Cao Hong was shocked when he learned that Cao Ren had been captured again. He moved his troops ten miles back to camp and discussed with Cheng Yu about rescuing people.
Cheng Yu said: "General Cao has a strong temperament. He was captured twice. Even if he was redeemed, he would not be able to see the prime minister again. Only by rescuing him can he persuade him to change his mind."
Cao Hongshen thought so and frowned: "Liu Qi is stationed outside the city and is supporting each other with the defenders. What should we do?"
Cheng Yu stroked his beard and said: "Liu Qi has gathered his elite troops to defend Bowang, and he has Zhang and other tiger generals involved. He cannot send troops rashly. He can only wait for the opportunity, when Prime Minister Hou's army arrives, and then fight with him."
Cao Hong was also helpless. He could not fight against the generals of Guan and Zhang alone, so he had to set up camp and use Ye County as a place to store grain and wait for Cao Cao's army.
The two armies faced each other for several days, and before they knew it, April had passed. The weather turned hot, spring and summer alternated, and it rained continuously. By the time Cao Cao's troops arrived, it was already early May.
In Bowang City, in addition to training, the generals also competed in martial arts, with Zhang Fei and Gan Ning being the most fierce. Both of them were aggressive people, and together with Wei Yan, the military camp was very lively every day.
Liu Qi collected intelligence and discussed military strategies with Zhuge Liang and Xu Shu. Under the guidance of the two, he gained a deeper understanding of combat in the cold weapon era. Coupled with his own accumulation of historical experience, he made rapid progress.
On this day, he came to report that Cao Cao's army had arrived and was heading towards Bowang. Liu Qi took a deep breath and said, "Cao Cao is finally here!"
Zhuge Liang smiled and said: "Sun Tzu said: Those who are on the battlefield first and wait for the enemy are at ease, and those who are behind the battlefield and go to war are tired. Although Cao's army is powerful, I wait for work at leisure. I have the right time, location, and people under my control, and I am invincible. The land is there!”
Xu Shu nodded and said, "We are well prepared. This battle will definitely stabilize Nanyang."
Liu Qi was also confident about this battle. He looked at the gloomy sky and said loudly: "Let the storm come more violently!"
Zhuge Liang went out, flicked his feather fan and looked at the sky. The cold wind blew on his face. After a moment, he said: "It will clear up tomorrow. From now on, we can order people to transport grain from Wancheng, once every three days, no mistakes."
"Uh..." Liu Qi thought to himself that Zhuge Liang, who was known as a wise prime minister, was so ignorant that he dared to undermine his lord?
He secretly slandered and ordered Kou Feng and Fu Xu to be responsible for transporting grain and obeying Zhuge Liang's instructions. The other generals were waiting for Cao's army to come and fight.
In the camp of Cao's army, Cao Hong, Han Hao and others knelt on the ground and reported the battle to Cao Cao. The former army had lost more than half of its troops, and Cao Ren had been lost. Morale was extremely low.
Cao Cao sighed softly and ordered several people to rest in the rear camp. He ordered Xu Huang to reorganize his troops and lead the front army. Xiahou Dun supervised the central army and prepared to raise troops for revenge.
Military advisor Xun You said: "Liu Qi, Guan Zhang and other tiger generals are assisting, and Zhuge and Xu Shu are also planning. The defense is watertight. Bowang City is surrounded by mountains and rivers, so it is not suitable to attack by force. We should use clever strategies."
Cao Cao stroked his beard and sneered: "Zi Lian and Zi Xiao are both less resourceful and more warlike. They underestimated the enemy and fell into the trap. Although our army suffered repeated defeats and lost hundreds of thousands of soldiers and horses, Yu Mou was only scratching the surface! Liu Qi newly took charge of Jingzhou, and the company When victory is counted, young people will become arrogant. How can an arrogant soldier remain undefeated?"
Xun You nodded and said: "What the Prime Minister said is absolutely true. You can be arrogant and wait for opportunities to defeat the enemy."
Sure enough, the weather cleared up the next day, and the sun was shining in the sky. Cao Cao's army arrived at Bowang. The two armies set up their positions, and Cao Cao called Liu Qi to answer.
Liu Qi came out of the battle, clasped his fists and said, "The Prime Minister has summoned me, is it to redeem Cao Ren?"
Although Cao Cao is slightly shorter in stature, he has an elegant demeanor. In addition, he has been in a high position for a long time, and he has an aura of Yuan Ting Yue Zhi. His eyes are slender, giving people a deep look.
"If I ransom Cao Ren, I would be harming his life!" Cao Cao looked at Liu Qi sideways on his horse and secretly marveled.
I thought he was a sickly and thin man, but I saw that he was full of complexion, handsome in appearance, and his demeanor was very similar to Liu Biao in Luoyang back then. When I thought about the poem he wrote, I was shocked and confused.
Could it be that I really misjudged him? This man imitated Gou Jian and endured hardships while lying on the firewood. The depth of the city was far beyond that of his peers.
While thinking, he said in a deep voice: "Liu Qi, instead of assisting your father to defend Jingzhou, he dares to attack our troops. How can you resist?"
Liu Qi laughed and said, "The prime minister also knows that my father is the lord of Jingzhou? But he doesn't know that he is stationing troops in Nanyang and spying on Xiangyang. How can he explain this?"
Cao Cao said coldly: "Nanyang is owned by Zhang Xiu. Now it has surrendered to the imperial court and is dedicated to the country. Is there anything wrong with sending troops to take over?"
Liu Qi said with a smile: "Zhang Xiu was desperate and my father lent Wancheng to him. What right does Zhang Xiu have to give it away? Since I have taken Jingzhou, I should take it back. What's wrong with it?"
"Young man, don't be too arrogant!"
Cao Cao glared at Liu Qi angrily and said in a deep voice: "Do you know that all the people in the world are not the king's land? I have been ordered by the emperor to fight against rebellion. As a son of the clan, do you dare to fight against the heavenly soldiers?"
"Hahaha!" Liu Qi looked up to the sky and laughed, pointed at Cao Cao and swore harshly: "Cao Cao, everyone knows that you are a traitor to the Han Dynasty. My dear, I must uphold justice and eliminate traitors. Traitors like you still dare to claim the destiny of heaven. I have never seen such a shameless person!"
"Bold!" Cao Cao was scolded by Liu Qi in front of his face. He was so angry that his beard and hair stood out, and he shouted: "Where is Xu Zhongkang?"
"Liu Qi, my son, please accept your fate!" Behind Cao Cao, a strong general flew out and attacked Liu Qi.
Liu Qi looked directly at Cao Cao, unmoved at all, as if he didn't care about Xu Chu's thunderous impact.
"Don't hurt my lord!" With a shout, a white shadow was seen flying towards him, and it was Zhao Yun who responded on horseback.
Xu Chu held a thick-backed machete and roared, slamming it at Zhao Yun. Zhao Yun's silver spear shook, and tens of thousands of icy rays erupted in an instant, which was dazzling.
Ding-dang-dang——
Hearing a series of deafening clashing sounds of weapons, as dense as raindrops, Xu Chu was forcefully forced back, and a corner of his robe was blown away.
There was a cry of surprise among Cao's army. Xu Chu, the most brave general in the army, was unexpectedly stopped by this white-robed young general.
Cao Cao's eyes widened suddenly and he exclaimed: "Who is this general?"
Xiahou Dun replied: "This person is Zhao Yun of Changshan. He first served Gongsun Zan, and then followed Liu Bei and wandered around various places without ever making a name for himself."
Cao Cao stared at Zhao Yun closely, frowned and said, "Why can big-eared thieves win good generals so many times?"
I saw Zhao Yun's spear coming out of the cave like a snake, killing Xu Chu, making him roar, hurriedly, and envious.
While he was observing, he caught a glimpse of Guan Yu stroking his three-foot-long beard in front of the opposite army and squinting at him with a sword in his hand. The red rabbit horse had its ears erect, its hooves were pawing and its tail was wagging, ready to go. His heart skipped a beat and he retreated first. In the formation.
Liu Qi raised his eyebrows and smiled, and then he slowly returned to the formation. Just from this confrontation, he won in terms of momentum.
Even if Cao Cao has Xu Chu, it is in vain. His current lineup is stronger than the Five Tiger Generals. If he wants to fight generals, this is just what he wants!
The two men were fighting fiercely in the field. Although Zhao Yun had exquisite marksmanship, Xu Chu was extremely powerful. Although his moves were slow, he was able to force the bright silver spear away, and many of his killing moves were abruptly blocked.
The two fought for more than thirty years, and Xu Chu looked embarrassed. He was surrounded by Zhao Yun and attacked fiercely, but he did not show his defeat, and his defense was airtight.
Like a rock in a stormy sea, it remains motionless despite the impact of wind and waves.
