Ji Han Da Sima

Chapter 235 Slaying the Enemy
The sky was dark and dusk enveloped the earth.Bonfires gradually lit up in the coalition camp, scouts were sent out widely, and sergeants patrolled continuously.

In the big tent, Liu Bei and Huo Jun discussed the military situation. A simple map of the seven counties of Jingzhou hung on the tent.

Liu Bei pointed to the four counties in Jingnan and said: "Zhongmiao, Bo Wei has ordered Liu Pan, Huang Zhong, and Wang Wei to Nanping to pacify the three counties of Wuling, Lingling, and Guiyang in Jingzhou. If we can defeat Cao Cao's remnants now, we can gather our troops." Encircle Jiangling and conquer Nanjun. When the situation changes, Xiangfan may also be able to take action."

Huo Jun pondered for a while and said: "Cao Cao stopped at the south bank of the Xia River, intending to march to Jiangling, but he could not fear anything more than our elite army. It is already getting late, and we are afraid that Cao Cao will escape during the night, so our army should be careful and guard against it. Cao Cao escaped during the night."

How could Cao Ren, whom Cao Cao was thinking about so much, not know about Cao Cao's defeat at Chrysostom.After receiving the news from Wulin from Zhu Gai and Yin Shu, he immediately led nearly [-] elite soldiers from Huarong Road into Yunmengze, trying to join Cao Cao.

However, Huo Jun and Liu Bei led [-] troops to garrison in Jianli, and they already had soldiers and horses to guard against Cao Ren.He immediately ordered Wenpin, Wei Yan and other generals to lead [-] soldiers to seize Huarong County and build forts to prevent Cao Ren from going east to rescue Cao Cao.

After a pause, Huo Jun said: "After defeating the remnants of Cao Cao's army, Cao Ren retreated to Jiangling, so you might as well invite Yangzhou to join forces and conquer Jiangling, and discuss the affairs of Jingyang and Yangzhou."

Liu Bei understood Huo Jun's intention and said with a smile: "Bei has asked Ji Changnan to go to Changsha, and invited Bo Wei to go north and defeat Jiangling City. Shi Bei has also written a petition recently, and will appoint Bo Wei as a cavalry general and the herdsman of Jingzhou."

When the war has developed to this stage, the Battle of Chrysostom will come to an end, and the two Liu will divide the fruits of the war.Letting Liu Qi come to Jiangling can be regarded as a gift from Liu Bei to Liu Qi, showing his attitude.

Next, the two Liu expressed their official positions to each other.Liu Bei conferred upon Liu Qi the title of General of Chariots and Cavalry, leading the herdsmen of Jingzhou; Liu Qi also conferred upon Liu Bei the title of General of Guards, leading the herdsmen of Yangzhou.General Wei lowered his chariot and rode on the general's side, which could be considered Liu Beiqian's surrender to Liu Qi, thus bringing the two families together.

While the two were discussing, the attendant stepped inside and said anxiously: "Yuzhou, Governor, the scouts are reporting urgently. Cao Cao's remnants are heading north, seemingly towards Xiangfan. The leader is Cao General Lejin."

Liu Bei's expression changed slightly and he said: "Cao Cao does not want to go to Jiangling. If he wants to go to Xiangfan, he should be pursued by troops. Don't let him escape easily."

As he spoke, Liu Bei frowned and thought, and said: "Zhong Miao, I am afraid that this strategy is Cao Cao's trick to lure our army to pursue north, but in fact it is heading west, running along Huarong Road."

Huo Jun thought about it for a long time and said: "Although Le Jin is Cao Cao's trusted general, he does not know the geographical advantages of Jianghan, so how can he be a forward? And Cao Cao is not a man without plans. Now why not order Xu Sheng to lead two thousand troops to stop the attack, and most of our army will Let’s wait and see what happens with Cao’s army.”

"it is good!"

After a while, dusk turned into a starry night.

The scout rode into the camp and reported: "Let me report to you two kings that Cao's army has made new movements. Although Le Jin is in the vanguard, there are few soldiers and horses following him. Our scouts also discovered that Generals Cai Hao and Zhang Yun were heading west. Let’s go, there are few troops and horses under our command and we want to take advantage of the cover of night to sneak across the Xia River through the shallow channel of the river and head towards Jiangling.”

When he heard that they were Cai Mao and Zhang Yun, Liu Bei was surprised at first and then angry. He said, "As Zhongmiao expected, Le Jin's troops are actually suspicious soldiers. Cai Maosu is the prefect of Nanjun and is familiar with the terrain of Jiangling. Today I borrow Marching at night, we should be at the front of Cao Cao’s army, clearing the way for Cao Cao.”

As he spoke, Liu Bei subconsciously held his sword and said, "Therefore, we must not let Cai Mao and the remnants of Cao Cao go. I led a large army to block the attack. I should defeat the remnants of Cao Cao's army and capture and kill the two thieves Cao and Cai. I wonder if Zhong Miao wants to accompany Bei?" "

Huo Jun looked at the route map of Huarong Road and muttered: "Cai Hao and Zhang Yun are familiar with the geographical advantages, and it is possible to steal them at night. However, the key point of the camp is that Jun needs to be in charge of the camp. If Yuzhou can lead his headquarters to stop Cai Cao, Cao Cao cannot be easily allowed to do so. Get away.”

What Jia Xu said was true. Huo Jun and Liu Bei were afraid that Cao Cao would lead his army westward and join Cao Ren.No matter what happens now, Jiangzuo must send troops to defeat the enemy.

"it is good!"

Liu Bei slightly cupped his hands and said: "I led more than ten thousand people out of the tent, and Lao Zhongmiao led his troops and horses to camp. If something goes wrong, Lao Zhongmiao will be attacked. Do not let Cao Cao go."

“Don’t worry, Yuzhou!”

……

When Liu Bei led his soldiers out of the camp, torches burned high like fire dragons.Cao Cao's army scouts on the south bank of Xia River saw the news and quickly reported the news to Cao Cao.

Cao Cao got on his horse, pointed his whip to the north, and said: "The tigers and leopards are riding to clear the way. The troops are laying down their flags. Do not raise the fire high and quickly follow General Le."

Everyone looked at each other, surprised by Cao Cao's actions.

Yang Xiu glanced in the direction of Cai Mao and said, "Prime Minister, Cai Mao and Zhang Yun, two generals, led Jianghan soldiers and horses to clear the way at night. Why are you suddenly rushing to Xiangfan now?"

Previously, Cao Cao deceived Cai Hao and others, using Le Jin as a feint to attract Liu and Huo, and asked Cai Hao and Zhang Yun to lead the remaining Jianghan army to clear the way, while he led the remaining troops behind.I never thought that Cao Cao would suddenly change his mind and go to Xiangfan instead, abandoning Generals Cai and Zhang and the remaining Jianghan army.

Cao Cao coughed slightly and said: "I have sent people to inform Cai Mao, Zhang Yun, Yin Shu and other generals. If you see something bad, you should take the opportunity to leave and follow most of our army behind."

Cao Cao did not report the news to Cai Mao and Zhang Yun, but he reported the news to the Yin Department in advance.Let Yin Shu go north at night while he is fighting at the front, and wait for him at the front.

After speaking, Cao Cao lightly kicked the horse's belly and said in a deep voice: "Follow up, everyone, and don't fall behind!"

"promise!"

On a starry night, Cao Cao's remnant army barely groped its way through the moonlight and the sparse torches.Following the lead sergeant left by Le Jin, the sergeants walked hard along the river at night.

After being far away from Liu and Huo's armies and crossing the shallow Xia River, Cao Cao dared to order his soldiers to light torches to illuminate the way forward.

Cao Cao rode on his horse and looked up to see the bright starry sky. He also saw the embarrassment of the soldiers under his tent. He had long lost his former majesty.Facing Liu and Huo who were blocking the enemy in front, he had to abandon the army in despair in order to save himself, which was very shameful.

How majestic I was a few months ago, how downcast I am today!

Cao Cao couldn't help but feel sad, and sighed: "If I still have the filial piety, I wouldn't be alone like this!"

As soon as these words came out, Wen and Wu on the left and right fell silent, and they also had other thoughts in their hearts.

But the unfazed Jia Xu secretly rolled his eyes. If Cao Cao had used his own strategy, even if he had not won, he would not have been defeated like this.Although he was complaining in his heart, Jia Xu was not a person like Tian Feng or Ju Shou. He knew the pros and cons, kept silent, and just followed Cao Cao.

Sun Quan rode his horse and said comfortingly: "Now that the prime minister has escaped from Liu and Huo, he will return to the Central Plains. Why worry about not being able to defeat Wu Chu?"

Cao Cao had someone to talk to, and said with sadness: "Zhongmou doesn't know how to be filial, and Fengxiao is good at strategizing. Since he planned for Gu, he has won many battles, and few have missed. If in the battle of Chrysostom, Fengxiao is by Gu's side, Gu is alone." How could he be defeated by Huo Jun's hands?" Cao Cao also felt resentful in his heart and said: "Gu Jin was humiliated by Huo Jun not because his military strategy was inferior to him, but because it was God's will! Fire was made out of thin air in the water stronghold, and the boat was burned. If it weren't for God’s will, how could it be Huo Jun’s doing!”

In order to verify his words, Cao Cao's smile gradually became wilder, and then he raised his head and laughed.

"Prime Minister, why are you laughing?"

Cao Cao pointed at the dark wilderness with his whip, and said with a smile: "I laugh at Liu Bei's lack of plans and Huo Jun's lack of wisdom, and his strategy of attacking from the east to the west. If you use troops alone, even if you set up a camp in Jianli, you will still have an army ambushed here. Just in case something goes wrong. But now~"

"Ha ha!"

"True as the Prime Minister..."

Before Sun Quan had finished boasting, suddenly several flaming dragons meandered through the wilderness late at night, shouting: "Don't run away from Cao Cao, chase Cao Cao."

"Zhang Yide from Yan is here! Where is Cao Cao?"

Immediately afterwards, the sound of golden drums and shouts of killing resounded across the wilderness, and the tired sergeants of Cao's army fled in a hurry.

"not good!"

Cao Cao's expression changed greatly and he said, "There is an enemy ambush!"

Xu Huang came with a spear in hand and shouted: "Prime Minister, leave quickly. Huang leads the troops to the rear."

"Gongming be careful!"

Cao Cao called his attendants to protect the civil servants and counselors, and left at night under the protection of Xu Chu and Sun Quan, not daring to stay to fight.

Zhang Fei and Xu Sheng led thousands of elite soldiers to attack and cut Cao Jun's fire dragon into several sections.The remaining soldiers of Cao's army were unable to stop them, and they fled in defeat.Because they were fighting at night, Zhang Fei and Xu Sheng led their troops to defeat Cao Jun. After pursuing for several miles, they paid gold and retreated.

How could Huo Jun be unprepared for Cao Cao's direction of fleeing Xiangfan?He and Liu Bei arranged for 7000 people to guard Huarong City, and ordered Zhang Fei to lead 5000 people to ambush the northwest trail. He and Liu Bei led 8000 people to guard Jianli.Previously, Huo Jun sent Xu Sheng with [-] troops to stop Le Jin, but Zhang Fei did not go out to fight. Unexpectedly, Cao Cao was actually crouched down now.

And Liu Bei's side had already defeated Cai Mao, Zhang Yun and others. The soldiers of Jianghan collapsed at the first touch and had to flee or surrender.

Cai Mao and Zhang Yun did not see most of Cao Cao's troops, and saw the Yin Department fleeing. They knew in their hearts that they had been betrayed, and cursed Cao Cao in their hearts.If the general in front of them was not Liu Bei, Cai Mao and Zhang Yun would have surrendered long ago.

Taking advantage of the darkness and chaos among the crowd, Cai Hao and Zhang Yun took a dozen of their close associates to escape.However, they were overtaken by Tai Shiheng and Liu Feng with fifty cavalry, and captured Cai Mao and Zhang Yun on the spot.

The lights were brightly lit, and Tai Shiheng escorted Cai Mao and Zhang Yun to Liu Bei.

"My lord, the two thieves Cai Hao and Zhang Yun were captured by my knight."

"Ok!"

Under the protection of the left and right, Liu Bei came on horseback.

Liu Bei was riding on horseback, holding a whip in his hand, staring coldly at Cai Hao and Zhang Yun who were kneeling on the ground.

"Snapped!"

The riding crop whipped and hit Cai Mao's face. Liu Bei said coldly, "Cai Mao, do you remember what happened in Tanxi?"

Cai Mao felt the burning pain on his face, his whole body was trembling, and he begged, "I have made you so kind to the world, can you please spare me?"

After saying that, Cai Mao kowtowed repeatedly and said, "Mao is willing to work hard for the envoy and do his best, and he does not dare to break his promise!"

"Ha ha!"

Liu Bei sneered a few times and said: "I can spare you two, but I am afraid that brother Jing Sheng will not be able to spare you two thieves. He tampered with brother Jing Sheng's last order, colluded with Cao's thieves, and surrendered to Jianghan. Now that he is captured by a certain person, An has the face to do so. To surrender?"

"Forgive me!"

Zhang Yun kowtowed and begged, "Your Majesty, Yun is a relative of Liu Jingzhou. Can you please spare me?"

Riding his horse slowly to the side of the two men, Liu Bei suddenly drew his sword and stabbed Cai Mao to death.

"Pfft!"

Cai Mao's hot blood splashed onto Zhang Yun's face, making Zhang Yun turn pale with fright.

Zhang Yun glanced and saw Cai Mao twitching a few times and dying on the ground, his heart ashen.

Liu Bei pointed his sword at Zhang Yun. Seeing Zhang Yun's cowardice, he sarcastically said, "You are the nephew of Jing Sheng's brother, but you actually colluded with outsiders to cause chaos. If you use this sword to kill you, I'm afraid you will also stain this sword."

"Come here, hand over Zhang Yun to Liu Jingzhou for punishment!"

"promise!"

(End of this chapter)