Ji Han Grand Commander

Chapter 496. Defeat the Enemy
"Hmm? Even though we won a small victory, the Wei general still escaped with most of the troops."

Feng Xi looked at the report sent by Li Yan without any change in his expression. He then handed the paper to Xu Shu, who was sitting in the first position below him.

"General, the Yangzhou army has only been trained for two years, and their combat skills are not yet fully developed. The Wei army is elite, so it is understandable that it is difficult for them to achieve success..."

Xu Shu, Ma Su and others naturally knew Feng Xi's character. Since Feng Xi didn't say a word, he probably didn't have any opinion on the matter, which was the so-called "casual". However, one person was a little anxious and quickly stood up to make a few excuses for the Yangzhou army.

However, it was obvious that the other party did not understand Feng Xi's style. As soon as he said this, all the civil and military officials in the hall looked at him with some surprise, as if they were looking at some rare creature, which made him blush.

"Well, General Xiumu, I don't mean to blame anyone. I know the situation of the Yangzhou Army. Besides, this is just a test attack. Ji Wen has done nothing wrong. I know everything clearly."

Feng Xi saw that the other party was a little nervous. He knew that he was worried that he was not satisfied with this mediocre victory and that it would affect his son's career, so he spoke a few words to comfort him.

This person is Zhu Huan, who has been staying at home in Wujun since surrendering to the Han Dynasty. Zhu Huan joined Sun Quan when he was still young. They had been monarchs and subjects for more than 20 years, and Sun Quan trusted Zhu Huan, so it would be a lie to say that Zhu Huan did not feel uncomfortable about Sun Quan's death.

However, Feng Xi specially invited Zhu Huan from afar this time, which made Zhu Huan a little confused. But Zhu Yi was still fighting in the Yangzhou army, and Zhu Huan could not turn his face away from Feng Xi even for Zhu Yi's sake, so he naturally came here honestly.

However, Zhu Huan had served in the Eastern Wu before, and had never been in contact with the Han court afterwards, so he had no idea about the habits and styles of Feng Xi and others. He thought that Feng Xi was not satisfied with the results of the battle, so he dared to come out and make excuses for his son and the Yangzhou army, but he didn't expect to make a fool of himself.

"General Zhu, there is no need to do this. We are not unreasonable people. If we are really dissatisfied, we will not hide it. We are different from Dongwu."

Ma Su on the side kindly reminded that although the court in Chengdu might still be a little dirty, everyone in Jingzhou knew each other well and always said what they thought without playing around.

Zhu Huan scratched his head and could only sit down obediently and continue listening to what Feng Xi said.

"We have learned from Luoyang that many high-ranking officials of Cao Wei are in the palace discussing something. Two days ago, Cao Zhen, the general of the Central Army who was originally stationed in Guanzhong, returned to Luoyang, but Cao Xiu, the Grand Marshal of Huainan, did not move."

Feng Xi had clear information, which was the convenience of carrier pigeons. What had just happened in Luoyang was on Feng Xi's desk within two days.

"Huainan is now under attack from our army, and the Wei army has suffered a minor defeat. Even if Cao Xiu is very brave, he would not dare to leave Huainan at this time."

Xu Shu stroked his half-white beard, and after a little thought he guessed Cao Xiu's predicament and his thoughts clearly.

"There was also a gorgeously decorated carriage with an unknown identity that entered the palace. We don't know who it was, but it must be a high-ranking official of the Wei Dynasty.

But it doesn't matter who it is. All these things can only show one thing, that is, Cao Wei is now in chaos for some reason. Mr. Yuanzhi, you have lived in Cao Wei for a long time, do you know about Cao Pi's successor?"

Feng Xi made a guess after a brief analysis, but he still asked Xu Shu, who had lived in Xuchang and Luoyang for a long time, to help tell others about the situation of Cao Pi's sons. "Okay. Cao Pi had many sons, but most of them were weak, and countless of them died young."

Xu Shu thought about it, and the first sentence he said made people want to laugh. But it was true that too many of Cao Pi's sons died. Two died during the Nanzhong Rebellion, and another died last year.

Before, Feng Xi said that Cao Pi was morally deficient and his descendants would not live long, and everyone just thought it was a joke. However, later events proved that what Feng Xi said seemed to make some sense. Now Cao Pi himself is dead. If this is not a lack of morality and a punishment from God, what else could it be?
"Among Cao Pi's sons, the eldest son Cao Rui was quite capable and had good relations with the officials in the court. If nothing unexpected happened, he should have inherited the throne. But he was born into a poor family, as he was the son of Zhen."

Xu Shu stroked his beard and told Cao Rui about his situation. Although Xu Shu lived in seclusion and rarely interacted with people during the Cao Wei period, he was naturally aware of these things that were happening on the surface.

"Well, a few years ago, Zhen was sentenced to death by Cao Pi because of her complaints. Cao Rui was also very angry about his mother's death, so he was demoted to Marquis of Pingyuan by Cao Pi. Later, Cao Rui killed someone in the street in Luoyang, which made Cao Pi displeased, so he was ordered to return to his fiefdom. He was only recalled by Cao Pi two months ago."

Feng Xi added a little about Cao Rui's experience after Xu Shu returned.

"The other is Yuancheng Prince Cao Li. He is smart and clever, but his talent is better than Cao Rui's. However, he is a bit impetuous. It may be because he has not encountered much trouble due to his status, so he is a bit arrogant."

"To add, Cao Li acted even more recklessly because of Cao Rui's demotion, so he was also demoted by Cao Pi to the Marquis of Yuancheng. And Cao Pi has not appointed a crown prince so far."

After Xu Shu and Feng Xi explained the situation of Cao's son, everyone understood what Luoyang was doing secretly. Of course, it was to fight for the throne.

Cao Pi died suddenly before he could appoint a crown prince, so he had to summon important officials of the court to discuss the matter.

"That's why I said now is a great time to march north. Normally, if our army had attacked Huainan like this, Cao Xiu would have sent a letter and sent reinforcements from nearby. But now the power transfer in Luoyang is not going smoothly, and no one has the time to deal with Cao Xiu.

Therefore, I intend to defeat Cao Xiu first, then contact Sichuan and march north at the same time."

Feng Xi's words were sonorous and powerful, which made everyone serious. The Northern Expedition was something that the entire Han Dynasty had to do with all their strength. Now everyone had waited for several years and finally got such an opportunity.

"But Cao Xiu is not a young general who doesn't know how to fight. How can we lure him out and inflict heavy damage on him?"

Ma Su asked with some confusion. In his opinion, even if Cao Xiu could not win, it would not be a problem for him to defend Shouchun, Hefei and other strong cities.

"This is why I asked General Xiumu to come. Now there is a plan to defeat Cao Xiu, and it all depends on General Xiumu and his son."

(End of this chapter)