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

Cao Cao was shocked.

Sima Yi was bringing up an old plan again; essentially, he was still asking Sima Yi to lure the northern barbarians south to help him resist Chu.

The Wuhuan people were based in western Liaoning, around Yuyang, and numbered 300,000.

Its Chanyu, Tadun, claimed to have 50,000 iron cavalry under his command.

Of course, it's just a claim, and it inevitably has the air of bluffing.

Even if the number is halved, Tadun could still mobilize at least 30,000 Wuhuan cavalry.

Thirty thousand cavalrymen—that's no small number.

This is a legion capable of changing the course of the war in Youzhou and turning the tide of battle.

Moreover, the main force of the Wuhuan is located in the northern part of Yuyang, upstream of the Gu River, inside and outside the Great Wall.

Tadun's iron cavalry marched south along the Gu River, and within three days they could reach Yuyang, and within five days they could reach the walls of Jixian.

At that time, Liu Bei led a large army westward in pursuit of him, leaving the Ji County line vulnerable. If Tadun could take advantage of this weakness and break through, Liu Bei's rear would be in turmoil, his supply lines would be cut off, and the morale of his 300,000-strong army would inevitably collapse. At that point…

Cao Cao was picturing Sima Yi's plans in his mind, and his expression became more and more excited. Suddenly, he struggled to his feet, leaning on his cane.

"Zhongda's plan is brilliant—"

Before he could finish speaking, Cao Cao's joy vanished, and he sat up again.

His brows furrowed again.

"The Wuhuan are barbarians!"

"I have said it before, I am the King of Great Wei, the ruler of the Han people, how can I allow the barbarians to enter the pass?"

"Sima Zhongda, is your plan to make me a target of condemnation by future generations?"

Cao Cao struck the ground with his cane, a hint of anger flashing across his face.

Sima Yi clenched his fists in frustration, thinking to himself, "What time is it? Why are you still pretending to be so high and mighty?"

"I'd rather betray the world than let the world betray me." Who said this?

The floodwaters in Jueji have inundated tens of thousands of people. Who did this?

Haven't you done enough immoral things that are against the will of Heaven and Earth, that are condemned by the world and condemned by future generations? One more won't make a difference.

You've long regarded reputation and historical evaluation as worthless, so why are you erecting a memorial archway now, at a time when the nation's survival is at stake?

Are you schizophrenic?

Sima Yi cursed Cao Cao in his heart, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked, and he finally managed to hold back until his face turned red, but he didn't dare to utter a single word.

After taking a deep breath, Sima Yi could only earnestly advise:

"Your Majesty, the survival of Youzhou is related to the survival of Hebei, and the survival of Hebei is related to the survival of our Great Wei."

"I believe that for the survival of our Great Wei, we have now reached the point where everything is worth sacrificing."

"Your Majesty, I implore you to prioritize the well-being of the nation and the stability of the country!"

Sima Yi bowed deeply, his tone almost pleading.

This advice has been made quite clearly:

Old Cao, what time is it? Let's stop pretending, okay?
Survival is the most important thing!

Cao Cao's expression hardened, clearly moved by Sima Yi's words, and he remained silent for a moment.

How could he not be aware of the reality that Sima Yi was talking about?

He could use any means necessary in other matters, but colluding with the Hu people crossed his bottom line.

Become the Han general who conquers the west, annihilate the barbarians, and expand the territory!
This is the only remaining part of his original aspiration.

If even this original aspiration is abandoned, Cao Cao will no longer be Cao Cao.

"Zhongda's plan is still flawed, flawed indeed..."

Cao Cao shook his head, once again rejecting Sima Yi's plan.

Although her attitude was not as resolute as before, she still refused.

Sima Yi was so anxious that he was scratching his head and cheeks, almost bursting the window and angrily rebuking Cao Cao for being hypocritical.

"Your Majesty, I have a plan that can both entice the Wuhuan people to serve us and avoid damaging Your Majesty's reputation."

An advisor suddenly stepped forward and earnestly offered his advice.

All eyes turned to that person.

Tian Yu was a native of Yuyang in Youzhou and was once the Protector of the Wuhuan.

After learning that the Chu army had landed in Youzhou, Cao Cao ordered all existing troops in various counties to be transferred to Ji County to reinforce its defenses.

As the Protector of the Wuhuan, Tian Yu had no choice but to lead over a thousand men and rush to Ji County.

"Guorang, what good plan do you have? Tell me!"

Cao Cao's spirits were lifted.

He could use the Wuhuan people to help him fight against Liu Bei without betraying his original intentions—how could he not be excited about such a perfect opportunity? "I am the Wuhuan Colonel and am familiar with the Wuhuan leader Tadun, who trusts me quite a bit."

“If Your Majesty grants your permission, I may immediately go to the court of the Wuhuan Chanyu and explain to him the principle of mutual dependence. At the same time, I may forge an imperial edict to declare that Your Majesty has conferred the title of Duke of Liaoxi upon Tadun and granted him all the three prefectures of Yuyang, Youbeiping and Liaoxi east of Ji County as his fiefdom.”

"The condition is that Tadun leads the Wuhuan cavalry south to launch a surprise attack on Ji County, cutting off Liu Bei's supply lines and rear route."

“Tadun fears the loss of his own territory and is also greedy for the land of the three commanderies. He will surely raise all his Wuhuan cavalry to march south.”

"In this way, the Wuhuan people can be used by Your Majesty, and afterwards Your Majesty can claim that this was a forged edict and an act of arbitrariness by the subject, and refuse to give the three counties of Tadun, thereby preserving Your Majesty's reputation."

"This is my plan."

Tian Yu presented a plan in a eloquent and passionate manner.

Cao Cao's eyes lit up.

They falsely claimed to have issued a royal decree, tricking the Wuhuan into sending troops to assist in the battle.

Tian Yu was trying to benefit the King of Wei, but he himself was being framed for forging an imperial edict!

This is truly a case of sacrificing one's life for righteousness!

This is a true loyal minister, an extremely loyal minister!
Cao Cao was instantly moved to tears and asked incredulously:

"Guorang, your plan is brilliant, but you will bear the infamy."

"If the matter is exposed in the future, you may face the danger of being killed, and be harmed by Tadun in his rage."

Are you truly willing to shoulder this heavy responsibility?

Tian Yu's expression was resolute as he said with conviction:

"As a subject of the Great Wei, it is my bounden duty to go through fire and water for the Great Wei!"

"As long as I can defeat Liu Bei for Your Majesty and protect Youzhou, I have no fear of death, nor do I care about empty fame!"

Cao Cao nodded slightly, clearly pleased and moved by Tian Yu's sincere loyalty.

Sima Yi, however, slightly pursed his lips.

Tian Yu was from Yuyang. If Youzhou fell, he would become like me, like water without roots, a lonely ghost.

He would naturally spare no effort to protect Youzhou for Cao Cao.

Moreover, if Youzhou were lost, the fall of the Wei Kingdom would not be far off.

If the Wei Kingdom falls, he will fall into Liu Bei's hands as a minister of a fallen state.

Back then, Tian Yu was Liu Bei's subordinate, and he followed Liu Bei all the way to Xuzhou.

After witnessing Cao Cao's power, Tian Yu used the excuse of fulfilling his filial duty to his mother to leave Liu Bei and return to Youzhou.

When Cao Cao attacked Hebei, his army arrived in Youzhou and the people there immediately surrendered to him.

How could someone who had abandoned Liu Bei possibly face him again?
Therefore, Tian Yu had no choice but to borrow money at any cost, even at the cost of his own integrity and reputation, to help Cao Cao protect Youzhou.

Sima Yi saw through Tian Yu's selfish motives, but did not expose them.

As long as we can entice the Wuhuan to send troops to help us in battle, why bother whether you are acting out of personal or public interest?

"Your Majesty, I believe that Tian Guorang's plan is indeed a win-win solution. I beg Your Majesty's permission!"

Sima Yi simply went along with it and echoed his sentiments.

Cao Cao fell into deep thought once again.

After a long silence, Cao Cao sighed again and waved his hand helplessly.
"Guorang, you shall stay and guard Ji County."

"When a general is in the field, there are certain orders from the emperor that he may not obey. If you have a plan to turn the tide, then you may do it."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Cao Cao was persuaded by Tian Yu.

However, he accepted both the position and the responsibility without explicitly agreeing, responding only with the phrase "A general in the field may disobey the emperor's orders."

The implication is that you can do whatever you want, it's none of my business anyway.

Tian Yu was overjoyed and quickly bowed deeply:
"Please rest assured, Your Majesty, Your Majesty is unaware of what I will do next; it was all my own decision."

"No matter what happens, Yu is willing to take full responsibility."

Cao Cao was deeply moved. He immediately got up from his bed, stumbled over to Tian Yu, and tightly grasped his hands.

"If my great Wei had a few more kingdoms to have a loyal minister like you with a sense of responsibility, how could we have fallen to such a state?"

"Guorang, rest assured, if you do not betray me, I will certainly not betray you!"

With tears in his eyes, Cao Cao solemnly made his promise.

"Your Majesty!"

"The country yields!"

The emperor and his minister clasped hands tightly, their eyes met, and tears streamed down their faces… (End of Chapter)