Weird Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3711 Walking on Thin Ice
Cao Cao's camp in Gong County, the central command tent.

Several tallow candles illuminated the tent as brightly as day, but they could not dispel the oppressive atmosphere that permeated the tent, making it almost suffocating.

The smells of sweat, leather, dust, and blood mingled together, creating a lament for the defeated.

Cao Hong sat upright behind the main table, his heavy armor still on. He was covered in sweat, and the mud on his face had formed deep furrows as the sweat washed over him.

"What a Zhang Wenyuan... a scoundrel! A brat! He's a servant girl!"

Cao Hong cursed under his breath.

Although this act of hiding to the side and drawing circles to beat up villains may seem like a sign of being furious, it can also slightly relieve inner resentment and pressure.

Exhaustion and anxiety are the current state of mind for Cao Hong.

On the desk was an urgent military report.

Bandits have plundered Pingyuan County, taking with them nearly ten thousand refugees. They have captured Ban County and are now besieging Zhu County!
Local officials requested assistance several times in one day!
Some say it was the Yellow Turbans, others say it was General Huo Qubing, but Cao Hong knew in his heart that it was most likely Zang Ba…

However, Cao Hong has no "evidence," or even if he did, he doesn't have time to deal with it right now.

This is also one of the reasons why Zang Ba is so arrogant now.

To ensure the stability of the rear in Yanzhou as much as possible, Cao Hong devised a plan: while the central route of Heluo was locked in a stalemate, he would withdraw a small contingent of elite troops to quell, or rather, merely deter, those bandits who had risen up in the rear. So Cao Hong withdrew some soldiers from the front lines, but before he could do anything, Zhang Liao discovered his plan.

Cao Cao's army is now increasingly exhausted, not only in terms of food supplies, but also in terms of manpower...

Cao Hong didn't understand why this was the reason, nor did he quite understand why Ji and Yu provinces, which were clearly populous regions and the most powerful provinces in the Han Dynasty, were now experiencing a shortage of people!
"General," said Wang Sima, a military officer who had followed Cao Hong for many years, stepping forward with a worried voice, "the earthen ramparts... although they held, preventing the cavalry from breaking through, their fire arrows were cunning, burning down three outer watchtowers and reducing the supply depot to ashes. The soldiers are exhausted from fighting the fires, and although their losses are not great,... I fear they have already discerned seven or eight tenths of the camp's strength!"

"How could I not know?!"

Cao Hong couldn't help but slam his hand on the table.

While it's true that on the battlefield, you should do whatever makes the enemy uncomfortable, Cao Hong is the one who's uncomfortable right now, so naturally he's unhappy.

With Zhang Liao's keen insight and Pang Tong's prudence, the Flying Cavalry was like a ferocious beast, possessing both the ruthlessness of a poisonous snake striking with deadly precision and the patience of a cunning wolf roaming freely.

The Cao army's main tent was deathly silent.

The air seemed to freeze, so heavy it could bend a person's spine.

The crackling and popping of the candlelight sounded particularly jarring.

The situation is so thorny now. If the corruption in the rear is not dealt with, it will only get worse, and local officials will have ample reason not to pay taxes! The reason is that the autumn harvest has been ruined!
This is why Cao Hong, despite the pressure, still tried to divide his forces!

Just like in Chinese chess, if you use your rook to block the opponent's knight and cannon, it may seem like you have an advantage or a balanced position. However, in reality, the side that cannot withdraw at any time and cannot move is at a disadvantage.

Cao Hong tried to sneak a little closer, but Zhang Liao and Pang Tong's horses stepped on Cao Hong's face, and their cannons were placed on his head...

Divide troops?

Zhang Liao and Pang Tong's meaning was very clear: "Try making a move."
Not dividing the forces?
Chaos spread in the rear. If the supply lines are completely cut off or severely damaged, the morale of tens of thousands of troops will waver and they will collapse without a fight!
This is an open conspiracy with no solution!

Fei Qian used the Heluo region as a framework to create a prison specifically designed for Cao Cao's army!

Cao Jun thought that the defensive line at Gongxian Sishui Pass could protect Shandong, or make the Flying Cavalry suffer a crushing defeat, or even become the dividing line between Chu and Han. However, he did not expect that Cao Jun had actually "drawn a circle on the ground" to imprison himself!
Cao Hong's gaze slowly swept over the few trusted officers standing solemnly below the tent. He saw that every face seemed to be filled with solemnity and unease.

He took a sip of his stone-baked bread, forcing a show of ease. "It's alright... relax! The Flying Cavalry can't break through! Even if we were to fight, from the riverbank to the trenches, and Gongxian, Sishui Pass! Every single place is meticulously prepared and heavily defended! Everyone just needs to stay where they are and hold their positions! As for the rear... if it gets too bad, I'll report to the lord and let him handle it!"

Upon hearing this, all the military academy students breathed a sigh of relief and readily agreed.

When faced with a problem, they are indecisive and resort to shirking responsibility and making excuses.

When problems arise, temporary workers step in.

Shandong's ingenious methods have always been...

Cao Hong mustered his strength and reassured the military officers before letting them leave.

Cao Hong stared at the military academies, frowning and pondering for a moment.

These military academies are becoming more and more...

Actually, there were a few people standing at the very back, such as Chen Sima and Li Duwei...

The silence of those people made Cao Hong feel increasingly uneasy.

Cao Hong walked to the edge of the map.

The symbol representing Plains County, flickering in the candlelight, seemed to ooze blood from the map.

Time passed in a suffocating silence, and the candle wax dripped silently.

"Someone, please summon General Ziwen!"

Cao Hong suddenly raised his voice and said.

A moment later, Cao Zhang arrived.

Cao Hong nodded, then led Cao Zhang to the camp's defense map. Pointing to the map of Cao's army's deployment, he said, "Ziwen... tomorrow, I will move the central army's main banner to the earthen rampart! Raise many flags and widely deploy watchtowers! Sound drums and horns frequently, three times a day! Make sure the enemy can see and hear everything clearly!"

"General! What's wrong with you...?" Cao Zhang was a little confused.

Cao Cao's earthen ramparts were already quite close to the front lines.

Cao Hong didn't explain immediately, but continued, "Then, while the fire is burning, the soldiers and troops at the front-line trenches should be withdrawn immediately. All the elite troops originally patrolling the riverbanks should be replaced with ordinary soldiers!"

Cao Hong's voice suddenly became more forceful, "But here... reinforce the trenches, make them deeper and wider! Dig more horse traps, set up more palisades and chevaux-de-frise, and level the earthen steps inside the camp walls! If the main force of the Flying Cavalry truly believes our front lines are undefended and dares to cross the river in large numbers to launch a strong attack..."

Cao Hong's eyes flashed with a cold light as he made a hand gesture of clasping his hands together in a firm grip. "When the time comes, light the beacon fires and raise the signal flags! The earthen fortress soldiers will hold the ditches, while the crossbowmen will suppress their advance, and we will attack their half-crossing army from both flanks!"

"General! Excellent idea!" Cao Zhang said excitedly, "This will surely cripple the Flying Cavalry!"

Cao Hong nodded as well.

The plans were all wonderful...

But after a moment, Cao Hong shook his head and said, "Unfortunately, the General of the Cavalry won't be coming..."

"Huh?" Cao Zhang asked, puzzled.

Cao Hong took a sip of his sesame seed cake with vegetables, then slowly exhaled. "I moved to Xilei to tell them... no need to test them anymore, I'm still here..."

"General, what's wrong with you...?" Cao Zhang asked in a low voice.

Cao Hong turned around and handed the letter on the table to Cao Zhang.

Cao Zhang leaned closer to the candlelight, glanced at the food from head to toe, and then took a sip of the sesame seed cake sandwich.

Cao Hong approached Cao Zhang, lowered his voice, almost whispering, but every word carried immense weight: "I will give you eight hundred Flying Cavalry! Tonight at midnight, sneak out through the east gate of Gong County! Men with mouths clenched, horses with hooves wrapped in cloth! After leaving the county, go directly through Sishui Pass and head towards Pingyuan County!"

After Cao's army suffered heavy losses of warhorses at Tong Pass, these eight hundred cavalrymen now represent almost all of Cao Hong's mobile forces.

Of course, if you really put together a few scattered messengers from generals and Cao Hong's personal guards, you could still manage to field around two hundred cavalrymen...

Cao Hong's gaze was fixed on Cao Zhang. "Remember! Your task is not to fight those damned Tibetan bandits, nor is it to recapture the city! It's to 'drive them away'! With overwhelming force, find their weakness! Directly disperse the rioters who have been coerced! Kill a few of the most vehement bandit leaders, hang their heads up, and send a proclamation to all corners of the land! Be quick! Be ruthless!"

"Let those restless local tyrants and displaced people know the consequences of daring to rebel! Just keep the people's hearts at ease..." Cao Hong continued, "This matter cannot trouble our lord any further... His side is also not at ease... After you pacify the rear, there's no need to rush back... You can lead your troops to Dongjun to rest... At the same time, take this order and urge the prefects of Dongjun and Chenliu to ensure that the supply lines are unobstructed! Anyone who delays or neglects their duties will be punished according to military law! Deter Yanzhou, stabilize the rear, and ensure the autumn harvest and tax revenue! This is your primary responsibility! Understand?!"

Summer is here, can autumn be far behind?
But if the grain and fodder aren't harvested in the fall, then this winter...

This might be the last winter for Cao Cao's army. "General, then you..." Cao Zhang hesitated.

Cao Hong reached out and patted Cao Zhang's arm. "Don't worry, I...I'm here! But you...you must be careful! Don't let anything go wrong!"

Cao Zhang took another sip of the Sishui carp soup, his chest heaving, his eyes burning with fierce fighting spirit and solemnity. "This subordinate obeys! I will certainly not fail the general's trust!"

He bowed solemnly once more, his armor clattering, then turned and strode away, lifting the curtain and disappearing swiftly into the thick darkness outside the tent.

The curtains were drawn, shutting out the noise from outside.

Inside the vast central command tent, only Cao Hong remained.

The flickering candlelight cast his shadow long and short, swaying and shifting, onto the walls of the tent covered with maps, making him appear like a lonely and anxious giant.

……

……

Cao Cao's situation was indeed not easy.

Inside the central command tent, the candlelight flickered uneasily in the bronze lamps, elongating, distorting, and swaying Cao Cao's shadow.

A map of Jingzhou was laid out on the table.

The map was no longer neat; it was covered with marching arrows outlined in vermilion, fortresses circled in ink, and countless marks made by fingernails, wooden sticks, or other means of drawing, pinching, or pressing.

Especially at the repeatedly contested points of Wancheng, Songshan Pass, and the Danjiang and Hanshui Rivers, the map was almost worn out.

The current situation appears to favor Cao Cao's army, but in reality...

Cao Hong was anxious, and so was Cao Cao.

I was so anxious that I got a headache.

But Cao Cao still had to persevere and couldn't lie down.

The battle situation in Jingxiang was like a huge, cold, damp swamp, slowly devouring his most elite forces and precious time.

After the main force moved south, the difficulty of the battle situation in this area far exceeded Cao Cao's expectations.

In the early stages of Cao Cao's arrival at the Jingxiang front, his thunderous momentum did indeed disrupt the rhythm of the Flying Cavalry.

The vanguard did indeed break through the encirclement of Fancheng, relieving Cao Ren and Cao Zhen's immediate crisis.

Xun Yu then swiftly advanced into Mount Song, recaptured the high ground of Feihu Guiku Pass, and once again seized control of that vital passage.

Cao Cao personally led the central army to advance into northern Jingzhou, re-besieged Wancheng, recovered Xinye, and allied with Xiangyang, thus stabilizing the situation in northern Jingzhou.

Sima Yi, Li Dian, Liao Hua, Pang Shanmin, Huang Zhong, and others could only fight individually, and Cao Cao's army regained the initiative in the defense line from Yingyin to Xiangyang.

In this way, Cao Cao seemed to have reunited, and the various factions of Cao Ren and Cao Zhen were able to catch their breath and make contact.

At that moment, Cao Cao's army on the map seemed unstoppable, as if victory was in sight.

However, as time went on, the momentum of Cao Cao's counterattack gradually weakened.

Like a raging tide crashing against a reef, it quickly subsides after reaching its peak, dissipating into countless unsettling bubbles.

Cao Jun's counterattack against Li Dian and Liao Hua was stalled in the valley.

Li Dian and Liao Hua used Zhuyang and Yin County as their rear bases, fighting and retreating simultaneously.

Cao Cao's army launched several strong attacks. The heavily armored infantry could not deploy effectively on the steep mountain roads, and the power of the crossbows was greatly reduced. Li Dian and Liao Hua were both brave warriors. In addition, Zhuge Liang sent Sha Moke to attack from the side of the mountains and forests. They quickly suppressed the offensive momentum of Cao Cao's vanguard.

Want to consume?
Wuguan Pass is easy to defend but difficult to attack, and fatally, time is not on his side!

Cao Cao can't afford to waste time now!
The same applies to other aspects as well.

There's also Wancheng, which was besieged by Huang Zhong in a surprise attack.

After the second siege, Cao Cao was unable to launch a full-scale attack, as he had to deploy troops everywhere, and Xun Yu had suffered heavy losses of soldiers on the Songshan front...

In addition, there was the typhoid fever epidemic...

A headache!
Cao Cao valued Jingzhou far more than Jizhou.

The reason is simple: if Cao Cao loses Ji Province, he will simply return to the stalemate with Yuan Shao that he did back then. But if he loses Jing Province, Fei Qian will have gained the initiative to kick open the gates of Xu County.

Moreover, from a certain perspective, Fei Qian wouldn't benefit much from acquiring Ji Province, but Jing Province is different. Fei Qian studied in Jing Province and has a considerable reputation there. Therefore, if Fei Qian were to actually occupy Jing Province, it would inevitably submit to him much faster than Ji Province. This is something Cao Cao absolutely cannot accept.

Therefore, before Cao Cao could engage in a decisive battle with Fei Qian, he had to first cut off Fei Qian's reach into Jingzhou.

It's easy to say, but difficult to do.

Although the number of soldiers in these cavalry divisions in Jingzhou was small, they were all very troublesome. Like a few hard beans stuck in their throats—they couldn't be swallowed, chewed, or spat out!

The key issue is that some methods have already been used, thus rendering them unusable again...

For example, Wancheng today.

Cao Cao's army had originally left some backup plans in Wancheng.

After Pang Shanmin reoccupied Wancheng, due to his personality, he did not conduct a thorough and timely search and blockade of the city, so Cao Ren seized the opportunity to launch a surprise attack.

very successful.

However, the previous success has now brought trouble.

Pang Shanmin was forced to stay with Li Dian and Liao Hua's army due to Cao Ren's surprise attack; strictly speaking, he stayed with Liao Hua. However, after Huang Zhong returned to Wancheng, he did not have the same 'gentle' attitude as Pang Shanmin...

After Huang Zhong returned to Wancheng, he led his men to thoroughly investigate the entire city!
Not only were the known secret passages completely sealed off with boulders and sand, but they also dug three feet into the ground to block up all the gaps in the city that they suspected might be connected to the outside world, even dog holes and rat burrows!
This put Cao Cao in a very awkward position...

If Cao Cao had activated the secret passage originally set up in Wancheng after leading his troops south and besieging it, it would have had a better effect. However, it cannot be said that Cao Ren's actions at that time were wrong. After all, Cao Ren was already heavily besieged, and if he did not struggle, he would be surrounded from all sides!
Similarly, there was Sima Yi on the Songshan line.

If Cao Cao had joined in when Xun Yu plotted against Sima Yi, he might have been able to kill Sima Yi at Taigu Pass. However, at that time, Cao Cao was suffering from a headache and had to deal with the obstacles in the rear, as well as Liao Hua and Li Dian. He couldn't spare the time to cooperate with Xun Yu.

Now, we've entered a very troublesome situation.

If Cao Cao wanted to break this stalemate, he would inevitably have to employ some special tactics...

For example, his specialty is the infiltration tactic.

For people of later generations, the term "infiltration tactic" is not uncommon. However, in the Han Dynasty at that time, at least before Cao Cao, this term did not exist. Even if there were similar tactical behaviors, there was no specific guiding military strategy to refine it.

Cao Cao was indeed very adept at using military strategies similar to "infiltration tactics." Historically, many of Cao Cao's classic battles embodied the core ideas of this tactic: rapid maneuver, surprise attacks, direct assaults on key targets, division of the enemy forces, and disruption of their overall deployment.

The Battle of Guandu goes without saying. In history, when Cao Cao was on a campaign against the Wuhuan, he faced muddy coastal roads and heavy enemy defenses. He resolutely adopted Tian Chou's plan, leading light cavalry to abandon the main road, cross the treacherous Xuwu Mountain, and travel through the 500-mile-long, desolate ancient road of Lulong Pass.

This was almost a suicidal gamble!

The army was scaling cliffs and deep valleys, their supplies dwindling and their soldiers exhausted. However, when Cao Cao's army suddenly appeared at White Wolf Mountain like a divine intervention, the hastily assembled Wuhuan army collapsed instantly!

Although Cao Cao was not aware of the modern concept of "infiltration tactics," this did not prevent him from using its core principles to strike key enemy targets deep within their lines or to conduct strategic outflanking maneuvers quickly, covertly, deeply, and unexpectedly.

He is indeed a master of this kind of tactic.

Faced with the chaos in Jingzhou, Cao Cao once again tried to buy time with space and break the stalemate with a surprise attack...

But can Jingzhou at this moment truly be a replica of Guandu and Baima in the past?