Chapter 411 Wang Ping is the assistant and the two barbarians are sluggish
Author: Soy Sauce Mixed History
Before anyone could react, Ma Su took the initiative to invite him to fight, which shows how eager he was.
But this is normal.
The Han Dynasty paid great attention to both civil and military skills, and attached great importance to whether one had military exploits.
Ma Di came from a famous family and had always been highly regarded by Zhuge Liang. It was impossible for him to be without ambition.
And Ma Su knew that if he wanted to fulfill his inner ambition, he must have military exploits, because he was currently living in troubled times.
Without military exploits, no matter how brilliant his political achievements are and how amazing the strategies he proposes, his achievements in life will not be too high.
In the past, Ma Su had mentioned to Zhuge Liang many times that he was willing to lead the army to conquer the Han Dynasty. Now when the opportunity came, Ma Su could not remain indifferent.
When Ma Su took the initiative to call for a fight, other people in the tent who also wanted to call for a fight temporarily stopped talking.
Everyone here knows how highly Zhuge Liang held Ma Su in the past. It can be said that Zhuge Liang's high regard for Ma Su is only lower than that of Mi Yang.
Under this layer of origin, it is very likely that Zhuge Liang directly agreed with Ma Di's self-recommendation.
What everyone expected was that after Zhuge Liang saw Ma Su recommending himself, his face clearly showed emotion.
Ma Su was like him before and had never had the experience of leading an army in battle. This was Ma Su's biggest shortcoming.
It's just that although the Huang Yuan Rebellion seems to be menacing, in Zhuge Liang's view, it is actually not difficult to quell it if handled properly.
And Ma Di has always had a good military strategy, so it is not impossible to send him to quell the Huang Yuan rebellion.
Moreover, this battle can also be regarded as a training battle for Ma Di.
But just when Zhuge Liang's approval was getting stronger and stronger, he remembered Mi Yang and Liu Bei's reminders to him.
Mi Yang was his disciple and Liu Bei was his teacher. It can be said that in terms of their close relationship with Zhuge Liang, both of them surpassed Ma Su.
Even these two people who were so close to each other had invariably reminded Zhuge Liang to use Ma Su with caution, which made Zhuge Liang have some concerns in his heart.
Moreover, regardless of their personal relationship, given the status of Liu Bei and Mi Yang, the reminders they gave would make Zhuge Liang cautious about appointing Ma Di.
After thinking briefly in his mind, Zhuge Liang decided to take a compromise approach.
Zhuge Liang first looked at Ma Di, nodded slightly and said, "You have always served your country loyally. How can I refuse your invitation?"
When Zhuge Liang said these words, Ma Su's face showed a look of joy.
Zhuge Liang agreed to his recommendation.
But before Ma Di could be happy for long, Zhuge Liang immediately turned his attention to Deng Ai who was present.
Seeing Zhuge Liang's gaze, Deng Ai's heart tightened.
From Zhuge Liang's behavior towards him just now, Deng Ai faintly noticed that Zhuge Liang seemed a little unhappy with him, so Deng Ai didn't know why Zhuge Liang suddenly looked at him now.
However, Zhuge Liang's next words made Deng Ai overjoyed.
"How many troops do you think Captain Liyi will need to quell the Huang Yuan Rebellion?"
After hearing Zhuge Liang's inquiry, Deng Ai immediately guessed Zhuge Liang's intention.
The prime minister must have hired him to put down the rebellion, otherwise why would he only ask himself this question if there were so many talented people here.
After guessing Zhuge Liang's intention, Deng Ai quickly stood up and bowed to Zhuge Liang and said: "Soldiers value elites. Huang Yuan's rebels have more than five thousand, and I only need three thousand elite soldiers."
When Deng Ai answered Zhuge Liang, his words showed strong confidence.
When everyone was intensely discussing Huang Yuan's rebellion, Zhuge Liang informed everyone present of some more specific information, including this key information about the total number of Huang Yuan's rebels.
Although five thousand rebels sounds like a lot, Deng Ai knew very well that most of the main members of the Huang Yuan rebels were county soldiers.
It is not that there are no elite soldiers among the county soldiers, but there are certainly not many. Otherwise, Huang Yuan would not be able to support so many soldiers based on the national strength of a county alone.
Since most of Huang Yuan's rebels were rabble-rousers, Deng Ai was naturally confident that he could defeat him with three thousand elite soldiers.
After Zhuge Liang listened to Deng Ai's answer, he did not comment.
He just asked Deng Ai again: "When you lead the army back to the north, what strategy will you use to deal with Huang Yuan's rebels?"
Faced with Zhuge Liang's question, Deng Ai thought for a while and replied:
"The city of Chengdu is strong and thick. Although there are not many defenders in the city, His Majesty's people in Chengdu are stable. Ai concluded that Huang Yuan did not want to attack Chengdu.
Huang Yuan did not rebel in the past, but only rebelled when the prime minister led his army in the southern expedition. This was just because the Yibei counties were empty of troops at this time.
However, no matter how empty the Yibei counties are in terms of military strength, it is extremely difficult to sweep the Yibei counties with Huang Yuan's military power.
Therefore, Huang Yuan just wanted to take the water eastward and disturb the food routes of our southern expedition.
Because of his wolfish ambition, after Ai Zai led his army back to the north, he should lead the army to defend the dangerous pass without fighting him first.
On the one hand, it can protect the food routes of our southern expedition, and on the other hand, it can deplete the enemy's morale. When the enemy's morale is exhausted, I can defeat them in one battle."
Deng Ai clearly stated his countermeasures.
While everyone in the tent was worried about Huang Yuan's attack on Chengdu, Deng Ai put forward his own different views.
Deng Ai's opinion is what Zhuge Liang is most worried about.
The reason why Zhuge Liang was worried about the Huang Yuan Rebellion was not because he was worried that Chengdu would make mistakes.
After all, just relying on Huang Yuan's 5,000 rebels to capture Chengdu with Liu Bei as the commander is tantamount to wishful thinking.
Liu Bei may not be able to lead the army in battle for the time being due to physical reasons, but as long as he is in Chengdu, unless tens of thousands of elite troops attack Chengdu, there is no need to worry too much about the safety of Chengdu.
What Zhuge Liang was really worried about was that, just as Deng Ai said, Huang Yuan would lead the rebels to harass the food and fodder of the southern expedition.
Grain and grass are the most important material support for an army, and Yizhou is now in a period of weak national strength.
Therefore, the supply of food and grass for the southern expedition army must not face the slightest risk.
Otherwise, once there is a shortage of food and grass, not to mention that this southern expedition will fail, I am afraid that something more dangerous will happen to the Han army.
Seeing that Deng Ai understood his worries and had corresponding strategies in mind, Zhuge Liang was delighted and at the same time made a decision in his heart.
Zhuge Liang took a command arrow from the table in front of him, then he motioned Deng Ai to step forward and handed the command arrow into Deng Ai's hands.
After completing this move, Zhuge Liang announced his decision in front of everyone:
"Order Deng Ai, the captain of the Liyi School, to lead three thousand Yizhou troops to the north to put down the Huang Yuan rebellion."
After announcing this decision, Zhuge Liang looked at Ma Di, whose expression turned gloomy, and continued: "I will order Ma Di, the minister of law, to be the guard of the army, and lead the army northward with Deng Ai."
When Zhuge Liang said this order, the gloomy look on Ma Di's face disappeared.
At first, he thought Zhuge Liang wanted him to lead the army north to quell the rebellion.
But seeing Zhuge Liang taking the initiative to ask Deng Ai one after another, Ma Su also guessed Zhuge Liang's thoughts.
Zhuge Liang was not one to break his promise, but he could have many identities as the leader of the army returning to the north.
Originally, Ma Su thought that Zhuge Liang was going to let him take on an insignificant position, but now Zhuge Liang appointed him as a guard.
Although the status of the guard army is not as good as that of the general of the first army, it is only lower than that of the chief general of the first army.
Moreover, if the rebellion can be suppressed successfully this time, then his military exploits as a guard will not be less.
Therefore, Ma Di was still able to accept Zhuge Liang's arrangement.
It's much better than being a small pioneer.
After arranging the tasks of Deng Ai and Ma Su, Zhuge Liang seemed a little worried that Deng Ai and Ma Su were inexperienced, so he appointed General Pi Wang Ping present as Deng Ai's deputy general.
Wang Ping, courtesy name Zijun, was from Danqu, Brazil. Judging from his appearance, he was a dignified and well-mannered man.
In the 20th year of Jian'an, the seven surnames of Brazil County led the people to attach themselves to Cao Cao. It was at that time that Wang Ping joined Cao Cao's command and became an acting school captain.
During the Battle of Hanzhong in the 24th year of Jian'an, Wang Ping surrendered to Liu Bei due to defeat, and was later appointed as General Pi by Liu Bei.
Although from common sense, it is unreasonable for Wang Ping, as General Pi, to become the deputy general of Liyi Colonel Deng Ai, in fact this arrangement was very common in the Han Dynasty.
In the Han Dynasty, power was emphasized more than duties, and there was also a tradition of temporary appointment.
Although Deng Ai was only a captain, he had just received the command arrow personally given by Zhuge Liang. This was the power of general given to him by Zhuge Liang.
With this kind of authority, as long as Deng Ai's deputy general's rank is not much higher than his, then it is reasonable.
Just like in history, when Ma Su led the army to garrison at the street pavilion, he commanded the generals with the status of joining the army.
Moreover, although General Pi has the title "general", in the tradition of the Han Dynasty, General Pi is a title reserved exclusively for deputy generals. This shows that Wang Ping was not yet an important figure in the Han Dynasty at this time.
However, Zhuge Liang knew Wang Ping somewhat.
Since Wang Ping is a native of Yizhou and has a good understanding of Yizhou's topography, and his calm personality, he is very suitable to serve as Deng Ai's deputy general to check for his deficiencies.
This is also the reason why Zhuge Liang asked Deng Ai to lead the Yizhou army north instead of the Liangzhou army.
After all aspects were arranged, Zhuge Liang, who was cautious in nature, felt relieved.
Then he asked everyone to prepare one by one according to the arrangements he had just made.
After everyone left his main tent, Zhuge Liang had no intention of resting.
Although most of the military affairs had been handled, Zhuge Liang, thinking of Deng Ai's performance just now, still picked up his brush and thought about writing a letter to Mi Yang.
In this letter, Zhuge Liang first praised Deng Ai's intelligence, which was no worse than any hero in the world.
After praising Deng Ai, Zhuge Liang changed the subject and told Mi Yang:
"Deng Ai has good plans and practice, and he will definitely become a great man.
However, I see that he is a man who is too reserved to be talented, more than wise and courageous but not mediocre, so I should be warned against him!"
Zhuge Liang made this judgment about Deng Ai, which can be seen from his performance just now.
Just when he said that he was going to lead the army south to Bo Road, he noticed a look of understanding on Deng Ai's face.
This shows that Deng Ai already knew his true intention.
But when Li Hui came out to dissuade him, Deng Ai did not immediately explain to Li Hui.
He waited for Li Hui to clearly express his confusion before speaking out his opinion.
Anyone with a discerning eye can see at a glance that Deng Ai's move was intended to use Li Hui's "unwitness" to show his own intelligence.
Of course, many contemporary scholars are doing this to build their own reputation by refuting those who are more famous than themselves.
But Deng Ai is different from others.
Deng Ai's background was so low that many people in the world would naturally look down on him.
Although Zhuge Liang is not this kind of person, this is the limitation of the times and cannot be easily reversed.
When children of aristocratic families raise their own hopes in similar ways, everyone in the world will understand it tacitly and won't mind it too much, because this is a privilege among children of aristocratic families.
But what about Deng Ai?
Perhaps Deng Ai's performance today will attract everyone's praise, so that they will not show anything on the surface.
But Zhuge Liang knew that many people in the tent just now must still be dissatisfied with Deng Ai's actions.
People's deep-rooted prejudices may be temporarily suppressed by impressive achievements, but they will not disappear easily.
Deng Ai's background cannot be changed, and if he still behaves this way, more people will be dissatisfied with him.
Even as time goes by, this dissatisfaction will gradually increase.
And once you encounter a suitable opportunity, this long-standing dissatisfaction will burst out all at once.
By that time, no matter how great Deng Ai's achievements were, he would probably end up not being much better.
With Zhuge Liang's wisdom, he certainly saw the hidden dangers of Deng Ai's actions today.
What Zhuge Liang is worried about is the underlying reason for Deng Ai's tragic ending in history.
The reason why he didn't show too much appreciation to Deng Ai just now was actually a way for him to protect Deng Ai.
However, Zhuge Liang also knew that Deng Ai was not his subordinate after all. He could protect Deng Ai for a while, but he could not protect Deng Ai for a lifetime, so he had the intention of writing a letter to remind Mi Yang.
There are not many talented people in the Han Dynasty, and only one can be retained.
After writing the letter, Zhuge Liang summoned people to quickly send the letter to Liangzhou.
Of course, Zhuge Liang wrote this letter not only for Deng Ai, but also with the intention of asking about the situation in Guanzhong.
After all, for the Han Dynasty, the Wei army in Guanzhong is the most dangerous enemy.
In late November of the second year of Emperor Zhangwu of the Han Dynasty, the Prime Minister of the Han Dynasty, Zhuge Liang, led more than 10,000 troops to travel southward by waterway day and night, and finally arrived in Bodao County a few days later.
On the same day that Zhuge Liang led his army from Nan'an, Liyi Colonel Deng Ai also led 3,000 elite troops back north.
Let’s not show the progress of Deng Ai’s army for the time being. Let’s just say that not long after Zhuge Liang led his army to enter Bodao, all the rebels in Nanzhong got the news.
The first to receive the news were, of course, the rebels of Sou Wang Gaoding who were entrenched in Yuexi County.
Currently, there are not only Gaoding's rebels in Yuexi County, but also Meng Huo's troops who have just arrived in Yuexi County to join forces with Gaoding.
The reason why Meng Huo quickly led his army northward from Yizhou County to Yueqi County was because after discussing with Yong Kai, he thought that after he and Gaoding had joined forces, he would immediately launch an attack on Bodao County to open the door.
The route of the rebels from South China to the north.
But what Gao Ding and Meng Huo didn't expect was that Zhuge Liang would lead the army to Bodao first.
This sudden situation caused the two huge heads of Gao Ding and Meng Huo to fall into a state of sluggishness.
Although these two people have big heads, they are really not very useful.
This chapter has been completed!