In history, Yuan Shao was still strong after losing the Battle of Guandu, but his and Cao Cao's strength changed.
Cao Cao's current situation is very similar to that of Yuan Shao back then.
After defeating Yuan Shu, Lu Bu, Yuan Shao, Yuan Xi, Ma Teng and other princes, his prestige was at its peak.
No one dared to resist what Bing Feng pointed at.
However, after the two fires in Wancheng, the world realized that Cao Cao was not invincible.
Otherwise, Liu Biao would not support Liu Bei with another 20,000 troops.
In addition, according to the information collected by the school affairs office, Sun Quan of Jiangdong is also gathering troops, and even the Qiang Di of Xiliang are preparing to move.
Before Yang Ling set out, Kong Rong, who was loyal to the Han Dynasty, even entertained guests in private, which seemed to have some agenda.
It is no exaggeration to say that if Cao Cao could not defeat Liu Bei, enemies from all directions would pounce on him and tear him to pieces!
This is why Cao Cao finally chose to bow to Yang Ling!
"Father-in-law, please rest assured. My son-in-law will definitely live up to the great trust and repel Liu Bei!"
Yang Ling nodded heavily.
Hearing this, Cao Cao showed a happy smile on his face.
According to the doctor accompanying the army, Cao Cao has not recovered yet and still needs to rest.
So he called Cao Pi, Xiahou Dun and others in and warned,
"From now on, Zi Yi will be responsible for all matters in the army!"
Others naturally had no objections.
As for Cao Pi, although he felt unhappy, this was his father's order.
In addition, Zhuge Liang is extremely cunning, and only Yang Ling can deal with him.
He could only nod in agreement.
…
Early the next morning, Yang Ling ordered Mao in the army.
After everyone arrived, he nodded with satisfaction and issued the first order.
"Pack your bags immediately and prepare to break camp and retreat!"
Everyone was stunned.
No one expected that the first thing Yang Ling would do after accepting military power was to withdraw his troops!
"If we retreat, we will hand over Nanyang County to Liu Bei!"
Cao Pi on the side couldn't help but question,
"The military advisor needs to think clearly!"
Yang Ling glanced at him and said coldly,
"Is the prince teaching me how to do things?"
Cao Pi's face froze and he said with a sneer,
"Don't dare!"
He couldn't help but curse Yang Ling in his heart. Sooner or later, I will let you know how powerful I am!
"General Wu Guan Zhonglang, Duke Wei wants you to repel Liu Bei, but he doesn't say you want to retreat."
Seeing that Cao Pi was defeated, Sima Yi immediately counterattacked.
"The enemy is now strong. If we want to repel them, we must show our weakness and retreat first."
Yang Ling said calmly,
"Only by retracting your fist can you defeat the enemy better."
"Zhongda, you don't even understand such a simple truth."
"No wonder I can only serve as a military commander under the Crown Prince after so many years!"
Isn't this Yang Ling's mouth too poisonous?
Looking at Gan Ning and Zhou Cang who were holding back their laughter, Sima Yi almost broke his nose with anger.
He suppressed the anger in his heart and asked coldly,
"If we go by what General Wu Guan Zhonglang said, if Liu Bei becomes aggressive and refuses to let us go after our army withdraws from Ye County, will we have to retreat to Xudu?"
"If necessary, let alone retreat to Xudu, it is not impossible to retreat to Yecheng."
Yang Ling said calmly.
Sima Yigang wanted to say something else, but Yang Ling waved his hand.
"I have my own sense of what is important in the military, and it is not my turn to be a clown here dictating things!"
"What are you doing standing there in a daze? Why don't you take action quickly?!"
The faces of Cao Pi and Sima Yi could be described as extremely embarrassing!
Yang Ling's words were clearly directed at the monk and scolded the thief for being bald.
But they couldn't raise any objections, so they could only accept the order and leave.
After returning to his tent, Cao Pi couldn't help but roar.
"Yang Ling, this thief, really bullies people too much!"
Sima Yi would also be extremely angry, but he quickly calmed down, touched his chin and muttered,
"Your Majesty, there is no need to be angry. He has abandoned Nanyang County this time. When Duke Wei gets better, he will never let him go."
After Zhuge Liang's two attacks, Cao's army lost troops and generals, and its morale was low.
It would take at least ten days and a half to recover.
Therefore, from a tactical point of view, it would be a wise move to abandon Nanyang County.
In this way, space can be exchanged for time, giving Cao Jun a chance to breathe, and also lengthening Liu Bei's supply line.
But from an overall strategic perspective, this move is extremely unwise.
Without Nanyang County, Cao Jun would have no strategic depth.
As long as Liu Bei is willing, he can send troops and horses to attack Xudu at any time.
By then, I'm afraid Cao Cao will consider moving the capital.
Once the capital is moved, the court will definitely be in turmoil and the situation will be unfavorable.
Therefore, Sima Yi is determined that when Cao Cao recovers, he will definitely punish Yang Ling for this matter!
"Having said that, what if he really has a way to repel Liu Bei's troops?"
Cao Pi looked hesitant.
After all, Yang Ling's abilities lie there.
Let’s not talk about the distance, let’s talk about the last attack on Wuhuan.
When Cao Pi, Sima Yi and others were not optimistic, Yang Ling set off from the ancient road and miraculously reached Liucheng and completely defeated Wuhuan!
Sima Yi frowned and was speechless.
…
When Cao Pi was discussing Yang Ling with Sima Yi, Yang Ling was also in the camp and talked about Cao Pi with Zhao Yun and others.
"Brother, you were a little too disrespectful to the Crown Prince during the military discussion just now."
Zhao Yun sighed.
"Zilong, you are such a good old man."
Gan Ning said disapprovingly,
"It's not that Brother Ziyi doesn't give him face, but that he doesn't take Brother Ziyi seriously at all."
Gan Ning was born in a rough place. He didn't care about loyalty to the emperor and patriotism. What he cared about was the word "righteousness".
Speaking of which, Yang Ling was kind to him, which allowed him to achieve his current status.
Cao Pi repeatedly targeted Yang Ling, which had already made Gan Ning extremely unhappy.
If possible, he would have liked to kill Cao Pi with a knife, and then go to Liu Biao and Sun Quan, or return to Shu to be happy.
When Zhao Yun heard this, he immediately couldn't laugh or cry.
"But he is the prince after all..."
"Don't worry, Zilong. You have a sense of responsibility for your brother."
Yang Ling smiled and patted Zhao Yun on the shoulder.
With his past personality, even if he was unhappy with Cao Pi, he would not do it in public.
Mainly because of Cao Pi's stupidity in the past days, tens of thousands of Cao's soldiers died in vain.
Compared with their sacrifices, even if Yang Ling scolded him, let alone not giving Cao Pi face!
Everyone chatted for a while and saw that the army had finished packing up. Just when Zhao Yun and others were about to get up and leave, Gan Ning seemed to have discovered something and said in confusion,
"Brother Ziyi, why don't you see brother Zhou Cang?"
Yang Ling smiled mysteriously,
"I have other important things to send him to do."
