Regardless of the strategy of the Southern Han Dynasty and the Northern Expedition, why is it so difficult to temporarily discuss the southern expedition to the North?

The core lies in the unique and fragmented topography of the south, from the large geographical unit of the south, there are the Sichuan Basin, the Jianghan Plain, the Poyang Lake and the Taihu Lake Plain, and the birth of each regime needs to be attached to these three plains, which can often be called Yizhou, Jingzhou and Yangzhou.

However, in addition to the large geographical units, there are also sparse independent units in the three states, such as the Hanzhong Basin, the Nanyang Basin, and the Poyang Lake Plain. These geographical units are separated by mountain ranges, such as the Wuling Mountains, the Daba Mountains, and the Dabie Mountains.

For example, in the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, compared with the unified north, the south has several regimes such as Li Tang, Qian Wu, Wang Min, and Ma Chu, which have a lot to do with the fragmented terrain of the south.

The sparse terrain that truly integrates the south is often a series of tributaries that flow through different plains, eventually emptying into the Yangtze River, which is rolling eastward. The boat and the water battle, the decisive division of the victory, into the swallowing of the rest of the plains.

On the other hand, in the north, except for Shanxi, Guanzhong and Northwest China have independent geographical units, and the Central Plains is often a winner-takes-all region that can often sweep China.

The vast plains in the north and the sparse plains in the south are destined to be difficult and easy in resource allocation. The south fought on sparse geographical units, and the north had vast plains. In military operations, it is often a matter of who can mobilize more resources.

Through the geographical unit of the south, and then analyze the southern expedition to the north, we can understand why it is so difficult to conquer the northern part of the south.

It seems that the southern expedition to the north is often an independent northern expedition of a large southern geographical unit, fighting against the vast Central Plains. Even if it can win in the short term, the north, which has more resources, can often push back, such as Huan Wen and Qianqin.

Therefore, unless the North is in chaos and cannot invest more resources, it is generally difficult for the South to dominate the world. For example, Liu Yu's Northern Expedition and Zhu Yuanzhang's Northern Expedition took advantage of the chaos in the north and the difficulty in integrating resources to use troops.

After understanding the differences between the geographical units of the north and the south, and then reading Pang Tong's strategy of going out of Xiangfan, or Zhuge Liang's strategy of passing through Bashu and going east out of Jianghuai, you may have a different understanding.

In Huo Jun's eyes, the combat plans of the two are feasible plans for the south to attack the north. Whether it is attacking Xiangfan or taking Shouchun, it is a strategy to pry a little, drive one side, disintegrate the whole line, and thus advance the Central Plains.

Seeing that Pang Tong and Zhuge Liang had a dispute over the direction of sending troops, Liu Bei looked at Huo Jun and asked, "What does Zhong Miao think?" ”

Huo Jun pondered a little and said: "The area of Xiangfan is narrow, the Han River is not a moat, Cao Cao led the army to the south, our army is-for-tat with it, and the two armies are camped and fighting, which is not the best policy." ”

"The Jianghuai River is vast, the Huai River flows eastward, sometimes there are thousands of miles, and the boats shuttle through the river. Our army takes the boat as a horse, and turns to fight between the Huai River, which is as easy as a hand, and can take Yan and Yu when entering, and can defend the Huai River when retreating, and this soldier is a place to come into play. ”

If you ask Huo Jun which plan is the best, the only way to make a targeted arrangement according to Cao Wei's actual arrangement may be the best solution.

Now Huo Jun is not optimistic about sending troops to Xiangfan, you must know that Cao Ren has been in Xiangfan for six years, relying on the mountainous terrain of Da Xian Mountain and Longzhong to build many fortresses.

If there is no time to help, the Southern Han Dynasty will snatch the camps in the Xiangfan defense line with the Northern Wei Dynasty in the narrow Xiangfan area of hundreds of miles, and fall into a nightmarish battle.

On the contrary, Liu Bei sent troops to Jianghuai, although Shouchun is strong, but at least there is more room for maneuver, after all, Shouchun is only located in the northwest corner of Huaishui, in the vast northeast region, there is a lot of room to play.

And judging from the successful experience of later generations, whether it is Liu Yu's Northern Expedition or Xu Dahuayuan, most of them found a breakthrough from Qingxu. Of course, the situation of the Southern Han and Northern Wei dynasties is different from the background of these two cases, but the Northern Expedition always has to try hard.

After a pause, Huo Jun analyzed for Liu Bei and said: "King, Shouchun is the solid of the Central Plains, if Shouchun can be obtained, the king can lead the boat into the Huaishui, and the best strategy is to break Shouchun, and the soldiers will go to Xuchang and point to the hinterland of the Central Plains; In the strategy of the army to Xuzhou, the boat into Surabaya, Ke Pi, by land to Langya, over the Xian Mountain, swept Qingxu, connected to Xuhuai. ”

"The next policy, if it is difficult to defeat the Cao thief, you can take advantage of the boat, evacuate Jianghuai, and stick to Hefei and Lu'an. In this way, soldiers are used, boats are borrowed, grain and grass are transferred, there is no shortage of baggage, there is a degree of advance and retreat, and it should be calm. ”

Since Huo Jun conquered Hefei, Lu Su and Jiang Ji have been in Jianghuai for five or six years, and the most important ditch and Feishui canal from the Yangtze River into Huaishui have been dredged, and the barren land reclaimed in Jiangbei has already become familiar land. In addition, Jianghuai is backed by Jingchu and Jiangdong, and boats transport grain and grass, and it is feasible to march from Jianghuai.

"The words of the Huo Inspector are really high-minded, and the king should follow them."

Zhuge Liang held the fan and arched his hand, and said: "Cao Cao was tyrannical, he went to Xuzhou to fight for Xuzhou, slaughtered the people in Surabaya, and the children of his hometown all remembered the hatred of his father and brother, especially the lonely grave of the dead monument. And the king is not afraid of the outnumbered soldiers, saves the people from fire and water, and can win the hearts of the people. ”

"Now the king is approaching the army into Xu Huai, and the people are all eating pot pulp to welcome the king, and offering food and strength to help the king. I hope that the king will be thoughtful and reasonable, and not send troops hastily. ”

Pang Tong's narrative was too macroscopic, but Huo Jun and Zhuge Liang were able to discuss the pros and cons of the two from the tactical and popular perspectives, which made Liu Bei more inclined to march from Xu Huai.

First, as Huo Jun said, it is easy to fall into an offensive and defensive battle when fighting Xiangfan. With 30,000 or 40,000 troops, the terrain and barracks were enough to squeeze out the troops of the Southern Han Dynasty. The Southern Han was able to win the battle of Hanzhong by taking advantage of its own defenders.

Second, he has worked hard in Xu Huai for several years, and there are many Xu Huai people under his command, and they have different feelings for Xu Huai.

Third, Zhuge Liang's analysis from the perspective of the people's will is reasonable, attacking a place should be the weak point of attacking the enemy.

Although it has been 20 years since Cao Cao slaughtered the people of Xuzhou, it does not mean that the people of Xuzhou have forgotten this incident. As Zhuge Liang said, 'The dead monument and lonely grave are especially there, and the children in the hometown all miss the hatred of their father and brother.' The will of the people is indispensable.

"King!"

Pang Tong wanted to say something more, but was interrupted by Liu Bei raising his hand.

Liu Bei is not like Yuan Shao, wide and constant, scheming but less decisive. As a person born in the Northland, he has no regrets when he makes a decision, and it is a big deal to continue to work hard.

After making a decision, Liu Bei stroked his beard and said: "I have to hear the high opinion of Zhuqing, and it is beneficial to be alone." After a little Bashu, for a long-term plan, it should be slowly planned; When the soldiers went out of Xiangfan, they went-for-tat with Cao Cao and fought on a narrow road, which was not conducive to our southern army. ”

"When the troops enter Huaishui, the terrain is wide, which is conducive to mobility, and it is convenient for Huaishui to transport grain. After thinking deeply, this battle can send troops to Xu Huai, cross the fertile water by boat, pass the ditch, and go to Shouchun in the north, and enter Xiapi. ”

The battle of Xiangfan is destined to be a hand-to-hand battle that meets on a narrow road. Although the south was integrated by Liu Bei and established 40,000 Chinese troops, it did not mean that Liu Bei had the hard power to fight with Cao Cao and attack the city camps. At that time, even if it was victorious, the military strength of the Southern Han Dynasty was mostly exhausted.

"The king is wise!" The crowd agreed.

Pang Tong saw that Liu Bei was already determined, and his mood was slightly low, but he also agreed with Liu Bei's decision.

"Since the king is the main force to Shouchun, I don't know how to arrange Jiangling and Hanzhong?" Fa Zheng asked.

Liu Bei thought for a little and said: "Filial piety bluntly said that Hanzhong can send troops to Guanzhong, so as to surprise the soldiers and horses in Guanxi, and Gu Shen thinks so." Now let Yide be the main general, Bo Yan as the deputy general, Xingba stayed in Hanzhong, and sent 20,000 soldiers from Bashu, thinking that it was a feint. How? ”

"King, the soldiers and horses of the Shangyong Shen clan are indispensable, and thousands of soldiers and horses can be drawn to make them recruit." Fa Zheng suggested.

"Good!"

Liu Bei bowed his head slightly and said: "As for Jiangbei, let Yun Chang lead the Jiangling soldiers and horses, supervise the Jiangxia army, and advance according to the situation, and be sure to defend Wuhan." ”

Since it was the Northern Expedition to Xu Huai, the Nanjun and Jiangxia armies in the middle of the road could not act rashly, and Liu Bei handed over to Guan Yu to command, which was to let Guan Yu act in a mobile manner.

"In the spring of next year, 100,000 Guxing soldiers will go to the army, Xiaozhi and Shiyuan will be the participants, Zilong, Hansheng, and Shuzhi will supervise the 40,000 Chinese army, and Jiangzuo and Jianghuai will be ordered to send 60,000 troops to accompany the expedition."

Liu Bei got up from the couch and ordered: "After the expedition, Kong Ming will stay in Wuhan, and the prime minister will govern the country." The crown prince supervised the country and urged his good students to study. ”

"No!"

(End of chapter)