"Young Liu Qi, you are here to confront me again. I swear to destroy this bastard!"
In Ruxuzhai, Cao Cao had just eaten a piece of Wu Shi Powder. He endured a headache and got up to work, cursing.
Since coming to Huainan, the two armies have been fighting each other for more than a month, with one victory and one loss. It has rained a lot recently, making it difficult to move food and grass.
Food and fodder for 300,000 horses requires at least 200,000 civilians, plus livestock and vehicles, etc. The consumption on the road alone is no less than in the army.
It was originally heard that Xiahou Mao was raising grain, and Cao Cao was happily waiting for this batch of food and grass. When Xiahou Mao arrived, he could send his troops south and conquer the east of the Yangtze River.
Capture Sun Quan, kill Zhou Lang, Da Qiao, Xiao Qiao, Wu Guotai, bah, Er Qiao, where are you going?
Unexpectedly, the boy actually went to Xiangyang later with the money. In addition, the news arrived that Cao Chong was seriously ill. Cao Cao was so worried and angry that he had a splitting headache and fainted with a loud cry.
After hearing that Cao Cao had recovered from his illness, Xiahou Dun hurriedly came to report the military situation. In the past few days, the Wu army had stepped up training and assembled warships. The Jingzhou soldiers were also cutting down trees to make rafts, and they must be preparing to go to war again.
Cao Cao looked at the misty and rainy Jiangnan, and sighed after a long time: "Liu Qi came to help in the battle, and Zhou Yu led the troops. Jiangdong is impregnable. Most of our navy has been destroyed, and the rainy season is approaching. I intend to withdraw my troops. What does Yuan Rang say?"
Xiahou Dun clasped his fists and said, "What the Prime Minister said is absolutely true. Navy training does not happen overnight. It has been raining for days recently. Many soldiers are sick. The morale of the army is weakened. It is not suitable to fight again."
"Jiangnan..." Cao Cao sighed with emotion and was about to send an order to retreat when suddenly Xia Houen came to report: "Prime Minister, Xiahou Mao came outside the tent to ask for an audience."
"Zilin?" Cao Cao was startled, "What is he doing here?"
"How dare this traitor come to the army?!" Xiahou Dun was furious when he heard this, rolled up his sleeves and rushed out.
A moment later, Xia Houmao was brought in like a little chicken, dancing and begging for mercy.
When Xiahou Dun saw him throwing it to the ground, he cursed: "You evil beast, look at the good things you have done. I have been completely disgraced by you."
Xiahou Mao knelt on the ground, not daring to look at Xiahou Dun. He just begged Cao Cao for mercy: "Prime Minister, please spare my life. My son-in-law has something to report."
Cao Cao's face darkened: "Zilin, why did you take the money and food to Jingzhou? Could it be that you were still thinking of your concubine in Xiangyang?"
"No, no, no!" Xia Houmao waved his hands repeatedly and took off the sword from behind: "My son-in-law is going to redeem the sword and came here specifically to return the Qingzhi Sword. Please take a look at it."
"Huh?" Cao Cao narrowed his eyes slightly, and Xiahou Dun grabbed the sword and handed it over.
Xia Houmao knelt on the ground and trembled. He originally planned to stay in Xiangyang for a few more days, waiting for Cao Cao's squadron, and then go to Xuchang to return the sword.
But Xia Houlan said that since he had retrieved the Qingzhi Sword, if he did not return it, it would be like walking at night in brocade clothes, and no one would know that he was atoning for the shame and feeling proud.
He also advised him to go to Huainan as early as possible and return the Qingzhi Sword to the army. He would have a good face in front of the three armies. The prime minister would praise him and the generals would congratulate him. Only then would he have face.
When Xia Houmao heard this, his heart was pounding. He returned to Xuchang overnight and rushed to the army. Unexpectedly, he was scolded and regretted immediately.
Cao Cao silently looked at the sword, showed it to Xia Houen who was standing aside, and asked: "I lost the Wuguan because of this sword. This was Liu Qi's plan. Why do you have to spend money to redeem it? Do you know that my army is out and I am short of money and food?" "
Xia Houmao said hurriedly: "Although my son-in-law was used by Liu Qi, this sword was borrowed by the Prime Minister and there is a written record of it in Xiangyang. My son-in-law must redeem it even if he risks his life. How can a man be a human being when he is born in heaven and earth?" What are you laughing at? My son-in-law cannot break his promise, and he must avenge his shame..."
"You bastard, how dare you talk so shamelessly here?" Xiahou Dun was so angry that he kicked him in the butt.
"Hahaha!" Unexpectedly, instead of being angry, Cao Cao stroked his beard and laughed: "I also have such a loyal man in Xiahou's family, so good..."
After saying a few good words in a row, Xiahoudun glared: "Is this okay?"
"Get up!" Cao Cao motioned to Xiahou Mao to get up and said with a smile: "A man is most afraid of having no ambition and inaction. What Zilin redeemed is not only a sword, but also a man's dignity. This is my descendant of Xiahou."
Xiahou Dun glanced at Xiahou Mao who was snickering, and snorted: "Do you still have reason to support the enemy?"
Xia Houmao was so frightened that he shrank his neck and begged for mercy: "I, Xia Houmao, can count money as well as anyone else! If the money is gone, you can earn it again, but if you lose the face, you can't get it back!"
"You traitor!" Xiahou Dun actually had a look of pride in his eyes. Hearing this sentence, he grabbed him and wanted to beat him.
Xia Houen advised from the side: "Brother Yuan Rang, it's rare for a good nephew to be so ambitious. For the sake of the prime minister, just turn a blind eye to this matter!"
Xiahou Dun yelled angrily. Originally he just wanted to hit him a few times, but after hearing this, he struck harder and beat Xiahou Mao incessantly.
Dong dong dong——
At this moment, suddenly drums were beating loudly in the camp, trumpets were rising one after another, and people and horses were shouting everywhere. This was a signal of enemy attack.
Xiahou Dun released Xiahou Mao and followed Cao Cao out of the camp. Cao Xiu, who was in charge of patrolling the camp, hurried over to report: "The Soochow navy broke through the defense line and came towards the stronghold. It seems they intend to rush into the camp."
Cao Cao looked up and saw heavy fog on the water, extending between the two mountains. The sound of drums was mixed with the sound of bells. It was obvious that the Wu army's warships were approaching.
Everyone rushed to the water stronghold. The defenders were busy forming formations and the archers were waiting. In the mist, they could see countless huge black figures slowly approaching.
"Catch Cao's thieves and destroy the traitors!" Drums also sounded above the water, and Wu Jun shouted loudly and rushed towards the shore.
"Young son Zhou Lang, you finally lost your patience and want to take advantage of the heavy fog to attack our village?" Cao Cao stroked his beard and smiled coldly, and ordered: "Shoot random arrows at them, and beware of the strategic roads of each village."
Arrows rained down on the shore, disappearing into the thick fog one after another. Screams came one after another. Under the dense rain of arrows, the enemy ship did not approach.
Xun You also came over after hearing the news. Hearing the screams one after another, he reminded: "Zhou Yu knew that the water stronghold was heavily deployed and still dared to attack. He must have other motives. He must prevent Liu Qi from attacking from the east to the west."
Cao Cao suddenly woke up and immediately sent an order: "Immediately report to Xizhai and ask Le Jin to hold his troops and be careful not to rob the camp."
The sentry went to convey the order. A quarter of an hour later, the Wu army retreated. Cao Cao sneered and said, "How can such a small trick defeat our stronghold?"
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief and were about to withdraw their troops and return to the camp. Suddenly they heard the sound of drums on the water and countless fleets approaching again.
Cao's army was a little panicked. Xiahou Dun and other generals held down the formation in person before they stabilized their formation and fired arrows again to force the enemy ships back.
Cao Cao waited for a while, but when there was no movement, and the thick fog on the water gradually dissipated, he sneered coldly: "Zhou Lang's use of troops is nothing more than this."
"Thank you, Prime Minister Cao, for lending me the arrow—"
At this moment, I saw neat shouts coming from the water, echoing in the valley.
Cao Cao's hand holding his beard paused slightly, and everyone was inexplicably surprised. A gust of mountain wind blew by, and the thick fog dispersed. They saw only grass clippings and arrows floating on the water, and no blood on the body.
Cao Cao's face was as dark as water, and he said coldly: "Such despicable methods must be Liu Qi's son, and he has been plotted by Zhuzi again!"
Xia Houmao said from the side: "I only lost some arrows. I'll just miss it next time!"
