Countless shouts resounded throughout the sky. Cao Cao, who was watching the battle from behind, couldn't help but turn pale when he heard this sound, and directly inserted the long sword in his hand into the ground.
"Yuan Gongli, we will meet again later. One day I will avenge this arrow. If I violate this oath, it will be like this sword."
After speaking, Cao Cao broke the long sword stuck in the ground and turned away.
At this moment, Cao Cao's words did sound a little incompetent and angry, but there was nothing he could do. Although he won the first half of this battle, it was Yuan Shu's pursuers who had the last laugh. What could he do?
He couldn't do anything except vent his anger.
Lu Bu, who was not far away, glanced at Cao Cao. There was no happiness in his eyes at all, only a trace of pity for sharing the same fate. Was he not like this once upon a time?
Yuan Shu has become the devil in his heart, bringing him only endless anger and fear.
"Let's go and count the casualties."
Cao Cao left, and Lu Bu waved his hand and returned to his military camp. This time, Cao Cao suffered heavy losses, and his own losses were not small. If the elder brother doesn't laugh at the second brother, let each of them lick their wounds.
"Hahahaha, it's so happy, so happy."
Wen Chou looked at the sun that had just appeared on the horizon from his horse, and couldn't help laughing loudly, expressing the joy in his heart.
"This battle was fought happily. Not only did it avenge an arrow, but it also caused huge casualties to Cao Cao. The merits and demerits were equal to each other."
Xu Huang also smiled slightly. In the first battle, they fell into an ambush and were beaten like lost dogs. However, in the second battle, their carbine was so sharp that they almost plowed through Cao's camp. It was so enjoyable.
"Well, hurry up and return. I believe that the master is also very impatient. As for the success or failure, it all depends on the master."
Ma Chao was still very calm at this moment. After all, they fell into an enemy ambush in the first game. Although they made a comeback in the second game, it was his own negligence that caused huge losses. Even if Yuan Shu wanted to blame him, he
Ma Chao also recognized it,
However, if he could avenge his dead brothers, it would be worth it even if he was punished. Even if he started as a soldier, he believed that he would be able to fight in the end.
"Let's go, don't keep my lord waiting."
Dian Wei also nodded. He didn't care about the merits or demerits, because he was not very interested in fame and wealth. As long as he could protect Yuan Shu for the rest of his life, it didn't matter whether he could be made a marquis or defeated.
"Dian Wei is right. Don't keep your lord waiting. Let's go back to Wangdu."
More than 20,000 cavalrymen rushed north toward Wangdu City with the rumble of horse hooves.
Ma Chao left, but Cao Cao and Lu Bu were licking their wounds like lone wolves in the ruins of the camp. Cao Cao and Lu Bu suffered heavy losses in this battle.
At the beginning, although Yue Jin's 10,000 patrol soldiers and horses deliberately let their horses pass by, a thousand of them were killed, and another thousand were lost in the collapse.
Xiahou Dun's 50,000 soldiers and horses were killed by Xu Huang, and more than 10,000 of them were killed. At the same time, more than 10,000 people were injured again in the subsequent conflicts. Only about 30,000 of the 50,000 soldiers and horses returned.
The camp was a mess. More than 10,000 people were burned to death in the first and second battles. In the chaos, there were more than 20,000 casualties. This means that Cao Cao alone fought in front of the battle in this battle.
The people have an army of 50,000,
Lu Bu's place was also extremely miserable. More than 20,000 people disappeared among the army in one night. In the end, only less than 50,000 people remained in the 70,000-strong army.
In other words, Ma Chao and the others exchanged the loss of almost 20,000 cavalry for Cao Cao's loss of 70,000 cavalry. This can be regarded as a great victory.
Both sides returned separately. Cao Cao returned to Dantu with the remaining army, while Ma Chao hurried back to Wangdu City.
"Lord, Ma Chao and the others are back."
Ma Chao and others were waiting outside Yuan Shu's residence, while Chen Gong quickly entered the house.
"Quick announcement."
Upon hearing Ma Chao's return, Yuan Shu immediately put down the book in his hand, his eyes full of excitement.
"Lord, you need to be mentally prepared."
Seeing Yuan Shu's excited eyes, Chen Gong frowned slightly.
"What's wrong?"
After hearing Chen Gong's words, Yuan Shu felt as if someone poured a bucket of ice water on him, and his heart went cold.
"You'd better ask them for details."
Chen Gong shook his head. He didn't know the specific situation, but looking at their costumes, he understood that there would definitely be a turning point in this battle.
"Okay, let them in."
Yuan Shu also pondered, but what should come will still come.
"promise."
Chen Gong lowered his head and clasped his fists, then turned around and headed outside the mansion.
"Ma Chao, the sinner, pays homage to the lord."
"Dian Wei, the sinful minister, pays homage to the lord."
"The guilty minister Xu Huang, pays homage to the lord."
"The guilty minister Wen Chou pays homage to the lord."
Four big men, shirtless and with thorn sticks on their backs, knelt in a row in front of Yuan Shu. Their bodies were covered with scars, and Xu Huang's arms were wrapped with circles of bandages.
"What's happening here?"
Looking at the situation in front of him, Yuan Shu was honestly confused. Could it be that the chasing cavalry army was completely wiped out?
"My lord, Ma Chao has failed to live up to expectations. He fell into Cao Cao's trick, causing heavy losses to the cavalry. I hope my lord will punish him."
Ma Chao knocked his head directly to the floor.
"My lord, this matter is not only Ma Chao's responsibility, it was a decision made by the four of us together. I hope my lord will punish you."
Wen Chou glanced at Ma Chao and knocked his head to the floor. Dian Wei and Xu Huang next to him also made the same move.
Looking at the four people who couldn't afford to fight, Yuan Shu felt like he was going to explode, but now was not the time to get angry, he had to stay calm.
After letting out a long breath, Yuan Shu slowly came to the four of them, helped them untie the thorns from their bodies, and then helped them all up.
"Okay, as long as you are safe and sound, it's easy to get an army, but it's hard to find a general. Now tell me how you fell into Cao Cao's trick."
Looking at the four big men in front of him and the large and small wounds on their bodies, Yuan Shu knew that they had gone through an absolutely tough battle.
"Lord, we led the army out of Wangdu, but we did not immediately attack Cao Cao to the rear because he would definitely be on guard against us, so we chose to follow in hiding and wait for an opportunity, but soon Cao Cao gave us an opportunity.
That night, his camp was open to everyone, and even my scouts didn't notice when they were nearby."
Having said this, Ma Chao paused for a moment.
"This is Cao Cao's trick. He wants to be cautious. How could he let down his guard when the status of the rear is unknown?"
After hearing Ma Chao's words, Yuan Shu directly judged that this was Cao Cao's plan to lure the snake out of its cave.
"The Lord said what we thought. We also thought that this was Cao Cao's plan to lure the snake out of the cave, so we did not attack. Instead, we continued to wait patiently to follow Cao Cao. At the same time, we asked Gong Ming to lead 5,000 cavalry back to Wangdu to sweep away the scouts that Cao Cao might send.
