The Three Kingdoms Voyage

Chapter 182 Set sail and change from passive to active
Looking at the battle report in his hand, Sun Quan was both surprised and delighted: "Fengxian took Xiangcheng?"

"Yes." Sun Shao nodded and looked at Sun Quan cautiously: "My lord, they seem to be invincible, but now Xu Huang has regained Fancheng and cut off the connection between the north and the south. General Hou and Guan Yu are facing the encirclement of several armies. The situation is not good."

Sun Quan shook his head disapprovingly: "Xiahoudun is just a man of success, he is not Guan Yu's opponent. Cao Cao is going to withdraw from Hanzhong, and it is impossible to arrive in time. As for Yecheng, I guess Cao Pi dare not leave lightly. Guan Yu only has to deal with Xu It’s just a matter of shaking this group of people, as long as Feng Xian rushes back to Xiangyang, everything will be fine. However, their current front line is too stretched, and their strength is somewhat insufficient.”

Sun Shao didn't say a word. This was what he was worried about. According to common sense, Jiangdong should send troops to support at this moment, but Sun Quan himself made no progress on the eastern front. He really didn't know what he would think, so he could only pretend to be confused and wait for Sun Quan to say it himself.

Sun Quan thought for a moment: "Immediately order Lu Su to reinforce Xiangyang, and at the same time expedite the six hundred miles, and send Bu Zhi to enter Changsha via Guiyang."

Sun Shao understood, and said loudly: "Supreme Saint."

Sun Quan walked up to the map and issued several orders in one breath: "Order Lu Meng and Jiang Qin to attack quickly, order Lu Fan to enter Jiangxia, order..." Sun Shao didn't dare to neglect, and wrote down one by one.Sun Quan finally said earnestly: "Changxu, if this battle is won, we can stand against the old thief."

Sun Shao nodded again and again, and hurried out.Sun Quan straightened up, looked at the bright sunshine outside, let out a long breath, feeling extremely happy.No one expected that Sun Shao and Guan Yu would go so smoothly. In less than two months, they not only captured Fancheng, Wancheng, Nanyang County, but also captured Xiangcheng, a big granary.With this granary, Guan Yu and Sun Shao can completely disturb Cao Cao's life. More importantly, once they conquer Xu County and win the emperor, Cao Cao's biggest reliance will become his nightmare.

Cao Cao, who is always called by the emperor, is going to become a real traitor now, right?

When Sun Quan thought of this possible outcome, he couldn't help laughing.In any case, by taking back the emperor from Cao Cao, his and Liu Bei's identities can be cleared, and there is no need to gain any status by pleasing Cao Cao.He has long been dissatisfied with this chariot general. If he can win the emperor this time, what can he do?At least it is more valuable than a chariot general, right?

Shouldn't the emperor be brought to Jiangdong?Sun Quan had a thought, but then dismissed the idea. It is one thing to ask the emperor for a title, but it is another thing to truly respect the emperor.He didn't want to be a real king, so why put a rope around his head, let Liu Bei, the real royal family, do this kind of thing.This old slicker has always thought of becoming king and emperor himself. If the real emperor comes to his territory, let's see what he can do.He will definitely coerce the emperor to make the princes like Cao Cao, right?It's a pity that he doesn't have the strength of Cao Cao. Whether the edict issued from him can be effective depends on whether others are willing to accept the edict.

Perhaps, this solved a problem for Cao Cao instead.

Sun Quan thought about it, and the more he thought about it, the more interesting he became.He was looking forward to the future, looking forward to the idea of ​​dividing the world with Cao Cao and Liu Bei after winning Jianghuai. He saw the opportunity to be on an equal footing with Cao Cao and Liu Bei.He was thinking about whether he should communicate with Cao Cao properly. After all, Liu Bei was used to treachery. What if he took the emperor's edict and asked him to become a minister?Now that the battle has reached this level, it may be time to negotiate next.

The general trend of the world is about to change.

"Zhongshan, pack up and prepare to go to Yecheng." Sun Quan turned around and said to Shen Heng who was following behind.

Shen Heng bowed and accepted the order.

……

Sun Shao succeeded in persuading Cao Ren, and the internal troubles finally calmed down for the time being, but the external troubles remained the same.There are only more than 5000 people in Xiangyang City, and most of them are old and weak. Both Guan Yu and Sun Shao were negligent. They did not expect that Cao Cao would send Xu Huang from Hanzhong to attack Xiangyang. Xu Huang used such a dangerous move, but something went wrong, and he hit Guan Yu's weak point all at once, cutting off the grain path.If Sun Shao hadn't captured Xiangcheng, Guan Yu would probably collapse now.

In addition to more than 5000 old and weak, there is also the Destroying Front Camp that Sun Shaogang brought back, but the current Cui Feng Battalion cannot destroy the front, it can only brag.Riding on horseback for two consecutive days, 80.00% of the people had worn out their thighs, not to mention the war, and they became bow-legged when walking. The person who was looking at them burst into laughter.

So Sun Jiao and Mi Fang were still very nervous. They looked at Sun Shao and remained silent.Sun Shao was calm and composed, and said to them indifferently: "You are also tired, go to rest early. By the way, Uncle, how is your injury?"

Sun Jiao smiled wryly and shook his head. He stabbed Cao Ren. Cao Ren has not yet been able to walk, but Cao Ren did not take advantage of him. The knife cut a big gash in his chest, and even broke two ribs. He was supposed to rest. After more than a month, the wound has healed. When Xu Huang came, he went out with a disease, and the wound almost opened again. In the past two days, he obviously felt that he could not hold on.

"Take a good rest." Sun Shao sighed, "If it wasn't for uncle this time, we would have capsized in the gutter."

Sun Jiao felt a little comforted in his heart, and smiled lightly: "A wise man is bound to make a mistake. Xu Huang is famous for his prudence. I didn't expect him to dare to use a civilian boat to enter the Han River. It's too late for us to know. If we meet him earlier, It might be another great victory."

Sun Shao smiled, thinking that Xu Huang and Yu Jin are both good generals, but Yu Jin is known for being strict, while Xu Huang is cautious. These two styles look very similar, but in fact they are very different.

"Fengxian, how are you going to attack Fancheng?" Mi Fang, who had been sitting silently by the side, asked.

"No fight." Sun Shao shook his head: "Not for the time being."

"Don't fight?" Sun Jiao and Mi Fang looked at each other, both a little puzzled: "If we don't fight, the connection between us and General Guan will be cut off. If he fights alone, will he..."

"No." Sun Shao shook his head confidently: "Guan Gong's subordinates now have nearly 5 people, and he has enough food and grass. He has no worries. Even if he loses to Xiahou Dun, he can return to Wancheng. There will be no danger for the time being. .Although Xu Huang has occupied Fancheng, he has no navy and will not attack Xiangyang easily. To be honest, his role in Fancheng is limited."

Mifang thought for a while, and felt that what Sun Shao said was reasonable. Since Guan Yu did not worry about food and grass, Xu Huang's role was limited. He had no navy, so it was not so easy to cross the Han River to attack Xiangyang.Although Xiangyang has few soldiers, there is no great danger with the cover of Hanshui, not to mention that reinforcements will come soon, and it will not be too late to start a war with Xu Huang at that time.

They went to rest in peace, but Sun Shao was not idle. He wrote a letter and asked someone to send it to Xu Huang.

At the south gate of Fancheng, Xu Huang, with his hands behind his back, paced slowly at the top of the city.After Guan Yu took down Fancheng, Fancheng had lost its original importance, so he didn't ask people to rebuild the city, but simply cleaned it up. Traces of collapse can be seen everywhere, and the top of the city wall can vaguely see the deep holes in the round pits made by stone bullets and giant crossbows. Dark red blood stains can be seen everywhere, and flies are buzzing and flying.

"Zhongda, can you believe that Sun Shao captured Fancheng in only half an hour?" Xu Huang raised his head, looked at Xiangyang City across the Han River, and said calmly.Sima Yi, who was standing behind him, pursed his lips and laughed: "I think it's a bit exaggerated. If it was a surprise attack and he was unprepared, it's still possible, but Cao Zhengnan has been fighting Guan Yu for so long, how could he be negligent? Besides, Guan Yu has been fighting for so long but failed to take Fancheng, Sun Shao can break the city in half an hour? They are not only allies, but also Weng son-in-law."

"You mean, this is just spreading rumors?" The corner of Xu Huang's mouth twitched, a smile flashed and disappeared, he turned around and took a look at Sima Yi.Cao Cao sent him out of Hanzhong. He originally planned to take the mountain road, but it was Sima Yi who suggested using civilian ships to transport troops, which was faster and less labor-intensive.This method was very good. It only took Xu Huang seven or eight days to suddenly appear in the west of Fancheng, catching Sun Jiao by surprise.It should be said that this effect is very ideal, so Xu Huang has a very good impression of Sima Yi, and feels that this scholar has a talent for soldiers.

Of course, he also knew that Sima Yi, as the head of the prime minister's mansion, came to fight with him, and it was definitely not as simple as a military staff.

"There are too many such things." Sima Yi smiled, gentle but not obsequious, steady but not restrained, appropriately expressing respect for a veteran general like Xu Huang.He didn't say what happened next.Because he felt that this matter was no different from mutual flattery among scholars. It was entirely possible for Guan Yu to do this in order to make Sun Shao famous, but he felt that Guan Yu did it too stupidly. But it backfired - Sun Shao was Sun Quan's thorn in the flesh, and the greater his reputation, the easier it was to arouse Sun Quan's suspicion.Sun Shao and Guan Yu did this, in his opinion, it was standard martial arts stupidity.

Although his expression was well concealed, the trace of disdain in the corner of his eyes could not escape Xu Huang's attention.Xu Huang turned around calmly, lost in thought.Yesterday scouts came to report that Sun Shao rushed back to Xiangyang with more than 1000 cavalry. It seems that Guan Yu already knew about the fall of Fancheng, but he did not come back, but sent Sun Shao back to Xiangyang to preside over the battle.Xu Huang and Guan Yu have a good friendship. He knows that Guan Yu is arrogant, but he is not a person who is indiscriminate. Since he sent Sun Shao back, it shows that he believes in Sun Shao's ability. Then the Battle of Fancheng may also be true. Yes - although it sounds outrageous.

"Zhongda, do you think Sun Shao will take the initiative to attack Fancheng?" Xu Huang asked casually again.

Sima Yi shook his head: "I don't think so."

"why?"

"There are not many troops in Xiangyang. The only thing they can gain is the navy. Now that the water has receded, it is impossible for warships to reach the city like they did two months ago. If they disembark and attack the city on foot, hehe, how could they Didn't you seek your own death?" Sima Yi walked to the edge of the city, pointed to the quiet Han River not far away, and said, "I guess they will use the navy to escort food and grass, and go north from the Fei River. Besides..." Sima Yi shook his head , and denied his own opinion: "Probably not, Xiangcheng is nearly a thousand miles away from Wancheng, and there are nearly [-] soldiers stationed in the fields. If they want to succeed in a surprise attack, the chance is too small."

Xu Huang nodded. He was also a little worried that Guan Yu would attack Xiangcheng after the food shortage. Later, he thought that Wancheng and Xiangcheng were separated by more than 1000 miles. Sun Shao didn't have so many cavalry. If he used infantry to make a long-distance rapid march, probably only Xia Houyuan in the world would do it.

In other words, Sun Shao should storm Fancheng soon, and strive to re-open the grain road in the shortest possible time to ensure the grain supply of Guan Yu's army.He turned his head and glanced at Sima Yi: "Turn up and repair the city defense, don't give them any chance."

Sima Yi bowed and saluted.His thoughts were similar to Xu Huang's. Since there were not enough naval forces to attack Xiangyang, let's wait for Sun Shao to attack. Anyway, it was Sun Shao who was worried, not them.The two walked east along the city wall, one behind the other, not far away.A personal guard walked over quickly with a saber in hand, and bowed to salute: "General, Sun Shao has an envoy."

"Sun Shao's envoy?" Xu Huang was a little surprised. He exchanged glances with Sima Yi, and raised his hand to call the envoy over.

Shi Bao stood in front of Xu Huang, offering Sun Shao's autographed letter with both hands.Xu Huang took a look at him, took the letter but did not open it: "Who are you? Judging from your accent, why do you look like a northerner?"

Shi Bao smiled slightly: "General Mingchao, Bao was originally from Bohai, but now he is a personal guard of General Sun."

"People from Bohai?" Xu Huang opened the letter and asked, "When did you go to Jiangdong?"

"Three days ago." Shi Bao smiled lightly, with a hint of pride and sarcasm on his handsome face: "Bao was originally a member of the tribe under General Dian Nong Zhonglang. Humble, let me be a personal guard."

"What?" Sima Yi was taken aback, and rushed forward, grabbing Shi Bao by the collar: "Sun Shao broke Xiangcheng?"

Shi Bao looked at Sima Yi's hand without saying a word, Sima Yi was stunned for a moment, then realized his gaffe, he twitched the corner of his eyes and let go of Shi Bao.It is said that he has a deep personality and would not be too impulsive when encountering anything, but Sun Shao actually won Xiangcheng.

Xu Huang quickly glanced at the letter, the corners of his eyes twitched involuntarily, hesitated for a moment, and handed the letter to Sima Yi.Sima Yi didn't have time to think about it, so he took it and browsed it, and couldn't help but hold his breath.

Sun Shao said that he had captured Xiangcheng, and Guan Yu now had a lot of food available, so he didn't need to worry about the way back. He was leading an army of 5000 to attack Xu County. If there were no accidents, he should have arrived outside Xu County by now.He also said that there are only [-] people in Xiangyang City, most of them are old and weak, and they cannot be Xu Huang's opponent. He has sent messengers to Sun Quan and Liu Bei for help. The reinforcements will arrive in about half a month. Xu Huang If you want to fight, you must hurry up.However, he reminded Xu Huang that in addition to nearly [-] soldiers in Xiangyang City, there are also many senior generals including Cao Ren, Man Chong, Pang De and others. If Xu Huang wants to attack Xiangyang, then he will , can only kill Cao Ren and others first, and then fight Xu Huang to the death.

After reading the letter, Sima Yi felt as complicated as Xu Huang.Sun Shao's doing so was very real, and it was a bit shameless.He told Xu Huang honestly, I only have so many people, you can come if you want, but when the time comes, people like Cao Ren will die because of you, Cao Cao wants to settle accounts with you, don't blame me.If you don't fight, my reinforcements will arrive in half a month.

He punched hard, but hit the empty space, and then he was disgusted again.This is what Xu Huang and Sima Yi feel together now.

hit?Not to mention whether you can beat Xiangyang, just say that you can't afford Cao Ren's life.Do not hit?Why don't you ask them to come here, just look at Sun Shao across the water?More importantly, the food and grass they brought was limited, and Sun Shao had a navy, so he would definitely block the Han River, and it would be very difficult to transport food from Hanzhong.Xu Huang only brought two months' food, and now he has only one and a half months left.Originally it was expected to transport food from Xiangcheng, but now that Xiangcheng has changed hands, Guan Yu's crisis has been resolved, but Xu Huang is facing the danger of running out of food.

The accidental fall of Xiangcheng made Xu Huang's efforts all in vain.

"General, we have become a lone army, and it is not appropriate to stay here any longer." Ping Nan General Yin Shu said cautiously.

Xu Huang glanced at him, but said nothing.He originally had only more than 2000 people under his command. This time Cao Cao asked him to attack Xiangfan, and specially transferred five or six other generals, and nearly [-] horses, to be under his command temporarily. Yin Shu is one of them. In a sense, Yin Shu and others They are equal to him, not to be his subordinates, but to obey his orders at the moment. Once the battle is over, their superior-subordinate relationship will be terminated.Now that the situation has reversed, Yin Shu and the others have become timid, and it is expected to ask to leave Fancheng.

Sima Yi shook his head. He also understood what Yin Shu and the others were thinking. This was the time when he, the chief minister of the prime minister, had an effect.He waved his hand and let Shi Bao leave.Shi Bao didn't say much, he saluted and stood aside to wait for a reply.

"No." With a wave of his hand, Sima Yi interrupted Yin Shu who was still trying to persuade him, and said with a gloomy face, "With us in Fancheng, Sun Shao would not dare to leave Xiangyang lightly. Although Guan Yu has food, his rear is blocked , it is impossible not to be unscrupulous at all. As for the reinforcements from Jiangdong and Yizhou, let alone whether they will come, even if they come, it will take at least ten days and a half months. During this period, we have enough advantages. Danger."

Yin Shu and the others looked at each other and nodded. They could ignore Xu Huang, but they had to listen to Sima Yi. He was here representing the Prime Minister's Mansion and Cao Cao.

"Before departure, the prime minister has ordered General Fubo to move westward, and the deputy prime minister will also lead an army from Yecheng. Although Guan Yu claims to have 5 or [-] people, most of his troops are rioters and mobs. It will collapse without a fight. Guan Yu's defeat is inevitable, we are here, we can block his retreat, and cooperate with General Fubo and the Deputy Prime Minister to annihilate him in Nanyang."

Xu Huang looked at Sima Yi who was talking eloquently, and secretly admired him.This young man is eloquent, and he used the credit for annihilating Guan Yu to trap all these unsteady generals. Few people can see his selfishness.Yes, although Guan Yu is not in any danger now, he will soon face the pincer attack of Cao Pi from Yecheng and Xiahou Dun from Hefei, and there may be Cao Jun from other directions. His defeat is inevitable, even if He won Xu County, but he couldn't hold it.If they guard Fancheng stubbornly, then Guan Yu will not be able to safely return to the south of the Han River. Xiahou Dun is Cao Pi's man, and the biggest hero in this battle is Cao Pi. As for them, they are under the attack of Guan Yu and Sun Shao How much more can survive is not a question for Sima Yi to consider.

Although Xu Huang understood this, he didn't object. Although his starting point was different from Sima Yi's, his desire to make contributions was not different.The five good generals, Le Jin was the right general before his death, the left general before the ban, and the remaining three are all generals. Zhang Liao is now the general of Zhengdong. They are all just a miscellaneous general. He is already sixty this year, and there are not many opportunities to fight. If he does not seize the opportunity to make a name for himself, he will probably only be a miscellaneous general in his life.

"Then... what should we do? Defend the city?" General Xu Shang asked unconfidently.

"You can't defend the city." Sima Yi slowed down, turned around and saluted Xu Huang: "General, Yi thinks that Fancheng is broken and cannot be repaired in a short time, and it is too close to the Han River, so it is better to retreat north. If Shao doesn't pursue, we will threaten Guan Yu's rear and encircle Guan Yu with General Fubo and the deputy prime minister. If Sun Shao comes to chase, we can just turn around and eat him." He smiled confidently: "If you want to fight on foot and ride in the field, How can the Jiangdong people be the opponents of the generals?"

Xu Shang and the others laughed, very proudly.It can be said that Sima Yi's words were in their minds. When it comes to water warfare, they are definitely not the opponents of the Jiangdong people. Fancheng is too close to the Han River. The Jiangdong people come and go as soon as they say. But going north was different. If Sun Shao chased them, he would fight them in the plains. If they didn't chase them, they could go straight to Wancheng and get closer to Xiahoudun and Cao Pi.

Once advancing and retreating, passivity becomes active.

Seeing the expressions of the generals, Xu Huang knew that none of them had any objections, so he nodded and said, "This strategy is very good, what do you think?"

Yilang Zhao Yan, who had been silent all this time, was the first to agree: "It should be so."

Sima Yi glanced at Zhao Yan and nodded gratefully.Zhao Yan is Cao Cao's confidant, although he is just a Yilang, but he has supervised the battle many times as an army supervisor or similar. In the eyes of the generals, Zhao Yan is more important than him.

(End of this chapter)