In the residence of the governor of Tancheng, Xuzhou, Liu Bei was celebrating with everyone with a smile on his face. Last night's battle lasted until dawn. The Cao army was completely scattered. Some fled to the southwest Lingbi, while others fled to the northwest Xiaopei. All in all, they were fighting for their lives without any order, which surprised Yang Lei. Cao Cao's army should be very elite, so how could they be so vulnerable? However, in the era of cold weapons, when the army was attacked at night and the back of the camp suddenly caught on fire, coupled with the fact that they could not even find the commander, there were really not many troops that could not panic and scatter. Moreover, this was the Three Kingdoms Era. Although Cao Cao's army was large, they were still troops that cultivated the land. They fought while cultivating the land. Even if they were trained from time to time, they were just farmers holding weapons. Moreover, Yu Jin did not have a hundred thousand soldiers, and the two sides were basically equal in strength. Moreover, they were suddenly attacked. Even if Yu Jin and Xu Huang were both generals, they were powerless to turn the situation around.
Yang Lei let his imagination run wild and couldn't help but cast his gaze at Gao Shun, who was seated at the back. This guy's Breaking Ranks Camp was indeed powerful. The soldiers he trained would probably only be able to fight with the Breaking Ranks Camp if he picked out the elites. Last night, he had truly seen what an elite was like. Every attack could break through anything. It seemed that he had to train a true elite team. Otherwise, he would be letting down the reputation of training the army.
During the feast, Zhang Fei said,"Big brother, why don't we gather some troops and attack Xiao Pei and take Cao Cao's head?"”
"Yi De is right. Ming Gong, I am willing to be the vanguard and lead 10,000 elite soldiers to behead Cao Cao.”Perhaps Lu Bu was happy from the killing last night and had drunk a little, he actually agreed with Zhang Fei.
Hearing that someone agreed, Zhang Fei was delighted. Just as he was about to reply, he suddenly realized that it was Lu Bu. He couldn't help but snort and remain silent. "My lord," said Sun Qian,"I think we should do as the three generals have said. We should take advantage of the momentum of victory and lead our troops to Xiaopei to fight Cao Cao.”
"Xiaopei City is small and has few soldiers. General Wei Xu has been guarding the city for days and must be tired. He is always waiting for reinforcements.”Liu Bei paused and said,""However, when the army set off, I was afraid that Cao Cao would attack Xuzhou, so I hesitated.”
Mi Zhu smiled and said," My lord, why would it be so difficult? You can lead 30,000 elite soldiers to personally attack Cao Cao. Leaving one general to guard the city will be enough."”
"Oh, who do you think will guard the city?”Liu Bei asked with a smile.
Mei Zhu smiled. Just as he was about to speak, he saw a group of generals staring at him. Lu Bu, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Huang Zhong, Yang Lei, and Sun Guan were all staring at him with burning eyes. Mei Zhu gulped and laughed dryly,""As for the people guarding the city, I still need my lord to personally decide.”
The few of them immediately retracted their gazes, meaning that he was tactful. Liu Bei looked at them and shook his head helplessly. He swept his eyes over them and saw that everyone was staring at him. He couldn't make a decision. None of these generals were safe.
His eyes swept around again and he said slowly,"Fifth brother, you should be the one guarding the city.”" Ah," Yang Lei was stunned and asked,""Big brother, I want to go to Xiao Pei and fight Cao Cao again.”
"Ai, Tancheng is the administrative area of Xuzhou. There should be a general guarding it. Fifth Brother is both civil and martial. He also has Changwen, Gongyou, Zizhong, and Xianhe to help him.”Liu Bei advised earnestly, but his eyes were smiling. To be honest, whenever he thought of defending the city, he would think of the incident with Lu Bu. Yang Lei had handled it very well. Moreover, this was his fifth brother. It would be better to use him than anyone else.
Yang Lei paused for a moment before replying,"Since Big Brother said so, I'll stay and guard the city."”
Liu Bei laughed and said,"With Yu Ting here, I'm not afraid of Cao Cao's attack."”"Third brother, wait in the city. I'll take Cao Cao's head for you."”Hearing this, Yang Lei glared at him and said,""You're still pretending to be good after getting a bargain." After saying that, he couldn't help but laugh. When everyone heard this, they also laughed out loud.
In the military camp outside Xiaopei City, Cao Cao looked angrily at Yu Jin and Xu Huang, who were kneeling in front of him. He really wanted to drag them out and kill them. However, Cao Cao was still a formidable person. After thinking for a while, he said,"Wenze, Gongming, get up. Go down and recuperate your injuries and gather the soldiers.”
Yu Jin and Xu Huang looked at each other and said in unison,"My lord, we have lost our camp and should be punished by military law. Please punish me severely.”
Cao Cao shook his head. When Tao Qian was alive, he did not have a general. He relied on the Xuzhou soldiers to protect Tancheng. Now Liu Bei has Lu Bu, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Huang Zhong, Yang Lei and other brave generals, as well as 60,000 elite troops in the city. Yesterday, your camp was attacked. Although you failed in your duties, it was not your fault. Moreover, even if I personally led the army, it was difficult to escape defeat last night. How can I blame the two of you?”
"My lord," Yu Jin and Xu Huang hurriedly said.”Cao Cao waved his hand and said softly,"You may leave."”The two of them looked at each other and could only retreat.
Cao Cao pressed his forehead tiredly. Guo Jia saw this and said," My lord, this is my fault. It's not the fault of the generals. If the plan fails, it will implicate the three armies."”
Cao Cao looked at Guo Jia's pale face and smiled,""Fengxiao's words are wrong. Liu Bei didn't see through your plan. It was just that the Xuzhou army was elite and the generals under them were brave. I couldn't act according to your plan for a long time, so I was defeated. If Xiaopei is defeated in one attack, I will have captured Liu Bei by now.”Guo Jia was speechless.
"My lord," said Xun You,"if Yu Jin and Xu Huang are defeated, Liu Bei will certainly lead his army to Xiaopei. In this way, our army will be attacked on three sides, just like Lu Bu. At this time, Xuzhou is already out of our reach. Your Majesty, you should withdraw your troops.”
Cao Cao smiled and said," Gongda, you don't have to worry. I'm waiting here to have a word with Liu Bei. It won't be too late to retreat." Moreover, I have 100,000 troops here. It won't be easy for Liu Bei to attack me.”Xun You retreated to the side.
In the afternoon, a soldier came to report that Liu Bei's army had arrived. Hearing this, Cao Cao ordered the army to get into formation and guard against any sudden attacks from Jiuli Mountain and Xiaopei. Cao Cao urged his horse forward and shouted,""Duke Xuande, please step forward."
Liu Bei was also in formation and was about to urge his horse forward when Guan Yu stopped him,""Big brother, Cao Cao is cunning.”
Liu Bei looked at Cao Cao, who was riding his horse to the center of the two armies, and said,""Although Cao Cao is a traitor of the Han Dynasty, he is also a hero of the world. He would never betray us.”As he spoke, he urged his horse forward. Guan Yu had no choice but to urge his horse to keep up. There was also a horse behind Cao Cao, and it was Dian Wei, who never left his side.
Liu Bei came forward and cupped his hands in greeting.""Lord Cao." Cao Cao smiled and said,"Lord Liu Bei, the army is here today. Do you want to have a showdown with me?"”
When Liu Bei heard this, he said seriously,"Cao Gong first sent troops to attack our Xuzhou. Now he has surrounded our Xiaopei and trapped our Jiuli Mountain. It is not my intention to lead my troops here today. It is the result of Cao Cao's hard work.”
Cao Cao's expression did not change. He looked at Guan Yu and sighed,""I am the Great General of the Great Han Dynasty. His Majesty has given me the right to attack, so I will naturally send troops to attack those who do not obey. Liu Bei is in charge of Xuzhou, which is also the territory of the Han Dynasty. Why can't I come?”
"I am the Prefecture Overseer of the Great Han Dynasty, so I should naturally be the overseer of the people. Moreover, I have always followed the imperial court's orders, so it is something that I have to do.”Liu Bei still had a serious expression on his face.
Cao Cao looked at Liu Bei and shook his head,""Lord Xuande. Today, our army is here. I have 100,000 troops and you have 50,000 to 60,000 men. If the two armies were to fight here, blood would definitely flow like a river. In this way, no matter which side won, both sides would suffer. And these hundreds of thousands of lives are all good men of my Great Han. Liu Bei has always been known for his benevolence and righteousness. How can he bear to see our Han soldiers suffer from internal strife instead of fighting against foreign tribes at the border?”
Liu Bei was stunned for a moment, then he said,"If it's as Cao Gong said, what should we do?"”
Cao Cao laughed and said,"A real man should show off his strength on the battlefield and return with his body wrapped in a horse leather." Now the Han Dynasty is weak, you and I will assist it. First wipe out the vassals, the next day you and I will conquer the Xiongnu, Xianbei and other Hu tribes. Isn't it happy that the Han Dynasty expanded its territory and imitated Wei and Huo's deeds?”
Liu Bei was stunned. Cao Cao was obviously trying to persuade him to surrender. However, wasn't it his dream to help the Han Dynasty? However, if he worked with someone like Cao Cao, would he really be able to sweep away the dukes and show off his might in the outer realms? Liu Bei couldn't help but feel a little lost. Cao Cao didn't strike up a conversation with him and just waited silently.
After a long time, Liu Bei cupped his hands and said,"I appreciate your kindness." However, we can't work together because we have different opinions. Cao Cao's actions today are really hard for me to believe. If the Han Dynasty is peaceful the next day, I will naturally lead the army to attack the foreign tribes and expand the territory of the Han Dynasty.”
Cao Cao was silent for a while before saying,""Xuande, since that's the case. Why don't you and I stop fighting today and retreat to Yanzhou? When the world's major events have been settled in the future, how about galloping outside the Great Wall with you again?”
Liu Bei thought for a while and said,""Lord Cao is right, but I hope Lord Cao will remember today's words.”"Big brother," Guan Yu said anxiously.”Liu Bei waved his hand to stop him and said," Second Brother, don't say anything more. These are all people of the Great Han Dynasty. How can I be so ruthless?"”Guan Yu didn't say anything.
Cao Cao looked at Liu Bei for a while and said,""Since Xuande has said so, I'm afraid I'll have to go. I'll arrange for the army to retreat to Shanyang and return to Yanzhou. In addition, I will send troops to inform the rest of the troops to retreat. Liu Bei, don't worry.”
"If that's the case," said Liu Bei,"I will respectfully send you off."”
Cao Cao glanced at Liu Bei again and turned his horse around. Dian Wei gripped his halberds tightly and waited until Cao Cao was far away before turning his horse back. Liu Bei also retreated to the main formation under Guan Yu's protection.
When Zhang Fei saw that Liu Bei had returned to the formation, he hurriedly asked,""Big brother, I'll go out first and fight Cao Cao.”Lu Bu and Huang Zhong were also eager to try. Seeing this, Liu Bei waved his hand." Third Brother, don't be rash. I've already made an agreement with Cao Cao. He's going to retreat."”
Everyone was stunned, so Liu Bei repeated what he had just said. Lu Bu shook his head and said,""I didn't think that old bastard Cao Cao would have such ambitions. I've underestimated him.”
Liu Bei did not say anything. He watched Cao Cao's army pull out the camp and retreat. He saw that their formation was neat and orderly. The flag did not reach them. He could not help but praise Cao Cao for being good at managing the army.
On the way back, Cao Cao suddenly sighed,""Liu Xuande, if I can't get rid of him today, he will definitely be my opponent in the future.”Guo Jia and Xun You were silent.
In the residence of the governor of Tancheng, Xu Prefecture, Yang Lei was stunned when he heard what everyone was saying. Cao Cao had never proclaimed himself emperor in his entire life. Could it be that he really wanted to serve the Great Han Dynasty and be a general of the Western Expedition? " I'm afraid it's not that simple." After thinking about it carefully, he couldn't help but sigh. This was a plan to kill two birds with one stone. He used the gains and losses, the lives of the soldiers, and even the righteousness of the country to convince his lord. If Liu Bei was willing to work with him, he would be of great help. Even if he couldn't, he could still retreat safely and maintain his vitality. This gave Liu Bei a very good impression. This Cao Cao was truly a formidable hero of his generation.
[PS: I'm busy with work. I should distribute books at midnight in the future. Please forgive me.]
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