Three Kingdoms: Prosper Han from the beginning of brushing favorability

Chapter 306 Hidden dangers in Xiangfan
This is the first large-scale war since Cao Pi ascended the throne. For this attack on Wu, Cao Pi, his think tank Sima Yi and others were fully prepared.

There is no need to go into details about money, grain, horses, ships, baggage and other items. In terms of soldiers alone, nearly 20 people were mobilized, pretending to be 50.

Of course, this included the civilians who were escorting the grain and baggage, but even so, it was definitely a massive event.

Cao Pi did not dare to mobilize except for the necessary garrison troops to defend against the Shu army, and the border garrison to defend against foreign invasion.

He mobilized troops from Qingxu, Yanyu and several major military regions, as well as his elite Central Army, and almost all the troops that could be brought to the battlefield.

It is divided into three echelons: the starting force, the main force, and the reserve force, and is prepared to gradually enter the battlefield according to the battle situation.

This is the advantage of Cao Wei's large territory. Even if their policies are relatively harsh, in order to support the army and farm and enslave the people, the taxes are not light.

But as long as most of the people are given peace, they will not rebel easily, which will lead to a rapid increase in the country's population, money and food.

When Boss Cao attacked Guan Yu, he was newly defeated in Hanzhong, so it was very difficult to raise an army.

General Yu is the first of the five good generals, and he only commands the seven armies, with only 3 men.

And when these 3 people were wasted... literally wasted, even the new recruits had to be handed over to Xu Huang to join the battlefield.

At that time, Cao Wei had only tens of thousands of fighting troops in the country. If Sun Quan could maintain pressure on Hefei.

After Guan Yu captured Xiangfan, Boss Cao had only two choices left.

Either move the capital, give up a large area of ​​territory, and shrink the defense line.

Otherwise, we will face a complete collapse of national defense forces.

But how many years has it been?It has only been two short years since the Seventh Army was flooded. How many men and horses does Cao Xiu have on the eastern front now?
There are a total of 7 troops under Cao Xiu's command... more than [-] people.

This is the advantage of having a large territory.

Sun Quan lost more than [-] men in the battle of Jingzhou and was seriously injured. Although he has recovered his fighting strength now, he did it only by squeezing Shanyue to the extreme and tightening the belts of the people.

The quality of life of the people in Jiangdong has plummeted, and even large landlords have to "downgrade their consumption" to survive.

However, looking back at Cao Wei, the losses were not much less than those of Jiangdong. As a result, they not only restored their combat power, but were even able to mobilize a larger army than before.

At the beginning, Xin Pi proposed in the court that Cao Pi should concentrate on farming, stop messing around, and live with the people.

If Cao Pi really listened to the advice, it wouldn't take much more. He would support the people for ten years, govern from the top, cultivate political principles internally, and strengthen border defense externally.

That Han Wu Ke really has no chance at all...

However, it is still unclear who will win.

Cao Pi, who was conducting the expedition in person, had a sullen face and seemed not as relaxed and carefree as he was in the court.

"Zhongda, over to General Xilu...is it true that the main army cannot be stationed in Xiangyang?" He couldn't help but ask Sima Yi again. This was the second time he asked.

The general refers to Cao Ren. After Cao Pi ascended the throne, he named Cao Ren the general and chief minister of Wei.

After actually launching his troops, Cao Pi discovered the difficulty of commanding a large-scale battle.

Even Cao Ren, Cao Zhen, and Cao Xiu, none of the commanders of the three-line armies are idiots. They are the most capable generals of the Cao family. They do not need his "micromanipulation" at every step.

Cao Pi also had Sima Yi and other advisers around him, so he had less to worry about.

Even so, there are still worries.

For example, he also allocated a large army for reinforcements to Cao Ren, but it turned out that sending more troops to garrison Xiangfan was just a beautiful vision.

Xiangfan was besieged and attacked by Erye for a long time, and Fancheng was severely damaged by water.

Although it has been repaired to a certain extent, it is still unable to be used as a long-term garrison for [-] to [-] troops.

Not to mention Fancheng, even Xiangyang City cannot accommodate so many soldiers.Even if he could, Cao Pi wouldn't dare.

Xiangyang is on the south bank of the Han River. You have stationed all the grain, grass and main force in Xiangyang. Once it is surrounded by the second master, if Fancheng in the rear is overwhelmed and captured, then Xiangyang will completely become an isolated city behind enemy lines.

General Danfan could not withstand the psychological pressure and surrendered, and tens of thousands of troops sent warmth to Guan Yu again...

Yu Ban gave [-] yuan as a gift before, and it was outrageous enough to send him all in a package.

Cao Pi had heard that Cao Ren almost abandoned the city and ran away when he was in Fancheng. If it weren't for Man's favor with Shen Baima to play with his appearance, Fancheng would have been lost long ago.

If he is besieged again, will he surrender directly like Yu Jin?
Cao Pi didn't think so, but he didn't dare to bet.

How about putting most of the food, grass and main force in Fancheng?If something goes wrong, at least on the north shore, both rescue and retreat will be much easier.

This idea is even more funny. With Fan Cheng's "dangerous city" appearance, could it withstand Guan Yu's fierce attack?

Cao Pi had heard that Liu Bei had a new type of stone-shooting cart, which was very powerful.

Although the specific structure and style have not been discovered, thinking about it, I know that Fancheng cannot withstand it.

As for building a fort on the spot to defend against the enemy, the defensive capabilities are more than one level lower than that of a city, and they are even more passive in the face of Lao Liu's new stone-shooting cart.

Not a good idea anyway.

At this time, he asked Sima Yi for the second time out of sheer unwillingness.

"Your Majesty, Xiangfan... I'm afraid we can't guard it for long." Sima Yi said in a deep voice.

It's not that he doesn't trust Cao Ren's ability, it's just that it's hard for a clever woman to make a meal without straw.

After thinking about it, he added: "For the current plan, we must open up the situation as soon as possible on the Jiangdong battlefield and achieve results. If Liu Bei and Guan Yu are well prepared and seize the opportunity to send troops to attack, it will be really difficult.

"Xiangfan has been overwhelmed by the war and cannot garrison heavy troops for a long time. However, if Xiangfan is lost, the Han River will be in the enemy's hands. By then, Hanzhong, Shangyong, and Jingzhou will be connected, and they will be able to travel freely."

Cao Pi frowned and said, "In your opinion, what should be the defense of Xiangfan?"

Sima Yi lowered his head and said: "Your Majesty, the general has been through hundreds of battles and has rich experience. He wants to come up with strategies to defend against the enemy. Although Xiangfan cannot be sustained for a long time, it will not be defeated overnight.

"I think it is better for us to temporarily station half of the reinforcements in Wancheng. This way, if there is a change in Xiangfan, we can send troops to rescue in time. There are still defenders in Yuzhou, and they can be rescued if necessary.

"If our army in the middle route can quickly seize Ruxuwu, and then divide our troops to go up the river, threatening the public security and the rear of Jiangling, so that they cannot look at each other, then Xiangfan can turn the danger into safety."

Cao Pi nodded: "That's all we have to do now. As long as the army can successfully cross the Yangtze River, with the power of our Wei cavalry, the Wu army will be defeated thousands of miles away."

What he is most worried about in this battle is Guan Yu. This is what he considers to be the biggest variable.

If Liu Bei wants to take advantage of this opportunity, he will definitely send troops out of Hanzhong and Jingzhou, and then threaten Guanzhong and Nanyang.

He was not worried in Guanzhong. The mountain roads were rugged and difficult to navigate, and the defenses in Guanzhong were like iron walls. He also left Zhang He there.

If Liu Bei goes, he will definitely return without success, not to mention that he will never come back.

Historically, Zhang He also participated in the war against Wu, but that was because Ji Han suffered a heavy defeat at Yiling at that time, so Cao Pi did not take Ji Han seriously. Naturally, he does not dare to do that now.

There are famous generals and heroes, but he still trusts Zhang He's ability.

The biggest variable is Guan Yu.

What?Can we attack Yongliang by leaving Qishan in the west?

It's not that Cao Pi never thought about it, but he soon smiled disdainfully.

The great opportunity to enter Guanzhong is just around the corner. Who would attack a place like Yongliang in a big way?
Not to mention the long, difficult and nightmare-like supply line.

Liu Bei is not a madman?
(End of this chapter)