Before Liu Qi set up a banquet to celebrate his achievements, Guan Ping sent his own soldiers to Wancheng.

Gan Ning led a naval army to Jingzhou to support, defeating and surrendering Sun Quan's general Jiang Qin.

These two pieces of news can effectively boost the morale of the Wancheng soldiers, so tell Guan Yu as soon as possible.

Cao Ren's 100,000-strong army pressed the border, and Guan Yu used a limited number of more than 20,000 people to temporarily block it on the east bank of the river.

However, this did not last long.

Guan Yu also sent people to Chang'an to report the news, but he knew that Liu Bei's main force in Guanzhong had gone out to Liangzhou in a big way at the end of last year, and there was no news of his return from victory at this time, so it was obviously impossible to come to the aid immediately.

And what worries Guan Yu the most is that Cao Cao is known as a million soldiers in the future.

Although Guan Yu killed Yan Liang among the ten thousand armies, it was only the highlight moment of personal bravery, and the real military confrontation had to be fought with a knife and a gun.

Tens of millions of soldiers and horses fought seem to exist only in the words of historians.

Cao Ren knew that Guan Yu was brave and good at fighting, and the naval army he brought was also well-trained, so he was not in a hurry to attack the city on the east bank of the river, causing huge psychological pressure on the defenders on the west bank.

Cai Mao was defeated in land and water battles, and Cao Ren knew that he was intimidated by Guan Yu's might, so he ordered him to lead his warships to hold the waters of Xinye.

That is, at the confluence of the tributaries of the water, it is planned to trap the Guan Yu army in the upper reaches of the water, and finally form a situation of closing the door and beating the dogs.

Cao's soldiers were as powerful as Guan Yu, the enemy of 10,000 people, and they did not dare to attack rashly.

Xu Shu took advantage of Cao Cao's recovery of Hebei and weakened his control over Nanyang, so he used a plan to capture the four counties of Yexian, Lixian, Duyang, and Bowang, so that Guan Yu became a veritable governor of the northern part of Nanyang.

However, Cao Ren led his troops south.

Not only did the four counties gain and lose, but Pheasant County, Jianyang, Xinye, Wuyin, and Biyang were also lost one after another.

A large area east of Huashui and north of Bishui has all fallen into Cao Jun's sphere of influence, and Guan Yu's jurisdiction only has two cities, Wancheng and West Hubei.

Sun Tzu's Art of War has a cloud: 'Seek the situation, not blame others.' ’

Because the situation is stronger than people, coupled with the flat terrain of Nanyang, even with the clairvoyant mirror as an auxiliary, it is difficult for Xu Shu to win with a trick, not to mention that Cao Cao still has a shot.

If people lose land, people and land will survive; If the land is lost, the people and the land are lost.

Guan Yu and Xu Shu were both proficient in the art of war, and unanimously decided to confront each other and use the Shuishui River to contain Cao Renlian.

If Cao Cao really led a million people south, Guan and Xu would take the Nanyang army and civilians to withdraw into Guanzhong, so that the terrain of Guanzhong could be used to defend everywhere.

As for how to use Guanzhong and Northwest as the base to compete in the Central Plains? Zhuge Liang, Xu Shu, and Liu Ye will re-plan.

With the above considerations, Guan Yu and Xu Shu intended to let the people of Wancheng and Western Hubei be ready to evacuate at any time at the beginning of the confrontation.

Fancheng is three hundred miles away from Wancheng, and the soldiers sent by Guan Ping to report the news arrived day and night on the night of the next day.

Guan Yu has been passive in defense these days, and the cities under his rule have been pulled out by Cao Ren one by one, and the depression in his heart has nowhere to stretch.

Fancheng's intelligence came in time, Guan Yu finally swept away the haze of the past, and hurriedly analyzed Xu Shu with excitement: "Gan Xingba is really timely, if I lead the water army south to attack, Cai Mao and Zhang Yun's 20,000 water army, even if the whole army is not wiped out in a battle, there is no power to fight back, so that not only can Cao Ren be blocked with the water, but even the next million Cao soldiers." ”

Guan Yu was full of confidence to express his opinions, but unfortunately the hall was silent, and Xu Shu at the banquet was as if he hadn't heard it.

I saw him holding his beard in his hands, frowning and contemplating with his right hand pressed against the map.

"Why didn't Yuan Zhi speak? Could it be that the news sent by Ping'er was not good? Or is Guan's analysis wrong? ”

Facing Guan Yu's questioning, Xu Shu arched his hand and shook his head in response: "Don't blame Yun Chang, I was thinking about something else just now, the news from Fancheng is indeed very good, but if you and General Gan attack Cai Mao and Zhang Yun together, Cao Ren on the east bank will not be indifferent, if he takes the opportunity to build a pontoon bridge to cross the river, the people of Xi'e and Wancheng will not be able to leave, these people will follow the lord from Runan to Jingzhou, if they fall into Nanyang, it will hinder the reputation of the lord."

"Yes also. Yuan Zhi reminded him very much. ”

Guan Yu suddenly realized, and nodded his head in agreement: "Half of the tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians in Western Hubei and Wancheng are from Runan with us, if we have to abandon them, it is really ashamed to follow the feat over the mountains and mountains, and it will be detrimental to the name of the eldest brother's benevolence and righteousness."

Xu Shu listened and affirmed, and finally added an analysis: "Even if Cai Mao and Zhang Yun are defeated by Yun Chang, don't forget that Lu Meng also led the water army to Jingzhou, the Jiangdong water army is the strongest in the world, Yun Chang wants to drag Cao Jun with the water, I'm afraid he may not be able to fulfill his wish."

"This group of rats will only sneak attack, but Gan Xing defeated Lu Meng in Fancheng, this guy is only afraid that he will sneak back to Jiangxia, he has the courage to make a comeback and fight with me?"

Guan Yu stroked his beautiful hair with one hand, and the arrogant expression on his face expressed his disdain for Lu Meng.

Xu Shu was noncommittal, frowning and continuing to analyze: "The Jiangdong soldiers are weaker than land battles and stronger than water battles, didn't General Long also fail to take advantage of the victory to pursue?" Since Lü Meng led his troops to appear in Fancheng and Hanshui, and Cai Mao, the enemies of Jingzhou, ignored it, it shows that Sun Quan has colluded with Cao Cao and Cai Mao, and although the rats dare not fight Yun Chang head-on, they can't say for sure if they fish in troubled waters, release cold arrows, and make yin moves."

"Reasonable" Guan Yu sighed and hurriedly asked: "Since the absolute superiority on the water cannot be guaranteed, then I will fight with Gan Xingba in the north and south at this time, and I may indeed give Cao Ren a chance, so what if I withdraw the people of Wancheng and Western Hubei first?" Will it affect the combined attack fighters against Cai Mao and Zhang Yun? ”

"Since Cao Cao claims to be one million, the actual strength will not be less than two or three hundred thousand, there is no barrier to defend around Wancheng and Xi'e, and when the water enters the dry period for a period of time, the role of Yun Chang's water army is becoming more and more limited, and the people of the two cities should be evacuated first, but"

"But what?"

Guan Yu has always been calm and has never been flustered, but at this time, he interrupted Xu Shu, which shows the anxiety in his heart.

Seeing this, Xu Shu smiled and comforted: "Since Sun Quan, Cai Mao, and Cao Cao are colluding, I am wondering if General Gan can do anything with him if he can subdue Jiang Qin?" ”

"Hiss"

Guan Yufeng's eyes opened, his eyes showed joy, and he added excitedly: "If it weren't for Yuan Zhi's reminder, I almost forgot that Jiang Qin was of great use, he was originally Sun Quan's general, since Sun Quan and Cai Mao colluded, Jiang Qin might be able to raid Cai Mao, and then I will lead the Wancheng Navy to cooperate with the attack, then the Xiangyang Navy will inevitably be defeated in an instant, so that the enemy can be cut off all the way."

"If Jiang Qin is used to break Cai Mao and Zhang Yun, the impact on the situation is not great, why not use him to seize Xiangyang?"

Xu Shu smiled mysteriously, and Guan Yu stayed in place for a long time without answering.

It took a long time to brush his hair and mutter: "Cai Mao and Zhang Yun are leading the troops outside, and the defenders of Xiangyang are insufficient, but Xiangyang is high and strong, and the money and food in the city are very sufficient, if Jiang Qin is used to open the gate of Xiangyang, Guan will be able to use Xiangyang and Hanshui to fortify, even if Cao Mengde really stops him with a million troops, he is confident to block him north of Hanshui."

(End of chapter)