In May of the ninth year of Yanxi.
As Zhuge Liang, the Prime Minister of the Han Dynasty, personally led the Northern Expedition, crossed the Mengjin Ferry and arrived in Hanoi, on the Dongjun side, Zhang Xi and Wei Yan also made preparations for the Northern Expedition to cross the river.
Wei Yan went north from Yanjin Ferry and attacked Hua County on the north bank of Yanjin Ferry. Zhang Xi went north from Baima Ferry and attacked Ji County on the north bank of Baima Ferry.
After receiving the military report, Guo Huai of Cao Wei sent a message to Yecheng on flying horse. At the same time, according to the established plan, he ordered the defenders of Huaxian County to retreat to Chaoge. He led 30,000 troops to station in Liyang and responded to Ji County.
The situation on the battlefield, at least in Guo Huai's eyes, has begun to slowly become clearer.
The Shu thieves still followed the strategy of the last battle of Yanzhou. The main force stormed Hanoi, attracting the main force of the Wei Dynasty to assemble, and then sent a separate division to land in a different place, attack the rear, and attack from both front and rear.
However, there is one thing that Guo Huai doesn't quite understand. When the Shu thieves used the same tactics this time, they felt a bit rough.
In the last battle of Yanzhou, the Shu thieves had perfect timing in crossing the river to attack Dongjun. It can be said that they blocked Sima Yi's retreat to support Chen Liu and easily crossed the river to sneak attack on Dongjun.
But this time, although the Shu thieves have been attacking Hanoi County for a month, the actual results are not great. Neither Wen County nor Heyang County has yet to ask for help. They are still in a stalemate and choose to go east. Jun crossed the river and attacked Jizhou. Guo Huai's army was waiting for the enemy, but the effect was naturally not very good.
This is obviously against common sense.
The commander of the last sneak attack on Dongjun was Wei Yan, and one of the two groups of Shu thieves who attacked Jizhou this time was still led by Wei Yan. It is the same person. There is no reason why the tactical timing was so precise last time, and the tactical timing is so bad this time. ? !
As for the other coach, just kidding, who would think that Zhang Xi is worse than Wei Yan in grasping opportunities? !
Therefore, Guo Huai is now a little suspicious. What is the purpose of the Shu thieves crossing the river in Dongjun to attack Jizhou this time? Are they really going to forcefully attack Jizhou or even Yecheng? !
This question actually faces Cao Shuang, the current general of Cao Wei.
To be honest, with Cao Shuang's ability, he really couldn't see clearly where the truth was.
After all, the Shu thieves' two-pronged advance was not small in force, and the pressure they created on Cao Wei was not small. Both routes looked like actual attacks, but both routes were a bit different.
You can't even figure out the focus of the enemy's attack. It's really too difficult for you to ask Cao Shuang to make judgments in advance, make support preparations in advance, and change the strategic situation.
As for Cao Shuang's subordinates, Huan Fan still had some ability, but Huan Fan's ability was not at the level where he could predict the enemy's strategy, and he couldn't understand it either.
However, Huan Fan was still relatively clear-headed and a relatively self-aware person. Therefore, he strongly recommended Cao Shuang and invited Jia Kui and Chen Jiao to the court to discuss state affairs.
Actually, in Huan Fan's heart, the person he should call to discuss strategic responses was Sima Yi.
However, there was a disagreement between the general and Sima. Huan Fan now knew about it, and he would not make Cao Shuang unhappy at such a critical moment.
The reason why it is recommended to recruit Jia Kui and Chen Jiao is because of the two, Chen Jiao is a veteran of three dynasties, has fought under Emperor Taizu Wu, and has sufficient prestige and experience.
As for Jia Kui, although his son is relatively close to Sima Zhao, Jia Liangdao is famous for being upright and devoted to the country. In order to protect the territory of the Wei Dynasty, he even fought against political opponents like Cao Xiu. If he can be saved, who can doubt his loyalty to Wei.
Jia Chong is Jia Chong, and Jia Kui is Jia Kui. The two cannot be generalized.
This is the reason why Huan Fan recommended the two of them.
Cao Shuang thought about it carefully and finally decided to accept Huan Fan's suggestion. After all, Cao Shuang was really unsure now, and he didn't want to lose Wei's empire in his hands.
After all, his surname is Cao.
Chen Jiao and Jia Kui, after being invited to Cao Shuang's house for discussion, were not polite and directly asked Cao Shuang for all the military reports and battle reports from the front line. The two of them looked at it seriously.
Only by understanding the most actual situation can we make the most accurate judgment on the current war situation.
But after the two of them read the battle reports sent back from the front line, they also came to the same idea as Guo Huai - the tactics executed by the Shu thieves this time were a bit too rough.
Coupled with the fact that the commander who led the troops to cross the river in Dongjun was Zhang Xi, they both agreed that there might be some fraud involved.
"General, I think that the focus of the Shu bandits' attack this time is probably still in the two counties of Hedong." Chen Jiao was senior. He thought for a while and was the first to say to Cao Shuang.
"Oh?!" Cao Shuang heard this, nodded slightly, and said, "Chen Situ's words are well-founded."
Chen Jiao stood up, walked to the military map, observed it slightly, and then said, "I think that the Shu thieves' plan to attack the north this time is still Yanzhou's old trick, one is false and the other is true, supporting each other, and attacking from the front and rear. Therefore, this plan Although the Shu bandits in Dongjun are divided into two groups, they will eventually unite in one place, so that they can have the effect of diverting the troops."
"The purpose of moving troops from Dongjun to the north is to contain Guo Boji's troops so that they dare not leave Jizhou and join Hanoi. Secondly, I am afraid that the intention is to capture Chaoge and cut off the connection between Hanoi and Jizhou. If we advance in this way, we can threaten Yecheng. , prompting our army to withdraw from Hanoi, return to defend Jizhou, and retreat, it can also assist General Xiahou Ba in Hanoi to divide his troops and garrison them, weakening the guards in Hanoi."
"Therefore, I believe that the Shu thieves will attack Chaoge with their troops. I also ask the general to send people quickly to strengthen Chaoge's defense so that it cannot be lost to the thieves."
Chen Jiao nodded repeatedly to Cao Shuang after hearing this analysis. But when Jia Kui listened, he always felt that something was not right.
As a veteran of three dynasties, Chen Jiao certainly had certain military and strategic talents, but Jia Kui really couldn't say how much. With the way Emperor Taizu Wu and Emperor Taizong Wen viewed and used people, Chen Jiao gradually faded out of the military camp. Engaging in government affairs is probably the best explanation.
Analyze Chen Jiao's statement. You can't say he is wrong. After all, Wei Yan's troops, who attacked Hua County from the north of Yanjin Ferry, had no reason not to attack Chaoge, the important town in Hanoi, once they defeated the defenders here.
If they occupy this place, the entire Wei army in Hanoi will be locked up in Hanoi County and will be surrounded by Zhuge Liang's army. If they want to retreat, they will have the only way to retreat to Bingzhou.
And this road is obviously too far. Once withdrawn, if Zhuge Liang and Wei Yan join forces, they will directly attack Sui. The Wei army retreating from Hanoi County will not have time to take a detour and retreat to Yecheng.
Theoretically speaking, Jia Kui could not think of a reason why the Shu thieves did not attack Chaoge.
But if this is the case, then why do the Shu thieves divide their troops and attack? What is the point of Zhang Xi attacking Huaxian? !
Help Wei Yan contain Guo Huai's main defenders of the Yellow River? !
Theoretically, this is not impossible, but Jia Kui really can't say how likely it is.
Moreover, with Guo Huai's ability, it is impossible for him to fail to see the importance of Chaoge. He has arranged for Xia Houxuan to guard Chaoge in advance, and based on the Yellow River defense line defense strategy he reported, he will also be there as soon as possible. Le Wei, who was stationed in Huaxian County, was ordered to lead his troops to retreat and join forces at Chaoge.
In this case, the Shu thieves did not have enough strength to pose a threat to Chaoge. According to the battle report, Wei Yan only had about 50,000 people in his hands. The Shu thieves' division of troops turned out to be a failure in losing the ability to attack fortresses. .
Jia Kui feels that Zhang Xi is unlikely to be the coach who can make such a tactical choice.
Therefore, after Jia Kui thought carefully for a while, he took the initiative to speak and said, "General, Chen Situ, in the opinion of my subordinates, the Shu thieves divided their forces to cross the river, something strange happened. If they want to attack Chaoge in the north, how can they take the initiative to divide their forces? !”
"Therefore, I believe that what the Shu thieves want is still in Liyang, and I would like to ask the general to give an order to General Guo Huai to act with caution. Don't let your guard down and fall into the Shu thieves' treacherous plan!"
As soon as Jia Kui finished speaking, before Cao Shuang could speak, Chen Jiao shook his head and said, "Liang Dao's words are a bit false. He divided his troops to cross the river, but there is a little suspicion. However, he knows that this is not a plan of Shu thieves to cross the sea. ?! Furthermore, if the Shu thieves are targeting Liyang, Ji County and Liyang are guarded by a total of 70,000 people. Zhang Yuanchang only has more than 50,000 people. Even if he has great ability, how can he defeat Guo Boji?!"
You must be asking this, Jia Kui was speechless for a while.
Yes, it is true that Zhang Xi is a famous general in the world, but Guo Huai does not give him for nothing. Of course, the most important thing is that in terms of military strength, Guo Huai has the advantage, and Guo Huai is the defender.
In this regard, even Jia Kui could not refute Chen Jiao's statement. Guo Huai relied on 70,000 people and a defense line built by himself. If he could not defend Zhang Xi's 50,000 troops and attacked, he would really be on the Yellow River. Find a place to jump down, you won't be able to see anyone anymore.
Jia Kui couldn't refute Chen Jiao, but Jia Kui's consciousness always told him that he felt there was something wrong with this matter. However, in military discussions, it was impossible to use the so-called consciousness to convince the coach.
Unless this intuition was born from the coach himself and he firmly believes in it. But obviously, Cao Shuang is not such a person.
Therefore, after seeing Jia Kui speechless, Cao Shuang immediately adopted Chen Jiao's suggestion and asked Huan Fan to order the reserve team in Yecheng to be ready to respond to Chaoge at any time.
Just a few days after Cao Shuang made such a decision, the front line reported that after Wei Yan occupied Huaxian, he continued to lead his troops north to Chaoge.
(End of chapter)
