Chapter 322 Love and jealousy, who is Zhenwan?
Zhang He's current state of mind is shaken, not because of excitement, but because of fear.
He was afraid of what Cao Pi said to him now, because he was testing him.
In fact, Zhang He understood correctly, Cao Pi was indeed testing him.
After Cao Pi asked Zhang He what he had said, he leaned back on the throne and looked at Zhang He with a scrutinizing gaze.
He was observing Zhang He's reaction after hearing what he said.
While Cao Pi looked at Zhang He with his eyes, he also recalled Zhang He's past in his mind.
"Wei has good generals, and the five sons are the first."
This sentence was a saying that was circulated throughout the Wei army at that time. This sentence represents the five generals with different surnames who made great achievements in the Wei army.
And since Zhang He can be rated as one of the five good generals by the armies, his past military exploits are certainly impressive.
Zhang He's earliest military experience can be traced back to the Yellow Turban Rebellion. Today, decades later, few people can possess such military experience.
Therefore, after Zhang He finished describing his military tactics, Sima Yi, Jiang Ji and other ministers present had happy expressions on their faces.
Zhang He's affirmative answer made Cao Pi's face even brighter.
Therefore, the debater mentioned by Cao Pi is completely fictitious.
Seeing that Cao Pi was interested in the guerrillas he was talking about, Zhang He had a look of pride in his eyes.
While the other four good generals among the previous Five Sons of Good Generals all had at least the title of Tinghou, Zhang He, who had great military exploits, was only a nominal Marquis of Guannei.
The biggest worry in Cao Pi's mind was the Han army's massive attack on the Guanzhong area in the future.
Then Cao Pi looked at Sima Yi. After Sima Yi saw Cao Pi's gaze, he immediately stood up and came to Zhang He's side.
Among Cao Wei's current talents, there may not be many who are confident in defeating the Han army.
The reason why he was able to rise through the ranks despite being jealous of Cao Cao was due to his outstanding military talents.
It was precisely because of this last escape route that Yuan Shao adopted Guo Tu's strategy of besieging Wei and rescuing Zhao, and thought of sending Zhang He and Gao Lan to lead a heavy force to attack Cao's camp.
Then a watertight answer came from Zhang He's mouth.
So Cao Pi looked curious and asked Zhang He: "What are the guerrillas you mentioned?"
Liu Ye's tactics that day were limited to raiding grain roads.
After Zhang He sat down, Cao Pi immediately asked Zhang He: "Our army suffered heavy losses in the Xiangfan battle, and its morale is demoralized. If the rebel army comes to attack Wancheng, does Zhang Qing have a strategy to resist it?"
So when Cao Pi said this reward, Zhang He's face finally showed joy.
He knew what kind of stains he had, so he never thought that one day he would gain the true trust of the Emperor of the Cao family.
By then, the only county the Wei army would control in Nanyang County was Wancheng, and that was not a long-term solution.
But when these sweet and crisp sounds reached Zhang He's ears, it made his mind shake even more.
He raised his head slightly and looked at Cao Pi with an increasingly respectful expression.
What Yuan Shao didn't expect was that after he handed over the elite of Yuan's army to Zhang He and Gao Lan, these two trusted generals actually led most of Yuan's army to surrender to Cao's army.
As the saying goes, we take it for granted, so when faced with the current temptation in Cao Pi's words, Zhang He didn't show anything strange on his face.
Similarly, Cao Pi did not want to become the second Yuan Shao, especially when the situation inside and outside Wancheng is still unclear.
Under Cao Pi's curious gaze, Zhang He slowly raised his hands and replied:
Zhang He's answer is not the most perfect. If Sima Yi was asked this kind of question by Cao Pi, then Sima Yi's answer would definitely be better than Zhang He's.
Hearing Cao Pi's praise, Zhang He did not show the complacency in his heart. He just slightly raised his hands to show his modesty.
Only in this way can we sometimes go east and sometimes west, sometimes come out and sometimes come back, making the enemy unable to parry.
When Cao Pi asked about this, Zhang He pondered for a while and replied: "The bandit army is now hoarding in the Xiangfan area. If they come to attack us from afar, they will be eager to fight. For this reason, our army will have the advantage of not fighting."
Cao Pi asked Zhang He again: "If our army sticks to Wancheng without fighting, the enemy may attack other cities. If so, Nanyang will no longer exist."
The reason why Zhang He has never been trusted by Cao Cao is because Zhang He was one of the main culprits in Yuan Shao's defeat of Guandu.
So he immediately ordered that Zhang He be promoted to the title of Duxiang Marquis.
Under this respectful look, a straight figure gradually curved.
But it is not difficult to find talents who can stabilize the situation in a county.
Since Zhang He is not the only candidate, of course no one would say such a thing given Zhang He's past.
And the most important thing is that among the five good generals, Zhang He was the last general who was granted the power of falsehood by Cao Cao.
When Cao Pi heard Zhang He say that setting up guerrillas could defeat the Han army, his interest was immediately aroused.
Fortunately, Cao Cao had made similar examinations of Zhang He many times in the past when he was still alive.
He directly put his hands together and laughed.
"So good, so good."
There are three ways to use Rangers:
One method is: when the enemy is angry, we greet him, and we lead him back; when the enemy is tired, he rests, when I approach, I am worried;
The second method is: hit him on the left and then hit him on the right, hit him in front and hit him again in the back, hit him at a loose pace and unprepared, causing the enemy to be in a hurry and unable to save him;
The three methods are: steal their grain, burn their accumulations, rob their luggage, raid their important cities, seize their other camps, and cut off their important roads;
The key to being a roving soldier is to wait for the enemy's openings in the morning or at dusk, take advantage of them, move quickly and erratically, and leave no trace.
So when Zhang He and Gao Lan surrendered, Cao Hong did not dare to accept it at first.
After Zhang He said his answer, not to mention Cao Pi, even Sima Yi couldn't help but raise his head and look at Zhang He.
Even the reason why Cao Cao granted Zhang He the power of holiday was not sincere at all. It was a helpless move to stabilize the situation in Hanzhong after Xia Houyuan's death.
"Wandering soldiers are said to have no fixed presence.
The discussants said that in order to stabilize the situation in Wancheng, Zhang He must be appointed as a general.
Not only Yuan Shao didn't expect this scene, but Cao Hong didn't expect it either.
Among the five good generals, Xu Huang and Zhang Liao were also good generals, but at least they did not harm their original masters like this.
"Shao's general Zhang He attacked Gao Lan and surrendered, so Shao abandoned his army and fled."
This was the first time he had heard of the term "ranging soldiers".
When Cao Pi's slender fingers struck the support table, they made a pleasant crisp sound.
Because Zhang Liao and Xu Huang were both surrendered generals, they did not receive such treatment from Cao Cao.
When this news was transmitted back to Yuan Jun's camp, coupled with the impact of the burning of Wuchao's grain and grass, Yuan Jun's morale collapsed, and then Yuan Shao abandoned his army in a panic and fled.
"Zhang Qing, please take a seat."
This strategy seemed more like gambling at the time, but Yuan Shao was not a fool. He understood that gambling requires a certain amount of money.
The question Cao Pi asked Zhang He was what worried him the most.
If you want to form a guerrilla army, you must have two preparations: one is a soldier who is sharp and can ride swiftly, and the other is a general who is brave and adaptable.
Therefore, Zhang He clearly stated his attitude in his response.
So with a long sigh of relief in his heart, he slowly came to the position pointed by Cao Pi and sat down.
Cao Pi, who had already made up his mind, finally gave Zhang He the treatment he deserved given his status.
He doesn't want to become the second Yuan Shao.
This emotion made Cao Pi feel better and better.
After hearing Cao Pi's words, Zhang He knew that he had passed Cao Pi's test.
No matter how much Cao Pi expressed his admiration for him now, Zhang Heke had never forgotten Cao Pi's temptation to him just now.
"Since Zhang Qing's wandering art can be used in Nanyang, can it also be used in Guanzhong?"
It can be seen from this that in Cao Cao's mind, he did not trust Zhang He at all.
Cao Pi was already worried about the surrender of more than ten counties in the south of Nanyang County to the Han army.
Looking at the anxious look on Cao Pi's face, Zhang He must have replied: "If the two armies gather together, the terrain in Guanzhong will be easier to implement the guerrilla technique than in Nanyang."
Zhang He raised his hands and faced Cao Pi and replied:
"The morale of the thieves is high, so our army should take the principle of not fighting. However, the soldiers are deceitful, so our army should choose another long-term strategy to control them.
But Cao Pi was still a little worried.
Now Cao Pi could finally understand his father's feelings of love and jealousy towards Zhang He.
When Cao Cao was alive, the other four generals among the five good generals all had many examples of acting independently, but Zhang He had almost none.
However, Cao Pi was not in the mood to pay attention to Zhang He's self-effacement at this time. After learning about Zhang He's guerrilla tactics, he asked slightly anxiously:
So what Cao Pi is now worried about is that the Han army will attack all the other counties except Wancheng while the Wei army is defending Wancheng.
However, Cao Cao's distrust of Zhang He was not simply due to Zhang He's status as a surrendered general.
In this case, even if all Wuchao's food and grass were burned, Yuan Shao could retreat to the city behind under the cover of the main force.
While Cao Pi was examining Zhang He's reaction, his fingers kept tapping on the armrest beside him.
According to common sense, there must be enough food and grass in Yuan Jun's camp to last for several days.
Zhang He was a long-time general, and his views were consistent with those of Liu Ye, Sima Yi and others, which undoubtedly gave Cao Pi a little more confidence.
Under Zhang He's layers of narration, even Cao Pi, who was not proficient in military strategy, was amazed by Zhang He's guerrilla skills.
Moreover, the main force of Yuan's army was still there at that time.
During the Battle of Guandu, Cao Cao adopted Xu You's strategy and personally led his army to a surprise attack on Wuchao, burning most of the food and fodder of Yuan Shao's army.
Originally, Cao Cao should have thought highly of such a famous general when he was alive, but this was not the case.
Faced with Cao Pi's worries, Zhang He had already made plans in his mind.
"Your Majesty is wise, decisive, and transcendent. Everything depends on Your Majesty."
Moreover, his own military talents are different from those of the other four equally famous generals.
Zhang He's attitude of being willing to keep his peace was exactly what Cao Pi wanted to hear.
Although Zhang He's loyalty cannot be completely trusted, Zhang He's ability is recognized.
After Sima Yi came to stand beside Zhang He, Cao Pi also stood up and walked to Zhang He's side.
Now with Zhang He's answer, the few remaining worries in Cao Pi's heart were completely eliminated.
In a very good mood, Cao Pi suddenly remembered that Zhang He had just made great achievements in pacifying the rebellion before coming to Wancheng.
Although Zhang He's guerrilla warfare method is not short, under Zhang He's careful thinking, Zhang He summarized his guerrilla warfare method in a clear and logical manner through the method of "one must, two preparations, and three methods".
However, Zhang He's guerrilla tactics were all-encompassing, and raiding grain roads was just one of his many tactics.
Under Sima Yi's advice, Cao Pi dispelled a large part of his worries about this matter.
Therefore, after Cao Pi heard Zhang He's answer, a hint of joy appeared on his face, and the scrutinizing look in his eyes suddenly disappeared.
But Zhang He's answer was the most suitable for him.
The reason why Nanyang County has extremely important strategic significance in the world is because the dozens of counties within it are all prosperous counties, and most of them are in critical positions.
If we can make good use of our guerrillas, they can be hundreds, thousands, or ten thousand, and they can support us and prevent the enemy from causing trouble later on.
No wonder Gao Lan, who led the surrender with Zhang He, has disappeared, but Zhang He has become one of the "five good generals" that the late emperor relied on.
And not to mention Zhang He's numerous military exploits after following Cao Cao, let's just say that Zhang He was also a famous general who made many military exploits when he was under Han Fu and Yuan Shao.
If the thief is afflicted both on his belly and back and is in a dilemma, it will not be difficult to remove him."
The counties near Wancheng know that the army is close by, and the relationship is solid and will not be repeated. If the bandit army diverts and invades the surrounding counties, our army can set up guerrillas, and they will definitely be defeated."
Cao Pi smiled at Zhang He and said: "The late emperor once said that among the five good generals, Zhang Qing was the most unpredictable in his tactics. Today I heard Zhang Qing's words and I am no longer confused."
After Cao Pi finished stroking his hands and laughing, the admiration on his face was not concealed at all.
Not to mention ministers such as Sima Yi and Jiang Ji who were already well versed in military strategy.
Therefore, compared to Xu Huang and Zhang Liao, Cao Cao never dared to entrust Zhang He with too much responsibility.
Cao Pi personally helped Zhang He's slightly bowed body, and then he said to Zhang He: "I have been away from Luoyang for a while, and now Zhang Qing has arrived. With Zhang Qing's talent, he will have no worries about coming to Wancheng."
If a person does not have immediate worries, he must have long-term worries.
"He is your Majesty's minister, and the duty of a minister is to obey orders. It is not for me to comment on such remarks."
However, the burning of Wuchao would not directly cause Yuan's army to immediately collapse.
A worry-free mood began to permeate Cao Pi's heart.
What he wants is not some verbal praise, but this kind of practical benefit.
Zhang He quickly stood up and came to Cao Pi to thank him. However, facing Zhang He's thanks, Cao Pi just smiled faintly.
Zhang He's answer made Cao Pi nodded slightly.
The joy on Cao Pi's face became even deeper.
What Cao Pi wanted was not Zhang He's answer, he wanted Zhang He's attitude.
"Therefore I am determined to return to Luoyang soon."
When he heard these two words from Cao Pi, Zhang He felt an incredible emotion in his heart.
Does His Majesty actually want to entrust him with some responsibilities?
What only disappointed Zhang He was that Cao Pi's next words directly dispelled all the extravagant hopes in Zhang He's heart.
"After I leave, Zhang Qing will assist Sima Zhongcheng and guard the important place of Nanyang County for the Wei Dynasty."
(End of chapter)
This chapter has been completed!