Cao Cao glanced at Zhang Lang and said without hesitation: "You and I both have common problems, and it is impossible to devote all our strength to the Northern Expedition. Zhang Lang smiled and nodded, "Not only that, even if you and I don't have this problem, it will be difficult to concentrate all our strength." We are different from the grassland peoples, the army is mobilized, and the cost of grain and grass and military salaries is huge, as far as you and I are concerned, after the beginning of spring, we will not be able to raise a sufficient amount of grain, grass and military salaries! ”

Cao Cao nodded, "These are logistical problems, as well as purely military problems. Glancing at Zhang Lang, "In the vast grassland, the infantry army has little effect, mainly relying on cavalry, our huge infantry army is difficult to exert its attack power, and the logistical pressure brought by the huge infantry army will also drag us down!" ”

Zhang Lang felt the same way, "So if you and I want to fight back, we can't think about this war with conventional thinking!" ”

Cao Cao nodded approvingly, "Not bad! The purpose of this battle is to neutralize the opponent's war intentions and weaken their war potential, so there is no need to enter the steppe with a large infantry army! ”

Zhang Lang continued: "Our infantry army relies on the terrain of mountains and rivers to prevent the Xianbei people from entering the interior, and at the same time, mobilize elite war cavalry to go deep into the grassland, run long-distance and sweep the columns, do not clash with the enemy's main army, and specifically attack their weak links!" ”

Cao Cao smiled and said, "It's really the same as what a hero sees!" The idea of the great general is exactly what I intended! After a pause, he asked, "The general once went deep into the grassland to fight, I don't know how many war horses do you think is the most appropriate to enter the grassland?" ”

Zhang Lang said: "This kind of battle is completely free from the burden of logistics, and the food is given to the enemy, so the number must not be too much, but to ensure sufficient combat effectiveness, the number cannot be too small!" I think 30,000 is the most appropriate! ”

Cao Cao nodded thoughtfully. glanced at Zhang Lang, "These 30,000 war horses must be the most elite elite soldiers!" ”

Zhang Lang nodded, "You and I each swept the Xianbei people's settlement area with 30,000 elite war horses, the main purpose of this battle is to fight quickly and retreat quickly, and to avoid confrontation with the enemy's main army!" ”

Cao Cao frowned, "How can we ensure such a maneuvering ability?" ”

Zhang Lang said: "Each knight is equipped with two war horses to ensure such maneuverability. ”

Cao Cao nodded.

The two exchanged views on a number of specific matters, and finally formulated a detailed strategy and set a time for action, after the beginning of spring, February 8.

……

Just as Zhang Lang and Cao Cao were discussing on the deserted garden west of Tiger Prison Pass, Liu Bei, who was far away in Xuchang, was also meeting a guest, a guest from afar.

Liu Bei said: "I understand what you mean. By the way, there is one thing you may not know yet, Cao Cao left Xuchang for the Tiger Prison Pass a few days ago, and it is said that he went to meet Lu Bu. ”

When the merchant-looking guest heard this, his heart immediately became vigilant, and he hurriedly asked, "Why did the two of them meet?" ”

Liu Bei shook his head, "I don't know for the time being, but I guess it might be to deal with you." ”

The guest frowned and said, "This information is very important, I will pass it on to Da Shan Yu immediately." ”

Liu Bei said: "I hope you can keep your promise!" The guest swore solemnly: "Please rest assured Uncle Huang of this!" Our Da Xianbei people have always spoken loudly and never broken their promises! As long as we eliminate Lü Bu and Cao Cao, we will hand over several large states under Cao Cao's current rule to the Han Emperor, and let the Han Emperor be a real emperor! ”

Liu Bei nodded and looked at the guest, "There is also the matter of borrowing troops, have you agreed to it?" ”

The guest hugged his fists and said, "I was about to inform Uncle Huang." This matter has been agreed upon. In March after the beginning of spring next year, our Xianbei army will concentrate its main forces to attack Cao Cao, and at that time, Da Dan Yu will hand over 80,000 cavalry to the emperor's uncle. ”

Liu Bei nodded happily.

The guest stood up, "If Uncle Huang has nothing else to do, I will take my leave." ”

Liu Bei stood up and hugged his fists and said, "It will attract attention, so I won't send it." ”

The guest smiled and said, "Uncle Huang doesn't have to be polite, take his leave." He turned and left the backroom.

Liu Bei sat back, his face showing thought.

Xu Shu hurried in. Seeing Liu Bei, he clenched his fists and asked, "Lord, who was that just now?" ”

Liu Bei said: "It's a friend of mine. ”

Xu Shu frowned, "Although that person is dressed in Hanfu and dressed luxuriously, he seems to be a businessman. However, the way he talks and walks is obviously different from that of the Han people, like the Xianbei people more than like the Han people," Liu Bei chuckled in his heart. Xu Shu said in a deep voice: "He is the messenger of Xianbei, and the lord is making a deal with the Xianbei people!" ”

Liu Bei sighed, "Yuan Zhi, I didn't mean to hide it from you, I really don't know what to say!" ”

Xu Shu said earnestly: "Lord, with all due respect, you are seeking skin with the tiger!" ”

Liu Bei sighed and said helplessly: "I'm also forced to do it!" Now in this world, there are only three powerful princes left, and these three princes are all chaotic ministers and thieves! It is simply impossible for us to restore the Han dynasty with our own strength! Therefore, it is necessary to borrow external forces! I'm going to take advantage of the Xianbei people! ”

Xu Shu shook his head, "Could it be that in the heart of the lord, is the so-called orthodoxy of the Han family more important than the peace of the world and the well-being of the people?" ”

Liu Bei frowned and said, "Why did Yuan Zhi say this? The Han family is ordered by heaven, this is the principle of heaven and earth, and we must do our best to maintain it! If there is chaos, how peaceful the heavens and the earth are, and how the people live in peace! Therefore, for the sake of the well-being of the people of the world, the people of our generation must do their best to maintain the unity of heaven and earth! ”

Xu Shu looked into Liu Bei's eyes and asked, "Is this really what the lord thinks?" ”

"Of course!" Liu Bei is categorical.

Xu Shu shook his head, "The subordinates of the lord don't dare to agree!" If according to what the lord said, wouldn't it be a mess when Gaozu destroyed the tyrannical Qin back then? ”

"How is this the same? Emperor Qin was tyrannical and unreasonable, and the heavens were angry and resentful, so Gaozu obeyed the heavens and overthrew the tyrannical Qin. Today's world is chaotic and chaotic, not because of the tyranny of the royal family, but because of treacherous chaos. Therefore, our generation should eradicate the traitors and restore the imperial system, only in this way can we restore the peace of the world! ”

Xu Shu asked rhetorically: "What is the difference between Qin II and Zhao Gao, the first emperor and the ten permanent servants?" ”

Liu Bei uh.

Xu Shu said: "The way of heaven is ethereal, and the people of my generation should not be obsessed with the so-called Gangchang, but should focus on how to let the people live and work in peace and contentment!" For the sake of the so-called imperial unity, he actually colluded with foreign races, how different is this approach from luring wolves into the house, and the people of the world will inevitably suffer poison. This, the benevolent do not do, and the righteous do not do either! ”