Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator.

The only good news brought back by the scouts was that Dongchao Ford had not yet discovered the cavalry led by Zhao Yun. The entire Dongchao Ford was still operating normally, and the gates had not been closed.

“Since Dongchao Ford is unaware, we have an opportunity to launch a surprise attack.”

After experiencing the Battle of Jieqiao and leading the Youzhou soldiers to resist Yuan Shao's attack on behalf of Gongsun Zan, Zhao Yun now seemed to have shed his youthful exuberance, possessing both the sharpness and steadiness of a great general.

Guo Jia and Zhao Yun had been partners for so long that they had a deep understanding of each other. He added,

“If we want to launch a surprise attack, we must be quick, the quicker the better. Although Jinan is sparsely populated after the Yellow River flood, the passage of a large cavalry force will inevitably be noticed, and some Cao Wei officials and guards will surely realize our target.”

“However, since our army entered Jinan, we have been marching day and night. Even if those officials and guards have figured something out, they haven't had time to notify Dongchao Ford.”

Zhao Yun nodded in agreement and then asked,

“But Dongchao Ford ultimately has eight thousand defenders. Our army is entirely cavalry and has no siege equipment. We must capture it in one fell swoop. Otherwise, once Dongchao Ford realizes the situation and closes the gates, a forced attack will be very disadvantageous.”

Guo Jia subconsciously reached for the gourd at his waist, but then consciously released it, saying.

“Even if there are not many defenders in Jinan who can quickly come to Dongchao Ford's aid, we must know that Dongchao Ford is backed by Jizhou.”

“It won't take more than two or three days to urgently transfer a portion of troops from Jizhou to Dongchao Ford.”

“Therefore, it is not that it is disadvantageous, but that once Dongchao Ford is prepared, our army can only quickly withdraw from Jinan to avoid unnecessary losses.”

The fifteen thousand White Horse义Cong cavalry are not the entire cavalry force of the current Han Dynasty, but they are the elite cavalry accumulated through years of training.

If they are reluctant to retreat and are surrounded and killed by Cao Wei's heavy troops in Jinan, then even Li Ji would be so angry that he would vomit blood.

In a sober state, Guo Jia's judgment of the situation was quite clear and precise.

Dongchao Ford is the key to Li Ji's quick capture of Qingzhou, but Zhao Yun's unit must also be like an assassin on a thousand-mile raid, achieving a fatal blow.

And, if the strike fails, they must retreat quickly without any hesitation.

Otherwise, the losses will be maximized. Dongchao Ford will not be captured, and there is a risk of losing the fifteen thousand White Horse义Cong as well.

Zhao Yun's expression became even more serious upon hearing this, understanding that time was of the essence.

Immediately, Zhao Yun ordered the entire army to prepare for battle. Under the guidance of the scouts, he and Guo Jia went to observe Dongchao Ford from afar.

The matter was of great importance. The scout's reconnaissance report alone was not enough to reassure Zhao Yun. If the situation temporarily allowed, he would naturally confirm the defense situation of Dongchao Ford with his own eyes to avoid any mistakes.

And the defense situation of Dongchao Ford was indeed the same as the scouts had reported. After experiencing a fall, Dongchao Ford not only rebuilt and expanded, but also built a nearly thirty-foot-high wall on the periphery.

It was nearly dusk, and Dongchao Ford was still wide open, with various convoys transporting supplies and merchants coming and going through the middle gate.

However, the defense of the city gate was not weak, and many soldiers could be clearly seen on the city wall.

Once encountering any unexpected situation, closing the city gate would only take a moment, and once the city gate was closed, it would be a big problem to break through Dongchao Ford in a short time.

“Fengxiao, what do you think? Do you have any ideas?” Zhao Yun asked.

Guo Jia couldn't help but scratch his head, and then said seriously.

“Yes.”

“Please speak.”

“As long as most of the White Horse义Cong can rush into Dongchao Ford, it is not difficult to solve the eight thousand Cao troops. The difficulty lies in avoiding the situation of the city gate closing...”

After a pause, Guo Jia said frankly.

“Therefore, the wonderful plan to break the city is nothing more than returning to the basics... breaking it with force.”

“Huh?” Zhao Yun didn't quite react.

If there was enough time, Guo Jia could naturally design a more ingenious and stable way to break open the gates of Dongchao Ford.

But with time running out, the most effective method Guo Jia could think of was the brute force that most strategists have always disdained.

Judging from the speed of traffic at the Dongchao Ford gate, the inspection of merchants and travelers was quite cautious, which also cut off the possibility of secretly sending a large number of internal agents in a short time.

On the contrary, there is a plan that is...

Guo Jia said the most rude and straightforward words in the most wise tone.

“Zilong might as well approach the Dongchao Ford gate alone and occupy the city gate with his own strength for the White Horse义Cong to enter the city.”

Zhao Yun's face showed some hesitation upon hearing this, and he asked.

“Is this really feasible? Isn't this a bit unwise and unwise, and I'm afraid that when I'm unable to stop the Cao army from closing the city gate, it will ruin the Prime Minister's plan.”

Faced with Zhao Yun's concerns, Guo Jia's confidence was even greater than Zhao Yun's own.

Zhao Yun's style has always been that there are people beyond people, and he does not think that Lu Bu is really invincible, let alone himself.

Therefore, Zhao Yun himself, if he was not forced to do so, was quite disliked by such a single-handedly rushing into the battle, thinking that it was by no means the act of a great general.

And Guo Jia, who had been mixing with various people in teahouses and restaurants for a long time, patted his chest and said in a mixed-race tone.

“Guaranteed, guaranteed, Zilong, just go, unless there happens to be a fierce man like Lu Bu acting as a pawn at the city gate, otherwise, can a few miscellaneous soldiers repel Zilong?”

Zhao Yun hesitated slightly and confirmed.

“Is there no other plan?”

Guo Jia also knew that the matter was of great importance, and it was not the time to joke. Instead, he explained seriously.

“The situation is urgent, and we must act before Dongchao Ford is prepared. There is no time to implement other plans. This is already the most appropriate approach. Jia also believes that with Zilong's courage, he can break through the gate of Dongchao Ford for the King and Prime Minister's Northern Expedition.”

Zhao Yun's face was full of solemnity, and at the same time, he thought about other feasible methods.

In the end, Zhao Yun had to admit that with time running out, every second counted was the most important thing. Otherwise, if Dongchao Ford learned that Han cavalry was suspected of appearing in Jinan and chose to close the city gate, it would be even more troublesome.

“Since that's the case, for the Northern Expedition, for the revival of the Han Dynasty, Yun can only try his best.”

Zhao Yun said solemnly, and then quickly made a series of arrangements, handing over the White Horse义Cong to Deputy General Tian Yu for temporary command.

At that time, as Zhao Yun rushed to Dongchao Ford and temporarily occupied the city gate, Tian Yu would lead twelve thousand cavalry to rush into Dongchao Ford in a surprise attack.

The remaining three thousand cavalry were left outside to be commanded by Guo Jia, both to leave a force outside to respond at any time and to protect Guo Jia's safety.

(End of this chapter)