Dian Man was puzzled. Jincheng was the key to the northwest and was stockpiling the subsequent food and grass supplies of the Ganning army. It must not be easily lost. If Guo Jia expected that Jincheng would be attacked in a sneak attack, why did he still act in such a defensive posture?
Fei Shi said as he walked: "If Han Sui attacked Jincheng, he simply wanted the Grand Commander's troops to withdraw his troops inadequate food and grass. The Grand Commander's food and grass needed for the Western Expedition was not stored in Jincheng, but in Xiping County."
Dianman suddenly realized.
Taiping soldiers were numerous, and Han Sui had no room for counterattack from a strategic level. If the Gansui army was full of food and supplies, even if Han Sui occupied Jincheng, he would only be slowly wiped out.
The surprise attack on Jincheng was not because of Jincheng's strategic location, but because Han Sui and his subordinate Cheng Gongying inferred that the subsequent grain and grass of Ganning's western expedition were hoarded in Jincheng. As long as he was unable to maintain food and grass, the army would naturally defeat him without attacking.
In the Battle of Guandu, Yuan Shao was defeated because of the burning of food and grass. How could Guo Jia repeat the same mistake?
In such a conspicuous place in Jincheng, would Guo Jia be honestly storing the grain and grass here?
Fei Shi said calmly: "Before leaving, the lord told me that if Han Sui really wanted to attack Jincheng, Jincheng would be a bait to hold Han Sui's main force. Jincheng had many soldiers, Han Sui would turn around and withdraw his troops. Jincheng had few soldiers, so Han Sui would rush to attack Jincheng. Don't underestimate these 7,000 defenders. The people of Jincheng hated Han Sui to the core. At that time, the people would be encouraged to defend the city together. As long as Jincheng held on for ten days, Han Sui would not even have a way out, because at that time, Wuwei would have been conquered by the Grand Commander. As for food and grass, they would be hoarded in several inconspicuous county towns in Xiping County. It would be enough to have hundreds of people guarded each."
"What? Hundreds of people?"
Dian Man was dumbfounded.
Food and grass are the lifeblood of the army!
There are only hundreds of people guarding it, which is simply a life-threatening approach.
Facing Dian Man's shocked expression, Fei Shi smiled faintly and said, "If it is empty, it is real, it is empty, it is virtual. If it is virtual and real, it is the way of military strategy. Yuan Shao's hundreds of thousands of troops were burned in Wuchao, causing the entire army to be defeated. The cunning rabbit was three holes, and the lord dispersed the food and grass in four counties in Xiping County. If the Taiping Army could not think of it, how could Han Sui think of it? Even if he knew, as long as the food and grass in the four counties were not plundered and burned at the same time, our army would either withdraw or go to rescue. There would be room for reversal."
Dian Man looked solemn and said in a deep voice: "It is amazing that the lord is strategizing. If we act like this, our army's attack and retreat are invincible."
Use troops with caution and caution. The most taboo adventure means the risk of failure. If the troops are equal or the weak is against the strong, Guo Jia will take risks, such as fighting the coalition forces of Cao Cao and Yuan Shao in Guanzhong, but fighting an enemy like Han Sui who obviously has an absolute advantage. Guo Jia is unwilling to take risks. After making arrangements in all aspects, as long as there is no problem with the frontal battlefield, the victory will be easily captured.
Han Sui's only chance of victory was to attack Jincheng in the early stages of the war. Guo Jia made preparations, but the northwest territory was vast, and Guo Jia did not have the magic trick to accurately understand where Han Sui's main force was stationed. Meng Da led his army to subdue Zu Li. He was a surprise attack and had an insight into Han Sui's plan one step ahead of time. The casualties were obviously more Taiping Army. However, judging from the overall attack strategy of the northwest, Han Sui had already pushed Han Sui to the point of defeat. This war lost its suspense early.
Fei Shi had nothing to worry about, Dian Man also felt relieved, but after taking two steps, Fei Shi suddenly turned around and asked, "If I remember correctly, Mr. Ye is your subordinate, right?"
When I mention this poem, I feel full of anger and sadness.
If you really have to count down one level after another, Guo Ye is Xu Yi's subordinate, and Dian Man is their immediate superior.
Seeing Dian Man nodding, Fei Shi showed solemnity and frowns together and asked, "What about others?"
Among the people who followed Dian Man back to the city, Fei Shi did not find Guo Ye.
Dian Man said with a grim voice: "He stayed on the battlefield outside Zuli City, and he didn't know his life or death."
Fei Shi closed his eyes and raised his head, and the infantry was at a clear disadvantage against the cavalry. It had been a night since the war outside Zuli City had already settled. Guo Yeruo lived, either escaped or was captured, and Guo Yeruo died, his body was cold.
It will definitely be too late to rescue it.
However, Fei Shi must inform Chang'an of this matter and Guo Jia.
Gan Ning, who led his army west, fought steadily and steadily, without suffering fierce resistance along the way. Only some Qiang and Hu people turned into clowns and made waves without knowing what was going on, and were all ruthlessly suppressed by Gan Ning. On the way to Wuwei, the last stop was to rest in Cangsong City.
It was already night, and Gan Ning led his army to station outside the city, preparing to go to bed and rest when the guard suddenly came from outside the tent.
"Report to the Grand Governor, General Meng entered the camp to ask for a visit."
Gan Ning, who had just taken off his armor, directly lifted the curtain of the big tent and walked out.
Gan Ning was in a hurry and his face was as deep as water. He just calculated the days and had an ominous premonition in his heart.
Meng Da went to surrender Zu Li, and even if he had no resistance, he would not be able to meet with him so soon. The only possibility was that there was a change in the rear.
Wu Yi was stationed outside the city with Gan Ning. After he got the news, he hurriedly got up and rushed over.
Meng Da ran to death after three days of sleeplessness and ran away to Cangsong before he rushed from Zu Li to catch up with Gan Ning. When Gan Ning and Wu Yi saw Meng Da, they all showed shocked expressions.
He was listless, his eyes were covered with blood, his face was pale, and even the muscles on his face would twitch sometimes.
Meng Da didn't care about his thoughts, and when Gan Ning walked up to him, he spoke: "Grandmaster, the main forces of the Western Liang army are all in Zuli. I led the army to meet me just in time. Please make a decision early."
Gan Ning held the shaky Meng Da, raised his head and shouted, "Come on, help General Meng to rest in the tent."
After Meng Da sent the information, he felt relieved and was helped by the soldiers into the tent and fell asleep after falling into dizziness.
Gan Ning and Wu Yi rode on a fast horse and entered the city directly, calling Ma Chao and Zhang Liao to discuss the matter.
The news about Han Sui's main force in Zu Li surprised both Zhang Liao and Ma Chao.
If they knew this information at the beginning of the war, they would definitely have divided the troops into two groups, Zu Li trapped the other side and attacked Wuwei.
But now everything is futile, and how to deal with the current situation is the top priority.
"Wuwei is empty. This is a great time to wipe out Han Sui in one fell swoop."
Ma Chao's words were filled with hatred. He didn't think about anything else, he just wanted to kill his enemies as soon as possible.
Gan Ning was also struggling fiercely while sitting in the main seat. His troops brought the food and grass needed for half a month. Five days have passed since the war. Wuwei is near and can be broken in one fell swoop in less than three days. The key question is whether the food and grass in the rear can be transported within seven days.
Zhang Liao suddenly took out a secret bag from his arms and handed it to Gan Ning and said, "This is what the lord gave me before going to war. The lord said that if there is any change in Jincheng, you can open the secret bag, which has its own marching plan."
Gan Ning didn't ask much, and then took the tip and opened it. The swaying expression swept away, and he said firmly: "Tomorrow, we will attack Wuwei."
"What is it written in this lord's tip?"
Zhang Liao was a little curious. Why did he insist on moving forward even though he knew that there might be something wrong with the defense?
Gan Ning handed the cloth strips in the brocade bag to Zhang Liao. Zhang Liao looked down and closed his eyes and sighed: "The lord asked the enemy to go first. Go to Wuwei first, and surround the enemy troops in the rear. Haha, it turns out that Jincheng is a bait. The food and grass will definitely be delivered within five days, so we don't need to worry."
Since fighting Wuwei is already considered Guo Jia's military order, Gan Ning will naturally not do it anymore. It will be easy for him to defeat Wuwei first, and then turn around and wipe out Han Sui's main force.
Just as the marching plan was concluded, Wu Yi suddenly raised his head and looked at Gan Ning and asked, "Grandmaster, don't you send troops to Zu Li?"
Gan Ning was silent, Zhang Liao and Ma Chao were also silent.
Meng Da's army was defeated in Zuli. No one knew what the battle was, whether the entire army was wiped out or was fighting to the death.
Although 99% of the people know that those who do not surrender will inevitably have died in battle, and the battlefield in that area is vast. There is no danger to defend and no mountains and forests to escape. Three days have passed, and the possibility of soldiers living is very low.
Among them, there is one person that neither the chief generals in the army can ignore: Guo Ye.
Gan Ning shook his head slightly and said, "Let's talk about it after conquering Wuwei."
When he got up and was about to leave, he did not expect that Wu Yi, who had always respected him, suddenly became furious.
"Grandmaster! Do you want to ignore the safety of your lord's eldest son? If his life is hanging on the line at this moment, if he can turn the danger into safety if the lord's army is sending troops to rescue him, or if the enemy captured Mr. Ye alive to threaten his lord, wouldn't the lord consider these things?"
The three people in the hall looked at Wu Yi in surprise. Ma Chao felt that Wu Yi was ignorant of Gan Ning in such a tone. Zhang Liao and Gan Ning both frowned slightly. Wu Yi, who has always been taciturn and pragmatic in the army, has an attitude today that he and the other two have never seen before.
Gan Ning's face darkened and scolded Wu Yi: "Wu Yi, attacking Wu Wei is the lord's military order. Do you want to disobey?"
Wu Yi said tit-for-tat: "The general is not subject to military orders abroad. The general dares not have any objections to the lord's military orders, but the general must consider the safety of Mr. Ye, and at least send a team of troops to investigate the battle situation of Zu Liwai."
"Bastard! I sent troops to Zu Li. The few I went to die. If I went too many, I missed the opportunity to capture Wuwei. Don't talk nonsense anymore, get out of here!"
Gan Ning has never seen such a presumptuous person in front of him for many years, and today Wu Yi is challenging his authority. Moreover, this expedition was Guo Jia's choice of him as the head coach, and even Zhang Liao could not point fingers at his decision.
Wu Yi met Gan Ning with a cold face and snorted coldly: "Young Master Ruoye cannot return safely, I see how you can explain to the Lord!"
"Come on! Blast Wu Yi out for me."
Zhang Liao came forward at the right time to ask the guards outside the door to pull Wu Yi out of the tent, so as not to have a fight with Wu Yi to the point where he could not control it.
Zhang Liao was puzzled. According to Wu Yi's past style, he would never say that kind of thing at this moment, but he did so.
After Ma Chao and Zhang Liao left, Gan Ning sat in the coach's position, clenched his fists.
Fighting fiercely inside.
Outside Zuli City, not only is there Guo Ye, but also Gangui!
Take out a secret bag from your arms, and Gan Ning looked at the secret bag and was confused.
"Lord, what is the point of asking me to suppress Wu Yi in the army?"
Wu Yi, who rushed back to his tent in the eyes of outsiders, quickly calmed down. With the faint candlelight, he also took out a treasure bag from his arms, and Wu Yi smiled bitterly.
Chapter completed!