At three quarters of an hour in the afternoon, that is, around six o'clock in the evening, the war was completely over.
Xiahou Dun was killed by Huang Zhong with an arrow, and Cao's army fell into chaos.
At this time, Huang Zhong opened the Zhuyang City Gate, and the soldiers in the city attacked, cooperating with Zhao Yun on the river, and surrounded Cao Jun on three sides.
Cao's army was tired and sleepy at this time. The general fell and had almost no ability to resist.
To describe them as being defeated like a mountain is a compliment to them.
Because more than 80% of Cao's army dropped their weapons and chose to surrender almost as soon as the Jingzhou army came to kill them.
The remaining 20% of Cao's army put up sporadic resistance, and some chose to abandon their armor and flee because they didn't want to be prisoners.
Some people panicked and ran to the Qinling Mountains in the west, some subconsciously turned back and wanted to go to Jiangxinzhou, and some even jumped into the water from the river bank, hoping to swim across the river and escape back to Xiangyang.
But these were all in vain. The river was controlled, the city was occupied by Jingzhou troops, and the retreat was cut off by the fleet. No one could escape from this dragnet.
Soon Cao's army was wiped out, and all the surrendered soldiers were captured and imprisoned in a camp outside the city for guarding.
The entire Zhuyang and Yin County areas were all occupied by the Jingzhou Army. Even the reinforcements sent by Xia Houyuan were defeated by Huang Zhong and Zhao Yun on the second day. Even the general Liu Zhu was killed by Zhao Yun in the rebellion. .
Two days later, Huang Zhong and Zhao Yun took the prisoners back to Yicheng by boat. Together with the prisoners of Sun Quan's army in Dangyang, more than 100,000 of Cao and Sun's surrendered troops were now imprisoned in the two cities.
Such a large number of prisoners not only put management pressure on the 40,000 Zhang Xiu, Liao Hua, and Mengda tribes who guarded the prisoners of war, but also made logistics even more tense, so much so that Shen Chen had to send a message to Kou Feng who was going to Jingnan, asking him to do so. Recruiting food and grass farmers in Jingnan.
Now that Jingnan has been recovered, because Sun Quan was eager to go north to capture Jiangling Yidao and Xiakou, he did not have time to sustainably drain Jingnan. As a result, Jingnan has not been affected by the war so far.
The people should farm and live their lives. Although due to the lack of government officials, the aristocratic families who were once suppressed by Liu Bei came back and wanted to oppress the people in the fish and meat village.
But as Kou Feng returned to Changsha, officials who had fled from all directions also returned one after another, and order was quickly restored.
Moreover, Kou Feng had an impatient temperament, somewhat similar to that of Liu Bei when he was young, and he hated evil as much as hatred. When he learned that those wealthy families had taken refuge with Sun Quan and became the leader, he immediately carried out a purge.
After many aristocratic families heard about the fall of Lu Meng and Sun Jiao, they rushed to Jiaozhou, Yangzhou and other places to flee. The rest were still waiting and watching, either they did not participate in the rebellion and were faithful to their duties, or they still had extravagant hopes. The one who changed the situation of the war.
For the former, most of them had family members who were officials in Yizhou, and had accepted Liu Bei's official position, status and money in exchange for land and population. These people belonged to the surrender sect, and Kou Feng did not take action against them.
But he was not polite to the latter.
Because he was from Changsha himself and belonged to a local aristocratic family in Changsha, and his uncle was also from a local aristocratic family in Changsha. The combination of the two families, coupled with his troops, quickly swept through the entire Jingnan and killed many aristocratic families.
As the bandits moved south in September, order in Jingnan was restored in October, and the government resumed operations. Shen Chen could collect this year's grain and fodder, and then collect corvees to reduce the burden on Yizhou.
A few days later, in mid-October, in just seven or eight days, the news that Xiahou Dun was beheaded spread quickly throughout the north. For a time, the entire Han Dynasty was shocked.
You must know that although Xiahou Dun never won a war and was once kidnapped, and later generations jokingly called him the meat-ticket general, he never stopped getting promoted.
During Cao Cao's time, he was promoted to a former general; during Cao Pi's time, he was even a great general.
Historically, when he died, Cao Pi, who had usurped the throne and became emperor, personally paid tribute to him. In terms of status, he was the well-deserved number two figure in the entire Cao Wei Group, second only to Cao Cao.
The consequences of his execution were no less than that of Guan Yu of Liu Bei's group. The blow and impact it had on Cao Wei's group were inestimable.
As for Shen Chen's battle, he fell into a desperate situation in June, turned around at the end of August, and then moved his army northward. In just over a month, he flooded Fancheng, captured him, and beheaded the Xiahou. The bandits in Henan went crazy and rebelled against Cao Wei in the north. All the people took his title, and his popularity and prestige were unparalleled for a while, and he was said to be powerful in China.
In Yancheng, Nanyang, Xia Houyuan and Xu Huang Zangba were the first to learn of the news of Xiahou Dun's murder.
In the Yancheng government office, Xia Houyuan's pupils were scarlet, looking at the intelligence detected by the scouts in his hand, he slapped the case and roared: "This is impossible, absolutely impossible! Yuan Rang had tens of thousands of troops, how could he be killed like this? This must be Shen Chen released false news to disturb the morale of our troops!"
But when he said this, his eyes shed tears for some reason, and the tears seemed to have traces of blood. In the end, his whole body became filled with grief, and even though he was holding back, he couldn't help but burst into tears.
"General."
Xu Huang sighed: "Withdraw your troops. Your Majesty is right. Fu Fang surrendered. Our entire withdrawal plan was known to Shen Chen. He intercepted and killed the former general in Xiangyang on the way, and there is no way he can save us. If we don’t withdraw our troops, I’m afraid.”
"Woooooooooooo. Yuan Rang"
Xia Houyuan finally couldn't help it and cried. Although he and Xiahou Dun were not biological brothers, they were brothers and had always had a deep relationship. How could he not be extremely sad when he learned of his death?
Zang Ba also advised: "General, Shen Chen's military morale is now strong, but just like your last words, his rear is also unstable. Even if he wins, it will only be a tragic victory. In the future, Jiangdong will definitely be destroyed first. We If we retreat to Henan now, we can still save our troops."
"I"
Xia Houyuan was already in tears, but in the evening, he finally issued the order to withdraw his troops. Cao Jun retreated in panic as if he had lost his heir.
However, Xia Houyuan still did not lose his mind at all. He ordered Xu Huang and Zang Ba to retreat to Henan with 50,000 people, and he led 40,000 people to go north from Wuguan, return to Shangluo, and regain control of Wuguan.
Because if he doesn't do this, he will hand over the control of Wuguan. Now Shen Chen is invincible wherever his troops go. If the control of Wuguan changes hands, he will be able to take the army from Wuguan directly to Guanzhong and sneak attack Cao Cao. the rear.
By then Cao Cao in Guanzhong will also be in danger.
Therefore, Xia Houyuan had to guard the Wuguan Pass and must not let Shen Chen pass.
In the northern region, the news also spread quickly. Sun Lang from Luhun, Zheng Gan, Lu Shuihu, and Wang Zhao from Guanzhong, Wang Fu from Runan, and countless bandits and bandits entrenched in the Dabie Mountains and Funiu Mountains south of Chendu heard the news. Hearing the news, he cheered.
On the other hand, Cao Pi in Yecheng had a difficult life. People thought that the Cao Wei Group was powerful and could easily mobilize hundreds of thousands of troops. In fact, it was powerful, but it had more territory to defend.
Wuhuan in the north often rebelled, and the various tribes in Xianbei were not unified. There were those like Bu Dugen who were pro-Wei, and there were also those like Kebi Neng who superficially submitted but actually had different intentions.
Therefore, Cao Wei stationed many troops in the north, such as Cao Zhang, Yan Rou, Tian Yu and others in Youzhou and other places to guard against the Wuwan and Xianbei tribes.
The south is the top priority. Although Sun Quan formed an alliance with him, almost all the soldiers and horses from Xuzhou and other places in Huainan were transferred to Nanyang. However, Cao Cao fought on multiple fronts. There were soldiers and horses in the merger of Youzhou, Guanzhong and Liu Bei, and Nanyang and Shen Chen fights.
If Sun Quan hadn't colluded with him, there would have been more front lines in the Huainan area, so the Cao Wei group was actually fighting everywhere, the internal military corvee was serious, and the soldiers and people continued to rebel, which made Cao Pi very anxious.
For this reason, he could only recruit some new soldiers in Yecheng and sent Zheng Hun, Gao Qian, Shi Jian and others to attack him. Sun Lang, Wang Fu and others could not resist and fled to Nanyang to join Shen Chen.
Guanzhong Liu Bei also quickly received the news.
In fact, Liu Bei was at the end of his strength at this time. Historically, he fought the Battle of Hanzhong nearby, which resulted in instability in the rear and forced him to withdraw his troops back to Bashu to stabilize the rear.
Now he left Hanzhong, entered the Guanzhong area, traveled hundreds of kilometers, and took the initiative to attack Cao Wei's Chang'an City. The logistical supply line was so long, one can imagine how much pressure it put on him.
But fortunately, they all survived.
Located in the Liu Bei Army camp in Ganting, they have been confronting Cao Cao for more than three months. The daily transportation of grain and grass from the rear is extremely difficult. If Zhang Feima Chaoqiu had not been protecting the grain road, I am afraid that even if any grain and grass were attacked, he would be They must be forced to withdraw their troops.
Liu Bei was almost walking on thin ice against Cao Cao. With the advice of his advisers, he did not dare to make any mistakes. He attacked cautiously, defended cautiously, and carefully observed everything Cao Cao did.
He is cautious to the point of being almost heart-wrenching.
Because all his counselors and his own heart were telling him - believe in Xiaoqing.
If Shen Chen defeated Lu Meng, went north to flood Fancheng, and was captured alive, it only made Liu Bei relieved, then when the news came that Xiahou Dun was beheaded, it was enough to make him finally feel proud.
"Hahahahahaha."
In the general's camp, all the generals from Yizhou were present, and Guan Yufa was standing by. Liu Bei couldn't suppress the smile on his face and laughed wildly.
Everyone's face was filled with smiles, and everyone felt happy from the bottom of their hearts.
Although the road from Nanyang to Guanzhong was cut off, Shen Chen sent people to release carrier pigeons. As early as October 10, Zhuge Liang had learned the news that Xiahou Dun had been killed, so he immediately sent carrier pigeons to Hanzhong.
Jia Xu was stationed in Hanzhong, but there were no carrier pigeons sent to the front line in Hanzhong, so he sent people out of the praise lane to deliver the letter sent by Shen Chen to Jiangzhou to Pang Tong.
Pang Tong was arranging food and grass in the Wuzhangyuan area, and immediately sent someone to deliver the letter to Xu Shu Wei Yan in Taiting, and finally sent it to the front line.
Although the journey took seven or eight days due to the long distance, as the saying goes, "A good meal is never too late, and a good word is never too slow." When the news reached Liu Bei, the morale of the army soared, and the whole army was shaken up.
"Your Majesty."
Fazheng saw that Liu Bei was very happy and immediately said: "Xiaoqing's great victory has inspired Jingshu and should be announced to the whole army and the whole world should celebrate."
"Um."
Liu Bei nodded in agreement and said, "Then let's do it this way."
Fa Zheng added: "Now that Xiaoqing is attacking Sun Quan in the east of Nanyang and defeating Cao Cao in the north, and the rebellion continues in the rear, Cao Cao must be worried that he will take advantage of the situation to go north and attack Henan. He will probably choose to retreat to Chang'an and return to Guandong. Your Majesty should rush to advance the entire army. Take Hu County directly and cut off Cao's army's retreat."
"good."
Liu Bei's eyes revealed a hint of determination, and he said in a deep voice: "Cao Cao has been fighting against me for many years and has been defeated many times. In this battle, I will make Cao Cao pay the price!"
After that, he began to deploy troops and generals. He appointed Guan Yu as the general and took the lead in crossing the river and occupying the river bank. He personally marched for the Chinese army, with Zhang Feima and Chao cavalry as the flanks, and Fazheng took charge of the rear camp.
There were dozens of other generals including Pang De, Zhang Ren, Yan Yan, Huang Quan, Lei Tong, Yang Ren, Dong Jue, Feng Xi, Zhang Nan, Gao Xiang, Yang Bai, and Yang Ang, who went out on a grand expedition.
At this time in Hu County, Cao Wei Prime Minister Zhong Yao looked at the letter in his hand that was rushed from the direction of Wuguan, his face was solemn as if it could drip water.
After Xiahou Dun was killed, Shen Chen blocked the news due to the long distance. It was not until three days later that Xiahou Yuan received the report of the scout who risked his life to find out, and he quickly sent people from Wuguan to pass the message in the direction of Guanzhong.
The Xiangfan front line was more than 500 kilometers away from Hu County. Even if horses were changed along the way without changing people, it would still take four days to rush to Chang'an. Therefore, the news they received was not much different from Liu Bei's.
Logically speaking, after Zhong Yao received the letter, he should immediately send someone to Chang'an to give Cao Cao a little shock from the southern battlefield.
But this news...
Zhong Yao was afraid that when Cao Cao found out, he would not be shocked, but violently killed.
Cao Cao is currently recuperating in Chang'an. His headache is getting worse and worse, and the pain is unbearable. He doesn't even come to the front line, which shows the seriousness of his condition.
I'm afraid it would be if I reported it.
Zhong Yao hesitated.
Zhong Yu, the eldest son beside him, saw something wrong with his face and asked, "Father, what's wrong?"
"well."
Zhong Yao let out a long sigh: "Shen Chen killed the former general and the southern front was defeated."
"ah?"
Zhong Yu was shocked and said: "Then why didn't you report it to King Wei immediately?"
Zhong Yao smiled bitterly and said: "The King of Wei is ill. Wouldn't it be great if we got this news?"
"Forehead"
Zhong Yu hesitated and said: "But concealing it or not reporting it is a big sin. If King Wei finds out about it later, he may embarrass his father."
"never mind."
Zhong Yao waved his hand: "Send someone to send it to Dong Zhao, so that Dong Zhao, Sima Yi and others can have a headache."
This is kicking the ball around.
He gave the news to Dong Zhao and others, and Dong Zhao and others had to hesitate whether to report it to Cao Cao.
If Cao Cao died because of this matter, it was none of his business.
So it was uncomfortable, but Zhong Yao felt that even if the southern front was defeated, Liu Bei's group and Cao Cao's group were tight at the rear, and Shen Chen probably wouldn't be able to go north, so let's leave it like this for now.
At that moment, Zhong Yu listened to his father's order and sent someone to deliver the letter to Chang'an immediately.
But not long after, another news came.
Liu Bei's army was dispatched, and began to give up holding on to the camp, took the initiative to attack, crossed the flood, and headed towards Hu County.
Zhong Yao had to put aside the psychological blow caused to him by the defeat on the southern front, encourage the soldiers to cheer up their military morale, and ordered all armies to be on guard, waiting for Liu Bei's attack.
But what Zhong Yao didn't know was that Cao Cao's headache had gotten better these days.
This morning, after getting out of bed and walking around, Cao Cao felt that he was ready again. He was worried about the situation on the battlefield in the south, so he decided to return to Hu County and continue to conquer Liu Bei personally.
Just after midnight in the morning, Cao Cao led the tiger and leopard horses out of the south gate of Chang'an and set off towards Haojing in the southwest of Chang'an.
Huxian County is located southwest of Haojing. If Liu Bei captures Huxian County, Chang'an will be undefended. Going all the way to the northeast will lead you to the outside of Chang'an City. Therefore, Cao Cao had to personally sit in the town to resist Liu Bei's attack.
But at this time, before he reached Haojing, he saw several knights galloping towards him from a distance, and the two sides met on the road.
When Cao Cao saw how they were dressed, he knew they were frontline soldiers and scouts under his command, so he ordered Cao Chun to call those scouts over and inquire about the situation on the frontline.
Soon those soldiers came over. They were the messengers sent by Zhong Yao to deliver a message to Chang'an.
After coming over, Cao Cao asked: "What are you planning to do?"
The messengers squeaked and said hesitantly: "Back to the King of Wei, the Prime Minister ordered us to deliver the letter from Nanyang to Chang'an."
"oh?"
Cao Cao suddenly became energetic, thinking that Guo Jia's plan had taken effect, and Xiahou Dun had successfully withdrawn to Nanyang, so he smiled and said: "Let me see."
"this"
The messenger hesitated for a moment, but Zhong Yao specifically asked them not to hand it over to Cao Cao, but to Dong Zhao.
"Um?"
Cao Cao looked at them with raised eyebrows, "Didn't you hear my order?"
"bass!"
Cao Chun, Xu Chu and other guards beside him immediately drew their swords.
The Wei army was strict in running the army. If subordinates dared to disobey their superiors, their superiors had the right to kill them.
When they used their swords and weapons, the messengers were so frightened that they kowtowed in panic and said: "King Wei, spare your life. It was the Prime Minister who asked us to hand over the soldiers to offer wine and not let us show it to King Wei."
"Bring it here!"
When Cao Cao heard this sentence, he immediately realized that it was wrong and scolded him severely.
"only."
The messenger did not dare to neglect, so he had to deliver the letter with both hands.
Cao Cao took the letter and saw Xia Houyuan's name on it, without Xiahou Dun and Guo Jia. He immediately felt bad. When he opened it, the first sentence he saw was the news that Guo Jia had died of illness.
"Filial piety!"
Cao Cao felt like the world was spinning and he almost fell off his horse.
"King Wei."
Next to him, Xu Chu, Cao Chun, Sima Yi, Dong Zhao, Jiang Ji and others quickly gathered around to help him.
"It doesn't matter."
Cao Cao was slowly helped off his horse, waved his hands, relaxed his mind, then picked up the letter and continued to read.
Later, I saw Xiahou Yuan's letter writing that Guo Jia died of illness and Fu Fang defected, so that the plan to cover Xiahou Dun's retreat failed. Shen Chen sent Huang Zhong and Zhao Yun to intercept and kill Xiahou Dun. Xiahou Dun was shot dead by Huang Zhong during the rebellion.
"Yuan Rang, Yuan Rang."
This time Cao Cao couldn't hold on any longer. He felt a tightness in his chest and blood spurted from the corner of his mouth, dyeing the white paper scarlet.
"King Wei!"
Everyone hurriedly helped him up.
Cao Cao felt a splitting headache, his eyes went black, and he fainted. Before he fell, he only left one sentence: "Let Zhong Yao withdraw to Chang'an!"