Three Kingdoms

Xiangyang City.

Cao Ren, Cao Zhen, Cao Xiu and others who returned from Dangyang immediately seemed to add a fire, burning the battlefield in Jingbei even more intensely.

With a small number of soldiers, he defeated the Jiangdong soldiers and even pursued them to Maicheng. If he were not afraid that he would fall into an ambush if he continued to pursue, Cao Ren promptly ordered the army to return. Cao Zhen and Cao Xiu, who could not be dazzled by the victory, wanted to fight. I rushed to Jiangxia with a breath...

Even so, these revolving Cao troops were like a shot in the arm of Cao troops in northern Jing, which really improved the morale of Cao troops a lot.

Those returning soldiers, even those with some injuries, would nonchalantly pat their chests and shout as loudly as they could, "This battle!" It was such a good beating! Let me tell you, it is a pity that you missed this battle! When the time comes to talk about merit, I will at least be promoted one level higher than you! Hahahaha, at some point, you will all bow when you see me! 』

"What's wrong with the large number of people in Koto?" Wasn't he still beaten to pieces? At that time, we followed the general to guard the camp. It was a bloody massacre with blood and flesh flying everywhere! Jiangdong's soldiers are ten times larger than ours, so they still can't attack? How many people in Jiangdong have balls? 』

"The third son of the Zhang family, that guy is amazing!" I used to laugh at him because he was a cavalryman, but now he is dressed in the same outfit as at least ten of us! Tsk tsk tsk...』

"This time, let me tell you, when our cavalry charged, Jiangdong's soldiers were dumbfounded. They all stood like gooses, stretching their necks and just looking blankly. Then I was like this One knife...swipe! Guess what, a row of heads flew up..."

Are you bragging? Just like many men have a special liking for the number 18. They know that there is some water in it, but they don't bother to take a ruler to measure it after listening to someone's advice.

Neither Xiahou Dun nor Cao Ren stopped Cao's soldiers from shouting, laughing and bragging. Even if they heard it, they would just smile and have no intention of stopping it. After all, these Cao troops in northern Jingzhou were previously beaten by hussars. The suppression was too severe and morale was low. Now we are taking this opportunity to improve some of Cao Jun's competitive spirit so that the next move can be carried out smoothly and completely suppress the Hussars and horses from the ground in Jingzhou.

In addition, it can also have a certain deterrent effect on those soldiers who surrendered from Jingzhou. Especially when Cao's soldiers become more powerful, the loyalty of the soldiers who surrendered from Jingzhou will naturally become more stable.

Therefore, there were a group of people on the left and one on the right, standing or sitting around the veterans of Cao's army, listening to the true or false words, and then watching the veterans of Cao's army playing with some trophies from Jiangdong in their hands. They all stretched their heads and made some sounds of admiration from time to time.

However, in the Yamen Festival Hall, the atmosphere was not as lively as on the streets of the city, but rather solemn. Unlike the ordinary soldiers of Cao Cao's army who only knew one-sided information, most of the people present were high-level or quasi-high-level generals of Cao Cao's political group. Naturally, they had to know more information, and their judgment of the situation was certainly not the same as that of ordinary Cao Cao's soldiers. The soldiers are equally optimistic.

It's like a special market for cutting leeks in later generations. Ordinary little leeks and old leeks don't like each other. They both feel that they are the ones who have mastered the ups and downs of the market. They both feel that they will make a big profit, and they are happy when they see red. Seeing green is sad, but whether it is a young leek or an old leek, they have actually forgotten that there are many sickles behind them that have more information...

Xiahou Dun, the Great Scythe, said: "Although the military morale is available at the moment, there are many wounded, and only five thousand can be used. Even if we include Jingzhou's surrender, there are only more than ten thousand... If the general of the Hussar Army stands still, it will be difficult to attack for a while." A quick victory is also..."

"The hussars must not be stationed in Fancheng for a long time!" "Cao Ren said. He still had some injuries on his body. His arms were tied with strips of cloth, and there seemed to be some bleeding in some places. However, Cao Renhun said nonchalantly, "Now the Hussar scouts are densely distributed in the north of the Han River. This is the case! If he was unmoved, why should he be so nervous and careful? 』

Although it is said that Cao Jun captured the military fortress, that place was obviously closer to Fancheng. Firstly, Xiangyang was attacked and it was not easy to support. The other was because the Hussars and horses were stronger on land, and the military fortress was impossible. It was built on the water, so Xiahou Dun only removed the obstacles to his advance and then burned the military fortress without leaving any troops.

In addition, Cao Jun's strength on the water was relatively strong, but once ashore, he would be suppressed by the Hussar cavalry, so that Cao Jun's scouts in the Xiangyang area were severely restricted. Although Xiahou Dun repeatedly sent soldiers to investigate, the effect was not good.

For a long time, Cao Jun did not take Jiang Dongtai seriously. This concept is also normal. Just like Fei Qian's previous experiences in Beidi, Guanzhong, and Longyou, they were considered by the Shandong gentry to be marginal areas that could be discarded. The people in those areas were barbarians and were not considered Han people. …

Even Xijing in the early Han Dynasty could be cut off at will, let alone Jiangdong, which had not been developed in the Han Dynasty?

Therefore, the entire political group of Cao Cao paid most of their attention to General Fei Qian, and believed that General Fei Qian was the biggest enemy of the Cao family. As for Emperor Sun, go and play next to the children. Go, don't disturb the adults' work...

Cao Cao's strategy is actually very bold.

Bold to the point of being a little crazy.

When Cao Cao wanted to fight Yuan Shu before, some people said that Cao Cao was crazy. Then Cao Cao won the fight and chased Yuan Shu all the way, like chasing a stray dog, completely defeating Yuan Shu's power.

Later, Cao Cao and Yuan Shao fought, and some people said that Cao Cao was crazy again, but Cao Cao won again, Yuan Shao was devastated, and then Jizhou changed hands. Cao Cao overthrew the man behind him in one fell swoop and became the master of the country.

This time, some people think that Cao Cao has gone crazy again...

In some people's minds, if one or two people say there is a problem, then there may not be a problem. If a thousand or ten thousand people say there is a problem, then there must be a problem! Don't bother with all kinds of explanations, I won't listen! I only believe a few people who say it’s okay to ignore it, and a bunch of people who say it’s a big problem! So many people say that Cao Cao is crazy, then Cao Cao must be crazy!

What's wrong with this? Can this be wrong? Even if we take a step back and say that there are some minor problems, can it be said that so many people are wrong? The people’s glasses, uh, their eyes are all sharp! If Cao Cao himself had no problems, would there be so many people saying there was a problem? Shmi? Some people say that Cao Cao is not crazy? I didn't see or hear it. I only saw and heard people saying that Cao Cao was crazy! Many, many thousands of people have said this! I can represent the masses. No, I am the masses. Can you say that I am not the masses? Don’t believe there are so many people saying this? If you don’t believe me, I can still dig through the posts and find evidence to prove that at least a few people have said it!

Regardless of whether Cao Cao is crazy or not, just like the so-called masses are not necessarily the masses, and representatives are not necessarily representatives, at least Xiahou Dun, Cao Ren and others know that, whether they are facing Yuan Shu, Yuan Shao, or the current Fei Qian, Cao Cao Basically, we are in a situation where we have to fight.

If Yuan Shu is not attacked, then Yanzhou will not be protected, its foundation will be shaken, and its life and death will have to be attacked. If Yuan Shao is not defeated, Yuzhou will be doomed. Cao Cao's hard work will become Yuan Shao's wedding dress. It is also a matter of life and death, and it is impossible to give in.

Now the battle of Jingzhou with Fei Qian...

It’s also a matter of life and death.

If Jingzhou cannot be controlled, then the gateway to the Central Plains will be missing. General Fei of the Hussars can attack Jizhou and Qingzhou from the north through Youzhou, Zhongmu and Taihang, and the center line can advance to Yanzhou through Heluo and Hanei, or even attack the southern part of Yuzhou through Wuguan. Going further south, you can invade Yuzhou through the Badong, Basili, and Jiangling areas. Once any route is broken through, Cao Cao will have no chance of defending!

With the strength of the hussars and the strength of the armor, what would happen if they were driven in? It is correct to use cavalry to control cavalry. Only cavalry can deal with cavalry. However, nine out of ten racecourses in the world are in the hands of Fei Qian. Without war horses, how can there be enough cavalry and how can they be deployed? Should we focus on preventing being caught in the face, or should we focus on preventing being caught in a three-way attack?

Therefore, Cao Cao must have defensive key points to block the cavalry's marching route. In the north are Yijing and Yuyang, in the middle line are Chenliu and Yangcheng, and in the south line is Jingzhou! That is, Xiangyang and Fancheng. As long as Xiangyang and Fancheng are blocked, it is equivalent to closing the Wuguan Line and the Jiangling-Badong-Baxi Line. This is very important for the defense of Yanzhou, Yuzhou, especially the defense of Xu County.

ha?

Why defend Mi Jiangdong?

A half-assed new city can make Sun Shiwan fascinated.

Therefore, from an overall strategic perspective, Cao Cao must capture Jingzhou, at least to ensure control of the north of Jingzhou. If he loses this piece of land, it will directly expose Xu County to the front line, which is very important to Cao's political group. That said, it is an extremely serious problem.

Xiahou Dun even knew that Cao Cao had once thought of moving the emperor to Yecheng, but moving the capital was not a trivial matter. It involved so many things that Cao Cao has not said anything yet...

It's just that Cao Cao has been very tight on the construction of Yecheng, just to have a way out in case of emergency.

Losing Jingzhou, losing the barrier of Fancheng in Xiangyang, and even southern Yuzhou facing a direct threat, Xu County is in danger. This situation is an unacceptable result for anyone in the Cao political group. Therefore, we can only fight, and we must capture Wancheng, and build a defense system with Xiangyang Fancheng to completely eliminate hidden dangers in southern Henan. Only in this way can we ensure the safety of Xu County's southern line.

At the same time, in terms of grand strategy, the Yang family in the Heluo area, the area around Luoyang City, and the Hangu Pass are also a worry for Cao Cao. However, the attitude of the Yang family has always been very ambiguous. Problem, we can even yell at the generals of the Hussars for being too expensive, the war horses are too expensive, etc. There is no problem, but when it comes to leaving the Hussars, Yang pretends to be confused...

This is understandable. After all, the Qiusi is very powerful, and it is reasonable for Yang not to dare to say that he is powerful. It's just that the Yang family was held up in front by the hussars and used as cushions. Naturally, there was some resentment. Therefore, once Cao Cao could win the Jingzhou battle, he could be implicated in affecting the Heluo area, thereby seizing Hangu Pass, advancing on Tongguan, and solving the middle road. Defense vulnerability issues.

『ε=（′ο｀*））) Alas... Xiahou Dun sighed softly, "It's just a pity that Wen Qian's matter has not been accomplished. Otherwise, the hussars and horses can be slowed down now... Even if Hanoi mobilizes troops again, after all, it will be If there is less surprise, it may be difficult to achieve victory, and it will only have a containment effect..."

Cao Ren nodded and said: "Hanoi is alone. Even if there is a temporary advantage, it is still the water of the East China Sea and it is difficult to save the dry carp." Now it still depends on how to solve the situation in Jingbei. 』

Cao Zhen said next: "Uncle Xiahou, since the navy was used to capture the military base before, why not use it now to attack Fancheng?" 』

Xiahou Dun smiled and said, "There are few soldiers in the army." 』

Cao Xiu on the side saw that Cao Zhen still didn't understand, so he added: "Our soldiers are not skilled in Zhouji, and they mostly rely on the Jingzhou navy, which is very inconvenient... In addition, if the Fancheng army and thieves leave the army outside, we will Should we wait for shore or not disembark? 』

In fact, there are still many questions. For example, if the battle is mainly based on water, will Cao's army take the lead, or will the Jingzhou soldiers take the lead? The Water Gate of Fancheng is also thick and fortified. How many boats do you need to fill in before it can be breached? Now this is the only batch of boats left. If the loss is too great, how to replenish it?

"Ah...this..." Cao Zhen was speechless.

Carrot squatted, um, Xiahou Dun rubbed his forehead. He has been thinking about it for a long time, and he has figured it out clearly. Cao Cao's own Jingzhou strategy puts Jingbei as the first priority. Even if there are difficulties now, Fancheng must be conquered, otherwise Jingbei will not be able to be stabilized. Therefore, the key right now is to determine the movements of Xu Huang, the general of the suppressing army. If it is true that Xu Huang, the general of the suppressing army, does not take action, then in the end, he will have to fight hard.

It is naturally difficult to fight hard...

In the past few days, Xiahou Dun sent people to take boats and look at Fancheng from the Han River. They still saw the flag with the word "Xu" flying...

Xu Huang hasn’t left yet? Can you bear this?

While everyone was still debating, a messenger came hurriedly and delivered a military report.

Xiahou Dun unfolded it and took a look. He was overjoyed at first, and then a little angry. "Zilian has learned that Xu Gongming, the suppressing army under the hussar, has led the army through Xinye!" In this way, the so-called "Xu" general flag in Fancheng may be a suspicious soldier! 』

"What? ! Cao Zhen said, "Already gone?" 』

"No wonder the cavalry scouts blockaded the north bank these days..." Cao Xiu also said, "It turned out to be to conceal the news..."

"Haha, once this army is gone, Fancheng will be weak!" Cao Zhen laughed and said, "This is what God has given us!" When the battle is decided, Jingping and Jingxiang will be defeated! 』

Cao Ren remained calm, "I wonder who the guarding general is in Fancheng?" 』

Xiahou Dun thought for a moment and said: "I'm afraid it was... the fortress defender before..." Of course, Xiahou Dun was not talking about the fortress defender when he attacked, but the fortress general who defeated Cao Hong. , "One is Liao Hua and Liao Yuanjian, and the other is Zhuge Liang, also known as Kong Ming... Only when both of them have meritorious deeds can they submit to the rule of the people..."

Cao Xiu said, "Liao Yuanjian?" Zhuge Kongming? Never heard of it before..."

"Liao Yuanjian, he was a military official..." Xiahou Dun knew some information about the soldiers and generals under Fei Qian. "As for Zhuge Kongming... he was also a disciple of Pang Degong. He once lived in a wooden house under Lushan Mountain. ...』

"oh? This is really..." Cao Xiu shook his head. Is it produced by Lushan Wooden House again? Pang Tong, Xu Shu, and Zao Zhi. It is said that although Tai Shiming is not famous, he still plays a role in the Gongfang series. Now add Zhuge Liang...

After occupying Jingbei, Cao Xiu also visited Fei Qian's wooden house under Lushan Mountain. He didn't think there was anything special about it. Unexpectedly, after hearing Xiahou Dun's words, Cao Xiu suddenly felt that he didn't know if it was. I missed something and didn't notice it. I have to find time to take a look again when I can't...

"But..." Xiahou Dun stroked his beard and said, "In Fancheng, the generals of the "Xu" family did not dare to take down their banners, pretending to be suspicious and bluffing their power... Although they have been able to hide this from you and me, it also shows that they If you are guilty and timid, you dare not show your true feelings to others, you must use the name of suppressing the army... If you are timid before fighting, you may not be a good general..."

Xiahou Dun said this, on the one hand, he was also a little angry at being deceived, and on the other hand, he also wanted to boost his own morale. After he finished speaking, he looked at Cao Ren again.

Cao Ren nodded slightly.

"Everyone, listen! Xiahou Dun said loudly, "Soldiers are valuable and quick, and military aircraft must not be missed!" A certain general has ordered that the entire army be prepared today, and tomorrow they will march out by land and water to attack Fancheng! 』

……(^▽^)╭(′▽`)╯……

Xiahou Dun guessed some things correctly. The two people who were mainly responsible for defending Fancheng were indeed Liao Hua and Zhuge Liang. However, some guesses were wrong because there was indeed a general named "Xu" in Fancheng. He did not deliberately deceive his family. Soldiers...

As for Liao Hua, he is not in Fancheng now, but sitting on a big rock in the mountains, with the shade of the trees above his head mottled.

There was silence among the mountains and forests, with only the sound of insects chirping.

Hiding in the mountains and forests is undoubtedly not a good job. Fortunately, it has already entered autumn and winter, so there are not many mosquitoes nuisance, which allows Liao Hua, a mountain soldier with half a bucket of water, to get used to it.

Liao Huazheng took the map drawn by the previous scout and looked at it carefully...

This area is not a conventional military area because there is no drinking water source suitable for the army to march. However, Zhuge Kongming said that there were abundant vegetation here, and even if there were no streams on the surface, there must be underground rivers. So he sent people to dig in the moist areas of the forest. Sure enough, after digging for more than ten feet, water seeped out.

Although it is not much, it is enough to support Liao Hua and others hiding here.

Liao Hua looked up again. There was still no movement at the lookout point set up on the top of the mountain. He has been in the mountains for two days. Except for the necessary scouts sent out, no one is allowed to act without authorization to avoid exposing his whereabouts.

In fact, Zhuge Liang's strategy is really simple...