August of the 24th year of Jian'an was a painful time for Sun Quan.
They sent troops to sneak attack Jingzhou in June and gained most of Jingzhou's territory in the blink of an eye. However, in just two months, the situation took a turn for the worse.
Lu Meng and Sun Jiao died in battle one after another, and a large number of Jiangdong soldiers were either killed or captured, resulting in heavy losses.
This battle almost consumed more than 80% of Jiangdong's national strength.
In addition to the loss of soldiers and horses, the heavy burden of corvee work and the rebellion in the rear were also destroying the Sun family's regime, causing people in Jiangdong to turn away from him, and the people of the family abandoned him.
On November 6, Sun Quan did not dare to stop after escaping to Chaisang. He hurriedly transferred to a speedboat and went straight to Ruxukou.
Because Chai Sang no longer had many troops to defend, and Jiangxia Navy would definitely take a boat south to continue the pursuit. Chai Sang would definitely not be able to defend, so he could only escape all the way to a place where he still had some troops.
At the same time, the Jiangxia navy did pursue them all the way, but they did not go as far as Ruxukou. Instead, they went along the river to Wankou, and then went north from the Wan River to Wan County.
Su Fei and Chen Sheng, two unlucky guys, were sent to rescue "ally" Sun Quan by Huang She who didn't know the truth in June, and they are still trapped in the city.
Fortunately, they had prepared sufficient supplies before setting off, and Sun Quan and Cao Cao had placed their main forces in Nanyang. Only a small number of Sun Quan's and Cao's troops were besieging Wankou. Because there was a city defense, there was nothing to worry about.
Now that Jingzhou was recovered and pacified, Shen Chen wanted to stabilize the situation first and rest for a while before attacking Wu, so he first sent Huang She to lead the Jiangxia Navy to bring them back.
Wait until next spring, you can officially go down the river and go straight to the east of the river.
However, even though the Jiangxia Navy had no intention of attacking Wu now, when he heard that the Jiangxia Navy had picked up Su Fei and Chen Sheng in Wan County, and that tens of thousands of troops were in the Songyang area, Sun Quan was still frightened.
He fled in panic and ran back to Jianye.
In mid-November, after hiding in Jianye for several days, Sun Quan was in panic in his mansion every day. He felt relieved until he heard that the Jiangxia navy withdrew to Xiling and returned to Xunyang without capturing Chaisang.
One breath.
But what followed was that, in addition to the pressure from the Jiangxia navy currently stationed in Xunyang, there were also countless internal pressures. News of rebellions from all sides were gathered to him, making Sun Quan almost breathless.
In the Wuhou Mansion, Sun Quan, who was only thirty-eight years old this year, was sitting on the porch. His face was very old at this time, and his temples were slightly gray, as if he had aged ten years overnight.
Zhang Zhao, Zhuge Jin, Gu Yong, Kan Ze, Sun Shao, Yan Zhen, Lu Xun, Shi Yi, Lu Ji and others were also sitting aside. Everyone was in a low mood and looked sad.
In this battle, not only did Jiangdong lose all its young men, comparable to the Zhao State in the Battle of Changping, but they also lost many outstanding generals.
Lu Meng, Sun Jiao, Sun Huan, Cheng Pu, Song Qian, Quan Zong, Zhu Cai were killed, Xu Sheng, Ding Feng, and Jiang Qin were captured. Only a few people such as Pan Zhang, Zhu Ran, Zhu Huan, and Lu Fan escaped.
When we came back, the army was even worse than one out of ten.
Now in the entire Jiangdong, every family is suffering from the pain of zombies, and every room is crying and mourning. Some people are dying with their doors closed, or others are losing their families and mourning. Compared with the plague passing through the country, it is worse but not worse.
Outside the residence of Marquis Wu, many people gathered. People from Jiangdong and Guizhou cried and howled outside the door and asked, "Where is my son?"
The sound of mourning shook the whole city.
After a long silence, Sun Quan said in a hoarse voice: "What should I do?"
Zhang Zhao sighed and said: "Wuhou should immediately write to Cao Cao and ask for surrender."
"Are you joining Cao Cao?"
Sun Quan was silent for a moment, and when he saw everyone nodding slightly, he sighed: "I know what to do."
Zhang Zhao added: "Although Liu Bei has won now, it is also a tragic victory. For example, in the battle of Changping, Qin won, and it was also very difficult. It is said that the people in Jingyi, Bashu, are in dire straits and civil strife continues. At this time, Wu Hou should
Appease the people, stick to Ruxukou externally, wait for recovery, and do not use weapons rashly for at least ten years."
"well"
Sun Quan lamented: "But now the Shanyue rebellion continues, and even Wujun and Danyang in the rear have launched revolts. Is God going to destroy me?"
Zhang Zhao then said: "No need to worry, Marquis Wu. The rebellion of the county people is just a minor matter and can be pacified. There is no need to pay attention to the Shanyue side. Our people have all evacuated to the south of Yishan. We only need to guard some passes. The Shanyue people can climb over."
Can't afford any trouble."
"That's all."
Sun Quan agreed to do anything. He actually knew that all of this was in the interests of the Jiangdong family, so he could only let Zhang Zhao decide.
The Jiangdong family is dissatisfied with the Liu Bei Group's policy of suppressing the family and seizing the family's land and population, so they will never choose to move closer to the Liu Bei Group.
Even if there are a few rebels among them, there is absolutely no class that betrays the class.
Therefore, most of the Jiangdong aristocratic families tended to have Sun Quan surrender to Cao Cao.
In this way, they can continue to enjoy the privileges of the aristocratic family, and do not have to worry that the court will deprive them of their population, land and political status.
Zhang Zhao is the main representative of the Jiangdong family under Sun Quan. Although he is not from the Jiangdong family, he has the same interests.
Therefore, surrendering to Cao Cao, dealing with civil unrest, and recuperating are all in line with their interests.
Only by stabilizing the interior, recuperating and developing, can they reorganize their troops to resist the attack of Liu Bei's group, and at the same time welcome the arrival of the king's division from Cao Wei's group.
At that time, Sun Quan followed Zhang Zhao's suggestion and gathered the remaining 40,000 troops and horses in Jiangdong at Ruxukou, and ordered He Qi and Lu Fan to lead thousands of people back to Danyang Wu County to deal with the problem of civil unrest in the rear.
September and October are also months full of sadness for Cao Cao.
First, Yu Jin was captured, then Guo Jia died of illness, and then Xiahou Dun was beheaded. If we include Cao Hong who lost in June, Cao Cao has lost too many veteran generals and advisers he relied on this year.
In November, Cao Cao left Zhong Yao and Xia Houyuan behind and returned to Guandong. He ordered the Chen capital to be moved to the north again and retreated to Chaoge County in the ancient Shang Dynasty, north of the Yellow River.
But at this time, the entire Cao Wei Group was already experiencing turmoil and turmoil. People in the world who cherished the Han Dynasty thought that the revival of the Han Dynasty was in sight. Revolts, rebellions, and invasions continued, and many people from aristocratic families in various places rose up in rebellion.
Fortunately, Cao Cao killed a large number of Han Dynasty veterans on several occasions. The last time was during the Jiping Rebellion last year. He used the excuse of "Those who do not put out the fire are not helping the rebellion, and putting out the fire is the real traitor."
They killed them all, and the rest were basically Wei officials.
Therefore, although the world in the north is in turmoil, the main source of turmoil lies in some local families loyal to the Han Dynasty and the common people who cannot live to rebel. Those who have rebelled against the Han and defected to the Wei know the consequences of rebellion, so they continue to follow a dark path. As a loyal minister of Cao Wei, he helped Cao Cao put down rebellions in various places.
Moreover, even the aristocratic families loyal to the Han Dynasty were very few. Under Cao Cao's years of management, the entire north was filled with Wei ministers. The Cao Wei Group had effectively controlled the court and the local area. Liu Xie, the emperor, was almost dispensable. There is no need to use him to win people's hearts.
However, when both fronts failed, internal disputes within the Cao Wei Group continued. Cao Cao dragged his sick body back to Yecheng to put out the fire and stabilize people's hearts.
Although the current situation is not very good for Cao Cao, it has not yet reached the point of complete collapse. There are only fires in many places in the backyard, and he has to worry about Shen Chen's military strength in the southern battlefield, so he has to do this.
At this moment, at the residence of the King of Wei in Yecheng, Cao Cao's face turned sallow. He had lost more than ten kilograms in just one month, and was as tall as a dead tree. He was no longer as full of vitality as before.
In the hall, Cao Pi carefully knelt down and sat aside. Fang Yu, Chen Qun, Dong Zhao, Sima Yi, Jiang Ji, Liu Ye, Hua Xin, Mao Jie, Cui Yan, Chang Lin, Xu Yi, He Kui, Zhang Ji, and Du Ji, Du Xi, Wei Qian and other officials of Cao Wei sat down one after another.
They all accepted official positions in Wei, not Han, so they were fed Wei Lu instead of Han Lu. They all sat upright, raised their heads and looked at Cao Cao above, waiting for Cao Cao to give orders.
Now the Cao Wei Group is not feeling well. It seems that Shen Chen just captured and beheaded Xiahou, causing Cao Cao to lose only more than 60,000 people, but not counting other losses.
For example, Zhao Yan's troops were abandoned by them, and more than 10,000 people were trapped in Xiangyang. They were eventually besieged by Shen Chen. Zhao Yan was killed by his generals, and all Cao's troops in the city surrendered to Shen Chen. Zhao Yan and more than 10,000 troops were lost here.
Also, Cao Hong was submerged in the water before, killing more than 30,000 people and killing general Cao Hong.
In the battle of Huxian, Cao's army also lost nearly 40,000 people.
All added up, from the beginning to the end of this year, Cao Wei Group has lost nearly 150,000 troops. The senior generals include Xiahou Dun, Cao Hong, Yu Jin, counselors Guo Jia and Zhao Yan, and countless other generals. Cao Wei Group also It's gloomy and gloomy.
Now Cao Cao only felt a headache. He was in a state of being groggy and feeling like he was going to die. He also had a splitting headache. Every time he was groggy, he would feel severe pain. He couldn't die even if he wanted to. It was simply a life worse than death. die.
He put his hands on the table, closed his eyes, and kept rubbing his forehead. He had already taken the medicine, but it didn't work. The hall was silent, full of depression and death.
After a long time, Cao Cao coughed violently a few times and spit out a mouthful of blood-streaked phlegm into the basin next to him. Then he raised his head and glanced at the ministers below with slightly cloudy eyes. The ministers below all lowered their heads for fear of him. He will suddenly become angry and want to kill so and so.
"What's going on with the civil unrest?"
To everyone's surprise, Cao Cao did not get angry, but asked.
Cao Pi replied tremblingly: "It has calmed down. Zheng Hun, Gao Qian, Shi Jian and others have reported it and will return to Yecheng soon."
"Um."
Cao Cao looked around at the crowd and said: "A little civil unrest is nothing to worry about. Only Liu Bei is in serious trouble. However, although he won a new victory, it was also a disastrous victory. Not only did he lose troops and generals, but the foundation of the rear is unstable. It is unlikely that he will invade northward. The princes are still Just relax.”
"King Shengming of Wei."
Everyone shouted and held their hands in unison, like insects responding to the call.
Of course they knew that Cao Cao was trying to calm people's hearts, but Cao Cao was actually right.
Although Liu Bei's group killed, wounded and captured more than 200,000 Sun and Cao's coalition forces on both fronts in Guanzhong and Jingzhou, they killed 10,000 enemies and suffered at least 4,000 self-losses.
Shen Chen's army in Nanyang also suffered a lot of battle losses. The 200,000-strong army now only has 167,000 or 70,000 left. Liu Bei was victorious in Guanzhong, but he had been defeated repeatedly in Liangzhou before, and also lost a lot of troops. .
The battle loss ratio between the two sides may be that Liu Bei's group lost 60,000 to 70,000 people, Cao Cao's group lost 150,000, and Sun Quan's group lost 130,000.
Because Sun Quan actually sent about 150,000 troops, and more than 20,000 troops from the Jingnan family participated. In addition, after the incident, 10,000 to 20,000 defeated soldiers who were scattered fled back to Jiangdong, so Sun Quan's losses were a little less than Cao Cao.
But that’s not how the account is calculated.
Sun Quan's national military strength was probably only about 200,000, which was reduced by 130,000. His headquarters was almost completely lost, and most of the remaining troops were Jiangdong gentry tribes. It can be said that Sun Quan was about to become a polished commander.
The war potential of the Cao Wei Group can reach 400,000. There are many county soldiers in various places, and there are still tens of thousands of troops heading north. Therefore, even if the loss of 150,000 can only be said to be a serious loss of vitality, unlike Sun Quan, who was completely drained. There is no fighting ability anymore.
Therefore, the current Cao Wei Group is a little miserable, but it is still much stronger than Sun Quan. And now Cao Cao has mobilized northern troops and horses to the south. As long as they survive next year, there is still no need to worry about the risk of the north being invaded.
After Cao Cao calmed his mind, he continued: "I heard that Xianbei and Wuhuan in the north rebelled again. How did Yan Rou and Tian Yu handle it?"
Cao Pi replied: "It has been repulsed."
"Um."
Cao Cao said in a deep voice: "If Liu Bei doesn't die, I will feel uneasy. Now Xiliang is his. In a few years, Guanzhong may also be lost. If Zhong Yao moves Zuo Fengyi's people to Hedong, where is Du Ji?" "
Shangshu Du Ji came out and said: "I am here."
"You have served as the governor of Hedong for many years. This time you will continue to return to Hedong to manage people's livelihood, stabilize the rear, and provide food and grass for Chang'an."
"only."
"Where is Wei's covet?"
"I'm here."
"You go to Guanzhong and assist the Prime Minister."
"only."
"Where is Du Xi?"
"I'm here."
"You are Jing Zhaoyin, responsible for people's livelihood and the transportation of grain and grass to the east of the river."
"only."
"Where is Zhang Ji?"
．
Cao Cao appointed several people to Guanzhong at one go.
He planned to abandon parts of Fufeng on the right and Fengyi on the left west of Guanzhong, use Chang'an as the defensive frontline, and Hedong as the rear grain and grass base to resist Liu Bei's army in Nanyang and Hanzhong.
In this way, because the tens of thousands square kilometers of Youfufeng area have long been deserted, Liu Bei Group and Cao Wei Group have a no-man's land similar to the Huainan area. If Liu Bei wants to attack Chang'an, he has to travel hundreds of kilometers from Hanzhong. Arrive at Chang'an City.
The same is true in the direction of Wuguan. Although there are no obstacles along the way, because there are no people, food cannot be obtained locally, and food must be transported from the rear. This makes the logistics pressure for Liu Bei's group to attack Guanzhong extremely huge, making it difficult to break through Chang'an.
In this way, he could deploy only a few troops and horses in Chang'an to resist the attack of Liu Bei's group. The main defensive direction was placed in Henan, thus reducing the national power consumption and bloated troops of Cao Wei Group.
After arranging a series of appointments, mobilizing troops and horses, and internal affairs at the rear, Cao Cao felt a little tired and said: "That's it for today. You can go about your business."
"only."
Everyone was ordered to retreat.
When Cao Cao saw everyone leaving, and only Cao Pi was left in the hall, he felt a tightness in his chest and coughed violently, causing blood to flow from the corners of his mouth.
"Father."
Cao Pi was shocked and quickly stepped forward and said: "Father."
"It doesn't matter."
Cao Cao waved his hand, glanced at Cao Pi and said, "I probably won't live long. I will give this country to you. Don't let your father down."
Cao Pi knelt on the ground and said in a deep voice: "Father, don't worry, I will never let Liu Bei take advantage of the country of Wei."
"Um."
Cao Cao nodded.
At this time, Xu Chu came in from outside and said: "Report, King Wei, Sun Quan has sent a letter saying that he is willing to surrender."
"hehe."
Cao Cao smiled, turned to look at Cao Pi and said: "Sun Quan has lost all his elite in this battle. Jiangdong is in danger, so now he can only surrender to me."
Cao Pi hurriedly said: "We are focusing on defense now. How can we have the troops to take care of Jiangdong? My father would not refuse."
"No."
Cao Cao shook his head: "Why should we refuse? We should make a big fanfare and tell the world that Sun Quan has surrendered. This will not only stabilize the morale of the army and the people, but also make Liu Bei slightly afraid."
"But."
Cao Pi hesitated and said, "We don't have any extra troops to help Sun Quan now."
"What can I do to help him?"
Cao Cao sneered and said: "We only need to let people know that Sun Quan has surrendered. As for whether he dies or not, it has nothing to do with me."
After that, Cao Cao stood up slowly, walked to the hall with his hands behind his back, and looked at the bleak winter wind outside.
The cold winter has arrived in November, and I don’t know when it began to snow lightly in Yecheng in the north.
The rustling snowflakes were flying, bringing a bit of bone-chilling chill to the earth.
Cao Cao raised his head and looked into the distance.
He had to spread the news of Sun Quan's surrender.
Because this will make people in the world think that the Cao Wei Group is still so powerful and that another prince has joined.
But he didn't have any extra troops to save Sun Quan.
Therefore, it really has nothing to do with him whether Sun Quan dies or not. He just needs to spread the news throughout the world in a short period of time and stabilize people's hearts.
This means that Sun Quan can only seek happiness for himself.
Cao Cao will provide all support except sending troops. Even when Liu Bei's group attacks Sun Quan, he also hopes that Sun Quan can support him a little longer so that he can recover as soon as possible.
"Sun Quan's son."
Cao Cao looked at the south with a deep gaze, and murmured softly: "Since you started this war, then it is your responsibility. Although Jiangdong is destroyed, I can recover my strength. If your descendants can escape back to the north in the future,
If your descendants inherit your title, it will be in vain for you to prevent this disaster for me."
As he spoke, he gently flicked his sleeves and walked slowly back to the back house.
The world is in turmoil.
Some are happy and some are sad.
Cao Cao had too much time to take care of himself, so he could only sacrifice Sun Quan in exchange for time to recuperate.
After Liu Bei's army in Guanzhong won the victory in Hu County, he quickly returned to Hanzhong, causing all the corvées to return to their local areas and begin next year's spring plowing.
Although Liu Bei fought this battle very hard.
But we won in the end.
As long as Jingzhou and Yizhou can recover as soon as possible in terms of war potential, at least within a few years, he can even be on par with Cao Wei.
This was the year when Cao Cao and Sun Quan were mourning, and it was also the year when Liu Bei's group was elated.
The general trend of the world has also changed because of this.
Today is just one chapter. In the afternoon, I will go back to my hometown to worship my ancestors. Tomorrow I will go back to the county town to code. It mainly depends on the time I come back tomorrow. I will come back two chapters early and one chapter late. After that, I will return to normal starting from the day after tomorrow. We last month
240,000 words have been updated, an average of 8,000 per day. The performance is still good. I will try to keep up the good work, because the book has entered the middle and second half, and will soon be the Southern and Northern Dynasties. 240,000 words per month. I hope to finish it before August this year. There are 4 more
I will try my best to publish a new book in the second half of the year.