"Could it be that Cao Cao is trying to exploit the east and attack the west?"
Suddenly thinking of this section, Yan Liang frowned.
As soon as these words came out, everyone's expressions changed, including Xu Shu's.
An inexplicable chill quickly spread throughout the tent.
It is always difficult to tell the reality of Cao Cao's military deployment. If he really wanted to attack Luoyang, he could have attacked Pubanjin openly, but secretly left Tongguan eastward and attacked Luoyang suddenly.
Now, instead, he marched into Luoyang with great fanfare, but he was not afraid to strike a nerve and let Yan Liang take precautions. This was obviously against common sense.
From this point of view, Cao Cao had only one purpose in doing this.
"It turns out that our Prime Minister Cao has worked so hard to build a plank road, cross Chencang secretly, and want to sneak attack on Nanyang."
Yan Liang sneered and revealed Cao Cao's true intention.
Although Xu Shu and others had already guessed, when Yan Liang said these words, there was still an uproar in the big tent.
Cao Cao's withdrawal from Pubanjin in the northern part of Guanzhong will inevitably attract Yan Liang's attention, so Cao Cao used the banner of attacking Luoyang to try to attract Yan Liang's attention to Luoyang.
At this time, Cao Cao could lead his army grandly southward, passing through Tongguan with lightning speed, and continued southward to Wuguan, which was not too far away from Tongguan. From there, the army attacked Nanyang.
Now Yan Liang's army is all on the front line of Kunyang, and Wancheng's general Wenpin has only more than 4,000 men. Cao Cao's tens of thousands of troops suddenly attack, and it is not impossible to defeat Wancheng in one fell swoop.
If Wancheng was lost, Yan Liang and his 40,000 main force would be cut off from their return. At that time, facing the encirclement of nearly 100,000 troops from Cao Cao and Yuan Tan, he would be threatened with annihilation.
"Cao Cao wants to complete his achievements in one battle. This plan is really a cruel one." Xu Shu exclaimed.
Everyone was speechless. Only Jia Xu, who reminded Yan Liang, stroked his beard slightly and fell silent to enjoy the pride after his amazing words.
After marveling, Xu Shu hurriedly said: "My lord, since Cao Cao has the possibility of raiding Nanyang, we must take precautions. Please increase your troops to Wancheng as soon as possible."
Yan Liang nodded slightly, deeply convinced.
Although he was very confident in Wenpin's ability to defend the city, the enemy he faced this time was not Yuan Tan, but Cao Cao. For such a powerful enemy, even the slightest slight could be fatal.
Thinking of this, Yan Liang immediately ordered Zhang He to lead 5,000 elite troops and set off from Kunyang immediately, traveling at starry night to reinforce Wancheng.
######
The cold wind blew and dust covered the sky, and the silent army was moving forward in a hurry.
Not far from the left bank, the water of the Yellow River surges like thunder, and the spectacular sound changes the color of the world.
Passing through the slightly raised wilderness, in the southeast, a majestic and majestic pass suddenly hit everyone's eyes.
This pass is called Tongguan.
Cao Cao reined in his horse and looked at the magnificent Guancheng in the distance, with a bit of pride flashing in his brows.
A horse galloped over, and the leader of the Tiger Guards, Xu Chu, slashed his broadsword, blocking the incoming man a few steps away.
Cao Cao glanced at him and nodded slightly to Xu Chu, before Xu Chu let the man come closer.
"Prime Minister, most of Hongnong's troops have been mobilized by Yuan Tan. If the Prime Minister marches eastward, he will be invincible and will surely capture Luoyang in one fell swoop. God has given the Prime Minister a good opportunity to regain the Central Plains. The Prime Minister must not hesitate any longer."
Listening to Na Ran's words, Cao Cao smiled and said, "Xin Zuozhi, I have always been curious about why you abandoned Yuan Tan and surrendered to me."
The person who spoke generously was none other than Xin Pi.
A few days ago, in the name of uniting with Cao Cao, he came to Guanzhong on Yuan Tan's order and met Cao Cao at Pubanjin.
After meeting Cao Cao, he decisively abandoned Yuan Tan, and instead advised Cao Cao to take advantage of Yuan Tan's enemies from both sides and send troops to attack Luoyang and regain the Central Plains.
Now facing Cao Cao's question, Xin Pi said seriously: "In today's troubled times, it is not the Lord who chooses his ministers, but also the ministers who choose their Lord. Yuan Tan is narrow-minded and is not a wise Lord. He abandons the secret to the bright and submits to the prime minister, which is to comply with the will of God.
"
"What a person who obeys God's will!" Cao Cao praised greatly, "Since I have a talented person like Xin Zuozhi to obey me, there is no need to worry about failing to achieve a great cause."
Hearing Cao Cao's approval, Xin Pi's heart settled, and the corner of his mouth became even more proud.
At that moment, he said: "Now Yuan Tan is only focused on dealing with Yan Liang and has no defense against the Prime Minister. This is a great opportunity, please Prime Minister to advance the troops as soon as possible."
"Of course we have to march, but it's not Tongguan." A mysterious smile appeared on Cao Cao's lips.
Xin Pi was stunned for a moment, with a confused look on his face, not understanding the mystery behind Cao Cao's words.
Cao Cao reined in his horse and shouted: "Send the order, the whole army will speed up southward, and must reach Wuguan within two days."
After saying this, Cao Cao waved his whip and rode towards the south.
Behind him, Xu Chu and other pro-army soldiers moved with a sudden movement, and a black mass of cavalry followed Cao Cao.
Xin Pi, who was standing there, had a look of confusion and surprise on his face, and murmured: "Wuguan, why did Prime Minister Cao go to Wuguan? Could it be that..."
Suddenly realizing this, Xin Pi's face instantly filled with infinite surprise.
The dust was flying like the wind, and the army of more than 30,000 cavalry gradually moved away from Tongguan and changed its route towards Wuguan in the south.
The army marched day and night, and in only half a day, Cao Jun crossed the Guanzhong Plain and entered the mountains on the eastern edge of the Qinling Mountains.
The 30,000-strong army passed through Lantian, Shangluo, and Shangxian, and headed south along the Danshui River.
Finally, at dawn the next day, Cao Cao led his army to Wuguan.
Climbing to the top of Wuguan City, Cao Cao raised his eyes and looked into the distance. The terrain on both sides was getting wider and wider, and further away was the Nanyang Basin.
Looking at this familiar land, all kinds of old memories flooded into my heart like a tide.
It was here that he lost his beloved eldest son Cao Ang, his beloved general Dian Wei, and he was repeatedly defeated by Zhang Xiu and Liu Biao.
Nanyang County was like Cao Cao's nemesis, and he failed here countless times.
Tonight, the flag of the Cao family once again flies over this magical land.
"Yan Liang, it's time for me to meet you in person. Let me see how capable you are, and how capable you are of turning Jingzhou upside down..."
After repeatedly failing to capture Pubanjin, Cao Cao realized that his intention to attack Bingzhou was probably discovered by Yuan Shang. If he continued to attack like this blindly, he would only miss better opportunities.
Seeing that Yan Liang's army and Yuan Tan were at a stalemate in Xudu, Cao Cao keenly saw the opportunity, and at Guo Jia's suggestion, he immediately changed his strategy and refocused his march on the Central Plains.
If he wants to attack the Central Plains, a war with Yan Liang is inevitable.
However, Cao Cao, who had great foresight and foresight, decided to put aside the attack on the city and seize this excellent opportunity first. The only way to destroy Yan Liang was to do so.
As long as Yan Liang can be conquered, the entire Jingzhou will fall apart. At that time, when he marches into the Central Plains, he only needs to send one army south to capture Jingzhou easily.
The Central Plains, Guanzhong, and Jingzhou are all in hand. Looking at the world, who will be Cao Cao's opponent?
Hong Chuan's blueprint surged in his chest, and on Cao Cao's scorched face, confidence and murderous intent quietly gathered.
Looking down from Guancheng, large numbers of Cao family troops were already leaving Guancheng and heading towards the Nanyang Basin under the hillside.
A few steps away, Xin Pi looked at the mighty Cao family's army and sighed: "It turns out that the Prime Minister had a clever plan. He actually wanted to attack Wancheng from the east to the west and cut off Yan Liang's retreat in one fell swoop. The Prime Minister's plan is really unfathomable.
Test..."
Although there was some flattery in Xinpi's words, his emotion was 70% true.
Just hearing his emotion, Cao Cao and Guo Jia next to him looked at each other and smiled.
Guo Jia then said: "Xin Zuozhi, you guessed wrong. The Prime Minister is not going to attack Wancheng this time."
Xinpi was stunned again and fell into confusion again.
Wancheng is the seat of Nanyang County, and its location is at the northern end of Nanyang Basin. Only by attacking here can we cut off Yan Liang's return route. If we don't capture Wancheng, where else can we capture.
"Yan Liang is a very treacherous person, and there are many wise men under his command. The prime minister's plan of attacking the east and attacking the west is probably not concealed from Yan Liang. Presumably Yan Liang has already sent more soldiers to Wancheng by this time, even if our army attacks
How can it be defeated in one fell swoop?"
Guo Jia's words made Xin Pi suddenly realize it, but he also doubted: "Even so, if we don't attack Wancheng by surprise, wouldn't all the Prime Minister's previous tactics of doubting soldiers be in vain?"
Guo Jia smiled slightly and stopped explaining.
The gap between the best counselors and ordinary counselors made Guo Jia feel that any further explanation would only be an underestimation of his intelligence.
Cao Cao sneered, no longer paying attention to Xin Pi's confusion, and waved his hand and loudly passed the order.
When Xin Pi heard Cao Cao's order, his blank face suddenly turned pale with shock.
######
When Cao Cao's army poured into Nanyang from Wuguan, Yan Liang was already leading 30,000 infantry and cavalry to the north of Wancheng and was marching back to the army.
Because he had previously speculated that Cao Cao might raid Nanyang, Yan Liang, while increasing his troops in Wancheng, also ordered Wenpin to strengthen reconnaissance on the Wuguan line.
As soon as Cao's army left the border, Wenpin rushed eight hundred miles away to report. Xingye sent an envoy to report to Yan Liang on the Kunyang front line.
The speculation turned into reality. When Yan Liang heard that Cao Cao was personally leading the army, he immediately realized that Yuan Tan was no longer his strongest enemy. At this time, he must concentrate his main force to deal with Cao Cao, a truly powerful enemy.
So Yan Liang left Xu Shu to lead 10,000 soldiers and horses to defend Kunyang City, while he himself sent 30,000 cavalry, as well as Wen Chou, Huang Zhong, Jia Xu and other important civil and military officials to rush to Wancheng day and night.
Although Cao Cao's attack was fierce, Yan Liang believed that since he was fighting at home and with the backing of Wancheng, it would not be difficult to repel Cao Cao with equal strength.
At dusk that day, Yan Liangzi led six thousand cavalry and arrived at Bowang first.
This city was only a few dozen miles away from Wancheng. At this time, Cao Cao's army had not yet reached Wancheng, and Yan Liang still had plenty of time, so he ordered his troops to rest in the city until they could return tomorrow.
It was already dark, and in the county government hall, Yan Liang was discussing with the generals and counselors the next strategy to retreat from the enemy.
At this moment, a pro-soldier arrived in the hall and delivered an urgent letter.
"Read it." Yan Liang, keeping his eyes on the map, waved his hand and shouted.
The pro-army then recited in public: "General Wen urgently reports that Cao Cao's army has not marched towards Wancheng, but has captured Nanxiang City and is marching southward all the way."
This news couldn't help but make everyone's expressions change slightly. Even Yan Liang had a trace of surprise in his eyes.
Cao Cao did not advance eastward with his troops, but first captured the two counties of Li and killed Wancheng all the way, but why did he go to attack Nanxiang County south of Wuguan?
Yan Liang's razor-sharp gaze quickly scanned the map and quickly found Nanxiang City.
Suspicion flowed in his eyes, and his thoughts were rolling like a tide. He used all his energy to try to decipher Cao Cao's intentions.
While everyone was talking, Jia Xu, who had always been calm, suddenly changed his expression and blurted out: "Cao Cao doesn't want to attack Wancheng, he wants to attack Xiangyang!" (To be continued.