Xiahou Ba is the second son of Cao Wei's famous general Xiahou Yuan. He is thirty-two years old, eight feet tall and has extraordinary physical strength. After Cao Pi came to the throne, he was worshiped as a partial general and granted the title of Marquis of Guan Nei.

Because his father Xiahou Yuan was killed by the veteran Huang Zhong in the Battle of Hanzhong, Xiahou Ba always wanted to go to the Western Front battlefield to avenge his father. Cao Wei's Western Expedition was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and Xiahou Ba volunteered to follow Cao Zhenxi. Later, Cao Rui felt his loyalty and bravery, and made him the general against rebellion and the vanguard of the middle route army.

When Xia Houyuan was guarding Hanzhong, Guo Huai was his army commander. However, when Xia Houyuan and Liu Bei fought at Dingjun Mountain, Guo Huai happened to be ill and was unable to fight with him.

Therefore, after Xiahou Yuan was beheaded by the formation, Xiahou Ba vented his anger on Guo Huai, believing that it was the fact that he, the deputy general, was not on the front line that made Xiahou Yuan, the general, personally lead the team to repair the antlers, giving the Han army the opportunity to surprise and kill him.

Therefore, Xiahou Ba has been very at odds with Guo Huai since he arrived in Chang'an, and often opposed him. Of course, his opposition to Guo Huai's strategy of advancing westward was not entirely due to this reason. He also believed that the original strategy of dividing his troops into two groups was better. To be appropriate.

The reason why Guo Huai did not answer Xiahou Ba's question was actually not because he had no reason to refute. In addition to not daring to attribute the responsibility for the defeat to Cao Zhen, it was mainly because he did not want to conflict with Xiahou Ba.

Although the blame for Xia Houyuan's killing was not on his head, he asked himself that if he had persisted and went into battle despite being sick, the outcome of the battle at Dingjunshan might have been very different.

Therefore, out of this self-blame, Guo Huai always gave in more when facing Xiahou Ba and did not want to argue with him too much.

Zhang He also supported the change in the strategy of entering the army, and was a member of the Yongliang faction first. Seeing that Guo Huai seemed to be questioned by Xiahou Ba, he came to the rescue and said: "Although the strength of the Shu army is beyond our previous expectations, our army's strength in Chang'an is There are still slightly more Hanzhong and Yongliang rebel armies, so Zhongquan does not need to worry too much about the Shu army in Hanzhong.

It is said that Zhuge Liang led his army to the north, and our army happened to have a decisive battle with him in Guanzhong. Don't forget that we also have an Eastern Route Army. General Sima's strategy is extraordinary. Once he goes westward up the Han River, he will definitely give the Shu army in Hanzhong a considerable blow. The pressure made Zhuge Liang dare not leave Hanzhong easily.

If we leave another 20,000 troops in Chang'an to guard the city and the north entrance of Ziwu Road, Zhuge Liang will be unable to cut off our army's retreat. Once the Shu army leaves Ziwu Road to attack Chang'an, our army can calmly return to fight with them.

Therefore, Zhong Quan, we should follow our strategy to defeat the Yang Qing tribe first, recover the three cities of Wugong, Yicheng, and Chencang, then march westward to Longyou, and then defeat the Wei Yan tribe. When Yongliang is recovered and its flanks are safe, our army can Massively march south to attack Hanzhong with General Sima."

After saying that, he turned around and raised his hands to Cao Zhen who was sitting on the throne and said: "Da Sima, although Wang's division has many soldiers and generals and strong combat power, the Shu bandits have no less than 130,000 troops. They rely on strong cities and dangerous passes to hold on. Our army's three-pronged advance to suppress Ding is suddenly difficult. It is better to concentrate our superior forces to wipe out the two thieves Yang Qing and Wei Yan, and then go south to Hanzhong to confront Fang Geliang. This is the best way to ensure safety. Please think twice, Grand Sima."

Cao Zhen found it difficult to solve the problem, so he asked Liu Ye, who had not expressed his position these days, and asked: "Liu Shizhong, what do you think?"

"Da Sima, Ye thinks that what both sides say is reasonable, but neither of them is very comprehensive. The Shu army has slightly less troops than our army. Our army should indeed concentrate its superior forces to defeat its route first. Therefore, the key to the problem now is Should the main attack direction be to the south or west.

To the west is the lost territory of Yongliang. If we can regain it in one fell swoop, the minimum goal of this expedition to Shu will have been achieved. We can give orders to the emperor and comfort the common people.

However, Yang Qing and Wei Yan have a combined force of no less than 50,000 to 60,000 infantry and cavalry, and they also have Guan Xing, Wang Ping, Liu Yin and other generals who can recruit good warriors. Even if all of Chang'an's 100,000-strong army marches westward, I'm afraid it won't be enough. It is impossible to defeat the two thieves in a short time.

Once the war reaches a stalemate, the variables will increase. Not to mention how much military supplies and food will be consumed, the traitor army in Hanzhong will definitely take advantage of the situation and move northward. Although there is a general's East Route Army to contain it, Zhuge Liang is not someone who just waits for death. He will definitely send troops. Rescue the two thieves Yang and Wei.

Of course, as General Junyi said, this would be conducive to the decisive battle between the king's division and the main force of the Shu army.

This does sound quite reasonable, but please don't forget that now the three exits of Chencang Road, Baoxie Road, and Tangluo Road are in the hands of the Shu army. Wang Shi has no geographical advantage in a decisive battle with the thieves on the line from Chang'an to Chencang. In addition, the strength of the troops is similar, so it is difficult to win. If it is delayed for a long time, it will only waste money and food."

Zhang He argued: "Liu Shizhong crossed the rugged and difficult Ziwu Road to attack Hanzhong south. The front was stretched so long. Wouldn't it also cost countless money and food? Rather than doing this, it would be better to fight the main battle with the Shu army in Guanzhong. To reduce the burden of grain and grass transportation."

"General Junyi's words are reasonable. Setting the main offensive battlefield in Guanzhong is indeed convenient for the transportation of food and grass. However, it will be difficult for our army to achieve results. If we can neither regain the lost territory of Yongliang nor capture Hanzhong, how should we report to Your Majesty? , to explain to the people of the world?

You must know that we, the Wei Dynasty, have been preparing for this war for a full year, and have spent countless military resources. If we cannot achieve certain results, we will definitely make people laugh at the world, and the arrogance of the Shu thieves will become even higher. Our national prestige will also be lost."

Zhang He hesitated and said: "This..."

"So Ye thinks that our army's main attack direction should still be in Hanzhong. In addition to the reasons just mentioned, the more important thing is that Hanzhong is the foundation of Shu thieves.

Zhuge Liang's Northern Expedition has always been based on Hanzhong, and now the Shu thieves have captured Liangzhou in Longyou. Hanzhong is located at the intersection between Shuzhong and the North, and it is the center. If our army can capture it, it will not only destroy the foundation of Zhuge Liang's Northern Expedition in one fell swoop, but also What's more, the two thieves Yang Qing and Wei Yan can be left alone in the northwest. Once the territory of Shu is divided, the unfavorable situation of the Wei Dynasty's previous two defeats can be fundamentally reversed.

No matter when the time comes, we march westward to regain the lost territory, or go south to Shu to capture and kill the false emperor, the initiative rests with me, the Wei Dynasty. It is said that the snake will be beaten within seven inches, and Hanzhong is the seven inches from the Shu thieves."

When Cao Zhen heard this, he slapped the case and shouted: "Good, what Liu Shizhong said is really turning the clouds and revealing the sun, which made someone suddenly realize. Yes, attacking Hanzhong is the key to Zhuge Liang. If Hanzhong does not fall, the thieves will not be eradicated.

The Emperor ordered us to lead more than 100,000 elite troops to conquer Western Shu. We must consider the long-term foundation of the Wei Dynasty. If we cannot severely damage the Shu thieves in this battle, we will not be able to return to the court to see the Emperor.

You must not be afraid of difficulties and fight to the death with a certain Taoist for the great Wei State."

"We will do our best to follow Grand Sima's teachings."

Having said this, it was natural for Zhang He, Guo Huai and other dissidents to say more. Xia Houru, who had not spoken much, smiled and said to Cao Zhen: "Da Sima has an order, and all the troops in Guanzhong are responsible for it."

Push forward.

However, our Guanzhong Army can only dispatch 30,000 infantry and cavalry at most in this battle, which is indeed too small to face Yang Qing’s troops. Should we ask the Grand Sima to allocate another 20,000 horses from the Central Route Army to strengthen the West Route Army?”

"This..." Cao Zhen hesitated.

Liu Ye smiled and said: "I'm afraid you have forgotten that although our army's total strength is only slightly better than that of the Shu army, our army has 50,000 elite cavalry, so our military advantage is much better than that of the Shu army.

Da Sima, I don't think so. The main purpose of the Western Route Army is to contain the Yongliang rebels. They can mainly use cavalry. The cavalry is flexible and can fight when they can. If they can't, they can also retreat calmly.

As the attack on Hanzhong requires passing through the rugged and difficult Ziwu Road, infantry should be the main force, so the Central Army does not seem to need too many cavalry."

"That makes sense."

Cao Zhen nodded and said to Xia Houru: "Jun Lin, I have allocated 20,000 cavalry from the Central Route Army to replace your 20,000 infantry, including 5,000 Tiger and Leopard Cavalry. In this way, your West Route Army will be almost all cavalry."

, should be enough to contain the Yongliang bandit army."

"Don't worry, Grand Sima. I have 30,000 fine cavalry in my hands. Even if there are 100,000 thieves, I will not be afraid." Xia Houru was immediately full of confidence after hearing this.

Cao Zhen said: "It's better not to be careless. Pay careful attention. The two thieves Yang Qing and Wei Yan also have ten or twenty thousand cavalry under their command."

"How can that generation be a match for our cavalry of the Wei Dynasty when they were formed not long ago, let alone our Western Route Army which still has 5,000 tiger and leopard cavalry?"

Cao Zhen felt relieved when he thought of the powerful fighting power of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, but he continued to warn: "Having said that, Yang Qing and others are full of tricks, so we still have to be cautious. It would be best if we can regain the lost ground, but if not, we still have to do it."

We must focus on containment.”

"Yes, Ru understands."

Cao Zhen looked at the crowd and said loudly: "The strategy has been decided. I intend to attack in three days. Please return to your headquarters and make preparations."
Chapter completed!