Hua Xiong was defeated, and the 30,000 cavalrymen lost their leader. In the chaos, they were immediately defeated and returned to Tiger Cage Pass.
Guan Shang Jia Xu revealed an imperceptible look of relief.
When General Xu Rong heard that Hwa Xiong had died in battle, he couldn't help but sigh,""The Commander-in-Chief didn't listen to the words of the military counselor and underestimated the enemy. I expect that the eastern vassals have won and their morale is high. They will definitely take the opportunity to follow us. Everyone, immediately follow me to set up defenses along the way and catch them off guard.”
The group of generals responded with a loud bang. Xu Rong sent someone to Luoyang to report to Li Ru while leading 40,000 cavalry out of the pass to ambush, leaving only his trusted aides and 10,000 cavalry to guard the pass.
When the dukes saw Hua Xiong beheaded and the Western Liang cavalry retreating, they were all overjoyed!
Xu You, Yuan Shao's advisor, immediately stood up and offered his advice.""Everyone, now that we have won, our morale has soared. It is a good time to take down Tiger Prison in one fell swoop. Why don't we send troops immediately? We can take down Tiger Prison tonight and reach Luoyang tomorrow!”
Unexpectedly, Yuan Shao's chief advisor Xun Chen immediately refuted,""Although Hua Xiong is dead, the foundation of the Western Liang cavalry is still there. How would we know that there are no more valiant generals at Tiger Cage Pass? If we attack late at night and fall into an ambush, I'm afraid we, the 18 dukes, will be killed in one battle and lose all fighting spirit!”
Unexpectedly, Tao Qian, who was beside him, immediately spoke generously,""The Son of Heaven is covered in dust. Even if there are mountains of knives and seas of fire in front of him, how can a subject retreat? If I didn't dare to, I, Tao Gongzu, was willing to use this old body to bring these 10,000 weak soldiers to attack Tiger Prison at night! Even if I die, I won't regret it!"
Kong Rong, who was beside him, was even more foolish. When he heard that Tao Qian was so hot-blooded, he immediately echoed,"If Tao Gongzu attacks tonight, count me in! Our Kong family has respected the emperor for generations. Even if we die for the emperor, we can leave our names in history!”
The dukes were pressured by morality and justice, and one after another, they expressed their desire to fight. Moreover, many dukes indeed felt that once they broke through Tiger Cage, it would be a great merit, so they happily agreed to go.
Yuan Shao liked to be grandiose. Seeing that everyone had expressed their stance one after another, he also laughed out loud."If the 18 vassals of ours unite, why should we worry about not being able to defeat the Western Liang cavalry?”
He then turned his gaze to the few remaining people who did not express their opinions and suddenly laughed."Meng De, you haven't said anything. Are you going or not?”
Cao Cao had long wanted to kill his enemies and serve his country. He was about to agree when Zhao Yang coughed lightly. Cao Cao immediately rolled his eyes and said,"Brother Benchu, please lead everyone first. Meng De won't compete with everyone for credit. He will guard the camp from behind to prevent sneak attacks and loss of rations.”
Yuan Shao knew that this was Cao Cao's excuse, but he didn't think too much about it. He thought that Cao Cao was afraid and revealed a contemptuous expression."Meng De is still innately incomplete and lacks a bit of heroic spirit.”
Innate Incompleteness?
Cao Cao was furious,"Doesn't this mean that my grandfather is a rootless person?"
However, when he saw Zhao Yang giving him a comforting look, Cao Cao endured it.
Not long after, Yuan Shao and the other dukes advanced together, and as expected, they quickly headed towards Tiger Cage Pass.
Soon, there was almost no one left.
Yuan Shu still let his minion Sun Jian fight while he stayed behind.
Bao Xin was too sad because his brother died in battle. He was still recuperating in the army and did not go.
Cao Cao and Zhao Yang walked towards their own camp. Seeing that Zhao Yang did not speak, Cao Cao could not hold it in any longer.
"That…Zhao Yang, that Yuan Shao actually dared to insult me in front of my face. I can't take this lying down.”
Zhao Yang smiled.""My lord, if you want to ask me why I didn't let you fight, then say it clearly. Why beat around the bush?”
Cao Cao smiled bitterly." I really don't understand why I didn't fight. Moreover, Yuan Shao dared to humiliate me because of this. I really feel indignant."”
"My lord, don't be anxious. I estimate that in a few hours, the dukes will be defeated and return! We'll send out our troops now and set up an ambush halfway. Once Western Liang's pursuers rush over, we'll let our allies go and catch the Western Liang soldiers unprepared!”
Zhao Yang spoke casually, but Cao Cao was confused."Why are they going to be defeated? Setting up an ambush halfway? If they ambushed Lonely, wouldn't the dukes laugh at them?”
Cao Cao felt very embarrassed and felt that Zhao Yang was messing around.
Seeing that he didn't believe him, Zhao Yang analyzed it for him.""My Lord, Dong Zhuo's subordinates are all proud soldiers and valiant generals. The death of Hua Xiong is not enough to make the Western Liang Army fall, because there are still many valiant generals who have yet to be promoted! Moreover, the Western Liang generals are not necessarily fools. Even Hwa Xiong knows how to pursue a victory. Did his subordinates not think that we would also play this trick? I am sure that there will be an ambush in front of Tiger Cage Pass. The vassals will definitely be defeated!”
Cao Cao remained silent. Zhao Yang smiled and said,""My lord, if you don't believe me, have you forgotten what Yuan Shao's advisor Xun Chen said? Xun Chen and I think alike. He is the descendant of the Xun family. His words should have some weight, right?”
Cao Cao was silent for a while before he suddenly turned around and said solemnly,""I believe you, but this has nothing to do with Xun Chen. It's just…do you really want to set up an ambush halfway? What if no one comes…"
Zhao Yang knew that there was a general named Xu Rong in Tiger Cage Pass. He wasn't famous, but he was actually quite capable. It was just that he followed the wrong person and didn't leave a mark.
The vassals would most likely fall into this person's scheme.
Besides, Dong Zhuo's military advisor, Li Ru, was also a man of great wisdom. He was able to manipulate He Jin and all the officials in the court, so how could he not make some preparations for the garrison of Tiger Cage Pass?
Therefore, Zhao Yang was 99% sure that there would be pursuers at Tiger Cage Pass tonight!
Hence, his gaze became profound."My lord, I dare to make a military pledge. If the alliance army is not defeated, or if the Western Liang soldiers do not come, I am willing to offer my head!”
Cao Cao suddenly laughed. Go and mobilize the troops. Everything will be done according to your wishes. I'll wait for your good news here!”
"My lord, aren't you going to witness this glorious moment?”
"I don't think so…"
Zhao Yang didn't force him, but he was still very touched.
Cao Cao trusted his own people.
If Zhao Yang didn't have more information, he wouldn't be so sure.
That Xun Chen was also a smart person, but he wasn't too sure. Therefore, he only dared to persuade him, but he didn't dare to remonstrate.
However, Cao Cao was able to trust Zhao Yang and let him command the army despite the uncertainty. This boldness was admirable!
Thus, Zhao Yang quickly gathered his army and gave Zhao Yun and Cao Ren a mission before bidding farewell to Cao Cao.
Cao Cao watched the army leave and suddenly shivered."Ancestor's blessing! Yuan Shao brat insulted my innate defect. If I miscalculated this time, I would really lose face!”
……
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