Three Kingdoms: Ancestors of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 423 Cao Rui's Southern Expedition
Cao Rui led an army of [-] troops to march in person, and when he arrived in Wancheng, he heard the news of Jiangxia's fall. This shocked him and the accompanying officials, so he accelerated his march and took over the war against Wu.

When he thoroughly understood the war situation between the armies of Wei and Wu, he couldn't help feeling a headache.From Guangling in the east to Xiangfan in the west, there were beacon fires everywhere.

Nanyang County, Xinye County, inside the camp of Cao Wei Zhongjun.

Cao Rui frowned, looked at the map hanging on the wall, and from time to time discussed with the accompanying officials the strategy of resisting Sun Quan.

Chen Tai, the servant of Sanqi, held the letter from ahead, drove into the account, and said: "Your Majesty, Sui County Li Xing has an emergency military document."

"Read!"

While speaking, Cao Rui moved his gaze to the southeast corner of the border between Nanyang County and Jiangxia County.

"No! Li Xing urgently reported that the thief's general Lu Xun led [-] troops to attack Sui County urgently. Our soldiers are few and weak, and we hope to send reinforcements soon."

Wei Zhen looked at Sui County and suggested: "Your Majesty, the thief is better than water but weaker than walking. Going ashore to attack Sui County now is a great opportunity to defeat Lu Xun. You can quickly send a general to lead troops to attack Lu Xun's troops. Lu Xun's troops Withdraw, Sun Quan will lose his nerve, and the siege of Xiangyang will be lifted by itself."

Sui County is located on a long and narrow plain running from northwest to southeast, with Tongbai Mountain in the north, Dahong Mountain in the southwest, Xiangfan in the west, Wancheng in the north, and Jiangxia in the south.

If Nanxiang County is the west gate of Nanyang Basin, and Xiangfan is the south gate, then Sui County can be said to be the east gate.Therefore, it is very important. Once Sun Wu captures this place, Sun Quan can bypass the Xiangfan Hanshui defense line, go straight behind Xiangfan from Sui County, and attack the Nanyang Basin.But the premise of all this is that Sun Wu has a strong infantry and can win through battles, otherwise he will be made dumplings by Cao Wei.

Cao Rui pondered for a while, and did not rush to give orders, but looked at the Strider County on the map, and asked, "Is the thief general Zhuge Jin still stationed near the Strider County?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Tai replied: "Your Majesty, according to the Yuzhou Military News, Zhuge Jin's army has arrived near Strider County, and has raided the people."

After a pause, Chen Tai said: "Runan Governor Tian Guorang (Tian Yu) is leading his troops to Strider County. Let Tian Runan lead his troops to attack the bandit general Zhuge Jin. At that time, Lu Xun will retreat without fighting."

Cao Rui heard what Chen Tai said, glanced at him, and asked curiously: "What Uncle Xuan (Chen Tai) said is good, let's talk about your strategy in depth!"

"No!" Chen Tai replied calmly.

Chen Tai, courtesy name Xuanbo, was the son of Sikong Chen Qun. Because of his father, he served as the servant of Sanqi. He was good at discussing military affairs, calm and brave, resourceful and decisive.He is on good terms with Sima Zhao and Sima Shi.Cao Rui took Chen Tai with him this time when he went out to fight, hoping to let him practice a little bit.

Chen Tai stepped forward in small steps, pointed at Zhuge Jin and Lu Xun's troops, and said, "Your Majesty, I think that the purpose of the bandits' garrisoning Zhuge Jin in Strider County is to protect Lu Xun's back and prevent our Yuzhou soldiers from breaking Lu Xun's way back. Not to join hands with the thieves to attack me in Hefei."

Pointing to the situation map on the map, Chen Tai talked and analyzed it.

"Zhuge Jin has few plans and few military strategies, but the army under his command has not made any achievements for a long time. It is better to attack Zhuge Jin than to attack Lu Xun. The old minister thought that Tian Runan could lead his troops to fight Zhuge Jin. When Lu Xun heard that he would retreat without fighting, all the thieves would see him." We will also retreat to Hefei. If our army supports Sui County, with Lu Xun's ability, it will be difficult for our army to defeat it. It is better to attack the weak and thieves and make all the troops panic."

The main idea of ​​what Chen Tai said was basically picking and pinching persimmons, especially this kind of soft persimmons with heavy responsibilities.

When Cao Rui heard the words, he clapped his hands and sighed, "Xuanbo's words can be regarded as a good policy. You can follow Xuanbo's words. Send Wu General Cao Zuan to lead the Chinese army's tiger and leopard cavalry to attack Zhuge Jin with Tian Yu, so as to break Lu Xun's way back. Eight thousand sergeants will reinforce Sui County."

Cao Zui, styled Desi.The second son of Cao Xiu, he can lift a thousand jun.In recent years, Cao Wei's high-level generals have been old and dead. Not only are there some shortages of available generals, but also the younger generation has not yet taken the position, which makes Cao Rui a little worried.That's why Cao Rui's expedition to Soochow this time mostly meant to experience young heroes.

Especially in recent years in Western Shu, there have been a large number of talents. When the famous general Guan Yu died, he thought it was safe.Unexpectedly, a Zhuge Liang was killed, and he fought against Cao Wei in the northwest.There are many generals under his command, with Wei Yan and Wang Ping being the most outstanding.

"What do Wei Qing think?" Cao Rui asked.

Wei Zhen asked him to think about it, and said: "Your Majesty, I think the strategy that Uncle Xuan said is feasible. When Lu Xun's troops retreat, Li Xing and Tian Yu will march from Sui County to attack Jiangxia County. Sun Quan must be worried. , he will return from Xiangfan to rescue Jiangxia."

Cao Rui nodded and looked at the second city of Xiangfan on the map.Said: "Although what Wei Qing said is good, the two cities of Xiangfan are irresistible. Only the two generals of Hu Zhi and Pu Zhong are quite insufficient. Moreover, it is difficult for these two generals to fight against Wu general Zhu Ran!"

In the current battle situation in Xiangfan, Sun Wu has the upper hand for the time being. Wu's army cut the Han River with naval ships. Zhu Ran and Bu Zhi's army did not attack Xiangyang City on the south side of the Han River, but went directly ashore to repair engineering equipment and prepare to besiege Fancheng.

Wu Jun's arrangement is not because Xiangyang is unimportant, but because Xiangyang City is surrounded by water on three sides and mountains on one side, making it easy to defend but difficult to attack.If the Wu people really wanted to attack Xiangyang, they would definitely not be able to defeat tens of thousands of people without dying.The best way is to surround but not attack, and attack Fancheng on the north bank of the Han River.Once Fancheng is breached, the meaning of Xiangyang's existence will disappear.

The Wei army was at a slight disadvantage, and the soldiers in Jingzhou were led by Hu Zhi and Pu Zhong. Due to the small number of troops, they occupied the mountains and confronted Zhu Ran's army.

As far as the current situation is concerned, the second city of Xiangfan is only temporarily trapped, and there is no serious problem, but people's hearts are unpredictable, especially in the siege.Sometimes it is not the city that is saved, but the hearts of the people, and the belief that they will stick to it.

Cao Rui looked around at the crowd and sighed, "If General Zhang (Zhang Yun) is here, what fear do Sun Quan and Zhu Ran have?"

For Cao Wei, Zhu Ran's threat is second only to Lu Xun, and should not be underestimated. In recent years, he has often invaded the border.

"Do you have any good generals to recommend to me?" Cao Rui asked.

Sun Zi pondered for a while, and said: "Your Majesty, I think that Wang Ling, the governor of Yuzhou, has been in battle for a long time and can take on great responsibilities."

Wang Ling, named Yanyun, is the nephew of Situ Wangyun, from Qi County, Taiyuan County, and has a good relationship with Sima's family since childhood.Wang Ling participated in the Battle of Dongkou, and together with Zhang Liao and others defeated Wu General Lu Fan in Guangling.He also participated in the Battle of Shiting with Cao Xiu, and Cao Xiu was able to retreat because Wang Ling broke through with his death.

Coincidentally, Sun Zi was also from Taiyuan County. Because Wang Yun appreciated his knowledge and talents, he recommended him as county magistrate, so he was able to become an official.

"Wang Ling is capable of writing and martial arts, so he can entrust him with a heavy responsibility." Wei Zhen said.

"Zhao Wang Ling led [-] troops to quickly support Hu Zhi's headquarters and resist Zhu Ran." Cao Rui said.

"promise!"

Liu Fang, who was dismantling military newspapers from various places, looked at a letter with a heavy face, and said, "Your Majesty, Nanxiang County Military News, Xishu Wang Ping led his troops southward from the Han River, and took advantage of the emptiness of Nanxiang County to attack Xun. Guan, come to Nanxiang County, Fangling County has sent troops to support Nanxiang County. The prefect of Nanxiang fears that there will be insufficient troops, so please help!"

Cao Rui's expression froze, his eyes shifted to Nanxiang County, and he asked in a deep voice, "How many people are there in Wang Ping's department?"

"About ten thousand people!" Liu Fang quickly handed the letter to Cao Rui and said, "Your Majesty, Wang Ping should support Sun Quan's attack on Xiangfan. Sun Quan's army was defeated, and Wang Ping retreated himself. He can send a general to lead four thousand troops to support him. You can't hold on to it!"

"I ordered Guanqiujian to lead [-] troops to support Nanxiang County, and ordered him to fortify the walls and clear the fields, and not to fight. Wang Ping is a famous general in Western Shu, so don't be careless."

"promise!"

(End of this chapter)