The Duke of Shu Han began guarding Jingzhou in place of Guan Yu.

Chapter 72 The oriole is behind
"This humble official lacks wisdom and ability; how dare I claim a brilliant plan in front of Colonel Ma?"

"It was just that I was reminded of the story of Marquis Dingyuan (Ban Chao)."

Mi Wei paused slightly, then said in a deep voice:

"In the past, Marquis Dingyuan used many killings to establish his authority in foreign lands, and his methods were not limited to assassination!"

Ma Liang possessed such insight that he could understand music from the first note:
"You mean, we can follow the example of Marquis Dingyuan's second mission to the Western Regions and change our strategy from ambush to entrapment?"

“Commander Ma is wise!” Mi Wei said.

“We can send someone to see Envoy Cao first and ask him to come to this post station alone to discuss the hostage situation.”

"Yu Wenze is a general of Cao Wei who holds the authority of a general with the power of imperial authority. How could the envoy, whose name is insignificant and whose rank is low, dare not come?"

The two immediately realized.

The quick-witted Fei Yi even anticipated the brilliance of Mi Wei's plan.

Clapping his hands, he said:
"Wonderful!"

"If Cao is lured here, we will kill him quickly, and then the Sun family will have no chance to put on airs again."

"If there is any fraud, then it's just a matter of sending someone to deliver a message, and the matter can still be resolved."

"Perhaps we can even use this to find out who's behind this scheme!"

At this point, Fei Yi's eyes lit up, and he volunteered:

"I have no official position or post, and am merely a guest of the emperor. Why don't I go and lure the enemy away?"

Ma Liang thought about it and agreed.

He then said to Mi Wei:
"Since your department has someone familiar with the local customs, you can secretly cover for Fei Wenwei and see if you can find out anything."

The two immediately accepted the order.

……

At this time, Baqiu was not as large as the later Baling prefecture.

However, it was successively used by Zhou Yu and Lu Su as a garrison, and after several expansions, there are quite a few houses in the city.

Zhuge Ke followed his father to this place and had already roughly figured out the ways of things.

Before long, they arrived at a post station used to treat wounded soldiers.

Push open a door.

A young general, half-covered, was already waiting for him.

Zhuge Ke dared not be negligent and immediately stepped forward to pay his respects.

However, the other party simply waved his hand, telling him to get to the point.

Zhuge Ke: "I've already taken care of everything."

"As soon as Liu Bei's envoy draws his sword, the captain's personal guards can step forward, arrest him, and catch him red-handed!"

"By then, the other side will be in the wrong, and the issue of ceding territory can be conveniently dismissed!"

After speaking, Zhuge Ke looked up and glanced at the wounded general.

But what disappointed him was.

The other party's reaction was quite indifferent, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Zhuge Ke asked anxiously, "What advice does Commander Sun have for me? Is there any oversight in my 'the oriole is unaware of the bird behind' strategy?"

The wounded general was none other than Sun Huan, the Imperial Guard Commandant whose arm had been broken by Guan Ping.

Then Sun Huan said in a deep voice:
"It cannot be said that your plan has any flaws."

"But the essence of the alliance lies in military strength, in cities, and in the outcome of military conflicts."

"Apart from this, everything else is trivial and not worth mentioning."

What a ridiculous statement!
How dare you, a defeated general, say this to me?
However, Sun Huan seemed oblivious to his displeasure and continued speaking:

"Lu Boyan had already spoken with His Majesty about this peace talk."

"If his plan succeeds, the battle for Jingzhou will still be considered a minor victory."

Upon hearing of Lu Xun's reputation, Zhuge Ke, no matter how angry he was, had no choice but to lower his stance.

After all, he was Lü Meng's designated military successor before his death. (Note)
In a muffled voice:
"I also heard about this from my father-in-law. General Lu said frankly that this plan is treacherous and only has a 50% chance of success."

"He also said that the key to this fifty percent chance of victory lies in deceiving Liu Bei's envoy as much as possible."

"That's why I set up this trap."

"Whether it succeeds or not, it will distract Liu Bei's envoy!"

Sun Huan then nodded.

But he also spoke frankly:
“Your father once said that although you have quick wit, you are rough and careless. You can be used in times of emergency, but you cannot be entrusted with important tasks.”

Zhuge Ke was immediately furious.

He said angrily:
"Young man, you are indeed lacking in virtue. But I truly feel sorry for the Commandant!"

"If this plan succeeds, all the credit will go to Lu Boyan. What does it have to do with you, Commandant?"

"The previous siege of Guan Ping was unsuccessful, but Pan Wengui can still learn from his shame and be more courageous."

"And the captain has lost an arm, so it will be difficult for him to return to the battlefield and make meritorious contributions in the future... Are you really willing to accept this?"

Sun Huan's breath hitched.

After a long while, he exhaled a breath of stale air and said:
You have to promise me two things.

Zhuge Ke knew that the other party had been persuaded, so he quickly bowed.

Sun Huan: "First, the evidence must be conclusive; otherwise, I cannot bear the charge of breaking the alliance!"

Seeing Zhuge Ke nod vigorously, he continued:

"Secondly, you are careless by nature, but Liu Bei's envoy is cautious and meticulous. Don't let your cleverness backfire!"

Upon hearing the other party bring up this matter again, Zhuge Ke couldn't help but grumble inwardly. How come Sun Shuwu has completely lost his former vigor after suffering a defeat?

If it weren't for my inability to mobilize troops and my father's constant dissatisfaction with me, I really wouldn't want to ask this defeated general for help!

He then gave a perfunctory reply:

“I know, White-browed Ma Liang, and that Fei Wenwei, I will send people to keep a close eye on them.”

"That Miwei shouldn't be ignored either!"

Sun Huan suddenly emphasized in a loud voice.

Zhuge Ke was startled.

Suddenly remembering what happened at the small banquet, I answered sincerely:
"I'll have someone keep an eye on him!"

……

Before long, Zhuge Ke, accompanied by Sun Huan's personal guards, arrived at the hiding place of Cao Cao's envoy.

There were already accomplices waiting outside the door.

Upon learning that only Fei Yi had gone in, Zhuge Ke's expression froze.

But considering that Fei Yi was ultimately one of Liu Bei's men, he repeatedly instructed the inside agent to listen for any unusual activity.

As soon as you hear someone brandishing a weapon, shout loudly.

But at that moment, an uninvited guest suddenly appeared in front of him.

"Why is Mi... Mi Zhonglang here?"

It was none other than Xuanxin Zhonglang, Mi Wei, who had come alone.

Mi Wei nimbly dismounted, raised his head and stepped forward, sword in hand, saying:
"After dinner, I felt inspired and wanted to climb Baqiu at night to enjoy the scenery."

"Unexpectedly, he was followed by people of unknown origin."

"When I apprehended the man and questioned him, I learned that he was sent by you to spy on me."

"In that case, I'll just come and see you in person so you can see for yourself."

Zhuge Ke could barely keep his composure.

The idea that one gets excited at night is complete nonsense.

Although the scenery of Baqiu is absolutely stunning during the day.

But what can you see in the pitch black at night?

Perhaps they guessed I had ulterior motives and came specifically to confront me.

At this moment, he remembered his narrow defeat to this person at the previous banquet and wished he could capture and kill him on the spot.

However, Sun Huan's warning still echoed in his ears.

And he was surrounded by his soldiers.

In the end, all we can do is endure it.

Fortunately, just as he was feeling awkward, the spies inside the inn finally sent a signal.

My plan has succeeded!

Zhuge Ke laughed triumphantly, ignoring Mi Wei, and led his men to rush inside.

Snapped!
Zhuge Ke kicked open the door, about to deliver a righteous and stern condemnation.

But upon closer inspection...

Fei Yi was holding a pen knife, making some corrections on a wooden tablet.

Cao Cao's envoy sat to one side, clearly waiting.

This was completely different from what he had imagined.

So harmonious!

My heart sank instantly.

But in this situation, he was already in a bind.

I had no choice but to ask, forcing myself to be brave:
"To come uninvited, is that not thief?"

Fei Yi said leisurely:

"I wield the pen knife, you wield the butcher's knife."

“I sat here peacefully, and you burst in.”

"Isn't it obvious who the guest is and who the thief is?"

Zhuge Ke's expression stiffened, and he turned to Cao Cao's envoy:
"Why did you meet with Liu Bei's envoy in private without my lord's permission? Is this the proper conduct of a guest?"

Cao Cao's envoy was clearly frightened by the display and dared not utter a sound.

Upon seeing this, Fei Yi immediately stepped forward and retorted to Zhuge Ke:
"Yu Wenze was a general in the north."

“Since your lord has received the imperial staff and official position from Cao Mengde, he is considered to be serving in the same court as him.”

"Now we are discussing how to properly settle Yu Wenze, so what distinction is there between you as host and guest?"

"Could it be that your lord is not truly loyal to the Cao family?"

"Or are you planning to assassinate their envoy and then frame us?"
Upon hearing this, the Wei envoy was startled, and a flash of anger crossed his face!

……

Note: Historically, Lü Meng had two military successors: Lu Xun and Zhu Ran. Zhu Ran was stationed in Jiangling. However, in this story, Sun Quan did not acquire Jiangling, so Zhu Ran did not rise to power.

……

Thank you to [独思细雨前] and [小小航海王] for the generous donations!

(End of this chapter)