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

Cao Cao's rapidly changing emotions were like a sudden storm, which was witnessed by everyone present, and a strong sense of curiosity and astonishment welled up in their hearts.

In an instant, everyone's gaze involuntarily turned to the letter that Cao Cao was clutching tightly in his hand.

That letter is a key that can unlock all mysteries.

They all began to speculate in their hearts about what Sima Yi, whom Cao Cao regarded as a "traitor," had written in his letter.
It was as if Cao Cao, who was originally furious and on the verge of losing control of his emotions and was so angry that he wanted to kill his son, suddenly calmed down as if he had been under a spell.

Under the astonished and puzzled gazes of the crowd, Cao Cao slowly sat down.

He lowered his head slightly and began to carefully examine the letter left by Sima Yi.

Every word and every sentence must be carefully considered.

At the beginning of the letter, Sima Yi naturally displayed the utmost humility, with various words of apology flowing out like a surging river.

He tearfully declared that he had failed Cao Cao's kindness and felt he deserved to die, as if he wanted to use these sorrowful words to evoke Cao Cao's forgiveness.

Then, changing the subject, Sima Yi declared that his trip to Hanzhong to join Zhang Lu was not out of genuine intention to betray Wei or Cao Cao.

He portrayed his actions as a heroic act of enduring humiliation and hardship, a difficult choice he had to make to save the Wei Kingdom from destruction, and depicted himself as a lone hero who was willing to bear infamy for the sake of saving his country.

Immediately afterwards, Sima Yi finally revealed his plan:
He implored Cao Cao to issue an edict to concentrate the remaining forces of Wei and defend the Chang'an line with all their might, so as to contain the main force of the Han army.

With the main force of the Han army concentrated along the Chang'an line, its flanks and rear areas would naturally be relatively undefended.

This was like a huge loophole, providing an opportunity for the State of Wei to exploit.

At this time, Sima Yi planned to persuade Zhang Lu to raise troops from Hanzhong, enter Guanzhong through the Ziwu Valley, and launch a surprise attack on Tongguan and Pubanguan, based on the well-known principle that "if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold".

If this plan succeeds, the Han army will be like a sharp dagger, piercing straight into the back of the Han army.

Moreover, Sima Yi was convinced that this plan would succeed!
In this way, the Han army would be firmly locked in Guanzhong, with all its supply lines and rear routes cut off, like wild beasts trapped in a cage.

If the supply lines are cut off, the 300,000-plus Han troops will be trapped in a desperate situation, collapse, and be routed without a fight.

Thus, the State of Wei was able to turn the tide and avert disaster.

At that time, Sima Yi solemnly declared that he would return to Wei and personally apologize to Cao Cao to show his loyalty.

If Cao Cao decides to kill or torture him, he will have no complaints.

Cao Cao stared silently at the letter in his hand, his eyes darting around in their sockets, his mind churning as he pondered the feasibility of this plan.

He understood that if this plan succeeded, the State of Wei would see a turning point.

A renewed flame of confidence gradually rekindled in his eyes.

Suddenly, Cao Cao slammed his hand on the table, the loud noise echoing throughout the hall, startling everyone.

Then he burst into laughter.

The laughter was hearty and cheerful, as if it could sweep away the previous gloom.

"Zhongda, Zhongda, I have wronged you. You are the most loyal minister of our Great Wei!"

Cao Cao said with a face full of joy, his tone revealing no concealment of his admiration and trust in Sima Yi.

"With a loyal and wise minister like you, how could that traitor Liu Bei possibly destroy me!"

Cao Cao became more and more excited as he spoke, and spittle flew from his mouth.

"Hahaha--"

Cao Cao then looked up at the sky and laughed loudly.

Upon hearing Cao Cao's words, Cao Pi's mouth gradually opened wide, his face filled with disbelief. Jia Xu, on the other hand, stared wide-eyed, his eyes filled with surprise and confusion.

The officials in the hall were completely dumbfounded.

They looked at each other, their hearts filled with confusion and bewilderment.

What exactly is Cao Cao doing?

You know, Cao Cao was so angry just now that he vomited blood, cursing Sima Yi mercilessly, wishing he could kill him with his own hands to vent his hatred.

But in the blink of an eye, you burst into laughter?

He even praised Sima Yi as a great loyal minister!

Your change of expression is faster than turning the pages of a book, and it makes absolutely no sense!
The eyes of all the ministers were focused on Sima Yi's letter, like spotlights, and they were all curious about what was written in the letter that could cause such a dramatic change in Cao Cao's attitude, as if he had become a completely different person.

"See for yourselves."

Cao Cao, no longer wanting to keep his ministers in suspense, openly displayed Sima Yi's handwritten letter to them.

Yang Fu, Xu Huang, Jia Xu, Cao Pi, and others, like hungry wolves pouncing on their prey, hurriedly gathered together and eagerly watched.

As the contents of the letter gradually became known to everyone, the truth was finally revealed to the world.

Everyone suddenly realized the reason for Cao Cao's change in attitude.

It turned out that Sima Yi had given him another brilliant plan that could turn the tide!
“Father, I knew that Sima Zhongda was not the kind of ungrateful and treacherous minister.”

Cao Pi, as if he had been given a calcium boost, suddenly straightened his back and shouted with ecstatic joy, starting to paint a rosy picture for Cao Cao.

"If his plan succeeds, we can annihilate over 300,000 Han troops without lifting a finger!"

"With the main force of the Han army wiped out, we can not only recover the lost territory of Guanzhong, but also take advantage of the victory to advance eastward and take advantage of the situation to recover the two rivers!"

"By then, our Great Wei will be able to return to the Central Plains!"

Cao Pi became more and more excited as he spoke, to the point that he became incoherent.

As Cao Cao listened to Cao Pi's words, he clenched his fists, and the hope in his eyes burned like a raging fire.

However, at that moment, Yang Fu poured cold water on the situation.

He stepped forward, knelt down, and said sternly:
"Your Majesty, you must not believe Sima Yi's sweet words. This is just an excuse he is making up to defect."

"The valleys of Hanzhong have always been difficult to traverse, and the Ziwu Valley is particularly difficult to pass through. Even if he were to persuade Zhang Lu to take action and launch this risky tactic, the chances of the plan succeeding would be extremely slim."

"If Your Majesty believes Sima Yi's so-called brilliant plan and bets all your troops in Chang'an, and this plan fails, then the entire army of our Great Wei will be wiped out here!"

"At that time, our Great Wei will be finished. We probably won't even have the chance to retreat to Liangzhou!"

Yang Fu spoke earnestly, bowed deeply, and almost cried as he remonstrated with his life.

Cao Cao was startled.

Hearing Yang Fu's words, the fire in his eyes gradually cooled, and he calmed down, falling into deep thought.

He certainly understood the risks Yang Fu was talking about.

Sima Yi's plan, while yielding great benefits, also carried enormous risks.

Cao Cao knew that his next decision would directly determine the life or death of the Wei Kingdom.

For a moment, Cao Cao was caught in a dilemma. (End of Chapter)