Huaiyin City is located south and southeast of Xiapi City, which can be said to be within the hinterland of Xuzhou.
At this moment, Sun Ce's remaining army is in Huaiyin.
In the large tent of the Chu army, Zhou Yu, Pang Tong, Gan Ning, Huang Zhong and other generals gathered here to discuss the next march route, and the atmosphere was somewhat solemn.
Sun Ce sat on the handsome seat with his eyes closed and his forehead supported by one hand. There was a trace of haggardness on his handsome face, and it took him a long time to open his eyes and sigh.
"The failure of the Northern Expedition was my fault, and it affected the soldiers of the three armies."
From the resentment against Liu Bei's betrayal at the beginning to the reflection now, many soldiers have fallen in front of Sun Ce. His eyes were mixed with hatred, self-blame, confusion and determination.
At least, at least bring the remaining people back to Jiangdong alive!
"Now we have 30,000 troops left. Behind us are Xu Shu and Liu Feng with 30,000 troops in pursuit. In front are Zhuge Liang's 20,000 troops who have formed a strange formation to block the road to Guangling Port. How do you think we should deal with the enemy now?"
Faced with Sun Ce's self-blame, everyone wanted to refute, but Zhou Yu spoke first and interrupted. Because Zhou Yu feels that the most important thing at this moment is not to discuss who is right or wrong here, but how to successfully withdraw to Jiangdong.
Everyone just listened to Zhou Yu's words.
"What Zhuge Liang laid out was a formation."
"Everyone knows that when two people fight, excluding morale and courage, it is natural for the person with strong martial arts to defeat the person with low martial arts, and can even defeat multiple enemies. A good formation can allow soldiers to skillfully Using the gaps and directions of the attack is like forcibly turning a soldier into a person with strong martial arts skills."
"I don't understand the formation, so I think it is unwise to forcefully break the formation. It is very likely that we will fall into a quagmire and be unable to extricate ourselves. In the end, we will be surrounded and annihilated here by Zhuge Liang and Xu Shu."
"In my opinion, the march route should be changed. Abandon Guangling Port, quickly go north to capture Tobu Port in the northeast, and retreat from there. But I am worried that there may be an ambush along this way..."
After finishing speaking, Zhou Yu did not look at Sun Ce, but at Pang Tong.
Pang Tong was a classmate of Zhuge Liang and Xu Shu. No one here knew Liu Bei's two military advisors better than him. Zhou Yu wanted to hear his opinion. Sun Ce obviously thought so too.
Under the gaze of the two men, Pang Tong licked his lips nervously.
"My lord, based on my observation, Xu Han's military leadership has been handed over to Senior Brother Zhuge for some reason."
Ordinarily, Xu Shu had served Liu Bei for many years, and Zhuge Liang had only been in Xuzhou for a little over two years. It should have been Xu Shu who was in charge of Xu Han's military affairs.
But what happened specifically is Liu Bei's own business, and Pang Tong couldn't speculate too much, he continued.
"Senior Brother Xu is good at using deceitful ways, and he has a lot of strange tricks, which are difficult for people to guess. Senior Brother Zhuge is good at using royal ways, and he is stronger when he is strong. In comparison, he is easier to figure out than Senior Brother Xu."
"Based on my understanding of Senior Brother Zhuge, it is not possible to set up an ambush at Dongwu Port, but it is certain to set up an ambush. Now that he is setting up his position at Guangling Port, he is actually inducing us to divert to Dongwu Port. I dare to conclude that the three troops stationed in Xiapi City Ten thousand troops are already out in force at this moment, lying in ambush on the way to Dongbu Port."
If it is true as Pang Tong said, it means that all the counties and cities in Xuzhou have no defensive troops. This is simply appalling. Is this Zhuge Liang really so courageous?
Huang Zhong said in surprise.
"Isn't he afraid that we will turn around and break through Xu Shu's tribe, and take a detour to capture the empty Xiapi City?"
Pang Tong shook his head and answered without thinking.
"This is Xuzhou. If we don't break out as a lone army, what's the use of getting Xiapi?"
"That's just exchanging a glimmer of life for a longer period of survival. There's a tomb there!"
After a pause, Pang Tong said decisively to Sun Ce.
"My lord, I disagree with the advice of the second army division. I believe that most of the troops and horses should be used to forcefully attack Zhuge Liang's troops and open the way."
"Are you sure?"
"The Bagua array set up by Zhuge Liang has many changes, but I am 100% sure of breaking it. It's just a matter of time..."
A trace of surprise flashed in the eyes of Sun Ce and Zhou Yu. Perhaps Pang Tong himself did not realize that when he talked about military affairs, his usually timid words showed great confidence.
Sun Ce asked again.
"I give you 20,000 troops. How long will it take to break the formation?"
All the soldiers also turned their attention to Pang Tong. Many people understood that since Sun Ce asked this, it meant that compared to Zhou Yu's strategy, the lord was more inclined to attack Zhuge Liang's headquarters proposed by the newly defected military advisor.
Pang Tong obviously felt the pressure from everyone, and his heart was beating fast.
"One day."
Sun Ce paced back and forth, sometimes looking up at the map, sometimes stopping to think for a moment.
"One day is too long, I can only give you half a day."
Crack Brother Zhuge's Bagua Formation within half a day with the same force!
Pang Tong hesitated.
But why? Want to win so much!
He thought for a moment and said through gritted teeth.
"The only way to do this is to use extraordinary methods. I am only 60% sure, and I have to borrow something from the lord!"
Sun Ce smiled slightly, opened his mouth and agreed.
"Okay! I'll give it, 60%, 60%, I'll leave it to the military advisor for the safety of the army!"
Pang Tong quickly bowed deeply.
"I am willing to die for the Lord!"
