Prancing Horse Xiliang

Chapter 408
It was extremely cold in the Western Regions, and the long winter passed. It was not until the end of February that the snow began to melt.

It has been a winter, and the weather has just turned warm, and the Western Regions are fighting again.

In March, Guishuang's [-] troops marched northward along the Congling River, and the front of the troops was approaching Gumo.

At the same time, Luo Zheng conquered all the soldiers of the 36 countries in the Western Regions, led [-] Xiliang cavalry and [-] Western Region Hu cavalry to the south, and fought against the Guishuang cavalry on the south bank of the Congling River. If there are casualties, each guards according to the danger.

At this time, a major event happened in Hebei.

Chang'an, the government office.

Jia Xu and Xun Yu were discussing the mobilization of slaves to rebuild Guanzhong's official roads. Amid the hurried footsteps, Cheng Ying rushed in with a solemn expression, cupped his hands and said, "Military division, Chang Shi, something is wrong!"

"Gongying sit down!"

Jia Xu hurriedly invited Cheng Ying to sit down, and then asked, "What happened?"

Cheng Ying sat down at the side, and said: "Just now, a secret report came from Hebei that Yuan Shao died!"

"what?"

Not only Jia Xu was taken aback, but even Xun Yu's expression changed.

Xun Yu said calmly, "How could Yuan Shao collapse so quickly?"

Cheng Ying said: "Yuan Shao has been sick since he was defeated by Cao Cao in the Battle of Guandu. Last year when Yuan Shao became king, he already expected that his life would not last long. This collapse and death is also expected!"

Jia Xu said: "It's bad, Yuan Shao died, and Hebei is going to be in chaos. At this critical time, the Lord has yet to return from an expedition to the Western Regions. It's time to wait! If the handling is not good, Cao Cao may have an opportunity!"

Xun Yu said solemnly: "What Wen He said is very true. Once Yuan Shao dies, his three sons will compete to attack. With Cao Cao's ability, he will not miss this opportunity. It should be the best time to take Hebei, but it is a pity. Being far away in the Western Regions, we must have missed a good opportunity!"

Jia Xu said: "The top priority at the moment is to inform the lord of the news as soon as possible, and the second is to try to hold Cao Cao back. No matter what, Cao Cao cannot take advantage of the situation and take Qingzhou. Otherwise, if Qingzhou is owned by Cao Cao, he will definitely enter Hebei as a springboard. You can order General Gao Shun to move to Xiangxian County, ready to attack Pengcheng at any time, and keep Cao Cao in Pengcheng from acting rashly."

Xun Yu said worriedly: "Cao Cao has many schemes. He lured General Gao Shun into a dangerous place before. Although General Gao Shun defeated Cao Jun and turned the defeat into victory, it will be troublesome if he falls into Cao Cao's trick again."

Jia Xu pondered for a long time before sighing, "Forget it, Cao Cao must not take advantage of the situation. Xu intends to go to the Central Plains to serve as military advisor for General Gao Shun. Wen Ruo will take care of everything in Chang'an!"

Xun Yu cupped his hands and said, "Wenhe, go ahead, and you can take care of the Chang'an affairs with all your strength!"

Jia Xu looked at Cheng Ying again, and said, "May I share my story with you?"

Cheng Ying said: "Dare not to obey orders!"

As expected by Jia Xu and Xun Yu, after Yuan Shao died of illness, Hebei was in chaos because he did not specify a successor. Qingzhou Governor Yuan Tan and Youzhou Governor Yuan Xi both led troops to attack Jizhou, but Bingzhou Governor Gao Do nothing.

After Cao Cao received the news, he immediately condemned his envoy to secretly form an alliance with Yuan Shang, assembled an army of [-], and prepared to attack Qingzhou.

Unexpectedly, before the army left Pengcheng, there was a detailed report, and Gao Shun moved to Xiangxian County, preparing to attack Pengcheng.

Cao Cao repeated his old trick, intending to set up an ambush to divert Gao Shun's main army, and then attacked his side, but Gao Shun was not fooled, the army advanced steadily, and the front of the soldiers approached Pengcheng.Cao Cao's plan failed, so he had to make another plan. He personally led elite soldiers to defend Pengcheng, and ordered Xiahou Dun to lead [-] troops from Steroid Hill to enter Peiguo. Counties along the way surrendered one after another.

After Gao Shun heard the report, he hurriedly withdrew his troops and returned to Shi Peiguo.

Just when Jia Xu arrived in a hurry, he set up an empty city plan in Xiao County, thinking that Cao Cao was suspicious and would not dare to enter the city.When Cao Cao led his men to pursue Xiao County, he really didn't dare to enter Xiao County, fearing that Gao Shun's ambush would be caught, and he led his troops back ten li.

When it was discovered that there were only five hundred soldiers in Xiao County, Gao Shun's army had already gone far.

When Gao Shun returned to Shixiang County, Xiahou Dun led his army to retreat when he saw that the situation was not good.

Jia Xu ordered the killing of those who surrendered without a fight in the counties. From the county magistrate to the gentry in the city, all were killed, and even the nine clans were also punished. At that time, thousands of people's heads rolled to the ground in all counties. After the news spread, the Central Plains was shaken. For a moment, people were panicked.

Since Luo Zheng captured the two prefectures of Yanyu, he has always adopted an attitude of being friendly to the gentry, and has not been purged.

Cao Cao has been in the two states of Yanyu for many years, and his power is deeply rooted. Even if the gentry bureaucrats temporarily obey Luo Zheng, they do not have much loyalty to Luo Zheng after all.

Now that Jia Xu ordered the massacre, the gentry of the two states immediately gave up their luck and closed their doors one after another to reject Cao Jun.

Chen Gong seized the opportunity, and with the cooperation of Jia Xu, immediately launched a purge of the county guards and county magistrates. Those who had dissatisfaction and those who could not be used were transferred away one after another, and the officials who were determined to follow Luo Zheng's promotion and make a fortune were promoted and reused.

Originally, the appointment of local officials such as county guards and county magistrates needs to be sealed by Luo Zheng to take effect.

However, during Luo Zheng's expedition to the Western Regions, he temporarily authorized Jia Xu and Xun Yu, so the officials could be replaced smoothly.

Gao Shun garrisoned Xiang County, Cao Cao did not dare to act rashly.

Several times he wanted to mobilize Gao Shun's army and look for opportunities to defeat the enemy, but Jia Xu saw through them all.

Just when Gao Shun moved to Xiang County and was in a stalemate with Cao Cao, Wu Wang Sun Ce also led the army to invade again. At the same time, Liu Bei also ordered General Huang Zhong to lead [-] troops out of Jiangxia to attack Runan. , the situation is tight.

At that time, the Nanyang Tuntian camp was completed, and Jia Xu sent a letter to Zhao Yun, asking Zhao Yun to send troops to help.

Zhao Yun then mobilized [-] soldiers from the fields and marched south to destroy Xiangyang.

Liu Bei was shocked, and hurriedly called Huang Zhong back, and gathered all the available soldiers to prepare for a decisive battle with Zhao Yun.

Jia Xu reprimanded the envoy to form an alliance with Yuan Tan and reminded Yuan Tan to guard against Cao Cao. At the same time, he mobilized [-] soldiers from the Central Plains to guard the city passes, and then mobilized all the [-] Xiliang troops stationed in the Central Plains to Pei and Lu. Stationed on the front line, ready to enter Xuzhou at any time, Cao Cao dared not move lightly.

After Luo Zheng captured Yan and Yu, he reorganized his army.

In the past two years, part of the army has been withdrawn from the Central Plains to Guanzhong. Except for the [-] elite infantrymen stationed at the Chang'an Camp, Luo Zheng only brought [-] cavalry during his expedition to the Western Regions, and there are still [-] cavalry in the Chang'an Camp. mobilize.

As for the soldiers and horses guarding the Central Plains, only [-] soldiers and horses remained after several defense reorganizations.

Except for Zhang Liao's [-] troops, the other [-] troops were all stationed in Yanyu Prefecture.

Jia Xu is not afraid of the rebellion of the troops stationed in the fields. The common people are the best to buy. In the past two years, Luo Zheng has reduced and exempted the taxes of Yanyu and Yuzhou, and transferred a large amount of food from Guanzhong to help the victims. The life of the people is getting better and better. No one knows how to cook .

Those who are not stable are all those gentry bureaucrats who are full and have nothing to do.

Fortunately, after two years of hard work, the hearts of the people in the Central Plains have been settled. Even if some gentry and bureaucrats harbor dissent, there will be no troubles. If it is not for the lord's expedition to the Western Regions, Jia Xu is ready to take advantage of the situation and enter Xuzhou.

(End of this chapter)