My father Liu Xuande

Chapter 589 Cao Ang Volunteers
Of course, if the general is not sensible, or misjudges the strength of both sides and continues to extort me, then I will not be polite and may even drag the Cao family's elite troops into Hanzhong.

After all, it's not easy to get to Hanzhong, and it's even harder to leave.

Liu Feng then instructed Gu Shao to issue another order to Kuai Yue, instructing him to select 4,000 soldiers from Jiaozhou and other counties, as well as 2,000 local strongmen and wandering knights, along with 2,000 of his own elite troops, for a total of 6,000 men, to be assembled in Guangxin City under the command of a strong general, ready to march north to Jingzhou and Xiangyang at any time.

After doing all this, Liu Feng ordered Zhou Tai, stationed at Jiameng Pass, to hold back Zhang Wei's troops and prevent them from easily engaging in battle. His primary objective was to draw the enemy to the city walls. Otherwise, even if they won, it would be a crime, not a merit. Conversely, if they could feign weakness to attract Hanzhong to reinforce Jiameng Pass, it would be a great achievement.

After receiving the news, Zhou Tai immediately changed his attitude.

Originally, Zhou Tai, Huo Du, and others held the Hanzhong army in utter contempt and disdain.

It's not really Zhou Tai's fault that Huo Du underestimated his opponent; it's just that the opponent's strength was really nothing special.

The two battles that Huo Du had previously fought were against the most elite personal guards under the command of the Zhang brothers, Zhang Lu and Zhang Wei. However, neither battle put much pressure on Huo Du; he simply felt that he had won very easily.

The evaluation of the Dao soldiers was quite polite, after all, they were quite strong in their fighting spirit. Many Dao soldiers fought to the death, and most of those who were eventually captured were seriously injured.

However, the gap in military equipment, training and combat experience, as well as the disparity in command levels among officers at all levels, meant that the fearless Dao soldiers could not put much pressure on Liu Feng's army.

As for the Hanzhong county soldiers who participated in the second siege, they were even less worth mentioning.

If Huo Du believed that the Daobing troops were slightly stronger than his own county troops, then the Nanzheng troops were far weaker than his own county troops.

After careful evaluation, Huo Du believed that under the premise of fair field battle between the two sides, his elite troops were confident that they could win against two enemy soldiers and hold their own against three enemy soldiers. However, this was on the premise that the military equipment, especially the iron armor, could not be transferred away.

Because of the armor's protective capabilities, it is particularly effective at countering the Taoist soldiers' fierce fighting style.

As for the soldiers of Nanzheng, Huo Du was confident that one of them could fight ten against one.

Therefore, holding Jiameng Pass was a piece of cake for Zhou Tai and Huo Du. Their current concern was how to feign weakness while holding Jiameng Pass, thereby attracting reinforcements from Hanzhong.

Zhou Tai stroked his chin and couldn't help but mutter, "If only we could give up on Jiameng Pass."

The best way to feign weakness is to let the enemy succeed, isn't it?

If the Hanzhong army were to capture Jiameng Pass, their morale would not only recover to its peak immediately, but at least by about 70-80%. Moreover, after breaking through Jiameng Pass, the Hanzhong army would most likely continue their attack. Although the four passes in northern Sichuan are strategically important, the Hanzhong army can only truly reap the rewards after penetrating the fertile Chengdu Plain.

However, Liu Feng worried that the Hanzhong army might be intimidated by his own military might and stop moving after taking Jiameng Pass.

While Liu Fengjun won't be in a precarious situation, he will obviously encounter many unnecessary troubles.

With the advent of counterweight catapults and methods for calculating ballistic trajectories, Liu Fengjun's ability to conquer fortified cities and strategic passes was naturally unparalleled in the world, but he couldn't afford to waste so much time.

"General."

Huo Du's eyes suddenly lit up: "This humble general has come up with an idea."

Zhou Tai was overjoyed and hurriedly urged, "Bo Cheng, what brilliant plan do you have? Tell me quickly."

Huo Du immediately replied, "Jiameng Pass cannot be abandoned, but Tianxiong Pass can."

As is well known, Tianxiong Pass and Jiameng Pass echo each other, but they are not insurmountable.

Of the two passes, Jiameng Pass is naturally more important. Not only is it situated on a narrow pass on flat land, but it is also bordered by mountains on one side and water on the other. It can block the land routes for the army and control the two waterways of the Jialing River and the Bailong River.

Tianxiong Pass is located in a slightly different place. It is situated on Niutou Mountain. The best route from the Jinniu Road in the north of Hanzhong is to enter through the north gate of Jiameng Pass, then exit through the south gate, walk along the Jialing River for ten miles, and then climb Niutou Mountain from a gentle slope. At the halfway point of the mountain, the essential passage of the Jinniu Road that controls the Niutou Mountain ridge is Tianxiong Pass.

Therefore, although Jiameng Pass blocked the relatively gentle mountain road to the south, it could not cover the steeper slopes to the north. If the Hanzhong army attacked Tianxiong Pass from the north of Niutou Mountain, Jiameng Pass would be unable to provide support unless troops were dispatched.

This is also the basis for Huo Du's idea.

Zhou Tai stroked his beard, pondering the matter.

It has to be said that Hodgson's idea is actually quite clever.

Tianxiong Pass is located behind Jiameng Pass. If Tianxiong Pass can be captured, it would truly mean bypassing Jiameng Pass.

However, this plan was actually quite dangerous for the Hanzhong army for three reasons.

First, the supply line has become extremely difficult because Jiameng Pass is still under the control of Zhou Tai's army. If the Hanzhong army wants to supply Tianxiong Pass, or even the Hanzhong army behind Tianxiong Pass, it must put the supply line on the northern foot of Niutou Mountain to avoid the threat of Jiameng Pass.

This section of the road is extremely difficult, with many places where animal power is not even possible, let alone vehicles. The entire process must be carried across the border by human labor, which greatly increases the logistical pressure and costs.

Secondly, even if the Hanzhong army captured Tianxiong Pass, they still couldn't cut off Jiameng Pass's connection to the outside world. Jiameng Pass could easily continue to receive supplies of military equipment and provisions via the Jialing River, and could even transport the wounded by water.

Unless the Hanzhong army can conjure up a powerful navy on the Jialing and Bailong Rivers out of thin air to force back Zhou Tai's navy, they can only watch helplessly as Liu Feng's ships come and go from the shore.

Not to mention the idea of ​​blockading Jiameng and forcing it to open its gates when it runs out of food.

Thirdly, there is the security of the rear. There are several thousand elite troops of Liu Feng in Jiameng Pass. With the strength of this army, it can threaten the rear of the Hanzhong army at any time.

However, it is precisely this third point that allows Hanzhong's resources to be mobilized.

Only by simultaneously holding Jiameng County and Tianxiong Pass can the safety of the Hanzhong army's rear be guaranteed.

In that case, Hanzhong will inevitably have to send a large number of troops to the battlefield. If Zhang Lu had not underestimated the Left Army, he would have had to station at least three to five thousand troops in Jiameng County and Tianxiong Pass respectively.

In addition, the Hanzhong army, which continued south into Shu after passing through Tianxiong Pass, probably numbered at least 20,000 to 30,000 men. This achieved the effect of Liu Feng's request to mobilize the main force of the Hanzhong army to move south into Shu.

"it is good!"

Zhou Tai hesitated for a long time before finally deciding to give it a try, though he regretted taking over the defense of Tianxiong Pass so quickly. Otherwise, if it were still those five hundred Shu soldiers guarding the pass, he wouldn't have had to worry about how to let the Hanzhong army succeed.

After discussing the matter at length with Huo Du, the two decided that if the Hanzhong army launched another offensive, they would pretend to be out of strength and transfer troops from Tianxiong Pass to provide support, until the Zuo Mu army was completely exhausted, creating an opportunity for the Hanzhong army to take advantage of the situation. Meanwhile, the main force of the Zuo Mu army would remain holed up and never engage in open battle with the Hanzhong army again, so as not to completely frighten the enemy away.

As for whether Huo Du's plan would succeed or not, all that could be done was to do one's best and leave the rest to fate. At the same time, Zhou Tai also sent Huo Du's plan to Jiangzhou for Liu Feng to review and await his further orders.

**
After receiving news of the battle situation in Hanzhong, Liu Feng began to take various countermeasures. Cao Cao, who was far away in Luoyang, received the news from Hanzhong some time later than Liu Feng.

Upon learning that the Hanzhong army and the Left Army had fought a major battle outside Jiameng Pass, which greatly alarmed Zhang Lu, Cao Cao was overjoyed.

"Wenruo, within ten days, you can raise 50,000 shi of grain and fodder, and within a month, you can raise another 150,000 shi."

Cao Cao immediately summoned all his trusted advisors and key generals, but the conversation with them was not about whether it was feasible or not, but about how to send troops.

Indeed, Cao Cao had made up his mind to send troops. He wanted to take advantage of this golden opportunity to seize the entire Hanzhong region without bloodshed, and use the opportunity to seek opportunities to take over Shu.

This was not because Cao Cao was stubborn and self-willed, but because such a heaven-sent opportunity was truly beyond question. If he did not take it, he would suffer the consequences.

After hearing Yang Bai's plea for help, Xun Yu fell silent upon hearing Cao Cao's words.

Cao Cao was very patient, waiting for Xun Yu to think it over. After all, he had been shocked for quite a while when he heard Yang Bai's account.

Xun Yu's thoughts were not merely about procuring food supplies; he was also considering whether his own group should get involved in the great battle between Hanzhong and the Left Army.

Given Xun Yu's composure and his wariness of Liu Feng, he actually wanted to advise Cao Cao to be cautious.

However, one point cannot be ignored: as Cao Cao said, a complete Hanzhong was a blessing from heaven for him.

Hanzhong is currently under Zhang Lu's excellent governance. Its population is even larger than during Emperor Ling's reign. The county has well-developed water conservancy and abundant grain production. Although its economy is not as good as the other two aspects, it is still of average quality.

The surrender of such a large and strategically important prefecture, capable of completely shielding the southern part of Guanzhong, was nothing short of a powerful tonic for Cao Cao, serving as a cornerstone that would allow him to elevate his current strength to a new level.

Suddenly, Xun Yu remembered what Cao Cao had just said: "If Heaven gives something and you don't take it, you will suffer the consequences."

In the end, Xun Yu made up his mind: "This matter is not difficult. I can guarantee that there will be no shortage of food supplies."

"good!"

Cao Cao laughed happily.

However, Xun Yu immediately followed up by asking, "Whom does the Grand General intend to appoint as general?"

Cao Cao frowned. In truth, this battle concerned Hanzhong and even the entire Yi Province. Naturally, he wanted to personally lead the troops south. Firstly, he did not trust the abilities of his other generals, and secondly, by leading the troops personally, he could share Yi Province with Liu Feng at that time.

Judging from Xun Yu's tone, it was clear that he did not want to personally lead the expedition.

"I intend to personally lead the troops south."

Cao Cao hesitated for a moment, but still answered directly, "What does Wenruo think?"

"I think this is inappropriate."

Xun Yu immediately rejected Cao Cao's idea, and after Cao Cao's expression changed, he took the initiative to recommend him, saying, "General, you are a respected figure in the court and an important minister of the emperor. How can you so easily leave Luoyang? Let alone venture deep into Daba to conquer Yizhou."

Cao Cao opened his mouth, made a few sounds, and then closed it again.

The generals in the hall, including Cao Ren and Xiahou Dun, were quite eager to volunteer, wondering whether they should take the initiative to recommend themselves.

At that moment, Cao Ang stood up, walked directly to Cao Cao, and knelt down, pleading, "General, I am willing to go!"

Everyone in the hall was taken aback, not expecting Cao Ang to volunteer at this moment.

Indeed, Cao Ang's status within the Cao family group has been rising steadily in recent years, and Cao Cao has already begun paving the way for him. At the latest, he will be promoted to Attendant-in-Ordinary, appointed as Commandant of the Capital Region, stationed in Chang'an, in charge of all affairs in Guanzhong, and supervise all forces in Guanzhong. Cao Xiu, Cao Chun, Sima Yi, and others are all trusted advisors and advisors that Cao Cao has prepared for Cao Ang.

Unexpectedly, Cao Ang volunteered for the task. The people in the hall were initially shocked, but after careful consideration, they realized that apart from his abilities, Cao Ang was indeed a good candidate.

As Cao Cao's eldest son and the recognized heir, Cao Ang's status was on par with Liu Feng's.

Although there was a significant gap in strength and status between the two, with Cao Cao's endorsement, Cao Ang was the most qualified candidate to negotiate with Liu Feng.

As for military ability, although Cao Ang was not outstanding, he already had considerable military experience. Cao Cao could have easily assigned him a great general like Cao Ren to assist him.

Cao Cao also thought of this, and he thought of it much further and more deeply than the others in the hall.

Since the beginning of the upheaval in the country, warlords have increasingly consolidated their power.

Today, only the Yuan, Cao, and Liu families remain in the country, along with a few small warlords in remote areas.

In the future, the Cao Group will inevitably face a situation of fighting on two fronts, or even multiple fronts.

Therefore, taking this opportunity to train Cao Ang would be an excellent strategy.

"Zixiu."

Cao Cao pondered for a moment, then instead of answering, asked, "You volunteered yourself, intending to go south. How many troops do you intend to take? What are your plans after entering Hanzhong? If you continue south into Shu and encounter the Left Guard Army, how will you deal with it? Do you have the ability to handle all these questions?"

Upon hearing this, Cao Ang looked up and replied, "I humbly request that the General grant me 20,000 elite troops. After entering Hanzhong, I will first station my troops at Baima Pass. Only after receiving the General's order will I proceed with my southward advance. If I encounter General Zuo, I will treat him with courtesy and will never lightly provoke conflict."

Cao Cao was initially overjoyed, but then something occurred to him, and his smile turned cold.

It wasn't that Cao Ang's answer was bad, but rather that it was excellent, especially his suggestion to station troops at Baima Pass instead of entering Nanzheng, the capital of Hanzhong Commandery, which demonstrated exceptional strategic vision.

It should be noted that the southern expedition was less than a hundred miles from Baima Pass. Without keen insight, how could one abandon Nanzheng and go to Baima?

It seems that Cao Ang's initiative to volunteer and recommend himself must have been strongly manipulated by someone, who even guessed what questions he would ask.

(End of this chapter)