In September of the third year of Jian 'an, Cao Cao and Sun Ce sent troops to Xuzhou at the same time. Cao Cao led an army of 150,000 troops stationed in Xiyang, and the vanguard of the army pointed straight at Lingbi. Cao Ren was left to guard Dongjun, and Li Dianle was sent to guard Shanyang. Sun Ce himself led 50,000 troops to occupy Huainan, crossed the Yingshui River to attack Si County, and sent his younger brother Sun Quan to lead 30,000 troops to attack Guangling. Sun Quan was seventeen years old that year. - Book of Eastern Han
On the Beihai City wall, Lu Bu laughed heartily. He had finally taken down this city, and his title as the Beihai Prefecture Chief was finally confirmed. Gao Shun's Breaking Ranks Camp was still the best. They could destroy cities and villages and break through anything. Lu Bu looked at Gao Shun again, but when he saw Gao Shun's unchanging expression, he couldn't help but sigh. This Gao Shun was good in everything, but he was a little too square and stubborn. However, if not for this, he might have stayed in Xuzhou to help Liu Bei train elite soldiers. It was said that Yang Yuting admired Gao Shun's ability to train soldiers. These two people could be considered to appreciate each other.
Chen Gong was currently in the Beihai Prefecture looking through the documents and archives and sealing them up in the treasury. Just as he was busy, a soldier suddenly came to report that he had come from Xuzhou with military intelligence. Chen Gong hurriedly sent for Lu Bu and ordered the messenger to wait in the hall. Not long after, Lu Bu returned, and Gao Shunchang, Xi Wu Dun, also came back. Changxi and Wu Dun were still immersed in the terrifying battle strength of the Breaking Ranks. Both of their faces were pale. The seemingly high and unbreakable city wall was quickly climbed up by the ladder in the hands of the soldiers of the Breaking Ranks. In close combat, Yuan Tan's soldiers could not withstand it at all. It really collapsed in one blow. However, this was also related to the fact that the captain of the city guard had immediately fled when he heard that Lu Bu's army had arrived.
In Chen Gong's words, our army is small but elite. We should first use our troops to wipe out the other prefectures and counties in Beihai, leaving behind an isolated city in Beihai. If we attack Beihai again, we will definitely be able to break it in one blow. Yuan Tan had returned to Jizhou, and there were no generals left in Qingzhou. The officials would not dare to risk their lives to save him, but only to protect themselves. As expected, Chen Gong's prediction was correct. Beihai lost its courage under Lu Bu's encroachment. The city guard captain fled before the battle, and the army lost its will to fight. Of course, the price for this was that Lu Bu had to spend almost three months to clear the North Sea. Lu Bu's reputation had also begun to shake the Azure Plains. Everyone knew that the Flying General had come again.
After reading the letter, Lu Bu's expression turned grave. He asked Chen Gong,""In Gongtai's opinion, what should I do?”Chen Gong's expression did not change. He replied," This letter is only to inform you of the military situation in Xuzhou. It does not say that you should return to the army. It is up to you whether you want to return or not."”
Lu Bu pondered for a moment before saying,"Now that we have just taken the North Sea, the people's hearts are still uncertain. If we return now, I'm afraid all our previous efforts will be in vain." Besides, if we get the North Sea, even if Xuzhou is broken, you will have a place to retreat.”Chen Gong remained silent.
"If Yuan Shao defeats Gongsun Zan and returns to Qingzhou," said Gao Shun. At that time, Xuzhou was captured, and Beihai was just an isolated city. What should you do? Besides, the mistress and the young lady are in your army. If Xuzhou is captured, I'm afraid Cao Xing won't have time to escort them out of the city.”
Hearing this, Lu Bu's body trembled slightly, and he tore the letter in half. Then Lu Bu said fiercely,"Gongtai, you will lead Changxi Wu Dun to guard the North Sea. I will leave all my troops with you in case Yuan Shao counterattacks." I will lead my guards and Gao Shun's camp to the State of Lu first. Together with Yang Lei, I will think about returning to Xuzhou to help. This time, he must take Cao Cao's head.”All the generals agreed in unison.
Yang Lei was looking at the map, considering whether he should return to Xuzhou or lead his army into Yanzhou. Suddenly, a soldier came to report that Lu Bu had returned. Yang Lei was slightly stunned. In his imagination, Lu Bu should have stayed in the North Sea and watched the tigers fight. If Liu Bei won, he would naturally be on guard against Yuan Shao. If Liu Bei lost, he would have left a place to stay. In addition to his relationship with Guan Yu, Liu Bei would not do anything to Lu Bu. He had not expected Lu Bu to return. This fellow had really changed. Yang Lei was about to go out to welcome him with this thought, but Lu Bu had already brought Gao Shun in.
After the greeting, Lu Bu said impatiently,""Yuting, quickly gather some soldiers and return to Xuzhou. I will personally chop off that old thief Cao Cao's head.”"Why is Wen Hou so anxious?" Yang Lei asked with a smile. There are 60,000 soldiers stationed in Xuzhou, all of whom are brave and brave. There are ten thousand troops stationed in Xiaopei and fifty thousand troops in Jiuli Mountain. They have been transferred to us to march north with twenty thousand troops. They have also sent five thousand troops to escort grain and weapons and train soldiers here. At present, there are 25,000 troops in Jiuli Mountain. In this way, there were nearly 100,000 troops near Tancheng, Xuzhou, and 20,000 soldiers in the East China Sea of Xiapi. In this way, although Cao Cao has 150,000 troops and Sun Ce has 50,000 troops, the two armies cannot work together. I think Xuzhou will be safe. However, Chen Yuanlong had 5,000 soldiers against 20,000. Even with the help of the county soldiers and the people, he was afraid that it would be a disaster.”
Lu Bu chuckled." Chen Yuanlong is famous all over the world. He's not an easy person to deal with. Besides, Guangling is far from Tancheng. It's not easy to save him." In my opinion, it is better to break Cao Cao's army first, and the siege of Guangling will be lifted by itself.”Hearing this, Yang Lei was stunned. Lu Bu knew how to scheme? Then, he thought about how although Lu Bu was famous for his martial arts, it didn't mean that he didn't have any foresight. In fact, among the heroes of the Three Kingdoms, which one of them was easy to deal with? It was just that they all had their own strengths and weaknesses.
"Marquis Wen, I was just thinking whether we should march into Yanzhou to attack the place Cao Cao must save, or return to Xuzhou to fight Cao Cao's army." What do you think, Marquis Wen?" Lu Bu didn't even think about it and directly said,"Return to Xuzhou and fight Cao Cao's army."”Yang Lei was a little surprised and hurriedly asked,""Why is this so?”
Lu Bu laughed and said bitterly,""I once fought Cao Cao in Yanzhou, and his reputation in Yanzhou was unparalleled. Moreover, Cao Cao was experienced in using troops. In addition, Cao Ren guarded Dongjun and Li Dianle guarded Shanyang. Each city had 20,000 troops. Our army only has thirty thousand men, and we still need to leave some soldiers to guard Lu and Ren City in case our retreat is cut off. In this way, there are only 20,000 troops available. If we attack Yanzhou, whether we attack Dongjun or Shanyang, we will not have enough troops. Cao Cao's army can drag us down as long as we strengthen the walls and clear the fields. If there is another side division that attacks our supplies, our army will definitely be defeated. Therefore, it is better to return to Tancheng and finally fight with Cao Cao.”
Yang Lei was stunned for a moment, but he immediately understood. This was the era of cold weapons. The ratio of casualties between defending and attacking a city was very terrifying. Moreover, the side that attacked the city had fewer troops. However, he was still unwilling to give up just like that. He immediately said,"What if we lead a light cavalry to attack Xu Capital?”Lu Bu looked at Yang Lei in surprise and said,""Xu City has Xun Yu and Cheng Yu guarding it. Moreover, it is the residence of His Majesty. How can there not be a large number of troops? Moreover, you consider yourself loyal and loyal, and your ambition is to help the Han Dynasty. If you want to attack Xudu, you will not agree. Moreover, how could there be so many horses in the land of Qingxu?”
Yang Lei paused for a moment. Only then did he remember that although Liu Bei had 150,000 soldiers, the total number of horses he had was probably no more than 3,000. Moreover, they were all the personal guards of the Great General. There was no organized cavalry. Moreover, with Liu Bei's personality, if he were to attack Xu Du, he would probably be ordered to reflect on his mistakes. He couldn't help but shake his head and say,"Lei's thoughtlessness has made Wen Hou laugh.”Lu Bu laughed and said,"Yu Ting is far-sighted, I can't compare with him." Moreover, you and I are both working for the envoy. How can we laugh at each other?”Yang Lei was stunned for a moment before he smiled and said,"Wen Hou is right. We should think about how to return to Tancheng.”Lu Bu nodded. After some discussion, they decided that Lu and Yang would lead 27,000 troops back to Xuzhou, Yin Li would lead 5,000 troops to defend Lu, Song Xian would lead 5,000 troops to defend Ren City, and Sun Guan would return to Xuzhou with the army.
In Tan City, Liu Bei's expression was heavy. He looked around at everyone and said,"Cao Cao's army is attacking, do you have any good ideas?”Zhang Fei immediately jumped up." Don't worry, big brother. I'll kill my way out of the city and bring Cao Cao's head to you."”Huang Zhong also stood up and said,"I am willing to cut off Cao Cao's head and offer it to my lord."”Liu Bei looked at the two people who requested to fight and waved his hand.""Hansheng, Third Brother, I know how brave you are, but Cao Cao's generals are like rain. We should still defend the city and wait for Fifth Brother to return.”Sun Qian said," My lord is right. Cao Cao and Sun Ce have come a long way. They have nearly two hundred thousand troops and have consumed a lot of food and fodder. At this time, we should hold the city tightly and retreat when the enemy's food is exhausted.”"My lord, it won't be too late to defeat Cao Cao when Marquis Wen's army returns."”Guan Yu said," Big brother, if we don't fight, it will lower the morale of our army. Let me fight for the time being. We can kill a few of their generals first, then hold on."”Liu Bei pondered for a moment, then nodded.""Second brother is right." Then, he ordered his soldiers to leave the city.
Cao Cao's army had set up camp in the southwest of Xu Prefecture, cutting off the road from Nine Mile Mountain to Xu Prefecture. Sun Ce set up camp in the southeast to coordinate with Cao Cao's army and also to support Sun Quan's army that was about to charge over from Guangling. Of course, after the camp was set up, the first thing to do was to challenge the enemy. This was an unwritten rule. To show one's justice, it was best to kill the enemy's general to raise their morale. Of course, it would be best if they could attack the city in one go or persuade the enemy to surrender. However, it was obvious that Liu Bei, who had 60,000 elite soldiers in Tancheng, would not give them this opportunity. As for the students of the Yun Long Academy in the south of the city, they had long been transferred to the city by Liu Bei. As for the Academy, he would leave it to them for now. As long as they defeated Cao Cao, they could take it back. At most, the Academy would be demolished and rebuilt.
Cao Cao led his generals outside the south gate to curse. As for Sun Ce's army, they were two arrows away from Cao Cao and were in formation, but they did not curse. As the soldiers were cursing happily, they suddenly heard the sound of three drums in the city. The drawbridge was lowered, and the city gates were opened. A group of soldiers rushed out. Cao Cao did not lead the army to attack. When the Xuzhou army was in position, the sound of hooves could be heard. A group of horses rushed out of the city. The first person was Liu Bei, followed by Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Huang Zhong. Cao Cao saw Liu Bei coming to the front and shouted,""How have you been, Xuande?" Liu Bei was expressionless. He cupped his hands and said,"I don't know why Cao Gong sent troops to invade our Xuzhou."”"I am the Great General of the Great Han Dynasty," Cao Cao said with a smile. Xuzhou was originally the land of the Great Han Dynasty. Why couldn't he come here? Besides, you sent Lu Bu to occupy any city in the State of Lu in Yanzhou. It is very hateful. Now I have come here to attack him. Will Xuande surrender?" Before Liu Bei could reply, Zhang Fei had already urged his horse out of the formation and shouted,"Cao Cao brat, you kidnapped the emperor and are a traitor of the Han Dynasty.”Cao Cao was furious and shouted,"Who wants to kill this fellow with me?"”"My lord," shouted General Xu Chu,"watch as I make my mark.”He urged his horse out of the array and went straight for Zhang Fei.
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