Chapter 351: Crushing Progression [Subscription Request]

In the Western Regions, after passing Yuzhi and Shache, continuing westward is Shule, which is Kashgar in later generations.

This was the last major regime in the western part of the Western Regions.

To the north of Shule is Gumo.

To the east of Gumo is Qiuci, which has already surrendered to Wei.

In other words, only Shule remained in the Western Regions, and Gumo had not surrendered yet.

A few months ago, Jiang Gan came to the Western Regions on a diplomatic mission and went to Shule and Gumo.

With strong military support, Jiang Gan's mission was very successful.

In mid-October, Shule and Gumo successively announced their incorporation into the Wei Dynasty.

The only conditions were the desire for self-government and annual tribute.

Cao Wei took over its defense and militarily controlled Gumo and Shule.

It is right to allow it a certain degree of autonomy.

Cao Wei lacked understanding of the actual situation in the Western Regions.

If Cao Wei sent officials there, many problems would arise. It would be far better to complete the military rule and let local officials continue to govern.

Cao Cao will later set up Protectorates in the Western Regions, and these "small countries" will be like the counties of the Wei Dynasty.

The post of Protector-General of the Western Regions would be the chief military officer, equivalent to the governor of each state.

It is worth mentioning that after Cao Cao came to power, he abolished the system of provincial governors that led to the collapse of the Eastern Han Dynasty and the establishment of independence by local princes.

But the governor retained the duties of inspection and supervision.

Cao Cao also made adjustments to the system of Inspectors.

The large-scale mobilization of local troops must first be approved by the royal power, that is, Cao Cao.

This was difficult to actually implement in the Eastern Han Dynasty, because once there was a change, the local governments did not have much autonomy, and it would be too late to go back and forth to the emperor for instructions.

But Cao Cao can, because the communication beads can complete instant communication.

So although he still set up governors in each state, he actually deepened the centralization of power.

Make the world situation more stable.

Cao Cao returned to Yecheng at the end of October and received the good news that the entire Western Regions belonged to Wei.

This made him quite happy.

This means that the territory of the Great Wei Dynasty has overlapped with that of later generations in terms of east-west length.

The next step is to conquer the north and south and sweep across the world.

"Send a message to Mengqi and Lingming, and ask Zilong to provide them with support and speed up the sweep of the surrounding tribes."

If Ma Chao and Pang De complete the control of the area around Huji City, and form a mutual defense with Xiahou Yuan of Liangzhou and Zhao Yun of Bingzhou, the overall strategic layout of the North will be completed.

noon.

Xun You and Guo Jia are both in the study.

"After Mengqi and Lingming entered Huji, the Qiang and Hu tribes moved northward and gained the support of the Xianbei. When we fought, they retreated northward and formed a strategic reliance with the Xianbei.

If we relax even a little, the Qiang and Hu will come and attack us again."

Cao Cao laughed: "They are fighting a guerrilla war with us."

Xun You: "When your Majesty was away, Fengxiao proposed a strategy that allowed Zilong and Mengqi to cooperate once and severely damaged many Qiang and Hu cavalry."

Cao Cao hummed.

I asked him for Guo Jia's advice in advance.

When the Qiang and Hu tribes marched south again and attacked Hu Ji, Guo Jia ordered Ma Chao and Pang De to shrink the defense line.

Zhao Zilong suddenly sent troops westward from the northwest corner of Bingzhou, cutting off the Qiang and Hu's retreat route to the north.

Ma Chao and Pang De then attacked from the front, cooperating with Zhao Zilong from the front and back to attack the Qiang cavalry from both sides.

In one battle, more than 3,000 enemies were killed and the Qiang and Hu tribes were routed.

After that, the frequency of raids from the south by foreign tribes such as Qiang and Hu, who often operated north of Hexi, decreased significantly.

This is the benefit of a joint line of defense, being able to respond quickly and provide support.

"What has Xianbei been doing lately?"

"After the leader of the Western Xianbei was killed by Dian Wei last time, the Western Xianbei tribes elected Budugen as the new tribal chief.

He allied with the Eastern Xianbei and traveled around the Central Xianbei, connecting the various tribes.

But the Central Xianbei are a large area with many tribes. If they want to organize and fight against the Great Wei, it will be at least next autumn before it is possible. "Jia Xu said.

Cao Cao was thinking that the Battle of Red Cliffs was about to begin.

This winter, Liu Bei will definitely take control of Yizhou.

If he wanted to strengthen himself, he had no choice but to attack the surrounding tribes.

Then the opportunity to fight Red Cliff will come.

Defeat the alliance between Sun and Liu, and then sweep across Jiangdong.

During this process, Liu Bei had to conquer the surrounding tribes with all his strength in order to gain the strength to fight against Cao Cao, thus meeting Cao Cao's strategic requirements and completing the "mission" he had given to Liu Bei.

Eventually swallowed Yizhou.

Cao Cao will become the third emperor to establish a unified dynasty, leading the Wei Dynasty to a prosperous era and entering a new stage of expanding territory.

However, if the Xianbei move south next year, it will be troublesome.

For Cao Wei, it might have to fight two major wars on the north and south fronts within a year, which would disrupt the existing arrangements and increase consumption several times.

Cao Cao prepared to discuss with several advisers how to curb the Xianbei and gain strategic initiative.

Ling Jin and Li Wufang were also in the study.

They brought back the blueprints of ships and Qin crossbows.

The reason why the Qin crossbow was so powerful was because of its advanced design and technology.

The range of the Qin crossbow is more than three times that of ordinary bows and crossbows.

Its arrowhead is triangular in shape, which reduces air resistance and makes the arrow fly faster, thereby increasing its lethality.

What is more important is the materials and manufacturing process of the Qin crossbow.

Its materials include common metals such as aluminum, tin, and copper.

Small amounts of selenium and chromium are also added.

If you are familiar with ancient weapons, you will find that the manufacturing process of the Qin crossbow and the Sword of Goujian, King of Yue, which was unearthed in later generations, has been immortal for more than two thousand years and can still cut through hair, are made of similar materials.

Later generations confirmed through the Sword of Goujian, King of Yue, that the ancients in the Spring and Autumn Period had initially mastered the technology of alloy smelting, which is incredible.

Its unique metal ratio is the unique "secret recipe" of the Qin crossbow, making it impossible to replicate in later generations.

Cao Cao looked at the preparation drawings and thought that the power of the Qin crossbow made by this method would be greatly improved.

Although the manufacturing difficulty has also increased, it is obviously worth it.

This will be an overwhelming advancement in the improvement of military industry, and the advantages will be very significant.

Cao Cao was a little impatient and wanted to prepare the equipment so that he could test its power using foreign tribes such as the Xianbei, Qiang and Hu.

He immediately ordered that the preparation of crossbows and arrows become top secret in Cao's camp and be strictly controlled.

He also issued an order to save money and produce a large number of crossbows.

It is planned to build two seagoing ships first.

Everything was ready, the weather was getting colder, and it was November. That evening, Cao Cao leisurely returned to the inner house.

In a bedroom, two beauties, one big and one small, were lying on the couch and talking.

Both of them were wearing middle-length shirts. As they were lying prone, they lifted their calves comfortably, letting the trouser legs slide down to the bends of their knees, revealing two pairs of white and well-proportioned calves and feet.

The older one is Zhen Yan and the younger one is Zhen Mi.

"Aunt, you must help me talk to my father. I don't want to get married yet. There are so many people in my family who want to marry me these days."

"You're almost fifteen, you'll have to get married."

Zhen Yan smiled and said, "Do you have someone you like?"

Zhen Mi shook her head: "Of course not."

Cao Cao came in from outside and told his servants that there was no need to inform them in advance. When he entered the hall, he saw a graceful scene of two people, one big and one small, lying on their stomachs.

tsk...

Seeing Cao Cao coming in, Zhen Mi hurriedly got up from the couch and said, "Greetings, King Wei."

He called out again, "Uncle-in-law."

The girl, who was almost fifteen years old, stood there prettyly, like a newly peeled willow, with a delicate face and black eyes that were as beautiful as a flower.

Cao Cao took a look.

Even he, who was used to seeing the most beautiful women in the world, was quite amazed.

Cao Cao thought to himself that it was fortunate that he was not interested in women, otherwise he would easily make mistakes.

Zhen Mi quickly said goodbye and went to another bedroom next door.

Zhen Yan happily came up and helped Cao Cao take off his coat.

The following rhythm is as follows: In the dead of winter, firecrackers are blasted all over the sky.

----

Liu Bei was also preparing to take Yizhou this winter.

I can't wait any longer. Time is running out.

When he first came to Yizhou, Liu Zhang sent four thousand soldiers, saying that they were to assist him, but in fact they were to monitor him.

However, Liu Zhang did donate a large amount of supplies to Liu Bei for use in his attack on Hanzhong.

Fa Zheng also served as Liu Zhang's military advisor and followed Liu Bei.

He has turned around and secretly expressed his loyalty to Liu Bei.

He also advised Liu Bei to seize Yizhou as soon as possible.

Including Zhang Song, they also advised Liu Bei to take action early.

Over the past few months, Liu Bei has initially gained a foothold in Yizhou.

At this time, the emperor also sent Kong Rong to contact Liu Bei.

In November, Liu Zhang submitted a memorial recommending Liu Bei as the Grand Marshal and concurrently the Inspector of the Sili Army.

The request was sent to the emperor, who immediately approved the appointment.

Liu Bei then became the Grand Marshal in name.

Liu Bei also recommended Liu Zhang as the General of Zhenxi and concurrently the Governor of Yizhou.

The two of them, together with the emperor, promoted each other to higher positions and amused themselves.

However, Liu Bei received the reward and still kept his troops stationed there.

By late November, Liu Bei asked Liu Zhang for another 10,000 soldiers and supplies.

Liu Zhang then became somewhat alert, feeling that Liu Bei was gaining benefits step by step and draining his family's wealth, but he never sent troops to attack Hanzhong.

At this time, Zhang Song's brother Zhang Su, fearing that trouble would befall him, told Liu Zhang about Zhang Song's alliance with Liu Bei.

Liu Zhang was shocked and angry, feeling that he had been deceived and betrayed.

He then arrested and executed Zhang Song, and turned against Liu Bei.

Liu Bei took advantage of the situation and followed Fa Zheng's strategy. He first summoned Yang Huai, the commander of the Baishui Army sent by Liu Zhang to monitor him, killed him, and then annexed his troops.

Liu Bei also sent Zhang Fei and Zhuo Ying south to occupy Fucheng.

In the cold winter of that year, Liu Zhang sent generals including Liu Gui, Ling Bao, Zhang Ren, Deng Xian, and Wu Yi to stop Liu Bei in Fucheng.

But they were all defeated by Liu Bei.

Among them, Wu Yi led his troops to surrender, further strengthening Liu Bei.

Later, Li Yan was persuaded by Fa Zheng to surrender and led his people to join Liu Bei.

Liu Bei's military strength grew, and he divided his troops to pacify various counties.

At the same time, Zhuge Liang led his troops from Jingzhou to Shu to support Liu Bei.

In the first month of the following year, Liu Bei captured Luo City and then besieged Chengdu together with Zhuge Liang and Zhang Fei.

For a while, everyone in and outside Chengdu was terrified when Liu Zhang came down.

Liu Zhang ordered Zhang Yi to go out of the city to meet Liu Bei in order to negotiate peace.

Liu Bei promised to treat Liu Zhang with courtesy and appease the people, and sent Jian Yong into the city to persuade Liu Zhang.

At the end of January, Liu Zhang surrendered and handed over Chengdu.

Liu Bei then allowed Liu Zhang to live in Nanjun.

In February, Liu Bei officially took over Chengdu.

He held a grand banquet to reward his soldiers, took out gold and silver from the treasury to give to civil and military officials, and returned grain and silk to the people, thus quickly gaining a response from both the upper and lower levels.

Liu Bei took charge of Yizhou, with Zhuge Liang as his right-hand man and Fa Zheng as his strategist.

He also appointed Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Wei Yan and others as generals.

Xu Jing, Pang Xi, Mi Zhu, Jian Yong and Yi Ji were the guests.

Dong He, Huang Quan and Li Yan were originally officials appointed by Liu Zhang.

Wu Yi and Fei Guan were Liu Zhang's relatives in law. Peng Ying was excluded by Liu Zhang, and Liu Ba was someone Liu Bei always hated.

But now, they are all placed in important positions and everyone is happy.

Liu Bei was quite skilled in employing people and winning over others to stabilize the situation, and he quickly stabilized Yizhou.

Liu Bei was quite satisfied with his harvest and political performance this winter. He became ambitious and asked Fa Zheng for advice:

"I control Yizhou, and I have abundant military and food supplies. If I attack Hanzhong, which is supported by Cao Wei, what are my chances of winning?"

Fa Zheng was somewhat surprised: "Cao Wei's army is strong, it is too early to attack Hanzhong now."

Liu Bei shook his head slightly: "Hanzhong hangs to the north of Yizhou, like a sharp knife above my head. If the threat of Hanzhong is not resolved, I will not be at peace."

Cao Cao had been watching the excitement for a whole winter and almost applauded Liu Bei's performance.

However, outsiders did not know that the reason why Liu Bei was able to control Yizhou in just one winter was because of Boss Cao.

There were several key positions where Cao Cao was the mastermind, speeding up the pace of the Big Ears in order to bring about the opportunity for unification as soon as possible.

But Cao Cao soon received news that Big Ear wanted to send troops to attack Hanzhong.

This Big Ear has become a little arrogant after obtaining Yizhou. He needs to be taught a severe lesson before he can be quiet and continue to work passively.

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(End of this chapter)