Chapter 262 Zhuge Liang expected his enemy to be ahead of him
In terms of strategy, Cao Cao euphemistically said that he had a longer-term view.
Give up the immediate opportunity to quickly unify the north in a short period of time and send troops south to curb Liu Bei's development.
But in fact this will also stifle its own development.
If he cannot take advantage of the fact that Yuan Shang, Yuan Xi, Gao Gan, and the three counties of Wuhuan are fully prepared to send troops immediately to capture Bingzhou and Youzhou, the longer it takes, the more disadvantageous it will be to him.
Because although Cao Cao is growing stronger, the remaining forces of the Yuan family that occupy Bingzhou and Youzhou will not stop.
Not to mention anything else, Tadun, the leader of the Wuhuan of the three counties, has at least tens of thousands of elite cavalry under his command. Together with the Wuhuan leaders of other tribes, the Wuhuan army has at least more than 100,000 troops.
If the remnants of the Yuan family are allowed to gather the old party, borrow Wuhuan troops, and add the Yuan family's original prestige in Jizhou, and go south again, there is no chance of taking Jizhou back.
Therefore, Cao Cao sent troops by force, killing a thousand enemies and damaging himself eight hundred.
Once Cao's army is dragged into the quagmire of war in the south, the north may fall again.
However, Cao Cao is not a fool and naturally understands this.
Therefore, in order to be able to send troops smoothly, he also made sufficient preparations.
First of all, the northern troops and horses cannot be mobilized.
This is the cornerstone.
As long as the troops and horses from the north are there, Jizhou will not be lost.
Then came the alliance with Sun Quan.
Sun Quan now also wants to take advantage of Jingzhou, and he doesn't mind being with Sun Quan as his partner.
In this way, at least someone will bear the loss with him.
The last thing is to choose the direction.
Although Nanyang is the foundation of Liu Bei, due to the civil strife in Jingzhou, only Wenpin's troops were left out of the original 50,000 to 60,000 garrison troops.
Currently, Liu Bei is still besieging Zhang Yun in Xiangyang, and Nanyang is empty. This is a good time for him to take advantage of the situation.
If he goes south to attack Nanyang at this time, and Liu Bei leads the army north to defend, then no one will attack Xiangyang, and Zhang Yun and Kuai Yue can cause trouble in the rear.
If Liu Bei ignores it and just wants to capture Jingzhou first, that's just right. They can take the Nanyang Basin in their hands and weaken Liu Bei's strength.
No matter what happened, even if Liu Bei was not prevented from seizing Jingzhou, Nanyang would not be able to capture it. He could at least withdraw his troops immediately to save his troops.
So all in all, according to Cao Cao's idea, at most he will delay some time to regain the two states of Bingyou in the next spring.
A few days later, Yanzhou Chendu.
Although the main force of Cao Cao's army is currently in Hebei, Cao Cao still deployed at least 60,000 troops and horses in the south.
They are mainly distributed in Yingchuan, Runan, Peiguo, Xuzhou and other places.
For example, Li Tong's tribe in Runan, Cao Hong's tribe in Yingchuan, Zang Ba's tribe in Xuzhou, etc., and the rest include Zhu Ling, Li Dian, Lu Zhao, Feng Kai and other tribes, totaling about 60,000 people.
Although the troops deployed along the southern route do not seem to be many, most of them are elite troops, so their strength is still very good.
Cao Cao brought only one or two thousand cavalry to the south this time. He entered Chendu and quickly took control of the situation. He then mobilized his troops and generals. He ordered Guo Jia to guard Chenliu and Zhao Yan, the prefect of Runan, to supervise the transportation of grain and grass in the rear. He personally led the army in five directions.
Wan, went straight to Nanyang.
At the same time, Sun Quan from Jiangdong had already exchanged letters with Cao Cao, and launched operations intensively. In early December, thousands of Jiangdong ships sailed up the Yangtze River and entered Jiangxia.
"Bang!"
Jingzhou Nanjun, Yicheng County Government Mansion.
In the twelfth lunar month of winter, the sharp north wind blows, and there are more than a hundred crowns and miles from Yicheng to Xiangyang, with tens of generations of wealthy families, dense forests and shadows of bamboos.
In the past few days, Liu Bei's army has been marching north. Zhang Yun has been defeated in a row and has retreated into Xiangyang. The surrounding counties and counties of Xiangyang have retreated, leaving only Xiangyang for Liu Cong's forces.
However, Xiangyang is surrounded by water, and the moat can be hundreds of meters wide, making it easy to defend but difficult to attack. Therefore, Liu Bei temporarily stationed his army in Yicheng, waiting for subsequent supplies of food and grass to arrive, before heading north to attack.
In this period of more than half a month, the Jingzhou aristocratic families, headed by the Ma family, Xi family, and Xiang family in Yicheng, all defected to Liu Bei. Everyone in the Liu Cong group lost hope, including Kuai Yue's nephew and Zhuge Liang's brother-in-law.
Kuai Qi also surrendered to Liu Bei on behalf of the Kuai family.
It can be said that most of the entire Jingzhou Group belongs to Liu Bei. Except for Kuai Yue and Zhang Yun who are still resisting, even Wenpin expressed his intention to surrender to Liu Qi because Liu Qi sent him a document.
However, under such a good situation, Liu Bei was in the county government residence at this time, slamming the official document in his hand on the desk, his expression not very good.
A letter was sent from Jiangxia just now. In the name of conquering Huang Zu and avenging his father, Sun Quan brazenly sent troops to Jiangxia. Even Liu Bei who was far away in Yicheng could hear what he was planning, so he was very unhappy.
.
"Sun Quan broke the covenant and sent troops to Jiangxia in the name of conquering Huang Zu and avenging his father. What do you think?"
Liu Bei looked around at the people below.
In addition to Zhuge Liang, Xu Shu, Mi Zhu, Sun Qian, Jian Yong and other counselors, there are now Ma Jun, Xiang Lang, Xi Zhen and others.
Recently, Liu Bei also plans to listen to the advice of Zhuge Liang and Xu Shu and visit Pang Tong again. If he can invite Fengxiao to come out, the top aristocratic families in Jingzhou will support him, and taking over Jingzhou will be smoother.
"As expected, it's not what Xiaoqing expected."
Xu Shu stroked his goat's beard and said: "But if I were Sun Quan, I wouldn't let this opportunity go. I'm afraid he had the idea to wait for us and Liu Cong to fight to the death, and then take advantage of it. But he didn't expect that Xiaoqing would have already
Already prepared.”
Liu Bei sighed and said: "Although Xiaoqing had an idea a long time ago, the Jiangxia Navy now has less than 30,000 people, while the Jiangdong Navy has strong soldiers and horses. I have been very worried about him."
Zhuge Liang chuckled and said: "My lord, don't worry. Since Xiaoqing chose to station troops in Baqiu against all opinions, he must have his intention. The most important thing now is not Jiangdong, but seizing the time to conquer Xiangyang as soon as possible."
, otherwise"
"Otherwise what?"
Liu Bei was puzzled.
Zhuge Liang looked north: "Otherwise Cao Cao might come."
Will Cao Cao come?
Everyone was a little frightened for a moment.
This time Shen Chen went his own way and chose to block the Jiangdong Navy at Baqiu in order to buy Liu Bei time.
Liu Bei goes north to eliminate Liu Cong as soon as possible, and he can immediately return to rescue Jiangxia.
Now that the war situation was decided, Sun Quan had nothing to do.
After Liu Bei stabilized Jingzhou, they could successfully implement the grand strategic policy of first south and then north, eliminate Sun Quan, Zhang Lu and Liu Zhang, occupy the south, and then move north to dominate the world.
But if Cao Cao comes at this juncture, I am afraid that the most important task of recovering Jingzhou will not be completed, and it will be very dangerous by then.
"good."
Xu Shu also said: "Sun Quan originally wanted to wait until we were both injured before taking advantage of the situation, but Cai Mao was defeated so quickly that he was caught off guard. Facing us and Mr. Qi alone, he was already beyond his capabilities, so he was very likely to
Write a letter to Cao Cao."
Liu Bei said in surprise: "I heard that Yuan Tan has driven away Yuan Shang and occupied Jizhou. Cao Cao went north to attack Yuan Tan. With Yuan's strength, he shouldn't be defeated so quickly. If he goes south at this time, isn't he going to attack Yuan Tan?
Get the great opportunity in Jizhou and give it up so that Yuan Tan can take a breather?"
Zhuge Liang smiled bitterly and said: "My lord, although the Yuan family is powerful, it is all composed of Yuan Benzhu. How can Yuan Tan, Yuan Shang and others be Cao Cao's opponents? I am afraid that Jizhou has been defeated by Cao Cao at this time."
"this"
Liu Bei hesitated for a moment. He had been with Yuan Shao and naturally knew the abilities of Yuan Tan, Yuan Shang and others. It was indeed as Zhuge Liang said. They were weak in strength, average in talent, and in internal fighting. Compared with Cao Cao, they were really different.
But the latest news he got was that this year Yuan Tan drove away Yuan Shang and occupied Jizhou himself. Although Cao Cao also obtained Wei County, if Yuan Tan could integrate the entire army of Jizhou, he should not be wiped out by Cao Cao so quickly.
, so they had never considered Cao Cao before.
"certainly."
Zhuge Liang added: "Liang just mentioned a possibility. If Cao Cao fails to defeat Yuan Tan and gain the entire Jizhou, he will not come over even if he is worried that his lord will gain Jingzhou, unless Cao Cao is so short-sighted that he completely ignores the north."
"Um."
Liu Bei nodded, looked at Mi Zhu and said, "Zizhong, how are you preparing the food and grass?"
Mi Zhu said: "Back to my lord, the grain and grass for March has been transported to Bian County. The next batch of grain and grass will arrive in Yicheng tomorrow. There are still twenty days of grain and grass in Yicheng. After the grain and grass arrive, the next batch will be in two months.
.”
"Goodness is enough."
Liu Bei said happily: "In that case, we will set off first tomorrow to surround Xiangyang."
"Report!"
At this moment, a soldier suddenly came in from outside and said: "There are people from Jizhou."
"oh?"
Liu Bei said: "Who is it?"
The soldier said: "It is said that he is under the command of Yuan Tan, the shepherd of Jizhou."
"Let people come in."
"only."
The soldier turned around and went out.
After a while, a middle-aged man with a sad face came in, raised his hand to Liu Bei and said, "General Zuo."
"Take care of the prefect!"
Liu Bei knew him as a confidant of Yuan Tan, his name was Guan Tong, and he was the governor of Donglai.
In his early years, Liu Bei was defeated by Cao Cao and ran to Qingzhou to join Yuan Tan. At that time, Yuan Tan brought this Guan Tong to greet him, and the two had some personal relations.
At this moment, we met again, but we didn't expect Guan Tong to come to Jingzhou.
Liu Bei was very surprised and said: "Guan Taishou, you were guarding the rear for Xiansi in Qingzhou, why did you come to Jingzhou?"
Guan Tong said sadly: "Cao Cao besieged Nanpi, and Yuan Shijun asked me to rush to Jingzhou to find the general for help. But on the way, I heard that Nanpi had been captured and Shijun was killed."
"What?"
Liu Bei said in astonishment: "Isn't that Jizhou?"
"yes."
Guan Tong sighed: "It has been obtained by Cao Cao."
Zhuge Liang narrowed his eyes: "Jizhou has been initially decided, Cao Cao may not go south. But this matter is uncertain. If Cao Cao is worried about the gains from the south and suddenly leads his army southward, he may lose the opportunity. The lord should immediately send people north to Ying.
Check out the news."
Liu Bei was surprised and said: "What does Kong Ming mean?"
"Cao Cao may go south at this time."
Zhuge Liang said in a deep voice.
Xu Shu opened his eyes wide and said: "Even if Cao Cao has the intention to go south, he has just conquered Jizhou at this time, and the annexation of Youzhou has not yet been settled, so he dares to send troops. Isn't it too eager?"
Liu Bei looked at Guan Tong and asked: "Guan Tong, along the way, did you find any signs of Cao Cao dispatching troops and generals?"
Guan Tong shook his head and said, "I've never seen this before."
Liu Bei sighed and said, "Guan Taishou has come all the way to the south. I wonder what his plans are?"
Guan Tong said: "I originally came to ask for help on Yuan Shijun's order, but the Shijun is dead and I have nowhere to go."
Liu Bei said: "In that case, why don't you come to my tent first, and later we will send our troops north to avenge Xiansi!"
"Thank you, General Zuo."
Guan Tong was overjoyed.
This time we came south to Jingzhou originally to ask for help, but Yuan Tan died on the way, so there was no way to ask for help. Now it would be great to join Liu Bei.
Liu Bei settled Guan Tong, sent someone to take him to rest, and then said to everyone: "Since Cao Cao has no signs of dispatching troops, he shouldn't be so eager to go south to attack Jingzhou."
Zhuge Liang insisted: "My lord, there is nothing wrong with being careful. Nanyang is empty now. If we are not careful, if we are attacked by Cao Cao, I am afraid Nanyang will be lost."
"Hmm"
Liu Bei thought for a while, nodded and said: "Okay, just follow the military advisor's words."
At that moment, he immediately sent people north to investigate.
In early December of the 13th year of Jian'an, Cao's army had already assembled and was officially preparing for action.
Cao Cao's move south was carried out in secret. He only brought one or two thousand cavalry and Xun You and Guo Jia to Chenliu.
Instead of mobilizing troops and horses on a large scale in the north, they used the troops, horses and food from the south to plan a surprise attack.
Because Cao Cao has been paying attention to the war in the south, he knows the current situation in Nanyang.
Due to the civil strife between Liu Qi and Liu Cong in Jingzhou, Cai Mao and Zhang Yun evacuated the Nanyang garrison, and only Wenpin was still besieging Huangmenting in Xinye.
As a result, Nanyang is now extremely empty, with almost no soldiers and horses in the important areas around Wancheng in the north.
Therefore, Cao Cao believed that the troops needed to be mobilized quickly at this time, so he suddenly gathered his troops and attacked Nanyang. At least he wanted to capture everything north of Wancheng, and then peeked at Xinye and other areas south of Nanyang.
In this way, he can extend his power to Nanyang and rely on the city and geographical location to deal with Liu Bei in Nanyang.
By then Liu Bei is still in Xiangyang and will be dragged down by Zhang Yun, and he will definitely suffer the disadvantage of being dumb.
Anyway, for Cao Cao, as long as he can get Nanyang in his hands, it doesn't matter if Jingzhou is given to Liu Bei?
So this is a conspiracy!
But what he thought of was what Zhuge Liang also thought of.
Although Cao Cao would miss the opportunity to regain Youzhou and Bingzhou.
But the problem is that once he succeeds, his benefits will be huge.
It reduced Liu Bei's development space and at the same time obtained the treasure land of Nanyang. Therefore, Zhuge Liang believed that it was possible to do this given Cao Cao's dangerous habit of using troops.
So a few days later, Liu Bei received news that shocked him - Cao Cao had really gathered an army, marched south to Yingchuan, and had already arrived at Kunyang.
At this time, Liu Bei was still besieging Xiangyang. After learning about this, he left Guan Yu with 20,000 men to guard Fancheng, Xu Shu with 10,000 men to guard Yicheng, and continued to besiege Xiangyang. He personally led 20,000 troops and joined Wenpin Gan Ning.
As well as Huangmenting's soldiers and horses, they went north to meet Cao Cao.
at the same time.
On the Yangtze River in the south, countless ships were moving towards Baqiu.
I fell asleep yesterday and slept until noon today. This disease is really troublesome. I still have fever and dizziness every day. My current symptoms are tinnitus in my right ear, dizziness, cough, low fever, and general weakness. I hope I can recover as soon as possible. Everyone also wants to
Take care of yourself, my father’s friend’s son, 26 years old, is dead.