Weird Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3751 Approaching the Valley
Cao Jun's vanguard has already set off.

Cao Cao and Xun Yu then proceeded in the central army.

Banners covered the fields, armor clanged, and the army marched in a long line, raising dust like a dragon as they crawled on the earth.

In the central camp, Cao Cao and Xun Yu rode side by side on an earthen mound beside the road.

The guards on both sides stood watch, and everyone had a solemn expression.

Cao Cao's dark cloak billowed in the autumn wind. Gazing at the vast army array before him, he suddenly sighed, turned slightly to Xun Yu, and said, "Wenruo, this northward march, aimed directly at Taigu and Yique, though intended to be a surprise attack… has left me unsettled after observing the stars last night. Wenruo, could you offer me some advice?"

Cao Cao rarely did this.

After all, the army has already set off, so talking about 'celestial phenomena' now is somewhat ridiculous...

However, considering Cao Cao's current situation and the pressure he was under, it seems that Cao Cao's statement about "celestial phenomena" was already extremely kind.

Cao Cao's voice was not loud, and seemed somewhat erratic as the autumn wind blew through it.

Upon hearing Cao Cao's inquiry, Xun Yu pondered for a moment before bowing and replying, "Is Your Excellency concerned about Ji Province? I believe that the General of the Flying Cavalry's military tactics are unpredictable and treacherous. His feint attack during the previous defeat at Hanoi was ruthless. Although we have now discovered that a detachment of his forces has appeared in southern Ji… how can we know that the General of the Flying Cavalry is again luring our main army out, then waiting in ambush, or perhaps sending another surprise force to cut off our retreat and attack our weak points?"

Upon hearing this, Cao Cao's gaze sharpened slightly, and he nodded. He had indeed had this concern before, and Xun Yu's words made it even clearer to him.

A feint attack?

However, after pondering for a moment, Cao Cao laughed heartily and pointed ahead with the tip of his whip. "Wenruo's concerns are indeed wise and insightful. Although Fei Ziyuan is cunning, he will certainly be guarding the Si River, not Yique! The Emperor's banners are raised on the pass; this is an open strategy, and Fei Ziyuan will have no choice but to comply! Even if his division of troops into Ji Province is a ruse, he will still be wary of us crossing the Si River from Yan Province and attacking his main camp! As for Taigu and Yique, although they are the gateways to Luoyang, they are located in the west and are not his most pressing concerns at present… Moreover…"

Cao Cao paused, a few gray hairs at his temples fluttering in the wind as if trying to detach themselves. "Besides," he said, "our previous campaign in Jingbei, though not a complete victory, has resulted in a large army gathered here, making troop movements convenient. We can take advantage of this situation to feign a defense at the Si River while secretly crossing the Yi River, swiftly advancing towards the He-Luo region and cutting off their retreat! Even if Fei Ziyuan is prepared, or if it's a feigned attack, what can he do?"

Clouds drifted by, casting shadows of varying sizes and thicknesses on Cao Cao and Xun Yu's faces and bodies.

Xun Yu nodded slightly, but was not entirely relieved. After a moment, he said, "How could I doubt Your Excellency's strategic planning? However, war is a perilous affair, and its extremes must be carefully considered. For the sake of complete safety, I have a plan that may secure Jingzhou and protect our army's flank."

"Oh? Wenruo, tell me quickly." Cao Cao turned to look at Xun Yu.

Xun Yu pointed south and said, "The Sun family of Jiangdong is eyeing Jingzhou with predatory intent, having long desired to conquer it but failing. Now, with the main force of the General of the Cavalry deployed north, and although the troops from Sichuan have captured Jiangling, their position is weakened. Why doesn't Your Excellency send a skilled and eloquent man secretly to Jiangdong, promising them substantial rewards? If the Sun family is willing to attack Jiangling, I can promise to cede four southern commanderies to them, along with the land downstream of the Huai River! In this way, the Sun family will surely be swayed and launch a westward offensive. The General of the Cavalry's Sichuan branch will be in grave danger, and they will have no time to look north. This would greatly reduce the pressure on Jingzhou and provide a rear line for our army, allowing us to focus our efforts on the Yique and Luoyang regions, increasing our chances of victory significantly!"

Upon hearing this, Cao Cao's eyes flashed with a sharp light. He clapped his hands and exclaimed, "Excellent! Use Jingzhou as bait to lure the tiger into devouring the wolf! Even if we cannot achieve complete victory, we can still disrupt their rear and keep them constantly on the move! Therefore, as Wenruo suggests, immediately send an envoy secretly to Jiangdong! This matter… will be entrusted to Wenruo to personally select the envoy, ensuring secrecy and security!"

"Your subordinate obeys." Xun Yu bowed and replied, his wide sleeves fluttering like butterflies in the wind.

Cao Cao threw his head back and laughed heartily, pointing his halberd forward, "Wenruo, let's see who emerges victorious in this battle of the Yellow River and Luo River regions!"

Xun Yu nodded, but his face showed little joy. He gazed at the distant, rolling mountains, the direction of Taigu and Yique, and sighed after a long while, "My lord... there is one more thing... Ye City... is a crucial and vital location, and the heir apparent is still within the city..."

Cao Cao immediately waved his hand to interrupt, "How could I not know?!"

With Cao Pi in Ji Province, Ye City was destined to become an exclave.

If Cao Cao had not been able to respond in time, Cao Pi's fate would have been precarious.

But now, in Cao Cao's army, which place is in dire straits?
If Cao Cao went to protect Cao Pi, then who would protect Cao Cao and defend his main base in Yingchuan and Qiao County, Yuzhou?

Cao Cao looked up and gazed into the distance for a long time before sighing, "Wenruo, this battle... is my chance to decide the outcome with Fei Ziyuan... If we can break through Yiluo, then there is hope of turning the tide..."

Xun Yu remained silent for a moment, no longer urging Cao Cao to arrange any escape route for Cao Pi. He said, "The Han dynasty is in decline, and the world is in turmoil. Without extraordinary individuals, extraordinary deeds cannot be accomplished, and extraordinary achievements cannot be made. Although our army is exhausted, our soldiers are fighting bravely. Though the situation is dangerous, we are combining orthodox and unorthodox methods. We should do our utmost, each contributing their wisdom and strength. Success or failure… can be left to fate."

"In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures are needed..." Cao Cao's gaze deepened. "The tribes of Ji Province have long harbored disloyal intentions. Even when Yuan Shao was in power, he couldn't completely subdue them; how much less so today? If Fei Ziyuan were to take Ji Province, could he win their hearts?"

This question doesn't need an answer.

"The gentry of Ji Province are like gluttons, insatiably greedy. The Fei Clan's new policies aim to seize their land and diminish their private interests; how could they possibly submit? At that time…" Cao Cao snorted, "Even if the General of the Cavalry gains control of Ji Province, it will be a chaotic and unsettling place! If the Fei Clan implements its new policies, it will inevitably face a backlash from the gentry… If we tolerate and condone them, the new policies will collapse, and the people will lose heart. This is a dilemma!"

This was the 'foundation' for Cao Cao's risky move, because Cao Cao understood these Ji Province gentry too well...

Back then it was Han Fu, then Yuan Shao, then Cao Cao, and now, with Fei Qian gone, everything will go smoothly and the counties will be peaceful.

Ha ha.

The key point is that Cao Cao used the previous battles to almost completely deplete the resources of those local strongmen in Ji Province. If the Flying Cavalry wanted to "scrape" any more...

But if they don't "scrape" the supplies, where will the cavalry's provisions, pay, and other necessities come from?

This is Cao Cao's second layer of overt strategy.

"As for Pi'er..." Cao Cao paused for a moment, then said calmly, "When my eldest son died, how much pain I felt! But the Cao family's legacy cannot be inherited by ordinary people. If Pi'er cannot weather this calamity, even if he succeeds me, he will find it difficult to maintain."

Cao Cao spoke these words calmly, but Xun Yu was alarmed!

Xun Yu lowered his head and remained silent. He recalled his first meeting with Cao Pi many years ago, that intelligent yet somewhat melancholic young man. Now, to be personally pushed into this hellish trial by his own father, a pang of pity welled up in his heart…

However, in chaotic times, kindness is often the most luxurious poison.

Who isn’t in the crucible of purgatory?

Just like Cao Cao and Xun Yu at this moment, aren't they also left with no way out?
At this moment, Cao Cao also transformed himself into a chess piece, throwing himself into this game of chess for the world.

Cao Cao fell silent. Their eyes met, and both saw the undisguised heaviness and resolve in each other's eyes.

They all understood that this massive army marching north carried not only the weight of military victory or defeat, but also the last vestiges of their political group's fortune and hope.

If they win, they can reverse the disadvantage, gain a chance to catch their breath, and even have a chance to rebuild their empire.

If they are defeated, there will be no hope of recovery and no chance of a comeback.

The road ahead is fraught with peril, and we are surrounded by formidable enemies. This journey is truly a matter of life and death.

The army marched forward in silence, the mountain mists howled, and the banners fluttered in the wind, as if playing a tragic prelude for this army heading towards an unknown fate.

Perhaps on the distant Sishui Pass, Liu Xie was still dreaming of his "imperial might," while the true chess player was already laying the groundwork for his next killing move.

"My lord, I... will go ahead first..." Xun Yu bowed with his hands clasped. He ordered another unit of troops to attack his old rival, Sima Yi, at Taigu Pass.

Cao Cao nodded and returned the greeting, saying, "I wish Wenruo every success!"

"Thank you, my lord!"

Xun Yu said no more, turned his horse around, went down the hill, and continued on his way.

Soon, a detachment of soldiers broke off from the central army formation, bearing the banner with the character "Xun" on it, and headed in another direction...

Cao Cao sat upright on his horse, watching the banner with the character "Xun" appear and disappear amidst the dust and yellow clouds as it rose and fell with the terrain until it vanished from sight. He let out a long sigh, and the "relaxed" and "calm" expression he had maintained crumbled.

Fei Ziyuan…

Cao Cao muttered something at the end, but no one could hear him anymore.

As for the third layer of overt strategy, we'll have to wait until Fei Qianneng has dealt with the first two parts before we can discuss that...

Cao Cao nudged his horse's belly, then dismounted from the hill with his guards and joined the main force, continuing forward.

……

……

Three days later, in front of Taigu Pass.

Cao Cao's offensive had lasted for a full six hours. Corpses lay strewn beneath the walls, their blood staining the yellow earth a deep brown, gleaming eerily in the slanting autumn sunlight.

A cornered dog will jump over a wall; a cornered chicken will climb a tree.

When people are desperate, they will naturally fight tooth and nail.

Even a small knife used for opening cardboard boxes is enough to slit a throat. Don't push someone too far!

Cao Cao is now in a desperate situation...

Cao Cao also had elite troops under his command, especially after being forced into a desperate situation. Seeing that ordinary means were not enough to break through Sima Yi's defense line at Taigu Pass, he completely disregarded casualties and used his most ruthless methods!
The poor fear the ruthless, and the ruthless fear the reckless...

History has shown that once someone starts to disregard their own life, even the best equipment and most advanced weapons will cause serious trouble.

"Supervisory team, advance! Anyone who dares to retreat even a step will be executed on the spot!"

A desperate roar echoed from Cao's army ranks, accompanied by dozens of bloody heads being lifted up by long poles.

Those were the soldiers who had just slowed their charge and were trying to retreat!
The bloody intimidation instantly extinguished any fear of battle, turning terror into madness.

"First to charge! Clad in heavy armor, wielding sharp blades, ascend the cloud ladder! The first to reach the top will be rewarded with a thousand pieces of gold and promoted to captain! Those who retreat will be executed without mercy! Their entire families will be punished!"

With both generous rewards and harsh punishments, hundreds of elite armored soldiers broke out of the battle!

They were clad in heavy lamellar armor weighing dozens of kilograms, and some even wore only half armor for agility. With steel knives in their mouths and shields in one hand, they frantically climbed the newly erected ladders with the other!

His actions were frantic, completely disregarding the arrows and rolling logs and stones raining down from the walls of Taigu Pass; all he cared about was climbing the pass!
People kept getting hit by arrows and falling, screaming as they plummeted to the ground, but those who followed immediately stepped over the corpses of their companions and even wounded soldiers who were still alive, continuing to climb desperately upwards!
That fierce, resolute aura was suffocating!

crazy!

What's more terrifying than a single madman is a group of madmen!

Some keyboard warriors will surely find this unbelievable. After all, it's just a piece of clothing, just an item. Is it really that big of a deal? At worst, they'll be fined. It's not the keyboard warriors who will be fined, so it's probably no big deal. Why are they making such a fuss? Keyboard warriors who have never personally experienced oppression or come into contact with the real situation of victims often underestimate the harm due to their lack of empathy and knowledge gaps.

Those who believe that oppression and exploitation won't drive people "crazy" have a distorted understanding of the harm caused by oppression...

Simply put, it means their values ​​are distorted.

These people often use "whether extreme behavior occurs immediately" as the criterion for judgment, but they ignore the "long-term cumulative effect" of oppression. Many victims will first show hidden psychological traumas such as depression, anxiety, and self-denial, rather than "going crazy" immediately.

Normal Cao army soldiers wouldn't dare to stab the cavalry with a knife, but once they "go mad," they'd dare to slash anyone they saw.

As Cao Cao's direct Central Protectorate Army overseeing the battle, they knew all too well how to flip this "madness" switch.

Even more fatally, the ballistae and remaining catapults behind Cao Cao's lines launched a rapid, almost self-destructive barrage!

No longer pursuing precision, but only seeking to unleash the most firepower on the Taigu Pass's battlements in the shortest time!
The huge stone projectiles whistled as they struck the gate tower, causing the rammed earth walls to tremble violently and sending shards of earth flying everywhere!

The specially made heavy crossbow bolts, like giant javelins, pierced the battlements with a shrill whistle, and even penetrated the eaves of the wooden city tower!

These crossbow bolts and stone projectiles not only caused direct casualties and destruction, but also severely suppressed the counterattack of the Taigu Pass garrison!

On the wall, Sima Yi stood, his face pale, his armor stained with blood.

The fierce battles of the past few days had left his eye sockets sunken, but his eyes were terrifyingly bright.

"Duck! Watch out for the stones!!" Sima Yi's roar was almost inaudible amidst the deafening roar.

He himself was pinned down by his guards against the parapet, with gravel and dust falling all over his helmet and shoulder armor.

He looked around and saw only horrific scenes and fallen soldiers. The desperate fighting that had just taken only a quarter of an hour was far more dangerous than the entire day's battles before.

The destructive power unleashed by Cao Cao's army in this desperate situation exceeded Sima Yi's expectations. His previous deployments were indeed caught off guard by Cao Cao's army's reckless and desperate attacks.

Sima Yi felt a growing unease in his heart...

If those four cannons were still there...

The thought had barely crossed his mind when he forcibly suppressed it. Now was not the time for regret.

The barrage of stones and crossbow bolts paused briefly, and Sima Yi hurriedly pushed aside his guards, his voice hoarse from anxiety and inhaling smoke, and roared, "Quick! Drop the stones! Prepare the oil! Quick!"

He knew that the decisive moment would come in this short instant!
However, Cao Cao's desperate offensive still exceeded the defensive capacity of the troops defending Taigu Pass.

At several crenellations, the defending troops were suppressed and unable to raise their heads, allowing several Cao army suicide soldiers to successfully leap onto the city walls!

"kill!"

A Cao army garrison commander, covered in blood and with a ferocious expression, roared and swung his ring-pommel sword, slashing down a garrison soldier who was about to throw a rolling log!

Behind him, more Cao soldiers, like bloodthirsty wolves, swarmed up through this small breach and instantly carved out a small foothold on the city wall!
"Patch the breach!" Sima Yi's eyes were bloodshot as he drew his sword with a clang. "Personnel guards, follow me!"

He knew that once Cao Cao's army gained a foothold on the city wall and expanded their forces, the entire defensive line could collapse from that point!
At this moment, Sima Yi no longer cared about demeanor or strategy. Like an ordinary battlefield commander, he personally led the last reserve force to rush towards the most dangerous breakthrough point!

With a flash of light, he clashed head-on with a Cao army commander who charged at him, and his arm went numb from the impact!
The guards around him and Cao's elite soldiers instantly clashed, the sounds of clashing swords, roars, and screams filling the air!
The struggle for every inch of the city wall became exceptionally bloody and brutal.

Sima Yi's martial arts skills were not top-notch, only average; he relied entirely on his personal guards' desperate protection and an unwavering will to never retreat. He parried an incoming spear, then with a backhand slash, cut open the throat of a Cao army soldier, warm blood splattering all over his face!
He could even clearly see the madness and destructive desire in the eyes of the Cao army soldiers on the other side, driven to the brink of despair.

Sima Yi slashed twice more, killing one more person, but his arms began to ache and he was panting heavily.

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

The roars of Cao Cao's elite soldiers continued unabated.

The cavalry defenders were also inspired, their spears forming a forest as they desperately thrust forward, trying to push the Cao army that had climbed the city walls off.

The two sides fought fiercely on the narrow city wall, and the corpses piled up quickly, the slippery blood making it almost impossible to stand.

Sima Yi felt short of breath, his strength rapidly dwindling. He had never felt the breath of death so close before, nor had he ever been so clearly aware that a single misjudgment could lead to the complete collapse of his forces and utter ruin!

He even thought of the four cannons he had previously lost…

If we still had artillery at this moment, how could we be in such a sorry state?

The pressure from this regret distracted him, and the price of that distraction was the inability to think calmly and comprehensively during the battle...

"boom!"

Fortunately, the cavalry garrison poured oil down, and flames shot into the sky.

The remaining troops of Cao Cao's army were cut off by the flames, and the part that rushed up the wall was also wiped out by the cavalry garrison.

However, Cao's army still showed no intention of retreating or stopping, only retreating slightly because of the flames.

"They're insane..." Sima Yi gasped, "These guys... they're insane... oil! How much oil do they have left?!"

"Report!" a cavalry soldier replied, "Five cans left!"

"Grenades, how many grenades do we have left?" Sima Yi asked again.

There are twelve left...

Sima Yi swallowed hard. "Arrows! Bring up more arrows! And rolling logs and stones! Quickly! These madmen will attack again soon!"

He forced himself to his feet and looked around. The soldiers all looked exhausted; some could even fall asleep leaning against the battlements. But no one complained; everyone silently carried out their orders.

"Take a break at the front! Is there any food?! Everyone share!" Sima Yi roared. "Water! Send some water up! And be quick!"

"Inspect each other! Armor! Weapons! Replace anything damaged!"

"These corpses are piled up at the breach!"

Throw anything that's in your way out of the way and lock it up!

Sima Yi issued a series of orders, then pushed up his blood-stained helmet, looked at the "Xun" battle flag on the distant mountain, gritted his teeth, and wondered if the defeat at Ghost Cry Pass was about to be repeated here.
no way!

Sima Yi hardened his heart, but when he turned around and saw the exhausted state of the surrounding cavalry guards, he couldn't help but feel a little uneasy...