Against Guo Huai's Liangzhou Army, the real trump card was never the vanguard force led by Zhang Xi, nor Liu Bei's rear army, but Ma Chao's Qiang and Hu Yi Cong.
Liu Bei was a monarch who fought from the north to the south. He knew very well that cavalry was the indispensable main force for a decisive victory in the north.
Therefore, the combat mission given by Liu Bei to the vanguard force of Zhang Xi and others was only to hold on to the main force of the Liangzhou Army and did not require them to defeat the enemy.
The real killer move lies on Ma Chao's side.
However, Liu Bei did not expect that Zhang Xi's advance would go so smoothly, and he would occupy Ji County all of a sudden. At this time, Ma Chao, because of the difficulty in contacting him, Liu Bei did not know what Ma Chao was. Where they were, they could only judge based on common sense of marching. Ma Chao should have left Didao and was almost at Tianshui County.
But there will be some time error in the process. Therefore, the Liu Bei Group must also respond at this time. Otherwise, if Zhang Xi of Hebei County resists, it may not be able to stick to Guo Huai.
Guo Huai's tent is basically dominated by cavalry, with only a few thousand infantry. What they are best at is thousands-mile assault. It is difficult to completely attract Guo Huai's main army with just one city.
Liu Bei understood Zhang Xi's idea, which was to use the advantages of city defense and the weakness of Liangzhou people's inability to attack cities to use Ji County to attract Guo Huai and create conditions for Ma Chao to defeat Guo Huai.
But after all, Zhang Xi had never really seen the cavalry's fighting style, and Liu Bei was still worried that Zhang Xi had made a mistake.
One was worried that Zhang Xi would divide his troops, but Guo Huai would use the advantage of the cavalry in the field to defeat them one by one.
The other is worried that Guo Huai only sent a small number of cavalry to besiege the city, and the remaining cavalry will attack everywhere to attack his rear army. They may even discover Ma Chao's cavalry and take precautions in advance.
With Zhang Xi's infantry, there was no way he could completely pin Guo Huai's cavalry to the foot of Ji County.
Therefore, after Liu Bei led his army out of Qishan Road and received the military report that Zhang Xi had occupied Ji County, he immediately summoned Pang Tong and Fazheng to discuss countermeasures.
Fa Zheng had just recovered from a serious illness and insisted on going on expeditions with the army. Therefore, his physical condition was still not good and he relied on woad root medicine to support him.
Therefore, the person who spoke first was Pang Tong.
After analyzing all the current intelligence, Pang Tong found out the key point - Guo Huai's Liangzhou Army must have enough reasons to attack the city of Ji County.
There is no way. After Pang Tong found out this key point, he immediately thought of a good way.
But this method is a bit too risky, so risky that even Pang Tong is a little unsure whether to say it or not.
Therefore, Pang Tong subconsciously glanced at Liu Bei, and this glance made Fa Zheng anxious and coughing non-stop.
Everyone is smart, and both Fazheng and Pang Tong like to use strange tricks. Their brain circuits in this regard are surprisingly similar.
Therefore, Pang Tong looked at Liu Bei, and Fazheng immediately realized Pang Tong's plan - to let Liu Bei personally lead troops to Ji County, using Liu Bei as bait to induce Guo Huai to attack Ji County.
This bait was so fragrant that there was no need to worry about Guo Huai not being fooled.
But in this way, it is equivalent to putting Liu Bei on the fire. What if Ji County cannot be defended? ! What if Ma Chao cannot arrive in time? ! What if Ma Chao is in place but cannot defeat Guo Huai? !
It's too risky, even Fazheng couldn't agree to this strategy.
The current Liu Bei is not the Liu Bei who led the army into Sichuan. Liu Bei is too important to the stability of Shuzhong and the stability of the entire Liu Bei Group, and he must not lose anything.
So Fazheng was anxious. He was really afraid that Pang Tong would bring up this idea, and with Liu Bei's character, he would never refuse such a thing. The King of Hanzhong did not lack this courage.
Fazheng was so anxious that he wanted to speak, but as soon as he spoke, he choked on his own saliva.
This time I coughed not because of the sequelae of febrile disease, but because I choked on my saliva.
But Fazheng's cough immediately made Liu Bei nervous.
Initially, Liu Bei did not agree to allow Fa Zheng to accompany the army on the expedition, but Fa Zheng insisted repeatedly, and the medical officer also said that Fa Zheng's illness was not serious. As long as he stopped overworking and rested for a few days, Liu Bei reluctantly agreed. of.
But now that he is coughing like this, Liu Bei has already regretted it. This damn medical officer lied, how does it look like there is no problem? !
Liu Bei quickly persuaded Fazheng to stop talking and rest in peace, but Fazheng kept shaking his head and looking at Pang Tong, which means that if you dare to express your inner thoughts, I will fight you to the death.
Pang Tongxin said that I am not stupid!
Although I like to take risks and use tricks, the premise is that I feel that even if these tricks fail, it will not affect the overall situation. Let the King of Hanzhong go to guard Ji County. Just think about it. Can I really say it? !
Therefore, Pang Tong first signaled Fa Zheng not to be anxious with his eyes, and then he handed over his hand and said to Liu Bei, "My lord, with the current situation, there is a strategy to relieve my lord's worries - my lord can quickly divide the troops and let the generals lead their own troops. Capture the counties in Liangzhou."
When Fazheng heard Pang Tong's words, he immediately felt relieved and began to think about the purpose and feasibility of this strategy.
Pang Tong continued to say to Liu Bei, "Yuan Chang has occupied Ji County, and our army has a favorable geographical situation. The only thing we worry about is that the Liangzhou cavalry comes and goes like the wind. General Ma's whereabouts may be revealed by Guo Huai." "
Liu Bei listened, thought for a moment, and asked, "That's true. However, Shi Yuan and Xiao Zhi made a plan earlier, so Yuan Chang attracted Guo Huai's attention and Meng Qi flanked the enemy. Why did he split his troops to attack Liangzhou County alone now? county?!"
Pang Tong smiled and said, "We didn't expect Yuan Chang's advance to be so fast. Guo Huai is not an unwise man. Although he besieged Ji County, he would not be defenseless. Now we don't know where General Ma is. If he is attacked by Guo Huai The Huai cavalry's investigation will inevitably be in vain. If the lord sends troops to attack the counties in Liangzhou, one will distract Guo Huai and hide General Ma's whereabouts. Two, Guo Huai will definitely know that we are the main force of the Northern Expedition. If you don’t dare to advance rashly, you can nail him to death under the city of Ji County.”
Liu Bei frowned slightly, but still didn't understand, and continued to ask, "We divide our troops to attack the counties in Liangzhou, and if Guo Huai also divides his troops to rescue, what can he do?!"
At this time, Fazheng finally stopped coughing and hurriedly said, "Don't worry, my lord, Guo Boji has always been cautious in using troops. Knowing that our army intends to be in Liangzhou, he will definitely preserve his combat power and will not divide his troops easily. If he divides his troops, it will be okay. Our troops who captured the prefectures and counties are originally suspected soldiers. If we divide our troops to rescue them, our headquarters will be empty. At this time, we can order the three generals to lead the troops to Ji County, and join forces with the Yuan Chief to attack Guo Huai, and we will definitely defeat him in one battle."
After listening to the analysis of the two counselors, Liu Bei thought carefully for a long time and suddenly asked, "What if Guo Huai abandons Ji County and personally leads troops to rescue the counties, or directly rushes towards us. Our troops are scattered outside and cannot be easily defeated." What if we come back for help?!"
Fazheng and Pang Tong looked at each other, and then Pang Tong said, "If this is the case, my lord should march quickly and station troops in Xi County. After arriving in Xi County, he will divide his troops to attack the counties. There will be no mistakes."
This is not a big trouble. With the siege capabilities of the Liangzhou soldiers, Liu Bei is not afraid of Guo Huai leading the attack as long as he has a wall to hold on to.
As for Guo Huai, regardless of Hebei County, he led troops to rescue other prefectures and counties, and fought mobile warfare with Liu Beifang. There was really no way to prevent this.
The Liangzhou Army itself is dominated by cavalry, and they come and go like the wind. If Guo Huai really gives up the gains and losses of one city and one place, and also gives up his own logistics supply line, leads the cavalry in mobile warfare, and relies on the food and grass from each county for supplies, then it is really a Very troublesome thing.
The Yizhou soldiers are all infantry, and no matter how hard they run, they cannot outrun the cavalry.
But obviously, Liu Bei didn't want such a result.
Liu Bei was not very worried about whether Liangzhou was destroyed. What Liu Bei was really worried about was that once Guo Huai did this, he would not be able to safely march eastward and march into Chang'an.
Guo Huai did not need a logistical supply line, but relied on the fast speed of his cavalry. From one county to another, it was only two or three days' journey, and he was not hungry at all.
As long as Liangzhou is not completely occupied by Liu Bei's army, it is impossible for Guo Huai to lack supplies.
But Liu Bei couldn't do this. Liu Bei's infantry had to rely heavily on supply lines to deliver food. With Guo Huai behind him, it was impossible to guarantee the safety of the food lines.
If Guo Huai is not transferred, it will be impossible to lead the troops eastward and march into Chang'an.
Therefore, Liu Bei could not watch Guo Huai running around, but had to find a way to nail him to death somewhere in Liangzhou.
Relying on the former army in Ji County, Guo Huai cannot stay there all the time. Especially after his main army is exposed, Guo Huai will definitely find a way to move and will not let himself sit there and wait for siege.
After Liu Bei thought for a long time, he suddenly said, "Gu Yi has a plan. If Gu Qin leads the army to Ji County, Guo Huai will not leave lightly. Then he can follow Yuan Chang's plan of filial piety and uprightness and order Meng Qi to attack Guo Huai's flank. If you lead the army alone and fight it personally, you will definitely be able to defeat the enemy."
As soon as these words came out, Fazheng glared at Pang Yi fiercely - I told you to talk nonsense, what should I do now? !
But Pang Tong was also depressed. I didn't mention this matter at all, it was the Lord who thought of it himself.
Besides, it was for the good of the Lord that he suggested that the Lord go to Xi County to hold on. Who knew that the Lord would think of going to Ji County because of this? !
But no matter what, the two great counselors would never agree to Liu Bei taking such a risk and personally going to Jixian County to fight against the enemy.
"My lord, the safety of the whole army is at stake, how can I risk it so easily?!" Pang Tong quickly raised his hand and dissuaded him, "Don't you think that the son of a rich man cannot sit down in the hall, let alone the lord?!"
Fazheng also hurriedly advised, "My lord, what Shi Yuan said makes sense. My lord is not what he used to be. You should know the importance of being a king, and you must not take risks lightly!"
The two counselors objected, but Liu Bei still persisted and said with a smile, "Shang Shu Ling, military advisor, you are worried. Since I raised my army, I have been fighting for more than thirty years. It can be said that I have been in battle for a long time. It is not possible for Sun Quan, Cao Pi and others to sit back and watch. Those who have benefited can be compared. Although the current situation is risky, it is not dangerous. Under the protection of a large army, why not go to Ji County?!"
Yes, no persuasion.
But there are still some things I have to say that are difficult to explain clearly, so I can only continue to persuade.
Yes, you have fought a lot in your life, but tell me, do you spend more of your life losing battles or winning battles? !
Another thing, before you could run, you could run anywhere, and you would not be ashamed to seek refuge with anyone. What is your status now, and can you still run? !
Therefore, Pang Tong could only keep emphasizing that "a gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall", and Fazheng could only say back and forth that "today is different from the past". In any case, he would kill Liu Bei if he did not agree to go to Jixian in person.
When Liu Bei saw such unanimous and strong opposition from the two military advisors, he felt uncomfortable insisting on his own way, but Liu Bei couldn't leave Guo Huai alone.
Therefore, each side takes a step back.
Liu Bei marched into Xixian County, led the Chinese army, and relied on the walls of Xixian County to defend it. At the same time, Liu Bei took out his own Huang Luo umbrella cover, and with great fanfare, he sent Zhang Fei with 20,000 troops to Jixian County to support Zhang Xi.
Anyway, I am here. If you, Guo Huai, are brave, you can cross over to Ji County and lead troops to attack! ! !
(End of chapter)
