Zhuge Jin left Jiangling with disappointment. After detailed discussions with Xu Shu, Guan Yu sent someone to deliver a letter to Chengdu by water. Lu Su died of illness and Lu Meng took over as the governor. As everyone has different styles of doing things, getting along with them will be slightly different. Different, Liu Bei and the remaining military advisors may have some new plans.
The governor of Jiangdong had just been replaced, and the rumors about Song Chen in the vicinity of Xudu caused panic. After Cao Cao withdrew his troops from Huainan, he went to Xudu to investigate in person. When he left, he left Chang Shi Wang Bi in charge of the military governor of Xudu.
The situation around Jingzhou became increasingly delicate. In order to seize the initiative in the war, Guan Yu began to recruit soldiers in Changsha and Wuling to prepare for the future Northern Expedition to conquer Xiangfan and invade the Central Plains.
At the end of August, news from Jingzhou reached Yizhou. Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang were shocked to learn of Lu Su's death. Zhuge Liang admired Lu Su's noble character and personally mourned his rival in Chengdu.
After more than half a year of preparation, Lantian has prepared all the ordnance and materials needed in Shuzhong, and now he is waiting for Zitong County's autumn grain harvest to attack Hanzhong.
Liu Bei was feeling a little depressed during this period, mainly because the civil and military forces in Shu were ready to take action, especially when the emperor's rumor came from Xudu: Any capable descendant of the Liu family can be king.
People with surnames other than Cao Cao were already proclaimed King of Wei, and Liu Bei, who was of Han Dynasty blood, could naturally claim the title of King. They took the lead in revolting general Wu Yi and General Zuo's Chief of Staff Shi Xujing to respectfully invite Liu Bei to become king.
Liu Bei kept in mind Lantian's three words "slowly becoming king" and came up with a set of principles to block it, but those who hoped that he would become king would not give up, because Liu Bei's becoming king would inevitably divide the meritorious officials, and everyone would be promoted and make a fortune. Therefore, this undercurrent in Shu has never stopped.
When news of Lu Su reached Chengdu, Liu Bei was worried that Jingzhou's diplomacy would change, so he summoned Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong, and Fazheng into the government for discussion.
Liu Bei looked at the crowd and sighed first: "Without Lu Zijing's matchmaking, Bei might not be in the situation it is today. This man cannot forget his roots. Now that Zijing has died of illness in Jiangxia, and Lu Meng has taken over his duties, I'm worried that Jingzhou may not be able to do so." It will be peaceful..."
"Lord, please relax. Lu Meng is no match for General Guan, not to mention that there is Lan Ziyu assisting him. If the military supplies for the attack on Hanzhong were not supported by Jiaozhou, Yizhou alone might have taken several more years of preparation, so Jingzhou should be intact." Pang Tong analysis.
"What do you think of Kong Ming?" Liu Bei turned to Zhuge Liang and asked.
Zhuge Liang stretched his sword eyebrows and gently shook his feather fan, "Lu Zijing respected a generation of Confucian generals. Jiangdong is now comparable to Liang, who can't think of it. General Guan only needs to continue to insist on fighting Sun Quan in the east and resisting Cao Cao in the north. When the lord takes Hanzhong, he can connect the front." "
Fa Zheng added: "Now Yizhou's soldiers and horses are vigorous and well-equipped, but the food and grass are not enough. If we can win Hanzhong quickly, it will be okay. Once we are in a stalemate with Cao's army in the mountains, we will definitely not be able to use it up. We must take Hanzhong." You have to use cunning tactics.”
Zhuge Liang shook his head, "There are only Jinniu Road and Micang Road from Yizhou to Hanzhong. The trail in Micang Mountain is winding and steep, with steep cliffs and cliffs. The plank road has been in disrepair for many years. Xiahou Yuan only needs to send a small number of troops to defend Jinniu." At the end of the road is Xiongguan Yangping, Cao Cao's 100,000-strong army is blocked by Zhang Lu, and if the opponent insists on defending, it will be even more difficult for us."
"Lord, what are you thinking about?" Fa Zheng asked curiously when he saw that Liu Bei was in a daze.
Liu Bei nodded and replied: "What the military advisers said makes sense. There is not much food and grass in Shuzhong now. If you are not sure of victory, it is not advisable to fight head-on. However, Ziyuan came up with some advice a few days ago. He said that there is a line on the left side of the Golden Bull Road. The dangerous mountain road leads to Wudu. If we send a partial army to take the narrow road to capture Wudu, it will inevitably scatter the defenders of Hanzhong. At that time, it will be more advantageous to attack Yangping Pass head-on."
Zhuge Liang frowned: "Recently, because of that rumor, the generals in each battalion have become restless. It seems that they all want to earn more military merits so that they can be bestowed upon the Lord when he becomes king..."
"It is strange but dangerous to take the small road to Wudu, but once the army is defeated and the return route is blocked, no one can return..." Pang Tong also showed concern.
Liu Bei smiled bitterly and said: "Kong Ming knows me best. How can he dare to arrogantly claim the throne if he has any virtue? Lan Ziyu has a saying: 'Build a wall high.
Accumulate food widely and slowly become king. 'Nine-character mantra, I will not covet vain fame. "
Zhuge Liang shook his fan and said with a smile: "My lord, just because I don't admire fame does not mean that others are not pursuing me. If the time comes, I may not be able to become a king. I think we can take Hanzhong as our goal."
"But Ziyu asked..." Liu Bei was very hesitant.
"My lord, where do you think the rumors about the Emperor came from? It was Ziyu who sent people to Xudu to spread them. He should have expected that there would be a day when he would be crowned king, so he used the Emperor's mouth to help you build momentum in advance, and then use it The Yangtze River Newspaper, Shu Newspaper, and Lingnan Newspaper convey public opinion, and the lord's ascension to the throne will become a popular choice." Zhuge Liang analyzed.
Pang Tong echoed: "What a great Mr. Xuan. He has thought of everything in advance. No wonder he can do everything with ease."
Liu Bei frowned and said to himself: "Ziyu thinks the time is ripe now? Can he really be able to count?"
Zhuge Liang shook ^, uu read, "It's not that Ziyu can do calculations, it should be that he has advanced reasoning ability. My lord has previously settled General Pang in Jiaozhou. Ziyu should have understood your difficulties. General Zuo's mansion cannot accommodate those arrogant people." The ambition of a strong soldier is not what Wu Ziyuan represents."
Liu Bei's head was now in a mess. He asked solemnly: "Should Wudu make this move or not? Ask a few military advisers to discuss and come up with an idea. Otherwise, we will wait until the food and grass are ready before heading north."
"That area is inhabited by Qiang, Hu and Di people. Even if we can successfully pass through, we will lose the supply line. If General Wu is not sure of victory, Liang does not recommend taking this risky move." Zhuge Liang said firmly.
Liu Bei explained: "Zi Yuan has a tribe named Lei Tong, which is from the Lei clan of the Di tribe over there. General Lei is confident that more than 10,000 people from the seven tribes of Lei clan will surrender, so the supply of military supplies may be guaranteed. "
Pang Tong nodded in affirmation, "If there are Di tribe generals to lead the way, the surprise troops along the way may not be useless. It just so happens that the autumn harvest in Zitong County has not yet happened, so the lord sent a partial army to take the mountain road to bypass Wudu. After the lord has all the food and grass, he will march north, and then two groups Clamp the middle part of the body and make the thorn!
"General Wu cannot take on this important task without a battle. The lord must choose a safe general as the main general." Fazheng reminded quickly. He knew that Wu Yi was coerced by his subordinates and had no choice but to stand up and earn military merit. However, commanding the battle was child's play. No.
Liu Bei nodded and said: "I want to make Yide the leader, with Ziyuan as the deputy general, and lead 20,000 troops to sneak attack Wudu from the small road. However, although Yide is brave, his nature is like a fiery fire, and he needs someone to persuade him to be safe. Originally, the general Heng is the best candidate, but he needs to stay in the important place of Langzhong..."
"Lord, I would like to go with Yide." Pang Tong volunteered.
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