Ji Han Da Sima

Chapter 541 War of Annihilation

From morning to noon, Liu Bei led the crowd not only to inspect the military camp, but also to inspect the military formations on the school grounds.

After a lot of effort, Liu Bei was full of praise for the Jianghuai soldiers and horses, and even said to his left and right: "If the Han soldiers are all like the Huai camp, why worry about the Han Dynasty not flourishing."

Overjoyed, Liu Bei issued an edict to reward the troops. When the soldiers heard this, they all shouted "Long live your Majesty".

After getting off the carriage, Liu Bei stretched his legs and feet. Just as he was about to say something intimate, he remembered the people behind him and said, "I'm very tired from patrolling the camp today. Please step aside and rest for now."

"promise!"

Jianghuai warriors hesitated a little and retreated with everyone.

Liu Bei held his belt and sighed: "Twenty years ago, I led the army to Bowang. Zhongmiao followed the army and proposed the strategy of dividing the north and the south. I was greatly surprised, so I followed Zhongmiao's advice. I led the army down to the east of the Yangtze River and entered Jing. Chu, Ping, Bashu, and Anjioling all occupy the upper and lower parts of the Yangtze River."

"Now that I think about it, I have many feelings. Without Zhongmiao's advice, I am afraid that the great Han Dynasty would not be what it is today, and I would not have the current career."

"Your Majesty highly praises you!"

Huo Jun walked with Liu Bei and said: "At that time, your majesty entered the shallows. Even if there was no advice from Jun, there were still others to help your majesty."

Liu Bei waved his hand and said with a smile: "With the relationship between you and me, there is no need to be humble. I often say that the defeat of Cao Cao in the past and the expansion of Wu and Chu were all because of Zhongmiao. At that time, Zhongmiao was outside, Kong Ming was inside, and the two monarchs This is what God has given me, and I am no longer an emperor without the help of you!"

Because he could not clearly explain Huo Jun's secret service, Liu Bei often detailed Huo Jun's military exploits to everyone, but did not say anything about Bowang. Therefore, Zhuge Liang and Lu Su were considered to be the first people to propose the North-South strategy. But even so, Huo Jun was highly praised by all the officials because of his outstanding military exploits and his contribution to welcoming Liu Bei to Chu.

"Bo Le and you complement each other. Without Bole, there is a thousand-mile horse!" Huo Jun replied euphemistically.

Liu Bei found a secluded place to sit down and asked: "The North and the South have been at odds for many years. Last year, during the Northern Expedition, I originally wanted to follow Kong Ming's instructions and go to Guanzhong to map the Central Plains with you. However, I regret that Chang'an is blocked and the soldiers and horses are not allowed to enter. , had no choice but to return. Fortunately, Zhongmiao had two counties, and Ma Chao occupied Longyou, so Cao Pi could not take care of both the east and the west. "

"Therefore, given the situation between the north and the south, apart from Kong Ming's strategy of taking Guanxi, I wonder if Zhong Miao has any other countermeasures?"

More than ten years ago, Zhuge Liang pointed out to the Central Committee on the river that he suggested that after Liu Bei took full control of the Yangtze River, he would take Guanxi as his base, and then march eastward. Cooperate with the Xiangfan army and attack Luoyang. Jianghuai's troops acted as partial troops to conquer the Central Plains.

The reason why Zhuge Liang did not approve of the Northern Expedition from Jianghuai at that time was that he realized the decline of Jianghuai and the huge pressure from the Cao Wei army, and the difficulties of the Northern Expedition. Therefore, he suggested to use troops from the chaotic Guanxi.

With the end of the Battle of Xiangfan, Liu Bei's attack on Chang'an actually followed Zhuge Liang's grand strategy rather than blindly using troops. The failure of the attack on Guanzhong made Liu Bei rethink the Northern Expedition.

Kansai is part of a three-party struggle. If nothing happens, it may not be easy to open up the situation, and Jianghuai is one of the few theaters with military exploits. In particular, Huo Jun proposed the strategy of reviving the Jianghuai River and the northern expedition to Qingxu, which made Liu Bei reconsider the national policy of the Southern Han Dynasty and whether to continue to implement Zhuge Liang's plan on the Yangtze River.

Huo Jun sat on the top chair and said: "It is feasible to restore the Central Plains and rejuvenate the Han Dynasty. Kong Ming's strategy is to use Bashu to capture Guanxi, then leave Luoyang in the east, send troops to Luoyang, and look north to Hebei."

"If we take Jianghuai as the base, capture Qi and advance westward, combine the troops of Jianghan and Han, sweep across Henan, and then capture Hebei, it will be similar to Kongming. However, if we want to capture Guanxi, or go down to Qi and Song, we need to look at the current situation Then figure it out.”

Liu Bei frowned slightly and asked: "If you want to take Guanxi, how should you march? How should you take Qi and Song Dynasties?"

Huo Jun pondered for a long time and said: "The reason why our ancestors were able to go to Guanzhong in the past was because Guanzhong was divided into three parts and they were unable to fight together. If you want to take Guanxi now, you need to watch the Ma Chao Incident, look for opportunities to make gains from the northern expedition, and then slowly plan for it."

"Today, the main force of the Wei people is still there. If you want to go to Henan, it is as difficult as conquering the sky. Therefore, if you want to conquer the Qi and Song Dynasties, you must first defeat the rebels, severely inflict heavy losses on the elite, and capture Shouchun. The Jianghan troops leave Xuluo, and the Jianghuai troops advance into the Qi and Song Dynasties."

Liu Bei stroked his white beard and sighed: "It is not easy to take Guanxi or to conquer Qi and Song Dynasty. Based on Zhong Miao's opinion, what strategy should be taken?"

Huo Jun thought for a long time and said, "Does your Majesty know about the battle between Qin and Zhao Changping?"

"How could I not know!" Liu Bei stroked his beard and thought, and said: "In the past, Qin's army was at its peak, and no one among the six countries could compete with it except Zhao. Therefore, Qin attacked Shangdang and fought with Zhao in Changping. . Zhao used Lian Po and Zhao Kuo to occupy it, and Qin came to Bai Qi. Bai Qi defeated Zhao and defeated all Zhao soldiers. After this battle, Qin unified the six countries. "

Huo Jun nodded and said: "If your Majesty wants to revitalize the Han Dynasty, he can only find heavy troops to go out and decide the outcome with Cao Pi. If we can severely damage most of the rebel army, it will be easy to plot against Guanxi or conquer the Qi and Song Dynasties." ”

Hearing this, Liu Bei frowned slightly and said: "The thieves have brave cavalry and strong infantry. If we fight on water, our army can still win. If we fight in the field, it will not be easy to win or lose. Moreover, the thieves have been defending for many years without attacking. We will use our troops to fortify the city, and then send out troops to attack it. Without the help of mountains and rivers, we may not be able to win."

With that said, Liu Bei looked at Huo Jun and asked, "Does Zhong Miao have a detailed strategy?"

Huo Jun showed a wry smile and said: "If you want to severely damage the traitor army, you must observe the geographical advantages, observe the enemy general's strategy, and know your own strength. Only by possessing the three elements of heaven, earth and man can you severely damage the traitor army, otherwise it will not be easy!"

After a pause, Huo Jun said: "Having said that, looking at the land thousands of miles north and south, the Huaihe River benefits us but not the enemy. If you want to severely damage the rebel army, it is better to take the opportunity to go north to Shouchun and see if you can use the Huaihe River to defeat the rebel army." ”

The biggest difference between a unified and chaotic regime is that if you win a battle, the other party still has the troops to defend the country. The chaotic regime is that if you win, the other party will perish.

Historically, Jiang Wei won a great victory in Taoxi, and if it was placed in the chaotic Guanxi, that battle would sweep Longyou. But facing the unified north, Jiang Wei needed two or three battles to have a chance to conquer Longyou. However, it is already difficult for most generals to win a battle, let alone win consecutive victories.

Hearing that Huo Jun hoped to severely damage the rebel army in Huai River, and even talked about launching a war of annihilation, Liu Bei fell into deep thought.

He had straightened out Huo Jun's strategy. Huo Jun tried to fight a battle of annihilation at Huai River, and then took advantage of Cao Wei's emptiness to attack Shouchun. At that time, we will go north to Qingqi, or wait and see the situation in Kansai.

"How sure is Zhong Miao?" Liu Bei asked.

Huo Jun shook his head and said: "If our army goes on a northern expedition, we may have hope of victory, but if we want to severely injure the traitors, we may not have enough hope. If the traitors march south, it will not be difficult for our army to win. However, if we want to severely injure the traitors, we will not be able to win." It is necessary to observe the enemy's troop deployment, as well as the weather and location."

The battle of annihilation is always the most difficult battle to fight, but it is also the battle with the greatest rewards. No general dares to guarantee that the other side will be completely annihilated before both sides send troops.

Hearing this, Liu Bei took a deep breath and said: "Although I am getting older and less energetic, how can I not be willing to use force in the Northern Expedition? Now I need to put national affairs first. If I want to send troops to the Northern Expedition later, I want to start from Zhongmiao In other words, attack Shouchun again."

"Haha~"

Liu Bei patted Huo Jun on the shoulder, laughed and said: "If there is any shortage in the Jianghuai River from now on, just leave it up. In the past Zhongmiao was able to defeat Cao Cao at Jinkou, why can't he defeat the thieves at the Huai River again!"

"promise!"

The monarch and his ministers had a heart-to-heart talk. After listening to Huo Jun's grand strategy, Liu Bei was in a good mood. He got up and took Huo Jun with him.

While walking, Liu Bei thought of something and asked hesitantly: "If I unfortunately pass away, what are Zhong Miao's plans?"

Huo Jun was stunned for a moment, then came to his senses and said, "Your Majesty is full of energy~"

"No need to be polite, tell the truth!" Liu Bei interrupted.

Huo Jun bowed his hands towards Liu Bei and said: "Just like your Majesty, Jun should obey the imperial edict, assist the prince, cultivate political affairs internally, and expedition to the north of the Central Plains, and do his best to repay your majesty's favor."

Liu Bei sighed slightly and said: "Yide is crude and impetuous, and it is difficult to be of great use. If I pass away, at the age of the prince, only the king and Kong Ming can entrust him with important tasks. It is a pity that Xiaozhi died early, otherwise he could still work with the two kings."

　The governor of Yangzhou is Buzhi, I always make mistakes

　　
　
(End of this chapter)