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

Zhang Song proudly presented Cao Cao with a strategy to defend against the enemy.

Cao Cao, however, frowned and remained silent.

He has been cheated by Zhang Song too many times.

The fall of Puban Pass and the easy breach of the Yellow River defense line by the Han army were Zhang Song's strategic mistakes.

Blocking the Han army north of the Wei River by occupying Weikou City was also Zhang Song's masterpiece, but it was broken by Liu Bei again.

These two strategic mistakes directly led to the Han army approaching the city of Chang'an.

Although the fall of Chang'an cannot be blamed on Zhang Song and should be put on Guo Jia's account, but if it weren't for Zhang Song's two strategic mistakes, how could Liu Bei have reached the city of Chang'an?
This time, Zhang Song proposed a strategy to build Jieting City and defend Longshan.

Although Cao Cao was wise and could see that Zhang Song's strategy was the most realistic and effective one at the moment, he still had lingering fears and did not dare to use it lightly.

However, due to Zhang Song's identity as a representative of Shu people, Cao Cao could not question Zhang Song's strategy to his face, and could only remain silent for a while.

"Your Majesty, what do you think of my strategy?"

Zhang Song did not try to guess what Cao Cao was thinking. Seeing that he did not express his opinion, he asked further.

Cao Cao could only cough dryly a few times and looked at Guo Jia, seeking his opinion.

Although Guo Jia was to blame for the fall of Chang'an, in the current situation where talent was dwindling, the only strategist he could use besides Zhang Song was Guo Jia.

I don't want to ask, but I have to ask.

After Guo Jia pondered for a long time, he bowed and said:

"I second Zhang Yongnian's plan. If Liu Bei wants to invade Longxi, the Longshui Road is indeed the most convenient and flat route, and it will definitely be his main route of attack."

"If we want to block the Longshui Road, Jieting is the key point. We must build and reinforce it as soon as possible to ensure that it is strong enough to at least withstand the bombardment of the Han army's Hanwei cannon."

After a pause, Guo Jia added:

"But in addition to the Longshui Road, there are several other valley roads in the Long Mountains. Although they are relatively rugged, they can also connect the east and the west."

"We also need to be on high alert in these valleys and build fortresses as soon as possible to prevent Liu Bei from making a feint to the east and attacking in the west in the future."

After getting Guo Jia's approval, Cao Cao's frown finally relaxed and he felt more confident.

"Okay, okay, Yongnian's strategy is indeed a foolproof plan to preserve Longxi."

Cao Cao nodded in praise, then glanced at the generals:
"Who among you is willing to lead 7,000 elite soldiers to guard Jieting, build and reinforce the city, and prepare for the future attack by the big-eared thieves?"

Most of the generals lowered their heads and no one volunteered.

There is nothing wrong with staying in Jieting and building the city. It is also a lucrative job.

The key is that after building the city, you can't just leave, you have to stay and defend it.

If we defend Jieting, we will have to face the massive attack of the Han army in the future.

This is a very risky mission.

None of the generals had the determination to die, and they defended Jieting to the death for Cao Cao, serving as the vanguard to block the Han army's westward advance.

Cao Cao's face darkened and disappointment flashed in his eyes.

Just when it was about to happen.

A young general leaped up and said with emotion:

"Your Majesty, I am willing to lead the army to stay in Jieting and build a strong pass for Your Majesty to guard Longshan Mountain, as strong as Tongguan!"

Cao Cao was cheered up.

The one who volunteered was none other than their own "thousand-mile horse" Cao Xiu.

At critical moments, we still have to rely on our own family...

After expressing his deep feelings, Cao Cao happily praised:
"Okay, okay, you are worthy of being the talented horse of our Cao family. I will give you 7,000 elite soldiers and leave Jieting City to you!"

Cao Xiu accepted the order with great enthusiasm and expressed his determination.

"Who among you is willing to be the deputy general, to assist Wen Lie in guarding Jieting and building the city passes?"

Cao Cao looked at his ministers again. Although Cao Xiu was a leader among the younger generation, he was still young after all, and Cao Cao was always worried about letting him shoulder such a heavy burden alone.

All the generals bowed their heads, and still no one volunteered.

"Your Majesty, I am willing to serve as a deputy general and help General Cao guard Jieting!"

A general in the corner stood up and asked for orders.

Cao Cao's eyes passed over the ministers and fell on the inconspicuous general. For a moment he couldn't figure out who he was.

"You are…"

"I, Wang Ping, am willing to assist General Cao in guarding Jieting!"

The general seemed to realize that Cao Cao didn't remember him, so he asked for orders again and gave his name.

Cao Cao said "Oh" and then he remembered.

If I remember correctly, this Wang Ping should be from Hanzhong and was originally a subordinate of Zhang Lu. He followed Zhang Lu to surrender when he pacified Hanzhong.

This person is not a famous general and he has not had any outstanding performance over the years, so it is normal that he does not remember his name.

If Guanzhong had not been lost, many Qin generals would have died in the battle and surrendered to Han, which left many gaps in between. Given Wang Ping's official position, he would not have had the opportunity to participate in this military meeting today.

"Wang... Wang Zijun, right? Do you really have the courage to assist Wen Lie in defending Jieting?"

Cao Cao did not agree to his request on the spot, and there was a hint of hesitation in his words.

Wang Ping did not hesitate at all and bowed generously:

"Since I surrendered to the Qin Dynasty, I have been fed by the emperor but have never had the opportunity to share the emperor's worries. I am willing to guard Jieting to repay the emperor's kindness!"

Cao Cao understood.

Repaying the emperor's kindness is just polite talk. Wang Ping wants to seize this opportunity to show off and make achievements so as to achieve rapid success.

Only people with this kind of mentality will work harder and use their lives more smoothly.

"good very good!"

"In times of crisis, he was able to step forward bravely. This is the epitome of a Qin warrior!"

Cao Cao clapped his hands and praised, saying happily:

"Wang Ping, I will promote you to the rank of Lieutenant General, and you will stay with Wen Lie to guard Jieting!"

Wang Ping was secretly delighted and quickly accepted the order.

The strategy of building Jieting and relying on Longshan to resist the Han army was thus decided.

Cao Cao also issued an edict, designating Jicheng as the secondary capital, ordering Yizhou to transport food, fodder and soldiers to Jicheng as soon as possible, and ordering Wuwei, Jincheng and other Liangbei counties to send war horses and cavalry to Jicheng.

In order to prevent Liu Bei from attacking Longxi and instead going south across the Qinling Mountains to take Hanzhong directly, Cao Cao ordered Xiahou Yuan to send reinforcements to Yangping Pass under Hanzhong County and other valley entrances such as Xiegu to strengthen the defense.

After the imperial edicts were issued, Cao Cao led his main force to evacuate Jieting and head towards Jicheng, the capital of Tianshui County.

Generals Cao Xiu and Wang Ping led 7,000 Qin troops to garrison Jieting.

As soon as Cao Cao left, Cao Xiu immediately mobilized local laborers to carry soil and stones to start building and reinforcing the Jieting City.

It's dusk.

Cao Xiu stood with his hands behind his back on the east gate tower, supervising thousands of civilians and soldiers who were working feverishly to raise and thicken the low and old Jieting City.

"Fortunately, your majesty prepared for a rainy day and ordered me to build this Jieting City ahead of time. If we had used the existing city walls, how could we have withstood the bombardment of the Han army's Hanwei cannons?"

"It will take at least three months for that big-eared thief to lead his troops to attack Longxi. Three months should be enough time for me..."

The sound of horse hooves interrupted Cao Xiu's thoughts.

A scout rushed into the city, climbed up the tower, and shouted:
"General Cao, we have discovered 30,000 Han troops on the Longshui River. They are heading towards Jieting, less than 30 miles away!"

Cao Xiu's face suddenly changed. (End of this chapter)