Three Kingdoms: Prosper Han from the beginning of brushing favorability

Chapter 290 Cao Pi is really coming

Old Liu didn't know why Liu Chan suddenly became so fond of Deng Zhi, but from his perspective, Deng Zhi was by no means mediocre.

When they first met, he discovered this person's ability, otherwise he wouldn't have had a conversation, so he appointed Deng Zhi, who had no connections and no glorious deeds at the time, as the magistrate of Pixian County.

That is to say, it was the Pixian County where the famous Doubanjiang was produced in later generations, and later he was promoted to the prefect of Guanghan through meritorious service.

Old Liu remembered that Liu Chan had not had much contact with this person, but now he was optimistic about him as soon as they met, which actually made Old Liu feel happy.

"My son is indeed as capable as I am of understanding people and being kind to them."

He immediately made the decision to send Deng Zhi as envoy to Jiangdong.

Of course, there is still some "training" before leaving. When engaging in diplomacy, you must first clarify your own bottom line and requirements before you can bargain with the other party.

Now that the candidate for the envoy had been decided, Lao Liu, Zhuge Liang, Fazheng and others took Deng Zhi for several "meeting meetings" and then asked Deng Zhi to leave as soon as possible and go to Jiangdong with Zhang Wen as envoy.

From Zhang Wen's mouth, I learned that Cao Pi had issued an ultimatum to Jiangdong. I'm afraid that the southern expedition was not far away. Since both families planned to form an alliance, it would be better to reach an agreement as soon as possible.

If you deliberately stall for time and wait for the strength of both sides to be exhausted before reaping the benefits... If your own resources are equal to Cao Wei, that is indeed the best choice.

But when two weak people are fighting against one strong one, it would be too short-sighted to do so.

……

Here Deng Zhi and Zhang Wen were on a mission to Jiangdong. Seeing that Sun Quan still had no intention of submitting, Cao Pi had already begun to prepare grain, fodder, baggage, ships, and mobilize legions and troops.

Both Sun Wu and Liu Han speculated that Cao Pi would mobilize the Yanyu Army as the main force to defeat Wu, as well as Zhang Liao and other generals and their troops who were originally stationed in Hefei and other cities along the river.

However, in addition to this, Cao Pi even mobilized the Qingxu Legion, apparently to move these second-echelon legions to the front line.

Zang Ba and other Qingxu powerful men also mobilized one after another, with such a huge momentum that it exceeded many people's expectations.

Even many Wei officials thought that Cao Pi's so-called southern expedition to Wu and the imperial commander's personal expedition were just for "show". Unexpectedly, it seemed that he was serious...

Of course Cao Pi meant it. He not only wanted to use this battle to let Sun Wu, who didn't know how to appreciate others, recognize the strength of the Wei Dynasty, and give up his unrealistic illusions as soon as possible.

At the same time, he also planned with Sima Yi to use this military operation to eliminate the unstable factors within Cao Wei and firmly control the integrated military power in his own hands.

Replace all the restless people for fair and just reasons.

The so-called unsettling factors are naturally the Qingzhou soldiers and Xuzhou soldiers who are good at fighting but not loyal enough to Cao Pi.

The so-called restless people are naturally Qingxu Haoba headed by Zang Ba.

This was another reason why Cao Pi couldn't wait to start a war.

Sima Yi helped Cao Pi's carefully designed plan in two steps. The first step was to appoint wartime commanders of the three armies due to war needs.

From west to east, these three people are Cao Ren, Cao Zhen, and Cao Xiu.

First, additional troops were stationed in Xiangyang, and defenses were deployed in Fancheng and its northern echelons to prevent Guan Yu from taking advantage of their attack on Soochow to launch another northern expedition.

This route is the West Route Army, and its mission is strategic defense. It is commanded by Cao Ren, who knows himself, the enemy, and the local terrain and climate.

The Central Route Army is mainly composed of the Yanyu Army Corps, Zhang Liao and other Hefei garrison troops, and its mission goal is to march into Ruxuwu.

It was not only the naval base of Soochow, but also the most important link in the Yangtze River defense line. It had always been garrisoned by capable generals who were deeply trusted.

If Ruxuwu can be breached, Soochow's Yangtze River defense line will be completely broken, and it is the top priority among the three routes.

The Eastern Route Army was led by Cao Xiu. Cao Xiu had lived in Wu County for a long time and knew the local area very well.

Moreover, Cao Xiu was praised as the "Cao family's thousand-mile horse" because he defected to Cao Cao thousands of miles away. He gained Cao Cao's trust and respect and served in the elite tiger and leopard cavalry for many years.Later, he was promoted many times and followed Cao Cao in his southern and northern campaigns. He was often given guidance from Cao Cao and observed his tactics and strategies.

Regardless of personal bravery, resourcefulness, war experience, strategic vision, etc., they can be said to be the most capable among the second generation figures of the Cao Wei Group.

The most rare thing is that Cao Xiu is very loyal. If Xia Houshang had not been captured in Shangyong, these two people could be said to be Cao Pi's right-hand men.

The Eastern Route Army led by Cao Xiu was composed of soldiers from Qingxu...

For the sake of safety, Cao Pi also led the Central Army to escort himself. His intention was naturally to seize the military leadership of Zang Ba and others.

This is a conspiracy. It is a military deployment for the war. If you don't obey, then it will be natural for you to be killed.

If you obey...then take the second step during the war and gradually replace the middle and senior generals of Qingxu's army.

During a war, there are too many excuses to use. Military orders are overwhelming and you have no choice but to disobey them.

Throughout the ages, wars have often been fought not just to defeat the enemy.

It is still a good opportunity to attack dissidents, promote and install cronies, and gild. War is a means to achieve political goals, and this political goal is not only external...

……

Cao Wei's mobilization of troops, horses and food naturally could not be hidden from Sun Quan, who was always keeping an eye on the north.

How could King Wu of Wei, who was best at making small moves, neglect to pay attention to the situation in the north.

However, he did not expect that Cao Pi would invest so much this time. This was completely different from the "imperial conquest" he made last time. This was a deadly move.

It seems that a battle with Cao Wei is inevitable. Not only that, it looks like it will be a brutal and bloody battle.

While Sun Quan continued to actively deploy defenses along the river, preparing to respond to the fierce offensive from the north at any time, he was anxiously waiting for Zhang Wen's return.

He was really unsure about Liu Bei's attitude.

Unlike me, this former cheap brother-in-law is not someone who can suppress all emotions for the sake of profit.

Liu Chan is exactly the same, even worse.

Although he had made a lot of concessions, he was still afraid that Liu Bei and his son would still be brooding over the past and take this opportunity to take advantage of the situation...

If the situation develops to that point, Jiangdong will really be doomed.

News came from Jiangxia that Jingzhou has even imitated large ships such as building ships... Jingzhou's navy's water warfare capabilities are already excellent, and now they are even more powerful.

Without the advantage of water warfare, Wu Jun himself knew exactly what the outcome of the war would be.

He was afraid of Guan Yu, actually more than he was afraid of Cao Wei...

"Your Majesty, Zhang Zhonglang is back, and with him is the envoy sent by Liu Bei."

"Oh?" Sun Quan, who was frowning and considering the situation of the battle, suddenly raised his head, "Quickly, tell the ministers to discuss the matter in the hall. I will arrive soon to meet with the envoy from Shu in person."

"Yes!"

"Wait a minute." Sun Quan suddenly stopped him again and rolled his eyes, "Do you know who is coming? Is that Zhuge Kongming?"

"No, come and call me Deng Zhi."

...Deng Zhi?Who is Deng Zhi? Why have I never heard of him?

(End of this chapter)