Ji Han Da Sima

Chapter 342 Raiding grain into Sichuan
  The three generals have different difficulties in entering Shu. Zhang Fei led his army into Shu from Neijiang. The journey is short and he can break through the Three Gorges of Tuojiang River and approach Chengdu.

Guan Yu led his army to the outer water, taking Zitong, Baima, Mianzhu, Luocheng and other places, and captured almost all the core areas of Shu; Zhao Yun took the Zhongjiang River, which was the longest distance, but did not have heavy troops except Jiangyang.

Among the three generals, Guan Yu is the most difficult, while Zhao and Zhang each have their own difficulties.

Since Zhang Fei left Neijiang and arrived in Chengdu first, the land of Shu was shaken, and generals Zhao and Guan arrived successively. The three generals will meet outside Chengdu and camp thirty miles away from Chengdu.

Chengdu, Nanjun camp.

In the big tent, Guan Yu was browsing letters and stroking his beard.

"General Guan, what are your instructions in the letter?" Zhao Yun asked, sitting on the banquet.

Zhang Fei couldn't hold himself back and asked curiously: "Second brother, what did the eldest brother say in the letter?"

Guan Yu put down the letter and said with a smile: "My lord will arrive in Jiangzhou soon to take charge of the war in Yizhou."

Zhang Fei showed a smile and said with a smile: "Brother has been in Wuhan for several years, so it's time to take some action."

Zhao Yun pondered for a while and said: "Cao Cao marched south to Hanzhong, and Liu Zhang defended the city and refused to surrender. My lord came to Shu, mostly because of Cao Cao and Liu Zhang!"

"Ok!"

Guan Yu got up from the couch, stood tall in the tent, and said, "What Zilong said is quite appropriate for the time. Zhong Miao unexpectedly attacked Hannan, Han Sheng beheaded Xia Houyuan, and Cao Cao was angry and raised troops to Hanzhong. My lord entered Shu. If we come here for this reason and retreat Cao Cao's troops, then the whole territory of Yizhou will be safe."

Zhao Yun hesitated a little and said: "All the generals in the country have gone to Shu. The Jianghuai and Jianghan areas are empty, for fear of being spied by the enemy."

Guan Yu stroked his beard and said: "Zijing controls Jianghuai, Zhongye guards Jianghan, and Yuanzhi is responsible for the political affairs of Wuhan."

After a pause, Guan Yu looked at Zhang Fei with a smile on his face and said: "However, the center of Wuhan must have a general in charge. Today, Lao Yide will return to Wuhan."

"what?"

Zhang Fei turned from joy to surprise, and then dissatisfaction appeared on his face. In a short period of time, Zhang Fei's expressions were so rich that it made people laugh!
  Zhang Fei yelled and complained: "Eldest brother is so partial, how can he let me go back and not let second brother go back?"

After saying that, Zhang Fei angrily sat down on Guan Yu's main couch and said: "I have been in Shu for a long time, conquered Hanzhong in the north, and then captured Bashu. Now I am under the command of Yizhou. How can I be allowed to return to Wuhan?"

There was no room for Zhang Fei's dissatisfaction. He had been in Shu for two or three years and traveled long distances, not just to win over Shu. Now that he had achieved great things, he just missed the mark. How could he be so willing?

"Three generals, General Guan is the general who conquered Shu and should not be moved lightly. Except for General Guan, the three generals are the only ones who are friendly to the lord and are deeply favored by the lord. If the three generals do not return to Wuhan now, who in the army can return to the town?" Zhao Yun advised? .

When Zhang Fei saw Zhao Yun, it was like seeing a savior. He took Zhao Yun's hand and said, "Zilong is steady and capable, and is more suitable than me. Why don't you let Zilong return to Wuhan, and I will stay in Shu for Zilong."

Zhao Yun straightened up, coughed a few times, and said, "My lord has ordered Yun to rush to Jiangzhou and follow him north to Hanzhong. I'm afraid Yun can't do anything to meet the needs of the three generals."

"Military advisor, are you going back for me?"

Zhang Fei casually pointed at Pang Tong and said.

Pang Tong smiled lightly and said: "General Tong and General Zilong will help Hanzhong from the north!"

Hearing this, Zhang Fei became angry and said: "Second brother attacked Chengdu, Zilong aided Hanzhong, all of you have merit, but I am the only one who has to go back to Wuhan. This is too unfair!"

"Haha~"

When everyone saw Zhang Fei being playful, they either covered their mouths and laughed, or secretly suppressed laughter, with different expressions!

Guan Yu pretended to be displeased and said: "Go back to Wuhan. This lord has entrusted you with an important task. No one can control Wuhan except you."

"Ugh!"

Seeing that things had come to this, Zhang Fei looked resentful and said, "Eldest brother must think that I am easy to dispatch, so he ordered me to return to Chu."

"Ha ha!"

Guan Yu smiled and patted Zhang Fei on the shoulder, then whispered in Zhang Fei's ear.

After Zhang Fei heard the content, his resentful expression disappeared, and turned into a happy expression, and said: "Since it is my brother's order, how can I not reply!"

After saying that, Zhang Fei laughed a few times and said goodbye: "There is a military emergency. Fei will rectify the sergeants under his tent and return to Chu by boat immediately."

Seeing the huge contrast between Zhang Fei and Zhang Fei, everyone was secretly surprised.

Zhao Yun approached Guan Yu and asked, "General Guan, why is Yide so happy to return to Chu?"

Guan Yu stroked his beard and said with a smile: "When I return to Chu this time, my lord will worship Yide as the general of Zhennan. And my lord has left several jars of fine wine in Wuhan, so you can drink as much as you want when you return to Chu."

Now the four generals under Liu Bei's account are gathered, namely Huo Jun, the general to the north, Guan Yu, the general to the east, Zhang Lu, the general to the west, and Zhang Fei, the general to the south.

Among the general positions in the Han Dynasty, except for the generals of the four directions (such as the former generals), the four towns and four expeditions are the same as the generals such as Fubo and Dangkou, and they are all generals with miscellaneous names.

However, as wars broke out frequently in the late Han Dynasty, local princes separated themselves and the title of general became common. It is inconvenient to award generals with heavy titles, so generals with miscellaneous titles are hierarchical in order to reward everyone.

When Liu Bei took over Wu Chu, the number of generals under his command increased. In order to appease the generals and clarify the generals' superiority, it was naturally necessary to hierarchize the generals.

Unlike Cao Cao, the Four Expeditions were greater than the Four Towns. Liu Bei, because he had served as the General of Zhendong, elevated the Four Towns above the Four Expeditions and below the Four Directions Generals.

Zhao Yun looked at Zhang Fei's back and said with a smile: "Since General Yide entered Shu, he has conquered all the battles and made outstanding achievements. I can pay tribute to General Zhennan for his merits!" As for Zhang Fei's promotion to the Four Towns General, what do you think of Zhao Yun? Envy?

Zhao Yun couldn't say how envious he was. He has a different positioning from Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. He does not belong to the foreign army, but directly belongs to the Chinese army.

The control center of the Chinese Army is under the direct control of Liu Bei, so it is naturally impossible for senior officials to lead the Chinese Army, otherwise it will easily cause internal and external imbalances. It is the characteristic of central officials to use low-level officials to hold high power.

Guan Yu looked at Zhao Yun and said: "My lord is in danger, it is up to Zilong to protect him!"

Zhao Yun's face was slightly straightened and he said: "General Guan, please rest assured, my lord will be protected by Yun."

After a pause, Zhao Yun asked: "Cao Cao is going south to Hanzhong. I wonder who the general wants to send to lead his troops to support Hanzhong?"

Guan Yu pondered for a while and said: "Previously, I sent Feng Xi to lead five thousand troops to support, and now I can send more troops to help with the war in Hanzhong."

"Where is Ziming?"

"The general is here!" Lu Meng responded as he came out of the queue.

"Ziming had previously said that he could send troops from Jinniu Road to attack Cao's army's food road, but is this true?" Guan Yu asked.

Lu Meng nodded and said: "Cao Cao was trapped by the heavy supply of food and supplies, so he had no choice but to send Xia Houyuan, Cao Hong, and Ma Chao's troops into Hanzhong. Now that angry troops are coming to Hanzhong, there will be more troops and horses, and his logistics will be tight. Therefore, Meng thought that he could send troops to Jinniu Road. , harassing Cao Cao’s food route.”

Guan Yu led his army to capture Baishui Pass, and all three roads from Yizhou to Hanzhong were controlled by Liu Bei. Jinniu Road and Qishan Road are interconnected. Troops sent from Jinniu Road can indeed attack Cao's army's food road.

Guan Yu stroked his beard and smiled lightly, and said: "It's rare that Zhongmiao asks for help. Now I can lead the army to help."

"Where is Lu Meng?"

"exist!"

"I ordered you to lead five thousand soldiers and horses out of Jinniu Road to attack Cao's army's food road."

"No!" Lu Meng responded.

"All generals listen to the order. If there is a military order from the Lord, the rest will follow Yu and march ten miles to camp. If Liu Zhang dares to leave the city, he will follow him to break it."

"I will obey the general's order!" everyone responded.
-
  Liu Bei Shuo went up the river and arrived at Jiangzhou first. Under the welcome of Zhuge Liang and Yizhou civil and military forces, Liu Bei entered Jiangzhou.

In the lobby, Liu Bei affirmed the work of Yizhou's civil and military forces, praised everyone's spirit of hard work, and hoped that they would continue to contribute to the revival of the Han Dynasty.

After the speech, Liu Bei hosted a banquet for Yizhou civil and military officials, which made everyone happy.

After the banquet, all the officials retired. Only Zhuge Liang stayed and faced Liu Bei alone.

Zhuge Liang's face turned slightly red and he said: "It is better for my lord to stay in Shu for one day than to care for the officials for thirty days."

Although Zhuge Liang can soothe people's hearts, he is still not as good as Liu Bei. Of course, this is inevitable, after all, Zhuge Liang can never represent Liu Bei as the factional monarch.

Liu Bei poured tea for Zhuge Liang and said with a smile: "The war is divided into two parts, thanks to Kong Ming's hard work in the middle!"

Zhuge Liang was very frightened and said. "Don't dare to be greedy for credit when doing your job!"

"Drink!"

Liu Bei signaled to Zhuge Liang to be polite and said, "How is the war in Hanzhong going today?"

Zhuge Liang held the tea cup and said: "My lord, it has been one month since Zhongmiao relieved the siege of Mianyang. Calculating the distance traveled, Cao Cao has arrived in Hanzhong."

"Zhang Lu sent [-] men into Hanzhong. General Guan sent Feng Xi to lead [-] troops to help them. Later, he ordered Lu Meng to lead [-] men out of the Jinniu Road to attack Cao's army's food road. The above troops and the [-] people in Hanzhong were And with Huo Du in charge, Cao Cao can hardly reach Hanzhong, and may withdraw soon!"

"kindness?"

Liu Bei stroked his sparse beard and said: "Xia Houyuan died in battle, and Cao Cao sent troops to march south. How can he easily withdraw his troops now?"

Zhuge Liang stroked his feather fan gently and said with a smile: "Cao Cao raised his army out of anger. Now that he sees reinforcements from Hanzhong and abundant food and grass, he must be sad."

As he spoke, Zhuge Liang added: "Cao Cao mobilized his troops and campaigned for years. Although China is big, the people are tired. Guanxi has always been in decline. Cao Cao first fought against Ma Chao and then took Longyou. How can food and grass be used? Now Cao Cao has increased his troops in Hanzhong and has heavy supplies. Lack of abundance is actually the path to defeat.”

Now that the situation is gradually becoming clearer, both sides have begun to fight for logistics. Guanzhong, which Cao Cao relied on, could not support such a large-scale regular army, so the army's food and fodder could only be deployed from the Central Plains. But how easy is it to deploy from the Central Plains?
  Liu Bei pondered for a while and then said: "I heard from my servant that Hanzhong is thousands of miles away from Jiangzhou. The mountain roads are rugged and the passage is difficult. In Kong Ming's opinion, should I go to Hanzhong?"

Zhuge Liang said: "Although the road to Shu is difficult and dangerous, if my lord wants to achieve great achievements and gain fame, he should go to Hanzhong. When Cao Cao heard about it, he did not expect that in more than ten days, he would definitely retreat!"

Liu Bei looked puzzled and said: "Although Cao Cao regards Gu as his enemy, how can he retreat when he sees Gu?"

Zhuge Liang stroked his feather fan gently and said with a smile: "Cao Cao's soldiers must be worried about food and grass. If he sees the lord appear in Hanzhong, Cao Cao knows the determination of our southerners, and he should retreat knowing the difficulty!"

After a pause, Zhuge Liang cupped his hands with his fan and said: "My lord went north to Hanzhong to force Cao Cao to retreat. At that time, with the reputation of retreating Cao Cao, when he reached Chengdu in the south, Liu Zhang became discouraged and Yizhou surrendered. Everyone in the south respected me, and my lord became the overlord." !”

Liu Bei nodded slightly and said with a smile: "In that case, I will meet Kong Ming again in Chengdu."

"promise!"

(End of this chapter)