Tang Ai said with a smile: "Ming Gong really can't forget Shuo Fang. ”

Xin Er said meaningfully: "I can't forget it, but I don't know if there will be an echo." ”

"......, Ming Gong, what does it have to do with the reverberation?"

"Is it okay?"

"Those who never forget, the thoughts are also; Echoing, echoing yes too. Thoughts don't make a sound, where does the resonance come from? ”

Xin Er had nothing to say, and thought in his heart: "In the words of my previous life, this Tang Qianli is indeed a straight man of steel. I had to laugh and say, "What Qing said is reasonable, but I am not the right analogy, and what I said is bad." "Put the information on the battle of Luoyang that Zuo has seen on the case, fold it and put it back in the secret box, I don't know if it's an illusion, or it's true, I touched a little slippery from that information, or the sweat stains left by Zuo, and smelled a trace of fragrance, maybe it is the legacy of Zuo's body fragrance, thinking back to Zuo's warm eyes, his heart couldn't help but swing again, he hurriedly suppressed this feeling, turned back to the conversation, followed his own words, and said, "Qianli, what do you think?" ”

"Ming Gong is asking me, can Shuo Fang take the opportunity to take it?"

"Exactly."

Tang Ai shook the feather fan and said with a smile: "If Ming Gong doesn't think Ai is inadequate, there is a comparison, and the hero sees the same." ”

"Oh? If it's the same? ”

"This is what I mean!"

Xin Er was overjoyed and said, "Qianli, you also think Shuo Fang, can I take the opportunity to take it?" ”

Tang Ai said: "Yes! Ming Gong, that Luoyang, if Pu Mao can't conquer it for a long time, then Shuo Fang, it's really hard for us to fight; But now Luoyang has been obtained by Pu Mao, Ye County is only a stone's throw away from him, in the face of such a big temptation, Ai expects that in the short term, at least before separating the victory or defeat with He Hunxie, he will definitely not be willing to return to Guanzhong, so it just gives us a good opportunity to seize Shuo Fang by taking advantage of the gap! ”

Seon lost his horse, but he didn't know if it was a blessing.

If Pu Mao failed to defeat Luoyang, then although he did not succeed in Weidi, he would inevitably return to Xianyang, so that Dingxi would have no chance to seize Shuofang; But now Pu Mao has beaten Luoyang, it seems that he is expanding his territory and is majestic, but as Tang Ai said, he will definitely covet Ye County next, so that he will not be able to lead his troops back to Xianyang soon, so that Dingxi will be given the opportunity to capture Shuofang.

Is this Pu Qin's expansion of territory, or did Pu Qin give Dingxi a good opportunity to further improve the strategic environment in which the country is located?

It's hard to say.

Xin Er sighed: "Qianli, it's not that I can't forget Shuofang, it's really that this place is too important to me in Dingxi!" We set the west of the lonely hanging river west, the north is soft, the south is barren land, and I set the east boundary of the west, from south to north and Puqin border, we Dingxi is three bread in the middle! Whether you want to restore the Central Plains or keep me stable, you have to control Shuo Fang! ”

In his previous life, Xin Er had heard about some landlocked countries that had gone through generations of foreign wars in order to get an outlet to the sea, and now he was especially able to understand these countries.

Every time I look at the overall map of Dingxi and the surrounding countries, and see Dingxi in the middle, which is wrapped in the middle by Rouran, the mountains in the south, and Puqin in the east, Xin Er will always feel as if a person is wrapped in a bag, unable to show his head to breathe, and unable to breathe.

After several times in Qinzhou and Shu in recent years, the strategic environment of Dingxi has been greatly improved, and the road with Jiangzuo has been opened, which can be regarded as a "sea outlet" in the south for Dingxi, but it is not safe to walk on one leg, no matter how you look at it, for example, Meng Lang's last large-scale counteroffensive against Qinzhou, a battle, a defeat, almost beat Dingxi back to its original shape, yes, Xin Er believes that it is necessary to open up an "outlet to the sea" in Dingxi, and walk on two legs. It will not be able to completely reverse the serious problem of Dingxi's innate geographical insufficiency.

Then this second "outlet to the sea" is, of course, Shuofang County, which borders Puqin in the northwest of Dingding.

If Shuofang County can be brought under control, Shuofang County is in the north, Qinzhou is in the south, and the two places, one north and one south, echo each other from afar, not only can the strategic environment of Dingxi be fundamentally improved, but also can pose a threat to Puqin's Xianyang with the momentum of a north-south attack.

That is to say, after taking Shuofang, it is not only conducive to Dingxi's external expansion, but also from the strategic situation, Dingxi can also change from "mainly defending Puqin" to "attacking and defending Puqin".

In addition to this, there are three benefits.

Shuofang is adjacent to Rouran in the north, and after occupying this place, if Rouran enters through Xihai County to plunder Dingxi, then Dingxi can send troops from Shuofang, or snatch back the losses of Xihai and other counties from other tribes of Rouran, or simply cooperate with Xihai County to attack the flank and rear of Rouran's invading army. This is a benefit that can at the same time greatly improve the environment in the north-western part of Ding.

The southeast of Shuofang is Yanmen, Taiyuan and other counties, after Yanmen, Taiyuan, is the counties of Jizhou, with Shuofang in hand, when Hebei, the Central Plains rise again like the current Qin, Wei, He Hun evil such a melee, Dingxi can also take the opportunity to get some benefits, not like now, can only sit and watch, there is no way to intervene. This is another advantage, which is conducive to Dingxi seizing all opportunities that will help it develop its power.

Shuofang is adjacent to the Xianbei Tuoba Department in the east, and from Tuoba Beijin's active control of the land of Daibei, erecting prestige, and ignoring the recruitment of the Murong clan as follows, it can be seen that he is quite ambitious, if Shuofang is taken, Dingxi will be able to border Tuoba Beijin's territory, is it possible to form a formal alliance with Tuoba Beijin? Just as the Tang Dynasty assassins in the previous states used Duan's Xianbei to balance the Xiongnu and other Hu, they also used Tuoba to double their jin to enhance the strength of Dingxi? Naturally, if this covenant is formed, there will inevitably be a relationship between Dingxi and Tuoba to use each other, Dingxi can use Tuoba, and Tuoba will also use Dingxi. On this point, Xin Er is still very clear. But as long as it is beneficial for both parties, it is okay to use each other when they need each other. This is the third benefit, which has the potential to give Dingxi a relatively strong ally.

Judging from the three benefits in the back, the significance of laying down Shuofang is more significant than the significance of laying down the three counties of Qinzhou.

This is why Xin Er has always valued Shuo Fang and plotted here several times.

Tang Ai understood the value of Shuo Fang very well, and deeply agreed with Xin Er's words, and said: "Ming Gong, in order to attract the troops of the capture of Wei and reduce the pressure of attacking Luoyang, Pu Mao transferred Gou Xiong, who was originally stationed in Shuofang, and his subordinates to the annexation of Wei, and Gou Xiong and Yang Man, the Taishou of the upper county of the puppet Qin, are now besieging Yanmen and Taiyuan. Shuofang's garrison is now at an empty juncture! Not only does it not have many soldiers and horses in the county, but the nearest neighboring county, Shangjun, has no troops to help it now. If Ming Gong intends to seize Shuofang, this is the opportunity to use troops! ”

After a pause, Tang Aifu smiled and said, "In the early summer of this year, the climate in the north of Shuofang is cool, and it is also suitable for the time of conquest!" ”

"Qianli, if you use soldiers, who do you think will be the best?"

Tang Ai stood up, holding a feather fan, like a sharp sword, and said proudly, "Ai Bucai, dare to ask for Ming Gong to occupy this county!" ”

"Qing?"

"Does Ming Gong think Ai Cai is not worthy of this position?"

"With the ability of Qing, it is easy to capture Shuo Fang. I don't believe in Qing's talent, it's just a thousand miles, one, you attacked Shu from me, and then recovered Qinzhou, from last year to now, Rong has been tired, you have really worked hard; Second, and the six departments of the lower three provinces have just been implemented, and the affairs of the Ministry of War are also the time when they need to rely on the power of the Qing, and they can't do without you. ”

"If the Ming Duke is reluctant to let me go, now in the capital, the only ones who can lead an army and crusade against the enemy country are Li Shuang and Cao Fei in terms of qualifications. However, neither of them is available. ”

Koji Shuang is a Shangshu order, and using it to attack Shuofang is inevitably "overkill".

Cao Fei's military ability, Xin Er and Tang Ai are very clear, and it is difficult to rest assured that they sent him.

Xin Er was embarrassed, and it was precisely because of this difficulty that he asked Tang Ai again, and said, "In addition to Koji and Cao, who else is available?" ”

Tang Ai thought for a while, and said the names of several people who were most impressed by him in the two battles of the Battle of Shu and the Battle of Qinzhou, and now they are all in the Guyin Army, and said: "In the two battles of attacking Shu and recovering Qinzhou, Zhang Shao, Gao Yancao, Bald Boye, and Li Liang all made meritorious contributions. Ai Guan Zhang Shao engaged, wide and able to get the death force of the soldiers, Gao Yan Cao Yongguan three armies, clever to win praise, but also strategic, Bo Ye is close to the enemy, quite a change, Li Liang four captivity camp, finally won its success, its long in defeat but not discouraged, these three people, all seem to be available. ”

Xin Er pondered for a long time and said: "Li Liang is humble, he has not experienced many battles, and his merits are insufficient, so he can't take on this heavy responsibility; Yan Cao and Bo Ye's subordinates were all cavalry, and they had no experience in commanding infantry, and they could not do anything; Although Zhang Shao is brave and lacking, he has a good way to govern the army. At the mention of Zhang Shao, Xin Er remembered something, asked Tang Ai with a smile, and said, "Qianli, have you ever received Zhang Shao's 'little meaning'?" ”

When Zhang Shao came to Guyin from the Western Regions, he brought more than 100 beauties from the Western Regions, and soon after he arrived in Guyin, he led his troops into the battle to recover Qinzhou, and that's it, but after he came back with Xin Er's teacher, it was just like the old thing he had entertained Xin Er and others in the Western Regions earlier, and gave those beauties from the Western Regions to Guyin for several days in a row, respectively, to a powerful minister in the court, and each time he gave it, it was accompanied by his mantra "Little Meaning".

Tang Ai smiled and said: "I received it, but I couldn't understand the words, and Ai couldn't understand the songs they sang, but the dance was beautiful." Put away his smile and said seriously, "Ming Gong, Ai recommended Zhang Shao, not because of his pettyness!" ”

Xin Er smiled: "If you don't say it, I know it." ”

The main general has been decided, and the other generals who are from the expedition have already been selected.

Zhao Rangan and Zhao Xing brothers are two; Although Gao Yancao can't be on his own, his cavalry is fierce, and Shuofang is here, suitable for cavalry combat, he is one; Li Liangzheng has participated in a small number of battles and lacks military merits, so he needs to be given the opportunity to exercise and make meritorious contributions, which can be regarded as one; An Chong was bent on obtaining military merits in order to become rich, and it was also to reward him for his merits during the war in Qinzhou, count him as one; After the death of Kojiqiu, his old department returned to Xiner, and the main generals of Kojiqiu's credit before his death were Qu Nanhu, Qu Nanjianri, and Bing Bo, all of whom were brave generals, whether it was to commemorate Koji Qiu, or to win the hearts of these brave generals, they also had to give them the opportunity to participate in the war and make meritorious contributions.

The main general Zhang Shao, the head snake Zhao Rangan and Zhao Xing brothers, the riding general Gao Yancao, and the foot generals Li Liang and Bing Bo can be called a gathering of fierce generals.

Coupled with Zhang Gui, who has made progress in the army, and Yang Hezhi, who has just begun to show his resourcefulness, are staff officers.

Relying on them to lay down the Shuo Fang, I dare not say that there is a 10% certainty, but there is still a 60% certainty.

Xin Er said: "Qianli, I have been thinking about this matter for a few days, and now that you and I have the same opinion, we can put this matter on the agenda." You will discuss with Zhang Shangshu tomorrow, and agree on the strategy of sending troops, the deployment of troops, the ration of baggage, the number of servants required, etc., and submit them to Lu Shuang, and then we will write to the court and prepare to attack Shuofang! ”

Lu Shuang is Shang Shuling, the nominal chief officer of Shang Shutai, so it is such a major matter as the use of soldiers, so he needs to be informed.

Don Ai promised.

After all, it was Zuo's who went to his home, and I didn't know what she was looking for Linghuyan, nor did she know if Linghuyan went back, and unconsciously, Xiner couldn't sit still.

However, Tang Ai, who has no eyes, can't see the strange appearance of Xin Er, and he can't stop talking.

Xin Er couldn't bear it, so he wanted to call the officials outside the hall to serve tea, but he remembered that there was no such thing as serving tea to the guests, so he couldn't help but support his forehead and said in his heart: "Ah Gua, Ah Gua, you have always boasted that you can calm down, but what is going on today?" Such a mind is uncertain. ”

Tang Ai realized it later, found Xin Er's abnormal state, and asked, "Ming Gong, what are you doing touching your head?" Uncomfortable? ”

Xin Er pushed the boat down the river and said, "Yes, it's a little hot these days, and I don't know if it's heatstroke?" ”

Tang Ai smiled: "Ming Gong, how many months is it now?" Where did the heat come from? ”

"......, Qianli, I have to go home to rest, it's not early, you don't have to go to Shangshutai again, go home!"

Tang Ai did not doubt it, and responded: "Okay." Then, he said with concern, "If Ming Gong is uncomfortable, after going back, he will rest more." Ai went to the Ming Gong's mansion later and greeted the Ming Gong. ”

"No, you don't have to say hello. I'll just get some sleep. ”

"Really?"

Xin Er said sincerely: "Yes." ”

"Okay then."

The two went out of the hall before and after, each boarded his own car, went out of the general's mansion, and returned home separately.