Vol 2 Chapter 2924: Zhu Di abandoned the three counties of Qingnan and conquered them without blood

Chapter 2924 Zhu Di abandoned the three counties of Qingnan and conquered Qingzhou without any bloodshed (Part 2)

Chapter 2920: Zhu Di abandoned the three counties of Qingnan and conquered Qingzhou without any bloodshed (Part 2)

Zhu Di was worried that after the Yanxi Wei army was destroyed, the Qin army would march in desperately, and then take the opportunity with the Qingnan Qin army from the north and south to threaten the Ming and Song coalition forces in Qingnan, so he rushed to withdraw from Qingnan.

In order to avoid being blocked by Zhuge Liang and Su Dingfang during the withdrawal, Zhu Di deliberately put up an offensive posture to confuse and paralyze Zhuge Liang, and also took the initiative to abandon a large amount of food, grass and materials that could not be taken away.

But what Zhu Di didn't expect was that after Cao Ren was forced to surrender, Cao Cao burned grain and grass, turning the entire Jiyin County people into hungry people. He used this alternative scorched-earth tactic to consume the Qin army's grain and grass, thus making Yan The Western Qin army stopped in Changyi and postponed its advance.

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Zhu Di couldn't help but take a breath and exclaimed: "Is Cao Cao crazy, so reckless?"

It's not just Zhu Di who thinks so. In fact, in the eyes of many people, there is no need for Cao Cao to be so desperate.

Among the three kingdoms of the Central Plains, Wei and Qin have the best relationship, because not only are the two countries related by marriage, Cao Cao and Ying Wen are also sworn brothers.

 The relationship between Ming and Qin was the worst, simply because Zhu Di and Ying Hao had a grudge against their father.

Although it is said that the general trend of the world will be divided for a long time, it will unite and unite for a long time, but no matter who will complete the unification in the end, it cannot be Cao Wei, who has borders with many parties.

Even if Cao Wei is not destroyed by Qin, he will be destroyed by other forces sooner or later. Even being destroyed by Qin is the best outcome for Cao Wei. After all, with the relationship between the Ying and Cao families, they can only be destroyed by Qin, and the country will be destroyed. Get the best treatment.

Therefore, it is understandable that Cao Cao resisted Qin. After all, before the dust settles, all self-protective behaviors are human nature.

But Cao Cao was so reckless and unscrupulous in doing things, which is a bit confusing, because apart from completely angering the Qin Dynasty, it would not do any good to the Cao family.

Did Cao Cao really leave no retreat at all? Zhu Di thought in confusion.

"My lord, can't you see that Cao Cao is a suspicious and power-hungry person? Coupled with the life and death of Xiahou Dun and other close relatives, now he has lost his mind, so he will risk everything. But for the Three Kingdoms Alliance, It's a good thing." Fan Zeng Fuxu said.

“Indeed, if Cao Cao makes such a fuss, our army can not only retreat calmly, but also preserve more food and supplies.”

According to Zhu Di's original retreat plan, at least two-thirds of Qingnan's grain and grass and three-quarters of strategic materials had to be abandoned in order to safely withdraw the army under Zhuge Liang's eyes.

But because of Cao Cao's troubles, the Yanxi Qin army could not threaten him in a short time, so there was no need to rush to withdraw the troops in a hurry. They could prepare slowly before leaving, and naturally they would be able to save more food and supplies.

 As for the threat from the Qin army in Yanxi, it was clear that it was no longer there, but why did Zhu Di still decide to abandon the three counties of Qingnan?

The reason is very simple. If the Qin army doesn't come now, it doesn't mean it won't come in the future. Zhu Ming's western front is relatively empty, and the Qingnan front is too long to return to the rear in time. If he doesn't leave now, he won't be able to leave when the Qin army comes. .

And although Zhu Di gave up Qingnan, it does not mean that he will let the Qin army digest Qingnan. Before leaving, he will naturally set up many obstacles for the Qin army, at least in the short term, it can prevent the Qin army from using Qingnan to deal with the coalition forces.

“My lord, since Cao Cao can burn grain and use hundreds of thousands of hungry people to hold back the Qin army, then we can naturally follow suit.” Yao Guangxiao added in a deep voice.

As soon as he said this, Zhu Di suddenly looked shocked, then fell into deep thought. After a long time, he said: "No, Cao Cao can do it, but our army can't."

Hearing what Zhu Di said, Fan Zeng and Yao Guangxiao were a little anxious. Fan Zeng advised: "My lord, the danger of national destruction is very close at hand, so we must not be merciful to women."

"Yes, my lord, our army will follow Cao Cao's strategy. Although the people in the three counties of Qingnan will turn into hungry people, as long as the Qin army still wants the people's hearts, they will definitely spend food and grass on disaster relief, and the people will not be harmed. Yao Guangxiao also advised.

But even though Fan Zeng and Yao Guangxiao both said this, Zhu Di still shook his head and said: "Yafu, military advisor, the reason why Cao Cao can do this is because of the lack of food, and he confiscated the rations from the people in advance, so a fire can make him The people of a county were reduced to starvation.

Our army has not forcibly confiscated the people's rations. Even if they burn the food and grass that cannot be taken away, the people of Qingnan will not become hungry people. If it is forcibly confiscated at this time, it may trigger a civil uprising. "

“My lord, these are not problems. I have my own way to make the people of Qingnan obediently hand over their grain without provoking a civil uprising...”

Before Yao Guangxiao finished speaking, he was interrupted by Zhu Di.

“Even if I can get the people to hand over their food and grass, I will not do it.”

 Zhu Di's face was full of determination, and when he said this, Zhu Tianpeng's figure also appeared in his mind.

"Uncle Tianpeng handed Qi into my hands out of trust. He wanted Zhu Di to protect the country and the people, not to use the people to protect himself. If he does what you say, what will happen after death? Going to see Uncle Tianpeng with dignity?”

Zhu Tianpeng was naturally not dead, but went west with Xuanzang. However, in the eyes of Zhu Di and everyone in the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Tianpeng, who suddenly disappeared, must be dead, and it was basically concluded that the Qin Dynasty sent someone to assassinate him.

It is precisely because of this that many generals in the Qi Department who were single-handedly promoted by Zhu Tianpeng and who received favors from Zhu Tianpeng hated the Qin Dynasty. That is why Zhuge Liang found it so difficult to alienate the generals of the Qi Department, even using The chain plan will work.

Seeing that Zhu Di's expression did not seem to be hypocritical, Fan Zeng and Yao Guangxiao became even more anxious. They both wanted to persuade Zhu Di again, but before they could say anything, Zhu Di raised his hand to interrupt him. "There is no need to persuade the two military advisers anymore. The people of the Central Plains are so innocent. They have experienced five wars in the Central Plains in just over twenty years. And now I, Zhu Di, cannot defend the three counties of Qingnan. It is also I who want to abandon the people of Qingnan and... How can we still use the people as a shield?”

Hearing Zhu Di's impassioned words, Fan Zeng and Yao Guangxiao were both pleased and helpless. What was gratifying was that Zhu Di had the people in mind and had a bottom line in doing things. He was a truly benevolent and righteous king. But what was helpless was that in the current situation, benevolence and righteousness were of no use. .

 Zhu Di had made up his mind, and Fan Zeng could not persuade him anymore. He could only follow Zhu Di's instructions and mobilize heavy troops to confront the Qin army openly, but secretly he was preparing to evacuate Qingnan.

At the same time, in Qingnan, in the Qin army camp, Zhuge Liang was discussing how to respond with his generals.

Unlike the adventurous Huo Qubing, Zhuge Liang focused on stability with his troops. Although he also guessed that Zhu Di might retreat early, he did not think that Zhu Di would do so. There are three reasons for this:

 First, the three counties of Qingnan are not only Zhu Ming's long-established defense line, but also stockpiled a large amount of food and supplies, so that people can easily evacuate, but these things are not easy to move, so naturally it is impossible to give up just like that.

Second, the reaction time was more than a month, which was enough for Zhu Di to solve the internal problems. Now that the internal hidden dangers of the Ming and Song coalition forces in Qingnan have been eliminated, they indeed have the confidence to take the initiative to go to war.

Thirdly, the Qin army in Yanxi has stopped at Changyi and will not directly threaten Qingnan in the short term. Zhu Di actually does not need to retreat until all five counties in Yandong fall.

Not only Zhuge Liang, but Su Dingfang also thought so. They didn't think Zhu Di was so courageous, and in their opinion, Zhu Di's current actions were more like a serial plan.

On the surface, Zhu Di made a gesture of starting a war, secretly transporting supplies to the rear, in order to mislead the Qin army, making the Qin army think that the Ming and Song coalition forces were going to abandon Qingnan, and then lured the enemy deeper. This was obviously more serious than Zhu Di directly abandoning the three counties of Qingnan. Be more convincing.

I have to say that smart people think too much, and both Zhuge Liang and Su Dingfang are undoubtedly extremely smart people. However, sometimes the best way is to be simple, and if you think too much, you will miss the correct answer.

Although Zhuge Liang and Su Dingfang were sure to win even if they went to war directly, the Qin army was in a good situation now, and it was the coalition forces that were anxious, so naturally there was no need to take risks, so Zhuge Liang and Su Dingfang both chose to wait and see, waiting for the coalition forces to take the initiative to expose themselves. A bigger flaw will appear.

But neither Zhuge Liang nor Su Dingfang expected that under the huge pressure of the fall of the Western Front, Zhu Di would be so courageous. He actually gave up the Qingnan defense line and a large amount of supplies before the Qin army captured Yandongqian. Abandoned.

Of course, Zhu Di would not take advantage of the Qin army for the food, grass and materials that could not be transported. Instead, he burned them all directly. Those that could not be burned were distributed to the local people. In short, no food was left to the Qin army. .

 Zhu Di's operation really shocked both Zhuge Liang and Su Dingfang. Even without being shocked, they both praised in their hearts: Zhu Di really made a wonderful move.

On the surface, Zhu Di's abandonment of the three counties of Qingnan not only greatly reduced the strategic space, but also lost millions of people and a huge amount of grain and grass supplies. It was a bad move that could not be made again. But in fact, it eliminated a huge problem. hidden dangers.

It can be seen from the defeat of Cao's army in the Yanzhou battlefield, but the Song and Ming coalition forces in Qingnan were in crisis. Although the Central Plains war was divided into three battlefields on the surface, it was actually a whole and was by no means an arbitrary battle. Winning or losing, as well as the gains and losses of one city or one place, will determine the outcome.

Therefore, from an overall perspective, Zhu Di's abandonment of the three counties of Qingnan was an act of abandoning his chariot to protect his commander, which was an extremely correct move.

In this regard, Zhuge Liang and Su Dingfang did not choose to pursue them, but allowed the Ming and Song coalition forces to withdraw from Qingnan. After all, they could occupy the entire three counties of Qingnan without spending a single soldier. Why should they refuse such a good thing?

 Because for the Qin army, there is no substantial difference between the decisive battle in Qingnan and the decisive battle in Xubei, and even the decisive battle in Xubei is easier.

 Xuzhou has a vast plain, making it easy to attack and difficult to defend. Only Langya County in the north of Xu has complex terrain and a fortified city, but it is not as good as the Qingnan defense line built with great effort by the Ming Dynasty. Qingnan is obviously more difficult to attack than the north of Xu.

Although more than 300,000 Song and Ming coalition forces have fled far away, they can still catch up if they use cavalry. But even if they catch up, cavalry alone cannot stop them. After all, although the Qingnan coalition forces withdrew, they were not defeated and remained intact. Maintain the original combat effectiveness.

If the cavalry were sacrificed, it might be possible to delay the arrival of the army, but the cost would be too high and not worth it.

It really cost so much to hold the coalition forces back and prevent them from leaving. However, if there are any who hide in the defense line and hold on, it will take a greater price to eliminate them.

On the contrary, if the Song and Ming coalition forces are allowed to withdraw to Xubei, in the process of retreat alone, self-doubt will appear within the coalition forces, confidence will be shaken, and morale will decline. This will make the decisive battle in the near future easier.

 Zhuge Liang and Su Dingfang are both smart people, so it is impossible not to see through this, so they watched the coalition forces retreat to Langya County, and at the same time, they slowly sent troops to take over the empty cities.

There are a total of 43 counties in the three counties of Qingnan. In the previous repeated wars, the Qin army captured one and a half counties and a total of 18 counties, and for this they also paid the price of 35,000 casualties.

 Later, due to the shift in focus and in cooperation with Zhuge Liang's alienation plan, the Qin army strategically abandoned thirteen counties and retained only five cities that were easy to defend and difficult to attack to attract and contain the enemy.

Because Zhu Di did not want to divide his troops, he did not send anyone to recover the thirteen counties abandoned by the Qin army. As a result, neither Qin nor Ming Dynasty wanted them, and they fell into the awkward situation of being ruled by no one.

Now Zhu Di has taken the initiative to abandon Qingnan, giving up a total of twenty-five counties. There are thirty-eight counties in Qingnan, waiting for the Qin army to take over one by one. This is obviously a big project.

Not counting Zhou Yu's navy, the two armies of Zhuge Liang and Su Dingfang on land and land have a total strength of 250,000. The total casualties in the previous two and a half battles were 35,000, and now there are still 215,000 left. Army.

It was naturally very fast for the 210,000-strong army to take over the thirty-eight counties, but the Qin army was not only not fast, but also a little slow. The reason was naturally to be wary of Zhu Di's backup. After all, it was too fast and easy to retain. There are hidden dangers, but Zhuge Liang and Su Dingfang obviously will not make such low-level mistakes.

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye, and the Qin army had occupied 43 counties in three counties in Qingnan, finally completing the unification of Qingzhou.

In order to prevent unrest in the rear, Zhuge Liang eliminated most of Zhu Di's back-up forces and deliberately left 35,000 troops to guard the rear. Then he and Su Dingfang led an army of 180,000 to the Xubei front line.

 【Ding dong, the host unified Qingzhou, reward: 1 golden summoning card, 1 free attribute point;】