"Yizhou?" Cao Cao frowned. It wasn't that he hadn't considered it, but he just hadn't found a suitable opportunity. Now, after Xi Zhicai mentioned it, he was somewhat tempted.
“Yes, Your Majesty!” Xi Zhicai said.
Cao Cao asked, "Do you already have a plan?"
"Reporting to King Wei, Yizhou is a vast territory, but it is easy to defend and difficult to attack! If we want to take Yizhou, we must use a surprise attack!" Xi Zhicai explained.
"A surprise attack?" Cao Cao asked, puzzled.
"What kind of surprise attack method do you have?"
Xi Zhicai slowly walked to the map, pointed at it, and said, "We can split into two groups, starting from Chang'an. One group will cross the Qinling Mountains and the Ziwu Valley, while the other will cross the Xie Valley to launch a surprise attack on Hanzhong!"
Cao Cao immediately frowned; both routes were extremely dangerous.
“But if we succeed, Sichuan will be within our grasp!” Xi Zhicai added.
“Ziwu Valley…” Cao Cao murmured.
This sentence struck a chord with Cao Cao. If successful, Shu would be within his grasp, and unifying the world would be much easier.
"But if we fail, the losses will be devastating!" Cao Cao pondered.
This matter is too important; it concerns the overall situation of the world, and he needs to be cautious.
"It is precisely because Sichuan is easy to defend and difficult to attack that we must devise an ingenious plan, otherwise we will find it difficult to achieve our goal," Xi Zhicai said with a sigh.
"Are you confident?" Cao Cao looked up at Xi Zhicai.
"To be honest, Your Majesty, if our army launches a surprise attack, it is not impossible," Xi Zhicai said.
Xi Zhicai's plan tempted Cao Cao. If it could succeed, Shu would be within easy reach, and the threat to Cao Cao would be greatly reduced.
"Then who do you think is capable of doing the job?" Cao Cao asked.
Xi Zhicai said, "Sima Yi is resourceful and wise! If he leads the troops to launch the Ziwu Valley surprise attack, he should be able to succeed!"
Upon hearing Xi Zhicai's suggestion, Cao Cao hesitated, as did Sima Yi...
Sima Yi only came to seek refuge with Cao Cao after being defeated in the Battle of Hanzhong.
Previously, Cao Cao had invited him to serve in the government many times, but Sima Yi either feigned illness or ran away, refusing to take up the post.
However, after Cao Cao's defeat in the Battle of Guanzhong, Sima Yi took the initiative to come and surrender.
They even went so far as to say, "We only wish to offer help in times of need, not to add to someone's existing success."
Before the Battle of Guanzhong, Cao Cao held seven provinces and was at the height of his power. Even if Sima Yi surrendered, he would not be given important responsibilities.
However, after a series of events, Sima Yi believed that the time was right!
But Cao Cao didn't play by the rules. He directly assigned Sima Yi a sinecure and let Sima Yi choose one of Cao Cao's sons to be his teacher.
Although Sima Yi was unwilling, he succumbed to Cao Cao's tyranny and chose Cao Pi instead of Cao Ang.
This made Cao Cao even more wary of him, since Cao Ang was the best candidate he had in mind.
"Since you have recommended Zhongda, then let Zhongda lead the army as you have said!" Cao Cao made the decision.
Since Xi Zhicai defected to Cao Cao, Cao Cao has now transferred all his favoritism from Guo Jia to Xi Zhicai.
Sometimes, Xi Zhicai was also in great pain because after he joined Cao Cao, he was gradually attracted by Cao Cao's personal charm.
However, he could not forget the time when Cao Cao forced 400,000 people to be sacrificed.
Therefore, he was caught in a dilemma, especially since Lu Li had given him the task of finding a way to make Sima Yi demonstrate outstanding ability and ambition while Cao Cao was still alive.
He wanted to use Cao Cao to kill Sima Yi!
"Yes!" Xi Zhicai bowed slightly and withdrew.
Cao Cao stood up, walked to the window, and looked into the distance with a solemn expression.
After Xi Zhicai came out, he immediately went to find Sima Yi.
He had a thatched cottage outside Xuchang City, where Sima Yi usually lived. Xi Zhicai soon arrived there.
Inside the thatched cottage, Sima Yi was sitting at a stone table brewing tea, a gentle smile on his face.
“Zhongda,” Xi Zhicai called out.
"Master Xi, it's been a long time!" Sima Yi put down his tea set and came forward to greet him.
"Quickly, here's some freshly brewed tea, please have a seat!" Sima Yi beckoned to Xi Zhicai.
Xi Zhicai sat down, picked up his teacup, and took a small sip. He immediately felt a delicate fragrance fill his mouth.
"How is it?" Sima Yi looked at Xi Zhicai expectantly.
Xi Zhicai showed a satisfied expression and said with a smile, "It really is good tea!"
"This tea is from my hometown!"
Sima Yi said happily, "I specially had my servants collect some 'coincidental' plays for you to try since you're here."
As the two chatted, Xi Zhicai asked, "What has Zhongda been doing lately?"
"Enjoying tea and fishing, what a leisurely life!"
When Sima Yi chose Cao Pi, Cao Cao did not agree and instead placed him under house arrest.
Cao Cao would never let a talented man like Sima Yi go.
Xi Zhicai nodded after hearing this, and continued, "Zhongda, do I have good news for you today?"
"Oh?" Sima Yi narrowed his eyes.
Liu Bei went to war with Sun Quan, and Eastern Wu was no match for him, so they sent someone to ask for help.
Sima Yi showed no surprise and said with a smile, "The King of Wei has agreed?"
Xi Zhicai nodded and said, "Yes, the King of Wei has agreed to send troops!"
"Should I lead the army to attack Jingzhou?" Sima Yi asked again.
This time, Xi Zhicai shook his head and said, "It is indeed you who will lead the troops, but not to attack Jingzhou!"
"Huh? Not attacking Jingzhou? Or are we going to attack Yizhou?"
"Hahaha, Zhongda is indeed clever, it's time to attack Yizhou!" Xi Zhicai clapped his hands and laughed.
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