In October of 226 AD (the seventh year of Huangchu of Wei), after about two months of fighting against Wu, Zhuge Jin's troops suffered heavy damage, Sun Quan's besiege of Shi Yang in siege, Shende's troops were destroyed, and Cao Wei achieved a comprehensive victory.

After the news reached Luoyang, Emperor Cao Rui of Wei was extremely happy. He kept praising Sima Yi and Cao Xiu for his important officials in the hall for how to lead the troops well, especially his appreciation for Sima Yi was even more exaggerated:

"I really didn't expect that Wuyang Hou could defeat 40,000 thieves at such a small price with a mere 10,000 troops. This is a natural general! He is also a good general given to me by God!"

After hearing this, Chen Qun stood up at the right time and said to Cao Rui:

"The ability of Wuyang Hou and Changping Hou to achieve such a record is also thanks to His Majesty's wise eyes and knowledge of people and responsibilities."

Cao Rui, who was still immersed in the joy of victory at this time, was so happy that Sima Yi and Cao Xiu won this time because this war was the first battle since they ascended the throne. If they defeated them, it would be a huge obstacle to establishing a new rule. However, they had successfully completed the mission they had given them. It was reasonable for Cao Rui to be so surprised:

"After the two beloved ministers, I will reward them so much!"

After analyzing the situation, Jiang Ji, who was among the ministers, asked Cao Rui to report:

"Report to Your Majesty, I believe that Sun Quan's great defeat was due to the proper battle between Wuyang Hou and Changping Hou. However, after such a big defeat, Sun Quan must be unwilling to accept it. I am afraid that he will retaliate in the near two years. Therefore, I beg Your Majesty to stay at Changping Hou to guard Yangzhou to intimidate Sun Quan so that he dare not invade easily."

This was recognized by Cao Rui, so he immediately issued an edict and gave rewards beyond the specification:

It included the addition of 400 fiefs and the first 2,500 households, and the relocation of Grand Sima and governor of the military affairs of Yangzhou. It replaced and surpassed Cao Zhen in one fell swoop and became the supreme commander of all Cao Wei's army.

At the same time, Cao Rui also ordered Sima Yi to go back to Luoyang immediately.

The good news that Sima Yi won the battle in Xiangyang also spread throughout Wuyang Hou Mansion. After Fu Ruoxin learned the good news, he immediately told Sima Fu, who was blind. After hearing this, Sima Fu sighed:

"It seems that my brother has finally achieved his first step in his goal. After this battle, no one can stop him from taking control of military power and participating in major military affairs, thus becoming the pillar of the country that decides the fate of Cao Wei..."

Although Sima Fu's eyes no longer felt any sense, and the light in his eyes has dimmed a lot since his blindness, Fu Ruoxin saw a very dazzling light from his eyes this time.

Later she realized that Sima Fu was happy for Sima Yi, and tears came from her eyes for a moment...

At the same time, Sima Shi and Xiahou Hui were also preparing to tell Zhang Chunhua that his condition had improved slightly, but they did not expect that when they were excited to feel that when the Marquis of Fengyang was in the Marquis' Mansion, Wang Yuanji had already sat beside Zhang Chunhua's bed.

"Mother, father..."

Before Sima Shi finished speaking, Zhang Chunhua smiled and interrupted him softly:

"I know everything, it was Yuan Ji who told me just now."

Sima Shi looked at Wang Yuanji who was peeling bananas for Zhang Chunhua, pretending to say to her in an unhappy tone:

"I said, you girl, why do you keep running to my mother for nothing?"

Wang Yuanji smiled and asked Sima Shi in a playful smile:

"No?"

As a result, Sima Shi couldn't hold on anymore, and then he couldn't help laughing out loud, and everyone present burst into laughter.

With the children immersed in laughter, Zhang Chunhua looked up at the sky outside the window, and was sincerely happy about Sima Yi's achievements, but she could not convey her feelings to Sima Yi...

Zhao Rui and Cao Hong, who learned the news, were completely opposite. After reading Sima Yi's book script, Zhao Rui solemnly placed the bamboo slip on the desk. The whole room was silent, but soon the surface calmness was quickly broken...

Her hands were trembling, and suddenly she reached out and pushed the bamboo slips on the table to the ground:

"He's still making a name for himself..."

Cao Hong, who was standing aside, was also worried and angry about Sima Yi's achievements in such a battle:

"I really don't know what Huan Fan and Cao Zhen are planning, but they can actually wait for Sima Yi to take away this credit!"

Huan Fan, who followed Cao Zhen and Zhang He to Longyou, also received the news that Sima Yi had defeated the enemy in Xiangyang. Compared to Zhao Rui and Cao Hong, he was much calmer. In his opinion, Sima Yi had achieved his goal for several years, which certainly showed his perseverance and skill, but it also meant that he had repeatedly stated that he did not want to get involved in military power and self-defeating. This would make Cao Zhen completely transform from his previous half-believing and half-doubting to doubt or even hostility, and the situation became clear.

Huan Fan, sitting on the horse's back, rolled up the cloth with military information written in his hand, put it in his sleeve bag and said to himself:

"Sima Yi, I think it's not far from the time when we face each other head-on, I'm looking forward to it..."

After receiving the edict from Cao Rui to return to the court, Sima Yi did not rush to leave, but took Cheng Wu and Niu Jin to the junction of Xiangyang and Xincheng to investigate the local mountains, rivers, and various roads in detail.

Sima Yi stood on the high mountain peak and looked down at the land of Xincheng County in front of him. He suddenly asked Cheng Wu and Niu Jin and said:

"Tell me, how long will it take to capture this new town county?"

Cheng Wu and Niu Jin did not expect Sima Yi to suddenly ask about their question. After looking at each other, they didn't know how to answer. However, Sima Yi did not ask questions, but turned around and left:

"Okay, I've done what I should do in the end, and it's time for us to go back to Luoyang."

In December of 226 AD (the seventh year of Huangchu of Wei), Sima Yi, who returned victoriously, led a large army to Luoyang.

Emperor Cao Rui of Wei personally led all officials to greet the city gate. Sima Yi, who was dressed in military uniform, saw Cao Rui appear at the city gate. He immediately knelt forward and saluted, and personally reported the result of the trip, and presented the tiger talisman with both hands:

"I'll tell your Majesty that my uncle Sima Yi has fulfilled his mission and repelled the Wu army besieged Xiangyang and beheaded more than 8,000 people!"

Cao Rui did not take away the military talisman from Sima Yi's hand, but reached out and held his arm and helped him up:

"I have worked hard for you this trip, and I know you won't disappoint me."

Later, in order to commend Sima Yi's achievements, Cao Rui promoted Sima Yi to the General of the Cavalry. From then on, Sima Yi completely changed from a civil servant who made suggestions to a military general who had long held military power in his hands. This also meant that the situation where Cao Zhen, Cao Xiu led the troops, Sima Yi and Chen Qun were decreed before Cao Pi's death was declared shattered less than a year later.

Soon, Cao Rui transferred back to Cao Zhen, the general who was in charge of Longyou and shocked Zhuge Liang. At this time, Cao Zhen saw that Sima Yi had been promoted to General of the Cavalry, and his status in the army was suddenly increased to the second only to him and Cao Xiu.

This made Cao Zhen very worried that Sima Yi quickly climbed to such a high position from a role that was always marginalized and guarded by Cao Cao and Cao Pi in such a short period of time, which shows that his ambitions were already obvious.

After returning to Luoyang, Cao Zhen wanted to remind Cao Rui about this matter, but was stopped by his adviser Huan Fan:

"Now, no one can shake His Majesty's trust in Sima Yi. No matter how much the general says to His Majesty, it will be useless."

However, Cao Zhen, who was deeply entrusted by the two generations of kings of Cao Wei, was unwilling to just watch Sima Yi's power continue to expand, and he was even more afraid to take the risk of letting such an unfathomable figure as Sima Yi climb to the top of the Cao Wei regime step by step:

"Will you just let me watch it on the wall and turn a blind eye? What if Sima Yi really had a bad intention, how can you let me have a good face to meet the two late emperors, Taizu and Gaozu, under the storm?"

Huan Fan knew that Cao Zhen was a person of temperament, and knew how strong his loyalty to the Cao Wei royal family was. It was precisely because of this that he used He Yan to approach him and became a counselor. But it was precisely because of this that he was more likely to make it difficult for him to find this weapon that could cover himself and use it to make reckless actions:

"It is not the best time to deal with Sima Yi publicly. Sima Yi once helped Cao Rui during the most difficult time, and now he has made such a great contribution. As long as Cao Rui's absolute trust in Sima Yi is still there, no one can change Sima Yi's image in his heart. Even if you are a general, you can't do it. Rampant action will only make you passive!"
Chapter completed!