Chapter 2 Let’s talk about the general trend of the world again
When Chen Chong returned to Chang'an, it was a new autumn. Under the white clouds of the Qingchuan River, the Qinling Mountains on the south bank of the Weishui River were undulating along the direction of the river. The valleys between the mountains were gentle and winding around the mountain tops. Horses were riding among them. , the sky above the head is blue and boundless, and white clouds are almost wandering on the top of the mountain. There is no wind in the valley, but the water vapor can be felt in the air, making the rider feel as if he has returned to the North Sea.
Chen Chong and his group of more than ten people rode like this on the slopes of the valley. The weather was unexpectedly good. People took off their hats and only wore hunting clothes with tight collars and narrow sleeves. Most of them only brought short knives around their waists. There was a bow bag and a pot of arrows stuck on his back. He said he was here to hunt, but even if he was just walking slowly in such autumn colors, I felt very comfortable.
At this time, traveling with Chen Chong were of course Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Qian Zhao, Chen Qun, and Zhong Yao. After returning to Bingzhou, Liu Bei and Chen Chong soon went south to Chang'an to discuss the Eastern Expedition. They rested In almost two years, the country's food, fodder, and soldiers have been replenished, but the puppet dynasty to the east has not yet recovered, so it is a good time to use troops to conquer. However, when interviewing Chen Chong in the mansion, Liu Bei always felt that the mansion was cramped and depressing. So on the pretext of relaxing his mind while hunting, he made an appointment with Chen Chong out of the city and talked while walking.
In addition to them, they were also followed by Wei Yan, Kong Ming, Pang Tong, Jia Kui, Deng Zhi, Meng Da, Yu Fan, Shi Tao, Yang Fu and others. Although they had different official positions and had been in the dynasty for varying lengths of time, they They are all the juniors that Chen Chong and Liu Bei are optimistic about, so they are allowed to participate in important discussions. In the future, when they serve in high positions, they will be able to handle affairs better.
In addition, Liu Xie also followed the crowd. At this time, he was sixteen years old and had grown into a handsome and elegant young man. However, compared with Pang Tong and other Confucian scholars who had studied literature since childhood, he was still Under the influence of his parents, he has become more vigorous, so he gives people the feeling that he is both civilized and martial, but martial arts is better than literature.
Speaking of which, before Liu Bei came, Fazheng had already written a draft plan for the expedition to the East, but he was still responsible for the affairs of Ba Mansion, so he did not accompany him. Therefore, what Liu Bei and Chen Chong discussed this time was this plan.
It was written in the draft that according to the intelligence collected in the past two years, after the Battle of Baideng, although the Eastern Dynasty still had enough resources to recruit and expand its army, it was difficult to replace the lost weapons and armor. It is said that now during the training of the Eastern Dynasty, Practice stabbing with thorn sticks and practice shooting with empty strings, hoping to save military use in this way, which shows that the arsenal is empty.
In the interest of Fa Zheng, now that northern Xinjiang has been stabilized and there are no longer any worries, we can change our previous strategy of sending troops from Henan and enter from the north. Although the most important Juyong Pass is still in the hands of the Easterners, the Westerners also have a lot of control over it. For secondary mountain trails, you can start here.
Therefore, he planned to raise another 200,000 troops from the five prefectures across the country and divide them into four groups. At the same time, he would attack Hebei from Fukou, Jingkou, Feihukou, and Wuruan Pass. On one side, he would besiege Yuanshi, Xiangguo, Handan and other important towns; They moved the villagers back home and forced the Eastern Army to fight decisively with them. As long as there was a way to win, and the Eastern people were already panicked, as long as they showed mercy, the other counties would surely surrender. Generally speaking, it was A grand plan that was accomplished in one battle and took several months to quell the bandits.
Liu Bei appreciated the radical nature of this plan, so he reined in his horse on the bank of the Weishui River and said to Chen Chong: "The country has been divided for a long time, so it is time for a quick victory to restore peace to the people of Kyushu."
Chen Chong did not answer immediately. Instead, he asked Qianzhao on the side: "Zijing, you went to Hebei two years ago. What do you think?"
What Chen Chong told was the story of the Second Battle of Pingcheng. At that time, Qianzhao gathered tens of thousands of people in Hebei Province. In two months, they gathered tens of thousands of people with great momentum. They once captured Xindu, the capital of the East. People in Hebei were panicked for a while.
Everyone thought that Cao Cao was about to be destroyed. Unexpectedly, in this critical situation, Cao Cao remained calm and rested for a full month at Juyong Pass before leading his troops back south. The people in Hebei saw that although Cao Cao had suffered a lot of losses, his military appearance was in good order and his morale was high.
Strong, he immediately felt at ease and no longer participated in Qianzhao's army. Qianzhao saw that the people around him did not agree with him, and there were many inner enemies in the city. Therefore, he did not dare to keep his word, so he had to go out of the city and fight with Cao Cao. The vanguard was slightly behind.
When faced with a setback, everyone fled south and dispersed like birds and beasts. When they were led back to Henan, there were only more than 3,000 people following them.
Qianzhao thought for a moment and replied: "Cao Mengde is cunning and wise. Although his troops have been greatly damaged, he still has some elites, so we cannot take them lightly. Although Xiaozhi's plan is good, it is a bit too strange. I
A little worried."
When Liu Bei heard this, he waved his horsewhip lightly with his left hand and said with a smile: "What are you talking about? Since ancient times, there has been no danger in using soldiers. Even a beautiful man like Bai Qi has had some troubles with a fool like Zhao Kuo.
!"
Chen Chong knew that Liu Bei's old habit of eager for quick success had relapsed, so he said slowly: "Then Wang Jian led an army of 600,000 tigers and wolves to attack Chu's repeatedly defeated people. It took three years to achieve all the success. Could it be that he is an incompetent and mediocre general?
?Or is Cao Cao inferior to Xiang Yan?"
Liu Bei heard Chen Chong's objection, a helpless smile appeared on his face, and asked: "In Ting Jian's opinion, what do you think of Xiaozhi's plan?"
Chen Chong slowly considered it and said: "It is an extremely dangerous victory over ancient and modern times. It shows off its military power, but it is difficult to make a profit. The key point of this strategy is to force the enemy out of the city, but this is not easy. Our army is fighting over the mountains, and it is difficult to transport food and fodder. Once the Eastern Army
How can a strong wall and a clear field be defended for a long time? Moreover, the troops are divided into four groups, how to respond? Once the city cannot be conquered, the troops are forced to enter the city, and then Cao Cao is cut off from the return route. Attack all the way. It can be said that the time, place and people are both favorable.
If it is lost, it will lead to another disaster for the seven years of Yanxing."
Speaking of this, he emphasized: "Those who were good at using military force in ancient times, such as Wu Qi's expedition to the south and Sima Cuo's pacification of Shu, were simple in their actions, without any stunning appearance, but reaped practical benefits."
Liu Bei lowered his head and pondered, and gradually showed an expression of being convinced. He turned to the people behind him and said: "Then Ting Jian's intention is to let me send troops from Henan! What do you think?"
Pang Tong smiled and said: "What the teacher said is a safe opinion. The progress may be slower, but it won't be wrong. But I still prefer the filial piety strategy."
Wei Yan also agreed. He continued: "Wouldn't it be a happy life to destroy the country in one battle? Recording it in the history of Qing Dynasty would be enough to be remembered in future generations."
Meng Daze understood a bit of Liu Bei's thoughts and lowered his head and said: "Xiaozhi is my good friend, so I should help him. But the dragon head is extremely talented and intelligent, which is beyond the reach of ordinary people. With national affairs as the most important thing, I think it is better to help him."
It’s better to go to Henan.”
Zhuge Liang waited for them to finish speaking before finally replying: "What the teacher means is the same as what Fan Ju said about King Zhaoxiang of Qin. It is said that if you capture a land, you will gain a land, and if you capture a city, you will gain a city. By encroaching step by step, you will gradually get better.
Crush all the Eastern bandits. At that time, it will be the Eastern bandits who are anxious. Our army will wait for the work with ease, and use the masses to bully the few, so the chance of victory will always be good."
After he finished speaking, Liu Bei tasted it carefully, and all the hesitations in his heart were gone. He couldn't help but sigh: "Kong Ming said it very well. If there are people like you in the future, I will do it."
There is no need to worry about what will happen after your death." He then taught Liu Xie, who was listening: "In a few months, you will work under Father Zhong, and you will get close to Zhuge more often. I think he has both moral character and talent, just like Zichan
Yiwu, you want to see Xian Siqi!"
Liu Xie waved his hand and said with a smile: "Father, I have stayed in my uncle's house for eight years. How could I not know that Brother Kong Ming is a Jianghan Wolong?" Before he finished speaking, he brought the topic back to the previous discussion and said slowly.
: "My uncle's plan is naturally sound, but it lacks a bit of a king's air. If Hebei can be pacified in one battle, it will naturally have the effect of convincing people's hearts. Then won't it be much easier to pacify the four states and subdue Nanchen?"<
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As soon as these words came out, everyone couldn't help being surprised. After all, Liu Xie's words were not the words of a minister at all, but compared himself to the Qianlong Crown Prince. The others were silent for a while, but Liu Bei immediately criticized: "Being a man and doing things,
How can you think of yourself so highly? Even if you have great ambitions and your fortune has not yet come, you should bow down to your duty and be patient. Otherwise, if your happiness and anger are noticed by others, you will be manipulated by villains!"<
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Liu Xie looked quite disapproving, but he didn't want to offend Liu Bei, so he reluctantly bowed and said "nuo". Chen Chong saw that the situation was a bit awkward, so he rode between the two of them and smiled at Liu Xie: "Ah
Jian, what you said makes sense. But it should be noted that people vary from person to person. If those people in the south were mediocre people like Zhang Bu or Qin Feng, that would be fine. Unfortunately, Liu Jingsheng was proud of himself and Sun Bofu was unkind.
Liu Boyu is not a person who will bow his head easily."
Due to his early experiences, Chen Chong had close or shallow contacts with Liu Biao, Sun Ce, and Liu Fan. Naturally, Liu Xie would not question his judgment. But now that it was brought up, he curiously asked: "Then why?"
In my uncle's opinion, which of these three is the biggest problem?"
Chen Chong thought for a moment and replied: "Liu Biao has the highest reputation, is the oldest, and is good at winning people's hearts. Unfortunately, he has unclear military skills and is in a war-torn place, so he will be the least harmful. Sun Ce's military skills are like his father's, and he is not inferior to Cao Cao."
, and he is wise in knowing and employing people, so he can dominate one side. However, he is cautious and likes to take risks, so it is not difficult to deal with him. Only Liu Fan, who entered the Guanzhong last time, was in danger of being in serious trouble. After returning south,
, except for repelling Liu Biao and cultivating deep in southern China and abroad, there has been no major war for several years. I don’t know what he is planning. It is really as unpredictable as sinking into the abyss."
Liu Xie was stunned when he heard this. It was obvious that he rarely heard Chen Chong make such comments. In his opinion, Jiang Biao's Sun Ce was obviously much more promising than Liu Fan, so his face showed a look of disapproval and confusion.
Confused about the rebuttal. When Chen Chong saw this, he couldn't help but chuckle in his heart: Ajian is still a child after all!
He reached out and patted Liu Xie on the shoulder and said: "Ajian, you have to remember that talent and strategy are valuable, but manpower is sometimes poor. Being able to be self-restrained and calm in desperate situations is the most rare thing. You are still young now, so naturally you don't understand
, you might as well follow the monks of Yuanjue Temple to copy Buddhist scriptures on weekdays, and you can also cultivate your moral character."
1】Zhang Bu and Qin Feng: Both of them were reckless soldiers who raised troops in the late New Year. Zhang Bu separatized the Qi State and Qin Feng became the king of Nanjun. However, neither of them had the talent to run the business, so they were destroyed. Zhang Bu was defeated and surrendered to Geng Yan.
He was killed when he rebelled again, Qin Feng was trapped in Liqiu, and after the city was broken, the three tribes were destroyed by barbarians. It is really difficult to call him a hero.