There were only a few roads from Hanzhong to Guanzhong, and Cao Zhen had made arrangements to at least ensure that as soon as Liu Bei came out, someone would stop him.
As for how to fight in the future, it depends on the actual development of the battle situation. Now Cao Zhen cannot make a prediction.
There was only one place where Cao Zhen was always a little worried, and that was Chencang Road.
The guard general Chen Cangdao is Xiahou Mao, and the deputy general is Zhuge Qian.
In fact, there is no problem with these two people. At least in the eyes of Cao Zhen now, there is indeed no problem.
In his early years, Cao Zhen followed Cao Hong and attacked Xiabian during the Battle of Hanzhong. Later, after being scared off by Zhang Fei's suspicious tactics, he has been guarding Chencang Road.
It can even be said that the various defensive measures on Chencang Road were repaired while Cao Zhen was stationed.
Cao Zhen is very familiar with the situation on Chencang Road. He knows that as long as there are a few thousand people stationed there, an army of 40,000 to 50,000 people cannot attack it.
Not to mention the road conditions on Chencang Road, which are also quite steep and precipitous. It is already the limit for 20,000 people to attack Chencang Road, and 40,000 to 50,000 people cannot get away from Chencang Road.
Therefore, Xiahou Mao and Zhuge Qian led five thousand troops to garrison Chencang Road. Relying on the defense of Chencang Pass, they were enough to resist the possible arrival of the Shu army.
The only thing Cao Zhen was worried about was whether Xia Houmao would be at a loss because of his lack of experience in the army. He had to go out of the city to fight in the field when it was clear that he only needed to hold on to the pass. If he didn't do such a stupid move, Chen Cangdao would be just like leaving the pass. , is impregnable.
Cao Zhen felt that as the son of Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Mao might lack a little battle experience, but he shouldn't be mentally retarded. What's more, just in case, Cao Zhen sent Zhuge Qian there as well.
Cao Zhen was very optimistic about Zhuge Qian and felt that his ability was not inferior to that of Sun Li. With a little training, he should be able to guard a place even if he couldn't stand alone.
However, Cao Zhen always felt a vague uneasiness in his heart. He couldn't explain the reason, but he intuitively felt that there seemed to be something wrong with Chen Cangdao's defense.
But you can't use your inner uneasiness as an excuse to replace Xiahou Mao as the guard general of Chencang.
If an ordinary person had done this, he would have done it. After all, Cao Zhen was the governor of Yongliang, so he still had this right.
But Xia Houmao is different.
Xia Houmao was also a clan general, and if you really want to say it, his relationship with Cao Pi was much closer than that of Cao Zhen.
Xia Houmao's surname is Xiahou, and his wife's surname is Cao. She is Cao Cao's favorite princess of Qinghe. If these two titles are added together, if Xiahou Mao really dares to go to Cao Pi and complain without a legitimate reason, it will be Cao Zhen who suffers.
Although Cao Zhen also has the surname Cao, he is Cao Cao's adopted son, not his biological son. After all, there is a layer between him.
Therefore, Cao Zhen has been hesitant about finding someone to replace Xia Houmao.
Cao Zhen even hinted to Man Chong several times, asking Man Chong to help him say a word, so that he could take the blame when necessary in the future. But Man Chong is such a slippery person, can he be fooled by this? !
You should resolve the internal matters within the Cao family by yourselves. Don't involve yourself as an outsider.
Don't look back and treat the boy unjustly. If Cao Pi and Xia Houmao think that it's me, Man Chong, who is stirring up trouble, that would be terrible.
Man Chong knew his position and situation very well. During Cao Cao's period, he did the dirty work. Without Cao's blessing, he would not even be able to die a good death.
So every time Cao Zhen mentioned this, Man Chong would pretend to be stupid, not wanting to offend anyone named Cao or Xiahou.
Man Chong very much agreed with Cao Zhen's concerns about Chen Cangdao's defense, but when it came to the question of whether the defender was suitable, Man Chong would either say nothing or make fun of him and would never get involved.
The commotion made Cao Zhen furious, and his uneasiness became even stronger. He thought about meeting him together just in case, and asked Guo Huai to defend Chen Cangdao.
But in the end Cao Zhen did not do so.
I felt uneasy, but I couldn't let Guo Huai guard Chencang Road.
Guo Huai is a famous general and a figure that Cao Pi values very highly.
Now that Yongzhou is almost lost, Guo Huai has not yet been relieved of his position as governor of Yongzhou, which shows Cao Pi's trust in Guo Huai.
If you ask a Yongzhou governor to serve as the guard general of Chencangdao, that is not to dispatch troops, but to insult Guo Huai.
It would be strange if Guo Huai didn't fall out with you.
Furthermore, Cao Zhen did not dare to let Guo Huai go.
Once Liu Bei sends troops to Guanzhong, Cao Zhen will definitely be stationed in Chang'an and cannot move without authorization. If there is an emergency in various places that requires support, then the only person who can lead troops to go out is Guo Huai.
Cao Zhen has already sent out all the generals he likes, and the rest are civil servants like Du Ji, Wang Guan, and Gao Tanglong, and let them lead the troops into battle, unless Cao Zhen is too crazy.
Therefore, Guo Huai cannot be sent to Chencang Road, and Man Chong is sent by Cao Pi to counsel the military aircraft. He has an imperial edict, so he cannot leave Chang'an. There is really no one he can trust, so it is better to let Xiahou Mao continue to stay in Chencang Road. Still sitting.
Finally, and most importantly, the reason that prompted Cao Zhen to give up replacing people to guard Chencang Road was - according to the battle report of Cao's army in the original Wuzhang, Liu Bei led the army out of Baoxie Road with no less than 50,000 troops.
Cao Zhen suddenly became energetic and energized. Any uneasiness in his heart was completely thrown aside.
When Liu Bei led his troops out of Baoxie Road, his strength was still about 50,000. With the Shu army's little wealth, how many 50,000 could Liu Bei have enough to divide his troops? !
He personally led the troops again, and the strength of the troops was still the number of the main army, which showed that Liu Bei did not want to play tricks, and directly stated his main attack direction, which was at Wuzhangyuan outside Baoxie Road.
Subsequent information came in one after another, which further confirmed Cao Zhen's thoughts.
Not only because of their military strength, Liu Bei's famous generals and counselors, Zhang Fei, Zhang Xi, Huang Quan, Wu Yi, Pang Tong, and Zhuge Liang, all accompanied Liu Bei on Baoxie Road.
If anyone is absent, then only Fazheng is absent. But I have never heard that Fazheng still has the ability to lead troops. It is most likely that he stayed in Hanzhong to handle logistics and government affairs.
Now Liu Bei has revealed the chess pieces and told Cao Zhen that I am going to fight you at Wuzhangyuan outside Baoxie Road. Do you dare to challenge Cao Zhen? !
Now Cao Zhen felt comfortable. He no longer had the headache of overthinking, and could just consider facing the enemy head-on.
Cao Zhen immediately ordered Guo Huai to lead the remaining 15,000 central imperial troops to fully support Baoxie Road and fully preside over the defense of Baoxie Road.
As for himself, Cao Zhen still stayed in Chang'an, just in case.
It's not that Cao Zhen doesn't have this courage, this is just a cautious choice that a commander should make.
Cao Zhen is the commander-in-chief and must not be moved lightly. Even if there is a plan, Cao Zhen should not be the one to take action himself. Unless all his men are dispatched, Cao Zhen really has no one to send and the situation is urgent. Otherwise, Cao Zhen must sit in Chang'an to ensure the retreat of the army. , Stabilize the morale of the army.
Otherwise, Cao Zhen is more capable than Cao Xiu. Even at this time, Cao Zhen has not been dazzled by the immediate benefits, and still calmly performs the responsibilities of a coach.
Besides, Guo Huai's ability is not bad, and Cao Jun in Wuzhangyuan, after several reinforcements, has reached about 50,000 troops, so he is not at a disadvantage.
If you want Guo Huai to lead the army to defeat Liu Bei's army, it may be a bit difficult for Guo Huai.
But let Guo Huai rely on the terrain of the camp and fortress to hold on with the same force, this Guo Huai can still do it.
In fact, Guo Huai thought so too, and he was very grateful to Cao Zhen for sending him to preside over the war in Wuzhangyuan.
In Liu Bei's last Northern Expedition, Guo Huai actually did a good job.
In Tianshui County, Guo Huai relied on the superiority of his cavalry to beat Zhang Xi so hard that he dared not leave the city. Later, Zhang Fei came to help, and Guo Huai fought one against two. Although he was slightly defeated, he was not injured. If it weren't for Ma Chao If the cavalry suddenly appears, it is still unclear where Yongliang belongs.
Even so, Guo Huai still sized up the situation and quickly seized Shanggui with a cool head after his defeat. This gave Zhang He and Cao Ren time to come to the rescue and fight with Liu Bei in the Longshan Road.
After that, Guo Huai stood firm in Shanggui and repelled Zhang Fei's attacks several times. Finally, when Cao Ren retreated, he successfully completed the task of cutting off the rear.
It can be said that Guo Huai was the most outstanding performer of Cao Wei Fang in that battle.
However, Cao Wei was the loser after all. As the governor of Yongzhou, Guo Huai lost most of Yongzhou, and only Guanzhong Chang'an was still in his hands.
Guo Huai's reputation as the governor of Yongzhou can be said to be quite unworthy of his name.
This made Guo Huai feel ashamed.
Guo Huai really doesn't feel that he is inferior to anyone. Even against famous generals like Zhang Xi and Zhang Fei, Guo Huai feels that he is capable of fighting.
Now, Liu Bei led his army out of Baoxie Road and approached Wuzhangyuan. Guo Huai felt that his opportunity to avenge his shame had come.
As long as he can stop Liu Bei at Baoxie Road and thwart Liu Bei's Northern Expedition, then he will definitely become a first-class general in the world, be granted the title of Marquis and Prime Minister, and be respected by the world.
The only trouble is that this time his opponents are not only Zhang Xi, Zhang Fei and other famous Shu army generals, but also Liu Bei, a hero that Emperor Wu once praised. While Guo Huai was excited, he was also somewhat nervous.
But there is no chance.
First, I am going to fight a defensive war this time, not an offensive war. The defensive war will take advantage.
There is not much difference in the strength of the two sides. Many of the walled fortresses on the front line of Wuzhangyuan were built when I last attacked Baoxie Pass. I am very familiar with this line of defense and can effectively command the soldiers to defend.
Both of them, although there were many famous enemy generals, Guo Huai did not go to Wuzhangyuan alone this time. He also brought helpers. Although they were young, they were all wise and courageous people.
One is named Wen Qin, and the other is named Guanqiu Jian.
(End of chapter)
