In July of the same year, Zhang Lang received a letter from Cao Ying and Yuan Shao.

Needless to say, Cao Ying hoped that he would send troops to help, but Yuan Shao's letter made Zhang Lang's nose crooked.

In the letter, Yuan Shao, who had no one in his eyes, scolded Zhang Lang, saying that after taking Cao Ying, he would go straight to Jiangdong and ask Zhang Lang to pray for more blessings. And he also asked Zhang Lang to send Zhen Mi back to Jizhou, otherwise he would not leave Jiangdong chicken dogs.

The result of this letter was turned upside down, and Yuan Shao also pushed himself to perdition step by step.

Zhang Lang had a secret talk with Mou, and finally decided to take a wait-and-see attitude for the time being.

Yuan Shaobing is strong and strong, with Yan, and countless famous generals in Hebei, he is extremely strong. But Cao Ying is better at being resourceful and adaptable. If you analyze it carefully, it is evenly matched, just to see who can play to your strengths and avoid weaknesses and give your opponent a fatal blow. But obviously Zhang Lang is more optimistic about Cao Ying, the soldiers are more expensive, not more, and no one will doubt Cao Ying's military skills.

Since this is the case, Zhang Lang simply took a wait-and-see attitude, while asking Zhang Liao to send people to lead troops out of Langya to guard the pass, and made a gesture of sending troops out of Beihai, so as to confuse Cao Ying and Yuan Shao. On the other hand, it is better to sit on the mountain and watch the tiger, it is better to have a lose-lose ending, and you are benefiting from the fisherman, which is the best thing.

If Cao Ying is defeated, he will happily go up and step on a few more feet, without any reward, as long as he can never turn over. If Yuan Shao is defeated, he will take advantage of the fire to rob and get some land or something.

Among them, Zhang Lang did not think of taking advantage of Cao Ying's fierce fight with Yuan Shao in Guandu to sneak attack Cao Ying from the rear, but this time, he pushed himself to the front line, once Cao Ying used a strategy to stabilize Yuan Shao, it was difficult to guarantee that he would not turn the gun to himself. At the time of the battle of Guandu in history, Cao Ying and Yuan Shao fought a big battle, and Liu Bei raised troops to fight back, occupied Xiapi, and settled in Pei County. Liu Beijun had tens of thousands, and contacted Yuan Shao, intending to attack Cao together. In order to avoid fighting on both sides, Cao Ying personally led his elite troops to attack Liu Bei in the east, quickly occupied Pei County, and then attacked Xiapi and forced Guan Yu to land. Liu Bei's entire army was defeated and fled to Hebei to join Yuan Shao. When Cao and Liu were in the middle of the battle, some people suggested that Yuan Shao "raise an army and attack him", but Yuan Shao refused to accept it on the grounds that his son was ill, causing Cao Shao to calmly defeat Liu Bei and return to the officer's crossing. It can be seen how Yuan Shao is short-sighted and arrogant.

Recently, the world is in turmoil, and information from all over the world is coming like a shower, including two pieces of news, which make Zhang Lang feel terrified.

Jiaozhou Shixie suddenly and frequently mobilized troops and horses, and it seemed that there were signs of sending troops, and his heart was unpredictable.

The four counties of Liu Biaojing have clashed with Yuzhang County several times, and there is a tendency to become more and more intense. What annoyed Zhang Lang the most was that Liu Biao sent Wen Ping as a general, leading 50,000 horses and horses from Jiangling to the south, wanting to support Jiangxia in the first battle.

With a loud sound on the case, Zhang Lang stood up angrily, put his hands on his back, and stomped around impatiently.

A few people in the seat, you look at me, I look at you, they are all a little helpless.

Zhang Lang said angrily: "These guys are really good at picking a time, when they don't come, they just make trouble at this time." ”

Tian Feng stood up, glanced at Zhang Lang with a little deep meaning, and comforted: "Lord, this matter should not be as simple as it seems." ”

Zhang Lang was not stupid in the first place, and he was enlightened by this point: "Fu Hao's meaning, is there someone who provokes right and wrong and makes us make a big move?" ”

Tian Feng nodded, and said with a solemn face: "Don't exclude this possible surname." ”

Cheng Yu pondered on the side: "In this way, the Jiangxia incident has escalated, and Jiaozhou can't rest assured, it seems that the lord has suddenly drawn more troops into Cao Ying." ”

Tian Feng said coldly: "This duel was instigated by Cao Ying in the middle, probably because he was afraid that the main guild would support their legs in the back, so he provoked Liu Biao and Shi Xie's generation, so that we would be tired of dealing with them and unable to strike at them." ”

Cheng Yu sighed, shook his head and said: "Cao Ying is really powerful, while presenting a gift to the lord, let us help him stabilize the flank of Yanzhou, and on the other hand provoke the surrounding enemies, it seems that we can't calmly enter the army, if Cao Ying wins the battle of the Yellow River, I am afraid that the future will be the lord's biggest henchman." ”

Zhang Xuan nodded, and echoed: "The lower officials are only now beginning to understand why the lord has to get rid of Cao Ying first and then quickly, even if he offends Yuan Shao. It's just that now it seems that Cao Ying's trick has been quite successful. ”

The crowd was in awe.

Zhang Lang glanced at it and said slowly: "Now I'm afraid that not only will I not be able to send troops, but I will also make enemies with Liu Biao." ”

Tian Feng took a deep breath and said angrily: "Damn Liu Biao, when Sun Ce took him Jiangxia, why didn't he react at all, but now he is restless, and he also sent troops down, and he has the intention of fighting down." ”

Zhao Yun, who had been listening to it for a long time, finally had a chance to speak, and he said without worry: "Lord, it's not yet time to start a war with Liu Biao, and Shixie is still eyeing it." ”

Tian Feng shook his head and said: "The matter of Jiaozhou, I am afraid that it will be difficult to deal with the aftermath, if Shixie really raises troops, the lord can only salute first and then soldier." ”

Cheng Yu frowned and said: "Although Liu Biao has not yet been overwhelmed by the army, he is only afraid that the vanguard has arrived, how can there be time for Li Shixie at this time?" ”

Tian Feng looked at Zhang Lang's gloomy face and said with a light smile: "The minister has a plan." ”

Everyone immediately raised their heads and stared at Tian Feng.

Tian Feng said indifferently: "Where does the so-called Wenpin come from? Jiang Xia also. It is better for the lord to sacrifice Jiangxia and return Liu Biao, Liu Biao will definitely not embarrass the lord. After that, the lord sent another general to wave his army south to pacify Jiaozhou, so that he would no longer have to worry about the future. Then it's not too late to recapture Jiangxia. ”

Tian Feng's words caused a shock, and the first person to oppose was Zhao Yun.

Zhang Lang pondered for a while, but still shook his head lightly and said, "This plan can't be done." ”

Tian Feng was surprised: "Why not? ”

Zhang Lang thought for a while and said: "Jiangnan takes the Jianghuai River as a risk, and it is better to guard the Jianghuai than to defend the Huai, and the defense of the Huai River echoes inside and outside." If the south has Huai, it is enough to reject the north, and if the north has Huai, the south cannot be restored. Since they want to hold the Jianghuai defense line, Shandong and Jingxiang are like the two wings in the southeast, shielding the entire Jianghuai defense system. Shandong is enough to protect the upper reaches of Huaisi, and Jingxiang is enough to protect the upper reaches of Jianghan. Since we want to guard the river and guard the Huai, then Jingxiang must be taken, and Jiangxia is where the gate of our westward entry into Jingzhou is located. Once the door is open, that's half the battle. And if Jiangxia hadn't taken advantage of Sun Ce's army outside, how could our army be able to take it so easily, if it was handed over and Wen hired as a general, and then the sea would be built and the land and water would be controlled, and our army would have been so difficult to enter Jingxiang again. ”

Everyone nodded involuntarily as they listened.

Zhang Lang said about the rise, and then talked eloquently: "As far as the relationship between Jingzhou and the southeast is concerned, Jiangxia is a major key. The eastern part of Jingzhou, centered on Wuchang, Jiangxia, is the junction between the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. Most of the major tributaries in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River flow into the Yangtze River in this area, and Jiangxia has become a water transportation center in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River. Jiangling can open the Shu Road, Xiangyang can aid Sichuan and Shaanxi, and Wuchang and Jiujiang can shield Jiangdong, and if this is not the case, the eastern region of Jingzhou with Jiangxia as the center can undoubtedly play an important role as the junction between the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. Whether our army's power can extend to Jingzhou, or whether it can maintain lasting control after extending to Jingzhou, depends on its control over Jiangxia and its surrounding areas. Therefore, it is self-evident that the location of Jiangxia is important, especially in the land of Xiakou. So we can't let go. ”

"Since our army can't let go, it will inevitably reinforce Jiangxia, Jiang Qin and Zhou Tai, the two generals, the total strength of land and water is only 20,000, it is difficult to control Jiangxia County." Tai Shi Ci said with some concern.

Zhang Lang said strangely: "What about Yuzhang's people who are too guarded by Huaxin?" ”

Cheng Yujin said: "The four counties of Jingnan have friction at the border of Yuzhang from time to time, and the people of Huada are afraid that Liu Biaojun will attack, so they will return the 10,000 soldiers who support Jiangxia to Yuzhang and deploy defenses everywhere. ”

Xu Xuan shook his head and said: "The defense line of Yuzhang is too long, Changsha and Guiyang may send troops to drive straight into Changsha at any time, and Huada people are also helpless." ”

Tian Feng smiled bitterly and sighed: "This is Liu Biao's cleverness, once our army and Liu Biao start a war, Yuzhang is pressed and cannot move, then our army marches from the southeast to Changsha Liu Yang and Wuchang routes are blocked, then we can only go up from the Yangtze River and compete in the three rivers, so our army will not have any great advantage at all." ”

Zhang Langzhi frowned, it is inevitable to increase the troops in Jiangxia, but after the reinforcement of Jiangxia, how many soldiers and horses will come to pacify Jiaozhou? The more Zhang Lang thought about it, the more he had a headache, he couldn't help but sigh and sat on the chair.

Cheng Yu suddenly laughed and said: "The lord doesn't have to sigh, the matter of Jiaozhou is imperative, and the land of Jiangxia can be buffered." ”

Zhang Lang's eyes lit up and said, "What is Zhongde's trick?" ”

Cheng Yu said with a smile: "Wen Ping led 50,000 troops down from Jiangling, although the attack was fierce, but it gave our army an opportunity. ”

Zhang Lang was surprised: "Could it be that Zhongde still wants to repel them?" ”

Cheng Yu shook his head and said, "It's quite difficult to defeat them, but it's possible to stabilize and prevent them from attacking Xiakou." ”

Zhang Lang was very interested, and urged again and again: "Say it quickly." ”

Cheng Yu said: "The Yangtze River between Jiangling and Xiakou is the passage between it, Baling is its throat, and it can be along the line of the Han River, so Tianmen and Chuyang are in the position of overlooking this line. ”

Xu Xuanjiu was in Jiangdong, and when he heard the words, he said continuously: "Yes, what Zhongde said is extremely true. ”

Cheng Yu said: "From Jiangling to Xiakou, if you go down the Yangtze River, how tortuous the road is. On the contrary, the Han River goes down the Shuo River, which is light and fast. In this way, the subordinates must go all the way to Hanshui. ”

Zhang Lang glared angrily, rolled his eyes and said, "I know what you mean, but the throat places Tianmen and Yangyang are not under our control, and we can't set up troops to intercept them." ”

Cheng Yu said calmly: "The lord didn't understand what his subordinates meant. ”

Zhang Lang looked at Cheng Yu in confusion, and everyone was a little confused for a while.

Cheng Yu said: "From Xiakou to the west, through the gap between Dahong Mountain and Tongbai Mountain, you can lead to the east of Xiangyang, and Suizhou is in an important place. ”

As soon as Cheng Yu's words were finished, the strategists, including Tian Feng and Xu Xuan, exclaimed at the same time. Zhang Lang said urgently: "Zhongde's intention, want me to attack Suizhou with a surprise army and coerce Xiangyang?" ”

Cheng Yu laughed and said: "Yes, and the lord must order General Xu Huang to pretend to go west, when there is news in Xiangyang, he will definitely panic, in order to save Xiangyang, the nearest Wenpin army with Suizhou will inevitably retreat and rescue, and the siege of Jiangxia can be solved." ”

The big tent was silent.

Zhang Lang hesitated: "Although Zhongde's plan to encircle Wei to save Zhao is wonderful, it is too dangerous, our army wants Jiangxia to force into Suizhou, not only the road is far away, but also the mountains are dangerous, once it is ambushed, the whole army will be annihilated." In addition, the troops were divided, and Xiangyang was not threatened, but I was afraid that Jiangxia had been lost. ”

Cheng Yu was said by Zhang Lang to be the key point, and his tone was a little inadequate: "Yes, the subordinates are not afraid of anything else, the most important thing is whether Jiangxia can keep it for a month, which is the matter that affects the overall situation." ”

Zhang Lang pondered: "If you want Xiakou to hold for January, it's not a problem, I can also send a little soldiers and horses to help." ”

Cheng Yu was overjoyed and said: "Lord, the plan comes out of Yu, and naturally he goes from his subordinates, and he will ensure that Xiakou is foolproof." ”

Zhang Lang was still a little uneasy and said: "Although I don't know what the mountain situation of Dahong Mountain and Tongbai Mountain is, Suizhou is located at the junction of the two mountains, and it must have something to rely on, and this trip is indeed difficult." ”

Cheng Yu said disapprerovingly: "Lord, if you are worried, your subordinates can make a military order." ”

Zhang Lang shook his hand and said: "No need, but I think of Mao Ying and Mao Jie, they happened to be in Hefei at this time, you can take them along the way, although it is only 5,000 people, but the Shanyue soldiers are good at mountain warfare, and I want to help them a lot." ”

Cheng Yugang thought about it, and thought about it in a blink of an eye: "Lord, go south to Jiaozhou, the mountains are complicated, the Shanyue army will be more useful there, the land of Xiakou, the lord can rest assured." ”

Zhang Lang looked at Cheng Yu and saw that he was full of confidence, so he said slowly: "Okay, Cheng Yu, I will ask you to be the Taishou of Jiangxia and take care of all things in Jiangxia County." It's just that Xiakou really doesn't have any generals available except for Jiang and Erren, so I will order Chen Wu and Pan Zhang to be your deputy generals, and you will go to the military department to order 3,000 elite soldiers, and go to Jiangxia early tomorrow morning. ”

Cheng Yu just wanted to thank him, but Zhang Lang suddenly said sternly: "If Xiakou has a little mistake, I will only ask you." ”

Cheng Yu said loudly: "It's the lord, and your subordinates will never live up to your expectations." ”

Zhang Lang nodded, his face eased at this time, and he asked everyone in a blink of an eye: "Since Jiangxia is taken care of by Zhongde, I can rest assured, so let's talk about Jiaozhou." ”

Tai Shi Ci said loudly: "The spies came to report that Shixie and his four clan brothers have nearly 100,000 Southern Barbarian soldiers and horses under their control, and they have begun to gather in Longchuan, Jieyang and other places. The pressure on Yuzhang's side is extremely great, but fortunately, it will be Ji Taishou to send troops and reinforcements, otherwise the form is very bad. ”

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