The battlefield in Chibi highlights a battle of wits and courage, while the battlefield in Hefei has only one word to describe it - tragic.
When Cao Ren was recommended by Cao Wu and transferred from Jiangling to Hefei for defense, Cao Ren never thought that this battle would go to this level.
Since Sun Quan's banner appeared in the local camp, Jiangdong's army has been attacking day and night for more than ten days.
Testing feints, large-scale harassment, and single-point breakthroughs, Jiangdong's army was attacking the city almost every moment.
Fortunately, Sima Yi, the literary agent of the Prime Minister's Office, came up with suggestions and saw through several feigned attacks by the enemy, which was a great achievement.
Zhang Xi's reinforcements tried to support him several times, but they were blocked by Jiangdong general Han Dang and could not enter the city.
At first, there was news about Zhang Xi's reinforcements, but in the end, there was no news at all.
Inside the city, there were not many Hefei defenders, and there were still many civilians in the city.
Cao Ren suppressed the news that Zhang Xi could not support him, and used false news every day to boost morale. However, the reinforcements have not arrived. Even with the coordination and assistance of Yangzhou Governor Wen Hui and Jiang Ji, the main defender Cao Ren has persisted until now. , is already at the end of its strength.
The enemy army is said to be one hundred thousand, and the number of capable fighters is at least 56,000. Over the past ten days, nearly 20,000 people have been killed, and there is still no intention to stop.
In the entire cold weapon era, those whose death rate has not collapsed can be regarded as elites.
But in fact, Jiangdong's army still relies on the banner with the character "Sun".
During the daily siege, Cheng Pu was in charge of the central army, while Zhou Tai and Xu Sheng fought tooth and nail to attack the city, while Sun Quan personally held down the rear. Anyone who dared to take a step back from the siege troops would die.
Those who work hard and do nothing will die.
Those who climb the city will be rewarded with thousands of gold, and they will also be rewarded after death.
Under such high pressure, Jiangdong Army attacked the city day and night.
Unlike the defenders, Cao Ren had been besieged for many days and did not know the outcome of the battle in Chibi. However, the Jiangdong Army had already accepted Zhou Yu's defeat and learned about the situation in Chibi.
Zhou Yu returned in defeat, but was treated politely by Sun Quan. Sun Quan personally welcomed Zhou Yu into the army, shouting "Captain, thank you for your hard work", which was a show of dignity.
On the inside, Governor Zuo's temporary command of the army was not removed, and even some of Cheng Pu's power in the army was allocated.
Cheng Pu complained about this, and Sun Quan knew it well, but said nothing.
When the bloody Zhou Tai rushed to the top of the city, Sun Quan was sitting under the canopy, with Zhou Yu on the left and Cheng Pu on the right. He narrowed his eyes and watched Zhou Tai charge at the top of the city, but was stopped by Cao Ren again.
This scene has been played out several times before, and in the end, Zhou Tai was driven back from the city every time.
Sun Quan pursed his lips slightly, feeling increasingly anxious in his heart, but it didn't show on his face. He turned around and asked, "Gong Jin, in your opinion, how long can Xiakou last?"
As long as Xiakou can be defended, they will have time to "lose the west and gain the east".
Zhou Yu thought for a while and said: "I saw the Xiakou city defense from the river. Xuande Gong has been running Xiakou for a long time. I think it will be no problem to resist Cao's army for more than half a year."
Sun Quan laughed loudly and said: "In this way, our army will have half a year to seize the Jianghuai River! Gongjin water floods Jiangxia, Xiakou is wedged on the Yangtze River, and Cao's army cannot advance or retreat. It is really a clever plan!"
Cheng Pu snorted: "General Dong and General Chen can only avenge themselves in Hefei."
This was blatantly saying that Zhou Yu lost his troops and generals, but Zhou Yu smiled and did not refute.
If the enemy did not have the Five-Toothed Ship and did not see through Huang Gai's plan, he could have defeated Cao Cao's army, but it was a pity that Cao Wu ruined all his plans.
For the current plan, only by capturing Hefei and occupying the entire Jianghuai region can we have a chance to compete with Cao Cao.
In his eyes, he had never looked at a mere Cheng Pu, and he would not pay attention to him if he tried to strive for credit.
While they were discussing here, a scout suddenly ran over in a hurry, shouting as he ran: "Report - the military situation in Xiakou has been discovered!"
Sun Quan's eyes moved and he sat in the middle.
Zhou Yu was also unfazed, sitting quietly and taking a sip of tea.
Cheng Pu asked anxiously: "What military situation? Tell me!"
The scout raised his face, showing sweat on his face, and said excitedly: "Report to all generals, General Liu Bei of the left abandoned Xiakou City and fled south without firing an arrow."
"What?!"
Sun Quan and Cheng Pu stood up in shock at the same time. Zhou Yu's eyelids twitched wildly a few times, but he still finished the tea in the cup.
The three of them were thinking about the same question. Did Liu Bei escape? If Xiakou is left undefended, where can he escape?
Sun Quan asked: "But you went to Nanchang and Chaisang?"
The scout shook his head and said, "Before we arrived at these two places, my subordinates met Mr. Lu on the road. He said that General Liu had an old relationship with Wu Ju, the prefect of Cangwu. His army of about 2,000 people continued southward from Jiangxia."
"Boom!"
Sun Quan sat back slumped and murmured: "Liu Bei, son, have you abandoned the covenant and ignored it?"
Cheng Pu punched several cases and said angrily: "Abandoning the city and running away is making people laugh!"
The scout was too frightened to say anything.
But Zhou Yu said: "It doesn't make people laugh, but it invites people to win people's hearts."
Cheng Pu stared at Zhou Yu with his big bell-like eyes, clasped his fists and said, "My lord, for this plan, we must continue to attack the city and capture Hefei before we make plans!"
"What General Cheng said is absolutely true!"
Zhou Yu quickly agreed.
Cheng Pu looked at him again. He couldn't understand Zhou Yu more and more. It seemed that Zhou Yu really didn't have a fight for power in his heart, only the idea of winning.
He knew that this was not the time to fight for power, so he held up his hands and said: "My lord, please hold the line. I will lead the remaining soldiers to attack the city together. We must capture Hefei before dark!"
The two of them talked together, Sun Quan frowned deeply, obviously hesitant.
At this time, his personal guard Zhang Shi ran over in a hurry, leaned over and spoke a few words to Sun Quan.
Sun Quan's face changed drastically. His head was already turning to the left, then stopped again. He froze for a while and closed his eyes.
When he opened his eyes again, those blue eyes had calmed down.
"retreat!"
Sun Quan stood up and left the table.
"Lord!"
Zhou Yu and Cheng Pu shouted at the same time, Hefei has been beaten like this. Seeing that they can win it with more force, should they retreat now?
Cheng Pu was even more dissatisfied. He was not a general who only used brute force. As the leader of an army, he had his own rhythm of attacking the city.
However, as soon as Sun Quan arrived, he called on the entire army to attack the city day and night in the name of his lord's humiliation.
Now, the city is about to be taken, and he actually wants to retreat again!
He was the one who attacked the city, and he was also the one who retreated. How can one accept this?
Sun Quan left under the escort of his personal guards Gu Li and Zhang Shi, but Cheng Pu jumped forward in a few steps and grabbed Zhang Shidao: "Hefei is about to be destroyed, what slander did you say to the lord? You actually retreated at this time!"
He relied on his old man and betrayed him. He first criticized Zhou Yu and then questioned Sun Quan's guards, which made him appear to be the lord of Jiangdong.
Zhang Shiben was not afraid of Cheng Pu, but he did not dare to move. He was grabbed by his armor and looked to Sun Quan for help.
Sun Quan said: "The enemy is seeking public benefit. The enemy has millions of troops in Jiangxia. If we don't rescue Nanchang and Chaisang, Jiangdong may suffer losses!"
Zhou Yu stood up and advised: "Zhongmou, our army has flooded Jiangxia, and the enemy's food and grass have been cut off. We cannot continue the march, and we will not be able to capture Nanchang. Withdrawing our troops at this time will not be worth the gain!"
Sun Quan said: "Jiangdong is important!"
Zhou Yu shouted: "Lord!"
Sun Quan hesitated for a moment and finally made a decision.
"Gongjin, Demou, let's return to Jiangdong immediately and set up defenses on Nanchang and Chaisang. Don't let the Cao thieves take advantage of the loophole and take Jiangdong!"
"Lord!"
"I have decided to go back to the teacher. This matter will not be discussed again!"
Zhou Yu and Cheng Pu looked at each other. They had watched Sun Quan grow up.
But they had never seen such a strange Sun Quan. He was like a lonely man who had betrayed his family and could no longer listen to any advice.
Obviously Sun Quan was not like this before, but since this expedition, the distance between him and his ministers has become farther and farther.
A figure flashed in Zhou Yu's mind, and it was Cao Wu again.
Back in Chaisang City, Cao Wu had a night talk with Sun Quan and asked Sun Quan to introduce him as a confidant, but it turned out that he was a spy of Cao Jun.
Was it from that time that Sun Quan no longer trusted others?
The two stood in silence for a long time. Cheng Pu had to grit his teeth and give the order to retreat, and Zhou Yu could no longer remain calm.
Zhou Yu frowned deeply and found a secluded place to stand after coming out.
Only a short while later, Zhang Shi arrived quietly, stood behind Zhou Yu and held his hands.
Zhou Yu asked anxiously: "What news did you receive?"
Zhang Shi sighed, hesitated for a long time, and finally whispered in Zhou Yu's ear: "There is news from the front line that Mrs. Sun has been kidnapped by Uncle Liu Huang!"
"What?"
Zhou Yu thought of the woman who went to war on his behalf. He saw with his own eyes that Da Qiao's flagship was surrounded by three five-toothed ships. She didn't die?
But she was fighting in Chibi, so why was she kidnapped by Liu Bei? Liu Bei is obviously far away in Xiakou!
But it soon dawned on him.
The conspiracy, I'm afraid it's Cao Wu's conspiracy again!
Da Qiao is very important to Sun Quan. He has deep feelings and the ability to reconcile the aristocratic family.
However, in order to deceive the entire army, Zhou Yu asked Da Qiao to stand on the flagship ship and attract the attention of Cao Jun's left wing for him.
If he had won, everything would have been easy, but Zhou Yu was defeated, at the hands of Cao Wu.
So this move obviously violated Sun Quan's taboo.
Now that he learned that Liu Bei had captured Da Qiao, Sun Quan directly ordered the withdrawal of his troops regardless of whether the news was true or false.
For the first time, panic appeared in Zhou Yu's heart.
Under Cao Wu's repeated provocations, Sun Quan no longer trusted him.
Sun Quan also didn't trust Cheng Pu. The only people he trusted were Da Qiao and himself, but Da Qiao was gone.
Therefore, he would rather give up the attack and keep the existing Jiangdong territory before making plans.
The gong for withdrawal sounded. Zhou Yu closed his eyes, listened silently, and did not open them for a long time.
…
The gong sounded for withdrawal.
At the top of Hefei City, Zhou Tai looked back in surprise.
This time, the death squad he led easily entered the city.
No one understands the weakness of the Hefei defenders better than him. With just two or three more such attacks, the Hefei defenders will be finished!
Withdraw troops at this time?
Zhou Tai gritted his teeth and struck again, but Cao Ren held him back.
Cao Ren laughed loudly and said, "Zhou Tai, you have to run away!"
Zhou Tai said nothing. He retreated while fighting, and finally stayed alone at the top of the city.
With a "crash", a pebble Zhou Tai stepped on fell to the top of the city.
Zhou Tai looked at Cao Jun desperately.
For the first time, he discovered that the cold battlefield was not scary, but the lack of support was scary.
"Zhou Tai, die here!"
Cao Ren was bleeding and drew his sword, but Zhou Tai jumped down.
Cao Ren chased him to the edge of the city and saw Zhou Tai getting up again and escaping back to the Jiangdong camp like an immortal.
In the distance, Jiangdong's army retreated like a tide after continuing to attack Hefei for more than ten days.
There were cheers in the city of Hefei, and Wen Hui and Jiang Ji were in tears.
Even Sima Yi in the corner relaxed and showed a tired expression.
Cao Ren remembered something and immediately shouted outside the city: "Having a son should be like Sun Zhongmou, Hefei will give away one hundred thousand people!"
The soldiers followed up and shouted: "Be like Sun Zhongmou when you have a son, and Hefei will give away one hundred thousand for his head!"
For a moment, Cao Ren discovered that the opponent's general had stopped, which shocked him, but fortunately Jiangdong's army still retreated.
Among the army, Sun Quan sat under the canopy, looked back with a sneer, and looked at the towering city wall.
He thinks more than Zhou Yu and Cheng Pu.
The Xiakou barrier is gone. What will happen if Hefei is captured now? Can they hold on?
He clearly knew that attacking Hefei was necessary, but he also needed to defend Jiangdong and not take risks.
The words "Hefei 100,000 yuan to give away the first person" stimulated him again.
The figure riding the red horse always appeared in his mind
Hefei, he will come back eventually.
The man named Cao Wu must also deal with him.
