Yin Pavilion, Tian Yu served the emperor's order to cleanse and eliminate the weak members among the Xianbei army, leaving only 3,000 horsemen for Bumdao Gen, Xieguanmi, and Su Li.
On the 15th of March, the large army set off, heading northeast towards Daijun.
On the 19th, before Cao Rui arrived in Dai County, the Shu Han envoy Jiang Wan hurriedly returned to Bai Shui from Wu.
Fei Yi heard from his subordinates that Jiang Wan was on his way and had already been waiting outside the Bai Shui Pass in the south of the city gate. After nearly two hours of hard defense, he finally awaited Jiang Wan's arrival.
“Honorable Gong Yan, you have been so weary from travel and fatigue.” Fei Yi bowed slightly.
"Ah, it's all for the country's affairs. What is Wenwei doing this for?" Jiang Wan looked exhausted, yet his eyes were bright and lively.
"The Prime Minister is in the palace. Please bring me to see the Prime Minister immediately!"
Fei Yi stared at Jiang Wan's face for a few moments before responding, "The Prime Minister is indeed in the palace. However, will Honorable Gong Yan like to take a short rest first?"
"Take a rest? No more rest!" Jiang Wan grasped Fei Yi's wrist. "Come on, Wenwei, let's go together!"
The city of Bai Shui Pass is not large, with a size of less than two miles in length and width. It can be reached on foot without the need for horseback riding.
Jiang Wan said: "The Prime Minister's military campaign at Yangping Pass this time has already achieved all the expected results?"
Fei Yi nodded: "The logistics coordination, camp setting and relocation, and formation coordination have all been practiced and have met the Prime Minister's standards. Zhang He and Guo Hui are advancing from both sides, but they dare not launch a real attack."
Jiang Wan's facial wrinkles, caused by his fatigue, seemed to have relaxed a bit: "That's good, that's good. The Prime Minister is a great talent. We may not be able to catch up with him in our lifetime!"
Fei Yi said: "Xiao's rules and Cao's follow-up, how can there be so many people like Xiao He?" If you and I can be a Cao Can, it would be enough to comfort our hearts."
"Did Sun Quan agree?"
Jiang Wan sneered: "Sun Quan is just a troublesome and rebellious official. His ambitions have long been evident."
"Although we are to meet the Prime Minister before we speak, there is no harm in telling you now." Jiang Wan glanced at his surroundings and lowered his voice. "Sun Quan is probably going to declare himself emperor in September!"
Fei Yi did not laugh along with Jiang Wan; instead, he heaved a long sigh: "I don't know if it's a blessing or a curse!"
Fei Yi has always been thoughtful, and cannot keep up with Jiang Wan's lightheartedness.
Jiang Wan patted Fei Yi's shoulder: "The matter has been carefully considered by the emperor and the Prime Minister. It is not something that you and I can decide. Just do what is within our duties."
While talking, the two of them entered the Prime Minister's mansion.
Nowadays, the administrative and military powers of Shu Han are all concentrated in the Bai Shui Prime Minister's mansion, and the Prime Minister's adjutant has become one of the most important positions in Shu Han. No one would want to be an official in Chengdu if they have the opportunity to serve in the Bai Shui Prime Minister's mansion.
This scene is similar to Cao Cao's Prime Minister's office seven years ago.
Jiang Wan is also an official in the Prime Minister's office, but he is responsible for foreign affairs and rarely returns to the mansion. This time, upon entering the city and the Prime Minister's mansion, he was greeted and chatted with by many people in turn.
Jiang Wan left Wuhan in mid-February and arrived in Bai Shui within a month, enduring great fatigue along the way.
Zhuge Liang got up from his desk and walked to Jiang Wan's side. Like Fei Yi, he studied Jiang Wan's face, and sighed, "State affairs are complicated, thank you, Gong Yan."
Jiang Wan faced him solemnly and respectfully bowed, "My subordinate has not dishonored his mission in going to Wuhan."
"Please take a seat, Gong Yan. Sit closer to me, Your Eminence." Zhuge Liang said: "What did Sun Quan say, and what did the King say?"
Jiang Wan concisely summarized his experience of this diplomatic mission and concluded:
"Sun Quan is willing to attack Xiangyang rather than Huaihe, and he desires to declare himself emperor in September."
While listening to Jiang Wan's account, Zhuge Liang's brow was always furrowed: "Does he intend to attack Xiangyang?"
Jiang Wan nodded and explained, "I have also communicated extensively with Sun Quan's favorite official, Hu Zong. The Eastern Wu has repeatedly failed to capture Huaihe, and in addition, it suffered significant losses three years ago in the Ancheng area of Lujiang. From Sun Quan to the various generals, no one wants to attack the Huainan region again."
Zhuge Liang sighed, "Before, when Sun Quan attacked the Huainan region, everyone in the Han court believed it was because of Cao Xiu's military strategies. It was only during the battle in Longyou last year that we realized that the central army of Wei and Cao Rui himself cannot be underestimated. Sun Quan's reluctance to attack Huainan, I think I can understand his feelings."
Zhuge Liang paused for a moment, tilting his head slightly with a hint of sadness and saying, "Cao Mengde has produced fine offspring!"
Jiang Wan and Fei Yi exchanged a glance, comforting each other: "Your Eminence, do not worry. The Cao family are rebels who overstep their bounds, and they will eventually receive divine punishment. The destiny of the country is still on the side of the Han."
Zhuge Liang said: "I am well aware of it. Sun Quan's grandson was granted a title in Wei. How do the people of Eastern Wu feel about it?"
Jiang Wan hesitated upon hearing this: "Report to the Prime Minister, this matter seems rather complex, and I am at a loss as to how to explain it to you at the moment..."
Zhuge Liang said: "Please feel free to explain, Gong Yan."
Jiang Wan replied with a purse of the lips, "Regarding the attack on Wei, Sun Quan agreed readily, as if he himself had no such kinship with Wei." "However, according to various sources, every year and during festivals, Sun Quan and Cao Rui exchange letters and gifts, creating a hint of Qin-Jin sentiment."
Zhuge Liang, perceptive as ever, said indifferently, "Sun Quan is naturally a man who plays both sides against the middle. He treats military and state affairs in this manner, and this matter is no different."
"As I expected, Sun Quan's obsequious behavior towards Cao Rui is likely to be a measure to leave a path for the Sun family in case of need."
Fei Yi sat opposite him and indignantly spoke: "How can there be so many backup paths in the world! Sun Quan and Cao Xian turned around for good, but how can Cao family spare him!"
Zhuge Liang sighed: "Sun Quan is wavering, and the Han cannot let him sway. If he wants to attack Xiangyang, let him attack Xiangyang."
"Gong Yan, you came from Chengdu. What did the King say about this matter?"
Although the Shu Han court, when dealing with government affairs, has always been accustomed to ignoring the opinion of Liu Chan himself, even Zhuge Liang is the same.
But for such a major matter as assisting the ally Sun Quan to declare himself emperor, one must still take into account Liu Chan's feelings.
Jiang Wan looked up at Zhuge Liang and said: "The King did not say anything, only told me that whatever the Prime Minister says is fine."
"But when I departed Chengdu to come to Bai Shui the next day, I heard that the King had sat alone in the ancestral temple for a whole night."
Zhuge Liang's eyes blurred slightly, and he took a deep breath, looking up towards the sky. He forcibly held back the tears in his eyes: "It is my fault that I have not been able to protect the foundation of the late emperor!"
Jiang Wan and Fei Yi quickly came to comfort Zhuge Liang and console him.
In fact, Zhuge Liang, Jiang Wan, and Fei Yi have very different feelings about the current Han dynasty.
Zhuge Liang joined forces with Liu Bei during his hardships, tirelessly devoting his energies without pause, only to finally establish a realm after enduring hardships.
While Jiang Wan and Fei Yi are traditional Confucian officials who swear allegiance to the Han dynasty. If asked why they are loyal to the Han, they would say it is a duty of a minister, following the norms of heaven and earth, but their loyalty is not as deep as Zhuge Liang's.
And it is also difficult to demand much.
Zhuge Liang calmed down a bit and continued, "If Sun Quan wants to declare himself emperor in September, you will have to go to Wuhan again, Gong Yan."
Jiang Wan saluted: "As an underling, I will comply. This is my duty, and I am not afraid to say that the word 'stress' does not apply."
Zhuge Liang nodded: "Gong Yan, Wen Wei, now Sun Quan wants to attack Xiangyang. What do you think is the best time for him to launch an attack?"
Jiang Wan spoke first: "Prime Minister, it is already late March now. If we make an agreement with Sun Quan, the message might reach his troops by May."
"As an underling, I think it would be better if Sun Quan attacked Xiangyang in July."
Fei Yi spoke up from the sidelines: "Brother Gong, you are mistaken."
"If Sun Quan is determined to declare himself emperor in September, then attacking Xiangyang in July would not allow enough time for a long stay. If he only attacks Xiangyang for one or two months, how can he take such a large city?"
Zhuge Liang continued Fei Yi's point: "Wen Wei is right, July is indeed too urgent. Sun Quan's heart is so eager to declare himself emperor that he probably would not allow such an interference."
Jiang Wan defended himself: "The Prime Minister has already trained his troops well. It is undoubtedly better for the Han to attack Wei as soon as possible."
"Since being surprised by Zhang Wen Yuan in Huaihe, when has Sun Quan personally braved the arrows and stones to preside over the front lines? It's either Lu Ziming or Lu Boyan, and now it seems it will be left to the likes of Quan Zong."
Zhuge Liang pondered for a long time before sighing, "Alright, both of you have a point. The army stationed in Bai Shui can be deployed at any time. It's up to Sun Quan when he decides to attack."
"Gong Yan should send someone else to Wuhan this time instead of going himself." Zhuge Liang looked at Jiang Wan: "Send someone to ask Sun Quan directly what he is thinking and when he wants to attack Wei."
"If he sets a time, I will simultaneously set out towards the north from Bai Shui."
Jiang Wan saluted and said: "As an underling, I understand the Prime Minister's intention. I will definitely choose the right person for this task."
"But Prime Minister, I have already reported to you what Sun Quan's intention was to divide the Han, and I do not know what your judgment is?"
Zhuge Liang said: "What the Han needs right now is the Yong and Liang regions. Gaining these areas would be enough to allow the Han dynasty to revive once more."
"Gong Yan and Sun Quan have discussed this well. This division on paper is just for filling numbers in the treaty, but it cannot be taken seriously. When the Wei country falls, it will be a true test of each other's abilities."
"The Han and Sun Quan's hatred is such that I will not spare Sun Quan."
Fei Yi sighed, "For now, we must endure Sun Quan's actions for the sake of the Han."
Zhuge Liang nodded solemnly, "For the sake of the Han!" (Chapter complete)
