It was already a bit cold in the early winter morning in Chengdu. Yang Qing got up a bit early today because he had something on his mind last night and didn't sleep well. After getting up and eating something casually, he decided to check out Wang Pu and his son's annex. Maybe he would gain something.
Before Yang Qing went out, he heard the sound of horse hooves coming from outside. After a few breaths, the sound of horse's hooves disappeared. Only a few neighing sounds were heard from outside his courtyard. It turned out that the horse had stopped. After the three men dismounted and tied their horses under the banyan tree in the alley, the leading scribe signaled with his eyes, and a man in official uniform stepped forward and knocked on the door of Yang Qing's house.
"Who's knocking at the door?" Yang Qing guessed that the person was coming to see him based on the horse's braying, so he had almost reached the door when someone knocked on the door. After the two knocks on the door, he immediately walked away The courtyard gate asked.
"Excuse me, Yang Qing, is Mr. Yang Yang here?"
"Who are the three of you?" Yang Qing opened the courtyard door and asked the scribe, "What do you want from Yang?"
Yang Qing opened the courtyard door and saw the scribe in his early thirties at a glance. This man was wearing a green and white straight train, with a sword on his left waist. He had a gentle face and a distinguished temperament, and his eyes occasionally showed a look of arrogance. It was obvious that He is the leader.
"It turns out that you are Yang Mingzhi." The scribe bowed his hands and said, "A certain person named Ma, Su, is now the Prime Minister and joins the army."
It was actually Ma Su. Yang Qing was surprised. This man's reputation would be very popular in later generations, but it was just not good. In the battle of Jieting, this man went against Zhuge Liang's rules and cleverly abandoned the city and went up the mountain in an attempt to realize the military principle of being condescending and overwhelming. However, Zhang He, the famous general of Cao Wei, took the opportunity to encircle the mountain and cut off the water. After a few days, the troops were in chaos due to lack of water. He was severely defeated by Zhang He, which resulted in the failure of Zhuge Liang's strategic attempt to cut off Long. It also directly led to the failure of the most promising First Northern Expedition. Ma Su himself was executed for losing the battle and escaping without telling anyone.
Of course, he is not really a mediocre person. He just talks a lot on paper and has little actual experience. So Yang Qing did not underestimate him. He returned the salute and said: "It turns out that Ma joined the army. Qing has admired his name for a long time. I saw him today." It’s such an honor.”
Although Ma Su was quite proud of himself, he heard that this man was also a talented person, so he said he didn't dare.
"Join the army, please." Yang Qing led the three of them to the stone table in the courtyard and invited Ma Su to sit down.
After pouring the tea, Yang Qing asked again: "Qing and Shenjun are strangers to each other. I wonder why Shenjun is here?"
Ma Di smiled slightly and said: "I have heard about Yang Langjun for a long time. Recently, I have heard that Langjun is not only good at catching murderers and solving crimes, but also writes a new style of poetry, which makes my Yizhou writing style completely new. So today is special I came to pay a visit, and I would like to ask Mr. Lang about a few things."
Yang Qing had encountered many such visits these days, and he had already dealt with them with ease. However, Ma Di was always famous for his ability to discuss military strategies. He had not heard that this man had profound attainments in literature. He did not expect that Ma Di would also do so today. When I came to ask for advice on poetry, he respectfully replied: "I don't dare to ask for advice. Please join the army and ask directly. Qingding should know everything and say everything."
Ma Di nodded and said: "I heard that Yang Langjun is a disciple of an elite and has profound insights into the art of war and political affairs. I also know a little bit about military matters, so I would like to discuss it with Langjun."
Yang Qing was stunned for a moment. He originally thought that Ma Su was here to talk about poetry and poetry with him, but he didn't expect that he was here to talk about military affairs. This man's preference for discussing military strategies was too obvious. He kept criticizing in his heart, but he still said humbly on the face: "Please tell me if you want to join the army."
"I wonder what you think of the late emperor's campaign against Sun Wu?" Ma Di asked, stroking the beard under his chin.
"I wonder if you want to join the army to ask about the rights and wrongs of the Eastern Expedition strategy, or to ask about the gains and losses of our army's Eastern Expedition strategy and deployment?" Yang Qing glanced at Ma Su inadvertently and asked softly.
When Ma Di heard this, he immediately knew that there was something wrong with his question, which could easily lead to misunderstanding. The late Emperor's Eastern Expedition should not be criticized at this time. That big mouth of Liao Li and Liao Gongyuan was the one who wantonly criticized the former Emperor Xiangdong and Sun Quan two months ago. The strategy of competing for the three counties in Jingnan was wrong. Not only did they not compete for the three counties, but they also missed the opportunity to seize Hanzhong before Cao Cao. This man slandered the late emperor and slandered all the ministers. Now he has been deposed as a commoner and exiled to Wenshan County to farm.
Ma Su originally wanted to discuss the pros and cons of the Yiling Battle tactics with Yang Qing, but he did not dare to discuss the rights and wrongs of the late emperor's past strategies with people he just met. Seeing that Yang Qing thought of this so quickly, he couldn't help but feel sorry for him. Yang Qinggao took a look and immediately explained: "Of course I just want to hear Yang Langjun's views on our army's deployment and offensive strategy in the battle of Yiling."
The success and failure of the Han army's deployment in the Battle of Yiling and the most advantageous offensive strategy have been thoroughly studied for thousands of years. However, there are different opinions on this kind of military deduction, and no one believes in it. Yang Qing also studied it and had his own opinions. . He pondered for a moment and then said: "In the early days of the late emperor's eastern expedition, our army had strong morale and launched continuous offensives. We defeated the Wu army in Wucheng and Zigui, and defeated Wu generals Li Yi and others. Lu Xun retreated intermittently to lure the enemy. The strategy of going deep, accumulating strength, and waiting for counterattack led our army into hundreds of miles of steep mountains and dense forests. At this time, the Wu army stood firm in the Yiting area of Yidao and resolutely refused to let our army enter the plain. When our army's front line was lengthened, When the division's veterans were tired and the weather was hot, the Wu army took advantage of the current to cut off the siege and launched a massive fire attack, causing our army to be defeated. Therefore, the Qing Dynasty thought that the reason why our army was defeated in the battle of Yiling was due to three military reasons."
Ma Su straightened his upper body slightly and said, "I would like to hear the details."
Yang Qingdao: "First, our navy is not as good as Soochow, and we cannot control the water. Since the death of Guan Junhou, our Han Dynasty no longer has an excellent navy. During the Eastern Expedition, although we had some navy, they were far away. It could not compete with the Soochow Navy, so the Soochow Navy could move freely on the river. Whether it was to isolate Huang Quan's troops in the north of the Yangtze River, or to take advantage of the current to break up the siege and attack our army's company camp in the south of the Yangtze River, or even to use the river to pursue the late emperor in the later stages of the war, the Wu army had all these intentions. The successful realization was the primary reason for our army's failure; secondly, after advancing on Yiling, in order to break the deadlock, the late emperor gave up the strategy of advancing by land and water, and followed the old method of taking Dingjun Mountain in Hanzhong, abandoning Lu Xun at Xiaoting and marching from the river. They crossed the mountains and ridges on the west bank to attack Yidao City behind Xiaoting, but they were blocked by Sun Huan after a long attack. This move was extremely risky. Once successful, Lu Xun could be surrounded from behind, but if it failed, he would be surrounded by the Wu army. Unfortunately, Later, it really failed; thirdly, there were no counselors in the former emperor's army who knew the art of war to advise the late emperor. Huang Quan and Huang Gongheng had been sent to Jiangbei to defend against the Wei army, and his brother, Mr. Ji Chang, was sent to Wuxi County to appease the Wuxi barbarians. In fact, the defense Jiangbeihe sent people to appease the barbarian capital, so there was no need to send Huang Quan and Lingxiong. If Huang Quan's plan was to use him as the vanguard, the late emperor would sit in the rear army, or Lingxiong would stay in the army, even if he could not win, he would not be able to win. Suffered such a defeat.”
After saying that, Yang Qing took a long breath, smiled and said: "The process of Qing's battle against Yiling is just hearsay. If there is anything inappropriate in what I say at this time, please don't make fun of me if you join the army."
In one sentence, Yang Qing explained the reasons for his military failure in Liu Bei's Yiling defeat, which shocked Ma Di. What Yang Qing said was similar to his and Zhuge Liang's subsequent analysis. You must know that he and Zhuge Liang are important ministers of the country. He knew all about the inside story of the war, but Yang Qing, who was just a white man, could analyze it so accurately just by hearing it. This person's talent was really not inferior to his own.
Ma Di didn't know that Yang Qingnai's descendants were also very familiar with the battle of Yiling. He couldn't help but praise: "Yang Langjun is really a great talent. What he said is right to the point. I admire him very much."
He decided to explore Yang Qing's reality again, and asked expectantly: "From your perspective, how should this battle be fought?"
"Well, I'm afraid I will only maintain the trend of advancing by land and water, and follow Huang Gongheng's strategy, with one army as the vanguard, and I suggested that the late emperor sit in the rear army as a back-up." Yang Qing sighed: "Otherwise, I can only watch Lin. The enemy responded and looked for opportunities. Just like the late emperor's plan to bypass Yiting and attack Yidao directly. Although this plan was dangerous, if Yidao City was really captured, Lu Xun would be in danger. Then later Things are very different.”
Ma Su was surprised again. This person brought more and more surprises to him. He nodded and said: "What Yang Langjun said is the truth. Even when the Prime Minister later talked about this battle, he probably had this idea."
Yang Qing didn't expect that Zhuge Liang thought the same way, and couldn't help but ask: "With Prime Minister Zhuge's ability, is there no other way to win?"
"Not really." Ma Di shook his head and said, "The Prime Minister also proposed that the late emperor could attract the main force of the Wu army for the suspected soldiers, and Huang Quan's troops could try to cross the Yiling line and go straight to Nanjun or Wuling to turn the hinterland of Jingzhou upside down. In this way, There may be something to be done. As for defending the Wei army, there is no need to send so many people to the north of the Yangtze River. After all, Wei has no signs of participating in the war, and it is enough to use the power of the Wei army's water warfare to defend the Yangtze River."
Yang Qing nodded. This strategy was similar to the ideas put forward by great men in later generations. It just tested the ability of the general to lead and manage the army. Huang Quan was indeed a suitable candidate and worth a try.
The two talked about some other battle cases, and what they discussed seemed to agree with each other. Ma Su had a better and better impression of Yang Qing, and thought that his military skills and strategies were extraordinary. Yang Qing also had a good sense of Ma Su, and felt that he was really a good person. Excellent staff. The two became more and more attached to each other, and they had been chatting for more than an hour before they knew it. Seeing that it was getting late, Ma Su still revealed the true purpose of his trip today.
"Mingzhi, Prime Minister Zhuge will summon you this afternoon, you must be prepared." At this time, the relationship between the two was close, and Ma Su no longer addressed him as Yang Langjun.
"I see, I understand." Yang Qing smiled again: "Then why didn't Mr. Youchang say it earlier?"
Ma Su also smiled and said: "It was someone else who came to spread the news. Recently, your reputation has become famous in the city. I was very curious, so I accepted this errand and came to see you."
"So that's it, Mr. Lao Youchang is here to help."
Looking at Ma Su's retreating figure, Yang Qing didn't understand Ma Su's original intention. Why did he come to visit him? He was clearly here to test his authenticity. However, this was not a bad thing, so he didn't care. What he was hesitating about at the moment was how to deal with meeting Zhuge Liang in the afternoon.
