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

Sima Yi's lips curled up slightly, his smile containing a profound certainty, as if everything was within his expectations.

He had long anticipated that Wang Ji would raise such questions.

After all, the vast Cao Wei Empire was already teetering on the brink of collapse under the fierce offensive of the Han army and was difficult to resist.

Cao Wei, with its vast territory, was in such a sorry state, while you, Zhang Lu, only occupy a mere commandery and command a mere tens of thousands of troops.

What makes you think you can stop the Han army's relentless offensive?

Once Liu Bei's campaign against Wei slows down, he can turn his attention south and march his army south with overwhelming force, heading straight for Hanzhong. Destroying Zhang Lu would be a piece of cake.

Many who depended on Zhang Lu were like fish on a chopping board, destined to die.
At that time, no matter how much you struggle, you will not escape the fate of destruction.

"Although Zhang Lu only controlled one prefecture, he was actually able to hold off Liu Bei."

Sima Yi's gaze slowly turned towards Hanzhong, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

Upon hearing this, Wang Ji was immediately bewildered and filled with doubt.

He quickly cupped his hands in a gesture of respect and said self-deprecatingly:

"Forgive my ignorance, but how could Zhang Lu possibly stop Liu Bei? I urge you, Sima Shizhong, to explain."

Wang Ji was eager to know the secret behind this.

Sima Yi slowly raised his hand, pointed south, and said solemnly:
"Zhang Lu relied on the vast Qinling Mountains to hold off Liu Bei's million-strong army!"

The Qinling Mountains before us stretch endlessly, like a giant dragon lying between heaven and earth.

Wang Ji was startled, and for a moment seemed to understand something.

"Although the State of Wei is located in the north and has an army of a million, it seems to be incomparably powerful."

"However, compared to the pseudo-Han people, there was actually no natural defense."

"Whether it's the Yellow River or the Taihang Mountains, as long as the strategy is right, we can defeat Xiao He."

"Although the Yellow River is wide, it is not insurmountable; although the Taihang Mountains are steep, there are roads that can be traveled through them."

"But Hanzhong is different."

"The Qinling Mountains are ten times more precipitous than the Taihang Mountains, and a hundred times more precipitous than the Yellow River."

"Among them, only a few valleys such as Xiegu, Luogu, and Ziwugu are passable."

"Moreover, most of these valley paths require the construction of plank roads to be passable. These plank roads are suspended on cliffs with bottomless abysses below, making them far more rugged and difficult to traverse than the paths in the Taihang Mountains, let alone the valley paths in the Longshan Mountains."

"It would be extremely difficult to attack Hanzhong through these valleys."

"Yangping Pass, the throat of Hanzhong, is even more treacherous. Its terrain is easy to defend and difficult to attack, and its danger is even greater than that of Tongguan. It is no exaggeration to describe it as 'one man can hold the pass against ten thousand men.'"

"Yangping Pass is like a sturdy iron lock, firmly securing the gateway to Hanzhong. As long as this pass is guarded, even birds cannot cross it!"

After a lengthy analysis, Sima Yi's face lit up with confidence, and he continued:

"Hanzhong Commandery is located in the embrace of the Qinling Mountains, which can be called a heavenly prison. As long as Zhang Lu does not act recklessly and defends Yangping Pass with his main force, and sends tens of thousands of troops to block the valleys, what is there to fear even if Liu Bei has a million troops marching south?"

"If Zhang Lu has my assistance, I am absolutely confident that with just 30,000 troops, I can help him defend Hanzhong!"

Sima Yi's tone revealed a long-lost confidence.

Faced with the doubts of his confidant Wang Ji, he no longer hid anything and revealed his plans.

Clearly, he had a thorough understanding of the terrain of Hanzhong, and every detail had been carefully considered.

In fact, as early as when Bingzhou fell, Sima Yi had already planned ahead and secured Hanzhong as his escape route. He naturally knew every blade of grass, every tree, and every soldier in Hanzhong by heart.

Upon hearing this, Wang Ji suddenly realized what was happening, and a look of surprise and delight crossed his face. He excitedly exclaimed:
"According to what Sima Shizhong said, Hanzhong is indeed a strategically important place. With the help of the natural defenses of the Qin region, it is indeed possible to hold off Liu Bei's attack with just this one county."

"No, it's not just hopeful, it's very hopeful!"

Wang Ji became more and more excited as he spoke, rubbing his fists together excitedly, his spirits suddenly lifted.

In his eyes, Sima Yi's plans were like a beacon, illuminating his path forward.

Immediately afterward, Wang Ji looked worried and frowned, saying:
"But if Sima Shizhong goes to Hanzhong, will he really be valued by Zhang Lu?"

Wang Ji's concerns were not unfounded.

To Zhang Lu, you, Sima Yi, are ultimately nothing more than an outsider. You fled in disarray, abandoning your country and seeking refuge. What makes you think you deserve Zhang Lu's trust?

If you don't have Zhang Lu's trust, what makes you think you can help Zhang Lu defend Hanzhong?

Sima Yi's lips curled into a cold smile, and he said confidently:

"You don't need to worry about that. Over the years, I have already paved the way for my journey south to Hanzhong. As long as I go to Hanzhong, Zhang Lu will definitely treat me well."

Wang Ji was taken aback again, unable to guess where Sima Yi's confidence came from.

He stared wide-eyed at Sima Yi, waiting for his explanation.

Sima Yi then calmly revealed the secret.

First of all, Zhang Luneng was granted the title of King of Hanzhong because of Sima Yi's advice to Cao Cao.

Sima Yi was considered to have rendered meritorious service to Zhang Lu.

Secondly, over the years, he had secretly sent people to Hanzhong to bribe Yang Song, Zhang Lu's favorite minister, with a large sum of money, asking him to speak well of him to Zhang Lu from time to time.

Yang Song had a lot of influence with Zhang Lu, and his few kind words often had a multiplier effect.

Sima Yi was well aware of this, which is why he spared no expense to win over Yang Song.

According to the message sent back by Yang Song, Zhang Lu now admired him greatly and often muttered that if there were a man of such extraordinary talent as Sima Gong, he would have destroyed Liu Zhang and annexed the entire Yizhou long ago.

With these foundations, how could Zhang Lu not treat Sima Yi with great courtesy when he went to Hanzhong?
Wang Ji suddenly realized, and the worry in his eyes disappeared. He cupped his hands and exclaimed, "In terms of profound planning and foresight, no one in the world can surpass Sima Shizhong's wisdom. I am completely convinced."

At this moment, Wang Ji was completely in awe of Sima Yi's strategies.

Sima Yi stroked his fine beard, smiling without saying a word.

His smile conveyed confidence and composure, as if everything was under his control.

With no more worries, Wang Ji, carrying Sima Yi's instructions, immediately set off westward from the camp under the cover of night.

Sima Yi looked upstream, his eyes revealing a hint of worry and anticipation.

In Sima Yi's heart, Cao Cao had shown him great kindness and favor, and he did not want Cao Cao to perish and the Wei Kingdom to be destroyed.

After all, the Wei Kingdom occupied the two provinces of Yong and Liang, and still had a glimmer of hope that, like the Qin and Han dynasties of the past, it could march eastward and seize the Central Plains.

If they retreat to Hanzhong, they will have no hope of breaking out of the Qinling Mountains and destroying the Han state, except for self-preservation.

The obsession with avenging the Sima family will also be completely shattered.

"Lord Cao, I hope your fate is not yet exhausted and that you can win this battle."

"Unless absolutely necessary, I, Sima Yi, do not wish to abandon you and bear the infamy of betraying my lord..." (End of Chapter)