Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator.

Facing Wei Yan's inquiring gaze, Pang Tong felt a stirring in his heart, but after a moment's hesitation, he shook his head and said.

"No, we can't!"

"Why not?"

Pang Tong stated directly.

"The matter of capturing Linzi involves the Grand Strategy for the Northern Expedition set by the Prime Minister. Once the grain in Linzi is burned, it will greatly disintegrate the morale of the Qingzhou garrison, causing their spirits to decline."

"Even if the western route is a bit slower, with General Wei diverting the attention of a large number of the defending soldiers, it will be more conducive to taking the opportunity to attack Linzi. The eastern route may be faster, but it is much more dangerous."

"This matter should prioritize stability above all else."

How could Wei Yan not understand this principle? However, Wei Yan was even more aware that by the time they followed the western route step by step to reach Linzi, the main force of the Northern Expeditionary Army personally led by the Prime Minister would have already invaded Beihai Commandery, even besieging Duchang City, which was garrisoned by Cao Ren.

At that time, whether or not Linzi was burned would only be the icing on the cake for the Northern Expedition. It would be meritorious, but certainly not a great achievement. How could this satisfy Wei Yan?

On the contrary, if they took the eastern route to attack Linzi in advance, occupying the important granary of the Qingzhou garrison, the news would greatly demoralize the Cao army.

In this way, even if it didn't count as the top merit, it would definitely be among the top few great achievements.

"Shiyuan…"

Wei Yan squeezed out a smile, pulled Pang Tong to sit down, and personally poured tea for Pang Tong, saying.

"Let's discuss it in detail, how about it? You see, the western route is flat and easy, even if Shiyuan has a hundred brilliant plans, they would still be useless."

Pang Tong's face remained unmoved, his eyes flickering slightly.

Wei Yan then continued.

"But the eastern route is different. The eastern route may have some dangers, but with Shiyuan's ability, any difficulties will surely be solved easily. And once the eastern route is taken successfully, and Linzi is captured in advance, it will be a great help to the Prime Minister's Northern Expedition plan. This risk is worth taking."

Pang Tong's ugly face showed a hint of interest, but he still didn't say a word.

Seeing this, Wei Yan said.

"You should know that among the three talents under the Prime Minister, only Shiyuan is appointed as the army advisor. Isn't this the Prime Minister's emphasis on Shiyuan? He must hope that Shiyuan can make some achievements, instead of being as fruitless as last time in Xuzhou."

"If Shiyuan's performance is not good, maybe next time the Prime Minister will let Zhuge Kongming and Sima Zhongda accompany the army, and even that Sima Zhongda might secretly laugh at Shiyuan."

This goading method was very clumsy.

But when Pang Tong thought of Sima Yi's stinky face, his thick eyebrows couldn't help but twitch.

Seeing that Pang Tong was already tempted, Wei Yan quickly said.

"If the marching route is changed from the western route to the eastern route, we still need Shiyuan and I to jointly send a letter to the Prime Minister so that the Prime Minister will agree."

And this was the reason why Wei Yan patiently persuaded Pang Tong for so long.

Without military orders, Wei Yan would naturally not dare to change the marching route without authorization. Violating the Prime Minister's military orders would mean having his head chopped off, and he wouldn't dare to complain.

Wei Yan also knew that with himself alone, he might not be able to persuade the Prime Minister.

But if he could get Pang Tong's full support and jointly submit a letter to the Prime Minister, the possibility of getting the Prime Minister's approval would greatly increase.

After hearing this, Pang Tong lowered his head and pondered for a while, already having made a decision in his heart, but still opening his mouth with a troubled expression.

"This matter is still inappropriate, the risk is too great…"

"Shiyuan, once the war starts, where is there no risk at all?"

"But I and Wen Chang will bear the risk together with the Prime Minister, what about the rest?" Pang Tong asked rhetorically.

"Does Shiyuan think that I have the intention of monopolizing the credit?" Wei Yan asked in surprise.

Pang Tong said solemnly.

"What I am worried about is that after Wen Chang takes the eastern route, he will not listen to my words, leading to a great defeat and ruining the Prime Minister's grand strategy for the Northern Expedition. If that is the case, I would rather not have three points of credit, so as to avoid adding a bit of risk to the Northern Expedition."

Understanding this, Wei Yan's face was filled with joy, and he pointed to the sky and swore.

"Wei Yan can swear to the heavens that when taking the eastern route, in all matters involving the use of troops, without Shiyuan's approval, I will never act arbitrarily."

What Pang Tong was waiting for was also this sentence.

The great cause of the Northern Expedition was the time to make contributions.

Pang Tong, who had not been crowned for long and was valued by his teacher, giving him the name "Phoenix Fledgling", also longed for this name to be famous in the Han Dynasty, proving that his teacher was also one of the best teachers in the world in education.

Immediately, Pang Tong immediately wrote a copy and Wei Yan separately put their seals on it, and sent it urgently to Li Ji, who was stationed in Pitin, about seventy miles away.

After this secret letter was sent out, Wei Yan, on the one hand, made preparations to be rejected and prepared the army to set off on the western route at any time, and on the other hand, waited anxiously for the Prime Minister's reply.

If it weren't for Wei Yan being the main general of an army, and could not leave without important matters, Wei Yan would have wanted to go to Pitin to see the Prime Minister and beg the Prime Minister to approve it.

After more than half a day, Wei Yan finally waited for a reply.

When Wei Yan nervously opened the secret letter, there was a big character "Approved" written on it.

This made Wei Yan feel a strong sense of being trusted, and he was very grateful for Li Ji's appreciation and trust. He held up the secret letter and saluted in the direction of Pitin, saying.

"This humble general will certainly live up to the Prime Minister's trust, and will surely capture Linzi and present it to the great cause of the Northern Expedition."

Seeing this, Pang Tong also saluted in the direction of Pitin, and then said solemnly.

"Wen Chang, time is of the essence. Now that we have obtained the Prime Minister's approval, we should quickly determine the strategy for the eastern route."

"Shiyuan, do you already have an idea?" Wei Yan asked.

"I dare not say that I have a complete plan in my mind, but I naturally have a 70% certainty before I agree to the eastern route march."

Pang Tong smiled, and his ugly face suddenly seemed to have a bit more of Li Ji's confidence, and said.

"It's just that my idea is different from Wen Chang's plan to march in a few days. In my opinion, we should immediately march north and go straight to Zhuxu City."

"Why is that? Once Cao Ren learns that Zhuxu is under attack, he will definitely send reinforcements to Zhuxu, and even strengthen defenses in the Qi territory adjacent to Zhuxu. Wouldn't that be alarming the enemy?" Wei Yan asked in great confusion.

"The teacher once said: The secret of the art of war lies in mobilizing the enemy."

After a pause, Pang Tong showed a bit of complacency on his face and said.

"Presumably Wen Chang should also have heard of the name of the 'Four Crossings of the Red Water' sandbox deduction, which is also the real key to breaking the situation."

Hearing this, Wei Yan also became energetic.

Almost all the counselors and generals under Liu Bei had tried to crack the "Four Crossings of the Red Water", and Wei Yan was no exception, but the result was not satisfactory.

Wei Yan blurted out and asked. "Shiyuan, have you really cracked the 'Four Crossings of the Red Water'?"

Pang Tong's face stiffened, and a bit of embarrassment appeared, and he replied.

"Almost there."

Wei Yan then understood that he had not, and did not continue to ask how big this little bit was.

"Cough cough."

Pang Tong coughed lightly twice, then said. "If we want to take the eastern route to raid Linzi, the same principle applies. We must mobilize the Cao army for our use, otherwise the hope is slim."