Cao Cao said with a smile: "I don't laugh at others. I only laugh at Xu Shu's lack of strategy. Zhuge Liang is too smart, and Liu Qi doesn't know how to use troops. He burned food and grass, but did not send troops to attack when the victory was won. He missed a good opportunity. If an army is ambushed here, we will wait for him. Could it be...""
Before he finished speaking, suddenly there was loud drumming on the hillside, and countless torches were lit, blocking the entrance of the valley. Cao Cao was so shocked that he almost fell off his horse.
I saw a man standing on a horse with a horizontal spear, looking like a diamond, shouting in a urn voice: "Zhang Yide from Yan is here, where can the Cao thieves go!"
Xu Chu raised his sword and shouted: "The Prime Minister is coming with me!"
With a deep shout, Xu Chu led the three thousand armored troops and charged forward, like a torrent of steel, with terrifying momentum.
Although Zhang Fei was not afraid of Xu Chu, these armored troops were difficult to deal with. He separated the soldiers on both sides and stared at Cao Cao with their spears raised.
Xu Chu was worried that Cao Cao would be attacked by Zhang Fei, so he ordered his soldiers to rush forward to clear the way, and urged his horses to fight Zhang Fei. The two fought on the grass beside the road, with Cao Chun protecting Cao Cao going forward.
The soldiers on the mountain fired arrows at random. Although the armored army was able to walk safely, they were unable to go up the mountain to kill the enemy. However, Cao's army behind them suffered numerous injuries.
Cao Cao lay prone on his horse, with the tiger and leopard knights holding up their shields and heading towards the entrance of the valley. Suddenly, there were sounds of killing on both sides, and more ambush troops came out from behind the hillside and outflanked him from behind. .
"Protect the Prime Minister and go first!" Cao Chun shouted and led the five hundred troops to cut off the rear.
Although the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry were not as invulnerable as the Iron Armored Army, they were well-equipped and full of combat power. Cao Chun blocked the pursuers and protected Cao Cao as he retreated into the valley.
"Zhong Kang, retreat quickly!" Cao Chun urged his horse to help Xu Chu. The two of them worked together to force Zhang Fei back, fighting and leaving.
Zhang Fei sent his troops to pursue him, and Cao's soldiers suffered numerous casualties. The elite troops had already retreated into the valley, and they did not dare to go deep into it rashly despite the flickering firelight in the distance.
Leaving five hundred troops behind to set fire at the entrance of the valley, Zhang Fei led his troops straight to Cao Jun's camp and launched a surprise attack from behind.
At this time, torches stretched for nearly ten miles on both sides of the Baihe River, illuminating the river as bright as day. Corpses piled up like mountains in the river, blocking the river. Cao's army was launching a fierce attack.
Cheng Yu had already planned and brought out all the wood and equipment in the camp. He first ordered the Hebei Army to charge, and then ordered the Hebei Army to forcefully cross the river.
The Chinese army was the elite of Cao's army, so they were allowed to rush into battle despite arrows, and the rest of the troops no longer complained and all moved forward.
The other Cao soldiers did not know that these elite charging soldiers were the soldiers who killed people during the day. Cheng Yu ordered them to charge first, not only to consume the elites, but also to kill people and silence them, so as to completely cover up the matter.
After several strong attacks, 50,000 to 60,000 Cao troops poured into the river. Together with many sandbags, wooden stakes, etc., they finally blocked the Baihe River. Cao Jun crossed the river on the corpses of his companions.
At this time, Cao's army was completely red-eyed. Everyone was like a crazy beast. Only the enemy in front of him was focused on killing. Once he stopped, he would be trampled to death by his companions behind him.
The Jingzhou army defending on the other side did not fight hard with them. Seeing Cao's army rushing across the river bank, all the camps quickly retreated.
The morale of Cao's army greatly increased. As soon as they crossed the river, they were pursued all over the mountains and plains. Under the dim moonlight, they could only see a black shadow crossing the mountains, like a torrent passing by.
Cheng Yu stood at the head of the only stone bridge. The corpses on the bridge were trampled into flesh and mud. There was a thick layer of bones, and the smell was unpleasant.
But he was unmoved and looked into the distance with his hands behind his back. This time the whole army rushed to fight desperately. It was like a strong man breaking his wrist. He not only consumed the excess troops, but also stormed Wancheng. The outcome depends entirely on God's will.
The five armies of Zhang He, Gao Lan, Zhai Yuan, Lu Chang, and Han Hao were dispatched at the same time, and finally forced the Jingzhou Army back, and the initial plan was successfully completed.
Cao Xiu was also excited at this time: "Although tens of thousands of soldiers and horses were lost, if Liu Qi can besiege Wancheng, this battle will be worthwhile."
Cheng Yu caressed his beard and said, "As the saying goes: One general's achievements lead to the death of thousands of bones. Most of these soldiers join the army for food. Since they have earned the king's salary, they should repay the king's favor. If this battle turns defeat into victory, they will deserve their death!"
"General, look!" Suddenly the soldier pointed in the direction of Bowang Slope and screamed.
The two turned around and saw that the fire was soaring into the sky, burning the entire valley entrance.
"No, there is an ambush at Bowangpo to intercept the prime minister." Cao Xiu was shocked and was about to send troops to respond.
Cheng Yu said, "General, please be patient. The prime minister is escorted by armored troops and tiger and leopard cavalry, so he will be able to pass safely. When I replied to the letter this morning, I had asked General Cao Hong to send troops to respond. Dong Heng and Dong Chao had already arrived in Bowang. Garrisoning troops in dangerous places on the slopes can be guaranteed..."
Before he finished speaking, he saw flames rising into the sky from the direction of the Chinese army, and faintly heard the sound of drums.
"No!" Cheng Yu was shocked: "After Liu Qi tried to attack me, the general rushed to respond."
Although there was nothing in the camp, the attack on the old camp would affect the morale of the army, so Cao Xiu quickly led his troops to support.
Cheng Yu stood by the river and hesitated for a moment, then finally led his soldiers across the river and rushed to Wancheng. Now he could only turn defeat into victory by sinking the cauldron and sinking the boat, otherwise all the previous achievements would be wasted.
At this time, Cao Cao's army from five routes had already reached Wancheng. The defenders on the city were already well prepared. The suspension bridge was pulled high, the crossbowmen drew their bows and arrows, and the moat was turbulent.
As an important town in Nanyang, Wancheng occupies a favorable location and is even stronger than Xiangyang. It also uses Baihe River as a moat. The city is high and deep, making it easy to defend but difficult to attack.
When Cao Cao conquered Zhangxiu, he was helpless against this fortified city. Later, Cao Ren personally repaired it and made it impregnable.
Cao Jun surrounded Wancheng, but looking at the tall and solid city, he could only watch helplessly, like a pack of wolves encountering a hedgehog, with nowhere to claw.
Zhang He discussed with the generals and trapped Liu Qi in the city. He divided his troops to guard a gate and waited for Cao Xiu to make a decision. If he wanted to break the city, he could only redeploy his weapons.
While they were discussing, Cheng Yu led his troops and arrived. At this time, it was already bright in the east. After a lot of fighting, Cao's army had lost most of its vigor, but when the troops approached the city, their morale was still there.
Zhang He said: "Wancheng is dangerous and fortified. We came lightly armed and cannot attack the city. It is better to divide our troops and capture the surrounding cities. Liu Qi will be trapped in the city alone and will die sooner or later."
Cheng Yu stroked his beard and looked at the heavily armed defenders on the city with a solemn expression, seeing that Cao's army had not taken advantage of the situation to rush into the city.
After falling short, I couldn't help but secretly sigh in my heart, it's true that God will not help Mr. Cao!
The prerequisites mentioned by Zhang He were that there must be sufficient food, grass and equipment, but he didn't know that last night was Cao Jun's dinner, and 90% of it was human flesh.
In order to forcefully cross the Baihe River, all the arrows and equipment were used up. Now all the reserves of Cao's army are what they have on them.
There was an ambush attack on the camp just now. I wonder if Cao Xiu can stop it. Although the existence of the camp has nothing to do with success or failure, once the news comes, the morale of the army will be in chaos.
The east was shining brightly, and the sun was about to rise, but Cheng Yu's heart was full of gloom, and he tried his best to calm down and think about a retreat strategy.
At this moment, a man suddenly appeared on the top of the city and shouted: "Old thief Cheng Yu, you are cruel to the people, killing innocent people indiscriminately, and using human flesh as military food. You are so crazy!"
Cheng Yu's heart sank. He looked up and saw that the man was so impressive. He must be Liu Qi. He said calmly: "Liu Qi, you have become a turtle in a urn. Don't try to use your words to seduce or disturb the morale of our army."
"You dare to be so stubborn?" Liu Qi waved his hand, and a bunch of bloody heads hung on the city. "Look at what these are?"
