Silver Fox of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 364 I, Shen Chen, Are Local, There Are One Hundred Ways
"The widow's head hurts."

In the back hall of Weiyang Palace in Chang'an, Guanzhong, Cao Cao was lying on a wooden slum, rolling back and forth with his head in his arms, with a splitting headache.

Cao Cao was 65 years old this year, with an old face and gray hair. He had to go back to Chang'an to recuperate because of his head wind again these days.

This battle is about the national power of Cao Wei and Liu Han. Both sides are already very tense. Cao Cao is worried every day, so that his heart failure is severe.

The most painful thing was the news that Fancheng was broken more than ten days ago, [-] Cao troops surrendered, and Yu Jin was captured alive.

If it weren't for some obsessions in his heart that kept him struggling to restore the decadent situation, Cao Cao might have passed away half a year early.

"King Wei."

The imperial physician next to him came over with the medicine and said, "Drink this bowl of medicine."

"The widows don't drink!"

With a wave of his right hand, Cao Cao overturned the medicine, and then shouted: "Get out, let everyone out."

"Ugh."

The imperial physician and the surrounding attendants did not dare to disobey, so they had to retreat and go out.

Sima Yi, Jiang Ji, Dong Zhao and others were waiting outside the door.

Seeing the imperial physician come out, Dong Zhao asked, "How is King Wei?"

The imperial physician sighed, "Wei Wang's headache makes him irritable and he can't calm down. The more irritable and irritable he is at this moment, the harder it is to recover from his illness. But I dare not persuade him."

"If King Wei can't think calmly, what should we do?"

The crowd frowned.

Right now, Guo Jia has made two plans.

One is a retreat plan, and the other is an attack plan, both of which require Cao Cao's approval.

As a result, Cao Cao is now ill, and there is no way to deal with it. Time has been delayed, and Xiahou Dun can't last long.

Only Sima Yi pondered for a moment, and said: "This matter can only be decided by Xiangguo, or"

"Or what?"

Dong Zhao asked.

"Or just take a strong medicine."

Sima Yi said: "The former general and the king of Wei have always been brothers and sisters. The king of Wei doesn't know the general's plight. If we tell the king of Wei about the situation, maybe the king of Wei can calm down and think about countermeasures."

The crowd was silent for a moment.

Seeing that they were silent, Sima Yi added: "After all, we haven't reached the point of life and death. There is still a chance. If we make up our own minds, or let the Prime Minister make the decision, so that the former general is at fault, then who is to blame? I can't afford it. And compared to the blow that the former general lost to the king of Wei, there is still room for recovery."

"Well" Dong Zhao nodded his chin lightly. As a veteran of the three dynasties, he has extremely deep qualifications and is currently the head of many counselors around Cao Cao. Sima Yi's words make sense, so he straightened his clothes and said to the other counselors on the left and right: "Then everyone and Let me go in together."

"Ah."

The crowd nodded.

Dong Zhao pushed open the door and stepped into the hall.

At this time, Cao Cao was still moaning softly while clutching his forehead. At the beginning, he had advised people not to shy away from medical treatment, but as a result, he became so painful that he even threw away the medicine when he got angry.

"King Wei."

Dong Zhao entered the hall, cupped his hands and said, "There are still some official documents from Nanyang, which need to be decided by the King of Wei."

Cao Cao panted heavily, with sweat dripping from his forehead, he waved his hands and said, "I'm not feeling well today, so I don't have to decide on trivial matters."

Dong Zhao said, "There is not enough food and grass in the former general's city."

"what?"

"There is not enough food and grass in the former general's city."

"How much storage is left?"

Cao Cao quickly asked, this is a big event.

He had only learned about Yu Jin's capture before, but Xiahou Dun's side was impenetrable.

In the blink of an eye, a document from Nanyang came, telling him that Xiahoudun was out of food. This really shocked him into a cold sweat, and he didn't feel any pain in his head.

Dong Zhao said: "Originally, there was half a year's storage, but the flood in Xiangfan, the water was five or six feet high, and both cities were submerged. Even if the former general moved the grain and grass immediately, the heavy rain and floods still flooded most of the army grain. Now there is only less than one month left to support."

"January. January."

Cao Cao seemed to be a medical miracle. He sat up from the wooden floor, sweating profusely. He looked around and asked anxiously, "Do you have any countermeasures?"

Dong Zhao said: "Your Majesty said that the best strategy is to cover the former general's evacuation from Xiangyang, and the worst strategy is to continue to hold on until the reinforcements arrive, hoping to defeat Shen Chen, and then transport the food and grass to Xiangyang City."

"There is no middle policy?"

"No."

"Talk about why persistence is the worst policy."

Cao Cao sat on the wooden floor, wiped the sweat off his face with a towel, and let out a long sigh of relief.

Dong Zhaodao: "Shen Chen broke through Fancheng, his morale is high, and he is defending the city. The fleet is patrolling the defenses of the Han River and encircling Xiangyang. I'm afraid we won't be able to defeat it for at least three months."

within three months?

Cao Cao was not stupid, he knew that Guo Jia had saved face for him.

The real situation is that in order to fight the war, the Wei State has worked hard for years, conscripted young and strong into the army, levied miscellaneous taxes and corvee is extremely serious, and their national power consumption has reached the limit.

Although Xiangfan now has 11 against less than 4, the Cao army has been divided into two pieces, one with more than [-] people from Xiahou Dun, and the other with [-] people from Xiahouyuan and Xu Huang plus the original [-] to [-] garrisons in Xinye Wancheng.

People like Xiahou Dun were trapped in the city and could hardly get out. Shen Chen could mobilize troops at any time and concentrate the main force to attack any side. Therefore, on the local battlefield, Shen Chen had the advantage.

If Xia Houyuan and Xu Huang took the initiative to attack, then less than 7 people would fight against Shen Chen's 10 people, and they would still occupy Fancheng and the Han River.

Due to the problem of the Han River, Xiahou Dun couldn't give Xiahouyuan and the others a little help. It would be good if they didn't lose in the final result, and they even said they were defeated.

If you want to defeat Shen Chen in a short period of time, you have to recruit troops again, and you have to train the navy. This is almost impossible. Zang Ba and Zhang Liao have passed, and the problem cannot be solved, because Xiahou Dun's food and grass can only support a month.

So it's no wonder that sticking to it is the worst policy, unless God opens his eyes and some miracle happens, otherwise, if you continue to stick to it, there is almost no possibility of winning.

Cao Cao then said, "So what if we retreat?"

Dong Zhao replied: "Lingjun thinks that a strong attack is not advisable. It is not easy to retreat, but it is not impossible. Shen Chen's ships have blocked the Mianshui. The former general cannot pass without a fleet, but he can go by land."

"Land route? Is there a land route in Mianshui?"

Cao Cao was surprised for a moment.

Dong Zhao smiled and said, "Yes, in Zhuyang and Yin counties."

"Details."

"In the north of Zhuyang, there is a huge Jiangxin Island, which is connected to the west bank. The island is only less than [-] feet wide from Yin County on the east coast. Because the river is narrow and the current is extremely fast, it is difficult for boats to pass, so you think it is possible to go here. Build pontoon bridges, build tall scull arrow towers on both sides, and cast walls to cover the evacuation of the former generals."

"Is this Zhuyang and Yin counties controlled by us?"

"Yes, Fu Fang has ordered troops to garrison this important place before the battle."

"That's good."

Cao Cao laughed and said, "Just follow Feng Xiao's wishes and order Xia Houyuan and Xu Huang to enter Yin County to cover Yuan Rang's evacuation."

"only."

Dong Zhao breathed a sigh of relief and left with everyone.

Cao Cao wiped the sweat from his forehead. Although evacuating Xiangyang would give up the Jingzhou government he had just acquired, Nanyang is now occupied by him. At worst, he will confront Liu Bei in Nanyang, and then move the people of Nanyang to Henan. Enriching the population, after all, he is not at a disadvantage.

However, what Cao Cao didn't know was that at the moment in the military camp outside Fancheng, Shen Chen was looking at the letter in his hand.

After the flood receded, the city of Fancheng was soaked into a sandy beach, leaving behind a thick layer of silt and soil. It took the soldiers two full days to clean it up, and then cleaned up the entire city and stationed in it.

Shen Chen set up many military camps outside Fancheng, and ordered the Wenpin Department to station in Fancheng, and the Huangzhong Department and Zhao Yun Department to station in Dengsai in the north and Yingju in the south of Lingyangpo.

Then Lu Chang's and Shamoke's troops were stationed in the northwest and outside of the west city of Fancheng, and his headquarters was stationed at the pier in the east of Fancheng.

These several horns surrounded Fancheng as the defense center, attacked Xiahouyuan in the north, and surrounded Xiahoudun in the south. Cao Jun was completely separated into two parts, especially Xiahoudun's department had no ships, and was in an extremely embarrassing situation. It was already a piece of fat to the mouth. .

However, Shen Chen has lived in Xiangyang for so many years, and he knows the surrounding environment of Xiangyang like the back of his hand, so he naturally knows that there is Jiangxinzhou in the upper reaches of the Han River connecting the two banks, so he wants to send troops to occupy this place.

As a result, I didn't expect that when I fell asleep, there would be a pillow.

Zhou Buyi and Cai Du came over, seeing the letter in Shen Chen's hand, Zhou Buyi smiled and said: "Brother, this Fu Fang is a smart man, he actually wants to join us."

"Ah."

Shen Chen said with a smile: "If he doesn't defect, my tens of thousands of troops will besiege Yin County. How can he resist with a mere 2000 people? Fu Fang said in his letter that Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan sent people from his area every night. While delivering the letter, it seems that they are discussing to do something big."

Zhou Buyi said: "The Cao army has not moved much these days. As long as we occupy Zhuyang and Yin counties, we can completely cut off the connection between Xiahoudun and Xiahouyuan, and slowly besiege Xiahoudun to death. I heard from Yu Jin that there are people in Xiangyang. For half a year, we will surround Xiangyang with food and grass for half a year, and if we don’t believe him, he won’t surrender.”

"There should be insufficient food and grass for half a year. I guess it will be two or three months at most."

Shen Chen put down the letter in his hand and said: "They have been stationed in Xiangyang for more than a month. More than 4 people eat and drink every day is not a small amount. There was a heavy rain a few days ago, so I don't believe that his ordnance was not damaged at all. .”

Of course, Shen Chen didn't know the specific situation on Xiahoudun's side. Although Fu Fang expressed his willingness to surrender, he didn't know the details, because Xiahoudun's messengers passed by him and directly consulted with Xiahouyuan.

However, Shen Chen thought that Xiahou Dun's situation might not be very good. After all, Xiangyang was also flooded, and there must still be some loss of defense equipment and food and grass supplies in the city.

That's why Xiahou Dun was eager to find a solution for Xiahouyuan.

But now there is no solution to the problem in Xiangyang.

Because Shen Chen's army spread out, even if an army of 20 came, he might not be taken down within two or three months, not to mention that the Cao Wei Group's load was already extremely heavy.

The Liu Bei Group is also heavily burdened, and both sides are struggling to support it, but it is extremely unfavorable to Cao Wei in terms of warfare.

Therefore, it is almost impossible to rescue Xiahou Dun within two or three months.

The only way is to withdraw troops.

The two sides are bounded by the Han River, Cao Cao occupies Nanyang, and Shen Chen occupies Jingzhou except Nanyang, across the river or with Fancheng as the boundary.

But Shen Chen would not let Cao Cao think of good things. Not only did he want to take back Nanyang, but he also wanted Xiahou Dun and even Xiahouyuan Xu Huang to stay here forever and eat these two pieces of fat in one bite.

Therefore, he also took aim at Zhuyang and Yin counties.

Zhuyang is the later Gucheng County of Hubei, and Yin County is the Laohekou City of Hubei later.

There is a huge Jiangxinzhou in the middle of these two places, named Wangfuzhou.

In history, after Cao Wei occupied Nanyang, he unified the Danshui area from this area to Wuguan into Nanxiang County.

At that time, Nanxiang County was in the north of Danjiangkou City, Hubei Province. Later, Cao Wei once changed the original Nanxiang County to Shangmi County, and changed Yin County to Nanxiang County, becoming the Nanxiang County Government.

Nanxiang Taishou Fu conveniently stationed here, guarding the only passable land island on both sides of the Han River, and then surrendered to Guan Yu after Guan Yu flooded the Seventh Army.

At this moment, Fu Fang was still stationed here. Shen Chen had sent him a letter before, ordering him to surrender, and he also replied, expressing his willingness to surrender. In this way, Shen Chen could station troops in Yin County.

Considering the current situation.

Shen Chen believed that the grain and grass in Xiahoudun City should last for about three months.

The enemy is unlikely to give up Xiangyang now, and will definitely choose to attack Fancheng to break the siege of Xiangyang, so he plans to send a small force to garrison Zhuyang and Yin counties first, and concentrate the main force on Fancheng to deal with the enemy.

But at the end of September, another news came that shocked him, followed by unimaginable ecstasy.

"God help me, Xiahou Dun has no food."

It was the first time for Shen Chen to be so happy in the tent of General Shen Chen, even more excited than being captured alive.

After Fu Fang surrendered, Shen Chen didn't ask him to bring troops over immediately, but let him stay in Yin County for internal response. At the same time, he also planned to send three thousand soldiers from Shen Tao's Huangmen to settle in Zhuyang and Yin counties. The city is under control.

As a result, a few days before Fu Fang surrendered and before Shen Tao arrived, Xiahou Dun sent someone to deliver a letter at night, and then ordered Fu Fang to build a wall outside the city to prepare for his withdrawal.

After getting the news, Fu Fang quickly reported it to Shen Chen, and Shen Chen immediately understood that the grain and grass in Xiangyang City were almost flooded, and Xiahou Dun couldn't hold on any longer, so he chose to withdraw his troops.

Xiahoudun didn't have a boat, so he could only choose to go to Wangfuzhou from Zhuyang.

Obviously, Xia Houyuan will definitely respond.

Cao Jun's plan should be that the river in that area is narrow, and building walls and fortifications on both sides should be able to resist Shen Chen's navy and cover Xiahou Dun's retreat.

But now after Fu Fang surrendered, Shen Chen knew all their plans, and it was time to plan.

Zhou Buyi also read this letter, and asked a question: "Brother, I have always heard that Guo Jia is a very wise man. He may not be clear about Fu Fang's surrender, and he is afraid that if he asks Fu Fang to surrender, he will deceive us. .”

"Ah."

Shen Chen nodded and said: "I've also thought about this issue, so I'm sending Shen Tao to replace Cao Jun from Zhuyang and Yin counties. Even if Guo Jia has a plan, there is nothing he can do."

Zhou Bu doubted: "Then should the fleet protect them? What if there is an ambush in the city?"

"nature."

Shen Chen sneered and said, "Now Mian Shui is under my control, and the scouts of the Cao army on both sides of the strait can't get close. I let me gallop on this big river, who can stop me?"

Xiahou Dun was besieged in the city. Even if he sent messengers, he only dared to go out in the middle of the night. He slept in the open air every day, and walked a hundred miles to detour to the upper reaches of the Han River to sneak across the river. Because Shen Chen's scouts were all around Xiangyang, and two messengers had already been arrested.

If the two messengers hadn't been Xiahou Dun's bodyguards, and the letters had been torn up and eaten before they were caught, Shen Chen would have known the situation in the city well.

Therefore, the Cao army on both sides of the Han River is almost extinct, and Shen Chen's fleet can go wherever they want.

This is why Fu Fang surrendered.

It is true that his Zhuyangyin County is in danger, and if he sticks there, it will probably be a dead end. It is better to surrender and seek a way out.

Therefore, even if Guo Jia wanted to plot against him, in the face of absolute strength, he couldn't plot against him at all.

Unless Cao Jun has a navy that can rival him.

In the end, Shen Chen gave the order without hesitation: "Order, let Shen Tao act tonight, let Han Hu and Zhao Jun lead a fleet of 5000 people to patrol the Zhuyang River defense, and send an order to Huo Yang and Wu Dang Wu Tao to step up their inspections." Xiangyang West City, we must be more urgent."

"only."

Zhou Buyi went to write the warrant and convey the military order to the generals of the ministries.

In the early years, Shen Chen's six major disciples, Xie Hui, Zhang Li, Hu Mian, Huo Yang, Wu Dang, and Wu Tao, were all the heads of Li and Shu in Longzhong Township.

Now that Shen Chen is encircling Xiangfan, besides Xie Hui, Zhang Li, and Hu Mian who are doing clerical work, Huo Yang, Wu Dang, and Wu Tao are already mid-level generals in the army and are currently stationed in Longzhong Township, west of Xiangyang.

This time he wants to tighten the wind so that Cao Jun's scouts and detectives cannot get the actual situation of Zhuyang and Yin counties, so that they don't know the news that Fu Fang has surrendered.

When Xiahoudun couldn't hold on anymore and formally withdrew his troops, they would definitely be a little shocked by the locals of Longzhong.

(End of this chapter)