In Xiaoguan City, the officers and soldiers of Cao's army did not hold a grand celebration banquet for winning this important dangerous pass that was related to conquering Xuzhou's life food route.
Because this night, or the next few days, is destined to be without peace.
The most basic thing is that they need to comb Xiao Guan's hair first and clear out the remaining Lu Jun.
Secondly, it is necessary to re-arrange control and arrange sentries and night patrols in different classes.
Then we have to inventory all the resources in the city. This work will take two or three days to complete.
Xia Houyuan came and told Cao Cao that there were 40 large warehouses and 60 small warehouses of grain in the city, and the visual inspection amounted to less than 50,000 dan. The specific number still needed to be counted.
There is plenty of ordnance and baggage, and there are two warehouses for arrows alone. If one warehouse has 50,000 arrows, this is a full 100,000 arrows.
There are also knives, guns and tung oil, all of which are valuable strategic resources.
"Unexpectedly, Lu Bu is much richer today than he was a year ago." Even Cao Cao couldn't help but be speechless.
Okay, with these resources, my pressure will be reduced a lot.
Then the sentry cavalry came to report that a large number of Lu Jun cavalry were found in front.
Lu Bu came with his army, which surprised Cao Cao.
Lu Bu's army only had cavalry, and there was no formation at all. They rushed towards Xiaoguan in a hurry, which made Cao Cao even more puzzled.
Xiao Guan has changed hands, and it is impossible for Lu Bu not to know this.
Although today was a complete victory, there were no less than two or three thousand deserters who ran out from Xiaoguan, especially the group of people who followed Lin Mo and fled in all directions, which numbered no less than a thousand people.
In that case, why come to Xiaoguan to attack the city? We can't just run away with a bunch of cavalry, we're still marching in a hurry.
When Dian Wei came back, Cao Cao immediately understood. It turned out that Lin Mo had been hiding in the hills to the west. As for Lu Bu, Lin Mo didn't come back, so he probably thought he was trapped in Xiaoguan.
He wants to ask me for someone. This kid is so lucky to have escaped from my hands twice.
Cao Cao squinted his eyes and stroked his short beard.
In today's battle, the strength of the soldiers was actually quite good. Even those who marched from Xiangxian County were still strong enough to fight.
As for Lu Bu, he had just marched from Pengcheng. If he was tired, he was definitely more tired.
At least that's what it seems.
But he couldn't rush out of seclusion. Now that Lin Mo was not with him, Lu Bu was a reckless fool, so he couldn't let this opportunity pass by. I have to think of a way to use Lin Mo to make a fuss.
Cao Cao paced back and forth in the council hall, his sinister eyes turning again and again. I don't know how long it took, but he suddenly became certain, and a sly look appeared on the corner of his mouth.
Not long after, Xu Chu ran in, cupped his hands and said, "Sikong, it's less than five miles away."
Cao Cao nodded, raised his forehead and said, "Let's go to Chengguan."
Less than a moment after arriving at Chengguan, we could see the rising and falling of torches in the distance. Under the light of the torches, the cavalry surged towards Xiaoguan like a tide.
Lu Bu, riding a fiery red rabbit horse, rushed to the front, and the cavalry behind him gathered behind him from all directions like bees returning to their nest.
Obviously, they did not pay attention to any formations at all when they were on a rapid march.
"Cao Cao comes out to meet you!" Just as Cao Cao said, on the way here, Lu Bu met many troops fleeing from Xiaoguan. They told Lu Bu that Xiaoguan had been captured.
This news made him feel like he was struck by lightning, and he couldn't help but urge the soldiers to hurry up.
What made him even more frightened was that no one saw Lin Mo, which had to make Lu Bu suspect that Lin Mo must have fallen into Cao Cao's hands.
Of course, he knew that Lin Mo would most likely not be in danger.
After all, Cao Cao must have coveted such a great talent for a long time.
"Lu Bu, are you here for Yunwen?" Cao Cao held the city wall with both hands and looked down at the cavalry holding torches.
It is indeed in his hands!
Lu Bu didn't know whether to be happy or worried, he just shouted from his heart: "Release my son-in-law and daughter, Xiao Guan, it's yours!"
"Hahaha"
Cao Cao burst out laughing, "Why, if I don't let him go, how can you take back Xiao Guan?"
"you"
Lu Bu was so angry that he gritted his teeth. According to his temper, he really wanted to shoot a golden feather arrow to kill Cao Cao, but Lin Mo and Lu Lingqi's safety was uncertain, so how could they dare to act recklessly.
He suppressed the anger in his heart and looked at the proud Cao Cao.
I don't know how long it took, but I took a deep breath and shouted: "Return Yunwen and Ling'er to me, and return Dongguan, Langya, and Donghai counties to you. I will let them withdraw their troops and return to Pengcheng tomorrow, how about it!"
Hearing this, Chen Gong, Jia Xu and others took a breath of cold air. Even Cao Cao, who had long expected Lu Bu's meeting at Chengguan to be in chaos, was extremely shocked that he dared to offer such conditions.
Three counties for two people?
Let’s not talk about Dongguan and Langya. What is the East China Sea? It is the key to guarding Mount Tai. It is the gateway to Pengcheng like Peicheng.
If even the East China Sea falls into Cao Cao's hands, then in the future Cao Cao's army can attack from Qiaojun and Taishan, and besiege Pengcheng in one day, occupying absolute dominance on the battlefield.
There is another key point that must be mentioned. Since the Quyu plow and keel waterwheel were put in, and the Huainan refugees were relocated, the East China Sea has become the granary of Xuzhou, and almost all wasteland has been reclaimed.
According to statistics during this year's autumn harvest, the harvest of Donghai County was greater than that of Langya and Dongguan combined.
It is expected that next year, this county will be comparable to Pengcheng and Xiapi.
Lu Bu, you are really willing to give up. Cao Cao clicked his tongue and shook his head.
In fact, Lu Bu certainly didn't understand this truth, but in his eyes, nothing was more important than his daughter and son-in-law.
As long as they can come back safely, the three counties will be given away.
Originally, after the massacre in Xuzhou, these three counties were in ruins. It was Lin Mo who allowed them to slowly recover. Without Lin Mo, what was the use of all this.
On the contrary, Lu Bu firmly believed that as long as Lin Mo came back, the thirteen counties would be able to fight back sooner or later.
"Lu Bu, so, you are here just to get your daughter and son-in-law back, right?" Cao Cao did not directly reply to Lu Bu's tempting offer, but instead asked Lu Bu.
Just this question made Jia Xu's heart sink. No, Cao Cao wanted to alienate the soldiers.
This question seems to be asked casually. Once Lu Bu answers yes, Cao Cao will definitely accuse him of only caring about his own family. Do all the soldiers who died in Xiaoguan deserve to die, in order to disturb the morale of the army.
Based on his understanding of Lu Bu, he could not have imagined that he would have so many questions, and since his mind was already in a state of confusion, he would definitely answer all questions.
He wanted to step forward to stop the reminder, but his reason told him not to move.
If Lin Mo is really in Cao Cao's hands, Lu Bu will definitely not be able to defend Xuzhou. Even if he has the confidence to challenge Cao Cao's entire adviser group, Lu Bu may not be able to obey his words.
In this case, it is better not to speak, so as not to leave a bad impression on Cao Cao.
Destiny dictates, who can guarantee what will happen tomorrow, maybe Cao Cao will be his next master.
Without Lin Mo's Lu Bu army, no matter how large the territory and the number of troops, it is just a piece of meat on Cao Cao's chopping board.
"Yes! Release him and I'll give you three counties!" Lu Bu almost blurted out.
Sure enough, Cao Cao's reaction was exactly as Jia Xu had guessed. He sighed heavily and said, "Lu Bu, you took this group of cavalry under you and came all the way from Pengcheng. You only know your daughter and son-in-law. Do you have any questions?" Those soldiers who died fighting for you in Xiaoguan today?
They also have wives, children and parents! I died fighting for you but didn’t even have a tombstone. I’m afraid I will regret that I was with the wrong person! "
"fart!"
When Lu Bu heard this, his beard was furious and his blood was boiling. He pointed at Cao Cao at the city gate and cursed: "Don't talk nonsense. I have arranged for the brothers who escaped from Xiaoguan to be resettled. Hand them over quickly!" "
Speaking of encounters on the battlefield, Lu Bu could beat Cao Cao to death a hundred times with one hand and one arm.
But when it comes to talking nonsense, unless you invite Zuo Rong back, who has gone to the Northern Kingdom, then you have to rely on Lu Bu. Doesn't that mean he is at Cao Cao's discretion?
Cao Cao wanted to strike while the iron was hot and continued to shout: "What if I don't return your daughter and son-in-law today? Attack the city, right? I don't need to say more about the solid defense of Xiaoguan City. You are actually preparing to do it again for your daughter and son-in-law?" At the risk of tens of thousands of lives, Lu Bu, you are not worthy of being a leader and leading an army!
Soldiers at the gate of the city, listen, Lu Bu is just a domestic slave of the third surname. He is capricious and does not care about the life and death of his subordinates. Today he is determined to let you die here for the sake of two yellow-mouthed children. You know what to do next. Bar! "
"Cao thief. Cao thief" Lu Bu was so angry that he was shaking all over and his teeth were almost broken. He wished he could fly up to the city gate and stab Cao Cao with hundreds of halberds, but he didn't know how to deal with this situation.
Under the cover of night in Xiaoguan, Cao Cao could not clearly see the facial expressions of Lu Jun's cavalry with the help of those torches.
However, he could imagine that at this moment, their faces must be horrified and their hearts were anxious and anxious. They were thinking, Master Lu Bu is not worth our lives at all.
The morale of the army was slowly turbulent, then swaying, and finally collapsed.
At that time, this army no longer has any combat capabilities. When Dian Wei and others lead their troops to attack, they will be as unstoppable as the rolling thunder hitting the rotten leaves.
As the capital of Xuzhou, Chen Gong had a grudge against Lin Mo for a while.
Perhaps it was because scholars had looked down on each other since ancient times, or perhaps because he felt that his sudden emergence was too dazzling, which aroused the desire for comparison deep in his heart. In short, he did not have much interaction with Lin Mo.
It wasn't until Lin Mo became the new leader in the Anfeng battle and turned the tide of the battle that he was convinced.
Therefore, he was willing to take away his position as Lu Ying's chief counselor.
He rode his horse to Lu Bu's side, kept pace with him, and then reminded him in a low voice: "Yunwen's prestige in the army is actually not much lower than that of Marquis Wen. If he wants to stabilize the morale of the army, Marquis Wen must remember that Yunwen is not Just your son-in-law."
Not just my son-in-law.
After being reminded like this, Lu Bu, who was confused and angry, suddenly became enlightened.
He turned his head and glanced at the cavalry behind him, then looked at Cao Cao on the Xiaoguan horse trail, took a deep breath, and roared loudly: "Cao Cao! Do you think Lin Yunwen is just my son-in-law? He is the think tank of our army. The great banner of the three armies is the hope of the soldiers!
Ask them if they are willing to attack the city for Yunwen today! "
Cao Cao crossed his arms and sneered coldly with half-closed eyes. Lin Mo was certainly a great talent, but he could not have the prestige in the army that would make soldiers risk their lives.
Apart from anything else, none of the counselors under his command have such ability, not even Guo Fengxiao.
But in the next breath, a scene appeared that stunned him.
Thousands of cavalrymen behind Lu Bu shouted in unison: "We are willing to fight to the death for the Marquis of Lanling! We are willing to fight to the death for the Marquis of Lanling! We are willing to fight to the death for the Marquis of Lanling!"
The shouts that echoed through the sky hovered over Xiaoguan, which not only instantly raised the morale of the team to the extreme, but also made Cao Cao, who did not believe that counselors could build power in the army, take two steps back.
How can this be!
Anyone could tell that the declarations shouted by these people were not just for the sake of sound. Cao Cao had no doubt that these people would be stupid enough to attack the city for Lin Mo.
Cao Cao, who originally planned to destroy the morale of Lu Bu's army and then use all three armies to defeat Lu Bu, couldn't help but gasp at this moment.
This kid is really a monster, how did he do it?
This can't be just because he is Lu Bu's son-in-law!
Even at this moment, he began to feel uneasy in his heart.
He knew that Lu Bu still had 60,000 to 70,000 people on hand. It was just these cavalry who arrived at Xiaoguan first. There must be a large group of infantry behind them.
If all of them really arrived, with Lu Bu's reckless character, he might actually attack the city.
He had just taken Xiaoguan, and the soldiers were exhausted. What if he launched a surprise attack?
It is impossible for the army led by Xiahou Dun to fly over from Xuchang at this moment.
Of course, there are 20,000 to 30,000 people in the pass, and the probability of holding it is still very high, but if you don't fear ten thousand, you should be afraid of the worst. Once the city is destroyed, you will definitely have no way to survive.
He regretted that he shouldn't have stimulated Lu Bu like that.
They must now firmly believe that Lin Mo is in Xiaoguan City. The problem is that he is not here!
Suddenly, he realized that Lin Mo was indeed not in Xiaoguan. When he returned to Pengcheng, he found that Lu Bu had brought people, and he would definitely come to stop him.
Thinking about this, I felt relieved at first, and then felt extremely angry. Just now, I actually felt a little afraid because of this rogue Lu Bu!
"Then you attack the city!" Cao Cao said and went directly to the city gate.
Lu Bu pulled up Fang Tianhua's halberd to wave his order, but Chen Gong quickly reminded him, "No, no, no! Wen Hou, our infantry has not arrived yet, how can the cavalry attack the city? Don't be impatient until the infantry arrives. Make a decision!"
Lu Bu glanced at the four-foot-long city of Xiao Guan, then at the cavalry behind him, and snorted coldly, "Let that thief Cao live a little longer."
Then he asked: "What time is it?"
Chen Gong raised his eyes to look at the dim and incomplete moon in the sky, and said, "It's past Haishi."
Haishi
There was still one hour until Zi hour. Lu Bu stabbed his halberd in the sky again, folded his hands on his chest, closed his eyes to rest, and waited quietly.
(End of chapter)
