Xu Huang and Zhang Liao knew the power of Zhuge Liang's formation, and when they saw the long snake formation, where did they dare to go out of the city?

They watched as Han Xian's subordinates were all wiped out.

"Ugh...."

Xu Huang observed the enemy soldiers outside the city, all of them were dusty and tired, obviously just returning from the expedition, so he said: "Our previous guess is correct, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Chen Zhi and other generals have all left the camp, and they may go to attack other cities in Jingzhou." We were defeated by Zhuge Liang, the old and weak, and the remnants of the army were delayed for several days, what a missed opportunity. ”

"Ugh...." Zhang Liao also sighed: "It's really heaven's will!" ”

If it had been a few hours later, perhaps Zhang Fei would have been killed.

But Zhao Yun returned to help at this time, and also set up a formation outside the city, so that they did not dare to act rashly.

............

Following Zhao Yun's return, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Chen Dao, etc., also rushed back one after another, joined forces with Zhao Yun and Zhuge Liang, rebuilt the camp, and formed a confrontation with Xiangyang City.

At night.

Liu Beijun's big tent.

Zhuge Liang pleaded with Liu Bei: "Minister Zhuge Liang, please punish the lord." ”

"What is the crime of the military division guarding the camp for seven days with hundreds of troops? Hurry up... If I want to say that I am guilty, it should be me, and I said that I would return in five days, but when I attacked Lucheng, I encountered stubborn resistance, and it took two days of delay to put the camp in danger. Liu Bei hurriedly helped Zhuge Liang up.

"Thank you, Lord."

Zhuge Liang got up and sat back in his place.

Guan Yu whisked his beard and said: "Our army captured most of the cities in Jingzhou within seven days, and even the important town of Fancheng has been taken by our army. ”

"General Guan, don't worry, I received news a few days ago that Cao Ren has led his army to Wuguan to prepare to rescue his son Cao Tai..." Zhuge Liang said slowly.

"So... Nanyang County is empty? Guan Yu said excitedly: "The last general is willing to lead a team of soldiers and horses to capture Nanyang County, which is a big county and the gateway to Jingzhou, if it is occupied by us, it is better than taking Xiangyang." ”

"It's a pity..." Zhuge Liang chuckled and said, "The reason why Cao Ren transferred the garrison of Wancheng is because Cao Cao's main force is about to arrive in Nanyang. He had already calculated the distance, even if General Guan rode lightly, it would be impossible to capture Nanyang County before Cao Cao. ”

Liu Bei said: "Isn't Cao Cao in Xuzhou? Could it be that the battle of Xuzhou has ended. ”

Zhuge Liang said: "The lord didn't know that Cao Cao negotiated peace with Yuan Xi, ceded Xuzhou to Yuan Xi, and formed an alliance with Yuan Xi. Now Cao Cao has no worries, and his main force will rush to Jingzhou to fight one after another. ”

"Yuan Xi and Cao Cao are allied?"

Liu Bei couldn't help frowning deeply.

Yuan Xi has always been the main force against Cao, and he is also the leader of the allied forces of the princes of the world, this time he was able to cross the Neijiang River and attack Xiangyang directly, thanks to the help of the Jiangdong Army and the Hebei warship, but I didn't expect that in only a month or two, Yuan Xi formed an alliance with Cao Cao, which made Liu Bei feel that he had another strong enemy. Also lost a reliable ally.

Zhuge Liang said: "The lord doesn't have to worry, Yuan Xi's alliance with Cao Cao is only temporary. The minister estimates... Yuan Xi's battles in the Central Plains had lost too many soldiers and horses, and he wanted to rest for a few years, so he allied himself with Cao Cao. However, after he rested, he was still the main force to destroy Cao. Because they can never reach an alliance in the true sense of the word. ”

Liu Bei is also very clear about this, but right now, Yuan Xi and Cao Cao have formed an alliance, which has put tremendous pressure on him.

"Within the fifteenth, Cao Cao's more than 100,000 troops will attack Fancheng. There are two strategies for the lord to choose. First, General Zhao Yun was left to trap the defenders of Xiangyang with a formation, and our main force went north to meet Cao Cao. Both, General Paiguan led 20,000 elite infantry to defend Fancheng, and our main force continued to attack Xiangyang. In addition, an envoy should be sent to Eastern Wu, promising heavy benefits, and asking Sun Quan to send troops to control the waters from Fancheng to Xiangyang and prevent Cao Cao from crossing the river. ”

Zhuge Liang's strategies are excellent.

Whichever one you choose, you can solve the current crisis.

After thinking about it, Liu Bei chose the latter: "The second brother will lead 20,000 troops to defend Fancheng, and we will continue to attack Xiangyang." Only by capturing Xiangyang, Jingzhou will be ours. And then there's... Cao Cao is powerful, and he can't be eliminated in a day, and I don't want to fight him in a decisive battle yet. At least until Xiangyang is recovered and soldiers and horses are accumulated. ”

"Command."

Guan Yu came out of the queue.

Zhuge Liang also sent the lobbyist Sun Qian to Jiangdong to meet Sun Quan.

..................

Five days later.

Nanyang County.

Wancheng.

Cao Cao's 100,000 troops finally arrived here (currently there are only 70,000, because Zang Ba took 30,000, and the 30,000 are still in Xuzhou and have not been released).

Wancheng is the gateway of Nanyang and Jingzhou, and it is a rare fortified city.

It also restricts the main roads to Yuzhou, Yanzhou, Chang'an, and Jingzhou, and the geographical location is also very important.

"Wenhe."

"Yes."

Cao Cao called Jia Xu closer and said, "Have you heard a rumor? Sleeping dragon and phoenix chicks, you can settle the world with one. Zhuge Liang, Mr. Wolong, he is one of the Wolong Phoenix Chicks, this time he is fighting with Liu Bei, are you sure? ”

There were only Cao Cao and Jia Xu in the tent.

Jia Xu said: "Zhuge Liang does have some talents, and the ministers also admire him very much. It may be that in terms of strategy, strategy, and troop arrangement, the minister is not enough, but to win the battle of Jingzhou, the minister is sure. ”

This is contradictory.

Cao Cao said: "You know that you are not as good as Zhuge Liang, but you still say that you are sure?" ”

Jia Xu smiled and said, "What does the minister mean... The minister may not be able to defeat Zhuge Liang, but he will definitely be able to defeat Liu Bei. ”

Cao Cao was more and more confused the more he talked.

Zhuge Liang is Liu Bei's military advisor, Liu Bei obeys his words, Zhuge Liang is Liu Bei, Liu Bei is Zhuge Liang, is there a difference between the two?

Jia Xu explained: "The art of war is cloudy, psychological warfare is the top, and military warfare is the bottom. To take Jingzhou, you don't need too many troops, as long as the prime minister gives up one thing, you can take Jingzhou. And this is precisely Liu Bei's weakness, even if he loses Jingzhou and is embarrassed to death, he will not dare to take that step. ”

"What do you need? As long as I have it, I can give it to you, and I have only one condition, which is to get Jingzhou back! Cao Cao said.

"The hearts of the people, if the prime minister abandons the people's will, he can take Jingzhou lightly." Jia Xu said amazingly.

Popular Hearts?

Cao Cao still didn't understand.

Jia Xu said: "Liu Bei has always been known for his benevolence and righteousness, and everywhere he goes, he proclaims his love for the people, his decision for the people, and his identity and merits as an imperial uncle. Therefore, the people of the world know that Liu Bei's army is a teacher of benevolence and righteousness, and they are willing to serve him. This is also the reason why when he attacked Jingzhou, all the county orders and defenders surrendered one after another. ”