"Not bad!" Zhuge Liang bowed slightly, stroked his chin and beard and said: "Although Your Majesty has taken Nanyang and continues to march north, you can directly attack Xuchang and Luoyang."

But Xuchang and Luoyang have heavy defenses, and they are currently using the concrete method to rebuild the city, and when I lead my troops to the city, I am afraid that the city will also be rebuilt.

In addition, Xuchang is the place where Cao Cao started, and Luoyang is the pseudo-Wei capital, attacking these two cities, the Wei State must be united, and the soldiers will also fight to the death to fight against our army, so attacking these two cities, I am afraid that it is difficult to gain. So I decided to change the direction of the attack and start attacking Wei from Jiangxia! ”

Hearing this, Ma Tan's eyes unconsciously looked at the map hanging in the hall.

Ma Tan is the Taishou of Jiangxia, and the military map in the palace is naturally centered on Jiangxia.

Ma Tan looked at it for a while, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but show a smile, and he clapped his palms and said: "Wonderful, now that Nanyang has fallen, Jiangxia County occupied by Wei is like a nail embedded in my Jingzhou." Taking Jiangxia can not only eliminate future troubles, but also march into Yuzhou, Yanzhou, and then attack Xuzhou to the east.

In this way, it will be possible to cut off the connection between Wei and Jiangdong, and it will also isolate Xuchang and Sili, which will be surrounded by our Han Dynasty and lose their strategic role, and there is no need to attack at all, and Wei itself will give up! ”

Zhuge Liang smiled slightly, shook the feather fan and said, "What you said is good, but I don't know what the situation is in Jiangxia now?" ”

When Ma Tan heard this, he walked to the map and introduced the situation of Jiangxia to Zhuge Liang: "Jiangxia is divided into three parts, the Wei State occupies the northern part of Jiangxia, and the administrative office is located in the northernmost Xiyang County. Originally, Jiangxia had 20,000 soldiers and horses, commanded by Wen Ping, but a few days ago, Wen Ping led 10,000 sneak attacks on Jingzhou, and the whole army was wiped out.

It's just that now Jiangxia's troops have not decreased, but have increased. ”

Zhuge Liang thought for a while, then asked, "You were sent from Shouchun, right?" ”

"Da Sima is right!" Ma Tan nodded and said, "Your Majesty led the troops to attack Nanyang, and the Wei State and Jiangdong jointly wanted to attack Jiangxia to implement the strategy of encircling Wei and saving Zhao. However, Wei did not have many troops in Jiangxia, so Cao Rui transferred 20,000 soldiers and horses from Shouchun. However, the 20,000 soldiers and horses did not arrive before Wenpin's sneak attack on Jingzhou, and they only arrived in the past few days.

This army did not help the Nanyang battlefield, but happened to be self-defeating and played a role in the defense of Jiangxia. Although I have 40,000 soldiers and horses in Jiangxia, 30,000 are located in Xiakou to defend Jiangdong, and there are only 10,000 soldiers and horses in the land city. ”

Zhao Yun laughed when he heard this: "Since Da Sima has decided to attack Jiangxia, why didn't he bring troops here?" Soon 40,000 troops and horses would arrive. ”

Ma Tan was stunned when he heard this, and then came to his senses: "Forty thousand soldiers and horses? By the way, General Zhang Ren's 20,000 soldiers and horses are on the border of Nanyang, not far from Jiangxia, in addition, could it be General Huo Jun's 20,000 soldiers and horses who rescued Xiangfan? ”

Zhuge Liang nodded and continued to ask: "Nanyang has fallen, Jiangxia seems to be an isolated island hanging overseas, but the north of Jiangxia is Yuzhou, and the east is Yangzhou, if I attack Jiangxia, I am afraid that the two places will come to help, I don't know what the situation is in these two places?" ”

Ma Tan replied when he heard this: "Yuzhou Thorn History is full of favor, Yuzhou has been war-torn for a long time, there are not many soldiers and horses, and now Yuzhou's manpower and material resources are concentrated in Xuchang." Even if he wants to support Jiang Xia, he is powerless.

As for Yangzhou, Wei has always had 100,000 soldiers and horses, and although Cao Wu Shiting was defeated in the first battle of Wei, he formed an alliance again, and Sun Quan returned all the captured soldiers to Wei. In addition to the 20,000 soldiers and horses sent to support Jiangxia some time ago, Yangzhou also has 50,000 or 60,000 horses.

If Jiangxia cannot be taken in a short period of time, and the war drags on for a long time, Yangzhou will definitely send reinforcements to support. ”

"Oh?" When Zhuge Liang heard this, the corners of his mouth showed an intriguing smile.

Zhang Ren and Huo Jun would not be able to lead their troops to Jiangxia in a few days, so Zhuge Liang was not in a hurry to leave Xiakou and go to Anlu County.

Anlu County is located on the edge of the Zhuanshui, to the north is Jiangxia, Jiangxia 40,000 soldiers and horses, 30,000 in Xiakou, the remaining 10,000 are stationed in this Anlu, is to guard against the invasion of Wei. Zhuge Liang, Zhang Ren, and Huo Jun had already agreed that they would meet in Anlu County after arriving in Jiangxia.

After staying in Xiakou for three days, Zhuge Liang estimated that the time was almost up, so he led the generals to leave Xiakou and go to Anlu County. As for Ma Yan, he is still responsible for guarding Xiakou and guarding Jiangdong.

Zhuge Liang did not bring troops to come, but only advanced lightly with the generals, but arrived in Anlu County in half a day. When they arrived in Anlu County, Huo Jun and Zhang Ren had not yet arrived.

However, in the afternoon, Huo Jun arrived at Anlu one step ahead of Zhang.

Although Zhang Ren was on the border of Jiangxia, after all, he had to wait for the cavalry sent by Deng Ai to arrive before he could set off, and Huo Jun set off immediately after arriving in Xiangyang, and he didn't need to rest by water, so he came early.

After waiting for another day, Zhang Ren arrived at Anlu with 25,000 soldiers and horses.

Anlu County originally had 10,000 soldiers and horses, plus Zhang Ren's 25,000 soldiers and horses, and Huo Jun's 15,000 soldiers and horses, with a total strength of 50,000 people, attacking Jiangxia, and even going north to Yuzhou to launch a large-scale war, 50,000 people was more than enough.

Anlu County Government.

Zhuge Liang summoned the generals to discuss the next march of the army.

Zhang Ren arched his hand and said: "Da Sima, Anlu County is originally a large county of Jiangxia, and there are 10,000 soldiers and horses in the city, which are set up to guard against the Wei army.

Although the soldiers and horses under my command rushed over, they never felt tired, and they were inevitably noticed by the Wei scouts all the way. The last general thought that he could move north tomorrow and seize Jiangxia as soon as possible, so as not to make preparations for Wei, strengthen the city defenses, or send reinforcements. ”

Zhuge Liang waved his hand when he heard this: "Don't worry, General Huo Jun led his troops to come by boat, and General Zhang Ren led his troops to come on foot.

I watched the sky at night and found that the temperature would drop in a few days, and the weather would gradually get cooler, so that the soldiers could rest for a few days, and when the weather turned cooler, it would not be too late to go north. ”

Zhang Yiyi was stunned when he heard this, and immediately said: "Da Sima, how can we who are in the army care about the cold and heat?" Now when you march into Jiangxia quickly, you can't delay too much time, otherwise there will be reinforcements from Wei to help. ”

Zhuge Liang waved his hand and said with a smile: "General Zhang Ren doesn't have to be anxious, I have my own plans, let the soldiers rest well and recuperate first." By the way, I am asking people to erect the military flags of me and the generals at the head of the city. ”

Liu Yin was puzzled when he heard this: "Da Sima, Your Majesty left you in Jingzhou, not many people know about it, and when you come to Jiangxia, you are also a secret march, and now you show the military flag, isn't it for the Wei army to know, and you can't make a surprise?" ”

Hearing this, Zhang Ren sobered up a lot: "Da Sima deliberately delayed the day and showed the military flag to let the Wei army know, did he have other plans?" ”

Zhuge Liang walked to the map when he heard this, pointed to Jiang Xia on the map and said: "Jiangxia is just a small land, although there are many soldiers and horses in the city, but the guards are unknowns, I am bound to win, there is no need to worry about it at all."

Attack Jiangxia by surprise. Although there is no suspense in hand, it is not interesting, if the reinforcements of Yangzhou can be swallowed together, then our army will march next to Xu, Yan, Xu, and Yang without any resistance. ”

"Da Sima, you ......" Zhang Ren couldn't help but grow his mouth when he heard Zhuge Liang's words, and he was so surprised that he didn't know what to say.

It turned out that Zhuge Liang deliberately delayed the time of the march and showed the military flag, deliberately asking Yangzhou to send reinforcements over, wanting to swallow up the reinforcements of the reinforcements. I thought that Zhuge Liang was steady in using soldiers and taking every step of the way, but I don't know why he has such courage now, and he actually took the risk of using soldiers.

"Since Da Sima has other plans, then the last general won't say anything, and the last general will prepare." Although Zhang Ren was surprised, he didn't say much, he had 5,000 cavalry under his command, even if Yangzhou reinforcements arrived, he was sure to defeat them. What's more, looking at Zhuge Liang like this, there is also a plan to use.

Subsequently, the city head of Anlu County raised the military flags of Zhuge , Zhao, Chen and so on, these three big flags were in the center, and the military flags of Huo Jun and Zhang Ren were still on the side.

Zhang Ren and Huo Jun marched into Anlu, which had already aroused the idea of coming to the Wei army to make a careful work, and now these military flags suddenly appeared at the head of Anlu County, which made Wei Guo look sideways.

On the Zhuan Shui River in the north of Anlu County, there is a small boat with three people dressed as fishermen on board.

"Zhang Ren and Huo Jun are the senior generals of Shu, and now the military flags of Zhuge and Zhao and Chen are planted at the head of Anlu City, and the military flags of Zhang and Huo have to be put aside, can it be said that ......?"

"The high-ranking generals in Shu are above Huo Jun and Zhang Ren, and the only ones who are in line with Zhuge Liang, Zhao and Chen Junqi are Zhuge Liang, Zhao Yun, and Chen Zhi."

"Zhuge Liang, why did they come to Jiangxia? Aren't they in Chang'an? ”

"I know, Guan Yu died of illness, Liu Chan summoned Chang'an Wenwu to come to Jingzhou to worship, and these three people were also among them, didn't they go back, but came to Jiangxia?"

"If that's the case, their target must be our Jiangxia, without further ado, I'm here to keep an eye on, and the two of you will immediately go north to report to the general, so that they can prepare early."

He went all the way north and reported to the north.

Xiyang is the seat of Weijiang Xia County.

Jiangxia County was originally in charge of Wenpin, but Wenpin is dead, and the general left behind in the city is just an unknown person, and now the one in charge of Jiangxia's military affairs is Wang Ling, who led 20,000 soldiers and horses from Yangzhou.

This Wang Ling is the nephew of Wang Yun Wang Situ at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, who was a general under Cao Xiu in his early years, and later Cao Xiu was defeated and dismissed by Cao Rui, and Zhao Yan replaced Cao Xiu to guard Yangzhou. And Wang Ling won Zhao Yan's trust and became the number two person in the Yangzhou army.

Some time ago, Cao Rui united Jiangdong to attack Jingzhou, and because Jiangxia's troops were too few and insufficient, Wang Ling from Yangzhou was sent to Jiangxia to listen to it.

After Wang Ling arrived in Jiangxia, Wenpin's invasion of Jingzhou had failed, because Jiangxia's forces were weakened again, so Wang Ling did not go back to Yangzhou, but stayed in Jiangxia and was responsible for Jiangxia's military affairs.

Xiyang County.

In the palace hall.

Wang Ling looked at the details of the news from His Royal Highness, and his face was full of solemnity: "Are you saying that Huo Jun and Zhang Ren have now led their troops to arrive in Anlu County, Jiangxia, and there are also military flags such as Zhuge , Zhao, and Chen hanging above the county seat?" Located above Huo Jun and Zhang Renjun's banner? ”

Xi Zuo nodded and said: "Yes, General, Zhuge Liang's military flag is in the center, hanging in front of the main gate building, and on the left and right are Chen, Zhao Junqi, Huo Jun, and Zhang Ren's military flags are still on the side." ”

Wang Ling said with a solemn face: "Zhang Ren is the former general of Shu State, Huo Jun is a general of the Zheng Dynasty, and these two people are already senior generals of Shu State. Among the generals of Shu State, the status is above these two people, and the surnames are Zhuge Liang, Zhao, and Chen, that is, those three.

I thought that Guan Yu was dead, and my Wei country would be peaceful for a while, and I didn't want Liu Chan to die and my Great Wei heart would not die, so I left Zhuge Liang, Zhao Yun, Chen Zhi and others, and came to attack me Jiangxia......"

Maybe in the past, the deterrent power of Guan and Zhang was greater than that of Zhao Yunchen and the two, but now it is not good, not to mention that Guan Yu is already ancient, even if he is not dead, the deterrent power is not as good as Zhao Yunchen, because Guan and Zhang are already old. And Zhao Yun and Chen Zhi are only in their fifties, and when the four of them are put together, the enemy is even more afraid of Zhao Yun and Chen Dao.

Now Zhuge Liang, Zhao Yun, Chen to Qi Zhi, Wang Ling said that it is impossible not to be afraid. Fight, what will he use to beat Zhao Yun, Chen Dao? Guard, Xiyang Town can't stop the return cannon of the Han Dynasty.

Wang Ling thought about it and immediately said: "Although I haven't seen Zhuge Liang's true face, most of them will not be fake, this matter is not trivial, if Zhuge Liang really kills him, how can Xiyang Xiaocheng defend it?" Quickly sent someone to inform Yangzhou Zhao Tingshi and asked him to send troops to help. ”

A general worried: "My Xiyang County is small, and I haven't had time to use concrete to rebuild the city. Although the method of accumulating soil into a mountain can block the return of the cannon, it is too troublesome, and I am afraid that it will be too late. ”

Wang Ling muttered when he heard this: "Over the years, Shu has used the Huihui Cannon to deal with my Great Wei, which can be said to have taken full advantage, I have discussed with Zhao Tingshi the method of defending against the Huihui Cannon, in addition to accumulating soil into a mountain, another strategy has been come up with, although the effect is not as good as the method of accumulating soil into a mountain, but it can delay time."

You can send soldiers and horses to collect boulders, prepare sandbags to fill the soil, and build them against the city wall, the thicker the better, and the higher the better. At that time, the Shu army will attack, even if it builds a return artillery to attack the city, there are huge stone sandbags as the city wall barrier, and our army can also hold on for a period of time. ”

The sandbags are soft and will break if they are hit by a rolling stone, but as long as they are thick enough and piled up into a mountain, it will be difficult to cause damage to the return cannons, and they can be piled up outside the city to protect the walls from damage.