Shu Chen

Chapter 112 The Northern Expedition
Jianxing six years, AD 228.

Spring, the first month, Wuchang City, the residence of King Wu.

Sun Quan held the hand of a courtier, and Yin Yin said, "You will do everything you can to lure the thief Cao Xiu. If you need a lone co-conspirator, you will send someone to tell him, and you will never refuse. But I hope you."

"Chen, you will live up to your expectations!"

Hearing this, the man bowed and said goodbye.

Xiao Xubu retreated slowly, after more than ten steps, he turned around and strode away.

He is the prefect of Panyang, Zhou bream.

Ziyu, a native of Yangxian, Wu County, came here this time to offer a secret plan to defeat Wei.

Of course, Sun Quan wanted to attack Cao Wei again.

It's not that he has been accumulating energy for a long time, and finally Zhuge Liang, the prime minister of the Northern Expedition, sent envoys to Jiangdong to invite Sun Wu to send troops to support him, and practice the alliance to attack Cao Wei together.

But if Sun Wu does not fight, there will be no peace.

Last year Sun Quan went out to Jiangxia and Xiangyang in a big way. Although he returned after being frustrated, he was not injured.

However, on the Huainan battlefield, it was captured by Cao Xiu.

Cao Xiu, following the death of Cao Ren, has supervised Yang, Qing and Xu Sanzhou for five years.He is the only commander-in-chief who has been leading the army outside of Cao Pi's four survivors.

Cao Wei and Sun Wu are connected by thousands of miles of frontiers, and they have always moved the whole body with one hair.

But the main battlefield has always been in Huainan.

The root of Gain Sun Wu is in Wu County.

And out of the strategic consideration of "guarding the river must defend the Huaihe", Jiangdong has repeatedly sent troops to take Huainan as its own.

Therefore, the army under the supervision of Cao Xiu has never been less than [-] people.

And because Cao Pi repeatedly attacked Wu in the past, Cao Xiu has been eyeing Jiangdong all the time, intending to capture it and repay the country's favor.

As a detailed report, after Sun Quan personally conquered Jingzhou, he was ready to go, and led his army south to besiege Wancheng.

The guard of Sun Wu Wan City, Shen De, was caught off guard by Cao Xiu.And because Jiangdong's troops were all in Jingzhou, without the support of mobile troops, they were defeated in the first battle and became the leader.

After winning the victory, Cao Xiu worked hard again, went down the Anqing Valley, led his army to attack until Xunyang, and brought the entire Lujiang County into Cao Wei's command.

Therefore, Cao Xiu was promoted to Da Sima and became the supreme commander of Wei's army.

The loss of Lujiang County was an unbearable burden for Jiangdong.

In Jiangdong with Jianye as the center, the defense line of Jingzhou is based on the two cities of Wuchang and Jiangling; while the defense line of Yangzhou is based on Guangling and Ruxukou.If Lujiang County is occupied by Cao Wei, not only will Ruxukou be under tremendous pressure, but Wei Jun can also enter Yuzhang County across the river at any time, and divide the territory of Sun Wu into two!
In particular, Yuzhang and Poyang Zong Shuaizhong.

He has always been dissatisfied with Sun Wu's rule, and since Sun Ce took control of the six counties in Jiangdong, he has never stopped rebelling.

The most recent time was when Cao Pi attacked Wu for the third time. At that time, the commander-in-chief Peng Qi gathered tens of thousands of people to rebel and conquered several counties in Poyang.The rebellion lasted for more than a year, and it had just been brought to an end by Poyang prefect Zhou Bian.

If Cao Wei raises his troops, these Zongshuai who have escaped into the mountains will inevitably raise their troops again.

At that time, there will be external and internal troubles in Jiangdong, and we may not be able to keep it.

What made Sun Quan counterattack Lujiang County at all costs was Han Zong's surrender to Wei!

Han Zong is the son of Han Dang, a meritorious official of Sun Wu.

Before Sun Quan led the army to attack Jiangxia, Han Dang happened to die of illness, so Han Zong, who had inherited his father's trilogy, was not allowed to accompany him, and he was left in Wuchang to mourn.

However, although Han Zong has a fatherly style in the army, his personal morality is unbearable.

When the father was buried, he actually looked for an opportunity to live with the deceased father's concubine and maidservant!

Those who are in charge can hear it and report it to Sun Quan.

Although Sun Quan was very angry, he did not blame him because of his father's merits.

However, Han Zong didn't think so.

He was terrified when the incident was revealed, thinking that Sun Quan was not responsible because he was far away in Jiangxia.When he returned to Wuchang, he would be doomed, so he decided to vote for Wei.

However, in order to get Cao Wei's favor, he still needs to take away his late father's old department as a promotion rank.

He encouraged and connived at the late father's old ministry to plunder the people, and then claimed that he would not pursue it, but Sun Quan had issued an edict to punish him.Then the female family members at home, from aunts and sisters, to concubines and maidservants whom I have favored, are all forcibly married off to the generals and officials under my command, and they will make a blood alliance with them, and live and die together.

After winning the hearts of the soldiers, he took the coffin of his deceased father, thousands of people from his mother's family and tribes, crossed the river and went to Cao Xiu by way of Xunyang.

Moreover, Han Zong's vote for Wei also lured Zhai Dan, a guard stationed in Qichun, and led his people away with him.

Ugh.
There is such a son without a king and no father, if Han Dang knows, he will probably rise up from the coffin.

Well, Han Dang's headquarters is called "Dare to Die", and it is a well-known elite teacher in Jiangdong.

And the other elite "Jiefan" is often under his command during wartime.

Fortunately, after Han Dang's death, Sun Quan let Chen Xiu, the son of Chen Wu, take the post of governor of Jiefan instead of Han Zong.

In any case, when Yuan Xun's son led the crowd to defect and made Sun Quan lose face, he also set a very bad example for other Sun Wu generals.

In particular, Han Zong and the death-defying army are familiar with the terrain of Jiangdong, and the soldiers stationed and defended everywhere!
Let Cao Wei win Lujiang County, and then get a general who is familiar with the reality of Jiangdong. If Sun Quan does not send troops to take back Lujiang County, the consequences will be self-evident.

Coincidentally, Zhou Bing, the prefect of Panyang, who had quelled the rebellion this time, came to report on his duties, and also presented his own strategy of pretending to surrender and lure Cao Xiu to lead the army further.

It also fell into Sun Quan's arms and let him do it.

Luoyang, Jianshi Hall.

In the grand hall, there are only four people, Emperor Wei Cao Rui, General Cao Zhen, Sikong Chen Qun and Attendant Liu Ye.

And everyone looked solemn, and they frowned and thought.

The reason is that Sima Yi, who supervised the war in Jingzhou and Henan Provinces, only three days after he stated Shangyong's victory and passed on the leader of Mengda, he rushed to send the military information again at [-] li.

On the grounds that Shen Yi rebelled and returned to Shu, and that Xi County was completely relocated, he claimed that Bashu would send troops to attack.

Naturally, where the Bashu soldiers came from was nothing more than Longyou or Guanzhong.

He didn't need to speak out.

A few months ago, Guo Huai, the governor of Yongzhou who was stationed in Longyou all the year round, vaguely mentioned in the above table that there might be movement in Bashu.

At that time, Cao Wei Temple's theory was not taken seriously.

This time, Sima Yi, who was replaced by the assistant government, came to the table, and Cao Rui naturally did not dare to neglect it.

Immediately summon Cao Zhen and others to ask if they want to send troops to garrison Guanzhong and Longyou.

It's not that he questioned Sima Yi's judgment, but since Cao Rui came to the throne, he followed the advice of Zhongshuling Sun Zi, and took Cao Pi's continuous use of swords as a warning, and the national policy was biased towards health and well-being.

However, following Sima Yi's words, if the army moves, it will be contrary to the national policy.

Moreover, after the increase of troops in Longyou and Guanzhong, will Bashu still send troops?
If he sees the army dispatched and decides not to send troops anymore, how long will the soldiers stay on guard in Guanzhong and Longyou?
Just waiting, consuming food and fodder more and more, can the army be safe for a long time?
"Your Majesty, I secretly think that what General Hussars said is not unreasonable."

Cao Zhen, who was familiar with the Northwest, was the first to speak out, "Bashu and Sun Wu have been allied for a long time. His grandson Wu invaded our Jingzhou last year. If Bashu sent troops, it would be based on the alliance. It is not surprising. And, Bashu Ping Nanzhong's rebellion, the rest of the soldiers are still a few years old, and the troops can go out."

"Um"

Nodding slightly, Cao Rui gave Cao Zhen an affirmative smile, then looked sideways at Chen Qun and Liu Ye.

"Your Majesty, I seconded the general's judgment."

From the corner of his eye, Liu Ye caught a glimpse of Chen Qun still in deep thought, so he said directly, "In recent years, my Great Wei has sent troops to Huainan and Jingzhou several times, and most of the soldiers have been transferred to these two places. That Nishu sees me in Guanzhong and Longzhou The troops on the right are empty, and they are overwhelmed with covetousness, wanting to do something like hitting a stone with an egg, which is understandable."

As soon as he finished his words, Chen Qun, who had been recording the affairs of the minister and knew Cao Wei's family background, also opened his mouth.

"Your Majesty, my Great Wei has conquered successive years, and the people have worked hard. Now that the Bashu attack has not yet been confirmed, I think that it is not possible to use large-scale weapons. You can first order the Guanzhong and Longyou to garrison troops to strengthen security; then let Luoyang garrison troops. Can."

This remark is an admonition to let Cao Zhen go to Guanzhong to guard it.

It is also cryptic, please Cao Rui transfer the governor of Guanzhong, Xia Houmao, who has no strategy, back to Luoyang.

Lest Bashu really send troops, but its talents are unbearable, and the military aircraft is delayed.

As for advice, just mention it indistinctly.

There is no one who names them by name, no one who offends colleagues in vain, and invites others to bear hatred.

"That's a good word!"

Cao Rui, who was at the head of the case, clapped his palms and praised after hearing this.

After praising him, he cast his faint eyes on Cao Zhen, "All the ministers said that they will invade the border against Shu. The general has been in Guanzhong for a long time, and no one can replace him with his prestige. When the court employs people, the general will not say goodbye. toil."

"only!"

Hearing this, Cao Zhen immediately left the table to salute, and took orders in a clear voice, "Your Majesty Meng will not abandon you, and will not give you important tasks because of your stupidity, and you dare to resign!"

"Hahaha~~~"

Cao Rui laughed, and hastily stretched out his hand to help, "General, please get up quickly."

However, at this moment, the order of the Yellow Gate outside the hall came quickly, "Report~~~~ Shangshutai transfers the military situation of Guanzhong, hurry up and arrive within [-] miles!"

It also made Cao Rui's laughter stop in shock.

He hurriedly sent an order, fetched the military situation and looked at it, and then he frowned.

On the small cloth conveying the military information, there are only a few numbers, "Bashu soldiers sent out, took the praise of Xiegu, and looked to the right to Fufeng Mei County."

Of course!

Sima Yi's upper table, before arriving in Luoyang, Prime Minister Zhuge Liang led his army out!
But the soldiers are divided into two groups.

With Zhao Yun as the supervisor and Deng Zhi as the deputy, he led more than ten thousand people out of Baoxie Valley as suspicious soldiers.

The Baoxie Valley, which runs through the Qinling Mountains, is named after the Baoshui Valley at the southern foot and the Xieshui Valley at the northern foot.

In the middle of the road, there is a flat land for garrisoning troops, which is called Jigu (in the area of ​​Taibai County today), and Zhao Yun led his troops to garrison here.

Because there is also a Mawei River in the Jigu area, which winds northward and flows into the Weishui River, so this valley can also be passed through.

Therefore, in order to intentionally make Cao Wei's garrison in Fufeng aware of the direction of his feint attack, Zhao Yun left the front, set up more banners, and entered the inclined valley to make a big splash.

The other army was naturally led by Prime Minister Zhuge Liang himself.

Going out of Hanzhong County in the west, it attacked Longyou.

Inevitably, to cross the territory of Wudu County, one should take the Qishan Road along the West Han River.

In addition, in the three counties of Xiabian, Shanglu and Wududao where the Cao Wei garrisoned, only Wududao was on the Qishan Road, and the troops were very small, unable to stop the advance of the Han army.

Therefore, the prime minister did not send troops to capture Wudu first.

It is to let the main force march forward in a mighty way, don't send the vanguard Wei Yanbu, go up the Qingni River, and go straight to Qishan.

Qingni River originates from Qishan Mountain, passes through Xiabian County in Wudu County, and then flows into Jialing River.

And across the watershed of this river is the Yangshui River.

The connection of the two rivers is the route for Ma Chao to flee to Zhang Lu in Hanzhong after he was expelled from Longyou in the past.

What is rare is that this route saves one-third of the time compared to taking the Qishan Road.

Because as early as more than 100 years ago, when Yu Xu, a famous official of the Han Dynasty, served as the prefect of Wudu, in order to more conveniently take Hanzhong grain, fodder and military equipment to quell the Qiang chaos, he personally led the army officials to clear the Qingni River by "burning stones". The reefs have repaired the waterway from Xiabian to Juxian, and it is still unblocked.

It's just a pity that the Qingni River is too narrow to carry large ships, nor is it suitable for transporting luggage for large-scale marches.

In any case, convenient roads that can be used to transport food, fodder and supplies by boats have been guarded by military strategists since ancient times.

Today's Cao Wei is no surprise.

Therefore, the prime minister did not send Wei Yan, the vanguard, to take this way first, but to block the messenger of Cao Jun's report in Wudu County, and take advantage of the opportunity to pull out all the Wei Jun stationed here!

Well, the end point of guarding this road is Licheng, Xixian County, the upper reaches of the Yangshui River. 【Note 1】

But when Ma Chao was defeated and fled, he also took advantage of the situation to attack Licheng, killed Jiang Xuman's family who had betrayed him, and burned Licheng to vent his hatred.

Later, Cao Wei used Wudu County as a barrier and did not rebuild it.

Only more than a hundred soldiers were stationed.

Wei Yan led the army to the ruins of Licheng, which could guarantee the prime minister's own main force. Without Cao Wei's Longyou garrison not being aware of it, he could smoothly reach the end of Qishan Road, Shangyu County in Tianshui County.

In fact, the prime minister succeeded!
When the big banner embroidered with "Han" characters and the banner embroidered with "Recovering the Central Plains" were flying in Tianshui County, no one in Cao Wei knew about it!

At that time, Cao Rui of Luoyang made Cao Zhen the governor, took Zhang Yun as the vanguard, and led the army to Youfufengmei County.

Moreover, he wanted to boost morale and entered the inclined valley, intending to fight Zhao Yun.

Guo Huai, governor of Yongzhou, was ordered by Cao Rui's flying horse to patrol Tianshui County with Ma Zun, the prefect of Tianshui, to deter those Qiang and Hu tribes from taking the opportunity to make trouble.

Seeing the prime minister's army approaching, he was immediately shocked.

Hastily retreated and stationed heavy troops, stationed in Shanggu County, and sent someone to report to Cao Zhen at Youfufeng in Guanzhong, claiming that the main force of the Han army was in Longyou, and asked him to come to help quickly.

Among them, there is a small episode.

Ma Zun, the prefect of Tianshui, did not go back to Ji County to set up defenses, but followed Guo Huai to Shangyu County.

At that time, Guo Huai believed that it was his responsibility to guard the land, and persuaded him, saying: "The Ming government should return the hope."

However, he thought that Ji County was to the west, and it was difficult to hold on without a large army to support him. Moreover, the Di tribes who had migrated from Wudu County were all settled here, fearing that they would take advantage of the situation and cause chaos with the Han army, so they dared not return.

Also hurt one person.

The official of that person is Zhonglang, and his post is the military of Shentianshui County.

He is from Ji County. His surname is Jiang and his name is Wei, and his courtesy name is Boyue.
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[Note 1: Licheng, Xixian County at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, is located in Shibao Town, north of Xihe County today.Later, the prime minister sent Chen Shi to take Wudu and Yinping counties. He led the army up along the Qingni River and built a garrison point "Jianwei" in the north of Yangshui, so that Guo Huai did not dare to go south. Give up the second county. 】

(End of this chapter)