Liu Bei, Pang Tong, and Zhou Budo bid farewell to Huang Quan, Gong Zhen and other generals before they dispersed. Zhang Fei accompanied Liu Bei to the lodging to rest.

Liu Bei was not in a hurry to sleep, but ordered some wine and food, and sat opposite Zhang Fei to drink.

The two of them served food and drink. Zhang Fei picked up the small cup and joked to Liu Bei: "Big brother, it's not atmospheric to drink with such a small wine cup, it's better to ......!" ”

Liu Bei smiled: "It's better to change the big bowl!" Third brother, the eldest brother has something to tell you, drinking is drinking an artistic conception! Let's get down to business! ”

Zhang Fei straightened up and said, "Okay, big brother, what do you say!" ”

Liu Bei sighed and said: "Today, there is actually a simple and effective way to curb the Qiang people and make the Qiang people for my use, I didn't say it, then intermarry with the Qiang people!" “

Zhang Fei's eyes widened, and his eyes unconsciously glanced up.

Liu Bei took a sip of wine and said: "Needless to say, the benefits of intermarriage, Ma Chao is a ready-made example, because half of the blood of the Qiang people on his body has the advantage!" ”

Zhang Fei tasted the meaning of Liu Bei's words in his heart: Is it to marry Liu Chan to a Qiang girl as a wife, no, Liu Chan's marriage to a Qiang girl does not match his identity.

Liu Bei continued on this topic: "I have thought a lot about the Qiang people, and I am particularly worried that the Qiang people only serve Ma Chao. I thought about setting up a famous person for Qiang again. My candidate is Zhao Yun.

Zhao Yun's efforts to establish his authority have an effect. For example, the Di clan admired Zhao Yun very much, and this time they followed the battle and made a lot of efforts.

The Qiang people are different, they still regard Ma Chao as the so-called 'Shenweitian General', and they respect Zhao Yun and have no fear. In the final analysis, the Di people are half farming and half pasting, and their essence is similar to that of our Han people, Zhao Yun can feel it by convincing people with virtue, not as barbaric as the Qiang people, and he can't be moved by benevolence.

The battle report sent to me by Cheng Ji said that the Qiang people killed our Han people at will, and no matter what, it was difficult to do it. In fact, what's so strange about this, isn't Ma Chao so virtuous?

The Qiang people believe that Ma Chao has Qiang blood. In addition, Zhao Yun is older than Ma in age, and Ma is more ruthless than Zhao Yun in behavior, and the impact on the Qiang people is not good.

Nowadays, there is no warrior who can replace Ma Chao in the younger generation, so I am thinking about intermarriage with the Qiang people and downplaying Ma Chao's influence on the Qiang people! ”

Zhang Fei said: "Big brother, the little brother understands, let's just say it, the little brother has a candidate, my son Zhang Bao."

Bao'er is the son of the younger brother, and even more so Adou's brother. Martial arts are okay in the eyes of the younger brother, and it's not a big deal to let Bao'er marry a Qiang girl! ”

Liu Bei was speechless after hearing this, took a sip of wine and said, "Third brother, you are a person who is thick and fine. Our brothers have the same heart, but the eldest brother told you that even if he does not intermarry with the Qiang people, he is not afraid of the Qiang people.

Our brother started from scratch, Dong Zhuo was an old thief, by the way, and Yuan Shu disliked my brother's background and looked down on us, where are these people now? On the contrary, our three brothers fought in the south and the north to lay a foundation, and we don't have to look at other people's faces.

Third brother, as long as you feel a little unhappy in your heart, tell your brother immediately, I haven't mentioned this matter, brother, just give up! ”

Zhang Fei said seriously: "Big brother, the little brother has always said something, and he didn't hide it from the big brother. There is nothing bad about Bao'er marrying a Qiang girl, but it is difficult to marry a Qiang girl, and others will be old and pressure him on this matter! ”

Liu Bei slapped the table and said, "Isn't pressing Bao'er just pressing our brothers?" Don't look at who Bao'er is, the person who doesn't have long eyes dares to gossip about this matter, I'll do him first! ”

Zhang Fei spread his hands and said: "This is exactly what the little brother means, speaking of which, Bao'er is powerful, brave and bold, can mingle with the arrogant Qiang people, and is absolutely reliable."

The eldest brother wants to let individuals influence the Qiang people, Bao'er is young, and his martial arts are honed and honed on the stage, so he is the best candidate! ”

Liu Bei took Zhang Fei's hand and said: "Third brother, your bud is reliable and speaks to the heart of the eldest brother, to be honest, there are too few candidates for the eldest brother to marry." Xing'er is already engaged, and she will get married when she returns after this battle.

Let someone else marry a Qiang girl, I'm afraid of being used by someone with a heart, only my brother's close people can I rest assured, wronged bud! ”

Zhang Fei said: "The eldest brother's heart and the younger brother understand what Bao'er is wronged, not wronged!" ”

Liu Bei stood up and said, "If my brother said this, I still have to ask Bao'er." Third brother, when the time comes, I will ask, Bao'er is not happy to deny it immediately, and you are not allowed to force him! ”

Zhang Fei nodded and said, "Okay, big brother, little brother knows!" ”

The next morning, the crowd came to discuss the matter. Liu Bei instructed Pang Tong and Zhang Fei to lead their troops and horses to the north to meet Ma Chao, Zhao Yun and others, and Zhou Budo, Liang Xu, Shangguan Yu and others went to Tianshui to choose a site to build a city and measure the number of fields.

Liu Bei rushed to Longxi County to supervise the war in Liangzhou, and visited Xu Miao, who knew that Xu Miao had sent people to inquire about the war everywhere, and couldn't help but wonder, and wanted to see him and have a deep conversation with him.

Xu Miao was not surprised by Liu Bei's arrival, the two met, and Xu Miao treated each other politely.

Liu Bei said with a smile: "Jingshan is really good-natured, a bit of a taste of talking and laughing and retiring soldiers!" ”

Xu Miao replied with a smile: "What is the talk of retiring the male soldiers, but it is still defending the fortified city as usual, and whoever is dragged will win!" ”

Liu Bei said: "Longxi County has been attacked by Cao's army for nearly three months, and the people are rarely moved, so Jingshan has made great contributions with this!" ”

Xu Miao said with a smile: "What a great achievement, it is the duty of Taishou to protect the territory and the people!" The envoy has already turned out the banner of Cao Jun under the warehouse, and he will wait for three months to replace it.

As a result, he learned that Xiahou Yuan did not attack Di Dao quickly, but went south, so he put back the Cao Jun banner that he turned out. So that the king wants to scold in his heart, 'repeatedly too guarded'! ”

Liu Bei waved his hand and said: "Otherwise, the situation under the defeat is not something that a county can control, and the surrender of Jingshan is understandable." We made an agreement before, do you remember?

Speaking of which, when I entered the army, Jingshan agreed with Xiang Pet to surrender in two months, and now he has agreed with Cao Jun for three months, which is already very worthy of me Liu Bei! ”

Xu Miao said: "Let Jun Gao look down." When the envoy attacked Longyou, when he made an agreement with Xiang Pet, Xiang Pet had besieged the city for nearly forty days, which was still three months.

If Cao's army enters the city of Longxi Tunbing, cut off reinforcements for more than three months, and surrender to Kaicheng, it is like surrendering to favor at the beginning! ”

Liu Bei said: "Longxi was besieged for three months, Tianshui Ji County will be besieged for more than four months, according to the combat strength of the Cao army, Ji County is afraid that it will not be able to bear it, it will fall, and when the army is pressing, Jingshan surrenders is understandable!"

It's a pity that Cao Jun doesn't have this ability, by the way, Jingshan just said that he turned out the banner of Cao Jun, it seems that Jingshan was not optimistic about our army at first! ”

Xu Miao said: "Exactly, does the envoy want to listen to the absurd ideas of talking about war on paper?" In the next opinion, Cao Jun just failed to defeat Longyou because he missed again and again! ”

Liu Beiqi said: "There are different opinions here in Jingshan, I will listen to them!" ”

Xu Miao smiled and said, "Let me first talk about the reason why the envoy thinks that Cao Jun failed." Cao Army's two battlefields, more than 200,000 soldiers and horses, plus the people used in the rear, the consumption of grain and grass was too large, and Cao's army was unable to take Ji County in Longyou, unable to defeat Huang Quan, Ma Chao and other soldiers and horses, Yizhou reinforcements arrived, and they were forced to retreat. ”

Liu Bei nodded and said, "Yes, is there anything wrong with this?" ”

Xu Miao said: "From the perspective of the art of war, it is true. However, what I want to say next is that ambition influences the war, which is the reason for Cao Pi's failure! ”

Liu Bei nodded and continued. Xu Miao said slowly: "After the Cao army retreated, I sent people to inquire about the war, and I generally knew that I was ugly!"

It is necessary to say that Cao Pi had an excellent strategy in using his troops, and quickly attacked Wudu and blocked the reinforcements in the direction of Hanzhong, so that the army of Jun could not support Longyou and could not move.

The sneak attack on Tianshui County has the defeat of the hexagram, which is actually harmless. Anding County, Jieting and other important places were easily captured, Nan'an, Tianshui County fell one after another, and Longyou did not have a large army stationed, and the troops were scattered in various counties.

Zhao Yun's army was only a few thousand soldiers and horses, and there were no soldiers and horses that could actually threaten Cao's army, and the situation was extremely favorable to Cao's army. It can be said that Longyou is already in the bag. So I turned out the Cao army flag and waited for three months to surrender.

But then the next step was wrong, strictly speaking, it was right to attack Longxi County, but the mistake was to make a mistake in the strategy of securing Longyou and entering Liangzhou. ”

Liu Bei couldn't help but say: "How can you say this, take advantage of the situation to attack Liangzhou, isn't it?" ”

Xu Miao said: "At first glance, it seems to be about the same, but in fact, it is not, the difference is time."

Rush and slow map. What you need to do to attack Longyou is to stop at Longxi County, and then block the key points leading from Liangzhou to Longyou, such as Di Dao, Zhong Ti, Taoyang, etc.

These key points are all in the territory of Longxi County, and after being stuck, they are further taken to hold Tianshui Ji County, Linwei, Xiangping, and Nan'an Zhidao and other places. Half a month after Cao's army advanced into Longxi County, Nan'an County was completely lost, and Xiangping and Linwei fell one after another a month later.

Stabilize Longyou, first of all, when relying on the two places of Taoyang in Beidi Road, even if it can't be attacked for a while, it can also build a fortress to hold on, compress the direction of attack of Liangzhou soldiers and horses, so that Liangzhou soldiers and horses can not form a grain road, and turn attack into defense.

made the Liangzhou soldiers and horses come to attack the Cao army, as for the Liangzhou soldiers and horses to detour into Tianshui and Nan'an to attack and disturb, there is nothing to fear.

The cavalry of the Cao army could bite the Liangzhou cavalry to the death, so that they could not get food on the spot. Wherever they went, wherever they followed, there was no need to fight, and the soldiers and horses of Liangzhou would set fire to the wheat fields and turn them into ashes.

Within ten days, the soldiers and horses of Liangzhou showed their flaws and took advantage of the situation to attack them, and they would inevitably return to Liangzhou if they did not run out of food.

The reason why Cao Jun was afraid of Liangzhou soldiers and horses entering Tianshui County was that Cao Jun had two hearts, and they had three concerns.

Worried about the Liangzhou soldiers and horses, the whole army retreated into Liangzhou, and turned to stick to the city, relying on Huang Quan's ability and Ma Chao's prestige. When they gain a firm foothold in Longyou, they will fall into a difficult battle in the attack on Liangzhou, so it is better to find an opportunity to inflict heavy damage or eliminate the soldiers and horses of Liangzhou in the field.

The soldiers and horses of Liangzhou saw that there was no gap in Tianshui, and in a fit of anger, they turned to set fire to the wheat fields of Tianshui, Nan'an, and Longxi. Cao Jun's army relied on transporting grain to consume after all, it took three or four months, even if he took Longyou, he had no stamina to plot Liangzhou, and he was afraid that Liangzhou would send troops if he left fewer troops, and he was reluctant to spend money and grain, because the population of Longyou was scarce, Liangzhou was barren, and it was not as fertile as the people of the Central Plains, and it was a burden to drag it down.

Three considerations are Cao Pi's purpose. After several months of campaigning, he only recovered Longyou, and completely annihilated all the soldiers and horses of Liangzhou, the king of Hanzhong, and all the soldiers and horses of Longyou, which dealt a big blow to the envoy? The one who can deter Jiangdong Sun Quan and disobey Cao Pi even more?

Only then did Huang Quan deceive the east out of Qishan Fort, Xiahou Yuan immediately went south to intercept, Xiahou Yuan could completely listen to Huang Quan to enter Qishan Avenue, Qishan Fort was fortified, Huang Quan did not dare to attack, and entering Tianshui County could not threaten Cao Ren's army.

It is even more impossible to go south to get through the Jun reinforcements, and it is not possible for Xiahou Yuan and Cao Pi to flank the front and back, and Huang Quan's entire army will be annihilated.

Xiahou Yuan's eagerness to engage proved that Cao's army was eager to engage the Liangzhou soldiers and horses, and inflicted a heavy blow on the Liangzhou soldiers and horses.

Xiahou Yuan saw that he could not only destroy the enemy in the field, but also have a chance to kill or capture the Liangzhou assassin history. With his own army in hand, he is free to adapt and divide his troops to encircle.

In the eyes of Cao Jun's generals, Xiahou Yuan did the right thing, Huang Quan was besieged for more than a month, and Cao Ren and others stopped Xiahou Yuan's actions as proof.

The Liangzhou soldiers and horses surrounding Huang Quan will definitely not give up Huang Quan, and there may be more Liangzhou soldiers and horses coming. Once Huang Quan was overthrown, Liangzhou lost its troops and generals, the army had no will to fight, and the people's hearts were fluctuating, and it was a matter of course to attack Liangzhou again.

There is also the fact that Cao Jun took it lightly and underestimated the combat power of the soldiers and horses in Liangzhou, and the arrogant soldiers were bound to be defeated.

After three years of painstaking management by Huang Quan, Liangzhou has a population of less than 50,000 households, but it is a very strong source of soldiers, so that you can give up the capital, make Liangzhou have sufficient reserves, and the people's hearts are stable.

I heard that Huang Quan not only recruited men and horses in Liangzhou for 30,000 cavalry. Longyou is also poaching people everywhere and recruiting brave people with huge profits, I know that at least 2,000 people from Longxi County went to Liangzhou.

30,000 strong cavalry plus at least 10,000 foot soldiers, not counting the soldiers and horses of the Qiang tribe.

Just imagine, with Cao Jun and Liangzhou soldiers and horses going head-to-head. Xiahou Yuan and Cao Hong against Ma Chao and Huang Quan, Cao Jun did not dispatch the whole army. 40,000 against 60,000, Ma Chao's use of troops and courage occupy a favorable location. Cao Jun's battle is not easy to fight, the two armies are evenly matched, and there will be no accident on the front.

After that, Huang Quan and Ma Chao had Qiang soldiers and horses available, and the Cao army was tired after fighting, and the Qiang soldiers and horses took the opportunity to pick up the cheap and defeated the Cao army. Naturally, Ma Chao and Ma Chao took advantage of the Cao army's inability to hinder it, raided south, backstabbed Cao Pi, and rendezvous, so that Jun hit the road to Longyou and frustrated and forced Cao Jun to retreat.

However, the unexpected situation is changeable, and the Cao army might as well go head-to-head, and still be able to fight the cavalry that Huang Quan painstakingly built. Huang Quan shook it, and Xiahou Yuan rushed over, wanting to catch the rare flaw. Xiahou Yuan probably thought that the opponent was the thief when Hubu Longyou was right before!

Just imagine, if Cao Jun can stop, wait unmoved, wait for another two months, and surrender when he can't hold it anymore. What can a Ji county do, Longyou has actually completely fallen, and the situation is very different.

After the fall of Longyou, waiting for Liangzhou to be in turmoil, Liangzhou's grain production is low, can Liangzhou alone afford to raise 30,000 cavalry? There will definitely be contradictions between the Qiang tribes competing for pastures and water sources, and chaos will inevitably arise after that.

Cao Pi's idea is too big, and he asks Cao Ren to quickly take Longyou and Liangzhou, and it is easy to have accidents if the spread is too wide! Cao Ren followed Cao Pi's idea, but instead fell into it! ”

Liu Bei listened to it and said: "This is strange, there are a lot of capable people under Cao Pi's account, can't you see this?" ”

Xu Miao whispered: "I see that it's useless, because Cao Pi has something on his mind!" ”

After speaking, he pointed to the crown on his head and said: "I privately speculated that Cao Pi felt uncomfortable with the crown belt!"

According to the slow plan below, it will lead to the capture of Longyou, and for the time being, he is unable to plot Liangzhou, so he must be stationed in Longyou, plan Tuntian, solve the grain and grass on the spot, and wait for a good opportunity.

Cao Pi's idea is to take Longyou alone, and the army will inevitably be garrisoned, once he withdraws from Wudu, so that Jun will not sit still, and will go out of Qishan and Liangzhou to attack Longyou. In this way, the war will be protracted.

It was supposed to be an opportunity. After occupying Longyou, Cao's army held on to Qishan and Longxi County, forcing the envoy to continue to attack, using a Longyou to lose the soldiers and people of Liangzhou and Yizhou, and then attack Xiangyang, or attack Hanzhong, Jiangdong Sun Quan may not dare to move, even if he can move and hold on. Can the land of the two states be consumed by Cao Pi?

But Cao Pi is in a hurry! Ambition can't be suppressed, and it becomes like this! ”

Liu Bei stopped and said, "Does Cao Pi care about the past few years?" Those who succeed should be patient! Losing Longyou is like cutting off my arm for me, is it indistinguishable? ”

Xu Miao said strangely: "Cao Pi wants to say something else, everyone under him is looking forward to it." Can the king resist the temptation of ten thousand people and the expectations of all civil and military forces? ”

Liu Bei looked at Xu Miao and said, "Although the throne is respected, it is in a hurry!" Xu Miao smiled.

Liu Bei continued: "I hope that if Cao Pi really takes that step, Jingshan can serve me, instead of staying in Longxi County!" Xu Miao did not give a positive answer.