Huang Gai prepared fire starters, and Zhou Yu and Lu Su went to the riverside to inspect in person. They saw more than a dozen warships loaded with dry rice and dry firewood, and poured oil into them, and used firewood outside.
They are camouflaged with red curtains, with bright fang flags on them, and a walking boat is tied to the stern of each ship.
One day before the war started, Zhou Yu sent some brave men to Cao Cao's camp in a light boat with a yellow cover and a letter of surrender.
Since the camp was stationed in Wulin, the number of people in the camp who were not accustomed to the acclimatization gradually increased to tens of thousands, and hundreds of people have died of serious illness.
At this time, the weather had turned cold, and the shipbuilding speed in Jiangling and Xiangyang was also very slow. After several failed battles with Zhou Yu in Chibi, Cao Cao regretted not listening to Jia Xu's words, but he was quite proud and unwilling to admit his mistakes, so he could only fight in the water.
Time wasted in the village.
When Cao Cao saw Huang Gai's letter, he was suspicious of it, so he immediately summoned Cheng Yu, Jia Xu and other advisers to discuss the matter.
Jia Xu was extremely sophisticated but selfish. Since his remonstrance failed in Jiangling, he rarely offered advice to Cao Cao.
Cao Cao took the initiative to ask Liu Ye: "Zi Yang is from the Jianghuai River. Does he know anything about Huang Gongfu? He wants to bring food and fodder to Bu Qu to surrender tomorrow night. Is there any fraud?"
Liu Ye was a native of Chengde in Huainan. He first served as Liu Xun, the governor of Lujiang, and later followed Liu Xun to defect to Cao Cao. This man knew things like a god, and he was a strategist like the late Guo Jia.
After Cao Cao ordered the general, he went out and said: "Huang Gongfu, a native of Lingling Quanling, although he belongs to the old army left by Sun Jian, compared to Cheng Pu and Han Dang, he is indeed not used much by Sun Quan. This man is brave in battle."
, and he is good at training soldiers, but it is a pity that he is only the captain of Danyang..."
Sun Jian left five generals for Sun Ce, Zhu Zhi was promoted as filial and honest by Sun Quan, and Xu Kun was Sun Jian's nephew. During Sun Ce's time, they were the prefect of Wu County, the prefect of Danyang, Cheng Pu was the captain of Wu County, Huang Gai, and Han Dang were both
He is a Sima of another department.
Now Cheng Pu has been promoted to deputy governor, Han Dang has been promoted to Zhonglang General, leaving Huang Gai with the lowest official salary.
Cao Cao frowned, "Although Sun Zhongmou is not as good as Sun Jian and Sun Ce, he still dominates Jiangdong. He will also make mistakes in employing people?"
Liu Ye shook his head and said: "When Sun Quan first came to the throne, the various places in Jiangdong were not convinced. Sun Quan ordered Huang Gai to supervise the counties..."
Cao Cao understood as soon as he heard this. Huang Gai took on such an offending post as a postal supervisor. It must be that Sun Quan was under pressure and did not dare to reuse him. Would such a person surrender?
When Cao Cao was deep in thought, Cheng Yu saw Jia Xu lowering his head and said nothing, so he took the initiative and said: "Huang Gong is already sixty years old. If he sincerely surrenders, he should consider his descendants."
"Zhongde and I agree, and we will see the result tomorrow night." Cao Cao nodded and said.
After nightfall the next day, Zhou Yu ordered Huang Gai to lead the warships in front, and the other warships slowly followed in the distance.
Wulin Water Village knew about Huang Gai's intention to surrender, and the generals of the navy were watching near the gate of the village. When they saw more than ten stern boats approaching, they quickly reported it to Cao Cao in the Chinese army.
Cao Cao had finished his dinner and was taking a nap in the big tent.
Xu Chu stayed outside the tent, and the soldiers did not dare to enter and disturb him.
Because there was no order from Cao Cao, the generals did not dare to refuse or welcome.
When the front ship was less than two miles away from the water village, Huang Gai ordered his men to raise the sails and light the fire at the same time. At this time, the southeast wind blew fiercely, and the fire ship took advantage of the east wind and headed straight to the water village on the north bank like an arrow from the string.
"Enemy attack..."
"Enemy attack..."
When Cao Cao's officers and soldiers saw the flames soaring into the sky, they immediately shouted, causing chaos in the camp.
Cao Cao was sleeping very lightly. When he heard the shouts, he sat up in a cold sweat because he had just dreamed of the beautiful woman from Wancheng.
"Where is Ang'er? Where is Dian Wei?" Cao Cao shouted loudly.
Xu Chu quickly walked into the tent and reported, "My lord, the fire in the water village is soaring to the sky. It's Zhou Yu who's calling."
"It turns out to be Zhong Kang..." Cao Cao saw Xu Chu let out a long sigh of relief. He had just confused dreams and reality, but he immediately said: "You said Zhou Yu is coming? Prepare your horses with me quickly."
"Already outside the tent." Xu Chu replied.
The attendants helped Cao Cao put on his armor, and Zhang Liao and other generals from Hanzhai also came over.
"My lord, Huang Gai feigned surrender and used fire boats to attack the water stronghold..." Zhang Liao said, cupping his fists.
"Lead me forward." Cao Cao shouted, raising his whip.
Dozens of people rode to the shore. The water village was already in flames, and many warships had been burned.
Cao Cao used the firelight of the water village to see the fleet of ships in the distance, and Zhou Yu was heading towards the north bank with thunderous drums.
"Wenyuan." Cao Cao called with a frown.
"The general will obey the order." Zhang Liao responded with clasped fists. He estimated that Cao Cao was preparing to deploy to deal with the enemy.
"Instruct all battalions to set fire to the ships to prevent Zhou Yu's navy from landing." Cao Cao said firmly.
"Uh... obey your order." Zhang Liao didn't know what he meant, so he immediately arranged for people to burn the warship.
At this time, Cheng Yu also rushed to the shore and saw that the fire was so fierce that it was difficult to stop it, so he advised Cao Cao: "My lord, the southeast wind is strong at this time. Although setting fire to the ship can temporarily stop Zhou Yu, there are also risks in the dry fortress on land. It is better to
Move troops to the riverside to defend."
"The water stronghold has been burned. Zhou Yu is condescending on the stern. Our crossbowmen are at a huge disadvantage. Moreover, if this ship is not burned, it will be equivalent to the enemy..."
Cheng Yu was speechless after hearing this. Now all the battalions were in panic and panic. It was not easy to mobilize enough troops to defend against the enemy.
"Instruct all armies to return to Jiangling slowly from Huarong Road according to the planned plan, and this Wulin Dazhai will be given to Zhou Yu." Cao Cao continued to order when Cheng Yu was at a loss.
Although Cao Cao hastily settled in Wulin, he had rich combat experience and did not go all out. He made a comprehensive deployment of the entire Jingzhou during his march south to Jiangling.
Cao Ren, the general who conquered the south, Xu Huang, the general of Hengye, stayed at Jiangling, General Lejin of Zhechong was stationed in Xiangyang, General Manchong of Fenwei was stationed in Dangyang, and General Li Tong was stationed in Runan.
These groups of men and horses together numbered 100,000, and they occupied the main water and land route in Jingbei. Whether it was attacking, transporting food, or retreating, it was a complete strategic plan.
Cao Cao could not defeat Zhou Yu in a water battle, and diseases were rampant among his camps. He had long wanted to retreat, but he never had the chance.
After a while, Zhang Liao came back and said, "Lord, all the warships have been set on fire, but the south wind is very strong at this time, and the fire is spreading to Hanzhai..."
Cao Cao could see clearly from the riverside. He turned his horse's head and ordered: "After you lead the troops and horses under your command, we will evacuate to Jiangling via Huarong Road."
"Wei." Zhang Liao
After autumn, the vegetation dries up and a prairie fire breaks out instantly when sparks occur. The northern shore of Wulin soon turns into a sea of ​​fire.
The various camps in Wulin Han Village scrambled to retreat towards Huarong Road. The soldiers who were originally weak and sick were knocked to the ground and trampled into mud while escaping. The panicked soldiers were not restrained in the dark night, and many drowned in Yunmengze.
, 300,000 troops and horses had already suffered heavy casualties before they encountered Zhou Yu.
After Zhang Liao was ordered to stop, he led his cavalry, who were good at shooting, to guard the riverside. After the entire battalion retreated, they would catch up along the road.
When Huang Gai saw that the enemy was setting fire to his warships, he mistakenly thought that the enemy was in chaos, so he went crazy and immediately ordered hundreds of people who were pretending to surrender, and took the lead to sail to the right side of the water stronghold.
Just as a dozen clippers were about to land, hundreds of cavalry appeared from behind the reeds on the shore. They stationed their horses, drew their bows, and set up arrows to stop them.
Chapter completed!