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

Cao Pi suddenly realized something as if struck by lightning, and quickly turned his gaze to Jiang Xu.

The Wei River, like a giant dragon, flows from west to east through the Longshan Mountains.

Geographically speaking, this route is the shortest passage connecting Guanzhong and Longyou.

However, this route is nestled against the majestic Qinling Mountains, with extremely rugged and treacherous terrain, continuous mountain ranges, and crisscrossing ravines, with no existing roads available for passage.

Therefore, although it appears to be the shortest path in terms of distance, it is actually a dead end.

Apart from the local hunters who have lived here for generations and know the terrain like the back of their hand, almost no one dares to set foot on this unknown road.

Most people would wisely choose to take a longer route and instead take the safer Jieting Road.

"This plan is good, but I'm afraid you're not very familiar with the terrain."

Cao Pi frowned slightly, his words revealing a hint of dissatisfaction.

He secretly resented Jiang Xu for not understanding the advantages of the terrain and for not fully considering the practicalities of implementation when proposing the plan.

After all, even the best strategy is nothing more than empty talk if it cannot be implemented smoothly in accordance with the actual situation.

"Your Majesty's concerns have already been addressed by me with a comprehensive solution."

Jiang Xu remained calm and unhurried, gently pointing his finger at the map, and said confidently:
"Your Majesty, please do not forget that it is the dead of winter, and the cold is enough to freeze the Wei River."

"As far as I know, the section of the Wei River from Longyou to Sanguan must be frozen over now, like a flat road on ice. Wouldn't that make it a natural highway?"

"With this natural road, our army can easily cross the Longshan Mountains and launch a surprise attack on Sanguan. At that time, the Han army will be caught off guard, and our army will be able to win a great victory."

A word to wake up the dreamer!

Upon hearing this, Cao Pi's spirits lifted, and the slight displeasure on his face instantly turned into delight. He exclaimed with joy:

"I see, I see! You even considered the crucial factor of the Wei River freezing over; this is truly a wonderful surprise for me!"

"Good, very good!"

Cao Pi was overjoyed and praised Jiang Xu's plan highly.

Cheng Gongying swallowed hard, stood there quietly without saying a word, and even revealed a hint of undisguised fear in her eyes.

Jiang Xu's ability to come up with such a brilliant plan truly surprised him.

This plan of marching on ice and launching a surprise attack on San Pass was undoubtedly a brilliant move. If it were successfully implemented, Jiang Xu would have made an unparalleled contribution, and Cao Pi would surely favor and give him important responsibilities.

Thinking of this, Cheng Gongying felt a strong sense of crisis.

If that's the case, wouldn't I have driven away Jia Xu, my opponent, only to have an even stronger one?

So he secretly plotted in his mind, his eyes darting around as if searching for a flaw.

Finally, Cheng Gongying seemed to remember something and stepped forward, saying:

"Your Majesty, this plan is good, but I believe there is a flaw that cannot be ignored!"

Cao Pi's smile vanished instantly. He looked at Cheng Gongying with a hint of wariness in his expression.

"Although this plan can launch a surprise attack on San Pass, there are still 200,000 Han troops watching us from the north. If the Han army's forces are not dispersed, even if our surprise attack succeeds, it will be like throwing an egg against a rock."

"Therefore, if this plan is to be successfully implemented, an army must be sent to hold back Xiao He's main force and disperse his troops. Only in this way can His Majesty personally lead the main force to launch a surprise attack on San Pass."

"But what if Xiao He launches a full-scale attack on Pingxiang City now? Pingxiang City's fortifications are not yet complete, and he has already sent troops to launch a surprise attack on Sanguan. The city is now completely undefended; how can it withstand the fierce bombardment of the Han army's divine thunder cannons?"

Cheng Gongying became increasingly agitated as he spoke. He raised his head and looked at Cao Pi with worried eyes:

"If Pingxiang falls, Xiao He's army will march south and take Ji County..."

Even if His Majesty succeeds in the surprise attack on San Pass and burns the grain supplies, Longyou... is still insecure!

Cheng Gongying pointed out the flaws in Jiang Xu's plan one by one, which was like pouring a bucket of cold water on Cao Pi's heart.

Cao Pi's smile vanished again, and he even shivered slightly.

The flaw that Cheng Gongying found was indeed fatal.

After all, the fundamental purpose of the surprise attack on Sanguan and burning of grain was to protect Longyou.

But if Xiao He breaks through Pingxiang and captures Ji County, it will be equivalent to taking over the entire Longyou region. What good will it do you then if you burn the Han army's supplies?

After Xiao He obtained Ji County, he was able to survive on the captured grain and fodder until the subsequent Han army's grain and fodder arrived.

If you lose Ji County and your stronghold, the morale of your army will surely collapse.

Longyou is still not safe!

In the end, you will still have to lead your collapsing army to flee to Liangbei.

"What do you think?"

Cao Pi frowned deeply and turned his gaze to Jiang Xu, hoping he could give a satisfactory answer.

Jiang Xu remained confident, smiling knowingly.
"Your Majesty, I am willing to lead the army to Pingxiang City to contain Xiao He's main force. I have a plan to defend Pingxiang and block the Han army's divine thunder cannons!"

Cao Pi was overjoyed upon hearing this.

Jiang Xu actually had a backup plan!

This only increased his appreciation for Jiang Xu even further.

"You have another brilliant plan?"

Cao Pi asked impatiently.

"My plan is..."

Jiang Xu leaned close to Cao Pi and whispered his plan in his ear.

"Brilliant! Brilliant! This plan is brilliant!"

Cao Pi was extremely impressed with Jiang Xu's strategy and clapped his hands in praise.

Cheng Gongying, however, was consumed by intense jealousy.

He wondered what strategy Jiang Xu had told Cao Pi that could have helped defend Pingxiang City and block the Han army's artillery fire.

This made him feel both curious and jealous.

"Xu Zhi, Jiang Xu, listen to my command!"

Cao Pi suddenly raised his voice and shouted:

"I order you two to lead elite troops north to Pingxiang and defend it. If Xiao He attacks, you should use Jiang Qing's plan to hold Pingxiang and wear him down under the walls of Pingxiang."

"I will surely break through Sanguan City within twelve days, burn all its grain and fodder, and then return."

Cao Pi was extremely confident and had no further hesitation. He issued several orders in succession, determined to defend Longyou.

Afterwards, Cao Pi returned to his throne and surveyed his ministers with majesty, saying:

"I will never abandon Longyou. I have resolved to fight Xiao He to the death. I order you all to show the will to fight to the death and defend Longyou with me!"

Seeing that Cao Pi was so determined, the ministers dared not discuss the matter further.

It seemed that Jiang Xu's plan gave them a glimmer of hope.

Therefore, all the officials rose up, generously accepted the order, and expressed their determination to do their utmost and vow to defend Longyou to the death.

Cao Pi looked at his generals and nodded in satisfaction.

Thus, this military council, which would determine the fate of the Wei state, came to an end.

Cao Pi immediately dismissed the court, intending to personally lead the main force of Wei to launch a surprise attack on San Pass.

no way.

He knew, of course, that he was of mediocre talent.

However, the tens of thousands of Wei soldiers he had were his only remaining force, and he absolutely could not entrust them to anyone else to command.

Cao Pi had no choice but to personally lead the army to control the remaining forces. (End of Chapter)