At the beginning of spring in Xuchang, the weather is changeable, just like life. It was sunny one moment, and it rained heavily the next.
Cao Cao, who was hiding from the rain under the four-corner pavilion, reached out to catch the rainwater dripping down the corners of the eaves, feeling mixed.
Behind him was a bundle of bamboo slips on the stone table, which was a letter of surrender written by Miao Shang.
Hanoi has changed hands.
The stone that had been lying in the northwest direction for many years was finally moved away today.
He was not overjoyed. In fact, at this time, there was civil strife in the north, Lu Bu entered Qingzhou, Jing Xiang had no time to take care of himself, and even Sun Ce started his journey to Jiaozhou. No one could stop him from taking Hanoi.
Hanoi is only one county, with 20,000 soldiers and horses, Cao Cao can defeat him with a snap of his fingers.
He was the biggest beneficiary of the Central Plains War, at least for now. Not to mention the captured ordnance, chariots, and armor, there were more than 6,000 horses alone. He expanded the cavalry team to 8,000 in one go, which was unparalleled in the Central Plains area. Called invincible.
Moreover, because of the reversal of this battle, the two states' aristocratic families began to settle down and help each other wholeheartedly. The original army of only 50,000 people remained after the First World War, once again expanded to 80,000 troops.
Therefore, if he wants to take Hanoi, it can be said that with one full blow, even if Zhang Yang defends it, he will not be able to last for a month.
The reason why this has always been a pain point for Cao Cao is ultimately due to two things, one is the Cao-Lu alliance, and the other is Lin Mo's clever plan.
After all, the Cao-Lv alliance was only a transitional period, and turning against each other was just a matter of time. Especially after Lu Bu chose to go north, the alliance was already dead in name only, and there was only one right time left.
What made him uneasy the most was Lin Mo's tips. After all, during the Central Plains War, he had enjoyed huge benefits from the three plans to change the situation. It would be a lie to say that he was not worried.
Not to mention him, even Guo Jia was shadowed by this.
But today, Hanoi changed hands, and without using a single soldier, Sima Yi turned Hanoi upside down, which Zhang Yang had worked hard for many years, by himself.
He did not dare to comment on whether Sima Yi's talent surpassed that of Lin Mo, but at least one thing was proved. The tips Lin Mo gave to Zhang Yang were, as Guo Jia had guessed, just a way of knocking mountains and shaking tigers.
No matter how you understand the various unexplainable strategies in the Central Plains War, the facts are the facts. He, Lin Yunwen, is mortal in body, and he is by no means capable of exorcising ghosts and gods and predicting the future as rumored.
This matter is more important than getting to Hanoi itself.
Who would want their opponent to be a person who is not in the same dimension as the world?
Guo Jia, who was sitting on the stone bench under the pavilion, stared at the bamboo slips on the table in a daze. The rain was dripping in his ears. The air was cool and fresh. The haze in his heart was dispelled at this moment.
For a long time, he had a shadow on Lin Mo in his heart. Like Cao Cao, he still couldn't understand how Lin Mo did what he did.
Although Zhang Yang's empty tip bag is a tactic to deceive the enemy, it is still undeniable that Lin Mo's grasp of people's hearts is admirable.
However, these are things that normal people can do. Guo Jia naturally does not think that he is fighting a god-level figure.
The sunshine that had disappeared for a long time seemed to have shrouded his heart again, making people feel comfortable.
"What do you think of Sima Yi?" Cao Cao finally spoke after a long silence.
"The means are good. He destroyed Zhang Yang's foundation by himself. The most important thing is that he did it without leaving any trace. If we were not the beneficiaries, it would be difficult to even know that he was leading this matter. ." Guo Jia was not stingy with his words of praise.
As far as this matter is concerned, Sima Yi did it impeccably, and he was able to completely remove himself. His method is not unskilled.
"And he can still keep the Sima family neutral and not offend me and Lu Bu. His scheming and the depth of the city are amazing."
Cao Cao added, sneered, and then sighed: "This person can be regarded as an amazingly talented person, so I still found a way to absorb him."
Guo Jia also laughed, picked up the bamboo slips on the stone table and said: "Miao Shangxin said that Sima Yi was too grief-stricken about Zhang Yang's death and could no longer get out of bed. This man was so clever that it was difficult for Sikong to get him into office.
From the beginning to the end, he planned everything step by step, and he was indeed very capable. "
Of course Cao Cao saw this, and because of this, he felt that Sima Yi was a rare talent.
Fortunately, the Sima family is in Hanoi, the two states of the Central Plains are under control, and Guandong is also recovering. Being caught in the middle, the Sima family wants to stay out of the matter?
What a joke!
It's just a matter of time.
But now Cao Cao has more important things to do, so he can only put this matter aside for now, "Now the situation has become clear. Lu Bu has entered the Northern Kingdom and will not be able to get out in a short time. Hanoi has also been opened. I want to The troops were divided into two groups, taking Bingzhou in the north and conquering the three counties of Huainan in the east."
The change of ownership in Hanoi not only opened up the grain route to Bingzhou from the north, but more importantly, gave Cao Cao confidence and confidence.
Not only did he want to annex the state, but he also wanted to use Chen Deng to take over the three counties of Huainan in one go and get back everything he had lost in the past.
Although the three-party war in the North has not yet started, the troops and horses have been mobilized and cannot be withdrawn. He is still very confident that he can win the tens of thousands of troops from Bingzhou Gaogan.
The most difficult point was the three counties of Huainan, because the scouts reported that Lu Bu had transferred Zhang Liao there, along with an army of 20,000 people.
In the battle of Guangling, Zhang Liao shined brilliantly and was powerful in Jiangdong. Cao Cao knew that he was Lu Bu's number one general, capable of being alone.
This bone is quite difficult to crack.
"If the troops are divided into two groups, then all three armies will be deployed, and Xuchang will be empty." Guo Jia reminded.
"It doesn't matter, the only one who can pose a threat is Liu Biao, but if he wants to use troops, he also needs to pass the Cai family. Cai Mao is a sensible person. From the past several correspondences, he also intends to submit."
Cao Cao turned to look at Guo Jia and said with a smile: "I think what you are worried about is not Liu Biao, but not knowing where I should go."
Guo Jia smiled and said nothing. This was indeed a difficult problem, and it was also the most embarrassing place where the troops were divided into two groups.
After all, there is only one coach in this team, Cao Cao, and there is no way to have a two-sided army like Lu Bu.
Cao Cao pondered for a moment and said, "The three counties of Huainan have Chen Deng as the internal response. I believe there will be no problem. When the time comes, Yuan Rang can just take people there. I, by going north to Bingzhou, may be able to intimidate the senior officials and have a chance to recruit them to surrender."
The high officials were promoted by Yuan Shao single-handedly. When Yuan Shao died, the Northern Kingdom was in chaos again. Only by leading the army himself could he be truly intimidated.
"What about me?" There seemed to be nothing wrong with Cao Cao going north, and Guo Jia turned to worry about his own arrangements.
"You go to Anfeng. The border areas of Bingzhou are very bitter and cold, and your weak body may not be able to bear it."
Cao Cao looked at Guo Jia, his eyes full of concern and doting, "Furthermore, although An Feng has Chen Deng to support him, Zhang Liao should not be underestimated. With you here, I feel more at ease."
Guo Jia nodded, took out the wine gourd from his waist and shook it, looking at the drizzle outside the pavilion and thinking deeply.
What he was thinking about was not the situation in Anfeng, but the direction of Bingzhou.
He hoped that even if he could not follow Cao Cao in his own expedition, he could still contribute.
"Sikong, there are two people we can use to take over the state."
"Oh? Tell me."
Cao Cao sat down with great interest and grabbed the wine gourd from Guo Jia's hand. The latter smiled awkwardly and said, "Taihang Mountain, Black Mountain Bandit Zhang Yan, Zhang Yan is known as one hundred thousand people, his combat power should not be underestimated, if he can lead If you use it for your own benefit, it will be difficult for high-ranking officials to take care of it."
Zhang Yan's 100,000 troops are just like the Qingzhou Yellow Turban's million troops, including the old, weak, women and children. The real combat strength is 20% to 30%, that is, 20,000 to 30,000.
For a bandit, this is pretty good.
Moreover, Zhang Yan has been entrenched in Taihang Mountain for many years, and even Yuan Shao is helpless, so naturally he has some ability.
Cao Cao nodded, Zhang Yan, a bandit, Xu Li can handle it, it's not a big problem, and then looked at Guo Jia to continue.
"Secondly, the Shanyu of the Southern Huns can visit Huchuquan. We can send an envoy to visit him with gifts, promise him a lot of profit, and invite him to attack the high officials together. But if it doesn't work, at least we can't let him get involved."
In fact, both the Xiongnu and Xianbei were linked to the princes of the Central Plains during the late Han Dynasty.
After all, not everyone uses thunderous methods like Gongsun Zan. In fact, whether it is Yuan Shao or Cao Cao, they mostly adopt gentle and appeasing policies towards these barbarians, which can be used to my advantage at critical moments.
"Okay, these two can really be used."
Cao Cao nodded with satisfaction, "Anyway, it will take some time to stabilize after taking over Hanoi. Furthermore, it will take time to prepare for the army's expedition against Xun Yu. Let's send envoys to Taihang Mountain and Hexi first.
If I can get the support of the two of them, it will be easy to win Bingzhou. Then I can look at the north from the southwest and watch the success or failure of the three parties to gain the final advantage! "
When Cao Cao finished speaking, the continuous drizzle stopped abruptly, and a ray of sunshine dispelled the haze over Xuchang.
"Goodbye, Sikong." Guo Jia glanced at the dazzling sunshine outside and smiled.
He wanted to take back the wine gourd, but Cao Cao glanced at him and said, "Drink less. The medical officer said you have a weak foundation."
"I know." Guo Jia chuckled.
Romance between men seems to be far more heart-warming than the love between men and women in this era.
The general direction has been set, but it will still take some time to get things going.
The biggest problem was food and grass. Although curved shaft plows and keel waterwheels were used in the Central Plains, the debts of the aristocratic families were too heavy, and the Guandong region was to be developed. Xuchang's treasury had long been an empty shell.
Now that 80,000 troops were dispatched at one go, all arrangements for food, grass, oxcarts, and slaves were money. Even Xun Yu needed time to prepare.
Fortunately, the current situation is a great benefit to Cao Cao, and the support from various aristocratic families is definitely much greater than before.
Finally, there is the issue of personnel arrangement. He will lead an army to the north to Bingzhou, and Xiahou Dun will lead another to Huainan. How to distribute the troops, and the accompanying civil servants and generals must not only consider the rationality, but also pay attention to the matching, all of which require careful planning.
However, this sense of fulfillment made Cao Cao feel more at ease than the previous war in the Central Plains.
After all, this time, he is the master.
Lin Yunwen, you are playing too big a game of chess, and you may not be able to stop it.
Cao Cao twirled his fingers and drew the corners of his mouth.
Lu Bu led his army to Xiajin in advance, and went up and down the camp at the crossing.
It had been many years since he had been a pioneer, and he was a little uncomfortable because he not only had to build a stronghold for himself, but also had to help set up Yuan Tan's stronghold.
The garrison of 100,000 people requires two large camps, which are more than ten miles in length and breadth, which shows the huge amount of work.
Of course, before Yuan Shang's army arrives, they can go down to camp in peace and contentment, and there will be no big problem.
Before the two camps were set up, Yuan Shang's forward troops arrived.
The vanguard leader was Infantry Colonel Ma Yan, who was Yan Liang's deputy general and was known for his sturdiness in combat.
If there was still one person in the Four Courtyard Pillars, he would not have such a chance. Now, he can independently lead an army of 30,000 to act as a vanguard.
Ma Yan was still very careful and strictly followed the requirements of the review and distribution. He started to go down to the stronghold fifty miles away from Luying. At the same time, the work of going down to the stronghold could only be carried out by 10,000 people. The remaining 20,000 people were divided into three shifts to prepare for sneak attacks day and night.
After all, when building a stronghold, it is often the time when an army is most vulnerable to sneak attacks.
This way the speed will be slower, but they don't care, as long as they have a firm foothold, it will be easy.
In fact, Shen Pei conducted a battle analysis early to understand his own advantages and the opponent's advantages in this battle.
The opponent's advantage is Lu Bu's spearhead. With the current combat power of the Northern Army and no strong generals to open the way, they really cannot fight head-on.
Our advantage is that our logistics supply is superior to that of Yuan Tan. Although Qingzhou is close to the sea, its harvest is far inferior to that of Jizhou.
Most of the powerful aristocratic families are in Jizhou, and there is also a chamber of commerce headed by the Zhen family. If this war is a war of attrition and a protracted war, we will definitely win.
In fact, if conditions permit, they can kill Yuan Tan and force Lu Bu to retreat by guarding various dangerous passes.
It's just that considering that the overall situation in the North is currently unstable, if Yuan Shang does not react boldly to take on Yuan Tan's attack, it will tilt the balance in various places, including Yuan Xi.
Therefore, a large part of the reason why the army came was to show them.
On the Luying side, the big stronghold has not yet been completed, but the vanguard camp that can accommodate his 20,000 people has been set up early.
In the Chinese army's tent, Lu Bu was planning a sneak attack.
Of course he knew that Ma Yan was on guard now, but it didn't matter, he focused on crushing with strength.
After the First World War in the Central Plains, the Northern Army had already reached its end. The four pillars of the court were no longer there, and the Euphorbia soldiers were the first to enter the camp and change hands. Lu Bu felt that even with a strong front, he could tear a line.
Lin Mo said with a smile: "What the father-in-law said is absolutely true, then let's go for it."
I have received a secret letter from Xu You, just in time to verify whether this guy is sincere or just perfunctory.
When Lu Bu was about to go out excitedly to order troops, a sergeant ran in, holding a long spear in his hand, with a tips bag hanging on the spike of the spear.
"Marquis Wen, urgent report from Hanoi"
"Hanoi. Uncle Zhi?"
He immediately rushed forward to take the bamboo slips and read them.
When Lin Mo heard the word "urgent report", his heart sank, and he moved over to see what happened.
Let me talk about two points. Historically, Zhang Yang was killed by Yang Chou, so the protagonist helped Zhang Yang deal with Yang Chou early. He didn't know about Sui Gu at all, and the previous article never reminded Zhang Yang to pay attention to Sui Gu, he just knew that he After returning to Hanoi, Cao Cao will definitely not let this go.
Second, Lin Mo didn't know about Sima Yi's entry into Huai County.
(End of chapter)
