Let Yuan Shao and Cao Cao kill both sides. Then sit in the interest of the fisherman. This is the consensus of most people in the hall. After a year of fierce battle. Both sides suffered heavy casualties. But Yuan Shao still has an army of 500,000. Cao Cao was also able to assemble 300,000 troops. At this moment. If Liu Xin suddenly declared war on these two people. It is very possible that these two people will join hands. if that's the case. Liu Xin will face pressure from an army of 800,000. In fact, it's more than that. The northern states were the most concentrated places in the Han Dynasty. If Cao Cao and Yuan Shao join hands. If you want to jump the wall in a hurry. They can even form more troops.
Kill a thousand enemies. Self-defeating eight hundred. Although the Han army is well-trained. Well equipped. But facing 800,000 or even millions of enemies. His own casualties are definitely not a small number. Although most civil servants are worried. But all the generals are gearing up. Ready to have a big fight.
The war is imminent. Eliminate differences. Unified thinking is necessary. Look at the different parties. Liu Xin waved her hand. Said: "There is no two days. There are no two kings in the country. Now there are three emperors in the Han Dynasty. Isn't it a joke that has never been seen since ancient times? Since I have already assumed the throne, I will naturally not tolerate this situation and continue to maintain it. Go down. The use of force is imperative. However, it is the two emergency military information that really helped me make this determination."
Just now on the head of Chang'an City. Liu Xin has already mentioned the two emergency military information. And affirm. It is precisely because of these two emergency military information. Let him rather be misunderstood as a dishonest person. It must also be the throne and the king's division.
in fact. Even without these two emergency letters. Liu Xin will also proclaim himself emperor. He did this for the purpose. Just don't want to give those people with ulterior motives a chance to block him. but. These two letters of emergency military information came down. He gave Liu Xin an excellent excuse. Liu Xin wants to tell the world through these two emergency military information. The reason why he can't wait to be emperor. Not coveting power. But bear the humiliation. I would rather sacrifice my reputation. Come forward too. Fight against foreign insults.
but. Regarding the specific content of the two emergency military information. Everyone knows it is unknown. Since we are going to use force against Yuan Shao and Cao Cao. Naturally, we must let everyone know what happened there. So Liu Xin wants to explain to everyone.
originally. Yuan Shao is stronger than Cao Cao. But Cao Cao set the capital in Puyang. All of a sudden, the superior forces were concentrated. Solved the two major problems of insufficient strength and supply. But Yuan Shao's advantage lies in bows and arrows and cavalry. Still holding the initiative on the battlefield. later. Cao Cao used the copycat stirrups and catapults from Liu Xin that were "pirated". The situation was gradually reversed. The two sides once again showed a stalemate.
The war that lasted for a year. Not only has it brought huge casualties to both sides. The loss of food, grass, and armor is an astronomical figure.
Take Cao Cao as an example. 30% of his food is protected by the smuggling of the Mi family. In order to buy these smuggled grains. Only half a year. So he spent half of the gold and silver jewelry that Cao Cao obtained by robbing the tombs of the kings. Coupled with the consumption of the war itself. Cao Cao lacks more than just food. Still short of money.
Yuan Shao's condition is a little better. He can be self-sufficient in food. But his men are more cavalry and archers. Although the cavalry is powerful. But the war horse is a money-burning game. And Yuan Shao does not have the equipment to protect horseshoes like horseshoes. Compared with the Han cavalry under Liu Xin's command. The life span of Yuan Jun's horse is only half. The loss is also quite alarming. A large number of archers can certainly form a powerful long-range attack ability. But the huge consumption of arrows has made Yuan Shao feel a little overwhelmed.
Cao Cao and Yuan Shao unanimously felt that the battle was getting harder and harder. They all want to end the war early. But they don't want to compromise with each other. Because whoever compromises first. It is necessary to admit that the people supported by the other party are the masters of the big man. Thus. They also lost the convenience of holding the emperor to make the princes.
In order to get rid of the immediate predicament. The two can only rely on external forces to put pressure on each other. The current situation couldn't be more obvious. The world is already three points. And Liu Xin was destined to sit on the mountain and watch the tiger fight. I definitely can't count on it anymore. and so. Both Cao Cao and Yuan Shao set their sights on the northern grasslands.
Yuan Shao took the first action. The Yuan family is kind to Wu Heng. And Wu Heng has a lot of contact with Xianbei. These two grassland peoples naturally became the object of Yuan Shao's fight. Yuan Shao promised. As long as we breached Puyang City. The children's gold silk is up to them to take it.
Although Cao Cao didn't have the power like the Phantom Spy. But he is fighting fiercely with Yuan Shao. It is inevitable to send some scouts to sneak into Yuan Shao's rear to listen for news. Soon I learned about Yuan Shao sending envoys to Wuheng and Xianbei. Both the Wuheng and Xianbei tribes are nomadic cavalry who are good at riding and shooting. Although he also has a considerable cavalry. And equipped with a copycat version of stirrups. But compared with the two grassland peoples who are all soldiers. The gap is far away. Cao Cao thought of using nomadic cavalry to deal with nomadic cavalry. So he sent an envoy to the Xiongnu. And promise it will happen. Allow the Xiongnu to separate themselves from the big Han.
Liu Xin abolished the Xiongnu Shanyu. There are five things. Cao Cao knew it. In Cao Cao's opinion. The Huns must hope to restore the royal court. Will definitely agree to his request. And Cao Cao is different from Yuan Shao. After all, he sees farther. Therefore, Cao Cao did not ask the Huns to enter the Central Plains. Instead, they asked them to send troops to the Xianbei Grassland. Come out and rescue Zhao from Wei Wei.
Xianbei was originally just a grassland tribe attached to the Xiongnu. Later, the Huns were defeated by the big man. Divided into two branches, north and south. Xianbei took the opportunity to rise. Instead, it occupied a large grassland originally controlled by the Huns. and so. There is a festival between the Huns and the Xianbei. Cao Cao wanted to come. Such a request. The Huns have no reason not to agree.
but. Cao Cao overlooked one thing. The battle where the Han army broke into the grassland a year ago. The Huns have long been discouraged. They are not attached to Liu Xin now. Instead, he was completely attached to Liu Xin. Received a messenger from Cao Cao. Hu Chuquan did not hesitate. Cao Cao's messenger and letters were immediately handed over to the Sixth Army garrisoned in Grassland New City. at this time. Zhao Yun and Ma Chao, the commanders of the Sixth Corps, moved. Already went to Chang'an. The other generals who stayed behind in the new city did not dare to neglect. So he reported it directly to Liu Xin with a red feather letter.
I made these two things clear. Liu Xin said in a deep voice, "Cao and Yuan’s family have been exhausted after a year of fierce fighting. If we don’t do it, it won’t be long. They will also stop fighting. Take advantage of his illness. Take his life. I think. Now the time is right. It's already mature. The great man's thousands of miles can't continue to split like this."
Chen Gong arched his hands and said: "Your Majesty Qi Zou. Peichen thought. You can wait until the autumn harvest before using soldiers. So as not to miss the farming time."
Liu Xin sneered and said: "I intend to make a decisive victory over the country this time. The enemy's soldiers will never be allowed to step in. How can it affect the people's agricultural affairs? Let's look at the northern states. The young and strong men are not being forced. Enlisted in the army. It means being arrested. Farmers are old, weak, women and children. There are a few harvests in a year. Even if the weather is smooth and rainy, they have to endure excessive recruitment. I'm afraid it would be better if there is no autumn harvest. After the autumn harvest, their days will be. More sad."
There was a pause. Liu Xin continued: "My current status is different. It is not just the people in Jing, Yi, Yang, and Liang states that have to be considered. It is for the people of the world. Therefore, this battle must be fought. And the sooner it is. The better you do it."
Zhang Fei patted the table in front of him. Actually stood up. Loudly said: "Big brother is right. It's time to beat him up."
Jushou hurriedly reminded: "General Zhang. It's time to call your Majesty."
Zhang Fei said nonchalantly: "Right, right, right. His Majesty said it was right."
Liu Xin waved his hand disapprovingly. Said: "Yide, Zilong. You guys listen. No matter what happens. We were brothers in the past. We are still brothers. We must be brothers in the future."
As soon as this remark came out. Except for Xu Huang, who is still on the road for escorting his family. Zhang Fei, Zhang Xi, Dian Wei, Xu Chu, and Zhao Yun stood up excitedly. Huang Zhong, Guan Yu, Zhang Liao and others looked at them. His eyes were full of envy.
Liu Xin raised his hand. Signal everyone to sit down. Then began to dispatch troops. Specific combat command. Liu Xin is not good at it. But he knew he wanted to win the battle on the front line. A stable rear is more important. Therefore, he did not dispatch troops to attack Yuan and Cao in the first place. But to consolidate one's own territory first.
Huang Zhong and Wei Yan led the Fifth Army to the south. Defending the five counties of Yingchuan, Runan, Jiujiang, Xiapi and Guangling. These five counties span the three states of Yu, Yang, and Xu. This side respectively borders Chen Liu, Chen Guo, Qiaojun, Pengcheng, and Donghai under the control of Cao Cao. If Cao Cao sent a man to go south. Break through here. Can go straight into the flank of Jingzhou. And it can threaten Jiangnan. Jingzhou is the foundation of Liu Xin. The silk, tea and porcelain of Jiangnan are Liu Xin's most important financial resources. The scenes of Lv Bu and Cao Cao respectively attacking Xiangyang in those days are still vivid. Thinking of it so far, Liu Xin still has lingering fears. He can't help but guard.
The Fifth Army was just withdrawn from the Western Regions. Stationed at the training base in Wuwu. There is no time to rest. but. What Liu Xin will face is a big battle, a fierce battle. Obviously, a decisive mobilization of the entire army is required. There was no time for the Fifth Army to rest and reorganize.
The five counties including Yingchuan not only occupies a large area. And the front is extremely long. Although a hundred thousand people are a lot. But divide it into every point. There are not many people. To defend such a long line of defense. It is a great challenge for Huang Zhong and Wei Yan. but. This is not the point of the battle between the two armies. Therefore, it is impossible for Liu Xin to place more troops here. In order to relieve Huang Zhong's pressure. Liu Xin transferred Tai Shi Ci and Man Chong over. Moreover, the local army of these five counties was also under the command of Huang Zhong.