The vanguard of the Western Dynasty's army was Zhang Fei, the governor of Dingxiang. He had ten thousand light cavalry and was the first to arrive at Pingcheng City.
At this time, the rain marks on the ground have not yet dried up, and the road still looks wet and soft. Along the way, you can see horse hooves and footprints left by the Easterners when they besieged the city everywhere. The densely packed footprints seem to show the scene of thousands of troops crowding around at that time. Occasionally, you can also see some buried The antlers that have not yet been removed from the soil and the flying deer stuck in the soil.
Continuing to walk north along the Wuchuan River, after a while, the city guard Linghu Yuan led more than ten riders out to meet them. Zhang Fei saw that his left arm was wrapped with a piece of white cloth. It was obvious that he had been hit by an arrow and had not yet recovered. He smiled and asked, "Old man, can you still kill the enemy again?"
Linghu Yuan sighed and shook his head and said: "It's okay to defend the city, but it's difficult to mount a horse." Zhang Fei seemed quite regretful, patting his other shoulder and said: "It's a pity that you have been guarding here for more than ten years. If this battle He can accomplish great achievements, but it’s impossible to say he can be transferred to another place!”
"Ahem." Linghu Yuan just smiled and said, "If the world can be peaceful, it won't make any difference where we defend it." He pointed to Baishan Mountain, which was vaguely visible in the distance, and said to Zhang Fei, "This war is related to the destiny of the country. It's a pity that , but I can only watch.”
In the afternoon of that day, the armies of the Western Dynasty began to arrive at Pingcheng one after another and camped along the Wuchuan River. Three days later, the Bafu Army, Xifu Army, Shanglin Army, and Nanfu Army all arrived. Each unit of the four prefectures was stationed in sequence from north to south, and the camp was actually thirty-six miles long. Once the summer wind blows, the flags are like fish rippling all over the sky, and the horses neigh, as if they can't hold back the passion of galloping on the battlefield. The military appearance is magnificent.
At this time, when the Westerners looked at the Eastern camp again, they found that the momentum was even more astonishing. The Eastern Army camped at the foot of Zibai Mountain, arranged from northwest to southeast. The camp crossed Xiaodonghai and reached Cetian Lake. The camp was more than 40 miles long, directly blocking the entire route from Pingcheng to Daijun. To the north of Baideng Mountain, there is also the military tent of the Xianbei people. They are hidden in the mountains and forests. Although they do not know the specific number of people, they can just listen to the Xianbei people roaring like apes on the red stone cliffs, or shouting. The neighing of galloping war horses is enough to make people's hearts sway.
After both sides saw their respective troop formations, they felt each other's determination to fight.
It had been many days since Cao Cao arrived in Pingcheng, and his considerations for the joint battle had long been completed. Therefore, he first held a military meeting with the generals and analyzed: "The Western army has few soldiers, and our army has many. This is the only clear thing at present. But if the two armies are racing here to fight and formally join the battle, the variables are too great. After all, There are many old soldiers in the Western Army, and there are many new soldiers in our army, so it’s really hard to say who will win or lose." When he said this, he raised his head and glanced at the generals, and after everyone nodded in agreement, he continued: "So to take the initiative, you have to win by surprise."
Speaking of this, Cao Cao placed a huge map of Bingzhou on the big eucalyptus in his tent, which included the entire northern Xinjiang north of Jinyang. Cao Cao placed the black chess pieces symbolizing the Eastern Army and the white chess pieces symbolizing the Western Army on the map. Then he held a black chess piece in his hand, knocked on the sun and said: "Before sending troops, my idea was to besiege Pingcheng from the front, let Qu Junhou attack and contain the Western thieves from the flanks, and wait for the decisive battle after entering the city. . But now it seems that Juyang has penetrated too deeply into the heart of the Western Bandits and cannot be sustained for a long time. It is also difficult to conquer the huge defenses of Pingcheng suddenly. "
Cao Cao said it tactfully, but everyone actually knew about Qu Yi's deeds of escaping before fighting, so their eyes were all focused on Qu Yi without realizing it, which made Qu Yi uneasy. Fortunately, Cao Cao did not get entangled here, but took his hand away from Ju Yang and continued: "So I plan to choose another place and set up a surprise army to surround him."
These words made everyone think deeply. They looked at the map of Bingzhou. The northern border of Bingzhou was divided into east and west parts due to Guanchuan Mountain: the east was an open basin, with Pingcheng controlling the north gate of the basin, and Mayi controlling the basin. South Gate; To the west of Guanlui Mountain is the world-famous Hetao Plain, which is now basically controlled by Xianbei. To the south of the Hetao Plain is a vast and boundless desert, which serves as a natural boundary between Xianbei and the Western Dynasties. Separated from the Hetao River, it was also called Shasai by the people at that time; and in the Guanlui Mountain, the Western Dynasty also set up Dingxiang County, which was condescending and protected the left and right sides.
Everyone thought, could the marshal divide his troops to attack Dingxiang? It's just that the counties of Dingxiang are all located between Chongling Mountains. Only a few thousand soldiers and horses are enough to defend them, which may not be a good choice.
However, to everyone's surprise, Cao Cao quickly passed Dingxiang, placed the chess pieces on the sand with a "snap", pushed forward slightly, and entered Xihe County, and then said slowly: "I plan to divide the elite troops. Ten thousand, across the desert, leading directly to the West River."
All the generals were shocked. They had just thought that the Easterners had just come to Yanmen and were only just familiar with the terrain of Pingcheng. Now they rashly divided their forces to cross the desert. If they were not careful, they might die of thirst in the desert. Therefore, few people thought about this. send troops. After Cao Cao proposed this proposal, the judge asked on the spot: "Marshal, is this too risky?"
Cao Cao had already thought deeply about this. He smiled and said: "I know what you are worried about. It's just that it's difficult to get through the sandbank and it's difficult to supply supplies. But I have communicated with Kebi Neng and I know that there is a passage in the sandbank. There is plenty of water and grass, so we can get through safely."
What he was referring to was Hu Ze where Yu Fuluo was assassinated. Huze is located in the far north of Xihe County, bordering the southern end of Wuyuan County. As a lake formed by a tributary of a large river, it fills an oasis in the sand. Cattle, sheep, tigers and leopards often gather here, but the scale is not large. It is famous as a hunting place for the southern Xiongnu Chanyu. At this time, as a passage, the Eastern Army could cross the vast desert and reach Xihe County.
Knowing that there was such a passage, the generals suddenly felt more confident, and then heard Cao Cao say: "Kebi Neng has been entrenched in the Hetao for many years, and his men are very familiar with Huze. I will ask a few people to guide the envoys, and they will definitely be able to pass through Huze. At that time, walking two hundred miles southeast will be the royal court of the Southern Xiongnu, Meiji."
Having said this, Cao Cao drank a glass of water, stood up straight, stretched, and continued to joke with everyone: "Liu Xuande has tens of thousands of Xiongnu soldiers under his command. He has been with him for almost twenty years. His wife is still the princess of the Xiongnu, so Many people also call him the 'King of Meiji'. If this move can destroy Meiji in one fell swoop, the Huns under his command will inevitably be in chaos. How can we not win if we fight head-on?"
Speaking of which, the planning is almost complete. The only thing worth worrying about is that Meiji, as the royal court of the Huns, may be heavily guarded and difficult to defeat quickly. After Tian Feng proposed it to him, Cao Cao said: "This is not a difficult problem. After all, Liu Bei must have mobilized the best people in the country when he comes to fight. Those who stay in the country are not old and weak, but ordinary people. Therefore, as long as you are unexpected and use your troops quickly, you will definitely win." It works wonders.”
Just when everyone thought that this was how they understood the arrangement, Cao Cao showed a cunning look and said leisurely: "But just in case, I plan to provide a layer of cover."
He asked Qu Yi: "Qu Junhou, you drank with me three days ago and said that Chen Chong's reform of the system annoyed some of the Bingzhou Yuan Cong and asked them to return to their hometowns, right?"
Qu Yi stood up and replied, "Yes."
Cao Cao nodded and continued: "Then please arrange a few people to contact this group of people and make a wish to make them cause trouble. Regardless of success or failure, the bigger the noise, the better. When I go south, Allow them to be governors of Bingzhou!"
Qu Yi nodded and clasped his fists in response.
At this point, Cao Cao turned to everyone and said: "If I can cause chaos in the south, they will definitely not expect that I am interested in Meiji. If I attack the east and west like this, I will definitely gain full success!"
At this point, everyone was convinced and praised Cao Cao for his wisdom.
Then Cao Cao appointed relevant personnel. As usual, he still appointed Cao Ren as the commander-in-chief of the Qi army, and Zhu Ling and Zhang He as his assistants. In his opinion, Zhang He was good at making clever changes, and Zhu Ling was good at tact, so they had them as assistants. You must be able to make up for your shortcomings and find new ideas at the same time.
As for Xianbei's guide, Kebineng sent Murong Mo to protect Ba. Ke Bineng's letter of recommendation said that Murong Mohuba was well versed in the army and knew the terrain well. He was also familiar with the customs of the Xiongnu and Jieqiang tribes, so he was the best candidate to lead. Cao Cao had also talked with him before and was extremely satisfied when he saw that he was personable and elegant in conversation.
In addition, there were some chores related to grain and logistics, which Cao Cao left to Cheng Yu. Cheng Yu has been following Cao Cao for more than ten years. He has always done his job conscientiously and rarely made any omissions. He even defended Puyang alone, so he was highly trusted by Cao Cao. Such an arrangement is indeed comprehensive.
After Qu Yi returned to the camp, he handed over the affairs assigned by Cao Cao to Qu Guang. During this period, he suddenly asked him: "What do you think of Cao Mengde?"
Qu Guang pondered for a moment and replied: "Marshal Cao has a sea of imaginative ideas, extraordinary wit, and proficiency in magic. He is a figure like Bai Qi and Wang Jian in ancient times. If he can compare with the marching formation, I am afraid that except for the man in Xijing, , There is no one in the world who can match it.”
Hearing Qu Guang mention Chen Chong, Qu Yi couldn't help but raise his eyebrows and said with a smile: "In your opinion, who is worried about Chen Tingjian and Cao Mengde's use of troops?"
Qu Guang replied: "Chen Duxiang is rigorous in using his troops and considers everything, but he makes mistakes; Marshal Cao is good at making surprises and cannot guard against them, but makes mistakes recklessly. Both sides have their own strengths and weaknesses. The outcome of victory or defeat is often determined by in a moment."
At this point, both of them laughed. If one cannot predict victory or defeat, everyone knows this. But Qu Guang hesitated for a moment and continued: "Compared with Chen Duxiang's lenient attitude, Marshal Cao is suspicious and mean in nature. Although he can employ people, he cannot exhaust them. If you change your position, you should be cautious and restrain yourself." My previous indulgent temperament."
Qu Yi replied nonchalantly: "Why do you need to say this? Do you still remember what I said in Juyang? After this battle, I will ask for an emissary from another town. In the future, I will be a prince of eight hundred miles, and I will be at home. That’s enough for me.”
Seeing that Qu Yi didn't listen, Qu Guang couldn't help but sigh in his heart. But as the so-called do one's best and obey fate, he thought to himself that since he had done his best, how things would develop in the future could only be decided by nature.
