Han family achievements

Chapter 303 The showdown between top counselors

Cao Cao harassed Xiaguan at night and attacked fiercely during the day, day and night.

Xiahou Dun, Cao Ren, Cao Hong, Le Jin and others took turns to go up, and pursued and attacked Xiaguan without sparing any effort.

This time, Cao Cao used a newly arrived weapon, the Lian Nu brought by Xia Houyuan.

This kind of weapon is powerful and fires continuously, and its deterrent effect is far greater than that of previous crossbows.

We faced tremendous pressure when we returned to Xiaguan, but we still held on without any signs of collapse.

Cao Cao was still supervising the battle, staring back at Xiaguan with his narrow eyes, carefully observing every move.

There was no truce in this battle until noon, and they seemed to be fighting to the death.

Xiahou Dun wiped his sweat and came back from the front. He raised his hand and said to Cao Cao: "General, something is indeed wrong. I haven't seen Hua Xiong and Zhang Ji for two days."

Cao Cao nodded slightly and said with a normal expression: "Feng Xiao is right. No matter what old thief Dong's plot is, as long as he sees it and goes back to Xiaguan, Dong Zhuo can't take care of everything at the same time and can only stay here honestly!"

Xiahou Dun was still far behind in this aspect, so he didn't say much after hearing this.

Returning to Xiaguanxia, ​​Cao Hong and Cao Ren led the army and launched a surging attack.

The return to Xiaguan was not a big one, and it was tottering several times, but it was still defended, and Cao Jun was blocked back.

Li Jue and Guo Si were covered in blood and sweat, their mouths were dry and their mouths were cracked.

Seeing that Cao Jun had no intention of giving up, he turned around anxiously and saw the soldiers lined up under the city. They found Guo Si and said, "Come on, you can't stand it anymore."

Guo Bang shook his head and said: "The last 5000 people are here. If we come up again, we won't be able to hold Xiaguan this time."

Li Jue became anxious and said, "If you don't come up, Cao Cao will destroy the city!"

Cao Jun's offensive was too fierce. In just two or three days, they lost more than [-] men. If this continues, they will be defeated sooner or later when they return to Xiaguan.

Guo Si ignored it and said: "Then please ask Mr. Dong, I have no power."

Li Jue could not say a few words in front of Dong Zhuo, so he had to grit his teeth and continue to hold on.

The battle lasted until dusk, when both sides offered gold and stopped.

"Feng Xiao!"

Cao Cao walked into the tent, took off his armor, with a happy expression and nervous eyes, and said: "I am sure that Dong Zhuo's troops and horses returning to Xiaguan must not be all Dong Zhuo's. At least half of them will not return to Xiaguan!"

Guo Jia actually saw it, and his face became a little more serious, saying: "General, Dong Zhuo is in danger!"

Cao Cao waved his hand and signaled Xiahou Dun, Yang Xiu, Lu Yu and others who would follow up to sit down, took a sip of tea, and thought calmly: "Dong Zhuo divided his troops, that is, to abandon Xiaguan this time. If one of them is not good, he may What is the purpose of annihilating the entire army, is it worth taking such a risk?"

Yang Xiu, Lu Yu and others were secretly shocked and thinking anxiously.

Xiahou Dun, Cao Ren and others were relatively calm and waited for Cao Cao's orders.

Guo Jia drank strong tea and was in a much better mood than yesterday. He wiped the tea leaves from his mouth and said, "No matter what, it's only for a day or two."

Cao Cao glanced at him, his expression condensed.

Dong Zhuo didn't know when he came back to Xiaguan, nor when he divided his troops, but no matter what, his plan should have emerged.

"Report!"

A soldier ran in quickly, knelt down on one knee and said: "General Qi, Yuan Shu was destroyed and Yuan Shao executed him in Kuaiji. His head has been sent to Luoyang."

Cao Cao was not surprised by this news at all and said: "Go down and receive the reward."

The soldier responded and quickly exited.

Others were not too surprised, just curious about the alarming situation.

Yuan Shu sought death and proclaimed himself emperor despite the indignity of the world, which led to the siege of the world. How could there be a good situation?

Guo Jia drank tea silently, sighing in his heart.

We have finally reached this point.

The princes from all walks of life in the east of the Yangtze River became powerful, and Cao Cao's troops belonging to the "imperial court" were highlighted.

Moreover, after Yuan Shu was overthrown, Dong Zhuo became the next rebel targeted by the imperial court. The heavy responsibility of destroying Dong must fall on Cao Cao.

Cao Cao's importance will become unprecedented!

The government and the public were deeply wary of Cao Cao. Regardless of success or failure, it was not good news for Cao Cao.

'What do the three questions in the palace refer to? '

This question has been lingering in Guo Jia's mind, but he has never thought it through.

"Following filial piety? Filial filial piety?"

Cao Cao looked at the absent-minded Guo Jia and called him several times in succession.

Guo Jia suddenly came back to his senses, took a deep breath, and said: "General, stay the same to cope with all changes."

Cao Cao looked at Guo Jia for a moment, nodded and said, "Is there a reply from Mr. Zhang?"

Yang Xiu raised his hand and said: "Not yet, but Mr. Zhang moved to Xu County two days ago."

As soon as the word 'Xuxian' came out, Cao Cao and Guo Jia both had sensitive expressions, and then they looked at each other with their thoughts floating around.

Cao Cao is also thinking about the three questions Liu Bian gave him, but he still has no clue.

'Xuxian' is the one that troubles them the most!
After Yang Xiu finished speaking, the tent fell into a strange silence.

Yang Xiu, Lu Yu, Xiahou Dun and others all looked at Cao Cao, and then at Guo Jia.

The expressions of the two people were surprisingly consistent - lowering their heads and knitting their eyebrows, as if thinking.

But in the blink of an eye, Cao Cao came to his senses and said to Yang Xiu: "Does Mr. Yang have any orders?"

Yang Xiu shook his head and said: "No, Mr. Yang did not reply."

Guo Jia took a sip of strong tea, smiled and said to Lu Yu, "Mr. Lu, there should be some news?"

This sentence awakened everyone, including Cao Cao, and everyone's eyes fell on Lu Yu's face.

Lu Yu looked a little panicked, but nodded and said: "The news I got is that the Grand Sima Mansion is very dissatisfied with Duke Zhang and ordered his recall."

Cao Cao did not expect such an accident and said: "Then, the situation in Jiangdong...and Dong Zhuo, what are the plans of the court?"

Lu Yu thought for a while and said: "There is no other news, but the imperial court is selecting governors for Yuzhou, Yangzhou and Jiaozhou."

These three states have always been relatively sensitive, and the appointment by the court is equivalent to none, so they have been vacant for a long time.

Cao Cao didn't care much about this. He raised his head and looked around and said, "Le Jin is not back yet?"

Cao Ren said: "Not yet. This time, I think we will go farther."

Cao Cao hummed and said, "We have already planned to attack the city tomorrow!"

"Yes!" All the generals stood up and resigned.

Feeling uneasy, Cao Cao turned to Guo Jia and said, "Fengxiao, what do you think?"

Guo Jia drank strong tea, shook his head and said: "I can't guess, but whether Dong Zhuo wants to return to the west or go south and east, the general cannot get around it." Cao Cao looked calm and said in a deep voice: "If he Come and attack, you'll play into my heart!"

Guo Jia looked up at the map behind Cao Cao. Going south is Jingzhou, heading east is Xuzhou, and returning west, he has to spare Cao Cao and break through one of the eight passes - Shenyuan Pass.

Shenyuan Pass was one of the eight passes built by He Jin to defend Luoyang against the Yellow Turban Army when he became the general.

Even though the status of the Eight Passes in recent years is far less than it used to be, it is still a dangerous pass with thousands of troops stationed by the imperial court. Zhao Yun also stationed here and worked hard to expand it.

If you want to break through the Shuyuan Pass, you won't be able to do it for a while.

Once Dong Zhuo fails to break through the Shenyuan Pass, he will face a pincer attack from the north and the south!

'Would Dong Zhuo take risks like this? '

Guo Jia stared at the '轘蕕关' and suddenly sat upright, his eyes flashing with coldness.

Shenyuan Pass is a dangerous pass, and it is also the only way for Dong Zhuo to return to the west. But once you break through Shenyuan Pass, you can run all the way to Hangu Pass!
After leaving Hangu Pass, the sky is huge and the earth is huge. It will be difficult for the imperial court to restrict Dong Zhuo!
"Fengxiao!" Cao Cao saw it and shouted in a low voice.

Guo Jia's face straightened, he took a long breath and said, "I guess Dong Zhuo may have divided his troops and went to Shenyuan Pass."

Cao Cao turned around sharply, stared at the map, and then frowned.

From back to Xiaguan all the way to Shenyuan Pass, you have to pass through Runan County and Yingchuan County. The journey is long and easy to be discovered!

"is it possible?"

Cao Cao looked hesitant and tugged on his beard and muttered to himself.

Guo Jia said solemnly: "If we keep dividing our troops and sneak in small groups, it will be difficult to be discovered!"

Lu Yu, Yang Xiu and others opened their eyes wide and looked at the map. They felt incredible after listening to Guo Jia's words.

If Dong Zhuo really wanted to do this, he would be so bold as to be unimaginable!

Cao Cao felt as if a huge stone had fallen from his heart. He turned around, looked at Guo Jia and said, "Is this really the case? Do we also have to divide our troops?"

Guo Jia pondered for a long time and said: "According to time, there will be news in a day or two. We cannot let Xiaguan go this time and continue to attack."

Cao Cao nodded and shouted outside: "Le Jin returns to camp and reports to my general account immediately!"

"Take your orders!" Xu Chu outside the tent responded.

Cao Cao thought carefully for a while, but still felt uneasy, and said to Guo Jia: "Fengxiao, how about I lead the troops to chase after him and take a look?"

Shenyuan Pass is one of the eight passes guarding Luoyang. Once the Shenyuan Pass is broken, one can drive straight through and enter Luoyang.

There are many guards inside and outside Luoyang City, but they are not worried about their safety.But once Dong Zhuo really enters Luoyang, Cao Cao will be the number one criminal, and no one can save him!
Including His Majesty in the palace!
Guo Jia saw it from Cao Cao's expression, but shook his head and said: "No. Before Dong Zhuo's plan is revealed, the general will insist on returning to Xiaguan, forcing Dong Zhuo not to take care of both ends! In this way, Dong Zhuo will be in the dilemma, and the initiative lies with the general. In hand."

Cao Cao suppressed the surprise and doubt in his heart, kept his expression as usual, and said with a smile: "Feng Xiao is right. Dezu, Lu Yu, you can go and have a rest. We will attack the city as usual tomorrow."

Yang Xiu and Lu Yu couldn't sleep after hearing such a "horrible possibility" and wanted to say something. Seeing that Cao Cao obviously had something to say with Guo Jia, they could only get up and leave.

As soon as the two left, Cao Cao's expression turned gloomy and he said, "Fengxiao, how likely is this?"

Guo Jia drank strong tea, thinking quickly, and said: "Calculating the time, it is at least [-]%. Maybe the general will get the news early tomorrow morning..."

Dong dong dong

Suddenly, the crisp and harsh sound of horse hooves sounded outside the big tent.

You know, this is near Cao Cao's tent, and such rampage is not allowed.

But no one stopped him, and Xu Chu even stepped forward to help control the horse.

Le Jin jumped down, and without caring about dropping his helmet, he rushed straight into Cao Cao's tent. When he saw Cao Cao, he knelt on one knee and said urgently: "General Qi, the spies reported that someone was seen over there in Yangzhai." Thousands of troops with unknown origins arrived and marched straight north without stopping, passing by the prefectures and counties without even daring to stop them..."

Cao Cao stood up suddenly, his eyes widened, murderous, and shouted: "Pass my order, Xiahou Dun and Cao Ren each ordered [-] troops to follow me to support Shenyuan Pass!"

"No!"

Guo Jia quickly stopped him and said: "General, we cannot divide our troops now. As long as the general is restrained from returning to Xiaguan, it is impossible for Dong Zhuo to abandon tens of thousands of people and break out with only 2 people!"

Cao Cao's expression was stern and his eyes were like iron. He looked straight outside the tent and said in a deep voice: "Fengxiao, I must go, and the sooner the better."

Guo Jia naturally understood the subtleties, and still said seriously: "General, you can completely fake it. At this time, General, you must not leave and go back to Xiaguan!"

Cao Cao didn't know it. After a moment's hesitation, he strode out and said, "I will leave Le Jin and Xia Houyuan to stay and obey the military advisor's orders!"

Guo Jia wanted to persuade Cao Cao again, but Cao Cao strode away.

Guo Jia chased him outside the tent and saw that Cao Cao had already ridden away. He sighed deeply and looked helpless.

Cao Cao really had to go to reinforce him in person, otherwise the court would not let him go afterwards, and he would take matters into his own hands, settle accounts after the fall, and intensify his efforts, barking and biting, as crazy as a dog.

Cao Cao, the Cao family, and the entire Cao Cao shogunate will all be implicated, and the three Yi tribes may all be in trouble!
"I hope it's all right."

Guo Jia sighed, picked up the strong tea and took a sip.

Lu Yu had already heard the news, and hurried over, with a look of panic on his face, and said, "Military advisor, Dong Zhuo, is it true that he went to attack Shenyuan Pass?"

Guo Jia drank tea, shook his head hesitantly, and said, "It's hard to say."

Guo Jia was not sure. Even if the spies found the traces of Dong Zhuo's division of troops, Dong Zhuo's "return to the west" route was too risky and normal people would not do it.

Lu Yu became even more anxious and said: "I want to go back to Luoyang, please ask the military advisor to make arrangements."

Guo Jia glanced at him and said, "Let's wait. General Cao has already sent out troops, and the way forward is still blocked."

Lu Yu frowned and hesitated to speak, even more nervous than Cao Cao.

Shenyuan Pass protects Luoyang. The appearance of Dong Zhuo's troops at Shenyuan Pass will definitely shock Ji Fu. He can already imagine what will happen in the palace and Luoyang City!

Cao Cao organized his troops and took 2 men overnight to pursue him northward to rescue Shenyuan Pass.

But Guo Jia was restless. After inspecting the camp, he stood on a high ground and looked back to Xiaguan from a distance.

He didn't know why, but he felt very uneasy.

Cao Cao divided his troops to support Shenyuan Pass, which was a strategic and tactical mistake, but it had to be done.

Logically speaking, there should be no danger.

But Guo Jia felt vaguely that something was wrong, but he couldn't figure it out.

At the same time, the dark windlass was closed, and Jia Xu looked quietly in the direction of Guo Jia. Like Guo Jia, he was silent and thinking silently.

Not long after, a soldier was brought up in a hanging basket and came behind Jia Xu. He said anxiously and happily: "Reporting to the military advisor, Cao Cao has sent out troops, about 2 people."

Jia Xu loosened her grip on the hem of her clothes, and the white hem fell down. She smiled softly and said, "It's done."

This was the first time the soldier saw Jia Xuxiao, and he said, "Commander, what should we do next?"

Jia Xu turned around and walked inside, saying: "Cao's army should not attack the city tomorrow. Let the soldiers have a good rest."

The soldier was startled and said, "Really not?"

Jia Xu had already walked towards the steps and said calmly: "Maybe."

(End of this chapter)