When the news of Cao Pi's suicide reached Zhang Xiu's ears, Ma Chao and Zhang He's army happened to go south to meet him in Xuzhou City.
Zhang Xiu ordered the army to let Lu Su's army go south quickly. Xuzhou, Qingzhou, and Yanzhou were empty of troops. He led 6,000 soldiers and horses into six groups and followed Lu Su, capturing the cities one by one.
They went south from Lu State County and gathered most of Yanzhou. After receiving Zhang Xiu's imperial edict, they led their troops into Xuzhou, preparing to follow Lu Su in his place to capture the city.
"I didn't expect that this Cao Pi was really fierce and decisive in committing suicide!" Tulichen said this as if he was sighing and regretting Cao Pi's death.
Armand looked at Turichen and smiled: "Turichen, don't cry at the wrong grave!"
Tu Lichen smiled cheerfully: "If Cao Pi surrenders instead of dying, he will at least have the title of Marquis. This will ensure that he will be able to live a prosperous and prosperous life, and there will be no need to commit suicide."
"If he surrenders, he won't be called Cao Pi!" Zhang He looked seriously, and then looked at Zhang Xiu respectfully, "Your Majesty, Lu Su's army has crossed the Huaihe River and entered Jiujiang County. Jiujiang County and Lujiang County are on the west side of the river. I think I can take advantage of the situation."
Zhang Xiu sat on the huge dragon chair, lowering his head and thinking.
He had expected Cao Pi to commit suicide, but he didn't expect it to be so decisive. After Cao Pi died, the Wei Kingdom was destroyed, and the entire north belonged to Dajing. On the western front, Lu Xun had already clashed with the Chu army. Because of Sun Ce's decisive withdrawal, Liu Bei's plan to sneak attack Soochow was likely to be shattered, and he would be dragged into the quagmire of Jiangdong.
At this time, if we can attack Jingchu in one go, we are very sure to win Jingzhou.
Jingzhou is guarded by Zhang Fei and Guan Yu, so it is not easy to fight.
Needless to say, Guan Yu was a little arrogant, but his abilities were absolutely first-rate. He was a rare talent with both civil and military skills. If the Wei Kingdom was destroyed, he could predict what the Chu Kingdom would face, so he must be prepared.
Zhang Fei!
Zhang Xiu knew that later generations had a special saying to describe him: Zhang Fei's embroidery is both coarse and fine. Although he is usually careless and rough, he is actually a thoughtful person. Don't be fooled by his appearance.
With these two people guarding Jingzhou, it can be said to be foolproof.
Of course, it depends on who goes.
After Cao Pi committed suicide, Yuzhou, Xuzhou, and Yanzhou have become Dajing's possessions. They can capture the whole territory without spending too much force, but they have to be dealt with carefully.
After hearing Zhang He's question, Zhang Xiu slowly raised his head, glanced at Tulichen, Armand, E Huan, Zhang He, Ma Chao and other generals who were sitting below, and spoke slowly:
"The Kingdom of Wu and the Kingdom of Chu are now red-eyed wolves, and it is difficult to reconcile. Originally, Sun Ce was able to share a piece of Dajing's pie with me in the Central Plains. Unexpectedly, Liu Bei, a rat, took over the nest. With such a deep hatred, how could Sun Ce Don’t want to retaliate?”
"They don't stick together but fight to the death. As far as we are concerned, it's like a snipe and a clam fighting, and the fisherman wins! So, I decided to go south to Jingzhou!"
"Jingzhou?"
Everyone looked at each other in surprise.
Zhang Xiu nodded: "Guan Yu and Zhang Fei are guarding Jingzhou, and with the help of Kuai Yue, Lu Xun can only contain Guan Yu and Zhang Fei at most, but it will not be easy to take Jingzhou. Now that the main force of Jingzhou has been taken away by Liu Bei, this is our opportunity , Therefore, I decided to concentrate my strongest combat power in Dajing and launch a surprise attack on Jingzhou!"
Upon hearing that the strongest combat power was to be concentrated, the few people below suddenly puffed up their chests.
"Since we want to attack by surprise, we must defeat the Chu army in one strike without leaving any time for the Chu army to react. Therefore, I decided...!" Zhang Xiu stood up, his gaze covering the entire palace, "Deploy the first team Ma Chao, Zhang He, and the second team. Zhang Ren of the second team, Zhang Liao of the third team, Wei Yan of the fourth team, Pang De of the fifth team, Gan Ning of the sixth team, as well as E Huan and Tu Lichen each led a thousand elite cavalry and secretly arrived at Jigong seven days later. When we meet at Shanhui, we will enter Chu from Jiuli Pass."
Guan Yu's army was stationed in the Fancheng area, and Zhang Fei's main force was stationed on the east line. The mountains on the Jiuliguan side were close to the dangerous mountain pass, so the troops were relatively weak. If it were a sudden attack, it would not be possible to capture the city before the enemy could react. impossible.
But before that, all of Guan Yu's forces must be firmly locked up in Nanyang.
When Ma Chao and others heard that they were nominated, they immediately became excited. You know, it is easiest to develop a relationship if you can fight in the same trench with the emperor. The deeper the relationship, the more benefits they will get and get twice the result with half the effort.
So they raised their chests and raised their heads, and loudly agreed.
Zhang Xiu continued: "My decree is to appoint Li Ru as the temporary governor of Yan, Henan and Xuzhou, and Zhang Biao as the governor of the three states, to manage the three states and put an end to the war in the Central Plains as soon as possible; to order Xuchang's artillery and firearms to go away All are transferred to Nanyang, Li Yi is appointed as the acting commander of the navy, and we attack with all our strength!"
Armand wrote the imperial decree vigorously.
He was originally a Huns. After being accepted as a disciple by Zhang Xiu, he taught him carefully. In addition, Armand himself was smart and learned everything quickly. He learned a lot from Zhang Xiu all the time. Zhang Xiu said he would write it, and he quickly wrote down the will simply and clearly.
After the decree was finished, Ma Chao asked: "Your Majesty, who will control the troops and horses in the Central Plains?"
At this time, there are still 200,000 troops in the Central Plains, plus the 50,000 in the navy, there are a full 25 troops. Who can plan and control this 250,000 troops?
At the same time, who Zhang Xiu handed over the command of this army fully demonstrated the emperor's trust in this person.
After hearing Ma Chao's question, everyone looked at Zhang Xiu.
They want to know too.
Zhang Xiu smiled and said: "The Central Plains has not yet calmed down, and the soldiers and horses cannot be withdrawn. Well... this power will be handed over to Xu Shu, the Metropolitan Procuratorate, and he will be appointed as the commander-in-chief of the three prefectures of Yan, Yu and Xu to dispatch the army."
Xu Shu?
Everyone was a little surprised.
Some people thought it was Li Ru, some thought it was Zhang Biao, some thought it was Zhuge Liang, but absolutely no one thought it was Xu Shu. Xu Shu's abilities were average, and he never had any clever strategies. For a moment, he couldn't figure out why he would give such power to Xu Shu?
But they didn't dare to have any objections, and they all agreed unanimously.
Zhang Xiu knew that Xu Shu's ability was still very outstanding. Commanding the 250,000 troops was not a problem. Moreover, the navy was mobilized by Zhuge Liang. Strictly speaking, he only had 200,000. Li Ru was old, and he was still the prime minister. It would be too busy to serve as the governor of three states at the same time.
As for Zhang Biao, he is still too young, with sufficient status but insufficient qualifications.
At present, only Xu Shu can take charge.
After all matters were agreed upon, Zhang Xiu ordered the messengers to convey the orders quickly, and at the same time mobilize the troops and horses and send them to Chang'an quickly, so that Chang'an could flexibly make reasonable arrangements for food, grass, and equipment.
But just when Zhang Xiu was about to leave, he received bad news.
Cao Cao's daughter, Cao Pi's sister, Cao Jie, hanged herself in Chang'an!
