Yuan Shao, the father of Fanghua in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 969 The real purpose
Zhuge Liang, who was leading troops to confront Cao Jun at the border of Qingzhou and Jizhou, received a military order from Youzhou. Yuan Xi asked Zhuge Liang to hand over the defense of Jizhou to Tian Feng. Zhuge Liang himself immediately mobilized warships in Qingzhou and Jizhou, and at the same time recruited five thousand soldiers. The soldiers went east from the Yellow River to Huangxian Wharf to meet Yuan Xi.

After Zhuge Liang read the letter, he summoned Tian Feng, Chunyu Qiong and others and read the secret letter to everyone. Everyone immediately accepted the order. Zhuge Liang arranged for them to perform their respective duties. Finally, he said: "I will leave in a few days, everyone. Is there anything else to say?"

Tian Feng said: "This time when my lord goes to Jianghuai, there must be a big battle. Now Jizhou and Qingzhou have enough soldiers. Is it a bit conservative to only mobilize five thousand soldiers?"

Chunyu Qiong also agreed: "This year's large and small wars in Jingzhou often involve tens of thousands or even nearly 100,000 people. If the lord only invests one or two people into Jianghuai, it will be a drop in the bucket."

Everyone knows that Yuan Xi never wins by numbers when leading troops in battles, but this time is different from the past. Both Cao Cao and Jiangdong have expanded their power, and now they can easily recruit tens of thousands of troops at a glance.

In contrast, Yuan Xi had just finished the battle with Bingzhou and his soldiers were exhausted, so he could not mobilize too many Youzhou soldiers. Now he only mobilized 5,000 soldiers in the Jizhou area, and he only took more than 10,000 people southward. These Can people really change the chaos in the Jianghuai region?

Zhuge Liang said: "I don't know what your lord's purpose is. The military order is so, I have to obey it now. When we meet, I will ask the reason and advise my lord to be careful."

After Tian Feng and others heard this, they felt a little relieved. Although Zhuge Liang was young, he had shown a maturity that was not commensurate with his age during this period, and he had won the trust of everyone with his ability.

At present, among the elders in Jizhou, there are rumors that Yuan Xi can stargaze is not groundless. Otherwise, it cannot be explained that unknown young people like Lu Xun and Zhuge Liang can be discovered by Yuan Xi and given high positions. This does not have great courage and self-confidence. It can't be done.

After Zhuge Liang, Tian Feng and others handed over military affairs, they began to select soldiers and recruit warships. Within a few days, hundreds of warships set off from the docks of the Yellow River, carrying 5,000 soldiers and heading downstream. .

Yuan Xi and Zhang He explained that the wind and waves on the seaside were stronger than those on inland rivers, and the offshore warships built in Youzhou were mostly pointed-bottomed and swayed more than flat-bottomed boats.

Zhang He suddenly understood and said sincerely: "My lord, I can see such far-sightedness, I admire him."

Zhuge Liang said humbly: "It's all because of the great help from Mr. Yuan Hao and others. Liang just did some trivial things."

Over the past year, Mi Zhen, at Yuan Xi's request, slowly moved part of the Mi family's caravan, which was originally focused on Haixi, to Huang County. After all, this place is close to Youzhou and the Korean Peninsula, and it is easier to mobilize goods than Haixi. A lot more convenient.

Yuan Xi explained: "Jiangdong was won by naval forces, but it was mainly based on the Yangtze River defense line. Most of the warships were flat-bottomed, so they were generally blocked to a distance of thirty miles away from the Yangtze River estuary."

Zhang He didn't look good because he was a little seasick and vomited several times during the journey, which made him feel embarrassed. He was obviously fine when he crossed the Yellow River and took the boat, but why couldn't he now?

"In the future, if we want to suppress and deal with the Jiangdong navy, it is still uneconomical to only focus on the Yangtze River and confront it head-on. However, if the Youzhou warship can penetrate deep into the outer sea, if it can bypass the blockade and turn in, it can always land from the rear of Jiangdong. ”

Mi Zhen was already slender. When Yuan Xi saw her, he found that she was even thinner. He took Mi Zhen's hand and said, "I haven't seen you for a year. You have lost a lot of money. You have suffered a lot by yourself, right?"

Mi Zhen's eyes turned red and she forced a smile and said, "I'm just managing some accounts. It's not as dangerous as my husband's war. Seeing that my husband is safe, I feel relieved."

He paused and said, "You will hand over the caravan to the Mi family today, and at the same time collect supplies and goods. I will set off with me to Shouchun tomorrow."

Zhuge Liang arrived at the Huangxian dock one day in advance according to the time in the letter, and Yuan Xi's fleet arrived the next day.

He immediately said: "Master, how will we arrange this trip to Jianghuai?"

Yuan Xi sighed: "I know you have done a lot of things, but I still want to trouble you this time."

Yuan Xi set out from Piaoyuyi Pier and headed south along the coastline. When he arrived at Huang County, he saw the neat warships outside the pier and smiled at Zhang He beside him: "We are a little late."

Zhang He was a little puzzled and asked: "If that's the case, why not make it a flat-bottomed boat?"

Mi Zhen also settled down in Huang County, helping to manage the affairs of the United Trading Company under Yuan Xi's name. Although there were many chores, relying on Mi Zhen's previous experience, the development of the caravan was also booming.

But having said that, seasickness is difficult to overcome. Zhang He vomited several times and followed Yuan Xi to Huang County in a daze. When everyone got off the boat, Zhuge Liang had already greeted them. Several people greeted each other and Yuan Xi said Zhuge Liang smiled and said: "The military advisor has been very good over the past year. At present, Jizhou's border defense is uncertain. It is all the result of the military advisor."

"Especially the cavalry, which is supplemented by fleet logistics and supplies. When encountering disadvantages, you can return to the ship and retreat. Fight when you want, and leave when you want. When the time comes, there will be fire everywhere in the rear of Jiangdong, and you will not be able to prevent it even if you want to. The so-called Yangtze River The natural moat is in vain.”

After Zhuge Liang heard this, he and Zhang He went to count the soldiers. Yuan Xi returned to the mansion, but Mi Zhen had already received the news and came out with a happy face.

Yuan Xi said: "You and Junyi first join forces. We will set off early tomorrow morning and we can talk slowly when we get to the boat."

Mi Zhen felt happy after hearing this. She thought that Yuan Xi just came to see her, but she didn't expect that he could accompany him. This was beyond her expectation. After all, Mi Zhen had seen the lives of Zhen Mi and others in recent years. She was mentally prepared. After all, except for Lu Lingqi, the other girls who married Yuan Xi were like being widowed. They met only a few times a year, and now they were able to follow her. Mi Zhen was naturally extremely happy.

When Yuan Xi saw Mi Zhen's look, he felt very guilty and sighed: "I really can't help you. It has been six or seven years since Beixin City participated in the fight for the world. If I had Gaozu's ability, the world would have been at peace. ”

Mi Zhen chuckled and said, "No, in my heart, my husband is much more powerful than my great ancestor."

Yuan Xi held Mi Zhen's hand and said with a smile, "Where is the strength?"

Mi Zhen glanced at Yuan Xi, her eyes were like peach blossoms, and her face was full of spring. The two of them entered the small building together with a tacit understanding.

After an unknown amount of time passed, Mi Zhen bit her hair and opened her mouth slightly: "Husband, why not do it at night? If it gets late later, it will be too late to summon the clan elders."

Yuan Xi replied: "Okay, it will be over soon." I don't know how long it took, but Mi Zhen had no strength to speak. Mr. Xin Dao was just full of lies!
The fleet set off on time from Huangxian Wharf on the next day, preparing to arrive at the estuary of the Huaihe River in Haixi, and then follow the Huaihe River to Shouchun.

North of the Huai River is the boundary of Runan in Yuzhou, so Yuan Xi's troop deployment cannot be hidden from Cao Cao. This is also what Zhuge Liang is puzzled about. If he wants to secretly intervene in the dispute in Jingzhou, why not dispatch troops in Xuzhou and send the soldiers overland? What about sending to Jianghuai?
So as soon as Zhuge got on the boat, he came to discuss with Yuan Xi. He knocked on the door, and after a while, he saw Yuan Xi walking out with a somewhat frivolous step.

Facing Zhuge Liang's gaze, Yuan Xi said awkwardly: "Mrs. Mi and I are both a little seasick."

Suddenly he realized that this was a cover-up, so he hurriedly stepped out of the room and said, "The military advisor wants to see me for something?"

The two walked to the bow of the ship. Zhuge Liang expressed his doubts and finally said: "The troops that Jianghuai can mobilize should be between thirty and forty thousand. Plus the ten thousand elite soldiers brought by the lord, this number may be able to suppress Cao Cao or any party in Jiangdong." , but it’s still difficult to defeat them.”

Yuan Xi nodded and asked: "The military advisor thinks that if I mobilize all the troops in the four states under my control, will I be able to completely destroy any party?"

Zhuge pondered for a while, then shook his head and said: "With all due respect, if only Cao Cao or Jiangdong is left in the world, the chance of overthrowing Cao Cao is 10 to 20 percent, and the chance of defeating Jiang Dong is no more than 50 percent."

"But now that both are present, and they are colluding and helping each other in private, the possibility that the lord wants to defeat either party is less than half, or even lower."

"Liang feels that it is still too hasty. The lord should know that he should recuperate in the past two years, which is a safe strategy. However, the lord knows how difficult the army is, and he has obviously taken this into consideration."

"But what Liang doesn't understand is that this kind of force cannot deter any party."

Yuan Xi sighed: "The military advisor is right."

"I still know myself. My power in Jianghuai is too weak at the moment, and I really cannot cause a substantial blow to Jiangdong, especially Cao Cao."

"But I look at it the other way."

"My idea is to prevent Cao Jun and Jiang Dong from joining forces in Jingzhou, even if it is a loss-making business."

"If this is the case, Liu Bei's side will be dead. If he dies, Jingzhou will definitely not be able to defend it."

"And if Cao Cao captures Jingzhou, Yizhou may surrender directly. Wouldn't it be more difficult to deal with Cao Cao at that time?"

Zhuge Liang nodded and said: "My lord is right."

"This is indeed a way to prevent Cao Cao from becoming powerful, but there is one thing. It can easily be dragged into a long war of attrition."

"It seems that my lord is planning to fight with Cao Cao in the Jianghuai area for a long time?"

"This place is located between Cao Cao and Jiangdong's forces. Even if the lord takes it, it won't be easy to defend."

Yuan Xi nodded and said: "Yes, the military advisor's idea must be to take Jizhou first, right?"

Zhuge Liang was silent. Yuan Xi guessed right. Zhuge Liang actually wanted to attack Yecheng first. After all, in his opinion, only by capturing the complete Jizhou could he seize the hinterland of the Central Plains, and only then could he threaten Yanzhou and Sili areas at all times and make it difficult for Cao Cao to sleep and eat. .

Yuan Xi said in a deep voice: "The military advisor is right, but this involves a strategic issue in the next few years."

"My idea is actually very simple. Is it easier for the military advisor to deal with Cao Cao or Jiangdong?"

Zhuge Liang said without hesitation: "Of course it's Jiangdong."

"That's it," Yuan Xi smiled and said, "So in my opinion, since fighting Cao Cao is a long-term struggle, let's put it aside for now."

"First kill the clown who is causing trouble."

Zhuge Liang suddenly realized that this was the case. Yuan Xi actually wanted to deal with Jiangdong first!

He suddenly became enlightened and murmured: "No wonder, no wonder."

"I originally thought that since my lord is slightly weaker than Cao Cao now, the best strategy would be to win over and appease Jiangdong and join forces with him to deal with Cao Cao."

"Liang didn't expect that my lord thought so!"

"This is really against common sense!"

Yuan Xi said: "Because from the beginning to the end, I never believed that Jiangdong could be an ally."

(End of this chapter)