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

Chapter 234 Praying mantis catching cicada, Zheng Ping oriole is behind
Xiaqiu City.

Located at the junction of Xiapi State and Pei State, one hundred miles south is Huainan.

After Cao Cao withdrew his troops from Pengcheng Kingdom, Xiaqiu City quietly stationed a troop.

It was the Ruishi Battalion among the three battalions in Qingzhou.

Commander Zhang Fei, Deputy General Dian Wei, Deputy General Jin, Military Adviser Zhang Hong, and Jun Zheng Man Chong all accompanied the army.

Besides.

Zheng Ping, Zhuge Jin, Hua Ji, and Mi Heng were also in Xiaqiu City.

With such a luxurious lineup, they naturally didn't come to Xiaqiu City for vacation.

On the city floor.

Zheng Ping and Zhang Hong sat playing chess.

Zhang Fei and Dian Wei are comparing their strength with each other.

Yu Jin and Man Chong patrolled the city defense back and forth.

"Don't let Guan Junhou go to Xuyi to resist Yuan Shu, but secretly hid troops in Xiaqiu City. Could it be that he is guarding against Cao Cao?" Zhang Hong asked softly while laying his hands down.

It was already cool in autumn and October, and Zheng Ping gently shook his feather fan, blowing a few strands of black hair between his ears and temples.

With a chuckle, Zheng Ping put the pieces on the chessboard: "Brother Zigang's heart is like a mirror, but he came to ask me again. Cao Cao can't take care of himself, so why should I hide soldiers Xiaqiu City to be on guard."

Zhang Hong smiled lightly: "Don't help the prince, and don't be wary of Cao Cao, don't worry, this is to let the elite camp take credit?"

Zhang Fei's ears were sharp, he stopped to compete with Dian Wei in strength, and came over like the wind: "Mr. Zigang, you just said that the Ruishi camp is going to grab merit?"

"Steal second brother's work?"

"The Rui Shi Battalion is finally going to march?"

Zhang Fei asked three times in a row, breaking the mysterious atmosphere of the dialogue between Zheng Ping and Zhang Hong.

Generals like to compete in strength, and counselors like to guess each other.

It's a different kind of fun.

Zheng Ping shook his feather fan lightly: "Yide didn't compete with Elai, but came to disturb me playing chess with brother Zigang."

Zhang Fei said with a smile: "It's boring to compare strength, I still like to watch the two gentlemen play chess."

Dian Wei came up and said, "Because you can't compare."

"Hey!" Zhang Fei grabbed Dian Wei's shoulders and said, "Come on, I don't like hearing your words. Why can't I compare?"

"The competition between you and me has always been a dead end."

Zheng Ping joked: "Yide, you really can't compare to Evil in terms of strength."

Zhang Fei refused: "Mr. Xianmou, why are you so sure?"

Zheng Ping said with a smile: "Yide's snake spear weighs fifty catties, and Elai's double iron halberd weighs eighty catties. Naturally, the strength is different."

Dian Wei clasped his arms around his chest, nodded and said, "Don't stop talking like that, Yide, just admit that your strength is not as strong as mine."

Zhang Fei was stunned for a moment, then stood up and said, "Mr. Xianmou, it doesn't mean that whoever has the heavier weapon is the stronger."

"I can also use eighty-jin weapons, but I can, this war horse can't stand it."

"Evil is fighting on foot. You don't need to consider the weight of the horse. Naturally, you can use a weapon weighing [-] catties."

Dian Wei said again: "General Guan's Leng Yan saw weighs 82 catties. I have never heard General Guan say that war horses cannot bear heavy loads."

Zhang Fei's face darkened immediately: "Second brother's war horse, that is a thousand-mile horse, tall and mighty."

"Cough cough." Zheng Ping coughed twice: "Yide, your war horse is also a thousand-mile steed from Youzhou."

Zhang Fei didn't blush and his heart didn't beat, he laughed and said: "I see that the atmosphere is a bit boring, I was just joking just for fun. Ha, ha ha, ha ha ha——"

After laughing, Zhang Fei didn't look embarrassed at all, and squatted down again: "You two gentlemen, I have been staying in Xiaqiu City for almost half a month."

"Do you want to fight Yuan Shu?"

"If you don't fight, I might as well go back to Qingzhou to practice martial arts with my son."

Zheng Ping said contemptuously: "Is Zhang Bao three years old yet? You let him practice martial arts?"

Zhang Fei said with a smile: "My Bao'er grows strong, she doesn't need to be three years old, she just needs to be able to crawl."

After chatting for a while, Zheng Ping saw that Zhang Fei had no intention of leaving, so he stopped chasing him away.

"Anyway, I'll let you know sooner or later, so I'll explain it to you today." Zheng Ping picked up a chess piece from the chess box, but it didn't land, just holding it slowly in the air.

"As brother Zigang said, the Ruishi camp is in Xiaqiu City, and they are there to grab merit, but not to grab Yunchang's military exploits, but to grab Cao Cao's military exploits."

"Yuan Shu was blocked by Yun Chang from Xuyi to Huaiyin, making it difficult to cross the Huai River, while Cao Cao was blocked by Liu Xun and others at Yicheng in the lower reaches of the Guohe River."

"As long as Yicheng is still there, Yuan Shu will dare to die with Yunchang in Xuyi."

"But if Yicheng is lost, Yuan Shu is worried that Shouchun will be lost, and he will definitely go up the Huai River to return to Shouchun."

"Staying here in Xiaqiu City is to wait for Cao Cao to capture Yicheng and force Yuan Shu to return."

"Cao Cao was in charge of encircling Wei and saving Zhao, so that Yuan Shu had to return to Shouchun in a hurry, and we were responsible for waiting for work and ambush Yuan Shu."

Zhang Fei's eyes lit up: "So it was the one who robbed Cao Cao! Then I'm so happy."

"Cao Cao is a thief, if he captures Yuan Shu alive, it will definitely be bad for my elder brother."

"But how long do we have to wait?"

Zheng Ping shook his fan and said with a smile: "The waiting time is always long and frustrating. If you are really bored, Yide, you can go back to Qingzhou to visit your relatives first."

"It's estimated that when you come back, Yuan Shu will almost return to his birthday."

Zhang Fei shook his head again and again: "Sir, don't lie to me again, I don't believe it! What if Yuan Hou withdraws his troops as soon as I leave?"

Da da da.

The scouts from outside the city came on horseback.

"Brother, urgent report from Yicheng!" Zhuge Jin boarded the tower: "Cao Cao broke Yicheng and beheaded General Zhang Xun of Yuan Shu."

Zhang Fei was overjoyed: "Mr. Xianmou, you are indeed lying to me. If I really return to Linzi City, I will definitely miss the opportunity to make meritorious service."

Zheng Ping asked quietly, "Have you found any specific information?"

Zhuge Jin nodded and said: "Liu Xun and others have stored most of the food and grass in Dangtu, south of Yicheng, and the general Zhang Xun is guarding it."

"At dusk, Cao Cao lit a large number of torches outside Yicheng."

"But that night, Cao Cao suddenly attacked Dangtu by surprise and beheaded Zhang Xun."

"Cao Cao pretended to be Zhang Xun's soldiers and attacked Yicheng from the rear. Liu Xun and others were caught off guard, and they all abandoned the city and fled."

Zhang Hong clapped his hands and praised: "It's really wonderful. It must be that Cao Cao found the waterway to Dangtu early, but deliberately didn't cross the river."

"At dusk, taking advantage of the darkness and making it difficult to see, a large number of torches were deliberately lit outside Yicheng, so that Yuan Shujun in Yicheng mistakenly thought that the main force of Cao's soldiers was still outside Yicheng."

"As everyone knows, Cao Cao crossed the river at night and directly attacked Dangtu."

"The strategy of suspicious soldiers cooperates with the night attack, and the timing is very clever."

Zheng Ping thought for a while, then smiled lightly: "Crossing the Huai River at night, surprise attack Dangtu and behead Zhang Xun, and even pretend to be Zhang Xun's soldiers and horses to sneak attack Yicheng."

"Yicheng's Liu Xun and others were deceived by Cao Cao."

"As long as they hold on for a while, Cao Cao will have to retreat without fighting because his army is exhausted."

Zhang Hong also smiled and said, "That's why I say it's wonderful. The person who uses tricks must have a very accurate grasp of the psychology of Liu Xun and others."

"Guess Liu Xun and others, the reaction after encountering a surprise attack is not to resist, but to run away!"

"If my predictions are not bad, Liu Xun and others have long thought of abandoning the city and fleeing, but they have never found a suitable opportunity."

The facts were just as Zheng Ping and Zhang Hong guessed.

Half a month after Cao Cao attacked Yicheng, the four generals Liu Xun, Qiao Rui, Lei Bo and Chen Lan were already trembling with fear.

During the storming of Yicheng, Cao Cao had been searching for the hidden waterway to Dangtu.

After discovering the hidden waterway, Cao Cao ordered Le Jin to set up a false flag outside Yicheng, and lied to the soldiers, "It has been raining continuously recently, and the drinking water is turbid. Most of the soldiers have stomach pains after drinking this water. Now let you hurry up and get ready." Hundreds of tile tanks are used to clarify drinking water."

At dusk, a large number of torches were lit, making Liu Xun and others think that Cao Cao's army was gathered at Chengshui.

He used this as a cover-up to deceive Yicheng's spies.

On the other hand, Cao Cao personally led the main force to surprise Dangtu by taking a secret waterway. After beheading Zhang Xun, he forcibly drove the troops to Yicheng regardless of the fatigue of the soldiers.

Liu Xun and others heard that Cao Cao had killed Zhang Xun, and tricked him into opening the gate of Yicheng City. They were so frightened that they ran away through the side gate.

It never occurred to me that Cao Cao was already exhausted when he arrived in Yicheng after attacking Dangtu at night.

As long as Liu Xun and others turn their soldiers back, maybe one or two of Cao Cao's generals will be lost.

However, there are no ifs in this world.

Cao Cao was using this tactic. Liu Xun and the others were terrified after half a month of storming, and now there was another surprise attack. If Liu Xun and the others could figure it out, Yuan Shu wouldn't think highly of Sun Jian all the time.

Zheng Ping got up and paced.

After careful deduction in his mind, he issued an order: "Yide, let the three armies have a full meal. We will go to Huai Ling tomorrow morning."

"Send someone to send a letter to Yun Chang, asking him to pay close attention to the movement of Yuan Shu's army, and beware of Yuan Shu withdrawing his troops with suspicious tactics."

"Cao Cao has already captured Yi. If we can't capture Yuan Shu alive, wouldn't we be ashamed of Cao Cao's kindness?"

Zhang Hong said with a smile: "If Cao Cao knew that Don't drive here to wait here, I'm afraid he would be so angry that he wouldn't be able to sleep well."

Zheng Ping shook his fan and smiled: "I don't care if Cao Cao can sleep well. However, after capturing Yuan, you will be able to sleep well in the future."

Yi Cheng.

Cao Cao feasted on civil and military affairs.

He praised Guo Jia even more: "In terms of grasping the enemy's mind, who else in the world is better than Fengxiao?"

"If Feng Xiao didn't know that Liu Xun and others had the idea of ​​abandoning Yuan Shu and fleeing, we wouldn't be able to take down Yicheng and Dangtu so easily."

"Yuan Shu lost Yicheng and Dangtu, so he will return to Shouchun in a hurry."

"And we can wait for work!"

"Wonderful! Wonderful!"

"Feng Xiao, I will respect you!"

The generals also raised their glasses: "Toast wine!"

Guo Jia was also in a happy mood, raised his wine bottle in salute, and drank it all in one gulp.

It is also imperative to use risky tactics.

Cao Cao stormed Yicheng for half a month, but Liu Xun and others refused to fight like turtles.

Combined with Liu Xun and others' 10 people guarding Yicheng and Dangtu, Guo Jia boldly inferred that Liu Xun and others would have the idea of ​​abandoning Yuan Shu and fleeing.

The reason why Yuan Shu and Guan Yu have not yet decided the winner is the reason why they have been keeping righteousness.

If Guan Yu wins, Liu Xun and others will decisively abandon Yuan Shu.

Based on this inference, Guo Jia suggested that Cao Cao take risks.

Cao Cao is also bold.

Although the process was dangerous, Cao Cao and Guo Jia were very satisfied with the result.

Xi Zhicai also said: "Guan Yu's failure to quickly defeat Yuan Shu must be due to the lack of troops. It must be that the rumors in Jizhou have worked."

"Yuan Shu wants to withdraw his troops, Guan Yu will not be able to catch up even if he wants to."

"The feat of capturing and killing Yuan Shu must belong to Duke Ming!"

Cao Cao was even more proud: "Liu Bei wants to restrain this general with false integrity, but if this general captures Yuan Shu, he can be sent directly to Chang'an, so why should he report to Liu Bei?"

"This time, Liu Bei not only gave this general the righteousness to conquer Yuan Shu, but also allowed him to capture Yuan Shu alive. He really is a benevolent man."

Knowing that Yicheng fell, Zhang Xun was beheaded, and Liu Xunsi abandoned the city and fled.

Yuan Shu was dumbfounded.

Relying on the superiority of troops, he was barely able to deal with Guan Yu.

Yuan Shu was still thinking about whether to send tens of thousands of soldiers from Yicheng for reinforcements.

result.

Yicheng is lost!

"One hundred thousand soldiers and horses!"

"One hundred thousand soldiers and horses!"

"Zhang Xun, Liu Xun, Qiao Rui, Lei Bo, Chen Lan, a bunch of trash, they missed my important business!"

Yuan Shu was so angry that he beheaded the soldier who reported the letter with his sword.

10 people defended righteousness and succeeded, but Cao Cao beheaded the general and captured the city.

Yuan Shu even thought that he hadn't woken up yet.

Huang Yi was worried: "Yue Zhang, Yicheng has fallen, and Cao Cao will soon arrive at the city of Shouchun."

"Although there are still 2 people in Shouchun, Cao Cao's morale is high, and Mr. Yuan Yao may not be able to keep Shouchun."

"It's better to withdraw the troops, Yue Zhang."

Yuan Shu glared: "Withdraw? You asked me to withdraw my troops? I am about to capture and kill Guan Yu. You asked me to withdraw my troops?"

Huang Yi remained silent, and murmured in his heart: Yue Zhang, we were ambushed by Guan Yu for a while when we first arrived, Yue Zhang, you were almost captured by Guan Yu in a battle, how can you capture and kill Guan Yu.

However, Huang Yi did not dare to say such words directly.

If Huang Yi dared to expose Yuan Shu's scars, even if Huang Yi was Yuan Shu's son-in-law, he would be forked out.

"Yue Zhang, the withdrawal of troops is not to fear Guan Yu, but to give Guan Yu a chance to save his life." Huang Yi tried his best to say nicely: "But if Cao Cao has a birthday, wouldn't Yue Zhang have to be ridiculed by Cao Cao?"

"And my son-in-law heard that Cao Cao likes to rob other people's wives the most."

"My father-in-law is not worried—"

Huang Yi didn't say it clearly, but Yuan Shu understood it.

Yuan Shu took in a new favorite concubine Mrs. Feng in Shouchun. She was originally the daughter of Sili Feng Fang.

Thinking of Cao Cao's virtues, Yuan Shu couldn't help but shuddered, and he didn't want to lose face anymore: "Withdraw troops, return to Shouchun!"

Compared with defeating Guan Yu, Yuan Shu cared more about his concubine being ruined.

Especially being ruined by Cao Cao, it would make Yuan Shu suffer great humiliation.

In order to avoid being noticed by Guan Yu, Yuan Shu did not withdraw his troops directly, but set up a large number of banners outside Xuyi.

He also ordered the remaining soldiers to light the bonfire in the camp every night to deceive Guan Yu.

But what Yuan Shu didn't know was that Guan Yu had already been summoned by Zheng Ping.

Seeing the contents of the letter, Guan Yu jumped up suddenly, and said with great joy: "Cao Cao has defeated Yicheng, Yuan Shu will escape! Generals, prepare to pursue Yuan Shu, and don't let him escape from Xuzhou!"

"Since you have come to Xuzhou, let this rebel stay in Xuzhou!"

"National enmity and private hatred shall be reported together."

(End of this chapter)