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

"Your Majesty, Longyou must not be abandoned!"

Just as everyone was lost in their own thoughts and discussing the matter, another minister, anxious and impatient, could no longer contain his urgency and suddenly jumped out from the crowd, expressing his strong opposition.

In an instant, all eyes in the hall turned to him.

The one who offered the advice was none other than Jiang Xu.

Jiang Xu, his expression filled with grief and indignation, strode forward and, upon reaching Cao Pi, took a deep breath and proclaimed loudly:

"Your Majesty, I dare to offer this suggestion: in my opinion, those who advocate abandoning Longyou should all be beheaded!"

These words were like a thunderclap in the hall, leaving Wei Kang and Yan Xing stunned and their expressions changing drastically.

It should be noted that the two of them took a great risk and were very likely to anger Cao Pi, but they still put the greater good of the country first and earnestly persuaded Cao Pi to abandon Longyou and retreat north to Liangbei.

They believed they were acting in the public interest and for the long-term benefit of the Wei state, but now, in Jiang Xu's words, they had become treacherous villains who had harmed the country.

They might even be beheaded!
How could they not be furious?
The two men were instantly enraged, with Wei Kang's face turning red and his eyes wide as he questioned Jiang Xu:
"Jiang Xu, I am thinking of the survival of the Great Wei Dynasty. How dare you so wantonly accuse me of being a traitor who has ruined the country!"

Although Yan Xing did not speak angrily like Wei Kang, his eyes were full of resentment as he stared intently at Jiang Xu, as if he wanted to pierce through Jiang Xu with his gaze.

What exactly is the meaning behind your words?

Cao Pi frowned, his face full of confusion, and asked.

With a solemn expression, Jiang Xu slowly stepped into the hall, respectfully bowed to Cao Pi, and then said in a low voice:
"The Liangbei region is narrow and barren, and the people live in poverty. If Your Majesty retreats to Liangbei, there will be no chance to recover lost territory and restore the glory of our Great Wei!"

Upon hearing this, Cao Pi felt a chill run down his spine, instinctively clenched his fists, and his eyes turned ferocious.

"Moreover, the many counties in Longyou are all subjects of our Great Wei. They have always relied on Your Majesty's protection. How could Your Majesty bear to abandon Longyou?"

As Jiang Xu spoke, the sorrow in his eyes deepened, and tears welled up in his eyes.

Cheng Gongying was extremely astute; he saw through Jiang Xu's implication at a glance.

In his view, Jiang Xu claimed to be acting for the safety of the Wei state and for Cao Pi's great cause, but in reality, he harbored selfish motives.

Jiang Xu was from Tianshui, which happened to be the location of Ji County, the secondary capital of the State of Wei.

If Cao Pi really gave up Longyou, then these Wei officials from Tianshui would have no say in the court and their status would plummet.

Cao Pi's reason for heavily relying on Jiang Xu was simply to win over the hearts of the people and officials in Tianshui and even the entire Longyou region.

Therefore, Jiang Xu had to do everything he could to keep Cao Pi in Longyou.

Thinking of this, Cheng Gongying coughed lightly and said slowly:
“Brother Jiang is absolutely right. If His Majesty wants to recover the lost territories, he cannot easily give up the many counties in Longyou. However, the current situation of the enemy being strong and us being weak is a fact that cannot be ignored. Brother Jiang, you cannot pretend to be blind to it.”

"Since you strongly urge His Majesty to defend Longyou, you must already have a foolproof plan. Why don't you tell us so that we can all hear it?"

Cheng Gongying's words, seemingly affirming Jiang Xu, actually contained a hidden sarcasm.

Cao Pi was initially filled with enthusiasm by Jiang Xu's words, but after hearing Cheng Gongying's words, that enthusiasm instantly cooled down.

Cheng Gongying is right.

You, Jiang Xu, have been giving me a pep talk for ages, spouting all sorts of fancy rhetoric, but come up with a practical and feasible strategy to defend against the enemy!

Otherwise, how could I possibly defend Longyou with just these few impassioned words?
"What Minister Cheng says is absolutely right..."

Cao Pi sighed helplessly.

"His Majesty!"

Just then, Jiang Xu suddenly interrupted Cao Pi, saying with a look:

"I do have a plan that might make Xiao He retreat without a fight!" Upon hearing this, Cao Pi's eyes widened instantly, filled with delight.

Cheng Gongying was so surprised that her mouth suddenly opened wide.

The officials in the hall also looked surprised, whispering among themselves and discussing the matter.

Jiang Xu said he had a strategy to defend against the enemy?
Moreover, it could force Xiao He's Han army to retreat without a fight.

You must know that Xiao He is a military genius reincarnated. Does Jiang Xu really have such great abilities?
The ministers all harbored doubts.

"What brilliant plan do you have that could make Xiao He retreat without a fight?"

Cao Pi impatiently urged him to ask.

"If we engage the enemy head-on, given our current strength, the disparity between us and them is too great, and it will be difficult to defeat them. Therefore, we can only achieve victory through surprise!"

"Your Majesty, please look."

As he spoke, he walked to the map and pointed at it:
“Xiao He’s invasion of Longyou must be due to his army marching westward along the Wei River, crossing the Longshan Mountains, and entering Longyou through Jieting.”

"According to our spies, San Pass is where the Han army stores its grain."

"In my opinion, we can send a force to make a show of force under Your Majesty's banner, thereby attracting Xiao He's main Han army."

"Then, His Majesty personally led his elite troops across the Longshan Mountains, unexpectedly broke through San Pass, and burned all the grain and fodder there to the ground."

“Once the Han army’s grain reserves are burned, Xiao He’s 200,000 Han troops will inevitably face a food shortage, and he will be forced to retreat without a fight.”

“Once Xiao He retreats, Your Majesty can take advantage of the victory, advance north, and recapture Jieting in one fell swoop.”

"As long as we recapture Jieting City, we can regain control of the Longshan defense line."

"In that case, if Xiao He were to invade Longyou again, why should we be afraid?"

As Jiang Xu pointed to the map, he explained his strategy in detail.

Judging from his confident demeanor, he had clearly given this plan a lot of thought and was already very confident.

Inside the main hall, the ministers, upon hearing this plan, began to discuss it amongst themselves.

Excitement began to gleam in everyone's eyes, and their spirits were greatly lifted.

Cao Pi was so excited that he could no longer contain his joy and jumped down from the imperial steps, rushing to the map.

"Jiang Qing's plan is brilliant!"

Cao Pi slapped Jiang Xu on the shoulder and praised him:

"I never expected that Jiang Qing would have such a brilliant plan!"

"If I had valued you more early on, you wouldn't be in this predicament now."

Cao Pi was so excited that he praised Jiang Xu highly.

at this time.

After pondering for a moment, Cheng Gongying slowly stepped forward and said:

"Your Majesty, Jiang Xu's strategy of launching a surprise attack on Chencang and burning the enemy's supplies is indeed brilliant."

"However, the Longshan Mountains block the way between Longyou and Sanguan, and as far as I know, there is no road that can be traveled."

"Then, Your Majesty, how should this surprise attack force proceed to seize San Pass?" (End of Chapter)