Han family achievements

Chapter 362 Cao Cao’s difficult choice

This was the first winter rain in five years in Yonghan. It fell sparsely and accompanied by snowflakes for a whole day.

The winter clothes of Cao Cao's army have already been distributed, and with the strong attack in the past few days, most of the soldiers are now drinking hot water in the tent and resting comfortably.

Cao Cao did not rest and took Cao Ren, Xiahou Dun and others on patrol back and forth.

At this moment, they were standing on a high ground, looking at Xiapi City.

Cao Hong stood behind him and said with a smile: "General, Dong Zhuo and the others probably didn't prepare winter clothes. They will probably have a hard time."

"Most of Dong Zhuo's soldiers and horses come from Xiliang and are used to being exposed to the severe cold, so they won't have much impact." Xiahou Dun was very calm.

Cao Cao hummed and was about to speak when Cao Ang ran over from behind and said, "Father, Dong Zhuo has sent someone again."

"Behead him and hang him in front of the camp." Cao Cao said without thinking.

Cao Ang responded and said: "Father, Liu Xuande and Dong Zhuo have been very sneaky recently. They have sent out their troops and horses. I don't know where they are going."

Cao Cao's narrow eyes were cold and cold, and he said nonchalantly: "It's important to break Xia Pi, let's not worry about anything else for now."

Cao Hong took half a step forward and said: "General, I asked the old people nearby and they said that this winter rain always lasts for several days. Do we have to wait forever?"

How to fight in the coldest month of winter with rain and snow? But if you don’t fight, you won’t be able to fight if you keep consuming it.

Cao Cao looked directly at Xiapi City quietly, and he was also constantly calculating in his heart.

The rain came at the wrong time, as if God wanted to extend Dong Zhuo's life.

If Dong Zhuo cannot be wiped out this year, the situation next year will not be up to them. Perhaps Yu and Xu states will fall into Dong Zhuo's hands again.

Coupled with Yuan Shao and Liu Biao in the south, Liu Zhang in Yizhou, Sanqiang in Liangzhou, Xianbei and Wuhuan in the north of Saibei, the Han Dynasty is likely to encounter a terrible situation of being besieged from all sides!

Cao Cao turned back to look at Cao Ang and said, "When will His Highness arrive?"

Cao Ang said: "The road is blocked by heavy rain, so it will probably be delayed for a few days."

Cao Cao's face straightened, his eyes slightly opened, and he said, "No wait, Cao Hong!"

Cao Hong understood, raised his hand and said solemnly: "The last general takes orders!"

After saying that, he turned around and strode away.

Not long after, outside the four gates of Xiapi, the officers and soldiers braved the rain and snow, and under the cover of shields, marched towards Xiapi step by step.

This move surprised many people in Cao Cao's camp, including Liu Bei, Sun Ce and others, and even panicked them. They came to Cao Cao in a panic to ask.

And Xiapi City was even more panicked. Why did they attack the city in such rain and snow?

Not to mention Zhang Ji, Guo Si, Lu Bu and others, even Dong Zhuo ran to the top of the city and looked at the movements of Cao Jun.

Under the cover of shields, Cao's army approached from four gates, and what was naturally greeted was raining arrows from the top of the city.

After Cao Jun resisted a wave, the archers shot backhand, but their arrows were all tied with paper.

Not long after, Niu Fu ran up in a panic with an arrow and a note. His breath was rapid, his eyes were wide open and he said loudly: "Father, adoptive father, officer and army, the note from the officer and army said, Wen He surrendered to the imperial court, and even took away our money and food and all the treasures of our adoptive father!"

Dong Zhuo's eyes darkened when he heard this, and his fat figure stepped back repeatedly, almost falling down.

The soldiers quickly held him up and called out urgently.

Dong Zhuo's eyes were blood red and his face was ferocious. He snatched the note from Niu Fu's hand. After reading it, he roared: "Jia Xu, I want to peel off your skin and beat your muscles!"

However, Zhang Ji was the calmest and stepped forward and said: "Dong Gong, the most important thing now is to gather these arrows, seal them carefully, and stabilize the morale of the army."

Dong Zhuo reacted quickly and said: "Go quickly, go quickly!"

Li Ru stood aside, never expecting that Jia Xu actually surrendered to the court and took away Dong Zhuo's money, grain, and numerous treasures that he had worked hard to prepare for many years!

This is simply shocking news for Xiapi City!

They didn't know it before and thought that the money and food in Xiapi City would be enough to last for a month or two. Now, looking at it, ten days is the limit!

How could the officers and soldiers withdraw their troops if they grasped this? Even if they were wasted, they would still be able to kill Xiapi!

Li Ru's face was a little pale, and he wriggled his dry lips with difficulty, and said in a trembling voice: "Dong Gong, Jia Xu, have you really surrendered to the court?"

Dong Zhuo was too fat, could not stand steadily, and his eyes were so ferocious that he turned a deaf ear to Li Ru's words.

Lu Bu, Guo Si, Li Jue, Zhang Ji and others each had their own expressions, and their eyes intertwined. In just a short moment, it seemed that there were countless thoughts flowing around.

"Jia Xu has surrendered, there is no grass and no food!"

"Jia Xu has surrendered, there is no grass and no food!"

"Jia Xu has surrendered, there is no grass and no food!"

"Jia Xu has surrendered, there is no grass and no food!"

Suddenly, outside Xiapi City, the officers and soldiers burst out shouting. From the initial chaos to the gradual unity, the sound was like thunder, penetrating the clouds, filling the sky above Xiapi City, echoing, and lasting.

Dong Zhuo, who was on Xiapi City, drew his sword fiercely, wanting to rush down and challenge Cao Cao.

But he calmed down instantly and shouted: "Control the army, no one can move, anyone who disobeys the order will be killed!"

"Yes!" Dong Zhuo's expression was ferocious, as if he wanted to eat people.

Lu Bu, Guo Si, Li Jue and others did not dare to neglect, so they led people to the four gates and tried their best to stabilize the morale of the army.

The lack of food and grass has a great impact on the morale of the army and must be controlled, otherwise Cao Jun will take the opportunity to attack the city and break the city in just a matter of seconds!

Cao Jun four doors away was still shooting arrows and shouting.

Dong Zhuo was busy stabilizing the morale of the army and did not dare to be careless at all.

Cao Cao, Liu Bei, Sun Ce and others looked at the chaos on Xiapi City and couldn't help but hold the swords at their waists, eager to rush over now.

But they know now is not the best time.

The news has just been leaked, so give them enough time to ferment.

Sun Ce couldn't wait and said: "General Cao, after noon, the last general will ask for orders to attack the city!"

There is almost an hour and a half before noon, which is enough for the news of "no grass and no food" to reach its most serious level, and Xiapi City is at its most chaotic!

Cao Cao glanced at Liu Bei. Although he didn't know what happened between the two people, he could still feel Ruoyou Ruowu's tense atmosphere.

"Okay." Cao Cao pondered for a moment and then nodded.

Liu Bei said nothing and felt a little anxious.

He divided his troops to occupy other counties in Xuzhou. Here, there were not many, and there were no generals in his hands. He could only watch Sun Ce and Cao Cao take away the credit for breaking the city.

When Cao Cao saw that Liu Bei was silent and his eyes were half closed, he became more and more curious as to what Liu Bei was doing secretly.

Cao Hong and others commanded the army, shouting at the four gates of Xiapi, constantly disrupting the morale of the army.

In Xiapi City, the military was panicked and chaos broke out. Lu Bu took a big halberd and hacked seven or eight people to death in the street.

Others used almost the same method, killing batch after batch in order to forcibly control the gradually chaotic army.

As the situation continued to ferment, Lu Bu, Guo Si and others were unable to suppress it. Dong Zhuo had to step forward and blame all this on Cao Cao, saying that it was Cao Cao's conspiracy and showing the grain and grass in the warehouse. Only then could he be appeased.

The middle and lower levels were appeased, but Li Ru, Guo Bang, Li Jue, Lu Bu and others at the top saw it clearly. Those places pretending to be food and grass were arranged by them themselves!

Without food and grass, it is only a matter of time before the army breaks the city. What will they do?

Lu Bu was flustered and turned back to Gao Shun, Cheng Lian and others for discussion.

Guo Si, Li Jue, Zhang Ji and others were even more confused. They originally planned to kill Lu Bu, but now they were thinking about how to survive!

The city of Xiapi was in chaos and undercurrents were surging.

Cao Cao's strategy achieved considerable results.

But this created a problem for Huangfu Jian.

In the small cave, Huangfu Jian was sitting cross-legged on the ground, looking very helpless and saying: "Hey, I seem to have done useless work..."

Cheng Yu and Jia Xu stood side by side behind him, looking at Xiapi City.

None of them expected that Cao Cao would do this.

Cheng Yu thought about it and said: "Second Young Master, in this weather, if Cao Cao attacks with force, victory or defeat will be decided."

Huangfu Jianchang suddenly became excited. He turned to look at him and said, "Is it safer to break the embankment and flood Xiapi?"

Cheng Yu was slightly startled and said knowingly: "Flooding is the safest option."

Huangfu Jian breathed a sigh of relief, took out an apple from his arms, and said: "After Dong Zhuo is eliminated, we will all return to Beijing and have a good rest for a year and a half. In the past few years, I have almost died of exhaustion."

Cheng Yu looked down at Huangfu Jianchang. Although he couldn't see his face clearly, he knew in his heart that Huangfu Jianchang was full of guilt for his father and wanted to go back to observe his filial piety.

"I can help you persuade you to surrender,"

Jia Xu, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke and said, "The condition is that I go to the court."

"Persuade Dong Zhuo to surrender? I will help you even if you want to go to heaven." Huangfu Jianzhang said casually while chewing on the apple.

Jia Xu said expressionlessly: "Guo Si, Li Jue, and even Lu Bu."

Huangfu Jian's open mouth paused, then he slowly took the apple out of his mouth, turned to look at Jia Xu, and said, "Are you really able to do this?"

Jia Xu stared at Xiapi intently and said, "Send me to Cao Cao."

Cheng Yu frowned. This Jia Xu was too cunning and he didn't know what his plot was.

Huangfu Jianchang subconsciously took a bite of the apple, examined Jia Xu's expression, and after pondering in his mind, he asked, "Is His Highness the Second Highness about to arrive?"

Cheng Yu shook his head and said: "Xun Pushe seems to have some scruples and is not in a hurry to come over."

Huangfu Jianchang knew what he was worried about.

After thinking about it for a while, Huangfu Jianchang patted his butt and stood up, saying, "Okay. I'll send you there, Lao Shi. You follow him. If anything goes wrong, kill him first. Don't hesitate."

Shi A held the sword, glanced at Jia Xu coldly, and said, "Even if there are ten people in front of him, I can still take his life."

Jia Xu didn't take this threat to heart at all and said: "If we don't get over, Cao Cao will attack by force."

Huangfu Jianchang was quite wary of Jia Xu. He waved his hands a little irritably and said, "Say the same to Cao Cao. By the way, call Cao Ang over. I like him very much."

Cheng Yu understood, but did not forget to remind him: "I heard that Cao Pi has a very good relationship with His Highness and His Highness."

Huangfu Jianzhang nodded nonchalantly and said nothing more in front of Jia Xu.

Shi A led ten imperial guards and escorted Jia Xu, braving the rain and snow, and rushed to Cao Cao's camp.

At the same time, Cao Cao was mobilizing and preparing for a strong attack, with flags flying and murderous intent.

"General, the military advisor has arrived." Suddenly, Cao Hong came to the side behind Cao Cao and whispered.

Cao Cao opened his eyes slightly, and without caring about anything else, he turned around and ran towards his tent.

Liu Bei, Sun Ce and others glanced at him but did not move.

The war is imminent. No matter what Cao Cao does, the attack on the city today will be unstoppable!

Cao Cao hurriedly returned to the tent and saw Guo Jia standing at the door with a pale face and a wine bottle.

Cao Cao hurriedly stepped forward, pulled him into the tent, and said: "It's so cold outside, why should Fengxiao wait outside. Come, bring a pot of hot wine."

Guo Jia smiled and entered the tent with Cao Cao. After sitting down, he said: "General, are you sure you can win Xiapi?"

Cao Cao lost his seriousness in front of outsiders, smiled comfortably, and said: "Fengxiao also noticed it? In less than two days, we will definitely capture Xiapi and take Dong Zhuo's head!"

Guo Jia sat there, pondered for a moment, and said: "General, in fact, I don't need to take the credit for this."

Cao Cao's smile slowly faded, as if he thought of something, and said calmly: "Fengxiao, did you hear something?"

Guo Jia did not drink. He nodded slightly and said with a hint of seriousness: "Judging from the few words Xun Pushe said, they have a deep prejudice against the general and cannot tolerate the general. Once the general breaks down Pi and kills Dong Zhuo, This great achievement is enough to make you a marquis, but it also hides the catastrophe of annihilation!"

Cao Cao's smile disappeared completely, he lowered his head and fell into deep thought.

Cao Cao has been determined to be a Wei Huo since he can remember. He wasted more than forty years and finally made great achievements, but he encountered such suspicion from the court!

One is an extremely desired achievement, and the other is a hidden catastrophe.

Cao Cao was angry and struggling in his heart, unable to make a decision.

Guo Jia understood Cao Cao's thoughts very well. He sighed silently and looked at the wine bottle in front of him, but he did not open it.

The smell of the medicine is getting stronger and stronger, and once it is opened, it may not be able to hide it from Cao Cao.

'Half a month...'

Guo Jia silently thought to himself that at most, he could live for another half month.

In this month and a half, he had to plan a future for Cao Cao, a relatively stable and long-term road.

After a long while, Cao Cao raised his head and said, "Feng Xiao, is there no other way?"

Guo Jia resisted the urge to drink and said: "The general is too favored by the Holy Spirit. Even if His Majesty continues to protect him, the Yingchuan Party will not let the general go. As long as there is a slight mistake, whether it is the general or the clan, it will fall on the general." . When the success is short-lived, your tongue is like a knife. How can you hold your fist in the palm of your hand for a long time?"

The meaning of Guo Jia's words is very simple. No matter how great your contribution to Cao Cao is, how can Cao Cao resist the long-term slander and criticism? No matter how determined the palace is, it can still be preserved.

If there is any laxity in the palace, Cao Cao will be exterminated!

Cao Cao's face turned pale and he turned his gaze outside the tent.

Xiapi City was about to be destroyed, and his achievements were within easy reach, but he never thought that Guo Jia, who had been helping him, would actually bring him such terrible news!

Cao Cao was struggling in his heart, with pain, anger, grievance, and countless mixed emotions that were beyond words for a while.

Guo Jia couldn't see anything on Cao Cao's face, but he seemed to have penetrated his heart and said: "General, if you give up this credit, your majesty will understand it. If the Yingchuan Party grabs the general and refuses to let him go, it will It will make His Majesty dissatisfied, and his heart to protect the general will become stronger."

“Is retreat a way to advance?”

Cao Cao couldn't understand what Guo Jia meant, so he muttered to himself, still looking outside the tent, as if he could see Xiapi City.

(End of this chapter)