Emperor Guan Yu turned to Sima Yi and said, "Your Majesty, Zhuge Liang is only playing the same trick."
"Under the guise of wanting to make peace and collaborate on Jingzhou with Great Wei, he actually harbors ill intent!"
Cao Rui sneered, "Of course I know that. He mentioned Jingzhou just once, but he never discussed attacking Wu and his words were all about Wudu."
"If we could withdraw our troops and allow Zhuge Liang to do the same, he can return to his Hanzhong while I can return to my Luoyang. If only two months ago, I might have agreed to his request."
Cao Rui stood up from behind the desk, stroking the scabbard on his right hand, and sighed: "It's a pity that I have already arrived in Wudu."
"Prime Minister! How did Emperor Wu persuade during the campaign against Zhang Lu?"
Sima Yi, of course, knew it but was unsure whether to speak up. But after Emperor Cao Rui stared at him for a while, he bowed and said: "Man suffers from insatiability. Once they have obtained the Longyu area, they want to take over Shu as well!"
"That's it," said Emperor Cao Rui, nodding. "In the past, when Emperor Wu captured Hanzhong but not Yizhou, several years later Hanzhong fell into enemy hands. Now if I don't take Hanzhong, I fear that within two or three years, I will still have to come to Wudu again."
Emperor Cao Rui waved his hand: "Brother Yu, come here and deliver another message to Zhuge Liang for me."
"Three times making a mission to the enemy camp, without any drop in the greatness of Wei. In the future historical books, I believe Brother Yu will also have a name."
Jiang Wei lightly picked up his brush and asked, "At your service, what should I write?"
Cao Rui spoke in a deep voice: "Tell Zhuge Liang! The world is in turmoil and constant warfare, caused by these bandits who dare to defy heaven's will and try to cut off the country!"
"In the past, wasn't the Han Dynasty not treating the Qiang people as human? I will treat a million Qiang people equally with the Han people, and this year I will plan to cultivate farmlands for three hundred thousand Qiang people. He can forget about Longyu and Guanzhong."
"In the Huainan region, I defeated Sun Quan, captured 50,000 Wu soldiers, and established Qiankou and Hefei to defend the river."
"In Henan, Yan, and Qing states, I have begun to reduce the rents for the settlers in my fields, restored the strength of the people and promoted education."
"In Luoyang, I have established the Grand Academy and enrolled the descendants of scholar families from all states, nurturing them to become the backbone for the future of Great Wei."
"In the Bing state, I have pacified the rebellion of the Xianbei and made Ko Bila to submit humbly."
"The world is peaceful and the people desire stability. Ask Zhuge Liang, how can a single state resist my grand strategy!"
Sima Yi knew that the emperor was threatening Zhuge Liang, and seeing him pause for a moment, he added, "Your Majesty, perhaps you can inform him about the arrival of General Xiahou Yu with his army."
"Mm." Cao Rui nodded and looked at Jiang Wei, "Add another item, General Xiahou Yu has already led 15,000 strong soldiers to reach Hechi."
"Brother Yu can tell Zhuge Liang when he meets him. The 'change in the heavens' he spoke of in his consultation at Longzhong is now impossible!"
"Let's see what actions he takes!"
...
Jiang Wei rested overnight and, early the next day, set out again on the road to the Shu military camp.
For the whole day, upon arriving at Zhuge Liang's main camp, he was not summoned immediately.
"Premier, the enemy from Wei has sent someone here twice. Is Premier really that foolish to believe that Premier and the Han can be swayed?" Fei Yi, standing beside Zhuge Liang, wondered.
"He is waiting, and so am I."
Zhuge Liang seemed to have understood the fundamental meaning of Cao Rui's letter long ago: "Cao Rui is writing to me at Xianbi. The purpose is merely to delay the arrival of troops from Longyu and Guanzhong and gather them here."
"Each of us has troops to move." Zhuge Liang calmly looked at Fei Yi, "Fewe, draft a letter to Li Zhengfang, ordering him to gather troops from Jiangzhou and the two counties of Jiangyang and Fuling in the north."
Fei Yi raised his eyebrows and asked, "Ordering Li Yan to mobilize troops? He's already envious of Premier's northern campaign and has volunteered to be transferred to Jiangzhou. Will he be willing to come?"
Zhuge Liang was silent for a few moments, then said, "I have calculated, with a little effort, Premier estimates that there may be another 10,000 troops from Li Yan's side."
"It is already the middle of March, and I command him to arrive in Hanzhong no later than the end of April! Traveling along the Mifang Pass to Hanzhong, with a distance of 1,000 li, it is sufficient for him to have one month."
Fei Yi pondered for a moment, then looked up and asked, "What about the memorial to His Majesty...?"
"I will write it myself," Zhuge Liang whispered, "Why did I ever let you take over my writing duties for His Majesty?"
"I understand." Fei Yi then asked, "And the Wei envoy outside, Brother Jiang Wei, does Premier want to see him?"
Zhuge Liang nodded, "It's just going to be more talking. Let him in. I want to see what else this young Cao Rui has to say."
Fei Yi nodded and added, "Should we also summon all the others to join them?"
"Never mind. It's just useless talk every time, and there's no need to call everyone over. You don't have to stay here either. Go handle your duties. I can meet with him alone."
"Yes."
Fei Yi walked out of the tent and instructed a few soldiers outside. Two armor-clad soldiers followed Jiang Wei and walked over together.
Of course, Zhuge Liang's tent was not just for him.
The officials in the tent responsible for arranging military intelligence and the eight armored guards posted on the sides were all in their respective posts. It's just that they had nothing to do with this meeting.
"Greetings, Premier Zhuge." Jiang Wei bowed and performed a courtesy.
"Why is it you again?" Zhuge Liang burst out in laughter: "Isn't it true that Emperor Cao Rui can't send anyone else except you?"
Jiang Wei replied calmly, "There are as many intelligent scholars in Great Wei as there are fish in the river. I am merely the most unremarkable of them all. The other ministers are all busy with military strategy, so it's always me who comes down."
Zhuge Liang smiled but did not say anything.
The atmosphere between the two was completely devoid of the initial tension of drawn swords. Without the intention to engage in verbal duels, their exchange of ideas became more harmonious.
Especially after Jiang Wei received Emperor Cao Rui's permission to discuss matters other than military intelligence without any reservations, during their second meeting, they spoke more than before.
That's also reasonable.
Without even mentioning the virtual 'compatibility' and so on, when the two of them face each other and put aside their prejudices to have a serious talk, it's hard not to develop a good feeling for each other.
As the Prime Minister of Shu Han, Zhuge Liang's dignified demeanor and imposing appearance are self-evident. His strategic insights and eloquent speech are among the best in the world.
Jiang Wei was about twenty years younger than Zhuge Liang, at the age of vigor and pride. His experience in the Grand Academy of Luoyang and in military campaigns had honed his insight and vision, making them far superior to his peers among the Shu officials.
Moreover, intelligence and insight are things that cannot really be fully understood by just a few conversations in person.
It may be the accuracy of language descriptions, the logic control of long sentences, or subtle hints and side questions.
In summary, Zhuge Liang began to appreciate the young envoy from Wei a little more.
Just as he had when he first met Ma Liang and Ma Jichang in the past.
When the Eastern Wu diplomat Zhang Wen came to Chengdu, he gained the favor of the Shu Han officials and people through his persuasive speech.
Today, Jiang Wei surpasses Zhang Wen of that day.
Jiang Wei bowed and handed over the letter, "This is a letter from Your Majesty, please Premier Zhuge read it."
The armor-clad soldiers standing guard outside the tent did not need Zhuge Liang's instruction. They took the letter and presented it to Zhuge Liang in front of him.
Unfolding the letter and taking out the white silk.
Zhuge Liang read through the letter word by word, his expression was full of caution, which was something he hadn't shown in the previous two letters from Cao Rui.
Words like Han, Wei, destiny, restoration, and so on are just convenient phrases used to gather and lead people.
When it comes to rulers and executives like Cao Rui and Zhuge Liang, the real consideration is national strength, people's hearts, temple calculations (strategy), and military tactics.
Discussing ideological issues is as futile as a blind date with a veil over the face.
What Cao Rui discusses in this letter are all practical matters.
Policies, strategies, citizen burdens, grain storage in fields, military priorities...
In just over three hundred characters, Zhuge Liang read the letter more than ten times, taking more than a stick of incense to do so.
Comparing it item by item with the current situation in Yizhou, he found himself heartily disappointed again and again.
There were no others in the tent, except Zhuge Liang, Jiang Wei, the official in charge of arranging military intelligence, and the soldiers. They could not participate in their conversation.
Only this time, during their third meeting, was it truly a conversation between Jiang Wei and Zhuge Liang alone.
"I wonder if when you were leaving, His Majesty Cao Rui assigned you anything you could say and anything you could not?" Zhuge Liang opened the conversation.
"Of course." Jiang Wei bowed and replied, "But His Majesty has also said that if Your Majesty has any questions, I will answer them honestly if I can."
"There are many things I would like to ask," Zhuge Liang nodded slightly, pointing to the seat on the side, "The two previous times, I failed to allow you to take a seat, which was improper of me. Please, take a seat."
Jiang Wei did not respond, and walked to the side, sitting down and looking at Zhuge Liang.
Zhuge Liang directly asked, "What are the differences between the imperial academy established by Emperor Wei in Luoyang and the one before the chaos, under Han Zhong and Ling?"
Jiang Wei keenly noticed Zhuge Liang's choice of words. Using the term "Emperor Wei" instead of directly addressing Cao Rui by name was a rare sign of friendliness.
Jiang Wei loudly answered, "The imperial academy at present is one that admits students from all over the states and territories, without any lacking in any of them."
"In July of the first year of Taiping, the first batch of five hundred students entered the academy, but only one hundred graduated and were granted the title of junior scholar in the academy with a salary of three hundred grains."
Zhuge Liang asked again, "What kind of studies are taught?"
Jiang Wei answered, "The curriculum consists of the five classics from Zheng's school. However, during the graduation examination, only half of the content from the five classics is included."
"Of the other half, roughly half are related to legal rulings, miscellaneous duties, public documents, and strategies. These are not offered in the academy, but officials from the State Council will give lectures on them periodically."
"By the way, His Majesty also came to teach at the academy twice in person."
Zhuge Liang frowned and asked, "His Majesty actually went to teach at the academy twice? What did he discuss there?"
Jiang Wei's expression became slightly odd, he pondered for a moment and still replied, "The first time His Majesty went to the academy to teach, he followed the rituals of a village school and asked for governance among the masses."
"The second time His Majesty visited the academy, he explained Your Excellency's strategy at Longdui in the past, as well as the tactics on the bed by Lu Su of the Eastern Jin, known as Lu Zijing." (The chapter ends)
