Yuan Shao, the father of Fanghua in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1404 Court Meeting
Facing Yuan Xi's question, Zhuge Liang understood the implication. He thought for a moment and said, "I think it's better to wait a little longer."

"The main reason why Chang'an fell was because of civil unrest in the city. If Wei were to fight to defend the city now, everyone would unite as one, making it more difficult to attack Chang'an."

"Now that winter is approaching, if we fail to capture the city in a short period of time, the soldiers will have to spend the entire winter outside the city. If we fail to break the situation, we will suffer a setback, which will boost the morale of the Wei State."

"So I think it would be a good idea to ask General Zilong to open a path for the Wei government and the people in Chang'an to escape to Yizhou."

After hearing this, Yuan Xi laughed and said, "So we will have to fight Cao Wei in Yizhou in the end, and we won't be able to win the battle in Chang'an?"

Zhuge Liang said, "Although Chang'an is difficult to defend, there are many ways to retreat. The chance of annihilating the enemy is less than 20%. Even if Cao Pi dies, as long as the Cao clan escapes, the Wei Kingdom will not perish."

"Besides, I observed the celestial phenomena at night and it is expected to be extremely cold this winter. If the soldiers are not well prepared, I am afraid there will be many casualties."

Yuan Xi fell into deep thought. If it were anyone else, there might be a possibility that he would allow the Wei Kingdom to linger on. However, the person in front of him was Zhuge Liang, and at this age he was already the prime minister, the highest position among officials. There was absolutely no way he would allow the Wei Kingdom to linger on.

Thinking of this, Yuan Xi nodded and said, "I understand."

"Send a letter to Zilong, asking him to temporarily station in Jingyang, north of Chang'an, and have the soldiers build houses to prepare for the winter, while also guarding against Cao Ren in the direction of Xianyang."

"We will retreat to Weinan first and repair the Xiaohan Road as preparation for the winter."

Soon after, the Jin army in various places received the order. Although some generals were puzzled as to why they did not take advantage of the situation to attack Chang'an, they still faithfully carried out Yuan Xi's order and began to strengthen garrisons in cities near Chang'an to prepare for the arrival of the severe winter.

When the news reached Chang'an, Cao Wei officials celebrated. Many people felt that after a whole year of fighting, the Jin army should be exhausted and unable to advance further. The crisis in Chang'an this winter should be resolved!

But when Sima Yi learned about it, he had a different opinion. He said to Zhang Chunhua: "The Jin army's actions are equivalent to destroying the last possibility of Wei's defense of Chang'an."

Zhang Chunhua asked in confusion: "I don't understand. Isn't it a good thing if you don't call me?"

Sima Yi shook his head and said, "If we attack Chang'an, it will be easier. We can attract all the Jin troops and consume their manpower through the long supply lines."

"But the Jin army surrounded Chang'an but did not attack. This is quite interesting. What if they ignore Chang'an and directly cut off the passage to Yizhou?"

"Your Majesty will defend Chang'an to the death, but will be surrounded by the Jin army. What if Yizhou does not send reinforcements?"

Zhang Chunhua was surprised and asked, "No way?"

Sima Yi sneered: "Why not? Who can say for sure?"

"The most important point is that many members of the Cao clan are not in Chang'an, including Cao Zhang, Marquis of Yanling, who fled to the junction of Liangzhou and Yizhou after suffering a defeat, and Cao Zhi, Marquis of Linzi, who was exiled to Hanzhong by the king."

"If the king is surrounded, do you think they will take the opportunity to establish a new king?"

"Even if they won't, will Your Majesty trust them?"

"So I guess that the Jin army's actions actually made the king more panicked. I'm afraid he will decide to move the capital within half a month."

"After all, Chang'an has no future. Only by taking Yizhou into his hands can he continue to be the emperor."

Zhang Chunhua finally understood and said, "It's really hard to understand the thoughts of you people in the court."

Sima Yi smiled and said, "It's also very interesting to understand people's minds, isn't it?"

If we talk about people who understand Cao Pi's thoughts, Sima Yi is definitely one of the first few. Just as he guessed, Cao Pi was reviewing the memorials submitted by the ministers. The more he read, the angrier he became. He pushed the table over and shouted, "Congratulations?"

"What's there to congratulate?"

"He Jinguo let me off the hook?"

"I have supported these people with high positions and generous salaries, but they are of no use at the critical moment, and they only know how to flatter!"

"There are still those who advise me to defend Chang'an to the death and stop the Jin army. Do you think I am the late emperor?"

"Cao Zhang was defeated, Han Sui died, Ma Chao is missing, and even Sima Yi cannot be defeated. Do you want me to personally clean up this mess?"

He turned to Queen Guo who was standing beside him, "Where on earth did Cao Zhang go?"

Empress Guo flipped through the bamboo slips and said, "The last news came a month ago, saying that the army was defeated and fled to the direction of Mei County."

"If it's true, it should be near Wuzhangyuan now?"

Cao Pi stood up suddenly and said, "He will not report to Chang'an to confess his crime, but will flee to Yizhou. How brave he is!"

Empress Guo said, "Perhaps he is afraid of being punished by Your Majesty..."

Cao Pi said angrily: "You don't know, he and Lao Si are good friends!"

"If he escapes all the way to Wuzhangyuan, and goes south over the mountains and passes through Xiegu for hundreds of miles, he will reach Hanzhong, where the fourth brother was exiled by me!" "If the two of them decide to block the entrance to Wuzhangyuan, let me die in Chang'an, and then re-establish the Wei Kingdom, what should I do?"

Queen Guo was speechless for a moment. She did not dare to advise Cao Pi at this time. Although she felt that Cao Pi was a little too suspicious, at this time, who could tell what people were thinking?
Moreover, Cao Zhang and Cao Zhi did have a bad relationship with Cao Pi. If they really wanted to betray Cao Pi, they would be dead if they stayed in Chang'an!
She said, "Then your majesty, what do you think the court should do now..."

Cao Pi said decisively: "Move the capital immediately!"

"Come here, call Zhong Yao, Chen Qun, and Sima Yi to discuss the matter. Let them lead the court discussion tomorrow!"

Sima Yi and Zhang Chunhua were still talking when the eunuch who came with the message arrived. After Sima Yi heard the message, he remained calm and asked someone to bring two pieces of silk to thank the eunuch, saying, "Thank you very much, eunuch. I will be there soon. Please go ahead."

After hearing this, the eunuch left first. After he left, Zhang Chunhua smiled and said, "Congratulations, husband, you have been reinstated so soon."

Sima Yi sighed and said, "I thought I could have two years of leisure."

"Your Majesty has no other choice, so he asked me to come out to stabilize the military's morale. From this point of view, he has indeed begun to doubt Yanling Hou and his men."

"Your Majesty should want to move the capital immediately. I'm afraid we will have to spend this winter on the road."

"I hope that Marquis Yanling really has no intention of rebelling, otherwise we may not only have to face the pursuit of the Jin army, but also have to fight with our friendly forces."

The next morning, Cao Pi went to court. Just when all the officials thought it was a normal day, the situation suddenly changed. Several ministers stood up and said that the situation in Yizhou was unstable. It was possible that the Jin army would take the opportunity to attack Yizhou and retreat to Chang'an.

When this was said, all the officials were terrified, but the most convincing one was Chen Qun, who was in charge of the Imperial Household Department. He produced a large amount of evidence, which made all the officials believe him. Moreover, a lot of evidence pointed to Cao Zhang, who did not return to Chang'an after the defeat, but took a detour through Wugong Huaili and went to Wuzhangyuan.

No matter how it is explained, Cao Zhang's action is an indisputable disrespect for military orders. He was obviously going to Hanzhong to find Cao Zhi. Was this a rebellion?

At this time, Xiahou Dun stepped out and said, "Marquis Yanling may have failed Your Majesty, but Marquis Linzi is doing his duty in Hanzhong. You can't drag Marquis Yanling into doing such a thing."

All the officials looked at them sideways, thinking that the general was really stubborn. Who could guarantee this?
Cao Pi listened and said calmly: "I am willing to believe them, it depends on whether they believe me or not."

These words were actually very serious. Xiahou Dun also knew that he should not make a clear statement at this time, so he immediately retreated. Then someone else said that it was heard that Cao Zhi was indulging in poetry and drinking every day in Hanzhong, and ignored government affairs. Although he might not have the intention of rebellion, if the Jin army arrived, he might not be able to take charge of the situation.

This statement is already indirectly implying that Cao Zhi is incompetent. In the past, some people might have said that this was slander. But now Chang'an is secretly under siege, and the Jin army is abnormally stopping. Who dares to say that the Jin army is not secretly attacking Chencang?

As Cao Pi had expected, the direction of the court discussion began to develop towards moving the capital. Although there were also opposing voices, in the end the former became increasingly powerful and eventually overwhelmed other opinions.

Cao Pi saw that the time was right, so he said, "Since all the ministers think that the Jin army has a conspiracy, in order to save Wei, I will not make a hasty decision."

"Start now, and work on moving the capital!"

"The situation is urgent. We must rush to Chengdu before the New Year. Even if we can't make it, we must at least reach Hanzhong to disrupt the Jin army's plan!"

"Now, several military commanders in the court are all outside resisting the Jin army, and the general has to take care of my overall situation and cannot get away. After much thought, I have decided to reinstate Sima Yi!"

"Order him to resume his post immediately, lead 10,000 soldiers and open up a passage from Chang'an to Hanzhong!"

"As for the other generals, they will continue to block the Jin army at the outer defense line of Chang'an!"

After hearing this, everyone knew that the outcome had been decided, so they bowed and accepted the order, but there was a lingering question in their minds.

Sima Yi led his troops to Hanzhong. Was he going to capture Cao Zhi?

When Sima Yi heard the news that day, he smiled bitterly in his heart, thinking that this was not a simple mission. It was nominally for Cao Zhi, but in fact it was to capture Cao Zhang, right?

But now he is firmly tied to the ship of Wei State and can only take one step at a time.

Although Cao Pi has been nice to me so far, what should I do if this man who is so heartless to his own brothers becomes disgusted with me or even wants to kill me in the future?
Sima Yi walked slowly into the courtyard, looked at the sky, and wondered what it felt like to be at the highest position.

Being able to turn Cao Pi, who used to act so absurdly, into what he is now, this position must be very interesting, right?

Meanwhile, in Weinan, Zhuge Liang was reading the battle report and immediately made a judgment when he learned that Cao Zhen in the center and Cao Ren in the north had both intensified their offensive against the Jin army.

He said to Yuan Xi: "Your Majesty, the Wei court wants to escape."

Yuan Xi laughed and said, "The Prime Minister's strategy of playing hard to get has made them suspicious, and it has had an effect that I had not expected."

"Does this mean that we can take Chang'an without bloodshed?"

Zhuge Liang said, "No, the relocation of the Wei court does not mean that they will give up Chang'an."

"On the contrary, they will send people to defend Chang'an, turning it into a nail to block us and ensure the safe withdrawal of the Wei court."

"So the difficulty of attacking Chang'an has increased."

(End of this chapter)