Han family achievements

Chapter 299 Horizontal Push
Cao Cao stood up suddenly, with a cold and angry expression, and said: "Dong Zhuo is here in person? How many troops and horses are there? Who is in the vanguard?"

Xiahou Dun said: "There are about 2 people, including Hua Xiong and Zhang Ji. They are only a hundred miles away from Qiao County."

"Twenty thousand?"

Cao Cao's narrow eyes flashed sharply, and he was calculating rapidly in his mind.

According to various estimates, Dong Zhuo has been engaged in military warfare in recent years, with at least [-] soldiers.

Cao Cao thought for a moment, then turned to Guo Jia and said: "Fengxiao, do you think Dong Zhuo is trying to block me, and the purpose is to capture Xuzhou?"

Xuzhou is close to the sea and borders Pei and Liang. Once Xuzhou is captured, Dong Zhuo will not only increase his depth, but also his troops, money and food.

At the same time, it is adjacent to Qing and Yan in the north, and connected to Yang and Jing in the lower part. Once Dong Zhuo takes Xuzhou, it will be like a dragon entering the sea, and it will be difficult to contain it.

Guo Jia stood up holding the wine bottle and said with a slow smile: "No matter how many people he has or what his plans are, as long as the general can overwhelm the army, Dong Zhuo will have to think twice."

Cao Cao suddenly put his hands behind his back and came to the door, looking in the direction of Pei Guo.

Xiahou Dun stood behind him and said with some confusion: "General, Dong Zhuo's [-]-strong army is about to arrive."

It's coming soon, shouldn't we deal with it as soon as possible?Why didn't you speak anymore?

Guo Jia naturally knew that Cao Cao was not satisfied with his strategy, or wanted to destroy him as soon as possible.

With Cao Cao's current military strength, it is impossible to destroy Dong Zhuo alone.

After Yuan Shu is overthrown, the situation in Jiangdong will become clearer. As each of the princes becomes more powerful, it will become very interesting to see whether they can still obey the orders of the imperial court and how much they obey.

Dong Zhuo was alone and could not hold out for long.

But what happens after Dong Zhuo is annihilated?

Guo Jia had to think about Cao Cao. His Majesty's calculations in the palace were too far-reaching. If he didn't think carefully, Cao Cao might not have much merit in the future!

Therefore, Guo Jia didn't say anything and just drank by himself.

Cao Cao waited for a long time, and when he saw that Guo Jia was unwilling to reveal himself, he looked cold and said: "Give me an order, order Le Jin to lead 5000 people, pretending that my army will take a detour to Pei State. The others will form an army and wait for my order!"

"Yes!" Xiahou Dun responded and strode away.

Guo Jia was not surprised to see that Cao Cao was not willing to give in, and said: "General, it is best for Xiahou Sima to go. Xiahou Sima is cautious, and Lieutenant Le Du is a bit reckless."

Cao Cao seemed not to have heard. He put his hands behind his back, looked in the direction of Pei Guo, and said, "Fengxiao, do you know what I am thinking?"

Guo Jia stood behind Cao Cao, unable to see his expression, and said with a smile: "The general has the ambition of Wei Huo, and I also have the ambition of Zhang Su. Wei Qing has been dormant in the princess palace for many years, and Zhang Yi also has time to work and study."

Guo Jia's words of comfort seemed tactful, but Cao Cao was not a reckless man who didn't study, so he didn't know what Guo Jia meant.

He did not turn his head and said solemnly: "I am determined to destroy Dao as soon as possible, wipe out all rebellions, restore my country, and make my country famous!"

Guo Jia was startled and slowly put the wine back to his mouth.

He suddenly discovered that Cao Cao didn't look far enough, Cao Cao actually guessed it!
Guo Jia was unusually silent.

After waiting for a while, Cao Cao turned his head, looked at Guo Jia's silent expression, laughed loudly, and said: "Fengxiao, do you think I, Cao Cao, will be afraid of the so-called life and death?"

Guo Jia raised his head, looked at Cao Cao, and suddenly laughed, threw away the wine bottle, raised his hand and said: "General, it's Guo Jia who is cowardly!"

Cao Cao pressed his hands down, picked up the wine bottle, handed it to Guo Jia, and said, "Fengxiao, can you speak now?"

Guo Jia threw away the wine bottle with one hand and said: "Guo Jia should quit drinking before I understand!"

Cao Cao laughed endlessly, took Guo Jia's hand, and walked back.

The guards outside the door didn't dare to look back and looked at each other, confused and confused.

Cao Cao sat down, picked up the wine glass, took a sip, stroked his beard, and said with burning eyes: "Fengxiao, what are your plans?"

Guo Jia looked at Cao Cao's wine glass, his throat moved, he leaned forward and said: "The strategy remains the same, but this time it is not to defend, but to attack fiercely."

Cao Cao thought carefully and said, "Dong Zhuo, I'm afraid he would have expected that, right?"

An obscure smile flashed across Guo Jia's lips, and he said: "That's right. Dong Zhuo must have set a trap for the general, but the general is determined to step on this trap, and he will break it!"

Cao Cao's narrow eyes flashed, then he smiled and said: "Dong Zhuo wants Xuzhou, and he is facing Liu Bei and Sun Jian from the north and south, so he will definitely send heavy troops. There shouldn't be many to guard against me."

Guo Jia nodded and said: "If there is another rumor, Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan have turned around."

Cao Cao smiled more and stood up immediately. His smile turned serious and majestic, and he shouted toward the door: "Send my order to assemble your troops immediately and attack Pei State!"

There was a guard outside the door, who turned around and quickly went to deliver the order.

Guo Jia subconsciously raised his hand, then turned to look at the lonely wine bottle outside the door, smashed his mouth, and his expression became more thoughtful.

After Cao Cao finished speaking, he was about to walk out. When he saw Guo Jia's expression, he suddenly realized something, but he didn't care and strode away.

Guo Jia stared at Cao Cao's back, touched his lips, and said to himself: "It seems that I have never understood my general..."

Following Cao Cao's order, Qiao County suddenly became turbulent.

The barracks outside the city quickly moved into action, the army gathered and began to move eastward.

At this moment, Yang Xiu stood at the top of the city with a worried look on his face, looking at Cao Cao who was mobilizing on horseback.

Lu Yu was beside him, also frowning and worried.

Although the Grand Sima Mansion gave Cao Cao the right to "act on expediency", this "acting on expediency" itself is a restriction, not laissez-faire.

After Cao Cao received the order, he prepared to mobilize his army to fight. Not to mention what the Grand Sima Mansion thought, how would the imperial court judge?
What will be the attitude of His Majesty in the palace?

Although Yang Xiu came to Cao Cao to "gild", he didn't want anything to happen to the "gold owner" and affect him.

Glancing at Lu Yu from the corner of his eye, Yang Xiu suddenly said: "Lu Yu, does the palace really want Cao Cao to attack Dong Zhuo?"

Lu Yu thought for a moment, shook his head and said, "The imperial court doesn't want to move."

Yang Xiu was keenly aware that Lu Yu was talking about 'the imperial court', not the palace.

Yang Xiu asked no more questions. He couldn't stop anything. A war was inevitable.

Before Yuan Shu was destroyed, Cao Cao launched another war against Dong, and he didn't know how the court would react.

In general, Cao Cao's life after today will definitely not be easy!
Lu Yu was also worried. Cao Cao was half of his fellow disciples, and his father's mantle belonged to Cao Cao.

"Destroy Dong Zhuo and enhance the power of our army!"

Not far from the city gate, Cao Cao raised his sword and shouted loudly.

"Destroy Dong Zhuo and enhance the power of our army!"

Xiahou Dun, Cao Ren, Cao Hong, Le Jin and other generals followed and shouted.

Flags with the word "Cao" rising from the ground, the flags fluttering and the sound of hunting.After the mobilization was over, Cao Cao personally led the army to greet Hua Xiong and Zhang Ji.

Perhaps after learning that Cao Cao had mobilized all his troops, Hua Xiong and Zhang Ji did not fight, but retreated and stationed themselves at a place called "Back to Xiaguan".

Cao Cao did not hesitate to order an attack, but after only an hour, he ordered a withdrawal without a forceful attack.

Not far from Cao Cao's camp, Yang Xiu stood behind him and said: "General, this Xiaguan was built under Dong Zhuo's order. It is not a dangerous pass, but it blocks the main road. This Xiaguan is shaped like the character "Hui". It’s complicated inside, and if you want to break through it, I’m afraid you’ll have to suffer a lot of damage.”

To put it simply, this kind of pass is not a big fortress, but if Hua Xiong and Zhang Ji defend it and want to break it, they will have to fill it with at least several thousand people.

Cao Cao didn't want the elite soldiers he had finally trained to be used pointlessly to fill such a pass.

"Is there any way to get around it?" Cao Cao said solemnly, holding his sword.

Yang Xiu looked at the map and said, "Yes, but we have to go around for hundreds of miles. There are several passes on the road ahead, which are similar in shape."

Cao Ren, Xiahou Dun and others did not answer the call. They did not like to attack such passes and felt sorry for their soldiers.

Cao Cao was silent and looked back to Xiaguan.

Guo Jia came out of the tent and said, "Hua Xiong and Zhang Ji probably want to hold off the general and buy time for Dong Zhuo to take Xuzhou."

Cao Cao naturally understood, so he didn't want to waste time and said, "Fengxiao, if I take a detour to Yanzhou and go straight to Peiguo, is it okay?"

Guo Jia's throat was itchy and he hadn't drank for a few days. He felt very uncomfortable and said, "Once the general appears in Yanzhou, I'm afraid the court's reaction will be very violent, and it may not work."

The imperial court has always been "hostile" to Cao Cao. This time, Cao Cao sent troops to attack Dong before the destruction of Yuan was completed. The imperial court was not prepared at all.

It was predictable to prevent Cao Cao from entering and exiting Yanzhou under suspicion.

Guo Jia suppressed his alcohol addiction and said with some emotion: "Dong Zhuo built so many passes, it seems that he was well prepared. When he takes Xuzhou, there will be no obstacles whether he goes north or south."

Cao Cao turned his head to the south and said, "Is there anything going on over there with Yuan Shu?"

Yang Xiudao: "Not yet, but Yuan Shao is chasing the most urgently. Sun Jian is dragged to Guangling County. Gongsun Zan wants Jiujiang and Jiangxia. Shi Xie has occupied Jiaozhi. Everyone seems to have stopped and is waiting for Yuan Shao to destroy Yuan Shu. .”

Cao Cao felt a little impatient and uneasy, so he took a deep breath and said, "Fengxiao, I decided to write a letter to the Grand Sima Mansion and request Yanzhou to send troops."

Yanzhou is due north of Liang and Pei states. Once Yanzhou sends troops, Dong Zhuo will face enemies on both sides.

"The court will not agree."

Guo Jia answered neatly and said: "General, please don't forget that the Prime Minister has just been replaced by the Prime Minister. He is striving for stability. If you want the court to send troops, your Majesty may not be able to persuade you."

Cao Cao frowned and looked at Huixiaguan not far away. His impatience turned into anger and he said: "Is the only way to attack by force?"

Guo Jia looked up at the sky and said, "General, Xia received it."

Cao Cao followed him and looked up at the sky, only to see the big red sun hanging above his head, its light dazzling and scorching hot.

Cao Cao seemed to feel hot suddenly, and it was extremely hot.

Suddenly he turned around and said while wiping his sweat: "Cao Ren, prepare to attack with fire tonight!"

"Yes!" Cao Ren seemed to have no thought at all and raised his hand in agreement.

Everyone followed Cao Cao and turned around. Yang Xiu, who was the chief secretary of the Yangwei General Mansion, had already understood something. He followed Guo Jia and whispered: "Military advisor, although this strategy of weakening the enemy is more effective in summer, But if Hua Xiong and Zhang Ji retreat to the next pass, won’t we continue like this and Dong Zhuo’s purpose of delaying time will be achieved?”

Guo Jia was a little surprised. He had long noticed that Yang Xiu was very smart, but he didn't expect him to openly announce it.

Sure enough, Cao Cao, Xiahou Dun, Cao Hong and others who followed him stopped and looked at Yang Xiu.

Cao Cao looked at Yang Xiu expressionlessly. This was the precious son of the former prime minister. Putting him here was actually a kind of 'distribution' to protect Yang Xiu.

"What do you think should be done?" Cao Cao raised his head slightly, narrowed his eyes, and his exam-ready look was written directly on his face.

Yang Xiu was not afraid, he raised his hand and said: "General, I think that we should annihilate Hua Xiong and Zhang Ji at a very fast speed, so that we can have an unobstructed approach to Pei State, Dong Zhuo's home base!"

"How to annihilate them?" Cao Cao asked again.

Guo Jia, Cao Hong and others all looked at him, somewhat expecting the answer from the Prime Minister, the Qilinzi.

Yang Xiu was silent for a moment and said: "The official has three strategies. First, pretend defeat to lure the enemy out of the city; second, respond internally in the pass and make an appointment to open the door; third, pretend to be in confrontation and go around the pass."

Cao Cao narrowed his eyes even more and said in a calm tone: "How do you know that I have a spy in Guanzhong?"

Yang Xiu said calmly: "As the official secretary, I have read the general's correspondence and can infer from it."

Cao Cao stared at him for a moment, then turned and strode away.

Yang Xiu was startled. He originally thought he would get Cao Cao's approval, but why did he feel that Cao Cao was a little angry?

Guo Jia, Cao Hong and others followed Cao Cao and entered the tent.

"What a Yang Dezu!" Cao Cao laughed loudly after entering the tent.

Having been with Cao Cao for many years, Guo Jia didn't know that Cao Cao was angry.

There is nothing wrong with Yang Xiu having read Cao Cao's letters. He was sent by the imperial court with the intention of 'monitoring' Cao Cao, but Cao Cao turned a blind eye to this.

But Yang Xiu not only said it out loud, but also blatantly inferred that Cao Cao had an internal conspiracy when he returned to Xiaguan. This was different.

Guo Jia didn't pay attention to Yang Xiu. At this time, Cao Cao couldn't do anything to Yang Xiu. He mused: "Dezu has already exposed it. Looking at it now, we can only take Xiaguan back."

Cao Cao nodded, hiding his anger and said: "Even if we capture Huixiaguan, we can't wipe out Hua Xiong and Zhang Ji. Things will still be troublesome later."

Cao Cao originally did not plan to use the internal response when he returned to Xiaguan. It was too overqualified and underused. Now Yang Xiu exposed it and had to use it even if it was not needed.

I just went back to Xiaguan and won it, but what about the subsequent passes?He doesn’t have that many internal responses!

Guo Jia sat there, shaking the empty wine glass in his hand, thinking silently for a while, and said: "Strong attack!"

After saying that, Guo Jia sat up and said with unusual calmness: "Attack all the way. The general will attack as many passes as Dong Zhuo has, and fight all the way to Pei!"

Cao Cao had a strange look on his face, thinking about Guo Jia's words.

In doing so, the most important thing is actually the momentum. After being crushed all the way, the pressure is put on Dong Zhuo.

Cao Cao's loss will be about [-] troops.

Guo Jia knew that Cao Cao was reluctant to part with him, so he said more seriously: "General, we must not delay, otherwise a second Yuan Shao will appear!"

Cao Cao looked shocked and immediately said: "Okay, we will tire the enemy tonight and attack back to Xiaguan tomorrow!"

Yuan Shao seized the fruits of victory in conquering Yuan Shu and occupied most of Yangzhou.

If a second 'Yuan Shao' appears, he will not only seize the territory of Yu and Xu, but also take away the credit that originally belonged to Cao Cao!

(End of this chapter)