My father Liu Xuande

Chapter 597 Cao's Army Enters Shu
Before Cao Ang and Zhang Lu could react, Sima Yi continued, "If the Left General were to use troops, he would most likely send them out from Xicheng and enter Hanzhong via Huangjin Garrison."

"General, the Left General's military leadership is renowned throughout the land, and his troops are all fierce and brave warriors. We must not confront him head-on, otherwise even if we win, it will be a lose-lose situation."

As he spoke, Sima Yi cupped his hands towards Cao Ang and said, “In my humble opinion, we should first send troops to Huangjin Garrison to build fortifications and block the enemy in the mountains before we can repel them. The enemy who has invaded Hanzhong this time is said to be Gao Shun, a tiger general under the Left General. He is very strict in disciplining his troops, his army is well-organized, and he is most skilled in battle formations. He was the one who quelled the rebellions of the Yue tribes in Yangzhou. I heard that Gao Shun’s troops number more than 20,000, while our army has only 20,000. In this battle, we must go all out and must not divide our forces.”

Cao Ang had by now begun to understand what was going on.

Sima Yi praised Gao Shun so highly and implied that his side would not divide its troops. Cao Ang was carefully cultivated by Lady Ding from a young age, and later he was taught by Cao Cao, which established his status as the successor early on.

Such a person is certainly not a fool; on the contrary, he is extremely intelligent.

Upon realizing that Sima Yi was pressuring Zhang Lu, Cao Ang immediately changed his attitude and remained silent with a smile.

Unlike Cao Ang, who initially downplayed the situation before praising it, Zhang Lu's approach was one of initial praise followed by downplaying it.

At first, he genuinely believed that Sima Yi was thinking of him, but when Zhang Lu heard that the troops should not be divided, he realized what was going on.

If Cao Ang's main force of elite troops were sent to Huangjin Garrison, the western part of Hanzhong would be left vulnerable. Moreover, if any problems arose in the war in Shu, Zhang Lu wouldn't even be able to spare any mobile troops.

Unless Zhang Lu sends out the last few thousand of his personal guards.

But if things really come to that, what will Zhang Lu, who has no soldiers to use, use to counter Cao Ang's 20,000 troops?
At that time, Cao Ang would only need to return to Nanzheng, and Zhang Lu would have no choice but to step down in disgrace.

If that's the case, why not relinquish military power earlier and preserve your political status?
This is the reason why Sima Yi pressured Zhang Lu.

At this moment, Zhang Lu was caught in a dilemma.

If Cao Ang were to be invited south to Shu, this would obviously be the best option at present. After all, Huangjin Garrison is located in a strategically important area, making it difficult for the Left Guard Army to exert its full combat power. The garrison does not necessarily need to be as strong as Cao's army. On the contrary, the battle in Shu is becoming increasingly fierce, especially with the prospect of being able to seize Guanghan and even Shu County, which makes Zhang Lu's heart pound with excitement.

However, the corresponding cost would be the transfer of Zhang Wei, Yan Pu, and Yang Ren to Cao Ang's command.

But if Cao Ang were to actually go to Huangjin Garrison, Zhang Lu would have no reinforcements to offer to Zhang Wei and others in response to their pleas for help. If the war in Shu were to go badly, he would not even have troops to connect with the opposing forces. Even if he did not relinquish his military power, without troops, how would Zhang Lu continue to rule Hanzhong?

On the contrary, Cao Ang became increasingly calm. Even if Zhang Lu risked his life, he was not incapable of going to Golden Garrison.

While Baima Pass is important, Huangjin Garrison is also a crucial location.

Baimasai blocked the entrance to Hanzhong via the Jinniu Road and Chencang Road, but Huangjinshu was the exit for the Tangluo Road into Hanzhong.

If necessary, Cao Cao's army in Guanzhong could also enter Hanzhong via the Tangluo Road.

Although the Tangluo Road is extremely difficult to traverse, it is the shortest route, only a little over four hundred li, and can still be effective when necessary. Moreover, staying at Baima Pass is intended to block the Left Guard Army from entering Hanzhong from the north, but staying at Huangjin Garrison is also intended to block the Left Guard Army from entering Hanzhong from Shangyong.

Therefore, Cao Ang remained as calm as Mount Tai, completely unconcerned about Zhang Lu's reaction.

Just as Sima Yi and Cao Ang had thought, Zhang Lu had also figured these things out. Although he knew that Sima Yi had planned ahead, he still wished he could chop off Yang Song, who had spoken.

After much deliberation, Zhang Lu finally made a decision.

That is, they would rather give up military power than let Cao Cao's troops march south.

If Cao Cao's army marches south, he still has a chance to preserve his foundation and even take over Shu.

If Cao Bing really went to Huangjin Garrison, Zhang Lu didn't think his younger brother could handle the Left Guard Army.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Lu stroked his beard and pondered for a long time. Suddenly, he clapped his hands and sighed, "You two are unaware of the situation. The Golden Garrison has over ten thousand men who have been stationed here for a long time. They are familiar with the strategic locations of the mountains and rivers and have long enjoyed the support of the people. It is not advisable to move them lightly."

Immediately, he rose and paced back and forth, his brocade robe fluttering slightly, and continued, “The Grand General is a renowned general of our time. Zixiu has served by his side for a long time and must have received his guidance and instruction. A talent like Zixiu is like a precious sword drawn from its sheath, perfectly suited for conquering new territories. Now, the war in Shu is at a stalemate, and the situation is complex and intricate. I am exhausted and cannot hold out for long…”

At this point, Zhang Lu suddenly turned around and bowed deeply to Cao Ang: "I entrust all military affairs in Shu to you, General. The troops in Hanzhong will all obey your orders. I hope you will immediately muster your forces and march south into Shu to relieve our urgent crisis!"

The flickering candlelight in the hall illuminated Zhang Lu's ever-changing expression.

Although his words were sincere, a barely perceptible hint of resentment flashed in his eyes.

Upon hearing this, Yang Song, Yang Bai, and the others exchanged glances, not daring to utter a sound.

Cao Ang glanced at Sima Yi, who nodded slightly.

Without further hesitation, he immediately rose and bowed: "Having received your great favor and been entrusted with such an important task, how could I dare to disobey? You may sit comfortably in Nanzheng, and I will do my utmost to repay your kindness."

Zhang Lu laughed and stepped forward to help Cao Ang up.

The two exchanged a smile, clearly showing their high regard for each other.

Zhang Lu was, after all, a man of great talent. Once he made up his mind, he not only met all of Cao Ang's demands for military equipment, food, military supplies, and wealth when he marched south, but also provided him with 10,000 training soldiers, increasing the total number of troops from Hanzhong heading south to 38,000, including 7,000 Dao soldiers and 18,000 Nanzheng soldiers. It was a full-scale deployment of his main force. Even the general Yang Ren was recalled from Huangjin Garrison to come south and provide support.

Cao Ang was equally decisive. After receiving Zhang Lu's full support, he only spent two days preparing, and three days later, his army set off south to enter Shu.

Cao Ang dispatched 4,000 men to garrison Baima Pass, while his main force of 16,000 men, along with 10,000 Hanzhong instructors, rapidly marched south along the Jinniu Road, their marching speed even surpassing that of Zhang Wei and Yan Pu.

In just a few days, Cao Cao's vanguard had already reached Baishui Pass, and then continued south along the Baishui River to Jiameng.

When Cao Ang's main force passed through Baishui Pass, he replaced the three thousand Nanzheng soldiers who were originally stationed in the city with three thousand instructors.

Although the soldiers of Nanzheng were not strong, they were still far superior to the soldiers trained by the instructors.

At least the soldiers from Nanzheng were still usable in field battles, and the trained soldiers were only slightly better than the civilian laborers in the field.

After Cao Ang launched his campaign, Zhang Lu sent a message to Shu, instructing them to prepare for reinforcements along the way.

Cao Ang had a very pleasant journey. After arriving at Jiameng, he even took Sima Yi, Yang Xiu, Cao Chun, Cao Xiu, Cao Ding and others to Niutou Mountain to observe Jiameng Pass.

Before watching, Cao Ang had the idea of ​​eliminating Zhou Tai and Huo Du's forces and retaking the pass. However, after climbing Niutou Mountain, Cao Ang abandoned this idea.

Cao Ang and his party stood atop Niutou Mountain, where they saw Jiameng Pass towering majestically between two mountains, flanked by water on two sides, with high walls and numerous arrow towers. The Bai River rushed swiftly in front of the pass, while the plank road meandered behind it, truly a place where "one man can hold the pass against ten thousand."

Sima Yi clapped his hands and exclaimed, "What a magnificent pass! Liu Yan and his son Liu Zhang managed it for many years, and it is indeed extraordinary."

Cao Xiu gazed into the distance and saw banners fluttering on the city wall, with the guards patrolling back and forth in perfect order. He nodded in praise, saying, "I have heard that Zhou Youping is a trusted and beloved general of the Left General, known for his composure, prudence, bravery, and skill in battle. Now it seems that this praise is well-deserved. Just look at this defense method; it is watertight."

Cao Chun nodded in agreement: "Judging from their camp layout, it subtly conforms to the essentials of military strategy. If our army launches a strong attack, even if we manage to take it, we will suffer heavy casualties and may even be unable to advance south into Shu."

Cao Xiu chuckled and said, "It's a pity we can't fight him this time."

Now, Cao Xiu, Cao Chun, and Cao Ding were all outstanding members of the Cao clan, in the prime of their lives, only a few years older than Cao Ang. They were all competitive and eager to win, like sharp blades unsheathed, always ready to fight and achieve great feats.

At this moment, Cao Xiu was able to say that he would not fight, which shows that he saw that Jiameng was difficult to attack and did not want to waste his troops in this dangerous place.

Cao Ang stood with his hands behind his back, the mountain wind ruffling his battle robes. He carefully examined the fortifications of the pass, and after a long while, he said, "This pass is surrounded by mountains on three sides and water on one side. The walls are equipped with rolling logs and stones, and the arrow slits are densely packed. Moreover, the morale of the defending troops is high, so it is indeed not something that can be taken overnight. However, my brothers, Jiameng is a crucial point for our rear. If we let it pass lightly, and if the war in Shu goes against us, our retreat may be cut off. We must be on guard."

Sima Yi gently waved his feather fan and said slowly, "My lord is wise. Zhou Tai is brave and Huo Du is steady and composed. The two work together seamlessly. If our army forces an attack, it will play right into their hands. However, there are ways to ensure a safe retreat."

Before the words were finished, a commotion suddenly broke out on the city wall. A burly general, clad in heavy armor and wielding a long sword, was patrolling the city wall. His personal guards on either side held aloft a large banner bearing the character "Zhou," which fluttered in the setting sun.

Cao Xiu exclaimed in surprise, "That must be Zhou Tai without a doubt! Judging from his aura, he is truly a fierce and powerful general!"

Just as everyone was praising them, a short, stocky general climbed up the city wall and pointed in this direction with Zhou Tai, as if he had discovered signs of Cao Ang and his men.

Cao Chun sighed, "This man must be Huo Du. He's meticulous and steady; no wonder he's held out until now, leaving the Hanzhong army helpless."

Cao Ang withdrew his gaze and turned to Sima Yi, saying, "Zhongda just said that he has a plan to protect our army's rear. I hope Zhongda will not hesitate to enlighten me."

As the sun sets, its afterglow illuminates Jiameng Pass, bathing the majestic pass in a golden light. The mountain winds howl, seemingly recounting the vicissitudes of this ancient pass, originally built during the Spring and Autumn Period.

"Has my lord ever considered why Zhou Tai and Huo Du, with their loyalty and prudence, would lose Tianxiong Pass?"

Upon hearing Sima Yi's words, all four of Cao family's talents present, including Cao Ang, fell silent.

Cao Xiu reacted the fastest, looking at Sima Yi with a shocked expression: "Zhongda, are you saying... that Tianxiong Pass was actually abandoned voluntarily by the Left Army?"

Cao Ding was puzzled and couldn't help but ask, "Why would Zhou Tai and the others willingly give up on Tianxiong..."

"Hehe, that's because Zhou Tai and Huo Du have developed a very big appetite."

Cao Chun laughed from the side: "What a brilliant plan to lure the enemy into a trap."

Cao Ding was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized: "This is actually the Left Army setting a trap for the Hanzhong Army?"

"How could it not be?"

Sima Yi laughed heartily: "Hanzhong's terrain is treacherous, making marching difficult and resupply inconvenient. It requires a large number of civilians to transport grain, weapons, and supplies. If Zhang Lu were to cower in Baima Pass, it would take at least 50,000 elite troops, or even 100,000 men, to break through. Now, the Hanzhong army is driven by greed and has actually taken the initiative to enter Shu. This is practically like handing the hilt of a sword to the enemy while you hold the tip yourself. With General Zuo's wisdom, how could you not take advantage of this?"

Upon hearing this, Sima Yi suddenly laughed and said, "Hanzhong is a strategically important and treacherous region, surrounded by mountains and with plank roads suspended in mid-air. Not only is it difficult for a large army to advance, but the transport of supplies and provisions also requires thousands of laborers to carry them on their shoulders. If Hanzhong were to concentrate its troops at Baima Pass and establish separate camps on Zouma Ridge, even a hundred thousand strong army would find it difficult to shake them in the slightest!"

At this point, Sima Yi's smile turned cold, concealing a hint of disdain: "It's lamentable that Zhang Gongqi, who had held Hanzhong for so many years, was overcome by greed and abandoned this natural stronghold, leading his troops into Shu. This is like handing over the handle to someone else! With the Left General's wisdom..."

At this point, he suddenly fell silent, glancing meaningfully at Cao Ang, a faint smile playing on his lips. A mountain breeze suddenly rose, causing his robes to flutter, further emphasizing his confident demeanor.

Cao Ang understood, clapped his hands, and exclaimed, "Zhongda's words are truly insightful!"

Those close confidants all nodded in agreement upon hearing this.

Sima Yi continued, "However, this matter is actually beneficial to us."

Cao Ang's eyes immediately brightened, and he listened intently as Sima Yi continued, "The number of usable troops in Hanzhong is only about 30,000, and they have all been deployed to Shu. After our lord enters Shu, the reinforcements from Luozhong should be arriving in Nanzheng soon."

"Reinforcements from Luozhong?"

Apart from Cao Ang, Cao Chun, Cao Xiu, and Cao Ding all looked at Cao Ang with surprise and confusion.

Cao Ang looked at his uncles and cousins ​​and slowly nodded.

In fact, before setting off, Cao Ang had already requested reinforcements from Luozhong in the name of the Commandant of the Capital Region. Cao Cao would certainly respond to the request and send troops into Hanzhong to sideline Zhang Lu.

This is the strategy of gradually diminishing and weakening the enemy.

Cao Cao's second batch of "reinforcements" has probably already been mobilized and gathered in Chang'an, just waiting for Cao Ang to "report for reinforcements".

Zhang Lu may not be completely unaware of this situation, but even if he were aware of it, what could he do?

After inviting Cao Ang to Hanzhong, Zhang Lu had actually anticipated this outcome, but he was unwilling to accept it and still wanted to make a slight struggle.

Cao Chun, Cao Xiu, Cao Ding, and the others suddenly realized what was happening.

If Cao Cao's main force were still behind, then the threat posed by Jiameng Pass would be much smaller.

Cao Xiu, being the most astute, couldn't help but speculate, "Could it be that the General intends to take this opportunity to wipe out General Zuo's forces?"

Cao Chun was steady and kind-hearted, and despite his young age, he was regarded as a right-hand man by Cao Cao.

Upon hearing his nephew Cao Xiu's words, he nodded slightly in agreement: "If the general's reinforcements are behind us, then Jiameng Pass is nothing to worry about."

(End of this chapter)