Three Kingdoms: I, Liu Feng, do not want to die

Chapter 180: Leading troops to Wanluo? Liu Bei personally visits Xiangyang City (6k)

Guo Huai was a little panicked.

Such a huge mistake occurred after only one year as the governor of Yongzhou. If Liu Chan and Zhuge Liang could not be driven out of Longyou, Guo Huai would be to blame.

The current situation in the world is no longer dominated by Cao Wei alone.

From the Battle of Hanzhong to the Battle of Xiangfan and then to the Battle of Shiyang, Liu Bei won successive victories in his strategy against Wei.

If Longyou is lost again, the Cao Wei government and the people will be shaken again.

Cao Pi's prestige was not as high as Cao Cao's to begin with. After he usurped the Han Dynasty and established the Wei Dynasty, he failed to gain the prestige to establish a country, and rebellions broke out one after another in the country.

Even when he took advantage of Sun Quan's illness to attack him, Liu Feng broke through Shiyang and killed Wen Pin.

The successive military defeats caused Cao Wei's prestige to decline day by day.

Guo Huai knew very well: Longyou cannot be lost!
Trying to suppress his fear, Guo Huai closed his eyes and thought carefully about the current situation in Longyou.

【at the moment:
In Shanggui, there were about 3,000 soldiers led by Zhou Tai, Ma Zun and Hu Zun. However, the people were in panic and the army was unstable. The three men were not under each other's command and had different ideas.

There can only be one voice on the battlefield, and one person must be the main general to prevent Zhuge Liang from luring and destroying him. 】

Think of this.

Guo Huai quickly drafted the first military order, which roughly meant: appoint Zhou Tai, the defender of Shanggui, as the commander-in-chief, to supervise the three counties of Guangwei, Tianshui and Anding. Ma Zun, Hu Zun and others all respected Zhou Tai and defended Shanggui to the death waiting for reinforcements. Anyone who disobeyed the order would be executed.

Subsequently.

Guo Huai drafted a second military order, which roughly meant that Dai Ling, the defender of Chencang, would lead 500 men as a decoy and attack Hanzhong under the banner of Guo Huai.

He tried to make Zhuge Liang think that Guo Huai was using the strategy of besieging Wei to save Zhao, in order to make Zhuge Liang suspicious.

Followed by.

Guo Huai drafted a third military order, which roughly meant: to recruit laborers from the nearby Anding and Fufeng counties to transport food, fodder and water to the designated strongholds.

If the soldiers and horses are not moving, the grain and grass will go first.

Just like Liu Feng set up twelve strongholds in Jingshan from Fangling to Linju in order to save Guan Yu.

The purpose of stockpiling food, fodder and drinking water needed for the rapid march in advance at designated strongholds from Chang'an to Longyou was to enable Cao Zhen in Chang'an to dispatch a large army to Longyou in the shortest possible time!

Military orders were drafted by Guo Huai and sent out urgently.

It was not until dusk that Guo Huai started writing.

In Guo Huai's hand, there was also a military report to be sent to Chang'an, which recorded in detail the military situation and response in Longyou.

After carefully reviewing the military report and confirming that it was correct, Guo Huai then called his younger brother Guo Pei and asked him to go to Chang'an in person.

Although Guo Pei was not as famous for her talent as Guo Huai, she had a daughter named Guo Huai, and Guo Huai had a daughter named Jia Nanfeng.

Guo Pei was somewhat reluctant about Guo Huai's decision: "If you want to deliver the military report, you can just send a scout on a fast horse. Why do you need me to go there in person?"

As the younger brother of the governor of Yongzhou, Guo Pei did not want to suffer the hardship of working as a messenger in the freezing cold weather.

Guo Huai resisted the urge to hit him and scolded him, "Now that the old year is coming to an end, Chang'an must be full of singing and dancing. If an ordinary messenger goes to Chang'an, he may not be able to see the General in time.

If the messenger encounters an accident on the way, it will ruin my plan. This military report concerns the lives of you and my brothers. How can you be negligent?

If you want to die, go to the ancestral temple and cut your throat with a knife, don't involve me."

Guo Pei was scolded so badly that she dared not refute anymore.

Guo Huai also asked Guo Pei to take down the contents of the military report and make a copy for backup, in case of any accidents along the way that might delay military intelligence.

If Zhuge Liang were present, he would be amazed at Guo Huai's calmness and thoroughness.

Almost all the aspects that need to be considered in dealing with the Longyou crisis have been taken into consideration.

Zhou Tai was appointed as the commander-in-chief to strengthen the defense of Shanggui.

Sending suspicious troops into Hanzhong increased the panic of the Han army.

Mobilizing laborers to transport food and fodder can reduce delays for reinforcements.

He sent his younger brother Guo Pei to personally deliver the military report to Chang'an.

and many more.

Considering his previous deployments in Qishan, Mumendao, etc., Guo Huai is competent for the post of Governor of Yongzhou!
If the people who came were not Zhuge Liang and other brave generals such as Li Yan, Wei Yan, and Meng Da, and if Ma Zun, a useless teammate, had not caused the rebellion of Jiang Wei, Liang Xu and others, Guo Huai would not have been so passive!

however.

Things have already happened, and it will be useless for Guo Huai to be angry.

Guo Huai was not a person who gave up on himself. When Xiahou Yuan was beheaded, it was Guo Huai who recommended Zhang He as the commander-in-chief and managed to delay the arrival of Cao Cao's army.

Although the current situation is critical, it is far from as critical as the time when Xiahou Yuan was beheaded.

Guo Huai is not in desperate situation yet, he still has a chance to respond!
The horses galloped straight into Chang'an.

Now is the time when the old year turns to the new year, and the dignitaries in Chang'an are enjoying the peace and tranquility of the new year.

Cao Zhen was also holding a coming-of-age ceremony for his eldest son Cao Shuang. His other sons Cao Xi, Cao Xun, Cao Ze, Cao Yan, and Cao Ai also came to Chang'an to attend Cao Shuang's coming-of-age banquet.

"In the past, I named you 'Shuang' because I had high hopes for you, hoping that you would be wise and decisive.

Today I add another word "Zhao" for you, hoping that you will enter the official career in the future with outstanding virtues and outstanding achievements.

You are the eldest son. Today, in front of all your brothers, I will use the word "Bo" to show your senior status.

Therefore, I give you the courtesy name ‘Zhao Bo’. From now on, you brothers must not be suspicious of each other, and must respect the elders in everything.

If you start a quarrel between brothers, I will punish you severely according to the family rules. Do you understand?"

Cao Zhen was not only giving Cao Shuang a name, but also educating his son.

Cao Shuang suppressed his excitement, accepted the name given by Cao Zhen, and vowed to Cao Zhen that he would be more humble and diligent in the future.

Brothers Cao Xi, Cao Xun, Cao Ze, Cao Yan, Cao Ai and others also expressed that they would never fight with Cao Shuang in the future.

Cao Zhen was very satisfied with the attitude of Cao Shuang and his brothers.

For a large family, only when the son becomes a talented person can it be considered as an heir.

During the conversation.

Cao Shuang mentioned his aunt, the Lady of Deyang, and said angrily: "My uncle has a beautiful concubine, who dotes on her even more than my aunt. My aunt often cries, which makes me angry."

Cao Zhen couldn't help but frown.

As the eldest brother, he couldn't just sit back and do nothing when his younger sister was wronged.

However, Xiahou Shang was the General of the Southern Expedition after all, and was now on the same level as Cao Zhen's General of the Western Expedition. Moreover, Xiahou Shang was the nephew of Xiahou Yuan and a real member of the Xiahou family, while Cao Zhen was only Cao Cao's adopted son.

If Cao really wants to blame Xiahou Shang, he is not qualified.

But if I don't interfere, my sister will always suffer.

After weighing the pros and cons for a moment, Cao Zhen asked, "Does your majesty know about this?"

Cao Shuang thought without hesitation: "Whether Your Majesty knows or not, what difference does it make? It was Your Majesty who sentenced Empress Zhen to death. Please let Your Majesty go."

Before he finished speaking, Cao Zhen's face changed drastically and he shouted, "Shut up! As a minister, how can you slander your majesty? Is it your place to discuss Empress Zhen's affairs?"

Cao Shuang still refused to accept the suggestion: "There are no outsiders here, and Your Majesty would not know if they were to discuss it. Empress Zhen was the biological mother of Prince Pingyuan, but now Prince Pingyuan has no choice but to recognize Empress Guo as his mother."

Cao Shuang and Cao Rui had a good personal relationship. Zhen Mi was executed by Cao Pi, and Cao Rui had to recognize Guo Zhao as his mother in order to consolidate his position, which made Cao Shuang very dissatisfied.

When Cao Shuang learned that Xiahou Shang neglected his aunt, the Lady of Deyang, and doted on his beautiful concubine like Cao Pi, he became even more dissatisfied.

Relying on the fact that there were no outsiders here, Cao Shuang spoke without restraint.

After hearing Cao Shuang's complaints, Cao Zhen suddenly felt a headache.

The reason why Cao Zhen was able to gain Cao Pi's trust as Cao Cao's adopted son was not only because he had followed Cao Pi since he was a child, but more importantly, Cao Zhen had always been cautious in his words and deeds, humble and virtuous both internally and externally, and had never violated the rules in the slightest.

The name and courtesy name that Cao Zhen gave to Cao Shuang was also in the hope that Cao Shuang would have "virtue".

Never thought.

Cao Shuang actually talked about Cao Pi's decision to execute Zhen Mi in private without restraint.

Is this something that can be discussed casually?

Since ancient times, few emperors could tolerate being talked about.

There was even a taboo system, which required the emperor's name to be avoided in writing and speaking to show his dignity. If the taboo was violated, the offender would be punished.

Even a man like Liu Xiu directly changed the title of "Xiucai" to "Maocai", and people in the entire Eastern Han Dynasty had to avoid common names like "Xiu" when naming their children, which made the ancients, present and future generations extremely uncomfortable.

Looking at the Han Dynasty, only Emperor Xuan of Han could truly understand the people. In order to prevent the people from being convicted for avoiding taboos, he issued an edict to change his name to Liu Xun. The reason was: the name of the ancient emperor was difficult for people to know, so it was easy to avoid it.

In another edict of Liu Xun, it was also stated: The state's judicial system concerns the lives of the people. A truly qualified judge should make sure that those who are released do not complain and those sentenced to death do not feel resentful. If the judge takes the law out of context and misinterprets the law, it is unfair to the people, whether it is a minor or a major rebellion. If the superior cannot make a clear judgment, the people of the world will not be convinced.

Cao Pi was also not someone who could tolerate being talked about, and he could not be compared with Emperor Xuan of Han!
Cao Zhen, who had followed Cao Pi for a long time, understood this very well!

Why was Zhen Mi sentenced to death?
The direct reason was: after Cao Pi doted on Guo Zhao and others, Zhen Mi privately complained and made Cao Pi unhappy. In a rage, Cao Pi issued an edict to execute Zhen Mi.

just now.

His own son actually talked about the emperor in private?
Subconsciously.

Cao Zhen felt that the son was not like his father, and glared at Cao Shuang fiercely, scolding him:
"Zhao Bo, do not mention Empress Zhen anymore! I will ask His Majesty to handle your aunt's matter appropriately. If you dare to speak nonsense again, you will be punished according to the family rules!"

Cao Zhen glared at him and he swallowed the words that were about to come out of his throat. He changed his words and said, "I know."

But in his heart, Cao Shuang secretly swore: If he were in power in the future, he would help King Pingyuan vent his hatred.

Seeing that Cao Shuang said he was convinced but was not, Cao Zhen felt even more troubled and prepared to give Cao Shuang and his brothers a lesson on "The Duties of a Minister".

Just now.

Fei Yao, a close general, came to report in a hurry: "General, there is an urgent military report. It was sent by Guo Pei, the brother of Governor Guo, who rushed it day and night."

Cao Zhen's expression changed.

Cao Zhen knew Guo Huai's character very well.

It must not be a trivial matter that could make Guo Huai's younger brother Guo Pei deliver military reports urgently day and night!

Cao Zhen felt inexplicably irritated.

It was supposed to be a good day for the eldest son's coming-of-age ceremony, but first Cao Shuang openly discussed Cao Pi's decision to execute Zhen Mi, and then Guo Huai sent Guo Pei to deliver a military report in an urgent manner.

Such a good day, but full of troubles!

Cao Zhen snatched the battle report from Fei's hand and quickly glanced at it. When he saw that "Liu Bei ordered the crown prince Liu Chan and Prime Minister Zhuge Liang to attack Tianshui, Ji County has been lost, and Longyou is in danger", Cao Zhen felt his anger burst out from the bottom of his heart. "Liu Chan, you dare to invade the territory of the Great Wei!"

If it was Liu Feng who came, Cao Zhen would not be so angry.

Liu Feng was good at fighting, and Cao Zhen had already experienced that.

If it was Liu Feng who came, Cao Zhen would only think about how to compete with Liu Feng in wits and courage, and then defeat Liu Feng!
But the one who came was Liu Chan!
This made Cao Zhen feel humiliated.

Cao Zhen's inner thoughts were: What qualifications does a fake Han prince who has not yet reached adulthood and has never commanded an army have to be my opponent? Is he trying to get military merit by trying to get it on my head?
Cao Shuang, who was standing by, did not understand Cao Zhen's true inner thoughts. He only saw Cao Zhen's anger and felt that the time had come for him to show off. He excitedly asked, "I have come of age now. Father, please assign me an army. I am willing to go there myself and capture Liu Chan alive!"

As the saying goes: A newborn calf is not afraid of a tiger.

This is what Cao Shuang is like at this moment!
Not to mention Liu Chan, even if Liu Feng came, Cao Shuang would dare to ask for orders!

Cao Zhen took a deep breath and ignored Cao Shuang's request. Instead, he quickly calmed down his anger and read Guo Huai's battle report calmly and carefully.

In his battle report, Guo Huai not only stated the military situation and responses, but also mentioned the possibility that Ma Chao was also with the army.

only.

So far, there is no news of Ma Chao appearing in Longyou or other places in Yongliang.

Guo Huai was just guessing about this.

After reading the battle report.

Cao Zhen fell into deep thought.

We must save Longyou.

But who to send to rescue is a problem.

Normally speaking, the most suitable person to save Longyou was Left General Zhang He.

This is also the most combative veteran in the Guanzhong area!
however.

Zhang He is now stationed at Wuguan and cannot move lightly.

Especially after Zhang Fei replaced Wang Ping and appeared in Wuguan, Zhang He could not move lightly.

Why did Zhang Fei appear in Wuguan?
At the beginning, Cao Zhen guessed: It is very likely that Liu Bei wanted to use troops to attack Wancheng, so he transferred Liu Feng and Liu Feng's generals to plan Wancheng, so he placed Zhang Fei in Nanxiang to intimidate Zhang He.

When Cao Zhen learned that Liu Chan and Zhuge Liang had launched a surprise attack on Tianshui, he discovered that his guess seemed to be wrong.

Liu Bei had Zhang Fei appear in Wuguan, not because he was worried that Zhang He would raid Nanxiang when Liu Feng captured Wancheng, but to let Zhang Fei restrain Zhang He and prevent him from leaving Wuguan!

This was to support Liu Chan and Zhuge Liang's surprise attack on Tianshui, not to support Liu Feng who wanted to capture Wancheng!
After careful consideration, Cao Zhen drafted a new military report and gave it to Cao Shuang, asking Cao Shuang to personally deliver it to Luoyang.

Subsequently.

Cao Zhen also dispatched General Yang Qiu and his personal general Fei Yao to lead 10,000 infantry and cavalry to advance first.

It’s not that Cao Zhen doesn’t want to mobilize more troops, but it’s the end of the year, and not only do some soldiers go home to visit their families, but not all the troops in Guanzhong are deployed in Chang'an City.

For example, at Zhang He's post at Wuguan, 5,000 infantry and cavalry were deployed, and troops were also deployed at all other strategic checkpoints and important towns.

It is impossible to mobilize a large army to Longyou in a short period of time.

This is also one of the reasons why Zhuge Liang wanted to use his troops in winter, so that the enemy would be caught by surprise.

Although compared to Zhuge Liang's first Northern Expedition recorded in history, Zhuge Liang's troops this time were relatively small, and Cao Wei's troop deployment in Guanzhong would not be as easy as recorded in history to mobilize tens of thousands of troops to Longyou.

after all.

Liu Bei's strategic focus has been on Jingzhou in the past two years.

In order to prevent Liu Bei from going north through Wanluo, Cao Pi deployed a large number of troops in the direction of Jingzhou, so the number of troops allocated to Guanzhong was naturally even smaller.

Due to differences in time and space, even with the same Northern Expedition tactics, the difficulties encountered would be different.

The first surprise of the new year 224.

It hit Cao Wei's rulers and ministers hard.

Cao Pi, who was originally recuperating in Xu County, had to take his close civil and military officials such as Man Chong, Zhao Yan, Sima Yi, Liu Ye, and Jiang Ji, and ride back to Luoyang day and night to take charge of the situation.

The ministers who were singing and dancing in Luoyang had no choice but to give up the relaxation and comfort of the New Year and put on their court robes and go back to work.

Shangshu Ling Chen Qun, Situ Hua Xin, Sikong Wang Lang, Taiwei Zhong Yao, Weiwei Dong Zhao and others were all in unrest.

All the ministers in Luoyang City were cursing.

Some cursed that "Zhuge Liang will not die a good death", some cursed that "Liu Chan will give birth to a son without an anus", some cursed that "Liu Bei will die of old age and get into the coffin soon", and some scolded that "Guo Huai, the governor of Yongzhou, is incompetent", and so on.

Basically, there is nothing good to say!
Obviously.

Zhuge Liang's surprise attack on Tianshui has completely broken the defense of Cao Wei's ministers in Luoyang.

Happy New Year!
It’s New Year!
In the cold winter, wouldn't it be nice to give birth to a baby at home with your concubine in your arms?

Do we have to come out and start a war?

A bunch of Shu Han dogs, you have women to play with, and you are clamoring for the Northern Expedition every day. Will you die if you don’t do it?
however.

Scolds are scolded.

No matter how resentful you are, you still have to go to class as usual!
the most important is:

Both Cao Pi and the ministers in the court had to consider what Liu Bei's real purpose was in sending Zhuge Liang to capture Tianshui!
Should he take a foothold in Longyou, then make peace with the barbarians in the west and conquer Liangzhou, and use Ma Chao's prestige among the Qiang and Hu to train cavalry to counterattack Guanzhong?

Or should he feint an attack on Longyou to create an opportunity for Liu Bei to actually take Wanluo?
Or is there some other unknown purpose?
Military affairs are not simply a fight between two people with guns and swords.

On one side is Longyou, and on the other side is Wanluo, the two places are two thousand miles apart.

With the current level of transportation in society, if Liu Bei’s strategic purpose had been misjudged, the disaster of Shiyang would have happened again.

The total number of troops and food supplies is limited.

If you focus on one thing, you will lose the other.

Just like how Cao Cao killed Yan Liang in the past, a strategy of dividing the troops turned Yan Liang's superior forces into a weak force.

"My Lords, now that the enemy has come to attack, how should we respond?"

Cao Pi sat on the throne, looking coldly at the ministers. His tone was not as gentle as usual, and it was obvious that he was trying hard to suppress his anger.

The ministers were whispering.

a long time.

Shangshu Ling Chen Qun said: "Since Liu Bei sent the crown prince Liu Chan to Tianshui, Your Majesty should summon Prince Pingyuan to Chang'an to supervise the battle in person, to deter those who have different intentions in Guanzhong, and then issue an edict to appease the counties in Longyou, saying 'Anyone who dares to follow Shu will be executed along with his entire family'!
Your Majesty will stay in Luoyang to supervise the troops. Even if Liu Bei intends to attack Wanluo, Your Majesty can deal with it. "

Chen Qun's advice was simple and direct.

If Liu Bei doesn't move, then Cao Pi can't move either.

Since the one going to Tianshui was Liu Bei's crown prince Liu Chan, Cao Pi could also let King Pingyuan Cao Rui go to Chang'an to supervise the battle.

Cao Pi remained silent.

Another subtext of Chen Qun's advice this time was: Liu Chan was already the crown prince, while Cao Rui was only the King of Pingyuan, so their status were not equal.

In fact, he was hinting to Cao Pi to make Cao Rui the crown prince as soon as possible. The sooner the crown prince was made, the sooner the people would be satisfied, and it would also allow Cao Rui to compete with Liu Chan.

Sikong Wang Lang disagreed: "The Shangshu Ling is wrong. It is winter now, so it is not appropriate to mobilize the army. We can issue a letter to condemn Shu Han for recklessly mobilizing the army, and wait until the weather warms up before using the army."

Cao Pi sneered and rejected Wang Lang's proposal directly: "When the enemy comes, the general will stop him; when the water comes, the earth will cover it. This is the basis of using troops. If I don't use troops to stop violence, but instead issue a proclamation to condemn it, won't it make the world think that I am afraid of Liu Bei? This is the words of a corrupt scholar!"

Wang Lang blushed and remained silent in shame.

The ministers made their suggestions one after another.

However, the more Cao Pi listened, the more annoyed he became, because the advice given by the ministers was mostly irrelevant. Some were trying to gain political benefits like Chen Qun, while others were "valuing peace" like Wang Lang. The occasional mention of the use of troops was just superficial theory without much practical application.

There are also those who keep silent. I don’t know whether they really don’t understand or they just don’t want to get involved in the open and secret struggles of others.

The court, with its arguments like a vegetable market, just proves the famous saying: war is the continuation of politics.

The way meat-eaters understand war is completely different from the way ordinary people understand war.

After discussing for a whole morning, Cao Pi didn't get any effective strategy except a headache.

This situation is also related to Cao Pi's prestige.

If Cao Pi was replaced by Cao Cao, would the ministers dare to make a noise in front of Cao Cao for a whole morning?

Do you think you can resist Cao Cao’s “killing in dreams”?
Or can you resist Cao Cao's "borrow your head"?
Cao Cao's prestige was gained by defeating many heroes.

Cao Pi was now suffering successive defeats in military affairs and making compromises in politics. Let alone "killing people in a dream" or "borrowing your head for use", he had to consider the other party's family background before saying anything harsh.

It’s not that Cao Pi was afraid of the other party’s family background, but he was afraid that the other party would run to Liu Bei in anger.

If you can't suppress them with your prestige, you can only pretend to be "kind" and coax them!

At last.

Cao Pi looked at Sima Yi, who had remained silent, and said, "Zhongda, you have been thinking for a long time. Do you have any ideas?"

Sima Yi secretly looked at the ministers around him, and finally chose to make the same suggestion as Chen Qun: "I think the words of the Shangshu Ling are useful!
The conflict between the two countries today is no longer a simple military victory or defeat, but a matter of stability in the government and the people, and the loyalty of the scholars and the people. As long as the monarch and his subjects, and fathers and sons, are in harmony with each other, even if Longyou is temporarily lost, it can be taken back.

Prince Pingyuan is even more talented than Liu Chan in both civil and military affairs. Letting Prince Pingyuan govern Chang'an can not only intimidate the people of Yongliang, but also reassure the other counties.

Please, Your Majesty, think deeply about this."

Subsequently.

Man Chong, Liu Ye, Zhong Yao and others also echoed.

Everyone wanted to persuade Cao Pi to appoint a crown prince as soon as possible to reassure the people.

The fact that Cao Pi ordered the death of Cao Rui's biological mother had a huge impact.

Although Cao Rui acted as if he didn't care and acknowledged Queen Guo as his mother, the ministers present were not fools. How could they not see that Cao Rui was enduring?

If Cao Pi had always been wary and suspicious of Cao Rui, how could the father and son not be suspicious of each other?
If fathers and sons are suspicious of each other, how can the ruler and his subjects get along?

Neither Chen Qun nor Sima Yi wanted Cao Pi to train another prince to compete with Cao Rui in the future, and then another "Cao Pi and Cao Zhi" dispute would break out.

Faced with a powerful enemy, the already unstable Cao Wei regime could not withstand internal strife!
Just as Cao Pi was weighing the pros and cons.

A military report from Wancheng was urgently delivered to the court.

The gist of the military report: Liu Bei sent dozens of good generals including Liu Feng and Zhao Yun, gathered 20,000 soldiers, and invaded Wancheng under the banner of "reviving the Han Dynasty and marching north to the Central Plains"!
Liu Bei and Guan Yu even went to Xiangyang in person and issued a proclamation to the counties of Nanyang. Many people in Nanyang responded because they were dissatisfied with Cao Wei's harsh policies, just like the bandits who responded to Guan Yu's flooding of the seven armies.

Cao Pi stood up in shock, surprised and suspicious:
"Old soldier Liu Bei, are you going to fight me?"

(End of this chapter)