Ji Han Da Sima

Chapter 243 Building the city and moving north
Xiangfan, Yuliangzhou.

At that time, Huo Jun led his army north to Yuliangzhou for two months.In the spring and summer, the rain gradually became abundant and the Han River gradually rose. The navy crossed the Han River and cut off news from the two cities of Xiangfan.However, due to the existence of the three eastern counties in the upper reaches of the Han River, the navy could not penetrate deeply to block it.

Outside the tent, rain poured down, soaking a large area of ​​the tent curtain.In the tent, Huo Jun, Jiang Ji, Wenpin, Gao Xiang and others discussed military affairs.

"Commander, Cao Cao mobilized Zhu Ling's and Zhang He's armies to contract more than [-] men, cross the Han River from the Shandu area and go south, and lead the army to Xiangyang." Gao Xiang pointed to the map and said: "Cao Cao seems to want to go south to support Jiangling. read."

"Is there anything unusual in Xiangyang?" Huo Jun asked.

"There are also soldiers and horses mobilized in Xiangyang City, and they seem to want to join forces with Generals Zhu and Zhang. Moreover, Cao Cao wants to send tens of thousands of people around Xiangyang to move north, and does not want to stay in Hannan." Gao Xiang said.

"What do you think?" Huo Jun asked.

Jiang Ji pondered for a while and said: "Since Cao Cao intends to move the Jing people north, Cao Cao no longer has the intention to aid Jiangling from the south. The two generals Zhu and Zhang are sent south now, perhaps to support Cao Ren's troops, rather than to support Jiangling. . That is to say, Cao Cao wants to abandon Jiangling and protect Xiangfan. Rumors have arisen that there will be chaos in Xuchang, and Cao Cao may return north to the Central Plains."

"Therefore, with the help of Ji, Cao Cao knew that Jiangling was undefendable and that the eight to nine hundred miles between Xiangyang and Jiangling were full of dangers. Therefore, he wanted to move the people from Jianghan to the north, and implemented a strategy of strengthening the wall and clearing the wilderness, and used Xiangyang to solidify it to stop us. The army is in Hannan. Now our army must choose a plan and do not let Cao Cao get his way."

Huo Jun pointed at the two cities of Xiangfan and asked: "In your opinion, can Xiangyang City be moved down?"

"I'm afraid we can't attack Xiangyang. The city of Xiangyang is so solid and the moat is so dangerous that there are few in the world. If the governor wants to defeat Xiangyang City, he might as well choose to defeat Fan City. Fan City is small and has no natural dangers. If Fan City is defeated, Xiangyang will be captured. However, Fan City is by Xu Huang is holding fast, Xu Huang is brave and good at fighting, and has a good military strategy, so it is difficult to capture Fancheng!" Gao Xiang said.

The Second City of Xiangfan is called the Second City, but it is actually a connected city.The two cities stand on the north and south sides of the Han River, forming horns with each other. They can advance and retreat freely, making it easy to defend but difficult to attack.Whether it is the north or the south, if you want to conquer the south or the north, Xiangyang is a city that cannot be avoided.

Huo Jun relied on his naval strength to penetrate deep into Xiangfan, but he did not dare to attack the city of Xiangfan.Based on what he saw now, and the troops deployed by Cao Cao in Xiangfan, if he wanted to break the two cities of Xiangfan, he would need at least [-] to [-] troops, or even [-] troops to fight this battle.Now it would be too difficult for him to capture the city of Xiangfan with [-] troops.

The second city of Xiangfan cannot be captured in the short term, but it does not mean that Huo Jun does not want to strive for more strategic interests and lay a solid foundation for the future capture of Xiangfan.

Huo Jun considered his words and said: "Although Xiangfan is difficult to conquer in the short term, we need to plan for the long term. Since ancient times, we have been comparing our skills and capabilities, and it is not enough to compete with China. However, we can help China worry about patients. We use Jianghan as a city and boats as a use. If you pursue it, if you don’t succeed, you will fall into the water.”

"My army of Wu and Chu is longer than boats and boats. When it enters the Han River, the Han River is cut off. Xiangyang is an isolated city. Therefore, I want to choose a dangerous place beside the Han River between Xiangyang and Xiakou for [-] miles to build a new city and control the Han River. Use water to drive back Cao's troops. If the water rises, they will enter Xiangfan, and if the water is shallow, they will retreat to the city walls. They often attack and harass, proceed step by step, and plot Xiangfan. When the time is right, raise your troops and go north to conquer Xiangfan."

Historically, Jiangling became the imperial front line, and hundreds of thousands of people in Jianghan were relocated.After Guan Yu led the governor of Xiangyang.He sent troops to the north many times, and fought with generals such as Le Jin and Wenpin in the Battle of Qingni and the Battle of Xinkou, all in order to push the front north to Xiangyang.

Guan Yu's Battle of Xiangfan was never accomplished overnight, but he fought with Cao Ren, Le Jin, Wenpin and other Cao generals for many years, slowly pushing the front forward.After defeating Cao Ren, the troops entered Xiangfan, flooded seven armies, and marched to surround Fancheng.

Thanks to the Battle of Chrysostom, Cao Cao was defeated miserably. How could Huo Jun not take advantage of the situation and use the strength of the navy to make Xiangfan the front line, thus taking the essence of Nanjun.When the time is right, we can fight against Xiangfan.

Jiang Ji nodded slightly and said: "It is not impossible to choose to build a new city at the Han River, using Jianghan as a pool, and having a powerful military force at Xiangfan. However, the Han River is seven to eight hundred miles away, so it is necessary to choose a difficult and dangerous place to build the city, and to station naval forces in it. , and the distance from Xiangfan is moderate, so that we can advance and retreat freely and block the enemy in the north." Huo Jun looked at Wenpin. Hanshui serves as the dividing line between Nanjun and Jiangxia, and Wenpin, as the prefect of Jiangxia, will share the responsibility of Jingzhou with Nanjun. responsibilities.

Wenpin came from Jiangxia to discuss building a new city with Huo Jun.Although Cao Cao was defeated, Sui County, an important place in and out of Nanyang, was still in Cao Cao's hands.He also needed a new stronghold to push the front forward, instead of using Xiakou as the front line.

Wenpin understood Huo Jun's meaning, raised his hands and said: "Pin has been stationed in Xiangfan for many years and knows the dangers of the Han River. From Xiangyang more than [-] miles away, northeast of Dangyang, upstream of Jingling, around Lankouju, looking west Jingshan faces the Han River to the east and has lakes where boats can be parked, so a city can be built against the mountain."

"If this city can be built, boats from the imperial court can reach Xiangfan, and the enemies of Xiangfan will have to pass through this city when going south. And connect Bian County and Dangyang City to the west, and look to Anlu in the east. By then, Nanjun and Jiangxia will be safe, and Xiangfan will be safe. Hopeful."

The location chosen by Wenpin was Zhongxiang City in later generations and Yingzhou in the Southern Song Dynasty.In the Southern Song Dynasty, Mongolia conquered Xiangfan, and the Yangtze River defense line was exposed to the Mongolian cavalry. Meng Gong first relied on Jiangling to defeat the Mongols, and then formulated a strategy to regain Xiangfan.

In Meng Gong's strategic plan to regain Xiangfan, Yingzhou is the core position in Xiangfan's strategy, that is, if Yingzhou must be won, he can look forward to Xiangfan, and at the same time, if he captures Jingmen (Han Dangyang), he can use surprise troops.Through the situation of advancing by land and water simultaneously, Zhengqi's troops and horses can not only conquer Xiangfan, but also resist the Mongol army's southward march.

Of course, Huo Jun had heard of Meng Gong's strategy of recovering Xiangfan in his previous life.In this world, Huo Jun relied on his understanding of Nanjun's geography and his own military strategy.It is not difficult to select a site to build a new city and build a defensive system in Jingbei.So he wrote to Wenpin and asked Wenpin to follow his orders to explore the topography of the Han River.

Huo Jun was very satisfied and said: "This new city site, I think it is feasible. Guard Dangyang and Xincheng in the north, that is, the people of Jiangling can have peace, and the wealthy land for hundreds of miles can be protected from war. The people can raise troops if they are safe. If the army is strong, Xiangfan can be restored."

After a pause, Huo Jun looked around at the crowd and said: "Wen Xiang can be responsible for the construction of this new city. The governor wrote to the chariots and riders to explain this matter and mobilize the people of Nanjun to build this city."

Xu Sheng went out to receive the order and asked: "Sheng is willing to accept the order, but what should we do if Cao's army attacks?"

Huo Jun smiled and said: "Cao's army wants to compete with our army for the people. How can he have time to ruin the construction of our new city? You can choose to build the city with peace of mind."

"promise!"

"Then Cao Jun wants to move the Jianghan people to the north of the Han River. What should we do now?" Jiang Ji asked.

Huo Jun stared at the Hannan counties such as Peizhong, Bianxian, and Dangyang on the map, and said with a smile: "Our army has the advantage of the Han River, and the boat can cross the river to cut off Xiangfan. Now Cao Jun wants to move the people, how can Jun do this? Their intention."

"That is?"

Huo Jun pressed down his hands, signaling everyone not to rush, and said: "Cao Ren withdrew from Xiangfan to the north, and generals Zhu and Zhang went south. Their troops are far superior to ours, so they should not move lightly. I sent a letter to the two generals asking for troops. Our army will sit back and watch the enemy invaders. movement."

"promise!"

(End of this chapter)