Zhuge Liang received two letters related to Wei Ba one after another. One was written by Jiang Wan. Private contact between Jiang Wan and Wei Ba failed. Wei Ba refused to give Zhuge Liang more support after the autumn harvest. Jiang Wan felt that
He was very derelict in his duty and apologized to Zhuge Liang. At the same time, he mentioned Wei Ba's
As for that worry, he himself could not figure out Wei Ba's purpose, so he just asked Zhuge Liang for his own reference. The other letter was a personal letter written by Wei Ba to Wei Yan, which was transferred to Zhuge Liang from Wei Yan. This letter was nominally written to
Wei Yan, but it doesn't hurt to think that Wei Ba is sending a message to Zhuge Liang through the air.
In this letter, Wei Ba once again stated his opinion that the Guanzhong battlefield should be defended rather than attacked. The current strength is not good and it will take time to accumulate strength. In addition, he also formally raised concerns about Zhuge Liang's health, worrying that if Zhuge Liang
If he dies, the Shu Han court will be shaken violently because there is no suitable candidate to inherit his career.
Zhuge Liang placed the two letters side by side on the table, and two people were kneeling side by side in front of them: Ma Di and Jiang Wei.
Ma Di came to report to Zhuge Liang on work matters near Chang'an, and he also brought Wei Ba's letter to Wei Yan.
"Youchang, what do you think of Wei Ba's strategy?"
Ma Su nodded respectfully: "I thought Wei Ba's message was unknown, and the prime minister's health is indeed more important than the war in Guanzhong."
"It's just a body, but it's not as important as the country." Zhuge Liang sighed softly: "Ziyu's young mind is not an appropriate analogy. You are not confused at this age, how can you say such a thing."
Ma Di said solemnly: "I thought that Wei Ba was very courageous, knew what others didn't know, and said what others dared not say. Although I am older, I am not as good as him in many ways. If the prime minister thinks that the analogy is inappropriate, not only Wei Ba will be disappointed, but the court will also be disappointed.
I will be disappointed." He looked at Zhuge Liang's face, feeling very sad.
Already. "Prime Minister, I haven't seen you for a few months, but there are a lot more white hairs on the Prime Minister's head. The Prime Minister is only half a century old, but now he looks like a sixty-year-old. Even Wei Ba who is far away in Jingzhou is tired of his daily hard work.
How can the Prime Minister not worry about the Prime Minister?"
Zhuge Liang's brows trembled, he raised his hand, rubbed his brows, and said nothing.
Jiang Wei knelt down and sat aside, but he heard Ma Di's implicit accusation. Even Wei Ba was concerned about the Prime Minister's health, but they, the people around the Prime Minister, could not share their worries for the Prime Minister. If it were someone else, it could be understood as Zhuge Liang.
He has great power, but now besides Ma Di and Zhuge Liang, he is the only one in the account, and he is Zhuge Liang's trusted confidant. Who else can he say?
However, Jiang Wei was speechless. Although Ma Di was defeated by Cao Zhi and lost more than 4,000 people, he did not lose his position. He and Wei Yan pursued them all the way to Xiwu, but he was completely defeated and his 20,000 elite troops were defeated.
All losses were lost. Zhuge Liang has fallen to this point.
Such an embarrassing situation was directly related to his failure. The reason for his failure was not the strength of the enemy, but his nervousness. Afterwards, it was learned that there were only more than 2,000 Xiahouba people behind him. When Jiang
Wei almost beat his chest to pieces.
Facing Ma Su's accusation at this moment, Jiang Wei felt very uncomfortable. It was not because he was accused by Ma Su, but because he felt that he failed to share the prime minister's worries, and instead made the prime minister face pressure from all aspects. After the defeat, Zhuge Liang was forced to escape the pressure.
He killed his general Fengyi, demoted him to the rank of captain Fengyi, cut off 200 households, and left almost only an empty prince. However, he was not forgiven by others because of this, and his doubts about Zhuge Liang's ignorance of soldiers and people did not diminish.
Jiang Wei knows best how much pressure Zhuge Liang is under.
"Wei Ziyu is exaggerating, are you too, Youchang?" Zhuge Liang laughed: "My health is not very good, but what are you afraid of? You, Ma Youchang, are in the prime of life, Bo Yue is nearing his age, and Wei Ziyu is just weak, who can't bear the responsibility?" A big job? Don't say such words again, it will only make people laugh. You Chang, tell me, how are the preparations near Chang'an?"
Ma Su coughed and smiled on his face.
"Prime Minister, the situation near Chang'an is slightly better. After Cao Zhong passed the pass, he rushed all the way without much damage. After Cheng An arrived at Feng Yi, he worked with Zhao Su to appease the people and recruited more than 5,000 people to help with the garrison. Autumn Harvest After that, more than 10,000 people can be recruited, and there are enough troops near Chang'an."
He paused and then said: "There was news from Hanzhong that Wu Yi, the general of chariots and cavalry, has not recovered from his illness. He asked Meng Da to let Wei Feng lead his troops to support Guanzhong, but Meng Da refused. Prime Minister, Meng Da wants to leave Xiangyang. The intention is very strong. If I don't reprimand him, I'm afraid..."
Zhuge Liang shook his head and interrupted Ma Di. "It doesn't matter. Meng Da leaves Xiangyang and Sun Quan leaves Jianghuai. They can indeed contain some of Wei's troops. If it succeeds, it will be good for our counterattack. You Chang, since the losses in the east are not big. , can you recruit more troops after the fall?"
Ma Su frowned: "I'll fight for it, I can't say for sure now. Even if these people are recruited, they will need a long time of training, and they won't go into battle in a hurry. Prime Minister, in my opinion, the most suitable source of troops is They are still barbarians under Wei Ba, and Wei Ba has been training them to be ready for battle."
Zhuge Liang tilted his head slightly, his face gloomy.
…
Ma Di came out of Zhuge Liang's tent and went straight to Xiang Lang's camp. Seeing Ma Di entering the tent, Xiang Lang put away the letter in his hand and said with a smile: "You are in good spirits. It seems that the defeat of Hongmen did not harm you." What impact will it have?”
Ma Di chuckled: "Compared to the wooden gate, the Hongmen is just a small witch and a big witch. If Cao Zhi had not fled, the outcome is still unknown."
"Have you made up for the lost troops?"
"We have made up for it long ago." But there was no smile on Ma Su's face: "Is Xiang Gong's loss big?"
Xiang Lang stroked his beard and said lightly: "Didn't you see my camp when you came in?"
During the battle with Cao Zhi, Xiang Lang's troops were deployed in the front line. Under Cao Zhi's attack, almost the entire army was wiped out. Now his camp is only one-third of its original size, and it is not known when he will be able to be replenished. together.
"I saw it." Ma Su said worriedly: "If we conscript the Heavenly Master Taoists, we may be able to make up for the losses, but in this way, we will inevitably be controlled by the Hanzhong people in the future. Xiang Gong, I came here this time just to ask you for advice. So, how should we do it?"
Xiang Lang said lightly: "When did we Jingxiang people have our own soldiers? Even these people now are barbarians recruited from various places. Alas, Jingxiang has been fighting for many years and the population is sparse. Even if we capture Jingzhou, it will be very difficult." It is difficult to form many disciples. Because of this, you have to warn Wei Yan and ask him to guard his troops tightly and not to send them to the battlefield easily."
Ma Su sighed and said with a wry smile: "Wei Yan's losses were so great. We had planned it at the beginning. Unexpectedly, time has changed and we shot ourselves in the foot."
Xiang Lang pondered for a long time: "Is Wei Ba available?"
"It's available." Ma Su smiled slightly and told Xiang Lang the letter he had just handed over to Zhuge Liang. Xiang Lang thought carefully for a moment: "So, Wei Ba has made great progress. This suggestion was made at the right time and in the right way.
Can’t be picky.”
"Well, I also think that his timing of taking action is very good, which is inseparable from Xiang Gong's teachings." Ma Di glanced at Xiang Lang meaningfully: "I, a Jingxiang native, have this life. I am very happy and congratulated."
"The younger generation is even more terrifying." Xiang Lang sighed with emotion: "Youchang, what do you mean by prime minister?"
"The Prime Minister said that I, Jiang Wei, and Wei Ba can take care of the funeral arrangements."
Xiang Lang raised his eyebrows and laughed silently. Ma Su looked at it and also laughed. After the two laughed for a while, Xiang Lang shook his head: "It seems that the Prime Minister is not giving up and insists on stuffing Jiang Wei in. It's just that
Jiang Wei is unsatisfied and has just lost a battle. If you want him to get ahead of Wei Ba, Wei Ba may not be satisfied." He paused and then said: "What are you going to do next?"
Ma Su smiled and said: "I support Wei Ba's suggestion. The defense in Guanzhong should be given priority to, and Sun Quan should send troops to Jianghuai to contain Wei's troops."
"This is indeed a sound strategy." Xiang Lang nodded and agreed: "Guard Guanzhong and accumulate for three to five years. The Wei State will be exhausted from running east and west. If we send troops at that time, we can get twice the result with half the effort."
"Mr. Xiang said the same thing, which made me feel more at ease."
…
"Ma Di went to Xiang Lang's camp." Yang Wei said breathlessly, looking at Zhuge Liang nervously. Zhuge Liang nodded silently, waved his sleeves, and signaled Yang Wei to go out first. Yang Yi didn't know why, but didn't dare to say more.
, quietly waved his hand, Yang Wei understood and withdrew.
"Prime Minister, Ma Di went to see Mr. Xiang..."
"Xiang Gong is a senior, and it is reasonable for Xiao Chang to visit him. Why are you so nervous?" Zhuge Liang interrupted Yang Yi: "Have you checked, how much is the loss in farming?"
After Cao Zhi died in battle, Zhuge Liang sent Yang Yi to various farming sites to inventory the losses. Yang Yi suffered a lot in the past two days and reported to Zhuge Liang as soon as he came back.
"The loss is about 30%." Yang Yi said with joy: "The biggest losses in the fields are the losses of the garrison and the soldiers. The losses of the crops in the fields are not big. After the autumn harvest, it should be able to support the rations of the 50,000 troops for half a year.
"
"Half a year is still not enough." Zhuge Liang frowned slightly: "Whether it is Jixian or Yuzhong, the city is strong and it will be difficult to conquer without half a year of siege. If the Qiang people come to attack, the demand for food will be even greater.
."
"Prime Minister, isn't there any food shipped from Chengdu and Jingzhou?"
"Those grains are not given for free." Zhuge Liang smiled bitterly and said: "I don't know what Li Yan is thinking, but I can roughly guess what Wei Ba is thinking. There may be grains, but you have to think about it.
It is impossible to meet our requirements."
"How dare this man disobey the Prime Minister?" Yang Yi was furious. "Does he also want to turn to Li Yan?"
Zhuge Liang shook his head and cast his gaze towards the endless Nanshan Mountains in the sky. A touch of uneasiness flashed across his brows: "After all, he still doesn't want to confide in me. He's very wary."