Liu Ye Slaps Zhong Yuanchang

"What do you mean, Wenlie?" Cao Pi pressed.

Cao Xiu cupped his fists and replied, "Your Majesty, the three main routes are Qishan Road, Chencang Road, and Baoxie Road. Chencang Road, to the north, is the best route out of the Qin River Valley. We must beware Zhang Fei using a feint to lure us away in Tianshui Commandery. If we move General Zhang away from the strategic post at Chencang, and Ma Chao and Wei Yan then lead troops from Hanzhong to seize it, what should we do?"

Cao Pi's expression grew grave. Wei Yan had earned merit by slaying an enemy general in the Battle of Hanzhong, but Xu Huang's adopted son was no renowned, fierce warrior. It was Ma Chao's name that reminded Cao Pi of the tales of the General of Divine Might still told in Liang Province. Cao Xiu's words had given him pause.

"Wenlie and Ziyang both have good points. Yet ever since I ascended the throne, my first attempt to establish Liang Province has gone poorly. Zidan and Derong are both in Hexi. If we let Zhang Fei ravage Tianshui, we may lose the hearts of the people on the frontier. Should I select a great general from Luoyang to drive off the enemy?" Cao Pi was caught in a dilemma.

Hearing this, Imperial Secretary Chen Qun hurried out of the ranks to remonstrate. "Your Majesty, the capital must face the threat of Guan Yu. Sending troops to drive off the enemy in Tianshui would be a waste of money and grain, like traveling south by heading north. By the time our men arrived, Zhang Fei might already have withdrawn south of Mount Qi. Besides, Sun Quan of Eastern Wu harbors treasonous ambitions. The troops in the Central Plains should be kept ready