Prancing Horse Xiliang

Chapter 421 Competing in the Central Plains ([-])

Pengcheng, Cao Cao's official residence.

"My lord, we can't continue this stalemate."

Cheng Yuning said: "General Cao Hong sent an urgent report from Xiapi that the [-] troops from Xiapi in the north have retreated to Lingbi, and according to the news sent back by Xiaozuo, most of Sun Ce's [-] troops who attacked Lingbi were civilians. We have already retreated to Huainan, Sun Ce's strong attack on Anfengjin is not enough, temporarily unable to go north to contain Luo Zheng's army, the situation in Xuzhou is in dire straits, we must try to reverse the situation."

Xun You also said: "Luo Zheng's general Zhao Yun has led an army of [-] to forcibly capture Qingniyikou and enter Lujiang. I heard that Sun Ce has gone to Hefei to meet Zhao Yun. Our army is counting on Sun Ce to be hopeless. We can only try to save ourselves .”

Cao Cao rubbed his eyebrows and said, "But Gao Shun insists on not fighting, what can I do?"

Everyone sighed, and there was nothing they could do.

Cheng Yu thought for a while, then said: "Xuzhou has no danger to defend, and our army is far less than Luo Zheng's. If we divide our troops to defend, we will only be defeated by Luo Zheng one by one. Save your strength."

"Ok?"

Cao Cao's eyes froze, and he frowned and thought.

Xun You, Liu Ye and others also frowned, thinking about the pros and cons.

Abandoning Xuzhou is undoubtedly a very difficult choice.

Even for a hero like Cao Cao, it is difficult to make a decision in a short while.

Xuzhou was Cao Cao's last base. If even Xuzhou was lost, it would be difficult to turn around.

After all, it is no longer the situation of the operas of the princes in the past. There is no one who can live freely to the present. No matter how talented Cao Cao is, it is difficult to stand up again when he is on someone else's territory.

But what Cheng Yu said is correct, if you continue to sit in the lonely city, you will indeed be defeated by Luo Zheng one by one.

At that time, not only will Xuzhou be lost, but the tens of thousands of troops may not be able to keep it.

After all, Cao Cao was Cao Cao, so he made a decision soon, and asked in a deep voice, "Where can our army go?"

"Huainan!"

Without even thinking about it, Cheng Yu made a suggestion.

"Huainan?"

Cao Cao muttered for a while, and pondered: "Luo Zheng's personal expedition to Xuzhou this time, I am afraid that the target is not only Xuzhou, but also drive Sun Ce back to Jiangdong. Even if our army goes to Huainan, it may not be able to stop Luo Zheng's more than ten Wan Dajun."

Cheng Yudao: "The lord also said that Luo Zheng's goal is probably not only Xuzhou, but also Huainan. Although Sun Ce is young, he has a strategy, so he may not be able to understand the overall situation. The lord only needs to persuade Sun Ce to join forces with our army. There are [-] soldiers and horses, so it may not be able to block Luo Zheng's more than [-] troops, this is the last way."

Xun You, Liu Ye and others thought for a while, then nodded slowly, admitting that this is not a solution.

Right now, apart from going to Huainan, there is indeed no third way to go.

Cao Cao stroked his forehead and pondered for a while, then quickly made up his mind, and said decisively: "Be good, just follow Zhongde's opinion."

Cheng Yu hurriedly said: "We still need to contact Sun Ce as soon as possible to form an alliance."

Cao Cao looked at Liu Ye and said, "Let Ziyang go to Huainan and discuss the alliance with Sun Ce as soon as possible. In any case, we must ask Sun Ce to hand over the two counties of Huainan and Lujiang to our army as a foundation."

"As ordered!"

Liu Ye didn't hesitate, asked for the handwritten letter, got up and left.

Cao Cao frowned and thought for a while, and then said again: "Quickly reprimand the fast horse to pass the order to Yuan Rang, Kaiyang does not have to guard, but try to retreat to Xiapi or Huainan as soon as possible, and go south to Huainan with the lonely army. Eight thousand troops can be abandoned. Yuan Ren cannot be lost."

"As ordered!"

The officer on duty had already responded loudly and got up quickly.

Cheng Yu said: "Master, if you leave quickly, you will have long nights and dreams if you are late."

Cao Cao said 'hmm' and said, "Let's go today."

Early the next morning, Gaoshun camped.

"General, Mr. Fazheng, Cao Jun has escaped."

Gao Shun and Fa were discussing military affairs when suddenly a small school rushed in.

"Cao Jun ran away?"

Gao Shun's face darkened, "Have you seen it clearly? Pengcheng is Cao Cao's lair. How could Cao Jun run away?"

Fazheng's eyes were also fixed, and thoughts quickly turned in his head.

The little principal said anxiously: "It's true, General, Cao Jun has all left the city and is heading south."

Gao Shun thought for a while, then got up and said, "Go, let's have a look!"

Fazheng also got up quickly, and the two of them got out of the army tent, mounted their horses and hurried out of the army camp.

When we arrived at the north gate of Pengcheng, we saw that the city gate was open, and the gentry and gentry were fleeing.

Turning around the city, all four gates are like this, obviously Cao Jun has already run away.

Fazheng asked the scout Xiaoxiao, "When did Cao Jun run away?"

The little scout scratched his head, hesitantly said: "Last night, a thousand cavalry cavalry from Cao army rushed out and chased our scouts. The villain reported it as usual. The general said that it should not be ignored, just guard the camp."

Gao Shun nodded. In the middle of the night, even if there was anything unusual about Cao Jun, he would just wait and see.

Besides, Cao Cao was already treacherous, so he had to deal with it carelessly, so as not to fall into the tricks of Cao Jun.

Fazheng hit Jie said: "That's no problem, Cao's army drove our scouts, and they must abandon the city and flee."

Gao Shun said in a deep voice: "How could Cao Cao abandon Xuzhou? Could it be that there is some trick?"

Fazheng thought about it a few times, and he had already made a good guess, explaining: "Cao Cao is a great man, and there are many resourceful men under his command, so he must have seen our army's plan. Xuzhou will fall sooner or later. If Cao Cao continues to fight with our army in Pengcheng, not only will Xuzhou fall, but the tens of thousands of troops under his command will also be difficult to preserve. Anyway, Xuzhou will be lost, so it is better to preserve strength first, and then secure Xuzhou Later."

Gao Shun suddenly said: "So that's how it is!"

Fazheng said regretfully: "Unfortunately, I just realized this, otherwise we must have made preparations early. In any case, Cao Cao's [-] troops would not be able to escape smoothly like this. However, Cao's army will not leave for more than two hours. There is still time. The general must try to hold back the main force of Cao Jun's army and not let him escape."

Gao Shun immediately shouted: "Come on!"

The adjutant urged the horse to go forward, cupped his hands and said, "What orders does the general have?"

Gao Shun said: "Quickly condemn the Marquis to find out the whereabouts of Cao Jun, and report immediately!"

"Order!"

The adjutant agreed and immediately sent the order to go.

Fazheng said again: "You can first order the army to garrison Pengcheng to prevent Cao Cao from cheating."

Gao Shun also had this intention, and immediately sent an order to transfer two battalions of soldiers and horses to garrison Pengcheng. As for the main force of the army, they will still be stationed outside the city. This is the safest way, and you can't put all your eggs in one basket.

After all, Pengcheng is Cao Cao's lair, so we have to guard against it.

After the soldiers and horses of the two battalions arrived, they immediately blocked the fleeing gentry officials and gentry back into the city, and then immediately took control of the four gates and the barracks of Pengcheng, and drove everyone back home, and no one was allowed to move around without permission.

(End of this chapter)