Ji Han Grand Commander

Chapter 557. Choose One of Three
After Feng Xi talked with Hu Zhi for a while and learned about the situation in Luoyang, he had Hu Zhi taken back to the rear to "recuperate".

Just like the generals of Eastern Wu back then, after Cao Wei was destroyed, they had devoted their lives to the cause, so it was natural for these people to join the Han army.

"Cao Li...has really lost his mind."

Feng Xi sighed after Hu Zhi left. Cao Li, who had no reputation in the original timeline, became the second emperor of Cao Wei in reality and the third emperor in name under his interference. The changes he brought about were not small.

"General, this is a very good idea. I also learned about Xiahou Mao when I was analyzing the intelligence of Wei."

Ma Su next to him responded.

"Xiahou Mao... Is this person the nephew of Xiahou Dun or Xiahou Yuan?"

Bao Yi naturally had never heard of the unknown name Xiahou Mao, but now that he could become the governor of Henan and command a large army, he must be a relative of Cao Wei.

"General Bao is right. This man is Xiahou Dun's second son. His eldest son, Xiahou Chong, is probably now in Hebei, following in his father's footsteps and pacifying those settlers. That's why Xiahou Mao was able to take on such an important responsibility."

Ma Su nodded.

"Then I wonder what ability this person has that he can lead troops and try to resist our army?"

Xiang Chong couldn't help but be curious when he heard about Xiahou Mao's identity. In his opinion, since this person was the son of Xiahou Dun, he must be extraordinary, otherwise Cao Wei would not have used him as a lifeline.

"I don't know."

However, when Ma Su said this, he shrugged helplessly.

"I don't know?"

Except Feng Xi, everyone else was a little surprised.

"But there is too little information about this person, or is it deliberately concealed by the State of Wei?"

The two words "Ma Su" made all the generals a little confused.

"I really don't know. Although he was named General Anxi, he has not achieved any military success so far, nor has he led troops into battle, so it is impossible to analyze his abilities."

Ma Su had no choice but to tell everyone the truth. Humans cannot judge the good or bad of something that does not exist at all. As long as Xiahou Mao has never fought in a war and has no record of any battles, you cannot judge his tactics and methods because there is no reference at all.

"That's why I said just now that Cao Li was confused. Even at this point, he still trusts his own relatives and will not hire anyone other than the Cao or Xiahou families. Xiahou Mao is timid and has no strategy, so he is not worth worrying about. However, Cao Wei has many talented people, and those under his command may not be the same as him."

Although Feng Xi despised Xiahou Mao strategically, he still took him very seriously tactically.

"Do you have any information about the various places now? What is the situation of the other two Wei armies?"

Feng Xi asked Ma Su about the situation of the Han army in other places. Now the Han army was advancing in multiple directions, and the main force of the Jingzhou army was about to reach Luoyang, so Feng Xi still had to understand the situation of his teammates.

"Yes, because Cao Zhen burned Chang'an, the Prime Minister stationed troops in Chang'an to rebuild Chang'an and open the granaries to release grain to appease the people. After the situation settled down, the Prime Minister sent a reinforcement army to help our army. Huainan is progressing smoothly. Deng... Deng Shizai broke through Guangling with a clever plan. Now the Yangzhou army has entered Xuzhou and is ready to cooperate with Huainan to break through Hefei City."

Speaking of his old rival Deng Ai, Ma Su could not help but pause. He did not expect that Deng Ai would really be so impressive, leading by example, taking the risk of disguising himself as a member of the Xuzhou supply team, sneaking into Guangling City and killing Jiang Ji. At least this time, Ma Su admired Deng Ai.

"Well, Shi Zai did a good job. He was bold and careful, and he made full use of his advantages. He should be credited with a great achievement."

Feng Xi was also very satisfied with Deng Ai's surprise attack. As expected, Deng Ai would bring him some surprises, which was why he sent him to Xuzhou.

"Now, in front of our army, apart from the Guanzhong army led by Cao Zhen who plans to go through Hangu Pass to support Luoyang, there are also these remnants of Luoyang. But you must not be careless. Remember that there are always people who are better than you, and even a lion will use all its strength to fight a rabbit. Even if Cao Wei is about to be destroyed, we must not underestimate the enemy."

Feng Xi warned the generals not to be complacent and give the enemy a chance just because the progress was going well. After all, after the Battle of Wancheng, the Jingzhou army wiped out more than 100,000 Wei troops, which made many generals feel a little proud and thought that Cao Wei was just like that now.

This kind of mentality can easily backfire. If there is a problem with his Jingzhou army, the current situation of great advantage will immediately become unpredictable.

By that time, Cao Zhen will still have an army of 100,000 after reorganization. Whether it is to rescue Huainan to the east or to threaten Jingzhou to the south, it will bring about major changes to the war situation.

"We will remember the Grand Commander's instructions."

Fortunately, Feng Xi's prestige in Jingzhou is still very high. Since Feng Xi said so, the generals will naturally not be arrogant and underestimate the enemy.

"You Chang, order people to investigate the situation of the three passes of Yique, Dagu, and Xuanyuan in detail, especially the garrisons and generals. Then find out where Cao Zhen's army is now."

Feng Xi gave Ma Su an order. Now that Guangcheng Pass had been broken, the other three passes were in front of Feng Xi. Yique Pass, Dagu Pass, Xuanyuan Pass, no matter which of these three passes was broken, Luoyang would be in front of the Han army. However, there was still a difference in distance and difficulty of attacking the pass.

Yique Pass is located west of Yishui River, the closest to Luoyang. As long as Yique Pass is breached, Luoyang will be in front of us, but Yique Pass is surrounded by mountains on the left and water on the right, making it difficult for the army to deploy.

Compared with the other two passes, Dagu Pass has the flattest terrain. Of course, this is also in comparison. Dagu Pass guards the entrance to the Great Valley, so it goes without saying that it is the most strategic pass among the eight passes in Luoyang.

However, unlike Yique Pass, the terrain in front of Dagu Pass is relatively gentle, so Dagu Pass was also the main route for the gentry to migrate south in later generations.

As for Xuanyuan Pass, Feng Xi did not intend to consider it. Xuanyuan Pass was built between Taishi Mountain and Shaoshi Mountain. The mountain road was winding and it was really a natural barrier. If it were not for the attack from both inside and outside, it would be a situation where one man could block the pass and ten thousand men could not open it.

Even though the Han army's gunpowder weapons are powerful now, it is difficult to transport them to Xuanyuan Pass. Moreover, Xuanyuan Pass is the farthest from Guangcheng Pass and the journey is long. It is really not worth it to attack Xuanyuan Pass.

So now, what Feng Xi actually faced was Yique Pass and Dagu Pass. Yique Pass was close to Luoyang, and Dagu Pass had good terrain, each with its own advantages. The rest depended on the defense of Cao Wei in these two places.

"Yes, Grand Commander, I will immediately arrange for someone to investigate."

Ma Su nodded. It was very important to collect intelligence before such a big war, and he had to do it even if Feng Xi didn't say so.

"Oh, by the way, I will write a letter later and find a Wei prisoner as a messenger to send some gifts to Xiahou Meng."

Feng Xi was originally planning to disband the group, but suddenly he remembered that the people on the other side were Xiahou Mao and several of Xiahou Yuan's sons, so he decided to provoke them. Even if they held back, he could still disgust them.

(End of this chapter)