Speaking of this, Xia Houxuan's expression was a little gloomy. To be honest, Xia Houxuan was really apologetic towards Cao Liang. Just when he was newly married, he wanted to summon Cao Liang to the border.

That said, it's also unkind.

Getting married is a major event in a person's life. Xia Houxuan also hopes that Cao Liang can enjoy this honeymoon. However, the attack on Shu is already imminent. According to Cao Shuang's original plan, in the first month of next year, or at the latest in February next year,

He was ready to go on an expedition.

There are only about three months left before the army goes out for battle. Thousands of things and complicated matters are all pressing on the shoulders of Xia Houxuan. Therefore, after receiving the appointment, Xia Houxuan did not dare to delay for a moment and prepared

Set off immediately for Chang'an to make preparations for the expedition.

The troops and horses are readily available, but what Xia Houxuan needs most urgently now is a capable assistant, so he specially visits Cao Liang, hoping that Cao Liang can join him in Chang'an as soon as possible after getting married to assist him.

Complete all preparations for the expedition.

As a result, Xia Houxuan was conflicted. He also knew that doing so was simply unkind, but he had no choice because there were not many people Xia Houxuan could rely on now. Apart from Cao Liang, who was the most reliable, Xia Houxuan

Xuan really can't count on anyone else.

He also knew very well that when he went to Yongliang this time, it was Sima Yi's base camp. After Cao Zhen's death, Sima Yi became the commander-in-chief of the Western Front. During the repeated attacks against Zhuge Liang, Sima Yi gradually became more powerful in Yongliang.

Liang trained his direct troops. Guo Huai, the current governor of Yongzhou, had an extremely close relationship with Sima Yi and was Sima Yi's confidant.

Although a few years ago, Xiahou Ba, Xiahou Xuan's clan uncle, was transferred to serve as a guard for the conquest of Shu, with the original intention of changing the composition of the army on the western front, over the past few years, Xiahou Ba's role was almost negligible, and he was unable to produce any changes at all.

The western front is one of the most important defense lines in Wei, second only to the southeastern front, and its importance is self-evident. Since Sima Yi has been in power here for the longest time, and Sima Yi deliberately and painstakingly managed it,

The forces cultivated can cover almost the entire front. It is not false at all to say that the Western Front is Sima Yi's home base.

Cao Shuang has always been worried about the western defense line. If he wants to move Sima Yi, he must remove the threat from the western front, otherwise it is very likely to cause rebellion or turmoil on the western front.

If the western front is unstable, the Shu Kingdom, which has been coveting the land of Yongliang, is very likely to take advantage of the situation and move in, which is bound to have an impact on Wei's iron-barrel power.

Therefore, this time Cao Shuang asked Xia Houxuan to rush to the front line in advance, with the intention of cleaning up and rectifying the Western Front. To fight against foreign forces, one must first settle the internal affairs. Failure to deal with the problems on the Western Front will inevitably hinder the plan to attack Shu.

This was also the reason why Xia Houxuan had to leave as early as possible. There were only more than three months before the army set out for the expedition. Xia Houxuan had to deal with so many things, and he did not have enough time at all.

Seeing Xia Houxuan's complacent look, Cao Liang was more worried. Is Shu really a soft persimmon in the eyes of Xia Houxuan and Cao Shuang?

"Brother Taichu, do you think you are sure that this expedition to Shu will be successful?"

Xia Houxuan said with a smile: "Ziming, when you went to Huainan, you didn't look like this. Why, do you really have no confidence in conquering Shu? Now that Zhuge Liang of Shu is dead, there are very few people who can really take on the big task, Liao Liaoji.

, Jiang Wanfei, who is in power now, are all mediocre people, more than capable of defending but not aggressive enough. Wherever our army arrives, the enemy will be invincible."

Cao Liang secretly shook his head. Xia Houxuan was too optimistic about conquering Shu. This was obviously not a good thing. If Jiang Wanfei was really mediocre and incompetent, how could Zhuge Liang hope for something big before his death? You know, Zhuge Liang

He was extremely cautious, and he was even more cautious in employing people. He knew very well that after him, there was no general in Shu who could match Sima Yi, so he reused Jiang Wanfei, who was good at guarding, to take charge of the overall situation, and even did not hesitate to kill the people at that time.

Wei Yan, the first general of the Shu Kingdom, wanted to prevent the Shu Kingdom from being divisive in matters of offense and defense.

Since Jiang Wan came to power, there has been no war between Wei and Shu for seven years. As for Jiang Wei's sporadic invasion of Qiang and Di territory with partial troops, it has nothing to do with the overall situation and can be ignored. After Wei has gained peace on the western front, it can use all its strength to

He then dispatched troops to the northeast and southeast to quell the Liaodong rebellion and repel the Soochow invaders.

But for the Shu Kingdom, it can recuperate and make up for the shortfall caused by Zhuge Liang's repeated military use in the past few years. Although the current Shu Kingdom cannot be said to be a rich country and a strong military, it has the same civilian and military strength as Zhuge Liang's continuous Northern Expedition.

Compared to being tired, his energy has been restored.

Coupled with the difficult road to Shu and the dangerous passes, these natural disadvantages made the possibility of Cao Shuang achieving a brilliant victory almost zero. Cao Liang really didn't know where Xia Houxuan's optimism and confidence came from.

"If Brother Taichu wants to march into Hanzhong, what path will he take?" Cao Liang asked.

The Qinling Mountains can be said to be a natural barrier, lying between Guanzhong and Hanzhong. If the Wei army wants to attack Hanzhong, they must cross the Qinling Mountains. The Qinling Mountains, which stretches for hundreds of miles, can only be passed by a few ancient roads. The Ziwu Road in the east, in the middle

The Luogu Road and the Xiegu Road to the west are the most important ancient plank roads. The roads are tortuous, rugged and difficult to navigate, especially the Ziwu Road, which is even more dangerous. Since Xiahou Xuan has already made a plan to attack Hanzhong

, then Cao Liang wanted to know where they planned to march.

Xia Houxuan had obviously considered the strategy of attacking Shu. At this moment, he said without hesitation: "The Ziwu Road is dangerous and the Xiegu Road is long. It is most appropriate to march from the Luogu Road. I wonder what you think, Ziming?"

When Cao Liang heard this, it turned out that what Xia Houxuan said was exactly what he thought. The Ziwu Road was steep and the weather was weird, which was not conducive to marching. The Xianggu Road was too far away, so it was not considered. It was more appropriate to march from Luogu Road. Historically,

, Cao Shuang indeed followed this path.

Cao Liang said: "The Luogu Road is indeed the best choice, but no matter which road you take, the most important thing is the supply of grain and grass. The dangerous plank road and the difficulty in transporting grain and grass are the main factors that restrict the army's operations. When Zhuge Liang invaded the country, no one

Instead of being trapped by food and grass, once the supply of food and grass is insufficient, the frontline army will be in trouble. The troops and horses have not moved, and the food and grass have gone first. When these hundreds of thousands of troops enter Hanzhong, the Shu people will fortify the walls and clear the fields, and defend by danger. Therefore, Brother Taichu went to Chang'an.
Chapter completed!