After Ma Chao successfully broke through, he began to gather his troops. In the end, only 8,000 of his 15,000 horsemen could escape. This meant that he lost a full 7,000 horsemen in this battle, more than half of which were casualties. This really made him feel guilty.
.
"Let's go and return to Dantu. I want to plead guilty to the lord."
Shaking his head, Ma Chao only felt that he was a sinner. His carelessness caused so many brothers to die or be injured. He couldn't forgive himself.
Eight Thousand Canqi returned to Dantu with a heavy heart. After entering the city, Ma Chao rushed directly to the county government office. He knew that Yuan Shu must be there now.
"My lord, Ma Chao has a great responsibility and was ambushed by Cao Cao. My brothers suffered heavy losses. I also ask my lord to chop off my head to comfort the fallen soldiers."
After Ma Chao entered the door, he knelt down in front of Yuan Shu with a bang, his eyes filled with tears of regret and guilt.
"What?
Ambushed?"
Hearing Ma Chao's words, Yuan Shu was also stunned. How much effort did you have before you were ambushed?
"My lord, I led the cavalry to catch up with Cao Cao. When I saw the flags all over the ground, it was inappropriate for me to lead the army to attack without him.
But this is Cao Cao's plan. These flags and baggage are just his bait, just to induce me to advance, and his soldiers and horses have already been ambushed in the woods on both sides.
When I was advancing, they rushed out from both sides and cut the cavalry into dozens of sections. At this time, Cao Cao's 5,000 cavalry also came out and killed me. I was defeated and could only lead my troops to break through. Ma Chao is guilty."
Ma Chao directly told Yuan Shu the whole story of the ambush.
"Meng Qi, Meng Qi, what do you want me to say about you? What kind of person is Cao Cao? His ability to run an army is unparalleled in the world. This can be seen from the battle on the wall of Dantu. Faced with such a situation, Cao Cao's army was
How could a person collapse after fighting to the death and escaping?"
Now Yuan Shu is really angry. How can you say that you are also a powerful general of the Shu Han Five Tigers, and you can't even see this?
I really let myself down. I originally thought that Ma Chao had grown up after being ambushed last time, but now it seems that I have overthought it.
"Hey, it's all Ma Chao's fault."
After hearing Yuan Shu's words, Ma Chao also blushed. He did underestimate Cao Cao, and the consequence of underestimating the enemy is the current situation. The loss of soldiers and generals is light. If he ran slower, he might even have to do it himself.
It's folded there.
"My lord, although Meng Qi made a bold advance in this battle, no one would have thought that Cao Cao would set up an ambush under the circumstances. He also wanted to capture Cao Cao for his lordship, so he was given a lighter sentence."
After looking at Ma Chao and then at Yuan Shu, Chen Gong couldn't help but suggest something.
"Hey, since you risked your life and fought bravely to kill the enemy, I will help you take your head for the time being. However, the death penalty can be avoided, but the living penalty cannot be escaped. I will be demoted to a soldier with a duty of fifty, will you accept it?"
Yuan Shu nodded. It was impossible for him to really kill Ma Chao. Although he made a mistake, the mistake would not lead to death. At most, it would be considered a misconduct in command.
"Ma Chao accepts the punishment."
Yuan Shu's words made Ma Chao feel a little better. He had suffered fifty military sticks. As for being demoted to a soldier, he didn't care. He believed that he would definitely make a comeback one day.
"My lord, the war in Yangzhou has not yet ended. It is better to remember this punishment to Meng Qi for the time being and wait until the end of Yangzhou."
Fifty sticks are not easy to bear. Ordinary people may not get enough of them before their legs are broken. Even if Ma Chao is a fierce general and his physique is different from ordinary people, he will have to stay in bed for a long time with fifty sticks. The war in Yangzhou is not over yet. If Ma Chao is beaten,
It's like cutting off an arm, and the gain outweighs the loss.
"Commander, thank you for interceding for Ma Chao, but this is the punishment Ma Chao deserves."
Ma Chao was very grateful when he heard Chen Gong plead for him, but a mistake is a mistake. If you make a mistake, you have to bear the consequences. He can withstand these fifty sticks.
"Forget it, just listen to Gongtai's words. The fifty military sticks will be recorded for now. You can temporarily act as the cavalry commander, stay in the formation and listen to them, and you can take advantage of your guilt and make meritorious service."
Yuan Shu nodded. Now, beating Ma Chao is indeed a matter of pleasure for relatives and enemies, so he didn't think about doing it right now, so he agreed to Chen Gong's words.
"Thank you, my lord, Ma Chao will certainly live up to my lord's high expectations."
Ma Chao saluted Yuan Shu.
"Okay, remember not to be reckless in anything from now on, go down."
He waved his hand towards Ma Chao. Yuan Shu really didn't want to see Ma Chao now.
"promise."
Ma Chao clasped his fists and left, leaving only Chen Gong and Yuan Shu in the room.
"Gongtai, do you think he can have a longer memory this time?"
After Ma Chao left, Yuan Shu looked helplessly at Chen Gong beside him.
"Lord, a person always has to fall several times in his life to grow up. I believe Meng Qi will definitely remember it this time. What I'm afraid of now is that this lesson is too heavy and will make Meng Qi too cautious. In this case, it will
It will make him lose his original bravery."
Chen Gong was not worried that Ma Chao would not have a long memory. What he was worried about was that Ma Chao would be cautious and delay the fight when encountering the same situation in the future, which would be bad.
"It's okay. Let him follow Zilong from now on and let Zilong take care of him. I believe it will get better."
Yuan Shu is not worried at all about Chen Gong's worries. As long as Ma Chao can be more stable, he will always grow up in the future.
"Understood."
Now that Yuan Shu thought of this, Chen Gong had nothing to say.
Although Dantu City was captured in this battle and Cao Cao was killed, his losses were not small. Not to mention the casualties of the militia, the loss of the main army alone made Yuan Shu's head explode.
The Hu Lie Army lost more than 10,000 people, the Hengye Army lost 8,000 people, the trapped army lost more than 3,000 people, and the more than 1,000 trapped camps lost more than 500 people. Zang Ba's Xuzhou Army also lost more than 10,000 people, coupled with the cavalry and militia.
In this battle, Yuan Shu's army suffered losses of more than 50,000 people. The army of more than 200,000 people now only has 140,000 to 50,000 people.
Compared with his own losses, Cao Cao was even more crushed. Only less than 30,000 people escaped with him. Among them were 5,000 cavalry who did not participate in the battle. 50,000 people died on the city wall and more than 30,000 were captured.
people.
"My lord, should we go south to invade Wu County first or directly attack Jiujiang County?"
There are two paths before Yuan Shu. One is to send troops to capture Cao Cao's Wu Commandery first, and the other is to temporarily abandon Wu Commandery, send troops to attack Danyang, and then go straight to Jiujiang Commandery.
"What do you think we should do now?"
After hearing Chen Gong's inquiry, Yuan Shu was also thinking about how to choose between the two paths.
"Lord, Chen Wen's troops are gathering in the east city to defend Yan Liang's partial army. Danyang County's defense is empty. I think it is better to put down Wu County first and attack Danyang County."
After thinking about it for a while, Chen Gong still suggested seizing the time to attack westward. Taking advantage of Chen Wen's current inability to take care of Danyang County, he would capture this place first, and then cooperate with Yan Liang from the north to surround Chen Wen's Jiujiang County.
"Then let's do it like this. The army will rest for a day. Tomorrow, the Tiger Army and the trapped army will lead the 10,000 militia group first, and then the rest of the troops will advance towards Danyang County."
Chen Gong's analysis is very reasonable. He really can't make ink now. He should seize the opportunity and move forward bravely. If Chen Wen is killed earlier, he will be able to pick the fruits of Yangzhou with peace of mind earlier.
"promise."
Chen Gong nodded, and then went to make arrangements for entering the army.
Time passed by, and early the next morning Wen Chou and Gao Shun led the Hu Lie Army and the Tramp Army with a regiment of 10,000 people, and headed directly towards Danyang County. As the vanguard, they had to open roads and bridges for the army to ensure the smooth advancement of the army.
Cao Cao's scouts took the lead and ran wildly until they finally found the army led by Xi Zhicai.
"Military advisor, Alchemist is reporting urgently."
"Breaking news."
Xi Zhicai saw the scout covered in blood, and his heart skipped a beat.
"Dantu City has been captured by Yuan Shu's army. My lord is leading the remaining army to Danyang County. My lord wants to go to the military advisor to respond immediately."
The scout directly passed Cao Cao's order to Xi Zhicai. Now that Cao Cao only had more than 20,000 troops, he really felt insecure, so Xi Zhicai gave up returning to aid Dantu and went to fight with him.
"Dantu was actually attacked?"
When he heard the military order from the scout, Cao Ren was immediately stunned.
