The scenery on the surface cannot hide the darkness behind it. In fact, anyone with a discerning eye can understand at a glance that the so-called general conquering Shu is just in name and has no real power. Sima Zhao actually exists as a hostage in the army conquering Shu.

This is actually just a game between Sima Yi and Cao Shuang. After the initial plan to conquer Shu was announced, Sima Yi held strong objections, believing that the time and conditions to conquer Shu were not mature now, and sending troops to conquer Shu at this time would only be a waste of money.

National strength, labor of life and loss of wealth.

However, for the sake of reputation, Cao Shuang was extremely resolute in his attitude towards conquering Shu and insisted on his own opinions.

However, after Sima Yi objected for a period of time, he no longer objected. The main reason was that after Xia Houxuan was transferred to the governor of Yongliang, the general who conquered the west, he vacated the position of the Central Guard Army. In exchange, Sima Shi became the Central Guard

army, so Sima Yi acquiesced to the fact of this expedition.

But after Cao Shuang's personal expedition, another severe test was posed to Luoyang's security. After all, if Sima Yi, an old fox, was left in Luoyang, Cao Shuang would not be able to feel at ease when he went on an expedition.

At the critical moment, it was Ding Mi who gave Cao Shuang the idea to transfer Sima Zhao to the army and randomly assign him a general title. In fact, he was held as a hostage to prevent Sima Yi from making any small moves later.

The matter of hostages has been a common practice in ancient and modern times. People like Qin Shihuang Yingzheng also served as hostages when they were young.

Cao Shuang believed that taking a hostage would not necessarily be effective. A sinister person like Sima Yi might abandon his son at a critical moment. Anyway, Sima Yi captured a lot of his sons, and

Compared with true ambition, the life of a son seems insignificant.

Ding Mi thought that there was no need to worry. Although Cao Shuang left Luoyang, he took most of the Chinese army with him. If something happened in Luoyang, he only needed to transfer his troops back to Luoyang. Ding Mi thought that even if Sima Yi was in Luoyang, he would not have any soldiers.

If he has no power, he will probably not be able to make any waves.

As for taking hostages, it is more of a gesture to make the opponent wary of throwing a rat weapon.

So Cao Shuang listened to Ding Mi's advice, transferred Sima Zhao to the army conquering Shu, and appointed him as the general conquering Shu.

After receiving Xia Houxuan's report, Cao Shuang was overjoyed. In fact, even he was worried about the problem of food and fodder. The troops and horses had not yet moved, so food and fodder went first. The reason why he sent Xia Houxuan first was to raise food and fodder in advance. Once it was solved

With this problem, the army can be ready to go at any time.

Cao Shuang was really happy after receiving the report that Xia Houxuan had prepared the grain and grass supplies. It seemed that sending Xia Houxuan to Chang'an to take charge of the overall situation was a wise choice. Xia Houxuan lived up to expectations and successfully completed the task.

At this time, Ding Mi gave Cao Shuang another idea: "Since the general is preparing to attack Shu, he must take it by surprise and attack it unprepared. The land of Shu is very dangerous. If the Shu people are prepared, it will become more difficult to attack Shu."

It's very big. In my humble opinion, it's better to advance the plan to conquer Shu and kill the Shu people by surprise."

Cao Shuang was convinced and immediately gathered his troops and headed for Chang'an.

After receiving the news, Xia Houxuan and Guo Huai immediately led all the officials out of the city to welcome Xia Houxuan and others into Chang'an City. As for the army they led, they did not enter the city, but camped outside the city.

After Cao Shuang entered the city, he only stayed in the city for one night, talking alone with Xia Houxuan all night long by candlelight.

As for the content of the conversation, no one knows, but some people revealed some details. There were seven or eight candles burned, which shows that the two talked late at night.

Yongliang's army and the army that arrived in Chang'an in advance received orders the next day, requiring them to move immediately and gather at Luo Valley.

Luo Valley was Wei's planned march route for the expedition against Shu. After Xiahou Xuan took office, he transferred Xia Houba, the defender of the expedition against Shu, to Luo Valley. He served as the vanguard of the expedition against Shu and prepared for the expedition in advance.

.

At the same time, Xiahou Ba was also responsible for another important responsibility, which was to block the border between Wei and Shu and prohibit any exchanges between Shu.

During the war, it was normal for both sides to have frequent spies. The Wei army was sharpening their swords north of the Qinling Mountains. How could they not alert the Shu people and send more spies to inquire about the news? That was a must.

One of Xiahou Ba's most important tasks was to block several valley entrances from Guanzhong to Hanzhong and conduct strict checks on passing pedestrians and business travelers to prevent them from carrying information into Hanzhong.

Due to the relationship between the valley roads, Xiahou Ba's task is relatively easy. From Guanzhong to Hanzhong, there are only five or six valley roads that are accessible. Xiahou Ba only needs to send troops to garrison these valley roads to stop them.

Work carefully to prevent the leakage of news in Guanzhong.

Therefore, after Cao Liang arrived in Chang'an, he had no chance to see Xiahou Ba, and Yang Hu had no chance to see his father-in-law.

Yang Hu got married a year earlier than Cao Liang, but it was Xia Houba's younger brother Xia Hou Wei who presided over the wedding. It was he who fell in love with Yang Hu at that time and betrothed Xia Houba's daughter to Yang Hu.

Therefore, when Yang Hu came to Chang'an, it was the first time he had the opportunity to meet his father-in-law, and he felt uneasy. He originally thought that he would have a chance to meet Xiahou Ba in Chang'an, but he didn't expect that Xiahou Ba would go to Luo Valley this time.

It's been more than two months.

After the order was issued, all armies and battalions immediately took action, leaving Chang'an City quickly and orderly, and gathered in the direction of Luogu.

In recent times, Wei Jun has been committed to training in this area, so after receiving the order, he can embark on the journey in an orderly manner.

In Cao Liang's impression, Cao Shuang should be the kind of pot-bellied and bloated loser, but he didn't expect that this man was very orderly and methodical in commanding the army. Obviously, Cao Shuang's talents in these aspects came from

Cao Zhen’s inheritance.

Cao Zhen was a famous general of Cao Wei, but it was a pity that he died early, otherwise Sima Yi would not have been allowed to plot to seize the Cao family's empire.

Cao Shuang has also been familiar with military literature since he was a child. He is fundamentally different from those second-generation government dudes who only know about sex, eating, drinking and having fun. He still has real talents and learning.

When he first served as the general's auxiliary minister, Cao Shuang was also determined to attack and was very motivated, including this time to conquer Shu. Cao Shuang personally mobilized the army and planned the offensive plan. He did everything personally. As a commander, his performance was also commendable.

Remarkable.
Chapter completed!