Zhang Xiu fought until dawn the next day before withdrawing his troops and returning to the city. Cao Cao counted the defeated troops and found that he had lost 50,000 people and a lot of baggage. Lu Qian and Yu Jin were both injured.
After Jia Xu learned about Cao Cao's defeat, he quickly persuaded Zhang Xiu to write a letter to Liu Biao and send troops to cut off his retreat. After receiving the letter, Liu Biao prepared to raise troops, but suddenly reported to Sun Ce that he was stationing troops at Hukou and had the intention of attacking the rear. His adviser Kuai Liang said: "Sun Ce is looking for a time to station troops. That is Cao Cao's plan. If he cannot take advantage of the situation to pursue him, he will definitely leave disaster behind."
So Liu Biao ordered the military general Huang Zu to guard the pass, and personally led the troops to Anzhong County to take Cao Cao's retreat. At the same time, he went to find Zhang Xiu. Zhang Xiu learned that Liu Biao had raised troops, so he took Jia Xu and Yu Yi to attack Cao Cao.
For the time being, Jia Xu wanted to leave Yu Yi in Nanyang and said, "Now that your eldest brother has defected to Cao Cao, if we see you here, it will definitely cause trouble. You'd better go back."
Yu Yi was touched by the master's thoughtfulness and said, "It doesn't matter. When the time comes for you to go to battle, I will be at the camp."
So Yuyi also went with him, but he always played the role of an ordinary soldier and was afraid of causing unnecessary trouble.
After Cao Cao's defeat, he did not walk very fast. When he arrived at Xiangcheng and passed Qingshui, Cao Cao suddenly burst into tears on his horse. When everyone asked why, Cao Cao pointed to a place and said, "I remembered last year, when I was in This place has lost my beloved general Dian Wei, so I couldn’t help but cry!"
So there was no mood to move forward, so the three armies were stopped and camped where they were, holding a big banquet to pay homage to the dead soul of Dian Wei. Cao Cao knelt down and worshiped in person. Everyone was affected by Cao Cao's behavior. After worshiping Dian Wei, they went to worship Cao Anmin and his eldest son Cao Ang, and then the dead soldiers, including the Dayuan horse that protected him. , Cao Cao also wanted to worship in person.
On the second day, Xun Yu sent someone to report to Cao Cao, saying: "Liu Biao helped Zhang Xiu garrison troops and has sent troops from Jingzhou to intercept the prime minister's way."
Cao Cao wrote back a letter to Xun Yu, saying: "I have walked several miles with the defeated army. Now the plan has been decided. If we reach Anzhong, Zhang Xiu's army will be defeated. Don't have any doubts." So he speeded up. The march speed quickly reached the border of Anzhong County.
Liu Biao set off first and had already occupied a strategic position. Zhang Xiu also arrived with his troops and horses. Cao Cao ordered everyone to dig out the area at night and ambush some soldiers and horses inside. When it got a little brighter, Liu Biao and Zhang Xiu When the troops met, they saw that Cao Cao had very few soldiers and horses. They suspected that Cao Cao had escaped, so he led his troops and horses into Cao Cao's ambush. Of course, Cao Cao was not polite and destroyed both armies. Cao Cao's troops left the Anzhong Pass and set up camp outside.
Originally chasing Cao Cao, they were ambushed by the opponent. Liu Biao and Zhang Xiu were a little puzzled. They integrated the defeated troops together and summed up their experiences and lessons.
Liu Biao asked: "We are obviously chasing Cao Cao, how could we fall into the trap?"
Zhang Xiu thought for a while and didn't know the reason, so he said: "Failure is temporary. Let's find other ways to win back."
In Xudu, Xun Yu received information that Yuan Shao of Jizhou was preparing to raise troops to attack Xudu. He immediately told Cao Cao the news overnight.
Cao Cao never paid attention to other opponents, but Yuan Shao. They grew up together. As the descendants of the Fourth and Third Dukes, Cao Cao knew Yuan Shao's strength at this time. He felt a little panicked and quickly led his troops to prepare to go back.
Cao Cao made a big move to retreat. Someone told Zhang Xiu, so he prepared to pursue him. At this time, Yu Yi was still with Jia Xu and did not return. He just did not show up in the camp.
When Jia Xu learned that Zhang Xiu was preparing to attack, he quickly advised: "No, if you pursue him like this, you will definitely fail."
Because he was ambushed, Liu Biao felt resentful and said: "If we don't pursue it now, we will definitely lose a good opportunity."
As an outsider, Yu Yi was not in a position to express his opinions, but Cao Cao would definitely have backup plans for his retreat, so what the master said was not necessarily wrong.
Under Liu Biao's persuasion, Zhang Xiu went with him and chased for more than ten miles, and finally caught up with Cao Cao's rear army. Unexpectedly, before contact was made, Cao Cao's army seemed to have rear eyes and actually took the initiative to fight. As a result, their troops were defeated again.
After returning, Zhang Xiu sighed and said, "I didn't follow your advice. It was a big defeat."
Jia Xu smiled and did not express his position. Yu Yi admired Jia Xu even more and asked: "How does the master know that Cao Cao will definitely have a backup plan?"
Jia Xu put his hands behind his back, as if everything was under his control, and said: "As a strategist, the art of war and strategies are superficial. Only when you can clearly see the opponent's intentions can they be real. If you can master them on the battlefield, If everything can be arranged first according to the opponent’s coach’s intentions, then there will be no hope of victory. This is the highest level of strategy.”
Jia Xu's words gave Yu Yi a deeper understanding of strategy. Since ancient times, strategy has been most successful in seeking people's hearts.
Zhang Xiu also learned the lesson and was about to go back to rest, but Jia Xu said again: "You can lead your troops and horses to chase and kill again. You will definitely win!"
Liu Biao couldn't understand, and Zhang Xiu naturally didn't understand either, and said, "Now that we have failed, do we still want to pursue it?"
Jia Xu smiled and said: "If you go this time, I'm sure you can win. If you don't live, you can kill me!"
Zhang Xiu said: "Sir, if he is serious, I will go after him."
Liu Biao was confused this time and refused to go with him, so Zhang Xiu took his troops. As expected, Cao Cao was unprepared this time. The army, horses and baggage were scattered all over the place, along the road. Zhang Xiu packed up his things and returned them. They wanted to continue the pursuit, but a team came out, led by a powerful general. Zhang Xiu dared to continue the pursuit, so he retreated.
Liu Biao asked Jia Xu: "We used elite troops to pursue before. You said we would definitely fail. The defeated troops behind us chased Cao Cao's victorious troops. You said they would win. These are all what you said. Why did it happen because of the different timing?" Has everything come true? I hope sir can give me some advice!"
Jia Xu said: "The truth is actually very simple. Although generals are good at using troops, they are not Cao Cao's opponent. Although Cao Cao failed, there must be a strong general to break up the rear, just to prevent pursuing troops. Although our troops are very elite, But we can't win, so we know that we will definitely fail. And Cao Cao's retreat now proves that something big must have happened to Xu Du. After he defeats our pursuers, he will definitely return with a light vehicle and will not be prepared. We will be unable to defeat him. Be prepared and pursue, so you can win."
Now not only Yu Yi, but also Liu Biao and Zhang Xiu admired his high opinion.
Afterwards, Jia Xu advised Liu Biao to return to Jingzhou as soon as possible, focusing on Xiangcheng first, as he and Wancheng were closely related, so the two armies dispersed.
