"I came late, please punish me, Prime Minister.”After the battle ended, Xu Huang came to beg for forgiveness from Cao Cao.
"Gongming, hurry up and invite your wife." Cao Cao helped Xu Huang up and said,"Gongming, how's the situation in Hebei?"
Cao Cao was most worried about Cao Zheng's situation. After all, Cao Zheng only had 20,000 elite soldiers and 30,000 surrendered soldiers. Yuan Xi had no less than 100,000 soldiers in Youzhou. Once they started fighting, Cao Zheng would definitely be in the most difficult situation.
"Prime Minister, the General has already taken Ye City. Yuan Xi is fleeing north towards Youzhou. The General intends to take the initiative to attack Youzhou.”Xu Huang continued," In addition, the general wants you to hold a wedding for Cao Pi and Zhen Mi.”
"Zhen Mi? Are you talking about Yuan Xi's wife, Zhen Mi?”Cao Cao hurriedly asked.
"Yes, it's her. But now that she's Third Young Master's lover, the rice has already been cooked.”Xu Huang said truthfully.
When Cao Cao heard that Zhen Mi had been captured by Cao Pi, he couldn't help but ask curiously,""General, do you have no objections to this matter?”
"No, the general is more loyal. Otherwise, whether it was the Feng family that we obtained from the attack on Shouchun, Lu Bu's concubine Diao Chan, or Liu Bei's two wives, I'm afraid they wouldn't have reached your hands.”
Hearing Xu Huang's words, Cao Cao did not praise him.
"Gongming, go down and hand over the troops to Zixiao. Ten days later, our army will go south to attack Nanyang County.”Cao Cao ordered.
"Yes."
In the Prime Minister's residence in Xuchang.
When Madam Ding heard that the Northern Expedition Army had returned, she wondered if Cao Zheng had returned as well.
So, early in the morning, she personally cooked Cao Zheng's favorite dumplings and waited for him to come back so that the mother and son could reunite.
However, after waiting for a long time, Cao Zheng was still nowhere to be seen.
At noon, Cao Cao returned to the manor and smelled a fragrance. He followed the fragrance to Madam Ding's courtyard and saw a large table of dishes.
Because Cao Hong followed Cao Zheng's idea and came to a furniture factory, tables and chairs were also produced. As the Prime Minister, the furniture used in Cao Cao's residence was made of high-quality wood.
As for the dishes, Madam Ding had asked the chef of Yun Chun Restaurant to help cook them.
"Madam, what day is it today? Making so many dishes? Is it to celebrate my victory?" Cao Cao asked.
"Where's Ziyi? The army is back, but why isn't my son back?”Madam Ding said unhappily.
When Cao Cao heard that it was made for Cao Zheng, his heart turned cold. He did not expect that their relationship of more than 20 years could not compare to Cao Zheng.
"Oh, yes. The war in the north hasn't ended yet. As the commander-in-chief, Ziyi naturally can't return without permission.”Cao Cao consoled.
As they were talking, their two daughters-in-law came with their children.
"Grandpa." When Cao Yan and Cao Sheng saw Cao Cao, they ran over one after another.
"Aiyo, my eldest grandson." Cao Cao did not stand on ceremony. He picked up Cao Sheng and held Cao Yan's hand as they sat to the side.
Then, he looked at the people in the courtyard. Other than Cao Zheng, who was still in Hebei, almost everyone else was here.
Cheng Lin was carrying Cao Ang's one-year-old daughter, Cao Ying, in her arms.
"Everyone, let's do it. We originally wanted to have a reunion dinner, but Zixiu died young and Ziyi was away on an expedition.”Cao Cao looked at everyone and said.
"Alright, let's not talk anymore. Everyone, let's eat.”
As he spoke, Cao Cao placed food into his two grandsons 'bowls.
Two days later, outside Xuchang City, the 100,000 strong army had gathered.
"Prime Minister, the crusade army has been assembled.”Cao Ren said.
"Alright, Yuan Rang will lead 20,000 troops to defend Xuchang, and Zixiao will lead 30,000 troops to continue defending Wan City.”
"I will personally lead an army of 100,000 against Liu Bei.”Cao Cao ordered.
"Yes, sir."
"Let's go."
Following which, the 100,000 strong army marched south to attack Liu Bei.
At the same time, Ye City was also holding an expedition ceremony.
"General, the 50,000 strong army has been assembled.”Cao Zhen stepped forward and said.
"Good. Soldiers, in this expedition, we will be facing Yuan Xi's army of one hundred thousand and the tens of thousands of Great Wuhuan Cavalry.”
"No matter how you look at it, we don't have the advantage. However, we have to do it because the Wuhuan Chanyu, Ta Dun, is negotiating with Yuan Xi. Once they reach an agreement, the Wuhuan cavalrymen will attack the Central Plains.”
"Therefore, we have no way out in this battle. We can only strike first.”
Cao Zheng began his speech, successfully influencing the soldiers of the three armies.
As a result, the morale of the army was high, and almost everyone was eager to fight against the Wuhuan cavalry.
"Let's go."
Following Cao Zheng's order, the 20,000 cavalrymen were led by Cao Zheng and Zhang Liao as the vanguard, while Cao Zhen and Cao Tai were in charge of the rear.
In the following month, Cao Zheng led his troops to pursue Yuan Xi and chased him all the way to the border of Youzhou.
Cao Zheng's name had already shocked the world. After arriving at Youzhou, Yuan Xi's remaining soldiers were terrified.
Yuan Xi was chased all the way and fled to Wuhuan to seek refuge with Tadun Chanyu.
On this day, Cao Zheng was practicing his swordsmanship in an open space outside the tent.
During this period of time, no matter how busy he was, his martial arts skills never fell behind.
"General, Wuhuan Chanyu Tadun sent an envoy to see you.”
"Alright, I understand."
Cao Zheng collected his sword and went to the tent.
The Wuhuan messenger walked in with his head held high and his chest puffed out. He cupped his hands towards Cao Zheng and said,"I am Tadun Chanyu's envoy, Beigong Nan. I am here on Tadun Chanyu's orders to pay my respects to the hussars general.”
Cao Zheng nodded." Tell me, why did Tadun send you to see me?"”
The messenger said proudly," My Chanyu has said that he hopes that the general's army will stop here. Most of the Yuan family's territory has already been captured by you." Now, Yuan Shao's second son is asking for help from our Chanyu. If our Chanyu agrees to help him, he will put Youbei Prefecture under the name of our Wuhuan Chanyu. Therefore, your troops are not allowed to cross the boundary.”
Seeing the other party's arrogant attitude, especially when he took the initiative to say that he wanted to transfer Youbei Prefecture under Yuan Xi's name.
Hearing this, Cao Zheng couldn't help but laugh out loud. He asked,""Has your Chief been taking medicine recently?”
The messenger was stunned.
"Chanyu hasn't taken medicine recently!"
"That's right. If your Chanyu had taken some medicine, he wouldn't have said such nonsense.”
As soon as Cao Zheng finished speaking, the surrounding soldiers could not help but laugh out loud.
The envoy's face instantly turned red.
"You…General, my Wuhuan cavalry has swept through the north and is invincible. If you don't listen to my Chief's kind words, I will definitely crush you under my Chief's iron hooves in the future!”
Hearing the messenger's words, Cao Zheng only sneered.""Go back and tell your Chanyu to wash his neck and wait for death. I will personally cut off his head in the future.”
Wuhuan County, Chanyu's big tent.
Tadun sat on the main seat, his face was terrifyingly dark.
He had sent an envoy to convey his intentions, but he was humiliated by Cao Zheng, which made him feel stifled.
Below, Lou Ban, Su Puyan, Wu Yan and the three kings sat on both sides.
Since the last time Tadun sent troops to help Yuan Shao defeat Gongsun Zan, Yuan Shao faked an imperial edict to confer Tadun the title of King of Wuhuan.
Tadun returned the position of Chanyu to his brother Louban, but the real power was still Tadun.
At this moment, Lou Ban cupped his hands and said,"Your Majesty, let's send out our troops. Cao Cao has gone through many battles and his troops are already exhausted."”
"In addition, Yuan Xi has joined us and brought over a hundred thousand followers and citizens. Now, we can command more than 300,000 people.”
"A Cao Zheng dares to oppose the king? My Wuhuan cavalry will definitely make him die without a burial ground.”
Tadun nodded.
Since the end of the Han Dynasty, the Central Plains had been in constant war. The Wuhuan had taken the opportunity to develop and occupy western Liaoning. Even Liaodong and Youbeiping Prefecture were mostly under his control.
The Wuhuan of the three prefectures respected Tadun as their leader. He thought that Cao Zheng would be grateful and give Youbei Prefecture to him if he sent an envoy. However, he did not expect Cao Zheng to ignore his order, which completely angered Tadun.
"Why don't we send our troops to Beihai County and plunder the food and resources there? Then, we can attack Yuyang County and surround Cao Zheng's army.”
"With the strength of our Xiongnu cavalry, we can send a cavalry of three thousand men to defeat Cao Zheng.”
Wu Yan Chanyu also suggested.
Hearing Wu Yan's words, everyone present nodded.
The Wuhuan cavalry had always been superior to the Han cavalry. This was an indisputable fact.
During the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, Huo Qubing led his cavalry to defeat the Xiongnu.
However, as the Han Dynasty became more and more corrupt, the cavalry had long declined. Even elites like Gongsun Zan's White Horse Yicong could barely compete with the Wuhuan cavalry.
Therefore, the Wuhuan people had a mysterious self-confidence. In their hearts, their cavalry was invincible.
" Your Majesty," Su Puyan said," we helped Yuan Shao defeat Gongsun Zan. Although we defeated Gongsun Zan's army, everyone thought that it was Yuan Shao's halberd warrior's credit."”
"They neglected the fighting strength of our Wuhuan Cavalry, which is why even a nobody like Cao Zheng dares to look down on us.”
"If we don't teach him a lesson, the world will think that the Wuhuan are easy to bully.”
"Let's fight and let the vassals of the world see the power of our Wuhuan cavalry.”
Lou Ban spoke again.
"Your Majesty, only blood can make the enemy fear, and only iron hooves can make the Han people tremble.”
The Three Kings Disaster Pavilion, Su Puyan, Wu Yan, and the others all spoke.
Tadun slammed the table, his face revealing a heroic aura.
Although he was not young anymore, his ambition had never weakened.
"I heard that Cao Zheng has always been invincible. I wonder how strong his soldiers are?”Although he had decided to send troops, Tadun still needed to understand the strength of the enemy.
"Chanyu, Yuan Shao and Cao Zheng's forces have crossed paths before. You will know if you ask Yuan Xi.”
Soon, Yuan Xi was brought up.
"Greetings, Wuhuan King."
After Yuan Xi greeted him, he heard that Tadun was going to attack Cao Zheng and his face lit up.
He and Cao Zheng could not live under the same sky. They had the hatred of killing his brother and stealing his wife.
Similarly, he knew Cao Zheng's strength, but he was afraid that Ta Dun would not fight Cao Zheng, so he tried his best to belittle Cao Zheng's strength.
"This Cao Zheng is just lucky. The opponents he met before were all trash. As for the big break of Yuan Shu's army, Yuan Shu's army is just a motley crew. Many of them have never even been on the battlefield.”
"Let alone 200,000, even if there were 2 million, it would just be a flock of sheep.”
"No matter how many sheep there are, how can they stop the wolf's bite?”
"However, Cao Zheng does have a few generals under him.”
Although Yuan Xi was trying his best to belittle Cao Zheng, he couldn't let Tadun underestimate him too much. If Tadun lost, he would have nowhere to hide.
"Especially his two sworn brothers, Zhao Yun and Taishi Ci. Both of them are skilled in martial arts and are extraordinary.”
"However, as far as I know, these two people are not with Cao Zheng. They have already followed Cao Cao south to attack Liu Bei.”
Tadun laughed out loud,"In that case, Cao Zheng is all alone. In that case, could they be more powerful than the warriors of our Wuhuan?”
"Your Majesty, when the time comes, let me fight. I'll definitely cut off Cao Zheng's head.”
A Wuhuan warrior said loudly.
"Good! Cao Zheng's head is yours."
"Haha!"
"Haha!"
A burst of wild laughter came from the tent.
"Then let's follow our previous plan and send troops to Yuyang County to attack Guoping.”
"When Cao Zheng sends reinforcements, the other army will go straight to Bohai County and cut off his retreat. Then, we will attack from both sides and completely annihilate Cao Zheng.”
"In that case, Youzhou will be ours.”
The next day, the Wuhuan army set out from Willow City to attack Youzhou.
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。