Soldiers come to the world

The discussion on the Southern Expedition plan in the lobby went on for a full day until night fell, and everyone dispersed exhausted. Major issues such as logistics support and the scope of the Southern Expedition had been finalized, but there were different opinions on the number of troops to be dispatched and the strategy. Difficult to unify.

In the study, Cao Cao paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, thinking about several plans.He was really undecided. Standing next to him was his second son Cao Zhi. Cao Zhi was only 17 years old this year.

At this time, a guard reported at the door, "Mr. Cheng and Mr. Xun Ling are here."

This is Cheng Yu and Xun Yu. Cao Cao secretly asked someone to keep them. This is also a habit of Cao Cao when discussing military and state affairs. First, expand the discussion, and then discuss with the core advisers in detail.

"Please come in!"

After a while, Cheng Yu and Xun Yu walked in one after the other, and they bowed to salute, Cao Cao waved his hand with a smile, "There is no need to be too polite, just sit down!"

Cheng Yu and Xun Yu sat down with a smile, Cheng Yu first said: "I saw Sima Zhongda at the door, he refused to leave for a long time, it seems that he has some opinion to report to the prime minister."

Cao Cao was startled, then laughed, and immediately told Cao Zhi, "Go and invite Sima Zhongda!"

Cao Zhi turned around and left, Xun Yu asked puzzledly: "I saw that he also participated in the military and political discussions today, is it possible that the prime minister will no longer use him as a literary critic?"

Cao Cao nodded, "This man has a great talent in military affairs. Using him as a literary master is a bit too much. He is willing to join the army. I plan to appoint him as the master for this southern expedition."

Cheng Yu also laughed and said: "Sima Bada are all talented people, so there is a saying that there are Ma Wuchang in the south, and Baimei is the most talented, and Ma Bada in the north, and Zhongda is the most talented."

Just as he was talking, Sima Yi was brought in by Cao Zhi. Sima Yi stepped forward and knelt down, bowing, "Greetings, Prime Minister, and the two seniors!"

Cao Cao smiled faintly, "I'm discussing the war in Jingzhou with two advisers, Zhong Da might as well sit down too!"

"Yes!"

Sima Yi did not dare to sit side by side with Cheng Yu and Xun Yu, but sat behind them, and Cao Zhi also sat behind his father, listening carefully to their discussion of the Jingzhou War.

The room was quiet, and Cao Cao said to Xun Yu first: "Mr. Bai Tian suggested that I use less troops and rest with the people. I can also understand Mr.'s love for the people, but we have been defeated several times with Liu Jing. I have a deep understanding that Liu Jing has the advantage of the navy, the advantage of the location, and the advantage of the people's hearts. I can't even defeat the opponent with the same force.

This time the Jiangdong Army will also participate in the battle. The strength of the two sides is 30. I have to be several times the other to have a chance of winning. Therefore, I decided to send [-] troops to fight against the Yangtze River. "

Xun Yu was taken aback, and hurriedly said: "Prime Minister can't do it, send 30 troops, if you add twice the number of civilians, there will be a million people. With the current national strength, I'm afraid we can't support this war."

Cheng Yu next to him laughed and said, "Wen Ruo worried too much. In fact, there is no need to double the number of civilians. The war preparations have been completed. At most, 30 civilians and [-] boatmen will be recruited. The civilians are mainly used for transportation between Wancheng and Fancheng, and [-] troops will be sent to us." I think it is really necessary, otherwise it will be difficult to win the victory of this North-South War."

Cheng Yu stayed in Fancheng for more than half a year. With his intelligence and status, his words had a great persuasive force. Xun Yu was silent for a moment and said: "30 troops are almost an army that can overwhelm the country. If they all go south, Zhong Yu will De Ke is thinking about whether Ma Teng's Xiliang army will take advantage of the situation?"

When Xun Yu mentioned the Xiliang Army, the room fell silent. Ma Teng in Xiliang was indeed a big threat. Even though Ma Teng also sent troops to help Cao Jun attack Bingzhou during the Battle of Guandu, it did not mean that Ma Teng became close to Cao Jun from then on. , Once the Central Plains is empty, Ma Teng is likely to lead his army eastward, which is also a confidant of Cao Cao.

At this time, Sima Yi, who had not spoken all this time, said, "I have a plan, which can relieve Xiliang's future troubles."

Cao Cao was overjoyed, "Please tell Zhongda!"

Sima Yi pondered for a moment and said: "I heard that the Qiang people rebelled and occupied Jiuquan County, cutting off the connection between Zhangye County and Dunhuang County. Who is appointed as Liangzhou Mu..."

Before Sima Yi finished speaking, Cao Cao applauded and laughed loudly, "Excellent, this is a plan to kill three soldiers with two peaches!"

At this time, Cao Zhi saw that Xun Yu was gloomy, and knew that he was against the battle against Jingzhou. Cao Zhi said, "Although the strategy is good, it is too obvious. Ma Teng and Han Sui may not be fooled."

Sima Yi smiled slightly, "So what if they know? The two of you are neither nephews nor brothers. How can they be united in the face of interests? However, Ma Teng could not believe it. He would suspect that Han Sui had concealed something from him. There was a gap between them. "

Sima Yi's strategy was watertight, which made Cao Cao highly appreciated. He asked with a smile, "I wonder what Zhongda thinks about the southern expedition to Jingzhou?"

Sima Yi already had a good plan in mind, but he didn't have the chance to speak. He wandered outside the prime minister's mansion at night, also looking for opportunities to offer advice. Now that Cao Cao finally gave him a chance, he immediately said: "I think that we can weaken the situation from the inside first. Sun-Liu alliance, and then concentrate our forces to attack Jiangxia."

"Keep talking!" Cao Cao immediately became interested, and even Cheng and Xun listened intently.

Sima Yi smiled again and continued: "I heard that Liu Jing was almost assassinated when he went to Soochow last year, and the civil servants in Jiangdong opposed the alliance with Liu Jing. Wuhu will inevitably cause a shock in Soochow. At this time, Hua Shizhong will be sent to Soochow to deal with it. As long as Soochow is willing to withdraw, Sun Quan will be allowed to be Wu Gong. If this happens, Sun Quan will definitely be shaken and weaken the Sun-Liu alliance."

Sima Yi has a clear vision and a sharp strategy, and he can always cut to the core. The Hua servant he proposed is Hua Xin, a person Sun Quan trusts, which made Cao Cao feel as if he was waking up from a dream. It's a pity that Fang has the talent of Zhongda!"

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Both Sima Yi and Xun Yu left, and Cao Zhi also left. Only Cao Cao and Cheng Yu were left in the room. Cao Cao asked with a smile, "Does Zhong De think Sima Yi can make up for the lack of filial piety?"

Cheng Yu pondered for a moment and said: "The Sima family is a well-known family in Hanoi, and they are also staunch advocates of Confucianism. They may not support the ambition of the Prime Minister's Legalist family. If their family is allowed to grow, I am afraid it will affect the prime minister's descendants in the future. We It is recommended that the prime minister use his talents instead of his people."

Cao Cao laughed, "Zhongde is serious, a small Sima family, I don't believe they can do anything to my descendants."

Cheng Yu smiled wryly in his heart. He found that Sima Yi was very utilitarian. It was a blessing to use this kind of person well; , I had to tactfully persuade: "Although Sima Yi proposed a good plan today, it cannot be judged that he can replace Feng Xiao's lack. My minister advises the prime minister to observe more, and it will not be too late to use him after he has made more achievements, and he can also let others Convinced."

Cao Cao nodded, he can accept this plan, let Sima Yi continue to be the chief bookkeeper!

Cao Cao suddenly remembered something, and quickly asked Cheng Yu, "This time I am going south, what excuse do I have?"

Cheng Yu must have smiled and said: "It's very easy. The emperor appointed Liu Jing as the shepherd of Jingzhou. He didn't go to Beijing to thank him. He really despised the emperor. The prime minister can punish Liu Jing for the crime of deceiving the emperor."

Cao Cao laughed, "What a crime, I'm afraid Liu Yanqing didn't expect it!"

At this time, a guard reported outside the door: "Speak to the Prime Minister, General Zhang Liao asked to see him, and said that he has a plan to defeat the enemy!"

"Order him to come in!"

Cao Cao couldn't help smiling and said to Cheng Yu, "Does Zhang Wenyuan have a strategy to defeat the enemy?"

Cheng Yu also smiled slightly, "Wen Yuan is a famous general, and the prime minister can listen to his general strategy."

Not long after, Zhang Liao was brought in, and he knelt down on one knee to salute, "Please refer to the Prime Minister for humble positions!"

"Wen Yuan doesn't need to be polite, please sit down!"

Zhang Liao sat down and said, "I have a plan for a lowly position. I can get Xiangyang. I don't know if the Prime Minister is willing to listen to it?"

"Go ahead!"

Zhang Liao said in a deep voice: "Although Liu Jing won Xiangyang, he refused to move the fugitives from Xiangyang back. This shows that he is also prepared to give up Xiangyang at any time. Therefore, I suggest that the prime minister divide his troops into two groups, one to garrison Fancheng and the other to attack Anlu County. , when the troops approached Jiangxia, Liu Jing was short of troops, so he would inevitably withdraw from Xiangyang and protect Jiangxia.

If Xiangyang is captured, the prime minister can drive south to capture Jiangling, seize the money and food for the warships in Jiangling, and recruit local boatmen. Mr. Cheng said that the shortage of boatmen will be solved. "

Cao Cao glanced at Cheng Yu and asked him if this plan was feasible?

Cheng Yu was very much in favor of the strategy of obtaining boatmen from the south. He stroked his beard and said with a smile: "If you want to take Xiangyang back, I'm afraid it's not enough to attack Anlu County alone. Withdraw our troops from Xiangyang."

Cao Cao pondered for a moment, and readily agreed, "Then I will appoint Wen Yuan as the general, Yu Jin and Zang Ba as the deputy generals, Mao Jie and Sima Yi as counselors, and Li Tong, the prefect of Runan, as the support, and send [-] troops to attack Anlu County. The guard is the famous general Wenpin, I hope Wenyuan will not let me down."

"A humble position will not disappoint the prime minister!"

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In March of the 13th year of Jian'an, Cao Cao accused Liu Jing of deceiving the emperor on the grounds that Liu Jing paid homage to the state shepherd and did not go to Beijing to thank him. The emperor issued an edict and named Cao Cao the general who conquered the south, and punished Liu Jing, the shepherd of Jingzhou. .

Cao Cao ordered 30 troops and ordered Man Chong to lead [-] troops to Hefei and enter Wuhu. He also ordered Cao Ren to lead [-] troops to cross the river from Shangyong and march to Fangling. South, ready to attack Anlu County from Runan.

Cao Cao personally led an army of more than 13, and marched towards Nanyang in a mighty manner. The [-]th year of Jian'an's Southern Expedition kicked off.