Ji Han Da Sima

Chapter 345 Going out of customs to get food
  Dingjun Mountain, the camp of the Southern Army.

On the watchtower, Liu Bei put his sword on the hilt, pointed at Cao Cao's army on the other side of the river, and said: "Cao Cao is holding Yangping Pass and confronting our army. Although our army can rely on danger to defend, waiting for Cao Cao to retreat is not the best strategy. "

"I wonder if Zhongmiao has the wisdom to ask Cao Cao to withdraw his troops quickly so that he can surrender to Liu Zhang and take all of Yizhou. Otherwise, the situation in Yizhou may cause changes in the long term, which will be detrimental to our army."

Huo Jun put his hand on the wooden railing and said, "Bo Yan and I have had many discussions. Cao Cao is good at using troops and the fortresses are well-organized, so there is no chance of victory. Now if we want to make Cao Cao retreat quickly, we may start with food and grass. Jun has ordered people Contact Lu Meng and see if you can get any news."

"good!"

Liu Bei nodded slightly and said: "In this case, we should send more manpower. The war is protracted and the east and west are fighting hard. The soldiers and civilians are tired, so it is best to rest and recuperate."

"No!" Huo Jun said.

Liu Bei looked at the mountains and rivers of northern Han Dynasty and said with emotion: "Hanzhong is bordered by the Qinling Mountains in the north and Bashan Mountain in the south. It is located above Jingxiang and shelters Bashu. I came here alone and deeply felt the difficulty of the road to Shu. Boyan was far away from the center and stuck to Hanzhong. Not easy."

Huo Jun agreed quite a bit and said: "According to the countermeasures proposed by Kong Ming, my lord will use the four southern states as the base and send out troops in three routes, leaving Jianghuai in the east, Wanluo in the middle, Bashu in the west, and planning for the Central Plains. Those from Bashu who want to communicate with Jingchu, In addition to the rivers, we can only follow the Han River and pass through the three eastern counties. The two armies respond to each other, so Hanzhong should be the most important."

Whether it is the contemporary Jiangshang pair or the historical Longzhong pair, Huo Jun has studied many of them.

Just like the Longzhong Dynasty in history, Zhuge Liang proposed to use Jing and Yi as the foundation and conduct a two-pronged northern expedition to capture the Central Plains. But in fact, the territory of the Shu Han Dynasty at its peak failed to achieve Zhuge Liang's strategic goal of fully occupying Jing and Yi.

For example, in the Jingzhou part of Zhuge Liang's plan, Liu Bei took all four counties of Jingzhou and borrowed Nan County. Looking at the strategic key points in Jingzhou, such as Xiakou and Xiangyang, they were either captured by Soochow or Cao Wei.

The Jingzhou they obtained was castrated, and the Shu Han lost Jingzhou due to strategic mistakes in Jingzhou. This doomed Zhuge Liang and Long Zhong to go bankrupt.

After Liu Bei's death, Zhuge Liang changed his strategy and chose to use Shu to plot against Long, occupy Shu and Long to resist Cao Wei; and then use Long You to dominate Guanzhong. However, Ma Su's misuse caused Zhuge Liang's Tulong strategy to fail.

In Huo Jun's view, the failure of Zhuge Liang's first expedition made Cao Wei aware of his strategy of "occupying Shulong", which could actually declare the failure of Zhuge Liang's Northern Expedition in advance. The next few times, it was more of a reluctance.

However, whether it is Jiangshang Dui or Longzhong Dui, Hanzhong is no less important to Liu Bei's regime than Hefei, perhaps more important than Hefei.

If Cao Cao blocks Hanzhong, he will block Bashu's northward movement; if he blocks Hefei, he will block Wuyue's northward movement; if he sticks to Xiangfan, he will block Jingchu's northward movement.

Liu Bei pondered for a while and said: "Bo Yan is outstanding in military skills. After this war, he wanted to make Boyan the governor of Hanzhong and take charge of the military in Hanzhong. Why did Zhongmiao do that?"

Huo Jun held the hilt of the sword and said with a smile: "My lord knows people well, and Boyan is my lord's son-in-law. If I don't hand over this place to Boyan, who can do it?"

Hanzhong can be regarded as an independent geographical unit. Liu Bei would definitely not feel at ease if his trusted generals were not in charge. It was very appropriate to choose Lu Xun to go out of town.

After all, Liu Bei was not like him in history. He was short of civil and military resources, so he had no choice but to choose his confidant Wei Yan as the prefect of Hanzhong. There are too many people leading one side now, and Lu Meng is only on the same level as Shi Ran.

After a pause, Huo Jun said: "Ran Jun thinks that after winning this battle, Yizhou should be divided as the top priority. Yizhou is far away from Wu and Chu. It is located on the upper reaches of the river and is surrounded by mountains. It is easy for bandits to take over. Hanba should be regarded as a state. , so that the Shu land will be free of obstacles; and the Shu land and Nanzhong will be one state, so that it can govern the people with peace of mind."

A complete Yizhou is prone to separatist forces. In order to better rule Yizhou, Huo Jun suggested splitting Yizhou, stripping off the external barriers of Sanba and Hanzhong to Shu, and establishing separate states to make Shu safe. Shou.

"Split Yizhou?"

Liu Bei never thought that Huo Jun would be involved in this, so he thought about it for a long time.

After a while, Liu Bei stroked his beard and said: "Zhongmiao's words are very reasonable. There is no danger to defend the division of Bashu and Shu, and avoid evil people from taking over. However, the specific matter needs to be finalized after discussing with Kong Ming after this battle. .”

"promise!"

"Lord!"

"Hodo!"

Before he finished speaking, Lu Xun took the battle report and climbed to the watchtower.

Huo Jun stretched out his hand to pull Lu Xun and asked, "Is there an urgent military situation?"

"Exactly!"

Lu Xun nodded and said: "My lord, there is a letter from Lu Meng. Outside Yangping Pass, he discovered in the Han River that Cao Jun's grain and grass were flowing down the Han River, and they were hoarding tens of thousands of stones in Tiantai Mountain. Now Cao Cao is sending Ma Chao to lead the troops. The cavalry responds, but his troops are few, so he asks for assistance.”

Hearing this, Huo Jun smiled and said, "My lord, if you want to retreat from Cao Cao quickly, you may start from now on."

Zhong Miao wants to cut off the grain? "

Liu Bei browsed the letter and said: "Ma Chao is brave and has a reputation in Guanxi. He is a disciple of Ting and Peng. I am afraid it will be difficult to cut off the grain and grass now."

Huo Jun looked at Zhao Yun and said with a smile: "Although Ma Chao is famous in Guanxi, he is brave but has no strategy. If the Lord wants to take the food from the Han River, he may let Zilong and Han Sheng lead the elite cavalry out of the pass to meet Lu Meng. Let’s join together to get Cao’s army’s food and supplies.”

"General Zhao has a stable temperament and outstanding military skills; General Huang is old and strong and has been fighting for many years; General Lu is brave and resourceful and can take on big responsibilities. It may be feasible for these three to join forces and harvest the food from the Han River." Lu Xun agreed.

Liu Bei looked at Zhao Yun and said with a smile: "I wonder if Zilong would like to lead Han Sheng out of the pass and join Ziming to attack and burn the food and supplies?"

Zhao Yun's face was slightly straightened and he said: "Yun is willing to accept the order!"    "Good!"

Liu Bei ordered: "In this case, the two generals Han Sheng and Zi Ming, the commanders of Zilong, will lead five thousand elite infantry and cavalry out of the pass tonight. Cao Cao must not be aware of it and look for opportunities to burn the grain and baggage. If the enemy is heavily guarded, it will be difficult to burn the enemy's grain." , you can withdraw your troops and return to camp."

"promise!"

Zhao Yun took the order and went to the state, slowly went down the stairs, met with Huang Zhong, gathered his troops and horses, and discussed the matter of getting food.
-
  The next day, when the sky was dim, Zhao and Huang led [-] elite cavalrymen from the Baishui Road to the Jinniu Road.

The White Water Road is not a single trail, but a combination of many trails. Starting from this road in Dingjun Mountain, you can detour to Yangpingguan and then lead to Jinniu Road. After Huo Jun occupied Hannan, the Baishui Road was controlled by the Southern Army.

Passing through the mountain trails, the sergeants lined up in three or four lines, the queue stretched for two or three miles, and the flags were flying in the wind.

Zhao Yun drove the war horses and said with a smile: "The old general crossed Xiong Mountain, marched down three counties, and then followed Huo Du to attack Hannan and kill Xia Houyuan. I'm afraid it will be too tiring. Now it's better to hold the battle for Yun and let Ziming and I get food. , you will hold on to the camp."

Huang Zhong had a smile on his face. Seeing that Zhao Yun wanted to compete with him, he quickly shook his head and said, "I don't think it's hard work! How can it be hard work when you serve the lord?"

As he spoke, Huang Zhong said with awe and justice: "General Zilong is the main general and should not be moved lightly. I will go to the battle while Zilong will guard the stronghold."

Although Huang Zhong was the general who conquered the south, he was still under Zhao Yun's control. The core lies in the fact that Zhao Yun, as a general of the Chinese army, has flexible official positions and great maneuverability.

And although the generals of the Four Expeditions seem to be higher than other generals, this is not [-]% true. After all, Liu Bei is the boss, and what he says matters.

"Ma Chao is brave and brave. My lord and Huo Du have told you to go to battle and the old general will be in charge." Zhao Yun coaxed.

"Zhongwei has never heard of this order from my lord!"

Huang Zhong waved his hand and said: "Although General Zilong is the main general, he has just arrived in Hanzhong and does not know the terrain of the Han River. How can he go to war? Now the burning of food should be the top priority. Someone who is familiar with the situation of the Han River can Go with General Ziming."

Seeing that Huang Zhong's words were reasonable, Zhao Yun did not insist on it and said, "In this case, after our army joins Ziming, the old general will follow him to burn food."

"Thank you Zilong!"

Huang Zhong chuckled a few times and thanked him with his hands in hand.

As the horse drove forward, Huang Zhong's smile became even brighter. In the past few years, he has continuously won military exploits under Huo Jun.

First, he followed Hefei and killed Li Dian. He accompanied Hanzhong and surrendered three counties; he attacked Hannan and killed Xiahou Yuan. Now I am ordered to burn grain again. If it succeeds, it will be a new achievement.

Under the guidance of Lü Meng's scouts, Zhao Yun and Huang Zhong successfully rendezvoused with Lü Meng.

"I've met General Zhao and General Huang!"

Lü Meng led a hundred cavalrymen on the mountain road, greeted the two men, raised his hands and said.

Zhao Yun got off his horse, helped Lu Meng up and said, "I'm wearing armor, so there's no need to be polite!"

Zhao Yun moved forward with his sword and asked: "Ziming, my lord ordered us to find an opportunity to burn Cao's army's food supplies. How is the situation now?"

Lu Meng pondered for a while and then said: "The grain and grass of Cao's army flowed down the Han River and were hoarded on the rooftop in the north of Han Dynasty. Ma Chao led his troops to take charge. Most of the infantry, cavalry and horses were brave Qiang soldiers. If you want to burn grain, you should use some means to confuse Ma Chao. .”

"Ok?"

Zhao Yun slightly straightened his expression and said, "Please explain in detail!"

Lu Meng stroked his beard and said: "Meng has been stationed in Hannan for a long time. Ma Chao knows my whereabouts. Tomorrow morning, he can let me go and burn food first. When Ma Chao sees him, he will send troops to drive them away. I will fight with them and pretend to be defeated. I will leave .”

"At this time, the enemy camp thinks that our army's burning of food is ineffective, so they will relax. At that time, General Zhao or General Huang can take advantage of the situation to burn the enemy's food. Even if it is difficult to achieve full success, it can still cause Cao's army to lose a lot of food and grass, and we can Return to the lord."

"This plan is wonderful!"

Huang Zhong came to the middle of the two people and said with a smile: "Tonight we will build pontoons at various places on the Han River and we will cross the Han River tomorrow. General Ziming went to lure the enemy first and let Ma Chao take the opportunity to leave the camp. Zhong led the soldiers to attack the camp and took the opportunity to burn it. Food and grass. General Zilong led his troops to guard the camp, thinking that he would support you and me."

"What do you think, General Zilong?" Lu Meng asked.

"good!"

Zhao Yun thought for a while and said: "This trip is feasible, but I'm afraid the horse is super brave and you are in danger."

Lu Meng cupped his hands and said, "General, please rest assured, Meng has a perfect plan."

Seeing that Lu Meng had a plan to protect him, Zhao Yun said: "In this case, as of noon tomorrow, if the two generals return at the right time, Yun will hold his troops and not move; if the two generals fail to return at the right time, Yun will lead the troops to support him!"

"promise!"

　My favorite Yunmei!
  　　
  　
  (End of this chapter)