Strategy is, after all, a combat strategy that favors a large framework. In fact, during the combat process, the general still needs to make more realistic tactical arrangements based on the actual situation on the battlefield.
Therefore, Cao Zhen's current approach does not deviate from the direction of the grand strategy, but is just seeking a way to maximize his own interests.
Wang Lang had no objection to this.
But it's not a problem to always stand still like this.
"According to what the two generals said, Zhang Xi is very good at changing the situation. Isn't it suspicious for us to stand still like this?!" Wang Lang frowned slightly and asked Cao Zhen and Wang Chang.
Regarding this point, it is actually an issue that Cao Zhen and Wang Chang are worried about.
As the initiator of the offensive, the war started with great momentum, but within just one month, the offensive showed weakness and could only station troops to defend. This also goes against military common sense.
It is reasonable to stay in Linjin for a short period of time to rest and recuperate, but as time goes by, the longer the Wei army stays to rest and recuperate, the more suspicion it will arouse in the enemy's army.
If Guo Huai encounters some difficulties in the battle in Youfufeng and cannot launch in time, or if the raid encounters a temporary obstacle, that bastard Zhang Xi receives the news. With that bastard's cautious style, he will shrink the defense in minutes, or even Withdrew to Chang'an.
This is not a situation Cao Zhen wants to see.
Therefore, the biggest headache for Cao Zhen and Wang Chang now is how to convince Zhang Xi that they are stationed in Linjin for legitimate reasons and in line with military common sense.
It would be even better if we could lure Zhang Xi to take the initiative to attack Linjin.
But the difficulty of this problem is not that great. As for the little fox Zhang Xi, Cao Zhen has been thinking about it for a long time and still can't find a suitable way to do this.
As for Wang Chang, he had just learned about the general strategic arrangement of the entire Northern Expedition. It was really difficult for him to come up with a solution in a short period of time that Cao Zhen couldn't figure out for almost a month.
As for Wang Lang, the biggest advantage of Wang Lang is that he is self-aware. He knows that he does not understand military affairs, so he does not dwell too much on this issue. He can't figure it out anyway.
However, Wang Lang didn't have any other options.
"General, I have a plan, but it's quite dangerous." Wang Lang thought for a moment, and then suggested to Cao Zhen, "Why don't you tell us the rumors carefully? The general sent troops to the west this time without the emperor's orders."
Wang Lang couldn't think of a military solution, but he could think of a political solution.
That is to let the military officers spread rumors, saying that Cao Zhen sent troops without Cao Rui's permission. The reason why he is stationing troops and not marching to Jin is because there is an internal problem in the Wei court, and the Western Expedition may be cancelled.
Once this rumor spreads to the Shu thief army, it can dispel the Shu thief's wariness and make the Shu thief think that the Wei army is about to retreat soon, so naturally they will not easily shrink their troops and return to defend Chang'an.
Secondly, it can also explain why the Wei army stayed on the line between Linjin and Dali for nearly ten days and remained motionless despite their overwhelming attack for a month.
Wang Lang thought that this could completely meet all Cao Zhen's needs.
But the problem is, Cao Zhen really doesn’t dare to use it! ! !
Because this rumor is not a rumor! ! !
It is true that Cao Zhen sent troops without orders, and a large part of the reason why Cao Zhen stayed in Linjin County was to wait for the arrival of Wang Lang and the outcome of Emperor Cao Rui's treatment of him. Even Cao Zhen did a good job This made preparations for the hasty end of the counterattack in this Western Expedition.
Although no one in the army dared to discuss this matter, as long as a slightly smarter junior colonel could make a rough guess.
If Wang Lang's plan is used to spread such rumors from his own army, the morale of his own army will be unstable before it reaches the ears of the Shu thieves.
At that time, it would be okay if Zhang Xi chose to stand still and sit back and watch the success or failure. If Zhang Yuanchang suddenly led his troops to attack Dali and Linjin, it would not be a question of whether he could hold back the Shu thieves led by Zhang Xi, but whether he would There will be a problem of experiencing a big defeat.
The legitimacy of sending troops is gone. Who among the soldiers and low-level captains will serve a potential "rebel" and still fight against the enemy on this land in the middle of the pass? !
This is a battle in which if you lose, you will die, and if you win, you may not be successful. Who can still have the will to fight? !
This Wang Jingxing, if he doesn’t know anything about military affairs, how can you deceive your teammates like you? !
Cao Zhen naturally objected directly, and was afraid that Wang Lang would not understand the situation, so he specifically explained the reasons.
But Wang Lang is really not such an idiot this time. The reason why he came up with this strategy is that he naturally has his own way of ending it.
"The general is too worried!" Wang Lang chuckled and said, "I am a special envoy appointed by the emperor. I have the emperor's edict to prove it. What I said is that the emperor ordered me to be here. Why should the general worry about the unstable morale of the army? ?!”
Cao Zhen reacted quickly.
Yes, Wang Jingxing is the emperor’s special envoy! ! !
Whether Cao Zhen was a "rebel", whether he sent troops without permission, and whether the emperor wanted to recall the Western Expeditionary Army was entirely up to him, Wang Jingxing.
Rumors may indeed shake the military morale of some of the lower-level soldiers, but this also makes the rumors more credible.
Once the Shu thieves really attack, Wang Lang only needs to stand up and read out the emperor's edict, proving that he is supervising the army under the emperor's order, and there is no need to worry about the instability of the military's morale.
As for the Shu thieves, the Shu thieves have already attacked, so naturally it is impossible to retreat like this. Otherwise, the army with turbulent morale will be the Shu thieves.
If you think about it this way, Wang Lang's idea seems to be quite good.
Cao Zhen thought about it all night and felt that it might be feasible. He was preparing to find his confidants to take a walk in the army the next day. This rumor triggered the Shu thieves in the army to spread the news. But things suddenly changed again.
Dai Ling, the general of the Western Expeditionary Army stationed in Dali County, sent back news that the Shu bandits in Chongquan County had suddenly sent out troops. The pioneer general Wei Yan personally led 10,000 troops and headed towards Dali County.
Dai Ling sent a message on Pegasus and reported back to Cao Zhen.
This is not what Dai Ling meant when he asked for help.
Dai Ling was stationed in Dali County, with a garrison of 10,000 people. Wei Yan, who came to attack, only led 10,000 troops, so both sides had equal strength.
Even in a field battle, Dai Ling would not ask for help as soon as he heard that Wei Yan was coming to attack, let alone defend the city.
Yes, in recent years, as the Northern Expedition of the Shu bandits has become more and more vigorous, the generals of the Shu bandits army have become more famous, especially Wei Yan and Zhang Xi. Above the veteran general Zhao Yun.
But Dai Ling was also born in the army. After more than ten years of fighting, he slowly climbed to his current position. He is also quite confident in his abilities. When the troops are equal, he will not be timid before fighting.
What's more, now that he is defending the city, if the Shu thieves attack with a full army, Dai Ling may consider the gap in strength and the purpose of the battle to ask for help, but now, it is just a routine military intelligence report.
But this military information was placed in front of Cao Zhen, and Cao Zhen really wanted to let Dai Ling lead the troops to retreat.
There was no need to spread rumors at the risk of shaking the morale of his own army. That Zhang Yuanchang took the initiative to attack.
At this time, he took the initiative to retreat. The Shu thieves were eager to regain Zuo Fengyi and might pursue him all the way. Then he would have achieved his goal of holding back the Shu thieves and lengthening the opponent's supply line.
Can there be such a good thing in the world? ! ! !
Cao Zhen was so happy that he almost issued such a mindless military order, asking Dai Ling to retreat back to Linjin and join the main force of the army.
Cao Zhen's mind was confused, but fortunately Wang Chang's mind was still clear.
When Wang Chang saw that Cao Zhen was about to issue such a stupid order, he quickly tried to persuade him, "General, don't do it. We must be on guard against this. This is just a test by the Shu thieves."
The person leading the army was Wei Yan, not Zhang Xi, and the number of troops attacking Dali County was only 10,000, not 30,000.
If you retreat after a fight, would you believe it if you were that Zhang Yuanchang? !
When Cao Zhen heard this, his mind was stimulated and he suddenly woke up.
Cao Zhen was just momentarily stunned by the good news. After Wang Chang reminded him, Cao Zhen finally understood how stupid the order he had given was.
Ten thousand people are defending the city. Facing the enemy's attack of ten thousand people, if you retreat without even fighting, you are a fool if you are not deceiving.
Fortunately this order was not issued.
But the question is, since we can’t withdraw, what should we do next? !
Wang Chang's suggestion is to go forward.
How to fight, how to defend, and how to arrange a fake retreat can all be considered later based on the actual situation, but now, we must meet the challenge.
It is too fake to withdraw without even fighting.
Cao Zhen thought about it, and it was right. No matter how he tried to trick him, how could he trick Zhang Yuanchang into staying with Zuo Fengyi without showing any signs of it? !
Wang Lang didn't have any objections to this.
On the one hand, Wang Lang also felt that retreating directly was too contrary to military common sense, and even he, who was not good at military affairs, found it problematic.
On the other hand.
"General, just march forward. When the day comes, in front of the two armies, I only need to say a few words to discipline Zhang Xi."
Well, the old man started to offer suggestions again.
After the water treatment yesterday, I finally felt a little energetic. After a good sleep, I felt much better today. Work hard on coding and try to make up for the previous debts.
(End of chapter)
