In the second year of Xingwu, which was the New Year of 194 AD, Liu Bei spent time in Ping'en.
When Chen Mu arrived in Ping'en, the wind and snow in December in the middle of last winter had gradually melted. The morning sun in early spring was rising, and everything was growing. The mud outside the city was also covered with buds.
Ping'en County is actually the rear area of Liu Bei, Gongsun Zan's coalition forces, and their main force is at Geting, north of Qiuqiu.
Geting is located to the south of Feixiang, west of Guangping, and east of Cheng'an. It is close to the Zhangshui River at this time. Behind it is the confluence of the Zhangshui River and the Fushui River. The geographical location is quite good. At this time, Jushou Tian was
Feng commanded the army.
Entering Ping'en's mansion, Chen Mu saw in the hall a Liu Bei who seemed to be ten years older. His expression was extremely depressed, as if he had something on his mind.
"Brother, what's wrong?"
Chen Mu looked around and saw that even Dian Wei, who had been serving Liu Bei all year round, was not around. It was indeed a strange thing.
Including this time when he came to Ping'en, Chen Mu was also called over by Liu Bei.
Because the strategy of weakening Jizhou has been completed, Qinghe State and Bohai County fell into the hands of Qingzhou and Youzhou, so he originally wanted to take advantage of the victory to pursue and further expand the results.
Unexpectedly, Liu Bei suddenly summoned him, which made Chen Mu a little confused.
Liu Bei let out a long sigh: "Master Jun died of illness."
Master passed away due to illness?
Lu Zhi?
Chen Mu's expression changed slightly. After a while, he breathed a sigh of relief: "It seems I have to go to Zhuoxian County."
"Yes, please come with me."
Liu Bei's expression was a bit lost and sad. Although he was under the master's sect in his early years, he was just an auditor, not a disciple, and the relationship between master and apprentice was not deep.
However, since the time when he asked for the Yellow Turban, the master had taken good care of him. When he was an official in Luoyang, he was often called to his house to teach him, and his affection grew day by day.
Now that he had heard the bad news for the first time, Liu Bei was naturally overcome with emotion, and now he wished he could immediately run to Zhuo County to attend the funeral.
"Um."
Chen Mu nodded: "Brother Bogui is going too?"
Liu Bei said: "I just sent him a letter about this matter, but I haven't received a reply from him yet."
Chen Mu said: "In this case, we still have to ask Brother Bogui for his opinion. It is best to retreat to Qinghe and defend it."
"Aren't you going to attack Jizhou?"
Liu Bei was puzzled.
"The previous strategy of conquering Bohai and Qinghe has been completed. Now that the entire Jizhou military force has been reduced to Wei County, it will definitely be difficult to break through the turtle shell of Wei County in a short time."
Chen Mu explained: "Furthermore, Yuan Benchu has stabilized his internal affairs and decided to personally lead his troops in a decisive battle with us. This battle will be protracted and will be difficult to distinguish for a long time. Therefore, we cannot care about the gains and losses of one city or one place. We must first
Occupy favorable terrain and hold on."
"I see."
Liu Bei nodded and said: "Okay, but we still have to go to Gongsun Bogui to discuss it before making a final decision."
The two brothers talked about some more things and decided on the matter of withdrawing from the army.
In early January, Liu Bei and Chen Mu returned to Geting Camp and discussed with Gongsun Zan about withdrawing their troops.
"No, we are about to capture Jizhou, how can we retreat so easily?"
Gongsun Zan firmly disagreed with Ge Ting's coalition camp.
Liu Bei tried hard to persuade him and said: "Bogui, now you take Bohai and I take Qinghe. This battle has yielded a lot of rewards. Jizhou's vitality has been greatly damaged. They will fight again one day."
Gongsun Zan said: "This is the right time to take advantage of his illness to kill him. How can Xuande be swayed by trivial matters?"
"Little things?"
Liu Bei was not happy at that time. He frowned and said: "Master's death is not a trivial matter. Master is like a father. How can we and other students treat it as in vain?"
Gongsun Zan said: "Although Master Lu once taught us, he was just an enlightenment teacher and could not be regarded as a direct disciple. My personal teacher was Wen Raogong. Even if he did not go to the funeral for Master Lu, he would not be a disciple.
It’s blameworthy.”
This is quite true.
When they were young, Gongsun Zan and Liu Bei studied under Lu Zhi for one year. In fact, they could only be regarded as disciples of the general class, not personal disciples.
Gongsun Zan's personal teacher was Taiwei Liu Kuan. When Liu Kuan passed away, he went to express his condolences.
This point is explained in detail on the tombstone written by Cai Yong for Liu Kuan, so it makes sense for Gongsun Zan not to express his condolences to Lu Zhi.
But no matter what, the attitude between master and disciple should not be so indifferent.
Hearing his words, Liu Bei opened his eyes wide, as if he didn't recognize his childhood classmate and friend in front of him at this moment.
Only Chen Mu frowned, thought for a moment and said: "Brother Bogui's words are not unreasonable. In this case, brother Bogui will guard this place first, and my brother and I will go back to Zhuo County to express our condolences to Duke Lu.
When you leave these days, you must not stir up trouble."
"Okay, you go."
Gongsun Zan said carelessly: "Then Yuan Shao is just a disciple who relies on Ren Zimen's shadow. What can he do to me? I will definitely capture him alive in this battle. Just wait for my good news."
"Bogui..."
"Brother."
Liu Bei wanted to say something else, but Chen Mu forcibly pulled him out of Gongsun Zan's camp.
After they came out, Liu Bei said angrily: "Zi Gui, what are you talking about? How can there be any reason for students not to express condolences when a teacher dies?"
"In special times, there is nothing we can do about it."
Chen Mu shook his head.
Liu Bei frowned and said: "Even my fourth brother said that this battle will be long-lasting. Gong and Yuan Hao also said that if we want to defeat Yuan Shao, we can only continue to spend it. This time may take several years. Take more than ten days to go there."
Zhuoxian, what can be delayed?"
In fact, it's not that Liu Bei is determined to express his condolences to Lu Zhi, but that his current strategy is to consume Jizhou. Therefore, in the past six months, after occupying Ping'en, the coalition forces have been unable to hold on and have been avoiding battle.
Just like the Battle of Changping, as long as Lian Po can't defend, the Qin army can't do anything to the Zhao army.
Therefore, Liu Bei felt that since they had avoided fighting for more than half a year, even if Yuan Shao came in person, as long as they didn't want to fight, there was no way they would start a fight.
Taking advantage of the confrontation, it is not unreasonable to take more than ten days to go to Zhuoxian County. It will not delay the war, nor will it delay seeing off Lu Zhi. It is the best of both worlds. Why not do it?
"Brother Bogui...maybe he has his own reasons."
Chen Mu's eyes flickered.
It seems that as his strength grows stronger, Gongsun Zan's thoughts may also become deeper and deeper.
Now Zhang He's 40,000-strong army has been swallowed up by Chen Mu, and a large number of soldiers and horses in the southwest have been restrained by Guan Yu, resulting in a serious shortage of soldiers and horses in Jizhou. In addition, Chen Mu leads an army of 50,000, and one is declining, the other is increasing.
The Qingzhou and Youzhou coalition forces are no longer at a disadvantage in terms of military strength.
Relying on Wang Fen's legacy, Yuan Shao now has more than 100,000 troops stationed in Chuqiu, Wei County, Liangqi, Handan and other places. The troops of Liu Bei and Gongsun Zan's coalition also joined Chen Mu, reaching 140,000.
It can be said to be a big war.
If Yuan Shao loses this battle, then the entire Jizhou will be annexed by Liu Bei and Gongsun Zan. By that time, the two forces will begin to border each other. If Gongsun Zan wants to go south and continue to develop, I am afraid...
Thinking of this, Chen Mu's eyes revealed a strange light.
Maybe, taking this opportunity, you can...
...
...
In early spring, everything takes root and sprouts.
Liu Bei ordered Zhang Fei and Dian Wei to be generals and Ju appointed Tian Feng as military advisor to take charge of Qingzhou's 80,000 troops and let them stick to Geting. Then he and Chen Mu led the Xuanjia heavy cavalry north to Zhuoxian to express their condolences to Lu Zhi.
Lu Zhi actually passed away at the end of December last year. Because of the lack of information, it took more than ten days for Liu Bei to get it to Liu Bei. Liu Bei delayed it for a few more days. By the time he arrived in Zhuoxian, Lu Zhi had already been buried, so he just
Accompanied by Lu Zhi's children, he can go to Lu Zhi's grave to pay homage.
During this period of time, Yuan Shao had already led an army of 30,000 people to Cuiqiu in person.
At this moment, Jizhou has reached a critical moment of survival. Yuan Shao does not dare to leave any trump cards. Except for the 20,000 family members stationed in Yedu, all troops and horses have arrived at the front line.
The temperature in early spring was still cold, and the mountains and forests began to become lush and green. It was a sunny day today. Yuan Shao climbed up and looked into the distance, and saw tents stretching for dozens of miles on the bank of Zhangshui River in the distance. Countless soldiers and horses were coming in and out of the perimeter.
Some of the patrols were on guard duty and some were out on business. At first glance, there were dozens of camps alone.
The last time we saw such a scene was when the Eighteenth Route Army was fighting against Dong. In history, even when Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan were having the Battle of Jieqiao, the Battle of Longcuo, and the Battle of Jumashui, there was no such big event.
In the formation battle, the combined strength of the two men was only more than 100,000.
Now with the development of Qingzhou, as well as the fact that Jizhou has not suffered from military disasters in recent years, and because Gongsun Zan has prospered through business, the strength of the three parties has also undergone earth-shaking changes. The military strength, food and financial resources they possess are not what they used to be.
.
"Ming Gong, I heard that Duke Ziqian passed away, and Liu Xuande and Chen Zigui have gone north to express their condolences."
Xun Chen said to Yuan Shao: "Gongsun Zan has always had a strong character. He did not start a decisive battle with our army because of Liu Bei and Chen Mu's dissuasion. Now Liu Xuande and Chen Zigui are not here. If we send troops to provoke, Gongsun Zan will definitely send troops. Ming Gong can pretend not to."
Encourage the enemy to go deeper and defeat Gongsun Zan in one battle."
Feng Ji wondered: "How did you learn about this news? Is the source reliable? Chen Zigui has always been cunning and changeable. If this is deliberately false news and takes the opportunity to ambush our army, what should we do?"
Xun Chen glanced at him and said: "The source of this news is absolutely true and it is definitely not fake news."
"hehe."
Xu You smiled and said: "Since it is true, why don't you tell me the source of the news so that we can make a judgment."
Xun Chen refused without hesitation: "It's a matter of confidentiality, so I won't tell you."
"you!"
Feng Ji suddenly became unhappy and was about to argue with him.
Xu You said in a strange manner: "Could it be Youruo's younger brother Xun Wenruo who served as an official in Qingzhou? Xun Wenruo had followed Chen Zigui as an assistant in Shangshutai in his early years, and he had already given up his heart on Qingzhou. I'm afraid this news is false. Don't go to Youruo.
If you fall for Chen Zigui's deception, you will harm Mr. Yuan instead."
"Nonsense!"
Guo Tu angrily rebuked: "Could it be that Ziyuan meant that Yan Youruo was an insider?"
"Don't dare, I'm just telling the truth."
Xu You said calmly.
"This is unreasonable. If Mr. Yuan feels that I am an internal supporter of the Qingzhou Army, I will resign and return to Yingchuan."
Xun Chen was furious and turned around to leave.
Yuan Shao quickly grabbed him: "Don't be angry, friend. How could I not understand your loyalty? I will never doubt your heart."
Xu You and Feng Ji next to them snorted coldly and said nothing.
Liu Hui and Shen Pei also remained silent.
Only Guo Tuxinping and others glared at Xu Youfengji.
This is a factional dispute. Xu You and Feng Ji belong to the Nanyang faction, Liu Hui and Shen Pei belong to the Jizhou native faction, and Xun Chen, Guo Tuxin and Ping belong to the Yingchuan faction.
The three factions fought overtly and secretly. In history, the result was that Xu You defected to Cao Cao, which led to the defeat of Guandu. Shen Pei united and supported Yuan Shang. Guo Tuxin criticized and supported Yuan Tan, resulting in the Battle of Guandu.
Later, there was internal fighting in Jizhou and Cao Cao defeated them one by one.
And now, although Jusue Tianfeng is no longer here, the struggle between them still remains, with neither giving in to the other.
"Ming Gong, you cannot miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
Xun Chen begged bitterly.
Yuan Shao hesitated for a long time, nodded and said: "What you said is not unreasonable. No matter what, we have to give it a try. As for the ambush, if they really have an ambush, can't we set up an ambush?"
Xun Chen was overjoyed and said: "That's exactly it."
"I sent an order to Yan Liang to go out with me, and Wen Chou to lead an army of 30,000, with You Ruo as the military advisor, and the troops marched forward. Chunyu Qiong and Ziyuan each led an army to support the left and right, and Gao Lan was asked to go north to defend against the enemies of Guantao."
Yuan Shao assigned the task. Although he adopted Xun Chen's suggestion, he also gave Xu You face and allowed him to lead the army alone, which at least balanced the factional struggle.
A large-scale military war like this is, of course, not done with hundreds of thousands of people gathering together, but with dispersed garrisoning.
Don't look at the battle of Guandu, where Cao Cao's 30,000 troops faced off against Yuan Shao's more than 100,000 troops. In fact, the 30,000 troops were just Cao Cao's main camp, and there were a large number of reserves nearby. For example, Zang Ba attacked Qingzhou, Yu Jin garrisoned Yanjin, and Liu Yan garrisoned
Baima, the total troop investment is actually 70,000.
Similarly, Yuan Shao did not gather more than 100,000 people in Guandu. Instead, he ordered his generals to lead the army to attack in all directions. He asked Guo Tuchun to attack Baima in Qiongyanliang, Wen Chou to attack Yanjin, and Yuan Tan to attack from Qingzhou. The forces were not concentrated at all.
together.
Therefore, in fact, the confrontation between the enemy and ourselves in Kuqiu and Geting did not mean that the troops were concentrated together.
The strategic deployment of both sides is that the Qingzhou Army attacks from the east, mainly stationed in the Ping'en, Qingyuan, and Guantao areas. The Youzhou Army attacks from the north, mainly stationed in the Quliang, Lieren, and Kuezhang areas, and the intersection of the three parties
The point is at Geting and Cuiqiu.
A few days later, according to Yuan Shao's deployment, Wen Chou, who was stationed in Handan, began to march eastward to contain Gongsun Zan's troops and horses in Quliang Lieren. The troops from Yuancheng in Wei County began to move north to contain Guantao Qingyuan's troops.
If you look at the map like this, you will find that the two sides have started a crisscross confrontation in the northeast of Wei County, on the vast plain between the Qingshui and Zhangshui rivers.
After all these arrangements were made, Yuan Shao personally led the main army stationed at Chuqiu, totaling 80,000 men, and marched north towards the main coalition army of Ge Ting.
At this time, Ge Ting had Gongsun Zan's 10,000 infantry, 20,000 cavalry, and Liu Bei's 30,000 infantry, for a total of 60,000 people.