Cao Cao did not dare to neglect, and immediately summoned a group of soldiers, horses and advisers to leave Xudu in person.
Before leaving, Yang Ling, Xun Yu and other court officials who stayed in Xudu came to see him off.
"This time I go to resist Liu Bei, the traitor. I hope you, Xun Lingjun and Ziyi, will sit in the rear for me."
Cao Cao smiled.
"Please don't worry, Mr. Wei!"
Yang Ling, Xun Yu and others said in unison.
Seeing Cao Cao preparing to leave, Yang Ling couldn't help but said,
"Wei Gong!"
"Is there anything else you can do with Ziyi?"
Cao Cao turned to look at Yang Ling and said strangely.
"Liu Bei's military advisor Zhuge Liang has always been very crafty. I hope Wei Gong will be more vigilant!"
Yang Ling said in a deep voice.
"Don't worry Ziyi, Gu won't let him be arrogant again this time."
Cao Cao smiled and waved his hands.
But judging from his expression, he didn't seem to take Zhuge Liang to heart.
No wonder.
After all, although Zhuge Liang had just defeated Cao Ren and others, he was not very famous.
It makes sense that Boss Cao doesn't take him seriously.
Seeing this, Yang Ling could only smile helplessly.
Guo Jia on the side saw it and comforted him with a smile,
"Zi Yi, don't worry. Wei Gong has Zhicai, Wenhe, Zhongzhi and other counselors beside him. How can Zhuge Liang care about him?"
"If Fengxiao doesn't know, then Zhuge Liang has some evil plans!"
Yang Ling said seriously.
Guo Jia has known Yang Ling for so long, but this is the first time he has seen him so afraid of someone.
"This person especially likes fire attacks. Since he is accompanying his lord to defeat Liu Bei in his honor, remember to beware of this!"
Yang Ling said seriously.
"Fire attack, right? I've written it down!"
Guo Jia also nodded seriously.
After giving instructions to the confidants who stayed in Xudu one by one, Cao Cao led the army and embarked on the journey south.
After two days of march, Cao Jun arrived at the boundary of Duyang County.
After Cao Pi and the others retreated from Wancheng, they also stopped in Duyang County to rest and recuperate.
Upon hearing that Cao Cao had arrived, Cao Pi hurriedly brought a group of soldiers to pay him a visit.
"The child has seen his father."
Cao Pi saluted Cao Cao.
"We pay our respects to Duke Wei!"
Cao Ren and Xia Houyuan also said respectfully.
But Cao Cao didn't return the favor, but walked straight to Cao Pi and slapped him.
"Snapped!"
A clear slap sounded. Cao Pi covered his red and swollen cheeks and looked at Cao Cao in astonishment.
"Why, are you not convinced if I beat you?"
Cao Cao asked coldly.
"My child...don't dare!"
Cao Pi also knew that he was at fault and lowered his head with guilt.
"Wei Gong, the defeat of Wancheng is all due to our carelessness. We cannot blame the prince."
Cao Ren quickly took all the blame on himself.
"Yes, we all underestimated the enemy."
Cao Hong, Xia Houyuan and others also nodded in agreement.
"This battle is not your fault."
Cao Cao held Cao Ren's hand and said in a serious tone,
"In the final analysis, it's all because this little beast is too proud and doesn't take Liu Bei seriously!"
"If I had known that this little beast was so brainless, I should have appointed you as the general before setting out on the expedition!"
Cao Ren, Cao Hong and other generals felt warm in their hearts.
All the previous dissatisfaction with Cao Pi disappeared without a trace in this moment.
After Cao Cao appeased Cao Ren and others, he looked at the other soldiers around him and said in a deep voice,
"You are not to blame for the defeat of Wancheng. It is my Cao family who has failed you, and I am here to apologize to you!"
"My lord, no!"
"Lord!"
Cao Ren and others hurriedly stepped forward and tried to help Cao Cao up.
But Cao Cao pushed them away and bowed in front of the soldiers present!
"The soldiers who died in this battle will be buried alive and well, and their families will be properly settled! As for you, I will not treat you badly!"
Everyone was choked with sobs, their eyes were red, and they were moved by it!
Based on these words, it was worth it for them to sacrifice their lives for Cao Cao!
"We swear allegiance to Wei Gong to the death!"
Cao Ren was the first to shout.
"We swear allegiance to Wei Gong to the death!"
The rest of the people also shouted in unison.
The sound was like thunder, resounding throughout the world!
Cao Jun's originally low morale suddenly became high!
Cao Cao's personality charm can be seen from this!
Only Cao Pi stood in the corner, his face green and white.
Cao Cao slapped him in public and put all the blame on him. How could this make him feel better?
After greeting everyone, Cao Cao summoned a group of advisers and generals to discuss matters in the county government hall.
"After Liu Bei captured Wancheng, he did not advance rashly, but stayed in Wancheng. This is why we did not retreat, but stayed in Duyang."
Cao Ren told Cao Cao the situation.
Cao Cao looked at the sand table on his desk and frowned.
He has known Liu Bei for almost twenty years.
In the early years, Yang Ling reminded him many times to be careful about Liu Bei, but he didn't take it to heart.
After all, Liu Bei was still very weak at the time, and he was beaten to the point of being helpless.
But he never expected that after several years of development, Liu Bei, assisted by Zhuge Liang, would become a serious problem for him!
"Since Liu Bei doesn't come to us, then we will come to him."
Cao Cao sneered and said,
"Go down with the order, rest for a day, and send troops to attack Wancheng tomorrow!"
"This... Master, should we wait a little longer and observe carefully?"
Cao Ren hesitated and said,
"Liu Bei's military advisor Zhuge Liang is extremely cunning!"
"So what? Youdao can defeat ten groups with one force. I don't believe that no matter how smart he is, he can defeat Gu's army!"
Cao Cao said proudly.
Although due to time constraints, there was no time to gather more troops.
But for this expedition, he also mobilized 70,000 troops.
Among them are famous elite troops such as the Trap Camp, the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, and the Wuhuan Cavalry!
Not to mention that around Cao Cao, there were counselors such as Guo Jia, Xi Zhicai, Cheng Yu, and Jia Xu in literature, and generals such as Li Dian, Yue Jin, Yu Jin, and Zhang He in military affairs.
With strong troops and strong horses, he did not believe that Liu Bei would be his opponent.
Seeing that Cao Cao had made up his mind, everyone stopped saying anything and nodded in agreement.
…
Early the next morning, Cao Cao ordered his troops and horses and set off for Wancheng.
Cao Pi failed to attack Wancheng, and there were less than 10,000 troops left. Including the troops brought by Cao Cao, there were almost 80,000.
Such momentum cannot be described as huge.
Among them, Yu Jin and Zhang He were the vanguard generals, leading 20,000 troops and horses to Wancheng first.
After traveling for less than half a day, they arrived at Bowang's territory.
"Stop moving forward."
Yu Jin raised his hand to signal the army to stop.
After the army slowly stopped advancing, he said to Zhang He beside him,
"General Junyi, the terrain here is narrow, and there are dense forests and weeds on both sides of the road. If Zhuge Liang sets up an ambush here, I'm afraid we will end up like General Zixiao."
Zhang He took a look at the surrounding mountains and dense vegetation, and nodded with deep understanding.
"What General Wen Ze said is absolutely true. But the Lord wants us to get to Wancheng as soon as possible. What should we do?"
