Overlord!

Chapter 236: Raise three armies and apply for nine punishments

Who can dominate the Central Plains, Yuan Shao or Cao Cao?
This is really not a problem that can be seen at a glance. Although Cao Cao no longer has the righteousness of holding the emperor to order the princes.

But this had little impact on the Battle of Guandu.

After all, Cao Cao's ability to defeat Yuan Shao had nothing to do with righteousness in history.On the contrary, Xu Dunei wrote to countless ministers who surrendered to Yuan Shao.So much so that Cao Cao was unable to pursue the case and burned the letters.

But without the name of coercing the emperor to order the princes, Cao Cao's strength has not been reduced, but has become stronger and more glorious.

The main reason is that the rise of Sun Ce inadvertently helped Cao Cao clear out some of his biggest enemies. Yuan Shu and Lu Bu both died and their clans were wiped out, allowing Cao Cao to be in the Central Plains without the constraints of powerful enemies.

He attacked Liu Biao in the west and Liu Bei in the east. He was invincible and easily wiped out all the richest counties in the Central Plains.

The three most prosperous counties in the world and the strongholds of scholars, Nanyang, Runan, and Yingchuan, all fell under Cao Cao's control.

If Dong Zhuo and Cao Cao hadn't both committed massacres and left this area in ruins, then Cao Cao would have been the most powerful prince in the world, and even Yuan Shao would have avoided his edge.

However, it was precisely because the Central Plains was reduced to ruins, Xuzhou, one of the thirteen states in the world, had a population of only 30, and Yanzhou was a barren land, that Cao Cao had to farm in Yuzhou to develop agriculture and restore the economy.

This made Cao Cao's rule extremely prosperous despite not being rich.

After all, he doesn't care much about people's livelihood. As long as he has enough food and grass, he can raise as many troops as he wants.

According to the intelligence probed by Jiangdong, Cao Cao controlled four states and eighteen counties, with millions of soldiers, and his army now would not be less than 7.

And this does not include the vassal towns vassalized under his command, including Zang Ba, Sun Guan, Li Tong and others.

You must know that Zang Ba, Sun Guan and others alone have tens of thousands of Taishan troops in Taishan County and Langya Kingdom.

Even so, Cao Cao was still recruiting troops and accumulating grain to train his troops.

Putting aside the influence of Liu Xie, the Emperor of the Han Dynasty, this battle can better show the struggle between Yuan Shao and Cao Cao.

So Sun Ce asked Xu Miao what he thought of the general situation in the Central Plains. Xu Miao thought seriously for a moment and replied: "Yuan Shao has a vast territory and strong troops; Tian Feng and Xu You are wise and strategizing people, and they plan for it; they review the matching and follow the rules. As loyal ministers as they are, let them do as they please; Yan Liang and Wen Chou are brave enough to be the best in the three armies and command their troops: it is almost impossible to defeat them!"

"Moreover, Yuan Shaochu won many people with his heroic chivalry, and he had the ambition of domination. The victorious soldiers in the world who raise the flag will all pretend to be famous. When the enemy is decided on the spot, the brave men will fight for their lives; if they discuss the matter deeply, the wise men will fall in love. So he can use The weak defeated the strong, destroyed the Youyan army led by Gongsun Zan, and captured all the land in Hebei."

"It seizes the river to the south, blocks Yan and Dai to the north, and joins the army of Rong and Di. It moves south to fight for the world. Can big things be done?"

Sun Ce looked serious and asked: "Have the heroes of Yan and Dai come to help Yuan Shao?"

Xu Miao nodded and said: "Yan Rou, Tadun, King Qiao, and King Hanlu all want to send troops to help Yuan Shao."

Hearing this, Sun Ce took a deep breath and asked, "Yan Rou also wants to serve under Yuan Shao?"

This situation was completely beyond Sun Ce's expectation.

Sun Ce could understand the change in Cao Cao's situation, because he helped him eliminate powerful enemies.

But why has there been a change in Yuan Shao?
Could it be that because Cao Cao no longer had the emperor to control the princes, all the heroes in the world had no moral advantage.So when the heroes of Hebei look around the world, it seems that Yuan Shao is the most likely to dominate the world?
You know, what Xu Miao said couldn't be more accurate.

Nowadays, all the heroes and heroes in the world who set up their own business take the names of Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu.

After Yuan Shu was destroyed, Yuan Shao became the most famous prince in the world, so it was no problem for people from all over the world to join him.

Especially now that the emperor has restored the capital to Luoyi, founded the king's army, swept through Guanzhong, and established his own imperial court in Guanxi.These princes in Guandong are all vassals of the Han Dynasty, while Yuan Shao is the general and Cao Cao is just the general of the guard.

Yuan Shaoneng inherited the title of worship, among which Tadun, King Qiao, King Hanlu, etc. all received Yuan Shao's seal and ribbon, and thus became Wuhuan Chanyu.

Xu Miao undoubtedly knew the situation in Youzhou better than Sun Ce. He said: "When Xi Gongsun Zan was rampant, Yuan Shao joined forces with Liu He, Yan Rou and others to besiege Gongsun Zan. Wuhuan sent troops to help and contributed a lot. Now Gongsun Zan's defeat is certain. , and Yuan Shao inherited the title of worship, and also served as the Rong Di, and Wuhuan from the three counties were willing to serve under him."

Sun Ce asked: "So the princes and heroes of Yan and Dai all think that Yuan Shao will sweep the world?"

"That's not the case." Xu Miao said thoughtfully: "Guorang is different from others. He once said that Duke Cao is wiser than Yuan Shao, braver than Yuan Shao, employing people better than Yuan Shao, and decisive than Yuan Shao, so they are in a stalemate. As time goes by, if he picks a fight, he will be able to defeat Yuan Shao."

Sun Ce was unconvinced about this judgment.

You must know that Cao Cao's victory in the Battle of Guandu in history was too thrilling.It was a series of coincidences stacked together that led to Cao Cao's final victory.

If either Xu You or Zhang He were to rebel, the results would be completely different.

But Zhang He surrendered so easily, probably because Cao Cao controlled the emperor and had great righteousness.

It is said that Yuan Shao had talents but could not use them, and heard good things but could not accept them. However, whether it was Ju Sue or Tian Feng's opinions, he accepted them all.

Jushu asked him to send out his elite cavalry and capture their bases, which would make them uncomfortable. I will take them at ease.So Yuan Shao sent his most capable general Liu Bei to lead his elite troops to Runan to harass Cao Cao's rear.But Liu Bei was defeated by Cao Ren again, which had no effect.

Jushu said: "Yan Liang has a narrow-minded character. Although he is brave, he cannot be used alone."

Yuan Shao did not refuse to listen. In the Battle of Baima, Jushou, Yan Liang, Chunyu Qiong, Guo Tu and others jointly attacked Liu Yan.As a result, Yan Liang was beheaded.

Even if it was Sun Ce, a counselor gave him two suggestions one after another, both of which were ineffective at the loss of troops and generals, including Yan Liang and Liu Bei. He had to doubt whether he should listen to the follow-up suggestions, right?

It can only be said that before Yuan Shao achieved his great cause, he broke his humerus and killed Qu Yi. As a result, the level of Yuan's generals was completely inferior to that of Cao Cao.

As long as Quyi is still there, why did Cao Cao win every battle?

But even so, Sun Ce also felt that the victory between Yuan and Cao was inseparable. You must know that among the princes in the world, the most capable generals are usually the princes themselves.

Yuan Shao's military strength was also rated by Gongsun Zan: "Yuan's attack looked like ghosts and gods. The ladders rushed to dance on my upstairs, the drums and horns sounded on the ground. The day was poor and the months were urgent, and he could not miss the start." So much so that in history Cao Cao was mentioned. When he received the head of Gongsun Zan sent to Xudu by Yuan Shao, he felt that he would soon be wiped out by him, and said: "Just like before when I sent Gongsun Zan's head at the beginning of the year, I felt lonely and suddenly heard it."

It was as if he suddenly saw his head cut off and put in a box.

In response to Xu Miao's inquiry, Sun Ce could not make a conclusion and could only say: "I have heard that centipede insects are dead but not stiff. People like Gongsun Zan have been defeated for a long time, but they have persisted for more than six years. Now Yuan Shu is dead. Lu Bu is destroyed and Liu Biao is captured, especially Gongsun Zan!"

"Even if Yuan Shao and Cao Cao are defeated, how can they be pacified in less than eight or nine years? Why don't you have a strong army to protect the territory and wait until the world can be settled?"

After hearing Sun Ce's words, Xu Miao was thoughtful.After a long time, I had to admit that what Sun Ce said was indeed reasonable.

In the land of Hebei, power has become established.If Cao Cao were to defeat Yuan Shao, with Sun Ce in the south, Yuan in the north, and Wuhuan intervening, it would be impossible for Cao Cao to defeat Hebei and invade Youzhou in less than seven or eight years.

And if Yuan Shao defeated Cao Cao, then Sun Ce would still be in the south.With the Huaihe River dividing the world from north to south, Sun Ce would probably never let Yuan Shao rest and recuperate calmly, and would definitely launch a massive Northern Expedition with his three armies.At that time, Yuan Shao no longer had the energy to pay attention to the princes of Yan and Dai.

The princes of Yan and Dai can wait until the general trend of the world has been determined, and then rally their people to join them.

After Xu Miao thought clearly, he felt a lightness all over his body and he could act arbitrarily. He immediately asked: "What is the general's ambition at this time when the world is about to belong to him?"

Sun Ce said generously: "I want to clear up Jingyang, to repay the kindness of the state committee and the vassal state, and to avenge the revenge of my ancestors."

Xu Miao stood up immediately and said solemnly: "I heard early that the general had the ambition to swallow up the river. Yan and Dai wanted to advance and retreat with the general, but they watched the provocations. They would like to donate two thousand war horses to help the general clear the world. "

The donation of two thousand war horses was the result of Xu Miao and Tian Yu's joint efforts.

With the two people's crazy advocacy, Jiangdong's influence in Youzhou finally appeared.

There is no final conclusion in Youzhou about who between Yuan Shao and Cao Cao can unify the Central Plains, but it is almost a consensus that the one who can finally rule the world must be the Sun family.

The key is that no one dares to argue with Tian Yu. He always makes impassioned speeches at banquets, and scolds anyone who questions him.

As Xu Miao went on an envoy to Jiangdong, he also joined this sequence, which made the princes of Youzhou feel incredible and couldn't understand what kind of magic Jiangdong had. So much so that a hero seemed to be in a daze when he arrived in Jiangdong.They all swore firmly that Sun Lang was talented in martial arts, Jiangdong Yin was rich and accumulated savings, and his ministers were heroic and outstanding, and he would be able to finally rule the world.

If it is said that Jiangdong bribed them, it is not like that. The two of them really spent their money to lobby the princes, so that neither of them managed the industry.

Most of the two thousand war horses were contributed by the princes.The other half are army horses directly drawn by the brothers Xian Yufu and Xian Yuyin.

Xian Yufu was recommended as the governor of Youzhou by Sun Ce. Naturally, he reciprocated the favor and gave back a considerable number of war horses.

Xian Yufu obviously no longer wanted to dominate the world, so he gave a large number of horses to Sun Ce in exchange for money, silk and grain from Jiangdong, so as to stabilize Yuyang.

Sun Ce was naturally overjoyed at this situation. He stood up with a big smile and said to Xu Miao: "With Xu Qing's help, why should I worry about the uncertainty of the Jianghuai River? It's less than half a decade before the spring plowing. After the spring plowing, I will mobilize the three armies to use Shen Jiu. I will punish Liu Biao. Are you interested in joining the army to see the splendor of our army?"

Xu Miao immediately raised his hands and bowed to the end: "This is what I wish for!"

When Xu Miao went on two missions, he only saw the wealth of Jiangdong, but not the prosperity of Jiangdong's military. It was a pity sincerely. Now that he had such a good opportunity, he certainly couldn't ask for it.

And as Sun Ce and Xu Miao said, at the end of the year, the entire Jiangdong began to gather troops and horses, mobilize food and grass, and prepare to conquer Liu Biao.

The preparation for this kind of massive battle took dozens of days, and was definitely not comparable to the rush to rescue Xuzhou.

To attack Liu Biao, Sun Ce mobilized more than [-] boat divisions and cavalry!
In addition to the six thousand garrison in Jiangxia, there were also tens of thousands of Jiang Qin's cavalry stationed in Shaxian, Yuzhang.

Sun Ce personally led [-] infantry and cavalry from Jiankang, and arrived at Shaxian by boat together with [-] naval troops.

Also arriving with Sun Ce were a large number of top officials in Jiangdong, from handsome men like Zhou Yu and Lu Meng, to good generals like Zhao Yun, Zhu Huan, He Qi, and Xu Huang, to Zhang Liao, Zhang Fei, Huang Zhong, and Gan Ning. The brave generals who have won the three armies are all obeying orders in the army.

In terms of civil servants, Jia Xu, Liu Ye, Yu Fan, Zhuge Jin, Shiyi and others accompanied the army as staff and strategists. Chen Qun, Gu Yong, Zhang Zhao, Zhang Hong, Bu Zhi and other capable ministers coordinated the logistics and provided food and salary in the rear.

In this battle, Sun Ce's elite troops came out to defeat Liu Biao with overwhelming force, and he would never delay the situation and miss the general trend of the world.

Therefore, Sun Ce not only dispatched a large number of elite soldiers, but also deployed extremely spectacular vehicles.

There are more than [-] warships such as building ships, stern ships, fighting ships, and red horses, and more than [-] tank ships and cargo ships. The total number of ships is more than a thousand!
Even more spectacular are Jiangdong's war horses. After Jiangdong cleared away Yuan Shu and Lu Bu, Jiangdong accumulated more than [-] war horses. Nowadays, trade with Youzhou is booming, and caravans have brought back a large number of horses and pack horses from Youzhou.

After Yan Zhen personally participated in the horse market, the pastoral supervisor purchased nearly [-] horses, including more than [-] horses that were good enough to serve as war horses and more than [-] pack horses.

In this battle, Sun Ce dispatched tens of thousands of war horses, more than [-] pack horses, and more than [-] chariots!
In order to prepare fodder for the more than 2 horses, Yuzhang County prepared more than 130 million bundles of cued grass alone!Soldiers and civilians took advantage of the spring plowing to arrive at the military camp on carts and trucks from all directions!
Fortunately, we were fighting along the Yangtze River, otherwise it would be difficult to transport so much supplies in the depths of winter.

Even so, as Jiangdong soldiers sent out troops in late winter, plague also appeared in the army, and hundreds of soldiers suffered from diarrhea.

But fortunately, Sun Ce had already set up an inspection doctor and a large number of female medical soldiers in the army. Thirty-six thousand boat divisions, infantry and cavalry were dispatched, and there were more than 18 military doctors, veterinarians, and medical staff in the army.Herbal medicine is as high as [-] stones.

Sun Ce personally issued a military order, asking the inspector to do his best to rescue every soldier infected with the plague, using the best herbs and supplies at all costs.

After hearing the order, the army sergeants did not worry that they would be killed. Therefore, those who were infected with the epidemic were not afraid to conceal their illness and took the initiative to report it. Although the epidemic continued to recur, resulting in the loss of thousands of people, after the spring plowing, the army still set off smoothly. Arrive at the established location.

It's a pity that Zhou Yu personally comforted the soldiers and calmed the morale of the soldiers, but he also contracted the disease and was lying in bed in the Xiling area behind him.It is close to the Lujiang River and not far from Shu County, Zhou Yu's hometown. The climate is similar, which is suitable for nursing his illness.

Of course, he was accompanied by more than [-] soldiers infected with the epidemic and more than [-] medical staff.

Zhang Zhao, Gu Yong, Chen Qun and others finally showed their talents in managing the world and quickly transferred more than [-] folk doctors from Yuzhang, Poyang, Lujiang and Danyang counties and sent them to Xiling to participate in the treatment of the epidemic.

With the concerted efforts of the entire Jiangdong, despite the setbacks, the Battle of Fanan County officially started in the first month of the year.

(End of this chapter)