In fact, neither side can afford it. Needless to say, Cao Cao was able to be self-sufficient before because of the grain output of Herat and Kandahar.
Compared with Kushan, who could only transport grain from Kandahar to Herat, Cao Cao could at least farm in Herat and provide part of the grain output.
In addition, although the water conservancy construction in Kandahar has not yet been completed, it can still provide considerable food and grass. Therefore, when no one attacks Herat, Cao Cao can basically be self-sufficient, but if he is attacked, it will be completely No output.
If the water conservancy construction in Kandahar is completed, Cao Cao can transport grain from Kandahar to Herat like Kushan did. Even if the loss of grain transportation in the desert is very large, Cao Cao can still sustain it in a short period of time. However, Kandahar's The construction of the water conservancy network has not yet been completed, so it is basically a dream for Cao Cao to transport food and grass through the desert.
This is why in the past, when Cao Cao was barely self-sufficient in grain and grass, Cao Cao would ask the Wei family to purchase some grain and grass from other places from time to time. It was not that it was really not enough, but it was more realistic to use it as a reserve.
But generally speaking, once Herat is attacked, Cao Cao's food and grass will definitely have problems. When Kushan's food and grass logistics were so strong, after Cao Cao fought several games with Kapil and others in Herat, Kapil was all because of the food and grass. Transport difficulties forced the abandonment of Herat.
How could Cao Cao's logistics level now be comparable to Kushan, which owns the Ganges Plain? Therefore, when Gumara pointed out this fact, Balak was inevitably a little irritated.
Because I have fought here, I know very well that this problem really exists, and even if reinforcements arrive in Herat, as long as Ardashir continues to spend time here, it will not be long before Barak and others who are short of food and grass will have to think about it. Way back to Kandahar.
From a certain point of view, although Herat is a place with natural dangers from mountains and rivers, it is not easy for Beigui to defend it. This is why in official history, many times, this place belongs to Anxi, because Anxi occupies Herat. After Lat, the transportation of grain and grass is much easier than the transportation from Kushan to this side.
"This is very uncomfortable." Barak breathed out. He also knew what the problem was now. After Herat was attacked, Kandahar would not be able to provide much assistance.
"Aldashir is also limited by food and fodder, and after he chooses to take action, the eyes of the Han army will also fall on him. The Xiliang cavalry on the Congling side and Lu Xun on the east side of the Caspian Sea will all be watching him, so he It's also impossible to dry up." Gumara shook his head and reassured.
"I'm thinking about how to deal with Ardashir." Barak's expression became much more solemn.
It's not realistic to go head-to-head. Even Barak at his peak is unlikely to block Aldashir head-on. If it's delayed, if Aldashir is more patient than them, the situation may be more troublesome, so overall , the situation is quite uncomfortable.
"Actually, my suggestion is to give up Herat." Gumara said slowly, and Barak was stunned. Gumara, if anyone else dared to say this in front of Barak, Barak would definitely treat him as a second-guessing Zai, and Gumara and Balak have known each other for many years and know the inside and out, so only he can say this in front of Balak.
"Tell me the reason." Balak looked at Gumara calmly.
"We can't defend it. Ardashir's attack must have Vesutiva I behind him. We all know that person's diplomatic methods. This matter is not that simple." Gumara directly pointed out the situation, and Barak clicked after hearing this. nod.
This is true. Based on Barak's understanding of Vesutiva I, it would be impossible for Aldashir to take action at this point without Vesutiva I behind him.
"Where do you think the greatest possible support would be from Vesudev I?" Gumala looked at Balak calmly, and Balak reacted instantly.
"It's that guy Oswin." Gumara sighed and gave the answer directly.
"Kapil is not a fool. The most effective way at this time is to build a dam on the upper reaches of the Helmand River." Gumala said with some regret, "Xun Wenruo is indeed a genius. After conquering Kandahar, We built a fortress upstream for a short period of time, and I’m afraid we also saw the combat method that Kushan might choose, but the time was too short.”
The Helmand River is a river formed by mountain snowmelt and rainfall. The water volume is not very large, and it has multiple sources. Xun Yu may also realize that the water flow of this river is not large, and they want to use this for construction in Kandahar Water network and water conservancy facilities were built, so we took precautions early and built fortresses in the upper reaches of the water system to ensure that the water source was not blocked by Kapil as much as possible.
Of course, it is impossible for Beigui to completely block the water source of Kandahar. Even if Xun Yu did not take precautions in advance, Beigui cannot completely cut off the Helmand River. It can only reduce the runoff, leading to the planned changes in the Kandahar area. There is not enough water available in the irrigation area.
Of course there is no need to consider drinking water or anything else, this is absolutely enough.
But after the river water in the upper reaches is blocked and embankments are built, there will definitely be problems with water use in the lower reaches. Afghanistan and Iran had big problems with the distribution of water in the Helmand River. The reason is not because Afghanistan built embankments in the upper reaches and intercepted it. A large amount of river water has resulted in insufficient water resources for agricultural irrigation in Iran.
This is a rogue trick, and it may not be fatal, but if it is delayed for a long time, Cao Cao's already problematic grain and fodder logistics will definitely have bigger problems.
"I'm afraid Xun Wenruo and others are aware of this problem, but they certainly can't imagine how Kapil and the others will block the water source." Gumala said in a dumbfounded voice. There is no need to build embankments at all. They only need to change them at the source. After all, This river is the result of melting snow in the mountains. It is difficult to block a large river, but it is not very difficult to block dozens of small streams in the valley.
For Bei Gui, isn't this just a matter of spending some time? If the dozens of valley streams are blocked, the runoff of the Helmand River is estimated to be reduced by half. It will be strange that Cao Jun is not confused by then.
"So the real enemy is not Ardashir, but Oswin." Gumara sighed and said. Maybe for other people, Ardashir is more dangerous, but Gumara knows very well that the conflicts between both sides Interests are not aligned.
All Aldashir wants is a place to live. For Gumara, just give it to the other party. As long as they don't conflict with Aldashir, they can continue to talk. After all, Aldashir is just a sword. , the sword holder can be Vesutiva I, then why can't it be Cao Sikong?
Is the alliance between Ardashir and Vesudeva I really very strong? Are you kidding? If you attack Beigui and let Ardashir go, Vesutiva I will have doubts in at most two months. The interests of both parties are only a phased agreement, not really the same.
Therefore, there is a lot of room for operation. For Gumara, it is also a good choice to let Aldashir capture Herat, and they lead their troops back to Kandahar to concentrate their strength on attacking Oswin. To be honest, as long as the Han Dynasty We haven't completely fallen out with Aldashir, and there are plans for this matter. As for the liquidation, it won't be too late to talk about it later.
"Are you worried that the rescue from the Han Dynasty won't be able to come in a short time?" Balak's expression became much more solemn. If this is the case, Gumara's suggestion is really worth considering.
Without the support of the Han Dynasty, there is basically no point in holding on to Herat. On the contrary, it will further increase the loss of food, making the already not good situation even worse.
"Yes, I'm worried that in the next three months, we won't be able to wait for the rescue of the Han Dynasty. The major families in Central Asia will definitely have a break. Congling and the eastern part of the Caspian Sea are probably also in ruins. They all need time to clean up. ." Gumara said with a calm expression.
Balak was silent for a while after hearing this, and finally shook his head. Gumara's suggestion was indeed good, but it was impossible for him to accept it. Moreover, unlike the later dynasties, the Han Dynasty had no precedent of abandoning the defense without fighting. But that's a human problem. If you give up before fighting, it's really a mental problem.
"But once we fight Ardashir, I will have to give up Herat sooner or later." Gumara sighed and said, "Oswin's side must be risking their lives now. After the sky changes, the royal spear and shield of the Sahel Only a very small number of soldiers in the capital maintain the level of the imperial guards, and some even fall to the level of a single talent. Do you know what this means?"
"What does it mean?" Barak didn't understand what Gumara was talking about.
"This means that Oswin's legions have become much faster in terms of replenishment and rotation, and they have become much stronger in comparison." Gumara said with a sigh.
"The Imperial Scepter brings dual talents to the Praetorian Guard. It is much easier than pulling the Praetorian Guard to have three talents. Moreover, now the Imperial Scepter does not need to reserve a blessing slot for itself. It is equivalent to A Guardsman!" Gumara looked at Barak with a rather sad expression, while Barak and Sahel were silent for a long time.
"Celestial changes are a fatal blow to many forces, but not to us Dayue people from the north." Balak also reacted. They implemented the military system of the Qin and Han Dynasties, that is, year after year After years of military service, dual talents are unlikely, but after the achievement of a single talent, it is impossible for the changes in the sky to affect the elderly among them.
"So, Oswin's military strength has reached its peak now, and Cao Sikong has weakened. The best option at this time is to unite the troops together." Gumala said with a depressed look. Unfortunately, even Barak could not convince him. No.
