Cao Peng climbed up to the watchtower and had a bird's-eye view of the battlefield at the south city gate, but his mind had already flown to the outside of the north city gate.
On November 27, the Yishui, Sishui and other rivers had been dammed and filled with water. Lu Bu's defeat was not far away.
But so far, Cao Peng has not been able to come up with a proper solution.
The reason is very simple.
In fact, Lu Bu still wanted to live quietly, but Chen Gong was resolute.
At the same time, it was impossible for Lu Bu to put down his arrogance and really bow to Cao Cao. Later, in the Baimen Tower, after Lu Bu was captured, he said to Cao Cao: I surrender to you. From now on, the two of us will join forces and I will lead the cavalry.
, if you unite the infantry, there will be no one in the world who can resist Ming Gong.
At first glance, this sentence does not seem to have any problems.
But if you think about it carefully, you can taste something unusual.
You haven't surrendered yet, but you want to lead an army on your own? And it's the most elite cavalry army... If you lead the cavalry army, and Cao Cao leads the infantry, who should get the victory?
Lu Bu was willing to submit to Cao Cao, but in his heart, he still regarded himself as Marquis Wen. This was a matter of position. Even though Lu Bu was captured by Cao Cao, he still failed to position himself.
Under such circumstances, how could Cao Cao spare Lu Bu?
It is undeniable that Lu Bu is the best in the world in martial arts, no one can deny this.
And his ability to command the cavalry is very strong. In terms of command when the battle changes, no one can even compare. If he were a general, it would be easier to say something. But the problem is that Lu Bu's ambition is too great! And his ability has never been
None of them are proportional to his ambition.
To put it mildly, Lu Bu is innocent.
To put it harshly, he is just stupid...
To be a general is to be innocent; to compete in the world is to be foolish.
Lu Bu has not yet had the necessary awakening to become a communist. He is neither thick nor black enough, but he is also very ambitious. What if he doesn't die?
How to save such a person?
Not to mention that after saving Lu Bu, he would fall out with Lao Cao; even if he didn't fall out with Lao Cao, would Cao Peng be able to subdue Lu Bu?
After saving, how to use it?
This problem has been bothering Cao Peng, and he finally decided to give up rescuing Lu Bu.
Not saving Lu Bu, only saving his family... This difficulty is relatively easy. Judging from historical experience, Lao Cao probably did not endanger Lu Bu's family, but no one knows what the outcome will be.
Lu Bu has no son... No, there is a fake one, but it is nothing to worry about. A group of women are relatively weak threats. If they are really saved, Cao Cao will not fall out.
But the problem comes again, how to solve it?
In the distance, under the city tower, the shouts of killing were loud, but in the camp, everything was solemn and orderly.
After Cao Peng arrived at Cao Hong's tent, except for the three hundred warriors he had selected and experienced the Battle of Quyang, the rest were all handed over to Cao Hong. In his eyes, it seemed a pity to hand over a thousand soldiers, but in fact
But the burden of a big boss was lifted.
Those people were not Haixi people, and they had not experienced a life-and-death battle.
To put it bluntly, these more than a thousand soldiers were composed of surrendered soldiers and did not have much attachment to Cao Peng.
There are 200 soldiers in Dongling Pavilion, 300 are left in Quyang, and 300 men are left in hand. For Cao Peng, it is enough for now!
His identity and status are not yet qualified to command thousands of guardsmen.
These eight hundred people have gone beyond the etiquette system. Although there is no need to care about so many etiquettes in troubled times, he is now Cao Cao's subordinate and must take Cao Cao's thoughts into consideration. In other words,
He must hand over his military power! Mr. Cao will not care if he keeps 800 people, but if he keeps a few thousand people, Mr. Cao will definitely be wary. Sooner or later, he will have to hand it over, so it is better to be more cheerful and take the initiative to hand it over.
.
Besides, Cao Peng and Cao Hong have a close relationship, so handing it over to Cao Hong can be regarded as handing it over to one's own family.
Cao Peng's refreshing attitude really made Cao Hong happy. After receiving 1,700 soldiers, Cao Hong reported to Cao Peng, and Cao Peng sent someone to continue to be in charge of the prime minister. The reason is very simple, the grain and grass transferred by the prime minister
, all provided by Cao Peng, so naturally he should be in charge.
Mr. Cao would not refute Cao Hong's face, so he readily agreed.
Immediately, Cao Hong appointed Deng Fan as the commander-in-chief of another department, pretending to be the minister, and taking charge of the affairs.
Why Deng Fan?
Instead of Pan Zhang, Xia Houlan and others?
In terms of ability, talent and learning, Pan Zhang, Xia Houlan, and even Wang Xu were better than Deng Fan.
Don't forget, Deng Fan also has another identity, that is, the fifth child among Xiaobayi. In other words, Deng Fan, like Cao Peng, is one of his own. In this case, Cao Hong certainly chose to be more
The familiar Deng Fan, not Pan Zhang, Xia Houlan and others...
However, Cao Peng did not forget to ask for credit for Pan Zhang and Xia Houlan.
Including Bu Zhao, who temporarily replaced Qu Yang, and was appointed Sima of another department, which can be regarded as an explanation.
The Sima of the other departments appointed by Cao Hong was stronger than the Sima of the other departments they had appointed before. Previously, Cao Peng appointed them the Sima of the other departments and was not registered in the court. But the Sima of the other departments appointed by Cao Hong was a military officer and was registered in the court, so it was considered
Officially became a court official.
With a salary of two hundred stones, it is naturally different from the previous ones.
Using 1,700 people to buy everyone's future and reduce his own troubles, why wouldn't Cao Peng do it?
Therefore, Pan Zhang and Xia Houlan followed Deng Fan out of town to serve as prime minister, while Cao Peng only left Gan Ning by his side. It was very cold in Xuzhou in November. Looking downstairs, three hundred warriors were dressed in black robes.
, holding swords and spears across their backs, carrying bows and arrows on their backs, standing neatly and solemnly around them.
Gan Ning stood beside Cao Peng, having changed into a brocade robe and a black robe.
The cape is a garment similar to a cloak, with a fish-scale iron armor inside. This fish-scale armor is made of 2,200 iron pieces and weighs more than forty kilograms. If it were not for a strong and burly man like Gan Ning,
Ordinary people cannot wear it at all. But even such a piece of iron armor cannot be worn by everyone. After Cao Peng seized the prime minister, he obtained this iron armor from the treasury and gave it to Gan Ning.
"Sir, why are you silent?"
"I'm thinking about how to save Lu Bu's family."
Gan Ning said: "What's so difficult about this? Why don't we just ask Lu Bu to send his family out?"
"It's not that easy!"
Cao Peng smiled and lowered his voice, "Lü Bu's subordinates are all divided. Besides, Lu Bu still has his own illusions. How can he give away his family so easily?"
If you want to rescue his family without anyone noticing, you must first keep it a secret.
One more thing, Lu Bu... I can't save him! How to stop him from thinking about it is a troublesome matter after all, and I haven't come up with a suitable idea yet."
"That……"
"This matter is not urgent. Lu Bu has not yet reached the end of his rope, so he will not obey easily."
"We are at the end of our rope?" Gan Ning asked, "How long will it take?"
Cao Peng pursed his cheeks and replied: "Maybe, just tonight!"
On November 29, the third year of Jian'an, the sky turned overcast.
The cold wind howled all night and the temperature dropped sharply. At noon, heavy snow fell, and Xuzhou ushered in the first snow in three years of Jian'an.
The snow became heavier and heavier, reaching its peak in the afternoon.
The strong wind swept the snowflakes all over the sky, blocking people's sight. In such bad weather, it was impossible to launch an attack on Xiapi. So Cao Cao ordered to suspend the troops for one day. After the heavy snow stopped, he would attack again. At the same time, he ordered all troops
Horse, retreat ten miles.
In the military camp south of Xiapi City, Cao Peng, Cao Hongganning, and Dianman Xu Yi, who happened to be taking a break and came to see Cao Peng, were gathering in the big tent to start the battle. A square table was covered with rare
White deer velvet rug. On the white deer velvet rug, there are one hundred and eight mahjong tiles carved from jade. The mahjong tiles have a light emerald green color, and you can tell at a glance that they belong to that kind of precious jade.
Cao Hong sat on the bank, played a card happily, and said with a big smile: "I will definitely win with this card."
Noriman's eyes were red and he said fiercely: "The outcome is not yet known."
Gan Ning said nothing, and his face was obviously nervous; while Xu Yi had a dejected look on his face, obviously he had lost a lot...
"It's not peaceful tonight!"
Outside the big tent, it was dark and silent.
Except for the night patrol, everyone huddled in their tents and refused to come out.
"Sir, do you think Lu Bu will steal the camp?"
"It's hard to say... but don't worry, the camp has already been prepared. If Lu Bu leaves the city, he will be asking for death."
Deng Zhi whispered: "What's the clue?"
Cao Peng glanced around and said, "I have ordered Chu Ge to sneak into the city. That boy has quick eyesight, so he may find an opportunity."
"I hope I get it!" Deng Zhi exhaled.
"I still feel that we are taking a bit of a risk this time."
"Take the risk or not, we are already here. Men have clear grudges. Knowing that there is danger, some things must be done."
Deng Zhi nodded appreciatively!
In the late Eastern Han Dynasty, the concept of country was not clear and even somewhat vague.
Since ancient times, the idea of a family and a world has made people first consider the gratitude of "family" and their loyalty to "family". The so-called loyalty is not absent, but this concept is as vague as the concept of country. People judge a person
Whether a person is good or bad should first be considered from the word "righteousness". What is this "righteousness"? It covers a wide range and cannot be explained clearly at the same time.
Filial piety to parents, loyalty to country, love to friends...
Concepts such as this can all be grouped into the word "righteousness".
Confucius said: A gentleman has nothing to do with the world, and nothing is wrong. It is the comparison of righteousness.
No matter how much the meaning of "righteousness" has changed from Confucius to the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, people who value righteousness can always be admired.
There was some noise in the military tent.
Suddenly, Cao Peng stood up, walked to the door of the tent, and listened.
I just heard the sound of the sky collapsing and the earth cracking in the distance, like thousands of horses galloping...
"The dam has burst!"
Cao Peng shouted, hurriedly walked out of the military tent and climbed up to the watchtower.
He set up a pergola with his hands and looked outside. Suddenly, a bright silver line appeared in the night. In an instant, it turned into a huge wave, roaring towards Xiapi. The terrain of Xiapi was relatively low, and the river water rushed in quickly.
Then it was flooded. Four rivers including Yishui had accumulated water for more than ten days, and the amount of water had accumulated to an astonishing level. The river water rolled up wooden piles and boulders, and roared towards Xiapi City.
Boom, boom...
The floodwaters from the four rivers gathered together and slapped on the Xiapi city wall, making a roaring sound.
Cao Jun, who had already made preparations and retreated to a higher ground, couldn't help but change his expressions when he saw the monstrous flood coming.
Cao Hong laughed loudly, while Gan Ning looked solemn.
Cao Peng looked at the vast ocean below him and couldn't help but sigh: "Xiapi, it's over!"
Following his sigh, he suddenly heard a roar coming from the direction of Xiapi City.
In the dark night, half of the city wall could not withstand the fierce impact of the flood and suddenly collapsed. A gap that could accommodate three carriages suddenly appeared.
"The city is broken, the city is broken!"
In Xiapi City, people were running around and shouting, and their hisses kept coming.
Cao Peng looked miserable and remained silent.
For a long time, he muttered to himself: "The peaks and ridges are like clusters, and the waves are like angry waves.
Mountains and rivers, Xuzhou Road, the capital of King Pi, hesitant and hesitant. Sad. Wherever Qin and Chu traveled, thousands of palaces and palaces were made of clay... When they prospered, the people suffered. When they died, the people suffered."
Deng Zhi heard this so clearly that he couldn't help but feel excited and shuddered.
In prosperity, the people suffer; in death, the people suffer...
Xiapi, where the former capital of the Xiapi king was located, finally couldn't withstand the flood and collapsed overnight.
The floods rushed into Xiapi City, destroying countless houses and causing people to lose their homes.
However, there are three inner and outer city walls in Xiapi. After the outer city was defeated, Lu Bu immediately gathered his troops and horses, retreated from the outer city, and retreated into the inner city to hold on.
At this time, Lu Bu only had three to four thousand men left in his hands.
But it is enough to defend the city. The walls of the inner city are not as high as those of the outer city, but they are stronger and thicker.
Even if Cao Cao wanted to storm the inner city, he would have to pay a huge price. This is not the result that Cao Cao expected...killing one thousand enemies and damaging oneself eight hundred, wouldn't it mean that both sides would suffer, and it would be a gain in vain?
Others. Just when he was hesitating, Xun You came up with a plan.
"Ming Gong, why should you worry? Lu Bu has become a turtle in a urn now.
The outer city was destroyed, and he had no room to return. The art of war goes like this: surround it ten times, attack it five times... Now the Ming Dynasty's military strength is ten times that of Lu Bu, and there is even more food stored in Haixi, so that the Ming Dynasty's food route is endless and there is no worries.
How can we store a lot of food in the inner city of Xiapi? We only need to besiege the city, and Xiapi will be defeated in less than ten days. By then, even if Lu Bu is extremely capable, he will have no choice but to capture him... Ming Gong is really too worried."
When Cao Cao heard about this plan, he couldn't help but be overjoyed.
That's right, how much food and grass can the small inner city of Xiapi have?
Lu Bukong had three to four thousand soldiers and horses, plus the servants and servants in the small town, as well as the officials and former officials in the inner city, there were a total of six thousand people.
The amount of food and grass consumed by these six to seven thousand people every day is not a small amount.
As long as Xiapi is surrounded, Lu Bu's army will be defeated in a short time.
Cao Cao immediately ordered the inner city of Xiapi to be surrounded...
The day after the water flooded Xiapi, Cao Peng followed Cao Hong's troops and stationed in Xiapi City. Walking on the wet streets, Cao Peng suddenly felt infinite emotion.
"Second brother, third brother, do you still remember when we fought Lu Bu here a year ago?"
The long street is empty, and the restaurants on both sides are deserted.
A year ago, Cao Peng Dianman and Xu Yi had a brief confrontation with Lu Bu here.
That time, with the combined strength of three people, they were defeated by Lu Bu with one blow. Looking back now, it makes people feel quite sad that things are unpredictable...
Cao Peng reined in his horse and looked up at the restaurant beside the long street.
That day, Lu Lan was watching the battle in this restaurant, and it was precisely because of her that her group was saved from being killed.
She saved me that day!
Cao Peng suddenly discovered that he owed the Lu family not only Diao Chan, but also Lu Lan.
The charming laughter echoed in his ears, and that innocent smile appeared in front of Cao Peng: No matter what, I will save them!
Cao Peng clenched his fists subconsciously.
"Cao Youxue, save me!"
Just when Cao Peng was deep in thought, he suddenly heard a call.
