Weird Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3416 War and Chaos
Cao Chun escaped.

The reason why Cao Chun ran away was simple: he was in a hurry.

When a dog is cornered, it will jump over the wall; when a man is cornered, he will go crazy.

As the art of war says, surround the enemy with ten times your strength.

Zhao Yun's troops were not ten times as strong as Cao Chun's. The most crucial point was that Zhao Yun discovered that Cao's army seemed to be consciously engaging in a war of attrition with the Hussars in the near future. So in order to effectively target the Youzhou army and himself, he adopted the strategy of surrounding but not attacking, or not attacking by force, but attacking and raiding the surrounding Cao's reinforcements.

At the same time, he used his advantage in military equipment to try to force Cao Chun to fight outside Yuyang City.

Simply put, it is to maximize the advantages of Hussar cavalry combat and avoid combat disadvantages.

Therefore, when Zhao Yun launched the Youzhou offensive, this strategy just restrained Cao Chun's plan and dealt a heavy blow to the entire Youzhou Cao army.

If Cao Chun had fought with Zhao Yun to the death from the very beginning, it is possible that he could have really risked his life and consumed some of Zhao Yun's troops.

But Cao Chun couldn't bear to let it go, so he was naturally restrained. The longer it dragged on, the more Cao's troops lost their fighting spirit...

Cao Chun's strategy was not a complete failure.

However, among the four counties he had prepared for the encirclement, Xiahou Heng of Ji County, who was the most confident of Cao Chun and entrusted with an important task, was the first to flee. Then the soldiers from Juyong County in Shanggu were defeated by Zhang He, half of them retreated to Juyong, and a small part fled to Changping.

Although Zhang He did not lead his troops to Changping, the soldiers in Changping did not dare to come.

There is no need for Ju Yong to think about it now, as he is most likely finished.

As for the reinforcements from Lu County, they hesitated, taking two steps and stopping for a step, and would run away immediately at the slightest sign of trouble.

On the contrary, it was Wuzhong County, the most remote area, which Cao Chun had not paid much attention to and was even somewhat marginalized, that he brought his men to.

The reason is very simple. The defender of Wuzhong County felt that it was Cao Chun who promoted him, so he wanted to repay the favor.

As for whether he will die...

Coincidentally, because Wuzhong County is located in a remote area, he doesn't care about material things.

People are always a little different.

Unfortunately, the number of soldiers in Wuzhong County was small, only about a thousand people. Although they were brave, they were still unable to defeat the cavalry led by Zhao Yun. They were soon suppressed in a small area, unable to move, and in imminent danger.

It was at this moment that Cao Chun escaped...

Perhaps if they had escaped a moment earlier, the people of Wuzhong County would not have lost their lives.

But Cao Chun really waited until the people from Wuzhong County arrived before he truly accepted the failure of his plan...

Reinforcements from the other three counties were slow to arrive, and the troops that finally arrived were only from the most remote Wuzhong County!
Cao Chun's face felt burning with pain.

Some people suggested retreating to Ji County and then continuing to fight against the Cavalry Army, but Cao Chun rejected this suggestion.

No one knew where Xiahou Heng from Ji County had gone, and not even a trace of him was seen.

To withdraw from Ji County under such circumstances would be like walking into a trap!

So Cao Chun prepared to retreat directly to Jizhou...

Cao Chun made a decision and immediately took advantage of Zhao Yun's siege of Wuzhong County soldiers, bluffing with torches as if he was going to fight a decisive battle, but it turned out to be a feint, and he led the cavalry to escape from Yuyang, running forty or fifty miles in one breath before stopping for a short rest. As a result, Cao Chun found that three or four out of ten of the escaped soldiers and horses had fallen behind or fled, which made him so angry that his head was buzzing, but he had no way to deal with it.

For a moment, Zhao Yun really didn't expect Cao Chun to be so "heartless and ungrateful".

According to Zhao Yun's own understanding, he felt that Cao Chun would at least try to rescue the Wuzhong County soldiers. Even if the attack failed and he fled, it would be considered as his best effort...

Everyone has different values ​​and it is impossible for Zhao Yun to do the same thing as Cao Chun. Naturally, he could not estimate the enemy's thinking according to Cao Chun's. So he reacted a little slow. When he realized something was wrong and sent people to investigate, he found that Cao Chun had escaped.

After all, Zhao Yun is more focused on the military general series, not the strategist.

Xin Pi was a little annoyed.

If he had known that Cao Chun would escape tonight, he should have made more preparations under Yuyang City, or discussed with Zhao Yun the emergency contact signal...

When he was at the foot of the city and discovered that Cao Chun had escaped, he sent people to look for Zhao Yun, but the trip back and forth was naturally delayed.

There was no point in saying more now, so Zhao Yun comforted Xin Pi with a few words. After all, playing it safe on the battlefield was the right choice. Reckless advance might lead to success, but just one failure could lead to eternal damnation.

What Zhao Yun said was indeed right. The situation on a war is ever-changing and no one can predict everything.

The conclusion of Zhao Yun and Xin Pi's previous discussion was to surround the enemy and attack the reinforcements. Then, as soon as the reinforcements arrived, Cao Chun ran away...

Anyone who can predict everything and holds the world in his hands is probably either a pig brother or a keyboard warrior.

However, Cao Chun was a cavalryman, and Zhao Yun also led cavalrymen.

Zhao Yun ordered Xin Pi to enter Yuyang, put out the fire, handle related affairs, and take precautions against the enemy's retreat. Zhao Yun himself followed the horse hoof prints left by Cao Chun at dawn to pursue him.

……

……

Cao Chun fled all the way, and when he passed through Changping, he brought the soldiers from Changping County with him. Although the number of people increased, because most of the Changping soldiers were infantry, their speed was not as fast as before.

This is also an unavoidable move.

On the one hand, there were not many soldiers, and Cao Chun was unable to control the escape of soldiers in the army. He had to drive them back to Jizhou in a hurry. Now, there were only a few hundred people left in the cavalry unit of two or three thousand people. Even suicide could not make up for it.

On the other hand, there were some supplies in Changping. When Cao Chun fled Yuyang, he was in a hurry, so naturally he couldn't carry much dry food and supplies. And if he took the supplies from Changping County, it was impossible for him to abandon the people of Changping County...

If we throw it down again, there will be no one left.

Going south from Changping is Ji County.

The more Cao Chun thought about it, the more unwilling he became. At the same time, he also wanted to know what had happened in Ji County, so he sent scouts to Ji County to investigate.

The scouts came back with an investigation, indicating that there was indeed a tricolor cavalry flag above Ji County.

Cao Chun and Changping defender Chen Bin were both in disbelief.

When did the Cavalry Army emerge from the rear and seize Ji County?
And he took over Ji County quietly and without any notice?

Could it be that I had wrongly blamed Xiahou Heng, and that Xiahou Heng was also killed in the cavalry's surprise attack?
This is not completely impossible. After all, Yuyang had been under siege for several days, and it is possible that Zhao Yun could have sent troops south...

"That's not right..." said Chen Bin, the garrison commander of Changping. "General, I haven't seen the cavalry crossing the city and heading south these days! If the cavalry crossed the city and headed south, I would definitely raise the beacon fire alarm... Could it be that they are in disguise? That's not right either. There has been a lot of chaos during this period of time. There aren't many people on the road or in the wilderness..."

"Hidden during the day and active at night..." Cao Chun said halfway and shook his head, "That's not right. Hiding during the day and active at night also leave traces..."

The two looked at each other, still unable to figure it out.

Unless Jizhou was also lost?
This……

Impossible, absolutely impossible!
The scout leader stood aside and looked a little hesitant.

"Anything else you want to say?" Cao Chun asked.

"General, I saw something strange in Ji County..." said the scout leader, "The city gates are wide open, and there are no soldiers stationed... And there is only one tricolor flag on the top of the city, and it is a little small... It doesn't look like a proper Hussar flag... It's even smaller than this..."

The scout leader pointed at the general's flag beside Cao Chun.

"Smaller than this? Cavalry recognize the flag?" Cao Chun asked.

"No." The scout leader shook his head.

In order to reduce wind resistance, cavalry do not use large flags, but mostly use long flags or triangular flags.

"Just a tricolor flag? No general's flag?" Chen Bin asked.

The scout leader shook his head.

"Strange, indeed strange," Cao Chun pondered.

"General, could it be that... Ji County is an empty city?" Chen Bin said.

Cao Chun waved his hands at first, "How is it possible... huh? It's really possible!"

This group of "cavalry" that appeared out of nowhere drove Xiahou Heng away, and then chased him all the way, leaving no one to guard Ji County!

"Captain Chen!" Cao Chun thought of this and immediately gave an order, "I order you to lead 500 soldiers to Ji County immediately to check the situation and report back!"

Chen Bin swallowed his saliva and thought to himself, at least give him 1,000. There are only 500 people...

If they really ran into the Hussars, they would not be able to fill their teeth. But looking at the expressions of Cao Chun's subordinates, he could only accept it, lowered his head and took the order.

……

……

Yishui, Yijing.

"Angel?!"

Wei Yan's eyes widened.

Yan Rou sighed and nodded, "Angel."

"Are you sure?" Wei Yan asked again, "What is this angel doing here?"

Yan Rou sighed again, "What else can I do...mediate...both sides, cease fire."

"Bang!" Wei Yan slapped the table, "Don't even think about it!"

Yan Rou frowned.

"Why not..." Wei Yan smiled and tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword, "In this chaotic time..."

Yan Rou shook her head, "That's not right..."

This angel didn't come secretly. Many people saw him along the way. Then he encountered horse thieves near Yijing and disappeared?
Even if we really encountered horse thieves, others would not believe it!

"Then stop him! Keep him in Yijing and don't let him leave!" Wei Yan said again, but soon he shook his head, "It's useless... To them, we are the cavalry, and staying here is equivalent to them already arriving! This doesn't work, that doesn't work, what should we do? !"

If Yi Jing was not in Wei Yan's hands, the angel would have to move forward. But now that Yi Jing is under the control of the Cavalry Army, it is equivalent to the angel arriving at the place where the two sides are fighting. Whether to stop it or not, or whether it can move forward or not, is not a very important issue.

What is important is whether or not to accept mediation...

Of course Wei Yan was unwilling to accept it.

Are you kidding? We finally occupied Yijing so that we could wrap up the Youzhou soldiers and eat them. When the stuffing was almost wrapped in the wrapper, an angel came and tried to cut a hole in it...

Wei Yan suddenly thought of something, his heart choked, and a hint of anger appeared in his eyes.

If the General of Cavalry took Youzhou now, judging from the current situation, he would definitely become the second "Dong Zhuo" and the second "traitor" in the eyes of the people of Shandong.

No matter whether it is an angel, the emperor, Cao Cao, or local officials, it is obvious that they would not think that the General of Cavalry occupied Youzhou in order to revitalize the Han Dynasty and for the people of the world.

So this angel has evil intentions!
If I accept it, all my efforts in the early stages would have been in vain. Now that I have finally counterattacked, I have to stop.

If they don't accept it, the people of Shandong will use the excuse that the General of Cavalry is causing chaos in the country. Even if the General of Cavalry takes control of the court in the future, it will leave an indelible stain on these guys.

Just like Er Yuan.

Moreover, in addition to the Jingxiang faction, there are many officials and military academies from other places in Guanzhong. How will they view this matter?

Even if we don’t say it now, what about in the future?
When the Great General Fei Qian was alive, perhaps no one would make a fuss about him, but...

These Shandong people have really evil intentions!
Seeing Wei Yan gritting his teeth, Yan Rou quickly said, "This matter must be decided by the cavalry... General, please don't do anything rash!"

Wei Yan sighed, "I know this... But have you ever thought about two problems... One is how long will it take to go back and forth like this? If it doesn't work in the end, won't it be Cao Cao's trick to delay? The other is that we are all holding our breath. No matter what the angel does, now that we stop, we will relax..."

"Yes," Yan Rou nodded, "Then what do you think we should do?"

Wei Yan walked around twice, and suddenly clapped his hands, "Got it! Let's think of a way to delay it! An angel... isn't it just the imperial edict and the staff... What will he do if he loses the imperial edict and the staff? We won't beat him or kill him, but let him go back and make another one. Wouldn't that give him more time? !"

Yan Rou's eyes widened, "You mean... No, no, we can't take the staff... We can't steal it! This will also affect the cavalry..."

Wei Yan smiled and said, "Of course we won't go... Don't forget, we still have Cao's army here!"

Yan Rou blinked, "I see. Then... let's give it a try first?"

"I'll definitely try it!"

Wei Yan snorted.

Seeing Wei Yan touching the hilt of his sword again, Yan Rou felt a little headache. "Let me make it clear first. No matter what, you can't act on your own and hinder the great cause of the cavalry!"

Wei Yan waved his hand, "I know, I know!"

Upon seeing this, Yan Rou said nothing more and left the hall to deal with military affairs.

……

……

Ji County.

The horse thieves in the city smashed open the restaurants and shops, then dressed in red and green and set up banquets on the cross streets, eating meat and drinking wine.

No one knew who among them had heard from whom that the Cavalry Army was coming and Cao's army was about to escape, so they hastily made a tricolor flag overnight in an attempt to fish in troubled waters.

After all, in this chaotic era, taking advantage of the situation to fish in troubled waters is almost an essential skill for horse thieves.

They almost came to blows over what the tricolor flag looked like.

The bandits' original plan was to just hang around Ji County and scare the defenders of Ji County. Generally speaking, when the defenders see this situation, shouldn't they put away the drawbridge and guard the city gates? So this gave the bandits an opportunity to plunder the countryside.

As a result, no one expected that the Cao army in Ji County actually saw the horse thieves and ran away without saying a word!

This……

So the horse thieves naturally rushed into Ji County, just like a mouse falling into a rice jar!
Things that I couldn’t eat or wear on normal days, I now stuffed them into my mouth and put them on like crazy!
No matter if you eat too much and vomit, or if it looks good when you put it on your body or if it gets stained with oil.

At the beginning, these horse thieves were still worried about whether Cao's army would come back, but after waiting for a day or two without seeing Cao's army, these guys naturally relaxed their vigilance, and even the sentries on the top of the city came down to eat and drink.

In China, being a stalker is not something to be proud of.

That’s right, according to the official announcement of the Han Dynasty, there are no “thieves” in the world.

How could there be a thief in such a bright and clear world?
Even if there are such people, they can only be called "stalkers" and definitely not "thieves", otherwise they will not pass the official review.

But since the authorities don’t allow people to call someone a “thief”, does that mean there are really no more “thieves”?

The more wars there are, the more disorder there is, the more "stalkers" there are, some voluntarily, some forced...

Basically, these people are the lower class people.

Even if the children of the noble families were poor and had fallen into poverty, they could still earn a living in the family. Even if the food was not so comfortable and they sometimes had to endure the ridicule and scolding from the children of the big families, at least they could survive and even drink a little wine from time to time to improve their lives. However, these horse thieves basically had no guarantee at all, and there were no extra rooms or cars to rent out. If they wanted to fill their stomachs, they could only work hard...

Changing the name and pretending it doesn't exist, perhaps only a big man can do that.

"In my opinion, we...we, raise the flag of rebellion right here!" A horse thief said with a big tongue, "Right here! The flag of rebellion! Who cares...what is the cavalry army...we, we are...what army?"

"Heavenly King's Army!" another one shouted, holding up a wine bowl.

"Hahaha! The Heavenly King's Army!"

"For the Heavenly King Army, drink this bowl!"

"Oh oh oh..."

A group of people were laughing and shouting, acting as if no one was around, and they didn't even notice that some people had come to the city gate.

When Chen Bin led his men into Ji County, this was the scene he saw...

He couldn't help but be stunned.

Even his men opened their eyes wide and their mouths opened wide.

This……

Are these the bandits who occupied Ji County?

What about Xiahou Heng?
What exactly is going on?

A horse thief who was drunk from eating and drinking left the street corner as he had to pee urgently, and swayed a few times towards Chen Bin and others, almost falling to the ground. He finally stood up, and just as he lifted up his skirt to expose his private parts and looked towards Chen Bin and others, he looked up and saw Chen Bin with a gloomy face and the Cao army soldiers who filled the street.

The horse thief tilted his head, as if trying to identify Chen Bin and the others, and then he screamed as if he was stabbed, "Ah...Ahhhhhh!"

Chen Bin's face darkened, and he waved his hand, "Kill him!"