Three Kingdoms: Prosper Han from the beginning of brushing favorability

Chapter 356 Qi Gong and Han Wang

In general, Ji Han still followed the plan of Longzhong this time and opened up two fronts in Jing and Yi.

However, the God-given opportunity brought about by Cao Pi's attack on Wu made it possible for Liu Chan to further expand the Yizhou front.

At present, it seems that the development of the situation is still within his expectation.

From the time Cao Pi gathered a large army to attack Wu, Longyou's ownership was basically determined.

The only difference is how far the results can be extended in the end.

Regarding this point, there are so many capable ministers in Cao Wei, can no one foresee this situation in advance?

Of course not, but the ministers who foresaw this, either to protect Mingzhe or because of their own and family interests, did not form a joint force to stop Cao Pi from making this decision.

When they put family interests first, it becomes difficult for them to consider the overall situation in everything. Either they don't care about right or wrong, or they really don't want to.

The reason why Liu Chan wanted to do everything possible to prevent local families and powerful forces from growing bigger was to limit this phenomenon from getting worse in the future Jihan Dynasty.

In order to stifle Zang Ba and the Qingxu Group, the biggest factor of instability, Cao Pi could rashly launch a war against Wu, and even secretly instructed Cao Xiu to wait for an opportunity to get rid of Zang Ba.

And his ministers also considered the interests of themselves and their family, and either acquiesced in condoning or contributed to this situation.

It can truly be said to be a model of "the monarch and his ministers are in harmony"...

Of course, not all smart people ignore the overall situation.

Duke Qi of the Great Wei Dynasty, who was far away in the rear of Cao Wei, was worried about the current situation, but he was helpless.

Qi Gong, whose surname is Cao Mingrui and whose courtesy name is Yuanzhong.

He was the son of Cao Pi and Zhen Mi, the successor of the Cao family whom Boss Cao valued most during his lifetime. He even valued this grandson more than Cao Pi and Cao Zhi to some extent.

In this era where appearance is very important, Cao Rui, who inherited Zhen Mi's beauty and the Cao family's prowess, is naturally very good-looking.

However, unlike Lao Liu who couldn't wait to make Liu Chan the crown prince after he ascended the throne, Cao Pi seemed to always have things to do after he ascended the throne and had no intention of establishing a heir apparent.

For example, attacking dissidents, going out of the city to hunt, making laws to reduce vassals, going out of the city to hunt, formulating new policies, going out of the city to hunt...

Regarding his father's thoughts, Cao Rui is naturally clear with his shrewdness. His father has never liked him. No matter how many talents he showed, he could not win Cao Pi's love.

Compared to Cao Rui, who performed well in military, political, literary and other aspects, Cao Pi seemed to prefer his mediocre brother.

Cao Rui can only keep a low profile, a low profile, and a low profile again, trying not to arouse his father's suspicion.

Regarding this major event related to the fate of the country, Cao Rui not only was not qualified to enter the court to express his opinions in a grand manner like Liu Chan, but he could not say a word to his officials.

Cao Rui took a swig of wine in the empty room and muttered to himself silently to the map on the desk in front of him: "The morale of the Jingzhou warriors in the Eastern Wu Dynasty has been exhausted. My father's attack southward at this time will only push Sun Quan to Liu Bei... "

Then he looked at the line of the Yangtze River and slowly slid his fingers along the Yangtze River.

"Soochow has been running the Yangtze River Defense Line for many years. It is not easy to break through it once. I am afraid that my father is not only eager to show off his martial arts skills, but also wants to take the opportunity to solve Qingxu's troubles."

Cao Rui took another sip of wine and casually wiped the liquid from his mouth with his sleeve. It was very different from his solemn and low-key image in front of others, and he seemed a bit bohemian.

"To launch a major war against Soochow, Liu Bei will definitely take the opportunity to go north. There are still strong passes in Guanzhong that can be defended. If Guan Yu of Jingzhou attacks Xiangfan again this time... without Soochow's sneak attack, I'm afraid it will be difficult for Cao Zixiao to resist."

If it cannot be stopped, my father will have no choice but to mobilize troops from the eastern front to resist. Then the plan to mobilize and pull the Soochow defenders with their superior strength will become a joke.

Cao Rui shook his head, and then looked westward, across Guanzhong, towards Yongliang.

"Although the military strength in the west is empty, the land is barren, with insufficient food, grass, and population. The Qiang, Di and Hu people often rebel and invade. From a common sense perspective, Liu Bei's Northern Expedition is not a good choice. It's just..."

At this moment, Cao Rui thought of the enemy prince who was three years younger than him.

Ever since the battle in Jingzhou, he had noticed his peers from the enemy camp.

After carefully studying Liu Chan's actions before, during, and after the Jingzhou War, Cao Rui was amazed and at the same time introduced the young man he had never met as his biggest opponent.

After that, he tried his best to collect all information about Liu Chan, no matter how small it was, he would not let it go.

It can be said that Cao Rui is the person in the entire Cao Wei who values ​​Liu Chan the most and understands him best. "It's just that boy, he rarely makes moves based on common sense."

Although Cao Rui did not attend the court, he was well aware of the discussions of the current situation by the ministers in the court.

Almost no one in the court discussed the countermeasures of various places in Yongliang to deal with Liu Bei's Northern Expedition, which was not a good thing.

Cao Rui focused his attention on the west, pointing his fingers rhythmically at the Hanzhong Basin.

"That guy is so kind to the soldiers, and he won't let the soldiers attack the pass and let blood flow into the river. Then is it possible that he proposes to pretend to attack the pass and point his sword at Yongliang?"

Cao Rui almost didn't hesitate and was immediately inclined to this speculation.

"There are only more than a thousand soldiers, and among them there are cavalry, which accounts for ten out of ten, which shows that he attaches great importance to cavalry. Yongliang is rich in fine horses, which is not completely unattractive to him."

And there is Ma Chao. If Ma Chao guards Yongliang, it seems that the Qiang and Hu problem can be effectively solved.

The more he thought about it, the more feasible it became for Cao Rui, so he began to simulate the plan to attack Yongliang in his mind.

"First take the military capital of Yinping, march out of Qishan, and capture Xi County to cut off the connection between Qishan Fort and Shanggui. Knowing that Liu Bei is launching a large-scale Northern Expedition, Guo Huai will definitely want to play a decisive role in Shanggui, which can advance or retreat."

Cao Rui's eyes were gleaming, and he forgot to bring the wine cup in his left hand to his mouth, pointing with his right finger.

"Capture Ji County, pin the Shanggui garrison to death, and then either storm Qishan Fort or advance to Shanggui City, then half of the overall situation in Longxi will be under control.

"There are few loyal ministers and generals in the counties of Longyou. If we see a large army going north, I'm afraid it will be difficult to defend for a long time. By then, the rest of the counties will be in trouble... If we want to capture Longyou, the only thing left is..."

Cao Rui's fingers hovered for a moment, and then his eyes flashed and he pointed at the street pavilion at the Longyou entrance of Guanlong Avenue, the only way for Guanzhong reinforcements to pass!
  At this moment, the waiter's voice suddenly came from outside the door: "Your Majesty, I have something important to report from the court."

Cao Rui suddenly raised his head.

Could it be that the call came so quickly?
  If it is true that they can mobilize resources and dispatch troops decisively in such a short period of time, then the efficiency of Liu Han Chaotang and the efficiency of mobilizing personnel and materials is really terrible...

Cao Rui put away the map: "Come in."

Then a young scribe came in, respectfully reported the main "news" in the court to Cao Rui, and then left without waiting for Cao Rui to say anything.

There were three pieces of news that reached Cao Wei's court.

His Majesty's army encountered an enemy's persistent blockade at Ruxu. Cao Xiu's troops and Soochow were victorious, but they were still unable to break through the Yangtze River defense line.

Although the first news related to His Majesty the Emperor of Wei, it was expected that the outcome would be difficult to determine for a while. The latter two news were the main reason for the shock in the Cao Wei court.

Guan Yu's northern expedition to Xiangfan, Mian River was blocked, Xiangyang was in danger, and Cao Ren was preparing for war in the north of the Yangtze River.

Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun led their troops north from Hanzhong and began to violently attack Guanzhong!
  The officials of Cao Wei were shocked and frightened when they heard the news.

Not all officials in the court have strategic vision, and in the past two years, Cao Wei's record against Liu Bei is really not good.

Of course, knowledgeable people such as Jia Xu, Xin Pi, Liu Ye, etc. are not surprised. This is expected.

Cao Rui sighed secretly after hearing the news. If his prediction was good, I'm afraid bad news about Yongliang will come soon...

This war was a mistake from the beginning.

If he had Liu Chan's status, he could still make amends, but now...

"Alas..." Cao Rui sighed, pulled a piece of cloth, and prepared to repair the book.

Whether he succeeds or fails, he must take a risk. Even if it arouses his father's jealousy, he cannot watch the Cao family's country being in danger.

……

Duke Qi of Wei was busy with big things, and King Han of Han, who was still young but was entrusted with the responsibility of supervising the country, was also busy with big things at this time.

"Hurry and bring me the cinnabar forehead! The weather is perfect today, it's time for a duel."

Summer is hot, but it’s a good time to do weaving...

(End of this chapter)