In March of the second year of Xiande, the Hujie Army, Guo Shao's Army, and Xiang Xun's Army arrived in Fengxiang one after another. Perhaps because the imperial guards were involved, they were enough to check and balance Wang Jing. Xiang Xun's Army had only 2,000 infantry and cavalry, and the army that arrived in Guanzhong was about 8,000 people; Wang Jing mobilized 15 commanders of Fengxiang Town. The total force mobilized for this attack on Shu was 16,000 people; in addition, 30,000 civilians were conscripted from nearby Zuozhou County.
This attack on Shu was undeclared, so Wang Jing did not claim to have 100,000 or 200,000 troops to intimidate Shu.
The four met in Fengxiang Prefecture first, with the chief general Wang Jing and two deputy generals, plus the guest provincial envoy. Guo Shao and Xiang Xun had a good relationship for a long time, and he was also familiar with the guest provincial envoy on the march. He met Wang Jing twice in Guanzhong last year, and he knew everyone. However, Wang Jing and Xiang Xun were not very familiar with the guest provincial envoy's civil servant; this civil servant was in charge of diplomacy, but he would definitely participate in every military discussion related to combat preparations.
Guo Shao did not have time to meet Luo Yanhuan who stayed behind in Chencang, so he discussed military affairs with the generals in Fengxiang first.
Wang Jing was sitting in the upper seat. He was a 66-year-old man, which reminded Guo Shao of Huang Zhong. However, it was said that Wang Jing had been a bandit before and had joined the army during the Liang Dynasty. He could be said to have witnessed the alternation of the Five Dynasties with his own eyes.
With such an old man as the commander, he must be very experienced and knowledgeable. However, Guo Shao couldn't help but think of Fu Yanqing during the Battle of Jinyang. He hoped that General Wang was not too old and confused and would not give blind orders.
Wang Jing was not arrogant, and smiled and said first: Shu Kingdom already knew that our dynasty was going to use force, and sent Prime Minister Wang Zhaoyuan to Qinfeng to deploy troops at the beginning of the year. Our reinforcements from Dongjing Zhen'an left quickly and arrived early, but the civilians and military rations were not enough, so I'm afraid we have to wait for a while before we can start. What are your ideas on how to attack? Tell me.
Xiang Xun turned to look at Guo Shao with interest. Guo Shao said hurriedly: General Xiang has been in battle for a long time, he must have experience.
Xiang Xun said: I heard that Envoy Guo came to Guanzhong last year to visit the princes and inspect various places, and presented maps. Why don't we first listen to Envoy Guo's opinions
Wang Jing nodded and said: General Xiang Jie is absolutely right.
Everyone ignored the guest envoy, as they were not familiar with him and he was a civil servant who reported him. However, Guo Shao still politely greeted the guest envoy with his eyes, and then said: In this case, it is better to obey your order than to be respectful. I will put forward some ideas and suggestions for your consideration.
Since Xiang Xun mentioned the blueprint, Guo Shao did not hide it and simply spread it out on the table, unfolding it, and said: Let's attack Qin and Feng states, but Qinzhou is too far away. I think the problem can be solved as long as we take Fengzhou. Qinzhou only needs to send out a small army to make a feint attack to contain the enemy. As long as we control Fengzhou in the south, we can block the Shu army's reinforcement route to Qinzhou, making Qinzhou isolated and helpless, and it will surrender sooner or later.
Guo Shao paused, and seeing that no one objected, he continued: "To attack Fengzhou, it is best to march along the Chencang Road, and the key is to fight quickly and decisively, and go all the way south. If we are blocked and delayed, the road is inconvenient and the place is small, it will be extremely inconvenient to station troops and transport food."
Wang Jing nodded and said, "That's exactly what I want. When the Later Tang army attacked Wang Yan of Shu, they also went south directly from Chencang Road. We only need to follow the Tang army's route. However, Wang Yan is incompetent and not well prepared. Although Shu has not known military affairs for decades, it has been well prepared and has continuously sent troops to the two states. I don't think we will be as smooth as the Tang army did that time."
Guo Shao hurriedly said: "Your Majesty has prepared for a rainy day, and you have impressed me that I have some considerations. I don't know whether I should talk about it or not."
Wang Jingdao: Just say it.
Guo Shao knew that although he was a general of the imperial guards, he was the youngest and least experienced here, so he consciously remained humble in his words. But at the same time, he also wanted to do something to make the war go smoothly, so he took out a few pieces of paper and presented them with both hands: This is the battle plan I have been thinking about recently, please take a look, Your Majesty.
Wang Jing took it and frowned when he looked at it, because although the characters were written in neat regular script, they were ugly and there were many punctuation marks, as if he was afraid that others would not be able to read and punctuate.
Guo Shao continued: The Shu army's first defense hub is in Weiwu City, and there are eight military camps in front of it. The eight military camps are blocking the Shu Road, and there is no way around. We can only take them down one by one, and then send troops directly to Weiwu City. The last general thought that the longer we wait, the more fully prepared the Shu army will be; now we are not well prepared, and the Shu army is also in a hurry. It is better to fight quickly and decisively, first push down the military camp in front, and try Weiwu City first; if we can capture Weiwu City as soon as possible, it is very likely that we can seize the food and grass stored by the enemy in the early stage, and fight to support the war, which is more cost-effective than transporting food from the Shu Road.
Wang Jing glanced at Xiang Xun and said: Guo Du's method is a bit hasty and risky. Being impatient for quick success and quick profits is a taboo in military strategy.
Guo Shao was a little distracted for a moment, and immediately replied: There are eight military camps in front of Weiwu City, and the supply must rely on the nearby Weiwu City, which must have surplus food. As long as we seize their food and grass in one go, the food will be enough to sustain our army's continued advancement.
Seeing Wang Jing remained silent, Guo Shao, after all, was young and energetic, and he threw away his previous humility without noticing, gradually showing his edge, and said anxiously: "My Lord, you only need to supply my troops with ten days of food, plus three days of supplies brought by the army, and I will capture Weiwu City and other places within half a month, and advance to Fengzhou without consuming food supplies from the rear."
Wang Jing immediately opened his squinting eyes: There is no joking in the army
Guo Shao straightened his back and said: If we cannot achieve the goal within half a month, our main force will withdraw immediately and apologize to the court.
At this time, Xiang Xun hurriedly said: Wait a minute, I will ask the king for permission, and my troops will also leave Sanguan and move towards Qinzhou to monitor the movements in the west.
Guo Shao was touched after hearing this. Xiang Xun and he were on the same path. He had to remember that this was a human relationship.
Wang Jing said: "That's great. Let's send Guo Dushi as the vanguard and go out of Sanguan first." Guo Dushi remembered that Fengxiang can only provide food and grass for ten days. If the Hujie Army is trapped in Qinling Mountains, the cost of more than 6,000 people will depend entirely on the Shu Road for transportation, which Fengxiang Town cannot afford in its current situation.
Guo Shao stood up, clasped his fists and saluted, saying: I have to order my troops to rest for two days, first stationed in Chencang, and after a few days, prepare the military supplies and leave Sanguan.
Wang Jing said: "Very good. I will send out scouts to keep an eye on the movements in Qinzhou and other places, and send people to contact Envoy Guo at any time."
Wang Jing didn't even look at Guo Shao's battle plan. Everyone gathered together to discuss it and decided on it on the spot. It was quite a hassle.
Guo Shao was full of confidence at this time. He was very familiar with the Hujie Army, which was full of well-trained warriors. The Shu Army had not fought for 20 to 30 years, and the previous batch of soldiers were probably almost dead. Guo Shao still didn't believe that such a Shu Army could stop the elite Zhou Army.
He had seen those generals who had led troops in battles, and they were no better than this. Many things depended on the subordinates, and the main general only needed to make decisions. He felt that even if it was his first time commanding a battle, he should not be too bad.