from the Yellow River this morning, launched a surprise attack on Mengjin Ferry, and are heading towards Luoyang!"

Bang!

Cao Pi dropped his wine cup, which fell onto the table.

Sima Yi's hand trembled, and the wine splashed on him.

The two froze, staring at each other in astonishment, their expressions as if they had heard the most bizarre thing in the world.

After a brief silence, Cao Pi suddenly flipped the table and jumped up.

"What did you say? Say it again?"

He grabbed Zhu Shuo and asked him excitedly.

Zhu Shuo, his face contorted with grief, said in a trembling voice:

"Second Young Master, Cao Tai has been killed by the Chu army. The Chu army launched a surprise attack on Mengjin Ferry from the lower reaches of the Yellow River, and tens of thousands of troops are about to march on Luoyang!"

Cao Pi's mind went blank for a moment, and he staggered back half a step as if struck by lightning, collapsing onto his backside.

"How...how did the Chu army end up in Mengjin?"

"Wasn't Guan Yu's army blocked at Cangting by my father? How could they suddenly attack Luoyang?"

"This, this, this..."

Cao Pi muttered to himself, completely flustered.

Sima Yi gasped and exclaimed in surprise:
"Could it be that we've fallen for Xiao He's elaborate deception?"

Upon hearing the name "Xiao He," Cao Pi shuddered, his terrified gaze immediately turning to Sima Yi.

Sima Yi, however, was still not certain, and could only say in a deep voice:
"Second Young Master, let's go see Hao Zhao first and find out the details before we talk about it."

Cao Pi dared not hesitate and immediately got up and left the palace, heading straight for the north gate of Luoyang.

When we arrived at the North Gate, the city walls were already in chaos.

Thousands of Wei soldiers were rushing up the city walls, hastily preparing for battle.

Hao Zhao's face was solemn as he ordered his soldiers to prepare throwing stones and logs and to move arrows.

After the group reunited, Cao Pi finally saw his cousin's head with his own eyes.

"What...what the hell is going on?"

Cao Pi stared at his brother's bloodied head, a chill running down his spine. He looked up in shock and asked Hao Zhao a question. Hao Zhao, his face grave, pointed north of the city:
"According to Zhao's speculation, the Chu army must have taken advantage of its naval power to advance westward up the river, passing through the entire Yanzhou region, and launched a surprise attack on Mengjin."

"According to current intelligence, the Chu army that has landed numbers at least fifty to sixty thousand, and they clearly intend to capture Luoyang."

"I have already sent a messenger on horseback to Xingyang to report the emergency to the General of the Flying Cavalry, requesting him to send reinforcements to the rescue immediately."

"Second Young Master, we must be prepared to defend Luoyang and fight against the Chu army's siege."

Cao Pi gasped, and his body swayed again.

Looking north, one could see dust and mist rolling in from the north of Luoyang, clearly indicating that a massive army was approaching the city.

More than 50,000 Chu troops appeared before him without warning, like divine soldiers descending from the sky.

No, it should be said that he made arrangements, specifically by using his cousin Cao Tai's head as a pretext.

"Zhongda, what exactly is going on with you?"

Cao Pi, his face pale, looked at Sima Yi with a puzzled expression.

Sima Yi's eyes were no longer confused. He took a deep breath and said in a deep voice:

"My lord, I fear that we misjudged the Chu army's strategy from the very beginning."

"Although Xiao He is in Qingzhou, and on the surface he seems to be joining forces with Guan Yu to attack my Yanzhou, in reality his military might is still aimed at my Luoyang."

"They feigned an attack on my Cangting by land and sea, but their navy crossed my Cangting defense line, advanced upstream at breakneck speed through the heart of my Yanzhou, and launched a surprise attack on my Mengjin!"

"The army's forces along the Luoyang line are all concentrated in the three southern passes and the Xingyang line. They certainly did not expect the Chu army to attack from behind, so the forces along the Mengjin line are naturally weak."

"Thus, the Chu army had an opportunity to easily capture Mengjin, and then landed their main force to launch a surprise attack on Luoyang!"

"This is a deceptive scheme, surely the work of Xiao He!"

Sima Yi finally deduced everything.

Cao Pi shivered, froze on the spot, and began to tremble all over.

"The Chu army's greatest advantage lies in its navy."

"That sorcerer actually dared to send the Chu army across the Yellow River for thousands of miles, from Qingzhou directly to Sizhou, and even to my Luoyang?"

"Throughout history, I have never heard of such a method for conquering Luoyang..."

Cao Pi's mind was in turmoil, he muttered to himself, and his eyes were filled with disbelief.

Sima Yi, however, looked north and sighed:
"This person is unpredictable and his tricks are always unprecedented and outlandish, yet he always manages to make them work."

"I am no match for Xiao He, that prodigy..."

At this moment, even Sima Yi was humbled and admitted his inferiority.

Hao Zhao, standing to the side, cupped his hands and said:

"Second Young Master, things have come to this point. Now is not the time for fear and regret. Defending Luoyang is the most important thing."

"If we hold out for a few days, and wait for reinforcements from Xingyang and Guanzhong to arrive, we can attack from both inside and outside and surely defeat the Chu army."

"If the situation in Luoyang is resolved, then danger can be turned into safety."

Cao Pi's eyes lit up, and the gloom on his face dissipated somewhat.

Before he could speak, Sima Yi said in a deep voice:
"Second Young Master, the situation is hopeless. Luoyang cannot be defended. You are of noble birth; how can you allow yourself to be trapped in such a densely packed area?"

"Please, Second Prince, escort the Emperor out of the city immediately. While the Chu army has just landed at Mengjin and has not yet deployed its troops to besiege the city, we should immediately cross the river at another ferry and retreat to Hanoi County."

This statement came out.

Cao Pi and Hao Zhao's expressions both changed drastically.

Sima Yi is telling them to abandon Luoyang and flee with the emperor!
Hao Zhao's face darkened, and he said sternly:
"The Chu army has just landed. We have only lost Mengjin. Luoyang is still in our hands. There are still more than 5,000 elite troops in the city, which is enough to hold out until reinforcements arrive."

"The Chu army hasn't even reached the city yet, and Minister Sima is already trying to incite the Second Prince to flee without a fight, handing Luoyang over to the Chu state. Isn't that inappropriate?"

Cao Pi looked at Sima Yi, and although he did not express his opinion, he clearly had doubts about Sima Yi's proposal.

Sima Yi snorted coldly and pointed outside the city:
"With Xiao He's wisdom and resourcefulness, how could he not have considered what you've said?"

“I predict that when he first captured Mengjin, he must have already divided his troops and headed straight for Hulao Pass and Hangu Pass. Before we could react, he would seize these two passes and block the passage for reinforcements from the east and west to enter Luoyang.”

"If the reinforcements are blocked outside the two passes, only five thousand soldiers will remain in Luoyang. People will be in a state of panic and unrest. How can they withstand an attack by an army several times larger than the Chu army?"

"Once the city falls, we will all die under the swords of the Chu army!"

Cao Pi gasped, his hesitation and concerns instantly vanishing, and he hurriedly said:

"Zhongda is right, he is right. Holding Luoyang will only lead to certain death. We cannot sit idly by and wait for our demise!"

"I have to leave. I must quickly escort the Emperor away from Luoyang!"

Cao Pi was terrified and turned to flee.

Hao Zhao's expression changed, and he stepped forward to stop Cao Pi:
"Even if, as Minister Sima said, the Chu army seizes the two passes and blocks the passage for reinforcements to enter Luoyang, I am confident that with five thousand soldiers, I can defend Luoyang as solid as a rock and hold out until the reinforcements break through the passes and enter."

"Second Young Master, please trust me! You must not flee Luoyang and shake the morale of the army!"

Hao Zhao was extremely confident in his ability to defend the city, and he held Cao Pi back, pleading with him to stay.

Cao Pi became agitated, shoved him aside, and scolded him:

“You are just a nobody who got this job guarding Luoyang only because of your uncle Zixiao’s recommendation.”

"What gives you the audacity to spout such arrogant words, actually deluding yourself into thinking you can hold off ten times the size of the Chu army with only five thousand soldiers?" (End of Chapter)