Han Xiang

Chapter 601: Seeking power and not blaming others

Before Liu Qi held a banquet to celebrate his victory, Guan Ping sent his troops to Wancheng.

Gan Ning led his navy to Jingzhou for support, defeated and surrendered Sun Quan's general Jiang Qin.

These two pieces of news can effectively boost the morale of the soldiers in Wancheng, so they must tell Guan Yu as soon as possible.

Cao Ren's army of [-] pressed on, and Guan Yu used his limited force of more than [-] men to temporarily block it on the east bank of the Feishui River.

However, this did not last long.

Guan Yu also sent people to Chang'an to report the news, but he knew that Liu Bei's main force in Guanzhong had already launched a large-scale expedition to Liangzhou at the end of last year. At this time, there was no news of the return of victory, and it was obviously impossible to come to the rescue immediately.

What worries Guan Yu the most is Cao Cao's subsequent claim to have millions of soldiers.

Although Guan Yu killed Yan Liang in the midst of thousands of troops, it was only the highlight of his personal bravery. A real military confrontation requires a sword and a gun fight.

The battle involving tens of millions of soldiers and horses seems to exist only in the writings of historians.

Cao Ren knew that Guan Yu was brave and good at fighting, and the navy he brought with him was also well-trained, so he took his time and attacked the city on the east bank of the Feishui River, causing great psychological pressure on the defenders on the west bank.

Cai Mao was defeated on land and in water battles. Cao Ren knew that he was intimidated by Guan Yu's power, so he ordered him to lead his warships to guard the waters of Xinye.

That is the place where the tributaries of the Feishui River meet, and the plan is to trap Guan Yu's navy in the upper reaches of the Feishui River, and eventually form a situation of closing the door and beating the dogs.

Cao's army was so powerful that it was as strong as ten thousand men against Guan Yu, but he did not dare to attack rashly.

Xu Shu took advantage of Cao Cao's recapture of Hebei and his control over Nanyang to weaken, so he used a strategy to seize the four counties of Yexian, Jixian, Duyang, and Bowang, making Guan Yu a veritable captain of northern Nanyang.

However, Cao Ren led his troops south.

Not only were those four counties gained and lost, Pheasant County, Jiyang, Xinye, Wuyin, and Biyang were also lost one after another.

The large areas east of Feishui and north of Bishui have all fallen into Cao Jun's sphere of influence, leaving only Wancheng and Xi'e under Guan Yu's jurisdiction.

Sun Tzu's Art of War says, "Seek power and do not blame others." '

Since the situation is stronger than the people, and the terrain of Nanyang is flat, even with the help of a telescope, it is difficult for Xu Shu to win with cunning tactics, not to mention that Cao Cao still has a shot.

Save people and lose land, all people and land will survive; save land and lose people, and all people and land will be lost.

Guan Yu and Xu Shu were both familiar with the art of war, and they unanimously decided to stand firm and use the Huishui River to contain Cao Ren.

If Cao Cao really led millions of people to go south, Guan and Xu would lead the Nanyang soldiers and civilians to withdraw into Guanzhong, so that the terrain in Guanzhong could be used to defend everywhere.

As for how to use Guanzhong and northwest as the basis to compete in the Central Plains?Zhuge Liang, Xu Shu, and Liu Ye will plan again.

With the above considerations in mind, at the beginning of the confrontation, Guan Yu and Xu Shu deliberately asked the people in Wancheng and Xi'e to be ready to evacuate at any time.

Fancheng is three hundred miles away from Wancheng. The soldiers sent by Guan Ping to report the news arrived on the next night without stopping day and night.Guan Yu has been passively defending these days, and the cities under his control have been pulled out by Cao Ren one by one. The depression in his heart has nowhere to relax.

Fancheng's intelligence came in time, and Guan Yu finally swept away the gloom of the past. He quickly analyzed Xu Shu with an excited face: "Gan Xingba came in time. If I lead the navy south to attack together, Cai Mao and Zhang Yun's [-] navy will not be able to defeat them all even if they don't fight in one battle." The army is destroyed, and there is no way to fight back. This way, not only can Cao Ren be blocked by the water, but he can even block the millions of Cao Ren who follow him."

Guan Yu confidently expressed his opinion, but unfortunately the hall was silent as before, and Xu Shu at the table acted as if he had not heard.

I saw him holding his beard with his hand, pressing the map with his right hand and frowning in thought.

"Why didn't Yuan Zhi say anything? Could it be that the news sent by Ping'er was not good? Or maybe Guan's analysis was wrong?"

Facing Guan Yu's questioning, Xu Shugong cupped his hands and shook his head and responded: "Don't be surprised, Mr. Yun. I was thinking about other things just now. The news in Fancheng is indeed very good, but if you and General Gan jointly attack Cai Hao and Zhang Yun, Cao Ren on the east bank will not be able to attack Cai Hao and Zhang Yun." He would be indifferent. If he takes the opportunity to build a pontoon bridge to cross the river, the people in Xi'e and Wancheng will not be able to leave. These people followed the lord from Runan to Jingzhou. If they are trapped in Nanyang, it will harm the lord's reputation."

"Yes. Yuan Zhi reminds me very much."

Guan Yu suddenly understood and nodded in agreement: "Half of the tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians in Xi'e and Wancheng are from Runan with us. If we have to abandon them, we will really be ashamed of our eldest brother's kindness and righteousness." His reputation is tarnished."

Xu Shu nodded in affirmation while listening, and finally added his analysis: "Even if Cai Hao and Zhang Yun were defeated by Yun Chang, don't forget that Lu Meng also led the navy to Jingzhou. The Jiangdong navy was the strongest in the world, and Yun Chang wanted to use the water to hold them back. Cao Jun, I’m afraid he may not be able to fulfill his wish.”

"This group of rats only knows how to sneak attack, but after Gan Xing defeated Lu Meng in Fancheng, this guy is probably going to sneak back to Jiangxia. Does he have the guts to come back and fight me?"

Guan Yu stroked his beautiful beard with one hand, and the aloof expression on his face expressed his disdain for Lu Meng.

Xu Shu was noncommittal and continued his analysis with a frown: "Jiangdong soldiers are weaker than land battles but stronger than water battles. Didn't General Long fail to pursue the victory? Since Lu Meng led his troops to Fancheng and Hanshui, but Cai Mao and other enemies of Jingzhou ignored him, It shows that Sun Quan has been linked with Cao Cao and Cai Mao. Although the rats dare not fight Yunchang head-on, they can fish in troubled waters, shoot cold arrows, and use underhanded tactics."

"It makes sense." Guan Yu sighed and then hurriedly asked: "Since we cannot guarantee absolute superiority on the water, then I and Gan Xingba are attacking from the north and south at this time, which may indeed give Cao Ren a chance. What if we evacuate the people of Wancheng and Xi'e first? Will it affect the joint attack aircraft against Cai Hao and Zhang Yun?"

"Since Cao Cao claims to have one million troops, his actual strength will not be less than 30 million. There are no barriers to defend around Wancheng and Xi'e. After a while, the Feishui River enters the dry season, and the role of Yun Chang's navy will become increasingly limited. Indeed, we should first Evacuate the people from the two cities, but "

"But what?"

Guan Yu has always been calm and has never shown panic, but interrupting Xu Shu at this time shows his inner anxiety.

When Xu Shu saw this, he smiled and said comfortingly: "Since Sun Quan, Cai Mao, and Cao Cao are all connected, I was wondering if General Gan can do something with him after he surrenders to Jiang Qin?"

"hiss"

Guan Yufeng opened his eyes, with joy in his eyes, and added excitedly: "If it weren't for Yuan Zhi's reminder, I almost forgot that Jiang Qin was of great use. He was originally Sun Quan's general. Since Sun Quan and Cai Mao were in collusion, Jiang Qin might be able to surprise Cai Mao. Later, if I lead the Wancheng navy to attack it together, the Xiangyang navy will be defeated instantly, and in this way we will be able to cut off all the enemies."

"If Jiang Qin is used to defeat Cai Mao and Zhang Yun, it will not have a big impact on the situation. Why not use him to capture Xiangyang?"

After Xu Shu finished speaking, he smiled mysteriously. Guan Yu was stunned for a long time and did not answer.

After a long time, he stroked his beard and murmured: "Cai Hao and Zhang Yun are leading the troops outside. Xiangyang's defenders are not enough. However, Xiangyang is high and the city is strong, and the money and food in the city are very abundant. If Jiang Qin is used to earn money to open the gate of Xiangyang, Guan will If we can use Xiangyang and the Han River to fortify ourselves, even if Cao Mengde leads a million troops to stop him, we will still have the confidence to keep him north of the Han River."

(End of this chapter)