Xu Chu wielded his sword to deflect the random arrows aimed at his vitals, and was charging forward when suddenly his horse neighed and uncontrollably darted out under the bridge.
There was a loud bang, and Xu Chu and his horse fell into the white river. The water splashed several feet high. Under the morning sun, a faint rainbow actually appeared.
Cao Cao was shocked and ordered his people to salvage the fish. He ignored the battle and sent an order to withdraw his troops.
Huang Zhong then led his troops forward and fired indiscriminately at Hanoi, killing countless more of Cao's troops.
Seeing Cao Jun retreating in embarrassment, all the soldiers heaved a sigh of relief. Huang Zhong drew back his bow and everyone gave him a thumbs up. He was really an expert archer.
Liu Qi shook his head and said, "I was waiting for Xu Chu to rush across the bridge and then capture him, but General Huang shot him too early!"
Huang Zhong stroked his beard and said with a smile: "As I get older, I can't help it!"
The generals couldn't help but laugh again, and Zhuge Liang suddenly blushed. Are these two people talking about the same thing?
At this time, Kou Feng, who was in charge of the inspection, came to report that Cao Jun was digging embankments upstream to block the river channel, as if he wanted to cut off the Baihe River and attack again.
Liu Qi was about to send troops to stop it, but Zhuge Liang smiled and said: "Don't worry, general, there will be heavy rain within three days. Cao's army will dig the river channel and reap the consequences."
Liu Qi saw that the sky was cloudless, but he didn't know when a sun halo appeared. He knew that Zhuge Liang's words were true, and ordered all camps to repair ditches to prepare for rain.
After Xu Chu was picked up, Cao Cao personally followed him around and directed the soldiers to treat him with all their strength.
Among the three thousand armored soldiers, the outer layer of armor could block bows and arrows. Xu Chu's armor was thicker and naturally invincible on horseback. However, once he dismounted, he needed help to remove the armor.
Is it okay to fall into the water?
He sank directly to the bottom of the river. Although he escaped the random arrows, Xu Chu's water resistance was not good and he flooded the river fiercely. By the time Cao Jun's army pulled him ashore at the cost of hundreds of casualties, he had already passed out.
Because he drank too much water, his stomach was bloated, and the armor was stuck and he couldn't move back down. So he had to hang him upside down with a rope and control the water to rescue him.
After struggling for more than half an hour, Xu Chu woke up leisurely. His face was pale, his throat was swollen and sore, and he could not speak.
When Cao Cao saw that he was safe and sound, he felt a stone fall in his heart. He asked the doctor to take care of him and rest. He returned to his account and asked, "Why was the mount suddenly frightened?".
Xu Chu's mount was naturally salvaged. Although the horse was dead, the armor was still usable. It was no easy task to make one.
Cao Xiu reported: "The horse was shot in both eyes."
Cao Cao thought of the veteran general next to Liu Qi, with his bow and arrow ready, and Xu Chu fell into the river. He twisted his beard and sighed: "Why are there so many strange people under Liu Qi's command?"
Cheng Yu said: "Looking at the depth of Liu Qi's city, it is far superior to Liu Bei. This person will be a trouble to his confidants in the future and needs to be eliminated early."
Cao Cao nodded and said: "Liu Bei was killed by Cai Mao earlier. I thought he had eliminated a powerful enemy, but I didn't expect Liu Qi to be able to win people's hearts. Once he takes control of Jingzhou, he will do more harm than Sun Quan. We should take advantage of this moment to wipe out Jiangnan in one fell swoop."
Cheng Yu offered advice: "Liu Qi set up a defense line at Baihe, occupying a favorable location, and worshiped Zhuge as his military advisor. Xu Shu is willing to follow him. This person may not have gained a reputation in vain, so the Prime Minister should not be careless."
Cao Cao stroked his beard and smiled and said: "In the battle of Bowang, I think the two men's troops were not very good. It's just that Xiahou Dun underestimated the enemy and was careless. There is nothing to worry about. Cao Hong is approaching with his troops, waiting for Han Hao to dig out the river channel and cut off the Baihe River. Shui, rush to Wancheng in one go, capture Liu Qi alive, rescue the two generals, and Jingzhou will be at your fingertips."
In the evening, Cao Hong's troops arrived. From Bowang to Wancheng, Cao's army was encamped for dozens of miles. It was so powerful that Nanyang was shaken.
Xun You arrived with the army and offered advice: "Although we lost Bowangpo, our army still has superior strength. Now that the Prime Minister's troops are entering Nanyang, we can send people to spread rumors: Although Liu Qi won by luck, he could not withstand the power of the Prime Minister." , defeated Bowang City in a battle. Jingzhou will definitely be shaken. Sun Quan and Zhao Fan are waiting and watching. When they see Liu Qi losing power, they will raise their troops."
Cao Cao nodded and said: "What Gongda said is absolutely true. Liu Qi's foundation is not stable. As long as Jingzhou's people are stirred up and Sun Quan and Zhao Fan are involved in rebellion, how can they not be defeated?"
After dark, Han Hao returned to camp and resumed his duties. There was only one place in the upper reaches of the Baihe River that could be excavated. However, the terrain here was higher in the west than in the east. The river water could only be diverted to the east. There were camps around it. Once the Baihe River rose, it would be dangerous. Please think twice.
Cao Cao thought that Han Hao was slacking off, so he said coldly: "I will go with Zhai Yuan tomorrow and add three thousand troops. When the river is cut off, I can cross the river in one day. Why do we need to camp again?"
The next day, Cao Cao ordered each battalion to build boats and rafts. Once the river became shallower, he built a pontoon bridge to cross the river.
He also sent people to Nanyang and Jingzhou to spread rumors that Cao Jun had besieged Wancheng, Liu Qi was in danger of escaping, and Jingzhou would surely fall.
At this time, Liu Qi was also mobilizing troops and generals. Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun and others arrived with troops one after another and stationed troops along the river to confront Cao Jun.
Although each of them only had 3,000 soldiers, the flags of these few men raised on the river bank were a great deterrent. Cao Jun did not dare to cross the river at all.
In the afternoon, the weather suddenly turned cloudy and the southeast wind became stronger. Han Hao had already dug the river channel and led the river water to the foot of Bowang Slope, spreading it all over the countryside. Due to the change in weather, he did not dare to block the river channel and came to ask for orders.
Cao Cao sent an order to block the river at night. When the river dries up at dawn, he can rush to the other side in one go.
Xun You said: "If we cut off the Baihe River today, Liu Qi will be able to find it, but he will do nothing. I predict that he will wait until the army crosses the river and flood it with water. We need to send troops to garrison."
Cao Cao smiled and said: "Don't worry, Gongda. I have already known that I ordered Zhai Yuan to help Han Hao to prevent the enemy from destroying the river mouth."
After dark, the night wind became stronger and stronger. Cao Cao was playing chess with Cheng Yu in the tent. Hearing the howling of the wind, he smiled and said, "God is really helping me!"
Cheng Yu wondered: "Why did the Prime Minister say this?"
Cao Cao laughed and said: "I sent an order to cross the river at dawn and rush to kill. It is actually to confuse the enemy's ears. We will prepare at the third watch tonight and launch a surprise attack at the fourth watch. When we reach the other side, there is no need to attack, but the wood of the boats and rafts will be burned. At this time, the southeast wind Just in time, fires were set along the river, and the thick smoke went westward. Liu Qi will be defeated without a fight!"
Cheng Yu was suddenly enlightened and praised: "The prime minister's troops are indeed unpredictable. How can Xu Shu and his like resist?"
Cao Cao caressed his beard and said: "The tactics of war are deceitful. What is imaginary is real, and what is real is imaginary. A certain person is familiar with military strategies and has been using the army for many years. How can he be compared to those who are just starting out and studying in the military? What if I were defeated by Zhuge Zhi? Hands, it’s better to disarm and return to the fields, and go to plow the fields, fish and cut wood, and end this remaining life.”
Cheng Yu said with a smile: "I heard that the Prime Minister read at night and wrote the "New Book of Meng De" while he was in the army. However, this time he sent out troops but did not write it. Could it be that the masterpiece has been completed?"
Cao Cao waved his hand and said: "This is based on the thirteen chapters of "Sun Tzu" based on my experience in military use over the years. It is just for future generations to learn. How dare you claim to be a masterpiece?"
Cheng Yu shook his head and said: "The Prime Minister is too modest. Everyone knows that the Prime Minister is like a god in military skills. He is comparable to Sun Wu. His literary talent is outstanding and surpasses today's celebrities. Five-character poems lead the style of writing. Although there are famous figures in ancient times, there is no scholar as knowledgeable as the Prime Minister!"
Cao Cao stroked his beard and laughed loudly: "When it comes to governing the world, Cao should be compared to Confucius and Mencius..."
Bang bang bang——
Before he finished speaking, he heard the sound of raindrops suddenly coming from the tent. Cao Cao's expression changed drastically and he stood up suddenly.
