: Strategic planning

June of the ninth year of Taiping (210).

When everything was ready, Ma Yue was about to raise an army to fight in the south. Pei Ding (the eldest son of Pei Yuanshao) and Ju Hu (the eldest son of Ju Su) suddenly came to Luoyang to see him with great filial piety. Ju Su, the governor of Shuozhou, died of illness within one month. When Ma Yue heard the news, he burst into tears in front of all civil and military officials. Old ministers such as Jia Xu, Guan Ning, Fu Xie, and Fa Zhen were also sighing.

Ma Yue then ordered Pei Ding to inherit the title of King Pingbei, and Zhou Cang, and commanded three 10,000 households, a total of 150,000 cavalry from the north of the Mobei to the Central Plains. He ordered Gao Shun, the general of the East, to raise 150,000 Guandong soldiers, Fang Yue, the general of the West, to raise 150,000 Guanzhong soldiers, Xu Chu, the general of the North, to raise 150,000 Hebei soldiers, and Zhang Xiu, the general of the West, to raise 100,000 Xichuan soldiers to Jiangling one after another, and to join the 150,000 Jingzhou soldiers led by Xu Huang, the general of the South.

Ma Yue personally led 100,000 elite cavalry and joined forces with 150,000 iron cavalry in the north of the desert to rush south.

In September of the ninth year of Taiping, all the Liang army gathered in Jiangling, with more than one million horses, schooners and navy troops, claiming to be three million!

Ma Yue even condemned the envoys of Wu and Chu, who wanted to hunt Sun Quan and Cao Zhen on the Red Cliff. The news came out, and Jing and Yang were shocked.

Jianye, Wugong.

"Your Majesty!" Situ Zhang Zhao left his squad and knelt under Danji, and cried and advised, "North Liang now, three million people were rushing south. Wu and Chu coalition forces were only 300,000, so they were unable to resist! If you want to resist stubbornly, you will undoubtedly be trapped by a mantis arm, why not surrender early in order to protect the people? If you insist on doing your own thing, you will be afraid that all the jades and stones will be burned and the lives will be ruined."

"His Majesty."

"His Majesty."

"His Majesty."

Zhang Sheng, Bu Zhi, Yu Fan and others also went out of their squad and knelt on the Danban, trying their best to persuade Sun Quan to surrender to Beiliang.

"You are so bad!" Sun Quan was so angry that he was about to break out. When he was about to break out, he suddenly saw the naval commander Lu Meng coming out to report, "There are still 50,000 naval soldiers in our country, and nearly 10,000 large and small warships. Beiliang led three million people to the south and came south. It would be difficult to last. Our army only needs to follow the natural danger of the Yangtze River to defend itself. If he fails to fight for a long time, he will retreat by himself. How can he surrender without fighting?"

General Taishi Ci also came out of duty and shouted: "In addition to the 50,000 naval troops, our Eastern Wu also has 100,000 elite infantrymen. Why is it impossible to resist?"

"Yes, never surrender!"

"Your Majesty, can't surrender?"

"I swear to never surrender..."

As Taishici finished speaking, the rest of the military generals such as He Qi, Zulang, Quan Cong, Zhu Ran, and Lu Dai also came out and demanded a decisive battle with the Liang army.

Sun Quan looked gloomy and suddenly remembered Zhou Yu. If there was Zhou Yu, the commander of the three armies, here, there, I am afraid there would be no such battle. The surrender debate? Moreover, if we really wanted to unite Chu to fight against the Liang army, no one could command the three armies except Zhou Yu. Thinking of this, Sun Quan did not hesitate and shouted loudly: "Where is the Jinwu Guard?"

Song Qian, the Jinwu, came out and said, "I am here."

Sun Quan said: "Immediately, send someone to Chaisang and summon the Grand Governor Zhou Yu to come."

"I obey the order."

Song Qian agreed and quickly took the order and left.

Then Sun Quan said to his ministers: "When the war or surrender, wait until the Grand Governor returns to the court and then discuss it and retreat to the court."

Hanshou, Chu Palace.

Compared with the Wu Kingdom's civil and military division and the two factions, the monarchs and ministers of Chu seemed much more united. In fact, since the migration southward, under Zhuge Liang's conscience and attack, the Jingxiang gentry headed by Cai, Huang and Wang Zhu's surnames have gradually faded out of the center of power. Now the power of Chu has been highly concentrated in the hands of Cao Zhen and Zhuge Liang's monarchs and ministers.

The Liang army was approaching, and the monarch and ministers of Chu were unprecedentedly united.

Liang Taizu Ma Yue condemned the envoy, and Cao Zhen urgently summoned Prime Minister Zhuge Liang, General Zhang Liao, General Zhang He, and Wei Yan, Wenpin, Cheng Yu, Jia Kui, Wang Can, Liu Ye and other civil and military ministers to discuss countermeasures.

"Your Majesty, although the Liang army is known as three million, I think it is the largest one."

In the palace hall, Zhuge Liang was talking freely. After nearly ten years of hard work, Zhuge Liang seemed much more steady and mature at this time.

Cao Zhen said: "Why is the Prime Minister so sure?"

Zhuge Liang said: "This can draw conclusions from the distribution of troops in various camps in Liang Kingdom. There are seven camps in Liang Kingdom under the rule of Ma Butcher. Among them, the most elite camps of Xiliang, the camp of Luoyang, with a total force of about 150,000, and three cavalrymen of 10,000 households in the north of the Mo, with a total force of about 150,000. In addition, there are five camps in Hebei, Guandong, Jingzhou, Guanzhong, and Xichuan. Each camp of the camp of 150,000 troops may have more than 100,000 naval troops in Xiangyang, which means that the total force of Liang Kingdom should be around 1.2 million."

General Zhang Liao said: "Even if there are only one million and two million, its military strength is far greater than ours!"

"Yes." General Zhang He, the cavalry, echoed, "Our army has only 60,000 infantry and 40,000 navy troops, and the total strength is only 100,000. Even if we join forces with the Wu army, the two countries' strength will be only more than 200,000, which is less than a quarter of the Liang army's strength."

"The two generals don't have to worry at all." Zhuge Liang said confidently, "Although the Liang army has a large number of troops, most of them are cavalry and infantry, and their naval forces are only about 100,000. The Chu and Wu waters have a total of 90,000 troops. As for the navy alone, the two sides are comparable in terms of military strength, not to mention that the Chu and Wu coalition forces also have excellent naval commanders such as Zhou Yu, Cai Mao, Lu Meng, and Lu Xun, and who else is there in Liang Kingdom except Gan Ning?"

"The butcher Ma sent an edict to go to Chu in Chibi. Wu will hunt. I think he is seeking death!" Wang Can also echoed, "Although the Liang army's cavalry and infantry are brave and good at fighting, but if these millions of troops cannot cross the Yangtze River, what's the difference between it and not? I think the key to the Battle of Chibi is also water battle. In other words, the Wu and the Chu coalition forces really need to face are actually only Gan Ning's 100,000 Jingzhou naval troops!"

“So that’s how it is.”

"I understand now."

After Zhuge Liang and Wang Can's analysis, Zhang Liao and Zhang He nodded suddenly, feeling like they were seeing the sun.

In fact, Zhuge Liang and Wang Can indeed pointed out the key to the Battle of Red Cliff incisively.

The key to the Battle of Chibi is the water battle! If the Wu and Chu naval army could defeat the Jingzhou naval army of Ganning in the Battle of Chibi, then the Liang army's large-scale southern expedition would have to end in failure. On the contrary, if the Wu and Chu naval army were defeated by the Ganning naval army and the Yangtze River was eventually lost, even if the Wu and Chu had cavalry of the same force, the infantry army might not be able to stop the Liang army's iron cavalry from moving south.

"I understand!" Cao Zhen slapped the table and said loudly, "The key to this battle is whether the Wu naval army can destroy Gan Ning's 100,000 Jingzhou naval army. In order to achieve this strategic goal, I think it is necessary to hand over the Chu naval army to Zhou Yu, the commander of the three armies of the Eastern Wu, together in order to work together to defeat the strong cold. I wonder what you think?"

Zhuge Liang said solemnly: "Your Majesty's mind is amazing, I think it's OK."

Zhang Liao, Zhang He, Cheng Yu, Jia Kui and others also echoed: "Your Majesty is wise."

Cao Zhen's decision seemed Meng Lang, but in fact he was extremely wise. When it comes to commanding troops, no one could surpass Zhou Yu in the world. Even Liang Taizu Ma Yue believed that he was slightly inferior to Zhou Yu. Although Zhou Yu was defeated in the battle of Huainan, he did not lose because of his ability to command troops, but because of the lack of strength of the Wu army. Even if Zhou Yu had the ability to understand the sky and the earth, he was actually unable to turn the world.

Therefore, it was undoubtedly accurate for Cao Zhen to hand over the Chu naval army to Zhou Yu to command unifiedly. This successfully solved the problem of primary and secondary naval armies of the two countries. Although the Chu naval army was in a subordinate position, Cao Zhen thought this was not the focus. The focus was to win the Battle of Chibi and defeat the conspiracy of Ma Butcher going south to Jing and Yang.

Jiangling, horses leapt on the big tent.

Sima Yi pointed to Ma Yue and a group of civil and military ministers and explained to Ma Yue and a group of civil and military ministers: "Your Majesty, you have just made a detailed reply. The Wu army commander Lu Meng has led 30,000 naval troops and more than 5,000 large and small warships into Xiakou. The Chu army commander Cai Mao also moved the naval camp from Baling to Chibi. At present, Wu and Chu waters are stationed in Xiakou and Chibi, which are in a supportive position, and are confronting the river across the river with our Wulingang Naval Camp.

"Um."

Ma Yue nodded, and stood up and paused his stomach in the big tent. The nearly ten years of pampering habits have made his body look seriously distorted. However, the embroidered bright yellow rolling dragon robe was put on his increasingly bloated body, and there was an indescribable emperor majesty. After walking back and forth in the big tent, Ma Yue suddenly stopped and shouted: "Wu, Chu infantry is not worth mentioning, but its navy is really a big trouble."

After saying this, Ma Yue said in a narrow voice: "My dear friends, how should we fight this battle of Red Cliff?"

As soon as Ma Yue finished speaking, Fa Zheng said: "Your Majesty, our army has an absolute advantage in military strength. I think we must give full play to our huge advantages in military strength to constrain the actions of the Wu and Chu coalition forces."

Ma Yue said happily: "What's the specific?"

Fa Zheng strode to the map, reached out and stroked along the Yangtze River and said loudly: "You can spread the millions of cavalry and infantry troops along the north bank of the Yangtze River from Jiangling to Wulin, set up ten camps in total, and set up floating bridges at ten points to prepare to cross the river! In order to prevent our army from crossing the river, the Wu and Chu naval army would have to divide their troops to attack. In this way, the strength of the Wu and Chu naval army of Chibi, Xiakou Dazhai, Wu and Chu naval army will be weakened."

Ma Yue said: "Where did the ships that built the pontoon bridge come from?"

Fa Zhengdao: "No ships are needed. There are large pine forests and fir forests in the Jianghan area. Our army can use rafts to build floating bridges on the spot."

Ma Yue said: "If Wu, what if the Chu navy army does not divide its troops?"

Fa Zheng said: "If the Wu and Chu navy troops do not divide their troops and allow our army to build a floating bridge, then the Battle of Red Cliff will be over soon!"

"Oh?" Ma Yue said happily, "How do you say this?"

Fa Zheng said: "Your Majesty, please think that if the Wu and Chu navy army do not come to harass us, our army can float a strong enough floating bridge on the Yangtze River, and then snatch the iron cables on both sides of the pontoon bridge to protect the pontoon bridge. Finally, a catapult that was improved by Your Majesty himself was erected on the pontoon bridge. At that time, even if the Wu and Chu navy army came out in full bloom, we would probably have a lasting ending. Wouldn't our army win this battle?"

When Ma Yue heard this, his eyes lit up and he said happily: "Yes, with this indestructible floating bridge, the Yangtze River's natural trench has become a thoroughfare."

Chen Qun said: "But has Xiaozhi ever thought that the catapult is extremely heavy. Is the floating bridge hanging on the river enough to support the weight of the catapult? Even if it can be barely supported, I am afraid that too many catapults will not be installed. However, if only a few catapults are installed, it is afraid that it will be difficult to pose too much threat to Wu and Chu's navy."

Fa Zheng said: "I have thought about this. Although rafts alone are not enough to support too many catapults, we can completely fix hollow sealed wooden boxes under the pontoon bridge! If there are a large number of hollow wooden boxes tied under the pontoon bridge to increase buoyancy, even if hundreds of catapults are installed on the pontoon bridge, it will not be a problem. What do you think?"

Chen Qun nodded and said, "So that's the case, then there's no problem."

Ma Yue looked around and said, "Do you have any better suggestions?"

"I also have an idea." Kuai Yue said, "Why didn't Your Majesty order a series of warships? The huge series of warships can not only provide His Majesty with a better launching platform, but also wading like plains. The millions of troops of Liang's Kingdom can drive onto the river to fight against Wu and Chu's naval forces. In this way, with Wu and Chu's hundreds of thousands of naval forces are simply vulnerable!"

"Serial ship?"

Ma Yue's heart thumped when he heard this, and the Battle of Red Cliff in the official history suddenly appeared in his mind. If Kuai Yue had not been loyal to Liang Chao, Ma Yue would have almost suspected that he was a super spy who was ordered to lurk in the Liang army. However, this thought flashed through Ma Yue's mind and asked in a deep voice: "Although the serial warships are like flat ground, they are most afraid of fire attacks."

"It's okay." Kuai Yue replied confidently, "It's winter, and the northwest wind is blowing in winter. Our army attacks from north to south, which is just the right wind. If the Wu and Chu coalition forces want to attack fire, wouldn't it just burn itself?"

Ma Yue frowned and said, "What if the southeast wind blows again?"

"This..." Kuai Yue said in surprise, "How can the southeast wind blow in winter?"

"Nothing is absolutely absolute." Ma Yue said, "and you are not afraid of ten thousand, just afraid of anything."

Kuai Yue hurriedly said, "I have misconsidered my considerations, please forgive me."

"No." Jia Xu suddenly looked cunning and said to Ma Yue, "Your Majesty, if our army was prepared for a long time, even if the southeast wind blew, it would be not so easy for the Wu and Chu coalition forces to carry out fire attacks. I think the suggestions of different degrees are worth trying, but in case of precautions, I think that 200,000 troops can be taken on a serial warship and cooperate with the Gan Ning general's naval army to launch an attack on Wu and Chu coalition forces."

"Oh." Ma Yue said happily, "Wenhe means to build only a serial warship carrying 200,000 troops?"

"Yes." Jia Xu nodded, "Even if you fail, you will only lose 200,000 troops, which is not enough to affect the entire battle situation."

Ma Yue said: "But how to guard against fire attack?"

Jia Xu said: "If Wu and Chu coalition forces want to attack fire, there are only two ways."

Ma Yue said: "Which two types?"

Jia Xu said: "One, the two armies are connected and use archers to set rockets. However, in this way, the two armies are fighting head-on. The number of archers in the Wu and Chu coalition forces is far inferior to our army. Not only will the Wu and Chu coalition forces not burn our warships, but we may even burn the warships by our army. The two send ships to load fire-driven objects and sneak close to our fleet, and then suddenly raise a fire to attack. There is almost no other way between the two."

Ma Yue recalled that the reason why Zhou Yu was able to burn Cao Cao's 830,000 troops in official history was that it was because Huang Gai's trick of surrendering that the rushing ships filled with fire-driven things rushed into the fleet of large ships that had ruined the big thing? If Cao Cao had not fallen into the trap and did not rashly lead a brigade of warships out of the camp to pick up Huang Gai, history might have been rewritten.

Thinking of this, Ma Yue couldn't help but feel his heart moved and asked Jia Xu: "In other words, as long as the suspicious ships are not allowed to approach, if the Wu and Chu coalition forces want to carry out a fire attack, they can only launch an attack from the front?"

Jia Xu said: "That's right."

"Haha, OK, this is indeed a good suggestion." Ma Yue said happily, "Do you have any other suggestions?"

The tent was quiet. When Ma Yue was feeling disappointed, Lu Su suddenly stepped out and said, "Your Majesty, I can't think of any good idea, but I also thought of a stupid idea."

Ma Yue hurriedly said, "Zijing, speak quickly."

Lu Su said: "The Yangtze River surface is wide, with more than 500 steps from the narrowest point below Xiling Gorge, but it is not deep, especially the widest part of the river surface, the depth is less than two meters. Since our army can lay wooden stakes in the water nearly four meters deep in Wulin Port and build water villages on the water, why can't we build water villages on the river directly?"
To be continued...