In the battle of Kunyang, Cao's army suffered more than 30,000 losses, general Le Jin was captured, and Zhang Liao was defeated and retreated to Xuchang. The news spread, and the Central Plains was shocked.
Jia Xu returned to the city to apologize to Zhang Liao. Zhuge Liang was superior and left empty camps on both sides. Instead, he took Kunyang, but used fire tactics to burn to death 20,000 elite soldiers, causing heavy losses.
Zhang Liao also felt powerless in this battle. He personally led his troops to charge into the camp twice, but failed once and was defeated once. He was unable to use his strength and was quite afraid of Zhuge Liang.
After appeasing Jia Xu, Zhang Liao said: "Wolong Fengxiao really has a clever plan. Only with the help of these two people can Liu Qi rise to Jingzhou. If Zhuge Liang is not eliminated, the Central Plains will be in danger. I want to send assassins to kill him. What do the military advisors think?" ?”
Jia Xu shook his head and said: "Since Wolong has such a strategy, how can he put himself in danger? If he didn't use a trick to defeat his army and capture him in the camp, the assassin would have just thrown himself into a trap."
Zhang Liao frowned and said, "Kunyang has been lost and Guan Yu can advance northward. What should we do?"
Jia Xu said: "If there is no restraint from Soochow, Xuzhou soldiers and horses can be mobilized to fight Guan Yu at this time. Huainan is also fighting fiercely now. We can only mobilize troops from Hebei. Xingyang and Runan need to be heavily guarded. They cannot be allowed to enter and treat others." Let the horse rest for a while before engaging in a decisive battle with the enemy."
Zhang Liao had no choice but to ask Jia Xu to see Cao Pi to discuss the deployment of troops. He led his troops to patrol the city and inquire about the military situation. At this time, there was only one general, Zhu Ling, left in the camp, and he felt inexplicably sad.
When Jia Xu came to the palace, Cao Pi was as anxious as an ant on a hot pot and asked hurriedly: "Sir, how is the military situation now?"
Jia Xu knelt down and apologized: "I am old and incompetent, but I was plotted by Zhuge Liang. I have really failed the prime minister's trust, and I have no shame to plan for the prince again. I am willing to resign, retire and return to my hometown, and hope that the prince will give me permission."
"Sir?" Cao Pi was shocked and hurriedly supported Jia Xu: "Victory and defeat are common matters for military officers. Sir, almost capturing Zhuge Liang and seriously injuring Guan Yu is already a great achievement. Why is it necessary?"
Jia Xu sighed: "This great defeat is all due to the old and incomplete thinking, which has affected the three armies. If we retreat without punishment, I am afraid that the whole camp will be dissatisfied."
"This..." Although Cao Pi was also very smart, he was new to military affairs and lacked experience. Without Jia Xu's assistance, he didn't know what to do with himself.
Jia Xu added: "The prime minister always makes clear rewards and punishments when using troops, so that he can be invincible in battles and conquer all attacks. The prince should put the overall situation first. If he is partial to his own interests, he will be afraid of being criticized by others."
Cao Pi panicked and said with tears: "Sir is my teacher. If I take the blame and resign, who else can help me? The Central Plains is in danger, and my father's life's hard work may be turned into running water."
Jia Xu cupped his fists and said, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. During the Northern Expedition, the Prime Minister asked Chen Changwen and Chen Jibi to assist the government. These two people can take charge of internal and external affairs. Even if the old man resigns and retires, he will not ignore the military and political affairs. He can be the guest of the curtain. Stay in the mansion to assist the crown prince."
"That's it!" Cao Pi finally understood Jia Xu's good intentions, let out a sigh of relief, asked Jia Xu to take a seat, and asked for advice on the next deployment of troops.
On the same day, the general's order was passed down. Due to Jia Xu's unfavorable plan, Kunyang fell, so he was relieved of his post as military advisor. Chen Jiao was appointed to join the army, and together with Zhang Liao, he led the Yuzhou military and guarded the territory.
Jia Xu returned to the mansion and ordered his family and others to move to the palace and give up the Taiwei's mansion. There was a lot of complaints in the mansion.
The eldest son Jia Mu was indignant and complained: "My father worked hard and devoted himself to state affairs, but Cao Pi dismissed my father just to establish his authority. Is it unreasonable?"
Jia Xu Nianxu said calmly: "Don't talk about other people's rights and wrongs before and after the incident. Especially those in high positions should be more cautious, so as not to cause death."
Jia Mu said angrily: "Since the prince dismissed his father from office and then kept him as a guest of the court, he is simply bullying others."
Jia Xu smiled and said: "This is my father's wish. You don't have to complain. Go and get ready!"
Jia Mu was startled and asked, "Why is father like this?"
Jia Xu sighed: "I used a plan this time to get rid of Guan Yu and Zhuge Liang in one fell swoop and relieve the prime minister's confidants. Who would have thought that Kong Ming was more skilled and lost Kunyang instead."
Jia Mu was confused and said: "A wise man will make a mistake after all his considerations. Once he makes a mistake, he should regain his strength and compete with him again. Why admit defeat?"
Jia Xu said: "Guan Yu has a very high reputation and is highly respected in the green forest. Now he is poisoned and his life or death is uncertain. My plan is too cruel and will surely arouse the public's anger. I am afraid someone will come to assassinate him, so we must be on guard!"
Jia Mu was taken aback and did not dare to persuade him any more. He honestly ordered people to pack up and move to the palace.
Since the emperor moved the capital to Yecheng, the royal palace in Xuchang has been inhabited by the Cao family. It was deployed by Cao Cao himself and was heavily defended. Not to mention assassins, even a bird flying in could be detected in time.
…
When Cao Jun re-deployed his defense line, Gan Ning led his troops from Lushan and took the opportunity to surprise Luyang and occupy the city, which would connect Kunyang to the east and west.
If you go north, you can capture Yingchuan and Xingyang, and if you go west, you can intimidate Luoyang. When various princes were attacking Dong, Sun Jian was stationed here, which was a great threat to Dong Zhuo.
The men and horses crossed the mountain to the territory of Luyang. Gan Ning led his troops to observe the enemy's situation and saw that the soldiers on the city were heavily guarded and patrolling back and forth.
The general guarding Luyang was Zhang Quan, Zhang Xiu's son. Cao Cao pacified Hebei. Zhang Xiu made great achievements in defeating Yuan Tan and added thousands of households to the city. His territory was in Luyang.
Gan Ning said: "Cao Jun has indeed sent orders to all places to strengthen their defenses. The purpose of this battle is to capture Zhang Quan alive. We can only do it wisely and not make mistakes."
Su Fei asked: "Do we have to wait until nightfall to attack?"
Gan Ning smiled and said, "Even if we succeed in seizing the city in the dark, I'm afraid Zhang Quan will take advantage of the chaos and escape. The military adviser has a clever plan in advance, so we don't need to worry."
Then he ordered the soldiers to rest on the spot and wait until dusk to take the city.
In Luyang City, Zhang Quan was paying homage to Zhang Xiu, but because the body could not be retrieved, there was only an empty coffin in the courtyard.
Brother Zhang Chen advised: "The great revenge has not been avenged. Brother, please take care of yourself. Jingzhou soldiers have stationed in Kunyang. In the past few days, I will lead people to sneak behind Mobei and recover my uncle's body."
"Gan Ning, if I don't kill this thief, I swear I won't be a human being!" Zhang Quan's eyes were bloodshot, he clenched his fists and roared.
Since surrendering to Cao Cao, Cao Cao has been kind to his father and son. His eldest sister married Cao Xiong, became an in-law with the Cao family, and lived peacefully in Luyang.
I thought that I would be able to live a long life, which was a great blessing compared to Li Jue, Guo Si and other old Xiliang generals, but I didn't know that in the end, I died in the rebellion and my body was thrown into the wilderness.
After Zhang Chen persuaded him, he brought Zhang Quan to the mansion, where he ate hastily and was about to go back to rest. Suddenly, the defenders reported urgently that enemy troops had entered the country.
Zhang Chen was shocked, and the two of them rushed to the city to watch. They saw a general in brocade robes and golden armor, showing off his power under the city, shouting at Zhang Quan to go out of the city and die.
Zhang Quan said in a deep voice: "Who is coming?"
Zhang Chen replied: "This is Jin Gan Ning!"
"Jinfan thief, I swear to kill you!" Zhang Quan was furious and was about to go out of the city to fight.
Zhang Chen hurriedly advised: "Zhuge Liang has many tricks and tricks. Gan Ning only brought a few hundred people here. I'm afraid there is a trick. My brother must not fall into the trap."
"The revenge for killing my father is irredeemable!" Zhang Quan roared, "We, the dignified men of Xiliang, must avenge ourselves. If we don't fight, won't we be laughed at by everyone in the world? How can I have the face to meet my ancestors?" Liezong?"
