Weird Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3845 Elegy
Hao Zhao's patient and unhurried attacks prevented Cao Cao from finding any openings.

For Cao Cao at this moment, launching a direct and forceful attack would undoubtedly be the worst possible strategy.

Besides, Cao Cao didn't really want to attack Tong Pass...

"call……"

Cao Cao exhaled softly and deeply, the white breath flashing and disappearing in the cold night.

Perhaps this foreshadows something?
Cao Cao seemed somewhat sentimental, but the regret in his eyes quickly faded, replaced by solemnity and cunning.

This feeling of licking blood from a knife's edge...

Cao Cao liked it very much.

It could even stimulate Cao Cao's brain to work at high speed.

"My lord! It seems this bandit general is determined to be a coward!" Dian Wei couldn't contain himself and volunteered again, "Their camp walls look rather ordinary. Should I lead some daredevils and charge in? Let's tear down their walls and smash their shell!"

Cao Cao gazed at the rear camp of the Flying Cavalry from afar, looking at the tricolor flags fluttering in the camp, as well as the battle flag of the Hao family, as if he wanted to remember Hao Zhao.

Historically, both Liu Bei and Sun Quan lamented the abundance of talented individuals under Cao Cao's command, but now it is Cao Cao who is marveling at the abundance of talent emerging under Fei Qian's leadership…

If you want to attract talent, simply shouting slogans and making empty promises won't work.

(Liu Da Erduo nodded vigorously. If it weren't for the deep-seated hatred between the Zhuge family and Cao Cao, the eldest brother wouldn't have gone to Jiangdong, the second brother wouldn't have gone to Liu Bei, and after seeing that neither of them were very good, the third brother wouldn't have gone to Cao Cao's side.)
Fei Qian controlled the Western Capital Secretariat, which was legitimately authorized by the Han Dynasty. Unlike Liu Bei and Sun Quan in history, who could only make empty promises, Fei Qian had better financial resources and offered higher salaries.

Most importantly, Fei Qian opened up a path for advancement for people in the middle and lower classes!

This is the fundamental reason why Fei Qian's subordinates are full of talented people!

Whether it was Hao Zhao, the deceased Ma Yue, or other generals and strategists, they were generally not given important positions in Shandong and the Central Plains. Even under Cao Cao, they were praised to his face but guarded against behind his back. Zhang Fei's eight hundred men fighting Sun Quan's ten thousand appeared majestic and awe-inspiring, but who could truly understand the desolation behind it?

Cao Cao's trump card right now is Dian Wei, so how could he possibly let Dian Wei get trapped in this camp so easily?
Therefore, even if Dian Wei volunteered for battle, Cao Cao refused without hesitation.

Cao Cao raised his hand and gave the order in a deep voice, without the slightest hesitation: "Order the soldiers who were taunting to withdraw. Each unit, extinguish your torches in turn, remain on guard, retreat, and withdraw!"

"Huh?" Dian Wei was stunned, asking in a muffled voice, full of confusion, "My lord, we...we're leaving already? The enemy generals dare not come out, let's just charge in! This mere camp, I am willing to be the vanguard, I will surely break through for my lord!"

Cao Cao shook his head, his gaze still fixed on the General of the Cavalry camp and the Hao family banner, but he patiently explained to Dian Wei, "I know that E Lai is brave and rarely matched in the world... However, our army's objective this time is not merely to defeat this detachment... If we get bogged down in a prolonged battle here, wasting too many troops and time, and if the main force from Tong Pass comes to our aid, or if they have other plans, it will be detrimental to our overall situation, and certainly not a good thing..."

Cao Cao raised his hand, pointing to the watchtowers in the rear camp of the Flying Cavalry, and the archers and crossbowmen of the Flying Cavalry standing ready for battle. "Their camp is fortified, their morale is high, their commander is decisive, and the routed soldiers are being regrouped in an orderly manner. If we launch a strong attack now, they will rely on their fortifications and defend with their crossbows. Even if our army manages to break through with brute force, how many of these thousand-odd elite cavalry will be left? To lose so many men for this small force would be a losing proposition."

As the order was given, the torches that had been lit sporadically in Cao Cao's army began to go out one by one.

Without the light source, the entire Cao army cavalry formation seemed to blend into a thick layer of ink.

Under Cao Cao's command, the Cao army cavalry began to quickly and quietly break away from the Flying Cavalry and gallop into the darkness from which they had come. In a short while, they disappeared without a trace, as if they had never existed.

After a long and agonizing wait, the sky finally began to brighten little by little.

The north wind brought leaden-gray clouds that hung low, making it hard to breathe.

Inside the cavalry camp, the tense atmosphere did not immediately dissipate as Cao Cao's army retreated.

Hao Zhao remained standing on the roof of the wagon, his sharp gaze sweeping across the camp to confirm that Cao Cao's army was truly retreating, not feigning an attack. Only after his scouts cautiously explored the area for several miles and reported that they had indeed found no trace of Cao Cao's army did he breathe a slight sigh of relief, though his brow remained furrowed.

Why did Cao Cao's army suddenly attack this place?

Why did they hit me and then leave?
Was the purpose Tongguan Pass, or something else?

"General, Cao Cao has retreated. Should we...should we go out and collect the remains of our fallen brothers..."

A captain stepped forward, his voice low and sorrowful as he asked for instructions.

Hao Zhao paused for a moment, looking at the scattered bodies outside the camp, and nodded slightly. He then added, "Send out scouts to spread out over a distance of fifteen li! If anything unusual happens, immediately raise the alarm! Archers and crossbowmen will be on constant alert!"

The captain accepted the order and left.

Faced with Ma Yue's death, Hao Zhao felt both grief and self-blame, wishing he had noticed first...

No, it wasn't that he hadn't noticed. Back at Tongguan, Ma Yue had repeatedly been impatient and wanted to lead his troops out to attack, but Hao Zhao had stopped him then. This time, he hadn't had a chance to stop him...

Perhaps it's fate?

……

……

South of the Yellow River, east of Shanxian County.

"My lord! I...I have been ordered by General Hao to risk my life to break through the siege...and come to seek your aid!"

The messenger, his voice barely a whisper, his face pale and stained with blood, mud, and exhaustion, trembled as he pulled a blood-soaked silk cloth from his robes and handed it over. "General Ma… was ambushed by Cao Cao's army outside Xin'an County… and fought valiantly to the death! General Hao… is also heavily surrounded by Cao Cao's army… the situation is extremely critical! Please… please, Your Excellency, send reinforcements immediately! If we are too late… the camp will surely fall!"

After saying this, the soldier who had asked for help seemed to have exhausted his last bit of strength. His eyes rolled back and he fainted.

Xun Chen frowned and ordered his men to carry the soldier who had requested reinforcements to the rear camp for treatment.

The blood-written letter appeared to have been written with blood drawn from a bitten finger, making the handwriting completely illegible and thus impossible to determine who wrote it. Furthermore, large patches of blood stained the letter, completely obscuring some of the writing; only vague phrases like "besieged" and "fighting to the death" could be discerned…

Inside the central command tent, there were other civil officials and military officers who, upon hearing this news, immediately erupted in an uproar!
Ma Yue killed in battle? Hao Zhao surrounded?
Where did Cao Cao's army get such a large force?
Is Cao Cao really willing to go to any lengths to eliminate this detachment that emerged from Tongguan?
no no!
Is this some kind of attempt to seize the opportunity to break through Tongguan Pass in one fell swoop and directly invade Chang'an in Guanzhong?!

Xun Chen sat upright in the main seat, his face calm and composed.

He held the blood-written plea for help, examining it carefully. His gaze swept over the still legible words: "General Ma is dead," "Cao Cao's troops," "Heavily surrounded," and "On the verge of death."

Xun Chen's brows furrowed slightly, as if he were weighing something.

The generals under his command were already in high spirits.

"My lord! We must immediately send troops to rescue General Hao!"

"Yes! General Ma has already died for his country; General Hao must not be allowed to fall as well!"

"Tongguan Pass is extremely important; if it falls into the hands of Cao Cao's army, I'm afraid it will be..."

"That traitor Cao is so arrogant, daring to launch a preemptive attack! It's time to fight him to the death!"

Of course, some people suggested that we should be more cautious, but they were quickly drowned out by comments like "How can we stand by and watch someone die?", "The cavalry are all elite troops", and "The world is vast and we can roam freely here"...

In fact, many things are not absolute...

Statements like "elite troops never fail" and "one cannot stand idly by when someone is dying" are all one-sided and absolute arguments that are clearly problematic. However, many people either genuinely don't understand or are deliberately pretending to be ignorant.

For example, were the Qin Dynasty's troops brave and elite? Obviously, the answer is yes, otherwise they could not have unified China and crushed the six states. But why did they fall so quickly? Some people might argue that the Qin army was no longer elite in its later years, but the answer is actually the opposite.

The Qin Dynasty's army remained quite elite in its later stages, but its downfall stemmed from reasons far beyond military considerations. History has repeatedly demonstrated that military power requires the support of political, economic, social, and cultural factors. Without popular support, even the most elite army cannot sustain a regime for long.

Absolute statements like "one cannot stand idly by and watch someone die" also ignore the complexity of the situation. In ethics or decision-making, sometimes it is necessary to weigh the pros and cons. For example, when resources are limited or the risks are too high, "rescuing" may not be the best option.

Xun Chen is now facing the same situation.

The military officers murmured amongst themselves, but Xun Chen fell silent. His gaze drifted to the gloomy sky outside the tent, his mind racing.

Something feels off.

Cao Cao's military tactics were always unpredictable, both in terms of feints and real attacks.

Why did Cao Cao use his main force to besiege Hao Zhao's detachment instead of defending Luoyang or blocking the main force that was about to cross the river?
This doesn't make sense.

Unless Cao Cao wanted to "besiege Wei to rescue Zhao"?
But that's not right either. The key to "besieging Wei to rescue Zhao" is to besiege Wei and then be able to retreat at a leisurely pace. If you get blocked by the Flying Cavalry on Tongguan Pass, it's not about rescuing Zhao, but about never coming back!
Moreover, this plea for help came too quickly, seemingly too "timely"... From Xin'an to Shanxian, although it's not actually that far, but...

Why not seek help from the rear in Guanzhong?
Could it be that Hao Zhao is so desperate that he has sought help from multiple sources?
Xun Chen looked down at the 'blood letter' in his hand again.

The handwriting was messy and stained with blood, but certain wording gave him a sense that it was deliberately exaggerating the crisis.

More importantly, Xun Chen had met Hao Zhao. Although they weren't exactly bosom friends, they at least had some understanding of each other.

Hao Bodao was cautious by nature and came from Liangzhou. He was not only skilled in martial arts but also very familiar with military affairs. Especially in the previous battle in Hedong, even though Hao Zhao was wounded on the battlefield, he still calmly commanded, tried his best to maneuver, and led the troops back.

This left a deep impression on Xun Chen.

But now...

Even if Ma Yue were to die in battle, with Hao Zhao's abilities, it would not be difficult for him to hold out for several days in the fortified camp, waiting for reinforcements or seizing an opportunity to break out.

Therefore, the phrase "on the verge of death" mentioned in this letter...

That seems a bit like gilding the lily.

"Someone!" Xun Chen said in a deep voice, "Go to the rear camp and see if the messenger has woken up."

Before long, a soldier came to report, his expression troubled. "Reporting to the lord, this...this messenger...he succumbed to his wounds..."

"Hmm?" Xun Chen frowned immediately and asked, "Why wasn't it treated? Did the physicians in the rear camp fail to provide adequate care?"

The soldier replied, "It's not the doctor's fault. The messenger was vomiting blood incessantly when he arrived at the rear camp... and there wasn't enough time to treat him..."

Xun Chen's heart skipped a beat!
This looks too much like a trap!

A messenger assassin, and a blood-written letter with no beginning or end.

Xun Chen was almost certain.

If Cao Cao's army were to launch an attack, their target would likely not be Hao Zhao, but Xun Chen!
Once he leads his troops away from the fortified camps of Shanxian and Shanjin and heads towards Tongguan to provide relief, Cao Cao's army will likely be waiting for him in some strategic location!
They were ambushed during the march...

Xun Chen turned to look at his military academy officers, pondered for a moment, shook his head, and rejected another idea.

Using a counter-strategy is too risky...

If Xun Chen had unparalleled military generals and thousands of heavily armored soldiers under his command, he wouldn't mind using this trap to launch a counterattack. But now, with only these ordinary military academies from Hedong, it's better to forget about it.

Prioritize stability.

Xun Chen took a deep breath and made a decision. He looked at the anxious officers under his command and said in a deep voice, "Gentlemen, please calm down. General Hao is skilled in defense, and his camp is well-fortified. Even if attacked suddenly, it will not be breached by Cao Cao's army overnight. This letter requesting reinforcements is highly suspicious; it is likely a trap set by Cao Cao to lure us in. Our army's primary task is to secure the Shanjin ferry crossing and ensure the smooth flow of supplies. This is the overall situation; we cannot afford to lose sight of the bigger picture!"

Xun Chen paused for a moment, then ordered: "Order the entire army to increase alert and reinforce the defenses of the camps in Shanxian and Shanjin! Send out more scouts to closely monitor the direction of Luoyang and the key roads leading to Tongguan! Without orders from the general, not a single soldier is allowed to leave their defensive zone! As for General Hao… I believe that with his ability to defend the city, he will surely be able to turn the tide. Once the main force crosses the river, everything will become clear."

On the surface, this decision undoubtedly appears to be cold-blooded and ruthless.

If Hao Zhao is truly in danger, then Xun Chen's actions would be tantamount to "letting someone die without offering help."

However, it was clear that Xun Chen had no intention of explaining this in detail to these military academy students. On the one hand, explaining it in detail would be too troublesome, and the students might not understand it. On the other hand, there was no direct and compelling evidence to support Xun Chen's suspicions...

Although the officers in the tent still had doubts and reluctance, seeing Xun Chen's resolute attitude, they had no choice but to obey and leave.

……

……

At the time of Xun Chen's decision, on the only road south of Shanxian County, in a dense forest on a loess plateau overlooking the official road.

Cao Cao, Dian Wei, and over a thousand elite cavalrymen of Cao Cao's army were quietly lying in ambush here.

All the men and horses lay low and did not move, like cheetahs lying in wait, waiting for their prey to enter the ambush zone.

Cao Cao stood on the edge of the loess plateau, using a large tree for cover, gazing towards the direction of Shanxian County in the distance.

According to Cao Cao's calculations, if Xun Chen were misled by the false report and sent reinforcements, the dust kicked up by his vanguard would soon be in his sight...

However, as time passed, the official road remained empty, with only the cold wind swirling fallen leaves and withered grass.

Dian Wei said impatiently in a low voice, "My lord! Why haven't those thieves arrived yet?"

Cao Cao did not speak, but his brows furrowed more and more deeply.

Xun Chen saw through it?

Was it that fake report, or the assassin? What flaw did it reveal?
"Men!" Cao Cao ordered, "Send a scout team towards Shanxian County to investigate carefully!"

Sending out scouts inevitably carries the risk of exposure, but Cao Cao needs definite intelligence more than anything else right now.

Another hour passed, and the scout returned.

"Reporting to the Prime Minister! There's been no movement from the direction of Shanxian! Only enemy scouts are patrolling around, seemingly searching for our army! If it weren't for my alertness, I fear..."

Cao Cao waved his hand, indicating that he understood.

Despite having a premonition, upon hearing the confirmed news, Cao Cao's eyes still betrayed a hint of disappointment and weariness.

His meticulously planned schemes, including a night raid to defeat Ma Yue, a failed attempt to lure Hao Zhao, and now his deadly move to lure Xun Chen to his aid, have also failed.

Hao Zhao held firm as a rock, while Xun Chen seemed to have seen through his scheme.

Neither of his opponents gave him any opportunity to exploit.

"What a pity..."

Cao Cao let out a long sigh.

That sigh seemed to carry a sense of desolation and helplessness, like a hero whose path had ended.

He knew that having lost this opportunity, it would be impossible to create such a favorable battle opportunity to strike the detachment of the Flying Cavalry before the main force of the Flying Cavalry arrived again.

Cao Cao glanced at Dian Wei, still brimming with fighting spirit beside him, then at the elite cavalry that had followed him through countless battles and raids, and finally waved his hand, ordering: "Withdraw the troops."

Dian Wei's eyes widened. "My lord, are we... just going to retreat like this?"

Cao Cao smiled, as if the gloom and helplessness in his eyes had vanished completely. He still appeared confident and in control. "No worries, no worries! This battle is a success! You have all made great contributions!"

Dian Wei was puzzled.

Cao Cao laughed and said, "The two detachments of the General of the Cavalry were originally set up to raid our flanks and encircle us! Now, with the great defeat at Xin'an, we need to regroup; although we didn't fall for their trap at Shanxian, they are now cautious and dare not attack! Therefore, the two detachments of the General of the Cavalry are no longer a threat! Isn't this a great achievement for you all?!"

Cao Cao did not deliberately exaggerate the results of the battle.

However, some details were omitted...

If we can defeat the detachment of the Flying Cavalry that has crippled Xin'an and Shanxian, we can not only disrupt Fei Qian's plan to encircle him from all sides, but also threaten Fei Qian's grain transport channels in Guanzhong and Hedong!

Now, we have to settle for second best.

Cao Cao had already devised this series of plans when he went to war. Although the situation has not yet reached its ideal state, the result is still acceptable to Cao Cao.

Moreover, Cao Cao had a next step in his plan...

Dian Wei and the other Cao soldiers naturally didn't understand these things, but upon hearing Cao Cao's words, they were all invigorated and quietly withdrew from the ambush position, beginning their return to Heluo.

Soon, only the howling wind remained on the loess plateau, as if playing a mournful elegy.