After concluding that Soochow was likely to launch a backstab, Zhuge Liang couldn't sit still in Chang'an.
If everything goes as Zhuge Liang expected, then the backstab in Soochow was most likely instigated by Cao Wei. Combined with the invasion of the barbarians from Liangzhou in the north, it is obvious that Cao Wei was trying to drive away the tiger and devour the wolf. Counted.
This is not the kind of small fight that Liu Bei encountered in Xuzhou City. The number of invaders from northern Saibei is as high as more than 200,000, not to mention from Jiangdong. Once stabbed in the back, with Jingzhou's current defense situation, the two sides in Jingnan will be defeated. Both the county and Jiangxia are likely to face Sun Wu's most powerful navy.
Therefore, Zhuge Liang sent messengers to Jingzhou, one to Guan Yu, asking him to be careful about Jiangdong, and one to Xu Shu and Wang Ji, asking them to take Guan Yu's place when necessary and fully command the defense of Jingzhou.
It's not that Zhuge Liang doesn't believe in Guan Yu, it's that Zhuge Liang knows Guan Yu too well.
As for Guan Yu's aloof temper, just because Liu Bei was able to persuade him does not mean that others can persuade him.
Once Guan Yu knew that the Jiangdong Rats might invade, he would definitely not be willing to stay at home to recuperate. The Jiangdong Rats would dare to bully him. It would be weird if Guan Yu didn't lead the expedition himself.
In addition, now that Liu Bei has passed away, there is no longer anyone who can persuade Guan Yu. If Guan Yu really wants to have his own way, even with Zhuge Liang's current power, he will not be able to restrain Guan Yu.
The big man has just lost a backbone, and is still in the stage of power transition and labor pains, but he must not lose another general.
Even if the general's current situation is not good, and it will be difficult for him to lead troops in the future, for the big man, Guan Yu is still alive, which is a military flag and a representative figure that can unite the morale of the military.
For today's Han Dynasty, Guan Yu cannot die yet. At least in the next two or three years, the Han Dynasty still needs Guan Yu to intimidate Cao Wei so that Cao Wei does not dare to peep south at Jingzhou.
After making emergency arrangements for Jingzhou, Zhuge Liang could no longer stay in Chang'an. He had to return to Chengdu to take charge.
Two armies are coming from the east and the north. Zhuge Liang doesn't want to believe that Cao Wei will just happily eat melon seeds and watch the show. In the future, there will inevitably be a battle in Guanzhong.
Cao Wei instigated three armies to attack. Although in Zhuge Liang's view, the results were not necessarily great, it is hard to say what the wealthy families in Chengdu thought.
Zhuge Liang must rush back to Chengdu immediately to suppress some internal voices. At the same time, he must make logistical preparations. If it really comes to the point where the Northern Army is needed to go on an expedition, Zhuge Liang must also make preparations in advance.
This matter can really only be done by Zhuge Liang.
Pang Tong was a bit impatient, and it was probably impossible for him to use a combination of force and softness to suppress internal dissatisfaction. Coupled with Fazheng's vengeful character, Zhuge Liang was really afraid that if he went back too late, Shu would lose a few people. A noble family that has been passed down for more than a hundred years.
It's not that Zhuge Liang protects these wealthy families. In fact, Zhuge Liang also wants to disintegrate the power of these wealthy families, but the problem is that killing is not the only way to solve the problem.
This kind of thing has to be done slowly.
No matter what, Zhuge Liang continued to stay in Chang'an for three days. After reaching a certain framework of agreement privately with some Guanzhong aristocratic families on behalf of the imperial court, he set off directly and rushed back to Chengdu.
Today in Guanzhong, the heavy snow that has been falling for a month has finally stopped, but the snow is not that easy to melt. Zhuge Liang has to rush back this time and estimates that he will not be too comfortable along the way.
Zhang Xi took Zhuge Liang out of the city and returned to Chengdu with officials from the Yongzhou Governor's Office and Fei Yi, who had just arrived in Chang'an to take over the economic and espionage work.
Before leaving, Zhuge Liang repeatedly told Zhang Xi to be on guard against possible harassment tactics by Cao Wei. Zhuge Liang believed that with Zhang Xi's ability to lead troops, there would not be a critical situation, but once a fight broke out, it would be very dangerous. It could turn into a protracted war.
Therefore, Zhuge Liang gave Zhang Xi a promise that if Yongzhou was in urgent need of grain, grass and ordnance, Zhang Xi had the right to use the grain, grass and ordnance reserves in Hanzhong first, and then the court would subsidize Guanzhong afterwards.
Regarding this matter, Zhuge Liang will greet the new Hanzhong Governor Li Yan on his way back.
Zhang Xi first thanked Zhuge Liang for his kindness, but at the same time, Zhang Xi also expressed his distrust of Li Yan.
If this guy could be so obedient and dedicated to serving the public, with his ability, would he still be just a Hanzhong prefect? !
Zhuge Liang could only sigh in response to this, and kept chanting "tolerance for the sake of the country". He didn't know whether he was saying it to Zhang Xi or to himself.
No matter what, Zhuge Liang always returned to Chengdu, while Zhang Xi continued to calm the people and provide disaster relief.
Before the snow melted, Zhang Xi didn't think that Cao Wei would send troops in advance for a large-scale invasion and would need to transport grain and grass. In a snowy day, Cao Wei didn't have much sledding skills, so how could he transport grain and grass? !
As for infiltrating guerrillas, it's not yet spring, and the crops haven't been planted yet. Unless Cao Wei is out of his mind to attack the people of Guanzhong, what else is he going to do? !
No matter what, Cao Wei is also a serious regime, and it is not so bottomless that it uses this method to consume the enemy's war potential.
Therefore, there is no need to worry too much about Guanzhong's defense for the time being.
The only thing that needs to be arranged in advance is to split up the 10,000 Northern troops under Wu Yi to serve as the five-way support envoy.
There is no problem with the soldiers. With the training quality of the Northern Army, it is not a problem whether they gather together for group battles or divide into five groups for small-scale operations.
The only person who had to make arrangements in advance was actually the leading general of the Fifth Route Army.
It is definitely impossible for Wei Yan to be sent out.
No matter how Zhang Xi disagrees with Wei Yan, with Wei Yan's current status, Zhang Xi cannot arrange for Wei Yan to take over the responsibility of supporting the envoys. This is not a tactical arrangement, but a naked humiliation of Wei Yan.
Therefore, Zhang Xi arranged for Wei Yan to be the commander-in-chief of all the county troops stationed in the Zuofengyi area. Once Cao Wei invaded in a large scale and the Northern Army released its defense line to lure the enemy deeper, Wei Yan would need to lead 20,000 county troops to fight to stop the Wei army. The march route to Chang'an.
Of course, if it is just a small-scale harassment, then there is definitely no need for Wei Yan to personally lead the troops. He will just stay in Chang'an City and command remotely with Zhang Xi.
As for Wu Yi. As the actual commander of the remaining Northern Army, he must be the commander in charge of the five-way support team. He cannot be easily sent out. At most, he is in charge of the first-line support team as the general reserve team. Where did the problem arise? Wu Yi Then I'll take the lead myself.
Therefore, the candidates for the remaining four support teams are a bit difficult to decide.
Zhang Xi suddenly felt that his manpower was not enough.
Originally, Zhang Xi thought that two generals, Jufu and Zhang Yi, would be enough, but Jufu asked Zhang Xi to arrange to be Liu Yin's deputy. The Youfufeng area also needs generals to command the defense, and Jufu is It cannot be transferred over and continued to be used.
Therefore, Zhang Xi only has one Zhang Yi left at his disposal, so he can't just split Zhang Yi into four pieces and use it, right? !
At this time, Hu Zun recommended a candidate to Zhang Xi—his son, Hu Fen.
In Hu Zun's words, this is called promoting virtuous people without avoiding relatives. How could Zhang Xi not know that Hu Zun wanted to leave Fengyi behind and increase his voice in stabilizing the Hu family.
Another thing, your son is only 21 years old this year and has no experience in the military. You are really not afraid of problems when he suddenly takes on the role of five-way support, right? !
Originally, Zhang Xi didn't want to agree, but he really didn't have any decent talents, and besides, who could let it be Hu Fen.
Zhang Xi actually didn't know that Hu Fen later became Cao Wei's cavalry general and was considered a famous general. In Zhang Xi's mind, Hu Fen was the kind of person who could barely see the four dimensions in the game and could barely use it. General.
At least he is not a reckless man. As a general leading two thousand troops, he should be enough.
Therefore, Zhang Xi hesitated for a long time, and finally agreed to Hu Zun's recommendation and appointed Hu Fen as the envoy along the way.
But Zhang Xi's appointment will trigger chain benefits.
Let’s not talk about the trust relationship between those Guanzhong aristocratic families who want to recommend their land to Zhang Xi. Even Wei Yan, with a straight face, came to Zhang Xi personally and said that he wanted to recommend a talented person.
To be honest, this is really the first time that Wei Yan has risked his face to come to Zhang Xi, hoping that Zhang Xi can use his generals.
Wei Yan had never been very convinced of Zhang Xi. Although he recognized Zhang Xi's ability to use troops, Wei Yan had always scorned Zhang Xi's style of using troops.
He was timid in using his troops and showed no signs of being a general. This is what Wei Yan said about Zhang Xi.
But now, Wei Yan took the rare initiative to come to the door and come forward to ask for an official position for his subordinates. It can be seen that Wei Yan has indeed lost face.
But the problem is that Zhang Xi really can't agree.
Who asked Wei Yan to recommend Wang Shuang?
(End of chapter)
