Chapter 461 Within a year, the three emperors collapse together
Chapter 461 Within a year, the three emperors collapsed together
Author: Playing with Basilisk
Chapter 461 Within a year, the three emperors collapsed together
At the end of October in the second half of the seventh year of Zhang Wu, Zhuge Liang and Shen Chen also received the news.
Guan Yu's side defeated Cao's army in late October, but Cao Pi's side was not immediately convinced. The reason was that Huainan was thousands of miles away from Luoyang, and the news did not spread so quickly.
The Han Dynasty in the south has established a carrier pigeon system. Jianye's carrier pigeons will fly to Jiangxia and then report from Jiangxia to Xiangyang.
Xiangyang and Nanyang Wancheng also have carrier pigeon bases, so communication can be achieved within two days.
In the past year, Chang'an has also established a carrier pigeon system from Nanyang Wancheng to Chang'an. Therefore, to a certain extent, as long as the efficiency is fast enough, news about Jianye can be delivered to Chang'an in about four days.
Since the news was sent to Xiangyang first and then from Xiangyang to Wancheng, Zhuge Liang got the letter on the third day after Guan Yu defeated Cao's army.
At this moment, in the Prefecture of Wancheng, Zhuge Liang was sitting in the hall of the mansion looking a little tired, looking at official documents.
In addition to being the current commander-in-chief of the Nanyang army, he also has to take care of Nanyang's government affairs, because Nanyang is the grain and grass base for the Northern Expedition and one of the main granaries in Jingzhou.
The food issue was the key to the Northern Expedition, as well as a series of issues related to Nanyang people's livelihood, public security, economy, criminal law, etc.
Although there are Ma Liang, Huang Quan, Zhou Busuo, Cai Du, and local officials in Nanyang to help, he personally still prefers to do everything in detail. Even if someone helps to deal with it, he still wants to see the result.
So I often make myself very tired.
In addition, he has been worrying about things in Jiangdong recently, so he didn't sleep well.
Zhou Buji, who was next to him, saw that he was restless and said: "Prime Minister, didn't Jianye send a message before, saying that Sun Quan has taken the lead and there is no danger in the rear? Prime Minister, why should you worry?"
Zhuge Liang pondered and said: "I am worried about whether Yunchang can defeat the enemy. If Cao Jun is not fooled and only occupies Huainan and does not continue to march, I am afraid."
Zhou Buyi smiled and said: "Prime Minister, there is no need to worry. Even I thought Lu Boyi's plan was powerful. No matter how smart Cao Jun was, he would never have thought that we set the fire in Taicang ourselves. Sun Quan would have had more of us."
Internally, they unite with Sun Quan and will not give up just for the sake of an uninhabited Huainan."
"Um."
Zhuge Liang nodded slightly and said: "Unless Cao Pi has no ambition, it is impossible not to covet Jiangdong. Lu Boyan really has a strategy. He used the entire Jiangdong as bait to lure Cao's army across the river and defeat them on the river. It is a good strategy! If I use troops
, probably won’t adopt this strategy.”
"That's because the prime minister can defeat Cao's army head-on and doesn't bother to use conspiracy."
Cai Du said with a smile.
"No."
Zhuge Liang shook his head and said: "I'm really not good at scheming, but if Lu Boyan gives me advice, I won't use it. This has nothing to do with whether the plan is dangerous or not. I just don't want to lose any more territory of the big man!"
To be honest, even if Lu Xun's plan failed, the losses would not be as big as imagined.
At most, Huainan was lost.
If Huainan still had the same population as it was during Yuan Shu's time, it would definitely be a huge loss.
However, Huainan has now become a wasteland, with empty land and no population, and the city of Hefei has been burned. Cao's army lacks important strategic cities and production materials, and it is difficult to pose a threat to Jiangdong.
At that time, Guan Yu will have the opportunity to go north to attack Cao Jun.
So to a certain extent, the reason why Guan Yu chose to adopt Lu Xun's suggestion was not only that Lu Xun risked his life to guarantee it, but more importantly, even if Lu Xun's suggestion failed, it would not have much impact.
However, Zhuge Liang felt that if he were the commander, even though the probability of Lu Xun's strategy being successful was high, he would still not want to adopt it.
This Han Dynasty’s territory must not be missing even a cent!
"Report!"
At this time, a messenger suddenly came in from outside and shouted: "The flying pigeons in Xiangyang sent a message. The general successfully lured Cao's army to the river and defeated three armies in one fell swoop. Cao's army suffered casualties and captured nearly 70,000 people!"
"Seventy thousand?"
Zhuge Liang was so shocked that he stood up from the table and said, "Is the news confirmed?"
"conclusive."
"Congratulations to the Prime Minister, congratulations to the Prime Minister."
Next to him, Ma Liangzhou, Cai Du, Huang Quan and others quickly saluted Zhuge Liang.
Zhuge Liang laughed and waved his feather fan. Although it was early winter and October, the weather was a bit cold, but it made him feel like a spring breeze. He said happily: "God's will is with Han, and great things can be accomplished. Next year, we will conquer Wei and revive the Han Dynasty. It will be at this time."
!”
Defeat Wei next year?
Everyone looked at each other, bowed their hands and said, "The Prime Minister is wise."
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Guanzhong, Chang'an.
Compared to Zhuge Liang who got the news on the third day, Shen Chen got the news on the fifth day.
In the side hall of Weiyang Palace in Chang'an, Shen Chen arranged today's military affairs.
Previously, he planned to raid Hedong in the middle of this year, drive Cao's army to Bingzhou, and start threatening Bingzhou.
But he didn't expect that Liu Bei's death in July disrupted his rhythm, so he could only suppress this idea.
After returning to Xiangyang and accepting Liu Bei's death, Shen Chen returned to Chang'an. Because Cao Wei's internal agents detected that Cao Wei had transferred a large number of northern cavalry to the south, he temporarily canceled this decision.
Cao Wei is now desperate.
Mainly due to the failure of many battles such as the Battle of Guanzhong, the Battle of Xiangfan, the Battle of Hefei, and the Battle of Ziyun Mountain, Cao's army suffered heavy casualties and heavy casualties.
Historically, Cao Wei's military strength was very large. According to statistics from "The Food and Goods of the Three Kingdoms", Cao Wei's military strength was between 600,000 and 700,000 at its peak, less than 200,000 during the Shu Han's peak, and more than 300,000 at Jiangdong's peak.
Later, several battles of Cao Wei also proved this point.
For example, Zhong Hui defeated Shu with 150,000 people, Sima Shisan defeated Wu with 200,000 people, Sima Zhao and Shouchun fought with 260,000 people, and when Zhuge Dan rebelled, there were still 150,000 people.
These cannot be the national strength.
Because in addition to the border troops, Cao Wei also had certain local forces, the central army and the border troops to guard against ethnic minorities.
Therefore, when Sima Zhao fought the Battle of Shouchun, if Sima Zhao's 260,000 troops were added to Zhuge Dan's 150,000 rebel Wei army, the Wei army in Huainan alone at that time would have been 410,000 people, which shows the foundation of Cao Wei.
But no matter how deep your foundation is, it is impossible to waste it like this.
What's more, the current Cao Wei is far less powerful than it was in history and has been weakened a lot.
Therefore, in summary, there were 150,000 casualties in the battles of Guanzhong and Jingzhou, 30,000 casualties in the battle of Guanzhong, and 30,000 casualties in the battle of Ziyun Mountain.
The total loss was 200,000 yuan.
Now Cao Wei's entire military strength is extremely low. On the western front, Cao Zhen, Xu Huang, Zhu Ling and others total less than 100,000 people.
The Central Army currently consists of Xia Houyuan's gathered troops and horses from the center, which are also around 100,000.
Cao Xiu's 130,000 men on the eastern front were not only the troops originally deployed in Xuzhou, Runan and other places to defend Guan Yu, but also the local garrison troops originally stationed in Qingzhou, Yanzhou, Jizhou and other places.
Therefore, this means that if you include the cavalry such as Tian Yu and Yan Rou who guarded the border in Youzhou to defend against Xianbei and Wuhuan, the total number of Cao Wei's central army, border army, local army, and county soldiers may have been less than 400,000.
Among them are a large number of new troops that have been expanded in recent years. Their training is seriously insufficient and their combat effectiveness is not high. They have repeatedly been at a disadvantage in competitions with southern soldiers.
Therefore, Cao Pi was eager to restore the decline and wanted to weaken the Han Dynasty in the south.
This time is a good opportunity. If they can cooperate with Sun Quan to defeat Jiangdong, the Southern Han Group will directly lose millions of people and one-third of its land.
This is more cost-effective than directly annihilating an army of 200,000 people.
Therefore, under such temptation, Cao Pi decided to give it a go and transfer the northern frontier troops to the south.
The role of the Youzhou cavalry is not to cooperate with Cao Xiu to attack Jiangdong, but to be placed in Henan for rapid reinforcements from all directions.
For example, if Cao Xiu's side is in a tough battle, the cavalry can be dispatched.
If Shen Chen and Zhuge Liang want to besiege Wei and rescue Zhao, they can march to Bingzhou or Henan while Cao Xiu and Guan Yu are fighting, and their cavalry can quickly support them.
Therefore, if Shen Chen sent troops to Hedong, Cao Wei's cavalry would arrive soon, which was a bit disadvantageous for him, so he did not send troops and waited for news from Jiangdong.
At this moment, Shen Chen was sitting behind the desk, looking at the map of Hedong in a daze.
There are many lines drawn horizontally and vertically on it. He has made countless plans for the offensive deployment, and now he is waiting for the results of Guan Yu's side.
If he wins, he can take charge.
If they are defeated, or there is a deviation in the strategy, and Cao's army is not wiped out in large numbers, you have to consider whether to send troops.
"It depends on Uncle Yun Chang's actions."
Shen Chen rubbed his temples.
He is forty-one years old this year, and more than thirty years have passed since Cao Cao massacred Xuzhou.
It has been twenty years since he started assisting Liu Bei.
Liu Bang conquered the world in seven years, but Liu Xiu only spent twelve years.
Although Liu Bei's starting point was low, there was nothing he could do about it, but it took too long to unify the dynasty.
He still has a lot to do in the future, and time waits for no one.
"Report!"
At this moment, Deng Ai and Jiang Wei from outside the door rushed in almost as if they were running away, and said with joy: "Grand Governor, General Guan has won a great victory, Cao's army has been annihilated 70,000!"
"A big victory?"
Shen Chen was surprised: "Actually, 70,000 people were annihilated?"
"Yes."
Jiang Wei was the first to say: "Just now the flying pigeon sent the message, General Guan adopted Lu Shangshu's plan, lured the enemy deep, led Cao's army to the Yangtze River, and defeated Cao's army with naval forces!"
"OK!"
Shen Chen cheered up and laughed: "Once these 70,000 people are lost, Cao Wei will have less than 60,000 people left on the eastern front. General Guan's Northern Expedition will no longer have any obstacles."
"more than."
Deng Ai said: "According to our detailed work in Cao Wei, Cao Wei has almost exhausted all the troops in the hinterland of the Central Plains. If calculated this way, Cao Wei's total military strength in the country is now almost 300,000, and the northern border, hinterland There is almost no danger to defend.”
"Is there no danger in the hinterland of the border?"
Shen Chen frowned and said, "Shi Zai, there seems to be something in your words."
Deng Ai said: "The great governor, the Xianbei, Wuhuan, and southern Xiongnu in the north have been oppressed by Cao Wei for a long time. If we can unite them and attack the Central Plains together, Cao Wei will be destroyed!"
Unite ethnic minorities?
After Shen Chen thought for a moment, he firmly shook his head and said: "This is a war between the Han Dynasty and Cao Wei. It is an internal dispute among the Han people. If they are not of my race, they must have different hearts. How can we lead a wolf into the house?"
"But."
Deng Ai also wanted to say something.
"There are no buts, this is the bottom line."
Shen Chen interrupted him and said, "I don't care if they want to go south to Kouluo on their own, but we must not collude with them. Even in the future, if they go south to Kouluo and are encountered by our Northern Expeditionary Army, we will destroy them out of necessity. You all understand."
"only!"
Deng Ai and Jiang Wei were shocked and quickly thought.
Shen Chen looked at the map.
Although historically Zhuge Liang also teamed up with Kirby to attack Cao Wei together.
But Cao Wei had too many troops at that time. Even if they combined with Kebi Neng, they would only be able to contain part of Cao's army.
It is impossible to be like now, with no soldiers and horses defending Cao Wei in the north, and ethnic minorities marching on the Central Plains.
Therefore, Zhuge Liang's behavior in history can only be said to be a strategic way to contain Cao Wei's troops, but it cannot be said to be collaborating with the enemy and betraying the Han.
However, the situation is different this time.
Cao Wei's military strength was extremely weak. If he also united with Kirby, the Five Husbands would have happened in advance. A large number of nomadic people would go south and invade the Central Plains, causing harm to the people who originally belonged to Cao Wei's rule.
You must know that these are all Han people. In the future, when the Han Dynasty in the south succeeds in the Northern Expedition and the people return to their Han identity, how can we allow the Hu people to plunder?
Therefore, Deng Ai's idea is absolutely undesirable.
However, although they cannot unite with the barbarians to cause rebellion, Cao Wei's hinterland is now empty. If he can open up Bingzhou, then the entire Hebei, Luoyang and other places will be under his iron heel.
It seems.
It's time to prepare to march into Bingzhou.
Shen Chen thought to himself.
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In early November of the seventh year of Zhang Wu, Cao Xiu, the general of Cao Wei's Zhengdong campaign, was defeated miserably in Jiangdong. After returning to Henan, he suddenly fell ill and died of vomiting blood.
On the sixth day after the battle, Cao Pi was the last to receive the news in the Luoyang Palace.
no way.
In the Han Dynasty in the south, carrier pigeons were used for transportation, but they could only use horses to run. From Ruxukou to Luoyang, it was more than 700 to 800 kilometers, and it would take several days to even beat a horse.
At this time, Cao Pi was seriously ill in the palace.
In addition to the blow he received from the battle at Ziyun Mountain, the most important thing is that his health has long been in decline and he is now exhausted.
Beside the hospital bed, Cao Pi weakly said to Sima Yi and Chen Qun beside him: "I have decreed that after my death, the four of you, Zidan, Wenlie, Changwen, and Zhongda, will assist Yuan Zhong in governing the country. .”
"only."
Sima Yi and Chen Qun handed over their hands.
Cao Pi was almost on his deathbed, and sighed: "I didn't expect that I would die soon. I, I don't want to die, but God wills it. But what I am most worried about is Wen Lie's situation in Jiangdong."
Sima Yi comforted him: "Your Majesty, there is no need to worry. If things go well, General Zhengdong may have conquered Jiangdong and arrived in Jianye by this time."
"yes."
Chen Qun also said: "The news a few days ago was that Sun Quan had captured Wu County. Guan Yu had no choice but to send Wei Yan to quell the rebellion. He burned Hefei and Ruxukou himself and retreated to Jianye. General Zhengdong would not fail to arrest him. Seize this opportunity and defeat Guan Yu in one fell swoop."
"hehe."
Cao Pi forced a smile and said, "If that's true, that would be great."
"Report!"
The eunuch outside the door came in with a mournful face and wailed: "General Zhengdong was attacked by Guan Yu when he was crossing the river, and he lost 70,000 troops!"
"Pfft!"
Cao Pi spit out a mouthful of blood, his eyes widened, and fell on the hospital bed, not breathing.
In July of the seventh year of Emperor Zhangwu of the Han Dynasty, Liu Bei died of illness.
In October of the seventh year of Emperor Zhangwu of the Han Dynasty, Sun Quan was killed.
In November of the seventh year of Emperor Zhangwu of the Han Dynasty, Cao Pi died of illness.
Within one year, the founders of the three kingdoms of Wei, Shu and Wu died at the same time!