Three Kingdoms: I, Liu Feng, do not want to die

Chapter 139 Huang Zhong asks to follow, Liu Bei aims to swallow Wei and Wu (6k)

Jiangling.

Liu Bei was leaning against a table, closing his eyes and thinking quietly, while Ma Liang and Cheng Ji were standing on his left and right.

Zhuge Liang once asked Liu Bei privately: Why didn't you let Fa Zheng join the army?
Liu Bei's answer was: "Don't I know military tactics? Without Cao Cao, who in the world would dare to challenge me?"

In terms of military affairs alone, Liu Bei and Cao Cao are actually the same type of people.

They are all powerful leaders who have fought all their lives and gained a lot of experience on the battlefield.

The two have one thing in common: they have survived hundreds of battles and become veteran generals.

The only heroes in the world today are you and Cao!
This sentence was not Cao Cao's flattery.

The Romance of the Three Kingdoms weakened Liu Bei's battlefield command ability.

For example, Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong, and Fa Zheng focused more on giving Liu Bei strategic direction, and most of the specific battlefield commands came from Liu Bei's hands.

When we fought in Hanzhong before, our opponent was Cao Cao.

Liu Bei did not dare to be complacent. With Fazheng at the front line and Zhuge Liang in the rear, and the best civil and military officers all out, he was able to share the same victory with Cao Cao in Hanzhong.

now.

Cao Cao is not here.

Liu Bei considered himself invincible, so naturally he had to make choices.

Among the civil and military officials transferred to Jingzhou, whether it was Ma Liang, Cheng Ji, Huang Quan, Fu Kuang, Feng Xi, Zhang Nan, Fu Rong, Wu Ban, Zhao Rong, or Chen Shi, they could only be regarded as second-rate civil and military officials under Liu Bei.

The first-class Zhuge Liang and Fa Zheng stayed.

The first-rate Ma Chao and Zhao Yun stayed.

Even Wei Yan, who was promoted in the Battle of Hanzhong, and Li Yan and Meng Da, who were both capable, were arranged by Liu Bei to plan for Wudu County and Yinping County.

If it weren't for Zhang Fei's repeated letters, Liu Bei wouldn't even want to bring Zhang Fei with him.

To put it in Liu Bei's words: We have Yunchang and my son in Jingzhou. Do we still need to send out all the elite civil and military forces of Jingzhou to capture Xiangyang and Fancheng?
From a deeper perspective: by only bringing a group of second-rate civil and military officials, Liu Bei also intended to train the younger generation in the army.

Quiet contemplation.

Chen Dao came in from outside and reported in a low voice: "Your Majesty, the rear general wants to see you."

Liu Bei was slightly surprised.

When deploying troops this time, Liu Bei also did not consider Huang Zhong.

"allow."

After hesitating for a moment, Liu Bei ordered Huang Zhong to come in.

Not long after.

Huang Zhong strode over and bowed, "Your Majesty, I am General Huang Zhong. I beg your Majesty to lead the horse for you!"

Previously, Huang Zhong was bored in Chengdu, so he took leave and went hunting in various counties with his entourage.

By the time Huang Zhong received the news, Liu Bei had already left Chengdu.

Huang Zhong regretted it so much that his intestines turned green.

I'm just going out hunting, so Your Majesty won't be in Chengdu?

So Huang Zhong hurried to Jiangling.

Huang Zhong knew very well that military orders could not be changed overnight. He came to ask for orders only after the army had been deployed. It was impossible for Liu Bei to change the established deployment for Huang Zhong.

Therefore.

Huang Zhong directly took a detour and overtook others: I won’t lead the troops, I will just lead the horse for Your Majesty!

In other words: the situation on the battlefield is ever-changing, as long as you stay in front of Liu Bei every day, you will definitely find an opportunity.

Upon hearing Huang Zhong's request, Ma Liang and Cheng Ji's faces turned strange, as if they were trying hard to hold back their laughter.

Can you please pay attention to your image?

You are the rear general of the Han Dynasty!

Liu Bei had a headache after hearing this: "Han Sheng, you are the rear general, how can you hold my horse for me?"

Huang Zhong shouted loudly: "If it weren't for your majesty's insight, I would have been just a fake general. Your majesty has been kind to me, and I have to repay you. I am holding your horse, and I am also following the ancients' example of tying grass to repay a favor."

Seeing Huang Zhong's expression of "I will not leave unless I am allowed to go", Liu Bei asked with his hand on his forehead: "Han Sheng, what books did you read before coming here?"

Huang Zhong said without hesitation: "Zuo Zhuan, Xuan Gong 15th year!"

The story of tying grass to repay a favor comes from Zuo Zhuan: Xuan Gong 15th Year.

Obviously, Huang Zhong had already prepared his speech when he came!
Seeing that Liu Bei did not respond, Huang Zhong covered his face with his sleeves and cried: "I have followed Your Majesty into Sichuan for ten years. Every festive occasion, I miss my relatives even more. Please allow me to take a few months off. I want to go back to Nanyang to worship my ancestors."

Ma Liang and Cheng Ji both widened their eyes.

Return to Nanyang?
It would be better to be more direct and say that we should bypass Xiangyang and Fancheng and attack Wancheng directly.

You are a fighter, why are you covering your face and crying like a Confucian scholar?
"Han Sheng, you are already old, don't let the younger generations laugh at you." Liu Bei closed his eyes and couldn't bear to watch.

Huang Zhong's tone became even more "sad": "I am old and useless. I will return to Chengdu now."

"Stop!" Liu Bei interrupted Huang Zhong's crying and promised: "Since you are here, stay in Jiangling for a while. Military orders cannot be changed overnight, so I will allow you to lead my horse!"

Huang Zhong's expression instantly changed from "sadness" to "laughter": "Your Majesty is wise, and I am a good horseman!"

Seeing Huang Zhong happily turn around and leave, Liu Bei couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle: "This old man Sheng, even at his age, refuses to rest in Chengdu and insists on following me in the army to fight."

As he grew older and his status became more respected, Liu Bei almost no longer had the opportunity to fight in the battlefield himself, but he missed the determination and passion of fighting in the battlefield.

The old days.

Huang Zhong took the initiative to ask to follow Liu Bei into Sichuan, and in order to get Liu Bei's agreement, Huang Zhong even offered himself as a hostage.

In other words: Huang Zhong's life belongs to Liu Bei.

Liu Bei was deeply touched by Huang Zhong's unwillingness to accept his old age and desire to make progress, so he softened his heart and incorporated Huang Zhong into his army.

Originally, Liu Bei didn't have much expectations for Huang Zhong.

It’s not that Liu Bei didn’t value Huang Zhong.

Liu Bei was not the only one who made the mistake.

Huang Zhong had been in the army for many years, but he had never been well-known in Jingzhou. Even after surrendering to Cao Cao, he was only an acting general. It was hard to believe that Huang Zhong was brave and good at fighting.

Even Guan Yu, before he knew the situation, cursed, "A real man does not rank with old soldiers."

Zhuge Liang also said, "Only when Ma Chao and Zhang Fei saw Huang Zhong's military exploits with their own eyes would they not think it a disgrace to be listed with Huang Zhong."

In other words: As people get older, their muscles and bones are no longer their strength. Huang Zhong is already old. Can he still break into the enemy's formation, kill the generals and seize the flags like the younger generals?
They were all fighting on the battlefield. If they hadn't seen it with their own eyes, who could easily believe that a sixty-year-old man was more powerful than a young man?
However, after entering Sichuan.

Huang Zhong's performance was shocking.

Anyone who sees a sixty-year-old man often taking the lead in attacking the enemy's formation and being the bravest among the three armies would be shocked.

Liu Bei was surprised and happy.

I found a treasure!
If Wei Yan made Liu Bei see the enterprising spirit of young people, then Huang Zhong made Liu Bei see the ambition of the elderly.

Liu Bei insisted on promoting Huang Zhong to the rank of Rear General. In addition to Huang Zhong's great contributions, it was also a recognition of his ambition in his old age.

To affirm Huang Zhong’s ambition in his old age is to affirm Liu Bei’s ambition in his old age.

Someone once said: Huang Zhong was like a mirror, allowing Liu Bei to see that "the martyr is still ambitious in his old age." His tenacity in not wanting to give up his ambitions even in his old age made Liu Bei feel an inner resonance, so he preferred Huang Zhong.

Pace and stand up.

Liu Bei came to the military map of Jingzhou hanging in the hall.

Whether it is the deployment of troops or the marching route, it is all in the map.

Although Liu Bei was still in Jiangling, the military order had already spread to all parts of Jingzhou.

moment.

Liu Bei's eyes fell on Nanxiang County.

In Liu Bei's plan to capture Xiangfan, attacking Nanxiang County was an extremely important part.

Liu Bei wanted to use Liu Feng's prestige and bravery to let Cao Ren in Xiangfan send troops to rescue Nanxiang.

"My son, don't let me down."

Liu Bei murmured to himself, his sight seeming to penetrate the map to the distant Nanxiang County.

at this time.

Outside Nanxiang City.

A dock gradually took shape.

Liu Feng was facing Xiahou Shang in Nanxiang City with his ultimate attack!
Defending the city, right?

it is good!
I will build a fort outside your city and see who can outlast it!

A fort was originally a kind of camp wall used by the people to guard against thieves. It was stronger than a camp and was later used in military affairs.

Military forts were large enough to be as strong as fortified cities.

For example, Dong Zhuo built a fort in Mei, which was seven zhang high and thick, comparable to the city of Chang'an, and was named "Wansui Fort".

The dock is filled with treasures and has stored grain for thirty years!

He said: "If it succeeds, I will dominate the world; if it fails, keeping this will be enough for me to live out my life."

For Liu Feng, building a fort outside the city was actually a large-scale civil engineering project.

There are military facilities such as digging trenches, burying deer antlers, erecting arrow towers, and repairing camp walls, as well as living facilities such as digging pools, digging manure pits, and repairing houses.

An excellent general, and also an excellent civil engineer.

You need to plan, meet deadlines, and be on guard against sabotage.

Looking at the fortress that was beginning to take shape outside the city, Xiahou Shang on the top of the city wall turned pale.

a month ago.

Liu Feng suddenly launched a surprise attack on Nanxiang County, and Yin County, Ling County and Zhuyang surrendered.

The wealthy families in the three counties had been heavily infiltrated by Xincheng County. When they heard that Liu Feng was going to attack Nanxiang County, they surrendered without a second thought.

By the time Xiahou Shang received the news, it was too late to destroy the ferry bridge, too late to recall the soldiers who were out of the city, too late to drive back the livestock outside the city, and he could only hastily close the city gates.

Xiahou Shang was so angry.

If you are not careful, you will become Mi Fang and Fu Shiren.

Since Liu Feng left, Xiahou Shang also launched several small-scale attacks on Xincheng, but Guan Ping ordered his troops to defend the city every time.

After a while, Xiahou Shang no longer took Guan Ping seriously.

In addition, Liu Feng had been away from Xincheng County for too long, so long that Xiahou Shang thought that Liu Feng would never return to Xincheng County.

Xiahou Shang had almost no expectations for Liu Feng's surprise attack!

What he didn't expect was that Yin County, Ling County and Zhuyang would surrender upon hearing of Liu Feng's name.

At the beginning.

Xiahou Shang also had the idea of defending the city.

Just like when Guan Ping defended the city during the attack on Xincheng County, he believed that Liu Feng would withdraw his troops if he couldn't find an opportunity.

Nanxiang City was built along the water, with a wide moat, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack.

If a surprise attack fails to capture the city and there is no internal support, the attacking party will basically withdraw its troops.

It is a big taboo for military strategists to attack a city without thinking.

When Xiahou Shang saw that Liu Feng built a fort directly under the city and saw the scale of the fort planned by Liu Feng, he could no longer sit still.

Just like the Mongols built forts at Lumen Mountain and Baihekou when they attacked Xiangyang City from the south, Liu Feng directly turned attack into defense.

If Xiahou Shang did not come to attack the fort, Liu Feng could continue to expand the scale of the fort.

When Xiahou Shang came to attack the fort, they changed from being the defenders to the attackers, and the difficulty increased exponentially.

When Liu Feng first started building the fort, Xiahou Shang also led his troops out of the city in an attempt to destroy the fort's infrastructure.

After being ambushed by Liu Feng several times, Xiahou Shang became obedient.

Looking at the flags fluttering in the wind on the top of the fort, Xiahou Shang was so angry that he wanted to vomit blood.

"Liu Feng, you are so shameless!"

Compared to Xiahou Shang's frustration, Liu Feng was full of energy and inspected various parts of the fort every day to meet the needs of the soldiers.

It took Liu Feng more than one day to force Xiahou Shang to this point.

To capture Nanxiang County, you must first control the waterway.

That is, to capture the confluence of the Han River and the Zhushui River: Yin County, Ling County and Zhuyang County.

Only after taking over the three counties can the waterway between Nanxiang City and Xiangyang City be blocked.

As a result, it would become exponentially more difficult for Cao Ren to support Nanxiang!
Liu Feng could transport supplies by water, providing a strong logistical foundation for building a fort outside Nanxiang City.

Therefore.

Xincheng County has been infiltrating Yin County, Ling County and Zhuyang County, using Shu brocade and Zhibai Wuzhu coins to bind the interests of the wealthy families in the three counties.

When the decision was made to attack the three counties, the wealthy families in the three counties had to surrender to Liu Feng and provide him with food and military supplies for the sake of their bound interests.

Liu Feng only needed to let his soldiers bring dry food to launch a surprise attack on the cities of Yin County, Ling County and Zhuyang County, without having to worry about the transportation of food and fodder.

The troops move before the food is delivered, a surprise attack!

The defenders of Yin County, Ling County and Zhuyang County had no time to prepare at all, and either abandoned the city and fled or surrendered on the spot.

Liu Feng was inspired by Zhuge Liang's first Northern Expedition in this move.

Since we were outnumbered by the enemy and Zhuge Liang was not a brave general on the battlefield, he did not like to take risks when deploying his troops.

Therefore, Wei Yan's proposal to send his troops through Ziwu Valley was abandoned.

Zhuge Liang did not simply reject Wei Yan's proposal. Instead, before sending out troops, Zhuge Liang secretly infiltrated the wealthy families in Longyou.

Then divine soldiers descended from the sky to Nangan County and Tianshui County, and all the counties surrendered. The prefect Ma Zun even directly suspected that Jiang Wei and others were the accomplices, and abandoned everyone and fled to Shanggui overnight.

Zhuge Liang killed Ma Su because he really hated Ma Su.

After several years of hard work, they failed at the last moment, and the nobles in Longyou also lost their confidence and trust in Zhuge Liang. From now on, the nobles in Longyou will no longer be able to serve as internal accomplices!

Anyone would vomit blood!

Learning from Zhuge Liang's lesson, Liu Feng deployed heavy troops in Yin County, Ling County and Zhuyang.

He ordered Li Ping, the general with the most combat experience under his command, to lead Fang Yue and four lieutenants to guard the three counties.

As long as the three counties are not lost, the nobles in the three counties will not lose confidence and trust in Liu Feng.

"Your Highness, there is a report from the battle in Zhuyang."

The messenger respectfully presented the battle report in his hand to Liu Feng.

After glancing at the battle report, Liu Feng's lips curled up slightly with a smile: Cao Ren fell into his father's trap!

The gist of the battle report was that Cao Ren sent Xu Huang to lead troops to rescue Nanxiang. Seeing that Zhuyang was heavily guarded, Xu Huang took a detour to Nanxiang.

Liu Feng has been besieging Nanxiang City for almost a month.

According to common sense, Cao Ren should have sent troops to support long ago.

However, Cao Ren was worried that Liu Feng was sending a decoy, and was afraid that after he sent troops to rescue Nanxiang City, Guan Yu would come to take Xiangfan. He also firmly believed that Xiahou could still defend Nanxiang City, so he delayed sending reinforcements.

It was not until Cao Ren learned that Guan Yu was attacking Wen Pin in Xiakou that he hastily sent Xu Huang to rescue Nanxiang City.

Cao Ren's final judgment was: Liu Feng and Guan Yu should take Xiahou Shang and Wen Pin separately, and then join forces to attack Xiangfan.

Therefore.

Cao Ren sent Xu Huang to lead troops to rescue Nanxiang, and at the same time sent Yu Jin to lead troops to rescue Wen Pin.

However, what Cao Ren didn't know was that Liu Bei appeared in Jiangling!
Whether it was Liu Feng attacking Xiahou Shang in Nanxiang or Guan Yu attacking Wen Pin in Xiakou, they were just decoy troops used by Liu Bei to take Xiangfan.

Liu Feng’s bold words in Chengdu that day were just bold words.

When actually fighting, it is necessary to cooperate with Liu Bei's entire battle plan.

"What a shame. We're too late!"

Liu Feng was not afraid that Xu Huang would take a detour.

If Cao Ren had sent Xu Huang to support Nanxiang City as soon as he learned that Nanxiang County was attacked, Liu Feng would still have found it difficult.

after all.

Almost all of Liu Feng's elite troops were concentrated in the three cities of Yin County, Ling County and Zhuyang County.

Most of the people outside Nanxiang City were the Five Flying Armies brought from Xichuan, and a small number were county soldiers used for bluffing. The construction of the dock fort also took into account the lack of battlefield experience of the Five Flying Armies and the county soldiers.

And now.

The dock has begun to take shape.

Even if Xu Huang had a record of marching straight into a stronghold and killing the general, he could not expect to gain the upper hand over Liu Feng.

No surprise attack can be replicated.

The results of victory or defeat will be different depending on the time, place and people.

Liu Feng accelerated the construction of the fort.

Obstacles such as deer horns, chevaux de frise, horse traps, etc. were also buried in front of the fort.

a few days later.

Xu Huang climbed to the top of Nanxiang City.

Looking at the fortress outside the city that looked like a giant hedgehog, even though Xu Huang was a calm person, he couldn't help but tremble. He looked at Xiahou Shang as if he was looking at a fool: "General Xiahou, are you just going to watch Liu Feng build a fortress outside the city?"

Xu Huang almost burst into curse.

I came here with great effort to provide assistance, as I thought Nanxiang City was in imminent danger.

So you tell me that Liu Feng neither attacked nor besieged the city, but only built a fort outside Nanxiang City?
Xiahou Shang clenched his fists, turned his head away angrily, and said in a difficult tone: "I went out of the city to fight a few times and lost."

And inside.

Xiahou Shang was even more furious.

Am I willing to watch Liu Feng build a fort outside the city?
I haven't fought that!

His mother is also!

Xiahou Shang's cousin Xiahou Ru saw the tense atmosphere and asked cautiously, "I heard that General Xu once marched straight into Sizhong and destroyed the stronghold and killed the general. Why not lead us out of the city tonight and destroy Liu Feng's fortress?"

Xu Huang's eyes instantly turned vicious: "Xia Houru, are you mocking me?"

There is a world of difference between a fort and a camp!

Why don’t you just go and duel Liu Feng directly?

Xiahou Shang lightly rebuked: "Brother Ru, don't be rude!"

If Xu Huang had not been there, Xiahou Shang would have wanted to slap Xiahou Ru: It was already embarrassing enough that he had not defeated Liu Feng, and letting Xu Huang lead troops to attack Liu Feng's fort at night was tantamount to treating Xu Huang as a brainless reckless man.

Taking a deep breath, Xiahou Shang calmed his inner anxiety and lowered his posture: "General Xu, I have carefully observed the location and scale of Liufengwu Fort. His purpose should not only be to break Nanxiang City, but also to expand Nanxiang City.

If Liu Feng gets Nanxiang City, he will definitely connect Nanxiang City and the fortress together to expand it into a larger city. By then, with Xincheng County storing and transporting supplies in the rear, the strength of Nanxiang City will not be weaker than Jiangling City and Xiangyang City!"

Xu Huang also calmed down his inner irritability. Looking at the fort outside the city, his eyes became sharp: "Before I came, Guan Yu was in Xiakou attacking Wen Pin of Shiyang City. The General of Chariots and Cavalry asserted that Liu Feng and Guan Yu wanted to take Nanxiang City and Shiyang City first, and then join forces to take Xiangyang."

Xiahou Shang looked suspicious: "Wen Pin has been operating in Shiyang City for many years. The city is strong and there are many forts around it that can be defended. Could there be a trick?"

Xu Huang said in a serious tone: "General Chariot and Cavalry has also considered this possibility. Guan Yu has the convenience of warships and can go upstream at any time. Therefore, General Chariot and Cavalry sent General Yu to Shiyang City along the river, which can not only boost the morale of Shiyang City, but also deploy secret sentries along the way.

Don't worry about Xiangfan. You and I just need to defend Nanxiang City."

Xiahou Shang said worriedly: "Although I have ordered Shunyang, Danshui and Xixian to transport supplies to Nanxiang, in terms of the abundance of supplies, these three counties are definitely not as good as the twelve counties behind Liu Feng.

I am worried that Liu Feng will continue to expand the fort outside the city until my supplies are exhausted."

Xiahou Shang's worries also gave Xu Huang a headache.

In the military, there is a very frustrating way of fighting, which is called building a strong camp and fighting a stupid battle.

After arriving at the battlefield, do not fight with the enemy, but give priority to choosing advantageous terrain to build a strong camp.

Once the camp is built, you can enter the "fighting a stupid battle" mode.

For example, both sides send a large number of scouts to check the other side's troop deployment, defense strength, hunt down the other side's scouts, send spies to instigate rebellion and bribe enemy soldiers, and protect their own defense lines while looking for enemy weaknesses.

This stage will become extremely boring and long, as if the person is in a daze.

This style of fighting is all about consumption, and it’s about who has more supplies!
Until the end of the battle, the soldiers in the camp might not have seen what the enemy looked like, let alone wielded swords or guns.

It seems like he is not here to fight, but to be a civil engineer.

You often hear that someone besieged a city for several years before taking it.

In fact, there have been no wars most of the time in recent years, and the soldiers in the camp may even live a regular life of working from sunrise to sunset.

If the defending general is unhappy, he can go out of the city and challenge for a fight.

However, the result will not change much, and it will be easy to incite military morale.

Just like the famous friendship between Lu and Sheep.

Yang Hu used a conciliatory tactic against the Wu army. Every time he scheduled a fight, Yang Hu would discuss the time with Lu Kang in advance. He never launched a surprise attack, and would get those who advocated a sneak attack drunk.

After Yang Hu's troops harvested the rice in the Wu territory, they would repay with silk according to the amount of rice harvested.

If during hunting, they encountered Wu people who were first injured and then captured by their own soldiers, they would order them to be returned.

When Lu Kang fell ill, Yang Hu sent someone to deliver medicine to him.

For this, Lu Kang was reprimanded by Sun Hao.

And now.

Liu Feng used this frustrating mode of "building a strong camp and fighting a stupid battle".

If Xiahou Shang is dissatisfied, he can go out of the city to challenge for a fight. As for the outcome, it depends on Xiahou Shang's ability.

If we compare consumption, Liu Feng has the material support of nine counties in Xincheng and three counties of Yin, Ling and Zhuyang, while Xiahou Shang only has the material support of Nanxiang City and three counties of Shunyang, Danshui and Xixian in Beiman.

As for the supplies from Nanyang, which is further away, let’s not talk about whether Cao Ren has enough for himself. Even if he does have enough, Liu Feng can just ask for supplies from Jingzhou.

No matter how you calculate it.

Xiahou Shang's supplies were inferior to Liu Feng's.

This is also the confidence of Liu Feng to "build a strong camp and fight a stupid battle".

If supplies were insufficient, Liu Feng would never play the game of consumption with Xiahou Shang.

The information that Xu Huang sent troops to rescue Xiahou Shang and Yu Jin sent troops to rescue Wen Pin was also sent to Jiangling City as soon as possible.

Liu Bei laughed loudly upon hearing this: "How dare you divide your troops into two places at the same time! Without Cao Cao, Cao Ren is just so-so. The wind is rising and the clouds are flying. I am determined to swallow Wei and Wu. Who can compete with me?
Pass on my military order and send troops to Xiangyang!"

(End of this chapter)