Wei Xiaobao's Three Kingdoms Adventure

Chapter 146 Repaying others with their own methods
The navy stationed in Qingzhou blocked several waves of Cao Cao's offensive and suppressed Cao Cao firmly in Jizhou, preventing him from moving south.

Cao's army in Yanzhou could only survive by relying on local military supplies.

Wei Xiaobao had experienced the days of food and clothing shortages in Chenliu, and knew that locust plagues, droughts, and floods often occurred in Yanzhou, and that the grain harvest could not be guaranteed. So he suggested that Liu Bei take advantage of the fact that Cao Cao's navy was weak and unable to cross the river and attack Yanzhou first.

Wei Xiaobao's ideas coincide with Zhuge Liang's.

Zhuge Liang had also prepared a plan to attack Yanzhou.

Since Lujiang, Jiangxia and the southern navy were handed over to Guan Yu for military supervision, the pressure on Xuzhou and Yuzhou was greatly reduced, and the stored food and grass were sufficient to support the attack on Yanzhou.

Wei Xiaobao was very familiar with Yanzhou, and this battle was the first time that Liu Bei had used his strength to attack the weak since he raised his army. Therefore, Zhuge Liang decided to appoint Zhao Yun as the commander-in-chief and lead Wei Xiaobao and others into battle.

The Qingzhou navy and Yuan Tan also received orders.

The navy was commanded by Zhou Tai, who was responsible for harassing ports along the river, blocking support from Cao's army in Jizhou, and preventing Cao's army in Yanzhou from fleeing to the north after its defeat.

Yuan Tan led his troops to attack Dongjun and other places on the border between Yanzhou and Qingzhou.

Zhao Yun planned to attack Chenliu first and sought Zhuge Liang's opinion. The reply he got was that in the battle of Yanzhou, he could attack Chenliu or Puyang first, and all matters were decided by the general.

Zhao Yun continued his march, unable to figure out Zhuge Liang's true purpose. When the army entered Xiaopei for a rest, Zhao Yun still couldn't figure out whether to attack Chenliu or Puyang first, so he had to consult Wei Xiaobao.

Wei Xiaobao said, "The military advisor said before we set out that this time we're fighting a strong battle. Our forces are almost three times as numerous as Xiahou Dun's, and we have enough food and fodder to last two years. Does the military advisor mean that we should attack Chenliu and Puyang simultaneously?"

Zhao Yun shook his head. "There are no absolute advantages or disadvantages in war. Although our forces far outnumber those of Yanzhou, if we divide our forces to attack Chenliu and Puyang, once Xiahou Dun concentrates his forces in one and defends the other using the city's superior defenses, he will achieve a local balance of power with us, or even an advantage."

If we are defeated in the area where we are evenly matched, we will be attacked from both sides in the other area, and neither city will be captured."

Wei Xiaobao was so scared that he stuck out his tongue: "That was a close call! If I were leading the troops, I would definitely end up like this."

Zhao Yun continued, "The principles of war are the same as those of fighting. No matter whether you are stronger than your opponent, or whether you are more proficient in spearmanship or martial arts, as long as you can concentrate your strength to hit the opponent's vital point, you may be able to kill him with one blow and defeat the strong with the weak.

When Yuan Shao and Cao Cao fought, Yuan Shao's forces far outnumbered Cao Cao's, yet he was unable to defeat Cao Cao. This was because Cao Cao concentrated his elite forces at Guandu Port, preventing Yuan Shao from fully deploying his forces. This allowed Cao Cao to gain a small advantage by outnumbering Yuan Shao.

Wei Xiaobao nodded and said, "No wonder the military advisor was willing to spend so much food to station the navy in Qingzhou."

Zhao Yun said, "The military advisor was inspired by the Battle of Guandu and is using the river's natural defenses to limit Cao Cao's military activity. However, Lord Liu Ye has received news that Cao Cao is also training his navy day and night, building large ships, and preparing to strengthen the river."

After hearing this, Wei Xiaobao felt a little scared and said to Zhao Yun, "I thought attacking Yanzhou would be a very easy task, but it turns out there are so many tricks involved. If we can't capture Yanzhou, once Cao Cao's navy reaches a large scale and he is forced to cross the river, we will be in great danger."

Zhao Yun said, "Yes, that's why the military advisor wants to capture Yanzhou now. As long as we control Yanzhou, our navy will not only save food and manpower, but also form another line of defense behind the river. But the battle of Yanzhou is so important, why is the military advisor so careless?"

If Zhao Yun had asked him about gambling and women, perhaps he would have been able to explain it clearly, but he knew nothing about marching and fighting.

Wei Xiaobao smiled awkwardly and said, "The military advisor letting Big Brother make the decision on his own isn't too hasty. At least he didn't let me be the commander-in-chief. That's very prudent of him."

Zhao Yun also laughed out loud, and suddenly understood: "So that's the truth!"

Wei Xiaobao asked hurriedly, "Brother, what's the reason?"

Zhao Yun said, "My military advisor told me to attack Yanzhou, but not for Yanzhou." "For the three provinces of Hebei?"

Zhao Yun shook his head and pointed at the map and said, "For these places."

Wei Xiaobao looked in the direction Zhao Yun pointed, and saw Xiliang and Yizhou respectively.

Wei Xiaobao didn't understand and shook his head.

Zhao Yun continued, "The military advisor is training me, hoping that I can independently command a large army and prepare for the future attack on Xiliang and Yizhou."

Wei Xiaobao was so shocked that his jaw dropped. "Brother, what you said is a bit too absurd. After conquering Yanzhou, instead of attacking the three provinces of Hebei, you attack Yizhou and Xiliang?"

Zhao Yun nodded and said, "Exactly! The military advisor said from the beginning that we can't rush to deal with Cao Cao. Only by trapping him in the north can we have a chance of victory. Cao Cao has many advisers and generals under his command. In addition to the extremely powerful Qingzhou soldiers, he now occupies the horse-rich Youzhou. Naturally, his cavalry should not be underestimated.

Even with Cao Cao's strength, crossing the river to attack Yuan Shao would still cost him so much, let alone us attacking Cao Cao?"

Wei Xiaobao understood and felt completely disappointed. It seemed that if he wanted to defeat Cao Cao and get the jade seal, he could only wait for Liu Bei to unify the country.

Zhao Yun continued, "The military advisor wants to capture Jingzhou precisely because it's rich and capable of solving the military's food shortage problem. If we want to defeat Cao Cao in one fell swoop, we must accumulate sufficient forces. Relying solely on Jingzhou, Xuzhou, and Yuzhou is unlikely to be enough."

After Zhao Yun figured it out, he couldn't help but admire Zhuge Liang's foresight.

After listening to Zhao Yun's answers, Wei Xiaobao asked, "So, should we attack Chenliu or Puyang now?"

Zhao Yun smiled and said, "The answer lies with you."

"Me?" Wei Xiaobao asked, pointing at himself.

Zhao Yun said, "My advisor asked you to accompany me to the battle, not because we have a close relationship as brothers, but because you are very familiar with Yanzhou."

Wei Xiaobao thought to himself: "Zhuge Liang is the most difficult old fox to deal with. There is a conspiracy behind everything he does."

After Wei Xiaobao complained in his heart, he could only find the location of Yanzhou on the map and then think about it carefully.

"Brother, Cao Cao started his career in Chenliu, and his influence is all over there. Why don't we attack Puyang first?"

Zhao Yun asked, "Why?"

Wei Xiaobao chuckled and said, "I know how Cao Cao conquered Puyang back then, and the rice outside Puyang City is almost ready for harvest."

Zhao Yun was puzzled and asked, "What does this have to do with the siege?"

Wei Xiaobao recounted the story of Cao Cao's plot to capture Puyang, and then added, "Wouldn't it be more interesting to defeat Cao Cao using Cao Cao's method?"

Zhao Yun laughed out loud after hearing this.

(End of this chapter)