I did it all for the Han Dynasty!

Chapter 291 Born in hardship, die in comfort

For the Jiangdong army, which had come from afar, Guanzhong was now essentially an away game.

Moreover, the Guanzhong region, unlike the Qingzhou region, did not have an abundant water network for transporting grain and troops.

For example, last time Liu Miao was able to quickly gather an army of 100,000 in Langya by utilizing the water network in the south, but this time Liu Miao could not possibly send an army of 100,000 to Guanzhong.

If Liu Miao really dared to send 100,000 men in, it was highly likely that logistical supplies would not be able to be delivered in time, leaving the soldiers to fight Yuan's army on empty stomachs.

Therefore, Zhou Yu had already estimated the number of troops his side could commit to the Guanzhong battlefield.

20,000 people.

This is the limit for Jingzhou.

The manpower and resources required to transport these 20,000 troops were even greater than those required when Liu Miao transported 100,000 troops to Langya.

In other words, the issue of this battle is not just "defeating Yuan Tan".

The objective of this battle was to "defeate Yuan Tan's army, which had a large cavalry force, as quickly as possible, with a maximum of only 20,000 troops."

Zhou Yu sighed helplessly, "They didn't consider this when they were making their plans!"

From a strategic perspective, defeating Yuan Tan was of paramount importance!

As for how to achieve this strategic goal tactically... what does that have to do with those who make strategic plans?
Taishi Ci couldn't help but chuckle upon hearing this: "I heard that this strategy was proposed by Lu Yi, who used to follow you. He's practically your disciple, yet he completely left you no way out! Hahahaha!"

Zhou Yu defended Lu Yi, saying, "But Boyan's plan is ultimately correct."

Whether he can win or not is not something he should be thinking about!

Upon hearing these words, Taishi Ci felt much more at ease.

"It seems that Gongjin already has a plan to defeat the enemy?"

"It's vaguely there, but I estimate it will make our lord suffer a bit."

"Oh?"

------

"Gongjin is trying to kill me!"

Liu Miao arrived very quickly, taking advantage of the Yangtze and Han Rivers to reach Xiangyang soon and begin his northward journey.

The estimate was correct, just as Zhou Yu had predicted.

After calculating the number of farmers and livestock that Jingzhou could currently mobilize, Gu Yong concluded that at most 20,000 troops could be deployed for this battle.

Otherwise, the terrifying consumption of food supplies in Wuguan Road could very well wipe out the logistics supplies!

Moreover, this result was achieved by Gu Yong purchasing expensive grains from Hanzhong and Shu at high prices.

Zhou Yu and Taishi Ci had already led 5,000 troops to Guanzhong.

In other words, Liu Miao now leads an army of only 15,000 men.

But none of this was nearly as devastating as the request Zhou Yu sent to Liu Miao.

"It's only been a short time since we last met, and Gongjin has already started ordering me around?"

For a general to command his lord is an incomprehensible act for any other feudal lord.

However, neither Liu Miao nor Zhou Yu sensed anything amiss.

Liu Miao was only cursing Zhou Yu for daring to assign him such a deadly task.

"That damn thing, it wants me to climb over the Xiaoshan Mountains!"

Liu Miao was so angry he wanted to grind his teeth. Zhou Tai, who was accompanying him, saw the resistance on Liu Miao's face and asked with concern, "So, my lord isn't going?"

"Damn it! Let's go! How can we defeat Yuan Tan if we don't go!"

Liu Miao was extremely resistant to crossing the Xiaoshan Mountains!
But Zhou Yu also assured him that he would win this time!

In today's world, how many people can surpass Zhou Yu in military affairs?
In order to achieve victory, Liu Miao decided—

Fight!

"Zhu Huan and Zhang Liao will lead 12,000 soldiers to enter Guanzhong through Wuguan Pass." "Huang Zhong, Xu Huang, and Zhang Xiu will lead 3,000 soldiers; follow me!"

It took Liu Miao ten breaths from seeing Zhou Yu's message to making his decision.

During those eight breaths, Liu Miao was cursing Zhou Yu.

Incidentally, I also took the time to reply to Zhou Tai.

Therefore, Liu Miao made a decision immediately without even a moment's hesitation.

Huang Zhong and his Changsha soldiers were skilled at traversing mountains and valleys.

Xu Huang was a former White Wave Bandit, so he should be most familiar with the terrain of this place.

The same applies to Zhang Xiu.

One of them used to be involved in the Hedong region, and the other used to be involved in the Nanyang region. Even if they have to work hard, they should still carve out a road between the Xiaoshan Mountains!

Gu Yong was also taken aback when he heard that Liu Miao wanted to cross the Xiaoshan Mountains to the north: "My lord is of noble birth, how can he risk his life personally?"

"What time is it? Still talking about being a precious person?"

Liu Miao, riding Kuaihang, which hadn't been active for a long time and had even gained some weight, was somewhat dismissive of Gu Yong's words.

"When Cao Cao heard that Yang Chou had been killed, he personally led an expedition as fast as a rabbit! Am I not as good as him?"

"Besides, the job that Gongjin asked me to do is indeed only something I can do!"

Liu Miao pursed his lips and patted Kuaihang beneath him, causing the other to snort unhappily, clearly dissatisfied with the increased amount of exercise.

In Jinling, Kuaihang lived a life of luxury, and would often stroll around with a little mare. Wasn't that much more enjoyable than having Liu Miao ride him?

So now, Kuaihang is fat and strong, and its speed has slowed down, no longer as agile as before.

"One is born in hardship and dies in comfort!"

“Ever since our beloved General Hou gave me this horse, I have hardly ridden it, which is why it has been allowed to run wild like this.”

"But future battles will inevitably become more frequent and more intense. If we continue to be so lazy..."

Liu Miao bent down and whispered in Kuai Hang's ear: "If you continue to be so lazy, I'll slaughter you and eat horse meat!"

Kuaihang seemed to understand Liu Miao's words, and immediately raised its front hooves, wanting to run wildly to prove that it could still run. However, Liu Miao held it back tightly until it was dizzy before it finally stopped.

“Yuan Tan, if Emperor Gaozu had been too proud of his status and had not followed Han Xin’s strategy of ‘openly repairing the plank road while secretly crossing Chencang,’ there would have been no Han Dynasty.”

"There are some things that you should never forget, even if you become rich and powerful! Do you understand?"

Seeing Liu Miao's radiant spirit, and recalling the emperor he had met in Xuchang, Gu Yong's heart burned with renewed excitement.

Fortunately, Gu Yong also knew that now was not the time.

At the very least, we should wait until the war with Yuan Shao is over before discussing such important matters with Liu Miao...

Seeing Gu Yong standing there in a daze, seemingly lost in thought, Liu Miao childishly went over and startled him.

"Hahaha! Ever since your senior sister came back, Yuan Tan's expressions have indeed become much more varied!"

"By the way, your senior sister also asked me to give you her regards! She said that next time, you might get to see your teacher's grandson!"

Gu Yong stared at Liu Miao in astonishment.

"The teacher's grandson?"

"hey-hey."

Liu Miao chuckled awkwardly twice.

Taking care of someone's senior sister resulted in her ending up in bed with him; that's really inhumane!
After Gu Yong, the way he looked at Liu Miao was indeed very strange.

However, after watching for a while, Gu Yong seemed to resign himself to his fate.

"My senior sister has a hard life. I hope my lord will not let her down."

"of course!"

Liu Miao entrusted the construction of the rear supply lines to Gu Yong. After Zhu Huan and Zhang Liao led the main force into Guanzhong, Liu Miao also led a small force northward, heading straight into the Xiaoshan Mountains, which together with Hangu Pass formed the Guanzhong defense system!
(End of this chapter)