Guanzhong, Lantian.

Inside Cao Jun's tent, the charcoal was engulfed in flames, and the sound of a beep bar sounded, and the heat released by the orange flames dispelled the cold in the tent.

"Horses are brave, and they can't be easily defeated!"

On the couch, Cao Cao's face was gloomy, his heart was not bored, and he said: "The soldiers of Guanxi practice spears, fight bravely, and are not afraid of death. Although the sergeants under the lonely tent are fierce, they are also inferior to the Kansai generals. Fortunately, Han Sui died, otherwise this battle would be difficult! ”

The strong and capable fighting of the soldiers and horses in Kansai exceeded Cao Cao's expectations. In particular, the Qiang cavalry under the command of Ma Chao was extremely brave and skillful in bowing horses, which gave Cao Cao a headache.

In the battle of the General Assembly a few days ago, Cao Cao's army formation was almost broken by Ma Chao, but thanks to Xu Huang and Zhu Ling leading the army to resist, they repelled Ma Chao's army.

On the whole, the strongest combat effectiveness is the Guanxi soldiers, followed by the Central Plains soldiers under Cao Cao's account, Wu Chu's troops under Liu Bei's account again, and Liu Zhang's Bashu end.

However, in addition to combat effectiveness, there is also discipline. The Kansai soldiers lacked military discipline and could not last. Cao Cao was able to fight the battle with Ma Chao without winning or losing, and it was mostly because the soldiers and horses in Kansai could not fight a protracted war. At the end of the battle, Ma Chao saw that the situation on the battlefield was not good, and took the initiative to withdraw his troops.

The reason why Zhang Fei was able to kill Han Sui and repel Ma Chao. Yu Zhang Fei took him by surprise, bypassed Yangping Pass, and led the elite to ambush Han Sui on the mountain road.

Saying that, Cao Cao said with emotion to the left and right civil and military: "Giving birth to a son should be like a horse Mengqi!" ”

Xiahou Yuan made a knife with his hand and said: "Prime Minister, Ma Teng's father and son are all in Yecheng, and now Ma Chao is making trouble in Guanxi, or kill him to set an example." ”

Cao Cao stroked his beard and bowed his head in contemplation.

In the middle of the ring, Cao Cao looked at Cheng Gongying and asked: "Qing is a person from Kansai, and he has always worked under the Wenyue account, so what do you think is the words of a wonderful talent?" ”

After Han Sui's death, Yan Xing and Cheng Gongying welcomed Han Sui's youngest son Han Fu as the main master, and Ma Chao wanted to enter Longyou to fight for land. The two of them, together with Shi Weikang and Yang Fu, the commander of Liangzhou, gathered Longyou's soldiers and horses to repel Ma Chao. Now that Cao Cao entered the customs, Cheng Gongying, as the representative of Han Fu, asked Cao Cao to surrender.

Cheng Gongying pondered for a while and said: "Most of the generals in Guanxi are selfish, Ma Chao's mother is a Qiang girl, if you take care of Ma Teng's life, how can she rebel?" ”

Ma Teng raised troops for decades, received the edict of the prime minister, abandoned the military horses, brought his heirs into Yecheng, and surrendered to the prime minister, which shows that there is no rebellion. Today, because of the rebellion against Ma Chao, he raised troops and killed Ma Teng, and he was afraid of chilling the hearts of the Kansai soldiers. ”

And Ma Chaoruo spread rumors, saying that the prime minister wanted to kill all the families of the generals in Kansai. Or Ma Chao originally had the intention of surrendering, but because the prime minister killed Ma Teng, it aroused his long-term fighting heart. ”

Saying that, Cheng Gongying bowed his hand to Cao Cao and said: "In Ying's opinion, if the prime minister wants to do great things, he should take appeasing people's hearts first, Kansai has been away from China for a long time, just like a baby leaving his mother, and his mother gives grace, can Zi'an not deeply remember the kindness of the prime minister?" ”

Hearing the word 'great cause', Cao Cao's desire to kill quieted down.

Liu Bei's rise to the south, under the banner of 'Fengtian Jing'an', should be his confidant. And he went through three southern expeditions, the first Jinkou fiasco, and the last two Sukou and Xiakou ended in draws.

After tossing, Cao Cao almost recognized that Liu Bei's secession of the south was a foregone conclusion, and in his lifetime, it would be difficult for him to cross the Yangtze River.

In this way, how could Cao Cao not think about himself and be called a prince? Princes and kings, or statehood?

These thoughts flashed through Cao Cao's mind countless times, and he had to think about it for the future.

Cheng Gongying is not unreasonable, killing a Ma Teng who has no power to resist is insignificant, but whether it will cause the deterioration of the situation in the northwest requires him to think carefully.

Cao Cao stroked his beard and said with a smile: "What Berger said is well versed in loneliness, Ma Teng is submissive to loneliness, and loneliness can not be disappointed." ”

"Come on, order the officials of Yecheng to take care of Ma Teng's father and son, don't be lazy."

"No!"

After a pause, Cao Cao looked at Jia Xu, pointed at Cheng Gongying, and said with a smile: "Unexpectedly, in the land of Longshang, Guanxi, there are two high-ranking talents, Wenhe and Bojie!" ”

Jia Xu smiled modestly, but Cheng Gongying said that he didn't dare.

Cao Cao stood up, put his hands behind his waist, and asked with a pace: "Wen He and Berger, since they are resourceful people, they don't know how to teach a lonely horse?" ”

Seeing Cheng Gongying looking at him, Jia Xu raised his hand and motioned for him to speak first.

Cheng Gongying thanked Jia Xu and said: "Prime Minister Qi, Ma Chao invaded Hanzhong, took Nanzheng money and grain, and returned to Chencang. Scattered money and grain to recruit elite Qiang soldiers to fight, and gave it to the generals. The elite of the Qiang soldiers came from the lower debate, Hechi, and Didao, and were the troubles of the prime minister's henchmen. ”

"Ying thought that the prime minister asked Wei Liangzhou and General Yan to release the news in Longyou, saying that the Qiang soldiers helped the thieves to cause chaos, and the Qiang tribe was in chaos. When the Qiang soldiers heard this, they were worried about the safety of their families in the clan, and they would give up their horses and return to the clan. Ma Chao has no Qiang soldiers as wings, so there is nothing to worry about. ”

"Berger is very strategic, and now he is a military advisor under the orphan tent. and wrote to Wei and Yan Erjun, asking them to act like this. Cao Cao said in admiration.

"Wait!"

Jia Xu interrupted and said, "Prime Minister, since Ma Chaotun has money and grain in Chencang, why don't you use it now?" ”

"Huh?"

Cao Cao looked at Jia Xu and said, "Wenhe, please speak." ”

Jia Xu sorted out his thoughts and said: "If Longyou's soldiers and horses are available, why don't you let Wei Tingshi send troops to the east, go south along the Weishui, and enter Chencang." Ma Chao was the enemy before and after, and the prime minister looked for an opportunity to appease the generals in Kansai with a letter, and the hearts of the coalition forces would inevitably collapse, and they could go down to Guanzhong in a battle at that time. ”

"If Guanzhong is down, Han Fu will return to the prime minister, and Wei Tingshi and General Yan will be attached to China. When Prime Minister Shi sent the army into Lianglong, Longyou Ke'an, Liangzhou Keping. ”

"Color!"

Cao Cao applauded and said: "According to what Berger and Wen He said, the rear of the horse is restless, the army's spirit is broken, and the army chaos will be pacified in a few days. ”

I have to say that Han Sui died in battle, and Yan Xing and Cheng Gongying surrendered to Cao Cao, which had too much impact on the Kwanti coalition army. And Cheng Gongying, as a Kansai scholar and Han Sui's confidant, has a deep understanding of the problems existing in the Kansai coalition army, and almost all the strategies he offers are aimed at the shortcomings of the coalition army.

Just as Cao Cao and the generals were further discussing the strategy of breaking the enemy, the scout entered the tent and brought the battle report of Hefei.

"Prime Minister Qiqi, Huo Jun led an army of 40,000 or 50,000 to invade Hefei in the north, and now he is building a river weir outside the city, which seems to have the intention of attracting fertilizer water to irrigate the city." The scout said.

Cao Cao put down the military affairs in his hand and said: "Huo Jun's soldiers committed Hefei, as expected. ”

As he spoke, Cao Cao asked left and right and asked, "Is Hefei feasible for water decision?" ”

Left and right couldn't answer, only Sun Quan thought a little and said: "Prime Minister, Hefei is located in a low-lying place, and fertile water passes through the city. In spring and summer, the fertile water rises sharply, and the river weir is built to accumulate water potential, and the water rushes down, or it can break the city gate. ”

Cao Cao's expression instantly became heavy, and he said, "Huo Jun's use of soldiers is extraordinary. Replace the soldiers with water, and when the summer comes, the river weir will be broken to irrigate Hefei. ”

"Prime Minister, how should this be?" Xiahou Yuan asked worriedly.

Cao Cao paced in the tent and said calmly: "Huo Jun replaced the soldiers with water and built a river weir must be Huo Jun's strategy to lure the Hefei guards out of the city, and reinforcements must be sent." ”

Sima Yi reminded: "Prime Minister, Huo Jun's soldiers are strategic, or they can anticipate reinforcements. ”

"Yes!"

Cao Cao woke up and said: "Huo Jun is building a river weir now, and it can only be used in spring and summer, and he must wait for my Jianghuai soldiers and horses to go south." If you want to solve the siege of Hefei today, you must be wise and brave, and you must be accompanied by wise and resourceful people. ”

After speaking, Cao Cao looked at Xiahou Yuan, who bowed his head, and quickly vetoed it.

Xiahou Yuan was defeated by Huo Jun twice in a row, and it is estimated that Huo Jun has been beaten out of the psychological shadow. Now that I go, I'm afraid I will be defeated by Huo Jun again.

What about Cao Hong? I'm afraid it's hard to do it.

After pacing and thinking for a long time, Cao Cao said: "Let General Fubo (Xiahoudun) command the Jianghuai soldiers and horses today, what is it?" ”

"Why don't the prime minister let Han Hujun command the Jianghuai soldiers and horses, he is known for his military strategy, and he should be able to Jingbian." Cao Hong suggested.

Cao Cao was very intent on moving, but he vetoed it, saying: "The war is scorching today, and you can't be left without a protector. ”

Cao Cao occupied the Central Plains, and there were many outstanding generals under his account. Such as Han Hao, Shi Lian, Tian Yu, Zhao Zhao, Zhu Ling and other generals, Gaiduo is not famous, but his actual ability is no worse than Shuangcao and Shuangxiahou, but he lacks a platform and is difficult to display his talents.

Today's rescue of Hefei, Cao Cao's discretion, can only elect Xiahoudun as the rescue coach.

Yang Xiu hesitated for a moment and said: "Since the prime minister takes General Fubo as his commander, he may need to choose to join the army and protect the army, and assist him on the left and right in order to force Huo Jun back." ”

Yang Xiu's words were very subtle, after all, it could not be said that Xiahou was too good and was not Huo Jun's opponent. If you don't have the assistance of a reliable person, it is estimated that you will give it away for nothing.

Cao Cao pondered for a long time and said: "If you join the army, you can let Yangzhou don't drive Liu Ye to serve, and you can let Zhongmou serve as the protector." ”

Joining the army, that is, a person who participates in the military. Protectors, i.e., those who oversee the generals.

Obviously, Cao Cao's talent for knowing people is outstanding, Liu Ye is outstanding in strategy, and he performed well in the Battle of Mixukou, became the Prime Minister's Mansion to join the army, and later transferred to Yangzhou as a driver. As a Jianghuai person, it is most suitable to join the army now.

Sun Quan was loyal and credible, and after the defeat of Chrysostom, fortunately Sun Quan was able to protect the left and right, and Cao Cao was able to escape from Jianghan unscathed. Huo Jun has many old Jiangdong generals under his account, and Sun Quan serves as a protector, which may affect the performance of enemy generals.

And the guards do not need to lead the army, they are only responsible for military discipline and occasionally give advice. For Sun Quan, a person with weak military ability, may be the most suitable.

"The prime minister is wise!" The crowd applauded.

"Good!"

Cao Cao instructed: "Order General Fubo to go out of the town of Jianghuai, supervise all the armies of Jianghuai, and aid Hefei in the south." Liu Ye joined the army, and Sun Quan was the protector. ”

"Prime Minister Xie!" Sun Quan surrendered his command.

Cao Cao sat back on the couch and asked, "Is there any movement in Liu Bei?" ”

Yang Xiu thought for a little and said: "Since the Prime Minister's troops went to Guanxi, Liu Bei returned to Wuhan, in addition to letting Huo Junxing troops go on the Northern Expedition, Guan Yu prepared grain and grass in Jiangling, and it seems that there are signs of soldiers. ”

Cao Cao stroked his beard and said with a sneer: "Liu Bei must see that Lone is going to Guanxi with troops, and I am afraid that Lone will have Lianglong, and then he will go to Bashu." Liu Bei's hypocrite, Liu Zhang invited the tiger into Sichuan, and finally suffered from it. Lone should be settled as soon as possible, and enter Lianglong. ”

(End of chapter)