In the Wei army's tent in Chang 'an, Cao Zhen stood at the head of the tent, and Cao Ling unexpectedly followed the army to set out.
"Bo Ji, this series of battles has been hard on you.”Cao Zhen said to Guo Huai.
"I'm ashamed to say that Guo Huai tried his best but was unable to stop the bandits 'attack. It's a sin to work for the emperor now.”Guo Huai first apologized, then looked at Cao Ling, who was beside Cao Zhen, with a puzzled expression." Why would the princess come to this place?”
"Does Provincial Governor Guo think that the Cao family is spoiled? Although Cao Ling was a woman, she wanted to follow the example of Emperor Wu and dominate the battlefield.”
Cao Ling's face was calm, and she didn't seem to panic at all when faced with Guo Huai's question. It was obvious that it wasn't wrong to say that Cao Ling had the air of the Imperial Emperor.
"This is the emperor's special gift. Don't give me any instructions. The princess is much stronger than you think. Please rest assured.”
Cao Zhen was very clear about Cao Ling's abilities. Therefore, he was very supportive of Cao Ling's expedition with the army. Even he had to admit that Cao Ling's strategy was above his.
"Zhao Yun's troops are still advancing, how should we deal with them?”Lu Zhi had no interest in the princess coming. What he cared about was how to defeat the Shu people.
"That's just Zhuge Liang's decoy. The main force isn't there. Zhuge Liang's team was still at Qishan.”
"Then should our entire army head over there?”Lu Zhi asked.
"Yes, as long as we maintain a stalemate with him, our manpower and resources will be enough to drag him down.”
Cao Zhen nodded and said.
He was very clear about the difference between Wei and Shu. Shu was a small country with little strength, while Wei had a lot of land. Just the number of people could exhaust Shu to death.
At this moment, a general with a rather beautiful appearance but a weathered face walked in. He walked straight to Cao Zhen and asked directly without any respect for the so-called Great General," Zhang He wants to ask the Great General, do you want to win or win?"”
That's right, this general was Zhang He, also known as Jun Yi. He was one of the five generals of Cao Wei. Cao Cao once commented on Zhang He," In the past, Zixu did not wake up early and put himself in danger. How could he leave Yin and Han Xin and return to Han?”
The meaning of this sentence was that in the past, Wu Zixu did not realize early and fell into a desperate situation. How could he compare with Wei Zi abandoning Yin Zhou and Han Xin leaving Chu and returning to Han?
With just one sentence, Cao Cao placed Zhang He on the same level as Han Xin and Wei Zi. It was enough to show Cao Cao's trust and recognition of Zhang He's ability.
"Zhang He, how dare you! Is this how you speak to the Great General?”Cao Zhen's deputy general Fei Yao was very dissatisfied with Zhang He's attitude and immediately berated him.
Fei Yao was a general of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period. In 220, he, together with Zhang Ji and Xiahou Ru, put down Zhang Jin's rebellion in Jiuquan. In the year 228, he successfully defended against Zhuge Liang in Chencang.
"It's fine. Cao Zhen would like to hear why General Zhang said this.”Cao Zhen waved his hand and said indifferently.
"The Great General's strategy is correct, but it can only protect Chang 'an. Longxi is still hard to recover. It's like our Great Wei has lost an arm and lost its integrity. If you don't want Zhang Derong's (Zhang Ji's) management of Yongliang to go to waste, if you don't want to leave Xu Jingshan (Xu Miao) in the lurch, then please reconsider your strategy.”
Zhang Ji and Xu Miao were both famous officials of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period.
In the second year of the Huang Dynasty (221 AD), Zhang Ji was appointed as the governor of Yongzhou to quell the rebellion of the Hu people. He was promoted to governor of Liangzhou and granted the title of Marquis of Xixiang. During his term of office, he surrendered Su Heng and his neighbor Dai Zhong, built fortifications, appeased the people, and killed Xiping Qu Guang. Zhang Ji was famous for his benevolent government all his life. He recruited Yang Fu, Hu Zun and others, all of whom had fame and position.
Xu Miao was entrusted with an important task, as the governor of Liangzhou, the envoy, and the captain of the Qiang Guard. When he was in the northwest, Xu Miao built water conservancy projects, opened up paddy fields and recruited poor people to rent them, causing warehouses to overflow. At the same time, they changed customs and reorganized the government. To the Hu Qiang Rong grace and power, let them take the initiative to pay tribute. From then on, the state border was peaceful and the Western Regions were smooth.
At this time, Xu Miao was the governor of Liangzhou. After he took office, Zhuge Liang led his troops out of Qishan and the three prefectures of Longyou rebelled one after another. If Cao Zhen did not save the three counties of Longxi, Xu Miao would be under immense pressure.
"You're right. I'm not worried enough. If they continued to confront Zhuge Liang, they would just let him wreak havoc in Yongliang for nothing. At that time, the west of Qishan would probably be separated from Great Wei.”After carefully considering Zhang He's words, Cao Zhen also felt that it made sense.
"If this is General Zhang's challenge, I am willing to accept it on behalf of the Great General.”
At this moment, Cao Ling stood up and said as she looked at Zhang He with a smile.
"Great General has long seen through the crux of this war. The pass to the west of Guanshan Road was called Jieting. This was the traffic throat of Hanzhong and Longxi. Behind it, Lieliu City was also an important place. If we take Jieting, we can cut off the connection between the Shu army and Hanzhong. [Element: Strangle the enemy's throat.] If the thieves know that Jieting has been lost, I'm afraid the grain road will be cut off, and they will run back to Hanzhong overnight.”
"Very good, I was waiting for this sentence. In this way, Zhang He is willing to do his best. Zhang He was deeply impressed by the princess's decisiveness.”A smile appeared on Zhang He's face, and a hint of nostalgia flashed in his eyes.
Just now, when Cao Ling stood up and spoke to him, he felt like he saw the Imperial Emperor standing in front of him again.
"I wouldn't dare." Cao Ling then retreated and said softly.
"Zhang He suggested that the Great General use superior forces to attack Zhao Yun at Ji Valley, so as to prevent Zhuge Liang from discovering his trick. I am willing to personally lead the elite to break through Jieting. Once Jieting is broken, the Shu people will be surrounded on both sides, and the enemy will be completely wiped out within the borders.”Zhang He suggested to Cao Zhen.
"That's great. Juan Yi is really wise. I'll leave the task of taking down the street pavilion to you. Deng Xian and Shen Yi, the two of you will follow General Zhang.”Hearing Zhang He's strategy, even Cao Zhen couldn't help but nod in praise.
"Yes, sir!" Deng Xian replied, but at the same time, he was secretly complaining,'Does this Cao Zhen really want us to die? To him, I'm a lowly. Despicable surrendered generals, but in this era, do we have the right to choose who we belong to?”
Shen Yi, who was also called out, felt bad." Ever since our Shen family's power was moved out of the Three Eastern Counties, we can only be bullied by others. I was lucky that Big Brother died early. Previously, Sima Yi had publicly pursued me for carving the seal. Although I wasn't punished, it had already shown Great Wei's attitude towards me.”
In the Shu Han army's tent, Zhuge Liang also heard about Cao Zhen's arrival and could not help but sigh.
"We have to face what we have to face. If we want to take Chang 'an, our army will have to fight Cao Zhen sooner or later. Before that, our army has to march into Longxi and eliminate the remaining resistance of the rebel army. We have to take down Longxi County and Guangwei County, which are still resisting. As long as they completely occupied Longxi, they would be able to achieve their goal of expanding their territory. Even if they couldn't win against Cao Zhen in the future, it wouldn't matter. The only thing Liang is worried about is the important town of Jieting, which must be consolidated before the decisive battle. If the street pavilion is lost, our army will lose the capital to resist Cao Zhen. Who wants to guard the pavilion?"
Hearing Zhuge Liang's words, Ma Su's eyes lit up. He thought, If Tian Yang takes the initiative now, I will lose my position. You dared to take the risk back then, how can I be more timid than you now?”
"Ma Su is willing to go!" With this thought in mind, Ma Su immediately stood up.
Seeing Ma Su stand up, Zhuge Liang hesitated for a moment. Then he said seriously, trying to tell Ma Su the importance of the street pavilion to the Shu army.
"Although the street pavilion is small, it has a very important relationship. If Jieting falls, we will be wiped out. Although you are skilled in strategy, this place has no walls and no danger to rely on. It is very difficult to defend.”
"I've been reading military books since I was young, so I know the art of war. How can I not defend a small street pavilion?”
Ma Su's words were full of confidence, as if there was nothing he could not do.
"Cao Zhen is no ordinary person. I'm afraid you won't be able to resist him.”Zhuge Liang advised again.
"Let alone Cao Zhen, even if Cao Cao resurrects, I can still stop him. Ma Su is willing to swear on the lives of his entire family."
As if he could hear the determination in Ma Su's words, Zhuge Liang could only choose to give up." Alright."
The late emperor said that young and ordinary people could not be used to great effect. Was Liang betting with the late emperor? Zhuge Liang couldn't help but ask himself.
"To avoid any mishaps, Liang will send two more generals. Zijun (Wang Ping)! I know that you are usually cautious and quite popular, so please go with me to assist Youchang. You and Youchang can go to the camp and block the main road. This way, it will be enough to block the enemy soldiers.”
In the end, Zhuge Liang was still worried about Ma Su leading the army alone. With Wang Ping supervising him, he could at least help Ma Su.
Hearing that he had been named, Ping Wang immediately stood up." Prime Minister, with just the number of troops under my direct command, I'm afraid it will be difficult for me to even assist Ma Su in defense.”
"I knew Zijun would be so worried. Our army is also in a tight spot. How about you lead five flying troops?”
The five flying troops were the Wudang Flying Army, and Zhuge Liang was in charge. After conquering Nanzhong, he used the local minority soldiers to form a strong force, which made great contributions to Zhuge Liang and Jiang Wei's northern expedition. The first commander of the Wudang Flying Army was Wang Ping, and the last commander was Zhang Ni.
"Prime Minister, although these troops from Nanzhong are very powerful, are they really willing to obey our command? In comparison, General Meng seemed to be more suitable for this unit.”
Although he was very excited. He could command this elite force, but Ping Wang's brain had not been stimulated.
He was overwhelmed by emotions, but he still maintained his calm. He knew that these people from Nan Zhong would not easily listen to him.
"Just leading his Tiger Infantry Army is already very strenuous for Meng Yan. Moreover, there were still many Nanzhong people in the Five Flying Troops who were not convinced by him. Liang believed that with Zijun's talent, he would definitely be able to turn this army into a strong force.”
"Yes, sir!"
Hearing this, how could Wang Ping not understand that the Prime Minister wanted to use this opportunity to promote and put him in an important position? Now that the opportunity had come, it depended on whether he could seize it.
"Prime Minister, since the defense of the street pavilion is of great importance, how can it be handed over to the army who has no actual combat experience?”
"Indeed. Everyone thinks that such a heavy responsibility should be handed over to Wen Chang or a clan brother.”
Obviously, not everyone was like Zhuge Liang, who wanted to give Ma Su a chance to show off. They were suspicious of Ma Su, who had no combat experience at all, such as Wu Yi and Wu Ban.
"We still need Zi Yuan (Wu Yi) and Wen Chang (Wei Yan) to attack Chang 'an. It's not appropriate to mobilize them now. Moreover, Wen Chang was more skilled in charging at the front line. Defending the array really did not suit his character.”
Hearing Zhuge Liang's words, Wei Yan felt that he had to stand up and say something.
"Prime Minister, Wei Yan never thought of this. Defending a strategic location is as important as attacking. Moreover, the Prime Minister was only focused on Cao Zhen, but he had neglected the existence of the other Great General, Zhang He. With Zhang He's strength, even the former emperor was afraid of him. Using an inexperienced soldier to fight against Zhang He, who had been through hundreds of battles, was like sending a sheep into a tiger's mouth.”
"Oh, so it turns out that General Wei wanted to praise himself for being better than the previous emperor. Since you have such ambition to join the army, why do you have to seize the opportunity to show off? Do you want to monopolize military power?"
At this time, Yang Yi suddenly said to Wei Yan in a strange tone. As long as Wei Yan spoke, Yang Yi would try to find a way to go against Wei Yan. She would never let go of the opportunity to mock him.
" Yang Yi, you!" Wei Yan immediately glared at Yang Yi.
"Enough! Now that the defense of the street pavilion has been decided, please don't say anything else.”Zhuge Liang couldn't stand it anymore. At the same time, he felt a headache because of the irreconcilable relationship between the two. However, Jie Ting was more important now. Therefore, Zhuge Liang looked at another older civil official.
"Ju Da (Xiang Lang)! You're coming too. After Youchang finished setting up camp, he drew four to eight topographic maps. If you can successfully defend Jieting, you will be the first to take Chang 'an.”
"Understood!" Xiang Lang cupped his hands and said.
Xiang Lang, like Ma Su and Yang Yi, was from Jingzhou. After Liu Biao, the herdsman of Jingzhou, died of illness, Xiang Lang became Liu Bei's subordinate. In the same year, Liu Bei pacified Jingnan and sent Xiang Lang to lead Zigui, Yidao and Wu. The military and civil affairs of the four counties of Shan and Yiling.
When Liu Bei entered Yizhou, he appointed Xiang Lang as the prefect of Brazil County. Soon after, he was transferred to the prefect of Zāngkān County and then transferred to Fangling.
After Liu Chan succeeded to the throne, he was promoted to Infantry Lieutenant and took over from Wang Lian as Prime Minister.
Xiang Lang had a good relationship with Ma Su's fourth brother, Ma Liang, so he took great care of Ma Su.
"Gao Xiang, you are in charge of defending Lie Liu City behind the street pavilion.”
"Understood!"
"The rest of you, follow us to the main road of Mount Guan. Chang 'an City is right in front of us.”Zhuge Liang said to the crowd.
At this moment, Wei Yan stood up and cupped his hands at Zhuge Liang." Wei Yan has something to say, but I don't know if I should say it."”
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