In the third year of Jianlong's reign, in May 205 AD.
As the time came for the scheduled southward attack, Wei's troops began to mobilize. First, Wei's general Cao Ren led 50,000 horses across the Yellow River and headed south to Xuzhou. Later, general Xia Houchun led 30,000 horses to Yanzhou, making preparations for the southward march. Preparations for the attack on Soochow.
At the same time, Wu State was also actively preparing to defend against Cao Wei's attack.
However, Cao Cao's central army stayed in Yejing for a long time, and all the subsequent 100,000 troops were gathered around and on standby. It's not that Cao Cao didn't want to move, but that his army mobilized southward, but Zhang Xiu of Jingguo didn't move, and the men and horses of Jingguo didn't move.
Zhang Xiu didn't move, and Cao Cao didn't dare to move either.
An urgent secret message came from Ye Jing. Zhang Xiu threw it on the table next to him without even looking at it. You don't need to read it to know that it is Cao Cao's letter urging the dispatch of troops. This is already the third letter.
The Peach Blossom Flood has passed not long ago, and there are still three or four months before the Autumn Flood. The soldiers and horses must not go down too early. The purpose of this battle is Cao Wei, not Liu Chu. In case Liu Bei overreacts, he directly leads his troops north to fight with him. , will inevitably pull yourself into a passive situation. Zhang Xiu had already ordered Lu Xun, the commander of the Yizhou capital, to strengthen preparations for war and prepare to leave Jingchu eastward. The cavalry also began to move frequently.
Yi Ji, the Minister of Household Affairs, and Yan Xiang, the Minister of the Ministry of War, also started to get busy.
After receiving Zhang Xiu's imperial edict, the military order of the Jundu Prefecture secretly sent the secret weapons Hongtian artillery carriage and Kecheng heavy crossbow to Bingzhou to make advance preparations.
At the same time, starting in May, the official roads from Wuguandao, Chang'an to Luoyang, and Chang'an to Jinyang were all controlled by the army, and the people were not allowed to go on the roads unless necessary.
The huge machine of Jingguo began to prepare for the next battle with all its strength.
Xiliang's cavalry secretly mobilized to Shangjun, always preparing to cross the Yellow River eastward to Bingzhou to meet the battle. The Xiliang army commanders Pang De and Ma Dai had already arrived in Chang'an.
What Zhang Xiu does now is just one word: dragging.
At the very least, they have to delay sending troops until July. By the time the army slowly reaches Nanyang, it will be almost August. If the two sides delay in Nanyang, as long as the autumn floods arrive, the war will break out.
There is still no definite information about Cao Jun's conspiracy. Zhang Xiu dare not act rashly and can only wait for the autumn harvest for various reasons. He threw Cao Cao's secret letter on the table and said to Jia Xu: "Write a letter to Cao Cao for me, saying that I am ill and bedridden. The southern expedition can only be done after I recover from my injury and teach him." etc."
Jia Xu's writings were astute. As the emperor spoke, he was already writing the manuscript. When Zhang Xiu finished speaking, he picked up the pen and wrote without adding any details. He wrote as fast as the wind and completed it in an instant.
When Zhang Xiu read it, he wrote in the imperial edict: To Emperor Huangchu: I, the Holy Gong, are feeling well and bedridden. The southern expedition will be postponed until I recover from my illness and injury, and then I can start the army.
Zhang Xiu nodded with satisfaction: "That's it, send to Ye Jing as soon as possible."
"Wen Yuan," Zhang Xiu looked at Zhang Liao on his left, "Has the secret weapon been delivered?"
Zhang Liao: "We are already on the way back to the emperor. The official roads from Chang'an to Jinyang, Luoyang, and Wancheng have been controlled by our army and are strictly guarded. Even if Cao Wei's hidden guards have the power to reach the sky, it will be difficult to find out the news."
"Be more cautious!" Zhang Xiu warned, "This matter is related to the survival of Dajing. I don't need to say more about the key to this battle." Zhang Xiu glanced at everyone present: Jia Xu, Li Ru, Liu Ye, Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong, Fazheng, Zhang Liao, Gan Ning, Chen Da. "Although the battle of Bingzhou is the top priority, I am afraid that I will be left in Nanyang. In the battle of Bingzhou, Zhang Liao, Zhuge Liang, and Fa Zheng must obey orders!"
The three people hurriedly knelt down and said: "I am here!"
"Confess Zhang Liao as the general of Bingzhou, control all the troops and horses in Bingzhou, and command the battle eastward from the Taihang Mountains. Confer Zhuge Liang and Fa Zheng as military advisors to assist in the battle, no mistakes!"
"Here!" The three people hurriedly bowed.
"Pang De and Ma Dai of the Xiliang Army have already entered the capital, but they are now the reserve army for the Battle of Bingzhou. It is not appropriate for me to see them to promote hegemony," Zhang Xiu looked at Gan Ning and said, "Go and see them for me."
"Here!" Gan Ning bowed.
"Your Majesty!" Chen Da bowed his waist and clasped his fists and said respectfully, "The envoy who secretly went to Soochow sent news that Sun Ce, the Emperor of Wu, has agreed to join forces with our army to attack Cao Wei from a flank."
Zhang Xiu nodded and said with a smile: "Of course he agrees. If the war in Bingzhou goes well, I am inviting him to eat meat in Soochow. How could he miss such a good opportunity? Even if I don't send anyone, he will take the initiative to send troops. of."
Everyone started laughing.
Liu Ye said: "Your Majesty, there is news from Yizhou. Liu Chu seems to have increased his troops here in Yizhou. I am afraid that the other party may have guessed the actions of Dajing and Cao Wei and is preparing to take the opportunity to advance westward and attack Yizhou."
Zhang Xiu asked: "Where is Liu Bei?"
Strategically despise, tactically attach importance to. Liu Bei is a great hero of the world, and even the later Emperor Zhaolie of the Han Dynasty. How could Zhang Xiu dare to underestimate him? Forced by the current situation, Cao Cao's threat is too great, and Liu Bei can only stand back, but he must take precautions.
If he is not careful, Liu Bei will definitely take the opportunity to rise up, putting Dajing in trouble. Before going to war with Cao Wei, he must be fully prepared.
"While still in Chujing, I just ordered Zhang Fei and Zang Ba to lead 50,000 troops to defend Yizhou," Liu Ye said. "So calculated, there are already as many as 100,000 troops to defend Yizhou. I'm afraid there must be Planned."
Li Ru also nodded: "Xiangyang has the danger of the Han River, and Liu Bei has increased the strength of the navy. It will not be easy to attack. I guess Liu Chu wants to take advantage of the danger of the Han River, defend according to the danger, and march westward to Yizhou."
Gan Ning sneered: "If they dare to come, let them taste the military power of Dajing. Commander Lu has been preparing for a long time. As long as the Chu army dares to advance westward, I guarantee that they will never come back."
Lu Xun's sword was already thirsty.
Ever since he became an official after the imperial examination, he has been entrusted with important responsibilities by Zhang Xiu. After the imperial examination, he was directly appointed as the governor of Longxi, with an official rank of 6th rank. After the Battle of Longxi, he was promoted to the commander of the Yizhou capital, with an official rank of 2nd rank. This promotion The speed is simply not too fast. But Lu Xun was very dissatisfied with his performance.
At least he himself believed that his contribution in the Battle of Longxi was not significant, and compared with the achievements of other generals, he was somewhat incompetent, but his official position and favor were the same as theirs, which made him deserve it.
Now he is guarding Yizhou, with strong troops and horses, eagerly waiting for the war to come. Hidden lines were widely deployed in Wushan and Xuefeng Mountains, waiting for the Chu army to attack.
Zhang Xiu naturally knew about these situations and believed in Lu Xun's ability. This was one of the reasons why he dared to put Liu Chu in a secondary position. With Lu Xun's 150,000 infantry on his side, Liu Bei was on pins and needles.
Zhang Xiu nodded slightly: "Even so, you still have to be careful. I will give Boyan my instructions later and teach him not to be greedy for merit and rush forward."
Gan Ning: "Yes."
"Okay, you all kneel down!" Zhang Xiu stood up, and the others hurriedly followed, "Your Military Governor's Office and the Ministry of War will discuss it, and at the end of July, send troops south!"
"Here!"
Everyone resigned.
