Chapter 367: Marching into Nanyang, Master and Disciple Meet Jingzhou, Xiangyang. Since Liu Bei left, the politics of Jingzhou has been handed over to Qin Zhen. Although this was the case in name, in reality all the food and fodder supplies were supported by Zhang Zhao and Chen Qun. The reason for this is that he also needs to go on an expedition this time. Not only him, but Guan Yu also has to mobilize troops in Runan. In order to cripple or even destroy Cao Cao in one battle, Qin Zhen suggested that Liu Bei mobilize troops for a full-scale attack. So now Liu Bei is only attacking Hanzhong on the surface, but he is secretly mobilizing troops. This was also Qin Zhen's military strategy this time, using a local war to paralyze Cao Cao and make him think that they were aiming at Hanzhong. When Cao Cao and Yuan Shao took action at the same time, they unexpectedly launched a full-scale general offensive and won a strategic victory. In order to achieve this goal, in addition to the 40,000 troops that Liu Bei sent to the expedition, another 50,000 troops were assembled in Xiangyang City. Together with the troops of Guan Yu, Xu Shu and others in the Central Plains, the number of troops mobilized this time is estimated to be more than 170,000.

There were also various civilian laborers and auxiliary soldiers who transported grain, totaling more than 250,000 people, which was almost all the troops that Liu Bei's army could mobilize now. The supply of food and fodder for these 250,000 people is also a terrifying number. Just the food and fodder alone requires more than 2 million stones. At this time, Qin Zhen was in the government office, and Zhang Zhao was holding a booklet and reporting to Qin Zhen on the status of material preparation. "Since Lord Zhu gave the order, we have already collected more than 700,000 dan of grain and fodder from various places, and Jiangling still has 600,000 dan!" "According to the letter sent by Liu Yuanying, there are already 400,000 dan of grain and fodder in Pingyu City, and another 700,000 dan are being gathered in Hefei." "It is expected to be delivered to Pingyu City in May. By then, our three armies will have more than two million shi of food and fodder, enough to sustain a year's campaign." "Order 30,000 tents, 5,000 chariots and horses, 40,000 horizontal swords, 7,000 bows and 4,000 crossbows for use as a backup." As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Qun on the side took over and reported on the preparations of the troops and generals. Qin Zhen's 50,000-strong army will mobilize Taishi Ci, Xu Sheng, Zhang Liao, Gao Shun, Wei Xu, Huo Jun, Liao Chun and other generals to fight. In addition, there were Lu Xun, Cai Mao, Liao Li, Zhang Hong and others as military officers, with 5,000 people in each battalion, for a total of ten battalions. After three months of preparation, the troops and food supplies were now ready, but Qin Zhen still asked one more question: "Now that the time has come to send troops, I wonder how your Excellency is doing in Hanzhong? Do you need reinforcements from our army?" Although Liu Bei was leading a small army this time, his opponent was Cao Cao, so they had to be fully prepared. As soon as he asked the question, Jian Yong stepped forward and gave a brief account of Liu Bei's situation in Hanzhong. To put it simply, the two armies were in a stalemate. Although the combined forces of Cao Cao and Zhang Lu numbered 60,000 to 70,000 soldiers and horses, together with Liu Zhang's, they totaled more than 80,000 soldiers and horses. In addition, although Ma Chao led thousands of cavalry and was good at charging, they had been led by Zhao Yun since they established the cavalry. With the White Horse Volunteers as the backbone, the 4,000 cavalrymen were all elite, each with two horses. They were good at riding and shooting, and could fight back and forth with Ma Chao. Therefore, they actually have a hidden advantage in Hanzhong now, and do not need any reinforcements from their side at all. After hearing this situation, Qin Zhen couldn't help but nodded secretly, thinking that although Liu Bei was not as good as Cao in fighting, his situation was much better than the Battle of Hanzhong in history.

Because they now occupy Xiangyang and have the advantage of water transportation, they don't need to worry too much about food and fodder. As for the military strength, history did not explain the comparison of the two armies, but Cao Cao's army should have been around 50,000. As long as Liu Zhang does not withdraw his troops, Cao Cao will not be able to hold out in Hanzhong for long as they advance northward. Thinking of this, he couldn't help but ask what Yuan Shao was doing. When Jian Yong heard this, he bowed and said: "According to our military spies, Yuan Shao has been mobilizing troops since Cui Yan returned!" "But the last time a spy reported, Yuan Shao had not yet mobilized his troops. I'm afraid he is also waiting for news." "I just don't know whether Yuan Shao is waiting for our main force to send out troops, or waiting for Cao Cao to send out troops!" "If he was waiting for a letter from Cao Cao about sending troops, he would have probably received the news by now." After hearing this, Qin Zhen couldn't help but tap the table with his fingers and fell into deep thought. Everyone saw this and remained silent. They all knew that when Qin Zhen tapped the table with his fingers, he was usually making some important decision. Now, the timing of their dispatch of troops is a matter of great importance to the outcome of this battle. If Yuan Shao had not sent out his troops yet, and they had sent out their troops first, they might have attracted Cao Cao's main force to move south. This would leave Cao Cao's defenses in the north unprotected, allowing Yuan Shao to take advantage of Cao Cao's rear. Only if Yuan Shao sent troops first and attracted the attention of Cao's army could they achieve the desired results. But they would not be able to send troops too late, because if Cao Cao knew that Yuan Shao was attacking, he might turn back. As soon as Cao Cao returns, Yuan Shao will receive the news and may withdraw his troops, making their plan fail. Therefore, they had to seize the strategic advantage between Yuan Shao's dispatch of troops and Cao Cao's return. To put it simply, it is to create a time difference, break through the numerous defense lines under Cao Cao, and attack Guanzhong. Only Qin Zhen can decide this matter, and all they can do is wait for Qin Zhen's order. But this time, after thinking for a long time, Qin Zhen did not give any orders, but looked at everyone and said; "Do you think that if our army marches north now, it will be possible to achieve any results?" As soon as he asked the question, everyone looked at each other, and then Zhang Zhao said that it was better to play it safe for the time being. "If Yuan Shao were to send out his troops now, our spies would be arriving here soon!" "Rather than sending troops without knowing their situation, it is better to wait a few more days to make sure Yuan Shao has sent troops before we move!" Zhang Zhao's words were naturally recognized by everyone. After all, except Liao Li and Lu Xun, everyone present was already quite old. Most of the older people tend to be more stable. Compared with the current blind attack, it is obviously more stable to get the news and then attack. But just as everyone seconded the proposal, Liao Li and Lu Xun looked at each other and stepped out directly: "My Lord, please forgive my rudeness, but now is the right time for our army to send out troops. We cannot miss the opportunity!" Liao Li suddenly spoke, which made everyone frown. Qin Zhen looked at him with interest and said: "Why do you say that, Gong Yuan? We don't even know if Yuan Shao has already mobilized his army, so why can we send troops?" In fact, he was also inclined to send troops now, but he just wanted to see everyone's opinions. Liao Li's behavior was somewhat beyond his expectations.

And in his eyes, perhaps because he was unwilling to be judged as a useless person, Liao Li raised his head and said: "Because now, no matter if Yuan Shao moves his army or not, it is a great opportunity for our army to march straight north!" "The reason why you are seeking stability now is that you think that if Yuan Shao sends out troops, Cao's army will not be on guard against our army." "But you have forgotten one thing. The fact that the King of Qin is currently stationed in Xiangyang cannot be concealed from Cao's army." "Your name has already intimidated the enemy, but with you here, the enemy will not let down their guard." "So for us, as long as you are here, Yuan Shao will have no influence on our army." "The person affected by Yuan Shao's dispatch of troops is the General of Runan Pass. I estimate that if the enemy knows that Yuan Shao has dispatched troops, they will definitely order the troops from Chenliu to march north!" "Therefore, it is useless for our army to wait for the opportunity here. On the contrary, if you send troops first, the enemy will relax their vigilance against Yingchuan and Chenliu." "At that time, General Guan would suddenly mobilize his troops and would surely catch the enemy off guard, making it difficult for them to take care of both ends." "In my opinion, this is a battle for the entire situation. We cannot focus on just one aspect. If General Guan wins, our army can also win." "In this case, why should we discuss the gains and losses of a certain place here and ignore the overall situation?" He spoke without any self-awareness of a young man, and his words were full of confidence in his own judgment. Everyone was surprised when they heard this. They had never thought of the idea of ​​letting Qin Zhen send troops first to create conditions for Guan Yu. But if you think about it carefully, you can find that what Liao Li said was not wrong. The place where Yuan Shao's troops had the greatest impact was Chenliu, not Nanyang. After all, Qin Zhen is now in Xiangyang. No matter how many troops Yuan Shao dispatches, Cao's army will not mobilize troops from Nanyang. On the contrary, if Qin Zhen sends troops now, Cao's army may choose to mobilize troops from Yingchuan to reinforce Nanyang. This would leave Chenliu and Yingchuan open to the outside world. As long as Guan Yu could capture the two counties, they would surely win the battle. The only question is whether Guan Yu can make good use of this opportunity and gain an advantage in the east. After all, in the eyes of everyone, although Guan Yu was in charge of the front line, he had no outstanding military achievements and was far less famous than Qin Zhen. While they were thinking about this, everyone turned their eyes to Qin Zhen, wanting to know what Qin Zhen's decision would be. After hearing what Liao Li said, Qin Zhen smiled and stood up and said: "I once said that Gong Yuan was not fit for military affairs. It seems that I was wrong. Gong Yuan's words are exactly in line with the essence of the art of war!" “It is said that those who do not plan for the overall situation are not qualified to plan for a specific area, and those who do not plan for eternity are not qualified to plan for the present moment.” "Now our army will have more than 100,000 soldiers, and the troops in Xiangyang are no more than 50,000." "If Nanyang is the most important thing, we should seek local stability. But if we look at the overall situation, we cannot achieve stability." "Now the arrow is on the string and must be shot. I have made up my mind and will send troops north to Nanyang!" "After I left, Xianhe was in charge of Xiangyang, and Zhang Zibu and Chen Changwen assisted him." "Whether we can welcome the emperor, we will fight here. I hope you will fight hard and follow me forward." "But anyone who talks about retreat, shakes the morale of the army, or takes advantage of the opportunity to profit will be killed. No mistakes will be made!" If it were someone else's ability, he would not trust it, but Guan Yu had been silent for four whole years, it was time for him to move his muscles.

If he could delay the main force of Cao's army so that Guan Yu could capture the two counties, then he would have no reason to refuse! After hearing this, everyone stood up, clasped their fists and responded, then went downstairs to prepare. Therefore, in mid-March of the seventh year of Jian'an, just a few days after Yuan Shao sent out his troops, Qin Zhen brazenly launched an attack on Nanyang. Before this, Liu Bei's army's territory was along the line of Ling County, Xinye and Huyang, confronting Zhang Xiu in Wancheng. After Qin Zhen mobilized his army, he divided his troops into two groups. One group went north from the Mian River and, under the command of Taishi Ci, captured Shunyang, Nanxiang and other places. He personally led an army of 40,000 along the way, passing through Xinye, Yuyang, and captured Anzhong, Rangxian, Nieyang and other places. Before the war, Zhang Xiu thought he had been cautious enough, but it was not until Qin Zhen mobilized his troops that he realized he was still careless. Under Qin Zhen's surprise attack, Yuyang and Anzhong fell on March 17th, and Guanjun fell two days later. By March 22, when Zhang Xiu received the news, Shunyang and Nanxiang had fallen one after another. Just as Qin Zhen attacked Nanyang under Cao's army, before Zhang Xiu could react, Qin Zhen had already deployed his troops at Yu River. Faced with this situation, Zhang Xiu did not dare to send troops at will, and had to send letters to Guanzhong, Xuchang and other places for help. Although Cao Cao had moved the capital, Xuchang was still an important base for Cao's army, and his eldest son Cao Ang, Xun You and others were all stationed here. Upon hearing that Qin Zhen had launched a surprise attack on Nanyang, the whole city of Xuchang was in an uproar, and all the civil and military officials in the city were terrified. No one could have imagined that Qin Zhen, who had fled in the second year of Jian'an, would return with his troops at this moment. The most fearful among them was Qin Zhen's former disciple Cao Ang. Facing the aggressive Qin Zhen, he completely lost the composure that had kept the situation stable. Fortunately, Xun You was by his side at the time and quickly persuaded Cao Ang to send reinforcements to Nanyang as soon as possible. After being persuaded, Cao Ang finally decided to leave Cao Ren to guard Xuchang and bring 20,000 troops to reinforce. In this way, Qin Zhen and Cao Ang, the master and disciple, met again in Wancheng after several years. (End of this chapter)