Chapter 168: Longxi Ma Family

When Gan Ning urgently reported it to Gao Chong, he was just promoted to "General" and was discussing a plan for redeployment of troops with Zhou Yu and others in the meeting hall. With the pacification of Jingzhou, Gao Chong's current enemies were replaced by Cao Cao and Liu Bei, and Peng Ze and Jiangxia, the two former strategic areas, also lost their original value as the sphere of influence changed.

"Our army pacified the three Jiaozhous of Jingxiang and Xiang, and obtained all the elites of the three states. They also met the new general of the favorite general. At this great opportunity, we can prepare for the troops and raise the army to point to the Central Plains to compete with Cao Cao!" The staff officer and Qiao looked excited and stepped forward to advise.

The idea of ​​Heqia is in line with the opinions of some officials. In their opinion, Jingzhou has been taken down. Taking this opportunity to attack the Central Plains to defeat Cao Cao is a natural move. If you miss it, it would be a pity!

Before Gao Chong's answer, Xu Shu had already retorted loudly: "According to reliable information, the general of Cao's army in Wancheng is Cao Ren, with a force of about 20,000 under his jurisdiction, and some elite tiger and leopard cavalry assisted in the defense. Although our army's total strength in Jingxiang area is more than 50,000, the navy accounted for half of them, and the remaining troops can be mobilized less than 20,000. How can we win with a small attack? Therefore, our top priority is not attack, but defending." Although Xu Shu's voice was not loud, he was calm and powerful.

Zhou Yu nodded and said, "The favorite commander, Cao Cao left Hebei and returned to Xudu. It was precisely to prevent our army from heading north. We could not fall into his plan. Now considering the security of Jingbei is the top priority. To avoid the last omission, our army's frontal defense in Xinye can only be strengthened and not weakened. In Yu's opinion, we might as well order Xu Sheng's army to station Xinye, Taishi Ci's army to station Huyang, and Fancheng's Zhu Huan army to form a support and defense system in Jingbei. Once there are any abnormal movements in Wancheng's enemy, no matter which way Cao's army comes from, they will not escape our sight."

Gao Chong turned his gaze to Zhou and Xu with praise. As the saying goes, one's mistake will lead to wisdom. It can be seen that after experiencing the baptism of Xiahou Dun's southern invasion, the tacit understanding between Zhou Yu and Xu Shu has become even more insightful, and the analysis of strategies and tactics has become more insightful.

Gao Chong touched the whiskers that had just left their chin for a short time, walked a few steps, and said, "I agree with the views of the governor and the military advisor. In addition to the defense of the three armies, I consider transferring Zhao Yun's storm to Xiangyang, so that I can collect idle war horses in the Jingxiang area on the spot, and secondly, I can add a mobile combat force to the Jingbei battlefield. Thirdly, I don't want Jingbei to just passively beating the defensive. At the appropriate time, we can also lead the attack and hit Cao Cao hard."

A bloody battle not only tempered Zhou Yu and Xu Shu's abilities, but also further matured Gao Chong. What he felt was no longer the gains and losses on the local front, but the survival of the entire overall situation.

"Well, although our war horses are not as good as Cao's army, as long as the tactics are used properly, they are not sure of winning a small game!" Zhou Yu shook the feather fan in his hand and said with a smile.

"In addition, after we completely broke up with Cao Cao, not only will the Jingbei battlefield be threatened, but on the Huainan battlefield, I believe that Cao Cao will not let us farm and recuperate. Therefore, I intend to mobilize Li Tong's troops to guard Hefei, so that Shouchun-Hefei-Jinling can form a solid defense chain. Even if the Cao army breaks through a little, it will not be able to touch the foundation of Huainan." Gao Chong said again.

While the discussion was in full swing, a small school rushed in with bamboo slips painted in vermilion: "Report to the general of the Jiangling Ganning, Jiangling, and Liu Bei and the governor of Yizhou, Liu Zhang, joined forces to attack Zhao Wei's forces and seize Jiangzhou City."

"Oh, I didn't expect that Liu Bei's movements were so fast, Zhao Wei was too useless!" Zhou Yu exclaimed and said in surprise.

Thinking of the tragic situation of Liu Bei running away in a hurry when he ran away from Xiangyang, Zhou Yu could not imagine that Liu Bei had recovered his heroic character so quickly, but it can be foreseeable that if he continues to develop in this way, Yizhou will belong to Liu Bei soon.

Gao Chong took the bamboo slips and looked carefully. A trace of solemnness flashed across his confident face. He said in a deep voice: "Everyone, according to what the surrendered general Chen Mi said, Liu Bei has successfully absorbed the soldiers of Dongzhou for him and won the trust of some officials in Shu. In this way, the situation in Shu will be quite subtle. If we do not move, Liu Bei will quickly defeat Liu Zhang. By then, Liu Bei, whose power is consolidated, will definitely raise troops to go east to revenge."

"Well, unfortunately, Yizhou is in a steep terrain, and there are only a few ways to enter Shu. As long as Liu Bei guards Jiangzhou, Dangqu and other fortresses, we will do nothing to him." He Qia sighed.

Xu Shu pondered for a moment and advised: "Now that our army has set up Jingxiang, it is time for all industries to be developed. We should not talk about the effectiveness of the military. The supply of food, grass and supplies alone is a big burden. Moreover, our army and Liu Bei fought against him and Liu Bei, and it would be a perfect match for Cao Cao's intentions. Therefore, I thought the best way was to try every means to cause a long-term civil strife in Shu. In this way, even if Liu Bei finally unified Yizhou, he would seriously damage his vitality. By then, our army had almost recovered, and it would be easy to bring troops into Shu!"

"What are the military advisors' opinions?" Gao Chong asked when he heard Xu Shu's words reasonably and knew that he had already made a fixed number.

Xu Shu said: "In the view of Shu, we might as well send capable people to Sichuan to lobby first to expose the truth that Liu Bei was falsely benevolent and righteous, and actually grabbed territory. In this way, Liu Zhang could be prevented from Liu Bei's attempts and not be destroyed soon."

Gao Chong shook his head and said, "The two Lius have created the same clan. With Liu Bei's reputation of benevolence and righteousness and the identity of the emperor's uncle, I am afraid that Liu Zhang will not only not believe what we say, but will not be more cautious about Liu Bei."

Xu Shu said: "Although Liu Zhang is cowardly and incompetent, the heroes in Shu are not everyone who are greedy for life and fear of death. Even if Liu Zhang doesn't believe it, it doesn't matter. As long as it can arouse the rebellious opportunity of the heroes in Shu, the purpose of delaying the war can be achieved."

"Okay, the military advisor is fully responsible for this matter." Gao Chong ordered.

Such a strategy with a stable rest policy is quite necessary for the current Gao Chongjun. After experiencing the war in the first half of the year, the soldiers' war-weariness also increased, and it is time to relax properly.

Jiangdong is the foundation of Gao Chong and the important grain-producing place he relies on for the most. Taking a solid defense on the Huainan front can avoid the consumption of manpower and wealth caused by large-scale military use, thereby ensuring the stability of Jiangdong. Gao Chong adopted a defensive and offensive route in the Jingbei battlefield. Using Xu Sheng to block the gap in Xinye is the first step. The next focus is to build an elite jockey to prepare for the competition for the Central Plains.

In early October, the golden autumn locust flowers bloomed on the branches, and the city walls of Xiangyang were painted with a golden afterglow by the setting sun, which looked particularly beautiful and harmonious.

"Pampered handsome, there are no good horses in the horse market in Xiangyang. We don't have to go!" Although Zhao Yun was transferred to Xiangyang, he had already found some good horses in Xiangyi.

Gao Chong was dressed in ordinary green cloth clothes, and his dark face seemed to have been in the wind and rain for a long time. With the short beard under his jaw, he usually looked like a commander who was so majestic on the battlefield, but rather like a purchasing manager of a great man.

On the contrary, Zhao Yun's clothes were much more eye-catching, with a tall figure completely different from those of the southerners. The wide belt of Youyan in the north, the brocade crown tied around his head, and the jade ornaments falling on the long sword around his waist all showed his master's excellence. With his handsome and generous charm, the women passing by were taught to straighten their necks as soon as they appeared.

"Haha, the eyes of others are always around me, and they are so furious that they are finally free today." Gao Chong laughed.

Zhao Yun turned red and he argued helplessly: "I didn't know that the coach called me urgently to drive the horse market. Otherwise, I would rather go back to the camp first and change my outfit before coming out."

Gao Chong stopped Zhao Yun with a sneer and said, "Look at the sun, it's almost dusk. If we delay for a while, we're afraid we won't be able to catch up."

"But--!"

"Zilong, don't be it, but it's not true. Today is the tenth day of October. The horse market outside the city is very lively. I heard that there are horse dealers from Longxi. If you miss it, don't regret it." Gao Chong said.

"So there is a good horse from Xiliang? Let's hurry up. It would be too late if someone robs me first." Zhao Yun was very energetic and said excitedly.

Compared to the feat of collecting five thousand white horses easily under Gongsun Zan, it is very difficult to collect five thousand ordinary horses in the Jiangnan area, not to mention a white horse.

As we approached the tent where mules and horses were being held, a pungent smell of feces came towards us. In the middle of the fences separated by thick tree strips, mules and donkeys accounted for most of the stalls. These stalls were quite simple. It can be seen that the people who bought and sold donkeys and mules were ordinary farmers. When oxen were scarce, it was better to use donkeys and mules instead than to farm humans.

After passing through these stalls, I finally set up a large pergola at the end of the horse market where I unexpectedly built a wide pergola that can accommodate hundreds of people. On the right side of the shed is a horse railing that is decorated to be called magnificent. What makes the seller even more excited is the tall western Liang horses that are sniffing from time to time in the fence. There are signs made of bark hanging on the railings, with ink words saying the origin and the male and female horses, the ages, etc.

Compared with the donkey and mule dealers who were diligent and honest in shouting about their own things, the guy here just stood by the side with his arms, allowing the seller to comment on the horse. He only placed his arms on his arms and helped him lead the horse he had already cleaned up and put on the bridle and saddle.

Gao Chong approached the fence and looked carefully, but saw two lines of words written on the small sign: Hetao Male, three years old, with intact teeth.

Hetao is the general name of the Hexi Corridor in Longxi. Because it has a large fertile grassland under the melting of snow and snow, it is very suitable for grazing. In terms of quality, although the horses from there are somewhat different from the famous Dayuan horse and Wuhuan horse, it goes without saying that the advantages of the short and poor Central Plains horses are short and have poor endurance.

Zhao Yun on the side could see the gods. The horses here were so majestic that he, the commander of the Wind Rider, felt a little ashamed. He led them over one by one, and the judgement was made immediately.

"People handsome, the horses here are so handsome. If I had all the horses in Jifeng, it would be like a tiger." Zhao Yun said loudly. At this time, he finally understood the reason why Gao Chong forced him to come to the horse market. Needless to say, the horses here will be all riders by Jifeng for a while.

"Can you afford this horse?" A crisp sound like a silver bell came.

Gao Chong and Zhao Yun looked up and saw a girl in Hu's clothes coming over with a hint of sarcasm. Her face was covered by a thin layer of lightness, which was not real, but the slightness and unruly in her expression could be clearly felt.

Zhao Yun raised his sword eyebrows and retorted: "How can a girl speak like this? How do you know that we can't afford it?"

The girl in the Hu clothing trembled slightly and she bent down with a smile. After a long time, she raised her head and said, "Young Master, let me tell you, these horses are worth it, but it's so expensive. Look at your outfit, although it's pretty good, but-!"

"I can't afford it, so who can afford it?" Zhao Yun's face gradually turned red by the girl's words.

"Well, just like Jiangnan, there is only one who can afford the price - General Gao Chong." The girl frowned and replied cleverly.

Gao Chong was shocked when the girl said her name, and curiosity suddenly arose. Then he took a step forward and asked, "I don't know what the price the girl needs, so why not talk about it!"

The girl in Hu looked up and down for a while and said disdainfully: "You are an accountant and follower. It's so troublesome. I'll tell you to this young master, but before I tell you, I have something to ask the young master."

Zhao Yun wanted to listen to the answer, so he had to ask patiently: "Miss, please tell me?"

The girl in Hu clothing nodded and said, "Young Master must have known that after Emperor Wu of Han defeated the Huns, there was a famous Silk Road from Guanzhong Chang'an to the Western Regions. You know, the thing I want to ask is related to the Silk Road. What items from the Central Plains are most expensive to transport to the west?"

Zhao Yun replied: "Soft-called Silk Road is the most valuable, and everyone in the world knows why the girl asks it knows why she knows it."

"Okay, my horses are rare horse breeds that I can't find in the Central Plains. The price I bought is to exchange tens of thousands of Jiangnan silk for me, more than ten good horses in Xiliang." The girl in Hu's clothing said seriously with a cold face.
Chapter completed!