Chapter 773 Zhuge's weakness is the heart of a sage!
Zitong, a temporarily built palace.
Sima Yi knelt in front of Lu Yu, while Xiahou Dun looked at him arrogantly. Lu Yu's face in front of them was very ugly, and he asked: "It's just that Jiangling was flooded by Guan Yunchang. I was in Hanzhong at that time, but this time, I
I personally supervised the battle in Zitong, but the battle ended like this. Sima Zhongda, you really gave me a lot of face!"
Sima Yi replied in a low voice: "Reporting to your majesty, this defeat is due to Zhuge Liang's treacherous plan, not because the Wei army is not strong enough. Your majesty does not need to worry too much!"
Before he finished speaking, Lu Yu threw the bamboo slips in his hand in front of Sima Yi.
"Look, here, the defeats in this battle are clear and clear. How many times have I told you that the generals who surrendered to Sichuan and Shu under Zhuge Liang can be trusted, but they should not believe a word of the generals who surrendered in Jingzhou.
, it’s better for you, you’ve turned a deaf ear to me.”
Sima Yi lowered his head, "I...are guilty!"
Well…
It seemed that Lu Yu put all the blame on Sima Yi.
Plus that sentence... "The generals who surrendered in Sichuan and Shu can be trusted, but the generals who surrendered in Jingzhou don't believe a word they say. Are my words completely ignored by you?"...
These words... somewhat touched Xiahou Dun's heart.
What he thought at first was that since it was His Majesty's order, why didn't Sima Yi tell him? But soon...he recalled that Sima Yi didn't tell him. The key point was how could Xiahou Dun listen to such a junior?
this moment…
Only then did Xiahou Dun realize that it was not that Sima Yi did not rescue him or cooperate with his plan, but that... Sima Yi followed His Majesty's orders. Facts also proved that it was Xiahou Dun who underestimated the enemy... Sima Yi's approach was correct.
all of a sudden…
Xiahou Dun, who was originally so angry that he had prepared a blood letter in advance to sue Sima Yi, lowered his head. He lowered the head of Qiao Pei's always noble head.
Lu Yu's few words... made him realize who was responsible...
Sima Yi was still apologizing, "I failed to see through Deng Fang's false surrender, which put the general in danger. During the war, I discovered that the terrain was close to mountains and lakes, making it easy to get in and out. It was a place for an ambush."
Zhuge Liang designed to lure our army, so... I failed to rescue the general in time, I am guilty!"
Sima Yi seemed to have a clear mind, or there was some kind of tacit understanding between master and disciple. He probably took all the blame...
And this also made Xiahou Dun's hatred for him disappear, and even turned into more appreciation and gratitude.
"He is guilty..." Lu Yu narrowed his eyes and walked slowly to Sima Yi, "Ma Di is guilty. Zhuge Liang even shed tears and killed him just to maintain military discipline. Although you, Sima Zhongda, are my disciples, you are guilty and I cannot tolerate it.
.However, in the end, everything happened for a reason, and the crime will not lead to death. I will be sentenced to 30 rounds of cane, demoted to three ranks, and still temporarily in charge of the command of the army."
"Here!" Sima Yi accepted the order with his hands raised...and left the tent very convinced.
Not long after, the "bang bang" sound of being beaten with a stick was heard outside the palace.
Xiahou Dun's face had become even uglier.
Lu Yu's voice came out at the right time, "Although Sima Zhongda is my disciple, there is a difference between closeness and distance. He is an outsider after all. The general is my tribe and one of my own. Is the general satisfied with punishing Sima Zhongda like this?"
"
satisfy?
this…
Xiahou Dun's face was red with embarrassment. He was not satisfied. He was deeply dissatisfied in his heart.
Everyone needs face!
He, Xiahou Dun, is even more shameless and skinny!
Even though he was angry and furious before, but... when he knew that the blame this time was on him, and when he saw that Sima Yi was clearly guilty and not guilty, but blocked all the blame for him, Xiahou Dun felt that his face was red and swollen.
sharp!
Great shame had swept through his body.
"Pa ta..." With a rare sound, Xiahou Dun knelt down towards Lu Yu.
"General, what are you..." Lu Yu quickly went to help Xiahou Dun.
Xiahou Dun frowned, "Yesterday, Mao'er advised me not to blame Sima Zhongda. The result of this battle... was because I fell into Zhuge Kongming's trick. I even said angrily that our army was several times larger than the enemy's.
If Sima Yi led half of his men to rush for reinforcements, how could he not defeat us with his numerical advantage? But just now His Majesty spoke, I realized... Zhuge Liang set up this game. He didn't want my life, he wanted to cultivate water.
The lives of all the Wei soldiers in front of the pass!"
call…
Having said this, Xiahou Dun exhaled.
Lu Yu was about to open his mouth to comfort him, but he never thought that Xiahou Dun's brows became even tighter, "Your Majesty, I have been fighting for half my life, and I still can't tell who is who and who is wrong in this battle? Your Majesty, punish Sima Yi."
, that is to save the face of me, Xiahou Dun, and the face of these Qiao Pei warriors, but in fact... I should know better that I, Xiahou Dun, am not good at commanding troops, and I am a frequently defeated general!"
Lu Yu didn't expect that because of his arrangement with Sima Yi... Xiahou Dun could face all this calmly and face his constant defeat.
"General, don't belittle yourself."
Lu Yu continued to comfort Xiahou Dun...
Xiahou Dun shook his head repeatedly, "How can I belittle myself? I am a well-deserved general who is often defeated...I...no, I have one last request..."
"General, it's okay to just say it!" Lu Yu extended his hand to signal.
Xiahou Dun took a deep breath and then said: "From today on, Your Majesty will not let me lead the army in battle. My temper is too impulsive and reckless. I can be a general, but I cannot be a handsome man!"
"General..."
"Your Majesty, you should listen to what I have to say." Xiahou Dun continued with an extremely firm voice: "My military power of hundreds of thousands of people... should have been handed over to your Majesty long ago, and should not be kept clinging to it. Times have changed.
Yes, Your Majesty’s idea is right. Those who are good at commanding troops will command troops, and those who are good at farming will cultivate. I, Xiahou Dun, cannot command troops, but I can still manage logistics and farm fields!"
"And as soon as I resigned from the position of general, those who have made great achievements and made great military exploits will no longer dare to disobey His Majesty's orders, rely on their past military exploits, openly ask for war and embarrass Your Majesty... This is very embarrassing for Your Majesty.
Good, good for Da Wei!"
Xiahou Dun seemed to have become enlightened overnight.
Lu Yu grabbed Xiahou Dun's hand with both hands, and he looked moved...
Xiahou Dun also stood up again with his help.
"Oh...I'm old, I'm old!"
“It wasn’t possible when I was young, and it’s even worse when I’m old!”
Xiahou Dun bowed to Lu Yu one last time, lamenting the passage of time and his own incompetence.
"It's just... I just let Zhuge Kongming steal a big victory. This Peishui Pass... I'm afraid... I'm afraid it will be harder to win!"
While sighing with emotion, Xiahou Dun slowly exited the palace.
Looking at Xiahou Dun's leaving figure, Lu Yu sighed for a while...
Xiahou Dun finally realized it.
The rules of this era should be like this - those who are good at fighting lead the troops, and those who are not good at fighting can also shine in other places!
Qiao Peiwu has made great achievements and is a member of Lu Yu's clan. He should have some privileges, but these privileges...should not be above the imperial power, nor should it be used as a means to threaten the imperial power!
With this in mind, Lu Yu raised his head and looked towards the sky... and murmured softly.
——"The next step...it's up to you!"
at this time…
After the curtain, Guo Jia walked out slowly. "Your Majesty, are you sure that Liu Chan will recall Zhuge Liang?"
"Don't forget." Lu Yu looked back at Guo Jia, "He is not Liu Chan, he is Cao Chan!"
"No matter what kind of Zen... in the end, if one is willing to call, the other must be willing to return." Guo Jia continued to sigh.
"Yeah..." Lu Yu nodded slightly, "What a pity, Zhuge Kongming has the heart of a sage!"
…
…
Shuzhong, Chengdu.
In the cellar of a wine shop.
"Have you all read the letter?" Gan's father asked Jiang Wei and others here.
Jiang Wei nodded.
Father Gan pondered for a moment, "General Zilong has already started repairing the roads in Motian Ridge. When Adou's identity is revealed, our mission will begin."
After saying this, Jiang Wei felt a great sense of honor and mission.
He held up his hands and said: "Special Forces, always be ready!"
After saying this, Jiang Wei showed a hint of worry.
"What is Captain Jiang worried about?" Father Gan noticed Jiang Wei's worry and asked proactively.
"I'm afraid..." Jiang Wei hesitated for a moment, then opened his mouth, "Adou's identity is obvious, this task is not easy, Zhen Rong..."
It seems that Jiang Wei is worried about Zhen Rong.
Huh... Gan's father also exhaled softly. He squinted his eyes and said with emotion: "I hope everything goes well!"
…
…
Chengdu, inside the palace.
Liu Chan happily took Huang Hao into the imperial garden of the harem. At this time, Zhen Rong was sitting in front of the drawing board, but with tears in his eyes.
Liu Chan didn't notice. As he walked, he asked with a smile: "Sister Zhen, the painting yesterday is not finished yet. Today...Sister Zhen must teach me to finish the painting before leaving."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Liu Chan suddenly heard Zhen Rong's sobs. Liu Chan suddenly panicked, "What's wrong with sister Zhen? Who bullied you?"
Zhen Rong remained silent...
Liu Chan suddenly panicked and asked quickly: "Sister Zhen, please tell me and let me know who bullied you. I...I'll chop off his head!"
When he said this, Zhen Rong reached out and covered Liu Chan's mouth.
Liu Chan looked confused, and Huang Hao on the side said: "Your Majesty, this matter... I have heard about it."
Liu Chan turned around and shouted, "Say quickly..."
Huang Hao explained, "...some time ago, didn't Prime Minister Zhuge win a battle? This was enough, and Prime Minister Zhuge recruited more soldiers and horses. Once there were more soldiers and horses, the food could not keep up, so... Prime Minister
...then ordered the requisition of grain from the entire Bashu territory."
"Is this the case, Prime Minister? What does this have to do with Sister Zhen?" Liu Chan asked quickly.
Huang Hao continued to explain. "Miss Zhen's family is a merchant's family. The business is big. The whole world has the Zhen family's business, and we in Bashu are no exception. But the prime minister's forced purchase of the Zhen family's grain at a low price is already excessive.
, and also required it to be delivered to Peishui Pass within ten days. The Zhen family's horse team just encountered some dangers and was delayed for a few days. The prime minister actually punished the Zhen family severely... and also sealed up all the Zhen family's businesses in Bashu.
All the clan members have been arrested, and now more than half of them have been arrested."
Liu Chan was startled...
Zhen Rong cried even louder. How could Liu Chan bear this? He quickly said: "Then... I'll go talk to the Prime Minister and tell him not to blame the Zhen family? At the worst... I can just let him scold me a few words?"
"
Zhen Rong said aggrievedly, "When Lychee Road was lost and Jiameng Pass was lost, hundreds of officials tried to dissuade him. Your Majesty, as the prince, issued an edict on behalf of the late emperor to spare Ma Su. However, the prime minister killed Ma Su immediately regardless of it.
It's okay to let it go. Your Majesty is a soldier, and the Prime Minister is a minister, but when did the Prime Minister listen to your Majesty's words? If only one edict is issued, then the matter will definitely be dropped. My Zhen family... so many members of the Zhen family...
At once…"
Huang Hao added to the jealousy on the side, "Yes, the Prime Minister does not take His Majesty seriously. He clearly knows about His Majesty and Miss Zhen, but he is still like this... This... Is this different?
What do you mean?"
Huang Hao's words immediately made Liu Chan lie. "Then... what does the prime minister mean?"
"With a heavy army in hand, and then getting rid of the Zhen family to establish power, this is testing your majesty's bottom line! If your majesty does nothing, it will not be safe... After a few months, will this Shu Han's surname be Liu? Or Zhuge?"
Liu Chan was startled and shook his head continuously, "No, Xiangfu will not be disloyal to Shu Han. He swore an oath in front of his father's imperial edict, dedicated himself to death and died... If Xiangfu has the heart to be independent, then
At that time, he...he became self-reliant!"
Zhen Rong said timidly: "Is it possible that at that time, the prime minister's prestige was not enough? At that time, the Shu army was defeated in succession and its morale was weak. What could it do even if it was independent? But now... he has defeated Cao Yu, then
…Then the situation is completely different.”
Liu Chan's legs softened and he sat on the ground, "I...I still don't believe it!"
Huang Hao continued to add fuel to the fire, "Your Majesty might as well give it a try. Your Majesty has issued an edict for the Prime Minister's troops to return to the court to discuss the Zhen family's affairs. If...if the Prime Minister refuses and still attacks the Zhen family, then he is determined to be independent..."
"What if my father-in-law comes back? Do you listen to me and don't take action against the Zhen family?"
Huang Hao continued: "Then your Majesty can rest assured, and your Majesty's Sister Zhen no longer has to cry. Isn't this the best of both worlds?"
Liu Chan felt justified...he blinked, "Yes...yes, that's it!"
…
…
One day later, Zhuge Liang held the imperial edict in astonishment and questioned Jiang Wan.
"Now our army has just defeated Cao Yu, and its morale has been greatly improved. What is the urgent matter in the country at this juncture? Why are you urgently summoning me back to the DPRK? If I return to the DPRK, how will the soldiers on the front line deal with themselves? How will the morale of the soldiers survive?
"
Zhuge Liang was heartbroken.
Jiang Wan said with regret: "We have also tried our best to dissuade him, but your Majesty insists on doing this... It seems that it has something to do with the Prime Minister embarrassing the Zhen family."
"They might be spies!" Zhuge Liang frowned worriedly... He said sadly, "It must be the girl from the Zhen family in the palace who seduced Your Majesty!"
Yang Yi said angrily: "That Huang Hao next to Your Majesty is not a good bird either!"
Wei Yan said coldly: "Your Majesty has lost his father at such a young age, and the Prime Minister has always been strict. How can Master Yang understand the friendship between Your Majesty and the eunuchs around him without having to suffer from Your Majesty?"
A change from the harshness and sharpness of the past... Wei Yan's attitude surprised Yang Yi.
"Prime Minister..." Jiang Wan also advised: "I also know that the morale of the three armies is high at the moment, and they all want to perform meritorious service. If they are ordered to retreat... I am afraid it will be difficult to find such good morale in the future. In my opinion, the Prime Minister might as well not be here for the time being.
Reply, I want to prevaricate your Majesty when he comes back, but with your Majesty’s respect and awe for the Prime Minister, I will not dare to blame you.”
Yang Yi immediately agreed, "Chief Chiang's words are reasonable..."
Wei Yan sighed and said: "It is understandable that I will not accept the emperor's orders."
However…
Zhuge Liang just looked at the imperial edict sadly and remained silent!
in awe…
He can bear His Majesty's respect, but how can he bear His Majesty's fear?
In this world, only ministers fear the king, how can a king fear his ministers?
Finally, Zhuge Liang opened his mouth, "I'll go back..."
"Prime Minister..." everyone shouted in unison.
Zhuge Liang said helplessly, "We are all ministers of the Han Dynasty. If mercenaries disobey, they are bullying His Majesty. How can we live up to the late emperor's edict? How can we win the trust of the people if we are unfaithful and unbelieving? How can we order the army!"
Speaking of this, he looked helplessly to the sky.
He murmured: "Being close to virtuous ministers and staying away from villains is why the Han Dynasty prospered in the past. Being close to villains and staying away from virtuous ministers is why the Han Dynasty has declined! There are villains around Your Majesty, and the blame lies with me! Ahem..."
At the end of the sentence, Zhuge Liang coughed violently...
He covered his mouth and lowered his voice... After a long while, he weakly put down his hand, which was dotted with red...
He stared silently at the blood stains in his hands!