Chapter 742: The troops are divided into three groups
It is said that the three most important heirs of the Cao family staged a good show of fighting for power in front of the souls of Cao Ang and Cao Song. On the surface, there is still some deep brotherly love, but in fact, the future will fall apart, the separation of life and death, and the seven-step poem begins today.
When it comes to the battle with Yuan Shu, the three scheming Cao family disciples have surprisingly unanimous views. In fact, no one, including think-tanks like Sima Yi and Yang Dezu, would be optimistic about Yuan Shu, who was like a withered bone in the tomb. However, although Yuan Shu was weak, the surrounding forces were too strong. Would they sit back and watch Cao Cao destroy Yuan Shu and remain indifferent?
Therefore, the surrounding battle situation is the key to victory or defeat. As the saying goes, one move can affect the whole body. No matter where the pressure is from the southeast, northwest, or south, it will shake Cao Cao's determination to eliminate Yuan Shu. Even if the hatred for killing his father is irreconcilable, he cannot bear the price of losing his base. As a military strategist, Cao Cao was surrounded by advisers like a rain, so he would never be completely dazzled by any hatred.
Based on this judgment, Sima Yi had already pointed out on the road that Yuan Shu had enmity with Sun Ce and had no friendship with the Qinglong Army. The only way he could request support was to look north. Bingzhou Zhangyang across the river in the north has been absorbed by the Qinglong Army, and the Hexi Corridor is basically in chaos. Only Yuan Shao from Jizhou is a brother, and may be the direction for Yuan Shu to escape.
Sun Ce had just recaptured Hefei, and his strength had not yet recovered. He was not afraid of attacking Cao's army in Xuzhou with his remaining troops. But the same cannot be said for Guan Yu in the north. Zhou Buyi himself is a wise man. If Yuan Shu can persuade Yuan Shao to cross the Yellow River with Zhou Buyi to attack Yanzhou, coupled with Guan Yu in Juancheng, it may shake the foundation of Taishan County.
Therefore, the spiritual bet proposed by Cao Pi revolved around the battle to defend the northern border. Although Cao Pi did not have a military map in front of him, he still cherished the following: "The strategically important towns along the Yellow River are none other than Mengjin, Yanjin, Guandu, Baimajin, and Luokou Ferry. Among them, Guan Yu in Juancheng, Zhou Buyi, and Chen in Yecheng Leaving Zhang Liao and Chen Gong behind is a serious problem for Taishan County."
Cao Zhi nodded slightly and said: "Chen Liu, Zhang Liao and Chen Gong have been wavering since Lu Bu disappeared. I wonder if they can be persuaded to submit."
Cao Pi took a deep look at Cao Zhi and ordered everyone to be screened. Everyone dispersed, even Sima Yi and Yang Xiu stood outside the mourning hall. There were only three brothers left in the mourning hall. Cao Pi then smiled slightly and said: "Sure enough, I have the same idea as the fourth brother, the hero. This is why my bet started."
"My father personally fought against Yuan Shu. Yuan Shu was unable to resist and must flee north. Baimajin is the closest to Luoyang, and it can be said that it is a place Yuan Shu must pass through. If a group of men and horses can be ambushed here, Yuan Shu can capture them all in one fell swoop."
Cao Zhang's blood became hot when he heard this, and he quickly asked: "Second brother, if you can capture Yuan Shu alive with your own hands, you can relieve the hatred in my heart. Tell me about the bet?"
Cao Pi raised his brows and said, "My three brothers will draw lots and send out troops in three groups to take the initiative and send troops to the outside of Yanzhou. This move will not only eliminate potential enemy attack dangers, but also take the opportunity to consolidate defenses along the Yellow River."
Cao Zhi asked: "Which three roads?"
Cao Pi said: "You and I, brothers, will lead their own troops and go all the way to Chenliu, surrender Zhang Liao and Chen Gong, open the Guandu ferry to cross the river, go straight to Liyangjin, and block Yuan Shu's escape from Baimajin; the other way will go straight to Juan." City, fight Guan Yu, and restrain Guan Yu so that he cannot send troops to Taishan County. If he can win the battle, open the ferry around Yanjin and cross the river to harass Puyang and Yecheng so that he cannot send troops to meet Yuan Shu; the third route starts from Taishan County , cross the river at Luokoujin, and go straight to the plains. If we can succeed, we can follow the Yellow River westward and attack Puyang, an important town on the north bank. If we succeed, the entire middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River will be controlled by our Cao family."
Cao Zhang's blood was already boiling after hearing this. After hearing this, he stood up and said passionately: "I have long heard that Guan Yu's Qinglong Sword was so powerful that he shocked both sides of the Yellow River. I have long wanted to meet him. Brothers, please don't fight with me on this road to Juancheng!"
Cao Pi and Cao Zhang looked at each other and nodded: "Very good!"
Seeing that both of them agreed with his opinion, Cao Zhang stood up and geared up, as if the Fang Tian Hua Ji in his palm had cut Guan Yu's head. His 30,000 troops will arrive at Qiao County in the near future. If he goes north immediately, I am afraid that in less than three to five days, the troops will be directed towards Juancheng, which will naturally take a big advantage in the journey time.
Seeing Cao Zhang's joy, Cao Zhi turned back to look at Cao Pi and said, "Second brother, who of you and me can succeed depends on God's will!"
After saying that, he picked up a bald pen and wrote "white horse", which represented the fight against Chenliu; and "Luokou", which represented the fight between Pingyuan and Puyang. He handed the two paper lots to Cao Zhang and asked him to hold one in each hand. , placed behind you.
Cao Zhang exchanged lots behind his back several times, and even he himself no longer knew what was written on the lot in his hand. Cao Pi picked his left hand and opened it, but it was "white horse".
Cao Pi laughed loudly and said: "It seems that God's will is like this. With the majesty of my father, are you still afraid that Zhang Liao will not surrender?" In fact, the biggest temptation for people on this road is to sit back and wait in Liyangjin, waiting for Yuan Shu to surrender after being defeated and fleeing. Therefore, it is naturally the most likely path to achieve unparalleled military exploits.
Cao Zhi drew all the way to Pingyuan, which was relatively far away from Yuan Shu. He said calmly: "Since it is a bet, how do you calculate winning? If you win, what do you say?"
Cao Pi said with joy, "We will each send out troops, and whoever defeats the set goal first will be the winner. The winner takes all, and all the military achievements this time will be counted on his head."
Cao Zhi was shocked when he heard this and said: "If I capture Puyang first, even if you capture Yuan Shu, will it be considered as my contribution?" Cao Pi pondered: "Let me make it clear again, my targets are Chen Liu and Li Yangjin, the three My younger brother’s goal is Juancheng and Puyang, and my fourth brother’s goal is Pingyuan and Puyang. The first to capture the target city will be the winner.”
Cao Zhang frowned slightly and said: "If my fourth brother and I break through the Yellow River at the same time and besiege Puyang at the same time, who gets the credit?" Cao Pi said with a smile: "If we attack from both sides, the small town of Puyang will never be able to resist. Let's see whoever attacks first Go down to Puyang City Lord's Mansion, who will be the winner?" Cao Zhi and Cao Zhang both nodded in praise.
Cao Zhi used calligraphy again, and the dragon and the phoenix danced and wrote the bet. The three brothers knelt in front of the soul and put their fingerprints on the bet, and the bet was established. Cao Zhi said again: "This is a serious matter, and we need to send someone immediately to report to my father for approval!"
Cao Pi shook his head when he heard this and said proudly: "Fourth brother! It is said that soldiers are valuable and quick, and it is also said that the general will not accept the emperor's life. My father is busy dealing with the front line. Naturally, we three brothers have the final say on matters in the rear. This matter It’s settled like that, I just need to write a letter and inform Jia Liangdao who is sitting behind me.”
It turned out that Cao's army was out in full force this time, and the one who stayed in the court to hold down the battle was the Confucian general Jia Kui and Jia Liangdao. Since we are going to send troops, we naturally have to say hello to him, which can be regarded as informing the court. When the imperial court issued a court report, even if it agreed to send troops, it would naturally send a copy to Cao Cao on the front line. Of course, Cao Pi's wishful thinking was to become the real master of the rear, because the Jia family was one of the families that firmly supported Cao Pi.
If you want to know what happens next, listen to the explanation next time.
