Due to Wei's steady retreat on the Western Front, heavy pressure was like dark clouds in winter, pressing on the heads of Wei's monarchs and ministers, making people somewhat breathless.

The reason why Cao Rui initially agreed to the suggestion of Wang Xiong, the governor of Youzhou, was because he was more generous than Neng.

At the same time, Tian Yu, the Huwuwan captain who advocated being tough on Xianbei, was transferred. This was actually related to the huge military pressure in the west.

With another major defeat in the Battle of Xiaoguan, except for the New Fifth Army affiliated to the Central Committee, which was still stationed in Luoyang as a strategic reserve.

Cao Rui had to transfer the best soldiers in the country to Guanzhong to defend Shu.

Because in his opinion, Shu is already the biggest threat to Wei.

This final barrier in Guanzhong must not be lost.

Therefore, he delegated a lot of power to Sima Yi, giving things to others and giving things to others.

The only requirement is that Shu is not allowed to advance an inch further.

Because if we lose the last barrier in Guanzhong, the essence of Wei, we will face the threat of Shu.

Therefore, Cao Rui not only sent the most elite soldiers to Guanzhong, but also appointed Sima Yi as Grand Sima, making him the nominal supreme commander of the Wei army.

The State of Shu held back too many troops of the State of Wei in Guanzhong. Under the circumstances, both the eastern and central lines facing Soochow entered strategic preparedness.

It has started to snow in Liangzhou in October.

However, winter has just entered Jianghuai in October.

The winter days in Shouchun City are gloomy and cold.

Manchong, the governor of Yangzhou, was sitting in front of the desk. There was a fire pit next to the desk.

Man Chong was enjoying himself by warming the wine in the fire pit. After the wine was warmed, he raised his glass and drank to his own enjoyment.

Although the Wei State, which was founded on aristocratic families, had only been officially founded for about ten years, its rate of corruption and degeneration was alarming.

The aristocratic and wealthy families not only accommodated a large number of landowners, but also concealed their population.

They even blatantly colluded with local officials to devour the farmland left over from Cao Cao's time.

Not to mention being tyrannical in the local area and bullying the people.

As a cruel official, Man Chong was one of the first veterans to follow Cao Cao.

In this era of rampant right-wingers, Man Chong acts with an iron fist and emphasizes strict laws, which is not a bad thing for the people.

Therefore, after the Battle of Shiting, Man Chong was transferred from the governor of Yuzhou to Yangzhou and took charge of the military affairs in Yangzhou on his behalf.

The people of Runan County, which is under the jurisdiction of Yuzhou County, learned that supporting the old and carrying the young, reluctant to leave, and running along the road should not be prohibited.

The guards were so frightened that they quickly reported to the court and wanted to kill the leader as a warning.

Man Chong's actions may gain Cao Cao's favor.

But after all, Wei State is based on aristocratic families and powerful rightists, so he will inevitably offend certain interest groups.

For example, Wang Yun's nephew Wang Ling performed well in the Battle of Shiting and was appointed governor of Yangzhou.

But he was almost incompatible with Manchu, the military governor of Yangzhou.

Of course, it is a long-standing tradition that the main generals of the Yangzhou armies are at odds with each other. This is probably the way of balance in Wei.

There were rapid footsteps outside the door, and an aide walked in quickly with an angry look on his face:

"General, Wang Ling's gang members are slandering the general again. Shouchun is full of rumors now..."

When Man Chong heard this, his expression did not change, he raised his glass and drank it all in one gulp, and then said calmly:

"When a kid succeeds, he is just arrogant for a while. What are they talking about me this time?"

As a cool official, he always has very few friends around him. Unlike others who have many relatives and friends, drinking alone is a common thing.

"They all said that the general was old and frail, his words and deeds were ridiculous, and he drank too much and got into trouble, so he was unfit to hold the post of governor of Yangzhou."

The staff member said angrily, "General, that Wang Ling, because of his family background, does not take the general seriously and slanders the general so much. It is really abominable."

"The general's position is higher than Wang Ling's, his merit is higher than Wang Ling's, and his power is higher than Wang Ling's, but why is he so tolerant of him?"

Upon hearing this, Man Chong nodded in agreement with what his staff said:

"Yes, since I am higher than Wang Ling, how can his slanderous words hurt me at all?"

As he spoke, he stroked his gray beard.

Although he has been a cruel official all his life, Man Chong also knows that many people dislike him, but he still wants to spend his old age peacefully.

Therefore, it is not appropriate to have bad relations with others now.

"General, I'm just afraid that if those words reach His Majesty's ears, it will be detrimental to the General."

"Your Majesty is the Lord of Saints, how can you easily believe rumors?"

Seeing their general's disapproval, the staff couldn't help but feel angry and anxious, but there was nothing they could do.

At this moment, another burst of rapid footsteps came, and the bodyguard came to report:

"General, Governor Wang sent someone to deliver a letter."

When Man Chong heard this, he couldn't help but look at each other with his staff, and he couldn't help but feel a little surprised.

The so-called governor Wang is naturally Wang Ling.

What does he mean by sending a letter at this time?

"Send it up."

"promise."

After reading the letter, he sneered fondly:

"Wu general Sun Bu sent a secret envoy to surrender, intending to rebel against Wu and return to Wei..."

As he spoke, there was a look of ridicule on his face, "This Sun Wu rat, other than pretending to surrender, can't he do anything else?"

How long has it been since the bream faked its surrender last week?

Now you want to do it again?

He thought for a moment, had someone polish it, and then wrote a letter himself, replying to Wu General Sun Bu on behalf of Wang Ling:

Knowing what is wrong and knowing what is right, if you want to avoid disaster, go along with it, avoid violence and return to the road, which is very good. Now I want to send troops to meet each other, but if the number of troops is small, it will not be enough to defend each other, and if there are many, the incident will be heard by others. You can make a secret plan first.

Quan Zhi, we will discuss it when things come up.

Wang Ling learned that he was very dissatisfied:

"There was Jin Zong before him and Han Zong after him. They all came and returned sincerely. Why do you know Zhou Li alone?"

So on the surface, he asked Man Chong to allow him to lead the army to respond, and at the same time he sent a secret envoy to Luoyang overnight with his memorial.

The memorial stated that Man Chong was old and weak-minded, stubborn in maintaining the status quo, speaking absurdly, and often drinking and causing trouble. He asked the imperial court to send someone else to supervise the military affairs in Yangzhou.

After Cao Rui finished reading, he felt something in his heart.

Since Sun Quan ascended the throne and proclaimed himself emperor, he has made plans to go north every year.

The attempt to attack Xiyang the year before last and the attempt to attack Hefei last year were detected in advance and failed.

Nowadays, the pressure in Guanzhong is very high. If something happens to Yangzhou, the Jianghuai River will be in ruins.

He hesitated for a long time and could not make a decision, so he called his closest officials to consult.

Guo Mou suggested:

"He was favored and appointed as the prefect of Runan and the governor of Yuzhou for more than 20 years, with many meritorious deeds. He also controlled Huainan, and the people of Wu were afraid of him."

"It is said in the table that people all over the city are talking about favoring old people and losing their ambitions, and their words and actions are ridiculous. It may not be a plan to spread rumors among the people of Wu."

"If you easily believe what is said in the form, Yangzhou will definitely be spied by the Wu people. It is better to temporarily summon your favor to return to the court and ask about Yangzhou affairs to find out."

Cao Rui heard this and was very happy, so he followed his words.

Luoyang sent an envoy to Shouchun as quickly as possible to summon all the favors back to the court, saying only that His Majesty had something to inquire about.

Man Chong had no choice but to go to Luoyang.

After Wang Ling learned about it, he was overjoyed and sent people to the governor of Liufu to ask for troops to meet Sun Bu.

Unexpectedly, the governor of Liufu, Shi, rejected Wang Ling's request.

It turns out that before Man Chong left yesterday, he specifically told the governor of the residence, Shi: If Wang Ling wants to lead the army to meet the surrendered general, he must not send a single soldier.

When Wang Ling found out about this, he was extremely angry, but had no choice but to send his own general and 700 troops there.

Sun Quan asked Sun Bu to surrender in an attempt to capture Hefei.

Unexpectedly, it took so long to prepare. Even if Man Chong was not fooled, even Wang Ling only sent less than a thousand people.

It's just that the arrow is on the string and has to be fired.

Sun Bu saw that he could no longer hide it, so he had to set up an ambush at night to attack.

Most of the 700 people in the Wei army were killed or injured, but only the governor led a few people to escape.

When the news came back to Shouchun, Wang Ling lost face.
To be continued...