The flood caused disasters on both sides of the Wei River, and the 800-mile Qinchuan area was fierce. Many homeless victims or more than a dozen gathered together to start a business without any money.

As time goes by, several large robbers gradually formed. These large robber gangs had at least a thousand people, most of which were hidden in the Qinling Mountains, avoiding the pursuit of officers and soldiers.

The Shu army has been busy with disaster relief, and has not yet made time to clean up these robbers who have fled to the Qinling Mountains.

The Qinling Mountains start from southern Gansu in the west, and to Nanyang in the east, with a total length of more than 1,500 kilometers and running through most of China. These robbers hide in the Qinling Mountains, and it is very difficult to wipe out.

Cao Zhen hoped that Yongzhou would be more chaotic, so he secretly supported many of the robber gangs, gave them some worn weapons, and even directly installed some capable people into the Qinling Mountains to integrate some robber gangs.

The news of the birth of the Red Dragon quickly spread throughout Yongzhou and also to the ears of these victims hiding in the mountains.

Various rumors spread across the land of Yongzhou, and gradually evolved hundreds of different versions, but all versions have one common feature, that is, A Dou is the true emperor chosen by Emperor Gaozu!

Anyone who is born with a saint will inevitably have visions. The people believe most in these illusory things. A red dragon is born, giving the people a backbone. The Hu people's invasion and floods have disintegrated the people of Yongzhou. Now, everyone has seen hope again.

Tianshui City.

The number of disaster victims outside the city did not continue to increase. After Zhuge Liang left Tianshui, he handed over all the affairs to Deng Zhi.

Deng Zhi is not only good at politics, but also proficient in military affairs. Tianshui City is managed by Deng Zhi in an orderly manner, and there is no trouble for the victims outside the city.

Deng Ai came to Tianshui Gate, looked at the nearby camp of disaster victims and frowned slightly. Deng Ai originally thought that Yongzhou would be very chaotic after the rampage of the Hu people and the flood, but looking at the orderly camp of disaster victims in front of him, Deng Ai realized that there were not many capable people in Shu.

Deng Ai dressed like a ranger and also brought weapons, so he encountered trouble when entering the city. Due to war and disaster victims, Tianshui City has been under martial law, and ordinary people cannot enter and exit the city. Especially for people like Deng Ai who still hold weapons, it is even more difficult to enter and exit the city.

Deng Ai had to find a place to bury the weapons, then dressed up, and then paid enough Lijin to enter the city. He entered Tianshui City.

Due to war and floods, many people hid in Tianshui City. Now there are many people in Tianshui City. Most of the shops in the city are already full of people, and the prices in the city have also risen several times.

However, Deng Ai was not worried about not having a place to live. A big city like Tianshui naturally had a contact point for Cao Wei. After Deng Ai entered the city, he went straight to Cao Wei's contact place in Tianshui City.

In a big mansion west of Tianshui City.

Deng Ai put down the teacup in his hand and asked a middle-aged man in gorgeous clothes next to him: "Old Wu, is it true that this red dragon is said?"

The middle-aged man in the gorgeous clothes next to him nodded: "General Deng Ai, it's true. I heard that during the ceremony of worshiping the sky, tens of thousands of people saw a red dragon emerging from the Wei River!"

Deng Ai nodded slightly, but his brows frowned. Deng Ai sensitively realized that it would be very difficult for the Red Dragon to be in chaos within Yongzhou as soon as the red dragon was born.

However, Deng Ai’s main task this time was to convince the Liangzhou Ma Chao, so Deng Ai continued to ask: “What is the news about the Liangzhou Ma Chao?”

"When I returned to General Deng Ai, I heard that Ma Chao was still in Guzang City and did not dare to leave the city. The Qiang army was still in Liangzhou." When the middle-aged man in the Chinese uniform said this, he paused and continued, "But a few days ago, Zhuge Liang sent tens of thousands of people to the west."

"Ten thousand people? What are you doing?" Deng Ai asked sensitively.

"These tens of thousands of people went to recover Jincheng. The commander of the troops was originally a minor official in Tianshui City, named Jiang Wei."

"Jiang Wei? Who is he? I haven't heard of it."

"This Jiang Wei is a native of Tianshui. Today he is only twenty years old. His father died in battle with the Qiang people. Jiang Wei is Gongcao in Tianshui City and has a good relationship with Ma Zun, Yin Shang and others. However, this Jiang Wei has good martial arts skills and no one can compete with this Tianshui City."

"Twenty years old? Very young..." Deng Ai smiled: "A Huangkouzi is not afraid. Just pay a little attention. Old Wu, go and prepare for me, I want to go to Guzang first."

Deng Ai didn't know that when the name Jiang Wei appeared in front of him, the fateful battle between the two began.

Tongguan.

Sima Yi led 30,000 troops to Tongguan. Also came with the generals of Wei, Zhu Ling and Niu Jin, Zhang Liao's son Zhang Hu, Le Jin's son Le Jin and Chen Qun's son Chen Tai.

Cao Pi, who was far away in Xudu, also believed that the disaster victims were everywhere in Yongzhou at this time, which was a good time to regain Yongzhou, so he sent Sima Yi to Tongguan on the front line to assist Cao Zhen in regaining Yongzhou.

Cao Zhen knew that in command of the battle, he was no less than Sima Yi, but in strategy, he was far inferior to Sima Yi. So when Sima Yi came to Tongguan, Cao Zhen immediately asked Sima Yi how to retake Yongzhou.

Sima Yi had already thought of a plan against the enemy before coming. Even if Cao Zhen didn't ask him, Sima Yi himself would take the initiative to propose it to Cao Zhen.

Sima Yi slowly stretched out two fingers and said, "Governor, I have two urgent measures for the Governor to choose."

"Zhongda first talk about the slow plan."

"Governor, the Hu people have been rampant in Yongzhou for nearly a year, and with a flood, there will inevitably be no grain harvest in Yongzhou this year. The grain reserves in Yongzhou are not enough for Yongzhou disaster victims, so Liu Chan will transport grain from Bashu and Hanzhong to Yongzhou. Although Bashu and Hanzhong are heavy grain production areas, if they are used to provide consumption in Yongzhou, the food and grass will be very tight. The Governor can lead a large army to Chang'an, restrain the main force of the Shu army, and then enter the northern land with a light cavalry.

Crossing the Jing River, raiding Anding, Shicheng and other places, making it impossible for the people in the land north of the Wei River to farm, and forced Liu Chan to continue transporting grain from Yizhou to supply the people of Yongzhou. In this way, the Shu army's food was exhausted every year and the Shu army had no food, so it was unable to expand its military and prepare for war. We could rely on the Central Plains to recuperate and accumulate strength. Within five years, our army could attack Yongzhou with its superior forces. Within ten years, Yongzhou could sweep Yongzhou!"

Yongzhou is vast and thousands of miles away, but the real fertile fields are mainly concentrated on both sides of the Wei River and the Jing River. The south bank of the Wei River is too close to the Qinling Mountains, and the area of ​​arable land is limited. The most important thing in Yongzhou is still concentrated on the north bank of the Wei River. What’s more important is that the Zhengguo Canal is the Jinghe River water, and the entire Zhengguo Canal can irrigate a total of more than 40,000 farmland. It can be said that the more than 40,000 farmland irrigated by the Zhengguo Canal is the grain-producing land of the Qinchuan 800 miles.

Sima Yi's plan was to drag down the main force of the Shu army in Chang'an, and then sent light cavalry to raid the more than 40,000 glutinous land, making it impossible for the people of Yongzhou to cultivate the more than 40,000 glutinous land, which cut off part of Yongzhou's grain production and forced Liu Chan to transport grain from Bashu to Yongzhou.

Recruiting troops to expand military strength, even marching and fighting wars requires money and food. Money can be used to purchase weapons and armor, and grain is used by the army. Shu produces iron, so there is no shortage of weapons and armor, but food needs to be planted year by year. Once the food from Bashu is supplied to Yongzhou for use, the Shu army will inevitably find it difficult to save excess food and grass, and it will be difficult to continue to expand its military strength. The people have no food, and the population will not increase, and they will not be able to provide a source of troops. The Wei State can use the rich places in the Central Plains to slowly hoard food and grass to expand its military strength. According to Sima Yi's prediction, if Cao Zhen used this plan, one would increase and the other would grow, within five years, the number of Wei army would have the advantage, and within ten years, the Wei army's troops could sweep across Yongzhou.

After hearing this, Cao Zhen thought seriously and said, "Zhongda, although your plan is good, it will take ten years, which is too long. You should talk about the quicker plan."

Sima Yi had long expected that Cao Zhen would not use this strategy. When Sima Yi and Cao Pi proposed this strategy, Cao Pi also rejected it. For ordinary people, ten years was too long.

Sima Yi said slowly, "There are also strategies to quickly. Lord Zhang Ji has been in Chang'an for many years and has a good relationship with the Chang'an family. Although Liu Chan has Chang'an, it is difficult for the people of Chang'an to submit. The governor only needs to send a general to Chang'an to contact the Chang'an family. When our army arrives, we can cooperate inside and outside, and maybe we can win Chang'an in one battle!"

Cao Zhen nodded: "This plan is good, but this is not enough. Pang Tong has set up a camp of victims for dozens of miles west of Chang'an City. We also have to send people to the camp of victims to retaliate against the victims and cause chaos for the Shu army."

After hearing this, Sima Yi frowned slightly. Sima Yi also agreed with Cao Zhen's plan to rebel against the victims. Although there were hundreds of thousands of victims, the Shu army would have to spend a lot of effort to control the situation once the chaos arose, but the victims were too talkative and a group of mobs would easily reveal the news. If the Shu army knew in advance and was prepared, it would be bad.

Sima Yi was about to remind Cao Zhen that the moment he was about to speak, a strange thought of the New Year appeared in Sima Yi's mind, which made Sima Yi swallow the words again.

However, Sima Yi's actions were captured by Cao Zhen. Cao Zhen asked, "Zhongda, look at you who want to speak but stop, but you have something to say?"

Sima Yi said without changing his expression: "Who will the governor be sent to Chang'an City as an internal adviser?"

Cao Zhen thought for a while and said, "General Zhu Ling is an old minister of the late emperor. He is well versed in military tactics, has rich experience, and is well-versed in military affairs. He can do this. However, General Zhu Ling is old and has a pair of kings in our army. He is extremely brave and powerful, and is an enemy of ten thousand people. If you can help Zhu Ling, please send them two!"

Sima Yi nodded. Zhu Ling was Yuan Shao's old general. This man was very talented and had military achievements. Speaking of his ability to lead troops to fight, Zhu Ling was no worse than Xu Huang, and he became a late general. Although Cao Cao did not like Zhu Ling back then, he could not hide Zhu Ling's talent. If he went to Chang'an, he should be able to accomplish anything.

Sima Yi continued to ask: "Governor, who will send to the disaster victims to retaliate against the disaster victims?"

"I want to send Guo Huai's brother Guo Pei. Although Guo Pei is not as good as his brother Guo Huai, he is quite talented." Cao Zhen said.

"Governor-General, no!" Sima Yi hurriedly said to stop him.

"Why not?"

"I heard that Guo Pei has been with Guo Huai for many years. I believe that many people in Yongzhou know Guo Pei. If Guo Pei is sent to the disaster camp, they may be recognized. So I think they should be deriving their faces." Sima Yi replied.

"Who do Zhongda thinks it's better to send?"

"General Xiahou Yuanrang has four sons, his third son Xiahou Zizang and his fourth son Xiahou Zijiang have lived in Xudu for a long time. People in Yongzhou must not know them. These two are famous generals again. This time they happened to come with me, so send them!"

Cao Zhen nodded: "Okay, let Zizang and Zijiang go. Zhongda, you have just come to Tongguan and are tired of your lap. Let's go and rest first!"

"Since this is the case, I will take it back."

A young man stood beside Sima Yi, who looked like he was fourteen or fifteen years old, and looked four or five minutes like Sima Yi. Although he was not as hawkish-eyed as Sima Yi, his eyes were a little more determined than Sima Yi.

This young man is Sima Yi's eldest son Sima Shi.

"Father, the brothers Xiahou Zizang and Xiahou Zijiang are playboys Xu Youming. They don't have much ability. Why did their father recommend them? It should be noted that these two people are not enough to make a mistake. Sending these two people to come will probably ruin a big deal." Sima Shi asked.

"Hahaha." Sima Yi smiled: "It is precisely because these two people are not enough to make trouble that I recommend them."

Speaking of this, Sima Yi looked outside carefully and found that there was no one outside, so he spoke, "Shi'er, I ask you, who is the one whom His Majesty is most beloved in the court now?"

"It's your father, you and the Grand Governor Cao Zhen." Sima Shi replied.

"Yes, Your Majesty is the adopted son of Cao Zhen now. Cao Zhen is the adopted son of the late emperor. His Majesty's righteous brother is now. In short, Your Majesty trusts Cao Zhen more. As a father, he is just a person of a foreign surname. If Cao Zhen wins this battle, he will be able to be a marquis and general after returning to Xudu, and his status will be far above that of his father. However, if Cao Zhen is defeated in this battle, Cao Zhen will not be able to explain to His Majesty. Even if Your Majesty does not punish Cao Zhen, Cao Zhen will apologize for himself. At least three or two years, Cao Zhen will be unsightly to return to the court. If there is no Cao Zhen in the court, it will be a chance to be a father!" Sima Yi said here, with a strange smile on his face.

"But my father, Xiahou Zizang and Xiahou Zijiang, two mediocre talents, were recommended by his father to Cao Zhen. Will Your Majesty pursue it later..."

"No, although these two people were recommended by me, they were used by Cao Zhen. Once something went wrong with these two people, they would definitely be taken care of by Cao Zhen. What's more, these two people are the sons of Xiahou Dun. Even if these two people ruined the matter, they would still be ruined by my face. What's the matter with my father's recommendation? Even if Your Majesty really blames you, you can say that you are the one who recommended these two people because of Xiahou Dun's reputation. If the dead Xiahou Dun is used as a shield, Your Majesty will not blame me."

In the fourth year of Huanglong in Wei, in the first year of Jianxing in Shu Han, at the end of August, Cao Zhen, the general of the Wei State, left Tongguan and attacked Chang'an.

Tongguan is only more than a hundred miles away from Chang'an. Even if Cao's army is large, it can still arrive day and night.

The Shu army has been paying attention to Cao Zhen's actions at Tongguan. The distance between the two sides is too close, so the Shu army must be ready for battle at all times. If Cao Zhen has any abnormal movements at Tongguan, the spy will immediately repay Chang'an.

Adou was about to lead his troops out of the city to fight immediately, but the ministers came out to stop him.

"Your Majesty is a body of gold. You should be in Chang'an and you must not easily lead the army to personally!"

"Yes, Your Majesty, Cao Zhen is just a villain, and there is no need for Your Majesty to personally fight."

A Dou looked at the dozens of ministers below with a depressed look on his face, just to persuade A Dou not to face the enemy in person.

Zhuge Liang half-squinted his eyes, looking like he was not concerned about himself. Pang Tong next to him was raised with a bad smile on his face. He also said to Zhuge Liang in a low voice: "Kong Ming, look at it, Your Majesty will ask you later!"

"Prime Minister, what do you think?" As soon as Pang Tong finished speaking, Adou asked Zhuge Liang.

Zhuge Liang opened his eyes, walked out slowly, and said, "Your Majesty, you are right. I think Your Majesty should be in charge of Chang'an."

"Master Taifu, what do you think?" Adou then asked Pang Tong.

"Your Majesty, I also think that Your Majesty should be in charge of Chang'an." Pang Tong said.

When A Dou heard that Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong, two civil officials, had to take charge of Chang'an, he was depressed.

"Okay, then I'll take charge of Chang'an!" After saying that, Adou looked at Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong, then looked at Guan and Zhang, and said, "Second uncle, third uncle, as well as the prime minister and the grand tutor, will discuss matters in the inner hall after he retires from the court."

Inner Hall.

"Two teachers, I really don't understand why you don't let me go?" A Dou said in anger.

"Your Majesty, it's very dangerous to have no swords in front of the two armies? For the sake of your Majesty's safety, you should not go." Zhuge Liang replied inertially.

"The sword has no eyes? It's very dangerous? Even Cao Cao's hundreds of thousands of troops could not keep me back then. Besides, I have fought a lot of wars over the years."

"Your Majesty, it's different now. You are the king of a country now!"

"But my father also led the army in person..."
To be continued...