Deputy Director Tao's declaration of war to Liu Biao was certainly not a joke or a verbal threat. With everyone facing the enemy, the anti-Tao alliance planned and formed by Liu Biao was like the first domino to fall. If it was not righted quickly, it would soon be over.

May cause unpredictable chain reactions,

At the same time, the Xuzhou army's too long defense line also destined to lead the defense with offense. Therefore, on the first day of June in the seventh year of Jian'an, Deputy Director Tao did hold a swearing-in ceremony in Xuchang City and personally led an army of 120,000 people.

General Zhang Xiu was the vanguard and sent his troops south to attack Jingzhou.

Deputy Director Tao's excuses for sending troops were far-fetched. First, Liu Biao was rude and detained the imperial envoy Jiang Gan. Second, Liu Biao disrespected the imperial court, had ulterior motives and attempted rebellion. In fact, although Liu Biao, like other princes, did not submit to the Xuchang court controlled by Deputy Director Tao,

Pay taxes, but never pay tribute during festivals

It was less than the tribute of any prince, so when Deputy Director Tao ran to Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty to ask for an order to go on an expedition, he was immediately strongly opposed by the Han courtiers, led by Wu Shuo and Wang Zifu, who had slipped through the belt edict.

He objected and pointed out that Liu Biao was a clan member of the Han Dynasty and had always respected the emperor and should not be criticized lightly.

Deputy Director Tao did not kill the opponents like Boss Cao, but arranged for Yang Changshi, who was once praised by Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty as the most loyal and good man in Huainan, to come forward to handle the matter. As a result, Yang Changshi greatly impressed Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty and others.

I ordered it once and got Wu Shuo and Wang Zi’s clothes on the same day.

There are 11 unpardonable crimes including death penalty, failure to observe court etiquette, arrogance of words and accepting bribes. Deputy Director Tao once again helped Boss Cao clean up the fish that had slipped through the net, and asked Cao Hong to lead his troops to kill Wu Shuo and Prince Fu overnight.

The whole family, there was no voice in the Han Dynasty court against sending troops.

By the way, this incident also allowed Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty to completely see the true face of Deputy Director Tao, and made Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty cry in front of Empress Fu, who had been secretly missed by Deputy Director Tao: "Dong Zhuo is a hungry wolf in Xiliang, and Cao Cao is a wolf in the Central Plains.

Jackal. Tao Ying is the smiling tiger of Xuzhou, why is my life so miserable?"

After sweeping away the opposition in the court, Deputy Director Tao left Gao Shun, Tao Ji, Shi Yi, Xun Chen and others to lead the army to guard Xuchang, supply food and grass, and led the army to Jingzhou, passing through Ye County and Duyang

, the 120,000-strong army was divided into three teams, front and rear, and moved southward in a mighty manner, aiming directly at Wancheng, the first important town in Nanyang.

The news of Deputy Director Tao's dispatch of troops was confirmed. The Jingzhou Army did not dare to neglect at all. After listening to the suggestions of Liu Xian and Kuai Liang, Liu Biao adopted three countermeasures. One was to send Kuai Liang's brother Kuai Yue to Wancheng urgently and order

Jingzhou general Huang Zu, who was in charge of the defense of Nanyang, tried his best to hold on to the Wancheng defense line. Priority was given to guarding the cities of Nanyang. Deep ditches and high fortresses should not be easily fought in the open. Second, troops and horses were quickly assembled in the Xiangyang area to prepare for the battle by land and water.

On the other hand, they shamelessly asked the princes of the alliance to abide by the anti-Tao alliance and send troops to contain the Xuzhou army to rescue Jingzhou. Most of the representatives of the princes who participated in the alliance had their own agendas, and they promised to invite the alliance immediately.

The lord sent out troops, but secretly rejoiced. He was extremely fortunate that the plan to divert the disaster to the east was successful, allowing the Xuzhou Army, which was as ruthless as a wolf and as fierce as a tiger, to turn its spearhead and start a war against the Jingzhou Army, which was currently the only one that could deal with Xuzhou's main force.

It has to be said that Kuai Liang's strategy of avoiding the enemy and using deep ditches and high bases for Liu Biao was indeed extremely correct, because the Jingzhou army was strong in water warfare but weak in land warfare. The decisive battle with the Xuzhou army in the open field was a typical example of the past.

We are short and attack the enemy's long. At the same time, there are many rivers in Wancheng area. Water transportation is developed, which is convenient for Huang Zu's army.

Supply food and obtain reinforcements. Less than a year after the Xuzhou Army captured Xuchang, Xuchang, which had suffered successive wars, had not recovered its vitality. There was no waterway to transport food to Wancheng, and it was difficult to effectively supply food and grass to the southern expedition. Therefore, as long as it held

The city defense line around Wancheng is expected to run out of food and the Xuzhou army will retreat.

Although the tactical strategy is correct, no matter how good the tactical strategy is, it still needs people to execute it. Huang Zu's short temper recorded in history is destined to be difficult to implement resolutely and effectively. Therefore, when Kuai Yue arrived at Wan with Liu Biao's order,

After the city, Huang Zu objected on the spot, saying: "What's the use of passively defending? That trash gave the lord a bad idea, asking me to only defend but not attack, and only defend the city without fighting in the field. When will I be able to repel the Tao thieves?"

Invasion?"

The good-for-nothing Kuai Liang's younger brother Kuai Yue rolled his eyes, but fortunately, the old Kuai family in Jingzhou and the Huang family in Jiangxia had always been in contact. At the same time, Huang Zu was also smart enough to adopt a neutral attitude on the matter of establishing a direct heir, except because Huang She supported Cai Mao.

The brothers hated those outside the Xuzhou army and had never had any conflict with the Kuai family who supported Liu Qi's succession, so Kuai Yue did not want to conflict with Huang Zu, so he smiled bitterly and said: "General Yuanyang, this strategy was proposed by my brother.

"

"It turns out it was Zirou who suggested it. It was a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding." Huang Zu was also a little embarrassed and quickly changed the subject and said: "Xidu, in your opinion, is your brother's strategy too conservative? Our army is in

There are a full 50,000 troops in Nanyang, and there are a large number of warships that can be mobilized at any time by relying on the river. They are definitely capable of fighting against the Tao thieves. Is it too conservative and passive to not engage in field battles and only guard the city passes?"

"Since General Yuanyang asked, I will speak frankly." After hesitating, Kuai Yue replied frankly: "To be honest, as early as when my brother proposed this strategy, I was worried that General Huang might not accept it.

I will accept this tactical plan, but the strategy proposed by my brother is indeed correct.

Indeed, our Jingzhou Army commander is good at water battles, and it is difficult to gain the upper hand against the Xuzhou Army on land. Rather than risking a field battle, it is better to hold on to the city and rely on river water transportation to block the Xuzhou Army's southward march. When the Xuzhou Army runs out of food or there is a change in the rear,

Our army can win without fighting."

"I don't think it's appropriate." Huang Zu shook his head and said: "Passive defense of the city will only make the Xuzhou army more arrogant, which is not good for our military morale. Moreover, the Feishui River runs north-south. We rely on the city and the river to defend the city.

The land to the west of the city can be saved, but what about the land to the east of Feishui? Xiandu, you are much better at marching than your brother, how can you still agree with the strategy he proposed? "

Let me introduce here. In terms of tactics alone, Kuai Yue is indeed much better than his elder brother Kuai Liang. When Liu Biao first arrived in Jingzhou, Kuai Yue once mentioned that Liu Biao had done a wonderful job of killing fifteen gangs of bandit leaders at once, and he recruited and

After destroying these fifteen groups of bandits, Liu Biaodan gained a lot of prestige among the Jingzhou army and was considered to have some ability to recognize people.

The purpose of sending Kuai Yue to Wancheng to deliver the message was also to let Kuai Yue help Huang Zu, who had an impatient personality. His intentions were very good. Because of this, after hearing Huang Zu's words, he was not convinced by his brother.

Kuai Yue, who was conservative in strategy, was still somewhat shaken and said: "General Huang, although your words are reasonable, my lord's order..."

"The Lord's order is that I should not launch a field battle easily. He did not say that I will not be allowed to launch a field battle." Huang Zu raised Liu Biao's order to retort to Kuai Yue, and said: "I have made up my mind, no matter what, I have to fight with the Xuzhou rebels.

Fight, and then act according to your plan. If it doesn't work out, it won't be too late to retreat to Wancheng."

"Since General Huang has made up his mind, I have no objection." Kuai Yue also made up his mind and said: "However, Wancheng is not suitable for field battles with the Xuzhou Army. The terrain in this area is too open, and the enemy is outnumbered. We will."

Give the enemy an opportunity to exert their superiority in force. We should go to Bowang. The terrain in that area is complex and the roads are narrow, which is good for our troops who are familiar with the geography, but not good for the enemy's troops. It is the ideal place for our army to win with a small number."

"This is just like what Kuai Yidu said!" Huang Zu clapped and laughed. Huang Zu discussed with Kuai Yue and decided that Huang Zu would personally lead an army of 20,000 to go north to Bowang and set up a stronghold in Bowang to fight against Xuzhou.

army, leaving General Su Fei and others to guard Wancheng, Jiyang, Anzhong and other Nanyang important towns and water transport ships. At the same time, Kuai Yue was not in a hurry to report the matter to Liu Biao, lest Liu Biao quickly send envoys to stop it.

More than a day later, Huang Zu's army arrived at the small town of Bowang, sixty miles northeast of Wancheng. They stored all the grain and military supplies in the city, while the army camped outside the city. They prepared to face the Xuzhou army here. Xuzhou made a detailed investigation

get the news, send the news quickly

It was sent to the Xuzhou Army who had arrived in Duyang. Deputy Director Tao was happy and worried at the same time. He smiled with a complicated mood and said: "Okay, I didn't expect that old man Huang Zu would dare to go north to camp. It seems that we have hope this time.

The enemy was severely damaged in the field battle. But..."

"But what?" Jia Laodu said strangely: "Huang Zu took the initiative to leave Wancheng Jiancheng. This is a good thing. Why does the lord still look worried?"

"Bo Wang, Bowang Slope." Deputy Director Tao, who was very sensitive to this name, said with a wry smile: "I heard that the terrain in that area is very complex, the roads are also very narrow, and there are reeds and vegetation on both sides of the road. If our army advances lightly,

I'm afraid I might be caught in the enemy's ambush fire attack."

"Lord, what's wrong with you?" Jia Laodu was even more surprised and said suspiciously: "Although Xu has never been to Bowang and doesn't know the terrain there, even if the terrain there is as complicated as what the lord described,

, it is easy for the enemy to ambush us and launch a fire attack, so why don’t we just play it safe and secure step by step? If that doesn’t work, we can set fire to the trees and reeds on both sides of the road first, so how can the enemy ambush us and attack us with fire?”

"Yes, and the enemy doesn't seem to want to ambush us with fire attacks?" Liu Ye, who was not left in Xuchang because he was a member of the Han clan, was also a little surprised. He picked up the terrain sketch that the scouts had surveyed and mapped.

Pointing to the location of Huang Zu's military camp, he said: "My lord, please look at

, Huang Zu’s camp was located in a relatively open area under Bowang City. It was not set up in the narrow area of ​​​​the road southeast of Bowang, nor was it set up at the northwest end of the narrow road. It was impossible to deceive the enemy and deceive him.

So how can we make it easier for us to take risks?"

"Huang Zu set up his camp outside Bowang City, blocking the end of the narrow road. He clearly wanted to prevent our army from taking advantage of its strength and force our army to set up camp in an open area thirty miles away from Bowang, that is, our army

The forward general Zhang Xiu will set up camp at the current location." Jia Lao pointed at the map and continued to teach Deputy Director Tao: "In this way, I

The army can only take turns and put a small number of troops into the Bowang battlefield. This will not only help Huang Zu defeat our army one by one, or even use surprise troops to rob the camp at night to win with fewer troops, but also allow Huang Zu to retreat calmly when the battle situation is unfavorable.

Water, to avoid being fully pursued by the main force of our army. This is the military principle of using justice and winning by surprise, so what plans are there for a dangerous fire attack and ambush?"

"If Huang Zu wanted to ambush us with fire in a narrow area, there were only two possibilities." Liu Ye added: "First, he could lure our heavy troops into an ambush circle and take the initiative to cross the narrow area to fight.

Let our army pursue it with all its strength and send it to the ambush circle.

Death. The second is to hope that our heads will be filled with water and set up the camp in a narrow area with a lot of vegetation - this is a mistake that even a rookie who has just debuted and fought with a military manual will not make. Why did Huang Zu

Can you possibly expect us to make such a mistake?"

After Jia Laodu and Liu Ye gave some advice, Deputy Director Tao was speechless. Finally, after Jia Laodu and Liu Ye had finished speaking, after another long while, Deputy Director Tao smiled awkwardly and said, "I was brainwashed by Luo Guanzhong."

It’s so serious that when you hear the word Bowang, you will have a psychological shadow.”

"Luo Guanzhong? What do you mean?"

This time it was finally Jia Laodu and Liu Ye's turn to be confused. Realizing that he had let something slip again, Deputy Director Tao quickly changed the subject and suddenly had an idea, saying: "Since Huang Zu doesn't want to ambush us with fire attacks,

Then me

Don’t waste those hard-growing reeds and trees. Why don’t we instead set up a fire attack and ambush? Arrange the ambush first, send an army to fight in front of Huang Zu’s camp, fake defeat, lure Huang Zu’s team into the ambush and kill them!”

"There is hope." Mr. Jia Poxin nodded quickly and said: "Huang Zu is famous for his impetuous personality, and he also had a grudge against our army because of Huang She's incident. He is eager to take revenge, and our army has a high chance of succeeding in luring the enemy.

.Even if we can't succeed, we can burn those annoying trees and reeds first to eliminate hidden dangers for our army."

"This plan does not require dispatching the main force, just arrange for General Zhang Xiu's front army to do the work." Liu Ye stood up and volunteered: "If the lord does not give up, Ye please order to rush to the front army camp to assist General Zhang Xiu in setting up overnight.

Arrange this plan and we will act accordingly tomorrow."

Liu Ye was quite confident in setting up traps, so Deputy Director Tao immediately nodded in agreement, and then warned: "Mr. Ziyang, the enemy is the host and we are the guest, just because of his familiarity with Bowang's terrain. The enemy is far away.

above our army, so when you arrange to lure the army to attack, you must be sure of the time.

We must let our decoy troops arrive in front of the enemy's camp to start a fight at dusk. The ambush troops must also rush to the reserved battlefield to lay out the ambush after the decoy troops attract the enemy's attention, so as not to give the enemy scouts a chance to discover our ambush." ​​Liu Ye.

After singing the promise, he hurriedly left the camp and rushed south to contact Zhang Xiu's former army.

………………

The afternoon and night passed quickly. The next day, because the camp was not stable, Huang Zu listened to Kuai Yue's suggestion and did not immediately send troops across the mountainous forest area in the northwest to challenge the Xuzhou Army's forward. He only ordered the army to seize the time to build and

Strengthen the camp and prepare to seek self-protection first and then seek help

Unexpectedly, around the first quarter of the afternoon, the scouts sent out rushed back to report that a Xuzhou infantry group of about two thousand people was heading towards the Jingzhou military camp. They also found out that the leading general was the new general.

Zhang Xian, Zhang Xiu's nephew, broke out from Nanyang and went to join the Xuzhou Army.
To be continued...