Rejuvenation of the Han Dynasty in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 440 Wei Yan's Conspiracy
When an autumn frost falls, the trees are sparse, the mountains are covered with red leaves, the mountains are intertwined with green and yellow, and the scenery is picturesque.

But Liu Bei, who attacked Yangping Pass, had no intention of appreciating the autumn scenery. He had been stationed in Chencang for three months, and he was really helpless in the face of the tall and dangerous Yangping Pass.

Yangping Pass is located in the mountains and built close to the mountains. The terrain is very steep. The guards Yang Ang and Yang Ren can't hold out. Liu Bei doesn't want to lose his troops and lose his generals. The two armies have been facing each other in front of the pass.

The weather has been getting colder these days. On this day, I was discussing with Xu Shu about withdrawing troops. Suddenly, Chen Dao came to report that Ma Chao was appointed General Fubo and ordered to attack Hanzhong from Tianshui because he put down the Han Sui Rebellion.

When Xu Shu heard the news, he sighed, "It must be that Liu He saw that the lord was unable to fight for a long time, and sent another horse to surpass the army. He really wanted to urge the lord to take Hanzhong quickly."

Liu Bei frowned and said: "If I don't try my best to send troops, Yangping Pass is really steep. If I attack forcefully, I will definitely lose my troops. At this time, Chang'an is empty. What if...how?"

Xu Shu said: "Ma Chao is one of the most powerful generals in the world. Now, apart from Han Sui, he is full of vigor. If he sends troops from Longyou, no one will be able to stop him. If my lord wants to make great achievements, he must use all his strength at this time. Zhang Lu Wumou is cowardly." Therefore, if Ma Chao takes Hanzhong first, the present efforts will be for naught.”

Liu Bei worried: "Once the troops are dispatched, what should we do if there are changes in Chang'an?"

Xu Shu said: "The lord and Liu He are both clansmen of the Han Dynasty. They used soldiers to help the Han Dynasty. Now that they are ordered by him to fight for disobedience, if Liu He cheats behind his back, he will be laughed at by the people of the world. How can we do it again?" To win people's trust? What's more, Cao Cao has been defeated at this time, and the Central Plains are pacified. At this time, Liu He must be in the south of the Yangtze River and will not interfere in the affairs of Guanzhong."

As soon as Liu Bei thought that Liu He had pacified the Central Plains, he became impatient for no reason. He nodded and said, "In this case, let's take down Yangping Pass in one go. Take Hanzhong to settle the central part of the pass first, and then play it by ear."

At this moment, a man suddenly broke into the tent, clasped his fists and said, "My lord, I heard that Ma Chao has sent troops from Qishan to attack Hanzhong. We can't wait any longer."

Seeing that it was Wei Yan who came in, Liu Bei nodded and said, "Master Wen came just in time. I'm discussing with the military adviser about dispatching troops."

Wei Yanyan said: "My lord, Yangping Pass is really difficult to attack because of its natural dangers. In the end, there will be a plan, and it will be easy to take Hanzhong."

"Oh?" Liu Bei was a little surprised, glanced at Xu Shu, and asked, "What's the master plan?"

Wei Yan clasped his fists and said: "My lord, that Zhang Lu killed Zhang Xiu not long ago, and deceived the people with a cult. The people of Hanzhong are not attached to him. He is cowardly and has no plan. In half a month, you can go to the east of Hanzhong, and attack the east and west with the lord, and the land of Hanzhong can be settled at one stroke."

"Ziwu Valley?" Liu Bei's expression changed, Nian Xu pondered for a moment, then frowned and looked at Xu Shu: "Is this too risky?"

Xu Shu nodded and said: "Ziwu Valley is very steep and there is no road to pass through. If Zhang Lu finds out and lays an ambush in a dangerous place, I'm afraid we will never return..."

Wei Yan said anxiously: "Don't worry, sergeant, you can march three thousand elite soldiers in batches, and a certain self-leader will lead the army to ensure that nothing will go wrong."

Liu Bei was really tempted, but his strength was insufficient, so he was not willing to let three thousand elite soldiers take risks. Now even if there are one thousand soldiers, Liu Bei must use them carefully.

One must know that after several wars by the Xiliang army, Chang'an was already impoverished, not as rich as Nanyang. In just over a year, he had only recruited [-] soldiers, but dismissed [-] disabled, old and weak soldiers. Money and food were really tight .

If the 3000 people make a mistake, it will make things worse. He sighed helplessly: "This is not a perfect solution. It's not because I don't trust Wen Zhang's ability, but because I can't let 3000 people risk being victimized."

Wei Yan also knew the situation in the army, and it was reasonable for Liu Bei not to take risks. At this moment, thinking of Liu He's strong soldiers and horses, he couldn't help sighing secretly, and retreated sadly.

At this moment, Liu Feng made a statement: "My boy is willing to go for a walk with General Wen Chang."

When Wei Yan heard that Liu Feng asked for his life, he immediately had hope again. He knew that Liu Bei attached great importance to this adopted son, and that Liu Feng fought bravely. The two of them working together might reassure Liu Bei.

Knowing the difficulty of attacking Yangping Pass, Liu Bei hesitated again and again, and finally turned to Xu Shu: "What do you think the military adviser thinks?"

Xu Shu thought for a while, and said: "My lord has few soldiers, so it is best to use a strange plan to win. The attack on Yangping Pass will take a long time, and it will definitely consume a lot of troops, far more than 3000. It is better to let Wen Chang send troops from Ziwu Valley to try. "

Liu Bei couldn't help frowning. He knew that Xu Shu's judgment was feasible, but this time the matter was of great importance. If Wei Yan failed, it meant that there was no hope of attacking Hanzhong, and his plan of Guanzhong would also come to nothing.

Thinking of this place, I couldn't help but feel an inexplicable sense of loneliness, with a look of sadness on my face, and sighed: "The mountain road in Ziwu Valley is difficult, if these soldiers and horses die in vain, how can I bear it?"

Liu Fengyan said: "Father, don't worry, the boy and General Wei will never take the risk of advancing lightly. The two of us will march separately and coordinate back and forth. Even if the Meridian Valley fails, we are guaranteed to be able to retreat."

Wei Yan immediately clasped his fists and said, "Don't worry, my lord, we will never rush forward!"

Xu Shu thought for a while, and seemed to have made a decision, and said, "My lord, I think this plan might as well try, as long as Wen Zhang and the others do a good job of hiding, Zhang Lu's men, horses and soldiers will gather at Yangping Pass at this time, and Ma Chao will send troops from the west. , there must be no time to take care of the east, this is God's help for the general's success."

"Forget it, let's give it a go!" As Liu He grew stronger, Liu Bei also realized that his chances were dwindling.

He stood up, grabbed Wei Yan and Liu Feng's arms, and said: "This time you won by surprise, you two must act carefully. Wen Jiu has experienced battles and is skilled in martial arts. Everything must be discussed and done, and you must not be reckless."

Wei Yan and Liu Feng nodded again and again, and said loudly, "Obey!"

Xu Shu's eyebrows stretched out, and he said to the two of them, "If this surprise attack can be successful, Zhang Lu will be in complete chaos, and he will not be able to look back at each other. If he tricks the defenders out at this time, the defenders in Hanzhong will be in a state of confusion, and they can take them all at once. Go down to the land of Hanzhong."

Liu Bei nodded slightly, there was no need for him to say anything more about this matter, and he said, "Just ask the military advisor to give you an order!"

Xu Shu said, "Let Wen Chang select [-] elite soldiers from the army and start from Ziwu Valley to attack the city in the east of Hanzhong. According to the itinerary, it will take [-] days. Can the two of you do it?"

"The final general will live up to my lord's high expectations." Wei Yan bowed to accept the order.

Liu Bei patted Liu Feng on the shoulder and asked the two of them to go to prepare. After a long time, he said, "I hope Wen Chang will win by surprise and take down Hanzhong."

Xu Shu smiled and said, "Don't worry, my lord. Since Chief Wen has taken the post of prefect of Hanzhong, he will definitely do this with his heart. We should also prepare to deal with the guards at Yangping Pass. We must restrain them here so that Chief Wen can act conveniently."

(End of this chapter)