Beneath the walls of Chang'an, Jiang Wei's banners fluttered high. Zhuge Liang's surprise attack plan had achieved initial success; led by Jiang Wei, the Shu Han soldiers, like tigers descending a mountain, breached Chang'an.
After the fall of Chang'an, the Shu soldiers were immersed in the joy of victory, but Jiang Wei showed no sign of satisfaction.
Just now, he received news that the State of Wei had appointed Sima Yi to lead the expedition!
Sima Yi was the one who launched a surprise attack on Hanzhong from the Ziwu Valley.
Now, after all these years, this guy has finally come out of retirement!
Jiang Wei knew very well that with Sima Yi's abilities, he would never sit idly by and wait for his death. Therefore, this battle would surely be a thunderous and unstoppable victory.
"Order the entire army to assemble and be ready for battle at any time!"
Although he was apprehensive, Jiang Wei did not choose to run away, but decided to face the challenge head-on.
Sima Yi led two armies, advancing in the north and south directions.
"General, the scouts report that Sima Yi has already left Xuchang!" the adjutant reported.
"What?" Jiang Wei was utterly astonished after hearing his adjutant's words.
"How could this be? Logically speaking, Sima Yi should know that our main objective is Xuchang. Why is he heading south instead?"
"Sima Yi is incredibly cunning; perhaps he has other plans," the adjutant whispered, analyzing the situation.
"So what should we do next? Should we continue the pursuit?" the adjutant asked.
Jiang Wei hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and made up his mind: "Continue tracking, and at the same time, notify the brothers to prepare. As soon as it gets dark, launch an attack and take Xuchang!"
"Your subordinate obeys!" the adjutant replied.
As the saying goes, opportunity knocks but once. Deng Ai missed the first opportunity, which led to the failure of his surprise attack on Chengdu.
Therefore, Jiang Wei did not want to repeat the same mistake. Moreover, he had the upper hand this time, and if he missed this opportunity, who knew when the Northern Expedition would be able to proceed.
Therefore, it's worth taking a risk!
Night was falling.
Jiang Wei led his troops to quietly approach Xudu and went into hiding.
"Kill..." Suddenly, the previously silent night sky was filled with deafening shouts of killing, shattering the tranquility.
The Shu army launched an immediate charge, heading straight for Xuchang.
"Enemy attack...!!!"
Upon seeing this, the guards on the city wall immediately became nervous and hurriedly started beating gongs and drums.
"Bang"
At the same time, Jiang Wei led his troops to attack Xudu.
"Kill them!"
The Shu soldiers shouted wildly, brandishing their weapons and fighting bravely against the enemy.
The two sides clashed in close combat, and blood and flesh flew everywhere.
The Shu army managed to suppress the defenders of Xudu for a time.
Jiang Wei was anxious. He guessed that Sima Yi might have laid an ambush, but now he was racing against time.
As long as he captures Xuchang and takes the Cao family prisoner, he will win this battle!
"Quickly, give it your all! We must take Xuchang at all costs!" Jiang Wei roared.
"Boom!"
Just then, Jiang Wei's adjutant suddenly pointed ahead and shouted, "General, look!"
Looking in the direction of the adjutant, one could see dust billowing in the distance.
"Damn it, it's cavalry!" The adjutant's expression changed drastically.
Jiang Wei raised an eyebrow, his face showing a solemn expression.
Judging from the noise, it must be heavy cavalry.
Cao Cao's only heavy cavalry force was the fearsome Tiger and Leopard Cavalry!
"General, what should we do now? Retreat?" the adjutant asked anxiously.
Jiang Wei did not answer his adjutant, his eyes fixed on the distance.
He was unwilling to accept it. He was only one step away from taking Xudu, but this last step was about to fail!
Jiang Wei didn't know why the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry had appeared here, because scouts reported that Sima Yi had already led his troops far away.
"Retreat! Retreat right now!!!"
Jiang Wei made a decisive decision and immediately ordered the army to retreat.
The Tiger and Leopard Cavalry galloped in with a roar.
Jiang Wei's soldiers scattered and fled in panic.
At this moment, Sima Yi appeared on the city wall of Xudu.
"Father, why don't you order a pursuit?" Sima Zhao asked curiously.
Sima Yi glanced at his son, then said meaningfully, "What if it's Zhuge Liang's scheme to lure the tiger away from the mountain?"
Sima Zhao was somewhat puzzled. The surprise attack on Chang'an only involved 5,000 troops. Even if it was a diversionary tactic, so what?
With them on guard, how could the Shu army possibly breach Xudu?
However, he dared not question Sima Yi's decision and could only let Jiang Wei leave.
And this battle to defend Xuchang can be considered a success.
Jiang Wei was driven back to Chang'an. Sima Yi did not order a pursuit. That very night, he found Cao Ang and handed over the tiger tally for mobilizing troops.
"Your Majesty, the Tiger Tally is here." Sima Yi knelt on the ground very respectfully and presented the Tiger Tally to Cao Ang.
Cao Ang took the tiger tally, then looked at Sima Yi in front of him and smiled, "Zhongda, you've worked hard."
Sima Yi cupped his hands and bowed slightly, saying, "Your Majesty is too kind. I was merely doing what I was supposed to do."
"Hehe!" Cao Ang chuckled a few times, then patted Sima Yi on the shoulder and said, "Good, Zhongda did a great job!"
Then Cao Ang loudly proclaimed, "Sima Yi, listen to my command!"
"Your subject is here!"
"I hereby appoint you as the Grand General Who Punishes the Rebels, in command of 150,000 troops to resist the Shu army!" Cao Ang said in a deep voice.
"Your subject obeys the order! I will swear to protect Your Majesty and the land and state of our Great Wei with my life!"
"Yes, go ahead." Cao Cao waved his hand, signaling Sima Yi to go and prepare.
"Your Majesty is wise!" Sima Yi bowed and then turned to leave the palace.
Cao Ang stood there silently for a long time, his eyes gleaming with a sharp light.
Cao Cao once told him that Sima Yi was a man of extraordinary talent, but he should only be used when absolutely necessary.
Even if you use him, you must always be wary of him.
Who was Cao Cao? How could he tolerate others paying lip service to him?
Therefore, from that time onward, Cao Cao was always wary of Sima Yi.
Now that Cao Ang has become the emperor of Wei, he can say that Sima Yi is indeed capable, but how to use him depends on Cao Ang's methods.
Upon receiving the military order, Sima Yi cautiously left the palace.
After being sidelined by Cao Cao for so many years, he has finally stepped onto the stage of history.
He is a disciple of the Yin-Yang School, and he has his own ambitions.
Sima Yi believed that with his abilities, he would definitely achieve great things.
After leaving the palace, Sima Yi did not lead his troops back to the camp. Instead, he went to a tavern.
He ordered two jars of wine, sat alone in a corner, and slowly savored them.
After ten years, he finally got to use his skills.
Ten years had passed, and Sima Yi had long since learned to suppress his ambition and conceal all his emotions.
Even his own son couldn't guess what he was thinking.
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