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

Cao Cao suddenly realized what was going on and looked at Cheng Gongying anxiously.

The Wei River flows from west to east through the Long Mountains, connecting Shangbang and Chencang.

This route was originally the shortest route connecting Guanzhong and Longxi.

The problem is that this route is close to the Qinling Mountains, the terrain is rugged and steep, and there is no valley connecting the two.

Although the distance is the shortest, there is no way to go.

Except for local hunters, almost no one, whether military or businessmen, took this road. They all took the longer and more roundabout Longshui Road.

"Bo Ming, you are from Liangzhou, you should know the terrain of Longshan very well..."

Cao Cao, who had figured it out, was quite critical in his words.

He was obviously blaming Cheng Gongying for not knowing the terrain and not considering whether the plan would work when he came up with it.

"How could I not have thought of what Zhang Yongnian was worried about?"

Cheng Gongying sneered and glanced at Zhang Song, but pointed at the map:
"Your Majesty, don't forget that we are now in the middle of winter, and the weather is freezing cold."

"According to my understanding, the section of the Wei River from Shangbang to Chencang must have been frozen over during this period of time."

"Once the Wei River freezes, it will become a natural valley, allowing our army to cross the Long Mountains smoothly and launch a surprise attack on Chencang.

A word of enlightenment.

Cao Cao was greatly encouraged, and the hint of dissatisfaction on his face was instantly replaced by surprise.

"That's it, that's it!"

"Bo Ming, you actually took the frozen Wei River into consideration. A strategist should know the favorable conditions of time and place. Bo Ming, you really gave me a huge surprise!"

"Okay, okay, this is a great idea!"

Cao Cao was overjoyed and praised him endlessly again.

Zhang Song, who was slapped in the face, swallowed his saliva and felt quite unhappy.

There was even a hint of fear in his eyes.

He was really surprised by Cheng Gongying's intelligence and strategy.

He had to admit that this strategy of marching on ice and launching a surprise attack on Chencang was indeed a brilliant plan.

If this plan succeeds, Cheng Gongying will have made an unparalleled contribution!

Cao Cao would certainly favor him and use him in a high position, so it is possible that he would be promoted to be his strategist.

If this is true, wouldn't it mean that he has driven away Guo Jia and welcomed a stronger competitor?

Zhang Song rolled his eyes a few times, and suddenly thought of something, so he said:
"Your Majesty, I think there is a loophole in Chenggong Boming's plan!"

Cao Cao's smile faded, and he turned to look at Zhang Song, his expression becoming alert again.

"This plan can certainly help us launch a surprise attack on Chencang, but don't forget that there are still 300,000 Han troops in the north!"

"The prerequisite for the success of this plan is that there is an army under your majesty's banner that can hold back Liu Bei in Lueyang."

"Only then can your Majesty lead the main force to launch a surprise attack on Chencang."

"But what if Liu Bei, relying on his large army and generals, forcibly attacks Lueyang?"

"Lueyang City was not able to complete its construction and reinforcement under the harassment of the Han army's light cavalry. How could it withstand the bombardment of the Han army's Hanwei cannon?"

"If Lueyang is lost, Liu Bei's army will march south and take Jicheng. Even if Your Majesty succeeds in the surprise attack on Chencang and burns the Han army's food and grass, Longxi will still not be saved!"

Zhang Song was quite a professional fault finder, and he kept finding another flaw in Cheng Gongying's plan.

The smile on Cao Cao's face disappeared and he shuddered slightly.

The flaw Zhang Song found was indeed extremely fatal.

The fundamental purpose of your surprise attack on Chencang and burning of grain was to protect Longxi.

But if Liu Bei conquered Lueyang and took Jicheng, it would be equivalent to taking Longxi.

The die is cast. What if you burn the food?
Now that Liu Bei has captured Jicheng and the food and grass you have stored in the city, he will have no problem holding out for ten days or half a month.

But if you lose Jicheng and your base is destroyed, the morale of your army will collapse in an instant.

Longxi is still not safe!

You still have to lead the terrified and collapsed troops and flee to Hanzhong in disgrace.

"Bo Ming, Yongnian's worries should not be underestimated."

Cao Cao frowned deeply and turned his gaze to Cheng Gongying.

Cheng Gongying still looked confident and said:
"Your Majesty, I am willing to lead the army to Lueyang City to bluff and tie down Liu Bei's main force."

"I have my own plan. I can defend Lueyang so firmly that Liu Bei's Hanwei cannon will be useless!"

Cao Cao was overjoyed. Cheng Gongying actually had another trick up his sleeve!
This former strategist of Han Sui is truly unfathomable and full of surprises.

"What other tricks does Birming have?"

"My plan is..."

This time, Cheng Gongying did not say it explicitly, but moved closer to Cao Cao and whispered something in his ear.

The surprise on Cao Cao's face gradually turned into admiration.

"Wonderful, wonderful!"

"Bo Ming, you are very smart and have a filial style."

"No, in my opinion, your wisdom is even better than Fengxiao's!"

Cao Cao was generous in praising Cheng Gongying and admired him extremely.

Zhang Song's eyes were burning with jealousy, but he was also extremely surprised in his heart, wondering what strategy Cheng Gongying had told Cao Cao.

This strategy could actually defend Lueyang City and block the bombardment of the Han army's Hanwei cannon?

"Yu Jin, Cheng Gongying, listen to my orders!"

"I order you two to lead 5,000 elite soldiers to Lueyang under my banner, and join forces with Yan Xing's troops to defend Lueyang!"

"Yu Jin is the chief general, Yan Xing is the deputy general, and Cheng Gongying is the military adviser."

"If Liu Bei launches a massive attack, you should use Cheng Gongying's strategy to defend Lueyang for me and pin the big-eared thief down at the foot of Lueyang city."

"Within ten days, I will capture Chencang City and burn all the big-eared thieves' millions of bushels of grain and grass!"

Cao Cao no longer hesitated and issued several orders, obviously determined to hold on to Longxi.

Yu Jin and Cheng Gongying accepted the order generously.

Cao Cao returned to the Dragon Throne, glanced at the ministers, and said sternly:

"My ambition is to rule the world, and I will never be a ruler who only seeks to survive. I will never give up Longxi!"

"I have decided to hold on to Longxi and fight to the death with the big-eared thieves. I want you to show your determination to die and follow me in this battle!"

Seeing that Cao Cao was determined to do so, the generals dared not raise any objections.

Cheng Gongying's strategy also gave these Qin officials more confidence and courage.

So all the ministers stood up and accepted the order generously.

Cao Cao looked at his generals whose confidence had been rekindled, nodded with satisfaction, and a long-lost smile appeared on his face.

The military meeting ended here, and all the ministers took their leave and went to make preparations for war.

Yu Jin deliberately slowed down his pace and waited until all the ministers had left, then turned around and returned to the hall.

"Your Majesty, Yan Xing and Cheng Gongying are both from Liangzhou, but Your Majesty ordered them to defend Lueyang with me."

"I am only worried that Jia Xu and Pang De's previous experience will be a lesson for us to take precautions against."

As Cao Cao's confidant, Yu Jin had to give a reminder.

The implication is, of course, that he does not trust the Liangzhou faction and is afraid that they will follow in the footsteps of Jia Xu and Pang De.

"Wen Ze, you worry too much."

"Although Yan Xing, Cheng Gongying and others are from Liangzhou, they are different from Jia Xu and Pang De."

"Have you forgotten how Ma Chao was defeated by me?"

Cao Cao stroked his thin beard and asked in a joking tone.

Yu Jin was stunned at first, then he suddenly realized.

Yan Xing, Cheng Gongying and others were originally Han Sui's former subordinates, and had grievances with Ma Teng and his son.

When Cao Cao killed Ma Teng's entire family and raised an army to attack Ma Chao, it was Han Sui's old subordinates such as Cheng Gongying and Yan Xing who rose up in rebellion, stabbed Ma Chao in the back, cut off Ma's army's food supply, and caused Ma Chao to be quickly defeated.

Ma Chao now holds a prominent status in the Han Kingdom, is deeply trusted and respected by Liu Bei, and is a favorite of the emperor.

With Ma Chao around, would Yan Xing and Cheng Gongying dare to follow the example of Jia Xu and Pang De and rebel against Qin and surrender to Han?
It was precisely because Cao Cao saw this point that he dared to use Cheng Gongying, Yan Xing and others. He was also sure that they were afraid of Ma Chao's revenge and would be loyal to the Qin State.

"Your Majesty's skill in employing people is truly unmatched in the world. I have indeed been worrying too much."

Yu Jin, who figured it out, immediately exclaimed in praise and compliment.

Cao Cao looked outside the palace, towards the direction of Guanzhong, with a conceited sneer on his lips.

"Big-eared thief, you crossed the river on ice and attacked my Puban Pass, causing me to lose Guanzhong."

"This time, I will return fire with fire. I will walk across the Longshan Mountains on ice and burn your millions of bushels of grain and grass!"

"Longxi, I will never let you take it away again!" (End of this chapter)