Three Kingdoms: Prosper Han from the beginning of brushing favorability

Chapter 327 Fighting Xiangfan Again
At present, Cao Ren is still stationed in Xiangfan. The city defense is not as bad as Cao Pi and Soochow thought, but the situation he faces is worse than they expected...

Ever since Cao Pi decided to attack Wu, Cao Ren knew that he would have to fight a tough battle with his old rival.

In fact, from the time when there were rumors in the court that Cao Pi was dissatisfied with Sun Quan and that his Majesty planned to go south to attack Wu, Cao Ren stepped up the repair work of Xiangfan, especially Fancheng.

The progress of the project is actually much faster than what North Korea and Soochow expected. Now Xiangfan cannot be said to be impregnable, but it has basically reached the level before the Seventh Army was flooded.

There were two thousand defenders in Xiangyang and one thousand defenders in Fancheng. After Cao Pi increased his troops, the defensive location became a worry for General Cao Ren.

For this matter, he often quarreled with General Yangwu and Manchong, the Marquis of Guannei.

Lu Chang, who was 61 years old at the time, did not know whether it was because Cao Ren retreated to Fancheng and left him alone in Xiangyang to be besieged by the Jingzhou Legion, which caused him to be in constant fear every day.

Anyway, his health has been deteriorating since then.

Fortunately, Xiangfan's famous doctors and craftsmen took turns to diagnose and treat him, and the imperial court sent palace medical officers to conduct multiple consultations with this meritorious minister who insisted on defending Xiangyang.

After many famous doctors discussed and revised the treatment plan several times, treated with various precious medicinal materials, and took careful care of his servants, Lu Chang finally... died at the beginning of this year.

Since then, General Yangwu Manchong has taken the post of governor of Xiangyang and continued to garrison it.

After the battle in Jingzhou, Cao Pi once thought of abandoning the dilapidated Xiangfan and ordering his army to retreat directly to Wancheng.

Both Man Chong and Cao Ren strongly opposed it. Fortunately, Cao Pi's confidant Sima Yi also opposed it, so they have always controlled the land of Xiangfan.

Otherwise, if Guan Yu goes directly to the north from Xiangfan this time, the battle will be even more difficult to fight.

"General Zixiao, Xiangyang is surrounded by mountains and water runs through it. It is easy to defend but difficult to attack. This is the place where we should deploy a large army to stop the Shu army!" Man Chong blushed and said this more than once. .

The battle against Wu has begun, and Guan Yu will probably attack soon.

That old rival would never give up this great opportunity.

That's why Man Chong became more and more excited.

"Previously, our army was unfavorable in the field, with only a few thousand soldiers and horses left, so we retreated. This time, your Majesty has sent additional reinforcements. If we can lay ambushes in the mountains and strategic roads, we will definitely be able to stop the Shu army!"

Unexpectedly, Cao Ren shook his head without even thinking: "No, it's a taboo for military strategists to fight with their backs against the river. The situation at this time is very different from that of the early Han Dynasty. How can we imitate Han Xin's old deeds.

"If the Shu army comes, they will first cut off the Mian River with elite naval forces. By then, all our troops will be on the south bank. If the war goes against us, where can we retreat to?

"Even if the reinforcements behind us are determined to rescue them, they will not be able to cross the river due to the obstruction of the river. The whole army will be annihilated, which is absolutely impossible."

Cao Ren had said this more than once, and it was a bit overwhelming to see Man Chong mentioning old things again.

However, the two of them are life-and-death friends after all, and they have a good relationship, but they are not afraid of disagreements due to such official disputes, and they do not have too many scruples when talking.

"General Zixiao, have you forgotten your original ambition to go south to capture Jingzhou?! Why do you say such a retreat!"

Man Chong knew that if the battle situation fell into a disadvantageous situation, then what Cao Ren said would indeed be more reliable.

But... this battle hasn't even started yet, how can you conclude that you will be at a disadvantage? !

The dignified general of the Wei State, now the most powerful general under His Majesty's command, has already assumed that he will be the inferior side before fighting, and the morale of his soldiers has not plummeted?
Seeing that the great terrain around Xiangyang was not fully utilized, Cao Ren seemed to want to defend the city of Xiangyang. He was really a little anxious. Wasn't Cao Zixiao like this before?

Cao Ren's old face turned slightly red when he heard this. Fortunately, it was not white due to the weather and the sun, so it was not too obvious.

He knew very well what Man Chong meant, and he also understood that he was really beaten by Guan Yu and had a psychological shadow.

This is different from simple fear. Jingzhou has a rich water system, and the Jingzhou army under Guan Yu can be called elite regardless of whether it is on the bank of the river.

Even though I had more troops than him at the beginning, he was able to force thousands of people to retreat to Fancheng due to his unpredictable and unpredictable tactics.

Le Jin himself and his soldiers were directly defeated. If not for this, he would not have died so early.

He could see the development and changes in Jingnan. Guan Yu was recruiting troops, reorganizing his army and building ships. If he invaded again, it would definitely not be a small incident.

According to Cao Ren's estimation, if Guan Yu recruits troops regardless of the consequences, plus the men and horses sent out by Yu Jin before, he can at least attract another [-] to [-] troops.

At the beginning, we couldn't defeat him because of our superior strength. Now we are still going out to fight in the field when we are inferior in strength?Crazy?

So this is not fear, this is a calm analysis based on objective facts... At least General Cao himself thinks so. "Your Majesty has not sent all the reinforcements to Xiangfan. He obviously has this concern, so why are you backing down?" Cao Ren quickly made up for it, "Now that your Majesty is attacking Wu in three directions, Sun Quan's son will definitely be defeated.

"When our army breaks through the river defenses, we can divide our troops and go up the river to attack the enemy's rear. By then, the Jingzhou Army's morale will be unstable, and only then will it be a good opportunity for our army to counterattack.

"If we rashly engage in a battle with the enemy and lose our troops and generals, wouldn't it ruin His Majesty's mission? It would be more appropriate to set up the camp to the west of Fancheng as we are now, so as to act as horns for each other."

Man Chong said anxiously: "But..."

"No need to say any more." Cao Ren waved his hand and said, "I'm afraid Guan Yu will attack in the near future. I have already decided on this matter. Boning will return to Xiangyang to garrison.

"If you are worried about the loss of Xiangyang, I can also go to guard it myself, and Boning will come to supervise Fancheng."

Man Chong looked at Cao Ren in disbelief, but his excitement gradually faded away.

He stared into Cao Ren's eyes and saw that the other person was a little guilty, so he said calmly: "The general is overly worried. If Manchu is there, Xiangyang will be there. If Xiangyang is lost, the only thing is death. What should you be afraid of?"

This was the first time Cao Ren called someone by his official title after he was promoted.

Man Chong stood up quickly and respectfully said: "Man Chong's death is not a pity. I only hope that the general will not lose his former vigor. Farewell!"

"Hey..." Cao Ren stood up and stretched out his hand, but Man Chong flicked his sleeves and left without looking back.

"Haha." Manchong walked out of the room and suddenly couldn't help but chuckle, and then he laughed as if he remembered something interesting, "Hahahaha..."

Cao Ren in the room listened awkwardly to Man Chong's laughter fading away, and slowly sat back, lowering his head in thought.

"Am I... really afraid of that Guan Yu?"

Unfortunately, in the empty room, no one could give him an answer.

……

Nanjun, Jiangling.

The [-]-strong army outside the city has been divided into two groups. One group is led by Guan Ping, preparing to go to the dock to board the ship, blockade the Mianshui River, and cut off the connection between Xiangyang and Fancheng.

All the way was led by Guan Yu personally, and went straight to Xiangyang via land route.

"Don't rush ashore to fight. I won't make a decision until my father's soldiers arrive to meet you in Xiangyang." Guan Yu said seriously, "This battle is of great importance. Although you are my son, if you disobey orders, you will be severely punished!"

"Yes!" Guan Ping clasped his fists and said, "My child, keep this in mind."

Guan Yu nodded. In fact, he was very relieved about his eldest son.

After Guan Ping's previous experience, he is now strong enough to stand on his own.

"By the way, is there any news from Ji Chang?"

Guan Ping shook his head: "I haven't received it yet."

He looked at Hao Pu, who was staying in Jiangling, but he also had no news from Guiyang.

"Oh, I hope nothing goes wrong."

After Ma Liang heard about Cao Pi's attack on Wu, he sent a letter to Jiangling, saying that he would personally go into the mountains to contact the Wuxi barbarians.

But there has been no news since then, and I don’t know what is happening now.

"Father, Ma Taishou is very resourceful and cautious. Nothing will happen to him. Maybe it was delayed for other reasons."

Guan Yu nodded, Ma Liang was indeed very reliable in handling matters.

He immediately got on his horse and raised his fist towards Hao Pu: "Your Majesty, Jiangling is entrusting you, please take care of yourself."

Hao Pu bowed and said: "Pu, I swear to live and die with Jiangling!"

Guan Yu nodded, took out a shiny new thing from Chituma's side, raised a confident smile on his lips, and opened his narrowed Danfeng eyes: "Let's go!"

(End of this chapter)