Three Kingdoms: Heir of Wolong, my father-in-law is Guan Gong

Chapter 62 Vanguard’s first battle, Cao Ren’s plan
  Cao Ren chose to stick to Xiangyang and Fancheng for the time being.

Although the momentum to capture Guan Yu was about to show off, Cao Ren was also a veteran who had fought for many years and knew that he had to be careful on this battlefield and not be blind and careless.

Before determining the size of Guan Yu's navy, Cao Ren would not take risks easily.

Cao Ren's military order quickly reached the ears of Hu Xiu, the governor of Jingzhou in Xiangyang.

After receiving the military order, Hu Xiu couldn't help but frowned: "How could General Zhengnan be so timid?"

"There are more than 10,000 soldiers and horses in Xiangyang, but they let me stick to Xiangyang? How many men can Guan Yu have on land?"

"If General Zhengnan refuses to send troops, the governor will send troops himself."

Hu Xiu was rude and disrespectful to the soldiers and the people. He also relied on his bravery and many soldiers, so he usually showed disdain for Cao Ren.

As the governor of Jingzhou, Hu Xiulai was originally under the jurisdiction of Nanyang County, Nanxiang County, Xiangyang County, Zhangling County and part of Jiangxia County controlled by Wenpin.

As a result, last year, Cao Cao suddenly appointed Cao Ren as the general to conquer the south, which was a holiday.

Except for Fu Fang, the prefect of Nanxiang who had a good personal relationship with Hu Xiu and was willing to obey Hu Xiu's orders, Pang De of Nanyang County, Lu Chang of Zhangling County, and Wenpin of Jiangxia County did not listen to Hu Xiu's orders.

Even Hu Xiu, the governor of Jingzhou, was controlled by Cao Ren.

How could Hu Xiu, who was accustomed to being arrogant, endure this?
  After carefully detecting the marching speed and number of Guan Yu's land troops, Hu Xiu decided to personally lead his troops to ambush at Yishui on the north bank, seventy miles outside Xiangyang City.

The Yishui River is also a tributary of the Han River.

Hu Xiu chose this location because if he entered Xiangyang by land, Guan Yu's troops would have to cross the Yishui River.

Jingzhou Biejia was shocked to hear that Hu Xiu was about to send troops, and quickly advised him: "Don't do it to me. General Zhengnan is on holiday. If you disobey the military order, you may be killed!"

Hu Xiu scolded: "I am the governor of Jingzhou appointed by King Wei. How dare General Zhengnan still kill me?"

"The war opportunity is fleeting. If we listen to General Zhengnan and have more than 10,000 people huddled in Xiangyang City, wouldn't it be a joke?"

"You will be left with 8,000 soldiers to defend the city. I will lead 5,000 soldiers and horses to Yishui to ambush you. Prepare food and wine. When I return, I will reward the three armies."

Seeing that Hu Xiu insisted on leading troops out of the city, Jingzhou Bijia had no choice but to go to Fancheng in person and inform Cao Ren about Hu Xiu's unauthorized troops.

Hearing that Hu Xiu sent troops without authorization, Cao Ren was not angry but smiled: "Hu Xiu relies on his own bravery and has never obeyed me. If he continues to garrison Xiangyang, he will ruin my affairs."

"Now that he is sending troops against the order, it just gives me a reason to seize his military power."

"Niu Jin, please quickly pass on our military order and order Lu Chang, the prefect of Zhangling, to immediately drive troops into Xiangyang and take charge of the Xiangyang army."

"If Hu Xiu is dissatisfied, bring Hu Xiu to see me!"

Niu Jin took the order and left.

Jingzhou Biejia was frightened when he heard this!

Seeing Jingzhou Biejia trembling, Cao Ren comforted him and said, "As Jingzhou Biejia, if you can report to me in time, you will have merit and no fault."

"Hu Xiu violated military orders. I will only punish Hu Xiu. You return to Xiangyang City and guard Xiangyang City with Lu Chang."

"After Guan Yu retires, I will recommend you to the King of Wei as the new governor of Jingzhou."

Jingzhou Bijia was overjoyed and bowed repeatedly to express his thanks. This was simply a blessing from heaven.

After Jingzhou left, Manchong said: "General, Hu Xiu is the governor of Jingzhou after all. If he is killed in battle, it will dampen the morale of our army."

"Why don't I lead an army to meet Hu Xiu? If Hu Xiu wins, I will assist Lu Chang in controlling Xiangyang; if Hu Xiu loses, I will cover Hu Xiu's retreat."

Cao Ren thought for a while and agreed to Man Chong's suggestion: "Just give Boning a hard trip. If Hu Xiu loses, don't let him enter Xiangyang City."

Man Chong nodded.

The soldiers and horses in Fancheng were brought by Cao Ren. Some of the soldiers and horses in Jingzhou went to Jiangxia Wenpin, some went to Zhangling Prefect Lu Chang, some went to Nanxiang Prefect Fu Fang, and most of the rest were in the hands of Hu Xiu in Xiangyang.

Although Cao Ren was on holiday, Wenpin, Lu Chang, Fu Fang and Hu Xiu were still in charge of the army. If Hu Xiu had obeyed his orders, Cao Ren would not have taken away Hu Xiu's military power; but now that Hu Xiu did not obey his orders, Cao Ren would not be merciful.

Although Hu Xiu relied on his martial prowess, compared to Cao Ren, who had spent half his life in the military, Hu Xiu's martial prowess was not in Cao Ren's eyes at all.

It was because of Hu Xiu's poor ability that Cao Cao transferred Cao Ren from Juchao back to Fancheng to attack Guan Yu during the battle between Hanzhong and Liu Bei.

Hu Xiu didn't know at this moment that no matter whether he won or lost this time, he, the governor of Jingzhou, would not be able to return to Xiangyang.

At this moment, Hu Xiu just wanted to swallow up Guan Yu's vanguard army, and then show off his military exploits to Cao Ren.

Yishui.

Guan Yu's vanguard commander Zhao Lei has arrived with his army.

"Quickly cross the Yishui River. We will camp near the Yishui River tonight and arrive at the foot of Xiangyang City tomorrow."

He glanced at the sky.

Zhao Lei issued a second military order: "Those who are good at water will cross the river first. After crossing the river, they will form an array immediately. Those who mess up the array will be killed!"

This place is less than a hundred miles away from Xiangyang City. Zhao Lei is not so confident that the defenders of Xiangyang City have not noticed his whereabouts until now.

If they were aware of it, they would most likely set up an ambush on the other side of the river.

Zhao Leijiu followed Guan Yu for a long time, and he also knew the terrain of Jingzhou quite well, and he also knew about the unexpected dangers that might be encountered when marching across the river.

The reason why those who are good at water are ordered to cross the river first is to prevent the ambush on the other side of the river from being too strong, so that the soldiers who cross the river first can jump into the water to escape.

While Zhao Lei was commanding his troops to cross the river, Hu Xiu was staring at Zhao Lei's army that was constantly crossing the river.

"The Art of War says: If you attack halfway across the river, the enemy will be in chaos."

"Hmph, Guan Yu's vanguard is nothing more than that. He actually dares to cross the river carelessly after marching in a hurry."

Hu Xiu was secretly happy.

After carefully counting the number of Zhao Lei's soldiers crossing the river, Hu Xiu shouted "All troops kill the thieves" and led 5,000 Xiangyang cavalry towards the Yishui River.

however.

Hu Xiu's expectation that "the enemy troops will be in chaos" did not appear.

Zhao Lei issued a military order to kill those who disrupted the formation, and sent Shanshui soldiers first, so even if they encountered an ambush, they would not be in a fatal dilemma.

You will not die if you encounter an ambush, but you will die if you violate military orders. Normal people know how to choose.

"Cross the river in an orderly manner, behead those who panic and behead those who scream."

Zhao Lei handed over the command of the subsequent troops and horses to cross the river to the deputy general, and then rode his horses across the bridge to the other side.

Seeing Hu Xiu's soldiers and horses coming to attack, Zhao Lei's eyes flashed with contempt: "The formation is so chaotic, but you dare to play half-cross and attack in front of me."

"All the troops listen to the order, raise their bows, and listen to my order: the enemy takes fifty steps and shoots from behind."

Zhao Lei's voice was loud and clear, and his command was methodical and neither rushed nor slow.

It is said that the general is the courage of the soldiers. If the general is timid, the soldiers will also be timid.

When Zhao Lei encountered the enemy in battle, he did not panic at all, which made the soldiers in formation feel at ease.

The general doesn't panic, so why should we and the other soldiers panic?
  Just draw the bow and shoot arrows, and obey the orders.

As Zhao Lei's order was issued, more than a thousand arrows were thrown directly at Hu Xiu's soldiers and horses.

(End of this chapter)