As usual, a huge sand table was placed in the center of the meeting hall, roughly showing the whole picture of Jingzhou and Jiangdong in front of everyone.
Sun Ce, Zhou Yu, Ji Shu, Huang Yueying, Zhuge Jin, Hua Xin, Zhao Yun, Gan Ning, Tai Shi Ci, Zhou Tai, and Xu Sheng all attended the military meeting, and everyone had serious faces.
In the current situation, the Jiangdong Army, including the captured prisoners and recovered wounded, has a total strength of approximately 60,000, of which 40,000 are stationed in Jiangxia and 20,000 in Chaisang.
Liu Biaoxin recruited 10,000 soldiers. Counting the defeated and wounded soldiers, the total force is now about 66,000. Among them, 20,000 naval troops are stationed in Hanjin Port, 20,000 main troops are stationed in Xiangyang, the four counties of Jingnan have a total of 15,000 troops, and the remaining sporadic branches are in Xinye, Jiangling, and Jiaozhou.
"Cao Cao's victory at Guandu made our time even tighter."
"As Gong Jin said just now, Cao Cao should not attack Hebei again for the time being, so will he do nothing?"
"Although Cao Cao and Liu Bei did not form an alliance, Yuan Shu was already half disabled by Liu Bei. If we had not blocked Liu Biao, I am afraid that Yuan Shu would have perished three months ago. Would Cao Cao leave such a big piece of fat like the rich Yangzhou alone? "
Zhuge Jin first pointed at Shouchun with his baton, and then drew a large circle starting from Shouchun, including Lujiang, Wuhu Port, Jianye and Qu'a Port.
"When Cao Cao defeats Dong Zhuo, he will definitely send troops from Runan to attack Shouchun. Yuan Shu will definitely not be able to stop the siege of Cao and Liu. Once Shouchun is lost, the hinterland of Jiangdong will be completely exposed to the enemy's view."
"The good news that Jianye didn't need to be fortified will be gone forever. We must capture the entire Jingzhou before Cao Cao repels Dong Zhuo!"
After Zhuge Jin finished speaking, he placed the baton on the table and took a step back.
Zhou Yu stepped forward and looked around at everyone and said.
"Everyone knows that after Jiangxia was captured, the entire Jingzhou has been exposed to our military front. I have three strategies for your reference."
With that said, Zhou Yu picked up the baton and pointed it from Jiangxia to Xinye.
"The next best option is to take Xinye by land. There is only a river between Xinye and Xiangyang, Liu Biao's seat of government, and it is the gateway to Xiangyang. If we capture Xinye, we can directly attack Xiangyang, and we will arrive in the morning and in the evening!"
Zhou Tai asked somewhat confused.
"Military advisor, isn't this the best way to attack Xiangyang? If Liu Biao is captured alive, the Han army will rebel. Why do you think it is a bad idea?"
Zhou Yu showed a gentle smile on his face, pointed at Wancheng and Xuchang and answered.
"Youping is right, laying down Xinye is the best foundation for attacking Xiangyang. If Cao Cao won the victory at Guandu, I would be more inclined to attack from this direction. But now the situation has changed, Dong Zhuo gathered an army to station in Wancheng Attacking Xuchang."
"Selecting Xinye as the main battlefield between us and Liu Biao may allow Dong Zhuo to reap the benefits at any time. Not only is the final ownership of Xinye difficult to predict, but Dong Zhuo's turning to Xinye will also free up Cao Cao to attack Shouchun. Once the situation develops If this happens, our plan to capture Jingzhou will be aborted."
Seeing everyone nodding in understanding, Zhou Yu pointed to Changsha and said.
"The central strategy is to attack Jingnan first. Use a partial army to attack Hanjin Port, pretending to take Xiangyang directly to attract the Han army, but in fact use the main force to quickly capture Changsha, Guiyang, Lingling, and Wuling. county."
"As for Jiaozhou on the border, the total strength of the troops is only 2,000. It is completely possible to let them go and then come back to attack Jiangling and finally capture Xiangyang."
"Once Xiangyang falls, Jiaozhou will definitely be in our pocket. If we can capture Xinye again, it will be the icing on the cake. If we fail, it doesn't matter. We can form a defense line with Xiangyang, Jiangxia, Lujiang, and Jianye, and serve as horns for each other. , support each other, and keep Dong Zhuo, Cao Cao, and Liu Bei out of this line of defense."
"This policy can be said to be the most secure plan."
Sun Ce touched his chin, feeling quite satisfied with this, and asked.
"What's the best strategy? Capture Hanjin Port and go straight to Xiangyang?"
Zhou Yu shook his head, but the baton in his hand was pointed at Jiangling.
"The best strategy is to attack Hanjin Port and Wulin Port at the same time and go deep into the hinterland of Jingzhou. Still use the partial army to pretend to attack Xiangyang to attract the Han army, while the main force is to capture Jiangling City. At that time, a partial army will be left to defend Jiangling, formed with Chaisang A line of defense cut off Liu Biao's escape to Jingnan, and also blocked the Han army in Jingnan from the line of defense. The main force went north to attack Xiangyang."
"When Xiangyang is conquered and Liu Biao is killed, the morale of the Han army will inevitably collapse and turn into a piece of scattered sand. At this time, if we attack Xinye, Jingnan, and Jiaozhou, we will definitely be overwhelming and unstoppable."
Everyone couldn't help but feel a little ready to make a move. This strategy was the boldest and most effective. If the plan goes well, the time consumed and the troops lost will be much less than the middle strategy. Even after killing Liu Biao, it is not impossible for the four counties in Jingnan to surrender without a fight.
At this time, Ji Shu stood up and said.
"I have a plan, and I want everyone to listen to it."
······
Xiangyang City.
Liu Biao sat in the hall and said gloomily.
"Sun Ce personally led the army to go on an expedition. Now the army is stationed at Xiakou Port. He has already had a confrontation with Zhang Yun. The military report requesting reinforcements from Hanjin Port has just arrived here. How will this battle be fought? Please tell me. .”
Everyone in the hall was solemn and looked deep in thought, but no one was vying to offer advice.
"son······"
Liu Biao was a little unhappy and wanted to ask Kuai Liang out of habit, but suddenly he remembered that Kuai Liang had relapsed since his last expedition and is still bedridden today.
Thinking of this, Liu Biao couldn't help but worry about himself, an old minister, and thought that he would have to find time to see him later.
"My lord, I have some insights that I would like to share with you, my lords."
Liu Biao came back to his senses and saw that it was Cai Mao's new aide, whose name seemed to be "Zhuge Liang".
Liu Biao felt a little emotional. The Zhuge family had been in decline for many years, and he had not seen anyone from the Zhuge family enter the officialdom for a long time.
"Speaking boldly, you are young, and even the ministers will not blame you for making some mistakes."
"yes."
Zhuge Liang cupped his fists and bowed, and began to speak.
"Xiaoguan feels that Sun Ce is arrogant and his ultimate goal must be to capture Xiangyang and kill the lord to avenge his father. But once something happens to the lord, the entire Jingzhou will be leaderless. Who can stop Sun Ce's cavalry?"
"But at this time, Sun Ce's attack on Hanjin Port is probably a feint attack. His real intention is to capture Wulin Port and then attack Jiangling City."
"There are two reasons for saying that."
"First, the road from Hanjin Port to Xiangyang is relatively long. If we can't win quickly by taking Xiangyang directly, the supply line will easily be attacked by Jiangling defenders or cut off by the navy at Wulin Port."
"Secondly, if we capture Wulin Port and Jiangling City, we can join forces with Chaisang and cut off the entire Jingzhou. This will not only prevent the king from evacuating to Jingnan through Jiangling after Xiangyang is conquered, but also block the army in Jingnan Go north to support.”
Liu Biao originally just wanted Zhuge Liang to make some suggestions, but he didn't expect that what Zhuge Liang said was reasonable and convincing. Liu Biao was greatly surprised and asked hurriedly.
"Then how should we fight against the enemy?"
Zhuge Liang replied respectfully.
"Compared with the Jiangdong Navy, there is still a gap between the Jingzhou Navy and the Jiangdong Navy. It is better to order General Zhang Yun to abandon Hanjin Port and retreat to Jiangling, allowing the enemy to penetrate deeper."
"Then we sent a large army to garrison Maicheng and Jiangling to form a cornering force, blocking Jiangdong's army in the area of Maicheng and Jiangling."
"Let the four counties in Jingnan concentrate their forces to attack the rear of the Jiangdong Army by water and block its food routes. Once this is done, the Jiangdong Army will retreat without a fight, otherwise it will be self-destruction."
Liu Biao was overjoyed. Just as he was about to praise him, he heard Yi Ji say something.
"My lord, although what Zhuge Liang said makes sense, I feel that the direction is wrong."
Yi Ji clasped his fists and nodded slightly to Zhuge Liang. He meant no harm, he was just explaining his point of view.
"I feel that Sun Ce's attack on Hanjin Port was indeed a feint, but his real intention was not Jiangling, but Xinye."
"Xinye, as the gateway to Xiangyang, is only separated by a river. As long as we capture Xinye, we can transport grain and grass by land from Jiangxia. We don't have to worry about being cut off from supplies by our army, nor do we have to worry about being blocked by our army. "
"As long as Xiangyang is captured, no matter where the lord moves, the morale of our army will inevitably be shaken, and it will be even more difficult to withstand the Jiangdong Army's edge."
"I thought that we should send troops to focus on the defense of Xinye, and ordered Zhang Yun to defend Hanjin Port. If nothing could be done, retreat to Jiangling. I then ordered Jingnan to concentrate its troops on Changsha and defend Luoxian Port. By retreating in this way, we can defend the gate of Jingnan. We can assist in the defense of Wulin Port and support Jiangling City."
That's right, wouldn't it be better to attack Xiangyang and go to new areas?
Liu Biao frowned, Yi Ji seemed to make more sense than Zhuge Liang.
At this time, Xiang Lang also walked out, and he glanced at Zhuge Liang disdainfully. He and Yi Ji were both Liu Biao's military advisors. Unexpectedly, a small staff member next to Cai Mao also wanted to come to the stage to influence Liu Biao's decision-making. He spoke in support of his friend.
"I also feel that Sun Ce openly attacked Hanjin Port, but actually wanted to attack Xinye by surprise. I would like to ask my lord to make an early decision."
Before Liu Biao had time to speak, Cai Mao said again.
"My lord, I think that Sun Ce is a man of loyalty, so he is very likely to capture Changsha first! You must know that Changsha is the starting point for Sun Jian to establish his foundation, and its significance to Sun Ce is not ordinary. Moreover, Jingnan's troops are weak and easy to attack, and Jiaozhou is barren. Not to mention the land.”
"What the others just said is that Sun Ce wants a quick victory, but I feel that with the similar strength of both sides, Sun Ce may not be sure of winning in one battle. It can be seen from the fact that Sun Ce rested for 3 months after conquering Jiangxia before sending troops. According to their thoughts, it is more in their interests to encroach on Jingzhou bit by bit!"
Liu Biao was immediately shocked. If he lost Jingnan and Jiaozhou, his power would immediately weaken to the extreme. Within two years, he would no longer be able to compete with Sun Ce. But what everyone said made sense. Liu Biao was sweating on his forehead and felt a little embarrassed.
Zhuge Liang was a little anxious, he didn't want to become Ji Shu's prisoner.
Jiangdong Army will never attack Xinye.
Attacking Jingnan is indeed the safest plan, but with the radical and adventurous personalities of Sun Ce and Zhou Yu, the chance of this is slim.
If we don't deploy the defense of Jiangling as soon as possible, it will be even more difficult to reverse the situation after Jiangdong Army completes its layout!
"Lord, Jiangdong Army will never attack Xinye. You must know Dong Zhuo..."
"Report! Report! Huyang Port has been lost! Xinye is in danger!"
A soldier, sweating profusely and breathing heavily, broke in, knelt down in front of Liu Biao and presented an urgent report.
"what happened?"
Liu Biao was shocked. He quickly stood up and walked over to pick up the military newspaper and read it carefully.
The soldier didn't even take a breath, and replied hurriedly with a look of horror on his face.
"Last night, Huyang Port was lost overnight! It was Sun Ce's Tiger Roar Camp!"
Zhuge Liang was in a daze, looking as if he had eaten a dead fly.
Xiang Lang smiled contemptuously and said.
"Lord, the top priority is to send troops to rescue Xinye immediately!"
