Ji Han Da Sima

Chapter 475 Give me back my Xiangfan!

Cao Cao heard that Liu Bei was marching westward, so he led Chinese troops down. In addition, the Southern Xiongnu and Wuhuan generals led ten thousand horses to Nanyang, and Cao Cao's military strength now reached as many as 140,000. Liu Bei, who was stationed in Xinye, had only 70,000 soldiers, only half of Cao Cao's number.

In order to save Xiangfan, Cao Cao sent out all his troops to attack Liu Bei's troops head-on, just as Yuan Shao had attacked him. On the other hand, he sent Cao Zhen and Cao Xiu to lead their cavalry to rob Liu Bei's grain road.

Facing Cao Cao's methods, Liu Bei, with the assistance of Fazheng, led his army to build fortifications and defend the new field. In order to strengthen his flanks, he sent generals Zhao Yun and Huang Zhong to guard the left and right battalions.

Cao Zhen and Cao Xiu's cavalry troops plundered the grain road, and Liu Bei commissioned Guan Ping and Tai Shi Heng to go out of the city to lead their troops to protect the grain.

The cavalry of Han and Wei fought in battles. The Han cavalry was not as brave as the Wei cavalry, nor was it as good as the Wei cavalry. Guan Ping and Tai Shiheng were repeatedly defeated by the two Cao Cao, and a lot of food and grass were burned.

Fa Zheng gave him a plan, so he loaded the cart with sand and stones to lure the two Cao Cao to intercept the grain, but ordered them to deploy heavy troops to ambush them. When the second Cao led his cavalry to rob the grain cart, the second general led his troops to fight out and defeated the second Cao, only to regain the game.

In the area of ​​more than 100 miles in Xinye, although Liu Bei did not have as many soldiers as Cao Cao, his cavalry was not as strong as Cao Cao's. However, he relied on the solidity of the city fortress and the crossbows that the Southern Han Dynasty was good at to launch an offensive and defensive battle with Cao Cao.

Cao Cao built a thunderbolt chariot to smash into the Han camp, destroying many Han military towers and oars, and the morale of the Han soldiers was in turmoil. Liu Bei adopted the plan of Fa Zheng and dug tunnels. Every time the thunderbolt chariot was thrown, the sergeants hid in the tunnels to relieve the soldiers' fear.

Immediately afterwards, Cao Cao built a mountain of earth in an attempt to shoot at the Han camp from a high position. The Han army's crossbowmen suffered many casualties. At that time, eight eight-oxen crossbows were delivered to the Southern Han Dynasty. Liu Bei counterattacked with eight-oxen crossbows and a trebuchet. The Wei soldiers on the mountain were killed. Shooting with fear.

Xu Chu helped Cao Cao, who had a headache, to the couch and said, "Your Majesty, please calm down!"

Gai heard the determination in Cao Cao's words. Xu Chu did not dare to say anything more and had to retreat.

"Bring the light!"

"Outside the tent!"

"His Majesty!"

"Your Majesty, General Chariot and Cavalry is outside asking for an audience!" Xu Chu said in a louder voice.

"Who?"

While walking, Cao Ren saw Xu Chu coming out with an expressionless face, and hurriedly stepped forward and asked, "How is the Tiger Marquis?"

Xu Chu lowered his head and said, "Your Majesty, General Chariot and Cavalry is outside the tent, requesting an audience with Your Majesty."

"Your Majesty, why don't you take a rest for now and see General Chariot and Cavalry again." Xu Chu said with concern.

Although Cao Xiu was arrogant, he did not dare to talk back in front of Cao Cao.

Xu Chu pointed to the room and said, "Your Majesty, call the general into the room!"

At this time, Cao Xiu came out of the house and saw the frightened Cao Ren. He couldn't help but said, "Your Majesty is still angry. I hope my uncle will pay more attention to his words."

He escaped from the Han army's pursuers along the way and overcame many difficulties to return to the army. But every time he thought of Cao Cao, his heart was filled with shame and fear. Xiangfan was lost in his hands, tens of thousands of troops were wiped out in the Han River, but he escaped back in defeat, which really made him feel doubly tortured.

Cao Cao's eyes flashed with approval, but his expression became serious, and he scolded: "How can a general talk about life and death lightly? Your death is not a pity, but if you ruin the national affairs, even if you die nine times, it will be difficult to atone for your sins."

"it is good!"

"Cao Ren?"

During Cao Cao's lecture, Xu Chu entered the hall with his sword in hand, looking a little embarrassed.

Thanks to the Southern Han Dynasty's policy of being good at bows and crossbows, the battlefield was in a stalemate.

Before Cao Cao could say anything, Cao Cao suddenly felt severe pain in his head, staggered, and was about to fall down. Fortunately, Xu Chu was close and stepped forward to help Cao Cao.

Seeing that the Eight Ox Crossbow was easy to use, Liu Bei ordered it to fire day and night. Although the Eight Ox Crossbow is difficult to operate, its power is astonishing. A crossbow arrow is like a spear, which can pierce the heart and lungs of a human body hundreds of steps away. Because of its amazing power, it could kill Wei soldiers from a long distance and destroy the oars, which made Wei soldiers exclaim as "Heavenly Crossbow".

Cao Ren wanted to ask more questions, but Xu Chu ignored Cao Ren and left directly.

In the past, as Cao Cao's confidant and favorite general, no one could catch his eye, and he even dared to be dissatisfied that Xiahou Dun was favored over him. However, Cao Ren returned in embarrassment, which made Cao Ren lose his former domineering attitude.

"Let him get in!"

Cao Cao was stunned at first, then reacted suddenly and asked loudly: "If he is not in Fancheng, why is he here?"

Cao Xiu had a strong temper and said on the spot: "If the plan fails, I don't want to die in Fanwai!"

Because Xu Chu spoke in a low voice, Cao Cao didn't hear clearly, so he asked again.

"Where is Cao Ren?" Cao Cao asked with a cold tone.

Outside the tent, Cao Ren looked sad and paced back and forth.

Cao Cao turned to look at Cao Xiu and said in a deep voice: "The army goes deep alone. If the bandits outside Fan are well prepared, how can you survive?"

"Let him get in!"

The attendant held up a lamp to the map and illuminated the mountains and rivers on the map for Cao Cao. With the light illuminating, Cao Cao's eyes felt better.

The light in the room was dim, so Cao Cao had no choice but to get in front of the map and look at it carefully. However, as a presbyopic man, his eyes felt uncomfortable no matter how he looked at the map due to the dim light. He could only see the map clearly by moving a little further away, but the dim environment made his eyes feel astringent and dry.

Cao Cao closed his eyes and rubbed his temples with his hands, trying to calm down the anger in his heart as much as possible.

Cao Xiu was full of fighting spirit. He raised his hand to fight and said: "Your Majesty, the water thieves have strong crossbows and it is difficult to break through their stronghold. Xiu is willing to lead his elite cavalry to carry five days of food, bypass the new field, raid the Fanwai bandit army, and join forces with Cao Xiu's cavalry. Destroy the enemy."

Cao Cao glanced at Xu Chu and asked, "Does Zhong Kang have anything important to report?"

"What if it doesn't work?"

"Ok?"

Anleju is forty miles north of Xinye City. Due to the war, all the people in the settlement have moved north, and it is now used as a base camp by Cao Cao.

Cao Cao gritted his teeth and tried to speak in a calm tone.

Xu Chu lowered his head and glanced at Cao Cao's expression, but did not dare to respond.

Hearing this, Cao Ren forced out a smile, put away the fear in his heart, and walked into the house.

As soon as Cao Ren entered the room, he saw Cao Cao's cold face. He did not dare to hesitate, and immediately knelt in front of Cao Cao, kowtowed repeatedly, and said, "I have disobeyed your Majesty's orders. Please punish me!"

"Cao Ren, do you still remember my edict?"

Cao Cao laughed angrily and said, "In the past, I sent troops to build floods without permission. How come I don't remember this?" As he said, Cao Cao got up from the couch and said in a more serious tone, "I have lived in Jianghan for ten years, but I didn't know the geographical advantages of Jianghan, so I was banned. I’m asking how to explain it!”

Cao Ren stuck his buttocks out, raised his head, and said aggrievedly: "Your Majesty, I have lived in Jianghan for ten years, and the Han River has never overflowed. The place I chose..."

It didn't matter that Cao Ren didn't answer, but this explanation completely angered Cao Cao.

Cao Cao rushed forward, grabbed Cao Ren by the collar, and said angrily: "Cao Ren, give me back my Xiangfan!"

Looking at Cao Cao's murderous eyes, Cao Ren suddenly panicked and said: "I know that I am guilty, please punish me!"

Cao Cao felt the pain in his head growing more and more. He loosened Cao Ren's collar and said angrily: "If I can exchange your life for the Seventh Army and Xiangfan, I will exchange it for you."

Cao Ren knelt on the ground, lowered his head, and did not dare to say anything more, but peeked at Cao Cao.

Cao Cao hit his forehead with his fist, and all kinds of thoughts flew through his painful head. Thinking of Xia Houyuan who died in the battle and Cao Ren in front of him, he felt helpless in his heart. He wondered if he valued the clan too much and forcibly promoted them, causing them to be incompetent and make repeated military mistakes.

But who can be used instead of Zong Jiang?
Without a clan, I was really afraid that I would not be able to secure my position.

Why isn't Liu Bei worried?
"His Majesty!"

Cao Ren saw that Cao Cao was worried and sighed, and said softly: "Pang Tong, one of my ministers, had a trick. That day he raised his troops to attack the city. I saw with my own eyes that he was hit by an arrow. The water thieves' soldiers and horses were hung in mourning, so Ren thought that he was killed by an arrow. I wanted to contact you by letter..."

Cao Ren told all the details before and after his defeat, and luckily said: "Although I was defeated, Zhu Zhi is still in Fancheng, and Xiangfan may still be in the hands of our army!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Chu entered the house again, cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, according to reports from the scouts, Zhu Zhi died of illness in the city, and the civil and military forces of Fancheng came out to surrender to Pang Tong."

"What about Xiangyang?" Cao Ren asked hurriedly.

Xu Chu glanced at Cao Ren and said: "Lü Chang was trapped in Xiangyang for more than a year. He ran out of food and grass. He led his troops to attack the camp. Unfortunately, he was spotted by water thieves and his troops were defeated. Xiangyang has been occupied by water thieves. However, although Lu Chang The army was defeated, but the chariot and cavalry general's banner was recaptured."

"This~"

Cao Ren was suddenly confused and looked at Cao Cao subconsciously.

Cao Cao sneered and said sarcastically: "Zi Xiao has been fighting with me for thirty years, and he is also a general of the clan. How can he be inferior to outsiders now?"

"His Majesty!"

Cao Ren knelt down and kowtowed, and said sadly: "I know that I am guilty. If Your Majesty wants me to die, I will never complain!"

Cao Cao squinted his eyes and stared at Cao Ren closely, the murderous intent in his eyes was particularly strong. If Cao Ren were not a relative of his own clan, he would have put him in jail and executed him long ago.

His anger was hard to dissipate, and Cao Cao said with a stern expression: "I am not a person who likes to kill. Considering your past merits, I will spare your life for the time being. However, death penalty can be avoided, but living crime cannot be avoided. Now I am dismissed from all official positions, demoted to the common people, and go home to reflect on myself. .”

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Cao Ren knew that he could be dismissed from his post by Cao Cao, which shows how disappointed Cao Cao was in him. With the joy of avoiding death and the sadness of disappointing Cao Cao, Cao Ren held back tears and kowtowed to Cao Cao.

"Your Majesty, please take care of yourself!"

After speaking, Cao Ren wiped away his tears and retreated.

After Cao Ren left, Cao Cao, who had a severe headache, lay directly on the couch, covering his head and groaning slightly.

"Doctor!"

"Doctor!"

Seeing this, Xu Chu shouted anxiously. The doctor outside the house heard this and entered the house carrying a medicine bag.

Cao Cao suffered from a severe headache, so he needed a doctor by his side in case he had a recurring headache and no one could treat him.

The doctor entered the house and hurriedly helped Cao Cao relieve the pain in his head. Both the acupuncture and the application of medicine made Cao Cao feel much more relaxed, and then he fell into a deep sleep.

However, I don't know how long it took, it was dark, and Cao Cao slowly woke up.

The attendant serving at the side came forward with hot water and asked: "How is your Majesty's dragon body? What do you want to eat?"

Cao Cao leaned on the soft cushion, took a few sips of warm water, and felt much better physically and mentally. He said, "Just eat some minced meat!"

"Light more lights!"

Looking at the few oil lamps, Cao Cao felt his eyes were blurry and uncomfortable, and said.

"promise!"

The attendants brought six more lamps for Cao Cao, and the room suddenly became brighter. It could be seen that Sima Yi was sorting documents for Cao Cao in the corner.

"Why is Zhongda here?" Cao Cao asked.

Sima Yi put down the document in his hand and replied: "Your Majesty, I am a servant, and my duty is to serve your Majesty. I dare not slack off now, lest your Majesty ask anything."

Cao Cao was satisfied with Sima Yi's performance and asked: "Now that Xiangfan has surrendered, does Zhongda have any insights?"

Sima Yi lowered his head and said: "Your Majesty, although Xiangfan was captured by thieves and our army lost tens of thousands, we, the Wei Dynasty, still have Wancheng to defend. Moreover, Liu Bei's soldiers are almost exhausted. When Yizhi sees that Liu Bei has gone to Xiangfan, he will withdraw his troops soon."

"Wancheng is close to Xu and Ying, hundreds of miles away from the Han River. If thieves raise an army and attack it, they can be attacked by cavalry and cut off their food routes. It can be a place of long-term governance. The key points of today should be moved. The common people from the northern Han Dynasty went to Luoyang, one to restore the vitality of Luoyang, and the other to empty Xiangfan and reach Wancheng hundreds of miles away, allowing the water thieves to gain access to their land but not their people."

Cao Cao closed his eyes and thought, and said: "It is not impossible to move the people of Jing to Luoyang, but Jingxiang is turbulent and the people of Jing have difficulty in moving. If we move now, I am afraid that it will be the same as the people of Huaihe, and Liu Bei will benefit in vain."

Sima Yi pondered for a while, then cupped his hands and said: "Jingxiang has been in turmoil for a long time. Your Majesty can send the army here to temporarily stabilize the situation. When Liu Bei's troops withdraw, your Majesty will send troops to the countryside to pacify the evil people. At that time, all the people will return, and your Majesty can move them all. The Jing people arrive at Luo."

Cao Cao glanced at the respectful Sima Yi and said: "Although Xiangfan is lost today, I am going to fight with the army and have many good plans. There is no one in Jingzhou to be the governor. Do you want to be appointed?"

Hu Xiu, the governor of Jingzhou, returned to Guan Yu and was subsequently killed due to the defeat at Wancheng. Therefore, no one has been appointed as the governor of Jingzhou for the time being. However, being the governor of Jingzhou today is not a good job.

The Nanyang Basin, which is hundreds of miles away, was already in decline. In the early years, it only stabilized for a few years because it became a rear area. Now that we are facing a great war and Xiangfan is captured by Liu Bei, Nanyang will surely become even more desolate. If coupled with Cao Cao's relocation, it is not impossible to become a no-man's land like Jianghuai.

Sima Yi showed no fear, bowed his hands and said, "I obey your Majesty's edict!"

"good!"

(End of this chapter)