In the third year of Jian'an, a messy character stood out. The princes attacked each other to obtain more land and population. Not to mention careerists like Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, and Sun Ce, even Liu Bei, who has always been known for his "benevolence and righteousness" It also began to expand outward. After all, in this crazy and dark era, benevolence and justice alone cannot save the Chinese people.
After Yuan Shao withdrew his troops from the front line of Youzhou, Tian Yu thought about it several times and finally came to Guanzhong through Bingzhou. Youzhou had already been turned into a huge military camp due to the war, and there were not many people in the countryside. Bingzhou was not a good idea. Wherever you go, except for people in some large settlements, the wilderness is full of wild animals.
Rabbits and foxes ran across the road from time to time. After seeing people in broad daylight, wild dogs and wolves ran quickly into the grass and disappeared quickly. However, there are still many differences between Bingzhou and Youzhou. Here We can often see foreign ethnic groups such as the Huns and Qiang people. In Youzhou, the Wuhuan and Xianbei people and the Han people are no longer a common enemy of each other.
When Tian Yu crossed the Yellow River and entered the boundary of Guanzhong, everything suddenly became different, as if he had entered another world. On both sides of the road were endless wheat fields, with business travelers often coming and going, as if the glory of the empire still existed. Generally speaking, in terms of prosperity, Hebei is also very prosperous, but compared with Guanzhong, it lacks something.
What is missing? Tian Yu was thinking about it all the way. A vague idea rolled in his mind. When he wanted to figure it out, he couldn't catch the flash of inspiration. Just before he When I was a little troubled by this, someone suddenly said in surprise: "General, the general has come to greet you in person!"
Tian Yu looked up and saw smoke billowing in front of him. Five or six hundred cavalry were rushing along the avenue. In the queue, a large flag was raised high, with a big Chinese character "Chen" written on it. Two miles away, the cavalry began to slow down and finally stopped at the edge of the road.
Chen Cheng ran over on a tall horse. He immediately saw Tian Yu, whose appearance had not changed much from before. He couldn't help laughing and said: "Guorang, you are really a treat for me! I will give you the emperor's edict." It fell three times!”
Hearing this familiar tone, Tian Yu was in a trance. The fierce general in front of him, who was more burly than Gongsun Zan, was really the handsome Chen Wenzheng? This change was too great, and it was no longer something that normal people could expect.
But soon, he came to his senses, jumped off his horse, prostrated himself on the ground and said, "Greetings to the general!"
Chen Cheng was one step faster than him, grabbed Tian Yu's arm, and said with a smile: "With the friendship between you and me, why do we need to worship each other?"
Tian Yu was grabbed by his big hands, as if locked by steel. He tried to break free twice, but couldn't break free. He couldn't help but smile bitterly: "Wen Zheng, you are much stronger than before!"
Chen Cheng was extremely happy and said with a smile: "Of course. I have never stopped exercising every day over the years. It is natural that I am stronger than before."
Seven years ago, Tian Yu was just a young man, but he had far more courage and courage than ordinary people. Seven years later, his face has matured a lot, his body has grown longer, and his strength and martial arts have improved greatly. , but how can he be compared with Chen Cheng? You know, even an animal like Lu Bu, who is nine feet tall, is much weaker than Chen Cheng.
The two of them walked side by side. Tian Yu felt a little unfamiliar at first, because the fierce general in front of him was so different from the one in his impression. But after walking side by side for thirty miles, they immediately became familiar with each other. Chen Cheng only changed.
Apparently, the two of them have been exchanging letters over the past few years, and now they just treat it as a reunion after a short break.
Chang'an is now the most prosperous place in the world except Yecheng, and there are constant traffic on the roads. After seeing the general's honor guard, these people all stepped aside and talked to each other.
"The general rarely shows up with full guard of honor, right? Is it possible that another prince has entered the capital?"
"Are you stupid? Which prince would come to Chang'an now? It's too late for them to fight each other."
"Who is coming then? Could it be that Liu Shijun from Xuzhou is here again?"
Amid the discussion among the people on the side, Chen Cheng and Tian Yu entered the city on horseback. Tian Yu looked at the scene of pedestrians passing through the city and couldn't help but sigh: "I haven't seen such a lively scene for a long time. There is a general presiding over the government.
It is truly a blessing to everyone in the world.”
Chen Cheng smiled and said: "I have prepared a mansion for you in the city. You can rest for a day. I will take care of you tomorrow and introduce the local civil and military officials."
When Tian Yu faced the huge yard and didn't know what to do, many people came outside. However, it was Chen Cheng who sent people to bring him a lot of cloth, gold and silver, as well as grain, bacon, fresh fruits and vegetables, etc.
Tian Yu didn't think it was anything, but the entourage who came to Chang'an with him was overjoyed and said: "The general is so kind to me. It seems that I don't have to worry about it in the future."
Tian Yu couldn't help but smile when he heard this, but then said in a stern tone: "The general always cares about old friendships, but you can't commit adultery or commit crimes. Otherwise, I will let the general deal with it impartially!"
"yes!"
Chen Cheng was very happy when Tian Yu entered the capital, but for the important ministers in the court, this was just a small matter. The top priority now is that Chen Gong has turned to Yuan Shao, and Yanzhou has been divided between the Cao and Yuan families. Xu
Rong only has 15,000 people in his hands and is facing unprecedented pressure.
Without the need for Cao and Yuan's family to attack together, Xu Rong could no longer withstand such pressure. He wrote several times to ask for reinforcements from the court, and ordered the mobilization of soldiers and horses from Hanoi, Hedong and Hongnong to Henan to prepare for possible encounters.
attack.
When Cao Cao sent troops northward, Ya soldiers had already gathered and moved secretly to the vicinity of Tongguan. At the same time, the imperial court also ordered the deployment of Zhang Heng, Ma Wan, Ma Teng, Cheng Yi, Han Li, Yang Hao, Zhang Liao, Xu Huang, and Yan Xing
When all the soldiers and horses went to Luoyang, the grain stored in various places in Guanzhong was transferred to Henan day and night.
Originally, Chen Cheng and Yan Zhong thought that no matter how bad Yanzhou was, they could sustain it for two or three months. However, within a month, most of Yanzhou had fallen into the hands of Cao Cao and Yuan Shao. Only Cheng Yu, the governor of Dongjun,
, with Zang Ba’s Taishan Army and Xuzhou Mu Liu Bei on their backs, they managed to secure half of Dongjun.
On the night when Tian Yu arrived in Chang'an, Yan Zhong, Jia Xu and others came to the general's house to discuss how to deal with the affairs of Yanzhou. Yanzhou is located in a place of four battles and has no danger to defend. It is conducive to offense but not conducive to defense.
.With the combat effectiveness of the Xiliang Iron Cavalry, they can defeat any enemy on the plains of Yanzhou.
But if you want to defend Yanzhou, you must have an army of hundreds of thousands. Capturing Yanzhou is equivalent to blowing the clarion call to unify the world. If you don't capture Qingzhou, Xuzhou, Yuzhou and other places nearby, you will only have to
If we continue to fight, and even add Hebei, we will almost wipe out all the powerful princes in the world today.
"The problem in Yanzhou cannot be limited to Yanzhou alone," Chen Cheng said: "Once Yanzhou is occupied, the imperial court's policy will turn to war. Are we ready for this?"
Yan Zhong, Jia Xu and others were a little speechless. It has been four years since they occupied Guanzhong. Originally, the older people were worried that Chen Cheng, who was young and energetic, would be overwhelmed by victory after suddenly ascending to the position of general.
I'm confused. But now it seems that the general is still young, but there is no arrogance. He thinks about farming, building roads and opening factories every day. He doesn't look like a young man at all!
Liu Qian burst out laughing and said: "It has been eight years since Liangzhou was taken. Even four years since the occupation of Guanzhong! In four years, Emperor Gaozu has already
They forced Xiang Yu into Wujiang and committed suicide!"
"Okay," Chen Cheng said somewhat sarcastically, "Now that we're ready, what else is there to say? Just start the fight."
The expression on his face became serious and he said: "Since we want to fight, we must use all our strength, and we can't fight as a tactic to add fuel to the fire!"
Yan Zhong, Jia Xu and others were all refreshed and said: "That's right!"
Chen Cheng said: "Xu Rong has already mobilized soldiers and horses from Hedong, Hanoi and Hongnong. We have also sent over all the elite soldiers and horses from Liangzhou. The number of soldiers and horses has reached an unprecedented 150,000. In addition to the transportation along the way,
There are more than 300,000 civilians. With so many people and horses, at least 10,000 stones of food and grass will be consumed every day by eating horse chews. In times of war, it will be doubled. Bo Dao, this time you still need to be in charge of Chang'an.
, to provide food, grass and other supplies for the army."
Yan Zhong's face shone with excitement. He had been waiting for this day, so he said with emotion: "Don't worry, Lord, there will never be any problems with the supplies on the front line."
Chen Cheng nodded and said, "I can rest assured that you will do the work."
He then said to Lu Fang, the Minister of Household Affairs: "You, the Minister, should stop working now. I will give you 60,000 troops and horses, and come with me to fight in the Central Plains!"
When Lu Fang was transferred to Chang'an as the Minister of Household Affairs, he knew that one day he would be released to lead the army. Chen Cheng always cherished the old feelings, and as long as he served loyally, he would not have to worry about not getting ahead. Zhao Yun was worshiped as Bingzhou Mu
, Xu Rong also became Sili General. Although Lu Fang was not as qualified as Zhao Yun, he was Xu Rong's immediate boss. How could he be forgotten?
Although he didn't expect the opportunity to come so quickly, Lu Fang was already prepared. He calmed down, exhaled and said, "Promise!"
Chen Cheng continued: "Appoint Lu Fang as the commander of the Third Army, and the treatment will be the same as that of the First and Second Army. You will choose the officers and soldiers by yourself, and the weapons and horses will be borne by the court. Currently, the Third Army has no station, and all military expenses are paid by
The imperial court will bear the responsibility.”
"promise!"
Chen Cheng turned around again and asked Xu Wendao, Minister of the Ministry of War: "How is the production progress of artillery now? How much is the inventory now?"
Xu Wen replied: "The Tiger Crouching Cannon can produce thirty pieces per month, and the Napoleon Cannon can produce about five pieces per month. In addition to the fifty-two cannons equipped to the Ya soldiers, there are still more than sixty cannons in the arsenal.
.”
"Forget about Napoleon cannons, can we have more Crouching Tiger cannons? Artillery is also a consumable item in a war. If the war expands and becomes longer, then it may be necessary to equip all infantry battalions with artillery."
Xu Wen said unhurriedly: "We can increase the production of artillery, but we don't have that much gunpowder. Even if we increase the number of artillery, there won't be that much ammunition available."
Chen Cheng also knew that the quantity of gunpowder was never enough. He asked just now because he had been busy mobilizing troops from various places this month, thinking that there might be surprises. But now it seems that he still has to be down-to-earth.
,Surprises don’t happen very often.
"Forget it then, transport part of the Crouching Tiger Cannon to the Second Army, and the Third Army will also equip it. The First Army does not need to go into battle this time, just wait."
