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

Liu Bei was cheered up and said happily:
"The Prime Minister's words make sense. Then I will lead 10,000 infantry and cavalry north to join Yide, and with a combined force of 40,000, we will destroy Cao Zhang!"

Liu Bei also wants to lead the army in person.

But in Xiao Fang's opinion, the war had come to this point, and there was really no need for Liu Bei, the emperor of the Han Dynasty, to leave Longxi and go deep into Liangbei just for Cao Zhang.

"Cao Zhang is no longer a concern, so why does Your Majesty need to lead the army in person?"

"Besides, Longxi has just been conquered and the people's hearts are not yet on our side. Cao Cao may come back and lead his army to attack Longxi again."

"I think Your Majesty should focus on pacifying Longxi at this time, and you should stay in Jicheng for the time being."

"As for Cao Zhang, let me go and meet up with Yide to help him destroy the remnants of the Cao family!"

Xiao Fang originally didn't want to make a long journey. Instead of going to a remote border area like Liangzhou and eating sand, it would be more comfortable to stay in Jicheng.

However, considering that Cao Zhang has the cunning strategist Guo Jia by his side, and Yang Fu is also quite resourceful, he is not at ease sending anyone else.

Then I'll have to go there myself.

Liu Bei thought about it and said after a moment's hesitation:

"In that case, I'll trouble you, Prime Minister, to come here for a visit. I'll prepare a celebration banquet for you in Jicheng, and wait for you and Yide to return triumphantly!"

The emperor and his ministers decided on a strategy based on this.

The day.

Xiao Fang led more than 10,000 infantry and cavalry, accompanied by Xu Chu, Deng Ai, Ma Su and several other advisers and generals, and continued northward to meet Zhang Fei.

Liu Bei gave up his plan to lead the army in person and headed south back to Jicheng.

A day later, Xiao Fang and Zhang Fei met in Cangsong City.

After learning his lesson this time, Zhang Fei did not dare to seek credit again. Instead, he stayed in Cangsong City obediently, waiting for Xiao Fang to arrive.

After the two joined forces, the 40,000-strong army continued to march north to pursue the remnants of Cao Zhang.

Xiao Fang was chasing him relentlessly, while Cao Zhang was like a frightened bird, fleeing all the way.

In the Battle of Cangsong, Cao Zhang lost more than 10,000 soldiers and horses, leaving only about 13,000 soldiers and horses under his command.

Moreover, the morale of these more than 10,000 Qin troops was low and they were in panic.

Cao Zhang gave up the courage to turn back and fight, and fled all the way along the Hexi Corridor.

Along the way, Wuwei, Wulan, Xiutu, Zhaowu and other cities belonging to Zhangye were all abandoned without a fight.

In order to prevent the Han army from taking food on the spot, Cao Zhang also took ruthless measures.

In every city they passed through, the Qin army plundered all the food and grass of the people like a swarm of locusts, drove all the people out of the city, and then set the city on fire.

At this point, Cao Zhang knew that it was impossible to recapture those abandoned cities, so he simply stopped considering those former Qin citizens as his own people.

Cao Zhang treated the common people as straw dogs, but Xiao Fang could not.

These newly acquired cities are all cities of the Han Dynasty, and the acquired people are all subjects of the Han Dynasty.

Xiao Fang had to slow down his pursuit, stop to put out the fire, comfort the people, and allocate part of the military rations to provide relief to the people of Liangzhou whose food and grass had been looted.

The Han army's pursuit slowed down, giving Cao Zhang a chance to catch his breath.

Four days later, Cao Zhang led 10,000 remnants and finally arrived at Fu County, the capital of Jiuquan County.

Just when Cao Zhang had just taken a breath and recovered from the shock, the scout brought back a piece of news that made Cao Zhang almost despair:
Xiao Fang and Zhang Fei, with their 40,000 Han infantry and cavalry, had already captured Zhaowu, the seat of Zhangye's military.

All signs indicate that the Han army is not burdened by food and fodder, and after pacifying the people of Zhaowu, it will continue to advance westward towards Jiuquan County.

"why?"

"I have already retreated to Fulu. We have stretched the Han army's food supply route by more than 700 miles. We have fortified our defenses and cleared the fields along the way, leaving the Han army without any food. How come they can still pursue us this far?"

Cao Zhang slammed his fist on the table, gritting his teeth in anger. "If our army had 20,000 men, Liu Bei would not dare to chase us with 40,000 troops. Unfortunately, we lost half of our troops in Cangsong, and our strength has been severely damaged."

"It is precisely because of this that Liu Bei disdained to lead the army in person and even sent only 40,000 troops."

"With the national strength of the Pseudo-Han, even if the grain route is extended by more than 700 miles, it is enough to support a mere 40,000 troops."

Guo Jia sighed and revealed the mystery.

Cao Zhang suddenly realized, slowly turned his head and looked at Yang Fu.

There was clearly resentment in his eyes.

If your plan, Yang Fu, had not failed, causing me to lose 10,000 soldiers and horses in Cangsong, how could Liu Bei have the confidence to send only 40,000 soldiers and horses to pursue us, and how could he dare to chase us so far?
Yang Fu felt guilty and lowered his head, not daring to look Cao Zhang in the face.

"Everyone, it seems that the big-eared thief is determined to kill me!"

"We are now at the point of life and death. According to your opinions, how should I resist the attack of Xiao Fang and Zhang Fei?"

Cao Zhang had no choice but to face reality, suppress his resentment, and seek advice from everyone.

Yang Fu remained silent.

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The rest of the generals also lowered their heads and no one dared to speak.

"Feng Xiao, do you have any good ideas to turn the situation around?"

In the end, Cao Zhang had to ask Guo Jia for advice.

After Guo Jia pondered for a moment, he asked:
"King Rencheng, do you really want to ask me what to do?"

Cao Zhang thought Guo Jia had a plan, his eyes lit up, and he said hurriedly:

"Of course, Fengxiao, what good plan do you have? Tell us quickly!"

Guo Jia took a deep breath and bowed:

"Your Highness, our army has reached such a state now that it is impossible for us to defend Fulu and defeat Xiao Fang and Zhang Fei."

"The only solution now is, if Your Highness does not want to lead us to sit and wait for death, then there is only one way to choose!"

"Withdraw from Liangzhou!"

Cao Zhang was stunned, his eyes filled with disappointment and deep confusion.

The disappointment was that Guo Jia had no good plan to turn the situation around, and the only solution was to escape.

What is confusing is that Guo Jia actually asked him to withdraw from Liangzhou!

Where else can we retreat to? All that's left is Dunhuang County.

Even if they retreat to Dunhuang, will Xiao Fang let them go?

What will you do then if they still chase you relentlessly and chase you all the way to Dunhuang?
"Your Highness, please listen carefully. I do not mean to withdraw to Dunhuang, but to withdraw from Liangzhou!"

Guo Jia saw Cao Zhang's confusion and repeated it.

Cao Zhang became more and more confused.

Guo Jia took the map and spread it out in front of Cao Zhang.

"Jiuquan is undefendable, and retreating to Dunhuang will only lead to death. Our only choice now is to abandon Liangzhou."

"There are two options for withdrawing from Liangzhou. One is to go west through Yumen Pass and Yangguan Pass and withdraw to the Western Regions."

"The Western Regions are scattered across the oasis, loose and ununited. With my 10,000 troops, if we use them properly, we may be able to capture one or two countries and gain a foothold."

"It may be hopeless to counterattack Liangzhou and return to the Middle-earth in this lifetime, but at least we can save our lives."

"King Rencheng, you can still be the king of a country in that foreign land, and live out the rest of your life with your ministers and ten thousand soldiers in that foreign land." (End of this chapter)