Three Kingdoms: Wolong's brother-in-law, tricking Liu Bei into seizing Jingzhou

The Yellow River is frozen, crossing the river on ice, raiding Puyang...

Liu Bei suddenly sat up straight, and the eyes of his ministers widened. Hao Zhao's explanation was really beyond their expectations.

Only Xiao Fang raised the corners of his mouth slightly, as if Hao Zhao's explanation coincided with what he was thinking.

"Tongguan and Wuguan are both dangerous passes in the world. One man can hold a pass and ten thousand cannot open it. Even if our army has a million troops, Cao Cao only needs to station tens of thousands of soldiers at the pass and our army will find it difficult to cross."

"Since Tongguan and Wuguan are blocked, we can only cross the Yellow River from Hedong, capture Pubanguan, and attack Guanzhong from the north."

"I think your majesty's strategy to destroy Qin must start from Hedong, otherwise you would not have led your troops north to recapture Bingzhou first."

"During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, Qin and Wei were competing for supremacy. Wei also attacked from the east and west of the Yellow River and entered the heartland of Qin."

"The key to this battle is how to cross the Yellow River and capture Puban Pass on the other side by surprise."

"If we use the usual tactics of transporting the army across the river by boats and rafts, we will not be able to take advantage of our military strength, and the Qin army can use its superior strength to attack our troops halfway across the river."

"Is it because of this constraint that Cao Cao was unable to conquer Pubanjin?"

"In that case, we don't need to use boats to cross the river. Instead, we can wait for the Yellow River to freeze over. Then our army can walk on the ice to cross the river and take Puban Pass by surprise with our overwhelming force advantage!"

Hao Zhao was no longer nervous as he had been at the beginning, and he calmly explained his strategy in detail.

There was a lot of discussion in the hall.

"I forgot that the Yellow River is not like the Yangtze River. This river is located in the north, and the winter in the north is much colder than in the south. It is common for rivers to freeze over."

"Yes, our army can indeed cross the river on ice and capture Puban Pass by surprise!"

Liu Bei nodded repeatedly, a look of sudden enlightenment in his eyes.

At this time, Fa Zheng bowed his hands:

"Your Majesty, the north is indeed colder than the south, and it is not uncommon for rivers to freeze over in winter."

"But as far as I know, the winters in recent years have been warm. Not only has the Yellow River not frozen, but even the Weishui and Luoshui rivers have not frozen for several years."

"Or even if it freezes, the ice is too thin to support a large army crossing the river."

"I wonder if Hao Bodao has considered this."

After Fa Zheng poured a bucket of cold water on Liu Bei, the excitement on Liu Bei's face immediately faded a little.

During the Han Dynasty, the climate was generally warm, and bamboo could often be seen in the area north of the Qinling Mountains.

During the cold winter, small rivers and streams will indeed freeze over, but it is not certain whether large rivers like the Yellow River will freeze over.

It is also unknown whether the thickness of the ice surface can support a large army crossing the river.

"What Minister Fa said is absolutely right. It is indeed impossible to determine whether the Yellow River will freeze every year."

"Gu Zhao's strategy cannot be implemented immediately. When it can be used depends on the weather."

Hao Zhao gave an explanation.

To put it bluntly, it’s just one word - wait.

When we encounter a cold winter, when the temperature drops sharply and the Yellow River freezes, we will implement this strategy.

As a result, the strategy of crossing the river on ice has been greatly discounted and has become extremely uncertain.

"Your Majesty, Hao Zhao's plan is indeed a brilliant one, but it places too much emphasis on the timing."

"If the Yellow River never freezes over, should we just wait forever without attacking Qin?"

"So I think that although this strategy is unique, it is not a perfect strategy. I am afraid we have to find another good strategy."

Guan Yu also stroked his beautiful beard and expressed his opinion that he did not advocate relying the success of the attack on Qin on the right time.

Everyone agreed, and all advocated making preparations for both scenarios and having backup strategies.

"Prime Minister, what do you think of Hao Bodao's strategy?"

Old Liu's gaze finally fell on Xiao Fang.

How could he not ask for Xiao Fang's opinion on the grand plan of attacking Qin and destroying Cao?

"Hao Bodao's strategy does have flaws, and Xiaozhi Yunchang and his colleagues' concerns are all reasonable."

Changing the subject, Xiao Fang said:
"But this summer is exceptionally hot, much hotter than in previous years. In my experience, if the summer is extremely hot, the winter will often be colder than usual."

"I speculate that we may not have to wait too long. By the beginning of winter this year, we will most likely see a cold winter when the Yellow River freezes over."

As soon as these words were spoken, there was an uproar in the hall.

Even Liu Bei was shocked, with disbelief in his eyes.

He had seen Xiao Fang's amazing predictions many times, so he naturally believed in them, but this was the first time he had seen his ability to calculate changes in the weather.

Even changes in celestial phenomena such as wind, rain, cold and heat can be predicted. He is definitely a god!
"Jinglue, can you really calculate that this winter is a cold winter and the Yellow River can freeze over?"

There was a hint of suspicion in Liu Bei's words. It had been a long time since he questioned Xiao Fang's judgment.

"Your Majesty, you are joking. If I could really calculate the changes in the weather, wouldn't I be a god?"

"I don't have that ability."

Xiao Fang laughed at himself and explained:
"My judgment is based on past experience, not calculations. It is just a guess." "I dare not guarantee that my guess is correct. I can only say that there is a chance."

"So as Yunchang said, we have to make preparations in case I guess wrong."

"Of course, if I guessed it right, it would further prove that Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven. Even the heavens are helping Your Majesty by sending a cold winter in time to help our Han army cross the river on ice and destroy the fake Cao!"

Liu Bei understood.

Throughout his life, Xiao Fang always offered suggestions with confidence and an absolute chance of success.

But this time, I am not sure, it almost depends on "God's will".

To put it bluntly, it all depends on your character.

You, Liu Bei, are a good person and are blessed by God. So this year will be a cold winter, the Yellow River will be frozen, and Hao Zhao's strategy can be implemented smoothly.

If you have bad luck, you can either use the backup strategy or wait until next year and continue to rely on your luck.

"I understand. Whether we can successfully conquer Qin this year depends on whether God wills it."

Liu Bei nodded slightly and said:
"In that case, let's prepare to attack Qin and see whether this winter is cold or warm, and whether God will help me destroy Qin and punish Cao!"

The ministers accepted the order with a roar.

The strategy to attack Qin was decided in the hall.

The first plan was for Liu Bei to lead the main force of the army and continue to imitate the battle to recapture Bingzhou, and to tie down the main force of the Qin army at Tongguan.

Zhang Fei commanded the Bingzhou Army and deployed troops along the Xihe and Shangjun lines, pretending to attack Guanzhong from the north.

Guan Yu went south to Wancheng, commanded the southern army and launched an offensive against Wuguan.

These three armies were all feint attacks to divide the Qin army's forces.

The Ling Tong and Huo Jun armies stationed in Pubanjin were the real main attack direction.

Once winter came, the temperature dropped sharply and the Yellow River froze. The troops quickly walked across the ice and attacked Puban Pass.

There is also a backup plan. If the Yellow River is not frozen this year, Liu Bei will personally lead the main force north to Hedong, and transfer Gan Ning to command the navy to Pubanjin, and use the main force of the Han army to force a crossing of the Yellow River to capture Pubanjin.

In order to prevent Cao Cao from being on guard, Liu Bei originally wanted to appoint Hao Zhao as the top scholar, but he changed him to the third place, so as to prevent Hao Zhao from being too prominent and attracting the attention of the Qin State.

At the same time, Hao Zhao's test paper with only four words was sealed and not made public.

When the second imperial examination came to an end, the autumn harvest in various states also ended.

Except for Youzhou which suffered from drought and some counties in Qingzhou which suffered from floods, the other seven states basically had good weather and good harvests.

Hundreds of thousands of hu of grain from military farms and taxes from self-cultivating farmers were collected gradually and transported continuously to the national granaries in Luoyang, Yecheng, Wancheng and other places.

Based on the grain tax from this year's autumn harvest, it is enough to support the food and fodder supply for an army of 400,000 for about a year.

The abundance of food and grass gave Liu Bei more confidence in his campaign to destroy Qin.

After nearly half a year of rest, the physical strength of the Han army has almost recovered. The soldiers are in high spirits and high morale, and they all hope to make more achievements.

The autumn harvest is over, morale is high, and the weapons are well-equipped...

In addition to the right time, the Han army already had the conditions to march west to attack Qin and destroy the Cao family.

So, on the first day of winter, Liu Bei built an altar outside the city of Luoyang to offer sacrifices to heaven and formally announced the issuance of an edict to attack Qin.

Nearly 100,000 copies of the "Exhortation to Punish the Traitor Cao" were posted in cities of all sizes in the three states of Si, Yi and Liang overnight.

This manifesto, written by Zhuge Liang, enumerated all of Cao Cao's crimes and announced that Liu Bei, the emperor of the Han Dynasty, would lead a million strong Han army to avenge the people, punish the criminals, destroy the false Qin, and kill Cao Cao.

In the proclamation, the emperor warned the officials and people of the three states not to help Zhou to commit atrocities and follow the rebel leader Cao Cao, but to welcome the Han army with a single pot of food.

Otherwise, when the Han cavalry arrives, all those who are traitors and collaborators will be unforgivable and will be exterminated together.

The propaganda offensive against Qin was launched first against the State of Qin.

Immediately afterwards, the Han troops launched a full-scale attack on the Qin State according to the plan.

On the Jingzhou front, Taishi Ci continued to lead the Jingzhou army, crossing the Three Gorges to attack Baidi City in order to contain Xiahou Yuan's army in Yizhou.

On the Wancheng front, General Guan Yu led the army and launched an offensive on the Wuguan front.

In Bingzhou, Zhang Fei led the Bingzhou Army and launched an offensive against Guanzhong from the north along the Xihe Shangjun line.

On the Tongguan front, Liu Bei personally led an army of 200,000 troops westward from Luoyang, passed Hongnong and headed towards Tongguan again.

Only on the Hedong front, nearly 40,000 Han troops remained motionless and did not deploy any strategy.

In the imperial capital Luoyang, Liu Bei ordered Crown Prince Liu Chen to govern the country, and Shangshu Ling Zhuge Liang to lead the civil and military officials who stayed behind to assist the crown prince in guarding the capital and handling military and national affairs.

Tian Feng, Chen Deng, Pang Tong, Xu Shu and other counselors were sent to various fronts to assist Zhang Fei, Guan Yu and other generals.

Except for Xu Sheng, Chen Dao and other generals who stayed in Luoyang, all the famous generals of the Han Dynasty came out in full force.

In the winter of that year, nearly 400,000 Han soldiers once again launched a full-scale attack on the Qin State on a long front stretching thousands of miles from north to south.

The Qin spies, who were densely distributed throughout the Han Dynasty, soon sent back to Qin the news of Liu Bei's vow to attack Qin like snowflakes.

The whole Qin State was greatly shocked. (End of this chapter)