These commands.

If the speed is fast, it can be delivered in two days.

If the speed is slow, it will take seven days.

But...

On the sixth day, Gao Shun, who guarded the frontier, sent an urgent military message, saying that Cao Cao personally led an army of 400,000 troops and set up camp in the west of Yuzhang, Huiji, and Wu counties, and there seemed to be signs of attacking Yangzhou.

This news shocked Lu Bu very much!

The Military Aircraft Department was also very surprised.

Cao Cao didn't sell Hanzhong County, and even took the initiative to attack, didn't he think that with the troops in his hands, he could defeat Lu Bu's army of more than one million?

Military Aircraft Division.

Lu Bu had just arrived.

Chen Gong greeted him: "Cao Cao has sent troops and arrived in Yuzhang County." General Gao Shun has been armed, but the troops in his hands are insufficient, and he is afraid that he will not be able to stop Cao Cao's elite, so he asked Shouchun for help. ”

"Did Cao Cao eat the bear's heart and leopard gall? Dare to lead the army to attack my Yangzhou? Lu Bu was puzzled. An incident in Hanzhong can actually lead Cao Cao to commit it?

"I haven't gone to him yet, but he's going to fight against me first."

Lu Bu walked to the map, glanced at it, and said, "The battle plan you gave me before to capture Hanzhong is invalid, and I ordered all troops and horses to return to their original stations to standby." ”

"The minister has already sent someone to pass the order." Chen Gongdao.

"Hmm."

Xu Shu and Jia Xu also came to the hall. Xu Shu hugged his fists and said: "The minister just met the shadow commander Nie Zheng, and he said that Cao Cao gave Xu Huang 50,000 troops on the border of Pengcheng, and there seemed to be signs of attacking Xuzhou. ”

"Does Cao Cao really want to go to war with me?" Lu Bu's brows furrowed.

Xu Shu said: "Xu Huang was transferred to the Pengcheng border last year, and he has 150,000 troops on his hands, including 40,000 iron cavalry of the Longxiang Battalion and 15,000 infantry soldiers of the Qingzhou Army, all of whom are elite. Now there are 50,000 more troops. He is fully capable of attacking Xuzhou. Especially the 15,000 Qingzhou Army, Cao Cao captured hundreds of thousands of Qingzhou Yellow Turban Army ten years ago, and selected 70,000 from hundreds of thousands of people. After constantly fighting with our army, although defeated again and again, the essence is still there, and it is an elite who is not afraid of death. If we don't have artillery, it will be a little difficult to eliminate Cao Cao's Longxiang battalion and Qingzhou army. ”

"Indeed."

Lu Budao: "An ordinary army is only suitable for ambush warfare and a tailwind war. However, the Longxiang Battalion and the Qingzhou Army are the kings of the field, they are not afraid of field battles, let alone large-scale battles. ”

"Our Xuzhou Army and Qingzhou Army have just been established. Zhang Liao and Wei Yan's 3rd Group Army may not have arrived in Xuzhou yet. Fighting Xu Huang at this time is not good for us. ”

"What's even more worrying..."

Jia Xu said with a sad face: "If Cao Cao really wants to go to war with us, he will inevitably incite Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang to send troops together." Although Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang were greatly injured, they still had hundreds of thousands of troops in their hands, which should not be underestimated. Therefore, the two states of Qingxu, even if there are Zhang Liao and Wei Yan's 3rd Group Army, appear to be insufficient. ”

"yes..."

Lu Bu's gaze was fixed on the map.

His mind is still in the nine counties of Hanzhong County. Without Hanzhong County, there would be no artillery, and without artillery, the combat effectiveness of the new army would be greatly reduced. The decisive battle with Cao Cao is not good for him.

"This big war came a little early." Lu Bu sat down and sighed, "I really don't want to start a war with Cao Cao at this time. Is it possible to make peace with Cao Cao for the time being, and then have a decisive battle after the harvest next autumn? There is also Hanzhong County, we have to find a way to get our hands on it. Even if you can't get your hands on it, you have to find a way to mine saltpeter. ”

"That's what the lord said." Xu Shu responded.

"So far, Cao Cao's army has not set foot on our borders. Wait. First ordered Gao Shun and Xuzhou soldiers to defend. When Cao Cao crosses the border, we will negotiate with him. Chen Gong said.

"Aren't we passive, then?" Jia Xu disagreed.

"Order first... It's okay to defend in an all-round way. "Lu Bu supports Chen Gong. He just wanted to buy more time now to give his army a break and replenish the ammunition of the new army. Only when the army is strong can that step be taken.

"Public platform."

"Yes."

Lu Budao: "I will take Han Xin's 1st Army to Yuzhang County tomorrow to talk with Cao Cao and see what he means." Pear Blossom immediately returned to Xuzhou to prepare for the war, and you also ordered the soldiers of Qingzhou and Jingzhou to be well guarded. As long as Cao Cao's soldiers and horses do not cross the border, we will never do it. ”

"No."

Lu Bu left the Military Aircraft Department and went to the South School Field.

The South Campus was stationed in Xu Shu's 1st Army.

Due to the lack of ammunition, not a single gun ration could be found in the entire barracks.

All the ammunition is sealed in the Academy of Science and Technology, and it can only be taken out when it is in use.

Walking into Han Xin's camp, Lu Bu sat down and said, "I'm going to Yuzhang County tomorrow, and you will lead the 1st Army to escort me." ”

"No."

Han Xin subconsciously responded, but asked suspiciously: "When the lord goes to Yuzhang County, shouldn't he be escorted by the Dragon Guard?" Why do you want to be escorted by the new army this time? ”

"Because Cao Cao has led an army of 400,000 and is approaching Yuzhang County, I want to take a look." Lu Bu did not hide Han Xin either.

"What? Four hundred thousand? ”

Han Xin was taken aback.

He knew that Cao Cao's soldiers and horses were more elite than Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang's. said that it was 400,000, but in terms of combat effectiveness, it was worth Zhuge Liang's army of one million.

Han Xin didn't dare to slack off, and replied: "The last general must protect the lord and take care of it." ”

"Hmm."

Lu Bu hesitated for a moment and said, "Recently, something happened in the Military Aircraft Department, I want to hear your opinion." ”

"Please let the Lord know."

"That's right..." Lu Bu told about the rejection of the purchase of Hanzhong County and Cao Cao's increase in troops to Xu Huang.

But...

Didn't say anything about saltpeter.

Because until now, Lu Bu has not been able to fully trust Han Xin.

"What does the lord want to ask?"

"I want to ask you. Does Cao Cao really want to start a war with me? Or are you playing tricks? What should we do? Lu Bu asked.

"I don't know Mr. Xu Shu and Mr. Jia Xu..." Han Xin didn't answer in a hurry, and tried to probe the tone.

"I'm asking you right now."

Han Xin thought for a moment and said, "The last general thinks..... Cao Cao will not take the initiative to go to war. He knows very well the strength of the lord, and he will not act rashly because we don't have artillery. ”

"You mean Cao Cao is playing tricks?"

"The last general doesn't know why Cao Cao sent troops, but the last general is sure that he won't step half a step into our borders." Han Xin looked confident, and arched his hand: "Even if there is a war, his goal should be Jingzhou, and taking Jingzhou is equivalent to getting a huge granary, which can support his army for a long time, and can also divide Yi and Jiao to the two states, and separate them from Xu Yangqing." Give the dispatch of our army and create trouble. ”

"Or to attack Xuzhou. Xuzhou is also a granary. After the capture, Qingzhou will be isolated, and Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang will pounce on them like hungry wolves. This is what Cao Cao is most happy to see. ”

"How can you gather the main force of 400,000 like now and go straight to my Yangzhou? Isn't it looking for death? ”

"There's some truth to what you're saying..."

Lu Bu praised Han Xin a few words, got up and left.

The next day, at noon.

Lü Bu took Li Yuanba, 5,000 Dragon Guards, and Han Xin's 1st Army to Nanchang, the seat of Yuzhang County in the west of Yangzhou.

Just out of town.

Chen Gong sent someone to deliver the news. It is claimed that the hundreds of thousands of Cao troops in Yuzhou, led by Xiahou Yuan and Xiahou Dun, are moving to the southeast and show signs of attacking Jingzhou.

(End of chapter)