Chapter 395: Ziwu Valley’s Strange Plot

Style: Historical Author: Batu CavesWords: 3564Update Time: 24/01/12 10:43:36
Hanzhong, Nanzheng, temporary residence of the King of Hanzhong.

Liu Bei, the king of Hanzhong, was quite pleased when he looked at the soldiers under his command.

Even Liu Bei himself did not expect that he, who was trapped in the small county of Xinye and didn't know where he was going, would lead a hundred thousand troops in the Northern Expedition to the Central Plains.

Looking at the civilian officials, Zhuge Liang who he invited out of the thatched cottage three times, and then looking at the military generals, his third brother Zhang Yide and Liu Bei were really filled with emotion.

Looking along the two groups of people, there are Fazheng, Pang Tong, Yi Ji, Chen Zhen and Liu Ba after the civil service.

The military generals are even more star-studded. Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Ma Chao, Zhang Xi, Chen Dao, Wei Yan, Huang Quan, Wu Yin, Zhang Xi is finally counted among the ranks of military generals, not among the civil servants.

Zhang Xi is actually quite conflicted about this.

But anyway, the King of Hanzhong summoned his subordinates Wenwu and formally began to discuss the march route.

At this time, it was no longer Zhuge Liang who stood up to explain, but Fa Zheng.

The strategy was discussed together by Zhuge Liang, Fazheng, Pang Tong, Xu Shu, and Zhang Xi. Everyone has known it for a long time. What is missing now is the specific marching route and tactical methods.

In this regard, Fazheng rushed to Hanzhong in advance, collected all kinds of intelligence, and made analysis. He is the person who knows the actual situation in Yongliang best.

Just one thing. Fa Zheng's current physical condition is not very good.

Originally, Zhuge Liang also suggested that he should do this kind of trivial matter for himself. Anyway, Zhuge Liang and Fazheng worked out this march route and tactics together, and Zhuge Liang knew it very well.

But Fazheng smiled and refused.

It's not to steal the limelight, just because Fa Zheng is Liu Bei's mastermind, and this is his duty.

Furthermore, Fazheng's physical condition has not been very good in the past few years. People of this era who are often physically weak and sick always have a strange theory of destiny. Fazheng feels that if he misses this Northern Expedition, he may There will be no chance for him to go out with the army again.

Fazheng cherishes the opportunity of this Northern Expedition very much and must embody all his values ​​and abilities in this Northern Expedition.

Therefore, even if he felt unwell, as long as he was not really lying down and unable to move, Fazheng still insisted on telling the overall process of this Northern Expedition by himself.

"From Hanzhong to Yongliang in the north, there are five roads in total."

Fazheng resisted his desire to cough, worked hard to calm his breathing, and began to talk about the topography of the Qinling Mountains in detail in front of the map.

The generals were all listening attentively, especially a certain old man named Wei. His eyes began to twinkle when he looked at the Ziwu Road on the map.

". You can order a general to lead the troops out of the Baoxie Road to act as a suspect and attract the main force of Cao Hong's army in Guanzhong. The king's army will take the Qishan Road, leave Liangzhou, attack Longshan, and cut off Yongliang's troops. During the introduction, The lord personally led the army, raided Guanzhong, captured Chang'an before Cao Hong's army returned, and then ordered General Ma to lead the Qiang and Hu cavalry to attack Anding and Guangwei counties, cutting off the retreat of Cao Hong's army in Liangzhou."

As Fazheng talked, he couldn't hold it back and kept coughing.

Liu Bei was worried, so he personally walked down the steps to give Fa Zheng some peace of mind. He led Fa Zheng back to his seat and sat down. He comforted him and said, "There is no need to stand up, just sit down and speak."

Anyway, I felt grateful and wanted to say something, but because I was so excited, I coughed even more.

Zhang Xi also frowned and looked at Fazheng worriedly.

In memory, Fazheng seems to have died in the past few years. Zhang Xi really can't remember exactly when he died, but Fazheng does not live long.

Originally from Chengdu to Hanzhong, Zhang Xi didn't notice any signs of Fa Zheng's physical discomfort, so he didn't take it seriously. Some time ago, he had been responsible for training in the army and had dealings with Zhuge Liang, but with Fa Zheng, he had been We haven't seen each other very often, and we don't know what's going on with Fa Zheng's physical condition.

But fortunately, although Fazheng keeps coughing, he seems to be in good health. There shouldn't be any problems, right? !

Well, let's talk about this later when we go to Fazheng's camp to visit.

Now, there are still military discussions.

Fazheng calmed down his cough and then finished explaining the final tactical arrangements.

". The most important thing about this dispatch is surprise and speed. We must march with all our strength. Before November comes, the army must march to Liangzhou and use the land of Liangzhou as supplies. Otherwise, the Qinling Mountains will be blocked by heavy snow, and food and grass transportation will be difficult. This inconvenience will be a great disadvantage to our army!"

After saying this, Fazheng sat down in his seat and kept adjusting his breathing to relieve the symptoms of coughing.

The generals in the army also temporarily broke away from Fazheng's narration, and Liu Bei also returned to his seat and began formal discussions.

Fazheng's plan still focuses on winning by surprise.

When leaving the Qinling Mountains in the middle of winter, once the mountains are blocked by heavy snow, not to mention food and grass, even the army may be trapped in the Qinling Mountains and unable to get out.

Originally, Zhuge Liang was opposed to Fazheng's plan. After all, it was too risky. He had to conquer Longyou, Liangzhou in two months, and the time was too tight.

But Fazheng showed Zhuge Liang the intelligence coming from the north. Cao Pi had ordered Guo Huai in Liangzhou and Cao Hong in Guanzhong to be on guard. If no clever strategy was used, even if they left Liangzhou via the Qishan Road, they would still be attacked by Guo Huai. Blocked at every level.

To be safe, of course, we should wait until spring begins and the heavy snow melts to advance. But by that time, Cao Jun's reinforcements will probably have arrived, and Yongliang will become impregnable.

It would be better to take advantage of the heavy snow to seal the mountain and compete with God for time to quickly break through the Qishan Road.

And those prefects of Liangzhou counties who are familiar with the weather in Liangzhou would not have thought that Liu Bei's army would come out of Qishan Road at this time. At that time, Liu Bei would be caught by surprise, and he would be prepared for the battle but not prepared. It is very likely that Liangzhou will be defeated in one battle. .

This is the biggest reason why Fa Zheng chose to send troops at this time.

It is indeed a risk, but this risk can actually be taken. It is now early September. Even if we take a detour from Qishan Road, we can march to Liangzhou in about a month. Even if there is a delay, as long as we arrive in November and capture If the two counties of Tianshui and Nan'an can survive the two months of winter with the grain and grass from these two counties, the problem will not be too big.

Fazheng has asked caravans who travel the Qishan Road all year round. The earliest snow on the Qishan Road is early November and the latest is early December. In terms of time, there is still enough time.

Zhuge Liang thought about it and thought that there was really no better way than this strategy, so he had to choose to agree with Fazheng's strategy.

After all, Liu Bei, the King of Hanzhong, cannot be allowed to stay in Hanzhong until the spring of next year before taking action. That is still half a year away.

And more importantly, Guan Yu has already marched on the Xiangfan side. If it is delayed for half a year, God knows how the battle situation on the Xiangfan side will change.

Although Zhuge Liang is cautious throughout his life, it does not mean that Zhuge Liang will not choose to take risks. As long as the certainty is large enough and the benefits are sufficient, Zhuge Liang will also take risks.

The so-called certainty is large enough and the profit is large enough, which refers to the strategy currently being planned.

As for what a certain fool said

"Lord, since it's so difficult to make a surprise, why do we have to take a long detour and take the Qishan Road?!"

The prefect of Hanzhong, Wei Yan, the general of Wei, began to express his high opinions.

As the prefect of Hanzhong, it cannot be said that Wei Yan did not understand the geographical conditions near Hanzhong. Therefore, Wei Yan was the one who knew the five paths mentioned by Fazheng best.

Therefore, Wei Yan began to advise Liu Bei.

"Why not order a general to go out of Baoxie Road to attract Cao Hong's main army in Guanzhong to the entrance of Baoxie Road, and let the last general personally lead an army to attack Chang'an via Ziwu Valley Road?!" Wei Yan pointed to the map and said, "Although the Ziwu Valley Trail is The road is rugged and difficult, but it is not impossible to march. Cao Hong of Chang'an leads the army to Baoxie Road, and there is no general to guard Chang'an, so he must be light and unprepared. He does not need many troops and horses. Thousands of people carry twenty days of food and grass, and they will definitely be able to One force goes down to Chang'an. After Chang'an is captured, Cao Hong will definitely return to the defense. At this time, the lord personally leads the army out of Baoxie Road and attacks Yan in front and behind. In this way, Cao Hong will be defeated and Guanzhong can be secured."

I have to say that Wei Yan's plan is much more feasible than the plans in history. He somehow knew to use suspicious soldiers to attract Cao Hong's main army, and then detoured and attacked. At least he didn't place his hopes on the Chang'an garrison. He was an idiot. on the body.

But the problem is that this plan still requires that the right time and place cooperate with you, so that you have the possibility of success.

First of all, the Ziwu Valley Road is extremely rugged and difficult to navigate, beyond ordinary people’s imagination.

Although they are called mountain roads, these mountain roads are basically only one step wide. If you are not careful, you may fall off the cliff and die during the march. Marching on such a road is difficult, let alone transporting food and grass.

The only advantage is that you don’t have to worry about rainfall in the mountains on the Ziwu Valley Road at this time, and you don’t have to worry about causing mudslides. It’s the only time of the year that’s suitable for marching. You just have to walk fast, don’t wait until snow falls in the mountains to block the road.

If you take the Qishan Road, even if the mountain is blocked by heavy snow, you will at least have a chance to return to Hanzhong. But if you take the Ziwu Valley Road, if the mountain is blocked by heavy snow, you will not even have a chance to return.

Secondly, Cao Hong is not a fool. He can't bring all his soldiers to Baoxie Pass for a decisive battle with Liu Bei. Chang'an's defenders don't need many troops. As long as they only have 5,000 people left, Wei Yan can definitely break through with thousands of troops. How sure is Changan? !

Which siege battle these days is easy to fight, especially a fortified city like Chang'an.

Yes, Chang'an used to be relatively dilapidated, but since Dong Zhuo, princes from all over the country have occupied Chang'an and have done some repairs. Especially after Cao Cao occupied Chang'an, he has been strengthening the defense force of Chang'an. How could it be so easy to break through.

More importantly, Cao Hong is not the only general in Chang'an. Zhong Yao has been guarding Chang'an for nearly ten years. He is not someone to be trifled with. There is no need to fight with you. Just guard the walls of Chang'an and send people to Luoyang for help. , not too many, if more than ten thousand people come to help, Chang'an will be safe.

Once Wei Yan failed to capture Chang'an, the thousands of people Wei Yan brought were trapped under the city of Chang'an. Even if he wanted to retreat from Ziwu Valley, he might encounter heavy snow in Ziwu Valley and there would be no way out.

Third, even if Wei Yan is very lucky, Zhong Yao was taken away by Cao Hong's army, and Chang'an was really unguarded, allowing you to capture Chang'an.

But what to do after Chang'an is captured? !

Relying on the thousands of troops in your hands, you have to suppress the wealthy families in Chang'an City, deal with Cao Hong's returning army, and deal with the attacking army that may be sent by Luoyang. I don't know where you get the confidence to defend Chang'an. ah.

Don't talk about seizing Tongguan. How did Ma Chao get beaten by Cao Cao and escape back to Liangzhou after he occupied Chang'an and Tongguan? ! forget? !

It doesn't matter if you forget. Ma Chao himself is in the account now, so you can ask him.

If the Sili area wants to march into Guanzhong, there is not only one road to Tongguan. Ma Chao and Liangzhou were unable to stop Cao Cao from crossing the Yellow River and entering Guanzhong. You, Wei Yan, occupy Chang'an. What's the use? !

Not to mention, Guo Huai, the governor of Liangzhou, is not a fool. Would he watch Liu Bei's army marching without any reaction? !

Once Guo Huai stalls Liu Bei's army and lets Cao Hong lead tens of thousands of troops to Chang'an, how capable is Wei Yan that you can hold out until Liu Bei arrives? !

Anyway, no matter what Zhang Xi thinks, he feels that Wei Yan's Ziwu Valley conspiracy is just seeking death.

Not only did he commit suicide, but he also took the lives of thousands of soldiers seriously and wanted to lead thousands of soldiers to death together.

(End of chapter)