It is said that Cao Cao raised an army of 100,000 to invade Xuzhou.
Lu Bu's letter asking for help was quickly delivered to Liu Bei.
Liu Bei immediately raised 25,000 troops and marched north to Huaiyin.
After reorganizing the army for a day, Chen Dao and Bu Zhi were left behind to lead 5,000 troops to garrison Huaiyin. The remaining 20,000 troops continued northward towards Ling County and Xia Xiang.
Before leaving, Zhao Chen told Bu Zhi: "Huaiyin is the rear area of our army, so I leave it to you. Watch out for Yuan Shu and defend Huaiyin City, which is the first achievement of this trip."
Bu Zhi made a promise: "Please rest assured, my lord, military advisor, Huaiyin is Zhi's hometown, and people who are not from our army will never be allowed to step in."
Zhao Chen nodded with satisfaction.
Just after the army passed Xiang, the outpost came to report that Cao Cao's army divided into two groups and attacked Pengcheng and Fu Yang. Lu Bu sent Zhang Liao and Gao Shun to rescue, but Cao Cao repulsed them. Now Cao Cao's army is heading towards Xiapi City.
"Can you find out which generals Cao Cao brought? How many soldiers did he lead?"
"Back to the military division, along the way to Pengcheng, Cao Cao led Dian Wei, Xiahou Yuan, Yu Jin, and Guo Jia, leading an army of 50,000; on the way to Fu Yang, Cao Ren led Xiahou Dun, Cao Hong, and Cheng Yu, leading an army of 50,000."
"I know, keep an eye on Cao Jun's movements."
Zhao Chen frowned, Cao Cao almost dispatched the most powerful generals and counselors, and with lightning speed, they quickly broke through the two key points, and it was as if they could break the bamboo.
Pengcheng was the former seat of Xuzhou. When Cao Cao attacked Tao Qian, he did not easily conquer Pengcheng. How could he lose these two such important cities in Lu Bu's hands only five days later?
It stands to reason that with the ability of Zhang Liao and Gao Shun to lead the army, they should be able to resist Cao Cao for a while. Even if they don't succeed, they can delay it for a few days. How could they be so vulnerable?
Once Pengcheng and Fu Yang were defeated, the northwest sides of Xiapi City were undefendable, which meant that the city gate was surrendered to Cao Cao, and Xiapi City was in danger.
Divide the troops into two groups and rush to attack the two cities. Guo Jia must have planned this strategy.
Who is Guo Jia?
Just one sentence: If Guo Jia doesn't die, there will be no Three Kingdoms!
Cao Cao regarded him as his best friend and praised him for his political and military knowledge that surpassed his peers. In the third year of Jian'an, Cao Cao also set up the post of military advisor to offer wine, and Guo Jia was the one to hold it.
Chairman Mao also greatly appreciated him, praising Guo Jia as "superb intellect, resourcefulness, making plans, and outstanding achievements." It can be said that in the late Eastern Han Dynasty, he was the leader among those with superior resourcefulness.
The most famous one is naturally the theory of "ten wins and ten losses", which helped Cao Cao defeat Yuan Shao and capture Guandu in one fell swoop.
With such a person, Zhao Chen naturally has to be careful.
Liu Bei looked at Zhao Chen anxiously. Once Xiapi City was destroyed, it would be difficult to rescue Liu Bei's family members in the city, let alone recover Xuzhou.
"Cao Cao's offensive was fierce and he attacked several cities in just a few days. Lu Bu's army is at a disadvantage and he may not be able to withstand it for a few days."
Jian Yong also had concerns: "If our army cannot catch up with the rescue and Xiapi City is captured by Cao's army, then our army will have no city to defend and may not be a match for Cao Cao's 100,000-strong army."
Zhang Fei interjected: "Cao Cao, son, what are you afraid of what he will do! I, Lao Zhang, will make sure he never comes back."
Guan Yu advised him for the first time: "Third brother, don't be careless. There are still capable people in Cao Cao's camp."
Liu Bei glanced at Guan Yu in surprise and thought to himself, this Zhao Chen is really powerful. His second brother Guan Yu has always looked down on others. As the eldest brother, he tried to persuade him but it didn't work. He was actually managed by Zhao Chen and now he started to value him. .
This is a good sign!
Sun Shao spoke to Liu Bei's army for the first time: "As Master Jian said, if Cao Cao arrives at Xiapi City first, perhaps our army's best choice is to return to Huaiyin."
Everyone was a little irritated with each other's words.
The current situation is between a rock and a hard place, just like the last time Cao Cao sent troops to Xuzhou, but Zhao Chen used a trick to force him back.
Suddenly, Zhao Chen raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet.
What Jian Yong said makes sense. Cao Cao traveled long distances to attack, and his troops were very fast, striving for a quick victory. On the one hand, Yuan Shao is still watching from behind, fearing that if he sends troops to attack Yanzhou, Cao Cao's hometown will be lost. On the other hand, Guo Jia must have expected that Lu Bu would ask for help from our army. Cao Cao's army wants to win easily. We must capture Xiapi City before our army's rescue arrives. Even if it fails, we must surround Xiapi City and leave our army helpless.
So it is Cao Cao who should be anxious now, not Liu Bei.
He thought for a moment and suddenly laughed.
This smile also made Zhang Fei amused: "Don't worry, the military advisor can still laugh, there must be a way."
Zhao Chen was a little surprised, looked at Zhao Fei and asked: "Yide is so sure that I have a plan to defeat Cao Cao?"
Zhang Fei smiled and said: "That's right, the military advisor didn't panic, so what are we afraid of? There's no time when the military advisor didn't lead our army to victory as soon as he opened his mouth."
Huang Gai, Taishi Ci and Sun Shao present were all participating in the war for the first time after joining Liu Bei's account, and were shocked by Zhang Fei's words.
Liu Bei, Guan Yu and others did not question Zhang Fei's words at all. It seemed that Zhang Fei was telling the truth.
Who is this Zhao Chen that can decide victory with words?
Zhao Chen said: "Since Yide said so, Chen would like to ask, does Yide have the courage to visit Cao's camp?"
Zhang Fei immediately slapped his chest and replied: "Leave Cao Ying, what's the big deal? I, Lao Zhang, can still be afraid of Cao Cao!"
"Okay! All officers and men obey orders!"
As soon as they heard Zhao Chen say this, everyone became energetic, as if victory was just ahead.
"According to the marching speed of Cao's army, they will be able to reach 20 miles west and north of Xiapi City this afternoon and set up camp. Yide and Ziyi each led a thousand elite cavalry and set off quickly, first heading to Cao Cao's camp to the west of Xiapi City , fight in from the south, fight out from the north, and go straight to Cao Ren's camp in the north of Xiapi City. After arriving at Cao Ren's camp, fight in from the west, fight out from the east, and then return to the east of Xiapi City. Circle the city in this way If we attack and kill for three rounds, and finally go around the east gate to join the army, Cao's army will be in chaos."
"Zhang Fei obeys your order!"
"Tai Shi Ci obeys your order!"
"Remember, this trip is not about defeating the enemy. You two must not be eager to fight. You must not dismount, the horse must not stop, and you are not allowed to stop for a moment. There are strong generals in Cao Cao's army. If they are against each other, turn around and leave. The purpose of this battle is Delay Cao Cao's advance and wait for the army to arrive to resist together."
The two nodded and took the order and left.
Liu Bei was very puzzled. Cao Cao had an army of 100,000, and Yide and Ziyi only had 2,000 cavalry. How could he hold them back?
Zhao Chen explained: "It is said in "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu: All warriors rely on the right combination to win by surprise. My lord, our army is far inferior to Cao's army, and we can only win by surprise. Now Cao Cao's army is closer to Xiapi City. If our army marches in a hurry, we may have a chance to reach Xiapi City before Cao Cao, but the food, grass and baggage cannot keep up, so it is of no use and will be passive. Therefore, Chen can only slow down Cao Cao's army through tactics."
"Now our army is more than a hundred miles away from Cao's army. We can choose two brave and courageous generals, lead the most advantageous cavalry, and make a surprise attack hundreds of miles away. This will disrupt Cao's army's position and effectively slow down Cao's army's advance. And our army will take the opportunity to enter Xiapi City. .”
The only ones in Liu Bei's army that could surpass Cao Cao in combat power were the cavalry equipped with stirrups.
Historically, Xuzhou has been an important strategic location connecting the north and the south, equivalent to the gateway to Yangzhou.
The entire terrain of Xuzhou is flat, especially north of the Huaihe River and near Xiapi City, there is endless flat land.
This kind of terrain is most suitable for cavalry to move around without leaving a trace, making it impossible for infantry to catch up.
Cao Cao's Tiger and Leopard Cavalry were also slowly established after capturing Xuzhou. At this time, there happened to be no powerful cavalry in Cao Cao's army.
Zhao Chen took advantage of this and attacked Huo Qubing at the speed of a hundred-mile surprise attack.
After listening to Zhao Chen's explanation, everyone's frowns slowly relaxed.
"The tactics used by military advisors are really unpredictable. Cao Cao has Guo Jia, and I have Zhao Houde!"
