The Three Kingdoms become stronger when they get treasures

Chapter 420 Temporary Withdrawal
Defeating in front of the enemy must not be careless, after all, it is related to the lives of many people and the direction of the entire battle in Huainan.After Lei Xu informed Gan Ning of Cao Jun's layout in Huainan, the city defense situation of Shouchun City, and Li Dian's general whereabouts, after discussion, Gan Ning, Lu Su, Jiang Qin and others agreed that Lei Xu was sincerely seeking refuge.

But even so, Lu Su believed that he should not act hastily. If the plan were leaked, not only Lei Xu who surrendered would be in danger, but even the Chu army who entered the city would suffer heavy losses.

Therefore, based on the information provided by Lei Xu, Lu Su formulated a detailed plan, which was completed with the cooperation of the main force outside Hefei and the Navy Department led by Gan Ning.

It is already winter. Although the line between the Qinling Mountains and the Huaihe River is the dividing line between freezing and non-icing, it is only roughly so. If a winter is particularly cold, the Huaihe River will still freeze.Although the average freezing time of the Huaihe River is not long, about fifteen days, as long as it freezes, it will not be conducive to the actions of the Chu army and navy.

Without the cooperation of the water army, even if the Chu army took advantage of Lei Xu's refuge to take Shouchun City, it would be difficult to hold it under the counterattack of the 10,000+ Cao army.

Coincidentally, this winter was indeed a bit cold. Jiang Qin, who grew up here, judged that the Huaihe River was likely to freeze this winter, so Gan Ning led the navy to withdraw from the Huaihe River, and returned to Jianye City through Hongze Lake. , I plan to come back next spring to implement that plan.

Just enough to prepare Lei Xu, such as paralyzing Li Dian, mastering the city gate and so on.

When Cao Cao heard that Zhang Wu's navy had withdrawn from the Huai River, he asked in wonder, "Gan Ning withdrew from the Huai River? Did Zhang Wu retreat?"

Sima Yi replied: "Back to the king of Wei, Zhang Wu's main army did not retreat. The enemy's navy retreated probably because they were afraid that the Huaihe River would freeze and their retreat would be cut off. However, Zhang Wu's army outside the city not only did not withdraw, but recently retreated. A large amount of food, grass and supplies have been transferred, including many winter clothes."

Cao Cao said: "It seems that Zhang Wu intends to continue to spend here. He knows that our army consumes more food and grass. He wants to consume us!"

"In the past few years, Jingzhou, Jiangdong, Yizhou and other places have had good weather and weather. Zhang Wu has hoarded a lot of grain and grass, and they can transport grain and grass by water and land. We really can't consume him."

This is a very unsolvable conspiracy, but it is very easy to use. Since the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, it has been often used by generals.For example, in the original Battle of Changping, Lian Po just couldn't hold on and wanted to kill the Qin army, because the Qin army had long transportation and heavy pressure on food and grass.If King Zhao does not change his generals, perhaps the Qin army will be exhausted in the end.

During the Battle of Guandu, Jushou made a suggestion to Yuan Shao, saying that although Cao Jun is elite, he lacks food and grass, and he really wants to fight quickly, but as long as we stick to it and don't fight, Cao Jun will have no food to eat after a long time, so we don't need to fight. , they themselves lost.

It's a pity that Yuan Shao didn't listen. Do you think his 70 army can't beat Cao Cao's tens of thousands of troops?In the end, he was defeated by Cao Cao, and the Yuan family was also beheaded by Cao Cao.

Later, during Zhuge Liang’s Northern Expedition, Sima Yi knew that he couldn’t beat Zhuge Liang, so he couldn’t hold on. Anyway, you Zhuge Liang needed to transport food from Hanzhong or even Chengdu, and the food consumed on the way was more than what the soldiers ate. I don’t believe you can stand it. a long time.

In the end, although Zhuge Liang sent troops to the Northern Expedition many times, most of them had to retreat due to lack of food and grass.

There is no way, a person will lose strength if he does not eat for a day, he will starve to death if he does not eat for a few days, and a horse will starve to death if he has no food to eat. Food and grass go first."In ancient times, when those famous generals fought in wars, their favorite thing to do was to cut off people's food roads, and at the same time, they also attached great importance to protecting their own food roads.

Now Zhang Wu can't cut off Cao Cao's food supply, but even if he fights with you, your soldiers will eat more, and transportation will be troublesome, but not only will my soldiers eat less, but my transportation will be convenient.

I'm here to spend time with you, to see who can't hold on in the end.

Cao Cao also knew this situation, but he had no good solution for the time being, mainly because his invincible cavalry was restrained by Zhang Wu's explosive package, and he dared not go to the battlefield.Without the participation of cavalry, Cao Jun's infantry lost too much in front of Chu Jun's excellent equipment and annoying poisonous smoke bombs and kerosene bombs.

After this battle, Cao Cao is a little tired. After all, he is old, and fighting is very difficult. Even if he is the commander of the first army and the king of Wei, he will inevitably be exposed to the wind and the sun. Staying up late to discuss the military situation, you have to command in front of the battle.

Even in modern society, Boss Cao should retire at this age, but Cao Cao can't retire, and he doesn't dare to retire, because the military power is still safest in his own hands.Moreover, Cao Cao has not yet determined a successor. Even if he is determined, he will not hand over the power to that heir while Cao Cao is alive.

At this time, Jiang Ji said: "King Wei, since the opponent's navy has retreated, it is estimated that they will not come again before next spring. We can transport some grain and grass from Xuzhou nearby, and Xudu's grain and grass can also be brought here as soon as possible. Hoard more food and grass for a while.”

Jiang Ji had guarded Hefei with Liu Fu for many years, so he naturally knew the economic situation in Huainan. The common people had just been able to eat in the past two years, but after fighting for more than half a year, the food in Huainan was exhausted.

When Cao Cao ordered to collect grain from the people and big households, Jiang Ji felt that it was inappropriate because he knew that Huainan's economic foundation was very weak. If the people and families were taxed and collected, it would definitely cause dissatisfaction among the people and families here. .The people in Huainan respected Liu Fu very much. Cao Cao's killing Liu Fu at will must have caused great dissatisfaction.

But Jiang Ji didn't dare to say it. If he said it, wouldn't he be complaining for Liu Fu?Isn't it just accusing Cao Cao of being very cruel and killing meritorious officials at will?

Jiang Ji is now Cao Cao's chief secretary and Cao Cao's personal secretary. Of course he knows Cao Cao's temper and character, and he has seen the fate of Xun Yu, Xun You, Cui Yan and others with his own eyes. Even Cheng Yu is willing to do it for Cao Cao. The dead loyalists were all deposed by Cao Cao.

As a smart person, Jiang Ji did not seek death. Besides, he also felt that even if the people and families in Huainan were dissatisfied, they should not dare to make troubles. After all, Cao Cao and 10,000+ troops are here.

After listening to Jiang Ji's words, Cao Cao said, "That's right, order Zixiao to deliver the grain and grass in person, and take a look at the situation in Xudu by the way."

Jiang Ji then wrote a military order, stamped it with the prime minister's seal, and a messenger sent it to Cao Ren. Cao Cao was not worried about the rear, so he sent Cao Ren to escort the grain and grass to see the emperor's situation.

Jiang Ji said again: "King Wei, can we postpone the collection of grain and grass in Huainan for a while?"

(End of this chapter)