After Cao Cao's army entered the territory of Yanzhou, some courageous officials came out to greet him. After all, Cao Cao obtained the title of Yanzhou Shepherd with everyone's consent, so the name was justified.
But not everyone was convinced by Cao Cao. If it weren't for the fact that Dongjun was close to Yanzhou, Cao Cao might not have had his turn.
Several Yanzhou officials have been thinking in their hearts: If Yuan Shao, the shepherd of Jizhou, can take over the power of Yanzhou, it will be much better than Cao Cao.
However, due to a drunken incident, the thoughts of these Yanzhou officials were leaked.
Cao Cao originally looked down on Yuan Shao because of his crusade against Dong Zhuo, so when he heard the news, Cao Cao was very unhappy and reprimanded these guys for cheating on the spot.
It was good that Cao Cao did not attack these Yanzhou officials. Unexpectedly, these people did not want to repent, but secretly colluded with the Yellow Turban Army and prepared to assassinate Cao Cao...
On this day, Cao Cao reorganized his army and prepared to fight a small battle to test the combat effectiveness of the Yellow Turban Army.
In the military tent, Cao Cao lay on the desk and studied the topographic map of Yanzhou with Xun Yu.
"Lord...Lord, this...there are many mountains here, and...there are no trees on the mountains to cover, such as...if...
If we wait for trade...to set up an ambush rashly, we will...will be exposed..."
Cao Cao said nothing, looked at Ma Xiaoquan, and asked, "What do you mean by Master Shangxian?"
Ma Xiaoquan shook his head: "I said that I will not participate in the disputes in the world like you, but Wen Ruo told me before that what he meant was that we went in the opposite direction and took the high road."
"Take the high road?"
Ma Xiaoquan nodded and said: "Wen Ruo said that although the Yellow Turban Army was mostly born from farmers, it does not mean that there are no smart people in it, and these smart people are bound to become the leaders of the Yellow Turban Army... We
If an ambush is set up in the mountains, the Yellow Turban Army must also know about it. Instead of doing this, it is better to take the high road, build up momentum, and defeat the enemy without fighting. Wen Ruo, is this what you mean?"
After hearing what Ma Xiaoquan said, Xun Yu stammered: "Yes...Shangxian Da...that's what the Lord said."
Cao Cao was not stupid. Ma Xiaoquan gave him a little reminder and he understood it after thinking about it.
"Send the order, we will take the main road tonight to meet the Yellow Turban Army!"
The subordinate outside the military tent said: "Yes!"
...
At night, Cao Cao listened to Xun Yu's plan and set off from the main road, deliberately creating momentum on the road.
Sure enough, not long after the momentum was built, some Yellow Turban surrender troops actually came to surrender.
Cao Cao was so happy that he just wanted to accept it, but Ma Xiaoquan admonished him: "No, Xiao Cao, you just accept it without even asking?"
Cao Cao was so proud that he couldn't care about so much. Instead, he comforted Ma Xiaoquan and said: "I don't know, Master Shangxian. It is said that there is no need to trust people who are suspicious. Our army is not superior in numbers. Now someone comes to surrender, how can I refuse?"
"
Xun Yu also suggested: "My lord, it is good to surrender...if...if...there is a sudden...rebellion...I...
..Our army’s front and rear...are facing...the enemy...and we are at risk!"
Cao Cao smiled and said: "Wen Ruo, you are too careful!"
Ma Xiaoquan also felt helpless, but he had no choice. He had previously stated that he would not participate in the management of Cao Jun, so he was a complete outsider. Without any choice, Ma Xiaoquan thought of Cao Hong again.
Walking up to Cao Hong, Ma Xiaoquan said: "Zilian, I have something to ask you here!"
Because of Cao Hong's meritorious service in the Xingyang breakout battle, although Cao Cao lost to Xu Rong, he came back and rewarded Cao Hong well. For this, Cao Hong always wanted to thank the immortal Ma Xiaoquan in person, but because he was busy with military affairs, he didn't
What an opportunity. Now that the Lord has come forward on his own initiative, how can we let go of this opportunity to express our gratitude?
Cao Hong patted his chest and said, "Sir the Immortal's arrangement, let alone one, is ten. As long as I, Cao Hong, can do it, I will definitely do it!"
Ma Xiaoquan chuckled: "Just one thing, it has nothing to do with me. I am not afraid of swords and guns, water and fire, but your lord Cao Cao must be well protected..."
As soon as Ma Xiaoquan finished speaking, Cao Hong became nervous and asked quickly: "What? Master Shangxian, have you calculated anything again?"
"That's not true. I just have to ask you. Your lord is walking in front of the large army. Wouldn't it be very dangerous if there is a cold arrow or something?"
Ma Xiaoquan actually just said this unintentionally, but he didn't expect that not long after he said this, a cold arrow actually assassinated Cao Cao. Unfortunately, because of Ma Xiaoquan's reminder, Cao Cao really averted the danger.
When Cao Hong heard this, he was very nervous. He pulled Cao Ren over and said, "Did you hear that? Master Shangxian said that my lord is in danger. I am not as good as you in dealing with Leng Jian. Zixiao, why don't you go!"
Cao Ren was also a conscientious person, so he agreed without much thought.
Ma Xiaoquan watched Cao Ren drive his horse towards Cao Cao and sighed. However, just to be on the safe side, he secretly took out two eggs from the horse's satchel, pinched them open and ate them.
As Cao Cao's army advanced, Cao Cao triumphantly told Xun Yu his great idea. Xun Yu seemed to be infected by Cao Cao, and started to make up nonsense along with Cao Cao. For a while, the master and servant also talked about it.
It's full of interest.
At this moment, a group of Yellow Turbans suddenly appeared on the side of the road. Although this group of Yellow Turbans was not many in number, judging from their body shape, they were all thick-shouldered, thick-legged and thick-armed. They looked like veterans who had been on the battlefield for a long time.
When Cao Cao saw it, he couldn't help being surprised.
"It is said that the Yellow Turban Army is mainly composed of farmers. I didn't expect that there would be such a majestic army. It's not good!"
Cao Cao is not afraid of this small group of Yellow Turbans. After all, the number of his own soldiers now has reached 15,000, and this small group of Yellow Turbans only has four or five hundred soldiers at a glance. He wants to eat them.
, Cao Cao also had this confidence.
"The front army changes its formation and moves closer to the center!"
With an order, Cao Jun shortened the distance between the military formations, and the front troops quickly moved closer to the center. The soldiers in the middle stretched their weapons horizontally to form a square ring, while the soldiers on the periphery held out their spears and raised their spears.
He raised his spear and watched the changes around him vigilantly.
This small group of Yellow Turbans was not reckless. After giving the order, the Yellow Turbans fled in all directions, but they still confronted Cao's army with a small group of 20 people.
"Want to surround the area for reinforcements?" Cao Cao sneered, "Give me the order, and the crossbowmen are ready!"
"Crossbowmen prepare!"
"......Prepare!"
After hearing the order, Cao Jun's crossbowmen opened their bows and set arrows, and lined up in a "Yi" shape, forming a "Yi" long snake formation, waiting for the order to fire.
"Fire the arrow!"
As soon as the order was given, the sound of "boom boom" bowstrings and the "swish" sound of bows and arrows piercing the night sky were heard. Not far ahead, the screams of "ah ah" came from the Yellow Turban Army.
Being together gives people an indescribable feeling of fear.
In the darkness, several shirtless strong men in a 20-man squad of the Yellow Turban Army took off their bows and arrows from their backs, unfurled their bows and nocked arrows, and aimed their arrows at Cao Cao, who was not far away.
Capture the thief first, capture the king, is an eternal principle no matter where you are.
Because the Yellow Turban Army had an affair with several rebel officials in Yanzhou and secretly obtained Cao Cao's portrait, they discussed assassinating Cao Cao.
I originally thought that Cao Cao would take the mountain road. In this case, it would be inconvenient to assassinate Cao Cao. But what is surprising is that Cao Cao actually took the main road instead. This made the Yellow Turban Army very happy. Regardless of how many people Cao Cao took along the way, he walked
It is much easier to assassinate Cao Cao on the main road than on the mountain road.
Among this small group of Yellow Turbans, a man with a red face whispered: "Listen to my order and aim at Cao Cao. I give an order for everyone to shoot Cao Cao together!"
"good!"
...
At this time, Cao Ren, who had obeyed Ma Xiaoquan's instructions and entrusted Cao Hong, had already carried his sword to protect his lord by Cao Cao's side.
In fact, Cao Cao also knew that there were certain risks in recruiting the Yellow Turban troops along the way, but he had no choice. He had only a small number of soldiers, and most of them were new recruits. Although he had been encouraging these soldiers before setting off and during the march.
, but soldiers cannot make progress without being tempered by war. Therefore, Cao Cao made up his mind: he would rather risk being shot to death by cold arrows to establish prestige and the military prestige of Cao's army in the first wave of battles.
The two sides just fired cold arrows back and forth, but there was no large-scale attack. However, in the dark night, things always happened that seemed unintentional but were planned.
Not far from Cao Cao, a group of Yellow Turbans shouted loudly and fired cold arrows.
It was too late to say, but it was too soon. While the group was drinking, Cao Ren judged that his lord Cao Cao was in danger, and he didn't care so much. Cao Ren kicked Cao Cao, knocking Cao Cao out of the "Jueying" immediately.
"Ah" Cao Cao snorted coldly and slurred.
Almost at the same time, from above the "Jueying" horse, there was the sound of a bow and arrow piercing the night sky.
Not far away, a voice shouted: "What the fuck!"
Cao Cao was so frightened that cold sweat broke out on his back.
Cao Ren jumped off his horse and helped Cao Cao up: "My lord, are you okay?"
Cao Cao composed himself, waved his hand and said: "No problem, Zixiao, thank you for saving me!"
Cao Renyi handed over his hand: "My lord, I also have to thank Lord Shangxian!"
Cao Cao was stunned, and a relatively damaging idea suddenly came to his mind. He smiled and said, "What about Lord Shangxian?"
Ma Xiaoquan heard the sound and ran over on horseback: "Xiao Cao, are you okay?"
Cao Cao was not tall, so he huddled behind Cao Ren and asked Ma Xiaoquan: "Master Shangxian, may I ask Master Shangxian if my destiny star is strong?"
Ma Xiaoquan was stunned for a moment and said: "Of course it is!"
"That means I, Cao Mengde, won't die in this battle?"
Ma Xiaoquan was about to answer, but suddenly stopped, thinking: This grandson seems to think that his life should not be cut off, so he wants to use your invincible body, Master Ma, to escape his life, right? OK, if you dare to use you, Master Ma, I will, right?
Then you, Mr. Ma, I will teach you a lesson!
Having made up his mind, Ma Xiaoquan chuckled and said, "Xiao Cao, you must be lucky to have a great destiny."
When Cao Cao heard this, he laughed and jumped on the Jueying horse.
Cao Ren was anxious and shouted: "My lord! My lord, no!"
Ma Xiaoquan waved his hand to stop Cao Ren and said, "Don't panic, son. Today's battle is a small battle, but your lord is determined to establish his authority, so don't do anything to stop him!"
Cao Ren was embarrassed: "But..."
Ma Xiaoquan rubbed the joints of his ten fingers and made a "click" sound: "Don't worry, I suddenly changed my mind and decided to protect classmate Xiao Cao with you! Hum!"
After listening to Ma Xiaoquan's words, Cao Cao suddenly felt that his back was so cold...