To be honest, if only from the perspective of the confrontation between the two armies, Zhang Xi really wanted to reject Guo Huai's proposal directly.
Why? !
You all lost! ! !
Just to save your face, you don't have to wear women's clothing and let a thousand soldiers accompany you to risk your life. Isn't the life of the soldiers life? !
You old boy, just put on women's clothes for me.
Really, Zhang Xi really wanted to say this and refused Guo Huai's invitation to fight again.
But...this won't work.
The strategic purpose this time is to drag Guo Huai here and put enough pressure on Guo Huai.
If he can defeat Guo Huai this time, he doesn't even need to win a big victory, he just needs to have the upper hand and force Guo Huai to retreat to the camp, then Guo Huai will be considered defeated.
Once Guo Huai is defeated, there will be no reason to refuse to wear women's clothing. The morale of Cao Wei's army will be severely damaged, and the morale of our own army will be greatly boosted. The next battle will be much easier. .
This is completely in line with the strategic purpose of sending troops to the Northern Expedition.
Zhang Xi was also embarrassed and looked at Zhuge Liang subconsciously.
Zhuge Liang also frowned, thinking back and forth about the pros and cons.
Soon, Zhuge Liang raised his head, looked at Zhang Xi, and nodded slightly, thinking that the advantages outweighed the disadvantages, so he could agree.
After Zhang Xi saw Zhuge Liang's statement, he turned his head and looked at Zhang Fei. Zhang Fei had never thought about this issue. He was even a little surprised when he saw Zhang Xi looking over.
Didn't I say that you can make a decision directly after discussing this matter with Zhuge Military Advisor? Why do you need to look at me? !
Besides, are you still afraid of that Guo Huai? !
Zhang Fei looked over with a glare, and Zhang Xi knew what Zhang Fei meant.
It's not that he's afraid of Guo Huai, it's mainly that Zhang Xi is too cautious and always thinks about the worst consequences before doing anything. What should he do if he loses? !
But if you think about it carefully, if you lose, you are not the commander of the army. Losing will not affect the morale of the army too much, it will only affect your reputation.
As for wearing women's clothing, Zhang Xi has no psychological pressure. Then just fight.
After Zhang Xi understood this, he nodded directly and agreed to the bet. In order to fear that Guo Huai would regret it again, he had to drag Guo Huai along with him to make sacrifices to heaven and earth in front of the two armies, and swore the bet.
Guo Huai couldn't help it either.
The previous remarks were somewhat of a denial.
The two armies were fighting, and the outcome of the battle was a bet. Guo Huai had to talk about whether there were more people than others, and whether there was anyone to help him. In the eyes of people who really understood military affairs, he was already shameless.
Now it is rare that Zhang Xi agrees to compete again regardless of the past grudges. In front of so many people in front of the two armies, if Guo Huai doesn't even dare to go to the Tianmeng, then he might as well just go back to the camp in women's clothing.
Just, let’s make an oath.
In this battle, Guo Huai has no way out, so he must prepare well. If he loses again, it will not be a matter of reputation, but a matter of whether he will have the face to continue to lead troops in the future.
The oath of alliance was over, and both sides led their troops back to camp to carefully discuss the battle ten days later.
Outside Longshan Road, Sanguan.
Since Zhao Yun accepted Liu Bei's order at the end of September, he had unified the army for training and looked for fighter opportunities. In mid-October, he left Fu Xu to guard the street pavilion and Jufu to guard Shanggui. He personally led the Yongzhou army of 20,000 men, and joined Wang Ping, Ma Dai and Zhang Yi. , Hao Zhao and other generals attacked the main gate of Guanzhong to disperse the pass.
The guard of Sanguan is Cao Zhen's love general Sun Li. He originally led 5,000 troops to garrison Sanguan. Later, at Man Chong's suggestion, Cao Zhen sent an additional 5,000 central imperial troops to help. Therefore, the total number under Sun Li's account was about 10,000. .
The ratio of offense to defense was two to one. Although Zhao Yun had the advantage, Sun Li had the skills to break the barrier. If he couldn't hold on, Zhao Yun really had nothing to do against Sun Li for a while.
In his early years, Sun Li accepted Cao Cao's conquest and entered Sikong Mansion to serve as Sikong's adviser.
Being favored by Cao Cao and appointed as the staff secretary in military strategy itself illustrates Sun Li's military strategy.
Later, after Cao Pi succeeded to the throne, Sun Li served as county-level assistant officials such as Guohejian County Cheng and Xingyang Duwei. He also served as the Prime Minister of the Lu State. During his tenure as the Lu State's Prime Minister, Sun Li quelled the bandit rebellion in the Lu State and demonstrated his great achievements. Demonstrated certain military ability.
For this reason, after Cao Zhen learned of Sun Li's deeds, he asked Cao Pi for orders to transfer Sun Li to serve in the army. Later, when Cao Zhen left Guanzhong, Sun Li also followed Cao Zhen to Guanzhong to guard Sanguan.
Logically speaking, it is somewhat objectionable that Cao Zhen, who was not qualified to leave the town due to Sun Li's qualifications, did this in such an important position as Sanguan.
But Cao Zhen couldn't help it. At this time point, famous generals such as Cao, the prince of Xia, withered one after another, and generals with other names were also old or died of illness. Cao Wei was very lacking in leading generals in the Mesozoic Era.
In addition, Cao Pi wanted to stand alone on behalf of the Han Dynasty, and there were actually quite a lot of internal conflicts. There were also many wealthy families who were unwilling to buy into it. Cao Zhen also tried his best to promote some generals with potential to prepare for the future.
In other words, with Cao Wei occupying the two elite areas of the Central Plains and Hebei, both in terms of population and land resources, they are first-class, and the family can afford the losses. Otherwise, how could Cao Zhen have the confidence to promote him at such a critical moment? Reuse by young people.
As for Sun Li, he did not disappoint Cao Zhen.
Since taking up the post of guard general of Sanguan, Sun Li has done an outstanding job in stricting military discipline, adjusting the defense of Sanguan, training soldiers, and boosting the morale of the army.
Even without the five thousand central imperial guards sent by Cao Zhen, Sun Li was sure that he could keep the Shu thieves out of Sanguan.
Not to mention now, with 10,000 soldiers on hand, Sun Li was even more confident.
And the most important thing is that Sun Li is very clear-headed and knows his current responsibilities and situation. He doesn't even think about taking advantage of the enemy to defeat the enemy. As long as he holds Sanguan and defends Guanzhong, he will Very helpful.
Therefore, what Zhao Yun has to face is Sun Li, who has good abilities, a calm and clear mind, and is dedicated to defending.
In this situation, let alone Zhao Yun, you will have a headache even if you ask Zhuge Liang to lead the troops in person.
You can't attack by force. Zhao Yun doesn't have that many troops at hand, and he can't afford to lose them.
Because Yongliang was initially determined, neither state could send out large-scale troops. Zhao Yun commanded 10,000 Yongzhou infantry and 10,000 Qiang and Hu mixed cavalry. Not to mention the combat effectiveness of the Qiang and Hu mixed cavalry, you can't let these Are the cavalry going to attack the city? !
It is also a military fortress known for its sturdiness.
Therefore, the siege army that Zhao Yun could use was actually only the 10,000 Yongzhou infantry on hand.
Zhao Yun tentatively attacked Sanguan, but Zhao Yun soon gave up.
Because Sun Li, the Sanguan garrison, dealt well with Zhao Yun's attack for a day, most of the makeshift siege equipment was destroyed. Continuing to attack was just a waste of human lives.
This is not Zhao Yun's purpose.
When Zhao Yun went out to Longshan Road this time, the strategic purpose he received was also just to contain the scattered troops of Cao Cao. If conditions permit, he needs to consider how to attract more Cao troops to reinforce Sangguan.
Pang Tong, Zhuge Liang and others had already considered that Sanguan was strong and difficult to defeat when formulating their strategy, so they would not put forward any more strategic requirements for Zhao Yun.
But as the commander-in-chief of one party, Zhao Yun led 20,000 people in the Northern Expedition. He did not want to complete the task by just setting up camp under Sanguan.
If possible, Zhao Yun still hopes to put enough pressure on Sanguan, and even if Sanguan can be conquered, that would be great.
But now it seems that as long as Sun Li, the Sanguan guard, is not out of his mind, he will not be able to give up the advantage of solid city defense and go out to fight Zhao Yun in a field battle.
After all, not everyone is as wicked as Zhang Xi and likes to give women's clothes to others.
Zhao Yun doesn't have a good way to deal with Sun Li who is in Sanguan for the time being, but Zhao Yun is not the kind of character who is quick to resolve any situation. If he doesn't have a good way, then he should ask his subordinates.
Wang Ping, Zhang Yi, Hao Zhao, and Ma Dai are not the kind of people who are brave and foolhardy. Although these four people are different in age, they are all wise and resourceful people. Maybe after discussing it, we can come up with something. We've found a way.
Zhao Yun summoned the four generals to discuss, and he did come up with a solution.
This is Wang Ping's suggestion.
To be honest, this was somewhat beyond Zhao Yun's expectation. Zhao Yun originally thought that Zhang Yi and Hao Zhao might be able to do something, but if that didn't work, Ma Dai might be able to do it.
After all, even if these three people are not from aristocratic families, they are still children from poor families. They have read some books and know some military strategies.
But Wang Ping. Wang Ping was born in the Han Dynasty, and he didn't even know the words. Most people simply thought that he was just a reckless man.
If Wang Ping hadn't performed well in the Battle of Jieting, and Zhang Xi valued him more, Zhao Yun might not have brought Wang Ping with him in this Northern Expedition.
But who would have thought that Wang Ping was the only one among the four who proposed a feasible method. Although this method was very risky.
Wang Ping's method was to lead three thousand Wudang flying troops to climb the mountain and go behind Sanguan, and raid and harass the grain transport team transporting to Sanguan.
The inspiration for this method, Wang Ping also admitted frankly, came from the deeds of General Guan Da at Juebei Road.
I have to say, this is a good approach.
Sanguan is an important military town. Although the city defense is strong, there is also a certain amount of food stored inside. There is no need to worry about the shortage of food and grass in a short period of time.
But military matters are not simple calculation problems. Sometimes they are also a psychological problem. Once the food route is cut off, even if there is food in the army, the soldiers will worry about what to do in the future. Once the soldiers have this kind of mentality, they will naturally Will affect military morale.
This is inevitable, and Sun Li will not ignore it. He will definitely send people to encircle and suppress Wang Ping's useless flying army and protect the grain road.
In this way, objectively it will achieve the purpose of dispersing the soldiers of the pass, and at the same time it will weaken the defense of the pass. Maybe Zhao Yun can find an opportunity to take advantage of it.
Even if he can't find it, it doesn't matter. If the front is suppressed and the food and grass in the rear are harassed, Chang'an's Cao Zhen will definitely not sit idly by like this.
No one knows how long this war will last. Cao Zhen will definitely not dare to take it lightly and will definitely send some troops to respond or support Sanguan. In this way, Zhao Yun's second strategic goal is achieved.
But once this tactic is implemented, Wang Ping and his three thousand Wudang flying troops will be alone in the depths, with enemy troops in front and no reinforcements behind, and they will not even receive supplies of food, grass, ordnance.
If you are not careful, the three thousand Wudang flying army led by Wang Ping will be in danger of being wiped out.
This is tantamount to actively pushing Wang Ping and the Three Thousand Wudang Flying Army into a desperate situation, which is a very irresponsible decision.
(End of chapter)
