"General Tai Shici, the third column, how many specific casualties are there?" Jia Xu asked.

"Probably... Half of the brigade was killed or wounded, all of which were blown up by enemy artillery fire while defending Xiaogu Mountain. Tai Shi Ci arched his hand and said: "But please rest assured, sir, the last general is already familiar with their methods of fighting, and if I fight again, I will be sure of victory." ”

"Really?"

"Hmm."

Tai Shi Ci nodded solemnly.

Jia Xu smiled softly.

Even he wasn't sure, how could Tai Shici be sure.

But faith is good.

Jia Xu didn't hit him.

smiled and said, "General Tai Shici, go and prepare for the next big battle." ”

"Yes."

Tai Shi Ci left.

......

The next few days.

The enemy forces did not make any moves.

Perhaps he was afraid of the cavalry of the Second Army and did not dare to set up a formation outside Pengcheng.

Jia Xu arranged everything.

Preparations for a counteroffensive began.

But he was also worried that the newly formed army would be difficult to match the elite of the Western Shang Empire, so he was a little hesitant.

"The enemy is divided into two lines. The road in front of us is their main force. The way to attack Huaiyin was less than seven thousand. If they can destroy their main force, the enemy army will disperse. ”

Xu Huang said.

"Gongming's words are deeply worthy of me. It's just that this battle is very important for our group army and the defense of Xuzhou. If we are defeated, the Central Plains will be difficult to defend. ”

"Therefore, if you are not absolutely sure, do not attack lightly."

Jia Xu asked people to make a sand table of Xu and Yang and put it in the middle of the lobby.

The crowd gathered around.

"Let's talk about it, how to fight this battle?" Jia Xu has already come up with some solutions. It's just that the certainty of winning is not big, and I want to improve it more, so I brainstorm.

Zhang Liao came out and said: "Actually, there is nothing to say about this battle. Our cavalry is stronger than the enemy's, and we should be dominated by cavalry, surround and annihilate the enemy in the field. ”

"You're talking too broadly, can you elaborate on that?" Jia Xu asked.

"Yes."

Zhang Liao said: "The enemy is coming from afar, and there is definitely not much food. We concentrated our cavalry and cordoned off the place where they were encamped. After a long time, they will definitely fight us. At that time, the cavalry will be the mainstay, supplemented by the infantry of the three columns, and a battle of encirclement and annihilation will be fought. ”

Hey?

Jia Xu's eyes brightened.

That's how he planned it.

is similar to what Zhang Liao came from.

This is also the safest way to play.

The Admiral agreed. Xu Huang said.

"Pengcheng is not conducive to the defense, if we can strike first and control the enemy, the situation will be in our favor." Tai Shi Ci said.

"There is another way to mobilize the enemy." Xu Huang said: "The enemy army that went to attack Huaiyin tried to surround Pi and even attack Tan County. Now they have just entered Xuzhou, and they have not yet succeeded. When Xiapi is lost, we are surrounded by heavy troops, and we can't attack it, so we can mobilize Pengcheng's army and go to the rescue... We ambushed halfway and annihilated its main force. ”

"Gongming, your method... Somewhat adventurous. Not only will Xiapi be lost, but even Pengcheng will not be able to keep it. In the unlikely event that we don't win all of our supports, we will lose more than we gain. ”

Perhaps because of preconceived reasons, Jia Xu was not very optimistic about Xu Huang's suggestion.

But in order to save Picheng, Jia Xu said: "Gongming can lead a division of troops to defend Xiapi and Huaiyin, and find an opportunity to annihilate the invading enemy army." ”

"Yes."

Xu Huang arched his hand and said, "The last general is willing to go." It's just that as soon as the last general leaves, what will happen to the other troops of the second column? ”

"I'll command you for the time being, you just have to go." Jia Xu pointed to the map behind him: "Huaiyin and Xiapi are rare fortified cities in Xuzhou. Huaiyin can be lost, but Xiapi must not be lost. You can't make any mistakes here. ”

"The last will obey."

Xu Huang replied.

.........

Discuss coming, discussing going, and there are only a few ways to break the enemy.

Either lure the enemy deep and encircle and suppress it with heavy troops.

Either blockade and surround and cut off its grain routes.

It is also recommended to choose a dangerous place as the main battlefield to fight a protracted battle with the enemy.

All stratagems.

Gather here in Jia Xu.

A deep analysis was made.

In the end, I still felt that it was more reliable to blockade and encircle and cut off the enemy's grain route.

This is also what he has been advocating before.

"General Zhang Liao and General Tai Shici, I will hand over all the cavalry in the army to you. After the dawn of tomorrow, go to the blockade of the enemy's camp. When the time comes, I will send the main force to support you. Strive to form an absolute encirclement of the enemy in the shortest possible time. Jia Xu said.

"No..."

The two should go down.

End of meeting.

The Second Army, stationed in Pengcheng, began a round of all-out offensive.

Except for the troops led by Jia Xu with two regiments, he commanded in Pengcheng. The rest of the troops went to the front.

Da Da...

The cavalry approached the enemy's camp.

From outside the camp, gallop past.

The number of cavalry was very large, which attracted the attention of the enemy troops in the wall.

All run out to check.

After that, report to the top.

"Commander Ju'an, the enemy has sent cavalry over and is moving on both flanks of our army. Judging by their movements, they are going to block our camp. "A general in a blue military uniform walked into a tent.

A middle-aged man sat on it.

He held a glass of wine in his hand, took a sip slowly, and said, "Master Yuan, don't be in a hurry. Our reinforcements are coming, let the brigades hold their positions and engage the enemy in trench warfare to attract more of their forces. When our reinforcements arrive, we will annihilate them. ”

"Reinforcements?"

Yuan Sheng didn't understand: "How can we have reinforcements?" ”

"Of course you don't know. That's what I just heard. Ju An handed Yuan Sheng a document: "Take a look." This is from our old chief, who has prepared the main army of 300,000, including 100,000 mechanized troops, 50,000 cavalry, and a large number of elite infantry troops. Will walk through the wormhole in the near future and arrive here. ”

"At that time, we still have to worry that we won't be able to capture this little Xuzhou?"

Yuan Sheng was very excited after reading the document.

"It's finally time to send troops..." He laughed, "That's good news." ”

"Hmm."

Ju An said: "So I'm not worried about the newly formed army of the Huaxia Empire at all now, just let them make noise outside, and we will defend the camp." In less than a month, the situation will be reversed. ”

"Good!"

Yuansheng has nothing to say.

With 300,000 elites arriving in Jiangdong, it was difficult for the Western Shang Empire to win.

"You go and set up. Remember, only defend and not attack, stalling for time. "Ju'an Road.

"Yes."

Yuansheng left. new world

In the battle of Xuzhou, on the surface, Jia Xu had a great advantage.

Tens of thousands of enemy troops are trapped in a certain area.

Immobile.

According to the information obtained by Jia Xu, the enemy's grain and grass were only enough to last for a month.

That is, he surrounded the enemy camp for a month.

The enemy has no choice but to come out for a decisive battle.

Otherwise, you will starve to death.

From this point of view, the Second Army's combat strategy is still very correct.

Jia Xu didn't need to realize that the enemy had nothing to fear.

I didn't realize that there were hundreds of thousands of troops who were about to arrive in Jiangdong.

...........

Xuzhou, Qiaojun and Xiangyang are all continuing to fight.

Yizhou is also not peaceful.

Cao Cao and Sima Yi led 30,000 elites to capture the Sword Pavilion Pass.

After that, he went all the way south and entered Zitong.

Zitong is the first county in the west of Yizhou.

Although it is not a large county, it occupies a very dangerous terrain.

Cao Cao captured here, he could first stand his ground, and then Xu Tu made progress.

Inside the account.

Cao Cao's face finally returned to his old smile: "These days, we are constantly fighting with the Yizhou army. Although there were also defeats, they were able to conquer Zitong in the end and occupy a place. I believe that in the future, our war will be smoother. In less than half a year, Liu Zhang will definitely be eliminated. ”

In addition to Cao Cao, there were also generals such as Sima Yi, Cao Ren, Xiahoudun, Xiahouyuan, Li Dian, and Le Jin.

Cao Ren said: "Zitong County is too small, and it is very difficult to raise food. We have to confront Liu Zhang, and we have to capture a county and connect with Zitong County. ”

"General Cao Ren said it very well." Sima Yi also said: "Yizhou has a deep ditch and a high base, which is easy to defend and difficult to attack. We can't fight quickly, we can only fight steadily and steadily, step by step. ”

"Stand here first, replenish food, grass, and equipment. After that, it gradually expanded. ”

"Zhongda, do you know what I'm thinking right now?" Cao Cao held a bottle of wine in his hand and smiled.

"The lord is thinking, when will he get Yizhou?" Sima Yi guessed.

"Nope."

Cao Cao shook his head: "Yizhou Liu Zhang, weak and incompetent. The generals under him, except for Zhang Ren and Yan Yan, have almost no generals to fight. Sooner or later, we will gain Yizhou. I'm never worried about that. ”

"The lord is now..."

"I'm thinking now, is this sudden appearance of the Western Shang Empire really that strong? In order to deal with them, Xu Ding didn't even dare to take Xiliang. In fact, as long as he sent 10,000 cavalry, he could take Xiliang. We're not going to defend it. ”

These days, Cao Cao thought about it for a long time, but he didn't figure it out.

Xu Ding looked at him like this, indifferent.

He asked himself.

If he and Xu Dingguo were in the opposite position, he would definitely not let the princes rise in the rear.

Even if you are desperate, you have to send a force to stabilize the rear.

But he couldn't figure it out, but Xu Ding didn't need to do it.

Is it really contempt for him?

Don't take him in your eyes?

Or are you really too busy?

Sima Yi said: "Why should the lord worry? Xu Ding is now inseparable from the Western Shang Empire, and he can't take care of us for the time being. The lord can take this opportunity to seize Yizhou and increase his strength. After that, I will think about the Central Plains. ”

"Having said that, if I don't figure this out, I won't be able to sleep well."

Cao Cao said: "I have sent people to the Central Plains to learn more about the strength of the Western Shang Empire. and the current situation. Of course, during this period, we still have to attack Yizhou as the first priority. ”

"Cao Ren."

"Yes."

Cao Cao put down the wine bottle and said, "I guess Liu Zhang is urgently mobilizing troops now, trying to drive us out of Yizhou. It will take time, though. We must take advantage of his lack of troops and take the Jiameng Pass with full strength. Jiameng Pass is the barrier of Chengdu, and if you capture it, Liu Zhang will go. ”

Cao Ren arched his hand and said: "The last general has prepared 20,000 elites, and he can set off at any time." ”

"But..."

"The last general suggested, wait a little longer. When Zitong County is completely controlled, it will not be too late to expand. The soldiers fought for days and were very tired. ”

Cao Cao said: "Are you tired? The enemy is more tired than you. At this time, it depends on who can hold on to the end. If the war drags on, when Liu Zhang gathers more soldiers and horses, the war will be unfavorable to me. ”

"Don't forget, Liu Zhang owns more than a dozen counties in Yizhou, and the people under his rule are not only millions. In addition, he has abundant food and grass, so why worry about not being able to find soldiers and horses? ”

"Anyway... I have decided to march to Jiameng Pass! ”

"Yes."

Cao Ren responded: "The last general will go and prepare." ”

...........

A few days later, Cao Cao left Lejin to defend Zitong, and the whole army marched to the next county. Moreover, Cao Cao said to the officers and men in the army that within a month and a half, Jiameng Pass must be captured!

The morale of the soldiers was high because of this.

Under the leadership of Cao Cao, the road was like a bamboo, and the Yizhou army was defeated in a row.

Time flies.

It's late winter.

The temperature drops dramatically.

In the Central Plains, it has snowed.

Jia Xu led the army to besiege the troops of the Western Shang Empire, and he was already victorious. But at the most critical time, he suddenly received news that a large number of enemy troops were coming from Yangzhou.

According to the report of the scout, the number of enemies that appeared this time was very large.

The weapons are also very advanced.

And most importantly, the speed of the march.

They were all mechanized soldiers, and they could travel more than 200 miles a day.

In just two days, they arrived at Jia Xu's rear.

"What is the origin of this force? Isn't there already many enemies in Koto? How can tens of thousands of troops be sent? After Jia Xu received the news, he was both puzzled and worried.

Xu Huang, Zhang Liao, and Tai Shici all stood in front of him.

Xu Huang said: "According to the news sent by Tanma, the number of this enemy army is more than 50,000.... ”

"Fifty thousand, that is, the strength of five integrated divisions." Jia Xu asked: "How far is the enemy army from us?" ”

"There's still a hundred miles or so to go."

Tai Shi Ci said: "Sir, this enemy army is stronger than our counterpart. The speed at which they traveled was even more incredible. Even cavalry can hardly have such speed. ”

"It can be seen that they are a force that is known for their speed."

"The last general suggested that he evacuate immediately. to the Pengcheng area, build a defensive line. Prepare for positional battles with the enemy. ”

"Hmm."

Jia Xu knows it very well. The 100,000 people in his hands are half of the elite of the Chinese Empire. You can't afford to lose. The damage should not be too severe. Otherwise, the Central Plains will fall into the hands of the Western Shang Empire.

To be on the safe side, he had to give up destroying the enemy army first.

Retreat to a favorable place and find a way to fight the enemy.

Then.

Zhang Liao said: "The last general thinks... We should hold out a little longer. The enemy has been besieged by us for more than a month, and they are short of food and grass, and there are complaints in the army. If we mobilize two divisions of troops to stop the enemy forces coming to Xu, on the one hand, we will step up the destruction of Ju'an's troops. Maybe... We're going to win. ”

"Your idea is too dangerous." Jia Xu waved his hand: "In case we can't stop the enemy army." In the unlikely event that Juan's troops are not outcome, our army will be under siege. ”

"Don't forget, Juan never took the initiative. He has more than 40,000 main forces in his hands, and his combat effectiveness is very strong. ”

"Rather than wait for the enemy to arrive and we are surrounded, or withdraw sooner. According to what Gongming said, go to Pengcheng to set up a formation and fight a positional battle with the enemy. Conservative. ”