At the beginning of the seventh year of Yanxing, after losing the battle of Luogu, the Shu army encountered Liu Biao's invasion of Badong, which forced Liu Fan to return to Bashu to consolidate his foundation. But since then, a strategic issue has been placed in front of Liu Fan
: After the Shu army withdrew from Luo Valley, it completely lost its influence in the Guanlong area, which allowed the Sili Mansion to easily stabilize the situation and seal Chencang and Luo Valley roads in the north. And the battle in Luo Valley also proved
The Shu people's fighting power is not as good as that of the Westerners. It is virtually impossible for the Shu Dynasty to make a strategic breakthrough to the north.
Therefore, Liu Fan had to take a strategic defensive in the Hanzhong area and put his strategic focus in the south. After Liu Yan's death, he publicly conquered the barbarians south, managed civil affairs, and made peace with Liu Biao of Jingzhou, but secretly he was in Jiangyang,
In the Jiangzhou area, they built high-rise ships, trained naval forces, and bribed generals from Jianping and Tianmen. They saved for ten years and made plans before taking action. Only then did they conquer Jingzhou in the 16th year of Yanxing's reign.
But for a long time, Liu Fan was not satisfied with managing Jianghan. From the historical records, since ancient times, the monarchs who were able to achieve the great cause of unification either occupied the rich He and Luo areas, or took advantage of the condescending terrain advantages of Guanlong. And in the south
In business, even if Jing and Yang were united, it would probably be difficult to compete with the cavalry of the Eastern and Western Dynasties. What's more, Sun Ce from the lower reaches was also a hero for a while. The two sides faced off against each other in Yunmeng, and the outcome was a matter of choice.
Therefore, in the past few years, Liu Fan still tried many times to the north, contacting Longban, Baima Qiang, Shenlang Qiang and other Qiang Di in the Minshan Mountains, trying to find Chen Chong's flaws from Liangzhou. However, the results were disappointing.
Although the rebellion recurred, with Chen Chong personally pacifying the Qiang in the eighth year of Yanxing, and Guan Yu regaining control of the Western Regions in the eleventh year of Yanxing, all the places in Longyou basically returned to the west.
Just when the situation in the north seemed to be completely deadlocked and all the generals agreed with the southeast strategy, Dong Zhao, the imperial censor who followed Liu Fan to Shu, still insisted on sending troops to Guanlong. He wrote a letter saying that although the country had decided to "terribly cross the border"
"Jingyi, fishing and benefiting Heluo" plan, but the dangers of the world are still in Guanlong, "the four fortresses in Guanzhong, the people are fierce and the people are simple, which is the place for hegemony", and the emperor is still in Chang'an, the so-called "Qi Huan respects the king to seek hegemony"
, Xiang Ji killed the emperor and killed me", so we must not give up the Northern Expedition. As for how to use troops, Dong Zhao also thought of a way. He claimed that the Jianghan strategy should not be neglected. He could first attack Wanluo with a small number of troops to attract heavy troops from the Western Dynasty.
Then he will use his main force to march through the Qinling Mountains again and march out of Yi County. He has old friends in Chang'an City and can serve as an internal support, so he will be able to capture Xijing. By then, the Shu army will "conquer the old capital, establish great righteousness, and trap the thieves in Dan."
In the blink of an eye, the situation of the world is shown. The officials and officials, thirsty for the sweet rain for a long time, will not obey the call. They abandon the darkness of Jie and Zhou and embrace the light of Tang and Wu. If you overcome rebellion with obedience, why should the world not be at peace?"
After Liu Fan saw this letter, he couldn't laugh or cry at first. Although Dong Zhao knew politics, he was not as good at military strategy as Zhao Kuo and Chao Cuo. Wanluo had a wide terrain. How could the Shu army attract the Westerners despite the lack of war horses?
How about the heavy troops of the DPRK coming to attack? And the Sili Mansion has set up checkpoints in Chencang and Luogu roads. How to lead the large army of soldiers and horses to enter Weinan smoothly is another big problem. In the end, the hope of attacking the city is pinned on Chang'an's internal response.
, is a dangerous move. Once it fails, you will have to defend your troops under the fortified city. If you encounter a situation where you have to fight outside the city, the result will be disastrous.
But while thinking about it, Liu Fan suddenly got new inspiration. This was probably in August of the 14th year of Yanxing. He took out Dong Zhao's book and discussed it with the important officials of the palace, Zhang Song, Huang Quan, Zhang Ren, and Dong Zhao.
, Wu Yi was discussing matters in the palace, and all his close staff were standing next to listen.
Everyone discussed for a long time, and they were as cautious as Liu Fansi at the beginning. At noon, Liu Fan thought about it again and again, and finally said: "What you all mean is actually what I thought, to go north to take Guanlong. I am powerless now.
Even if Xijing is captured, Liu Bei and Chen Chong will fight to the death to fight for it, and I am afraid it will be difficult for me to defend it."
"What I mean is that we can't fight for Guanlong, but I want the emperor! I want thousands of light cavalry to fly to Xijing and bring His Majesty back south. If the Westerners come to pursue them, they will be defeated. I don't want it.
The land of Guanlong will naturally not attract Chen Chong to fight to the death. How about doing this?"
Huang Quan argued: "But the emperor is the most respected person in the world after all. I heard that Chen Chong was strictly guarding the palace and sent thousands of people over. Can we really pick him up? If not, thousands of elites will be put in danger.
Is it appropriate?"
Zhang Song explained: "That's why we have to capture Jianghan first. When we garrison Xiangyang, we can send heavy troops from upstream to surprise and attack Wuguan, forcing Chen Chong to come to the rescue. Liu Bei will attack Cao Cao again. By then, no one in Chang'an will be able to take charge of the overall situation.
When we approach the city, we have a seven-to-one chance of victory."
"What if Chen Chong doesn't come to the rescue?"
"Then we can regain the imperial hometown, march to the east capital, and the entire land of Henan will be occupied by me."
When Huang Quan heard what he said, he asked Liu Fan: "Your Highness, in addition to Gongren, I am afraid that a strong general will be sent to accompany him. Does your Highness have anyone to choose?"
Liu Fan glanced at his generals and said slowly: "Wen Yuan has stayed in Xijing and won the three armies bravely. It is most appropriate for him to go."
The matter was thus settled. In the blink of an eye, two years later, Liu Fan's original strategy of crossing Jingyi had been realized, and he also agreed with Sun Ce to send troops in the middle of the 18th year of Yanxing. However, after learning that the Eastern Dynasty was attacking Liaodong
Liu Fan was immediately overjoyed and said to Dong Zhao: "Liu Bei will not sit back and watch Cao Cao's move. In less than a month, he will enter Hanoi with heavy troops. Gong Ren, the time to enter the pass will be early." So he immediately started to send troops.
Dong Zhao and Zhang Liao rushed to Nanzheng and personally led the Jiangling armies to attack Fancheng.
On the way, Zhang Liao and Dong Zhao spent the whole night discussing in detail the details of the march north. There was only one chance to march this time, and they brought five thousand cavalry, the rarest and most elite in Shu. If something went wrong, the consequences would be disastrous.
, they must be cautious.
In fact, Dong Zhao and Liu Fan had discussed the relevant details for a long time. He said to Zhang Liao: "The envoy has already given instructions to Zhang Gongqi. Before our army takes action, he can be ordered to go out of Chencang Road to attack Wudu and attract Xifu.
We have heavy troops, and then you and I will walk quickly along the Baoxian Road and gallop from Weinan to Xijing. We will be able to catch the emperor by surprise and welcome the emperor in one fell swoop."
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading!
Unexpectedly, Zhang Liao was quite suspicious of this plan. While recalling the geography of Guanzhong, he said slowly: "After leaving Baoxie Road, not far across the road is Yi County. We still have to run two hundred miles east to reach Chang'an.
Chencang is only fifty miles away, and Sanfu is densely populated and there are no steep roads to go, so we will be discovered immediately. By then, I am afraid that Chencang’s pursuers will rush over as soon as we arrive in Chang’an!”
Dong Zhao heard what Zhang Liao said and felt that it made sense. Although he was unwilling to change the general plan at will, the success or failure of the plan was related to it, so he asked him: "Then do you have any good offensive routes?"
In fact, Zhang Liao had already thought about it, but because he was a retired general and was not trusted by Liu Fan like Wu Yi and others, he could not express his advice openly. Instead, he chose the strategy of secretly persuading Dong Zhao to change his route. He slowed down his horse.
, pointing to the north and said: "We don't need to let Zhang Shijunyang attack, but take the Ziwu Valley Trail. Although it is a rugged area and difficult to navigate, there are only herb gatherers and firewood cutters. We led the cavalry and walked slowly through it and crossed the watershed.
and Dakuya are Cuibei Mountain, which is a densely forested and inaccessible place. We went there to hide and rest. Thirty miles to the north is Longshouyuan. It only takes two-quarters of an hour to reach Chang'an. Westerners must not
Fortify."
This plan was so bold that Dong Zhao thought it was a fantasy when he first heard about it. But when he thought about it carefully, he realized that it was only possible because of the unexpectedness. He was wavering for a while, but he finally gritted his teeth and made a decision, saying to Zhang Liao: "
Although His Highness has arrangements, he also said that I have full authority to handle this matter. Wenyuan, since you are a great talent, I will completely let you make the decision this time when you go north!"
By mid-April, everything was ready for them in Xixiang. Wudang's envoys also came up Shuoliu at the right time to inform them of the news of Chen Chong's appearance in Nanyang. Without further ado, Dong Zhao and Zhang Liao immediately led five thousand light cavalry in at night.
Ziwu Road runs through the steep mountains in the rugged area.
The road they passed had long been abandoned due to the hostilities between the north and the south. Now, after more than ten years, it has been extremely infrequent with human contact. During this period, the jungle was densely covered with wild beasts, and the road had long been buried in thorns. The Shu people held long knives and led their horses to kill.
Let's move forward. There are always sunny or rainy days in the mountains. Usually there is still sunshine in the morning, but it starts to rain after noon. Although the rain is not very heavy, it rains for a long time, often lasting all night, so it is difficult for Shu people to find a dry place to camp.
When they were on the road early the next morning, there was no dry wood for a fire, so people packed their bellies with dry food and continued on the road in the rain.
After crossing the watershed, there are dozens of huge rocks standing in front of the ridge, and the cliffs on the left and right are cut into sharp cliffs facing each other. From the front, it looks like a tiger's mouth with a bloody mouth. As you climb up the rock, the huge rocks are covered with moss and wet.
Extremely slippery. Strong and hardy horses have become people's best companions. Many drowsy knights climb mountains by grabbing the horses' tails.
Although the road was difficult and dangerous, Dong Zhao and Zhang Liao were still energetic, especially Zhang Liao, who kept marching at the forefront of the team. The soldiers of the Shu army were inspired by this and moved forward bravely. The people walked in the deep mountains and old forests, occasionally shooting wild animals for food.
Not long after approaching the big dry cliff, the disturbance of people and horses disturbed the monkeys living here. Hundreds of monkeys screamed in panic, jumping and running among the numbers, like a torrent, rolling rapidly down the mountain. However,
There is almost no human habitation in the mountains. Even with such a hustle and bustle, there is no need to worry about being discovered by Westerners. In the valleys of the mountains, there are only some people who are evading military service and taxes. They live together with the mountain goats to form temporary villages. Once the Shu people enter the valley, they will quickly
He urged his horse to pass without making any stops along the way.
Early on the seventh day, the vanguard of the Shu people arrived at Ziwu Valley. There were Westerners garrisoning here, but the number was no more than a hundred. They were quickly overthrown by Zhang Liao, and all the soldiers were captured. He separated them and tortured them, and learned that in the Xijing city
With only 7,000 guards, he was extremely excited. When Dong Zhao came, he immediately said: "This trip is half done. Even if there is no internal response, I am 70% sure of taking Xijing!"
Dong Zhao had been practicing asceticism for ten days. At this time, his face was covered with frost, but he could not hide his excitement. He thought in his heart that Cui Yan and other old friends of the Imperial Academy would not be able to see each other again, but the friendship between the emperor and Kang Mengxiang, the abbot of Yuanjue Temple, had long since
After hearing about it, he sent an envoy to him to deliver the news.
That night, the messenger returned to Ziwu Valley and delivered the news of Kang Mengxiang's agreement to him.