On the night of May, after the heavy rain stopped, a bright moon appeared across the sky, emitting a bright light, making the night hazy.
The bonfire burned, dispelling the darkness.
Cao Cao, Liu Bei, Guo Jia, Xun You and others were sitting around the bonfire.
Cao Cao looked gloomy and said nothing.
Cao Hong is one of Cao Cao's most important brothers. When Cao Cao launched an army to attack Dong Zhuo, he was defeated in Xingyang and was chased by the Xiliang army. The situation was critical. It was Cao Hong who gave Cao Cao his war horse and allowed Cao Cao to escape.
This time it was Cao Hong who was responsible for cutting off the rear and allowing Cao Cao to escape.
But this time, the difference from the previous battle of Xingyang was that Cao Hong had no hope of escaping after he stayed.
When Liu Bei saw Cao Cao's expression, he sighed in his heart and remained silent.
Now, it's better to say less.
This time in the battle of Pheasant County, Liu Bei also lost all his elite troops, leaving only about twenty soldiers following him. The more than 10,000 elite troops that Liu Bei had finally assembled were all trapped in Pheasant County, and they returned to the situation of having nothing overnight.
Liu Bei also felt uncomfortable.
The problem is, it doesn't help to feel uncomfortable, you can only resolve it yourself.
He has long been used to it.
Liu Bei looked at the burning bonfire, thinking about his next move. He faced two choices, one was to go to Luoyang with Cao Cao, and the other was to return to Jizhou.
Overall, Yuan Shao is definitely stronger and Cao Cao is much weaker. Especially this time Cao Cao was defeated by Lu Xuan, Cao Cao was like a candle in the wind, and could be destroyed by Lu Xuan at any time.
Under normal circumstances, it is definitely most appropriate to go to Jizhou.
However, Liu Bei did not want to go.
Liu Bei believed that since he was a member of the Han clan, entering the imperial court as an official was the right way to go. Otherwise, his identity would be unfair.
Liu Bei's eyes turned, and he gradually had an idea in his mind.
He glanced in Cao Cao's direction again. This was when Cao Cao was at his most depressed. Although he is also in despair, he has been displaced, and Cao Cao has suffered the greatest loss. Now he decisively stands on Cao Cao's side, which is to provide help in the snow.
With Cao Cao's control of the court, he can now maximize his advantages by following Cao Cao.
After Liu Bei thought it through, he made up his mind and said nothing more.
Cao Cao never spoke, and the atmosphere was depressed. After a long time, Cao Cao rubbed his face, adjusted his mentality, and looked at Liu Bei and said: "Xuande, I had a splitting headache just now, so I didn't say anything. This time we are defeated, we won't Maybe he will stay and fight again, but I wonder what Xuande plans next?"
Liu Bei said firmly: "As a Han official, I naturally serve the imperial court."
Cao Cao smiled in his heart.
I understand what Liu Bei means.
To follow the imperial court is to follow him and to be with him. At least the two sides are currently in a situation where cooperation will benefit both sides.
Cao Cao couldn't help but glance at Liu Bei.
Yuan Shao wanted troops and food, and he was so powerful that Liu Bei was actually willing to go to Luoyang with him.
Cao Cao solemnly said: "In that case, Duke Xuande will return to the court with me."
"As it should be!"
Liu Bei answered with a smile.
Cao Cao turned his eyes and looked at Guo Jia and Xun You, saying: "Fengxiao and Gongda, after this battle, it is inevitable that Lu Xuan will take control of Nanyang County. I am afraid that Liu Biao of Jingzhou will not be able to stop Lu Xuan."
Guo Jia looked remorseful and said: "My lord, this defeat was due to insufficient consideration of the humble position and was taken advantage of by Lu Xuan. As a result, we suffered heavy losses this time, and General Cao Hong was buried here."
Cao Cao sighed and said, "This time it was Lu Xuan who was too cunning and paralyzed us. As for Cao Hong, when I left, I asked him to surrender if he couldn't stop me. I hope he will surrender and save his life."
Guo Jia didn't answer.
Cao Hong has always been loyal to Cao Cao. Since he has decided to end the war, it is impossible to surrender.
Cao Cao thought about Cao Hong, clenched his hands in his sleeves, and continued: "This time during the battle with Lu Xuan, our sentinel kept staring at Lu Xuan and did not notice Lu Xuan building a boat, nor did he notice Lu Xuan building a boat. ambush."
"However, Lu Xuan suddenly brought out countless boats."
"This is Lu Xuan's ambush."
"In the previous battle in Wancheng, Huang Zhong suddenly intervened and broke our plan, causing our plan to destroy Lu Xuan to fail. Although Zhang Xiu had been instigated by Lu Xuan at that time, in fact, as long as we defeated Lu Xuan, Zhang Xiu Even if Xiu colluded with Lu Xuan in advance, he would not dare to rebel."
"This time, after thinking about Lu Xuan's reinforcements, only Tai Shici was left."
"Huang Zhong is in Xuzhou and Taishi Ci is in Jiujiang. Taishi Ci has more troops in his hands."
Cao Cao said in a deep voice: "Lu Xuan transferred Tai Shici's troops, so he had more troops. The most important point is that the forces I arranged in Yanzhou have always been passively defensive, for fear that Lu Xuan would lead troops to kill. Lu Xuan only We only need to send a few people to feint to attack, so that we can defend with all our strength."
Speaking of this, Cao Cao said with emotion: "Lu Xuan made up his mind to draw the attention of Huang Zhong and Tai Shici from the very beginning."
Guo Jia nodded and said: "So Lu Xuan's troops were at least 50,000 people at the beginning. Adding Zhang Xiu's troops, we actually have fewer troops and our situation is more difficult."
Cao Cao said: "That's true."
He said loudly: "I don't regret going south to attack Nanyang County this time. According to the situation at that time, we must go south and contain Lu Xuan. Otherwise, it will be difficult for Lu Xuan to capture Jingzhou."
"What I regret is that when I led troops to fight in the past, I always arranged a retreat. But this time I adopted a water attack strategy. Because I was so eager to destroy Lu Xuan and was so eager to win, I didn't even arrange a retreat, which led to the tiger and leopard The only remaining war horse was also buried in Pheasant County."
"The Tiger and Leopard Cavalry were also completely lost."
"Even my brother Cao Hong must have fallen into Pheasant County."
When Cao Cao talked about Cao Hong, his endless sorrow emerged again, and he felt extremely uncomfortable in his heart. He felt so depressed that he raised his hand to beat his chest, and his dark face turned a little black and red due to his emotional excitement.
puff!
Cao Cao suddenly opened his mouth and vomited blood.
Cao Ang immediately stepped forward, supported Cao Cao, and said quickly: "Father, how are you?"
Cao Cao grabbed Cao Ang's arm, widened his eyes, gritted his teeth, and held on for a long time before he recovered. Cao Cao took a long breath and said loudly: "Lu Xuan killed my brother. This is an irreconcilable hatred. I will definitely make Lu Xuan pay the price."
Cao Ang breathed a sigh of relief after seeing it and said, "Father is right, we will definitely take revenge."
When Liu Bei saw this scene, he suddenly thought of himself in Xuzhou in the past.
How similar are Cao Cao and him?
Almost all the same.
Liu Bei comforted him and said: "Cao Sikong and Lu Xuan are sinister and domineering, unjust, and manipulating people's hearts. They will definitely be punished by God. Of course, we will definitely take revenge."
Cao Cao also nodded solemnly.
He raised his head and glanced at the disk-like moon, but no matter how he looked at it, it felt extremely dazzling.
Why is the moon round?
Shouldn't it be missing a corner?
Guo Jia changed the topic and said: "Lord, we have been defeated again. The news has spread in Luoyang, and something may happen in the court. We will return to Luoyang next, we must hide our whereabouts, and return to Luoyang as soon as possible to take charge."
Cao Cao suddenly came to his senses and cheered up completely.
Regarding Cao Hong, sadness will not help. The next thing to consider is the situation in Luoyang. Once there is a problem in Luoyang, everything will stop.
Cao Cao said directly: "With Wen Ruo in the rear, there will generally be no problems. However, as Feng Xiao mentioned, we will go back quietly and control the rear as soon as possible. The defeat of Wan County is still within a controllable situation. . Once the news of Pheasant County’s defeat spreads, it will definitely trigger huge waves.”
Guo Jia nodded and said: "My lord is wise!"
Cao Cao also became anxious and worried about the situation in Luoyang, so he ordered to drive overnight towards Luoyang.
