Silver Fox of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 262 Zhuge Liang Predicts the Enemy

In terms of strategy, Cao Cao's euphemistic name is that he has a longer-term perspective.

Give up the opportunity to quickly unify the north in a short period of time, and send troops south to curb Liu Bei's development.

But in fact, this will also stifle your own development.

If Yuan Shang, Yuan Xi's high-ranking officials, and Wuhuan, the three counties, were not ready to send troops immediately to obtain Bingzhou and Youzhou, the longer it took, the more disadvantageous it would be for him.

Because although Cao Cao is growing, the remnants of the Yuan family who occupy Bingzhou Youzhou will not stop.

Among other things, Ta Dun, the leader of Wuhuan in the three counties, had at least tens of thousands of elite cavalry under his command, plus the leaders of Wuhuan from other tribes, Wuhuan's army strength was at least over [-].

If the remnants of the Yuan family are allowed to summon the old party, and then borrow Wuhuan's troops, coupled with the original prestige of the Yuan family in Jizhou, and go south again, it is not impossible to take Jizhou back.

Therefore, Cao Cao forcibly dispatched troops, which can be said to kill one thousand enemies and injure eight hundred.

Once Cao Jun is dragged into the quagmire of war in the south, the north may fall again.

But Cao Cao is not a fool, so he naturally knows this.

Therefore, in order to be able to dispatch troops smoothly, he also made sufficient preparations.

First of all, northern soldiers and horses cannot be mobilized.

This is the cornerstone.

As long as the soldiers and horses in the north are there, Jizhou will not be lost.

Then there is United Sun Quan.

Now Sun Quan also wants to take advantage of the fire to rob Jingzhou, and he doesn't mind being with Sun Quan.

In this way, at least someone will bear the loss with him.

The last is the direction of choice.

Although Nanyang is the foundation of Liu Bei, due to the civil strife in Jingzhou, the original garrison of [-] to [-] troops is now only Wenpin troops.

At present, Liu Bei is still besieging Zhang Yun in Xiangyang, and Nanyang is empty. This is really a good time for him to take advantage of the emptiness.

If at this time he goes south to attack Nanyang, and Liu Bei leads the army to go north to defend, then there will be no one in Xiangyang to attack, and Zhang Yun and Kuaiyue can make troubles in the rear.

If Liu Bei doesn't care about it and just wants to take Jingzhou first, then that's just right, they can take the Nanyang Basin in their hands and weaken Liu Bei's strength.

No matter how bad it is, even if Liu Bei is not prevented from capturing Jingzhou, Nanyang cannot be captured. At least he can retreat immediately and save his troops.

So all in all, according to Cao Cao's vision, at most he would delay some time in recovering and merging Youer Prefecture next spring.

A few days later, Yanzhou Chendu.

Although the main force of Cao's army is currently in Hebei, Cao Cao has deployed at least [-] troops in the south.

They are mainly distributed in Yingchuan, Runan, Peiguo, Xuzhou and other places.

For example, Li Tong's tribe in Runan, Cao Hong's tribe in Yingchuan, Zang Ba's tribe in Xuzhou, etc., and there are several other tribes such as Zhu Ling, Li Dian, Lu Zhao, and Feng Kai, with a total of more than [-] people.

Although the troops deployed along the south line do not seem to be many, most of them are elite troops, so their strength is still very good.

Cao Cao only brought one or two thousand cavalry to the south this time. He entered Chendu and quickly took control of the situation. Wan, went straight to Nanyang.

At the same time, Sun Quan in Jiangdong had already exchanged letters with Cao Cao, and started operations intensively. At the beginning of December, thousands of Jiangdong ships sailed up the Yangtze River and entered Jiangxia.

"boom!"

Jingzhou South County, Yicheng County Government Mansion.

In the middle of winter and the twelfth lunar month, the fierce north wind blows, and Yicheng goes north to Xiangyang for more than a hundred crowns, dozens of noble families, dense forests, and bamboo shadows.

These days, Liu Bei's army went north, Zhang Yun lost consecutive battles, and had retreated into Xiangyang.

However, Xiangyang is surrounded by water on all sides, and the moat can be as wide as [-] meters, which is easy to defend and difficult to attack. Therefore, Liu Bei temporarily stationed his army in Yicheng, and waited for the follow-up food and grass to arrive before attacking northward.

During this period of more than half a month, the Jingzhou aristocratic families headed by Yicheng Ma, Xi, and Xiang have defected to Liu Bei one after another, and Liu Cong's group has lost all hope. Kuai Qi also surrendered to Liu Bei on behalf of the Kuai family.

It can be said that most of the entire Jingzhou Group currently belongs to Liu Bei.In addition to Kuai Yue and Zhang Yun who were still stubbornly resisting, even Wenpin expressed his submission to Liu Qi because of the documents Liu Qi sent.

It's just that in such a good situation, Liu Bei was in the county government mansion at this time, slamming the official document in his hand on the table, his expression was not very good.

Just now Jiang Xia sent a letter. Sun Quan brazenly sent troops to Jiang Xia in the name of conquering Huang Zu and avenging his father. Even Liu Bei who was far away in Yicheng could hear what he was planning, so he was very upset .

"Sun Quan broke the covenant and sent troops to Jiangxia in the name of conquering Huangzu and avenging his father. What do you think?"

Liu Bei looked around at the crowd below.

In addition to counselors such as Zhuge Liang, Xu Shumi, Zhu, Sun Qian, and Jianyong, there are now Ma Jun, Xiang Lang, Xi Zhen and others.

Recently, Liu Bei also plans to listen to Zhuge Liang and Xu Shu's suggestions, and then visit Pang Tong. If he can invite Feng Chu to come out of the mountain, the top aristocratic families in Jingzhou will support him, and it will be smoother to take over Jingzhou.

"Sure enough, it's not what Xiaoqing expected."

Xu Shu stroked his goatee and said, "However, if I were Sun Quan, I wouldn't miss this opportunity. I'm afraid his idea is to wait for us to fight with Liu Cong to lose both sides, and then take advantage of it, but he didn't expect that Xiaoqing would have It's ready."

Liu Bei sighed and said, "Although Xiaoqing has made up his mind, the Jiangxia navy has less than 3 people, and the Jiangdong navy has a strong army. I have always been worried about him."

Zhuge Liang smiled lightly and said, "My lord, don't worry. Since Xiaoqing resisted all opinions and chose to garrison troops in Baqiu, he must have his intentions. The most important thing right now is not Jiangdong, but seize the time and conquer Xiangyang as soon as possible." ,if not"

"Otherwise what?"

Liu Bei wondered.

Zhuge Liang looked to the north: "Otherwise Cao Cao might come."

Cao Cao will come?

Everyone was a little startled for a moment.

This time Shen Chen insisted on going his own way and chose to stop the Jiangdong navy in Baqiu just to buy time for Liu Bei.

Liu Bei went north to eliminate Liu Cong as soon as possible, and he could immediately return to the teacher to rescue Jiang Xia.

In this way, the situation of the battle was settled, and Sun Quan had nothing to do.

And after Liu Bei stabilized Jingzhou, they could smoothly implement the grand strategic policy of first south and then north, eliminate Sun Quan and Zhang Lu and Liu Zhang, occupy the south, and then go north to dominate the world.

But if Cao Cao comes at this juncture, I am afraid that the most important task of recovering Jingzhou will not be completed, and it will be very dangerous at that time.

"good."

Xu Shu also said: "Sun Quan originally wanted to wait for both of us to be hurt before taking advantage of the situation, but Cai Mao's defeat was so fast that he was caught off guard. But facing us and Mr. Qi alone, he is already powerless, so it is very likely that we will be defeated. Write to Cao Cao."

Liu Bei was surprised and said: "I heard that Yuan Tan has driven Yuan Shang away and occupied Jizhou. Cao Cao went north to attack Yuan Tan. With Yuan's strength, he should not be defeated so quickly. Isn't he going south at this time to take over Get the great opportunity of Jizhou, hand it over, let Yuan Tan get a breather?"

Zhuge Liang smiled wryly and said, "My lord, although the Yuan family is powerful, they were all formed by Yuan Benchu ​​alone. How can Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang be Cao Cao's opponents? I am afraid that Jizhou has already been defeated by Cao Cao at this time."

"This"

Liu Bei hesitated for a moment, he had stayed in Yuan Shaona, so he naturally knew the abilities of Yuan Tan, Yuan Shang and the others, as Zhuge Liang said, they were weak in strength but average in talent, and they were in internal struggle. Compared with Cao Cao, it was indeed a world of difference.

But the latest news he got is that this year Yuan Tan drove away Yuan Shang and occupied Jizhou himself. Although Cao Cao also got Wei County, if Yuan Tan can integrate the entire army of Jizhou, he should not be wiped out by Cao Cao so quickly. , so they have never considered Cao Cao before.

"of course."

Zhuge Liang added: "Liang also just mentioned a possibility. If Cao Cao fails to defeat Yuan Tan and get the whole of Jizhou, even if he is worried that the lord will get Jingzhou, he will not come here, unless Cao Cao is so short-sighted that he completely ignores the north."

"Ah."

Liu Bei nodded, looked at Mi Zhu and said, "Zi Zhong, how are the food and grass prepared?"

Mi Zhu said: "My lord, the grain and grass for March have been transported to Bian County, and the follow-up grain and grass will arrive in Yicheng tomorrow. Now Yicheng still has [-] days of grain and grass. When the grain and grass arrive, the next batch will be in two months. .”

"Good, enough."

Liu Bei said happily: "In this case, tomorrow we will set off first and surround Xiangyang."

"Report!"

At this moment, a soldier came in from outside and said, "Here comes from Jizhou."

"Oh?"

Liu Bei said, "Who is it?"

The soldier said: "It is said that it is under the command of Jizhou Muyuan Tan."

"Let people in."

"only."

The soldier turned and went out.

After a while, a middle-aged man with a sad face came in, cupped his hands to Liu Bei and said, "General Zuo."

"Take care of the prefect!"

Liu Bei knew him as Yuan Tan's confidant, his name was Guan Tong, and he was the governor of Donglai.

Liu Bei was defeated by Cao Cao in the early years and ran to Qingzhou to join Yuan Tan. At that time, Yuan Tan brought this Guantong to meet him, and the two had some personal friendship.

We met again at this moment, but we didn't expect Guan Tong to come to Jingzhou.

Liu Bei was very surprised and said: "Guan Taishou, you guarded the rear for Xiansi in Qingzhou, why did you come to Jingzhou?"

Guan Tong said sadly: "Cao Cao besieged Nanpi, Yuan Shijun asked me to rush to Jingzhou to find the general for help, but I was on the way, and I heard that Nanpi was captured and Shijun was killed."

"what?"

Liu Bei was stunned and said, "Isn't that Jizhou?"

"Yes."

Guan Tong sighed, "Cao Cao got it."

Zhuge Liang narrowed his eyes: "Jizhou is initially settled, Cao Cao may not go south. But this matter is uncertain, if Cao Cao is worried that the south will be the Lord's possession, and suddenly leads his army south, fearing that he will lose the opportunity, the Lord should immediately send someone north to Ying Chuan investigates the news."

Liu Bei asked in surprise, "What does Kong Ming mean?"

"Cao Cao may go south at this time."

Zhuge Liang said in a deep voice.

Xu Shu opened his eyes wide and said, "Even if Cao Cao has the intention to go south, he has just won Jizhou and Youzhou and Bingzhou has not calmed down yet, so he dares to send troops. Is he too eager?"

Liu Bei looked at Guan Tong and asked, "Prefect Guan, along the way, have you found any signs of Cao Cao dispatching troops?"

Guan Tong shook his head and said, "I haven't seen this."

Liu Bei sighed: "Guan Taishou came all the way to the south, what else is he planning?"

Guan Tong said: "I originally came to ask for help under the order of the envoy Yuan, but the envoy is dead, and I have nowhere to go."

Liu Bei said: "Since that's the case, why don't you come to my tent first, and then we will send troops northward to avenge Xiansi!"

"Thank you General Zuo."

Guan Tong was overjoyed.

This time I went south to Jingzhou to ask for help, but Yuan Tan died on the way, and naturally there was no way to ask for help. Now it is best to rely on Liu Bei.

Liu Bei settled Guan Tong, sent someone to take him to rest, and then said to everyone: "Since Cao Cao has no signs of dispatching troops, he probably won't be so eager to attack Jingzhou south."

Zhuge Liang insisted: "My lord, there is nothing wrong with being careful. Now Nanyang is empty, if you can't be careful, if Cao Cao raids, I'm afraid Nanyang will be lost."

"Well"

Liu Bei thought for a while, nodded and said, "Okay, just follow the advice of the military advisor."

Immediately, he immediately sent someone north to investigate.

At the beginning of December in the 13th year of Jian'an, Cao Jun had also assembled at this time and was officially ready for action.

Cao Cao's going south was carried out in secret. He himself only brought one or two thousand cavalry and Xun You and Guo Jia to Chenliu.

Instead of mobilizing troops and horses on a large scale in the north, they used the soldiers and horses in the south to plan a surprise attack.

Because Cao Cao has been paying attention to the war in the south, he knows the current situation in Nanyang.

Due to the civil strife between Liu Qi and Liu Cong in Jingzhou, Cai Mao and Zhang Yun evacuated the Nanyang defenders, and the only remaining Wenpin was still besieging Huangmenting in Xinye.

As a result, Nanyang is now extremely empty, and there are almost no soldiers and horses in the main area of ​​Wancheng in the north.

Therefore, Cao Cao believes that at this time, the soldiers are precious and fast, and when they suddenly gather troops to attack Nanyang, they must at least take all the north of Wancheng into their pockets, and then spy on Xinye and other areas south of Nanyang.

In this way, he can extend his power to Nanyang, and rely on the city and geographical advantages to deal with Liu Bei in Nanyang.

At that time, Liu Beiren is still in Xiangyang, and he will be dragged down by Zhang Yun again, so he will definitely suffer from this dumbness.

Anyway, for Cao Cao, as long as he can get Nanyang in his hands, it doesn't matter if Jingzhou is handed over to Liu Bei?
So this is a conspiracy!

It's just that Zhuge Liang, who he thought of, also thought of it.

Although Cao Cao's playing like this will lead to missing the opportunity to recover Youzhou and Bingzhou.

But the problem is that once he succeeds, his benefits will be very large.

Liu Bei's development space has been compressed, and at the same time he can get the precious land of Nanyang. Therefore, Zhuge Liang believes that it is possible to do so with Cao Cao's habit of using troops to use his troops to be extremely dangerous.

So a few days later, Liu Bei received a piece of news that shocked him-Cao Cao really summoned an army, went south to Yingchuan, and had already arrived in Kunyang.

At this time, Liu Bei was still besieging Xiangyang. After learning about this, he left Guan Yu to guard Fancheng with 2 people, Xu Shu 1 people to guard Yicheng, and continued to surround Xiangyang. As well as the soldiers and horses of Huangmenting, they went north to meet Cao Cao.

at the same time.

On the Yangtze River in the south, numerous mighty ships also attacked Baqiu.

　I fell asleep yesterday, and slept until noon today. This illness is really troublesome. I still have a fever every day and feel dizzy. The current symptoms are tinnitus in the right ear, dizziness, cough, low-grade fever, and weakness. I hope to recover as soon as possible.Everyone should also take care of your health. My father's friend's son, 26 years old, is gone.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)