Chapter 770

Na Luochen made no secret: “I have absolutely no intention of fighting with General Sun Quan in the southeast. Our army is resting now, and we will start a war with Cao’s army in the spring. Now I have ordered Xu Da to take advantage of the situation to attack the area near Luoyang, to pave the way for the battle in the spring. The order issued a few days ago, as I expected, your army in Wancheng has already passed the news to Han Dang, maybe General Sun will get Han Dang’s report right away…”

“Your army is attacking Cao Cao in Luoyang?” Lu Su was quite concerned.

“Not bad, but the main force didn’t attack. Now I’m just waiting for the weather to get warmer.” Luo Chen said. “Our concessions in Jingzhou are limited to ceding Jiangxia out to ensure the safety of Chaisang and other places in your ministry and to ensure our sincerity. As for the three southern counties and Nan counties of Jingzhou, we will naturally occupy them. In order to protect us in “Three Nine” Zero “Dongting’s navy and estuary. Our attitude is like this.”

Sun Quan was obviously thinking nervously. This is equivalent to sending Jiang Xia out of the dust in vain, in order to ensure peaceful coexistence with Soochow.

“Your army has been fighting for a long time and has not yet rested, so they attacked Luoyang directly?” Lu Meng asked.

“We still have a lot of soldiers.” Luo Chen said. “The Huns have a lot of captive soldiers. The boys selected by the Guanzhong Plain’s military system have been trained well. The Tongguan defenders have also rested for a year or two. They can all be taken out…” He sneered a few times, As if mocking Lu Meng for not seeing the world.

Just as he was talking, there was a messenger at the door reporting: “My lord! Jingxiang has an urgent report!”

Sun Quan was shocked and glanced at Luochen. The Jingxiang area is relatively close to Cao Cao and Luochen, and it is still relatively prominent. He hurriedly said, “Come in!” The messenger entered the inner room, took a letter in his hand, and left. Sun Quan opened it, and it was written: “Luochen’s army has attacked Hongnong, Caoyang, Luoyang and other places. So far, it has taken Hongnong and Caoyang in one day and has approached the periphery of Luoyang city. The weapon called “Yuanhua Cannon” can release gunpowder, explode thunder, and destroy the city wall at a great distance. Cao’s army has little power to fight back.”

Sun Quan looked at the report of the former enemy and felt incredible. To be able to destroy the city wall from a distance, I can’t help but feel a little guilty.

That Sun Quan said: “Since Prime Minister Luochen has made his attitude clear, then we will go back and discuss it, and we can reply tomorrow.”

That Sun Quan said: “Since Prime Minister Luochen has made his attitude clear, then we will go back and discuss it, and we can reply tomorrow.”

Luo Chen laughed loudly: “General Sun, the north is now fighting, and it will be the main battlefield in the future. Of course, I have to go back. Not to mention that the Chinese New Year is coming, I want to go back to Chang’an to rest. I will leave the affairs of the south to Uncle Liu, Mr. Xu Shu and General Huang Zhong have full authority to handle the matter. The general can discuss with them about the next thing.” After speaking, he got up with a smile, cupped his hands, and left proudly.

Then Liu Bei said: “General Sun, my lord will attack Cao Cao from the north, and Cao Cao will be overwhelmed. He will send General Zhang Liao to the north to fight the fire. At that time, General Sun will be able to attack Hefei, Shouchun, Xuyi, Huaiyin and other places north from the east.” Said and left with a sneer.

This sentence can make Sun Quan angry enough. Although it reminds Sun Quan that he can profit from Luochen’s attack on Cao Cao, it is also clearly mocking Sun Quan’s defeat by more than ten thousand people of Zhang Liao.

The battle report from the front line came again. This battle report not only surprised Sun Quan, but even Luo Chen didn’t expect it. It turned out that within three days, the fallen army, Huo Qubing, 100,000 troops and Sun Yuanhua’s artillery column slammed Luoyang, and even directly occupied Luoyang. Cao Cao’s important defense center in the north central part was easily routed.

The combat effectiveness of Luochen’s army made Cao Cao and Sun Quan feel great fear. Sun Quan finally learned Luo Chen’s strength. At this time, Luochen had already sailed to Shangyong, and in Shangyong went straight back to Chang’an by dry road.

Sun Quan thought about it again and again, thinking that it would be better to maintain peace with Luochen, so he informed Liu Huangshu that he would approve Luochen’s proposal. Soon, Liu Bei arrived in Changsha with Liu Qi and others along with 40,000 troops and met with Xu Shu and Huang Zhong. Poor Xu Shu, just after being appointed as the prefect of Jiangxia, his Jiangxia was handed over by Luochen. But obviously, according to Luo Chen’s arrangement, Liu Bei is the nominal supreme commander, but since Liu Bei can’t make up his mind, he must obey Xu Shuyan. And Huang Zhong was Xu Shu’s subordinate, and he had to listen to Xu Shu. Xu Shu is the actual commander of the falling dust forces in Jingzhou.0

After Liu Bei arrived in Changsha, Luo Chen ordered Huang Zhong, 100,000 horses, to go north to replace Guan Yu and occupy Nanjun and nearby towns. Guan Yu returned to Changsha with Liu Bei’s 30,000 troops. Soon Luochen dispatched Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and Wei Yan to head north. In order to fill the emptiness in the southern region, Luo Chen ordered Lü Bu to lead a hundred thousand cavalry to the south to enter Chengdu, and was soon transferred to Shangyong. Lü Bu received 100,000 new recruits from the military system in Chengdu, and the strength reached 200,000. The 200,000 horses were divided in half by Qi Jiguang, and Qi Jiguang led the 100,000 horses to be stationed near Changsha and Dongting Lake. In this way, there are about 270,000 fallen troops in Nanjun, Dongting Lake, and Changsha. They are: Huang Zhong’s 100,000 cavalry stationed in Nanjun and other places; Qi Jiguang’s 100,000 cavalry stationed in Dongting Lake, Baling and other places ; Liu Bei’s 70,000 horses were stationed in Changsha. The 270,000 horses were quite close, and there was a lot of people talking. Wu Jun, who was involved in Jingxiang, was quite frightened. Because if these 270,000 fallen troops attacked, they could completely surround Han Dang in the area north of Nanjun.

That Huang Zhong is really not a fuel-efficient waiter. As soon as Huang Zhong arrived in Nanjun, he went west and took the police, Yidao and other places, and hit Baidicheng all the way. He joined forces with the fallen troops in Yizhou, and completely opened up the upper and middle reaches of the Yangtze River. This move naturally aroused serious protests from Sun Wu. However, after Luochen’s deployment of troops, Lü Bu and Yizhou’s soldiers added 200,000 people to Jingzhou 4.2 at once, and Wu’s numerical advantage suddenly disappeared. Sun Quan weighed it again and again, obeyed Lu Su’s advice, and did not take military action.

Soon, Fazheng fell. Fallen dust sighed. Zhuge Liang was transferred south to serve as the governor of Yizhou. Zhuge Liang has since stepped down from the post of supervising the country for several years. As for the lack of a head of personnel in the capital, it is clear that Liu Bei is now more reliable. Luo Chen then transferred Liu Bei to the north to take over as Situ, actually taking over Zhuge Liang’s function, but there was no longer the senior official position of “supervising the country”. This means that Zhuge Liang stepped down from the eternal “second-in-command” position in the Luochen Group, and began to be on an equal footing with Zhang Juzheng, Zhang Heng, Liu Bei and others. Later, Luochen officially appointed Xu Shu as the prefect of Jingzhou, although Xu Shu’s Jingzhou was only a little more than a third of them. .

Chapter 226 Dongting Navy

Luochen has a lot of assignments in the south, and many appointments are flying around, and everyone has become accustomed to it. Luochen didn’t care too much, because Cao Cao and Sun Quan had many generals, but his own generals were not enough for a long time, so Luochen was naturally not very happy. Now that Luochen has introduced several generals through the system, he has also taken over the Liu Bei Group, and has taken some generals, so naturally he has to appoint more.

One of the appointments is eye-catching, that is, it ordered the establishment of the Dongting Navy Division, ordered Xu Shu to be the commander of the Dongting Navy Division, and ordered Shi Lang to assist in the command. Shi Lang had never heard of him or said his title, but he was directly appointed to assist the naval commander. When this order was issued, Luochen met Shi Lang, Xu Shu, Huang Zhong and others directly.

It turned out that after Luochen left Chaisang, Liu Bei naturally returned to Jiangxia to continue his command and was preparing to relocate. And Luochen went up the river and arrived at the Dongting Lake in Changsha in a few days. He met Xu Shu, Huang Zhong, and Shi Lang who were here.

“What is the size of the navy?” Luo Chen asked. Since he accepted Xu Shu’s idea of ​​building a navy, he exchanged a Shi Lang from the system. This Shi Lang was a general of the Qing Dynasty, so getting gunpowder would definitely not be a problem. This person was the front-line commander of Kangxi’s recovery of Taiwan, and it was quite suitable for training the Dongting Lake navy.

“There are 100 large ships, of which there are 15 giant ships. They are currently under construction. After completion, it is expected that the height will reach the city wall on the river surface of Jiangxia City. There are hundreds of small boats, and they are still under construction.” Shi Lang said.

“Very good.” Luo Chen just nodded slightly. “What kind of artillery is Mr. Zhang Heng doing? I will send Mr. Zhang Heng over in person to study artillery with you and board the ship. At that time, Lin Chong’s team and Zhang Juzheng’s people will definitely come together to ensure the confidentiality of this matter.” Luo Chen said leisurely. But it surprised others, because Zhang Heng is a heavyweight. “Mr. Zhang Heng doesn’t care much about administrative work. The people sent by Lin Chong and Zhang Juzheng will be under your unified command. You must assist Mr. Zhang Heng in research!”

“Understood!” Shi Lang said immediately.

Obviously, Shi Lang is still in a state of secrecy, and outsiders do not know his position and work. After Luochen met Shi Lang, he appointed him as the assistant of the Dongting Navy to facilitate his work.

The commander of Luoyang and the nearby defense area was the counselor Xun You. Xun You was in charge of defense, and he was also in charge of the logistics of Cao’s army. Xun You is quite capable and a heavyweight strategist, so Cao Cao’s main force went south and sent Xun You to Luoyang to sit in town to prevent Luo Chen from attacking from behind. However, the political views of Xun You and his uncle Xun Yu were somewhat similar. Cao Cao did not trust them very much. Both of them resigned from their positions as front-line advisors and started logistics and defense. One is in Luoyang and the other is in Xuchang.

Xun You was really unlucky this time, and met the master Huo Qubing. Na Luochen gave Xu Da an order to organize some troops eastward to make a tentative attack. In the letter, Luochen mentioned Huo Qubing intentionally or unintentionally. Xu Da understood that Luo Chen definitely wanted Huo Qubing to exercise. He ordered Huo Qubing to lead 100,000 cavalry and march eastward to Hongnong. Caoyang and Luoyang made tentative attacks. Luochen specifically asked Sun Yuanhua to bring a column of artillery to assist in the attack. So Xu Da let the artillery column that had just retreated to Tongguan also go up.

Then Xu Da can naturally see that adding an artillery column, is that still called a tentative attack? They have witnessed the power of artillery several times. Sure enough, the first battle was Hongnong. Huo Qubing surrounded Hongnong in less than an hour. The Hongnong defenders were shocked, and Xun You was also quite surprised, because Huo Qubing was moving too fast. However, Xun You was worthy of being a heavyweight strategist. He coordinated an army of 150,000 people within an hour and attacked Hongnong from all directions, as if he was going to fight Huo Qubing. According to Xun You’s plan, although the cavalry of the fallen army was powerful, the combat effectiveness of Cao’s army was not bad after his training. Can be in a stalemate with the fallen army.

Since it is now in the middle of winter, the fallout battle is decided, not a serious decisive battle, but a tentative attack. After the stalemate for a long time, Huo Qubing did not prepare much food and grass, and he must retire within ten days. At that time, you can take advantage of the situation to chase, and you can also get a small victory.

After Huo Qubing surrounded Hongnong, the defenders of Hongnong thought that he would order a violent attack, but it didn’t happen. The fallen troops surrounded Hongnong, but they didn’t fight, they chatted right away. The Hongnong defenders received news that Xun You had dispatched an army of 150,000 troops, so their confidence grew. Unexpectedly, Huo Qubing did not fight because he was waiting for Sun Yuanhua’s artillery column. Although the artillery column is equipped with a large number of good horses, the marching speed will definitely be much slower than Huo Qubing’s light cavalry. Huo Qubing urged again and again, and finally arrived at the advance detachment of Sun Yuanhua’s artillery column at noon that day. The advance detachment only brought a dozen artillery pieces. Huo Qubing didn’t care at all, and immediately ordered a concentrated bombardment. The advance detachment bombarded a corner of the city wall for a quarter of an hour, blasting a large hole in the city wall. Huo Qubing led the cavalry into the city, opened the city, and the defenders in the city were in chaos. In fact, as soon as the cannon sounded, the city wall trembled, and Cao Jun’s defenders panicked. After Huo Qubing’s cavalry entered, they wiped out the Hongnong defenders in less than half an hour. And some of the troops that were going to be transferred to Hongnong had not yet set off. Xun You thought that the city of Hongnong had been repaired and it was quite strong, and it could last for at least three days.

Then Xu Da knew the power of artillery, and once he joined the artillery, there was no such simple “probing attack” 903. Adding artillery can cut a hole in Cao Cao’s defenses in a short period of time. But Luochen didn’t think too much about it. Huo Qubing, who had been calculated by Luochen, took a shot at it with artillery, and it would have a miraculous effect. In this way, the Wu army in Wancheng will inevitably send people to reconnaissance, and then pass it on to Sun Quan, so as to add a bit of leverage to his negotiation. Let Sun Quan see how powerful the fallen army is. Don’t think that his local military advantage is strong, but it does not exist.

Unexpectedly, Luo Chen didn’t think about the next thing. After that, Huo Qubing was out of control. With an army of 100,000 troops and an artillery column of nearly 300 artillery pieces, they violently bombarded the city walls and interior of Luoyang. For the first time, Xun You felt despair, because this kind of thing was so powerful that his brilliant mind couldn’t think of any way. The soldiers and civilians in the city were in a panic, and many houses were hit and burned. The building on the main city was destroyed by a cannonball, completely destroying the confidence of the defenders on the city.

That Xun You was quite clever, and immediately organized a retreat. If Luoyang falls, the surrounding towns will naturally not be able to defend. Xun You ordered the surrounding troops to retreat to Hulao Pass, and some of them were defeated by Huo Qubing along the way and fled into Songshan. Luoyang City was quickly occupied by Huo Qubing, and Xun You rushed back to Hulao Pass. About 70,000 to 80,000 people in the Luoyang line of defense were captured, and the remaining 70,000 to 80,000 retreated to Hulao Pass. .

Chapter 227 Luoyang stalemate

The Battle of Luoyang completely shocked Cao Cao. Hulao Pass was the last line of defense for the fallen troops to enter Xuchang. They were supposed to be in a stalemate with Luochen around Luoyang, but Luochen conquered Luoyang in three days. On the one hand, Xu Da urgently ordered Huo Qubing to stop going in alone, and asked him to occupy Luoyang immediately, collect food, and make long-term plans. One side urgently reported to Fallen Dust. At the same time, Xu Da had to mobilize some of the troops who had just retreated from the grassland battlefield, and ordered Ma Chao to lead about 100,000 cavalry troops to scattered and stationed in Hongnong, Caoyang, Mianchi and other places to prevent Huo Qubing from being counterattacked by the enemy and surrounded. It would be useless to have a cannon at that time, because the cannon did not have a bayonet either.

Huo Qubing was quite dissatisfied with Xu Da’s restriction of his attack. However, the messenger encountered Luochen on his way to Chang’an, and Luochen immediately reversed his itinerary and went straight to Tongguan. Luochen ordered Huo Qubing to occupy Luoyang, stop the attack, and at the same time ordered Xu Da to form an army to consolidate the occupation of Luoyang. Luochen knew very well that since Cao Jun hadn’t reacted yet, Huo Qubing would definitely be able to drive straight in, and even be able to break through Hulao Pass and hit Xuchang City. However, Huo Qubing did not carry much food and grass. Once Cao Jun made a fortress and cleared the field, and resolutely blocked the opening of Hulao Pass, the consequences would be disastrous. Huo Qubing’s iron cavalry will inevitably starve and be defeated, and the artillery column may be destroyed.

Luochen was extremely tired, and of course he knew how tired the soldiers were. Just after Luochen defeated Zhongping in the grassland, he did not rest for a moment, and immediately went south to Jiangxia. After taking Liu Bei’s group, he rushed to Chaisang to negotiate with Sun Quan. Afterwards, they went north by boat and met Shi Lang and the others. Just ready to go back to Chang’an to rest, and immediately go to the front line of Tongguan to command the battle. It’s like going around a huge circle.

Xuchang was shocked. As expected by Liu Bei, Cao Cao immediately summoned the generals outside to return to Beijing. Immediately summon Zhang Liaobei to go to Hulao Pass to stand by. At the same time, the entire North China Plain and the Jianghuai Plain began to mobilize. A large number of civilians were issued weapons, intensive training, ready to deal with. Since the main force of Cao’s army was damaged by more than half in the battle of Chibi, the army that Cao’s army can fight now is not enough. Although Cao Cao’s territory is densely populated and rich in money and food, there is no way to quickly integrate an army as strong as before in a short period of time.

After Zhang Liao arrived at Hulao Pass, he organized 100,000 people, boldly drove out of Hulao Pass, and attacked and occupied nearby Yiyang. Ma Chao’s headquarters is located in Mianchi. Although Yiyang is under his control in name, how can he get it? Moreover, there were less than 10,000 fallen defenders in Yiyang. Zhang Liao came to fight with 100,000 people. The defenders resisted a little and felt that they could not fight, so they retreated overnight and ran to the nearby city of Luoyang. Zhang Liao also cautiously did not chase. Sure enough, as Zhang Liao had expected, Huo Qubing took a defensive approach, just guarding Luoyang and not attacking. Zhang Liao came out of Hulao Pass safe and sound, but Cao Cao, who had been terrified at first, calmed down a little and greatly appreciated Zhang Liao.

Now Cao Cao clearly understood. His Cao army was newly defeated, his vitality was severely damaged, and he couldn’t fight a big battle, but Luo Chen also had to rest for a while. This was just a tentative attack, and Huo Qubing did not dare to go deep alone. Now Xu Da has deployed 200,000 people in the Luoyang Defense Zone, of which 100,000 people still have many tired teachers, and it is not impossible to defeat them. Cao Cao immediately ordered Xiahou Dun to lead 100,000 horses out of the northern part of Hulao Pass and approach Luoyang and Mianchi from the north.

Luochen arrived at Tongguan in a few days, and waiting for him were three generals, Xu Da, Chang Yuchun, and Ma Dai. That Xiahou Yuan still stayed in the grassland to assist Yesuo with the aftermath. Huo Qubing and Ma Chao led the troops out. Lü Bu led his troops to the south. Luochen urgently dispatched the three commanders of the south, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun, to come north to Tongguan to alleviate the shortage of generals.

There was obviously a huge disagreement within Luochen, Huo Qubing. Chang Yuchun and others advocated an immediate decisive battle. Although the fallen army was very tired, but gathered together, there were more than 600,000 regular infantry and cavalry, and they had experienced hundreds of battles. The 300,000 people facing Cao’s army were obviously more than enough. And Cao Cao’s temporarily tangled army is obviously a joke. However, Xu Da believed that the time for the decisive battle had not yet come. Now that it was midwinter, the food, grass, firewood, and soldiers were insufficient. Moreover, the soldiers fought in the grasslands and deserts for a year, and they were extremely tired. Many soldiers are quite thin and should rest immediately to make up for the winter. And fighting fatigue, cold, and hunger will be bad for morale.

After thinking twice, Luo Chen chose to take a defensive posture. Under the mobilization of Luochen, another 100,000 people were stationed in the towns around Luoyang under the leadership of Chang Yuchun. Fallen Chen assured them that although they were stationed in the front line, they were still resting. Sure enough, due to the large number of fallen troops, the supply line was still guaranteed. Zhang Liao and Xiahou Dun dared not make a move. He had no choice but to ask Cao Cao for troops. Make sure that Cao’s army and Luochen’s forces in the local area are equal, so that they can bypass Luoyang City, defeat the exhausted army scattered around Luoyang, and achieve a certain victory.

Cao Cao gritted his teeth to join forces with Xuchang from the north. The news immediately spread to the place where the dust fell through the intelligence network. Xu Da and the others looked at each other in dismay. Sure enough, this Cao Cao’s strength is still there. Now both sides appear to be involved in a fuelling tactic. And once the oil is enough, there will be 600,000 to 700,000 troops gathered in the Luoyang Defense Zone, and it will be difficult to fight without a decisive battle. Although the two sides had no intention of a decisive battle.

Luo Chen lowered his head and thought, obviously, there is only one way now, that is to open up other battlefields, contain Cao Cao’s forces, and make Cao Cao unable to separate his troops. Luochen looked at the map (is it good), and there were obviously two directions. One direction is that the fallen army will attack Bianchow and other places from the north, take Hanoi in the south, and then enter the North China Plain from the east, cutting the North China Plain into two sections. Although attacking from the back could not directly attack Xuchang because of the natural dangers of the Yellow River, it would also greatly restrain Cao Cao. Because the original Yuan Shao’s territory may fall. The other direction is to encourage Sun Quan to expedition north from Hefei and Shouchun, forcing Cao Cao to divide his troops to resist.

Xiahou Dun’s 100,000 men came out of Hulao Pass and approached Luoyang, which made Luochen a little uneasy, because Cai Yong lived on the Hezhou north of Luoyang City, and there might be problems. He asked Ma Dai to immediately lead 10,000 light cavalry to take Cai Yong to Tongguan.

As for the north side, Luo Chen did not hesitate to choose a very ruthless method, that is, let Jesso bring the terrifying prairie wolf army into the Central Plains. .

Chapter 228 Slaughter City

Sun Quan is a shrewd person. From the news that Luochen had taken Luoyang in three days, Sun Quan felt strongly that the fear that Luochen gave him was instantly greater than the fear that Cao Cao gave him. Now Cao Cao feels a little uncomfortable for Luochen, which seems to be a good thing. That Lu Su was even more nervous, and simply persuaded Sun Quan to immediately mobilize the whole country, because at this speed, Luo Chen could easily defeat Cao Cao, and the days of Soochow Wu would not be easy. Obviously, Luochen had mobilized 200,000 troops from the north and Yizhou to enter Jingzhou to train the navy, clearly intending to dominate the south.

The young man Lu Xun even wrote an article, which was circulated in Jiangdong for a while, and Xu Shu was surprised and even worried about the intelligence gathering. Lu Xun’s article is: Lian Cao Kang Luo Lun. Soon, Sun Quan summoned Lu Xun, appointed him as a councilor, and went north to negotiate with Cao Cao.

The intelligence report went to Luochen. Although Luochen was angry, because Sun Quan did not seem to be a mediocre person, he could easily see through some of his own deceitful arrangements, and even had the courage – this is obviously a great political courage – in Chibi After just over a month of the war, it was necessary to send people north to negotiate with Cao Cao and seek alliance, but in essence, Luo Chen was not very worried. Not long ago, the second column of artillery was finally formed, and it was stationed in Tongguan waiting for an opportunity. The steppe wolf army to the north, Luochen knew that Cao Cao’s army would be powerless to fight back. Luochen planned to completely defeat Cao Cao within a month. At that time, although Cao Cao and Sun Quan joined forces, it was of no use, because Xu Shu assured him without any hesitation that he could fight against the Wu army without any support and gain a certain advantage, and he could easily drag the Wu army to the south. , without any movement. Furthermore, Cao Cao and Sun Quan were too far apart in geographical location, their forces could not be combined, and they had little strategic strength, so naturally they could not pose a fatal threat to Luo Chen.