Wei and Jin did not submit to Zhou

Chapter 133 Carrying a knife but not an umbrella on a rainy night

Plop plop! Plop plop!
Warhorses galloped along the official road; they were cavalrymen wearing straw raincoats. They carried no armor, no baggage, only three days' worth of the most rudimentary rations. They were incredibly audacious.

The sky was not black at this moment, but rather an eerie dark red, illuminating the road.

From a distance, the procession appeared as if it were a ghostly army, appearing and disappearing without a trace as it marched forward.

Shi Shouxin was also in this group. Riding horses to cover the distance during heavy rain was not a pleasant experience.

Rainwater streamed down the raincoat. Although most of the raindrops were blocked by the raincoat, some water droplets still got into my eyes, and I had to wipe them every now and then.

The caravan had been traveling for about an hour when its pace noticeably slowed. Meng Guan, who was leading the way, tightened the reins and brought his warhorse to a stop.

He stopped, and the whole team stopped too.

What lies ahead is a former post station of the Shu Kingdom, but it has been abandoned due to war, though the buildings are still relatively intact.

Everyone dismounted, and Meng Guan walked up to Shi Shouxin and said, "Supervisor Shi, many people have fallen behind. Why don't we rest here in this dilapidated post station for a while and wait for those who have fallen behind? The horses are also tired and need to rest."

Although the rain wasn't as heavy as when they set off, it still severely hampered visibility. The cavalrymen were still in relatively good spirits, but the horses were already struggling and panting heavily.

"Let's rest at the next station."

Shi Shouxin said in a deep voice, he was also helpless.

In fact, if the warhorse sprinted at full speed, it would only take three hours, or even less, to reach Chengdu.

However, warhorses cannot withstand such speed. After running for an hour, they must stop to rest, otherwise they will die.

The reason it takes a day to arrive is because there is a long time to stop and rest, and some people need to stay behind to take care of the tired warhorses.

Fortunately, they were few in number, less than five hundred cavalry. If there had been more, it would have been very difficult to manage, as logistics alone would have been a major headache.

Shi Shouxin led Meng Guan and the others into the dilapidated post station. The tables, chairs, cabinets, beds, pillows and other items inside had long been taken away. Even the doors and windows had been removed, leaving the place empty.

It's so big that you don't even need a set to shoot a horror movie.

It's hard to imagine that before the Wei army entered Shu, this place was one of the most important post stations in Shu. Merchants traveling from the south to the north would definitely pass through here on their way to Chengdu. They would try to rest here before continuing on to Chengdu.

Light a torch with a tinderbox, then light a campfire with the torch. The burning damp wood produces thick, pungent smoke that is quite unpleasant.

However, Shi Shouxin and the others were not young masters from noble families. They lacked no common sense about wilderness survival and had an astonishingly high level of endurance.

A short while later, Meng Guan brought over a bowl of hot ginger soup and handed it to Shi Shouxin, who was drying his clothes, saying, "Supervisor Shi, rest for an hour before continuing your journey. We won't be resting any more in between."

"Thanks. Let the soldiers rest for a while and have some soup before they leave."

Shi Shouxin smiled and said, without asking where the forged iron bowl came from. He took the scalding hot soup bowl and waited for the soup to cool down a little before taking a big gulp.

I felt warm all over, which made me feel much more energetic.

Taking advantage of the fact that no one was around, Meng Guan leaned closer and asked in a deep voice, "Supervisor Shi, this trip is not necessary. Logically speaking, it's not worth it for you to earn military merit. I don't think the Duke of Jin will promote you based on merit. Why bother with this risky night raid in the rain to capture Deng Ai in Chengdu?"

He was somewhat puzzled, but it was inconvenient to bring it up during the military meeting before departure, lest it undermine Shi Shouxin's reputation.

"The military values ​​martial prowess and respects the capable. You, being from a military background, surely understand this."

The reason why Zhong Hui could not command his generals was that he had neither the ability to lead troops nor a past record of victories, so he could not win their respect.

In fact, in the eyes of the generals, I am no different from Zhong Hui. I have never led troops before and have no outstanding achievements.

If Zhong Hui were to stage a coup after entering Chengdu, I would certainly be unable to command those arrogant and fierce soldiers.

Having seized this opportunity, there's no reason not to fight. A swift and bloodless raid on Chengdu—that could be considered a brilliant strategy.

Shi Shouxin explained with a hint of helplessness.

Soldiers in the army only respect those who are capable.

Whether one's authority is obtained through deception, begging, or being granted by others, in order to exercise it effectively and command it as one's own limbs, it must be used with complete control.

Therefore, the person who issues the order must be someone knowledgeable in military affairs.

Otherwise, who will respect you?

To put it simply, if a person is a general and cannot fight, and lacks both magnanimity and courage, his subordinates will not obey him.

Meng Guan nodded. Shi Shouxin's reasoning was very direct; perhaps someone like Zhong Hui would find it difficult to understand. Their power all came from the Sima family.

Power is only accountable to its source. Since the Sima family granted Zhong Hui the power to command all military affairs, that power is accountable to its source, namely the Sima family itself.

Shi Shouxin walked around the post station, reassuring the soldiers. An hour passed quickly, and the rain outside actually stopped.

Not only did the rain stop, but the moon also emerged from the clouds, casting a silvery glow on the ground.

Shi Shouxin walked out of the dilapidated post station and saw the puddles on the official road shimmering with silver light. When the wind blew, the water rippled and looked like it was splashing.

In ancient times, without city lights, the visibility in this environment was surprisingly good!
Not only can you see the figures in the distance, but you can even see their outlines clearly.

"Let's go."

Shi Shouxin gave a shout, changed horses, mounted, and spurred his horse forward in one smooth motion.

The cavalry followed him closely, gradually increasing their speed.

At the very back of the procession, dozens of people drove the dismounted horses to continue their journey.

……

The rain stopped, the moon came out, and the bumpy road was bathed in moonlight.

Qian Hong, a general under Deng Ai, walked at the head of the column. This group of men was not the vanguard sent by Deng Ai, but rather, under the guise of refugees, they had taken advantage of the torrential rain to leave the military camp and were heading to Zhong Hui's camp to await their fate.

"Du Zhen, do you think it's appropriate to side with Zhong Hui?"

Qian Hong asked a scholar in a linen robe beside him, "This person is clearly not from the military camp."

"If you don't pledge allegiance to Zhong Hui, you will surely die. Although pledging allegiance to Zhong Hui doesn't guarantee survival, it's at least a gamble."

"How can a real man sit idly by and wait for death?" Du Zhen sighed.

Qian Hong nodded, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Why was he persuaded by Du Zhen? You see, Du Zhen was Qiao Zhou's apprentice, so they weren't on the same side.

The reason is simple: Qian Hong thought Deng Ai was a fool. If he didn't run now, would he wait until Zhong Hui's troops were at his throat before running away?

Zhong Hui had over 100,000 troops, not counting the surrendered soldiers under Jiang Wei.

Deng Ai's army numbered at most ten thousand.

On one side are 10,000 people, and on the other side are more than 100,000 people. Even the dumbest person knows how to choose.

When Deng Ai sent someone to say that once Zhong Hui's army arrived in Chengdu, they would kill all of them, from officers to soldiers, Qian Hong knew that Deng Ai had gone mad!
Even if it were Bai Qi massacring the Zhao army at Changping, or Xiang Yu massacring the Qin army at Xin'an, they wouldn't do such a thing. Those people were killing surrendered soldiers. To Zhong Hui, what kind of surrendered soldiers were Deng Ai's troops?
The Wei army under Deng Ai and the Wei army under Zhong Hui are all from the same family. You come up here and say that Zhong Hui is going to slaughter the entire army.

Who would believe that?! Isn't this just fooling idiots?
So as soon as he heard this, Qian Hong immediately stopped pretending and ran away during the downpour. If he didn't run away, he would really be doomed!

Just then, Qian Hong suddenly raised his hand, signaling the entire army to halt!
His main force numbered less than a thousand men, and now that the rain had stopped, their discipline was impeccable. At Qian Hong's command, the group of five men immediately halted.

At this moment, the atmosphere in the group was somewhat eerie, like someone walking alone at night and finding themselves lost in a maze, standing still and afraid to move.

"General Qian, what's wrong?"

Du Zhen asked, somewhat puzzled. Although he knew nothing about military affairs, he could sense Qian Hong's tension.

Qian Hong ignored him and instead said to the messenger beside him, "Pass down the order: the entire army, form a circular formation, and prepare to engage the enemy. Cavalry is approaching!"

There are cavalry!
Du Zhen's expression suddenly tightened.

He has studied a lot of things, but mainly in politics and civil affairs. He knows nothing about warfare.

However, the puddles on the official road in front of us, under the moonlight, rippled and swayed in circles, making them extremely clear to the eye!

This is the vibration caused by the horse's hooves hitting the ground.

Du Zhen immediately understood that the cavalry had already reached a position not far ahead!
Sure enough, in just a dozen breaths, a cavalry appeared before them, their outlines clearly visible in the moonlight.

When the cavalry saw that Qian Hong's troops were blocking their way and had formed a circular formation, they also slowed down and stopped a short distance away.

It's like a fierce tiger blocking the way!

"General Qian, this cavalry force is very likely to have launched a night attack on Chengdu."

Based on their pace, they should be able to reach Chengdu before noon, even after resting along the way.

If we drive recklessly, we'll arrive by dawn.

Du Zhen whispered in Qian Hong's ear. He was a local and knew the local situation very well.

"I don't think this force has more than five or six hundred cavalrymen. How could they possibly hold Chengdu?"

Qian Hong asked in confusion.

He wasn't stupid. His own troops numbered less than a thousand, mostly infantry. They were going to Fucheng to seek refuge with Zhong Hui, not to launch a surprise attack.
"General Qian, you are unaware that if you go to Fucheng, you will be completely at Zhong Hui's mercy and unable to do anything."

But it's uncertain whether this army will go to Chengdu. If their leader carries the seal given by Zhong Hui and declares that they will only execute Deng Ai and not others.

It is likely that Deng Ai's generals would voluntarily lay down their weapons and even join the effort to capture Deng Ai.

You and the opposing team may look similar, but your goals are completely different.

It can be said that a slight difference can lead to a completely different outcome.

Du Zhen spoke eloquently and logically, making his points convincing.

At least Qian Hong believed it.

"Stay calm and collected."

Qian Hong handed his sword to Du Zhen for safekeeping, then stepped out of the ranks alone and walked towards the opposite group.

As he walked, he shouted loudly, "My name is Qian Hong. I have learned that Deng Ai is planning a rebellion, and I intend to lead my troops to Fucheng to plead guilty before the Grand Commander. Which unit are you from?"

Upon hearing this, the leader on the other side dismounted, holding a torch, and walked towards Qian Hong.

Both lines waited quietly, some even holding their breath.

The air was filled with an eerie atmosphere, as if both sides were afraid of being attacked by a wolf.

"General Qian, my name is Shi Shouxin, and I serve under Grand Commander Zhong Hui."

Tonight's raid on Chengdu is to capture Deng Ai.

The person opposite him was Shi Shouxin. As he approached, he looked at Qian Hong, who had a nervous expression, and said:

"If General Qian wishes to be exonerated, I will write a letter now, which you can deliver to the Grand Commander in Fucheng. If General Qian wishes to earn merit, please give me directions, and I will remember your service today."

"General Qian will decide what to do next."

Shi Shouxin appeared calm and composed. Although Qian Hong had never heard of him, he could tell from his demeanor that Shi Shouxin was definitely Zhong Hui's staunch confidant and an outstanding individual.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have been entrusted with such an important task.

"General Shi, I am willing to lead the way, but my men are all infantry, I'm afraid..."

Qian Hong looked troubled as he spoke.

"One guide is enough; what need is there for soldiers? I, Shi, can take down Deng Ai in Chengdu without shedding a drop of blood!"

Shi Shouxin had a calm expression and an imposing aura.

Qian Hong nodded and said, "Alright, I'll go with you right now!"

(End of this chapter)