After losing Gaoping City, Sima Yi's deployment was a point defense.
The whole can be divided into two parts.
One is naturally the defense of Chang'an City-Beiyuan.
For example, he left Guanqiu Jian to guard Chang'an City, and assigned a general to oversee two thousand soldiers and horses to guard the exit of Ziwu Valley. The remaining soldiers and horses were stationed along the Wei River in Wugong County and Yi County respectively, and on the south bank of Chengguo Canal ( Historically known as Yangsui and Xiwei). [Note 1]
In this way, the two exits from Baoxie Valley into Guanzhong can be monitored under one's nose, and the Han army's intention to cross the river from Wuzhangyuan to Beiyuan can be curbed, and Chencang City can be dealt with accordingly.
It's just that this line of defense is very long.
In order not to be attacked individually by the concentrated forces of the Han army, three to five thousand soldiers were gathered at each stronghold.
It also made Sima Yi deeply aware of the lack of military strength.
After deducting the defense of these strongholds, he only had 20,000 mobile troops left.
The other is the Yangcheng area, which is mostly mountainous and hilly.
Instead, Yangcheng, Qianxian Huicheng and Fanxukou were selected as garrison strongholds, forming a triangle that watched each other.
Because this area is the northwest corner of Youfufeng, it is a necessary defense to prevent the Han army from entering the pass from Xiaoguandao and Guanlongdao. [Note 2]
It is also the northern barrier of Chencang City.
As long as the Han army did not pull out these three fortifications, they would not be able to attack Chencang City by descending along the Lishui River.
Chencang City is located on the north bank of the Wei River and the west bank of the Lishui River. If the Han army just entered the Pass through Dashan Pass, they would not be able to completely surround Chencang City.
But this layout is not without its flaws.
Yangcheng is about four hundred (Han) miles away from Chencang City, and even further away from the 20,000 mobile troops commanded by General Niu Jin who were stationed in the west by Sima Yi!
Almost alone in the north.
In addition, the three places stationed in Yangcheng were unable to farm outside the city because of the strong walls and clear fields. They were limited by the hoarding of grain and fodder, so there were only 12,000 soldiers and horses stationed there.
Yangcheng, which bore the brunt of the attack, was guarded by five thousand elite troops from the headquarters of veteran general Wang Sheng.
Returning to the city, Zhou Dang, who had been subordinate to Sima Yi when he was in Jingzhou, was guarded by four thousand soldiers and horses; Fanxukou was garrisoned by the headquarters of the partial general Wang Qi.
In other words, they cannot rescue each other at all.
This is why Sima Yi was afraid that Zheng Pu was still standing still in Wuwei County, Hexi Province.
If the Xiliang Iron Cavalry of the Scar Pu Governor went south along the Lishui River Valley and invaded the Qianwei Festival, then the farmland in the Chengguo Canal area would be affected by the war.
Even if the emperor Cao Rui had transferred six thousand Wuhuan troops to Guanzhong to be controlled by him, it would not make him feel at ease.
The 5,000 cavalry of Zhao Guang, the cavalry general who rebelled against Shu, are still in Gaoping City!
He joined forces with Scar Pu's Xiliang cavalry, and their morale and strength were far superior to that of Wuhuan's cavalry.
Not to mention Scar Pu is particularly good at setting ambushes.
In the vast plains of Guanzhong, without the cavalry to stop the enemy from invading the grain roads and the fields that support the protracted battle, it would be impossible to defeat the enemy simply by guarding the city.
Yes, Sima Yi did not worry about the counties in the southeast of Anding County that Hu Zun was guarding.
There were many Qiang and Hu tribes in that area, and the Hu family had a great reputation. No matter whether Wei Yanbu or Scar Pu went to supervise the troops, they would be noticed by the Qiang and Hu tribes before the troops reached the city, and they would tell Hu Zun to prepare for the battle.
There is no possibility of a surprise attack on him.
"Xiaowei, you have been stationed in Anding County for a long time. Do you have any strategy to prevent the anti-Shu cavalry from entering the Lishui River Valley?"
Seeing Xue Ti's silence, Sima Yi couldn't help but urge him, and said comfortingly, "Now the three of us are discussing it privately. If Xiaowei has any opinions, you can speak freely, and there is no need to be taboo about others."
Well, since Du Xi asked to be transferred back to Luoyang because of his old age and illness, although Xue Ti had no objections to Sima Yi's deployment of the emperor of Shu, Sima Yi promoted Niu Jin, Hu Zun, Zhou Dang and Deng Ai to shoulder heavy responsibilities.
I have always been vaguely dissatisfied with this approach.
In any case, he was from a humble background and was promoted without hesitation by Cao Cao of the Wei Dynasty. He was a highly trusted lieutenant. He couldn't bear to distinguish this method of distinguishing direct lineage from non-lineage lineage. Especially now, Ni Shu and Wei Guo's offensive and defensive positions are easy to change.
The current predicament is due to Deng Ai's greed for merit and his unauthorized sending of troops and Hu Zun's loss of Gaoping City!
People who fail to succeed but fail more than enough!
He was actually entrusted with an important task!
Hum~
Xue Ti, who returned to Guanzhong from Yuzhou to supervise troops, made many slanders along the way.
However, now that the matter has come to this, he will not argue with Sima Yi and cause a disagreement between the generals, which will benefit Shu Shu.
After hearing the question, he pondered for a moment, then cupped his hands and replied, "Captain, the only way to plan now is to wait and see what happens. You can ask the two generals who are in charge of the Wuhuan Tuqi to be careful in the Lishui River Valley. If they see the enemy, they must not fight with them.
In order to fight, it is enough to guard the east bank of the Lishui River and prevent the rebels from invading the farmland and plundering the common people. Furthermore, if the rebel army enters the Lishui Valley, wouldn't it be in line with the governor's wishes? "
Indeed, in the current deployment, the three areas of Yangcheng are isolated in the north. This is not only due to the terrain and strategy, but also can be regarded as Sima Yi's deliberate decision.
As a commander-in-chief, you cannot limit your sights to the present.
It is even more important to prepare for the next three to five years.
The three places in Yangcheng were designed to attract the Han army to attack!
From the perspective of going against Shu, no matter if you take the Chencang Road or the Baoxie Valley, you will be blocked by the Wei State with heavy troops from entering the Beiyuan, which has more fertile soil. However, if you enter Youfufeng from the Xiaoguan Road or Guanlong Road, as long as you occupy the Lianshui Valley
, then the meeting of Qianwei is in the bag.
The plain created by the intersection of the two waters has naturally fertile soil.
Moreover, in the pre-Qin period, the Qinwei Meeting was the stronghold that the Qin people relied on to conquer Guanzhong~
Nishu, which has always been trapped in food shortages, can't help but salivate!
Therefore, based on this, Sima Yi took advantage of the situation and completely isolated the three places in Yangcheng that were guarding Longguan Road to see how long Ni Shu could endure in the face of strategic temptation.
Because regardless of whether Ni Shu conquers the enemy or not, from a strategic level, it will be beneficial to the Wei State.
If he did not attack, with three years of accumulated food reserves, it would be impossible for the three areas of Yangcheng to fall. He would also contain Nishu within the territory of Youfufeng. But if he forced an attack, Nishu would inevitably suffer heavy casualties, and Wei
The country will then have an opportunity to counterattack.
A war is more valuable than victory but not long...
If Ni Shu cannot be attacked for a long time, morale will inevitably slump. At that time, the Luoyang Central Army and the various ministries in Guanzhong will work together to drive them out of Guanzhong.
Yes, both Cao Rui and Sima Yi understand that if you defend for a long time, you will lose.
They knew full well what a huge blow it would be to Wei's prestige and people's hearts to allow Ni Shu to stay in Guanzhong for a long time.
After all, it didn’t take many years before the Wei Dynasty replaced the Han Dynasty.
Even if we lose Liangzhou and Longyou, we can't even expel Nishu from Guanzhong. Those powerful families in Guandong have different ideas.
However, Sima Yi dared to conclude that Ni Shu would definitely attack the city!
The reason is still insufficient food.
The Wei Yan tribe that came out of Xiaoguan to rebel against Shu had about 70,000 soldiers. It could not be supported by the farms of Chaona and Wushi counties in Anding County. Frequent transfers from Longyou would also deplete the people's strength. How could they be trapped for a long time?
Not attacking?
How can we not look forward to Qianwei's meeting!
"Xiaowei knows the slightest thing, and I can't hide even a little bit of my thoughts and intentions."
After hearing this, Sima Yi twitched his beard and nodded, directly admitted Xue Ti's guess, and continued to ask, "Since Xiaowei has seen through what I want, do you have any advice?"
"A filial piety must lead to great ideas!"
Before Xue Ti could say anything, Zhao Yan on the other side spoke first, "When I left Luoyang, His Majesty once whispered to me, claiming that Xiaowei had been in Yongliang for a long time and ordered me to seek advice."
Well........
As soon as he said these words, Xue Ti's expression did not change, but he cursed in his heart.
Both of them were veterans of the officialdom for many years. How could Xue Ti not know why Zhao Yan spoke first?
What did the emperor say in private?
This clearly meant that Zhao Yan knew that his relationship with Sima Yi was already bad, so he borrowed the emperor's name to ask him not to refuse Sima Yi's questions with resentment!
However, is he a person who neglects public affairs for personal reasons?
"I dare not take the advice of the governor and the praise of the emperor."
Xue Ti stood up and left the table, raised his hands in the direction of Luoyang, and then said slowly, "The commander-in-chief's deployment is the best for the current situation. I really have nothing to say. However, I think it is contrary to the situation."
Shu may not attack the three areas of Yangcheng first, but attack the southeast of Anding County first. Although General Pingxi, who is stationed in Linjing, has experienced many battles and has great prestige in the county, Scar Pu is not an ordinary person and cannot be the governor.
Don’t be defensive!”
Will Scar Pu invade Longdong first when going against Shu?
Hearing this, Sima Yi and Zhao Yan looked at each other, and then they both fell into deep thought.
It's not that they ignored Anding County's defense before.
Rather, he felt that Hu Zun had 5,000 elite soldiers and about 2,000 county soldiers guarding the city, and there were Qiang and Hu tribes outside for reinforcements. Even if Scar Pudu's Xiliang cavalry attacked, he would be able to hold on without any worries - Ruo Bi
Against Shu, Wei Yan sent some troops to respond. Naturally, the Wei State could find out in advance and dispatch troops and horses for reinforcements in advance!
But now that Xue Ti mentioned it, they were vaguely worried.
Without him, before the Changyin City Fortress and Gaoping City changed hands, everyone in the Yongliang tribe felt that they were indestructible!
That’s Scar Pu, the “big problem for me in Wei”~~
It cannot be deduced by common sense.
Moreover, if Anding County is all occupied by Ni Shu, Wei Guanzhong's defense line will face an unbearable burden.
During the Pre-Qin Dynasty, the Dog Rong army attacked Haojing of the Zhou royal family and went south along the Longyou Jingshui River Valley.
Moreover, the Haojing of the Zhou royal family was on the south bank of the Wei River, and today's Chang'an City is on the north bank of the Wei River, even the disadvantages of crossing the river are eliminated! If Hu Zun is defeated by Scar Pu, then Sima Yi will have to give up You Fufeng,
All the troops have been reduced to guard Chang'an City!
However, even though Sima Yi was vigilant, he could not send more troops to garrison now.
Linjing, Pengyang and other counties alone cannot afford to support so many soldiers and horses...
"Xiaowei's words deeply touched my heart."
When he was young, he nodded heavily and said loudly, "It just so happens that Xiaowei is currently guarding grain in Zhengguo Canal and Baigou. How about you move to the mouth of the valley (the left end of Zhengguo Canal), and I can help you with more troops and horses so that you can rescue Longdong at any time?"
[Note 1: During the Three Kingdoms period, both Yi County and Wugong County were on the north bank of the Weishui River.]
[Note 2: Huicheng is on the Guanlong Road, forty miles northwest of today's Longxian County, Shaanxi Province, and the Huizhong Road passes through the north. "Xu Han Shu·Jiu Guo Zhi" Qianxian: "There is Huicheng, named Huizhong."]
