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

"Ice, ice..."

Xiao Fang suddenly thought of something and shouted:

"Zhongkang, bring the map quickly!"

Xu Chu was stunned for a moment, then quickly ordered his guards to bring the map and spread it out on the watchtower.

Xiao Fang stared at the map, his eyes moving around, and his expression gradually became determined.

"Chencang!"

Xiao Fang pointed with his feather fan and said firmly:
"Cao Cao must have intended to lead his main force eastward, through Shangbang, along the Wei River, across the Long Mountains and directly attack Chencang."

"Chencang is where our grain and fodder are transported. We have a million bushels of grain and fodder stored there. If Cao Cao burns it, our army will retreat without a fight."

"This is Cao Cao's only chance to achieve a surprise victory and turn the tide."

"That's right, Cao Cao must be planning to launch a surprise attack on Chencang!"

Liu Bei's face changed.

Fa Zheng, Ma Su and other ministers were all shocked and gathered around to take a closer look.

"A surprise attack on Chencang and burning our food supplies is indeed the only chance to turn the tide."

"However, the mountains between Shangbang and Chencang are steep and there is no valley to pass through. How could Cao Cao cross the Longshan Mountains and attack Chencang?"

Fa Zheng drew his finger between the two places and looked up at Xiao Fang.

Xiao Fang's eyes were full of meaning, and he smiled and said:

"Under normal circumstances, Cao Cao would not be able to attack Chencang from Shangbang, but Xiaozhi, don't forget, it's the middle of winter now!"

In the dead of winter?

Fa Zheng looked dazed and didn't understand what was happening for a while.

"Mengqi."

Xiao Fang turned his gaze to Ma Chao and asked:

"You have lived in Liangzhou for a long time, so you should be familiar with the terrain and climate of Longxi."

"Do you know if the Wei River freezes over at this time of year?"

Ma Chao was stunned. He didn't expect Xiao Fang to suddenly ask such a question.

After a moment's hesitation, Ma Chao said:
"The winter in Guanzhong is not too cold, and the Wei River does not freeze in Guanzhong most of the time. However, the winter in Longxi is much colder than that in Guanzhong, and the Wei River will freeze for at least one month in winter."

"These are the coldest days of the year. If I remember correctly, the Wei River should have frozen over."

Xiao Fang got the answer he wanted, his eyes became more determined and confident, and he looked back at Fa Zheng with a smile.

Looking at Xiao Fang's meaningful eyes and listening to what Ma Chao said, Fa Zheng's heart suddenly shook.

"There was no road in the Longshan Mountains between Shangbang and Chencang, but once the Wei River froze, it became an icy road."

"What the Prime Minister is saying is that Cao Cao will lead his army to cross the Long Mountains while the Wei River is frozen, and launch a surprise attack on Chencang?"

Fa Zheng is worthy of being Fa Zheng. After going through so much trouble, he finally understood the mystery behind Xiao Fangyan.

Xiao Fang smiled without saying anything, agreeing with what Fa Zheng said.

All the ministers were shocked.

Liu Bei took a breath of cold air.

"So Cao Cao wants to imitate our battle at Puban, learn how our army walked on ice, and launch a surprise attack on Chencang!"

"There is someone in the Qin State who can come up with such a brilliant plan. This person is really amazing!"

After being surprised, Liu Bei felt relieved and said:

"Fortunately, the Prime Minister has foresight and has seen through Cao Cao's trick. Otherwise, if Chencang is lost, wouldn't my 300,000-man army have to retreat without a fight?"

Hearing Liu Bei's words, all the ministers gasped, secretly rejoiced, and all their eyes turned to Xiao Fang.

Xiao Fang was calm and said slowly:

"Cao Cao should have passed Shangbang by now, and may have entered Longshan. He will reach Chencang in one or two days at most."

"Your Majesty, we must make some amends."

Liu Bei's heart skipped a beat and he said anxiously:

"There are only 4,000 to 5,000 soldiers in Chencang, and Cao Cao's main force must have at least 60,000 people, ten times more than our army." "If I return to Chencang now, I'm afraid I won't be able to arrive in time, and Chencang will be in danger of falling!"

The generals immediately became nervous.

"Your Majesty, don't panic."

Xiao Fang was calm and composed, and said slowly:
"Although there are only 4,000 soldiers and horses in Chencang, the general defending the city is Hao Zhao."

"Your Majesty, have you forgotten? I have told you that Hao Zhao is also a good defender, and his ability to defend the city is no less than Huo Jun's."

Back then, Hao Zhao used only two thousand soldiers to resist the attack of Zhuge Liang's army that was ten times larger than his own. Naturally, his ability to defend the city was beyond doubt.

Besides, Hao Zhao became famous in the battle of Chencang City.

Chencang City is considered a blessed land for Hao Zhao.

This was also the reason why Xiao Fang recommended Hao Zhao to guard Chencang and be responsible for protecting food and grass before the battle.

After a pause, Xiao Fang continued:
"With Hao Zhao here, even if Cao Cao succeeds in his surprise attack, he may not be able to capture Chencang City in a short time."

"Don't we still have 5,000 cavalrymen in Jieting? Your Majesty can order Zilong, Deng Ai and others to return to Chencang immediately and kill Cao Cao by surprise."

"Let's make sure Cao Cao fails in his attempt to steal a chicken and ends up losing a handful of rice!"

At this time, Deng Ai had grown into a 15-year-old boy. After working as Xiao Fang's servant for several years and learning the strategies of the military tactics, Xiao Fang sent him to be Zhao Yun's deputy general.

The purpose, of course, is to learn martial arts and military command techniques from Zhao Yun.

For a genius like Deng Ai who was able to enter the Temple of Martial Arts, Xiao Fang naturally had to cultivate him carefully and train this child to become the future pillar of the Han Dynasty.

In terms of military and literary skills, achievements and military accomplishments, he is at least better than the Deng Ai in history.

After hearing what Xiao Fang said, Liu Bei's tense nerves suddenly relaxed, and a look of relief appeared on his face.

"Okay, let's do as the Prime Minister says."

"Come here, quickly send a message to Hao Zhao, tell him to prepare and hold on to Chencang."

"Order Zilong to lead the cavalry back south and head straight to Chencang to kill Cao Cao by surprise!"

...

West of Chencang, in the Long Mountains.

A crystal clear ice road winds eastward along the mountains and valleys.

The two banks are so steep that it is difficult for birds to cross. Not to mention the valley path, not even a mountain path can be seen.

This is the only ice road that can accommodate vehicles, horses, and soldiers, forming a natural valley path.

On the icy road, more than 60,000 Qin infantry and cavalry were marching quickly on the ice.

Although the ice was very slippery and they would fall from time to time if they walked too fast, the Qin soldiers did not dare to slow down.

I slipped and fell, but I ignored the pain and got up and continued walking.

At this time, Cao Cao, wrapped in a thick coat, was sitting cross-legged on a horse-drawn ice cart, enduring the oncoming cold wind that bit his face like a knife.

Although his body was cold, Cao Cao's heart was warm.

"The Wei River has indeed frozen, forming a natural valley, allowing my 60,000-strong army to cross the Long Mountains without anyone noticing."

"This Cheng Gongying is truly a genius."

"At this critical moment for the Qin Dynasty, I was able to get this man to offer me a brilliant plan. If I can really force the big-eared thief to retreat in one battle, it will prove that God will not abandon me, Cao Cao..."

Cao Cao's thoughts raced as he secretly rejoiced.

The army marched quickly on the ice in the cold wind.

Two days later, this huge and dusty army finally walked out of Longshan and entered the Guanzhong Plain.

Ahead, on the northern bank of the Wei River, the outline of a city is faintly visible.

"finally reached!"

Cao Cao was greatly encouraged. He jumped off the ice cart, turned over and jumped onto his warhorse, throwing away the thick coat he was wearing.

He drew his sword and pointed towards the city ahead:
"My fellow soldiers of the Great Qin, the survival of the Great Qin depends on this battle!"

"Follow me to the north bank, raze Chencang to the ground, and burn the big-eared thieves' millions of bushels of grain and grass!"

"Kill——" (End of this chapter)