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

"Zhongkang, bring the map quickly and present it to His Majesty!"

Xiao Fang gave an order and looked at Xu Chu.

Upon hearing this, Xu Chu was stunned at first, then he quickly stepped forward and carefully unfolded the map of Hanzhong in front of everyone.

The mountains, rivers, terrain and landforms in the Yangping Pass area suddenly appeared clearly in front of everyone.

"Your Majesty, if we talk about the enemy's lifeline, this is the place!"

Xiao Fang stretched out his finger and tapped heavily on a strategic spot on the map.

Dingjun Mountain!
Liu Bei's gaze followed where Xiao Fang pointed and fell on the seemingly ordinary mountain east of Yangping Pass.

He raised his eyebrows slightly, revealing a bit of curiosity and confusion.

"Prime Minister, what is so special about Dingjun Mountain that it has become a place that Xiahou Yuan must save?"

Liu Bei had a questioning look on his face, and it was obvious that he was unable to understand Xiao Fang's deep meaning for a moment.

Xiao Fang gently waved his feather fan and began to explain calmly:
"Your Majesty, please take a closer look. Dingjun Mountain is located to the east of Yangping Pass, with the Mian River to the north and Daba Mountain to the south. It is surrounded by mountains and rivers and has a dangerous terrain."

"If our army can occupy this place, it will be like inserting a sharp knife into the back of Yangping Pass."

At this point, Xiao Fang paused and pointed his feather fan at the Mian River on the map:
"If our army occupies this mountain, we can easily cross the Mian River to the north and attack the grain and grass transportation line between Nanzheng and Yangping Pass, cutting off the Qin army's food supply and causing Xiahou Yuan's 30,000 troops to fall into chaos without a fight."

then.

Xiao Fang held the feather fan in his hand and turned to the east again:

“Even if we don’t attack the Qin army’s food supply route, our army can still start from Dingjun Mountain, march eastward along the south bank of the Mian River, and directly approach the city of Nanzheng.

"Nanzheng City is the seat of Hanzhong, and the defenders are no more than Cao Zhen and 5,000 Qin troops. How can Xiahou Yuan just sit there and watch it being attacked without helping?"

"In this way, Dingjun Mountain becomes the vital point of Yangping Pass and even the entire Hanzhong."

"Seizing Dingjun Mountain is equivalent to strangling Xiahou Yuan's Achilles' heel. How can he sit back and watch?"

"I predict that he will definitely mobilize all his troops to fight for it with all his might."

Xiao Fang spoke slowly and laid out his plan in detail.

Every word directly hits Xiahou Yuan's weak spot.

While listening to Xiao Fang's story, Liu Bei stared at Dingjun Mountain on the map.

Gradually, the expression on Liu Bei's face changed from confusion to surprise.

"I never thought that the Prime Minister's understanding of Hanzhong's terrain would be so thorough!"

Fa Zheng, who was standing by, looked somewhat ashamed and said with emotion:
"I have been to Yangping Pass many times, but I never noticed that Dingjun Mountain is so important."

"After listening to the Prime Minister's words today, I have suddenly realized something. I really admire the Prime Minister!"

Everyone followed with praise.

Xiao Fang smiled slightly and continued:

“However, if this plan is to succeed, we need to send a general to lead tens of thousands of elite soldiers to secretly march along the southern mountain road, bypass Yangping Pass, and raid Dingjun Mountain.

"Once Dingjun Mountain is captured, we will immediately build a camp on the mountain and defend it."

"After Xiahou Yuan learns the news, he will definitely lead the troops from Yangping Pass to attack and recapture Dingjun Mountain."

"At that time, our army only needs to wait for the opportunity, and when Xiahou Yuan and the Qin army have not yet established their camp, we will suddenly rush down from the mountain and launch a surprise attack."

"In this way, we will surely be able to defeat the Qin army in one fell swoop and even kill Xiahou Yuan."

"If Xiahou Yuan dies, the morale of the troops guarding Yangping Pass will be greatly damaged. The army will collapse without a fight and will most likely abandon the pass and flee."

"Our army can then take advantage of the victory and attack, and will surely be able to easily capture Yangping Pass and open the door to Hanzhong."

Xiao Fang did not prepare any more and told Liu Bei the entire plan in one breath.

Liu Bei first looked at the map, then looked far to the east, his expression becoming more and more excited.

Ma Chao frowned, as if he was still trying to digest Xiao Fang's plan, and for a moment it was difficult for him to fully understand it.

Pang Tong thought for a long time, and a glimmer of light flashed in his eyes, as if the clouds had been cleared and the sun had appeared. He couldn't help but exclaimed:
"The prime minister's brilliant plan was to lure out Xiahou Yuan, who mistakenly believed we were going to attack Yangping Pass. In fact, we were making a feint to the east and attacking in the west, secretly passing through Chencang and heading straight for his lifeline, Dingjun Mountain.

“This is not only about attacking the enemy when he is unprepared, but also about attacking the enemy when he must save himself, forcing him to fight back.”

"This strategy is so ingenious, it is truly flawless and unparalleled in the world!"

"Your Majesty, I think the Prime Minister's plan is feasible and will definitely succeed!"

Liu Bei no longer had any worries on his face, and said happily:

"Okay, okay, then I will use the Prime Minister's plan to attack Dingjun Mountain, cut off Xiahou Yuan's weak spot, and force him to come out to rescue us!"

Liu Bei had made up his mind.

At this time.

Ma Chao also understood the ingenuity of Xiao Fang's plan and praised it loudly:
"When Chao was guarding Yangping Pass, he didn't realize that Dingjun Mountain was so important."

"The Prime Minister really knows the advantages of Yangping Pass very well. He can see every blade of grass and every tree like he can see through fire. This makes us ashamed."

Xiao Fang smiled slightly and turned his gaze to Ma Chao:
"Mengqi, this battle is extraordinary and requires a great general who is familiar with the terrain of Hanzhong and is extremely brave to lead the battle.

"I think you, Ma Mengqi, are the best choice. With Shi Yuan's assistance, this battle will surely be a success!"

The battle at Dingjun Mountain was fought between the combination of Huang Zhong and Fa Zheng.

But Huang Zhong is not in the army now, so the person who can take on this important task is naturally Ma Chao.

As for Fa Zheng, his wisdom and strategy are still three points weaker than Pang Tong's.

Since Pang Tong is here, why use Ma Chao? Naturally, the chances of winning are greater using Pang Tong.

When Ma Chao heard this, he was overjoyed.

He and Cao Cao had a grudge against each other for killing their fathers, and he wanted to kill all the Qin royal family members.

The Xiahou family and the Cao family are of the same blood, and they are also people he must kill.

Now that he had the opportunity to kill Xiahou Yuan and gain the first merit in capturing Hanzhong, he naturally wanted it more than ever.

At that moment, Ma Chao bowed and said with emotion:

"Your Majesty, I am willing to take on this important task and launch a surprise attack on Dingjun Mountain to live up to your Majesty's expectations!"

Pang Tong also bowed and said happily:

"Your Majesty, I am also willing to go with Meng Qi. I will adapt to the situation and help Meng Qi defeat Xiahou Yuan in one fell swoop and seize Yangping Pass for Your Majesty!"

Ma Chao is a man of unrivalled courage.

Pang Tong was as famous for his wisdom as Zhuge Liang.

With these two people on the field, there is no doubt that we will be safe and there is no reason for us not to win.

Liu Bei laughed loudly and said happily:
"Okay! Since the Prime Minister has recommended you two to go, there is no reason for me not to use you."

"I will give you 15,000 elite soldiers. You will set out tonight, bypass Yangping Pass, and go straight to Dingjun Mountain!"

"I am here, waiting for your victory report!"

Liu Bei made a decision.

"We will obey your orders and live up to your expectations!"

Ma Chao and Pang Tong both obeyed the order.

The two looked at each other, and a tacit and confident smile flashed in their eyes.

Liu Bei's gaze turned towards Yangping Pass, and a sneer appeared on the corner of his mouth as he looked at the big "Xiahou" flag.

"Xiahou Yuan, do you think that if you hide away, I can't do anything to you?" (End of this chapter)