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

Chapter 257 Sima Yi's Scheme
It was Budugen?
Isn't it Kebineng?
Miwei was even more surprised.

Although he was unaware of the current situation in Bingzhou.

Based on his experiences in both lifetimes, he knew that among the Xianbei tribal leaders, the most powerful at present was Kebineng.

According to the original historical development, during Zhuge Liang's fourth Northern Expedition, which was also the last time he led troops out of Qishan.

Kebineng once led troops south, echoing Zhuge Liang from afar.

Even if they ultimately fail to achieve their goal, their troops can still escape unscathed.

The strength is evident.

When he first heard Li Hong say that, he subconsciously thought that Kebineng had rebelled again.

Surprisingly, it was Budugen, who had always been bullied, who was the first to jump out.
As Li Hong relayed the information provided by Xu Shu, Mi Wei quickly understood what was going on.

First of all, his memory is accurate.

At present, among the various Xianbei tribes, Kebineng is indeed the strongest.

However, Kebineng has not had a smooth time in the past two years.

He was defeated by Cao Wei's border generals Tian Yu and Qian Zhao, which caused his prestige to decline.

Although Budugen was repeatedly suppressed by him.

However, it was because it promptly submitted to Cao Wei.

So they preserved their foundation.

He even knew of the precarious situation of Cao Wei because he had lived in the border region for a period of time.

His fear of the Emperor of Wei had lessened.

Such as this time.

He took advantage of the opportunity when the young and strong members of the Kebineng tribe marched south to plunder the women, children, cattle, sheep, and other property he had left behind, and retaliated fiercely against his past grudge!
Li Hong had calmed his breathing, but his excitement remained:
"My lord, Budugen's rebellion is Heaven's help!"

"This will allow Sun Lang's tribe to abandon Yiyang on the banks of the Luo River, turn south to the Yi River, and then attack Guangcheng Pass from the rear via Luhun!"

"If General Guan can send a portion of his troops north to Guangcheng, forming a pincer movement with Sun Lang, then we might be able to capture this pass!"

"Once Guangcheng falls, Luoyang will surely be shaken. Sima Yi's troops, in order to protect Luoyang, may return south, which will plunge the Hu people who entered the pass into internal strife, making them difficult for Cao Wei to use!"

Miwei was immediately tempted upon hearing this.

Although Guanzhong was important to Cao Wei, it was certainly not as important as Luoyang, where Cao Pi was located.

It was one thing to be unaware of Cao Wei's plans before, but now that we know, it's the perfect time to confront them head-on.

Li Hong's approach is undoubtedly the most reasonable choice based on the current intelligence.

However, the moment he heard the name "Sima Yi".

Mi Wei felt a sudden tremor in his heart for no apparent reason.

Even if Guangcheng Pass is captured, there are still passes such as Yique and Taigu to reach Luoyang.

Is this level of deterrence really enough to frighten Sima Yi and intimidate Cao Pi?
Miwei had no idea what to do.

but no matter.

This news concerns the subsequent changes in the battle situation in Guanzhong and needs to be communicated to all units as soon as possible.

Especially Old Liu from Sichuan.

……

On the eastern outskirts of Hongnong County, Xu Shu and Guo Huai rode side by side, chatting and laughing all the way.

The group continued until they arrived at a frozen stream called Baigu River.

Guo Huai suddenly reined in his horse and turned it around:
"Not far past this river is the territory of Huxian County. Let's leave Yuanzhi here."

"I have heard that Shu bandits have raided the Yiyang area. Sima Zhongda has entrusted you with the rear, so it would be best to return quickly to take charge of the overall situation."

Upon hearing this, Xu Shu shook his head and said:

“Boji, you are mistaken. It is precisely because there are so many bandits that I must personally escort you into the pass.”

Guo Huai frowned upon hearing this.

Xu Shu's words sound nice.

But those familiar with the geography of Guanluo know this.

The city of Hongnong Commandery before us is the site of the "Hangu Pass" from the Qin Dynasty. (The Han Dynasty's Hangu Pass was located on the side closer to Luoyang.)
From Hongnong westward to Tongguan, the terrain is a narrow and treacherous place flanked by mountains and rivers, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack.

Even if the Han army were to cross the mountains and capture Yiyang, it would be unlikely that they would flee westward to this side.

With that energy and courage, it would be more militarily valuable to sail down the Luo River and intimidate Luoyang.

Therefore.

It was fine before that we hadn't passed through the Hongnong Prefecture.

Now that they have entered this place nestled between mountains and rivers, Xu Shu sees no need for further action.

Not to mention, he already had people he had arranged to meet him.

This Xu Sili was not telling the truth.

"What, does Lord Guo suspect that I deliberately let the bandits run rampant?"

Xu Shu suddenly raised an eyebrow and asked a question.

Guo Huai pursed his lips and remained silent.

Xu Shu suddenly burst into laughter:
"As expected of the resourceful Guo Boji, you actually noticed it!"

Guo Huai pursed his lips even tighter upon hearing this. At that moment, on the opposite bank of the Baigu River, dust billowed from the approaching figures of men and horses.

Upon seeing this, Xu Shu quickly dismissed his attendants.

After everyone else had left, Guo Huai finally spoke:
"Is this also a feint by Sima Zhongda?"

Xu Shu: "I suppose so."

Guo Huai: "Sort of?"

Xu Shu gazed intently westward.

They seem to be observing the troops coming from the opposite bank of the lake to meet Guo Huai.

After a moment, he exhaled a puff of white breath and said:
"According to reliable intelligence, the one in Sichuan... is seriously ill and will not live much longer."

"Is Liu Bei about to die?" Guo Huai exclaimed softly.

His expression was a mixture of doubt and delight.

Xu Shu's hands tightened instinctively.

Fortunately, the winter clothes were thick enough to cover the marks.

He kept talking on his face:

"In short, once that person in Shu passes away, the rebel army's strength will inevitably suffer a setback."

"This is a golden opportunity bestowed upon our Great Wei by Heaven to turn defeat into victory."

"Before Sima Gong went on his expedition, the decision had already been made in the Luoyang Palace, so Boji need not doubt it."

"The Luoyang Palace... So that's how it is!"

Guo Huai nodded slightly and indeed did not ask any further questions.

Before long, the reinforcements arrived across the river.

The leader was a handsome young man who looked to be about twenty years old.

Although he did not hold a formal official position, judging from his demeanor and clothing, he was clearly from a prominent local family.

To conceal his inner turmoil, Xu Shu took the initiative to strike up a conversation.

They quickly discovered how learned and knowledgeable this person was, and immediately decided to recruit him.

Hongnong Commandery was under the jurisdiction of Sili, and he served as the Sili Commandant.

He certainly had enough status and prestige to recruit local youths.

The young man who volunteered to escort Guo Huai was already ambitious.

So he quickly introduced himself.

"Wang Jun, courtesy name Shizhi, from Huxian County, is willing to serve Xu Sili!"

……

By the end of November in the fourth year of Zhangwu, Guanzhong was undoubtedly in the depths of winter.

Following Zhang Fei's entry into San Pass and capture of Chencang in October.

At Jiang Wan's suggestion, they quickly turned east to Wuzhangyuan and assisted Wei Yan in repelling Zhang He's Wei army that came to block their advance.

The two then split up into two groups.

Wei Yan moved eastward along the river to besiege Wugong County.

Zhang Fei then crossed the Wei River to the north and advanced to the North Plain, which is opposite Wuzhang Plain, in order to find a foothold on the Wei River.

By early December, both sides had made some progress.

Wei Yan successfully captured Wugong County, a foothold in Weinan.

Although Zhang Fei failed to find a new foothold, he once again drove away Zhang He's troops who came to block his way.

This time, the latter simply retreated all the way east to Huaili City, the seat of Fufeng County.

They only stopped setting up camp and continued to set up the third defensive position after Cao Zhen sent reinforcements from Chang'an.

By this point, the Han army had established a foothold in the core area of ​​Fufeng County in Guanzhong.

According to the original plan, the three armies, totaling nearly 100,000 men, should be integrated and marched westward with all their might to take Chang'an.

It's just that the plan can't keep up with the changes.

A large number of Xianbei knights suddenly poured in from the east of the river.

Although recruiting barbarian cavalry to fight in the Central Plains was not uncommon in this era.

For example, Liu Bei had many Qiang and Di cavalrymen under his command.

The barbarian troops from Jing and Yi provinces were even present in organized units.

However, the number of Xianbei knights who entered the pass this time was far greater than imagined.

These Xianbei people may not have had the ability to charge and break through the Central Plains cavalry.

However, their forte lies in luring the enemy from afar, harassing them from the flanks, and intercepting them from behind.

Among the three routes of the Han army.

Both Zhang and Wei's routes entered the pass via the Shu Road, and their logistical supply lines were located within the mountains and rivers south of Weinan, so they were temporarily safe.

Only Zhao Yun's Longyou army took the route through the Qian River Valley north of the Wei River.

Just as they reached the vicinity of Yumi and the terrain opened up slightly, they were met with a large number of Xianbei knights harassing them.

(End of this chapter)