Chapter 480 Han River is the boundary
After fierce debate, the final focus was on Xiangyang.
Liu Feng's bottom line is actually just Xiangyang City. The twelve counties and towns in the north are just smoke bombs. If they can get it, it would be better. Even if you can't get it, it doesn't hurt. After all, it is used to bargain for the other party.
Xiangyang has always been a strategic pass at the world's general trend. Xiangyang is surrounded by mountains from east to west, surrounded by mountains such as Jingshan Mountains, Tongbai Mountains, Dahong Mountains, Wudang Mountains, and Han Rivers are connected from north to south. This beautiful place makes Xiangyang look like the smallest and narrowest part of the middle part of the gourd, but the two ends connect the Jingxiang Plain and the Central Plain Plain.
For Liu Feng, as long as he can hold Xiangyang in his hand, he can advance the front line to the Nanyang Basin. At that time, you can protect yourself by retreating. With Xiangfan and the two cities of Jingzhou, most of the Jingzhou will be guarded, and the Han River will be used as the logistics line. The supply will be unobstructed and the cost will be extremely low.
If you enter, you can leave Xiangfan and sweep across the Nanyang Basin.
You can either attack Wuguan, enter Guanzhong, or leave Fangcheng and enter Yingchuan.
The same is true for Cao Cao. If he can get Xiangyang, even if Nanjun and Jiangxia County belong to Liu Feng, he will still have a strategic advantage.
But if you lose Xiangyang, both Liu Feng and Cao Cao will have a great headache.
Liu Feng is better here, so he can set up defenses along the Han River, because the counties and towns such as the Qi Kingdom and the Zheng Kingdom are all set up along the Han River, and the supply is relatively concentrated. They can set up defenses along the Han River, and they can also strive for strategic depth.
Of course, this is not without a price. The fertile land hundreds of miles deep from the Xiangyang front line to Dangyang County will fall into a tug-of-war between the two sides and eventually become a wasteland and unmanned land.
For Cao Cao, it was even more troublesome. He needed to defend along the three rivers and set up a full five areas.
Among them, the three rivers are Zhuyang and Shandu counties on the Mian River; Chaoyang and Xinye counties on the Qing River; and Biyang counties on the Bishui. The two roads are two roads to Jingzhou, starting from Xiangyang, passing Rangcheng, passing Wancheng, walking through Ye County, and driving directly to Yingchuan.
After the Battle of Guandu in history, in order to rescue the third son of the Yuan family in Hebei, Liu Biao took this road with Liu Bei as the main general and attacked Cao Cao. The only difference was that the first half was different. Liu Bei set out from Xiangyang from the Shui Road, passed Xinye, went to Wan County, and then turned to the Chi Road.
The second road is the Jingzhou Chi Road along with the Sui County Passage, which starts from Xiangyang, passes through Caiyang, goes to Zhangling, and finally arrives in Sui County.
It can be seen that if Cao Cao lost Xiangfan, he would spend at least several times more troops to station in the Nanyang Basin, and he would also face the risk of being passively beaten and defeating them one by one.
There is no doubt that Xiangyang is equally important for both Cao and Liu families. Whoever can get Xiangyang City will have the strategic initiative in the direction of Jingzhou. It is no wonder that although Xi Lu was suppressed by Zhuge and others in turn and his momentum was low to the bottom, he still bit Xiangyang and refused to give up.
Liu Feng had no choice but to have a temporary recess.
The country of Jun is just an ordinary county, so there will naturally be no inns in the city. In order to show respect, Liu Feng specially placed Xi Lu in the county and lived next to him.
After seeing Xi Lu off, Liu Feng said frowningly: "I'm afraid Xiangyang will never be able to be obtained."
Zhuge Liang and the other two remained silent. They were all wise and highly intelligent people, so they naturally would not be unable to understand the regrets and reasons in Liu Feng's words.
It can be understood from Xi Lu's attitude that Cao Cao was determined to get Xiangyang, or the old sayings before, Cao Cao took the initiative this time. As long as Liu Feng couldn't break up with him and was facing each other, it would be difficult to fight for Xiangyang.
After all, Xiangyang is still in Liu Biao's hands at this time.
Xi Lu was also worried after returning to his residence. Although he was tough on the surface, he knew in his heart that Liu Feng was not without the power to fight back. If both sides really break up, Cao Cao may not be able to easily take Xiangyang, let alone once the war begins, the rich Jingzhou may become vain.
Cao Cao also emphasized in his secret letter to Xi Lu, that is, Yuan Shao from Hebei is about to go south, and his bottom line cannot be rebelled against Liu Bei and his son, otherwise all the interests sacrificed for compromise will be wasted.
Therefore, Xi Lu was also thinking about how to persuade Liu Feng to give up Xiangyang without intensifying the conflict.
A few days later, Liu Feng ordered the strengthening of offensives against Qiguo, Yicheng and other places, and negotiated with Xi Lu many times. The two sides were fierce in their words and tense, and they were fighting against Xiangyang City.
Although Xi Lu was suppressed by Liu Feng in all aspects, he just stubbornly refused to let go. After all, the initiative is on Cao Cao's side. As long as Xi Lu doesn't answer, he can leave Liu Feng and others helpless.
In the end, after hesitation, Liu Feng could only take the initiative to make a big step to show his sincerity and gave the other party a new proposal.
In this proposal, Xiangyang was divided into two parts. The Cao and Liu families were bounded by the Han River. Xiangyang City south of the Han River belonged to Liu Feng, Fancheng north of the Han River, and the entire 37 counties in the Nanyang Basin belonged to Cao Cao.
Strictly speaking, Xiangyang City spans the two sides of the Mianshui River, with the south city as the main city and the north city as the branch city, also known as Fancheng.
Since history, Xiangyang and Fancheng have actually been more integrated into the economic region of the Nanyang Basin. However, according to the political regional division rules of the Han Dynasty, Xiangyang and Fancheng were included in the Nanjun without exception.
However, since Liu Biao entered Jingzhou to manage Xiangyang, Xiangyang and Fancheng have separated from Nanjun and integrated into Nanyang County, becoming the capital of Jingzhou Prefecture.
Under Liu Biao's governance, Xiangyang became the economic, political and literary center, while Fancheng, as a barrier to Xiangyang, became a military and warehousing center.
According to Liu Feng's division, the two families can face each other across the Han River and stand in front of Xiangfan, especially when both sides are all ally, which can greatly reduce the garrison burden on both sides.
While waiting for Xi Lu to consider, Liu Feng's heart was raised to his throat. Just because if the other party still disagreed, Liu Feng could not imagine it, so he could only continue to give in and give in to the entire Xiangyang City.
Fortunately, Xi Lu finally failed to withstand the huge pressure and loosened before this proposal.
"This matter is of great importance and cannot be decided by the subordinates."
Xi Lu finally gritted his teeth: "The subordinates can only report this matter to the court and the general, and ask the emperor, the general and the court to make a decision."
Liu Feng quietly breathed a sigh of relief and nodded in response, "Okay, since that's the case, please bring the envoy back to Luozhong and report it to the emperor, the general and the officials in the court."
Before Xi Lu left, some people suggested that Liu Feng give him more gifts in exchange for his ability to make more good comments on this proposal. Even Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong and Lu Xun thought this suggestion was good and could be adopted.
However, after careful consideration, Liu Feng shook his head and rejected the suggestion.
On the contrary, not only did he not show any favors to Xi Lu, he did not even go to see him off when the other party left. He even secretly ordered important civil and military officials not to go and see them off.
Xi Lu, who had heard for a long time that Liu Feng was respectful to his wise and noble people, was very dissatisfied with the powerful. He thought that Liu Feng despised him, and couldn't help but feel resentful in his heart.
After Xi Lu left the country of Zheng, good news came from all over the country.
First it was Zhong Xiang, then Shanghong and Hannan, followed by Yicheng, and finally the Kingdom of Qi.
These cities were successively destroyed by the Yangzhou army, and more than 10,000 prisoners were killed and killed, but their own casualties were less than 2,000.
In fact, this casualty ratio is due to the protection of the city walls. Otherwise, with the qualities of these urban defenders, if the two sides confront each other in a field battle, the Yangzhou army can guarantee that the casualty ratio will be 1 to 10. If the Destroying Army is sent and the Iron Cavalry rushes, the opponent's team will probably be in chaos. At that time, any gods and immortals can be defeated.
After seeing the counties, Xiangyang is near.
As mentioned before, Li Qiu could only divide the military force in Zhonglu and could not completely cover Xiangyang.
In this way, the war also reached a high point.
The scouts sent by Liu Feng had specially sent out finally began to send information to the south bank of the Han River. Among them are the information that Zhang Ji stationed troops in Zhuyang, Cao Hong stationed in Rangcheng, and Le Jin stationed in Wancheng.
These news is not confidential, and they even pretend to be a bit pretentious, obviously putting it out for Liu Feng to show it.
However, the news about Cai Mao's military addition to Lu and Liqiu was quite secret. The reinforcements were hiding at night and marched urgently for half a day and arrived at their destination. But these two cities are too small, and with more soldiers, it is quite conspicuous. Moreover, it is south of the Han River, so it cannot completely hide the Yangzhou army's sight.
After discussing with Zhuge Liang and the other two, they listened to the opinions of the front-line generals.
Liu Feng decided to send troops, but the goal was to first be in Zhonglu and Liqiu, while Xiangyang was temporarily spared to avoid stimulating Cao and Zhang Jijun in the Nanyang Basin in the rear.
Sure enough, just as Liu Feng expected.
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Lu and Liqiu did not cause a rebound from Cao's army and Zhang's army.
Even though Cai Mao, Han Song and others in Xiangyang were in a hurry several times in the name of Liu Biao and asked Zhang Jijun to pass the Han River to rescue Zhonglu, the other party and Cao's army were indifferent and showed no signs of rescue because of Jingzhou's request for help.
Cao Cao, who had quietly entered Wan County, was meeting with the angel Xi Lu who returned from Zhengguo County.
After listening to Xi Lu's report, Cao Cao frowned and thought. After a while, he asked, "General Zuo met you for four days before he made this proposal?"
"That's right."
Xi Lu emphasized the key point: "General Zuo refused to give in half a step, but the officials argued with the people of Yangzhou for four days before they luckily forced General Zuo to make concessions."
While Xi Lu answered, Cao Cao narrowed his eyes and observed the other party.
Xi Lu was quite confident from beginning to end, his eyes were not flashing at all, and he spoke very enthusiastically. It can be seen that what he said was mostly because he was not lying because he was determined.
However, when Cao Cao was interested when he heard Xi Lu finally sue for secretly and accusing Liu Feng of despising the court.
"You said Liu Zisheng was the country that drove you away?"
Cao Cao suddenly spoke, which scared Xi Lu.
However, he quickly calmed down again and replied carefully: "That's true, and General Zuo did not send him off before leaving, and even the capable ministers and officials around him were gone."
Cao Cao nodded slowly. As we all know, Cao Cao's personality is extremely suspicious and taboo. When he believes in you, he can treat you as a treasure. When he doubts you, he can really be nitpicking.
Hearing that Xi Lu was despised by everyone in Yangzhou when he left, Cao Cao couldn't help but feel a hint of joy flashed through his heart.
In Cao Cao's opinion, wasn't the contempt that Xi Lu encountered because he offended Liu Feng?
Cao Cao believes that he still understands Liu Feng's personality. He has a broad mind, a profound vision, and a grand pattern, so he will not get angry easily.
Xi Lu was able to make Liu Feng deliberately humiliate him, which shows that he had taken a big advantage.
After having this idea, Cao Cao looked at the proposal Xi Lu brought back and couldn't help feeling satisfied.
Taking Xiangyang as a city, exchanged for 37 counties and towns in Nanyang, and bringing one Fancheng out, these are 38 cities in the entire Nanyang Basin.
During the reign of Emperor Yuan of the Western Han Dynasty, the prefect of Nanyang summoned Xinchen to build Liumen Pond and irrigate the three counties of Rang, Nieyang and Jiyang, which made 30,000 hectares of paddy fields, or 3 million mu.
There are 37 counties in Nanyang. Except for five or six counties and towns in hilly terrain, the others are endless plains, and there are many rivers passing by.
Even based on the currently broken Nanyang County, it is estimated that there will be one.5 million grains per year that can be stored. In addition, Liu Biao also promoted the curved plow in Nanyang County and allocated half of the iron farm tools purchased from Xuzhou to this place. These measures will inevitably make Nanyang's grain production continue to rise, and naturally more grain can be handed over.
For Cao Cao, who had a broken territory and severe population loss, his grain income of 1.5 million stones was almost equivalent to the prospects of the entire Yanzhou.
"What do you think about Zhicai?"
Cao Cao had already moved some ideas, and he couldn't help asking his own advice.
Xi Zhong frowned and thought carefully, and after a moment, he said, "This case is not unacceptable, but if Xiangyang is ceded, Liu Biao, Cai Mao, Han Song and others will not be willing to obey their orders."
Cao Cao sneered in surprise: "How can aspirations be used to zither the pillars? Liu Jingsheng is now just a dry bone in the tomb, and life and death are already in my palm. Cai Mao and Han Song are good people who like to benefit the famous people. I can use a little trick to play with them in my palms. What these people are worried about is not worth cherishing."
Xi Zhong laughed, as his lord said, since Liu Biao asked the court and Cao Cao for help, he had been the meat on the table and the fish in the tank.
However, immediately, Xi Zhong reminded: "Lord, Cai Degui is very important at the moment. What we discussed before can now be done early."
As early as a month ago, Xi Zhong suggested that Cao Cao bribe Cai Mao, but Cao Cao thought it would not be the time.
Cao Cao and Cai Mao have known each other for many years and know each other. He knows very well that Cai Mao values more profit than fame, and more name than righteousness. Although he has a broad and generous personality, he is indecisive.
Cao Cao didn't think Cai Mao would give him timely help because of his previous friendship. Therefore, contacting the other party too early will only make Cai Mao have the idea of getting along with everything.
Therefore, Cao Cao deliberately fought with Han Song, and part of his intention was to stimulate Cai Mao.
However, the suggestion that Xi Zhong made is indeed timely, and it is indeed time to surprise Cai Mao.
(This chapter ends)