The Duke of Shu Han began guarding Jingzhou in place of Guan Yu.

Chapter 145 Zhang Ji's Strategic Plan

"We are willing to help Your Excellency recapture the grain storage!"

Jiang Wei volunteered again.

This time, however, it wasn't just for personal gain.

Zhang Ji has already made it very clear.

We need to boost morale before we can even begin to discuss the war.

Food and provisions were of paramount importance.

If this grain depot is lost, will the soldiers not need to eat?

Isn't it still necessary to requisition them from these locals?

However, Zhang ignored it.

He turned and left the tent, slowly walking to the edge of the plateau.

He stood with his hands behind his back, gazing westward at the endless loess gullies.

There was silence for a long time.

Jiang Wei grew impatient and said urgently:

"Even if you don't trust me, Your Excellency should immediately dispatch trusted generals to attack. How can you hesitate?"

Zhang didn't turn around, but instead asked in a deep voice:
“The enemy general could have killed and burned the camp, but he chose not to, and instead allowed our soldiers to return and report the news.”

"Guess what the enemy general intends to do?"

Before Jiang Wei could answer, he said:
"If you want to help, do something for me."

Just as Jiang Wei was about to retort, a thought struck him, and he said:
"Should we still requisition grain?"

"No." Zhang shook his head.

"This time, a large-scale conscription is required, so I have to personally take charge."

"And you, go to Shanggui again to see Lord Guo and recruit one person for me."

Jiang Wei: "Who?"

Zhang Ji: "The newly appointed Prefect of Longxi is You Chu Zhongyun."

"I can't go to Longxi for the time being, so I'll have You Zhongyun guard Ji County in my place."

Jiang Wei silently repeated the man's name a few times before asking, "Is that all?"

Zhang Ji nodded and waved for him to go quickly.

Jiang Wei felt a tightness in his chest.

This was just a errand, and Zhang was clearly using it as an excuse to send me away.

That's all.

The key point is that this passive way of coping is so unlike the Zhang Shijun I know!
It is true that the enemy general used the grain depot as bait.

Going to the rescue would most likely result in being ambushed.

But if we don't help, won't we still lose a lot of supplies?

This is clearly a well-laid plan by the enemy general.

The problem cannot be solved by passively avoiding it.

If we go, there is still a possibility of retrieving the supplies.

If you don't go, it will be gone forever.

unless……

Jiang Wei secretly kept this in mind. When he left, he had his attendants find an excuse to stay so that they could find out Zhang Ji's true plans.

Two days later.

Jiang Wei brought You Chu to Ji County.

The latter temporarily replaced the governor who had lost popular support and took over the administration of the prefecture.

Jiang Wei's close attendants also returned to report the news.

It is said that Zhang Ji then dispatched Protector General Xiahou Ru, General Fei Yao, and General Wei Ping to lead various troops in a southern attack on Zhuwei Mountain.

I heard that Liu Bei's carriage is still stationed there.

Jiang Wei: "How many soldiers did the three generals bring?"

The attendant said, "Except for a small number of personal guards under Magistrate Zhang, almost the entire army marched south!"

Jiang Wei: "His Liangzhou soldiers also went?"

Attendant: "They've all gone!"

Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh.

Jiang Wei cracked his whip a few times.

He muttered excitedly:

"If we have provisions but do not return to rescue Hexi, our Liangzhou soldiers will surely harbor resentment."

"But if the provisions have been lost, then it's not that Lord Zhang didn't come to the rescue, but that the Shu bandits are treacherous... and we can vent our resentment on Liu Bei!"

"But Lord Zhang disregarded his reputation and personally borrowed grain for the entire army, which won him the love and respect of all the soldiers!"

"As expected of Magistrate Zhang, what a brilliant plan!"

However, after the initial excitement...

He recalled that day when Zhang Jiming had clearly made all the plans, yet still managed to send him away.

They clearly don't trust me, Jiang Wei, and look down on me!
I felt depressed again.

……

"Zhongyun is so slow! I have already captured the Shu bandits' carriage!" As soon as Zhang Ji arrived at the prefectural government, he laughed loudly at You Chu, who came out to greet him.

You Chu knew that the person who recommended him was a wise and courageous man, so he took the initiative to step forward and congratulate him.

Upon entering the inner hall, immediately dismiss those around him and say:

"Did Lord Zhang come all this way to entrust you with something important?"

"We are exactly relying on Zhongyun!"

Zhang Ji nodded heavily and said frankly:
"Although the three generals have not yet sent back news of their victory, I estimate that Liu Bei's carriage has most likely headed west, and taking Zhuwei Mountain will be a piece of cake."

Having just witnessed Zhang Ji deliberately putting on an act in public, You Chu had a guess and said:

"Since Liu Bei's army has already turned west, why should you, my lord, still go to the trouble of mobilizing your troops?"

Zhang Ji: "Although Liu Bei is not here, he will surely leave his baggage behind when he rushes westward."

“He burned my rear camp, so I attacked his rear.”

You Chu was slightly taken aback, and said:

"From my observation of Liu Bei's life, he often did things that were difficult to achieve against all odds."

"Just like a gambler addicted to dice, who often bets everything and goes all in in order to win the 'lu' (a winning hand)."

"I'm afraid he might not turn back."

Zhang Ji laughed upon hearing this:

"Is this gambler referring to yourself?"

He shook his head again and said:

"Indeed, the war has reached this point, and both sides have already given everything they have, with no way to turn back."

"Next, it's simply a matter of whether the Shu bandits can pacify Liangzhou faster, or whether we can stabilize Longyou more quickly."

"Although Liu Bei gained the upper hand, Hexi is far from Shu, and it will be difficult to provide subsequent support."

"Although I have come a little late this time, I am now closer to Guanzhong."

"With the balance of power shifting, it remains to be seen who will emerge victorious!"

You Chu agreed wholeheartedly and asked, "What does Your Excellency need me to do?"

"Next, I will personally travel to the prefectures and counties to collect grain and personnel while reassuring the people."

“And you must stay here and guard Ji City for me.” Zhang Ji pointed to the ground.

"Guo Boji (Guo Huai) was in Weinan, and I was in Weibei. Ji County was a crucial point connecting the north and the south."

"Moreover, Longyou has always been short of grain, and the only way to feed the army is to rely on the westward transport from Guanzhong."

"And Ji County is also a vital link between the east and the west."

"In short, we cannot afford to fail."

Seeing You Chu nod solemnly, Zhang Ji softened his tone:
"Fortunately, our army is in dire straits, but the Shu bandits will only be in more trouble. As long as we get through this winter, the spring waters will thaw next year, and everything will be alright."

"Furthermore, I think Jiang Wei, also known as Jiang Boyue, is quite capable as a general. If necessary, we can ask him for help in an emergency."

You Chu raised an eyebrow: "When necessary?"

Zhang Ji: "Jiang Boyue lacks experience and is arrogant due to his youth. Although he can be used, we must never let him lead us by the nose."

……

"It seems Zhang Ji's men aren't coming. We should withdraw."

After setting up an ambush at the grain depot for five days, Mi Wei decided to stop waiting foolishly.

Whether the enemy comes or not, the goal of delaying them has already been achieved.

Therefore, after gathering enough supplies for their own troops, they decisively burned their camp and retreated south.

Then they walked towards Luomen.

Just as they arrived at the frozen section of the Wei River, several Han cavalrymen hurriedly headed north.

The leader was none other than Meng Da, a court official.

"Why doesn't Lord Meng follow the imperial carriage westward and establish his own merits?"

Miwei made a joke without thinking.

Meng Da's breath hitched, and he said in a muffled voice:
“I have volunteered to stay and guard Luomen. His Majesty has appointed me as a military advisor to assist the Left Commander (Mi Wei).

Then, ignoring the mocking looks from behind Miwei, he said urgently:
"The day before yesterday, Zhang Ji's army marched south and launched a surprise attack on Zhuwei Mountain."

"The rear commander (Zhang Nan) did not have time to move all the supplies, so he divided his troops to move some of the supplies to Luomen, and then personally stayed behind to cover the rear."

"They have probably already died for their country!"

Upon hearing this, the previously cheerful young players fell silent, their expressions complex.

Although Zhang Nan was staying at Zhuwei Mountain under Liu Bei's name, he had the tactical objective of attracting enemy troops.

But Zhang Ji's decisiveness still surprised everyone.

Moreover, this was, after all, the loss of a key general.

Ultimately, it is a pity.

After a moment of silence, Mi Wei spoke:

"General Zhang (Zhang Nan) was a model of virtue for his subjects; even in death, he is still honored!"

"Since Zhang Ji has chosen to head south, he has completely abandoned Hexi. The royal army can now confidently launch a westward attack without any further worries!"

Upon hearing this, their expressions softened slightly.

Mi Wei then asked Meng Da:

"You come from Luomen, do you have any news of the royal army?"

(End of this chapter)