When a riot broke out in Liangzhou, Zhuge Liang of Chencang learned of the situation.
Because these wealthy families had contacts with the officials of the imperial court, they were suppressed by bandits and bandits, so they asked the Shu Han court for help. However, Zhuge Liang was too busy at the time and could not mobilize troops to support him.
Shu Han wanted to consolidate Liangzhou, while Cao Wei wanted to recapture Liangzhou. In the past three months, the two armies fought several battles, with each winning or losing.
Facing the two armies of Cao Zhen and Sima Yi advancing together, Zhuge Liang used his 60,000 to 70,000 troops to the maximum extent despite his resourcefulness.
Cao Zhen... the last important military minister of the Wei Dynasty. There was a saying in history that unless Cao Zhen died, there would be no Sima.
And Sima Yi, a general known for his strategy, was elusive because of his meticulous thinking and the depth of his city. There were once five thousand dead soldiers raised in the mansion, but no one in the civil and military dynasties knew about it.
Fortunately, the relationship between Cao Zhen and Sima Yi is not that close.
The two men led their own teams. There was no cooperation in Hexi and Chencang, and they almost fought on their own.
This also gave Zhuge Liang the opportunity. He divided his troops into four groups, constantly tempting the enemy to attack or defend, and then used his superior force to target the enemy's weaknesses. He was brave and decisive, like a tiger attacking a flock of sheep, breaking through the enemy in one fell swoop and annihilating it. .
However, this method of combat is very difficult. You must always pay attention to the layout and position of your own troops, then look for the enemy's weaknesses, and also create misconceptions in the enemy.
This changes the advantages and disadvantages of the enemy and ourselves, avoids unfavorable battles, seeks favorable opportunities, and waits for opportunities to annihilate the enemy.
"Prime Minister..."
Zhao Yun looked at Zhuge Liang, who was crouching at the desk, thinking very hard, and said with concern: "You don't have to work so hard. The generals are fighting hard, and they will definitely live up to your expectations."
Zhuge Liang sighed and said: "I can't let go. Thinking of the late emperor's lifelong ambition, I feel that there is still a lot to do, and there is no room for any mistakes."
When Zhuge Liang plans anything, he always arranges everything carefully, for fear of making mistakes.
Zhao Yun stepped forward, looked at the markings on the map, and asked, "Prime Minister, are we going to attack Yongzhou?"
"No, I just want to defend Liangzhou."
Zhuge Liang straightened up and said gently: "The best defense is to attack... If you defend blindly, you will only be passively beaten, and the morale of the soldiers will only get lower and lower."
"Um."
In fact, up to now, Zhuge Liang has achieved the strategic goal of the first Northern Expedition, occupying Liangzhou, and incorporating all southwestern China into his territory. As long as he works hard, he will be able to compete head-on with Cao Wei in less than twenty years.
But...can it still last twenty years?
"Zilong, you were feeling unwell a few days ago. Are you feeling better now?"
Zhao Yun then smiled and said: "It's much better. I originally felt depressed in my heart and my blood was not flowing smoothly. But when I heard the news of our army's victory, I was immediately overjoyed and felt much relaxed all over."
Zhuge Liang was relieved.
Zhao Yun is the only important general left in the Shu Han Dynasty. If he makes any mistake, the loss will be too great.
"By the way, Prime Minister, many memorials have been sent to Liangzhou in the past few days. I heard that the banditry has been very serious and many aristocratic families have been wiped out. If this continues, I am afraid it will cause a civil uprising."
The wealthy families could not defeat the bandits, so they had no choice but to ask Zhuge Liang for help privately.
In order to attract the attention of the Shu Han court, they exaggerated in their letters, saying that the bandits were extremely cruel and could eat human flesh alive. They robbed more than ten counties in a row and ate all the children under the age of ten.
The people were barely clothed and had no food to eat. They were begging along the streets, helping the old and the young. Their breath was like a gossamer and their faces were as green as vegetables.
People begging along the way even filled the entire road.
Zhuge Liang frowned. He had received a letter from Jiang Tuo. Jiang Tuo said in the letter that the bandit riot was not that serious and was still under control and could be solved by himself.
Zhuge Liang trusted Jiang Tuo very much, so he ignored the rebellion in Liangzhou.
However, after Sima Yi was defeated several times, he learned the lesson and began to defend the city and no longer went out to fight in the city.
And he doesn't need so many troops, so he can send them to Liangzhou.
"Send troops, and call Ma Su in by the way."
Zhuge Liang ordered.
After Ma Di was defeated in Jieting, he should be executed according to the military order issued.
However, the historical trajectory changed. Due to Jiang Tuo's participation, the Prime Minister's Northern Expedition reversed the decline, defeated Zhang He, and won a great victory.
Ma Su also saved his life, but was demoted to a white body.
When Ma Su knelt in front of him, Zhuge Liang was in a daze. This once was his most proud disciple, but he made the same mistake as Zhao Kuo, only talking on paper and talking rhetorically.
Even Zhao Kuo was not as good as him. Zhao Kuo faced the murderer Bai Qi and was short of food and grass, but he could still hold on for more than forty days.
But what about his horse?
It lasted less than four days.
The late emperor really made it right. His evaluation of him was, "I think this person is not worthy of much use."
On weekdays, Ma Su is gentle and elegant, polite to others, and he is well-read in poetry and books. He is completely different from Jiang Tuo, the magistrate of Qingshui County.
But when he got to the critical moment, he was useless.
And what about Jiang Tuo?
They are willing to provide hundreds of thousands of catties of grain and grass, as well as a steady stream of iron tools. The entire Qingshui County is like an inexhaustible treasure, supporting the Han army in battle.
When the soldiers have three meals a day, each of which consists of white flour steamed buns, you can imagine how high their morale must be.
It is precisely because of this that Zhuge Liang led an army of 60,000 to 70,000 men and was able to confront Cao Zhen and Sima Yi's two armies of 200,000 men.
Zhuge Liang shook his head and threw these thoughts behind him. He looked at Ma Su who was kneeling in front of him and kept thinking in his heart, how can he train him to be a good counselor?
Just like his elder brother Ma Liang, he is outstanding... Ma's Wuchang family, white eyebrows are the best.
It was a pity that Ma Liang, whom he valued most, died from an arrow poisoning due to the defeat of the late emperor Yiling.
Zhuge Liang said gently: "Youchang, do you know why I came to you?"
Ma Su guessed: "Prime Minister, do you want me to send troops to Hexi? I believe that the Wei army is tired now after days of fighting. We should lead a cavalry to go deep..."
"That's not the case." Zhuge Liang shook his head and said, "I plan to let you lead five thousand troops back to defend Liangzhou."
"Liangzhou, why?"
Ma Di was puzzled. Zhuge Liang picked up the memorial and asked his servant to hand it to him. Ma Di just took a few glances and suddenly turned pale and said in shock: "What? There are actually bandits making trouble in Liangzhou. Cholera has spread across five or six counties. It's so serious." …”
Zhuge Liang waved his hand and asked nonchalantly: "What would you do if you arrived in Liangzhou?"
Ma Su said without hesitation: "pacify the people, take over the government, concentrate on suppressing the bandits, and quell the bandit chaos as soon as possible."
"No, you should go find Jiang Tuo first."
"Jiang Tuo?" Ma Di heard about this name and knew that the prime minister valued him very much and appointed him as the governor of Liangzhou.
But I didn't expect...just over three months after becoming the governor of Liangzhou, something big would happen.
"Prime Minister, you mean... I should control Jiang Tuo first?"
"Nonsense!" Zhuge Liang glared at him and cursed: "You should ask Jiang Tuo's opinion first, and his orders shall prevail in everything. As long as he disagrees, you can't act without authorization!"
"Why?"
Ma Su was stunned for a moment, and suddenly felt that the favor he received was gradually disappearing.
"Because Jiang Tuo is more talented than you and can do things better than you! You have to remember to see more, learn more and think more about everything, write down his every move, and learn from him humbly, you know!"
Ma Su frowned.
He didn't think Jiang Tuo had any talent.
In the past, he was nothing more than the magistrate of Qingshui County. Because of its remote location, he was asked to save food, grass and iron tools. If the two people swap positions, maybe he will do better.
Seeing this, Zhuge Liang earnestly advised: "Young Chang, when we are walking among three people, I must be my teacher. Although Jiang Tuo is younger than you, there is something you can learn from... Don't look down on others."
"Remember, Zhang He once defeated your troops at Jieting. However, Zhang He was captured alive by Jiang Tuo... Doesn't this mean that Jiang Tuo's ability is superior to yours?"
Ma Su said in a muffled voice: "Since it is the Prime Minister's order, the student just needs to write it down!"
"Okay, you go back and reorganize the army and horses now, and set off tomorrow."
"yes!"
Looking at Ma Su walking out of the camp, Zhuge Liang's eyes were filled with longing.
What kind of surprise would this Jiang Tuo give him? If he can handle Liangzhou affairs well and train Ma Di well...
Does this mean that Jiang Tuo has the talent of an imperial teacher?
From now on, let Jiang Tuo serve as the emperor's servant, make suggestions for the emperor, stabilize the court, and supervise Shu Han officials... Then he will save a lot of worry when fighting outside!
