Wei Yan

[Sima Hui]

Besides why would Changan be lightly defended? Its one of the main capitals. If anything troops would be stationed there first and then sent to other areas of China.

Not only that but after the secession by Liangzhou in 184 the Han fortified Chang An and its environs to be the main fort for resisting Qiang rebellions in thw west.

I think I know the answer.

Sima Yi knew that Zhuge Liang was an extremely careful man. He knew that even if this plan were proposed, Zhuge would reject it on the grounds that it was too risky. He could therefore leave only a few hundred troops at Chang'an. He also knew that the Qiang would not attack because they had not yet been brought into the war by Zhuge.

That's my two cents at least.

[Exar Kun]

Well firstly,simply the size of Chang An's population requires a decent sized garrison.
Secondly,the tribes don't wait for anyone.They have never needed an invitation to the party and they attack whenever they feel like it.

And third,well,of course,historically Cao Zhen was the man in charge at this point.

[Po Hsing]

Well, for what it is worth, Ma Chao did take Chang-An so I suppose it is possible for Wei Yan's plan to work, or did that not happen historically?

Perhaps this question is moot because the Wei Yan suggestion is probably not recorded in history as well, so we are only left with historical conjectures.

[Sima Hui]

Well firstly,simply the size of Chang An's population requires a decent sized garrison.
Secondly,the tribes don't wait for anyone.They have never needed an invitation to the party and they attack whenever they feel like it.

And third,well,of course,historically Cao Zhen was the man in charge at this point.

Hmmm, good point. However, Ma Chao easily took Chang'an. He didn't even have a good strategist. If there was a decent sized garrison there, then Ma Chao would have had problems.

[Shield of Rohan]

Ma Chao stormed the massive Army of Liang on the city, which Cao apparently did not forsee (though I expect it still had a sizable garrison). Cao Hong tried to reinforce it, but Ma Chao beat him and sent him running.

Ma Chao, though, had only allies behind him, and was able to concentrate all his fury on a surprised city. He was also a great general, able to beat well-led reinforcement armies easily. Under these circumstances, a strategist was not needed. One would have been helpful at Tong Gate though ...

[White Horse General]

Hehe, if Ma Chao had a great strategist on hand at Tong Gate we could probably have said bye bye to Cao Cao right there.

[Shield of Rohan]

Alas, such was the fate of Ma Teng/Chao, and Gongsun Zan . Great armies, leaders, and mighty generals, but lacking the advisors to make reunification possible. Liu Bei was the only strong Han loyalist blessed with warlords such as Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong, and Fa Zheng.

[Liu Yuante]

Alas, such was the fate of Ma Teng/Chao, and Gongsun Zan . Great armies, leaders, and mighty generals, but lacking the advisors to make reunification possible. Liu Bei was the only strong Han loyalist blessed with warlords such as Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong, and Fa Zheng.

And the fact that even Liu Bei couldn't ultimately prevail I think focuses some doubt on whether such an individual would have really kept the Ma or Gongsun Zan going.

Adrian

[LiuBeiwasGreat]

Alas, such was the fate of Ma Teng/Chao, and Gongsun Zan . Great armies, leaders, and mighty generals, but lacking the advisors to make reunification possible. Liu Bei was the only strong Han loyalist blessed with warlords such as Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong, and Fa Zheng.

And the fact that even Liu Bei couldn't ultimately prevail I think focuses some doubt on whether such an individual would have really kept the Ma or Gongsun Zan going.

Adrian

Well considering that Gonsun Zan was a better military leader then Liu Bei it might have been interesting seeing him having a good stratagist

[Exar Kun]

Well considering that Gonsun Zan was a better military leader then Liu Bei it might have been interesting seeing him having a good stratagist

I'm waiting with breathless anticipation to see how exactly you go about proving this.

That statement is utter nonesense.If Gongsun Zan were really a cut above the rest he would have lasted as a warlord.