Three years after Yuan Shao's death, he crossed the river to the camp.
"Ziyi, I'll entrust the war in the north to you. Xuchang hasn't been peaceful recently, so I have to go back to the capital.”
It had been three years since Yuan Shao had died of illness, and Cao Cao had recovered his strength. Thus, Cao Cao decided to take advantage of the situation to attack Hebei, pacify the north, and end the war.
Therefore, Cao Cao appointed Cao Zheng as the commander and was fully in charge of the Northern Expedition. At the same time, he let Cao Zhang and Cao Pi, who had just come of age, go out with the army to broaden their horizons and gain experience.
"Father, don't worry. I will not let you down. I will definitely win and return triumphantly.”Cao Zheng promised.
"Alright, I'll hand over Xu Chu, Zhang Liao, Yu Jin, Zilong Pang De, and Jia Xu to you.”In order to completely eradicate Yuan Shao's forces, Cao Cao was going all out.
"Thank you, Father."
"Farewell, Prime Minister."
Cao Cao then led the Tiger Guards to Xuchang.
Cao Zheng led 200,000 troops to the northern expedition.
Cao Cao's camp.
"General, how should we attack?”Everyone asked the leisurely Cao Zheng.
Cao Zheng solemnly said to everyone,"Right now, Yuan Shao has passed away due to illness and Yuan Xi has succeeded to the throne. However, his strength cannot be compared to when Yuan Shao was still alive. Thus, my idea is for the 200,000-strong army to split into three groups.”
"50,000 soldiers on the left and 50,000 on the right will be responsible for attacking Qingzhou and Bingzhou. I will personally lead the 100,000 soldiers in the middle to attack Jizhou. Three months later, the three armies would meet at Ye City, the capital of Jizhou. After that, they would gather their forces to attack Liaodong, Youzhou, and other places to completely eliminate Yuan Xi's remaining forces.”
Cao Zheng pointed at the map and said.
"The general's strategy is indeed brilliant, but the generals of the left and right armies need to consider before making a decision.”Jia Xu added.
"The people standing here today are all generals who have experienced hundreds of battles, so I'll give you a chance to compete fairly for the position of commander. I'll appoint the winner.”Cao Zheng looked at the eager crowd and said.
"General, how do we compete?" Cao Zhen could not help but ask.
"It's very simple. As a commander, it's not enough to be skilled in martial arts. You also need to have a strategy and a vision of the big picture. You also need to coordinate with the other two armies from afar.”
"Therefore, if any of you want to be the commander, write me a strategy for the army. I'll choose the best." Cao Zheng explained.”
After Cao Zheng finished speaking, some of the illiterate generals tactfully retreated.
However, Yu Jin, Xu Huang, Zhang Liao, and the others were still eager to give it a try.
Cao Zheng looked at the three of them and was very pleased. These three were three of the five good generals in history. If they did not have enough ability, they probably would not have been able to reach that position.
Especially Yu Jin. He was a good general, but unfortunately, he didn't survive in his old age and died of depression.
Zhang Liao had entered the Temple of Martial Arts during the Battle of Hefei. He had been lucky.
Xu Huang, a great general of his generation, defeated Guan Yu and made many meritorious deeds. Cao Cao called him the reincarnation of Zhou Yafu.
"Three days later, we will announce the name list of the main generals. Now, everyone should return and prepare for the expedition.”Cao Zheng said.
"Yes."
The generals retreated, leaving the scholars behind. The next thing to discuss was the detailed deployment of the tactics. Cao Zheng's gaze paused and he asked,"Everyone, tell me, when can we attack?”
"The army will need at least a month to mobilize and provide rations and supplies.”
"How long can we last with the money and food we have saved?”When it came to food, Cao Zheng asked another question.
Ren Jun was in charge of the accounts of money and grain, as well as the income and expenditure of the treasury. He calculated and said,"If we mobilize 200,000 troops, we can guarantee a smooth war for six to seven months.”
"It's only been half a year. That's too short." Cao Zheng frowned.”
He couldn't blame anyone else. Who asked him to accept this battle? He would definitely spend money like water.
Speaking of the victory and defeat of the two armies, Ren Jun suggested,"If we start the war now, we might not be able to sustain the money and food. Should we postpone the attack and wait for the right time to recuperate?”
"It's too late!" Cao Zheng rejected the offer. The Hebei Plain was a rare area that produced grain and had a large population. If they did not take advantage of the situation and march, once both sides calmed down and started to deal with internal affairs, their strength would far surpass his when the Qing, You, and Hebei provinces resumed production.
Hurry up!
Having made up his mind, Cao Zheng waved his hand to let Ren Jun return to his seat.
"General, I think it's the right time to start a war.”Xun You stood up and said.
"Sir, please speak!" It was great to have someone supporting him. Cao Zheng's eyes lit up, but he was considerate of Xun You and let him sit down.
"General, at this moment, our army has sufficient strength. We can use war to support our army in terms of food and fodder. On the other hand, one of the outstanding strategists, Tian Feng Shushou, had been killed and the other had died. The remaining Xun Zhan had already left. Xin Pi had long intended to submit. Shen Pei was good at internal affairs and lacked strategy. He was not to be feared. The remaining Guo Tu Fengji was even more superficial. Thus, I believe that if we start the war now, our army will definitely win.”
Three days later.
Cao Zheng decided that Xu Huang would be the commander of the right army, Zhang Liao would be the deputy commander, and Pang De would be the vanguard. He would lead 50,000 troops to attack Bingzhou, Hanoi, and other places. After taking Bingzhou and cutting off Yuan Xi's retreat, he would head to Ye City to join Cao Zheng's main force.
The commander of the left army was Yu Jin, with Taishi Ci as the deputy commander and Zhao Yun as the vanguard. He led 50,000 troops to attack Qingzhou together with Xiahou Ba's navy and then headed to Ye City to join forces.
The main force of eighty thousand troops in the middle was led by Cao Zheng, with Cao Zhen as the deputy commander, Cao Tai and Cao Kai as the vanguard, and Jia Xu as the military advisor.
Xun You, Xiahou Chong, led 20,000 troops as a reserve force.
"Soldiers, this war has been going on for an entire year. Now that Yuan Shao had died of illness, his strength was even weaker than before. Thus, this time, he had to settle the world with a single battle and pacify the north.”Cao Zheng walked up to the marshal's platform and pointed his sword at the sky as he shouted.
"Victory."
"Victory."
"Victory."
Following that, the three armies set off one after another, leaving the camp in a grandiose manner.
At this moment, Yuan Xi was having a big fight with his new wife, Zhen Mi, in the room.
After hearing that Cao Cao's army had gone north, Shen Pei hurried over to find Yuan Xi and prepare for battle.
However, Yuan Xi had been completely frightened by Cao Zheng's beating. She could only immerse herself in the gentleness and seek comfort.
"My lord, Cao Zheng has already led his troops to attack. Moreover, they are attacking from three directions. You can't do this anymore."
Shen Pei remonstrated with Yuan Xidao.
"Sir, too many people have died in Hebei for this battle. I don't want to continue fighting.”Yuan Xi said dispiritedly to Shen Pei.
"If Cao Zheng really comes to Ye City, I'll just open the city and surrender.”
Yuan Xi said as he drank from his wine glass.
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