Cao Cao ordered the tiger and leopard cavalry to dispatch, and then he managed to stabilize the situation.
Guan Yu led five hundred cavalry to attack tens of thousands of Cao's troops at night, causing Cao's army to be in chaos. When the news came out, the momentum of the defenders in the city increased significantly. Cao's army, which was previously so brave, now seems to be nothing more than that.
As long as they rely on favorable terrain, Cao's army will retreat sooner or later.
A victory created illusions in the hearts of many generals. Liu Bei treated people well. Although Zhang Fei sometimes liked to drink and lose his temper, his own abilities were still quite popular among the soldiers. Many of them firmly remembered Liu Bei's past benefits.
The fighting spirit in my chest was greatly aroused, not for any nonsense, just for conscience, but more for survival.
Verbally, the general told his lord that he would go through fire and water without hesitation, and he was eager to immediately charge and kill him so that the lord could see his core. When the real danger appeared, it would be the biggest test for his soldiers. Whether they are loyal or treacherous can be known at a glance.
.
A sneak attack last night prevented Cao Jun from launching an attack on the second day. Looking at the dark area in Cao Jun's camp, Liu Bei had a smile on his face.
"Lord, the momentum of the defenders has obviously increased. Why not use Xuzhou City as the center and attack other cities to completely isolate Liu Bei and turn the city he defends into an isolated city?" the counselor advised.
Cao Cao sneered and said: "Haven't you heard that Han Sui led an army of nearly 100,000 and failed to capture Pingxiang City guarded by Jia Rong? He had the same idea as you. As a result, the army was defeated and the land of Jincheng was destroyed.
It’s all for Jia Rong.”
Xi Zhicai said: "My lord, Liu Bei is not Jia Rong, and the Xuzhou army is inferior to the Xiliang army. We only need to send 30,000 soldiers to station here. Liu Bei will never dare to make any changes. It was Han Sui's incompetence."
Only people allowed Jia Rong to succeed, and Liu Bei couldn't even think about taking advantage of our army."
Xun Yu also advised: "My lord, turning Xuzhou City into an isolated city can greatly undermine the morale of the defenders, and they will fall without a fight!"
A stern look flashed in Cao Cao's eyes, "In your opinion, Zhicai and I will stay here with 30,000 troops, while the rest will begin to conquer other cities in Xuzhou, and we must capture other cities in Xuzhou within one month."
Cao Jun divided his troops, and one team after another, under Liu Bei's eyes, began to move to other places. At first, Liu Bei thought that Cao Jun deliberately wanted to lure the defenders in the city to attack. Finally, he realized that something was wrong. The leaders of these teams
The generals were all prominent figures in Cao's army. They must have plotted against the whole of Xuzhou by dividing their troops. Liu Bei was anxious, but he had no idea what to do.
"How are things going in the city?" Cao Cao asked in a low voice.
Guan Yu's attack on the camp and Liu Bei's defense of the city made Cao Cao feel very bad. Since ancient times, siege battles have been very difficult. Tens of thousands of people are often involved, and it is very likely that they will not be able to capture the city for several months, and consume countless amounts of money.
supplies.
Chen Deng cupped his hands and said: "My lord, the strength of the Liu family and the Zhao family in the city is far lower than that of the Cao family. Cao Bao is loyal to Liu Bei and cannot betray him. However, although the head of the Zhao family and the Liu family have the intention to open the city gate, their strength is still there."
However, after the previous battles, Liu Bei strengthened the guarding of the city gates. The generals guarding the city gates were all close confidants of his men. There were an unusually large number of soldiers patrolling the streets, making it difficult to start. Even aristocratic families were secretly monitored by Liu Bei.
Liu Bei will know the action immediately."
"It is better to add icing on the cake than to provide help in the snow. I think the heads of the Liu family and the Zhao family in the city also understand this. When the army breaks the city, what use will the Liu family and the Zhao family have to us? When you pass the word, just say I don't care about Xuzhou
One or two more big families will come." Cao Cao said.
Cao Cao never thought that Xuzhou City would have someone like Pengcheng to support him. Under normal circumstances, it would be difficult to succeed in a strong city like Xuzhou City without months of attack and siege. Especially Liu Bei had been in the army for more than ten years and had rich battlefield experience and single-minded focus.
Defense was a headache even for Cao Cao.
"No!" Chen Deng said goodbye with his hands in hand.
After hearing Cao Cao's promise, Chen Deng was also full of confidence. The strength of the aristocratic family cannot be underestimated, but they are also very cunning. If they don't see the rabbit and don't let the eagle fly, they won't be able to do their best without enough benefits.
In Xuzhou City, the heads of the Liu family and the Zhao family gathered together and were constantly discussing countermeasures. However, Liu Bei's defense was too tight. Even if they wanted to mobilize a hundred people, they would probably have a large army swarming in and be wiped out in an instant.
When Liu Bei received the news from Cao Bao, a sneer appeared on his face. He wanted to play some game of opening the city gate under his nose, which made Liu Bei very angry.
"General Cao, you lead the army to surround the Liu family and the Zhao family. Don't let anyone go, and don't let the news leak out." Liu Bei rolled his eyes and figured out what was going on.
"My lord, the head of the Liu family and the head of the Zhao family bribed the generals guarding the city gate and raised fire as a signal at midnight. At that time, the army will attack the city." Chen Deng hurried to the Chinese army's tent where Cao Cao was.
Cao Cao laughed and said: "Okay, if we can capture Xuzhou, the Chen family should be the first to take the lead!"
Chen Deng was overjoyed. Cao Cao's strength ranked first among all the princes in the world. Being able to get his promise was countless times better than a rootless duckweed like Liu Bei. Moreover, Cao Cao had previously promised him to be the shepherd of Xuzhou. The rise of the Chen family was already unstoppable.
.
"Without further delay, Master Chen quickly contacted the Liu family and the Zhao family to ensure that everything goes smoothly," Cao Cao said.
The head of the Liu family and the head of the Zhao family were invited by Liu Bei to the Prefectural Shepherd's Mansion. Looking at Liu Bei who was sitting at the head with a cold expression on his face, the two knew that the matter had been leaked, their faces were ashen, they looked at each other and shook their heads.
Liu Bei smiled and said: "The Liu family and the Zhao family are very clever. They want to open the city gate to welcome Cao's army. Could it be that they think this general is easy to bully?"
"Why do you say this, sir? The Liu family has lived in the city for generations and dare not have the slightest objection. Could it be that you were instigated by villains?" the head of the Liu family argued.
"Really? Then what does it mean when the head of the Liu family and the head of the Zhao family communicated with Cao Jun outside the city and said that the defense is tight and they cannot succeed?" Cao Bao stepped forward and said, staring at the two of them with bright eyes.
"This..." The two of them suddenly choked on their words. They didn't expect that Cao Bao had so much information.
Liu Bei sneered and said: "If the two family heads can defend the city together with Bei, after Cao's army retreats, they will naturally share the glory. I didn't expect you..."
"Sir, I am willing to serve you. Please let the Liu family go!" Seeing that something was wrong, the head of the Liu family immediately changed his tune.
Seeing this, the head of the Zhao family hurriedly bowed: "Sir, the Zhao family is willing to serve you!"
Liu Bei said: "The two of you had an affair with Cao Jun. It is a capital crime. I hope you have a good attitude and can be punished with meritorious service. I will write a letter now to tell Cao Jun to enter the city at three o'clock tonight and follow the agreed signal."
At the second watch, Cao Cao ordered Xiahou Dun to lead five hundred cavalry and prepare to rush into the city. Cao Cao felt very happy thinking that Liu Bei would be defeated in his hands overnight.
Xi Zhicai asked: "My lord, can the Liu family and Zhao family in the city be trusted?"
Cao Cao's joyful expression immediately dissipated, and he frowned slightly and said, "Nothing to worry about!"
When Xi Zhicai reminded him, his good mood disappeared, "Tell General Xiahou to pay attention to the changes in the city gate. If anything goes wrong, withdraw your troops immediately!"
Xiahou Dun, who was hiding in the dark, suddenly heard the sounds of fighting coming from the city, and the city gate creaked open, shouting: "Brothers, kill!"
Five hundred cavalry quickly entered the city gate. The surroundings were strangely quiet. Xiahou Dun was frightened and looked around. There were soldiers of the Xuzhou Army everywhere. The archers' long arrows were aimed at them. Just waiting for an order, they would
There will be arrows raining down.
Xiahou Dun secretly screamed, and was about to order the soldiers to retreat. The city gate behind him was slowly closing, and the suspension bridge was gradually lifted. In a short time, the five hundred cavalrymen could not get out.
"Fire the arrow!" Guan Yu commanded in a deep voice.
The five hundred cavalry became the target of the archers, and the number of casualties was unknown. The cavalry crowded with each other and made a mess at the narrow city gate. Xiahou Dun hurriedly withdrew.
After Xiahou Dun left the city, only a dozen of the five hundred elite tiger and leopard cavalry were left, and more than four hundred cavalry were buried forever in the city. Xiahou Dun shouted below the city: "Shameless Liu Bei!"
Liu Bei, who was on the city, laughed and said, "General Xiahou is here safe and sound. You led your army to attack the city gate, but we were shameless. What's the explanation?"
Xiahou Dun's face turned green and white, and he led the cavalry back.
The war once again fell into a stalemate. After half a year of campaigning, the 100,000-strong army consumed an unknown amount of food and grass. With the strength of Cao's army, it was difficult to sustain it for too long. Cao Cao was extremely anxious.
After the Jizhou Army suffered several losses in a row, they changed the strategy of sneak attacks by grain transport soldiers. Tian Feng still planned the strategy. The Jizhou Army did not lack ordinary soldiers, but the cavalry was their shortcoming. It was more or less the same as the Xiliang Army. When the two sides fought,
The distinction between superior and inferior made Yuan Shao very depressed.
On the battlefield, when fighting against the Xiliang Army, the winner is basically the cavalry. Without strong cavalry, there is no hope of getting any benefits from the Xiliang Army, and the cavalry is the strength of the Xiliang Army. Jia Rong dominates the world.
For many years, I have relied on the cavalry in my hands, and I have also attached great importance to the cavalry. Whether it is equipment or horses, nothing can be compared with the Jizhou cavalry.
"Everyone, in the land of Youzhou, we already have three counties in the hands of our army. Now the Xiliang army is watching eagerly from the side, and it may be difficult to advance." Yuan Shao said in an anxious tone.
Tian Feng thought for a moment, then stepped forward and cupped his hands and said: "My lord, the Xiliang army is too powerful and cannot be an enemy. Besides, the army has been fighting for half a year and the people are exhausted. It is better to make peace with the Xiliang army."
Xu You immediately jumped out and said: "What do you mean by Master Tian's words? Is the Jizhou army inferior to the Xiliang army? Since my lord set out on the expedition, he has conquered two counties in a row, and his morale is at a high level."
Yuan Shao waved his hand and said: "Master Tian's words are reasonable, but who should be selected to send the Xiliang army as envoy?" The successive losses on the battlefield made Yuan Shao a little exhausted mentally and physically, and he did not want to be an enemy of the Xiliang army. The territory of Jizhou was not as stable as imagined.
Especially recently, Cao's army has moved closer to Qingzhou, and Shenpei is still a guest in the Xiliang army. There has been no news since he went on the mission. Jia Rong is not a good man and a woman of faith. Maybe Shenpei has been sacrificed to the flag.
