At the end of October, An Ding's ranger scouts captured Xizuo near Qixian County and learned about Liu Bei's latest moves.
Cao Zhen faced an almost all-star lineup from Liu Bei. He was led by the nose to move around Yongliang in a few months. Not only did he lose Guanzhong but also Tianshui County. In a few months, his beard turned white with worry. He originally hoped that Cao Pi could send troops to Tongguan.
But the tense situation around Chang'an only lasted less than half a year.
Liu Bei also sent troops to Longyou and Tianshui, indicating that the information from Xi Zuo's mouth was highly credible. Soochow was destroyed by Jiaozhou Lantian in March, and was already stationed in Ruxu. Cao Pi had no choice but to transfer soldiers from Huainan to the Central Plains area.
He was transferred back, so the research on Tongguanjia came to nothing.
Cao Zhen sent a ranger to Guanzhong to verify the intelligence, and it turned out that there was indeed a large army mobilization around Chang'an. After receiving the news, he hurriedly summoned his generals to discuss countermeasures.
After several months of waiting and testing, the stable Wei general's confidence was repeatedly frustrated. Success in retaking Chang'an became increasingly slim. The supply line was completely cut off, and the clothes, quilts and food from the Central Plains were gone.
After years of war, the population of Anding County dropped from 300,000 to 160,000. The people Zhang Ji had forcibly moved from Wudu were basically absorbed by Tianshui County and Guanzhong, and now they have become Liu Bei's subjects again.
During the Three Kingdoms period, an average of fifteen to thirty people supported one soldier, so Anding's current population could only support ten thousand people. In addition to squeezing the people as much as possible, Cao Zhen's troops stationed here also had to recruit troops from Beidi County to the east of Anding, as well as from the more populated areas.
Wuwei mobilized supplies, but even so, they could only cope with it. Cao Zhen also asked the soldiers to take the lead in frugal food and clothing, and the hard days continued day by day without end.
After listening to Cao Zhen's military intelligence report, the soldiers under the tent collectively lowered their heads, muttering in their hearts that they were still coming, but they didn't expect it to come so quickly.
Guo Huai, the chief historian of Cao Zhen, was quite senior. When he saw that everyone was dejected and silent, he took the lead in encouraging the generals: "Liu Bei has Pang Tong and Fazheng beside him. These two are men of profound strategy. The generals should not be frightened by rumors."
, maybe they were deliberately using a trick. If Zhang Fei really wanted to attack Longyou, he should have kept it a secret in the army. Why did even the little scout know about it? This is not in line with common sense at all. It is also said that Soochow was destroyed by Jiaozhou Mu Lantian?
I absolutely don’t believe it.”
"The art of war is false but true. I think this military information is true. Longyou and Anding are separated by Tianshui and Longshan. What can we do even if we know it? If Zhang Governor really died of illness, how could Zhang Fei and Ma Chao let go of the opportunity?
?" Zhang He gave a different opinion.
"Jun Yi's analysis is not unreasonable. He said it was Pang Tong and Fa Zheng's plan, but Lantian defeated Soochow. How can he say that the former emperor's army was not captured, so the country could be destroyed by an unknown person from Jiaozhou?" Guo Huai
I have been in Yongliang all year round, so I know very little about the situation in Lantian.
Before Zhang He could answer, the white-haired Cao Zhen stretched out his hand to stop him and said: "Before the death of the late emperor, he praised Lan Ziyu highly, saying that his strategy was not that of Pang Tong and under the rule of law, and that Lu Bu's victorious trap camp was also expanded by him.
The 10,000-strong army is indeed no ordinary person."
"Isn't it the heavy infantry that trapped the camp? Lantian defeated Sun Quan's navy with infantry? It's incredible to say that. The final general agrees with Guo's inference that Lantian's victory over Wu should be Pang Tong. The false news released by Fazheng is false and true, confusing and disrupting the morale of our army.
." Hu Zun said, clasping his fists.
"It cannot be said that it is impossible. Why did the defenders of Tongguan shrink their defense line? If there is no major event in the direction of Huainan, His Majesty will never ignore the pass. Liu Bei has ascended the throne and proclaimed himself emperor. He is no longer a man who weaved mats and sold shoes. We must not take it lightly. "Zhang He has a cautious character and always likes to think of the worst.
"Perhaps Sun Quan did something in Huainan." Hu Zun muttered.
Cao Zhen looked at Zhang He and nodded, "Jun Yi is right. Liu Bei is now so powerful that he can suppress our Wei State head-on. Whether Lantian destroyed Soochow or Sun Quan attacked Hefei again, your Majesty has no reinforcements." We need to help each other, and we have to think about how to defeat the enemy."
Zhang He clasped his fists and offered his advice: "Liu Bei's troops are in high morale. The general advises not to fight head-on. They don't have many troops fighting on two fronts. There are high mountains on both sides of the Jingshui River. We can use the valley terrain to hold on. We have the city behind us. Advantage, the enemy's army is starved of food and forced to retreat naturally. When the time comes, the general will pursue a great victory. Wei Yan is transferred to Chengdu to quell the rebellion. The only one Liu Bei can use is Huang Zhong, right?"
"And Zhao Yun." Cao Zhen frowned.
"Zhao Yun?" Zhang He was surprised, and then asked quickly: "Isn't this person guarding Huayin and responsible for resisting Zhu Wenbo (Zhu Ling)?"
Cao Zhen looked bitter: "Your Majesty has taken away the troops and horses to attack Guanzhong. Liu Bei naturally has no need to put the generals aside. Although Zhao Yun and Huang Zhong only have 20,000 people, don't forget our own disadvantages. Winter is coming. Without follow-up supplies, defending the city is tantamount to waiting for death."
"General, please make plans in advance. If Zhang Governor really dies, Zhang Fei and Ma Chao can drive north along Longyou Road. No one can stop Jincheng and Wuwei. They must send people back to defend Wuwei as soon as possible." Zhang He reminded hurriedly.
Cao Zhen nodded in affirmation, "The main force of Yongliang was gathered in Anding to cooperate with the reinforcements from the Central Plains to seize the pass. But now the situation seems to have changed, and certain adjustments must be made. I decided to divide 10,000 troops back to defend Wuwei and transport long distances in winter. The food conditions are difficult, and the supplies from Wuwei and Beidi are not enough, so we have to find ways to collect food from Zhangye and Jiuquan."
"The last general is willing to take on this important task." Zhang He was the first to jump out and ask for help. Instead of starving and dying on the front line, it would be easier to sneak away to supervise grain and defend the city.
Zhang He reacted so quickly that the other generals under his command were caught off guard. He thought that such a good job was being snatched away. However, the other general's official position was second only to Cao Zhen, so they did not dare to stand up and compete.
Zhang He also figured that he was faster and no one else would compete with him. The pride in his heart almost showed on his face, but Cao Zhen ruthlessly rejected him.
"Jun Yi took the initiative to share the worries, which moved me very much, but Zhao Yun and Huang Zhong are both great generals. Without General Zhang here, the morale of our army will collapse quickly." After Cao Zhen finished speaking, he looked at the others, and finally his eyes fell on Guo Huai's face said, "Bo Ji, it's up to you to lead the troops back to guard and supervise the grain supply."
"General, take your orders." Guo Huai stood up and took the military order.
Then Cao Zhen pointed to the map and said: "Zhao Yun and Huang Zhong will gather in Qixian, and will eventually go north along the Jing River. The most important place right now is the Jing River, where mud and water meet in the valley. If we cannot hold it here, then Beidi County's supplies will be lost." No more, General Junyi."
"The end is here." Zhang He clasped his fists.
"I will immediately rush to the stronghold five miles south of Jingni Valley with you and ten thousand troops. We must block Zhao Yun and Huang Zhong's first fierce attack, otherwise Anding County will be in danger." Cao Zhen looked solemn.
"Wei." Although Zhang He responded forcefully, he couldn't help but secretly complain in his heart.
Which one is better, Huang Zhong or Zhao Yun? How could I, Zhang He, have such a miserable life?
Chapter completed!