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

Inside the Grand Marshal's residence in Chang'an.

Guan Yu, Zhao Yun, Zhang Fei, Gan Ning, Ma Chao, Deng Ai and other generals, both old and new, gathered together.

They gathered here to discuss strategies for attacking Wei.

Guan Yu slowly swept his gaze across the assembled generals, then spoke loudly:
"Gentlemen, our army has just successfully captured Chang'an. Our soldiers have gone through many battles and are exhausted both physically and mentally. According to the usual procedure, they should rest for several months to recover their strength and recuperate before marching west to Liangzhou to completely wipe out the pseudo-Wei."

Changing the subject, Guan Yu sighed helplessly:
"However, judging from the decree sent by His Majesty, His Majesty's health has been poor recently, and his condition is deteriorating day by day. He is eagerly hoping to hear the good news of our recapture of Liangzhou and to witness the day when the world is unified."

"Therefore, in order not to disappoint His Majesty's expectations, we can only trouble our soldiers a little, let them rest for a while, and then continue our westward campaign to realize His Majesty's grand ambition of unifying the world as quickly as possible!"

Upon hearing this, all the generals fell silent, and for a moment, the Grand Marshal's residence was shrouded in silence.

Everyone was well aware that the emperor's health was deteriorating and that his time was likely near.

The emperor's greatest wish was to see the day when the world was unified before he died.

As a subject, how could I not do my utmost to fulfill the emperor's wish?
A moment later, the ministers all expressed their willingness to lead their troops westward immediately to recover Liangzhou for the emperor.

Guan Yu nodded slightly, a look of satisfaction on his face, then turned his gaze to his son-in-law:
"Bowen, in your opinion, how should we quickly take Liangzhou and fulfill His Majesty's wish?"

Xiao He, already having a plan in mind, calmly said:

"My idea is this: let our main force rest for as long as possible, while at the same time, select a strong and capable force to go ahead and open the gate to Liangzhou in the west."

"Afterwards, our army will once again march westward in full force, storm into Liangzhou, and wipe out the false Wei in one fell swoop!"

After hearing this, Guan Yu's eyes flashed with a hint of doubt, clearly not having fully understood Xiao He's implied meaning, so he asked:
"Bowen, what do you mean by that?"

Xiao He smiled slightly, extended a finger, and pointed to the huge map on the wall:

“Father-in-law, please look. Guanzhong and Liangzhou are separated by the Longshan Mountains. The area to the east is Guanzhong, and the area to the west is Liangzhou.”

"Among them, the counties of Liangzhou near the west side of Longshan are also known as Longxi. Its land is the most fertile in Liangzhou and is the only remaining source of grain for the pseudo-Wei."

"Although Cao Pi's military strategy was not as good as his father Cao Cao's, he would definitely use the same tactics, taking the Longshan Mountains as a natural barrier to defend Liangzhou."

"After all, although the Longshan Mountains are not as dangerous as the Qinling Mountains, they are still a barrier."

As he spoke, Xiao He's finger lightly traced a valley on the map:

"There are many valleys between the Longshan Mountains, and the flattest one is the Jieting Pass."

"This valley is the easiest route for transporting grain and supplies. If our army makes a major westward advance, it will definitely take this route."

"And the key to this Jieting Road lies in Jieting City!"

Xiao He pointed heavily on the map, at that inconspicuous little town.

"This city is located at the western entrance of Jieting Road, at the intersection of five routes. The puppet Wei regime will surely build a strong city here to block our army."

"Once the Wei army builds a fortified city here and garrisons more than 10,000 troops, they will be able to block our army at Jieting!"

"In that case, our battle to capture Liangzhou may turn into a protracted war."

"So He means that we can send a general with 30,000 elite infantry and cavalry to advance westward immediately, and take this city before Cao Pi pays attention to it, so that the Wei army has no time to react."

"In this way, we will have kicked open the gates of Liangzhou, and the Wei's Longshan defense line will be rendered useless."

"Then soon after, our main force will launch a major westward expedition against Liang, and we will be able to enter Longxi smoothly and recover Liangzhou with overwhelming force!"

After laying the groundwork, Xiao He finally revealed his entire strategy.

As a time traveler, how could he forget the importance of Jieting?

When Zhuge Liang launched his first campaign, he was on the verge of success when his horse stumbled at Jieting.

Ma Su disobeyed Zhuge Liang's battle plan, abandoning the advance into Jieting City and instead moving his troops up the mountain, leading to the fall of Jieting. After the fall of Jieting, the Shu army was forced to retreat completely, and Zhuge Liang's best campaign among his six expeditions ended in failure.

History may have changed, but the strategic value of Jieting remains the same.

It remains the gateway to Liangzhou and the most crucial point for breaking through Liangzhou's defenses.

Having learned from this lesson, Xiao He naturally understood the importance of Jieting, which is why he wanted to seize it.

Upon hearing this, Guan Yu's spirits lifted, and he stared intently at the map, carefully considering Xiao He's strategy.

A crowd gathered around, and a flurry of discussion ensued.

At this moment, Lu Xun clicked his tongue in admiration and bowed to Guan Yu:

"The Grand Marshal truly knows the terrain of Liangzhou like the back of his hand. I cannot wait even for a fraction of that time."

"I think the Grand Marshal is absolutely right. Jieting is indeed the key to capturing Liangzhou. I also think the Grand Marshal's plan is feasible!"

Guan Yu suddenly understood, and all his doubts vanished instantly.

He then glanced at everyone again and asked with delight:

"Gentlemen, who among you is willing to go through the hardships and immediately lead your troops to seize Jieting?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Ma Chao was the first to stand up and said with a sigh:
"General, Grand Marshal, I am willing to lead the army to seize Jieting!"

"Chao was from Liangzhou and traveled between Longxi and Guanzhong many times. He was very familiar with the Longshan Road and Jieting."

"We must advance and capture Jieting City!"

Almost simultaneously, Deng Ai also stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said:

"Grand Marshal, General, Ai is also willing to lead the army to capture Jieting!"
The two wanted to claim credit.

Guan Yu was now in a dilemma.

One of these two was a newly surrendered general, eager to make a name for himself.

The other is a rising star among the younger generation, who also aspires to achieve great things.

Whoever gets this great achievement will feel disappointed.

"Bowen, who do you think should be sent to take Jieting City?"

Guan Yu passed the ball to Xiao He.

Xiao He smiled and said:

"That's simple. Since Meng Qi volunteered first, let Meng Qi be the commander-in-chief and Shi Zai the deputy commander. The two of them can take Jieting together."

The problem was easily solved.

Guan Yu laughed heartily and then said:

"As Bowen said, Mengqi and Shizai, I order you to lead 30,000 infantry and cavalry to set off immediately and march day and night to take Jieting!"

Both generals were satisfied and gladly accepted the order.

The two generals then took their leave.

No sooner had the two men left than the guards rushed in, holding up the battle report and kneeling on one knee.

"Reporting to the Grand Marshal and General, an urgent report from Hanzhong!"

"The Crown Prince was recently defeated by the Yizhou allied forces at Yangping Pass. General Anbei was killed in battle, and His Highness the Crown Prince was forced to abandon the attack on Yangping Pass and has led his defeated army back to Nanzheng!" (End of this chapter)