In January 198 AD, Zhang Xiu led 50,000 troops into Xiliang.
In the general's mansion.
All members of the advisory group, including Jia Xu, Liu Ye, Li Ru, Yan Xiang, Pang Tong, Zhuge Liang, and Fazheng (third place selected from the imperial examination), stood under the long case.
The chief clerk placed three pieces of paper, which were the three plans for sending troops to Xiliang.
The first plan: Send troops from Xiaoguan, capture Dingxi City, and plunder Han Sui's grain and grass to enrich yourself. The purpose of this is not to capture the city but to gain grain and grass.
The second plan: occupy Dingxi City. Han Sui, who is far away in Longxi City, does not have much food and grass, and will inevitably return troops to save him. At this time, they can ambush the army and kill him, avoiding future troubles.
The third plan: divide the troops into two groups. The first group will seize Xicheng, plunder the grain and grass, and return. The second group will attack Tianshui County. In this way, the entire Yongzhou County will be in hand.
Obviously, the first priority is what everyone agrees is the best plan: plundering food and grass.
Han Sui's loss of food and grass was equivalent to his loss of the initiative on whether to send troops after this year's spring plowing. When the time comes, you have food in your hands and no panic in your heart, and you can make a decision.
After thinking for a moment, Zhang Xiu looked at the young Fazheng at the back. Later generations recorded that Fazheng was good at scheming, and was praised by Chen Shou, the author of the Three Kingdoms, as being comparable to Cheng Yu and Guo Jia under Cao Cao, which shows his talent.
So he asked: "Which plan does Xiaozhi think our army will follow?"
The room fell silent instantly.
No one thought that Zhang Xiu would notice Fazheng at the end, let alone ask Fazheng directly for his opinion.
Everyone focused their attention on Fazheng.
Fa Zheng's heart was beating fast.
He heard that Zhang Xiu recruited talented people, loved talents as much as his life, was good at listening to opinions and made arbitrary plans. But he didn't expect Zhang Xiu to question him, a newcomer who had just passed the scientific examination and entered the Senate.
Fa-rectification is Fa-rectification after all.
After being slightly startled, he came to his senses, bowed and clasped his fists and said steadily: "My lord, with righteous intentions, we should take the first step."
"Oh~ Takanao, please tell me in detail."
"My lord, our Guanzhong is separated from Xiliang by the Longshan Mountains. It is difficult to leave and enter. As long as Han Sui does not die, we cannot hold Dingxi and Tianshui even if we take them. We might as well plunder abundant grain and grass to prepare for spring plowing. "
This policy was carefully honed by the entire Senate, and it is naturally the best solution.
Tianshui City is the closest to Guanzhong, so it should be a good time to send troops to capture it. Unfortunately, food and grass are currently the shortcomings. In addition, Tianshui is separated by Longshan Mountain, so we have to give up this opportunity and choose the food and grass from Dingxicheng.
Zhang Xiu nodded: "Just follow the first strategy. Beat the drum and gather the generals!"
"Here!"
Everyone bowed and clasped their fists.
Not long after, all the generals walked into the hall excitedly, including the top three who had just passed the martial arts examination: Huo Jun, Wang Shuang, and Gu Ming.
Gu Ming was born into a real commoner's family, and his home was Wancheng, Nanyang. Because of the development of Zhang Xiu's school, he had the opportunity to wear brand-new armor and stand in the hall.
Seeing that his subordinates had increased again, Zhang Xiu felt happy.
He smiled and said, "Ah! This year's imperial examination will make our army full of talents! If it takes a few years, then our army will be all elites, hahaha!"
Everyone laughed.
The newcomer also laughed relaxedly.
After that, Zhang Xiu said solemnly: "Now Han Sui in Xiliang has made a rebellion and attacked and killed the father of Maqiying. Maqiying has already led the army ahead. We sent troops, one to support Maqiying and the other to secure Xicheng. The food and grass in the area, so our army is bound to get it on this trip, you all, listen to your orders!"
"Here!"
Everyone bowed and clasped their fists.
"Order Wei Qiying and Zhang Qiying to lead the Qinglong Cavalry Battalion and Zhuque Cavalry Battalion to seize Sujiashan, the only road from Longxi to Dingxi, as quickly as possible before Han Sui can react, and block the Korean army from returning. Road to buy enough time for our army to attack Dingxi and seize grain and grass."
Wei Yan and Zhang came out first, clasping their fists and bowing, shouting: "Here!"
"Order Hu Che'er to lead the Tenglong Cavalry Battalion and Zhang Xian to lead the Cheetah Cavalry Battalion as the central army. Wang Shuang, Huo Jun, and Gu Ming will accompany the army to fight."
Everyone came out and clasped their fists in agreement.
Wang Shuang, Huo Jun, and Gu Ming became excited and their faces turned red. I didn't expect them to join the battle so quickly.
"Let Yan Xiang be the president of the Senate accompanying the army, and Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong, and Fa Zheng be the senators accompanying the army and go out with the army."
A few people came out to say yes.
Now that Zhang Xiu has obtained the land in Guanzhong, he is also determined to win Liangzhou. Yan Xiang's attitude towards Zhang Xiu has changed, and he has also begun to make suggestions and become Zhang Xiu's military adviser.
"In this battle, our army can only win and not lose, otherwise the consequences will be disastrous. I hope you all will handle it carefully and don't rush in and take credit! Okay, make preparations quickly and send troops to secure the west city tomorrow!"
Everyone agreed to leave.
The next day.
Generals Wei Yan and Zhang Xian led their troops to Dazhen Pass first. Their mission is to seize a favorable position and block Han Sui's return route before Han Sui notices it, so they must reach Sujiashan as quickly as possible.
Hu Che'er and Li Tong followed Zhang Xiu and led the Tenglong Cavalry Battalion and the Suzaku Cavalry Battalion. They also set off later, trying to reach Dingxi City first, break through the city, and plunder food and grass.
So Zhang Xiubing sent 50,000 cavalry and marched directly to Dingxi City.
…
Longxi City.
Since Ma Teng scraped his bones to cure the poison, he had been holding on to the city for more than ten days. The food and grass in the city were becoming increasingly scarce and would soon be exhausted.
Han Sui surrounded and refused to attack, waiting for Ma Teng to run out of food and fodder.
Han Sui's Chinese army tent.
Five braziers burned with high temperature, making the tent as warm as spring. Han Sui drank and had fun, counting the days so that when Ma Teng died of starvation in the city, he could collect his body.
Based on his understanding of Ma Teng, this man would definitely starve to death in the city and not come back to surrender to him. Besides, seeing his severed thumb, he would not accept Ma Teng's surrender.
At this time, Cheng Yu walked in.
Han Sui drank hot wine and lost control of himself: "Ah~ The cold wind is howling outside today. What brings you here, sir?"
Cheng Yu glanced at him lightly and said, "General, does he know that Ma Chao is coming to rescue his father with his army?"
Han Sui was startled.
Ma Chao still knows. This son has outstanding martial arts and is a rare warrior. His bravery is better than that of his father.
He didn't expect that Zhang Xiu would ask Ma Chao to lead his troops to rescue Ma Teng.
So he asked: "How many troops does Ma Chao lead?"
Cheng Yu shook his head: "I just got the news that Ma Chao led his army. It was said to be 30,000, but it is estimated to be about 10,000. How is General Han going to respond?"
Han Sui asked: "Where did Ma Chao come from?"
"Going up the Wei River, we have arrived at Wushan."
"We must not allow Ma Teng and his son to join forces and attack us from both inside and outside. Sir, do you have any clever ideas?"
Cheng Yu said: "There is Daping Mountain to the south of Longxi City. Daping Mountain is adjacent to the Weishui River to the west. The mountains to the east are steep. We can set up an ambush to kill Ma Chao. Ma Chao did not dare to get angry after scraping his bones to cure the poison, so we used Ma Chao's head to force him. Ma Teng was angry."
Han Sui laughed and said, "Sir, this is really a clever plan. In this way, we can defeat Ma Chao's reinforcements, and also break Ma Teng's heart and make him fall into chaos."
Cheng Yu said: "Now that our army is out, all the food and grass are stationed in Dingxi. We are afraid that Zhangxiu will cause chaos, so we must end it as soon as possible."
Han Sui waved his hand disdainfully: "Sir, don't worry too much. The horses have already consumed a lot of food and grass for him. How can he dare to send more troops to Dingxi?"
Cheng Yu nodded and went out to prepare.
