Jiang Yiqu honestly followed Yan Liangwen back to Yecheng, but he did not dare to mention the matter of surrendering to Cao Cao. If they knew that he decided to go to Xuchang with an army of 60,000 after receiving Zhang He's letter, even if Lu Bu He Lin Mo could bypass him, but Yan Liang and Wen Chou refused.
Naturally, Cao Cao didn't know about Jiang Yiqu being taken away. After all, Yan Liangwen Chou acted so fast that he didn't even cause any waves.
By the time he was sure of this, the vanguard army of the Northern Kingdom had already left Yecheng.
Cao Cao was wearing a sheepskin cloak and sitting in front of the brazier with a deep gaze.
Life is always like this, and it can't be smooth sailing. After receiving Jiang Yiqu's reply, Cao Cao was so happy that he couldn't sleep for a while, because his 60,000-strong army was too crucial for him at this stage, and could be used as a strategy to contain Lin Mo further. The pace of expansion.
But now, Lu Lin collected all Liyang's 60,000 troops without firing a shot. Although Cao Cao did not fully know the details of the Northern Kingdom, he could probably judge it.
Especially under the premise that Xu Sheng has returned to Pengcheng with an army of 50,000 people, Lin Mo can still mobilize 70,000 to 80,000 people to march towards Youzhou. At the same time, Li Yang's defense has not relaxed at all. Just analyze it from this level , Lu Bu now has no less than 200,000 troops under his command.
Thinking of this, Cao Cao couldn't help but let out a long sigh.
Just a few years ago, he was still an insignificant slave with three surnames who didn't even have a place to live. But now, whether he wants to admit it or not, he has replaced Yuan Shao and become the most powerful prince in the Han Dynasty.
Even for himself, except for the emperor in his hands, no matter whether it was civil servants, military officers, or soldiers, horses and food, he had no advantage at all, and he even opened a certain gap.
Not to mention anything else, the fact that Xu Sheng returned to Xuzhou with an army of 50,000 made Cao Cao uneasy.
According to the latest battle report from the scouts, in addition to 30,000 troops stationed in Xiaoguan, another 20,000 troops stationed in Peicheng were among the 50,000 troops. This meant that he had to increase troops in Shanyang County and Qiao County accordingly to prepare for their sudden attack.
This still does not take into account the troops and horses at Anfeng and Zhang Liao. If a comprehensive defense is to be established, at least 30,000 to 50,000 troops must be deployed.
After the Central Plains War, Cao Cao's army numbered more than 80,000. Later, he took over Zhang Yang's old army in Hanoi and captured more than 20,000 senior officials. The number of soldiers and horses was actually more than 100,000.
The problem is that in the battle of Anfeng, Xiahou Dun lost nearly 20,000 troops and two-thirds of his cavalry, which directly caused Cao Cao's military strength to be frustrated.
Fortunately, this year's harvest was good. Due to the previous investment in the Guandong region, grain, grass and taxes have been qualitatively improved. Cao Cao took advantage of the situation and recruited 20,000 strong men.
In total, Cao Cao still had more than 120,000 troops.
It sounds like a lot, but when it comes to mobilizing it, it feels like it's stretched.
First of all, Xiahou Dun, who guarded the border and merged with the state, not only dealt with Lu Bu's expansion and formed a linkage with Yuan Xi, but also resisted the plunder of the Huchuquan tribe of the Huns. The 40,000 people he had on hand really couldn't move.
Furthermore, Zhang Liao's garrison in Anfeng and Runan cannot be less than 20,000 people.
Finally, as the strategic border between the Northern Kingdom and the Central Plains, Baima City can no longer have less than 10,000 people.
This alone cost 70,000 people, which is why Guo Jia had previously suggested that 50,000 people be sent into Jingzhou to create a sense of oppression and intimidate Liu Cong and Cai Mao into handing over the power of Jingxiang.
Now, both Xiaoguan and Xiaopei have increased their troops. Shanyang County and Qiao County must take action. Even if they are to defend according to danger, you have to increase your troops respectively.
In this way, Cao Cao was faced with a problem. If he added more troops, there would be fewer people going to Jingzhou.
Naturally, Liu Cong and Cai Mao could not be deterred. After all, Jing Xiang claimed to have an army of 200,000 people on land and water. Even if some of them were divided by Liu Qi, the number of soldiers and horses that these two people could mobilize must be within ten. At Yu Wan's level.
But if all the troops are transferred to Jingzhou, his defense line may be torn apart in an instant. Thinking of this problem, Cao Cao couldn't help but rub his temples.
He originally thought that as soon as Liu Biao died, his strength would immediately grow by leaps and bounds. Unexpectedly, Lin Mo began to spread the Northern Army to various key points to restrain him, but instead he became passive.
After all, Lin Mo was not Yuan Shao. He knew very well how to take advantage of his military strength. If Yuan Shao was willing to do this, the Central Plains would have fallen into his hands long ago.
"Lin Mo's move was probably to intimidate Sikong so that he could capture Youzhou."
Cheng Yu, who was thin but had a cold gaze, continued: "The soldiers of the Northern Kingdom are many and powerful, but not all of them are elite.
In the past two years, Lu Lin's son-in-law has indeed been successful, but the elite troops at hand have also been severely damaged. The troops Xu Sheng brought back to Xuzhou were able to defend the territory, but they were unable to attack the city.
What's more, there is now a three-sided encirclement of Jizhou. Without breaking this deadlock, it is impossible for Lin Mo to take action against the Central Plains. "
Cheng Yu's analysis is still very reasonable, although his side has not won a single match against Lu Jun in the past few years, and has lost many elite soldiers.
However, many of Lu Jun's elite troops suffered losses.
The ordinary weak brigade will follow the elites to build up momentum. It is no problem to hunt down and make up for leaks. If they are allowed to attack the city from the front, it is like moths flying into the flames.
According to Cheng Yu's judgment, the soldiers and horses Xu Sheng brought back were weak and not strong enough to attack the city. As long as the various places were strictly guarded, they might not be able to survive.
Cao Cao shook his head, "But if the Northern Army mobilizes troops now just to show me, all the real elites are concentrated in Xuzhou, Yanzhou and Yuzhou will be attacked instantly, and even Xuchang is in danger, we have to guard against this .”
Cao Cao tapped his forehead, looking depressed.
"I think Sikong's concerns are justified."
It was Chen Qun. He was wearing a velvet-bottomed robe and he nodded slowly and said: "After all, this season is against the rules of military use and goes against nature. Lin Mo is a military strategist. It is impossible that he does not understand this truth. Maybe before heading north, The soldiers are the suspected soldiers. The real elites have indeed entered Xuzhou. They are waiting for Sikong to lead his troops to Jingxiang, and he will take the opportunity to attack."
"Lin Mo used more troops than expected. This is indeed his usual style. I also agree with Chang Wen's view." Du Xi, who is also from the Yingchuan faction, also expressed his own opinion.
Jingzhou must be taken. With the current territory and military strength, it is not enough to enter a head-to-head competition with Lu Bu. Especially if he can assume that he takes Youzhou, if he does not have the strategic backyard of Jingzhou, he will gradually erode him sooner or later. All.
The judgment to be made now is whether the real elite of the Northern Army is in Xuzhou or Youzhou.
Or, is Lin Mo's real purpose to regain Youzhou, or to annex the Central Plains when he goes south to Jingzhou?
Moreover, you can't delay this matter. If Lin Mo takes down Youzhou with thunderous means, his prestige will be even greater by then. It's up to two people to decide whether Cai Hao is willing to surrender.
It would be great if Jiang Yiqu had not been brought back to Yecheng. People always tend to have countless ifs and what-ifs when encountering difficulties, just like Cao Cao now.
"Sikong, please send 10,000 additional troops to Shanyang and Qiaojun each."
In the twelfth lunar month of winter, Guo Jia, who was already thin, was wrapped up into a rice dumpling. While putting on a big cloak, he had to rely on the fire to drive away the chill from his body.
"Take thirty thousand people to Jingxiang?"
Cao Cao twirled his fingers and said, "It's missing."
"I also feel that there is a shortage. For the current plan, we can only transfer 20,000 people from General Xiahou's command in Bingzhou."
After Guo Jia finished speaking, Cao Cao laughed instinctively, "Yuan Rang only has 40,000 people in his hands. If he takes away half of them at once, if Lin Mo pretends to attack Guo, we will have no time to rescue him."
"Sikong, there is Taihang Mountain between Jizhou and Bingzhou, so it is not easy to cross. What's more, Zhang Yan is here." This time it was Xun Youzhi's voice. Obviously, he also agreed with Guo Jia's method.
"He's just a faggot. He accepted my bounty and the imperial court's favor, but when he really wanted to help, he declined a lot. Bandits and his like can't be trusted!" Cao Cao frowned when he mentioned Zhang Yan. Wrinkled into a "Sichuan" character, he had already tightened his belt to live a life, but he dared not do things after receiving the money, so sooner or later he would be dealt with.
"Sikong."
Xun You smiled slightly and said: "The reason why Zhang Yan is wavering is just because he wants to have both sides. But if we stop his thoughts, I estimate that he will do his best to serve the court."
Cao Cao looked at the dancing sparks in front of him, paused for a moment, then looked straight at Xun You, "What did you say?"
(End of chapter)
