contend

Chapter 215
Wang Ling made the king of Chu the emperor, but no one in the world responded.

Most of the soldiers and young adults under his command fled.

Sima Yi pardoned his subordinates for the crime of rebellion by the emperor's decree, and Wang Ling's hearts were not on Wang Ling's side.

The original plan was to advance both land and water, go up the Ying River, take Xuchang as the base, and unite Yanzhou, Huainan, and Luoyang to fight against the rituals, but after Linghuyu suddenly died of illness, it came to naught.

Wang Ling had to order the soldiers to be restrained, so the march was extremely delayed.

It only travels more than [-] miles a day, and it takes a lot of energy to prevent the young and strong soldiers from escaping.

When the soldiers arrived at Shenqiu, Sima Wang led Xuchang troops to defend Xiangcheng. Sima Yi's forward Hu Fen led four thousand Qingqi to help.

The two armies faced each other across the river.

Wang Feixiao led the army to storm Xiangcheng, Sima Wang defended to the death, and Hu Fen attacked and harassed.

Wang Ling had to besiege the city three times.

In July of the first year of Jiaping, Sima Yi, Master Sima and his son led [-] Chinese troops to visit in person.

Wang Ling was terrified, and built deep ditches and high fortifications to protect himself.

His son Wang Feixiao urged, "The old thief Sima first took control of the military power in Luoyang, and the Chinese army will not be attached to him. Besides, he has been tired from a long distance and his foothold is not stable. Now he should go all out and fight decisively. Capture Sima and his son alive to thank the world! If you hesitate Decide, if the soldiers and soldiers are exhausted, then my father and son will be captured by the Sima clan."

Since the Battle of Shaopi, Wang Ling has not experienced a major war for nine years.

Pampered and respected, honored by the court and the public, all the way to Nanxiang Hou, Cheqi General, Yitong Sansi, and 350 [-] households in Shiyi.

In the ninth year of Zhengshi, Gao Rou was Sikong.

In the first year of Jiaping, the Taiwei who was promoted by Sima Yi as the head of the three lords, fake Jieyue.

Wang Feixiao looked at the problem from the perspective of a general, but at this time Wang Ling was no longer a general.

Government and opposition, gentry, fame, etc., seemed to bind him with ropes.

The older you get, the more worries you have.

So now he doesn't have the guts to fight Sima Yi.

Especially when I received a letter from the eldest son Wang Guang, "It has been eleven years since my son ascended the throne, and my father made the king of Chu as emperor. Isn't it a rebellion? All the people and people in the world betrayed their father and turned to the Sima clan, because of this..."

The following letters came to an abrupt end, and the bamboo slips were cut off abruptly.

Wang Ling was even more hesitant, "Sima Gong and my Wang family are family friends, and it is inevitable that swords and soldiers meet, so it is better to wait and see what happens."

Wang Feixiao persuaded: "The old thief Sima used fraud to gain Cao Shuang and Yiqi's three clans. Is my Wang family also following in his footsteps?"

Wang Ling said angrily: "Presumptuous, how can I, Wang Yanyun, be compared to Cao Shuang!"

For his son, Wang Ling still has some intimidating power.

Wang Feixiao didn't dare to persuade him anymore, and resigned sullenly.

This is how the two armies confront each other.

In the afternoon, Jia Chong, Sima Yi's emissary, entered the battle in the name of the emperor, holding a festival banner and a flag.

Huainan soldiers went straight into the tent of the Chinese army without anyone stopping them.

Jia Chong is the son of Jia Kui, an old friend of Wang Ling. The Wang family and the Jia family are both big families in Bingzhou.

"The Son of Heaven has always respected the Taiwei, and Sima Gong has repeatedly paid tribute. The Sima family and the Wang family are family friends. If the Taiwei has complaints about the Taifu's administration, he can enter the court and assist the Great Wei together. Why bother to meet each other? It hurts the harmony of the two families and makes people in the world Ridiculous?" Jia Chong asked sincerely.

And his arrival also turned the war into a dispute among the gentry.

But Wang Ling is not so easy to fool.

Sima Yi has [-] soldiers in the Chinese army, and Wang Ling has [-] Jianghuai soldiers. If there is a real fight, the outcome is still unknown.

"Zhongda coerced the emperor and the empress dowager, and punished the general and the three clans. This was not done by a minister. Why didn't the nephew persuade Zhongda to let go of his power and return to his hometown when he was old?"

Jia Chong cupped his hands and said, "The Grand Tutor has long wanted to retire, but there are many secret enemies inside and outside the court and the public. Once he gives up his power, the Sima family will be wiped out. Moreover, the state affairs of the Great Wei cannot be done without the Grand Tutor. The matter is too high, and the day is approaching, and my energy is exhausted, and I don't know how many times I can see the Taiwei again."

Wang Ling was eight years older than Sima Yi, and he had watched Sima Yi grow up since he was a child.

Now Sima Yi said that he was getting old and the day was approaching, which happened to hit Wang Ling's defense.

But Wang Ling always thought he was different from Cao Shuang.

As a Bingzhou gentry, Sima Yi would not and would not dare to be too rude to him.

Of course, it was impossible for Wang Ling to give up just based on Jia Chong's words.

Wang Ling is looking forward to a negotiation that will allow him to share Cao Wei's power.

This is the real reason for his rebellion.

And his mind has already been seen through by Sima Yi.

Seeing that Wang Ling was silent, Jia Chong took out some more silk, "This is a letter written by Sun Lingjun, Liu Huanqi, Gao Situ, and Wang Shangshu. The Taiwei can't trust Sima Gong, so he should trust these four."

Zhongshu Ling Sun Zi, Hussar General Liu Fang, Situ Gaorou, and Shangshu Wang Guan are all veterans of the four dynasties.

All are in their seventies and eighties, and they have great prestige both in the court and among the gentry.

Especially Sun Zi, who was born in Taiyuan, was also an old friend with Wang Ling.

"The world has been at war for a long time. The Great Wei experienced the defeat of Luo Gu and has just regained some vitality. If the Taiwei raises his troops to face each other, the soldiers are bathed in blood, and the people are withered, and Wu Shu takes advantage of the quarrel to invade the world, how will the Taiwei treat the people of the world? Why do you treat Emperor Wu, Emperor Wen and Emperor Ming? Chongen?"

Seeing Wang Ling's expression change, Jia Chong took the opportunity to speak.

Wang Ling sighed, "Go ahead."

Jia Chong cupped his hands respectfully, "Nephew will leave."

Jia Chong left the camp calmly under the watchful eyes of the Huainan army.

Coming and going, not only dispelled Wang Ling's fighting spirit, but also made the Huainan army hesitate.

To fight, or not to fight?

Even Wang Ling's confidant was confused.

When Jia Chong returned to the camp of the Chinese army, Sima Yi and Sima Shi went out to meet him.

"Oh, Gong Lu has worked hard this time." Sima Yi stood tremblingly with the support of Master Sima.

Jia Chong bowed his hands and saluted, "It's a blessing for the Taifu to use Chong. Why bother to serve the Taifu?"

In front of Wang Ling, Jia Chong had an awe-inspiring look of righteousness for the country and the people.

However, in front of Sima and his son, Jia Chong was full of flattery.

Sima Yi caressed his beard and smiled, "Your grandson is also a pillar, and my brothers will never forget each other!"

Jia Kui had a son in his later years, and it was Chonglu's joy, so he named him Chong, styled Gonglu.

Master Sima also laughed and said, "Gonglu is an old friend of my family, how can we forget each other?"

Jia Chong was overjoyed, and after some compliments, he went down.

Sima Shi looked at his back and said, "This man can be my family's pawn."

Sima Yi's smile gradually turned cold, "Jia Liangdao has always been loyal and strong, but it's a pity that he gave birth to such a son."

Master Sima couldn't help being stunned.

But Sima Yi didn't bother with this topic anymore, pointing to Wang Ling's army camp under Xiangcheng, he said: "If you go all out in one go, you'll lose your strength again, and you'll be exhausted three times. If Wang Ling takes advantage of my unsteady footing and leads his troops to a decisive battle, the outcome will be between five and five. It's a pity that Wang Ling doesn't have the guts."

"So Wang Ling must be captured by his father?"

Sima Yi shook his head, "The key to this battle is not with you or me."

The [-] Chinese army is indeed elite, but it has been under the control of the Cao brothers for nearly ten years. Among them, it is inevitable that there are people who have a heart for the Cao family. Sima and his son have just taken over the military power, and the soldiers may not return their hearts.

Although Wang Ling's military spirit is lax, his Huainan soldiers are his confidantes who have followed him for many years.

One goes down and the other goes up and down, the outcome is undecided.

Sima Yi is a seasoned hunter who will never put all his eggs in one basket.

This was true when facing Zhuge Wuhou, and it is also true now.

Sima Shi thought for a while, then he understood his father's intention, "Could it be Zhuge's birthday?"

Sima Yi glanced at his eldest son appreciatively, "Exactly."

"But Zhuge Dan's daughter married Wang Guang, how could she send troops to help me?"

"Zhuge Dan's second daughter is still married to Zi Jiang. He is a smart man and knows how to choose."

Sima Yi's third son, Sima Ni, styled Zijiang, is now a Sanqi regular servant, and sits in Luoyang with Sima Fu.

The Sima family actively married with the major noble families.

The major noble families are also marrying with the Sima family.

Wang Ling, the governor of Yangzhou, planned to support the king of Chu. How could Zhuge Dan, the governor of Yangzhou, who was close at hand, not know?
Guan Qiujian, the governor of Yuzhou, stayed away from this chaos, so he could choose to be neutral.

But is there any reason for Zhuge Dan to stay out of the matter?

Master Sima understood right away, "Zhuge Gongxiu is up for grabs!"

"Now it's time for him to bid." Sima Yi's old eyes suddenly became sharp.

(End of this chapter)