Mid-March 198 AD.
Zhang Xiu received accurate information that Huchuquan, the Shanyu of the Southern Huns, led an army of 100,000 people down the Helan Mountains and headed straight for Xiaoguan with great momentum.
The news came that Huchuquan was now one hundred kilometers away from Xiaoguan.
The original strategic plan was that they were going north to capture the Hetao Plain, but they did not expect that the other party would take the initiative to go south and rebel in attack and defense.
Beat drums to gather generals.
Because Huchuquan's move south disrupted all the plans of the Military Strategy Department and the Strategy Department. It was a sudden change, and all plans had to be scrapped and planned again.
On the contrary, the soldiers were all gearing up to do something big.
In the general's mansion.
Zhang Xiu faces south and sits in the middle.
The counselor is on the left and the general is on the right.
Zhang Xiu said: "The original plan was to send troops to capture the Hetao area after the summer harvest. Unexpectedly, Huchuquan came to our doorstep on his own initiative. That's fine, but it actually saved a lot of effort. Since Huchuquan is coming, then we Just let them come and go without any return—" Zhang Xiu looked at Jia Xu, "—Uncle, does your Strategy Department have any emergency measures?"
After Jia Xu got the information, he thought for a while and came up with a countermeasure. He cupped his fists and arched his waist: "Does your lord know about the battle in Henan during the period of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty?" (Henan here refers to the land south of Yinshan Mountain.)
Zhang Xiu nodded: "When King Zuo Xian's troops invaded Shanggu and Yuyang, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty ordered the cavalry general Wei Qing and the general Li Xi to quickly send troops to Yunzhong to raid the Xiongnu's Henan region. After breaking through Henan, they traveled more than a thousand miles to Longxi. "
Jia Xu said: "Now that Huchuquan has sent 100,000 troops to go down Helan Mountain, they will definitely be blocked outside Xiaoguan. Our army can send out surprise troops, send troops out of Shangjun, lead 30,000 cavalry north to Yunzhong County, and rush along the Qin Dynasty. March on the inner side of the Great Wall and on the north bank of the Yellow River, enter the Hetao Plain, cut off the retreat, and then move south to attack Huchuquan."
This route was Wei Qing's strategic route to regain Henan.
Xu Shu nodded in agreement: "Huchuquan led an army of 100,000 people and went south, almost in full force. There must not be many troops left in the Hetao area. But if you send a general and lead an army of 30,000 people to the north, you will be able to conquer the area of the Hetao. Turn around and attack Huchuquan."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Undoubtedly, this strategy is the most advantageous. It can not only defeat the Hetao in one battle, but also eliminate the main force of the Southern Huns and seize the three counties of Yunzhong, Wuyuan and Shuofang.
But who to send became a problem.
After careful consideration, Zhang Xiu decided to lead his own army to send troops to Hetao.
So he said: "The key to this battle lies in the gain and loss of the Hetao. If the Hetao cannot be captured, Xiaoguan will be in danger! If Xiaoguan is lost, Guanzhong will not be protected. Therefore, it was decided that I would personally lead an army of 30,000 to send troops northward. "
"My lord, no!"
All the counselors immediately stopped him in unison.
Just kidding, how could Zhang Xiu, a prince with a body of thousands of gold, take the risk and go to the Hetao land where the Xiongnu had been entrenched for many years? What's more, Yunzhong is adjacent to Bingzhou. If Yuan Shao sends troops to attack from a flank, Zhang Xiu will be in danger.
"My lord, Huchuquan is leading an army of one hundred thousand to the south. The momentum is so fierce that we must not ignore it. We still need my lord to stay in Guanzhong to ensure that Xiao Pass is intact. How can we send troops north? In the battle to the north, just send a general to lead the troops." Jia Xu bowed. Hold your fists around your waist.
"I hope my lord will think twice!"
All the counselors and generals dissuaded him in unison.
How could Zhang Xiu be more dangerous than the Battle of Hetao? It was because it was too dangerous that he had to go there in person, otherwise he would not worry, insisting: "This battle is of great importance. If we cannot win the Hetao, Xiao Pass will be lost. By then, the pass will not be protected, and the lives of all the gentlemen will be worried. It's a dangerous place, why not? You don't need to persuade me anymore, I've made up my mind."
Everyone was silent.
This battle is indeed too dangerous.
On the left, Han Sui from Xiliang was eyeing him. Although he had lost food and grass, he had to guard against it. To the east, Cao Cao had long been hostile to Zhang Xiu, and Yuan Shao from Bingzhou was also there.
At this moment, Zhang Xiu can be said to be surrounded by enemies on all sides, and his situation is in danger.
Unexpectedly, Cheng Yu's influence on Huchuquan caused all the princes to be affected, and his whole body was affected by the influence. In fact, this result was not expected by Cheng Yu himself.
Zhang Xiu gave the order without a doubt: "This battle is extremely important. Everyone must go all out to fight this difficulty together. He orders: Gan Ning will be the general, lead the troops, and Pang Tong will join the army. Then we can go to Xiaoguan for deployment. We must hold on." Xiao Guan, wait for my army to return for reinforcements."
Gan Ning and Pang Tong came out, clasping their fists and saying yes in unison.
"Let Ji Ling be the general, lead his troops, and join the army with Fazheng as the general. Then he can go to Hangu Pass to guard against Cao Cao's westward advance."
Ji Ling and Fazheng came out and agreed in unison.
"Let Li Tong be the general and lead an army of five thousand to garrison Dashan Pass to prevent Zhang Lu in Hanzhong."
Li Tong came out and agreed.
"Order Ma Chao as the vanguard, Pang De, Wei Yan, Zhang Xian, Wang Shuang, and Gu Ming as generals, and Yan Xiang, Zhuge Liang, and Xu Shu as accompanying troops to consult. Send 30,000 troops to march north to Yunzhong."
Everyone came out to say yes.
"Huo Jun is ordered to be the guard general in Guanzhong, while Jia Xu, Liu Ye, Xu Shu, and Li Ru stay in Guanzhong. All departments will cooperate closely to analyze the battle situation and respond to sudden changes at any time."
"Here!"
Everyone agreed in unison.
Zhang Xiu stood up and stood solemnly, with a serious and indifferent expression: "Since Huchuquan is coming, let's fight with all our hands and feet and lead the war outside the pass. All the gentlemen will work together to cut off the gold and protect me in the pass!"
"Work together to break the gold! Protect me from Guanzhong!"
Everyone's emotions were aroused and their voices were loud.
As the deployment continued, various departments and soldiers immediately became busy. Qiao Rui, as the grain supervisor, was even more busy.
As the expedition was about to begin, Zhang Xiu returned to the backyard to see all his dear wives.
Yueying is already eight months pregnant, and there is a possibility of giving birth at any time. The midwife has also moved into the house early and is always ready.
Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao also returned to the house.
"Dad! Did I hear that you are going to lead the army on an expedition again?" Xiao Qiao frowned and asked nervously when she saw Zhang Xiu coming in.
Zhang Xiu silently nodded her little head and said, "The Southern Xiongnu Chanyu is coming, so I have to send troops to stop it."
"There are so many generals in my father's camp. Which one of Wei Yan, Ma Chao, and Pang De can't go there for you? The war is fierce and dangerous, why do you have to go there in person?" Bu Lianshi persuaded.
"You guys!"
Zhang Xiu scratched the infantry trainer's delicate little nose and said, "Don't worry, I'm leading the troops in battle, I won't charge into battle. Besides, there are so many personal guards to protect me, so nothing will happen to me, don't worry."
Saying that, he entered the room.
Huang Yueying lay on the bed with a big belly and looked at Zhang Xiu with concern.
Zhang Xiu touched her round belly, gently touched her smooth and tender cheeks and said, "Don't worry, your main task now is to give birth to a fat boy for me as soon as possible."
"Um!"
Huang Yueying looked at him with concern and nodded heavily.
"Dad, you must be careful." Liu Rui stood beside him, with tears streaming down his face and his belly bulging slightly.
In order not to neglect the backyard, Zhang Xiu was exposed to rain and dew, and Liu Rui also announced her pregnancy a month ago.
"Don't worry! Be good at home and take good care of Yueying. When I return home in triumph, it will be time to hold my son."
The girls nodded.
at this time.
Cao Cao and Yuan Shao also received news that Huchuquan was leading his army south to Guanzhong. One stone stirred up a thousand waves, and Huchuquan's southward movement made everyone's strategic plans null and void. The princes immediately beat drums to gather their generals and redeploy.
