Zhuge Liang's caution in using troops is based on the fact that he predicts all strategic development possibilities in advance and makes plans in advance.
Zhuge Liang is not a god, and he cannot truly predict the future. Therefore, when he accepted Zhang Xi's argument and believed that Zhou Yu might also betray the alliance and launch a sneak attack regardless of his reputation, he immediately began to consider the pros and cons of reaching an agreement with Soochow.
After much deliberation, Zhuge Liang still felt that this matter must be carried out according to the original plan.
"The current situation, unless it is extraordinary, is not enough to determine the two front lines of defense in the world, and it is of no benefit to me!" Zhuge Liang said helplessly.
Again, the three-legged alliance has become established. To break the situation in a short period of time, certain risks must be taken.
Nowadays, Cao Wei is still powerful and occupies the favorable terrain of the Central Plains. Facing Guanzhong, there are not only the dangers of the three passes, but also Wancheng, Xuchang and other places. After Cao Wei's several constructions, they are already strong cities, easy to defend and difficult to attack.
It is difficult to directly shake Cao Wei's rule in the Central Plains by sending troops alone. Only two-way attacks, or even persuading Soochow to go north, and three-way attacks can break through Cao Wei's defense line and enter the Central Plains in a short period of time.
With the current national strength of the Han Dynasty, it is possible to fight a battle that lasts for one or two years, but a back-and-forth back and forth with Cao Wei will definitely not consume Cao Wei, who has a great family and a great business.
Not to mention that while the Han Dynasty was attacking Cao Wei in the north, it also had to defend Dongwu in the east. With the current national strength of the Han Dynasty, it was impossible to fight on two fronts.
Therefore, the basic strategy in "Longzhong Duel" back then, "Dong He Sun Quan", is still necessary today.
"What if Zhou Yu occupies Jiangxia and wants to betray the alliance?!" Zhang Xi asked Zhuge Liang helplessly.
Zhuge Liang thought for a while and said, "What Soochow has done is only the Yangtze River defense line. One of them is captured by Jiangxia, the second is captured by Jiangling, and the third is captured by Yong'an."
As soon as he said this, Zhang Xi couldn't sit still.
What do you mean, it's not just that you ceded a Jiangxia County, are you planning to exchange Jiangling and Yong'an as bargaining chips? !
Zhang Xi immediately interrupted and said, "Prime Minister, you can't do that. Jiangling is the heart of Jingzhou and also the backup for Xiangyang. How can we abandon it lightly?! Yong'an is the gateway to Sichuan, and it is a top priority. It is related to the safety of Shu. Prime Minister cannot do it. This is a critical and fundamental strategy!!!!”
Zhang Xi stood up as he spoke, and his tone of voice became stern.
It made Zhuge Liang very depressed. When did I say I wanted to cede Jiangling? !
As for Yong'an, that's even more impossible. I know the importance of that place much better than you. The late emperor's plan to enter Sichuan was made by me, Pang Shiyuan, and Fa Xiaozhi together.
"Chang Yuan, don't worry!!!" Zhuge Liang also quickly stood up, first calmed Zhang Xi's emotions, pulled Zhang Xi to sit down again, and then returned to his seat and continued, "Jianling, the most important thing in Yong'an, How could Liang not know Liang's intention, which is to withdraw the soldiers from Lingling and Wuling counties and retreat to Jiangling to protect the Yangtze River waterway and deal with Zhou Yu's danger in Jiangxia?"
As soon as he said this, Zhang Xi wanted to stand up again.
Why do we still want to cede land after all this talk? !
Zhuge Liang now understood how sensitive Zhang Xi was to the issue of ceding land.
Therefore, while Zhang Xi did not stand up and could continue to speak, he immediately explained, "The Han Dynasty and Soochow have reached an agreement. If they have no intention of betraying the alliance, even if Lingling and the soldiers of the two counties of Wuling are evacuated, He will not invade Dahan Prefecture. If he intends to betray the alliance and use the power of Dongwu Navy and Zhou Yu's ability to occupy Jiangxia and control the Yangtze River to see south of Jing, the two counties will not be able to defend with too many soldiers. It is better to take advantage of the situation and gather troops to Protect Jiangling. If Jiangling is not lost, Xiangyang will be stable. After defeating Cao, it is not too late to compete with Jiangdong again."
Zhuge Liang's meaning is one-strategic contraction and defense of Jiangling.
If we really follow Zhuge Liang's arrangements, we can indeed gather nearly 25,000 county soldiers and more than 5,000 navy troops in Jiangling.
Even if Zhou Yu really chooses to betray the alliance, lead his troops out of Jiangxia, and cooperate with Sun Quan's army in Jingnan to besiege Jiangling, it will not be so easy to defeat.
After all, Jiangling city defense is also famously strong.
As long as it can survive for a while, Soochow, which already has the two counties of Jingnan, may not be willing to take the risk of offending the Han Dynasty and attack Jiangling forcefully.
Don't forget, Jiangling is not without reinforcements. Yidu County, which is close to Yong'an, and Ba County, which is connected to Yong'an, can all mobilize troops to support Jiangling. Jiangling can definitely hold on until the war in Wancheng in the north is over.
In theory, it can be done.
But some details still need to be carefully discussed.
"Who is guarding Jiangling?!" Zhang Xi asked.
The general guarding Jiangling is a key.
Not all generals, if you give him 30,000 troops, he will be able to defend Jiangling City. If it is Zhu Ran, giving him 5,000 troops is enough, but if it is Mi Fang, it will be in vain if you give him 50,000 troops.
Zhuge Liang also knew the importance of the Jiangling garrison. If Xiangyang launched the Northern Expedition, those generals who were trustworthy and capable enough would inevitably go with the army. There were only two generals who could stay at Jiangling.
One is Shi Bao. This person is no less capable than Deng Ai, but he has a fatal flaw: he is immoral and lustful.
In Zhuge Liang's eyes, immorality is much more dangerous than incompetence.
An unscrupulous person will definitely not persevere. Once Soochow's army really invades the territory, how can you expect an unscrupulous person to choose to defend the city.
The other one is Zhang Ren.
Zhang Ren is commendable for his loyalty. He has done his best to guard the police in place of Wenpin over the years. Summing up his performance over the past ten years, he is a trustworthy candidate.
But Zhuge Liang really couldn't trust Zhang Ren's ability.
This person has some strategies, but really not many. Compared with Wenpin, there is a big gap.
Moreover, Zhang Ren's combat style is easier to fool. He is a fierce general who is good at charging into battle, rather than a wise general who can command decisively and let him guard Jiangling. He is facing a resourceful man like Zhou Yu. Zhuge Liang is really worried that Zhang Ren will Falling into Zhou Yu's scheme.
After all, when Zhang Ren fought two battles outside Luocheng, Pang Tong and Zhang Xi hardly used any strategies. Zhang Ren was defeated in a daze. Can you expect to rely on this person to fight against Zhou Yu? !
For this reason, Zhuge Liang was also very hesitant.
One is capable, but without virtue, and the other is not capable, but can be trusted. Which one should I choose? !
Zhuge Liang thought about it and decided to ask Zhang Xi's opinion.
After all, Shi Bao was recommended as an official by Zhang Xi. Zhang Ren had a head-to-head confrontation with Zhang Xi in Shu. Later, Zhang Xi re-enlisted these two people when he was the governor of Nanjun. Zhang Xi both had a certain say. .
As for Zhang Xi, to be honest, Zhang Xi still admires Zhang Ren's moral character and loyalty, but he really doesn't dare to have high expectations for his ability to lead troops.
There was no way, when Zhang Ren first entered Sichuan, Zhang Ren's two commands were so sloppy that Zhang Xi always believed that Zhang Ren was just a brave general and had no commanding ability.
The person who was able to stop Lü Meng in the public security department at that time should be the biggest contributor to Wenpin, who was the public security guard at the time. Zhang Ren's greatest role was to dissuade Liu Zhang and Lü Mengli from cooperating with others.
Zhang Xi was really worried about letting Zhang Ren guard Jiangling.
Therefore, Zhang Xi recommended Shi Bao to Zhuge Liang.
First, Shi Bao is really very capable. When he was the magistrate of Ying County, he used the suspicion trick to delay Sun Huan's advance. Three years ago, he seized the opportunity to sneak across the Yangtze River, counterattacked in Changsha, and forced the retreat. Soochow's attack on the two counties of Jingnan.
It can be seen that Shi Bao's strategy, command ability, and ability to grasp combat opportunities are all quite good.
Second, Shi Bao is immoral, but the biggest reason for his immorality is lust, not lack of courage.
Well, one thing to say is that Shi Bao was only in his early twenties and had already taken thirteen concubines. It was indeed against the mainstream values of scholar-bureaucrats in this era. Zhang Xi also felt that this person was a bit too much.
But although he is lustful, he can really handle things.
Furthermore, with Jiangling's city defense and Shi Bao's ability, standing firm and waiting for help is not a dead end.
Judging from Shi Bao's character and temper, it is indeed impossible for him to live and die with the city, but as long as he is not facing a desperate situation, he will not choose to surrender easily.
After all, with his current reputation, except within the Han Dynasty, where he could continue to be promoted due to the care of Zhang Xi and others, no one in any other force would be willing to use him.
Therefore, Zhang Xi still strongly recommends letting Shi Bao guard Jiangling and command the defense of Jiangling in a unified manner.
Zhuge Liang thought for a long time, weighed and hesitated for a long time, and finally agreed with Zhang Xi's opinion.
Then, it’s time to discuss the second question.
"Who can guard Yidu County?!"
This is also a key issue.
Once Zhuge Liang chooses to gather his troops to defend Jiangling, Yidu County, as an important channel connecting Shu and Yong'an, will inevitably need to be guarded by capable people.
This is the reinforcement channel for Jiangling. Whether it is reinforcements from Dongsan County, Yong'an, or even Bajun, if they want to support Jiangling by land, they must go through Yidu County, and there is absolutely no room for error.
In history, Guan Yu lost Jingzhou. Although the biggest contributor was Lu Meng, if Lu Xun had not led the troops to block the passage between Yidu County and Shu, Guan Yu would not have chosen to break out from Linju direction, and was eventually killed by Soochow. .
Therefore, Yidu County is also a top priority.
The current governor of Yidu County is Deng Kai, the son of Deng Fang, the first governor of Gajiang.
When Deng Fang was killed when he was serving as the governor of Nijiang, Liu Bei took pity on Deng Fang, so he chose to treat Deng Fang's son Deng Kai favorably and let him replace Meng Da as the new governor of Yidu County. But now it seems that such an important place as Yidu, let him Deng Kai's guards were not safe enough.
Zhuge Liang had some ideas about this candidate.
"You Zhonglang General Zong Yu and Zong Deyan can be the governor of Yidu County!" Zhuge Liang said.
Regarding this candidate, Zhang Xi nodded slightly and expressed his approval.
After all, Zong Yu had served under Zhang Xi during the Battle of Sichuan, and Zhang Xi still knew Zong Yu's abilities very well.
This is a bold and careful person. Although he does not have any clever strategies, he is more prudent. It is perfect for him to guard the reinforcement channel in Jiangling.
With this problem solved, there is only one last question left.
"Lingling Pan Jun. How should we deal with it?!"
Zhuge Liang also had some difficulties with this issue.
(End of chapter)
