NFBE Chapter 303: The Confrontation between Top Strategists
Chapter 303: The Confrontation between Top Strategists
Chapter 303: The Confrontation between Top Strategists
Cao Cao harassed Huixiaguan at night and attacked it during the day, without stopping day or night.
Xiahou Dun, Cao Ren, Cao Hong, Le Jin and others took turns to go up and pursue Huixiaguan relentlessly without holding back any effort.
This time, Cao Cao used a new weapon, the crossbow brought by Xiahou Yuan.
This weapon is powerful and can fire continuously, so its deterrent effect far exceeds that of previous bows and crossbows.
We faced tremendous pressure when we returned to Xiaguan, but we still held on firmly and showed no signs of collapse.
Cao Cao was still supervising the battle, staring at Huixiaguan with his narrow eyes, carefully observing every move.
The battle lasted until noon without a truce, and it seemed as if the fight would not end until one was dead.
Xiahou Dun wiped his sweat, came back from the front, raised his hand to Cao Cao and said: "General, something is indeed wrong. I haven't seen Hua Xiong and Zhang Ji for two days."
Cao Cao nodded slightly, and said calmly: "Feng Xiao is right. No matter what conspiracy Dong the old villain has, as long as we keep an eye on him and go back to Xiaguan, Dong Zhuo can't finish the job and can only stay here honestly!"
Xiahou Dun was still far from perfect in this regard, so he didn't say much after hearing this.
Back at Xiaguan, Cao Hong and Cao Ren led their large army in a fierce attack.
Xiaguan was not big to begin with, and it was on the verge of collapse several times, but it was still held and Cao's army was repelled.
Li Jue and Guo Si were covered in blood and sweat, with dry mouths and cracks on their knuckles.
Seeing that Cao's army had no intention of giving up, he turned around anxiously and saw the soldiers standing in a row under the city. He found Guo Si and said, "Replace them. We can't hold on any longer."
Guo Si shook his head and said, "We have only 5,000 men left. If they come up again, we won't be able to defend Xiaguan this time."
Li Jue was anxious and said, "If we don't come up now, Cao Cao will break into the city!"
The Cao army's offensive was too fierce. In just two or three days, they lost more than 10,000 people. If this continued, they would be defeated sooner or later when they returned to Xiaguan.
Guo Si ignored him and said, "Then you should ask Lord Dong for help. I don't have the power."
Li Jue could not say a few words in front of Dong Zhuo. He could only grit his teeth and continue to hold his ground.
The battle lasted until the evening, when both sides called off the fighting.
"Feng Xiao!"
Cao Cao walked into the tent, took off his armor, looked happy, and said nervously, "I'm sure that the troops returning to Xiaguan are not all of Dong Zhuo's troops. At least half of them are not returning to Xiaguan!"
Guo Jia actually saw it too, his face turned grim, and he said, "General, Dong Zhuo is taking a risk!"
Cao Cao waved his hand, signaling Xiahou Dun, Yang Xiu, Lu Yu and others to sit down, drink a sip of tea, and think calmly: "Dong Zhuo is dividing his troops, which means he is going to abandon Xiaguan. If he is not careful, the whole army may be wiped out. What is his purpose that is worth taking such a risk?"
Yang Xiu, Lu Yu and others were secretly shocked and were also thinking anxiously.
Xiahou Dun, Cao Ren and others were relatively calm and waited for Cao Cao's orders.
Guo Jia drank the strong tea and was in a much better mood than yesterday. He wiped the tea leaves from his mouth and said, "No matter what, it will only be a day or two."
Cao Cao glanced at him and his expression changed.
No one knew when Dong Zhuo returned to Xiaguan, nor when he divided his troops, but if we counted anything, his plan should have become clear.
"Report!"
A soldier ran in quickly, knelt on one knee and said, "General, Yuan Shu was defeated and killed by Yuan Shao in Kuaiji. His head has been sent to Luoyang."
Cao Cao was not surprised at all by this news and said, "Go down and claim your reward."
The soldier responded and quickly retreated.
Others were not surprised either, they were just curious about the current alarming situation.
Yuan Shu was courting death by declaring himself emperor, which was against the will of the world and led to the siege of the whole world. How could this end well?
Guo Jia drank his tea silently and sighed in his heart.
It has finally come to this.
As the various princes in Jiangdong gained power, Cao Cao's army belonging to the "imperial court" was highlighted.
Moreover, after Yuan Shu's fall, Dong Zhuo became the next target of the imperial court's rebels, and the heavy responsibility of destroying Dong would inevitably fall on Cao Cao.
Cao Cao's importance will become unprecedented!
The court and the public were very wary of Cao Cao. Regardless of whether the destruction of Dong succeeded or not, it was not good news for Cao Cao.
'What do the three questions in the palace refer to?'
This question has been lingering on Guo Jia's mind, but he has never thought it through.
"Following the filial piety? Filial piety?"
Cao Cao looked at the dazed Guo Jia and called out to him several times.
Guo Jia suddenly came back to his senses, took a deep breath, and said: "General, we should respond to all changes with the same attitude."
Cao Cao stared at Guo Jia for a moment, then nodded and asked, "Has Mr. Zhang replied?"
Yang Xiu raised his hand and said, "Not yet, but Mr. Zhang moved to Xu County two days ago."
As soon as the word "Xu County" came out, Cao Cao and Guo Jia's sensitive expressions moved slightly, and then they looked at each other, their minds wavering.
Cao Cao was also thinking about the three questions Liu Bian gave him, but he still had no clue.
'Xu County' is the one that troubles them the most!
After Yang Xiu finished speaking, the tent fell into a strange silence.
Yang Xiu, Lu Yu, Xiahou Dun and others looked at Cao Cao, and then at Guo Jia.
The expressions of these two people were surprisingly the same - they lowered their heads and frowned, as if they were thinking.
But in the blink of an eye, Cao Cao came to his senses and asked Yang Xiu, "Does Lord Yang have any orders?"
Yang Xiu shook his head and said, "No, Mr. Yang did not reply."
Guo Jia drank a sip of strong tea and said to Lu Yu with a smile: "Master Lu, there should be some news, right?"
This sentence awakened everyone, including Cao Cao, and everyone's eyes fell on Lu Yu's face.
Lu Yu seemed a little flustered, but still nodded and said, "The news I got is that the Grand Marshal's Mansion is very dissatisfied with Mr. Zhang and has ordered him to be recalled."
Cao Cao did not expect such a surprise, and asked: "Then, what is the situation in Jiangdong... and Dong Zhuo? What is the court's plan?"
Lu Yu thought for a moment and said, "There is no other news, but the court is selecting governors for Yuzhou, Yangzhou, and Jiaozhou."
These three states have always been relatively sensitive, and the imperial court had almost no appointments, so they have been vacant for a long time.
Cao Cao didn't care much about these. He looked up and asked, "Is Le Jin not back yet?"
Cao Ren said: "Not yet. This time, I think we can go quite far."
Cao Cao hummed and said, "We have already made the plan. We will continue the siege tomorrow!"
"Yes, sir!" All the generals stood up and left the tent.
Cao Cao felt uneasy, so he turned to Guo Jia and asked, "Feng Xiao, what do you think?"
Guo Jia drank strong tea and shook his head, saying, "I can't guess, but whether Dong Zhuo wants to return west or go south or east, the general can't avoid him."
Cao Cao looked calm and said in a deep voice: "If he attacks, it will be exactly what I want!"
Guo Jia looked up at the map behind Cao Cao. Going south was Jingzhou, going east was Xuzhou, and to return west, he had to spare Cao Cao and break through one of the eight passes - Huanyuan Pass.
Huanyuan Pass was one of the eight passes built by He Jin when he was the general in order to resist the Yellow Turban Army and defend Luoyang.
Even though the status of the Eight Passes has been far less than before in recent years, it is still a dangerous pass with thousands of soldiers from the imperial court stationed here. Zhao Yun was also stationed here and worked hard to expand it.
It would be impossible to break through Huanyuan Pass in a short time.
If he fails to break through Huanyuan Pass, Dong Zhuo will be attacked from both the north and the south!
"Would Dong Zhuo take such a risk?"
Guo Jia stared at Huanyuan Pass, then he sat up straight, his eyes flashing with coldness.
Huanyuan Pass is a dangerous pass and it is also the only way for Dong Zhuo to return to the west. But once Huanyuan Pass is breached, he can rush all the way to Hangu Pass!
Once you get out of Hangu Pass, the world is vast and the imperial court will find it difficult to control Dong Zhuo!
"Feng Xiao!" Cao Cao saw through it and shouted in a low voice.
Guo Jia's face straightened, he let out a long breath, and said, "I guess Dong Zhuo may have sent his troops to Huanyuan Pass."
Cao Cao turned around suddenly, stared at the map, and then frowned.
From Huixiaguan all the way to Huanyuanguan, one has to pass through Runan County and Yingchuan County. The journey is long and it is easy to be discovered!
"is it possible?"
Cao Cao looked hesitant, pulling his beard and talking to himself.
Guo Jia said solemnly: "If we divide our forces and sneak around in small groups, it will be difficult to be discovered!"
Lu Yu, Yang Xiu and others opened their eyes wide, stared at the map, and listened to Guo Jia's words with a look of disbelief.
If Dong Zhuo really did this, it would be so bold that it is unimaginable!
Cao Cao felt as if a huge stone had dropped from his heart. He turned around, looked at Guo Jia, and said, "Is that so? Should we also divide our forces?"
Guo Jia pondered for a long time and said, "According to the timetable, there will be news in a day or two. We cannot let Xiaguan go this time. We must continue the assault."
Cao Cao nodded and shouted outside, "Le Jin, return to the camp and call my tent immediately!"
"Yes, sir!" Xu Chu outside the tent responded.
Cao Cao thought about it carefully for a while, but still felt uneasy, so he said to Guo Jia, "Fengxiao, how about I lead the troops to chase after them and take a look?"
Huanyuan Pass is one of the eight passes guarding Luoyang. Once Huanyuan Pass is broken, the enemy can march straight into Luoyang.
There were many soldiers guarding Luoyang City, so there was no need to worry about its safety. But once Dong Zhuo really entered Luoyang, Cao Cao would be the first criminal, and no one could save him!
Including His Majesty in the palace!
Guo Jia saw it from Cao Cao's expression, but shook his head and said, "No. Before Dong Zhuo's plot becomes clear, you must hold on to Xiaguan and force Dong Zhuo to be unable to take care of both ends! If you do this, Dong Zhuo will be in a dilemma, and the initiative will be in your hands."
Cao Cao suppressed his suspicion and said with a smile, "Feng Xiao is right. De Zu, Lu Yu, you two can go and rest. We will attack the city as usual tomorrow."
Yang Xiu and Lu Yu couldn't sleep after hearing such a "terrifying possibility". They wanted to say something, but seeing that Cao Cao obviously had something to say to Guo Jia, they could only get up and leave.
As soon as the two of them left, Cao Cao's face turned gloomy and he asked, "Feng Xiao, how likely is this to happen?"
Guo Jia drank strong tea, thinking quickly, and said: "Calculating the time, at least 70% of it is done. Maybe tomorrow morning, the general will get the news..."
Dong dong dong
Suddenly, the crisp and harsh sound of horse hooves was heard outside the big tent.
You have to know that this is near Cao Cao's tent, and rushing around like this is not allowed.
But no one stopped him, and Xu Chu even stepped forward to help control the warhorse.
Le Jin jumped down, not caring about his helmet falling off, and rushed straight into Cao Cao's tent. When he saw Cao Cao, he knelt on one knee and said urgently: "General, the spies reported that in Yangdi, someone saw thousands of troops of unknown origin, riding non-stop and heading north. The counties and prefectures did not dare to stop them..."
Cao Cao stood up suddenly, his eyes wide open, murderous intent surging, and shouted: "Pass my order, Xiahou Dun, Cao Ren each lead 10,000 troops, follow me to support Huanyuan Pass!"
"No!"
Guo Jia hurriedly stopped him and said, "General, we cannot split our forces now. As long as we stop the enemy from returning to Xiaguan, Dong Zhuo will not abandon tens of thousands of troops and break out with only 20,000!"
Cao Cao looked stern and steely, staring straight out of the tent, and said in a deep voice, "Fengxiao, I must go, and the sooner the better."
Guo Jia naturally understood the subtlety of this, but he still said seriously: "General, you can pretend. General, you must not leave and return to Xiaguan at this time!"
Cao Cao knew this very well, and after a moment's hesitation he strode out and said, "I will leave Le Jin and Xiahou Yuan here to obey the orders of the military advisor!"
Guo Jia wanted to persuade him again, but Cao Cao walked away.
When Guo Jia chased Cao Cao out of the tent, he saw that Cao Cao had already ridden away. He could only sigh and look helpless.
Cao Cao really had to go in person to reinforce, otherwise the court would not let him go afterwards, and would hold him accountable for his past crimes. He would become even more aggressive, barking and biting like a mad dog.
Cao Cao, the Cao family and the entire Cao Cao shogunate will be implicated, and the extermination of the three clans may be the lightest punishment!
"I hope it's okay."
Guo Jia sighed, picked up the strong tea and took a sip.
Lu Yu had heard the news and ran over in a panic, saying, "Military Advisor, is Dong Zhuo really going to attack Huanyuan Pass?"
Guo Jia drank his tea, shook his head hesitantly, and said, "It's hard to say."
Guo Jia couldn't be sure. Even if the spies could find the traces of Dong Zhuo's divided troops, Dong Zhuo's route of "returning to the west" was too risky and no normal person would do that.
Lu Yu became even more anxious and said, "I want to go back to Luoyang. Please ask the military advisor to make arrangements."
Guo Jia glanced at him and said, "Let's wait. General Cao has already sent out his troops, and the road ahead is still blocked."
Lu Yu frowned, seeming to want to say something but stopping himself, he was even more nervous than Cao Cao.
Huanyuan Pass is the guard of Luoyang. The appearance of Dong Zhuo's troops at Huanyuan Pass will definitely shake the capital. He can already imagine what will happen in the palace and Luoyang city!
Cao Cao assembled his troops and led 20,000 men at night to chase northward to support Huanyuan Pass.
However, Guo Jia was uneasy. After inspecting the camp, he stood on a high ground and looked back to Xiaguan from afar.
He didn't know why, but he felt very uneasy.
Cao Cao's decision to divide his troops to support Huanyuan Pass was a strategic and tactical mistake, but he had to do it.
Logically speaking, there shouldn't be any danger.
But Guo Jia vaguely felt that something seemed to be wrong, but he couldn't figure it out.
At the same time, in the pitch-black Huanyuan Pass, Jia Xu looked quietly in the direction of Guo Jia. Like Guo Jia, he was silent and thinking silently.
Soon, a soldier was brought up by a basket and came behind Jia Xu. He said anxiously and happily, "Reporting to the military advisor, Cao Cao has sent out an army of about 20,000 people."
Jia Xu loosened his grip on the hem of his clothes, letting the white hem fall down. He smiled softly and said, "It's done."
It was the first time that the soldier saw Jia Xu smile, so he asked, "Military Advisor, what should we do next?"
Jia Xu turned around and walked inside, saying, "The Cao army will not attack the city tomorrow, so let the soldiers have a good rest."
The soldier was startled and asked, "Really?"
Jia Xu had already walked towards the steps and said calmly, "Maybe."