"Apart from Jiang Wei?" Zhuge Liang continued to ask.
Ma Su smiled and said, "Prime Minister, Hanzhong Commandery is a place where various ethnic groups from Guandong gather. These groups exchange goods and resources with each other, but there are many conflicts between them. Neither Shu nor Wei has a sense of belonging to any of them."
"Therefore, I think that capturing Hanzhong Commandery is not very meaningful. I dare to guess that you want to use Hanzhong to draw Cao Cao's attention away from the Jingzhou army, right?"
Ma Su's analysis was very logical, and he was overjoyed, thinking he had guessed all of Zhuge Liang's thoughts.
Upon hearing this, Zhuge Liang glanced at him indifferently and said, "Youchang, although you are talented, you are still far from being good enough!"
Ma Su paused, wondering if he had said something wrong.
"Ahem... Sir, I am a dull student, please give me your guidance," the horse said, bowing its head.
Zhuge Liang sighed and said, "Youchang, what did I teach you before? Military tactics are like water, which has no fixed shape."
"Only by using a mix of truth and falsehood, reality and illusion, can one apply them with ease."
Ma Su felt a pang of anxiety; he understood Zhuge Liang's meaning.
Zhuge Liang said that the war objective of Hanzhong Commandery was not to recover lost territory, but to attract the attention of the Wei army!
The Wei army couldn't possibly be unaware of Zhuge Liang's intentions, so they would certainly be wary of the Jingzhou army.
"I want to confuse them about which side is the main force!"
Jiang Wei did a perfect job this time. He took Hanzhong Commandery in such a short time, which made Cao Cao think that this was the main force of the Northern Expedition and that the Jingzhou army was just a decoy.
"Sir, you are wise! I have learned a great deal!" the horse said respectfully, bowing its head.
Zhuge Liang nodded and continued, "Hanzhong Commandery is a crucial location on the northwestern frontier. If we take Hanzhong Commandery, it will be like strangling Cao Cao. Then, our advance into the Central Plains will be much easier!"
"Moreover, Hanzhong has a very abundant supply of grain and fodder, which can be used to achieve great results with just a little effort!"
"Our army has seized the grain reserves and has Hanzhong Commandery as a base, allowing us to reach Chang'an directly and threaten Xuchang. This makes Cao Cao's army hesitant and forced to constantly guard against Hanzhong!"
Zhuge Liang patiently explained things to Ma Su, knowing that Ma Su was young and impetuous. Fortunately, he was patient and finally managed to explain his meaning to Ma Su clearly.
Finally, Zhuge Liang admonished him: "Youchang, remember never to be arrogant or complacent! And never underestimate any enemy!"
"I will heed your teachings!" Ma Su said respectfully.
Zhuge Liang originally favored Jiang Wei the most, but Jiang Wei was a disciple of Guiguzi, so he could not inherit his mantle.
Therefore, Zhuge Liang could only turn his attention to Ma Su.
Although this child is quite talented, he lacks experience. If he is properly trained, he will surely be able to stand on his own in the future.
"Alright, go and make preparations. Tonight, lead the troops to Hanzhong Commandery!" Zhuge Liang waved his hand, signaling Ma Su to leave.
"Yes!" Ma Su bowed and left the room.
The following evening.
Zhuge Liang and Ma Su led 30,000 troops into Hanzhong without making a sound.
"We pay our respects to the Prime Minister!"
Upon entering Hanzhong Commandery, all the soldiers knelt on the ground.
Zhuge Liang nodded slightly and walked towards Jiang Wei.
"Boyue, I heard that you are in charge of this battle?" Zhuge Liang asked.
Before Jiang Wei could speak, Guan Xing clasped his hands and said loudly, "Reporting to the Prime Minister, this battle was indeed won thanks to Boyue's strategy!"
"So what's the situation now?" Zhuge Liang asked.
Jiang Wei pondered for a moment, then cupped his hands and said, "Reporting to the Prime Minister, our army has successfully disrupted the deployment of the Cao Wei garrison in Hanzhong, and now we have completely taken control of Hanzhong."
Zhuge Liang nodded slightly. If Jiang Wei said so, then there must be no problem.
"Get ready, the army will march tomorrow!" Zhuge Liang
He gave the order.
"yes!"
...
In the morning light of Hanzhong, Zhang Bao and Guan Xing led their elite troops on their journey.
The first to bear the brunt was Yulei Pass, a strategically important location built against the mountain.
Zhang Bao took the lead, his eighteen-foot spear sweeping across the battlefield like a tiger descending a mountain, each swing carrying the force of thunder, leading the Shu army in a charge.
Guan Xing followed closely behind, his long sword flashing like a dragon, causing Cao Cao's army to retreat in defeat.
They quickly breached the city walls, and Zhang Bao and Guan Xing killed dozens of enemies, routing Cao Cao's army and causing them to flee in disarray.
"Order the entire army to rest for one night, and set off tomorrow!" Zhang Bao ordered.
"promise!"
The next day, Guan Xing and Zhang Bao arrived at Iron Wall City.
Iron Wall City was renowned for its sturdy defenses and unfathomable moat, serving as a crucial defensive line on the border of the Wei Kingdom.
Ironwall City, with its towering walls and numerous arrow towers, was subjected to a barrage of arrows from the defenders, making each attack exceptionally difficult.
"Brothers, hold them off! Reinforcements will be here soon!" A Cao army general shouted from the city gate tower.
"Reinforcements are coming soon! Slaughter all these Shu soldiers!"
The morale of the defenders inside the city soared, and they all picked up their weapons and fired at the city below.
Meanwhile, the Shu army outside the city was suppressed and unable to break in.
Zhang Bao frowned and said, "Order the shield bearers to advance!"
Once the order was given, more than 5,000 shield soldiers formed a shield wall and slowly moved forward, braving the rain of arrows, to resist the arrows shot from the city walls.
"Bang!"
The shields collided with the arrows shot from the city walls, sparks flying.
"Pfft~"
Several arrows shot through the gaps in the shield-bearers' bodies, piercing their shields and penetrating their chests.
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