However, at this moment, Sima Yi was quite calm and responded with a bow: "Your Majesty, I believe Zhang He will definitely hold the fort."
Seeing the emperor's gaze directed at him, Sima Yi added, "Not only will Zhang He be able to hold on, I believe Guo Hui has not yet lost Shangguan."
The gain or loss of a city and a piece of land depend on the decisions of frontline generals like Guo Hui and Zhang He. Cao Ru in Chang'an cannot interfere in the slightest, so he has become somewhat indifferent to it.
Cao Rui asked, "Why does the Grand Master believe that they will definitely hold on?"
Sima Yi actually started laughing: "Your Majesty, besieging a city is not as easy as engaging in open-field battles."
"Emperor Wu took the battle of Yanzheng in Hebei, which lasted from February to August. He built earthen hills, dug tunnels, constructed trenches, and cut the Zheng River for flood attacks. All kinds of methods were used. In the end, only after Shuang's nephew opened the gate did Emperor Wu gain entry into Yanzheng City."
"Ma Chao once led tens of thousands of men to besiege Ji County, and this small county could hold out from the beginning of the year until August. In the end, it was only because the Prefect of Liangzhou, Wei Kang, feared Ma Chao that he opened the city gates and surrendered."
Xin Zhi, upon hearing this, also added: "Your Majesty, the Grand Master is correct. In the Yellow Cauldron years, I served as the military advisor to the General of the Central Army and participated in the siege of Jiangling on the Western Route. Zhu Ruan led less than 5000 troops in Jiangling and withstood General Cao Jie, Xiao Huihui, Zhuge Liang, and Xu Zhongnan for half a year (Cao Zhen, Xiahou Shang, Zhang He, and Xu Zhongnan)."
In my opinion, Generals Guo Boji and Zhang Juanjie should have no problem holding the city.
However, Cao Rui frowned and asked, "How can I feel that what the Grand Master and Xin Zhi said are all about big cities? What are the cities of Shichuan and Chencang compared to the fortress-like Yanzheng or Jiangling?"
Xin Zhi spoke up to explain: "Your Majesty, large cities have their own laws of defense, while small cities have their own."
"If the city is large but the defending army is small, it will inevitably have leaks everywhere and be taken advantage of by the enemy. If the city is small but the defending army is large, then the primary issue becomes the supply of grain and forage within the city."
Cao Rui suddenly realized: "Shangguan is surrounded by numerous farmlands and its city walls are not very extensive. With nearly five thousand troops inside the city, Guo Hui will be fine for a short period of time. However, Lueyang is isolated and Zhang He's forces are large. If the situation drags on for too long, there will be a shortage of food."
"Your Majesty is absolutely right," Sima Yi added standing beside him, "Even if Shangguan is not as strong as Jiangling, it is still a city under the command of the experienced general Guo Hui. Guo Hui has only been defending for less than ten days, so there should be no problem at this moment."
"According to the laws of the Greater Wei, the defending army in a city that has been besieged for a hundred days may be granted amnesty for their families. With only ten days of defense, Shangguan is just at the beginning."
Cao Rui nodded and said after looking around at everyone, "I understand the meaning of what Xin Zhi and Sima Yi have said. Guo Hui is already trapped in the enemy's hands, and the Wei Dynasty will not be able to do anything for a while. We can only let him defend himself."
"And Zhang He is in Lueyang, where the city is small but well-stocked with troops, while there are even more enemy troops outside. There is a risk of running out of food, so we need to send immediate relief to achieve a quick victory."
Sima Yi bowed and said, "Your Majesty has extraordinary wisdom, and your wisdom enlightens the people."
Cao Rui did not respond to Sima Yi's flattery, turning back to his seat and asking, "Is there any news from the direction of Qiang State?"
"For now, there is no news," Xin Zhi replied. "If we calculate based on distance and time, the two thousand infantry of the troops stationed in Yuzhong under Hao Zhao should have reached Xiangwu in Longxi Prefecture. However, Xiangwu is closer to Tian shui than to Longxi, and I don't know if it has been occupied by the Shu army by now."
"And Lu Su and Xiahou Biao probably only learned the news recently and have not yet left their prefectures. After all, the territories of each prefecture in Qiang State are somewhat too vast."
Cao Rui sighed deeply and then said, "It seems that we can only rely on Qian Zhao and the central army to send relief to Zhang He in Lueyang!"
"Qian Zhao will take three or four days to reach Lueyang, what about the Great General?"
"General of the Central Army left a day earlier than us and should have arrived at Wugong by now," Xin Zhi replied. "At least it will take seven more days!"
Seven days... That would mean it will be around the 20th of December before they reach Lueyang.
It's urgent to rescue Shangguan but it can't be done in a rush, and it's also important to send aid to Lueyang without delay.
The pros and cons of this situation have been explained very clearly by Xin Zhi and Sima Yi, two wise men.
The Shu army has about 30,000 men surrounding Lueyang, with Zhang He's 10,000 men defending the city. Adding Qian Zhao's exhausted troops and Cao Zhen's forces, who have traveled far, they just about reach the number of 30,000.
What if the Shu army adds more troops to Lueyang? What should we do then?
Cao Rui had already made up his mind in his heart, standing up and looking at the assembly of officials in the palace hall: "I have made my decision. Tomorrow, I will lead a cavalry force of 16,000 to aid Lueyang!"
"As for the situation in Guanzhong..." Cao Rui paused for a moment, finally focusing his gaze on Xin Zhi: "Xin Minister! There are still 8,500 foreign troops in Guanzhong, as well as 9,000 county soldiers from the Jingzhao, Fengling, and Fufeng prefectures. In total, there are over 17,000 troops."
"I will appoint Zhu Jie to lead these 8,500 foreign troops. At the same time, I will appoint you, Xin Minister, as the Guardian of Guanzhong and lead these 9,000 county soldiers while also protecting Zhu Jie's troops."
Xin Zhi was somewhat surprised, but soon composed himself. Zhang He and Guo Hui were both in the west of Guanzhong, and Sima Yi and others around the emperor would definitely go to Longjiu. After all the calculations, it seemed that only he was suitable for this position as the Guardian of Guanzhong.
Just as Xin Zhi was about to respond, Cao Rui continued, "Xin Minister, your responsibility is the heaviest! First, to supervise the grain supply, and secondly, to ensure my rear guard is secure!"
"Will you accept this responsibility, Xin Minister?"
Xin Zhi no longer hesitated, bowing respectfully: "I will spare no effort to look after Guanzhong for Your Majesty! I also hope that the tranquility of Longjiu will be restored quickly." "It will be restored quickly." Cao Rui nodded. "The entire army will set out at dawn tomorrow! Inform Xu Chu and Cao Hong at the rear, not a single day can pass, and the entire army should follow me."
"Zhuge Liang wants to attack Lueyang, so I'll take the entire central army with me and have a good battle over this tiny city of Lueyang!"
"..."
Let's not talk about how Cao Rui is self-motivated and preparing to lead troops to Lueyang for reinforcement in Chang'an.
It's already the 13th of December, and five days have passed since Zhao Yun arrived in Lueyang City. The situation inside the city of Lueyang is looking rather pessimistic at this point.
It's not that Zhang He can't hold the city, although the city of Lueyang is small, the Shu forces will find it hard to take over in the short term. The city of Lueyang is situated between two rivers, and the Shu forces tried to build camp near the rivers a few days ago, but they were driven back by Zhang He's troops.
So the Shu forces gave up the idea of setting up camp near Lueyang and instead dispatched over 10,000 troops from Wei Yan's and Wu Ban's departments to set up a fortress 8 li northeast of Lueyang, blocking the path to aid Lueyang for Wei forces.
The Wei army only has 10,000 men. After the previous attack on Deng Zhi's troops, there were over 300 who were either killed, wounded, or unable to fight.
At this time, there were a total of 15,000 men outside the city of Lueyang, including Zhao Yun and Wang Ping's troops. Zhao Yun was also an experienced general who had been waging battles for a lifetime. When he faced off against Zhang He, their forces were evenly matched.
What truly affects the defense of Lueyang is the physical condition of Zhuang He, the Governor of Yunling and Left General.
Zhuang He is sick, and it is a cold infection.
Although Zhuang He is a seasoned military general, his physique is stronger than most people due to his career in the military. However, he is still over sixty years old. Leading a mounted army on a daily basis for 120 miles and marching to Lueyang is not unusual for him.
What truly caused Zhuang He to fall ill was not only the cold weather and frequent oversight, but also his state of extreme mental tension.
Everything stems from a difference in information.
In this era where communication relies on horses, in vast territories such as from Longyou to Guanzhong to Luoyang, all efforts are aimed at solving and judging the information gap.
From Zhuang He's perspective, he knows that Guo Hui has only 5,000 troops, and he also knows that Hao Zhao and Xiahou Biao in Qiang State will follow his orders to hastily rush to Longxi Prefecture.
As for the reinforcements, Zhuang He only learned about Qian Zhao leading 15,000 infantry, who had set out from Chang'an two days ago, on the morning of the eighth day before the Shu army blocked the Longshan Pass.
But the Longshan Pass has been blocked by the Shu forces! Moreover, with Zhuang He's current troops, it is impossible for him to break through this Shu army.
Moreover, Zhuang He is not aware of the movements of the Central Army, the actions of the emperor in Luoyang, whether or not he will mobilize the Central Army for reinforcements, and whether he will blindly trust himself...
In summary, the cold external weather, Zhuang He's body at the age of sixty, coupled with the constant worry, caused this iron-willed general of the Great Wei to catch a cold. According to the doctors, Zhuang He's illness is a cold caused by external evil spirits.
Since two days ago, when Zhuang He personally led his troops to repel a Shu forces attack and returned to the city, he began to develop a fever at night.
Lueyang is still a county, so there are medical clinics and medicinal herbs within the city. After the fever subsided for several hours, it started again. This cycle happened several times, and it was only in the afternoon today that he began to feel better.
Chen Ping knelt by Zhuang He's bed, personally dipping a towel in water and wiping Zhuang He's forehead and face.
"What is the situation outside the city?" Zhuang He asked, closing his eyes and lying on his bed. "What new developments have the Shu forces?"
"The Shu forces have not launched any attacks in the past two days, Your Excellency," the scout reported. "Our spies have discovered that they have been cutting down trees and crafting siege weapons over the past two days."
Upon hearing this, Zhuang He violently coughed several times. Taking the warm water that Chen Ping handed over, he sipped some of it before struggling to say, "On the eighth day, we received a message from Qian Zhao. According to the time calculation, he should arrive in four days."
"But now the Shu forces have blocked the path, we don't know if Qian Zhao will be able to make it through!"
Chen Ping paused for a moment and then said, "Yesterday, while Your Excellency was unconscious due to the cold, I had already dispatched scouts to the northwest of Chengji in the direction of water stream, searching for Qian Zhao's department at Shengji and then to Longshan Pass."
"Perhaps in another two days, we will come across Qian Zhao's department."
Zhuang He raised his eyes and looked at the army officer he had considered somewhat dull in the past. "You did that? Very good, very good."
Chen Ping smiled, but seeing Zhuang He's still pale face, he couldn't smile anymore: "Your Excellency should get better soon. If Qian Zhao comes, he may be able to hold them off for a while, but it will be difficult to truly relieve the siege of Lueyang."
Zhuang He sighed deeply, "That's true! Bring the medicine here, I need to take twice the amount today."
"Just a cold wind, what can it do to me?" (This chapter ends)
