The two counties of Huyang and Ping were severely affected by the floods and plagues last year. Not only did a large number of people die in natural disasters, but countless people fled south to Jingzhou. The once fertile fields are now deserted and full of yellowish eyes.

What is shocking is that on this vast plain, there is not even a single star of grass, and the loess is all over. It is reported that due to the severe disaster last year, the food in the people's homes has almost disappeared in the flood. Cao Cao, who was completely out of stock under his rule, was unable to organize effective relief. The hungry victims had to dig out grass roots and peel off tree bark to satisfy their hunger. The consequence of this is that it is difficult to find grass on the plain.

Although I had heard of the tragic situation after the disaster in the Central Plains, I could not say the shock in my heart when I saw the withered people.

The county towns of the two counties have been damaged to varying degrees in the continuous heavy rain, perhaps because of the sparse population, perhaps because they are busy dealing with post-disaster matters, or because of other reasons... Until now, the city has almost not been effectively repaired. The collapsed southeast corner of Pingshi County still remains the same.

Such city defense may also play a role in preventing some thieves, but it has no defensive power in the face of a real army.

When marching and fighting, we emphasize the right time, place, and people. Choosing a battlefield that is beneficial to oneself but not to the enemy can often even match tens of thousands of troops.

Cao Cao was a shrewd man and a master of strategy and tactics. He naturally knew this very well. It was precisely because of this that he temporarily avoided the battle with our army.

"Shi Yuan, what way do you think Cao Cao will face?" I retracted my gaze from afar, turned to Pang Tong and asked.

In this comprehensive decisive battle between Liu and Cao, if nothing unexpected happens, Cao Cao will definitely lead the army to fight, but I don’t know which way he will deal with me and my second brother in person?

"Although Nanyang and Xuzhou are both extremely important, in comparison, Nanyang connects Luoyang to the north. Ru and Ying to the west, pose a greater threat to Cao Cao. Once our army seizes Nanyang, it can directly attack Runan and Yingchuan to the east, threatening Xuchang.

In addition, if we do not consider cooperation with the army of lords, our army can actually attack Luoyang from north and occupy Hulao, so that we can strangle the junction center of the states under Cao Cao's rule. If Luoyang is broken, our army can attack Gong in the north, Ji, and Xi, and Xi can sweep Xuchang in the east." Pang Tong replied with a smile, "If there are such threats, if I am Cao Cao, I will definitely choose to face the general in person.

Especially now, the general has already acted as if he is going directly from Runan to attack Xuchang, and Cao Cao is not allowed to pay attention to it. If what I expected is not bad, I am afraid that Cao Cao will make a big move soon!"

Although it was early spring and the winter spirit had not yet completely disappeared. A cold wind blew, causing Pang Tong to wrap his fur robe on his body.

Amid the crisp sound of horse hooves, a horse galloped over.

After jumping off the horse, Zhao Ying bowed and bowed to Pang Tong and me, and reported anxiously: "General, military advisor, Cao's army has moved!"

Central Army Commander's Account

With the floor sand table placed on the table as the center, more than a dozen people gathered together.

"The scout just reported that a large group of Cao troops were coming from Yingchuan. At present, his vanguard has crossed Xiangcheng (a county in southern Yingchuan) and is heading towards Ye County and Ancient City." Zhao Yun pointed to the sand table and drew a marching trajectory. "In addition, the Cao army in Runan also has a trend of gathering in the Anle area."

After the war started, the Feng Cavalry was mainly responsible for scouting tasks, so the first person to receive military information was usually Zhao Yun, who was the commander of the Feng Cavalry Battalion.

"From this trend, Cao's army should be trying to prevent our army from attacking Runan and Yingchuan..." Pang Tong held the short beard under his chin. A strange smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

"So. Cao Cao was deceived by us..." Wen Pin said excitedly.

According to the requirements of the grand strategy, our Jingzhou Legion should have captured Nanyang first, and then attacked Yuzhou from east to east, forming a surround and attacked the heartland of the Central Plains with his second brother, east and west.

However, because of the strategic importance of Nanyang, Cao Cao was destined to not give up here easily. If our army blindly attacked Nanyang, it would likely attract the main force of Cao's army and then form a long-lasting battle of consumption. And this is by no means the result I hoped for.

In view of this, after the Jingzhou Army began the Northern Expedition, I intended to advance the main army into Runan, and let Huang Zhong's troops set out from Shangyong attack Nanyang's hinterland with great fanfare, so as to create an illusion for Cao Cao - attacking Nanyang was just to restrain the military strength of Cao's army, and our army's real intention was to attack Runan and attack Xuchang.

If this plan is implemented successfully, it will attract the main force of Cao's army to the areas of Runan and Yingchuan, thereby reducing defense against Nanyang. At this time, I will personally lead the main force to turn the troops and join Huang Zhong to attack Nanyang madly, and seize Wancheng before Cao Cao met.

Judging from the current situation, this strategic deception seems to have been successful...

"Are you really cheated..." Pang Tong stared at the sand table and murmured in a low voice.

"Shi Yuan, do you think there is a fraud?" After working with Pang Tong for so long, he could roughly guess some of his thoughts.

"Haha..." Pang Tong smiled, "Did the general see something wrong?"

Actually, I didn't realize anything was wrong, but Pang Tong's statement made me think.

"Military advisor, what's wrong?" Ling Tong said in surprise.

"From the rewards of the scouts and the information sent back in recent times, Cao Cao was very disturbed in Runan and Yingchuan, but he didn't seem to have much increased troops to Nanyang. Although our army did a good job in strategic deception, Cao Cao's reaction was too strange. No matter what, Huang Hansheng's 25,000 army had already attacked Shunyang. As long as he captured Bainiuyi again, it would be only a hundred miles away from Wancheng. During the plague last year, Nan

Yang's army suffered a lot of losses, and the Wancheng garrisons would not exceed 20,000. Cao Cao was so sure that Man Chong could defeat General Han Sheng?" Pang Tong pointed to the sand table and marked the location of Huang Zhongjun, then drew a line to Wancheng in a diagonal direction, and analyzed calmly, "Although our army's main force is in Runan, it only takes dozens of miles to enter Nanyang. The wind cavalry and iron cavalry carried out a raid, so that it would not be possible to break into the suburbs of Wancheng in one day."

"Is it a bit abnormal in this way?" Pang Tong looked up at everyone and asked with a smile.

"What a military advisor means is that our military and local strategic deception has been seen through by Cao Cao?" Zhao Yun said carefully.

"There is this possibility." Pang Tong nodded, "If you really see through it, then Cao's actions at the moment might be a conspiracy?"

"Where is Han Sheng?" I looked up at Pang Tong and asked in a deep thought.

"Yeah..." Pang Tong responded lightly. Then he pointed to the sand table and said, "Once our army mistakenly thought that Cao Cao was trapped, he would definitely attack Wancheng with all his strength, and General Han Sheng's side division would be the first to be hit. If Cao Cao secretly sent a group of troops to sneak into Nanyang County and then set up an ambush on the way to Shunyang to Wancheng. Taking advantage of General Han Sheng's possible negligence, it is very likely that our army's side division will be repelled in one fell swoop.

If the partial army fails, then our army's plan to attack Nanyang will become mysterious and even affect the entire grand strategy."

Zhao Yun, Ma Dai, Wen Pin and others thought for a while. They all nodded slightly.

"But it may also be Cao Cao's negligence for a moment..." Ling Tong whispered.

"Even if there is only a slight possibility, it's better to be cautious! And Cao Cao is not able to underestimate his opponent at will..." I retracted my gaze of the sand table and said in a deep voice, "This war is extremely critical, and you must not make any mistakes. Since the plan may be discovered, you will simply make mistakes..."

"General means..." Wen Pin looked at me in confusion.

"Don't play tricks with Cao Cao, the army immediately turned to attack Nanyang. He ordered Han Sheng to advance eastward. He moved closer to the army, and then took down Wancheng with his military strength." I looked forward with my right hand and pointed directly at the point in Wancheng on the sand table.

"Even if Cao Cao sent troops to sneak into Nanyang secretly, his military strength would definitely be limited. It is possible to raid General Hansheng's partial division. But if he wants to raid an army of more than 80,000 people, including nearly 10,000 cavalry, it would probably be a fool." Pang Tong nodded and said. "The army will take Wancheng directly, so Cao Cao will not be able to perform any conspiracy."

After a pause, a trace of splendor flashed suddenly in Pang Tong's eyes, and he chuckled and said, "However, Tong has another idea, the general can refer to it..."

After hearing Pang Tong's plan, my surprise on my face became increasingly intense.

"...Even if this plan cannot be successful, it will not cause much loss to our army. It's just a waste of time." Pang Tong said slowly with his unique confident smile, "And our army has the least lack of land, which is actually time. Before the autumn harvest in September this year, the longer the war will be delayed, the more beneficial it will be to our army and the more unfavorable it will be to Cao Cao.

Cao's army was extremely short of food, and the longer it was delayed, the larger the gap. And as time delayed, Han Sui and Gongsun Kang might not be able to hold back.

Therefore, it must be Cao Cao who is eager to decide the outcome."

Pang Tong should have come up with a temporary plan, which is quite bold, but as he said, as long as he is more cautious in implementing it, the risks can be greatly reduced.

After a while, I turned to look at Zhao Yun, Ma Dai, Wen Pin, Pang De and others. After pondering, they nodded slightly and expressed their approval.

"Okay. Just follow Shi Yuan's plan!" I stopped hesitating and immediately made a decision, "Send the order..."

Several fast horses rushed into Wancheng.

"The main force of Zhang Fei's army went north from Pingshi County and was advancing towards the ancient city, and seemed to be interested in fighting against our troops heading south in Yingchuan. The Huang Zhong's army of Jingzhou Army had already broken through Bainiuyi and advanced rapidly towards Wancheng..."
Chapter completed!