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

Xiao Fang looked dignified and shouted sternly:
"The army will rest here for a few days. After recuperating, we will march out to fight again!"

The shout was as loud as a bell, echoing in the tent, full of unquestionable determination.

"promise!"

All the generals responded in unison, their voices were uniform and loud, and everyone was in high spirits.

At this time, Ma Su and Lu Xun looked at each other, and there was a trace of worry and concern in each other's eyes.

Ma Su took a deep breath, stepped forward, and reported:

"Prime Minister Xiao, that Cao thief is so cruel and merciless that he burned Liang Province, making it impossible to collect grain locally.

The food and fodder for our army need to be transported from Guanzhong to Yumen Pass.

The transportation process was long and the road was rugged, and countless amounts of food and fodder were consumed.

Even though our Han Dynasty is powerful, it cannot withstand such endless consumption!
If Xiao Xiangruo leads his troops west again, I am afraid that the food and grass will soon run out, and the army will be in trouble. "

Ma Su spoke earnestly and analyzed the current unfavorable situation clearly one by one.

Xiao Fang frowned slightly and began to seriously examine the food supply problem.

He had to admit that he had indeed gone too far. The logistical pressure was like a heavy mountain, which made the Han Kingdom breathless.

Looking back at the time in Yizhou, although there were dangerous mountains and rivers, at least there were water routes to use, and transportation was relatively convenient.

Moreover, Yizhou has long been known as the "Land of Abundance" with fertile soil and abundant resources. It is possible to collect grain locally and provide sufficient supplies for the army.

Liangzhou is completely different.

This place is far away in the northwest border, the terrain is desolate and there is no waterway.

All food and fodder can only be transported by manpower, one cart at a time and one load at a time.

The long transportation process will cause huge losses.

Moreover, the land in Liangzhou was barren and the people lived in poverty, so there was no extra food and fodder available for requisition.

In addition, Cao Rui implemented the strategy of clearing the fields and plundering all the food and supplies from the people, making it impossible for the army to collect food locally.

Such a huge loss was indeed unbearable for the newly founded Han Dynasty, whose national strength had not yet fully recovered.

"That makes sense. Xun also thinks that it is not appropriate to rashly march westward at this time."

Lu Xun also gave a timely reminder, his eyes revealing a clear understanding of the situation.

Xiao Fang pondered for a moment, a trace of thought flashed in his eyes, and asked:
"With the current food and grass reserves, is it enough for me to march west to Gaochang?"

Ma Su closed his eyes slightly and counted with his fingers:
"Based on the current food and grass reserves, if we calculate carefully, it will be enough for the army to reach Gaochang.

But if we go further west, I’m afraid it will be difficult to sustain.”

"That's enough."

Xiao Fang brushed his sleeves and said with a firm look:
"The main goal of this Western Expedition is to relieve the siege of Gaochang.

After the problem of grain and grass transportation is properly solved, we will crush the Yuezhi and let them know that the majesty of the Han Dynasty is inviolable!"

Ma Su's face changed and he was secretly worried.

Lu Xun couldn't help but take a breath. To crush the Yuezhi, this goal sounded a bit arrogant.

With the current national strength of the Han Dynasty, lifting the siege of Gaochang is already the limit. If it attempts to crush the Yuezhi, the difficulty of the grain route will double. Can the Han Dynasty, which is just established, really achieve this goal?

The two looked at each other, with some doubts in their hearts, but they didn't dare to say it out loud, for fear of spoiling Xiao Fang's interest.

At night, Yumen Pass is brightly lit.

The Han army soldiers celebrated their victory with great enthusiasm, and their laughter and cheers echoed over the city walls.

They sang and danced, drank and had fun, immersed in the joy of victory.

The next day, the subsequent infantry and cavalry troops arrived at Yumen Pass in a mighty manner with tens of thousands of food and fodder.

Xiao Fang assembled all his troops and at a command, the army marched towards Gaochang City like a giant dragon.

...

On the top of Gaochang City, Huo Jun and the soldiers breathed a sigh of relief and sat on the ground, as if they had just experienced a life-and-death test. Their faces were full of fatigue, but their eyes revealed a sense of relief for surviving a disaster.

"Brother, the Yuezhi army's offensive is becoming more and more fierce.

If we continue to fight like this, we really can’t hold on any longer.”

Huo Du was breathing heavily, with a hint of despair in his voice.

His body was covered in dust and blood, obviously he had just been through a fierce battle.

Huo Jun gritted his teeth, his eyes revealing a firm determination, and said:
“Even if I die in battle, I cannot abandon the Western Regions Protectorate!

This is the territory of our Han dynasty, which was won with the blood and lives of countless soldiers. How can we give it to others so easily? "

Huo Du was shocked, as if he was infected by his brother's words, and said resolutely:

"That's right, our family must live and die together with the Protectorate!
Even if we fight to the last soldier, we will never retreat!"

Huo Jun felt very relieved by his second brother's determination.

After nodding slightly, he asked again:

"Do you think the Prime Minister can lead his army to arrive? We are isolated and helpless now, so we can only pin our hopes on the Prime Minister's army."

“I… can’t really tell.

However, since the emperor has said that he will not give up the Western Regions, I believe the prime minister will go all out.”

There was a hint of uncertainty in Huo Du's voice.

“I’m afraid… we can’t wait until that time.

The Yuezhi army's offensive is so fierce that the city wall could be breached at any time."

Huo Jun sighed softly and looked towards the Central Plains.

"As long as the emperor doesn't give up, he will definitely avenge us.

Even if we die in battle, the emperor will recover the Western Regions and rebuild the Western Regions Protectorate!"

Huo Jun's heart burned with firm confidence, as if he saw victory in the future.

"Your Majesty, you must rebuild the Western Regions Protectorate, so that we can rest in peace..."

Huo Du muttered to himself, with a hint of tragedy in his voice.

In the marshal's tent of the Yuezhi army's main camp, Rama had just sat down and was about to take a short rest.

At this time, a guard hurried into the tent and shouted:

"Marshal, the Emperor of Qin Cao Rui has led his army to Gaochang, claiming that he wants to surrender to you, Marshal."

Rama's face changed slightly, and he asked curiously:
"Didn't I send Yama to help in the battle?
Why did he come to Gaochang to join me? There must be something fishy going on."

Rama's brows frowned slightly, his heart full of doubts.

At this time, the translator quickly translated Rama's words into Chinese and told them to Chen Tai who was standing next to him.

Chen Tai's face changed, and he felt an ominous premonition in his heart, and said anxiously:

"Marshal, is it possible that Yumen Pass has been lost? Otherwise, why would the Emperor Qin suddenly come to surrender?"

There was a hint of fear in his tone.

Rama's face turned pale, but he frowned and said:
"Impossible! With Yama and 30,000 elite soldiers, how could Yumen Pass be lost?

"Yama is a skilled warrior, and his 30,000 elite soldiers are well-trained. How could he be easily defeated?"

He clearly had faith in Yama and his army.

Chen Tai was speechless and didn't know how to refute for a moment.

At this time, Vayu said:
"Marshal, this is indeed strange.

Let's ask the Emperor Qin to explain clearly what he is up to. "

Rama nodded and waved his hand, saying: "Come, go and invite the Emperor Qin!" (End of this chapter)