In March of the 15th year of Jian'an (202), Emperor Xian of Han, Wancheng.

At this time, Wancheng had become a huge barracks. In addition to the 100,000 Sichuan troops originally stationed in Nanyang County, Zhang Yan's 100,000 Heishan troops and Fang Yue's 100,000 Xiliang troops (Central Army) also arrived in Wancheng one after another. Nearly 300,000 troops gathered in Wancheng. The barracks alone stretched for dozens of miles. Such a large-scale action naturally could not hide from the Chu army spies lurking in Nanyang.

Xiangyang, Chu King's Mansion.

When Cao Zhen was discussing the situation in Xichuan with Zhuge Liang, Cheng Yu, and Jia Kui, he suddenly saw Liu Ye hurried in and bowed and said, "Lord, give me a detailed return, Ma Butcher Ma mobilized more than 300,000 troops to move south to attack Jingzhou. Now the army has advanced to Wancheng. The 30,000 vanguard cavalry led by Ma Dai, the brother of Ma Butcher clan, has advanced to Xinye City to serve!"

"What!?" Cao Zhen was shocked when he heard this, stood up suddenly and said in a lost voice, "But Ma has mobilized more than 300,000 troops to move south! The situation in Xichuan is as dangerous as it is. But the Butch Ma has mobilized such a large army to attack Jingzhou instead of sending troops to rescue Xichuan. This is incredible? What should we do?"

"This is the benefit of a vast territory and a large population under the rule!" Cheng Yu sighed, "In the battle of Huainan, in order to rescue more than 3 million victims, the Liang army consumed a lot, but now less than two years have passed, and the butcher Ma can actually mobilize another 300,000 troops to fight. The replenishment speed of the Liang army's strategic consumption is really amazing."

"Yes." Jia Kui echoed, "In contrast, the Wu army has been greatly damaged after the defeat in Huainan. It is impossible to launch a large-scale northern expedition within at least ten years. Our army is similar. It is difficult for Xichuan to launch a large-scale offensive after the defeat. This time, the butcher Ma came in full force. I think that only by fighting with the Wu army can there be a glimmer of vitality."

"Haha." Zhuge Liang smiled and said, "You don't have to worry, two gentlemen. Although the Liang army is large, there is no naval army. We have to attack far away. Although our army is small, we have an absolute advantage in naval army. We are also waiting for labor. Even if the war is not good, we can retreat to the four counties in Jingnan and use the natural danger of the Yangtze River to resist the Liang army. What's more, the war has just begun, and it is far from clear who wins and who loses."

Cao Zhen said: "Can Kong Ming have a plan to retreat to the enemy?"

Zhuge Liang said: "Liang has indeed dug a tomb for the butcher of horses! In fact, this strategy of annihilation of the enemy has been matured long ago under the tent of the lord Shi Liang. Unfortunately, the lord has never been willing to listen to Liang's good advice and insisted on attacking Shu, which led to the defeat of Yong'an, which greatly damaged the Chu army's vitality and brought danger to the present day."

Cheng Yu followed Cao Cao for the longest time, frowned and said unhappy when he heard this: "Kong Ming, don't say these irrelevant words."

Cao Zhen also said: "Yes, yes, yes, Kong Ming would tell Gu how to annihilate the 300,000 army of Ma Butcher?"

Zhuge Liang said, "Liang once told the former lord that if the butcher Ma went south to attack Jingzhou, Liang would make him defeat without any effort! Those who were undefeated and defeated were not the power of war, but in fact, they would use the power of the heavenly power of all things to create! Unfortunately, this time, the butcher Ma only led 300,000 troops to fight south. Even if these 300,000 Liang troops were all destroyed, our army would not be able to take advantage of the situation to fight north, and Xiliang would not be worried about collapse. The best result was that after this battle, Liang, Chu and Wu would be in a three-legged tripod."

"The heavenly power of all things creation?" Cheng Yu's expression moved and he said in a calm voice, "What Kong Ming meant... was he to use the water of the Yangtze River?"

"That's right!" Zhuge Liang nodded, took out a map from his sleeve and placed it on the table, spread it flat, and then pointed to the map and explained to Cao Zhen and others, "Lord, please see, three gentlemen, this is the Yangtze River, from Jingmen to the east, this is the Xiangjiang River, from Xiangyang to the east, the two rivers are combined into one at the mouth of the Sanjiang River, and the two rivers are connected to the east and west Jianghan Mountain Mausoleum, which is shaped like a pocket."

Cao Zhen said: "So what?"

Zhuge Liang said: "The river surface of the upper reaches of Xiangyang is narrow and not enough to resist the Liang army's southward journey. Therefore, it is a matter of time before Xiangyang falls. If Xiangyang falls, our army can fight and retreat, retreat along Maicheng, Jiangling, and Mianyang to Wulin Port, and then board the boat from Wulin Port to cross the river. There is no natural danger to guard along the way, and there is no waterway to be separated. The Liang army will inevitably drive straight in and take Wulin."

"So what?" Jia Kui asked back in confusion, "As Kong Ming, you said, from Jiangling to Wulingang, there is no natural danger to guard along the way, and there is no river separation. Even if the Jianghan Mountain Mausoleum between the two rivers is like a pocket, our army cannot tie the bag, so there is no way to trap the 300,000 troops of the horse butcher in it. Where should we start with the so-called unbeaten defeat?"

"That may not be." Zhuge Liang smiled faintly and said calmly, "Liang once carefully examined the terrain from Yiling to Jiangling, and found that the water level of Xiangjiang River in the Maicheng section is much lower than that of the Yangtze River in the Yiling section. If our army digs the Yangtze River from Yiling to dig the water from the north, the diverted Yangtze River water can form a new river channel between the mountain monuments. In this way, wouldn't the bag mouth of the Jianghan Mountain Mausoleum be stuck?"

"So what?" Cheng Yu couldn't help but retort, "Even if the Yangtze River can be dug through and a new river channel is formed between the Jianghan Mountain Mausoleum, it can only temporarily trap the Liang army for a while, and it is impossible to trap it! You must know that in the Battle of Huainan, the Eastern Wu naval army blocked the Huai River and Feishui River in the end, wasn't it cracked by the Liang army's iron cables blocking the river?"

"As long as you can trap the Liang army for one month, it is enough!" Zhuge Liang said, "Mr. Cheng Yu knows that a kind of evil disease is prevalent in Jianghan area, called big belly disease (schistosomiasis). People with this disease are as big as a drum and often do not have a good end. Northerners live in dry and refreshing places in the north all year round. They are not adapted to the humid and stuffy climate in the south. They are very likely to be infected with this evil disease. They also have a very fast attack. They can spread the entire army in just a few days, and can cause people to be inactive in seven to ten days!"

Cao Zhen, Cheng Yu, Jia Kui and others looked at each other in shock and said in a deep voice: "This is the fate!"

Zhuge Liang smiled slightly and continued, "But the most urgent thing is to defeat Ma Dai first and destroy the might of the Liang army first."

Cao Zhen's eyes flashed and he suddenly said loudly: "Come here!"

The primary school had already come in and answered: "What are the instructions of the prince?"

Cao Zhen said: "Get the lonely seal and sword."

"Affect the order."

The school took the order and left. When he turned back, he was already holding Cao Zhen’s seal and sword in his hand. Cao Zhen solemnly handed over the seal and sword to Zhuge Liang, and said in a deep voice: "Kong Ming, from now on, you will be the commander of the Chu army. The three armies will be mobilized, and you will be fully responsible for the operation of food and grass and the distribution of generals. I will never interfere with it."

Zhuge Liang solemnly took the seal, wore a sword, and said solemnly: "Liang... accept the order."

At this point, Liu Ye woke up as if he was dreaming and said to Cao Zhen: "Lord, there are news about the detailed works lurking in Luoyang, but it is difficult to tell whether it is true or false."

Cao Zhen said: "What news?"

Liu Ye said: "It is said that Ma Chao, the number one general under Ma Butcher, is dead."

"Is Ma Chao dead?" Cao Zhen said in surprise, "How did he die?"

Liu Ye said: "It is said that he died of an old sore after falling down on a horse."

"Although Gu failed to kill Ma Chao, since Ma Chao died of his old injury, he was always considered dead under Kong Ming." Cao Zhen said this and looked back at Zhuge Liang and said, "So, the blood hatred of the previous king was avenged. Gu should really thank you Kong Ming."

Zhuge Liang said: "In the battle of Wu County, Ma Chao was defeated by underestimating the enemy. He thought that since the first lord had already died in battle, our army was vulnerable to the attack without a leader. Only then would he lead two thousand cavalry to go up the mountain road to chase our army, and even defeated and fell off the cliff! To be honest, it was because Mi Mi that he had the will of heaven. Perhaps it was because the first lord showed his spirit and asked Ma Chao's fate, and Liang really did not dare to take credit."

Moling, Wu Wang Mansion.

Just a few days later, Sun Quan also learned about the news that Ma Yue had launched a large-scale southern expedition to Jingzhou, and immediately summoned Xu Shu, Lu Meng, Lu Xun, Sun Yi, Sun Yu, Sun Jiao, Taishi Ci, He Qi, Zulang, and Quan Cong to discuss solutions.

At that time, the Grand Governor Zhou Yu was resting in Chaisang while sick, but Sun Quan did not call him to come.

Sun Quan looked around everyone and said in a deep voice: "Everyone has known the news. Ma Chao's violent death is of great great news for our army, but the butcher Ma launched a large-scale battle of 300,000. With the strength of the Chu army at present, it is probably difficult to resist. I thought the best result was to retreat to the four counties in Jingnan and defend themselves according to the natural danger of the Yangtze River. What do you think?"

Lu Meng said: "If Gan Ning's naval army helped, I am afraid that even the natural danger of the Yangtze River would not be able to stop the Xiliang army."

"Yeah." Sun Quan nodded and said in a deep voice, "So, before the victory or defeat of the Jingzhou Battle, we must block Ganning's Jinfan naval army in Ruxuwu. We must not let them go up the river to help Ma Butcher's Xiliang army cross the Yangtze River! Our army has just experienced the defeat in Huainan and its vitality has not yet recovered. We really cannot send reinforcements. These are the only ones who can help the Chu army."

Speaking of Ruxuwu, Sun Quan's face suddenly became solemn again, and he said worriedly: "With Xiliang's strong manpower and material resources, Gan Ning is hiding in Ruxuwu to build a large warship, and has recruited 30,000 southern troops to train on Chaohu every day. In the long run, this may become a major concern for our Eastern Wu. Ziming must not watch it grow bigger!"

Lu Meng said helplessly: "The Liang army has learned from the experience of the strange stone rocks and built two castles on the two wings of the Ruxuwu Naval Army's Dazhai Village. Hundreds of catapults were installed in the castle. The generals led the navy several times to attack Ruxuwu, but they all returned in vain due to the counterattack of the Liang army's catapult. The generals thought that to break through the Ruxuwu Naval Army's Dazhai Village, they must first send infantry to break through the castles on both sides and destroy the catapults in the fort."

Sun Quan then went silent, but his face showed a bit of bitterness.

Lu Meng's words hit Sun Quan's key point. With the current national strength of the Eastern Wu, it is not enough to launch an offensive battle of more than 30,000 people. But without the investment of more than 30,000 troops, it would be easier to break through the Liang army castles on both sides of the Ruxuwu Navy Grand Village? You must know that the Western Liang general Gao Shun stationed a total of 20,000 troops in Ruxuwu.

"Okay." Sun Quan turned around with his hands and said to everyone, "Then let it go, send a water army to blockade Ruxuwu immediately."

Lu Meng bowed and clasped his fists and said, "The last general will take the order."

Xinye, Wenpin Official Residence.

Wen Pin was reading Zhuge Liang's quick horse and urgent book, suddenly a small school hurried into the hall and said anxiously: "General, Ma Dai's Xiliang Iron Cavalry has advanced to Quewei Slope, less than fifty miles from Xinye County."

"Well." Wen Pin nodded, looked up at the sky, and said, "It's too late today, and the Xiliang Iron Cavalry should not continue to move south."

The deputy general next to him said anxiously: "But General, the city of Xinye County is too small and the height of the city wall is less than two meters. With the two thousand defenders in the city, it is difficult to withstand the fierce attack of the Xiliang army."

"It's okay." Wen Pin said, "within three days, the lord and military advisor will lead the army to arrive. Our army only needs to defend Xinye for three days."

"But the difference in strength between the two armies is too great." The deputy general said worriedly, "The military strength of the Xiliang army is fifteen times that of our army. I'm afraid it will be difficult to defend for three days."

Wen Pin said: "If the Xiliang Iron Cavalry was allowed to kill the city, I am afraid I will not be able to defend it for even one day."

The deputy general said: "What should we do?"

Wen Pin waved the letter from Kong Ming in his hand and smiled and said, "I doubt the plan of the army."

The deputy general said: "What is a plan to doubt the military?"

Wen Pin said: "Since the Iron Cavalry of Xiliang has walked through Quewei Slope, it will be necessary to pass Bowang Slope. The Bowang Slope has deep mountains and dense forests. It is spring, and it is time for the dry weather and things to be dry, so it is very easy to attack fire! Our army only needs to deal with some flags on both sides of the official road, and then send a few teams of soldiers to ride horses in the forest to drag dry firewood, so smoke and dust are rising, thinking that the Xiliang army will not dare to enter the forest easily."

The deputy general said: "What if the Xiliang army enters the forest?"

Wen Pin said: "Then set the fire and burn them with one fire."

The deputy general said: "What if the Liang army set fire first?"

Wen Pin said: "That's okay. Once this fire starts to burn, it will be extinguished after three days and three nights. When three days and three nights pass, the lord and military advisor have already led the army to Xinye."

Queweipo, Ma Dai's military tent.

Meng Da walked into the tent with a meteor and said to Ma Dai: "The Second General, I just found a lot of Chu army flags in the Bowangpo area, and there were faint smoke and dust rising after the soldiers drove through. It seemed that Cao's army might be ambushed in the dense forests on both sides of Bowangpo."

Ma Dai turned his gaze to Sima Yi next to him and asked, "Zhongda, what do you think?"

Fa Zheng had already gone to Xichuan with Ma Zheng, so Ma Yue could only send Sima Yi as Ma Dai's military adviser.

Sima Yi said: "Yi thought he should not enter the forest rashly to avoid being attacked by fire."

Ma Dai nodded and said, "Well, what Zhongda said is not without reason."

Although Ma Dai was young and eager to avenge his brother Ma Chao, he was not a ignorant person. He was also cautious by nature. With Sima Yi's help, the two cautious people were put together, and the possibility of underestimating the enemy and advancing was almost zero. This is also the main reason why Ma Yue was relieved to let Ma Dai lead the army in the front.

Meng Da suddenly said, "Second General, why not our army set fire first?"

"Good solution." Su Ze praised, "If there was really a Cao army ambush in the forest, it would be a death sentence."

Ma Dai turned his attention to Sima Yi again.

Sima Yi nodded and said, "Yi thought this plan was feasible. Although the fire would last for three or five days, it would take several days of delay, and it would give the Chu army a few more days to prepare for the war. However, our army has an absolute advantage in military strength. Even if the Chu army is well prepared, it will be difficult to save the defeat. It should not affect the overall situation of the Prime Minister's army's southern expedition."

"Okay." Ma Dai said in a deep voice, "Then set the fire and burn Bowangpo first!"

Meng Da and Su Ze agreed to the promise and took the order and left.

Chengdu, East Gate.

When Ma Zheng and Fa Zheng led the army outside Chengdu, they saw that Yizhou Governor Zhang Song had already led the Sichuan Chinese civil and military officials waiting outside the city gate. From a distance, they saw a large area of ​​black Western Liang iron cavalry standing outside the city. The Sichuan gentry officials who were originally panicked were immediately relieved and smiled happily, following Zhang Song and came forward happily.

Zhang Song rushed forward, bowed to Ma Zheng very much, and said respectfully: "The lower-ranking official Zhang Song, please lead the gentry in Sichuan to wait for the crown prince."

Behind Zhang Song, civil officials and generals in Sichuan also bowed.

Ma Zheng rushed forward and held Zhang Songxia's bowing hands and said humbly: "Sir, please get up quickly."

"Thank you, the prince."

Zhang Song bowed and then stood up.

Fa Zheng, who was behind Ma Zheng, then stepped forward, clasped his fists and smiled, "Mr. Zhang Song, it's been a long time since."

"I have met Mr. Fazheng." Zhang Song bowed and turned to his hands and said, "The emperor respectfully invites the prince and the soldiers of the three armies to enter the city."

Ma Zheng shook his hand and said, "I am grateful for the feelings of my lord, but the army will not enter the city. It is better to station outside the city."

"This..." Zhang Song was embarrassed, "The prince didn't know that the Western Qiang rebels had already reached Jianwei, and they could attack Chengdu at any time. The officials thought it was better to station the army into the city. If the Western Qiang rebels arrived, they would be able to seize the city and defend it."

In terms of heart, Zhang Song was still skeptical about the ability of his prince Ma Zheng, fearing that Ma Zheng was defeated by the Western Qiang rebels, so he hoped that Ma Zheng could lead his army into the city. With 20,000 Western Liang cavalry to help the battle, even if the Western Qiang rebels fought to the bottom of Chengdu, the gentry and gentry in the city could rest assured as possible. As for the people of Xichuan outside Chengdu, Zhang Song could not take care of much.
To be continued...