At the end of October, An Ding's ranger scouts captured Xizuo near Qixian County and learned about Liu Bei's latest moves.
Cao Zhen faced an almost all-star lineup from Liu Bei. He was led by the nose to move around Yongliang in a few months. Not only did he lose Guanzhong but also Tianshui County. In a few months, his beard turned white with worry. He originally hoped that Cao Pi could send troops to Tongguan. But the tense situation around Chang'an only lasted less than half a year.
Liu Bei used troops against Longyou and Tianshui at the same time, indicating that the information from Xi Zuo's mouth was highly credible. Soochow was destroyed by Jiaozhou Lantian in March, and was already stationed in Ruxu. Cao Pi had no choice but to transfer soldiers from Huainan to the Central Plains area. He was transferred back, so the Tongguanjia project came to nothing.
Cao Zhen sent a ranger to Guanzhong to verify the intelligence, and it turned out that there was indeed a large army mobilization around Chang'an. After receiving the news, he hurriedly summoned his generals to discuss countermeasures.
After several months of waiting and testing, the stable Wei general's confidence was repeatedly frustrated. Success in retaking Chang'an became increasingly slim. The supply line was completely cut off, and the clothes, quilts and food from the Central Plains were gone.
After years of war, the population of Anding County dropped from 300,000 to 160,000. The people Zhang Ji had forcibly moved from Wudu were basically absorbed by Tianshui County and Guanzhong, and now they became Liu Bei's subjects again.
During the Three Kingdoms period, an average of fifteen to thirty people supported one soldier, so Anding's current population could only support ten thousand people. In addition to squeezing the people as much as possible, Cao Zhen's troops stationed here also had to recruit troops from Beidi County to the east of Anding, as well as from the more populated areas. Wuwei mobilized supplies, but even so, they could only cope with it. Cao Zhen also asked the soldiers to take the lead in saving food and clothing, and the hard days continued day by day without end.
After listening to Cao Zhen's military intelligence report, the soldiers in the tent collectively lowered their heads, muttering in their hearts that they were still coming, but they didn't expect it to come so quickly.
Guo Huai, the chief historian of Cao Zhen, was quite senior. When he saw that everyone was dejected and silent, he took the lead in encouraging the generals: "Liu Bei has Pang Tong and Fazheng beside him. These two are men with profound strategies. The generals should not be frightened by rumors." , maybe they were deliberately using a trick. If Zhang Fei really wanted to attack Longyou, he should have kept it a secret in the army. Why did even the little scout know about it? This is not consistent with common sense at all. It is also said that Soochow was destroyed by Jiaozhou Mu Lantian? I absolutely don’t believe it.”
"The Art of War is false but true. I think this military information is true. Longyou and Anding are separated by Tianshui and Longshan. What can we do even if we know it? If Zhang Governor really died of illness, how could Zhang Fei and Ma Chao let go of the opportunity? ?" Zhang He gave a different opinion.
"Jun Yi's analysis is not unreasonable. He said it was Pang Tong and Fazheng's plan, but what about Lantian's attack on Soochow? The former emperor's army was not captured, so how could the country be destroyed by an unknown person from Jiaozhou?" Guo Huai I have been in Yongliang all year round, so I know very little about the situation in Lantian.
Before Zhang He could answer, the white-haired Cao Zhen stretched out his hand to stop him and said: "Before his death, the late emperor praised Lan Ziyu highly, saying that his strategy was not inferior to that of Pang Tong and Fa Zheng, and that Lu Bu's victorious trap camp was also expanded by him. The 10,000-strong army is indeed no ordinary person."
"Isn't it the heavy armored infantry that trapped the camp? Lantian defeated Sun Quan's navy with infantry? It's really incredible to say. The last general agrees with Guo Governor's inference that Lantian's destruction of Wu should be false news released by Pang Tong and Fa Zheng. It is false and true, confusing and disrupting the morale of our army. ." Hu Zun said, clasping his fists.
"It cannot be said that it is impossible. Why did the Tongguan defenders shrink their defense line? If there is no major event in the Huainan direction, His Majesty will never ignore the pass. Liu Bei has ascended the throne and proclaimed himself emperor. He is no longer a man who weaved mats and sold shoes. We must not take it lightly. "Zhang He has a cautious character and always likes to think of the worst.
"Perhaps Sun Quan did something in Huainan." Hu Zun muttered.
Cao Zhen looked at Zhang He and nodded, "Jun Yi is right. Liu Bei is now so powerful that he can suppress our Wei State head-on. Whether Lantian destroyed Soochow or Sun Quan attacked Hefei again, your Majesty has no reinforcements to help him." , and we have to think about how to retreat from the enemy."
Zhang He clasped his fists and offered his advice: "Liu Bei's troops are in high morale. The general advises not to fight head-on. They don't have too many troops to fight on two fronts. There are high mountains on both sides of the Jing River. We can use the valley terrain to hold on. We have the city behind us. Advantage, the enemy's food is exhausted and forced to retreat naturally. When the general pursues again, he will win a great victory. Wei Yan is transferred to Chengdu to quell the rebellion. The only one Liu Bei can use is Huang Zhong, right?"
"And Zhao Yun." Cao Zhen frowned.
"Zhao Yun?" Zhang He was surprised, and then asked quickly: "Isn't this person guarding Huayin and responsible for resisting Zhu Wenbo (Zhu Ling)?"
Cao Zhen looked bitter: "Your Majesty has taken away the troops and horses to attack Guanzhong. Liu Bei naturally has no need to put the generals aside. Although Zhao Yun and Huang Zhong only have 20,000 people, don't forget our own disadvantages. Winter is coming. Without follow-up supplies, defending the city is tantamount to waiting for death."
"General, please make plans in advance. If Zhang Inspector really dies, Zhang Fei and Ma Chao can drive north along Longyou Road. No one can stop Jincheng and Wuwei. Send people back to defend Wuwei as soon as possible." Zhang He reminded hurriedly.
Cao Zhen nodded in affirmation, "The main force of Yongliang was gathered in Anding to cooperate with the reinforcements from the Central Plains to seize the pass. But now the situation seems to have changed, and certain adjustments must be made. I decided to divide 10,000 troops back to defend Wuwei and transport long distances in winter. The food conditions are difficult, and supplies from Wuwei and Beidi are not enough, so we have to find ways to collect food from Zhangye and Jiuquan."
"The last general is willing to take on this important task." Zhang He was the first to jump out and ask for help. Instead of starving and dying on the front line, it would be easier to slip away to supervise grain and defend the city.
Zhang He reacted so fast that the other generals under his command were caught off guard. He thought that such a good job was being snatched away. However, the other general's official position was second only to Cao Zhen, so they did not dare to stand up and compete.
Zhang He also figured that he was faster and no one else would compete with him. The pride in his heart almost showed on his face, but Cao Zhen ruthlessly rejected him.
"Jun Yi took the initiative to share the worries, which moved me very much, but Zhao Yun and Huang Zhong are both great generals. Without General Zhang here, the morale of our army will collapse quickly." After Cao Zhen finished speaking, he looked at the others, and finally his eyes fell on Guo Huai's face said, "Bo Ji, it's up to you to lead the troops back to guard and supervise the grain supply."
"The last general takes orders." Guo Huai stood up and took the military order.
Then Cao Zhen pointed to the map and said: "Zhao Yun and Huang Zhong will gather in Qixian, and finally they will go north along the Jingshui River. The most important place right now is the valley where the Jingshui River and Nishui River meet. If we cannot hold it here, then Beidi County's supplies will be lost." No more, General Junyi."
"The end is here." Zhang He clasped his fists.
"I will immediately rush to the stronghold five miles south of Jingni Valley with you and ten thousand troops. We must block Zhao Yun and Huang Zhong's first fierce attack, otherwise Anding County will be in danger." Cao Zhen looked solemn.
"Wei." Although Zhang He responded forcefully, he couldn't help but secretly complain in his heart.
Which one is better, Huang Zhong or Zhao Yun? How could I, Zhang He, be so miserable?
(End of chapter)
