Wen Qin and Guan Qiu Jian were both young at this time, only in their twenties, and were complete juniors in the army.
Wen Qin is the son of Cao Cao's general Wen Ji, and his relationship with Lao Cao is actually quite close. A few years ago, he was praised as "the son of a famous general". This is not to say that Wen Ji is a famous general, but purely to take pictures of Cao Cao. Just flattery.
After all, he is the son of Lao Cao's confidant, so a little flattery will never go amiss.
But in the past two years, Wen Qin's life has been difficult.
The reason is simple. Wen Qin was involved in the "Wei Zhi rebellion case".
This is really not because Man Chong, who was responsible for the dirty work in this world, wrongly accused Wen Qin. Wen Qin did have a close relationship with Wei Xi. At least in Wen Qin's matter, Man Chong did not use any tricks.
But precisely because of this, when Man Chong handed over Wen Qin's name, Cao Pi struggled for a long time. In the end, he just called Wen Qin over, scolded him, and then pardoned him.
Cao Pi is also in trouble. Wen Qin is Wen Ji's son, and Wen Ji is Cao Cao's favorite general. How can this be done? !
If even Wen Qin was confirmed to be involved with Wei Xi and opposed Cao's claim to the throne, what would happen if word got out? !
Therefore, Cao Pi finally chose to keep a trace of face, but at the same time, Cao Pi also dismissed Wen Qin from all positions.
By this time, Wen Qin's life became difficult.
Although Cao Pi pardoned Wen Qin, it is also true that Wen Qin was involved in the "Wei Zhi Conspiracy Case". No one wants to have anything to do with a person who was once involved in the "Wei Zhi Conspiracy Case".
For a time, Wen Qin, who was only in his early twenties, seemed to have no future.
Wen Qin certainly didn't want to be left hanging around and waiting to die at such a young age, so he had to find a way to save himself.
Just two years later, Cao Zhen replaced Cao Ren, who died of illness, to guard Chang'an. Unwilling to perish, Wen Qin asked someone to find connections and entrusted him to Cao Zhen, hoping to go to war for the country and prove his loyalty.
As for Cao Zhen, he had actually heard about Wen Qin and admired Wen Qin's ability and talent. However, the matter of Wen Qin was really not something that Cao Zhen could decide on his own. Cao Zhen had to ask Cao Pi for his opinion first.
Cao Pi was actually quite hesitant about Wen Qin.
The "Wei Zhi rebellion case" was originally expanded by Cao Pi to take advantage of the situation to eliminate opposition forces. Since Cao Pi dared to cross Wen Qin off the list, it means that Cao Pi also knew that Wen Qin would not participate in the rebellion.
It's just a fact that Wen Qin and Wei Xi had a close relationship, and there is concrete evidence for this. Therefore, although Cao Pi knew that Wen Qin was not involved in the "Wei Xi conspiracy", he still had some grudges in his heart.
It always feels like a ticking time bomb.
Now Wen Qin invited him to go out to fight, which was in line with Cao Pi's wishes.
If Wen Qin had stayed in Yecheng, Cao Pi would eventually see him as a hidden danger.
But now, Wen Qin takes the initiative to request to go out to fight. Firstly, he can be sent to a place to practice his abilities. Secondly, if Wenqin can make meritorious service for the Wei Dynasty, it will be enough to prove Wenqin's loyalty. At that time, he will not be promoted. Late.
In this way, Wen Qin followed Cao Zhen out of the town of Chang'an, but his official position was only that of a school captain.
After all, he was worried. Not only Cao Pi, but also Cao Zhen did not dare to give Wen Qin too high an official position, just in case.
However, Guo Huai admired Wen Qin's talent. After a chance encounter, Guo Huai always remembered Wen Qin and came forward to ask Cao Zhen for Wen Qin. This time he sent troops to Wuzhangyuan and appointed Wen Qin as the vanguard.
As for Guanqiu Jian, his official career was much smoother than that of Wen Qin.
Guan Qiu Jian was the son of Guan Qiu Xing, a great general in Cao Wei.
Guanqiu Xing was not only good at fortifications, but also had good ability in local governance. If Liu Bei hadn't captured Liangzhou during the Northern Expedition, Guanqiu Xing might have been the Wuwei Governor appointed by Cao Wei.
But it is a pity that Wuqiu Xing will still be the master craftsman now.
As for the position of General Master Craftsman, although it is a high-level position to manage national projects, its status within Cao Wei is not high. After all, Cao Wei did not set up a separate Ministry of Works. General Master Craftsman was under the control of the inner government, which was a rank. A high, but low-status official position.
It doesn't matter what Guanqiu Xing does on his own, but for his son Guanqiu Jian, Guanqiu Xing doesn't want him to continue to inherit his position, so he has to arrange another way out for his son.
It happened that Du Ji, the minister, was going to follow Cao Zhen to Chang'an to take up his post. Guan Qiu Xing found a relationship and entrusted him to Du Ji. He asked Guan Qiu Jian to follow Du Ji to Chang'an in the name of Literary Man, so that he could accumulate some fame and political achievements. Then seek the position of governor of another place.
In this way, Guanqiu Jian followed Du Ji and arrived in Chang'an.
But Guanqiu Jian is dishonest.
The path arranged by Guan Qiu Xing for Guan Qiu Jian was to take the civil service route, first get familiar with Du Ji's staff, then think of ways to take up a position later, accumulate step by step, and finally enter the central government.
But when Guanqiu Jian arrived in Chang'an, apart from following Du Ji to handle government affairs, he ran to the military camp if he had nothing to do.
As a young man in his early twenties, he is somewhat enthusiastic. In addition, these are troubled times, and there is no weird problem like later generations that valued civility over martial arts. There are actually many people like Guanqiu Jian who yearn for the military camp.
In particular, Guan Qiujian also had a common problem among literati. He liked to "point out the country and inspire writing". This was not something Guo Huai caught.
Guo Huai chatted with Guan Qiu Jian and found that although this man did not have much battle experience, he had read some military books. The most important thing was that Guan Qiu Jian had his own way of thinking and was not the kind of nerd who copied military books.
The reading rate of people these days is very low, let alone those who have read military books. Some world-famous scholars will never have the opportunity to read military books in their lifetime.
Therefore, Guo Huai personally asked Du Ji for help and kept Guanqiu Jian in the army as a counselor.
During this expedition to Wuzhangyuan, Guo Huai naturally took Guan Qiujian with him.
Guo Huai brought two young people with him, who were also new helpers, and he felt much more confident.
When something happens, at least you don't have to make decisions alone, there are two people you can discuss with.
As for the opposite Guo Huai, he still underestimated Liu Bei's team.
But this can't be blamed on Guo Huai. The efficiency of information transmission these days is so low. Many things can only be judged by reputation and rumors.
Under Liu Bei's account, Guo Huai had dealt with Zhang Xi and Zhang Fei, and knew that these two people were difficult to deal with, but Guo Huai was not lying. After all, he had faced each other head-on and knew the truth and falsehoods of the other party.
Pang Tong, Zhuge Liang, and Guo Huai have also heard of their reputations, but in Guo Huai's eyes, they are just counselors.
The role of counselors is very important in the stage of formulating strategic plans, but in the actual combat stage, the role of counselors will be much reduced. When facing the enemy in battle, they mainly rely on the command of generals.
As for the remaining Huang Quan, Wu Yi, Chen Shi, Zhang Nan, Feng Xi and others, they are just second-rate generals.
Therefore, Guo Huai felt that when the two armies actually faced each other, he was on the defensive side. With the fortifications in hand and the help of Wen Qin and Guan Qiujian, there would be no problems.
But the reality is a bit difficult for Guo Huai to accept.
Guo Huai's troops had just arrived at Mei County, and before they reached Wuzhangyuan, they received battle reports from the front.
Chen Dao changed his defensive posture and suddenly led his troops to attack the western camp of Cao's army below Wuzhangyuan. He defeated three camps in five days and is now attacking in depth.
Well, before he arrived, Guo Huai received quite unfavorable news.
Guo Huai mentally cursed the incompetence of Xue Ze, the guard who stayed behind at Wuzhangyuan, and quickly ordered the front vanguard Wen Qin to lead the troops to quickly support him, making sure to block Chen Dao's troops at Wuzhangyuan.
Guo Huai had just made this arrangement and planned to rest in Mei County for three days before entering Wuzhangyuan. The second bad news came again.
Xue Ze once again sent a battle report. Shu troops Zhang Xi and Zhang Fei each led an army of 10,000 men. They attacked Cao Jun's western camp under Wuzhangyuan from both left and right. They tried to join Chen Dao and open up the passage to the top of the slope of Wuzhangyuan to occupy Wuzhangyuan.
Guo Huai immediately checked the topographic map of Wuzhangyuan and carefully evaluated the movements and strategic objectives of the Shu army. In fact, he didn't need to look carefully. He could see clearly with just a glance. The Shu army was going to advance in three directions to get ahead of his reinforcements. , stationed in Wuzhangyuan, occupying a geographical advantage.
Guo Huai, who had originally wanted to rest in Mei County for three days, saw this situation and realized how much rest he could have. !
Chen Dao in the middle is almost approaching the Wuzhangyuan Mountain Road. Zhang Xi and Zhang Fei are both famous generals in the world, and their advance will not be too slow. If they are given three days, by the time Guo Huai arrives at Wuzhangyuan, it will be very difficult. Faced with a condescending enemy.
With no way to rest, Guo Huai had no choice but to mobilize the army that had just entered Mei County and continue in the direction of Wuzhangyuan. Now he just had to grab time.
At this time, Guanqiu Jian had been looking at the map in the military tent for a long time, and suddenly offered his advice to Guo Huai.
"General, Mei County is the place where our army gathers grain. It is a critical place. General, we must guard against it!"
This is the first time that Guan Qiujian has put forward his own suggestions to Guo Huai since his expedition.
But to put it another way, this is just nonsense that is extremely correct.
Mei County is indeed very important. It is not only the logistics supply station for all Cao's troops on the Weishui River, but also the first strategically important town after leaving Qi Mountain and the gateway to Guanzhong.
In fact, Guo Huai did not need to mention this point, Guo Huai also knew it.
The reason why Guan Qiu Jian said this was just because along the way, as a counselor who assisted Guo Huai in advising military aircraft, Guan Qiu Jian did not put forward any suggestions to Guo Huai, which somewhat made Guan Qiu Jian feel that he had neglected his duty.
The suggestion to strengthen the defense of Mei County is an extremely correct suggestion at any time. Regardless of whether Guo Huai follows it or not, Guanqiu Jian will not make any mistakes.
Use an unmistakable suggestion to show your sense of existence and express that you don't just eat and work. I have to say that Guan Qiujian's little mind is also very flexible.
But the question is, who is Guo Huai? Can Guo Huai, a veteran who has led troops for many years, see Guan Qiu Jian's little thoughts? !
But Guo Huai didn't mean to expose Guanqiu Jian's petty thoughts, he just smiled at him.
On the one hand, Guo Huai certainly knew the nonsense Guanqiu Jian said, but this nonsense was indeed correct and there was no room for refutation.
On the other hand, Guo Huai believed that Guanqiu Jian was very young and could think of this suggestion for the first time he went out to fight. He was already very discerning. Even if he had careful thoughts, it was still worthy of encouragement and he should not be too harsh on others.
Even in order to take care of Guanqiu Jian's face, Guo Huai specially found Wang Sheng, the guard of Mei County, and told Wang Sheng to pay attention to the patrol around Mei County and not to be careless. In fact, what Guo Huai said was Wang Sheng's. Just daily work.
After doing this, Guo Huai led the army and set off again, rushing to Wuzhangyuan.
Guanqiu Jian, on the other hand, was a little embarrassed by Guo Huai's behavior.
They were not fools. Guanqiu Jian understood the intention of Guo Huai's actions, and for a moment he felt a little embarrassed by his own little thoughts.
They take care of their own face and emotions so much, and they even cooperate in a play. If they can't come up with some decent ideas, it won't make them look really useless.
Therefore, Guanqiu Jian also racked his brains to help Guo Huai make plans along the way.
When he was approaching Wuzhangyuan, Guanqiu Jian seemed to suddenly think of something and asked Guo Huai.
"General, from the direction of Sanguan and Chencang Road, will there be any battle reports coming in the near future?!"
(End of chapter)
