Three Kingdoms: Liu Bei seeks the master and seeks to conquer the world

Chapter 209 Soldiers first, ceremony later, Qingzhou takes a firm stand

Chuping four years, spring.

Cao Cao and Tao Qian intensified the conflict because of the ownership of Xiaopei and other cities.

First, Tao Qian sent Xu Dan to garrison Xiaopei and refused to give in. Later, Cao Ren and Cao Hong attacked Xiaopei and beheaded Xu Dan.

Knowing that Tao Qian personally led more than ten thousand soldiers and horses to attack Xiaopei, Cao Cao adopted Xi Zhicai's strategy of "dividing the enemy" and set up false banners in Xiaopei and Guangqi, but in fact only a few soldiers and horses were left to garrison Xiaopei and Guangqi. Relatives, Cao Cao personally led the army to attack Pengcheng.

Tao Qian didn't know the truth, so he ordered Lu You to lead 2000 people to rescue Pengcheng.

But on the way, Lu You was ambushed by [-] soldiers from Cao Cao's army, and almost the whole army was wiped out. Lu You was beheaded by Xiahou Dun.

Afterwards, Cao Cao continued to attack several counties, and the soldiers pointed directly at Pengcheng.

Tao Qian, who learned of the trick, hurriedly gave up attacking Xiaopei and Guangqi, and went south to save Pengcheng.

The two sides fought in Pengcheng, Tao Qian lost the enemy and was defeated. Over [-] soldiers died under his command, and Surabaya did not flow.

In less than a month, Tao Qian lost more than ten cities including Xiaopei, Guangqi, and Pengcheng successively, and lost Xu Dan, Lu You, and more than ten thousand soldiers and horses. The terrified Tao Qian retreated to Fuyang and Wuyuan, and urgently dispatched The soldiers and horses of the counties and counties are ready to fight Cao Cao again.

Fu Yang.

Looking at the soldiers and horses dispatched from various counties and counties in a hurry, Tao Qian's inner fear was slightly relieved.

But Tao Qian was even more angry with Cao Cao.

Within a month, Xu Dan and Lu You's trusted generals were beheaded, and more than ten thousand soldiers and horses were killed.

Cao Cao did not leave any surrenders.

Even though Xuzhou soldiers surrendered in the Pengcheng battle, they were all beheaded by Cao Cao.

Cao Cao couldn't afford to raise him, and he didn't dare to raise him.

And such a vicious method also made Fu Yang and Wu Yuan's new guards terrified.

"Report!"

"Cao Cao's vanguard, Cao Hong, has arrived at the city of Fuyang!"

Before Tao Qian could purge his army, Cao Hong had already killed Fuyang City.

What Tao Qian didn't know was that before Cao Hong arrived in Fuyang City, Wuyuan's guard had already been tricked out of the city and beheaded by Xiahou Dun.

Cao Cao's approach was menacing, and his plans were meticulous. Tao Qian even found it difficult to detect the movements of Cao Cao's soldiers and horses.

"Tie Cao, this old man is at odds with you!" Tao Qian yelled, but he could only yell.

In the past month, Tao Qian made one wrong step and one step at a time.

Originally, Tao Qian had an advantage in terms of military strength.

But first Xu Dan was asked to send two thousand troops to Xiaopei. As a result, Xu Dan was so brave that he gave up the advantage of defending the city to fight Cao Ren and Cao Hong out of the city and was beheaded.

Tao Qian personally led the army, and was caught by Cao Cao's plan to divide the troops, and lost the troops.

He hurried to Pengcheng, but Cao Cao waited for work with ease.

The superior force directly became the weak force.

Cao Bao looked at Cao Hong under the city, panicking in his heart.

"Duke Ming, our army has been newly defeated, and our morale is hard to recover. These soldiers and horses were urgently recruited from various counties and counties. The military capacity is not serious, and it is embarrassing to use them."

"It's better to send someone to Qingzhou for help."

Cao Bao cautiously proposed.

Cao Bao, who followed Guan Yu to conquer Dong Zhuo, knew very well the bravery of Qingzhou soldiers.

At this time, Cao Bao couldn't think of anyone other than Qingzhou soldiers who could resist Cao Cao.

Tao Qian's eyes were a little gloomy: "I still have the strength to fight, why do I need Liu Xuande's help? Victory or defeat is a common matter in military affairs, and this old man can turn defeat into victory."

Cao Bao hesitated to speak, and sighed secretly.

Tao Qian has the pride of Tao Qian.

If he rushes to Qingzhou for help when the battle is unfavorable, then what face does Tao Qian have to lead Xuzhou?

Before Tao Qian, he also conquered Beigong Boyu, Bian Zhang, Han Sui and other Western Qiang rebels, and quelled the Yellow Turban Rebellion in Xuzhou, so he had an air of arrogance.

Takehara.

Cao Cao sent a large number of spies to inquire about intelligence.

"Zhicai, do you think this Qingzhou will send troops to rescue Tao Qian?" Cao Cao played with the famous sword, his eyes were as narrow as a pool, deep but bottomless.

Xi Zhicai said with a smile: "Qingzhou wants to save, but there must be a reason to come."

"Although Duke Ming conquered dozens of cities in a row, every time he went to a city, he did not commit any crimes against the common people. He only took official rations from the city, and only killed Tao Qian's soldiers."

"Since the morality is not broken, Qingzhou naturally has no righteousness."

Cao Cao sneered: "It's so good! Liu Xuande has the most reputation."

"Tao Qian made a mistake first, but he refused to admit his mistake, then I will call him to admit his mistake."

"As long as he is captured alive, Xuzhou can make a decision."

In order to avoid giving Liu Bei a reason to send troops, Cao Cao's attack on Xuzhou this time was very strict on military discipline.

All soldiers who disturb the people will be dealt with by military law, so as to deter the three armies and appease the people of Xuzhou!
But at the same time, in order to deter Xuzhou's soldiers and people, Cao Cao did not leave any soldiers in Xuzhou who dared to resist!

With the help of kindness and power, almost no powerful gentry in Xuzhou in Pengcheng Kingdom dared to disobey Cao Cao's order at this time.

After all, these powerful gentry were not convinced by Tao Qian.

Now that Cao Cao is only staring at Tao Qian to fight, they can't afford to offend Cao Cao.

Xi Zhicai said: "Tao Qian's morale has not yet recovered, and the soldiers and horses urgently transferred from the counties have not yet been cleaned up. This is a great opportunity to break the city."

"Wu Yuan and Fu Yang are fighting each other. Tonight, we can pretend to be Wu Yuan City to ask for help, lead Tao Qian's troops out of the city, and take Fu Yang in a single battle!"

Cao Cao nodded and agreed with Xi Zhicai's strategy.

Tao Qian wanted to regroup, so it was absolutely impossible to give up Wuyuan at this time, otherwise Fu Yang would be hard to defend.

really.

Hearing that Cao Cao was attacking Wuyuan, Tao Qian dared not be negligent, and urgently ordered Xiao General Zhang Ji to send troops to rescue him.

Neither Tao Qian nor Zhang Ji had expected that Wuyuan City would have been seized by Cao Cao long ago.

When Zhang Chi arrived, Cao Bing pretended to retreat.

But after Zhang Qiao entered the city rashly, he found that the city was full of Cao soldiers!

After Zhang Chi was captured and killed, Cao Cao ordered his troops to replace them with Xuzhou armored banners, so that people could pretend to be Zhang Chi and cheat Fu Yang at night.

Tao Qian was even more terrified when he heard that Wuyuan had fallen and Zhang Chizhong was defeated.

In a panic, Tao Qian didn't doubt the authenticity of Zhang Jian's identity, and was directly robbed of the city by Cao Bing.

If Tao Qian hadn't run fast, he would have been captured alive by Cao Cao in this battle.

"It ran pretty fast."

Cao Cao regretted not being able to capture Tao Qian alive.

Tancheng is the city that Tao Qian has managed for many years. The city is high and the water is deep, so it is not easy to attack.

Coupled with the fact that Tao Qian has been tricked one after another, it is almost impossible to cheat the city.

Xi Zhicai said: "There is Tao Qian's farming land near Tancheng. These farming people belong to Tao Qian, not to Xuzhou's aristocratic family."

"Now that spring plowing is approaching, we can send troops to destroy Tao Qian's garrison fields, and gather money and food from the people in the garrison fields to supplement military supplies."

"Without the grain and grass in the farmland, Tao Qian can't get supplementary grain and grass this year, so he can only forcefully expropriate grain and grass from the aristocratic family."

"The more powerful this family in Xuzhou hates Tao Qian, the more they will accept Duke Ming."

Cao Cao laughed: "The words of Zhicai are very close to my heart."

Whether it is Cao Cao or Xi Zhicai, there is only one perception of the villagers: serfs.

These villagers are Tao Qian's private slaves.

Tao Qian was wrong, Cao Cao vented his anger on Tao Qian's private slave, it would not arouse the resentment of the aristocratic family in Tancheng, and let this group of people know Cao Cao's attitude.

Coming to Xuzhou this time is just a personal grievance with Tao Qian and has nothing to do with everyone.

But if someone wants to help Tao Qian, it is his enemy of Cao Cao!
This is a conspiracy planned by Xi Zhicai for Cao Cao.

Inside Tancheng.

Tao Qian was very frustrated.

Cao Cao has been chasing Pei to Tancheng since he was a child. Tao Qian couldn't help wondering whether he would march and fight.

"Duke Ming, the garrison of Tancheng is less than [-], why don't you ask Qingzhou for help." Cao Bao suggested again.

If Tancheng is lost again, the families of the generals in the city will suffer from military disasters.

Tao Qian's face was ashen.

Langya has soldiers, Xiapi has soldiers, and Guangling also has soldiers.

But these soldiers and horses were either afraid of Cao Bing, or they did not listen to the announcement.

"This is an internal matter in Xuzhou. The old man sticks to Tancheng. When Cao Cao's army supplies are exhausted, he will naturally leave." Tao Qian is still insisting.

The majestic governor of a state was beaten into a hole in Tancheng.

Tao Qian was ashamed to ask for help!
At this moment, Mi Zhu said: "Master, it may not be necessary to ask Qingzhou for help."

"I sold grain and grass on credit to Qingzhou last year. Recently, Liu Qingzhou sent Guan Yu to escort the grain and grass southward, and we have already arrived in Qiucheng."

"You can send someone to tell Guan Yu that the villagers outside Tancheng are threatened by Cao's soldiers, and the spring plowing may be delayed."

"These garrison people were originally resettled by the emperor for Qingzhou. Guan Yu will definitely not sit idly by."

"As soon as Guan Yu came, Cao Cao would definitely mistake Liu Qingzhou for reinforcements."

"In this way, perhaps Cao Cao can be defrauded."

Mi Zhu is clear about Zheng Ping's plans.

In order to avoid Tao Qian's suspicion, Guan Yu went south to the East China Sea on the pretext of escorting grain and grass.

Mi Zhu sold grain and grass to Qingzhou on credit, and Tao Qian also knew about it.

Now, to return the grain and grass, it is natural to send soldiers to escort them.

Tao Qian was moved.

Guan Yu wanted to come by himself, it was not Tao Qian who asked for help.

"Zi Zhong, hurry up and inform Guan Yu."

"But not in the name of the old man."

Tao Qian kept a straight face, stubbornly maintaining his face.

Mi Zhu secretly sighed, feeling very uncomfortable with Tao Qian's awkward statement.

They have been defeated to this extent, and they are still thinking about maintaining face.

That is Qiucheng.

Guan Yu had been stationing troops secretly for more than ten days.

Although the purpose of going south is to retreat Cao Cao's soldiers, the timing must be grasped well.

"Second brother, Mi Biejia sent someone to deliver the letter."

"Tao Qian doesn't want to ask Qingzhou for help, but he tacitly agrees that the second brother can go to protect the people in Tuntian."

"What a treacherous old man."

"We're still allies!"

Tian Yu was very upset.

This means that if Guan Yu had a conflict with Cao Cao, it had nothing to do with Tao Qian.

Lu Su stood with his sword in his hand, and spoke with contempt for Tao Qian: "Tao Gongzu admires fame outside, but is not genuine inside. He is a snobbish villain in the first place."

"The alliance with Qingzhou is not sincere."

Tian Yu said again: "Our army is small, and Cao's army is powerful. How can we defeat the enemy?"

Lu Su said: "Your Majesty and Cao Cao have no old grudges or new enmities, so it may not be necessary to use weapons. I thought I could just show the flag and go to Tancheng in an open and honest manner."

"Send someone to send a letter to Cao Cao, analyze the pros and cons, and it will be enough to make Cao Cao retreat."

"What does General Guan think?"

Although Lu Su was an army strategist, he was still young and inexperienced, so he would still let Guan Yu give advice after making suggestions.

Guan Yu stroked his beautiful beard: "Cao Cao's army is powerful and powerful. He fought all the way to Tancheng since Xiaopei. How could he retreat because of a letter?"

"If you send a letter, it will make Cao Cao think that Qingzhou is weak and dare not go to war with him."

"Send a message to Yide immediately and let him surprise Xiaopei!"

"As for us, we should put down our flags and drums, and hit Cao Cao first by surprise."

Lu Su was stunned: "Mr. Xianmou said that the reason for us to send troops is that the villagers in the East China Sea are suffering, but Cao Cao has not yet plundered the villagers in the fields. Is it too early to send troops at this time?"

Guan Yudan narrowed his eyes and said, "Zijing, you are too honest! Soldiers are deceitful!"

"Although Cao Cao has not yet plundered the villagers in the fields, his soldiers and horses have scared the villagers in the fields."

Lu Su's eyes widened: "Scared, scared?"

Qu Yi licked the edge of the knife, feeling quite bloodthirsty: "Although the Cao soldiers did not plunder the villagers in the village, they showed off their power outside the city of Tan, making the villagers in the village tremble all day long."

"This is already a provocation to us!"

"I am waiting to go south, not to persuade Cao Cao to retreat, but to express Qingzhou's position and attitude, so that Cao Cao will withdraw his troops on his own initiative."

"Whoever provokes us will die!"

"Even if you only scare the villagers of Qingzhou, you have to pay the price in blood!"

Lu Su still didn't understand: "But..."

Guan Yu's eyes were cold, and he interrupted: "Zijing, you have to remember. When marching and fighting, only the dominant side is qualified to go against the weaker side to analyze the pros and cons."

"You send the letter at this time, which is equivalent to letting Cao Cao know that there are still soldiers and horses of Yide hidden outside Xiaopei."

Lu Su's heart skipped a beat, and as he thought about Guan Yu's teachings, he felt a little ashamed.

It is too naive to send a letter directly to Cao Cao to analyze the pros and cons.

Without an absolute advantage, why did Cao Cao retreat because of a letter?
There were also resourceful men in Cao Cao's army, and reckless demonstrations were tantamount to preparing Cao Cao, and Zhang Fei's surprise attack would not be effective.

Just as Qu Yi said, this trip to the south is to show Qingzhou's position and attitude.

Frightening the people in Tuntian was just a reason to give Cao Cao a step down on the surface.

Soldiers first, gifts later.

Only when the tiger shows its claws can the hungry wolf be afraid.

Instead of pretending to be a sick cat, go and tell the hungry wolf: Don't mess with me.

All the way south, Guan Yu broke up Xiandeng camp into parts and hid his troops near Tancheng.

You personally boarded the camp first, and together with Qu Yi and Tian Yu attacked Cao Hong's camp at night.

Cao Hong was caught off guard, and never thought that Guan Yu would hide his troops in the East China Sea.

I didn't even expect that Guan Yu would directly rob the camp without saying hello.

Cao Hong resisted desperately, but Guan Yu was his opponent, and was captured alive by Guan Yu after a few encounters.

"Guan Yu! Is Qingzhou going to war with Yuzhou?" Cao Hong, who was tied up, glared angrily.

He fought repeatedly in Xuzhou, but was accidentally captured alive by Guan Yu.

Cao Hong's distress and anger can be imagined.

Guan Yu's face was stern: "Why did you destroy the farmland and loot the money and food of the people in the farmland?"

Originally, he was just looking for a reason, but he didn't expect Cao Cao to actually send troops to destroy the farmland and loot the people in the farmland.

This made Guan Yu's tone quite cold.

Cao Hong was taken aback: "Are these villagers related to Qingzhou?"

Tian Yu snorted coldly: "Everyone knows that Duke Xuande of Qingzhou entrusted Governor Tao to settle [-] hungry people in the East China Sea."

"Don't you know?"

Cao Hong said angrily, "They are just Tao Qian's private slaves."

"Guan Yu, is Qingzhou really planning to go to war with Yuzhou?"

Guan Yu's eyes remained unchanged, causing Cao Hong to loosen his shackles, and he sent a letter to Cao Hong: "I think you have conquered Yuan Shu in the past, so I won't kill you today."

"Bring this letter to Inspector Cao. Qingzhou will never die with those who destroy the East China Sea farmers' spring plows!"

(End of this chapter)