Shu Chen

Chapter 224 Yin Figure
The night was cloudless, and the stars and the moon hung high in the night sky.

The entire river valley is shrouded in a faint grayish-white light, and the trunks of birch trees stand sparsely on the continuous hills, reflecting the moonlight gloomyly.Looking from a distance, it looks like an upside-down corpse hanging from the sky.

The already cold wind became even more unscrupulous after nightfall.

They roared into the col, passed through the heavily guarded night patrol soldiers and broke into the tent of the Chinese army, swaying the light and shadow of the grease lamp.

Zhuge Liang, the prime minister led by E Guanbo, sat quietly behind the table alone, staring at the military situation laid out on the table.

Liang Yuanbi, the leader of the Xiongnu who was temporarily transferred from Zheng Pu's command, was very familiar with the terrain in this area. He led more than a hundred tribesmen out for only three days, and deduced all the dispatches from the routes of the various troops against the Wei Dynasty.

In other words, Reverse Wei Cao really didn't intend to conceal his strategic intentions.

Holding the absolute strength of tens of thousands of Guanzhong troops and tens of thousands of Liangzhou defenders, he can completely control the initiative on the battlefield and let the war develop according to his own wishes.

For example, only [-] soldiers and horses contain the prime minister's [-] army, which is a manifestation of ease.

However, the prime minister didn't think Cao Zhenqi was superior to this.

Don't send Zheng Pu and Jiang Wei to guard the rear of Xiaoguan Road, and personally lead the army here to threaten the Reverse Wei Liangdao, all in order to prevent the main force of Rebel Wei from entering Longyou.

As long as Ni Wei does not send troops to the cities of Pingxiang and Ayang, it doesn't matter whether he can attack Ni Wei Liangdao.

Wei Yan, Guan Xing, Zhang Bao and others guarding Zuli County and Yuyinsai had known for a long time that there would be no reinforcements and had to defend until the Wei army retreated spontaneously.

The soldiers under their command are all veterans, and the prime minister has stockpiled enough food for them for a year, as well as a large number of military supplies such as Yuanrong crossbows, rhubarb crossbows, and grease, so there will be no isolation or lack of supplies that will cause the army to collapse worries.

In fact, the prime minister breathed a sigh of relief at Wei Junbing's move to divide into three groups.

Cao Zhen divided his troops too widely.

According to common sense, it would seem a bit tasteless to send Fei Yao that way to attack Zheng Pu and Jiang Wei's camp.

There are Ma Dai and Zhao Guang two cavalry in the Changli water (Hulu River) valley, and Fei Yao's [-] soldiers, even if they break through the other camp, they cannot continue to attack Xiaoguan; Ayang City.

That being the case, why not dispatch this army to join forces with Xia Houru and attack Zuli County day and night!
This is where the prime minister's doubts lie.

It is of no benefit to the situation of the battle, why did Bini Wei Caozhen make such a dispatch?
Could it be that Cao Zhen, who was captured by Wei Bing, called Zheng Pu "the great trouble of Wei", so he wanted to get rid of it quickly; or did he have other deep meanings?

The prime minister hesitated.

However, after pondering for a while, I am more willing to believe that the reason is the latter.

After all, that is Cao Zhen who has been in the army for decades, and today is the leading commander who can oppose Wei.

However, Rao and Liao Zuo had deduced many times and guessed many possibilities, and the prime minister could not confirm Cao Zhen's follow-up intention of this move.It was Fu Qian who stayed by his side talking with other officials, which made the Prime Minister think of another possibility.

That was Fu Qian showing off Zheng Pu's achievements in guarding the Xiaoguan way in the past.

"With my husband and General Jiang guarding the Xiaoguan Road, why should he be afraid of the [-] troops from the Wei District to attack! If Cao Zhen hadn't personally led the army to come, Xiaoguan Road's farewell camp can be said to be worry-free!"

As the saying goes, the speaker has no intention, and the listener has intention.

These words made the Prime Minister's eyes brighten: Perhaps, Bi Cao really intended for Xiao Guan?

The reason for this war is clear.

It was because the Han army captured the fortress of Yinyin and completely cut off the connection between Niwei Guanzhong Sanfu and the Hexi Corridor, so Cao Zhen came here with all his strength in Guanzhong.

Its strategic intentions are also obvious.

Capture Zuli County at all costs, cut off the connection between Longyou and Hexi, and retake Shuyinsai.

But now the prime minister suddenly felt that storming Zuli county was just a cover.

Because from the perspective of rebelling against Wei, a better way than besieging Zuli County is to capture Xiaoguan.

Just like the big Han can attack Liangzhou after taking the fortress of Yinyin, as long as Xiaoguan falls into the hands of Wei State, the main force of Guanzhong can continuously enter the land of Longyou.

At that time, Longyou will lose the shelter of its geographical advantage and become the main battlefield for both Han and Wei. How can the big Han have the spare power to enter the Hexi Corridor?
Can An not give up the lonely fort in the north?

Unless, the Dahan captured Jincheng County and provided supplies and fodder from the Wuting Nishui (Zhuanglang River) valley to hold on to the Yinsai.

But this is not possible.

If Jincheng County was easy to capture, there would be no need for Jiang Wei's surprise attack around the rear.

That's why Cao Zhen sent Governor Fei Yao to attack Zheng Pu and Jiang Wei's camp.

Once Fei Yao was able to break through, or when the other battalion was in danger, Cao Zhen gathered all his troops and moved here to occupy Xiaoguan Road!
With Ma Dai and Zhao Guang's two cavalry and Wu Banbu in Ayang City, he could not stop his army of tens of thousands from capturing Xiaoguan and going south to Lueyang to capture Jieting.

That is to say, Ni Wei can take over in one fell swoop, and it is related to Xiao Guan Dao and Guan Long Dao to which Longyou belongs!
The war between the two sides can be reversed to the situation of the Han Dynasty's first northern expedition.

There is no need to worry about the grain road being cut off by the prime minister.

At that time, he can completely transfer grain and fodder from Guanzhong.

And Gaoping City is known as "the first city".

It only takes three to five thousand soldiers to defend, and the prime minister's [-] army can't take it down, and can't go back to Xiaoguan from the Wushui River Valley for rescue.

As for why, Cao Zhen is still attacking Zuli County now
First, it is to pull and mobilize the whole body.

If he had a clear purpose and personally raised the army to attack Xiao Guandao, it is impossible for the Han army not to respond.

For example, Wu Banbu will definitely send soldiers and horses to reinforce Xiaoguan; Ma Dai and Zhao Guanghui will lead the cavalry out to harass;

Even the Wei Yan tribe in Zuli County may go out of the city and try to attack his rear.

With so many restraints, it is difficult for him to make achievements.

Therefore, it is a very good choice to send Fei Yao to lead the way to try.

Anyway, Zuli County will be captured sooner or later. ,

And as long as Xia Houru and Guo Huai continue to besiege Zuli County, the Prime Minister will not retreat to Longyou in order to contain it, and the strength of the Han in Xiaoguandao will not increase.

Furthermore, he can also take this opportunity to transfer all the troops, horses, food, supplies, etc. out of the Wushui River Valley to make preparations in advance.

If Fei Yao's attack went well, he would have won the time to drive straight in.

At that time, the prime minister would not be able to come back in time!

On the other hand, the battlefield is changing rapidly, and anything can happen.

As a commander in chief, you should not put all your eggs in one basket unless it is absolutely necessary.

For example, the war with Soochow has not yet ended, and even the emperor Cao Rui has personally conscripted.

All the troops of the State of Wei went to the battlefield.

In case, something went wrong in Jingzhou or Huainan battlefield, similar to the one that made it difficult for Wei Guo to continue in the battle of Shiting, he would have to retreat no matter how unwilling he was.

Because Cao Rui, the emperor who supported him vigorously, would also change his original intention.

Attacking is for the benefit of the country.

If he captured Longyou at the cost of losing Jingzhou or Huainan, what's the point?

So the siege of Zuli County is essential.

Regardless of the victory or defeat, at least he wanted to consume the great Han's war background, delay the Han army's attack on Liangzhou, and maintain the Hexi Corridor to settle down in the status quo.

Being upright and ambiguous, and being prepared for all kinds of changes, is the guarantee to actively hold the battlefield in your hands.

The prime minister pondered for a while, and roughly understood Cao Zhen's intentions, but he could only smile wryly.

In order to protect the background of sending troops to seize Liangzhou in the future, try to avoid the big man who fought against Wei in the field, and was too passive in the battle.

It is not impossible for him to break Cao Zhen's hidden layout.

It's very simple, he only needs to give up the geographical advantage and lead the army out of the valley to camp.

At that time, Cao Zhen will not hesitate to give up the plan of besieging Zuli County or wanting to capture Xiaoguan, and instead use all his troops to besiege him.

After all, as long as the main force he led was defeated, Wei would gain Longyou.

It is tantamount to forcing the big man back to guard Hanzhong County.

It is also true that he, walking on thin ice, had no choice but to sit and watch Cao Zhen make every step of the way.

Ugh.
I sighed slightly in my heart.

The prime minister, who put away the general's love cloth one by one, got up according to the case and stepped out of the army tent.

Seeing this, the soldier on duty outside hurriedly ran into the tent to get a thick cloak and put it on for him, only to respectfully follow suit.

It's winter soon, and the temperature difference between day and night here is huge. They are in their prime and can't bear the cold at night, let alone the prime minister whose beard and hair are covered with frost.

However, there are many fires for lighting and warning in the barracks.

The prime minister, who walked slowly, stopped in front of the fire, not afraid of the bleak autumn wind.

After the Han army camped in this valley, Mi Wei and Zong Yu's troops went out to collect firewood every day, making preparations for the whole army to hold on until next spring.

Yes, according to the prime minister's expectation, the war will not end until next year's spring plowing at the earliest.

In other words, if Cao Zhen does not retreat in the spring and March of next year, he will take the initiative to attack and force him to retreat.

It is not to attack Gaoping City.

Instead, he returned to Longyou, sent troops from Xiaoguan to Jingzhao, and joined forces with General Wu Yi, the left general guarding Hanzhong County, in Chang'an City!

Put Wei Yan's plot of Ziwu Valley into practice!

There is no need to worry about the inconvenience of Wu Yi's troops marching.

In the past, when Cao Zhen aggressively attacked Hanzhong County, he didn't send his troops to go to Ziwu Valley. The road conditions were more convenient than before.

And thanks to the Battle of West City, there was no security at the entrance of Ziwu Valley, and Wu Yi would not be noticed by Wei Jun when he left Ziwu Valley——Cao Zhen's tens of thousands of troops were in Longyou, who would have expected that the big man would attack Chang'an?

Of course, sending troops out of Chang'an is a desperate move.

No matter how ideal it is, it will hurt both sides.

It means that the big man takes Longyou as a bet, betting that Cao is really willing to preserve a complete Guanzhong Sanfu, or harvest the dilapidated Guanzhong and Longyou.

But the prime minister had no other choice.

Or in other words, it is inevitable for a big man.

After providing the [-] troops of Zuli County and Yuyinsai with enough food and fodder for a year, the food and fodder left for the soldiers and horses of the various troops in Longyou will not last long.

Over the years, wars have been too frequent.

After the Battle of Xiangfan and the Battle of Yiling, Yizhou has long been exhausted.

Most of the food and fodder used before was accumulated by the soldiers in the fields of Shu.

Now soldiers and horses are gathered in various places in Longyou and Hanzhong County for defense, and the military settlement has long been difficult to sustain; and the government did not take much from the farmland that recruited poor people to rent it.

In the final analysis, the big man is not against Wei after all, and he can't do things like taking six or eight out of ten of the income from farming.

Alas, I hope it doesn't get to that point.

Otherwise, my big man's nearly ten years of conquests will be destroyed in one go.

My heart was greedy again.

The prime minister leaned against the fire with his hands spread out, trying to draw warmth from the virtue of fire advocated by the big man.

He never thought about whether Soochow would have another victory similar to the "Battle of Shiting" this time, which made Cao Zhen have to retreat.

That possibility is really too slim.

After all, Niwei had suffered a loss once and had already turned defensive, so it was impossible to get into the battlefield that Sun Quan expected again.

And Soochow's ability to go ashore to attack the city and fight fiercely?
Not to mention.

He was able to restrain the garrison army against Wei Luoyang from coming to Longyou, and he was a good ally that made the big man applaud.

Furthermore, the prime minister did not pin his hope of success on others.

"Prime Minister, here it is, Wen Hao."

He was squinting his eyes with emotion when his thoughts were interrupted by a voice.

Looking sideways, it was Fu Qian, who was in full armor, smiling and handing over a kumiss pouch.

He is now a goalkeeper.The prime minister previously accepted him to join the army as the secretary of the prime minister's office, but later thinking that he was a general, he let him also lead a school of soldiers and horses to guard the Chinese army.

The prime minister nodded and smiled, and when he took the wine bag, he also asked, "You are not on duty tonight, why don't you rest?"

"It's still early at night, and I'm not tired."

Fu Qian also laughed, and said softly, "I happened to see the prime minister leaving the tent, so I brought some drinks over."

"Um"

Nodding slightly, the prime minister said nothing.

He uncorked the wine bag and took a few sips.

The kumiss is as sour as ever, and it always makes people frown when it touches the stomach.

However, the prime minister has slowly gotten used to the taste.

On the one hand, it is normal.

On the other hand, since he often drank this wine, many soldiers and assistants no longer drink wine made from grain and fodder.

It can be regarded as slightly relieving the big man's food and fodder difficulties.

After a long silence, the prime minister returned the wine bag to Fu Qian, and was about to tell him to go back and rest, but from the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of some bamboo slips slanted on his waist.

The prime minister knew what those bamboo slips were for.

Back then when the great Han first came out of Longyou, and after Ma Di's army was defeated, Zheng Pu, Wang Ping, Ju Fu, Zhang Yi and others resolutely defended Xiaoguan Road.

When the situation was declining, he tore off the cloth of the military tent and wrote it himself, so that all the soldiers who were still alive had the opportunity to leave a sentence for their family members.

Now, Fu Qian has begun to take charge of the army, and he has followed suit.

When he was not on duty, he found ordnance leftovers and cut them into bamboo slips for future use on the eve of the war.

A bamboo slip, with few words recorded, seems to be only for consolation, but it can make the soldiers have no fear and no regrets when they walk in battle.

Perhaps this is the reason why the Xuanwu Army was still able to hold its ground even after ten to five or six years ago.

The prime minister said secretly.

He also let go of his worries.

Zheng Pu can make the soldiers die hard, Jiang Wei can make the soldiers willing to risk their lives for thousands of miles to follow, and Wei Feiyao can only lead an army of [-] to attack, so why worry about it!
　Sorry, I've been really busy recently

　　
　
(End of this chapter)