Ji Han Da Sima

Chapter 507: Soldiers march to Chang'an
In April of the third year of Zhangwu.

In addition to the sudden change in Guanlong, there was also a rebellion in Xuhuai. Because Xu Zhi did not manage the county well, Cai Fang, a soldier from Licheng County, killed Xu Zhi and elected Tang Zi as the leader. Tang Zi knew that the situation was critical, so he sent people to Huo Jun for help.

As news of the rebellion in Licheng County spread, Licheng County, located on the border of Han and Wei Dynasties, was like the eye of a storm, and all regions in the north and south were involved.

When Huo Jun saw the envoys, he represented Tang Zi as the governor of the East China Sea and sent generals Gao Xiang and Chen Yue to march northward with eight thousand soldiers and horses.

Zang Ba, the governor of Xuzhou in Wei, led his troops to supervise the attack; Lu Qian, the governor of Qingzhou, gathered troops in Qingzhou to prepare for war. Since Cao Xiu had insufficient troops, he sent envoys to ask Cao Pi for troops and sent scouts to investigate Huo Jun's troop movements.

While Guanlong and Xuhuai were in turmoil, changes also occurred in Nanyang.

Since Liu Bei sent troops in mid-to-late March, he led his troops and horses to station in Huinan. In April, Cao Pi led his army southward, and his sergeants camped in Huibei, confronting Liu Bei across the Huishui River.

For half a month, Liu Bei and Cao Pi sent each other's sergeants to cross the river to test the situation. They suffered casualties on each other, and it was difficult to tell the winner. At this point, the Han and Wei armies fell into a period of confrontation.

However, at this moment, Lu Xun's letter was sent from Hanzhong, and Liu Bei finally took action.

It's night, the twilight atmosphere is hazy, and the moonlight is dim.

"The general is here!" Lu Meng stepped forward and responded.

Although Wenpin was not Liu Bei's original disciple, after more than ten years of testing, Liu Bei was convinced of Wenpin. Moreover, Wenpin's excellent army commanding ability was enough for Liu Bei to trust Wenpin with key food routes and escape routes.

Liu Bei held a riding crop in his hand, his back slightly sunken due to years of fighting, and his weather-beaten temples turned white. His figure was continuously lengthened and shortened under the illumination of the torches on the roadside.

"However, the elite soldiers left their nests and traveled thousands of miles deep into Wuguan. The food road was the most important thing. Now the food goes up from the Han River and turns to Danshui. The food road is thousands of miles long. When it reaches the pass, it is in danger of being cut off. Today is To ensure the safety of our retreat, I have thought carefully about my options, but you have a stable temperament and can be entrusted with important matters."

At the south gate of the Han military camp, 30,000 elite Han troops lined up in several rows, stretching for several miles, and filed out under sparse firelight. This force was commanded by Liu Bei. They headed northwest, preparing to enter Wuguan and march towards Guanzhong.

With his hands behind his back, Liu Bei said in a heavy tone: "Currently, Xiaguanlong is empty, Cao Zhen's troops are restrained by Ma Chao and Lu Xun, and Wuguan is close to Chang'an. Now I want to follow the advice of Lord Ling, raise my troops to attack and use force, and go out to Shangluo , Arrive at Lantian and defeat the enemy in one battle, then you can march into Chang'an and revive the old capital."

Compared with the tone of conversation between Wen and Lu, Liu Bei's attitude towards Zhao Yun was more cordial.

"Zi Long!"

"Where is Ziming?"

Liu Bei led the generals to pace under the dim firelight, with Zhao Yun, Wenpin and Lu Meng beside him listening intently.

"Your Majesty, please give me your orders. We will do our best to protect the army's food route." Zhao Yun took the lead and said with cupped hands.

Liu Bei patted Lu Meng on the shoulder and said: "When Yun Chang was alive, many people recommended Ziming to me. Now that I am leaving for Guanzhong, Xiangfan must be guarded by Ziming. He will lead 20,000 troops to protect Xiangfan to Gucheng."

"good!"

Zhao Yun's tall and straight figure lowered his waist slightly, cupped his hands and said: "Yun takes orders!"

As Liu Bei's right-hand man in charge of the army, Zhao Yun did not send out a single general at an unusual time. Now Liu Bei is preparing to take the Wuguan Road to attack Guanzhong, so he can only hand over the task of maneuvering to Zhao Yun. It's not that others cannot be trusted, but that others are not worthy of Liu Bei's trust.

"exist!"

"Cao Pi has been lured to Nanyang by our army. Most of the rebel army is in Jingbei, not Guanlong. Moreover, Ma Mengqi and Lu Boyan have raised troops from Wudu and Hanzhong, and divided them into Chencang and Tangluo routes to send troops to Guanzhong. ”

"Meng will definitely live up to your majesty's expectations!" Lu Meng responded.

"Zhongye guards the Dan River, and Ziming guards the Han River. You can lead thousands of people on foot and cavalry as a maneuver, patrol the grain roads, and serve as rear troops to prevent losses."

Liu Bei stopped and said: "Zhongye has a calm temperament. Since I entered Wuguan, Zhongye has commanded 30,000 troops and horses to guard the rivers around Wuguan from Nanxiang, stationed in various cities, and escorted the army with supplies. We must not be robbed. Get food and grass."

Wenpin bowed and cupped his hands, and replied: "I will obey your Majesty's military orders!"

"good!"

Looking at the three people, Liu Bei put his hand on his belt and said with a heroic smile: "If I can go to Guanzhong, I will have a banquet with you in Chang'an."

"I wish your Majesty success!"

As he was speaking, the attendant came to Liu Bei's side and whispered a few words, causing Liu Bei's face to change slightly.

After chatting with everyone for a few words, Liu Bei hurried to Fa Zheng's tent.

Liu Bei, who was wearing armor, opened the curtain and saw Fazheng asking his attendants to pack his luggage. He helped Fazheng, who was about to salute, and said with concern: "Xiaozhi suddenly fell ill and is ill. It is not suitable to go on an expedition with the army. Why not stay here now?" I live in Xiangfan to rest my body."

Fazheng is not young, he is in his forties, and he often suffers from minor health problems. During this expedition, the old illness suddenly recurred and became worse day by day. Liu Bei was worried about Fa Zheng's health and wanted to stay in the rear to recuperate.

Fazheng's face turned sallow, and he braced himself and said: "Chang'an is not an easy route. The Wuguan Road is thousands of miles long. Your Majesty will lead his troops westward, and the bandit soldiers must be well prepared. If we encounter a powerful enemy, I am afraid that your Majesty will not be able to break it. If the road is like a road, It's so dangerous that the army can't advance or retreat. Your Majesty will be defeated by thieves." Seeing that Fazheng couldn't understand his good intentions, he even said that his trip would be defeated. Liu Bei was a little embarrassed and said in a low voice: "Is it possible that I don't know how to fight?"

Fazheng was not used to Liu Bei and said bluntly: "Your Majesty will conquer the world with tens of thousands of people, and few people can match it. However, if you want to lead a large army, your Majesty will not have enough strategy. The reason why Zheng followed the army was that he thought he had a strategy, even if he could not make it happen." Even if we rush to capture Chang'an, Your Majesty will be able to escape unscathed."

"The Wuguan Road is thousands of miles long. In the past, the Chu troops reached Lantian and descended to Xianyang, but they withdrew due to defeat. Why do you think your majesty can descend to Chang'an so close now?"

Liu Bei sighed in silence. If anyone else said it so bluntly, he would be angry and unhappy. However, Fazheng said this, but he had nothing to say.

After a long sigh, Liu Bei said: "The reason why I don't want you to join the expedition is because I am worried about Xiaozhi's health. Xiaozhi has grown old and has been suffering from minor illnesses. Now that he is suddenly ill, how can I bear to strain you?"

Fa Zheng looked moved and said sincerely: "I am running around in troubled times, living under Liu Jiyu, like a pearl cast in the dark, unable to find out the master. Fortunately, Your Majesty recognized the talent, trusted him as his confidant, and promised to follow the army's plans. In and out, there is no need to worry about it." There is a difference between a king and his ministers, and it is difficult to repay the kindness of the king if he is not dead."

"Ma Mengqi gave up his father and gave up his son. He did all kinds of evil and was a villain. Lu Boyan has some skills in military affairs, but he has a Confucian spirit and does not have extraordinary courage. Therefore, the attack on Chang'an is not a favorable situation. In addition, His Majesty leads If the army goes deep, the fortune and misfortune will be unpredictable. If you don't follow the plan, your illness will be healed, but life will feel like death; if you do, death will feel like life."

Liu Bei looked moved. He held Fazheng's hand tightly and said, "I only hate that I was ignorant in my early years and unemployed in my middle age. I couldn't meet filial piety so early. If I could have filial piety early, the world might have been in my hands."

"His Majesty!"

That night, Fa Zheng was carried by a carriage and accompanied by an army. Liu Bei led Huang Quan, Liu Feng, Tai Shiheng, Fu Wei, Feng Xi and other thirty thousand elite cavalry to Wuguan, preparing to join Wu Yi who was stationed at Wuguan.

The next day, Zhao Yun and Wenpin followed the arrangement and deceived the Wei army who was encamped in Juibei.

At dawn the next day, after Liu Bei had left without any pursuers, Zhao Yun, Wenpin, Lu Meng and other generals took boats to retreat at night. Before dawn, the Han army's massive withdrawal traces were discovered by the Wei army, and they were quickly reported to Cao Pi.

Inside the tent, Cao Pi looked gloomy, but also felt at a loss for Liu Bei's troops to withdraw.

Cao Pi looked around at the crowd and asked, "Liu Bei's army is now escaping in a boat. Can you gain anything?"

Before Cao Pi had finished speaking, Liu Ye immediately stepped out of the queue and said in an anxious tone: "Your Majesty, Liu Bei's troops have been separated, either because they are far away, or because they are moving into Guanlong. Now Ma Chao has rebelled in Wudu, and Lu Xun has sent troops to Hanzhong. Liu Bei If we march quickly from Wuguan, we can join the two men in Guanzhong. At that time, the three armies will attack Guanzhong, and it will be difficult for the troops in Guanzhong to resist them!"

"Transfer to Wuguan?"

Cao Pi frowned and said, "Isn't Liu Bei afraid that our army will cut off his food routes?"

"Don't be afraid!"

Seeing that Cao Pi hadn't reacted yet, Liu Ye said carefully: "The source of Danshui comes from Shangluo, Shunshang County, passes through Wuguan, passes through Nanxiang, and enters the Han River. In the past, the river dried up, making it inconvenient for boats and boats to transport grain. It is early summer now, and the river water If it rises, it will be beneficial for boating and transporting grain.”

As he spoke, Liu Ye almost jumped up in anxiety and said: "Liu Bei's previous attack on Wuguan was actually for this purpose. The purpose of Liu Bei's Northern Expedition is not Wancheng, but Guanzhong. Your Majesty should quickly send reinforcements to Guanzhong. Garrison the army in Lantian to prevent Liu Bei from entering Guanzhong."

After what Liu Ye said, Cao Pi finally came to his senses and his expression changed drastically.

The reason why Liu Bei did not attack Guanzhong directly was because he was worried that if Luoyang had too many soldiers, he would be blocked in Lantian.

Now Liu Bei adopted Fazheng's strategy of seducing the east and attacking the west and sent troops to Wancheng. In fact, after transferring the Luoyang Central Army to Nanyang, Liu Bei directly took Wuguan and entered Guanzhong.

Liu Bei's army did not need to take a detour. The Han army entered Guanzhong via Wuguan. The journey was about a thousand miles.

Cao Pi was deceived by Liu Bei to go to Nanyang. When he learned that Liu Bei was sending troops to Guanzhong and sent a large army for support, he decided to take a detour. If Cao Jun wants to go to Guanzhong, he will have to send reinforcements to Ye County first, go north to Fucheng, to Luoyang, and then go to Hangu Pass, and then enter Guanzhong from Tongguan, making a large circle. The distance is more than two thousand miles, twice as long as Yu Liu Bei.

Liu Bei can use the extra time to break through the passes on the Wuguan Road. Anyone who can defeat the main force of the Wei army in Lantian can cross the Ba River and take Chang'an. In other words, if Liu Bei attacks quickly, he can even capture Chang'an and blockade Tongguan before Cao Pi's army arrives. Tongguan was captured, and Cao Wei was afraid that it would be difficult to defeat the Han army and retake Guanzhong.

Cao Pi looked flustered and cursed: "Lao Geguo is cunning, what should I do now?"

"Cao Zidan has many plans. He has ordered Guo Huai and Fei Yao to guard the cities in the Shang region. Although his troops are few, they are enough to delay Liu Bei's troops."

Liu Ye seemed to have been stepped on, so he told Cao Pi the method without asking, and said: "Before leaving the capital, your Majesty ordered Sima Yi and Sun Quan to supervise five thousand troops each. Now your Majesty orders Sima Yi to lead ten thousand troops to Chang'an." He rushed to Lantian and asked him to take charge of the military. "

"Your Majesty has ordered the general on the right to lead an army of 20,000 light cavalry to Chang'an in order to reinforce the troops. Now that Liu Bei has left Jingbei for Chang'an, his food routes will inevitably be poorly prepared. Your Majesty can order the general on the left to lead troops to the new wilderness and raid his food routes. . And your Majesty can lead his troops to attack Wuguan to see if he can break through the attack."

Seeing that Liu Ye had arranged things properly, Cao Pi eased his anxiety slightly and said, "Let's follow Liu Shizhong's words!"

"promise!"

After a while, the servant came to report and said: "Your Majesty, the soldiers in Licheng rebelled and killed the prefect Xu Zhi. Now Zang Xuzhou and Lu Qingzhou have divided their troops to attack. However, Cao Zhennan is afraid that Huo Jun will take the opportunity to go north. Now he asks for the help of soldiers and horses. He sends troops to ward off thieves."

"allow!"

At this moment, Cao Pi was no longer as proud as he was before sending out troops. Instead, he was very nervous due to the chaotic situation. His head was covered with sweat. He wiped it with a towel. Without asking further, he directly replied: "Send troops quickly for reinforcements!"

(End of this chapter)