Xihua 7 years, spring.

Lu Cong's envoy Huo Zhun arrived in Dongcheng County, Bian Prefecture, and Huo Jun arrived in Wubao County, Wuzhou.

Emperor Tang Niu of Zhou and Emperor Ma Jian of Nancheng received Huo Zhun and Huo Jun respectively.

Huo Zhun met Tang Niu and sent Liang Guo specialties.

Tang Niu asked, "What is the important matter for your envoy to come here?"

Because of the existence of Huaguo, the three forces secretly don't talk about it, and they are very united on the surface.

Tang Niu knew that there was a disaster in China last year, and Lu Cong must be making trouble behind his back. But for the sake of the big picture, there was no mention of it.

The envoy Huo Zhun saluted respectfully, raised his head and replied loudly: "In recent years, Liang, Zhou, and Nan have formed a three-nation alliance to resist China. However, the stronger the power of the Chinese kingdom, it will be difficult for us to resist. Ning Ze is proficient in witchcraft, and there is no one in the world who can fight against him. I searched all over the world, but I didn't see a warlock. The Chinese state gradually strengthened, and the three kingdoms gradually weakened. The reason for this is that the so-called 'policy of benefiting the people' is promoted in China, which constantly attracts displaced people to naturalize, increase the population, and open up land. Two, Ning Ze plundered the population and weakened us. In the long run, China's population has continued to grow, and the population of our three countries has gradually lost their population, which is very unfavorable! The population loss has affected the agriculture, commerce, and conscription of various countries, and has also significantly weakened the national strength. Therefore, Emperor Daliang sent me here to discuss important matters with His Majesty!"

Tang Niu nodded when he heard this, and the problems mentioned by the envoy were actually often mentioned by domestic civil officials.

Ning Ze's strategy of plundering the population really affected his own national strength.

So he said to Huo Zhun: "I am also distressed about this matter. I wonder what your country should do?"

"Your Majesty!" Huo Zhun replied, "Sima Dudu once met with my Emperor of Great Liang and said to his face that in order to deal with China's plundering policy, it is necessary to return an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth! Make sure that the enemy comes and I go, and when the enemy leaves, I go out, plunder resources, and do not fight!"

"Oh, with Ning Ze's strategy, return it as it is?" Tang Niu's eyes lit up.

"It's not just the way it is!" Huo Zhun said with a smile, "The three kingdoms raided the border cities of China together, but Ning Ze couldn't deal with it at the same time. When the time comes, we will be exhausted by taking care of one thing and losing the other! Through plunder, we can seize China's population and material resources, enhance our strength, and reduce the other side. ”

"Okay!" Tang Niu was overjoyed, "This plan is brilliant, Zhou Guo will definitely do his best to help!"

"Your Majesty is wise!" Huo Zhun arched his hand, "In this way, Ning Ze's arrogance will definitely be suppressed." ”

On the other side, Huo Jun saw Ma Jian, and he said the same thing.

Ma Jian was also persuaded and agreed to change the strategy.

The three countries reached an agreement and each mobilized cavalry, focusing on plunder, and began to raid the Chinese border one after another.

For a time, the three counties of Dangliang, Duosi, and Fujiang in Chizhou, Qingshan County in Xizhou, Longshou County in Mizhou, Yuanyuan County in Yuanzhou, Bashui County, Nanhai County in Jiangzhou, and Bashan were raided by the raiding cavalry of Tang Niu, Lu Cong, and Ma Jian. A large number of people working in the fields were taken captive, countless supplies were taken, and some border defenses were damaged.

When the defenders arrived, the other side had already fled and plundered in areas that could not be covered by the garrison.

The counties were in a state of distress and suffered heavy losses.

This situation made the border guards uneasy, and they immediately reported it to their superiors, and the news was sent to Huajun, Jinzhou.

Liu Yuanxiang learned that he quickly convened a meeting of hundreds of civil and military officials.

"Border emergency, various counties and border checkpoints have recently been continuously attacked and harassed by forces from Zhou, Liang, and Nancheng. Facing the ministers, Liu Yuanxiang said solemnly, "The other party is like a good discussion, each cavalry army picks the places where the garrison strength is insufficient to plunder, abduct the border people, seize military and civilian resources, and destroy the border defense facilities." By the time the defenders rushed over, the other side had already left. If it is withdrawn and it reappears, it will never go head-to-head, which is a headache. Until now, the list of losses has been calculated by the border counties and counties, which is shocking. Hundreds of thousands of people have been taken captive, causing untold amounts of devastation and pace. The situation is serious, and I have no choice but to gather you to discuss what to do. ”

When the words fell, the civil and military officials were full of surprise and discussed.

"Huh, enemy strategy, how does it sound like ......" Dewey looked at Ning Ze.

Hearing this, Ning Ze nodded and said, "That's right! They used Lone's policy to turn around and deal with Lone! If they are smart, it is very likely that it is Sima Fa's suggestion!"

"Then what should I do? The three forces will attack at the same time, and the border counties will not be stable, and the other side will not clash with our army head-on, which is simply unguardable. Liang Teng frowned.

"The enemy advances and I retreat, and the other party has mastered the essence. Ning Ze touched the handful of beard that had finally grown up on his chin, "There is no better way than strengthening border defense, building passes, and prohibiting people from going out of the customs to cultivate and graze!"

"For now, we need to expand the border to stop the enemy from plundering. Chu Xun said, "At the same time, additional troops will be sent to expand the scope of defense." ”

"In my opinion, it's better to attack instead of defending. Dewey said, "Directly send troops to destroy the three forces one by one, once and for all!"

"You're thinking too simply!" Liang Teng shook his head in denial, "Now the three forces are relatively consolidated, different from those small princes before. And together, they are not inferior to our country in overall strength. It is not easy to conquer a country. During this period, no matter which side our country attacked, the other two hostile forces attacked more intensively. ”

"That's right!" Ouyang Chun said, "Lu Cong, Tang Niu, and Ma Jian are united, even if they pour out the strength of the whole country, it is wishful thinking to quickly destroy one of them." To deal with this kind of border raiding tactics, the prince actually knows best, and his advice is also the most appropriate. The construction of passes, the expansion of the defensive line, the increase of troops, and the prohibition of exit from the pass can minimize losses. Then, on this basis, consider a counterattack against the enemy. ”

"The state treasury can allocate funds, but some of them need to be pointed out by the local government and used for the construction of passes. Chu Xun said, "It's really difficult to make a full allocation. ”

"There should be no problem in mobilizing local government funds at the border. Ning Ze thought for a moment, "In recent years, the population base of various states and counties has been growing, and the tax revenue has increased a lot compared with before. Excluding the part handed over, it is believed that the official coffers of local governments are still quite full. ”

"The other party has already made a move, we can't be too passive!" Chu Wenxiu said, "We should take a two-pronged approach, while strengthening the city defense, and at the same time sending troops to attack and relieve some of the pressure." ”

"That's what I said about offense instead of defense!" said Dewey.

"What we need is both offensive and defensive," Chu Wenxiu replied, "We must first deal with the border defense problem and effectively stop the enemy from plundering resources, and then we will consider sending troops to counterattack and win back a game!"

"Agreed!" Chu Meiren nodded in agreement.

"Then which force should we choose as the target for counterattack?" Mi Yan asked.

"In my opinion, Tangniuhua County suffered a defeat and suffered heavy losses! Last year, an unimaginable earthquake struck, and even the city's defense construction was seriously damaged, regardless of the morale of the army and the people. At this moment, it is definitely the weakest of the three hostile forces! If we go to Puzhou, we will surely win a great victory!" Dewey replied immediately.

"Having said that, if we think of it, the other party can naturally think of it!" Chu Xun shook his head slightly, "Don't look at Lu Cong and Ma Jian secretly making trouble when Tang Niu was affected, but I won't watch our forces attack Tang Niu." The best plan for them is to annex the Tang Niu forces on their own, not to cheapen us. ”

"The prime minister thinks that if we send troops to counterattack Tang Niu, Lu Cong and Ma Jian will send troops to contain and protect each other?" asked Dewey suspiciously.

"That's for sure!" Ouyang Chun said, "It's better to do the opposite." ”

"The opposite?"

"In this current situation, Tang Niu is the weakest and best force to fight on the enemy. Ouyang Chun said, "If I were Lu Cong and Ma Jian, I would also think it would be easiest to attack Tang Niu." will be ready to contain any attack on Tang Niu. In another way of thinking, since the other party thought that our army would fight Tang Niu, they were also ready to contain it. Our army just doesn't take Tang Niu as the target, and it can be caught off guard!"

"Who should be targeted?" asked Dewey.

"Ma Jian!" Ouyang Chun thought carefully, then looked at Ning Ze and said loudly, "Using the border of additional troops to disrupt the enemy's line of sight, so that it cannot judge the accurate actions of our army. Spreading false information, it is best to make the other party mistakenly think that our country is attacking Puzhou on the surface, but in fact it is preparing to attack Mizhou. Mizhou is important to Lu Cong, and he will definitely send troops to garrison it. Tang Niu and Ma Jian will also send troops to contain and relieve Lu Cong's pressure. However, we have shifted the main force to the sea route, taken the water route to avoid the eyes and ears, and landed in Wuzhou to make a surprise attack! When the time comes, the soldiers and horses of Jiangzhou will respond, and the other side will not be able to react!"

"Is that complicated?" said Dewey, scratching his head.

Ning Ze closed his eyes and thought for a moment, then nodded slightly: "Good idea! If this plan can succeed, it will definitely hit the enemy's sharp spirit!"

"If this plan is to be successful, you must ask the prince to rush to Yuanzhou. Ouyang Chun said, "If the prince goes in person, it will inevitably attract the attention of the enemy, so that he can hide from the sky and cross the sea!"

"Hmm~ No problem!" Ning Ze said with a smile, "Lone can make the movements of Chizhou and Yuanzhou appear at the same time, making the other party even more nervous." If you want to travel from the sea, you must make a detour to Wuzhou, and you have to be a ghost-faced general! His naval army is the most suitable. ”

"To be on the safe side, it's best to let Chu Guanglu go with General Huang. Ouyang Chun suggested.

"Would you two like to go with the Ghost-Faced General?" Ning Ze turned to the couple.

Chu Wenxiu and Huang Shao immediately came out of the ranks, and said in unison: "My husband and wife are willing to go with the ghost face general!"

"Very good!" Ning Ze said, "Because it's a surprise attack, there won't be too many troops." Moreover, it is necessary to hide people's eyes and ears so as not to attract the attention of the enemy. The three of you can only take 20,000 soldiers and horses with you when you cross the sea this time. When the time comes, is there a problem with the Jiangzhou soldiers and horses to carry out the operation?"

"Don't worry!!" The three of them responded at the same time.

"Ouyang Shaofu!"

"The minister is here!" Ouyang Chun hurriedly responded.

"You and Dewey led the troops north and went to Chizhou to guard the Liang town. Lone will come over to meet later, I hope the two of you will cooperate seamlessly, don't be impulsive!"

Ouyang Chun and Dewey glanced at each other and immediately understood.

The meaning of Ning Ze's words is to let the stand-in pass. Otherwise, why remind the two to cooperate seamlessly, don't be impulsive?

Immediately responded in unison: "Wow!"