Yanzhou.

Xuchang.

Xiao Ji sent people to Yecheng to spread rumors, and the news soon spread to Xuchang.

Prior to this, Guo Jia, Cheng Yu, Xun You, and Cao Cao, all thought that Yuan Xi's buildup of troops in Wei County was to deal with Yuan Tan, or a normal training camp, and he would never start a war on the Central Plains at this time.

But the news from Yecheng frightened them.

"Make a detailed report, Yuan Xi will send troops to the Central Plains in the near future, how should we deal with it?" Cao Cao asked.

Guo Jia, who was sitting on the side, said with certainty: "Chen still firmly believes that Yuan Xi will not attack the Central Plains at this time. The prime minister didn't have to pay attention. This must be Yuan Xi's plan to attack the east and the west, in order to confuse Yuan Tan, and then attack Qingzhou with the momentum of thunder. ”

As soon as Guo Jia opened his mouth, he came up with a clever plan, but unfortunately Yuan Xi didn't use it.

"Prime Minister, the minister thinks... Regardless of whether Yuan Xi attacks the Central Plains or not, we should all be prepared. I'm not afraid of 10,000, I'm afraid of what if. In case he attacks the Central Plains, but we are not prepared, won't we suffer a big loss? Cheng Yu said.

What Zhong De said is reasonable. Fengxiao, you don't have to insist anymore. ”

"Yes..."

Cao Cao got up and pointed to the map behind him, and said, "Immediately mobilize the garrisons in Yu, Sili, and Yanzhou, about 150,000, and march towards Guandu." Ordered Yangzhou to assassinate Shi Li Tong, dispatched 40,000 troops, and stationed in Pengcheng. Ordered Xuzhou General Zang Ba and Che Zhou to pay close attention to the movement of Puyang, mobilize 30,000 to 50,000 troops, stationed in the plain, and alerted Anyi. ”

"Yes."

Cheng Yu responded and said: "The minister also suggested to Yuan Tan and let him lead 50,000 troops to attack the plains and contain Yuan Xi's troops. ”

"Okay, I'll take care of it."

"No."

Cheng Yu turned around and wanted to leave.

"Zhongde, wait..." Guo Jia said: "Prime Minister, even if you want to fight, you can't let Yuan Tan go to Hebei, you should let him go to Puyang to listen to it." ”

"Why?"

Cao Cao didn't know what he meant.

Guo Jia explained: "Yuan Tan has already attacked the plain twice, but both were repelled by Yuan Xi, does he still have the courage to attack again?" Even if he goes, he will be pretending to be, and he will not really fight with Yuan Xi. It's better to recruit him to Puyang and attack Gao Lan. Also, Yuan Tan's strength is very weak, and he is the same brother as Yuan Xi, will he be persuaded by Yuan Xi to surrender? The prime minister must take him with him, control him, find the right time, and collect Qingzhou. ”

"Hmm."

Cao Cao nodded again and again: "In the end, it is filial piety, and everything is thoughtful...." ”

"Zhongde, just do what you want to do with filial piety." Cao Cao commanded.

"No."

Cheng Yu left with his hand.

Guo Jia was a little worried and asked, "How sure is it that the prime minister will start a war with Yuan?" ”

"The strength of both sides is very clear, Yuan Xi is nothing more than relying on a giant beast, and I am not afraid of his giant beast now. Last time outside Chang'an City, although the Shenji Battalion did not hit the python, it could be seen that Yuan Xi was very jealous. We can plan well and use the Divine Machine Camp to destroy his behemoth. Cao Cao said: "As long as he has no giant beasts, how can he defeat me with ordinary soldiers?" ”

"Minister... I still feel that the decisive battle with Yuan Xi is too early. If it can be delayed for a year or two, the certainty will be greater. Guo Jiadao.

"Time is running out. Yuan Xi has 250,000 troops in Wei County and Puyang, plus his behemoths, he is fully capable of fighting me. If I don't prepare early, I am afraid that I will end up in an unfavorable situation. Life and death are at stake, how can you wait? ”

Cao Cao had already made up his mind.

The war with Yuan Xi will start sooner or later.

Instead of waiting, let's do it first.

Guo Jiadao: "Since the prime minister has decided, the minister is willing to plan for the prime minister." ”

"Bonghyo, please take a seat."

"Prime Minister Xie."

After Guo Jia sat down, he said: "Yuan Xi is on the west bank of the Wei River, and he has stationed 50,000 troops, all of whom are the elite of the siege. Once we start fighting in the Central Plains, the 50,000 troops will immediately join forces with Ma Chao and take the two capitals directly.... ”

"Jingzhou and Yangzhou are facing the threat of Liu Bei and Sun Quan. Sun Quan's navy is stronger than Cai Mao and Zhang Yun's Jingzhou navy, Liu Bei's foot cavalry is even more fierce, plus Zhou Yu and Zhuge Liang conspired, Sun Liu's strength is no worse than Yuan Xi in Hebei. ”

"Before starting a war with Yuan Xi, the prime minister must ensure the safety of Liangdu and Jing Yang. In particular, Ma Chao's Xiliang Iron Cavalry must not let him break through the Wuguan Pass and enter the Central Plains, otherwise, our army will fall into an extremely dangerous situation. ”

"Therefore...."

Guo Jia walked to the map on the side: "The Chang'an garrison is led by Cao Ren." He has fought with the Hebei Army many times, and has confronted Ma Chao's Xiliang Army for more than a year, as long as the troops are sufficient, it should not be a problem to hold on for a few months. ”

"Only the situation in Jingyang and Yangzhou is worrying. I don't know if the prime minister has a candidate to lead the army? ”

"I've also thought about this problem, so let Xu Huang and Zhang Liao garrison. They are cautious and do not attack lightly, and are more likely to hold the city. As for Yangzhou... Do you think Zhou Yu will still cross the river? The last time he attacked by surprise, he was still defeated in Hefei.... ”

"He will definitely cross the river!" Guo Jia interrupted Cao Cao's words and said with certainty: "As long as the prime minister and Yuan Xi start a war, it will be a once-in-a-century opportunity for Jiangdong." Sun Quan's Jiangdong Army will definitely pour out, and there will be no less than 100,000 sailors and armies! The minister suggested that the soldiers in Yangzhou should not be stationed in Pengcheng and all transferred to Hefei to prepare for the war. In addition, let General Xiahou Ba lead 20,000 light horsemen to go. Sun Quan had no cavalry under his command, so he would not be able to match it. ”

"Hmm."

Cao Cao nodded.

Guo Jia continued: "The most worrying thing is the Jingzhou side. Jingzhou is not easy to defend, so it can only rely on Cai Mao and Zhang Yun's water army to block Liu Bei's westward advance, but in case Sun Quan's water army also goes to Neijiang, Cai Mao and Zhang Yun are by no means opponents. Once Liu Bei's foot rider is allowed to hit Jiangling, Jingzhou will no longer have a barrier. Whether Xu Huang and Zhang Liao can resist it, the minister really doesn't dare to assert. ”

Cao Cao said: "I will give them 50,000 elites, as well as a large number of equipment to defend the city." I believe that Xu Huang and Zhang Liao can hold on to the end of the war in the Central Plains. ”

"Combining soldiers and horses from all over the country, the army that went to Puyang to participate in the war was about 300,000. Among them, 100,000 were recruits, and 70,000 were old Jingzhou troops. These 170,000 troops are slightly weaker in combat effectiveness. The rest of the veterans are 60,000, the iron cavalry is 40,000, the Qingzhou army is 20,000, the tiger and leopard cavalry, the Shenji battalion, and all kinds of equipment army... Guo Jia synthesized the strength of the army and said: "Those who make good use of soldiers are good at hiding soldiers first." These 300,000 steps can be divided into five parts.... ”

Guo Jia said all the preliminary strategy he had just thought of.

It's rough and imperfect, but it's already in a general direction.

According to the strength of Xu, Yang, Jing, Yan, Henan, and Sili counties, coordinate the local army and cooperate with the operation. There are both preparations to confuse the enemy army, and there are also elites who are responsible for frontal combat. From Xuchang, to Guandu, and Puyang, on a battle line of hundreds of miles, the terrain was used to lay out many suspicious soldiers and ambush soldiers. Then with the absolute elite main force, go to the front line in Puyang.