South of Jiangling City.
Cao Ren and others were standing on the dock, quietly waiting for something.
Before long, a warship came from a distance.
Seeing this situation, everyone's spirits were lifted and they knew that Sima Yi and others had returned safely.
After the warship stopped at the dock, Sima Yi's figure appeared on the deck.
Even though he was thick-skinned, he still felt ashamed when he saw Cao Ren and his party waiting for him on the pier.
"Yi suffered such a defeat, how could he let General Wei wait here?"
"Don't blame yourself, Zhongda. Victory and defeat are common matters for military strategists."
Cao Ren said politely.
After all, Sima Yi is the general who conquered the south and represents the emperor Cao Pi.
Even if he suffered a defeat, only Cao Pi could deal with him, and Cao Ren still had to be polite to him.
After the two exchanged pleasantries, they walked towards the city together.
Pang Tong, Gan Ning, Ma Chao, Pang De and others followed behind and couldn't help but sneer.
"This guy has the nerve to escape back. He's really thick-skinned."
Ma Chao sneered in a low voice.
"That's right. If it weren't for him, how could General Mancheng die in battle?"
Gan Ning also looked disdainful.
"It would have been better for him to leave General Mancheng's son behind and escape."
The people who were originally under Yang Ling were unhappy because they were suppressed by Sima Yi, and now they were even more angry!
"Okay, let's just stop talking."
Pang Tong persuaded everyone with good words,
"Sima Yi is still favored by His Majesty right now. If he hears it, I'm afraid there will be trouble!"
"Humph, am I afraid of him? The worst case scenario is that I will resign and join the general!"
Gan Ning snorted disapprovingly.
Everyone returned to the Sheriff's Mansion in the city and sat down in the lobby.
"I wonder what Zhongda thinks about the current situation?"
Cao Ren looked at Sima Yi and asked.
On the second day after the Cao troops who were left behind surrendered, Zhou Yu launched a fierce attack on Xiahou Shang.
Not only Changsha County was successfully recovered, but also several cities in Lingling and Guiyang were captured by them.
The four counties in Jingnan, which had finally stabilized, were immediately plunged into war again!
"Now that the Sun-Liu coalition is gaining momentum, we cannot resist forcefully. We must hold on to Jiangling and wait for reinforcements from the imperial court."
Sima Yi paused and said in a deep voice,
"I intend to write to Your Majesty, asking the general to go south!"
As soon as these words came out, everyone was in a commotion.
Even Pang Tong, Gan Ning and others looked at Sima Yi with surprised eyes.
Sima Yi had a lot of grudges with Yang Ling, and finally managed to wrest Yang Ling's military power with the help of Cao Pi.
He actually planned to write to Cao Pi to let Yang Ling return to Jiangling?
Sima Yi's face was as dark as water, pretending not to notice everyone's surprised expressions.
If possible, he would naturally not want Yang Ling to come out again!
It was only after the battle in Jiangxia that he realized deeply that there was a big gap between him and Yang Ling.
If you want to defeat the Sun-Liu coalition with Zhou Yu and Zhuge Liang in charge, you have to Yang Ling!
…
Xudu Palace.
Cao Pi also breathed a sigh of relief after knowing that Sima Yi escaped back to Jiangling safe and sound.
Although Cao Pi was particularly angry about the defeat in the Jiangxia War, he was ultimately responsible for the matter.
The most important thing is that among Cao Pi's most trusted ministers, Sima Yi is the most capable.
If Sima Yi died, Cao Pi would cry to death!
"Changwen, Yancai, and Jizhong, what do you think of Zhongda's proposal?"
Cao Pi looked at several of his cronies and asked.
Before Chen Qun and Zhu Shuo could speak, Wu Zhi snorted coldly,
"Zhongda is so confused! That Yang Ling is like a fierce lion. Your Majesty finally put him in a cage, how can you let him out?"
After the strike in the craftsman's workshop, Wu Zhi was dismissed from the post of great craftsman, and because he was beaten in public, he became the laughing stock of Xu Du!
In his opinion, all this is because of Yang Ling.
Therefore, Wu Zhi was quite jealous of Yang Ling!
But Zhu Shuo shook his head slightly.
"What Ji Zhong said makes some sense, but the current situation in Jingzhou can only be handled by Yang Ling."
"What do you know? It's your turn to speak here?"
Wu Zhi glared at Zhu Shuo.
Zhu Shuo's face turned red instantly. If he hadn't been worried about Cao Pi, he would have gotten angry on the spot.
Although these people and Sima Yi are both close confidants of Cao Pi, their relationship with Cao Pi is also very different.
The person whom Cao Pi trusted the most was actually Wu Zhi, who came from a poor family.
Followed by Sima Yi and Chen Qun, who were born in the noble family.
The last one is Zhu Shuo.
"Okay, don't argue anymore. What does Chang Wen think of Zhongda's suggestion?"
Cao Pi said a few words of comfort and then looked at Chen Qun again.
Chen Qun touched the short beard on his chin and muttered,
"I think Zhongda's proposal is feasible. After all, Yang Ling is the only one who has the ability and prestige to quickly stabilize the situation in Jingzhou."
"As for what Ji Zhong is worried about, it is actually nothing to worry about."
"After all, Yang Ling's family members are all in Xudu. Even if he has different intentions, what can he do?"
When Cao Pi heard this, he nodded slightly.
In fact, deep down in his heart, he also preferred to let Yang Ling go south and take charge of Jingzhou.
After all, Jia Xu had just warned him a few days ago.
If the situation is allowed to deteriorate, it is not impossible for Yang Ling to use Cao Cao's death to force Cao Pi to step down!
Thinking of this, Cao Pi waved to the eunuch beside him,
"Send someone to the General's Mansion immediately and invite the General to come into the palace to discuss matters!"
"Here!"
The eunuch bowed respectfully and was about to leave when he was stopped by Cao Pi again.
"Remember to treat the general with some respect, do you understand?"
"clear!"
The eunuch handed over his hands and left.
Cao Pi was relieved.
In his opinion, since he put down his posture and took the initiative to show his kindness, Yang Ling should just give up.
However, to Cao Pi's surprise, he waited with Chen Qun, Wu Zhi, and Zhu Shuo, but did not wait for Yang Ling.
Looking at the eunuch who came back alone, Cao Pi frowned.
"Where is the general?"
"Reporting to your majesty, I have never seen the general."
The eunuch said with a mournful face,
"According to Zhou Cang, the general's personal guard commander, the general has been sick in bed since the past few days and cannot see outsiders."
Hearing this, Cao Pi's face turned green with anger.
A few days ago, spies from the school affairs office found out that almost all of Yang Ling's wives and concubines were pregnant.
With such physical fitness, you are still sick in bed, what are you making trouble about?
This is obviously to show off your own face!
Chen Qun coughed lightly and said kindly,
"Since the general is ill, His Majesty should go and visit him."
"As an emperor, how can I visit him?"
Cao Pi said coldly,
"I don't believe it anymore. Without Yang Ling, Cao Wei would not be able to stop Sun Quan and Liu Bei!"
"Come here, send people to Jiangling and ask them to take back the four counties of Jingnan at all costs!"
Seeing Cao Pi's angry look, Chen Qun and others looked at each other, but they did not dare to say anything more!
…
The General's Mansion.
Yang Ling crossed her legs and drank ice-cold wine, which can be said to be quite leisurely.
"Brother, is it really okay if we fool His Majesty like this?"
Zhao Yun said a little worriedly.
