Ji Han Liu Zhang

The fifth year of Jian'an, the end of June.

"Report, the Hebei army has been recruited in Yecheng."

"Report, the vanguard of the Hebei army has arrived in Liyang, and will cross the river and attack Baima soon."

"Report, Wuhuan leaders Nanlou, Su Puyan and others are leading their Wuhuan cavalry to cross the river."

As time went by, piece after piece of bad news was delivered to Sikong Mansion in Xudu. Cao Cao looked serious and showed no fear. He just nodded to indicate that he knew the bad news, showing the calmness and composure that a hero should have.

As the troops from Hebei continued to advance southward, today, Cao Cao, wearing a helmet and armor, with a Qinggang sword on his waist, and fully equipped, decided to lead his army north to confront the central army led by Yuan Shao.

Before leaving Sikong Mansion, Cao Cao summoned Cao Ang and Xun Yu who were staying in Xu Du. Cao Ang was his eldest son and also his staunch supporter, so he should stay in Xu Du. Xun Yu, as his Xiao He, was of great use in providing sufficient food and soldiers, so he should also stay in Xu Du, the rear base.

"Ang'er, you can discuss the matter of Xudu with Minister Xun. If there is anything important, write to me immediately." There was a rare warmth in Cao Cao's eyes. He instructed Cao Ang, who was almost the same height as him, or even slightly taller.

Cao Ang, who had a youthful face and a slightly childish look, cupped his hands and said, "Don't worry, father. I know what's going on."

"Yeah." Cao Cao reached out and patted Cao Ang on the shoulder.

Cao Cao then looked back at Xun Yu and said, "Wen Ruo, the affairs of Xudu are now in your hands."

Xun Yu nodded, and at the same time he noticed the worry between Cao Cao's brows, he asked: "My lord, are you worried about something?"

Cao Ang speculated based on what Xun Yu said: "Yuan's army is powerful, with many soldiers and sufficient food. Our army has few soldiers and horses, and food and grass are not sufficient. Father is worried about this."

Cao Cao smiled faintly and shook his head: "Yuan Benchu ​​is certainly not something to be feared. His troops are better than ours, but they are not as brave as ours. They also have more food and grass than ours, but they are just delivering them to our army."

In front of Cao Ang and Xun Yu, two of his confidants, Cao Cao revealed his true feelings: "What I am worried about is that from Xudu to the south, in Yingchuan and Runan, most of the county officials are former officials of the Yuan family. Now that Yuan Benchu's army is heading south, they may become disloyal and shake the local area when I am in a stalemate with Yuan Shao, and then raise an army to rebel. By then, I will be attacked from both sides, and the situation will be disastrous."

Yuan Shao became the undisputed leader of the Yuan family after Dong Zhuo exterminated the entire Luoyang Yuan clan and Yuan Shu crossed the river to the north and drowned in a storm. The Yuan family had three officials in four generations, and the hometowns of his disciples were spread all over the world, especially in the counties of Yuzhou such as Yingchuan and Runan. Most of the officials and scholars in these places regarded Yuan Shao as their leader.

Now that Yuan Shao has raised an army of 100,000 and thousands of tiger guards to invade the south, Cao Cao knows that the people in Yingchuan, Runan and other places will be uncertain and the situation will be precarious. Yingchuan and Runan, as his rear base, become even more important.

If he were to fight with Yuan Shao in the front and Yingchuan and Runan in the rear were to become unstable, how could he last long?

Therefore, Cao Cao was really worried about the disaster in his heart, especially now that there were so many external threats. Xun Yu stepped forward, cupped his hands and strengthened Cao Cao's determination to fight, saying: "Please be at ease, my lord. Although there are many students and former officials of the Yuan family in Yingchuan and Runan, they can be divided into three categories."

"One is those who are determined to take advantage of your trip north to fight against Yuan Benchu ​​and rebel. There are the fewest people like this. I estimate that only three or five counties will make such a move. The other is those who secretly send people to submit surrender documents to Yuan Benchu ​​and curry favor with him in advance. However, these people will not rebel and just have ulterior motives."

"Of course, if the situation is bad for you, they may raise the banner of rebellion. If you are in an advantageous position or in a stalemate with Yuan Benchu, they will just wait and see, not daring to make any moves until the situation becomes clear... This type of people is the most numerous, probably seven or eight out of ten."

"There is another type of people." Xun Yu said slowly: "Although these people are Yuan's disciples and hometown, they have no intention of relying on Yuan Benchu. Now that they are serving under you, they are loyal to you. There are not many people like this, probably only one in ten."

"That's why," Xun Yu concluded, "Your Excellency, if you lead your army north, there may be unrest in Yingchuan, Runan and other counties, but it will not be enough to ruin the situation. You can leave a brave general here to inspect the counties. This way, you will be prepared and there will be no trouble."

"Wen Ruo's words have helped me see the blue sky through the clouds." Cao Cao sighed, and at the same time he followed Xun Yu's advice and gave an order: "For now, leave Cao Hong to inspect Yingchuan and Runan counties to prevent one or two thieves from causing trouble."

"General Cao Hong is a brave and valiant man. If he stays here, there will be no trouble." Xun Yu agreed with Cao Cao's personnel arrangement. Although Cao Hong had the bad habit of greed for money, he was still able to control himself on major issues. With Cao Hong staying here, there would be no trouble.

After discussing with Cao Ang and Xun Yu who stayed behind, Cao Cao summoned all his generals and advisers, such as Xiahou Yuan, Yu Jin and other brave generals, Guo Jia, Dong Zhao and other strategic men, and declared in the hall: "I have known Yuan Benchu ​​for a long time. He has great ambitions but little wisdom, looks fierce but is timid, is afraid of defeat and has little authority. He is indeed a mediocre person."

"Although we have 100,000 victorious troops and have recruited the Wuhuan, Xianbei and other barbarians to join us, their troops are too numerous to be clearly organized, their generals are arrogant and their orders are inconsistent. Therefore, although the land Yuan Benchu ​​occupies is vast, his food and grass are sufficient, and his baggage is plentiful, it is nothing more than a servant to me."

"I think this battle will definitely defeat Yuan Benchu, and then settle Hebei, and settle Hebei for Your Majesty. You can try to see how it goes."

In front of all the civil and military officials, Cao Cao was ambitious and self-important. He did not take Yuan Shao, who had superior troops, food, supplies, and armor and weapons, seriously and almost looked down on him.

This is a kind of momentum, which strategically underestimates and even despises Yuan Shao. Otherwise, Cao Cao, the leader, would be afraid before the battle even begins, and his subordinates would lose their morale. There would be no need to fight this battle, and it would be better to surrender directly to Yuan Shao in order to survive for a while.

Cao Cao was ambitious and looked down upon Yuan Shao. His civil and military officials were determined to fight and had the courage to fight.

After delivering the mobilization speech, Cao Cao began to lead his troops northward. In this expedition, he commanded all the generals and led the elite soldiers in the army. As the Sikong, he served as the vanguard and set out first, heading towards Bai Ma, showing his indomitable courage.

white horse.

Bai Ma is the nearest Yellow River ferry to Liyang where the Hebei army gathers. It is guarded by Liu Yan, the governor of Dongjun under Cao Cao. It is also the target location of Cao Cao's vanguard troops this time. He will try to defeat the vanguard of Yuan's army here and lay a good start for the subsequent stalemate between the two armies.

After all, Cao Cao had few soldiers and little food. If he could not win a few small victories in the battle, it would be very disadvantageous to the morale of the army. Therefore, Cao Cao led the vanguard and headed straight to Bai Ma as the commander-in-chief. (End of this chapter)