Survival Three Kingdoms

Chapter 487 Retreat

Along the way, there were those who were lucky to survive the desperate situation, some who gritted their teeth and swore revenge, and some who blamed themselves for swallowing Cao Cao's anger.Cao Cao said with a smile: "A man can bend and stretch. It's just a defeat. You just think I bowed to Liu Pan, but you don't know that it is a poison."

Liu Ye asked, "What's the reason?"

"Think about it, everyone. The alliance between Zhou Yu and Liu Bei was just an expedient measure. Both of them are planning Jingzhou now. Liu Bei is weak. I will throw the four counties to Liu Bei. How can Zhou Yu be reconciled, and how can Sun Quan be willing? When we fight against each other, it will be the day when you and I go south again!"

"My lord's trick!"

When Cao Ren learned that Cao Cao was defeated, he personally led the army to respond and took Cao Cao back to Jiangling.Everyone finally had a mouthful of hot food and slept soundly. Even though they woke up from the dream several times, it was only a false alarm, and then went back to sleep.However, Cao Cao missed Guo Jia. If Guo Jia was here, why did he lead to this defeat? So Cao Cao set up an incense case to pay homage to Guo Jia.

On the eighteenth day of the first lunar month, Jia Xu and Zhang Jai also rushed to Jiangling from Xiangyang.When Cao Cao saw Jia Xu, he said with a little embarrassment: "I regret not accepting Wenhe's words, which led to this defeat."

This sentence scared the old fox out of his wits. Yuan Shao was defeated and Tian Feng suffered. He didn't want to be Tian Feng's second. "Duke Ming's words are serious. This is due to Zhou Yu's scheming that day, and our army was infected with the plague again. It is not a crime of war."

Cao Cao chuckled and let it go.

Cao Ren then said, "Even though my brother lost in Chibi, my men and horses are still alive, and we haven't hurt any muscles or bones. We can fight Jiangdong again."

Cao Cao shook his head and said: "Our army's morale has been lost, and we are at a disadvantage in the battle. Moreover, the soldiers in the north are not convinced by the water and soil, and there are many diseases, so we can't fight any more."

Cao Ren was shocked: "Could it be that my brother intends to return to the army? Absolutely not, then Zhou Yu will definitely come to snatch Jingzhou."

"What do you think?" Cao Cao asked the counselors, "Wen He, tell me first."

Alas, Facing Cao Cao's general, Jia Xu could only sigh slightly in his heart. "Duke Ming, I thought Jingzhou was very important. Our army was newly defeated. Without Duke Ming, it would not be enough to deter Sun and Liu. Despite all kinds of difficulties, stabilizing Jingzhou is still the number one priority."

"Wen He's words are wrong." Cheng Yu raised a different opinion. "The defeat of Chibi will shock the government and the public. Hebei is in turmoil. My lord has sent troops for more than half a year. If I don't return, there may be changes. I am most afraid of Zhou Weiguo in Xuzhou. If I lose and send troops to attack Xudu, it will be in a dilemma."

Jia Xu shook his head, "I don't expect Zhou Weiguo to send troops..."

"How can Wenhe decide that Zhou Cang won't make trouble?" Cheng Yu asked in a questioning tone.

Xun You hurriedly smoothed things over and said, "According to my master's plan, the two families, Sun and Liu, will definitely compete for Jingzhou. Even if my master is not in Jingzhou, it will be fine if you have General Zi Xiao."

Jia Xu sighed again and said nothing more.Jingzhou is connected to Wuyue in the east and Bashu in the west, and it is a must-win place in the world. Cao Cao is stationed here.However, Cao Cao and his men wanted to return to the north, so why bother to persuade them.Jia Xu did not believe that Zhou Wei would send troops. Based on his understanding of Zhou Cang, Zhou Cang would never lightly fight without complete assurance.What's more, with Xiahou Dun in Yanzhou, Tiger and Leopard Cavalry have already returned to defense, and Zhao Yan's four troops are marking, Zhou Cang can't move rashly.On the contrary, if Cao Cao crossed the river and attacked Jiangdong, Jia Xu believed that Zhou Cang would most likely send troops at that time, because Zhou Cang still had a sharp blade, which was the Xuzhou navy. As long as the Xuzhou navy cut off the Yangtze River, Cao Cao would be defeated.

Jia Xu had Jia Xu's considerations, and Cheng Yu also had his worries. This battle was defeated by Zhou Yu's fire attack on the surface, but in fact it was because of the rampant plague and the disobedience of the northern soldiers who lost their combat effectiveness. They needed to return as soon as possible, otherwise they would cause chaos.Cao Cao fought south and north, but the rear was not strong, and there were chaos and chaos, especially Zhou Cang. He believed that Zhou Cang was not without ambition, but just waiting for an opportunity, and now is Zhou Cang's best opportunity.

Xun You was worried that Cao Cao's beheading of Kong Rong had caused dissatisfaction among literati, and many people opposed Liu Biao's Southern Expedition. sit in town.However, during the Southern Expedition and the Northern Expedition, the large-scale use of troops has almost used up the wealth of the family in the past few years. Xun Yu's letter to him has already mentioned the problem of insufficient food and grass. Now the army needs to rest and reorganize, and people's hearts need to be stabilized.

On the way back to the army, Cao Cao made up his mind to abandon Jiangnan, including Jingnan, and let Sun Quan compete with Liu Bei. However, if Jingbei wants to defend, he doesn't need to stay in Jingzhou.Cao Cao ordered that Cao Ren be the general of Pingnan and the prefect of Nanjun, stationed in Jiangling; Wenpin, the general of rebellion, and the prefect of Jiangxia, stationed in Xiling;Li Lidai, a native of Zhuojun, was also granted the title of assassination history, with Kuai Yue as his assistant.

Cao Cao told Cao Ren that Jiangling must not be lost as a southern fortress, and Zhou Yu's attack by water is not a problem, but if he advances on land, he must defend Yiling if he defends Jiangling.Cao Ren recommended Niu Jin, the hero of the army, and Cao Cao named Niu Jin the captain of Xiaoqi to guard Yiling.

On the 25th day of the first lunar month, Cao Cao led his army to cross Xiangyang and go to Xinye along the route he had come to Jingzhou, but he was no longer as aggressive as before. Arriving at Qiao County on the [-]th, seeing Jing Siren, Cao Cao missed his eldest son Cao Ang again, and once again put up an incense table to pay homage to Cao Ang, nephew Cao Anmin, and youngest Qin Shao.

On this day, Cao Cao received an urgent letter from Xudu, and his beloved son Cao Chong died of illness.Cao Cao yelled, and before he could faint, Xun You and the others hurriedly helped Cao Cao up, rubbed his chest, and touched his back. Cao Cao finally woke up, and couldn't help crying. "What did I, Cao Cao, do wrong to punish me like this! What's wrong with Cang Shu that he died so young!"

The defeat of Chibi, Cao Cao could bear it, and the death of Cao Chong made Cao Cao physically and mentally exhausted.Cao Chong is not only the most beloved son, but also the successor in Cao Cao's heart. He didn't feel sad when the white-haired man sent the black-haired man away, and he didn't see Cao Chong for the last time when he was dying.

After repeated blows and frights, Cao Cao fell ill. He resolutely refused to rest in Qiao and ordered to return to Xudu immediately.Lying on the carriage, he sent a secret order to Xiahoudun, keeping an eye on everyone in Xudu, no one should mobilize a single soldier, and kill immediately if there is any movement.

Cheng Yu reported it to Cao Cao, and Liu Bei dispatched troops to Jiang Xia and was defeated by Wenpin. Cao Cao had no intention of interfering, and handed everything over to Xun You and Cheng Yu.Cao Cao just wants to kill now, and only killing can comfort that broken heart.

(End of this chapter)