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

The capital of Tianshui County was Jicheng.

The former county seat, now a temporary palace.

Cao Cao was frowning and enduring the pain. He ordered the doctor to re-apply medicine and bandage the severed finger while listening to his ministers reporting on the military situation.

"The governors of Jincheng and Wuwei counties have presented five thousand war horses and two thousand cavalrymen, and they are now on their way to Jicheng."

"In Yizhou, the General of the Cavalry has recruited nearly 20,000 new troops and is sending them to Jicheng. They have now passed Yangping Pass."

"In addition, there are another 100,000 hu of grain and fodder, which have already crossed Qishan and are on their way to Jicheng."

"Our army has withdrawn nearly 70,000 soldiers from the Guanzhong front. With the addition of the county troops from Longxi, our army has barely recovered to more than 80,000."

"If we wait for the new troops from Yizhou to arrive, we can gather at least 100,000 soldiers and horses."

Zhang Song read the military reports one by one.

Most of the information was good news. Cao Cao's frown relaxed slightly, as if his injuries were not so painful anymore.

"We have an army of 100,000 men, and Longshan is our natural barrier. Once General Wenlie finishes building and reinforcing Jieting City, our Longshan defense line will be an iron wall."

"Even if Liu Bei takes Guanzhong and becomes more powerful, it will be impossible for him to cross our Longshan defense line!"

"Your Majesty, our Great Qin has finally turned from danger to safety."

Zhang Song closed the military newspaper and looked at Cao Cao with a smile.

Cao Cao showed a long-lost sense of relief on his face and nodded slightly:
"As you said, our Great Qin has finally turned the corner. You should all relax and stop being dejected and depressed."

The depressed mood of the ministers due to the loss of Guanzhong and the days of fleeing was swept away at this moment.

Inside the hall, a sense of excitement gradually began to rekindle.

"Your Majesty, your Majesty... Your Majesty..."

However, Guo Jia's expression remained solemn, and he seemed to be hesitant to speak.

Cao Cao glanced at him and waved his hand, "Feng Xiao, what do you want to say?"

After hesitating for a moment, Guo Jia bowed and said:

"The key to holding the Longshan defense line lies in Jieting."

"Cao Wenlie and his men have just begun to build Jieting City. If Liu Bei launches a large-scale attack at this time, the situation will be very unfavorable to us."

"I think now is not the time to sit back and relax."

Cao Cao's heart trembled slightly, and he couldn't help but become alert.

"Fengxiao, you worry too much."

Zhang Song smiled disapprovingly:
"Liu Bei had just taken Chang'an, and the counties of Beidi, Fufeng, etc. had not yet been taken. Even the Jingzhao Yin where Chang'an was located, he only took the cities near Chang'an."

"Without three to five months, Liu Bei will not be able to pacify Guanzhong. If he doesn't pacify Guanzhong, will he dare to continue to attack Longxi with his exhausted army?"

"I think no matter how arrogant Liu Bei is, he wouldn't be so arrogant as to commit such a major military taboo."

Guo Jia was speechless for a moment.

To be honest, what Zhang Song said is indeed reasonable.

According to common sense, Liu Bei should wait three to five months before he can attack Longxi without any worries.

But the question is, is Liu Bei a person who plays by the rules?
In other words, is Xiao Fang a person who can judge things with common sense?

Over the years, haven't they suffered enough from the unconventional actions of Liu Bei and his ministers, Xiao Fang?

This is what Guo Jia is worried about.

"Yongnian's words make sense, but I don't believe that the big-eared thief dares to attack Longxi with all the troops in the country now!"

Cao Cao stood on Zhang Song's side, with a hint of arrogance and sarcasm in his tone.

Guo Jia hesitated again and again, but just sighed softly and said nothing more.

Just when Cao Cao was about to disperse the military meeting.

The Royal Guards rushed in and delivered an urgent report.

"Your Majesty, General Cao Wenlie has sent an urgent message from Jieting!"

"Thirty thousand Han troops were discovered to the east of Jieting, and they are rushing towards our Jieting city. General Cao, please send troops to reinforce us as soon as possible!" Thunder exploded.

All the ministers who were about to leave the hall were shocked and startled.

Cao Cao, who had just stood up and was about to leave, was so frightened that his whole body trembled and he fell down on his butt.

"Quick, bring it to me!"

Cao Cao pointed at the military report in the hands of the Imperial Guard and shouted.

Dian Wei walked down the stairs, snatched the silk book, and hurriedly presented it to Cao Cao.

Cao Cao couldn't wait to unfold it, looked at it eagerly, took a breath, and an expression of shock and astonishment flashed across his face.

"The big-eared thief actually... actually sent troops to attack Longxi so quickly?"

"This this……"

Cao Cao's voice trembled and his face was full of disbelief.

Zhang Song, who was slapped in the face, looked stunned, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

Just a moment ago, he asserted with unparalleled confidence that Liu Bei would not lead his army to attack Longxi until at least three months later.

But in the blink of an eye, 30,000 Han troops crossed the Long Mountains and were about to arrive at the city of Jieting.

Perhaps when they received this battle report, the Han army had already launched a fierce attack on Jieting.

Miscalculated again.

Zhang Song felt guilty, his eyes darted around, not knowing what to do.

"Your Majesty, this must be Xiao Fang's plan. This thief never acts according to common sense!"

"Liu Bei is indeed afraid that Guanzhong has not been pacified, so he will not mobilize all the troops in the country to attack Longxi."

"That's why he only sent 30,000 elite infantry and cavalry to cross Longshan unexpectedly. His purpose was not to seize Longxi, but to seize Jieting, tear a hole in my Longshan defense line, and drive a nail into Longxi."

"He is preparing to invade Longxi today!"

Guo Jia stood up and revealed the secret in a firm yet slightly trembling voice.

Cao Cao was startled and suddenly realized.

Zhang Song's face also changed, and he suddenly woke up.

You, the master and his ministers, can see the importance of Jieting, and Liu Bei and Xiao Fang can naturally see it as well.

So they take you by surprise and suddenly attack when your army is resting in Jicheng and the soldiers in Jieting are few and the city has been breached.

If we take Jieting, the Longshan defense line will be useless!

Liu Bei does not need to rush to invade Longxi now. He can completely pacify Guanzhong step by step, and then openly mobilize the entire country's troops to attack.

With Jieting in hand, the Han army could cross the Long Mountains unimpeded and enter the Longxi counties.

What can you use to block it?

"Zhang Yongnian——"

Cao Cao figured it out, his eyes wide open, and looked at Zhang Song with disappointment and anger.

"Your Majesty, I, I really am..."

Zhang Song was sweating profusely and stammering, not knowing how to explain.

Guo Jia, however, bowed and said anxiously:

"Your Majesty, Jieting City is low and dilapidated. Cao Wenlie has only 7,000 men, while the Han army has 30,000 men, four times as many as ours."

"If the Han army launches a full-scale siege and attack, I'm afraid Cao Wenlie and his men won't be able to hold out for long."

"If Jieting is not protected, the Longshan defense line will be useless, and Longxi will be defenseless!"

"The situation is critical. Your Majesty, please send troops to reinforce Jieting as soon as possible!"

Cao Cao shuddered, suddenly realizing the seriousness of the situation, and shouted hoarsely:
"Quickly gather the troops. I will personally lead the army to rescue Jieting. Quickly, quickly—" (End of this chapter)