After the policy of dividing the troops into two routes was formulated, all that remained was to prepare separately.

Hua Wenxuan led a wave of people to prepare for the Northern Expedition in Xiangyang, and Sun Ce and Xu Shu went to Jiangling to train new soldiers and prepare for the invasion of Bashu.

A month later, Jiangdong Sun Quan sneak attack Guangling success, and then crossed the river in a big way, entered Xuzhou to threaten Shouchun, at this time Cao Pi was busy stabilizing the chaos in Xudu, the three sons of the Yuan family in Hebei were still fighting in Yecheng, Hua Wenxuan got this opportunity, so he asked Zhuge Liang to write a letter against Cao Xuan, in the name of Qingjun's side, eradicating treachery, announcing the oath of the Northern Expedition.

Hua Wenxuan stood on the north gate of Xiangyang, looking at the tens of thousands of Jingzhou soldiers waiting outside the city, the flags fluttering, the armor neat, reflecting the huge silver light in the sun.

Hua Wenxuan boarded the battlements, looked at Zhao Yun and the others in front of the battle, pulled out the personal sword of the Han Emperor at his waist, and shouted: "Go on the expedition!" ”

With Hua Wenxuan's order, the 50,000 army marched towards Wancheng, Zhao Yun led 10,000 light cavalry to lead Zhang Nan and Feng Xi as the vanguard, Wei Yan and Gan Ning as the left and right guards, Zhuge Liang, Chen Deng, Deng Zhi, and Xiang Lang as the accompanying army to participate in the council, and Liao Hua escorted the grain and grass behind the palace, and the soldiers were prosperous, so that Xiahou Yuan, who was stationed in Wancheng, was strong and clear, and stood in the fortified city to wait for help.

In mid-October, Hua Wenxuan completed the siege of Wancheng, but just as he was about to attack the city, the continuous autumn rain caught him off guard.

A sudden rain has lasted for more than half a month, the whole Wancheng surrounding has been poured into a swamp, the river water in the big river that passes through the city has skyrocketed, due to the silting of the grain road, the grain and grass in the army are intermittent, coupled with the shortage of rainy and cold clothing for several days, the soldiers have many complaints.

Hua Wenxuan sat in the tent, looked at the group of civil and military officers with a sad face, and shook his head helplessly, "If this rain falls for another half a month, not to mention whether the morale of our army is not enough to attack the city, even the reinforcements from the direction of Luoyang and Xudu are coming!" ”

Gan Ning stepped forward with a head of water that had just patrolled the camp and muttered, "This rain is really not the right time!" If it is the next two days, it will be half a month, the stakes of the stables and horses have sprouted, and those beans have also haired, and if this continues, the soldiers can only be allowed to cut the horse grass in the rain to feed! ”

Wei Yan also smiled bitterly, "This ghost weather has made Lao Tzu's clothes and armor rusty, and the first thing his subordinates do when they return to the camp every day is to raise a charcoal fire, and nest in the tent with my own soldiers to remove rust from weapons and armor. ”

Hua Wenxuan listened silently to their complaints, but his heart was full of doubts. Such a disadvantage, is it wrong for me to choose the path of the Northern Expedition? Since crossing back to these three countries, although they have experienced ups and downs, they have all turned evil into good fortune, why is this rain so faceless today?

If you drag it out again, you will see that the weather is gradually getting colder, and you can start fashionable and single clothes, and I am afraid that you will have to prepare cotton clothes, and this battle has not been fought, is it going to be lost?

Zhuge Liang frowned, as if he was thinking about something, Hua Wenxuan was hesitating, and a person came in from outside the tent, but it was Xiang Lang's brother who escorted the grain and grass from Xiangyang: Xiang Pet.

Xiang Pet entered the tent, first bowed his hand to Hua Wenxuan, and then gestured to his brother, before saying: "My subordinates came to transport military supplies and grain and grass from Xiangyang, and by the way, I brought a message from the Yuanzhi Military Division, he is scheduled to march to Yidao at the end of this month, seize Badong Pass before winter, and wait until next year's spring when the flowers bloom and the water rises, and go upriver to take Ba County!" ”

Hua Wenxuan's heart sank, he sent troops nearly two months earlier than Xu Shu and Sun Ce, but he made no progress, and now they have set a date to enter Bashu, if they can't enter Wancheng here for a long time, wouldn't it be too faceless?

Hua Wenxuan looked at Zhuge Liang worriedly, Zhuge Liang nodded, and asked softly: "Seeing that the weather is getting cooler and Bashu is mountainous, why did Yuan Zhi choose to march at this time?" ”

Xiang Zhong arched his hand towards Zhuge Liang and replied softly: "This is not the original intention of the Yuan Zhi Military Division, the Military Division thinks that it is safer to march after the spring is warm and snowy!" ”

"Oh?" Zhuge Liang was stunned, "Who can still say that Xu Yuanzhi can be moved?" ”

Zhuge Liang looked at Hua Wenxuan, but Hua Wenxuan spread his hands, Sun Ce must not have this ability, after all, Xu Shu has been with Hua Wenxuan for so long, and Hua Wenxuan still knows his temperament.

Xiang Pet whispered: "It's Pang Degong's nephew, Pang Shiyuan suggested it to Yuan Zhijunshi!" ”

"Pang Shiyuan?" Zhuge Liang and Hua Wenxuan were both stunned, "Pang Tong is back?" ”

"Yes! Mr. Pang Tong took a boat to Jiangling, and he wanted to return to Xiangyang, but he was intercepted by the Yuan Zhijun Division, saying that he would go to Bashu together! Xiang Pet smiled and said: "Mr. Pang Tong can't help it, so he has to agree!" ”

Hua Wenxuan's heart sank, and he fell into Fengpo! He glanced at Zhuge Liang with a sad face, Zhuge Liang had heard Hua Wenxuan say about Luofengpo, he pursed his lips and said softly: "It's almost the end of the month now, and it's time to stop it, I'm afraid that the army has already left!" ”

Xiang Chong was stunned, "What does Zhuge Junshi mean, this method is not possible?" ”

Zhuge Liang hurriedly shook his head, "Definitely!" Since it is Pang Shiyuan's suggestion, it must be well thought out, and what Liang said is another matter! ”

Zhuge Liang looked at Hua Wenxuan, "The lord is a little restless, take Ba County from Padang, but it is just that treacherous place, and the lessons of the past may not be fulfilled!" ”

Hua Wenxuan nodded yes and looked at Xiang Chong, "Can Pang Tong explain why he chose to march into Padang at this time?" ”

Xiang Pet scratched his head, "My subordinates have been in Xiangyang, but I heard from the commuter that Pang Shiyuan said that at this time, it is almost winter, Badi is mountainous, and the weather is cold early, so Liu Zhang must not take precautions, if he is not prepared to take it at this time, it is better than the spring, and Liu Zhang has increased his troops to be prepared!" ”

Hua Wenxuan and Zhuge Liang glanced at each other, and he waved his hand towards Xiang Chong, "The military advisor thinks that Pang Shiyuan's plan is not meritorious?" ”

Zhuge Liang's eyes flashed in the firelight, and he smiled slightly, "Although Pang Shiyuan's plan is risky, it is not unreasonable!" This weather west into Padang, if even rainy or this winter's rain and snow arrive early, then the previous efforts are wasted, but if you can really attack it unprepared, you can seize the opportunity, if you can take the Padang Pass, then Bajun can be mapped! ”

Gan Ning was originally from Ba County, and hurriedly nodded yes, "Badong is the throat of the land of Bashu, if you get Badong, you can take Linjiang, point to Jiangzhou, and then take the entire Ba County, it is really the best policy!" ”

Zhuge Liang nodded, looking at the continuous drizzle outside the tent, "At an extraordinary time, we use extraordinary methods, this continuous rain has blocked our way to attack the city, but taking the city may not be the only way to attack the city!" ”

Hua Wenxuan was stunned for a moment and looked at Zhuge Liang, "Does the military advisor have a good plan?" ”

Zhuge Liang turned his head to look at Hua Wenxuan and smiled slightly, "The minister has a plan, although it is a little dangerous, but it may not be impossible to try!" ”

Hua Wenxuan got up and asked, "What's the plan?" ”

Zhuge Liang smiled and said nothing, looking at the rain outside the tent, "Attacking it unprepared, taking it by surprise, this is a plan for the army!" Pang Shiyuan, Pang Shiyuan, are you going to compete with Kong Ming as soon as you come back? ”